[Krowluc 24]
[Illuskan Camp, Outside of City of Mirabar]
It was a well set up camp Krowluc noted as he secured his sword belt over his gambeson and stepped out of his own tent. Even in the afternoon sun the place was a veritable hive of activity, or perhaps because it was heading towards night in a few hours and the more 'traditional' orcs amongst the great expanse of a horde camp were coming awake. Running his fingers through his hair he yawned glad to see there wasn't a mess needing fixing, and that horses were being rested, and those he'd set guard duty were actually doing their job. One thing he definitely liked about his new bosses; they ran a good war and let him keep good discipline in the ranks.
Striding away from his tent down the grass path between the cluster of impromptu tents and wooden block-structures all laid out in a nice neat formation he nodded back to two of riders as they walked passed. His riders were fully encamped with the rest of the Sparta clan orcs and their non-orcish auxiliaries; the former Uthgardt camp and many of the recently made rafts being converted into wood palisades dividing the horde up. And to help handle the dwarves should they decide that now was the time to try weasel out on the contract they'd made to hire his bosses. It'd be moronic...but people were often like that in this line of work he'd found as he walked towards his Free Company's gnomish illusionists tent.
"Hey Nims, lazing about doing nothing? Not setting a good example ya know" he greeted Nimmil as she sat outside her tent, smoking a pipe with her feet propped up on saddle. She gave a crude gesture with her right in response, and he chuckled as he towered over her tiny robed body "Now, now, dat be unlady like my dear"
"Screw you ya big oafish orc barbarian! Some of us been workin' while others have been sleepin' off their hangovers"
He grinned folding his arms across his chest "Reverse of normal eh? Anyway...you were the one that wanted to get all studyin' and such with our shaman boss and his pet mad necromancer"
"An' Ned's apprentice, can't forget her..." the gnome muttered taking a last puff on her pipe it looked like as she shifted her legs off the saddle and getting ready to stand "...and most importantly what's her face from Mirabar, gettin' ta expand me magical edu-ma-kation I am"
Krowluc snorted "Oh, this is the one the Shaman's fuckin innit? Sacrifice for peace, or a bribe, and whatnot from the lot...for trying and failing stab us in the back last time we did their dirty work?"
"Ah, no reading Dwarven Poetry they says they were. Such an innocent little Mirabaran flower she is"
"Fucked up fuckin' then, shaman and his magical girl attraction, an' don't want to know either way" he rumbled back with amusement "...but good we've got a hostage and their keeping their word"
"Hey, we butched them Utties! They better show us some damned respect!" Nimmil came back puffing herself up to try look serious or something as she stood up to just above his knees "...but, yeah, like miss prissy is delivering the goods looks like; though magic books are my interest. Shaman Karguk's too I think, boy does that orc love his books"
"Aye, heard he set some of his clan-orcs on fire for screwing with'em when he was a whelp or something" he agreed with a shrug "...but you get what you wanted?"
"Indeed I did my good Captain! Got to copy over one or two useful spells into my spellbook, levelin' this Dread Gnome is me simple fighter of a companion"
"Uh-huh, now you ready to move and do your job as Treasurer of our little band of murderous idiots?"
"Aye-aye Capn! Getting out the boring book instead of my super awesome one of magical doom"
He sighed as they started to walk along "Well you can bring the magic one too, but let's keep the magical doom down unless someone gets stupid. We want to buy some horses not start any fights if we can avoid it. More fighting ahead of us looks like to me"
She frowned slinging her satchel across her back as Krowluc too another heavier one and did the same "More word on these other orcs?"
"Supposedly scouts from the Red Axes blundered into some raiding band to the north-west, but nothing solid beyond the usual. Think dwarves trying bribe our bosses to go off and fight them. But, it's not just that, we still fixated on marching on Luskan"
"Emmm...aye, Shaman still focused on it too, and supposedly the Big Bad Orc Horde Boss hisself. Be damned hard fight I reckon to tackle the Host-tower"
He chuckled at that "Not the Guard?"
"Hmph, Luskan Guard couldn't fight it's way of out damned whorehouse, this lot'll butcher them in a fight, walls or no walls"
"True perhaps, let's hope..." he replied as they walked along after being joined by two of his riders to act as guards and hauliers; but moved to give a greeting as an armoured figure came into view and he gestured at Nimmil to behave "...ah. Chieftain Obould, greetings to you brave and mighty warlord"
"Greetings Krowluc the Black Crow..." the big burly northern orc 'Prince' replied back coming to a halt before them along with his aged shaman and a young warrior "...I have spoken to your Chieftain and Shaman and they say you do to...haggle...with the Dwarves of this place?"
'Well, let's go with honesty if the Boss orcs sent him to us' he thought to himself glancing down at Nimmil and then shrugging "Aye, we lost one or two riders, but we're planning on buying some of these captured Uttie horses or any of the ponies either the dwarves or the other clans captured. Want turn our spoils of battle into something help us in the next fight"
Something of a big, sprawling, impromptu market had arisen between the main horde camp and the dwarves city now that the battlefield had been cleared of bodies, and those bodies of their goods. Personally he blamed the Big Bosses on both sides for having their negotiations there, but it should be useful for them now to prepare for the fight ahead by recruiting and getting new mounts as well. Thankfully it was being 'patrolled' somewhat by both sides after the first few bloody altercations, and it meant access to the services of the city even with being largely barred from its walls.
A number of his lot were already over there making use of the fact that booze, gambling, and whores were available there. Bareyaras and Kyras apparently having gone off with the other disaster Egar to 'complete the heroic quest to bang a bearded dwarf lady' as they'd put it. Hopefully the drunken idiocy would be gotten out of their system once their coin ran out, but from the looks of it he'd have a few ten-days here before they were on the march again. The usual nonsense of the mercenary life for most he'd worked with; work hard, kill enemies, then piss away your hard fought coin like it was burning a hole in your coin-purse.
"Good, yes, good, much fighting to come" the powerfully built orc replied nodding "...I wish to do the same, but do not normally deal with such, not with others. Your shaman suggested I talk to you and yours to trade loot with them"
Krowluc nodded, nodding down at Nimmil "Aye, is why I've Nimmil here talk coin with'em, unless we're dealing with kobolds of course. Dwarves, and Elves, and Humans...well they trade better with her and their own kind than Orcs and Uthgardt, always try screw us on the barter I find, right Nims?"
'There might also be the possibility of the new ruler of the Sky Ponies giving over some useful information on how the other clans were thinking' he reminded himself as his tiny wizard nodded "Aye Boss, somethings you'll get more with a smile than a scowl. That and the stupid bastards think cuz I'm short I'm stupid or afraid of them or something stupid"
The big orc stared down at the colourfully robed gnome a moment before nodding "Hmmm, acceptable then"
"May I ask what you seek Chieftain?"
"Aye Black Crow, we seek armour for our Uthgardt warriors, much was taken in battle, and I desire armour of mithral for myself since we stand at such a place as this"
Krowluc nodded, then shrugged "The first should be little trouble, goblins and kobolds raided the bodies pretty fast so there's lots light, and some medium, weight stuff floating around taken from the bodies. I'd recommend the Mirabaran stuff like the gambesons and chainmail though...better quality than most of the junk the Uthgardt tribes call armour. As to the second...well, I'd say you'll have better luck demanding some in the negotiations than in the market, or even in the city"
"Hmm...you perhaps speak truth, but armour or a weapon of mithral would be worth much in battle"
"Of course Chieftain, that I cannot disagree with, getting it from the greedy hands of a dwarf is where the problem will lay I expect. Are we to march soon may I ask?"
The big orc warlord shook his head "It is not decided yet, but not for a time as many listen to the words of the Ancient One, and too your clan's shaman, to let the other folk gather the summer harvests and prepare for our next glorious battles..."
--
When: Won a Battle in the Summer of 57'
Where: Encamped outside Mirabar
Slept a time; Now we've got encamped, and fortified, just north-east of Mirabar proper we can get down to business; of both the diplomatic and trade variety. Even wrecked and {till recently} besieged, and short on food I'd suspect, a city has far more to offer than any of your traditional orcish strongholds or the magical village of Longsaddle. Also; there is the glorious matter of us getting paid, and of course reequipping for our next move strategically; or how to get to, and take, Luskan without dying. Oh, and we've got the Uthgardt who fled to keep watch for in case they get a case of suicidal aggressiveness, and what appears to be an orcish horde coming down from the Spine potentially.
Though as we've told our *dear* Mirabar friends; they paid us to drive off the Uthgardt, and driven off the Uthgardt, so technically we've delivered on our end so march on Luskan time. Considering their stabbing us in the bloody back – or what they call attacking us when we crushed Wyrmog as the deal was technically over at that stage. Technically true, and we're technically not obliged to save their damned city a second time from people we didn't say nothing about fighting. They may think we're stupid orcs but we can rules lawyer our own loopholes too; at least if the whole thing stays calm and no one tries to break magical given blood oaths and such.
For now though mine and Rose's and Zah's has been the fun-fun job of herding victorious warriors into digging latrines and fortifying camps; all while not starting a fight with our racial enemies. Not unless they start side fight first anyway. Winning the battle was less stressful even than the happy thoughts that come from watching from betrayal from within, {and inter-clan politics} all while having to watch the dwarves and humans with their so-called civilized ways. That I've found is usually a matter of perspective and relative strength of both sides negotiating position; real politick is hard work let me tell you.
Oh, we've got Team Emo Drow and Grumpy the Dwarf King here in the same place as Obould, Future Chosen of Grummy the Survivalist and conqueror of lots of dudes. And a pile of other more-powerful-than-me people running about – see? This is the part that comes up when I don't have to think and focus on the more immediate dangers like Uthgardt hordes and keeping our own horde marching along without chaos. Oh, and did I forget to mention Shandy, whose my little study buddy and minion, and Tana the Secret Princess; because yeah, easy forget that and the whole headaches or weird ass dreams I occasionally get since the whole Shrouded Lord spirit travel bullshit.
Anywho, need to stop stressing myself. Off to threaten some idiots in case they might cause some trouble when they go drinking and whoring nearby. Slán.
--
When: 1357 Dale Reckoning, Summer Time, it's warm and sunny
Where: Illuskan Camp Mirabar
I've set up shop in someone's burnt out farmhouse. Well, it's not so burnt out as crudely rebuilt now, so when have the courage to return I'm sure the actual owners will happier to get a building with a roof and fireplace instead of no roof and burnt furniture and damaged stone walls. Rose has certainly set about decorating it beyond being somewhere I sleep and read my books, and she's persuaded me to 'civilize' it from its rather Spartan setup. Heh, maybe it's a clan thing. Anyway, it's now with an actual bed and chairs and a table to study at, and more importantly making writing easier like I'm doing now. Yes Rose, you've done a great job thank you very much.
So, that done, I've gotten down to meeting with Darth Phargk, Zah, and the various Chiefs and other Shamans for the usual politicking. That and acting as go-between/enforcer for our dark overlord with several of them, and the groundwork talks with our friends digging in behind the city walls. Usual crap needed when we encamp in such large numbers for an extended period of time; got gladiatorial games up and running, healing tents, and my Red Branch Knights and inter-clan 'Lawbringers' running interference between feuding clans. That and 'processing' the slaves taken from the capture of the Uthgardter camp, along divvying up the loot they assembled there and the Griffon Tribe didn't make off with. A battle won is rarely pleasant, the worse type is a battle lost basically.
Got to go now it seems; negotiations with happy sunshine folks to do, or at least that's what my dear daughter keeps reminding me.
--
When: Another Sunny Summer Day
Where: Karguk & Rose's House, Illuskan Camp Mirabar {I made a sign even!}
Being studying magic and discussing obscure dwarven literature with Shrouda Stargleam. Whatever the others want I've started getting my price for being super bestie friends with the traitorous feckers of this city thanks to King Grumpy Beard of Mithril Hall. All the books be mine now! Muwhahahaha!
