Chapter 5 - Cheerful News

Much study has been made of the goblinoid races. They seem to mutate in a similar manner to the ivy plant; each hilltop and valley having its own variety. We see from the tallest ogre, to the leanest artoc, to the fiercest orc, to the lowest gobleze, what can only be deemed the same species. For like dogs, they can all interbreed and produce vile offspring. Certain traits seem to dominate their breeding - a propensity for violence and cruelty, a need to establish a social system based on tribal dominance, difficulty in thinking abstractly of the finer things while a sheer genius for warfare and carnage. They seem to be highly immune to almost all known poisons and can derive sustenance from the most fetid matter. They are seemingly immune to most disease, they have a high tolerance for pain and the elements, and most fearful, they have a distressing rate of reproduction. It is not uncommon to find that their regenerative powers border on magical. If it wasn’t for the fact that their tribes kill each other on sight when not in one of their mating cycles, we would have been overrun and extinct centuries ago.

Certain subspecies definitely have a stronger presence within the goblinoid races like the orcs. Orcs possess features like size and mentality which are the dominant traits. And increasing this presence in the races, these subspecies are inclined only to breed within their own subspecies.

One particular offshoot that has oft been overlooked is the moralik. They are goblinoid, confirmed by rare instances of interbreeding with the other sub-species, but they possess none of the undesirable traits.

They are recognizable as generally goblinoid in appearance of about five feet in height and covered in a short fur which has a dull yellowish color. They inhabit small tribes and villages outside of Kraylin in the verdant hills, rarely found inside Kraylin’s borders unless on business.

The true moralik is highly focused, unwarlike, and a shrewd business manager. It is fitting they are only found in the valleys around Kraylin, for they are traders of unsurpassed skill, able to perform astonishing feats of mathematics, capable of remembering entire ledgers and inventories, and to the dismay of all whom they deal with, the shrewdest of hagglers. They also excel at the market with their ability to appraise goods and sense market trends.

Their one great downside is that they seem to reproduce at an alarmingly slow rate. As far as being warlike, they definitely hold their own against the few aggressors who have come against them, but if not threatened they are very peaceful. Their only true weakness in trade is their pack rat like nature, loving to collect baubles and objects for mere appearance, even though they know the full non-worth to any other.

As far as their interaction with Kraylin, they are considered merchants to be feared at the haggling table. However, they are always fair and completely honest. This reputation has earned them a special role in the citizenry of Kraylin. They are above the law in many ways, immune to the influence of the Judges, and protected by harsh penalties when someone does them wrong. From a time unremembered this has been so, and the Guild Lords, lacking honor in most of their deeds, uphold the laws concerning moraliks steadfastly.

The true question when concerning moraliks and Kraylin is who influenced who the most during their mutual developments, would Kraylin have become the chief trading port of Arisilon without the Moraliks or would the Moraliks ever have ascended beyond simple goblins without being exposed the nature of Kraylin. – Found in the ledger notes of Guild Lord Del Rio

Corvain’s day was still far from finished. Arriving back at his estate, he had barely dismounted when Master Sergeant Bassil approached with a foolish grin on his face. Bassil was one of those individuals who had a rubbery face, able to easily show whatever mood or emotion he was currently feeling. Adding to his somewhat comical appearance was that his bald round head, which would have seemed small on a man of an average build was placed on one of the most muscular men Corvain had ever known. Corvain specialized in muscular men. Pit fighting was an industry where strength ruled. True, experience and skill were invaluable, but when both fighters have reached the limits of their skill and experience, it was strength and size which often carried the day. The girth of Bassil’s arms was bigger than his head.

“Just what the hell are you smiling about, Bassil,” Corvain growled.

“Good news sir, good news. The priests just left just minutes before you arrived and our new charge is in perfect health. Just talked to him and he is indeed a warrior from the past. He also passed along a message from the priestess of Kristor that should interest you. Arms Master Ralishac well be returned in a couple of weeks unharmed, on her promise as a priestess of Kristor. He was not destroyed or banished as we initially feared. Also, the priestess told him to tell us that with Kern’s death, no further retribution will be exacted. The spell is done and Kristor is content to allow fate to play itself out in our future. Nash - that is our new gladiator - also said she convinced him it is in his best interest to work with you. We won’t have to condition him to fight, I believe. If he is a warrior as he said, we should be able to start actual training as soon as you approve.”

