Stream: @MoNkEyInArOuNd (Orcs, the Demon Lord, and Deception)
1731 Words
ratrace (Argum): we ready to make our grand entrance?
MoNkEyInArOuNd (Argum): Are you SURE I look menacing enough? This is my big moment, I don't want to blow it by looking dumb!
ratrace (Argum): remember monkey, it's what's on the inside that counts
ratrace (Argum): and on the inside, you are very dumb
MoNkEyInArOuNd (Argum): Hey!
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It was a small, almost ramshackle little village, out in no man's land. There were little huts, built out of wood, mud, and straw. There were wells, where the villagers would gather and gossip. There were fields, animal pens, workshops and stores; and in the center, a building larger than the others. The mayor's house.
Though it looked similar, this was no human village. This village was populated by that staple of fantasy fiction: orcs.
An orc village... and the demon lord's first target.
It was a day like any other. The time was about mid-morning, and orcs were going about their business as usual. Though they were a close-knit community, so much so that the village might even be considered a friendly place to live, orcs were not known for their hospitality to outsiders. Perhaps for this reason, the alarm was raised early, when a curious carriage was spotted cresting the horizon...
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MoNkEyInArOuNd (Argum): Wow, this is actually a really nice ride. How did we manage to get something like this?
run_rabbit_run (Argum): =^x^=
MoNkEyInArOuNd (Argum): R... Rabbit? What did you do... exactly...?
run_rabbit_run (Argum): =ÒㅅÓ= ⌐╦╦═─
MoNkEyInArOuNd (Argum): I... uh...
ratrace (Argum): just leave it. nobody knows what the heck she gets up to most of the time
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The ominous carriage approached a village on high alert. Orc soldiers had already formed a defensive wall between the carriage and the townspeople, some of whom were curious enough to try to catch a glimpse of the threat through their formation.
The carriage was black, a deep, sinister black, with gold ornamentation and baroque scarlet designs painted on like blood. It was drawn by two horses, each as black as the carriage. The driver wasn't visible, hidden behind some kind of veil.
“Halt! Come no closer if you value your life!” An orc on the front line bellowed. His name was Kerkuht, and he was a sturdy-looking orc, all green-tinged skin and bulging muscles, wrapped up in leather armor. Not a general, or a commander, but the most senior and respected of the fighters in the little village. Indeed, for the fearsome front they presented, most of these orcs lined up had never even seen proper combat; they were simple farmers, or butchers, or laborers.
But Kerkuht was confident they could resolve this without too much trouble. It was a single, admittedly rather spooky, carriage. Probably some lost merchant or something. If the strength of their reputation as fearsome beasts didn’t send them running, even barely trained warriors could drive off a small band of humans.
The carriage came to a halt, as requested. And then… nothing. No one left the carriage, no sound, just the breeze whistling in the background.
“Identify yourself!”
The carriage door opened...
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MoNkEyInArOuNd (Argum): Oh damn, I didn’t count on doors when I designed this shape…
ratrace (Argum): shapeshifting is supposed to be more convenient
Diacritic-Doggy (Argum): Gracefully! Don’t screw up the dramatic reveal! The first impression is the most important!
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A gasp rolled through the crowd of orcs. The creature that stepped out -- with some effort -- was no human. Skin like the night sky, black and speckled with stars. A mane of white hair that erupted from his head, which was adorned with two fiery red eyes. And from his forehead, a pair of horns that extended a meter or more above him. Terrifying, in his majesty; and equally terrifying, in the aura of absolute control he projected, even when faced with an army of orcs.
Could this be…?
“Pili!” Kerkuht barked, the name of a young orc who answered his summons immediately. To Pili, he growled: “Get the elder. Tell him… there might be something to his prophetic dream after all.”
Pili nodded and ran off.
Meanwhile… Kerkuht had to be careful here. If it truly was as the elder prophesied, then… But he still had a responsibility to protect the village.
“State your business,” he said tersely.
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MoNkEyInArOuNd (Argum): What was our business again…?
ratrace (Argum): did you forget your lines
MoNkEyInArOuNd (Argum): Hey, you try keeping a script straight in front of these orc guys! I’m freaking out here!
MoNkEyInArOuNd (Argum): You’re lucky I’m keeping a straight face!
OLLYOLLYOXENFREE (Argum): IS IT MY TURN?
Diacritic-Doggy (Argum): Not yet!!
ratrace (Argum): look, just repeat after me
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“Is this the orc village of Wolfsbone Hamlet?” The demon’s eyes swept the crowd of orcs with an indeterminable expression. “No, it matters not. You may stay your weapons. I have not come to harm you; but to help you.”
He swept his arm out in a grand gesture. “Rejoice, my orcish friends. Your demon lord has arrived! You may call me--”
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ratrace (Argum): s**t did we ever come up with a name
ratrace (Argum): uh
ratrace (Argum): uh
ratrace (Argum): uhhhhhhh
Diacritic-Doggy (Argum): How about
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“Demonlordio!”
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ratrace (Argum): dammit i see why oph rags on your fiction so much
Diacritic-Doggy (Argum): Hey!
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The orcish army broke out in whispers. Was this real? Was it a trick? A lone demon, coming to declare himself their lord?
Kerkuht silenced them all with a wave.
“You claim to be a demon lord?” he asked. “You certainly look the part, that much is true… But can you prove it?”
“What proof is it that you desire?”
“What else? A test of strength!”
