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Worlde Arcane: Aniada: Churt Kingdom: The Skulled Road to the City of Churt


Each section of the Lorimar Road spans a approximately a full days' ride, or roughly two days' march afoot.

Once one has turned from the Lorimar Road to the stretch that leads to Churt, it is not many a mile before the ill-maintained roadway begins to bear witness to numerous rotting scenes of dried flesh and gore. Orcish raiders, either in exile or vacation, and wild forest orcs, often lay ambush along this road to slaughter travelers and take their possessions. This happens a lot less often in recent years, but crimes of old are clearly visible on this stretch of road.

Hazard: There is no reason for any traveller to venture up this highway, save the desire to be murdered, tortured, enslaved, or eaten (possibly alive) by the Orcs of Churt.

•Northward travel leads to Churt, a days' ride onward
•Southward travel leads to The Goblin Stretch

 Orc Camp August 25, 2006 - 5:29 pm

By Piratess (Jana)

Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 3:24 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Jana came wandering up the path, stopping to admire a particularly unusual skull every few yards or so.
((OOC: To the streets))

By Leila Ferin (Leila)

Friday, January 23, 2004 - 3:00 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Leila followed Jana, her stream of conversation finally reaching a limit. The girl had to be teven more unfriendly than a blood thursty orc. At least she could get them to respond, usually. Jana had not said a word on the entire roadway. On a whim Leila stuck her tounge out at Jana's back. Noticing one of the still fresh heads with a very similar expression to the one on her face she paled and rushed to catch up with Jana. Edging closer to the girl Leila frowned slightly. The idea of travleing to Churt was becoming less and less inviting.

By Piratess (Jana)

Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 10:54 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

A black stallion, white mare and grey gelding trotted down the road. Their riders were a motley sort but that's the way the pirate preferred. Her crew trotted down the skulled road to the goblin stretch.

By Leila Ferin (Leila)

Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 4:29 am GMT | Edit | Link |

((OOC: to the Goblin Strech!))

By Horde Goblins et al. (Horde_goblins)

Saturday, October 2, 2004 - 6:03 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Over one hundred orc soldiers, sappers, and forced labour crews sallied from Churt. With them went wagons laden with timbers and tools. At the head of the column, horde goblins.

Drums and the shouts of overseers called out the cadence. Whips cracked to ensure slaves to did not slacken the brutal pace. If there was one thing there was no shortage of in Churt it was slaves, soldiers, and goblins.

"Close up you maggots!", "Chin up there, you", "Dig in those heals slack-laws", sergeants bellowed. Few soldiers of foot could looked quite so frightening nor cover as much ground in a day than the orc.

By Sir Aleaghnon Kin-Slayer the Traitor (Aleaghnon)

Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 4:55 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Aleaghnon continued onward towards Churt, thoughtfully. The black warhorse knew enough to stay on the road and so the black knight poured over his next move in his mind. He would seek audience with someone in charge. The matter of the bounty on orcs would be an interesting diversion while he sorted out the Dark One's wishes. Without Jacosta or her cleric brother to explain the Underlord's wishes to him, he had felt adrift. He barely noticed the slaves around him him. What was their suffering to him? He continued onward towards his destination.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 12:33 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Warden-Trooper Rand started up the Skulled road, coming from the ORC ROADBLOCK in the company of the House Agent, Mister Paden, and their orc escort. The colourful gold-trimmed red uniform tunic worn over chainmail and yellow hose of the cavalryman would stand out well against the gloom of the orc sector of the Green Forest; what sunlight which could pass through the tree canopy would glint off the chainmail on his arms, the sabre scabbard and his well-polished black riding boots.

"Hey now, Mister Paden," Rand said as they rode northward, "ya hails from Tenara, I hear. Have ya a place so bad as Churt there? At least the stench be less away from that filthy roadblock; how much worse be it in Churt city?

"Last place in the worlde I thought I'da be going in the service of House Griphon," he shook his head and chuckled at his fate.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 12:13 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden rode on along side the Warden Trooper, his cloak swept out against the slight breeze as he rode. He felt little comfort with Orcs at thier side, though he hoped it ment others would think twice before attempting to rob them. He listened to the Wardens questions, eager for any conversation, to listening to the idle marching noises.

"Indeed there are bad places in Tenara, but..." He lowered his voice a little "...none so much as an entire nation of Orcs." He said bitterly
"I would imagine for the best part, Churt will not have so fowl odours as the Roadblock, there they seem to simply leave the dead to rot...perhaps churt being a city, will be maintained a little better." He laughed slightly to himself at the ridiculous image in his head of a bright clean city, with Orcs going about thier business. He was not preduce against the Orc nation, and knew that they still had some honour, but he knew from experiance that the typical Orc was not very sanitary.

"Indeed, when Iwas brought into the employ of the Lord Duke Griphon, I thought I was just a simple messenger boy...I was not pleased at this of course, but I need to eat too..." He paused, thinking. " I suppose in a way I was glad, to be given a more important mission, but at the same time, I would never have imagined Churt as the destination." He sighed, but at least he maintained a good cheer despite thier plight.

"How about yew...were yew origonally from Daelows itself?" He asked Rand as he kept pace beside him.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 4:59 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Mmm, possibly," Trooper Rand replied noncommitally to the notion Churt city would be cleaner than the roadblock. Riding northward at the pace set by their orc escort, the elite cavalryman shivvered briefly as the forest seemed to grow even more gloomy as the highway and roadblock passed from sight behind.

Sitting easily in his saddle, allowing his warhorse to pick what course it would up the potholed and rutted excuse for a road, the Warden opined, "Important mission, unimportant, they all pay the same. Me, I'd well prefer watching the Lady Jillian strut about the campsite, to journeying to Churt!" he laughed, though little enough in jest.

"I be from Laetitia Region," he answered at another time as they rode along. "Actually worked the vineyards of Duke Griphon at Tara as a boy. Pleasant place. Then, I got restless, and joined the Army," he related. "Fought a punitive campaign a few years back against Churt. Then of course in our Civil War last year, fought alongside the Wardens for a while actually then. After that, I was able to sign on with the Wardens...'till now, this was a pleasant enough first mission!" here he grinned at the irony of it all.

"So, why'd ya come to Daelows?" he asked at length, peering about on occasion into the dark forest, and seeing little.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 - 7:29 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden sighed, he was glad that at least the trooper was experianced when it came to a fight, and that was a good thing in Padens mind. He hadn't of course realised that this whole thing was really the Wardens first assignment, in a way he felt sorry to hear that, but it wasn't as if he had been working for the Duke very long either. He thought about why he had come to Daelows, he wasn't entirely sure himself.

"Thats...difficult to explain, and harder to understand, perhaps I was just imagining things, but its if I was drawn to Aniada, and Daelows...but then I guess that all travelling men are drawn away from the places from time to time." He glanced around, and into the forrest to make sure there was no 'ambush' being planned by the Orc guards.
"It was on the streets of Daelows when I managed to stop a run-away carriage before anyone was hurt...little did I know that inside was none other than Lady Marcella...so as a result I was asked back to the Townhouse for a meal...this ofcourse led to my employment by the Duke...then I was sent here...strange how things work out in the end." He stopped talking for a spell, watching the road as they moved along.

"How much farther do yew reckon it is to Churt, a day perhaps?" He asked the Trooper.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Monday, May 22, 2006 - 1:30 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"Strange indeed, Mister Paden," Trooper Rand replied after a time of riding in the gloomy forest, with none save Paden but orcs for company. And seemingly rather taciturn orcs at that. Then, chewing over the words as men on a long ride with nothing particulary remarkable to see will do, he let the silence be drawn out, eventually turning in his saddle and looking back behind them. Nothing there but the miserable road and the gloomy forest, of course, same as ahead.

