Elendor
Goblins in the rain
A party of orcs surprises the caravan of Erebor dwarves as they camp at the High Pass, and a skulking, slimy creature takes an interest in Thari.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: High Pass, Summit
Game Date: 1st Lithe 3044
IC Time: Late night
Weather: Hot, raining
Description:
High Pass, Summit
The pass continues across what seems to be the very summit of the mountains about you. Cliffs fall away at your feet everywhere, dropping hundreds of feet and spelling certain demise with one false step. This treacherous journey has your nerves on edge and your mind reeling. You will be glad to see it finally over.
A descnight needs to be added. This area is under construction. Contact Maz with problems.
There is a stong downpour from the heavens, the wind and cool temperature causing the rain to drive in sheets toward the ground. The midnight summer air is mild and slightly humid. The moon is above the horizon and in its waning gibbous phase.
Contents:
Ranol
Thari
Obvious exits:
West leads to High Pass, Western Face.
East leads to High Pass, Eastern Descent.
Thari drops Dwarven Camp.
Dulugobghaash has arrived.
Squee climbs carefully down the western slope towards you.
Squee has arrived.
Ovor has arrived.
[Thari(#31038)]
It's a horrible, horrible place to camp, cold and wet with a steep cliff on every side, yet here the dwarves are. The wagons and tents are as close to each other as might be reasonable this night. The only light is the moon, and the occasional blue flare of a pipe struggling against the rain and briefly illuminating a wet and bearded face. It looks like more dwarves are awake than sleeping tonight.
Gollum climbs carefully down the western slope towards you.
Gollum has arrived.
[Squee(#32191)] From down the mountain, a small group of twelve or so uruks blunders through the darkness under the veil of the rain. Leading the quiet stampede is Squee, his long cloak soaked and heavy in the darkness. Mud splatters the base of the dark veil covering Squee's body, as he presses on against the stinging water.
There is a pause as the features of the Talashakh are reflected back to his patrol in a bright flash of lightning. Thin slits now reside where pupils should be and six seconds later their is a resounding boom as Squee speaks and his voice is muffled to all, even the orcs who follow him.
[Gollum(#30197)] The sky above the High Pass cares not that it is summer in the lands below, instead continuing to pour a miserablly drab and seasonless climate on the visitors up here. The poor weather and scant moonlight ate foreboding...what things might hide in the dark and damp?
Atop some stones above the camp, a silhouette is briefly visible, a shape not unlike that of a small orc or a child. A moment later, the silhouette is gone...if ever anything was truly there.
[Thari(#31038)]
The door to Thari's wagon opens. The little dwarf holds a shield lazily in one hand and the helmet is sitting askew atop fo bandages. Thari squints into the darkness, a sour expression on the face.
Ranol looks little more than a brown cloak with a black beard. The cowl is pulled low against the rain and he's standing motionless near the edge of camp, waiting for one of the Bundazanul clan-karls to return from a quick scouting run.
[Ovor(#20753)] One of those Dwarves is the Thane Zinbar, Ovor. He stands quietly, hand on hammer that rests upon a shoulder, while his other has his shield. Alike to a statue is the Thane, until he moves to look elsewhere in the night, a frown under his beard. Or a scowl. Could be one or the other.
[Squee(#32191)] Falling butt-first into the mudd, Squee begins a huddle with his small group of orcs. He begins to speak in low quiet whispers that doesn't sound like common to the uruks listening however they all seem to understand. After several gestures from the Morghash chieftain, the uruk snarls as another bolt of electricity cracks the sky, a strange colored hue against the night and the Morian uruks scramble for cover and draw their bows.
[Thari(#31038)]
A shadow moves near Thari, and the dwarf's eyes show white a moment as they flick toward it-- but no, it is an ally. The healer-merchant steps down from the wagon and shuts the door, walking toward Ovor. The russet hood is pulled up. "I couldn't sleep," comes a low grumble from Thari. "How can anyone sleep up here?"
[Ranol(#26812)] There's the bulky look of a sheild held under that brown hooded cloak that Ranol wears, and the rain runs down the fabric steadily as it continues to pour down upon the mountain. He watches the shadows amongst the boulders and rocks, waiting for the dwarf to return that went up a short distance to check the road of the pass. Movement catches Ranol's attention, and he sighs in relief when he recognizes the scout returning, moving forward to speak with him in low tones.
[Ovor(#20753)] "By drinking too much or slipping and falling on a rock." Rumbles the Thane, shaking water from his beard. "Otherwise, it would prove most difficult. At least it is only a temporary inconvience." The Thane lowers his hammer, resting the head of it on his foot, his mail ringing gently as he does so.
[Gollum(#30197)] While orcs and dwarves alike huddle and shield themselves against the rain, someone...or something...slips down the side of a steep face above the dwarven camp. In the dark, the creature is something like an orc, but leaner and smaller than most. In the gloom, luminescent eyes probe the night as the creature descends stealthily toward the camp.
[Squee(#32191)] Bows are drawn, both long and short go with the different sized uruks. The mud soaked bow in Squee's hands seems almost invisible in the darkness giving him the appearance that he shoots the arrow with no help of a bow. As Talashakh's shaft is reloosed, so are the other twelve of his uruk followers.
Seven of the thirteen shafts stick the dwarf as it returns down the scouting trail, the first shot pierces the aburn bearded dwarf's throat with allowing a gurgle of blood before the dwarf falls.
[Ranol(#26812)] There's a moment, brief though it may be, where the Huskarl can only stare in complete shock. Then he calls an alarm and reaches for the fallen scout to pull the dwarf back towards the camp. "Attack! Arrows!!" He calls loudly, holding his shield up defensively before him.
[Frarin] Of the dwarves standing guard about the camp, one is clad in a grey cloak and hood and stands at an odd angle as if placing all weight on one leg. A steady dribble of rain water pools at the fore of Frarin's hood and falls from the edge, but he seems little bothered, standing wary and brooding, one hand hooked into his belt, the other resting on the head of a heavy blue war hammer at his side. He stands apart from most of the other dwarves, as usual, but turns at the sound of voices conversing behind him, especially Thari's.
If the old merchant means to join his comrades, however, he does not have a chance. There is a muffled gurgle of a sudden and Frarin looks around. Is that rain water? The sound of boots in mud? But no! There is a shout from Ranol and Frarin is abruptly drawing his weapon, grim expression descending. "Where? Ranol! Did you see where?!"
[Thari(#31038)]
"I never drink enough on trips," Thari sighs to Ovor in the rain. The cropped, sad little beard is too short even to get wet outside of the hood.
An alarm is raised. Thari's shield is strapped to the left, and the axe is pulled forth. Wild eyes look around, and then the axe is pointed toward the luminous eyes. "There! I see soemthing!"
Gimli climbs carefully down the western slope towards you.
Gimli has arrived.
[Squee(#32191)] As the alarm is raised, Squee's smile is clocked by the heavy water-logged cloak. The rain lets up a bit, giving up a bit of the advantages of either side. Eyes watch as the uruk's prey falls to the ground. "A stuck pig," Squee growls and gestures for the two smallest orcs to go retrieve the body.
The wail catches Squee's attention as his gaze lingers upon the strange creature. "What the?" He asks to no one in particular, however curiosity is replaced by the desire to kill the thing.
[Ovor(#20753)] At the shout of alarm, the Thane brings his hammer and shield up in a defensive posture, eyes flicking around to seek the cause of the alarm. "To arms! To arms!" When Thari points and speaks, Ovor turns, eyes narrowing as they come to rest upon the luminous eyes at the creature's shout, however, he blinks, not quite expecting such an event.
Ranol has a tight grip on his fallen brother, and continues pulling the scout's body back towards the safety of the dwarven camp. When he spots the two orcs approaching he releases his hold on the scout and reaches to draw his short broadsword from beneath his cloak, a grim determination on his face.
[Frarin] "Orcs!" Frarin growls as he spots the luminous eyes lingering on the slope above the camp. His hands spread to balance his grip on his hammer, and he glances back at Thari, Ranol, and Ovor. "No one move far from the camp! We don't know where the hell they are." The strange shout from those pale eyes, however, brings also the merchant's gaze around suspiciously. A lone orc launching arrows into the camp? In the poor light, Frarin fails to look away to where Ranol has spotted two approaching orcs already.
[Gimli(#30149)] As Ranol fights valiantly for the body of his fallen comrade, anotgher dwarf rushes forward. Clad in dark clothes, but with a shining dwarven-wrought mail, Gimli comes, and in his wrath his eyes sparkle. A broad bladed axe in in his hands, and as the dwarf-lord rushes forth, he holds it aloft, the blade gleaming coldly, for so it is the rage of the one wielding it. "Baruk Khazad! Khazad ai-menu!", he calls in a loud voice, as he comes towards Ranol and the fallen dwarf.
