Holding up the puny human by the neck, he looked into his eyes. The massive orc joyfully watched as the terror ran across this so called valiant warriors face. Slowly he watched as the blood drained. He felt the tingle run up his spine. Easing off of the throat, he let up to enjoy the last few moments of this useless life slip away. It was almost euphoric, seeing the warriors eyes beg for the mercy of a quick death only to be denied. Savoring every quick breath, every jagged gasp, every failed attempt to regain the air flow, he tried to calm his prey, easing it in the slow oncoming death. Almost playfully he hushed his victim to just allow the acceptance. He could feel the tiny hands grip at his fists trying to free him from this. The mangled body just did not have the strength left after the brutal beating it just received. The orc could only wonder why such a creature would not pray for death after receiving such a mauling. The hands lost the ability to grasp then fell limp. Then the arms fell to the sides. They had no more strength left to resist. The eyes rolled back up into its head. The orc surged with a forbidden pleasure. Like an explosion releasing from his body he gripped hard, crushing the throat. He felt every nerve ending scream out with pleasure as the blood from the crushed throat gushed over his hand and spewed across his chest. It sent him into an almost Utopian state. Watching the death gave him an almost erotic pleasure, a satisfaction unrivaled by any thing he has ever experienced. From the moment he threw down his axe and sword, to the beginning of the battle, to these last fading moments of life, the orc felt the surge. The energy flooded him like a giant wave washing over his body. At that moment he was truly alive. A thrust forward, a slam to the ground and the body had become headless. The orc look at his hand and then to the body. Licking the blood from his hand he grinned with pleasure.
The huge orc looked over the town from the hilltop and smiled.
And so it begins.
Moderator: Community Team
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Miss Malan
Re: And so it begins.
Malan took a deep breath of the fresh spring air. Impulsively she burst into song just for the sheer joy of being alive. She was surprised not to see anyone else up on the hill enjoying the beautiful day. Taking the opportunity of being alone she put out her hands and spun round and round. When she finally stopped and sank panting to the ground it took a while for the world to stop spinning around her. She let her eyes come back into focus slowly. Then she noticed something she hadn't seen before. A short way down from her was something human shaped. There were a lot of black flies buzzing around it. Maybe someone else was up here. Whoever it was he looked like he was sleeping. She wondered why there were so many flies around him. Maybe he'd been foolish enough to leave his food uncovered. Curious who it was, but not wanting to wake him she crept quietly down to have a look.
When she got closer she couldn't believe her eyes at first. She closed them and opened them again slowly. It was still there. She screamed. There was so much blood. She started run, blindly at first with panic and sobbing. Then, when she almost broke her ankle on a loose stone she remembered that whoever or whatever had killed the man might still be around. She began to move more quietly, starting at every noise and looking over shoulder at every shadow. When she reached the road into Imperius she started running again. She ran through the town till she reached the town hall. Unsure who she should talk to she grabbed the first person she saw and gasped out, 'Help, please ... man ... hill ... he ... he .. no head. No h h head!'
When she got closer she couldn't believe her eyes at first. She closed them and opened them again slowly. It was still there. She screamed. There was so much blood. She started run, blindly at first with panic and sobbing. Then, when she almost broke her ankle on a loose stone she remembered that whoever or whatever had killed the man might still be around. She began to move more quietly, starting at every noise and looking over shoulder at every shadow. When she reached the road into Imperius she started running again. She ran through the town till she reached the town hall. Unsure who she should talk to she grabbed the first person she saw and gasped out, 'Help, please ... man ... hill ... he ... he .. no head. No h h head!'
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Brikka
Re: And so it begins.
She was looking for a tree to make a new staff, when her attention was claimed by a piercing scream. With a sigh of frustration, Brikka walked to the edge of the trees to find the source of the noise. A young human with gold hair was trying to move quietly and failing miserably. She tilted her head and listened, wondering what had caused such pathetic panic. The breeze brought the smell to her, and she followed it to the source.
