abraxaslogs | Round 1

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Round 1

Who: Goro and Free City residents, new arrivals or old
Where: Cadens Base, the neighbouring city, the surrounding desert
When: October Mid-October, to the beginning of November
What:Warnings: The monster fight prompt will have graphic violence; Goro is a Mortal Kombat character and used to casual brutality in fights.

Visit to Town

While waiting for his strength to return, Goro finally decides to head into this city to see it for himself. He cuts an imposing figure, towering over the crowds, who mostly part out of his way and stare, giant and obviously non-human as he is. Goro pays them no mind. He already received directions at the base, as he had a specific destination in mind.

There's a public library near the center of town, and that is where Goro heads, early in the morning. He requests books, anything they have on Thorne. They are the main obstacle, near as he can see, more fearsome than the farmers and woodsmen of Solvunn, who can be crushed at their leisure once Thorne is toppled. He will learn about Solvunn in time, but right now, his mind is focused on Thorne.

Whatever reason took you to this library, it's hard to miss Goro. No chair is big enough to support him, so he sits cross-legged on the floor (the staff clearly aren't going to tell him to move), with a small pile of books next to him. The tome is...comically small in his enormous, three-fingered hand, he has to be very careful when trying to turn the page. It's slow going, and Goro is displeased.

As you approach, he doesn't even look up. "There must be tools for turning pages in a more delicate fashion in this place. I will require one. Fetch it for me." He must have believed you were staff...or maybe he didn't and just doesn't care. Also...is he asking for tweezers, or something along those lines?

Monster hunting [cw violence]

After a few days of reading up as much as he can about Thorne, Solvunn, and the Free Cities, Goro begins to feel more like himself again; the heaviness he has felt weighing him down since he was pulled from the water is lessening every day, lifting away, his strength returning. But he must test himself. And so, he wanders into the desert to see what he can find. Not bandits, not yet. Mere humans will not do if he wishes to test himself fully. Most humans are simply too weak to provide the challenge he needs. He seeks something larger, more powerful...and there are many beasts in the deserts.

The heat does not overly bother him; Kuatan is swathed in jungles, after all, and after a few hours he finds something suitable for his needs; a large beetle-like creature, the size of a horse, rests on a sunny rock, it's pincers looking sharp. Perhaps you were also out hunting, looking for this particular kind of creature. Hired to recover some piece of its anatomy, and you were taking a moment to plan your attack. Or you're here for the same reason Goro is, looking for something big to fight.

Either way, you're going to be disappointed. Before you can approach, Goro crests the dune, sees the beetle, and grins. Crouching down, his legs tense, building power in an instant, and then...he leaps. High into the air, and as he comes down...he aims directly for the beetle's midsection. He need do nothing but bring his girth down on the creature. The result...is not pretty, to say the least. An explosion of gore and bits of endoskeleton rain down as the beetle is smashed apart, legs flailing wildly in its sudden death throes. Standing amidst its remains, Goro remains unsatisfied. A single long horn protuded from the beetle's head, and he grips it in his two right hands. With minimal effort, he rips the horn...and the head loose from what remains of the body, regarding his grisly trophy with satisfaction. Then, he simply tosses it away. The head goes sailing over the dune Goro had just leapt from, and vanishes.

He steps off the ruined monster, seemingly satisfied with the endeavour. But if you were looking for a fight, you're out one. And there's little chance of harvesting anything from the beetle, ruined as it is by Goro's Stomp.

Back at Base-Barracks

Later on, Goro takes his rest back in the shared barracks, once again sitting cross-legged on the two beds he ended up claiming as his own after Alice volunteered to give her own up. A large wooden board is stretched across his lap, and parchment he's procured on top of that. With a piece of coal, he appears to be sketching something on the parchment; some sort of gauntlet or bracelet design, by the looks of it. Though the fact that the design includes a blade of some sort suggests they might be weapons. A warrior must know his weapons, and while he never constructed his own set of Dragon Fang retractable blades—the finest Shokan weaponsmiths in Kuatan did that—he familiarized himself enough with the designs in order to effect small field-repairs if necessary. However, to construct them whole cloth, he will need someone more talented in the art of weapon-making. But he can at least provide the designs.

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Seated at the table directly behind the pillar next to Goro, trying to pretend the monstrous man wasn't there, Rinwell takes a breath.

Goro is, in a word, terrifying.

She'd heard that Balseph had been a giant of a Renan, but she's never known anyone like the multi-armed warrior back home - and she suspects he'd be incredibly insulted if she compared him to any zeugle (stray or otherwise) from home. Were they back at the barracks, she'd have little difficulty keeping herself out of his line of sight; a child with no obvious physical prowess for battle, Rinwell had little reason to stand out.