In due course, he looked over to the House Agent, and replied, "Drawn to Daelows, ya were? So to save our Lady Marcella, now the future Queen, aye! And then to be sent up the highway, meet with the Lady Jillian, and be sent to Churt...Drawn to Churt then?" the cavalryman wondered, shifting his sabre belt around his uniform tunic, softly rattling the chainmail underneath.

"Never been to Churt," the Warden admitted, flexing his yellow-leather gantlets in ennui. "Never been past the Churt Turnoff, at that, before this expedition," he added, mostly in self-realization. "I expect it be far enough we should have to camp at least one night, without killing the horses anyhow," he reasoned. "Never knew how big Aniada was before, at that," he added with a nod after a little time, "all well and good being told of eight hundred miles from Daelows City to Kiana, but not really a number we understand, before riding it, aye?

"But ya've been across the sea now, Mister Paden," he realized after a bit more of the ride down the narrow highway. "How was that, then? First trip, or been on a ship before?" he wondered conversationally.

"Ah, looks like the orcs been a bit violent hereabouts," the soldier nodded toward a grisly scene of bodies staked to trees, no smell, but dried red blood mixed with the black orc blood, and recent enough to be recognizable as an execution site.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Friday, May 26, 2006 - 12:42 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Indeed, even when journeying over it yew fail to realise the size of this country." Paden spoke in response to the Wardens comment on the size of Aniada.
"I have been on the sea many times...I never can quite get used to the rocking of the boat at all times...I was born to be on land I feel..." He laughed but his mirth soon faded when the Warden pointed out the dead Orcs in the execution site.

"It seems that our hosts are not very tollerent people at all..." He spoke aloud forgetting those around him.
"I wonder why they were executed?" He wondered leaving the question open, for he knew the Warden trooper would have as much idea as him. He continued to ride on down the road, avoiding looks at the dead corpses.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Friday, May 26, 2006 - 5:28 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

After riding for hours, the gloom in the forest began to deepen, as the unseen sun dropped in the west. The ride up the Skulled Road was made the more ominous by the lack of any Common speech from their orc escort. At one point, the Warden replied to the House Agent, "Never been on a ship, myself. Really don't ever expect to."

After riding quite a bit farther on, with the imminent approach of darkness and the danger of stumbling a horse, or worse, when the light failed, Trooper Rand said to Paden, "Well, our pace today has been easy enough. These orcs be a rather taciturn lot, sure enough. Still, we ought not to ride on in darkness, methinks.

"Hoy, orc!" the Warden called out to the orc who had once spoken to them, at the start of the day's ride. "What say we stop for the evening, make camp somewhere with a bit of clearing? Get a fire going and all. Ya fellows got any tents, or be we sleeping under the forest canopy tonight?" he wondered loudly from atop his warhorse.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 12:19 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Indeed they are quiet...perhaps they want as much information as they can give to thier supperiors..." Paden wondered quietly.

He nodded his agreement as the Warden spoke, the day was almost over, and there would not be much journeying by night.

"Yes, how about a camp for the night?" He voiced his agreement to the warden.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Sunday, June 4, 2006 - 3:49 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"Well, Mister Paden," Trooper Rand replied after riding along and giving the matter some thought, "'twould seem iffn' the orc wanted to get information, they would be asking us questions, aye? So now, methinks they simply have no care. This be the way of the orc I have heard of," the Warden opined, nodding at the House Agent as the rode side by side down the horrid road.

As the gloom began to deepen with nary a response nor indication of intent to set up a camp from their orc escort, the Warden-Trooper looked to his fellow uman. "I have half a mind to stop and make camp ourselves," he stated flatly, "whatever our escort might do. 'Twould be foolhardy indeed to continue riding into the night, without need. What says ya, Agent?" the cavalryman wondered.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 12:27 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"I agree, perhaps camp is a good idea, at least if harm does coe our way, it will be a matter for Daelows and Churt to resolve between them." Paden said in agreement to the Warden. It was now late, and to push the horses furhter would not be to anyones advantage. He slowed in pace, and glanced round at the forest.

"Better that we tell the Orcs, then we can stop at the next area that will make a decent camp for the night." He was already looking for a place to camp as he spoke.

"Excuse me, Commander..." He spoke, hoping the Half breed would translate if necessary.
"Our Horses need rest for the night, and it seems futile to continue well past Dark, If yew are insistant on continueing, so be it, but we will stop and make camp so that we can move swiftly tomorrow." With that concluded he continued to look for a place to camp in the failing light.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 1:49 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"I be not certain there be any spot along this road which should make a decent camp," Trooper Rand grumbled as he looked at the bleak, and darkening, forest close around them. "Not at all like the Daelows Woods, this Green Forest," he commented at length when no reply seemed forthcoming from the orcs.

"Mayhap we just need halt," the Warden Trooper suggested, "so as these barbarians can prove their superiourity to umans, and only halt after we do. 'Tis sometimes so with the barbarian allies of Daelows Kingdom, wanting to prove their powress over civilized men," he offered to the House Agent.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 12:16 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden chuckled slightly at the Wardens idea that the Orcs will only halt if they can halt last.
"Very well, perhaps we should give them that prevalidge..." He said, and he reigned his horse, pulling it to a halt. He watched to see if the Warden did the same.

"Indeed, a ditch anywhere but here would be a more ideal camping spot, than anything I can see." He said sarcastically. It would not be a bad camp, but it would be far from ideal.

By Anonymous

Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 11:48 am GMT | Edit | Link |

The orc slave had overhead the words of the guardsmen and trotted ahead to translate their desire to stop for the day. Torkhim grunted; his preference was to push on a bit further, but so be it. With a low snort, the sargeant waved a hand ahead and rattled off several instructions to the translator. With a dismissive wave of his hand to the slave, Torkhim pushed his horse forward and snapped orders to the rest of the escort.

Quickly the translator moved back to Paden and bobbed his head as he instructed, “The sargeant says there is a clearing just ahead if yew wish to rest there for the night. He will stop there.” Sliding a look toward the other man, Trooper Rand, the slave added, “He also said, there is no tents, that the only cover is the trees overhead.”
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 1:37 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Trooper Rand pulled up and halted when the House Agent did, waiting for some reaction from their orc escort. It was not long in coming, the rather polite translator came back with a response. "Well now, that be more like it," he nodded to Paden, "let us go on to the camping spot."

Giving a flick of his reins to get his warhorse moving again, the Warden added, "Typical orc non-organization, of course, no tents. Though I suppose two men traveling alone would oft not have such, really quite strange for a party of this size," he opined, though what was strange for orcs he truly had no idea. "We shall soon see if they found a ditch for us to shelter in, Mister Paden," he chuckled, absently flicking some rode grime from his yellow hose with his right gauntlet.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 10:05 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden grunted, it was strange, but he guessed it was the way of the Orcs.
"I suppose they simply needed a little encouragement to stop for the night.

He pushed his horse back into motion and continued after the escort. It would have been nice to know when they were going to stop, but it seemed the Orcs would simply move silently and let them know when they needed to know.

He smiled at the Wardens comment, but he was hoping that soon they owuld rest for the night.

By Anonymous

Friday, June 23, 2006 - 6:44 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

The orc escort did not travel much further along the road before they slowed and began to divert off into a small clearing set back from the road. From atop his horse, Torkhim growled orders out to various members of the escort, apparently instructing them to start about building a fire and preparing the area for the night.

(OOC:

Escort to Orc Camp)

 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Friday, June 23, 2006 - 10:08 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Trooper Rand rode alongside the House Agent, his gold-trimmed red uniform tunic looking already very nearly black as darkness came swiftly in the forest. "Bit less traffic than I might've expected, Mister Paden," the cavalryman observed, "Churt being a major slave trading spot and all. Perhaps no one else travels so late in the day," he chuckled on the theme.

