The Caverns Beneath the Steading

[Setting: The room is very large and opens into the darkness to the south (the direction you were headed); the 12'-20' high ceiling has strangely reflective mineral deposits showing which amplify torch light; for the most part (see below) the only light is from five torches bourne by the orcs, a torch carried by Ghotu graver, one by the engineer, and Mog's lantern.]

Feeling the amount of attention that is focused on her, Bibi thinks that this is the perfect opportunity for her to charm the group. She lays her hand on her chest to feel for her locket. Assured that it is in place, she draws the long dagger from its sheath strapped to her inner calf and dashes around the orcs that are guarding her. She moves to the lizard. Quickly and mercifully she slices the creatures throat. Although she holds all natural things (especially animals) in the highest regards, she makes no qualms about defending herself.

She then turns to the newcomers, while cleaning the dagger on the hem of her dress and then returning it to it sheath. "It seems that at least some members of your group are interested in my good favor. So, I would suggest you lower your arms and tell me and my companions (gesturing towards the orcs) why you are here."

While listening for an explanation, Bibi goes to the injured or dead orc to see if she can heal him.

Bruce says, "By Mithra! Look what you have gotten us into Blade. We may have to kill all these orcs and lizard-men. Mog, tell them that our friend here has made a terrible mistake, and that he will gladly share some gold with them if they would forgive his error. Also, tell them that we killed twenty or so of the giants and that fighting us would surely be a bad idea anyhow."

Bruce raise his axe and approaches the Orcs slowly, as he readies the weapon to lop the head of the lizard in tween. They do not try to stop him, and he brings the full power of the vorpal blade onto the lizards neck-area, lopping the head clean off.

"Child--How long have you been down here," he asks the young lady as he takes the creatures head.

He never takes his eyes off of the orcs and trogs.

Ghotu Graver, says, looking at the orcs and Bibi, "Whoa whoa small ones, why Blade attacked you fellows I haven't the foggiest, but you returning with the same thoughtlessness will only bring more grief. We set out to help even save you orcs and your bretheren. We surely will not get out of here alive if we kill each other here and now!"

Kneeling over the dead or dying orc, Bibi says, "I think we all should be getting out of here before any more of those giant lizards come." Looking toward the man that had initially claim to want to save her (Blade), Bibi states, "You seem to have a problem with my companions, yet you also accompany orcs." Turning to the one who seems to be trying to calm the situation (Ghotu), she says, "I agree, lets not fight and perhaps I will need saving, just not from these orcs."

"I beg your forgiveness, fair lady," Blade says with a reassuring smile. "It was an honest mistake. I thought the alligator was your pet and the orcs were attacking it. If it pleases you, you can kill one of my party to make up for it. May I suggest Bruce? His giant belly only slows us down." Blade hoped that his attempt at humour would put the girl more at ease and make her forgive his lethal faux pas.

Mog croaks to the orcs in their own language, which only Bruce and Bibi understand. The orcs seem to listen. Mog tells them that our company is made up of dangerous warriors, and we are here to kill giants, not orcs. He also mentions that we are the ones who freed Krulek and gave him all the weapons they now wield.

Ghotu continues, "This band of ruffians,(and I use the term very generously) is not the type of associates children, especially female children, should associate with."

Ghotu plans to depart from the company of the orcs as soon as possible, and suggest that Bibi go as well. But he also realizes that, with no healing potions, the party may do well to join forces with the orcs, at least for a time.

Bibi replies to Blade, "Your apologies do this one no good (looking at the dead orc) but I forgive your ignorance and I don't wish to take the life of any of your companions. I ask only for their respect." Responding to both Bruce and Ghotu, "Although my age is that of a child, the burdens I carry far surpass my years. If the giants are your enemy then we all have a common foe. Perhaps we should start again as friends not combatants."

Bronk stands there amused and listens to the others.

Then decides to follow them whereever they go.

Bibi considers for a moment what she has proposed. Will it be wise to join with this group, she wonders. They all look strong and healthy, especially the big bald one. But he sure doesn't say much. I wander if theres something wrong with him.

"Do you have a name wee one?" Bruce asks Bibi. "If you gave it, I did not catch it. And what are you doing down here? Clearly you have experience beyond your age. Any lass who has left her village at your age is beyond their proper age. Ask Sir Blade there, he knows all about helping women over their age. Ha ha ha!" His big belly jiggles as he laughs at the warrior. "Answer my questions young one, so we can continue with what we are doing. And tell me, do your Orc friends still wish for a fight, or will they ACCEPT that one of their own has fallen?"

