>>29369105
Woo, mountain orcs is back! Was there a thread between this one and the unicorn edition?

>>29369105

>Population: 23 male orcs and 20 females, 3 unicorns
>Specialists: Three Earth Seers, Grand Diplomat
>Tech: steel axes, steel lamellar armour, steel shields, steel tools, forge, pulleys, horn bows, farming
>Magic: Earth Sense, village bound Earth Elementals
>Resources: 33 ponies, 12 yaks, apples, wheat, potatos, oranges, tomatos, stone, refined silver ore, refined iron ore, coal, steel
>Food: Decent and Growing
>Morale: Good
>Training: Mounted Archery
>Village: Basic stone buildings and underground stronghold
>Fortifications: Mortared stone walls with wood gates

Great Relations with Unicorns now living in the valley, Good relations with Halflings living in a walled city on the plains to the east

Know of Humans living on a lake island to the north east, Undead living in the far north, and Lizardfolk living in the swamps to the south east. Possible Elves in the deep and vast forest to the west.

>>29369135

There wasn't.

Man, I can't tell you how glad I am to be back with the gayest orcs in the universe.

>>29369135
Nope, the Unicorn thread was the last thread I did before calling it a night, and there's been no others since then.

Hurrah! The Unicorn Orcs are back!

>>29369184

Are you continuing based on the decision at the end of last time that we'd do a diplomacy tour from the liards to the undead to the humans?

A.Explore
B.Tech
C.Breed
D.Magic
F.Other

Didn't our earth seers find rubies in the mountain? I vote for some more digging

>>29369247

Alright, let's get the grand diplomat moving. If we can do anything else in the mean time, I'd like to get our farms going and start making alcohol for morale/berserkers.

>>29369246
Essentially, as that seemed to be the general consensus. I'll post the results of visiting the Lizards after a few turns.

>>29369295
Oh yeah, right. Totally forgot about the cider idea. Retracting my mining vote for this

While your people go about their lives and waiting to hear back from the Grand Diplomat, several get the idea to try and emulate that "funny grape juice" they came across in the Halfling City, utilizing the fruits of their growing apple orchards.
After a few failed attempts, and possible alcohol poisoning and lighting pony tails on fire in a drunken stupor, they manage to develop a basic, if tasty, apple cider.

>Obtained: Apple Cider.

Meanwhile, the Grand Diplomat and his small escort arrive in the swamplands of the Lizardmen, the Diplomat's noble mount snorting in mild displeasure from the less than pristine environment.
The party marches through the swamplands for awhile, before one of the Orcs notices that they've passed the same willow tree a few times...

A.Keep going forward
B.Turn back
C.Investigate
D.Other

>>29369247
C. BREEEEEEED.

We simply need more orcs. War is coming, and we don't want any losses we incur to be catastrophic to our future development.

...will the unicorns breed with ponies? will they breed with each other? will they breed with anything?

>>29369535
C. investigate.

>>29369572
second

>>29369535
C. Investigate. Make sure the orcs stick together and stay wary.

Also, you should consider tweeting one time just to announce that the game is started. Some people might be waiting on a tweet.

>>29369552
Announcing the arrival of our one true saviour, Brogluk "happy feet" the gay orc bard! All is well in the thread.

>>29369591
Tweeted, thanks for the suggestion. I'll be sure to keep it in mind for now on

The party decides to investigate the surrounding area, attempting to figure out what is going on while keeping close together out of caution.
Before too long, the Diplomat's Unicorn lets out an irritated snort and marches over to the willow tree, prodding at it with its horn...Causing a red/black network of magical runes to appear on the trunk of the tree.

>>29369717
>Before too long, the Diplomat's Unicorn lets out an irritated snort
I can imagine it thinking "And we work with these imbeciles?"

File: 1389214916590.jpg-(386 KB, 960x1280, 0108141255.jpg)

386 KB JPG

>>29369591
hi! drawfagged something because nothing better to do at work

(Fuck captcha, seriously...)

>>29369717
The Unicorn keeps prodding at the tree, eventually causing the runes to blink in and out of existence, before finally vanishing.
While nothing specific seems to happen, the party can "feel" that the area seems a little different somehow.

>>29369878
>"HE MIGHT BE THE REAL DEAL"
Ah man, that is great

(And I forgot to include this in the post, I think I need to get some coffee or something.)

>>29369893
What does the party do now?

A.Try to continue on
B. Wait around and see if anything happens
C. This shit is 2spooky, turn back
C.Other

>>29369878
My fucking sides. Holy shit.

>>29369986
A, we shouldn't mess with magics we don't understand

>>29369986
I vote B. Make sure everyone is battle ready, but unthreatening. Do we have anyone with magic aptitude in the group?

>>29369986
A. continue on

nothing ventured, nothing gained, hopefully the rune disappearing means the illusion's gone... hopefully?

>>29370040
Orcs kinda suck when it comes to magic, so sadly the only magic users we have at the moment are the three Earth Seers, who for now never stray far from the village since they are too valuable to lose.

The party continues on, careful to spot anything else that seems unusual. They occasional spot the forms of large reptilian bodies in the swampy waters, but none seem interested in challenging the earthbound Orcs for now.

Before long, the sound of something like a hunting horn echos across the wetlands, originating from somewhere nearby...

A. Come to a stop and wait.
B. Continue onward.
C. Turn back
D. Other

>>29370260
B. Continue onward. We've started now, stopped would be a sign of weakness.