But then, he speaks, delivering an order to one of the librarians just like a Renan would to the embedded, and in a place where no such relationship exists, the words are out of Rinwell's mouth before she can help herself.

"Maybe someone would help you if you said 'please'."

No sooner have the words left Rinwell's mouth then the book in Goro's hand snaps shut with a sudden, loud *THUD*. Slowly, the Shokan turns to look at the source of the voice. He's somewhat surprised to see it's the child from the outpost. He knows she was another of the summoned like him, but for the life of him Goro cannot see why. What use is a child, and a human one at that? A life measured in barely a century. It's a question he's not been terribly interested in finding an answer to, and he's largely ignored the girl since then, since she is beneath his notice for the most part. She's stayed out of his way...until now.

Placing the book back on the pile, Goro rises to his feet and approaches her table. He rests his two lower hands on the opposite side from Rinwell by their knuckles, while his upper arms fold across his chest. He looks down at her with an air that would not be out of place for a Renan. Of someone used to looking down at others, and not only because of his massive size.

"Is it commonplace for children to speak out of turn in your world?" He asks.

Edited 2021-10-25 22:08 (UTC)

Rinwell sits alone, dwarfed entirely. She's witnessed that sort of poise before, that posture. That arrogance. And she has seen it felled. Has helped take it down no less.

In response to his question, she straightens her back, hands unmoving from her own book. Perhaps he can see any fear she feels in the pit of her stomach, but she settles for staring back eye to eye. Probably the second least wise thing to do, after speaking up.

"Do parents fail to teach common courtesy to their offspring on yours?"

At least she proves that even the children of her world have some backbone? (Is it commonplace? No. Mostly because that'd be an excuse for a Renan to kill a slave, if they so desired. No one was that stupid.

But he doesn't need to know that.)

This isn't Dahna. And she really wasn't trying to pick a fight.

She looks towards where the most recent librarian vanished - their corner of the library is now suspiciously absent of any other living beings. HMM. I WONDER WHY.

"..Your previous requests weren't having much luck. I figured I'd just make a suggestion."

"No." Goro replies, before leaning down closer to Rinwell, clearly trying to test her resolve. "Parents teach children deference to their betters. And I am...better."

He won't do anything rash or foolish. Mouth or not, a child is still a child and not worth the effort, an besides, it would likely turn the rest of Cadens against him and Goro is still feeling things out here.

"Are we not summoned? Do they not need us?" Goro asks in response to her point. "Why not make our needs known then, so that they might be attended to? If we are to solve this...Singularity for them, a little compensation for our efforts should not be demanding too much."

"If you say so." There's a distinct hint of Doubt in her tone, however. 'Better'? Please.

But much as there's a part of Rinwell that would love to say something further, or do something rash, something foolish, that momentary feeling is quashed beneath a lifetime of caution. She only has one life, after all, and she's now determined to live it. At least long enough to get home, and rejoin the fight she's already dedicated herself to.

"I don't remember librarians present for summoning us." She glances back towards the absent counters. "And I don't see why ordinary people should have to provide compensation over those actually responsible for that act." Her book closes, and her arms fold across her chest.

She never intended to ever talk to him, but now, it occurs to her to ask him this question; just what does a "better" person actually think here:

"Doesn't it bother you? That you had no consent in them summoning you? How do you know they're even telling the truth about the Singularity?"

"We were summoned by the leaders of the Free Cities." Goro replies, standing back up, removing his lower arms from the table and folding them over his chest, but continuing to look down at Rinwell. "When rulers act, it is the obligation of those who they rule to follow in their stead." He makes a dismissive gesture with one of his upper arms as though the feelings of "the ruled" on the matter are beneath his concern. "And this...Marlo wishes our assistance. Therefore, it is in the best interests of everyone, including the librarians to appease us. But I do not expect a child to understand the ways of rulers."

He rubs his chin with his upper hand. She does have something resembling a point. "I have not yet decided. I would see this Singularity for myself first." He says finally. "But if it truly is as powerful as they say, then it is of importance to not just this Realm, but all others besides. The other nations know this. They will have summoned more of their own soldiers to fight. War is coming whether we wish it or not, regardless of what Marlo or the others say. Better we attack first than wait to fall prey to Thorne or Solvunn." Basic Outworld diplomacy; if you suspect a threat, you take steps to ensure that threat is neutralized before it can act. As long as the Kahn gets his tribute and his laws are respected, the individual nations and people of Outworld are free to do as they please.

