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[escaped lurker]

Allright guys, who's up for a Strategical Text Suggestion Game?
The first few post will get us into the setting, but after that comes the main-game - and with it more "free" suggestions. Let's have at it ;3
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You stare intensely at the fine parchment that is sprawled out onto a ramshackle excuse of a table - not that you are actively staring at it, there are other thoughts on your mind. The afternoon heat still daunting, sweat is pouring out of your pores, leaving you to wish for a fresh breeze of air wafting through the provisional set-up tent. As your wish goes ungranted, you continue to stare at the scene before you.

Spoiler: The Parchment in Question (click to show/hide)

It would seem as if some of the red lines were drawn onto it afterwards, thou it is somewhat hard to tell - And not like you have a real interest in this document anyway.

What to make out of this - What indeed. You never quite partook in any activity that would be described as "mentally draining" and this circumstance seemingly works against you in this instance. Neither would you ever think or talk in such well-fitted sentences, but that is a matter that shall stay unadressed. While uncounsciously rubbing your left over the stubbles on your chin, a burning sensation in your gut further strains your mood. You take a mental note to give the twerp another earful for his stupid idea as soon as you got this buisness over with - but that seems easier said than done. You suppose there is no way you can weasel yourself out of this one - or would you even want to?

The heat still not allevated, you set on to swipe sweat from your brow when you hear the shaman nebst to you calling out; Well, Young'un - decided yet? You instinctively shake your head, an action wich earns you a sigh from the elderly one. You were more decisive when you took this as your possession, he remarks, while employing a lax motion towards the silvery sword leaning onto the table. Your gaze drifts briefly towards the wepaon - if one would be inclined to call it as such. Too much ornaments and coloured stones, while having too short a grip and way too less weight - an elven sword. Useless but in the hands of a welp.

Now listen up, will ya, the elderly orc clothed in a wolven fur-tunic continues. Countless beads, talisman and religious crafts worked into it - the shaman of your homestead would have been hard pressed to come up with a quarter of such adornment. While you entertain the thought of just what position this one holds - and why despite your age difference he seems not as fazed by the heat as you are , he leaps up from his chair with an ease that betrays his quite visibly graying hair. This is a great trade for you so I dont know what's there to struggle with. Not like that sword could come handy in any way, except maybe in getting the elves at your throat.

After a deep sigh he runs his wrinkly hands through his beard, all the while eyeing you with suspicion - or is it interest? After meeting his gaze for a few moments more than what would be polite conduct - an action you would blame on your current state of mind - the old shaman breaks into a short chuckle. So thats the reason afterall? Wouldn't have thought so after seeing you at first, but well. After clearing his throat he continues with a sliver of apology in his voice - very unbecomming as someone of his status; We dont know much yet about these lands but sure, I will tell you what little we do, ".....".

For a moment you are inclined to correct the name wich was just addressed towards you, but for your own well-being refrain from doing so.


By wich name did the shaman adress you?

Spoiler: Status (click to show/hide)

Health: Worrying
Nasty wound in the abdomen - burned out, starting to heal
Several cuts and bruisings - semi-healed

Skills:
Adequate Axewielder
Poor Blocker
Competent Brawler

Spoiler: Possesions (click to show/hide)

1x Set of worn out leather-armour
1x Notched shoddy battleaxe
1x Damaged wodden buckler
1x Richly adorned elven sword (looted)
7x Elven Silver (looted)
15x Orcen copper

[lawastooshort]

Ninkasi the Wretched.

[escaped lurker]

Spoiler: Decision (click to show/hide)

Ninkasi the Wretched.

Very fitting, I like it. Ninkasi it will be. The Surname will be added later on.

Ninkasi. This so very familiar name that for the longest time has rested upon your cousin and long-term companion. The later even before you were thrown out of your village, to embark onto the road of men - a perilous quest for strength. With another one of your tribe you went through happenings ranging from comical to hazardly dangerous - and over the four years of your traveling, quite many inbetween.

