CMP Posted February 17, 2014 Author Posted February 17, 2014 Where does this take us, Olmstyr? "Well, with the support of clans Musalnav and Aj-Kahr, we're already well on our way towards having all of Baltarok united. I think our best bet would be to head back to Vim-Lhzar. It's the closest capital, and my informant mentioned Bastala and her entourage were already on their way back as of last night, so they've probably reached their palace by now. I'm taking that as a good sign that she's not also making a move on the bridge. I doubt it'll take a show of force to convince her to help us, so maybe just a discussion with her will do. It'll be a bit of a walk, though..."
swils Posted February 17, 2014 Posted February 17, 2014 "Can't we borrow a troll or two? Aside from the smell, it seems like a better way to travel."
CMP Posted February 17, 2014 Author Posted February 17, 2014 "Can't we borrow a troll or two? Aside from the smell, it seems like a better way to travel." "On-ly had the one, Gor fears."
swils Posted February 17, 2014 Posted February 17, 2014 "Well then... whoops! We should probably get to walkin'."
Scubacarrot Posted February 17, 2014 Posted February 17, 2014 "I don't suppose we get to see this bridge then that everyone is sooo upset about... Alright..."
Capt.JohnPaul Posted February 17, 2014 Posted February 17, 2014 "Yes, I'd like to get a glimpse of the bridge as well."
Scorpiox Posted February 17, 2014 Posted February 17, 2014 "So long as Bastala don't try to call a warpath on our behinds, I think we're good."
CMP Posted February 18, 2014 Author Posted February 18, 2014 "I don't suppose we get to see this bridge then that everyone is sooo upset about... Alright..." "Yes, I'd like to get a glimpse of the bridge as well." "Mmhh, would not ad-vise this. Gor sent Bal-tar and bulk of troops to scout it yes-ter-day. They did not re-turn." "You think the Kingdoms attacked them?" "What else could it be? They were strong force. Bal-tar was good cap-tain. Would take man-ny sol-diers to kill them all, unless they have sell-swords skil-led as your-selves." Gor gave a dry, raspy chuckle. Olmstyr glanced sideways at the party grimly. "So long as Bastala don't try to call a warpath on our behinds, I think we're good." "I doubt that would be the case. They seemed to respond favorably at the Clanmeet. At least, to you," Olmstyr couldn't help but chuckle. "And as...unorthodox, as she is, even if Clan Irlaz doesn't want to support us, I doubt it would come to blows. But we'll see, I suppose."
The Legonater Posted February 18, 2014 Posted February 18, 2014 I suppose we had to the capital, then.
Scorpiox Posted February 19, 2014 Posted February 19, 2014 "Don't forget that there are other parties in these fair hills. Baltar may have come across some of our comrades on the opposite side."
Capt.JohnPaul Posted February 19, 2014 Posted February 19, 2014 "Ohhhh... now I remember. The other parties. It very well could've been them, thinking they were attacking the bridge. If they reported to the humans they saw orcs about to attack the bridge, that could make things tricky. We should head back to the capital fast and get everyone together and explain the situation."
CMP Posted February 20, 2014 Author Posted February 20, 2014 "Don't forget that there are other parties in these fair hills. Baltar may have come across some of our comrades on the opposite side." "Oth-her par-ties? There are more sell-swords? What kind of forces do you speak-" Olmstyr cut off the general. "They're not here to help incite a war, Gor, if that's what you're thinking. I'd like to believe they're doing the same thing we are; trying to prevent one. We can't know for certain Just trust us." "Ohhhh... now I remember. The other parties. It very well could've been them, thinking they were attacking the bridge. If they reported to the humans they saw orcs about to attack the bridge, that could make things tricky. We should head back to the capital fast and get everyone together and explain the situation." I suppose we had to the capital, then. "Only the leaders of Clan Irlaz are in Vim-Lhzar right now. In any case, I don't think they or the leaders of Clan Tarokin are inclined to listen to us right now. If it is your other party over there, we can only hope they're smoothing over the situation. We're in no position to be negotiating or dealing with the Kingdoms right now, not with only half of Baltarok on our side. We ought to get moving. Gor, I'll send a message to you once we've got the support of the other clans. With luck, the heroes will find a way to defuse the situation once we get to it." Gor nodded to each hero in turn. "Wish you luck, sell-swords. Will need it, I think." The general walked back towards the war camp. Olmstyr watched him go, then lead the party back onto the main road, mercifully free of violent birds or mountains this time around. It was late morning at this point, the sun still rising up into the sky, melting some thin patches on snow on the tough earth as they passed. Soon, both camp and mountains slid out of sight. The orc glanced eastward, then back at the party. "I appreciate you doing this, heroes. Few humans, probably not even many elves, have the patience to deal with orcish customs. I doubt even the Kingdoms party has it this hard. They may have to deal with the mess that is human politics, but that's just convoluted and time-consuming. The situation here is, well...more like defusing a bomb. Not enough time, and the consequences obvious...and lethal. That said...we're making significant progress. More than I expected. Then again, you probably all have experience saving countries and stopping wars. Nobody knows Heroica here, but we've probably felt the effects of the things you've done in some way or another."