>>29370260
what are our numbers? anyone else of interest with us? are we all mounted?

B. continue onward, but be alert, stay on dry ground if we can

>>29370369
It's the typical outing party of 6 individuals, all mounted and the Grand Diplomat is the only person of real interest. The others are simply guards who are around to make sure he stays safe.

Deciding to press on, the party continues on deeper into the swamp, making sure that the feet of their mounts remain on solid ground.

Eventually, another mounted party can be seen approaching from the opposite direction, from the current distance they SEEM like they could be the Lizardfolk the party has been searching for, mounted on some manner of bipedal reptile.

A. Stop and wait to see what they do
B. Approach them
C. Other

Rolled 9

>>29370424
yeah, keep moving. carefully and slowly enough to look for any traps/snares/lizard ambushes ready to murk us.

>practice roll to see if we're still in business

>>29370584

Approach them until they're visible enough to identify. I don't think there's a single race we'd meet that we wouldn't want to diplomance.

>>29370601
>9
Uh oh.

Rolled 91

>>29370601
we are fucked if we get into a fight.
>>29370584
B. slowly, approach in a row and deadeye stare them like in an old Western.

>>29370757
Grand diplomat does it again!

>>29370757
>roll intentionally, epic failure
>roll on accident, great success

i'm a little afraid to roll now :s hopefully i'll pull it out of my ass again when it's needed

The Orcy party approaches the strangers, lining up in a row roughly halfway and staring as the others come closer.

Closer inspection reveals that they are indeed Lizardfolk, clad in simple bone armor and wielding obsidian macahuitls (Those sword/axes that Aztecs used) and obsidian tipped short bows...All mounted on what could only be described as Velociraptors.

There are five of them, one of which is wearing a flamboyant and colorful feather headdress, that and the wooden staff adorned with carved runes in one hand suggesting that he is some sort of shaman.
The shaman? steps forward from the rest of the group, then speaks.
>Who are you and what are you doing on our lands?

A. Reply politely.
B. Reply rudely.
C. Attack
D. Other

>>29371004
A. Reply politely. Say athat we are emissaries from an orc kingdom, but give no more details. Say nothing about the halflings, but if pressed, imply that we are more of an ally of lizards than halflings.

>>29371004
the diplomancer in me wants to reply politely, but something else says these guys respect strength and shit.

don't reply rudely per se, but don't be a pansy. reply... resolutely? tell em who we are and what our business here is.

>>29371004
Reply politely. :D

The Grand Diplomat urges his glorious mount forward, keeping his eyes locked on the Lizard Shaman. He then speaks firmly, but politely, getting straight to business and explaining that the group are emissaries from an Orc kingdom.

The Shaman lets out a grunt in a response, then says.

>Emissaries...And what do you want with us? We are but simple children of the sacred swamps.

A. Ask them about something.
B. Offer trade
C. Offer alliance
D. Other

>>29371393

Ask them about their neighbours and allies. If they aren't forthcoming with the information, offer a trade, giving them geographical information of the far north (ie. humans and undead).

>>29371393

>>29371475
agreed, kinda play up the threat that the undead pose

maybe hit 'em with an offer they can't refuse
"this sure is a beautiful sacred swamp youse guys have here... it'd sure be a shame if an undead horde came and smashed it up. fortunately, my associates and I are in the business of protection"

>>29371475
>>29371589
Agreed

The Lizardfolk prove a little reluctant to give up information regarding the surrounding area, but end up being more forthcoming when you mention the undead.

They inform you that to the south lies a hot and steamy jungle, which was originally their homeland. But they were driven out by a race of rat people with certain mastery over Disease and Necromancy magic.

A. Ask for more information
B. Offer trade
C. Offer Alliance
D. Other

>>29371811

Take a sympathetic stance about the rats and suggest that orcish military assistance can be bought for a price.

Ask about the mystery archers in the forests (to the west, right?).

>>29371811
D. these are probably our boys right here, but idk about committing to an alliance with a tribe with preexisting enemies. try-

>>29371938
posted what i was gonna suggest. we are mercenary horde, maybe we will earn each others' allegiance in battle one day, but it is not this day

>>29371938
>>29371995
Upon being asked about the western forest archers, the shaman frowns and says.

>I am sorry, but my people know nothing of such beings.

As for the offer to serve as mercenaries for them, the Shaman nods and agrees. He informs the party that the Lizardfolk still have some gold and jewelry left over from their glory days, and should the rats ever be driven off of their land they are willing to pay you even more.

>>29372218

Ask about the skavens' numbers and fortifications. And, though this seems a long shot, see if the lizards have some means of drawing you up some kind of map. Or at least get the lizards to explain it in detail.

>>29372218
A. Ask for information
B. Offer another deal
C. Conclude your business and head home
D. Other

>>29372307

As a follow-up to this, just between us discussing the situation, we can take any info on the skaven that the lizards give and try to extrapolate lizard numbers. It seems like pretty much every neaby civ that could be a threat so far has their hands full with other stuff. If the rats are a small enough number that they'd be work killing, we may as well enlist the aid of the lizards. I suspect that they could offer a lot of help in the way of magic and subterfuge.

>>29372336
>>29372307
>>29372406
these two. we want skaven and lizard numbers, to see if this is worth it for us and if we can actually do anything about it.

