The Travellers Tales of Otto Von Weirdigan

[Otto]

Looking to you the group warily steps back up the slope, Freyan, Tiley and Zorranson duck as further stakes launch from their alcoves.
You also duck allowing the deadly missiles to carry down into the valley, hoisting Tailor up, you quickly follow the group.

I would like to invest in possibly learning astral projection.
Could you run up together a character sheet for Otto at this time so I can use him to the best of his ability?

I will keep the detection of the traps going as we progress up the hill.
The crags rise high above, your passage way becoming narrower and narrower, your footing precarious, made even more so by the fact that yourself and the other three alternate the carrying of Tailor between you.
Ominous forms circle in the air above, around broken peaks; you’re reminded of some bleak gothic painting.

Freyan becomes even more wary, his pace quickens, making travel with Tailor difficult.
The path begins to move upwards once again, as the path widens you see, what appears to be an enclave, nestled within the crags, walled behind spiked timbers.
The feeling of being watched becomes real, as you see further grey skinned people, some elves, others human, each the same hue as Freyan.
The grey elf breathes, "Welcome to Vato"
‘Somehow I think that is an overstatement Freyan, but I’m sure that I am wrong’ Otto grunts with the exertion of the weight of Tailor as he looks around dubiously.
I put on my best smile and wait for Freyan to greet the enclave, or should I say stockade?

A sense of impatience settles over you, as Freyan seems to silently communicate with his fellows.
Once this exhausting process finishes Freyan is permitted to enter, a hour passes, Tiley checks his equipment, then moves around restlessly, Zorranson keeps looking at the sky, warily scanning the ridges and peaks.
Eventually Freyan appears at the gates, he dusts himself off as you move past him into the spartan town, the rooftops have spikes upon them, vantage points are manned by grim faced guards.
You are quickly escorted to a cabin.

‘Its about time’ I whisper to Freyan ‘what with an injured person here.

How is Tailor? We carry him as slowly and a safely as we can.

‘Have you a healer here?’ Otto calls to grim faced villagers.
Setting Tailor down upon a cot, Freyan checks him, soon a grim faced, grey skinned human, balding, with nervous eyes arrives.
The doctor quickly assesses Tailors wounds, administering a thick salve across his shoulder, while getting him to imbibe several potions.

"He will have to rest for several days,” utters the physician, with which he stands and leaves, only turning to glance at Freyan.

‘Thank you very much for you help’ I say to the doctor as I look around the room.

‘Why is everyone so grim faced?’ I ask Freyan when the doctor has left.
"It is a hard life here, Otto, strangers are a sign of misfortune, and the only visitors who come to the village bring death"

A silent pause enters the room

"This night no-one must leave this room, do not open the doors or look from the windows!!"
With that Freyan stalks from the room.
‘Er… Righto Ferret’ Ottos eyes look suspiciously around the room. Then he hobbles over to the rickety chair adjacent to the rickety table in this rickety hut.
‘Is there any food in this unwelcoming town?’ he mutters. But before long he nods off to sleep in the chair.

[Otto]

"Otto" someone whispers, a finger is placed to your lips, silencing you before you start.
The lights in the room are out, as you become aware of your surroundings your headware sensors kick to active, beginning to scan the room and surroundings, you place Zorranson near the door, he is stooped as if ready, Tailor lies sedated upon his cot, while Tiley crouches before you.

Your audio sensors start to filter, sounds, around the outside of the cabin, alongside the windows, and outside the door you can hear shuffling, sniffing, shallow breathing and low growls.

Otto blinks an acknowledgement to Tiley and reaches down to his pistol. Staying where he is for now.

(Arcane Science of 19, Arcane Science of 22, Arcane Science of 27, Concentration of 16)

Code: Select all

 I stack a Cantrip (flash bang spell!) and two true strike spells.

Is this shack made out of wood?

Yes, heavy log planks

Beckon Tilley to me so I can whisper in his ear.

‘Get ready to make a dirty great big hole in the back of the cabin so we can have more than one exit if needs be mate.’
Gesture to Zorranson to come to me.
Tiley moves around you, positioning himself opposite the rear wall, Zorranson’s eyes flash as he moves quietly over to you.

I draw Z close and whisper in his ear ‘I don’t know what your problem is and frankly I wish you would entrust me with it. But all differences aside, trust me. If you have an idea of what is out there, I’m all ears!’
I level my gucchi revolver at the main door.
‘Zorranson, cover me and stay close to Tilley. If we need to make a quick exit I want you to make like a tree, and split. Understand?’ Otto whispers.

