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Llane Cavelryn
09-06-2009, 06:38 AM
*Penned this day by Llane Cavelryn, Trainee*
Date: Unable to get moon readings, no access to a spyglass
Time: Evening; the inn is shut, and I have no access to a clock


Where to begin...

I must admit, I joined with ambition to become a waywatcher - it seemed a natural fit with my skills learned in the wild, and a way to serve Yew and promote the cause of peace as part of a group rather than alone. But it seems the ways more often watch me instead...

What this report contains would likely get me demoted if I wasn't only a trainee already. Or hung. It could also either change the face of Sosaria, or be another wasted chance drowned out by war and hatred built over countless generations.

"Nur Su Pagog Tark" (You are not a stupid human)

Perhaps these are the first words spoken between man and orc without blows being exchanged since ages long past. For better or worse, they were spoken to me - tonight - right outside Stonekeep by an orc that had nearly killed me earlier that day.

During the festivities at the Deer surrounding the election, an orc was found wandering nearby. Sir Ian Sutherns, Trainee Abrava and myself gave chase - and it failed to obey any orders to halt. At the time, it seemed to want to be left alone - and I gathered as much from the broken Britannian it spoke. Dutfilly, we chased it about halfway to the moongate, when it turned and disabled both myself and Trainee Abrava. I would, at this point, point out to ye who doubt my ability or will to fight orcs to my report filed yesterday regarding the Orc Fortress. This was no mean orc.

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Earlier that day...

I am unsure as to the results of the fight otherwise, but it appears this orc survived. After returning much later from a successful patrol to the Ophidian lairs (apologies to those who I offered to write that report for, I felt this one must come first), I alone took up the night watch alone at Stonekeep. Noticing movement behind the inn, I found the very same orc from earlier and gave chase.

Again, the orc eluded me. What I did next was either a smart change in tactics, or utterly foolish. Ditching my armor in a nearby bush, which was noisy and slowed me down, I let the orc think it got away. Approaching more stealthily now, I tracked it to a tree where it was hiding.

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Hunting Orc

At this point, I'm sure many of ye are wondering in which manner I chose to stab it to death... I chose none.

For the few of ye that know me well, I spent a brief time as an animal tamer. While I gave this profession up (not liking to send nature to do the dirty work of men), I did learn an appreciation for all creatures, good and otherwise, in the wood of Sosaria. Something struck me as different about this orc - so I stalked it, cornered it, and spoke instead.

Over the next hour, I had the most unusual conversation of my life. During this time, I jotted down notes in a book for you to see. These are some of more intelligible statements made by the orc:

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Speaking with... an orc.

I will spare you the painful details of going back and forth of our conversation and endless crude dirt drawings used in an attempt to learn each others language, but suffice to say I was communicating fairly easily with him by the end.

The orc's name was Krig.

During the course of this conversation, I found that Krig the orc (uruk) was from a warren (wurun) nearby - I believe the orc cave. It should be noted that often times Krig led me on, using orc words while understanding human words used to describe them. Thinking and speaking seemed to hurt his head, but from the way he lead me on to learn his language, I suspect he is not as simple as he wished to appear. At one point, we were even able to exchange basic jokes.

Krig made note several times that he was tired of fighting, but that if told by his warlord, he would fight with his brothers. Sounds like several human cities I've been to.

The orc warlord's name is Wargoth.

Wargoth is the strongest (bubhosh) of the orcs. This information in of itself is interesting, but what I find more interesting is that Krig is not only tired of fighting and wants peace with humans (tarki), but that he wishes to become Wargoth himself (it is unclear if Wargoth is the name, or the title, of their leader).

You can probably tell what my thinking was with the line of questioning that led to these bits of information. Is there possibility here? Aye, I believe so. Could this orc be lying? Bragging? Insane? Also possible. Could we have an opportunity to cease endless war between two races by helping one of theirs to usurp another?

That is far too big a question for me. Therefore, I have created a short translation book for those of you more versed in these matters of what I learned from Krig before our conversation was cut short by the world falling asleep.

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A closer look at the orc, and some of our final parting words

I know that some of ye will likely want me executed for not killing this creature on sight. I ask you to weigh at least the military value of information I obtained versus the life of one orc, if not the far greater implications of this conversation, and that you not be a "Pagog Tark" when considering this issue.

One final thing you should know is that before we parted, I told Krig to use my name with any guard that come across him. He calls me "Line" or "Lani," but I'm sure ye are bright enough to figure it out. I gave him an item that will identify me, and told him to show it to you if you cross paths. I urge ye to not kill this creature on sight, and to continue my work here.

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Translation

~Llane Cavelryn

Llane Cavelryn
10-06-2009, 06:28 AM
*Penned this day by Llane Cavelryn*
Date: Trammel in it's last quarter, Felucca in it's first quarter
Time: Late evening

It is with a mix of excitement and unhappiness that I report Krig returned today.

Excitement as I continue to learn more about the orcish ways and language, but sadness in the fact that it is likely our races will for my lifetime remain mortal enemies.

Earlier, I found a kryss on the ground - the item I gave Krig to show to guards to identify himself as a "friend" - for lack of better or more accurate term - of mine. Fortunately, I now have the weapon again - as I felt uncomfortable giving it to an orc (though his was of equal craftsmanship and better metal than mine), but lacked any other identifying item to give him at the time. Apparently Krig attempted to show it to trainee Gus, unsuccessfully as Gus chased him off as is his duty.

Later, footman Donnie found Krig along with Gus. I followed soon thereafter, and diffused a rather tense situation - leading to no bloodshed. I do not believe the other two quite understood how good this orc is at arms when pressed, not that I doubt their abilities.

I learned some more things from Krig tonight, as well. I learned colors (Griin = Green, Bruun = Brown), and that confirmed that Krig is from the orc cave. I also learned the elder orcs turn green as they age, and they consider the brown young orcs stupid and worthless - Krig went so far as to say he cared not if we killed them... a good reminder that they do not hold a value to life as we humans do.

It is worth noting however that I learned more about orc diet. It is well documented in the Buring of Trinsic (volumes one and two) that orcs will eat human flesh. Discussing Krig's diet, he noted that he eats birds and fish - and not human. A good sign; perhaps orc tribes are different in their customs, such as ours are.

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Discussing orc hierarchies with Krig

I then explained to Krig, for our mutual saftey, that the guards consider Stonekeep their home as he considers the cave his. I explained that he should stay South of the road, as I was likely to be the most open-minded soul for miles around regarding an orc. He seemed to understand, and appreciate the advice - going so far as to share a "troll cider" with me as a "big honor." Being somewhat versed in toxins from my time in the wild, I realized quickly that this "troll cider" - though an honor - would be a deadly poison to my system. Krig drank his down, and seemed to enjoy it however.

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Troll Cider

This conversation was much shorter however - I had to excuse myself, as I was on duty building a barricade for footman Donnie.

I wished Krig well, and he wished me many victories. I learned today a few more words of his language, their diet, and some of their friendship customs - and to beware any drink that an orc gives, even in friendship...

~Llane Cavelryn~

Louisa Dart
14-06-2009, 10:29 AM
60 Copper awarded.