Red Orc Brewery

[Jake]

continuing a thread

An Unwelcome Surprise

A red glow came over the horizon marking yet another fire within the city of Rhy'Din. There had been many fires in recent days. What made this blaze different from the others was the location.

Patrons of the Red Dragon Inn, exiting after an evening of entertainment, had become accustomed to the red horizons. Viewers looking southwest, across the river, and in the direction of the seedier sections of Dockside and Southgate, could regularly see the faint red aura that marked the fires and indicated yet another act of arson.

The fires tonight, however, weren't in Dockside. Upon exiting the Inn, the acrid smell of fire assaulted the senses and the roar of fire could be heard only scant blocks away. North of the Inn, the Red Orc Brewery burned.

...

The half-orc, Jake Thrash, stamped his way through the ruin that was the second floor of the brewery. Smoke and ash were omnipresent as parts of the upper floor still smoldered. Even through the heavy boots he wore, the orc could sense the heat emanating from the ash he moved through.

Only the orc's obsession with war had prevented more damage to the brewery. Built more like a fortress than a warehouse, the stone walls of the brewery still stood, relatively undamaged albeit covered in ash and soot. The roof, made of heavy timber, had been ripped apart and set ablaze. The resulting collapse had set the rooms of the second floor on fire, but the brewery's castle-like construction had protected the first floor and most of the brewery itself. Beneath the wooden flooring of the second level, fire resistant stone and concrete had successfully prevented the fire from dropping down to the lowest levels.

Left to burn itself out, the fire had gutted the upper floor. It did not appear that much would be salvageable from the living quarters or storage rooms. The guest room that PJ had frequented was completely ruined. He hoped she had left nothing of value in the room. His own room was likewise destroyed, but the orc kept very little of value that he didn't regularly carry on his person.

Downstairs, the smell of smoke permeated the brewery, and the current stocks of ale, in addition to the brewing materials, barley, hops, and so on would have to be scrapped. The orc wasn't pleased about the loss of gold that would entail. However, after a good cleaning, the brewing vats would be ready to start up again.

This was going to delay this year's batch of Orktoberfest ale from being ready in time. The half-orc growled angrily to himself about that. Someone was going to have to pay for the damage to his livelihood.

[Shahai Iida]

The pandemonium in two districts brought a feral smile to her lips. RhyDin's fire fighters were busy in various locations, but the sky was lit up with multiple plumes of smoke and orange flames leaping skyward. Sparks flew as buildings collapsed, or water was sprayed into the burning buildings. The ash and cinders landed on other buildings, sometimes igniting new fires, thus spreading the conflagration further in the run down Badside area.

The fire starter in Badside had expanded now into Dragon's Gate, and the two fires brought crowds of people out into the streets to watch as the church and the famous brewery fed the dancing, hungry flames. What more could a blood mage ask for?? Souls to push from their bodies and consign into the Hells were out in unsuspecting abundance. What a delicious evening it was proving to be!

The dragon's body sat atop the tallest building in the district in the wee hours of the morning. Lavender eyes glittered in the decaying form of the body of Tasslehofl. She watched the half orc as he stomped through the still smoldering ruins of the upper floor of the brewery. The exterior walls remained intact, but the skeletal shell would take significant work to repair, and the roof would have to be replaced. Charred timbers reached skyward in a macabre parody of ribs of some vanquished beast.

The dragon stretched its tattered wings to the night sky before roaring a challenge across the city. When the healing of this form was complete, she could practically taste the thrill of terror she would be able to visit upon the unsuspecting.

Chaos and destruction were such satisfying things.

[Shahai Iida]

The fires raged in Dockside and Dragon's Gate. She laughed at the irony of Dragon's Gate. From here, she could set the entire realm on the path of chaos and destruction!

The healing was slow going. Whatever had caused this devastation was strong, old magic' but the dragon was tough, resisting the sorceries. At last though, she was making progress! Each miserable life she took now fed the repairs to the form she alone held. Circulation and sinew were formed, strength was returning to the body, but pain - raw pain made every move excruciating. But, it was progress. That alone kept her focussed and kept her hunger keen.

Dragon's Gate became her new hunting grounds. Each fire brought out hordes of onlookers, and each night saw new souls cast into Hell, and a drained carcass to rot on the streets, or to feed the carrion eaters.

