Browman |
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You have all arrived at Castle Firrine in the last few days, along with about a dozen other new recruits.
It is mid-morning on a chilly early spring day. The damp is just starting to dissipate for the day. A old, hardened human soldier is approaching the group of new recruits, and he doesn't look terribly happy. He is wearing chainmail and has a spear without a spearhead on it and a heavy wooden shield.
"Good morrow maggots, I am Sergeant Bayan and it would seem that I am the lucky man whose job it is to prevent all of you from pissing yourself in fear and dying the first time an orc looks at you. Though it seems that some of you are better prepared than most of our recruits." He reaches inside his tunic and draws out a piece of paper.
"Captain Ortez has determined that the following individuals don't require the loving attentions of one of his instructors before joining the ranks. Jake Hobbes, Priest Davco, Castor Duchamp, Ragrimm Thunderhand, Jorizer Brokentusk, and Twiks?" The sergeant raises his eyebrow at the last name seeking acknowledgement that there is indeed an individual named Twiks on his training ground.
"The Captain wishes to speak to you in his office. Second tent on the left. Over there." He indicates the direction those named should go. "The rest of you worms grab a training spear and shield and form two lines NOW."
Twiks |
As the the Sargent enters Twiks, a rather bemused looking gnome in a dark purple tricorn hat, stands up from where he had been sat hidden from the Sargent's view by other taller recuts and listens for instructions.
Upon hearing his name read out he turned to a dwarf standing near to him
"why do humans always seem puzzled by my name? Oh! maybe I should just ask one of them... or would that be rude?".
Brother Davco |
"Thank you sergeant.", states the armored priest as he picks up his pack and heads for the indicated tent.
I hope he is not too hard on those recruits. My healing skill only go so far.
He checks out the group that is headed to the captain's office and wonders what the captain has in mind for them. It is a diverse group indeed.
Ragrimm Thunderhand |
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Ragrimm took deep breaths as he stood with the other recruits, decades of his life have led to this point, he thought, wondering how many orcs would die by his lightning bolts.. His contemplation was quickly ended when a confused looking gnome in a strange hat asked him about his name. Ragrimm, also being shocked at there being an actual person named "Twiks" thought about the question for a few seconds before replying "I can't really answer that for you lad, there aren't very many humans where I'm from, not many Gnomes either come to think of it. I hadn't even seen many non-dwarves before I arrived in Lastwall, You'd be better off asking another gnome. Anyway, er... Twiks, why did you decide to become a soldier and fight the orcs?"
Not sure whether that question was directed at me or not but I'm a dwarf so there's no reason that it couldn't of been me
Castor DuChamp |
"It's because it's considered to be a fun combination of sounds, while most other races use names who are more on the... heroic side.", says a tall man with an obviously fake smile on his face. You can't say if he is annoyed by something in front of him, or that's his normal resting face. Tall, blondish and rather handsome, his body language suggesting that he probably thinks less of you for some reason. He is in full-gear, carrying a quiver of spears across his back and one in his hand with blunted edges.
"Come on, my short-legged friends, let's see what his Captainhood wants."
Twiks |
Twiks took a long moment to think about the humans comments before answering
"ohhh.... thank you"
twiks smiled befor turning back to the dwarf
"i had a bit to much wine and it seemed like a good idea. A lot of adventures seem to start that way but I think this should be a good one"
seemingly satisfied that his answer explained everything the dwarf wished to know he started to make his way to the captain's tent
Jorizer |
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Jorizer stood still taking note of each individual that the old man called upon. Already a fey folk had stepped forward. His tongue moving faster then his mouth he wondered what had brought the little fey to join up with Lastwall troops. While he had never met one his instincts were affirmed when the fey folk announced he was a gnome to an equally odd looking dwarf.
He couldn't understand why but the dwarf did not seem like the dwarves he had met in the past. Something oddly familar but foreign about this dwarf. Watching as he answered the gnome back. He could hear a small amount of annoyance at the gnome's questions.
"Better he talk to the dwarf than me." he said under his breath.
As his eyes moved away from the dwarf and the gnome he caught the dwarf glaring at him. Old enmity could be felt between the the dwarf and him even without a word being said. He had forgotten the bitterness dwarves had for orcs and those with orc blood. But the dwarf clearly had not. As he he tightened fist ready to defend himself he remembered Silendra's words as he left her grove.
"Jorizer you have always chosen the harder trail. Always needing to prove yourself more enduring than what life put in your way. You have learned to survive in this environment but you now choose an entirely different environment altogether.
Just as the river eventually cuts through the stone overcoming what one might thnk impossible so must you learn to be patient
People will judge you expecting you to be like your kin. Ruthless, chaotic, bloodthirsty. You can help make them believe otherwise."
Grunting indifferently he turns his head to the armored man who was picking up his pack and moving to the old man. Catching up to him he says, "Jorizer. You are what name?"
Castor DuChamp |
The human turns and looks at Jake, before starting to grumble in Dwarven.
@Jorizer, just reminding you that you're missing a language, for your INT and race.
