In My Time of Troubles

by Crossposted

Crossposting of the TheIrishDreamer’s FanFiction on SpaceBattles all credit goes to the original author.

32. Entry 32

When: Mid-Autumn, 1356 Dale Reckoning

Where: Shaman's Tower, Stronghold of Sparta

Blah, blah, blah, you should help the stupid dwarves in their stupid city for the glorious price of; nowhere near bloody enough thank you very much. Really, that describes most of the past few days in a nutshell when it comes to Team Harpell, and its rather frustrating let me tell to you. Because apparently Boss orc is hinting me at doing something about it, and letting Mirabar fall would be 'strategically problematic' if Luskan or the Uthgardt come out on top; but that isn't going to sell overly well we Zah, or the other clans. Or my own personal view of letting the traitorous deal breaking backstabbers go and burn with for all I care. But hey, we are open to being bribed/hired on the matter – assuming we can trust the other side to deliver on their side of any deal. Oh, and did I mention they were deal-breaking backstabbers? Fun times, yay!

Divining matters hasn't helped much; or more accurately I don't like the answers it's given me, as it implies I have to do things. Or at least more things, and that's sorta hard when I've got a War to Wage, and Clan to Lead, and a host of other things in the middle of autumn. And leave here without actually leaving here, or leaving here without alerting, maybe, I don't know, the Chosen of Two Goddesses sitting in our midst along with the archmage(s). Secrecy just seems to have gone out the window for some reason I have yet to figure out, but probably due to the clock starting to tick down towards 'go time' so to speak. Whatever the case I've sent word to Oggy re what's going on, and Chieftess Breyza has sat in to the 'negotiations' over how big a payment it'll take to get us to do stuff for the nasty humans and dwarves. Or tribute to put it more appealingly, anyway its time to go and put you down now mister tome, sleep needed.

--

When: A tiring time, Harvest season, 1356DR

Where: Under-tower, Stronghold of Sparta

Well isn't it just great; Team Grumpy Dwarf, Emo Drow, Kinda-Conan, and the dirty damned Halfling klepto have arrived to make my life a hardship. Yes it's a HUGE relief that they come here in peace and have taken back Angry Red into their charge instead charging in arrows flying, but that still means having the orc-hating headache around for another while as they too want to save the miserable excuse of a city north of here. Yet they tried to kill him; though there's probably a grudge there somewhere being saved for later, he is dwarf after all. Also a King now apparently, which is good as the Dragon that was there is now dead despite us, well, kinda killing of the assassin fella named Artemis. Hurray! Luck and two drow priestess apparently make up for the whole killing off a plot relevant character thing! Success I guess, yay?

On the bright side; we've moved unto been offered lots of shiny shit as a potential down-payment, and more if we move to help the twits in the city. Honestly I'm in money up front mode with this, largely that'll be the bribe money to convince the other clans to aid us in a glorious cause of; helping one, two maybe three considering the population mix, of our racial enemies. More importantly my half baked idea of throwing our burning Luskan to the ground/conquering the city seems to have actually gotten a semi-favourable response. Or, I don't really believe them and its merely a 'yes help us out now' and then do sweet fuck all once we've carried out our end of the bargain. That or I'm being paranoid, but then I remind myself of this horrible, horrible, deathworld I live on called Toril and that I might not be paranoid enough. So I've doubled the guard shifts while they're in town, and ain't accepting nuffin' without a magically binding geas.

Anyway, as was saying team grumpy dwarf in town; haven't really spoken to them much yet beyond waving Angry Red off into the distance as my fake smile matched her fake smile with those angry eyes. Mostly because they wanted to talk to the Harpells, and the drow duo with them (after abandoning efforts to drag Emo Drow with them) went off to Qilue's area, and I am a busy shaman trying to keep a handle on all these non-orcs wandering around my clan's stronghold. Minor things like keeping a handle on the drunken brawling that leads to murder, or violent murder that causes murder of outsiders, or magic induced fights that lead to magic murder problems. Considering our general 'whittling' of the chaotic stupid evil from the ranks in training, Harpell Wizards, Drow, murder-hobos, and now grumpy dwarf Kings this keeping the death toll low in this is not an easy task let me tell you.

Now off to duties, Oggy and the others back soon, so yah!

--

When: Harvest's been drawn in mostly, 1356DR

Where: My Tower, Stronghold of Sparta

Outer defences got raided, think they were trying to get into the valley and hit one of the villages or the stronghold and missed the watchtower patrols. Problem; the patrol lost and were mostly wiped out, but the messenger got back and gave warning. Sent in reinforcement, kobold commandoes scouting ahead, and our party of brave murder-hobos are now burned ashes, and their armour and stuff making a fine addition to the armoury. Just another one to add to the pile, there's a few rogue warbands of my own kind desperate enough to dry raid into our lands to try feed themselves while fleeing northwards out of the Crags.

Honestly we'd let those who serve bow the knee, but these ones very much do not like our 'ways' or generally have an issue with other clans like the Moonblades, Red Axes, or Darth Phargk's lot. Or of the old Sith orc himself probably. Truth be told its nature of hordes, and ours is rather shockingly disciplined and organised so certain tribes not liking us very much isn't abnormal. Seven dead on our side to achieve it, and further proof for my negotiations today to our 'guests' of why we can't stomp off into the wilderness to help their greedy little dorfs.

Yes I know word has come to them that Xandtharl's Keep has finally fallen and being burned; again those people would have killed me and mine if we'd chanced near to it so I don't exactly have the same horrified reaction of they and theirs. Yes I feel bad for the innocents who're suffering there, but Zah is reporting issues with Uthgardter raiders coming up into the hills as their host advances north. Ironically enough intending to raid the former Sky Pony holdfasts, but then running into our forces after conquering said Uthgardt clan. They weren't ready for that little surprise apparently.

--

When: Year of the Worm apparently, I looked it up in Tome of Wiki

Where: Home Sweet Home, relaxing for once in a brief break

Oggy's returned with the rest of family in tow, and I've discussed enough with visitors that they are considering a proper offer of shinies and other crap, oh and help crushing Luskan, as part of our final tems. Best I can sell it, to the old bastard at least, is as literally being hired to do something we'd want to do anyway; crush the enemies nearby and then march on our hated enemies after gaining all the shiny bribes the other enemy were offering us to do so. Hardly for the best, but at this stage Neverwinter (ie Other Dangerous Wizard in charge of it maybe) is not someone I want to make an enemy off. Or have him bring the Big E into our merry little world before we've anything established to defend ourselves, or when he isn't distracted by other convenient crises like the Lich that nearly kills him around now.

So, problems aside, I've taken the time to actually spent with my newest son, Gharvak because I'm not allowed to name him for some reason, and ignore the giant bloody madness for a day. Really, at this stage it's down to accepting a deal of some sort, talk to Team Angry and Emo, and then send the merry caravan on its merry way back to Longsaddle so we can renew negotiations with the whole 'Illuskan Kingdom' come the start of the spring. Simply put because I've explained that it'll be the Winter before I can adequately sit down to convince my 'allies' about doing the crazy shit it took them over two ten-days to get me close to agreeing too. In a way it'll be easiest that way as we'll be forming our armies up again in the spring any, and our stores are more than full right now. Thank you Rose, you are awesome as ever!

So've got a full on market ongoing as the surplus from the various villages and forts, human, goblin and kobold, has been brought here and ready to trade. Sort of to ram home that we orcs can be quasi-civilized to dangerously powerful people lurking around here right now; basically yes, there is bad shit about us, and other clans are worse, but 'hey look we are better neighbours than raiding savages!' basically. Propaganda and public relations, otherwise known as ranks in diplomacy, are vitally important. At least if I want to avoid teams of powerful magic-users being unleashed against us because we've made that happy list of the Orc-hating racist of a super-wizard still raging because Myth Drannor fell. I understand the glory that was, but honestly the elves were dicks to humans during that whole escapade and I think rose-tinted glasses might be applied. Any,way...

Gotta go, promised I'd relax and talk abit. More talks and market dealing tomorrow. Slan.

--

[Nedorious Illian Kline 10]

Under-Keep, Stronghold of Sparta

"...and turned out she actually was a demon blooded witch, well...warlock, and had actually been spoiling the milk in the cows of her neighbour. Go figure. Lovely woman once you got to know her actually, least once I fixed that nose for her anyway"

"And the village paid for it?"

"Well after the whole setting ye idiot bucket headed paladin on fire an'such helped there, that and the fact the neighbour kept robbing her house as well an' then it sort ah escalated from there evidently...never live beside a retired thief I guess?...so after some threats an' selling up the farm she joined the crew an' off we went on many adventures. Fun times, though in the end she married a tailor?...I think he was a tailor, or a merchant selling that...anyway something to do with clothes. Nice fellow, she captured him somewhere off Baldur's Gate I believe and it was love at first sight apparently"

Nedorious replied to young Harkle, resting back into his chair and scratching at his chin as he recalled the memories, fun times indeed. Taking his mug of ale into hand and took a drink and let out a contented sigh; just as the young Harpell mage did the same, relaxing across the desk from him after their early talk on spell-crafting. Rather bright young man, once you got past the requirement that applied to the whole family of ensuring that was nothing explosive and/or easily flammable nearby when 'experimenting' and 'practicing' with the Art.

"It's always good when the story has a happy ending..." a thump on the door, and then Cruenditha stomped in with the friendly as ever frown on her face. Nedorious gave a friendly wave, as it merely the usual end of day 'there's someone annoying' grumpiness rather than 'I have a problem' look. She stopped after opening the newly installed door to his more spacious, albeit now underground, offices and jerked a finger back into the hallway beyond.

"Oi Boss, you an' yer friend got guests ah' guess, cuz they ain't lookin' fer any work be done. Ye done drinkin' an' pissin' about doin' nuffin yet?"

"Tut, tut, tut, Crue dear, what did I tell you; it's a consultation followed by a working lunch, young Harkle's family are paying us for such valuable training"

"I can make a girl's cleavage bigger now!" Harkle happily announced "...on purpose now I mean...Ardanac was rather insistent I learn after, well...the incident. But it was all fine, and the problem with the spell is all solved now!"

Nedorious nodded sagely "Yes indeed, on purpose is rather important; both for reasons of getting paid and avoiding murderous reactions from ladies and their relations..." he smiled at his bodyguard-secretary "...and who are these fine fellows come to visit my humble self after work hours have ceased after another busy day...night, is it night? Hard tell down here"

"Aye, be still the darkest hours ah night Boss, an' its dat Clan Babbling'ammer git who thinks 'es ah king cuz he won back a dusty 'ole in the ground with is' merry band ah' weirdoes. Left'em outside with Etlin, so ye wanna me let'em talk ya an' harkle here or tell'em ta fuck off?"

