CMP Posted December 21, 2013 Author Posted December 21, 2013 "Ah, I meant to mean that if she distrusts humans, we can stop the building of this bridge...." "Not a possibility, I'm afraid. It's very close to completion already. You could already cross it, they're just putting the finishing touches on it before they open it."
Scorpiox Posted December 21, 2013 Posted December 21, 2013 "We could still blow it up." "And start a war? Not a good idea."
Scubacarrot Posted December 21, 2013 Posted December 21, 2013 "There'd be no grounds for a war if the cause of the explosion can not be traced back to the orcs. But we'll need more information before we decide on anything. I bet it'd be a pain to collect enough gunpowder where we're goin anyway."
Scorpiox Posted December 21, 2013 Posted December 21, 2013 "There'd be no grounds for a war if the cause of the explosion can not be traced back to the orcs. But we'll need more information before we decide on anything. I bet it'd be a pain to collect enough gunpowder where we're goin anyway." "This place is a powder keg. They'd hit first and ask questions later, believe me. In times like this no-body goes looking for the cause, both sides would club everyone they can reach."
Scubacarrot Posted December 21, 2013 Posted December 21, 2013 "Doubt it. The Paladin order may be a bunch of rabid dogs, the High Kingdoms however, are a den of politics. They can't just go and invade a land, they'd need a cause. Orcs and other greenskins everywhere would rise up, and the High Kingdoms would be in a bad spot."
Capt.JohnPaul Posted December 21, 2013 Posted December 21, 2013 "Well, let us find more information first. Approximately when will we meet our destination?"
Scorpiox Posted December 21, 2013 Posted December 21, 2013 "Doubt it. The Paladin order may be a bunch of rabid dogs, the High Kingdoms however, are a den of politics. They can't just go and invade a land, they'd need a cause. Orcs and other greenskins everywhere would rise up, and the High Kingdoms would be in a bad spot." "Whatever. However you want to explain it, we're not blowing up that bridge. People will die."
Capt.JohnPaul Posted December 22, 2013 Posted December 22, 2013 "People could die if we don't... just keep an open mind and let us get all the information before we start making decisions."
The Legonater Posted December 22, 2013 Posted December 22, 2013 No, Haldor's right, if we blow that bridge there will be war. In a way, the heightened politics would assure it - it's all a mess of alliances that would drag anyone in. You don't know what it's like here. There's just some things - many thing - in which war is practically a guarantee, a disaster like that is definitely one of them.
Capt.JohnPaul Posted December 22, 2013 Posted December 22, 2013 "I understand, but sometimes the inevitable happens.... I'm just saying we shouldn't make final decisions before we even hear what the clans have to feel about the matter."
CMP Posted December 22, 2013 Author Posted December 22, 2013 "Doubt it. The Paladin order may be a bunch of rabid dogs, the High Kingdoms however, are a den of politics. They can't just go and invade a land, they'd need a cause. Orcs and other greenskins everywhere would rise up, and the High Kingdoms would be in a bad spot." Olmstyr chuckled dryly. "We're orcs. A threat above such ramifications. A common enemy to all Kingdoms, you might say. A human war is a mess of politics and morality. Humans waging war on orcs is like....a hero slaying a dragon. It's almost the natural order of things. It would be foolish to expect any significant backlash against the Kingdoms if we were invaded by them. Orcs have stood alone since the ancient times. That, I think, is the largest mistake of our race." "Whatever. However you want to explain it, we're not blowing up that bridge. People will die." "I very much doubt we could do so anyway." No, Haldor's right, if we blow that bridge there will be war. In a way, the heightened politics would assure it - it's all a mess of alliances that would drag anyone in. You don't know what it's like here. There's just some things - many thing - in which war is practically a guarantee, a disaster like that is definitely one of them. "Exactly. Such a sudden event would be all they need to declare war." "I understand, but sometimes the inevitable happens.... I'm just saying we shouldn't make final decisions before we even hear what the clans have to feel about the matter." "Indeed. I don't know how to respond to the bridge, but I very much doubt war and destruction is the answer. Our first priority is the support of the clans. Then we can start thinking up of ideas. If we're lucky, we can secure said support at the Clanmeet." The hours passed mostly uneventfully. At times a flock of aepyorni would dart across the snow-layered plains speedily, or the cart would rumble past a wandering orc on the road. It was afternoon by the time Imaestym came into sight. Unlike Vim-Lhzar, this city was made mostly of stone, and the ground was flecked with pebbles and cobblestones to keep ruts