(Listen of 18)

"Perhaps when things have calmed down, we'll talk" he replies
The scratching continues, now a more frantic noise like a dog trying to open a door, something scrapes along the windows to your left.
Zorranson levels his SMG at the door and Tiley quietly disengages his safety.

The doors then swings open, a series of yellow eyes, look in from the darkness.

[Otto]

"SHRAU AMAUK SORR ROTH" cuts through the air

Then Freyan is within your doorway, facing the night "BEGONE!!"
With that the air becomes still, the apprehension and fear of the predator recedes.
Freyan looks battered, cuts and bruises mark his face, his eyes are also yellow and now dim.

I back off into the corner, my discomfiture very evident. I level the pistol at Freyan, keeping Z in my line of sight.
‘I think now is a very good time to explain what the fuck you are!’ He growls.
Freyan pushes the door to, and then waits for a long while, more watching for a return visit.
Turning he takes a deep breath, his eyes returning to their pale watery blue from a glowing yellow.
He sits, near to you but mindful of the revolver.

"A long time ago, monsters of darkest appetite in inhabited the old world, fiends, undead all manner of creatures that would happily bring about eternal night and consume every innocent soul"
"When the Adracian Empire formed!" Freyan pauses to spit in disgust
"They drove the savage races to the south, purging as many as they could, however some creatures were not so easily slain.
"The Empires armies satisfied they had driven the hordes back and routed the true enemy settled into conquering and building the Empire, however the darkest things still remained, because they looked like you and I"
"The church was not so easily satisfied and conducted its own inquisition, they burned many by the stake and put many more to the sword"
"The most powerful of these dark creatures agreed a pact, one which allowed their escape, to Scarathera"
"At the time Scarathera was a green and pleasant land, our ancestors lived simply and well"
"The islands were soon infected, not one of its inhabitants escaped without some form of taint"
"The majority of my human and elven ancestors willingly sought the protection of shape shifters and weres, better that than some deathly creature which lived on the blood of the living or some fiend from hell"
"My people are not shapeshifters Otto, but the blood still taints them, the beast still rises, such as what happens tonight!!"
‘Bloody hell!’ Otto exclaims softly as he lowers his revolver. ‘Is there anything I can do to help? After we have found the herb for my Arriana that is.’
He looks down at Tailor.
‘We have lost enough people as it is, so I want to make amends for my part.’
Freyan smiles, relaxing "Actually doctor, its the blood that keeps us alive"
"There is a healer further into the mountains that can look at Mr Tailor!"
‘Will this be the healer who will have the herbs for Arriana?’ Otto enquires.
Freyan looks at Zorranson, the latter who speaks
"Otto we have to find the orks who infected Adrianna"

"In the morning we will speak with the trackers, who scout the hills, they should give us an idea of the whereabouts and movements of the black orks"
Says Freyan
You literally collapse, returning to sleep.
Waking groggily, oddly Freyan and Zorranson are sitting opposite each other as if some kind of understanding has passed between them.
A breakfast of bread and sweet meat has been laid out for you on the table.

[Otto]

After eating, Freyan turns "The trackers have returned, Otto!"
‘Bout time’ Otto mutters between his mouthfuls of dried buttered bread. He stands and walks swiftly out of the hut, buttoning his shirt up.
‘And stop with the psychic shit Freyan!’ Otto shouts over his shoulder as he strides purposefully to find the trackers.
Freyan steps in behind you, he smiles, Zorranson hangs back not following, while Tiley follows.
The village seems different, children have appeared among the buildings, the villagers go about their chores, all the while you notice scratches and marks upon the woodwork of the cabins, dried blood mixed with the dirt.

You reach a rampart; a wooden construction that turns into a solid wooden staircase, heading downwards you notice that things become darker, your group turns into a stone passage cut through the stone on which the village is built.
The Tiley and yourself tense, the potential for a trap, pinned in beneath the ground is not lost on, as you move through the dim halls.
Bestial carvings adorn the walls, your own arcane knowledge quickly indicates that the symbols intermingled with the images are those of protection.

Freyan moves ahead, guiding you to a simple doorway.
Your sensors move to active, you brace yourself as you step in.
The room is one of cold stone, wooden beams and rafters, two of Freyan’s kinfolk stand solemnly by a huge wooden table, an older human looks to be in seniority.