Ragrimm Thunderhand |
Ragrimm looks at the human fighter and grunts in dwarven
Ragrimm walks over to the tent where the half-orc and priest are already standing.
Ronen Carst |
Even as he moved ahead of them waiting to hear the armored man's name he could hear the muffled whispers amongst the unblooded recruits and the ones that the old man had called forward along with him. He could feel his uneasiness turning to dark anger. In the wilds there was no judgement. There was only predator and prey, but here he did not know what role he played now.
They might think him slow and dim witted but he knew better. He knew he would have to show them. He let the tension in his shoulders relax taking in subtle deep breaths. Whatever the warleader asked he would do. He had chosen to join this tribe whether they wanted him or not did not matter.
Jake Hobbes |
Is Ronen Carst Jorizer?
Looking over his shoulder at Castor:
Jake walks to the Captain's tent with Ragrimm. Looks at him with a smile.
As they approach the cleric and half-orc, Jake pauses and looks the half-orc up and down absently rubbing his right forearm. After a moment offers his hand to Jorizer.
"Name's Jake."
Jorizer |
Sorry all Ronen is Jorizer. I posted off my phone will try my best to not let it happen again. I caught it too late or I would have edited the alias
Looking at the man and his outstretched he takes hesitantly and shakes it.
He never could understand this custom but was well aware that to not return the gesture would be insulting.
"Jorizer. You talk with dwarf? Tell him I see him too. His eyes talk and speak with fire. If he has words to talk to me tell him to stop hiding in man's shadow."
Jake Hobbes |
Jake shakes Jorizer's hand hard and firm and looks him straight in the eye.
"Actually, it's me that doesn't trust you. The dwarf was sticking up for you. He is as indifferent to you as he is to the gnome, myself, or the other humans. He has asked me to keep an open mind regarding who my allies are as we are all at war. I will do so, but that doesn't mean I won't keep a watchful eye on you. For now, I will consider you an ally and am hopeful you will prove your worth."
Brother Davco |
Brother Davco turns to the man addressing him and states "I am please to meet you Jorizer. I am Brother Davco of the order of Sarenrae. I have been sent here by my superiors to help with those who are wounded during the battles."
He then watches the exchange between Jorizer and Jake. Sensing an increase in tension between the two he states, "Let's go inside and see why the captain has call us together. I cannot see what it is that has brought us to his attention already."
Jorizer |
Jorizer bared his jagged teeth at the man. So the man did not trust him and the dwarf had defended him. Hmph he wasnt sure what to believe. "Worth? Jorizer is blooded that is my worth. When you find your eye on me you will be worth nothing when our true enemy comes."
Having said his piece Jorzier moved ahead of his new tribe. Better to talk to none of them he thought their words only made them more of distraction and he needed his head clear when he spoke to the warleader.
Ragrimm Thunderhand |
As he walks into the tent Ragrimm says to the Jake, The half-orc and the priest "Ragrimm Thunderhand is the name, If you want to stay alive, stay out of range
of my magic. He notices the priest's attire and looks at the cleric, saying "Glad to see I'm not the only divine type here, brother, I am one of the few priests of Gozreh in my homeland. Which priesthood do you belong to?" Anyway I should see what the captain wants from us he thought.
Twiks |
Twiks get to the captions tent thinking at this rate the orcs will have to join a que to fight us
Then he turned to his new comrades grining as if he couldn't see the hostility he anouses good now we're all friens What say when are frist assignment is done I buy us all a drink and with out waiting for an answer he enters the tent
Jorizer |
Pausing he waits. The old man is already drilling the unblooded he can hear it from here. The sounds of wood against wood. Wood swords. They play with sticks but will face cold steel. Sticks are only good for building fires. Hmph."
With that he entered the tent. The others standing at attention he tried to followed suit and waited.
Browman |
Upon entering the tent you see a tall man with deeply tanned skin sitting behind a portable table covered in papers. He is wearing a military tunic but is not wearing any armour or weapons.
There is a second table to the side that has a map with several markers in the shape of small men or orcs on it.
Once you are all inside the man rises. "Good morning gentlemen, I am Captain Ortez, you have been assigned to a newly formed company under my command. The high command has given me a handful of experienced soldiers but they are needed to train the fresh meat that is most of my command. So while none of you are veterans of lastwall I find that you are best I have for the moment."
He walks over to the side table. "Gather round the map so you can see what I am talking about."
Once everyone has done so he continues. "Something is happening with the orcs, their scouts are out in force this year. Raiding and searching for weak points. This morning smoke was sighted on the south-west horizon. You will investigate and determine the foe's numbers, do not engage in a hopeless fight, whatever information you gather is more important than a few dead orcs. Questions?"
Twiks |
Twiks, having stood on a stall to get a better look, study's the map before asking "are there any known settlements out in that direction? Also why so few seasoned men? I would of thought this would be a high priority location" now that they were talking buisnes his smile was gone and a serious look had settled on his face
Jorizer |
"Warleader. Some eyes must see enemy before we come. Your eyes they tell you what tribe they find? Marks, signs, totems all tell tribe among other tribe. Warleader you or other warleaders hide something in horizon? Something that make enemy tribe want from you?"
