Eldric nods. "Business. Sure you know, but kobold population is big. Estimate it's about half of the total. Leads to problems. Cultural rifts; baby eatin' and the like. Humans don't like the growth, nor the kobold way of life. Growin' resentment among humans and other humanoids.
"Other problem is kobolds. Rulin' council is mostly human. Some don't like that, others think Sootscale is secretly leadin'. Either way, their primary loyalty lies with chief, not with us. Moreover, kobolds growin' to resent humans as well."
Eldric pauses to take a drink of his ale. "If somethin' isn't done, like as not we'll see increased crime. Public brawls. More resentment. Could even lead to civil war if unchecked."
After a few drinks, Riva blurts out, "Perhaps we should appoint another kobold to the council? That might quell a few of them and help us catch up on some of this work. Wasn't there one among their number named Tartuk? He seemed quite capable."
Rory sighed and practically fell into his chair. Was this the price of his kindness? This growing rift between their fledgling kingdom that could kill them from the inside. "If we flat out kick them out, we'll be dealing with kobold raids. They'll see it as an insult to their pride and us as the new foe. There's not many people here who can really stand up to them when they attack in numbers.
"We need to think about this diplomatically. Maybe see about them moving back to their old tribe lands and maybe speak with them about improving it. They could get their own city that's just kobolds so long as they stay loyal to us... to me." Rory had to force the last bit out, still not fully comfortable with his position.
"And as for that bit with them being loyal to Sootscale and not me. Part of me says that's fine so long as Sootscale is loyal to me. He knows his tribe and how to make them do what he wants, so long as he and I are on the same side, hopefully it'll work out."
Rory sat in his chair and let out a long sigh again as he finished. He wasn't ready to admit fault yet, to clean up what many in his town saw as mess on his part. He still wanted to do this bloodlessly.
After a few drinks, Riva blurts out, "Perhaps we should appoint another kobold to the council? That might quell a few of them and help us catch up on some of this work. Wasn't there one among their number named Tartuk? He seemed quite capable."
"I killed Tartuk, or at least got the last hit on him. You guys did most of the work. That slimy bastard deserved worse for what he was doing."
"Dead is he? Things will be alright even without him I'd wager. Fear will be the end of us before the kobolds will. Stop worrying so much!"
Riva takes another swill of her drink.
"Your kind are growing faster than the kobolds. They've only had a spurt of births which will likely soon end. In another couple of months, if we keep growing at our current pace, the problem of population imbalance will undoubtedly solve itself. If they knew we were even discussing such silly notions as kicking out half of our population, it would be civil war indeed. And it wouldn't be the kobolds to thank for that, but your own foolish fears that pulled such terrible words from your lips."
"If only I had the respect of the people as you do, then perhaps I would be ruler here. Alas, I will have to settle for guiding you with my many decades of experience observing and dealing with such matters. My family was quite influential in Kyonin, you know, I'm no amateur when it comes to social engineering. Give it time, and speak no more of this."
Riva finishes her drink, stands up, and turns to leave, allowing "her boys" to think on her words.
"First, I find it funny that you all have asked a cleric of Gorum over to discuss preventing a war, even a 'civil' one," He chuckles, "That aside, even I know that would be 'bad'. Let's remember these fellows, scaly or not are citizens. A kobold should have the same rights as a human or elf here in our land or else what's the point?
Now, I'm trying to teach the kobolds the ways of Gorum, and I even have a few in my services. A lot of them get excited by the bloodshed part, but the idea of independence is rather alien to them. I think some of them don't realize you're actually allowed to disagree with your chief. Changing a culture takes time. There's a lot I wanted to bring up regarding that... encouraging priests of 'good gods' to come in and convert, since we want to get some of the mean off them is one possibility. Maybe an orphanage one day where human and kobold children can be raised side by side."
