Midnight RPG - Chapter 19.121

Andrew/Durgaz

This scene would take place the evening before Durgaz departs with the Arrows to head north (or the morning, if we are to travel at night.) I can't remember how much detail we went into on where and how Radagug was being held; I had imagined it as being fairly comfortable quarters, but with guards stationed outside the door to make sure he did not go anywhere. In any case, that is where Durgaz goes, walking past the guards and into his brother's room.

Durgaz: "I go north with the albai tomorrow, Radagug. I will not return to this place for a long time, if ever. Are you coming with us?"

RADAGUG

Somewhere deep within a thicket of brush columned within the tree-top cottages of the elven Hamlet, the 'cell' that was given to the orc Radagug stands seperate from the main community of the denizens of the Hamlet. By his very nature, as docile as the 'Freedom' could make him the orc that is Durgaz's brother still inspired fear and danger when brought into the elven community. Durgaz has been heralded a hero within the Hamlet - Radagug is neither a hero nor a willing and welcome guest.

Though at Durgaz's suggestion he has not been held in chains, his cottage is of less compliment than those of the pathwalkers. The tree hollows that would normally look out onto the prominade of the Academy of Whispers is barred over with the vines of the forest. Natural bars - but bars none-the-less.

Outside the grand oak along the massive branches looming some 75-100 feet over the forest floor stand the Maudre, the Summer Guard of the Elven people. Regal and solumn in nature, these warriors fear nothing but letting their people fall. That they will not see happen, if their armor, bows and spirit will have it.

the MAUDRE

As Durgaz walks closer to the elven guard, he can see their knuckles whiten... The natural way of things when faced with such a brute. This readied position is quickly overtaken by nods to the orc warrior that has been acclaimed by the Witch Queen herself. Knowingly the left guard reaches in pushing open the natural door to the cottage in which Radagug presides. Once open, Durgaz's eyes adjust to a darkened open room. The colors fade as a blackened room turns into the grayed interior illuminated by Durgaz's darkvision. His elder brother slumps in the crease of wall and floor directly to the opposite of the room as the door gapes open. Durgaz steps in and the door clasps behind him as the bark of the tree locks them inside.

Claw marks grind the wooden floor. Radagug doesn't sleep in trees, this is obvious. There is no dirt or mud for his feet and finger claws to grip into when the dreams come... The 'Freedom' gave way sometime in the night. The elder orc shivers on the floor, a slight white foam oozes from his lip. The smell of the room is a mix of urine, bile and fecies. You can hear the dry scrapes of your brother's finger nail-claws as they rake up and down his groin, an extreme rash from his alergy to "something elven" you would imagine...

Radagug is a discusting site. But this is the way of things. Orcs are not meant for this hovel within the trees. You know this because of the difficulty you've had 'adjusting' to what the others consider luxury. The bed (like yours) in Radagug's cottage has gone unused, save the rips and tears in the quits in search of nesting materials... A broth still bubbles in the cauldron of the fireplace from the day you put Radagug in this cottage, he hasn't eaten any of the "elf food", he's refused everything not to mention the Elven Teas.

The old orc gurgles. The gurgle slips into a lite growl as his dry voice cracks at you... "... n...norrrth?..." he questions... "...what is north to you deer bruther? Have you remembered you are not of the fairies amoung these filthy trees? Have your senses come back to you? No? Do you still ignore the Shadow Wives bruther? Tell me... what is it you creep toward the crack of doom for deer bruther? If it's guidenance you seek deer bruther, I can give you that - just give me a blade... huhuhuh...."

Radagug, almost playfully jests with you - as he would when you were children. Taunting but at the same time looking for answers that he never had. You always did have the answers he would say. You always thought you knew the way... So... brash... so... hateful. You finally see his eyes as your older brother looks up - his face is withered and tired, he can't sleep in this place. His cravings for the drug seem strong - but he won't ask you for more... that would be weak. He won't show weakness... not... again...

"huhhuh... coming WITH you bruther? Tell me where you're going... Tell me who these albai you go with are... My mind is my own even still, little bruther. Is yours?"

Durgaz

Radagug: "...what is north to you deer bruther? Have you remembered you are not of the fairies amoung these filthy trees?"

Durgaz: "You are correct. I do not belong here. The pollen in the air irritates my eyes; the bright lights and strong smells of plants in bloom make my skull ache. I cannot sleep in these beds of elf-make, and their food is bland and lacking in the flavors relished by our kind. But I am not here to enjoy myself. I am here to bring the Vile to justice, and to find out where I must travel next. I have done these things, and now I will be leaving."

Radagug: "Have your senses come back to you? No? Do you still ignore the Shadow Wives bruther?"

Durgaz: Durgaz pauses, staring intently into Radagug's beady black eyes. "I am no slave to the Shadow Wives any longer ... brother. And neither are you, if you only had the strength and vision to realize it. How many days have you been here, Radagug? How many hours have you slept? Are you dreaming?"

Radagug: "Tell me... what is it you creep toward the crack of doom for deer bruther? If it's guidenance you seek deer bruther, I can give you that - just give me a blade... huhuhuh...."

Durgaz: Durgaz reaches behind him, his left hand drawing a one-handed vardatch from a sheath at his waist and his right hand drawing the mighty vardatch he claimed from Talûn-karkû from its place across his back. Holding the one-handed vardatch by its blade, he extends the hilt to Radagug. Speaking in a low growl, in Orcish: "Watch yourself, Radagug the Dog. You could not hope to best me in a fair fight under the best of circumstances. If you wish me to give you a blade, so that you might give me 'guidance', take this one; and I will use my own to add your blood to the filth in which you you wallow."

(Consider that an Intimidate check, if necessary.)

Radagug: "huhhuh... coming WITH you bruther? Tell me where you're going... Tell me who these albai you go with are... "

Durgaz: "I will tell you nothing more than you need to know, and you need to know nothing. Do I understand that you would rather stay here, in this dingy prison of elf-make, and die in your own filth?"

"The albai I travel with are scouts, forest guards, wielders of bow and sword. From what I have seen, their tactics are not unlike the ones you yourself have made your own. Maybe there is something you could learn from them. Or they from you."

(This is a quasi-attempt to goad Radagug; comparing his wildlander technique to that of the Arrows is probably somewhat on par with telling your brother that he could play basketball for the WNBA. Sure, it's professional basketball, which is good, but my suspicion is that most guys would still take it as a backhanded compliment at best. In Durgaz's case, it should be clearly that he genuinely respects the Arrows' skills, but brings it up knowing that Radagug will probably not appreciate being compared to elves of any type.)

Radagug: "My mind is my own even still, little bruther. Is yours?"

Durgaz: "Is it? Good. Then any decisions you make are yours as well, and the consequences yours to suffer. So I will offer you this choice once more; travel to the north with me and the albai, or stay here in your hovel until I return to offer you another choice, knowing that that day may never come. I took you from the Vile's camp to offer you options, and here is your first one. If you do not choose to take it, it is not my place to force you."