As he was speaking, the orcs suddenly turned off the poor track that served as a roadway here. "Well now, this looks promsing, Agent," he said, following to the ORC CAMP.

By Anonymous

Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 3:32 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Nearby sat a tiny brown cat.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Friday, August 25, 2006 - 6:31 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Riding out from an ORC CAMP the next morning after a night spent in a spot that perhaps orcs might feel comfortable sleeping at, Trooper Rand rode to the left of the House Griphon Agent, following their orc escort up the road to Churt. Continuing his previous thoughts, the morning sunlight glinting off the chainmail where it showed on his arms and underneath his gold-trimmed red uniform tunic, the cavalryman said, "After all, the very purpose of this mission be to demand weregeld for an unprovoked orc attack upon our military convoy, aye? So should we not expect more such attacks as we move deeper into the nation of Churt?"
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Friday, August 25, 2006 - 12:46 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden imerged from the Orc Camp at the side of Daelows Trooper Rand. He still pondered the intricacies of Orcan millitary politics. "Indeed, and we have proof that the Orc attack was indeed an Orc of Churt...however, there may be an attack of forest Orcs, and from what I gathered from the captured goblin, they would have no problem challanging the authority of Churt..." He let the thought trail off, he needed to know more of Weregeld in order to argue his case better.

"Do yew know anything of Weregeld, Trooper? Perhaps we should ask the Orcan slave in order to get more details that might boost our case...what do yew reckon?"

By Anonymous

Friday, August 25, 2006 - 5:44 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

For the most part, the orc escort did their duty of keeping eye out for any trouble, and generally lending their presence as a sign the guardsmen were not unwelcome in Churt. Talk among the orcs was spare, though there were those who discussed their plans of what they would do on arrival in Churt (most plans involved drinking) and a few even speculated on how the Umans would be received in that kingdom (guesses were - ‘not well’).

Only once after taking to the road did Torkhim look to see how the guardsmen were progressing, before he faced forward again, putting them from his mind. A short command sent the half-orc back to keep pace with the Umans, instructing the slave to keep an eye sharp for any kind of mischief from those men.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 10:18 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden continued on the road in silence, he could tell they were getting close to Churt, but there had been no word from the commander of the Orc gaurd, and he could tell that there was not a good modd on either side of this march. Still he had a task, and he could do no less than try to fulfill it.

He road on to Churt.

(( OOC: I hope this works, I have had trouble posting. I hope its ok for moving on to Churt now. ))
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Thursday, October 12, 2006 - 2:16 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Trooper Rand replied from his saddle as they rode on up the road, "So far as I know, Mister Paden, weregeld be payment of blood gold, made to the one harmed physically by another. In this case, House Griphon, for our noncombatants slain by the Armed Forces of Churt, as I understand things. But," he cautioned, holding up a hand enclosed in a yellow leather riding gauntlet, "I be but simple cavalryman and yeoman farmer. So what I know, I know only from the telling of stories, and not from learning, see?" he asked the House Agent.

By Anonymous

Thursday, October 12, 2006 - 6:19 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

The company of orcs had spread out some as the group travelled along the stretch of road, though they still followed dutifully alongside of the umans, their attention also waned from their task.

So, the escort had been a bit less then vigilant when a loud crashing came from the surrounding sides of the road and a dozen orcs appeared. Weapons drawn, the largest of this new group of orcs pushed forward and yelled at the escort, all while pointing a stubby finger in the direction of the guardsmen. His ugly face was pulled in a frown as he continued to bark out what sounded to be demands. It took no scholar to figure out that these fellows were there to cause trouble.

By Kieran The Great Mystery (Mystery_2006)

Friday, October 13, 2006 - 6:14 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

[Travelling Back From Fortress] "Hrmph Orcs Who needs em?" Kieran whispered to himself -they had given him a very hard time and he couldn’t even enter the inner wards so Kieran decided to just leave better to leave the orcs to fight amongst themselves ."Crunch" Kieran had obviously stepped on something when he was sulking perhaps a bird egg but as he looked down to examine what he had trod on he was horrified that it was an Uman skull decayed and encrusted with mould - it was definitely Uman there for at many years - Kieran took several steps back in shock. After he had recovered he realised this was not such a terrible site 'yes an Uman had died but dying maintains the natural order' he thought, With this easing his mind he continued on his path leaving the shattered skull behind but to his dismay he saw that that the road was littered with Remains of many races Umans, Orcs, Elves and Dwarfs. "Oh no"

By Kieran The Great Mystery (Mystery_2006)

Friday, October 13, 2006 - 8:21 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Kieran stepped carefully among the bones making sure not to even stand near any when he looked across the horizon and saw a group of orcs
-weapons drawn and probably looking for a fight - Kieran at an instant jumped into a near by set of brambles
"what shall I do? Those Orcs Look ready for a good fight he doubted his magick was strong enough to take them all down two or three maybe but that would be it.......I shall go around them turn myself invisible and keep to the bushes" He said to himself, it was just then that he actually noticed the brambels on the branches "good Food" he thought and began picking them, when he was decided he had enough
- Filling one of the pouches in his robes - then he started walking stealthily through the brambels making sure not to leave any trace that he had been there before.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 5:04 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"Well, this seems a bit of a hostile reception, Agent," Trooper Rand called over to Paden, reining in his warhorse as the orcs jumped from the bushes to accost their escort. "Some sort of power struggle, mayhap?" the cavalryman suggested, a little ray of sunlight that happened to make it through the thick forest canopy glinting briefly off the chainmail visible under his uniform tunic as he reached across his body and loosened his sabre in the scabbard.

Standing in his stirrups to get a better view, the Warden reported, "About a dozen of 'em, Mister Paden, same as our escort. What do ya think?" Rand asked as he peered into the gloomy forest around.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Monday, October 16, 2006 - 12:44 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden wondered for a moment. Could it be that these Orcs were also from churt, and that there was no real control over the various squadrons within Churt. Perhaps that would be information that Lady Jillian would welcome.

"Indeed, it would appear that they do not want to talk...and to send a force out to rob a couple of Umans...though I wouldn't rule out the fact that we are a part of the problem, it does seem unlikely that we are the problem...more likely a internal struggle I would think..." He wasn't entirely sure, but men were not uncommon in Churt. They would soon find out.

"If it is the Orcs problem, I'm sure they will deal with it...either way, we will find out soon enough." Paden gently loosened his sword in the Scabbard, refusing to draw it yet, incase it caused more unrest between the two rival factions here. Instead, He lent close to the trooper, and whispered.

"If things should go badly, we will have to make sure the report gets to Lady Jillian...that will be imperative..." He also scanned the sides of the road, for if there were more ambushers waiting they would have to flee.

By Anonymous

Monday, October 16, 2006 - 6:22 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

The orc sergeant, Torkhim, was out of sight and without his direction, the escort formed a sad line of defense around the two Umans. It was at the prodding of a few of his companions, that one sad looking orc stepped forward to respond to the raiders. His voice started out a bit shaky but as the head raider stood shaking his head fiercely at every word, the escort’s became more agitated.

Listening with a fearful look, the small orc-translator slowly edged back closer to Trooper Rand and Paden. Wringing his hands he whispered fiercely to the guardsmen. “The raiders do not believe yew should be free to pass through to Churt. They think yew are a spies.” The slave paused to eye the two men curiously as if trying to decide for himself; rather unnecessarily, he added as an afterthought, “Keep yer weapons close.”
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Wednesday, October 18, 2006 - 4:30 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"Right, well my job here be to protect ya, Agent," Trooper Rand pointed out. "And help carry the gold the High King of Churt shall award the Lady in answer to her suit, of course," he chuckled dryly, looking over the arguing orcs ahead, then checking around as well to see if the way back south was blocked yet...