"If we get another kobold on the council, it needs to be one that isn't loyal to Sootscale , not hostile either, and is a bit different. Someone who other kobolds can see as a success on his own merits and that they can be successes too even outside the tribe. Someone less regiment minded and a lot nicer if possible. Problem is, I don't know where to find such a kobold. So everyone keep your eyes open."
"And as much as it pains me to say it, Riva is right. This will pass. The kobolds had a surge, but even they admit its atypical. Change will happen...this nation may not be what any of envisioned in the end, but we should try to guide it, not cut that change off. They age faster than we do... so I think the secret isn't to cut them off and make them feel like the other, it's to treat them how we want them to be and see if they grow into it. Befriend a kobold lad today, and in a decade he could be a leader, right? Frankly, I kind of LIKE Sootscale. He's a bit of a tyrant, but he's smart, and has a wicked sense of humor. If anyone can get his people to ease up on the eating of the dead, it's him."
Rory smiled embarrassingly. He was so quick to try to separate the humans from the kobolds that he never tried to think about making their cohabitation work. He was their scalefriend and yet, he wasn't acting like it.
"Perhaps we should speak with Sootscale then. Come to him with some of the issues with the kobolds and see about him addressing them with his people. And vice versa, we can see what issues the kobolds have with us and try to address them as well. It's going to be hard, I'll admit that i just now tried to side skirt away from this difficulty, but if we want this to be a proper kingdom, it's going to only get harder. We might as well meet difficulty now so when we meet him again later we'll be meeting as friends."
Eldric frowns at Riva's dismissal. "Isn't a problem of us against them. Problem here is humans and kobolds both. Tryin' to merge two separate societies is tricky. 'Specially so if the leader of the kobolds is claiming to be the leader in truth. Need to make sure the kobolds are loyal to the colony, not just their tribe," Eldric says. "If we ignore the fact that our citizens're havin' trouble gettin' along, and are racially divided? Bad news for everyone. Kobolds and humans alike.
"We are Caerulus. Not some human city. Not some kobold tribe. Caerulus won't stand if at odds 'gainst itself. Problem here is unity, and needs to be dealt with. Now," Eldric emphasizes the last word by tapping a finger against the table.
Pharast: Rory worked hard on maintaining the stability of the kingdom during his days doing desk work. On his first week off of work, he began try outs for his play. Time was ticking and opening night would soon be upon their city. Rory still worked aside from the tryouts, gathering the capital to ensure a speedy completion of the auditorium. After tryouts, he changed his theater grounds from a place for the tired to sleep to a place for the people to take acting lessons of all levels. All this on top of practice for the play. By the end of the month, the ballroom was completed and all that remained was the auditorium.
Gozran: On the first of the month, Rory commissioned the completion of the auditorium, hiring four times as many laborers to ensure it was completed as quick as possible. During his week away from the theater grounds was maddening to him. He had left the responsibility of practice while he was away to Selene a young actress and his understudy/stage hand. He and the group had grown so much in the past month and soon the fruits of their labor would be soon recognized. On the Tenth of Gozran, the theater opened. Rory spend the day passing out fliers and speaking with the other ruling bodies of the town, asking for their attendance on opening night. He hoped his hard work would pay off with, at the very least, a good opening night. The work payed off and opening night was as big as Rory could have hoped for, though the subsequent nights petered off slightly. Rory continued this rhythm throughout the rest of Gozran, lessons during the day and performances at night.
Desnus: As each month, Rory began work on running the city, leaving the theater in Selene's hand as he worked. When he returned to his theater after the first week he gave out lessons. With his theater complete he had a new goal in mind in taking care of his city. Adular was a fine healer but he was only one man, he would need help as the city grew. He would build a place of healing for the people and spent his first week off of work gathering the funds he'd need. Once that was completed he gathered some goods and labor and began work on an infirmary. A few days later he began construction on a storefront as well. With all the work he had been doing he had forgotten his own birthday, only remembering when he went for lessons and was surprised by with a small party hosted by Selene and his troop. He remembers little more of that day due to a brief kiss from Selene that left his smiling like a fool. All he knows is he suddenly has a gift from Riva with a demanding note explaining that he had better be grateful for it and guilting him for forgetting her birthday. The remainder of the month was spent giving lessons and performing in shows to gather more funds for his hospital.
