Ghân nods in agreement.
From Hodwain’s claims, he should be out in front - where we can see him slaughtering orcs.
The party gives Mulligan a few minutes to sneak into position and then Hodwain, Gwaelur, Riglo & Thoroncir charge in followed by Gil-Gandel, Miron and Brin to fire and Elfstan to sling. Then Deor flanked by Fang and Ghân and finally Renee.
Deor sleeps 4 orcs eating and talking at a table. One had moved off too far.
Hodwain make a bee-line for the largest orc, he actually charges over a very surprised orc knocking him aside and to the ground.
Gwaelur takes down the nearest orc with his shield and hits the downed orc with his axe on his way to another large orc.
Riglo slices his way across the room killing an orc with ease, he was about to get a second, but one of Gil-Gandel’s arrows found it first.
Thoroncir turns to the right to clear out the orcs closest to the archers and spell casters. He hits and kills the first orc before the orc can swing its shorts sword.
Miron hits the furthest large armored orc two of three times for 19 points. It is still up and looks angry.
Gil-Gandel shoots the orc serving the King and drops him quickly. He then hits two more unarmored orcs dropping both.
Brin fires at the same one as Miron. He uses two +1 arrows and hits twice. The orc (Uruk?) dies.
Ghân seeing the battle going very well, holds his Heat Metal, but is ready to hit the fat King with it.
Before the King can rise he feels a sharp blade against his throat and hears a voice, “Move at all, twitch too much and you die.”
Seeing no reasonable target for a sling bullet left, Elfstan heads over to assist Mulligan with the King.
One large orc manages to dump over a table making a large noise and to block off Hodwain. Hodwain leaps over the table and after a few parries by the orc with his vicious looking scimitar, Hodwain cleaves the orc nearly in two. He shockingly used the huge two handed sword, one handed at one point but the final blow was a huge over handed chop with both hands.
As Elfstan approaches the King gasps for mercy as he sees a hated Gondolin blade in the hands of a fearful Hobbit. “I surrender, please save me, not a Hobbit with an Elf-Blade.”
Gwaelur and Riglo close in on the final orc. Riglo’s blade finds him first and he looks badly injured but his blade slashes Riglo for 14 points. Gwaelur hits the orc with his axe and misses with his shield for 15. Riglo hits again, finishing off the orc.
Riglo then grabs for the scimitar and heads for the healers, “I fear I am poisoned, can you …” He drops nearly at Ghân’s feet. Renee quickly starts cleaning out the wound. Thoroncir turns back to help and Gwaelur and Hodwain head over help with the King.
Ghân begins a Neutralise Poison as Renee casts her enhanced Cure Light. Fang barks up in the air. A orc drops out of the ceiling with a short spear, by worst luck, he is dropping onto Renee.
…pregnant pause for slo-mo camera shot…
Please fill in Thoroncir lines here: _________________________
Thoroncir throws himself over Renee taking the spear through his own body instead for 6 points… He is fortunate and saves vs. poison.
Ghân completes the Neutralise Poison on Riglo.
Brin fires an arrow at point blank into the orc and kills it as Fang is ripping open the orcs shoulder and dragging him of Thoroncir. Gil-Gandel scans the ceiling for any more orcs and fires two arrows into the deep shadows dropping another orc out of the rafters.
Riglo looks much better and Renee healed him for 10 points. He is now down only 4 points…
She immediately checks on Thoroncir, pulls out the spear and feeds him 6 berries and gives him a big hug and a small kiss in gratitude.
(please note, all this took about 4 rounds)
Ghân uses 4 Goodberries on Riglo.
(He resists the urge to throw rose petals over Thoroncir and Renee.)
Keeps the knife pressed against the King’s throat until rest of party is ready.
Kicks self for not looking at the ceilling when checking the room out.
:smack:
40lbs of orc slaying fury!
Elfstan doesn’t trust the orc king and will keep the business end of Sting towards him until the big folk come to physically restrain him.
Once it seems safe enough to approach, Deor will carefully advance and toss some rope over the King, then use a Tie to keep the King tied down to his chair.
Riglo, “Thank you Ghân and Renee, you are good companions. Bit of bad luck on my part that I let him through my guard.”
Hodwain, “Before you tie this one up, why don’t I grab his hands and Gwaelur his feet and you all can quickly remove his armor, goods and whatever tricks he might have?”
