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“Raise your chin, Steelheart.”
Trakmar had said, before he had gone to rest.

So when the new day began, Rhonya set out. The sun was barely coming above the horizon, but she was up and about, collecting what she’d need. A chain, a very strong piece of rope tied to it. A piece of bloody raw meat. And her dagger. Her clothes consisted of leather pants and a simple shirt plus light leather boots, her hair bound back into a long braid.
The knowledge was there, how to hunt. The problem was more that she didn’t want to call on the spirits for this task to help her and well… there was no denying it, she just wasn’t the most strong orc around. Agile to a degree, but she’d never been strong. She pushed everything else out of her mind. Heart aches, hurts, insecurities. There was no room for them today. Today she had a task to do.

The barren lands made way for the red sands of Durotar as Rhonya made her way to the Southfury river. Thinking on a prey had actually been rather easy. Something that she felt a connection to. Something that was also a contrast to her, however. She had lived here in the Barrens and Durotar for quite a while now on her own and had gotten to know its inhabitants pretty well. She had learned to feel a certain love for the land, so that was already a start to the connection.

She followed the Durotar side of the river until she found a suitable spot. A palm tree, hanging to the side, several other palm trees surrounding it, giving the place some shade right next to the water. The little island was empty. Perfect.

Time to set up. This wouldn’t be so much a hunt of chasing something. No, this would be a test of patience and courage to a degree. It wouldn’t be easy.
The chain she brought went around the tree. It had to be firm. The rope at the end of the chain, knotted into a loop that would pull tight only one way. The bloody meat just behind the loop. 
She used the bushes to get the loop upright slightly, a little ‘path’ in between leading towards the meat. A trail of blood was made, starting in the water and leading the few steps towards the bushes.

And now she had to wait. And hope nothing else would be attracted by the scent of the blood and the slab of raw flesh.
Rhonya hid herself behind the other two trees nearby, dagger in her hand. Patience, now.. patience.

It took several hours. Several hours of the sun burning down on her shoulders and her head, several hours of watching, waiting… But finally something moved on the water’s edge. A dark shadow moving through the water, lured in by the blood. It didn’t take long for a nose to surface, followed by a long, flat head with large eyes. The jaws were enormous, teeth jutting out at odd angles, a spiny back now also visible as the creature stepped out of the water. Rhonya inhaled sharply as she saw the crocolisk step onto the land. It was.. slightly larger than she had expected. Maybe she should’ve chosen a different prey-.. No. It wasn’t meant to be an easy task and she’d always felt a certain understanding with these creatures already. It had to be this one. 
The Crocolisk took its time on land to sniff out the blood and meat, waggling with its six legs towards the bushes.
Rhonya held her breath.

Step by step, it came closer. Poked its head right through the gap in the bushes and the loop of the rope. It gobbled up the meat like it was nothing and when it turned to leave again after not finding anything more to eat, the loop tightened due to the movement.

Immediately a loud angry roar sounded as the crocolisk felt the rope around its neck pulling tight, making it struggle even more. Snapping jaws tightened around the chain, but it didn’t break. It rolled over, trying to get loose. But to no avail. Rhonya had made a good knot, had chosen a good rope.

She waited.. and waited. Patience.

Eventually the beast ended up on its stomach again. The rope wasn’t strong enough to choke it, the hide too thick.
This was her sign. It was getting tired. But a beast pushed into a corner was only more dangerous.
She had to be fast. One chance was probably all she’d get.
Making use of her small form and her agility, Rhonya leapt from the side, dagger in her hand. Her aim was perfect, she landed right on the beasts neck and stabbed the dagger down. She had no time to see if she had aimed it well, because the moment she touched the beasts back, it reacted and rolled again. A sharp pain flared up near her leg where one of the claws managed to rake open her skin. But she had no time to cry out.
Keeping a hold off the dagger, she let the movement of the large reptile fling her to the side, pulling the dagger out of its flesh again.
Rhonya rolled a few times through the dust, ending up a little bit away, luckily for her out of reach of the crocolisk, which was still stuck to the rope. And now bleeding.
A large puddle of blood started to form under the beast.

She waited.

