Author: Naota, Posted: Sat May 7, 2016 9:41 AM, Post Subject: The Demise of Dalthu (R)(P)

Naota leaned forward onto his knees, his fingers steepled together in thought as he worked out possibilities for their plan.  It was simple, yes, but sometimes simplicity was better, especially when your enemy was simple as well.  Besides, too much intricacy usually raised the chances of complications along the way for such a simple mission.  He looked up to the newcomer, smiling politely and offering his own name before returning his attention to Cha’Kwe’Tza and nodding.  From there he relayed all of the information regarding their strategy as he knew, finishing with his own thoughts,

“Right now we’re trying to see if there is anyone among us that knows the caves.  There are ways to maneuver them safely even without such knowledge or even a map, but it wouldn’t exactly be fast…”  Speed was going to be their greatest ally right now, no one wanted to fall victim to that hammer and to underestimate the enemy merely because his movements could be slow?  Not wise.

He pushed up from the ground, dusting his hands onto the sides of his pants even though they were perfectly clean, he was just starting to get antsy to move.   “In any case I wouldn’t mind being in the front.  We’ll be surrounded by spearman yes, but I trust my reflexes enough to be at the head that way if something unexpected were to befall I’d be able to relay it quickly.”  

He didn’t mention that due to his curse it’d be nigh impossible to actually kill him, but unfortunate as it was he used it to his advantage whenever he could.  Of course, there was still the pain of people trying to kill him: trouble meeting with death didn’t mean he was numb to the tries.  His hands moved to his hips and he looked in the direction of the cave system they’d soon be traversing to, “If we’re prepared I say we go ahead.  Best to get this started quickly before he or his men can learn of us.”  Their party wasn’t large, but it wasn’t invisible either.

Author: Chalky, Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 6:55 PM, Post Subject: The Demise of Dalthu (R)(P)

"No. No one we see knows the caves. I agree, very useful." For a young man, Naota had brought up a good point, and Cha'Kwe'Tza thought that with some time, he could become a good commander if he applied himself. Although, it was unlikely he would live the twelve centuries that Cha'Kwe'Tza already had. "I think Dalthu will find us. Maybe make lots of noise. Lure him, yes?" The thought seemed passable to the warrior, although there was the possibility that the Orc general would have more companions than their small group could handle. As to the question of the third member of the party, Cha'Kwe'Tza had no idea, "I no not of the third. I only know that two would come." If Cha'Kwe'Tza had his choice, Natsumi, another friend of his would be the third. Even Chae or the Illithid would be welcome additions.

The idea of a distraction was a good one. However Naota could manage one, Cha'Kwe'Tza would appreciate any effort to avoid receiving a full strike from Dalthu. Especially if he was as big as the rumours all claimed him to be. The reptilian could take quite the beating, but a hit like that from a two handed hammer would hurt for sure. It was at this point that the third member of the party arrived. Cha'Kwe'Tza could see that the newcomer was a little nervous around him, so he grasped the man's outstretched hand as well, hopefully not crushing it entirely. "I am called Cha'Kwe'Tza. Good meeting you Luthor. Much luck one would need to get my hide, but I let Naota explain. His speech is better." Leaving his friend to explain, Cha'Kwe'Tza reached into the pouch at his side and pulled forth a small wooden box. From the box there was a length of wrapped leaves which he held between his teeth while returning the box. Drawing the dagger that was a gift from Rhylana for a heat source, the Reptilian looked up and saw the two humans looking oddly at him. "What? Something Wrong?"

Author: Luthor, Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 5:24 PM, Post Subject: The Demise of Dalthu (R)(P)

Nodding to the guard as he neared him, Luthor asked if the two he was looking for were the ones just ahead. The guard confirmed this and Luthor walked over to the two. When he was close enough to hear what the two were talking about, the mage caught something about quick movements being necessary. Looking to the scaly beast before him, Luthor doubted that it could move very fast, or think with any speed for that matter either. Turning his attention to the other, Luthor doubted that this young man led the whole party, but he seemed a far more likely candidate for the job than the other one. 

Moving his staff to his left hand, Luthor held out his right in an introduction, "I am Luthor. I would presume that this is the bounty group for the head of Dalthu?" The introductions were made, and Luthor was surprised that the monster could actually talk. "I see…Ah, Cha'kwaysa…It is good to see we have a strong arm in the group," not realizing how badly he butchered the reptilian's name, Luthor looked to the young man now known as Naota and continued, "Is there a plan for this raid of ours? I'm sure the two of you would like to make it back with your hides intact as well."

Author: Naota, Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 9:35 AM, Post Subject: The Demise of Dalthu (R)(P)

He laughed, shaking his head and bracing himself as the strong hand came down onto his shoulder.  Strong as Naota was, there was only so much you could do when someone as big as Cha’Kwe’Tza came down on you with comfortable friendly force.  He moved over with him, sitting comfortably on his knees as he listened to the plan that Cha’Kwe’Tza and the others had come up with before he had arrived.  From everything he’d been able to learn about Dalthu, he wasn’t exactly the brightest.  As simple as this plan was, he saw many ways that it could work and nodded his agreement.

“Does anybody know the layout of the caves at all…?”  That would give them a better advantage, though he wasn’t too hopeful for someone having such knowledge.  Even well explored caves could still turn around even the most skilled cartographer.  He remembered the run ins that the two of them, and their previous party, had run into on their last adventure and the winding caves and surprises therein had proven a formidable challenge.  Not formidable enough seeing as all of them had lived through it, but still: the less chance they would have to deal with such obstacles, the better.