Well...that was true in the days of Shao Kahn. Kotal Kahn fancies himself a statesman, not a warleader, not in the way Shao Kahn was. But he will not rule in Outworld much longer, not once Goro returns.

"We fight, or we die. That is all there is to know, for now. When Thorne and Solvunn are ashes, we may turn our attention more properly to the question of the Singularity, when there are none left to oppose us."

Huh. Art isn't exactly a pastime Maxwell would have expected a big hulking meathead like Goro to engage in... but there he sits, scribbling away with those sausage fingers of his.

After observing for a moment from the corner of one squinting eye while he yawns noisily and stretches his way to his plcae in the barracks, Maxwell thinks he can ascertain the approximate shape of a knife.

Interesting.

"What ya drawin' there, big guy?"

Goro's eyes remain focused on his work; the charcoal is held in his upper right hand while the lower two hold the board steady on his lap.

"The weapons I require. The smith who makes them will need blueprints to build me a set. I am taking the liberty of providing them."

"Blueprints, huh?"

A fancy knife, then. Tro had a fancy knife once, Maxwell remembers with a fond smile at the corner of his lips. A hidden switchblade large enough to behead a man.

He can't help himself. Soon, Maxwell is none-too-subtly peering over one of Goro's enormous arms.

His mouth opens, but one more look at that meaty fist grasping at the charcoal - he could snap that thing like a little twig - Maxwell thinks twice, his jaw snapping shut. Right. Don't get on this guy's bad side unless you absolutely have to.

"You, uh. Take critique?"

He clears his throat. No - he can't just keep his thoughts to himself. Goro doesn't scare him that much. (And frankly, he's getting used to the four arms.)

"They are called Dragon Fangs. Gauntlets containing retractable blades. One for each arm. I know the design but I am no smith. We had forges for that back home."

Goro continues working, but does emit a low sort of growl as the priest stares over his arms at the design. He's not sure whether to be impressed by Maxwell's bravery—unless they were warriors of Earthrealm sworn to its defense, most humans found Goro and other Outworlders terrifying—or lament his apparent lack of caution, which will almost certainly get him killed. But at least he keeps his silence.

But clearly, Goro was hoping in vain because he then speaks again.

The Shokan puts the charcoal down, and straightens up, finally looking down at Maxwell impassively. "Say your piece."

Retractable blade gauntlets?

Retractable... blade... gauntlets.

"Huh."

The big lug wants some switchblade bracelets. That's interesting. Not the most practical of weapons, but then again... for someone of Goro's size and stature? It probably makes a lot of sense to take care of his problems simply by attaching knives to his wrists and letting his punches do the talking.

There is not a hint of hesitation in Maxwell's voice when he continues, gesturing over the drawings with considerably more animation usual.

"Well, for one thing the scale's all wrong. And where the hell are you gonna get this built? We're in ye olde castle times, I'd bet they ain't even got springs yet."

Well, Goro wasn't expecting that. Maxwell might want to savour the look of surprise on the Shokan's face, the upturned eyebrows, the slight widening of the eyes. "Of course it is not to scale, but a skilled enough smith can correct for that." He offers.

He...hadn't actually considered the springs thing though. Truth be told, while Goro can mimic the designs, the ins and outs of weaponsmithing are...not really his forte. "This world seems comparable to Outworld in terms of technology." He replies, leaning forward, resting his chin in one of his upper hands. "Moreso, in fact. If Outworld smiths can build these weapons, surely there are smiths in one of these cities capable of matching them."

His eyes take on a more...appraising look. "So what do you propose to do about these...springs?" He asks finally. Finally, realization begins to dawn, what it is about Maxwell that was bothering Goro at the back of his mind.

"You remind me...of a Black Dragon I once knew." It...sounds like it might be a compliment, actually? "He was something of a specialist in creative solutions. I liked him, for a human."

He lets the implied offer being extended hang there in the air for Maxwell to consider.

"Well was he a human or a dragon?"

What the hell, Goro. Why can't you make sense?

But nevermind that. Despite his grumbling, Maxwell does recognize that the big guy is offering him an... opportunity, of sorts. He has to chew on the idea for a moment, weathered fingers stroking over the growing stubble on his chin as he considers. Old habits are sending up red flags of warning - he knows better than to involve himself too heavily in someone else's war. He's got no stakes in the battles that Goro is so eager to throw himself into. Not yet.

On the other hand, it looks like a hell of a fun job.

And then there's the obvious advantage of having an angry giant with razorblade wrists on your side.