The Shaman informs you that while both sides took heavy casualties during the battles that eventually drove the Lizards out of their homes, they have managed to grow their population to around 40. As for the Skavans, they are unsure as to how high their population is now, but from what scouts have informed them it is no less than 20-25. And the Lizards had little in the ways of defensive walls when they controlled their jungle city, the buildings consisting of pyramids and ziggurats, but during the time the Skavans have held their lands the rats have managed to throw up some crude wooden fortifications.

>>29372687
Forgot to add, since the Skavens use Necromancy they have some undead minions at their command as well.

>>29372687
>what scouts have informed them it is no less than 20-25
Wow, just a quarter of a litter then. I doubt it's going to be that easy. Is the Shaman the leader of the Lizardfolk Civ?

>>29372687

25 is doable, I think, but I don't like that they have magic. Necromancy could double their numbers or more. I think before we make a move on anyone, we need to have stronger numbers, and a better fighting background. Pony-mounted archery just won't cut it.

So what do you think? We could say 'we shall take the information to our masters for their consideration', or we could just got for it and say "Take 20 of your best lizards, we'll double your numbers with our orcs, it's extermination time!' Don't forget, we still have humans and undead to speak to. If we can get a better offer than risking disease and ruin for chump change, I say we look at our options before committing.

>>29372687
looks like the undead problem is one we're gonna have to confront sooner or later.

leave one of our faithful retainers with the lizards, to serve as an envoy and messenger to our people, then go back/go meet with the human settlement

>>29372847
When asked the Shaman will inform the party that he isn't the leader, the current leader is the son of the old Lizard King who was slain during the final main battle with the lizards.

Also, keep in mind that we could simply offer to utilize small bands of mounted archers to pick off any rats we find, rather than performing a fully fledged siege of the city.

>>29373026
*with the rats.

>>29373026

A compromise option seems tempting, but if the rats can bolster their numbers with the dead, it seems useless to attack unless we sever the head and take the necromancers out. I'm with Brogluk, we'll leave an orc in good faith and move on. Instruct the orc to help the lizards in any way he can, and we can use his insider information on the tribe later on.

>>29372995
Seems like a sound plan. After all, those Skaven also have access to Plague Magic and they're situated in a jungle. Considering that, attacking them just now would likely be a suicide mission. Tell the Lizards we need to confer with our chief and make for the Human settlement.
I would also offer the idea of maybe sending an envoy to the ratkin, too. Of course stealthly. We should know both sides of this conflict before we commit to one side

>>29373113

Never trust a rat! I'd rather side with lizards in any case, since I think they're more predictable and less likely to drop a pestilence on our fort. Also, I kind of like the idea of the first orcs the rats see being a big raiding party out of the blue.

this undead problem seems to be more widespread than we'd originally thought, and it's one we're gonna have to deal with eventually. i think we should meet with the other civs, then make to help either the humans or lizards eliminate their side of the problem.

personally, I don't trust a rat clan of necromancers as far as i can chuck 'em.

>>29373113
I agree with
>>29373201.
If we attempt to negotiate with rats, who are already certain of their success against lone lizards, we'll likely have fleas carrying disease hitch themselves on our clothes. maim and burn

>>29373201
>>29373244
Allow me to paraphrase the Kingslayer here and say: "Give me an honorable enemy over a sly one and I'll sleep easier at night"

So, the general consensus seems to be; Leave an emissary with the Lizards for now with the promise to return home and talk to our clan about the issue, and explore some of our other diplomacy options.

The Grand Diplomat informs the Shaman that the party will return home for now to think on the matter, and offers to leave a single Orc to serve as an emissary in the meantime.
With that, one Orc heads off with the Lizards while the other 5 return home.

A.Explore
B.Tech
C.Breed
D.Magic
E.Diplomacy
F. Other

(And for future reference, you can do one other action on the same turn you perform a Diplomacy action.)

>>29373363
I'd like to suggest working on our magic. No matter who we go up against, it might help to have those elementals outside of the village at some point. It's hard to poison or ressurrect a slab of rock, after all.
Also send out our Corps diplomatique to the human town, I say

>>29373363

On to the humans, then!

It's really important that we build on our natural martial prowess. Early on there was a cool idea to hold tournaments, and now I think we have the numbers to do it. So, F, train warriors with huge swords, and make a tournament to choose the best.

>>29373363
B. Try to develop some kind of explosive substance.

>>29373416

Don't forget, orcs have one of the worst magical aptitudes out of everyone, whereas skaven have the best. I'd rather play to our strengths. We could produce a team of fighters who, with steel gear, would be practically unstoppable compared to any other warriors we've encountered so far.

>>29373484
While that is of course true, even steel fullplate is unlikely to stop a bolt of corrosive death magic. But I do see what you're going at.

>>29373363
E. ride out and meet the humans (somehow)

while i do like the idea of having magic to answer necromancy, we are a warrior people at heart, so i'm leaning toward >>29373425 B, martial training.

ours is the way of the bow and the fist, diplomancers and unicorn riders we may be, but we are also the GOD DAMNED ORCS and our might is unmatched by any of these races so far.

also, question for OP about unicorns. are they just rare, powerful and intelligent horses? or do they have some sort of magical abilities like a proper Kirin?

>>29373363

Oh, I forgot one thing about meeting the humans. Let's put a rear guard of a couple of orcs sneaking behind the diplomat to ensure he isn't followed, by lizards or anyone else.