"Rotting. Not new kill. Hunter must be gone or he'd have the girl. Too bad. Much power he has, this one."
Her heart pounded in excitement. She squatted and examined the body. The wounds were massive. The head removed not by a blade but by force. It had to be an orc from the crush pattern. She had not seen anything so brutal in a long time. This type of power she had left to search for her own style. But brute force and a dark heart were useful. She would try to find this orc.
The girl would head into town. Brikka stood and walked unconcerned back to her home. When the panic died down, there would be time.
"Rotting. Not new kill. Hunter must be gone or he'd have the girl. Too bad. Much power he has, this one."
Her heart pounded in excitement. She squatted and examined the body. The wounds were massive. The head removed not by a blade but by force. It had to be an orc from the crush pattern. She had not seen anything so brutal in a long time. This type of power she had left to search for her own style. But brute force and a dark heart were useful. She would try to find this orc.
The girl would head into town. Brikka stood and walked unconcerned back to her home. When the panic died down, there would be time.
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Sinister
Re: And so it begins.
Sitting along the road for hours now, he sat back against a tree, sharpening his axe. Listening to the birds chirp and the animals around him continue with their day he knew nothing was approaching. Surely the town guard would come looking for him. A storm was brewing on the horizon and he sat at ease. It had been some time since he seen a good challenge so he awaited them. Perhaps he should go to the town and call them out. Never no mind, they would come soon enough if they had the stones for it. Five or Six, he wondered. He got excited Maybe more. He never did understand these useless humans and their lust for their shinny things. Their little metal things. Maybe one amongst all he has ever met was worthy of being called a warrior and he maybe able to carry my shield at best to help me prepare. They feared death. Cringed from it. Prolonged it. Why? he asked in his mind. True warriors embrace it. Lust for it. Need and cherish it. Death is romantic to a real warriors. It aches in their bones. There is nothing more satisfying then to destroy the will of your enemy so completely, to watch him watch you enjoying them suffer such horror. Like looking into the face of pure evil. To dominate them so overbearingly, just to let them know how hollow, how meaningless their lives really have been. All at one point it comes crashing to a halt like a bolder hitting the ground. The pointless arguments the hollow words. All for what? Few measly little metal things or a little power. Over what? Others. Ha. Just knowing my axe weighs as much as they do and would smash them into the ground would let them know true power. Grinning to himself. It would allow them to experience true fear. The excitement rose though out him at the very thought.
The woods grew silent. He stood. The blood coursed through his veins. He could feel the rush of battle rise up inside him as he heard the hooves of oncoming horses. He took the sword in one hand and the axe in the other. His eyes glazed over with joy. A smile struck his lips. He was ready to embrace his death.
The woods grew silent. He stood. The blood coursed through his veins. He could feel the rush of battle rise up inside him as he heard the hooves of oncoming horses. He took the sword in one hand and the axe in the other. His eyes glazed over with joy. A smile struck his lips. He was ready to embrace his death.
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Miss Malan
Re: And so it begins.
Malan could not stop thinking about the body on the hill. No amount of ale or scumble could erase the picture she saw whenever she closed her eyes. The limp mangled corpse that was no longer a person and the blood, so much blood. She'd told an official at the town hall who had said they would deal with it. But she hadn't heard anything yet. She didn't even know the name of the man who had been killed. She felt a strange urge to return to the spot. She didn't know why. She felt drawn to return; both repulsed and fascinated by the thought of it. There was that same strange thrill tingling at the base of her spine as when she told a really good ghost story. There was something about that spot. Some kind of energy. Besides, she felt she owed it to the poor warrior to find out his story and tell it to those who would listen. It was the last gift she could give him. And who knew, perhaps he had a family or a sweetheart waiting for him who needed to know what had happened.
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Brikka
Re: And so it begins.
She heard a group of horses pounding the road. Leaning on her staff at the edge of the woods, she watched them pass. She sized them up as they passed. They may give the one who left that body a workout. Unconvinced they had enough strength to win, she decided to follow. She jogged along the edge of the woods in their direction of travel. Hopefully she would not miss much of the action.