Or, well, most of the books – basically whatever a books savage frontier city-state has available to hand over after a long dreary barbarian siege. That and our unhappy wizard to teach me and my minions all her own magical secrets, and helping expand my spell-books repertoire in association with other team not-orc wizards like Doctor Ned, Nimmil the supposed Dread Gnome, Sunshine Sydney, and my technically an orc quasi-apprentice Shandy. This is letting create an heir and a spare in relation to my spell-book potential, and that allows greater scroll scribing to supply my Battlestaves with their paper magic murder weapons.
So I'm making friendly with our temporary neighbours across the river, much as it annoys me. Phargk wants to hang around a time. So does Zah and Jernak of the Moonblades. Obould too, wants to buy armour and a sword or some such, though I doubt he'll get the mithril version he wants. Partially we want to extort, yeah I use politer words with the dwarves but it is extort basically, more stuff out of them to deal with the big band of raiders building up north. Then because it lets us weld newer clans, and our new mercenary 'allies' like the giants and human mercenaries, into one true fighting Legion; and for his Emperor-ness it allows more time to solidify control before the next big fight.
But, again, the most important thing is I have, and will have, my new Library to read and send home at some stage. All along with a new quasi-teacher to learn all they know from. Yes Doctor Ned is a far better teacher, but even Shrouda Stargleam has spells he doesn't have exact copies off due to magic being more a craft or art form on Faerun than an organised profession. Giving access to her a spell-book, a massive give for her by the way, helps build cred with my non-orc wizardly minions even if Ned's been large Orc Ned these past months. Apparently Orc Ned is Best Ned or something like that. Books, books, books, it is fantastic, and Shrouda will serve as a hostage of sorts once we depart so no stabbing in the back moments mid-battle from her happy friendly people.
Sadly I'm not getting all the time read my blessed new additions, and mine and Rose's house is starting to resemble a student's from my past life, but I'll get there! Knowledge shall be mine!
--
When: Summer's Night, 1357 DR, raining for a relief
Where: Karguk & Rose's House, Field Headquarters of the Legion, yadda, yadda
Qilue Veladorn visited shortly after I returned from a big meeting of the clans. Not much to say about that beyond it was the usual 'gimme, gimme, gimme' from the minor chiefs and 'do as I say or die' from his Darthness and the likes of myself. Still, training is going on, and foraging too, so full bellies, gambling, prostitutes, and booze is keeping everyone very happy in the post victory glow. Of course there has been death, part of Qilue's visit being a few dead idiots after all, but not as much as at the start of this campaign.
Slavery of course being the primary reason; usual really. Honestly it's a variation of the standard nature of abolitionist in a slaver society, but we cut a deal with her and her lot getting a share of the 'loot' in the form of slaves. Which they've promptly freed on the clear not that they, she, are responsible for said Uthgardt women and girls – because they could cause trouble, because one or two have killed their orcish captors just as the reserve would be the case. No major issue with her beyond that as while she's not overly happy with the Auxiliary slave legion she understands the nature of it, maybe as a trial run for Menzo-murder-land that she wishes to take at some stake for the Darksong Knight?
--
When: 1357 Dale Reckoning, Summer's Night after Meeting
Where: Karguk & Rose's House of course
Shrouda's just left for her city, my lads escorting her back, and it was productive thankfully. Both in the magical sense, as well as getting Darth Phargk more of what he wants – a shiny mithril sword. Decorated with images of screaming naked elves at that; - though I don't see dwarves complaining over much about that detail. Least I'll get to see his evilness's, likely horrifying, method of enchanting said weapon.
Personally I'd have thought he'd want a crown, but no he's happy with his simple one and wants a better stabbing tool apparently. Fine by me, I got me books and more magic. Important as, well, I think my golden magic absorbed thing is acting up. In a good way because I've gotten the great new spells of Choke and Mage Armour down without much effort. Now I'll admit Mage Armour and Ilneval's Armour seem more variations of a similar concept save using Divine Energy for one, and Arcane for the first, but it's still a big jump usually.
It's something I've been working on; utilising my powers as granted by the Boss and then the ones powered by the Weave. Some it feels almost instinctive now, but I holding back and being careful because mistakes led to Harpell situations, and that can lead to death. Which would be bad obviously, so best avoided. It's a less than ideal way of learning, but I'm getting an education in the darker aspects of the divine from Darth Phargk, and 'tips' from Doctor Ned – honestly the sooner this fighting is over, with us winning, and I can sit down and actually advance my spell-work properly, the better. Gods walk the earth soon after the winter ends after all now don't they?
--
When: Another day in 1357 DR
Where: Karguk & Rose's House
Met with King Bruenor, hammered out a deal, of sorts, and we're to kill some savages from the Spine of the World. Suits us, as it looks like it's more a mass of raiding clans exploiting the chaos than a true horde seeing conquest – so far it's been large sized raiding bands appearing west and north of here. Basically the area we'll have to march through anyway, so it's in our interests to deal with it, and now we'll get paid for in good quality arms and armour. Our clan, the Moonblades, the 'Royal Guard' and clan of our King o'Kings, the Red Axes, and then a selection of the other clan 'Kings' such as Obould, get plate and such actual masterwork level steel weapons.
Funny thing is Mirabar appears to be recovering swiftly, and I don't mean the walls being repaired or the magical defences being strengthened. No, there's trade for them, even if it's us orcs and our 'evil minions' the goblins and kobolds. Funnily enough Qilue's Drow are struggling worse than them, Emo Drow Ranger seems to get a pass due to King Grumpy, but she and her priestesses are barely tolerated and not let in the city. Go figure, but they do get about the large market place that seems to have developed around the meeting spot between us orcs and the Mirabarans.
More area to patrol, but thankfully our camp, the Red Axes, and the Sky Ponies are between the city and the more, in-training, clans of our horde. Gives us some element of control over the Wild West boom village that's arisen thanks to greedy dwarves and capitalism lizards; fun times. Now, it's time for me to go sleep. I've more meetings tomorrow, and then soon we'll be back on the trail to fight and kill. Harvest is starting to come in, and then we'll be able to sustain a full on campaign down the river to fight Luskan.
--
[Karguk 78]
[Illuskan Legion Encampment, North-East of Mirabar]
The moon was full in the clear summer sky, stars twinkling around it on the beautiful black canvass as I listened to the rumble of the drums over the shouting and drunken singing. Sadly no being drunk for me, but mixing magic and drinks that impaired mental faculties was rarely the best of ideas; instead I'd opted for an 'intelligence and wisdom' boosting combination to deal with thinks. Rituals were sort of my thing after all, and praising the Gods and celebrating our 'glorious' victory were just another step in that as well as a show of power for...everyone really.
'Politics both foreign and domestic' I thought to myself feeling the faint pulse of magic in the air. Nothing like one of my long planned Midwinter Rituals, but it certainly made up for it by concentrated numbers and 'positive thoughts' from the ranks; even the Gods-slaves were happily enthusiastic in their own creepy way. For me though it meant ensuring we guards actually on duty, and we didn't get surprised mid or post ritual/feast with an attack of physical or magical nature. Or both potentially, one always had to watch out for combined arms attacks from our foes after all. Still, all that aside, I smiled at Rose who was cleaned up and wear her 'surcoat of office' as Priestess of Chauntea over her armour rather than just the robes her grandmother favoured; she'd even gotten her acolytes into the Battle Cleric mould.
"All set?"
Rose gave a huff, then a small pout at me "Are you teasing me?"
I chuckled "No, I'm just asking, these things are alot of work aren't they?"
She sighed, perhaps groaned maybe "Yeah, thank you for your help Papa. It was weird without Grandma..."
"You did good Rose, they want your blessing and you worked out a few contingencies if there's problems...it'll go fine, don't worry"
"As if your not worried Papa!"
"Heh, heh, oh I'm less worried than moderately stressed. Not different than usual, just remember not to show it; calm, confident..."
She nodded "Commanding, yep, got it Papa. Even when you don't have a clue"
I grinned back "Especially when you don't have a clue...now off you go my little leg breaker, sooner it's done sooner we can that drink you wanted. Best Mirbaran, non-poisoned, brandy and ales to drink"
A fist to heart salute came back as she walked away "Oh course, and then I'm getting drunk just to let you know"
"Heh, see, I'll be making a proper savage lands cleric of you yet!" I called out as she walked off, two of the auxlia from her village falling in on either side as her guards while her nervous acolytes followed along like a gaggle of baby ducks after their mother.
"Sure, Papa, sure, whatever you say!" I heard back as I glanced to my side and motioned over Tanalasta with her fake name over to me as we moved off direction of the unlit bonfires. Alusair the Secret Princess was a weird combination of unhappy and delighted as Hresghk allowed her past him to walk alongside me as my force of Red Branch Knights moved along as a group. Well, the current ones and our two soon to be new additions to the ranks and users of my last few paladins swords...unless I gave up my own one at least. Which I didn't plan on at the moment, least not unless I was getting a better one in return; I liked my holy fire sword, and it certainly helped in combination with certain spells.
"Now Tana, had your think about all of this?"
Gruff, stoic, snort at that "Do I have a choice"
"You do, the Cunning Warrior advises you in your dreams you say, and you have quested and proved yourself...so there is no doubt you are worthy of this responsibility. Am I not right Hreshgk, lads?"
The other Red Branch Knights gave a generalised rumble of ascent as Hreshgk spoke "Aye Boss, she can outfight most like no female should be able too, and has won honour in blood spilled. The Cunning Warrior has truly blessed her as she claims"
I thumbed my hand back at my subordinated "What he said...so you've earned the job, but last chance to back out like I offered the other two. This isn't a job all about the glory and loot. Hard work, hard killing, and dealing with plenty of stupid evil idjits who need a good killin"
Hreshgk snorted "Aye, Boss is right there female, far too many of'em no matter how many we deal with"
I nodded "E~yup, dealing with the dumbest of the dumb sometimes, and then having to keep the peace and ride herd on others. So, last chance to back out"
"I shan't turn from this task, I..." she frowned, then shaking her head almost in surprise "...shall serve, a time at least. Not because y...our God commands it, but it is a better role than I had expected when...sent upon my quest with my sister"
"Good...good, just remember the shiny magical murder sword of holy fiery death you'll be getting makes up for some of it"
Heshgk snorted "Aye, some nights at least"
I shrugged "What can do, but you..." I looked back at the other two new recruits who'd passed the tests "...Launth and Urrigath best live up to expectations. This is not a role to take up lightly understood?"
"Yes Lord/Yes Lord/Of course Shaman"
"Good, now you three await your orders to come forward and let me get this ritual started, our Emperor is coming into view and does not tolerate disturbances I've found" I instructed calmly striding forward as confidently as my instincts and alchemy allowed through the parting crowd of warriors. All very theocratic, but that was something of the nature of Illusk;- an odd amalgamation of theocracy, military meritocracy, and tribal blood rights with education and magic thrown in too greater or lesser degrees for good measure. Literacy would hopefully help in the long run, but right now the Priesthood and Military offered pretty much the only way for 'advancement' beyond 'loot, burn, kill' of traditional hordes.
The Gods-slaves were sitting, playing a game of knuckbone dice between themselves till they same me come into view and they rose to stand, ending their brief game and placing whatever it was into the robes of one of their number where they lay on the ground nearby. The guards I placed parted and bowed as I passed them, motioning at the six 'sisters' to come over towards me, the tattoos and runes almost shimmering darkly on their pale naked flesh. Silver-hair had killed during the fight with the Luskans...her desire and the Boss's orders at work, and she was smile serenely as she came to bow before as the 'leader' of the little group. Shandy at least wasn't here...one best not risk having the magical Silverfire agent too close when attempting to boost rituals like I...Pharghk as well in differing ways...was planning.