The Grand Diplomat sets off with another band of guards to pay a visit to the humans.
At the same time, your people decide to throw together a tournament to help train their warriors and general give a boost to morale. Events are divided between horseback archery and infantry melees, the winners getting a cask of the finest apple cider.

>Obtained: Tournaments

Meanwhile, it seems that Mister Pickaxe, quite the old Orc by now, is starting something of a religion. His two students and himself have been preaching that all life comes from the Earth and that all life returns to it after death, fueling a never ending cycle of death and rebirth. And that anything not born of the Earth is unholy and should be purged from the face of the planet.

A.Explore
B.Tech
C.Breed
D.Magic
E.Diplomacy
F. Other

>>29373767
>Meanwhile, it seems that Mister Pickaxe, quite the old Orc by now, is starting something of a religion.
And into the trash we go

>>29373655
The unicorns are intelligent, and possess some magical abilities. As what was suggested during the swamp event, they have the ability to dispel some forms of enchantments, and more abilities may make themselves known in the future.

>>29373798
>implying

A form of regimented worship that we can spread to all of the orcs is just what we need. If we can win the favour of some kind of earth spirit, it'd bolster our magic and help to fill the void that is orc magic affinity.

>>29373767

Continue our focus on warriors. Start picking out elites.

>>29373898
And get them drunk. We wanted ferocious, intoxicated berzerkers, right?

>>29373767
C. BREEEEEEED. again I ask, will the unicorns breed? with ponies or themselves?

>>29373798
i'm of a mind with >>29373860, shamanism could be our foot in the magical doorway, and a little reverence for the spirits never hurt a warband.

>>29373916
God, yes

>>29373975
The unicorns will breed with themselves, albeit slowly.

>>29373975
I'm pretty sure the unicorns will breed, since we found a foal when we first encountered them. Hopefully they'll breed more than once in a century, though.

>>29373798
>*tips fedora*

Rolled 86

>>29373767
B. Try and get some basic siege engines going or something. We might not need them now, but if we get pulled into a full blown war we should be ready.

Your Leader decides to take the time to closely monitor each and every Tournament, keeping an eye on those who seem to be the best of the best. After awhile he picks out 5 Orcs who show the most promise, giving them the title of Berserker and commanding the smiths to forge them great Steel Greatswords.
You will receive additional Bersekers once in awhile, although the total number will always be a fraction of the total population.

>Obtained: Berserkers

Meanwhile, your Grand Diplomat has arrived on the outskirts of the human lake town. It seems that they have constructed watch towers along the shore, along with a number of farmsteads.

A. Approach the lake, open and without any signs of hostility.
B. Set camp and wait.
C. Other

>>29374223

A Approach the lake. Hopefully the humans know about us from the halflings, and besides, I think a unicorn is a fairly universal sign of goodwill.

>>29374274
(that is, until later when we research horse armour and WAR UNICORNS)

>>29374315
this, oh god this is the plan

normally approaching an armed settlement of humans under siege wouldnt be my recommendation, but we do come in riding on a god damned unicorn, so let's give it a shot

The group decides to approach the town, attempting to make it obvious that they come in peace.
As you approach, it will become noticeable that many of the farmsteads on the outer shore are abandoned and run down, a sign that things really are not well with the Humans. The occasional mangy dog or cat can be seen amongst the ruins, but nothing human seems to dwell within them anymore.
Meanwhile, as the party comes closer to the shore, it will be able to see a group of humans making their way from the island section of the town on a long and narrow boat, similar to a Viking longship...They all seem to be armed with spears and swords, and javelins.

A. Wait for them to land
B. This looks like a bad idea, turn back.
C. Other

>>29374620
Wait for them to land. There's no reason that they'd have to start a fight.

>>29374662
except maybe human racism.

>>29374620
A. still, wait for them, and call out at a distance for parlay. if they're hostile, we can always ride away and come back to burn their remaining farms.

>>29374620
wait for them to land. Have the diplomat and all but one of his gaurds withdraw a few steps. That way, we show we want to talk individually, but don't lose the diplomat if they charge us. If they confirm a wish to talk, have the diplomat move up and speak

>>29374807
Bracing for Brogluk's 90+ anti-racism diplomacy roll

Deciding to wait and see how the Humans behave, but also thinking it would be wise to play it safe, all but one of the Orcs withdraw a few steps and wait as the Humans land and exit their boat.
The Humans number a total of 8, all male with the general appearance of grizzled warriors.
One of them steps forward, an older man with streaks of grey in his beard and hair, a hand resting on the pommel of a currently sheathed long sword.

>So you be the "friendly" Orcs we been hearing about...What brings you here?

A. Information
B. Trade.
C. Alliance
D. Other

>>29375077
A. information

we want to know about their troubles with the undead, and how they're faring against them (i'd assume not well). ask if their leader would parlay with our leader.

>>29375175
Seconding this to the letter. Hopefully stressing our relations with their pals the midgets will do wonders for our reputation.

You ask about the undead, telling the Humans how you heard of their troubles during a visit to the Halfling city.
This earns a frown from the party's leader, who says.

>So you want to know 'bout those unholy monsters...Ain't much to tell, one day they started come down from the tundra up north, killing anything living they came across. Weren't must of a problem at first, but since everything they kill is turned into one of them...

At the suggestion of having the leaders of both groups parley, the man lets out a grunt and says.