"What are your suggestions to fix this problem? I can try to talk to Sootscale about some of the issues and see if we can fix issues they have with us, but the kobolds can be stubborn some times. I'm afraid that talking can only take us so far. We may very well need this second kobold among our ranks to help ease tension between our people. The only question is who?"
Eldric remembers that the fire in his common room was caused by a kobold sorcerer discovering her powers.
Her name was Erza Scarlet if you recall correct.
Riva Sarjenka noticed this morning that many books were stolen from her libraries arcana section.
"Well, between the lot of us, we have some divination magics that might help us identify a kobold or seek guidance. I can give it a whirl if you'd like, but I can't promise anything. If it isn't a matter of battle, the Lord In Iron could care less sometimes."
Riva Sarjenka noticed this morning that many books were stolen from her libraries arcana section.
The only thing more painful than the broken glass under Riva's feet, was the ear-piercing shriek she released when she realized that her precious books had been violated. A most rude awakening not only to her, but to the many intellectuals who had stayed at the library that night.
Strewn everywhere in the library wing pertaining to the "higher arts" were book cases that had been toppled, display cases that were smashed, and priceless Tian Xia vase that was now beyond repair. Several valuable tomes had gone missing.
Why couldn't they have just copied the information they needed? We have all the materials for just such a purpose. It doesn't make sense.
Riva is quick to send her underlings to fetch both Marshal Sootscale and and Sir Eldric.
We will get to the bottom of this soon enough!
In the meantime, she searches for clues and uses deductive reasoning to try and get a lead.
Furthermore, she visits the local watering holes and fences to make some public announcements (when accompanied by her companions), and then places up a few posters around the settlement:
"100gp reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the return of the stolen books. 200gp to anyone who can also provide information leading to the arrest of the person or persons who absconded with the tomes." (She also makes it clear that this award does not apply to city officials whose jobs it is to find the culprits/tomes anyways.)
Once the city officials arrive to the library, she warns them of the inherent dangers such tomes might come to represent:
"It's important we find them, not just because of their inherent value, but because they may use the information therein to create a lich, or perhaps an army of undead. There was much magical lore in those tomes and there's no telling what fell deeds may come out of its use should it fall into the wrong hands! If we're exceedingly lucky, the perpetrator doesn't know what he took, and is only out for some quick coin."
She asks for Sootscale's help in the matter and offers Eldric her traveler's any-tool if it would help in the mission.
An excerpt from one of Riva's many teachings: "Here, in the historical wing of the Grand Sarjenka Library, you will find that there hang paintings of all the founders of Caerulus, including one of particular beauty: a rendering of the brave leader of the Kobolds, Sootscale, as he looks back upon his old home and wonders about where the future might take them."
"All of the leaders of Caerulus have commissioned paintings of themselves, but none spent more on their commission than Sootscale, who wished to immortalize the significance of his decision forever. This painting has been enchanted so that it will weather the ages and endure for all time, even longer than I."
"Here, also, we have records of battles that were hard fought to see that Caerulus' ideals would one day become manifest. Here, you can find a painting of the loathsome leader of the mites, whom was vanquished in no small part due to the joining of the human and kobold clans."
Within 2 hours of the searches beginning Sootscale come back with Tarka Firefang held by the scruff of the neck with the books in other hand. He looks at little chard around the edges and more then a little embarrassed.
"She thought they would teach her how to use magic."
She start crying.
"You might want to do a little easy on her she's only 8 months old. Don't you remember that age?"
An excerpt from one of Riva's many teachings:
"The Lord of Castle District, Mayor Rory Ward, is shown in this painting, which portrays him giving acting lessons to the youth of our fine city. There are few leaders in this world who care so much for the common people, much less willing to work so closely with them on a daily basis. We are quite blessed to have him at the head of our growing community. You should take note of the warm colors used in the painting. It is rumored to have been painted with liquid gold. I can't say for certain if that is true, but the painting is quite heavy."