When the Common-speaking slave orc came and made his...report, the Warden turned in his saddle and looked over at the Woodsman, "Well, how didya wants to play this one, Mister Paden? Tell 'em who we are ourselves, maybe drop the House Griphon name here..." he suggested wryly. Then, thinking back on what he had witnessed this campaign, he added, "At least, methinks that be what the Lady Jillian would expect ya should do now...."
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Monday, October 23, 2006 - 9:49 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"Information in key in this delicate situation, and there more information lady Jillian has the better...assuming we don't get to plea for weregeld" He looked again around the situation at hand. "But we do not wish to appear as spies...indeed, we must make our intentions clear to these fellows." He lookedf to the slave and spoke to him.

"I do not know who should announce this, and I'm not sure if any of these aggressors speak common, but we need to assure them that we are agents of House Griphon, and are here to see the high king of Churt, on business of the Duke. How should we address this to them?
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Monday, October 23, 2006 - 4:57 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

The cavalryman looked in surprise over at the Agent when he was asked how to address their mission to the orcs. "Ah, that rather be yer decision, Mister Agent," Trooper Rand answered back. "As I said, I just be here to protect ya," he reminded, looking down from his warhorse at the orcs ahead, and glancing behind to see if any were blocking the road south yet. "I should think, though," he added after a moment of looking about and thinking, "the Lady Jillian would want ya to press her suit as though she were here. She does seem rather the Daughter of her Father, that one!" he grinned for the first time in some little while.

By Orc Raiders (Orcraiders)

Monday, October 23, 2006 - 9:40 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Growing impatient with the weak excuses as to why Umans were travelling toward Churt, the head of the raiders brushed past the escort and moved toward the guardsmen. Frowning, the large orc grumbled something that sounded like a command, though it was unclear whether he expected the men or the orcs to react to his words. Lifting a hand he sharply motioned to the road behind them and after a short moment of inaction, he drew his sword.

In rough tones, he spoke again, a single word in the Common tongue. “Leave.”
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Tuesday, October 24, 2006 - 10:22 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden nodded at the trooper, it was hard at times to assume the responsabillity of someone like Lady Jillian, as Paden knew that she would wish him to persue the course very stubbornly. He looked down the road to see the leader of the raiders move forward to give a command. Paden urged his horse forward. It was clear the Orc wished him to leave, even before he uttered the word.

Raising his voice, hoping that the commander would either understand, or he would be translated by the common speaking slave.

"We come reprasenting the House Griphon, on the matter of Weregeld. I must speak with the king of Churt, this is why I cannot leave. And now I ask yew to stand aside, and let us pass in peace."

He knew there would be arguement, but he figured a direct approach might ease into some sort of negotiation of passage might entale. Turning to the Warden,

"Well, do yew think the Orcs will be as stubborn as Lady Jillian?" He asked quietly and with a smile.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 4:02 am GMT | Edit | Link |

While the Agent waited to have his words translated to the orcs, Rand responded from the saddle, looking warily down on the scene in the roadway, "I know little of orcs other than as raiders and enemies of civilization, Mister Paden. But from these past many weeks, this much at least I have learned, if the Lady Jillian had decided to go to Churt, then she would shortly be in Churt," the Warden-Trooper grimaced.

By Orc Raiders (Orcraiders)

Wednesday, November 1, 2006 - 9:42 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Automatically, the small orcish translator rushed forward when Paden spoke and relayed the Uman’s words to the Orc raider. The guardsmen’s response was well articulated and even after translated into the rough orc language, it was still a clear and intelligent reply; however, the Raider did not see it as such. He started to gesture angrily but his motion slowed and a thoughtful look came over his face.

On a mission to the King, from a Griphon? To the raider, this sounded like a considerable value was placed on these men.

Turning, the large orc waved to a pair of his men, calling them closer. Quietly exchanging a few words with them, the leader faced the guardsmen once more, this time a smirk marking his lumpy features. Without a word, he nodded once and the pair of orcs took this as their signal. Each drawing their weapons, they advanced on the guardsmen.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Sunday, November 5, 2006 - 8:10 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden only needed a second, his patience had already grown thin with the distinct lack of organisation. as the Orcs began to advance, Paden pulled an arrow to his already strung bow, he liked to keep it strung as often as possible, especially around such hostile enviroments. Pulling the string back swiftly, he let a shaft fly, aimed directly at the ground between the commanding Orcs feet. Without even looking down he drew up another shaft from his quiver and drew it back in the string. Meeting eyes with the commander of the resisting Orcs, he shouted.

"We come here in peace, do not make our journey otherwise." He looked aorund to see what the other Orcs may be doing, but did not relinquish his aim, which was direct at the Orc resisting commanders heart.
"We are no spies, we come with messages of Duke Griphon..." He used the Dukes name in hope of some recognition "...If yew still intend to continue this aggression, then yew die first..." He nodded at the commader of the resisting Orcs with a steely determination " But if we die, this will have more serious repecusions than a couple of House Griphon Reprasentatives in Churt" With that he fell silent and maintained his aim on the leader, he hoped that it would be translated for them, otherwise it was about to get very ugly.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Monday, November 6, 2006 - 12:12 am GMT | Edit | Link |

When the House Agent suddenly loosed an arrow into the dirt in front of the orcs ahead, Trooper Rand reacted in surprise, sitting bolt upright in his saddle, the chainmail he wore under his uniform tunic making muffled clinking noises with his sudden movement. His warhorse snorted as well, not being certain what his rider was up to, but feeling the tension.

Swiftly, the Warden drew his sabre, and rested the tip on his right shoulder, his grip easy on the hilt, his left hand still holding the reins loosely. "Ah, what be yer orders, Mister Paden?" the cavalryman asked after the Woodsman made what seemed a quite accurate representation of the sort of speech the Lady Jillian would have made right here....
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Monday, November 6, 2006 - 5:06 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"Just sit tight and wait for thier response, we should probably try to look as if we mean business..." he whispered to the warden, maintaining his sight on the Orc leader. Suddenly his face split a grin, but one that was rare and ill humoured.

"Just try to look agressive, but not agressive..." He said finally, as if to give some kind of cheer to the situation. Paden knew that not to be the case of course, he was now dedicated, and if so he would give his life such that house Griphon hear of any of this. He maintianed his aim.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Tuesday, November 7, 2006 - 5:58 am GMT | Edit | Link |

The Warden's eyes goggled as he looked over at the House Agent...Then the young cavalryman burst out laughing, he would have slapped his thigh save he held sabre in one hand and reins in the other, "Methinks ya've the right of it, giving orders as a noble would, Mister Paden! Sorry to have bothered ya right now," he added, returning his attention ahead to the orcs blocking the road, "I just was thinking like a cavalryman, that my unit ought to be doing something right now...But with this mission, things be different, aye," he nodded in agreement with the assessments the Agent had made. "We shall get through this, right enough," he added for the benefit of both men, glancing quickly to his comrade before looking front once more.

By Anonymous

Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 5:39 am GMT | Edit | Link |

The orcs on both sides, those providing escort to the umans, and those in the adversarial stance across the poorly-maintained roadway, stood in shock as one of the umans actually loosed an arrow...and the other drew his sword...

So much in shock were they, that the talkative uman was actually allowed to finish his words. But before the orc translator-slave could give his response, as the umans again began to talk amongst themselves, the orcs facing them began to growl and roar. Then they began to branish their shortswords and battleaxes, banging these against their shields, or even against their helmets for those who wore no shields...

