Event Planning

During the time that Qarzdaq and Qhortho are away from Oldtown, Tholannan uses Sending to check in with Qarzdaq every day so he can estimate when they’d be back in town. In the meantime, he and Shadowsilver explore the town some more and enjoy the civility of Oldtown. Shadowsilver keeps herself busy by burgling at night, making some good coin in the process. She specifically sticks to marks that aren’t too high of a risk.

After five days, Tholannan receives the response he’s been waiting for… “they are on their way back and the mission has been a success.”

Knowing they are only five days out, this pegs them as arriving on a weekend – perfect for a fight night!

Shadowsilver and Tholannan discuss how to glean the most from this endeavor. They should seek a very strong and famous fighter – and design posters that reflect the weaknesses of his opponent, a donkey-fucking Dothraki.

Tholannan and Shadowsilver decide it’s time to pay a visit with Vitoryn. They enter the Warehouse District and arrive at the now-familiar establishment of Vitoryn and his crew. The guards recognize the two of them and allow them entry.

Shadowsilver and Tholannan enter the warehouse and approach a group of men at a table in the back half of the warehouse.

Vitoryn recognizes them with a stereotypical, “HO!”

            VITORYN:          What can I do you faw?

            THOL:               We have a proposition for you. Our friend Qhortho…

            VITORYN:          The donkey fucka, right!

            THOL:               Some people say that. I don’t know. He’s a strong fighter. We were thinking that if you could help us set up a worthy opponent, we could get a large crowd in here and maybe help you promote that fight. We wanted to come forward since this is your establishment and cut you in on that deal. It could be to all of our benefit.

            VITORYN:          Aright… You give me ten points on whateva youse pull in personly, we’ll take owa standid cuts from da proceeds. Yeah, we can definitely get someone in hea.

            THOL:               So you’ll get the fighter, we’ll handle the promoting.

            VITORYN:          I got just da guy. He’s not gonna be too pleased, I’ll tell you dat… This guy goes by Brutus Maximus. I’ll reach out to him, but you guys really think you’ll be able to take him?

            SHADOW:          What do you know about Brutus Maximus?

            VITORYN:          He’s a big mothafucka!

            SHADOW:          Has he been beaten before?

            VITORYN:          Only once. It took five guys to take him down.

            THOL:               Five little guys? I mean how big were they?

            VITORYN:          Dey wasn’t so little.

Tholannan and Shadowsilver look at each other. Shadowsilver nods.

            THOL:               Ok, let’s set it up. We’ll get started on preparing Qhortho and we’ll see you in five days.

            VITORYN:          Ok. Befaw you go, I’ll just tell ya dis. I don’t dink dis guy’s gonna be willin ta take a fawl. But if ya want me to find someone who would be willin, I could do dat, but the purse is not likely to be as big, but yaw shot would be maw favorable.

            SHADOW:          Are you going to be betting on Brutus?

            VITORYN:          We’ll see when the time comes.

With permission, the two discuss the options and some details of how they could keep an edge in the fight.

            THOL:               What do you think the difference in the pot will be if we put up a fall guy?

            VITORYN:          I got a couple uh guys, but dair not really known faw being ultimate fightas… hawd to say. Maybe half? Maybe a little less.

            SHADOW:          Does Brutus fight very often? Do you think we could go to an event and see him in action?

            VITORYN:          He doesn’t fight as much as he used to cuz he tried to hold on to dat title. He’s known as almost flawless so it’s not too often he’s willin to enta da ring, ay know? I’m not shua whea he is right now, but I’m shua I can find him and get him in Oldtown in da next five days. If we add some weapons to dis mix, we could get an even betta turnout.

            THOL:               A battle to the death?

            VITORYN:          Not necessarily, but if dea’s some bloodshed… well ya know…

            SHADOW:          What types of weapons does he use?

            VITORYN:          I’ve seen him use a couple – he uses a spea most often, but I’ve also seen him use a battle axe and a halberd.

