Bellatrix grins to Rorak and then turns to her sister.  "I don't need food anyway but really Gora?  We don't want to play?  Or are we just waiting for Kozryaka to have first go so she can decide whether he is worth her attentions?" She finally looks toward Kozryaka who is flirting with the Mountain Orc even though he seems oblivious to her charms.  "Am I right Kozryaka, or is this the trouble you warned me of?"

In reply to Rorak Silverfang (msg # 41):

with a sigh of displeasure hears the truth behind the words of Bell and the Gnoll.

"Indeed you both speak with wisdom that alas I lack. Conflict within a group is just a tool in the hands of the enemy.  Such a tool must be discouraged."

grasping her Great Axe Gora stands as she takes a swing at the foul mouthed Mountain Orc
This message was last edited by the player at 12:07, Mon 14 Sept 2020.

The mountain orc smiled bigger as Gora went to move, trying to hide her coming attack from the giant orc. Her deception failed. Much quicker than she thought he could react, Krucks moved his hands and grasped the handle of her great axe. The strength of her opponent was something to behold, as he disarmed her, and then took the great axe in both hands and broke it across his leg. "Think what you will, half-breed, but you have broken the truce of the gathering. By the rites of the One-Eyed, you will be in the arena this night, for the Gruumans must enforce and honor my challenge now. If you do not, flee, so that I and my clan will hunt you for sport." The mountain orc spoke, smiling cruelly before tossing the remains of the great axe into the fire. He moved with more assurance than you originally thought, and displayed an intellect that you feel was hidden behind a thin veneer of savagery.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:32, Mon 14 Sept 2020.

Kozryaka blinked at Bellatrix in genuine surprise, then let out a great resonant cackle punctuated by smacking the pot seemingly oblivious to the heat. But her amusement turns to mild alarm at the swung axe.

"Fists Gora. Fists inside the war-camp

You speak lies, Krucks of the Worms, this Gora has drawn no blood." She drew a weary sigh.

"Fret not for this humble witch. If he was of that mind, he's brought me no trophies or war or hunt, the deeds of my ancestors are not praised on his lips, only his own. If he sought that I would challenge him prove himself with that fight he says he'll easily win, but unarmed, and unarmored as I fight.

I would call stoneless a warrior who see a woman's lumber axe and feels so afraid he calls it a mortal threat, but then Gora two-bloods says she is two things warrior and woman. Maybe axe is two things: Gathering tool and challenge. Maybe Gora is angry she sees Krucks wearing her armor. Bellatrix two-bloods, how does your sister receive challenges, first blood, candle's time, knock out? Armed, unarmed, matched weapons?"

Bellatrix frowned.  "Unarmed and a candle's time sounds as though it may be of the most benefit to the Horde but perhaps we should first consider the rules.  How is 'unarmed' defined?  How large is the arena?  How long is the candle's time?  All these things are important."  She considers for a moment before adding.  "Does it mean unarmoured?  Do the fighters need to be alone and unaided? Since no blood was drawn, then presumably none must be shed."

At last she turned to Gora and asks, "What say you, sis?  Do you think you can take Falsetongue in the Arena?"

"Depends on time and needs. Candle's time we light a candle and fight until the candle burns itself out. Otherwise a fight might last for weeks. Any size candle can be used if both agree, but the danger is if victory is unclear a judge decides who won. I would advise until each combatant is either knocked out or forced to surrender, nothing ambiguous, no favoritism to hide behind, only strength and certainty.
Unarmoured, is unarmoured. No leather, no steel, not even a thick coat. If it amuses the horde, I will enter the arena naked and without weapons. Let the lust for the Beast no warrior has tamed, nut do not think this would stop my foes blood from flowing. I will long sing praises of any who could fight me thus on even terms without me drenching the arena with their blood. Let the blood and sweat that falls be an offering the HE-WHO-WATCHES, and let us see who provides which."
Kozryaka seemed amused by the whole notion of the fight. At least losing to three women and a gnoll could be chocked up to a warrior biting off more than he could chew. Near as she could tell win or lose she risked no status and could splendidly display her prowess without risking utterly humiliating a poor warrior. If she did win she'd have done a great service to the Two-bloods and Rorak. She might be able to lean on that service to secure their support in some later conflict if she didn't overreach, especially if Gora got to claim some spoils from the victory, though these rules could make that a touch harder.

Bellatrix grins.  "So, we are saying, no weapons, no magic, no armour?  Or did nobody think to make rules on magic?  He has an edge in being a mountain, orc but we have an edge in being four.  We may also have an edge in magic.  If my drum does not count as a weapon, then perhaps I have a further edge.  We may also have other edges, but then, perhaps so does he."  She slows down again, perhaps deep in thought,  "If we say until knockout we then consider the contest itself.  What are the spoils?  What is the prize and what the price?"

