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Post by Thrawn Demer on Jun 16, 2016 7:35:14 GMT -5
Listening intently Thrawn nodded his head at the description of the law, he was familiar with odd customs and bloodshed in the name of tradition. The Darthakies excelled in keeping to tradition and more importantly fighting for it, Thrawn did not like needless deaths that come of some of these customs, but there was little he could do about it.
"I understand, there are rules we must abide by regardless of our personal desires," he said before looking around.
Thrawn noticed that the man had surfaced, this was a good a time as any.
"This is called a distraction," he said quietly to Merrake before turning to the man and calling over to him. "Come on over man! I promise we don't bite, at least I won't." Thrawn put on his most sincere and welcoming smile.
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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 16, 2016 16:46:16 GMT -5
The pair continued to converse and the Kalimbra continued to swim, as was apparently her nature. The boy had calmed himself yet again and was about to turn towards the other two when the Darthaki man called out to him. It caused the lad to jump and he looked around to make certain he was the one being beckoned. Sure enough, no one else was in the baths at the moment. After a brief moment of silence, Jorkahn waved sheepishly at the bodyguard and the man. He then swallowed the lump in his throat and slowly swam over.
Swimming I (5), Simple (30), Str (25)= 60 tWlRiN44 Success!
He swam up to them without any trouble and stood on his feet. The Champion kept most of his body submerged under the water. First, he introduced himself to the Darthaki man whom he had never met before. "G-greetings and g-g-good morning, sir!" His voice cracked slightly upon saying 'sir' and the lad cleared his throat. His hand was running through his long, platinum blonde hair. His nervousness was quite apparent. "M-my name is Jorkahn W-Wealddir. W-what are you called?" He would let the man answer before turning to Merrake. "M-madam Ritgr... Or would that not be the c-correct term? Regardless, pleasure to s-see you again." Jorkahn was visibly shaking and his pale skin had taken on a slight tinge of red. It helped that he was technically invited over, but Merrake already made him uneasy. The addition of the massive mountain of a man did not help settle him further. Though his smile was quite pleasant, maybe he wasn't so scary after all?
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Post by Fyrra Na'Limndra on Jun 17, 2016 9:57:32 GMT -5
Fyrra apparently wasn't getting anywhere from here on out with her laps. Instead of continuing to struggle she climbed out of the water. She stood there for a moment, wiping the water out of her face and slicing her long hair back. Then she went to get some soaps and oils from the front desk, leaving Merrake's view for a moment. She returned a minute later with several earthenware jars. She was still out of earshot when she found a spot to herself by the pool and started to lather using a soap.
Merrake found herself uneasy now for a new reason. She was now between two men. Outflanked. Sandwiched. She did not trust human men like she did her own kinds men. Human men hadn't had the poor behavior bred and beaten out of them. In fact, just the opposite was the case she found. Jordan spoke to her, nervously though.
"I don't know what that word means."
Swimming, same as before: 47 RyRR|_Xk -Failure -Failure·
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Post by Thrawn Demer on Jun 17, 2016 12:06:29 GMT -5
It was only when the man spoke did Thrawn realize how accurate Merrake's comments on his nervousness was. It did not seem to dissipate after Thrawn invited him over, he wondered what it would take to get him to calm down.
"Thrawn Demer, a pleasure to meet you Jorkahn," Thrawn said extending his hand for a handshake. "And please do drop the formalities, I think we are all here to unwind." Thrawn demonstrated that by leaning back against the wall of the pool and resting his elbows on the ledge.
"I see you've already met the Kalimbra and Merrake, are you from Sorath?" Thrawn could not place his features, he looked Cruic but Thrawn had not been out in the world long enough to distinguish the features.
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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 18, 2016 3:04:14 GMT -5
Jorkahn recoiled every so slightly as Thrawn extended his hand for a shake. He had gotten better at this, a few months ago he would have jumped right out of the water. The boy let out a nervous chuckle and took the larger man's hand in his own, giving it a firm shake. The Champion's grip was likely a bit stronger than one would expect. This didn't change his mannerisms much, however. The boy fidgeted as he responded.
