HappyShackles

Reksam mutters quietly to himself in the crowd as he hears of Rusk'Dom's exile of Zhol'Lur in place of a more diplomatic solution. It was Zhol'Lur who stood by the drive led by Reksam to revive orcish spirituality, him and Faunher and others; now Rusk takes warmongering fools for advisors and turns the orcs to banditry. "No honor in this..." Mutters the late Rex. "Rusk, it is known you consorted with cultists and Zogrocka, though I forgave you this for your newfound loyalty to the Uzg. Yet now as Rex you quickly follow the path to bastardizing us as what we were before when the Azog's held influence; you rebuild a regime built on bones, where I did my best to make mine one built on the altars to our revered spirits. You claim to know the will of the spirits, ever since I met you you have told me what the spirits want. If you tell me the spirits want Zhol'Lur exiled, one who loves them more than any Orc you have surrounded yourself with, then I name you a liar. Though if you were to truly follow their will, you would cease the banditry that my one-day predecessor promoted aimlessly and without reason other than to sate Iblees' curse and surrender to it... Then perhaps you would look about you and pick up the pieces I left, not sweep them aside. Do as you will, as you are the Rex. The Uruks who follow you may not protest and you may make them great in number and strength of arms, but it is meaningless if Krug frowns on your work. I could have gathered many soldiers by permitting the Uruks to reasonlessly sate their curse, and I chose to break free of it. I fought the Azog's where Malog was too weak, and they refused to accept a spiritually powerful Warnation. The Uruks you surround yourself with mirror their ilk, like this of clan Raug and the one named Grogmar, and even yourself who used the Azog's like pawns to attempt to dissemble all I had done before you realized the error of your ways. Be a greater Rex then I, I know you are capable, but what you say here to Zhol'Lur only makes you seem impulsive, hateful and stubborn. You deflect his accusations which are full and true though presumptuous instead of admitting to your own faults and proclaiming your departure from those dark ways. Accepting your mistakes makes you strong, hiding from them makes you nothing but a shadow cast by Veist. Then you banish him for speaking against you. Then you counter with baseless accusations. Then I hear Uruks shouting in agreement with your baseless accusations like a mindless hate cult. I am dissapointed and disgusted. You spend your time on trivial things while the spirits ready for war with Ikuras. Help them prepare, damn it! Help them, or the powers you hold so dear will be in jeapardy. No matter how many Uruks follow you, it is where you lead them that matters." The late Rex picks at his tusk.

Reksam'Kog wanders off into the savannah, defeated, wounded, and ashamed.

The Rex stands before the Urukhai, in front of his throne, addressing them with a short statement. "Id haz kum tu mi attenchun dat Klan Lur haz biin zluwly deteerioratin'. Derefur, Klan Kog weel bi mergin' intu Klan Lur, fulluwin' azh branchin' bluudlyne frum Kog agh Lur dad permidz diz widowd niid fur hunurary initiashun. Wid Zhol'Lur zick, hi kan nub bi Wargoff animuur enewey. Zu nuw, mi am kawl'd Rekzam'Lur, az ar awl mi klanmaytez. Az mi am Rex, mi tayk da teknikal posizhun ub Lur Wargoff." "Adishinalee, mi bruddahz, mi hab peep'd inaktivity widin da Klanz az azh whul. Derefur, aneh klanz whu nub kan pruuv zix aktiv memburz en azh elvun week weel luuz deir Wargoff ztatuz." "Diz am wub mi dekree, az Rex Rekzam'Lur ub Krugmar. Fer Krug, agh fer da Zpiridz." He steps back and takes a seat in his throne, awaiting the dissenters and approvers to voice their opinion.

