|
Post by Ranger on Jul 5, 2006 16:25:14 GMT -5
Ranger tried to make mental notes of the different soldiers he saw and the paths he took through the dungeon. He knew where ever he was going wasn't going to end up being something good for him. He moved along with the guards pushing him from behind.
|
|
|
Post by Draxas on Jul 6, 2006 9:39:27 GMT -5
The goblins led Ranger upward on the staircase, which was wide and spiralled around the inside edge of the keep. They passed one door on the way up, and then the shaman paused at the second door.
"Human," it said, quietly, "You would be wise to avoid provoking King Thu'raka's wrath, for it is swift and terrible. I will speak with the king first, your turn will come."
With that, the shaman entered the door and quickly closed it behind, not even allowing Ranger a glimpse of the room beyond. He was left alone on the stair landing with just the pair of bodyguards, now...
|
|
|
Post by Ranger on Jul 6, 2006 11:43:07 GMT -5
from all the battle Ranger had been quite ruffled he took the time waiting to think on what would be asked of him and to straighten himself up a bit.
|
|
|
Post by Draxas on Jul 7, 2006 11:38:56 GMT -5
A short amount of time passed, though it felt interminable to Ranger, as the goblins glared at him the entire time, almost as if daring him to try something funny. Finally, the shaman opened the door once more, and imply said, "Enter."
Ranger stepped into a makeshift throne room, and the shaman closed the door behind him. The room had obviously never been designed for the purpose it was being used for, as it had none of the grandiose proportions and trappings such a place invariably contains. However, it was hungs with tattered draperies, and scattered bits of treasure, weapons, armor, and seemingly anything else that gave off a shiny glint were arranged around a large, high-backed wooden chair. A pair of huge, green-skinned humanoids stood (or, perhaps slouched) on either side of this chair; they were far to large to have even been the most elite goblins, and could only be orcs, and their enormous lower incisors backed up the impression. Seated in the chair, however, was a physical specimen that was even more impressive than the others. The apparent orc king was decked out in dull metal armor, which appeared to be a suit of chainmail reinforced with plates in various locations, and had an enormous, doube-headed battleaxe leaning up against the side of his throne in easy reach. The image of orc royalty was completed by a cruel looking, spiked iron crown which rested atop its head. The orc king glared menacingly at Ranger for several long moments, and then finally spoke in a guttural growl in its native tongue.
As the orc king finished speaking, the goblin shaman said, "The Orc King Thu'raka says, 'So, you are the fool human who dares invade my castle and attack my servants? Give me one good reason why I shouldn't strike you down where you stand?' You may want to consider your reply carefully, human; King Thu'raka is well known for his short temper and lack of mercy."
|
|
|
Post by Ranger on Jul 7, 2006 16:00:50 GMT -5
"Would it be wise to pass up such an opportunity to use a warrior that throws himself into your lap. I've proven my skill against your warriors and I am sorry for your loss but surely there is something I could do to serve you and killing me will net you nothing but another body to dispose of," Ranger said.
|
|
|
Post by Draxas on Jul 7, 2006 17:14:44 GMT -5
The shaman listened to Ranger's words, and relayed the message back to the orc king. The king glared at Ranger in thought for a moment, and then responded in orcish once more.
"King Thu'raka says, 'Your offer is intriguing, human,'" said the shaman, "'However, I suspect you are simply trying to trick me to save your hide. Why should I trust you, human? You will undoubtedly betray me as soon as you leave the walls of this castle.'"
|
|
|
Post by Ranger on Jul 7, 2006 20:59:34 GMT -5
"Well I am trying to save my hide but I don't intend to trick you. I understand my situation. What would be a good collateral to you"
|
|
|
Post by Draxas on Jul 8, 2006 21:11:45 GMT -5
The shaman relayed Ranger's message once more. The orc king stared hard at Ranger for several moments without replying, but when he finally responded, he spoke at some length. At the end of his response, instead of translating as usual, the shaman continued to communicate with the king in orcish. They traded several replies, and at the end the shaman kneeled and said one last sentence. He then tuned and advanced back toward Ranger, simply saying again, "Come," as his goblins opened the chamber door and went outside onto the stairs again.
|
|
|
Post by Ranger on Jul 9, 2006 21:31:40 GMT -5
Ranger followed the Shaman
|
|
|
Post by Draxas on Jul 10, 2006 9:44:52 GMT -5
As Ranger stepped outside, one of the orcs followed them out, sneering at Ranger though making no overtly hostile moves. The door to the king's chamber slammed shut behind them shortly after.
"Congratulations, human," said the shaman as they continued back down the stairs, the new arrival in tow behind them, "You have managed to negotiate yourself into a favorable position with King Thu'raka, and he has decided not to execute you today, at least not directly."
The group emerged from the stairwell and advanced out of the ground floor exit of the keep and back into the inner courtyard.
"Instead, the king has decided on a task for you, to prove your usefulness," the shaman continued, "King Thu'raka has certain... enemies... among the nearby orc clans. He has decided to utilize your skills to remove one of those threats to his power today. You should feel fortunate to be able to be of service to him in any sort of capacity that doesn't involve your entrails being used to decorate an altar."
As the group advanced through the central guard post of the castle ruins and out into the outer courtyard, Ranger noticed that his handiwork had already been cleaned up by some of the residents. The shaman, meanwhile, continued in a lower, and much more sarcastic, tone.
"I know that I certainly feel as fortunate as you, since I myself and my personal guard have been hand-selected by the king to accompany you, as penance for even bringing you before him while you continued to breathe. And Gulg, the large fellow behind us, has been selected to accompany us in order to ensure our loyalty. Aren't we so honored today?"
The group advanced through the main gates of the ruined castle, and halted as the shaman turned to speak to Ranger face to face.
"Our assigned task is the assassination of the orc warchief Garshask, who heads the clan that resides in the northwest mountains. We leave for this task immediately; delays will earn us a swift death at Gulg's capable hands. Now come, and prepare yourself for battle. We will arrive after a days travel at most."
|
|
|
Post by Ranger on Jul 11, 2006 0:38:17 GMT -5
"Sounds kind of difficult but I swore on my own life to see this out. Where are we off to."
|
|
|
Post by Draxas on Jul 11, 2006 9:56:57 GMT -5
"Garshask's main encampment sits at the the foot of the Tiskael mountain range, to the northwest," said the shaman, "Once we arrive, we will have to figure out some way to accomplish our task without alerting the entire camp, since Garshask is likely to be under heavy guard even without an alarm being raised. But that is something to consider later, for now we must travel. It is many miles to our destination. Come."
With that, the shaman turned and began the trek into the wilderness to the northwest. His bodyguards followed immediately, but Gulg continued to wait behind Ranger, with a grin made especially menacing by his orcish features...
|
|
|
Post by Ranger on Jul 11, 2006 11:01:49 GMT -5
Ranger set off after the Shaman eager to get this nasty affair over with and to get away from Gulg who he was sure was just waiting to break him into peices..
|
|