"Now, now Crue! He's royalty now! You should be seducing him with your dwarven wiles and become Queen of his dusty hole in the ground filled with lots of shiny mithril rather than grumbling! And there'd be plenty of things for you to kill as well, fun times!"

Cruenditha rolled her eyes "Ah ain't playin' second fiddle ta any bitch'ammer clan laddie, King or not, ah like my life an' job, annoyin' as ye are ye mad wizard. Got me coin, get bit a killin' and head bashin, what more dinna a dwarven girl need?"

Nedorious sniffed, rubbing at his eye "Oh you are the are the loyalist, sweetest, most murderous dwarven flower ever my dear, what more could an employer want of his secretary. Cept' more smiling maybe, the customer version not the killing one I mean"

"Uh-huh, now ye want me let'em in or what?"

He shrugged "Let them join us my dear, and you too, we can discuss matters and you can take a burden off after such hard work through the day and night!"

"Sure, an' ah'll rest me axe beside me too, case it tries run away or some such"

"You do that Crue dear, it adds to the ambiance after all! Why I'm sure he'll feel right at home here, underground with axes, ale, plus all the orcs, and drow, and nothing less than a fine dwarven woman like yourself nearby! Tell Etlin to send the girls to collect Sydney at some stage as well, he can guard the door while we all takl" he replied happily motioning at Cruenditha to back up his words. Security first after all, especially when strangers turned up for unexpected meetings; click of the fingers, wave of the hands, and everyone was happy about everything; least with everyone who actually mattered in such an equation such as himself, employees, and allies.

"Should we...not be orcs perhaps with the dwarf? I have been told it makes them..."

Nedorious shook his head, reaching down and grabbing the spare bottles of mead, ale, and cider that he'd stored in one of drawers of his desk of holding. Oh how he loved his desk, it saved so much storage space and had hand things like booze, seeds, snacks, and stabbing weapons within easy reach "Pshaw, of course not young man, this is my office and Orc Ned is Best Ned. Plus they have arrived after work hours, and I am feeling rather lazy right now, so relax my friend and let us greet royalty in the time honoured manner; with flagons of booze at the ready"

Not that they had to wait long of course, the smell of booze being like a natural attractor for Dwarves and the fact Cruenditha was 'urging' them to hurry up and get into the office, and Nedorious watched as the unusual band entered. It wasn't exactly common to see dwarves and drow in the group without trying to kill each other...but this was a crazy place and to be expected, but the whole group was a combination of the oddest things.

Adopted human girl who was relieved Sydney was here from the looks of it, the adopted Uthgardt savage who stared and glared around at everything, a Halfling (which meant thief far, far, too often he'd found) also looking around everything till he gave a firm look, and of course the King himself and the male drow who all the drow ladies wanted. Truly it was a shame for them that he was probably into men rather than them for whatever reasons...then again having heard much of their society Nedorious could potentially understand. With a friendly, tusked, smile he greeted the suspicious band.

"Hail and be welcome your highness and party! And hello again my dear Catti-Brie, I trust you are relieved to leaving this humble abode of ours? Drink anyone? I'm afraid office hours have finished and this will be an informal consultation I fear, medical procedures only get performed during set hours and when one isn't drinking. Unlike certain other necromancers Doctor Ned retains a firm sense of professionalism and code of service to his clientele. Have a seat, have a drink, and we can discuss whatever you desire for all your magical, and/or anatomical, needs!"

It was always best to get off on the best footing he found offering the bottles, cups, and flagons to them through the nearing form of his ever hard-working Cruenditha. Unsurprisingly the Uthgardt took the proffered drink almost instantly, before gulping down after a quick sniff, though the dwarf and drow were far more focused with eyes taking in the room in an instant. Hmm, experienced killers then, good eyes on them, Nedorious noted with a cheerful smile motioning at the bench and seats a bit of distance apart. Also potential customers should the whole Mithrall Hall Restoration Project of theirs managed to of its feet and things here turn out poorly despite seemingly going well so far.

"Greetings Wizard, I am Bruenor, of Clan Battlehammer, of..." Oh no, here comes the Dwarven title-speech attack, best end this...

"It's Ned, Doctor Ned, and we've already meet indirectly after all through our mutual acquaintance; your lovely daughter here, so no need to be so formal your majesty"

The dwarf open his mouth, closing it, then shaking his head after another glance around while he took a spot on the appropriately sized chair brought over by Nedorious's own merry murder dwarf "Ye are not what' I'd expect wizard, fer one of yer callin' an' living in an orc fortress yer 'office' as ye call it is a mite bit more cheerful and flowery than ah' were expected"

Nedorious nodded "Oh this one's much spacious than my original rooms in this place, and one has to set a calm and relaxing atmosphere for the clientele, even when they are of the less civilized inclination"

"But da' be orcs, canna see'em not causin' throuble"

He shrugged in response and motioned at his assistant "Well Crue here deals with problem clients, she likes to break and kill things"

Cruenditha gave a firm nod "Ah do like ta break an' kill things, and the Shaman says it's A-Okay to improve da gene-pool, whatever dat means, as he puts it"

Nedorious nodded "So you'd be surprised, rather civilized lot in this place really when compared to a few of the places we'd setup shop before it's been a rather pleasant stay. Isn't that right Crue?"

She grunted "Hmpht, ain't tried to rob us yet least, an' get bash stupid orc heads too. Not the worst place we've been in"

"See Milord Bruenor, high praise. Now, I expect your visit has something to do with the talks between our fine patron and the family of young Harkle here?"

"Aye if ye wish ta get straight to the point. It's been said ye are one ah those the shaman of this place might listen ta, and were wondering what yer thoughts on the matter were"

'Ah, of course it is' he noted to himself taking a quick drink before replying "Well I'm rather sold on the whole dealing with mutual enemies part I'll admit, though less so on helping out those merry fellows over in Mirabar without adequate compensation. After all I've retired my adventuring boots these days, mostly, and the whole fighting thing is largely due to those dreadful fellows in the Host Tower trying to do harm to my humble self, and of course those around me. Lichdom I expect, it drives you crazy after all without any way to taste booze, or bed a pretty barmaid...or anything really, dreadful state to be in. Positively dreadful, and yet the world is full of stupid people aiming to be tee-totalling eunuchs with no brains..."

It had taken a significant amount less effort than expected really to get to the stage of getting the orcs to face down his enemies. And in all truthfulness the matter now came down to finding a means of dealing with the likes of Greeth and his allies magic to get around to sacking the city and burning that old bag of bones to a pile of ashes. The Luskan Guard weren't a match really for what he'd seen here in this new Horde, and that was including throwing in the various pirate ship companies, and now came chance to deal with the magical side of things as well...it all just needed a little nudge in the right direction.

"...anyway, where was I? Ah yes, well, I'd presume it'd have to be team effort to solve all the problems up here in the savage north, but aren't you going to be rather busy reclaiming your kingdom an' such heroic deeds your highness?"

"Aye, a should, but debts of honour have'ta be paid as well. Not ta the bastards ah' lead that city an' betrayed what it means ta be an honourable warrior, but ta many ah the folk that live thar. Canna turn me back on them an' try an' be a good king, so gonna gather all the clan-brothers and sister that ah' can...iff'in we have'ta work with orcs than ah'll make peace work with these here mad orcs and ye mad wizards. Word is the Shaman says he's ta talk ta his savage folk, ah'm willin pay what 'ere it costs ta help'em out doin such; an' be sure they don't get no ideas of claimin' the city after. Don't much care about Luskan an' it Skeleton Wizards, so if that dar be tha' price then..."

--

When: Mid-Autumn, 1356 Dale Reckoning

Where: Shaman's Tower, Stronghold of Tower

Have I made the right choice? The wrong one? Overly ambitious, or not just ambitious enough?

One has to question if I'm making deals I can't hold up my side off with people who'll backstab me and mine soon as they get what they want. I don't think that is the case, but one can't be sure of these things when so much is at stake, and it's unnerving. Oggy and Breyza are 'supportive' of the plan in their merry combination of greed and bloodthirstiness, and truth be told I know Zah will be all behind marching out and butchering some Uthgardters/Luskans for the wealth we're being offered to do so. I expect the Moonblades too shouldn't be too put out by the nature of the 'request' but before us; they were, are, mercenaries after all; hopefully anyway.

Really, that's all a matter for the winter and early spring – in the end all I've given is a promise to argue the case, and for the agreement to come in the spring. Mirabar, all bother too it, will have to survive being under-siege till the spring at least; because that's the earliest we'd be able to move. See I don't speak for the Clan as whole, let alone the entirety of our happy band of savages that we call the Kingdom of Illusk, and they may have convinced me – but that just means I now need to convince the likes of Darth Phargk of the usefulness of the plan. Which is likely a season away as the word is Phargk is merrily burning out the remaining rebel holdouts to our south and west in the caves and forests under the gaze of Mount Hotenow; and had planned to return 'home' after that.

Missy, though this could be the Neverwinter nationalist who hates Luskan in her speaking, thinks the whole relieving the siege of Mirabar and then burning Luskan to the ground so we can dance on their graves (her words) is a great idea. Of course she won't be taking part in this bloody madness, my lovely pregnant lady stays as safe as I can manage, and isn't the one trying to convince other bloodthirsty orcs of the benefits of following this strategy. Now, I'm fairly certain that the whole marching on Mirabar part will be easy enough to sell; it's the part about not breaking down the walls ourselves to loot, burn, and pillage after we crush the current besiegers that won't be I imagine.

Hence the sudden change in my strategy; at least once the powerful archmages apparently took my sarcastic ramblings at face value and offered support, and swearing to it via a geass if need be, for our marching on the Luskans. Ie, the City of Luskan I mean. Really it's the best chance I'll ever get at dealing with the Host Tower of the Arcane and their minions, and it's quite clear that they are out to get us, ie me and my clan, so in the end its a war to the knife with the Liches there. Even talking to Doctor Ned and the enslaved Sydney just serves to reinforce my belief that there can be only one when it comes to the situation of us and them. And truth be told; sooner or later the tides of war will calm and humans will unite in their mutual hatred of other races as they've ever done. Time is not on my side sadly.

Which brings me to the next point; I have to go on a quest, except a quest without physically leaving my happy stronghold and home. Something that confused the hell out of me in my dreams when I got the marching orders from the Boss Orc, but then I remembered astral projection is a thing and we have magic all around us, and in me, to 'achieve my spirit quest' basically. Largely because I can't be seen to leave now, part from agreeing shit and also from the fact Qilue Veladorn remains here, observing things, throughout the winter months with her followers. So, yeah, Karguk the Teleporting Orc Wizard would likely be very much noticed, and then very pointed questions might be asked; and I'm really annoyed that I have to go through this bullshit now of all times let me tell you.

