Korruk
Visitor
Name: Korruk Logar Race: Orc Class/Level: Paladin 2 XP: 480 Maximum HP: 21 Alignment: Lawful Good
Posts: 98 
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Post by Korruk on Apr 12, 2022 15:47:21 GMT
Travelling the world was the first step, but taking the time to stop moving and listen, discuss, and soak in the unfamiliar is what made the journey a worthwhile experience. While one could reminisce about the height of the Orgthangarrian Empire, and the foundations of unity it brought, it was impractical to rant and rave about what simply was the new norm. Thus it was important to take the time to understand how the world became what it is now, as much as it was important to appreciate what came before it. Thus in order to spur the discourse Korruk had arranged a meeting with one of the locals he had come across. Someone who didn't exactly fit the image of a day to day Vynnitian, the cleric Lavandul. A message had been dispatched requesting a stroll through one of the markets off a main avenue of temples and shrines to the Gods Korruk had been raised with. While not the busiest or more grandiose example of either a market or a place of worship it was plenty busy and plenty well off. "What do you mean you are going for a stroll? I am supposed to just wait for the sharpening and polishing to be done, then what?"
Dhakin was not impressed by the knights plan to simply wander the city with someone he barely knew. "Go home, and help prepare dinner I suppose - you are probably tired from getting up after all the times you were knocked on your ass during this mornings spar."
Korruk chuckled as he strode confidently through the crowd, long coat secured with two button as his squire carried the bundle of leather wrapped arms. "Someone has already tried to stab you, we can't trust anyone!"
"And this is one of the people that helped me avoid said stabbing - so I feel given my choices I'll take them over the one with the knife."
"You can't seriously just mingle with the enemy."
"What enemy do you know, Dhakin?" The larger Orc glanced down to his squire, amused "The only hardship you have known were that trio that harassed you back home. How did rushing them with the reckless abandon of an Owlbear work?"
"This is different, this -"
"This is a chance for me to try and understand why we are here and not the capital. I am expected to help make you a great warrior, and I can't do that if I can't do the same for myself. Part of that involves knowing as much as fighting, and if it was decided that there was something to know in Vynne, it is my duty to seek it out."
"Blah, blah, you can't always use the Warrior Scholars as an excuse."
"And if you want to decide what we do for the day, how about you knock me on my ass during our sparring?"
Dhakin hmph'd at the loop back to their martial tests that left him firmly in the position of student. The pair entered the market proper, Korruk glancing for the direction he could send the squire to get the weapons treated and cared for while he waited for his company to arrive. Lavandul |
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Post by Lavandul on Apr 12, 2022 19:55:30 GMT
The chilly clergyman emerged from a crowd that weren't interested in hovering too close to their midnight get-up. The hawkers were ignored as they focused on saving what little they had, and the mask allowed for no awkward eye contact with aggressive vendors. Korruk's impressive frame was almost painful in how he stood out, with the second younger orc still tall among the majority of other humanoids.
Lavandul felt a twinge in their neck as they looked up.
"Are you looking to retain me as a second pair of eyes? Or to protect your servant?" They asked, assuming the noble was being polite by dancing around the subject. The tone was used to business over extended conversation There was an awkward beat here and there as they shuffled through languages they didn't often use in extended stints of isolation.
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Korruk
Visitor
Name: Korruk Logar Race: Orc Class/Level: Paladin 2 XP: 480 Maximum HP: 21 Alignment: Lawful Good
Posts: 98
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Post by Korruk on Apr 13, 2022 3:44:34 GMT
Dhakin was about to speak before the rival of the cleric, completely taking Korruk’s attention from his squire for the moment.
“Dominé! I truly appreciate you making the time to come out - and please, don’t worry I’m not trying to retain you in some informal manner, though as ones bound by battle now I would appreciate it if you could nudge me if another knife tries to find my back.”
He gave a hearty chuckle at his own light hearted take on the attempt on his life. Experience? Or expectation? The life of a noble was one which made little sense.
“Right, before it escapes - No, no, not a servant, a squire. In practice they are much the same, but rather than coin as compensation I am expected to impart my wisdom and experience to help young Dhakin here mature and grow. Though, there is no expectation of a cheerful disposition either.”
