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Post by Ak'ka the Bonegrinder on Apr 1, 2023 16:34:15 GMT -5
For someone whose job took her everywhere Ak’ka wasn’t honestly a fan of travel. Especially considering that work usually took her to places that were so godsdamned hot. Her body was used to the cold - a lifetime spent in the World’s Crown, and being buried under an avalanche tended to make ya immune to the frost, and weak to any kinda heat. Unfortunately, so many criminals apparently liked to hide out in these fucking woods, near an active volcano. Who the hell made their home near a volcano?
Crazy people, that was who.
Ak’ka couldn’t blame ‘em, she guessed. Extreme weather made for extreme folks. It was really not that different from home, ‘xcept for the fact that she was sweating her ass off as she stomped through these woods, on a mission. As was usually the case, a bounty brought here here. A bounty on a wizard. She wasn’t picky about the kind of bounties she took - for monsters and people alike - but there was a special hatred in her heart for mad mages. Always the chance that this was the one, the same guy that took everything from her and ruined her life.
They never were, but they made damn good practice.
Ak’ka figured today would be no different.
Hardly anything but criminals lurked in the Deadwoods - made sense considerin’ the name - but any small animals that were around gave Ak’ka a wide berth as she made her way around in search of her bounty. She was on a mission, and nothing would stop her now.
Though the universe would probably damn well try. Bringing pets 1. Squeak (doormouse: doesn't count against pet cap)
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 3, 2023 1:38:00 GMT -5
Javal Zarrias had decided to head to Deadwood in order to collect on a wicked fiend's bounty. Nadia had actually brought it up to him, suggesting they'd do it since to be fair they were scrapping by. Going after this guy seemed like a good idea as well totally villainous fiend the wanted man was. Their target was Carmine "Howler" Payne a dangerous mage who had killed and experimented on bodies to further dark magic. He was apart of a dangerous new Evil Sorcerer Society called the"Council fo Judgment" but went was caught and fled to Deadwood to lie low not expecting anyone to go after him. Thats where he was wrong, to Javal the wicked could not hide from justice and Javal would make sure of that. Javal was riding on Asleipmir his trusty black steed accompanied by his retainer Nadia, and trusted employees Bootsamon, Ariadne, Myrra, and Gustave. The Drakon Security Company was down for buisness and their buisness was the punishment of evil.
Minions Bringing: Nadia Sadrine (Warlord Minion), Bootsamon Pensworth (Scarecrow Squire) Pets Bringing: Asleipmir (Nightmare Steed), Myrra Calcifer (Ghastly Lantern), Ariadne (Prismatic Spider), Gustave (Gargoyle Rook)
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Post by Ak'ka the Bonegrinder on Apr 3, 2023 18:00:00 GMT -5
The sound of hooves on dead grass broke Ak’ka out of her reverie. The only people that liked to hide ‘round here, far as she could tell, were common crooks and criminals that couldn’t hack it back in the city… and if one of those criminals was stupid enough to bring a loud horse into the forest, then they were about to be in a world of pain if she found ‘em. And if it wasn’t her bounty, well…
Someone oughta pay good money for the poor shits.
Ak’ka cracked her knuckles before settin’ off in the direction of the noise.
That was when she saw the fellblood punk sittin’ on the horse, prancing through the woods without a care in the world.
… Who was this guy? He looked like a fighter, and definitely had an entourage with him, but a hardened criminal? Ha! Ak’ka had eaten scarier guys for breakfast before. But then what the hell was he doing out here? Well, she reasoned, there were only ever two reasons folks came this far out into the dead woods. Either they were up to no good… or they were tryin’ to stop those who were up to no good.
Either that or he was just really lost.
He didn’t look like he was gonna be a threat to Ak’ka’s plans, so she woulda been content to let the guy and his entourage carry on their business. At least, until she stepped the wrong way, and somethin’ snapped under her, alerting everyone walking through the glade to her presence.
Shit.