Funny thing though; meditating on a 'spirit journey' to 'commune with my God' after making such a momentous decision as the one I'm embarking on for the clan. Yes, staring blank-eyed in mystic ritual for potentially weeks on end is far less suspicious than disappearing off physically, or a host of other strange things I could think of off the top of my head. So, yeah, Karguk gets to go spirit-walking to ascertain the 'Will of Ilneval' for the glory of the clan; or in really terms – Karguk gets to do stuff he doesn't really want to do, because bad shit, and we need it. As if what we're facing at the moment wasn't bad enough now I've more stuff thrown unto my plate; Hail the Boss and his Will I guess, so need figure out how to handle it. That's the nature of the job after all.

So, yeah, I've brief break now to write all this down and then it's back to getting everything organised in a frantic manner before locking myself in a room (well, sitting in one while Oggy & Co. Guard me) with a mystical ritual like some mad hermit. Yes the fun, fun, job of being a cleric, and thankfully my ritual work is up to snuff in terms of protective wards against mind control, and possession, and host of other theoretical dangers on a spirit walk. Oh, and ensuring I don't die in the process when my body is separated from my soul for an extended period time – and by extended I mean anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. Safety first with your crazy magic rituals I always say!

Okay, okay, think of the bright side; so, yeah, our stores of food and everything we need to keep us fed and drunk are better than I'd expected. Rose and her Granny have done a great job with harvest blessings, and all efforts are going into ensuring that the results can be stored safely for an extended period of time. As it stands it'd guess we could survive most of a year, potentially a whole year with rationing, even without a harvest – and I'm trying to drill in the idea of 'keeping reserves in case of famine' into people's heads. Trade with Longsaddle has helped there, as has the simple aspect of a primitive market economy now existing in the valley; simply moving resources between the various groups, and enabling sale tends to encourage further growth. This can be done now because we guard the valley – and, as such, keep out the raiders and monsters that had been previously preventing fields being farmed.

Now it's not like Longsaddle has really sold us weapons or anything like that, but we've looted a quite a few enemies now including an ancient elven stronghold so that's not an issue. Indeed the tools, the general crafting goods, or simply things not nearby for components have been much more useful than a few wagons of steel swords or plate mail would be. Honestly we've actually sold off a few of the old elven gear we, and by that I mean Zah, looted from the ruins off to the south in the Forest. Largely stuff we don't have the skills or ability to cobble together into armour sets for ourselves or our auxlia; like my own 'chainmail' made up of mitril with actual chainmail holding it altogether. Not as good as the original, nor what a skilled smith could produce with actual mithril, but its LEAGUES above the standard quality for the Crags and Spine let me tell you; equipping mine and Zah's squads as best we can. Well, quality over our neighbours, in training and equipment, is something that's work so far along with the magic usage and 'town' production levels..

Anyway, must go – time for a round of magic teaching with my acolytes and the Six Sister's and their God-slave-ness. Slan go foil a chardaí.

--

[Karguk 57]

[Shaman's Tower, Stronghold of Sparta]

"...so yeah, just remember to make sure no one disturbs the ritual and me in the centre of it" I explained doing yet another check through of the runes, sigils, and lines I'd very, very, carefully painted in the now empty room here in the tower, just below where my rooms were. Oggy nodded resting on her staff, while Ghorza had an 'this should be obvious' expression on her face as I stood back up from my treble-check of the protective spell-workings in their various circles. Course to both of them this was all an honour for a priest, as well as something of a duty after embarking upon the path I was now planning to push our clan unto; even the fact of being more of a 'holy orc' in the eyes of my zealot-like second wife.

"But want if you want to take a poop? Or got eat, and then poop? Aren't you going to starve and leave a smelly room if you're 'meditating' for days?" came from the pouting form of Lua as she stood in the doorway peeking in at the ritual work. I shook my head at the curious drow, because she could get bored, and therefore potentially be the problem case for 'questions' both stupid and dangerous; or merely the one open to speaking their mind at confusion at my decision to do the whole 'communing with my God' plan I'd put forth. This was just another in the general trend of 'why you do this? This is dumb looking' queries she'd been putting forth as my preparations approached completion.

"Well that would the blessing and wholeness of being part of the spell-craft in the centre where I'll be sitting...sort of in a stasis..." blank looks "...it'd be like my body is frozen in time, sorta, hopefully. Worse case, worst case, it'll be magically healing my body and keeping it rejuvenated while I meditate. So I shouldn't be starving myself, nor shitting everywhere thank you very much. I did listen to your sage words of advice on the subject Lua, Missy"

Missy of course nodded at that, elbowing the drow gently while shaking her head in a 'I told you so' expression and motion as Ghorza gave a glare at Lua for the potential offence offered to 'sacred rituals' and all that magical jazz. I motioned at Ghorza to relax at that, and the questions were fine; I'd queried my team of 'expert spell-casters' here of course as feedback helped ensure one didn't overlook potential dangers. Such as the mundane needs mentioned here, or the more arcane and esoteric dangers of opening up ones soul and mind to thinks like potential possession. An important consideration when the Six Sister's and their god-slave powers were to be my 'anchors' of sorts and to enhance the effects of my spells – and since there were six of them they could done in 'shifts' of sorts.

"I'm not sure why you have to do it though"

I gave a snort of amusement at that "You are a priestess yourself remember Lua? Magic super-powers from your God, getting directions to guide the clan, an' all that fun stuff, yes? Well, Karguk just made big, big, decision and getting visions – visions to spirit quest and ensure I follow the divine will of the Cunning Warrior in this matter. Gotta have divine support in the coming war let me tell you! Even your own High Priestess seemed to understand the reasoning I offered her about why my presence from talks with her must be delayed a time I might add"

Technically not a lie, as I had been getting visions, I did need the Boss's divine support, and Qilue did believe this a logical decision as best I could tell; though Lua knew me better, or was just lazier as a priestess, and more questioning of it. I motioned with my hand at her "And, if you would recall; that's how me, you, Tris, and Etlin meet save rather than a meditation and talking to the Gods I physically got made travel through hostile territory killing zombie livestock and trying not to get murdered by the Luskans and other sorts"

"Yeah...you've a busy life Karg" Tris muttered head peeking in from behind Lua and giving a wave, though sounded unhappy "...so, you...starting now?"

I took a breath and nodded "Yes, no point on delaying any longer I guess; it's nearly dusk from the feel of it, so this is goodbye for a little while I guess. So...summon the Gods-slaves and we'll get this started, sooner its begun the sooner I'll be back probably"

Hugs apparently were first on the list of things to do, and more small talk as Missy came over and queried the spell-working in that contentedly interested tone that came up in relation to magic in general. Even more-so now than usual since my baby growing in her belly had slowed up the more practical side of her magic training, and my vanishing off now was going to take away her main studying partner for a chunk of the next few weeks at guess. Sadly, hushing the children away (and honestly the grown up children too) was something of task as well, Rose directing Mara and Kethri like a mini-redhaired general commanding troops till it was just myself sitting in the centre of the circles, with the six god-slaves in the smaller ones orbiting around it and Oggy standing with Ghorza just beyond helping as I slowly began a chant.

Power was slow to manifest, though that was somewhat deliberate as I carefully went through the prayers by rote; slowly building up the divine energy all around us, first into protective wards. Then into the wards and the magic ensuring my physical body, before into the more astral nature of the...time becoming a blur as I closed my eyes, words repeating and humming in unison as I reached out with my other senses in the darkness. Magic...power...buzzed around me, the noise of the chant dying down as if being heard from off down a distant cave tunnel as the shimmering, dancing, scintillating buzzing of magic filled my closed eyes and ears. Even the running of the blade across the palm of my hand, and dropping it unto the wards, was merely a distant sensation of pins and needles just like the wound knitting together I knew...

'Hmm, well this is freaky' I mused standing up and looking around at the shimmering, gleaming, fortress of white-gold light that filled the room as my own body remained sitting beneath me glowing dully. Shaking my...head?...I looked around me as the lines of power snaked in from to the circles with the six blazing torches of differing coloured light, and then joined the strange 'snow' filling the 'air' within this construct. Giving it strength...giving me strength I found as I looked down at the shimmering translucent hands before me; orc hands that felt real, despite the strangeness of standing on 'nothing' as it seemed with my physical body right there in front of me...

Time is limited servant, gather your strength, and disguise your spirit before leaving thy bastion*

I...frowned?...listening to the divine command, and then...nodded?...to myself. This was the realm of spirit, and belief could become reality of sorts; plus hiding my identity was a large part of the reason for this whole deal as best I could understand. Karguk could not leave this place, and that was what the Boss was commanding, so I reached out to the pillars of light and their offered power. Gently, only drawing a trickle I held out a translucent hand to the pillar of white-gold light – a faint painful burning touching me as I 'burned' wards of protection against chaos and evil into my...spirit?...with a silent gesture. Thought became belief, belief becoming action, and action a reality of sorts as I moved from pillar to pillar.

Crackling crimson red-orange became a blade of flame at my side. Grinding shivering white-blue a coat of cold chainmail over the soul, before the green shimmered and hid beneath a glamour of love, hate, and confusion as I wove a layer over my identity. From the shimmering purple stars dancing amidst the hymn of order a song of courage and of change as a bulwark against my foes and the 'mouth' from which spoke, and finally turning to the coiling pillar of darkness and shadows. I focused, I could hide in shadows, use them to cloak this light of mine a time...I drew out a cloak...no, robes of inky darkness. Throwing it over myself it dampened the shine, covering me like a funeral shroud as I looked up to the command to RISE that suddenly filled my...ears?...no, within my now projected soul...

Emotions were repressed it seemed to me as I soared into the sky, up through the floors of the tower and feeling the tingle of its protections as I passed through them like some crazed dementor from a harry potter figure. I pushed down on that, the thought shifting and roiling my appearance as my spirit drew from memories and instincts as to what I was here and now. Like some unholy mash-up of a dementor mixing with that of Malachor the Sigilite, and Emperor Palpatine, as my twisting cloak of shadows and illusion shifted into its 'final form' of sorts while I soared high into the clouds in the darkening sky above. It was curious to fly, yet feel no fear or touch of the air upon my, just to hover a moment with the vastness of the North stretching out before me with great towering mountains to the north, and an ocean to the west...

...but it was the east, and south, I flew now, over open plains, then great bogs and forests as I heeded the unspoken directions commanded of me. Great mountains reared up out of the forests, the taste of power echoed out from them at a distance, and from the massive forest that surrounded these great peaks as I soared over them at a frantic speed. Things were nearby blessed and malevolent, or at least off in the distance, cloaked in power as the world felt strange to me in this form as I flew southward over these shimmering forests full of life towards mountains and lands that hummed with heat, misery, and ancient death. Unfortunately it was towards that, and away from the life and magic of the living forests and mountains, I flew and descending down into greener area before that great mass of sand and drained energy.