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Miss Malan
Re: And so it begins.
The men and horses from Imperius had trampled over the place where the body had been. They had simply come, taken the body and left. Now they were off chasing the killer - though they had no idea who or where he was.
Malan found the spot again easily. She almost turned and ran back down the hill again. It felt as though an icy finger were running up and down her spine. Something about the place made her skin crawl. Nevertheless she made herself look around carefully. She hoped to find some kind of clue. About the victim, about the killer, anything to give her a glimpse into the story that had unfolded.
She found a scrap of cloth, probably from the man's cloak. And, hidden in the grass and mud, an amulet. It must have fallen off during the struggle or when (here she gulped) the man's head was removed. She would never have seen it if it hadn't glinted just at the right moment. She picked it up and it stung her. She dropped it again and jumped back. In the moment of the sting she had felt fear, surprise, rage and something else. Something close to sorrow. She picked it up again, cautiously this time. It hummed with a sort of energy. It felt angry and made her feel slightly nauseous. She turned it over slowly. It was made of silver and onyx. On one side was an emblem of a rearing horse. On the other side were the initials K.W. finely worked.
'I will find out who you were' she whispered to the empty hill.
'I won't let you be buried without a name. I promise.'
The amulet in her hand seemed to still then. She no longer felt nauseous. But the birds suddenly stopped singing and it seemed suddenly darker as though the sun had gone behind a cloud. The sense of foreboding stayed with her all the way back down to the town.
Only one thing was certain in her mind. Dark things were afoot.
Malan found the spot again easily. She almost turned and ran back down the hill again. It felt as though an icy finger were running up and down her spine. Something about the place made her skin crawl. Nevertheless she made herself look around carefully. She hoped to find some kind of clue. About the victim, about the killer, anything to give her a glimpse into the story that had unfolded.
She found a scrap of cloth, probably from the man's cloak. And, hidden in the grass and mud, an amulet. It must have fallen off during the struggle or when (here she gulped) the man's head was removed. She would never have seen it if it hadn't glinted just at the right moment. She picked it up and it stung her. She dropped it again and jumped back. In the moment of the sting she had felt fear, surprise, rage and something else. Something close to sorrow. She picked it up again, cautiously this time. It hummed with a sort of energy. It felt angry and made her feel slightly nauseous. She turned it over slowly. It was made of silver and onyx. On one side was an emblem of a rearing horse. On the other side were the initials K.W. finely worked.
'I will find out who you were' she whispered to the empty hill.
'I won't let you be buried without a name. I promise.'
The amulet in her hand seemed to still then. She no longer felt nauseous. But the birds suddenly stopped singing and it seemed suddenly darker as though the sun had gone behind a cloud. The sense of foreboding stayed with her all the way back down to the town.
Only one thing was certain in her mind. Dark things were afoot.
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Miss Malan
Re: And so it begins.
Back in Imperius she went to the morgue to look at the body. The bored attendant let her in without any arguments when she batted her eyes at him. The body had been washed and laid out in for burial. The man's clothes had been removed and he was wrapped in the ceremonial burial clothes of a peasant. The body looked almost peaceful until one looked at the place where the head was supposed to be. 'What do you think killed him?' she asked the morgue attendant. He replied casually, as though such things happened every day, 'In my opinion that's the work of an orc. A strong one too. The head was not removed with a blade of any kind or with magic. Only an orc would have the power to rip someone's head off with their bare hands.'
'An orc!' she shuddered. She had heard tales of orcs being bloodthirsty and violent, though she had only seen a few in her life.
'I've heard some woodcutters say they've seen fresh tracks of orc in the forest around the hill. I'd stay away from there if I were you.' The attendant told her with warning look.
'Where are his clothes?' she asked him, hoping he wouldn't be suspicious about her asking so many questions.