Play it cool, Bonegrinder. Cool was the one thing she could do. She was Ak’ka, chosen bearer of the World’s Crown, the Jewel of Clan Mortak. Titles that meant nothing now, but she damn well had ‘em for a reason. And that reason was that she was unstoppable and unflappable, even in the face of setback. Putting on her most stern expression, she took a step closer to the guy on the horse.
“Oi, you. State your name and business. If you ain’t here for any crime, or fixing to interfere with my bounty, I’ll let y’all go.”
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 3, 2023 22:30:45 GMT -5
Everything seemed fine for the time being with his merry team trudging along, they were going to find this wicked fiend no matter what. Suddenly Javal heard a tree branch break from behind one of the trees around them, immediately he unsheathed and threw his katana into a tree next to where the noise had originated from.
“Who goes there, is that you Camine trying to get an ambush on justice? You cannot hide from the hands of jusitce. Turns yourself in for your wicked crimes maybe then you can seek redemption. Just come slowly and quietly with your hands up".
He slowly approaches the source and suddenly is surprised to see not an evil wizard preparing an ambush against him but an old friend he long thought lost. His fellow dragon prince and sworn friend “Sasha”.
He runs and hugs her quickly and tightly, “Huzzah, Sasha I didn’t think I’d ever see you again since we all were dismissed by Captain. I missed you so much, are you and Vonoros still in contact, if so how’s he? Oh, I have so many stories to tell you, well those can wait, Sasha how are you? You look exactly the same as you did the day you left maybe a little less buff, less scars, and your freezing cold here take my coat but besides that, you look exactly the same. I honestly thought you died knowing how stubborn and reckless you were”. Javal continues hugging her very happy his voice filled with excitement and giddiness.
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Post by Ak'ka the Bonegrinder on Apr 4, 2023 10:04:37 GMT -5
Carmine?
The name seemed kinda familiar. It took Ak’ka a second to place it as the name of the mad mage she was looking for in these woods. So they were after the same bounty? But was he a solo fighter, out to jack her claim from under her nose? She wasn’t really in this for the money, so splitting the prize between them didn’t really matter to her, but if this punk was gonna step in and take her rightful battle from her, then they would have issues. She was on guard when the young fellblood hopped off his horse, not quite battle-ready yet. Wasn’t much she was afraid of, and this guy definitely wasn’t gonna make that list.
But then, instead of pull out that sword of his when he got close, he only looked shocked, and… happy?
And then she was wrapped in some kinda weird embrace.
What the fuck was he doing? Trying to pull a haymaker or shove her down? But nah, if he wanted to do that then he would have used more force. Right now he was only kind of wrapping his arms around her torso, like some kinda octopus or leech, with no sign of letting go. Ak’ka was used to all kinds of shit - she’d taken any kinda cruelty from enemies all throughout her life, but kindness - a friendly embrace, something she’d never even fuckin’ heard of in her life, was something she didn’t know how the hell to handle.
And who the hell was this Sasha chick?
“Er, hate to burst your bubble, buddy…” She started, putting a hand on her shoulder like she was about to pry him off, but didn’t have the heart to move the poor kid just yet, “But I ain’t yer friend.” And whoever she was, Ak’ka was definitely more muscular than her. Not important right now. “Name’s Ak’ka. Never met this Sasha girl.”
Damn kid was so earnest she hated to rupture that enthusiasm, ‘specially considering this friend seemed to be missing, but unfortunately for him, Ak’ka wasn’t the orc he wanted to see.
“Sorry.” She tacked on awkwardly at the end, voice gruff.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 4, 2023 10:30:39 GMT -5
Javal was suddenly confused as "Sasha" began to dismiss Javals claims of identity.
"Sasha but you have some of the same tattoos as you did before. Remember you always said that they were of great importance to your family"
"Master, that's enough, it appears you have gotten this Madame Ak'ka confused for your dear friend. Perhaps they are of the same clan", Nadia his trusty retainer says as she approaches the two she bows her head down, "I'm so sorry for this mix-up, pardon my master he didn't mean any disrespect".
This sudden realization hit Javal hard first a bit of sadness that he would continue to not hear from her and then a giant feeling of embarrassment for mixing their identities.
