Hand of the Mist
Committed
Roleplay posts: 57
Registered: Mar 26, 2021 0:51:23 GMT -5
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Post by Hand of the Mist on Aug 15, 2023 20:29:12 GMT -5
Perched among the clouds is a lake nestled between vast mountains. Pines and ferns are smattered across the landscape, painting the land green. A dirt pathway, clearly abandoned and overgrown, spirals up the domino of mountains and across several bridges built long ago. The highest peaks are tipped with snow in the summer. The entire area is doused in the winter, and the lake freezes over.
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Liriel
New
Roleplay posts: 9
Age: 119
Appearance: Young and with a gray skin, 200cm tall, leather armor and white hair
Equipment: He only poses a dagger and a water skin
Skills and Abilities: Brilliant strategist and a silet killer and and very good at brewing poison, both the ones that get you drunk and the ones that get you killed
Biography: Liriel was born in the Royal family and it's the dark elf prince, he hated the society of slavers and all around evil people he was borned into, he denied his surname and people.
Registered: Aug 14, 2023 13:58:14 GMT -5
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Post by Liriel on Aug 16, 2023 17:50:38 GMT -5
As soon as Liriel reached land he looked at the crow and said "Fruit," and the bird started flying. The dark elf ate mostly fish vegetables and fruits so for now he would start foraging for food in the direction hoping he could find a fresh water source he could take advantage of.
He had an open ear and was in high alert, he didn't know what or who lived in this strange new place but he was happy to have the chance for a new beginning.
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Kroe
Established
Roleplay posts: 21
Age: 32
Appearance: Though leaner than most of his kind, Kroe stands several inches above six feet with more than two hundred pounds to his frame. He has pale green skin and pale hair, often tied up with some twine and braided. Small tusks protrude from his lower jaw. This, together with his pointed ears and silver eyes, may tip some off about his odd heritage. He wears a menagerie of piercings, one in his brow and several many of them adorning his ears.
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Equipment: Kroe could barely save his favored scimitar after the flood, but that was all. He fished a waterlogged buckler from a bloated corpse floating by the boat. Otherwise, he has nothing but the clothes on his back.
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Skills and Abilities: Though a skilled swordsman, Kroe seems much better at ambushing and positioning. He's a bit husky to be a rogue, but the rogue life chose him, not the other way around.
He also has a peculiar gift for enchantment, though it isn't something he likes to talk about.
Registered: Mar 23, 2021 20:57:56 GMT -5
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Post by Kroe on Aug 16, 2023 21:54:47 GMT -5
It had taken some time to hike up the ridge to the mountains, but Kroe was glad to make it here. After traveling for weeks and meeting other straggling strangers, he found himself alone again. Though loneliness swirled inside his heart as though it were an endless void, he found solace in not having to worry about what others thought of him. Every single time he came in contact with another, he feared his tusks and green skin would either frighten or enrage them. If not that, then surely the silver hair and eyes would drive them to strike him down. Time and again, his fears were proven to be just that- fears. Nothing palpable. Nothing realized. And yet still it wore him down to be near others, as his thoughts never strayed from the nightmares that could happen were he to let his walls fall away.
That was the reason he journeyed here, up the mountains and to the lake. No one had settled here for a long, long time. Not only that, but it looked just like the mountains where he lived with Talanashta. Even with her reputation clouding her name, no one could find her in the mountain lake back home. Not even on her dying day.
For several long weeks, the half-orc had gone to work on cutting down trees high up on the mountain past the old, sturdy bridge. He found a place where a massive boulder sunk deep into the ground but hung just far enough over an edge that it made a small cave. The work was hard, as the air was thin this high up and the cold was beginning to cut into his lungs. It kept his mind busy, from thoughts too mournful to remember. From this cave, he would plan his cabin. All he had was a worn axe, but he would make do from here. It had to be done quickly, else the winter would take him before the days became long and dredging.