When the Supreme Chieftain called for war and able men against the elves (casus beli: "It's time to cut those noisy wimps into place!") your trio was fast to join the mob. While the later pillaged and burned it's way towards the heartlands of the elves - leaving them with little choice but trying to interupt them - the chieftains had the liberty to direct their own troops towards the various points of interest. By the time the elves had gathered their troops, most of their fortifications and significant bordertowns had fallen to flames or into the hands of their conqueror. Hoping for a turnaround they sought a final battle with all of their available troops - and lost, dearly so. Their ongoing protest that "a diplomatic measure pertaining to hunting-related border violations of your citizen" had ended them in this war, was met with broad indifference on the orc's side; The Supreme Chieftain having declared their former actions as an outrage having some part in it. After their loss they were fast to begrudingly settle the peace with some land near the borders.

Back in the tent, the elder orc reaches for the map, glancing over it before raising his voice. Right, these Elves don't put dawn on top of their maps - for whatever reasons they put night. Says much about their gods - wich such obvious shortcomings surely inferior to our own. Anyways, as you just might not be the last one to stumble over that.. there we go. After a few strokes the map is neatly adorned by dawn, zenit, dusk and night - and seen from that angle you see that the lands by dawn should be the homelands. While the map certainly does make much more sense by now, the markings do not allevate your initial dilema. While receiving some silver in the name of your belated cousin would have been dishonorable, stealing what ought to be his honours certainly feels a whole lot worse.

For simple reasons we decided to keep the borders of the past elven chieftains - makes it easier to see who owns which slaves, you see, the shaman continues, before breaking into a spiel;

The Dawnmost one borders on the mainland, full of fertile plains but also with plenty woods for hunting. Thing is, the mob already went over it once - all I'm gonna say about that.

Stretching most of the new border with the elves, the Zenit one - most of it is an elevated plateu. Overall arid, but we've heard they struck some metal in parts of it.

Encompassing a big lake, fed from the nightwards mountains and with a small border towards the elves, the duskward province. A zenitwards river from the lake stretches most of the border.

The nightwards parts are heavily forested for the most part, but very fertile where not. Said mountains also spring up there. Elves say that they are impassable and "holy", but we'll see about that in time.

Spoiler: Time to get a good look (click to show/hide)

(Post-Posting-Edit)


Well, for wich region will "Ninkasi" settle?

Spoiler: Status (click to show/hide)

Health: Worrying
Nasty wound in the abdomen - burned out, starting to heal
Several cuts and bruisings - semi-healed

Skills:
Adequate Axewielder
Poor Blocker
Competent Brawler

Spoiler: Possesions (click to show/hide)

1x Set of worn out leather-armour
1x Notched shoddy battleaxe
1x Damaged wodden buckler
1x Richly adorned elven sword (looted)
7x Elven Silver (looted)
15x Orcen copper

[Xantalos]

Nightwards.

[Mithras]

The old Ninkasi apparently had a penchant for the impossible, it'd only be right by him to take the nightward province and attempt to live up to the name.

[lawastooshort]

+1 to the two above.

[Cheesecake]

PTW.

[escaped lurker]

Spoiler: Decision (click to show/hide)

 3 Votes for Nightwards, none to any other province. Clear majority. Just to say, all the provinces are pretty balanced in their own right, depending on your decisions.

After pondering it over for a few moments, you decide to take the nightwards province - you get the inkling that Ninkasi would have wanted it that way.

The Shaman seems to give your decision some thought, before giving an ambiguous nod of approval. Might have it's merits, true that. As it stands, there are plans to set up some sort of camp to keep the elves in line. "Raider Surkoz" has volunteered to lead his troops there - likes to hunt as I hear it. With both of you on eqal rank, he certanly would not go under your command - but hiring him should be possible.

