Darkwood--The first shadow.....

[Laurel]

♪ ♬La la, la la la la la la
La la la la la la la, la la la.

Stand and fight we do consider
Reminded of an inner pact between us
Thats seen as we go
And ride there
In motion
To fields in debts of honour defending

Stand the marchers soaring talons
Peaceful lives will not deliver freedom
Fighting we know,
Destroy oppression
The point to reaction
As leaders look to you attacking

Choose and renounce throwing chains to the floor
Kill or be killing faster sins correct the flow
Casting giant shadows off vast
Penetrating force
To alter via the war that seen
As frictions spans the spirits wrath ascending to redeem

Wars that shout in screams of anguish
Power spent passion bespoils our soul receiver
Surely we know.
In glory we rise to offer,
Create our freedom, a word, we utter a word.

Words cause our banner, victorious our day
Will silence be promised as violence display
The curse increased we fight the powr and live by it by day
Our gods awake in thunderous roars and guide
The leaders hands in paths of glory to the cause

Listen should we fight forever
Knowing as we do know
Fear destroys?
Listen should we leave our children?
Listen our lives stare in silence
Help us now

Listen your friends have been broken
They tell us of your poison
Now we know
Kill them give them as they give us
Slay them burn their childrens laughter
On to hell

The fist will run
Grasp metal to gun
The spirit sings in crashing tones we gain the battle drum
Our cries will shrill the air will moan and crash into the dawn
The pen wont stay the demons wings, the hour approaches
Pounding out the devils sermon♫♩

Taking heart herself from her song, and continuing to sing, while hoping her comrades do as well, Laurel moves to the northwest so she is just east of the furthest south stake. Nocking an arrow, she watches the action. If the orc leader moves within better range, she will concentrate on him. If not, she will cover the orcs facing Marrik as best she can without hitting Marrik himself.

[ooc]heading home from the public library shortly; this may be it for tonight. will try to get the dial-up access at FIL's up and working. if not, I will text Vyn's instructions to the master[/ooc]

[Seven Words]

Beauregard moves to put his back to the wall, sliding along towards the orc leader.

Marrik hews down the last orc in front of him, leaving two still within the lair.( 7 points)

Led's manages to land with one claw swipe, the other *skkrriiitch* along the hastily raised shield. (10 points)

Skyseeker quickly darts to behind and to the side of Led, flinging an axe in support, this one sinking into the exposed thigh (8 points)

Screaming in raw, primal rage, the orc swings his fell axe, the silvery sheen of it's mithril head at odds with the dark runes etched upon it, brutally chopping down upon Led. (18 points)

Vynarkus unleashes his blast at the only target he can see, the orc chieftain...but misses.

Laurel fires through the open doorway, striking an advancing orc center of the chest, knocking it back, and down. (6 points)

The last orc tries to climb out a window to avoid the deathrap of the door..but this allows an opportunity to Marrik, who quickly cuts the orc down. (6 points)

[Led Pighp]

Nearly dead from a single blow, Led staggers backwards, doing everything he can to keep away from that huge axe (it looks much bigger, now that it's tasted Led's blood) while one-handedly digging out the potion Marrik gave him earlier and downing it swiftly.

/ooc - 5' step diagonally southwest, full defense, use magic item (potion)

[Laurel]

Laurel's heart rises in her throat at the gaping wound in Led's side, but she continues singing while swallowing the lump back down. She moves 30' north, so she is just east of the northernmost stake. If, by the time her turn comes around, the orc leader is still standing (I am hoping for at least one we can take prisoner and question), she targets him and again lets an arrow fly (hoping against hope she doesn't cause any friendly fire), then nocks the next one in readiness.

[ooc]and now I am definitely out of here...later (I hope)![/ooc]

[Usivius]

Beauregard will do his best to slide quietly and close enough to get off a 'sneak attack' dart attack against the orc leader attacking Led...

[Seven Words]

Beauregard shuffles quickly, getting to the rear of the oblivious enraged orc...flinging a dart into the vulnerable shoulder where the armor's protection ends...(6 points)

Marrik sprints madly, desperately closing the distance.

Led carefully shuffles back, ducking and weaving, striving to deny the orc a clear target as he quickly quaffs the potion Marrik gave him before this all began. (heal 11 points)

Skyseeker dashes to the orcs rear and throws another axe as she runs...uttering a brief yet heartfelt, "Scourge me!" as it flies wide of the mark.

The orc steps up, following Led, and delivers another devastating hit! (16 points) The shifter coughs up a gout of blood from the axe sunk deep into his side, before crumpling as the blade is yanked free. The orc looks back to Skyseeker, and shouts, "Elf!" in a voice of unholy gleeful triumph, a terrible rictus of dark joy suffusing his face at the prospect of slaughtering her. As the word is heard, the runes on the axe pulse once, with a cold, malefic hunger. Laurel and Vynarkus, you realize that this weapon is Elven-Bane, meant to kill the long-lived folk.(ooc--successful Spellcraft checks)

Vynarkus trots forward, unleashing another blast, this one coruscating over the armor and sizzling the enemies flesh. (5 points)

The bard manages to maintain her song despite the horrific carnage wreaked upon Led, fires another arrow as her horror turns to fury. (3 points)

[Vynarkus]

Vynarkus' eyes widen at the pulse. As he unleashes his next blast, he shouts, "Skyseeker! Stay away from him! That axe is enchanted specifically to kill elves!"

