Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Mmm," Gallus nodded in response before swallowing his food. "I'm interested to see what they're like."

Gallus finished another mouthful before continuing. "It sounds like your father was a very driven man to come this far south-east with a clan. And into such an...well, I'll be frank, it's inhospitable in this rocky desert. To think that you're getting lots of recruits just like everywhere else is interesting, though. I wouldn't have expected it this far from a more verdant hunting ground." Gallus looked down to pick up more food, but interrupted himself, "Tzirret is my charge, by the way. A Khajiit lad, just over seventeen by now."

If Ri'vashi wanted to know more about Gallus' packmates, he figured that she could ask. Gallus decided to move on to other curiosities he had. "You know, you tend to be a serious sort much of the time, Ri'vashi. It comes with the leadership, I understand, but do you ever get much time to just let your hair down with others? Have a drink or something?" Gallus asked casually as he began to chew again. "Do you have many friends just to catch up?" Gallus' voice lowered as he grinned like a mischievous gossiper, "Any paramours?"

---

Janius put a hand forward and tried to console Fednros' worries. "Jo'rashaad and S'ajira would be fine guardians, Fendros. Think about it; they're both parents with a strong sense of loyalty and they've been through a similar experience to you and Ahnasha, in a way."

There was a pause where Fendros didn't bring his eyes up from the table. After a long, deep breath in, Fendros closed his eyes and nodded. "Perhaps you're right. I'm just...overreacting." He looked up and around at everyone else, "They'll be fine."

Janius smiled. He was glad that he didn't set off Fendros' temper.

"Dada?"

Fendros angled his head to one side and looked down at Rhazii.

"Are you..." Rhazii was talking quietly. He seemed to be in a state of disbelief as his ears pulled back. "...are you and mama really leaving for a long time?"

With a tight, regretful frown, Fendros nodded. "Yes. For three weeks, maybe a month."

Rhazii's head turned to look between his mother and his father as his face began to contort in shock and sadness. He seemed to forget about his food as he shut his eyes and started crying.

"Oh, little one, I'm sorry. You won't be alone here. You'll still have Newt to play with, and you'll be able to make more friends here." Fendros' attempts to mollify Rhazii didn't seem to be working, even as he gave him a hug.

"I don't want mama and dada to leave!" Rhazii moaned into Fendros' chest.

Fendros began to stroke Rhazii's back comfortingly, but looked to Ahnasha with some worry. It was the first time that they would both be leaving Rhazii for so long.

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

Jvan...Jvain...Jvine...Javine...Javina?

...oh.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Gallus took a seat opposite Ri'vashi and began eating as she recounted her past with her adoptive father. It was a bit unclear to Gallus whether she was turned before or after the attack that apparently killed her parents, but something more was on his mind regarding the story.

"You know," he said through a mouthful, pausing to swallow. "Your story sounds awfully similar to Tzirret's. I suppose the circumstances were a bit different, but he grew up in a caravan as well." Gallus gestured with one hand holding a dried fruit, "He would have even gone through that at about the same age as you did." Gallus popped the fruit into his mouth and looked to his food with a smirk, "The similarities probably end there, though."

---

Fendros was glad that Ahnasha's response was fairly subdued. Kaleeth's suggestion was not as readily excepted. Fendros pursed his lips and held Rhazii a little more tightly. He spoke quickly and uncomfortably, "No, I'm...I would much rather Gallus' or our own pack. Someone who can protect them as well as care for them."

It was only then, with the combination of Ahnasha and Fendros' adverse responses, that Janius realised why they were being particularly protective. He looked to the table, then to the pair of them, and spoke sympathetically, "Alright, if it is a guardian we need, I'm sure Uthri, Sabine, or Peiter would be willing to help."

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

I kind of started the hain at very baseline stone age tribal societies. I doubt you will have a shortage of things to teach them.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I can't remember if I gave Gallus' mother an occupation, so if there's a continuity error, let me know.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Yes...well, my mother and father are," Gallus replied brightly, "My pack is with me and I don't really have any other family. Father is head of the militia on the council and mother...well, she helps out where ever she can these days, but she used to be a master swordswoman. They met after they were both turned, so I guess I'm especially lucky." Gallus held his hands out either side, "Didn't have to witness close terrors. Just..." He sighed and frowned, "Just other people's."

