Karibeth says, "Good morning, Thuunk."
You say, "Good morning."
Karibeth asks, "All quiet?"
You say, "Aye."
Karibeth says, "Good good."
You ask, "What is the news of the battle last evening?"
Greganth gives Karibeth a friendly hug.
Karibeth gives Greganth a series of teasing little prods along the spine.
Karibeth says, "Sneaky."
Karibeth hugs Greganth, who wraps her in a warm embrace.
Greganth grins.
Karibeth grins at Greganth.
Greganth waves to you.
You wave to Greganth.
Greganth quietly says, "All quiet so far today."
Karibeth says, "Trolls were not too strong."
You say, "I noted an orc camp still here."
You nod at Karibeth.
Karibeth says, "They brought catapults and siege towers."
Karibeth says, "Which we destroyed."
You say, "Ah good."
Karibeth says, "No sign of Drangell so I suspect there are more to come yet."
You ask, "What direction did they come from?"
Karibeth says, "Trollfang."
You nod.
You ask, "Upper?"
You ask, "Lower?"
You ask, "Both?"
Karibeth says, "I was down by forest trolls when I spotted the first ones so unsure."
Speaking to you, Karibeth asks, "Would you like spells?"
Karibeth peers quizzically at you.
Sir Cryheart just arrived.
Cryheart bows.
Cryheart gives Karibeth a friendly hug.
Cryheart bows to you.
Cryheart bows to Greganth.
Cryheart says, "Good morn."
Karibeth gives Cryheart a friendly hug.
Karibeth smiles.
Cryheart grins.
Cryheart grins at you.
Karibeth loses a thorny barrier.
You glance at Karibeth.
Karibeth rocks back on her heels.
Karibeth ducks her head.
Cryheart grins at you.
Karibeth exclaims, "Or not!"
You say, "I think I still have all the spells from last evening."
Karibeth nods to you.
Cryheart starts chuckling at you!
Karibeth grins.
Speaking to Cryheart, you say, "And good morn."
Cryheart grins.
Speaking to Cryheart, you ask, "Did I fail by falling asleep on Zeltoph?"
Cryheart says, "No."
Cryheart says, "We had several scouts in that area."
Cryheart nods.
Cryheart says, "And thanks."
You nod.
Cryheart says, "Dhairn went nuts last eve."
Cryheart nods at Karibeth.
Cryheart says, "Trying to kill folks."
You say, "Any near Cavernhold."
You grunt questioningly.
Cryheart says, "All catapults and siege towers from last eve were destroyed it seems."
Cryheart says, "Catapults were deadly."
Cryheart nods.
Cryheart says, "Rained fire balls on folks, killed many."
You say, "Please tell me they wer not tossing dwarves at the Landing."
Cryheart grins at you.
Cryheart says, "Just fire stones."
You nod.
You say, "Odd."
You say, "Stones of fire."
Cryheart says, "The North Gate unit, got massacred by em."
Cryheart says, "Something like meteor storm."
Cryheart nods to you.
You ask, "I wonder how did they kept from burning their own catapults?"
Cryheart says, "I was down bashing the catapults with the Order of the Azure Sun."
You nod.
Cryheart says, "Well..folks quickly put them on fire."
You nod.
Cryheart says, "Magics by the SUmmoners I would imagine."
Cryheart nods to you.
You ask, "Where were the catapults located?"
Cryheart says, "Lower and upper trollsfang."
You nod.
Cryheart says, "And the mine road area."
Karibeth leans softly against Greganth.
Cryheart says, "He napping it seems."
Cryheart glances at Greganth.
Karibeth nods.
You ask, "I take it neither the lead troll or orc was dealt with?"
Karibeth shakes her head.
Cryheart says, "Just saw little trolls for the most part."
You nod.
Cryheart says, "Cept the shadow wraiths."
Cryheart says, "I imagine we might get hit harder tonight."