[Laurel]

As Led falls yet again, Laurel's horror turns to anger, and her song takes on more intensity. Moving 30' so she is within 45' of the orc leader, she let's loose yet another arrow, doing her best to avoid her companions nearby, then nocks another.

[Usivius]

Beauregard barely stifles the cry of grief as Led falls. That he was able to stand so long under such punishment was astounding. Gritting his resolve, he takes a deep breath to steady his shaking hands, then lets loose another dart, hoping to still take advantage of a sneak attack....

[Seven Words]

Beauregard takes advantage of his quick reactios to fling another dart at the still-turned back....however, this one is off-target, and *tings* off the breastplate of the orc....one dart remaining.

Marrik calls upon Missaryi o Smite Evil as he lines up and charges the orc! Without her blessing, he could not have breached the orc's defense....(8 points)

Skyseeker wheels, a look of fear etched on her features after seeing the pulse and hearing Vynarkus' warning..slipping past the paladin, and throwing another axe...she looks even more afraid now, as she has only one left, and a pair of daggers strapped to her thighs.

The burning of the paladin's Smiting fueling his rage, the orc savagely chops at Marrik, his prodigious strength easily smashing past the shield, and crunch under the ribs of Missaryi's Chosen. (16 points)

Vynarkus sends more mystic power ravening across the encampment..this blast squarely striking the orc in the head! (CRITICAL BLAST! 14 points) The body stands for a moment, shattered skull still smoking, flesh seared off...before the axe and shield fall from nerveless fingers, followed seconds later by the body succumbing to it's demise.

Skyseeker runs over to Led, and quickly gives him her healing potion...(heal 9 points)

[Seven Words]

Searching

on axe-man, in addition to magical axe, armor and shield are mundane...

4 potions: "toughhide", "no burn", "no etch", "cutter"--orcish words on his belt above each potion.

in the Kobold hut there is a potion....the markings indicate it is a CLW from a cleric of Tar-Rozaa...also, 72 Veracinean coins, Silver Sceptres.

in the Orc lair, there are, carefully hidden, 8 Masterwork arrows, 3 Cold Iron tipped, and 3 Silver tipped, totaling 14. There are a few dozen regular arrows, too. There are several sets of low quality, vile smelling leather armor, and short swords. a few coins...9 Hamish gold Bows.

In the "leadership" hut....7 scrolls in cases, and 9 potion vials...plus 6 empty vials....3 vials Unholy Water. and one sealed pouch kept VERY far away from EVERYTHING else.

[Led Pighp]

(I am hoping for at least one we can take prisoner and question)

/ooc - All those we 'killed' are really just 'dying'. We have the option of applying first aid [skill check - heal] to stabalize them, and they'll live.

DM edit--leader is NOT stabilizable. others, maybe.

[Led Pighp]

As soon as Skyseeker's healing potion finishes its work, Led sits up and looks around. Then he heads into the Kobold building, grabs the potion he saw earlier, and drinks it as well.

"The caravan will be here shortly, and I can't face them halfway dead.", he says to himself, feeling guilty for using an unfair share of resources.

"Friend Beauregard, would you mind opening the locks that I assume are on the doors to that other building? I suspect that's the main armory and storage area for this camp. If we wish to arm these civilians, we'll need to get in there." Led indicates the Blue building.

"Friend Laurel, would you be so kind as to find one of these beasts who isn't fully dead yet, and keep him that way? We may want to question one of them, later. One of the kobolds would be ideal, since they're smaller and easier to control, but I'm not sure I left any intact."

Then, he walks over to the group of freed prisoners next to the camp, hands outstretched to demonstrate that he's no harm.

"Good people, you are free to go. But know this: in only a few short hours, the rest of these orcs will arrive behind us, with over a dozen more prisoners to enslave. While we can't force you to stay and fight on their behalf, I hope that your own good natures, perhaps fueled by a righteous sense of vengance will convince you that these orcs must be put down, and their prisoners freed. Further, once that fight is done, those of us who remain will all make our way to the village of Waymeet, about two days march from here. Striking out on your own, without the rest of us, puts you that much more in danger. We have a paladin of Missaryi with us, and another with healing magic. Though we'll save their strength for the fight ahead, we intend to help out all those who need it, once the fight is survived."

"Will you join us? If you won't, we understand. But we ask you to stay near enough that we can accompany you home after this is done. And above all, don't let yourselves be seen by the approaching band, so they won't suspect anything."

[Seven Words]

The door to the large mysterious structure finally opens, Beauregard having finally convinced the lock to release, after disabling a particularly nasty trap.