Within 2 hours of the searches beginning Sootscale come back with Tarka Firefang held by the scruff of the neck with the books in other hand. He looks at little chard around the edges and more then a little embarrassed.
"She thought they would teach her how to use magic."
She starts crying.
"And indeed they may have, though they would have more than likely killed her instead. Thank you for your service, Marshal. I'm sorry that I cannot give you the reward--as we have laws prohibiting such things as you well know--but I will find some other way of repaying what you've done here today."
"I shall take it from here. With a withering stare, Riva then takes Firefang by the wrist in a cold vice-like grip, and drags her down the library hall. As their footsteps recede into the distance, nearby witnesses can hear her scolding the child.
"So you want to learn magic, do you? Fine. I shall take it upon myself to teach you. But first, you must learn discipline. Without it, you will prove not only a danger to yourself, but to others as well. Second, you must swear to me that you will never disrespect me or my library ever again." Having arrived at the wing of higher arts, Riva throws Tarka to the floor in front of a pile splintered book shelves and shattered glass.
"Finally, third, as my new apprentice, you will do exactly as I say from now on. You will soon find this to have been the best and worst choice of your life. If you fail to perform your duties to my expectations, I will not only cease teaching you the higher arts, but I will have you thrown out and charged with vandalism and theft as well. You'll be lucky to get an apprenticeship wither the city's trench diggers then! In the meantime, you may live here, with me, if you wish."
"Your first task will be to take responsibility for your actions and think about what you've done and the harm you could have caused. You are to clean up every splinter, every shard of glass in this room," she says as she gestures towards the massive room before them.
"I will have to get repairs for the damages you caused--that which can be repaired anyways--but you can at least learn to respect this library by making it more presentable. After instructing several of her scribes to watch the child, but not to help her in her instructed tasks, Riva then about faces, storms out of the room, and locks the door behind her.
A short time later, Riva commissioned a painting of Sootscale riding a giant scorpion, looking every part the gallant hero, to repay him for his help in the matter.
When Riva comes back she finded that not only have all the mess been cleaned up it has also been repaired even the Tian Xia vase is back together without a scratch.
Tarka looks up from a book looking a lot less sad and a lot more smug.
Shortly before dinner time, Riva is rushed back to the wing of higher arts by one of her scribes, who insists she "has to see this." She returns to find an excellent surprise behind the heavy double doors. Without hesitation, she cast detect magic and scans the room for signs of recent spellcasting.
While maintaining concentration on the spell, she addresses the scribe, "What was it that you saw here exactly?"
"Wheel them over here," Adular declared as the other three catapults from Oleg's finally arrived. He'd repaired one some time ago, but now he found he had time and reason to repair the rest. True, they were siege weapons, meant more for attacking a city than defending an outpost, but Adular wasn't going to argue with Oleg's request to make the things useful again, not when the man was paying.
Adular wasn't looking to make a masterpiece, too much going on to suddenly devote THAT much effort to siege work, and besides, getting fancy could backfire and no doubt others would complain if a catapult rolled free or did a back flip in the streets.
What surprised him was the crowd that gathered. More than a few folks had never seen siege weapons up close. The Gorum Priest took it upon himself to explain the nature of siege engines and their uses as he worked on the repairs.
"Oh yes, a good catapult can help crack a walls' defenses, and even get those hard to reach archers. But you need to train to use it, or you're just as likely to have it snap loose and kill your crew ..."
"She went to the vase and it casted something and it flew back together. The she casted something else and picked up a book and everything started cleaning itself up well she was reading"
An excerpt from one of Riva's many teachings:
"Near the end of the hall, you will find a portrait of Caerulus' high priest, Adular Garess, a devout follower of Gorum. For those of you who did not keep up on their divine studies last Oathday, Gorum is a god of battle above all other pursuits; it is said that if there is ever a time with no more conflicts to be fought, he would rust away into nothingness. Known as the Lord in Iron, his faithful believe he is present in every iron weapon of war that is forged."