[Gollum(#30197)] The timid creature cowers, large glowing eyes searching to and fro for shelter fromthe many foes about. Suddenly, though, the beast gains courage as the eerie eyes fall upon Thari. A slight gleam below the dwarf's throat belies something...
"PRECIOUS!" the creature screams, launching itself like some sort of cat from evil places and bounding fearlessly toward Thari.
[Thari(#31038)]
"Go away!" shouts Thari up to the screaming voice. The smaller dwarf looks aside-- just as a flash of light reveals small details-- the whiteness of the bandage on the head, the gleam of a thick ring hanging on a chain about Thari's neck. Thari is looking at Frarin as he shouts.
And then another voice calls. "Baruk Khazad! Khazad ai-menu!" answers the small dwarf, who runs now toward Ranol.
[Squee(#32191)] Squee looks as the two orcs are quickly spotted and a grimace folds over his dried lips. For a moment Squee seems to consider charging the battle, however as more dwarves join he resigns the idea. "The rest of you....get in there, except for you two, stay with me, we'll circle around back!" Squee almost shrieks under the patter of rain. And as quickly as the pack of orcs runs off, Squee lobs off the heads of the two uruks with him, leaving the orc all alone as he falls prone of his own accord.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari whirls suddenly at a scream from behind, where the little creature with luminous eyes is tearing after the healer. Cloak and ring both fling out in the spin.
"Aaah!" the smaller dwarf cries, trying to step aside and swing the little axe at it. Surrounded by battle-axes and warhammers, this dwarf, shorter and much more lightly armed, seems rather less of a threat. Perhaps this is why the creater is attacking Thari.
Thari attacks Gollum with its Axe, but it misses by a mile.
Ranol hears the cry of his kin behind him and focuses on the charging goblins ahead. When they're close enough he jumps forward to stab at the closest with his sword.
[Frarin] In the darkness and absence of fires in the camp, little is visible. Only the glisten of rainwater beneath the light of the moon...and those luminescent eyes. As Frarin looks back towards where they lingers but seconds before, he sees them suddenly racing for the camp, a cry far less pitiable than the last wrenching through the night. And then Thari's voice. That does it.
Frarin is suddenly rushing through the camp, his hammer in hand, run inhibited by a heavy limp. But it is for the strange creature intent upon Thari that he makes.
[Gimli(#30149)] Gimli's axe is held aloft as he crashes into the orcs that came intent to claim the fallen dwarf's body. The axe is raised even higher as he comes closer... and then it's brought violently down as the dwarf-lord is within striking distance of the orcs.
[Squee(#32191)] As the charging orcs are met with an onslaught of dwarven fury. Squee slinks back putting an arrow shaft deep into the spine of each orc to cover his tracks. With ease he slinks from the scene and skirts back towards the camp. However the other orcs don't seem to fair as well. The first one finds itself impaled on Ranol's blade a gush of black blood joining the pools of rain water at the orcs feet.
The brother of the fallen uruk howls in rage and slices at Gimli, before falling victim to a mighty swing from the lord of dwarves.
[Ovor(#20753)] At Gimli's shout, the Thane also heads towards the dwarf-lord, hodd falling back little concern now is given to the rain. Yet, at the cry of Thari, the Thane turns sharply, eyes narrowing upon the creature. The Thane takes several steps before he lunges towards the creature, swinging his hammer as he does so.
Ovor attacks Gollum with his War Hammer, but he misses by a long shot.
[Gollum(#30197)] The mysterious creature bobs and weaves through the assembled dwarves, unconcerned with the dangers they pose. In the light of the camp, more can be discerned: The little monster is indeed built like a small orc, but slimier, leaner, longer somehow. It is as if it is somehow stretched and worn, eaten away by some unknown ailment. Perhaps the creature is a ghost, some sort of wight drifting on the night breeze.
The wretched beast finally reaches Thari, crouching in the dust deftly to duck under Thari's axe and aside from Ovor's hammer Although the other-wordly beast avoids the attacks easily, its attention never drifts from the throat of the dwarf he pursues. The little monster's eyes narrow, and it lets out a mournful howl, then speaks again in the common speech: "Not it. Not the precious." Nearly tearful, it slaps at Thari's face with a long fingered hand. "Fooled us!"
Gollum attacks Thari with his Bare Hands and badly wounds it!
Glugg has connected.
[Thari(#31038)]
A slap! Such a slap it is! Thari's head is knocked aside and the small dwarf stumbles, axe-arm flinging wide while trying to regain balance, and with cliffs ever yawning to swallow an unwary traveller. Dark blood spits from the corner of Thari's mouth.
[Frarin] "Thari!" The old merchant watches the slimy little creature dart about the weapons of both Thari and Ovor and his eyes follow those long fingers as they lift to the healer dwarf's face. Frarin seems enraged and moves quickly even despite his persistant limp. "Away with you! Khazad ai-menu!" He does not pause as he comes to Thari's side, not even as the other dwarf reels away from the creature, for Frarin's war hammer is already swinging, aimed for the thing. But in the darkness, it only aims roughly for those pale eyes.
You blindly attack Gollum with your War Hammer...
[Combat(#13388)->Frarin]
Your attack against Gollum lightly wounds him!
[Gimli(#30149)] The axe of the dwarf-lord strikes true, and then some other dwarves rush forth also. As Gimli releases his axe from the fallen orc, he hears Thari... and then a very loud SMACK! Gimli turns then, and seeing the strange orc, he bellows a roar of challenge. Frarins mace seems to strike the creature, and Gimli joins to try to get it away from the wounded Thari.
Ranol is joined in the fight with the orcs by the clan-karls assigned under him as well as guards from the other clans. He jumps back away from the first orc impaled upon his sword, yanking it back out of the creature's stomach, the black blood quickly washed away by the rain. He holds up his shield on his left arm, standing defensive while the orc dies on the stone in front of him.
The other guards hurry to engage with the orcs, all working to defend their camp.
[Ovor(#20753)] The Thane scowls, grumbling into his beard as the creature avoids his hammer his eyes narrow, gleaming softly. He seems ready to swing his hammer once more in an attempt to strike the creature, but as Thari goes stumbling away, the Thane instead moves towards the other Dwarf, his hammer held out. "Grab the hammer!"
[Glugg(#28384)] Glugg sneaks out from the middle of the orcs he has been lurking amongst his teeth bared in a wild grin. He is covered in leather, leather that has hundreds of rusted rings sewn to it (many of which are only holding on part-way), and in his thin wiry hands, he carries an enormous hammer. It seems almost bigger than he is, yet he must be stronger than he looks, as he isn't toppling over under the weight of his own weapon.
The orc creeps downhill towards the dwarves.
[Gollum(#30197)] Whatever it was that drew the little beast toward Thari so suddenly, it has lost its allure just as quickly. The creature turns away from Thari and looks for a way to effect a retreat...just as a hammer stroke fells it. In the dark, the little monster is fortunate enough that the head of the hammer misses, but it is cracked hard on his head by the heavy handle. The creature sprawls flat on its back, moaning. "They tricks us and hurts us, precious!" The wretch scrabbles in the muddy dirt, looking to regain its footing.
ARB: Gollum has "passed" on his turn to attack.
[Thari(#31038)]
"I'm fine!" Thari answers after Frarin speaks, still scrambling for a purchase on the slippery ground. Ovor's hammer is held out before Thari, and the healer clutches the weapon firmly.
Strong footing is found. Thari gives a nod of gratitude to Ovor and looks back toward Gimli and Frarin and the strange creature.
[Frarin] "Hoh!" Frarin growls, placing his feet apart as he squares on the strange creature. "And will hurt you further still if you are not soon gone from this place!" The merchant's grey hood flaps back and reveals the glimmer of a chain mail coif. He holds his hammer diagonal across his chest and shakes it at the thing as he advances, as if to ward the beast away.
[Gimli(#30149)] Thge ground is muddy and slippery, and so Gimli's approach to the strange orc is not as swift as the dwarf-lord would like. Still, slowly but surely, the dwarf-lord nears, his axe still firmly held in his hands.
[Combat(#13388)->Frarin]
You forego your chance to attack.
Ranol Ranol sees that skinny orc with the huge hammer, and sees no dwarves moving in to engage the creature. He advances carefully, watchful of the large weapon, and then quickly leaps forward to attack, his sword snaking it at Glugg in a fast jab.
