A Dying Nation

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illirica
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A Dying Nation Jan 31, 2021 16:45:21 GMT

Post by illirica on Jan 31, 2021 16:45:21 GMT

This is the IC information for the Dying Nation RP. I had it open when the site crashed and did a quick copy to notepad. It is not formatted - I couldn't preserve formatting. I don't have the Request or the Character Sheets, but the IC is here in full.

Post by Forg3ttable_S0ul » Thu Jan 21, 2021 12:04 am
In the early hours of the morning, with dawn only beginning to crest the horizon, the small village of Lon was all but quiet. Some people stood on their porches watching the sunrise; some cut firewood, while a select few took walks through the village, enjoying the rare peace of the early morning. Nestled inside of a man-made clearing in a forest, the Lon was mostly known for their good lumber, and was the main source of income for the town. A waterwheel-driven mill stood next to the creek that flowed strong and consistent through the middle of the village, splitting it evenly in two halves. As the waterwheel moaned and ached, frogs croaked as birds sang their morning tunes. From this scene, it seemed almost impossible to conceptualize the horrors that plagued this land. To think the Undead roamed the hills next to horrible beasts and terrible monstrosities almost impossible to conceive the true form of... the thoughts of the true face of the world around them made the peace of this true morning feel... fabricated. Alas, the guardsmen supplied by the Elves and Humans kept them at bay for the most part, save for a few distant bands that adventurers would be paid to handle.

---

As the early morning shifted to day, Hal'Kox sauntered slowly up the road toward the forest. He was still a bit of distance away, but he could see the village clearly. The canopy of trees above him was thick save for just enough room for thin shafts of light to pass through. clustered together, it gave enough vision to see clearly, especially with the bold sunlight teeming down the road from the village. Still, his massive bulking form was dipped in shadow, and he could see a few villagers peer down the road at him, and hurry along in slight panic. Hal'kox's weight made his steps sound heavy, not ground tremblingly so, but enough that he could hear the leaves shudder slightly around him. He heaved a sigh. This was his first time through this village, and he could only worry how they would react to him. Sure, this most likely wasn't their first time seeing Alpox, but the ones born outside of the Great Jungle weren't as... battle-worn.

As he broke the treeline, he rose his head to look at the sun. He stretched his tail and extended his neck out, popping his back in several places. He grunted from the relief, and heard a gasp. As he looked to his right, an Elven guardsman entered his vision. They took a step back, but held their tongue. Hal'Kox glanced down at the ground to gather his words. "Where... Inn?" His voice was heavy and full of a guttural hiss. The Elf shrugged and pointed to the inn across the river. one of the few buildings that reached 3 stories. Hal'Kox nodded to him and began his saunter over to the end. When he reached the bridge that crossed the creek, he stepped over to the edge of the water, dragging his bottom jaw through it to gather a few gulps. It was hard to get good fresh water during a long walk, might as well take advantage! he eventually sat down with a thud, the Macahuitl on his back rocking slightly as he adjusted his weight to get comfortable. His tail began slowly wagging back and forth as he enjoyed the sunlight on the bank, gathering water in his hands and taking drinks every now and then.

Post by Azra » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:30 pm
"Taj the camp just got done with fighting." A drunken mercenary remarked to the tall Orc beside him, the woman of jade skin was several mugs of ale into the night but had yet to sway in what she wanted. If anything it only made her more eager to get into a brawl. Instead she got off her seat and went over to another table.

"You! You paid for are help right how about we go a round in celebration!" She spoke to Esmindias a elf property owner who had selected the particular mercenary group Taj was in. There was a shipment that was being delivered to Lon and a number of small bands had been employed to protect it. There was some attempted raiding and much to Esmindias the Orc was one of the mercenaries who survived to make it into town.

"If you mean a round on drinks, your choice is to cheep. If you mean a dance, I'd neither go with you be it horizontal or vertical." The elf spoke, his eyes may have had to look up but he clearly in tone was looking down. He owned numerous homes and farms in Lon. His dress was tailor made by the elite and its buttons costed more then everything on Tajira's entire person. He wasn't going to entertain the Orc who smelled of mud and blood in any fashion.

Her fist only slammed against the table in response. The very expensive wine in Esmindias very expensive glass leaping in a splash that would stain that ever so expensive coat of his. "No I mean fight! I didn't even aquire a new scar on this! Make this feel worth it for me!" A furrowed brow glared at the Orc, he started to speak but Taj put a finger to his lip to hush him. An act which had him almost wretch, while Taj had bathed on return she hadn't put much effort in cleaning her nails. They were still painted in the caked on blood, hints of meat under the nails from when a weapon went to deep or she simply chose to tear a foe's open wound more open. "You win, I give back my keep. I win I get that sword."

Esmindias wasn't much of a warrior, but he did have a sword on him. Something he took pride in. "Alenhelm has been passed down for generations! My grandfather defended these lands in the darkest moments with this! You've a deal I'll cut you down!"

------Roughly Ten Minutes Later------

A number of guards were pushing Taj out of the tavern. The place was a rowdy mess with a number of fights going on inside but a good handful of the security insisted on booting the Orc out of the tavern first. Thick black blood ran down her bicep in a shallow cut. Despite all this though she raised Alenhelm into the air triumphantly! "You've my respect Esmind! And I think the tavern has lost any it had for me!" It was just a bar fight the security didn't want to hang her yet. She could see it in their stern looks though the Orc wasn't welcome back.

All the same she gleefully wedged Alenhelm into her scabbard. The edge of it teared, as Taj's previous blade was a bit shorter and thinner a make. The only thing to slightly spoil her day was the sight of a Alpox heading to the inn she left. She didn't like them, she could grow to know they were decent people. Her first thought though was always just how the race was stronger then orcs by default and this bothered her. She'd go on to sit by the river that divided the town removing her shoes to enjoy the feeing of the cool water on her feet. A few young elves protesting the fact across the bend.

Post by illirica » Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:11 pm
What was an Alpox doing in a town like this one?

Of course, Laitha A'Tuan was well aware that the question what was a Faelin doing in a town like this one? could also be asked, but unlike the Alpox, she had at least some flexibility about her appearance. Her legs and feet - her only truly defining features - were hidden under boots and leggings. The leggings made her leg fur itch, and the boots made her feet hurt - but it was easier than dealing with everyone being upset by the presence of a demon-spawn in their midst. Laitha had been around enough to know all the insults and where they were most likely to be found. Better that the people here just think she was a human, and a rather imposing one at that.