On this particular day, he was outside, hair pulled back with twine to keep it out of his eyes. He was pulling the trunk of a fallen tree- not too large, but still fairly impressive for one man to carry on his own- by leather straps. He paused only to look at the bird flying overhead, eyes narrowing. Strange, he hadn't seen that particular type of bird here before.
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Liriel
New
Roleplay posts: 9
Age: 119
Appearance: Young and with a gray skin, 200cm tall, leather armor and white hair
Equipment: He only poses a dagger and a water skin
Skills and Abilities: Brilliant strategist and a silet killer and and very good at brewing poison, both the ones that get you drunk and the ones that get you killed
Biography: Liriel was born in the Royal family and it's the dark elf prince, he hated the society of slavers and all around evil people he was borned into, he denied his surname and people.
Registered: Aug 14, 2023 13:58:14 GMT -5
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Post by Liriel on Aug 16, 2023 22:45:08 GMT -5
The View from here was beautiful, Liriel often looked at the lake bellow, he never had time to properly appreciate nature back at his homeland, he only left home to see the crow he named Midnight.
Midnight cawed three times quickly, that meant people was nearby, Liriel whistled and the bird dived to his position, decelerating at the last second perfectly landing on the elf's shoulder, "Orc," cried the bird.
"Thanks friend, they probably heard me whistling but it doesn't matter, I plan on being friendly but it doesn't hurt being cautious so if anything happens, peck their eyes" Liriel extended his arm and the bird moved to it, pointing it's here in Kroe's direction. It didn't took long till they saw him, midnight moved back to Liriel's shoulder.
Liriel's demeanor was a mix of a military and a royale one due to his upbringing, his expression early changed from his usual frown but today was one of the rare occasions where he was smiling, in his mind he used to be a much as a slave as the ones he freed and now he was free and this was an opportunity to finally meet someone different than him, someone he didn't had to couture nor kill, he said politly while he was approaching, "Hello stranger, I would like to make a few questions. What island is this ? Oh where are my Manet's ? I should had start by introducing myself, I am Liriel ..." He hesitated, "Just Liriel." He extended his arm offering a handshake.
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Kroe
Established
Roleplay posts: 21
Age: 32
Appearance: Though leaner than most of his kind, Kroe stands several inches above six feet with more than two hundred pounds to his frame. He has pale green skin and pale hair, often tied up with some twine and braided. Small tusks protrude from his lower jaw. This, together with his pointed ears and silver eyes, may tip some off about his odd heritage. He wears a menagerie of piercings, one in his brow and several many of them adorning his ears.
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Equipment: Kroe could barely save his favored scimitar after the flood, but that was all. He fished a waterlogged buckler from a bloated corpse floating by the boat. Otherwise, he has nothing but the clothes on his back.
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Skills and Abilities: Though a skilled swordsman, Kroe seems much better at ambushing and positioning. He's a bit husky to be a rogue, but the rogue life chose him, not the other way around.
He also has a peculiar gift for enchantment, though it isn't something he likes to talk about.
Registered: Mar 23, 2021 20:57:56 GMT -5
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Post by Kroe on Aug 28, 2023 18:32:54 GMT -5
Kroe froze.
It was shortly before he saw the bird that he'd heard a whistle that he thought was the wind through the trees, but now he was sure it was nothing of the sort. That was the whistling of a person. But... all the way up here!? He'd made camp so far from the coast. Who in the world would come here, of all places? To follow him? No, certainly not. Not after all this time.
The half-orc let go of the straps to the log and patted his waist for his scimitar, which was safely nestled in its scabbard. His hand tightened around the handle. That's when he heard it:
"Hello, stranger-"
The voice of a man that was foreign to him. The orc whipped around, facing the traveler with wide, panicked eyes and a vein popping against the green skin of his neck. The more feral aspects of his heritage showed itself in his expression, lips curled around his tusks, stance lowered, ready to strike like a beast. This reaction, learned from years of betrayal and abuse, made it a bit a bit awkward for him to redeem himself when he laid eyes on a dark-skinned elf with snowy hair. Just like his own.