You ask, "With orcs fighting them as we were led to expect?"
Greganth quietly says, "Taking it all in."
Cryheart says, "I was too busy southwrd."
Cryheart says, "Dinnae see the Orcs helping yet."
Cryheart nods at Greganth.
Cryheart grins.
You nod.
Cryheart nods to you.
You say, "As I suspected."
Greganth quietly says, "The orcs havent left there camps, to join, but."
You say, "They are here on a ruse."
Karibeth blinks at Cryheart.
Karibeth says, "I saw them attacking."
You peer quizzically at Karibeth.
Cryheart says, "The Orcs did help with earlier attacks."
You say, "Do tell."
Karibeth nods at Cryheart.
Greganth quietly says, "The orcs on station there are to guard their women and children larger force moves with Thrayzar to the area to assist."
Cryheart says, "I was too busy busting catapults."
Cryheart nods at Karibeth.
Cryheart nods at Greganth.
Karibeth nods at Greganth.
Greganth quietly says, "The orcs that are on patrol have been assisting."
You glance at Greganth.
You nod.
You sit there stubbornly, folding your arms over your chest.
Cryheart says, "Will be good to see Thrayzar and Omlor assisting."
Cryheart says, "Sir Valicar froze the first huge wave."
Cryheart says, "Southward."
Karibeth says, "I should have calmed them but I ran and sent out a thought instead."
You say, "One knight, not enough trolls."
You nod at Cryheart.
Karibeth says, "He went by me right after and froze them."
Karibeth chuckles.
Cryheart nods.
Cryheart leans on Karibeth, giving her a companionable grin.
Greganth quietly asks, "So the griffons throwing rocks?"
You peer quizzically at Greganth.
Cryheart says, "We dinnae see em."
Cryheart asks, "The fire stones?"
Greganth quietly asks, "We moved over to the bridge, you know its covered by that metal thing, to stop arrows?"
Cryheart says, "Ahh..."
Cryheart says, "I saw that."
Cryheart nods at Greganth.
Cryheart says, "The barrier."
Cryheart nods.
Greganth quietly says, "Son of a guns were bowling em at us, hit me like a tenpin."
Cryheart says, "I know the griffins riders were shooting arrows."
Karibeth glances over at Greganth and winces.
Karibeth rubs Greganth tenderly.
Cryheart says, "The fire stones were coming from the catapults."
Cryheart says, "I did not encounter too many of the griffins."
Greganth quietly says, "The first two waves, dozen or so, flew over carring stones."
Cryheart nods.
You say, "Fire stones from above."
Greganth quietly says, "They had covered the stones in oil."
You blink.
You say, "They fight too smart for trolls."
Cryheart nods.
Greganth quietly says, "They are led by a pretty smart used to be a giantman troll, oxymoronic I know."
Greganth grins slowly.
Cryheart grins at Greganth.
Speaking to Cryheart, you say, "Thank you for the summary."
Cryheart says, "Welcome."
Cryheart nods to you.
Speaking to Cryheart, you say, "I will position myslef closer to Cavernhold next time."
Cryheart nods to you.
You say, "Perhaps near old Darts workshop."
Greganth stretches.
Cryheart nods.
Greganth quietly says, "Curious about the wraiths though."
Greganth rubs his chin thoughtfully.
Cryheart glances at Greganth.
Cryheart asks, "How so?"
Greganth quietly says, "Well."
You ask, "Why?"
Cryheart says, "I did not come across them."
Greganth quietly asks, "Who would animate them? ever heard a troll practicing sorcery?"
Karibeth ponders.
Cryheart says, "I would believe the Summonrs probably had a hand in that."
Cryheart shrugs.
Karibeth says, "Not the first time we've seen them either."
Karibeth says, "But I'd never thought about that aspect of it."
Karibeth nods at Greganth.
Greganth quietly says, "True, but before they were with Stone's usual suspects, not with the troll forces."