"My Emperor..." I stated with a bow, one hand on my sword hilt as the other 'added' to the half-bow to my superior in the Horde. I may be the de-facto High Priest of Ilneval within the Horde but Grummshs servants, in this dangerous old orc's form, outranked me even if the Priests and Priestesses of the other Gods were below the second place standing my priesthood had eked out "...all is prepared, and our defences are ready should our...allies... or enemies that might lurk in ambush think to try take advantage of the situation"
"You have done well My Apprentice..." he rumbled back from his impromptu throne as I bowed, eyes gazing out at the assembled warriors, or maybe the unlit bonfires of captured enemy standards and armour...or the city beyond. It was always hard to hell I find as he sat holding the Black Staff of the Gods in his lap, the silver gleaming in the starlight as the night black wood seemed to almost eat the light into almost invisibility in the dark of the night "...now, let us present our sacrifice and praise the Gods. Your minions do the same for their lesser ones?"
"Yes my Emperor, I have sent my daughter to keep control of them and offer those blessings as we praise our true Gods so all will fight better when the next battles come"
"The Priestesses of the Ice Maiden, and the Drowish female?"
"Performing their own, small, rituals as discussed with the auxlia..." I answered calmly turning to gaze out at the assembled mob of armed orcs. The kobolds and goblins were doing the same within the Spartan section at least, and the Moonblades too as best I understood. Instead I gestured at the ritual circles and bonfires, and six magical girls now kneeling behind my escort "...and the ritual materials and tools are prepared and await your presence my Emperor"
He nodded, then moved to stand using the powerful magical artefact as a walking stick for the fake weakness he display to attract the foolish and unwary to act against him. I fell in at his right side as he straightened, descending the stage but raising his hands and staff into the air, voice booming as he called attention to his self as I waited silently. The priests and priestess serving the other Gods of the pantheon did likewise; falling in around me to either side of the High Priest of Gruumsh as the six Gods-slaves dropped their knees I felt the power in the air manifest. With a glance and a nod from our horde's leader I brought my hands up into the air, soft, silent, words exiting my mouth as gestures moved through the warm night's air...
...like cracking ice or radio static the air crackled and buzzed as lines of bright colours crossed into mystic sigils...
...and performed my immediate part in the ritual. The Black Staff rose, power flowed around me, and the ritual circle upon the bloody soaked earth shimmered in the sky above us like a reflection in water. Glowing in crimson, sigils and runes humming, I joined my power with that of the priests and priestess of the other Gods in attendance...
...bonfires erupted in green flame, then crimson, then black, the world crackling...
...with a gesture my three new Red Branch Knights came before me...us...and knelt, blades in hand as power and blessing screamed silent and hidden in the night air. My head ached, eyes burning gold as I drew upon my power and the power of Ilneval, God of War, hammered in my veins. I drew power...Divine and Arcane...and joined it with the Black Staff and Gods-slaves through the focal point. There was only the pulse of magic, the steady but hammering fast drumbeat of power, and all was ignited and basked in the power of the Gods as we offered praise to their names as blood flowed and screams of joy, pain, and fear filled the air as blood spilled from slain enemies...
--
[Kar...Kar...Karg...T...Th...The Shrouded Lord 02]
[Ritual of Bloody Victory yet Coming War]
I frowned as the headache came, and then passed as I allowed myself to take in the power as the ritual's magic ignited like a shimmering corona despite being invisible to the naked eye. My hands moved through the intricate gestures, moving the arcane energies of the Weave even as I felt the descending power of the Divine upon us...
...reality was a matter of senses to greater and lesser degrees. Augmented reality this was perhaps, the senses expanding in this frail mortal form, the soul's sudden gleaming brightness hidden by flesh and obscured by shadows of power. Power, of whatever manner of magic, hummed inside as One was Awoken for a time in the strength of one's gifts. Time, as ever, was brief and always seeming to be running out as magic filling the air flowed and weaved around us, buzzing, humming, burning in the now bright and colourful night air. Some part spoke of the music of the night, and another the colours of magic; for now reality shivered and beat with strange mirrors and lights of the soul...
...yes, there it was, and I submerged myself in the power, drawing through the door that came unlocked for an instant amidst the beating of the drums. The sigils and runes formed amidst the crimson and gold tinged circles reflected upon the sky as if on a rippling lake...
...with the Blood Red Emperor-Priest at its heart. Invisible blood soaked the blazing inferno of crimson and black that was his soul, the Staff a beacon in his hands as he held it aloft; War, Evil, Healing...reflected flashes of screams and horror. One's power joined his, and then to the others; the servant of the Brute first, firm in Faith but lacking in Strength or Knowledge.
Subtlety was not naturally the skill of that deity's servants, so there was no danger there as power was carefully nudged and led, nor were the others, only the Blood Red Terror was so, but He Too wished power. One merely obliged and aided, while taking one's own share of the whole. The Beacon burned with the blessings of the God's as one watched the offerings ignite, disappear, shimmer-bright, and be claimed as offerings given...
...and there went reality breaking, crackling, and looping around me again. Strange to be so eerily calm about it, but wonders of magic and alchemy I found as the bonfire were lit and...*static*...WAKEY WAKEY...*static*...drunken chanting filled the air as thousands knelt before their Gods. Power surged, blessings granted, as the unholy was purged and locked away for later use within the chosen vessel...
...one's gaze turning upon the kneeling knights, the blessed and cursed amongst the three immediately at the fore blurring orc, then human, then orc, then human as one strode towards the three. Souls burned in the flames of Order and Law, three weapons awaiting owners eagerly awaiting their time, revelling in Good and Light and Law against the beating pressure of Darkness and Evil.
The first drew into my hand, shining and burning white and hot as words came from lips, asking for oaths, and ears hearing them sworn in reply. Moments, eons, later the first took the blade as the light shone about him as it did the others who had sworn and earned these blades before. Faint, and muffled, but enough as one repeated the words and saw with...
...Urric accepted his blade as the ritual within a ritual continued, the sky...sky...sky...*static...
...I gazed up at the city floating by in the sky. Spiel, of the various enclaves of the Empire, had long been the greatest of the Netherese centres of learning and it was a glorious sight on such a clear summers day's here in the mountains. Wait...that doesn't make se...se...se...sense...*static*...
...I nodded to the Secret Princess, the Steel in her Soul a glowing and steady pulse as Alusair...as Tanalasta swore her others to me, and to...to...to...*static*...
/Warning: Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread/
...the Golden Skins of the World Serpent were a wonder beyond wonder created by the Ba'etith. The wise and powerful of Oreme, greatest city of Issotosseffifil...no of the World...bowed down in acknowledgment of this great achievement. They...they...they...*static* it is .incomplete...incompleteincompleteincompleteincomplete *static*...
/Must be made Whole/
"You ask much let little my servant. Not power but memory and knowledge? True, power given here could not be hidden. Time is running out though, win or lose, live or die. Make your choice, but it will not be enough. Survive and find what you need, this will have to do in the here and now"
...Phargk nodded and I joined my power with his and the others High Priests of our Legion, the Gods-slaves hovered in the air like puppets, naked bodies shining and glowing as the runes that...*static*...DOYOUNOTSEEEDOYOUNOTSEEEDOYOUNOSEE...*static*...eyes aflame, each a different colour as if a bizarre rainbow circle of sorts reflected upon the...the...the...sk...sk...sky...*static*...
[...he watched as their Lord made a deal with the one called Araushnee. It was a good deal, at least what was on offer, and he found himself agreeing though no request had been made for his opinion. But he would 'offer' it nonetheless, he was as strong as rival and the son was too stupid to understand such a slight unless told by his father. Something his rival would not do, not to run the risk for such a small thing. Of course there were other reasons beyond gaining what was rightfully theirs...such as leaders often fell in battle, and then perhaps they would have need of a New Lord?...*static*...]
...one had to be careful, drawing upon the pulse of magic. Quite the show for the neighbours one expected, a statement of intent at that. Respect was earned...Respect was Earned...RespectwasearnedRepectwasearned...*static*...
...plain; I am the word of knowledge; I am the head of the spear in battle; I am the god that puts fire in the head; Who spreads the light in...
/Copy and Paste, Edit Adjust in Progress/
...clapping together. Our enemy would make heavy use of magic, and necromancy...*static*...
{... Necromancy is a school of magic whose spells manipulate the power of death, unlife, and the life force.[1] A wizard who specialized in the necromantic school was called a necromancer.[2]
Spells involving the undead make up...}
...*static*...in particular, and contingencies against such were best taken. Phargk, old dangerous shaman of many a pevious horde agreed with that, and as much as one would like to trust our allies...well, it was always best to have your own prepared contingencies and plans should they fail or betray you. I...I...I...I...*static*...
...One was being somewhat overloaded by the feedback of being Awoken. But one was still functional, the body strong and healthy as the mind and soul sorted itself out. Fragments and simulations and magic shuddering invisibly as they were made whole, for a time, and golden eyes saw into the depths of souls. The Blood Red Emperor was aware, to some small degree, his burning crimson glowing in amusement and rage and joy at the golden ones that looked back impassively yet burning with one's own power...
static*
/Memory or Simulated Fabrication of a Known Fact?/
static*
...the power of the Gods made manifest for their worshippers; the injured healed and any undead that might have lingered destroyed at the pulses and flashes of divine magic. Will was strengthened, faith buttressed and bolstered so that the arcane horrors of our foes would have lesser effect. The Host Tower was a known danger, but a terribly potent one that...
static*
...so that's what a flight of dragons looked like. Utterly terrifying, an unstoppable avalanche that fell upon Viakoo...upon all the cities of the aearee. Surprise was total, the end had come, and the golden scrolls were no protection as fire and claw and magic erupted...
static*
{...erected by the netherese arcanist Melathlar in -354 DR to protect Illusk from phaerimm attack, the effort cost Melathlar his life. Twenty years later, another arcanist, named Maerin, was involved in creating a magical siphoning system that took seawater from the Sea of Swords and transported it via roots 'grown' from the Tower to the burgeoning underground settlement of Gauntlgrym, where elemental magic fuelled by the water kept the primordial Maegera under control...}
static*
/DO YOU NOT SEE?/
static*
...One watched as the Six Slaves of the Gods bowed and growled in spirit happily before their Deity. Their bodies still hovering with eerie light pulsed and spasmed with each beat of the drums as the body raised the blade of blazing Order-Law-Good and spoke words of power. Wanting knowledge was all well and good, of greater spell-casting most particularity, but it appeared one had yet to develop an effective search engine within the mind and soul. Too much, too soon, and hard to con...contr...control...
static*
...could crush those unpre...pr...pr...pre...prepa...
static*
...I think, therefore I am...
schreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee*
"Too the West and North your foes wait, but soon shall come a Fall and the Chaos that follows. One Age Ends and a New Era shall begin. You must be ready my faithful, my foes must die. DieDieDieDieDieDieDie"
aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh*
...the sky-cities fell from the sky, and we screamed as it fell. Magic wouldn't come to our call, why wouldn't it answer? Where was Mystryl, the Scrolls, must...
static*
/THULTANTHAR WILL RETURN AND SHADOWS FLY/
it is such a pleasant day! Look at that sunshine, smell that clear morning air!*
...he gazed at me curiously as chants ended "Rituals truly are a strength yours are they not My Apprentice?"
I shrugged "I'd hope so after the effort I put in..."
Enjoy that Moonlight, Dance beneath the Stars!*
...a city of the mind. One formed it carefully, strengthening what was there, and locking down what needed to be locked down as one spoke to the Blood Red Emperor. Curious...some prayed to One far distant. Well there was little One could do right now beyond answer "Blessings of the Shrouded Lord be Upon You. Trust Not the Zhentarim, but do not underestimate their power..."
static*
shrieking*
{...Brotherhood became the true rulers of the city, now known as Luskan, and based some of their organization's power structure on the architecture of the Tower. However Greeth, having become a lich himself, felt the need, in 1376 DR to break his staff of the magi. The resulting explosion nearly levelled the Tower and killed most of its inhabitants.[5]
By 1479 DR, the Tower was a strange ruin haunted by undead and the locals would not...}
static*
...not overly useful, but what...
static*
/Tick Tock Goes the Clock/
static*
[Cyric Must Die]
static*
...ritual was over at least, though the freakiness and mild headache continued as my guards fell in around me now that our glorious Emperor, Darth Phargk, moved off with his own. Oddly enough I felt refreshed same as all the others present, though Tana looked mildly unnerved by that fact, and of the Gods-slaves falling in around me like some weird escort...*static*...time to rest, the power taken and rest was...*static*...that I and my actual guards dwarfed. Still, they were happy in that creepy way of theirs, so there was that and I headed towards where Rose was to see how her night went...