"S-Sorry. I am more comfortable when I speak in f-formalities. I will try to refrain from doing s-so from now on. Unless, M-Merrake was it? Does not wish for it." Thrawn's relaxed pose put him more at ease, if only a little. He frowned at the bodyguard. Not because he was upset with her, but more because he assumed he had gotten her title incorrect. "I am not entirely s-sure. But I believe a Ritgr is a person who has sworn loyalty or f-fealty to another, most oft-ten a lord or person of i-import. I may be mistaken, I am of most things." Another awkward laugh at his own expense. Self-deprecation made him feel a bit better, for some reason. He found that if the other person believed he thought of himself to be as low as they thought of him, they were less likely to perceive him as a threat. Not that he was one to most people.
The lad turned his head again to look at the Darthaki man. "Yes, I have met them b-before. Though I must concede I lacked the c-courage to approach them. A familiar situation, I s-suppose." He cracked a sheepish smile. "Countess Allenmorde, another acquaintance, introduced us, I suppose." He had repeated himself, and now he was rambling. He never used to talk this much to strangers. "I am f-from Viktoria." He closed his mouth now and shifted his weight in the water. The boy felt like he was making himself out to be the fool.
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Post by Fyrra Na'Limndra on Jun 18, 2016 8:42:37 GMT -5
Sudsy! The Kalimbra had finished lathering up her body and hair. Now she needed to rinse. She decided to do something brash, and run and jump into the pool and swim a distance, especially while no one was watching her and able to stop her. In that way she was like a child, trying to get those secret moments of fun while no one else was watching. And she made it all the way to the waters edge before slipping on her heel on a wet spot, slamming onto her back, and sliding into the pool. She came up for air a moment later, her back a little sore, wincing from the pain.
"Oooh.. ouch.. did not mean to slip."
"Kalimbra, you could have cracked your skull open."
"Yes, and the moons could fall and kill us all."
"C."
Merrake rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth. There was no arguing with that point of view in her mind. Sure, anything could happen at any moment. Why fret about what could happen when all that actually happened was enough pain to learn a lesson? Merrake didn't feel the need to push the issue with the younger half-breed. The Kalimbra was a free spirit, there was no controlling her.
While the Kalimbra was rubbing her back, coming over to the group Merrake addressed Jorkahn before he had a nervous heart attack from being ignored.
"Merrake, yes. Merrake Av'Manait. I'm no Ritgr as you describe it. There's no binding contract here. I stay because it is the right thing to do. She would be alone otherwise, and I can't abide that."
Running I(Unlearned), Leaping I (Unlearned), Swimming I (5), Agility (11), Strength (12), Simple (30): 58 jUPQeUSA
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Post by Thrawn Demer on Jun 25, 2016 10:05:58 GMT -5
Thrawn's train of thought was interrupted when he saw Fyrra slip and fall into the pool. His heart lurched for a moment until she came up for air.
"Careful Kalimbra, if you get hurt I'm afraid Merrake might tear this place apart, and I don't think any of us could stop her," Thrawn said as he threw a sheepish smile towards Merrake.
Thrawn did not know what the word Ritgr actually meant, but from the context he assumed it was some form of mercenary or a paid guard, and he knew that Merrake was not one of those.
"Viktoria? Sadly I have not been to many places out of the Darthak planes since I started my journey, what is it like there?" Thrawn asked the man.
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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 26, 2016 20:14:53 GMT -5
Jorkahn's head spun around when he heard the smack of skin and bone on pavement. He was just fast enough to get a glimpse of what looked like the Kalimbra become submerged under the water. He held his breath for a moment but was able to breathe a sigh of relief as she came back up. The boy was about to inquire about her state of health when Merrake got the first word in. He let them talk, instead being lost in the thought of the moons falling towards the planet. That could happen, he supposed. He wondered what, exactly, kept the moons up there to begin with. When the bodyguard and Thrawn had spoken to Fyrra and she had responded he asked the young half-breed a simple question.
"Are you alright?"