You ask, "What sort of wraiths?"
Karibeth asks, "Shadow wraiths?"
Karibeth says, "Something like that."
Karibeth asks, "Undead shadow wraiths?"
Karibeth peers quizzically at Greganth.
Greganth quietly asks, "If they had a summoner's hand in the first wave last night, why not send something bigger, and stronger to get the job done?"
Greganth quietly says, "Shadow wraiths are undead yes."
You rub your chin thoughtfully.
Greganth quietly says, "I never saw em."
Karibeth nods.
Cryheart says, "Perhaps a testing of the defenses."
You ask, "Are they not resident here under the Landing?"
Cryheart says, "The trolls seemed a bit weak to me."
Karibeth says, "I can symbol of turn the wraiths."
Greganth holds up his hand and tilts it side to side in a so-so gesture.
Karibeth nods in agreement at Cryheart.
Karibeth says, "Quite so."
Cryheart says, "Aye wraiths are undead."
Cryheart nods at Greganth.
Karibeth says, "I suspect the more experienced and deadly are yet to come."
Greganth quietly says, "On testing our defenses.. I think Stone has a rather adept idea of our defenses, by now."
Karibeth nods at Greganth.
Cryheart says, "Well..with local groups, aye."
Cryheart says, "But the word of groups from across Elanthia coming..perhaps made him a bit more wary."
You rub your chin thoughtfully.
Greganth quietly says, "Perhaps."
Cryheart nods.
Greganth quietly says, "Another thing."
Greganth quietly says, "Perhaps slight, I dont know."
Cryheart turns an inquisitive ear towards Greganth.
Greganth quietly says, "The plan was obviously to lay siege to the town, and invade completely, they brought the towers to do so."
Cryheart nods at Greganth.
Cryheart says, "And catapults."
Greganth quietly says, "Yet no sign of their champion, I never heard a peep."
The powerful look leaves Karibeth.
Cryheart nods at Greganth.
You nod.
Greganth quietly says, "He cant be moving that far behind their advance forces, the siegery items are slow movers."
Cryheart says, "He is probably bringing up the main and stronger army, perhaps."
Cryheart rubs his chin thoughtfully.
You say, "Perhaps their whole claim of a mission is a ruse."
You say, "After all, they do have orcs camps surrounding us."
Cryheart says, "We hae seen the Orcs attacking them."
You say, "And it bothers this dwarf deeply for one that we are rolling over and accepting that as normal."
Cryheart says, "As long as they keep attacking the Trolls, bandits and such."
Cryheart nods to you.
You say, "They could turn at any moment. It is their way."
Greganth quietly says, "I saw a plethera of catapults along mine road, maybe even twenty.. they may not be approaching from Danjirland where we first encountered them, but from Lyserian Hills , or therabouts."
Cryheart says, "Hmm..perhaps we should explore the area and see if any catapults remain."
Speaking quietly to you, Greganth says, "I understand the natural apprehension for the orcs.. but there is more you may not know."
Karibeth joins Cryheart's group.
Cryheart says, "All towers and catapults in the lower and uppertrollfang seems to hae been destroyed."
Greganth stands up.
Karibeth nods at Greganth.
Cryheart asks, "Coming with us Thuunk?"
Speaking to Greganth, you say, "Indeed, and were I to know it, I would still likely say 'Beware a Ruse'."
You say, "Aye."
You stand back up.
Cryheart says, "Going along the mine road to see if any catapults remain."

* During the patrol *
Speaking to you, Karibeth says, "We need skeptics to make sure we don't get too trusting."
You say, "Keep in mind, dwarves blame orcs in part for Kalaza, and Kreshar Deep was clearly their doing."
Speaking to you, Karibeth says, "Totally understand where you're coming from with your distrust and don't blame you for feeling that way."
Cryheart says, "Seems clear."
Cryheart says, "The destruction crews worked well last eve."
