Green vs. The Orcs or 11 Davids take on 161 Goliaths Round 1 Jeremiah prepares for the upcoming battle by lighting a small candle and placing it in the rocks in front of him, where it's light cannot be seen by the approaching orcish hordes. The Orcs come closer and closer, more a feeling in the ground shudders than in the ability to visually see them in the beginning twilight. A light, blue mist begins to form over the trail, and as the beginning wave of Orcs starts to descend into the Quarry area, the grasses, weeds, and bushes that cling to life somehow in the barren stonelands seem to wrap, twist and entwine about the creatures holding them fast, starting an amazing chain of mass confusion. To add even more confusion, Tag shouts out words that twist and cause a shudder to pass through the very bones of any that stand near, and the effect on those creatures nearest the front is astounding. The Orcs that can barely be seen at the lead of the group, begin to scream and howl, and begin to turn and dash back into those still oncoming. The neat rows of oncoming Orcs are suddenly hectic and pushed in all directions, filling the canyon, and forcing the edge of orcs to expand over the pungi trapped area. Suddenly some of the cries are cut off, in mid bleating or terrified scream. And overhead the mists become denser and more volatile as trails of lightning can be seen streaking through. Shiro rises from his cover, his Daikyu, a great bow which would dwarf most others, readied, an arrow nocked on the taut string. Dunz to is up, a good-sized rock in his massive paws. The first volley flies from Shiro and Dunz and both hit the mark, and two of the snoutish creatures screams are cut off as they crash to the ground. Varn's Battle Axe chunks into the breast of the first Orc she spots, one that's not running back up the canyon, instead it's one of a few that decide a safe place to run to is into the Quarry, and it falls with a heavy thud. Fyn's sword snake's out almost of it's own accord, and catches another Orc, although just in it's arm, causing it to howl and turn on her. Shiro and Dunz let fly again, and Shiro's leafhead arrow catches the Orc that has turned towards Fyn and Dunz's next toss catches another nearing Orc right on the noggin. ---------- Darrin is still peering over the edge to see how the others are doing as Zantorax works his magic. Suddenly he stiffens with an audible gasp and looks back over his shoulder at Zantorax, and he opens his mouth, but before one word leaks out of his mouth, he clamps his jaw shut and rolls to his feet. He runs towards the overhang, and begins tossing rocks and anything he can find down onto the heads of the Orcs in the canyon. Those Orcs within the canyon walls are in complete disarray, and those at the back nearest the prisoners are beginning ro realize that something is terribly wrong, though what isn't clear, as their fellows begin to run from the canyon into their midst. Some try to run forward to find whatever is causing their fellows to run, and some turn in surprise at something behind them beginning to cause a disruption. ---------- Maeg leads the charge on the rear area of the Orc mass. Axe and double Long Swords zing into the midst of the Orcs, and each take down their mark before the Orcs ever realize that anyone was riding up behind them. ROUND TWO After having drawn out the casting of his first wall of fog, Zantorax quickly begins the spell anew, this time creating the wall of fog behind the orcs, hopefully trapping all but those orcs courageous enough to brave the lightning riddled fog bank behind them. If possible, the fog wall will be placed so as to encompass as many of the prisoners as possible without any of the orcs being within the vapours. ---------- Tag reaches under his collar and brings forth a tiny baubled necklace. He pulls off one of the baubles and with a few spoken words, hurls it at the few Orcs who seem to be still coming into the Quarry. The bauble hits with a splatter and balls of fire leap upon the leading Orcs, who screaming, stumble and fall rolling to the ground, as flames engulf them. Dunz eyes the bigger threat still in the canyon while hoping the others (for now) can/will take care of those few slipping past. Therefore he stands with Shiro to block the entrance to meet the eventual charge. I assume it is only a few penetrating so far, so I will allow the others to contain them, but, I wish to contain their numbers somewhat. Dunz's first rock hits full on, knocking one Orc on his duff, and his other rock goes wide, striking the canyon wall near Varn's head. [To Varn] Scare 'em with some dwarven talk! One would think the rock striking near her, was to get her attention, perhaps. Jeremiah has seen the orcs