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Post by Azuloth on Feb 26, 2016 18:54:25 GMT -5
Tyr stepped into the cave, his lantern lighting the way. Below him was nothing but stable ground and a snare. His foot snagged the snare, which knotted and pulled him to the side, flinging him over an edge inside the cave where he fell five meters. The impact would knock the wind out of him completely, and break several bones in his chest cavity. The trap then continued to hoist him in the air, upside down. He'd have dropped anything he was carrying in his hands.
Out of the darkness came a hunched over Skaldi. The creature was definitely getting on in its years. Its scales were falling off. Its color had faded to a pale and mottled gray. The only thing that remained crisp was the white of its teeth, and the yellow of its eyes. It was at eye level with Tyr.
"Tresspasssssing? Poacher?"
Tyr takes 480 falling damage. Broken ribs.
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Jorkahn Wealddir
Half-Elkagr
Champion of Jewels
Posts: 443
Prestige: Killer
Moral Alignment: Neutral
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Post by Jorkahn Wealddir on Mar 3, 2016 21:26:06 GMT -5
The boy held his gaze upon the man as he was smacked in the shoulder. He appreciated the fact Tyr was trying to cheer him up, it helped a little bit but perhaps not as much as he would have liked. When the Duke asked his question Jorkahn simply nodded sheepishly and followed closely behind the braver man, almost like a lost puppy. The young warrior's hair stood on end as they entered the mouth of the cave, body shivering for but a moment. It was forboding, and the sound that had escaped earlier did not put him at ease. As it should have been, just as the Champion, seemingly only in name, began to look around Tyr was ripped from his feet and flung over a ledge in a cave. Jorkahn jumped back in horror and cried out the Shaper's name, "Tyr!". He was stuck where he was, legs refusing to move in fear of succumbing to a similar trap that he could not see. The mix of fear and worry on his face lessened only slightly when his partner was pulled back up and still seemed to be alive, but this didn't last long. With a start, the young half-blood turned to look at the hunched over Skaldi that had shambled out of the dark. The creature had moved over towards the incapacitated man and spoke. The scared lad could feel a lump in his throat born out of a sense of fear, and a growing feeling of anger. For a short time, Jorkahn did not speak, he only looked uneasily between the two. He knew he had to do something, he just didn't think himself capable. His first thought was to go for his weapon, but that would not be the way to solve this, as much as he thought the Skaldi deserved it for hurting one of his only friends. Tyr had worked too hard to learn of this Skaldi, and the both of them had worked too hard to find him. The lad swallowed the lump in his throat, slowly raised his hands into the air, and spoke with an uneasy voice. "P-pardon me... Sir." There was perhaps a bit more anger in that last word than he meant to voice, "W-we are not poachers! We have c-come in search of knowledge. We were t-t-told that you could, p-perhaps, impart the knowledge of your t-tongue unto us!" Jorkahn looked back at Tyr, he desperately wanted to free the man, but he was afraid any sudden movement would scare the old Skaldi. His anger built a bit more as he looked upon the man, but he continued to try and fight it down. "P-please, could you release my friend? I a-assure you we mean you no h-harm!"