'Well...great, I'm in a cave. Again...hmm, is that a shrine to the Boss?' I noted to myself as I flew through the dusty and dirty cave with a battered old shrine hidden away in an alcove before me '...oh, it is. Well, that would make sense as a beacon now wouldn't it?'

I glanced around, while obviously abandoned there were clear signs that this place had seen some activity rather recently. It was strange seeing as I did in the darkness of the cave, not like regular darkvision or intravision but something else, and even more so as faint noises came to me from a little bit further up the cave; unsurprising as the disturbed dusty and dirt indicated movement in that general direction. Well...it wasn't like I'd anything better to do, and the Boss Orc had sent me here for a reason I assumed so I strode forward through the rock face more than through the small 'doorway' half my size and towards the noises. Snoring apparently, and somebody had laid traps down the cave that I passed through as I looked down and moved forward more slowly and carefully.

Wake them, one has the map and you must lead them there. Power awaits, so stop sneaking about*

Oh yeah, I'm a spirit. Duh...

'Well, I assume these are the two I'm supposed to meet, or lead? I wonder if they can see me in this whole spirit form thing?' I mused coming around the corner and seeing two orc females sleeping a little distance apart - Oddly dressed in one case, like battered peasants getup, and the other in armour with a weapon nearby her head for easy reach in case of attack. Still their spirits were...strange, shimmering but having the strange feel of the Boss Orc coating them, while one seemed to crackle with silent silvery lightning inside her soul. I frowned, then 'sat' upon a nearby rock willing myself to hold position sort sitting/hovering on it. Really there wasn't any guarantee they could hear or see me, nor any nice way to wake them up to my presence...sooooo...

I clapped my 'hands' together and willed it to be loud enough to be heard "Erm, Hello! Sorry to wake you, but the Boss sent me to wake you up and introduce myself!"

Well that got a reaction as I forced myself to remain 'sitting' and gave a friendly wave to the armoured one as the blade flew into hand just as she rolled to the side and up into a crouch. Peasant orc girl merely rubbed bleary eyes, mouthing softly to herself while...

"Hey! No throwing things at...through...me! I'm here to help you after all" I reprimanded as the dagger flew through my shadowy translucent body and shock prevent me from jumping up in statement. Well, that and lack of a 'body' to release it had happened till the dagger loudly bounced off the wall of the cave behind me. Armed and armoured orc female glared at me, hissing at her companion to wake the fuck up, before staring at me with the steel sword held out before her in my direction as she spoke.

"Begone foul creature! How did you get in here?"

In common tongue first rather than orcishing. Hmmm...

I sat patiently, hands clasped against my shadow robed 'knee' and tried to appear none threatening "I'm a spirit, so no physical body, which means traps like outside don't work against me. As to why; Boss Orc, yours as well as mine, sent me to help you fulfil your quest basically, and I'm here to help!" I looked down at the yawning younger female now staggering to her feet and out of guessed 'danger range' from me and behind her comrade "And you need to be quicker than that if you're adventuring, it can get you killed"

"Name yourself you dark shrouded creature! Name your master!"

"Well I serve the Boss, which would be Ilneval, The Cunning Warrior, The War Leader, God from the Plane of Nishrek" I answered calmly, then reminding myself I wasn't supposed to give them my actual identity, pausing before continuing as I fudged an answered "...well I don't really have a name there, spirit an' all that. But you can call me the Shrouded One, or Lord, or Clarence because I'm like your crappy guardian angel of sorts...or whatever you prefer, but basically I'm your spirit guide to two people who are very clearly not born orcs. Now, can we talk about this nice and calmly, I, am on your side after all. So tell me..."

--

[Karguk 58]

Somewhere in the Greypeak Mountains

Being a disembodied spirit felt weird I found 'hovering' as I did gazing out over the sunlit lands stretching out before me. Not being able to feel the breeze that was causing the nearby tall grass and shrubbery to shift and move ever so gently, or the sunlight that had given the dry land nearest to us a gold-brown colour, where it wasn't dusty rocks, rather than the greenery of distant forests. In all honesty it was a rather miserable area where the Boss had plonked two women he'd turned into orcs for some reason in an area with a big fuck off desert beyond the creepy forest that reeked of magic in the distance that could only be the Anauroch.

An important one most likely, but I didn't have my Tome of Wiki to check who they were right now even of the fake sounding names were actually real in Tanalasta and Shandy. One couldn't remember either name from 'memory' nor were they particularly open to the evil seeming spirit that had suddenly appeared while they rested after being teleported here from...wherever they'd been. They Dales or Sembria as best I could tell so far, but that was only a crude guess on my part, and now we were all merrily moving in the lands east of what was now the great desert remains of doomed Netheril.

'Not like I've given mine either, so mission security and fair being fair I guess' I mused to myself drifting down the mountain peak towards where the duo, one a clear warrior and the other...definitely not, thief? untrained wizard?...moved forward carefully under the dying evening sun in their orcish bodies. One more used to it than the other, and alot of shimmering anger at the Boss Orc from that one, while the younger seemed far more eager despite having being turned into a, reasonably attractive in both cases, orc female.

Did not know the particulars but if the Boss was turning human women into orc ones then I had to assume these two had some sort of 'canon' destiny, or abilities, that needed exploiting or some such. Or to be more accurate - headache waiting to happen for me at some point in the future. Just like the nature of where we were right now, and the lack of exact details from the Boss Orc as yet or till we reached our destination a place named the ruins of Dekanter. Wherever that was, and it seemed potential destruction was to be directed at certain folks on our merry journey to these likely crappy undead filled ruins. Because it was always fucking undead, or zombie like plants controlling people like they were undead, or fucking zombie livestock...

'Says the floating spirit' I reminded myself drifting ever downward 'eyes' shifting this way and that for potential dangers. After a bit of testing it seemed the two ladies could see me due to the Boss's 'gift' of a ring each; just like I'd been given with my Ring of Lesser Polymorph a while back. Animals didn't so far, and while we hadn't tested it on humanoids yet the odds were that non-magically inclined wouldn't notice my presence unless I tried really fucking hard to 'will' it. Take the ring off and I vanished from sight apparently, and wasn't heard either. Fun times, but also made me a rather useful scout considering regular weapons just passed through me right now in addition to said technical invisibility...

...oh, and there was the handy-dandy possession ability too of course despite its limitations. And it was fucking weirder being an animal, a lizard and a hawk of some sort in experimentation mode as I waited for the two physically bodied people to prepare themselves to head towards our goal. There were barriers to it from their intelligence and self awareness as I'd been warned, and the freakiness combined with exhaustion to hold my will on then made the stays incredibly brief...but something to consider in a crisis. Which I expected this merry little trip was just going to be full of considering the Boss had quested our veteran woman turned orc here the mission of burning down (or at least damaging with fire) a temple of Bane along the way.

'This all just screams us being a giant distraction along with being a secret mission, and we're right in the middle of the Zhentarim's great expansion into the savage frontier if we are where I think we are. Thank you Boss, thank you so much and here's hoping we survive' though me being in technical spirit form boded ill for the difficulty setting of this particular mission. Lack of knowledge was particularly grating, and this screamed Test of Character and Usefulness for all of us involved, so...

"That's the village ahead I expect" was announced to me in a sharp whisper from the woman calling herself Tanalasta as she and Shandy crouched down in the long grass and she motioned off into the distance holding the crude map in one hand. Following her motion I could make out the far distant indication of a settlement off to our north; a fair journey away still, a night's travel at the least at a guess. Map wasn't exactly the best either, very much an old well worn parchment with magic holding it together from a time these lands had likely been far more lush and life filled.

"Well if that is Parnast then we're not too far off course..." I muttered rubbing at my non-existent chin speculatively "...so now ladies it becomes a matter of getting past there to our destination, oh and finding me a not entirely rotted body to possess so I can actually physically help, rather than just give spiritual encouragement to you on our heroic quest"

"Yes, Shrouded Spirit Lord whatever, that would be more helpful than your...words...so far" came back to me in the grumpy tones, though Shandy merely ignored the other woman's reply and rested on the ground with this brief break. Not that I felt physical tiredness of course in this state, but mental exhaustion seemed to be thing if I tried to 'exert' myself spiritually. It was all rather trial and error really, brief implanted 'orders and guide' from the Boss aside, and less than ideal considering the goals before us. Still it was better than having to walk the whole way there...but I really did need to make myself more useful, even if through the whole controlling 'animated corpse' for a short time. I shrugged in response to her grumpiness though.

"Hey, what can do Tana my dear, Boss sent me here all disembodied and...well, need to make do with what we've got as he says. So, have a quick rest I'd suggest and then we'll start heading towards the town and you get to be human again for a little time..."

...irony was funny like that I found gazing down and frowned at the body. The body of a dead elf, a blonded haired blue eyed fucking female elf at that, and gave a disgruntled sigh. Or would have had I a physical body right now and could breathe anyway. Because of course it was, blind luck...and terrible luck for the decaying form of whoever this poor hunter had been...really that the first not skeleton-or-eaten body to come across was the throat slit form of this poor dear. Killed in her sleep it looked like too, blood staining the bedroll and everything of any worth gone off the body.

'Who were you? What had you die like this out here in the wilds?' I asked silently kneeling down over the body that the necromantic spell had guided us too. Days old, with the decay already setting in and insects and animals had torn at that once pretty face...but it wasn't like there'd be any other great choices. Hadn't been on the way here anyway, despite the whole area being rather dangerous, and it had become more and more grating to have ability to do anything beyond look around and do nothing other than annoy my travel companions with questions at times. Companions who edged nearer now sure the coast was clear, with the experienced Tanalasta studying the ground all around the half buried body.

"There was a small camp here, two, three people maybe a few days ago...murdered in her sleep does it look like? Does her spirit yet linger?"

I nodded as she came over and knelt over the corpse, moving the apparently smelly thing so that big brown-red slash from one side of the neck to the other became visible. Really I was glad of the lack of a body to incite the emotions beyond their current muffled level, but sadness was there at thought of the likely outcome that formed in my mind "Yes, big swift cut, still in the bed roll and probably no sign of defensive wounds on her body if you open it either. Killed in her sleep as you say, and the air feels off around here...spiritual speaking, though her spirit is gone to the next life. Poor thing, not a pleasant way to die betrayal like this"

"Betrayal?" Shandy asked looking somewhat sick a moment after looking at the body, then giving herself a shake and nodding after a glance from Tanalasta and myself. Brave girl really, just completely inexperienced despite the feeling of faint power from within her...I was leaning towards sorcerer as her ability now all things considered. I 'stood' up and motioned down at the corpse of the young elf maiden, and then at the well hidden scuff marks on the ground of what had been a campfire surrounded by bedrolls days ago.