            THOL:               I think Burtus is the guy, but can we leave the option of weapons open until after I can speak with Qhortho?

            VITORYN:          I dink that if we say we’ll use weapons, Brutus may be maw willin to get involved cuz thea would be maw money in it.

            THOL:               Ok, let’s do it. I think Qhortho would want this. We’ll see you then.

            VITORYN:          You betta be hea.

Shadowsilver and Tholannan leave the warehouse and begin drawing up promotion materials.Reuniting

On their way back to Oldtown, Ornogrim, Qarzdaq, and Qhortho discuss the successful forced migration of the Sparrows and the newly learned threat to the small village of Honeysuckle. Apparently, some horde of monsters have been raiding the town and there is the potential for quite a bit of loot — to be had if the Unlikely Assembly takes up the charge of dispatching said horde.

Ornogrim figures it would be best to have his raven, Tinkey, fly out to the east to scout where the horde might be located. After scouting, Tinkey would just meet them back in Oldtown.

Over the course of the next few days, Qarzdaq continues to meditate with the Amulet each morning. Although no bond has been felt yet, he believes it will happen soon enough.

Upon returning to Oldtown, they decide their plan will be to regroup with the others, inform Aeramion that the Sparrows have been safely relocated, then make way for the horde. If possible, they will get Qhortho in another fight to pad their wallets a little more.

During the course of conversation, Ornogrim confirms to Qhortho and Qarzdaq that he will tell Aeramion what he knows: that the Assembly is trustworthy and have been good to their word. Clever too.

Ornogrim asks about their lost friend Burton, focusing on his appearance – particularly his height. He asks whether he was a typical dwarf or whether he was perfectly normal looking, but just small. Qhortho tells him that he was in normal proportions. Ornogrim asks about peculiar behavior such as stealing children or a proclivity for shiny objects. Qhortho asks whether Ornogrim knew Burton, for his questions are so on point. Ornogrim jumps straight to the point – a grumkin may have been in their midst the entire time.

Ornogrim tells them that they had been fortunate to escape the journey unscathed and with their lives, adding “they are not to be trusted.”

Qhortho and Qarzdaq look at each other quizzically but accept the conclusion.

Ornogrim tells stories he learned as a child, north of the wall, that told of grumkins stealing naughty children. As he entered adolescence, he believed these stories to be a farce; a way to scare misbehaved children to obedience. He learned of their true existence as he traveled the lands to the far north. They are both, less menacing in their appearance and more sinister and conniving in their intentions.

Ornogrim continues to speak of his journey south to finally arriving at Oldtown, breezing over his traversal of The Wall with a single mention of how his ranging experience has given him the ability to sneak quite efficiently, even with a small group with him.

Qhortho mentions that Ornogrim appears to know how to handle himself and that they should spar some time. Ornogrim agrees to medium contact while yielding that he is unlikely to be a sufficient match for Qhortho in true hand-to-hand combat.

The remaining days back to Oldtown go without incident.

As they see Oldtown on the horizon, they are again impressed by its size. As they get closer, Tinkey swoops down from the sky and lands on Ornogrim’s shoulder. Ornogrim casts his “fuckin talk with animals” and learns that there is a large encampment of orcs numbering somewhere between 25 and 50. Ornogrim shares this information with the others.

            QARZDAQ:        If they were all within 30 feet…

            ORNO:              I could make them all stealthy.

They laugh at the thought and before much longer, they arrive at the stables. They speak with the familiar owner of the establishment, Winston. Restating their deal of this so-called “renting” of equipment. After a full inspection of the wagons, they were refunded the full amount less 1% of the purchase price for each day they were gone.

The trio heads to the tavern to rendezvous with Shadowsilver and Tholannan.

After about an hour of walking south down the Rose Road extension, they cross the bridge and traverse the apple orchard to Phoenix Pyre. Immediately upon entering, they see Shadowsilver and Tholannan sitting at a table.