Jorkahn Wealddir Str: 25 Vit: 25 Agi: 25 Ch: 25 ST: 25 T: 25 D: 25 EN: 25 P: 25 K: 25 HP: 500 SM: 119/125 MP: 333 Active Statuses: None Armor: Head DR:(Head, face, Heavy)55; Armor (Chest, Back, Abdomen, Medium, Ring) 35; Feet (Feet, Lower Legs, Plate, Heavy) 29; Hands (Hands, Forearms, Plate, heavy) 35; Belt (Groin) 60 Primary Wep: Battleax 40 (2H) Back/Thighs Shortsword/War ax 20 Two Daggers 10 Pack: Turkey Leg, Sleeping Bag, Glass Bottle Milk, Rez Scroll, Tin Lantern, Tent, 6 Dragon Fruit. Belt: Med Bag attachment, Bloodstone, Emerald/Diamond/Obsidian
Actions: Try to reason with the Skaldi, attempt to get him to release Tyr, or at least not turn hostile. Charisma 25. Threshold unknown. 6vGfspRP
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Tyr
Human
Shaper
Being a FUR BLANKET
Posts: 513
Moral Alignment: Pure Hearted
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Post by Tyr on Mar 9, 2016 1:47:04 GMT -5
I would say Tyr noticed the trap at the last second and had some form of 'oh shit' moment paired with a snappy one liner, but in reality things progressed a wee bit fast for that. Tyr's memory jumped ahead a few paces and he went from walking into a cave to suddenly suspended in the air. His lungs burned but every breath came with a spiking pain, and he could swear there were a few spots where his armor felt a wee bit more compressed than normal. Plus a giant lizardman was in his face, that had definitely changed. Between his hissing breaths, Tyr fumbled his hand around a small bag tied at his waist. "Nock...mantool" The syllables were spoken a little too quickly, forced out with his shortened breathing. "We wish...to speak. Have...meat." The words were colored with grunting, and at the end his fingers finally caught the strings that tied the bag to his belt. With a shaky pull it was loosed, and Tyr numbly tossed it at the Skaldi's feet. After that he closed his eyes and tried to ignore the pain of his upper chest trying to cave in on itself.
Rolling for maintaining good relations through food offering and speech. Charisma/DiplomacyAssuming normal difficulty because of meat offering. Ch (35) + D (35) + Force of Personality (10) + Relationships II (10) = 90. 3CJTELrk
Tyr's Status Card Stats: 35 all. HP: 220/700 (-480 falling damage) MP: 408/473 (-5 Aura; -15 FoP) Stam: 83/245 (-1 post.) Active statuses: Aura of Inspiration (+10 all non-combat checks, all allies within 20 meters) Armor: Current inventory. Weapons: Current inventory. Spaces: Current inventory, 4 serpent flesh and 6 dragonfruit in Field Pack.
Actions: -Get thrown about and nearly killed. -Toss serpent flesh bag in front of the Skaldi while trying to maintain neutral relations.
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Post by Azuloth on Mar 9, 2016 20:56:08 GMT -5
The old skaldi looked very confused. They were not there to poach on his lands and rob him of what little food he could catch. His livelihood, and his life were tied together. Like many Skaldi that have isolated themselves he was wary of the visitors. But they both seemed very sincere. Even after being horribly wounded the one man was still trying to be diplomatic. How strange.
"You're not poachers coming to push me off my land? Strange, all men I've run into have deserved a terrible fate. They come, they steal, they leave. And I grow old from this, and am unable to catch the food that would keep me alive. Ha.. the food is appreciated. I shall release you, and tend to your wounds. We shall eat together."
The skaldi went back into the darkness. A moment later Tyr was lowered to the floor of the cave gently.
"Come. Come."
The Skaldi came back to the light, and then beaconed them into the dark. If they followed the sound of his footsteps they'd see the light of a fire around an edge. There around the bend was a rudimentary camp. A small fire was going, an iron plate was set up over the fire. There was a bedroll and various pottery and books. The Skaldi appeared educated.
"Welcome to my home. I am Nak'mantul. It was not the name I was born with. I do not remember that anymore. I have been around a long time. I will put the food on the fire."
And he did so, sitting in front of the fire. He then produced some bandages and placed them in front of Tyr.
