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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Raven Crowking" data-source="post: 1820592" data-attributes="member: 18280">Thirteenth GameThey woke in the morning.  After breaking their fast, they went into the market to sell some of the extra equipment the party had acquired.  Manveru and Eden also wanted to see if the amber beads they had recovered from the ancient tomb near the Serpent Vale had any value.In the Lower Market, Desu found himself browsing near a half-orc.  Dressed as a priest of Amatheon, the other heavy muscles and a low brow that seemed reminiscent of Krog.  “Pardon me,” Desu said, “but you have a familiar look.  Are you any relation to the Zandos?”“I am Gork Zando.”“I was a friend of Krog Zando.”“Krog!  He is my brother!  Tell me how he fares!”“Alas,” said Desu, “but Krog is dead.  He was torn to pieces by wolves, though he fought valiantly.  In the end, Krog found something too mighty for even his appetite.”When Desu returned to the North Road Inn, he discovered that others of his company had met with an elf, Gammon Oakleaf by name, who claimed to be a friend of Darwin Ravenshield.  It was soon decided that Gammon and Krog could join with the group, taking the place of those who had departed.They were uncertain what to do next.  Some wanted to travel again to Selby-by-the-Water.  Gammon wished to pay his respects to Darwin, who rested in the Dry Catacombs there.  Desu wanted to go north to those caves known as the Dragon’s Lair.  The tentacled creature he had met therein had struck his fancy, and he wished to meet it again.“But we need to rest,” said Manveru, “and to recover our strength, ere we seek another adventure.”It was agreed.  Gork and Locke went fishing upon the Selwyn River that day.  With good fortune, they caught a sturgeon heavier than either of them.  On the 17th of Showermont, Gammon went to Caer Selwyn, the Baron’s Keep in Long Archer, to see if there was any task that might be accomplished, but he was rebuffed by the guards posted there, for the Open Court was held upon Mardays.Nift thought that he could do better, and tried the Keep on the 18th, which was a Sunday.  As with Gammon, he was told to await the Open Court.  That night, and for the next few nights, Nift played in the North Road Inn, ostensibly to defray the cost of his stay, but he was off on both Sunday and Marsday.  Thankfully, on the Hearthday his playing and songs were very well received indeed, and Nift was told that he would be welcome to play again at the North Road Inn.  Neither Gammon nor Nift attended the Open Court that week, where the Lord Baron Archer heard many tales of orcish depredations from forester and farmer alike.  Travelers claimed that the orcs were becoming more warlike.  Merchants had been attacked along the roads east and north.That Landsday, it was not long before the group discovered a notice posted in several places along the stalls of both Upper and Lower marketplaces.  It read:By Order of Lord Karl Archer, Baron of Long Archer, Protector of the Dale of Selwyn: Let it be known that Orcs once more threaten forestry and homesteading beyond the walls of Long Archer Town. Travelers are herby given notice to be wary. A bounty has been placed on Orcs – half a gold crown per ear, to be presented through the Chancellery of the Exchequer each Marday at the Oak Pavilion in the Lower Market. Orcs and those with Orcish blood are hereby restricted from entering the Town Gates during hours of darkness, or being abroad during hours of darkness, upon pain of imprisonment or death. Signed this day, Being the 21st day of Showermont in the Common Year 421 Lord Calder BrookmanProvost of the Baron’s Forest Gork seemed sorely puzzled by what he was seeing.  “What does this mean?” the half-orc asked aloud.  “Do I have to leave town?”“It means that you cannot be abroad at night,” Desu told him.  “You may otherwise stay in the town.”“Oh,” said Gork.  “Are you sure?”“Yes,” Locke confirmed.  “We should go orc hunting.  No offense, Gork.”“None taken.”  Gork seemed rather enthused by the idea.  “We should get a cart.  And a donkey.”“We could pretend that we were travelers on the road,” Desu added.  “That may well draw out our prey.”With a plan in mind, they went back into the Lower Market to purchase equipment.  With donkey and cart in tow, they exited the North Gate before the third hour after noon had passed.There were still foresters out harvesting trees north of Long Archer, but there were fewer than normal, and those were accompanied by contingents of guards.  The guards scrutinized the group – Gork in particular – as they passed, but clearly did not see them as a threat.  It took three hours to get well beyond the guarded areas, and into places where orcs might be more easily encountered.Indeed, it did not take long once they had entered true wilderness, for the north road was watched.  A group of six orcs with greataxes came silently through the trees.  In that desperate combat, the silence of the orcs was uncanny.“Why won’t they speak?” yelled Locke.“Their tongues must be cut out!” Desu yelled back.That proved not to be the case.  When they examined the dead orcs, they saw that their tongues were intact, though tongue and gums were stained a dark blue hue.“Zurgâsh,” said Gork.“What do you mean?”“Zurgâsh.  Blue fire.  It is a drug that enhances rage, but those who take it become mute.  For a time, at least.”“I have heard something of this,” Nift said, “though I had heard it called dumbwode instead.  It is said that orcs keep it in clay pots to bolster their guards and warriors.  That is why orcish guards oft rely upon gongs, bells, drums, or similar devices, though they may be enraged, or lack the wisdom to use them.  For, while if dumbwode prevents speech, it is said also to have other, long-term effects upon those who use it.  They are said to grow foolish and weak of will, throwing their lives away without fear or remorse.  As were these.”  He indicated the orcs they had slain.Quickly, then, they cut the armor off the orcs and piled it into their cart.  They then gathered the orcs’ weapons, and began the process of cutting the ears from the dead.  This seemed to cause Gork no discomfort – indeed, he participated in it.They were nearly done when yet more orcs set upon them.  Some of these bore short bows while others bore greataxes.  The leader, one of the bowmen, had several clay pots upon his person, from which he scooped a greyish paste that he distributed among the axemen while the archers engaged.  The axe weilders took a portion each, chewed it, and spat out what remained.  Now silently, they rushed raging into the party.That second battle in the forest was even more desperate than the first, for the party was already wounded, and the archers posed an additional challenge.  At last, though, the group succeeded in slaying their foes.  Again they despoiled the bodies.  And, once more, as they finished, they heard something coming toward them through the brush.Locke turned and drew forth his greatsword.  “If this be another battle,” he said, “we are through.”The party prepared tensely, but the thing that came through the trees was larger than any orc….</blockquote>

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