Kuldahar
He rubs his nose irritably, then nods to Reòthadh and leads the two of them out the door of the shop and to the outskirts of town. "Maegan is scared. And why shouldn't she be, after all that's happened in the last months? But I'll keep her safe. I'll make the world safe."
He points north. "They'll be just up that way, about two miles. They'll learn after today not to come so close to our town." The other hunters nod determinedly, and Alalla can't help but remember her time in the Targos militia. Aside from the supernatural wrath burning in their eyes, these men show the same dedication that her old comrades did.
Reòthadh certainly recognizes the expression of men working hard to protect their home.
She taps her chin for a moment, thinking. "They are almost certainly at the Evening Shade Inn. She's been helping to run the place, in addition to all the other tasks she takes upon herself."
Natalie looks up, eyes weary, but smiles at the sight of them. "Zenithral! You're back!" Her smile turns slightly mischievous at the sight of the two of them together. "That must put Halla in a good mood. She's rather irritable while you're gone, you know. I mean, more than -" She cuts off at Halla's glare. "I just mean to say we're glad you're back, is all!"
Her humor quickly evaporates, a sign of the last few days' ordeals. "I'm sorry about Mona and Lance..."
Jermsy continues to clean tables, head down.
He clears his throat. "Anyway...yes, that's what we're here to ask about. We were hoping you or Jermsy might know more about what happened. Where were you during the attack? When Father Tulfgyr was killed, specifically. They were with him when it happened, but disappeared shortly afterward."
The young woman looks out a nearby window, where the evening's shadows begin to gather. "I heard about Father Tulfgyr. He was such a kind dwarf. He helped me look after Jermsy sometimes. But I don't know what happened. Mirek and the men didn't let anyone close to look. I'm afraid I've come under some suspicion, too, since I apprenticed myself to Halla."
Jermsy continues wiping his cloth over a nearby table. But there's something strange about the boy... Zenithral realizes that the table has not gotten any cleaner in the minutes since he entered the inn.
Rolls
Investigation (Illusion?) - (1d20+7)
(5) + 7 = 12
...
"I'm sure they will," Al says with a frown. "But no, I haven't come to join. I'm taking command. I believe these orcs are my tribe, and I'll not have arrows put into my hard work." She looks the group over and sighs inwardly. She is bristling against the hate and prejudice in their eyes, but it is not unwarranted. Though it feels like a milennia to her, the orog attack was not long ago for these people. "By either side," she adds gently, reminding them of her efforts to keep them safe.
"Whoever these orcs are, we'll make sure they give Kuldahar a wide berth, if that's what you'd like. Still, I'd prefer this to be a non-violent confrontation. I've had my fill of blood lately. Haven't you?" She fixes an image of Lord Ulbrec in her mind and stands as he would. Strong, self-assured, expecting to be obeyed because, after all, who else would they listen to?
Rolls
Intimidation (I've got seniority, upstarts) - (1d20+8)
(15) + 8 = 23
Behind Zenithral is the sudden sound of a chair hitting the floor as Natalie immediately stands up. A surprisingly vile curse leaves her lips as she approaches and waves her own hand through the illusion. "I'm going to strangle whoever it was that taught the boy magic! Now where has he gone?!"
He motions to the hunters and they all set off, faces grim.
"This isn't what I'd call the ideal time to fill you in, but I planned to tell my tribe and I'd rather not surprise you." Jumpy as you are. "And frankly, I feel bad. The smell is awful, isn't it? It gives me a headache." Alalla shoots Reòthadh a look that says, "get ready."
"The battle in Targos last week didn't go well for me." She sticks her glaive into the snow and lowers her white hood. "I fell into the devil's hands." She parts her hair to show them her nubbish horns. They've grown a fair bit, despite the charring she gave them. "I don't know exactly what I am now, but I think it's like what Zenithral is- except touched by a devil instead of a god. I've got fiend in my blood."
Shifting his weight he makes sure to check his armor and weapons in case things go sour. The dwarf gives a stern look at the hunters.
"A dwerf has lived the life o' the hunter since he was a wee lad. There is much one could pass on to those who would learn. Should trouble arise fall back and take cover in the woods, a dwerf will provide the cover of the north to protect us."
Several of the hunters are breathing heavily, faces contorted with hungry rage. Others appear horrified. Capable warriors they may have become, but most are not so hardened as they pretend. The thought of Alalla as a traitor strikes them to the core.
Mirek speaks to Reòthadh, but keeps his gaze on Alalla. "If you are one of the goodly folk, dwarf, then help us!"
"What I plan is to free the orcs from Gruumsh and any other master who would bind them with bloodlust. I had hoped the people of Kuldahar could help me show them the way of civilization, but..." She trails off, making eye contact with the hungriest looking men. "I'll send them on."
Al replaces her hood and retrieves her glaive. "Make no mistake, Belhifet will die for what he's done to the North. He has taken my orcish heritage and my husband's soul hostage, but I will die before I do his bidding. I've done it twice already. I'm not afraid to do it again."
He waves the hand at the illusion's feet, expecting to find a certain magical hand mirror on the floor. Either he's going to be trouble, or he already is...
Rolls
Persuasion (a dwerf speaks from experience) - (1d20+9)
(3) + 9 = 12
Alalla does a good hype (help) - (1d20+9)
(19) + 9 = 28