--
When: Summer, 1357 Dale Reckoning
Where: Karguk & Rose's House, Illuskan Camp, Near Mirabar
Well, headache's gone thank the heavens. After sleeping nearly a full day and night after our merry little ritual I might add. Damned thing took a lot of me it seems, and not surprising considering the visions and the power surges I felt and saw during it. Even now I'm getting odd flashes of images atop people and things, auras and whatnot I'd suspect; learning magic, it's fun and headache inducing at times. Meditation has helped, as always, so I've just come out of down that after praying to the Boss Orc for my spells. Well, the Divine empowered ones anyway as I'd been scribbling in my spell-book shortly after the ritual so my Arcane ones took the 'study and sleep on' route.
The positives are that morale is high, discipline has been (mostly) kept for an orcish horde sitting near a dwarven city, and we've largely gotten the terms we demanded. Partly because we just gave a show of force, and that bumps up our 'price' for mercenary work. Also, because we just gave a show of force and they'd very much like us to go somewhere that isn't Mirabar; preferable where the enemy is and can be killed by us, for them. I've got my books, paper, and ingredients so I'm a happy camper at least – as are most of our chieftains for getting shiny mithril weapons, or gold, or really whatever struck their fancy. So we're to match westward, against Luskan, and if needed by ready to turn to face the Orcish horde somewhere north-west of here.
Now comes the hard part of course; marching on the city the Host Tower calls home. Yes we've got our wizard helpers the Harpells [in theory, and yes we've got our ambassador/ally [hostage] from Mirabar, but this still going to be hard. Ridiculously and deadly hard; and if all goes to pot ensure my clan survives reasonably intact from any disaster. Even if I don't if we do I expect. So my next few days are going to be fairly busy getting ready to herd this bunch of angry murderous cats across the distance between here and the sea. I've already been organising supplies with the Clerics of the White Hand, and whatever else we can arrange from Mirabar and the surrounding lands.
On that note; numbers have grown, non-orc numbers. Mercenaries and murder-hobos who came up with King Grumpy's expedition have, well not technically changed sides, but they are marching with us now. Largely because looting Luskan is on the table and we've got enough non-orcs in our horde to convince the greedy feckers that it could be a profitable thing to fight with us. They shall make excellent cannon fodder I expect in the days to come if one has to choose between my troops and theirs. So now we a mighty horde of pretty much all the 'evil' races from gnolls, kobolds, goblins, giants, and happy friendly sunshine people like Aurilite priestesses, mad wizards, dread necromancers, and of course the murder-hobos. Truly, we are become the forces of darkness.
Anyway, those thoughts aside, I've taken time to study with Rose and her band of acolytes. Good sorts, need a bit of toughening up in a one or two cases so I've put them in spars against a few of my more reliable acolytes to do just that. Have to be careful there, so it's my intelligent and reliable ones; I don't want the girls harmed or discourage too much, but I do not need to ensure they stay alive and don't panic in a fight. While I'm not investing in armouring them like Rose, I've arranged so that she can armour them up in good medium or heavy armour with good shields and blessed steel weapons; silvered daggers too, just in case.
So that's the news for now, freaky visions, food supplies, training minions, and dealing with Darth Phargk in short. Because it is time for my training with his Imperial majesty; always fun those sessions are, a combination of politicking and dreadful, horrifying, blood magics and such. I'm learning, isn't that just great?
--
When: Summer, 1357 Dale Reckoning
Where: Karguk & Rose's House, Illuskan Camp, Near Mirabar
Some skirmishing with orcs from the Spine north-west of here; still no sign of them moving in force though despite what we thought we knew earlier. No matter, we'll be taking the southern flank of the river when we move so we don't get hit by a surprise attack. It also puts us closer to our 'supply lines' of sorts from the mountains and our strongholds, which is a positive in my mind. The Emperor's too, as we begin our march in a ten-day or so.
Shrouda Stargleam is whining a little, but she'll get used to roughing it on the roads. Hopefully, because it'll be annoying otherwise, but it doesn't matter as she's proven herself as a capable mage even if very wary of our good Doctor Ned. Understandable really, and she certainly doesn't like Sydney, though that's unfair as Sydney's personality has gotten a lot more genuine and personable after her few months of a horror show and conga line of humiliation. Go figure. But she and Ned have been mine and Shandy's study buddies today, and it's been fruitful to say the least. Clarification on certain things that'd popped into my mind after the ritual; though I really need to speak to Missy about it.
I hope she's okay, and the baby born safe and unharmed. I've been putting the thoughts out of my mind, too much focus on events in the immediate term. Though I'm still glad she and the others aren't here, even as I miss them. All I managed to get from recent riders was the valley was safe, beyond a few wannabe raiders as was usual this time of year. Everything is fine really doesn't tell me a whole lot really. And soon my mind will be back to more mundane and darker things as we move. Even now I have to think on buying things, and ensuring we've enough scrolls for instance for my Battlestaves, or healing potions for after the fight.
Right, I'm going sit down with Rose and play a game of crude-made-up chess. Slán.
--
When: Summer, 1357 DR
Where: Karguk & Rose's House, Illuskan Camp
I'm going to miss place oddly enough. Just as I'd gotten it decorated to my tastes I have to leave it and hit the road. Our vanguard has started crossing the river heading towards Milturn and the Blackford road. From there we'll move westward along the north bank of the Mirar till we hit the bend, where there's a ford, and we'll cross and continue the advance – hugging the edge of the Crags as we go.
Now we've told the Mirbarans we're taking the northern route along the Blackford road, but we'll tell them different once we've changed directions and it's less likely there's an ambush arranged for us. Perhaps I'm just being overly distrustful, since we've members of the Harpell family and one their own Council with us, but better safe than sorry I figure.
Our main strategy for dealing with the Luskans, or the Host Tower at least, is via the means of our allied wizards. Along with a back-up strategy utilising Doctor Ned, some necromancy, and explosions. I'd mentioned we have another contingency prepared thanks to the ritual, but that's rather a reserve I'd rather not mention to our erstwhile allies, nor the Shandy fall back should it arise. Whatever the case we're pretty confident we can take a Luskan army in the field, or in a siege, and that the true danger lies in the wizardry and magic of the Liches of the tower.
May the Gods grant us victory, and let us strike our enemy before they do so to us.
--
When: Late Summer, 1357 DR
Where: Along the banks of the Mirar, West of Mirabar
Lands out here are either abandoned, in chaos, or people are forted up. Less to forage than we'd planned, but I'd brought plenty of supplies to ensure that wouldn't be an issue. Cracked down hard on a few idiots trying to fight over food, it's a full time job keeping order amongst this lot, and I'm letting Zah handle the strategy and dealing with the other chieftains on the march. The 'fun parts' anyway, as I'm dealing with them regularly enough, just in the role of moving up and down the line keeping order, and stopping raids against settlements.
We want to rule these lands, and burning down every farmhouse and village come across is a big No-No as agreed between myself, Phargk, Zah, and the various chiefs. Not that it's been a huge problem so far, as most of the ones close to Mirabar have been burnt down for months thanks to Luskan, and those that weren't are largely abandoned. Sensible people that. Once we cross the river we're into wilder lands, nearer our own, and then we'll move through the northern edge of the Neverwinter Woods. Shrouda is very confused by our course change, but that's not a major concern right now.
I will say; giants make making bridges easier. Even if they are the crude if solid ones we've gotten surprisingly good at making. More whining from the newer clans over this, but a few heads on spikes and they got with the programme fairly rapidly. We've encamped here, gathering the horde and leaving a small 'garrison' here to warn of any savages coming down from the Spine, and to serve as a blocking force for this new crossing point along the river; we'll fortify here for day or...
Got to go, need get back to magic studies Rose is reminding me.
--
[Lua'kah'wyss 15]
South of the Mirar River, On the Edge of the Neverwinter Woods, Descending the Crags
The night was beautiful Lua'kah'wyss found as she looked up at the half-moon and twinkling stars through the branches of the trees. It was good to rest too having marched steadily for hours down from the mountains into the valleys below. Even better was the chance to eat some hot food, even if a stew with only a fraction of rabbit to spice up the roots and vegetables in it; she hadn't much more than an apple since high sun. Guards had been set of course, but the campsite was in a decent spot amongst the woods with open fields on two sides, and a rock face on the other.
Oh the woods extended in the other direction, but several of her kobold and goblin adventurers had taken to the taller trees as scouts to watch there. Her beautiful tu'rilthiir sat down beside her with a tired sigh, then collapsing against Lua'kah'wyss's side, her head resting against her shoulder "Ughh...tired"
Lua'kah'wyss smiled, resting back agaist the tree behind her and placing an arm around Tris "Awww...my little tu'rilthiir has gotten lazy it appears! A little walk and thine legs grow weak! Oh, thwarting mine wicked plans to ravage thee!"
"Ravage later, rest now...ughhh...why I'd agree go" Tris whined back and Lua'kah'wyss gave a snort of amusement.
"Oh, thine foolish lust for adventure one thinks..." she grinned back as Tris sighed, closing her eyes as Lua'kah'wyss held her "...hey, no sleepings yet my love! Eat something first or thine stomachs rumblings will deny us sleep as ever"
"Are we there yet?"
"Not yet, but a mere day perhaps say the riders of the Black Crow..." she answered the whining shoving the half full bowl into the face of her beauty "...now eat this dear. Your legs grow weary for failing to eat enough. Just as when we left Neverwinter"
"We had no coin is why" Tris mumbled back with a sigh, sitting back up and taking the bowl into hand "...see, eating now"
"Good, then I shall gather more like the wise and generous matron that mine Mother hath raised. You shall stay and eat" she instructed standing once she ensured her lovely companion was doing as ordered. Their 'cooks' sat around the campfire, a rivvil girl named Millicent Hangbarrow, who was one of Pretty Rose's acolytes, her boastful kobold 'boss' the cleric Nurhusht, and the friendly Seri who'd she'd freed and was now one of the Secretaries of her Adventurers Guild. Not the ideal one to bring into a fight, but the rivvil jalil was a great cook and wasn't afraid of travelling with them.
"Milady..." Seri greeted her looking up the fire pit surrounded by large rocks with the cook-pot sitting over it "...how may I serve?"
"Another bowl for mine lovely Tris Seri, and make sure you rest well soon once you have finished thine duties here. It will be another hard day's march upon waking I fear"
"Of course Milady, you have bowl her bowl...here, let me fill it..." the jalil with hair of strawberry and gold replied with a tired smile as she took bowl Lua'kah'wyss had taken from Tris's travel pack into hand "...one hopes all is well?"
"For now Seri it is, beyond been weary from the march of course"
"Heyz Bosses, Nurhusht wonderings whats words of enemies yes-yes?"
