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Tankards of Mead and visiting the Free Orc cities

Tankards of Mead and visiting the Free Orc cities

The DireBear chose a corner of the Tavern not far from the Fireplace and slept, and Theria feeling the bear deserved to rest, sat next to the slumbering bear with their backs to the corner, where they could see the rest of the Tavern, the seven knights accompanying them came over to the table, moving chairs and sitting down. Theria, who had her great grandfather's map so, knew the geography of where she was, but her intelligence of the politics of Ur this far away from the Kingdom of Fecundity was a little patchy. First, she used her ring and found all seven blue or green now, so she offered her name, without confirming her identity, "My name is Theria, Bearrider and birther of true nature."

The horses are taken to the stables. The seven heavy cavalry armoured knights removed their helmets, placed them on the long table, and then sat down on stools. They introduced themselves as Paladins named Purity, Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Kindness, Patience and Humility. Venison was served, and mead, Theria thought they took the hint for love of honey. Theria said, "If ever you decide to trade mead, I know of many who would like this in the far North", hinting at her identity. Charity, the leader who led them here, says, "I am sure that we would enjoy trading mead with a strong ally."

Theria steered the conversation "What allies or otherwise South of here have you, and what of the Necromancer and their allies can you tell me." Paladin Charity answers, "To the far South is the Dark Continent where many here's forefathers did fight the Dark Lord. South of here at the five Free Orc fortified cities and then the land of disputed Vale, where the three minor Wizards Towers and the broken tower are. You ask after Maldûr Murmurer, both Murderer and Necromancer in the North of the Vale, but more dangerous still is Shadowtwist Bloodtaint, the Chaosmage Defiler and Corrupter in the South of the Vale; in The West, the broken tower of the fallen wizard who was slain a generation ok, to the East of the Vale Iladzimir the impartial illusionist, who remains neutral in the sporadic fighting that tends to break out between Maldûr and Shadowtwist, who has a corridor to the far East of their territory which traders and travellers usually use to avoid the followers of the two wizards who usually waylay any who try to cross to corrupt and defile them or murder them and raise them as slaves. Further South is the land of Ogres, and the chaos spawn that Shadowfist unleashed to the South; beyond that to the South East is the Vales of Night, and to the South West is the Chaosbane bridge which prevents chaos forces from crossing into the lands of the Beastmen."

"Why do you think the Chaosmage is more of a threat than the necromancer," Theria asked. Charity said, "The taint of chaos seems to my eyes the opposite of your magics; while we follow pure life energy and oppose the necromancer, we also oppose the chaos mage, but he is further away; it is the undead that the Necromancer send to us often they are repelled from us due to our enchantments that may have reached even your lands, spreading famine and pestilence but weakening one Wizard, strengthens the other and I know not the measure of Iladzimir if he were left the last Wizard standing."

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"If the Orcs were no longer available to the Necromancer, would the undead wave of attack be stilled?" Theria asked, "yes" replied Charity, "Although it would not take the necromancer long to find all new mischief." Theria replied, "If your colleagues would guard my Direbear, they deserve their rest; then if I may borrow a horse, could you Charity guide me to visit the nearest Orc City before Dawn?" Charity shook his head. "Reckless and hardly wise." Theria woke the DireBear "Then I fear I'll delay taking you up on passage North, I thank you for the food, but I must scout this threat, and if I can remove the Orcs as fuel to the fire, destruction may be less, I suggest you visit your Free Orc neighbours and see if I can change them as I claim."

The Paladins asked Theria to stay and go in the morning but Theria left that night and went to the nearest of the five Free Orc fortified cities. Theria, upon the DireBear raced to the City and jumped over it's fortified gates into the front courtyard of the city, and Theria unleashed her lightning, waking the city and stood there until the whole city was blessed and the Orcs all transformed from grey Orcs. The Orc High Shaman challenged Theria but they could not stand when Theria unleashed upon them, and they were overmatched. They all now seemed to be pale Orcs with a Life affinity, the influence of the Paladins no doubt, with a handful of Great Orcs and a few fire Orcs. Theria spoke to them and let them know the Paladins were coming to talk. If you cannot find agreement with them, then know that you may still be allies of Clan Adalbern if you so wish it, but we would prefer you ally with them and us if possible.

To the second city she raced, arriving after midnight, the DireBear lept again over the gate and things played out the same, mostly pale Orcs, some great Orcs, Fire Orcs and a few blue Orcs; these appeared to be SeaOrcs and Theria offered friendship with them all and spoke of what had happened in the previous city and that their future was up to them but that Adalbern would take any of them in if they headed North.

On to the third City at about 4am and things played out the same but only a few Life Orcs, Sea Orcs, Great Orcs, and Fire Orcs, the majority this time glow Purple and appear to be FeyOrcs, and Theria repeats her message.

On to the fourth City at about 8am; this time, it is light, and more Orcs try to stop Theria without success and when the City has been transformed, the majority here are Sea Orcs, the river that winds to the West may be part of the reason for this. Still, there are some of each of the other types among the Orcs.

At noon Theria jumps over the Gates of the fifth City with lightning intercepting and stopping arrows, spears and javelins and overmatching the shamans seeking to stop her; the Orcs stand their ground, and here most of the Orcs were Great Orcs, with a few Sea Orcs, Life Orcs and Frie Orcs too.

Theria races to the Eastern Wizard Tower to seek an audience with Iladzimir.