The EARTH story - August 12, 1372
The morning of August 12th is sunny but bitter cold again. At least there is no snow...yet.
Soon after setting out, you catch a whiff of woodsmoke in the air.
Leslie stops, and says quietly, "Smoke? No one lives hereabouts!"
"I can investigate. It could be another group camped out, travelers in trouble, or I don't know..." offers Aron.
"Let me join you, this seems to be quite a mystery!" Al replies as he unsheathes Claw and follows Aron.
"Please, allow me to accompany you, Aron. Our speed should stand us well should the encounter turn sour," speaks Mikodin.
Jon adds, "I agree, Mikodin, that you should go...and I will just tag along to make sure you are okay."
"I will check it out from the air," says Equinox as he converts into a Raven and takes to the sky.
Aron looks in wonder as Equinox shape changes, "I'll never tire seeing a druid's art, but I'll stick to what I can do. Still with me Mikodin and Jon?"
Mikodin checks his new axe, and replies, "Sure we are. Let's go, but let's try and keep some stealth in our approach."
Jon says, "Yeap...that was the intention...I will be the invisible backup."
"Agreed."
Off Equinox goes, while the scouts set off.
A short time later Equinox, Jon, Mikodin and Aron return.
"Welcome back, gentlemen, next time, don't be in such a rush. I go to the privy for two minutes and then you are gone," Al says with a sideways shake of his head. "Anyhow, what did you find?"
Tully says, "What did you see?"
He draws an arrow and prepares his bow for combat. His eyes narrow. "Why are you all coming back together?"
"From the air, Equinox saw a hundred or so orcs making camp - too many for the four of us to handle alone. We came back together because we left together."
Leslie smiles a cold smile.
"We'd better deal with them...now," she says.
"Did anyone see a leader?" Al asks, "We can target him and then the rest will scatter, I love taking down tribes of orcs!"
"I don't want them scattered, I want them dead," replies Leslie. "The only good orc is a dead orc."
"I am not debating that, but what would you rather fight, an organized band or a routed leaderless group?" Al replies.
"An organized, concentrated band, to be honest, that we can hit with concentrated firepower," says Leslie. "Chasing down scattered orcs through the woods would be very time consuming."
"So what are we waiting for, m'lady?" he says with a wide smile conceding a friendly defeat in the conversation. "I am ready!"
"And here I have this nice spell that makes roasted orc. It is nice not being in a cavern, that is for sure," says Kelar with a grin.
Looking over at Farad, he asks, "I will take the left, you the right?"
"I don't think Equinox would like the use of fire magic in the forest."
"We can ice them from the air," suggests Vardui. He pulls out a wand.
"If I can coax lightning out of this weather," says Equinox, frowning up at the cloudless sky, "I could Call Lightning down on the leader as I circle above in Raven form. That might also be everyone else's signal to attack."
"That's a possibility," says the ranger.
"I could as well," says Ayazin, "though I may prefer to do so from the ground. Let me check on the weather. Oh great Mielikki..."
He begins casting Predict Weather.
After a few moments Ayazin lowers his arms and sighs. "No weather today -- none that we could call lightning from. There might be some snow tomorrow morning, but I don't think it's worth the wait, the orcs could move by then. So unless someone can control weather and whip us up a storm, we druids will have to find something else to do."
He turns to Equinox. "Do you have an Animal Growth spell handy? My friends would be much more effective under it, and I could summon more in from the forest to join them."
"Unfortunately not. I could summon more to help us as well, but I would prefer that they not be involved in the fighting as they are probably not necessary. Too bad about the lightning though. That would have been fun."
"Aron and I could wait until the attack starts, then chase down any that run. I doubt they can outrun us," says Mikodin with a grin. "What do you think, Aron?"
"Yes, if we must kill them all. What if any surrender?"
Drinor harrumphs. "We should attack them honorably, not scatter them like a herd of deer. If some of them get away, they could carry a message to whoever sent them here -- if anyone did. Our monks could easily run down a messenger or two sent for reinforcements, but not if they head off in every direction. I suggest that we fighters form up for a frontal attack, send our stealthy ones to the flanks, and casters both behind us and in the air above. After the sentries are taken by stealth, the fighters shall sound a war cry, and the casters can let loose with their big spells. We shall then close to melee with the main body while our casters can mop up on the outsides, and our monks can chase down any cowards."
Vardui laughs.
"Go ahead!" he says, still chuckling, "I'll provide the air support."
"It sounds like a good plan to me. I say we go do it."
