[Missasri 13]
Village of Zybelin's Drift
The heated water pools in the caves at the rear of the village were something Missasri enjoyed; in the rare moments she'd been allowed to use them of course. They'd been small things, dozens of tiny pools really, when the orcs had taken the place over two years ago, but on Master Karguk's they'd been dug and made in a number of baths large enough for a number of people to relax in with ease. Mostly orcs of course, but some of villagers were allowed to use it according to Mistress Ghorza based on bartering some service, or a reward of sorts for usefulness to the villages new rulers. Then again it had been Master's clan, and not the villagers, who'd gone at creating them with gusto so Missasri could see the reasoning behind it. That and the fact it required descending into the torch and lantern lit darkness of the cave to get there; she had gotten used to operating in darkness these past years with Master Kaguk while the villagers...had not. Only using the entrance to the caves unlike the orcs who'd since forged a series of living areas since their arrival that she'd past through as she descended with her owner to the pools.
'Hmmmm...that's nice' she hummed to herself silently as the heat of the 'bathing room' touched her face in the flickering shadows of the cave. The two orc guards in this section, two bored looking females, gave a salute as Master's group passed by them into the crude 'room' with the now large pool of hot water in the centre; the gentle sloshing of water flowing down on rock mixing with that of their footsteps as they entered. Two lanterns burned on the 'roof' of the room, held in place by iron rings and illuminating the place faintly like a torch on a dark cloudy night.
"Well isn't this nice, Ghorza did a good job looks like, hot-spring is nice and big and no more of those jagged pits anywhere in sight like last time" Master stated stopping in front her and looking around the cave room as she herself moved to strip off her robe and boots to place them safely dry on the rough stone alcove nearby as she enjoyed the feel of the steam on her flesh. That and it was a relief to have Karguk back, his wife Ogrash while not cruel, especially for an orc more like an orc should be than Master, ran the household with an iron clawed hand. None of the little treats and indulgences she'd found she could gain with Master Karguk, just a routine of exercise, hard-work and obedience alongside teaching the orc Halnguk who was stay in this village when Mistress Ghorza left. Though that hadn't been as bad she feared as the young orc seemed to see her as something akin to a dangerous wild beast, or possibly a living weapon, that only Master Karguk or Mistress Ogrash could really control. At least meant the other orcs left her alone, which was good, she figured as she turned back to Master as the others followed them inside and shut the crude cut wooden door.
"Yes Master, Mistress Ghorza is quite proud of it. Do wish me to help you out of your armour Sir?"
He patted her on the shoulder then began unstrapping the sword belt at his waist "No it's okay Missy, I'll only be but a moment. You can hop in the water and relax while I do"
"Thank you Sir" she replied with practiced ease, then dipping her toes into the water, before slipping her legs down into the water and her bottom to sit on the colder stone a moment and enjoying the feel of water against them. Resting back on her hands she watched as her owner stepped out of his armour and clothes, though as usual leaving his blade within arm's reach, then at the others who'd entered with them who'd also began to strip off. Personally she'd have preferred if it was just her and Master Karguk, she'd...decided...after the past few months that getting closer to her owner was a vital step to maintaining her current position in life, maybe even improving it if she was lucky. These past few months had shown her the better path, even with him turning more women in tow. A beautiful half-elf girl and a terrifying, likely wicked, drow creature; who knew what filthy depths a creature such as that would sink too!
A sudden splashing noise, followed by an embarrassed giggle causing her to glance in that direction, and saw that Rose had slid down into the water and was debating between covering herself or resting her arms back behind against the stone rim of the pool. Deciding to opt for the second option as her middle aged grandmother behind her looked on with a mortified expression upon her face as she slowly descended into the water beside her red-haired granddaughter. Missasri couldn't help but smile at the two, Rose was a shy girl at heart but she'd found the girl reacted to that at times like this by trying to pretend she was as bold and confident as a dancer on the stage. Failing at it largely, but amusingly so. Neither of the two had to be here after all, Rose inviting herself along because this would be her last chance for months to indulge in this rare treat; and her horrified looking grandmother who had come in some misguided belief that she had to protect Rose from Master's likely advances perhaps. A silly idea; Master Karguk doted on Rose yes, but not in that manner, and from Missasri's own experience he wouldn't cross over such a line unless invited. That plus the minor fact that she was going to be alone with Master and the other orcs for seasons on end during the campaign, just like she been the past few months with him.
"Ahhhhhhh...that hits the spot after all that damned travelling" Master muttered as his great bulk sloshed into the water beside her, splashing water unto her side and belly with his downward motion. Pouting for a moment she decided this was the moment for herself to dip fully into the warm waters beside him, sighing in pleasure as she settled fully up to her neck in it. Closing her eyes she rested her head back against the stone of the rim behind her, enjoying this probably last chance to relax in the stone tub. Not that Mistress had allowed her here much, Mara and Kethri getting preferred treatment for pleasing Mistress by their presence. Maybe the orcs belief that the place had healing and restorative properties was true.
"Hmmm...enjoying the break are we?" Master Karguk said in a friendly tone, fingers poking at her forehead gently.
"Yes Sir, thank you for this. I'm glad you're back Master" she stated honestly opening her eyes again into the flickering illumination of the bathing room. Across from her she saw that the elder Humbletree was silently trying to get the younger to 'behave herself' or something to that effect Missasri guessed.
"Snrt...I'm sure, but I'm glad to be back. And you're looking well Missy and you too Rose..." he replied giving a tusky smile at her, and then at the bemused Rose across from them "...I hope Oggy wasn't too hard on you while I was away. And what she you up too?"
"No, Sir! Master Karguk Sir! Lady Ogrash has been a great trainer to me, and Mister Cardac, and Lady Ghorza and...hmmmm...all the others too!" Rose replied cheerfully across them in that mock salute thing she'd somehow picked up from Master and used when they were alone. Missasri snorted in amusement as she answered, truthfully but being careful of slipping from honesty to bad-mouthing "No Sir, as Rose said Mistress was fair, harsher than you Master but fair as you asked of her. She had me maintain my continuing arcane studies with the Gnome Nimmil alongside my daily duties in the stronghold, and while here I have been training Mistress Ghorza's successor Halnguk...Master now you have returned will you be..." she trailed off, not sure how to ask with the presence to the evidently powerful wizard amongst those humans that had returned with Master. Having Nimmil around had been bad enough; with this Doctor Ned her own usefulness to Master Karguk in the arcane arts was much diminished. Just more incentive to go through with plans to be more like Mara and Kethri to the household.
He sighed but smiled at her "Don't worry, you're not being replaced in anyway. Ned...is powerful, a necromancer in fact. And he unnerves me a little honestly having seen him in action. But his presence will be a boost to the strongholds defences while we're away, and he is going to our trainer. Though more yours than mine in fact..." he told her running a hand through her now wet hair "...because your my trainer and personal assistant. Where would I be without you after all? Pretending to a crappy loremaster it seems! So you get to be his apprentice, and Nimmil the gnome's, and then teach me whatever I don't have time to learn thanks to my duties over the winter. I'll make sure you have free time to study, you deserve it after all your hard work since I was gone"
She...wasn't sure how to react to that. Hugging Master right now wouldn't be the best idea with company, a small part of her was concerned by the fact she was to study with a powerful Necromancer. But, but...the chance to train with someone who was seemingly a master of the craft was something many would pay a small fortune to do. Or kill to do she'd heard from a few back in the Academy. So she smiled gratefully, opting to snuggle up close to her surprised owner. That and she would get to indulge in her books once again without the everyday drudgery that had been upon her these past months. "Thank you Master"
He guffawed, water moving around them as they shifted slightly "Don't thank me yet sunshine, you'll have to help this part-time apprentice as well, at home and while we travel. And help me, and Doctor Ned, research our other stalled project"
"Of course Sir" she nodded. Those books Master Karguk had found in the ruins after defeating that vile undead creature had so far eluded their skills, her skills mostly, other than identifying that it was pre-Netherese in origin. Likely an enemy of Nethoril she'd guessed based on the tiny handful symbols she'd managed to identify from the book and the ruins; almost if the writer of the tome was referring to these Netherese symbols and runes as a ward against, or merely complaints against them. Either that or the author had a strangely 'angry' style of writing opposite them.
"Lord Karguk?" the elder Humbletree asked from across them "you are to depart soon. My Rose..."
Master Karguk nodded to the embarrassed looking woman across from them as she trailed off thanks to Rose pouting at her grandmother in the faint light of the bathing cave room "Will be kept safe Priestess Humbletree I promise, or at least as safe as I can keep you Rose as my apprentice. That armour will keep her safe too. And my sorta bodyguard as well too from Oggy's been telling me"
Rose beamed in the darkness shyness at her current position forgotten momentarily "Thank you Lord Karguk! See grandma I can fight!"
Master snorted with an interjection "I wouldn't go that far yet little Rose" but red hair girl ploughed on merrily.
"And with all the men of the village going grandma one of us has to go! No one would respect you now or me later grandma if we don't and your...old...grandma" she finished on a shy and embarrassed note as the elder Humbletree frowned, then sighed before giving the younger girl a gentle hug.
"Oh my little flower...oh how you have grown..." then looked across at Missasri and Master, well most Master Karguk than her of course "...and I shan't see her in the spring?"
"No Milady Humbletree, I'm afraid we'll be marching then once the snows clear and we get our first forage in after that. How long the marching will be I don't know, though I could guess at least till harvest before our return. And even then it might be to Sparta before the snows fall depending on good or bad. But she'll be with me every step of the way, and myself and Ghorza will train her as promised. And despite the little minx's boasting...well they all tell me she can fight better than some my clan's younger recruits. Little Miss Kneecapper eh?"
--
When: Winter time, 1353DR
Where: Sparta
Ah my happy little journal and my writing time – how I have missed you!
Because sadly I have been away, doing things – exciting things, boring things, tiring things and even things like maybe kicking off a full blown war between the local city states at the behest of my ever Glorious and Wise Boss. Though in truth I'm totally in agreement with moving up the time scale of the Luskan's pissing off everybody else in the region (well more than usual) and kicking off a war between the lot. Couldn't happen to nicer people I say. That and if their busy killing each other then they are too busy to be trying to kill me and mine. To quote lines from a great story I once heard sung;
Divide them. Tear them apart. Sever their trust. It will strangle their hearts. Inside them
Plant seeds of doubt. Hope will be smothered. They'll turn on each other.
Hatred will sprout, Suspicion and doubt, Friendships deny, While allegiances die,
The taste will be sweet, When you get what, you've earned,
And I'll watch you burn
Because fuck Luskan. And the Uthgarders too. I'll likely be expanding that list in the coming seasons so at least one of them is too busy to be sending more murder-hobos after my home and family. Okay, sorry, getting ahead of myself here it seems. My last entry was yonks back and I was heading off on my 'Holy Quest' completely blind, and somewhat grumpy at myself and the rest world in general due to that lack of knowledge. Then I suppose I should start there, at the start of 'Epic Quest' as I was teleported to a spot nearby Post Llast...
...yes zombie chickens! I am not making this shit up. Even worse this brave band of adventurers had a glorious advance to the rear at maximum speed after our encounter with the farmhouse of horrors. What with only two dudes having weapons capable of killing the things with, and the rest of the impromptu party and guide either dead at this stage (and rising again) or inexperienced like Lua and Tris were at this stage. Don't matter though; still got paid – which is the important part. And then we hunted down the...
...and then we had to get on the bloody boat. And only by the blessed grace of Illneval did I make it off the floating deathtrap without some aquatic quest triggering. Because I just know there was one lurking out there something. Just. Waiting. So if I ever have to use ships again and I've a choice then I'm building a bloody navy to scour the sea of anything so much as splashes in the direction of me or my imaginary trade ships. Bloody gonna have ironclads and airships and...
... fucking thieving Luskan guards. City stinks, it's full of racists, guards are crooked (at this nicest), rulers are either zombie wizards or (now charmed or coerced to obey by non-magical means) dread pirates and I had to escape the dump in the end and losing all my fancy new clothes beyond what I had on me. Fucking Luskan. Anyway that's when we meet Dr. Ned the Dread Necromantic Plastic surgeon who does boob jobs and raises zombie armies to slay his enemies. Well he can multi-task at least I supp...