KRUUUG! The warriors of Krug, Uruks bathed in blood and battle from birth, smashed through the treelines of the swamp of Embermoore, their allies of of Aesterwald, black and white flashing in the distance as they slash through the hordes of undead, summoned by the plaguemakers that had made their home in the dreaded swamp. The Elves of Laureh'linn dash from tree to tree, the whistling of arrows and the thuds of their strikes creating a thunderstorm of sound to combat even that of the bloodied worshippers of Iblees. The creatures had come to the aid of the Necromancers of Embermoore, smashing into the flank of the allied forces. Casualties began to mount, yet the valiant crusaders of righteousness would not surrender. The Dwarves of Urguan made their presence known with their own push, driving back Iblees' minions. The flank made free, only the Necromancers of Embermoore remained, their gates open to assault; and so the castle was stormed. The remaining forces of the cruel creatures were slaughtered, their blood soaking the grounds of their unholy tower, but at a cost. Nearly half the Allies' forces lay dead, and as the wounded Rex limped into the fortress to the sound of cheering, he could only grit his teeth. Victory, at a cost, but victory all the same. This day, not even the combined forces of Iblees' minions and the Coven of Embermoore could halt the progress of the chosen descendents. This day, the black of heart burned, and Krug could not help but grin.

The Rex waves his hand. "Wur wid Mar."

The Rex, makes a 'pffffbbbbt' sound by flicking his lips with his finger rapidly. "Snelvz am juzt hi-albaiz whu liyuk znuw." He looks to Rusk. "Mi gruk wi juzt gu zu wi kan flat dem." He then dawns the Adunian crown and blows his bagpipes sensually.

The Rex takes a long puff from an orc-sized cactus green blunt. "Hur hur. Ztowtz bi flattin' eachuthah tuu!" He calls the Baur Kilob to arms, sending them to hunt any dark-fleshed Dwarves they find, as a gesture of good faith.

The Rex sits on his throne yawning.

((Gonna repeat it once more; the blah is not abolished. I am simply offering that Uruks are not proclaimed whitewash for not speaking fluent blah. However, if months go by and they refuse to learn the tongue at all, we will have some IC issues of course. Thank you to those of you who have offered civil responses, dissenting or agreeing. Though I would again like to note that the massive majority of you, do not play Orcs. If you feel so strongly, a I said before, make an Orc character and combat the reforms. Otherwise they will remain in place, till they succeed or fail. Forgive me for an OOC response to my RP post. I felt the issue was largely out of character anyway, though the way that one speaks, in reality, is entirely arbitrary. Especially on a Roleplay server.))

((I appreciate all of your concerns, this is an attempt to help new orcs or players learn the blah, not to dissolve the blah. Tradition you may call it, but as explained above consider this an experiment. Consider that before you offer absolute dissent, this has yet to be put into practice longer than an hour! This was not an uneducated or senseless decision, but one made with careful consideration of the potential risks, and rewards, of making the 'fluent' blah OPTIONAL. Consider also, that you dissenters above do not play orcs actively. I encourage you to, if you disagree with Reksam's declaration, make an Orc and combat his reforms! Either way, it generates more Roleplay. That is my end goal. Thanks for reading.)) ((Edit: Regarding the complaint about tusks. Tusks don't make people spell things phonetically ;P))

Marcellus squints at the document. "Shall such a thing not be condemned? Secularism in a time where only tolerance and Unity can aid in our battle against the Arch-Daemon?" He sighs quietly, pulling at the fingers of his leather glove. "Darfeyism without the Darfey. Though I suppose Lord Winter is a suitable proxy."

