...Into the fire

[tomcat]

OOC: Italicized narration is from Nain in the previous post. I took the liberty to make some changes so that it would fit into the time frame and situation.

As the attention of the orc leader left him, Nain took a swing at his knees and heard his axe scrape across the mail that encased his torso. Graush turned and ran with the rest of his troop, a new wound apparent from the bllod that flowed. Two more orcs fell from the two Dúnedain's cruel strokes, as Nain attempted to give chase, but the longer legs of the orc and his mount quickly outdistanced the dwarf.

He gave a final shout to rekindle the challenge, "Come back here ye cowards!"

Realizing the futility, Nain came to a halt and watched the orcs disappear over the rise af the terrain. He puts his hands on his knees for a moment and panted, leaning heaviliy on his axe. The weary dwarf turned back to where the Men were now waiting for the newcomers; some of their kind. Humans were a hard lot to judge so the Dwarf decided he would let them work out their differences before he made his presence known.

He moved to where he could talk to Durgil, "Be they friend or foe?"

The new potential threat or possible aid, raced up the hill, their faces painted over with blue and black colors. The men wore heavy woolen clothing and little armour, but each were armed with a spear or a heavy blade. As they approached the Company, they fanned out in a circle all the while pointing their weapons at them and chanting some kind of cadence. Their demeanour did not seem friendly as they jabbed threateningly at the Company and yelled in a foreign tongue. There were at least fifty-five of them and Dirnhael had no doubt that this would be a much tougher fight if it came to that... "So," thought the Dúnadan, "it best not."

OOC: Situation: the Company is now encircled by approximately 55 warriors of either Dunnish or some other Hill-folk heritage and none seem to friendly. They speak in a language that is not distinguishable by any of the characters unless they have  Language: Dunlendish (Dunlendish) +4 or greater. Otherwise, it will require Insight tests of TN 10 or greater to make sense of the others gestures, mannerisms, etc. If any o you have other suggestions for communication, feel free to give me test rolls and I will interpret.

[GandalfOfBorg]

OOC: I take it the shaman and other couple of orcs were finished off or severely wounded or dying?

[tomcat]

OOC: Yes, that is correct Matt. The few Orcs, including the shaman, that still live are crawling or hobbling away. They would make easy kills if you want too.

[sdrotar]

OOC: Yes, that is correct Matt. The few Orcs, including the shaman, that still live are crawling or hobbling away. They would make easy kills if you want too.

OOC: Should we grab him and question him? Or are the Dunlendings surrounding us going to expect our full attention?

[tomcat]

OOC: Should we grab him and question him? Or are the Dunlendings surrounding us going to expect our full attention?

OOC: You may do as you wish... it may buy you some points with the Dunlendings. Dunno?

[tomcat]

The fierce, painted men circled round both the Company and fallen and wounded Orcs and Wargs - they pointed their spears in to create a barbed barrier that the companions would find hard to escape. One of the larger Men, his face thick with a beard and painted with what appeared to be blue claw marks, strode forward and yelled out, "TALOUS!"

He pointed up at the Company members upon their mounts, and then pointed to the ground, "DON!"

OOC:I will need you guys to interpret as you can... I will only give any kind of translation on some tests (by type and reslt) that I think would merit one. The disposition of these hot-headed Dunlendings will be based on how this broken communication goes. Have fun!

[tomcat]

OOC: Edrahil rolls an Insight roll:
Insight +4
Roll(2d6)+4: 4,5,+4 Total:13 SUCCESS

This would not be a difficult gesture to interpret, especially with the word being almost like its Westron counterpart, so this would be a TN 5.

Edrahil leaned over to Dirnhael, who he now sat close by upon his horse and quietly said, "It would appear that they want us to dismount."

[Wiseman]

Seriand sees they are outnumbered by many times and knows the situation is without an easy resolution.  Sheathing his blade he speaks in the elven tongue.  "Well met."  Hoping to make it apparent they didn't speak the same language and perhaps the spear wielding persons would understand they had to work together.

[tomcat]

To Seriand, the Hill-man gestured with his hand out, palm forward and again yelled, "Talous!"

But it was obvious that the warrior did not understand the language as spoken, and gave the Elf a warning look. Behind him, one of his comrades came up gripping his spear tightly, but then gestured to his own ears as he looked towards Seriand and said to the apparent leader, "Aelf... ghast?"

The claw-faced warrior looked to his companion and shook his head in agreement, he then pointed again to the mounted Company members and then back to the ground, "Don!" After which he pointed to the scabbard on his side, then back to the Company and at last to the ground, "Don!"

[Wiseman]

Being on the ground already Seriand simply looked back to his comrades.  "Perhaps you should dismount."

[GandalfOfBorg]

Durgil relunctantly dismounts only after Dirnhael does.  He does not sheath or drop his weapon lest a killing blow on a foe is required.  He is a soldier and, though of noble birth and upbringing, no diplomat so he keeps his mouth shut wary that something unsettling might spill out.  He keeps his eyes on the orcs and if they try to run, he will give chase.

[sdrotar]

Dirnhael slowly and carefully dismounts, all the while staring evenly at the Dunlending speaker.
He lowers Vorandur in a relaxed and easy gesture, but does not sheath the weapon. Then he points it gently at the Orc shaman, and raises his other hand in greeting and offering, as if he were signaling to the Dunlendings that they may do what they will with the remaining Orcs.

***

OOC: I'd like to present a strong united front to the Dunlendings - showing them that we are not their enemies and are willing to parley, but also showing strength, indicating to the men that the Company are not their subordinates, either. Show friendliness, but no weakness.

[Palandil]

Fengel knew that if it came to a fight their best chance would be on their horses.  He watched as Dirnhael dismounted, followed by Durgil.  He saw too that Dirnhael kept their weapons ready and hoped that the noble could find a way out of this situation.  Positioning himself to aid Dirnhael easily, with unease he swung his leg over the saddle and landed on the ground.  Keeping his spear in his hand and holding the saddle horn with the other, Fengel hoped that he could quickly mount if needed.

[Stefan]

Nain stands next to the humans, Jethro close behind. He stands with his axe handle resting in the soft earth.  Not threatening, but close at hand in case it's needed.  These humans would have to work out their issues and he didnt want to be the dead one if they failed.

Insight (TN10)
Roll (2d6)+2; 4,4 +2 = 10 Success (barely)

[tomcat]

Becoming frustrated by the inability to understand one another, the Dunlending warrior decided a greater show of force would be necessary to unarm his captives. He pointed to three warriors that stood furthest from the Company, and then to the wounded Orcs skulking on the ground. The three young men with spears immediately went about the duty of slaying the fell-creatures, including the shaman, and once done fell back into line.

While they did that, the warrior chieftain gestured to the two spear-toting warriors by his side and the three marched up to Dirnhael and suddenly the Dunadan found himself with two spear tips hovering next to his throat. The Dunlending with the claw-faced paint walked up so that his face was less than two feet from Dirnhael's, the fetid breath of the man made the current situation even worse.

In a very heavily accented tongue, the Dunlending said, "Drope wepuns."