Kroe's eyes went from the man's hand, to his face, and back down to his hand. He tweaked a brow.
"I am Krow. I- how did you get here?! Were you following me?"
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Liriel
New
Roleplay posts: 9
Age: 119
Appearance: Young and with a gray skin, 200cm tall, leather armor and white hair
Equipment: He only poses a dagger and a water skin
Skills and Abilities: Brilliant strategist and a silet killer and and very good at brewing poison, both the ones that get you drunk and the ones that get you killed
Biography: Liriel was born in the Royal family and it's the dark elf prince, he hated the society of slavers and all around evil people he was borned into, he denied his surname and people.
Registered: Aug 14, 2023 13:58:14 GMT -5
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Post by Liriel on Aug 28, 2023 19:17:00 GMT -5
"Following you ?" Liriel was confused, he had no idea why the half orc in front of him would ask that, he pulled his hand back "no, I just walked, all the way from the shore."
"Sword !" The bird was the first to notice that Kroe was holding the handle of his sword and made sure to tell Liriel, the elf's eyes quickly pointed down, checking the scimitar than quickly moving back to meet Kroe's eyes again.
His mind was racing at this point, after everything he did Liriel refused to believe that he wasn't free from a life of violence, still he moved to a more cautious stand, one he could use to quickly draw his dagger if necessary, for now he chose to keep his hands on the half orc's line of sight.
he gently lifted the shoulder when the bird was on, the creature took flight almost immediately, flying, circling the two from the sky, it kept his eyes on the half orc. "Kroe, I got to the coast a few hours ago, I've..." Once more Liriel hesitated "I've been through a lot, I just want to find suitable shelter, I promise you I'm not a threat so please take your hand if that handle, If it makes you feel better, I can disarm myself."
Liriel didn't like the idea of being without his daggers while there was the possibility of a fight, but the oval flight pattern of midnight indicated that the bird was ready to attack and Liriel trusted his friend to give him enough time to get his daggers back if anything happened, for now he would wait for Kroe's answer before doing anything else.
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Kroe
Established
Roleplay posts: 21
Age: 32
Appearance: Though leaner than most of his kind, Kroe stands several inches above six feet with more than two hundred pounds to his frame. He has pale green skin and pale hair, often tied up with some twine and braided. Small tusks protrude from his lower jaw. This, together with his pointed ears and silver eyes, may tip some off about his odd heritage. He wears a menagerie of piercings, one in his brow and several many of them adorning his ears.
_______________________________________________________
Equipment: Kroe could barely save his favored scimitar after the flood, but that was all. He fished a waterlogged buckler from a bloated corpse floating by the boat. Otherwise, he has nothing but the clothes on his back.
_______________________________________________________
Skills and Abilities: Though a skilled swordsman, Kroe seems much better at ambushing and positioning. He's a bit husky to be a rogue, but the rogue life chose him, not the other way around.
He also has a peculiar gift for enchantment, though it isn't something he likes to talk about.
Registered: Mar 23, 2021 20:57:56 GMT -5
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Post by Kroe on Sept 4, 2023 23:41:17 GMT -5
Walked. Here. From the coast? Or from the lake? Knowing this place, either one would have happened. It was just as likely that the elf fell from the sky. If so, this was a very unfortunate place to land. Still, something in the man's voice didn't immediately make Kroe think he was lying. Though he was still on guard, he eased his stance. Even as the bird took off, he did not flinch.
For a solid moment, Kroe sized up the elf. They were around the same height, though he was certain his frame was just a little bulkier than his counterpart. He carried a sword, one he suggested he'd rid himself of for the sake of peace. Krow pushed his own sword to his back, out of easy reach, and held a hand up to the elf.
