Kurst shakes his head, "My advice would be to tell the story without, the upfront claim. A deed is more impressive if you undersell it, and then reveal the truth of it to be more impressive, and I would not be the only one to scoff at a claim of killing twelve orcs. Honestly I am still inclined to think you are exaggerating, on average it takes three to five arrows to kill a single orc in my experience, they carry on fighting long after a man would loose himself in unconsciousness. But then I am needs must a pessimist."
Rodrik chuckles, "Even if he was what matter? It is a heartening tale Grok. And while a man might scoff at it in his cups, the same men might well take comfort in it when facing a horde of orcs beside you."
Kurst exhales in exasperation, "Fine, fine, you, but you... Well we will talk about it more if you join the Guard. We will be sure to give you fair consideration - you don't come with an addition to the menagerie right?"
Rodrik chuckles and winks at Tuva, "Old Uncle Kurst is just feeling his age, its hard seeing those you remember as children growing up so swiftly."
Kurst huffs, "As you say older brother."
Kurst nods along leaning forward slightly, "Interesting. The way I see it we would want laws that codified our standard practices more than anything else. Laws to prevent someone abusing their place, rather than anything that would chaff at our current leadership... We must have a discussion after the ceremony."
Rodrik chuckles, "Why did you have to encourage him, I have to sit through more than enough meeting as it is!"
Rodrik frowns, "I did not think anyone else had held out so long beyond the Hordeline... We have been fortunate enough to not have been troubled by giants in my life time, though we occasionally get reports of one or two in the vicinity... At any rate, I cannot imagine any one would care about you being Shoanti here, the definitions are broadly drawn and I think even the most prejudiced in Trunau would place you firmly as human - they reserve their ill judged anger for half orcs."
Kurst interjects, "Potions can be a useful resource, do you need some sort of set up for their production? If you are planning to stick around in Trunau for a while I might be interested in purchasing a number of potions for the Guard - I understand they keep well?" He gives Snow a long glance, and shakes his head apparently deciding there is no point in protesting the presence of yet another animal.
Maurie nods in agreement with Kurst, smiling a bit as she does so. "The best laws suit the society they are applied to for its current state of affairs and help guide the people to a higher state of civility. Abadar knows, in his infinite wisdom, that some laws are too burdensome for certain societies. That is why I would want to get to know the people, their burdens, their values, the generally accepted practices, before I would begin putting law to paper. I think I would greatly enjoy that discussion."
She turns to Rodrik and smiles deeper in sympathy. "Worry not, I will try to keep the discussion lighthearted in keeping with the mood."
As Kurst speaks, Grok nods, mouthing "undersell" to himself as he does, before saying Didn't mean to impress you, just telling you what happened. He looks at his porridge nervously for a moment, then adds, do soldiers often find comfort in things they think are untrue? The question seems genuine, and Grok looks at Rodrik a moment in anticipation of an answer.
Besides Grok says, swallowing porridge before glancing up at Rodrik, I was mostly running away from them the whole time, not sure anybody would want to hear that story. I'd rather show them my scars, Grok looks at his chest, which is covered in his hide armor. Probably not a good idea to take off your shirt here...and undersell, how to undersell? He pulls down his collar slightly, revealing just the upper section of his chest, which has a straight line of raised and discolored flesh all the way across it, from the upper left side sloping down and right into the further shadows of his clothing. Just let them think I'd gotten them in battle, and some of them I have, that'd do better than anything I know how to do with my words.
Tanjah notices Kurst's headshake, and laughs glancing at the horse and whatever that is under the table. "Oh this isn't the menagerie as well as a barracks?" She turns to Snow and speaks quietly to him. He takes flight and barely misses clipping a guard as he flies out the door.
Responding to Rodrick she says, "I'm glad hear my heritage won't be an issue here." She around the room at all the half-orcs gathered in Longhouse. "For a group of people with an admitted prejudice against half orcs, there seem to be a lot them inside your walls."
She takes a drink and scoops up some porridge while thinking about her answer to Kurst's questions. Waving at the porridge she says, "This town is a safe place, and you clearly have a source of food. I've been looking for a place to settle. I think I will stay, and see how it works out. Your questions lead me to believe that I might be able to contribute to the community, and to make an income while living here.
"Potions keep very well. I would need a quiet dry place with some flat surfaces and a heat source. A cauldron would be nice. Not too much really. A small two room hut would be enough for Snow and I."
"Thank you for the directions. I suppose I'll be going then," says Glenda, and she heads out to find the Ramblehouse.
Responding to Rodrick she says, "I'm glad hear my heritage won't be an issue here." She around the room at all the half-orcs gathered in Longhouse. "For a group of people with an admitted prejudice against half orcs, there seem to be a lot them inside your walls."
Rodrik sighs deeply, "Well that is at the heart of it... Think about their origins, and you will get a hint of why the people of Trunau are so willing to blame them for their blood. We are fortunate to have so many half orcs who have risen to prominence and proved themselves to all but the most bigoted. There is also the fact that many half orcs are accepted by the orcs, albeit reluctantly so if there were ever to be a traitor it would almost have to be a half orc... I do not condone the prejudice, but I cannot pretend I do not understand its origin."
