Training at the militia training grounds

After making a small announcement at the shadowdale camp fire, Sordoc makes his way to the Militia Training grounds, He makes a few enquiries on the usage of the militia training grounds offering to train people in the multiple styles of combat, such as the way of the red fist and the ancient gnomish combat art of Yhodrehk Kuac, Steelskin and Ironhand fighting. He also offers to train people in the smatterings of techniques he knows from the way of the Sunsoul and way of the Shining hand. He turns to those who may have joined.

"Any who wish ta learn be welcome, there be nah cost ta these lessons, jus' tha' ya learn ta defend yourselves."

A few militia members make their way to the training grounds including a man they seem to salute rather formally. One of them murmurs to the supposed higher up and gives a nod Sordoc's way. The higher up man in particular listens quietly and looks from a piece of parchment in his grasp up to Sordoc. The corner of his mouth gives a bit of a tick and he nods to the miltiaman beside him.

The piece of parchment in his hand is folded a few times and he steps up to Sordoc. "You ehm...you seem to be quite willing to help the people around h-here." The stammers are not ones of nervousness, but seem to be almost a bit of an uncontrollable thing.

Sordoc gives a quick break to those he was given a few lessons to, and nods to the approaching man.
Noticing the stammer Sordoc answers, "Dun't worry lad, I ain't tha type tha' explodes. Werll, wi' all tha help an' support from tha folks o' Shadowdale, an' wi' tha problem ta tha north. I migh' as werll give summat back ta tha town tha's looked affer I, an' me stuffs. At leas' fer all tha times I've slept through tha trubblesome times, an' wi' tha recent problems wi' o'er folk, thought it'd be nice ta pass orn I's skills ta people tha' migh' need it, and gets folk prepared fer any problems."

Sordoc shrugs "an' I consider it a way ta pay a few debts I owe..."

He turns to the trainees, "Remember rule wun allus counts."

*if offered the parchment, Sordoc will quickly read it.

The man doesn't give the parchment over. It must be just his. "I'm not w-worried you'll explode, M-mister Sordoc." He explains. Strangely enough he knows the gnome's name. He looks to the trainees that Sordoc speaks to and then back to him. "And just w-what debts do you owe?"

Sordoc looks back towards the stammering man. He doesn't seem suprised that people know of him.

"Werll I've been arahn' afore tha liberation an' wi' them's bad times..."
Sordoc gives a shrug.
"Werll consider it a sorta debt o' guilt. I stood by whilst folk suffered an' fled afore I coul' do anythin' ta help. Since tha town is free now an' there is tha' tainted problem up in tha daggers, I though' I'd help any way I can, givin' folks alternatives ta figh' an' defend their homes."

He gives a few more handy tips to the trainees, before returning to the Guardsman.

"an' mayhap set me orn me way ta findin' a new place ta train folk up in tha way o' tha red fist. Allus a chance ta set up a place ta train folk. Carn't really ha' a school wi'art students, there be any o'er problems wi' any o' tha', Sir?"

After a moment, "iffen there's any concerns at all abah' tha styles I be teachin' I can allus take tha students out o'er tha east o' shadowdale, if there be any concerns o'er damages an' such inside o' town walls."

He crosses his arms as he regards Sordoc. "I have n-no problem with your m-methods of training, nor am I concerned if things m-may be damaged during training. It c-can be fixed."

His brow furrows while studying Sordoc for a few moments, then he speaks up again. "My concern is the f-fact that the leader of the M-malarites is standing inside the t-town and training people as if there's no p-problem. Do you r-realize how this is concerning?" He speaks in low tones for now so that the trainees can not hear.

Sordoc keeps his voice quiet.

"Ah... tha' thin' concerns ya. Wi' I bein' tha former huntmaster o' tha malarites..."

He closes his eyes and gives a sigh,

"knew tha' thin' woul' come up sooner nor later. Werll... iffen it'd make ya feel better, I ain't been lyin'   abah' helpin' shadowdale, an' as far as I see, tha shadowdale has bigger problems thern wun former huntmaster. 'specially wun tha's offerin' ta help. I ain't gonna convert folk iffen tha's a worry, them days be past fer I."

He opens his eyes and looks to the guardman.

"We both ha' an enemy in common, an' I'd rather no' lose a herd unner my watch. Iffen it'll make ya feel better I ha' kept ta tha towns laws, werll o'er thern tha' wun, an' I keep I's less thern savory activities ta outside o' town."

He gives another shrug

"Iffen it be summat ta ease yan mind, I ain't minding makin' vows infront o' various gods o' tha towns choice no' ta harm anywun within tha bounds o shadowdale, an' abide by tha laws o' shadowdale, I ain't in tha sort ta preach o' tha darker paths. P'rhaps summat ta make yan feel summat better, consider Shadowdale be I's Feast o' Stags, if ya know o' tha' ritual. An' I'll keep tha hells away frum tha temple an' hospital."

