Logs > Gamma Logs > Scant Fare

Scant Fare

[Kemstead, Jendra's Woods, Clearing]
Bom trees circle this delightful clearing. In the center, a small pond sends up curls of steam as it reflects the leafy boughs of the trees. Fed from an underground stream, the pond is clear and inviting. High reeds and cattails grow around the banks, and a large smooth stone juts into the water.

The smell of damp earth and growing things makes the senses feel alive.

Water gurgles along a shallow creek that borders the clearing to the west.
Obvious exits are north and west.

You lie down on a large smooth stone.
You close your eyes.
You drift into unconsciousness.
You can't escape from the dark peacefulness.
You drift further into the darkness.
A black orc smirks.
A black orc glances at you.
A black orc says, "How easy it would be to just slit your throat."
You try desperately to wake yourself.
Wake? Wake to what? It's much better to be here in peace and darkness...
A black orc smiles wryly.
You mumble something in your sleep.
Everything is black and although you try, nothing happens.
A black orc glances at you.
A black orc crawls over to a large smooth stone.
A black orc slaps you.
You awaken.
You grunt.
You open your eyes.

[Kemstead, Jendra's Woods, Clearing]
[You are lying down on a large smooth stone.]
Bom trees circle this delightful clearing. In the center, a small pond sends up curls of steam as it reflects the leafy boughs of the trees. Fed from an underground stream, the pond is clear and inviting. High reeds and cattails grow around the banks, and a large smooth stone juts into the water. You see a black orc (kneeling).

The smell of damp earth and growing things makes the senses feel alive.

Water gurgles along a shallow creek that borders the clearing to the west.
Obvious exits are north and west.

You sit up on a large smooth stone.
A black orc gets back on his feet.
You scoot backwards.

> look orc
The hide of this small wiry orc is completely black. Whether his coloration is natural, conjured, or some sort of makeup is unknown, but it does make him difficult to notice. He moves with small, smooth, and economical steps, body poised to move in any direction in a heartbeat. The only color visible on his entire body is the pink of the tip of his tongue which he holds carefully between his teeth.
A black orc is holding a bent metal longknife in his right hand.
He is wearing some dark leather armor.

A black orc glances at his hands.
Kalvere steps into the clearing.
You draw your balanced steel throwing dagger from your polished steel thigh sheath.

> l kal
Kalvere is a sylvan man of byra ancestry in his twenties. His large eyes is golden yellow with deep shadows lurking in their depths. He has a regal nose, a pursed mouth, and a handsome jaw. He wears his well-groomed golden brown hair in no particular style. He has unremarkable ears, tanned skin, and an athletic build.
He is holding a carved keafwood longbow in his hands.
He is wearing a threaded forest green cotton knapsack, a slate broadcloth shirt with a simple grey serge jerkin hanging over it, a leather fish loop, an oiled brown sheath, an oiled black quiver, some ankle-high leather boots, and some tawny muslin hose with some plain ivory flannel breeches over them.
Kalvere's chest is scratched and raw, it's bleeding slightly.

A black orc leaps from concealment!
A black orc tries to lunge at Kalvere with his bent metal longknife!
Kalvere attempts to retreat.
You stand up.
Kalvere shoots his carved keafwood longbow at a black orc!
miss...
A black orc jumps out of the way.
Kalvere picks up a green-feathered thaenwood long arrow.
Your parry level is now at 100 percent.
You change your stance to 'balanced'.
You hurl your balanced steel throwing dagger at a black orc!
hit threshhold: 99 d100: 29
miss...
A black orc ducks aside.
Kalvere attempts to retreat.
A black orc snorts.
A black orc attempts to retreat.
The black orc moves into melee from you.
You swear.
A black orc goes into the crystal clear pond.
You say, "Run."
Kalvere asks, "What?"
A black orc walks in brandishing his bent metal longknife.
You say, "There may be more..."
A black orc walks north.
You pick up a balanced steel throwing dagger.
You sheath a balanced steel throwing dagger in your polished steel thigh sheath.
Kalvere says, "They run like sissies."
You ask, "Are you all right?"
Kalvere nods to you.
You say, "I was lying on that rock and when I opened my eyes..."
Kalvere says, "They would need to hit me first."
You say, "Bastard could have cut my throat."
You act: Jurion rubs the back of his neck.
You say, "Never seen them up here."
Kalvere says, "I guess I came just in time."
You say, "I thought they stayed in the mandrake hole."
You grin wryly at Kalvere.
Kalvere laughs!
You say, "I can't hit them on my best day."
Kalvere says, "They didn't like my arrow."
You say, "Thank you, I wouldn't have appreciated waking up in Ul'Mydar."
You chuckle.
Kalvere laughs!
Kalvere says, "No Problem."
You say, "Hopefully it's not lurking around Jendra's."
Kalvere says, "Name is Kalvere Delarenth."
You say, "I owe you an ale."
You say, "I'm Jurion Tamerlaine."
Kalvere says, "Pleasure."
You say, "I think I'll find another spot for a nap."
You say, "My thanks again, and if I see you in town I'll be sure to buy you a round."
You bow to Kalvere.
Kalvere bows to you.
You chuckle.
Kalvere waves to you.

