2 - 011: The Second Piece

[K Man]

Garor, Newt, Hero, Callian, Caelith and Angelus - Master Theld rubs his chin emphatically, seemingly annoyed.



"Wealthy houses? No, not really. There is the Magmire estate, the dwarves that began the whole mining operations for Morten. That's about the wealthiest estate in town."

"As for Inns or taverns, there are two. The Dirty Miner and the Gold Vein Inn. Not much else to Morten..."

Master Theld snaps his head to the haughty elf.

"There are selfish people out there indeed elf, ones that would see this method of travel used for personal gain...and yes, there are agents of 'The Master' everywhere."

"However, I do not associate with these ruffians and I believe Master Camir has strict orders to protect this property to the utmost of his ability...orders directly from Sturmguard himself."

"He has failed in those orders and I'm certain Sturmguard will hear of it first chance I get."

Master Theld frowns, his face souring. The dwarf looks frustrated, most likely at the prospect of his dream tumbling down and the ineptitude of all that helped him thus far.



"If you are through delaying my work, I have much to do."

{I read splitting up. You have the estate, the inns and taverns. Who is going where?}
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Krysta, Girud and Galdren - Mordrock, [Affectionately referred to hereafter as 'The Rock' ] slaps a level hand to his forehead in an attempt to salute. It is a mockery of every valliant soldier from history, such a sloppy gesture, but you appreciate it none the less. Mordrock moves deeper into the brush, dissappearing quickly.



You watch him go and knock your arrows into your weapons, or silently draw your....

Snap...slap...bonk...

It sounds as though Mordrock may have stepped on a large branch, which broke in twain and he fell towards a tree, striking it with his head. Comical, yet deadly.

You freeze when you hear the cacophony of noise resonate from the direction Mordrock just went. The blood chills in your veins as you look to the camp. Above the rustling fire and wrestling of the orcs, they have heard little. You shake your head and swear to yourselves, Next time he's staying at camp.

As if to add emphasis to the nearly distasterous situation. You hear Mordrock in a loud whisper.



"Mordrock alright! Just a...Ow!...thorn bush!"

Definetly leaving him at camp next time....

However, Mordrock aside, you have a plan. You put it into action as Girud and Krysta pull back and loose their arrows into the wrestling orcs.

[Attack Roll, Krysta = 23, Damage Roll = 6]
[Attack Roll, Girud = 17, Damage Roll = 10]

Two arrows sail towards their targets and hit where they will do the most damage. One orc catches an arrow in the thigh, effectively immobilizing him. The other catches an arrow in the small of his back, sending him limply to the ground, lifeless.

{1 Orc Dead, 1 Severely wounded.}

Then, as silent as a panther chasing a young fawn, Galdren bursts from the brush and quickly crosses the open glade to the orcs playing a game around the fire. He brings his Katanna down, slicing into them. [Attack Roll = 14, Damage Roll = 5] Although nearly digging to the spine, the orc manages to roll forward and avoid a surely lethal blow.

{1 Orc Dead, 2 Severly wounded.}

With a scream, Mordock, Master of Stealth leaps from the brush and drives his rusty dagger into a sleeping monster. [Mordrock, Coup de Grace] Blood flies from the neck of the sleeping orc as Mordrock smiles wickedly.

{2 Orcs Dead, 2 Severly wounded.}

Not a bad volley, but battle has begun...

{Initiative: Krysta, Galdren and Mordrock, Girud and The Monsters.}
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Yuri, Romar and Sehanine - Marg tosses his hand into the air symbolizing his elation at your choice.



"A good day indeed. First, let's take care of those wounds eh?"

The priest moves to each of you that is wounded, offering magical healing. He places his hand over you as they glow a deep, ocean blue. [Cure Light Wounds X2 for 5, 8 Distribute as you wish.] Once completed, Marg gathers his things and finishes breaking camp. He gestures in the same direction you were already heading.



"This be the way to Bazarkrak friends. Come, let us begin our journey!"

Marg and his priests move along slowly. Being dwarves they do not share the luxury of longer legs with which to stride along. However, Marg is full of tales and pride for his homelands.

"Bazarkrak is a sight to see, friends. A mountainous stronghold carved straight from the rock itself! It has housed clans of dwarves for generations built, some say, by the first dwarves ever."

"Originally called 'Rockhome' it was renamed after a lengthy civil war by the victor of that war, Tremil Bazarkrak..."

Marg continues to speak of the wonder of Bazarkrak as you continue to dredge along. He speaks of grand halls, forges deep within the mountain and vast rooms and corridors, seemingly endless. There appears to be no end to the wonders of his home.

The night passes uneventfully and the sun rises. Marg seems thankful for he knows that sunlight at least keeps most of the agents of 'The Master' away .

[Yuri, pay attention to remaining in the shade. ]

He livens up, becoming much more jovial and speaking more of his grand and illustrious home. You begin to wonder if Marg's words are true, why doesn't everyone live in Bazarkrak Castle? Can it truly be this grand?

Your question is answered as you come to the edge of the forest.

There, still miles away is the base of a range of mountains. Nestled in the center of that range is a massive peak topped with an ivory hat of snow that whips constantly from the wind. What makes this peak even more prominent is the fact that the whole of the mountain face is an overly large dwarven visage carved straight into the rock.

Marg's constant tales could not do it justice...

