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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Taboo" data-source="post: 549330" data-attributes="member: 5912">Thorin and TurkSorry about that, I'll try to make up for it by posting two closer together! Here's the first one, it took a little longer, trying to make sure of accuracy. The next to follow very soon, I promise!*******************************The sun had risen. Thorin was in his room sharpening his waraxe with his whetstone, getting ready for the day. Turk strode into the room in full armor and weapons, his stance and expression filled with the power of Pelor - ready to smite the evil of the world.  Thorin looked up when the door opened and said, “Ah, I see I’m not the only one who’s been sharpening his weapon. No wonder there are so many humans around considering how quickly they seem to mate.” Turk bristled at Thorin’s tone. “I’m not sure what you mean by that.”“Ahh, If ye don’t understand, I guess it can’t be that important.” Thorin shook his head, and then continued. "I’m glad ye’re here, there’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about, but have been waiting for a private time to do it.”Turk looked at Thorin and asked, “What business do you have on your chest, Thorin?”“I must admit a couple of things to you before we get going too far. My exposure to humans has been somewhat limited, so I will admit that I do not understand them particularly well.”Turk interrupted, “Speaking, or how they act?”Thorin continued, ignoring Turk’s interruption “So, now I understand from some of the things you were saying, you went to something called an academy, is that right?” “That is correct.”“Was this a Military Academy?”“That is also correct, Thorin.”“This Military Academy that you went to, did they teach you about diplomacy?”“No.” Turk was wondering what Thorin was getting at.“They did not. Ah, that explains many things.” Thorin exclaimed,  like a major question had been answered.“I learn..” Turk stopped mid-word when he processed what Thorin said. “What do you mean by that?”“I noticed in my observations of yer discussions with Minx, there’s some advice I feel obliged to offer to ya. You can take what I have to say and try to apply it or ignore it, it’s up to you. Because what you do is yer own business. I mean after all you’re only human.”Turk stood there looking at him. “Are you insulting me?”“No, not at all, just observing. In my times in the service of my clan, we were always taught that you praise people publicly, but you admonish them in private. I would suggest in the future, for the sake of the troops morale, when go to have a disagreement with somebody, try not to be so public about it.”Turk told him, quite honestly, “I think you’re speaking to the wrong person.”“Well, if you’re assuming a position of leadership, I am talking to the right person.”“Assuming what position of leadership?” Turk was puzzled at what Thorin was talking about.“Did you not say that because of your education and your training that you would be good at tactical matters?” Thorin asked.“Right, when we were back at the pyramid, when we first met, and I am very good at tactical matters. Telling people how we should attack at the flank, who should be at the front or the back. I thought we’d all agreed we’d accept my advice on that.”“Granted, now this also could be my perceptions based on differences between the way humans run a military group and the way dwarves do. In dwarven society, in dwarven combat, a person who’s the leader in one thing is the leader in everything. Is this not the same for humans?”Turk had to explain human hierarchy. “Well, in human government there are many levels of leadership. You can have for example a king, who at times will go to battle with his troupes and lead them in tactical matters, but more often than not he simply handles civil matters. He may tell his generals where to attack, but he leaves the tactical matters to the generals. Whereas a lieutenant or captain would have no civil authority in the army, but they would be in control of their men in every aspect of what they do, whether they are on or off duty. Now, if you are implying that I am the leader of this group, that has not been agreed to. All I said was when we’re in a dangerous situation, where combat occurred I felt we need someone to say, you do this and you do that. I have asked for that, and everyone agreed. “Thorin nodded his understanding as Turk explained. “Ah, I see. So this is a different structure than what the dwarves use. Very well, then I have no issues with that.  But another thing I will suggest. You abilities with the ladies being what they may or they may not be, that’s fine, what you choose to do with your time I could care less. But something else I would suggest to you, perhaps it would be wise if you try to refrain from the ladies in the party, because it could cause more problems than solutions. This is just a bit of advice.”“I think you need to be careful of the advice that you give, Thorin.” Turk kept his voice level, just barely letting Thorin finish his sentence.“As I said, you can take it or leave it as you so choose.” Thorin finished.“I will not tell you what to do with your personal life, and I ask the same, that you do not tell me. It is not chivalrous to speak of such things.” Turk’s voice held a hint of a warning this time.“And I did not ask any questions.” Thorin added.“But you are bringing up the subject.” Turk clarified for him.“This is just based on my observations.”“As I said.” Turk was not backing down.“But very well, your choices are your own. But do not say it was not a concern that I did not voice.”“Well I, am more than happy to listen to anything that involves the group and how we are going to adventure down the road. I do think we should probably have a leader, but no one has chosen one yet. Do you feel anyone has chosen a leader?” Turk asked Thorin this time.“I do not believe there have been any formal declarations, proclamations, voting, or other selections.” Answered Thorin.“I am in agreement to that. Therefore, I would be stepping out of my bounds to try and be a leader, beyond what has been agreed upon. Perhaps you would like to be the leader? We also have Minx and Kierwin and Snap or Geirmund?”“As things have gone so far, we have not seen an overriding need for a formal chain of command. And while that’s different from the way that dwarves normally operate, I see no reason to try to, to use a human expression, fix something that is not yet broken.”“You cannot force someone to obey commands when we are not a military environment.”“No, it is another sad disadvantage.” Thorin agreed.“But if we decide down the road to have a leader, then everyone would have to agree to follow that person’s advice. Until we so decide, in a non-combative environment, that it was time to dissolve that leadership. Obviously, you cannot question orders during combat. Just like we are back in town, we could easily at that point say ‘I no longer wish to follow Thorin as my leader and I choose to leave.’ But we haven’t done that, because we are right now, I think, just a loose knit group that decided we all want to help Osa.” Turk explained his thinking on the matter.Thorin agreed.Turk continued, “And as long as you all wish to travel upon the same tribulations that I look forward to, to help those people who are in need, to help those that are weak, and need someone more powerful to protect them, to destroy the evil that exists in this world to the best of my ability, then I shall welcome you. But once your path veers from that, then I shall travel alone if need be, but I will not sway from my quest, that I have pledged myself to my god.”“Very well!” Thorin answered. “All this listening has made me hungry! Let’s go get some breakfast.”They headed downstairs for breakfast.</blockquote>

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