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[IC] The Protectors of Greensfen (Part II)

"At least we'll get a rest before we have to move. And since we're going to have to run like demons to catch up, we'd better take all the rest we can."

Joshua opened his pack and took out some of his food and examined it carefully.

"Hairy jerky, anyone?" He sounded suitably unimpressed.
 

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[sblock=Todarr]
As the light of the sun fills the sky, Tromolden rouses from his slumber. He wipes his eyes and looks around. "No trouble?" he says, looking up. "Good, good. We are clear of those miserable wretches, it would seem." He grins. "Your former colleagues, I mean. No offense."

He takes a moment to look around the makeshift camp under the tree, and he steals a dagger off of one of the dead orcs. "These scum are beginning to smell." And it is true - the cold of the night no doubt slowed the rotting of their flesh, but things are beginning to smell pretty bad.

Tromolden stretches a bit, and then starts walking slowly towards a row of rolling hills a few miles off, not bothering to check if you are following him or not. "Come, this way. We are not far from a friendly camp - one of Baradur's combat outposts. It is there we will..." He pauses, grasping for the right word. "... integrate you into Baradur's army. Yes, yes. You will be a most welcome addition."
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With the rest of the party still hidden, the mage steps out from under the tree, and begins to walk towards the hills in the distance. Todarr takes a moment to gather his belongings, and follows not far behind.

The party waits for what seems like an eternity for the duo to crest the first hill. Finally, the two start walking down the other side, and their heads slowly lower, disappearing from view. The party scrambles up from their cover and begins to run after them.

[sblock=Skill check]
Everyone (but Todarr), please make 2 endurance checks, DC 12. You lose a surge for each failure.
[/sblock]
 

Karis looks a little winded as they chase after the mage and Todarr.

[sblock=ooc]Endurance checks 11 and 16. Sigh. I don't suppose I could get a circumstance bonus for Karis' Elven speed? :angel:[/sblock]
 

Rellek followed as quickly as the slowest member of the party would allow, his rest having left him more refreshed than other members of the party.

[sblock=check]
I got 14 and 16 at last some good checks...

[/sblock]
 

As he pounded after Todarr and the mage, Joshua reflected on his past life. It was seldom that he had any reason to be grateful for the early hardships but now, as he ran easily, his breathing well controlled, he was able to smile grimly.
 

Clunking and clanging loudly in her custom dwarven forged armor, Moreen was soon running short on breath. Perhaps it was because of being idle too long, or perhaps because she was just eager to stay with the mage. It went against a lot of her principles to just let this maniac run free, even if it was a ruse.

She had to focus her mind and make an effort to control her breathing. Though she was in peak condition due to her recent martial training, she still had trouble adapting her athletics to wearing heavy armor. After a while she settled into a good pace.

[sblock=checks]Endurance checks (1d20+5=9, 1d20+5=21)[/sblock]
 

[sblock=Todarr]
You walk with Tromolden past the drooping willows into a short stretch of empty, slightly muddy plain. About half an hour later, you reach a section of short, rolling hills. You crest the first hill, and as you do so, you can just make out a series of four or five tents in the distance.

"We are in luck - it looks as if Ruckzxxtz's camp is still here." It is difficult to say if he is pronouncing a name or merely clearing his throat, until he speaks the name again. "Ruckzxxtz leads one of Baradur's Circle's of Joining." Tromolden smiles, but does not elaborate further.

As you crest the last hill before the tents, you see that there are four orcs seated by the closest tent, munching on gods-know-what - it looks like the leg of something foul. They are attired very differently from the orcs you dispatched during the evening prior - these are similarly armed, but their leather armor has been colored black, with tar or pitch from what you can tell. There is a pattern on the back of each orc's outfit - what looks like a figure in the center of a solid white circle, with lots of smaller figures surrounding it.

Tromolden stops a fair ways off from the camp and shouts something out in a language that hurts your ears. The orcs nearly leap up from their meal, weapons at the ready, but as soon as they lay eyes on Tromolden, their stance softens, and they bow, not rising until Tromolden barks out again.

Several more orcs emerge from the other tents and draw near. As they come out, you notice something most disturbing - several of them seem to have traded their orc arms for something... else. One of them has a crab-like appendage, while another has a beasts mouth where one of its hands should be. A third has two normal orc legs, and two legs from some other unidentifiable creature, walking like some kind of orc-spider.

Your attention shifts from orc to orc, pausing on each unnatural fusing of orc and animal, until you realize that the orcs are coming uncomfortably close. "Rzzntl asdf fkjljkzzym!" shouts Tromolden. The nearest orcs grab you by the shoulders. You instinctively push them away, but more orcs pile on, taking you to the ground and holding you there.

"Ah, Todarr. It is time to end your little ruse. I could tell from the beginning of your supposed betrayal of your friends that your heart was not truly in it. But much of you will be 'in it' nevertheless - oh, very much so." He shouts out to the orcs again, and they grunt and whinny in what must be laughter. Tromolden grins, clearly pleased with himself "You have proven your strength as well as your foolishness, Todarr, in bringing me this far. Your body parts will be joined with brave soldiers such as these where they can be put to good use."

Tromolden speaks to a nearby orc, gesturing towards one of the tents, and they go in, only to emerge with a slab of stone, identical to the ones you found near Greensfen in the farms. It takes seven orcs to haul it out while the rest of them hold you fast. "This stone will soothe you to sleep while I prepare for your joining ceremony. Would you like to say anything before your little nap?"
[/sblock]
 



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