The Legonater Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 Still, we can't afford to slow down. No one gets points for half-defusing a bomb.
CMP Posted February 20, 2014 Author Posted February 20, 2014 (edited) Still, we can't afford to slow down. No one gets points for half-defusing a bomb. "Indeed." Olmstyr picks up his pace. "The circumstances here are dire, but I can't help but admire what we're accomplishing here. It's been too long since Baltarok's been banded together. The last time was, well.....imminent and bloody war with the Kingdoms has a way of motivating my people, I guess. Maybe if things turn out differently this time, it'll change things for the better around here. Right now I'll settle for survival, but I can't help but wonder what we'd be if we did more than sit here and let old wounds fester." Edited February 20, 2014 by CallMePie
swils Posted February 22, 2014 Posted February 22, 2014 (edited) Thormanil chuckles. "Stopping wars? Hah... The last time I even came close, I helped spark a war between two armies, or so the rumors tell. At least i got a funny little trinket outta it." He waves around the Tongue on a Stick. "Not t'say I wouldn't mind stoppin' this one. It's senseless, really. If, by some chance, y'all manage to overrun the Kingdoms, I don't think your people will stop there, no offense, but it'll be a slaughter. And if the Kingdoms can overcome your hordes, I doubt your women'n children'll lay down arms. Militia around every turn, it won't be an easy take over. Diplomacy's the only way for the two of ya to really thrive. Survive, even." Sorry guys, it's been a brutal week at school. Got another one coming up, but this one should be more available. Edited February 22, 2014 by swils
Capt.JohnPaul Posted February 22, 2014 Posted February 22, 2014 "How long do you guys think a war would last? Who'd win? I'm leaning towards a decisive Kingdom occupation. I imagine they'd just cross the bridge and blitz. Sure, orc militias would harass them, but without unity they'd never win."
The Legonater Posted February 22, 2014 Posted February 22, 2014 "How long do you guys think a war would last? Who'd win? I'm leaning towards a decisive Kingdom occupation. I imagine they'd just cross the bridge and blitz. Sure, orc militias would harass them, but without unity they'd never win." Please. No one wins in war. The Kingdoms would devastate them, sure, but not after severe loss from raiding parties and war trolls. Besides, this would only open up more ground for the Kingdoms, and they'd dissolve into petty civil wars over the new land.
CMP Posted February 22, 2014 Author Posted February 22, 2014 Thormanil chuckles. "Stopping wars? Hah... The last time I even came close, I helped spark a war between two armies, or so the rumors tell. At least i got a funny little trinket outta it." He waves around the Tongue on a Stick. "Not t'say I wouldn't mind stoppin' this one. It's senseless, really. If, by some chance, y'all manage to overrun the Kingdoms, I don't think your people will stop there, no offense, but it'll be a slaughter. And if the Kingdoms can overcome your hordes, I doubt your women'n children'll lay down arms. Militia around every turn, it won't be an easy take over. Diplomacy's the only way for the two of ya to really thrive. Survive, even." "Let's hope we're just stopping one this time." "Dreams of word conquest died with Tarokai. Even his descendant Tarvalk is only out to free whatever slaves are left in the Kingdoms and bring them back to the homeland. We're in no position to take on the world again. We're barely in a state to go after the Kingdoms." "How long do you guys think a war would last? Who'd win? I'm leaning towards a decisive Kingdom occupation. I imagine they'd just cross the bridge and blitz. Sure, orc militias would harass them, but without unity they'd never win." "Bear in mind you haven't seen the bulk of our forces. Gor's team were some of his best, but if he wanted numbers, he could've gotten them. It's not like we'd completely fall apart. Each individual clan still has strength, and if the Kingdoms attacked....like I said. Our people are most motivated in times of war. We have advantages defending Baltarok, and our tactics are far more adaptive, but the sheer force of the human armies....if it was just the Red Lizard and Four Boulders Kingdoms, we'd have a chance. They're the only ones in any position to attack anyway. But even if we won, that leaves the dozen other High Kingdoms, and a thousand bloodied orcs left to fight them all." Please. No one wins in war. The Kingdoms would devastate them, sure, but not after severe loss from raiding parties and war trolls. Besides, this would only open up more ground for the Kingdoms, and they'd dissolve into petty civil wars over the new land. "Probably. If there's one good thing Tarokai did, it was that he successfully united the orcs, from Goblonia, to Baltarok, to the Kingdoms. No fractures between clans, no infighting...we were a singular entity. The full might of the orcish people brought to bear on our ancient enemy. You can still see that power in his bloodline. Clan Tarokin runs their army like a regime, but they wouldn't have it any other way. They are completely and utterly devoted to the orcish cause. If things continued to heat up with this bridge...at some point, Tarvalk probably could've rounded up half of Baltarok to go after the Kingdoms."