"At a guess, campfire with two or three others here maybe, but no other bodies or blood...and somebody made an effort to cover the body with dirt and rocks"

Tanalasta gave a disgusted grunt "But not much, didn't even bother moving the body away from where they killed her. Got bored, or just guilty, of even trying after a few minutes and just looted what they could and left the bastards"

"Well, nothing can be done for her now whoever she was. So, time to raise the dead, well animate at least, and turn into an elf girl for a time sadly"

"Must you..." disgust again, mixed in with focus and genuine curiosity surprisingly "...and how do you plan do deal with the injuries and the decay...and the smell. I know you're a spirit, and she's an elf, but even now there's a smell off of her"

I motioned with my hand to indicate a 'please relax' gesture "Do not worry I know that's going to be an issue, and I can repair the damage and remove the smell. At least till we have achieved our mission...in an acceptable period of course. So, if both of you could place your hand out and perform the chant and I'll do the rest"

'Hopefully anyway, this all...theoretical really, but can't admit that now can I?' I thought to myself as after a short exchange between the two women over the subject they came over and performed an unhappy, and brief, chant over the corpse and I felt/saw/tasted the magic in the air. Hovering over the body I...sank...down into the sudden sucking darkness beneath me, into the cold and discomfort...

...opening my eyes to almost nothing with a gasp. Or at least it would have been if there had been any air in my lungs, nor was their much to see with half-eaten eyes; instead I manifested the magic needed as I was only dimly aware of the 'feel' of this body as the Flesh was restored by power of my God. No life returned to it, merely the rot and decay being pushed away for a time as wounds sewed shut and the damage chased away till the original unharmed body was restored. I wrinkled my nose, squirming at the filth upon 'me' at the moment, and spent a 'cleaning' spell upon myself despite its wastefulness in a way; no way did I want to wear clothes in which 'I' had shit myself, waste of magic or not. Clean body, clean clothes came before the final spell to hold back the further decay of the dead flesh of my host body for the time being.

'And then Karguk was a zombie, yay!' I grumbled silently sitting myself up as Shandy startled away from me with a gasp while Tanalasta held her sword hilt firmly and muttered something under her breath. For me that wasn't important yet as I tested out my jerk body motions, and muffled 'feeling' from dead nerves on pale white flesh as I felt 'my' face and tested moving 'my' mouth "Augghhh...nyygggnnn...Iiiiiii...hnnnnn..." oh yeah, no body to do automatic things like breathing "...brrrainnsssss...heh...hmmmm...testing, testing; doe, a deer, a female deer, re; a drop of golden sun...hmmm"

I turned my head and looked up at the dynamic duo staring at me, smiling "Hello again! Now I can be actually useful, ain't that grand?"

Wow, I had a girly voice now...

--

[Interlude 14]

--

[The Blacksmith's Apprentice]

'Well today is a lucky day now isn't it!' young Jerral almost hummed to himself in delight at the three customers entering his father's shop. Attractive customers too for once, an elf and two sisters judging how they were almost identical in their looks despite one being dressed in decent armour and the other just poor travelling robes. Looking around intently at the limited merchandise too, and even better he could see a small bag of coins from the faint clinking of metal as was brought into the hand of one sister. He gave a smile and waved in greeting towards the approaching trio.

"Greetings, welcome to our humble store and smithy! I'm Jerral, and me Pa, he's the blacksmith ya'll hear bangin' away there, is inside iffin' ya want to buy armour and weapons. Everythin' else, food, clothing, potions, other odds an' ends I can help you with"

The elf woman smiled back in a friendly manner, dressed dirtily and poor-like, but striding forward with pride in her step. Voice was pretty as her pale face, and the accent reeked of a merchant or noble of some sort "Well hello there young man, and it is pleasure make your acquaintance in this lovely shop of yours! Sadly though weapons and armour are part of our purchase plans for this fine day, and I'm afraid that might require us to disturb your hardworking father from his duties. Adventuring didn't go so well I'm afraid, and need to replace lost things"

"Of course, just let me give'em a shout" he nodded back to the pretty ladies before walking over a few steps to stick his head through the door way into the smithy where his Pa was hammering some nails for old farmer Kergal's new fence "PA! CUSTOMERS ERE' FER YA!"

"Hmph? Oi'thight, can hear ye son..." Pa grunted back looking up from his hammering before placing down said hammer and grabbing a cloth to wipe his hands on "...what're we got?"

Jernal nodded towards the three ladies standing just before the counter and idly looking at the various goods they'd stocked on the shelves for the odd trade caravan from Llorkh or that had come through the Great Desert to that city "Folks new inna' town, they be lookin' buy some replacements fer their adventuring gear"

"Oh aye...and an' elf lady amongst ye too..." Pa said coming out of the smithy and glancing at three, blinking at the elf a moment "...yer lucky day, an' mine, maybe then. Just got in some gear, chainmail an' the like, in about yer size iff'in yer interested?"

"That would be ideal I believe, as we do not plan on tarrying long in your lovely village I'm afraid before returning to the road" the elf replied with a smile and motioning at the shelves behind and to the side of the three "...and other provisions too of course, but firstly I'd like to hear more about this armour..."

Jerral found himself organising things for his father and the three women, to his delight buying a significant amount of traditional travelling gear and a few potions and potion ingredients they'd traded for from the caravans on the Black Road. In all honesty it was good to deal with someone who wasn't trying to threaten their way through a deal, damnable Zhentarim, and it weren't half bad seeing her get into the armour either. Fit like a glove apparently, elves all being the same in body size maybe, and getting questions where it had come from a few days ago in an apparent effort to get a better deal off Pa most likely. Considering all they were buying Pa wasn't complaining about giving them a discount on the...

--

[The Drunken Thief]

"Don' wanna go over a big dusty ddesserrrtttt...lets go back Llorkh an' do a fuw jerbs" Jalinara whined as she and her two oldest friends sat in the common room "...and why can't we goooo home yet...wanna go 'ome nnnnoooow!"

Wynra rolled her eyes at the idiocy of her drunken comrade "We shan't be able to go back for a time now you idiot, we've got to mourn the loss of our poor dear little miss pious in battle with those wicked, wicked, goblins. And earn enough join to make up everything we've lost on this wretched journey"

"Wanna go 'ome, wanna go 'ome and see Luwarin again, make'em happy an' make evertin' bwetter" Jalinara moaned back stomach feeling queasy, so she down the tankard to make it go away. It'd been nothing but misery and danger since they'd left Everska on this ridiculous 'quest' instead of staying behind and...not being in this dreadful, dreadful place. It was all Sylrel's fault anyway she knew waving her hands above her head and hollering for another drink to push away the thought of all that blood...

'Supposed to go home when she was gone, why aren't we going home' she complained silently as she thunked down the coins unto the table for the barmaid to pay for the next round of drinks. Drinking helped, drinking helped alot, in not having to think about the past few days and the things they'd had to do...to go home "Wanna go 'ome..."

Wyrna thwacked her on the back of the head "Sthop that, we'll go home come the spring...are you, fuck go outside if you going to puke Jala!"

"I fwheel wheasy..." she moaned before Wyrna and the also drunk Krisgella helped her to her feet and shoved her towards the door after taking away her coin purse, and the barmaid...who seeing her state seemingly decided helping was the best idea. Or the shouting from the loud man behind the bar was...shouting things...as the world went fussy and blurry a moment as she staggered forward towards the cool night air through the doorway. Helpful, ugly, human, barmaid person mouthed something at her as Jalinara groaned back and braced herself against the stone and wood of wall to stop the world spinning as it was...

...and she was throwing up as well, the awful world hammering down on her as she breathed in and out the cold night air groaning in discomfort. Using her shoulder to brace herself against the wall she fought the urge to close her eyes as time seemed to drift by in a blur while her stomach continued to grumble at her unhappily. Managing to look around up after a period as she braced against the wall she watched the stars and moon twinkle in the night sky above...they were shooo pweettyyy...

"Oh for the sake of the Gods look at you!" Wyrna grumbled appearing as if by magic along with Krisgella to take hold of her shoulders on either side "...come on, bed time..."

Jalinara nodded, giggling "Sellepy, yesh sweeepy..." then suddenly felt her blood freeze as the nightmarish illusion walked by them across the street "...ahhh, ahhh, swhe cwome bwack! Shwee come back ah ah ah..."

"What are you babbling about, dammit come on..."

--

[The Ambitious Priest]

Mythkar Leng gazed out at the stars above his temple, hands behind his back and looking contemplative as he stood upon its room on yet another dark night here in the savage frontier. Or at least from the stars to the Lord's Keep jutting out of the heart of their happy, and soon to be his, trade town; time was coming that reinforcements would arrive and the time to eliminate Lord Redblade and the militia would be at hand. Then Llorkh would be firmly in the hands of the Black Network, albeit having to act indirect control through that ambitious idiot of a mage Geildarr and dealing with this 'Beast Lord' off to the east.

'A nuisance, but the creature and his servants have their uses, and it does stop them raiding our caravans while we bring here and Parnast into our control' he reminded himself once again studying the defences of the Keep, and of the need to make sure the last of the old Lord's was dealt with before bringing in the several hundred soldiers coming in across the desert. Hard gotten troops at that; things were not going well in the East it appeared - orcish mercenaries armies betraying them at the Citadel of the Raven ,and the forces that had been marching up Hillsfar, leading to major setbacks as the other cities of the Moonsea united against Zhentil Keep.

He smiled tightly at the thought; it was even more of a chance to show his own brilliance and worthiness to the Black Network and to Bane himself by his success amidst the failures of all those other fools. Rakaxalorth, filthy beholder abomination he maybe, had agreed now was their time to shine amidst the dross within the Black Network and bring their 'alliance' to new heights. Perhaps even overthrowing that old fool Manshoon if enough power could be gathered from this area and used to his...their...benefit. But first that meant dealing with these uppity locals and their ideas of having 'rights' and 'worth' in the eyes of the Gods. He gave a snort of amusement at the very idea.

"They shall learn soon enough at least, such is the will of Bane" he spoke to no one but himself but enjoying the thought and feel of saying them; and perhaps more importantly dealing with the List of troublemakers that had existed for his temple within the town walls. Now all he needed was for things to remain calm, for long enough at least so that Lord Phintarn 'Redblade' could be dealt with, and they could finally make a move before winter was upon them or some fool became aware of the danger to them. Then little things, pleasant little things, like removing the Lord's brother and burning down the eyesore of an inn he called the Worried Wyvern so that it would no longer offend his eyes every time he had to walk by the wretched place...