'Oh, they're in the bin over there,' he told her, 'you can see them if you like, but be quick, they're going to be burnt tonight.'
She looked through them though they were still covered in mud and dirt. His cloak matched the piece of cloth she had found earlier. There wasn't much to tell from his clothes. They were well made, and looked like the clothes of a nobleman and a fighter. In one pocket she found a sealed letter and in another she found dagger with that looked like it matched the amulet. She slipped both objects into her pocket when the attendant wasn't looking. Thanking him she left. She decided to leave the letter for later. Right now she wanted to find an orc. She set off in the direction off the forest, not thinking for one moment that she was putting herself in danger.
ooc: sorry for the double post
'An orc!' she shuddered. She had heard tales of orcs being bloodthirsty and violent, though she had only seen a few in her life.
'I've heard some woodcutters say they've seen fresh tracks of orc in the forest around the hill. I'd stay away from there if I were you.' The attendant told her with warning look.
'Where are his clothes?' she asked him, hoping he wouldn't be suspicious about her asking so many questions.
'Oh, they're in the bin over there,' he told her, 'you can see them if you like, but be quick, they're going to be burnt tonight.'
She looked through them though they were still covered in mud and dirt. His cloak matched the piece of cloth she had found earlier. There wasn't much to tell from his clothes. They were well made, and looked like the clothes of a nobleman and a fighter. In one pocket she found a sealed letter and in another she found dagger with that looked like it matched the amulet. She slipped both objects into her pocket when the attendant wasn't looking. Thanking him she left. She decided to leave the letter for later. Right now she wanted to find an orc. She set off in the direction off the forest, not thinking for one moment that she was putting herself in danger.
ooc: sorry for the double post
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Sinister
Re: And so it begins.
ooc: not a problem. Sorry it is taking so long to reply. RL is getting busy.
Upon the hill, in the middle of the road the Orc stood ready with sword and axe in hand ready to destroy what ever came his way. He tried to listen for the hooves of the horses to determine how many. He knew there were not may by the sounds of it. Feeling the gentle breeze on his face he felt the battle rage inside him rise. The blood began to boil and he yearned for the sting of battle. Their is just never enough pain, he thought. The giant whole in someone life he could create. Oh ..... what pleasure.
The horses appeared over the hill galloping hard. They we on a mission. Where ever they were going they had to be there obviously. The orc raised his weapons into the air and let out a loud rage filled yell. With death in his eyes, he pierced them to their souls. From an almost full gallop to a full stop the horses lunged up to stand on their hind leg almost throwing their riders to the ground. Barely able to keep control the riders held on with all the strength they could muster. The horses came to a very unsteady and very uneasy stance on all four legs. The 3 riders took a long hard look at the orc that stood frothing at the mouth screaming and yelling at them prodding them to do battle. One rider looked at the other and then to the orc who at this moment realized they were not looking for him and were not about to do battle with him. The orc began a full on charge. With one weapon in the air and then the next with each stride he grasped at the air to pull him self to go faster. The riders were almost paralized at the sight of the full on attack by this giant green ...... thing .... that obviously had been prepared to destroy anything in it path. In a fit or horror the horses themselves pull at their masters to retreat in fear. The riders turned their horses and rush them as fast as they could away from the oncoming slaughter. They did not have to spur their horses, the horses knew exactly how their masters felt. After a few hundred feet the Orc knew he was not going to catch them. He was fast and strong, but he could never catch those animals. So he stopped. Panting and out of breath he was distraught. He hated humans for this very reason. They were weak and full of fear. In his battle rage he had to destroy something. Something had to die!!! He turned toward the town and grinned.
Upon the hill, in the middle of the road the Orc stood ready with sword and axe in hand ready to destroy what ever came his way. He tried to listen for the hooves of the horses to determine how many. He knew there were not may by the sounds of it. Feeling the gentle breeze on his face he felt the battle rage inside him rise. The blood began to boil and he yearned for the sting of battle. Their is just never enough pain, he thought. The giant whole in someone life he could create. Oh ..... what pleasure.