He elbowed the frowning Squire as he turned his attention to his junior.
“Dhakin, this is Dominé who fought with me against my would be assassins.”
“They look like a vagrant.”
He muttered in Orcish.
“Manners.”
A quick retort in their native tongue.
“Thank you for ensuring Sir Korruk returned to us that day no worse for wear.”
Dhakin offered the cleric a curt bow along with a reply in common.
“Shall I leave you two be?”
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Post by Lavandul on Apr 13, 2022 6:00:15 GMT
As the cleric tried to track the back and forth, their vision continued to pop with black spots and painful stars, easing the pressure of their neck by dropping their attention level.
"Ah! A student," they sniffed, reigning in the copper that flooded their senses. "I went through something similar, though I expect much longer. And I started younger."
The younger orc was still waiting on their opinion of his presence, which the bow put him almost at eye level.
"Between would-be bounties, perhaps learning the city will be added to your currere," they suggested, with the lapse in language going unnoticed, or they continued to quietly think out loud with a strange, rooted tongue that sounded lyrical and wild with the connecting syllables. Lavandul slid the mask back a bit then, turning their head to use a clean, torn rag to wipe the trailing nose bleed.
Please, whims of chaos, let the kid keep a lively conversation going with Korruk so they could at least pretend they weren't a stunted hermit.
Proper greetings would not happen until there was reason to give them.
"I am sure he will develop a sense of humour once he has learned to laugh at himself," the cleric mused as they turned back to the Orgthanthian noble. "And either you are really good with a sword, or you are due for a few more scratches..." there was another long pause, where as Korruk started to speak again, Lavandul inadvertently cut him off, "So then, why am I here?"
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Korruk
Visitor
Name: Korruk Logar Race: Orc Class/Level: Paladin 2 XP: 480 Maximum HP: 21 Alignment: Lawful Good
Posts: 98
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Post by Korruk on Apr 13, 2022 17:58:07 GMT
A laugh erupted from Korruk on the comment of the Squire sword play.
“Hear that, they think you should graduate from dummies and blunted blades too. You’ll never be handsome without wearing a few stories.”
The knight gave the Squire the supportive punch in the arm.
“Well then, why don’t you tag along until we find a spot you can drop those off.”
He made the motion for Lav to walk with him, while waving Dhakin to follow them.
“Ah straight to the point, I can’t fault the pointed question. To be honest, I have only met a few faces since coming to Vynne, and while trying to learn about the world outside of the Capital I figured I should start with a friendlier face.”
Korruk explained his pursuit of worldly experience as they moved through the modest crowd, the Orcs frame parting the way well enough.
“I was curious firstly, about where you learned your trade of mysticism and melee?”
“You aren’t a brigand, right?”
Korruk shot a quizzical look back at the Squire.
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Post by Lavandul on Apr 13, 2022 19:35:47 GMT
Lavender's face actually flushed with embarrassment as Korruk had to spell out that he just wanted to be friends.
"I'm not Vynnitian," they warned, like that would change the orc's mind. Or at least save them the trouble of complaints about leading him on.
The survivalist in them asked why they weren't taking advantage of this, but the act of matching step was still earning a resource for later.
"My-"
There were too many definitions to 'Mysticism'.
"-I was taught arcane secrets by a tutor. The spells are innate to my blood. The rest comes from my servitude to the Evening Revelry."
There were too many definitions of 'brigand.'
"No, I don't rob people. And I'm not a member of anything specific."
Hoarfrost crunched under the heel of their heavy boots as Korruk's stride was twice as long. Dhakin kept having to stall to keep the declared pecking order of his liege.
"You came from the Capital? What convinced you to leave?" It seemed odd that the orc would suddenly wished to drop everything for the 'spur of wanderlust.'
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Korruk
Visitor
Name: Korruk Logar Race: Orc Class/Level: Paladin 2 XP: 480 Maximum HP: 21 Alignment: Lawful Good
Posts: 98
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Post by Korruk on Apr 15, 2022 6:42:40 GMT
“Huh, makes me wonder if there is a such thing as a Vynnitian anymore since they ran the original landlords out of town.”
