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A DRINKING CONTEST BETWEEN FRIENDS HER HIGHNESS, QUEEN OF THE PEOPLE AMAYA OF VENZIA v. GRELU "IRON-LANCER" IRGARD A day of glory and feasting had been had in the Dual-Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska following a recent battle. Within the drinking halls of Haense, a challenge was made between Her Highness, Queen Amaya of Venzia, and Grelu Irgard of Clan Irgard; a Drinking Contest! With the challenge made, the two drank from pristine brew each a tankard at a time. At the end of the battle of livers, Grelu proved victorious. Let it be known that a victory has not only been shared 'pon the battlefield, but also in the feasting halls of friends-in-arms. Let it be known that Her Highness, Queen Amaya of Venzia drank honorably within said feasting halls. Let it be known that you cannot truly out-drink a dwed. SIGNED BY, DREGDHAD IRGARD OF CLAN IRGARD, BLOOD OF IRGEN, SON OF JORIK, SON OF GIMRIK, SON OF THORIK, SON OF THRAIN, SON OF BOGRIN, SON OF URGUAN. NARVAK OZ URGUAN!

Lembic Urbran, proud oblazeki gnome, reads the missive with glee. "'Ah hope this party will be better than the last 'ah went tae!" He does a little dance in Roodclarnen. He's very excited.

OBLAZEKI JARGON DICTIONARY Oblazeki Jargon combines ancient gnomish words with common-tongue in a pidgin language. The pronunciation and spelling of most words are exaggerated compared to their original forms. Because of this, it's typically quite difficult to understand what a gnome is saying. With this dictionary, you'll hopefully be able to partially understand their dialect. Some words may not be written, but it's assumed that whatever word that may be missing is nearly incomprehensible.

Lembic Urbran, a proud Oblazeki Gnome, looked at the document in astonishment. "Truleh? A clarnen obb our own? Magnificent!" The stout gnome would dance around, merrier than ever.

As Drus travels to the honorbound lands seeking for supplies and wares, he peers upon the notice board of San'Briu. After he finishes reading, he nods in understanding. "It ahm hozh that zome ztill respect the Ilzgul." Drus leaves San'Briu one more, continuing his wandering throughout Aevos.

Lembic Urbran, proud Gnome of Oblazek, looks upon the invitation with glee! "Finalleh! Tha' recognition we deserveh!"

I really like this! I don't know much about Runesmithing before it was shelved, but this is a very interesting read! I did have an idea, however, that I mentioned in the Urguan discord: Maybe the Runesmiths could have some form of caveat to learning Runesmithing? Like, mental or physical effects? Mental effects could be like expert Runesmiths could be obsessed with perfection, always seeking to make their magnum opus. For physical effects, maybe the Runesmith could age faster for some reason, or maybe they slowly turn to stone at a certain age so they don't live as long (like how orcs grow horns that kill them at a certain age). It's not 100% necessary, of course, I just think it'd be neat to add effects like that for flavor. I got the idea from things like the Lutaumancy Rewrite or current Blood Magic, along with orc lore. It always interested me, so I thought it'd be neat for Runesmithing!

MEETING THE WANDERING TRADER A PACT WITH RAHIMNAL [SPIRIT OF TRADE AND WANDERING. LESSER OF GHORZA.] Drus, despite being well over the average age of orcish adulthood, finally got his first job. In celebration, he traveled to the spirit realm of Ghorza, the greater spirit of commerce, travel, and fortune. While on his adventure, he met a fellow traveler. His face was covered by a red bandana, and he wore blue robes with gold trim. As he approached, he was followed by three llamas. “Mal latum?” The wanderer spoke, “Lat ûn tul?” “Gakh. Izg dafrug fiin snag.” Drus responded. “Bûbhosh! Lat larg-shum snagal.” “Narnûlubat. Kramp-lat brus-hin nûrzum u izish?” Drus asked, hoping to gain some wisdom from the wandering trader. The wandering trader pondered for a moment, rubbing his masked chin. He spoke, “Nar. Lat gothrokub. Dhûzud larg-dur draug, zaagiira?” “Gakh.” Drus chuckled, nodding. “Lat kul-bugud?” “Rahimnal. Duurfit-bûbhosh, gakh? Kramp-nar bûzog nûr.” The spirit nodded, departing as he shepherded his llamas. Drus awoke, more excited than before.