Gallus brought his hands behind his back and changed the subject, looking up to Ri'vashi again. "I understand that you were found, but did you ever have anyone you considered like a mother to you?"

They had both arrived at the dining hall by now.

---

Fendros noticed Ahnasha's concerns and reached out a hand to take hers below the table. He looked to her and squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Sabine has taken care of Rhazii plenty of times before, that is one option," Fendros suggested. He turned his head back to Meesei, "As for Gallus' pack, I would hate to pull anyone out of the battle who needs to be there. I would trust any of them really - except perhaps Tzirret. From what I have seen I don't think he would be assertive enough." Fendros shook his head. He didn't want to go off on a tangent. "Uthri seems capable. Peiter would manage, I think, though I doubt he would appreciate it."

Fendros paused to allow others to speak and Janius took the opportunity. "Wouldn't Irenya also be a good candidate? She is a healer, and more than stern enough," Janius spoke casually, but looked less sure when he saw Fendros' reaction.

"Well..." Fendros looked to one side dubiously, "It's not as if she can't be trusted, it's just..." Fendros had no doubt that Ahnasha would have an opinion to sound in his hesitation.

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

Why would a God need slaves, though? Unless they're planning on forcing them to build a pyramid while they watch and laugh at their petty struggles, I don't see why having a mortal workforce is even necessary for a being of such power and ability.

@Frettzo

Because enough slaves means that there will be times where might is saved on big tasks. That five tribe population isn't going to remain stagnant.

Plus, if mortals aren't required for anything, why bother dealing with them in the first place? I could powergame an optimised might budget and bide time until powerful enough to wipe the floor with everything, but that's kind of bland, even for Toun.

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

@MuttonhawkWhat are Toun's feelings regarding the free Hain? Will Cherry-Eater's "corruption" cross his mind at all? Would the further corruption of free Hain matter to him?

@Fabulous Knight

Toun would probably be miffed, though not because of any perceived care for the free hain. He just doesn't like corruption in general seeping into the world. You can bet that Toun would actively work against Cherry-Eater if he became prominent enough.

To Toun, the free hain are basically on par with Slough's other creations now. It's just that they also make him irked as they are a reminder of one of his failures. He hasn't forged a connection with them such that he would be immediately aware of any corruption anyway.

If you started messing with slave hain, Toun would be pissed because he sees them as his tools.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I think it is more accurate to say that Bruma is basically a Cyrodilic town with Skyrim influences." Gallus explained casually with his hands behind his back. "There are no Forsworn around, we're too far east from that area. Not that I know what they look like, of course. Anyway, Bruma's a nice enough place. The people there are stronger willed than other cities that I've seen so far, but hard working and mostly friendly. There are thatch houses, warm fires, Imperial fortifications, and a temple. Unique for Cyrodiil, I'm told, but maybe I've been there too many times." Gallus glanced sideways to Ri'vashi and his tone became matter-of-fact, "Though, with the clanhome being a few hours away from the city, I don't go there any more often than others in my clan. It's either trips for buying and selling things or simply a rotating stay to keep an eye on the place. In fact, I was born a lycan, so to say that I grew up in Imperial culture isn't completely true."

Gallus turned his head to Ri'vashi and decided to give her an excuse to speak. He didn't feel right rambling for too long. "You know, I've not been introduced to your pack- or...pride? I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with what werebears would call such a thing, if they have it."

---

With the others whom Meesei had summoned at the table, Fendros just about knew what the topic of conversation was going to be before Meesei started. He had Rhazii on his lap, who was taking morsels of food from the cut up meat in front of him and slowly eating. Fendros was the first to answer, "Well, it goes without saying that they would need someone to take care of them," Fendros glanced down at Rhazii, "As much as I would like to stay with Rhazii, I would feel more comfortable with the children staying here with the clan rather than going out on a march."

At this, Rhazii started to pay more attention to the conversation around him.

"I'm thinking the same thing," Janius said. He looked to Meesei and leaned his forearms against the table. "Do you require us all to go with you, or may one or two of us stay behind? If we're going away for so long, it would be hard on the children, but I would trust one or more of Gallus' pack to care for them." In spite of his openness, Janius' brow was slightly knotted in worry.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

G'night!