2. The First Delve

Ricard pauses at the sound of orcs. In his mind there should be a truce in play but the fighter wanted to consider the will of the group before being noticed.

"Continue in peace, or wait for the orcs to pass?"

The orcs won't bother us? Won't they attack us? Luther is kind of confused at the moment.

Pickles taps Luther and smiles up at him. "See currently we have a safe passage with one tribe of Orcs, the Open Sores. Who have asked us to track down some sort of trinket the Ghost Beggars are looking for, the Human Bandits who wear Yellow and Black checkers, who believe that the Wiry People may have the trinket. So we don’t know if these Orcs are part of the Open Sores, cause if they are we pass safely. If not . . ." At this Pickles runs a thumb horizontally along this neck and pokes out his tounge, before giving a grin and bouncing off to stand near Ricard.

I see. Both factions of evil Luther thinks to himself. They will both pay in the end.

"Great summary!" says Fenwick. "While I wouldn't be 100% surprised if these are another tribe, I get the feeling they may not just be passing through and we'd be waiting a while. Do we think they'd attack on site even if they aren't Open Sore or allied with Open Sore?"

"Seems like the orcs in this dungeon are a bit smarter than the average of their ilk, might be willing to talk, then again, safest thing would be to pick a different path."

"I'm inclined to give it a try, otherwise it feels like we're just kinda... circling around the edges of things?" says Fenwick, careful to keep her voice hushed. "But I don't want to walk us into a possible fight without everyone's approval."

She falls silent trying to see what she can make out from the orcish conversations.

I also understand chaotic so I will also try to pick up some convo.

Jessica bites her lower lip. It was a bad habit since childhood, whenever she was nervous. "I'd vote for the safer path. No sense starting fights if we don't need to."

Pickles looks the group over before saying, "I vote to move forward, and I can slip into the shadows and scout forwards." A look of concentration falls upon his face as he looks down the corridor.

"Maybe you can spot an insignia, Pickles. Scouting sounds like a great idea."

The slight Halfling slides from behind Ricard, placing his bow away as he moved into the shadows of the tunnel. Using his size to advantage Pickles moves slowly, ever so slowly, down towards the Orcish grunts until he can see into the opening space. Here he stops, calming his breath and allowing on his eyes to move . . .

Leaving the rest of the Hellions back at the exit from the trash heap, Pickles creeps down the corridor and risks a quick glance into the ensuing chamber.

Pickles is viewing the chamber from its southwest corner. It is lit by smokey torches that provide good vision. As expected, he sees a group of orcs - at least half a dozen - congregated within. Those facing his general direction all sport the distinctive "seeping wound" facial tattoos that suggest they are members of the Open Sore tribe.

The other immediately notable feature in the room is an east-to-west wall of stones and debris that bisects the chamber.

This is all the detail Pickles can discern from his initial quick look. If he wishes to try and remain unnoticed, please make a hiding check (2 in 6). Otherwise, we’ll assume the orc guards spot him.

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Day 2, 4:50 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 1: 5/5 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

Pickles scans the room keeping to the shadows best he can . . .

Whether it's the movement as Pickles steals a second glance into the room, or the shadow he casts onto the wall behind, something alerts the orcs to Pickles' presence.

"Oi!" shouts one of them. "Who’s there? Show yerself!"

All seven of the orc guards turn to look in Pickles’ direction. Three of them train short bows upon him. A further three draw their swords. The remaining orc starts to move towards a large gong in the northwest corner of the room.

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Day 2, 4:50 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 1: 5/5 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

With hands in plain view Pickles pops out of the shadows with a grin. "Hi. No offence just making sure you were Open Sore, as we have an agreement with your Chieftain . . ." Pickles pauses and looks to be hard at thought. After a short while he turns and calls back over his shoulder, "It’s ok, they are Open Sores. Can any of you remember the Chieftain’s name?"

Orc Guard Post
The orcs hang on Pickles’ words, waiting for him to confirm that he knows the name of their chieftain, who he is supposedly working for …

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Day 2, 4:50 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 1: 5/5 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

Luther looks around at the others "This was before we met. You did get the chief's name right?"

"His name was...The Boss" Fenwick tells Luther. She waves her hand across her forehead. "Wore a platinum sort of crown-ey thing. Really well spoken guy, attractively deep voice. "