Her own leg was bleeding, but for now she only quickly bound a piece of cloth around it. Patience. If she had gotten a good hit, the beast should bleed out in not too long. If she hadn’t.. She would have to try again, as not to make it suffer too long.
Luckily it only took a few moments of thrashing before the reptile lay still. Her aim had been well, the main artery in the neck severed. Luck had been with her today, indeed.
With a huge sigh of relief, she quickly got to work. Time to skin. And make this totem.

“You have regained one of your blood brothers through this ritual. I would say that I am happy for you, were it not for present circumstances. Through it, however, you have also lost one. You have cast my personal advice as blood brother to the wind. As such, you have shown to me exactly what my own opinion matters to you. Though it grieves me greatly, I call upon the Great Spirits. Under their eyes and judgement, I wish to absolve my blood bond with you, Rhonya Steelheart.”

The words and the image of Kozgugore slicing his own palm open while uttering his wish were burned into her mind. Again and again they played in her head, and every time she felt her heart breaking. With his action, he hadn’t just absolved their oath. He had also ripped a piece from her heart and left a deep, black hole in its place.
There was a pain in her chest, physical and real, as Rhonya sat there wedged between two crates. She hardly fit in between but she didn’t care. The pain was there, keeping her company. It made breathing hard, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her hands pressed against her chest.
How long had she been sitting there? Time had become a bit of a moot point by now, as she hadn’t opened her eyes since sitting down here. Some Orcs had come by in the beginning, speaking to her, touching her. The words had been a blur mainly, the touches had only annoyed her. Why couldn’t they just leave her alone?
The voices. Karak, Gashuk, at first. A hand was laid on her shoulder, she felt it but it just made her angry. Couldn’t they see?
One voice left. Another joined. Her sister.
The one who got punished for the fact she had helped Rhonya. The one that didn’t deserve to be punished.
The first thing to come through clearly was a voice in her head. Gashuks voice. It had startled her but not surprised her. It only reminded her more of the pain though so she shut him out. She just wanted silence, a few moments to herself, why didn’t they understand…

Eventually she was alone. Her whole body was screaming by this point, hurting because of her balled up position between the crates. It was pitch dark around her, the only sounds those of the nightly creatures nearby. Finally, silence.

Yet, it didn’t comfort her much. Now she had no distractions, the image returned again. Kozgugores voice in her head, speaking those words.
“I wish to absolve my blood bond with you, Rhonya Steelheart.”

It was the worst punishment he could’ve given her, knowing how much she valued her bloodsiblings, how much she loved him and respected him. She had wanted to tell him that before he spoke her punishment, but he hadn’t allowed her to. Thus her chance had been taken from her and he had publicly cast her aside, breaking her heart in the progress.

It hurt. It hurt her so much.

The ritual had been something bad, she accepted that. But it had been the least bad choice, considering the alternatives that she had gotten. But no one seemed to understand that aside from Gashuk himself and Kogra. No one wanted to understand. They wanted someone to blame, someone to point the finger to and say it was her fault for bringing an ‘abomination’ in their midst. Orcs fear what they don’t understand. So she couldn’t blame them for taking the easy way of condemning her for something they couldn’t wrap their minds around.
But it hurt so much.

Years, she had given to the clan. Years of self-sacrifice, years of pain and joy, years of her own sweat and blood to keep them safe, to keep them healthy. Years so easily forgotten by most of them, it felt like.
Rhonya had been faced with an impossible choice. No matter what she would’ve done with that stone, it would’ve condemned her one way or the other.
But it still hurt so much…
Destroying the stone hadn’t been an option. She didn’t know how, it was protected plus she’d have to live with the knowledge she probably would’ve wiped out the entire existence of her bloodbrother. No afterlife.
Leaving the stone alone hadn’t been an option. That meant Gashuk would be forced to spend the rest of his days in nothingness and eventually emerge as a broken, tortured spirit, seeking for redemption and closure. She wouldn’t put that fate on anyone.
So the only option left had been to put the soul back into a body. Rhonya had been careful to avoid anything fel related, to reduce the damage as much as possible to the spirits.

But no one understood. They had seen Gashuk and made their minds up about what happened, throwing accusations at the three of them from all sides, her and Gashuk in particular. He took them without backing down.
But for Rhonya, every harsh word felt like a lash of the whip. Like they were clawing at her very flesh. Trust broken.

It hurt so much…

Tears started to stream down her face again, the image of Kozgugore once more flashing in front of her eyes.
“I wish to absolve my blood bond with you, Rhonya Steelheart.”