The orc escort to the umans also brandished their weapons and growled. Even if less convincingly, they readied for a fight--not out of a sense of honour as umans might posess, but more because they simply would not abide other orcs telling them what to do...

Meanwhile, some orcs behind the mounted umans and orc escort, to the south, began to break cover and move slowly out onto the roadway, soon the road would be blocked both north and south....

By Official of Churt (Eert)

Saturday, November 25, 2006 - 6:07 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Soon, the walls of orcs parted to make way as a figure confidently strode through the masses, grey robes flying behind her as the orc quickly advanced toward the party.

Exchanging a few grunts with those orcs surrounding Paden and the Trooper, Eert glared at the two umans.

"Why here? What want? Churt not uman city. Umans not welcome."

By Kieran The Great Mystery (Mystery_2006)

Sunday, November 26, 2006 - 7:05 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

After many hours of tiring and dull traveling Kieran decided to have a break he was extremely weary even with his youth, he felt like he was ready to collapse the muscles in his legs about to give way to exhaustion he hadn't really noticed how tired he was until he sat down. He looked up at the night sky the stars possibly the only peaceful thing about this desolate region. He turned his view to his worn and dirty clothes "What A mess" he whispered to himself, his normally black robes were covered in mud with the occasional plant sticking to it. There was a layer of what seemed to be coal dust on his leather boots but on closer inspection he realized that it was actually bone crushed and grounded into a fine powder it was most disconcerting to imagine what poor being died and instead of being respected was travelling along on his boots he quickly ripped a leaf of a near by tree and brushed it onto the Earth hopeful that what ever thing had died was not angry at him for simply leaving its remains in the dirt. As for his Robes there was nothing he could really do except pull the plants off and hope to find a spring to wash the mud off in the morning. The Invisibility spell held up nicely he only had to mutter a few words every so often to keep it running. Tired from traveling and the original casting of the invisibility spell he crawled to the softest bit of Earth he could Find lay back and started to sleep.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Tuesday, November 28, 2006 - 11:52 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden sighed and slowly lowered his bow as a figure head slowly moved through the group of Orcs, he had been alarmed by the sudden clashing of weapons but had maintained his aim on the figure head of the apparant rebels. He held his bow down but did not un-knotch the arrow from the string incase things got out of hand again.

"We have business with yer king, peaceful business..." He looked at his companion, Trooper Rand, and decided it was maybe time to reveal why they were here, even just to get past
"By order of Duke Griphon of Daelows City, we are here to invoke the right of Weregald for innocent mambers of House Griphon killed by Orcs of Churt." He looked directly at the Orc that had spoken up "Once this has been presented to yer king, we will leave Churt imeadiatly..."

By Official of Churt (Eert)

Tuesday, November 28, 2006 - 4:21 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Listening to Padens words, the orc frowned, scratching purposefully at her chin. A grunted exchange between the robed figure and the orc escort around Paden ensued.

Yew talk about we-re-ga-ld.. no know this uman word. Orcz zay yew come from Vultog, on Loreemar." Eert stumbled over the pronounciation of this uman word. "He haz dezided to go a diffrant courze than the king. They sey he zent yew to azk for money. He had not right to do thiz. Return. Not welcome here."

By Official of Churt (Eert)

Tuesday, November 28, 2006 - 4:26 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

During the night the invisibility of a tired Kieran must have slipped, for he was discovered by an orcan renowned for his sense of smell.

A few orcs gathered with the dawn, and stood over the sleeping, muddy figure, waiting for Kieran to awake. Hands on their swords, the orcs rather paitently watched for the intruder to move.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 10:50 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden was getting irritated and impatient, which wasn't often for a man who had to sit and wait for things alot in his life. He decided to take a slightly different approach.

"Then why not let me hear this from the King direct? Then we will be away as fast as yew like, yew may keep us under watch if it is spying that yew suspect us of, but please, I must present this case to the king...think of it if yew must as a tribute of peace between Daelows and the mighty nation of Churt." He was grasping at straws now, but he guessed that when all else fails Lady Jillian may have tried some creative negotiation. Perhpas he was wrong, but time would tell.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Monday, December 11, 2006 - 10:52 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Trooper Rand sat attentively ahorse to the left of the House Agent, watching and listening, sabre tip resting on his right shoulder, his yellow-gloved left hand holding his reins. After the Woodsman made his latest parley with this newly-arrived orc who seemed to speak Common at least as well as Vultog had done, the cavalryman turned his head and said softly (though loudly enough to carry over the noise of the nearby orcs), "Begging yer pardon, Mister Paden, but just in case it makes any difference to ya, there be orcs now moving into the roadway behind us." Then he sat straight in his saddle again, brightly attired in his gold-trimmed red uniform tunic and yellow hose, awaiting orders.

By Official of Churt (Eert)

Tuesday, December 12, 2006 - 2:48 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Eert glared at the two umans, switching her amber gaze back and forth between the pair as they talked. Not understanding the rapid, quiet uman of the guard, the orc let her frustration show in a deep growl emenating from the back of her throat.

"No know what king of DU-lowhz be like. But orc king, he veree impertant. He no have timez for little unz like yewz. He no see every little unz which zey "I like to zee king, now". Zo zorry. Yew go now." There was a finality to the orcans voice, and she accompanied it with a firm gesture, pointing a greyish finger back up the road in the opposite direction.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Sunday, December 24, 2006 - 9:02 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden nodded to the Troopers words, it was clear that they were now trapped here, but it was unknown what the Orcs intentions were, even if they did try to leave, they may just be cut down in the process.

Paden raised his bow up again, this time pointed at the official speaker.

"I notice that while yew have been talking, yer troops have had time to block our passage back, it would be difficult to return to Daelows with them in the way, wouldn't yew say Orc?" Paden spoke with a calculated measure of aggression in his voice.

"I will speak it one last time, then I will start firing arrows…we are to make a petition of Weregeld to the High King of Churt, for reparations for the families of those slain by Orcs of the nation of Churt, noncombatants I may add, where no parley was offered by the commander of the Churtish Orcs, as such compensation is therefor owed by the High King, for I do not wish to know the consequences for Churt if it is not payed. Now for the last time, let us pass."

It would probably fall on deaf ears, but it was worth one last try. If they did anything unexpected, Paden would pay for the lives of the fallen with the lives of some Orcs

"Keep an eye on the Orcs behind us…" He whispered to the Trooper.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 2:40 am GMT | Edit | Link |

The Warden tensed in his saddle, ready for action when the House Agent knocked an arrow and aimed for the seemingly intelligent orc...His trained warhorse brought its head up as well, feeling the motion of the rider that meant a charge could be imminent. "Ah, well, Mister Paden," Trooper Rand replied to his orders, "there be not much to tell for the nonce. Orcs just be standing behind us now with shields and swords, same as in front--except our escort, of course," he nodded to the orcs across the roadway in front who ostensibly might try to defend the umans. And who knew, bringing down the self-proclaimed orc leader right now might well throw the beasts into complete disarray...or alternatively, drive them into a mindless killing frenzy...

"Iffn' ya plans for us to leave," he added sotto voice, "now might be the latest ya would want to make that choice, Agent," he summarized the view of the situation from his saddle.

By Official of Churt (Eert)

Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 4:07 am GMT | Edit | Link |

The rising tone of the ranger surprised the orc, given his rather vulnerable position. It slightly angered her, but only a tiny bit, given her feeling of superiority- outnumbering the men 50 to 2, as it was. The rising bows, however, she was vulnerable too- and not too foolish to realize that. She began moving her fingers quickly behind her back, preparing and weaving two separate spells as she replied to the silly umans demands.

"Me zay noo weregald. Thiz mean NO. Ifn yew wantz to return, drop zee weapenz. We wille allow yewz to pazz.. return zee weapenz when out of Churt!"