Karibeth says, "Found it amusing that we broke up into other groups after awhile."
Karibeth says, "Think the DDR group went off on their own."
Karibeth says, "I was wandering alone for the most part."
You ask, "What theory did they chase?"
Karibeth asks, "Theory?"
Karibeth says, "Ah."
You say, "Aye ... their guess as to what is going on."
Speaking quietly to you, Greganth says, "I believing in the possiblity of all races to rise, sentient life.. if given the oppurtunity, orcs are not so unlike Krolvin, Riever, and Human. To say one orc is as bad as another, is like saying that all Humans are as bad as Emporess Andoles, or that all Fanderly are inherently evil. Judge each by their own merits."
You say, "I'd agree one hundred percent, particulary if you were speaking of gnolls."
Cryheart says, "Brace yourself dwarf."

* We entered an orc camp *
Cryheart waves to the child.
Cryheart says, "Hello child."
Speaking to you, Karibeth says, "Women and children."
You grunt.

* After we patrolled, finding no catapults, the conversation resumed. *

Cryheart says, "Quiet."
Cryheart says, "I need to write Mayor Walkar, about a proper burial for those remains in the backpacks."
You whisper, "Unlike orcs, gnolls ahve established and held large towns, even as large as the Landing, and have shown expertise at trade, farming, smithing, weaving, and other more civil type professions." to your group.
Cryheart says, "After this battle is over."
Speaking quietly to you, Greganth says, "And that all started with one gesture."
Greganth nods to you.
Karibeth nods to you.
Speaking quietly to you, Greganth says, "This may be the turn that sees that rise."
Greganth shrugs.
Speaking to Greganth, you say, "It all started with one gnolls will to survive, and willigness to lead his kind from Danjirland to a hidden cave."
Speaking to you, Karibeth says, "Thrayzar and his clan are those who are different then other orcs... they seek and practice those things... to better themselves."
Greganth quietly says, "And it may be that Thrayzar is the orc to lead this tribe to succession."
Karibeth nods at Greganth.
You say, "And their separation from civilization, and the ability to protect themselves from outsiders whilst at the same time not raiding those nearby."
Cryheart nods.
Karibeth nods to you.
Greganth rubs his chin thoughtfully.
You say, "I have studied gnolls for years."
Greganth quietly asks, "My father .. once knew a man, who was a bear, perhaps you knew him as well?"
Greganth cocks his head at you.
You say, "They have survived even in the midst of outside interference from high powered Sheruvain wizards."
Speaking to you, Karibeth says, "It's entirely possible Thrayzar and his clan will go back to the same. They were hidden but then Drangell found them out and they've been forced to move."
Karibeth nods.
Greganth quietly says, "Lord Howlinbear Lionleg."
You rub your chin thoughtfully.
Greganth quietly says, "He explained things like this..."
You say, "I was going to say, you speak of Howlinbear."
Karibeth grins.
Greganth quietly says, "While it was true he was more bear than man, his understanding of things went so.."
You say, "He and my nephew shared a cave when my nephew mistakenly thought he had become undead."
Karibeth grins at you.
Greganth quietly says, "There are good bears, and there are bad bears, the bad bears must be put down."
Cryheart grins at you.
You nod at Greganth.
Greganth quietly says, "I suspect the same goes for orcs."
Greganth quietly says, "My father and Lord Howlinbear were the closest of friends.. he was eventually chased from the town of Icemule as an abomination. Sometimes I wish he would return."
Speaking to Greganth, you say, "Aye, but for gnolls, it all occurred by surpressing outside interference and outside influences. And all that was why the Great Gnoll was given his title."
Greganth nods to you.
You say, "The gnolls, you see, learned good from bad without misguided applause from outsiders."
Cryheart nods to you.
Speaking to Greganth, you say, "They learned their own way the value of peace."
Speaking to Greganth, you say, "And I suspect that can not be learned by an orc or a troll, particularly if what they are learning is which side to survive on."