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Jorkahn Wealddir
Half-Elkagr
Champion of Jewels
Posts: 443
Prestige: Killer
Moral Alignment: Neutral
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Post by Jorkahn Wealddir on Mar 19, 2016 4:16:05 GMT -5
Anger kept welling up inside the boy. The more Tyr spoke the harder it was to keep it in check. But, just as it was about to spill over the Skaldi did a most peculiar thing. He let his friend go. It threw the boy for a loop. This old creature had been ready to kill them only a moment before, and now, without even apologizing, he was willing to talk. Jorkahn watched in disbelief as the Duke of Mardok was slowly lowered down to the ground. With only a moment's hesitation, the young warrior moved over to the larger man and would attempt to help him to his feet (if he let him). He would be sure to be careful of Tyr's wounds and, if his friend accepted the help, would slowly follow behind the Skaldi. He eyed the bipedal lizard cautiously but otherwise showed no signs of aggression towards him. If Jorkahn were indeed assisting the Duke he would help him sit close to the fire and then sit down himself. The smaller boy checked the large man over, not even realizing he didn't ask for permission. "S-surprisingly you are not bleeding to an extent that I must staunch i-it. You have q-quite a few broken ribs, however." The Champion wasn't ignoring the Skaldi, in fact he kept giving the large creature a cautionary glance every now and then. His "patient" was just a bit more important at the moment. "Here." The novice doctor placed his hand gingerly on the man's chest. Physical contact wasn't necessary, but it made the spell easier. He focused his magic into the tips of his fingers and "felt" for his partner's injuries. Almost instictually he began to pull them out and into himself. If the spell worked Tyr would likely notice himself feel a bit healthier, he may also notice that Jorkahn's breathing had become a bit more ragged and his skin a bit paler. Whether or not this succeeded Jorkahn would take the bandages with a reluctant thank you to Nak'mantul and wrap up any areas with broken bones or injuries requiring bandages. As he went to work on Mr. Mardok, assuming he didn't let him for some reason, Jorkahn would talk to the Skaldi rather sheepishly. Normally he would keep silent, but seeing as how the person who normally did the talking barely could... "T-thank you for the f-food. I a-apologize for the m-misunderstanding." He truly thought the one who had laid that trap should have been apologizing, not him. But he had to attempt to be polite. He then looked to Tyr, unsure of whether or not to just come out and say why they were there. He decided to keep it to himself for now, or let the other man spill their secrets if he so wished.
Jorkahn Wealddir All: 25 HP: 400/500-100 SM: 114/125-5 MP: 283/333-50
Funnel Health: -Description: This ability can be used to transfer health and/or minor wounds between two targets or between a target and the caster. -Heals one target for up to 100 by damaging the other target for as much or vice versa. - Costs: Up to 50 MP based upon percentage of health funneled out of 100. If the spell is successful Tyr is healed for 100 damage and Jorkahn takes 100 damage. 100% of 100. 50 MP used. Not rolling for bandaging as the bandages would have no real effect on Tyr.
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Tyr
Human
Shaper
Being a FUR BLANKET
Posts: 513
Moral Alignment: Pure Hearted
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Post by Tyr on May 23, 2016 0:09:15 GMT -5
Nothing the Skaldi said made it to Tyr, his mind was abuzz with the difficulties of breathing and maintaining consciousness. At least until 'I shall release you', then the concern set in. The idea of being released was almost painful in of itself, being dropped to the ground would probably kill him outright. Being lowered slowly was instead a mercy he hadn't thought of, but welcome all the same. Pain messed with his thinking a little. The Duke gladly accepted Jorkahn's aid in both getting up and moving through the dim cave. His broken ribs poked inward angrily and shortened his breath almost as much as being slammed against a cave wall had. Almost as if there was a direct relationship between the two things. The lad's medical assessment drew some immensely painful laughter out of him. "Only a few eh?" Even being battered half to death couldn't stop Tyr from smiling. No, that happened shortly thereafter when Jorkahn did something curious. A touch and there was instant relief, but at the cost of seeing his friend bear some newfound pain. With as quick a motion as he could manage Tyr slapped the helping hand away. The smile disappeared and his eyes darkened. "Don't do that to me again. Ever. I will not see you take on my wounds." It was almost a growl between his less-shallow breaths, equal parts concern and command. His pain was his to bear, he wouldn't see someone suffer in his stead. At least he could speak without hissing though. Closing his eyes the Duke took a steadying breath and focused the pain down enough to at least interact normally. "It is good to meet you old one," Tyr stated with as much respect as he could fit into the term. "I am Tyr Mardok. The one called Na'ka told me to seek you here if I wished to learn the Skaldi tongue." No point in being indirect.