Admittedly, the battle-axe across her back might have something to do with the lack of questions, too. The innkeeper had suggested that she could take her armor off and leave it in a room when she'd arrived, at which point Laitha had given him a silent withering stare until he'd suggested that perhaps whatever made her comfortable might be best.

She found it interesting how well people could communicate by saying nothing at all.

Another good question, she thought, was what was an Orc doing in a town like this one? That had been the question of several minutes ago, when she had been sitting in the inn's common room with a mug of cider, when the aforementioned Orc had strolled in and started a brawl. Laitha had decided at that point that it was a good time to be anywhere else, and had left a coin on the table to pay for her drink and slipped out the door while the fighting happened, deciding that a stroll around the town might be a better use of her time.

Of course, her boots were pinching her feet, but it wasn't like it was going to be a very long stroll, given the size of the town. She'd made it as far as the bridge, which was where she'd seen the Alpox, which was what had prompted the latest question to surface in her mind. She said nothing for a while, approaching him from behind and staring - not at the large Alpox himself, but at the weapon he wore on his back, taking note of its intricacies. After a moment she gave it a nod, moving a little closer to the side of the Alpox.

"Good weapon." A succinct speech, but it covered most of what needed to be said, in her opinion. Laitha glanced back over her shoulder, where the Orc was emerging from the bar, wondering if a mob was to follow. It seemed like that wasn't happening this time, so she gave the situation a wordless shrug, and returned her attention to the Alpox, extending a calloused hand in his direction. "Laitha."

Post by Forg3ttable_S0ul » Thu Jan 21, 2021 4:40 pm
Bliss. That was the word Hal'Kox formed in his mind as he listened to the wind gently ruffle the leaves of the forest surrounding the village. It wasn't every day that he was able to relax unhindered. In the larger cities, alone time was only found in backstreets and alleyways where no one treaded for fear of thieves. The sound of somewhat lopsided steps crunching the grass behind him made him stir, stopping the wag of his tail. He tasted the air with his nose. The smell was slightly human, but tinged slightly. A half-demon, perhaps? He shrugged as he took into his hand another sip of water and drank from it. He placed his hands on his knees and glanced up, noticing the sound of what seemed like a struggle, and to his dismay, his eyes fell on an orc. A strange sight, indeed, being so close to the border of the Sacred Groves. The sounds of conflict emanating from the tavern made sense to him now, however, and turned his eye to take in the person standing behind him.

Crossed arms, a kilt, and a battle axe? This one was surely a warrior. The tainted smell still confused him; perhaps the kilt was that of a Highlander? He only looked her up and down once, for that was all she needed. One look told Hal'Kox that she could more than handle herself. Where he showed his experience with the scars that covered his battered body, she showed it in the discipline she irradiated. He nodded to her and turned his attention back to the flowing stream, feeling no danger from her, but only that she was doing to him what he just did to her. When she stepped more to his side, he inched away from her to give her space, and nodded at the compliment she gave him.

His Macahuitl, though still primitive compared to weapons wielded by most Kul'Jans, was quite formidable in his hands. It had served him well over the many years he fought against the other tribes in Alpoxia, and it had claimed the lives of many of his brethren. While sadness only took him from the thoughts of him slaying his fellow Alpox now, he still knew it was what had to be done at the time. A trial by fire, as it were. His reminiscing was interrupted by the warrior's introduction. He looked down at her hand, hesitating a moment before extending a single finger, laying a long yellowed claw in her hand. "Hal'Koxssssssssss." the rattle of the syllable growled deeply in the back of his throat. his tail curled slightly in embarrassment, but he tried to pay no mind to it. He thought for a moment before pointing to his weapon. Trying hard to form its name in English, "Ma...Ca...Hui...Tl."

He heaved a sigh through his nose, mumbling cursing slurs in his native tongue under his breath. Why was their language so hard? The Kul'Jan Alpox spoke it fluently, but through the years of his travels in these lands, it was something he could never master. Ironic that his skills as a warrior were unparalleled, but a simple sentence in a foreign language was by far his hardest challenge. He removed the claw from the person's hand and laid his tail in between them. Not known to many, it was a sign of peace between them. The tail of an Alpox was important for balance, especially given the massive weight of their body. any loss to the length of a tail could mean loss of efficiency in battle, which in turn could mean the loss of their life. He was unsure if they felt uncomfortable around him, but this was his only way of showing he meant no harm. He reached forward to cusp another sip of water from the stream, only to notice right before he drank from it that the orc had placed their feet in the water upstream. Who knew where those feet had been? The thought echoed through is mind as he threw his sip back into the stream.

Post by Azra » Sat Jan 23, 2021 1:46 pm
Tajira didn't intend to ruin things for the lizard but at the same time she did take a silent sort of pride in the fact. Mostly Taj just looked to enjoy herself. It started with drinking, moved to picking a fight and then went to something she found relaxing. It was all just actions of selfishness done for her own sake because to her life was only worth living if she aimed to chase what she took pleasure in. To many races she thought were absorbed in other vices and priorities. That said she hated the thought of someone naturally stronger then her, so managing a victory over such a foe did give the Orc further pride.

So she enjoyed herself indifferent to such a response. Yellow eyes briefly admiring the latest of cuts on her arm, a badge of pride in Taj's eyes. Her other hand glows for a second before she presses it to the cut. The reaction of the pain only the slightst flinch from the Orc as the wound healed. Becoming just another scar as her hand then went to cup water t then wash off the grime. She was an Orc she didn't much care for looks, but a scar deserved t be worn with pride not masked by mud and blood. Not that it was an easy scar to identify, one among dozens in just that section of the body.

"Relax its yards away." The mercenary remarked possibly rudely cutting in on a conversation. Pride aside the Orc did also think the distance enough not to have to ruin the others day. The woman talking to him was a bit more interesting to the Orc. Seemed as big as herself and more importantly a person who had to work for such an image. Good weapon choice to.

