Shifting Futures [Open]

[tazcalbat]

Rhys squinted to see what had upset Knurl. Night had set and the rain had been pouring since earlier that day. The chestnut charger had stopped in the middle of the forest, sincing something up ahead. Rhys looked, but saw nothing. Then lightning lit the sky, sillueting a figure in the distance. Darkness returned aconpanied with the loud crack of thunder. With Rhys' coxing, Knurl started to move forward, stopping at every step to flick his ears and to breath in, checking for danger. Snorting, he would continue another step, then repeat the process.

Rhys was unsure of the figure, but was sure that the stranger had seen them like they saw it. He shivered as rain seeped into his clothes, cold water streaming down his tired body. He urged the stallion on, whispering in Dwarvish to the frightened horse. What ever lay ahead of them, they would face head on, together. The sooner they knew what was waiting for them, the sooner they would know how to react.

[tazcalbat]

He has just left the Boer mountains.

[ryan]

Gormak stood in the clearing. He was out by himself, he had left his tribe a few days back, not abandoning them, but he did this ritual every cycle. He would go out, leave the tribe for about a week, and collect himself. This was also the most intense training he had ever put himself through. He would run, and make his body as strong as he could. The tribe did not mind the leaders absense, many actually were glad. They did not enjoy the cold, merciless leader when the festivities of this week were going on. For this tribe, this week was a holiday for them. Some stupid appreciation of the Gods.

Gormak disliked this week, that is why he chose it to leave. He had to get out on his own, he had to escape the parties. The Urgals constant bickering over something. He loved his race, he had no doubt about it, but being Chieftan took up all his time. This was the only time he could leave his tribe, the only time he did not have to command everyone. The only time he did not have to plot for their next raid, or plan another ritual. He enjoyed these tasks at times, but towards the end of the cycle, and the week of the tribes 'Gods' grew near, Gormak grew more anxious.

This distrust for the Gods was never seen among Urgal, especially a chieftan. But the Nar hid it well. Many believed he was out doing his own sacred rituals, that he was overly religious. This was not the case. Gormak lacked the faith in them, he stopped praying to the Gods, and since then has decided his own fate. His tribe's own destiny. The nine foot tower shook himself. Sweat flung all around him. He was not tired, Urgals never tired, especially Kull. It was time for him to eat. The boar infront of him sat roasted, rain dripping down on the half eaten meat.

As lightining flashed, the Kull streched out. He slowly sat down, and leaned against a rock. Next to him leaned his bow. A few feet in length, it was big enough for Gormak, to large for any other creature. It was black, and very jagged. The string was as black as the bow, and the rough looking arrows rested next to this long range weapon. The pull to the bow was very challenging for most to pull, the weapon is only useful to the Kull. To the other side of him lay his battle-ax, a double sided blade that looked like it needed cleaning. It two measured a few feet to accomadate for Gormak's nine foot stature. He groaned as he rolled his neck and it popped, and cracked.

[tazcalbat]

Rhys soon knew what had frightened Knurl. The unknown creature before them was none other than a Kull. One, it not the, most feared creature in the area. Rhys' only hope of survival would be if the Kull was in a peaceful mood, which didn't happen often. The rain gave another burst, making it imposable to see or even move for a good while. Rhys dismounted and held tight to the reins, patting Knurl's neck to sooth him. When the rain let off, Rhys looked around. The Kull had moved, a small light told him that the large brute had sat down to eat. Rhys would have tried to go around him but there was no way around him. The forest grew too thick on either side of the giant for the chestnut charger to move. The horse had a fear of tight places, and Rhys knew that Knurl was imposable to work with then he was upset.

Rhys took a deep sigh and decided to wait. He didn't want to risk angering the Kull by disrupting him meal. No he would wait till he had his feel before he continued. Then maybe he would catch the Kull in a good mood, maybe. As he waited he removed two apples from his pack. Giving one to his stallion, he ate the other one while he thought about how to continue. Either way it would be dangerous. Either the Kull with be in a bad mood and kill him on the spot, or Rhys ran the risk that the Kull would challenge him. Either way the odds were against him. He just hoped that there was enough for him to some out alive. The sound as popping joints nearly made his stomach twist in discuss. Although he was guilty of the same action, the noise was far more disturbing when made by a Kull than it was from the smaller races. He looked at Knurl and whispered Ready boy? It's time to move. and with that he proceeded to lead Knurl by his reins as they approached the Kull.

