Navero 05

From: dparsons@jarthur.claremont.edu (Daniel Parsons)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp
Subject: Navero V
Reply-To: dparsons@jarthur.UUCP (Daniel Parsons) 
Distribution: usa
Organization: Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA
Keywords: Navero, of the Correct and Unalterable Way

.... And our heroes went riding off into the marshes, looking for the Orc band. It isn't easy to hide an entire band of Orcs, and this proved no exception to that. Their tracks were quite visible on the paths and runs, and we followed them back to a large cavern in a limestone rock formation. We did not enter immediately; instead, we sat, and watched, and argued some more. This we did happily for some time, until we were spotted by a patrol, who were naturally not happy to see us. There were only 2 Orcs, and we spotted them almost as soon as they saw us.

Orc 1: "Hu gudiier nouds?" <Whats with you?>

Orc 2: "Sliimsuka! Jacxoffss wit." <Elves over there! Humans too.>

Navero: "Oh, ick! What are those things over there?"

Dania: "Orcs! Get 'em!!"

The Cavalier: "GLORY AND DEATH! GLORY AND DEATH!"

HackMaimShredDestroySliceChopCrushSmashMurderIrkAnnoyVexIrritateInconvenience

Game Master: You succeed in wounding an Orc. The other runs away.

Dania: "Stop him! He'll tell all the others!"

The Cavalier: "I ride off after the Orc and outdistance him. I do not spear him in the back, as that is unworthy of me. I challenge him to stand and fight like slime."

Game Master: How? Your horse is dead, remember.

The Cavalier: "I...."

Rizudo: "I shoot him in the back with my crossbow."

Game Master: Did you have it ready? I don't remember you saying so.

Rizudo: "Of course it's ready! I'm not stupid!" *Big, pleading grin*

Game Master: OK. Roll to hit.

Rizudo: Ah, I roll a 3. Shit.

Dania: "You're all incompetent. I 'magic missile' it."

Game Master: OK. (rolls dice) It stumbles, but does not fall, and is rapidly losing itself in the trees.

Rizudo: "Don't you have a 'Hold Person' spell, priest?"

Navero: "But I don't speak Orcish..."

The Assassin: "It's out of range for dart throwing, isn't it?"

Game Master: Uh, yes. Anything else? Oh, (rolls dice) you notice the wounded Orc is trying to crawl off into the bushes.

Navero: "I jump on it and stop it!"

Game Master: "It tries to hit you. (rolls dice) It does. Take 5 hit points.

Navero: "Ouch!"

Rizudo: "I kill it. I guess its up to me to clean up after yon Knight's incompetence."

The Cavalier: "I shall ignore that. Consider yourself fortunate."

Dania: "Did the other one get away? Shit! Pretty soon, they'll be all over the place. We better get out of here."

The Cavalier: "We cannot run from a bunch of Orcs! You can, but I refuse."

Navero: "And what about all the damage they would do if we don't stop them?"

Dania: "Navero, come on. We can't take all of them..."

The Cavalier: "The devil you say! I move we take them by surprise, right now, while they are still trying to organize themselves."

Rizudo: "Now listen, kids. Our position here isn't exactly ideal. Why don't we go tell the guys in the keep that we saw the Orcs coming? Then we'll get a bunch of men-at-arms to go with us to meet them."

The Cavalier: "I refuse to rely on an unruly bunch of peasants swinging farm implements."

Navero: "Why stir up many men, when only one voice is equal to the task?"

The Assassin: "It's getting dark. They will soon be about. We'd better go."

Dania: "Yes. C'mon, guys."

The Cavalier: "You are taking all the horses? Ah, I suppose a retreat to consider strategy would be in order. But we are not running."

Dania: "Right."

With our horses, we were easily able to outdistance the Orcs, and reach the keep. We saw them behind us in the marsh, and counted over 20 of them. They did not travel all the way to Swamp Keep, but threw javelins and insults at us as we fled back to relative safety. None hit. Once we reached the keep, we were accosted by the gate guards, who had heard the shouting, and taken in to see some high official whose title I have forgotten.

Official: "YOU WHAT!? You rode out to spy on the Orcs, and stirred them up?"

Rizudo: "Yep, and they're coming this way. And they stink, too. We need the militia, a few of your guards, so we can tidy them up a bit."

Dania: "Yeah."

Official: *bugeyed stare* "You... They haven't been here raiding for nearly a month... which means they won't be here for another month... and you... people... went out and deliberately antagonized them!?"

The Cavalier: "You should never bear evil so lightly."

Official: "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!?!"

Navero: "Um... have we interfered with some other plans of yours?"

Official: <sudden, indignant look> "Do you have any idea what this means?"

The Cavalier: "Freedom and Glory."

Dania: "Oh, shut up."

The Cavalier: "I will not for the likes of you."

Official: "Be quiet, all of you! (to a servant) Boy, go fetch that warrior. Now, perhaps we can salvage something out of this. How would you like to go back there and clean out those caverns right now? We have a man here, the survivor of the last group who tried it. He has been inside their cave, and may know enough to help you. He is supposedly a capable fighter and bowman. I believe he comes from the northern regions."

With this, a very large figure stomped into the room. You might say that he did not believe in personal hygiene. You might also say that he needed no announcement. He was well over 6 feet and had a huge sword over his shoulder, and a long bow on his back.

Official: "Kortul, you had expressed a desire to have another try at the Orcs once your wounds healed. Well, I would like to ask you to serve as a guide to this group, which has the same purpose in mind. Will you do it."

Kortul: (Looks group over. Sneers.) *Grunt.*

Official: "Very good. Well, I wish you luck. And if you fail, don't come back. After this, if they don't kill you, some here may wish to do so themselves."

And with that cheery thought, we spent the night and rose early to go out and finish the job. Although at some point, the Assassin disappeared during the night. Apparently, she had had quite enough of us all, and went elsewhere to seek greener pastures. (Actually, the player dropped out of the group, as he had too much work to do. But thats not as much fun.)

Dan Parsons

"I read about the 'great unwashed' but I never expected to see one."