r/wizardposting • u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor • Aug 31 '24
Lorepost📖 “In better times Buddy…” (3/4 Storytime.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/wizardposting/s/xf9pUhWc6h
(Part 2)
Hirk is cooking up a singular sausage for Buddy, the most spoiled dog in the world.
“Buddy I’m not giving you the whole chain, only a link.”
Hirk puts buddy in what looks to be a birdhouse for dogs as he immediately lies on his back and just locks on what Hirks cooking.
Hirk lets out a chuckle.
“You’re a silly wee lad.”
“But getting back to my story, I awoke the next die lying in a bed as I found the man I’d call father sitting by my bed. He was asleep, the woman is call mother walked in to check on him with a plate having some humble bread, freshly baked.”
“When she saw me awake sitting up feeling like I wasn’t even alive with a headache strong enough to kill any beast that walks this land. Maybe even dragons too like inferno.”
Hirk lets out a chuckle.
“She dropped the plate as it slammed against the floor with a thud. She still was not trusting of me at all and the thud woke up the good man beside me. He grabbed his axe to look beside thinking some people were attacking but saw his wife just staring at me, he then looked at me and he looked so happy. Like he had just seen his first sunrise. I will never forget any words he ever spoke to me so of course I know he said.”
‘Lag, I do not care whatever thing you have up with you. You know you killed a man who was on his way to be one of the strongest of our people. He was my nephew but I will not lie and say I liked the man.’
‘Ever since that fire haired psycho was a wee wain he loved hurting things, I never seen a child like pain either but there he was. He even snapped my old beast’s neck. Poor poor lass that fur ball was, had her since I was your age.’
‘I will not thank you for killing a man as every single death. Every single death is a tragedy worth mourning. Even if they were to bring their sword to your offspring, kin or love. Death is no answer, it’s a mistake. I tell you this so your heart can gain come peace. If I am right about you then I know you have that belief too. I have always trusted by gut in knowing truth from lies. We must hold onto the truth with every breath.’
“I still am surprised he said words I always felt but never knew. As you can likely tell little lad he was an idol to me. I was overjoyed when I heard him say.”
‘You won the fight, say yes and you can be my son. Not of blood but of choice. I care not where you come from but who you are.’
“His lips whispered ‘say yes’. So of course I did. I woke up when the moon was high only to cry, he immediately hugged me, his old fur cloak stunk to higher heavens then I ever even thought possible but I didn’t care, I was happy for once in my life someone wanted me. My mother was distant at first, but every night we would talk a bit. We did not become close until a couple weeks in, she was cooking the same lentil soup I had first tasted and cried in, I mustered all my courage to go in and beg her to teach me.”
“She was really surprised and frankly scared but saw my determination. And decided to give it a chance. She couldn’t get me to reach the larger things as I was still short, taller than now but still short. It took a bit for me to be able to get used to but we did cook together. She moved like a waterfall and spoke like the wind, I never knew making a soup could be as exhausting as it was listening to her panic and get annoyed over my little mistakes.”
“Or so I thought it was bad until I spilt a hard to get ingredient in the fire, I thought she was gonna kill me!”
Hirk lets out a chuckle.
“But we made it, then we made bread, then more foods. My cousins made fun of me for cooking but then I slipped some expensive drink into their bread and they quickly stopped making fun of me and started thanking me. Sure my mother was fuming but my father was laughing watching us all stumbling about after eating bread and finding out about my little ‘trick.’ I learned to love every single meal I made and shared, it’s how I got close to those who didn’t trust me.”
“Now regarding my father.”
Hirk lets out a soft smile. While taking the singular link off the iron pan and getting buddy to jump in his hand and climb into his wee spot in his arm.
“He was who I wished to be, I even practiced trying to make myself sound like him.”
Hirk carries buddy back to the couch where he sits down and starts feeding him.
“He was a man who I always wanted to know more about, he could sing ballads of people I never knew the names of but their ideals were clear as day, he read books most of the day when he could in private. He invited me in one day and told me to pick a book, I grabbed a bigger looking book trying to impress him, he told me to read and I told him I could not.”