They greet each other happily and sit together discussing their time apart.

Ornogrim tells the group that he must leave to speak with Aeramion so he knows the mission is complete. After he leaves the tavern, they briefly reminisce about their journey thus far, disbelieving that it’s now Day 251 of their time together. They then remember that their ship has been sitting at the dock here in Oldtown for the past 11 days. Even if they were to leave today, they would owe 55gp for their stay.

They discuss a few options for the boat. Do they take it to Highgarden? Do they just sell it? Or maybe lease it? Maybe allow it to be used in some questionable activities? Shipments perhaps?

The discussion ends without resolution.

​

Fulfilled Promises

Ornogrim enters the Mage’s Guild and speaks with Aeramion.

            ORNO:              My Lord. I tailed the Unlikely Assembly to a small village. My raven Tinkey observed them from the air escorting the Sparrows into the village where they will be residing. It appears the village had been attacked by monsters and the Sparrows saw room for them to provide aid and establish themselves.

            AERAMION:       So would you say they will stay out of town?

            ORNO:              I believe so.

            AERAMION:       And none of them were harmed in the process?

            ORNO:              None of them were harmed. I don’t want to make light of the villagers’ misfortune, but I believe that played strongly to our advantage. The Sparrows seem dedicated to that cause for right now. I believe this Assembly has fulfilled their debt to you my lord.

            AERAMION:       Alright. I accept that. Thank you for your service in this matter.

            ORNO:              My Lord, I also want to breach an uncomfortable subject. I have enjoyed working with you my time here, but my wanderlust has grown and I will be leaving the City Watch to do good for this world with this group. I will go speak with my commander after I leave here to make it official, but I would like to hear your perspective before doing so.

            AERAMION:       I think you will be missed, but I think you have gone above and beyond your duty here. I can understand why you would want to leave. Selfishly, I think this is a good thing. You greatly enhance the capabilities of the City Watch, which prevents the Mage Guild from extending its reach into enforcement as readily. This departure will allow us to gain a stronger role in not much time.

            ORNO:              Would you mind if I dropped your name with Carth Daxon? I could reassure him that in the absence of my skills, you would be available to step in.

            AERAMION:       Do you think that’s a good idea?

            ORNO:              I believe it would set his mind at ease and this new venture you seem to desire.

            AERAMION:       Well, you know our history. They are not happy with us being involved at all with enforcement activities.

            ORNO:              Of course. You make a good point. I will leave you out of the conversation.

            AERAMION:       I think that is wise. Thank you again very much for the help over the years and I wish you good tidings in the future. Please let the others know that I consider that debt resolved.

Each member of the Assembly earns 500XP.

Ornogrim leaves the Mage Guild for Carth Daxor’s home. Along the way, he purchases a jug of ale.

Ornogrim approaches the man’s door and knocks. It opens after a few moments.

            CARTH:             Ornogrim? What brings you here?

            ORNO:              Carth, friend, I have something I’d like to discuss with you. As you know, I’ve been on this quest. (He raises the jug of ale) Do you have a few cups available?

He looks at Ornogrim with slight disappointment, bows his head.

            CARTH:             Sure thing. Please, come in.

Ornogrim pours some ale for the two of them and they sit at the main dining table.

            ORNO:              I have really enjoyed working with you, but this quest I was just one just inflated the wanderlust I’ve been feeling in my heart. It pains me to do so, but I think I must inform you that I will be leaving the City Watch.

            CARTH:             Is there anything I can do to change your mind?

            ORNO:              I’m afraid not. I have stayed longer than has been comfortable for me.

            CARTH:             Even if I upped your wages.

            ORNO:              Maybe in some time, my wanderlust will be cured and I can come back, but for now, I must take my leave.

