Romarod's Tribe
Romarod's Tribe
Located in the orc thickets, the tribe had stalwart walls being constantly guarded by goblins. This much was a necessity while having a thieving arch-nemesis.
Yet, these measures were actually not all that good. The walls were made of wood and ill-kempt. The goblins were lazy, they were unmotivated. But it was understandable, It was hard to feel ecstatic about your work with the constant threat of death.
Yes, this was the tribe founded by Romarod, for Romarod. This was Romarod's tribe, a poorly managed, testosterone-driven, messy dump.
The conditions for the goblins were terrible, but how did they fare to the treatment of orcs? Simply put not much better. They were barbaric conditions.
Under the sound of rhythmic drumming, and the light of a bonfire, a beastly festivity was being held.
"Wow, beat 'em!!!" A female orc screamed as one of their suitors was slammed to the ground by a meaty fist. She squealed with excitement seeing his body hit the ground under the light of the campfire.
That was right, it was nighttime yet the tribe was still up. Romarod was not one to play by the rules after all.
"STOP!!!" Romarod suddenly shouted. He was sitting on a hefty wooden chair not too far off from the bonfire. This was the chair of the chief which he had relocated for nightly festivities.
Romarod was looking at the orc woman who had just cheered on the beating of a fellow tribe member. His gaze was resolute.
"Don't do that" Romarod said as he approached with strong steps. As soon as he stepped in front of the orc woman, she shivered slightly.
"You are mine now" Romarod followed. The woman was shivering from excitement! She couldn't help but reveal a vivacious expression.
"Ah!" She was suddenly grabbed by Romarod leaving the two orcs who were fighting for her to sigh. Another one lost to their tribe leader.
At the current rate, it was just a matter of time until there were no untouched women in the tribe. That it hadn't happened already was solely thanks to the fact that Romarod often attacked other tribes to specifically snatch their women. Otherwise, most of them would have long since bore his children.
Actually, a fair chunk of the tribe members were children of Romarod. To have their father steal their girl only made it much worse. But what could they do?
Romarod's prime was bound to soon end meaning his strength would wane but until then, the kids didn't stand a chance.
As to demonstrate this point, Romarod brought the woman with him to the chief's chair. Under the eyes of over 60 orcs, he was about to start the main event.
Just as Romarod he was about to have fun with his new partner, he noticed a twinkle and it was not from any little star. It was an attack. Realizing it was the sheen of a weapon made Romarod's heart flutter.
The small pause didn't interrupt his thoughts, however. He stepped aside and a dagger flew right across him. Without a shred of hesitation, Romarod tossed aside the woman. He was starting to feel some real excitement!
"""ROOOOARRR!!""" "Show them real fun!" "BLOOD!!!!"
The cries of the enemy started to sound out creating a song more beautiful than any drums could muster. The swings of weaponry that created curves more alluring than that of any woman, this was a life or death battle! This was true excitement!
"RRRROOOOOARRRR! COME KILL ME MUAHAHAH!!!!" Romarod let out a battle cry with a burst of eerie crazed laughter. Romarod was a maniac that knew no-
"K- Urgh!" That twinkle... it hadn't been the gleam of a weapon… They were electric sparks!
"You rat! Durgash! You dare come again after so long?!?!" The initial grunt of pain was drowned out by rage. The measly dagger on his chest could do little to it in this state.
Dakgu who had rapidly charged forward to stab the final boss was surprised to find Romarod so lively. He had stabbed him, that was a dagger!
A meteoring fist then landed straight on Dakgu sending him flying like the pestering fly he was. The excited chief flexed his fist a bit feeling some resistance before quickly glancing around.
The sight of orcs besieging his people and how they fought back with sweat and blood, such a sight was the battlefield he would always yearn for.
"Durgash, you dare attack again after so long without showing yourself!?!!!" Romarod shouted loudly again. How could the Thundery Cry chief not give him some face and come face him? The pesky rat who would always come steal some meat would dare be frugal while stealing?