He chuckled at the joke at the expense of the Empire and a nod to its former glory.
“Your blood? So there is magic in your heritage is there? I wish I could say that I had anything so spectacular. I have dabbled in the arts of spellcraft and applications of magics appropriate with my training - not that I have made headway. My own trials with the arcane have made me appreciate those that have any aptitude or ability in such arts.”
He remembered the tolling bell and had felt the mix of jealousy and anticipation for when he could appropriately apply Orgthengarrian battle magics to his arsenal. Martial expertise had to come before this, and Korruk considered himself ready for the next step.
“You’ll have to forgive Dhakin, he is cautiously…Well cautiously rude. Comes with the home sickness, right?”
He glanced back at the shuffling Squire who gave a small hmph once the sharp gaze ended on him.
“And being honest, we are here as a matter of insistence and opportunities. I have some measure of title back home, but not enough that I am likely to ever occupy some grandiose seat of power, but enough that my options include immediate consideration for officer of the Legion or serve as a blade in court. I chose the latter, honoring my blood’s history of serving as knights.”
“It could end there, but after much consideration with my father, he saw fit that I take the opportunity that is peace to explore the old borders, and gain worldly experience - set myself apart from others who may never even see the borders of the Empire. I can’t say I liked the idea at first, but there is a measure of excitement being abroad. A chance to let the gut out so to speak.”
He laughed at the insinuation that he could take it easy. He drifted to a stop, nodding at Dhakin that he had spotting a shop that could take their blades to which he shuffled to quickly, Korruk taking a position to stand and wait for him while he continued to chat with the cleric.
“Not Vynnitiian yourself though, what brings you to this bustling jewel of a city?”
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Post by Lavandul on Apr 15, 2022 7:29:23 GMT
"Only makes sense for a trade port to be a cultural melting pot," Lavandul mused, glad to be stopping as the elevated heart rate of keeping pace with someone twice their size in heavy plate was spreading a fire of a migraine. The light seaside and sandstone was so harsh. They were glad for the welder's glass creating a shield for eyes of deep canopy, muck and twilight mire.
They were doubly glad their slack jaw was hidden as they processed the barrage of information under the horrendous blue-sky weather. Korruk's association felt like another knot in destiny, where things felt too serendipitous and tempting to start weaving things in a beneficial direction. The cold aura prompted shivering — their world had been cracked loose for one reason or another, and now this cheerful, earnest, pretty noble was prodding them to be social for the sheer novelty of it. A cosmic joke. They didn't deserve to be laughed at by those they had served for their entire life.
But how would they even know?
"I don't think Dhakin would know how to insult me, even if he were to try," they reassured, like the thought hadn't even occurred to them. A barking puppy registered the same, no matter what mood it was in. "He's worried about who he is associated with. And loyal. Like any other teenager."
The mask turned slowly to track the other orc's movements as he disappeared to Korruk's gesture. "I have had a different experience with bloodlines. But I can understand taking up the mantle of a legacy." Tutelage and expectations was something they had in common, then. "I hope you both get to see your families again, soon."
They relaxed their grip on their warhammer, leaning against the stone of the building as a thin skin of frost-then-moisture pooled around their back. As for Korruk's final question, there was an extended pause, where it would be easy to assume the cleric had ignored it; until their wavering tone indicated they had had to legitimately think about it, and were still unsure.
"...I'm here...because this is where I have ended up."
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Korruk
Visitor
Name: Korruk Logar Race: Orc Class/Level: Paladin 2 XP: 480 Maximum HP: 21 Alignment: Lawful Good
Posts: 98
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Post by Korruk on Apr 17, 2022 1:41:17 GMT
"You aren't wrong, but at times I worry he is too focused on the dances in court than how to swing his sword, and in the end only one is going to keep you alive. And perhaps we have more in common than you thought, you see Dhakin and myself both have strong heritages and there are both expectations and dreams that come with it. Though as headstrong as even I can be I have some ways to go before I go wrestling Gorgon's with my bear hands, with muscles so strong that their green mist fails to turn them to stone. Though it is one hells of a legend to try and live up to."
