Chapter 1: Into Haranshire

"I am also concerned about you. I have heard that those injured by werebeasts become such themselves. Do we need to fear you turning on us?"

"Oleanne probably knows more about werecreatures than I can tell you, but I do know the animal side does not take over completely. It can be a bit overwhelming the first few times a change happens, like for Maxim here, especially if you don't have a clue what's happening or no one to help you, but there's always a human side in there. It's only when people willingly give in to the bestial side that they eventually will become consumed by it.

That is to say, I don't expect Maxim to turn back into his human form anytime soon and we can't afford to just wait here until it happens. I'm not sure if he can comprehend our discussion right now, but I'm pretty certain he's calmed down a bit and reassured we mean him no harm. He'll have to travel back with us, in his current state. Hopefully we'll be back before nightfall so we won't have to spend another night in the woods. As for myself... it's less than a week till the Blood Moon. Guess we'll find out."

Devon paused to consider what Kuiper just said. "So you want to just take a casual stroll back with a werebear tagging along?"

The warrior glanced over at the downed bear where it lay. He reached down to pick up the net which he discarded, starting to straighten it out. "In case we end up needing these again..."

Almadel sighs at the news.

"OK, we can give it a try, but if it gets loose, we're using the silvered weapons this time."

"That isn't very reassuring," Aldeera responds, gathering her net.

"Things aren't always that simple" Kuiper remarks, as he assists the untangling of the bear. "I'm just stating the facts. I can't be any more reassuring, and I can't force Maxim here to change back into his human form. Don't think he's a risk anymore, although I'd appreciate it if we stuck to the no weapons thing till we're back."

With the nets removed, the bear now shambles along behind you, especially Kuiper and Hanzel, who it seems to have somewhat of a fondness for, as you make your way back to Kuiper's farmstead. As you near last night's campsite, memories of the dawn battle return to put you on edge. You approach the area with increased caution, and it proves to be a good decision. Six more orcs are inspecting the battle scene, and their fallen comrades' bodies. You can tell they're of the same group, because these too bear shields with the same symbol as the ones you defeated. Whatever it is that's got their attention, it seems to be significant enough for them to argue in their gutteral language and not hear your approach, despite your numbers, and a bear following right behind you.

Devon slowly draws his sword as they creep up orcs. He gives a nod to the others as he prepares to run forward to attack, but he waits to confirm if the others intend also.

"So we're taking the fight to them?" Aldeera whispers.

Hanzel quietly reaches for his sling. He'd rather avoid the orcs if possible, but he wants to be prepared for a fight if that ends up happening.

Devon whispered close, "I'd rather not have them at my back... but if you all would rather avoid another fight then I will hold."

Even as he said it, he crept forward another step - obviously anxious to return the favor by ambushing the orcs which had attacked them last night.

"I'd rather avoid a fight if I can, we've had our hands full as of late..." Kuiper whispers "but we do have the element of surprise on our side. And a werebear. Looks like a sizeable new group of orcs, wouldn't hurt to cut their numbers down a bit further. I leave the decision to you."

Almadel readies his longsword too, waiting for the signal to attack.

Despite some objections, Devon would rather be the hunter than the hunted, feeling that leaving these orcs free to follow them later. He motioned that he would attack from the left side so that others would have openings to attack from the flanks. He slipped a bit closer to begin the attack.

Devon slipped forward as quiet as he could. No war cry. No announcement. These were the same orcs which had attacked them in their sleep, they deserved the same in return.

He chose on of the bigger spearman for his attack (Spear A)

Viciously he drove the sword into his chosen enemy.

Hanzel concentrates on keeping his hands steady as he takes aim at an axe-wielding orc. If they're striking back at the orcs, he wants to do it right.

Aldeera draws a deep breath, wondering if this will be her last battle. She chooses a target carefully, trying to take one of the orcs by surprise.

Almadel readies his sword, then, stealthily edging closer, launches a sneak attack on one of the battle axe-wielding orcs.

Devon leads the attack as he closes up on one of the spearmen, a silent, efficient killing machine. The orc realizes what's happening a split second too late and barely has a chance to get its shield in the way. Even so, the warrior's blow cleaves through the shield and draws blood (3 damage to Spear Orc A, natural 20s in FG&G only guarantee a hit, no double damage, but in this instance I'll allow the destruction of the orc's shield as an alternative bonus effect). Aldeera tries to take advantage of the distraction to land a backstabbing blow, but the timing is off. The other orcs are alerted in time, maybe that extra time she took to circle around into position, and her blade only hits the hardened bits of her target's armor. It's a similar story for Almadel, his sword clanging against an orcish shield.

Hanzel takes aim at one of the axe bearing orcs before his allies rush in. He knows his chances of taking one out in a single hit are limited, so he aims for the weakest looking of the pack and lets the projectile fly (3 damage to Axe Orc C). Caradoc isn't as lucky and his shot whistles past another orc's ear, but at least the cleric has kept his distance from getting caught up in a melee. Just then, Kuiper and Maxim charge in at the orc axemen. With their attention naturally focused on the big mass of fur and muscle tumbling towards them, the orcs never really pay much attention to the ranger, who slices through them with deadly accuracy, beheading an orc before spinning around to bury his dagger in another one's throat (10 damage to Axe Orc A, DEAD, 5 damage to Axe Orc B, DEAD). The third axeman gets trampled by an enraged werebear, producing crunchy wet sounds that end with the creature raising its head, muzzle covered in blood (6 damage to Axe Orc C, DEAD).

Cut down swiftly and mercilessly, the remaining orcs never even get into the fight, but instead try to retreat into the foliage.