Unlikely Allies - Captain Argus Malitora and Taluk'okt

Captain Argus Malitora

Argus Malitora - Aged 41

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Captain Argus Malitora was a well-known captain in the Ithosian military and was in charge of the First Legion for a large portion of his career. He grew up in Capita Emporio to a military family, with several generations on both his mother and father's sides having held prominent titles during their lives.
As a child, he was expected to live up to these standards and was given a strict education and was enrolled in the Capita Emporio Military Academy when he was twelve.
Malitora, as a young adult, was quiet and tended to listen to conversations more than he spoke in them. Some would call him calculating, believing he was plotting something all the time.

But he was really just pensive, quietly taking in his surroundings and learning as much as he could before acting. Unsurprisingly, by his 18th birthday, Malitora was accepted to join the proper ranks of the Ithosian Military.
What was surprising, however, was when he turned down a prominent role in the capital's Reserve Legion, a surefire position that could lead to a position of power in the more active Second and First Legions. But Malitora to the shock of his family took a position as sentry guard in northern Ithosia. A lowly rank where he would be tasked with protecting the roadways between the northern cities of Porysis and Alipea. A position of little to no note, but Malitora wished for a grander understanding of all of Ithosia and its people. He did not merely wish to serve for the purpose of self-advancement, he strived to understand his nation and truly serve it as well as he could.
From here, Malitora would bounce around the republic serving in varying military roles throughout the republic; gaining insight into the republics' people and its land on a much larger scale than most in the capital ever received. By the time he was thirty, Malitora had a long list of accomplishments and was offered a role as Secondary Captain of the Second Legion in the Ithosian Army. A very respected position, and one that is only trumped by a few individuals.
This role brought him back to the capital of Ithosia and his home, Capita Emporio. He served in this position for the next five years, before taking over as Captain of the First Legion when his superior retired from active duty. In this position he gained the most support and adulation in his career, gaining many supporters in the Republic's Council.
Shortly after Malitora turned forty one was when the Passing Horde incident occurred. During which he stalled and eventually convinced the council to allow him to parlay with the humanoid horde. He would go on to meet and discuss terms with Taluk'okt, and the pair would hash out a plan that provided safe travel to the Utuk'taseg and assuage any fears had by the Ithosians. He and his Legion would personally escort the Utuk'taseg across Ithosia to their eastern border, where they would part ways peacefully.

In the twenty years since this event, Malitora served another fifteen years as the Captain of the First Legion before retiring from service. He is currently serving his third term as a councillor on the Republic's Council.
But he is approaching Elder's age and will soon go through the The Elder's Journey Ceremony which will retire him from active voting in political office. Though if he wishes he can still serve on the council in a special Elders Advisor role. He keeps regular correspondence with Chieftain Taluk’okt unbeknownst to his friends and family.

"He is a wise man and I value him greatly, and despite the secrecy of our continued correspondence over the years, his advice has been invaluable to my career after our initial meeting. The people of Ithosia have no idea that many of my most inspiring speeches were greatly influenced by the wise words of my friend Taluk'okt."

— Captain Argus Mailtora

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Chieftain Taluk'okt

Chieftain Taluk'okt - Aged 40

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Taluk'okt was born to a small tribe of about thirty in the southern plains that stretch across the borders of Heldrin and Casaréi. He and his tribe grew up as one of the pacifist tribes of orcish people.
Simple people that just tried to stay out of others' way and live peaceful lives. Living off of the plains, hunting and gathering everything they needed, and staying away from humans and their settlements.
Though their lives were not always easy and could become difficult, not for a lack of prey or fresh produce, but due to the frequent travellers between Casaréi and Heldrin.