Your attention however is drawn to the four figures moving furtively in the shadows of the room, Freyan moves to the side of his kinsmen, allowing you to step into the room. Another uncomfortable pause, then the older bearded man, coughs, which draws the figures from the shadows.

The four are bestial, human or elf mixed with the features of wolf, elk, snake or bat, sometimes several creatures in one being.
They shuffle as if uncomfortable with human company, sniffing the air, nudging each other for space no matter how small, occasionally baring their teeth (reminding you of SID).

"What did you find?” growls the elder
One with lupine features and rams horns growls, Freyan translates
"The orks are camped on the Scrimshaw Barrows" momentarily he stops to growl at the scout to his left
"Do they follow a standard?"
"They have met with one of the fell ones"
"Which one?" demands the elder.
"We do not know, the sky was full of darkwings"
The elder scowls at the scouts, then turns.
"Your orks are camped in the badlands to the north west, however that will take you into the territory of one of fell ones, you should go home, only your death waits for you!!"

Turning the elder dismisses the scouts to eat and rest, and walks past you.

[Otto]

Otto turns as the elder starts to leave, ‘That might be the case, but I plan to go on regardless. My companions can make their own decisions on this. However, any advice you can give me other than to go home will be greatly appreciated Chief’ I bow my head.
Poor buggers, Otto thinks as he sees the deformed scouts walk out.
‘What are the Fell Ones for a start?’ Otto asks.
Late afternoon arrives, before you are once again called before the elder.
You enter a circular stone building, the walls decorated with weapons, shields, tapestries, skulls, rugs and other relics of the past.
The woman who sits on a pile of rugs and cushions, looks easily beyond a century, her skin so creased that she appears a mummy.
In fact at first you think she is, your sensors pick up four heat signatures among the ornaments and furniture, large quadrupeds, a sense of territorialism creeps across your instincts.

Your attention drawn by the invisible guards, you start when she reaches out and touches your arm, the ends of her old withered fingers ending in black claws.
A shiver runs down your back, as she opens her eyes to reveal them to be completely black, her teeth are like needles when she smiles, as if you are to be dinner.

Her voice is like crushed leaves "The fell ones are the most powerful dark creatures upon Scarathera, creatures from the pits, the dead that walk"
"There are three types of creature upon Scarathera, the hunted, the hunters and the protected, the creatures you seek have allied themselves with one of the fell, and they offer tribute and service in return for protection"
‘So what are the Fell exactly?’ Otto says with a shudder as the sensation of her touch subsides.
"Creatures of darkness, vampires, fiends and other monsters, the creatures driven from the old world, those that brought darkness with them!" she replies
Her dark eyes seem to stare past you, a shadow moves from the darkness, remaining elusive, out of sight.

‘What, like the four fella’s hiding amongst your ornaments?’ Otto asks casually.

She smiles, as if responding to the smile the creatures move forwards into view.
Each is a large cat, leopard sized, however each has the face of an elf, 'Manticores' you shudder, remembering the battles that you had with these vicious beasts upon the Frontier.

Bloody horrible things! Otto thinks with distaste and pity.
‘Ok, so is there any way in which you can help us in our mission?’
‘Rather than us just doing one?’
She turns her head and looks at you, regarding you for a moment.
"It seems you are determined, the scouts will lead you safely to the Barrows, I will make sure you have suitable enchantments to help you, after that you will have to pray to whatever gods you revere"

Otto looks up to the ceiling as if he was addressing the higher powers. ‘I hope you are listening to this’.
Turning back to the woman, ‘we are determined ma’am, and we wish to succeed. If there is any way we can help you, let us know.’
‘Is there anything you could let us have to be able to detect evil?’
Solemnly the village gathers to watch you depart, they weep over Freyan.
You look at the assortment of items you have been given, a round blue gem that will glow upon the presence of darkness, each of you carries a large curved scimitar like short sword.
They have also given you several vials of potion.

Tailor is back on his feet, somewhat sore but capable, each of you is dressed in gothic combat armour.
Your weapons checked you follow the bestial scouts down the rampart stairs, down past the caverns into deeper tunnels that eventually lead out onto the broken landscape of inner Skarathera.
Accompanying you are large hounds, big beasts with smooth short fur, however a pleasant empathy seems held in their eyes.

[Otto]

You trudge west.
‘This doesn’t look too good!’ Otto mutters as he sees the emotion expressed from the villagers at Freyan.
He catches up with him.
‘I take it they don’t fancy our chances then?’ He says to Freyan
"The deeper we venture, the greater the power of the creatures we'll find, only the scouts venture into the interior, we'll have our work cut out for us"
The scouts move off at a pace, splitting up and ducking into shadows and areas of stealth.