“Do you know who our third comrade is?”  He looked up, past those that were still circled around the plans and saw someone in the distance.  At that time another member of their encampment called out to him, “That must be the fellow now.”  He returned his attention to his ally and continued with what they had been talking on,

“In any case, if it’s a distraction you need, it’s a distraction I’ll surely give you.  Quick movements are probably necessary against that weapon of his anyhow.”  A massive hammer coming down on your skull wasn’t exactly something people looked forward to.  Most people that weren’t as dimwitted as Dalthu was foretold to be would get irritated with how much he would teleport around them to distract, he could only imagine the frustration someone like this Orc general would have towards it.

Author: Chalky, Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 7:35 PM, Post Subject: The Demise of Dalthu (R)(P)

(((OOC: No Worries Man)))

Passing through the group of men, Cha'Kwe'Tza took note of who it was that approached the small camp. It was none other than an old friend of his, Naota. Lips peeling back in a fearsome snarl that Cha'Kwe'Tza thought a passable expression of a human smile, he responded to his friend's greeting, "No. I thought rookie would be sent to ruin things." Clapping a massive scaly hand onto his friends shoulder, Cha'Kwe'Tza continued, "I am glad it is you. Come, sit. I tell you my thoughts on killing this…Dalthu." Although his common tongue was still pretty broken, Cha'Kwe'Tza had made some improvements, and was able to give a brief overview of his idea. The spearmen would stay as a group and essentially run guard for Naota, Cha'Kwe'Tza and the third member, whoever that might be. Then, the trio would somehow lure the general himself out to a position where Naota and the other could weaken him, leaving Cha'Kwe'Tza free to deliver a killing blow since he was the biggest and most un-likely to be crushed by the giant hammer the orc was said to wield. Although not a perfect plan, Cha'Kwe'Tza thought it was a sound one given the group and equipment available.

Author: Luthor, Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 7:23 PM, Post Subject: The Demise of Dalthu (R)(P)

For Luthor, the chance to kill some of the bestial Orcs infesting the area and get paid to do so was only a very appealing secondary objective. Rumours ran wild with tales of differing magical artifacts of all kinds ripe for the picking here, and he wanted them. From some of the stories that he had come across, Luthor believed many of them to be quite useful if only he could get his hands on them. Although the descriptions of the bounty didn't seem to say that the current target was in possession of magical items, Luthor would thoroughly loot the body to make sure for himself anyways. Anything he could do to work on advancing his currently weakened state. 

Somewhere a little distance to his right, there was the faint sound of an unheard conversation. Although unable to make out how many voices there were or who they belonged to, Luthor figured the party to be the one that he was supposed to rendezvous with for the task at hand. Using his staff like a walking stick, Luthor walked towards the group. There was a small group of armed men milling about. Beyond them was what drew the eye. A young looking man, perhaps his own age stood talking to what Luthor would describe as a bi-pedal scaled monster. The two seemed to be talking to each other though, which put a hold to some of the crazy thoughts that ran through his mind. As he neared, one of the armed men took note of him and called out just loudly enough that his voice wouldn't carry over an unnecessary distance. 

Author: Naota, Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 12:50 PM, Post Subject: The Demise of Dalthu (R)(P)

[ OOC: You don’t have to say that it’s been years and years, just for Naota’s timeline it has been, he’s much older in this one because I’m putting it at his present age on the site ]

It wasn’t often that he took bounties such as this, but the threat had gone on too strongly for him to ignore.  Though truth be told he wasn’t doing this for the coin to be earned, it was more for helping stop the havoc before it spread any further.  His last run in with orcs hadn’t been a pleasant one in the least, and had led to the possible gain of a new enemy.  There was no time to think about that particularly misguided warrior, and hopefully he wouldn’t see him.  Needless to say going around orcs now was almost synonymous with the memory of him.  

These however, as far as he knew, were not vampiric and were known as enemies to more than just the bounty placers.  That would be enough to keep that man at bay, and his unfortunately large band of followers.  As he grew nearer to where he was told to meet, he caught wind of a familiar scent.  It was so far off in memory that he wondered if it was truly recognizable or being mistaken for something else entirely.  

But when the other started to come towards him he realized he was right: he not only recognized that scent, he knew it.  He knew him.  But it had been….ages since he’d seen him.  Though the memory of their time spent alongside Chae and Xalatheid was still prominent.  The curse of a demonic brain: memories didn’t dump as fast as they did for humans.

He slowly smiled as they became close enough to speak, “Of all of the people I thought I would be working alongside, I certainly didn’t peg it to be you.”  He was happy for it though: it was always easier to work with someone whom you had before.

Author: Chalky, Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 7:47 AM, Post Subject: The Demise of Dalthu (R)(P)

Cha'Kwe'Tza stood observing the gaping hole that was the entrance to the caverns below. He could see if there was any movement, but also far enough away that if spotted himself, a stray arrow wouldn't pose a threat. He was the first to arrive to track down the Orcish general known as Dalthu, and his claws clicked as he slowly drummed his fingers on the stone head of the axe that hung on his hip opposite his sacred sword. He had heard that this general was the biggest, but also not the smartest. While thinking of a few plans of attack, one of the men he had hired approached Cha'Kwe'Tza and called to him from a short distance, explaining that there was another person approaching. Nodding, the big reptilian pulled his own spear from the dirt and made his way back to see who it was that would be joining him.