While continuing to talk into your general direction, the elderly orc beginns to rummage through the corners of the tent. He is soon met with succes and diverts his attention back at you.We will not give out the reasons for your honoring other than that your deeds were crucial in bringing down the elves. This should not be lost on them - the Supreme Chieftan very much enjoys this kind of irony, you see. After another short chuckle he continues with a serious look on his face. Don't except honorable means from them - they would rather come in numbers or get you in your sleep.

While still talking, he beckons you to stand before him, in the middle of the room. With a regal motion he hands you a scourge with a single strap - proof of you having attained the honor of Marauder, allowing you the possession of land and a humble array of troops. Your motion perfected through many opportunities playing this scenario as a welp, you receive it gracefully in the traditional fashion.

He then gestures you to lay down onto some pelts in the corner of the room, to wich you comply. To the burning of herbs and while chanting, the shaman inks a short thick line of black onto your right cheek, the outlining of it announcing your new rank - as is the traditional custom. You sleep off the dizying effects of the herbs while the shaman goes on about his buisness, at some point giving you some parchment "for the elves", gently throwing you out of the tent afterwards. The Sword you leave behind thou, as this was part of the deal - the Supreme Chieftain not only enjoys irony, but also trophies it seems.

With dusk settling in, you would return to your tent to share the news, but think briefly of said Raider Surkoz who was mentioned before...

What are your Plans for the evening?

Spoiler: Status (click to show/hide)

Health: Worrying
Nasty wound in the abdomen - burned out, starting to heal
Several cuts and bruisings - semi-healed
Small fresh tattoo - minuscule

Skills:
Adequate Axewielder
Poor Blocker
Competent Brawler

Spoiler: Possesions (click to show/hide)

1x Set of worn out leather-armour
1x Notched shoddy battleaxe
1x Damaged wodden buckler
1x Scourge, Marauder-Strap
1x Parchment "for the Elves"
7x Elven Silver (looted)
15x Orcen copper

Spoiler: Trivia (click to show/hide)

Scourges and their Straps, together with the Tattoos on their faces, are the tell-signs of upper orc hierarchy. Each of them allowes the individual certain privileges. In the case of Marauder some "infantry", the already mentioned Raider obviously cavalery. Most of the Straps are to be won in battle, with a few being awarded to contestants at the yearly meeting of chieftains. Up to a certain number of Straps, the highest "title" will be commonly be the form to address the individual. (This and future Trivia will be included in the Starting-Post later on.)

[Mithras]

Try to remember if the rank of Marauder comes with troops or the right to recruit them.

Find Raider Surkoz and find out what we can do for each other.

[Funk]

try to buy some better armor.

[escaped lurker]

Spoiler: Decision (click to show/hide)

 Sounds good, lets see how we will fare; Somewhat mixed rolls, but good overall.

Deciding to not let the evening go to waste, you set out to find mentioned raider. An easy undertaking, given that most of them have settled some way from the rest of the maincamp for the sake of their mounts. Even then, some howling seems to be audible at any time of the day. With some asking around you easily find the encampment of Surkoz pack - only that they are not present. After inquiring to their neighbours, it seems that they have taken their wolves for a ride and should not be expected to return before quite some time after nightfall. After handing one of the men a copper, he is sure to deliver the news of your arrival, nebst your message.

Dejected you begin to walk back to your camp, but can't shake the feeling that something is amiss. After pondering the issue for a while, you run into someone while lost in thought. Much to your surprise he gives you a curt "My bad", instead of an insult or other retalation, and at this point it dawns on you. You are given some more measure of respect than you are used to, thinking back even when asking for the raider the others were quite more willing to be helpful than is usual. It seems the Ink is already hard at work - not unpleasant indeed.

Your mood heightend by that relevation, you try to leverage your new position even more so. Stopping by the next-best "trader" with an ample stash of looted and pillaged goods, you decide to try your luck. Sure enough, instead of a disdainful or desinterested glance he meets your presence with a smile, even going so far as to pull out the better pieces and appraising them to you. One armour out of hardened leather meets your eye - only slight damaging from where an arrow met the neck of its former owner, and the blood has been washed out for the most part. After haggling it down to two Elven Silver (Or three Orcen ones, for that part) the trader is not willing to decrease his price - to think that he started at five you feel lucky to have him pressed down that much. After seeing you indecisive for a couple of breaths, he becons you to wait for a moment. When you see the armour again, he has stitched some wolven fur onto the length of the shoulders, making for a suitable armour for your new standing.

