Darkwood--The first shadow.....

[Led Pighp]

The bard looked at scribe with wonder in her eyes, not to mention the potential of innocent flirtation, "Is there no intermingling between your people and full humans? No offspring to see if the shifter traits are yet carried forward?"

"There are some couples between my people and our Heshic neighbors. For the most part, they bear no children. The few who are born are either shifters or they are not. What we are does not seem to dilute with the generations. I guess what the elves did to us takes hold of some and not others, but otherwise is the same from parent to child."

"Cerana's kiss, but I can probably learn much from you, if you are willing to train a self-taught bard..."

"I'm not sure I'd call it 'training', but I'm happy to converse about what I've seen. My master taught me this way, mostly by doing things and askng me what I noticed, then demonstrating what I'd missed. But he had a way about him... he could ask a simple question, and trying to answer it would get me thinking for days or weeks at a time."

"Between you and Skyseeker, my heart is eased regarding having entered these woods. Perhaps after the battle to come, some knowledge about the lay of the land around us would be welcome."

"I'll tell you what I know, though I've not yet been around the Darkwood a single time. I started to the east, and here I am to the south. There is still much yet for me to see myself."

Laurel gave the scribe a small bow. "I feel as though I am an apprentice myself. I had yet to consider others in my profession, other than to hear tales and songs and do my best to transcribe them for others to enjoy at a later date. What you do helps others now. It is an honorable profession indeed," she mused to herself.

"I get satisfaction from serving Serloth's will like this, but I think what really calls me is... how to say it... instead of documenting and distributing knowledge, I want to go out and discover it. I want to go explore the ruins in the Wood, and see what mysteries there are there. There is no shame in sharing the knowledge that such and such a farmer's daughter married to such and such a Lord's son this summer. But inside me is the need to know what happened thousands of years ago, when the Darkwood wasn't so dark. I want to see, through the evidence left behind, the events that shaped our world today from all those years ago."

"But, for now, I will tend to the knowledge here in front of me, and dream of those far off discoveries."

"Heh. I guess for now, I'll tend to surviving this fight, and worry about loftier things like sleeping and eating once that's done."

"Though, I must say that it's a different feeling to be involved in the events of the world. Among the Heshic, even when there was a fued between tribes or clans, anyone in my garb was automatically granted safe passage. We would participate by talking to the chiefs and trying to make them see reason, or by negotiating a settlement between them. We never took to battle, except in dire situations. My master tells of taking up sword to fight off a band of orcs that were slaughtering the whole tribe, but that was years ago."

"To actually be part of the fight is... exhilirating. Now I can feel why the warriors got so enthusiastic about battle. It's frightening, but it makes you feel more alive. Less cerebral and more visceral, I guess. Does that make sense?"

Thinking back to how it felt to have an orc's blade buried deep in his innards, Led pauses...and shudders in fear

"And perhaps it makes you feel entirely dead, as well."

Smiling winsomely, the bard gazed towards the scribe directly in the eyes. "He is far from what I hear of the majestic horses of the Heshic plains, but as I told you before, now that Hardy has made your acquaintance, you are free to approach him at any time. He would be a small substitute, I am sure. Yet perhaps he can help ease your longing for a horse for now."

"Skyseeker mentioned that there were perhaps a dozen horses in the caravan. Perhaps the ones we're rescuing will be greatful enough for their lives that they'll feel generous. If not, I think there's enough coin in that vault to purchase a handsome steed. Even once we share some with the freed prisoners, to get them back to their families and fed and sheltered."

"I don't want to seem greedy, since I'm sure that some of that loot was taken from these men to begin with. And they're certainly entitled to that back. But the rest, I feel we've earned with our blood and risk of death today. In two days, I've felt a ghoul's teeth in my flesh, and an orc's axe on my spleen. Skyseeker and I have both touched our own deaths, and Beauregard, very quietly and politely walked himself nearly to death's door all for the sake of strangers."

[ooc] Led is Lawful Neutral, so... compensation and fairness are of critical importance to him.[/ooc]

Breaking off her gaze, the bard turned back to searching for some mithral chain mail, or a suitable chain shirt; keeping her ears open for any hint of the approaching caravan.

Letting his gaze linger on the bard, Led considers for a moment that when all of this business is done, it might be worth feeling alive in other ways. But, best to keep his mind on the short-term goals of living long enough, before he plans how to celebrate that fact.

[Seven Words]

Making up her mind to switch out her studded leather for a chain shirt, or possibly even some chainmail if some mail consisting of mithral rings is found, Laurel turns towards the elf maid. "Skyseeker, do you see any chain which may be of benefit to me? I will look myself if need be, but I think you may be quicker at assessing what is available here..."