For now though the Orc just continued to relax and admiring her scar. Was a decent chance the mercenary band she was in would be breaking up soon. They'd had their victories and traveled plenty now they wanted to settle in at least for a time. Taj though was never one to want to settle into a home. For her, home was the battlefield. This town was probably perfect to most, to her it was boring the comfort of the river and of decent ale the only real thing she thought it had going.

Post by illirica » Sun Jan 24, 2021 11:47 am
Laitha accepted the clawed finger, a reasonable compromise on the traditional handshake given the disparity between her own hands and the Alpox’s. He gave his name as Hal`Kox, which she nodded acknowledgement of, and attempted to introduce his weapon as well. Of course the syllables would only be an approximation - no doubt in his own language, the weapon’s name was something beautiful, not stilted as the translation had been.

She knew several words of the Alpox language, from her time with various mercenaries, but most of them were best not used in polite conversation. Or at all, really. She could manage ‘Hello,’ ‘Good-bye,’ and ‘Thank you,’ as far as useful phrases went, though she’d been informed her accent was terrible. There wasn’t really any need to employ any of those words for the time being.

The two of them were joined by - or intruded on by - the orc woman from the inn earlier, and Laitha noticed that the hilt of the weapon she wore was the one she’d been eyeing when she had started the fight in the first place. She wondered what had become of the orc’s other weapon. Hal`Kox, meanwhile, seemed distressed by the presence of orcish feet in the water. Laitha doubted that was the worst thing that had been in the water even today - and was honestly a bit jealous. The water would probably feel nice on her own feet - cool and comfortable.

She’d make sure if she ever did so, to keep it downstream from the Alpox, though. Since he seemed a little uncomfortable about the water, she shifted her position slightly as the orc approached, to better guard his tail should that be needed. It wasn’t something Laitha had to think about, it was just something automatic. One couldn’t fight beside an Alpox without knowing how they were about their tails, and Laitha’s former companies had both had Alpox members. Good people, some of them.

”Upstream,” she pointed out, briefly, regarding the Orc’s comment on her positioning. ”Water flows.”

Post by Forg3ttable_S0ul » Sun Jan 24, 2021 2:56 pm
Hal'Kox eyed the Orc woman, mostly staring at the uncovered feet in the water. In Aploxia, nature was almost as sacred to them as the Groves were to the Elves. Every aspect of their lives was given to them by nature. Their legendary strength was a gift from nature; their weapons were made from nature rather than forged in fire, and their dead returned to the soils serving as fertilizer for the jungles that they may grow and thrive around them. Bathing? A waste of the waters that gave them sustenance. Bathing was only something he had begun to do when he became a wanderer of the lands. He bathed now, sure, but only after weeks of convincing from Kul'Jah Alpox that the waters that flowed outside of the jungles weren't the same sacred flows, and didn't matter as much. Still, that didn't mean he had the gall to simply thrust his unclean body into the same flows, especially upstream from one who was taking drinks. He would usually take it as disrespect, but did not hold it against her. She was Kul'Jah, and did not need to know of his beliefs. They weren't in Alpoxia, to be fair.

He shook his head slightly and glanced over at Laitha. Noticing her not foreseeing anything dangerous from the Orc aside from adjusting her stance somewhat took the edge off, and he relaxed a bit himself (the last thing he needed in a town he had never been in before was a fight on his hands), only nodding to agree with her statement. "Kul'Jah Muttra Mikala-" he stopped immediately, realizing he was speaking his native tongue. He looked between them in embarrassment, trying to search for the words he attempted to speak, but in English, " No... worry... Me.... Outsider... Me... Drink... Later," Hal'Kox scratched at his nose before getting up from his little spot, "Me.... Go... Find... Job... Need....Gold." He accidentally brushed Laitha's arm with his tail, and bowed his head at her slightly in apology. He looked on toward the inn, then up and down the road they sat next to before laying his eyes on his target: a large wooden signpost with papers displaying local news and jobs available to adventurers and travelers. It stood just past the bride and right before the inn. A few postings still hung on it, signifying jobs perhaps no one else was interested in.

He began to cross over, putting a 3-toed foot on the bridge. It was a bit narrow, and not reinforced for overly heavy weight, so it whined and creaked in protest as he shifted his weight to that foot, and at the sound of the wood fibers ripping themselves apart in agony, he took a step back, eyeing the bridge with concern. He glanced again at the orc's feet, then his own, then the water. It would be foolish to create a double standard by walking through the water, so... to avoid it, he would have to do something else. He positioned himself in front of the stream and got down to all fours, taking a few bounds before jumping across. The ground rumbled and heaved as he landed, and a passing guard nearly lost his footing, fumbling over himself as he tried to stabilize his stance with the haft of his spear. The Elven man looked at Hal'Kox in dismay, "What in the bloody hell?! Can you not just use the bri-," the man looked at Hal'kox for a moment, then at the bridge, then back to him, "Erm.... cease the tomfoolery. I don't want you causing any trouble here. Thank you for not... uh... breaking our bridge... I guess."

The Elf adjusted his Chainmail shirt and stepped off hurriedly. "Tom....fool?" Hal'Kox grumbled as he watched the guard walk off and turn the corner before looking behind him, locking eyes with the orc woman, and shrugging comically. At least he wasn't in trouble. With that, he stepped off toward the job board, hoping for a few silver pieces before completing his journey across the Elven border and into the Groves. He had only ever crossed the border once, though his path had taken him through land ruled by a majority of High Elves. Perhaps the Wood Elves would be more favorable to him?

Post by Azra » Thu Jan 28, 2021 3:50 am
Taj made a somewhat shocked expression as if she were a dumb Orc who just was so surprised by this revelation. Which was sarcasm of course as the green skin and those like her weren't that bad. At least she liked to think that to be the case, at any rate who knew how well the sarcasm was even read. The voice tried to convey it but when it came to expression an orc usually just seemed founded on extremes. There was a rather loud bark of a laugh though still the reptiles words.

"Who among us isn't an outsider?" The woman with an axe appeared human but she was also bigger then most. Taj was a mercenary and she had met many humans, it was by no means exclusionary but most women didn't have a physical stature like herself. Taj was an Orc almost always the enemy in most cases rare to see one in any village. Let alone finding one who was decent at common. For what it was worth she felt like she'd break her jaw or bite off her tongue trying to speak any other language besides Orc and common. Then there was the scaled warrior among them taller by a head then most with giant tail and so on.