Doning your newest possession on your way back, noone dares to run into you anymore. The last stretch towards your tent is guided by the glow of torches, as night has completely fallen by this point of time. To your surprise Gózul is already standing outside of your shared tent, with a stranger besides him. With a Raider Tattoo on his cheecks and the wolf not far off, you wager a good guess to his identity.

Surkoz, I take it, is your greeting, accompanied by a forceful-met handshake and his nod. It seems that I have arrived here quite faster than you did, but no matter. I already talked with your companion and would like to keep our talk short. Let me say beforehand that I appreciate your forwardness in this matter, and my Interest in the nightward province is true. The problem that I see is how you would want to go about paying the fees for me and my pack...

Without him even finishing his sentence, you already know where he is going - and you are not sure if you want any of that. Sure enough, you need some troops and while you would be allowed to gather up to thirty men by yourself, having some wolfriders here and now would speed up the process of you "actually" taking charge of your lands. But Surkoz Intentiones in this matter are quite straight forward - he wants his own piece for his services. And with no guarante to find someone else as fitting for your cause as him, he has a good chance of you giving in.

How will you go about recruiting this cunning fellow?

Spoiler: Status (click to show/hide)

Health: Worrying
Nasty wound in the abdomen - burned out, starting to heal
Several cuts and bruisings - semi-healed
Small fresh tattoo - minuscule

Skills:
Adequate Axewielder
Poor Blocker
Competent Brawler

Spoiler: Possesions (click to show/hide)

1x Set of adorned hardened leather
1x Notched shoddy battleaxe
1x Damaged wodden buckler
1x Scourge, Marauder-Strap
1x Parchment "for the Elves"
5x Elven Silver (looted)
14x Orcen copper

Spoiler: Relevant Persona (click to show/hide)

Ninkasi - Your shortly deceased Cousin - Dead
Gózul - Long-Term Companion - Trusted Friend
Surkoz - Raider in hope of employment - Just met

Spoiler: Trivia (click to show/hide)

The real challenge for rank-bearers is in most cases not finding men to serve under them, but keeping them fed. Because of that, many either serve a higher-ranking orc with possession of land, or only make use of their privileges in times of war.

[RAM]

I would consider giving them authority over a plot of land to manage it as they see fit, but maintaining technical ownership and the right to reclaim it if they cease their cooperation with us. And paying them in loot, of course... A bit too feudal for orcs though... I really am rather reluctant to give up any land, but I would be willing to cede up to 5%, maybe even 10% were I desperate, if it can get us the wolf-riders. But there are more wolves in the forest as they say...

[Mithras]

We figure we can do better than a plot of land. Sit down and talk to him, taking a measure of him as a leader, especially trying to ascertain why he has not been given his own province for his deeds in the latest war.

If he seems like a competant orc who wants to make money in the long term offer him co ownership of the province, we still technically own it but all profits from the province are split 50-50. All decisions must be agreed too by both parties. Any unilateral decisions made will incur a heavy fine, (say 10% of a months profit)

This way we get a (hopefully) competant and experienced partner who's interested in getting as much money as possible over the years. And someone with the authority to look after the place when we're finally strong enough to explore the mountains.

[escaped lurker]

Spoiler: Decision (click to show/hide)

Quite the difference between opinions - I took the middleground. While it was fun - and my goal - to get a bit of flair going, it has become quite word-heavy. Glad to take it to the "core-game" with the next turn/s.