Her heart broke all anew. He meant so much to her, even now. She loved him with all her being, all those years they had supported one another, trusted one another. Gone. Gone with a few words, with one action. She didn’t know how to fix this.

It hurt. So very, very much.

Red dust flew up around the paws of the large wolf running at high speed through the Barrens. Rhonya was holding on, for now, but the expression on her face betrayed the pain she was in. Riding Keren all the way from Razor Hill to the harpy woods in the neighbouring lands with her bruised and cracked ribs had really not been a good idea. But what choice did she have?
Sadoks face re-appeared before her mind’s eye. Thin, sunken eyes, a face she hadn’t even recognized at first and she had seen him in a lot of horrible conditions through the years. None as bad as this. His very essence, his very soul was withering away and it broke her heart. She’d been shocked to see him in that state, mainly also because it had been unexpected.

She’d gone to the water for some privacy to change her bandages, but she hadn’t expected to find the water moving when she looked down into it, shaping slowly into the reflection of a face looking back at her. And not her own reflection.
Sadok had even sounded different. Gone was the mostly jovial and joking personality. This had been … a shade. A shade of his former self, barely anything left of him anymore. He even appeared to get distracted easily, as if his mind wasn’t fully there, his thoughts disappearing, going into memories of the past.

He wasn’t on the Eternal Planes. He was in an empty world, a reflection of a world, an abandoned world. And he was slipping away. Disappearing. Together they discussed what might’ve caused this abnormality, what caused his spirit to be thrown someplace else.
Eventually they remembered the Sceptre. The artefact that he had been holding that day, that saved the cubs and Sukeenah, but cost him his own life as he couldn’t move away from the onslaught, couldn’t avoid the entire building collapsing on him when he ran out of energy to fuel the sceptre that was protecting him but also killing him at the same time.

The only one who could answer things about the Sceptre though, was its original maker and owner. An orc, Ancestor of the Red Blade clan.
And he was one of the most difficult to work with.

The woods came into view. Rhonya steered Keren in the direction of one particular tree before she left the wolf, climbing off the saddle with a painful grunt. Her chest was on fire, pain searing white hot with every breath, but she needed to do this.
She didn’t have much to work with right now, but the most important thing she needed was right there.
Rhonya softly placed her hand against one of the trees, closing her eyes to focus. The earth below the tree roots started to move, pushing something up. It looked like a long, spiked mace. Nothing special. But she knew better than that.
She prepared a bowl of incense and sat herself down in front of the sceptre.
It was time for some improvisation.

"Right-.. Ghrm. " Rhonya cleared her throat gently before closing her eyes once more.
"Mruthgor, Shaman King. Oh high and mighty spirit, honoured ancestor, I beg for your attention. I kneel before your Sceptre, before you, to ask for your aid, your guidance. Only someone as amazing as you can aid me, Shaman King."
Maybe a little thick on the compliments.. but if she remembered well, that's what he enjoyed hearing. It was worth a try? She focused entirely on the sceptre in front of her, of the connection it probably still had to the previous owner of the damned thing.

It didn’t take long, as she expected. A brilliant blue light flashed and the image of the Ancestor appeared inside of it. He pointed at her with a potent finger, his booming voice letting out a lengthy boast as was common among the great warriors of Old Draenor.

“I AM IMPORTANT, I AM MIGHTY. THE VALIANT ORC WHO HAS NO EQUAL AMONG THE WARLORDS OF THE FOUR QUARTERS OF THE WORLD.
THE WONDERFUL SHEPHERD WHO IS NOT AFRAID OF BATTLE. THE GREAT FLOOD WHICH NONE CAN OPPOSE. THE SHAMAN-KING WHO MAKES THOSE WHO ARE NOT SUBJECT TO HIM SUBMISSIVE. THE GREAT WARRIOR WHO TREADS ON THE NECK OF HIS ENEMIES, TRAMPLES DOWN ALL FOES, AND SHATTERS THEIR ARMIES.

