Prologue of the scene "The Gruesome Lock"

The force of the arrow that punctures through Eluna throws her to the ground and her inert body slides across the floor. In an instant later a tall Orc steps through the doorway, dropping his bow and moving over to Eluna’s fallen body. Behind the tall Orc, Shadowstriker Goblins issue into the room and spread out along the wall. Following the Goblins, four powerfully built Orcs step into the room. Each Orc holds a bow and scan the room, eventually fixating on Tiron who stares down at them from his pillar perch.

Rajan, the tall Orc, places his foot on Eluna’s body and pulls the arrow out of her back. Her body shakes as the arrow, pulled the wrong way out, draws viscera out of the wound with it. Rajan then lifts her body and fixes a jagged blade to her exposed neck. Behind Rajan, a goblin corpse falls down the stairs. Blood gushes from the goblin’s open throat and a metal jar falls out of its hand. Out of the jar spills a discolored troll eye that scans the room frantically.

“You’ve been entertaining, killing scouting parties,” Rajan announces to the room. “At first, we did not …”

Tiron fires an Eldritch blast at Rajan. The air between them ignites with the streak of dark lightning. Rajan is knocked back as the bolt slams into his neck and shoulder. Eluna’s body drops to the floor.

The next few actions actions occur in a blur. With practiced, military precision, the four Orcs fire their bows at Tiron, ropes whistling behind each heavy arrow. Tiron ducks one arrow, two other’s miss, but one find’s its mark, punching through Tiron’s side. The Orc that fired this arrow immediately drops his bow and pulls on the rope, yanking Tiron from the pillar. Delirious from the poison on the arrow, Tiron is unable to brace himself for the fall and slams into the ground below.

The other three Orcs rush to grab Tiron’s near unconscious body and prop him up for Rajan. Four more armored Orcs run into the room behind Rajan, eager to put down any resistance. Tiron’s arms are restrained behind his back and a sack is forced over his head.

Rajan studies Tiron. Its clear Rajan understands magic and has dealt with mages before; he is looking for something.

“His hands,” Rajan commands.

The Orcs restraining him pull Tiron’s hands forward, careful to aim the weapons away from their leader. The ring on Tiron’s hand catches Rajan’s eye. In a flash, Rajan pulls a dagger from his hip and slices Tiron’s ring finger off. Rajan catches the ring before it hits the floor and fits it on a thin chain around his neck. He kicks the severed finger aside.

More armed Orcs enter the room until a count of fifteen Orcs and ten Shadowstalkers stand ready.

“Bring them. If they resist, kill them.”