[h3][color=a2d39c][b][center]Ntaj Zoov Yaaj[/center][/b][/color][/h3]
[Center][color=a2d39c][b]Location:[/b][/color] Gorlf Northern Territory: Storehouse
[color=a2d39c][b]Actions:[/b][/color] Knocking on the Door[/center]

It had been some time since Ntaj left the caravan. The first night he spent under the comfort of the stars. Having a meal consisting of local fungi and a few wild eggs, That night went by quietly. Not even any nightmares, though no dreams either. The next day had a bit more going on for it. Ntaj had spent the better part of the morning simply traveling, making a point to take the road. Roads lead to civilizations and strangers, and Ntaj was eager to meet others. Sure there was a chance that he’d run into some hostile soldiers, in which he’d handle his own way, but he wasn’t going to let the risk of running into trouble make him avoid potential new friends. But it was when he was off the main road to relieve himself that he met someone.

It was another half-orc. Ntaj could tell because he had features of both an orc and human, most notably green-skin yet no tusks. While Ntaj’s own tusks were small, at least he had some. This half-orc could pass as human if he wasn’t so green. Ntaj found the half-orc taking shelter underneath a tree, as it was raining very hard at the time. Ntaj himself was considering taking shelter, but he had thick boots on and was keeping warm with his pelts. This half-orc however was ill suited for life in the wilds: he had nothing but some ruined clothes, a knife, and some sort of metal rod. When the other half-orc noticed Ntaj he took out his knife to defend himself, while Ntaj simply shifted his stance to have his shield forward.

[color=a2d39c]”Kuv tsis txaus ntshai.”[/color]

The other half-orc looked surprised and spoke back in orcish. Ntaj understood his surprise since the other half-orc spoke the same dialect of orcish as Ntaj did. He must have lived near Neverwinter as well. 

[color=00a651]”Tsis txhob tuaj nyob ze! Kuv yuav txiav koj!”[/color]

[color=a2d39c]”Koj yuav tau sim. Tab sis kuv yuav tua koj.”[/color]

The half-orc was shaky and gaunt. Ntaj could tell he hasn’t eaten properly in a few days. If Ntaj had to guess, this half-orc must have been a deserter from one of the local armies. Trying to get away from all the fighting, only to be left fighting for his life against the forces of nature. He should have really stayed with his group. Ntaj glared at the half-orc and spoke sternly with him.

[color=a2d39c]”Muab tso tseg riam. Kuv qhia zaub mov.“[/color]

The half-orc snarled at Ntaj, but the grumbling from his stomach made the choice clear. Ntaj was full, strong, and had a big sword. This half-orc was starving, sleep deprived, wounded, and the only thing he had going on for him was his kukri. Once more, the half-orc had to sheath his blade and rely on the mercy of others.

[color=00a651]”Tsis muaj nyiaj. Yuav tsis tau zaub mov…”[/color]

[color=a2d39c]”Hmm. Koj muab kuv rab riam, los yog hlau pas nrig.”[/color]

[color=00a651]”This?”[/color]

The half-orc took out the metal rod in his bandolier. He was surprised that Ntaj knew what it was. He didn’t, but he figured that the half-orc wouldn’t keep it if it was useless. [color=a2d39c]”Oui. What is it? Yog nws tej yam yees siv?”[/color] Ntaj figured that it must be valuable if the half-orc didn’t immediately trade it for food. Surely his life was worth parting with the metal trinket.

[color=00a651]”It’s a… There isn’t a word for it in orcish. It’s called a Traveler’s Anytool. This is how you use it.”[/color] THe half-orc proceeded to show Ntaj how to use the Traveler’s Anytool into a multitude of forms and shapes. Hammers, blades, spikes, tools, just about anything short of a kitchen sink. But it could turn into a pot or bucket. This certainly interested the woodsman like Ntaj. He often would need a whole other backpack just to have all the tools he’d need on hand. But this little rod was all those tools and some that he’s never seen before. [color=a2d39c]”Very good. Trade for food.”[/color]

