[IC] WD's Against the Orcs

[Niehaus]

"Adelmar! That's what it was." William proclaims in a loud voice before ducking his head in embarrassment over his outburst, which he quickly shakes of with a shrug and a question.

"Is it dinner time yet?" Three days of trail rations had set William's mind firmly on a warm meal, and if the towns people weren't worried about an attack why not eat.

 

[Walking Dad]

"I'm very glad you came to help us", Adelmar says, ignoring the hostilities. "But I have to ask you to sit back for a moment, until our service is completed. We will need the blessings of Erathis, shall this village survive."
Afterwards he continious his sermon, ignoring further questions.

----------------

After 20 minutes, you used to get a better overview of the village, the sermon ends and Adelmar leads you into the main hall. A whole wild boar roasts over a roaring fire as Adelmar addresses you again:
"I know of Baron Loxlyn. I served his father for many years before moving to Roxbury to found this temple. I also know of the approaching orcs, but we are trapped.
At first we considered leaving, but what hope did we stand in the open? We have animals and children to care for, and our wagons would be slow moving over the hills.
One family did try to leave, against my wishes. We found their heads planted on stakes in the fields two days later. Since then we have tried to fortify the village and have prayed daily for help.


I know what you are thinking. Why did we not fortify the village earlier? We meant to shortly after we arrived, but first we had houses to build and crops to plant. Weeks turned to seasons, seasons to years, and before we knew it we had settled into a peaceful routine. It is only recently we have begun constructing the barricade.
I aim to stay here, with my people, until the baron’s men arrive to escort us. I will not be responsible for leading my people to certain death."


Another villager springs up as he hears the last words: "This is madness! We need to leave, if we want to survive! Those brave adventurers will be able to protect us untill we are in savety!"

ooc: This will be the first skill challenge. Vote wich side you will take in the ooc thread first, please.

 

[Niehaus]

William frowns thinking to himself, "Why is it humans always seem to get long winded when it's time to eat? If this were a halfling village the first thing we would have done was eat. Of course a halfling village wouldn't be in the middle of the mountains. Ooo and there would be this awesome river..."

 

[Padreigh]

Argivion stands up.
"I would like to discuss this with my associates."
He turns to the other adventurers.
"Gentlemen, let us go outside for a moment."

 

[Niehaus]

William casts a longing look at the roasting boar before following Argivion outside.

"Humans..." William sighs to himself and goes back to dreaming about his perfect halfling village where they've already eaten and are now asleep in warm beds.

 

[Insight]

Nerve suggests to Paranthraxus, "You are skilled at leading people, correct? Perhaps you should teach some of these people how to stand guard when orcs are coming to burn your homes down."

Paranthraxus smiles. "It's what I do," he replies. "I'd be glad to see what we can make of these people."

The dragonborn walks warily towards the temple, but stops outside. He looks at Nerve, as well as the rest of the companions. "The first thing we need to do is assess the situation," he points out. "I'd like to speak with the village elders and get an idea of what we might be facing, and what resources we might be able to use in the defense of this place."

"I'd like Nerve and possibly one more to take a perimeter, maybe 50 yards, around Roxbury and see what we can find," he continues. "Obviously, stealth is the priority here; no sense alerting any orcish spies that Roxbury has newfound defenders. What we should look for are signs that the orcs may indeed be hiding nearby and also what natural resources might be found - mud, sticks, lumber, et cetera."

"If the villagers are amenable to it," Paranthraxus says, "I'd like to get them involved in this effort, up to and including training them in the basics of hand to hand combat."

 

[Lord Sessadore]

Another villager springs up as he hears the last words: "This is madness! We need to leave, if we want to survive! Those brave adventurers will be able to protect us until we are in safety!"

Fool. Traveling across open country with children and villagers burdened with what they don't want to leave behind? With just us 5 protecting them, all it will take is a half-brained feint before an ambush and half the villagers are dead, the elf thinks. He doesn't give any indication what he thinks of the man's outburst, however.

Argivion stands up.
"I would like to discuss this with my associates."
He turns to the other adventurers.
"Gentlemen, let us go outside for a moment."

Nerve follows the mage, not giving any hint as to what he's thinking until all of his companions are gathered.

"I'd like Nerve and possibly one more to take a perimeter, maybe 50 yards, around Roxbury and see what we can find," he continues. "Obviously, stealth is the priority here; no sense alerting any orcish spies that Roxbury has newfound defenders. What we should look for are signs that the orcs may indeed be hiding nearby and also what natural resources might be found - mud, sticks, lumber, et cetera."

"I take it you are in favor of defending the village then, dragonborn?" Nerve nods in agreement with Paranthraxus and states, in his usual curt manner, "Traveling with them over open land will be suicide for them. They don't know how to avoid notice or how to fight, it would only take one clever ambush and the orcs will kill half of them before we can reach the attackers. We should fortify the village and defend it."

"I was planning to scout around the village as well, if we remain here. Are any of you skilled at stealth? If not, I'd rather go alone, or with one of the villagers who knows the lay of the land."

 

[Insight]

"I take it you are in favor of defending the village then, dragonborn?" Nerve nods in agreement with Paranthraxus and states, in his usual curt manner, "Traveling with them over open land will be suicide for them. They don't know how to avoid notice or how to fight, it would only take one clever ambush and the orcs will kill half of them before we can reach the attackers. We should fortify the village and defend it."

The dragonborn smiles, realizing that at least one other companion had figured it out. "There is no chance of it, not as long as I am with you. I won't march these villagers to their deaths."

"I was planning to scout around the village as well, if we remain here. Are any of you skilled at stealth? If not, I'd rather go alone, or with one of the villagers who knows the lay of the land."

"If you go alone or with a guide, we need to come up with some sort of animal call or signal to indicate either that you're in trouble or that the orcs are incoming. I suggest a different signal for each, to avoid confusion."

 

[Walking Dad]

ooc: You seem ready to discuss!

Roll initiative, please.

Level 5
Complexity 2 (6 successes before 3 failures)
Primary Skills: Bluff, Diplomacy, Nature (Knowledge about orcs)

Other possible skills:
Insight, Intimidate, History

 

[Niehaus]

"I'm up for any decision that involves eating as soon as possible!" William thinks to himself before addressing the party, "I agree. Staying here gives us the most manageable situation. Besides after traveling for three days with little rest I doubt we'd be at out best when it comes to defense."

[sblock=initiative]Initiative (with warlord bonus) (1d20 6=8) it's 6 if we're not using commanding presence for the skill challenge[/sblock]