--

[Karguk 59]

Outside of Parnast village towards Eastern Foothill of the Greypeaks

Horses, honestly I wasn't overly fond of the beasts, but right now they were a right bloody help I found as our merry trio trotted along the road towards our destination. Or at least the roadway part of our journey anyway, once we neared it and then it would be dismount and scout ahead time because of the better-than-your-average-goblin goblins lurking about these parts. Bold raiding little buggers too according to the villagers we'd left behind us on our merry little mission; even more of an indicator of the problem as conveniently there was a Temple of Bane off to the West in Llorkh so we'd have to double back and commit arson on that after we did this. The not exactly easy task of breaking into a goblin den, that was also an ancient netherese ruin, and steal magic stuff that the Boss wanted to us to rob from the apparent servants of the 'Beast Lord' of the North.

'Which is a super-duper, not totally ominous sounding, name consider the rumours of villagers' I thought to myself scanning the horizon as we moved in a close formation in over the old dusty road heading towards our dangerous problem. What was worse I was almost looking forward to it...dead body animated by magic did not give much in the way of taste, or desire, or need many things like food or bodily function. It was all rather boring in fact, and I could not but help agree with Doctor Ned that Lichdom was a crazy choice to make in life...or unlife technically. Still, that had enabled me to put time and effort into creating a few potions, and exploding powders, in the brief two day stopover in Parnast while my two companions slept as I worked in my temporary, but more importantly untiring, body.

"We need to turn into the pass there" Tanalasta murmured to me and Shandy, holding the map in the holding the reins while she motioned towards a rock formation to our right. More rough ground, with jagged rocks and hills, all in the colours of late autumn here on the drier side of the Greypeaks west of fallen Netheril. Unsurprising really consider this Dekanter had once been a Netherese settlement, though whether it had been raised during its golden age or by refugees in the aftermath of its weren't exactly clear between talking to the villagers and the nature of the old map we'd been given along with Tanalasta's now reduced back of coins. But that was also unfortunate as it made my planning on the subject somewhat blind beyond 'Beast Lord' with goblin minions being there potentially.

"Okay, when we nearer to those hills I think I might scout ahead...in ya'know, my other form, don't want to get ambushed" I replied nodding in the direction she had pointed. There'd been a suspicion we'd been followed around the village, and out of it a distance, but that seemed to have just me being paranoid about the whole village being a potential trap or some horror show just waiting to be revealed. I hadn't show my constant concern of being discovered, me as...zombie elf...and the ladies as orcs turned human. Or more accurately humans turned orcs, turned human again, in some inception level bullshit for an over-complicated disguise plan in my view. But hey, what did I know?

'Sweet fuck all at times' I mused to myself sadly as Tanalasta made a face, but nodded in agreement before speaking "Aye, tis a spot that could be easily laid out for ambush and best to scout out with your...powers perhaps. We shall guard your...body...while you are absent from it I gather?"

"Yup, that would be a help, we can stop and rest at the entrance to the passes and then I'll scout ahead and up the slopes while you two rest up a bit before we continue onwards"

Shandy sighed, potentially in relief, at that "That would be good, we've been riding pretty hard you know?"

"Not particularly in my experience, but I'll admit I always loved time in the saddle and could be blinded by such in my opinion" Tanalasta replied with something of a wistful tone, then chuckling to herself at something before continuing "...and I doubt you, oh shadowy Shrouded Lord, feel any discomfort in this journey with thine lack of...life, and feelings"

"Oh I've plenty of feelings on many things"

"Yes...you've mentioned a few of them" was that sass? Mockery? Or just dark amusement?

"Hey, I can't drink...well I can, but can't taste anything or get drunk so pointless there. But, anyway, yes I can sorta feel things in this form, just muted...though you are correct that I'm not tired. Not physically anyway, but let me tell you it takes energy to do this whole thing, like moving and talking in this fleshy form"

"Indeed? Though you have shown little compunction to not indulge in silence on voicing opinions on such matters, nor in the working of such vile smelling concoctions within the room we hath rented"

I shrugged "Well, this here spell-book wasn't going to write itself now was it? Nor were our flasks of fire oil for out foes, and these stamina potions for you two, make themselves up. Waste not, want not, and I reckon we'll need every little advantage we can get going into this thing. Anyway, Shandy here is prospective mage in the making aren't you my dear? Seems to be in your blood, and you seemed interested?"

Shandy flushed a little, rubbing at her hair a moment "It's interesting, I didn't think...I, well, that be any good at such things"

"Oh it's in your blood I think, a day and a night's quick study and you nearly cast a spell by accident?" I gave a snort of bemusement as I shook my head at the absurd speed of the prospective learner. Obviously why the Boss Orc had nabbed her I supposed "...that's pretty much confirmation you've got a sorcerer's or warlock's blood in your veins. So it'll be your beginner's spell-book once we get through this escapade, not much I'll admit and pretty much sheets of paper stuffed together in what was probably a merchant's ledger books once upon a time...but it'll do for immediate purposes"

In truth I'd cobbled it together in the aims of ensuring my spells, the arcane ones at least, could be replaced once I used them up in a battle. Spirit form or not I was reasonably sure that such mundane things would screw me over, so a whole night had gone into transcribing the spells unto the new spell-book from my mind...and then studying them intently to ensure they 'wrote' themselves back into my mind. Time consuming, but it served to be prepared considering what limited information the rumour mongering villagers had given us of the surrounding region.

'Or considering whoever's body I'm possessing got herself killed despite decent enough gear if I'm right about what I've bought' I reminded myself looking at the gloves beneath the chainmail inlaid with faint elven symbols. If I was right my 'host' had been a priestess of one of the Seldarine, probably Sehanine Moonbow if the other 'recently purchased' stuff we'd bought from the shopkeeper-smith back in Parnast. A very nice man who'd given a decent description of his 'suppliers' – who arrived in the shape of three elf women selling a 'spare' set of travel gear, armour, and weapon to recoup their losses on the road.

I resisted sighing at that; I'd been tempted to see if they had remained within the village and see justice done, but...time was against that and I therefore had hardly left our room once we'd arrived. One had to be practical when the mission was at hand after all, and it wasn't like I knew what had been behind the murder in the her sleep outcome. Maybe my host body had been an absolute monster that killed orc babies and kicked puppies in service of her goddess...though she didn't worship Mielikki so that seemed unlikely. All the stuff I'd bought back that was 'elfy' seemed to indicate a rather boring and devout girl out to see the world...though sadly I couldn't read Elvish so the well thumbed 'holy book' wasn't mine to understand without wasting magic.

'Maybe if we get a chance before I have to return to my true body' I thought as the distance to our planned resting spot continued to close under the warm evening sun. Tanalasta seemed to agree with my statement, she seemed familiar with magic and magicians if not one herself apparently, from her nod and expression; at least seemed to grasp why I wanted to do certain things at least. Shandy, while quick witted, reeking of power, and very nimble was clearly new to all this so it was good to have at least one of them trained enough to count on to act as the team Tank.

"Yes, it would be for the best for us to help train you Shandy if magic is within your blood as has been said by our companion. For yourself as much for whatever task our Master has but us upon, or shall in the future"

"Oh he will don't worry, that's the Boss's way; he commands and we obey, over the hills and far away. Best get as strong as you can, because he'll chuck you up against what he thinks you can handle, not necessarily what you want to, or can, deal with. Fun times, welcome to the team" I answered the grumpy tone while I hummed a happy tune to myself. Tanalasta sighed and shook her head at that.

"You are an oddly cheerful evil spirit while grumbling about your Master. Or being an orc spirit within an elf maiden and acting the part better than I hath would have expected"

"Hey I'm an orc, we're just better than elves, even at being elves if we have to by gonnit!" I retorted but on the 'cheerfully girly' tone from my 'hosts' mouth before rolling my eyes with a snort "...and I'm not an evil spirit, and I'm only being honest about the Boss's orders. Better you be ready for it and prepare in advance for such things. Plus, good and evil can often be just a matter of perspective, and of course whose village is getting burned down by whom at what time; most mortals tend to be a mixture of the two, rather than just one extreme or the other. Not there aren't massively evil spirits, like demons, out there...had to drive them out of folks before but that's often just their nature in many ways. Now, we're nearly at that spot so I do believe we should dismount find shelter, and let me do my magic ghost walk thing..."

--

[Karguk 60]

Near the ruins of Dekanter

I frowned; well, sort of frowned since being a spirit in shadowy guise likely made 'frowning' a rather moot point really. Still it was a frown-able situation, not disastrous but definitely problematic at least, as I 'crouched' down and studied the faintly pulsing air of wards before me. Things were strange in my astral form, and magic was visible in a different sort of way to my senses; the wards before me probably wouldn't activate if I crossed them...maybe, at a guess, and no point in risking it as I stood back up and looked around the large open area of this broken mixture of a ruined city and attendant mines. Old mines at a guess, and drafted back into use by the goblins wandering about them, or more accurately whoever was experimenting with the not so little buggers walking passed me.

'Big fuckers aren't you' I thought studying the human-sized and horned goblin that walked by me complaining of something he'd had to do as best I could tell. Yes goblins could be large, but this was just odd from my experience with the species; these fellows were big, strong, and actually seemed to have some level of organisation behind them. Though these wards were very clearly not their work, but likely the workings of this 'Beast Lord' or a wizard minion; there were some 'traditional' goblin wardings further out in the ruins above but these were much more 'arcane' based in origin as best I could tell from the draconic sigils versus the other ones above.

'Still if one can't go through, then one need go around' was the general thought as I shifted into the rock-wall to my side and then flowed around the edges to the softly pulsing energy before me till I came back around the other side. It was...somewhat lazy warding really, though I paused a while just to be sure I hadn't been over confident and triggered it by mistake, and a little bit haphazard in layout as best I could tell. Or at least it seemed so to my eyes, but that didn't mean it wasn't effective either and I'm being too narrow minded in my understanding of the place. That or I was letting the faint 'buzzing' guiding me towards whatever we were supposed to recover from this place...though it'd be really great if the Boss Orc had told me exactly he wanted taken beyond the 'magical items of power' label.

'Well...fuck' I silently mouthed coming out in a large cavern area, reeking of skyrim-like deep underground caves, with a pool of shimmering water in the middle. Oh, and there was a tentacle faced horror reading from a tome at a table on the far side of the waters, an entrance to another part of the caves beyond just behind it with the 'buzzing' hinting at my destination. I shifted into the darkest shadows of the are nearby and studied the area around me while focusing on remaining inconspicuous. All it took was for mini-cthulhu to be empowered enough to see or sense spirits to screw up this whole operation...and the uncomfortable, slowly becoming painful, pressure around me indicated a level of protections against scrying and astral intrusion. Enough to make me float upwards after getting an idea of the place, and flying to the ground above; surging creepily though rocks and dirt till the night sky came into my eyes and I was flying over the broken down ruins.