            CARTH:             To be honest, I have been expecting this for some time. You’ve been a great help to the City Watch and we’ve had great benefits from your fighting style and skill. I wish you the best of luck on your path forward.

            ORNO:              Thank you. As a small token of my friendship, I give you these ten goodberries that are about to expire anyway.

            CARTH:             Thank you.

They spend the next hour or so drinking the ale and discussing past times and what the future may bring. When their discussion reaches a natural conclusion, Ornogrim leaves Carth’s home for Phoenix Pyre.

Fight Night

When Ornogrim arrives back at the tavern, the group is discussing the fight that Qhortho is entering into this very night. They decide it would be best to leave now because it will take some time to get over there.

About 45 minutes later, they get near the warehouse. Based on all the noise, it must be packed!

They enter the warehouse and make a path to the ring, where a fight is currently taking place. It’s clear that this bareknuckle fight is amongst amateurs. The Assembly makes their way over to the Challenger Side of the ring.

Alongside the ring, on the other side, a truly magnificent-looking fighter is training with a huge oaken spear with worn carvings along the entire shaft. The wood is stained in flowing patterns of light and dark. He is wearing an ornate shield on his back.

They pass the judges and bookie table and walk to where Vitoryn is standing with his associates.

            VITORYN:          Hey, look who’s hea!

            SHADOW:          Crowd looks great – you did a great job!

He scans over the crowd.

            VITORYN:          Yeah. It’s what I do.

            THOL:               We did our part too. We got our boy back there getting ready. We just wanted to clarify the rules before we get started.

            VITORYN:          Aright. Well there’s the rules… then there’s the rules. Clean fight: no poisons, no magic, none of that nonsense.

            SHADOW:          Yeah, that’s what we wanted to clarify.

            VITORYN:          But… I mean, if I don’t see somethin, how do I know you did somethin? The ref ova there’s supposed to be keepin an eye out, but sometimes ya can’t see what’s right in front of ya when light gets in yaw eye. Somethin shiny in the right light and all of a sudden, ya don’t see what it is yaw lookin at. Am I right?

            SHADOW:          We really just wanted to ensure there is no poison on either side, right from the beginning.

            VITORYN:          Aright. If you want to be shua it’s a fair fight, the ref will check out both weapons.

            THOL:               Do you know if this guy is prone to using poisons?

            VITORYN:          It would be against his long term intrests if he were caught.

The discussion continues along these lines for a little longer. They place bets in the range of tens of platinum each. Well, except the pious Qarzdaq.

One of the bareknuckle amateurs is declared the winner, but no one really cares. Qhortho prepares to enter the ring.

Ornogrim notices a few of his fellow City Watchmen in the warehouse and approaches them to make small talk in between the fights.

Tholannan, guarded by his newly-purchased cloak, casts Aid on himself and Qhortho, then follows that up with Warding Bond and Shield of Faith. Essentially, Qhortho will be harder to hit and half of any damage taken will be transferred to Tholannan.

Just before Qhortho enters the ring, Shadowsilver is able to coat the arakh in Scorpion poison without anyone noticing.

Qhortho and Brutus enter the ring.

The ref walks to the center and motions for them to join him.

            REF:                  Ladies and gentlemen! In one corner we have a fighter known far and wide, the world famous Brutus Maximus!

Brutus twirls his spear around with one hand, then above his head while donning his shield from its location on his back with his other hand.

The crowd erupts in aggressive cheering.

            REF:                  And in this corner we have a Dothraki, unknown to most, from the far lands of Essos, the Dothraki Sea. Clearly with some trouble ahead.

The crowd enthusiastically boos.

            REF:                  Fighters. Present your weapons for inspection.

Brutus presents his spear to the ref. He looks it over carefully and wipes a rag along the sharpened edges. He wipes the rag on his hand and notices no reactions on his skin. He hands the spear back to Brutus.

Qhortho presents his arakh. The ref goes through the same motions but does not actually wipe the blade. He hands the arakh to Qhortho and motions for them to go back to their corners.