Ranol attacks Glugg with his Short Broadsword, but he misses by a long shot.
[Glugg(#28384)] Glugg is intent on his prey, and doesn't notice another dwarf coming up at his side - but the flash of a sword surely catches his attention. He wheels around, the tip of the blade slicing through air just inches from his stomach, and brings his hammer back, slamming down at Ranol with it - and a bloodcurdling screech. Must be a war cry of sorts.
Glugg attacks Ranol with his War Hammer, but he misses by an arm's length.
[Ovor(#20753)] With Thari once more on firm ground, the Thane nods briefly before looking back to the creature. Seeing it upon the ground, however, and Frarin having things well in hand, the Thane turns his attention back towards the orcs, moving that way to lend what help he may.
[Gollum(#30197)] The interloping beast doesn't need to be asked to leave twice. Before the hammer-bearing Frarin has even finished his stern warning, the little wretch leaps to its feet and seeks freedom, tearing through the camp on all fours.
[Combat(#13388)]
Gollum dodges aside Frarin, and manages to escape!
Gollum picks his way eastwards.
Gollum has left.
Ranol leaps out of the way of that heavy hammer when he sees it swing down as expected. The screech pierces his ears, causing the dwarf to cringe, but he steps in with another jab of the sword, again aiming for the orc's midsection.
Ranol attacks Glugg with his Short Broadsword, but he misses by a handspan.
[Gollum(#30197)] The skirmish between orcs and dwarves rages on, with the former getting the worst of the encounter, but the annals of history will not record this fracas...nor will they note that this night was a great disappointment for the creature Gollum, who is unknown for now but will be known to all in years to come. For the creature Gollum seeks a ring of great value to him, and he paid the price of a headache to find that it is not borne by Thari of Erebor. The skirmish goes on...as does Gollum's quest.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari comes nearer to Frarin and Gimli as the creature runs off. The short axe lowers-- and then the healer notices the ring dangling from throat. The heavy ring is tucked back away beneath Thari's tunic.
A glance up to Frarin, then away again-- Someone is still screaming. Thari frowns and begins to walk quickly toward the sounds of Ranol's battle.
[Gimli(#30149)] Before Gimli can reach the strange orc, it manages to slink away, leaving the wounded Thari alone. After seeing this, the dwarf-lord turns and goes back towards Ranol, who seems to be fighting furiously with an orc, while the rest of the clan-karls try to deal with the others.
[Glugg(#28384)] Glugg misses. He glares at his hammer, as if betrayed, then yanks at it. It sticks in the ground. He wraps both thin hands around the handle and pulls backward with all his might, feet braced and it is only sheer luck that the dwarf's swordstroke misses him this time. He has arched his back to pull the harder, and managed to escape injury by a thread.
[Frarin] A brief cry of victory breaks from Frarin's throat as the creature darts for safety and the dwarf watches it until it is gone from sight before turning back to Thari. "Thari! How fare you?" Frarin shouts, boots slipping through the mud as he comes towards the healer dwarf. But before he has a chance to continue, a short, loping orc with a chipped scimitar strikes out of the darkness, catching Frarin on the outside of his right hand and drawing a ragged gash from back of hand to mid arm.
The base of the war hammer's haft shoots out and catches the offending orc under the chin. Back rolls the black creatures head and before it can regain its balance, Frarin swings the mallet at its stomach. It catches the beast hard enough to double him over, but whether he lives or not, Frarin does not stay to see. Towards Thari he starts once more.
[Ranol(#26812)] "Khazad ai-menu.." Ranol says in a soft, sinister tone, likely too quiet to be heard. The orc is struggling to lift that heavy hammer again and the Huskarl has no intention of wasting the opportunity. He jumps in with a more reckless attack, swinging his blade down hard at Glugg.
Ranol attacks Glugg with his Short Broadsword, but Glugg parries the attack with his War Hammer!
[Ovor(#20753)] It is towards the orc with the warhammer that the Thane Zinbar heads to intending to strike while the orc is distracted by the efforts of Ranol. Thus it is with a cry of 'Baruk Khazad!' that Ovor swings his own hammer at the orc.
Ovor attacks Glugg with his War Hammer, but he misses by a mile.
[Glugg(#28384)] The hammer comes loose with a quiet thwwwwk, and Glugg topples backwards, barely catching himself from falling. The weapon flies upwards, clanging into Ranol's sword as it slashes downwards, and the orc stumbles again. Luck must truly be his - another war-hammer crashes past his kneecap.
Collecting himself, Glugg dances backwards, swinging his weapon in a whistling arc at towards Ranol.
[Thari(#31038)]
Once more Thari turns about, to a shouting voice behind. The smaller dwarf turns just in time to see Frarin strike low the orc. It must be said that there is a bit of a smirk from the healer.
"I am fine, Frarin!" cries Thari, approaching the silversmith. "Just a slap, that's all! They need our help!"
The axe points toward Ranol and his foes, and just in that moment, a line of darker shadow, a drop of blood, rolls down Thari's pale forehead toward the eyebrow. It is joined by a second drop.
Glugg attacks Ranol with his War Hammer, but he misses by a mile.
[Gimli(#30149)] Gimli rushes again into the thick of the battle, and the first orc he finds in his path is the one that was attacking Ranol. The dwarf-lord's axe is raised again, and then it comes down with savage fury.
Gimli attacks Glugg with his Battle Axe and badly wounds him!
Ranol flings himself back out of the way as that heavy head of the hammer blasts in his direction. He hits the wet stone and mud on his back, but isn't regretting his decision as the warhammer clears empty air above him. He remains where he is for the moment as Ovor and Gimli rush in to press the orc.
[Ovor(#20753)] Once more, the Dwarf Thane scowls and grumbles into his beard. He is still moving to a better position to attack when Gimli makes his own a feral grin comes onto Ovor's face at the hit. "Well done, cousin!" Shouts the Thane before he swings his hammer once more at the orc.
Ovor attacks Glugg with his War Hammer and moderately wounds him!
[Frarin] "Just a slap," Frarin mutters to himself, shaking his head. But he mutters obediently, "Fine! I'm coming!" Or at least he would be. The short orc behind him is not quite finished. Jaw askew as if broken, it leaps at Frarin's back just as the old merchant is starting towards Thari and the others. Stubby black fingers grab at Frarin's throat and he twists awkwardly in the mud, the orc clinging persistantly. Frarin falls to a knee, hammer swinging vainly, and as he hits the ground, the orc's grip loosens slightly.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari's eyes go wide as a black shadow rises behind Frarin, and suddenly the healer is running toward the pair. "GET OFF HIM!" the smaller dwarf bellows before dropping the spiralled axe to the ground and balling up a fist. This fist hammers straight toward Frarin's attacker's broken face with all of Thari's dwarven strength behind it.
[Glugg(#28384)] The hammer /is/ heavy. If he had hit Ranol, Glugg would have been better off. But as it is, he misses, and the hammer head keeps on going around - and carrying the orc around with it. Dizzily, he staggers, trying not to slip, and then it is too late. Something slices through his leg, cracking bone and tearing flesh.
Glugg looks down, in shock, at his not-quite-there leg. Then he looks up, in perfect time to meet the hammer that breaks his nose. "Guuuuuuuhhhhh." The orc wavers, blood gushing down his face, tries to take a step, and falls over sideways.
Ranol rolls over onto his stomach and pushes himself up to his feet. He backs away from the encounter, letting the two, far more experienced warriors finish off the orc. Ranol turns to go to the aid of one of the karl's, flanking another opponent that's injured.
[Frarin] Needless to say, Thari's hammering fist is by no means a 'slap'. It smacks with a fleshy crunch and suddenly one of the orc's eyes is a bloody, hollow mess. The cry of surprise that it gives allows Frarin to drop his hammer and jerk himself forward at the waist and the creature is launched over his shoulder, landing on its back. The blue war hammer is taken up in an instant and the spike flies in an arch to bury in the orc's chest. It gives a gurgle and is still.
"Well done," he gasps, rubbing ruefully at his throat as he stands, trousers muddy, a stream of blood soaking his wrist and upper arm now. He looks at Thari in the poor light. "You're bleeding."
[Ovor(#20753)] The feral grin remains on the Dwarf Thane's face, pulling his hammer back after the successful hit. A low, rumbling chuckle comes from Ovor before he steps forward, swinging his hammer down onto the fallen orc, aiming for a killing blow to the head.
Ovor attacks Glugg with his War Hammer, but he misses by a mile.