CMP Posted February 24, 2014 Author Posted February 24, 2014 Sorry for the delay. Several hours of walking was enough to sap away what adrenaline the heroes were running off of after the battle with Gor. The sun hung high in the sky by the time they finally reached the entrance to Vim-Lhzar. It was only yesterday they'd left Irlaz's capital...yet already things had changed. The entrance was boarded up haphazardly. A group of unarmed greenskins seemed to be standing guard, while an unlikely duo, a cyclops and a halfling, stood just outside the barricade. "You.....are misguided. There....is no....reason.....for this....fool.....ish....ness." "Grrr!" "Shut up, the lot of you. City's closed. We don't need no more foreigners encouragin' our esteemed leader, so you can go drag your sorry yellow butts back to Pantana, or wherever the hell you came from. Coz, saro, zol kol anar." What will the heroes do?
Scorpiox Posted February 24, 2014 Posted February 24, 2014 "We're here to see your clan-leader, so kindly let us pass. I've met her personally once before and we're here on important business - so if you don't want to waste everyone's time by getting Bastala down her to kick your arses for refusing us entry, I suggest you step aside."
Scubacarrot Posted February 24, 2014 Posted February 24, 2014 "We don't have time for this. Let's go."
The Legonater Posted February 24, 2014 Posted February 24, 2014 We're here to help bring stability. If you'd prefer your country and people fall by the wayside and be stomped into ruin then by all means keep us here.
CMP Posted February 24, 2014 Author Posted February 24, 2014 "We're here to see your clan-leader, so kindly let us pass. I've met her personally once before and we're here on important business - so if you don't want to waste everyone's time by getting Bastala down her to kick your arses for refusing us entry, I suggest you step aside." "'Business with the clan leader'? Yeah, right." "Dddat doez zound lik zomezing Baztala woud do, Giv..." "Maybe, Basco. But she's the root of the problems around here, and right now? She's in no position to be kicking anything." "We don't have time for this. Let's go." "Maybe you don't see the barricade here. Nobody's coming through. We've had enough of your trash in our city. Haven't humans done enough here?" We're here to help bring stability. If you'd prefer your country and people fall by the wayside and be stomped into ruin then by all means keep us here. "Is that a threat?" "I don't thoink so." "Shut up Mincerind." The cyclops sighed and turned his eye on the party. "These....orcs.....seem to think that.....we're somehow......responsible.....for their leader's...flaws. But.....they are just......just misguided.....citizens. Look. No.......weapons."
Scorpiox Posted February 24, 2014 Posted February 24, 2014 "'Business with the clan leader'? Yeah, right." "Dddat doez zound lik zomezing Baztala woud do, Giv..." "Maybe, Basco. But she's the root of the problems around here, and right now? She's in no position to be kicking anything." "Maybe you don't see the barricade here. Nobody's coming through. We've had enough of your trash in our city. Haven't humans done enough here?" Haldor sighed. "Regardless of whether you agree with your leader, she's in charge here and... and you're holding us up. We've got things to do. I don't know what kind of world you live in, but we're trying to sort this country out and you're getting in our way. Say what you like about humans, but we, that's us lot, not our race, are getting things done. Go and ask for Bastala and maybe you'll get it into your heads."
CMP Posted February 24, 2014 Author Posted February 24, 2014 "Regardless of whether you agree with your leader, she's in charge here and... and you're holding us up. We've got things to do. I don't know what kind of world you live in, but we're trying to sort this country out and you're getting in our way. Say what you like about humans, but we, that's us lot, not our race, are getting things done. Go and ask for Bastala and maybe you'll get it into your heads." "She won't be in charge for long. All she's done is let more mercenary scum like yourselves into Baltarok and begun stripping away everything that makes us orcs. We'll be in much better shape once she's gone."
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