He chuckled as he discussed his own heritage.
"What about yourself? Do you have a heroic lineage, one tasked with roles of great import? If it is the second I have to ask, is here just here because they dragged you out of the river?"
The Orc chuckled at the insinuation that the cleric had simply been dragged out of the rivers and plopped in the city, accentuating the riduclousness with a hearty slap on the back.
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Post by Lavandul on Apr 17, 2022 6:37:40 GMT
"Maybe it's a blessing that he isn't so worried about death," Lavender suggested. "If your country is so prosperous that he can be educated and not think about war on his doorstep."
"Ah. Your family is related to Khaldor Logar?" They asked, the slight slur dropping in a moment of learned clarity. "You don't come off as so rigid as the legend, unless the sunniness is a mask."
They fidgeted, already feeling tired from the outing that had just begun. "...Yesanith was a field surgeon who lent his services as a mercenary to the Vynnitian soldiers. What we were before the Celleneesta's voyage across the Astral Sea is lost to Deafening Silence. He's celebrated now for forging arcane pacts with the land, though — no, he isn't a druid — retired. He tried to pass on his skills to me. Some stuck."
Lavender's shoulders hunched, exhaling frost. "I do have a role...though I would count it a necessary service over heroism. And no, it wasn't a river, it was a bog."
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Korruk
Visitor
Name: Korruk Logar Race: Orc Class/Level: Paladin 2 XP: 480 Maximum HP: 21 Alignment: Lawful Good
Posts: 98
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Post by Korruk on Apr 18, 2022 7:34:22 GMT
“Yes, the one and only - while the ancestral seat is unlikely to fall to me there is nothing saying that I cannot forge a path like Khaldo himself and become the second hero of our bloodline. As for stony hearts, it is often associated with the rocky disposition and stalwart and cold demeanor of the family's diplomats. At the same time it can take other forms. A rolling stone is a force that should not be underestimated. Khaldor may not have been gifted with a silver tongue so the first assumption is not wrong, however he was also nigh unstoppable once he had momentum on his side.”
A hand would pound his chest with pride, demonstrating how he was made of special stuff At the same time he listened intently to the Clerics break down of their legacy, following enough.
There was an element of sympathy that Korruk felt, he had seen the ravages of war on men, and while it was an enemy there was always a basic level of respect for a warrior.
“Heroism is oft born of duty, and seldom has an origin wrapped in a platinum fleece. Everything you are telling me has the makings of a great tale - we’ll find the time to have a bard begin your song. In the meantime, I assume your duties will shape your day to day life? What do they entail? Is it a personal oath, or is it part of some cloister you serve? ”
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Post by Lavandul on Apr 18, 2022 8:21:40 GMT
There was a lot of talking happening. The cleric turned their head cautiously to pick out Dhakin, hoping the other would provide some back and forth with his teacher.
"Duties..."
This shouldn't have been a hard question, but condensing the whole business into something pleasant and easily understood took some level of communicative talent that Lavender sorely lacked.
"I am Night Stalker — the layman of Fate's scale against the threat of darkness. Evil must be checked, and balanced, so the Twilight Revelry may be experienced in peace."
They shrugged.
"It's a very fancy way of saying that I don't mind my own business and often meet the business end of very unpleasant individuals. The locals here refer to me as Dominé and Father, as I suppose my active aggression doesn't align with Mother's loving hearth."
The cleric started shuffling stiffly towards the armourer the squire was hiding amongst.
"It's a personal pact, or a calling. But, it is something that must be maintained by more than just myself. A single star among many, so the entropy of the cosmos don't swallow us to a bleak horror of frozen torment."
Nevermind the Other Business. Korruk had only requested their faith, after all.
"Your momentum seems to have brought you far. When would you be permitted to return from this pilgrimage?" Or parentally manufactured distraction. Lavandul hoped the Orc's father hadn't decided Korruk was a problem, and the assassination attempt was unrelated to his pseudo-exile.