...that fucking Inn! Bloody highway robbery it was to stay the night and get those damned horses. Also Lua once again proving that aggressive is middle name. Or it could unicorn, I don't know...it's in Drow and I don't sprechin de drow as yet. Reminder; need to learn Drow in spare time. Anyway yeah so got little bloody sleep despite the nice comfortable bed for one night. Still I'm rich. Or at least at that stage with all the shinies i'd collected and we...
...killed those eight goblins stone dead. Stupid bastards trying to attack a party with an armoured Orc and a Drow in a full plate armour. And a high level necromancer in tow. Fucking Darwin Award for those morons, even the lot in our valley are brighter than that. At least they are now after the killing and then training of survivors; intelligence and lawfulness are going to be survival traits in those little bastards in the coming years let me tell...
...and travelling for several days causes you to smell. Prestiggy thingie be damned. Also a waste of magic and time – oh if only it was easy as in a game. So there we go. Arrived back in Zybelin's Drift with Tris not speaking to me, but staring at me creepily the entire journey. Lua seemingly confused about how to deal with me...or just being distracted by trying to manage Tris. I wasn't overly sure as she's been the least bother by marching into an orc stronghold been honest. Well beyond Doctor Ned – but he's suddenly the most popular human ever to arrive in an orc castle I suspect thanks to telling others what he does. That and he has a grumpy heavily armoured dwarf woman as a bodyguard who is getting the more confused looks along with Lua from my clan-mates. Now many Drow or Dwarves in this position really. Still better than Etlin's two ladies and Ned's other (more useless) guards – in fairness I did warn them what to expect. Etlin himself...well not exactly unbothered by everything but he has a pretty mercenary attitude to the whole thing. He and Krowluc seem to get on pretty well as best I can tell.
And that's that for now. Been writing for several hours now and I'm tired. But it feels good to unload the nonsense that went on in my absence. Because tomorrow it's time to start reviewing things and getting ready for the coming snows (its getting damn cold already) and then the Mid-winter feasting preparations that –of course Zah! – fall into mine and Oggy's hands. That and try deal with Missy whose gone super clingy in the few days since my return (has Lua or Oggy magical somethinged her in some way? Or Rose? Trust not the horny Drow Goddess or the Goddesses of Fertility).
Anyway Slan go Foile a Chara.
--
When: Winter time, 1353DR. First snow in fact
Where: My Tower, Sparta
Seems I was correct, first snows are coming down. Bit earlier than last year I think, but it's not like I've a calendar to keep exact track of the days. That and the past few months travelling have thrown off my internal clock somewhat with all that sleeping at night and getting up during the day. Only been a few days and I keep walking up during the day expecting to have to do something, so I've been dayshift here in the stronghold since coming back. To settle myself back into the routine so to speak; though on the bright side, sunlight no longer bothers me even with the polymorph back to normal. Hurray I guess?
Anyway unto more important business, and what I've spent the last three days doing; settling in our new 'auxilia' forces into the town/barracks on the slopes just below the stronghold's walls. Which is easier said than done as were talking about humans, goblins and kobolds plus some slaves said kobold clans either brought along. Or the fact people have bought houses (well a tavern technically) in the 'town' down the slope in the time I was gone.
That tavern by a very odd Kobold Sorcerer called Menkin (is he related to Deekin I wonder? Note to self; ask at some point) sometime after the clans, and me, left this lovely place. Then he managed, how I don't know, to get a teenage slave girl with some tavern experience and voila! Menkins Magic Tavern! Not much of building really; just a crude but large log building with a few rough rooms, an upstairs area and of course the medium sized room he's turned into a tavern area. But still...now I've got a drinking hall in the Keep, an Orc tavern and now a bloody kobold magic user run one. See?
It's all turned into horrid medieval game of SimCity! Or maybe Banished because it's been several straight days of making sure everyone is camped somewhere, they aren't killing each other and that they don't starve to death while not killing each other. Again, easier said than done at times I must say; I've been turned into a damned city planner of all things. Not the heroic welcome home from my questing that I'd expected, but really what else should have I expected?
Anywho, so good news is we've gotten quite the little army assembled between the stronghold and our once again full temporary town. Fair dues to Zah, Oggy and Ghorza for pulling everything off while I was gone; I was worried honestly...organisation is something I've tried teaching but...well Orcs aren't the most organised by nature. But I was proven wrong (even if they've stuck me back as the REMF in Chief) and we should be able to leave half our clan's warriors behind to train up the older boys into troops and still have a larger force overall than we'd promised the other clans. Though it's going to take time to hammer this lot into an organised fighting force; thankfully it's not like they'll have much to do over the winter other than be drilled together. Well other than drinking in our taverns anyway. But I'll make sure their kept busy in every other moment – bored levies mean problems for me after all. And I don't want those. Not now anyway with everything else to be done.
Now there is some usefulness to assembling these disparate groups into a 'town' of sorts. Everyone brought something to trade, and I'm actually paying wages thanks to the pile of useless shiny crap that we don't normally get to trade with. Between the clan meeting 'market' and now this little event we've accidently managed to create the simulacrum of a market economy in the valley. It's not a true one, but it's something build on and the circulation of coin and goods tends to give the various groups a sense that they're getting a benefit from all this. Except the goblins, most of they are kinda stupid still, but we can work on that. But it something towards convincing the kobolds and human villagers that there are some benefits to the big angry orcs who've bullied them into submission being in charge. We've got a peaceful valley (sort of) that's starting to develop an linked market (sort of again) for things like iron, silver and food that's making everyone better off in some way - even if we orcs get most of said benefits of course.
Speaking of these troops; I've been discussing with Zah, Old Brejuk and Ghorza...or playing nursemaid to my second wife and Zah at times more accurately it feels like. Anyway we've been discussing force structure of our forces. I'm inclined to bring about two hundred to two hundred and twenty warriors from the clan, split into two rough hundreds or Century each. We all agree on this, it's just the composition that's more up in the air – I want a mixture of our elite squads, middling ones and a few of the rawest that need a blooding. Zah wants the best of the best only and the rest should stay behind. For now Old Breyjuk has stayed out as I think he may be coming with me instead of Zah. Hard to know, but he's on about not risking both myself and our young Chief on this one campaign. Haven't had time to discuss it yet really, we have time after all I suppose.
Anyway unto the Auxila forces; Ghorza's getting the human levies (a handful are actually half-elves) who are mustering just over a hundred and twenty or thirty between the two villages. We've agreed to assign orc officers, the ones she and I can trust not to kill them at random stupid shit, in roughly the same standard squad of ten format we use in the clan. They'll be secondary line infantry with their shields and spears; nowhere near as good as our warriors, and lacking the same depth with Warswords and Battlestaves ours possess. The only way to address this is assigning some of my own younger Warswords or Battlestaves as the officers to these squads under Ghorza to kill two birds with one stone. That and Lua...well Lua might be useful to slot in under Ghorza. The villagers as terrified of her as of any of our orc warriors, and even a few of my clan-orcs are nervous of her to; if Tris and her insist on coming then having them with the levies keeps them safe amidst the Horde camps we'll be in. Rose at least will be in my presence all the time along with Missy so I can't keep everyone around me with battles to come sadly.
The kobolds in many ways took our discipline readily. Unsurprisingly really considering how organised and industrious they are as a species; their problems are frailty and shitty weapons. I can address the second but not the first, but there's like three hundred or more of the little fuckers here so numbers make up for it – they get to be our archers and scouts just like the last campaign against the Bugbears and Zah's against the Uthgarders. Training isn't as problematic then with them as with the other groups, or even our greenest recruits, as they're somewhat used to our ways. Between them, my now multiple Hwacha's and the Ballista under construction we should be able to put out far more missile fire than any comparative orcish force. They also have one or two sorcerers amongst them. Well that aren't Barkeeps now evidently. Smart little fucker found a way to sit out the campaign, still appear useful and also make a small (relative to the valley) fortune in the process.
Which leaves the two hundred of odd goblins; males mostly but about a quarter are younger females. Trying to push up their numbers to justify loot it seems. Or to be cannon fodder perhaps. Most of them are useless right now and need the most work. They are not going to have a fun next few months while our trainers beat them into some kind of disciplined shape...at least enough to be more afraid of us than the enemy so as not break at the first stiff breeze. They get to be our velites, or skirmishers-lite for the campaign and screen our advance in a battle. Physically frailer that orcs or humans, currently can't shoot worth shit, also have to be re-armed and have not discipline at all...its skirmishers or arrow sponges.
At least I'm trying to give them a fighting chance!
Anyway things to do, back in a bit.
--
[Krowluc 05]
Stronghold of Sparta
"Bah, bloody snow! Bloody cold!" Bareyaras muttered behind him, whining again as Krowluc led his small band of cavalry back towards the now familiar slopes of the stronghold's town. Despite this continually repeated phrase by the half-elf member of his band he himself stayed silent as the fat white flakes continued to fall from the sky as the horses hooves impacted the snowy ground at a walk. His plate armour and the fur cloak did go some ways towards alleviating the fridgid cold of the ride; but it was turning into a harsh winter up here in the Crags and was damned glad to be only a few hundred metres away from 'home'. Or at least their new home of a sort. Though he quite liked it here; civilized enough in its own ways to make it comfortable...without any of the problems of so called 'civilized' human settlements here in the North. Like everyone wanting to do him in due to his orcish blood at worst, while at best getting chucked out into the crappier areas of towns yet paying a small fortune for that honour.
"Woah there..." he grumbled out after a few moments, after holding up his hand in a signal for those behind him to come to a halt and pulling back on his mounts reins to do the same. The orc guards at the wood braced earthen wall gave him a tired salute as the stood near their burning brazier of warmth under the 'roof' beside the gate that was their shelter of sorts. Glancing around he was glad to see at least this time his band of twelve, just over a third of his riders, had come to a stop without trouble. They should have. He and Bareyaras had beaten in the routine everyday for months now after all. Content he looked back at the 'senior' guard-orc, Lethruk? Kethruk maybe?, in his armour of metal, leather and furs "...Krowluc returning with my patrol. Bit late but weather ya know. All Clear to the north and east of here...password for now is Blue Amethyst"
"Eh welcome back, shitty fucking snow, so can understand..." the young 'Battlestave', as the symbol on his rough amulet indicated, grunted back breath steaming on the air "...head on in and stable them beasties in yer place. All tha' say to ya is the Boss has cancelled patrols and yer trainin' fer the next few days he says. Snows getting worse and they don't want anyone getting caught out in da blizzards looks be coming. All ah'tell'ye is get some booze and grub afore the next duty shift changes and we'all rush ta get a seat. Now git! It fuckin freezin' standin here and once yer in we can close up this bloody palisade gate"
"Right, we'll leave you to get under a bit of cover by getin' out of your way" Krowluc answered as they all shivered when the wind rose up; moving the falling flakes this way and that, while sending a gust of cold through all of those standing out in the open like the lot of them. Waving his gauntleted hand forward and pressing with his stirrups he brought them all back into motion again and into the 'town' towards the stables for his small band of horsemen. Behind them he saw the guards at the 'gate' pushing a roughly built palisade wall into place to close it up. Evidently they were the last patrol or training band in for the day. Or night perhaps; there always seemed to something been done in this place whether day or night which was very rare for normally lazy orc stronghold clans that he'd seen in the past.
Even now as their mounts tromped through the snow covered 'streets' between wooden buildings he could hear and see dozens of orcs being drilled in those shield formations and manoeuvres that these Spartans seemed to so love on the flat empty ground of his left. Further on from them he could see the humans from one of the two villages, or maybe both, being shouted at and drilled likewise alongside what were probably goblins from the size and shape. He looked away as the snow started to increase; all that mattered now was stabling the horses and getting somewhere warm for a drink, before some badly needed rest.