caught in the area of entanglement and swiftly moves to light the cloth on one of his flasks of oil. Then turning, he flings the flask towards the orcs caught in the clinging vegetation. The flasks strikes and breaks, creating flames within the area and burning those there entwined midst vine and flame. Shiro's bow twangs again swiftly cutting down two more Orcs as they emerge from the canyon, though the last one looked clear-eyed and had a mace lifted over his head looking to get close to someone to smash it home. Varn is quick to pay heed to the big warrior, not wishing a rock to crash into her skull, and begins shouting Dwarven battle cries in her native tongue, add to that her axe biting deeply into another Orc, and her cries become exhilirant indeed. None are close now to the fiery young bard, so Fynvola watches all around her trying to spot any further danger near them. ------- Darrin, footsteps jarring him to look around, sees several screaming Orcs overrunning the canyon entrance in an attempt to flee, terror on their faces. Darrin tosses a rock at the feet of the lead Orc, and though it lands just short, the Orc stumbles in an effort to avoid it, and three more fall over him, before those behind can adjust to run around them. Three run at Darrin and three more are closing in on Zantorax. While all this occurs, from up above the canyon... The fog over the canyon is beginning to get denser, and from near the front in the Quarry area, flashes of light seem to rise upwards into the clouds from the ground. Then a little further up in the canyon, a sudden voosh sound is heard, though nothing can be seen as of what caused it. And neither Darrin nor Zantorax has time to determine the cause or it's effects on his spell. ------------- A second fog begins to take shape now, taking in the back area of the Orcs, and several pause to look up at the streaks of sudden lightning playing amongst the thickening fog. Dalin continues to cleave the orcs with his sword, while Cathil cries out, "To the prisoners!" All three strike with a fury and the few Orcs aware of the attack from behind, when all can hear the deafening screams from inside the canyon walls up ahead of them, fall back, all but three who fall splattered with their own blood. Maeg let's loose a War cry in his ancient tongue, and Orc eyes, turn wide eyed to see the fury coming at them. Round Three As the fog gets even denser, and lightning plays dramatically throughout, Shiro glances over at Dunz with a smile as he puts away his daikyu. Staring into the hazy smoke and hearing the cry from above he charges into the smoke and along the trail of the orcs. Those who are wounded are swiftly dealt with by his iron sword as he makes his way toward the last known position of Varn. Dunz is perplexed at the samurai's action at this point in the battle. There are clearly targets to be killed with missile fire without risk to ourselves. Varn is clearly on our left flank along the inside wall with Fynvola. And the hazy smoke/fog will lift shortly exposing our small numbers prompting a rush of mad orcs, so reducing those odds at longe range while still possible is the sensible course of action. "Shiro-san, it is too soon!" he launchs one rock before seeing if Shiro continues forward and then evaulates the canyon area. [Jeremiah] If you plan to Bless and/or any other prepatory spells (like Magic Stone for your sling) before melee comes in a rush, anytime now would be good. Jeremiah looks into the gaze of Dunz Kann the warrior and senses the coming tide of orcish hunters as it builds in it's coming crest to crash over them. Grasping the disk of his diety on the chain around his neck, the young servant of Lathander prays, feels the power surge through his limbs and torse and then casts a blessing upon the fighters near by him. Dunz, Shiro, Fynvola and Varn sense the power flowing from the cleric into the air around themselves and feel the increased might which now protects and aids them in their impending battle. With a few words, "Grant us thy grace", Jeremiah completes the spell and turns his attention to the mists covering the approaching enemy. Fynvola moves back to the rocks and sees if there is any fairly easily accessable way to get up to the sounds she can hear above her. She spies something that shimmers in the twinkling of the newborn stars overhead, and reaching out to grasp it, she grips a tightly wound group of sinous threads. Looking up, she thinks they extend the length of the cliff above her, and yanking on it, she finds that it is quite solid. The feel of the strands are strange to her though, almost sticky to her touch. If she can, she will stealthily climb to see who or what is there. She will endeavour to not allow Varn to