Qarzdaq bows his head in prayer for his friend, which goes unnoticed. However, this “prayer” is Haste, which makes Qhortho even harder to hit and gives him an extra attack.

The ref raises his hands in the air, looks at each fighter, and then throws his hands down, “FIGHT!”

Qhortho lets out a primal scream as his eyes roll entirely black. He charges Brutus and slashes through the air as Brutus nimbly parries out of the way. His second slash lands true and delivers the searing scorpion poison into his bloodstream. The third slash misses completely.

The fight continues with each of them delivering hits and Brutus parrying some great attempts by Qhortho. It’s a little touch and go at times, with Tholannan taking a lot of damage via his Warding Bond with Qhortho.

After over a minute of constant fighting, Qhortho deals a blow that causes the famed Brutus Maximus to fall. He doesn’t even make a sound as he takes that last hit. His eyes stare at Qhortho with astonishment, a look of a man who is more startled than anything else. He crumbles under the weight of his armor with a deadened thump. His spear remains balanced on its butt for moments that feel like an eternity, eventually falling over onto the floor of the ring with a clap.

Qhortho looks out at the disbelieving faces of the crowd, throws his arms above him and roars with victory.

Each member of the Assembly gains 360XP.

Brutus’ entourage rushes over to him to tend his wounds.

The crowd becomes angry and turns on the Assembly members.

Vitoryn approaches the group with a shit-eating grin.

            VITORYN:          Youse guys did good. Real good.

Qhortho exits the ring. Vitoryn turns to Qhortho.

            VITORYN:          Nice job. You need any help? You look a little wurse fuh weah.

            QHORTHO:        I FEEL WONDERFUL! AHHHHH!

            SHADOW:          Sounds like it was a pretty good night for you too Vitoryn.

            QHORTHO:        THE TASTE OF BLOOD IS IN MY MOUTH!

            VITORYN:          Yeah. It was pretty good.

            QHORTHO:        I AM VICTORIOUS ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE!

            VITORYN:          I’m not so shua we can do dis no maw cuz now they will all know of Kawtho the Dothraki….

            QHORTHO:        QHORTHO DRAGON SLAYER!

            VITORYN:          Yep.

They decide to cash out as quickly as possible. But before they go…

            SHADOW:          Vitoryn, we have another proposition for you. We have a ship at the docks that we need to get to Highgarden. If you have any way to profit from the use of a ship, you are welcome to use it if you could then deliver it to Highgarden for us. We’re going by land and just want to have it when we get there. Do what you will with it – and pay our minimal dock fee for the time it’s been here. If that’s something that interests you.

            VITORYN:          I don’t really have the personnel to do that.

            THOL:               Do you know of any merchants that would take us up on this offer?

            QARZDAQ:        Yeah, maybe you could set something up for us.

            ORNO:              We’ll give you ten points!

            QARZDAQ:        We’re looking to leave tomorrow, but if you can set something up in the next few days, that would be ok too.

            SHADOW:          Even a week would be ok.

            VITORYN:          What’s the name of the ship?

            QARZDAQ:        Ser Osis of the River.

            SHADOW:          And it’s well equipped for battle. And all we ask is that if you engage in battle that you replenish the armaments.

            VITORYN:          If anything, we’d be lookin for sumthin a little smalla… like a smugglin ship, but even dat wouldn’t have great use to us right now. I’ll dink on it. Dat’s da best I can do.

            SHADOW:          Let us know something in the morning because we’re trying to get out of town.

            VITORYN:          I don’t know what I’ll know by tomorra….

            THOL:               Can we send word to you?

            QARZDAQ:        Can you send us a raven or something? Can we send you a raven?

            QHORTHO:        Do you have a place where we can keep a boat?

            ORNO:              Where are we going to find a raven?

The barrage of questions appear to have solidified Vitoryn’s stance.