"No need, I was just surprised. I thought I was alone up here. It's been weeks since I've seen another. You understand." A chilly breeze brushed by them, pushing the ord to grab the tunic hanging from his belt. He threw it over his shoulder, then tilted his head toward the top of the mountain, across the bridge. "Come. I've made a camp. Do you hunger?"
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Liriel
New
Roleplay posts: 9
Age: 119
Appearance: Young and with a gray skin, 200cm tall, leather armor and white hair
Equipment: He only poses a dagger and a water skin
Skills and Abilities: Brilliant strategist and a silet killer and and very good at brewing poison, both the ones that get you drunk and the ones that get you killed
Biography: Liriel was born in the Royal family and it's the dark elf prince, he hated the society of slavers and all around evil people he was borned into, he denied his surname and people.
Registered: Aug 14, 2023 13:58:14 GMT -5
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Post by Liriel on Sept 5, 2023 19:05:27 GMT -5
"The cost, me and midnight have been traveling for a few days now." Liriel had thought about his odds against the half-orc in front of him, than he breathed a almost unnoticeable sigh of relief when Kroe became more friendly.
"Yes," Liriel extended his arm and whistled, the bird dove down and gracefully landed on it and moved the the elf's shoulder "My friend over hear has been pretty well fed with some fruits and insects but those aren't exactly sustainable to me and I rather not kill animals if I can avoid it, plus, daggers aren't exactly the best hunting weapon."
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Kroe
Established
Roleplay posts: 21
Age: 32
Appearance: Though leaner than most of his kind, Kroe stands several inches above six feet with more than two hundred pounds to his frame. He has pale green skin and pale hair, often tied up with some twine and braided. Small tusks protrude from his lower jaw. This, together with his pointed ears and silver eyes, may tip some off about his odd heritage. He wears a menagerie of piercings, one in his brow and several many of them adorning his ears.
_______________________________________________________
Equipment: Kroe could barely save his favored scimitar after the flood, but that was all. He fished a waterlogged buckler from a bloated corpse floating by the boat. Otherwise, he has nothing but the clothes on his back.
_______________________________________________________
Skills and Abilities: Though a skilled swordsman, Kroe seems much better at ambushing and positioning. He's a bit husky to be a rogue, but the rogue life chose him, not the other way around.
He also has a peculiar gift for enchantment, though it isn't something he likes to talk about.
Registered: Mar 23, 2021 20:57:56 GMT -5
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Post by Kroe on Oct 10, 2023 17:49:58 GMT -5
Kroe's mind lingered on the weapon at his side. What this stranger said- Liriel, his name was- it made sense, but that didn't mean his intentions were good. Among elves, orcs, and humans, Kroe mostly knew cruelty and neglect. Liriel wasn't among the type of elves he was familiar with, but that didn't mean he wasn't the same.
"You don't like eating animals?" asked the lean orc curiously. "Would you eat one if I killed it, then? I have fish cooked over the fire. My crops will not grow this late in the year, but there are wild onions and berries in the area. There is an area that I think is populated with maize, but I haven't had a chance to explore it yet."
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Liriel
New
Roleplay posts: 9
Age: 119
Appearance: Young and with a gray skin, 200cm tall, leather armor and white hair
Equipment: He only poses a dagger and a water skin
Skills and Abilities: Brilliant strategist and a silet killer and and very good at brewing poison, both the ones that get you drunk and the ones that get you killed
Biography: Liriel was born in the Royal family and it's the dark elf prince, he hated the society of slavers and all around evil people he was borned into, he denied his surname and people.
Registered: Aug 14, 2023 13:58:14 GMT -5
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Post by Liriel on Oct 19, 2023 16:56:29 GMT -5
"I'll eat meat no problem I'm just..." Liriel stoped himself, he was about to overshare and he didn't knew how much he could trust Kroe "I just don't want to kill." Although he wouldn't say it, Liriel started to replay the bad memories inside his head and it showed in his brooding eyes, Midnight pecked him lightly to bring him back to reality, the elf smiled at his avian friend, it cawed gently in response. The bird shifted his focus the the half-orc, it only watched.