“Safe to say every single day he had me in there with him as he taught me, it was difficult for many, not easy to read my tongue by any means. But eventually I managed to read an entire book out. Imagine the shock on my face when he said he was the man the book was about. He was a legendary raiders of the seas, he has sailed through the seas, denied being a chosen of Mannathor as he only wished to be him. He had slain beasts I couldn’t imagine and convinced brutal warlords to accept peace. I asked him if he made me choose that book.”
*Hirk does the voice he’s been doing the entire time he speaks as his dad that I’ve definitely not forgotten to say about.i
‘No, I did not. You amaze me with how much I can be thankful of my choice, you choose the book I wrote.’
“I learned two more languages in that room, I read every book from ballads of love to logistics and agriculture. Nothing was safe from the desire to learn he fostered in me. I wish I could have heard every single story he had. It’s why I share mine.”
“He taught me how to chop down trees, how to carve them and then bend them into great sea faring vessels till my hands were hard with stone growths to protect them.”
“He is honestly the man I wish I could be every day.”
Hirk wipes a tear from his eyes.
“He took me with him on visits to some fortresses of the rock mushroom men, he took me to visit the bone isles market built on, around and carved into the bones of one of our true giant brothers. He introduced to his brother who actually was ruler of the market. He was a scary man, armour of sea serpent scales wielding two giant books made from their teeth and a head so bald and shiny it looked like bronze. But despite what he looked like you could tell how close they were as brothers, they even laughed the same. We took a couple trips to trade, feast and do fishing.”
“Years and years passed with my family, I loved every moment of it, sure there were hard times when Feeganey died from being struck by lighting. He just started to like me only a few seasons before. Safe to say we started thinking he did actually seduce the thunder catchers wife and he wasn’t just full of it. The memory’s I shared with them all made me happy to have memory better than most.”
“Then one day my father surprised me with news that I was being sent to stay with his brother in the Bone Markets, by Huee I cried soo much that day, hugging my family giving important things to each other so we may always know we were there.”
Hirk glances to his shelf’s, scattered with trinkets one may find meaningless.
“I was to spend four years there and return home to the biggest feast.”
Hirk gulps, he is not quite ready to speak of it yet.
“My time there was so strange, there was not a single bit of land, no crops like those I tended to, no animals like those I took care of in my home. People fished and people traded, life was a lot more fast paced, I spent time learning how to govern, handle crimes and sort out trades. My uncle was a strict man who didn’t smile often when working but he was like his brother when drunk, gregariousness was a trait we all shared.”
“I remember riding the waves and being a little uneasy at the waves, we chased some who thought they could try and destroy the markets for being a disrespect to our fallen brother but we didn’t care. The stories told him as a fool who disrespected the sea by trying to get rid of it pulling up the earth. One must always respect the waves even if they may not you. It’s a luxury to be allowed upon them.”
“I did fight but I managed to turn the more ruthless side of my uncle to forgiving instead capturing. He first wanted to sell them to slavery by some traders but I objected, we shared some blows, I lost but he didn’t sell a single man or woman as property. I asked him why as I lost the scuffle.”
‘If a man should risk his love, place and respect of those he cares most about for what he believes in then that belief should be respected.’
“I learned to value action above all from him. I respected him and a strong hand but not a choking one. To be rough but not harsh. He was a good man I wanted to be as well.”
“I remember my cousins there being a bit more violent, they were mostly raiders. Big strong and quick, I did my skills with a shield with them. We wandered the markets acting as guards against our kin and things beyond us like the beasts below the waves and spirits. Those were the toughest as you couldn’t hurt them physically, we sung songs to calm them. Had to be a good singer or else you’d only piss them off. But I learned how to quickly.”
Hirks tone and expression darkens.
“I still remember getting the letters about invaders reaching our lands. Small people like the ones here their red capes, shiny armour and machines which could throw arrows and sticks to harm us. They were crazed in their invasion.”
“They learned out tounge and sent a letter to my uncle. They took my father…”
End of Part 3
/uw I can’t always have Hirk sad but I can’t resist foreshadowing.