Thankfully that wasn't very far as the large barn like building they'd erected for the horses and ponies approached with rapidity. Technically it was two or three buildings close together he knew, but that was something he could care less about as he stopped his mount and dismounted. A move followed swiftly by the rest of the squad who'd gone out with him as they followed his lead to bring the horses carefully towards the stable area. Bright side; nobody had fallen off or done something stupid this time around despite the cold and tiredness they all likely felt!
"OI! Riders returning!" he snapped out as they approached the large doors of the barn, the sounds of horseshoes striking cold hard earth mixing with those of the animals inside coming awake and the creak/clank of his dismounted riders armour. Moments later the male human teenager dashed out, taking the reins out of Krowluc's hands as the other riders began lashing their mounts reins to the temporary stands to the front of the stables. Seconds after the first slave the slightly older female came out as well, stinking of shit even from here indicating what she'd been doing even without placing a shovel to the side of the door. Both of them would need a damn good cleaning later on it seemed plain to him. Still he was glad he'd gotten them two sets of warm wear; at least one wouldn't stink the place up later when the other was been washed. After all it wasn't like they could work on without the stinkin' clothes; this wasn't the summer and both would freeze to death and then he and the band would be down the investment in coin buying them involved.
'Cleaned by someone else' he rumbled mentally as he shouted for the rest of the squad to stow their gear and for the two slave stable-hands to get the mounts unsaddled and stabled as quickly as they could. Really it was quite impressive how quickly they'd taken to their roles and achieved their task despite the shackles on their ankles impairing movement somewhat. Couldn't have those two thinking of stealing horses and trying to ride off into the sunset; only get the two dead and that'd be a waste after keeping them fed and clothed. Seven hells, couple of years and he'd try making them riders if they kept it up. He stretched as much as the armour allowed he glanced at nearest of the two slaves "Where are the others?"
She motioned towards the barracks, and then out into the town. He wrinkled his nose. Definitely needed a cleaning "Most are asleep within the barracks Master, but half of Master Dargunk's squad has gone to the market or tavern I think. Mistress Kyras and Master Uht are insider...is that to your satisfaction Master?"
"Yes, now get these beast stabled, rubbed down and cleaned you two. We'll be at the tavern..." he started before the leather and fur clad form of Kyras wandered out of the stable having evidently been one of the two on guard duty today for the stables. Then again it was Kyras...at least she couldn't steal anything much from a stable...and it did keep her away from trouble. They'd been here two, verging on three, seasons and there'd been only three fights caused by her sticky fingers!
"Hey Boss! Did I hear yer head fer booze? Imma off duty now! Ain't that good timin' on yer part?"
He sighed as the others fell in around him "Right, you and Uth can come along...assuming your replacements are here?"
"Ya...about an hour ago. Twas beatin'em at dice and have their coin ta spend on drinks" she replied back as the other guard for the day, the Spartan born younger orc Uth strode out a moment after her. From his expression he hadn't done as well at this gambling as Thieving Kyras had done. Sometimes he wondered why he kept this lot around. Oh yeah...they were the best he could get and they did what they were told...mostly.
In the end getting to leave the stables took longer than intended, between storing the travel gear and then giving orders to the next three on guard duty. But after a short time standing around in the cold he managed to get them moving in the direction of the two 'taverns' here in the town area of the stronghold. Heading up to the drinking hall in the castle seemed like too much effort right now; with the ones here on the lower slopes were both nearer and the place the various 'Auxilia' went too. Much easier than trying to avoid problems with the non-orcs amongst his little band right now in the clan's main area; and kept Thieving Kyras away from important orcs and their, likely shiny things. Oh and the Necromancer and Drow that had somehow been persuaded to take up residence as allies of the Orc clan. How the Shaman had managed this he didn't know, but he had somehow, and he hoped Nimmil could let him know in a few days what was the situation with these new...recruits...to this place. After all they'd never worked with a fledging army of dark creature that was forming, and while the risks were high with such things he knew – so were the rewards.
GNOMES GO FUCK OFF! NOT COME IN OR MENKIN MAD! FUCKS OFF UGLY GNOME! - was written in crude common and orcish on the small wooden board written on the doorway to Menkin's Magic Tavern as they approached. Krowluc sighed. Nimmil and this Menkin fire and currently last meeting, while he himself had been busy escorting the Shaman and his new allies, had not gone well as the usual Gnome-Kobold idiocy flared up. Combined with the usual arrogance from his demented little illusionist and the equal amount from the kobold all he could think was it was luck that nothing had been set on fire, or anyone killed, before the orcs had taken the two apart. Now with all the Kobolds in the 'town' Nimmil had largely secluded herself in the Shaman's tower with her apprentices and now with this supposed Master Necromancer.
'At least we aren't banned from the better tavern in town' he thought as they entered the crudely built, but quite large, stone and wooden building glad at the feel of heat that came to his face as he entered through the door. Thankfully it was only half full, a dozen or so of the little lizard bastards, half a squad of human levies, a few goblins...
'Ah bloody seven hells, just nod polite greeting at them Krowluc' he thought to himself doing just that. Nodding politely at the Shaman, his immediate Boss, who sat in a corner alongside the Drow and a group of his acolytes and some human females including the slave-wizard. Thankfully he merely nodded back in greeting at Krowluc's group and went back talking amongst his own small group as the half-orc was relieved that at least the Necromancer and Nimmil weren't here to further disrupt his nice quiet drink. Or two or three depending on how tired he felt and coin held up.
--
I know sort of slice of life but I know a few wanted the 'average orcs' view of things so Krowluc sort of fit in my mind and I went for a 'day' in his new life and the issues of a 'mixed' orc ruled society
[Lua'Kah'wyss 04]
Shaman's Tower, Sparta
The full moon above shone down upon the snow covered surface of the tower's uppermost level as it crisped and crunched softly beneath hers and friend Karg's booted feet. It was a beautiful clear night and a respite, though likely only a temporary one judging by the angry clouds in the distance, from the heavy blizzard that had arisen early this morning. Still any thoughts of dancing beneath that beautiful moon in honour of the Eilistraee had fled in the face of the biting could that seemed to pervade this part of the surface lands; it wasn't unbearable, refreshing even...as long as the heavy furs that she was wearing over her normal clothing stayed wrapped nice and warmly around her.
"It's a nice view up here isn't it?" friend Karg said standing off to the side of her and looking out over the moonlit buildings on the slopes below them, all covered in a shimmering cloak of white interspersed with exposed areas and large burning night-fires against the biting cold. In truth the top of this tower was quite a wide space, the walls and floor had been clearly reinforced judging from the sound of wood beneath the snow her boots trod upon. Friend Karg nodded over to a corner of this tower to some rectangular boxes or troughs obscured by the heavy weather "Just be careful of Mara's and Kethri's little garden thingies area over there, this blasted snow covers everything and I don't want them trying to fix an upturned planter in this damned weather. This break in the storm won't last long I'm afraid"
Lua'kah'wyss sighed sadly. The surface was a joy to see at times, and her elders had told her of the nature of the changes of the seasons upon the surface. Still this was...far, far, worse than what she experienced in Waterdeep "The surface suffers this terrible coldness often friend Karg? Tris has said much of these 'winters' but this...one wonders why this winter is more severe than the last seen myself and Tris"
Friend Karg glanced at her, blinking in seeming confusion she thought "Well...no, not up here at least. We haven't been here long I'll admit but it's been like this each year...ah, of course sorry. You're from the Underdark I forgot. Where did you experience your first winter Lua? Waterdeep I'd guess or south of it?"
She nodded "Yes friend Karg, it was some months since I had emerged unto the surface by then though, and Tris, my little tu'rilthiir had at warned me of this...snow and the cold that came with it. But this...well..." she struggled to explain how strange it was for the temperature to shift like this and the land to change almost overnight. In the caves and tunnels of her home such things did not happen and things made so much more sense than in these strange lands.
"I know much, worse and the whole valley here gets it pretty bad. But we're actually relative high up in the Crags, and we're much further north than Waterdeep I'm afraid so it's nearly as bad here as on the Spine of the World at times. Or at least it feels like it anyway, my clan only passed through the Spine for a few months when I was a child and I can't remember if it was winter then...probably not. Can't travel far in snow drifts and I figure I'd remember that...hmmm...sorry, off on a tangent" he stated then trailed off in a more muttering tone that caused her to smile faintly. Whether in form of orc or rivvil friend Karg still spoke in the same manner, sounding utterly sure of his knowledge on certain things before going off on a tangent and confusing the conversation somewhat.
"Hmmm...you are wont to do that sometimes friend Karg, or should I call thee Karguk? That is what all your fellow orcs call you?"
Karg smiled back at her faintly, tone bemused "I'm Karg to my friends and I like to think we're still friends Lua'kah'wyss. At least since you trusted me enough to come this far to an orc stronghold after the big reveal...and that Tris seems able to talk to me as well today. Well, even if a little drunk. Both of you are terrible lightweights still"
She grinned back, breath steaming on the cold night's air "I still think of thee as a friend, rivvil or orc, friend Karg and that is why I only hath that one drink. Tris has been most hurt that your form is not as we believed at first...she talks big and strong but it is sometimes merely as shield I think at times. That and she feared you would either abandon us, or harm us, upon returning to this place and tricking us. But have been Karg, rivvil Karg, even as an orc and you were a good person when a rivvil friend Karg and saved mine own life, and Tris's, and that is not forgotten. Still it hath been a shock...and there are things we...I...wish to speak to thee on now that we art alone a moment?"
"Hahhh...I should have expected as much Lua shouldn't I" he answered waving a gloved hand at her to continue while brushing snow off his form with the other "...ask away, I'll answer as best I can but no promises"
"Friend Karg...you are a good person I think..." she started as politely and friendly as she could muster. Offending her new friend who was an orc was a danger but he was a good person in all the time they had been together and perhaps he could be made to see the evils of things she had seen and perhaps mend them to better ones. Still her voice got confused as she struggled to articulate the problem "...you have slaves friend! All around in this place, and even you too keep these rivvil in bondage! It is wicked thing...and you are better than this I think! When you...we...traveled you were kind to others and not hurting and..."
He sighed deeply, white mist for breath, looking up at the stars and moon above, then looked sadly at her "Lua...you can stop right there. Yes I know. Slavery is BAD UM'Kay. Got that idea down pat long time before I met you and Etlin and Tris...ahhhh...what do you expect me to do?"
A simple question to answer, voice calm and low but filled conviction "Free them of course! You are a leader of this tribe and I see you treat your own slaves with kindness...which is why I hath not spoken till now and alone...so why not do the right thing before the Gods"
His snort was almost bitter "Oh which ones? My Boss who couldn't care less? Or the One-Eye and the Knee-breaker who likely think I'm being a big sissy not beating mine to death? Or maybe you mean all those shiny, lawful good hypocrites that'd merrily slaughter my family in the name of 'doing good'. And as like kill those you wish me to 'free' by the way...because I suspect the kobold and goblin slaves don't quite count the same as humans and elves I find to them..." a short sharp and bitter laugh came from him "...and then what Lua? Say I free them as you say, without any benefit to the clan? What then? Because I want to free them you know. Slavery's a nasty business...but there's little choice here"
"Friend Karg, I...what...it is wrong and..." she tried to articulate back to him as he seemed more tired and sad than angry as she feared and expect.
"Because your Goddess said so? Lua please tell me that's not your argument, because I'm sure her Mother would argue very differently on that matter. As would her Father I expect, once he got beyond telling you to kill the filthy orcs anyway..." she froze, caught off guard by the bitterness suddenly coming from him. Something he seemed to assume was confirmation of his statement on the Elven pantheon. Something had surprised her when he was a rivvil and now it...
"...of course divine reasons. Of course. There's plenty of economic and moral arguments to make against it as a system by the way, but not here and not now. Lua...how much do you know of orc society? Or even of the nature of humans, hell...everyone...here in the North?"
She shook her head in the negative as the truth was...not much beyond they were primitive savages according to the Elder Matrons of her home. Friend Karg had shown her different of course, in his own person and in the organised manner of this castle and the town below them. But even he had admitted that this was not the normal of orcs, and it had been merely one of the many things she (and the others) had wished to find out from him. This was all so strange; the oddness, the knowledge of things others that he should not know, the fact he was a cleric...so which of those wicked orc Gods did he follow? And how could he follow such?