She nodded with firm finality, her spells visible in a slight greenish glow around the orc.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 4:09 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Trooper Rand had been watching the orcs moving into the roadway behind the mounted delegation of two, and so the flickering glow around the Common-speaking orc ahead caught his attention out of the corner of his eye..."Magicker!" he shouted, "Quick, Mister Paden, shoot it before it casts spells against us! Shoot it!" and with this last urging, he brought his sabre down in an arc, kicked his warhorse in the flanks to urge it to leap forward. Bringing the tip of his sabre into line on the chest of the greenish-glowing orc, the veteran elite cavalryman charged, hoping desparately to close the distance and skewer the beast before it could cast its foul magicks...Or even better, that the House Agent would shoot the thing dead before he arrived, and he could swing his horse around and be headed back to the Woodsman's side....
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Saturday, December 30, 2006 - 6:48 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden had sensed the magick before Rand could react, having once been trained in such things, but it did not give him enough time to stop him from leaping forward. 'Oh no' passed through Padens mind, and just as he was beginning to accept the fact that they were going to have to return empty handed.

"Warden Halt!" He yelled brining his bow up again, ready to back the warden up if needs be.
"Nobody make a move…there is no need to let this get out of hand!" He bellowed, in hope that no one would have to die. His bow was ready and his horse was restless, but remained as still as need be. It looked like things were about to get out of hand, but Paden was powerless to stop it, everything seemed to slow in his mind, as he waited to see if his command could be heard in time.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Saturday, December 30, 2006 - 9:16 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

No shouted words from a Tenaran Woodsman nominally in charge of the mission were going to be enough to halt the charge of a household cavalryman of a Great House of Daelows, a veteran of an army campaign, against an enemy mage who had obviously begun the process of casting a spell...

And so the mighty warhorse of Trooper Rand would close the distance to the orc magess in less than two seconds, and in that time the cavalryman had time enough to shift the aimpoint of his sabretip to the neck of the grey-robed orc just ahead now. And the highly-trained warhorse would be extending its forelegs to try and kick and trample any enemies in their way, horse and rider were now a team, intent on killing the mage, before it would strike them down, and if some other orcs got in the way, they could join their magess in the Underneath....

By Official of Churt (Eert)

Tuesday, January 9, 2007 - 7:15 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

As the calvaryman on his massive steed dashed towards her, Eert scrambled out of the way, haphazardly pushing a few of her cohorts in between herself and the dangerous attacker. For their part, atleast a few of the orcs acted as directed, protecting their commander. Standing their ground, weapons gleaming, they slashed swords and battle axes at the horses legs and abdomen while attempting to stay out of the way of the stone-hard hooves. Atleast one loud thud was heard as the warhorse connected with an orcan body. However, there were many orcs, and many of those rushed towards side of the charging horse, swinging clubs or other blunt weapons in an attempt to knock the man off his steed if the steed itself were not taken down by other orcans slashing blades.

The sabretip pointed at Eert might have connected with her throat, despite her floundering attempts to avoid its path- save for one of her spells. The first spell created something of a shield around the orc, causing the sabre to glow red hot as it encountered resistance- deflecting the weapon safely to the side of the orcs body. The second spell, intending to stun the pair, was lost in the moments confusion. Cursing, Eert found herself stumbling to the ground, pushed by the force of the deflected sabre. Quickly she shouted orders to the surrounding orcs, righting herself as rapidly as possible and moving fingers in a blur in an attempt to regain the lost spell.

Meanwhile, orcs surrounding the pair closed in menacingly towards Paden. Once within lance-distance from the man, they suddenly charged- to his sides, whipping out a large net they attempted to throw over the man.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Friday, January 19, 2007 - 4:03 am GMT | Edit | Link |

'Dammit' was what echoed in Paden’s mind as he saw the Warden charge without stopping, he was clearly disturbed by the magick, but Paden had a clear plan in his head. He knew the ways of magick and he knew it was defence, but now things had got out of hand. He released his arrow when he saw how the Orc Mage had deflected the Wardens blow, not because he wanted to kill her, but he hoped it would be a distraction from the latest spell she was beginning to concoct. After which he dropped his bow and surged his warhorse forward, hoping to foil the orc net, drawing his sword, taking a low swoop at the nearest orc in a fluid move. He took a quick look to his rear to see what orcs from the escort were supporting them, however he expected little to none of them. He only looked for a second before searching for his next target.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Friday, January 19, 2007 - 7:06 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Highly-trained infantry ranked shoulder to shoulder with pikes and swords would have had a hard time stopping a mounted cavalryman who started a charge so close--and that certainly did not describe the orcs thrown into the path of the horseman and expected to react in a second. On the other hand, the 'charge' was really more of a leap, effectively startling, but lacking the momentum a warhorse could build up in a hundred yards...And so the sheer size and powerful kicks were what allowed the steed to plow through the gaggle of orcs, knocking them aside with much less force than anyone who had ever stood against a cavalry charge would have been expecting, while the unaimed blows skidded along its flanks. Ironically, it was actually the bodies the hooves kicked against which caused the biggest share of problems for the horse, since they slowed the leap and caused less sureness of footing, hence less acceleration through the throng...

The Warden-Trooper felt his sabre deflected by something hard--in the short instant of contact, there was no time for heat to transfer up the blade, and he had no time to notice the tip glow. Guiding his mount with his knees, the cavalryman raced through the gaggle of orcs, slowing after he had passed through, yanking the reins into a tight turn to the left, though with the unsteadiness of the hooves right now, the turn could not be very tight. And so several seconds after passing through the orcs, probably about the time the House Agent was crashing into the front of the orc throng, Trooper Rand again leveled his sabre outstretched, kicked his horse in the flanks and urged the mount to a charge from the other side...A squadron of light cavalry could likely have made short work of these orcs. But for two horsemen unused to working together, routing the beasts seemed unlikely...unless they had help.

By Official of Churt (Eert)

Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 3:05 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Growling and mutterings of frustration, as well as a few howls of pain escaped the orcs mouths as their efforts were thwarted. A few orcs barked orders, creating a bit of direction to the chaos. More orcs charged the warhorses, swinging battle axes at the mounts legs and clubs at the riders. One brave (or foolish) orc waited for an opportune moment- when the Warden was relatively slow- to dash forward with a wicked looking knife, attempting to slash the beasts' hamstrings. The nets seemed to have failed, and in the confusion the net throwers were tangled for a moment, unable to proceed.

As for the orcs escorting Paden, having assessed the odds, they decided they were rather not inclined to be suicidal, so instead of fighting free or joining the other orcs, most of them tried to slide casually out of the chaos, back to the clear road behind.

With all the distractions, Eert was extremely glad she had finished her protective spell before the melee began. It required a bit of concentration to complete another spell, however, and with the jostling and fighting around her the orcan witch barely managed to cast. Gesturing wildly, a flash of orange drifted from her hands towards the two mounted. It was a spell of transformation, of what type she was not entirely sure- and instead of keyed towards the Umans, Eert had accidently targeted the horses.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Thursday, February 22, 2007 - 3:48 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden lept from his horse as the Orc Mage's spell struck it, he didn't care to know what had happened, his attention being focussed on the 'misunderstanding' that was occurring here. He prepared to defend himself with his blade from any Orcs that attempted to attack him. Looking round quickly for the warden, who he assumed had been unhorsed as well. From his current stance he could not find the warden in the melee. He decided to try and shout to the warden.

