Remnants of the Horde:The Return of Zuregath

[Velenne]

Durgo takes in the scene below as well but comes to no conclusions until the scouts return. He waits, and is none happier for it. Nothing new; Durgo is always mad.

 

[Uriel]

{1}OOC: Bardic Knowledge check (+13 w/Knowledge (history) bonus)

The Flags belong to Iron King Bevrokk, the King just West of Zuregath. Bevrokk (while Tsu'Tsoka has never seen him) is rumoured to be a Half-Fiend Minotaur, some say the Son of Baphomet himself...

 

[doghead]

Tsu'koka decides to take the captains silence as consent and heels Blood over to the marching troops. The troops stop and sprawl on the ground at the MArshall's command, with the exception of a few who move forward a from behind rocks or trees or whatever provides a little concealment, keep watch

Tsu'koka considers the hobgoblin as he works. When the Marshall is finished, Tsu'koka waits for him to return to where Tsu'koka waits, a little away from the troops.

"Things are not as clear around the castle as they first seemed. We need to choose our path carefully. What do you make of the situation in and around the castle?"

 

[Velenne]

Durgo grabs a stick and starts picking his teeth with it. Something's been bothering him in the back of his mouth since last night's feast.

There it is! Durgo levers it out and admires what he thinks is an elfie arm-bone. He gives the marrow a good pull before swallowing it again.

"Durgo think dem gobbie scouts dead. Tired of waiting. Dem Zuregath standards down dere attacking Castle where Durgo need to go. Why we no just go down hill and say we's here?"

 

[Jeremy]

"How we say? Words or blood?" Bargo grins and licks his broken lips.

 

[Uriel]

Wekerak grunts in acknowledgement of the other group's presence, and angles Frostbite down towards them,

"Circle 'round and stay out of sight." he orders the others, "They might tell more to one than they would to many." a cold grin slides across the goblin's lips, "And then again, they might think one is a target. If so, I expect you to be close enough for aid." a thought cross his mind: an unfamiliar one. "If it does come to fightin', take the bugbear alive. We'll need a prisoner to put to questioning."

Wekerak moves Frostbite on down the hill, wit the 2 Hobgoblins and Blaught moving off around to the North and South.
Riding down the hill Wekerak notices one of the Gnolls look his direction and hit another on the arm,pointing. The second Gnoll yips and snarls at the frist and a loud row soon ensues.
The five Hobgoblins stay clear of this, disgusted with the display, although they, too stand and raise their spears. After a moment of the Gnolls Chaotic activity, a massive mailed fist catches one in the chest, sending it sprawling. The bugbear stands, kicking at the second of the fighters, who whines and moves away,chastised.
The Bugbear looks at Wekerak a moment, sizing him up and then nods at a Hobgoblin, who unfurls a slim red banner from his spear, a tattered sign of their Fealty. He looks to Wekerak to judge his reaction, all the while keeping a huge morningstar at hand.

OoC:You are about 60 feet away at this point You can clearly see the Hobgoblins (and the group in the rocks seems to see them as well, with a hobgoblin keeping an eye on each of them. Of Blaught,there is no sign...

**********************************************************

The Scouts had been gone a half an hour (which is an Eternity for a fidgity Ogre...) and the battle raged on in the distance.

Vespazian, looking skywards, see a dark cloud streaking towards the Keep from the East. No, not a cloud, a horde of some winged creatures, although they are impossible to make out at this distance...

 

[Capellan]

OOC: I'm assuming their banner is for Zuregath. If not, let me know and I'll revise this

Wekerak snaps off a salute to the banner, angling Frostbite's approach so that his own insignia are clearly visible to the small group before him. Drawing to a halt about 10' from the group, he addresses his words to the bugbear.

"I am Wekerak. Durgo is my Captain." the goblin grins, knowing the reaction that name is likely to bring. "Who are you?"

Once he has a reply, Wekerak continues,

"The Muragar draw near. Durgo wants news of the battle. Who commands the forces of Zuregath? Who commands the foe? Where must the fists of Zuregath strike?"

 

[deadestdai]

Once recognising the cloud to be more than gas or mists, Vespazian turns to the hag-spawn. I'm sure you see the darkness racing toward my master's castle. What is it? Of us all you have the means to see it clearer I am sure.

 

[Uriel]

OOC: I'm assuming their banner is for Zuregath. If not, let me know and I'll revise this

'Yes, Zuregath

Wekerak snaps off a salute to the banner, angling Frostbite's approach so that his own insignia are clearly visible to the small group before him. Drawing to a halt about 10' from the group, he addresses his words to the bugbear.

"I am Wekerak. Durgo is my Captain." the goblin grins, knowing the reaction that name is likely to bring. "Who are you?"

Once he has a reply, Wekerak continues,

"The Muragar draw near. Durgo wants news of the battle. Who commands the forces of Zuregath? Who commands the foe? Where must the fists of Zuregath strike?"

<Haha, he rolled a '1' for his recognize check...poor him>
The Bugbear seems confused, or perhaps he has never heard of Durgo, though he looks excited at the mention of Muragar 'Well met, Corporal Wekerak. I am Sgt, Nilgo of the 4th Company of the Castle. We were...'
The Bugbear looks sheepish at this point and then continues.'We were whisked off of the Castle wall some hours ago by a magic of some sort, though I know not it's exact nature. An Elemental of the Winds, I think...Muragar? How many do you have? There were a number of them atop the South Wall when last was there.Fighting against Bevrokk's Minotaurs. They were not faring well at last sight.'

<Sense motive shows that Sgt Nilgo seems to be telling the truth as far as Wekerak can tell>

The Hobgoblins relax a bit at the exchange and the Gnolls cluster together once more, looking pensive,one eyeing Wekerak with a distateful glance,licking his lips.
A closer look at the various fetishes and other tokens that the Goblin Scout had taken from his enemies causes the Gnoll to rethin his appraisal of a meal of goblin flesh...

The Bugbear is dressed in a fine suit of chainmail, heavier than the shirts that many of the horde use. He is armed with the massive morningstar, as well as a longsword and a spiked shield. He also has a heavy crossbow amongst his gear.
The Hobgoblins are dressed similarly to the Bugbear, with Machaira,Large shields and longspears.
The Gnolls are dressed in less armor, leather and scale, with Greataxes,short swords and short composite bows. Their role seems a bit hard to place until Wekerak spots
the Nets and manacles hanging from their packs. They were trackers, those who hunted down escaped slaves and prisoners.

The Bugbear interrupts Wekerak's assessment of the band , saying 'Well, my good Corporal, let us meet your Captain then, and see what we can do about fixing the problem with the Castle. There seems to be some vermin infesting the place at this point.'

 

[Capellan]

Wekerak nods,

"Come. I take you to Durgo. You tell him what you know, and tonight we feast on bull-man flesh."