"Lua...hhhaaahhh...Lua orcs are a primitive tribal society, in a land that is harsh, surrounded by people who would slaughter our children in their beds, obsessed with rule by the strongest, and ruled over by a pantheon that limits options available for those of us who want to try other methods sometimes..." she just...stared at him. He was a Priest of his God! Of those very Gods! How could be so blasphemous about them? Yes it indirect criticism, but his tone was not one of reverence as should be!
He frowned, as if to himself rather than what must be her own stare of disbelief at him "...and that's without this whole damned planet being one huge death world out to get everyone, but us orcs in particular I find at times. If I freed Missy today? What happens then? Truth be told I've promised to free her by the way, but I need a reason to do so and that's a time away. So that it's a precedent rather than exception to the rule in the future; because I'm going to have to enslave our enemies - because the only other option is killing them all. Orcs are tribal Lua, as are our enemies by and large in the Uthgarders and demi-humans in these regions especially.
"Luskan is civilized...sorta...in its own stupid, horrible way that turned what should be the prime economic and logistic hub spot in the north into a cesspool that'll go nowhere because their obsessed with either robbing everyone, fucking up things for the elulz, or being stupid evil magic zombie wizards! And don't get me started on the murder-hobos...I mean adventurers and their so-called sociopathic Good Deeds in these here parts. No...where I have a choice I'll spare our vassals like Rose's village and the kobolds. But where I encounter resistance it has to be; exterminate or enslave. Because showing mercy is no good deed – it merely causes more resistance as they sense weakness! And Weakness means I fail! And if I fail, I fall, because a Shaman or Chief cannot show Weakness! And if I fall then all this crumbles! Then all those slaves you want to save would be dead, of cold, or hunger or just usual orc savagery. Because we're not advanced or powerful enough as a civilization yet to do anything but and..."
Karg took a deep breath "Sorry. These lands are savage Lua, but it's more than just that. I can't free people willy-nilly because while a Shaman is a leader, orc society is surprisingly democratic and after all the blood and treasure we spilled to get those slaves my actions would be judged. And judged negatively by them, without even talking about Ilneval who is indulging us because my methods are successful...at least so far – one has to be pragmatic about the Greater Good here, and the attendant Necessary Evils that must be paid to achieve whatever good can be done without sacrificing everything on a suicidal moralistic crusade that helps no-one in the short or long run. It's why Eilistraee will lose even if she wins this moment somehow...what happens next after ending the slavery? I know, don't ask how, on a macro level that Drow society as it stands needs both slavery and the Spider-Queen's constant tinkering to keep functioning...and with those breeding rates too I'd expect to cover the losses due to murderous backstabbing...sorry tangent...
"...but to answer your question. Yes I know slavery is wrong, as are many things I've had to do in life so far...and will soon have to do again quite soon. Because fighting the Uthgard tribes will not be pleasant, not at all I'm afraid. Either them or many of our allied orc clans; savage, violent, and brutal to everyone else in many *most* cases - and terrifyingly powerful and dangerous in others. So I'm asking for your help Lua, as a friend, as a cleric of a Goddess who struggles against her own pantheons issues. I can't take the easy path...but I will promise to try at least to make things better where I can. Because...there are things I cannot tell you yet, but a change is coming. Whether Good or Bad is up to us. So...can I count on you to help me out?"
--
[Karguk 24]
Shaman's Tower, Sparta
I resisted the urge to groan as I finished my spiel. Ranting out the stress felt good, though it may not have been the best approach to take. That and now that I'd blah, blah, blah! 'ed at poor Lua and the emotions settled down it was easier to admit it was defensiveness on the subject. Lua'kah'wyss had asked a legitimate question in fairness, and waited till it was out of earshot of my clan-orcs before bringing it up...
...and I'd hit back with all the pent up justifications in my head these past few years. It was somewhat unfair, and right now I was very afraid I'd either just broken her or worse had broken our tentative friendship as we both stood in silence in the chilly night air. Thankfully she didn't appear angry, instead just looking at me with confused eyes, hands fidgeting aimlessly in front of her, clutching at nothing. Idly I wondered how she wasn't cold doing that; I had gloves on after all, and was an orc, and I thought it was bloody cold right now as the silence stretched between us. I looked up at the night sky above a moment. I'd always liked the moon and stars on a clear night. Not that this counted as one sadly; merely the break in the cloud-cover of a coming blizzard from those angry ones in distance and the growing cold of the past day or so. At least it was if the past two years were any indication on weather patterns.
'Yes because the weather is important right now' I reminded myself with a sigh, looking back at the drow cleric who was simply gazing at me head cocked slightly to one side, hands still fidgeting. The energy behind my little rant had drained away now leaving a faint tiredness and the feeling of the cold "I'm sorry Lua...that...came out...badly...is all I can say is that the subject gets me agitated I suppose. It's unfair too..."
"Your very odd friend Karg; a very, very odd orc" Lua interrupted still gazing at me strangely but voice a mixture of perhaps annoyed, or bemused. I currently wasn't entirely sure "even more odd than an orc who walks around as a rivvil it seems. Offense you did not give, I wish to help thee...but am not sure how one would go about that friend Karg. Thy reasoning...confuses...me somewhat, but I do see that those you, you in person, keep in chains are not harmed or cruelly treat. It is a start to my eyes at least of understanding your reasoning. All that I have seen here has been strange, odd like you friend Karg, but no worse than I hath seen amongst the hives of the rivvil we had visited. Perhaps better than that as the rivvil would not have allowed orcs to survive under in their lands as you say...so one can only promise to listen to thee as a friend and to not make trouble for you or your people as already promised by oaths given. Perhaps friend you could tell me of thy goals? Or even at the beginning of the tale and perhaps" she frowned faintly "thy odd method of being a cleric and your knowledge of things beyond these lands?"
Oops. Yeah kinda blurted out that stuff didn't I? God dammit Karguk fucking think!
Which was worrying in its own way as it meant the Boss was either A-Okay with me blurting it out, or worse wanted me to start telling certain things to certain people (like the Drow Priestess before me) for whatever reason. Because I really doubt the permanent mind blank-slash-geas was being relaxed because 'gee Karguk you're doing a great job. Now let me risk my super awesome master plan by letting you spill the beans' or something stupid like that. Because fuck magic and geas and deals and that faint pressure I can feel at the back of my mind that seems like its laughing. And fuck me because I'm an idiot sometimes for saying the wrong thing without thinking. Especially after all my ranty-rant about Lua and her crowd not thinking through the consequences of their own actions; I was a fucking idiot sometimes. Distract sunshine! Distract now!
"Oh the Boss is fine with me and my antics, because in the end I am loyal to Him. I do actively work towards achieving His goals. I am in awe of Him, terrified awe mostly I'll admit, but still fulfilling the whole faith in Him and His works part of the job. If anything I'm more aligned with the strategy and war aspects of Him that your average Priest of Ilneval in truth, my second wife Ghorza...well she's a bit of a zealot and that blinds her sometimes to what the Boss actually wants done. And what he wants are effort and results by and large rather than long winded speeches about how glorious He is. Usual by means of; Karguk do this! Karguk kill that problem! Karguk kill those zombies...because it's always fucking undead..." it always fucking was lately "...Karguk crush these other clans who want to violently murder you and steal your stuff! Ghorza by the way was part of one of those groups not too long ago. And a bunch of other things that begin with 'Karguk do [Insert order here] deployments; see I'm quite close to the Boss comparatively and He's not one for the fawning. Grovelling yeah, but not the whole sycophancy thing - tends to ruin competency I suppose"
Lua sighed looking at me strangely arms folded across her chest; evidently this was going to be running thing of the night "Friend Karg, your words, you imply that you are truly blessed by thy divine patron! Oh for the Goddess to shine her light upon me in person..."
I snorted and just looked at her "No you don't"
She startled "Friend Karg I assure thee that..."
Okay I'll admit the few drinks and stress had made me really bad at this game tonight but someone needed correcting on the results of such thought "No you don't, not really, because then they turn up and tell you do stuff and embark upon life changing quests that involve zombies and ghouls and death knights. Sure everyone wants to bask in the light of the divine and stuff like that, but bear in mind the Gods are generally quite busy and we squishy mortals are often a dime a dozen constantly going 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!' to them...sorry I mean praying to them. Instead of asking what your God can do for You the appropriate thought should always be what can You do for your God? Or Goddess in your case I suppose. Sorry that's what I mean about the whole meeting your patron thing, it's not what everyone seems to expect"
Lua'kah'wyss stared at me, then laughed; a soft chiming thing that was almost silent as her elven frame shook faintly before she grinned at my look of indignation "Friend Karg, you are either quite mad or one of the most devout clerics I have met, in your own strange way. Or perhaps mayhap both somehow, as none that I have known have yet called praying as like the demands of a child for attention and that we should all do stuff as you call it instead. Rather than blasphemous thoughts and foolishness you think only of serving thy chosen deity"
'As if the Boss would give us anything if we begged for it! Loaves and Fishes? Fuck you minion here's a fishing rod and some yeast. Now chop-chop get to work...oh, and don't starve!' I thought with flash of thought on my meetings with the Boss Orc. Because asking for stuff you didn't earn off of Him wasn't up there in the list of things that'd get answered quickly. Seven Hells my favorite spell of His basically required pieces of armour from a defeated foe as a spell component!
"Shur it's there clearly written in the dogma, don't know how the others seem to miss that part..." I answered with a faint hum, then switching into my High Priest teaching his acolytes tone. Or my Orc-Pope Voice as I considered it "...Strength is as much a function of the mind as one's body. Train hard and think craftily in preparations for war, for all life is an endless battle. Unite your tribe into a raging storm, for there is great strength in numbers if all can work in concert. Once the time for combat is nigh, however, charge into the fray undaunted and let the blood fly where it may. Only through personal courage do you prove yourself fit for the mantle of leadership. See all there in the train hard and think crafty part. That and work together in love and sunshine so we murder the other dudes. So I trained hard and united the clan, and thought strange things in a hopefully crafty way. I just applied it to non-orcs as well basically; United we Stand, Divided we Fall and all that jazz"
At least she wasn't angry at me now it seemed. More bemused and noticing of the cold as her bare hands slid back under the fur robes and she seemed to hugging herself as she hummed at me, faint smile on her face "Perhaps I misjudged thee in these things Friend Karg, and perhaps begin to see the beginnings of thy thoughts on such matters. For now I shall trust you on the slaves of this place, and endeavor to aide you in reducing their suffer in such a fate. Perhaps with healing or other means from my hands? Though I must admit much ignorance of the Gods of Orcs I fear, especially as you Karg seem to know much of the nature of mine own, and the fate the awaits my people from them. Perhaps we can talk a little of this?"
" A moment before we say more" My hand gave up in an automatic movement of hand and fingers, Vretkag had been an old crotchety bastard but if you couldn't mention the names of the Gods of others without drawing attention then no one could teach or learn about them. And the truth was, especially now pre-Time of Troubles, the Gods of the Age of Humanity barely listened to their own clerics let alone random mortal standing on a tower in the middle of nowhere. Especially the clerics of other Gods like myself who were seemingly on some sort of divine twitter blacklist. But then again it'd been beaten into me by the old orc shaman to be better safe than sorry in this regards - even without the Boss's protections and 'pep-talks' over the years to increase the paranoia. Not there was any great reveal of power from me, no flashy light or any of that nonsense; just a simple anti-scrying ward of sorts that let you talk without divine stalkers or peeping toms getting a 'look over here' idea. Well beyond the permanent resident in my head and the one watching out for Lua. Eilistraee like her Mother had by necessity always been a proactive Goddess even pre-Tot. Then again fighting a losing war for millennia with no respite against a dangerously intelligent psychopath with no empathy tended to have that effect I expect.
