5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth

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Aiwë Shelur

gardensun

Nov 3, 2023 3:40 am
Nov 3, 2023 3:40 am
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
Shelur didn't expect him to be so raw. She let the surprise show on her face, as well as sincere empathy.

"That's what it was like for my mother. Being half-orc was a death sentence in the Dale, and she never blamed them for it. It was survival. And hers required that she play a part. That's how it was for all orc-blood under Gruumsh. It still is for a lot of us. Conform or die." Aiwë laces her hands in front of her.

"You can choose now. Our freedom is fought for and hard won, but no one has a leash on you who's Cage you cannot Break." She smiles weakly. "Not even yourself."

Looking away she chuckles. "I am supposed to be a model for you, but if I gave the impression things are easy for me then I modeled wrong. Just like I was wrong to let my anger free back there, especially in front of you. Keggruk would have said to cool my blood before it burns someone, and would have made us both punch a snowbank until we were thoroughly cooled. I'm sorry."

Koveras

Araklusta

Nov 3, 2023 4:08 am
Nov 3, 2023 4:08 am
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
The half-orc nods, still looking away. "I've felt it before, you know. Gruumsh's influence. His rage." As before in the tent, Koveras seems to be looking into the past. "I was only a child when he was slain, but I remember feeling it at least once. The boiling of my own blood, the urge to spill that of another. To reclaim what was wrongfully taken." He grimly shakes his head. "It was powerful. Sometimes I wonder if the orcs worshipped him not because he controlled them, but because they needed that rage to survive."

He sighs heavily. "That's probably not a popular opinion with you though, given what your family did to remove him." He shakes his fists, not in mockery, but as a statement of respect. "The Cagebreakers. From what I read in your uncle's book - yes, I read it, several times - every Blood owes your family a great debt."

Aiwë Shelur

gardensun

Nov 3, 2023 4:41 am
Nov 3, 2023 4:41 am
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
Quote:
Sometimes I wonder if the orcs worshipped him not because he controlled them, but because they needed that rage to survive.
"No, you're right. The orc people survived because of Gruumsh. They needed him. He made sure of it. A lot of the Blood are still locked in that feeling. Still distrusted, still without their own place."

Shelur sighs, letting weariness show through. "It isn't about debt, it's responsibility. The war is still raging, within ourselves, with his pantheon and followers that remain, with those that judge us, just or unjust. The work isn't over, and who else will do it?" She gives a crooked smile.

"Thats why I'm here too, I guess. I heard Stella through the tent, surprised about the coming iron war. It's my job to make sure she continues to be ignorant of what war is like, or others like her. While I'm here, maybe I can make the war that's already happening easier for a Blood or two."

Aiwë thumps her chest. "I'm glad you got to talk to Chieftain Keggruk. I'm glad you got a copy of his book."

Stella

Carcabob

Nov 3, 2023 7:16 am
Nov 3, 2023 7:16 am
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
Quote:
Aldous looks at Stella with amazement. "Your eyes... I've never seen them change so quickly!"
Stella blushes and looks away, her eye-stars shifting pink.

She didn't like Aldous' and Koveras' answer...but she knew they were probably right. Their group had a miraculous ability to fight, survive, and were growing in skill at an incredible rate.

At the mention of slaves, she looks up sharply, orange sparking back in her eyes. Such greed and callousness! If she couldn't get herself to think about the war efforts, she could at least think about finding and freeing slaves.

She finally nods. "Then to Cloakwood we'll go."

After Koveras and Dieter leave, she turns back to Aldous, surprised for a moment at how close he is. "It's...good to see you again," she smiles, meeting his eyes for a moment before looking down and glancing away. It's her turn to clear her throat. "Once we get back to the Friendly Arm Inn...I assume you'll hire some new guards and continue on to the Gate and your father, then?"
Last edited November 3, 2023 7:17 am

Koveras

Araklusta

Nov 3, 2023 9:27 am
Nov 3, 2023 9:27 am
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
"'It isn't about debt, it's responsibility,'" Koveras echoes. "Your uncle says the same in his book, dwells on the topic for nearly an entire chapter." He taps his thumb against the side of his chin, considering. "Your tribe, your family, you truly believe in these philosophies. It's... very different from how I was raised."

