Tuchuk
[Everything in this story is role-played it all occurred in UO all the speech is taken from the UO chat logs, so all though this is all made up by the people involved it still happened in uo, an example of spontaneous un-scripted role-play. I merely wrap around it the thoughts of Kamchack my RPG character. I hope it entertains you in the same way those involved entertained each other, and I hope it gives you some background information on our characters thereby making it easier for you to find a way to role play with us.]
I stood at the bank listening to Mithander discussing her heritage with Reann, Mithander had just discovered that she and Reann were sisters, the news had not quite sunk in for me however I had always seen a resemblance between Reann and Mithander. I was interested to discover more about this newly discovered fact that had come to light, as I was discussing this I heard a pleasant female voice speak behind me, "Tal, Kamchack!", All thoughts and questions left me and I turned to face the woman who spoke this one word that I had only ever heard on the lips of my family. Before I had left home my father had told me that one day perhaps I would hear that greeting utter from a strangers lips, it appeared now that day had arrived. I glanced up at the woman on horse back her brightly coloured hair, her black leather armor and jewellery, she struck me as some one both of wealth and power, her cold purple eyes regarding me with a knowing look that unsettled me.
"Tal?" I said thinking perhaps I had misheard the word, "What be Tal?", I asked. "Another word for Greetings." came the reply. "Kamchack, a Tuchuk would be wiley to come to Sosaria" She continued. Again a word I had only ever heard spoken by my family "Tuchuk". I became interested in this woman and what she may know about my heritage. "My father told me my name was of the Tuchuks." I said. "That is why I greeted you. Tal" she replied. "You have the better of me my lady" I said "I am Tarenessa" smiled the woman, her smile a knowing smile not a warm one. "Interesting meeting thee". I said as I moved towards her and away from the conversation behind me. "How I would wish to see again, Glorious Ar, but then I find no way back from here" Tarenessa told me.
Tarenessa went to stable her mount and returned to me shortly after.
I had moved a way from the main group around the bank and stood by the trees waiting her
return with interest and some trepidation. My father had brought me up as a Sosarian he
had mentioned at times a place called Gor and a Tribe of warriors called the Tuchuks, but would never tell me more than hints when I asked further questions, only saying
"Perhaps in the fullness of time Kamchack you will know your heritage, but for now
you are Sosarian, the ways differ, you should learn to live more the life of those who
inhabit this place, they are a suspicious people here and should you reveal your true heritage
you may find yourself an outcast."
Tarenessa returned after a few moments interrupting my memories. "So, are there many like you here?"
She asked on her return, again those cold purple eyes regarding me with a curiosity that
unsettled and unnerved me. "I be the only one I think." I replied not mentioning my brothers
or my mother. "Ye be the first I have met who knows something of Gor and The
Tuchuks." I told her. "Makes me nervous it does". "Why would a woman of all things make a
Tuchuks nervous?" asked Tarenessa. "I nay be true Tuchuk or I nay know much at least, my father who has passed on
told me a few tales is all". "Well", replied Tarenessa "let me fetch you something,
and you tell me how it looks.". Tarenessa recalled away to fetch what she spoke of
leaving me once again alone with my thoughts and a growing sense of curiosity overcoming me.
I looked in my pack at the small notebook, which had been left to me when my father had
passed on. On his death bed he had handed it to me saying "Kamchack" as ever calling me
by my name I had never heard him call me son, "Promise me now you will never break the seal
on this book until you meet one who gives you signs that they know of the ways of the
Tuchuks." I had nodded "I promise it father." I had replied. From that day I had kept the promise made to
him on his death bed. The book had stayed by my side unopened, unread.
Tarenessa returned. "Now look closely." she said. I looked at her, little had changed except she now wore
a flat snuggly fitting polished steel band around her neck it bore lettering
that I could barely make out. I smiled, some would have taken it to be a piece of armor a gorget perhaps, "A fine collar."
I commented. I knew its name for I had heard my Father and Mother refer to a similar
band that my mother wore around her neck. "Only a Gorean would call it that, others would call it
armor." said Tarenessa.
It was growing late, I had reports to do for my guild and I noticed Mithander growing impatient
by the bank. "Tarenessa, you may be able to help me understand my past, I am visiting Spiritwood tomorrow
perhaps we can talk some more there in the Tavern?" I asked. Tarennesa nodded "be careful what you wish for
Kamchack, Fareevil then Kamchack" "May the virtues guide thee." I replied. "I am not a good woman Kamchack, I would rather they did not."
with those words still on the wind and unsettling me she vanished in a grey mist. I returned to Mithander
silent and deep in thought.