Prologue: An Orc at the Gate

[brekkers]

OOC: This is the prologue for Volak Voellyn.

The grand city rises before you, a magnificent structure and achievement that must have taken thousands of years to build. The walls are perhaps the tallest you have ever seen, and thus far you have only reached the small town outside the northeastern gate, you wonder if even the Giants of Tar'kash could see what lies beyond them.

The small group of travellers that you have been travelling with for the last day, have stopped outside a large inn. Its sign has been worn down over the years, but you can see the silhouette of what must be a bulky man grappling a black bear. Smoke reach your nostrils, and the sweet smell of food.

You are lost in thoughts for a while, but when you hear laughter behind you, you suddenly become aware that someone has been watching you. Three young men, wearing green cloaks, red shirts and a varied selection of simple weapons, watch you from across the road. Their laughter is not kind, in fact, it feels like a spear through the heart.

"...orc scum! I wonder if his whore of a mother survived giving birth to such a big ugly orc!" With those words, the brawniest of the three breaks out a mighty laugh, saying, "Ye are right there, Raast, that is one ugly orc!"

[Thread open to Dragonfire]

[dragonfire]

I turn to look at them for a moment then smile. "And here I thought inbreeding was still a taboo to the civilized world. Whats wrong your sisters to preoccupied with your fathers, assuming you even know who your father is. Or is it that you are having a hard time catching the local live stock. You three just be best on your way. I have no querry with you as of yet, so dont give me no cause."

[brekkers]

For a moment the three are lost for words, reddening with each passing moment that escapes them. Finally one of them clenches a fist, saying, "Look scum, you just be on your way! You might be an ignorant and stupid fool, but thats no escuse for talking like that to members of the Free Company!"

They close in on you, their hands on their weapons. A few people have noticed that something is going on, and somewhere behind you, you hear a young boy's voice, "Fight! Fight!"

[dragonfire]

"Free company?? Never heard of you. What is it you repersent? You are not the ones I hunt. I would rather aviod a meaningless fight, but if you insist I will show you no quarter. If you place any value on your life or if there is anyone that cares for you I suggest to leave me be. (Im using my intimidate skill, How do you want me to roll for that?)" I ready my greatsword.

[brekkers]

One of the three, a man with a small reddish beard and a small scar across his left cheek, takes a step closer, leaving the other two behind him. His hand rests on the hilt of a longsword, but your keen warrior eye easily spots his slightly trembling hand.

"You might not have noticed, Orc, but you are outnumbered three to one, and if you think you'll find more friends in there," the young man points towards Crown behind him, "then you better think again, orcs aren't welcome, even those who profess to have human blood coursing through their veins."

He smiles confidently, and his companion on his right side make a short laugh, as if agreeing to the words, then says, "Yeah, thats right! The Free Company of Thu'laria would never accept you in their ranks...in fact, they would probably rather trust the word of a wererat over yours!"

They may seem confident, but in fact, you are quite certain that the greatsword by your side has them a little convinced that you could give them a good thrashing.

[dragonfire]

(Using my Intimidate Skill) With my greatsword drawn I rest the blade apon my shoulder and I take a single step foward. "Any true warrior knows that greater numbers doesnt mean victory. Have any of you ever actually fought in a real battle, have you experienced the fires of war or heard the screams of the dying." I raise my free hand to the scare on my face. "You call me ignorant, so tell me this why is it you hate Orcs so badly, or was it just something someone told you to do. All my life I have had to face men like you that hate and despise me for my heritage. My home constantly attack, this scare given to me when I was but a child by a man much like yourselves, hating me for no other reason except that I am a half-breed. That is ignorance." I look down to his trembling hand holding the hilt of his sword. "Tell me even if you were to draw your sword against mine, can you guess as to how many strikes it would take for my sword to brake yours." And as for friends you never know, not everyone out there hates people as indiscriminately as you do, another traveler may pass us by and decide to lend a hand. You see unlike you I hate only those that have done wrong by me. This group you belong to the Free Company of Thu'laria has done me no wrong as of yet so I have no grudges against you. So tell me would you rather fight and die for no purpose or would you rather enjoy a pint of ale? How this ends is entirly up to you."

[brekkers]

For a moment, the young man seems entirely confused, watching you intensely. "I've never heard an orc speak like this, like a...like a...human! You've not come to Crown as an assassin? What then, why are you here, orc?"

He might not be intimidated, but your honest words have him convinced that you may not be as crude and stupid as the rest of your bloodline. For a brief moment, his hand strays from the hilt of his blade.

[dragonfire]

"No I am no assassin. I will not kill for the purpose of money. I am here searching for a group of people responsibly for the destruction of my home and the slaughter of those that lived there. I hail from Triniel on the Island of Rockgrove far to the west from here." I explain to him that Triniel is a village that is mostly made up of half-breed people of all races, elfs, gnome, dwarves. It is a sanctuary for those that are not of full blood and have rejected by both people. There are a few people that live there that are full blood but not many. I also tel him about the slaughter that happened 3 years earlier, and that I am searching for them so that they may be brought to justice.

[brekkers]

"Triniel? I have not heard of that city, nor have I heard of Rockgrove," he looks to his companions, "its alright, my brothers, this...half-orc is...wise and does not wish a fight."

The other Free company men relaxes, taking their hands from their blades.

"Look, you'll find plenty inside Crown who doesn't like your kin, but I can't help you beyond that. Also, heed this advice, use your tongue more than your sword, it seems to be the better weapon of the two." With this last remark, the man actually laughs, as if he finds his own cleverness...very funny.

[dragonfire]

I grin as I resheath my greatsword. "I am not suprised that you have never heard of it, few out this far ever have, we like to keep to ourselfs except for the occasional trading with nearby towns. Thank you for your advice, I am use to people not liking me. As for my tongue I will use it to the best of my ability but I can make no promises other than I will only draw my sword in defense. I have had a long journey so if you would be so kind as to direct me to a resonably priced in I will be on my way." I turn to observe the crowd. "Oh yes one other question for you, do you by chance know of a group of people that carry the emblem of a 8 point star?"

[brekkers]

As you start to speak with a kind tongue, resheating your great blade, most of the young spectators start to move away, clearly disappointed that the quarrel did not result in a fight. Two of the three Free Company men leaves as well, yet the one you have spoken the most to, stay behind, still a little baffled at how the situation was turned around so quickly.

"I...I have seen a star like that, on one of the gate captains. But I wouldn't recommend you go see him, he is a brute with a sharp tongue! As for an inn, there's one down that lane," the man points behind him, to a small lane leading off the main road, "you'll find the prices quite reasonably, just look for the old owl!"

The man leaves you with a smile, turning towards his friends who have left for a tavern off the main road.

[dragonfire]

Still being mid day it is to early to call it a day. I head for the Old Owl Inn for a bite to eat and to see if there is any rooms left avaliable. I observe my surrounds as I make my way for the Inn, locating the locations of the various shops so that I might visit them after I have had something to eat. I enter the Inn and I make my way for towards the barkeep to see about a meal and a room.

[brekkers]

As you walk down the small lane towards the old inn that the young man directed you to, you are actually surprised of the lack of shops. You get the feeling that if you are going to buy something important, you have to enter the city properly.

A minute later, you see the old sign with the owl, and also a young man who enters the inn. The inn looks to be very much in disrepair, with dusty windows and an almost broken door. You get the feeling that maybe the young man of the Free Company played one last trick on you.

[If you continue to head for the inn, please head on over to "the Haunted Inn" thread and meet Kulzet! If not, stay here!]