'Braining eating magical squidward is going to be a serious problem, let alone getting through those tunnels undetected. Because of course there's a bloody dungeon boss in the ruins filled super-sized goblin barbarian warriors' I grumbled to myself silently and studying the ruins, with goblin camp inside, from the night sky above it. They were numerous enough, more males than females, and they'd clearly been enslaving the more 'traditional' goblins of the area I noticed as I studied what could only be a large 'pen' for slaves of the small army. Stupidly held too; mostly naked in this cold night air, and made up largely of goblin women with some their children - who'd not be surviving for a great length of time considering the placement of this place and the rough ground around the ruins.

'Hmmm...hmmm, wee bit hard to manage all this with just the three of us. Multiple entry points at least, but then they could literally just swamp us with numbers ...and they look pretty much were up on the human/half-orc level in terms of strength, so quality wasn't entirely an advantage either. And then it's a blood mind flayer who could take out my two allies, or detect them if they just near enough to it. Dammit, need to find a way to distract them, or get in and quickly'

Options, we needed options that didn't involve rushing in and dying swiftly was my basic thinking as I tried to frame the area in terms of a tactical game point of view. And rapidly came up empty with the resources at hand other than attempt to sneak by the guards and then aim to cause enough chaos to enable at least my two living companions escape with our ill-gotten gains. Of course the biggest problem with that lay in the fact our 'thief' was at best a level 1, and really was a sorcerer in training, and that left me Tanalasta as a fighter while cast spells. Such a situation...relied utterly on luck and as such wasn't really to be considered as being a viable option then.

'Nope, nope, nope, that inna gonna work either. They aren't exactly very organised and those patrols suck, but there's just a bunch of them everywhere, largely male and therefore fighters, so problem as my invisibility spell can get me in, or out, but not both at the same time...so we need a big old distraction. Or a small army, which we don't have'

I paused studying the slave pen, and the goblins arming themselves up nearby 'Wait, they're obviously raiding the other, not as big, goblin tribes nearby for slaves so...I wonder if they'd like to raid them back?'

Of course the biggest problem with that little idea was in finding the smaller version and convincing them not to try murder us out of hand...

'Oooorrrrr we could just follow the what-looks-like-a-raiding-party to its destination and try and use that as an in with the locals. Course I'm an elf, but claim being another power maybe...hmmmm, hit hard and kill the raiding group? Then threaten with magic and bribe? Better than nothing, so let's discuss with the rest of Team Not Happy To Be Here' I finally decided flying though the night and back to 'my' body a mile or two away hidden away...

"This is terrible plan"

"Yes, potentially...probably...but as mention five times already; limited options...meaning beggars can't be choosers, and we're beggars with not enough numbers or powers to blitz them. So Step (1) recruit minions, and Step (2) is make use of said minions to distract the enemy" I replied to Tanalasta as we rested our horses while gazing down the slopes at the distant raiding party that had been moving swiftly through the night. No shaman with them, nor anything more than a band of fourteen barbarian fighters moving swiftly though the night hours towards another goblin village a few more hours distant as best we could tell.

"But...goblins"

I shrugged as I held the reins of my horse, resting them as much as possible as we followed our quarry at a walk with occasional brief rides in between "We've better chance in bribing and threatening them into doing something of common interest than charging and getting you two killed in a pointless manner. Worst comes worst here we end up running away after a failed negotiation, though I am open to suggestion on another course action if you wish to offer it?"

An unhappy sigh, or grunt, greeted my query and I nodded in the dark night "Yeah though so, I agree with you but we need a distraction and goblins are certainly distracting"

Shandy yawned, and then asked a question softly as the silence continued between us again as made to remount and close the distance yet again "Why are they so big? I mean, these goblins where we have to go"

"Not sure, magic I suspect, something weird going on down in those mines...a Mind Flayer, and there's bodies in a few alcoves. Cut up and misshapen ones, probably why the Boss wants this little disaster waiting to happen dealt with cuz it looks to me magic squid face is playing mad magic experimenter, And, more dangerously, these big fellows we're chasing are the result of that messing about and with more in works based on said cut up and misshapen bodies. I suspect this is the Beast Lord we've been hearing about, and he's breeding himself up and army to earn nice succulent brains to eat after his minions grab slaves"

"Why don't we tell the local militia?"

"Orcs with a spell covering them in the cloak of humanity..." I motioned at Shandy and then Tanalasta before jerking a thumb at myself "...spirit in dead body. They find a competent wizard and it's an issue, maybe. But mostly because the Zhent's are moving into this land, and the militia is either busy dealing with that, or potentially under their sway. And since we've to burn out a Temple of Bane, who the Black Network pray too as well...I'm guessing that's a subtle hint not to go that way. No unless we're really out of option anyway, an' honestly...I doubt they do much anyway"

"I'm afraid our guide is correct in such thinking Shandy, or at least in the willingness of the militiamen to attempt deal with such a problem. That would require going to Llorkh for numbers, and they will not be bothered as they do not see the goblins as a major threat even in the, closer and smaller, village of Parnast that we left only a short while ago"

And there it was sadly I found as I slung my petite elfin form up into the saddle once again and we began to pick up the pace out of sight of our quarry. If we could get ahead, or at least abreast, of them once again I could do my magic scout ghost trick once again – and also hopefully figure out where the intended target of our merry raiders was. How I, definitely-not-Karguk but the Shrouded Lord was going to pull that off I wasn't entirely sure of yet, but I suspect bloodshed and the liberal usage of Horror might be the way to go off the bat. All we needed was enough of a distraction to pull away the guards, and maybe brain-eatee-mcgee, so we could bust in and rob that treasure room blind...

--

[Karguk 61]

Unnamed Goblin Village, Greypeak Mountains

"...so since I speak ghukliak and, more importantly, am not technically alive it's best I go in first as better me an arrow sponge should all go wrong that one of you"

Tanalasta did not like this plan, not for any great concern for me but because she thought this all rather insane from start to finish, as we knelt in the cover offered by the hollow in the earth with its battered trees and brush near to our destination. Which, of course, was on fire right now as the raiding party of Dekanter super-goblins charged in amongst the smattering of tents and temporary huts of their smaller kin; who were apparently were rather lax in their defences. Or maybe just short of fighters to picket their camp as they maybe had relied upon on the rather 'hidden' nature of their encampment instead of on basic defences. From experience I tended to lean towards a mix of lazy and desperate as the group inside tried to flee in an apparent panic from the 'surprise' attack upon them.

"They appear to be fleeing, so their usefulness as...allies...seems questionable" she replied while Shandy gazed at the fight not too far away in either fear or horror I wasn't sure of right now "...assuming they don't try to murder us that is before then"

I shrugged "Eh, goblins what can you do? We work with what we've been given, and there distracting to say the least. So, on I go, mind the horses please and wait for my signal"

In all honesty I would not be taking such a fool hardy course of action if it had been my own, proper, body but with magic corpse puppet I could sustain damage and 'death' and walk away from this intact. Or at least as intact as 'disembodied spirit' could count as walking away from the situation if things went wrong. So I had to go in heavy, take the now distracted big goblins and slay as many as possible before attempting to communicate (meaning intimidate) the smaller fleeing (though a few were fighting I could see in the dancing shadows) into following along. That meant crouching down and carefully pushing forward towards the now dying embers of a fight, careful to hide myself in the sparse undergrowth till I got near as I could.

'Damn, they're split up' I grumbled silently to myself coming to rest behind some boulders and fruit bushes to watch as the human sized goblins bunched up in three rough clusters. One group was fighting the remaining goblin defenders in melee, a second supporting them with bows and thrown javelins, and the last grabbing other goblins to place into a chain coffle. They were nothing if not ambitious I'd give them that – fighting wasn't even over let and they'd moved unto the *we've won and now let's loot* stage of conquest. Resting one hand on the rock I braced myself studying the groups, then setting upon the missile weapons one as the most dangerous to my humble 'self' in a fight.

'Well, I ain't too stuck up to not creep and crawl my way to victory' I mouthed myself dragging myself over the ground slowly and carefully till I was in range; hands came up, strangely small to my senses and began to carefully trace the required spell. Power surged as the soft words drifted softly on the smoky breeze, and still the distracted large horned goblins had not noticed my presence as I brought my hands around in an arc in their direction from my semi-hidden form. Soft almost silent words died from my mouth...and then goblins began to slump or fall. Confusion, sluggish reactions, was the response of the two seemingly not brought down by the Sleep spell as their comrades dropped around them...

...but respite was not something I was going allow them as one hand went back to the quiver over my shoulder as the other grabbed the shortbow I'd place at my feet; temporally moving out of sight. Or at least I hoped it was the case as I brought arrow to bow-string, drawing back with all 'my' strength and rising again just enough to get a good shot at one of the non-sleepers. No truly skilled archer was I, not anywhere to elven standard, but I could hit a target at just close range during hunting and now my arrow stuck true – slamming into the shoulder of the large goblin and staggering him as I drew another arrow from my quiver. In the confusion he, nor his companion, had noticed me, not had their comrades realised what had happened as another poisoned arrow took flight into the other goblin.

'And now...Move' I ordered myself as first one, then the other, wakeful goblin began to gasp and groan before falling to the ground dead or dying amongst their three sleeping kin. Feet began to move, dashing forward, as I slung the bow over my shoulder and drawing a dagger from my belt in a nearly-smooth motion as the distance between me and my prey closed rapidly...

War was hell, it really was I found as I came amongst those snoring goblins.

...and then it was throat slitting time. Grip, stab and slide, and then it was gargled choking and blood flowing before the life went out of their eyes; rinse and repeat as the precious seconds rolled by and my attention was focused on the task and away from the other groups of large horned goblins. There should be enough distance between us...I hoped as my blood soaked hands came away from the last dead goblin, dagger driven into the dusty earth as I called upon the Boss's power even as eyes searched for danger...

'Ah, the slavers have noticed me...shit shouting warning. Oh, well, magic time' flashed through my head as I drew deeply on that divine power and slammed both hands into the ground and snarled out words of command "Rise now and slay my foes!"

Dead limbs began to move, bodies around me rising at my command as the power flowed out from me in an invisible flash. Concentration was required here, even as the shouts of the slavers alerted the fighters dealing with last few defenders and one slaver charged towards me horn down and weapon ready. So those dangers were distant, even as they closed my 'allies' rose and staggered forward towards the horned goblin bellowing his battle-cry at me. Too late it seemed as he slammed into the nearest zombie with a sickening thud; goring out the already bleeding and torn throat as I surged back up stand with dagger in one hand, and longsword coming out into the other.