notice her movement because she doesn't want a lecture. But as she manages the first third of the climb, she hears Varn mutter, "Dang blasted girl!" as Varn's blade whacks into another Orc streaming from the canyon. Fynvola briefly looks down, mute apology in her eyes, then continues to climb. Tag's dark voice calls out powerfully again, and the flames that had begun to die out in the canyon from Jeremiah's fiery liquid, suddenly whoosh up the canyon out of control, and suddenly screams that had almost fell silent, now cry out in one last piteous voice as Shiro comes to Varn's side, his blade hewing what is left of the Orc she is rescuing her axe from. Dunz tosses one more rock into the canyon for good measure. ------------ Whirling around to face the incoming orcs, Zantorax allows jets of flame to escape from his hands and the lightning to play between his eyes. The cantrips are so common to him in battle that they almost occur unconsciously. He reaches for his staff and begin its deadly spiral as he waits for the orcs to come into range. The Orcs charge forward, terror in their eyes, not caring or even perhaps knowing that Zantorax is even there, little flames flashing forth from his hands. Darrin's axe bites deep into the lead Orc coming at him, even as Zantorax knocks his first Orc soundly on his temple. One Orc runs right past Darrin, skirting the canyon wall, but the other one bowls into Darrin and knocks him to the ground, running soundly over him, as Darrin let's forth a grunt at the impact. Of the two Orcs still coming at Zantorax, one trips over his own two feet and falls over the fiend that Zantorax had already laid low, and the other, turns tail and flees back to the horde, but away from the Canyon area. The four Orcs on the ground clamber forward just trying to scramble between Darrin and Zantorax for the hills behind them. Darrin gasps as he finishes off the Orc in front of him, and as he clambers to his feet, Zantorax whacks his staff on the chin of the Orc lying at his feet, knocking it unconcious. Darrin is pale and holding his side. ------------ Dalin swiftly changes to his bow, and lets fly two arrows, into the nearest Orcs, as Maeg and Cathil continue their charge. Maeg's blood curdling scream frightens the Orc, he's about to cleave in twain, and as the Orc trips over his own feet, he falls to the ground with Maeg's axe whistling harmlessly over his head. Dalin's first arrow drops another, but his second arrow sails wide, and somehow misses any Orc in the bunch. Cathil's longsword catches another Orc in the throat, but then a few arrows whistle out of the fog, and just sail over the heads of the three riders, and the Orcs in the front of the group draw swords and begin to advance. Maeg calls out in common, "Fall back! Fall back!" -------- As the sounds in the canyon die out, The feeling of righteous power intensifies inside the warrior after the priest's blessing. And as if on cue, the canyon flares anew decimating the remnants of the orc hoarde. Dunz, almost reverently whispers, "We should move up the canyon when the fire dies down and the fog lifts to rejoin the others." The last as he caresses his sword hilt absentmindedly. [Fyn] Tell us what you see from the top. Fynvola does not answer yet, as she continues her perilous climb. Now that you have a chance to watch her progress, you note she is clinging to a strangely dark and thin kind of rope. [Shiro] I believe your bow is the only weapon that can cover her at this distance. "I love the sound of evil dying in the moonlight." Tag mutters a few more words, similar in sound and tone to his last spell, and the flames begin to die down in the canyon. As he does so, Fynvola's footing slips, and trying to stop her fall, she clings to the strange rope and it in turn seems to cling to her. Varn calls up quickly, "Don't fight against it's hold, girl. It's spyder rope and will cling to you. Get your footing and continue." Overhead, you hear a slipping sound, and a clawed foot missteps over the edge, but then it seems to regain it's balance and then it is gone. Cautious and leery, Jeremiah listens and looks for any sign of conflict or attack. Finding none forthcoming, he moves closer to the massive fighters Kann and Minamoto; and presses them for answers or guidance. "What has happened, he whispers; "Are the beasts lying in wait for us, or have we broken their ranks with magics, fire, fear and missiles? Surveying the trail ahead and the now blackened terrain, he moves farther forward, peering into the canyon. "What of those captives we seek, he states; "Have they found their way to safety, or doom? Moving forward, he starts into the canyon, to find the answers to these questions. The sounds in the canyon have died