Urukhai, Hear Me "For centuries, we have spoken the dialect known as the ‘Blah’. It has become a superficial aspect to our culture, something that has made us unique, fascinating, yet for too long it has made us nearly incomprehensible, and deterred many of the Urukhai whom we considered ‘whitewash,’ whom truly desired to embrace our culture, but simply could not comprehend or learn to speak in a timely manner. Therefore, by my right as Rex of the Urukhai and Krugmar, I declare that an Uruk's lack of fluent Blah which we have practiced for so long, which in truth is only a bastardized version of common with our own ancestral dialogue inserted only for specific words, no longer designates Urukhai as whitewash. However, gruk nub that our ancestral tongue is lost. The words we have used for so long, ‘Throm’ka, Lats, Ug, Shara, Uruk, Stout,’ so on. These need nub depart from our speech. Blah them as lats would, as lats have, and gruk that lats shall nub be forced to depart from the fluent Blah lats native, older orcs have been blahing for so long. And so gruk, Urukhai. Lats may hate me for this, call me whitewash, call me scum. But I do this for the good of all Urukhai. And for those old Uruks who think they may return to depose me for “abandoning” their tradition (as lats may claim), I ask lats; for what purpose? For what purpose shall you return to depose I, a Rex whom has maintained the sovereignty of a strong, spiritual Krugmar in the face of destruction and usurpation by true whitewash? Is it to return to a tradition that lats have long ago abandoned? And who will take my place, one of lats, who has been gone long and surely will nub remain? So go. Speak whichever tongue you like; the Fluent Blah or the Common Blah, and gruk, my brothers, that lats shall nub be seen as impure; not by I, or our law." OOC The Blah has been considered a large part of Orcish culture for a long time. I appreciate and love the blah for what it is; a true dialect, and the only one on Lord of the Craft. However, I believe that the Blah has been considered (and reasonably so) for too long to be a strong reason or deterrence to playing an Orc, and therefore with this post I am encouraging those who do not feel they fully understand the Blah, or would have difficulty learning or speaking it, to have another shot at it. This is an experiment, and as with all experiments, is not absolute. Those Orcs who feel that I am abolishing the Blah, please read above; Reksam has proclaimed not that the Blah is abolished, but that those who do not speak Fluent Blah shall not be considered whitewash.

Deep in the southern swamps, creatures bound together by their lust for power and their practice of the blackest arts, but find themselves merely a vestige of dim, black light; dulled by that of the return of the dreaded Arch Daemon. Yet if the warriors of Athera are to combat Iblees, this creature of ultimate terror, they must free their soil of any footholds of this blackness. The winds of Krugmar batter the savannah, the tall grass flowing to and fro as the waves of the Atheran seas. Among these grasses, two brothers and a King stand. “And now what, Reksam? With peace secured across Athera and the pure mali’aheral scattered… We have but Iblees to battle.” The elven warrior, Phaedrus Lle’hileia clad in bronze, walks alongside Reksam’Kog; the grass on both sides of them obscuring the visage of the distant city of ancients; San’Vitar. Black and white stood before them, the Sovereign of Aesterwald, Voron Rovin. The young Waldenian ruler crosses his arms, letting out a soft breath and looking up to the towering Rex. “Aye, zhen ve rally to crush him. Ve must strike first before his influence spreads,” mutters the Northerner. “But vhere?” The Young Rex looks to the pale orange sky of the savannah’s twilight, grunting. “Mi gruk… Da nekrumanzurz ub Ebermuur.” “Necromancers? Are zhey even Iblees’ minions? Should ve not strike first at the Daemon himself, cripple him vhile our strength is at it’s peak?” Reksam shakes his head and waves his hand, looking to the young King and then the elven warrior, seeing the faces of their blessed ancestors, and his patron’s brothers. He lets a grin spread across his face. “Huw kan wi klomp Ibleez whyl dahknezz fezterz, hiden ewey… Nub. Wi muzt purj owr uwn landz bifur wi kan bi zhur ov da pyuritee ub owr kawz. Wi muzt rimuuv da dahknezz, fer huw kan wi gruk dey am nub Ibleez’?” They continue walking, the three sovereigns, for quite some time in silence, till they reach finally a blood-soaked shrine of iron and stone, marked ‘Kulthark’. The Rex extends a hand, sliding a hand across the hilt of his skinning knife before tearing it from it’s place, and dragging it across his palm. The scarlet life trickles below onto the altar, the Rex’s blood mingling with the dried red spattered across the structure from hundreds of sacrifices before his own. Then the three turn, and call their righteous warriors.