Thoroncir wouldn’t have time for more than a movie-style “Noooooooo!”, I think.
The Sea-Knight’s thoughts are in turmoil. He is furious at himself for not noticing foes above, horrified that Renee almost came to harm, relieved that she’s fine after all, and happy to feel her healing touch and sweet kiss.
When he’s able, he’ll get back on his feet, Numenorean longsword at the ready, alert for any other attack.
Ok, let’s take this nice and slow, otherwise the hobbit gets to play.
Miron, Riglo can you check the door, see if anyone else heard us.
Hodwain, Gwaelur. The King here is going to be very nice and co-operative, but your assistance may be necessary.
Your Majesty, I suggest slowly doing as we ask. We are not going to kill you, we are going to talk.
Elfstan is silent, but keeps his glowing Gondolin blade where the orc king can see it.
Happy to help Mulligan! puts away spiked shield but hangs on to his axe Let’s talk.
Am I still invisible? I haven’t attacked anyone, just made it plainly obvious would what happen if he moved.
Yes, Mulligan is still invisible.
The King, “What do you want to know?”
Who is stripping the King of dangerous and valuable objects?
The room had many doors, please check the map again and let me know what the rest of you are doing. Currently only the main doors are open. All doors can be barred from the inside.
Elfstan can relieve the king of his valuables (and other stuff), but only after Gwaelur and Hodwain are restraining him.
We are going to need some answers ASAP on who is going to be coming to help him.
Miron will quietly circulate from door to door, pausing at each entrance to listen for incoming orcs.
Some questions for the Orc-king (the answers will be valuable either as confirmation or refutation of what our scouts learned earlier):
- Who named him king? Does he take orders from someone (or something) else in another place?
- How many orcs has he just sent out? To where, exactly? When does he expect them back? Will the returning orcs obey his orders to remain outside, or will they storm the orc-lair when they see him under duress?
- Other than those just killed in the throne room, how many orcs remain?
- Where does Grilianch stay, or in what area does she (it?) wander? When did he last see her? When does he next expect to? What does he know of her strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities?
- What does the vampire ask of him and his troops? What will happen if he fails to comply?
Give him a pen and paper and have him draw a complete map of the orc-lair, which we can then compare to what we already know.
“He should understand,” Thoroncir says, “that complete and truthful answers will likely mean his survival. Lies and omissions will surely mean his death.”
-
Who named him king? Does he take orders from someone (or something) else in another place?
The King answers, “I am the son of the last King and proved my worth in battle as both leader and in single combat.” -
How many orcs has he just sent out? To where, exactly? When does he expect them back? Will the returning orcs obey his orders to remain outside, or will they storm the orc-lair when they see him under duress?
“I sent out two groups of 40 each. They probably will not return until nightfall or when they find something. If I ordered them to stay out they would be very suspicious and they will also be in fear of Grilianch tonight.” -
Other than those just killed in the throne room, how many orcs remain?
He looks depressed, “There are only about 80 orcs left now.” -
Where does Grilianch stay, or in what area does she (it?) wander? When did he last see her? When does he next expect to? What does he know of her strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities?
“Grilianch lives in an unknown location that must be within 2 miles of here from what we know. We last saw her last week when we had to sacrifice and elderly lame orc to her. She will be awaiting her tribute tonight. She has no weaknesses and she will hunt you all down to the ends of the earth for attacking us. She especially hates elves.” -
What does the vampire ask of him and his troops? What will happen if he fails to comply?
“Grilianch demands beating hearts on a week to two week basis. She demands little else and we always comply.”
Give him a pen and paper and have him draw a complete map of the orc-lair, which we can then compare to what we already know.
“This would take me hours to do. My Kingdom once held a thousand orcs.”
Deor looks up. “That’s a weaselly thing to say. Do you have a map of this overgrown warren, or does one exist?”
Using the rope he scavenged from the first band of orcs, Deor will tie up the sleeping orcs before they get a chance to awaken, then go through their pockets.
Interesting words, your Majesty, although I believe you may have a problem satiating Grilianch’s hunger from here on though. Although I would like to know what she gave you in return for your tribute?
And how long has she fed upon your tributes?
You have just 80 remaining from over one thousand Orcs. Time and circumstance has taken it’s toll on your tribe. I would suggest starting anew elsewhere, lest the current situation extinguish your tribe and consign it to history.
Once items have been safely gathered, Ghân will cast Detect Magic on them.