 Like Kozryaka, Rorak moves with his hand up to stymie the axe-swing although he's stood further from the action than the participants and is therefore unable to do much that would prevent the subsequent chain of events from unfolding - events that cause him to glare down at Gora with a rare element of seriousness on his lips, invoking his status as a bard rather than that of a warrior to state "A horde is a savage place, filled with savage breasts... Spilling blood within it leads to more blood spilled. Do as you did again, or seek to do as you did and I shall see to it that your name is sung as that of a fool until the childrens children of those born today are old."

 Asides from that though he seems to generally approve of the way matters are going, although he can't help but note "That said, you'd have company with Krucks here." before turning his head back to Kozryaka and opening his jaws to speak, only to break out in sudden laughter as he's struck by a thought, "You'd not think it to look at me, but Gnoll women think they're the ones in charge... By an Orc's standards, he's just challenged four girls to a fight. I could go three moons and not find a better spark for a flyting-song, that and the chance to see Kozryaka here flex her muscles? I'm in!"

Karguk signaled to his fellow soup-mates and religious philosophers to come closer, and whispered to them.

"The mountain orc speaks true.  Gora must now face Krucks in the arena, as is tradition.  Even though he broke another tradition, that of peace during these gatherings, the challenge trumps it.  However, the mountain orc may have stepped too far: his wording allows other to aid if we wish.  Think on that."

In a louder voice, Karguk announces to the assembled orcs: "As Gruuman, I will enforce the tradition, We must avoid wasteful bloodshed and preserve the strength of the horde.  If any of the fighters break tradition, I will enforce the rules of the orcs."

Bellatrix grins at Rorak. "And two of us singers of songs so win or lose, the joke is going to be on him for generations.  It'll be a better story if we win though so let's make that happen.  And let's do do traditionally."

Bardic Knowledge - what is the wording of the tradition? 19 rolled

The mountain orc laughs at the gnoll and half-breed. "If you think I will allow you to ruin my standing, think again. I will show all the orcs in the Horde that I, Krucks, am greater than many foes, and that I will be the next Warlord to rally a Horde, one in which not even your pathetic lies will delay my greatness! A candle mark (One Hour) will work for me, and as for the cave orc's request for no armor or weapons, I agree if there is no magics or supernatural abilities allowed. As for rewards, the rewards are the honor of facing a true warrior, and proving yourself before the Horde that you are worthy of it! Of putting your words where your mouth is. The dishonor your half-breed has shown places your very lives in danger, this would be a way to prove their honor." He spoke cruelly, before grudgingly respecting Karguk's statement. It was true.

The witch scoffed, shaking her head scolding the braggart "What standing Krucks? You want to show off how you can beat four at once, but three are women and one a gnoll, and I've made no claim of being a warrior. Aren't you a warrior? Don't you possess a warriors heart? A warriors skill at combat?

I should accept your challenge forbid approaching and name spells as our only weapons, you would lose of course but no glory in it. I want to see the warrior you claim to be. Where is he? In you or your tools?

Weapons and armor are tools, witches have our own tools, but I offer to fight without any of my tools only my skill and that power which I was born with. Is the power of your raging warriors heart not equal to my magic? Are my skill greater than yours? Am I not offering a fair fight? You could admit this and still be called a warrior, but I thought you wanted to prove something by doing something worthy of boasting. Tell me if I bring no object into the arena but myself and my skill what do you need to bring into arena to feel yourself on even ground with me?"
This message was last edited by the player at 08:12, Tue 15 Sept 2020.

Bellatrix nodded.  "Now that you mention it, I'm not a warrior either, at least not in any accepted sense.  Gora's a warrior though.  What about you Rorak?  Are you a warrior?"  Then she frowned.  "I seek power but a power not known to man nor woman and not known to warrior or witch.  A power which will bring victory to Urzag's Horde even though I have neither the strength of the warrior nor the wisdom of the witch.  While you, Krucks have the size of a mountain and the strength of a bear.  I have only the size of a child and the cunning of a fox.  Nevertheless, I stand with my sister."

"Well couldn't ask someone especially a woman to fight without the use of their brain. One can hardly expect a gnoll to stop singing. If you're worried we wouldn't object if you stuffed wool in your ears. Haven't heard him sing yet, we may wish we had done so. It is plain to my witch eye that axe and armor are mightily enchanted. Are you naught but tricks Krucks? Did you claim one on four, planning to make it three on your side with magics not from yourself and facing only one man on ours? It's simple enter with but yourself and your skill, and by your skills any skills triumph or fall."

 "Me? No girl, I'm a hunter! I was born to the hunt... I tore the throat from my first prey before I saw my fourth winter, in the burrows under our village... But I've slain warriors, and those who called themselves warriors... So I suppose I'll do when the lights are out." Rorak counters, grinning amenably as he does so, the expression one that's both gleeful and ferocious at once, before snorting again as his likely gifts are assessed by Kozryaka, throwing in a second confrontation to go with the one they're both facing as he happily growls "That sounds like a challenge. After we've slapped Krucks here around the arena a little, I'll take you up upon it." at the witch, before clarifying "Give me an ancestor and their deeds and I'll set them to song, then we'll see if you listen to the end."