[Kemstead Square Park, The Unicorn]
Looming over you, sculpted in pure white marble, is a unicorn. Its head and torso are that of a powerful horse, with a long spiraling horn in the center of its forehead. The tail is curled and raised and resembles a lion's, while the powerful back legs are that of an antelope. It is rearing up on its hind legs, its forelegs pawing the air. The unicorn is standing on a black marble base and set into the base is a bronze plaque.
The only obvious exit is out.

A whisper comes from the shadows, "An unexpected surprise."
You grunt.
You say, "Yes, that's rather what I thought when I awoke."
A whisper comes from the shadows, "I need to talk with you, something has come up."
You act: Jurion purses his lips.
You say, "The drael willow."
You say, "It's a bit less... populated."

[Kemstead Wilds, Under the Willow]
Deep within the veil of russet and golden leaves, the branches of an aged drael willow form a sheltering curtain around an old stone bench. Carpeted with soft green moss and fallen leaves, the ground is covered by a tangle of the willow's shallow roots, while lacy-leafed vines trail over the uneven ground behind the bench. You see a small granite stone.

The moist air of this leafy sanctuary smells vaguely of mint.

You pick up a small granite stone.
You toss your small granite stone in the air and catch it deftly.
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant ask, "Where did the other one go?"
You say, "Likely an arrow lodged in his ribs."
You ask, "Am I to keep track of your thralls?"
You say, "Perhaps he went to see Jendra."
You cough.
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "It would help if all our agents didn't die."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "But that is not your problem."
You grin slightly.
You say, "Well. He hasn't any of my daggers in him."
You say, "Be quick, before some other fool wanders over here for a nap."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "That's not your problem either."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "You have a point."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "Here's the deal, human."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant ask, "You've heard of the proposed jhakor alliance?"
You say, "Yes."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "It needs to not happen."
You say, "I've been doing what I can to reduce their numbers. I can be as persuasive as I may in regards to the townsfolk, but it's difficult."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "Yessss."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "Perhaps an attack on their agent would deter their efforts."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "The one known as Ghuk."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "He returns to town in three days from today."
You ask, "Have you jhakor allies?"
An orcish sergeant snickers.
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "Not allies."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "Tools."
You smile wryly.
You say, "Then I suggest two things."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "Their king, and many of their kind have already sided with us."
You say, "Send a few of them against the townsfolk, to reduce their trust in this Ghuk."
You say, "And if you could, send a few against me, in a public place."
You say, "Then I have a reason to harm this Ghuk, other than simply not liking jhakor."
You say, "Even one would be enough."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "It would be hard to get them into town."
You say, "I'll make sure I have a group outside of town."
You hear the voice of An orcish sergeant ask, "When?"
You say, "Perhaps in Kemstead."
You say, "I'll try tonight. If not, I'll try tomorrow."
You say, "If neither, I'll do without."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "Nothing can be done tonight."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "However."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "Tomorrow perhaps."
You say, "Very well."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "I will find a way to get word to you."
You act: Jurion lifts one shoulder in an idle shrug.
You say, "If it happens, it happens. As the gods will. One other thing."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "It is imperative this alliance does not take place."
You say, "I have not yet been spoken to of payment."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "I have no knowledge of what you were promised."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "However, if you questioned about it, i was given orders."
You say, "Speak, then."
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "Those are for you."
You raise an eyebrow.
You notice an orcish sergeant gradually materialize.
An orcish sergeant gestures at a few imperials.
You pick up a couple imperials.
You hear the voice of an orcish sergeant say, "For this job."
You say, "Scant fare, but one does what one can."
Your language is now set to Orcish.
You hear the voice of An orcish sergeant say, "Indeed."
You say in Orcish, "Be off, then. It seems I've a meeting to attend."
You act: Jurion jingles the coins in his hand.