[Gimli(#30149)] As Thane Zinbar attack, Gimli's axe is raised again. His arms seem tireless as they go up and down, up and down, and his axe loses its gleam as black blood covers it. Still, the dwarf-lord seems not to tire, as he comes again with his axe aloft... and then bringing it down savagely upon the fallen orc.
Gimli attacks Glugg with his Battle Axe and severely wounds him!
Ranol keeps the orc he's fighting distracted while the karl dispatches it with a powerful axe strike. Then the Huskarl stabs it as it falls, to be certain it's dead. He looks around then, taking stock of the situation. Only a couple of orcs still stand, and neither is doing very well.
[Thari(#31038)]
"Well done yourself!" Thari says while scooping up the axe from the ground. "I'm bleeding?" The healer's fingers lift to touch lip and do, indeed, come back with some red. Apparently the forehead is not thought of, though now several more streaks of blood are slipping down to gather at Thari's eyebrow.
"You're bleeding too. Are you good enough to fight still?" The healer steps closer to Frarin to grab at his wounded arm.
[Glugg(#28384)] As he falls, Glugg lands on his half-off leg, and screams. Guess pain has arriven. The orc writhes back and forth, unaware that he has escaped death by an inch or two. But only for a minute, because in the next instant, he rolls right underneath Gimli's axe. There goes the other leg.
[Frarin] "No, your brow," Frarin says impatiently, reaching up without asking to thumb the cut along Thari's hairline. He snorts. "A /slap/? Your stitches are ripped." He jerks away, mildly irritated as Thari reaches for his arm. "I'm /fine/, it's a cut. And we're not done here yet!" But whatever excuse the silversmith may have, his last one seems shot, for the dwarves are as good as done. The remaining three orcs are swiftly being dealt with by others in the caravan. But that does not prevent Frarin from gesturing for Thari to follow him rather than tend to him as he stamps through the mud, eyes vainly prying the darkness for signs of any lingering enemies.
[Ovor(#20753)] The grin upon Ovor's face turns once more into a scowl and another grumble is sent into his beard. He glares down at the orc, bringing his hammer up once more. "Stay still and die!" With that, the hammer is brought down. Again.
Ovor attacks Glugg with his War Hammer and badly wounds him!
[Glugg(#28384)] And a finger... Glugg is wailing continuously now, rolling back and forth and keening - a highpitched squealing sound that must grate on someone's nerves. His good hand gropes blindly for the hammer he can't lift.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari jerks soundlessly back as if in some pain as Frarin's thumb prods the ripped stitches. The healer takes a half-step away. "I haven't said you're fine!" Thari argues as Frarin stomps off.
A moment later, and Thari follows after him. "Good thing you're wanting to be nobody's master!" calls the shorter dwarf in a jesting tone. "Because you're no good at ordering anybody around!"
Ranol orders the clan-karl he just aided to keep watch for any more enemies, then the Huskarl moves on to find Braldor, picking out his clansmen as he moves.
[Frarin] "Oh?" Frarin half-growls in that serious tone he uses in the heat of battle. He glances over his shoulder. "And I suppose you're not following me because I waved you to do so, then." That at least has a touch of amusement in it. And little wonder, for in the pale light of the moon it is clear that the ambushers have become the victims and only a pitifully wailing one remains, swiftly being dealt his fate by Ovor and Gimli.
[Gimli(#30149)] With a finality to it, Gimli steps close to the thrashing orc, and lifts his axe one more time. The other clan-karls have dealt with the other orcs, and now Gimli prepares to give this one a "proper" final.
Glugg collapses to the ground, defeated by Gimli!
[Combat(#13388)] Glugg's weapon "War Hammer" falls to the ground...
[Combat(#13388)] Glugg's shield "Wooden Shield" falls to the ground...
Gimli has disconnected.
[Thari(#31038)]
"Well... I..." Thari's eyes flash and she puts her hands on her hips, axe sticking out behind her (for, as the last orc is slain, the only eyes left anywhere near all see that this dwarf is indeed a female). "Yes, I followed because you wanted me to," she answers Frarin in a very defiant, 'you wanna make something of it' sort of tone. "Now get over here and let me see how bad your arm is! There's no more battle for you to run off to, lad."
[Ovor(#20753)] As Gimli dispatches the orc, Ovor gives a grunt of amusement before swinging his hammer to rest on his shoulder. "Thus end all who challenges the might of the Dwarves." Quietly the words are rumbled by the Thane before he turns, making his way back towards the camp proper.
Ranol checks in with Braldor, giving him news of how things went, and before long the Huskarl is heading back to collect the body of the fallen clan-karl that was peppered with arrows in the beginning of the fight. It's a grim task, but he feels it's his responsibility.
[Frarin] "By the Maker," Frarin grumbles to himself, sounding very much disappointed that there is nothing further to carry him away from the insistant healer. "It's nothing! And you don't know there's nothing else out there! We need to move camp as soon as possible, who knows if any of this scum got away. That gangly creature, for one." But once again his excuses do not translate to his actions. He does not move any farther from Thari and his right hand is held out with a look of long suffering. It is a long and messy cut and likely requires stitches, but by no means life-threatening.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari's fingers shake a little as they probe Frarin's wound. She blinks rainwater out of her eyes, perhaps not realizing yet that it is mixed with her own blood. "Durin, I haven't enough light to sew you by."
Her axe is slid back into her belt, her shield slung over a shoulder. She takes a small flask and dribbles fluid into Frarin's cut, then begins to bandage it. "Who else is wounded?" she shouts into the darkness, to the other dwarves. "You'd better come now or I'll FIND you later!" The lass threatens the general populace.
[Ovor(#20753)] "I am quite fine." Returns the Thane at Thari's threat, rumbling voice loud enough to be heard as he removes his shield and hands it to one of his guards. "Quite an invigorating night."
[Glugg(#28384)] A proper final indeed. Gimli, whether by chance or design, neatly slices Glugg's head off. Blood fountains from the neck the head bounces and lands, staring eyes facing up as if looking for an answer from the heavens. What did I do to deserve /this/??
[Frarin] Frarin sucks in a breath through his teeth as the liquid hits the gash on his arm and Thari begins to bandage it. "Durin, your head is splitting open again and you're fretting over a bloody scratch." And he lifts his voice now that only the sounds of the falling rain break the darkness. "Run away, lads!"
Ranol takes a moment to wipe his blade clean on a corner of his cloak, then slides it neatly into it's sheath. He slings his shield onto his back and then leans down to heft up the dwarven body, pulling him into the safety of the encampment. He lowers it gently, then kneels down to begin carefully removing the arrows still embedded in the karl's corpse, an expression of concentration on his face.
[Thari(#31038)]
"Well I can't see my bloody head well enough to bloody bandage it myself can I?" Thari answers sarcastically, tying off the bandage around Frarin's wrist. He shouts the warning to the rest of the dwarves and she swings back her foot to kick him in the shin. Lightly. Probably.
[Thari(#31038)]
Calls come around Thari as dwarves assert that they are hale and hearty. Thari ignores these calls as either unimportant or, more likely, lies.
[Frarin] "Ooh!" The healer's kick is unexpected and Frarin bends slightly at the hip as her boot connects /rather/ solidly with his shin. "And the attack continues!" he says dryly with a half-grin, shaking his head. Without warning, he snatches at the bag on her hip and pulls forth a bandage. He moves to wrap it over Thari's head and under her chin. "Fine then, I'll do it, you stubborn woman. And I'll even stitch you up again if you'll let me near you after you've dealt with the lads. Though I suppose I'll have to surrender my arm in the process."
Ranol finishes seeing to the body, and finally stands again. He looks around, then moves off to see whose injured of his surviving karls and make sure that he drags them over to Thari to be mended.
[Thari(#31038)]
"I'm not one to argue with healing," argues Thari as her helmet is knocked askew, to be caught from falling by sliding into her hood. "I'm more sensible than the lot of you. And a whole lot less afraid of it, too!" she gives a bit of a cocky grin which is rather ruined by the bandage under her jaw. Already she is trying to turn away toward Ranol's karls.
[Frarin] "Not one to argue with healing," Frarin snorts, disbelieving. He ties the knot under Thari's chin with a sharp finality and shakes his head. And he mutters under his breath, "I beg to differ." And with that, he gives Thari another look of long suffering and tests his own bandage, then begins limping towards back towards the centre of the camp.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari vaguely pats Frarin on the lower back as he turns away. She herself walks in a different direction-- Toward Ranol in the darkness. She begins to tend to more wounded.
[Ovor(#20753)] And Ovor? Thane Zinbar? Hero of the Drinking Tables of Giloin Keeneye? He goes to his tent, no doubt to see to things.
