The First Age of Man

[Piston Honda]

The men look up abruptly. The second man grabs his spear and looks ready to get up before the third holds a hand up toward him and looks back and forth between Niraya and the first man, whom is only staring directly at her for what feels like an eternity before he turns his eyes to the third. The third man gives a nod to the first. The third and the second speak to each other for a moment, their voices low and muted to Niraya by the fire, but it is obvious they are speaking. The third man stands.

“Ye come from a tribe, girl?” He is cautious, not speaking too loud, his tone ambivalent. Just past, it is obvious the second man is looking about in the trees around them, spear still in hand. The first man looks to the third as he asks his question, then to Niraya in wait of her response.

[sblock=Axel]Tekai can see what’s going on, but cannot hear from his vantage point.[/sblock]

---

“You did a good job convincing me not to go.” Seerah quips to Sheng as he heads toward where Niraya went off to. Heading toward their location, Inguar does an excellent job keeping down among the trees, almost requiring a double take by Sheng to make sure he is still there. Seerah doesn’t seem overly concerned with stealth, or is perhaps too distracted to notice herself.

In the distance, Sheng can see smoke rising.

 

[Shayuri]

Niraya nods quickly. She didn't want to seem too harmless. "Yes. There's others not too far off. We didn't want to alarm you all coming at once. What about you? Are you out hunting?"

 

[Piston Honda]

The man nods as Niraya tells him there are others. As she asks what they are doing, there is a silence among them, almost uncomfortable as the third man gives her a grim look before looking back at the others. “We’re looking for survivors.” Heturns back toward her. “Our tribe was traveling through here, and the Orcs attacked. We were separated. Odowyn is the only one I’ve found alive and we have buried many of our kin.” His voice grows wearier, and he gestures towards the second man. “I am Raomohr. And our friend here, Palkr, we found him as well. His tribe long since lost.” The first man, Palkr, bows his head to Niraya. “We are remnants of the tribe of Tóka. I’m afraid we can’t offer much in way of food, especially if there are others. Who are you, dear?”

 

[Axel]

Tekai lets out a breath he didn't realise that he'd been holding as the men don't seem inclined to spear Niraya on sight. Swallowing a little nervously, he stands and shoulders how bow before walking slowly and openly towards the group.

 

[Shayuri]

Niraya gives them a sympathetic look and shakes her head. "I don't need any of your food," she assures them. "We just saw your fire and wanted to make sure you were...safe?"

A rustle behind her alerts her to glance around and see Tekai. She nods at him, then looks back at the tribesmen.

"I'm sorry for your loss."

Then a little alarm goes off in her brain.

"Wait...was this...did this happen near here?" Niraya asks in sudden alarm.

 

[Piston Honda]

Raomohr grunts at her Niraya’s condolence, not with any ill will, just a way to avoid grievance before he and the others acknowledge Tekai as he walks toward them. “About a day and a half north of here. It’s been just over a week, we’ve been camped out here, Odowyn sets the traps and keeps our food supplies. I’ve been scouting the area for anyone I could find. The heavy snow made it tough to get far. I stumbled upon Palkr two days ago.”

Palkr speaks up for the first time. “I had a cave to the Southwest, not greatly far, been there for gods know how long, ‘way from the trails, but the Orcs moved into the area that morning. I’ve spied them sometimes around there passing through, around, but they were staying in the area, constantly patrolling the whole day, so I took off in the dead of night. I could’ve gone South, it’s safer cause they don’t like going down there, but, the cold ones live there...”

---

Sheng, Seerah and Inguar close in on the trees Tekai had been hiding in. Close enough to see Niraya and Tekai speaking to the men around the fire, but unable to hear. Inguar stands up, “I believe we are safe. I’ve met the man with the braided hair, years ago. One of Tóka’s men.”

 

[Axel]

"Hello. I am Tekai, of Hjalmofir's tribe. We were passing by and saw smoke from your fire. I am sorry for sneaking about your camp, but not two days past we were attacked by Orcs. We thought it wise to see before being seen," Tekai said, stiffly and a little formally. He had never been particularly good at dealing with other people...

"Not far off are more companions, two men and a woman in a cart. And a horse. We brought down a buck just this morning and would share it with you if you have news of these parts,"

 

[Voda Vosa]

Sheng raised his eyebrows. "Then let's go talk to them, they seem friendly. They haven't speared anyone yet.

 

[Piston Honda]

Odywyn speaks, "Two men and a woman are approaching. No cart it would seem." Raomohr nods, waiting for the remainder of the party, though before they arrive something seems to click. "Hjalmofir? Husband of Dyrfinna? I remember them, Nokkva's tribe back then."

Sheng, Seerah and Inguar make their way into the area. After pause, Raomohr speaks, "Inguar, it is good to see you after so many years." He offers his hand to Inguar, who meets with a hearty handshake. "You as well Raomohr. I have not met the others before though."

Raomohr begins making his introductions to the others. "I am Raomohr, of the tribe of Tóka." He nods to the man with the braided beard. "This is Odywyn. Our new Gothi." Finally, he introduces the short haired man. "This is Palkr. He lived in these woods alone for many years." Palkr nods to the group. "Our tribe was attacked a little over a week ago by the Orcs. So far I've buried nine of our people. And I haven't gone back to where the attack happened. We have yet to find Tóka. As far as we know, we are all that remains."

 

[Voda Vosa]

Sheng Shemin

Sheng nods to the three men. "Sheng Shemin, once belonged to Geirvor's tribe. I was living on a cave far north, when I found these nice gents and aided them with their orc problems." Sheng says, shaking hands with the three men.