"I'll need piano wire. And my shop." He huffs a dry laugh. "But since I'm not gonna find that here, guess I'll just have to start working on those creative solutions, huh?"

"Human, like you. The Black Dragon was the name of the syndicate he represented. An Earthrealm criminal organization that had strong ties to Outworld." Less so these days now that Shao Kahn was dead, but there were rumours that overtures had been made to Kotal Kahn from the Black Dragon that had not been entirely rebuffed.

The benefits of knowing people who specialized in creative solutions.

He nods brusquely. "You should. I will finish the blueprints and have them delivered to you later. Give me fangs that I might dismember my enemies more efficiently, and you shall have my favour, priest."

That said he leans down towards Maxwell. "But I do not wish to be kept waiting long." He says, staring intensely into the human's eyes.

Maxwell's blasé violet eyes stare Goro right back. Listen, this guy may be ghastly, but now that he's gotten past his charming looks and the sheer size of him, Maxwell can't think of a single reason to be afraid of him. What's Goro gonna do, kill him? Good. You wanna talk about being kept waiting...

Regardless. Maxwell doesn't expect the guy who's just asked a favor of him to off him right away.

"You'll get it when you get it, big guy. The colonies weren't built overnight."

It's a strange feeling, to be reminded of something you've grown used to but forgotten that you had. For Sam, that moment happens while he's walking through the streets of Cadens - on his way to some errand, some job, something that he's done to take up his time - he's minding his own business, and then looks up to see a figure, imposing and impressive and big, walking through the crowd.

What happens is that Sam, without realizing it, immediately feels himself say "Bruce?" But, upon realizing there is a severe lack of green, shakes himself out of it. The next moment comes with a sudden cold chill down his spine, a frown tugging at his face. He's new. It doesn't take Sam long before he's moving in the direction after the figure, knowing immediately that he has to talk to him.

"Hey! Big guy! Wait up!"

Goro stops and turns at the shouting and sound of approaching footsteps. Then he looks down at Sam. "Few of your kind would approach a Shokan so readily, human." He notes with mild interest. Certainly the first human to voluntarily interact with Goro since he arrived in this city.

He holds up a dismissive upper hand. "If you are from the Outpost, I do not require a minder. I will be back on the grounds well before sundown, I assure you."

At least he stops - Sam catches up to him just a few moments after that, barely breathing any heavier than before. He gives a smile, trying to hold on to that friendly, approachable air, despite his own...what. Anxiety? Worry? What is he doing here.

"Shokan? I'm guessing that's a...title? Where you're from?" A beat, and then Sam notices a few of the natives of the Free Cities taking a much wider berth. Alright. Good to know.

"And I'm no outpost, don't worry. I'm like you- or at least, think I might be. You came through a well, right?"

"No." Goro replies, watching the human's apparent ease, studying the way he walks, holds himself. "You are human. I am Shokan." A race, rather than a title. He turns more fully to face Sam, his expression neutral, his upper arms folding over his broad chest.

"Yes, that is how I arrived." He nods, then leans his head to one side in thought. "You are one of the earlier summoned. The ones who came from Thorne." He states, apparently having been caught up on at least that much. And that knowledge begins to give Goro an idea of why Sam is approaching him at all.

"I am Goro."

"...right."

Sam does try to be understanding. He really does. And while something about the interaction does lead him to believe it's a race, and that this guy is from a world where that. Matters. Sam just sort of ends up blinking, waiting for a little more of an answer, before nodding.

Alright. So he wasn't wrong. And even if that doesn't exactly reassure him, and if anything actually makes him more concerned, those concerns aren't anything Goro can help him with.

"Yeah, I got summoned back in Thorne a few months back. My name's Sam." And then, because Sam can't help but ask. "You finding everything alright?"

"Yes." Goro replies. "But everything here is too small." A minor frustration, and one he does not expect this Sam to do anything about, but it's been aggravating. At least he was able to get a second bed from...someone. A face and name he struggles (not very hard, admittedly) to come up with. Ah well, it doesn't matter.

"I am heading to the library." Goro replies, turning suddenly. "You may accompany me, if you wish." Clearly, Sam has things he wishes to know, fears or concerns about his adopted home continuing to summon, but Goro has places to be.

"You may speak to me of Thorne as we walk." He adds, clearly expecting Sam to follow him. Historical tomes and treatises are one thing, but this human has first-hand experience of the castle and the surrounding countryside. That would undeniably be valuable. "Tell me of the castle, and its people."

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Round 1

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barracks

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super late.....whoops.

no worries!

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