While the tribe steered clear of any roadways, illegal traders, thieves, and adventurers would frequently travel off road trying to keep a lower profile. Taluk'okt's tribe was proficient at avoiding these groups but the occasional close call did occur. And sadly, the occasional fight or skirmish would break out and a tribesman would be lost.
Regardless of these difficulties Taluk'okt grew up strong and was taught to hunt, sew, and to be patient and keen. He was also taught the importance of spiritualism and would learn all of his people's rites and rituals. He would eventually become a respected shaman in his later years, and carry these traditions all the way to Raum'alur - The Valley of the Embraced teaching them to the Utuk'taseg - Those that Seek.
Taluk'okt embraced all of his tribe's ways with fervour, and would eventually take over as the tribe's chieftain in his mid-twenties after the former chieftain chose him as their successor. Along with this he took on a wife and would have several children by the time he was thirty. Though their names are not recorded, Taluk'okt does not speak of them often.
Shortly after Taluk'okt entered his fourth decade of life, over ten years after becoming chieftain, tragedy would befall him and his tribe. While out on a solo hunting trip, a rare occurrence as hunting is almost always done in pairs, a large adventuring party ambushed the tribe. The tribe caught unaware, was wiped out by these 'adventurers' and Taluk'ot would return to a pile of burnt ruin and managed flesh. Including his wife and children.
Grief-stricken and hungry for revenge Taluk'okt tracked down the adventuring party and was prepared to lose his life in the name of vengeance. But a breeze on the wind that smelled of wildflowers, a perfume his wife preferred, stopped him. His spiritual side told him it was a message from his slain wife, telling him not to seek revenge and that violence would not honour them. Taluk'okt would leave the adventurers alone to their own eventual demise, instead, he wandered the plains and eventually started moving eastward, leaving his homelands, not knowing what he would do next.
Several months passed and Taluk'okt had travelled in winding circles all the way to south-central Heldrin. Here is where he spotted an odd collection of people, several hundred various orcs, goblins, and humanoids. He'd never seen such a sizable tribe, especially not one so mixed. And seemingly on the move eastward as well.
With caution, he approached the group and asked someone what was going on. He was told that they were travelling eastwards, and they were going to find a new home on the other end of the continent. A place where they could live peacefully without violence, hate, or prejudice. Taluk'okt in that moment realized he had found a new purpose, to help shepherd this group to a new home in whatever way he could. So, he joined them as they continued eastward.

Several months of hard travel later, when the group that would eventually be known as the Utuk'taseg entered Ithosia was when the Passing Horde incident occurred.
Having provided spiritual guidance and support for the collected humanoids for several months already, and for calming them when the situation seemed most dire, he was chosen to represent them during talks with Ithosia. It also helped that he was able to speak a small amount of the human language.
Taluk'okt would meet and parlay with Captain Argus Malitora, the two would eventually hit it off and secretly strike up a distant friendship.

It is strange the way this world works, my life was once taken away from me by people who looked and spoke just like him. Men with swords, bows, and a desire for more. But if we assume that all of them are the same, men and women of greed and avarice. Then aren't we then the same as those that judge us and label us all as violent malcontents? We must all give each other more respect, and at least a chance to speak before brash action is taken.

— Chieftain Taluk'okt

When the safe passage of the Utuk'taseg was completed, Taluk'okt reiterated his people's passive and peaceful nature and of their intentions of keeping to themselves fully once they entered the valley. He told Malitora that he likely would never speak to him again, and that was likely for the best. Ironically, this latter point would be a lie, and Taluk'okt and Malitora still keep regular contact.
Now, twenty years after the incident, Taluk'okt is once again chief of a tribe of orcs within Raum'alur and acts as one of the nation's most trusted spiritual advisors. His family has grown once again, and he has settled down with a wife and has several teenage children.

Summary

Two unlikely allies, from vastly different births and backgrounds, came together in order to find the best path for their respective people. Captain Argus Malitora, a lifelong military man from the Republic of Ithosia. Chieftain Taluk'okt, an orc from Heldrin who lost his family before finding a new one with Utuk'taseg and travelling across the continent to find a new home for his people.
These two leaders helped calm a situation, nicknamed The Passing Horde, from escalating into violence and instead put aside their mutual distrusts and guided both sides to a peaceful resolution.

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Argus Malitora 

Species

Human

Ethnicity

Ithosian

Height

5'1"

Weight

185lbs

Taluk'okt

Species

Orc

Ethnicity

Utuk'taseg

Height

6'4"

Weight

260lbs

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