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Korruk
Visitor
Name: Korruk Logar Race: Orc Class/Level: Paladin 2 XP: 480 Maximum HP: 21 Alignment: Lawful Good
Posts: 98
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Post by Korruk on Apr 20, 2022 6:19:13 GMT
He smiled and nodded as she spoke about her tasks, and the details of her faith. It sounded righteous, which was appealing to the Orc, and the nuance was flying clear over his head as he got his hooks into the portions of the explanation he most enjoyed.
“My return? I suppose I could turn around tomorrow but for what? I haven’t accomplished anything. I could argue and make a case that as much as I wish to stay in the Capital it has taught me what it could.”
His own retainer had helped bring him back down to earth on that matter.
“Does your Mother oppose your work? I think it's admirable to step into a situation that no one else will. You can’t have something resembling order, without the application of pressure.”
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Post by Lavandul on Apr 20, 2022 6:33:44 GMT
At the word Mother, the hoarfrost spiraled through the rock and mud of the street, creating blisters that turned a few heads as people darted away to avoid whatever spell work was going off. The aura radiated, causing hair to stand on end with the instinct that this entity was a brutal sort, but the wave passed as a glamour that never landed. Still, the street was quieter.
"My mother doesn't have strong opinions on anything," they clarified, voice dropping with the temperature to something more gravelly.
Including the sanctity of life.
"She is sweet, caring, and supportive, and likely profoundly misses my absence." The cleric entered the shop themselves, with the only signs of agitation being the effect they were having on the environment, "I don't provide order, Korruk. My blood wouldn't permit such gifts. I provide balance."
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Korruk
Visitor
Name: Korruk Logar Race: Orc Class/Level: Paladin 2 XP: 480 Maximum HP: 21 Alignment: Lawful Good
Posts: 98
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Post by Korruk on Apr 20, 2022 7:13:29 GMT
Korruk stepped back, head glancing around with the burst of frost, seeing those who were previously nearby scamper away with mumbles and other utterances. The display of seasons mixed with the brisk tone that she used was reminiscent of some the Orc had met in court. Even if words said that everything was fine, everything was not in fact fine. Taking queue Korruk followed Lav through the entrance to the shop, catching Dhakin glancing back from where he sat on a stool, weapons currently being put to the grindstone.
“Order, balance, parts of the same coin are they not? There is a lot more wild out there last I checked so there is always the need for the former.”
He danced away from the subject of Lav’s mother for the moment as it seemed to be sensitive.
“Why did you need to come in? I’m doing fine on my own.”
Dhakin was a wonderful distraction, possibly a reason the Cleric sought his presence to draw the line of questioning away.
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Post by Lavandul on Apr 20, 2022 23:02:17 GMT
"Good news, Dhakin. The universe doesn't revolve around you."
The suggestion of eternal service when one would never tame an endless wild got a small sigh. They seemed to agree.
With more exposure, Korruk was starting to get used to the fact that the cleric was a little moody. At least internally, where they seemed to carry the affect of the very frost that swirled around them.
The dourness seemed to flare around Korruk's compliments and their matriarchal heritage, where Lavandul started heaping praise on the aforementioned mother while continuing to dismiss the idea that their calling was something to be proud of. It felt like some intense deflection, or perhaps fear of being found vain? Either way, the cleric didn't fear her but it was clear that their relationship was tied to duty, and there was a hidden trauma there.
Taking in the full context of the conversation, Lavandul had been dismissive of themselves the entire time. The exception was to sadly declare Korruk's joke as fact about being dragged from a river, or worse.
They seemed to fear their own faith.
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Korruk
Visitor
Name: Korruk Logar Race: Orc Class/Level: Paladin 2 XP: 480 Maximum HP: 21 Alignment: Lawful Good
Posts: 98
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Post by Korruk on Apr 22, 2022 7:40:57 GMT
The Orcish boy seemed caught off guard, and opened his mouth to retort but words seemed lost. Perhaps he had grown used to the long winded attempts of Korruk to make everything a story or fable, or Ghaza and Tordora's sharp and witty snapbacks. Instead, this was a blunt statement and it left him somewhat gobsmacked.
Dhaka's eye flickered as he tried to think of something to throw back at the elf. His gaze darted back between the cleric and the knight who had followed them in, leaving him further in the thicket than he had already been.