Tyr's Status Card Stats: 35 all. HP: 240/700 MP: 403/473 (-5 Aura) Stam: 82/245 (-1 post.) Active statuses: Aura of Inspiration (+10 all non-combat checks, all allies within 20 meters) Armor: Current inventory. Weapons: Current inventory. Spaces: Current inventory, 6 dragonfruit in Field Pack.
Actions: -Stop the siphon shortly after it starts. 20 damage siphoned?
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Post by Azuloth on Jun 2, 2016 12:38:41 GMT -5
The old Skaldi huffed. So that was it then? This man wanted to learn the Skaldi tongue? How interesting. Most expected it the other way around. At least the boy was nice enough to introduce himself and state where he got the idea from.
"Mardok... Mardok. I know that name. Na'ka. I know that name too. Mardok is the duchy whose borders I believe I am technically in. Invisible lines on a map. Not a real thing. Not like this cave. Not like the river. Not like the trees or the sun or the moons. Those things are real. Lines on a map are not. Like the concept of money. Money is not real either. It only has value because others say it does. Na'ka is a hatchling. She knows not what it means to be Skaldi."
He started cooking some of the meat. The food sizzled and the smell filled the cave. The old puttering Skaldi shuffled himself around, then settled again.
"The tongue of my people is not a written language. Your study will be long and difficult, you have no tail, you can't make all the sounds you will need. There are alternatives. You bring meat as the price to come to my cave and have conversation. Do you have any offer for spending more time with you to teach you? What will you do with the power? Enslave more of my people?"
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Jorkahn Wealddir
Half-Elkagr
Champion of Jewels
Posts: 443
Prestige: Killer
Moral Alignment: Neutral
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Post by Jorkahn Wealddir on Jun 6, 2016 15:10:31 GMT -5
As he was beginning to siphon Tyr's wounds the man glared at him with dark eyes and slapped the boy's hand away. It terrified him. With a jolt, Jorkahn snapped his head to look up at the man's face but, at first, could not hold the gaze for long. The man spoke with a deep growl and the young man, reminiscent of a child caught stealing from his siblings, simply nodded whilst gazing at the ground. He looked back up and choked out an apology, "I-I'm s-sorry..." Though the young warrior had been startled and felt ashamed, he also noticed the small amount of concern in the man's voice and face. It softened the flood of anxiety that welled up inside him, but not by much.
Already a quiet lad, Jorkahn was nearly silent now. The wind had been momentarily taken out of his sails, instead being content to simply nod as the Duke explained their presence and listen to the Skaldi speak. He was a long winded old creature but what he said interested him. It made the boy all the more nervous. His philosophy about borders was intriguing and rather different from what he knew. He supposed the Skaldi was correct if you went by the most basic definition of what a border was, but perhaps to the Skaldi that was all that mattered. It was a philosophical difference he did not wish to converse of further at the moment. That was not their purpose for being here, nor was he capable of doing so regardless of the state he was in. However, he did marvel at the nuances of the language Nak'mantul was explaining. It seemed there was more to language than he had believed. It wasn't until the Skaldi implied that they would use the knowledge to enslave his people that the boy looked up from the floor. This old lizard was rather presumptuous, it saddened him and fueled his anxiety further.
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Tyr
Human
Shaper
Being a FUR BLANKET
Posts: 513
Moral Alignment: Pure Hearted
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Post by Tyr on Jun 12, 2016 2:42:45 GMT -5
Today was going to be a day of challenges, wasn't it? He'd only just started to get Jorkahn to come out of his shell and there Tyr went sending the lad right back into it. There wasn't much to be done about that now though, he'd just have to explain later why it had happened. That was the main difference between people and animals. Animals had to be carefully trained because you couldn't just up and explain why they needed to do something, or what the commands were. You could just talk to people and they'd get it. Well, for the most part. You still had to train people to fight and all.
The Skaldi presented a different challenge though. He hadn't said anything wrong, it just came from a completely different view of the world. Tyr's best option was to try and bridge that difference of opinion.