"Potions keep very well. I would need a quiet dry place with some flat surfaces and a heat source. A cauldron would be nice. Not too much really. A small two room hut would be enough for Snow and I."[/b]
Kurst nods, his tone notably warmer, "I imagine you could get by pretty well. For the short term The Ramblehouse is our Inn, and for longer term, Brinya Kelva - one of our many fine half orcs, runs a boarding house. Might take some persuading for Brinya to allow your owl, but a familiar would probably be fine if you demonstrate it is more intelligent than the norm and thus more than house trained as it were."
It is Kurst who answers instead of Rodrik, though the older brother seems about to speak to, "I think its rather that belief is a spectrum, and sometimes we simply want to believe something more than others. Plus it is easier to believe something truth when you see some of the qualities that might make the feat possible. Easier to believe someone standing beside you against a tide of orcs than a fool braying in his cups for example, though both might be the same person. Much like religion dire circumstances make us want to believe in something more."
Rodrik nods, "For the most part I tend to agree with my brother. That is the kind of tale you break out when you see the man beside you trembling, to steel his nerves, and your own, and distract you both from fear."
Kurst nods smiling thinly, and Rodrik lets out a low deep chuckle before saying, "Well I am sure between the two of you you can cook something up. The rest of the town's leadership are more warrior than bureaucrat, but I think in more peaceful lands my brother would make a far better leader than the rest of us - if only because he is an officious little so and so!" The last is said affectionately, causing Kurst to roll his eyes.
(was my second post missed or not gotten to as of yet?)
Rodrik taps his knuckles on the table looking thoughtfully up at the high ceiling, "I am not so sure orcs are really much different from us humans when it comes down to it. You hear of savages, and cannibals, necromancers, those who worship dark gods... Is it really so much of a stretch to believe, but for fortunate circumstance our culture could have reversed our positions? I suppose the robust orc physique makes them more suited to the role, but they hardly have a monopoly on savagery..."
Kurst interjects, "I think of it like weapons. An orc is a greataxe to a humans sword, neither is evil, and both can be used for good or ill. But the greataxe is more suited to slaughter, while the sword lends itself better to defence along with a shield. A clumsy metaphor perhaps, hardly worthy or my brother's verse, but apt I think."
You asked what I would do if someone pelted me with rotten food? Well, I'd take little heed to it, and if they hit me squarely, call it a good shot. I've long since learned the best reaction, is a positive one. Often catches them off guard.
After a brief pause, He makes a motion as if he just had an idea. You know, I think I'll donate my coin to the girl tomorrow. I bet she'd like that.
Kurst nods approvingly, at Arrak's response, but Rodrik raises a hand waving two fingers, "Ruby has no need for coin, and its not part of the tradition to give any gift - save the Hopeknife itself. Few in Trunau would take a spontaneous gift kindly, we are proud folk, if you really wish to donate the Church is the way to go."
Tanjah listens to Rodrik explain about the half-orcs. "I can understand the practicality of the situation. It's still surprising, given the local feelings, that they are let into the main part of town. It's not bad just surprising."
Finishing her porridge she pushes away from the table, and stands. Bowing slightly she says, "Thank you for the advice on the Ramblehouse, I'll see about lodgings for a few days. I hope to see you all at the ceremony."
Grok glances at the both of them, unsure what to say. People don't like it when you talk about religion, their views are all different and it's best to try to avoid conflict. He looks lost in thought, his eyes off to the left like he's remembering something. Avoid conflict, remember. His mouth moves slightly, and a frown flashes across his face, then his head jerks up and he has a determined look again I never did understand religion, it just seems so...complicated. He looks down again, at his bowl, and his eyes unfocus for a moment as he takes the last swallow. When he sets the bowl down again he smiles another of those smiles that never comes to his eyes. No matter that, I suppose belief is a spectrum, as you say, people want things to be true so they try to make them true, and hope that they are true. People like you, that is, the set up you've got in Trunau, it lets the hope people have be sensible. It makes hope a good thing.
Grok's hand once again goes to his sword, his broken fingers wrapping around the handle as best they can. But a person like me, I just...I don't have hope. I don't see the future, I just see what's going on in front of me. But I do like fear Grok looks at Rodrik now, nodding his head slightly, fear for me always just lets me know what to swing my sword at. Maybe a story like that and some hope would make the person next to me as ready to stride into battle. He looks unsure, do you think that's true, or would they just fight because they know it's their only chance for survival?
Kelm sits down across from the two humans. "I'll gladly take an ale, friends."
Sipping the brew, Kelm regards Rodrik and Kurst. "I'm from Janderoff, though not originally. I'm a fair hand with a warhammer and battleaxe, though if I am forced to defend myself I just call upon my friends."
Kelm extends a palm and concentrates for a moment. Various bits of grit, dirt, and loose rock in the area fly to his palm and levitate there in a loose ball. He makes a tossing motion and the ball flies in an arc toward a wastebin.
"I'm told it stings quite a bit if I want it to. But I'd rather build things than tear them down. I'm a stonemason and sculptor by trade, and don't seek any trouble."
Kelm's eyes narrow and his gaze darkens. "Except for giants. The only good giant is a dead giant."
Whatever cloud passed over Kelm quickly disperses as his generally beatific expression returns. "If you feel the need to pay me, I'm not going to turn it down. I'd be happy to help."
Brin of the Hearth
Cromwin Ganson
Grok the Wronged
Maurie Wyssal
Zove
Good luck to those selected!