I sighed letting my gloved hand drop back to my sword-hilt with the faintest pull of power touching my mind "There we go, at least we can talk in peace somewhat now. Always a nuisance trying to have theological debate when you can't mention names and risk popping in someone's divine mailing list" I'd mentioned Lua's Goddess before of course, but then again I was talking to her Priestess so I'd be sorta silly not to mention it all those months or assume her attention wasn't already there. That and if Lua had worshiped Lloth it would have guaranteed a reaction to it that would indicate in those first few days dangers to my orcish, then human seeming, self.
"Hmm-hmm, truth friend Karg" she nodded back "though you never recall you doing such as a rivvil with us, instead doing that ring-thing"
"Well...super secret orc secret agent disguised as a human at that time Lua, had to improvise during our little talks when you didn't do it"
"I enjoyed those friend Karg"
"As did I, and now I don't have to hold back now do I? You had an unfair advantage let's say?" I couldn't help but give grin back as she pouted faintly at that comment. Though in truth the exchanges had always been one way due to that, she gave and I took in terms of knowledge. Honestly it was only fair to redress the balance, and more importantly have her understand the way things worked in these lands. She huffed at me, breath steaming on the faint night breeze as a few flakes of snow drifted down amidst the moonlight beaming down on us. Hood down her silver hair almost seemed to glow faintly in the moonlight. Damned if noticed the strangest things at times as she gazed at me with a mixture of amusement and faux authority.
"Perhaps one should begin by explaining these things friend Karg. You have held back unfairly and I shan't be able to give thee a good trashing with words till that is cleared I fear. Now you were to tell me of things hmmm?"
'Oh there's much I'd like to tell you Lua, and much I can't. Though what worries me is what I suddenly can tell you, or think strongly on in your presence' I thought bitter-sweetly. Such as your Goddess dying in the future mostly, or the advent of the Promenade of the Dark Maiden and the slaying of Selvetharm by one her Chosen and a god slaying sword. Because that death could easily be averted by the Boss's actions to come even without intention, butterfly wings and all that – but her knowing such things would cause reactions from the Dark Maiden. The Boss was leaving me options here. And that was terrifying as I could be bait to lure in a deity I considered one of the few decent ones in this realm. After all she'd given up everything for her people and she was desperate as best I knew from the lore. Desperate to work with her brother in canon and if she had a Prophet make a prophesy of her death? Staying quiet for now was the best approach to think on this and maybe wait for the next 'pep-talk' from the Boss-Orc.
"Sigh, fair enough. Let's start with the basics then. I worship Ilneval of course but you know that already so the pantheon, well. Hmmm. For us Orcs, the one you know I'd assume is Old One-Eye himself, Gruumsh. Head of the Pantheon, hates Elves because Eilistraee's Da took his eye by the way, and Drow because her Ma tricked him into it. Thinks being a savage raiding survivalist living in the wilds is just damned awesome and we'll all damn well like it or else. Then there is the ever beautiful and lovely Luthic his wife, who my own beautiful and lovely Oggy worships and tells us all to make babies. Very shortly in fact, hence all those preparations for a ceremony in her honour as we follow her and Ilneval as our clan patrons. Then there's Baghtru..." I sighed to avoid groaning.
"...let's just say Clerics of his and the Boss's like me rarely get on well; because he's the God of Stupid, Strength and Leg-breaking too, but mostly Stupid Orcs doing Stupid Orc things, and we follow the God of Strategy. Like our divine patrons we don't mix well" to put it mildly; what's worse the fucker and his Priests would give me a giant thumbs up for describing them as Stupid. Because being a godsdamned idiot who did what Daddy told him was something to aspire to after all "and then there's the two..."
--
When: The Closing Days of 1353 Dale Reckoning
Where: My Study, Shaman's Tower
It's been an interesting few days, busy but positive I'd say. Well beyond the large blizzard that's started in our merry little valley. Was relatively clear last night, but only a break in the storm so to speak as the winds are howling outside right now as they deluge crisp white snow down upon us; joys of living in the Crags. So looks like the outside is going to be a winter wonderland for the next few days at best, likely a week or two based on the last two years, and that means I get some study time alongside prepping for the usual Midwinter ceremonies with Oggy. Thankfully in that area we've gotten something of the 'routine' of the ritual down so that's freed up a significant amount of time on the prep. No so much on quality control, because can't let slip on that or bad things can happen. Or stuff you don't expect as my first great experiment about two years ago proved.
That means pep-talk time as well as 'what did you do?' talks with the Boss as well. But I can live with that, and the 'divine guidance' is useful in many ways; other than this year's misdirection BS by and large the details are left to myself to follow through on. And this year I'd like to insure that I'm threading on safe ground going into this 'Horde' next year, and the events of the past few months. In all honesty I'm not overly confident in this combined orc army – I have faith in my clans warriors, and even the auxilia we've assembled but the other clans are a traditional orc horde. And they often enough end badly unfortunately. Then again the Uthgarders are the same structure so it's not like there's much difference there. Hopefully the Boss has 'advice' on the matter.
It's been on my mind due to all the theological discussion with Lua last night before the snowy storm front started proper. I was concerned for a while that I'd burned my bridges with her with a whole rant about justifications and things on my mind but we had a nice long talk about things and are still on the friends level at least. Now I'll admit much of the talk turned about to be respective theologies of our various pantheons; though I'll freely admit it was mostly describing the situation of the Orcish pantheon and the dangers inherent to her (and the others) by my position in said hierarchy.
And of course making her aware of the coming time with Darth Phargk and what that terrifying fucker did to that captured follower of ye old Spider-Bitch. Surprisingly this did not seem to faze Lua in the slightest; instead she wants to buy said Drow if the poor wretch still lives. I'll do that for her but I don't think there'll be much left there after the whole forsaking her evil spider demon goddess under torture. Then again the old bastard might have just kept her alive for the Lulz. So we'll see in a season I guess, along with keeping the auxlia and Lua out of trouble while I'm at it.
On the bright side...well status went up considering I turned up with a 'tame' Drow Priestess that heals on demand, and a Necromancer than does Boob jobs. Truly I am a provider to my people am I not? Sarcasm is fun sometimes I'll admit. Anyway so I got all philosophical with Lua, which is a concern because I get the feeling my 'Prophet' abilities are being encouraged here by the Boss to start the ball rolling in regards changing the Dark Maiden's own future actions to his liking.
So awaiting orders before I risk screwing up things for Lua and her Goddess by inciting a panic...as unfortunately her Goddess is somewhat naive from interpretation of the 'Holy Books'. After all she thinks her Dad, Crappy the Moron Elf, is a wise and intelligent leader and totally not responsible for screwing up everything up. Or anywhere near as ruthlessly brilliant (and psycho evil) as her nutso Spider-Demon-Queen Mother. Telling her "Hey your Mom's gonna shank you by outsmarting you" is unlikely to result in a coherent strategy from a Goddess who always seemed like a rebellious teenager from a broken home. Hmmm. Actually that'd explain alot in a weird way.
Note to self: when have time - research more into the Seldarine and Dark Seldarine to make sure haven' missed anything.
Anywho away from that and unto magic – Missy at least has taken the presence of Doctor Ned well, or at least she's smiling and not freaking out about her position like in previous seasons. If anything she's been very cheerful about my return and almost eager to be back in the role as my quasi-personal assistant. Though the fact I came back with a Teacher for her (other than Nimmil of course) and myself, but mainly her to then teach me, even if Ned is Necromancer and that does make her nervous somewhat. I can attest to that after visiting the Ship of the Undead Apocalypse but considering we hate Luskan and he hates Luskan. Well.
He needs a place to lie low and seek his revenge maybe, while I need something as a counterweight to any more murder-hobos turning up while I'm away on campaign. That and he's got lots of customers lined already, and I'm quite happy to have them pay going rates as my nascent market economy creation plan is slowly starting to work. Kinda. Sorta. At least my clan are using the shiny, shiny, coins and causing some level of supply and demand to function here and between the villages. And I didn't even have to be here when it got started! Awesome!
On that note.
I've broken out the Three Tomes taken from our defeat of Baron Crazypants and sat down with Doctor Ned and Nimmil the Dread Gnome (as she styles herself to my minions evidently) a few hours ago, and with Tris and Missy and Lua and...
Yeah big crowd of the various spell casters I've assembled here and basically asked the question of what the feck do we actually have here. A risk of course in revealing my hand like that, but the fact is neither myself nor Missy have a Gods-damned clue how to understand the things, nor how to handle the wards on them or what the hell the stronghold is sitting atop. It's also something of a bribe on my part to them to keep them engaged with the stronghold and my clan till at least the ToT and shit starts to happen. And it worked I think. Both of my Wizard School Teachers (oh damn I run Orc Hogwarts now evidently. Note to self: don't become evil like Dumbles and start planning to sacrifice children for nebulous prophesies!) are extremely interested in said Tomes. Not steal them interested at least, because I'm basically offering them an all expenses paid research lab here to drool over the damned things and I doubt they'd work together without my project management anyway.
It's only been a basic briefing, and quick tour of the lowest cleared level of the stronghold, but there is some level of confirmation on my own and Missy's theories. It also indicates to me some of the possible reasoning behind why the Boss guided us to this spot. No translations or the like but there is a general agreement that this place, or at least the buried city underneath us, is pre-Nethoril. Or early Nethorese period probably – but it's definitely not Nethorese in origin according to my new resident Necromancer. That and Nimmil and he can confirm that the walls (No - the whole underground structure that's buried under the stronghold and likely the valley proper) is resistant to magic in general. And not just my low level spells but actually scaling upwards through the arcane ranks after a brief test; that wall on the lower level was undamaged by the spells regardless of spell level.
Though honestly it does leave a particularly nasty theory on what happened here all those centuries or millennia ago. If I had to guess from Doctor Ned, Nimmil and Missy suggest then this was likely a city-state of some kind at the time of the rise of Nethoril and clashed with said rising nascent empire I'd assume. Hence magic resistant walls and tomes of power, maybe anti-magic or such, or undeath or whatever, and then at some stage...
We've a small city buried under a mountain of dirt that gradually became a valley with hills, our stronghold being built atop the tallest part of that city – either the rulers place, or wizards tower, or temple or some such. Basically I'd guess this lot were an enemy of a rising empire, we're a nuisance by deflecting their magic, and then someone used one of those nasty beyond 8th Level spells pre-Mystra to turn enemy city into buried graveyard of dead people whose magic stopped them being burned out or blown up. Or something like that. Seven Hells we don't even know if the inhabitants were human or elf or dwarf so that thinking could be completely off.
Still it's progress. Which is more than I've had by myself so far; and just as importantly one of them is to do with Undeath, or Negative Energy, or Anti-Magic, or Summoning, or interacting with the Weave according to Ned from the 'feel' of it. Yes I know broad statement of completely different magical domains but it backs up what we'd seen of the previous castle's owner's experimentation on the matter. So I'm going to create a research area on the lower level, and begin further excavations like we'd planned. As soon as we ward the every loving shit out of that area and the floor above it. Because if anything goes wrong I want whatever problem is caused to be contained to the lowest level so it can be easily sealed by the stone doors and magic resistant walls and corridors. What the Boss wants the Boss gets, but this Civ Tech tree worries me as always thanks to the risks. Safety and Security are a priority and thankfully both my Resident Necromancer and Illusionist agree with my caution on the matter. I'll discuss it with Oggy later on as she'll be in charge of 'the projects' when I leave in the spring.
Note to self: ensure I leave squad of our better warriors and some of my own merry magical minions for extra security.
Anyway must rest now.
Have to get up early with Missy for my magical lesson with her, the good Doctor and the so-called Dread Gnome. I think I, and she, are finally starting to make progress and with that I can design up a curriculum for those I leave behind for training, and for the whelps that are old enough.
--
[Nedorious Illan Kline III 01]
Shaman's Tower, Sparta
"Hmmm-hm-hmmm-hmm-hmm-hmmmmm" he hummed the old sea shanty as he rearranged the various potted plants he managed to salvage from the lost office in Luskan into a nice and comfy office space. Though they weren't very green at the moment after their trip in the pocket dimension he'd created without much in the way of regular watering or natural sunshine. Still with a little tender love and care, some magical aid, and lots and lots of fertiliser that could be quickly rectified despite it been the middle of winter. After all every workplace need a little colour and atmosphere in it to keep everyone cheerful; no matter what the others in his profession argued about crypts and graveyards. Then again most of his peers were either morbid little weirdoes, a little too obsessed with undeath. Mostly because they lived every waking moment afraid of dying. Or just too in love with the whole concept of being some sort of prospective Dark Lord of some kind. Then again some of course were just messed up in the head like those bastards back in Luskan who'd killed Barty and those he'd served with on the Horror.