He quickly bows his head all the way to the ground, "I'm so sorry lady Ak'ka I mistook you for my friend since you both look so similar. I ask for your forgiveness for this insolence I shall take any action to remedy it. My name is Javal Zarrias a passing-by adventurer, president of the Drakon Security Company, and former lieutenant of Black Dragon Pirates. Would you like to be my friend?” Javal says all this still head planted deeply into the ground still bowing.
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Post by Ak'ka the Bonegrinder on Apr 5, 2023 12:53:59 GMT -5
Now he was talkin’ about her tattoos? They were clan marks, sure, but most orcs had ‘em for whatever village they came from. Ak’ka’s marked her as the leader of Clan Mortak, ones she’d earned when she was twelve and had only grown in number since then. But… clan Mortak was destroyed.
Had been ever since she pulled herself outta her prison of ice and snow.
No survivors.
He must’a mistaken her own marks for a similar clans or something. Wasn’t like non-orcs knew what the traditional markings in ink meant, or took the time to. Before she could correct this guy, though, some woman from the guy’s entourage stepped up and stopped him, and the guy - Javal - dipped into a low, formal bow, speakin’ about insolence and whatnot.
“Uh.” Ak’ka shrugged, feeling pretty damn awkward about this situation. What was she supposed to say? “Don’t worry ‘bout it. It’s just a case of mistaken identity. Ya don’t need to make it up to me or anything.”
Drakon security company? And the order of the black dragon pirates? Ak’ka hadn’t heard of either but that was a hell of a litany of titles. Security company… explained why he was after the same bounty as Ak’ka. And did he really wanna be friends, or was this some trick? He seemed like the friendly kinda sort, but Ak’ka had no idea what the hell his game was.
He didn’t seem like a threat, though, or have anything against her. Ak’ka shoved her hands in her pockets, oddly uncomfortable. “No need to be so formal. You can lift yer head up. Dunno why you’d wanna be friends with someone you just met, but, I guess there ain’t no harm in it.” She sniffed. “So you don’t gotta call me miss Ak’ka or anything. That’s way too formal. Just Ak’ka is fine.”
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 5, 2023 13:17:17 GMT -5
Javal was completely ashamed head still deep in the ground shame when Ak’ka began to speak his eyes lit up and he popped his head from the ground face now filled with dirt. Although she said he didn’t need to make it up to her in his head his mind was already made up in any way he could. He was smiling ear to ear, he had made a new friend in Ak’ka.
He spoke, “It’s a pleasure to meet you Ak’ka so what are you here for? Are you also in pursuit of justice against wicked fiends? We’re here to take down Carmine and bring him to pay for his crimes. Would you like to join us”?
Ak’ka responded by saying, “Fine with me… long as you don’t try to screw me outta the fight. Money ain’t important to me - we can split fifty-fifty if we find him.”
Javal quickly responded, “Although you said it was fine, I simply cannot forgive myself until I have made my insult right. You can take the reward 100%”
The party now plus Ak’ka had continued their journey in search of Carmine.
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Post by Ak'ka the Bonegrinder on Apr 5, 2023 22:07:36 GMT -5
“… Yer really stubborn for all the wrong reasons, ain’t ya?” Ak’ka huffed out a laugh. Going on about he’d committed some grievous offense against her and all that. Really, she’d heard way worse from folks who’d spat slurs and insults at her, and this guy was worried about hurting her feelings ‘cus he’d mistaken her for another orc?
“Look, you don’t gotta ‘forgive’ yourself or nothin. Mistakes happen and I don’t really care ‘bout money. I get yer the… noble sort or summat, but I’m not really concerned ‘bout that shit.” She tried to reason with him, though she wasn’t sure that Javal was really listening to what she said now that he’d gotten these ideas of manners and forgiveness.
Well she guessed she had the whole trip to talk him out of it while they searched for this wizard. This scene was familiar - Ak’ka, walkin’ side by side with someone in search of a mad mage hidden in the woods. She was old hat at this by now. The thrill of the hunt, the song of battle… that was what drew her to do this over and over again. But what moved Javal? He seemed the pretty simple type, ‘specially with all this talk about justice. Ak’ka liked that. You didn’t need to be complicated to be firm in your convictions.
