Kuriak's Great Crusade - Page 3

Ephirith · #21 02-17-2012, 08:58 PM

Chapter IV: Kuriak Brings Love and Happiness Back to Cabilis

In Cabilis, happiness is considered a form of deviant psychosis. An Iksar caught trying to learn how to laugh or smile is subject to exile to the Field of Bone, where they may expect each one of their bodily crevices to be inhabited by scorpions. Though love and friendship are not wholly foreign concepts to the Iksar, they express it in different ways, often through pain, terror, or conflict. Lizardman has no word for friendship, the closest approximation being 'cooperation toward an end'.

During his deployment, Kuriak had been exposed to excessive amounts of 'friendship', and 'kindness'. Passing druids imbued his flesh with protective thorns and soothed his scales with regenerative chloroplasts. The soldiers he cooperated with told delightful stories, and exhibited impractical selflessness. He was even contacted by the disembodied voice of an ogre heretic named Borf who sympathized with the Crusader cause and offered friendship; strangers gave Kuriak cake and ale, and they wished him good tidings as he departed to return to Cabilis.

After a perilous journey through the Dreadlands, weary and facing a moderate existential crisis, Kuriak approached the gates of Cabilis. There, he saw Trooper Mozo, whom he greeted kindly and respectfully, pleased to once again be among Iksar.

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And as quickly as that, Kuriak's aura of sunshine and rainbows had been dissipated by the acrimonious vitriol of Iksar society. But for some reason, it felt good. The uncertainty in Kuriak's mind cleared, and he again felt a clarity of purpose. He had to go and see Xog.

On his way into the city, he passed a gathering of froglok slaves sheltered in the shade, trying to catch their breath between merciless floggings. Kuriak stood among them passively for a moment as they cringed in fear. Smile frogloks! They hesitated for several moments, until one of the frogloks beamed a smile. Kuriak then beat them savagely.

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Glowing from the therapeutic maiming of slaves, it was time for Kuriak to go and see Arch Duke Xog to report on the results of his deployment to Faydwer.

Kuriak: Arch Duke Xog, it is an honor to again be in your presence.

Arch Duke Xog: Who are you?

Kuriak: I am Kuriak. My Lord, I have returned from Faydwer victorious. The Crushbone Orcs have been deprived of their slaves, and I had the honor of ending their lives myself. I have brought you this decorative gift basket containing the heads of various slaves with assorted fruits and candies.

Arch Duke Xog: Crushbone? Oh yes, that is right, I did send somebody. Good... good, well done. Kuriak, was it? I have your next assignment.

Arch Duke Xog: The Haggle Baron has granted a group of froglok slaves their freedom. Some time ago, he had agreed to let them buy their freedom if they could prove their worth and dedication to Iksar society. Apparently the group of frogloks worked tirelessly to aid Iksar orphans! They spread charity and good cheer throughout Cabilis!

Kuriak: How awful!

Arch Duke Xog: I know, Kuriak, I know, it's offensive. Now they are hiding deep in the Swamp of No Hope, spreading joy and cheer among exiled Iksar and other frogloks. They are attempting to organize a bake sale, with the proceeds going to crippled Iksar war veterans. Kuriak, this must be stopped. Go forth into the Swamp of No Hope and slay these frogloks. Do this, and you will advance in the Crusaders of Greenmist.

Kuriak: Yes, Arch Duke Xog, I will do this task with pleasure.

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Ephirith · #22 02-19-2012, 03:37 AM

Chapter V: Pain in the Morass

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Just outside the gates of Cabilis, a hellish bastion of suffering and savagery sprawls into the horizon. Enormous mosquitos and floppy, phallic leeches lurk in the murky mists and waters, preying on unwary travelers. Here, Kuriak had expected to encounter a ramshackle collective of froglok slaves with limited martial ability. He anticipated the great joy he would feel bringing pain to the defenseless frogloks, but as he took his first steps into the swamp he began to grow uneasy. Leeches began to wiggle into his armor, burrowing into his scales. Constant barrages of mosquitos sought to relieve him of his blood. He persisted toward the froglok enclave, driven by his dedication to the mission. Before long, he spotted a single froglok standing before a ruined pillar, a brownie in his little webbed hand. Bake sale.

Kuriak afflicted the froglok with a disease and then turned to move into the cover of the forest, away from any froglok reinforcements. Before he took even a few steps, the froglok had closed the distance and sunk a dagger into Kuriak's back, critically injuring him. These were no helpless slaves. As Kuriak battled to regain the upper hand against the froglok, he spotted a shaman moving through the clearing, infusing his kin with the spirit of the wolf. Dreadful creatures passed in and out of clusters of trees. Barely able to keep the froglok under control, and exposed to attack from creatures of all sorts, Kuriak focused on his pain and desperation. He tapped into all the evil that festered in his soul and let it boil through his veins, where it was augmented by his connection to Cazic Thule. Dropping his sword, he placed his hand around the froglok's throat and the painful energy immediately coursed into the froglok, exploding in a flash of heat and light. The froglok's head and upper body were blown apart, and it dropped to the ground, limp and lifeless.

Having barely survived the skirmish, Kuriak rested for a moment in the clearing. Though these were obviously combat-ready frogloks, and the forest crawled with powerful creatures, he knew if he were careful and methodical he could survive the risky tactical situation. When his wounds had sufficiently regenerated, Kuriak cautiously approached the camp where the frogloks were being harbored.

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While observing the camp a terrifying creature caught Kuriak by surprise, its dreadful maw agape as it examined the Iksar. Luckily it passed without devouring poor Kuriak. The camp was populated by exiled Iksar who were clearly colluding with the froglok forces. Powerful frogloks wandered among them, moving supplies and casting protective blessings. Apparently the bake sale had been a ruse, as he saw no more delectible treats among the camp's inhabitants. Someone had intended to lure agents of Cabilis into a tactical disaster.

Lacking time to further contemplate the situation, Kuriak slithered into the swampy underbrush and continued his mission. Many of the camp's inhabitants were far too strong to engage, so he moved about, looking for vulnerable frogloks. He dragged them into the clearing where he had a clear view of approaching threats, and was careful never to expose his back to these frogloks as they had a propensity to land deadly backstabs. There was no safe place to rest; he had to be continually aware of the treeline. Time and again deadly foes emerged from behind trees only to be narrowly avoided. Though his situation was fearsome, and all the abominations of the swamp shuffled around him, with care he was able to execute his mission.

After a day and a night of warfare, having dealt considerable damage to the froglok contingent, Kuriak headed west toward the gates of Cabilis. As he left the area he spotted a wondrous sight that warmed his heart and eased his journey home.

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When Kuriak returned to Arch Duke Xog and reported the outcome of his mission, Xog seemed dismissive about the affair and after the initial debriefing he abruptly ceased any further discussion of the matter. Kuriak was quickly and unceremoniously promoted to the rank of Squire and given his Squire's Khukri before he was dismissed. It was clear something was happening; the Crusaders of Greenmist had some knowledge Kuriak lacked. An organized unit of combat-ready frogloks had established a position just outside Cabilis, where they appeared to be gathering supplies and bolstering their magical defenses. Why had the Cruaders been led to believe it was a benevolent group of escaped slaves? He tried to put it out of his mind as he waited to receive his next orders.