Athanas
You needed someone to blame, so you cast it on me.
The ride back was slightly faster, as the excitement was taking hold of Varrick and his companions. What a great turn of events this had been! He had gone there to ask for employment and a temporary holding... And the Princess had made him Marshal! Oh, the things he would do! from this position. Of course, he would honor his obligation to the Voguals, and he would reform their armies. They would soon be a house to be feared! Sadly, both a great deal of money and time were required, and he currently had neither. He'd have to start working out some sort of solution to both of these issues within a week. Restoration of a council ought to help somewhat in both of these regards, and if the Princess managed to actually prove competent and find herself a loyalist, he could start work on the internal corruption of this cesspool of a house. A lesser man would've avoided coming anywhere near this house, much less seek a position in it. He would try to get a position with the Mercers, or the Brens, scraping what he could. But there was no glory to be had for the one who held all the cards. None would remember the Marshal of House "We send thousands of untrained men to their deaths while our cavalry flanks them" Mercer. All will remember the tactical genius of the Marshal that somehow, managed to defeat not one, not two, but three houses, all richer and more powerful than his own.
He shook himself out of his daydreaming as they neared the camp palisades. There was a very long way to go before that was even achievable. Time and Money.The more he managed to scrape together before conflict broke out, the better his odds would be. He dismounted and handed off his horse to one of his soldiers to take to the stables, while his companions followed suit. As he was headed to his tent, however, some commotion caught his attention: Tovelson, the Camp Engineer was yelling obscenities and wildly swinging his hammer over a fallen soldier who was grasping his knee in agony. He had seen this scene play out far too many times, but he didn't mind: The Dwarf's mind was sharp as a razor. His expertise in all kinds of contraptions and smithing had been a tremendous asset. For all this, Varrick was more than happy to excuse his Belligerent behavior and violent outbursts. He had learned to not get stuck on pretenses, like so many others, but to instead see the true value of a man. Most Warlords would have dismissed Tovelson as some sort of drunk fool-but not Varrick. Most Warlords would have sent Krugh away immediately, without seeing that he was the only one who could keep the Feral Orcs under control-but not Varrick. Most would have executed Siv for having the audacity to defeat them in front of their men-But not Varrick.
He approached, putting a hand on Tovelson's shoulder to get his attention while Gordain moved to heal the injured soldier.
"They never learn to not mock your height, do they, Tov? No matter. Let's head to my tent! I have great news to share with you!"
He turned to the other soldier, who was now watching his relief as the mage was tending to his friend. "And ye: Go to the Quartermaster. Tell him to get a stage ready, There's going to be an announcement! Spread the word"
He walked by to his own part of the camp, where his tent, and the tents of the Merry Band where located. It was admittedly, quite the sight: Krugh's tent was lined with furs from the many different animals he hunted on his spare time, and currently there were some heads on spikes on display. Marius's tent was a good distance from the others, as the stench was almost unbearable, even for soldiers. A bizarre carving, painted with what looked suspiciously like blood was left outside, and Varrick knew best than to touch it. The tent of the twins, with Several straw targets and bullseyes lined up for target practice, all with the arrows almost perfectly aligning with the centers. Gordain's tent was almost like a hub of smaller tents-It served as the second infirmary, where the critically wounded were taken. The Mage's only condition for joining the band was that Varrick would allow him to use his powers to the fullest daily, trying to save as many soldiers as possible.
And of course, right in the Center, The Ogre's Tent. It was larger than the rest, with weapon racks and small trophies from his many conquests to be found both in the exterior and the interior. On top of it, a Stuffed Troll's head-His first real Trophy. A permanent reminder of the might of the man inside.
Of course, it was easily large enough to accommodate them all. Varrick liked having space, and the tent itself doubled as a command post. However, before he could make the announcement, the was some more commotion outside. Much to his horror, Krugh entered the tent carrying a badly wounded Siv. Varrick's concern was suddenly plainly visible on his features as he set her on the large table and Gordain rushed to inspect the damage and treat her.
"How....How did this happen Krugh? Ambush?"
"No, Boss! The Cat was a lot more fierce than I'as 'xpecting. And there was this idiot elemental whore -pah!- she ruined our surprise. I wanted to let the Beast gut her, but Siv 'ere wanted to save her for some bloody reason! Gah, if she wasn't so badly bloodied, I would've gutted the little twat. She even stole my kill! I SPEARED THE DAMN THING THROUGH, BUT NO! HER AND HER LITTLE FIRE TRICKS HAD TO COME ALONG! GREAHHHHHHHH!"
Krugh angrily slammed his fist against the ground. He always did that when he could not vent his fury on something made of flesh. Varrick ignored him. There was nothing he could do other than give him a raid soon.