Ntaj and the unknown half-orc traded with each other. Ntaj received the Traveler’s Anytool, and in exchange Ntaj gave the hungry stranger some of his food. It was about a day’s worth of rations and his flask of water, which the stranger ate in one sitting. Ntaj could tell the half-orc had been starving. After getting his dishes back Ntaj stood up to leave, stopping only when the half-orc called out to him. [color=00a651]”Koj yuav ncaim? Cia li zoo li ntawd?”[/color]

Ntaj turned his head back towards the half-orc. [color=a2d39c]”Yog. Tsis yog vim li cas nyob twj ywm. Kuv tsis paub qhov twg koj yuav mus, tab sis kuv yuav tsis tso tseg ntawm no.”[/color] Like Claire had said, Ntaj’s place wasn’t here. He had only stopped to take a piss, and meeting this stranger wasn’t something that Ntaj intended to spend much time on. The half-orc seemed surprised that Ntaj was just going to leave so quickly, especially during a downpour like this. But he did nothing to stop Ntaj as he continued on his journey.

Aside from that meeting, not much else had happened. Ntaj did run across a few dead orcs, and eventually found a cave. There were remains of a poorly made campfire within, with barely enough wood to make a spark. And what wood was left was so damp it may as well had been mud. If it weren’t for the heavy downpour, Ntaj would have turned around and kept walking. However it was getting late, and there weren’t any trees in the forest tall enough to provide him shelter from the storm and give him enough room to hang his tent. Thusl, this cave would do as camp. Honey, who had been following Ntaj through the brush, entered the cave and shook off the water from his coat. Once Ntaj had explored the cave (There wasn’t much to find except bugs and a dead end), he set up his tent and made a small dinner. Since he gave a good bit of his food to that half-orc, all Ntaj had left was a bag of nuts and dried fruits. Trail mix.

Morning came quickly. Another uneventful night, which suited Ntaj just fine. He hoped that today he would find some good company. In hindsight he should have asked that half-orc to accompany him, but perhaps it was for the best. If he truly was a deserter, Ntaj was certain that he wouldn’t get along with him. Retreating from battle was a smart thing to do, but fleeing from it like a coward was worse than simply dying. Call him traditional, but Ntaj figured that even a half-orc should have some honor.

Dismantling his camp Ntaj looked at his food supplies. He still had an ample amount of trail mix left, as well as spices to liven up his meal. However he made a note that he would need more water as he drank the last in his canteen, and of course he could always go for some extra meat. Feeding some trail mix to Honey, Ntaj walked outside the cave. It was not raining at the moment, however dark clouds still loom above. The rain could return at any time. The ground was thoroughly soaked and even the dirt near the roots of the trees were muddy. Ntaj was fortunate that he had managed to get himself a thick set of dwarven made boots. While he often abstained from clothing as much as possible, footwear was one of the few things he could agree with. He turned to Honey, who was doing his business against the cave wall, and spoke to his partner. [color=a2d39c]”Let’s go!”[/color]

Aftering ensuring that all his belongings, equipment, and other possessions were safely secure and on his person, Ntaj left the cave. He walked for some time before he finally found something that caught his interest; faint tracks. While the rain had washed away most of the trail left behind from yesterday, in certain locations the footprints were deep enough that the storm couldn’t get rid of them entirely. He followed the trail, which eventually lead to two more dead orcs. He would have simply stopped his search there when he spotted more tracks on the other end of the road. Curious and hopeful to meeting new people, Ntaj followed the trail the best he could. 

Soon he arrived to the only thing that stuck out in the forest as something man-made and foreign: a building. It was big, old, and slightly worn. He wasn’t entirely sure what it was here for, since Ntaj didn’t notice any roads attached to it. Though considering that he was still trying to familiarize himself to these forests, perhaps he simply missed them. He could hear movement from within even as the rain poured, though he couldn’t make out what anyone was doing or saying. [color=a2d39c]”Oui. Ntaj wish he found building first.”[/color] Uncertain if the building was merely a shelter or someone’s home, he walked up to the entrance and knocked.