            VITORYN:          I dink I’m gonna hafta decline. With respect.

            ORNO:              My raven here says you should do it.

            QHORTHO:        Do you want to buy a boat?

            VITORYN:          It seems very wise, but prolyl not too bright deah.

            ORNO:              Sometimes wisdom is more important than intelligence.

            VITORYN:          Sometimes yeah. In this case, nah, I don’t dink so.

            SHADOW:          We appreciate your time. Perhaps next time we’re through here we can work something else out.

            VITORYN:          I think that’s a good idea.

Vitoryn gives them a way to leave through a back door so they won’t be mobbed by the angry crowd.

They make their way back to Phoenix Pyre and along the way, Qarzdaq decides they are selling the ship. When they get to the tavern, they have a few drinks then turn in for the night.

​​

Shipping Out

The next morning they meet downstairs and sit down for breakfast.

            QHORTHO:        Qarzdaq my friend. Your purse is looking a little lighter than the rest of ours.

            QARZDAQ:        R’hllor provides all I need and, well, that one time that you provided all I needed, thank you.

            SHADOW:          I don’t think we want to know about that.

            QHORTHO:        Well, I just wanted to provide you with a little more. How about 50 platinum?

            QARZDAQ:        I mean, I’ll take it. I’m all for charity.

            SHADOW:          If you’re giving out platinum…

            QHORTHO:        Yours looks heaviest of all!

            SHADOW:          Hey, just doing my part for the team.

            QHORTHO:        I just wanted to share the wealth where there was a little inequity.

            QARZDAQ:        Thank you my friend.

They finish their meals and leave for the docks. Upon arriving they are met by Rynseed.

            RYNSEED:          Hey fellash. Been a while.

            SHADOW:          We were wondering about selling the ship.

            RYNSEED:          Ahhh. You told me to put out some feelersh.

            SHADOW:          Yeah. What’d you find out?

            RYNSEED:          It looksh like I could probably shell the ship ash it shits for about 4000gp.

            SHADOW:          So that includes all the armaments?

            RYNSEED:          Indeed.

            SHADOW:          You think that’s the best you can get?

            RYNSEED:          It looksh that way.

            SHADOW:          If you can include the docking fees, we’re ok with that.

            RYNSEED:          Well, let’sh shee. It’sh 5gp per day and you were docked for 12 daysh, sho that’sh 60gp. I’ll have my 10% brokersh fee from the 4000gp, so if we do thish now, I’ll cover the docking feesh from my cut.

Shadowsilver turns to the others.

            SHADOW:          So what do you guys think?

            THOL:               We split the purchasing cost of everything evenly, did we not? So that would be 720gp each.

            SHADOW:          We’d get 900gp each because Burton’s not here.

            QHORTHO:        We say the ship is worth 5000gp. You can take whatever fees you want out of that and I think that’s a fair deal.

            RYNSEED:          I get my fee from the shale price. My inshentive is to get ash much ash I can for it.

            QHORTHO:        If you can’t negotiate it further, then why are we dealing with you?

            RYNSEED:          If you’d like to shell it yourshelf, then you are free to do sho. I’ll just need the docking feesh and your’re free to go ash you wish.​​​

            QHORTHO:        I think we may want to just take our chances on the market ourselves.

            RYNSEED:          Alright, no problem. That will be 60gp.

            QARZDAQ:        My friend here is a little punch drunk from last night. I don’t know if you’re familiar with…

            QHORTHO:        THE MIGHTY QHORTHO!

            QARZDAQ:        … the Beast from the East.

            RYNSEED:          It’sh really no problem if you’d like to look elshwhere.

            QARZDAQ:        No, no, no. We’ll take the 3600gp after your fee.

            SHADOW:          Yeah, that’s 900gp a piece. Sorry Ornogrim, you don’t get a cut of this.

            RYNSEED:          Ok then, I’ll get your gold.

