Quote:
Originally Posted by KarlKost
Question 13) - what event led the Half Orcs to earn the right to have a presence in the city's council?
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Answer 13
Every three or four generations, a new orcish leader emerges from the Orc Barrens and unites all the tribes together under one horse hair banner to lead a Rampage across the more civilised lands.
The first three Rampages followed a similar pattern- the horde would hit a settlement, the town or city's defenses would soon be overwhelmed and it would fall, and an orcish tribal chieftain would be installed as satrap of the occupied city while the Rampage continued onward. Eventually the Rampage would fizzle out or be driven back by defending forces, and after a few years or decades the invaders would be driven from the city. And after each such occupation, a new generation of orc half-breed youngsters would be left behind.
This happened at Newbridge until the Fourth Orcish Rampage, when a young half-orc, Harrick the Boily Browed, rode out against the invading horde and confronted the Great Chieftain, challenging his champion to a duel for the fate of Harrick's hometown. Harrick fought well, but the Great Chieftain's lieutenant fought dirty, and so the would-be Champion of Newbridge was defeated and put in chains, dragged off to an unknown fate.
So thus, when the Fifth Rampage arrived some sixty years later, a new generation of half-orcs who had been raised on the legend of Harrick the Champion rode out to confront the next Great Chieftain and his lieutenants in a series of duels and surprisingly won, abruptly ending the charge of the Fifth Rampage on the banks of the Tovonduin.
From this legend was born Harrick's Half-blood Champions, a small elite fighting unit based in Newbridge, trained to duel, practised in countering orcish fighting styles, and pledged to defend their home of Newbridge. They proved themselves skilfull protectors of the city over subsequent raids, assaults, sieges and monster attacks, often going out to deal with a Fire Giant or Dire Slorn in one-on-one combat, as well as deflecting the brunt of later Orcish Rampages away from the city.
And therefore, to answer the question, the prestige of the unit and its vital contribution to the protection of the city's peace led them to earn the recognition of being on the city council.
That seat is currently held by Lord Champion Jakkrik Pig-Lips, who claims ancestry from dwarf, orc, ogre and human blood, and while many may doubt that they often change their mind when they meet him. Many have questioned his policy of allowing passing strangers to step forward to defend the city instead of sending his Champions to earn the glory, but his pragmatic response is, "If dey's want to bleed for dis city, lets 'em, I says. We'll still be here when none of dem is."
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Question 24
Where can passing strangers find accommodation in Newbridge?
What is the name of a typical low-level, mid-level and high-level establishment?
Who runs them?
What's a secret each has?