Speech to the Warfighters

[_Jandy_ 3193]

Spoiler

 

The cool air of the cave was shocking to the skin of the shaman as he awoke from his trance. He sat up, as did the uruk across from him, the new Wargoth of Clan Gorkil. Their souls returned from the Stargush'Stroh after witnessing The Planes of Fearless War. Millions of ancestral spirits partaking in war for the sake of it's rich fruits - camaraderie, legacy, honor. Bloodied hoofs, warcries, the stench of rot in mud all lingered in the mind of Grothzark'Dom as he lifted himself and mentored the young Wargoth. "Be in nub hurry to place latzelf within da ranks of our ancestors. Though go now agh liv latz life without fear."

 

 

Night came and went within the Hordelands and with it came a new day. Within the desert goblins set off to conduct their alchemical experiments and construct their grandiose monuments that would ensure our foes would never march South. Uruks pounded away at steel over anvils and patrolled the desert in packs. Ologs wasted away, either turning grand machines or lounging and feasting. The wartime routine was all too common now and each member knew what they must do, only diverted from their daily tasks when the Rukagoth would select handfuls to go tend to the mines or clean the stables.

The routine broke when a weary courier was intercepted by a band of the Krughai who watched over The Black Gate.
"Haense..." gasped the short pink man "There will be no peace."

*

The Goths retreated to their tents to speak, much had changed since the fall of Drusco and many of the Warfighters had discussed avoiding future battles due to perceived incompetence of the Veletzian League to prepare their defensive structures - worse yet many Urukhim voices were dismissed under the claim that savages could not strategize. The Krugbloods were honorbound and with that honor came a grim dosage of pride.

Grothzark'Dom trekked up the steep Rex-Rock and addressed the Horde as they learned that the war against Adria would continue.

"Warfighters!" bellowed the Lutauman "I bring great news. We, folk of honor, are all to die."

Many of those who watched the Dom from the entrance of the tavern began to murmur about the ravings.

"And we are to be reunited with our lost kin, brothers, parents, elders, and, in time, our children and theirs and theirs so on. It is the gift that binds us, given to us by Krug himself, the mightiest of all the Ancestral Spirits. As you all know, the reason he is the mightiest is because he is the most known, remembered, and celebrated. I remind you that all spirits derive their power in this way."

The elder paces the rock, scanning over the crowd who now seemed more willing to hear his words.

"Is the Stargush'Stroh not your destiny as well? Are we not bound to honor our word to our allies in their most dire moments? Are we not here to be remembered?"

The crowd began to rally to his words but one skeptic hollered out against him.

"This isn't our war! We can live for another day and be remembered for other battles."

Grothzark snorted at the thought of this, retorting "And this battle will rage on nonetheless! And the defeat of our allies, by men who hate them and us alike, shall only stain your reputation if you are too afraid to stand beside those who need you." A pause filled the air, the crowd was no longer interested in interjecting "We have sworn ourselves to the aid of the Adrians and although we are now released from our oaths I ask you this. Imagine if it were the blood of Grommash, of Kho, or of Madoc that the Haensemen sought. If our allies did not rally for them then how disgusted by their words would we be?" The speaker surveyed the familiar faces of those who now watched him, captured by his words. "Brothers and sisters, if you rally or if you do not, nobody will drag you to the field this time. Let it be known, however, that it is your actions that decide the weight of your words. It is your witnesses for those actions who will remember you when you've passed on. Fight not to die or live, fight for your legacy."

 

"Fight now, for honor, and I will remember you for eternity!"