out, but beyond there is still harsh yelling and sounds of attack. The flames are mostly put out now. Fynvola is only about ten feet from the top of the Quarry wall. Also sensing the mood, the warrior, Dunz takes a deep breath while peering into the canyon, "Spread out. Stay quiet. Be ready." (The armored cavalry is rolling!) [Tag] Will you scout/lead with your night vision? (Maybe we have one more surprise left if they do not look for an attack from this direction as the fog lifts.) Let us know your signal so we do not attack you accidently? Tag says, "You will hear my voice chanting a spell... I will have time for no other warning." [Jeremiah] I do not have the answers. But I do know where there is battle. Perhaps what we all seek is waiting beyond... [Shiro] Time to pay the piper. [Varn] You stay with Fyn and follow when you can? "I'm not climbing up there, foolish warrior!" Varn yells out and advances to your side. Even as you look up to check her progress, you see that she is near the top, when pop, she is gone over the ledge. Did I say you should climb up??? Are ye a dwarf or a nursemaid... Varn looks at the mumbling warrior and says back, "You said to stay with Fyn, and to do so, I either climb the rope, or go up the canyon with you, and then hope to find her in this fog. So let's get a move on, warrior!" " Dozo, no worry Jeremiah-san. Fyn-sama investigates above. I believe there be danger as well. She is not bird with wings. Perhaps it would be wise to send assistance in case of the inevitable. As to the beasts they have been cleansed from the earth for now. I do not know of any captives, if captives have been taken then they may be above or within the cave. " Shiro glances at Kann in question as to whether to investigate the cave or follow Jeremiah. ---------- Darrin is about to make his way over to Zantorax, when he hears a scrabbling from the canyon to his right. He steps over and suddenly dropping to his knees, he reaches down just past the canyon lip. With a more audible gasp, he helps Fynvola pop over the side. His features are torn between agony and delight. He says with a grimace and yet gently, "You were safer down yonder, my love... but never happier have I been." One hand is held to his left side, and his other hand still grasps your forearm. Fyn draws her sword warily checking about even as Darrin is helping her over the side of the cliff but relaxes when there is no immediate danger. She smiles at Darrin and stands on her toes to kiss him and replies, "I didn't want you to think I didn't care when I didn't recognize your smile face so high above, now, did I? I can fight like a tigress when love's at stake, don't you worry!" "I do worry," he mutters as she is already turning from him. She looks over at her formerly betrothed and waves her sword-free hand with a bright smile. "Hello Zan!" she pipes quietly, though the sound carries through the fog better than she had intended. Greetings done she looks about to see what she is in for... Darrin, hearing Fyn's voice carry, puts a finger gently to her lips, and then nods in Zan's direction. He moves gingerly towards Zantorax, his breathing conciously kept shallow, through gritted teeth. As soon as Darrin is close enough, he whispers, "It doesn't sound as if any of the Orcs are too close, but if the prisoners are not already free, we could be in trouble. The element of surprise is over. What should we do?" "I guess the first thing to do is to find where they are and what condition they are in, don't you think? Then we can decide what to do..." Fynvola answers, her voice barely a whisper. After a short pause, you hear a noise from towards the Orc's, but it is only Tag, Shiro, Dunz, Varn and Jeremiah stepping forth from the fog. -------- Dalin rides with the rest of the group to the hills, firing his bow behind him as he rides from the horde of regrouping Orcs. One arrow strikes true, and as he fires again a dozen arrows flies past him, Cathil and Maeg. Maeg pushes on until he is sure that the fog has hidden him and his two companions from the sight of the Orcs. Maeg says quickly, "I'm at a loss. I had hoped they would be more distracted from the attack at the front of their ranks, and there would be but a handful for us to fight through and rescue the prisoners. But there seem to be thirty Orcs between us and them, and how many more still alive beyond the prisoners I could not tell from this descending fog. Any ideas, you two." "These rocky hills could prove useful to us. The three of us could easily roll a boulder down the hill on to the persuing orcs. Their sheer numbers and the fog would delay any notice of the large stone that will roll over them. We could also figure out their position behind us, use the fog as