High Pass, Summit
The pass continues across what seems to be the very summit of the mountains about you. Cliffs fall away at your feet everywhere, dropping hundreds of feet and spelling certain demise with one false step. This treacherous journey has your nerves on edge and your mind reeling. You will be glad to see it finally over.
A descnight needs to be added. This area is under construction. Contact Maz with problems.
There is a stong downpour from the heavens, the wind and cool temperature causing the rain to drive in sheets toward the ground. The midnight summer air is mild and slightly humid. The moon is above the horizon and in its waning gibbous phase.
Contents:
Ranol
Thari
Obvious exits:
West leads to High Pass, Western Face.
East leads to High Pass, Eastern Descent.
Thari drops Dwarven Camp.
Dulugobghaash has arrived.
Squee climbs carefully down the western slope towards you.
Squee has arrived.
Ovor has arrived.
[Thari(#31038)]
It's a horrible, horrible place to camp, cold and wet with a steep cliff on every side, yet here the dwarves are. The wagons and tents are as close to each other as might be reasonable this night. The only light is the moon, and the occasional blue flare of a pipe struggling against the rain and briefly illuminating a wet and bearded face. It looks like more dwarves are awake than sleeping tonight.
Gollum climbs carefully down the western slope towards you.
Gollum has arrived.
[Squee(#32191)] From down the mountain, a small group of twelve or so uruks blunders through the darkness under the veil of the rain. Leading the quiet stampede is Squee, his long cloak soaked and heavy in the darkness. Mud splatters the base of the dark veil covering Squee's body, as he presses on against the stinging water.
There is a pause as the features of the Talashakh are reflected back to his patrol in a bright flash of lightning. Thin slits now reside where pupils should be and six seconds later their is a resounding boom as Squee speaks and his voice is muffled to all, even the orcs who follow him.
[Gollum(#30197)] The sky above the High Pass cares not that it is summer in the lands below, instead continuing to pour a miserablly drab and seasonless climate on the visitors up here. The poor weather and scant moonlight ate foreboding...what things might hide in the dark and damp?
Atop some stones above the camp, a silhouette is briefly visible, a shape not unlike that of a small orc or a child. A moment later, the silhouette is gone...if ever anything was truly there.
[Thari(#31038)]
The door to Thari's wagon opens. The little dwarf holds a shield lazily in one hand and the helmet is sitting askew atop fo bandages. Thari squints into the darkness, a sour expression on the face.
Ranol looks little more than a brown cloak with a black beard. The cowl is pulled low against the rain and he's standing motionless near the edge of camp, waiting for one of the Bundazanul clan-karls to return from a quick scouting run.
[Ovor(#20753)] One of those Dwarves is the Thane Zinbar, Ovor. He stands quietly, hand on hammer that rests upon a shoulder, while his other has his shield. Alike to a statue is the Thane, until he moves to look elsewhere in the night, a frown under his beard. Or a scowl. Could be one or the other.
[Squee(#32191)] Falling butt-first into the mudd, Squee begins a huddle with his small group of orcs. He begins to speak in low quiet whispers that doesn't sound like common to the uruks listening however they all seem to understand. After several gestures from the Morghash chieftain, the uruk snarls as another bolt of electricity cracks the sky, a strange colored hue against the night and the Morian uruks scramble for cover and draw their bows.
[Thari(#31038)]
A shadow moves near Thari, and the dwarf's eyes show white a moment as they flick toward it-- but no, it is an ally. The healer-merchant steps down from the wagon and shuts the door, walking toward Ovor. The russet hood is pulled up. "I couldn't sleep," comes a low grumble from Thari. "How can anyone sleep up here?"
[Ranol(#26812)] There's the bulky look of a sheild held under that brown hooded cloak that Ranol wears, and the rain runs down the fabric steadily as it continues to pour down upon the mountain. He watches the shadows amongst the boulders and rocks, waiting for the dwarf to return that went up a short distance to check the road of the pass. Movement catches Ranol's attention, and he sighs in relief when he recognizes the scout returning, moving forward to speak with him in low tones.
[Ovor(#20753)] "By drinking too much or slipping and falling on a rock." Rumbles the Thane, shaking water from his beard. "Otherwise, it would prove most difficult. At least it is only a temporary inconvience." The Thane lowers his hammer, resting the head of it on his foot, his mail ringing gently as he does so.
[Gollum(#30197)] While orcs and dwarves alike huddle and shield themselves against the rain, someone...or something...slips down the side of a steep face above the dwarven camp. In the dark, the creature is something like an orc, but leaner and smaller than most. In the gloom, luminescent eyes probe the night as the creature descends stealthily toward the camp.
[Squee(#32191)] Bows are drawn, both long and short go with the different sized uruks. The mud soaked bow in Squee's hands seems almost invisible in the darkness giving him the appearance that he shoots the arrow with no help of a bow. As Talashakh's shaft is reloosed, so are the other twelve of his uruk followers.
Seven of the thirteen shafts stick the dwarf as it returns down the scouting trail, the first shot pierces the aburn bearded dwarf's throat with allowing a gurgle of blood before the dwarf falls.
[Ranol(#26812)] There's a moment, brief though it may be, where the Huskarl can only stare in complete shock. Then he calls an alarm and reaches for the fallen scout to pull the dwarf back towards the camp. "Attack! Arrows!!" He calls loudly, holding his shield up defensively before him.
[Frarin] Of the dwarves standing guard about the camp, one is clad in a grey cloak and hood and stands at an odd angle as if placing all weight on one leg. A steady dribble of rain water pools at the fore of Frarin's hood and falls from the edge, but he seems little bothered, standing wary and brooding, one hand hooked into his belt, the other resting on the head of a heavy blue war hammer at his side. He stands apart from most of the other dwarves, as usual, but turns at the sound of voices conversing behind him, especially Thari's.
If the old merchant means to join his comrades, however, he does not have a chance. There is a muffled gurgle of a sudden and Frarin looks around. Is that rain water? The sound of boots in mud? But no! There is a shout from Ranol and Frarin is abruptly drawing his weapon, grim expression descending. "Where? Ranol! Did you see where?!"
[Thari(#31038)]
"I never drink enough on trips," Thari sighs to Ovor in the rain. The cropped, sad little beard is too short even to get wet outside of the hood.
An alarm is raised. Thari's shield is strapped to the left, and the axe is pulled forth. Wild eyes look around, and then the axe is pointed toward the luminous eyes. "There! I see soemthing!"
Gimli climbs carefully down the western slope towards you.
Gimli has arrived.
[Squee(#32191)] As the alarm is raised, Squee's smile is clocked by the heavy water-logged cloak. The rain lets up a bit, giving up a bit of the advantages of either side. Eyes watch as the uruk's prey falls to the ground. "A stuck pig," Squee growls and gestures for the two smallest orcs to go retrieve the body.
The wail catches Squee's attention as his gaze lingers upon the strange creature. "What the?" He asks to no one in particular, however curiosity is replaced by the desire to kill the thing.
[Ovor(#20753)] At the shout of alarm, the Thane brings his hammer and shield up in a defensive posture, eyes flicking around to seek the cause of the alarm. "To arms! To arms!" When Thari points and speaks, Ovor turns, eyes narrowing as they come to rest upon the luminous eyes at the creature's shout, however, he blinks, not quite expecting such an event.
Ranol has a tight grip on his fallen brother, and continues pulling the scout's body back towards the safety of the dwarven camp. When he spots the two orcs approaching he releases his hold on the scout and reaches to draw his short broadsword from beneath his cloak, a grim determination on his face.
[Frarin] "Orcs!" Frarin growls as he spots the luminous eyes lingering on the slope above the camp. His hands spread to balance his grip on his hammer, and he glances back at Thari, Ranol, and Ovor. "No one move far from the camp! We don't know where the hell they are." The strange shout from those pale eyes, however, brings also the merchant's gaze around suspiciously. A lone orc launching arrows into the camp? In the poor light, Frarin fails to look away to where Ranol has spotted two approaching orcs already.
[Gimli(#30149)] As Ranol fights valiantly for the body of his fallen comrade, anotgher dwarf rushes forward. Clad in dark clothes, but with a shining dwarven-wrought mail, Gimli comes, and in his wrath his eyes sparkle. A broad bladed axe in in his hands, and as the dwarf-lord rushes forth, he holds it aloft, the blade gleaming coldly, for so it is the rage of the one wielding it. "Baruk Khazad! Khazad ai-menu!", he calls in a loud voice, as he comes towards Ranol and the fallen dwarf.