Greganth quietly says, "Well, there is another reason, I have always hesitated to strike a troll, but its an old wives tale likely, told to children to get them to mend their ways."
Greganth quietly says, "Er orc I mean."
You ask, "Aye?"
Greganth quietly says, "The story goes, on an orc's creation."
Greganth quietly says, "It said that if an elf dies while commiting a crime, or performing some heinous act, they are reborn as an orc."
Greganth shrugs.
Cryheart rubs his chin thoughtfully.
You nod.
Greganth quietly says, "I dont know what truth lies in that, could be just to get elven children to walk straighter lines, however."
Greganth quietly says, "If it is true.. then each orc is elven at its core.. regardless of how the darkness may have corrupted it."
You say, "Well now, nothing in that story would stop a dwarf from dealing with orcs."
You nod at Greganth.
Greganth quietly says, "Perhaps."
You say, "No offense."
Greganth quietly says, "None taken."
Cryheart rubs his chin thoughtfully.
Greganth quietly says, "I have another thought on it however."
You ask, "Indeed?"
Greganth quietly says, "Thrayzar's tribe, well, his people, lets say, to be clear, they are not all orcs.."
Cryheart nods at Greganth.
Cryheart says, "Goblins."
Greganth quietly says, "They came to him because they wished to escape the constant war, and fighting they suffered, just for being born what they were."
Greganth quietly says, "To me, that sounds like a society that is ready to embrace a new life, one of cooperation, and kinship."
You say, "Then they should do as the gnolls did."
Greganth quietly says, "Course, I wouldnt expect all orcs to share that, some may actually enjoy the fighting, as is their nature, being born of darkness as it were."
You say, "Find a place they can protect, develop, and begin to foster trade."
Greganth quietly says, "But they did, Thuunk."
Greganth quietly says, "They lived there for many many years, in peace."
You ask, "And what happened?"
Greganth quietly says, "Away from everything that could, or wanted to harm them."
Greganth quietly says, "Drangell happened."
You ask, "Drangell is orc, troll, or what?"
Greganth quietly says, "By coincedence.."
Greganth quietly says, "Troll."
Cryheart says, "Originally a giantkin."
Cryheart nods to you.
You ask, "So they chose to follw Drangell?"
Cryheart says, "He must be a big troll."
Cryheart nods at Greganth.
You rub your chin thoughtfully.
Greganth quietly says, "By coincedence, Thrayzar helped us defeat the summoners, at a very large cost to himself, he asked for only one thing in return."
You say, "Or am I getting confused here."
You hear very soft footsteps.
You ask, "Thrayzar is the orc leader? or the troll leader?"
Karibeth walks over to the chair and settles down.
Karibeth says, "Orc."
Greganth quietly says, "He asked that if the time came, we would protect his people from Drangell, while they moved to another safer location."
Karibeth nods in agreement.
Greganth quietly says, "And thats what we are doing."
You ask, "And Drangell leads the trolls?"
Cryheart says, "Be back."
Greganth nods to you.
Cryheart nods.
Karibeth says, "Aye."
Sir Cryheart just went down the porch steps.
Karibeth nods to you.
You say, "So the trolls choose to follow one who seeks war."
Karibeth nods in agreement.
Greganth quietly says, "He helped us, now we will help him."
Greganth nods to you.
You ask, "And the orcs follow one who seeks ? what?"
Greganth quietly says, "Peace and ambiguity."
Karibeth says, "He's a troll himself but only by being cursed."
Speaking to Greganth, Karibeth asks, "Or did you tell that already?"
Karibeth ducks her head.
Karibeth grins sheepishly.
You say, "Cryheart has mentioned it."
Karibeth nods to you.
You say, "So the trolls are following one who may not have their best interests in mind."
Karibeth says, "Exactly so."
Karibeth nods in agreement to you.
You gaze up into the heavens.
