...Where The Company of Heroes Gather and Bond

After describing, in detail, the caverns beneath the steading, drawing yet another map as he does so, Julian muses aloud "I wonder how many of these orcs we could turn to our side. If we could somehow arm them, we might use them as further leverage to achieve our goals. Their leader slain and their slaves revolting... That level of chaos might just be enough to disband this group of giants, if not destroy them entirely."

He pauses for a moment, allowing the others a moment to chew his notion over before continuing.

"I do not think, however, that this would simply be an end to our mission. There are only thirty something hill giants here, and a single stone giant who appears to be a guest. Where is he visiting from, and are their other steadings such as this spread throughout the region? Other types of giants have been spotted aiding and raiding with one another, where are they? These are questions I would very much like answered. I would very much like to peer into the minds of both the hill giant chief, and his stone giant visitor."

Last edited January 26, 2019 3:30 am

Ælfric

annex

Jan 26, 2019 3:33 am

ArnoldPoodle Inactive forever!

Ælfric smiled and took a break from his blades to put two fingers to his temple in imitation of what he'd seen psionics do when working their mind magic.

Alain Loreweaver

Jan 26, 2019 4:25 am

"A slave revolt, how exciting! That would certainly add a dramatic flair to our tale. How would we turn them though? Nosra has their loyalty through fear. What can we offer them for their disobedience?"

Jan 26, 2019 5:00 am

"If we slay Nosra silently, I imagine presenting their head to them would be more than enough to turn them to our cause. Perhaps it can be done in the same night, if we're quiet and careful. Still. We need the means to arm them."

OOC:

Can I get a better idea of the number of slaves they keep, now that I've seen the underground section?

Last edited January 26, 2019 5:02 am

Jan 26, 2019 5:30 am

"If they are orcs, they will obey my commands and join us in bringing down the giants, if not, I will kill them myself. It is as simple as that." Korgazhar declared. "Find a way of getting to them once we're in."

Last edited January 27, 2019 10:35 am

Ælfric

annex

Jan 26, 2019 6:05 am

Ælfric raised an eyebrow at the half-orc's boasts then went back to tending his blades.

Last edited January 26, 2019 6:05 am

Jan 26, 2019 8:50 am

She listens and adds in "I can't imagine the orc having much of a chance against as many giants there. Even armed. But it could hurt to try I guess."

Jan 27, 2019 10:46 am

"Did you say the main tunnel leading to the caverns was collapsed?" Korgazhar reviewed the details Julian had sketched out. "It explains how they are still alive. These orcs are holding their own against the giants! I shall rally them." The half-orc exclaimed proudly.

Jan 28, 2019 7:24 pm

"Let us not jump to any hasty conclusions, Korgazhar. I did not see any evidence that these orcs were fighting against the giants, or were anything more than slaves residing in a more convenient location."

OOC:

@DM: I didn't see any evidence of armed orcs capable of fighting against the giants, did I? Also, is this just 1 casting of Arcane Eye and Scrying? I'm going to make the presumption that I managed to take a short rest at some point afterwords and gain back a 5th level slot via Arcane Recovery. Let me know if that presumption is wrong. :)

OOC:

Was the bear in the room with Nosra again when I saw them sleeping?

"If we wish to arm the orcs, I will take some of us to town tonight. By morning we will purchase the weapons necessary, as well as means to carry them. Otherwise, Norsa sleeps in the same bed tonight, and I would try to..."

Julain pauses for a moment a new course of action becoming apparent to him.

"Alain... Do you speak giant? How long could you hold one of them silently under your charm?"

Last edited January 28, 2019 7:25 pm

Ket_Onwall

Jan 28, 2019 7:59 pm

Julian
Trying to count the orcs is nearly impossible, as they constantly move around, though more than 50 would be a best guess.

OOC:

Sorry for my delay in responding

Jan 28, 2019 10:48 pm

Fernal offers, "I'm not that charming I guess, but I do speak giant well." She appears rather bored just doing some lookout work.

Ket_Onwall

Jan 28, 2019 10:52 pm

Julian

OOC:

The bear was with the giant king, yes. It took you another three hours to map the basement, just like it took mapping the upper level. As for the orcs, you did not see any weapons of note, armor or anything else war-like.

Jan 28, 2019 11:34 pm

ArnoldPoodle Inactive forever!

Korgazhar nodded. "No matter. It is good that you now have a complete picture of the steading. If you are thorough and done, we can discuss strategy and proceed tonight." The half-orc, like the others, had already steeled himself for the task ahead.

Alain Loreweaver

Jan 29, 2019 3:02 pm

"Indeed I can. I learned it when I was kidnapped by a cloud giant to perform for his court. A story worthy of it's own theater, I assure you. I was taking a ship from Greyhawk to the Duchy of Urnst, when the sky was suddenly covered by a single massive cloud..."

Alain stops retelling his story when he sees Korgazhar's expression

"Ehem. Anyways, it will depend on what you mean. I could incapacitate a group for 1 minute, but all they can do is stare off into the void. Or I could make a single giant forget his animosities for an hour, which may gain us a useful ally. Both assume they fall under my spell, and that we do not harm them. I could also use hypnosis to gently plant some commands in their minds, but they are limited to what the giant considers reasonable."

OOC:

Hypotic Pattern, Charm Monster, Suggestion. Deferring to DM on what would be considered reasonable effects of each spell.

Jan 30, 2019 1:40 am

"I am familiar with similar magics, Alain. I too posses many of the same abilities. The 'suggestion' spell, in particular, could be of use to us." Julian takes a moment to think on the details of his plan once more before sharing them with the group.

"First, we gather weapons to arm the Orcs below the keep. Simple weapons will do. Spears are cheap and easily made, and I don't doubt we could acquire them en masse in some nearby city." Julian says as he taps his helm of teleportation. "I can help us acquire these weapons, and return us here. The next day, we kidnap Nosra. I teleport Alain, myself, and Ælfric into his bedchamber. Ælfric's magic helps us remain undetected while Alain suggest to Norsa that he come with us, and answer our questions honestly. We take Nosra back here, where we interrogate him while he's under Alain's spell. Once we're finished, the six of us, including Fernal and Gurtrek, will eliminate the threat and begin preparation for the orcish uprising. It is likely that they would receive Korgazhar's words better than those of us non-orc. From there, we can decide if we wish to assist the Orcs in their struggle for freedom, or simply clean up afterwards. What say you all?"

Jan 30, 2019 1:47 am

Getting the gest of it, "Oh. You plan to enspell the leader. I guess that might work. Usually they are rather smart for that." adding on as second thought "Might I come with you to city when you go?"

Jan 30, 2019 1:54 am

"I can take eight others, in addition to myself. There are five of you, not counting Korgazhar's three peons. I could take all of us, but I think that unwise. Someone needs to hold the camp, and watch our mounts."

Last edited January 30, 2019 1:54 am

Ælfric

annex

Jan 30, 2019 2:00 am

Ælfric nodded throughout the Dreamseer's plan.

"Only those who must go to the city should teleport with you, Julian. The rest should remain here."

Last edited January 30, 2019 2:07 am

Jan 30, 2019 2:06 am

"Well I need to get a keg of drink. So that is a must." she adds.

Jan 30, 2019 6:49 am