[ooc]search, spot, and appraise checks for any chain shirts or mithral chainmail I may come across if Skyseeker has not the time to help, if there is still time before taking position. I prefer to pass on any non-mithral chainmail, to avoid taking on arcane spell failure chances, but will take a chain shirt of any metal that is most beneficial.[/ooc]

in the armory, nothing of mithral. there's every type of armor from Leather up to Chain Mail.nothing heavier...also, light shields, but no heavy.

[Seven Words]

The dwarf speaks up, "As I said afore, Darak Stonehands be me name. Me Clan be the RivenAxe. Stonehands I earned when me axe shattered and I beat tha orc who cursed me blade ta death with naught save a pair o' bare handed punches. Most of these folk will appreciate yer gift. And as I'm tha highest o' any rank left...most leaders and martial types hae been taken into yon building an nae seen again, me word is binding on us all when I say ye hae earned anything whose owner is dead, and a goodly share of tha coin. The magic on me hammer eb what tall folk call a"Dwarven Thrower", so she goes a wee bit farther than ye'd think, and me little Bessie hits as me wife, Big Bessie, after a dozen pints o' mead or so.

Once we're done here, I'll be needing to go back to tha Deeplands, bearing word o' me kinsman and guildmates who tha orcs hae killed. But if ever ye come to our halls, ye'll be welcomed and celebrated."

/00c--pronounciation--Marrik is with an "a" sound like in "walk"...Darak is pronounced "DAY-rack"

[Seven Words]

MArrik then speaks of himself...."As you know, my name is Marrik....I recognize not my family, as they have one and all become enmeshed in evil. At first, as I progressed in skill and renown, I was celebrated. But, as I grew older and wiser, and felt the Call of the Gods, they became less enamored of me, as I took them to task for certain...unsavory habits and associations. WHen I refused to participate in a celebration of a certain cousins trial ending in acquittal due to "accidents" befalling his accusers and witnesses, they cast me out. Disowning me entirely, however, would have been too...politically embarassing. After all, what honest family would DISOWN a paladin?" he smiles crookedly.

[Laurel]

Having scoured the armory for some mithral chain but not finding any, Laurel settled on a nice standard chain shirt. Removing her studded leather, she settled the chain over her blouse and practiced drawing an arrow and nocking it while in the new chain. Satisfied with her draw, she exited the armory and went back to the group to finish discussing strategy and planning.

Hearing Marrik's tale, the bard lightly touches him in sympathy. "Perhaps in your travels you will come across others to care about as family on a continuous basis," she whispers quietly to him. "'Family' you will take pride in associating with."

Calling over to Vynarkus, Laurel produces a scroll and hands it to him. "This scroll contains Divine versions of the spells Comprehend Language and Bless. Perhaps you would have more success accessing Divine spells than I would, and our entire party could use the blessings of the g-ds on this upcoming battle. Since the potion of Eagle's Splendor will not benefit me much, I suggest you take it as well. It might assist you in your attempt to access this scroll, and perhaps the blessings of the g-ds upon us may work alongside the benefits of my song..."

[Seven Words]

Most of what few of the former prisoners willing and able to fight look rather apprehensive, but take up chain mail and short swords, and light shields, and commence to concealing them within the pen.

One, however, actually shows more than a passing familiarity with arms...he seeks out a Long Sword, and introduces himself as "Garm....called the Thunderstroke". He seems disinclined to conversation.

Darak says, "Yon paladin and I might do best to wait in tha hut o' the leaders... he head out an' charge, I be throwing me hammer an' pulpin' orcs that he do nae cut down"

[Seven Words]

Skyseeker looks thoughtful, and says, "I could come out from the orc lair building, run past them and hurl at whatever targets seem best. Although, I would appreciate perhaps a potion to bolster my protections if I'm going to be unsupported"

[Led Pighp]

Led tosses his barkskin potion to her. But looks thoughtful for a moment.

"So, I'm a little leary of you being in the hut at first... we want them to make it all the way into the camp, and put their prisoners in the pen. If anyone sees you in there first before we're ready, it might spoil the ambush. So be careful to stay well hidden."

"So... since those three will be up on the rooftop hidden, and you'll be in the dormitory hidden, what's our signal to start the attack? We'll need a little time to let the new prisoners in on the plan, and to distribute the weapons without the orcs noticing them. Is the sound of battle enough to inform the rest of you to start?"

[Seven Words]

Marrik, Skyseeker, Darak, and Garm all indicate agreement in one form or another. And Garm says, "Then I'd suggest let us in the pen start this Hunt. We'll push the newest folk to the back, start handing them weapons while we in front break out."

[Led Pighp]

Led nods to this.

"I'll get up to the roof, and keep a lookout for the caravan. When I spot it, I'll come back down to receive blessings. Then we'll only have a few minutes to get everybody hidden before they can see us."