Deep in the southern swamps, creatures bound together by their lust for power and their practice of the blackest arts, but find themselves merely a vestige of dim, black light; dulled by that of the return of the dreaded Arch Daemon. Yet if the warriors of Athera are to combat Iblees, this creature of ultimate terror, they must free their soil of any footholds of this blackness. The winds of Krugmar batter the savannah, the tall grass flowing to and fro as the waves of the Atheran seas. Among these grasses, two brothers and a King stand. “And now what, Reksam? With peace secured across Athera and the pure mali’aheral scattered… We have but Iblees to battle.” The elven warrior, Phaedrus Lle’hileia clad in bronze, walks alongside Reksam’Kog; the grass on both sides of them obscuring the visage of the distant city of ancients; San’Vitar. Black and white stood before them, the Sovereign of Aesterwald, Voron Rovin. The young Waldenian ruler crosses his arms, letting out a soft breath and looking up to the towering Rex. “Aye, zhen ve rally to crush him. Ve must strike first before his influence spreads,” mutters the Northerner. “But vhere?” The Young Rex looks to the pale orange sky of the savannah’s twilight, grunting. “Mi gruk… Da nekrumanzurz ub Ebermuur.” “Necromancers? Are zhey even Iblees’ minions? Should ve not strike first at the Daemon himself, cripple him vhile our strength is at it’s peak?” Reksam shakes his head and waves his hand, looking to the young King and then the elven warrior, seeing the faces of their blessed ancestors, and his patron’s brothers. He lets a grin spread across his face. “Huw kan wi klomp Ibleez whyl dahknezz fezterz, hiden ewey… Nub. Wi muzt purj owr uwn landz bifur wi kan bi zhur ov da pyuritee ub owr kawz. Wi muzt rimuuv da dahknezz, fer huw kan wi gruk dey am nub Ibleez’?” They continue walking, the three sovereigns, for quite some time in silence, till they reach finally a blood-soaked shrine of iron and stone, marked ‘Kulthark’. The Rex extends a hand, sliding a hand across the hilt of his skinning knife before tearing it from it’s place, and dragging it across his palm. The scarlet life trickles below onto the altar, the Rex’s blood mingling with the dried red spattered across the structure from hundreds of sacrifices before his own. Then the three turn, and call their righteous warriors. Type of Battle: Skirmish Date/Time: Sat.10/11, 5PM EST (Still up for debate) Manpower The Strigzuzg of Krugmar (And protectorates) The Konigreich of Aesterwald (And vassals) The State of Laureh'lin Location and Boundaries The Embermoor Swamp (Area surrounding Embermoor) Terms Complete eradication, or route Rewards If attacker wins; They may siege Embermoor. If defender wins; Embermoor can not be warclaimed for one elven month. Rules The Defenders may augment themselves with the help of Moderators or ET members, to better emulate the literal threat a collection of Necromancers would pose. No hacking, glitching, etc. No team killing (based off statuses). No alts. The attacking force must establish a War Camp (with the help of a GM setting up a temporary region) with relative proximity to the enemy settlement at least three days before the Warclaim. This is to better emulate actual militant organization roleplay, as opposed to everyone just showing up one day and marching across the world shouting in teamspeak.

The Young Rex bobs his head in agreement with the only other sensible person in Athera.

Rex Ghashan Literally “The Command/Word of the Rex” the Rex Ghashan is a council composed of wise and powerful Uruks, appointed by the Rex himself. The Rex Ghashan is divided in two different councils; The “Blogmaubur” or “The Council of Blood” The “Gulmaubur” or “The Council of Spirit” The Blogmaubur is a council held during the last full moon of the year, and it is there the Rex and his selected council discuss any matters pressing the Strigzuzg. At Blogmaubur, economic, militant, and diplomatic issues are the primary subject. The council is kept regardless of absentees, including the Rex. The Blogmaubur is comprised of; The Rex Reksam'Kog The Baurgoth Kugar'Gorkil The Strigzgoths Rusk'Dom Faunher'Gorkil Zhol'Lur Malog'Yar The Gijaknur Grak'Lur Kryllaal'Kog Thurak'Yar (The Uruks that were appointed by the Rex himself to the Council; Gijaknur is translated to “Bloodbrother”) The Gulmaubur, instead, is a council that can be called by the High Shaman, and is only kept in times of dire need. The Gulmaubur always takes place around a huge bonfire, and it’s members sit around it. Before the Gulmaubur is kept, though, the shamans sacrifice the strongest and healthiest bull in the Rexdom to the spiritis, and collect it’s blood in a bowl. This bowl is then passed between the members of the Gulmaubur, and every member must take a sip of blood from the bowl. Once this is done, a Luataman will connect to the spirit realm, putting the whole council in front of their ancestors, who will listen to them. After the Lutauman connects to the spirit realm, a shaman throws cactus green inside the bonfire, signalling the start of the council. The Luataman will speak to and for the ancestors, who will guide the Uruks. The Gulmaubur is composed of: The Rex Reksam'Kog The Baurgoth Kugar'Gorkil The High Shaman Rusk'Dom The Gijaknur (Unselected) (In the Gulmaubur, the High Shaman selects the Gijaknur)

