Karikhanot stumbles into the Shelic camp, arriving with the morning sun. He says nothing, and acknowledges no one, before entering a tent and collapsing in a heap.
“Stay close,” Khan says to the boar, before exhaustion overcomes him.
Dur’dan rises from his makeshift bed and rubs the memories from his beard. “Gather the survivors, I suppose I should address them directly.”
When the men are ready he will address them, “Alright Dwarves I am proud to have fought next to such fearless warriors. You all did your clans proud. However we are not done yet and I call on you that have survived to put your lives in harms way once again. We have fought and died at Oth Ungrill so that we may build a powerful ally with the People of the Voice. Now we fight for our new home, for a start at a new life. You blessed few will have the opportunity to be the first to see and fight and die for it. And be forever remembered for your sacrifice, to go down in the tomes and live forever in story. We will wait three moons before setting out to retake Nal Oddosk, any that are able will join me, you all know what happens to deserters. Until then try to not die to the sun. If you have questions direct them to Barris here who will relay them to me.”
Dur’dan coughs and treads back to his tent, calling on his Shelic caretaker to bring him food and drink while he rests. He will also send Barris to tell Khan about his travel plans.
I meant 3 days by the way. Was unaware that ‘moons’ actually means months. so yahhhh 3 days…
People need to start posting or Wayne Brady will start choking bitches.
Hob’s drool forms a small stream of spittle that gathers onto a depression on his pillow, like a lazy estuary into a brackish swamp.
John and his men will lay the human fallen to rest. At some point, John will find and thank Tusk.
Karikhanot’s survivor’s guilt only grows stronger as time passes. In the evening, the day after the battle, Khan leads his new companion boar into the desert, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the rest of the war-weary soldiers. Alone in the dry heat is where Khan is his best. His mind is clear, and his spirit sings.
Other men see the Burning Sea as a burden, or trial which must be endured and suffered through. Khan knows better. The desert is pure. Uncomplicated. Uncontaminated. It brings out the best in anyone who tests themselves against it. After all, no luscious prairie or nurturing forest could have spawned Bloodjaw, or even Khan himself. The orc was an abomination, for sure. But he was also a mighty force of will, forged in the fire of the Burning Sea, living proof that the desert takes no sides, and cares nothing for justice or fairness. Much like the boar beside him. To Khan, there is a strange comfort in that dependability.
Karikhan hates the boar. It is devoted and loyal in a way none other than Khan would understand. The animal would die for Khan, but he despises it, and what it represents.
“You are my Burden,” Khan explains to the beast. “You stink of the filth you carried into battle, and yet I must endure you, for the sake of my task. The Voice demands the service of the mightiest champions, and I will obey.”
Burden. A most appropriate name.
Khan does not neglect or mistreat the beast, but will never show it affection. Together, he and Burden walk toward the site of the days-old Shelic massacre, which Khan had attempted to investigate before the battle. He no longer expects to find guidance there, but it is a brilliant excuse to avoid the others while he clears his head. Khan expects to be back at the camp before Dur’dan orders the army to the abandoned delve.
I’m going to be fast-forwarding a bit. Expect a biggie by some point tomorrow. If anyone is doing anything else during the current day (besides Khan’s investigation) you should mention it now.
Dur’dan will be taking this time to heal and try getting his arm functioning again. He will also take time out of his daily routine to walk around the Dwarven Camp and do whatever he can to get the spirits and morale of his surviving troops up. Telling stories of the glory days and of the beauty of the Lost Delve and thier future home.
Wayne Brady is getting that itchy itchy urge… to do some chokin’!
I think ACM is indisposed at the moment. He hasn’t updated his character in Shadowrun for a while, either, and his last post on the boards was Monday morning.
Hob’s foot twitches a bit.
Dur’dan is getting restless sitting in his tent. Every now and again he gets the urge to want to throw himself on his own axe. But he remains vigilant.
dude i would damn near suck dick to get this thread moving again…
You can suck Hob’s dick. He’s in a coma and wouldn’t notice.
you know there are some pretty twisted souls out on the internet that would pay big money for some midget on midget action like that. i however shudder at the thought LOL
If the story does not continue by Monday Dur’dan will go crazy and axe murder the entire party and then throw himself on his own axe to end everyone’s suffering.
starting with Hob… He’s closest…
He’s axing me. Then he’s going to axe you too! OH MY GOOOOOOOD!
I hate to link to it if I am the bearer of bad news, but I believe Autolycus has died. If I was whooshed about this, I am deeply sorry.