He scurries off to the dock office and returns with the coins and gives them all to Shadowsilver

            RYNSEED:          Here you go my lady.

Shadowsilver thinks about pocketing the coins, but changes her mind as she’s playing the long game right now and still needs to earn back her trust from the group. Plus, they’d notice that right away. Except Qhortho. Maybe he wouldn’t. Shadowsilver passes 900gp to each of the original Assembly Members.

They all thank Rynseed Flowers for his time and efforts and make way for the outskirts of town to purchase means and provisions for the road ahead.

About an hour and a half later, they arrive at Sir Winston’s Champ.

            WINSTON:         Hiya folks. If you’re looking for bridles, saddles, horse leathers, decoration, or horses, you’ve come to the right place.

They discuss the horses they’ll need. They’d like to have speed. They discuss the prices of war horses, riding horses, and draft horses for a few minutes. Winston begs them to buy a carriage from him, but they decline. They decide to take riding horses, except Qhortho, who would like a warhorse.

            QHORTHO:        I’d like to look at your stock.

            WINSTON:         Sure thing. I have five warhorses in the stable.

They walk back to the stable and Qhortho looks them over. One is black stallion with some white speckles here and there like a night sky. Qhortho asks about him.

            WINSTON:         That guy? You don’t want him. He’s quite wild. We may have to put him down to make room for other stock since he’s unsellable, but no one can get close enough to him, so we just feed him and carry on.

He redirects Qhortho to another warhorse and walks over, expecting Qhortho to follow him. Qhortho instead gets closer to the black one, who whinnies loudly and starts to buck in the stable, kicking the walls with great might. When Qhortho’s eyes connect with the horse’s, it begins to settle down… just a little.

            WINSTON:         Whoa. It appears he responds well to you.

            QHORTHO:        I’ll take him.

They depart Oldtown for the horde camp on Day 252.

Too Many Orcs

They decide on a traveling configuration of Ornogrim and Shadowsilver up front with Qarzdaq, Qhortho, and Tholannan just behind. After traveling for a few days, Ornogrim raises his hand, signifying to the group that they should stop. Ornogrim dismounts and examines the ground. He recognizes the trail ahead as being made by orcs, probably no more than 15 days ago. He conveys to the group that he believes there are more than 40 of them and that some Orogs and Eyes of Gruumsh are in the mix. He describes each of these creatures and their motives in detail. This won’t be easy.

He mounts up and they continue the ride, a little slower now for safety. Over the next few days, Ornogrim picks up the odor of orcs and it is growing stronger as they ride.

Only hours later, they see walls of rock and wooden staves in the far distance. There appear to be well-worn pathways leading through the gaps in the stone. It looks as if this may be the encampment.

Ornogrim casts Pass Without Trace, which allows the entire group to be more stealthy. They continue on their way a little longer until they can make out wooden archer towers against the sky. They decide it is best to wait until after dark to proceed so they dismount and make camp near a tree for some cover.

Ornogrim decides to warg into Tinkey. He sits against the trunk of the tree and his eyes turn ghostly white. Ornogrim becomes entirely unresponsive. Tinkey takes off towards the horde camp, surveying the entire camp then returning to Ornogrim. When Tinkey lands, Ornogrim’s blinks his eyes a few times and the color returns. He describes what he saw through Tinkey’s eyes quite well:

​​After some discussion, they decide to do a long rest then wake up around 3am to move in. Given that it is a night with a new moon, they believe the additional darkness will help them. 

They will all proceed stealthily to the red X on the map, then Ornogrim Ornogrim and Shadowsilver will scale the rocky wall and take out the archers in as many towers as possible. They will have Tinkey send a signal to the others when they should move in on the camp.

Very early in the morning on Day 258 they awake and put their plan into action.

They make sure the horses are tied up – except Qhortho who insists on riding his.

The entire group successfully makes it to the marked location. Ornogrim and Shadowsilver begin their climb.