"Aight Var. She's kinda banged up, but she will live. I just need a few minutes here... She should be conscious in a moment... In the meantime, Don't you have something to announce to everyone? Over wine, preferrably. I was really hoping this wouldn't be such a taxing night...."
"Oh, right, Right. So, everyone. Behold! I am now the Marshal of House Vogual! I'd like to start hearing suggestions!"
He went over to a barrel with some of his finest beer, preserved especially for such occasions. He opened a crate of mugs andbegan handing them to his band-mates.
Location: Inside his tent, in the War Camp
Interactions: Siv( ShadowBroker ), Tovelson( High5ives )
He shook himself out of his daydreaming as they neared the camp palisades. There was a very long way to go before that was even achievable. Time and Money.The more he managed to scrape together before conflict broke out, the better his odds would be. He dismounted and handed off his horse to one of his soldiers to take to the stables, while his companions followed suit. As he was headed to his tent, however, some commotion caught his attention: Tovelson, the Camp Engineer was yelling obscenities and wildly swinging his hammer over a fallen soldier who was grasping his knee in agony. He had seen this scene play out far too many times, but he didn't mind: The Dwarf's mind was sharp as a razor. His expertise in all kinds of contraptions and smithing had been a tremendous asset. For all this, Varrick was more than happy to excuse his Belligerent behavior and violent outbursts. He had learned to not get stuck on pretenses, like so many others, but to instead see the true value of a man. Most Warlords would have dismissed Tovelson as some sort of drunk fool-but not Varrick. Most Warlords would have sent Krugh away immediately, without seeing that he was the only one who could keep the Feral Orcs under control-but not Varrick. Most would have executed Siv for having the audacity to defeat them in front of their men-But not Varrick.
He approached, putting a hand on Tovelson's shoulder to get his attention while Gordain moved to heal the injured soldier.
"They never learn to not mock your height, do they, Tov? No matter. Let's head to my tent! I have great news to share with you!"
He turned to the other soldier, who was now watching his relief as the mage was tending to his friend. "And ye: Go to the Quartermaster. Tell him to get a stage ready, There's going to be an announcement! Spread the word"
He walked by to his own part of the camp, where his tent, and the tents of the Merry Band where located. It was admittedly, quite the sight: Krugh's tent was lined with furs from the many different animals he hunted on his spare time, and currently there were some heads on spikes on display. Marius's tent was a good distance from the others, as the stench was almost unbearable, even for soldiers. A bizarre carving, painted with what looked suspiciously like blood was left outside, and Varrick knew best than to touch it. The tent of the twins, with Several straw targets and bullseyes lined up for target practice, all with the arrows almost perfectly aligning with the centers. Gordain's tent was almost like a hub of smaller tents-It served as the second infirmary, where the critically wounded were taken. The Mage's only condition for joining the band was that Varrick would allow him to use his powers to the fullest daily, trying to save as many soldiers as possible.
And of course, right in the Center, The Ogre's Tent. It was larger than the rest, with weapon racks and small trophies from his many conquests to be found both in the exterior and the interior. On top of it, a Stuffed Troll's head-His first real Trophy. A permanent reminder of the might of the man inside.
Of course, it was easily large enough to accommodate them all. Varrick liked having space, and the tent itself doubled as a command post. However, before he could make the announcement, the was some more commotion outside. Much to his horror, Krugh entered the tent carrying a badly wounded Siv. Varrick's concern was suddenly plainly visible on his features as he set her on the large table and Gordain rushed to inspect the damage and treat her.
"How....How did this happen Krugh? Ambush?"
"No, Boss! The Cat was a lot more fierce than I'as 'xpecting. And there was this idiot elemental whore -pah!- she ruined our surprise. I wanted to let the Beast gut her, but Siv 'ere wanted to save her for some bloody reason! Gah, if she wasn't so badly bloodied, I would've gutted the little twat. She even stole my kill! I SPEARED THE DAMN THING THROUGH, BUT NO! HER AND HER LITTLE FIRE TRICKS HAD TO COME ALONG! GREAHHHHHHHH!"
Krugh angrily slammed his fist against the ground. He always did that when he could not vent his fury on something made of flesh. Varrick ignored him. There was nothing he could do other than give him a raid soon.
"Aight Var. She's kinda banged up, but she will live. I just need a few minutes here... She should be conscious in a moment... In the meantime, Don't you have something to announce to everyone? Over wine, preferrably. I was really hoping this wouldn't be such a taxing night...."
"Oh, right, Right. So, everyone. Behold! I am now the Marshal of House Vogual! I'd like to start hearing suggestions!"
He went over to a barrel with some of his finest beer, preserved especially for such occasions. He opened a crate of mugs andbegan handing them to his band-mates.
Location: Inside his tent, in the War Camp
Interactions: Siv( ShadowBroker ), Tovelson( High5ives )