The dwarven face has no distinct features, appearing to be more of a generic representation than anything else. The eyes smolder with faint smoke from fires, probably the forges Marg spoke of as do the nostrils. The mouth is open, framed by lips that are pulled back as though the dwarf is screaming in a voice to be heard by the gods.

From here, you guess the mouth of the dwarf face is a little over a hundred feet wide.

Marg smiles.



"Bazarkrak..."

Without casting a second glance, Marg and his friends move across the open plain into the bright morning sun, all of them smiling.

[Yuri, carefully read that last sentence. ]
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EDIT: I realized that Yuri, Romar and Sehanine encountered the orcs that started this late afternoon yesterday. You basically travel all night through and reach Bazarkrak mid-morning.

[Fangor the Fierce]

Turning to the half giant, she grins. "You get the goblins, I got the orcs..." Krysta quickly drops her shortbow, grabs her Bastard sword while charging the wrestling orcs. She quickly slices into the air, while moving, trying to finish the job done by the damaging arrow.

Charge orcs, MW Bastard Sword AttBon+12 if charging, 1d10+5, 19-20/x2 on whichever one is closest. She will try and position herself to be able to attack more than one if possible for next round. Also, for the chance at more AOO's, since she is outnumbered... AC is 16 while charging, 18 Regular with only the MW Bastard Sword, and 19 when I grab the other weapon in the second round. Don't know what the cloak grants, but I still have it on.

PS KMAN - I can definately see Mordrock saying something like, "Shut yer PieHole!" while killing the orc. "THE ROCK!"

[TheUdjat]

Caelith moves to the outside of the house, nodding a thanks to the wizard for his time, but choosing not to say anything. He is a haughty elf, after all. Once Caelith and the rest are outside, he addresses them.

"It seems we have multiple leads. I suggest we split up, send a couple of people to each tavern and the estate. I also think it might be worth our time to speak with Camir again, and tell him to be on the lookout for a peasant with an injured hand. I'd also like to ask him if he had any guards posted or anything. Perhaps we should see if there are any tracks left behind as well, our thief being as clumsy as he or she is." He looks to the others, inwardly telling himself to be quiet before he rambles on too much.

"What say the rest of you?"

[Hero]

Hero will hang around long enough to check out the back of this place for tracks or clues. After that, she'll head off to the Magmire estate and suggests that Garor come along (since the Magmires are dwarves.)

[Japic]

Smiling grimly, Girud takes a 5 foot step towards the goblins (closing the distance to 10 ft) and stomps the goblins and their fire. Then he moves in to threaten.

The stomp (1 action) is a cone starting from me, it's 20 ft long, and they have to make a reflex save at a 12. If they fail, they fall prone and take 1d4 temp demage. If they succeeed, then there is no adverse effect. Keep in mind that the stomp would also fling coals at them, hopefully causing more damage.

For the ones I threaten, if they try to stand I have 2 AoOs and cleave. My MW greatsword currently deals 2d6+10 damage (two handed) and attacks at a +12 (3 Bab +7 str +1 MW +1 Focus)

EDIT: (I'm still wearing my bracers too, so I'm not sure what those do for attacks or defense. Mebbe nothing at all.)

[BluSpecs]

Aye, I think thats best. Perhaps I can relate to these Magmires a bit

[Artemis]

Angelus nods softly. "I will be going to the inns and taverns to "search" for clues." His hand reflexivly moves to his sickle. "Perhaps Newt should come with me I could use his expertise..."

[Jevva]

Galdren drives his katana again into the severely wounded orc, intent on sending this minion of evil in the the abyss.

d10 +3, +6, cleave if possible
d6 +3, +6, cleave if don't cleave with katana

[sonnetinkinston]

I am awed by the creation before me, taking an involantary step forward in awe. I have never been absent from the beaty of the world around me, but this... is magnificent.

After a few more steps I stop, thinking only how wonderful it feels to be in the sunlight once more, though I've always loved the sounds and scent of the woods. I stretch, and begin to move after the dwarves.

[GeneralMHB]

Yuri immediately stop in my tracks, he does not move into the sunlight and waves Sehanine to come back. Still protected by the shades of the trees around him, he says:

Sehanine, I must speek with you a moment. Please....

[VemuKhaham]

Romar had strolled along with the talkative dwarve, but his mind was not with his proud tales. Instead it was devoured by two thoughts that constantly plagued him, the one telling him he just made the most stupid mistake ever and the other makes him feel the dwarves will help him greatly.

This lasts until the sun rises and they near the enormous sculpture of mountain Bazarkrak. The warmth of the early sun rays give him a bit more confidence, and upon seeing the great dwarven monument, he finally opens his eyes and forgets his doubts for a minute. If the dwarves here are as grand as this display of skill, then he can be reassured they would be able to help him.

That is why he suddenly quickens his pace, ending the strolling and proceeding in a conscious walk. That is, until Yuri holds his pass at the rim of the forest. He turns, waits, and when he asks for Sehanine he decides not to interfere, but is left with some doubt as to what these two are discussing. This hasn't been the first time this journey. Anyway, he sits down on the soft grass and relaxes until they are ready to leave again...

---

About dividing the cure spells: seems simple to me, as Sehanine has only 3hp left, she'll get them both.

[Merovingian]

Good I will go with Angelus to the inn but first.
Newt searches the outside of the house for tracks or a trail to follow. Take twenty =29