They stealthily make their way up the rock, then across the plateau over to the first tower. They climb up the tower and Shadowsilver kills the Orc without a sound in a single strike. They climb back down the tower and sneak to the other tower physically attached to this plateau. This time, Ornogrim can stay put while Shadowsilver makes the 25-foot climb to the tower platform. This Orc is also killed without a sound in a single strike.

They sneak back to the first tower, climb it, and sneakily traverse a rope connected to another tower, crossing a 50-foot gap 125 feet above the ground. About halfway across, they pause as two orcs walk beneath them to the edge of the encampment. They pause for a moment and look out over the horizon then turn to walk towards a nearby campfire.

Onrogrim’s eyes follow the orcs’ likely path and focuses on a group of four orcs standing around the campfire. One is much larger than the others. This looks like an Ogre.​​

They continue to cross once they know they have not been spotted and successfully get the jump on the next towered Orc as well, killing him just like the first two.

They decide to go after the taller of the next two towers first. They climb up and successfully kill this Orc as well. They then sneak to the other tower on this plateau. Given that this is also only a 25-foot climb, Ornogrim remains on the ground. Shadowsilver kills this next one without issue.

They make their way back to the other tower where a rope connects to a lower tower in the center of the camp.

On the climb back up this tower, Ornogrim gets about 50 feet up and slips. He falls 15 feet before catching himself on a crossbeam. This could have spelled disaster. He quickly catches back up to Shadowsilver and they start crossing the rope. As they do, they see a campfire over 100 feet below them to the left. Four Orcs and another Ogre are gathered here. As they cross the edge of the next plateau, they see a beacon below them and another to the far right. Another campfire is raging below them with another four lowly Orcs and one more ornate-looking Orc. In the reflection of the campfire light on the Orcs’ faces, they can see the one that stands out also wears an eyepatch. Ornogrim immediately recognizes this one as an Eye of Gruumsh.

They continue to cross, taking notice of the tin-roofed shack below them, on which the tower resides. Shadowsilver vaults over the divider wall and comes down on the Orc with her short sword. However, he survives the maneuver. She follows up with her second short sword before the Orc is able to call out.

Shadowsilver does a rolling front flip over to the very close tower below and side swipes the next Orc. The Orc survives the first strike, and her second one only slices thin air as he falls backward. He tries to call out, but is unable to make more than a slight gasp. Ornogrim shoots an Arrow of Truer Shot at the Orc lying on his back. With lots of inspiration, it hits and kills the Orc.

Shadowsilver climbs back up to the tower where Ornogrim is standing. When she makes it to the top, they nod at each other and continue on along the rope leading to the next tower. Looking to their right as they cross, they see an Ogre standing near a gallows. Closer by, there is an Ogre-looking creature; Ornogrim recognizes this as an Orog.

Shadowsilver gets to the tower first and destroys the next Orc with one strike.

Down below this tower is a platform with stairs. The platform surrounds an arena to the right. Two Orcs stand below the tower.

They decide they should kill these two Orcs as they turn to walk towards the arena. Shadowsilver and Ornogrim climb down stealthily and each sneak behind them. Shadowsilver slices her target’s throat and he falls. Ornogrim slices his target, but does not slice deep enough to take him down. The Orc lets out a faint yell. He turns to attack Ornogrim, who successfully parries the attack. Shadowsilver slices at the Orc and takes him down.

For killing the first 10 Orcs in the camp, each member gains 200XP, 

​

It’s impossible to know how many were able to hear the Orc’s yell, but they know someone had to… They’re fairly certain they are about to be found out.

Ornogrim whispers to Tinkey, “Go Left, Go Left, Go Left” so she will mimic that sound when she goes back to the others waiting just outside the camp.

As Tinkey takes to the sky, Shadowsilver and Ornogrim wait, semi-crouched, to see who comes along next…

Day 252, total XP is 20,960XP