(IMAGE MADE WITH BING AI) TO SEEK FORGIVENESS A PACT WITH SAHNNATE [LESSER SPIRIT OF FORGIVENESS AND INNER PEACE, UNDER UBLULHAR] Drus sat in his room. He thought of his past, his present, and his likely future. His only desire was to see the urukhim enlightened and his kin happy. But his search for a better future was nearly in vain as he hid far away from the city he called home. He had no one to turn to. Not even his pacted spirit, Tiirmurnul, was helpful; as they relished in the pain Drus was feeling. He sought to the spirit realm for an answer. Anything, even punishment, would sate his hunger for peace—a voice called out to him while traveling through the realm of Ubluhlar. “Drus! Khlaar-izish. Lat nargzab-gotlum?” The voice asked. “Gakh! Nargzab-izg gotlum! Izg honuz gotlum, bubhosh ilzgul!” Drus begged. “Bubhosh. Kul-izg Sahnaate, ilzgul ob gotlum agh shrarim bukat. Amat kramp-lat honuz gotlum?” “Izg gimbuga bûrzum zaashil honug kaal. Izg krai-nûl.” “Tiirmurnûl ghashnub lat nûl tug ob kraur. Naan nûl ob frûm, nûlrim amub.” The voice showed itself to Drus, appearing as a turtle in monastic robes walking with a cane. “Kramp-lat nargzab-gotlum?” It asked again. “Gakh. Izg nargzab-izg gotlum. Amub kulûk.” Drus answered. “Gaakh. Kramp-za. Lag-lab krimp-Tiirmurnûl. Ghashn-uk u hon-uz kaal tuk bubhosh ilzgul agh nar u lûmp-u bûrzum.” - “Ghadl-za agh ûn satumub skaat.” “Ghadl-Izg,” Drus promised. “Bubhosh. Rad ukh! Kramp-nar lag-izubu krimp. Za uk nargzab-lûp.” Sahnnate demanded. Drus awoke. He felt it was nice that he didn’t end up being attacked by vultures, this time.

As the messaged reached those of Krugmar, Drus would be elsewhere. Not seen within the city of orcs, Drus travels Aevos in search of enlightenment, peace, and repentance. He sits underneath a tree, whittling a large branch he took from a tree above a Highlander's grave. "May the spiritz forgive mi."