"Yeah…Well…I knew that. I was just asking why you needed to be inside. I'm fine on my own."
Korruk's brow raised at the odd response of his squire who was normally more clear with his sour mood. As for the knight himself, he had picked up on the reaction he gotten based on the direction of their conversation. While pushing was an option, he chose best to leave it be given their current backdrop
"Well, indulge me this at least, faith aside and bogs a subject for later - it was you who spoke up at the Last Refuge and brought everyone's attention to that light green scoundrel. At that point you owed me nothing, and knew nothing about me, was there a reason you not only warned me but were ready to jump up with arms?"
"What do you fight with?"
Dhakin was back on the attack it seemed.
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Post by Lavandul on Apr 22, 2022 18:56:48 GMT
"Because Korruk wanted to have a social outing. We're socializing," Lavender responded patiently, aimlessly picking at the blacksmit's tools to keep their hands busy.
They paused at the knight's question about their motives, "...I had no reason to assume you deserved to die, and I'm a combatant. It would have been shameful to just stand there. To answer your question, Dhakin, I use an ancient warhammer."
They hefted the weapon strapped underneath the shield, dropping it on the table before the craftsman could assume the worst. The stone appeared to be a sizable brick with cracked and worn edges from use. What stood out beyond it's oddly spartan design was the runic sigils had been carved in a verse on the front, shallow from erosion. They stood over it for a moment, oddly still before their head jerked up.
"...What do you both use?" It was an easy hook to go off of, and the cleric suspected the orcs would have stories.
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Korruk
Visitor
Name: Korruk Logar Race: Orc Class/Level: Paladin 2 XP: 480 Maximum HP: 21 Alignment: Lawful Good
Posts: 98
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Post by Korruk on Apr 25, 2022 7:00:35 GMT
Korruk appreciated that there was no reason to assume that he needed to die. From what he could suss out from the way the cleric operated it meant that he was on the right side of their views on balance - not that that was a surprise to the cavaliering Knight. As the conversation continued and the hammer was produced Korruk had a comment to make after he laid eyes on it, but Dhakin was quicker.
“What is that?”
He stood and moved to where the weapon had landed, his fingers touching the edges without asking any permission, a certain level of entitlement showing as he did so.
“This thing is so ugly, but it has to splatter people if you get the momentum.”
The squire was talking outloud, more than anyone else.
“It is less refined, but none the less effective I assume.”
The knight added.
“As for myself? I am partial to the axe, a classic Orgthengarrian weapon.”
The smaller Orc was still busy fawning, fingers running over the sigils on the side.
“Good for one or two hands, handles defence and offence, can be readily used mounted or not. You can color me a fan of it.”
“Great sword.”
Dhakin added as soon as Korruk answered.
“It's heavy and does real damage like this rock has to do, but more refined.”
Finally stepping back but still intrigued, it was hard to tell how much was Dhakin being dismissive and how much was him just not knowing any better.
“Who trained you with this beast?”
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Post by Lavandul on Apr 25, 2022 8:58:33 GMT
"I don't require refinement when I rely on spellcraft," they admitted, "This is just an extension of protection when my mind fails me."
Dhakin's blatant fascination with violence wasn't a unique trait to his age and culture--it was either going to be weapons or horses. Inventions or books weren't publicly celebrated passions with this sort.
Right, music was another universal interest.
Lavandul blinked from their thoughts as they numbly recalled that they knew how to use an axe. All martial weapons, actually. "You're right, both of those are more practical. Maybe I do just prefer the tactile result of its...impact."
They had never reflected on their choices in that way. The results were the same but a hammer was grim and messy. Did that say something about them?
"Oh, um. It's more the symbol of it. That stone you're fondling came from a temple of a dead realm. The hymns inscribed would have been one of many in the walls of ancient power. The chant is Silent now--its power stretched and faded from across the Astral Sea, but still important to our history. I carry it to remember, and sing the lullaby of a final night to my enemies."
A two thousand year foundation that still held up. And would outlast them all.
"But yes, my father and my priest taught me how to use everything pointy and smashy. Mostly my father...when his health allowed it."
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