"Not wanting his image to overshadow his lord, Abbot Garess insisted on commissioning this frame along with the painting," says Riva as she waves her hand at an ostentatious golden frame with several engravings that portray Gorum in battle and that threatens to dwarf the painting itself.
"Below the engravings of Gorum, you can see dozens of smaller figures locked in battle. These figures portray the devil Alichino who tasked the legendary hero Strada, shown next to him, with the conquest of an invincible city. Strada sought the help of an oracle of Gorum and was given the thousand fangs of the dragon Kathalphas. When Strada sowed the teeth into the ground outside the city as instructed, all the heroes the dragon had devoured sprang up into battle. Having frustrated the devil, Strada ruled the city for ninety years with the skeletal army as guard. Magical spartoi seeds that temporarily summon the skeletal undead warriors known as spartoloi have been created since in memory of this legend."
"Everything about this piece honors Gorum above all else."
"She went to the vase and it casted something and it flew back together. The she casted something else and picked up a book and everything started cleaning itself up well she was reading"
"This child is obviously more than she appears. Please find a messenger. Send word to this lizardling's sires. Tell them of what has transpired here today and, should they wish it, they can take advantage of an opportunity to provide their little hatchling with a fine future."
You find that Tartuk is her father. The mother is dead as well.
Seeing that the messenger had returned, Riva simply asks, "And what was their response?"
"I would not be knowing how to speck with the dead."
"Both of them are dead? That's truly unfortunate."
Poor thing.
"Please find out if there is anyone else responsible for this child. If none are to be found, bring me someone with experience as a barrister. I intend to adopt the child as my own."
Though they look nothing alike, her smug attitude reminds me so much of my dear Allania.
Riva turns away from the messenger to hide her sudden break of composure, tears beginning to run down her face.
So much like my daughter.
The scribe nearby specks up "I don't think we really have any barrister yet what with the lack of legal president."
Tarka says "I don't know if there are really any laws involved we Koblods don't seem to think of parents in the same way. Partnership is sort of communal in a lot of cases. I mean you big Flock take forever to grow up. You want to take care off me until I grow up I don't think anyone will object. I don't mind you have alot of good books"
She goes back to reading.
"In a city of over 5,000 souls, surely someone knows how to be a barrister. Go, and don't return until you've found one."
Glancing at the lizardling on the floor, Riva walks the messenger out while whispering quietly, "As for legal precedent, we shall treat this situation as we would with a normal child. Or do you think kobolds are not people too?" Before he can answer, she shoos him out the door.
The messenger comes back with someone who at least claims to be a barrister. He seems a bit confused, but does not see any problems "Laws are only really needed when there are disagreements. All other times it's just red tape. Here no one disagrees. I moved here to get away from red tape. If you want something official then"
He raises a arm
"Congratulations it's a girl. I now pronounce you mother and daughter."
"There that's settled can I leave now I have important things to do."
The messenger comes back with someone who at least claims to be a barrister. He seems a bit confused, but does not see any problems "Laws are only really needed when there are disagreements. All other times it's just red tape. Here no one disagrees. I moved here to get away from red tape. If you want something official then"
He raises a arm
"Congratulations it's a girl. I now pronounce you mother and daughter."
"There that's settled can I leave now I have important things to do."
Provided he agrees to put it to paper, and signs it in front of a witness, Riva does not delay the man from his "important business" any further.
Afterwards, she also explains her desire to adopt--and all that, that entails--to the young lizardling, and has her sign the legal document as well as a personal symbol of their new relationship.
"Fine if it make you feel better. He takes out some official looking paper and writes with stylish pen "adoption papers" with ornate calligraphy. It looks very official.
