Xiomara, startled by D'uma's goring, races to his side. Placing a palm upon the gaping wound, she casts Cure Light Wounds!
Ylvis floats behind Xiomara, observing her with curiosity.
Kaivar shakes his head at his foolish little brother's attempts at felling the Great Elk. He grabs his Great Axe and charges the beast!
Maorii rushes in and likewise places a hand upon his younger Brother!
"Heal my Brother mighty Ao! May the light of our shared destiny shine down on Duma my Lord!"
Round 2
Kohr ?
Kohr's Mount ?
Great Elk -26
Khaayne 13/13
Duma 21/32
Xiomara 19/19
Ylvis ?
Kaivar 25/25
Maorii 22/22
Kohr looks to end the beast, and allow D'uma time to be healed. He brings down his Great Sword again!
Kohr rides in and slices a huge gash into the Great Elk's neck!
The beast brays and comes up in a frenzy now! The huge beast dips it's head and rams its deadly horns towards Kohr's Warhorse, Executioner!
,
The Horns are unable to penetrate Executioner's powerful armor!
Duma, now healed, sees his chance to kill the Great Elk!
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D'uma realizes how lucky he is to be in a squad that cares for him. Seeing victory (and the feast) in sight, clenches his great axe, lunges forward, swings and yells "FOR KAIHOSHA!"
Duma aims a vicious upward cut in an ascending arc! Inspired as all are by his father, Duma cleaves the Great Elk's face in two!
The massive creature falls to the ground with a deep thud!
"Yes!!!" Maorri yells at the top of his lungs! "Well done little Brother!!!"
Khaayne lets out a loud yell of approval. "Well done, D'uma! You stand with your Brothers not as a boy, but as a man!"
Everyone clasps the young Hurc in a loving embrace as his ascension to manhood is assured within the Hurc. Your father and mother will be proud.
Maorii walks over to Xiomara and clasps her on the shoulder. "Well done little sister. You are now considered a Woman within the Hurc, ready to take a mate when an appropriate male presents himself. May you choose wisely!"
Maorii and Kohr secure the Elk on a litter attached to Executioner. The two older Brothers talk quietly amongst themselves for a moment, and then Kohr rides off ahead of you all to deliver the meat quickly to Hurc.
"The night is beautiful is it not? I wish to stay awhile and enjoy this time. Feel free to head back as you wish."
With that Maorii begins to build a fire, and set up camp.
Contrary to the peace of the early evening, the night is dark and full of terrors for you all.
Kohr, the sun rises slowly in the east heralding the next day as you return to the encampment bearing the Great Elk. The preparers bear down on the litter, doing what they must to harvest the whole of the kill as quickly as possible. They move effectively even though obviously bleary eyed by the pervious evenings festivities. The camp is in a state of organized chaos as the hunting party prepares for the journey home. Tents are broken down, fires doused, and latrines buried as the Hurc effectively remove all sign of their presence from the area. The litters are packed to capacity with the precious Elk meat, bone, and hide for the journey back to Hurc.
Word spreads throughout the camp quickly that Duma, Kaihosha's youngest son, is now an adult having successfully aided in the downfall of one of the great northern herd. You feel proud of the honor that your people so obviously cling to, and how it shows in their actions and words.
You are told by one of the apprentices that a messenger bearing the seal of the Lord of your Knightly Order came in the night in search of you. Darren Athlan of Galadan, High Lord of the Order of the Moon has sent a messenger to find you. You have not seen or heard anything from your order in 5 years, having been released to meet out justice in the North as per your Order's precepts. If High Lord Athlan is contacting you, there must be something of import happening indeed. The squire only arrived an hour before your return. The young apprentice leads you straight to where she waits for you!
"My lord," says the young squire. "I am Deeane Athlan. I have come all the way from Galadan bearing news from my father and High Lord, Darren Athlan."
The woman kneels in reverence and respect to one Knighted a Paladin of the Order of the Moon. She is obviously a squire of the Order as you were not so many years ago. For the High Lord to send his daughter, the mission must be a big one.
She kneels awaiting your orders.
"I appreciate the formality, but please, squire, rise and share what news you bring."
The girl rises, and still keeping her head bowed as per her duty, says, "Sir, these are the words of Darren Athlan, Lord of Galadan, and High Lord of the Knights of the Moon... 'Kohr, I humbly ask you to abandon your duties in the Northeast to find and gain information on the city of Hadorak. You are the only Knight of the Order of the Moon this far North, and your efforts would be helpful to the cause of unity between Galadan, and the developing society of the Hurc. There are no others better suited to this task then you. I know the road will be long and difficult, but for Tharin to survive, we must know what transpires in Hadorak. If you choose to accept this quest, make your way to the Keep of Lord Emrus Dathtag to the east of Last Lake. Lord Emrus will give you more information once you arrive. The darkness comes again my former squire, friend, and brother-knight. We of the Order of the Moon, continue to stand ever vigilant...' Those are all of the words of my father, Sir." She raises her eyes, looking to see if you understand her father's message.
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Kohr lets her words roll around in his mind for an uncomfortably long time. Finally, he answers her.
"Deanne, you know quite well that your father is not only asking me to abandon my duties, but my brothers as well. This is not a decision I can make lightly."
He sighs. Then, after another moment...
"Go. Tell your father I will accept his request. But, I need time to inform my father and brothers of my intentions. It is the right thing to do."