The Baroness of Dragon's Gate - now there would be some fun. When was the last time she'd sent a faerie into Hell? She couldn't remember.

With renewed glee, she headed for the baronial residence. Certain the magic of a faerie would aid her quest to repair the body of the dragon.

[Gabriel]

Enroute to the Arena, he passed the fire blackened brewery. Smudges of soot and ash marred the walls of the venerable structure.

Columns of ash continued to rise into the skies, casting the city into a smokey haze that has lasted for weeks.

It was time to make precautions and preparations in the event that the firestarter moved again.

[Jake]

Initial questions to shopkeepers around the brewery had all reported the same thing. The fire had been caused by a dragon. Descriptions of the dragon had varied, which was not surprising given the unexpected nature of the attack, and the direction from whence it had come. Who spends their time watching rooftops? The first notice most had taken of the event was after the fire had already erupted. And at that point the fire was a major distraction from getting a close look at the dragon. All they knew for sure was that it had been started by a dragon.

In the following week, more attacks had happened in Dragon's Gate, including one against the baronial manor that had not been successful. Jake was not particularly concerned with the other fires, being more focused on repairing the damage to his own brewery.

The first step was the clean up. There was lots of burned material to rip out of the upper level of the brewery. That would be necessary before reconstruction, or even the ordering of supplies, could really begin. Several long days work with axe and hammer cleared away most of the ruined structure. A pile of debris accumulated behind the brewery obstructing access to the loading dock. It would still be a couple of days before the trash could be carted away.

Concurrent to his work removing damaged structure, the orc had a team downstairs doing a thorough cleaning of the vats and bins to ensure any smoke or ash residue was washed away. The orc shuddered to himself briefly while thinking about the crew performing the work. Even now, through the solid concrete flooring, he could hear their little goblin voices singing--off key--as they scrubbed...

[a week earlier]

"Mojo and company, reporting for cleaning detail!" the tiny goblin had bellowed while standing directly behind the orc.

Jake nearly jumped out of his skin, and spun furiously while reaching for his weapons, which caused no end of amusement to Mojo and the other assembled goblins that snickered and giggled in chorus.

Jake snarled at the little yellow goblin. "Mojo, ya' wretched little piece of meat, I should strangle ya' until yer head pops off!" How the devil had they ALL snuck up on him?

"Oooo! That sounds like fun! Let's play that game later!" The goblin bounced excitedly. "But for now Mojo is here to help clean up!"

The orc did a double-take. "Yer volunteerin' to clean?"

The goblin nodded vigorously.

Jake scanned the assembled mass of goblins behind Mojo...and blanched. "They're ALL here to help clean?"

The horde of goblins nodded vigorously and smiled innocently. Or at least as innocently as goblins ever can, with their huge mouths full of sharp pointy teeth. Each raised a brush, a rag, or a bucket to show they were ready. Some jumped up and down to be seen over larger kindred.

"How did...?" the orc was confused by their appearance.

Mojo giggled and the horde behind him chortled.

"Jake, you're silly! We ALWAYS know what's happening at the brewery!"

The orc's jaw hung slack.

"C'mon boys! We've got work to do!" Mojo waved his arm in a broad "follow me" gesture to lead them forward. And a stream of goblins of all sizes and shapes poured past the befuddled orc into the brewery, taking up a horrible cacophony of sound as they began singing, each with their own song, in their own key, and totally without regard to what anyone else was singing.

Jake decided it would be a good idea to stay as far away from them as possible, if only to preserve his ears.

[Shahai Iida]

From the Athenaeum, I could see plumes of smoke rising. Fear washed across these districts, but Daigotsu had been displeased. He believes that I will bring a mob down upon us, but when this body is healed, I will be able to protect us so much better! Once this is over, the possibilities are endless.

But, I have angered my liege, and that is not acceptable. I must find a way to return to his good graces.

As I sat deep within the shadows of the silent building, I witnessed a great shape circling above the flames that licked at the New Haven Baron's residence. A blue dragon circled the plumes, and an idea occured - blame the blue stranger now in the skies.