[Gollum(#30197)] The timid creature cowers, large glowing eyes searching to and fro for shelter fromthe many foes about. Suddenly, though, the beast gains courage as the eerie eyes fall upon Thari. A slight gleam below the dwarf's throat belies something...
"PRECIOUS!" the creature screams, launching itself like some sort of cat from evil places and bounding fearlessly toward Thari.
[Thari(#31038)]
"Go away!" shouts Thari up to the screaming voice. The smaller dwarf looks aside-- just as a flash of light reveals small details-- the whiteness of the bandage on the head, the gleam of a thick ring hanging on a chain about Thari's neck. Thari is looking at Frarin as he shouts.
And then another voice calls. "Baruk Khazad! Khazad ai-menu!" answers the small dwarf, who runs now toward Ranol.
[Squee(#32191)] Squee looks as the two orcs are quickly spotted and a grimace folds over his dried lips. For a moment Squee seems to consider charging the battle, however as more dwarves join he resigns the idea. "The rest of you....get in there, except for you two, stay with me, we'll circle around back!" Squee almost shrieks under the patter of rain. And as quickly as the pack of orcs runs off, Squee lobs off the heads of the two uruks with him, leaving the orc all alone as he falls prone of his own accord.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari whirls suddenly at a scream from behind, where the little creature with luminous eyes is tearing after the healer. Cloak and ring both fling out in the spin.
"Aaah!" the smaller dwarf cries, trying to step aside and swing the little axe at it. Surrounded by battle-axes and warhammers, this dwarf, shorter and much more lightly armed, seems rather less of a threat. Perhaps this is why the creater is attacking Thari.
Thari attacks Gollum with its Axe, but it misses by a mile.
Ranol hears the cry of his kin behind him and focuses on the charging goblins ahead. When they're close enough he jumps forward to stab at the closest with his sword.
[Frarin] In the darkness and absence of fires in the camp, little is visible. Only the glisten of rainwater beneath the light of the moon...and those luminescent eyes. As Frarin looks back towards where they lingers but seconds before, he sees them suddenly racing for the camp, a cry far less pitiable than the last wrenching through the night. And then Thari's voice. That does it.
Frarin is suddenly rushing through the camp, his hammer in hand, run inhibited by a heavy limp. But it is for the strange creature intent upon Thari that he makes.
[Gimli(#30149)] Gimli's axe is held aloft as he crashes into the orcs that came intent to claim the fallen dwarf's body. The axe is raised even higher as he comes closer... and then it's brought violently down as the dwarf-lord is within striking distance of the orcs.
[Squee(#32191)] As the charging orcs are met with an onslaught of dwarven fury. Squee slinks back putting an arrow shaft deep into the spine of each orc to cover his tracks. With ease he slinks from the scene and skirts back towards the camp. However the other orcs don't seem to fair as well. The first one finds itself impaled on Ranol's blade a gush of black blood joining the pools of rain water at the orcs feet.
The brother of the fallen uruk howls in rage and slices at Gimli, before falling victim to a mighty swing from the lord of dwarves.
[Ovor(#20753)] At Gimli's shout, the Thane also heads towards the dwarf-lord, hodd falling back little concern now is given to the rain. Yet, at the cry of Thari, the Thane turns sharply, eyes narrowing upon the creature. The Thane takes several steps before he lunges towards the creature, swinging his hammer as he does so.
Ovor attacks Gollum with his War Hammer, but he misses by a long shot.
[Gollum(#30197)] The mysterious creature bobs and weaves through the assembled dwarves, unconcerned with the dangers they pose. In the light of the camp, more can be discerned: The little monster is indeed built like a small orc, but slimier, leaner, longer somehow. It is as if it is somehow stretched and worn, eaten away by some unknown ailment. Perhaps the creature is a ghost, some sort of wight drifting on the night breeze.
The wretched beast finally reaches Thari, crouching in the dust deftly to duck under Thari's axe and aside from Ovor's hammer Although the other-wordly beast avoids the attacks easily, its attention never drifts from the throat of the dwarf he pursues. The little monster's eyes narrow, and it lets out a mournful howl, then speaks again in the common speech: "Not it. Not the precious." Nearly tearful, it slaps at Thari's face with a long fingered hand. "Fooled us!"
Gollum attacks Thari with his Bare Hands and badly wounds it!
Glugg has connected.
[Thari(#31038)]
A slap! Such a slap it is! Thari's head is knocked aside and the small dwarf stumbles, axe-arm flinging wide while trying to regain balance, and with cliffs ever yawning to swallow an unwary traveller. Dark blood spits from the corner of Thari's mouth.
[Frarin] "Thari!" The old merchant watches the slimy little creature dart about the weapons of both Thari and Ovor and his eyes follow those long fingers as they lift to the healer dwarf's face. Frarin seems enraged and moves quickly even despite his persistant limp. "Away with you! Khazad ai-menu!" He does not pause as he comes to Thari's side, not even as the other dwarf reels away from the creature, for Frarin's war hammer is already swinging, aimed for the thing. But in the darkness, it only aims roughly for those pale eyes.
You blindly attack Gollum with your War Hammer...
[Combat(#13388)->Frarin]
Your attack against Gollum lightly wounds him!
[Gimli(#30149)] The axe of the dwarf-lord strikes true, and then some other dwarves rush forth also. As Gimli releases his axe from the fallen orc, he hears Thari... and then a very loud SMACK! Gimli turns then, and seeing the strange orc, he bellows a roar of challenge. Frarins mace seems to strike the creature, and Gimli joins to try to get it away from the wounded Thari.
Ranol is joined in the fight with the orcs by the clan-karls assigned under him as well as guards from the other clans. He jumps back away from the first orc impaled upon his sword, yanking it back out of the creature's stomach, the black blood quickly washed away by the rain. He holds up his shield on his left arm, standing defensive while the orc dies on the stone in front of him.
The other guards hurry to engage with the orcs, all working to defend their camp.
[Ovor(#20753)] The Thane scowls, grumbling into his beard as the creature avoids his hammer his eyes narrow, gleaming softly. He seems ready to swing his hammer once more in an attempt to strike the creature, but as Thari goes stumbling away, the Thane instead moves towards the other Dwarf, his hammer held out. "Grab the hammer!"
[Glugg(#28384)] Glugg sneaks out from the middle of the orcs he has been lurking amongst his teeth bared in a wild grin. He is covered in leather, leather that has hundreds of rusted rings sewn to it (many of which are only holding on part-way), and in his thin wiry hands, he carries an enormous hammer. It seems almost bigger than he is, yet he must be stronger than he looks, as he isn't toppling over under the weight of his own weapon.
The orc creeps downhill towards the dwarves.
[Gollum(#30197)] Whatever it was that drew the little beast toward Thari so suddenly, it has lost its allure just as quickly. The creature turns away from Thari and looks for a way to effect a retreat...just as a hammer stroke fells it. In the dark, the little monster is fortunate enough that the head of the hammer misses, but it is cracked hard on his head by the heavy handle. The creature sprawls flat on its back, moaning. "They tricks us and hurts us, precious!" The wretch scrabbles in the muddy dirt, looking to regain its footing.
ARB: Gollum has "passed" on his turn to attack.
[Thari(#31038)]
"I'm fine!" Thari answers after Frarin speaks, still scrambling for a purchase on the slippery ground. Ovor's hammer is held out before Thari, and the healer clutches the weapon firmly.
Strong footing is found. Thari gives a nod of gratitude to Ovor and looks back toward Gimli and Frarin and the strange creature.
[Frarin] "Hoh!" Frarin growls, placing his feet apart as he squares on the strange creature. "And will hurt you further still if you are not soon gone from this place!" The merchant's grey hood flaps back and reveals the glimmer of a chain mail coif. He holds his hammer diagonal across his chest and shakes it at the thing as he advances, as if to ward the beast away.
[Gimli(#30149)] Thge ground is muddy and slippery, and so Gimli's approach to the strange orc is not as swift as the dwarf-lord would like. Still, slowly but surely, the dwarf-lord nears, his axe still firmly held in his hands.
[Combat(#13388)->Frarin]
You forego your chance to attack.
Ranol Ranol sees that skinny orc with the huge hammer, and sees no dwarves moving in to engage the creature. He advances carefully, watchful of the large weapon, and then quickly leaps forward to attack, his sword snaking it at Glugg in a fast jab.
Ranol attacks Glugg with his Short Broadsword, but he misses by a long shot.