Karguk watched the unfolding drama in front of him, and shook his head.  This will be an interesting combat, to be sure.  Orcs are not usually known for their wits, but Krucks would already be defeated if that is what was being tested.

Gora snarled in frustration, all of the words playing between the others. "I be tired of this talk, weapons or no weapons, armor or no armor, I accept your challenge. I don't need anyone else. I be kicking your rear around the arena with me double axe!" She said, waving off any aid.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 21:59, Sat 19 Sept 2020.

Krucks snorts in laughter "You have more bravery than I thought, man-souled woman. Weapons and Armor, Spells and whatever else you can think of, I will face you and whoever of your companions here will have the bravery to face me in the arena. I shall show you what a true orc is capable of. If you survive, perhaps I shall rethink my opinion of allowing women and half-breeds in my future Horde!" He spoke, walking away confidently.

One hour later, when you arrive at the arena, four clerics of Gruumsh wait in blood red robes and armor, weird staves that look like they can hold and pin someone down are held in each hand, a common tool for use in these situations. A rather large group of orcs have shown up, looking eager for blood to be spilt, and knowing that it would probably be an interesting match up between a mountain orc and the coming group. Krucks is there, waiting with his breastplate and great axe, though now he has a white cloak upon his back, but upon closer inspection, it is a hide cloak made from what looks like white dragon scales.

Gora arrives at the arena, double axe ready. Her chainshirt was in good order, and she waited to see who would arrive to aid her, and who would be there to watch the combat.

Bella could not fail to aid her sister.  More to the point, she boiled with the desire to shake the arrogance out of the big mountain orc.  She wore studded armor but other than that had only tools, nothing that Orcs would usually consider weapons.

Without swords or axes or even a bow, she stepped into the ring and quietly offered a high five to her sister.  "Let's make him eat his vegetables." she said.

 Under the assumption that he gets some sort of answer to his challenge, Rorak joins the little gathering at the challenge circle, although not without throwing off his bardic cloak and setting his instrument aside (it's generally agreed to be bad form to fight a bard, but equally bad form to hide behind being one when called out) so that he goes into the ring with only his sword - a short, broad-bladed chopping weapon - mail shirt and the greaves and bracers that accompany it.

 Taking up a place on the far flank of Bellatrix from Gora, he rolls his shoulders impressively and gazes at the gathered witnesses as he growls "Seems strange to be gathering for a challenge against only one foe. Will no-one stand with you?" to their opponent.

Bellatrix rolled her eyes and looks sidewise at Rorak shaking her head in dismay.

Gora nods her greeting and thanks as Bella arrives, smiling slightly. She had broken the peace of the gathering, and now she would pay the price. "I thank you, both, for coming to my aid. I broke the truce of the gathering, and I will prove my honor, in battle, against the mountain troll." She spoke harshly, snickering slightly at her alliteration of Krucks.

Kozryaka scowled stepping into the arena wand in hand, and fully armed and armored "Grumaan," she called toward the priest overseeing the fight. "I am drawn into this foolish challenge. This worm child Krucks has broken the peace, spoken lies, and displayed weakness. He rejected fair fights less likely to invite his death. He chose this fight. I could not fail to answer his lies. I will not be able to be gentle with him hiding behind magics not his own, so the line between his defeat and the WHITE HANDS will be thin.

I serve the MOTHER. I heal the horde.

But, if you are slow in calling his defeat, even my connection with her may not loosen the WHITE HANDS' grip on him."

The Grumaans' turn and listen to Kozryaka, before looking over your group. "We see no weakness, we hear no lies, we smell no blood upon upon you or he. Both challenger and the challenged have arrived here to settle the broken peace. You were not directly challenged, if you are unwilling to risk your life, then leave. Other's have given witness to the attack, and Gora Half-breed violated the peace." The Grumaan closest to you spoke, looking down his porcine snout at you.

Krucks laughs at Rorak's question. "I gave my conditions, dogman. I do not care how many choose to join the half-breed, my honor is not at stake. I, Krucks, Slayer of Wyrms, was attacked by Gora the half-breed, in our most honored and sacred gathering. Her great axe lays broken for her attempt, but I will have justice for her actions. Krucks fights before the Horde to bring honor back to the gathering! Urzag the Vile has yet to even show his face before us, and yet he desires to bring the mountain tribes under his banner! Pah! Let it be known that I, Krucks, shall one day lead the greatest Horde the surface will ever see!" He spoke, ignoring the mutterings of some of the orcs who gathered to watch the combat. To beat a foe who violated the peace was one thing, to disparage the current Warlord of the Horde...and few had seen Urzag during the last few weeks. The Grumaans did not contest anything that Krucks spoke of, as it had no baring on the arena.