The apprentice bows low and says, "Yes Sir Kohr. I obey." She turns and walks out of the tent leaving you to contemplate your decision.
As if on cue, your parents walk into the tent. They are dressed in their travel gear, obviously ready to begin the march home. The looks on their faces show that they already know what has transpired.
Your Mother approaches you with a deeper understanding of what you are going through. Her time as a Knight of the Order of the Sun obviously giving her insight to the decision you are faced with.
She puts a loving hand on your shoulder and says, "What is your decision my son? Will you serve the Order of the Moon?"
His mother's reaction eases Kohr's burden a bit.
"I will. I fear Maorii's reaction to my leaving more than any dangers I would face with the Order, but I am compelled to answer the call."
He turns to Kaihosha.
"...with your blessing, I hope, Father. D'uma is strong enough now to fill the void left by my departure. But, I must hurry, I can't leave without at least telling Maorii, and I fear I may miss my chance."
Your parents nod their understanding. Your father approaches bearing a sword wrapped in cloth. Your mother takes the sword, hands it to you, and says, "This gift is for you Kohr. Truthseeker is it's name, and it got me through many a peril in my younger years. As you grow in skill and power, so will your connection and ability with it. It is our gift to you son. May you bring light to the world in the name of all of the goodly races." She hands you the obviously magical blade, and as you grip the hilt, you know that this blade was meant to be in your possession.
Kohr looks down in admiration at the weapon. He gives his parents a bow of appreciation, and, without another word, quickly makes his way to where his brothers are.
You ride out of the camp with two weeks worth of provisions strapped to Executioner's saddle bags. You make your way towards the camp that you left your Brothers in the night before, thinking that you will probably run into them at some point along the way.
You are surprised when you ride the entire distance to the site of the Great Elk kill and find the bodies of dead Orcs slain by your Brothers obviously sometime in the night.
You easily see that they prevailed, looted, and stacked the bodies and equipment for the Hurc Rangers to find. You see that they headed off to the west not so long ago.
The open wilderness is before you Kohr.
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Kohr can't help but let out a laugh, before saying out loud," You idiots! Your timing is terrible!
He knows pursuing his brothers, only to tell them he is leaving, will cost him precious time in his mission for the Order. With a heavy heart, and the hope that Maorii will only maim him instead of killing him, he turns Executioner eastward and rides for Dathtag's Keep.
You all approach the cave warily.
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Maorii breathes quietly making as little noise as possible.
He's pretty loud despite his efforts.
Khaayne, viewing the twig that gave away Maorii's position, avoids it like the plague and creeps up to the cave mouth.
Hoping that they are not about to walk into an orc nest, Kaivar tightens his grip on his great axe and nimbly sidesteps the same twig that Maorii trampled over.
D'uma rolls his eyes after he sees Maorii's attempt at "stealth" and shows him how it's done.
Xiomara follows, her eyes locked on the cave entrance.
You all approach the cave entrance clearly aware that your group is making too much noise.
With practiced ease, Maorii gives the Hurc Battle Sign to ready weapons.
You all move cautiously and enter the tunnel. You come to a large cavern opening.
Maorii battle signs to Kaivar to go and carefully scout the cavern.
Kaivar flattens himself to the wall of the cavern, and proceeds forward with his great axe at the ready.
You slip quietly into the cave Kaivar, as silently as death itself.
A scent hits your nose. The scent of moss and death. The scent of a Troll. Your eyes adjust to the darkness of the cave, and you see the disgusting creature staring obediantly up at the form of a huge Orc.
"Vrox will return soon my pet, and he will shower me with treasures!" The Troll stares unblinkingly at it's master. The large Orc seems to not care that his conversation if obviously one sided. "What's that you say? The Masters will be displeased? I don't fear them my pet. Soon I will have enough wealth to rival them. Damn them and their war!"
Your stealth has you hidden for now Ranger. With the Troll around, you know that it may scent you soon.
The seconds seem to tick away like an eternity as you all wait for Kaivar's signal.
Maorii, at the back of the tunnel, battle signs somewhat sarcastically to Khaayne and Duma, Where the f!~# is he? He better not be picking cave flowers for Xiomara.
Khaayne deft fingers reply, Probably is...haven't seen him moon over anyone like that before. Guess we will all be getting a sister soon! Only thing left for him to do is club her over the head and make the engagement official...
Staring up at the troll, Kaivar studies his target intently, taking note of its size and weight, how dexterous and agile it appears, any weapons it may have, and getting a better idea of how to kill it.
Taking care to keep to the shadows, Kaivar slowly backs up to inform his brothers and the Princess. Once in sight of them, he signs what he has seen.
Always satisfied with Kaivar's skills, Maorii gets serious and Battle Signs, Spread out. Silent approach. Attack if spotted, otherwise wait for me to move first.
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Feeling the cultivated guise of 'Kaivar - Roguish Ladies' Half-Orc' fade away as battle nears, the sexiest Son of Kaihosha lets the Slayer within take command as he retraces his careful steps back towards the Orc and the Troll.
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Duma carefully moves over all of the rocks and is eager to prove that he is the sneakiest Son of Kaihosha.
Alas, he notices the skill gap between him and his older brother. However, Duma is still at piece knowing that he is sexier than his older brothers!
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Khaayne has no thoughts about the sexiness of his brothers as he backs up and trips over a stone.
Maorii moves into the cavern as quietly as he is able...