Pathfinder-ish Campaign...

"what is the layout of the Scro fortress? Does it have any defenses? Are there other ships away from the docks we should know about? Are there any other Scro fortresses? And what if any significant resources do the Scro have?"

 

"Wha-at? The layout? Fuck if I know! I'm not a scro! I only ever get to see three rooms! The Entry foyer, the big room that the Admiral co-opted as his war-room, and the frickin' privy! As for defenses, I know there's a pair of ballista and about fifty scro - minus the ones who died trying to catch you - plus a hundred goblins, maybe seventy orcs?" Thinking for a moment, he frowned. "Oh, and those hobgoblin mercenaries we hired. I couldn't tell you about the ships. I know the scro have at least three scorpions, the one mantis, several wasps, that galleon, and a couple of others, but I don't have a detailed list. I only see the ones that need repairing, and can only remember about a dozen ship names that I've seen."

He struggles in Izema's grip for a bit, then sighs. "Look, I'm not going to try escaping, and I'm not going to try casting any spells. I'm a mercenary, like the hobgoblins. If the Admiral's dead, then I'm not getting paid, and have no reason to fight you. They're paying me to build ships, not die!"

 

Eating an apple with a slice of hardtack in hand, Ohmen walks toward the Orc. footsteps punctuating the heavy silence and drawing his attention, Ohmen throws off the hood of his cloak before looking towards him eye to eye.

Speaking in a somewhat soft, slow calming tone, the changeling begins. ‘Listen.’ ‘You have no weapons. You are outnumbered. And help, if the Scro could even be considered that to you… Won't be arriving for hours, for days, forever. You will not escape."

Taking a bite from the apple, Ohmen places a gentle hand onto the orc’s back, inviting him to stand now untied. ‘Must feel nice to be untied for a bit. Take a deep breath, now, come with us.”

Guiding him outside, Ohmen stops for a second. ‘Before we start sir, I am sorry about your forge.’ the changeling gives a sign for respect, ‘I truly am. It must have been important for the Scro for it to be that kitted out though.’

Taking the orc to a slow stop, the wizard continues. ‘I hope you can find the strength to answer these questions truthfully, or else you are no different from the Scro. and in that case, Our approach can change.’ he leans in, the fire behind his eyes flashing for but a second.

Leaning back up, Ohmen grabs something from a side pocket. Letting the anticipation wash over the orc as he reaches down. And with a satisfying crack, his hand returns offering the orc half a length of hardtack, gently handing the uneaten portion to him. ‘I don't know about the food you get back with the Scro, but hungers a never a nice feeling. Now. Would you mind telling us about your forge? And to what it worked. We can get to the rest later, remember, we have you here for as long as is necessary, for hours, for days. Forever. You will not escape."

 

Nervously, the smith takes the offered jerky. "Sh-ship parts," he mumbles. "They had me forging ship parts. I..." Trailing off, he casts you a dejected look. "I'm only half-orc," he mumbles. "The scro only let me live because I was useful to them. They see me as being tainted, unclean. But I was the only one the orcs knew of who could do the forge-work they needed."

 

Drakk ponders Ultezesh's words before saying "Thank you for the information, I will be sure to let the port authorities know that you were cooperative. Izema you can let go of him now and re gag him.". Drakk starts to walk away but freezes for a second and looks back to Ultezesh and says "It was nice to meet you, even if on the worst of turns. Thank you for the information about my mother, I truly appreciate it. Interestingly it seems we both have one thing in common, we are both mercenaries. Perhaps under different circumstances we could be allies.". After that word, Drakk turns away and begins to rest to regain his spells.

 

mmm maybe so but im not letting my guard down call it a personal grudge or professional respect.

 

Bang, already losing interest in the captive goes to working on how he can improve the railgun. Sights would be nice, probably some nice glass would be useful for it. Next up some recoil compensation would be nice, probably a little bit of compression in the stock and he should be golden

 

Seeing that both interrogations were progressing without hindrance, Shiro asks Big Bang to scout out the perimeter so that the group is not surprised and goes to recover himself for the next fight.