As an Akaal we are taught foremost that we are of light, to seek enlightenment from our past mistakes and failures. Underneath this visage, however, is a dark secret. As you may already recognize, most of the Akaal have fallen to burzûm; darkness. From my understanding, the following things are what I have learned while in Clan Akaal. Clan Akaal is planning, through rituals of dark shamanism of old and orcish xionism, to form a greater spirit of mortality; trapping or destroying other spirits until there is only a singular one to be worshipped. They plan on using the guise of peace to sow chaos in the mortal and spirit realms while hiding their true beliefs for only the clan to know. Ghoraza, a trusted pseudo-member of Clan Akaal, wishes to use this path to ascend into a lesser of this manufactured spirit. They call this belief Vitalism. Clan Akaal plans to do this with rituals akin to an Isthmus Anchor, a pillar used to trap a spirit. It was originally a tool used by Kulgarok the Blue and his followers. I do not know how they accessed this power. There are at least two shrines dedicated to this belief around the ‘uzg. Clan Akaal has at least two individuals who have transferred their souls into new bodies through some form of blood ritual, Bumba and Sharog. They now go under the names Ghuun and Gazhnakh respectively. Although it isn’t strictly burz, they avoid the Stargush through their acts out of fear of losing their power. Kukaals (equivalent to Wargoth in Akaal culture), specifically Maukurz of Ram have made rituals dedicated to Gadhaal the Black (a dark shaman of old) and possibly other deceased dark shamans. The higher echelons of Clan Akaal are aware of the assassination of the Blood Rex, Ar-Borok’Akaal, and may have taken part in it. Clan Akaal has an intimate knowledge of Kulgarok the Blue, one of three inventors of dark shamanism of old. One of their Kukaals, Ixula, is the descendant of one of Kulgarok’s students. Clan Akaal practices rituals of old clan Mog, particularly orcish xionism in the form of the desecration of shrines. Of course, not all of these are as important as the first point above, but they must be said to preserve the purity of the Iron Horde. Clan Akaal must be stopped before their ideas of Vitalism and ascension spread further into the honor-bound lands, through any means necessary. Admittedly I have known of these acts for some time now, only now realizing the error in my judgment. All I wish for now is the sanctity of our proud people and for the prosperity of the Iron Horde to come from this conflict. For my safety, I must temporarily travel far away from the city. Although I’d wish to join the honor-bound in combat against the forces of burz, I cannot spill the blood of those I once called brother and sister. For now, I must repent in the name of KRUG and in the name of the spirits, who guide us all in these trying times,

PAINFUL DELIBERATIONS After much deliberation, Drus once again traveled to the realm of Tiirmûrnûl in hopes of seeking enlightenment through his pain. This time it was worse. Vultures were already pecking at him this time, nearly ripping off flesh from bone. Each bite was another bout of torment within him. The pain he had felt before was even greater now, perhaps to make his pacted shamans never get used to entering his realm. After what felt like hours of being nearly eaten alive, his master shooed the vultures away with an abominable hand. “Amat kramp-lat buthagh-izg, matûrz!?” Tiirmûrnûl screeched, much louder than he had in their previous encounter. Drus’ ears began to bleed again. “Bubhosh ash, has-izg lat.” Drus begged as he stood from the bloodied ground, “Gimub-izub brus gimbuga bûrzum. Ghûlum-izg gimb-bukot ishi-izub nûl.” “Zatal lat brus-gimbuga bûrzum?” The lesser spirit questioned, “Lat iistuz za-ob?” Drus nodded. “Lozudurhk. Iist za. Lat gimbub shum nûl-ishi aarûz. Gathrok-bhoghad. Latut iist-aarûz. Nokh lat brus-iist-uga, skaat-u izish.” Tiirmûrnûl finally spoke, waving a hand as the vultures charged at him once more. Drus awoke again.

TIIMÛRNÛL, THE SHEPHERD OF KRATHOL'S ENLIGHTENMENT As the fledgling shaman stepped into the plane of spirits, he returned to the realm Ghuun showed him. Many lashings upon the back of Drus's body, as with Bumba before him, were felt upon his body. It’s as if every nerve ending was pulled liberally, as if every inch of his skin was being burnt, and as if his eyes were being poked and prodded with needles. Before him was the same group of vultures feasting upon carrion. They turned to him awaiting their next meal and ready to strike. Remembering his mentor's words, he began to struggle until he stood defiantly against the immense pain being inflicted upon him. Once again the enormous being stood amongst the flock. It looked just as it did before and equally as horrific. Its head was that of a raven and its body was a decaying, rotting urukhim. It waved the feasting birds away before standing directly in front of Drus, peering down upon it. “Zatal lat skaat-ik-izish?” The being spoke in deafening volumes, enough to cause Drus’ ears to bleed. “Akh, bubhosh ilzgul. Brus-izg bârzuga lat krampum.” Drus replied reeling his head backward in pain before he spoke again, “Brus-izg kramp-ghurn? “Bubhosh. Latug krai-shum nul. Kul-izg Tiimûrnûl agh kul-izg lat goth. Srinksha, matûrz?” It asked. “Akh, bubhosh ash. Nul-izub kul-shuum.” Drus answered, submitting himself to the shepherd of great pain. Soon after the flock of vultures rushed toward Drus, ready to peck at his flesh. Before they reached him, he awoke.

