Chapter 2: The Crucible of Freya

Once Nebbleshuven catches his breath, he turns to Faionn and asks, "If we lose the trail in the forest, how comfortable are you with finding our way back out?"

Datura feels conflicted. On the one hand faster is better, but faster becomes much slower if the group gets lost. In the end caution was never to be her strong suit so the gnome answers the only way she can...

"Straight through! Adventure awaits!"

"Another advantage with taking the forest route will be that we're more likely to be spotted if we're on the road. If we can successfully traverse through the forest, we may gain the advantage of surprise."

"A druid, a ranger, and the blessing of a cleric of Freya: I don’t see how the forest can stand in our way!

If anything, it will surely guide our way. I doubt it likes these orcs here any more than we do!"

Into the forest the party travels. The way is rough indeed, but Datura's keen eyes keep noticing where the hidden trail should exist!

Datura's keen eyes sweep back and forth across the path as she moves, searching for any tells of passage...

It takes two hours of crawling through the thick forest, but it is till faster than taking the road. The sound of orc voices grows louder as you draw nearer to the orc band. You are now only a few dozen yards behind the orcs, and you can clearly hear their wicked songs of celebration. The overgrowth shrouds them from your view, and vice versa. Lauriel circles her hand above her head, signaling everyone to rally to her to plan your attack. You smile, knowing the orcs are unaware that their death is at hand!

The orcs are loud and boisterous from their successful raid, believing in their foolishness that they have not been followed. Nebbleshuven can hear them talking, and picks out a few names. They are happier than usual because raiding the temple was an important task given to Kren by Tavik. Kren hopes this success may help him unseat Nagrod as the leader of the orc band. Kren carries the crucible. As best you can tell, there are a total of seven orcs including Kren.

I would think that our archers and anyone else with ranged attacks (magic-users?) should strike first while the rest of us run up to strike them before they can flee. Kren should definitely be a priority target since he carries the crucible.

Agreed. If some of our melee fighters could try to flank the orcs while the archers shoot we could potentially cut off their retreat.

The dwarves Trel, Burl, and Gar look to Durgis with anticipation. The leader of their band holds out his mundane axe and half-heartedly chops it through a branch. "It's too narrow in here for us stout folk. We need open spaces like caves or hills. We'd be best ensuring no orcs sneak up from behind. Besides, I'm too hungover right now." His three companions look disappointed, but agree with his assessment.

Ryenne looks about, half-stunned, but with no time to argue with the stout folk.

A cave… more open than a forest…

The thought crossed the woman’s mind, and it might be the first thing she queried back at the tavern later tonight…

"More orcs for the rest of us." she barbs, wondering if she might prod them into action with shame.

"Then we should stay together. Don’t let them get around us, and cut us off from one another. Safety in numbers, with us between the archers." she says, looking to the warriors of the group. How she wished they had a broad back like Olaf’s to take up some of the space in a line…

"I'll move to flank after you get in close, that way I don't shoot you guys!"

Datura is ready and nocks an arrow...

Nebbleshuven furrows his brow in surprise that the dwarves are taking a pass on attacking the orcs.

And here I thought I'd be struggling to keep up with them in the fight.
"Fine by me."

He draws his sword and prepares for the attack.

The three guards offer their services as archers. Lauriel points out that the paths are rather narrow, and so fitting several warriors on each side would be difficult. A shield-bearer and someone with a spear would be optimal. She, too, casts a withering look towards the dwarves. The three underlings cower under her gaze, but Drugs merely shrugs.

Galdar offers to block one side in melee, and Corian admits that his memorized spells are... unsuitable for a brawl.

Ok, so the 3 townspeople will be teamed up with Datura, leaving Ryenne, Nebbleshuven, MacDuff, and Galdar for melee. I hope the townspeople are as good as Datura with their bows.

Nebbleshuven has a shield. He has a javelin (right?), which isn't the same as a spear but it's something. So he could take the other side.

I'm guessing Kariantha will hang with the archers and cast spells. We should wait for Faionn's reply. Maybe she can offer something druidic to help us out.