from being dug into the ground. The buildings were taller, less makeshift. The architecture was nearer to that of the High Kingdoms than Vim-Lhzar. But they soon turned a corner and set their eyes on a small, rough building, stone padded with mud, loose bricks, and reinforced with wood. A spire was mounted on each corner of the building; one with a velvet red flag, another rich purple, the third a muddy olive, and the fourth a deep green. Olmstyr stopped the cart in front of it, tying the reins to a post outside and motioning for the heroes to climb out. A number of guards, each clad in four distinct styles, hovered near the entrance, but made way as Olmstyr led the heroes indoors, through a single, straight hallway. "This is the Taaln. The war-haven. This is the building in which Tarokai gathered the leaders of many clans. This is where war has been decided and declared from for centuries. Don't worry about your weapons. Forcing one to surrender them is a sign of mistrust. Just don't go waving them around too much. And don't honey your words like these are politicians. These are clan leaders and warlords, not kings and princes." He walked through one final archway, and the party came into a room. Eleven figures stood round a thick wooden table, divided into four groups, each one talking quietly amongst themselves. Their guide walked towards the only group of two. The other orc turned to him and the heroes. His hair was unusually neat for an orc, and underneath (mostly decorative) armor pieces, he wore surprisingly well-tailored robes. In one hand he held the mouthpiece of an elaborate oil pipe. "Ah, Olmstyr. Yreg il oroc. Was almost beginning to suspect you would fail to show up. Yet again." "Cal Karstaal, girahk anh avh tan dol durm, il nal oroc." Karstaal looked at Olmstyr hard for a moment, then laughed. "Aha, true enough, my friend! Perhaps I was hasty in doubting your scheme. These are the sellswords? Ah, sorry. Olmstyr insisted I refer to you as heroes for whatever reason. I'm sure whatever you do in the wide world is beneficial at least to somebody. Jaret here says he knows of your organization." The human fellow regarded the heroes with a close, measuring eye. One temple appeared to be plated in metal, a mess of scars deforming the side of his head, only half-covered by his hair. "Indeed. Heroica's made....quite a name for itself. I have dealt with them in the past." He paused. "The best you could hire, under these remarkably poor circumstances." Karstaal took a long drag from his pipe, a small plume of bittersweet smoke billowing into the already-thick air from the corner of his mouth. "Afraid I'll have to take both your words for it. Unless Olmstyr's little plan pays off, then you'll have to much to show for your efforts! But I would like to hear from them first. Why are humans - and elves, it seems - so willing to offer my poor, hostile country aid?"
swils Posted December 22, 2013 Posted December 22, 2013 Why are humans - and elves, it seems - so willing to offer my poor, hostile country aid?" "Aint it obvious? We're sellswords, after all. We're here for the reward, the glory! Hah!"
CMP Posted December 22, 2013 Author Posted December 22, 2013 "Aint it obvious? We're sellswords, after all. We're here for the reward, the glory! Hah!" "Fortune and glory, eh? Haha, I like this one! Wish my goals were that straightforward. Alas, I spend my days shipping culture into my land. When we did become so desperate as to have to treat culture like a resource?"
swils Posted December 22, 2013 Posted December 22, 2013 "Culture? What, ashamed of your roots? Though, I suppose the humans yer borderin' will be more likely to work with ya if you share their ways."
CMP Posted December 22, 2013 Author Posted December 22, 2013 (edited) "Culture? What, ashamed of your roots? Though, I suppose the humans yer borderin' will be more likely to work with ya if you share their ways." "Can't be ashamed of what you don't have. Culture's always been secondary to war to us. Or perhaps they were just indistinguishable from one another? No matter. I see the High Kingdoms not as enemies, but as a great opportunity. They're alight with culture, luxuries, wealth. We've grown as a race, yes. Economically, militarily, but culturally? You could find more in those filthy vikings. I measure countries by their new ideas, their works of art and technological advances, not by the size of their armies or territories. I see no reason not to embrace their offers of increased trade and contact with open arms!" "The other clan leaders would disagree." "Bah, they'd make an enemy out of a brick wall just to have something to fight." Edited December 22, 2013 by CallMePie
swils Posted December 22, 2013 Posted December 22, 2013 "And I bet they'd win that fight. War's as much a culture as the refinement you seek from the Kingdoms. Nothin' wrong with adoptin' some of their ways, but seems to me yours is a strong people, shouldn't be givin' that up lightly. That fightin' spirit'll keep you from gettin' walked all over in any later negotiations."
