Lanek regarded the rest of the room for a moment before returning to his assignments. “Liv, Ograch. I hope you don’t mind, but I was hoping that we could adventure and level together. Not only do we need to get the two of you mounts for your classes, but one thing I’ve learned since coming here is that what I can do solo is limited. However, this is completely voluntary. If you have something else you would like to do or if you want to volunteer for a different responsibility, feel free to say so. That goes for everyone else as well. If you ever want to change your roles, leave the group, or just feel the need to make recommendations or point out flaws in my reasoning, do so. I’m new to this and I can guarantee that I’ll need help and advice frequently.”
At this point, Nerek chimed in with a frown on his face. “I must insist that anyone who decides to take Lanek up on his invitation does so in private. I’m glad that he wants us to be so open with him, but we must still present a united front to the rest of our people and any outsiders that come along if we want them to see us as strong and worthy of joining.”
There were nods all around. For their parts, Ograch and Liv were more than happy to join Lanek on his excursions, neither of them were too fond of the idea of leading anyone at this point. However, Khurzag looked a bit uncertain before speaking.
“What about me?” Khurzag asked.
“If you will let me make a suggestion, Lanek?” Talwarg asked, to which Lanek gestured for him to continue. “I would like to offer Khurzag the position as my second-in-command. This will help the orcs among us feel like they are equals and help them integrate with the rest of us more easily. Also, I feel like Khurzag and his experience with his clan makes him perfectly suited to lead our patrols and expeditions into the city. What say you?”
“If Khurzag doesn’t mind, I like the idea.” Lanek stated.
“I accept. I can learn a lot from Talwarg and I would like to get out, explore, and help our people level. Will the rest of your people accept my leadership, Talwarg?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. They will follow orders as long as we make the chain of command clear.” The hulking hobgoblin said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
“Excellent!” Lanek said. “Let’s move on to our preparations for the matriarch. First, I would like Talwarg to take charge of the efforts to bring the rest of the materials from the blacksmith here. Liv, sit down with him and figure out how many people he needs to take to complete the transfer today. One trip would be preferable, but I don’t want to leave our base unprotected to accomplish this. Also, don’t include yourself in that trip, I have an idea I would like to discuss with you and Ograch after this.”
“Will do.” Liv said and walked out of the room with Talwarg.
“Next, I want Khurzag to take over what Ograch was doing, hunting for cores to empower the monastery’s wards. I know you weren’t here for that, so I’ll let Ograch explain his goals and where he has been hunting and how.”
“I’ll take care of it.” Ograch said while he and Khurzag started planning on their own in the corner of the meeting hall.
“Caelis, I would like you to coordinate with Ivan and Talwarg to determine exactly what they need to not only get this place fully powered but to also add additional defenses. With that list in place, Talwarg and Khurzag will be able to prioritize any scavenging expeditions. Ivan, you just keep doing what you are doing. The defensive wards are still the main priority, but feel free to activate the lighting, heating, and food preservation systems if you can do so without jeopardizing the water and defensive systems. At this point, I’m sure everyone knows that the monastery is occupied, so there is no sense living in darkness if we don’t have to. Finally, Nerek. I don’t know enough to even begin to tell you what to do with your powers and those of the rest of the shamans, so I will just ask you to do what you feel is best.”
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“Very well. I will begin by having the shamans spread the word about the chain of command. The Night Arrows and Ebon Shields both seem to trust the shamans of the Hordefather, so it should help legitimize the decisions you have made here.”
“Thank you, Nerek. Any questions before we get to work?” Everyone shook their heads and began to head out to their respective tasks.
A few minutes later, Liv and Ograch returned to the room. “Everything figured out?”
“Yeah, Talwarg should get everything moved in two trips. With the manpower he is taking he could do it in one, but he will need to keep some people unencumbered so they can deal with any monsters.” Liv responded.
“Khurzag is good to go as well. He has a few hunting areas in mind and there were a few warriors among the orcs that could develop harvesting skills with their class compositions.” Ograch explained.
“Good. So, you guys ready to try and get some mounts?” Lanek asked with a smile. “I picked up a skill that lets me commune with the wild. It apparently lets me speak with animals and trees. I’m hoping we can use that to find a bear for Liv and something suitable for you, Ograch. I don’t know that it will be useful for the taming process, but I’m willing to help with that if you guys want me to once we find some promising candidates.”
“That sounds like it’ll be a big help, honestly.” Liv said.
“It does. In that case, I think we should head north since there are bears in the mountains and we don’t have much information about the area. It might also be a good place to level while we are at it considering how dangerous it is.”
“Sounds good. It seems like we are in agreement. Go get whatever supplies you will need for a week-long expedition. That should allow us to get back with several days to spare before the matriarch can make her move. I know it feels weird for us to leave right now, but let’s be honest here, there is nothing we can do that someone else that is more suited for the job isn’t already doing. The best thing we can do for everyone is get stronger. In that spirit, I want you to have these, Ograch.” Lanek slid the pair of hand-axes he had recovered but never actually used.
Ograch ran his hands over the axes before nodding his thanks. “I will put these to good use, my friend.”
Lanek nodded and patted the red brigandine armor resting next to him. “Do you think this would fit? You’re going to need some armor as well.”
“I think so.” Ograch said, inspecting the armor’s straps. “Are you really giving this to me as well?”
“Of course I am. One, it isn’t doing any good just sitting around. Two, you need to be better equipped to face whatever we might find in those mountains. And finally, I would just like my friend to not be so vulnerable.”
Ograch smiled broadly and accepted the gifts before leaving the room with a grinning Liv. While they prepared, Lanek returned to his own quarters to prepare. He would need to adjust his own armor to fit his new frame before they left.
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After convincing Caelis that this was for the best, Lanek and his companions finally managed to leave the monastery an hour later. They decided to head straight north and see how Talwarg’s expedition was going before turning to the breach in the northern wall. They made good time, catching up to Talwarg as his people were transporting materials to the street in preparation for transport.
Talwarg appeared concerned at their talk of heading north, but acknowledged that the trio getting stronger was probably the best approach. Ograch hid a smile as they walked away, having detected more than a hint of jealousy in Talwarg’s demeanor when they talked about finding Liv and himself animal companions.
“Don’t look so smug, Ograch. I’m hoping to find an animal companion for Talwarg. He’s been a good to me and I want to do something for him in return and it is very clear that he would love a companion or pet.”
“I’m glad to hear that, Lanek. While I do find Talwarg’s reactions funny, I do feel bad that he doesn’t have an animal companion of some kind when he clearly loves them so much.”
With that the trio went silent, staring off into the distance. Before them stood the breach in the walls and the circle of devastation caused by the explosive attacks from both Lanek and the mysterious gaunt. Taking a deep breath, Lanek led them forward into the breach.