monday dnd stuff

orcs are initially suspicious of the party, but quickly accept them since they have an orc and goblin among them.

several months ago the elves began sending patrols into their territories, the orcs pushed back against this, demanding the elves to leave whenever they came across them. Over time, the elves ramped up their activities and more recently began sending troops to occupy their lands, eventually pushing the orcs back to this point, where they began building defensive structures and gathering their own fighters. It is clear they are outmatched in almost every way by the elves, but they refuse to back down, preferring to die defending their lands than to surrender what little they have left to the ones responsible for slaughtering so many of their ancestors. They have no greater plan, no hope of victory, only the will to cling to what honor they can.

The mountain the orcs call home contains many valuable resources in its mines, this is what has helped the orcs to survive so far. The elves intend to claim these resources for themselves.

Perhaps with these resources the party can construct some sort of weapon? or forge more powerful equipment for the orcs or themselves. Or they know someone who might offer assistance in return for some access to these materials.

If given a chance, the orcs would be willing to serve as a distraction for the party to free the gold dragon. Doing this leads to a drawn out sort of mission as the party races to free the dragon before the orcs are overwhelmed. Freeing the dragon will result in cymyr stepping in to handle things himself, assuming his dragon form and likely a fight against him with the gold dragon assisting.

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orcish emissary is Gronuk Kresh

the dwarves have no issues with helping the orcs if the orcs can offer something in return, ie rights to their mines, a cut of ores, payment for services, etc. if the party mentions the gold dragon the dwarves will be even more inclined to help. They'll lower or cut any fees if the party helps clear out some beasts in their mines. They'll send miners, smiths, etc. to the orcs.

in the mines: the miners say the earth itself rebels against them, tools are broken or stolen by the ground, men are attacked by falling or thrown rock, the crystals fling needle-like shards at workers, etc. Currently, we've closed down large sections of the mine for their safety, but you could go talk to them first hand. there's also tales of a legendary creature deep within the mines, far into the lava fields, a broken piece of kravalgr's first forge given life. to even search for it would require special equipment to avoid the lava, then you'd need to face the beast itself.

rograak's spire has changed hands a few times, having been a dwarven city that was lost, claimed by goblins, then reclaimed by the dwarves.

the bloodstone dragon lives here in hiding as a master smith under the name Dorgath Fuln. He can forge certain bloodstone infused weapons.