He had a warm smile on his face and a look of concern. He wasn't overly mortified or anything, the lad was simply wondering if she had hurt herself badly enough to require attention, of some sort. When she gave an answer, or even if she didn't, the Champion would turn back to Merrake to further explain what he meant by Ritgr. "W-well, I don't t-think a contract is necessary? I..." Jorkahn went quiet suddenly. He didn't know what he was really talking about anyway. May as well just stop talking about it. He laughed nervously, again. "I-It's not really important. N-never mind... Regardless, your cause is very noble and you s-should feel proud of yourself." Though the young warrior was terrified of the woman to a large extent, he also admired her. He only hoped that he could be so noble, or prove himself worthy of a task like hers.
The boy looked towards the curious Darthaki man. "Luxurious if I were to describe it in one w-word. Many wealthy noble families and businesses either live there or are based t-there. You see much more Elkagr there than you do anywhere else in Cruinthe. W-well, that I have seen at least." He paused in thought for a moment, a frown forming on his face. "It can be quite s-stifling sometimes." The frown quickly disappeared and was replaced with a smile. "O-of course I think all of you would do fine there! I lack the social skills, unfortunately. Prefer the forest to be honest w-with you." You'd think he was Cahalian or something.
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Post by Fyrra Na'Limndra on Jun 27, 2016 13:39:30 GMT -5
Merrake shot daggers from her eyes at Thrawn for his comment. She understood it was in jest, but the Kalimbra's protection was a serious matter. She could not kill a public bathhouse. That implied she was larger than life, which she was not, and did not enjoy being inferred as such. Perfectly sized, in her mind, was better. Perfectly suited to the task at hand. Which in this very moment was allowing the Kalimbra's lesson to sink in. Running in a bath, really? She did feel proud of herself most of the time for protecting the Kalimbra. Most of the time it was much easier. No one could protect the Kalimbra from herself though.
"Yes, yes. I'm fine. Or I'll be fine as soon as the pain goes away. Regardless, is that what you're talking about? Your hometown I mean? Sounds like there are a lot of Arren'El there. It sounds lovely, but the Arren'El would rather not have contact with our kind. We get ignored, right Merrake?"
"Ignored is putting it mildly. They pretend we don't exist entirely. Go out of their way to not be around us. Like we're some kind of taint on their race."
"I don't think the Arren'El are aware you exist, Thrawn. That may be a good thing. The rest of us here, well if I'm not mistaken, they don't treat the rest of us very kindly."
"Mm, but they mostly leave this country alone except to collect tribute. I don't think there's anything to worry about. Unless this, what is this situation called with those groups attacking the various provinces? The word is not coming to me."
"You mean the political situation?"
"Yes."
"I don't know either."
The Kalimbra looked to the gentlemen for answers. The political situation was strange to them. Rebellions or revolutions didn't happen as far as they knew in their culture.
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Post by Thrawn Demer on Aug 23, 2016 18:12:11 GMT -5
The way Jorkhan spoke about his homeland made Thrawn think of a city made entirely of white marble accented with gold. At least that was his idea of luxurious and wealthy places. Thrawn thought it would be nice to visit but he doubted that he would fit in there, considering well...everything about him.
He could not help but feel a little bad after that look Merrake gave him, he did not mean to insult her in anyway. Thrawn politely bowed his head in apology and hoped that she did not take what he said to heart.
"The Arren'El? I'm not to familiar with them, but they don't sound like the friendliest group."
It took a moment for Thrawn to realize that the women were talking about the civil unrest that has been spreading through the land. He was more surprised that they did not know the words, was the concept so foreign to them that they simply did not have the word in their language?
"You mean the rebels and the uprisings? The people who want to overthrow the current system?"
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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 Oct 5, 2016 19:43:34 GMT -5
The boy nodded at the Kalimbra's question. "I-Indeed I am." The mention of the word Arren'El threw him for a loop for a moment. "A-Arren'El? W-what does-" His ears perked up as he realized what she meant. All he had to do was pay attention to context, he was just speaking about them after all. "O-Oh! I assume that means Elkagr? Yes." He listened to the rest of what she was saying as he looked away. The mention of the way they were treated caused him to become lost in thought. His eyes glazed over and his face took on a bit of a lonelier look, a frown forming on the lad's face.
