Nwofia nods to Tahra.  "Possibly.  but it looks like just another battle to be honest."

It's a daring ploy...

But Alayna has one thing on her side.  Orcs know a lot about battle.  They are alert for the standard tactics and tricks of combat.  If she were to suddenly attack the Orc by surprise, it might be off its guard for a few moments.

This kind of thing, though, no, Orcs do not consider these things.  No one impersonates spirit powers.

Especially since even when the idols are mere statues, the spirits they represent are generally real, and do not take impersonate lightly.  It is insulting to immortal beings. It's possible that the being the Orc was addressing senses the deception, and maybe the sudden rush of all the crows from the fields outside towards the building, squawking and hooting loudly, was meant as a warning to Gnashrip.

But Gnashrip is too stunned by the fact that there is actually a voice.

For a few moments, the Orc stammers, not prepared to have his patron actually speak.  If anything, the feathered chatter outside only reinforces his belief.

"Speak to me!" the Orc grunts, overjoyed to have gotten such direct attention.  "What must I do?"

Outside, the others see two dozen crows gathered around the house, making a lot of noise.

Tahra grimaces. Alayna...she's part of the show, and the show must go on. Her chuckle almost is a cackle. Break a leg...but if a leg must be broken, let is not be ours.

Thara moves out toward the commotion.

Nwofia sighs. "Drunkards and battles" she mutters as Tahra moves out of hiding and she remains hidden with her sling ready should Gnashrip realise a ploy is happening... why then a slingshot could be a thunderbolt, praise be unto the Hidden Goddess.

The noise of the fluttering, squawking birds gives cover to Nwofia and Tahra as they move.

They can get close enough to peak inside.

They can see the Orc, and though they cannot see Alayna, who is hiding, they can hear her voice.

The Orc does not seem to notice them.

Alayna thought a long moment, then answered, still disguising her voice. Her voice is rough, and makes a very disgusting sound to begin with.

Nwofia remains hidden, watching, sling primed and ready should it be desirable or necessary to end Gnashrip's existence.

Tahra waits. She is looking in directions opposite to the way Nwofia is looking.

One of the things about speaking to idols...

Most people, Orcs included, are just a little skeptical when an idol suddenly speaks.  On the other hand, the kind of people who spend a lot of time speaking to them are generally the kind who are not skeptical when they speak back.  After all... it's what they were waiting for.

But on the third hand:  Most of those who talk to deities assume the deity shares their moral outlook.  People... including Orcs.. generally don't expect to have any real moral differences with their deity of choice.

The Orc is a little puzzled.  He reaches the logical conclusion:  whatever he has been doing hasn't been wrong, it merely hasn't been enough!

He gives the statue a look of earnest commitment (assuming one can tell the facial expression of an Orc, which is not easy) and raises a fist, and announces his intentions, in Orcish.


The Orc rises, looking quite eager and ready, and turns towards the door.

Tahra hears, and understands, Orc.

Nwofia hears but does not understand a word of orcish, nor does she have any real clue of orcish facial expressions but she knows the raised fist.  She whispers to Tahra, "Should we kill him?"

Alayna was frozen in shock, unsure what to do next. Could she stop him? Or would her being there... Oh! Of course, if he brought the others back and it was proven to be her, then he would be disgraced.

Of course, then she might get killed.

She watched him leave, her mind a whirl with the possibilities. It made her wish she had brought someone with her...

Tahra hears the Orc interpret the idol's "instructions"- find Pugnant and make him see the glorious truth of what must be done.  Or.. something like that.

"Unity" the Orc grunts.  "I understand."

He heads out the door, back the way he came.  He is not moving with the speed or desperation that he had before, but there is a sense of purpose and certainty- an Orc who knows what he's doing.

He just spoke to his deity, after all, and the deity answered.



The Orc is on his way back to Cambete.

Once he left, and she was sure he was out of sight, Alayna made her way out of the building. She was a bit shaky, being the youngster she was, and still getting over her fright. She stood in the doorway, swaying a bit, then began the slow walk back to the village.

She sees Tahra in Gnashrip's sight. [I think the posts don't conflict.I was on the slow side, thinking whether I wanted to post this. Free obvious advice, if all goes well, don't look like you came out of the building.]