"About time," Al says as he unsheathes Claw and prepares to move out towards the smoke. "So, the plan is Equinox can call lightning down on the leader while Vardui ices a whole bunch of them. If any of you mages can cast sleep or limit the damage to the forest that would be good, and any warriors with me will cut down whoever won't stay down!
"Let's go," he instructs.
"Okay, first I never said I wasn't going to roast some orcs. And second I didn't hear any complaints out of any of the druids. And not that lightning wouldn't have a possibility of starting a fire..." grumbles Kelar.
"Kelar, divinely guided lightning is more controlled than mage wielded magic," the cavalier and priest of Thor replies with a smile. "I'll admit you mages are a definite asset, but as for control, your spells act like a hammer on an ant."
"Either way I am ready to go have some fun," states Kelar as he starts to head in the direction of the orcs.
"Let's go!" Al says with a smile.
"Before we all scatter, I can cast a prayer from Idun over the group, it will give us all a slight edge," offers Sharone. "Then I will support the fighters with my sling. A group this size may have spell casters that need to be neutralised."
Al waits for Idun's blessing. "My thanks, Lady, to you, and your lady!"
With a nod, he moves out, ready to assault the orcish army.
After receiving Idun's blessing from Sharone, Aron bows. "Thank you Sharone."
Turning to Mikodin and pulling out his crossbow, he adds,, "I'm going to have this ready in case there are spell casters among the orcs."
Aron asks Laurie, "Priestess, where will you be during this attack?"
"Aron, I think it might be wise for you and I to stay near Laurie until we can see where we are needed most", says Mikodin. "If they do have some spellcasters, you and I can neutralize them quickly with a charge to them."
Jon says, "Not a great deal I can do against so many...I will flying around and help where I can, when the leaders are found."
"I am a healer, not a warrior," Laurie replies. "I will stay in the background and cast supportive magics. But do not worry about me; Rameen will guard me."
She nods to her dwarven henchman who never strays far from her side.
Tully watches the group with interest. He seems to be sizing each person up and paying close attention to what each is saying. He says nothing.
"Shouldn't we go after the sword and not be hindered by these?" asks Kithus.
"The main reason I moved up to this land two years ago is to deal with bands of orcs like this near the source," Leslie explains. "They migrate south from Urguth, and eventually raid the civilised lands. This band is probably heading southwest, their destination being Happy Valley. But don't worry, Kithus, it will not take long."
"Enough said, consider them dead, m'lady!" Al says with a wide smile as he goes off to kill some orcs.
"Thanks Leslie, I was a little hesitant about attacking them without knowing the local history - we need to attack before night falls, lest any nearby settlement is in danger."
"The only settlement in this region is ours," says Laurie.
Aron adds, "But what is this group's attitude about any who surrender? I know there are many here who feel that the only good orc is a dead orc. I'm not looking for a lecture on morals, just the quick and dirty answer - our main purpose is not here."
"I have a personal hatred of orcs," Leslie says, her voice dropping. "Thirty one years ago my father was captured by orcs and sacrificed to their god. But I don't think that we will have any of them surrender. These are Urguth orcs, and we are close to their homeland. That land is a harsh and unforgiving place, where surrender is viewed as weakness and failure. If an Urguth orc surrenders, then He-Who-Watches knows and would stalk them. Every orc knows that.
"The influence of He-Who-Watches is much stronger here than in the south," Leslie adds. "The orcs maintain that He lives in the dark Tower of Urguth...which is not all that far east of here."
She turns to Vardui.
"I know what you're planning to do," she says, "But if you can direct any who survive in our direction then we can mop them up."
Vardui nods.
Jon turns invisible and takes flight.
Vardui casts fly on himself, then also becomes invisible and is gone.
Leslie turns invisible and takes to the air, as does Goodgulf.
Equinox converts to raven form again and flies off towards the orcs.
Beth lets loose her familiar.
Under the supervision of Drinor, Kelar, Grim, Kithus, Farad, Aron, Sharone, Ayazin, Mikodin, Aldarin, Devlin, Tracey, Beth, Jo-owrn, Op Code, Al and Tully form up and head southwest.
Laurie and Rameen bring up the rear.
You head off through the woods towards the southeast for perhaps a quarter of a mile, moving slowly and as quietly as possible.
Suddenly Leslie appears in your midst, floating a few feet off the ground.
"The orcs are not far ahead, and they have a picket line around their camp," she tells you. "Vardui is going to ice as many as he can, but we want to funnel any who get away in this direction for you to deal with. We need people on the flanks to help in that. Aron? Mikodin? How about the druids? Any entangle spells?"
Ayazin nods. "I have two. I will cast one to either side of us here, so please everyone stay out of those areas or the spell will grab you. If any orcs get caught, it's best to take them out with missiles rather than enter the area."