Lua'kah'wyss shrugged at the kobold's words "Many things we have heard friend Nurhusht, some true, some lies, some we do not know if truth or lie. But soon we shall join mine mighty jaluk's army and more shall be known one expects. Then we will march upon the wicked city and defeat the undead faernen who rule there"
"Nurhusht thinkings such as well, yes-yes, is empties lands nows. Only bad things comes nears us, much to kills fors braves adventurers likes Nurhusht yes-yes"
"Yes-ye...One agrees yes" she answered with a nod as Seri hand back Tris's bowl and the wind whistled through the branches of the trees above "...many have fled these lands now we have left the lands ruled by Illusk. But many orcs and others have joined us, so one understands why any who farm these lands would flee in the wake of word of our arrival. It is why we bring wagons of supplies to the might horde about to defeat the Luskans, for fear the fields near the city will not have planted or are burned as we near them"
'Oh, and to flee having to care for Missy's newborn jaluk child...and Matron Ogrash's demands we see to the safety of Karguk and Pretty Rose' she didn't say as the human girl beside the kobold nodded "Yes, these lands are not safe Lady Lua, few can farm here without protection of a clan or tribe to protect them as our village is protected by Warchief Zahgorim and Shaman Karguk. Any who hear of the great host of orcs coming towards them will flee to the safety of the city walls"
"Indeed my young priestess, but that is the way of war I fear" she replied with a sad sigh "...but for now I think all of thee should rest and prepare for the coming days and ever more walking and hunting of beasts"
That done she turned, walking back over her resting tu'rilthiir with the warm bowl of soup in hand, and a small hard loaf of bread in the other. There were several hundred warriors in the camp, the wagons laid out in rough defensive position of a crude circle, terrain dependent. Karg had sent back wagons full of captured loot and tools from Mirabar...and books, lots of books too to the annoyance of Mistress Ogrash, and delight of Missy once the screaming and cursing their jaluk during childbirth had passed. Lua'kah'wyss was happy enough at that, it would more surface world tomes to read, but would have preferred lovely jewellery or new clothes.
"Here we go my beautiful love, have some of this and I shall finish the rest" she told Tris coming up beside her and sitting back down. Then tipping her fully filled bowl over the now empty one she'd given and empty half it into it, and splitting the bread as well. Resting her half of the loaf on her lap she reached into her back and pulled out the hard corked bottle inside filled with some of Karg's...hers...better alcohol collection. Uncorking it with her teeth she took a slug of the wonderful brandy before handing to Tris with a happy sigh "See, all the comforts of the stronghold out in these savage wilds!"
"Oh, let me have some please!"
"Heh, you are such a lerg mine lovely tu'rithiir..." Lua'kah'wyss chuckled back dipping her bread into the stewy soup to soften it "...wherever would you be without mine wisdom!"
"In a warm bed Lua"
She elbowed Tris gently "I'll keep you warm"
"Hmph, after dragging me into the wilds you'd better"
"Heh heh, thine wish is mine command..." she retorted chewing on the now softer bread "...nhow hugh whink Mhissy ish dhoins after hwagings lerg ehs?"
Tris yawned "Lua, don't talk with your mouth full! Ah, Missy will be locked in Karg' study with Tsuruhoki and all the tomes he sent her, don't think she knows first thing what to do with a baby"
"Like either of us would do any better..." she replied with an amused snort taking back the bottle and taking another gulp "...adventure first before that entire scary matron living experience"
"As if besieging a city filled with evil liches isn't scary"
"Oh, but we are the noble heroes, it is what is to be done! Even if its a little scary yes"
Tris gave a snort "Heh, Lua, I think we're the dark horde of orcs and creatures of the darkness to most of the other lands. Orcs, goblins, kobolds, oh and evil drow!"
Lua'kah'wyss had to huff at that "Good Drow Tris! Who will overthrow the Great Evil below!"
"And loot their treasures!" Tris finished and they both laughed finishing their meals, Tris's head again coming to rest upon her shoulder. It was nice after the tiredness of the journey and hazards ahead...
--
When: Summer 1357, Month of Eleasis
Where: South of Blackford Crossing, Edge of the Neverwinter Woods, just east of the High Road
Tris, and Lua too to Rose's irritation, arrived a few days ago with supplies, reinforcements and news that I have a son. My exhaustion prevented more that 'thats good' at the time, but I'm sufficiently elated now that I had a good night's rest and we've encamped for a time. Inside the foreboding as ever Neverwinter Woods, but this is more orc and goblin 'territory' by dint of it being a good raiding zone just off the High Road, so less mad elf troubles compared to deeper in the woods. Less traffic on the road right now of course, what with the war on between Luskan and Neverwinter, but we have bigger game to stalk and the local clans of said orcs and goblins have eagerly come over to our cause over the past few hours.
Or died, can't have enemies telling other enemies of our position after all. That prey of course being the Luskan mercenary army coming back up from Port Llast. Some by sea, but most by land, since their hauling their loot and slaves from the fallen town with them; the Luskan Guard and those closest to the Host Tower getting the sea-lift treatment. We've sent on a vanguard of our, rather large, horde westward while I've gone south with our Dark Emperor with the primary host so we can deal this Luskan army before it can be brought to bear upon us. Ideally before they become aware of us, but in general before they can return home; or if we had moved to siege already, take us in the flank.
It was one of the secondary reasons we took the longer southern path, on the hope we could locate any enemy forces and potentially deal with them on our terms. Something we're going to try and do in the next few days; scouts have been sent out, were buying the handful of slaves the local tribes have grabbed over the months, and I'm going all crow-sight along with the anyone else with farseeing abilities. We've caught sight of the ships after all, and captured a messenger who spilled pretty everything she knows once Phargk got his hands on her; Obould's been gifted her, though it'll be a time, and care, before she stops babbling I fear. Again: Never let Phargk take me alive, or spirit attached enough to resurrect forcibly.
We've come across a handful of intact farms, or hunting cabins more-so in two of the cases, with people inside of them. Now, I managed to get them to swear fealty to us and we largely left them alone. Save in one case where we'd arrived after some scouts decided they'd 'make use' of the hunting party there since one was a buxom huntress, and another a 'pretty' half-elf man. I had the scouting party executed for breaking one of my rules, and not following orders. Allowed both most affected parties to castrate their offenders, and then we impale said rule-breakers and gave over their stuff to the victims along with further compensation. Phargk thinks I'm rather crazy, as do many others, but I'm made very clear we need the farms ahead of us intact, and dead/near-dead people do not grow stuff very well.
So far he and the other chieftains have accepted my logic; though Jernak of the Moonblades and Kurnak of the Blood Axes were also very supportive, having pushed the idea separately apparently. Order will be maintained, and I've got my Runaway Princess on my personal guard all too eager to enforce discipline upon the ranks. I spoke to her a little more of late, like I do the others though Hreshgk as Captain gets the most, and I've tried to get that idea of how to deal with the savage idiots we call soldiers. Within reason of course, otherwise we wouldn't have many left, but we can't allow indiscriminate slaughter, rapine, and horror when the fight is still to come, and battle still to be fought. I want us to rule, to have something other than a burnt and useless wasteland at the end of this.
I've been speaking to Doctor Ned on that of course, of links to other elements we could deal with, and to our dear Sydney about the inner workings and design of the Host Tower. She doesn't believe we have chance, a reasonable view, but the more contingencies I can prepare the better. My dreams, well shared dreams at times with my other half in spirit, Shandril, have been rather on that situation in the Grand Library of the Shrouded Lord as I like to view these rather vivid cityscapes I've been experiencing since the ritual. Dearest Shandy hasn't realised me and him are one in the same, though I can understand as in spirit form we're different in tone and appearance. If it comes down to I, we, know way to magic nuke the Host Tower; unfortunately it does the same to city, so we'll hold reserve that mad option as one of the runner-up methods should the Harpells, Ned, Phargk, the planned ritual, or summon the Boss's power don't work. If lose, then we need to prevent our enemies coming after us through a scorched earth campaign.
That and I've been doing my last minute studying, with the good Doctor, and our glorious Emperor, and even when I can get feedback off the Harpells or the Chosen of Elisatree and Mystra that lurks in our midst; and of course our ever present Mirabaran guest. Anything, from anyone, that would help prepare and improve my skills for the inevitable clash with the undead sorcerers of the Host Tower. It's been rather stressful, but Tris has been rather eager to help with stress relief so I shant complain, though since Miss Stargleam has since she shares a tent with us and she finds our activities distracting. She'll get over it, and she can wait outside rather than sitting watching if it bothers her that much. Rose does that or just ignores us and goes asleep like back the house. It hasn't stop her plotting with me about destroying Luskan whenever she gets a chance; honestly I woke up yesterday with her lying beside me immediately breaking into doing something to that effect.
Anywho, seems it's time to get back to work as my red-haired daughter just arrived and informed me the watchtowers and hides are finished, and I want to have a check of them. Can't let sloth creep into the ranks, it's a fatal weakness in many large orc hordes, and a learned, rather than natural, vice with our species. Whatever, my clan know the drill, as do our kobolds, humans, and goblins; the kobolds and goblins are especially useful scouts once you get them trained sufficiently, especially in the case of goblins to overcome the societal pressure towards stupidity. So, off I go. Slán go foil a chardaí.
--
When: Summer 1357, Month of Eleasis
Where: Fortified Illuskan Camp{s} overlooking the High Road
Enemy sighted, moving up the High Road towards home. Cautiously too, scouts out, a cavalry vanguard and rearguard, and they've got mages with them. So they know we're here as best we can tell, just not where we are or our strength. If they did they'd know they're badly outnumbered, but there an army of humans with a few elves and half-elves as best we can tell, in good discipline and seemingly just after storming Port Llast judging by the stream of shackled people and wagons at their rear. Probably because of us, I suspect they were told hit hard and return home, or to just return home and somebody got greedy and went all in. Though that's just extrapolation from a captured scout, what our scouts have seen, and my own crow-walking last night with Dominic and Zelda.
Zah has a plan, a tricksy plan, and I'm fine with it since was annoyingly pulled on us. We have Aurilite Priestesses with us now (along with a few cultist nutters and nine Frost Giants happily getting paid) who used to work for the Luskans. Weather's been good, but there have been fog-banks out from the sea over the road so it won't be too strange. Still, these are a cautious lot, so I expect they'll be wary;- something Zah and Obould agree, and want to exploit. So we're going to put a holding force right in their path, under a heavy fog and anti-scry protections, dig in, and get them to attack. They're a human with elf allies human army, with plenty of loot, and us in the way apparently – it's almost guaranteed they'll attack. If not immediately, soon afterwards as they'll have limited options with more orcs further north approaching Luskan.
Our job then is to swing around them with the main force once they've moved to engage and take them from the flank or the rear. Obould 'tribe' and the Red Axes will man the defences along with kobold commandoes to set traps and prevent easy flanking of the position. Quite simply we want to destroy this Luskan mercenary utterly, not just defeat it and drive it off;- it needs to be gone so we can bring our full strength to bear upon the city and the Liches. Also the enemy army once destroyed, the dead bodies more accurately, will have their own uses even if it bothers me. Doctor Ned and his plans, ones I'm fine with as I'm in this to win it, as the runner prize means death, or at least the failure of much of what we've built so far. So, this obstacle has to be removed quickly and ruthlessly and then march upon the enemy city.
--
When: Summer 1357, Month of Eleasis, a day after the Battle on the High Road
Where: On the High Road, South of Luskan
It was a slaughter, a one sided one at that, and damn but I'm still exhausted.
They didn't really fall for the trap, not truly, a few feints and attempts to work around the block force but they stayed fairly wary. So there wasn't true surprised when we came out on their eastern rear flank;- Heavy Cavalry charged straight off the bat.
Long story made short – they failed in the face of our heavy infantry with pike, halberd, and voulge broke the back of it before it began. Horses being too smart to directly charge a veritable wall of spear-points, and with numbers and pressure their three charges came out badly for them. Not when they couldn't bring magic, and archery, to bear like they normally could against a savage horde; not when we fought like them, only with larger numbers and being better prepared.
Just like I'd drilled into them my Battlestaves and Warswords worked to counter-spell, dispel, and generally break the enemies magic while holding our own stronger casters in reserve through the fight. Same with acolytes and minor shamans of other clans; tapering down that standard 'human' advantage to a balance to force a straight up melee at the start. One where we had more missile weapons to bring to bear in the fight – yes they had a lot of crossbowmen {huzzah, we have lots of crossbows and pavise shields now!} but we volume of fire, and we Hwachas.
This was no heroic fight, no matter what so many here are saying, but a brutal grinding down of their defences and greatest strengths as we clashed, retreated, clashed again, over several hours. Once we'd worn them down that's when I brought our heavy hitters to bear: me, Phargk, Ned and Sydney, Harkle and Bella Harpell along with Harkle's drow girlfriend, and all the other senior priests of the Orc Gods. Magic to sap their spirits and break their lines, to heal ours and harm theirs;- once the balance shifts it shifts fast, and they had nowhere to run, to hide. Took several hours to kill or enslave them all.