[Seven Words]

Marrik looks as though a sudden though has occurred to him, "Except that the duration of the Bless is but one minute. There;s not enough time to cast it, and scatter to these positions, and wait for the raiders to return. Perhaps if we were to wait near the large tree...with a rope for ease of climbing going up the large building..Vynarkus might Bless us, which would cover those in the pen, and then we split and go around both North and South of the pen as those inside start the fight. We would still lose some of it's duration, but no more than half"

[Led Pighp]

"That would mean we don't get the benefit of 12-13 additional armed fighters, though. I'd rather have those at my back than a blessing, unless the blessing includes the ability to shoot flames out of my eyes, or flights of angels to smite my enemies."

[Seven Words]

"I believe you misunderstand me. We bless, and wait until those within the pen do as Garm has said, THEN we come around the corners. This does have the disadvantage of of not being able to change our tactics easily, granted." says Marrik. "We do have hours yet, to come up with a better plan."

[Laurel]

The bard slowly nods as she listens, then turns to Vynarkus. "Are you sure you wish to attempt fooling the scroll into working for you without the boost from Eagle's Splendor? You may not have the time for a second attempt..."

Turning back to address the others as she casts a disparaging look at her own person, she continues, "I know not if my singing actually heartens you or not, but I know it steadies my own nerves. So once I make it to the top of the building (and please note that my own skill at climbing and/or using a rope is non-existent) don't be surprised to hear my voice lifted in song once I catch my breath."

[Vynarkus]

Marrik looks as though a sudden though has occurred to him, "Except that the duration of the Bless is but one minute. There;s not enough time to cast it, and scatter to these positions, and wait for the raiders to return. Perhaps if we were to wait near the large tree...with a rope for ease of climbing going up the large building..Vynarkus might Bless us, which would cover those in the pen, and then we split and go around both North and South of the pen as those inside start the fight. We would still lose some of it's duration, but no more than half"

I can't think of any way around the duration problem. I would advise simply saving the bless scroll for later...

...especially since some of the scrolls have healing spells at too high a level for me to be at all likely to cast without Eagle's Splendor. I think we should just save the potion until we really need it, and save the bless spell as well until we have to fight from a position on the ground. I really think that our ranged fighters should be on the roof and out of harm's way instead of on the ground where they can be hit.

[Led Pighp]

Led nods his head in agreement. "S'truth. It's better for all of us if you're attacking the enemy, instead of dodging them."

[Seven Words]

At last, the caravan is arriving. the wagons, loaded with the profits of Jauron Swiftstar's deal-making skills, are haphazardly pulled up, knocking over the burning stakes. a half-dozen of the orcs form a guard as the newest prisoners are herded into the pen...however long familiarity has indeed bred contempt: they pay no attention to their charges, but are talking among themselves. the other five sort of generally meander towards the orc barracks. The vicious looking Worg is near this latter group, sniffing the ground.

--here is where you can drink potions, etc. got 2 rounds--
MArrik quaffs the Potion of barkskin +2

Skyseeker drinks her barkskin potion


just as the last captive enters the pen, Garm Thunderstroke and Led lead the breakout!

Initiatives (even though THIS round, the folks in the pen go first since they started this off..also, this is a surprise round)

22--Laurel
21--Beau
18--Garm
17--Marrik and Orc Shaman
16--Human with Halberd
15--Led
14--Skyseeker
12--Archer Orcs
10--Vynarkus and kobolds
8--light blue friendlies
7--Darak
5--regular orcs
4--Worg

Garm is coming out and striking the Orc to the south....his sword swiftly dispatching the utterly stunned beast (7 points), as he steps forward, clearing the door for Led to follow him out

[Led Pighp]

Led stands meekly, and seemingly unarmed, by the doors to the pens, as the guards usher the last of the new prisoners in. His scribe's robes are dirty and torn, with a huge bloodstained gash in the side. He is slight of frame and appears to be no threat. But as the last of the prisoners goes inside, he reaches clawed hand out to grab the door, pushes it open, and rushes at the orc to the north of the entrance. He begins the Heshic battle cry as he goes.

Shift - first round
Move one square northwest.
Claw/claw against orc due north.
Orc hopefully dies.
5' step into space where orc was.
Free action - Ululating Heshic battle cry. (That's the signal.)

[Laurel]

Hearing Led's cry below her, and seeing the penned prisoners rush out to attack, Laurel grips the scroll held in her hand even tighter as she remains ducked behind the edge of the rooftop. Casting her gaze quickly heavenward, she calls upon Cerana's blessings, shouting out, "Cerana smile upon us, it is time to roll the dice!"

Then reading the words on the scroll out loud, she darts up quickly, targets the shaman, and sends a tiny missile of magical energy directly towards him, before taking cover back down along the roof's edge...

[Vynarkus]

Vynarkus stands up, targets the shaman with his Eldritch Blast, and lets it go. Then he ducks back down behind the roof edge.