>Normally we'd say no, but the shorties say that you're people are decent enough, and we have enough trouble with the undead that any source of help is welcomed.

A. Information
B. Trade
C. Alliance
D. Other

>>29375562

Let's move on up to the leader, then. We have no more to say to some soldier. We might as well take the same route as with the lizards. Ask the leader about undead numbers and fortifications (including the human losses for an accurate number of undead). Let's see how much we can observe on the way to the leader, too. Human defences, and such.

>>29375642
yes, meet their leader and ask them if 60 orc riders might be able to turn the tides in their favour, and what it would be worth to them. figure out as much as we can and don't commit to anything just yet.

>>29375736

I'm guessing they haven't got shit to pay us, since they're already paying out the arse for halfling iron. When it comes to long term plans, I'm already thinking teaming with the lizards sounds better. They seem like they have more to give, and an eventual raid of the halfing fort would be excellent. We could roast the fat lord. Looking forward, I suspect the undead will be treacherous at best and murderous at worst. It all comes down to if we can trust the lizards to be lawful evil, and if we can expect the humans to be racist dicks. I guess whoever we help will be indebted to us, though.

The party asks to be taken to see the Human leader, to which the head of the Human party gruffly allows under the condition that only the Diplomat and two guards come along to the island.

A. Accept
B. Decline
C. Other

>>29375980
This seems acceptable. Make the usual plan to send the others home with a report if the diplomat hasn't returned by sundown. The fact that we've got this far suggests that we're aleady in a good diplomatic position, though.

>>29375980
this is dangerous, but I say we go. like anon said, we aren't getting anywhere speaking to a soldier.

leave our unicorn with the shore party, he's our only hope of future unicorn cavalry heavy brigade. tell them to round up a war party to burn down the humans' farms if our guys aren't returned unharmed within a few hours.

Agreeing to the human's terms, the Grand Diplomat leaves the unicorns behind with the three Orcs, and travels to the lake town with his two remaining guards.
Arriving at the island will reveal that things look bad, even here in the heart of the settlement. Here and there homes and buildings are boarded up, and beggers can be seen sleeping and begging on the streets for coins.
As the party is lead to the central keep, the only place on the island that is surrounded by a basic stone wall, you estimate that there are at least 30-40 humans living in this settlement, probably a bit more than that.

The Diplomat and his guards are soon brought before the human Leader, obviously a King judging by the golden crown on his head and the fact that he sits on an ornately carved wooden throne, who is a somewhat young man who has yet to grow a full beard on his face.
He eyes the trio of Orcs, hands on a golden goblet filled with some manner of lliquid, thinking before he finally says.

>...My good captain tells me that your lot may prove to be a valuable asset in our war against the undead. Is there any truth to this?

A. Answer honestly
B. Answer discreetly
B. Other

>>29376282

A.

>>29376282
A. honestly answer that we honestly have no idea without knowing what they know about the enemy, honestly.

but say it politely, so as not to have our diplomat gutted.

>>29376375
Yeah, this. Say we have well-trained and equipped orcs, but we can be of no help without a detailed desciption of the enemy we face including numbers, location, fortifications, etc.

You answer honestly enough, saying that while you have well equipped and well trained troops, you need to know more about the enemy before committing to anything.
The young man nods, before giving the group more information.

>We know not their exact location or how many numbers they command, but we do know that they originated somewhere far to the north, in the great tundra and by the northern sea. Our warriors and scouts have reported that their first victims must have been a race of Trolls, since they have always been seen amongst the Undead army. As for how many Humans they have under their controls...We have lost roughly two dozen men and women.

A. Ask for further information.
B. Make a deal
C. Leave
D. Other

>>29376588

A. When/how do they attack? How desperate is the humans' situation?

>>29376652

>The Undead usually attack at night, rarely attempting to assault the city itself but always eliminating any Humans they come across out in the open. And as you have may seen, they tend to drag away anyone brave enough to settle down outside of the protection this lake provides.

Then when faced with the second question, the young man frowns and doesn't answer for a good while...But does so eventually.

>The Royal Treasury is completely empty and we are almost dependent on the Halflings for supplies. If this keeps up, we'll all end up as "servants" before too much longer.

>>29376588
Well, this changes things.

I agree with >>29376652

Also, ask what other civilisations they are aware of. More specifically, are they the undead's only target? Allowing their scouts to be whittled while bolstering the undead ranks is unacceptable. If possible, it'd be best for them to draw a siege to a defensible region, then bring in help from orcs and possibly halflings.

>>29376803
As far as the Humans know, they are their only target. And the only races they know of besides the Undead, Orcs, and Halflings are another race of Humans that lay far to the east, past a desert region.

>>29376588
Alright, this is now the bigger problem.

The undead here have trolls in their army, so this isn't a two bit operation by any means.

I'm thinking we present them an offer they might refuse: take the remaining humans into our new Confederation, and offer them sanctuary in the village above our mountainhomes. They will fight alongside us and work amongst us, and when the time comes (i'm thinking after we've wrecked a skavenhold and earned the allegiance of the lizardfolk), we push the undead out and they can have their lands back.

>>29376802

How are they undead organized - do they have a leader, magic capabilities any semblance of strategy in their attacks, any vulnerabilities?

Regardless I say we offer to help the humans. Given that archery is one of our primary strengths right now, it would be pretty easy to bolster the humans defense without much risk. A war of attrition is what we're aiming for, at least until we know better what we're fighting.