It's also our little peace offering to Neverwinter, and too our 'allies' from Longsaddle and Mirabar as we're 'freeing' the captives from Port Llast and sending them back on their way with a few guides. A small price to pay as I told Darth Phargk, and there's been enough slaves taken from the defeated army, and stacks of equipment and loot, for there to be no complaints. Some few of the mercenaries were smart, or quick enough, to change sides and are now auxlia along with the ones from Mirabar.
Some others weren't quick enough, but bright enough see being a Janissary fighting-slave in the Legion seemed a better choice that general field slave, or other torment. But we're talking a third maybe of an army of perhaps six thousand, and the majority are what you call the 'support' mercenary units. Apparently I've been 'gifted' six female spell-casters, two of the elves, by Darth Phargk as my share of the plunder because 'thats my thing' according to most clan leaders. Whatever; more future teachers and minions for me, I won't turn down the useful things I'm given.
Anyway, must go. Luskan awaits.
--
[Interlude 21]
--
[Julee Dustyhands]
It was hard to stay calm she found, trembling in fear as she knelt bare legged into the muck along with the others singled out for whatever nefarious purpose. Defeat...Julee hardly believed it, that the army that had stormed Port Llast had been defeated by orcs, goblins, and kobolds of all things. Now she got to endure the nightmare that such a defeat would bring as she and six other human women, and two elves, had been painfully separated from the rest of the mass of prisoners. Separated, stripped, branded amidst their own screams, and then shackled to be delivered as a gift to a shaman according to the evil bitch who spoke a few words of the orcish tongue.
Her own brand had been driven unto her right thigh, and was still throbbing with pain as she watched the remnants of her former camp being stacked and sorted now the orcs had fortified their own camp just inside the edge of the woods. Not that the tree cover kept the light rains off hers, or the others, bodies as she was forced to her feet again; formed into a coffle by chains linking the iron collars at their knees, arms chained behind her back as the nearby orcs shouted at them to move. She moved quickly, or as quickly as she could to keep pace with woman in front of her, and the tugs of the young adventurer behind her.
"Shut up! Watch your step you idiot!" she hissed at the sobbing girl behind her as the girl stumbled and yanked painfully back on Julee's collar, tugging back the collar on her painfully. One of the orcs escorting them merely shoved the girl back into like, Bronwyn Brighmirror Julee recalled having had a few pleasant chats with the girl during the siege, after grabbing her hair and pushing her up against Julee's back. Pushing her to stumble into the woman ahead of her as they were marched through the enemy camp in the late afternoon air; glaring hatefully as she saw slaves taken by her army at Post Llast being freed and handed clothing from captured chests. Probably hers, and all the coin she'd painstakingly assembled over the past two years.
'They're too damned disciplined and well equipped for orcs' she hissed to herself, especially noting the Harp banners that fluttered amidst the various orc clan ones. Nor did she fail to take note that herself and the six others, and two elf women too, were magic users of various stripes. That didn't indicate good things when being gifted to an orc shaman of some power. Some blood ritual was possible, the Host Tower had certainly done so, and her mind was desperately trying to think of a way to escape, or at least convince the orcs she'd be better kept alive. She was a moderately talented alchemist after all, and she wasn't above begging for her life...
--
[Arleigh TwoCoins]
...she grunted with relief as they were brought to a stop, falling to her knees with a wince. Watching as the heavy chain at the front of her collar was secured to a wooden post hammered into the ground. The luck of the coin flip had gone badly against her the Priestess of Tymora figured miserably, stuck at the front of this particular coffle and gazing around where they'd stop. More orcs of course, but one or two humans as well, but the place was neatly organised; better than her own group's camp had been...
...then in the surrealist moment ever, since she was kneeling chained and naked in the middle of an orc encampment and out of the tent with the fancy banners appeared a young priestess of Chauntea. At least that's what the bloodstained tabard over the armour indicated alongside a Harp, an Eagle, and Orc sigils. Even more strangely the girl spoke the growling snarling orc tongue, gesturing at the guards who'd dragged Arleigh and the others here. And, too Arleigh's shock, the guards seemed to obey, snarling and growling almost apologetically back and the speaker lightly smacking Arleigh on the head for some reason.
"What's happening?" she whispered to the elf kneeling beside her as her group huddle together, the human girl vanishing back into the tent, and the guards who'd brought them walked away; leaving them under the disdainful eyes of plate armoured orc warriors. They unnerved her a little, standing there like armoured knights, a red hand and red tree sigils on their white sort-of-surcoats. The elf, Mitara something, sighed, eyes darting everywhere as she whisper back.
"I think...this is the Shaman's tent, the human girl is getting him...I don't...don't think we are being sacrificed"
The other elf, Eleanora Whistlesong, who'd never spoken to the other elf in the camp due to exile or something stupidly elven "Then what?"
"We're the Shamans bed-slaves now I think...something about liking magic and elves"
Arleigh hated it, but let out a tiny relieved sigh hoping that was the case, and ignoring the sobs of two of their number. Better than what she figured was going to happen, especially with the branding, and seeing that ancient orc ritually slaughter two other prisoners for spiting defiance. Despite that she trembled when the girl re-emerged with the crimson painted mithril...bloody mithril...chainmail armour from the tent, cloak fluttering and one hand on bastard sword's hilt...
--
[Mitara the Exiled]
...it was unnerving, but she forced herself to kneel up straighter, deciding to take the risk, as there weren't many options for an elf in an orc warcamp that didn't result in violent torture, death, or other horrors. Everything she'd overheard indicated getting on this particular Orc's good side led to better outcomes for her, and let the others rot if she had too. Her orcish, while not fluent, was much better than she'd let unto the others so they were surprised when she brought her head up and started to speak.
"Glorious Master, please, mercy upon this wretched elf! I have information useful to your cause! On the defences of Luskan!"
The towering, hulking, priest of the orc gods moved to stand over her, looking down at her contemptuously as couldn't help but feel her courage melt away "Oh, isn't that convenient? And what do you think to get for this information?"
"My freedom" she managed to force out of her mouth "...I, walk away"
His head tilted to the side, then looking at the others on either side of her, some sobbing, some silent, and others looking at the muddy ground and trembling "And the others?"
"What about them?"
"Oh?"
"Sacrifice them for all I care. Please, I can help your cause Lord!"
The orc paused staring at Mitara, free hand moving in a gesture and a flicker of magic before studying them again unnervingly after a glance at the red-haired girl "Well, aren't you a piece of work?"
Then suddenly spoke in Common, fluently, and with a strange posh Neverwinter accent "Hello ladies, my name is Karguk, and I am, quite simply, your new Master apparently. Now, what your friend here has been saying in dreadful orcish is how she has information that would serve my cause, and she should go free for it. None of you of course, just her...Rose dear, that is what she said?"
"Yes Papa..." the human girl, Rose apparently, had a cruder more peasant twang to her voice "...something about sacrifices too..."
--
[Eleanora Whistlesong]
"Aggghhh! Murderous Whore!" she found herself snarling out as she managed to struggle forward on her knees and slam her forehead into the startled exile's face. Not an easy task with hands behind her back, kneeling naked in the mud, and a bunch of human women she was chained too in the way; but she managed it, rage overcoming them to get one last blow at the evil witch she momentarily allowed herself to trust. Like a fool; Mitara had been exiled for murder after all, so what difference could she expect?
Unfortunately the end result was less impressive than desired as the bleeding, snarling, witch feel backwards with Eleanora falling atop her and dragging the other prisoners down with her. Into a rather stupid looking brawl of bound slaves apparently as the orc grabbed her iron collar, yanking her up, and muttering as he and the human girl started to separate them.
"Well...good on you I guess..." the so strange friendly and polite accent emerged from that terrifying figure as she was shoved back unto her knees in a line with the others. Beside her the traitorous Mitara's nose was bleeding, and her mouth uttering muffled curses as Eleanora struggled with drops of blood splashing her eyes "...now back to details. Now, I am your Master, Karguk, Shaman of the Sparta Clan, and this is Rose, my daughter. Adopted if you're wondering..."
'Like I wouldn't have guessed, the family features being so apparent' she found herself thinking despite this nightmarish situation and her helpless state amongst glaring orc warriors, but she forced her face to remain the terrified mask the rest of her mind was shrieking at her as the orc continued speaking "...now, little miss sells you all out. You will tell me everything, without conditions, or you'll be going to the rather powerful and cruel master o' mine till he gets it out of you"
"All of you are on...well, what we'll call a work-release slavery system..." Elanora head focused on that, the others too dull witted as humans, or bleeding and in pain like Mitara, to notice "...as my personal slaves. You serve me for a time period of several years, which we will discuss individually in short, and at the end of you'll get to go free. With coin too depending on the level and quality of your service...now, if you try escape, rebel, etc, you will be severely punished. If you deliberately fuck things up then you'll get a new owner, and they will not be as nice let me assure you"
The orc loomed over them and Elenaora idly noted on or two of the women grovelling instinctively to him, murmuring obedience as a...pressure...came to bear on them "I'll make very clear; I didn't ask for any of you, nor do I truly need any of you, so clear those misconceptions from your mind. I will know when you lie, so let's start with...you..."
--
[Bronwyn Brightmirror]
...it was hard not to squirm under the creature's gaze Bronwyn Brightmirror unable to meet his eyes and staring at the ground as she knelt in his tent, still all shackled up. At least now it was on a rug, and the massive orc sat cross-legged just in front of her. Taking a deep breath, she glanced around nervously, the red-haired girl merely looking bored after wiping the mud and filth off Bronwyn's legs and hips.
"Ma...Ma...Master Or...orrrcccc..." she stammered forcing herself to look up, unable to stop snivelling "...I...I...I..."
She flinched as he hand came to rest on her shoulder, then taking a calming breath as he spoke "Shhh, calm yourself first, I won't hurt you if you relax and tell me the truth. Just take a minute, okay"
Bronwyn nodded her head rapidly, then taking slower, steadying, breath, then another and another till she could almost focus. The orc squeezed her shoulder again, high class accented Common furthering the strangeness of the situation yet again "Ready?"
She nodded slowly "Ttthank you Master Orc..." it felt bizarre to thank him, but she'd always been thought to compliment a simple kindness "...I am Bronwyn Brightmirror. I saw your Harps, and your company...please Lord you must believe me! I am..." she flushed, humiliation at her defeat and current situation "...a Paladin of Mystra, and a fellow Harper. Please, I...have...have..."
The Orc brought his hand up to his face, muttering in his native tongue, before resting it on Bronwyns bare thigh a few seconds later "Oh, honey, I'm not a Harper Agent, or minion, or anyway related"
"But...but...the flags, and the...the...banners?"
"Unrelated"
'Oh, my...ooohhh...why is the world getting all spinning and blurry?' she thought blinking, shaking...
...and suddenly finding herself resting against the orc "Back with us eh? Had a bit of a faint there"
Bronwyn looked up at him as he held firmly against if, as she could faint again "Huh?"
"You fainted, also, you're a terrible secret agent I might add..." he chuckled back to her confusion "...and a reason parties should not send paladin's as spies. Especially young and obvious naive ones like you. Now, I'm not a Harper, but I know one or two who might, so tell me all you know and we'll work on a cushy job for you in the ranks..."
--
[Tezza Sheriz]
...the Orc asked the most bizarre questions after he'd gotten her name "You're not a member of the Harpers? Or the Zentarim? Or any other secret cult I need to be made aware of now?"
He obviously had some sort of Truth Detection spell active, so she didn't bother lying, merely kneeling placidly and showing off her body. Sure she was in her mid thirties, and not the most attractive sort, but she was buxom according to some and best foot forward and all that. Best to see this as an interview for a client, a particularly mortifying and undesired one, but one none the less; confident with humble, truthful in her skills was the best way to go then.
"No Lord, nothing of the sort; Tezza Sheriz at your service, trained alchemist and part-time conjuror..." she bobbed her head as best she could to mimic a bow "...having considered your offer of earlier I am ready and eager to enter your employment"
Her new employer tilted his head to the side and looked her up and down as she calmly knelt "You are being truthful in that?"
