Just before they leave Renard calls aside Azazel and rolls out a wide parchment upon the table.
The map clearly shows the progress achieved on the first and second expeditions. They discuss their options in going back. Renard suggest that they could go back to the Hobgoblin caves and try to ransack their common room first but Azazel feels that the better option is to go back to the Orcs.
"Whilst they are very tough opponents, they are so chaotic that we'll never be able to rest in the Caves until they are beaten. Perhaps, he reasons, we could make alliances with some of the other races but we could never ally with the Orcs. They must be severely weakened", Azazel reasons, "and now we've got Kirak to help. Whilst Kirack will never be one of us, he will be a fine destroyers of the Orcs".
Renard nods and they set off.
Taking a similar course to last time they approach the mouth of the Orc cave.
Kriak will be in the first rank together with Ranald.
Hunulf and Ibba will remain in the second rank with their two handed spears. Whilst they had a lot of difficulty hitting the Orcs from the second rank the party is Azazel is convinced this is a sound strategy.
Harti will join Azazel in the third rank and the rear will be protected by Goar and Frideric.
As they enter the cave they keep a particular note of the trophy wall off the Orcs foes to see if there is any movement.
They wait a while to see if there is any reaction to their entry but there isn't any. The cave seems eerily silent.
Turning to the east they find a small abandoned 20ft by 20ft room. In it are a few stools, an old crate and barrel, fire place and some wood. They search the crate and barrel to see if there is anything of any value but there is nothing.
Reforming they head down the western passage where upon they come across a passage to the north and an opening to a large underground cavern. As they get closer to the room they can see a large fire burning along the southern wall and a 20ft long banquet table and…….four Orcs hiding (unsuccessfully) behind the long table.
Round 1a
Initiative: The Faithful 17, Orcs 6
• Renard and Kirak double move forward and start to flank the Orcs behind the table.
• With his reach weapon, Hunulf charges at the closest Orc and stabs it in the left shoulder for 4pts. Surprised the Orc bellows in pain.
• Ibba follows suit and charges the Orc in front of him but he fails to connect with his long spear.
• Harti and Azazel double move up. Next round they will go either over the table or around it to get to the Orcs.
• With their lighter armour, Frideric and Goar move up a little quicker and provide a second rank and some flank protection to Renard and Kirak.
Round 1b
• The northern most Orc lowers his crossbow to fire a round at Renard but as he does so Ibba panics and stabs ruthlessly at the Orc hitting it in the stomach for 7 points and putting it down.
• The other Orcs laugh at the misfortune of their brother and pass their morale check.
• With more circumspect, the remaining Orc's take a 5ft step back and fire at Ibba, Hunulf and Kirak respectively but all the shots miss.
• Looking deeper into the gloom of the great hall Kirak smiles "We've found them, we've found them all"
• Azazel isn't so confident……
DEW