Vorik regards the gnome, his expression revealing that the words he hears hardly impress him. Nevertheless, he listens until Sordoc finishes. His eyes move over the trainees at the field as he answers.

"And h-how am I to know you aren't just s-simply telling me what I want to hear? Do you think I w-will be taking the w-word of a Malarite so easily? Not just any M-malarite, but the leader. F-for all I know you are simply watching the p-people you see around here and picking out the w-weakest for your next m-meal."

He turns his gaze back to Sordoc.

"Most of the citizens of this t-town are devouts of the Earth M-mother. You and t-those you have lead now or in t-the past can be considered enemies of the f-fair people here."

His voice is still low, but a few of the guardsman off to the side seem to be muttering to each other and watching the two converse. Vorik waits to see what Sordoc has to say next.

Sordoc turns to look at the trainees and gives an encouraging shout.

"Hmm perhaps time fer a jog rahn' tha outer walls, fer yan lot, Rule 2: Know yan enviromment. Come orn two laps rahn' tha outer wall. Get them knees up, lads!"

After seeing the trainees jog off, he turns to Vorik and keeps his voice quiet.

"Werll fer wun thin'... there's tastier thin's out there then humans, lad like speedas. An' most o' ya weakfolk ha' been sent away ta Myth Drannor, iffen I be correct. An' as I said, I be tha former huntmaster, tha pack splintered a fair bit back, I ain't a leader o' a pack, ne'er had tha power ta back it up. They may ha' listened, but half o' em were prob'ly in wun ear an' out tha other. Since ya ha' records o' I, ya prob'ly ha' some records o' tha o'ers tha' may have been in tha pack, an' prob'ly know no' many o' em be still arahn' "

He waves a hand towards the trainees as they jog off.

"The folk I train can choose who they want ta follow, I ain't makin' their minds. I know tha feud atween tha beastlord an' tha earthmother, an' there's probly times when both ha' put there differences aside aginst this greater foe. Tha way o' the red fist, tis a cormyrian art practiced by a few o' tha nobles down there. I know tha laws, an' I know preachin' wha' I know is likely gonna get me orn tha gibbet orn tha axe."

He turns his gaze to Vorik.

"I thin' tha question maybe, where'd ya rather have I? Trainin' folk aginst tha undead an' unner tha watchful eye o' yan guards, o' would ya waste a possible source o' help aginst tha undead, even if it comes frum... a darker path. O' would ya rather have I out there in tha woods, bein' a menace an' pest, considerin' tha loggin' ya been doin'?"

He shrugs, and looks over the guardsman, still keeping his voice low.

"I may folow tha beastlord, bu' it ain't aginst his tenents ta be nice ta folk, we do ha' standards. Wha' woul' it take fer I ta convince ya tha' I be tryin' ta be trueful. I be prepared ta make some comprimises ta tha' effect."

His fingers drum on his arms. It's clear he's considering Sordoc's words carefully.

"T-this is the decision of the government of-officials. Not m-mine. I'll speak with them about what you've s-said and I think you should write t-them yourself as w-well. You're w-within your right to stand in our t-town based on our laws, but I will n-not lie when I say I t-think you and t-those of your faith are monsters."

He straightens up and begins to turn to leave.

"Summat we both agree on there, Sir"

Sordoc watches as they leave, before digging out a piece of parchment and pencil. He starts jotting down a few things whilst he waits for the joggers to come back.

As the Joggers return, Sordoc will speak up.

"Apologies fer tha disapointments... bu' tis seems like I jumped tha crossbow fer startin' me training sessions afore I has permissions fer usin' tha militia training grounds. So fer tha time bein', tha practical lessons be on hold fer tha moment. Tis out o' me hands fer tha moment."

He surveys the returned students.

"So fer tha moment, iffen ya have questions orn self defense or mayhap be innerested in some o' tha styles o' fightin', defense o' general philosphy, I'll be in tha tavern. Mayhap a few ales an' a bit o' chattin'll do folk good, as there be more ta tha monkish arts thern jus' knowin' how ta deck an enemy."

He looks around and focuses on any guards within the group.

"An' you guards tha' be innerested, I ain't bothered iffen ya report wha' I say ta tha good officer tha' was here ta let I know abah' tha permits an' such... Acutally let him know wha' I be asked an' wha' I talked abah' in tha taverns. T'would be better ta get it sharpish an' correct, thern fer him ta get a bi' paranoid an' hear thin's third o' fourth hand."

He shrugs and spreads his arms wide.

"So in short... apologies fer gettin' ya hopes up orn learnin' tha secrets o' how a sunsoul monk can burn a hole through a zombie, nor how ta werk tha ancient arts o' gnomish fightin' styles... but until I gets tha permit, t'will be jus' banter an' chattin' o'er philosphy an' such in tha tavern. So Iffen ya go' any questions an' such, I'll be in tha Skull."