"Yes Lord, if you would promise not to mistreat me, and to house, cloth, and fed me...oh, and compensate for various costs of my trade, I will loyally serve you in whatever capacity you desire. Ideally in my capacity as an Alchemist, a role I can assure you I am talented in, as I fear my looks and skills would be below par for use as a bed-slave. Nor for hard labour, I fear that would swiftly do in my heath and would be a less than beneficial use of my skills for you My Master"
"Anything else?" he asked with bemusement, and Tezza nodded.
"I shall tell you all I know of Luskan, exits, entrances, locales, as a sign of good faith Lord, with the hope...hope rather than demand of course...that you might reciprocate" she stated calmer than she felt, before expanding on her suggestion "...Miss Julee, called Dusty Hands, is also an alchemist and she and I have worked together before to some success..."
--
[Prisca Farcrag]
"Okay, what now?" the dangerous and powerful being sitting before her demanded as Prisca pressed her forehead to the ground before her. How could she not, when a Chosen of a God was before her and had claimed ownership of her body, and likely soul. This whole camp reeked of destiny and beings of power; the nightmares and dreams she had suffered coming true if she read them correctly looking back.
"Please don't hurt me Master"
"I...wasn't planning on it?" came the confused reply, but Prisca had seen people react badly enough to her stock in trade before to be careful of this. Especially one so empowered, and had absolutely control over her fate she knew as her senses expanded as if she was in a Vision. That and she'd really badly misread the result of the last battle, so good reason to be wary; but it was still the best path to tell now, rather than be caught when she had a fit.
"Master I am a Seer"
"..." she nervously glanced up, raising her head off the ground as the orc scratched his chin "...um, okay?"
"I can see the future, sometimes" she replied meekly, and he shrugged.
"Apparently not very well"
"This I foresaw"
He blinked "You saw yourself kneeling naked before me?"
Prisca gave a nervous chuckle "Well...I don't actually see events...just outlines, and symbols. I, well...wrote it off as one of those odd dreams"
"So not a very good Seer then"
She shrugged, well, shrugged as best the shackles allowed "No, sorry Master, I'm...not great at it. I made my coin with some basic cantrips, and I am a skilled hunter. But I can see your Aura Master, Chosen and Blessed of your God, it is a talent of mine"
He stiffened "Indeed?"
Prisca bowed her head "Yes Master, forgive me"
"No, no, nothing to forgive. You think you're telling the truth at least, so we'll test it out later. Now, tell me about your other..."
--
[Joanna of Burgens Vale]
...the furs were wonderful beneath her back, brand healed thanks to the orc shaman, Joanna found as she lay on her back inside the tent alongside the others, enjoying the warmth and fidgeting with her now golden slave collar. Same as most of the other six as they lay or sat down around her; the seven of them, their eight member, was off...answering questions from Drow...and would be kept separate from them for the foreseeable future.
At the request of the seven of them actually, and even more surprisingly their new Master had accepted the request. They were under guard of course, armoured orcs all around the tent, and the Shaman stayed her with his 'daughter' and a drow and half-elf he'd apparently recruited. Joanna like the half-elf though, Bards should stick together after all!
"I think that went well..." she stated rolling unto her belly and glancing at the others, then at the priestess of Tymora "...hey you want to play some knucklebone dice?"
The elf stared at her "How can you be so cheerful? Have you not noticed we are slaves? To an orc with a drow overseer at his command? And allied with another powerful matron of my peoples vile cousins! We haven't even gotten clothes yet!"
Arleigh Two shrugged, edging over to sit cross-legged "Sure, the Goddess will bring joy in such troubled times at the least. You in Seer?"
"Oh yes, I can't really lose too much this time at least!" the, useless as far as Joanna understood from during the siege, Seer crawled over to them as Joanna sat up "...do we have cards? I prefer cards?"
Joanna nodded gesturing at the little chest "Yep, knucklebones, wooden token cards, a book for the literate...which is all of us for once, wow, that's rare...and a few things like that to entertain us!"
The elf threw up her hands, then folded across her chest "What is wrong with all of you? Dark Horde of evil! Besieging Luskan"
Miss Sheriz the Alchemist sniffed in annoyance "And what do you propose? I have negotiated a contract suitable to my future needs at the very least, so do not involve me in thy plans elf. That and yonder drow can hear you"
The black skinned elf with white hair waved with a smile and Joanna waved back. Best get on their good sides after all. Miss Elf still complained, rubbing at the tattoo on her face, like the rest of them, marking them as the Shaman's apparently "Humans"
Joanna ignored her "So...what are we gambling for? And using them as markers?"
--
When: Month of Eleasis, Summer, 1357 Dale Reckoning
Where: Encamped South of Luskan
Soon to depart the scene of our victory now that everything that can be looted has been looted, and the corpses burned on pyres. Yes it can be seen as wasting time, but those bodies we didn't raise as undead were best destroyed so that our enemy don't get a chance to use them as undead army themselves. That and this was a well-equipped army by the standards of the Savage Frontier and Frozen North; good steel weapons, full plate armour, siege equipment, the works so stripping everybody was going to happen regardless of what me and Zah would want. So best to manage it, and anyone the armour fits that didn't have armour is now better equipped than they were before the fight.
That and we needed time to 'process' as the new slaves, and get the caravan of now freed former-slaves sent south, and generally ensure an 'equitable' division of the spoils. For me that meant any magical equipment, scrolls, books, and related along with eight magically inclined slaves gifted to me by our glorious overlord as mentioned before. Or, seven plus one, as one is very clearly evil and uncaring and would probably get killed by the other seven right now. She had useful information though, threatened out of her admittedly, and it became a matter of figuring out what to do with her.
Ned didn't want her, so I've effectively sold her to Captain Krowluc and his lot, Nimmil the Dread Gnome technically; since she's an illusionist and Nimmil is disturbingly confident she can 'keep the elf in line' apparently. Good for her, her responsibility now. The other seven are more pliable, and it'd offend the dread emperor if I turned more than one or two more away really, so I've gone through things with them.
Headache inducing in one or two cases; the 'Surprise!' Paladin of Mystra turned wizard for instant, she of the fainting spells. Fainted when I interviewed, then fainted again when I brought her to Qilue since, well, Team Mystra, and then got all grovelling and pathetic looking, all servile and stuff afterwards. I'm almost afraid she's having a mental breakdown, so I'm being nice to them all; well, as much as the orc shaman who enslaved them can be. Despite that Bronwyn, her name, had plenty of information once she got around to trusting me, as had the others, so we've a decent idea of the situation in Luskan and to the south in Neverwinter.
Which, honestly, doesn't sound all that great;- the so-called King of Shadows or Dark Thing in the Mere has supposedly been defeated, but Neverwinter is a wreck they say, and could barely aid Port Llast and the other nearby lands it loosely controls. It's fallen back upon itself; even if won the fight it was bled badly enough that raiders from Ruathym and the Whale Bones are a significant problem. Something we have to watch for ourselves as we've seen a few ships out along the coast from the overlooks, it's why a number of freed slaves from Port Llast just don't want to leave. Oddly enough risking serving as minions to an orc horde about to lay siege to a human port city.
Other than that I've been forced to put Lua, and Tris under her management, in charge to the seven additions to my household as Rose is too busy, as am I, to deal with it daily. Even down to my tent now being very, very, packed despite making it larger;- Shrouda for instance snoring away beside me last night, after looking at the former Luskan mercenaries like they were rats or something. Not that they don't stare. Right now the remaining elf is looking at me like I've grown another head as I write, while one of alchemists, a thirty something human named Tezza, has gotten all curious. Asking me, but apparently Rose and Lua too earlier on in the day while I brought the Amazing Fainting Paladin to see Qilue Veladorn.
I like her, she's pragmatic enough, wary of me but now the fear has subsided has been calm about things; she wants to know about me, the clan, etc, and offered a foot rub while we talk and I write. I agreed, and threw in a bottle of whatever she wanted to drink in as well; wine turns out. Best reward 'loyal' behaviour, and she's certainly unnerved one or two of the others who are whispering about me and their current situation. Not telling them anything important, but I am listening to what she is saying and suggesting; surprisingly truthful unlike the others who're evasive as best they can. Thank you magical lie-detector spells, thank you Missy!
They'll be travelling by wagon once we get moving, with Gods-slaves in the one behind, and then Zah's new collection of slaves, with the rest of the slaves of the clan getting to walk. Something of a privilege, and also making them easier to guard and watch, spell-casters that they are in this case. We'll be leaving small clusters behind to watch the road, and hunt for game; largely to watch for any trouble from this direction should Neverwinter be stronger than believed, or should other things be summoned against us. Scouts are up the road already, but our delaying has given Luskan time to prepare sadly. One of the harder things in getting a force like this to move swiftly after a victory such as this; everybody wants to get their share first. Still, it's a chance to rest so I won't complain too much. Slán.
--
When: Month of Eleasis 1357 DR
Where: Set up a temporary camp, off the High Road, south of Luskan
Gods dammit. Scorched earth tactics aren't fun from the other side. The Luskans have sent out outriders to try burn the fields, the storage barns, and the other things we need while also opening up the gates to Luskan and herding in the refugees. At last that's what scouts are saying, and I see can the fires with my crows popping up here and there ahead of us. We've sent our own cavalry north to drive the Luskans off, and to secure the unharvested fields and granaries as best as can be done.
Yes, we are in the bizarre situation of the orcish horde fighting to stop the humans from burning their own fields, and forcibly recruiting their own peasantry to act as cannon fodder. At least I assume cannon fodder, as it's a risk sending their meagre remaining forces out from the walls with us so near. It's not like the peasant farmers and the like weren't already fleeing us towards the city, and both Doctor Ned and Sydney see it as a bit odd for the Host Tower. Not a compassionate bunch that lot let's say. But, no matter, securing our extra food supply and preventing mass poisoning of wells and the like.
Had a case already, dead village, idiots drank the well water; good sick, died before we arrived. Burned the bodies, and sent in the clerics of the White Hands to purge the taint. In part what's slowed us down, can't take chances, have to be careful with magical sickness and poison. See there's the thing; why kill this handful of villagers and help the rest?
It could be just my paranoia, but even Zah agrees with me a cautious approach is warranted with the main host of the horde. Cavalry and scouts are forward in force after all. All in a strange game of rushing to action and then standing still. Phargk approves, though its more him guiding our advance along with the chieftains, and I've focused on the logistics of our advance; from simple things, down to keeping order between the various clans along with the other shamans. Damn tiring, going to rest now.
--
When: Late Summer, Harvest Season 1357 DR
Where: Village, don't know the name, south-west-ish of Luskan
Plague spells, that's what I'm being told. Or, plague zombies in this case, along with ghouls. Wiped out a forward patrol before we even realised what had happened, and the second pulled back till we could up and purge/clear the village here. Not sure exactly what happened here, but if I had to guess they turned the villagers in the 'square' in the little temple-slash-tavern to Waukeen and locked them in the granary till our patrol blundered across them.
Some of the troops are sick, but thankfully we can heal them even if it's a struggle as it's a magically boosted sickness leading to undeath. It's impressive in its vile, but potential effective, way. We've also had bug and vermin swarms in another village we took, eating the food stored in the granary along with the farm animals apparently. So Yurtus lot are working double time just like my acolytes to guard our own supplies as the Host Tower go all Skitter on us. Thank the heavens for my Protection from Insect and Protection Vermin spells to go along with the tradition tribal magic to drive off such threats.
We are nearing Luskan, it's in sight in the distance from atop the hill nearby actually, so its expected resistance would intensify - but this is a concern. The good news being the Luskans remaining riders have fallen back into the city and barred the gates; and I've managed to get the horde to capture not kill, or near as such, the various refugees and farmers we're overrunning and return to their farming villages with an escort. Because, well aforementioned magic death-murder spells in existence, and Luskan having ships and spells to get around us in small numbers.