"Have you not met a Tom? They are notoriously stupid." The reasons for death was various but Taj could remember five different Tom's she'd known who had perished. Well two Toms a Thomas a Tomas and a Tomolobas but they'd all gone by Tom. "What about you, also looking for a job?"

The Orc would rather be in the redheads company then the lizard but both didnt seem the worst. She was also just now in need of work so why not head the same way? Mercenary bands came and went, broke apart and reformed and she was in between such situations right now. Her party had enjoyed some drinks and we're now going their opposite ways, hers including kicked out of another tavern.

Post by illirica » Thu Jan 28, 2021 10:09 am
Hal`Kox had started speaking something in his own language for a moment, then switched over to stumbling human language instead. Laitha gave him an apologetic glance for not understanding his own tongue - knowing enough to identify what it was didn’t do any good as far as understanding the words themselves. The least she could do for him was wait patiently while he figured out the words he wanted.

So, he was looking for work. That was understandable. Most were, at one point or another. It seemed that one wasn’t to be found right here, so Hal`Kox made an attempt to cross the stream, causing an ominous creak of the bridge. He seemed to realize the futility of that situation before Laitha could comment on it, and moved back to jump the stream instead, which attracted the attention of the guards for a moment.

They didn’t seem bad as far as guards went, in that they realized the error of their assessment and were willing to own up to it. Their condemnation of tomfoolery seemed to confuse Hal`Kox, and Laitha was certain that the Orcish woman’s description would only make it worse. Laitha crossed the wooden bridge sedately, with a sigh. ”Tomfoolery is bad behavior. Not serious.” Most of the time, it was more akin to naughtiness, the sort of mischief that children got into.... Not something that the guards needed to do anything about, but something they felt they should remark on.

It seemed that the Orc was determined to come along. Truthfully, Laitha wasn’t even sure how it had come to the point where she was coming along, but the Alpox seemed as good company as any - certainly better than she was going to get in the village, at least once people had a chance to learn a little more about her. She considered the situation in silence a few paces, contemplating.

”Better jobs for two,” she stated eventually, then glanced at the Orc woman as well. ”Or three. Your name?”

Post by Forg3ttable_S0ul » Fri Jan 29, 2021 4:01 am
The job board was lacking a bit, much to Hal'Kox's dismay, but it wasn't too worrisome. It was a small village, so not many people would be actively seeking adventurers, that much was to be assumed. He scratched at his chin a bit as his eyes jumped from post to post, mulling over his company's explanation of the strange term the guard had used. It was quite an unusual term to use for bad behavior. English was... a peculiar language. Perhaps it would be better to try to use signings with his hands rather than stumble over words. Laitha would probably have the easiest time understanding his meaning with his signs, but the Orc? That would be a bit more difficult. Then again, the Orcs he had known spoke a tongue that was only a bit more constructive than his own. Perhaps she was used to it? Who knows.

Hal'Kox ripped two postings off of the board. One was a simple job to clear a cave of some common woodland creatures so the village midwife could safely gather herbs. It appeared that the midwife herself had posted the job, and offered 20 silver to the party that cleared the cave for her. The other seemed more entertaining; it was a job that would take them deep in the same direction as the border, but off the beaten path. Apparently a bandit's camp had been overrun in the forest, and the dead had risen. The job was posted by the Elven Guard, and offered 12 gold pieces to the party that cleared the camp, as well as whatever loot the vagrants had in their camp. He paused as he read the description over and over again. Hal'Kox despised the undead. When the curse had first taken the land, it only affected the common races, Alpox, with no affinity or connections to magics, seemed almost completely untouched by it. The physical spread of the curse (usually a deep mortal wound of sorts) would act like poison. A living adult Alpox would begin to decay rapidly and turn to dust. The elders had always proclaimed it was a horrid sight, and the few times Hal'Kox had seen it himself made him sick to his stomach at the time. Recently, however, the curse had found a way to affect the young in the same way it affected the commons. Thankfully, a young Alpox was much easier to fight than an Adult, especially when risen from the grave, but the sheer thought of it was what made it difficult. Hal'Kox shuddered a bit at the thought, and quickly shifted his focus to other things.

He stepped back to Laitha and the Orc woman, and showed them the pamplets, however, he could not take his eye off of the more sinister request. If there was anything Hal'Kox hated in this world, it would be two things: Evil and all forms, be it human crooks profiting off of the backs of hard workers or Abyssal Demons, and disrespect. Of course, the disrespect had no deeper story behind it. It was simply his code of the warrior: Respect among fighters. Long had he fought and felled warriors of all shapes and sizes, but he never once disrespected an enemy, unless they deserved none. He had even been the one to bury a few of his enemies, for their comrades had refused to do such a thing. It was a disgrace, letting your brother or sister in arms decay in the open after laying down their life for their belief. If they fought with honor and respect, they deserved it in return.

He heaved a heavy sigh as he looked between the two women. He shook the cave clearing request "This one....easy.... Good....travel....gold." He nodded a few times, looking intently at each of them to make sure they understood his words before shaking the other one, "This one... dead....rise....kill...evil," he looked up for a moment in thought, "More...honor....here... still... good... gold... more... harder," he dropped his snout, feeling like his words did not fit together, but he felt as if his point was made. He handed the papers to Laitha to let her observe them. His tail wagged slightly in anticipation, but he would respect whatever choice was made.

He began eyeing the Orc woman, now that he was closer to her. She seemed very battle-hardened, and she reeked of gore and death. It wasn't a smell he shied away from; if he were still in Alpoxia, it would be a smell he drenched himself in every day. He looked her up and down closely, counting the numerous scars that covered the visible parts of her body. Even his own scars did not come up to the number he estimated. A few of them were close to killing blows, but even a few of his own had come close. He began to scratch at a scar that crossed through the symbol of his old clan branded into his chest. It had nearly cleaved his chest away, had it not been for a last second backstep, but it took many days and a large amount of healing herbs and even a few imported potions to completely heal it. Even then, as faded as the scar was, the battle still laid fresh in his mind. It had almost been his last battle, but it was also one of his greatest. He dropped his eyes after a few moments and locked his gaze to the distant treetops on the far side of the village. It seemed all he had done today was reminisce on old thoughts. Maybe soon he would be able to create new memories to relish in.

