Island Empire, Part III, The Lich's Curse

[Scotley]

Another man enters the room. I grizzled old orc who looks as tough as the rhino hide armor he wears. He is obviously of advanced years with white hair and considerably more scars than teeth, but somehow you suspect he's still got a bite. "Sorry I'm late, had to be sure the canines were ready." The count smiles fondly at the old fellow. "Thank you Oolag," he responds. "Gentlemen, this is my chief huntsman, Oolag Brightknife."

The Count has a seat followed by Oolog and Wilhelm. "Please gentlemen, be seated. I'm sure you are eager to see what have this evening."

A servant brings out a ceviche of fresh fish, shrimp, crab, avacado and tomato in citrus juice served with fried strips of plantain to be used like bread. A bottle of crisp white wine from the mountains of the Bronhelm is opened and poured to accompany the dish. The wine is a vintage reserve of an excellent year. It escapes no ones notice that the Count and his Nephew do not receive any food or wine, only water. Oolag uses a hunting knife to rake a little of the ceviche onto a strip of plantain and takes a hearty bite. The Count says, "I speared the sea bass myself very early this morning while my men caught the other seafood. The avacado, plantains, lime and oranges grow wild on the island while we cultivate the tomatoes. I do hope you like it."

OOC: Knowledge history roll 15+ [sblock]The Brightblade tribe of orcs is one of the three so called 'undefeated' tribes who were never fully conquered by the dwarves or in later human wars. However, the tribe was very nearly wiped out because of its obstinate posture.[/sblock]

 

[Leif]

Gnurl Whiskerling hp76/76,AC23

Gnurl knows all about the Brightblade orcs: Knowledge check = 28 Knowledge(History) check while at dinner. (1d20+8=28)

"Oolag, you must be very proud of your 'Undefeated' heritage, but I am curious how it came about that you are employed by a non-orc?"

 

[mleibrock]

Radoon

Hmmm. very early this morning yet is not eating...

OOC - Are there any reflective surfaces in this room?

 

[Scotley]

Oolag grins, "Indeed, my people were brave and bold. However, they can't pay what the Count does. The opportunities we've had and the things we've done with the Count have been far beyond what we might have accomplished back home."

[sblock=Radoon]There are no mirrors in the room. What metal and glass surfaces there are tend to be patterned or adorned rather than shiny. Turning his knife carefully, Radoon can't manage to catch the Count's reflection in his blade, but it may simply be a matter of too little light...[/sblock]

 

[Lou]

Zurrik Odeil

Zurrik tastes the food, but does not eat much. Zurrik appears to be studying the heads on the wall. "Did you take all of these yourself, Count Zarovych?"

OOC: LOL-My first thoughts had been either a vampire or the Island of Dr. Moreau.

[sblock=Scotley]
Zurrik will keep track of who is in the room, where they are, what they are doing, and locations of exits and windows. Zurrik will also be on the lookout for evidence of magic.

Zurrik does not have Kn(history) skill. Unless this is applicable to the Western Reach, Zurrik does not know.
Kn(local-Western Reach) check (1d20+5=18)
[/sblock]

 

[mleibrock]

Radoon

Having only heard of the lore of vampires at the various bars he frequents but never having seen or been near one that he knows of, he will pull up whatever clothes he has near his neck area.

As he drinks his beverage, he will try and discretely make his rounds to the other members of the party and whisper to them his suspicions of the count being a vampire.

 

[Scotley]

[sblock=Zurrik]With knowledge skills you aren't really supposed to be able to make a check without at least a rank in the skill, but I generally let you go ahead and roll a d20+int mod. for things like this. There are no windows in the room. There are four doors, one you came in through, one that leads to the kitchen, one the count and his nephew used, and one the Orc came through. The people in the room consist of the Count, his Nephew Wilhelm, Oolag the Orc and the Orc who first welcomed you to the house who is now serving as wine steward. Two other orcs are acting as servers bringing in food. There are at least two more at work in the kitchen. You saw at least three Orcs outside, but it is unclear if any of these might be the same ones working in the kitchen.[/sblock]

 

[Scotley]

Zurrik tastes the food, but does not eat much. Zurrik appears to be studying the heads on the wall. "Did you take all of these yourself, Count Zarovych?"
[/sblock]

"Yes, actually, these are some of my better ones. I've been an avid hunter for years. My Nephew helped on some of these and of course faithful Oolag and his team helped me as well. I'm particularly proud of the Dragon of course." He points to the massive head of a mature green dragon above the fireplace. "I bagged much of the game that will be served this evening as well. Nothing terrible exotic for this meal though the main course will be a wild boar who was most tenacious. I was disappointed to find the dragon was really quite unpalatable."

 

[Scotley]

A soup of mushrooms and summer squash is next. A pleasant red table wine accompanies this course. It does not appear to be of any special vintage or origin, but proves to be a nice pairing with the soup. Again the Count and Wilhelm do not partake.

 

[Leif]

Gnurl Whiskerling hp76/76,AC23

Oolag grins, "Indeed, my people were brave and bold. However, they can't pay what the Count does. The opportunities we've had and the things we've done with the Count have been far beyond what we might have accomplished back home."

"You say 'we' as if your entire tribe is employed by the Count! Surely that can't be what you really mean, is it? Does his generosity extend even as far as this?" Gnurl looks somewhat surprised as he begins to enjoy the mushroom and squash soup, and the wine.