He lowers his bottom lip to better show his tusks and gives them a tap. "You know, Rieltar used to make me file these down. It was humiliating. Excruciatingly painful, too. He could have done so much more easily with magic, but he wanted me to do it by hand. To grate away the 'bad blood' within me. He only relented about them after the third time I blacked out, and even then only because of Winski's pleas, I think."
Quote:
Aiwë thumps her chest. "I'm glad you got to talk to Chieftain Keggruk. I'm glad you got a copy of his book."
Koveras nods. "He's very wise, and he managed to fit an impressive amount of that wisdom into the book's pages. It's an autobiography, an anthology of philosophical and religious essays, and even includes the genealogies of most of the Cagebreakers, as far back as he could gather. Truly an inspiring work."

He clears his throat. "He said the copy he gave me was intended for you, but that you wanted to ensure I received one. Have you had the opportunity to read it yet?"

Aldous Silvershield

Araklusta

Nov 3, 2023 9:36 am
Nov 3, 2023 9:36 am
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
Quote:
"Once we get back to the Friendly Arm Inn...I assume you'll hire some new guards and continue on to the Gate and your father, then?"
Aldous gives a rueful smile. "It worked out so well for me last time, didn't it?" he quips. "But in all seriousness, I'm not sure what to do. I..." His pale face colors with a blush as he gently takes Stella's hand in his. "I'd hate to part from you again. But I don't want to slow you down either, or distract you in a critical moment."

His fingers are soft on her own as he looks into her eyes. "What would you have me do?"

Aiwë Shelur

gardensun

Nov 3, 2023 2:25 pm
Nov 3, 2023 2:25 pm
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
Aiwë grunted with disdain as Koveras told of Rieltar making him file his tusks. "A crime that lasts so long. Sometimes Khanna still covers her mouth when she smiles."

She then bares her own tusks—just a little more than teeth—as she beams with pride at Koveras' talk of her uncle's accomplishments. "He is really the one responsible for all of this. He showed Khanna that the orcs—including herself—weren't doomed like she thought, and she said that she would have failed to take down Gruumsh if she hadn't had so much confidence in the one who's arms she laid me into before she left."

His last question surprises her. "Kurrem," she mutters. Snitch.

"I've heard it all from his own mouth, I'm sure." She smiles dismissively. "Had it drilled into me, literally. He's... waiting at home for me, now. There will be a copy ready for me by the time I make it back."

"What do you think of your tusks now?" Shelur asks, eager to change the subject. "Who's Winski?"

Koveras

Araklusta

Nov 3, 2023 2:50 pm
Nov 3, 2023 2:50 pm
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
Quote:
"Kurrem," she mutters. Snitch.
"More than you know, if you haven't read the book," Koveras gives another rare smile. "He wrote quite a lot about you."
Quote:
"What do you think of your tusks now?" Shelur asks, eager to change the subject.
"Now that's a personal question. But if you must know, they've been useful in the occasional business deal; I find that people see them and assume I'm a mindless brute. They underestimate me, and that's an opening I'll gladly take advantage of."
Quote:
"Who's Winski?"
Koveras waves a hand dismissively. "Oh, he's the only other orc-kin I knew growing up. He sort of... came with the package when Rieltar 'took in' me and my mother." His voice turns bitter, which is to be expected, though he tries to shake it off. "The old orc is the only reason I learned anything about true orc culture. Now he serves as a sort of butler - another 'charity' stunt of Rieltar's."

