The March to War

[Slothtastic 761]

The March to War

 

The two Laks stood outside the gate, waiting for the Farseer. Their slave was close by, and ready to follow them. Normally, Orgak would not have allowed this. A mere slave meeting Laklul? Preposterous. But it was the time where all Laks are to meet Laklul, in order to learn their new directive from the great spirit. And if this slave coming with them was to give more worship towards Laklul, then by all means he should come. Finally, Nazark arrived.

“Are you ready?” The Farseer asked, peering around the group. His gaze lingered on the slave, but it disappeared.

“Yes. We are ready.” Orgak replied, and the group followed Nazark to his home where he passed around a pipe full of cactus green. Each took their own hit, and closed their eyes. Orgak could hear Nazark chanting, but only barely. 

(Laklul’s Swamp)

He was focused, and concentrating. He felt the familiar sensation of mud on his back, and he heard the sounds of the swamp. When he opened his one eye, he finally saw Laklul’s domain once more. Nazark looked to the two still not awake, and unmoving. It was their first trip to the Great Swamp. Orgak envied them, to get that feeling of intense euphoria as he woke up for the first time in the Great Spirit’s domain… he would’ve loved to have felt that again. He watched Nazark get up, and rub mud on their faces to get them to awaken. 

“Come, we will follow the river. All things flow to the place of power.” The Farseer began the long walk. On the way, they saw what looked to be a wonk, but what many knew to be a lesser of Laklul. “Be careful,” Nazark warned, “lessers will do anything to gain favor with Laklul. Any threatening moves, and he will surely kill us.” Orgak looked to the slave, who was terrified of the thought. While the other Lak wore a mask, so Orgak could not see his emotions. 

(Depiction of Laklul)

After a small time, they finally came to him. Laklul, the great spirit of the Swamp. He appeared as he always had, a giant toad upon a lilypad. Nazark began the greetings, before explaining their purpose as to their visit. They wished to find the new purpose of the Clan, their new task. Laklul frowned. He was displeased. His voice was deep, and he spoke slowly. Nazark nodded, turning to the Laks.

“He is angry. You have allowed one of his swamps to become tainted by Dark Shamanism. He wishes you to purify the swamp, by removing the problem at the source. Kill the dark shamans, get rid of them.” Nazark translated. Orgak smiled. A new Holy War, for the greatest of all Spirits, and against Dark Shamans of all things. In the Laks’ home territory of a swamp. The Swampgoth smiled, “Tell Laklul that we will deal with this problem. We will exterminate the dark shamans, and purify the swamp in his holy name.” When this was translated back to Laklul, he gave no sign of recognition. But this did not upset the new Swampgoth, but rather motivate him.

 

He knew that now to gain the favor of Laklul, he must purify the swamp for him. Orgak’s eye and countless druidic sacrifices were not enough, for allowing a swamp to become tainted was the ultimate sin for a Lak. When they awoke from the spirit realm, he headed back to the Lak Hall. 

 

(Lak pikemen advancing)

“BROTHERS! SISTERS! IT IS TIME! THE TIME OF THE SWORD AND AXE IS NIGH! BRING OUT THE HAMMERS, STRAP ON YOUR ARMOR! WE GO TO WAR WITH THE DARK SHAMANS! LAKLUL WILLS IT!” The sound of hammers striking metal now sounds from the Hall, as war is being prepared. The Laks equip their armor of quality, those of high ranks bearing the White Hand of Laklul. War has come, whether the dark shamans wanted it or not, they had gotten the attention of the Laks.

[TheNanMan2000 473]

Powerful. 

[Elite Snipes 3563]

Targoth and Wargoth Korgahk’Gorkil would smile hearing the news of the Laks taking the fight to the dark shamans “About tik da Laks did zumtin... WAAAGHH

[Galendar 631]

An ancient orc nods his head at the news. 

[_Jandy_ 3519]

“In Laklul’z naym.” barks out the Farseer

[Gallic 1066]

Fiil’Yar, who has been hunting the swamp-dwelling bûrz’zhomos for years, winces. “Should I tell them they’re gone already...?”

 

She decides against it, since wrecking a citadel of darkness and purifying the land is a healthy and honorable way to satisfy the orcish curse, even if the number of spooks there is diminished.

[Aeus 2653]

“Klomp dem ahll!” A very old, blue Orc exclaims as he hears of the news,