“That’s positive news, Bassil, not sure it justifies your annoying smile. And good to hear that Ralishac will return to us but until then you are in charge of all training, so start Nash as soon as you can. Also, find Scribe, tell him I have returned and have him bring a list of any prospects we have on a new mage to replace Kern as our primary.” Corvain stopped speaking and glared at Bassil.

“You're still smiling that cocky smile. Unless you have more good news, wipe it off your face, cause my day has been horrible and I am really tempted to order Lilith to cut it off just to see if it would lighten my mood some .”

“Yes sir” replied Bassil, desperately trying to suppress his smile. “I do have more good news. Our fleet returned earlier today, one week ahead of schedule. And they found an abandoned ship at sea. They tell me it is totally seaworthy, big, and faster than any other ship in your fleet. And we already checked it in with the harbor master. By salvage law, the ship is yours. This brings your fleet total to six.” Bassil broke into a beaming smile.

“Sir, you are now an official first citizen of Kraylin with all the privileges associated. There is but one catch, the cargo is listed as the property of the Moraliks. They have claimed it but given a generous recovery offer. Sir, they delivered not ten minutes ago a little over a hundred pounds of platinum.”

Corvain’s day, no matter how bad it had been before, was now just positively great. If he could secure all that platinum first, he possibly could circumvent the inevitable claim by some other party that the ship belonged to them. Letting out a cry of victory, both hands in the air, he started to dance around. Grabbing Lilith’s hand, he twirled her about and danced to unheard music for several moments before stopping. The whole time, Bassil just stood there with the same smile on his face.

Very few of Corvain’s employees liked their jobs and even fewer liked Corvain. Bassil was a rare breed who relished in his master’s achievements. Few people were more proud than Bassil to have an employer as successful as Corvain.

“A hundred pounds of platinum, you hear that Lilith. This is great. Belay that order on the runner, he is good luck. Find him and invite him to the fights in two nights. I want him at my table. And grab one of the prettier girls from our gladiator’s stables for him as a dinner companion.” Corvain was in a good mood now, and when he was in a good mood, he issued orders in rapid succession. Firing off directives was his way of expressing the joy he felt when he was in control, affirming his superiority “Bassil, I wanna meet this Nash in about ten minutes. Also, we are to supply Carnath with thirty warriors for a carnage fight tomorrow. Choose them, and send them over.“ With that, he turned and started walking, then dashing toward his office. As he approached the door to his private mansion, he yelled out, “Someone find Scribe and have him report to my office with all due haste.”

Bassil turned and looked to Lilith, noting a scowl on her face. “You are looking mighty pretty today, Lilith.” He stammered a bit before adding “Would you care to join me for dinner tonight.”

Her scowl turned hard, and she just stared coldly at Bassil. “I would love to have dinner with a charming individual such as yourself, Bassil. But, alas, I have to find a certain runner and make sure he doesn’t do something stupid like get himself poisoned between now and fight night.” With that, she turned and hastily left a somewhat befuddled Bassil just standing there watching her go.

That Bassil felt strong passions toward Lilith was no secret. One of the advantages of being a top trainer was he was one of the few allowed into the training facilities late at night. That was the time Lilith chose to work out, and she always worked out when the facility was empty. Countless were the times he had sat in the stands watching her, always afraid of what would happen if she were to find out. Unlike Slodan’s men, Bassil knew how alluring Lilith really was under her plain loose robes, at least in his mind’s eye. He also, unlike most anyone in Kraylin, knew just how deadly she was. Having spent eight years until his twenty-third birthday fighting in the pits as a champion, and then the last ten years as a trainer, he knew warriors. And he had never seen someone move with the unnatural grace and speed which Lilith exhibited. Lusting after her was only part of his desire, the other part of this desire stemmed from the thrill-seeking warrior’s nature in him that wanted to get as close to death as possible without crossing over. Lilith movements were death incarnate when she practiced each night.

Lilith was aware that Bassil was watching her from the first night he snuck in. Lilith was also certain that should Corvain ever turn against her, Bassil would give his life protecting her. While she hadn’t specifically groomed Bassil for that potential crisis, she made sure and encouraged his interest as much as possible.