The Trog; San'Xoruk The Uruks of the Strigzuzg have long lived in seclusion; xenophobia a plague which has driven them nearly to extinction. No longer. Uruks will never embrace the ways of the soft races, never betray their glorious Ancestors, but they will not disgrace Krug's brothers by making their descendents their bane for no reason other than to sate their bloodlust; a curse born of something fouler than anything those descendents could muster. It is with these thoughts in mind that San'Xoruk shall be founded. A Trog yes, a marketplace through which the Strigzuzg may grow in wealth both in numbers and gold, but more than this. With Iblees’ return imminent, our ancient feuds mean nothing. He threatens the destruction of all races. Here, in San’Xoruk, the races have an opportunity to gather together and grow strong. San'Xoruk shall consist of all a settlement needs to thrive and prosper, funded and protected by the Strigzuzg. All races (with the exception of pure high elves) shall be welcome to live within San'Xoruk with the following conditions in mind; 1- They shall never attempt to convert the Urukhai to any of their false faiths. 2- They shall never enter the holy city of San'Vitar without the consent of the Urukhai leadership. 3- Those of the soft ones whom reside in San'Xoruk shall treat the Urukhai with respect. 4- San'Xoruk shall have a government elected from among its citizens, but the leadership of the Strigzuzg shall maintain absolute sovereignty. The Uruks of Krugmar are expected, and commanded by their Rex, to respect the following; 1- The soft ones whom reside in San'Xoruk shall be protected by the Urukhai if threatened. 2- The Urukhai shall not forcefully enslave denizens of (or traders visiting) San'Xoruk. Those with interest in becoming a denizen of San'Xoruk, respond below, or visit the Trog or San'Vitar and inquire regarding residency. We are currently seeking; Tavern Workers Traders Guardsmen All Professions Application Name (MCName): Race: Prospective Occupation: Professions: Why live in San'Xoruk?: ((Contact HappyShackles, Faunherer, _Kraal_, jonhan2 or Intense_Death in game))

Krugmar Protectorate Agreement Settlements who fall under the dominion of Krugmar shall have, in effect, the following terms agreed between them and the Warnation. 1- The denizens of the Protectorate shall be exempt from forced slavery. 2- The denizens of the Protectorate shall answer the Warnation's call to war, both offensive and defensive. 3- The Warnation shall defend the Protectorate from external hostilities. 4- The Protectorate shall supply the Warnation with tribute of rotten food. 5- The Protectorate shall have absolute autonomy within their sovereign land. 6- The Warnation and Protectorate's forces shall not exacerbate hostilities between each other. 7- Any disputes shall be resolved between the Rex and the recognized head-of-state of the Protectorate. The following settlements are designated Protectorates of the Strigzuzg of Krugmar. Merethic, under Valkelm of the Covenant of Mar

