Roaming Orc Returns

 For 14 years he travelled the continent. Barbarian Half-Orc known as Thrian Oatguard from the small mountain city-state of Othad. To him Othad wasn't exactly home despite it being his birth place. There was the other city-state of Orcs known as Ograx. Being a half Orc did not always appease the older Orcs who still dwelled. Seated on the border of Eoth and the mountains both city states called for neutrality from all conflicts. It seemed strange for Orcs to declare neutrality. There was a reason these Orcs chose neutrality. Given their past wars and warlike nature Orcs of Ograx and other states saw their populations dwindle. Breeding with other races, and enforced peace between others was enacted. For the past 477 years Thrian's home City-State of Othad, and those like Ograx made peace with other states. Since both lay on the coasts near Eoth they have access to vast amounts of trade markets. Yet for some reason they had to be on high alert every winter, and every summer. As it grew colder in the winter months Othad, Ograx, Ston Par, Ambao, Bhadur Mignaer, Eoth, Grussia, and a few other city-states endured attacks. From the mountains full hordes of zombie mutants, beastmen, and Troglodytes marched on them. Since Ambao, Othad, Ograx, Ston Par, Eoth, and Bhadur Mignaer lay on the coasts pirates, and sea raiders launched raids. 

It was one reason Thrian Oatguard chose to travel for 14 years before coming home to a city that changed a little bit. It still stood like the others, some of whom chose to side with the invader while Eoth, and her neighbors allied with the growing Vestrisian Union to the East. With his traveling kit, green bag, Thrian was walking back to the city he was born in. On him he had a sword from some Crusader Pirate his uncle gave him, an old combat staff, a hiking staff, and one glass cane he took as loot. His travels brought his as far north as Vunnace, to the coasts of West Koriv in the west, and the southern most peninsula of Vorcadam. Thrian was not the only one who ventured the continent of Aleon. No more than thirty-three others joined him during his 14 year travels. A pair of Draymen with pack mule tortoises, an Elf Warlock, Elf Ranger from Ermentwa, 4 Orcs from Khet, one female Forsythan Cleric from Vios, 2 Barbarians from Vossa, a female Sorceress known as Kettine, 2 winged humanoids from Syrianos, a female elf Wizard, two Hybrid warriors, a Wolf Warrior from Grussian Mountains, 2 monster killers, 3 Death Bladesmen, 8 Gnolls, a Reptile/Lizardmen Hunter, a Shark Hunter, and an Adventurer from Ograx. Each one came from a wealthy family, street slums, shattered tribe, some broken order, conquered country, banished, on a pilgrimage, escaping authorities, or simply seeking adventure. As a large party they forged a formidable force to be reckoned with until the Gantronese got involved. They acquired a bit of fortune on the journey and on the way back to his home city. 

At the head of his large company of fellow travelers Thrian Oatguard led them through his home city. Many Othadians looked up or glanced at them as they passed by.  Some even stared at them. Each one wore a whetstone pendant as a symbol of their partnership and bonding relationship they built on their travels. They also had identical swords forged along their journey. No one recognized him yet as he was entering from the western side instead of the north where he started. Pressing on with his large party he spotted a tower that stood 40 stories high. It appeared too smooth, and metal platting covered the skeletal frame to be Othadian architecture. He could only guess it was made by the invaders. Thrian paused to ask what that was to get an answer from an Orc in Gantronese uniform that it was a power signal the invaders set up when they arrived. Upon being asked why they wore the invader's uniform they barked with laughter. 

"Bah ha ha! The Vestrisians drove them out. What is your name?" the Orc asked Thrian. 

"Thrian Oatguard." he answered. "These are my companions." 

"Aha the Oatguard son who set off to see Aleon. How were your travels?" the Orc asked him. 

"Full of adventure, bonding relationships, treasure, and the desire to head out again." Thrian answered. 

"Rest, rest." The Orc insisted slapping him on the shoulder. "Oatguard's two heads Covan, and Lagho are at the Mountain Roamr." 

Thrian and his companions followed the directions this Othadian Orc gave them. Returning to the Oatguard Family wasn't something he looked forward to. Through the streets they passed stevedores(dockhands), pedestrians, some street police, citizens, and some touring visitors. To get to the Mountain Roamr at the end of the city limits they would have to pass through the old parts of the city. Aside from workers, citizens, and guards they passed a shipwright, navigator's office, a dormitory to a naval academy before taking a left into the old part of Othad. In this one street they passed a living complex, an old siege workshop, an engineer guild, and 23 building along two streets deeper in the city. Passing through he recognized the Brothel, Inn, old town watch, Blacksmith, abandoned Abbey, Town Guard, printing press, Thieve's Guild, Swordsmith Guild, former townhall, Mason's Guild Chapter, old ballista shop, bowyer, Gunsmith, old stables, Alchemist Guild, warehouse, Merchant's Guild, ballista tower, Merchant Bank, Paladin Chapter House, a Castle Library, and Artist Studio. Each building were still in use or converted into something else while its structure was kept and maintained. Just passing the last building Thrian and his train of companions finally came to the streets that led to the edge of the city. 