Aiwë Shelur

gardensun

Nov 3, 2023 3:04 pm
Nov 3, 2023 3:04 pm
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
Quote:
More than you know, if you haven't read the book.
Aiwë looks up quickly. "Do you speak orcish?" she asks in the language eagerly. "I assumed you didn't." Then she blanches. "He what?"

Dieter

Victor.StrokovInactive for 3 months

Nov 3, 2023 3:40 pm
Nov 3, 2023 3:40 pm
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
while Stella and Aiwë are deep in conversation Dieter takes the remaining fists and finds a good spot to camp. He walks a few yards into the tree line so that he can still see the bandit camp and begins preparing the area with alarms and trip wires. He marks a primary and auxiliary escape route then Digs a hole for a smokeless fire to cook with. Once all preparations have been made he tactfully moves the group over to it so they can talk in a more relaxed setting. He organizes a watch then finds a tree to rest on with his empty pipe and notebook he has been writing in.
Last edited November 3, 2023 3:40 pm

Koveras

Araklusta

Nov 3, 2023 4:02 pm
Nov 3, 2023 4:02 pm
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
Koveras raises his hands. "You know the orog. He's thorough. There's material on your siblings, too. I won't risk offending you by trying to recount the details though. You'll have to read it yourself sometime. I'd return your copy, but..." He gestures to his dirty, torn attire. "I didn't really have a choice in what I brought with me here. It's back in my rooms in the Iron Throne tower in Baldur's Gate. Besides, it's filled with notes in the margins that you'd probably find distracting."

He folds his arms over his chest. "But that's all beside the point. I need to decide how to spend my time while your party handles the Cloakwood mine. I could enter the Gate secretly and begin to rally some allies against the Iron Throne. The other merchant organizations could be helpful, like the Seven Suns Trading Coster or even the Zhentarim. I don't have any particular influence with the Grand Dukes, but our friend Aldous could certainly help us out there - assuming he doesn't insist on finding some way to tag along after Miss Melerelel. She was a frequent, earnest subject while we were chained together in Tazok's tent."

He shrugs. "If your party would have me, I could accompany you all to the Cloakwood and provide another sword-arm." He winks and mock-whispers, "I even have some experience picking locks."

His typical dourness returns as he considers his remaining option. "I could even return to the Iron Throne and beg Rieltar for forgiveness, tell him I've decided his way is best after all. It would put me in a valuable position to spy, or even inflict some damage from inside the organization."

Koveras cocks his head. "What do you think I should do?"

Stella

Carcabob

Nov 3, 2023 4:55 pm
Nov 3, 2023 4:55 pm
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
Quote:
Aldous gives a rueful smile. "It worked out so well for me last time, didn't it?" he quips. "But in all seriousness, I'm not sure what to do. I..." His pale face colors with a blush as he gently takes Stella's hand in his. "I'd hate to part from you again. But I don't want to slow you down either, or distract you in a critical moment."

His fingers are soft on her own as he looks into her eyes. "What would you have me do?"
His hand around hers felt...calming. "I—I...don't know..." she shakes her head, conflicted. "You are getting quite good with your wizardry, but..." she glances to the tent flap. "Some of the others...see you as a liability. And...I would be lying if I said I wouldn't worry too." She's silent for a moment. Stella was almost more worried about herself. She heard Dieter say she would get them killed, and he was right that she wasn't exactly in a steady state of mind around Aldous.

She meets his eyes, her eye-stars finally settling on her natural violet and squeezes his hand. "I really would love your company! But wonder if you would be more effective in stopping this war in Baulder's Gate. You and your father have connections and influence. You can learn about the Iron Throne's doings and maybe slow them down somehow. Not to mention how you a place on their to-assassinate list while traveling with us..." she adds glumly.
Last edited November 3, 2023 4:56 pm

Aldous Silvershield

Araklusta

Nov 3, 2023 5:26 pm
Nov 3, 2023 5:26 pm
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
The young Silvershield sighs. "You're not wrong..."

(Insight: Aldous bites his lip. He's obviously got something he wants to say, but he's not sure if he should, or if now's a good time.)