[ryan]

As Gormak continued to crunch, and twist at the roasted boar in his massive hands he began to wonder. What if he just left his tribe. Or atleast ventured somewhere new with them. He was not sure if he could just leave them, no, he knew he could not. He could never abandon his people. But even was Nar he knew there was so much more then what they had. He had always wondered what else he could do with his tribe. He knew the riders were hated right now, but it was not much of a war. The land was sort of peaceful, other then the fighting within his own people's tribe over dirt. He still felt as if he was not a great leader.

His tribe would remember him, but that's not all he wanted. Gormak had spent his life becoming the greatest, the best in the tribe. He had already earn this title. He had upheld it for many cycles, but he still wanted more. He needed more. He needed a major war. Something to include himself in. His tribe. A way to show that the Kull were a force to be reckon with. He knew creating a race war with Urgals and some other race might not go well. Many tribes had been at war at this time. Banding together would be almost impossible.

He shook the thoughts. Lately he had been having to many. He was being more of a strategist, and had grown hungry with wanting his name to be remembered. Maybe it was due to his inability to find a worthy successor, or his lack of war around this time of the cycle. Maybe it was his age dawning on him, even though he was still quiet young and powerful. He just shook the thoughts, he had to.

As soon as he snapped back into reality his surrounding made themselves present. He felt something. He knew something was sneaking up on him, or atleast approaching him. He quickly set his food down, reached for his battle-ax, and stood. The number of kills he had created with this weapon was incredible, he had never gotten a new battle-ax when he was given this one. His father's. It meant to much to him for him to just get rid of it. He scanned the area and saw what he was looking for. A small human, and a horse. They were creeping up on him, or atleast trying to sneak past. "You!" His voice was thunderous. "Why yo' come? My camp!"

[tazcalbat]

Rhys realized something, something important, as he moved toward the Kull. He could not speak, or even understand, the language of the Urgal and Kull tribes. Few if any of the other races did. The large races were feared, with good reason, and considered brutes and beasts. He could tell why, from the looks and the smell of this male, they were one race to avoid. When the Kull turned to him and spoke, he knew he was in trouble. He hoped the Kull knew more of the human, or even Dwarf, than he knew Urgal. The large brute stood up and yelled, but as far as Rhys would tell it was it the Kull's own tongue.

Rhys stopped and moved slightly away from Knurl to show that he was unarmed. His sword was on his charger's saddle, and his knife with in a pouch along with the food also on the saddle. He kept Knurl close enough to grab either weapon in a hurry if needed, but far enough away to avoid provoking an attack. He didn't want to fight. Their was only one way it would go. He would lose, if he was lucky. He would die if he was not. He just wanted to pass this Kull brute without fighting.

He kept his hand visible as he spoke. I mean no trouble, I just need to pass through. he said this in both human and dwarf tongues. He doubted the large beast before him knew either, but he hoped he would understand his intentions were harmless if nothing else. This was uncomfortable for him and Knurl, and from the looks of it the Kull felt the same way. This would be hard to get through either way. The rain had returned as Rhys looked ahead toward the giant before him. The rain was cold, and fell in large drops. It was turning into a very miserable night. Hopefully not their last.

[ryan]

As Gormak continued to stare down the human, and his animal, he began to think about his options here. He could easily slay the human, he looked rather defensless, and all nine feet of Gormak could easily outpower a single human. Human's were not a strong race, they were only strong in numbers, or the few that posses any magic ability. Other then that, they usually had nothing supstaintial about them. They were the 'average' race. But what would be the fun in smashing this human to nothing with no one around. Plus it would just be a waste of efforts. He could steal the human's belongings, but what need did he have for a horse? Gormak could outrun most of these beasts.

The gold the human held had no meaning to him, his people did not use gold. They all worked together, everyone did their part in the tribe. They hunted for food, the women stayed home. The weapons on him were as usless as the gold. None of them were big enough for the walking tower that stood before the human. He really had no purpose of killing this human, but what would letting him go do? Would it spark a war? Would the humans feel that the Urgals have gone soft, that they are a weak race.

