From GM Giles:
Discussions are brought to a sudden halt by another call from the Gate room... Incredulously Ogre echo T'krals "to Arms- Cavalry". Leaping from the table the entire retinue makes for the Gate room. Along the entire length of the mile or so long mountain pass winds its way a column of double file mounted heavy Cavalry- most ride tundra beast though Gerland, horses and wolves can also be seen. A banner of typical Orcish design leads the procession its motif unrecognisable.
the seemingly endless column winds it way to just outside standard bow range, before coming to a halt. From the massed number ride 2 figure -a dwarf dressed in the manner of the orcs rides astride a war pony, next to her on a massive one eyed wolf sits a familiar figure Gnanagh the Querulous. As they approach more detail can be discerned- Gnanagh has for gone all trappings of the Fist of Fahd and now wear the markings of a unknown tribe. The dwarf can now be recognised under all he extravagant Orcish apparel as Sarania- scholar from the Karatas Library.
they approach to with 35 yards of the gate and Sarania bellows up at the walls
"Occupants of the Keep, we have need of Parley"
the 2 envoys look up at the solid walls while close to five hundred mounted orcs await the outcome of discussions
From Alison:
Ethilion. Aramis. This is your domain.
T'kral's somewhat weary, especially being unfamiliar with both representatives of the band. However, she withholds judgement, waiting to hear the princes' response. Besides, even she's not stupid enough to believe that the group can withstand an assult from the orcs should proceedings turn unpleasant. The keep may be strong and highly defensible, but under its current state, it's none too prepared to resist an all-out attack. So, she waits and listens, attempting to remain hidden in her lofty vantage point.
(Damn, we should have got the boat to bring back some oil, spears, etc, so that we could re-equip the castle with it's basic defences. There may not be an army inside to defend it (well, not yet), but we could use the defences already available to us. Not that we knew there'd be an urgent need 'till now!!)
From Catherine:
You do have a communicator that can send a message to to group to the other group to potentially get their booty back here ASAP. Mereoni personally doesn't feel that the orcs would march all this way through the poison forest just to attack us. Its not necessairyly like orcs to want to parley. We've dealt with Sarania before and have been open and honest. Even gave her a dagger to study! M. thinks there here for the CF daggers and fair enough. May be a great time to spark a trade - daggers for support for the Moriartys. Are 500 orcs likely to be able to stand up to the army of Jerris. Would love to see the game on that. PC's role play every 30 minutes and the GM is working through the initiative of 1000 NPC's
M has trading and fairly high Cha though certainly thinks this is the royal domain of Ethilion. Not sure how they would respond sending a windling to parley. May see it as an insult?
Thinking outside the square... How would Calcaneous respond if the orcs pledged him their assistance? Could make up a tale as to how Ethilion and Aramis kidnapped members of his family... since E & A are on the way would like to help Jerris. Once again once inside city insurgence arises. Dont know if Calc would let that many orcs into the city. Just thinking aloud.
From Sian:
Q - Do Orcs get on with Ogres.
If so then Ethilion will go down to parley, accompanied by Ogre (for protection) and Dayoric in the backgournd to scribe what was said. Can't send Aramis as they may be insulted and there is no-one else. Aramis can't come too as if they are meaning harm then there needs to be an heir to the Moriarty house left alive and he has a better shot at killing Calc.
Ethilion makes himself presentable and then descends the stairs. He strides/rides out to the parley party and declares "I am prince Ethilion of the Moriarty House. Please state your names and the terms of your parley".
He ensures that they are between him and the Orcs so that an arrow shot could not hit him. If anyone has a spell to pump up his armor then he will do that too and he will (of course) roll up on his charisma die.
Does anyone (Mereoni or Aramis) have the ability to send out a light sprite to Dayoric? We know him well so they should be able to find him.
From GM Giles:
There is only ONE ogre in the entire world!!!
From GM Giles:
As you well know with True Shot there is no way to hide if you can be seen even a little bit.
Going down with spells on might be a little rude?
Any light sprite to Dayoric would be visible to the Orcs (at very least the envoys).
From GM Giles:
"Your majesty", Sarania yells over the howling wind.
The voice of the gale causes her to shout and robs her of any chance to lace her words the emphasis of incredulity. "We have travelled far to be here. Krathis Gron, prophet of Cara Fahd would speak to you".
Her words distorted by the wind you manage to clearly make out the name that remains unfamiliar.
"The Prophet is convinced you hold ancient relics that belong to our people and would like admittance within the walls to discuss their return".
The wind this time works in your favour. Sarania is spared the snort that escapes the princes' lips at the mention of 'our people'.
From Catherine:
How about a personal invitation for the two travellers to join us in the canyon for a refreshment as they must be weary from their forced march. They could bring two guards...
Looks like we are looking after their head guys but will effectively be removing Ethillion from a potential assassination which I dont think will happen. I don't know if there is any expectation that the prince would meet the group himself or send an emissary. We need to remove any threat from Ethilion while not seen to be too distrusting of the group.
Dayoric doesn't have the ability to summon light sprites. M. thinks it may possibly be Mr. Kolari who sent the other "ball of illumination" but really doesn't have an idea. Kolari doesn't even know about the orcs as far as I'm aware. He left the party way before this point. Do we know of ANYONE else who is not with the party now that was with us when we met the orcs?
From GM Giles:
Prince ethilion invited the Orcs within the walls and organised an exchange for 6 other threaded items. The Orcs left with the Daggers.
Any light sprite to Dayoric would be visible to the Orcs (at very least the envoys).