Greganth quietly says, "'trolls do that sometimes, they are just fodder for his war machine."
Greganth quietly says, "Course, the troll, he is also influenced by Stone."
Greganth quietly says, "So its a double whammy for us."
Karibeth says, "Thrayzar tells us that Drangell seeks only to kill... it's all that drives him."
A tree hawk-eagle glides into view.
You nod.
Regyy comes out of hiding.
Regyy turns towards you and renders you a sharp salute with his vultite morning-star.
You say, "Old dwarf."
You bow.
Regyy says, "Dwerf."
Regyy nods.
Karibeth appears to be trying hard not to grin.
Regyy tickles Karibeth.
You say, "That was quick."
>[Hearthstone, Front Porch]
Airy and open, the porch is enclosed by smooth, freshly painted white modwir up to a height of about four feet. As you ponder the sky-blue color of the ceiling and a lacework of deep green ivy that crisscrosses the open space between posts, the hubbub of the world beyond quickly fades away. Rocking chairs of various sizes are an inviting sight, and an elegant green marble arch provides a tantalizing view of the splendors inside the old manor. You also see a tree hawk-eagle that is flying around, the Greganth disk, a tall modwir bin, a doorman, the porch steps and a long oak sideboard with some stuff on it.
Also here: Karibeth who is sitting, Greganth who is sitting
Obvious paths: none
Karibeth chuckles.
A tree hawk-eagle glides slowly through the air, an occasional beat of her wings maintaining her momentum.
Speaking to you, Karibeth says, "He's a good ranger in that way. I can't hide for nothing."
Karibeth snickers.
You say, "He hid on me."
Karibeth nods to you.
You ask, "Given all that has passed between orc and dwarf, I still wonder how you can ask us to fight their cause?"
You peer quizzically at Greganth.
Greganth quietly says, "I dunno the orcs that you have fought, but these havent done anything to you."
Greganth shrugs.
Speaking to you, Karibeth says, "You don't have to fight for them. Fight for the Landing."
You ask, "Is the mayor not a student of history?"
You nod at Karibeth.
Speaking to you, Karibeth says, "The orcs are secondary and only some of us have given our word to help them."
The voice of Regyy says, "He has no choices."
Greganth quietly says, "Yes he is, and without this tribe, Albright and Raznel would have already burnt the town to ashes."
You say, "My role is not fighting, but scouting during times such as thes."
Karibeth nods at Greganth.
Karibeth smiles at you.
Karibeth takes a tiny sip of her steaming black coffee, warming her lips and making sure it's cool enough to drink.
Karibeth blows on her steaming black coffee.
You say, "I don't even make good bait."
Karibeth starts chuckling at you!
You say, "One swat from anyhting serious about fighting, and I start taking up the time of the healers and rezzers."
Karibeth grins at you.
Karibeth says, "That's true for most of us, actually."
Karibeth says, "Some of the stuff we've faced recently has taken out the best of us."
Karibeth nods slowly.
A tree hawk-eagle circles lazily in the air.
You say, "Perhaps I should have said ... wanttabe serious .. they ones that will grow into the sort that can take on our best fighters."
Karibeth smiles at you.
Speaking to you, Karibeth says, "Everyone plays their part. Not all can be the frontline fighters."
Speaking to you, Karibeth says, "We need scouts just like we need all the others who aid in the fight in other ways."
Karibeth smiles at you.
You say, "My nephew is angry with me. I called him because of the rabbits, and he got here and all he heard was 'ally with orcs'."
Karibeth glances over at you and winces.
Greganth quietly says, "There really was a rabbit."
Greganth quietly says, "There really was a rabbit."
You say, "I know that."
You say, "But I forgot to tell HIM why I was seeking help."
Karibeth grins at you.
Speaking to you, Karibeth says, "I'm sure his angry is short-lived."
Karibeth smiles at you.
You grunt in agreement.


Thuunk