Bryon grinned, ”You hear that Druk? The ONLY way this works is if you sleep with me. Ohhh darn.” She snapped her fingers as if to say “oh well we gotta” but really this is what she has wanted since she met Druk. She wiggled her brows, ”Wanna kiss me again?”

Finding a very safe place to rest.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:58, Thu 19 Nov 2020.

The party, especially Bryon and Druk, but possibly not Mystal, would be aware that Orcs very, very rarely desire to sleep with Humans, and consider the Human (and Elven) mythology surrounding this to be part of what makes Humans and Elves so insufferable.

From the Orc point of view:  Of course Humans and Elves would imagine that they are so beautiful that everyone else desires them.  They are THAT full of themselves.  Somehow, Gnomes and Dwarves know better.

But the average Orc would think, if faced with the possibility:  "Get a grip, Human, you are weak, you are smooth and soft like a frog, and you barely smell, who would ever want you?"

Of course it happens from time to time.  It can usually be attributed to one of several things:  An Orc with somewhat atypical tastes, a Human with atypical tastes, both, or an Orc playing into Human/Elven fears and using this as a form of punishment.  Often, alcohol is involved.

It is good that it does not happen more often, from the Orc point of view.  Half Orcs can be useful.  Often they have skills and abilities that the Orc community in general is lacking.  Or they can act as go betweens, linking Humans and Orcs when the dread Gnomish magic of "Eek!-A-Gnome-iks" makes it desirable to do so.  There is even one Orc queen who has it in her head that Half Orcs make superior leaders so she is going out of her way to create them.  But Orcs on the whole would not appreciate large numbers of degenerate semi-Orcs running around, especially if they had any of that annoying, smug Human sense of superiority.

Bryon and Druk have both observed life in Massilia- Orcs generally leave Humans alone.  Druk, in his experience, would have noted that some Humans have a sick fantasy that all other creatures must lust after them, but this just annoys Orcs.  Only Humans and Elves have those strange ideas- perhaps not coincidentally, Humans and Elves also lust after each other.    Orcs find this bizarre too.

Bryon decided right now was a good time to shut up. SHe did just that, not saying anything, which was very rare for her.

Greynull fetches the horses so the group is ready to move out.

You can couple if you want.


Druk says to Greynul and Bryon. We need a better cover story - this is silly.

What did you hear whale we were there?

Bryon shook her head, "Only Greynull saying we should leace."

Mystal knows. We are conspicuous.

Bryon heard a new word, which was always exciting. "What does Con-spik-you-us mean?"

Easily sensed. Easily noticed with little or no effort. Seen, heard, smelt.

Bryon gave a little squeak of joy, "Oh yes, I am very that..." Then she began humming to herself.

I can travel alone, separate from you. I can change my disguise to a half-Orc...a landed sailor or a farmer running away. That could help with these people.

Druk muses.

It is merely a tavern crew, though, and for the most part, though they are curious, they don't ask questions, and whatever speculations they have are merely kept for their own amusement.

What else is there to talk about other than peculiar guests?

They have ideal "Orc Quarters" for Druk, of course- in the basement.  Most Orcs prefer it.  Creatures from deep, dark, places, they have always been a little suspicious of the sun, and the entire surface world.  Even if they desire to conquer it.

For the non-Orc party, the rooms are actually quite nice.  This is like many former wealthy homes- the nobles fled when they could, carrying all the gold they could, family heirlooms, silks and gems.  But furniture?  No, that stayed, to be claimed by those left behind.  Many of the miserable little taverns across the Goth occupied lands have excellent furnishings.

Orcs naturally dislike soft beds.  Soft beds breed soft bodies, they say.

By now Bryon had forgotten where they were going. In fact this place reminded her of her last job. She it wasn't. Even as she wandered down to breakfast the next morning, she wondered what wonderful adventures awaited.

Mystal spent the night resting in a secure location, occasionally stiring she watched the townsfolks activity. When she woke in the morning she forged for a morning meal then slipped into the common room to see what the long legged's would be arranging for the day

Greynull shared the sleeping area, but not the bed. Instead, he slept in in his bedroll on the cold, hard floor. Weapons are at his side.

The dawn brings a new day, very calm, a little cloudy.

The little tavern is very quiet in the morning; they expect their Orc guest to sleep late like Orcs generally do, and don't want to wake him.

There's an addition to the crew this morning, and elderly man with a wooden leg who hobbles around with aid of a cane.  He seems adept with it, obviously this is an old injury and he's adapted.  He looks like someone who despite his condition does an awful lot of physical labor with the body parts he still has left.

A little more talkative and bolder than the others, he notes that he's never seen you pass through here before.  He mentions a few things about the route ahead, but it's clear he thinks you are going WEST, when in fact Olbia is EAST.  It just seems automatic to him that you are going west.

Speaking of automatic:  there is no choice with breakfast.  It's just breakfast.  Porridge, eggs, bread.  Breakfast, like every day.  A little bacon for Orcs.

Finishing her morning meal Mystal found a perch in  the rafters to wait for the long legged Nepris to do so as well. Perching on a topcord she watched the various long legged's activities.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 05:26, Sun 06 Dec 2020.

Greynull sits in a corner and eats methodically. He waits for Druk or Bryon to move out so he can follow.

Bryon applauded the breakfast. While it was simple it was also delicious. She gobbled it up and then sat back. She looked around at tried to learn something about this place. Her inattentiveness made this nearly impossible.

Druk eats more and glutunously takes the bacon.

Of course you haven't seen me come through here before but you have now. Sometimes humans make no sense. It's not that hard.

What other roads are come this way? - besides the one to the west. Do you have any trade?

Druk maintains the crude straightforward talk of a Raider and trader looking for opportunities.

"The other Orcs have all gone east," the old man says to Druk.  "I know the look of Orcs marching off to war.  All hungry for glory and blood, all knowing half of them will come back if they're lucky, but eager for it all the same.  You, sir, do not have that look, nor are you travelling with a troop. You are not seeking war.  You are one of those occasional Orcs with other ideas.  I don't see many of them.   But since the war is east, and they'll skin you alive if they think you are shirking your part, you must be going west.  You're some kind of merchant?"

Bryon became lost in thought again. In her head there was a grand ball ongoing in this humble Tavern. All the people stood and found dance partners. She found one as well and she began to hum the tune in her mind.

Greynull is considering whether a boat ride would be best, if passage is available.

I shirk NOTHING! Earned my glory on the Sea! I'll have you and your tongue for any more lies. Oktar says with conviction.
I go East, a coast maybe to find opportunity to kill enemies or take glory, My way. There was no ship when we left and I only need knowledge of the land routes and trade.