 

Bang looks up and grins
"my pleasure, was wondering when you would ask." Bang cranks up the rail gun and departs, slipping out, silent as a ghost

 

Wandering off from the group, Bigbang begins his perimeter sweep. There isn't much to see on the shore-wards side of the fields. Some trees, more trees, and yet more trees. As his sweep takes him around towards the tower, he comes across another clearing - looks like another, smaller field - another clearing - looks like ruined beehives here, but the bees are still present and they seem to like the wildflowers that surround the hives - and then reaches the damaged well. Just beyond that is the path to the tower, about six feet wide. On the other side of that are fruit trees - apples and pears - and more forest. You have to swing kind of wide around the next section, as raspberry brambles aren't exactly fun to try walking through, even when you're only a foot and a half tall.

The interesting things is what you do NOT find. You hear birds, you see the occasional squirrel, but nothing bigger. At least, not yet anyway. You do notice the spoor of something larger here and there, but you don't see anything. Something... something about the scenery is nagging at your mind, but nothing is really setting any alarm bells off.

 

MMhhh says bang nomming up some berries

 

You make a second sweep, and this time the nagging thing is reconciled. Largely because a sheep has followed you and is trying to nibble your ear. Apparently it thinks it is a flower?

 

Bang has a flash of insight, he crawls on the back of the sheep. It doesnt seem to mind so he easily clambers aboard. The wool is soft and almost gives bang a feeling of.. yawn... being tired. But not now, bang slips partly into the wool and peers around, waiting for whatever is coming next

 

And what is coming next is... more sheep. Seriously, there's a whole flock of them. Like, thirty or forty. As you watch, they slowly walk into the field near the ship and start to eat the wheat.

 

Bang almost immediately regrets his decision for hopping on the sheep, however he has a peak around

 

Bang noting nothing of interest returns to the group, stating
"it seems to be all quiet here. Just stay somewhat on guard and we should be fine"

 

Shiro calls Bang over to where he is trying to sleep.

"Azaphor is uneasy Big Bang, please do regular sweeps in the surrounds. Something about this place has my senses on edge. I'm sure there is something or things here with us and I'd rather not be surprised."

 

Drew, having nothing pressing to do at the moment, asks Shiro, "so, about your demon, sorry if i'm being blunt, but that is what that thing is correct? A demon? Is it evil, or is it just a neutral thing that gives you power? If either of those are true, how in the world do you have the will to control a demon?"

 

Shiro smiles. "Azaphor and I have come to an understanding now. She has agreed to use her power through me as a vessel against those doing evil. She is evil, but I have her under control. I can explain more once I have rested and recharged my abilities."

 

After several hours of rest, you begin to gather up ideas for what to do next. Your first task, while the spellcasters prep their magic (or just meditate on the cosmos as Drakk is wont to do) is to send Bigbang out to see what is up with the tower.

Slipping into the grass, he goes along the path, not ON it, so as to remain as hidden as possible. Nearer the tower, he comes across several half-ruined buildings amongst the trees. Looks like something happened to everyone here for them to leave in a hurry. There is a smithy, but lots of the equipment for it is gone. Several farmhouses are scattered about, and in the center of it all lies the tower... or rather, the monastery. From above, the trees hide most of the one-story structure, but beneath the canopy the monastery covers a large expanse of land! Now that you're up close, you can see that the tower hasn't collapsed, it just never got finished. It is of newer construction than the rest of the building, and was apparently meant to be a combination lookout/belltower/lighthouse? It is close enough to the shore to shine down on the rocks below, or would be if some of the smaller trees were cleared out of the way.

As the rabbit looks around, he gets an odd feeling. This place is somewhat peaceful, and has a kind of feel to it. One he can't quite place...