Stella

Carcabob

Nov 3, 2023 5:41 pm
Nov 3, 2023 5:41 pm
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
"I know you want to be your own person and walk your own path. You feel wrangled into the whole noble thing, yes? But we're trying to save lives here. We...need to use our strengths and resources. Still, if you want to come, I'm certain you can; you just need a compelling argument why you'd be more helpful with us, and..." She notices his expression and pauses, narrowing her eyes with concern. "...What is it?"

Stella thinks back to her concerns with what Aldous had said on the road about his father, his taboo of magic, and 'doing much worse'. She hoped she was just reading into things that weren't there.

Aiwë Shelur

gardensun

Nov 3, 2023 7:00 pm
Nov 3, 2023 7:00 pm
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
"It's your copy, not mine," she insists. Her posture shifts to one of business and she beats a quiet, determined rhythm on her drum with her fingertips.

"The Zhents? A merchant organization?" Aiwë chuckles, chewing her lip as she thinks.

"I'll admit the first concern on my mind is Lord Silvershield. He's reckless and naive, and he doesn't take feedback except from her. I tried to tell him not to leave with Ajantis but korrush y'grotarr." Couldnt hit him. Nothing to be done.

A fortuitous twist to the story though, that Aldous should be captured. Otherwise Koveras might still be in chains. Unless Aldous was merely bait for them, and Koveras the backup.

"Hrum. She'll take care of it I suppose. Moving on to you..." She drums for another minute, thinking things through.

"Do you have to go back to the Gate for the Rieltar option?" Aiwë looks up at him, brow creased with concern then smoothed casually to avoid looking like she cares about him too much. "How did you tell him we were in Candlekeep? Maybe you can convince him you're a spy here with us."
Last edited November 21, 2023 9:28 pm

Rolls

Insight - (1d20+1)

(17) + 1 = 18

Aldous Silvershield

Araklusta

Nov 3, 2023 7:05 pm
Nov 3, 2023 7:05 pm
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
Aldous is apparently having trouble saying what he wants to. "I... have something. To show you. There's this long story that goes with it... I don't really want to get into that right now, but I had to do this. I was dying! There was no cure. Well, except one..."

He stares at the ceiling a moment, teeth gritted. "Gods above, I wanted you to never see this. I... need to sit down."

And so he carefully gets himself down on the ground. Hands trembling slightly, he reaches for the pant leg rolled up under his stump. He fingers the fabric for a moment, then looks up into Stella's eyes. There's genuine shame and fear in his eyes. Anxiety for what she'll think of him.

He takes a deep breath, then undoes the roll and pulls the fabric up to reveal his leg stump.
[ +- ] Content Warning: Body Horror
OOC:
For those who don't want to read the spoiler: Stella learns that Aldous has some sort of alien living creature in his leg stump.
Aldous covers his face with his hands. "It's so gross. I'm so gross. I..." He takes a shuddering breath. Not in pain, but in fear of rejection. "It healed me of my disease. And it... Well, it gives me magic. It's what lets me cast my spells... And they've been getting stronger. And that," he sighs, "is why I'm showing it to you. Because whatever it is, it's stuck with me, but my magical powers have been growing every day. I can be useful." He wipes his eyes, but his voice gets stronger. "I can help you fight. And against someone like Davaeorn you're going to need every bit of magical help you can get."

(Insight: He meets Stella's eyes, and this time she sees more fire there. More determination. Defiance, even. He truly believes he can be a boon to the party. That he can protect her.)

Stella

Carcabob

Nov 3, 2023 8:00 pm
Nov 3, 2023 8:00 pm
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
Stella pales and puts a hand to her mouth, eyes wide, eye-stars flickering between icy blue and white. Now she needed to sit down. She looks away for a few moments, then turns back to stare at the creature, and slowly sits herself down. "...Does...it hurt?" she asks finally, meeting his eyes, voice quiet.