The talk goes as you had presumed, with Surkoz seemingly quite fixated on having a part in your soon-to-be province - to your chagrin he will only do so on his terms. While you make it clear that you would like to see his performance first before issuing any land to him, he remains steadfast in his claim that his pack would well be worth it. With a sigh you remark that your talk is starting to go in circles, and shortly after that you come to a conclusion: For the first year Surkoz will get half of your plunderings - any loyalities after that would have to be payed in land, a point that he does not wish to part with.

After the discussion you turn to some normal conversation, in wich you find out the reason for his interest. In the War his pack was hired as scouts by one of the more influental chieftains, and has found the land much to their liking. He would even have tried to gain hold of it by participating in battle, but except some skirmishes there was only one of note - wich he missed because of other appointments. You part with an amiable handshake.

So the moment you get yourself some ink, you run off to gather a warband, leaving me hanging waiting for you. When that raider came looking for our tent, I really thought our ruse flew off, you know! Gózul, who had listened to your discussion with the raider finally speaks up as the later one leaves - mind you, keeping his voice low enough that none of the neigbhouring tents would hear it.
Oh shut it - I only went along with it because your blabbering left us no choice.
You know that's not very convincing, coming from the one who got Ink out of it? But damn, Marauder for gutting one of their chieftains? Seem's like Ninkasi's rotten Luck is working for him even in death.

Indeed, it was your cousin that - in a fit of rage - breached a line of defenders, the mob behind him gaining momentum and the whole affair culminating in the beheading of some noble elf by "yours" truly. At that time Ninkasi had already recieved a gashing wound on his stomach - much like yours that was modeled to look alike later. Seemingly some shaman had kept an eye on the battle, (as frankly anbody else would rather partake in it) observing the deed - with the claimed sword and armor being the give-away, nebst to the wound.

When they came looking for him, he was already cremated - but Gózul, keen on the mentioned reward talked himself into a pickle. With that - and the argument that Ninkasi would have undoubtly wanted you to recieve the price in his stead - you had little choice but to let him see his ruse to the end. Little had you known about the price beforehand, only that it would be substantial enough - and gods knew you were hard-pressed for the money, having sold off most of your loot for giving Ninkasi a fitting ceremony. Your looks had been quite close to each other, same for the height - even some aquaintances have had their problems telling you apart after a few years without contact - or a few kegs too much.

Was not one of their normal chieftains, they told me, was the only son of their current Supreme Chieftain. So when "Nin" took that weight off his shoulders, it actually made us win the battle far easier.
You kidding? What kinda warchief has only one son - next thing you tell me he only had only one wife too. To that you only shrug, replying with,Who knows, Elves are weird afterall. By that point your talk turns to less serious banter and the immediate future.
When Surkoz comes by dawn with two of their spare-wolves in tow you are ready to depart.

Is there anything left to do or are you ready to take claim of your possession?

Spoiler: Status (click to show/hide)

Health: Worrying
Nasty wound in the abdomen - burned out, starting to heal
Several cuts and bruisings - semi-healed
Small fresh tattoo - minuscule

Skills:
Adequate Axewielder
Poor Blocker
Competent Brawler

Spoiler: Possesions (click to show/hide)

Set of adorned hardened leather
Notched shoddy battleaxe
Damaged wodden buckler
Scourge, Marauder-Strap
Ninkasi's Ashes
Parchment "for the Elves"
5x Elven Silver (looted)
14x Orcen copper

Spoiler: Relevant Persona (click to show/hide)

Ninkasi - Your shortly deceased Cousin - Dead
Gózul - Long-Term Companion - Trusted Friend
Surkoz - Raider in your employment - Still unsure

Spoiler: Trivia (click to show/hide)

As is hinted in this chapter, Warchiefs tend to have multiple wifes. It is one of the privileges that multiple straps hold. As a result of this, a good part of Orcen society is actually born to the wealthy upper caste - but with positions non-hereditary the impact of it is not very percievable.

[RAM]

Well, we need to take our standard[I vote on a pair of green fists crossed over a blue field] and arrange for the [insert appropriate conveyors of wears and resources] to visit our holdings.