He looks over the soldiers, looks up at the sky. "We rest here tonight.. make camp, set up some guards.. you know the drill. Then search for supplies and survivors."
Turning to the boy he rummages through his pockets but after all this time he is out of apples and sweets so he just crouches down in front of him and offers him a chunk of stale bread. "Hello. I am Hograth. Are you hurt?"
Sacrifice!
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*Krayt
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
There was pleny of housing availible for the troops that would offer a more comfortable rest then their tents. Patrols and guardposts was set in the outskirts of the village. Firewood was easily found as well in the debris.
The soot-smeared face of the human child glared angrily at the half-orc as he presented his gift. Glancing at the bread he revealed his hunger but recent events had teached him to distrust and he was angry, very very angry. But the raking in his belly got the better of him and he quickly snatched the bread from Hograths hand biting a large chunk off and started to chew frenetically while looking at Hograth suspiciously. "No." He said with a defiant tone , his mouth full as he was spatting a few Crumbs in that curt statement.
Mean while Cian sat at a outerguardpost by a bonfire. In his hand he held the gilden knee piece. Scrutinsed the strange piece from evry angle. Leaming forebodingly in the dreary dance of orange firelight and blue moonlight fighting for supremacy only to shift in his hold as he shifted it.
The soot-smeared face of the human child glared angrily at the half-orc as he presented his gift. Glancing at the bread he revealed his hunger but recent events had teached him to distrust and he was angry, very very angry. But the raking in his belly got the better of him and he quickly snatched the bread from Hograths hand biting a large chunk off and started to chew frenetically while looking at Hograth suspiciously. "No." He said with a defiant tone , his mouth full as he was spatting a few Crumbs in that curt statement.
Mean while Cian sat at a outerguardpost by a bonfire. In his hand he held the gilden knee piece. Scrutinsed the strange piece from evry angle. Leaming forebodingly in the dreary dance of orange firelight and blue moonlight fighting for supremacy only to shift in his hold as he shifted it.
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*Selebius
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"Good. Where are your parents? Can you tell us what happened here?" Hograth asks, taking off his helmet now, trying to appear as non threatening as a armoured half orc of his build can be.
If he noticed Cian taking the piece of the fiendling's armour he will not stop him but turning to him he would say: "Be careful with that one. It has power- perhaps also the power to corrupt. Have our casters take a look at at, please."
He then returns his attention to the boy- dealing with children is still easier for him than trying to identify eldritch artifacts.
If he noticed Cian taking the piece of the fiendling's armour he will not stop him but turning to him he would say: "Be careful with that one. It has power- perhaps also the power to corrupt. Have our casters take a look at at, please."
He then returns his attention to the boy- dealing with children is still easier for him than trying to identify eldritch artifacts.
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*Krayt
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Few worded Cian nodded as he exited the building holding the artifact. But Hograth noted that he seemed allured by it already. He was young and slightly reckless albeit orderly flawless when it came to Harmonium procedures. A older priest seemed walked over to Hograth as Cian parted to the nightwatch. " I will take a look at that. Youngsters and possible powerful artifacts were never a good combination was it?"
The boy spoke with anger. "They're dead. Is he dead too did you kill him?" He peered behind Hograth and the ruined building behind him. "If I was strong I'd kill him." He could see the boy supressing his tears, he wanted to appear strong to the half-orc. "He took us from our homes. He locked us up here. To play.. king of the hill." He pointed to the North. probably he just remembered where he had been brought in from. "I come from the steps far where the sun sets. Others came from other places, said this village was cursed something happened long ago. Stange story. Was before High Priest became Theocrat priest-emperor and before Underhell. But them just silly stories, I don't Believe in stories any more."
After having finished the bread he reached for the apple. Calming down as he spoke the Measure seem to have gained his trust relatively fast albeit being a half-orc.
The boy spoke with anger. "They're dead. Is he dead too did you kill him?" He peered behind Hograth and the ruined building behind him. "If I was strong I'd kill him." He could see the boy supressing his tears, he wanted to appear strong to the half-orc. "He took us from our homes. He locked us up here. To play.. king of the hill." He pointed to the North. probably he just remembered where he had been brought in from. "I come from the steps far where the sun sets. Others came from other places, said this village was cursed something happened long ago. Stange story. Was before High Priest became Theocrat priest-emperor and before Underhell. But them just silly stories, I don't Believe in stories any more."