"Trooper, try and break the lines south, we MUST retreat..." With that said, Paden moved with an onslaught of controlled slashes toward the southern part of the road, hoping to cleave any Orcs that stood in his way. Every so often he would make sure that he wasn't about to be attacked from behind. He hoped that the Warden would follow suit, and they could break and flee back to Daelows City, though it would be tough, but better than surrendering to the Orcs
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Friday, February 23, 2007 - 1:32 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Warden-Trooper Rand would gladly have retreated to the south right then, would gladly have been back with the troop escorting the Lady Jillian right now...But instead of the worlde bending to his desires, as the worlde doth want, it now seemed arrayed against him.

And so the cavalryman jumped clear as his horse pitched forward--hamstrung, he would realize quickly as the magnificent charger sprawled, hind legs no longer working. Rand himself landed heavily on his boots, burdened by the weight of chainmail and weapons, dust flying from beneath his boots as he whirled to and fro, brandishing his sabre en garde, trying to hold back the closing throngs of orcs. "Save yerself, Mister Paden!" he shouted back at one point, while continuing his desparate fight in the road for survival.

By Official of Churt (Eert)

Friday, March 2, 2007 - 4:41 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Grinning maliciously, the orcs converged on the de-horsed pair. Forming two circles around the Umans, they bided their time, tightening their circle by advancing slowly until they stood almost shoulder to shoulder with only enough space between them for their gleaming weapons. Strangely, any battle axes or swords were held defensively rather than offensively, only blocking any thrusts that might be aimed at them. The orcs paused at this distance, evidently heeding the loud barking orders issued from one commander.

Rather than one of those orcs forming the circles, new orcs dashed into the center, each carrying a small net, blanket, or rag of sorts. They rushed each of the men, one quick dodging orc attempting to hinder the sword-arm while the others went for legs, arms, or the body, trying to immobilize the pair.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Friday, March 2, 2007 - 6:26 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"No, Warden!" He yelled. He would not let the Warden be a sacrifice so that he may live. He continued to struggle in the throng of Orcs, forcefully battling his way towards the Warden, to help him get free. Things looked desperate. The Orcs now surrounded them both, confusion being despelled by the ordering of the vast force. Paden knew that they didn't stand a chance unless they broke free. Suddenly the Orcs were pressing themselves in close, restricting Paden, but not trying to kill him. He felt the Orcs clamp their hands round his sword arm.

He kicked out furiously against his attackers, struggling to the last, but the Orcs had overpowered him, and his sword was useless to defend him. The Orcs would easily be able to tie him up now as they restrained his kicking legs.
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Friday, March 2, 2007 - 11:41 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Warden-Trooper Rand fought viciously, in the best traditions of an elite household cavalryman, but his sabre could only slash and hack in one direction at a time, and there were simply too many orcs...And once the net fouled his swordarm, it was only a bit before the enemy were able to sweep up his ankles as well, and he fell to his back, chainmail pressing painfully into his back as he fell on the uneven road surface...

When the two were obviously captured, the cavalryman asked cheekily, "Well, will ya add some weregeld for this insult to the suit of the Lady Jillian, Mister Paden?"
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 10:54 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden gave up his struggle, both were captured by the Orcs, and both would probably be prisoners of Churt. He wondered how he would explain this to Lady Jillian, or if he would get the chance to. The Warden seemed in strangely high spirits for one who had just been captured by a horde of Orcs. They would most likely be either put to death, or made into slaves. The chances of them getting free were slim, but that would not stop Paden from trying. In response to the Wardens cheeky remark, Paden spoke bitterly.

"Perhaps now we will get our chance to see the King of Churt...but perhaps not for weregeld..." He let the thought trail off.

(OOC:

Sorry, I was not sure if yew were waiting for me to post, I was waiting for the Orcs)

 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Friday, March 30, 2007 - 3:36 am GMT | Edit | Link |

When he was allowed to rise within his restraints, Trooper Rand looked over to the House Agent, "Didya not know, Mister Paden, we were dead the moment the Lady Jillian chose us for her messengers to Churt?" The cavalryman shook his head and laughed, "Our job since that time has been to die, in the service of House Griphon, in the name of Civilization! Our service is to give the orc a chance to act civilized, and that will never happen," he laughed again. "So ya might as well follow all the forms, be my thought," he added more quietly.

By Official of Churt (Eert)

Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - 2:48 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Gleefully, the orcs happily consolidated their victims, tying them securely with multiple ropes, some knotted expertly, and others knotted with enthusiasm, if nothing else. An orc gave the cheeky warden a light box to the ears for his impertinence before being growled at by a superior, but besides a bit of manhandling as they were secured, the pair were rather unharmed.

Eert approached the pair, frowning at them.

"Yew wuld not leesten. Now yew leeave, not riturn." She growled. Her fingers were moving rapidly in one more spell- a bit more subtle and complicated than the orc was capable of, would she admit it. A white glow appeared and was thrown at the pair before an exhausted Eert staggered backwards towards Churt, assisted on two sides. The spell she thought she cast was the inability to speak of becoming overwhelmed by orcs. Were the pair to try, they would find themselves explaining their cowardice as they got closer to the orcan kingdom. The reality of the spell was perhaps something slightly different- it remained yet to be seen.

The two mens heads were covered in fabric and they were hoisted to shoulder height, each carried by six brawny orcs and marched- away from Churt.

It was not a long march, though perhaps a bit painful to the men carried not too gently on the orcs shoulders. Only a few hours after the quick walk had begun, the orcs swung the men down to the ground, well outside the environs of the orcan kingdom, off the road to Churt but not more than an hours trek from the Lorimar. A small knife was dropped near each man and they were left, tied, as the orcs retreated into the forest and disappeared from sight.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - 4:36 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden did not answer the Warden, something in what he said was true, however, he was sure the Orcs would not dare kill a representative of Daelows, that would mean serious action, even if it were only a lowly House Agent and a Warden Trooper. Paden simply looked grimly as the two were bound up. It was a little rough, but Paden had seen worse.

Then the Orcan Mage began to cast. What she didn't realise was that Paden had initially started out in the learning of magicks, and though he had no real magickal ability, he knew magick when it was coming. He also had a very slight resistance, build in the first few years of training, but nothing that could completely stop a spell of any kind. However this coupled with the imperfection of the spell would be a thing to look into, it would be possible for Paden to mybe get enough information to Lady Jillian. This would however mean abandoning his mission to Gning Nar, but at present he was unhorsed, unarmed and captured.

To Padens surprise, the Orcs let the two go, another reason why he was suspect of the magick cast. Paden awkwardly reached for one of the knives that the Orcs had kindly left them. Struggling, he managed to cut his bounds, then made his way to help the Warden if he needed any.

"Well, yew were wrong about at least one thing Trooper, we aren't dead...at least not yet. But we will have to make our way back to Daelows on foot...that will take us some time..." He sighed at the long walk ahead. He had decided now that there was indeed no point in attempting to continue on his mission, and he had been told to return in the event of something like this. Sheathing the knife on his belt, he noted that the Orcs had not removed his other knife. His sword had been lost, as well as his bow and quiver.

"I can't help but feel something horrible about the magick that was just cast on us..." And there it was...his mind was screaming at him. There was something wrong with what he had just said. He knew in himself what had happened just now, but something in his head was telling him that no magick had been cast on him.

"Warden, do yew feel anything out of the ordinary?"
 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Thursday, April 5, 2007 - 4:09 am GMT | Edit | Link |

[Minor note, according to the map Churt Kingdom extends well south of the Lorimar Road...Perhaps they were taken to an unpopulated area of the Kingdom, an hours' walk from the Lorimar Road?]

Warden-Trooper Rand stood and rubbed his raw wrists, feeling the bruises keenly from, recently, obviously...As with the House Agent, his sabre was gone, but he still had his chainmail and uniform. "Ah, well, truth to tell, Mister Paden," he answered as he blinked in confusion, "but I be rather...dazed at the nonce. I really do not remember what happened this day.