[Glugg(#28384)] Glugg is intent on his prey, and doesn't notice another dwarf coming up at his side - but the flash of a sword surely catches his attention. He wheels around, the tip of the blade slicing through air just inches from his stomach, and brings his hammer back, slamming down at Ranol with it - and a bloodcurdling screech. Must be a war cry of sorts.
Glugg attacks Ranol with his War Hammer, but he misses by an arm's length.
[Ovor(#20753)] With Thari once more on firm ground, the Thane nods briefly before looking back to the creature. Seeing it upon the ground, however, and Frarin having things well in hand, the Thane turns his attention back towards the orcs, moving that way to lend what help he may.
[Gollum(#30197)] The interloping beast doesn't need to be asked to leave twice. Before the hammer-bearing Frarin has even finished his stern warning, the little wretch leaps to its feet and seeks freedom, tearing through the camp on all fours.
[Combat(#13388)]
Gollum dodges aside Frarin, and manages to escape!
Gollum picks his way eastwards.
Gollum has left.
Ranol leaps out of the way of that heavy hammer when he sees it swing down as expected. The screech pierces his ears, causing the dwarf to cringe, but he steps in with another jab of the sword, again aiming for the orc's midsection.
Ranol attacks Glugg with his Short Broadsword, but he misses by a handspan.
[Gollum(#30197)] The skirmish between orcs and dwarves rages on, with the former getting the worst of the encounter, but the annals of history will not record this fracas...nor will they note that this night was a great disappointment for the creature Gollum, who is unknown for now but will be known to all in years to come. For the creature Gollum seeks a ring of great value to him, and he paid the price of a headache to find that it is not borne by Thari of Erebor. The skirmish goes on...as does Gollum's quest.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari comes nearer to Frarin and Gimli as the creature runs off. The short axe lowers-- and then the healer notices the ring dangling from throat. The heavy ring is tucked back away beneath Thari's tunic.
A glance up to Frarin, then away again-- Someone is still screaming. Thari frowns and begins to walk quickly toward the sounds of Ranol's battle.
[Gimli(#30149)] Before Gimli can reach the strange orc, it manages to slink away, leaving the wounded Thari alone. After seeing this, the dwarf-lord turns and goes back towards Ranol, who seems to be fighting furiously with an orc, while the rest of the clan-karls try to deal with the others.
[Glugg(#28384)] Glugg misses. He glares at his hammer, as if betrayed, then yanks at it. It sticks in the ground. He wraps both thin hands around the handle and pulls backward with all his might, feet braced and it is only sheer luck that the dwarf's swordstroke misses him this time. He has arched his back to pull the harder, and managed to escape injury by a thread.
[Frarin] A brief cry of victory breaks from Frarin's throat as the creature darts for safety and the dwarf watches it until it is gone from sight before turning back to Thari. "Thari! How fare you?" Frarin shouts, boots slipping through the mud as he comes towards the healer dwarf. But before he has a chance to continue, a short, loping orc with a chipped scimitar strikes out of the darkness, catching Frarin on the outside of his right hand and drawing a ragged gash from back of hand to mid arm.
The base of the war hammer's haft shoots out and catches the offending orc under the chin. Back rolls the black creatures head and before it can regain its balance, Frarin swings the mallet at its stomach. It catches the beast hard enough to double him over, but whether he lives or not, Frarin does not stay to see. Towards Thari he starts once more.
[Ranol(#26812)] "Khazad ai-menu.." Ranol says in a soft, sinister tone, likely too quiet to be heard. The orc is struggling to lift that heavy hammer again and the Huskarl has no intention of wasting the opportunity. He jumps in with a more reckless attack, swinging his blade down hard at Glugg.
Ranol attacks Glugg with his Short Broadsword, but Glugg parries the attack with his War Hammer!
[Ovor(#20753)] It is towards the orc with the warhammer that the Thane Zinbar heads to intending to strike while the orc is distracted by the efforts of Ranol. Thus it is with a cry of 'Baruk Khazad!' that Ovor swings his own hammer at the orc.
Ovor attacks Glugg with his War Hammer, but he misses by a mile.
[Glugg(#28384)] The hammer comes loose with a quiet thwwwwk, and Glugg topples backwards, barely catching himself from falling. The weapon flies upwards, clanging into Ranol's sword as it slashes downwards, and the orc stumbles again. Luck must truly be his - another war-hammer crashes past his kneecap.
Collecting himself, Glugg dances backwards, swinging his weapon in a whistling arc at towards Ranol.
[Thari(#31038)]
Once more Thari turns about, to a shouting voice behind. The smaller dwarf turns just in time to see Frarin strike low the orc. It must be said that there is a bit of a smirk from the healer.
"I am fine, Frarin!" cries Thari, approaching the silversmith. "Just a slap, that's all! They need our help!"
The axe points toward Ranol and his foes, and just in that moment, a line of darker shadow, a drop of blood, rolls down Thari's pale forehead toward the eyebrow. It is joined by a second drop.
Glugg attacks Ranol with his War Hammer, but he misses by a mile.
[Gimli(#30149)] Gimli rushes again into the thick of the battle, and the first orc he finds in his path is the one that was attacking Ranol. The dwarf-lord's axe is raised again, and then it comes down with savage fury.
Gimli attacks Glugg with his Battle Axe and badly wounds him!
Ranol flings himself back out of the way as that heavy head of the hammer blasts in his direction. He hits the wet stone and mud on his back, but isn't regretting his decision as the warhammer clears empty air above him. He remains where he is for the moment as Ovor and Gimli rush in to press the orc.
[Ovor(#20753)] Once more, the Dwarf Thane scowls and grumbles into his beard. He is still moving to a better position to attack when Gimli makes his own a feral grin comes onto Ovor's face at the hit. "Well done, cousin!" Shouts the Thane before he swings his hammer once more at the orc.
Ovor attacks Glugg with his War Hammer and moderately wounds him!
[Frarin] "Just a slap," Frarin mutters to himself, shaking his head. But he mutters obediently, "Fine! I'm coming!" Or at least he would be. The short orc behind him is not quite finished. Jaw askew as if broken, it leaps at Frarin's back just as the old merchant is starting towards Thari and the others. Stubby black fingers grab at Frarin's throat and he twists awkwardly in the mud, the orc clinging persistantly. Frarin falls to a knee, hammer swinging vainly, and as he hits the ground, the orc's grip loosens slightly.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari's eyes go wide as a black shadow rises behind Frarin, and suddenly the healer is running toward the pair. "GET OFF HIM!" the smaller dwarf bellows before dropping the spiralled axe to the ground and balling up a fist. This fist hammers straight toward Frarin's attacker's broken face with all of Thari's dwarven strength behind it.
[Glugg(#28384)] The hammer /is/ heavy. If he had hit Ranol, Glugg would have been better off. But as it is, he misses, and the hammer head keeps on going around - and carrying the orc around with it. Dizzily, he staggers, trying not to slip, and then it is too late. Something slices through his leg, cracking bone and tearing flesh.
Glugg looks down, in shock, at his not-quite-there leg. Then he looks up, in perfect time to meet the hammer that breaks his nose. "Guuuuuuuhhhhh." The orc wavers, blood gushing down his face, tries to take a step, and falls over sideways.
Ranol rolls over onto his stomach and pushes himself up to his feet. He backs away from the encounter, letting the two, far more experienced warriors finish off the orc. Ranol turns to go to the aid of one of the karl's, flanking another opponent that's injured.
[Frarin] Needless to say, Thari's hammering fist is by no means a 'slap'. It smacks with a fleshy crunch and suddenly one of the orc's eyes is a bloody, hollow mess. The cry of surprise that it gives allows Frarin to drop his hammer and jerk himself forward at the waist and the creature is launched over his shoulder, landing on its back. The blue war hammer is taken up in an instant and the spike flies in an arch to bury in the orc's chest. It gives a gurgle and is still.
"Well done," he gasps, rubbing ruefully at his throat as he stands, trousers muddy, a stream of blood soaking his wrist and upper arm now. He looks at Thari in the poor light. "You're bleeding."
[Ovor(#20753)] The feral grin remains on the Dwarf Thane's face, pulling his hammer back after the successful hit. A low, rumbling chuckle comes from Ovor before he steps forward, swinging his hammer down onto the fallen orc, aiming for a killing blow to the head.
Ovor attacks Glugg with his War Hammer, but he misses by a mile.
[Gimli(#30149)] As Thane Zinbar attack, Gimli's axe is raised again. His arms seem tireless as they go up and down, up and down, and his axe loses its gleam as black blood covers it. Still, the dwarf-lord seems not to tire, as he comes again with his axe aloft... and then bringing it down savagely upon the fallen orc.