>>29376926
I was about to say the same. The problem is, the humans are the only thing between us and the undead. Once the humans are gone, we're next up.

Also, we don't want to take half of the humans to live with us leaving the rest to die and bolstering the undead's numbers. Either we take them all/most of the humans, or we help them stand where they are.

>>29376955
Undead are a civ just like us. They probably have some sentient undead as leader and generals, and a shit ton of mindless thralls made from dead humans and trolls. We'd benefit from some mages to combat them, especially against undead trolls. Also, a war of attrition against the undead? Good luck, they have no needs and can just pick us off one by one if they please. We're going to have to make a concerted effort to searh them out, then destroy them.

I say after this, we head to halflingtown and demand assistance.

>>29376926

What good does moving the humans do? Might as well just send our troops out to fortify them. Also, nobody knows our exact location as things stand now, which is mighty handy. In the event of a zombie apocalypse, we still have the option of going to ground and subsisting off lichens and mushrooms.

>>29376955
The young man thinks on this question, then says

>We have yet to see any sentient beings, Undead or otherwise, leading their forces, but that doesn't mean there isn't something guiding them. In fact it would be unbelievable to think that it is just a mindless horde, by how organized and thought out their attacks are.

Basically, they suspect that someone or someones with actual brains are ordering the mindless corpses around, but they haven't actually seen any yet.

>>29377043
Except that they're the aggressors. We can reduce their numbers if we're conservative - they can't 'pick us off one by one.' Blindly rushing out to find and destroy them seems like the worst idea, especially when it squanders the opportunity we have to strike a blow against them from the defense of the human settlement.

The halflings won't help us.

>>29377008
i agree they'll be on us, i just feel a lot better having an orc/human/earth elemental army fighting from within a defensible mountain fortress vs. humans fending for themselves while starving on an island.

>>29377093
plus, we can put an end to this scalping theyre suffering at the hands of the halflings and arm them in proper orc iron. our own heavy infantry brigade, as ironic as orc archers firing over the heads of human shock troops sounds

>>29377142
the halflings' selfishness was acceptable in times of peace, but I think war calls for a different approach. i was thinking we ride up to their hall and lay down some sort of 'all in now, youre either with us or against us' ultimatum.

>>29377142

The undead are striking by night and not making themselves known. They could keep that up indefinitely, where if they lose,they lose 1 guy, and if we lose,we lose a guy and they gain a guy. We need decisive action.

Also, I'm assuming you've never seen the grand diplomat in action before. I think the threat of being overrun is pretty good leverage, dance or no dance. The diplomat will be riding around on the halfling lord's back in no time.

>>29377238
>The diplomat will be riding around on the halfling lord's back in no time

i might have to drawfag this whether it happens or not

Alright, lets bring this down to a vote.

A. Propose an alliance, having the remaining humans fall back to our mountain home and prepare together to take on the undead. (Will require a Roll)
B. Offer to help, go to the halflings to demand assistance from them.
C. Do nothing, return home and plan out something else.

>>29377405
I vote B. Let's send a bunch of troops over to humantown and get diplomat down to shortysville.

>>29377405
B.
Warn the Halflings that it's only a matter of time till the humans fall, and with them gone so is their money

>>29377405
B. If the halflings refuse, then A.

>>29377405
B. if the halflings won't help then inform them we'll become the humans sole partner. Once the undead are gone halflings are next

>>29377405
alright, looks like it's B, then A should that fail.

In any case, we should stop by the settlement and have them get ready for war.

B it is for now.

You bid the Humans farewell, promising to assist after speaking with the Halflings first. And with that you return to Orc Land to plan your next move.

>Population: 22(23) male orcs and 20 females, 3 unicorns
>Specialists: Three Earth Seers, Grand Diplomat, 5 Berserkers
>Tech: steel axes, steel greatswords, steel lamellar armour, steel shields, steel tools, forge, pulleys, horn bows, farming
>Magic: Earth Sense, village bound Earth Elementals
>Resources: 33 ponies, 12 yaks, apples, wheat, potatos, oranges, tomatos, apple cider, stone, refined silver ore, refined iron ore, coal, steel
>Food: Good
>Morale: Good
>Training: Mounted Archery, Tournaments
>Village: Basic stone buildings and underground stronghold
>Fortifications: Mortared stone walls with wood gates

A.Explore
B.Tech
C.Breed
D.Magic
E.Diplomacy
F.Other

>>29377803

E. Halflings.

If not that, then I vote for D. Fire magic. Let's develop some fire for our fight against the undead.

>>29377803
This will be a war that requires many soldiers.
C. We must produce said soldiers

>>29377803

It's got to be between breeding and magic this time round. Perhaps with the aid of miner-orc's earth cult, we'll be able to attract the attention of an earth spirit and gain more powers. I think being able to bring earth elementals over to kill undead would be invaluable. We should at least make every orc follow miner orc's religion.

>>29377868
Not to mention what we could do with Shamans of Fire and Earth. The more primal elements seem to fit Orcs in my eyes anyways.

Lets get some magma elementals up in here.

>>29377803
C. BREEEEEEED.

And ofc E. shake some reality into the halflings.

>>29377906
or this, earth elementals are also a force multiplier

>>29377803
E
and B/D with emphasis on fire

Your Leader decides to approach Mister Pickaxe, and asks him if it would be possible to develop abilities that could be used in war. The guy says he can try, and shuts himself away with his two students for now.