Tahra gets a move on so, when Gnashrip comes out, he sees her with upright broom in hand, her red hair partially obsuring her face. She speaks in Orc. I have come, an answer also. You prayed. You heard an answer. Unity, yes. Pugnant, yes. ...glorious truth of what must be done. Yes, I am a human but best you take me to see Pugnant. I now speak in Latin, for many powers are at work.

Her voice rises. I am just one of three. I call on two others. I am red, blood of life; gray, color of the maybe futures. First I call on one who has the skin of night but can stand the harshest rays of sun. She fears not the darkest of deeds; she fears not the brightest of lights. And I call on one more a small half-elf. Gnashrip, are you strong enough to abide the presence of a half-elf, one who is no danger to you?  She is freedom and discipline personified.

Yes, you have seen us at the show, for we have to mingle in the world. And we have seen you and are willing to walk beside you.

What say you?

Nwofia returns her sling to its place and holds her staff at ease, as though having no intention of using it in a fight (which indeed she does not, for her hand is always close to the hidden hilt of the dagger).  She walks beside Tahra in utter silence.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:36, Mon 28 Jan 2019.

Alayna skidded to a stop as she saw her fellow performers ahead of her. What in the world were they doing here? As she walked closer, she saw Tahra was talking to... Gnashrip? She went even more pale, bit her lip, then walked closer.

One very puzzled Orc stops.  At first, he begins to draw his weapon.  Then pauses.  After all, he's on a divine mission and can't afford diversions.

"I must get Pugnant," he says.  "Orcs must be united"*

"Just one Human woman," he grunts after looking over Tahra**.  "You listen to me.  We go, if this is a trick you will die.  We go back to town, and I am watching for tricks."



*Orcish is a language in which words carry meanings that aren't always the same as their Human translations.  The Orcish word that comes closest to "united" means "fighting on the same side". 

**Orcs also have a tendency to assume human women don't fight and therefore, it brings no glory to attack them without reason.  Although, sport can be a reason.

Tahra holds up a hand, palm toward Gnashrip. She says in Orc Thank you for not killing me and for the warning. She switches to Latin. I hear you. Good that Orcs be united. Questions are, "United for what purposes? And, if united against, against what and why.

A bat flutters down to sit on her shoulder. In Latin Her name is Hyastenas. Mine is Tahra.

Alayna stays back. She understands the Orcish, not the Latin. So she stays in the shadows. No need for Gnashrip to know who she really is.

Nwofia understands the Latin but not the Orcish, but that's not why she doesn't speak.  She looks like a shadow or a Garamantean Drow, but doesn't have the accent of either.  Better to remain silent.

Orcs do not like questions, especially those involving "Why?"  Questions get tricky, and "Why" questions are the worst of them.  Some Orcs think the whole concept of "Why?" was invented by Elves, it is exactly their sort of thing.

"Together in one force, Orcs are stronger, better for winning," Gnashrip says, getting on his way again.

"Not my problem that Bat has name.  But okay.  This is most important day.  When we were beaten in battle I could not understand.  We had obeyed every command.  We had fought well.  I was the last survivor of a small group cut off, escaping.  But fleeing.. is not brave.  I hid here, and I promised to not eat, not drink, until our great overlord Furcas spoke to me from the Infernal Realm.  Since then, some times, Furcas has made little whispers in my head.  Today... today was special.  This is most important, and we must not be slow.  We must go find Pungent.  We will reclaim Cambete, and glory!"

Let us go then. Be wise, Gnashrip.

Alayna let them get ahead, then moved up next to Nwofia. "Okay, that was scary," she whispered. "Gnashrip thinks his Demon lord spoke to him, but it was me. Now he wants to bring the others to show how powerful he is. What if they are not so stupid? What if I'm caught?"

Despite herself, the part-Elf was shaking with fear.

Nwofia grins to Alayna.  "Don't worry", she whispers, "If he tries and fails..." There is something savage about Nwofia's grin.  Leopards cannot grin but if they could, their grins would look much like this.  "Why then, you are not the one in danger."