12 trees leader of Leviathan!

Picking up from where we left off last week. We are currently in the tent of 12 Trees, the leader of the Barbican tribe called Leviathan. Before the group stands the impressive form of 12 Trees standing in front of a bone throne surrounded by intimidating guards heavily armed. His lackey Mud Dog bows and whispers to him. He quizzes the group of our presence in these unforgiving mountains. By using Thrback's war spoils of an ogres head, we are able to prove we have fought and defeated members of the Orc Tribe, BloodMoon. The female shamim 3rd Eye is able to confirm this with a ritual of sorts. Despite this, 12 Trees desires a test of strength with our half orc Thraback as, despite the tribes hate for Orcs, 12 Trees respects his strength. We are led out into the desolate snow where a circle is formed around Thraback and 12 Trees. The rules are explained, no magic is to be used and only one of them will leave victorious. The group cannot interfere. They must chose a second, with Thraback choosing the Aralon, the party member he is closest to in an almost friendship. The booming sound of a gong starts the battle. The group are nervously circling the two willing Thraback on with every thought. Though it could be said that Agrippiana seems to be focusing more on 12 Trees than the others... The two begin to strip off their furs and pelts, showing off mounds of muscle, Thraback going as far to remove his loincloth. The other barbarians watching begin to beat their chests and begin a chant like song. Aralon joins in on his lute and the tribe approve greatly. The tension is thick and heavy as the two power houses circle each other, waiting to see who will make the first move. 12 Tress lunges first dealing massive damage with his huge axe covered in ancient runes, blood erupts from Thraback's shoulder and he bursts into a bloody rage using his own axe, hyped up by the music. The battle is a mess of muscles sweat and blood the tension could be cut with a knife. 12 Trees is one of the first we have meet who is a match for Thraback. Our brave Orc, severely injured, throws all he has into one massive attack but still, 12 Trees still stands, knocking Thraback to the ground with one fell swoop of his axe. Thraback falls into the snow, the music stops, the echo and the roar of Thraback fills the ears of all the bystanders. No one breathes. 12 Trees turns to celebrate his victory. Vandal calls desperately to Thraback to get up, to fight on. He manages to drag himself up, blood seemingly spilling from every pore, in one last attempt. Although he lands a hit, it is not enough. 12 Trees puts him down one last time. "It has been a good fight, I have not had many fights like that in my lifetime." The group hold their breath as 12 Trees lifts Thraback's unconscious body and holds his axe to his throat. "It would be a shame to see you die now however." He sets Thraback down and calls Agrippiana to heal him. While asking Lucas to heal himself. Speaking to Agrippiana, he gives her the name Raven Night because of her black hair. A sign of respect. He asked her and Lucas to tend to his daughter who is ill. Despite the work of 3rd Eye there has been not let up in her illness. Lucas. While this is happening Vorn, who is dubbed Midnight, Aralon and Thraback visit 3rd Eye in order to ask her questions as she is able to see things. Lucas examines the daughter of 12 Trees and it seems she has been poisoned and hexed. He relates this to 12 Trees, who goes into a rage, "There is only one in the tribe who could do this!" The barbarians go into 3rd Eyes tent and bring her outside in front of everyone, the penalty is to be burned alive. She screams and spits at Agrippiana cursing her screaming, "I know what you did!" Her body quickly is engulfed by flames. 12 Tress thanks the group for their service to his tribe providing us with fur robes to combat the cold. He asks us to follow him, we walk up a weathered path. He names his daughter Rising Moon. He beckons us to listen, we can hear the sweet sorrowful song of the Harpies, we are at a safe distance to not come under it's influence. 12 Tress offers himself in marriage to Agrippiana, forsaking his other wives, kneeling in front of her. She, taken aback, agrees to become betrothed and promises to return to him whenever she and her friends complete their tasks ahead of them. As a promise she gifts him a lock of her hair. He asks Thraback to protect her and to make sure that she will be able to return. They cut their hands on a blood oath as a promise. The night passes without incidence allowing us to rest. The group prepare to leave for Wave Echo Base.

Until next week!!