"I apologize, I got caught up in my own thoughts. I'll gladly accept food and if you have something to boil water in, I can make you tea as to show my gratitude, I've identify some good herbs while I made my way here."
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Kroe
Established
Roleplay posts: 21
Age: 32
Appearance: Though leaner than most of his kind, Kroe stands several inches above six feet with more than two hundred pounds to his frame. He has pale green skin and pale hair, often tied up with some twine and braided. Small tusks protrude from his lower jaw. This, together with his pointed ears and silver eyes, may tip some off about his odd heritage. He wears a menagerie of piercings, one in his brow and several many of them adorning his ears.
_______________________________________________________
Equipment: Kroe could barely save his favored scimitar after the flood, but that was all. He fished a waterlogged buckler from a bloated corpse floating by the boat. Otherwise, he has nothing but the clothes on his back.
_______________________________________________________
Skills and Abilities: Though a skilled swordsman, Kroe seems much better at ambushing and positioning. He's a bit husky to be a rogue, but the rogue life chose him, not the other way around.
He also has a peculiar gift for enchantment, though it isn't something he likes to talk about.
Registered: Mar 23, 2021 20:57:56 GMT -5
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Post by Kroe on Dec 18, 2023 0:54:47 GMT -5
The half-orc held up a hand. "No need, do not worry. There is no need to justify it." He gave the elf a very small, understanding smile. There was a time when the act made him sick, too. A time when he couldn't even bring himself to butcher animals.
He led the newcomer and his bird to his camp, despite his better judgment. It was modest, but comfortable, stuck below an overhand and a giant boulder that had lodged itself into the ground like a broken shelf. As Kroe described, there was a stone fire with fish cooking above it, a cot within the shelter, a shabby workbench, and a space cleared out with the beginnings of a cabin. "Welcome to... my home. I can start some tea and stew. It suits this time of year."
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Liriel
New
Roleplay posts: 9
Age: 119
Appearance: Young and with a gray skin, 200cm tall, leather armor and white hair
Equipment: He only poses a dagger and a water skin
Skills and Abilities: Brilliant strategist and a silet killer and and very good at brewing poison, both the ones that get you drunk and the ones that get you killed
Biography: Liriel was born in the Royal family and it's the dark elf prince, he hated the society of slavers and all around evil people he was borned into, he denied his surname and people.
Registered: Aug 14, 2023 13:58:14 GMT -5
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Post by Liriel on Feb 5, 2024 22:13:41 GMT -5
"Thank you for understanding, I would love some tea." Liriel took a deep breath, taking in the smell of the food, it had been a few days since he last ate anything substantial and his stomach made sure to let Kroe know that with the sounds it made, "sorry." He said with an awkward smile.
Liriel looked for a good place to sit, he was tired of walking and needed a little break. "Kroe, I also wanted to thank you for not engaging me in combat," his expression became a bit more somber as he continued talking "I know that trusting a dark elf is hard considering my people's reputation." He sighed, Liriel assumed that Kroe was from the same world as him even though it was highly unlikely but, whatever reputation the elf was talking about, it was clear by his expression that he wasn't a part of it.
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Kroe
Established
Roleplay posts: 21
Age: 32
Appearance: Though leaner than most of his kind, Kroe stands several inches above six feet with more than two hundred pounds to his frame. He has pale green skin and pale hair, often tied up with some twine and braided. Small tusks protrude from his lower jaw. This, together with his pointed ears and silver eyes, may tip some off about his odd heritage. He wears a menagerie of piercings, one in his brow and several many of them adorning his ears.