As Bruce turns away from the Orcs, to talk with Bibi, he listens to them talking with one another, so he is not caught off gaurd. With the aid of his helmet, he hears that the orcs fear the humans, identifying them as the ones Krulek spoke of who slew the bugbears.

"I believe that we should be alright with these "lizard" creatures," Bronk says indicating the troglodytes, who eye the party like hungry fish.

He looks at the young lady and says, "I am not the one to usually give orders or for that matter take orders m'lady....but I'd advise you to stay behind Blade, Bruce, Ghotu and myself for your own protection.

"I for one guarantee that I will not let anything evil harm you while in my presence. I'm sure the others feel the same. Therefore....our advice should be heeded."

Seeing that there is nothing she can do for the dead orc, Bibi slowly draws her bow, readies an arrow (pointing it down so that nobody is threatened) and scans the ceiling as she replies to Bruce "My name is Bibi and like your large friend I was brought here by the giants, held as a slave and am now attempting to escape. I can't speak for the orcs but if you are against the giants them I am with you." Her time in captivity has fueled a bitter disgust for the gluttonous giants and being in the caves has been only slightly better. She still feels trapped and is ready to take on anyone, no matter how big they are, to get out of here. "And as for you," speaking to Bronk "I appreciate your courage but I stand behind no one." She sometimes wonders why she says things like that.

When Bibi says this, Bronk suddenly recognizes her. He remembers her from when he himself was captured. It was at High Pass Fort, one of the last human outposts before the great wild lands of the cold north. Giants came through the gate, without warning, as he had been walking to his cot after a late dinner. Now he remembers Bibi having yelled the first warnings that they were under attack, little good though it had done. The giants had been through the central gate and into the main street before anyone was even roused. Bronk still bore a scar from that battle. He had personally ensured that seven giants would never return to their steading, though the rest of the raiding party had taken Bronk and many other slaves prisoner.

The group decides they will travel together back to the caves beneath the steading. The adventurers learn from Mog's conversations with the orcs and from Bibi that these orcs were here to gather their allies, the troglodytes, for an attempt to break free of the steading caverns. Now armed and with most of their slave comrades returned to them, the orcs plan to fight their way out very soon, the adventurers learn. It sounds like there are a great many orcs gathered ready to fight.

Meanwhile...

Chief Nosra oversees the disposal of the bodies of his men, a row of funeral pyres outside the steading that send foul smoke into the skies. In all, eighteen of his warriors were killed by the invaders, humans with an orc and possibly an elf by the accounts. The invaders freed all the orc slaves, who fled to the caverns, and killed damn near all of Nosra's bugbear mercenaries in the process. The orcs in the caverns below would have to be taken care of, we well as the invaders. But Chieftain Nosra of the High Clan has already set his plans in motion.

A thane, one of Nosra's personal body guards, approaches his den and says, "The dark one wishes to speak to you Chieftain." Nosra beckons him enter.

The hooded creature enters and stands at the base of Nosra's throne. It's hands are wrapped in cloth so that no part of its skin is visible, only piercing eyes from beneath the deep hood. The thane follows him in and stands behind him, staring down at the top of the creature's head.

"Have our plans been made known Nosra? Why suddenly do spies come to your fort and slay your warriors like they are children? My Lady needs worthy servants, Chieftain."

"Children?" interrupts the thane. He turns the hooded creature around to face him, bends so they are face-to-face, and says, "Our lugs coulda took'em if it weren't for that magic sword--"

He is suddenly silenced, and stares dumb at the unmoving hooded figure, then falls flat on his face. He lay there, slavering and moaning slightly on the floor, his eyes crossed. The hooded one looks up from him and back to Nosra.

"My Lady does not accept failure from her servants. These intruders must be dealt with."

As the dark one leaves Nosra's den, Nosra releases his grip on the small axe hidden beneath a fold of his cape. He had been ready to leap upon the hooded one and hack him to pieces. Let him try his mind tricks on me, thought the Chief. Nosra did not like having such evil in his steading, but it was too late to turn back now. And if these intruders could be dealt with, and the plans come to fruition, then Nosra would be Chieftain of much more than just the steading and the surrounding hills. He would continue to let the dark one guide his actions, for a little while longer at least.

Meanwhile, he had to deal with the intruders. And this time, he would feast upon thier living hearts before their blood was cold.

Check out the Trophy Room for running totals of all the creatures killed, experience points earned, and treasure gathered so far on the adventures of the . . .