After having finished the bread he reached for the apple. Calming down as he spoke the Measure seem to have gained his trust relatively fast albeit being a half-orc.
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*Selebius
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- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
"Thank you." Hograth says to the two soldiers and then he sits down by the boy's side.
He is listening carefully, not answering yet, just letting the boy share the heavy weight that else might smother his soul. The half orc offers him his waterskin as well, not yet thinking about the problems the boy's presence might cause on their journey.
They are Harmonium, they won't leave anybody behind and they will overcome this challenge as well. And the boy knew stories. Stories about this place and while they might be just stories they also might be more.
"I would like to hear the story. By the way... I am Hograth.", he introduces himself. "So you mentioned a curse?"
He is listening carefully, not answering yet, just letting the boy share the heavy weight that else might smother his soul. The half orc offers him his waterskin as well, not yet thinking about the problems the boy's presence might cause on their journey.
They are Harmonium, they won't leave anybody behind and they will overcome this challenge as well. And the boy knew stories. Stories about this place and while they might be just stories they also might be more.
"I would like to hear the story. By the way... I am Hograth.", he introduces himself. "So you mentioned a curse?"
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*Krayt
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
The boy's head fell and as anger seemed to pass fatigue took him and a profound sorrow. It had beeen a harsh ordeal and only the strongest child would have survived mentally. Kicking a loose shard of ice around as to distract himself as he told the tale.
"My name is Yustrilm. Was called Jasse. The story yes.. Once long ago there was a evil woman she came from far away like you." The boy looked up and there was a hint of curiosity in his eye. "Where do you come from? Do you have children I can play with?"
"The story.. The witch came here. It wasn't as it was now. It was a border between two kingdoms. It was the free city belonging to no nation. Them people who lived here was soplofis. They could talk about what they want. Because both kings feared what would happen if they took the city for their nation both nations left the city. You see talk can be dangerous, kings don't like it. They want to speak others just listen. So the witch came. She was beautiful and they said no man could resist her if they had seen her in the eyes. It was good times becourse there was no angriness between people or the nations. They fight for long time before two twins was born here of a refuge heir from both nations. A princess from the west and a prince from the east."
He paused. Bended down and picked the iceshard up tossing it as far to the north he could so hard that he nearly fell over at his own momentum.
"Two kings in the time of feuds met up there. Their fathers of course. They fought up and down that mountain. All knights died on both sides. All Soldiers. Only the kings left still they fought. None of them wanted to yield so both died. The lords was tired of this war alll the time and said place each of the twins on a throne and we will have peace. It was good times. People forgot what it was like to be hungry, thirsty or cold. When people talked to each other it was like music to listen to because everyone was so friendly and happy. So the witch. The twins grew up to men and they were always together visiting the castle of his brother when not his brother vistid him and so and so. They saw the witch and they had never seen a woman like that. In beauty, in bearing, in eqo-eqou..ekoness? So both wanted her to be his wife. even if they had many wives already. Strange story I told you. Where there was love between the brother there was now hate. Only seeing faults in the other because of wha they wanted to themselves.So the witch make promise to both I will be the queen of both nation but only to one king. Like their grandparents they fought. But none kills his brother. One fled to the mountains. It became his fortress. They continue war until both dead. Jacaal that is now Underhell. He was given a scepter the other took the two crowns. That's why chief Theocrat have three crows you see. It is there he would take me. Since I won the game. I am the king of the hill. I killed the others so I can live. I am king of the hill it was the game he played with us."
He counched down and fiddled with another piece of loose ice. Sliding it between his hands rappidly like a game of flipper his left hand trying to outmatch his right and somehow outwitt himself.
"People never came here. The ghost of filosofist still come and talk. It's dangerous to listen to people talking. Get strange ideas that grows and never leaves they say. I told you silly story. Like anyone stupid to do that just to play with a nice girl. Some girls are nice. Or you can talk like music from your mouth all the time. None can. Silly, silly stoy."
He stopped the shard gripping it with both hands as he looked up at Hograth with a expression of resolve you never see in a child normally.