Then after that the Leader throws an Orcy celebration, involving a tournament, drinking, and lots of fucking.

>+8 male orcs, +5 females

The ponies and yaks also get in on the action, pumping out some new mounts and livestock

>+8 yaks, +7 ponies

And finally, the Grand Diplomat is sent off to the Halfling Lands once the festivities are over.

A.Explore
B.Tech
C.Breed
D.Magic
E.Diplomacy
F.Other

>>29378104

C. We need to continue to bolster our numbers.

Alternatively, B. Fire arrows. Can be used to fight the undead and destroy our dead of any of them should die in the fight. Also could come in handy fighting the skaven and their wooden walls.

>>29378104
This is a somewhat minor thing, but could we get one of our orcs on unicorn husbandry? Iwant to train them, learn more about their magic, and maybe make some more unicorns.

Other than that, more breeding and more warrior training.

Rolled 73

>>29378104
C. Let's make more little babbies

>>29378104
C or b.
In case of b, anything fire based

>>29378200
THIS

>>29378104
F. may i suggest something unrelated?

we have been neglecting our mountainhome, our source of power and prosperity. I feel like it's time we built up some more defenses, something that'd either make us more able to kill approaching undead, or make them pay for entering within our halls.

other than that, C. Breeding

>>29378302
I'm going to have to agree with this, essentially in its entirety. We can get more people, sure, but we need to be sure we can protect and provide for them.

>>29378302
Yes, this is a great idea. If the humans have to fall back to our base, we better be able to defend it.

>>29378200
And if we can get Unicorns in on the war festivities, all the better.

>>29378200
It is possible, but you will need the Grand Diplomat at home to have any success with that. The Unicorns are intelligent, and right now any Orc that tries to train them or make them fuck will probably get kicked in the dick or headbutted.

Meanwhile, the Fuckening continues, producing more little green fighting machines

>+10 male Orcs, +5 ponies, +3 yaks

Your people also decide that it is time to finally upgrade the defenses, building towers for the outer walls and improving the gates.

>>Obtained basic stone towers and reinforced wooden gates

And last but not least of all, it's time to treat with the Halflings.
The same Lord as before greets the party and welcomes them to his home, drinking wine and receiving a back massage from a human girl as he speaks.

>Welcome back, my friends! What can me and mine own do for you this time?

>>29378539

HELP US FIGHT THE UNDEAD OR BE SKULL-FUCKED

>>29378539
Let's get straight to it. Tell him the humans are on the verge of collapse, and we need a concerted effort to destroy the undead. Tell him that if he doesn't help, soon he'll have no humans to buy as slaves. I'm waiting on Brogluk fora mean diceroll.

>>29378539
I'm thnking this>>29378649

Also I assume we have 6 gaurds as per usual?
Now, I wasn't here last time, but halflings aren't that strong. If they want to sit on their ass, threat>>29378595 righ on the spot

>>29378539
First offer the carrot, and then offer the stick.

If they won't help us voluntarily, tell them we'll take what we need. The next target the undead will have after the humans is going to be the halflings. Make sure they damn well know it.

>>29378539
maybe not quite >>29378595,
we've had a good run with being friendly so far, so how about something along the lines of an offer to join our Confederation, to better tackle the undead threat. tell 'em >>29378649 this.

The Grand Diplomat presents a thoughtful and eloquent argument as to why the Halflings should assist with the anti-undead force, placing extra emphasis on the fact that if the Humans are dead, they can't quite be a source of money and slaves. Nor will they be able to serve as a meatshield as they have been so far.

The fat Halfling lord listens patiently the entire time, going from wine to smoked lamb stuffed with blue cheese, taking his time to eat before finally replying

>...You present a compelling argument, but how exactly do you propose we help? We possess a simple militia, calling on mercenaries from the far east when we have to, and our strength lies mostly in our silver tongues.

>>29379003

It sounds like he just answered himself. Halflings have plenty of wealth, ask them to hire mercenary help. I bet they're sitting on some teh or other that we could use, too.

Also, it'd be nice to establish relations with this eastern nation if we can get them over.

>>29379003

Equip/supply our troops, provide the best fighters they can produce.

>>29379003
Call on the far east.
You have to

>>29379003
GONDOR CALLS FOR AID!

Spare no expense, it'll do you no good when your fields are burning and your people gnawing each others' bones.

in the meantime, propose a mutual defensive agreement, wherein one will defend the other if they are attacked by the undead while we gather our allies. We've gotta go secure our lizardmen too, yknow.

>Mercenaries and supplies...Hmm, I suppose we COULD do that.
The fat lord says, finishing off the lamb and moving on to thick slices of what might be snake soaked in some sort of creamy orange sauce.

>The only question is, what's in it for us? After all, should the Undead become a threat to US, we could always call on the Eastern mercenaries then without having to commit to anything right now.

Once a Halfling always a Halfling, it seems...

>>29379286
If the halflings don't help, we'll have the humans withdraw into our stonghold with us, while you halflings rot, literally.

The mercenaries may be your army, but they won't get here before you get overrun by undead. We, on the other hand, can sit on our mountains and last a long, long time.

And should we win, and you survive, your actions--either way--will most certainly be remembered.

>>29379286
How many mercenaries can you hire? How many can you hire when you run out of gold? I doubt the eastern mercenaries' might is greater than the comined orc and human forces, and if we lose and the undead are bolstered by our troops, what hope could your mercenaries have on their own?