Before Romarod could continue his mad yelling he was surprised to find himself bleeding profusely.
"Huh? W- Argh!! AAAARGH!!" Romarod had a large wound on his stomach. It was as if a blade had streaked across it and pried it open.
Romarod's eyes started to turn blurry and his balance thrown off wack. The initial excitement of battle was overshadowed by the fear of death.
"AAARGGH!!!" His screams were filled with knowing horror after his body failed to stabilize. He would go down, he would die here.
Under the symphony of the battlefield, Romarod's body fell adding a dramatic thud to close the piece. That was right, silence was rapidly returning to the battlefield. If he had died so simply how could the other orcs stand a chance?
What they were facing were orcs wearing fine iron armor. The cleanliness of each bend or curve managed to shine past even the vile red blood. These orc warriors were invincible when faced against their armorless dungeon spawned ax-bearing opponents.
"HAHAHA! This is great!" One of the Sanctuary orcs shouted. The ability to ignore all hits and lash out was beyond explanation. They had discovered the thrill of armor!
"Stop" But the thrill of armor had to be stopped. Their goal was to poach orcs not kill them. Ed's words were soft-spoken but they reached out far, they reverberated in the minds of the orcs.
[Transmission has leveled up]
Ed had snuck transmission in order to hammer his words into their heads but it came with the added effect of leveling up. How nice.
Soon enough, all the enemy orcs were rounded up and made to sit on their knees next to the still-lit bonfire.
"This is an interesting tribe" The place gave the impression of a bunch of crooked thieves yet they were able to create bongo drums for music. Well, assuming they didn't steal them of course which Ed couldn't rule out.
'Regardless, as long as they know how to play them it's a plus for me' These boar leather drums were bound to cause a wave of enthusiasm in his tribe.
"All good, Ed" Sharog who had cut a good slice off of Romarod said. Ed nodded and turned to take a good look at everyone kneeling. They were surprisingly resigned.
"Alright, so who is willing to step up?" Ed decided to snatch up talent through the classic method of asking. The braver ones would certainly be someone worth nurturing, such went the logic.
One orc glanced around quickly before standing up and running over to Ed. Sharog and even Shel were immediately put on guard by this action but all the orc did was drop in front of Ed.
"I'm willing Sir!" The orc shouted without a shred of dignity.
"Who are you?" Ed asked the orc whose expression clouded overhearing this question.
"I- I'm…" He seemed to have grown afraid in fact.
"That shameless bastard is one Romarod's children!" Shouted an orc angrily from the sideline.
Ed took a second glance at the now shivering orc. His figure was a husky one with firm muscles. The similarity to Romarod was there, he had been an orc that talked with his fists and fought with his fists as was expected of a man in his own head.
'To think any of his sons would be such a coward though…' The fear of being killed for being one of Romarod's descendants was reasonable and honestly, it was going to save the orc's life. Fear was something hard to fake on the spot.
'If he can fake all of this…' The orc was a genius both in wit and acting. Therefore…
"Introduce yourself properly" Ed told it with an icy glare.
"I- I am Romagod, son of Glasha, one-time partner of Romarod" Romagod answered with surprising decorum. Ed didn't know if his choice of words were an attempt to save himself or to garner pity.
"Good, Romagod. You are now in charge of your tribemates." Ed told the orc who was still on the ground like a beggar.
The latter was astounded by the words. He was now the leader of the tribe?!? Were they being let go!?!
"Take them back to Sanctuary. Sharog, I'll leave you in charge of them. Try and teach them a couple of things" Ed told Sharog who couldn't help but sigh internally. Ed was going to keep drowning her in work!
Wouldn't she lose the prime of her life doing nothing but stressing at this point?!
"Let's go!" Dakgu said someone elated. Sure he had a swollen cheek after being punched but Thunder Cry's enemy was still so easily defeated! He couldn't wait to head back to Sanctuary so they could plan their next target!
"The other half of you is coming with me. Dakgu, what's the next target?" Ed asked Dakgu who froze on the spot. Next target? Already?