Tiley moves at a steady march, alert and intent, Zorranson walks in a more relaxed manner, his brow lined with concentration, Tailor seems a little out of it, but keeps up.
The terrain changes from rocky steppe to twisted gorse and scrubland, still hilly, with great earthen trenches breaking the land up, as if some great worm had swam through the ground before becoming petrified or frozen.

The bones of huge creatures and uncomfortably the skeletons of humanoids are scattered around.
The hounds remain close, moving in a protective phalanx.

I’ll be keeping a good look out! (Make a Search Roll: Roll of 17)

Making your way down into the twisted earthworks, you see the haunted land, a grey miasma lies across it like some suffocating blanket.
You trek for several days, sleeping during the day and travelling by night, Freyan's thinking is to be awake at the same time as the beasts.

You round a series of ravines, where the ground just seems to have given up; within the mess of the landscape you see what appears to be a village, or the remnants of one.
Smoke rises from the timbers.

"This has been recently attacked,” observes Tiley

‘No shit’ Otto mutters.
He draws his Gucci pistol. ‘Lets have a look around, and see if any survivors can tell us who we are up against.’
He moves swiftly but cautiously down to the village.

Is it still dark?

There is a perpetual twilight.

Moving into the ruins, dim heat signatures of the dying heat from burnt timbers show up on your sensors.
The group with the exception of Freyan move cautiously into the remnants, there are no bodies.

(Make a Listen roll: Roll of 16)

Your sensors sweep across the wreckage, a tension has gripped the three of you.
From within the fallen timbers you can hear the signs of life.
‘Check your shots fella’s, there might be villagers alive amongst this hell’ Otto says
I level my pistol to aim.
What is the detect evil band doing?

In a very Tolkienesque way it is faintly glowing blue.

I will ensure the group stay close to each other, so we can cover each other and prevent anyone getting a drop on us.

Spot of 22

Moving cautiously through the ruins, you are startled by the odd rat, before you detect a little murmur.
Slowly lifting away beams and wreckage, you see that a small hidey hole has been made, within it is a baby, a boy wrapped warmly, his life signs are low, his skin pale.
Undoubtedly from malnutrition.
‘Freyan, to me’ Otto murmurs as he lifts the baby out.

First Aid of 20

Freyan bounds down the rocky slope to you, while Tiley with military thinking hastily moves to the top to replace him.
Silently the elf works, taking out some paste that he quickly mixes with water; he then pours a potion into the mix.
He hands you his wineskin filled with the solution.

"This will heal him and give him a night, but he needs milk,” says Freyan

"Aw ain't e a 'ickle charmer" dotes Tailor.
"Oh the fuck leaves a babe"
"A desperate parent who hope that their child will live while they do not" replies Zorranson quietly
"Such is life upon Scarathera,” mutters Freyan, as you all apart from Tiley stand transfixed around the baby.
I nod at Zorranson’s comment

‘All the more reason for us to get going isn’t it?’ Otto says as he checks around for bits to make a make shift carry sack for the baby.
‘We’ll need to hunt for a doe or something to get some milk’

Check the baby to see if there is any note etc. Boy or girl?
‘Keep your eyes peeled chaps!’ Otto warns.
You collectively make your way to the top of the ridge and move on quickly, howls rips through the night, accompanied by screams in the distance.
"This place is truly nightmarish,” whispers Tiley
"I will find a doe for milk,” states Zorranson

"It would be better if I went" replies Freyan

"No" replies the businessman "Your needed to keep everyone alive, Freyan"
"Mr Z, that ain't no good" warns Tailor
"I'll be fine Marcus" I hunted on the northern estate all the time.
Solemnly he takes off his pack, shakes everyone’s hand and makes his way off into the night.

Is the baby a boy or girl?

It is a baby boy!

‘Z, stay close though, and take one of our scouts with you’ Otto says as he cradles the little lad.
How bad a state is he in?
Zorranson nods, Freyan whistles and a figure lopes through the gloom.
This one looks like a mixture of weasel and human, he sniffs, constantly and waits silently for Freyan, the elf speaks in a grunting tone, the scout turns and heads off taking the lead before the businessman.

(Make a Treat Injury roll: Roll of 18)

The baby is stable, but exposure and malnutrition will claim him if he is not fed soon.
‘Right chaps, make camp.’ Otto lays the baby carefully on a blanket from his backpack and starts to build a fire using a location where it cannot be seen by prying eyes.

