Jormungander
IMAGE
Human
Ranger
Name: Jormungander 'The Serpent'
Race: Human (Northern Barbarian Clans)
Height: 7'5"
Weight: 450lbs
Class: Ranger
Bio: Jormungander waited by the frozen crossing, aware that, at any
moment, his prey would trample past, oblivious to the fate that awaited
them. The huge barbarian paused, making sure that all his work was
in
place,
especially the area where he had covered a deep chasm with several
branches
of pine and then covered it once again with the thick snow which lay
around
him - that arena now looked as though none had passed in many month,
his
camaflague of the pit and art in itself. He paused again, sniffing
the
clear artic air...yes....the orcs would pass soon, then he would lead
them
to the trap and finish of the rest.
<P>The huge man scanned the terrain once more, noting that the natural
wildlife had fallen ominously silent......a sign for sure that his
quarry
was on its way. The barbarina moved into position quickly behind his
trap,
keen to get everything into place before the orcs arrived - everything
had to be set perfectly or else.....on a one on one situation,
Jormungander
was sure he could fininsh of even one of the mountain orcs but a
raiding
party would require more skill and forward planning. Hopefully the
trap
would do most of the work for him.
He paused again, his piercing blue eyes noting the steam arising
from
the rocks beyond...an indication that the advanced scout had found
his
location. The big man pretended not to take notice, busily prodding
the
ashes of the small fire he had made earlier.....best to keep it
natural.
The orcs would be better duped if they saw that he was unprepared,
just
a simple forrester who was making camp far from home....easy pickings
no
doubt. He grinned to himeself, some of the hoar which had developed
on
his beard flaking of in a mini shower of ice....he would enjoy this.
The
orcs had been very actively in around the Great Glacier lately and
had
already claimed to lives of a few crofters and small villages at the
far
reaches of civilisation......the big man had gone after the commission
from Triboar when he had heard the news.....excited more by the chance
of finding out some intelligence on the orcs intentions for
the
winter
rather than the lure of the reward; if a major rading party was being
formed
by the gathering orc hordes, people would need to know about it.
The sounds of snapping twigs bought the big mans attention back to
focus;
he'd previously strewn some branches of pine (previously dired so that
they would snap easily) around his camp so that the breaking wood would
tell him how far his enemies were surrounding him and from where; by
the
snapping of the twigs, he guessed that a couple of orcs had sneaked
around
his position leaving perhaps another 5 or so for a frontal assault;
the
big man doubted that the orcs would be smart enough to use missiles
against
him...a single human, alone...they would swoop down for a quick kill,
enjoying
the thrill of butchering him by hand. Or so they thought. Jormungander
kept up the appearance of having noticed nothing, putting a flask of
hot
liquid to his lips - the spicy brew warmed him from the inside, thawing
his frozen limbs ready for battle; he descretely slipped both his long
and short sword from their sheathes, resting the naked blades by the
floor
at his feet. Slowly, the big man turned his back to his enemy and
smiled
inwardly......the orcs took the bait. The big barbarian rolled to one
side,
reaching for both his blades, as an unexpected crossbolt thudded into
the
snow near his head sending white plumes into the cold air......"Damn"
the
big man murmered to himself. it looked like the orcs weren't as stupid
as he had thought. He didn't have to look behind to to relaise that
the
other orcs were charging from behind, but he ignored them hope the
pit
trap he had set would work; instead, he turned his attention to the
two
orcs who came from either side and behind. The creatures were big,
much
bigger than the southern cousins and well muscled yet still the huge
man
had the weight and reach advantage. Saying a silent prayer to Meilekki
for his parents forsight in breeding him so huge, the big man meet
his
two enemies with equal ferocity; short sword and longsowrd worked in
unison,
sparks flying as metal scheeched on metal. The first two attacks
blocked,
the two orcs cautiously moved a step back, unsure now as the opponent
hadn't
caved in easily. From behind him, Jormungander noted the telltale
breaking
of branches as, with a whoosh and a mixture of stratled cries, the
orcs
behind dissappeared into the chasm below. That left the two in front;
they
were surprised at the loss of their commerades but, as Jormungander
well
knew, these northern orcs showed far more courage than the others he
had
heard stories of.
Another round of swining attacks left one orc holding his side, the
barbarians shortsword hitting the mark; thick blood welled up from
the
injury, not a terminal blow but defineitely disabilitating. Jormungand
smilled a grim smile. Suddenly the look of apprehension on the faces
of
his foes turned to stark horror and a small doubt krept into
the
big mans mind.....it soon become apparent that the orcs weere no longer
looking AT him but rather behind him. The hiss of steam from behind
confirmed
the big mans worst suspecions and he hurled himself to the left, saving
his life by a matter of inches. The head of the huge polar worm plowed
into the space he had just vacated, bowling over the injured orc; the
orc
had no chance as the huge worm opened its vast jaws, clamping down
hard
on the tasty morsel. The orc screamed once before erupting into a blood
mass, its torso severed from the waste down; scarlet stained the white
snow around the barbarian as he fought the fear in his mind.......the
big
man knew that the worm would better sense movement than use it vision,
being accustomer to life in its vast tunnels...so he gambled and stood
still very still waiting for the moment to run. The huge maw salivated
overhead, uncertain as to the exact location of either himslef or the
other
orc. Orc and man, once mortal foes now gazed at eachother as death
loomed
over them both. The orcs nerve broke first - he turned and ran, a fatal
mistake as the vast worm lunched once more, easily finding its target.
Jormungand didn't wait for the grissley display....taking the
opportunity,
the big man ran as fast as he could, trying to put as much distance
between
himself and a dreaded death, all the while the tortuous screams of
the
dying orc filling his ears......
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