"Right-o," Beth says. "And everybody stand back; after the orcs pass the area Ayazin has entangled, I'll try to catch as many of the remainders in a web. It'll be a mess if you guys run into melee before that. Wait for my web, or my signal, before running to engage whatever orcs are left over."
Mikodin looks at Aron, nods, and says, "I am ready. He hoists his crossbow, and reminds all, "A group of this size may hold more surprises than just large numbers. Let us remain alert to the unexpected."
Tully says, "I could cast fireball. Vardui could then follow with an ice storm to put out any flames. Otherwise, I could cast color spray on them as they approach. After that, I will take to the air with my wings of flying and fire arrows at them."
"I am prepared to rid this land of the vile beasts. Orcs are a long hated enemy of my people and I can stand not to allow them to live while I am able to wreak havoc upon them."
Aldarin prepares to cast his Minor Globe of Invulnerability just before the initial strike. He will take a position in the center of the warrior line so as to shield as many others as possible with the spell. He will start the battle off with Fireball and Stinking Cloud, then resort to Lightning Bolting any leaders or spellcasters. If any make it to the line then he will melee.
"Careful with the fireballs..." cautions Grim the druid.
"I've got a web spell ready," Beth says. She looks around. There are enough trees that she ought to be able to anchor such a spell well enough.
When it looks like the combat is beginning, Beth will cast "Shield" on herself. One of these years she has got to get herself some bracers of defense or similar!
Aron joins Mikodin on the flank.
"Alright, I'm off!" says Leslie. "Stand ready!"
"One moment, Leslie, I'm coming with you. My spell mix will be best for the first assault."
Ayazin casts his Entangles, then a Barkskin on himself, then shifts into the shape of a Sharp-shinned Hawk and flies after Leslie.
Ayazin flies off to where he sees the raven Equinox circling.
The rest of you wait patiently for something to happen.
Suddenly you hear what sounds like the sound of pelting hail stones from some distance away.
"Charming," Beth mutters, a distant look in her eyes.
Very soon after that you hear the howls of enraged orcs...but not very many howls.
From nearby several previously hidden orcs break from their cover and go charging back towards their camp.
Equinox slips on his ring of invisibility.
The charging orcs hesitate...then all hell breaks loose.
"FOR THOR!" Al roars as he charges the closest orc and slices with Claw. He goes into a frenzy, cutting down every orc in sight.
"Let Al take care of them. Our job is to stop any of the orcs from leaving."
"Of course," Mikodin agrees somberly, "You and I should not worry about those running to the fight, but only those trying to run away from it."
Aldarin uses his bow to pick off as many as possible.
Tully will also use his bow and normal arrows to get as many of the Orcs as he can. If many charge and no one is in the way, he will use color spray.
Kithus draws his sword and plants it point first into the ground, so it could be used in a hurry and doen't need to be wasting time drawing the sword. Then, he takes his bow, and carefully aims at the orcs at a distance.
Kelar draws his falchion and goes charging after the orcs.
"We had better slow these guys down before they get to our advance units," says Kelar with a smile on his face
Drinor draws his flaming sword and marches into battle with the nearest orcs.
Op Code unleashes his two magic missile spells into the fleeing orcs. He then unleashes his sword and charges, at top speed, screaming, "Orc burgers!"
Op Code's missiles take down an orc as a flurry of arrows fly through the air. By the time the arrows are done flying another orc lies dead and two more are injured.
A melee erupts, as people drop out of the sky and rush out of the woods. The orc camp is a bloody mess of hail stones lying on the ground. Bodies - smashed and broken - lie everywhere in frozen, grotesque poses.
It is all over in a moment or two. Leslie, Al, Kelar, Devlin, Drinor, Op Code and Jo-owrn dispatch the remaining orcs quickly and efficiently.
Jon, still invisible, says, "I think there is probably somebody else in the command tent. Who wants to come and have a look around? I'm going to have a look..."
Jon flies down and does a circuit around the command tent with Geerzo drawn.
"Geerzo can you detect any magic or anything else interesting?"
"Sorry!"
When Jon goes to enter the tent, though, he bumps into someone else who is invisible (Equinox).
You search the camp, including the tent. In all, you find 870ep, 1600sp and 3 gems (50gp ea). There is nothing else of interest here.
Leslie directs you to gather all of the bodies into a large pile, and then it is lit.
The plume of black smoke rises into the clear blue sky.
It is late afternoon before you resume your trek. Leslie makes you hike late into the evening to put some miles between you and the former orc camp. Finally you camp in deep twilight. Soon it will actually start to get dark at night.