‘Everyone stay close, and be alert!’

Then I will sort out some form of swaddling for the infant.
"Otto, making camp now is dangerous, especially here," hisses Freyan, the grey elf resigns himself looking at you focus within your current task.
The baby is very cold; Tiley takes out his thermal sleeping bad and cuts it into a suitable blanket for the babe.
The fire illuminates the gloomy gully in which you are camped, your sensors scan in a paranoid sweep, and bloodcurdling screams cut through the air.
Still the baby is still, the three of watch in the fear that the little mite will slip away, during the night.

‘Not on my fucking watch’ Otto mutters.

‘We have to take a chance’ he whispers to Freyan as the howls echo around the ground, like they themselves are about to pounce and tear the group to pieces.

‘I want to have the chance to name this boy, and not have to bury him in the morning for the jackals to dig up’
‘Understand? Lets have done some good today for a change eh?’

‘Tilley, get some sleep if you can. Two hour watches’

The hours tick by, Tiley settles down along with Tailor, Freyan sits above you watching the surroundings.
In the early hours as the boys breathing becomes shallower and shallower, figures move out of the darkness, Zorranson stalks into the camp, his armour covered in rends and blood.
The scout looks worse for wear, but alive.

For a moment the businessman sits, obviously heavily exerted, his skin has a red tinge to it.

Turning he looks at you "Here is what you need, producing two wineskins, however we haven't much time we were followed!"

(Make a Listen Roll: Roll of 23)

I feed the child as quickly as I can, without choking or stressing the little fella.
Freyan whistles a signal and the scouts silently move, into the brush.
Your sensors move out to maximum distance, shapes moving rapidly, hungrily through the terrain.
A glow seems to fill Zorranson, he moves out to the perimeter.

"A little clichéd gentlemen, but lock and load" says Tiley
‘Too clichéd!’ Otto chuckles. He gently raises the child with his carrying harness on his back and primes his Gucci pistol.
‘Quick and quiet gents, quick and quiet!’ He whispers as they move out.

(Make a Move Silently and Hide Roll: Rolls of 17 & 18)

[Otto]

Freyan takes you through a side track, as the scouts begin to bay and howl as they run a diversion.
Your sensors pick up fast loping movement, which occasionally stops and hunts, then lopes again.
"Aw shit" hisses Tailor as a large form lands with a thump, in the remnants of your camp.
‘Keep going lads, don’t panic! Keep calm’ Otto mutters trying to keep his cool himself

(Make a further Hide, Move Silently and leadership roll: Rolls of 18, 20 & 17)

The creature sniffs around the campsite as you slip away; the group takes your cue and slip through the earthworks.
The creature begins to slowly amble forward, following your trail through the earthworks.

Above others have joined the hunt, eagerly sniffing around.

Is there any water nearby?
Your sensors indicate that there is a stream running through the earthworks.

I make towards it and motion the others to do the same, but very quietly!!!
The group fan out, weapons raised and creep back through the intertwining earthworks.
As you make your way, junior begins to stir.

(Make a Move Silently and Hide roll: Rolls of 16 & 18)

I will take off the backpack and see if he’s going to wake………
Fetid breath pervades the earthen work tunnels; the creature resembles a warty skinned bear like body, a grotesque head with oversized jaw, fangs and tusks.
The most bizarre and hideous aspect of the creature is its legs, long spindly spider like appendages that seem to arch over its body only to come back down.
The baby stirs as you bring the pack round, slowly turning you become aware of a second slowly moving its way through the ridges to your left.
Otto gestures to Tailor and Freyan to target the creature to the ridges on the left, but not to fire until I say.
Otto then gestures to Zorranson to target the creature nearest to us. I will place the baby down in a safe sheltered area and prepare to target Zorranson’s creature.
‘Now comes the nerves of steel bit’ Otto thinks to himself as he waits for them to get a little closer.

Spot of 15; are there any more out there I haven’t seen?

Sensors indicate 1 on the ridge, one moving behind and the third ahead of you.

Which one out of the three are we not targeting at the moment?

I will only fire if they become a threat, and discover us. How is the little guy?

You pray almost mentally plead with the little one not to make a noise, the beasts’ close, your group tense, a mixture of anticipation and palatable fear.
Something so cold, it cuts to the core of your adamantium framed bones, passes across you and yours, as if a dread gaze from aware is suddenly aware.
The beasts sniff the air, then turn and charge into the night.
The group simultaneously seem to breath out, however Freyan looks troubled.
He does not answer your initial concern; only after thinking things through does he turn

"The creatures were warned away by the Fell, they may have sensed us, or" he pauses
"The boy!"

