Adventure #3 – Diplomacy to the Death (Hold of Belkzen)

[reefwood]

Vote 6: Clan #9 - Defiled Corpse – YES

Guzzun Rotgot stirs the stew of innards while the other clan leaders vote. At his turn, he holds the bowl up to his mouth, guzzles it down, and lets out a tremendous belch of approval.

Total (6/6):
YES – 4
NO – 2


[OOC: Congrats! Your orc council approved the establishment of a Pathfinder Lodge. This means a few different things...

4 out of 10 ruling clans approve the lodge.
2 out of 10 ruling clans disapprove of the lodge.
4 out of 10 ruling clans were not consulted.

1 out of 5 clans on the Flood Road approve the lodge.
1 out of 5 clans on the Flood Road disapproves the lodge.
3 out of 5 clans on the Flood Road were not consulted.

You will receive a banner displaying the symbols of each clan that voted YES and documents authorizing your work.

The next adventure will take you along the Flood Road toward Whisperfall Pass - where you will search for an old, hidden lodge and possibly explore it. The Flood Road takes you through territory controlled by Black Sun (n/a), Cleft Head (NO), between Blood Trail (YES) and Long Worg (n/a), and Empty Hand (n/a). Then, you will cut east off the road through Empty Hand territory and into Stormspear (NO) territory.]

[michael]

I'm very disappointed in the Cloud Lord. We gave him an awesome spear, and I kicked his trial's ass! What more does he want?

But hey! Victory!

[silanariel]

At least it wasn't a rubber chicken!

[silanariel]

good job us!

[reefwood]

Wealday, Kuthona 31, 4712

5:00am – The combat trials come to an end. The coliseum empties out, and the leaders of the ruling orc clans return to their enclaves in the tower city of Urgir to mull over their verdicts.

6:00am – All who presented cases are brought to an empty banquet hall atop the tower city. What was once elegant dwarven stonework is evident to those with a keen eye, though, it is in a sad state of disrepair. Statues line the walls. Most likely of ancient dwarven heroes, but many of their heads have been smashed. Others seemed to have been chiseled into crude orc replicas or replaced by the heads of hunted game animals. Banners of the ruling orc clans hang from the ceiling.

7:00am – As the night comes to a close, the orc leaders convene at the head of the banquet hall to present their verdicts. The Pathfinder lodge is approved. Those who voted for and against it state their approval or displeasure. The reactions of most other orcs in the hall range from wary to angry. Shouts and protests fill the air. Grask Fistcrown of the Black Sun observes the uproar for a few moments, but his call for order brings silence back to the room.

Haav'ork Black Moon has his exile lifted but with strict restrictions. He cannot reunite his disbanded tribe, nor can he join any other tribe or claim land. However, he will be allowed to travel freely and conduct Pathfinder business.

8:00pm – The funeral for Rac'cona Uldeth takes place in the coliseum after dark. It is an elaborate affair. Drums beat loudly as the story of her life and accomplishments in Belkzen are sung by a chorus of war chanters while the scenes are played out by costumed performers. Two hours pass in this display and another is spent conducting the funeral rites.

11:00pm – The year comes to a close with the coliseum emptying out and scores of orc clans retiring to their quarters in the city or camps staked around it.


Oathday, Abadius 1, 4713

12:00am – The sounds of feasting for some and frustration for others ring in the new year. Blood will be spilled but very little of it on this night or in this place. Most of the orc clans will depart upon waking and plot their next steps from within the relative safety of their own territories.

---

Epilogue

The Pathfinder Society is presented with a banner displaying the symbols of each ruling clan that voted to allow the establishment of a lodge - One Eye, Murdering Child, Blood Trail, Defiled Corpse. Three of the clans depart without another word to the Pathfinders, but Sra'avek Silvertongue of Blood Trail reminds them of their promise to Krinkin – to share what they learn within the borders of Stormspear.

Two copies of an official document authorizing the lodge are written up - one copy given to Haav'ork and the other kept on file in Urgir. Leda Oinio teleports Haav'ork between Urgir and Absalom several times over the coming weeks to finalize preparations for the lodge. Meanwhile, builders and supplies are brought to Urgir, along with mercenaries to guarantee their safety.


[OOC:  Adventure #4 will take place in one month. Each PC gains one level. New PCs start at 10th-level. Info on wealth increase, hero points, etc will be posted in the Character Creation thread later this week.]