"Belief is powerful. You believe border lines and money mean nothing, and so they do not. For me they are very real, and powerful because the people believe they are as well. Out here, in your world, that belief means very little. In a city? In my world? They mean everything." Tyr shifted a moment, trying to get into a more comfortable position. Alas with his ribs as injured as they were there wasn't one to be found. "In my world Skaldi are less than people. I do not agree. I have acted on that when given the opportunity but I am not satisfied with it." He'd contracted a Skaldi once, using the pretense of looking like a slave as a way to keep him safe. It hadn't fully worked out, but at least he'd tried right? No, he had to be able to do more.
"Few Skaldi know the human tongue, even fewer humans know the Skaldi tongue. If I am to try and bridge our worlds peacefully I need to be one of those humans. I have little to offer from your world, only the power I can claim from mine. I could have hunters provide food but it would be a hollow gesture if you did not trust them to leave you be. I am at your mercy here, your price is whatever you choose. What would you have me do?"
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Post by Azuloth on Jun 13, 2016 9:12:18 GMT -5
The Skaldi looked thoughtful for a time. Then he began speaking again.
"You will pay with your honor I believe. Honor is very real. It is esteem in one's self. You will lose your honor if you are false and you betray your stated intentions. Your integrity will drown in regret. I can not do worse to you for it. You will destroy yourself on your own. You understand."
The Skaldi paused. Then began again.
"Send Na'ka, the hatchling, here in a week. She will bring you a codex. I don't have the ages it'd require to teach you. Much you will need to figure out yourself. There will be misunderstandings. If you seek to be a bridge you must start with a good foundation on both sides of the river. The bridge will crumble otherwise. For now rest. Eat. Sunrise, take the path down the mountain. Head west until the tree with bone chimes. Then sout until you areach home."
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Jorkahn Wealddir
Half-Elkagr
Champion of Jewels
Posts: 443
Prestige: Killer
Moral Alignment: Neutral
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Post by Jorkahn Wealddir on Jun 14, 2016 14:18:38 GMT -5
Jorkahn looked nervously between the two parties. The discussion of philosophy intrigued him and was beginning to overcome the panic gripping his heart and his lungs. They spoke about money and borders, and the intangibility of them both. Being from Viktoria the boy understood the importance of the aforementioned concepts to many a mortal soul. Though his father was not obsessed with money, he was rather concerned with making it. For good reason too, he wished to support his family and live a luxurious life. It was hard to fault people for wanting the best for their kith and kin. It was, however, very easy to fault them for their ways of going about said power.
The Duke mentioned his thoughts on how Skaldi were treated in their country. The Champion could not help but nod his agreeance. He couldn't understand why Cruinthians were so hateful against other races. Half the time it didn't even seem they could get along with themselves. The young warrior had been lucky. Being a loner most of his life he was normally at home or in the wilderness, away from other people. He also lived in Viktoria which had a pretty decent number of Elkagr. He had been discriminated against based on his race, but nowhere near as bad as many he had seen and even knew.
It turned out that Tyr's negotiation of sorts with Nak'mantul was successful. The old Skaldi offered to send a codex with Na'ka. After explaining the rest they were offered a place to stay and eat before leaving in the morning. With as much courage he could muster, which admittedly wasn't much, the boy managed a thank you. He looked then at his friend to inspect his injuries by eye a bit more in an attempt to see if he could do anything else. Alas, he had done as much as the man would let him.
He would wait for the man's response. He had a tendency to wait for others to act than to act himself. A product of his lack of self-esteem.
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Tyr
Human
Shaper
Being a FUR BLANKET
Posts: 513
Moral Alignment: Pure Hearted
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Post by Tyr on Jun 22, 2016 1:38:15 GMT -5
Tyr accepted the instructions with a solemn nod and leaned back against the cave wall. He let out a small breath of relief, hard to sigh deeply when you've recently broken some ribs, and waited on the food. He had done it. A wave of accomplishment broke against the sharp rocks of his pain and he rode out on that tide. At least that's what he was feeling, in reality he was dreaming already. A long day plus injuries made him sleep. He'd wake up for the food, eat, then go right back to sleeping.
In the morning the pair would leave the cave and follow the path down the mountain, taking the appointed turns and finding their way, uneventfully, back to the manor. [/thread]
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