CMP Posted December 22, 2013 Author Posted December 22, 2013 "And I bet they'd win that fight. War's as much a culture as the refinement you seek from the Kingdoms. Nothin' wrong with adoptin' some of their ways, but seems to me yours is a strong people, shouldn't be givin' that up lightly. That fightin' spirit'll keep you from gettin' walked all over in any later negotiations." "I don't seek to quash our own culture. I want to refine it. I take the culture of the Kingdoms - usually only in the form of ideas, unfortunately - I take what I deem would blend well with our own, and apply it. You landed in Vim-Lhzar, I'm sure you've seen that city. Compare it to mine. This is expansion done right. Once we were squabbling about with mud huts, now look at it. The road, the stone architecture, attention to artistic detail given the respect it deserves. I don't think it is unreasonable to create cities in the vein of the Kingdoms, for theirs are spoken of with awe among the travelers and outsiders. I want to make Baltarok a country that's truly a privilege to live in. The other clans want us to keep stumbling about in the same darkness we've always have; they equate blood with culture without a second thought, then move on to discuss the next army improvements." Karstaal took another long drag on his pipe. "It's a waste of time. The Kingdoms wouldn't dare attack us. Whether our culture is unrefined or not, I hold the word of the great lords of the High Kingdoms in the highest esteem. They have everything, why go seeking war where there is none?" Olmstyr sighed. "I've told you, my friend, very few have forgotten the Invasion as easily as you have." "Those are memories, Olmstyr, of days long past. Don't be so quick to condemn war as inevitable when we've given the Kingdoms no reason to attack us."
The Legonater Posted December 22, 2013 Posted December 22, 2013 Karstaal makes a good point. I've lived in the glory of the High Kingdoms. Vim-Lhzar is a far cry from it. Restructuring their culture into something more tangible, more applicable can only mean good for the orcs here.
Scubacarrot Posted December 22, 2013 Posted December 22, 2013 "Culture. As in fancy paintings and long-winded books from the High Kingdoms. If it's culture you want, the High Kingdom's the last place I'd turn to. Take Eubric, it's a melting pot from every race and land in world, what comes out is a fantastic mixture that is still it's own." The raider smirks as he realizes this may be the first positive thing he's said about Eubric. "Anyway, your people should find your own culture, not try and become the second High Kingdoms, and be consumed by them. Not that a bunch of sellswords should give anyone advise on these matters."
CMP Posted December 22, 2013 Author Posted December 22, 2013 Karstaal makes a good point. I've lived in the glory of the High Kingdoms. Vim-Lhzar is a far cry from it. Restructuring their culture into something more tangible, more applicable can only mean good for the orcs here. "Precisely. Our culture is unique, but unrefined." "Culture. As in fancy paintings and long-winded books from the High Kingdoms. If it's culture you want, the High Kingdom's the last place I'd turn to. Take Eubric, it's a melting pot from every race and land in world, what comes out is a fantastic mixture that is still it's own." The raider smirks as he realizes this may be the first positive thing he's said about Eubric. "Anyway, your people should find your own culture, not try and become the second High Kingdoms, and be consumed by them. Not that a bunch of sellswords should give anyone advise on these matters." "The High Kingdoms are the only exposure to other customs we're going to get. We have our own culture. It's the same culture that kept us killing eachother in this wasteland for a thousand years. I'd like to get past the age when killing the most opponents in combat determines your social standing. We more or less are, we simply need fresh ideas and concepts. Being blocked off from the rest of the world doesn't do positive outside influence any good."
Scubacarrot Posted December 22, 2013 Posted December 22, 2013 "Sounds what you need is not risk a conflict with the High Kingdoms, but more trade, more foreign involvement."
CMP Posted December 22, 2013 Author Posted December 22, 2013 "Sounds what you need is not risk a conflict with the High Kingdoms, but more trade, more foreign involvement." "At long last, someone who understands the true purpose of this bridge. Is it so hard to believe the Kingdoms simply want to benefit both sides? Paranoia and bitter feelings are the only things breeding these unsavory suspicions of war."
Scubacarrot Posted December 22, 2013 Posted December 22, 2013 "...You missed my point. As long as the Paladin Order exists, especially in the High Kingdoms, do you really think that bridge is going to be used for trade only?"
CMP Posted December 22, 2013 Author Posted December 22, 2013 "...You missed my point. As long as the Paladin Order exists, especially in the High Kingdoms, do you really think that bridge is going to be used for trade only?" "Perhaps, perhaps not. The Kingdoms aren't going to attack us simply because of what happened centuries ago, we've done nothing to provoke them. Unless you count Bastala's little scheme....in any case, I don't see any reason to impose on their construction project." A blind, elderly orc across the table coughed suddenly. All the voices in the room fell quiet. "I believe we've each had the time necessary to discuss our thoughts with one another," he wheezed through his thick, yet wispy beard. "Are we all quite prepared to begin this Clanmeet?"
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