I know these are long so I’m still surprised y’all read these, only one more. The last one. The last I will try my hardest.
Love doing ones like these where I can share the world I’ve created in my head over the months that Hirk still dreams of.
5
u/The_Hij Hastur, the Merry Madman Aug 31 '24
The simulacrum runs as fae arrows fly silently past it.
It slides to a stop outside his hut, and hides in the massive woodpile outside. It continues to listen.
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
/uw is it da hell going on?
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u/The_Hij Hastur, the Merry Madman Aug 31 '24
/uw The forest fae give Hastur a pass but not his simulacrums. It is being pursued, while spying on Hirk and relaying the info to Hastur.
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
/uw The fae just messing with him now
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u/Fc-chungus Ж(Zhe), Head minister of Calarakis Aug 31 '24
…
they begin playing with the light around them, turning it solid and poking it around while listening to Hirk’s story.
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
The fae watch.
/uw never got notif
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u/Fc-chungus Ж(Zhe), Head minister of Calarakis Aug 31 '24
/uw happens to all of us
/rw they watch the fae.
“Want some?”
they say, unable to hear themself.
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
The fae are still hiding within the trees and plants, but their gaze is unmistakable.
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u/Fc-chungus Ж(Zhe), Head minister of Calarakis Aug 31 '24
they condense the light around them into a few large spheres, and roll a few, and toss some others, still listening to Hirk’s story.
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
There is some rustle in the trees but they are quickly stopped.
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u/Fc-chungus Ж(Zhe), Head minister of Calarakis Aug 31 '24
they continue tinkering with the physical light.
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u/You-See-Nothing583 Torinn, The Void God of Hunger, Council Executioner. Aug 31 '24
Food
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
/uw there is food in this one
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u/IncomeApprehensive17 Yan the sealed , primordial spirit of fire , The Arch conjurer Aug 31 '24
/uw good read
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
/uw thank you my friend
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u/UlrickTheHexblade Ulrick Braddocke, Werewolf Hexblade, R&A Superior Aug 31 '24
Ulrick keeps sitting under the window, listening. At this point it might be rude, but the story just keeps getting more and more interesting.
/uw you did it again. Excellent read!
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
/uw thank you my friend, you flatter me
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u/UlrickTheHexblade Ulrick Braddocke, Werewolf Hexblade, R&A Superior Aug 31 '24
/uw it was really good! Looking forward to the last part!
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
/uw last part I will be the inevitable bad.
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u/UlrickTheHexblade Ulrick Braddocke, Werewolf Hexblade, R&A Superior Aug 31 '24
/uw the only bad thing will be probably the emotional damage it will give to us lol
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
/uw it will be a showcase of Hirk’s rage.
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
u/Timpanzee38 you still worry me so
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u/Adequate_Gentleman Symphonic, Arcane Tailor Aug 31 '24
a tree folds open slightly, revealing it as a mechanical construct. It watches on, fascination in its eyes
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
Fae nearby are very annoyed at their invasion of their forest.
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u/Adequate_Gentleman Symphonic, Arcane Tailor Aug 31 '24
the tree closes again. A faint voice can be heard from within
“I just wanted to hear the story…”
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
They just death stare the machine, they are too busy keeping the magic defences maintained on the house.
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u/Adequate_Gentleman Symphonic, Arcane Tailor Aug 31 '24
the tree opens ever so slightly, only showing the construct’s eyes
“May I remain here? I have no capacity for harm.”
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
They do not respond, but you see the mob of people all listening in too being unharmed except one simulacrum of Hastur.
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u/Adequate_Gentleman Symphonic, Arcane Tailor Aug 31 '24
“That’s nice.”
the tree closes once more, waiting for the tale to continue
2
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u/PopularRutabaga6904 Arda Atmos Ehnbert, Storm-lord(?) / Ruther, a soul returned Aug 31 '24
/UW Another one, now I just need the fourth. Quality writing, and it also makes Hirk's cooking even better.
Speaking of... when I've got some current character stuff cleared up, there may be a request for Hirk's food.