Skyseeker is there with him...as the door opens, she whistles softly, and mutters "Cerana kiss us all.....their armory is in here. I see swords, leather, some chain, spears, bows."

There is also a room, where the accumulated loot of their caravan raids is gathered.

bags overfilled with silver--Darelline Bushels--lie on the floor, as does a small open chest gleam with gold...Hamish gold...Great Blades. Atop the gold pile is necklace, gold and silver chains interlinked with seven gemstones inset, one each color of the rainbow.

Also, there is a Light Hammer, with elaborate intricate writing upon it in a language no one knows. a quiver with 3 javelins, a deep scarlet cloak with silvery threadwork along the edges, a suit of half-plate of some dark metal, and a pair of bracers marked with the symbol of The Unknowable centered on the back of the hand.

[Vynarkus]

Vynarkus looks around at the enormous amount of items. He then turns to the others, and says, "Since I am unhurt, and I will not be of much help here, I would like to attempt to determine what is magical and what it does. I think we should leave the carefully sealed pouch where it is until we have identified everything else, but if possible, I would like to gather everything in one room so it can be distributed fairly, including at least attempting to return what can be returned. Do you all agree?"

[ooc]If everyone helps, Vynarkus asks Laurel for some parchment and a pen so that he can record what each thing is, and then goes to whatever room the items are being put in and uses Detect Magic and Spellcraft and Use Magic Device to attempt to identify the properties of everything, writing it down afterwards. He also writes down what is what it seems to be and no more, and what is magic but he can't identify.[/ooc]

[Seven Words]

/ooc--several people made their Knowledge Arcane rolls to identify the potions based on the markings, so I'm just listing them.

1. Pot: CLW
2. Pot CLW
3. Pot CMW
4. Pot CMW
5. Pot CLW
6. eagle’s splendor
7. bull strength
8. Aid
9. Barkskin +2

these are from the leadership hut. Had Led not been RIGHT THERE, axe-man would have ducked back in for a couple quick drinks.

[Laurel]

"Friend Laurel, would you be so kind as to find one of these beasts who isn't fully dead yet, and keep him that way? We may want to question one of them, later. One of the kobolds would be ideal, since they're smaller and easier to control, but I'm not sure I left any intact."

"I will do what I can to get one of these milder healing draughts down the throat of one, if we are agreed to use a potion to keep one alive. If this is what we faced for a "skeleton crew" left behind, we may wish to consider saving as many of the potions as we can for the main battle yet to come.

"Vynarkus, I think taking an inventory of any magical items you detect is a smart idea; I will be happy to give you a sheet and pen and ink. However...

"The caravan can not be that far away. Should we not spend the time planning for fighting a larger force, instructing those who were just released who have agreed to fight with us how best they can help? And finding a safer area for those too cowed to fight with us until the battle is over? Then, once we are successful, we can inventory what items are here. Should you detect anything magical, perhaps after the battle I could focus my attention on those items and learn more about each one, should we have a few days before my slight curing wounds ability is needed...

"Regardless what we decide, I would like to talk with you, Vynarkus, regarding these scrolls. Could we have a private word while I get the writing implements for you?"

Laurel heads towards Hardy and the crosswise saddlebag, speaking in an undertone to Vynarkus as they walk...

[Led Pighp]

"A healing potion would return an orc almost to complete health. I'd rather use it to heal one of us, should we need it. Maybe one of these released prisoners can give us information on what we're expecting?"

"Good dwarf... I haven't heard your name, but I am Led Pighp. Can you tell us anything about the orcs we're about to face? We know there are 11 orcs on foot, and one astride a Worg, plus at least 15 more prisoners and some wagons filled with loot. We expect them any hour now. Can you give us any information as to their strengths? My hope is that the brute we killed earlier was the strongest of the band, but I suspect he's the junior brother, and his senior is about to arrive."

[Seven Words]

Skyseeker looks closer at the dark metal suit of Half-Plate, and exclaims, "This is as good as Valkhan's own wardings! I know not if there are any enchantments upon it, but even without thaumaturgies, ADAMANTINE armor is doughty indeed."

The dwarven prisoner stalks over, wearing a sullen glower. "Darak Stonehand be me name, and I am thankin' ye for me freedom. I'll be taking me hammer back. Naught else o' me gear be left, Scourge bleed tha thrice damned orcs. Tha ones what raided tha caravan...the shaman is wi' em. No great magics does yon scumling have, but both mystic and gods-granted he knows. An' he be ridin a great beastie o' a wolf.

Ne'er hae I seen inside this heap of stone. Nae prisoner what entered here e'er came out. I be thinking there's some manner o altar inside, kept fresh with sacrifices."

[Vynarkus]

Vynarkus comes back. "I have not yet looked at the pouch in the leader's hut, but this is a list of the items that have magic and what their auras are. I can't tell you more than this:

buckler shield...faint abjuration
javelins--mild evocation and abjuration
bracers have strong abjuration
the cloak is faint abjuration

"...Can anyone here think of items that might be like this?"