HEED THE ENLIGHTNED CALL [A BANNER IS RAISED IN THE UNDERKRUG OF SAN'BRIU WITH A NOTE BELOW IT] Ug, bruddahs agh sistahs. I ahm Drus. I come to lat all with a request for a klamor, dedicated to our future as a clan ob the Horde. For our clan to prosper, agh for the protection ob the Horde, we muzt unite azh't again to share our ideas for the betterment ob all. It iz welcome to all ob the Akaal, or those who wish to grukk ob our wayz agh our progenitors. Those directly ob the lineage of Ram, Mog, agh Izig are especially welcome as they are our progenitors agh founderz. If lat wish for the prosperity ob the enlightened union clan, come with lat ideas agh help spread the light. KA A L A K A A L [DATE: SUNDAY OCTOBER 15th 6PM EST] [BE THERE OR BE SQUARE]

DRUS’ PILGRIMAGE Drus was a new-blood relative to other more wisened of Krug-Kind. It was unclear to him where he fit within Rexdom, nor what his future would hold within Akaal. He was on his gakh’d (third) trial, the Trial of the Ram, where he must make a pilgrimage on his own into the desert to learn of his future- and the path of the warrior that he had chosen. He was used to being on his lonesome, once surviving in the forests in his youth. The desert was new to him, but the task was all too familiar. KAKTUZ DAY AZH (ONE): A towering mountain provided shade for Drus from the blazing sun, as the heat was sweltering. He sat there, pondering on the words the Kukaal blah’d (spoke) to him. What was his path? What was his future within the Akaal? Would the ancestors protect him? He sat, pondering, for hours upon hours. He felt the chill of the night before he realized how long he was considering his future, forgetting to take into account the need for food and shelter to survive. His first night he slept hungry, still wondering what the future would entail. KAKTUZ DAY DUB (TWO): Having had little sleep during his night of anxiety and wondering, Drus watched the sunrise in the morning. He continued to wonder as he searched for food, having previously set up a campfire at the base of the mountain where he slept. Drus spotted a desert rabbit hopping through the sands. His spear, whittled from wood, was prepared for throwing. His thoughts, however, did not cease in his time of need. What would happen if he could not find his path? What would happen if he did not return to the city? He tried to hush his worrying mind, attempting to focus on survival rather than the task at hand. He threw his spear- and missed. The rabbit would hop away and Drus would have to rely on his rations to survive the day or sleep hungry. KAKTUZ DAY GAKH (THREE): Drus encountered a human caravan passing through the desert while hunting. One of the carts carrying supplies to a local settlement, unfortunately, lost a wheel, unable to move further. Drus greeted the humans, who welcomed him with open arms. The humans were, of course, confused about why they would send an uruk out into the desert on his own. Nonetheless, the caravan asked Drus a question. In return for his assistance, they offered him some food as a token of goodwill. He’d happily do so, helping the caravan as they conversed. They worked for hours upon hours, talking the whole time. It was only the chill of the night that helped them realize how long they’d been conversing! After the caravan finally repaired the cart, they waved to Drus, after paying him, and departed. Drus slept that night with a smile across his face. KAKTUZ DAY FUTH (FOUR): Drus woke up, still ecstatic after meeting the friendly human caravan. However, his mind started to wander once again. What if he wasted time? Did he forget why he was in the desert in the first place? What would he tell the Kukaal? It did not matter to him. He already knew his answer. Even if he did not know the exact answer to what his future would entail, it did not matter. He would be alongside his brothers and sisters- and he would be happy. Drus would travel back to the city, a smile still on his face.