I should know as Doctor Ned is meeting with a longboat full of them not too far south of here with a full escort of cavalry. Sydney has remained with me, happily enough only once she got access to my proffered books to read. Shrouda doesn't like her, and has banished her, sort-of, to the area the seven new slaves are to sleep according to Ned's huffy minion. Unfortunately I've other things on my mind, so that's for her to sort with Lua; or Lua'kah'wyss, Adventurer Extraordinaire and Magnificent Keeper of the Harem!
She made me laugh. Good girl Lua.
--
When: Late Summer, 1357 DR, Siege Day 01
Where: Overlooking the Southern Walls of Luskan
Well, finally begun to invest the walls, bunkered up in this freshly dug 'basement' with tent amongst the trees and behind magical totems. Because we are putting up defensive positions as we deploy no matter the delay it might put on us. Not that we're not moving fast, as we're chopping down the trees nearby for fortifications and extra siege equipment.
Our plan, my plan along with Jernak of the Moonblades and Obould with his conquered lot of Uthgardt, is to fortify around Luskan, consecrating the ground as we go and building a secondary bridge to link forces once we siege the northern wall beyond a picket force. Magic was attempted against us, but a game of block and do nothing ensued so nothing much happened on either side beyond tired Harpells, and presumably liches to one would hope. No matter, we've gotten here and the walls are manned, the gates the closed, and magical barriers against entry erected.
Fun times about to start, terrible, terrible fun times.
Now my primary concerns of course are the Liches and their mages, the sailing away to Fireshear of dozens of ships, and magical summoning things like undead, demons, and other nasty things that could be conjured to oppose us. First line of defence is the Harpells of course, and Shrouda, Qilue and all the others technically as well. Countering is fine, I'm fine with this just being a clash of arms as we can win that. I think.
Beyond that we'll be ritual casting, along with the usual, one could say traditional, tribal blessings to put the 'standard' protections in place. On the surface at least, Phargk wants to consecrate the grounds in the camps and I agree. Too many nasty little things could have been missed on our way here, ways around us despite efforts to block/watch-for teleportation and such. We've already had several instances of magical scorched earth efforts by the mages in the approaches, and we've still to scout up the north road much. Sadly at the chain across the river to block boats sneaking through at night stage I'm afraid.
Now, back to work, those wards aren't going to set themselves.
--
[Missasri 32]
[Shaman's Tower, Stronghold of Sparta]
"Yes, shhh my little Siegfried, shhh..." Missasri hummed gently to her little one as he burbled sleepily back to her after being fed "...Mama is going outside for a little while, so Mara will care for you. Yes she will, yes she will"
Her little Siegfried was just about asleep thankfully after being fed, and Missasri was full determined to escape from the Tower now that her strength had returned. It was a wonderful thing being a mother, to her own surprise...but she would like to get back her studies as well, and even now simply walk around the town in the sunshine. Even if it was with the little energetic ball of terror that was her Karg's firstborn daughter, fully orcish Kargash, who wanted to spend time with Mama Missy since Mother Ogrash was busy with her duties within the Main Keep.
"Mara will of course, Mistress..." Mara murmured back softly and cheerfully, smiling at Missy and then down at the dozing baby she took into her arms "...Gharvak's already dozed off so hopefully they'll both be out for a few hours. You should get out of the Tower a while Mistress, you are too pale, almost as bad as Tsuruhoki"
Missasri sighed, rubbing the back of her neck "Heh, mayhaps Mara, though she may escape this prison of sorts soon enough if her skin continues to heal as it has"
Tsuruhoki was a decent sort, almost as cheerfully happy as Missasri when the wagonloads of tomes and scrolls had arrived to be sorted. Less so as she realised the fact her learning Common and the other tongues meant reading them more difficult, but the woman from far distant lands that the demons had abducted and cursed as they had. Considering the poor girl had been largely imprisoned, self-imprisoned by dint of embarrassment, up here as her skin burned at the simplest things the fact she had something to cheer her up was a very good thing in Missasri's book. She certainly could speak their languages enough to grasp manners, and the odd sunbathing session on the roof did not count.
"We all hope so Mistress, now let me put him to bed and watch them"
Missasri smiled at the softly murmured reply, whispering back herself "Then I shall make my escape Mara, thank you kindly"
Then it was soft, almost silent, definitely-not-dash towards the door out of the living area and down the stairs into the lower levels of the tower. The guards at the door let her passed, expecting her, as she descended with slow, careful, steps while fiddling with her new robe and the fact her swollen stomach had receded and she was much more mobile once again. Though she still liked having her staff back in hand as a symbol of her skills rather than a glorified walking stick when she got tired; getting little Siggy into her had been much more enjoyable than getting him out. And it was certainly a good thing she had the others to help raise...
"Lady Missy, good to see you are recovered Milady" the slightly nervous as always voice of Petra greeted her, curtsying as she came into view. Beside the alchemist the slave-girl Feuryon owned by Menkin the kobold bowed, both dressed in light summer dresses down to their knees and shorn of sleeves. Missasri smiled, glad she'd opted for lighter robes herself on this clearly warm summers afternoon, and gave a small wave in greeting to the two.
"Petra, Fueryon, greetings, I trust I haven't kept you waiting long?"
"Of course not Lady Missy, we have but scarce arrived and Vol is still within her classes" Petra replied with a small smile and a gesture at the nearby room where they had been waiting outside till her arrival. Within Missasri could hear the voices of the class given by one of the two orcs sent to learn with the Harpell's a time, Greshka from the sound of her voice, speaking on basic cantrips she'd learned amongst them. More of a discussion circle of late with Missasri herself absent and without the more learned teachers amongst them like Doctor Nedorious, Nimmil the Gnome, and one of the Harpell's such as Bella. Harkle too, but one had to watch him for fear of random explosion during 'practical' classes.
"Then we shall wait outside for her then..." she replied, then turning to the guard nearby and asking, technically ordering, the young orc to send Vol, describing her, to them out in the courtyard. Then gestured to the other two human women, and out towards the doorway out of the tower as the guards Mistress Ogrash had assigned to keep her and the others safe. Or just bash heads when heads needed bashing with the Chieftain and Karg away on campaign.
"Mama Missy!" young Kargash announced charging towards her as she came through the doorway out into the training yard where a group of the children, orcs and half-orcs, of the tribe were playing-slash-practicing with wooden swords "Teach me Magic! I need to turn Urgath into a toad!"
Missasri chuckled watching as Mistress Ogrash's daughter pointed her wooden stick-sword at the son of the Clan Chieftain as the boy made a face at her back, pulling at his eye and making a teasing sound. Or did for a moment before one of the other children, his sister she thought looking away and down at the dirty and slightly bloodied step-daughter of hers with a grin "That'll take time Kargash, lots of learning magic before can use strong magic. Just like need get strong with sword and grows up first"
The girl huffed at that, arms across her chest "That's not fair"
"Heh, don't I know it..." Missy smiled back wiping off some of the dirt and blood as she took the wooden blade out of her hand "...but you'll get strong with hard work! I'll teach you everything I know and you strong like your Papa and Mamas"
"Okay" Kargash huffed back, kicking the dusty earth before brighten up "...are we going into the village now?"
"Yes, just like I promised. Food, drink, and we'll see if there's anything you like to buy too. Now we just have to wait for Vol, whose learning magic too, and then we shall explore a little"
"Ooookaaay" she agreed as Missasri patted her head. She was five, but looked seven or eight by human standards, though could be amusingly childish at times with the pouting. It wasn't look anyway till the young Uthgardt initiate appeared, coming out in her rough spun new dress with belt around her waist full of little pouches and other things. Missasri herself preferred pockets in her robes, but it seemed Vol was copying the inclinations of Petra who was similarly attired. The girl bowed as she dashed over to join them, the guards merely glancing at her as Missasri waved her through.
"Sorry Honoured Missy, I have delayed you"
She gave a snort of amusement at that "Don't be silly Vol, I am early, now let escort our future Sorceress here down into the town and too the markets therein!"
Between the arrival of the trade caravan from Longsaddle, the harvest being gathered in, and of course the caravan full of loot escorted back to the stronghold there was a bustling marketplace for the moment. Helped, and hindered, by so many warriors of the clan being away at war or out on patrol in the valley; Sparta was a place of majority females right now. Orcs of course, but wagons had come up from both nearly all the settlements swearing vassalage to the stronghold, so there were a number of human, kobold, and goblin traders setting up stalls as they descended towards the busy village area down the slope.
Young Fueryon of course was the most knowledgeable on that subject of course, being the personal slave of the kobold Menkin who owned the biggest tavern in the town-area. And it was good to talk business as Kargash was given a piggy-back ride by the soft spoken Petra who also lived with the kobold, though as a free person rather than a slave. Oddly enough Missasri found the older alchemist almost always did what Fueryon asked, as the young slave-girl was essentially the mouthpiece for the little egomaniac lizard who owned her. It was why Missari had cultivated their relationship, and they were friends within the confines of their own personal loyalties; the girl being quiet and soft spoken, but a teasing and shameless nature at the back of it all.
"First I think I need to take a little stop into the Adventurers Guild..." she told the others as they reached the bottom of the fortified slope up to the castle, nodding at the Guild building as Kargash cheered "...see what news there is, and let our little warrior here use the practice dummies"
"Yay! Imma great shoot Mama Missy!"
She smiled back "Yes, Mistress Ogrash told me so! Quite the little archer! We have to see is everyone there doing what aunty Lua ordered them to do before she left"
"Many of them are out hunting game Mistress..." Fueryon replied "...or others who might try to raid the valley while the Lords are away"
Missasri nodded "Yes, and those are the ones who didn't head off with Lua and Tris to fight. Ghorza's killed a few small bands of would be bandits, but it hasn't been too bad a summer"
"Most are of with the host, or seek easier prey to the south or north..." Vol offered looking around the bustling square "...there is much here, but not easily taken either"
The slave market was the least pleasant of course, just off in the distance where a number of those sent back with the loot caravan were seemingly coming up for sale. A few Uthgardt girls, captured bandits, and such from the campaign that those that retuned with them were selling to buy better weapons or armour she expect. Vol, one or two of whose people were being bought and sold was completely indifferent to the whole thing. That was just the way it was, and should be, the girl offered as two such tribal women were led away by a cluster of goblins who'd seemingly bought them for their village up north. An enemy tribe Vol said, and Missasri merely smiled and nodded; letting it pass as they entered the Guild building.
"Oh Glorious Mistress, how can I help you today?" one of the two remaining 'Secretaries', Penny, greeted with a deep bow when she caught sight of them. The 'common room' was quiet today, but with the busy market that wasn't a surprise, just that human village girl turned adventurer and two of her party, the goblin and the kobold, dozing against the wall with empty flagons on the table in front of them. Seeing her glance the human slave-girl turned Guild Secretary gave a little grin.
"Ah, they are just returned from a mission collecting herbs from up in the mountains. Seems they killed a boar along the way, and did not rest till they returned here. Sat down, drank a little, and then just started snoring the three of them. I think the other two are out in the markets"
Fueryon nodded "Master Menkin will be happy to hear of their success; and of their urgency in returning with the requested materials"
The guild secretary nodded "Yes, you may collect the package now if you wish? Your Master had paid in advance for this assignment"
"That's great Penny, I'd planned on getting food at Menkin's anyway after the markets so that's not a bad idea..." Missasri agreed as she guided Kargash from disturbing the sleeping trio and towards the training area and 'back office' of the Guild "...and I just need to have a look and see what's lined up while Lua's away. She's left me in charge, sort of, and now I'm free I can see about assigning one or two of the acolytes to a tour of any open jobs. Good practice for them"
Dealing with rats and insects was a low-paying, but constant job, and useful practice with these wards her Karg had come up with. Constant little jobs and castings kept the apprentices busy, and helped grow their abilities more importantly. It only a few years...well now there were a surprising number of young orcs with minor cantrips running about the stronghold thanks to her and a few others. The more trained ones they had the more, then more time then Missasri would be able to study the greater mysteries herself...
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