“Questions?” asks Bert.

“Not about Tiernen, no,” says Julie. “What about Noxport? It would help to know about the city Skrie came from.”

“I thought you’d never ask. Noxport is the south-westernmost port city of the Western Kingdoms. City leaders positioned themselves as trusted trading partners with the orcs of the Southern Wasteland. It’s a partnership that’s been centuries in the making. After the orcs were pushed south, out of their home forests, first by elves, then humans, they trusted no one except their own clans.”

“How did the people of Noxport make headway with them? If they were hostile to the other races, I expect they’d treat outsiders like the isolated tribes we still find today—if it doesn’t belong, kill it.”

“Like I said, it took centuries to build that trust.”

“I can’t imagine orcs being friendly to any race that wronged them,” says Chuck. “The way you describe them, they barely trust each other.”

“True, but orc society is really as complicated as Elven culture. In fact, the orc history goes back to the end of the first era and the combination of magical and alchemical experimentation, but that’s a story for another time.”

“I’d like to hear that one,” says Mac.

“Me, too,” came the general assent.

“I’ll fill you in when it’s relevant to a campaign. Let’s just say that by the time this story takes place, the orcs, and the leaders of Noxport had a solid partnership for a couple centuries. Humans, with their shorter lifespans, helped bridge the gaps in the hostilities. Because the human population didn’t hold centuries-long grudges, they broke through the barriers to peace.”

“After being at odds for so long, how did they finally kiss and make up?”

“Ah, there is a brief history Skrie might or might not know.”

“Do tell.”

“An orc trading vessel was blown far off course, and damaged in a storm. A ship from Noxport rescued the survivors and returned what cargo they salvaged to Caer Indygo. It turned out that a trader aboard the orc ship was a prince to the orc king.”

“That’s it?”

“Yep, it was simple. The king was impressed that they had bothered to return the goods and the heir. When the humans learned who the prince was, they treated him as they would any other prince. He, of course, reported his treatment back to his father. And that was the beginning of the first tenuous alliance between Noxport and the orcs of the Southern Wasteland.”

“Huh. I would have thought it involved hard-fought wars.”

“Nope, just a rescue.”

Bert surveyed the table, then glanced at the clock.

“It’s getting late. If you have any more stories, bring them next week.”

With that, the group disperses. Stevie sends our Blessing as everyone files out the door. As I construct Noxport, I have much to contemplate.

(to be continued)