Baur ob Kil The Immortal Retinue Introduction Now, brethren, the Spirits prepare for war. Ixli has made his intention clear, and the restless Immortals whom we have served for centuries on centuries know that their victory is not assured. It is with this in mind that the Krughai is disbanded henceforth, and we now draw forth from the depths of our ancestral spirit’s hearts, the strength of warriors driven not by bloodlust, but by reverence in our patrons. “Baur ob Kil. Those… those are true Uruks.” Purpose Baur ob Kil holds in reverence, above all else, the word and will of the spirits. They serve the will of the shamans and the Rex lest those wills contradict that of the Immortal and Ancestral spirits. The warriors of Bar ob Kil shall follow the following tenets, on their honor as Uruks, and make these tenets their directive. 1- Baur ob Kil shall seek out and capture, rehabilitate, or eliminate those Uruks who betray the ways of Krug and Krugmar (whitewash). This shall include the investigation into the harboring of whitewashes in other sovereign states. 2- Bar ob Kil shall seek out and capture or kill all those who practice Dark Shamanism, or otherwise claim to hold Shamanistic authority or powers that they do not properly or legally wield. 3- Bar ob Kil shall monitor the piety of the orcs of Krugmar, and by example (or in extreme cases by reprimand) assure them of the necessity of reverence in and service to the spirits, both Immortal and Ancestral. 4- Bar ob Kil is to monitor the sacrifices made to the spirits, and be certain all sacrifices are never Uruks, Gobos, or Ologs. 5- Bar ob Kil is to uphold the laws of Krugmar and serve as its primary military force. Participation in the Order is not necessary for all Uruks, but is recommended; those who do not serve in the Bar ob Kil. Baurgoth Commands the Ushatar as the master of their Order. The Baurgoth is selected from among the Ushatars as the greatest of them. The Baurgoth may be challenged by any Ushatar to a Baurgoth Klomp for the title. Ushatar Spirit champions (Ushatars) command the lower ranks in battle. Nominated by a worthy Shaman or High Shaman, they must complete a task given to them by their selected spirit in order to finally achieve their title. Grunt A primary, respected warrior in service to the Spirits. A potential candidate for Ushatar, the Grunts are meant to be the primary soldier of Bar Kilob. Runt New recruits to the Order. Promotion is dependant on obedience, diligence, strength and reverence in the spirits.

The Rex stands before his orcish brothers, grunting. "Nub mur hi-albaiz allow'd en Krugmar. Nub traydin' wid dem. Nub libin' wid dem. Nub skahin' wid dem. Daz id." He sits back down.

A notice arrives for the hierarchy of Haelun'or, and the citizens. The Rex of Krugmar, Reksam'Kog, recognizes Phaedrus Lle'hileia as the head of state of Haelun'or. Any attempts to usurp his authority will result in the Warnation's direct assistance to Phaedrus Lle'hileia, in any way he requests. The Warnation declares a formal alliance with the Silver Enclave of Haelun'or under Phaedrus Lle'hileia, on the grounds of Phaedrus Lle'hileia's blood-pact with Rex Reksam'Kog. Glory to Malin, brother of Krug. Glory to Phaedrus, brother of Reksam.

Reksam solemnly nods at the news of the new Wargoth. "Wi am yung Urukz,, tiyum tu zhuw da uld azh'z wub wi gawt."

((Since I was Rex :) ))

A Permanent Casus Belli; Uruk'goth It has come to the attention of the Rex and the Uruks of the Uzg that several factions in Athera harbor traitors to the traditions and ways of the Urukhai. Factions both confirmed and suspected to have traitors to the Urukhai are as follows. The Rangers of Furstenburg (By extension, Furstenburg) The Princedom of Fenn This document shall be periodically updated. Those who do not reply within the first elven week (of the posting of their faction's name) on this declaration's posting with cooperative intention shall be subject to a Casus Belli based upon the right of Krugmar and the Rex to rule over all the Urukhai, and to punish those who betray their patron father and our revered ancestor, Krug, by forsaking his ways. This Casus Belli shall henceforth be known as Uruk'goth. Any and all nations whom desire to maintain positive relations with the Uzg are recommended to declare below their agreement to extradite any whitewash within their dominion or the dominion of their respective vassals, making Uruk'goth invalid towards them lest they violate this agreement. We await answers from; The Empire of Oren The Kingdom of Aesterwald The Dominion of Haelun'or The Grand Kingdom of Urguan All other independent factions/settlements.