The horses appeared over the hill galloping hard. They we on a mission. Where ever they were going they had to be there obviously. The orc raised his weapons into the air and let out a loud rage filled yell. With death in his eyes, he pierced them to their souls. From an almost full gallop to a full stop the horses lunged up to stand on their hind leg almost throwing their riders to the ground. Barely able to keep control the riders held on with all the strength they could muster. The horses came to a very unsteady and very uneasy stance on all four legs. The 3 riders took a long hard look at the orc that stood frothing at the mouth screaming and yelling at them prodding them to do battle. One rider looked at the other and then to the orc who at this moment realized they were not looking for him and were not about to do battle with him. The orc began a full on charge. With one weapon in the air and then the next with each stride he grasped at the air to pull him self to go faster. The riders were almost paralized at the sight of the full on attack by this giant green ...... thing .... that obviously had been prepared to destroy anything in it path. In a fit or horror the horses themselves pull at their masters to retreat in fear. The riders turned their horses and rush them as fast as they could away from the oncoming slaughter. They did not have to spur their horses, the horses knew exactly how their masters felt. After a few hundred feet the Orc knew he was not going to catch them. He was fast and strong, but he could never catch those animals. So he stopped. Panting and out of breath he was distraught. He hated humans for this very reason. They were weak and full of fear. In his battle rage he had to destroy something. Something had to die!!! He turned toward the town and grinned.
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Brikka
Re: And so it begins.
She stood still inside the tree line. When the male let out his battle cry her heart beat faster. The smell of him reached her on the breeze and she watched his display of strength. He was stunning. If he were not busy just now, she'd challenge him. There would be time to find him later when he had satisfied this rage.
He charged after the humans and their horses, then slowed and stopped. His gaze turned to the town. She knew what that meant and turned only her eyes up the road. Sudden moves right now could be bad. Her head tilted to one side slightly and then she nodded.
Unsure she could outpace him, she would move that way and hope not to miss any of the action. She stepped back slowly into the shadows of the trees before starting a run. She loved to run top speed like this, especially with a challenging terrain. Hurdling a stone, she glanced toward the road for signs of the male. Nothing coming from behind yet. But there was movement ahead. Unfortunate for whoever it may be.
Curiosity got the best of her, and she changed direction. Coming to a halt at the edge of the trees, she spotted a young woman. It was the one who had seen the dead human. If the male saw this one, she would be more than dead. There would be suffering first. Brikka felt a stirring in herself and walked a few paces into the sunlight, where she could be seen. Perhaps the girl would run if she spotted Brikka. If she did not, then it was not to be helped. The orc turned her face a bit to the side as if listening. What was this? Pity for the human? No, she realized it was not. But there was a reason. She had to offer this one a chance to run.
"Where you going, girl? Is not safe for one like you near the dark woods alone."
He charged after the humans and their horses, then slowed and stopped. His gaze turned to the town. She knew what that meant and turned only her eyes up the road. Sudden moves right now could be bad. Her head tilted to one side slightly and then she nodded.
Unsure she could outpace him, she would move that way and hope not to miss any of the action. She stepped back slowly into the shadows of the trees before starting a run. She loved to run top speed like this, especially with a challenging terrain. Hurdling a stone, she glanced toward the road for signs of the male. Nothing coming from behind yet. But there was movement ahead. Unfortunate for whoever it may be.
Curiosity got the best of her, and she changed direction. Coming to a halt at the edge of the trees, she spotted a young woman. It was the one who had seen the dead human. If the male saw this one, she would be more than dead. There would be suffering first. Brikka felt a stirring in herself and walked a few paces into the sunlight, where she could be seen. Perhaps the girl would run if she spotted Brikka. If she did not, then it was not to be helped. The orc turned her face a bit to the side as if listening. What was this? Pity for the human? No, she realized it was not. But there was a reason. She had to offer this one a chance to run.
"Where you going, girl? Is not safe for one like you near the dark woods alone."