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A Dying Nation Jan 31, 2021 19:49:09 GMT

Post by Azra on Jan 31, 2021 19:49:09 GMT

Tajira had followed, a bit back didn't want to be in the way of ones tail. She also just wasn't sure she wanted to be close to an Apox yet. This one seemed decent but the Orc still just didn't like being in company with a lizard. They're superior strength to orcs annoyed the warrior. At any rate she followed along to the bounty board.

"Tajira, usually Taj for short. Survivor of a million battles! Bearer of a thousand scars!" She said this of course loud and with monstrous pride. A powerful bravado that many would buy into. This was hyperbole of course what Orc didn't love battle, how many wouldn't try and proclaim to be the biggest and strongest. "Those numbers might not be accurate I'm not good with numbers." She usually only counted coin, or maybe amount of bodies she got if a partner was competitive that way.

She took a moment to look at the fliers, it might have been debatable how much she could actually read it. Reading didn't help with fighting after all so how good she was in that field may have been suspect. "Both." This though was clearly an act while who knew how much the Orc could read the time considering the choice was clearly played up.

"We should do the evil one. We'll have been exhausted by then making this other quest a bit more of a challenge!" That was so much of where her priorities lay. It wasn't the gold or even the danger. She just enjoyed two options to fight and tried to pick them in a way to make it fun for her.

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A Dying Nation Jan 31, 2021 21:09:03 GMT

Post by illirica on Jan 31, 2021 21:09:03 GMT

Laitha scanned the posting board on her own for a while, just in case there was something that Hal`Kox was missing, but it seemed like his eye was drawn to the same job that hers was. He'd picked one other off the board, but Laitha dismissed it, not even taking the lesser job from his clawed hand when he offered it to her.

"This one," she stated, accepting the paper for the undead commitment. She didn't bother saying more than that, but it was clear from her tone that she was making a statement, not expressing an opinion. If the others chose to go for the cave cleaning job, Laitha would handle the undead job on her own.

The money wasn't important, really. Laitha sent most of hers home, anyway, to her parents and her sister. She imagined they had more use for nicer things than herself, moving from place to place as she did. She kept enough to keep her equipment repaired, and for meals and the occasional night at an inn - but she would rather see her sister getting a good start in life than worrying about rent.

What was important to Laitha, though, was the nature of the task. The stories said that in ancient times, the Faelin had defended the world against Abyssal horrors - and maybe Laitha had a bit more of those old stories in her than most. The undead were a plague, one that provided no good to this world. Elves might not like her kind much, but they were still as much a part of this world as any. They built and farmed and taught and raised their children.

The undead did none of that. They only did harm.

Laitha folded the paper, tucking it in to a belt pouch and turning to face her companions. "We going?"

With the threat established on the horizon, she wasn't inclined to linger here.

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A Dying Nation Feb 1, 2021 3:17:26 GMT

Post by forg3ttablexs0ul on Feb 1, 2021 3:17:26 GMT

Hal'Kox nodded slowly as his new companions made their decision. When Laitha folded the flier and tucked it away, he took a moment to stretch before giving a thumbs up. It hadn't been long since his last battle, sure, but it had been years since he had fought with allies at his side. This would be quite an experience. He looked to Taj, and bowed his head slightly, "Hal'Koxsssssssss.... Pleasure... Meet...You." He made a note that she seemed... uncomfortable in some way around him. Perhaps it was just her personal thoughts; maybe she was mad that he was unamused at her laying her feet in the stream? He shrugged and nodded to Laitha, "We....Go." He stepped off, leaping over the water once more. After a much softer landing than the last one, he shrugged to himself. This would be something he could touch on later. He followed the road until he stood at the entrance to the eastern forest. It would be about half a day's walk before they would reach the border, if the directions given to him were correct.

As he peered deeper into the forest, he observed the mist that hung low in the trees. It was odd seeing such a phenomenon when the weather was still clear. The fog was so dense, the light barely penetrated it. It reminded him of the marshlands in his homeland. Fog coated the air there, along with the sound of croaking toads and singing crickets. It wasn't particularly his favorite place, especially coupled with the faint smell of dung that pierced the air with it, but as with most things, there are usually cons alongside the pros. Hal'Kox raised his snout and tasted the air. He attached a name to all the smells he already knew: The tainted human smell of Laitha, the blood and mud of Tajira, the cleanliness of the village, but one smell caught his nose. The smell was similar to Tajira, but there was a difference to it. It was more death and decay. The smell of age old rot. It was still faint, so the distance had to be a bit far. However, the catching of a scent didn't necessarily mean that the threat would be known or realized. He tightened the leather wrappings on his hands and feet, "Smell... Rot..... Death.... Ahead.... Scent.... Follow."

Last Edit: Feb 1, 2021 13:55:14 GMT by forg3ttablexs0ul

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A Dying Nation Feb 3, 2021 20:40:07 GMT

Post by Azra on Feb 3, 2021 20:40:07 GMT

Neither of the two seemed interested in her idea of doubling up. To focused on thwarting the undead. A smile came to TJira's face, a bit crooked given the way Orc fangs stuck out some. They were a good lot, sure one was an Appox but both had a sense of nobility to them something that went beyond money. Those were usually her favorite kind of allies, those with a greater reason to fight. Granted her favorite favorite was those like her, more interested in the challenge and triumphs of a fight! Her jade hand moved to snag the other flier just in case. The contents shoved in a pocket as she shrugged "Just in case." Maybe her company was more heroes and sticks in the mud but she loved her idea. They would fight maybe even nearly die, then bloodied the easier prey might have a better fighting chance. Between those two fights maybe she could rack up something like five new scars!

So eagerly the Orc followed the others on their adventure. Alenhelm was in hand a mix of flurries and practice swings helping the Orc preoccupy her mind. "A fine blade how many fights before you dull I wonder!?" Of course it didn't talk back she was simply entertaining herself. The words told a story though of someone who didn't care for weapon maintenance. She could tell it was good but it was nothing of legendary make, it would break eventually and knowing her it would have been sooner then others.The further they got in the more a fog picked up, it resulted in a slightly faster step. Taj didn't care that it was odd, she just liked the obstruction. They would likely only see in battle the first line, only hear the snap of a bow before trying to evade! Worse odds for them but a greater challenge!