cover, and double back, striking from the rear." Dalin awaits the reaction to his plans... "Good idea, that'll solve the captive problem too, just by killing them! I'll have to disagree with that plan of action, I say we hold out here to see if any more orcs dicide to come at us. Besides we'll have an advantage. Otherwise I say we try to regroup because it appears our smaller squad idea didn't exactly work..." Cathil points out. "Ok considering the captives are all ready running around from the orcs or taking up arms, crushing the orcs would not be a problem. Besides the sheer number of the orcs will stop the boulder anyway. We can not hold off these many orcs by ourselves. On another note if we just sit here their archers will surely shoot us to pieces," Dalin tries to point out. "The captives are locked up, I believe, and who's standing around, we're on the move right as I speak...." Cathil interrupts. Maeg sets a hand on each of his comrades forearms and says, "We can't see exactly where the captives are, but I doubt they are free to attack, as that was what I was hoping to accomplish, and I know we did not come close to our objective. Now keep your voices hushed, for the sound carries well in the fog." He pauses to let both Cathil and Dalin consider and then whispers, "I don't know about a crushing rock, if we knew where the captives were in this bedeviled fog, than I would say yes to that plan, but the fog also hides us from their pursuit, so I should not curse it over much." "Ok, I agree with Maeg, but what do we do if 50 orcs happen to stumble on to us. Should we hide behind the rocks and wait for the orcs to go in front of us?" asks Dalin. "Depending on the number of orcs that stumble out, we can then decide what to do otherwise we could rejoin the group or stay in our squad..." "Alright then, lets sit here and wait for the orcs. I agree with Cathil's idea to wait and then see if we should regroup," Dalin says softly. ---------- Round 5 Tag takes the lead up the canyon, with Shiro, Dunz, Varn and Jeremiah behind him. Tag sprints ahead quickly and as he enters the dense fog, the others lose sight of him. Carefully they follow after, passing several Orcs, slain, trampled, injured, and all in no condition to do more than groan and try to lift a clawed hand at the heroes passing by. How many are in the Pungi Pits can not be told from the fog's density. As they progress up the canyon towards the higher ground, hoping to find more Orcs and the prisoners, they hear a few harsh commanding words from far ahead, and then the squabbling Orc voices from the distance suddenly quiet down. One voice rings out in a gutteral, gurgling speech, and then you can hear movement, but no more sounds of voices crying out. Varn whispers, "Orcish. Don't know what he's saying though. Must be a leader." The warrior nods without comment as he attempts to ascertain the nearness and direction of these orcs. Midst the fog, the cries of the wounded and the mystery hanging in the air with the hopes of the small party, Jeremiah wanders forward with Dunz Kann and Varn. The scattered voices of enemy commands sound gutteral and unreal in the air. Unsure of the meaning of these voices, and unsure of the threat hidden in the fog, the youth gathers his robes about him and speaks to Varn. "Let's watch ourselves and our place here on this field of battle," he whispers to the dwarven compatriot. "We know not what dangers lie in wait, and we know not how our friends have fared. Still it seems clear that we must move forward cautiously to find the answers we seek." Then with mace in hand, Jeremiah glides forward across the broken and ragged landscape, watching for the danger which may lie in the shadows. The warrior stretches his arm across the priest's chest to forestall his advance. "Do not be so eager my friend. Allow me to take the lead." He then turns and whispers to Varn, "I thought all dwarves understood orc?" Varn cusses in a dark tongue, and adds in common, "No. Can't stand their ugly words, and never wanted to. Maeg might know a couple of curse words, but that's it." "We should see to Zan and Darrin over on that ledge first," Dunz whispers. Shiro works his way up to Tag and Tag hearing Dunz's words, waits up for all of you and then leads you cautiously in the direction of the overhanging ledge where you hope to find Zantorax, Fynvola and Darrin well. "Psssssssssssst." goes the warrior to get the trio's attention... "Where are the others?" he whispers without advancing any further onto the ledge. Darrin gasps, "They are on the other side of the Orcs probably. And if we drive them in that direction, Maeg, Cathil, and Dalin don't stand a chance." He takes a breath and all can here a sharp intake as he holds back a tiny yelp. [Tag] Did you hear (and understand) any of that orc tongue? Tag looks at the warrior and says, "Only a few words... 