"I won the game. I am king of the hill now. The others are dead, I killed them all because I was stronger and I wanted to live. No my fault. They will come for me and take me. Never good at running. Never win at that. Or hide bad at that one too. So I'm going to Underhell. There is no other place to go. Guess since you killed him you take me there? Much nicer. I don't hate you."
"My name is Yustrilm. Was called Jasse. The story yes.. Once long ago there was a evil woman she came from far away like you." The boy looked up and there was a hint of curiosity in his eye. "Where do you come from? Do you have children I can play with?"
"The story.. The witch came here. It wasn't as it was now. It was a border between two kingdoms. It was the free city belonging to no nation. Them people who lived here was soplofis. They could talk about what they want. Because both kings feared what would happen if they took the city for their nation both nations left the city. You see talk can be dangerous, kings don't like it. They want to speak others just listen. So the witch came. She was beautiful and they said no man could resist her if they had seen her in the eyes. It was good times becourse there was no angriness between people or the nations. They fight for long time before two twins was born here of a refuge heir from both nations. A princess from the west and a prince from the east."
He paused. Bended down and picked the iceshard up tossing it as far to the north he could so hard that he nearly fell over at his own momentum.
"Two kings in the time of feuds met up there. Their fathers of course. They fought up and down that mountain. All knights died on both sides. All Soldiers. Only the kings left still they fought. None of them wanted to yield so both died. The lords was tired of this war alll the time and said place each of the twins on a throne and we will have peace. It was good times. People forgot what it was like to be hungry, thirsty or cold. When people talked to each other it was like music to listen to because everyone was so friendly and happy. So the witch. The twins grew up to men and they were always together visiting the castle of his brother when not his brother vistid him and so and so. They saw the witch and they had never seen a woman like that. In beauty, in bearing, in eqo-eqou..ekoness? So both wanted her to be his wife. even if they had many wives already. Strange story I told you. Where there was love between the brother there was now hate. Only seeing faults in the other because of wha they wanted to themselves.So the witch make promise to both I will be the queen of both nation but only to one king. Like their grandparents they fought. But none kills his brother. One fled to the mountains. It became his fortress. They continue war until both dead. Jacaal that is now Underhell. He was given a scepter the other took the two crowns. That's why chief Theocrat have three crows you see. It is there he would take me. Since I won the game. I am the king of the hill. I killed the others so I can live. I am king of the hill it was the game he played with us."
He counched down and fiddled with another piece of loose ice. Sliding it between his hands rappidly like a game of flipper his left hand trying to outmatch his right and somehow outwitt himself.
"People never came here. The ghost of filosofist still come and talk. It's dangerous to listen to people talking. Get strange ideas that grows and never leaves they say. I told you silly story. Like anyone stupid to do that just to play with a nice girl. Some girls are nice. Or you can talk like music from your mouth all the time. None can. Silly, silly stoy."
He stopped the shard gripping it with both hands as he looked up at Hograth with a expression of resolve you never see in a child normally.
"I won the game. I am king of the hill now. The others are dead, I killed them all because I was stronger and I wanted to live. No my fault. They will come for me and take me. Never good at running. Never win at that. Or hide bad at that one too. So I'm going to Underhell. There is no other place to go. Guess since you killed him you take me there? Much nicer. I don't hate you."
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*Selebius
- Posts: 1073
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
(( Great story. Fun to read! :) ))
The half orc sat in silence, listening to the boy's words. A few times he furrows his brow, sometimes he smiles, perhaps feeling a bit like a boy as well now, exchanging stories with a friend.
He notes the names, the description, the witch that was mentioned- and especially her role on this conflict.
Getting up Hograth gets one of the bedrolls that once belonged to a fallen trooper, giving it to the boy.
"This is yours now, Jasse. You will come with us and I will not let Underhell claim you. There are other places to live- we will find a place for you."
He sits down again, helping the boy to prepare the bedroll in some sheltered place. "My wife and I have no children of our own yet... my position as soldier and hers as a judge does not give us the time to care for one.
But I have a small nephew... my older sister's child.
Find some rest now. You are safe with us."
He then goes to find Cian and the cleric.
The half orc sat in silence, listening to the boy's words. A few times he furrows his brow, sometimes he smiles, perhaps feeling a bit like a boy as well now, exchanging stories with a friend.
He notes the names, the description, the witch that was mentioned- and especially her role on this conflict.