_______________________________________________________
Equipment: Kroe could barely save his favored scimitar after the flood, but that was all. He fished a waterlogged buckler from a bloated corpse floating by the boat. Otherwise, he has nothing but the clothes on his back.
_______________________________________________________
Skills and Abilities: Though a skilled swordsman, Kroe seems much better at ambushing and positioning. He's a bit husky to be a rogue, but the rogue life chose him, not the other way around.
He also has a peculiar gift for enchantment, though it isn't something he likes to talk about.
Registered: Mar 23, 2021 20:57:56 GMT -5
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Post by Kroe on Mar 6, 2024 20:42:07 GMT -5
"Life here in the new world isn't easy. I know exactly how hungry you must be feeling," Kroe told the elf, his smile soft. From a pack stored beneath the stone shelf, he produced a worn pot. He filled it from a large waterskin and placed it above the fire, then looked through the pack for pouches of herbs he'd pilfered from the Hi Ko Yanu, the boat his group arrived on before parting ways. He threw some into the pot as it started to boil, wafting a welcoming aroma of tea and dried orange around the small camp.
At Liriel's comment, he laughed. "Many would say the same for a silver-haired orc, but I think we both don't have those like ourselves in each others' homeland. I think that is the reason we can get along. All the elves in my world were either pale or brown, but not of your complexion." He beckoned him to a stool. "Tell me more about dark elves and I will tell you more about orcs, if that's something we wish to learn."
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Liriel
New
Roleplay posts: 9
Age: 119
Appearance: Young and with a gray skin, 200cm tall, leather armor and white hair
Equipment: He only poses a dagger and a water skin
Skills and Abilities: Brilliant strategist and a silet killer and and very good at brewing poison, both the ones that get you drunk and the ones that get you killed
Biography: Liriel was born in the Royal family and it's the dark elf prince, he hated the society of slavers and all around evil people he was borned into, he denied his surname and people.
Registered: Aug 14, 2023 13:58:14 GMT -5
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Post by Liriel on Mar 7, 2024 16:47:21 GMT -5
"I..." Liriel hesitated, he didn't seemed certain if that was a good idea, after thinking about it for a short period of time he came to the conclusion that, if anything could ride here, Kroe should know this and make his own choice, his anxiety was building up as he started his story.
"I come from a race if elves known for two things, being warriors and..." He avoided eye contact "for being slavers, we lived inside mountains, most houses were excavated into the rocks, the royal palace included, we were a matriarchy, my mom was the queen and all she cared about was power, nit me, not my father, power." Midnight cawed softly, and nuzzled Liriel's face with his head when the bird noticed how sad his expression looked, the elf continued.
"Truth is, all but me cared about power only, showing emotions towards anything was punishable with a period of forced labor, sometimes even death. My father was a coward but he noticed something in me, I was a great strategist and many wars were won through my plans, I had just reached my teenage years when I was forced into make plans to not only kill large amounts of people but to capture and enslave them." Liriel shook his head in disgust of his past actions.
Liriel turned his back to Kroe and lifted his shirt revealing many scars, "I was whipped everytime I complained or spoke my mind against my mother. Great way to treat a prince huh ?" He said sarcastically "Eventually I stopped complaining to save my skin, guess I too was a coward. So for decades upon decades I sat quietly while my people destroyed everything it touched." Liriel turned to face Kroe "I murdered them all Kroe, every single one of em. I stabbed my mother and poisoned the rest of my people, the poison was somewhat diluted in by water so not everyone die from the poison, the ones who did, suffered immensely, the ones that didn't drowned as the flood began, I did it to free the slaves that I was responsible for imprisoning, amoung them there was an orc, she was an oracle and foresaw the end, I gave em one of our ships and sailed here in a smaller one. My freedom was purchased with the blood of every single dark elf," his expression changed to a more serious one "and I don't regret it. With all that said, I understand if you want nothing to do with me, even though it was for a good cause, what I did is still genocide and it began with parricide."