>>29379286

If you wait until the undead are at your door, it will be too late. If they alone are strong enough to overrun the combined human and orc forces, they are more than a match for you, even before you consider the additional forces they'll gain from all our dead/

The fat halfling lets out a mighty sigh, every inch of fat on his rotund body jiggling from the movement.

>Very well, very well...My people will provide yours with whatever supplies you may need. And we shall call on as many mercenaries as we can, I predict that we should be able to muster a unit of repeating crossbowmen and a unit of cataphracts.

>>29379286
it's all or nothing, like the others said if we fall, we're coming for you, whether we like it or not. We have nothing to offer, for we need our arms and armor for the war, and anything else we produce holds no value to a dead halfling.

>>29379624
How long before they arrive? Also, ask if they have any tech that could be put to use against the living dead.

>>29379624
>cataphracts
glorious

what comprises the halfling armory? this could be our chance to make some tech jumps.

>>29379624
waz dat grot talk mean?
when dese other boys gitten ere?

>>29379624

Outstanding. We need to ensure the humans are saved. Either they abandon their settlement and join us, or we reinforce their area. I'm in favor of the former.

Either way, we can't afford to let them fall and bolster the undead.

The fatty reports that it will take several weeks for them to send word to the mercs and for them to arrive. As for their personal arms, they have but simple iron spears and short swords with short bows and iron tipped arrows.
However, they have been dabbling in alchemy, managing to produce what is essentially greek fire. The solution is currently stored in clay orbs and can be thrown or launched from slings.

>>29379884
well I doubt our hands will touch that

>>29379884

I have to head off, it's been fun playing since the start. thanks for running it again. Please could you post the archived thread on twitter after you finisih so I can catch up?

>>29379868
let's send our diplomat back to the island and invite them back to our mountainhome, and a war party out to the lizardmen to knock the skaven out of their homes, on condition that their warriors help us in turn.

>>29380009
Sure, I'll do that if someone else archives it for me since I can never figure that shit out. Meanwhile I'll go ahead and tweet the archive for the last thread, sadly the first thread was never archived.

>>29380049
I disagree. While our mountainhome is certainly an option, I think the human's island fortress is probably more defensible. They did manage to stand off the undead horde for quite a while by themselves, after all.

>>29380103
>>29380049
I think it's the lack of food that makes the island less defensible, but with the supplies from the Halflings it should serve us perfectly.

>>29380076
Thanks. Have a good night everyone.

Your business with the Halflings concluded for now, the Grand Diplomat and his guards get ready to head back to the mountain home.
The only question is what to do with the humans.

A. Propose the idea to have them withdraw from their lake home for now, sheltering with us.
B. Turn the lake town into the primary HQ for the Confederation, using supplies from us and the Halflings to stock it with food and fortify it.

>>29380295
Can we get a comparison of the defenses for each position?

>>29380103
>>29380133
an island is fine if you can keep a supply line running in and out, but what happens once they blockade us?

i guess the same could be said for the fortress though, once our stockpiles run dry.

if anything, we use the hall/island as a defensive point long enough to muster the full strength of the Confederation, then have every able bodied warrior march/ride out in a desperate bid to make the controlling force's head go pop

>>29380326
this! also keep in mind guys, we can always fortify the mountain with our earth magic, im not sure we can do the same for the island so easily

>>29380295
B. We can't afford to lose ground. if the undead get in there they'll neer leave, and every inch of ground they take brings them closer to our farms.
not to mention that the more area they take, the more rabbits and squirrels they can zombiefy. that shit adds up

>>29380326
Lake Town has wooden watch towers scattered around the nearby plains, while the central part of the town itself sits on an island in the middle of a fairly large and deep lake. While it lacks an outer wall, the keep/noble section is surrounded by a stone block wall.

Our own settlement sits in a mountain valley and consists of an above ground village with a tall and thick mortared stone wall with basic stone towers and a large and reinforced wooden gate. Behind the village is the entrance to a large underground stronghold, capable of hiding the entire population of our village and probably the humans too.

>>29380295
Fortify the lake town, set up a stockade around the lake, pits, ect.
We want and aggressive defence, one that leaves the enemy with a lot of land to cover, meaning we can easily get supplies in and out of the city

it looks like majority says the lake, so I guess i'll toss my vote in, on one condition...

get Pickaxe in here. I want a hall of stories. carved with the history of our people, so that if we are wiped out, our legacy will endure in the homes. Our beginnings, our celebrations, our fears and hopes, and our final hour. and make it a fucking masterpiece.

The Lake Town it is then, with Mister Pickaxe there to witness everything to pass on to everyone and future generations...
And with that I think this is a good point to call it a night. Diplomacy seems to have taken a lot of our time, so I'll try to come up with a method to streamline it between here and the next session...Which I'm thinking will be either Friday or Sunday. The huge multiCiv project is supposed to happen on Saturday and I don't want to draw attention from that.

>>29380729
sounds perfect! thanks for running thread tonight, op.

>>29380729
You sir, are a glorious person.

>>29380769
No problem, and if you could archive the thread again that would be great.

>>29380828
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/29369105/

done!

>>29380951
Thanks man, and see all of you again later.
I'll make a Tweet about an hour before I start, if anyone here doesn't have it already I have my name in the e-mail field.

>>29380729
Thanks for running this, OP.