The reptile spoke and the Orc looked around a bit. "Those branches look a little bent, stones moved a little to far to the side. That way maybe?" Taj was more fighter then Hunter, her tracking ability was limited but she could kind of tell where movement may have been. She spent a lot of time with mercenary bands trying to follow troop lines. Then again she was no pro, she couldn't tell if it matched the scent, or if the prints were person or animal.

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A Dying Nation Feb 4, 2021 15:00:02 GMT

Post by illirica on Feb 4, 2021 15:00:02 GMT

For a while, they walked. Laitha moved sedately, keeping her senses aware. Her companions would probably attract more attention than she did, out here, but she didn’t want to take any chances. She kept her eyes open, looking for signs of trouble, but they didn’t encounter any before they had come in sight of the forest’s edge. They all seemed to sense it then, one way or another - a vague malaise. In Hal’Kox’s case, he sniffed the air, tasting a foul taint upon it. Taj looked for signs of passage. Laitha relied more on the vague instinct that came with having fought these sorts of things before, a sense that was telling her it was time to prepare for danger.

While the others commented on the situation, she sat down on a rock at the side of the trail. The first thing that she did was to check her axe, of course - the edge was keen, as it always was, but she looked over the wrappings on the hilt, making sure the grip was steady and secure. The last thing anyone wanted in a fight was a failed weapon. Once that was done, though, it was time to prepare the rest of her self. Hal’Kox already suspected, she thought, with that keen nose of his. Taj... Laitha couldn’t tell.

It didn’t matter. They weren’t elves, so she probably wasn’t offending their sensitivities - and if she was, well, better to deal with it now, before the undead were about. She slipped off both boots and leggings, rolling them tightly and stowing them in her pack, and taking a moment to test her footing and revel in the freedom of cloven hooves on natural ground, no longer bound by restrictive clothing or even more restrictive expectations.

She picked up her axe in a way that certainly wasn’t a challenge, but that definitely implied that there could be a challenge, if anyone wanted to make a problem of it. Her examination of the branches implied that something had passed through here - Laitha was a fighter, not a tracker, and Taj’s estimate was good enough for her. ”Let’s go, then.”

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A Dying Nation Feb 5, 2021 10:20:58 GMT

Post by forg3ttablexs0ul on Feb 5, 2021 10:20:58 GMT

Hal"Kox turned to look upon the passage Taj had discovered. Hal'kox knew very little in terms of tracking, but experience in thick jungles was enough to say the treeline had definitely been disturbed here. Well, not necessarily disturbed, but more that a decent amount of traffic was had through it. He also noticed the tracks on the ground, but of what had left them, he did not know, not did he want to waste time guessing. The quicker this mission was completed, the safer everyone would be. He looked to his new companions. Taj had her sword about her. She seemed very eager to fight. He had known a warrior or two from his tribe that carried themselves like her. Their bloodlust was insatiable. They were fine warriors, but they were too brutal. Honor among ranks wasn't necessarily their first thought in battle. Though, he observed, was humility needed against the undead? Sure they had lived once, but they were only cursed corpses now. Did it require the same respect as fighting a living, skilled warrior? Perhaps not. Though if it were an Alpox Undead, the feeling would probably be a bit different.

Hal'Kox shrugged turned to look at Laitha, just in time to see her remove her false legs and feet. His eyes narrowed for a bit before smacking an open palm with a fist. So that was why her smell was off, he thought. He had thought it to be something strange, but he had never been able to pinpoint it until now. She was, in fact, Faelin- Half-Demon. What a turn. With her choice of weapon, that would have been his last guess. The few Faelins he knew of used Halberds. They were very agile fighters. He wondered what had made her choose such a hearty, strength focused weapon. Well, everyone's path is different. He nodded to her, and dropped his gaze, turning his attention back to the passage. He crouched down on all fours and started to crawl through it. The fit was extremely tight, but he was able to push his way through it. Well, perhaps who or whatever made this path probably did not expect an Alpox to climb through it. Most definitely not.

After a few minutes of crawling, He broke through to a small opening. There was a tiny pond here. a very small stream trickling into it. the insects creaked around them, and a frog croaked every now and then. The mist Hung in the trees, acting almost as a ceiling to them. Hal'Kox took the small scene in before looking around the edge for another break. His eyes fell upon a few broken branches off in front of him and to the right a bit. He moved over to the side to allow the others to come through. They were only getting closer to the smell he had found in the air. Something didn't feel right, but it was most likely nothing. It was a usual feeling when fighting the curse; a deep sense of doom.

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A Dying Nation Feb 6, 2021 19:12:10 GMT

Post by Azra on Feb 6, 2021 19:12:10 GMT

Before they went any further the other woman in the trio took a moment to kneel down and tend to her boots. Initially Taj expected it had to deal with tie them again, instead they were removed though. Resulting in a slight show of fur and eventually hovers. A partial devil, one of the races Taj actually liked more as they were not by default stronger then an Orc but had a personality that Leander towards being warriors a bit more. They were far more appealing then the uptight elves, and she didn't struggle with their existence like the lizards. An Alpox was also a great warrior but a child among them could test her might and that bothered her. "Shouldn't bother with those." The Orc remarked in about as positive and humble a tone as a fight crazed green skin could muster.

It helped that Laitha seemed ready to beat down anyone who challenged the action. The Orc though thought why not encourage that challenge! She struggled with lizards that didn't mean she just attacked them. If someone was that scummy why not let people see it before the head was lopped off? At any rate there companion moved on all fours and the Orc followed. Mostly just pushing or hacking her way through the bushes. Admittedly perhaps she got to absorbed in the hacking, slightly wearing on the blade as she slashed the branches down in un thrilling droves. Wasn't a good foe but she enjoyed swinging a weapon it was one of the things she felt good at.

Enter a pond serene and tranquil in image fog above. It was quite pretty, she liked it more then the elven town. They built great looking structures but there were no frogs there, cities sort of drove away wildlife of most kinds. Water likely wasn't as nice as what she enjoyed earlier but it probably has fish to try and catch. Her yellow eyes kept to the surroundings looking for any further. The current setting helped. With water came mud and in mud came foot prints, she still was no expert but she could spot that in her limited range of scope. She trudged through the pond to reach the foot prints. Then pointed them out "Three...wait no two that ones small." The Orc remarked having no senses to know which track was right but knowing where they had gone, further following might of helped her pick out the two but she hoped the reptile could do so sooner.

