A Kindly Request (Chapter 1)

[Callix]

Tarik follows the chieftain as he tries to think of a strategy. As he aproaches the tent, he reaches a decision. He takes his weapons in hand, being careful not to hold them in a way which suggests using them, and addresses the chieftain. "Your guards seem concerned by my brining these into your tent, yet I would not have them out of my sight. May I leave them by the door?"

[SixthDeclension]

You may certainly do so. Even if you didn't, we would not be afraid of you. Our power far surpasses yours.

They allow you to leave your weapons. The most regal one, who just spoke, motions for you to sit down in an old chair made from logs and reeds.

You have the time it takes for a lion to devour an antelope. Speak your piece. Convince us that you are right and we should follow you.

The three orcs and three guards all look at you.

Make any appropriate bluff and diplomacy rolls as you see fit.

[Callix]

Tarik pauses for a moment to compose a response, then starts his argument.

"I will put this simply. I have seen orcs that serve onder the lidless eye. They are little more than madmen, frothing at the mouth and burning all that lies in their path. They do not hunt, they do not raid, they only destroy. You seem to me a man of your own rules. They might not be the ways of the city-dwellers, but you still have honor and purpose. The servants of the eye have no honor, no pride, and no glory. They are simply pawns, sowing chaos where the cult desires, burning that which the masters say to burn. You do not deserve to be slaves to the shadows. I offer you the chance to walk your own path, as you see fit. The great beast, whatever her words, offers you nothing but servitude."

[SixthDeclension]

And you are just the solution to all our problems? Is this peaceful method even plausible to work?

[Callix]

"I make no guarantees. They may turn us down outright, and even if we reach the table, the negotiations may fail. But what guarantees can my enemies give? They want you to assasinate the council. Even if you succeed, the new council will be drawn from the same insular, conservative sort the current ones are from. And the fact that they are scared for their lives is not likely to make them talk to you. It is likely to make them try to kill every orc they can find. I'm sure that your clans could best their armies, but it gets you no closer to the trade agreement you desire. I cannot guarantee a solution, but my way is more likely to get you what you desire."

[SixthDeclension]

Myth weavers is back up. Make some rolls and I'll continue.

[Callix]

I can't see where I'm lying or trying to mislead, so here's a Diplomacy roll: 1d20=12

[SixthDeclension]

Thats all I wanted. I figured you had a pretty good circumstance bonus, so unless you rolled horribly...

Here is our deal for you. You go first into Compton. You speak to the Council about us, and vouch for us. You set it up. You make sure that they will trade with us. Then you must find us some way around that tiger mistress. We can give you a few guards for that. Then we will go with you to Compton. That sounds fair? Doesn't it? If you agree and cannot accomplish that, we will kill you then proceed to kill the Council.

[Callix]

"As I said, I can make no great guarantees about the council accepting any given proposal. All I can say is that I will get you a chance to negotiate. I do not know what you want to gain from these trades, nor what must or cannot be sold to the people of Compton. Still, if you insist, I can negotiate on your behalf, and you can enter the city once the agreement is ready. If you want this, I would advise you to give me some instructions.

"As for the tiger... there is more than one way to skin a cat. Now that I can know who is likely to try and kill me at any given point, I can make plans. Here, I think, I can make guarantees."

[SixthDeclension]

Then it is set. We can show you to the point where the tigress is to meet us outside of Compton, and we can assist you in that battle. Once she is dead, we will give instructions on what is to be bargained for inside the city. If you are set and without questions, we can show you to a place you may stay in for the night. Are you clear with everything? And remember, don't mess up.

[Callix]

"I don't intend to screw up, and I appreciate you putting your men's lives at risk with mine. I would like to see somewhere to sleep, but first I must recover my horse and gear. She should be at the edge of the woods, if your men haven't already found her."

[SixthDeclension]

Just then a guard come in, one you haven't seen. We found a horse, what do you want us to do?

Just leave it in the commons. The guard leaves. Now, lets show you your hole.

The three orcs and guards lead you to a literal hole in the ground. (Imagine the Hobbit) The door is painted green to blend with the hillside.

[Callix]

Tarik walks up to the door of his hole and opens it. After a quick look inside, he turns to his new allies.
"Camouflaged, defensible, and still comfortable. I should expect no less of orc design. Thank you."

[SixthDeclension]

The three orcs kind of grunt and turn away, leaving you for the night. What you find in the hole is very expected, a fireplace with some wood, some meat, and a small bed.

Just post "night actions" and we can move on to the next day. Also, do you plan on doing exactly what you have said, or are you just tricking them?

[Callix]

Night Actions: Sleep.

Yeah, I plan on doing what I said. I might not bargain my best if I'm pressed for time and the council wants to take a week; it'll be a fairly straightforward "If you trade with these guys, they'll be less likely to raid you so you can save money on soldiers" proposition. Also, a little help in taking down a fairly powerful member of the cult is appreciated.

[SixthDeclension]

As soon as Tarik feels like he has begun resting, the sun rises and the round door opens, light shining in, blinding him temporarily. As he nods awake, he hears grunts and footsteps, and finally the same voice he spoke with last night. Come on, She'll be expecting us to head out tonight. We don't want them to realize that we've strayed from their plans. As you rise and they drag you outside, they lead you to your horse and they hop on Scorpions themselves. You travel in a small group, seven of you total: the three leaders, and three others, who you haven't met before, but appear tough. We can give orders to your helpers here, He motions to the three. Or you can do it yourself, we don't mind either way. He continues to lead all of you down the path towards Compton, uninterrupted. You make camp, the orcs doing all the work except setting up your stuff.

Pretty much, you have the option of me controlling NPCs, or you, or even split them if you want. They will be lower level than you, most likely 4. Would you like some variation in them, or keep them fighters/barbarians?

[Callix]

"Thank you for the aid. I'd like to command them myself. I mean no offense to your ability to command, but taking her down quickly and cleanly will be easier with orders coming on the spot. One question, though. How close will she let us approach mounted? I've felt one of your berserker's charges, and it would be a great help to surprise her with cavalry."

[SixthDeclension]

She plans to meet in a small cave about 5 miles away from the entrance to Compton. She will approach from a hill, with us already in the cave, to make sure the area is secure. We could help set up an ambush of charges, but you would have to hold your own for a few seconds while our fighters reached you. Or, if you so chose, we could do something else.

Standard Barbarian Chargers?

[Callix]

"I'm sure I can handle her for a while. I'd prefer an ambush, but the charge should be enough. I'll try and hold her near the cave mouth for the charge, but be as quick as you can once she sees me and the fight starts."

Yeah, the default cavalry thugs if that's OK. I'd like to control them myself once the fight starts, though I understand if it's a round or two after the fight starts before they enter the fray.

[SixthDeclension]

Unless Tarik has any more questions, the night ends and the journey continues to the night before they reach the alcove. SixthDeclension hurries to make the generic barbarian chargers, who will all be the same. Feel the tension rising, you could almost cut it with a knifegreataxe.