Jorkahn mumbled something, "If only all they did was ignore you." The champion didn't even notice he had said anything. He thought of the disapproving stares that had been cast his way when the Elkagr found out he was part human. The whispered insults and the disgusted looks by the humans who knew he was part Elkagr or came from a family with them in it. It was one of the reasons he was cooped up inside all the time and, when he wasn't, traveled as much as he did.
After a short moment lost in thought he regained focus and turned back to look at the small party, a look of surprise adorning his face. "I=I was unaware t-that the situation was so b-b-bad." The boy cleared his throat before speaking again. "I-I knew the other races weren't exactly fond of each o-other. Living in Viktoria you heard whispers of dissent from the families, too. B-but... Is it really that bad?" He was almost as clueless as the Drokagr in this situation. Though he traveled often it was normally in the hills, forests, and valleys of Cruinthe far away from civilization.
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Post by Fyrra Na'Limndra on Oct 6, 2016 10:01:21 GMT -5
"Yes, what is that called?"
In reference to the civil unrest. They understood it as a concept, the vocabulary was merely lacking. THe people weren't happy with the current regime, so they took up arms and fought against it. It seemed like a stupid way to resolve a conflict. Spilling the blood of one's countrymen didn't seem like it would do anything but vilify you. But that was how they understood it. They only understood the violence and the base motivation. They didn't get that there were other things involved in it.
"There's been a lot of violence from what I've heard, Jorkahn."
"I wish the Arren'El would leave everyone alone and go back to their forests beyond the wastes. That would probably stop the violence right? Or am I wrong as to the motivations?"
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Post by Thrawn Demer on Oct 6, 2016 17:13:51 GMT -5
Although Thrawn did not know much about the current situation other from what he heard from traveling, civil unrest and infighting were very familiar.
"I don't know much, but it sounds like a rebellion, which might lead to a civil war. I hope it doesn't come to that."
Thrawn knew even less about the Arren'El and their involvement with the escalating violence, but from the way they described it it was just another case of 'we're better than them, so we have to beat them'. That was one of the things that he wished he could change in his people, at least it was common in the south as well.
"I hope the conflict doesn't effect my journey, or worse involve my people. There's already too much bloodshed in that region, we don't need an excuse for more."
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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 Oct 7, 2016 15:23:25 GMT -5
The Champion began to panic a little bit, his heart beat picking up significantly. He hadn't heard from his family in nearly three months. Could the violence be the reason why? Had they been caught up in it? He calmed down a little bit when he realized the other's were affected as well. Worrying wouldn't do any good to him, he would just have to go and check himself. The boy looked at Fyrra after her comment. He was Arren'El, as she called them. So was a big portion of his family.
"O-oh. I-I don't know if that would solve everything. F-From my experience my people do cause a lot of p-problems between the different races. B-but humans can be just as unaccepting and vicious. I am both, b-but treated like I don't belong by either." Jorkahn normally wasn't one to cry anguish over his lot in life, but he felt that the context may be appropriate in this conversation. The three were surprisingly easy to talk to, even if he was still intimidated by Thrawn and Merrake.
The thought of Thrawn suddenly made him sit up, eyes wide. He turned to the large Darthaki man and apologized. "O-oh! I-I-I mean no off-f-f...Offense of course!" Current party was of course excluded from his statements, as far as he was aware. That didn't mean he didn't panic any less at the realization of his potential insult.
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Post by Fyrra Na'Limndra on Oct 11, 2016 11:44:54 GMT -5
"What a band of misfits we are."
"How would you describe a civil war? Is that not what is happening right now? A war between the people of one nation?"
"Didn't they declare themselves separate nations?"
"So is it a regular war then?"
"I don't think there is anything regular about war."
"True."
There was a pause between the two. They didn't really have much to say to Jorkahn other than confirming that they were all misfits. Thrawn was out of place just by being here in town, and not in his own land. Which, apparently no one knew existed. Jorkahn was out of place from his mixed background. No one seemed to accept him wherever he went. Fyrra was mixed race herself, but not directly. Her parents were both mixed like herself. Merrake was the same. The pure blooded drow didn't really mind them that much, there was more tolerance there. Especially for females. However, the other races saw them as alien and strange.
"I wonder what a regular citizen of Cruinthe would say about us?"
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