Below the Undercroft (Solo)
Below the Undercroft, Delve 8 - by Lilliaquil Nov. 24
Praise good fortune.
Gabriel was still recovering from his wounds and could not join us to rescue Rockmound and Denby. I was despondent, knowing that I had cajoled Rockmound and Denby into delving for treasure. Vainly I wanted to mount a rescue but was thwarted at every turn. The mayor refused to lend us members of the militia. Hobgoblin and orc raiding parties were harrying caravans and he needed all able bodies to protect the roads. And Barris, the porter, refused to join us. But Dargo managed to enlist the aid of two dwarves, an acquaintance of Rockmound's, Breccia and his daughter Caedwilla. The girl was young, not yet 50, but she hefted her axe easily and wore a massive crossbow across her back. Her father looked old enough to be her grandfather, but the two were willing so long as they got an even split of whatever was taken from the orcs. Apparently Dargo used the lure of chests full of coin to coax them. Plus, it seems, Breccia has a special hate for orcs and is happy to thin the population. The two were travel-worn and, aside from their arms and armour, appeared haggard. I soon discovered that they hired out their services to caravans and were traveling companions of Rockmound. When they heard he was in need of rescue, or revenge, they were eager to help.
Barris thought it was too dangerous to join us, but I knew we would need help to drag or carry Rockmound and Denby out if one or both were still alive. I offered Barris an electrum to join us and still he refused. Eventually I solicited other townsfolk for a porter, but the rumours had already spread about how many had given their lives below the undercroft. I returned to Barris and he accepted... for two gold pieces.
Upon our return, I realized I was becoming familiar with this area of the dungeon and we made quick time getting to the orc chamber. I wouldn't have guessed it, but Breccia was an acolyte of the same deity Rockmound followed. As we approached the passage that led to the chamber, Breccia had Barris stay around the corner and told him to keep watch. He then gathered us near and prayed to Berronar, asking for her blessing. I thanked him and turned to see Caedwilla's tongue stuck out of the corner of her mouth as she winched the string of her crossbow back and inserted a bolt, nodding her head at me when done. I was surprised she brought it with her. A weapon like that was for the field of battle, not a cramped dungeon. But her father assured me that she was so skilled with it, she could pierce a bird in flight.
I took a moment to cast a spell of shielding. It would provide me with some protection against attacks from the orcs for a short time. Dargo readied his darts so I too prepared by placing three in each hand.
We started down the passage and could hear the orcs bragging about the new slaves they could sell. One of the orcs said that both slaves were still unconscious and that the tall one was almost too big for the small room. My heart started, I had hoped that at least one of the was still alive, but didn't dare hope that they both were.
As we approached the corner, Dargo motioned for us to slow down but Breccia shook his head and he and Caedwilla bolted around the corner. Dargo and I quickly followed and their strategy seemed to work because the orcs were caught off guard and for a moment froze. Breccia was right, Caedwilla's bolt popped right through an orc's eye socket as he was reaching for a spear. There were two orcs right beside Breccia and Dargo as we rounded the corner, but the others were across the room. Inspired by Caedwilla's aim and the fear in the eyes of the orcs, I loosed dart after dart after dart. It was like I couldn't miss. Perhaps the old dwarf's prayers were being answered. Breccia brought down one of the near orcs with his vicious morning star while Dargo engaged in some sword play. The orcs started to draw weapons, but so full was our moment of surprise that they were stumbling to mount an offence.
Another bolt from Caedwilla's crossbow hobbled an orc and my darts pressed into his neck. When the bolt was away Caedwilla screamed maniacally and charged another orc while drawing her axe. The orcs singled me out to hurl insults in their vulgar tongue. I was glad to see their bravado fade, to be replaced by fear. Those curses were silenced by darts, bolts and blades and the sickening bludgeoning sound of a morning star. Of the seven orcs that stood in the room when we charged in, seconds later only three remained alive. When one of the survivors threw down his blade, the other two quickly followed suit. We all wanted their blood, but, of all people, it was Dargo that convinced us to honour their surrender.
The interrogation was quick and the bound orcs revealed that Rockmound and Denby were in the well-room, hidden behind a secret door. Before Breccia could open the door, Dargo asked about traps and they revealed the only traps they were aware of were around the huge chest in the corner of the room. Breccia and Caedwilla went beyond the secret passage and returned shortly, each supporting Rockmound and Denby. They were in obvious pain and staggered when they walked. Rockmound went over to one of the corpses and spit on it whispering a hoarse curse. With the orc's instructions about how to circumvent the trap, Dargo opened the chest. Thousands of coins in two separate sacks. Silver in one and copper in the other. We left the copper behind, pilfered the belongings of the orcs, and turned our hostages into pack mules after gagging them, making them carry all that which we couldn't. Anything we couldn't take, was thrown down the well. Spears, blades and copper coins alike.
When we appeared out of the darkness Barris almost fled until he recognized us. "How are you done so quickly? Were there any orcs in the room at all?" Then I smiled, revealing the hostages. "You kept them alive?!" he hissed. "They'll turn on us the first chance they have and bring all the horrible things in this cursed place down upon us." I looked at him, bitterness in my voice because, deep down, I knew he was right and I would have preferred executing them on the spot. "You received your two gold pieces. Let's move before we discover they have reinforcements."
As we left the undercroft we were wary of encountering more orcs and hobgoblins. It was already dark. On the way back to the village we were checking our backs with every step. As we moved further and further from the undercroft, the orcs slowed more and more. Dargo stopped me and said, "They ken if we git back tae the village they be as good as deed." I stared at him, comprehending what he was really saying. "I dinnae care aboot their breed, but they surrendered so we would spare their lives." I didn't stop him as he divested the orcs of their sacks, clothing and boots, leaving them to run off into the trees naked as the feral beasts they truly are. Breccia, and Caedwilla came trotting back, weapons drawn, while Barris stayed back with Rockmound and Denby. "Didja set them free then?" hissed Breccia, knowing the answer. "I thought ye might." Then he turned in disgust and didn't say another word to Dargo for the rest of the hike back to the village.
Letting three orcs go free after slaying four, all without receiving a scratch ourselves and successfully rescuing Rockmound and Denby, and escaping with thousands of coins... well, I could live with that.
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