Cloaking myself in the aged garb, and taking the ironwood staff, I moved into the darkness. Passing the Red Orc, I could hear the raucous singing of what sounded more like a thousand cats all screeching of goblins. I paused, leaning heavily on the staff, making my way toward the dissonant noise. Plant the seed with the goblins first, and work my way through the districts.

A slender, toothy goblin was strangling a cat with his song as I paused, waiting for him to see me. As he looked up, I spoke softly to him, "pray tell me good sir, is this also the destructive work of yon dragon now circling in the sky?" I swung my hand over to point to the blue still circling.

The goblin ceased catterwalling a moment, blinked at the scene above New Haven, then turned and raced back into the brewery.

Time to move on.

[Shahai Iida]

The dragon had left me in the darkened streets of a city I had come to think of as my own. Left me here in the shell of a peasant. Without magic. Without power.

I was cold and it began to rain as I wandered the back streets.

I would need a place to stay until I can figure out just what to do about this unacceptable situation.

Construction had begun on the brewery. I would slip inside for tonight, out of the rain to think.

[Shahai Iida]

Every night the goblins come. Their raucous singing enough to drive a sane person mad.

So far, they have not caught up with me, and as they leave each morning, I return to my hiding place.

There has been no viable option that I've come up with yet. Nothing makes any sense how to get back what that damned dragon took from me.

The brewery is nearing completion, and I do not know how much longer I can continue to hide here.

[Jake]

Quiet voices chittered amongst themselves as the goblins peeked through a hole in the wall at the figure hiding in the room. "Quiet! Quiet! She'll hear us!" Hissed the one in front.

"But it's my turn to look!" protested the next goblin in line.

"Sssshhh! Is not! It's still my turn!" the first goblin growled back. "It's my turn until I am done!"

"When do I get to look?" the third goblin inquired with just a hint of a whine.

"After me!" the fourth goblin was quick to declare.

"That's not fair! I'm third in line! I should be before you!"

"But you're not! Cuz I am bigger!"

"Sssshhh! All of you be quiet! How can I watch if you are arguing!"

Who threw the first punch was never clear, but within moments all of the goblins were engaged in a full-out donnybrook, rolling about the floor, punching, eye-gouging, kicking, hair-pulling, shoe-stealing, leg-biting and generally trying to beat the others into submission.

The figure in the room shifted and looked their way.

The goblins broke apart like roaches escaping the flick of a lightswitch, fleeing madly while giggling hysterically. All that remained to mark their presence was a goblin-sized red cap left behind in their haste to get away.

Minutes later, a small yellowish-green goblin dashed out from under a bed to recover the red cap before bolting away again, snickering and giggling to itself as it ran in mock terror.

...later...

When it had gotten all quiet again, the figures of four goblins sneaked back to the hole in the wall, barely able to muffle their giggling as they took turns peeking through to watch the strange figure resting in the darkness.

"Do you suppose Jake knows he's got a ghost?"

"Ssssshhh! Of course not! Jake would make growly noises and stamp his feet and try to make her do work if he knew she were here!"

Giggling the other goblin replied, "I bet it'd be fun to tell Jake and watch him turn funny colors!"

[Shahai Iida]

The voices chittered in the darkness. I was unmoving, listening. The voices hissed in the darkness... goblin if I am not mistaken.

There always seems to be chaos when goblins are about, and the noise in the hall was no exception. I remained still, unmoving, hoping they would depart without coming in.

Suddenly the chaos became utter pandemonium as an all out brawl errupted. Goblins. No doubt.
I shifted then, daring to look toward the noise. They were quite unwilling to come toward me, and that boded well. I moved after they left, not daring to risk being found by something more brave than the goblins.

Moving silently to the second floor, the newly finished construction looked ready to have occupants again, and I braced against a door before slipping into the lull of sleep.

[Shahai Iida]

The goblins vanished with the coming of morning, and I suspect my hiding place is no longer safe. Though my form no longer appears as it once did, the mind inside remembers. It was time to seek help restoring what has been lost.

In the quiet early morning hours, I slipped from the brewery and headed for Twilight Isle. There was my best hope of securing help to recover my lost abilities. Someone would find it in their interests to help me, and with the wide variety of sorcerers, I would be able to secure an ally as well.

The portal loomed before me, and with a last look at the slowly stirring town, I stepped through.