“So…” She broke the silence, not really concerned about being stealthy. The thought of a gal like her attemptin’ to conceal her presence was honestly laughable. “This security company. What’s it all about? You hunt down criminals in the name of justice, make the world a safer place?”
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 6, 2023 2:39:57 GMT -5
"Ariadne, search this forest for our guy" Javal sends off his spider showing her the criminals bounty poster as reference. The spider scuttled away in search for where to find him. After Ak'ka joined the awkward silence Javal was relieved he felt deeply ashamed for insulting her and didn't want to make things worse. Nadia looked at the group for a second thinking to herself how thankful she was for Ariadne's addition to the team. They were not the stealthiest bunch of people thats for sure especially with her boss and this new Ak'ka lady's friendly demeanors.
A smile popped up on Javal's face as he responded to Ak'ka's, "Well the Drakon Security Company is all about helping people with what I do best. Fighting off the wicked in the name of justice as you said, while also making the world a better place. I once was a former pirate, although to be honest we weren't exactly the normal village raiding, killing, and pillaging type of pirates and more the adventure having, treasure hunting, family who defending the innocents pirates. I thought about being one again but decided to run things my own way. I want to help anybody and anyone with anything they need, this world needs justice especially now. If I can make it even just the little bit better than the way it was then Drakon was a success. To be honest another reason for fighting villains is that I love fighting and the feeling of combat putting your life on the line for something or some cause greater than yourself like justice".
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Post by Ak'ka the Bonegrinder on Apr 8, 2023 9:17:32 GMT -5
Javal sent the spider in to search the area, which seemed like a pretty good idea to have another set of eyes scopin’ around. She should probably do the same, yeah? Ak’ka reached into her pocket, pullin’ out a small doormouse from her pocket. “Come on, Squeak.” She whispered to the little guy. “Look around and see if you can find anything suspicious.”
She cast a sideways glance at Javal and his crew to see if they were payin’ attention. Not that she cared if they were or not. If they had a problem with a big gal like her carryin’ around a teeny pet, then by now they’d hopefully be smart enough to keep it to themselves. Her pet scampered off into the woods, and Ak’ka straightened, dusting ash offa her cloak as they continued moving.
At least Javal seemed to relax a bit when talkin’ about his security company. She was a bit shocked to learn he used to be a pirate given his strong sense of Justice but as he spoke, she guessed it kinda made sense. Though she’d never heard of any pirates that protected people and defended innocents. Almost made ‘em sound more like vigilantes than swashbucklers. To each their own she guessed. Ak’ka may not have really understood the intense need for Justice, but she got the thrill of the battle just fine.
She guessed she could kinda relate.
(She used to think it was the duty of the strong to protect the weak too.)
But that was a stupid sentiment that only got her buried under ten feet of snow and a front row seat to the destruction of her clan. So what the hell did she know about protection and Justice?
“I get what ya mean. Fighting… ain’t no feeling in the world like it.” It was in her blood, after all. She wondered what Javal’s battlesong would sound like. “Your blood pumpin’ in your ears, the feeling you get knowing you gotta give it your all ‘cus it’s you or them. That’s why I chase these guys.”
In part, anyways.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 9, 2023 12:09:22 GMT -5
Although Javal was clueless at too Ak'ka sending her pet mouse alongside Ariadne to look for clues, Nadia was not. She keenly watched over it happening and thought to herself, "That mouse is so cute, hopefully I can pet it later. I'm glad Ak'ka brought another set of eyes as well".
Javal's eyes were lit with excitement as he talked about battle with Ak'ka, "Me too, Fighting's so much fun, it's a real contest of strength. Just you and your opponent fighting to see how's stronger, nothing is complicated in battle no real thinking just your body and instincts to guide yourself. At least that's what fighting should be I hate cheaters who use multiple numbers to win fights, nothing fair about that"
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Post by Ak'ka the Bonegrinder on Apr 9, 2023 18:56:02 GMT -5
There was passion lighting up in Ak’ka’s eyes as she listened to Javal talk about battle. “Yeah. I get that.” She nodded in agreement, crossing her arms. “I’ve been battlin’ since I was twelve. Instead of feelin’ fear, I made myself focus on the thrill of it all. The adrenaline, the rage in the middle of a battlefield. Like, yeah, maybe you die, and that’s the end. But it’s the anger that makes ya feel truly alive.”