"It mostly a matter of showmanship. But I guess you understand being a wizard and all. What do you want this agreement to do? Do you want penalties for defaulting?"
Tarka "I think it's something like she takes care off me until I grow up and then I have to take care off you." She frowns "It's a bit different in this case because you aren't going to die any time soon."
"Please make sure that it legally identifies me as her primary guardian and caretaker and her as my heir apparent."
"Ah that I can do. Sign here and here. Do you have an arcane mark? It makes things go smoother."
"Ah that I can do. Sign here and here. Do you have an arcane mark? It makes things go smoother."
"I'm afraid you will have to settle for something a little more mundane." Riva casts prestidigitation and magically scrawls her signature upon the document. "It's no arcane mark, but it should serve."
"In that case we are going to need a witness. Given the large amount involved Rory would be good. Normally you would make a good witness being the treasurer and all, but most of this would only go into effect if you died."
Adular continues to preach on the holy days, and help and heal on the others. He doesn't seem to ask much in return, but it is clearly not his only activity. With the catapults repaired, new construction begins in the South Eastern part of the castle district. Some speculate its a new Tavern but others aren't so sure.
"It couldn't be a new Inn, could it? Not sure we need another..." one fellow speculates.
"Hey, if this land blossoms, we're going to need every inn we can get," A shopkeep answers.
"Well, whatever it is, I hope it doesn't mean more taxes," an annoyed looking old man comments.
"In that case we are going to need a witness. Given the large amount involved Rory would be good. Normally you would make a good witness being the treasurer and all, but most of this would only go into effect if you died."
"Then I shall send for the mayor. There are few more respected than he. He should probably be made aware of my decision anyways, as it may prove to have political ramifications."
Rory sit in his office, behind his desk. He's bent over a book scribbling notes into it. Selene sits on his desk in a yellow gown, leaning back to see his notes. "A couple more days like this and we can make an expansion to the medical center." Rory says and leans back into his chair. "you're so good to these people," Selene says with a smile. Rory smiles and leans forward towards Selene when the door opens, a messenger standing in the doorway. Rory groans and sits back in his chair. "What is it?" Rory asks with mild annoyance. "The lady of coin requests your presence in her library at once," the messenger said. "I'll return soon," Rory says as he stands. He places his hand on Selene's cheek and moves her close to him to kiss her forehead before following the messenger out.
"This better be good," Rory says as he approaches Riva.
"Thank you for coming, Rory. I was hoping to introduce you to someone."
She motions for Rory to follow her.
As they enter the common room (unusually empty since the break in) she says "I've found a spellcaster among the kobolds, one with a great deal of potential."
She gestures towards a stack of books atop a nearby desk, with naught else to be seen but a scaly tail hanging out from around them.
"This, Lord Mayor, is Tarka Firefang. And she may well be the answer to all of your perceived problems. Why don't you come out and introduce yourself little one? Rory here is a dear friend of mine, and I'd very much like for you to meet him."
Riva continues, "Tarka here is the one responsible for breaking into my library yesterday morning. It would appear she wanted to learn about magic--specifically to control the innate abilities she already seems to possess. When I attempted to contact her sires, I found that there were none. It appears that she was recently orphaned."
"She shows much promise in the arcane arts, and so I have decided to take her on as my apprentice. Not only could she prove a valuable ally in her adult age, but she may well serve as an ambassador of sorts for the Kobold people."
"It is also my intention to adopt her as my daughter. She will be my responsibility from now on and should anything happen to me she will be my sole inheritor. The barrister tells me it would be best to have a reliable witness to the signing of the adoption papers. I can think of no one the people trust more than you."
"Your the bardic lord right?"
"Is something else bothering you?" Rory says, concerned for his friend.
"Alright, I guess that's good enough" Rory says with a smile.
edit:
He looks at the young kobold and smiles. He takes a knee so he can look at her at eye level. "Yep, that's me. I run the town's theater. You should come by and check out a show some time."
"So I have your blessing then Rory?"