“Hoh?” Demonlordio raised an eyebrow.
“Brutus! Come forward!”
A lone orc separated himself from the crowd. He was enormous, even for an orc. Easily the size of two men, with limbs like tree trunks! He carried a battleaxe as big as a man, and carried it as if it were a mere twig! Though most of the other orcs were conscripts, this one was clearly experienced in battle, and his many scars proved it. Moreover, that glint in his eyes; he was clearly looking forward to an epic fight...
Brutus is the strongest of us, Kerkuht thought, and the most experienced in combat. Surely he will pose a challenge, even if this demon lord is for real. But just in case…
“As a demon lord, I’m sure your power could easily overwhelm even the strongest of us. But since this is just a test… I hope you will agree to a fair duel. The victor will be the one who forces the other to submit. No need to kill anyone.”
Demonlordio sized up his challenger… and laughed. It was a short, barking laugh.
“Very well! I will accept your challenge! But since you’re choosing a champion to face me… I think I will call in my own champion. Come out, my subordinate!”
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Diacritic-Doggy (Argum): OLLY! How did you trip on the step??
OLLYOLLYOXENFREE (Argum): THIS ARMOR IS DIFFICULT TO MOVE IN
OLLYOLLYOXENFREE (Argum): ALSO, THE HELMET RESTRICTS MY VISION
Diacritic-Doggy (Argum): So much for first impressions…
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“Behold! The Black Knight!”
The Black Knight rose from the ground, where he’d fallen when he tripped out of the carriage, and stepped forward as if nothing had happened.
It was only polite to ignore that little stumble.
“Ahem… Of course, the Black Knight can be Brutus’ opponent.” Kerkuht moved things along.
The Black Knight was a strange existence, to be sure. The demon lord’s trusted subordinate? But he hardly looked very powerful at all! The all-black armor was menacing, certainly, but rather than large, or muscular, the Black Knight was almost… slender.
Kerkuht had a bad feeling about this.
Brutus, on the other hand, was all the more confident. This puny thing was his opponent? He could laugh! But for appearance’s sake, he’d fight seriously.
Brutus and the Black Knight faced off. Mere meters apart, ready to do battle…
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MoNkEyInArOuNd (Argum): Y’know… this setup kinda feels like a… like… you know...
MoNkEyInArOuNd (Argum): Black Knight, I choose you!
ratrace (Argum): sigh
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Brutus swaggered up to the knight with a nasty glint in his eye.
"Ya looked a little unsteady there, buddy," the champion said. "Not that I blame ya. I'd be sick too, if my boss were a cocky gazelle."
The Black Knight stood up straight. He said not a word, but stood there before Brutus without flinching.
This amused Brutus to no end. "Ya feeling confident, are ya? This'll be a boring duel if yer that weak. Tell ya what, I'll be all sportsman-like for ya. Ya can have the first swing at me, no need ta hold back."
He drew up to the knight, until they were no more than a foot apart.
"Well? Go ahead."
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Diacritic-Doggy (Argum): Um… Is he going to come back down?
MoNkEyInArOuNd (Argum): Christ I think you sent him into orbit.
OLLYOLLYOXENFREE (Argum): THE BLACK KNIGHT REIGNS VICTORIOUS.
Diacritic-Doggy (Argum): Guess we’ll worry about him later. Alright Monkey, I know just how to wrap things up...
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“Well, there you have it. Bravo, Black Knight.” Demonlordio applauded his subordinate. “I trust this was an adequate demonstration of the power of Demon Lord Demonlordio?”
It was. The orcs had gone from apprehensive curiosity to sheer terror. Even Kerkuht was shaken.
“Y-yes, you’ve demonstrated your power. My lord, I apologize for doubting you…” Kerkuht glanced at his orcs. They had no idea what to do. He waved an arm at them, gesturing for them to get down. Right away, they all fell to their knees, as did Kerkuht.
“Elder Pickwick is on his way now. But I ask that you have mercy on this village! It was I who doubted and tried to test your power, so please, do as you wish to me, but spare the rest your wrath…”
Kerkuht’s apology was spoken to the ground. When he raised his head, Demonlordio had moved forward to stand directly in front of him.
"Yes, I see you’re an honorable soul..." Demonlordio crouched down in front of Kerkuht. With one hand, he reached down and lifted the orc's chin to look into his eyes. "Of course, I am a benevolent lord. There's no need to fear me... much. As my subjects, I promise prosperity and security to all orcs."
"R-really? Usually orcs are just cannon fodder for the demon lord. You'll promise us all that?"
"Of course," Demonlordio said, leaning in closer.
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Diacritic-Doggy (Argum): Okay, now lean in eeeeeeeeven closer...
MoNkEyInArOuNd (Argum): If I get any closer I'll practically be kissing this guy!
Diacritic-Doggy (Argum): That's a great idea! Do that.
MoNkEyInArOuNd (Argum): What?! No! I'm not going to kiss the orc dude!
Diacritic-Doggy (Argum): But you'd be a wonderful couple! Look, I already started writing the fic!
MoNkEyInArOuNd (Argum): No! Delete that! All of it!
Diacritic-Doggy (Argum): It's just fiction! Demonlordio isn't a real person!
MoNkEyInArOuNd (Argum): Demonlordio is ME!
over_the_moon (Argum): (=^y^=);;
OLLYOLLYOXENFREE (Argum): I AGREE, MOON.
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Several people are typing...
- Writer