Usually the only thing that did make her feel that way these days. Even then it wasn’t what it used to be.
“In battle, everyone’s got a rhythm they move to. With their weapon, their body, whatever. Their war cries, the clash of their blades, the sound of their magic. It’s all part of their battlesong. And that’s the part of war that I love the most.”
Her brows rose when Javal started talkin’ about cheaters and whatnot. The idea of using multiple guys in a fight wasn’t really all that weird to her. She’d grown up in a volatile place. Wars with other clans happened all the time. The kinda rough and tumble battle where your allies could be dead around you and you were the only wall standing between yourself and the enemy invasion - and by the gods, you had to be unbreakable.
There was no other option.
“You ever been ganged up on, Javal?” Ak’ka asked. “I have. Thing about people is that they ain’t always as folks like you and me. So if they wanna take down a titan, they gotta find strength in the only way they can. With numbers.”
She shrugged.
“Is it fair? Hell no. But in the battlefield ya can’t always rely on shit like honor. Cus her enemy sure as hell won’t, and it’s either them or you.”
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 9, 2023 23:37:45 GMT -5
Javal was so excited, he hadn't met anybody before that shared his love of fighting. Well he did, his pirate crew but they were gone, and his fellow princes weren't the fighting fanatics like Javal was. Well, that was wrong Sasha was but he didn't even know if she was alive anymore. She probably died in some totally epic battle that was so Sasha she was always about battle and power. That's why both of them grew so close and were together for so long, maybe that's why it hurt him so much when she left and decided to leave him.
"Well enough of those thoughts, I have to live in the now", Javal thought to himself.
"Ah a fighter since young so am I, I was on the pirate crew since I was twelve as well, and before that, I spent on childhood training in the art of the sword to prove myself to my captain before he accepted me. There's something to being in the surge of battle chaos everywhere the only thing you can count on is yourself and your power there's nothing else like it in the entire world. That feeling of truly only counting on yourself and your instincts proves you are alive and strong. Your weapons feel like another part of your body. The part about a war that I love is challenging myself by beating everyone and everything on the field, although during some cases I have gotten carried away".
"I've been ganged up all the time, so many pirate battles and other wars where I've been completely surrounded with no friend in sight. I've only lost to 3 people in my life, my dad, my captain, and someone I'd rather not say", true strength is not through wickedness it's through your own skill. Cheap tricks only serve to dishonor yourself and your opponent, there are certain things that I don't like when fighting. For example, If I'm fighting one on one and the opponent has no weapon I'll gladly drop my weapon or give them mine to make it even. I upheld my justice even in the heart of battle although even in that I have sometimes failed I must admit".
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Post by Ak'ka the Bonegrinder on Apr 10, 2023 10:39:48 GMT -5
Yeah, her suspicions were confirmed when Javal started talkin’ about this code of his and his thoughts about honor and chivalry. Pretty interesting for someone with so much experience. Ak’ka had met plenty of guys before with those kinds of ideals, but those guys were just idealist dumbasses with a sword and shit all actual battle experience. Usually, they died when they met a real enemy who didn’t give a fuck about their honor or keeping things equal.
Javal was an outlier, that was for damn certain.
Ak’ka wasn’t sure what to make of him. He was obviously strong enough to take on tough guys and make it out on the other side, but he still managed to somehow stick to this code of his he’d come up with. Even giving weapons to enemies? Sounded less like a fight and more like a spar.
“One question for ya. What if yer enemy’s like me and fights with their fists? Do ya count that as being weaponless?” Wasn’t a question meant to poke holes in his argument, but a real one. There were some warriors like Ak’ka who preferred to use their body and not a piece of metal. But he seemed pretty damn dedicated to keepin’ up this code a’ his.
Ak’ka wondered if he’d be able to against the mad mage.
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