'together. attack'. I am not sure if they are saying we are under attack, or if they are saying that they should attack." The fog thins as you step onto the ledge area, and easily seen are Fynvola, Darrin and Zantorax talking earnestly. Lightning flashes in the two fog banks created by Zantorax as the magical energies that hold the fog in place start to be withdrawn by Zantorax's uttered words. Tag shoves him to break his concentration, and the fog stabilizes just a little, though it is a much lighter fog now. Tag hisses, "We will still need the fog, young one." The silent wizard steps near the edge of the canyon to survey the battle-field and find out where it is that the orcs are hiding, but the fog is still heaviest where the few Orcs still remain. Dunz Kann "Well. Dalin did not strike me as one who would get himself trapped, so, they are probably conducting hit-and-run attacks or waiting for us. Anything else would be foolish. Either way, we need to move while the orcs are still disorganized and the darkness still hides our true strength." The warrior then nudges the young priest towards Darrin and adds, "Go ahead. Do something useful for a change." He then has words with Tag. [Tag] I think that orc was saying that they should keep together and attack together, meaning that they know not where/who to attack. Can you get us closer? Tag says softly, "Of course, but I think our greatest asset is Jeremiah's entangle spell. The boy is right," he nods at Darrin. "There are many of them left, and whatever tactics our comrades are using, they would be overrun, should I scare them in their direction. But the entangle... that would immobilize them quite nicely." Darrin gives a light chuckle, muttering, "Overrun... that's a good one..." he coughs and the grimace that crosses his face is unmissable as he grabs for his leftside. [All] We need to get a better picture of where the orcs and the prisoners are located, and how many may be left. We have enough firepower together now to handle a fair sized frontal assault, but I would rather we engage away from the prisoners for their safety, for now anyway. Perhaps we can ambush one more lone group along the way, quickly as possible! > Bumped and lightly nudged by the powerful fighter, Jeremiah startles, then grins > slightly and glances back at the warrior in the midst of the battlefield; then > moves toward the party's benefactor - Darrin and looks to see how this man has > fared. Before he leaves he whispers: > > "Watching warily we wove our way west winding wearily over wounded wastrels." > > "Dunz, he speaks softly; don't get in any trouble whilst I be gone." > > Then, with keen eyes peering through the mist and fog, he looks and moves > towards Darrin. Darrin steps away from the Priest and says quickly, "It's nothing. Save any healing spells for someone that needs it." He hisses at his mentor, "Tell him, Tag. I'm not cut or nothing, it just hurts when I breath too deeply." Varn steps up to Darrin alongside Jeremiah, and says sharply, "Didn't I tell you to be careful. What happened, mace, cudgel?" Darrin ducks his head and mumbles, ".... foot..." "Enough of this," Tag says. "What foot? We must get going..." If it wasn't for the fog still available, Darrin would be as bright as a red rose, as he says, "I got knocked down by some runaway Orc, and he stepped on my side, okay. I think he cracked a couple of ribs is all. Happy," he brushes in between Jeremiah and Varn, his head ducked down to avoid any smirks and grins at his grave battle wounds. "Now can we go find Maeg..." he trails off reaching Dunz's side. Tag who is bearing a smirk, says, "Yes. I can deepen this fog, just after the Priest casts his next spell. That way we will see a general view of the orcs, and then we will cast them in darkness again, while they fight the ground. What do you think of that warrior?" "Lead on MacDuff. Uh, er, Mac...Tag." (Fog. Entangle. Fire. Oh my!) [Darrin] He who laughs last... is still alive. Remember that the next time you are around a campfire. I am sure that that foot will be a cudgel before long! Darrin's only response is to get a better grip on his Axe haft, though he does give a slight smile at the kind words of the more accomplished warrior. [Jeremiah] I only get in trouble while you are around, you willy wabbit. (I will make a warrior out of you yet!) [Zantorax] Do you know sleep or another area/mass effect spell? Shiro listens quietly to the conversation as his mind works quickly on a strategy. As the warriors are talking in whispers amongst themselves Shiro silently slips away into the gathering darkness and fog.