He bows towards the crowd, then gathers his stuff, waiting for any questions.

The ones that were originally there listening to his training do not seem all that upset. If anything, they look understanding. Seems they were surprised he was able to train to begin with without being in the militia or governmental offices. None the less, a few of them thank him for his time and saunter off. They do not seem to have any questions.

The guards listen to him and give a nod, making sure to continue to keep an eye on him.

A few days later at the Old skull tavern in one corner of the main room, Sordoc will start a small talk to any gathered to discuss the philosophy and theory behind some of the Way of the Red fist styles. To any guards watching him, He'll buy a pint of ale at least as compensation for putting up with boring monk talks.

"Righ' then. migh' as well start wi' tha basics, tha rules an' laws o' tha Way o' tha Red fist. Shout out any questions an' such atween any rules I say, gives I a break fer such."

He looks at the audience.

"Right... tha First rule o' tha Way o' tha Red fist is... Know thy opponent. Know the strengths an' weaknesses o' yan opponent. Simple as. Each obstacle in ya way will have strengths an' weaknesses ta deal wi'. Whether it be summat simple like tryin' ta get summat off tha top o' wun o' ya bigfolk's shelfs, o' summat werse like fightin' an' orc.

*He pauses for a second.*

"See, each situation has it's strengths an' such. liek tha top shelf, tha weakness, be wi' I's height, it'd be a neetmare gettin' it down, strengths fer instance... iffen it's summat like honeycakes o' candies, then stickin' it up there art me reach is prob'ly fer tha best.

"likewise tha orc fightin'. It's strengths tend ta be insane strong ness an' toughness tha'd make it difficult ta take down inna figh'. but their weakness be, tha' they ain't too smart an' nimble, so.. mebbe instead o' takin' tha axe strike wi' ya shield straight on, mayhaps deflect it, cos if ya take an orc blow ta tha shield straight orn, ya arms gonna be numb frum tha blow, deflect it an' tha orc''ll prob'ly be wide open fer a quick strike.

He takes a swig from his half pint of ale.

"Ev'ry thin' has a different weakness an' strength. look ta exploitin' tha weaknesses an' diminish tha strengths."

A few random militiamen would stop from their quiet drinking to listen to Sordoc. Even still, there seem to be one or two off-duty guardsmen that accept the offer of a pint, even if it means sitting through his philosophy of fighting. None seem to pipe up any questions as of yet, nodding in agreement at his last statement; it seems a rather well-known tactic.

There is one guard in particular that is indeed on duty. He stands in the corner and quietly watches Sordoc speak, a rather sour expression on his face. It doesn't seem he likes the discussion, for whatever reason. Instead of just speaking up about it, he keeps watch around the tavern and simply listens.

Sordoc takes another drink

"Tha Second rule be thus, know thy enviroment. Tis all well an' good knowin' wha' weaknesses an' strengths o' a enemy be, iffen ya happen ta trip orn a tree root. Tha's why fer some o' ya tha' was at me trainin' sessions, I suggested ya take a run rahn' tha walls. Iff ya know wha' tha lands like tha back o' ya han's then ya know where enemies be likely ta sneak, hide o' rush towards ya. Know where tha land dips, where roots grow, where grass grows long. Ya can allus use it ta ya advantage."

He takes another swig and looks around.

"I use meself when I wander tha Cormanthor, Drow raiders ne'er expect shortfolk in lon' gass ta come affer em. Mo' offen thern no' they expect folk ta run away no' towards em."

"learnin' tha lands an' layouts is offen good in certain ways, I know a few o' ya migh' nip out tha way ta avoid tha wind an' rain whern orn duty, o' mayhaps a crafty smoke o' pipeweed. Mayhaps ya can learn a goo' spot where ya can have ya shelter frum tha rain, bu' no' distract folk from there duties. like mayhaps in tha lee o' a buildin' so ya can keep an eye orn tha markets, whilst havin' shelter frum tha rains."

He pauses, passing a wary eye over the observers.

"Knowin' how ta get round an' unnerstandin' tha lands in wun place may no' help ya in o'er places. Knowin' how ta hide in trees an' shrubs ain't gonna help ya iffen ya stuck out orn patrol alon' tha Daggers. Knowin' how ta' swim might help ya wi' tha'. There be a great many a rivers an' lakes in tha area, I know some o' ya'll complane cos it ain't time fer ya annual bath, bu' consider this... ya live alon' side tha Ashaba river, an' mos'likely any attacker will try ta corner ya against it. Wha's tha look gonna be orn tha faces iffen ya can get away frum their attack by swimmin' away."

Sordoc pauses again and takes a swig from the mug.

"Can be ver' hilarious when it be gnolls an' such, they carn't comprehend why folk woul' get a dunk in tha river, confuses em summat terrible."