The last thing he needed was a pack of humans crossing into his borders trying to claim his land, he was already at war with other tribes. Urgals were a race that was hell-bent on being at war. Whether it be with another race, or amongst themselves, there was always some fighting. They enjoyed the battlefield, which is why most battles they held soldiers met each other with great respect. But, killing this one could also cause a war. Although very unlikely, this could be a prince or some other noble. Killing a noble in cold blood would surely lead to a war. The options raced through Gormak's head, he finally made a decision.

He rose his head in the air and let out a roar, he had to make sure the human knew not to play any tricks. He stepped to his side, and offered him passage through his camp. His fingers still gripped around his double-bladed ax. He had felt generous today, and he was already tired from his training he had done the whole day. He had to keep his body in prime condition. He had to make sure no one in the tribe could take his spot as Nar

[tazcalbat]

Rhys Locksson watched the Kull, silently waiting for his reply to the unspoken question. Would he be allowed to cross? As the large brute raised his head Rhys tensed slightly, unsure of what it would mean. Then as the urgal let out the loud roar, it was all Rhys could do to keep from covering his ears. Knurl bucked and stomped his hooves, afraid of the large beast before them. Rhys whispered to soothe his stallion, still watching the Kull. As the male moved aside, slowly, very slowly, Rhys moved forward coxing Knurl along the way. The chestnut charger refusing to trust the giant before them, but trusting of Rhys wouldn't leaf him into danger.

Rhys' eyes traced the large weapon the male carried. Nar, he guessed from the brute's posture and belongings. Not someone Rhys wanted to fight with, but also maybe the only reason he had gotten this far. The weapon was a gnarly looking double-bladed ax. There would be no way to avoid or block a swing from that. It was all up to the statue before them if they made it by.


Rhys kept moving, silently praying all the way to whatever god was really watching over him. He had heard of the humans' and the Dwarves', and also some of the Elves' philosophy, but at the time e hoped the Elves were wrong. The rain had stopped completely now, though his clothes were still soaked. His black cloak and hood sticking to him. The water still seeped through to skin, making him even more uncomfortable, between that and the situation with the Kull, he was tense and kept shivering she twitching with chills creeping along his spine. This would be a night he won't soon forget, if ever. As he passed the Kull he looked at the tall warrior. Thank you. he said in the ancient language, then continued on. It was one of the few things he had learned from his time with the Dwarves of the ancient language. The refused to tell him with anything with power, and he wasn't even sure if they had known anything themselves, so he may have not been missing much.

After saying that he looked back down to the soggy trail and started to move again. The brown beast beside him had calmed and now walked willingly with him, glad to be moving away from their possible opponent. He was still twitching and spooked easily, but with each step he shied less and less. This had been a long night for the both of them, and many more were to come.

[ryan]

Gormak continued to watch the human with much interest. He was not sure what to do in this situation. He could very well kill the human, maybe eat him and his pet. But it did not look much of a meal, the human was small, not very big either. And his horse which very well could have passed as a pony was not very appeasing to Gormak's eyes. He could, however, bring the human home. If he did this his tribe could have something to toy with for a while. Atleast the human could be used as a slave, or a bargining chip.

Urgal's were not the race to really have slaves. Nor would they sell him off for money, they did not use the human's gold. But even if they did just keep him around the camp, he could be of some use. Maybe used if needed. Caged like an animal, like the humans caging the urgals. It would be vengence. Gormak let out another roar. He was going to take this human, dead or alive now. He could not risk his hunting grounds safety. The human could very well come back with more.

Gormak was willing to fight off a band of humans, but he was not sure how many the humans he would bring back with him. He could not leave his tribe to itself. No one fit to lead. Gormak took three giant steps and he was at the human's backside now. He swung his massive arm towards the ground in an attempt to knock him off the ground, and hopefully out of consciousness.

[tazcalbat]

I am sorry but my real life has been busy and I am unable to keep up my posts and I can't seem to stay active so I am going to take a break from role playing. I enjoyed role playing with you, and I am sorry that we won't be able to finish this thread.