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Kroe
Established
Roleplay posts: 21
Age: 32
Appearance: Though leaner than most of his kind, Kroe stands several inches above six feet with more than two hundred pounds to his frame. He has pale green skin and pale hair, often tied up with some twine and braided. Small tusks protrude from his lower jaw. This, together with his pointed ears and silver eyes, may tip some off about his odd heritage. He wears a menagerie of piercings, one in his brow and several many of them adorning his ears.
_______________________________________________________
Equipment: Kroe could barely save his favored scimitar after the flood, but that was all. He fished a waterlogged buckler from a bloated corpse floating by the boat. Otherwise, he has nothing but the clothes on his back.
_______________________________________________________
Skills and Abilities: Though a skilled swordsman, Kroe seems much better at ambushing and positioning. He's a bit husky to be a rogue, but the rogue life chose him, not the other way around.
He also has a peculiar gift for enchantment, though it isn't something he likes to talk about.
Registered: Mar 23, 2021 20:57:56 GMT -5
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Post by Kroe on Mar 7, 2024 20:30:02 GMT -5
Kroe gazed at Liriel for a long moment, stunned. When the elf told him he would understand if Kroe abandoned him now, all he could do in response was... laugh. It wasn't a laugh out of pity or discomfort but of surprise and relief. He held up a hand to pause the elf in his next words or actions.
"-I'm so sorry. Please don't take my laughter as an insult. What you have been through is truly horrifying." The orc put a hand on his chest, letting the chuckles die down. He took in a deep breath, held it, and then slowly let it go. "I laugh because our situations are so similar. We were both mistreated by our kind with mothers who made it worse for us."
The orc shuffled on his stool, then leaned forward to scoop up the tea with two earthenware mugs. He handed one to his guest. "I don't have sugar yet, unfortunately. We're too high up to cultivate it."
Sitting back, Kroe took a sip, then started his own tale. "I'm not a full orc. My mother is an elf, much like yourself: silver hair, silver eyes, skin like snow on a mountaintop. She was an enchantress called Talanashta." He paused, looking for any sense of surprise in Liriel's face from hearing the name. When he saw there was none, the orc continued. "She worked for a group of women who came together because their villages were raided. They were a safe haven for survivors... for a while. They had very strict rules, especially for her enclave: no men, no pregnancies, nothing to do with the outside. My mother was nothing if not rebellious, though."
Kroe smirked at a distant memory of Tala regaling him with tales of her youth. "She snuck out to help a village directly instead of sitting in a tower, scrying. She let herself get captured by a band of orcs and that's how she met my father... who was also an orc. Also locked in the cage with her, curled up and dying. Instead of freeing herself, she spent time with him, finding out why he was also there. Turns out, he was thrust into that prison for sabotaging the invasion plans. He, too, was defying his elders. I suppose they bonded over that. Eventually, they escaped. Saved everyone, even. But eventually, my mother's enclave caught up to them. I don't know what happened to my father, but they found out that my mother was pregnant with me, and tried to force her to... get rid of it." Here, his face grew grim. "The details here are foggy. I know that, out of desperation, my mother called upon a great evil to smite them and keep me and her alive. It wanted to ruin the world, and for the price of keeping me, she took it."
He went on, giving Liriel the details of how a band of heroes saved the world from this great evil and spared Talanashta, if only because they didn't want to rid a child of its mother. "She spent her life repenting and raising me... but I didn't know that there was a part of the evil still within her. The debt had to be repaid. It tried to reach out to me but... she forced it to take her, instead. Since then, I didn't know who to go to. I tried to speak to the elves, but they wouldn't take me. If I even revealed my face to the humans, I'd be killed. The orcs took me, though. I was all but a slave to them, useful for gaining information and stealing. I suppose I just became my father in the end. I can't imagine any of them lived in the flood."
With a final sip of his tea, he sighed.
"Do you think the world was ever kind?"
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