"The south passage likely leads back to the crossroads sign." Fiene speculates. "Though perhaps not directly.  Let's go East for now. He checks the floor as they go, realizing he will likely need a New pole before the return.

The pole wasn't going to last forever but a broken pole was better than a broken adventurer. The corridor ended in a door.

Fiene listens then opens the door if determined safe.

There was nothing heard at the door and as usual the door was stubborn but Fiene managed to push it open.

The door opened into a large room that smelt of mildrew. The room was thirty foot by fifty foot. Inside the room was smashed bunks and mouldy furniture.

OOC Day: 3. Time: 3:00pm. Turn: 35. Weather: Cloudy. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 30'

Lantern oil used
Fiene: 29 Turns - then refilled 3 Turn - lit

Fiene uses his pole to sift through the broken furniture, to avoid lice, if not something more sinister.

If he finds nothing of interest he will move south and check that door that faced west.  Opening it if quiet.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:36, Tue 13 Apr 2021.

A search around the old dormitory revealed nothing of value but mouldy broken furniture. Fiene returned to the corridor to the south. Fiene listened carefully but heard nothing at the door but he did heard approaching footsteps from the east corridor to the south.



OOC Day: 3. Time: 3:20pm. Turn: 37. Weather: Cloudy. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 30'

Lantern oil used
Fiene: 29 Turns - then refilled 5 Turns - lit

Fiene turns the lantern so it isn't shining directly down the south and might give them a moments upper hand.  "Hold." he says softly. "It might be the others, but if not, it might take a charm spell, or a bribe."

He waits quietly to see who it what the boots belong to.

Crouched by the door Fiene shielded the light from the lantern and waited to see what was coming. Fiene heard the familiar sound of orcish being spoken, they were talking about visiting Rocky the oracle. Four orcs turned the corner and headed north toward Fiene but they seemed surprised to see Fiene and Ermengard there.

OOC The orcs are surprised. Fiene is not surprised. So Fiene has a Surprise round action.

Fiene quickly selects the one that looks to be the leader, and summons the magic of charm spell.  "Well, Hello friend!" he says in the orcish tongue.  "I didn't expect you here, we were just looking for the oracle. While we were on our way to recover my stolen crown."

One of the orc's wore a gold necklace. In the moment Fiene before the orcs could act he cast his spell upon the leader.

The pig-faced brute gave a tusk toothed grin "we speak with the Oracle now" he nodded in agreement "you ask Oracle who stole crown?"

The other orcs appeared indifferent to the discussion. They eyed up Fiene and Ermengard but did not make any threatening actions, more interested in their own tasks than be interested in what anyone else wanted.

"We're good." he says softly to Ermangard, assuringly.   He nods to the orcs.  "Good idea. ask oracle." he says. Not exactly sure who the oracle might be, and the fact that he was lying about it being his crown he offers to let them go first  "You can ask for you first."

The orc not gently patted Fiene on the back "okay manling" then they easily push open the nearby door. The four orcs swaggered into the twenty foot by twenty foot room. On the far wall was carved a ten foot tall bearded human head. Smoke trailed from its mouth and it stared intently with crystal eyes.

The orcs stood before the Oracle "will the Open Sores defeat Wolf Gang?" the orc asked.

The stone huffed and its mouth opened wide emitting a puff of blue-grey smoke. Its voice rumbled "beware treachery and unknown foes. Your victory is not ensured" it warned.



OOC Day: 3. Time: 3:30pm. Turn: 38. Weather: Cloudy. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 30'

Lantern oil used
Fiene: 29 Turns - then refilled 6 Turns - lit

Fiene watches with interest, hoping the orcs are pleased with the vague answer. Of course oracles never gave straight answers.  "Is that good?" He asks, but waits for the other orcs to ask questions if they want before he asks.

ooc: was the answer in Orcish or common? or did the orcs ask in common?
This message was last edited by the player at 12:30, Wed 14 Apr 2021.

The question was asked in orcish and answered in orcish. The orcs were cowed by the ten foot face and humble in Ricky's presence but shook their heads at the answer given "Wolf gang make good hunting but Rocky says trouble. We should warn boss" the orc mumbled then turned to Fiene "you ask about crown now? he moved aside so Fiene could approach Rocky.

Fiene steps forward, "Will I get the crown from Da Dragon?" he says in orcish.

Smoke trailed from Rocky's mouth as he answered Fiene's question "beware the caves for they be the home of the dragon" his crystal eyes glowed in the smoky darkness.

Fiene watches to see if the orcs reacted to Rocky's answer. (Assuming it answered in common tongue to see if they speak common) "It said it was dangerous.  Can I ask another question?" he says in orcish.

The questions asked in orcish were replied in orcish. The orcs nodded amongst themselves and agreed, don't go in caves.

Fiene asked another question Rocky opened his stone mouth and replied "yes" then his crystal eyes dimmed and his mouth shut tight with no further smoke escaping.

Ooc: he was asking the orcs, not rocky.  But it appears 3 is the limit, and you have to be careful what you say. Good info to know.

Was his dragon answer in common? So the orcs do understand common

"I saw Da Dragon has my crown, but I'm not strong enough to take it back." Fiene tells the orcs."I will have to wait, unless I can get help."

The craven bullies that orcs are shook their heads at the idea of fighting anything bigger than themselves or as dangerous as a dragon.

The answers from Rocky were all given in orcish.

"You lost crown so not king of caves. You slay dragon then king again?" the orc asked Fiene.

Ermengard unable to understand what was being spoken kept out of the way and stayed quiet.

ooc my confusion.  I thought I posted my question in common

Fiene thinks for a moment. "Think I could be king of caves?". He nods.  "We saw dragon. Dragon is not big." . He looks at them."You help kill dragon, you keep dragon's horde. I just want crown to take back home."

The orcs listened to Fiene's offer and accepted it without question "aye we can help kill the beast" the orcs waited for Fiene to lead them.

Fiene turns to Ermangard."They will help us kill the dragon.  I get the crown. They get the coin."

He looks the orcs over, what weapons they carry. And if there is any symbol or clan insignia prominent.  "We go." he agrees in orcish.

Fiene leads away from the oracle and south.  He expects the passage the orcs came from connects back to the crossroads sign if he goes west.

The orcs were all ugly, apart from that Fiene could not discern any signs of tribe or clan. Their leader carried a sword, one carried an axe and the other two spears.

The passageway south led through a chamber with sooty, man-shaped silhouettes on the walls with ancient inscriptions. The next door was filled with piles of junk, food scraps, filth, broken tools and furniture.

They then reached the crossroads with the rusty signs as predicted by Fiene.



OOC Day: 3. Time: 3:50pm. Turn: 40. Weather: Cloudy. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 30'

Lantern oil used
Fiene: 29 Turns - then refilled 8 Turns - lit

"This way." He confirms."It could be hiding anywhere. Be ready.". He starts into the caverns. Shining the light up, down and all over, it case it can actually fly.

As they pass the north opening, he gestures "Bats."