"Amputating your leg didn't cure the disease then..." she continues, narrowing her eyes and tilting her head. "Or...was this part of the amputation? It...feels hungry...what does it eat? Did it...eat your leg...? And how does it let you cast spells?" she asks, growing increasingly curious. Her eye stars were starting to shift back to violet, with a bit of inquisitive green. She had been shocked by the sight, but she was a healer—she had helped set shattered bones, sew back in spilled insides, and deliver children back in Kuldahar. She was used to gruesome sights.

Koveras

Araklusta

Nov 3, 2023 8:20 pm
Nov 3, 2023 8:20 pm
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
Quote:
"Do you have to go back to the Gate for the Rieltar option?" Aiwë looks up at him, brow creased with concern then smoothed casually to avoid looking like she cares about him too much. "How did you tell him we were in Candlekeep? Maybe you can convince him you're a spy here with us."
Koveras shrugs. "I used to have a sending stone that I would use to communicate with Rieltar. I don't have it anymore though." He shakes his head. "But even then, I would have to rely on the information he chose to give me, instead of being able to gather it myself. And not being to see his expressions and body language would make it hard to judge if he believes me. I grew up with the man; I can read him like a book."

(Insight: Koveras isn't sharing everything. He might not be actively keeping them from Aiwe, but he does have secrets. One thing she can be confident about, though, is that he truthfully hates Rieltar and wants to make him pay.)

Aldous Silvershield

Araklusta

Nov 3, 2023 8:56 pm
Nov 3, 2023 8:56 pm
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
Aldous blinks. "You don't... hate me? Erm, no, it doesn't hurt, though finding food we both agree on is difficult. It sort of just absorbs whatever I eat, but it's very particular."

He gestures to where the rest of his leg should be. "I had some sort of flesh-eating disease that started at my toes and was working its way up. It completely baffled the priests and doctors in the Gate, so my father sent me south to see if other lands might have a cure. This is the solution we found."

Gradually reverting to his normal, excitable self, he begins to tell more of the story: Desperately seeking a cure, he visited an eccentric wizard of sorts who claimed to be able to help. After asking lots of questions, he pulled a jar off his shelf and set it on the table for Aldous to see. It was some sort of tadpole with little tentacles and stubby limbs. The wizard explained that if he agreed to let the tadpole live inside him, it would protect him from any and all illnesses or diseases. Looking at the little tadpole, Aldous agreed.

The wizard magically severed Aldous' bad leg and let the tadpole crawl in. As it entered, it unexpectedly swelled in size... But it did as the wizard had promised, and stopped the flesh-eating disease from spreading further.

"I don't even know what it is," Aldous concludes. "I don't know how shares its magic with me. I just get this sense that it can't use the magic on its own, it needs a host."

The young noble chuckles suddenly and looks up. "I didn't expect to find you so... undisturbed... by the creature."

Stella

Carcabob

Nov 3, 2023 9:22 pm
Nov 3, 2023 9:22 pm
5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth
Ah, that's why he was such a picky eater...Apparently it liked her and Dieter's iced cream.

Stella frowns and squints slightly. "Hate you? I mean, if you killed someone to get it, then I might have a problem, but I was half expecting you to say you had made a pact with a devil or something...my grandmother did that..." Aiwë's papa too, she thought. "Compared to that, paying a wizard for a...symbiote, seems like quite a sensible solution...Wait, what did you pay the wizard?"
Quote:
"I didn't expect to find you so... undisturbed... by the creature."
She grimaces slightly. "Well, it's, uh...no flumph or faerie, but if it keeps you alive without hurting people or taking over your mind or anything...that's pretty good in my book. Speaking of which," she continues, brushing a tuft of Aldous' hair out of his face. "You said Viconia 'did a number' on your head. What did you mean by that?"
Last edited November 3, 2023 9:27 pm

Rolls

Arcana (Does she know anything about the magic tadpole?) - (1d20+5)

(10) + 5 = 15

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