He looks up at Riva who was waiting impatiently. "Of course. Congratulations Riva, you're the proud mother of a lovely little girl."
In Sarenth, Adular finds himself walking upon a scuffle. It's a two against one fight, and that's interesting. At first, the cleric thought it was just three human lads (about 15 winters at most) going at it, but upon careful examination, he realizes that while two of them are indeed, quite human (and chiefly of ancient taldan descent by their looks), the third is a bit more...complex. The lad had a huge nose, slightly upturned, and with large nostrils giving him an unfortunate porcine continence.
A half orc! Huh, got so used to just humans or kobolds that I forgot we're bound to have others. Heck, we might even have a dwarf or something if I went digging around. I wonder who will win? rather than break it up, he slipped behind the corner of a building and watched.
The cause of the fight was immediately obvious.
"Stop calling me PIG!" The Half Orc said, well, snorted, which didn't help his case. What did though, was a good shot to the belly of one of the insulting humans, the stockier one.
"We got enough troubles with kobolds, we don't need pigs!" The other human, a lanky fellow, stated though he didn't sound quite as fierce as he couldn't help but stare at his doubled over brother. Still, none of them were cowards, and he leaped onto the back of the big half orc.
Instead of crumbling, the half orc managed to keep on his feet even with the extra weight, and even got in another swing on the human he had just gut punched.
The half orc bucked and shook like a wild thing, but to the lanky lad's credit, he didn't shake him. Then, he charged backwards to slam him into a building construction, which would have been fine...if not for the exposed spike still in one of the wooden walls.
There was a horrible crunch sound as the lanky attacker had a spike hit into his back and his eyes widened. His wasn't alone, the stocky human called out for his brother, and the half orc? The half orc turned, saw his foe finally slide off his back and crumble.
Bleeding badly.
At this point, Adular was ready to go out and do the 'healing thing' but something made him hold back just a bit more. A feeling of sorts.
"You killed him..." The stocky fellow said in shock, "You killed my brother."
"Shut up!" The pig faced orc blood snarled, and grabbed the lanky fellow, "Come on! Don't die! I didn't want you dead..." And then, in a fit of panic, the half orc SLAPPED the wounded boy, "By Gorum get up!"
There was a clang, not unlike iron hitting iron echoing in the area, and Adular grinned. He recognized the half orc now, or at least guessed who he was. One of his regular attendees, one who always wore a hooded cloak and left before meet and greet after services could be done. Gorum was working through the brute!
Slaps are not supposed to heal, but through Gorum, all violent miracles are possible (Can I get a Huzzah?) and with the blow, the wound on the lanky human's back sealed up, and he coughed. Everyone but Adular was surprised, but none so much as the half orc
"I don't understand..." He muttered.
The lanky human muttered, "You ... you saved me."
And even the stocky one found himself nodding.
"What's your name, lad," Adular came forward finally. "Not what they call you, your REAL name?"
"Puthgus," The half orc said, gazing at Adular in amazement, "I never meant to kill him..."
"I know, and Gorum knew what you wanted. And it has been granted I think", He looked to the boys, "You're the Bosmen Brothers, aren't you?"
They nodded.
"You ever going to call him a pig again?" The cleric gave them a stern look.
They shook their heads.
"There you go, Puthgus. They know Gorum is upon you... and they've learned to fear your might." He glanced over to the Bosmen brothers, "And by the way, boys. I expect you at temple more regularly where you will learn that we are ALL warriors in the eyes of the Iron Lords, be we human, orc blooded, or yes, kobolds. OTHERWISE I will be telling your father about this whole thing..."
The two paled at the thought, and nodded, "Yes, High Priest." They looked at Puthgus, "We're sorry." And they might even have meant it.
"Uh, okay..." Puthgus said, surprised.
"Come with me, Puthgus," Adular offered his hand "If you wish to one day serve the Iron Lord as I do."
Puthgus nodded and took him up on that.
Three days later, the lad was presented that Sunday as a new acolyte.