He asks this but his attention is directly focused on the map. You can see his eyes scanning every detail of the region that Captain Ortez has indicated.
would like to make knowledge geography to see if I know anything interesting about this area that we are being sent to
Knowledge Geography: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Jorizer |
based on map does it give a rough idea of how long it would take to get there taking into acct Twiks probably only moves 20ft
"We must reach during sun." Not even looking from the map he shrugs his head at the others. "Once sun gone they just as good as unblooded."
Browman |
Ragrimm looked at the map and said, "Looks like it'll take a wee while for us to get there and back, could you perhaps arrange for us to have some riding horses? Could be useful if we need to make a quick escape."
"Alas, there are not enough horses here for even a scouting party of your size. The force that left for Vigil took all but 2."
Browman |
"Is there a map of the area that you can spare so that we can mark the enemy positions and is there any gear that you can spare since we just arrived with what we have on our backs?"
"I have a less detailed map I can give you. Swing by the armoury and speak to Horn'tos about what equipment you are missing."
Castor DuChamp |
"Look on the bright side, folks, if we get discovered and have to run, it's always good to have a gnome, halfling or a dwarf with you. Or some schmuck in full plate and a tower shield. Captain, what forces are we looking at, or are we just carrying out observation? Rules of Engagement? Anything organisation related? When are we reporting back?", says Castor, picking his thumbnail on the edge of his spear.
Browman |
"Look on the bright side, folks, if we get discovered and have to run, it's always good to have a gnome, halfling or a dwarf with you. Or some schmuck in full plate and a tower shield. Captain, what forces are we looking at, or are we just carrying out observation? Rules of Engagement? Anything organisation related? When are we reporting back?", says Castor, picking his thumbnail on the edge of his spear.
"Find out where the orcs are camped, if it is temporary or a more permanent camp and their numbers. Avoid engaging them unless you are sure of your success, if you must fight show no mercy. Return here within 3 days."
Castor DuChamp |
Castor gives the man a dramatic salute, cutting it a bit short of overacting, and turns to his brigade, "Alright, my fellows, I suggest we get going. These orcs aren't going to just send us their sensible information and attack plans. Probably because they can't even spell big words, like 'plan', or 'camp'."
Jorizer |
He whips around to face the human. "What do they need spell word camp when they use your gutted entrails to spell stronger, better word."
Turning now to the dwarf "We leave. I bring us to enemy. We see enemy. We return. We return as blooded. We return as one tribe."
Twiks |
Twiks looks at jorizer and says a few words in
He then hops off his stall and makes his way to leave "don't worry I'll try not to slow you down to much as you run away in fright"
Jake Hobbes |
Jake does one final check on his gear, making sure all the straps are tight on his armor, shield, and belt. As he's checking he says, to no one in particular,
"I came prepared. I've got all the gear I need. If you need to go to the armory, I'll meet you at the gate. Just don't take too long."
Brother Davco |
Brother Davco collects the map and heads for the armory. "I need to pick up something before we leave.".
He heads off to find Horn'tos.
Can't believe I forgot my crossbow. Maybe Horn'tos can get me one.
I need a crossbow, bolts, and a scroll case for the map
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Browman |
Brother Davco collects the map and heads for the armory. "I need to pick up something before we leave.".
He heads off to find Horn'tos.
Can't believe I forgot my crossbow. Maybe Horn'tos can get me one.
I need a crossbow, bolts, and a scroll case for the map
[dice=Diplomacy]d20+8
Horn'tos is an old dwarf that looks like he has seen better days, his lower right arm has been replaced by a hook and there are severe scars appearing on much of his visible skin.
"I can give you a light crossbow and 20 bolts priest, the armoury is a bit empty right now."
Castor DuChamp |
Castor looks at Jake and follows him. "Well, if you say so. Let's get going, we got orcs not to be killed by."
No offense, guys, Castor is a bit of a tit.
Jorizer |
hehe no worries I rather like this interaction we got here
As he arrives at the gate he sees that a number of the others are already there. Two of the humans were there. The one whose mouth was always open played with his spears frequently talking to himself or the other human Jorizer couldn't tell.
The dwarf stood at the threshold of the gate. A little away from the humans. He stared out into wooded area and while he hadn't moved Jorizer could tell the dwarf was ready to be on their way.
The fey folk was the opposite he darted between the two groups interacting with them even if when they didn't speak back.To Jorizer the fey folk reminded him of a squirrel that was looking for nuts.
"You all. Come we have words now. When other man gets here. We pick leader for tribe. No leader. All leaders. All mess. One leader. One way. One tribe."
Twiks |
"He is right, we need one person to make final choices, otherwise we all pull in different directions and everything unravels"
Twiks looks around quickly and then starts gathering up pebbles making sure they are all around the same size and shape.
"ok so first we need to know who thinks they should be leader?"