"Make them burn, make them pay, see their blood spray-aye-aye, hm-hmmm-hmm-hmm-hmmmmm" he hummed out and thought cheerfully, stepping back and as he found the arrangement of his small little study/bedroom to his liking. While there wasn't much he could right now of course he recorded those names in his ledgers for future action-ing. Thankfully the helpful orc Karguk he'd hired for a short while also seemed to share some sort of vendetta, or at least tit-for-tat violence scenario, with the Host Tower so he had nice place to lie low and decide with to do. And potential allies when he had the opportunity to turn which of the ever one of those old fuckers had ordered the Capt. Killed into something they'd very much regret. The debt books had to be balanced after all; they'd killed Barty, after keeping him stuck in that horrid little port, had damaged his sales for several years most likely and assaulted his employees in the process! By jolly the must have broken some laws on their side as it had certainly broken some of the unspoken ones that kept things nice and civilized. It just seemed have to be the dispenser of justice for these crimes sadly. He sighed. It was such a hassle as well as necessary sadly. Oh well, only time would tell. He turned at loud thumping boots into the room.
"Ah Crue, excellent timing as always! Good evening to you my dear!" he told her in a cheerful tone. The key to success was a positive mental attitude, and encouraging your minions to maintain that as well despite the circumstances. And poor dear Cruenditha certainly needed the encouragement as she always seemed to be getting out of the wrong side of the bed most days. Then again over the decades he'd found that was possibly just a trait of dwarves in general; most everyone he'd meet seen a mixture of soberly grumpy and drunkenly happy. Or violent and prone to vandalism, but that was often what made them happy of course. People were such simple creatures at times he'd found, though sadly as expect she harrumphed back at him grumpily in greeting. Still it was her dwarf-in-okay-mood grumpiness so she appeared to be adjusting well to their new place of business. Excellent!
"What's so good about it Boss? You have noticed we're stuck in an old fortress surrounded by dirty, savage, feral orcs and their minion's right?"
"Tut-tut! Valued customers Crue! Valued paying customers!" he reminded her waving a finger at her in admonishment "and Milord Karguk's crowd aren't really anymore dirty, savage or feral than most of our previous customers have been. Remember that Ogre-Mage a few years ago, or that village in Calimshan? Why this place is practically civilized! Anyway I'm going to polymorph into an orc in a short while..." he paused thoughtfully for a moment then continued "...well once I discuss it with our hosts of course. Makes things easier I find with the prospective customers. Fitting in with the locals and their customs always helps! I can change you too?" he finshed with a friendly inquiry.
Sadly all he received was a glare of disapproval and a firm "No"
He sighed then hummed back cheerfully hand held up at his head height, then moving down to just under chest high "Now Crue, I'm sure you'd make a lovely Orc lady...ohhh, is it the height, I can keep you the same height if you like? You could be Cruenditha the Mini-Orc! Wouldn't that be a fine test case to see?"
She rolled her eyes "No"
"Fine then!" he answered, arms waving to either side in defeat "Plain old Dwarf it remains! Oh no complaints when I give you the muscle enhancements but Nooo! Ned wants to make me into a customer friendly sales-Orc? How terrible! No I shan't be helpful at all!"
"Yeah, yeah Boss. This dwarven defender likes bein' a fine lookin' piece of dwarven ass and not some tusked grey-green skin orc. Ah'd rather have looks ah' distaste and urge tha' fitt' than getting looks ah' prospective lovers. Tha' danged Minatour was bad enough. Now ye finished yer messin' bout with dem plants and ready ta see Karg up above? One ah his damned orc wannabe wizards turned up ta check"
"Apprentices my dear Crue! Apprentices! Best get the names and details as we shall be here quite a few seasons after all" he corrected her while taking up his shoulder back of spell-book, scrolls and reagents for the day. One could never be too careful after all when it came to personal safety in these troubled times. Then again all times were troubled in their own ways he mused idly for a moment as he secured the strap around his shoulders. Still compared to the last lot of Orcs he'd worked with (in the loosest sense of with) about two or three decades ago this lot were surprisingly disciplined and organised. No rewrite that. They were shockingly disciplined and organised for the usually savage tribes you saw up on the Spine of the World – why their leaders, his short term employee-apprentice
Why Karg, well Karguk, hadn't even had to brutally murder anyone to keep them in line upon his return! And that didn't even account for the fact they ruled, not burned down, some nearby villages while building roads in the valley. All very curious; even without considering the Gnome Wizard who lived here in the tower along with him, well and that human apothecary. Useful too as if they were capable of working with human and half-elven villagers despite being orcs then they would at the least be just like the standard practice setup here in the North - ie make sure you got paid and have enough magic or strength to ensure you could escape if things turned sour. That and there was those lovely Tomes to research. Why they would keep him busy for many months, maybe years, to glean their ancient and hopefully useful knowledge. According to Karg his Apprentice it had resulted in a Death Knight in the past, so there was some dangerous magic in there too, and dangerous knowledge often walked hand in hand with useful stuff.
'Though it's all a curious setup here, whoever would have thought some orcs would start training up some trainee mages? Still shan't complain! The pay is good and won't those fools in Luskan be in for a surprise when some spell-casting orcs start ruining their day. Oh what fun it shall be!' he mused to himself as he walked past the amour clad dwarf who was plonking into her chair as he passed out the doorway into the hallway of this ruined old castle tower. The surprisingly heavily warded and guarded shamans tower as the two chainmail clad orcs allowed him to pass up the stairs to the level above without complain.
Suspicious looks of course, and general wariness, but none of the threatening or such he'd expected before his arrival. Them being orcs after all, but judging from Milord Karg and what he'd seen they would be useful allies or tools in the days to come if he played his cards right. Even the wards indicated at greater sophistication that one would normally expect to see – yes they were primitive and crude as he'd have expected from an novice, but they were both numerous and well designed within those constraints. Hardly the haphazard affair one normally saw even in civilized settlements let alone out in the wilds 'Hmmm, possible reincarnate or gifted magical knowledge to my part-time apprentice? A bit too much even for that slave-girl to have granted in such a time. Perhaps a failed resurrection? Or granted powers above the usual by his God? A Chosen perhaps? Hmmm...it all so fascinating to discover!'
The room was lovely and warm to enter, the result of the gloriously burning fire in the large fireplace that was keeping out the shivering cold from the howling winds outside. Thankfully the orcs seemed to have decent skills at repairs and the windows of the old tower had been securely shut with wooden shutters, secure enough that they only faintly thumped despite the strong winds outside and weren't going to be an annoyance. And it seemed he was the last one to arrive as he greeted them in a polite and friendly manner. The so-called Dread Gnome, an illusionist adventurer named Nimmil , sat beside the second of his evident knew primary apprentices the slave Missasri.
Again another surprise, training a slave (who was a wizard) in magic despite her having attacked them in the past – but compared to some of the other oddness of this clan that little fact merely got added to pile as he sat down beside the Orc Karg himself. On the table before them lay several blank scrolls and ink quills for today's lessons. Sadly he had only the winter to train his two erstwhile main apprentices before they left to fight in some tribal war for a season or two so he would give them as intense a training in that time that he could. They, well young Karg, was paying him well above the normal rate to train him at the premium level. And it should give a baseline for the more 'class' training he was supposed to give the other orcs once the Shaman departed. Ah what more could a Wizard want?
Paying customers, meat-shields if bounty hunters came so he cold cast spells at any enemies, and a potential sword that could smite his enemies that just needed to be sharpened...
--
When: Nearing the end, month of Nightal, 1353DR
Where: Third Level down, Underground Excavation, Sparta
Well good news, bad news, on our little excavation programme.
Good news is that we've effectively cleared the two levels below where we encountered Baron Crazy-pants with relative ease during the period I was away and the more extensive efforts since I've returned. If anything it's been a useful way to exercise the various levies and younger warriors now that the winter has descended in full force without even hitting Deep Winter officially as yet. Further to that good news is that the levels have no issues with undead, or traps, or curses, or any other such things in that process. Mostly because any bones or such traces are likely long gone due to the extent of time since whatever happened here, well...happened basically. The only things that would be down there then we think are enchanted artefacts or Tomes such as the ones the previous inhabitants of this place managed to find.
Bad news is that our progress has stalled now that we've hit some warded doors. Or at least we assume their warded doors, because they don't actually appear to be doors despite the stairs and hallways indicating they should be doors. My resident magical experts are reasonable sure that their not trapped or dangerous, but we're not a hundred percent on that unfortunately. So far we've two working theories on what's going on;
[1] Because this was either a wizards tower, or a tower of the buried city's ruler, then these upper levels we're likely the living quarters for the high muckity-mucks themselves, sorta back up by the large rooms we've cleaned and the Tomes been found scattered without. Then these 'doors' are enchanted in some manner to prevent entry from the lower levels to the upper ones because class system, or keeping dangerous knowledge away from apprentices maybe. This is something that could be solvable we think because it's either a high level illusion (and we have an illusionist to test that later) or an 'activate and Boom! Door!' spell that's causing the doorway to be literal merged into the stonework of the walls.
[2] There are no doors – because this was Wizards Tower and pre-Mystra so the way in and out from the lower levels was via teleportation magic. This is argued against by the shape of the descending hallways and stairs, but there are symbols engraved on the walls by where the 'doors' should be and that could argue for this been the case. Spell go in, spell go out. This of course would be seriously problematic for any further exploration. And that's going beyond not been able to figure out the point to point teleport by the way. Because there could be no air on the other side – because we've had to 'push' air ahead of us as we've gone down to ensure an air-supply into the underground. Primarily really this place wasn't meant as a natural cave.
Instead having being built as an open air tower that got submerged by whoever magically nuked the place all those centuries or millennia ago. Yeah so if it's a teleport...yeah we've a problem then as their ain't gonna be any air over there after millennia, or worse it's been buried because mud flowed into it and hardened and you'd be teleporting into hardened mud-rock and get to die. Unfortunately we can't even dent the enchanted stonework so punching through it isn't really an option, Gods know we've tried and lost a number of our steel tools in the attempt. I have debated using my 'blessed' black powder but have ruled that out firmly. I really don't want to pull a stunt like that dude in the history of my past life and over-do it by blowing up home in a really stupid manner.
So we've called a halt to the digging and switched to cleaning and clearing the excavated floors to make them liveable. This is going to take a good few weeks between hauling dirt and debris up and out of these two levels, and then moving gear and furniture down to make them habitable – combined with the necessity of ensuring little things like no traps or artefacts hidden under remaining gunk, and the air is fine into the future. Because no one ever seems to worry about air supply on grand adventures it seems, but sadly I must. Health and safety matter where you live. Unless you're a dwarf I suppose as they apparently don't believe in safety railings.
Truth be told I'm sort of glad that it's stalled because frankly I've too much on my plate at the moment and I want to focus my remaining month or two at home focusing on arcane studies when I'm not playing logistics for our little expedition. Sort of selfish I'll admit, but my reasoning is it'll give something for Doctor Ned and Nimmil to focus on while I'm away alongside training up the reserves and next generation of Battlestaves and the research project that is the Tomes. But as mentioned me and Missy only have limited time available and I want to get as much training done, alongside scroll creation in that timeframe.
So I must away now and bother the Good Doctor about wardings focused on the undead and the demonic as there my likely short term issues.
Slan go foile a chara.
--
When: Month of Hammer, 1354DR (at least I think it is, could still be late 1353)
Where: Main Keep, Sparta
Ugh; Snow and Cold and more Snow. That basically sums up the outside these past few weeks, and the seemingly never-ending battle to keep the 'streets' and slope of our stronghold with attendant town below clear of the damn stuff. Good news is why have magic so there isn't any real health concerns that one would normal expect from a medieval level society and increasing population in a concentrated area like this. Though Ihave enforced a policy of standardised cleanliness in the old Stormfang since I was old enough to get something done, and that's only expanded into what like to think of as a military like system of latrines, boiling water to keep out disease and other such things.