"Die" was my simple statement as my undead staggered the live decanter goblin, allowing me to slam my dagger into his throat and up into his brain with a sickening crunch. Trapping it apparently as I let go of the hilt in disgust and shoved the body out of my way and sent forward my shambling minions as a distraction; one bloody was free now at least as it moved in a familiar pattern, words rolling out of my mouth. Just in time as the remaining, now alerted, decanter goblins charged towards me with only one remaining behind to hold the line against remaining goblin defenders. Snap, snarl, click, and with a gesture the dawning air into which the dekanter's charged filled with glittering sparkles of gold in an arc; confusion, momentary blindness following in its wake as I strode forward weapon at the ready...

It was very important to maintain an air of authority when dealing the unnerved goblins, the shorter kind at least, as I sat on my throne (or large chest turned chair as some would call it) hands holding my unsheathed blade between my knees with hand on the hilt. The fires had died down at least, the dead bodies of the former raiders lay strewn in a pile nearby now that my animate dead spell had worn off, and now the 'chief' of this tribe came forward flanked by two fearful guards and maybe a shaman(ess). Or wife maybe, I wasn't truly sure as I gave a friendly smile to them while flanked behind me by the mounted forms of Tanalasta and Shandy in case some of this tried to ambush or got stupid.

"Hello Goblin Friends! I have come to help you with problem! You problem, mine problem, and make problem dead show am friend. You want be friend, hmmmm?"

"Eeeee! Magic elf who makes zombies speaking gobbins!" oh, well, seemed my spell induced cloak of fear was unnerving them at least judging from the unnerved goblin group as the rest of his 'brave' warriors and tribe members hovered much further away from the village as my two ladies kept watch for danger "...not want fights Magic Elfs! Why heres magic-elfs? Why killings big-strange gobbins whose takings from tribe?"

'Okay my goblin isn't as good as I'd like' I found with hidden irritation as I gave a big broad smile to the unnerved goblin village 'leadership' before me "I is goblin friend! Kill...other?...goblins show friends is friends, yes! Want help goblins free goblins other goblins stealing. Want thing from other goblins, you want goblins back and stop raids yes? I helps, you helps, alls get what wants yes?"

Babbling between the goblins ensued, and I continued to smile a friendly smile as they squabbled amongst themselves like a bunch of idiots. Seems the 'chief' was just whoever the senior most child of the last one to survive, and this lot really weren't used to being approached in a coherent manner other than raids. Well, that and the fact they were very clearly afraid of me right now and my lack of threats were clearly throwing them into further confusion. Best remind them of that 'me stronger than you' fact I found 'clearing' my throat rather loudly "Ehem! Now goblin friends not fight other goblin friends! Time short but not nice ignores I's in talk, so do want be friends..." I dropped my smile and started at them coldly "...or Not Friends?"

"Friends! Friends!"

I smiled broadly again "Then let us talk of..."

--

[Karguk 62]

Ruins of Dekanter

They were unnerved by my presence I could tell, a rather useful thing too with goblins such as these I found as our merry raiding band moved slowly and silently (well the furthest ahead were) through the darkest hours of the night. While it had taken three vital days to cobble this happy little force together, three very stressful days at that, it had allowed 'allying' with another greedy and fearful of the goblin tribe nearby with these Blood Bronze Tribe goblins our trio had 'befriended' so to speak.

Greed, fear, ambition, and hate all rolled up into one big bag of Dekanter goblin focused aggression, but that didn't mean the slightest sign of weakness wouldn't lead to the little feckers turning upon us. No clan army to back me up here and now, just one female knight and a girl verging between sorcerer and rogue in terms of profession so best to avoid the misstep of appearing as prey in their eyes. I resisted an amused snort at the thought; like shorter versions of the most mountain orc tribes in that regards.

"Well, oh shrouded one it seems this mad plan of yours is at hand..." Tanalasta murmured quietly to me as our horses, with Shandy's on my left, coming to a halt and watched as the warband of goblins separated and began to creep up the hills; leaving behind them the cart of now rather stinking corpses for the other part to come. It was an issue of my own inability to maintain the necromancy spell long enough after all, and a recast was needed unfortunately "...and thanks the Gods for that. Not sure I can take this smell much longer, so please...cast your dark magics and make it go away"

I gave her a look "Are you...demanding I use necromancy as way to remove the stink of the corpses?"

"You know what I refer to dark spirit, it was your plan from the start. The sooner these things are gone from our presence the better I would think"

"Of course my lady, let me do as you command" I replied with smile, raising out a gloved hand and summoning power from my patron with a soft chant and reaching out with it to the dead flesh and bone slowly rotting on the now stopped cart. One had done their best to keep the decay at bay, but they'd do long enough (hopefully) with a little glamour from the two goblin shamans hovering in a mixture of nervousness and eagerness nearby for the raid to begin. They watched then as the decanter goblin bodies squirmed and twisted upon the cart, then as they rose off it in a quasi-orderly manner to stand before them for their nervous casting of a crude hiding of the state of undead.

"No rush, no hurry, make right magicks, slow-rights not quick-wrongs!" I 'commanded' or maybe 'advised' in a 'friendly' tone to the very much rushing through their rituals shamans in their native tongue. It wasn't much I was expecting, but rushing through it wasn't going to help in anyway – it had just to last long enough to make it passed the out guards after all, but stupidity would ruin even that brief chance. The more distractions that could be laid upon our foes the better, and if we could just cause chaos within the defenders as these goblins raided then all the better. Dismounting, as Shandy held the reins of my horse, I strode over after a few moments and inspected the crude glamour; it'd do I supposed, smell was hidden and they looked mostly alive I thought to myself with a grunt.

I hummed, cheerfully as Doctor Ned did though for me it was to hide the unease and discomfort at Skulltrap's creation, as I cut the spell in to the skull of the middle walking corpse as behind me the little terrors soaked the other bodies in oil and the other combustible materials that had been in the wagon with them till now. It could be waste of a spell, but it was worth a try as I chanted softly the last words of the ritual...though holding off on the final activation till I had our undead marching group moving towards the enemy camp. Any living person coming within range of the trap would set the damn thing off, even me, so Mister Super-Goblin Zombie got to be in the centre of the 'returning warband' turned not-so-smart mobile bomb.

"And there we go! Onwards my brave zombies! Go forth and do you your duty; For King and Country!" I announced calmly moving to remount my horse as the goblin reserve 'leadership' hovered nearby as their warriors moved forward with their chieftains for the raid on either flank of the valley. Crude plan, but the ground wasn't a disaster and between my crude ghost scouting and their physical version they had a good idea of where the weakest areas of the defence were. Not that that I expected much, or a very long fight, but it should give me and my dynamic duo time to get into the mines beneath ruins and grab the magic gold glowey thing and other treasures there the Boss wanted taken in hand. It was blood unnerving trying to get near...whatever...was down there.

"You are quite mad spirit"

I shrugged in reply to warrior woman's sigh "It's the world that's crazy so leave me my amusements in this rather depressing mortal coil, since I can't taste good food. Nor drink strong ale. And that makes me sad, that and we've a underground ruin to attack, stuff to steal, and a Illithid abomination in the way potentially. Oh, and our noble goblin allies here are halping too of course...so let's get down to business ladies shall we?"

"Aye, and about time..." I heard muttered back by our team fighter as we three horse-riders began to trot towards battle as I focus on marching my band of shamblers towards the main 'gate' of the enemy encampment over the ridge. Or big hole in wall turned into a 'gate' by our enemies; not a bad plan, but they weren't as disciplined as they needed to be too keep their encampment fully guarded. Then again till a certain magic using spirit possessing a dead elf came along these Dekanter super-goblins were seemingly on constant attack to the neighbours rather than playing defensive like my own clan had done in the valley. So their lack of patrols around their stronghold could be explained by that, as well as the fact that the returning band was seemingly only getting the barest of waves from the guards standing by the 'gate' walls...

I frowned at that – the fighting erupted further inside the camp than I'd expected as nobody stopped my shamblers till they were passed the entrance. Then they exploded in a blaze of flame against the darkness of the starlit night sky as the Mister Skulltrap was approached by a goblin within, triggering the ward, which then turned my zombies into burning, and loudly exploding, torches further in the camp than I'd expect. Good in that it had set things on fire, like huts and tents of the enemy, but the plan had been to draw the guards to that part of the camp.

'Oh well, what can do, work with what we've got' I grumbled mentally drawing as my companions drew their blades, and the goblin raiders began their approach to the ruins from the flanks of the explosion. Screams, shouts, and war-cries filled the night air now as the enemy came awake and those on guard were drawn towards the now on fire part of the camp. I calmed myself, reaching out and chanting in the direction of those flames and bringing forth the spell Nimmil had taught me as one of her 'old reliables' apparently. Emerging from the darkness of the night where I pointed a dozen humans in the garb of militia and adventurers appeared, pulling back on bows and throwing 'burning torches' into the fires beyond.

'Come on, come you little bastards, can't keep this up all day' I groaned straining to maintain the illusory image as goblin archers, lone ones here and there, began to turn from the flames to 'fight' the silently attacking human enemy. Pulling my hand back, feeling the pressure upon my mind, the 'human warriors' began to fall back slowly while sending arrows, and one sending another 'fireball' to explode into the burning huts amongst the ruins after 'missing' its target. Pull back, pull back, into the rocks, in the rocks, come on...and there we go, release the spell...

The illusion vanished as the fake warriors fell back behind the cover of the rocks and trees of a gully as dozens of roaring human sized goblins charged after them horns down and weapons in their hand. Rushed out, and all clumped up together as I pulled out the scroll I'd prepared and began the incantation just as the goblin skirmishers behind the gully and rocks hit their larger cousins with a volley of arrows and slung stones before scampering backwards themselves. Power manifested again, the scroll pulsing before bursting into ashes as the dark power slammed forward to slam into the ranks of the clearly confused decanter goblins. Horror ripped through their ranks causing more chaos, even as the sounds and flashes of flames emerged from the other sides of the vast ruin indicating the 'real' attacks were underway.

I took a deep 'breath' to steady myself after the casting, waiting, watching, for the best chance to move as the battle now began in all its confused earnestness. Chaos needed to reign within the foes ranks for us to have a chance, and even now the goblins who'd remained near us were now charging into the separated and confused enemies who'd been chasing the small group of 'humans' they'd saw. I drew my blade now, shouting out words to my two companions even as I spurred my horse forward towards our foes; the first enemy dying before he even realised we were amongst them on their flank.

Again my blade flashed amongst the confused goblins, joined now by two other mounted figures as the infantry suffered the fate of all infantry that had broken in the fact of horsemen. Crappy rider that I was it was still dreadfully easy to butcher our way through goblins and then around the side of the walls to another entrance as our 'allies' now charged in that 'gate' before us and towards the slave market. Good for them I figured as my trio charged down another, largely empty former thoroughfare of this ruined city, and towards the entrance closest to our goal...

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