Spurred on by Freyan’s grim prophecy, the group single mindedly seek to escape the earthworks.

Travelling throughout the rest of the night as if the hounds of the 9 hells themselves were pursuing you, although it occurred that in this forsaken place that might very well be true.

In the grim grey twilight that mockingly called itself daybreak, you had snuck across the flatlands and into the thorny barrows.

‘Where are we Freyan?’ Otto mutters moodily through his teeth as he peers into the maze of hard cruel scrubland. He places the baby softly on the ground, the swaddling and makeshift backpack acting like a bed, and he looks down at the child and ponders on F’s words.

‘I’m going to call you Warden’ he whispers and smiles to the child alone.
‘I don’t want the crew thinking I’m going soft’ he thinks to himself.
Freyan is standing upon a mound, surveying the thick gorse and wrist thick brambles.
"The brier" he replies "the Black Orks encampment lies on the other side"
With that he regards the child for a while, "having a soft heart is also having a strong heart Otto" he says as he moves off.

'I wish you wouldn't bloody do that' He says to Freyan with unsettled irritation as he moves away.

[Otto]

I'll call the guys in together, so I can give them the plan………………

Freyan, Zorranson and Tailor move in closer, waiting!

The scouts move around in a searching pattern.

Otto gets down on his knees to keep Warden close. 'Right you chaps, the way it looks to me is that all we need to do is either kill or knock out one of these orks and get a blood sample. We are in no situation to be able to offer battle. If we do, we're dead. Its as simple as that.'

Otto looks at each one of the party in turn gauging their reactions.

'I want to hear your ideas'
Otto starts to feed and change Warden.

"You know Otto, fatherhood obviously suits you" says Tiley

Freyan orders the scouts to reconnoitre, the brier, the group waits before entering into their discussion.

[Otto]

After an hour the mongrel scouts lope out of the twisted foliage, and begin grunting to Freyan.

Returning to the group he squats "The Black Orks are encamped some 8 miles due north east, their camp is spread amongst a thorn forest"

As he finishes you recall something that the medical droid gave to you, drawing the item from your pocket it resembles a cerami-glass tube encased in an ornate and arcane gold sheath.
Contained within the vial is Adriana’s blood, which has grown warm, a milky scum seems to have formed within it and now swirls.
"There is one ork we must find Otto, the one who laid the curse,” states Freyan

"I agree with Otto,” says Zorranson "We are no match for the full war pack, we must sneak through their lines and locate the cursing ork"

"Dats goin to be tough if only Otto as the blawd"

'What did our scouts tell us about the orc war party numbers?' Otto asks Freyan as he finishes his ministrations and attempts to burp the little lad.

"They number some 60 strong,” says Freyan quietly

Make a Dex Roll

'Fuck!' Otto exclaims. 'Sixty?'

Dex of 14

'I have a plan of sorts………..' Otto mutters.

[Otto]

"Well don't keep us guessing, what is it?" demands Zorranson

'Keep your hair on Zorranson!' Or maybe I should rephrase that!' Otto looks at Zorranson with distaste knowing of Z's physical problem.

'It involves this' he holds up the vial of Arianna's blood. 'If I can use my abilities I should be able to track down the orc that cursed her. My reckoning is that the bastard is a shaman or magic user, and maybe the war bands medicine man. All I need to do is mask my abilities presence, create a seeker beam using the poison in the plasma and I should be able to locate him.'
Otto stands up with the child in his arms. 'We locate him, wait until he is vulnerable with few guards etcetera and strike hard and fast.' And he puts Warden into his makeshift cot. 'I also have another plan within this, which is far from pleasant or easy but might prove to be the safest option. I will explain this in a moment…’

'Silence is the key, so afterwards we can buy ourselves some time to attempt to escape.' He walks back over and sits down by the boys. 'If we don't we will never make it back, we'll be tracked by every critter and beast on this god forsaken Isle. And that is not an exaggeration! This brings me on to this….'

'I need two volunteers to head back to Freyan’s camp and that's not a request. The more of us who are out here at the moment, it is only a matter of time before they track us down.'

'The lucky people going back, will be taking one of the scouts, and this bonny lad here' Otto points down at Warden.

'Who's it going to be?'

'And after we have resolved this, I will explain my plan within plan!'