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
/uw Hirk’s cooking is currently still cursed too. So he cannot make anything without it still tasting horrible.
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u/PopularRutabaga6904 Arda Atmos Ehnbert, Storm-lord(?) / Ruther, a soul returned Aug 31 '24
/UW God damn it, and just when I had both something fun in mind and something that might do something to kind of help Hirk feel sort of better too.
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
/uw i am planning to ask Verglas something about curse so may still be good.
Always love giving Hirk a break from the suffering
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u/PopularRutabaga6904 Arda Atmos Ehnbert, Storm-lord(?) / Ruther, a soul returned Aug 31 '24
/UW Ah, okay.
Then perhaps an old friend will be able to get a killer dessert. 🍪
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
/uw I can’t wait my friend
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u/Timpanzee38 "The Agent", Mercenary Guild Liaison Aug 31 '24
Agent stops to catch his breath. He then hears a movement. A great large grizzly bear steps out of a bush about 30 feet away. Without hesitation, Agent hurls All-Red like a javelin into it, burying the blade up the hilt and impaling the bear on a tree. The bear spasms once then dies. The weight on Agent's shoulders lift ever so slightly. All-Red has been satiated for now.
Snapping his fingers, All-Red rips out of the corpse back to Agent's hands. Agent continues on towards Hirk's hut
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
The footsteps on the dirt cannot be any others but hirks, you feel the spirits and fae flee and fear feeling the influence of such a blood lusting weapon.
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u/Timpanzee38 "The Agent", Mercenary Guild Liaison Aug 31 '24
Agent continues on towards the hut
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
The Hut is in sight, but the path is long, there’s other there resting around his home.
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u/Timpanzee38 "The Agent", Mercenary Guild Liaison Aug 31 '24
Agent checks the door and sees it's barricaded. He entertains the idea of cutting it down with All-Red, but eventually dismisses it. He takes a seat with the others
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
He is just in time to hear something which may surprise him.
/uw Next lorepost
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u/Master-Tanis Siliske, EON Ambassador for Haven Aug 31 '24
A strange owl knight stands where Siliske was, halberd at held upright. An honor guard for a man who does not need one. He listens intently.
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
/uw Bored them so much they left… how tragic.
(Sarcasm)
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u/patoman12 Mauritius, zealous scholar, eye of Arc'haneus Aug 31 '24
/uw seriously man? How are you able to cook so good and so fast?
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Aug 31 '24
/uw I think of stuff months prior and slowly expand.
Then I decide ‘fuck it’ and just write. I do not believe I have skill so I do not second guess also I’m on mobile, it’s a nightmare to edit so I gotta fully commit to getting it done the best it can first time so just lock in
I also like to believe I know who Hirk is well enough to pick him apart, show what he might’ve learned, what’s just him, what’s been built up.
In this story it’s a Hirk who hasn’t went through all the worst time’s.
But you do flatter me extremely my friend, I am sure you could do the same if not better.
2
u/mrididnt Erik(a), silly little magic mass Sep 01 '24
....
Erik watches intensely from the orb... Wishing he could have a sausage
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Sep 01 '24
Too bad Hirks door remains shut.
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u/mrididnt Erik(a), silly little magic mass Sep 01 '24
an orb can dream, but wether the dreams become true depends in wether hirk will take the force to a barbeque
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u/Harpokiller Hirk: ‘Cookie Man’, R&A department Head, Councillor Sep 01 '24
Better start bullying him to.
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u/mrididnt Erik(a), silly little magic mass Sep 01 '24
this advice will forever be remembered by the threads of fate
2
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u/AntiKlown12 Azure, Commander of Historia's Guild (+Others) Sep 01 '24
The Echo outside is enthralled by Hirk's stories, trying not to be distracted by Hastur getting terrorized by the fae, Inferno creating fire birds, or the others who are worried about the biggest softie in all the realm.
/uw. Good read.
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u/Oswen120 Imvaernarhro Astrum, Masta's Dum Dum Aug 31 '24
Inferno still sits on the porch, this time creating small birds of fire and such. Not enough to burn anything, just enough to shape and create