Passing a few blocks of newly constructed buildings they finally made it to the base of the mountains. Just outside the city-limits along the base rested a Gantronese outpost, an old Uxane Totem he recognized, and the old castle that was built into the mountain. Appearing more like a keep and tower this castle could serve as a final stand when it came to a seaborne invasion. Clan Oatguard formed into into more of a home they called a Roamr. Approaching the Roamr Thrian and his companions were greeted by the whole Oatguard family members who stayed. He had been gone for 14 years. His kin, Covan, and Lagho came out one at a time. One wore a fine purple and gold trimmed robe while Lagho donned a more modern style of a plaid shirt with overalls and boots. All the faces of the young members were not familiar to him. All were unique half human and half orc with a bit of other races in their appearances. From behind the two heads and adult members his old mentor, Omotar Ekkson the Beast Slayer, appeared into view. After introducing his companions to his clan members he went up to his old Mentor. Both retreated to a secluded place. Thrian hugged his old mentor who stretched out his hand that held a string holding rings of power. 

"Did you find it?" Omotar asked Thrian who looked at him with some concern. 

"Are you sure Mentor? It took me years to find it." He admitted. 

"You succeeded where I failed after 20 years searching for the ring of Dimicadabel." Omotar explained to him. 

"Yes the ring that a tall mother and her three daughters wielded. One by one were consumed  by its very power under a different name. The ring of-Thrian was cut off by a different voice from the flank. 

"The ring of Nekkaros Netherworlds. Hand it over." the voice demanded. 

Both Thrian and his master drew weapons facing the flank near the back of the old keep. An armed wizard with a band of seven warriors for followers or goons. Wearing a brown hooded robe with light blue sleeves this one had extra fabric hanging neatly down like a thick tie with runes on it. For a weapon they were armed with what appeared to be the Lion Sword of Orian. Although it was far away the legends of Orian and Vestrisian lore were still known here. For thugs this wizard led one Nahemine in a red headscarf mask wrapped around them and a gray tunic over some cargo pants with boots. This Nahemine must have stolen the military boots and cargo pants from a Gantronese soldier. A pair of archers in what appeared to be military camouflage hoodies, and old baggy trousers. Both had arrows to notch and ready to loose on them. Four Uxane warriors armed with rifles, axes, warclubs, long thick knives, and spears. Some wore the traditional buck or hide skin clothing, whereas the others either wore a mix of buckskin with tunics or flat out khaki britches and cotton shirt. 

"Who are you?" Thrian demanded pointing a finger at him. 

"Just a collector come to claim his rightful find. You did none of the research on this ring! Foolish Orc! Fowl play I say for the likes of you claiming it. For years I followed you, even hunted you down. Now it is time to hand it over." This wizard replied pointing the sword at both Orcs. 

A sudden roar from their flanks left of their secluded location emerged. Glancing over Thrian spotted 16 Elf troops rushing up the hill towards them. Another set of roars and war cries emerged from behind them. All of his companions, and adult kin raced over to meet another group of armed figures. The Wizard's own hired hands saw these Elves wielded bolt action carbine rifles. Each soldier wore a trench coat with a colorful sash over it. All of the Wizard's followers gave up and surrendered. The moment they laid their arms a clash arose near their flanks. Angry that his followers laid their arms and Thrian was resisting he swung his sword releasing some strange cutting power. Five of his followers died along with six of the Elf troops. Thrian and the other Elves attacked at once. From its holster he used an old pistol he presumed did not work. Eleven to twelve shots filled the Wizard with holes. Thrian could have sworn he never saw that Wizard before. Nor did he see either of his ruffians before. 

During his adventures Thrian fought plenty of tribes, renegade warriors, monsters, Mulzaneen, minor vampires, Gnolls, wild Orcs, beastmen, hostile Uxane, various outlaws, and mountain Troglodytes. This list could go on detailing each encounter in a book series. Realizing his companions were locked in a battle Thrian broke away from his conversation to help them. Running over to the site of the skirmish he found all his companions and 82 Othad soldiers, and militia engaged 32 soldiers with 2 automaton clockwork troops called droids. Some airship and its fighter escort rose up from the base of the mountains to escape the skirmish. From their side charged a force of 305 beastmen spawn, Kuruks, wolf men, and four legged horned monsters. Some of these attackers wielded strange looking staff-spear weapons that shot fire balls out while hiding behind a large rectangular tower shield still used in combat. Arrows, bullets, bolts, and energy were exchanged between the two forces. Merely a score of Othad's defenders fell whereas the attackers seemed to lose more men to the rifles. Thrian charged at the flanks alone while on the hostiles' other flank a team of 16 elves and orcs armed with rifles took advantage of the exposed flanks. Although the skirmish was in the woods and the slopes it lasted for a few short minutes. It appeared the trees were invisible like some kind of illusion and they were really fighting in an open battlefield. 

Everything happened so fast and stopped abruptly for skirmishing forces of this size. Othad's firepower proved a little too much for these attackers. It did not leave the defenders without casualties. Checking the bodies he found a few of his own companions wounded from the energy weapons. These were wounds no one ever saw until now. Not even those Gantronese had such weapons. Roaming around a little further he spotted something floating above the ground among the branches. Squinting his eyes Thrian noticed it was a probe droid of some sorts. He learned what those were during his travels from those running from the Gantronese. This one in particular held the shape of a shield on top of a barrel with metal arms protruding out. As he took another step this one twirled around and began firing on him. Thrian dropped down then ran to the right as it fired on him. Using the last few bullets he managed to shoot it down. Knowing he must have hit something vital Thrian kept his distance as it came crashing to the ground. Fire emitted from certain parts as it flailed its limbs all over shooting wildly before exploding. Walking up the debris he found a piece of its head that held a strange emblem on it. Looking up at the sky he could only guess it belonged to another faction that was spying on everything that happened on Calorn.