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A Dying Nation Feb 7, 2021 1:19:01 GMT

Post by illirica on Feb 7, 2021 1:19:01 GMT

No one challenged Laitha on the subject of her heritage. Whether that was because they accepted it or because she'd managed to intimidate them into not making a big deal of it - that was harder to say, although given that Laitha was the smallest one here, it was probably not the latter. That was an oddity in and of itself. In the mercenary groups she'd fought in, Laitha had never been the tallest, but she certainly wasn't small by any means. The Orc's bulk was more even than her own, though, and neither of them could hold a candle to the massive form of the Alpox.

Of course, sometimes size came with disadvantages, because Hal'Kox had to get down on all fours to try to crawl through the hedge in the direction they had chosen. Taj followed, her blade hacking through every enemy weed that dared to challenge her, and Laitha wondered if it would have made more sense to send her first to clear a path for Hal'Kox, if she was going to be cutting everything down anyway. Laitha brought up the rear, walking backwards, trusting herself to find her footing. With Taj clearing out the brush, Laitha didn't need to worry about moving carefully through it, and she could keep her eyes to the rear, her axe steady in her hands in case something tried to come up on them from behind.

They made it into a clearing without a fight, though, intruding on a little pool of water, quietly alive in the way of all ponds, with insects and frogs and tiny fish darting through the shallows. There was a vibrancy in such things that seemed all the more contrasting to the people of cities and all their bustle. The undead, though, would have no care for little pools, nor the tiny lives they held. Laitha took a deep breath, tasting the air's uncertainty. Taj had an opinion on path, but Laitha glanced over to Hal'Kox. "You smell them, don't you? Which way?"

Were they close enough yet? Likely, he would be the first of them to be able to do more than guess. Laitha didn't mind. When the fight came, she would do her part to eradicate the undead - for the people back in the village, who could never accept what she was, and for the little frogs and fish, who would never care.

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A Dying Nation Feb 7, 2021 3:17:42 GMT

Post by forg3ttablexs0ul on Feb 7, 2021 3:17:42 GMT

Hal'Kox sat quietly on his knees, quietly observing the tiny pond. He could recognize the peace of this place. Such a sight as this meant this place was most likely the resting place of a forest sprite, or perhaps a dryad or... bah, who would really know. He was more well versed in the creatures of his homeland. Many were usually surprised when they would learn that the Alpox were not the strongest creatures in their jungles. The entirety of Alpoxia was an overgrown horror of nature, with creatures that frightened even him on his first few encounters. Nature was a terrible mother sometimes, and her cruelty showed no better than in the jungle when dusk showed its final light. If only his new companions knew his mother tongue, oh, how he would sing the tale of his first battle with a Greater Jade Serpent, its fangs almost as long as his Macahuitl, or perhaps even the tale of his journey into the Vined Labyrinth of Tel'Molok, the Pale-Scale Scourge.

It could wait until another time, maybe. Hal'Kox raised his head to Laitha's inquiry. He sighed as he raised his snout high and tasted the air. The smell of Rot was undoubtedly noticeable now. It seemed to come from somewhere ahead of them. He crossed the small area they were in and examined the footprints, then the opening he had seen. Looking at the dirt, it seemed to also be smoothed from traffic. It appeared that this area and the next were connected, but it did not go in the direction of the smell exactly. Perhaps there was a small network of areas like this one that led to their true target?

He stepped back and looked at the thicket in the direction of the smell. It seemed much thicker here than next to the road. There would be no way for him to muscle through in a time efficient manner. Laitha and Taj perhaps could find their way through, but Hal'Kox would have no choice but to follow the traveled path. He looked at Laitha and pointed toward the smell in the trees. He then pointed to himself and the path. Hopefully she would understand enough of what he meant to where he wouldn't have to butcher another sentence.

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A Dying Nation Feb 10, 2021 3:37:09 GMT

Post by Azra on Feb 10, 2021 3:37:09 GMT

Taj was all for trying to help find where to go but she was willing to accept the nose knew better. This was also something she had a simpler time accepting because a sense of smell wasn't a muscle like ones forearms and so on. Races had different biology and that was exciting how it changed things, contrary to what some liked to think the bow demanded more strength then dexterity just cause a race became more known for it didn't mean they were special with it. Alternatively though some things did change, Taj might have enjoyed from time to time trying to dual wield but the swifter and more dexterous natures of elves naturally made them better at it. Was easy to tangle two swords of a similar length for herself but elves that she met that came more easily for.

At any rate she looked to the tracks a bit more. If it wasn't the undead it could mean a camp or some settlers more comfortable in the woods and possibly farming were close by. It could mean greater numbers of opposition which was an idea that thrilled her. It also though could mean people bound to be attacked though which was a concern. Sure she loved a bar fight, but typically the shop keep wasn't a fighter. Fighting them wasn't fun when not a few drinks in, and often times the woman selling flowers though pretty wasn't good with a sword or axe it wasn't a good fight to watch. Best to prevent the undead from spreading if they could. She was maybe the least noble of the group but that didn't mean she just accepted people dying.

She also though wasn't someone to hesitate over splitting the party. Formations in battle were great, and when it all fell apart to the more frantic melee that also was great. She wasn't going to go to the traveled path just because it was a harder fit for some in the party. Calvary and footmen didn't always take the same roads but they still made it to the battlefield all the same. So with blade still drawn Tajira moved to the brush and began hacking away. It would further ware down the sword of hers, more they encountered of branches in the way more likely the sword would eventually need touched up. All weapons did and a swords edge was more the shining example then exception. "Any chance you can tell their numbers. Or either of you know the area more?" The Orc while ever enthusiastic about combat knew sometimes knowing the field or numbers of opposition was important. Not every scar on her body was from equal contest, sometimes it ended up a group of a dozen against a hundred. Or at least she hyped the story that way in bars, she wasn't good with numbers it may have been a few dozen or so foes less.

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A Dying Nation Feb 10, 2021 18:33:30 GMT

Post by illirica on Feb 10, 2021 18:33:30 GMT

So - Hal’Kox had an idea of where to go, but the problem lay in the pathway. Laitha gave him an understanding nod. Sometimes their differences made for difficulties, after all. Tajira seemed to understand as well, moving into position to start hacking at the branches. They wouldn’t be fast at getting through, but the undead weren’t like bandits - it was doubtful they’d run and hide. If anything, the noise might just draw them in.