You'll be surprised to know my future readers that much of that is actually based upon what I've learned from those who Yurtus White-Hands as much that of my past life. Oh wasn't that a nicer, cleaner, lifestyle. Yes weird I know but one must remember that the clerics of the disease god are actually largely responsible for those areas in many tribes, healing and preventing disease as much as spreading it. After all, his entire portfolio is largely of 'removing the weak' from the orc species rather than doing harm to the lot of us as a whole. Despite the issues with our pantheon one cannot deny that it makes a disturbing amout of sense for the strategy has outlined for us; rapid population growth combined with ruthless Darwinism has resulted in Orcs been damned hard kill off in an area even if we're never successful under the model as whole. Though, well, the Boss is working on that on the greater scale while I handle my own little part of the world.
Anyway Tris is finally talking to me again, well she was talking to me before but now she's no longer looking at me sideways or thinking I'm going to draw her through the stronghold on a leash. Because evidently she has a really wild imagination and thinks somewhat strangely of me it seems. Lua finds it hilarious and she only goes to encourage Tris on it by stoking said imagination because that's the way she is. Still we're friends again...well not exactly as close as we were in Luskan, but well...I'm pretty sure the now resident drow is working on that matter, along with making Tris her own 'close friend' as well in the process. For the moment I can ignore it and focus on my studies with Doctor Ned and Nimmil the so-called Dread Gnome; though honestly Missy is getting the greater training as I have other duties during the day mostly with Zah and Old Breyjuk with plan. Then with Oggy and Ghorza planning out the Midwinter rituals with the acolytes – good news there all the ritual spell-work is setup and chalked on the walls. Joy I suppose.
--
When: Month of Hammer, 1354DR
Where: Second Floor down, Excavation, Sparta
Anymore our magical training that involves fire and things that go Boom are to be done on the lower floors of the excavated floors where all the magic resistant walls are and my stuff, which is flammable, isn't. Thankfully no one was killed in today's test (thanks to Nimmil and the fact Clerics readily available) but some of hard bought blank paper was turned into burning paper along with some of my furniture. And the carpet! My lovely (okay crudely stitched together bunch of furs) carpet!
Great bloody snow drifts outside and fires breaking out inside!
--
When: Getting close to Midwinter
Where: My Tower Sparta
I spend a lot of time with my little Karggy and the quartet of Mara, Kethri, Rose, and Missy, today, mostly because I've been flat out these past few days and I needed the break (even if just for a day) before the draining rituals for midwinter kick off. Followed of course by the then even more tiring meeting with, or visions from, the Boss Orc himself. So Oggy and Ghorza got to do cleric duties today while I slept in. Well Missy got to sleep in too, as despite her desire to study, study, study, with our new teachers the black rings on her eyes are indicators she needed a good night's sleep. Or most a night and nearly all the day; so it is more accurate to say I sent the day with the two sisters my Kargash while Missy snored away through it. Ironically she exhausted herself though her own obsessive scholarly attitudes after I largely let her do her own thing since getting Doctor Ned to agree to stay and teach. Perhaps it's amusingly ironic, I don't know. Other than that Rose seemed to enjoy alternating between reading through my small library (well the 'public' part of it, can't have the Holy Books seen), playing with Kargash and dozing off.
My little Kargy is an energetic little brat; I'm not sure how Mara and Kethri have the energy to keep up with her honestly. But then again all children are terrifying little bundles of energy and joy whether orc or not I suppose. It was fun and nice to play and have time with her. And them to of course; family bonding time we'll call it. Helps get the mind off all the many tiring and annoying things that I normally have to do around here. Though I think Lua and Tris were a little surprised at my happy-happy-sunshine behaviour with little Karggy during their little visit. In fairness Lua this is my day off, we aren't going to talk theology and philosophy when I'm having family time. At least Tris seemed to prefer the brief chance to play with my whelp first rather than trying to start talking about gods and goddesses. Sense thy name is not drow it seems. Then again a sensible person probably wouldn't become an adventurer and walk right into an orc stronghold because someone asked nicely (well being chased by zombie wizards helped). Still going to enjoy the rest of my day and now must cease my entry as someone is rather annoyed at my continued writing and ignoring of her 'Now!Now!' at me.
--
[Missasri 14]
Main Keep, Sparta
Despite the surprising warmth of the room within the main keep of the orc stronghold Missasri shiver slightly as she felt the hairs on the back of neck seem to rise at the feel of power in the air. Still it hadn't been anything she wasn't expecting she reminded herself once again firmly to prevent a show of nervousness, or worse, fear to assembled orcs all around her. She endured that first terrifying visitation of the Orc Gods and she would endure this as well. After all she had wanted to be here with Karguk and his wives at her own suggestion. Master would have left her behind if she had so wished; he'd basically told her as much in the past few days after all. So she could have sat in the tower, talking to the new arrivals, or with Nimmil, or even plot escape but...
But in the end that gained her nothing, escape was realistically impossible now she knew, that and she believed Karguk's promise that if she proved herself she could be freed. That if she could do enough in the next few years, however long it seemed, then she would earn her freedom as promised as well as maybe give this 'example' her Master wanted for other slaves to do the same. And that meant staying close to Master Karguk despite all these more skilled magic user's he'd hired, or the drow and half-elven harlots he'd found out in the wilds, that surrounded him now. She, Missasri Bladecutter, had been here first before all of them, had suffered through horror and pain to get to this point and wasn't going to lose what she eked out. Especially when she was being taught magic again, by real arcane master's this time, and being allowed to study ancient Tomes that she wouldn't' be allowed see, let alone touch, in normal circumstances.
'Of course, one of those Teachers is a (likely evil & old) necromancer and the other is a mercenary (also likely evil) gnome who is unfazed working for orcs and other evil creatures and those arcane tomes likely helped turn Baron Crazy-pants into a Death Knight. Still it's an education even Father couldn't afford for me so perhaps I shouldn't complain what little good fortune I receive in this life right now' she told herself idly, watching as the Gods-slaves stepped forward from the throng of orcs. Shedding their robes as they moved lithely into that circle of the chalk, and small amount of animal blood, that marked the ritual patterns for today and took their positions surrounding the main circle. Sliding to her knees beside Mara and Kethri in the 'area' marked out as Master's; she watched as the six, those black lines of on their flesh seeming to flow and writhe as they began to singing chant of the orc acolytes surrounding them started up as Mistress Ogrash's command. Master Karguk for the moment merely stood beside Missasri and the two sisters, towering over them now and watching Mistress seemingly for the cue to begin his part in the ritual. Hopefully he wouldn't be teleported off to who knows where and then return with Necromaners, Luskans and Harlots in tow this time around.
Already she could feel that oppressive feeling of power beginning to build all around her as the chant slowly began to build; joined first by the nearby clan-orc younger females in singing glory to their Cave Goddess Luthic. And to their other patron the Orcish War God Ilneval as Master strode past her and joined in the ever growing chant all around them with his Acolytes, Battlestaves and Warswords. As fearful as it was to watch, and the fact she was kneeling amidst a tribe of orcs doing said fearful ritual, the scholarly part of her mind focused memorising everything she saw and even trying to see what the slight adjustments they'd made to the rituals were doing for the things as a whole.
It was part of her job here for Master Karguk after all, and she'd faced down Shadows and a Death Knight at his side, and endured these before...seven hells her current predicament didn't even raise a drop of shame or embarrassment within her anymore. Instead she took hold of Mara's hand beside her and gave it a quick squeeze of support to ease the younger girl's nervousness at growing feeling of power all around them. At least they weren't at each other's throats anymore she figured as the whole room slowly started to build into a vortex of barely reigned in power. Seven Hells she could also see and feel the energy crackling through all the ritual inscriptions on floors and walls all around them, the swaying dance of the Gods-slaves, the droning, singing, chants of the orcs acolytes filling the air...
...her throat felt dry as the burning and freezing hum took hold at the back of her mind, pushing her down with its oppressive presence till her forehead was pressed against the stone floor like the two other slaves beside her. Even the painted 'blessings' on her skin seemed to burn and then freeze, just to burn again at the ominous pressure as the power of the orc's deities seemed to make themselves known. Still she pushed her eyes up from her grovelling position, proud of herself she wasn't whimpering like a few of the slaves that had been brought here for blessings, nor seemingly awed beyond measure like some of the orcs. Instead she focused on the ritual and watched as that ghostly white flame erupted from the impact of Master's fiery paladin's blade upon the centre of the vast ritual circle...
--
[Karguk 25]
[In Mind if not in Body]
'And we're doing the flying thing again...bollocks. Don't cringe, don't cringe, don't cringe, you're astrally and shit' I told myself frantically as I seemed to ascend skyward and the stone room of this floor of the Keep flew towards me. Still my body...well spirit-mind-astral-whatever body...acted on instincted and braced for impact even as I flew 'through' the stonework of that floor. Then another, and another, and another; again and again till I was flying through the last one and out in the cold snowy darkness of the night sky. I hated heights since I was child, both lifetimes really. I was pretty sure that's why the Boss did it this way as I frantically reminded my magic-spirit-floaty body that this wasn't real per see...and the fall wouldn't kill me. Hopefully. At least it didn't the last few times. Oh dear God's I'm going to go splat and then...
'Okay. Calm thoughts. Happy thoughts! Do not appear less scared than the spirit Gods-slaves flying up beside you. You are a brave orc warrior and not scared shitless. Happy thoughts and all that bullshit! Everything's fine remember! Crap here's the Boss Orc. Okay calm, I'm calm and all that!'
Honestly going to one knee while standing on thin air seems ridiculous. It was also terrifying of course, but thinking of it being ridicoulus helped as I went to one knee...on a cloud technically...bowing my head to my patron deity quite glad of the fact the darkness and blizzard cloud cover were merrily hiding the ground far below from my sight. Too me all there was right now was the way-bigger-than-usual silvery moon above in the black night sky surrounded by flickering stars, the six astral-whatever Gods-slaves hovering around me in a wide circle like some mad dancers crossed with spinning tops as the rotated around me...
...oh and the giant eleven foot tall armoured orc deity strolling towards me, booted feet somehow still making ominous marching noises despite...ya know, no ground beneath them. Then again more like faint rumbling thunder at that, so maybe it was just me imagining things. Or could I imagine things when while in my astral whatever magic spirit form? Who knew, I certainly didn't. So for now I ignored such pointless thoughts, as well the fact I was somewhere in the stratosphere surround by naked dancing spirit ladies while snowy blizzard howled below me...
"My Lord, how may I serve you?" straight and to the point I found was the best approach with the Boss. BSing and flattery got you nowhere, which was fine by me. I'd done what was asked so far, though personal visitation indicated I was either wrong on that point, or I was going to have problems coming very soon. Considering the Horde was coming...
"You are to leave in the spring time with this Horde you have helped to form, though you do not lead. Not unexpected for your level of strength and the nature of the Horde as it stands. You WILL survive this coming campaign. Weakness will not be accepted"
'Crap' was the first thought as I formed as I voiced my reply. This was an order, not a prophesy, or a statement of my personal safety by the Boss. No this was more concerning "Yes My Lord, as you command. My Lord, may I ask of the dangers you foresee?"
A gauntleted hand off handed waved to the side and suddenly we we're flying at horrifying speeds, higher and to the east, and to my personal nightmare past cloud cover and looking down upon the dark plains, forests and hills off to our east. Nothing was said to me, but the fires burning below in different spots indicating clusters of fighting strength, or towns, I assumed as we floated on nothingness and I took it all in. Or at least tried to take it all in as I fought the constant "Oh Gods I'm gonna dieeeeeeee!' at the back of my head. This was all a simulation of some sort, or I'm in magc-spirit body, or whatever the fuck I'm not here physically. At least I kept telling myself that...