"Although, if we be heading back to Daelows now," he said with a bit more certainty, "belike we shan't have to walk far beyond the Daelows Frontier. There shall likely be a patrol of Peoples' Guards who can help, or at worst, we can walk to Cabermyr, they shall surely give us horses there...

"'Course, we still have to get out of Churt, with no weapons," he laughed in irony, brushing the dust off his bright gold-trimmed red uniform tunic and waiting for the responses of the Agent.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Friday, April 6, 2007 - 6:35 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Its suspicious...I'm struggling to recall the events that transpired as well." He could recall foggy memories, but most of them conflicted in his mind. Some were of them battling an impossible number of Orcs, others were of them fleeing from the Orcs. He knew something was wrong with the whole situation. There was little they could do about it at the moment, but when they got to Daelows, they would have to seek assistance from someone.

"I suspect magick was used...so that we can't deliver an accurate report to Lady Jillian...but something went wrong, I remember some things of what happened. Any magick user worth their salt should be able to tell that something is wrong...if we can convince someone to take a look at us." The thought was eerie. That they would have to return to Daelows with an enchantment on them. This made Paden shudder at the thought, but he quickly wiped away any bad feelings he had.

"Well, we aren't totally unarmed...the Orcs were nice enough to have provided us with knives, but we won't exactly be a match for the Hordes of the Underneath. I suggest we cover as much distance as we can to the border, and hope a patrol is in the area." He took a moment to gauge their position, his skills in tracking came into effect, combined with a few observations that had been made while being taken by the Orcs to this spot.

"I believe the road is that way-" He pointed in the direction which he gauged the road to be in. "About a quarter days march on foot, probably much less...shall we get moving?"

(OOC:

I am simply proceeding with the comment in yer OOC section, and assuming this is where we were dropped off)

 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Monday, April 9, 2007 - 12:01 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"Well, I trust yer Woodsman's skills, Mister Paden," Trooper Rand replied, looking dubiously at the little knife he had, similar to the eating dagger he had previously had at his belt, though the orcs had given him an inferiour knife, naturally. "I couldnae tell ya which way the road be, in this forest, being mainly a farmer and a soldier," the cavalryman admitted frankly. "So aye, best to make the highway before dark, if we can, I wonder how much daylight left?" he asked idly, looking up to the gloomy overhead forest canopy as he prepared to walk in the direction indicated by the Woodsman.
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Monday, April 9, 2007 - 10:55 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Paden nodded, it would be foolish to be out here in the darkness, but if they had to camp the night in the woods, at least there was two of them to keep a watch going through the night. However with their poor armaments, they would have to flee as best they could from any dangers.

"I think we should have enough light to get out to the road at least, once there we should look for a place to camp."

Paden set off in the direction of the road, or at least he thought was the direction of the road. They would reach it within the hour on his present course, and would luckily be on the Daelows side of the Road block. If they had to camp in this region for the night, at least they were close to the border of Daelows.

"Judging by what I saw on the way into churt, and what I can remember from the way back out, we should be on the Daelows side of the road block. If press on as much as we can into the night when we reach the road, we might even make it over the Daelows border before we have to set camp." He commented, not sure how the Warden would respond to such a comment, or if he just wished to settle down for the evening once they were in relative safety.

Paden continued to walk on until they eventually hit the Lorimar Road, on the Goblin stretch.

(OOC:

I hope that the direction of the post is ok, that we are close to the border just past the road block)

 

By Personal Guards to Duke Griphon, the (Wardens)

Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 1:46 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"Well, we are where we are, Mister Paden," the Warden Trooper shrugged, at least as much as a man can shrug under the burden of chainmail. And he turned and tramped through the dense forest in the same direction as the Tenaran Woodsman, and eventually onto the LORIMAR ROAD 5--THE GOBLIN STRETCH.

[There will be a bit of a temporal discontinuity now with the rest of the party, if we catch them, particularly on foot. On the other hand, we could presume the orcs actually carried the pair on horses/wargs a considerable distance eastward, through the night, and also presume a day or two more travel has happened, just not on the boards, for those at the campsite...Or we could just post our own campsite, and not catch them. Up to you.]
 

By Paden Megar, Ranger of Tenara (Paden)

Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 11:58 am GMT | Edit | Link |

(OOC:

We should assume that we have traveled a bit further a speedier than we had expected, perhaps not noticing would be a side effect of the spell cast on us, but then find a camp, that should give the others plenty of time to get some distance. If we did catch up to them, it could simply be because we had little to stay in camp for (assuming no rations ) and little reason to sleep longer than to allow day to rise. I think we should still be behind after we have made camp though.

Next post on the Goblin stretch)

By One-Time Mage (Rishon)

Monday, February 18, 2008 - 6:11 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Ugh."

Rishon held no special love for orcs, and passing the road's grisly decorations did little to instill one. This entire trip was nonsense, but he had promised. Promised to follow orders and, by extension, promised to attend to this errand in Churt.

By One-Time Mage (Rishon)

Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 10:40 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

In hindsight, Rishon should have expected the smell to get worse. He hadn't.

With a resigned sigh, he approached the gates.

(TO:

the Walled City of Churt)

By Sir Derogus the Red (Dero)

Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 5:03 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"I would think so, but it is where he came from. I bought him from a very cruel owner. Yew could say I saved him from being forced to live his life as a slave horse. I think he feels he owe's me because of that."

Dero would again pat Meretus' neck as he spoke.

"He was the youngest, and the runt. If I had not bought him, he was going be be killed."

He then took a look over Rishon and thought for a moment.

"Yew seem to be pretty young, for someone to work with the former king of the orcs. Have yew had much training to do such a thing, such as how to defend yerself?"

By One-Time Mage (Rishon)

Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 11:07 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"I think it should suffice to say that I am considerably older than I look," Rishon answered, grinning broadly. "That said, while I am certainly not so talented as a warrior such as ewerself, I am an able swordsman... and I make certain to keep well-equipped."

He illustrated the remark by showing the mercenary the ring he wore on his left hand, while resting his right on the large gem set in the pommel of his sword. "With the proper arms and equipment, a man can face threats well beyond his normal measure."

By One-Time Mage (Rishon)

Monday, June 9, 2008 - 7:05 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"It occurs to me," Rishon began after a bit of walking, "that ewe never answered my question. Did ewe want to meet with my employer, or simply speak with him from a distance? I am traveling back to meet him, and ewe would be welcome to accompany me if ewe like."

By Sir Derogus the Red (Dero)

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - 2:35 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"I had wished to meet him. I never became as known as I am by using messengers for my contracts." said Dero, slightly looking towards the sky.

By One-Time Mage (Rishon)

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 12:44 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"Marvelous," Rishon nodded. "The fastest route will be to take the Lorimar to Kiana, where we can take a ship around to Skylding Hall, and finally sail to Upper Noitnetta. It is a long trip, but it will cost us nothing except for our time."

A flick of his wrist somehow produced a carrot, which he then offered to Derogus. "For ewer horse."

By Sir Derogus the Red (Dero)

Thursday, June 19, 2008 - 4:37 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Dero watched as rishon quickly produced the carrot. He was a bit surprised, but shrugged it off and took it. Meretus, on the other hand, got a bit excited. "Easy old boy...yer actin like I never feed yew." Said dero, letting meretus eat it.

He then said "I think the fastest route is best, if it only takes our time."

By One-Time Mage (Rishon)

Sunday, June 22, 2008 - 1:28 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"Excellent," Rishon nodded. "I am curious: have ewe ever been to any of those places? Kiana or Skylding Hall? I don't imagine they offer men of ewer skills a great deal of work, but ewer travels may well have taken ewe there."

(TO:

The Goblin Stretch)

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