Gimli attacks Glugg with his Battle Axe and severely wounds him!
Ranol keeps the orc he's fighting distracted while the karl dispatches it with a powerful axe strike. Then the Huskarl stabs it as it falls, to be certain it's dead. He looks around then, taking stock of the situation. Only a couple of orcs still stand, and neither is doing very well.
[Thari(#31038)]
"Well done yourself!" Thari says while scooping up the axe from the ground. "I'm bleeding?" The healer's fingers lift to touch lip and do, indeed, come back with some red. Apparently the forehead is not thought of, though now several more streaks of blood are slipping down to gather at Thari's eyebrow.
"You're bleeding too. Are you good enough to fight still?" The healer steps closer to Frarin to grab at his wounded arm.
[Glugg(#28384)] As he falls, Glugg lands on his half-off leg, and screams. Guess pain has arriven. The orc writhes back and forth, unaware that he has escaped death by an inch or two. But only for a minute, because in the next instant, he rolls right underneath Gimli's axe. There goes the other leg.
[Frarin] "No, your brow," Frarin says impatiently, reaching up without asking to thumb the cut along Thari's hairline. He snorts. "A /slap/? Your stitches are ripped." He jerks away, mildly irritated as Thari reaches for his arm. "I'm /fine/, it's a cut. And we're not done here yet!" But whatever excuse the silversmith may have, his last one seems shot, for the dwarves are as good as done. The remaining three orcs are swiftly being dealt with by others in the caravan. But that does not prevent Frarin from gesturing for Thari to follow him rather than tend to him as he stamps through the mud, eyes vainly prying the darkness for signs of any lingering enemies.
[Ovor(#20753)] The grin upon Ovor's face turns once more into a scowl and another grumble is sent into his beard. He glares down at the orc, bringing his hammer up once more. "Stay still and die!" With that, the hammer is brought down. Again.
Ovor attacks Glugg with his War Hammer and badly wounds him!
[Glugg(#28384)] And a finger... Glugg is wailing continuously now, rolling back and forth and keening - a highpitched squealing sound that must grate on someone's nerves. His good hand gropes blindly for the hammer he can't lift.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari jerks soundlessly back as if in some pain as Frarin's thumb prods the ripped stitches. The healer takes a half-step away. "I haven't said you're fine!" Thari argues as Frarin stomps off.
A moment later, and Thari follows after him. "Good thing you're wanting to be nobody's master!" calls the shorter dwarf in a jesting tone. "Because you're no good at ordering anybody around!"
Ranol orders the clan-karl he just aided to keep watch for any more enemies, then the Huskarl moves on to find Braldor, picking out his clansmen as he moves.
[Frarin] "Oh?" Frarin half-growls in that serious tone he uses in the heat of battle. He glances over his shoulder. "And I suppose you're not following me because I waved you to do so, then." That at least has a touch of amusement in it. And little wonder, for in the pale light of the moon it is clear that the ambushers have become the victims and only a pitifully wailing one remains, swiftly being dealt his fate by Ovor and Gimli.
[Gimli(#30149)] With a finality to it, Gimli steps close to the thrashing orc, and lifts his axe one more time. The other clan-karls have dealt with the other orcs, and now Gimli prepares to give this one a "proper" final.
Glugg collapses to the ground, defeated by Gimli!
[Combat(#13388)] Glugg's weapon "War Hammer" falls to the ground...
[Combat(#13388)] Glugg's shield "Wooden Shield" falls to the ground...
Gimli has disconnected.
[Thari(#31038)]
"Well... I..." Thari's eyes flash and she puts her hands on her hips, axe sticking out behind her (for, as the last orc is slain, the only eyes left anywhere near all see that this dwarf is indeed a female). "Yes, I followed because you wanted me to," she answers Frarin in a very defiant, 'you wanna make something of it' sort of tone. "Now get over here and let me see how bad your arm is! There's no more battle for you to run off to, lad."
[Ovor(#20753)] As Gimli dispatches the orc, Ovor gives a grunt of amusement before swinging his hammer to rest on his shoulder. "Thus end all who challenges the might of the Dwarves." Quietly the words are rumbled by the Thane before he turns, making his way back towards the camp proper.
Ranol checks in with Braldor, giving him news of how things went, and before long the Huskarl is heading back to collect the body of the fallen clan-karl that was peppered with arrows in the beginning of the fight. It's a grim task, but he feels it's his responsibility.
[Frarin] "By the Maker," Frarin grumbles to himself, sounding very much disappointed that there is nothing further to carry him away from the insistant healer. "It's nothing! And you don't know there's nothing else out there! We need to move camp as soon as possible, who knows if any of this scum got away. That gangly creature, for one." But once again his excuses do not translate to his actions. He does not move any farther from Thari and his right hand is held out with a look of long suffering. It is a long and messy cut and likely requires stitches, but by no means life-threatening.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari's fingers shake a little as they probe Frarin's wound. She blinks rainwater out of her eyes, perhaps not realizing yet that it is mixed with her own blood. "Durin, I haven't enough light to sew you by."
Her axe is slid back into her belt, her shield slung over a shoulder. She takes a small flask and dribbles fluid into Frarin's cut, then begins to bandage it. "Who else is wounded?" she shouts into the darkness, to the other dwarves. "You'd better come now or I'll FIND you later!" The lass threatens the general populace.
[Ovor(#20753)] "I am quite fine." Returns the Thane at Thari's threat, rumbling voice loud enough to be heard as he removes his shield and hands it to one of his guards. "Quite an invigorating night."
[Glugg(#28384)] A proper final indeed. Gimli, whether by chance or design, neatly slices Glugg's head off. Blood fountains from the neck the head bounces and lands, staring eyes facing up as if looking for an answer from the heavens. What did I do to deserve /this/??
[Frarin] Frarin sucks in a breath through his teeth as the liquid hits the gash on his arm and Thari begins to bandage it. "Durin, your head is splitting open again and you're fretting over a bloody scratch." And he lifts his voice now that only the sounds of the falling rain break the darkness. "Run away, lads!"
Ranol takes a moment to wipe his blade clean on a corner of his cloak, then slides it neatly into it's sheath. He slings his shield onto his back and then leans down to heft up the dwarven body, pulling him into the safety of the encampment. He lowers it gently, then kneels down to begin carefully removing the arrows still embedded in the karl's corpse, an expression of concentration on his face.
[Thari(#31038)]
"Well I can't see my bloody head well enough to bloody bandage it myself can I?" Thari answers sarcastically, tying off the bandage around Frarin's wrist. He shouts the warning to the rest of the dwarves and she swings back her foot to kick him in the shin. Lightly. Probably.
[Thari(#31038)]
Calls come around Thari as dwarves assert that they are hale and hearty. Thari ignores these calls as either unimportant or, more likely, lies.
[Frarin] "Ooh!" The healer's kick is unexpected and Frarin bends slightly at the hip as her boot connects /rather/ solidly with his shin. "And the attack continues!" he says dryly with a half-grin, shaking his head. Without warning, he snatches at the bag on her hip and pulls forth a bandage. He moves to wrap it over Thari's head and under her chin. "Fine then, I'll do it, you stubborn woman. And I'll even stitch you up again if you'll let me near you after you've dealt with the lads. Though I suppose I'll have to surrender my arm in the process."
Ranol finishes seeing to the body, and finally stands again. He looks around, then moves off to see whose injured of his surviving karls and make sure that he drags them over to Thari to be mended.
[Thari(#31038)]
"I'm not one to argue with healing," argues Thari as her helmet is knocked askew, to be caught from falling by sliding into her hood. "I'm more sensible than the lot of you. And a whole lot less afraid of it, too!" she gives a bit of a cocky grin which is rather ruined by the bandage under her jaw. Already she is trying to turn away toward Ranol's karls.
[Frarin] "Not one to argue with healing," Frarin snorts, disbelieving. He ties the knot under Thari's chin with a sharp finality and shakes his head. And he mutters under his breath, "I beg to differ." And with that, he gives Thari another look of long suffering and tests his own bandage, then begins limping towards back towards the centre of the camp.
[Thari(#31038)]
Thari vaguely pats Frarin on the lower back as he turns away. She herself walks in a different direction-- Toward Ranol in the darkness. She begins to tend to more wounded.
[Ovor(#20753)] And Ovor? Thane Zinbar? Hero of the Drinking Tables of Giloin Keeneye? He goes to his tent, no doubt to see to things.
Players: Frarin, Thari, Ovor, Gimli, Ranol, Gollum, Squee, Glugg