”Keep watch, then.” That, to Hal’Kox - he seemed to have the best chance at sniffing out the enemy before they drew near. If Taj focused on clearing their way and Hal’Kox focused on alerting them to danger as soon as possible, they might have an edge when it came to the inevitable fight. Taj inquired if they knew the area, and for her part, Laitha had to shake her head. She’d come in to this area only recently, traveling from a previous job, seeking the next. It wasn’t a place she knew much about.

She stepped in, picking up some of the branches that Taj was hacking aside, starting to pile them up off to the sides. If the attack came here in this pathway, they’d want as much space as they could for the fight - including Hal’Kox. Getting things out of the way for him meant he’d be able to be at his best in a fight - and Laitha thought that given his difficulties with the terrain and with speaking, he’d be wanting a chance to prove himself. She would see if she could give him a chance to do so.

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A Dying Nation Feb 13, 2021 3:15:33 GMT

Post by forg3ttablexs0ul on Feb 13, 2021 3:15:33 GMT

The lizardman nodded at Laitha and Taj. Before he would keep watch, however, he would check the unknown path to make sure there were no dangers waiting to ambush them. His eyes narrowed, and his stance tensed as he reached up and grasped the hilt of his Macahuitl. As he took long strides toward the unexplored break in the trees, he brandished his weapon, flourishing the weapon around him. the Obsidian teeth giving edge to the weapon caught glints in the dim light of the opening they stood in. He took a deep breath - in through the nose, out through the mouth - and what little expression tainted his face left. The subtle sound of the crickets and toads around him helped clear his mind as he pushed the branches away and stepped through into the next clearing.

This opening seemed a bit larger than the last, but it was still quite small. rather than a tiny pond, this one had a small stream tumbling down some rocks. Bones poke through the ground in a few places. A deer skull sat against a tree, but the other bones were unknown to him. upon further inspection, a small pouch of... well, something rested next to the water. He picked it up and tied it to his belt next to his coin purse. He looked toward the treeline, but did not notice another break in the trees he could proceed to. While unfortunate that the path ended here, it was a bit of a relief that there would be no unexpected visitors of any kind from an unseen path. He began to step back towards the path he took, but something caught his eye. He looked deep into the trees. A haze hung in the air deep in the forest. The distance was unsure to him. The haze seemed more like a faded light than anything else. There was a deep blue tint to it, but it seemed to only be the glow of something. They were growing nearer to the Sacred Groves. Perhaps this was just some sort of enchanted creature, like the beasts of the jungle. He made note of it. Perhaps Laitha would know what it was? She seemed rather observant, so there was a possibility of having seen or heard something of this phenomena before.

He grunted as he stepped back into the opening they controlled, and tossed the pouch of unknown items at Laitha. He returned his Macahuitl to its resting place as he sauntered to the edge of the water and took a drink of the water. It was crisp and fresh, and tasted insanely pure. He shrugged as he pointed in the direction of the glow he saw, grumbling as he formed words, "Blue...glow...haze...creature? Thing?" he was confused himself after hearing his own words, and tried to continue, "You...Know...What...Is? Me... not... know..."

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A Dying Nation Feb 14, 2021 2:00:38 GMT

Post by illirica on Feb 14, 2021 2:00:38 GMT

Another clearing, even smaller than the first, and this one with what looked like no good way out, either. It seemed that following whatever they'd been following - the questionable trail or the questionable scent - had gotten them nowhere. A pond, a skull, some bones. Hal'Kox picked up a little pouch of something from the ground, tying it beside his belt and starting back on the previous path before apparently thinking better of it.

He was staring at something, and Laitha set her hands on her axe, moving it into a position where she could swing it - but whatever it was he was looking at, it wasn't an attack. There was something out there, faintly glowing. Hal`Kox seemed to think better of trying the pathway, returning to the pond for a drink again and untying the pouch before tossing it at her. Laitha made the catch, letting her axe haft fall to rest against her shoulder, balancing it there warily while she untied the little bag and took a glance at its contents, most of her wary attention still on whatever was out there.

Hal`Kox asked her about it, but Laitha shook her head, grimly. "Not what we're here for."

Whatever it was, it wasn't the undead - though how she knew that, exactly, she wasn't certain. It seemed more like something out of a tale - but Laitha wasn't here for tales, she was here for a task. She dropped the little pouch back on the ground, setting her hand on the weapon once more and advancing towards the blue haze, ready to strike if it should be needed.

The enemy was still out there, and the longer they waited, the more time the undead would have to kill again. Laitha wasn't particularly minded to be delayed, either by dead-end paths or glowing orbs in the middle of the forest.

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A Dying Nation Feb 14, 2021 19:41:29 GMT

Post by Azra on Feb 14, 2021 19:41:29 GMT

A few fallen branches and slain bushes and they had found another opening. This time Tajira would avoid dipping feet in the water, refreshing as the pond did look she had spoiled a decent time for a companion already today. Granted he was an alpox and wasn't a companion then so she didn't particularly feel bad for it but still she would try and be respectful. She may hate something being stronger then her with no work for it but she wasn't going to be terrible to those she was standing alongside. No scar was going to be from being traitorous! That said she had very little to add to things in the current surroundings. She didn't know much of the wildlife or of possible creatures that may be glowing.

Oh she would absolutely fight it if it came down to that. Her nobility only went so far, at the end of the day she lived for the battles after all.

With the nose not picking a direction yet and talk of glowing things transpiring the orc simply moved to analyze the bones. She wasn't the best tracker, but she did know battlefields. Curiously though the bones didn't look to familiar beyond those belonging to the deer. "Seems not…two legged." She had wanted to say bipedal but the word escaped her. Having heard it from companions didn't mean it had become apart of her vocabulary. While she couldn't tell what had fallen beside the deer though she would dig through the mud for skin or meaty remains. It was possible if they were seeing bone much had been aged or picked clean. However she figured maybe some would be found untouched yet by wildlife or time. Perhaps preserved by the water and soil, and if so perhaps by getting a better look at the remains and bones one could decipher what had fallen or how it had died.

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