...fighting off the panic I glanced northward, or at least I assumed northward judging by small beacon of flickering lights I assumed to be Mirabar on the that large river I guessed. Like tiny little ants clusters of darker specks moved across the land in various spots, and another smaller flicking of lights burned off to the east in the hills behind the Goblintide River...
"Griffon's Nest, the plains and then west to fringes of the Crags..." I was told in that cold calm voice that overrode the fear of falling for the moment "...events are changing as you have changed events by my command. Your actions have not been unobserved, nor without response. Your petty horde will not be unopposed when it moves. Prove your worth in the battles to come"
'Oh fucking Joy' I wanted to say but nodded obediently "My Lord, what of Luskan and the results of the events to the west?"
Again came that horrifying and dizzying movement. I'd have puked if not for the fact spirit-bodies don't get queasy evidently. Thought how did that explain the armour and sword? Were they like...mental projections or sumthin? Thinking on idle nonsense stop freaking out completely I find!
"Neverwinter wars with Luskan to the west, the foolish wizards seek your presence there and east to Mirabar, blind to your true Master and purpose. Soon all those lands will be aflame, their strength sapped upon the blade of the others, and their gaze away from your clan and actions my cleric. Then another challenge will come to them from the North. But challenge will come regardless, though not in the form of hordes of warriors from them or in the seasons soon to come"
"My Lord, I have enlisted the aid of others and I would bring with my clan's auxiliaries and plan to retain half of the clan's strength here at Sparta for further training. Do I have your approval for these measures Sir?"
"Yes, grow your strength as deem fit, show me the value of those methods. Others are doing so at my command also, each in their own way to prove their own strength. Soon the days of change will be upon you and you will either prove your worth or fail. Your choice of companions is unexpected, but not without worth or power of its own. The servant of the Dark Maiden you will keep close so the value of certain actions can be judged, as you have done with the Grain Mother's minions. Muster their strength and rain destruction upon my enemies"
"Yes My Lord, and as to the creation of these Knights of the Red Branch that would wield weapons such as my own?"
"They will have my blessings. So long as they are set to the cause of all orcs above themselves, and serve me loyally in their ways, and been ever ready for war. We shall see what the value of such as these over the more conservative of my followers who struggle and grow due to ambition alone. Now begone and learn! Do not resist the visions"
And then it was drop-kick time, followed by my screaming descent towards the ground below where my body waited. I swear cold hard laughter followed me all the way down. Along with the coming surreal vision quest that always seemed to come with it when Luthic or other Gods were present...
--
When: 1354 Dale Reckoning, Year of the Bow evidently
Where: My Study, Sparta
Spoke to Boss. Got marching orders and freaky visions in the follow up as usual. Terrifying yet useful as always the job report/mission briefing. So bad news is it's a warning session that shits about to go down. Worse news is that I can't really act on that information beyond my own clan, or the general information to others of telling them to expect more resistance. When the Boss tells me to survive as my marching orders for the year it doesn't really show a whole pile of positive expectations for our hard organised expedition. No conquer here, or smash that, or adventure there...no just don't die. The freaky images of 'possible outcomes' are certainly not encouraging in that regards but I'll count them as a warning of things to avoid rather than fixating on bloody images of me and those I care about dying. After the Boss, in His view, has provided everything need for me to accomplish this mission of His. And, Yes, I know that sounds like a cleric spouting about divine destiny and such. It's not, nor is it paranoia talking. Or, well, not entirely paranoia and faith talking...even if God spoke directly to me and told me bad shits about to happen and hidden shadowy conspiracy are out to get me. Because they totally are!
So I've gotten to working on that information set. Well after the ensuing drinking session and other stuff. Booze and debauchery did help take the mind off the freaky bullshit for a little while and I'll worry about the after effects till later. Thinking while stressed and panicked is rarely the best means for then arranging a plan, or set of plans anyway. So now that I've a clear head, and have had time to talk to Oggy and Zah first, then with Old Breyjuk and Breyza about my 'spirit journey' there is a starting base for at least preparing ourselves for future dangers. Well after the hissy fit that Zah wanted to throw at being left out of the coming battle, battles, or whatever awaits us in the coming months. Because only one of our two Chiefs gets to come and Zah has been the point orc the last few seasons; out crushing bugbears and conquering villages while Old Breyjuk recovered from his wounds. Now it's the Old Orc's turn to head out, on the larger campaign at that, and Zah is gone all sulky. Though thank Ilneval he's listening and just being sulky about the whole damn thing than embarking upon one of his 'mine!' moods and risking a clash between him and Breyjuk; it's just the usual BS of him understanding something in his head and the time it takes him to accept that issue.
So while Breyza works on cheering him up I've consulted with Old Breyjuk, and Ghorza to a lesser degree, about what we're doing in the mean time. And truth be told while Zah would be the better choice in my view as a war chief with his flashes of tactical brilliance the simple truth is the clan cannot afford to lose both him and me in the one season. At least not without crippling damage to everything I've tried to create here. Yes Zah can be an idiot at times but he listens to Oggy and Breyza, a least, and sees the benefits of not abusing the slaves within a Lawful society. Even if it's just from self-interest and his behaviour fits more in the lines of a conquering warlord than a tolerant and fair ruler. Him also being based here with the other half of the clans warriors also means this isn't a do or die operation for the clan. We're bedding down a nice solid base here in the valley, the fields are expanding, children born, roads being established and outlier bands slowly joining our strength. Zah will patrol aggressive here and keep it secure at our backs if all goes wrong. If I die for whatever reason I want there to be some chance for Oggy, my little Karggy, and all the other children of my clan here in the stronghold.
To that end we'll begin extensive drills formations and general training now the snows are clearing and the general partying has ended. Truth be told even the levies (whether goblin, human or kobold) I think are bored and restless after being trapped under layers of snow and cold intermittently for several weeks. Old Breyjuk will take one Century, I will take the other and Ghorza will take over the human auxiliaries force in its own functional Century structure. We'll have an attached cavalry force under the newcomer Krowluc, even if the force is really only half full blooded orc and mixed in with humans and one or two half-elves, as well. Beyond a few breeding mares that'll be left in the stables, well use some of the oxen we captured a while back to haul our supply wagons. Though the simple matter of ensuring the clans warriors care quasi-standardised pack and gear has helped dramatically in that regard. It slows us down compared to a normal orcish force in terms of raiding of course. But then again we're much more capable of organised reactions and establishing defensive camps than our peers, let alone other benefit to offset. I think so at least.
Because I don't want to lose my whole cadre of Battlestaves and Warswords I'm only taking two-thirds with me, and ensuring their teachers (sans Missy of course) remain behind with the other third. Much like with the warriors we're doing it via a mixture of competition and drawing lots to decide who stays and who goes. Oggy's younger female trainee mages won't be affected of course and we've agreed to increase their training schedules even during the spring and summer periods. In the end the gender division of Orc society means they can be full time wizards or clerics, compared to my own Battlestaves who are in the end Fighter-Mages at heart, so it's the best I can do to maximise our defences alongside the female auxiliary archers. If Zah can cycle them out and back between the stronghold and villages our fighting strength in the valley won't have dropped too drastically even with the army gone. It's certainly enough to keep the villages in line regardless of their species. So Doctor Ned and Nimmil the Dread Gnome get to stay here and paid to do that. Neither is unhappy with that prospect mind you between avoiding a prospective warzone, having a 'cushy' home-front job, all while being able to research the ancient Tomes in safety. Truth be told I'd like to be in their position myself.
Which brings me to the 'splitting the party' part; or at least splitting up my old-new party in a ways. Etlin and his two Luskan ladies want to stay here with Doctor Ned. Lua (and Tris via this) wants to follow with me unto battle and such. Lua then gets to be an 'auxila' officer along with Tris with one of their squad; slightly under-strength at eight, even with them included, but the other six are some of the better village militia and I could use the extra clerical support after said warning. I'd normally want to keep the around me to avoid issues, but their safer with the auxlia all in one place avoiding trouble than paraded before Orc shamans and chiefs; Missy and Rose will be hard enough but at least the others already have seen them. Or think of them as some sort of tame attack dogs I've managed to break or something. Not ideal I'll admit but it avoid hard questions and my personal guard know Missy and Rose while their still only doing the same with Lua and Tris. That and the human 'auxilia' could do with the extra clerical support I think. Because I'm bringing two-thirds of my apprentices, arcane as well as clerical, both my and Old Breyjuk's Century should have full magical support; his with one or the other at least (and likely both if I can) while mine will have one of each for every squad. Only thing that could reduce available numbers is auxilia officers – maybe unsurprisingly my acolytes make the best officers for non-orc minions of the clan and that's going to suck in numbers once we finalise things for good. If so we'll fill in Breyjuk's with a few more shock troop warriors to compensate.
So essentially my intended Order of Battle is as Follows;
1st Cohort (Infantry) (Old Breyjuk)
- 1st Century (Old Brejuk) (roughly between 100-150 orcs) as our shock company and if possible first contact force with the foe. We'll try and gear them up for killing barbarians in the main but having enough squad based magic support to be still well rounded in that category. Honestly they'll be heavier armoured squads than mine from the looks of it anyway.
- 2nd Century (Myself) (again it'll be between 100-150 orcs) which will include Missy, Rose, my personal guard, and of course my two soon to be first Red Branch Knights. I've even managed full plate for the two. Sorry this is our anti-demon, anti-undead company. Or general anti-magical threats with decent fighting power against normal foes.
- 3rd Century (Ghorza) (probably about ten or fifteen orcs plus hundred forty or fifty human militia) and are basically going to be our 'medium' infantry reserve. Their nowhere near as capable as our two companies will be; but we've managed to get them decently armed with spears, light to medium armour, and tower/kite shields so they'll stop Uthgarders in formation. Honestly ensuring enough magical support is main issue without losing too many of Breyjuks. It's a balancing act.
o An Independent Cavalry Band (Krowluc) (about thirty-odd, mixed orc, half-orc and human mostly) they'll report directly to Ghorza oddly, and through her me, and then Old Breyjuk. Makes things easier in a way as it's not an all orc force. My crowd have discipline of sorts beaten into them by now but it's still easier to handle things through an auxiliary minion structure.
2nd Cohort (Archers) (the Kobolds) (King Tucker)
- While the Kobolds have largely adopted our structures an issues there is that are more than one clan involved here and we've largely beaten them into following the line of our own first ally King Tucker's mining clan. So that has left us with the rough following designations;
o 4th Century (roughly 80 or so) (Kobold Commandoes) under a Kobold Sorcerer whose name I struggle to spell.
o 5th Century (about 140 it looks like) (Kobold Commandoes) under King Tucker and like Mr. Sorcerer are our archer contingent.
o 6th Century (just over 110 give or take) (Scouts) (some dude name Shendhess with a terrible hissing accent) Zah says their Good. Which is fine by me, so they get to be our outer screen and backup archers as well.
o They've also got a small group of fifteen who ride (wild in my opinion) boars who are personal guards of some sort. Oh and four dire weasels. Horrible fucking creatures and I'm standing well clear of'em.
3rd Cohort (Support) (Keljarik one of Breyjuks boyos) (ie the wagons, artillery and the goblins)
- I've managed to beat some basic level of basic discipline in those goblins so we've formed them into two Century's worth of 'warriors' with one of Old Breyjuk's captains to ride herd on them and protect the wagons. So they are
- 7th Century (hundred odd goblins) (under a goblin Captain Horroc) (Skirmishers)
- 8th Century (again hundred odd goblins) (another goblin, 'Chief' Krig) (Light Infantry)
- 9th Century (though this is only an 'official' designation) (Keljarik) esstentially it's the odds and ends of our little expedition and consists of;
o Undecided yet in totality but likely 3-4 squads under Keljarik to guard wagons and keep order.
o Two squads of the assembled 'free' (read junior) spellcaster's from the goblins and kobolds
o Three squads of female auxiliaries – healers basically who are vicious enough to discourage 'attention' yet still decent enough in skill to do said healing.
o Six Hwachas, Two Ballistae and the support wagons with their crews. Still being sorted who and what as yet. We'll be living off the land of course but I want a decent supply of foodstuffs and building tools with me for support.
And there we stand. Now I must study with Missy.
Slan go foill.
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