Getting up Hograth gets one of the bedrolls that once belonged to a fallen trooper, giving it to the boy.
"This is yours now, Jasse. You will come with us and I will not let Underhell claim you. There are other places to live- we will find a place for you."
He sits down again, helping the boy to prepare the bedroll in some sheltered place. "My wife and I have no children of our own yet... my position as soldier and hers as a judge does not give us the time to care for one.
But I have a small nephew... my older sister's child.
Find some rest now. You are safe with us."
He then goes to find Cian and the cleric.
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*Krayt
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Hograth sensed that this was a game the child would not walk away from so easiley. Events like these reformes a soul and can set a mortal on a route thatcannot truely be shunned away from. He had seen horrors and been forced to do horrors, even though there was few options he had been given a choice adn in his World his choice ment more than the real situation. Only a child. He pulled the Bedroll to him as he was given it long before Hograth relinquisehd his grip on it. Slinging it on his shoulder. "There is always someone to play with." He was a stubborn child he insisted on making the bedroll himself when Hograth offered assited him, but he need a hand here and there. . "Why did you become a soldier? Do you like to fight? I like to fight."
The cleric inspects the gilden horned knee at one of the outposts at the northern edge of the village as the Measure finds him. He spoke to Hograth and Cian with a intrigued but cautious tone. "It is powerful. Blessed by a Power. Demonic in orgin. I cannot say which. The insciption say - Bend not thy knee. Rise and greet your destiny without restraint and stand against all that seek tear you down for all wills but your will shall tear at you. Defy them to the bitter end. Refuse to yield aught or fall. Bend not your knee before any or become forver a worthless slave. Will invandes will whom shy not away is the master whom swerve the slave."
The cleric inspects the gilden horned knee at one of the outposts at the northern edge of the village as the Measure finds him. He spoke to Hograth and Cian with a intrigued but cautious tone. "It is powerful. Blessed by a Power. Demonic in orgin. I cannot say which. The insciption say - Bend not thy knee. Rise and greet your destiny without restraint and stand against all that seek tear you down for all wills but your will shall tear at you. Defy them to the bitter end. Refuse to yield aught or fall. Bend not your knee before any or become forver a worthless slave. Will invandes will whom shy not away is the master whom swerve the slave."
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*Selebius
- Posts: 1073
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
"I became a warrior to protect my people first... then to serve a cause I believe in... nowadays it is a bit of both. Fighting is only part of what it means to be a warrior... but we can talk about this another day. Sleep now."
He is patient with the boy, surprisingly for some perhaps, but he takes his time to assist him, answering his questions, tucking him into the bedroll before joining the soldiers.
The half orc listens to what the priest says, digesting this other bit of information, fitting this into what he has learned so far.
"Intersting.... it has no symbols that point to Xvim?", he asks, pondering- then having an idea he asks again. "Is its connection to this power strong enough that it can be followed? From us to it, or vice versa?"
He is patient with the boy, surprisingly for some perhaps, but he takes his time to assist him, answering his questions, tucking him into the bedroll before joining the soldiers.
The half orc listens to what the priest says, digesting this other bit of information, fitting this into what he has learned so far.
"Intersting.... it has no symbols that point to Xvim?", he asks, pondering- then having an idea he asks again. "Is its connection to this power strong enough that it can be followed? From us to it, or vice versa?"
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*Krayt
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
"Xvim the half-fiend son of Bane or Godson as he is also known as,i nheirited the much his fathers clergy since Banedeath."
The priest offered the armour piece to the half-orcish warrior. Stroking his starwhite hair.
"The dogma of Xvim is about obedience and enslavement. The Xvimites like the Banites before them uses fear and terror to force their subjects into servitude. Suits poorly for the inscription I just read you don't it? It seems a power of refusal to obey, to stand up or be destroyed by the forces that want you dominated. It seems we are caught in a struggle between tyranny and defiance."
The priest offered the armour piece to the half-orcish warrior. Stroking his starwhite hair.
"The dogma of Xvim is about obedience and enslavement. The Xvimites like the Banites before them uses fear and terror to force their subjects into servitude. Suits poorly for the inscription I just read you don't it? It seems a power of refusal to obey, to stand up or be destroyed by the forces that want you dominated. It seems we are caught in a struggle between tyranny and defiance."