THE SHAMAN-KING WHO RULES WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE GREAT SPIRIT-GODS, WHO COMMANDS SUPPORT FROM ALL LANDS, WHOSE HAND HAS CONQUERED CREATURES OF THE ICY MOUNTAINS AND THE SEAS, FASHIONED THEM IN WHITE LIMESTONE AND ALABASTER, AND PLACED THEM AT MY GATES. I HAVE ADORNED MY SETTLEMENT OF KRAAG’GOL, AND MADE IT GLORIOUS.
I HAVE TRANSCENDED DEATH, AND I GO WHERE I PLEASE AMONG THE LANDS OF THE LIVING AND THE LANDS OF THE DEAD.
I AM MRUTHGOR, THE CELEBRATED SHAMAN-KING. WHO DARES SUMMON ME?"

Rhonya kept her head bowed low while he spoke, though there was a little tired frown on her face. She’d forgotten how bad it was with him. She needed his help though, so time for some acting. She wouldn’t let him see how much pain she was in, how direly she needed his help. She’d just play along. And get him to give her what she wanted. Hopefully.

She realised she had tuned him out a little and he was done speaking, looking down at her expectantly. Oh, right, he had asked who she was.
"Eh-.. Oh mighty Shaman King, I am but your humble servant, in need of aid. My name is Rhonya Steelheart, we met before, though I am by no means important enough to be remembered. But perhaps your brilliant mind can still call upon the memory. "

Mruthgor scratched his chin, before nodding.

"I DO NOT FORGET MY FAITHFUL SERVANTS. I AM THE ORC THAT DOES NOT FORGET. MY MEMORY IS RENOWNED AMONG ORCS. I AM MRUTHGOR THE GREAT, MRUTHGOR WHOSE MEMORY STRETCHES BACK AEONS UNTO THE FOUNDING OF THE WORLD, WHERE SPIRITS AND FURIES SHARED THE LAND WITH MORTALS."
He continued.
"WHAT IS IT YOU REQUEST OF THE MIGHTY SHAMAN-KING, HE WHOSE ABILITY IS GREATER THAN ALL OTHERS?"

"I am humbled you remember me, mighty Shaman king."  Rhonya bowed her head a little deeper, suppressing a hiss of pain. Keep up the act. Even if it's entirely humiliating.
"As you can see, I have your sceptre here. Against our will, it has been.. activated in the past, causing Sadok Sharptongue to get stuck and eventually be crushed by rubble. Entirely his own fault of course, but now his spirit appears to be stuck between plains. I sit here before you to ask you for any aid with this. "

Mruthgor heared Rhonya's words with an attentive if patronising expression, then he laughed. And laughed. And laughed.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. HOHOHOHOHOHO. FOOLS! FOOLS.
DID YOU NOT HEED THE WARNING? DID YOU NOT HEED THE WORDS OF MRUTHGOR THE CELEBRATED, MRUTHGOR THE VENERATED, MRUTHGOR THE WISE? DID YOU NOT LISTEN WELL TO HE WHO COMES FROM THE MISTS: THE MISTS OF TIME, OF LEGEND OF MYTH. HE WOULD COMES FROM BARREN LANDS OF ICE AND SNOW, TOO ARDUOUS FOR ANY OTHER CLAN. A PLACE WHERE THE MIGHTY FIRES OF MY GREATHALL, DEN OF THE WOLF CLAWS, BURN LONG INTO THE FREEZING NIGHT.

HARK NOW AS I REPEAT WHAT WAS SAID TWENTY-ONE SEASONS PAST, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE THAT WOULD NOT AND COULD NOT LISTEN, SUCH AS THE SMALL-MINDED SHARPTONGUE.
IN MY MANY FRUITFUL YEARS AS CHIEFTAIN AND MIGHTY SHAMAN-KING, MY TALENT AND POWER OVER THE SPIRIT-GODS HAD BROUGHT MANY BOONS TO MY CLAN. LO, HOW THIS POWER BROUGHT THE THUR-RUK ORACLES TO END THE LINE OF THE WOLFKINGS WHEN GRUTHGAR THE RAGGED PASSED WITHOUT HEIR.

YET AFTER MANY YEARS OF WALKING AMONG THE SPIRITS, A COST HAD BEEN EXACTED. A COST THAT EVEN THE GREAT MRUTHGOR THE SHAMAN-KING, CHAMPION AND GENERALLY EXCELLENT PERSON MUST PAY. SO THAT IT WAS WITH AGE AND STRIFE THAT MY SPIRITUAL COMMUNION BECAME UNFOCUSED AND FRAGMENTED. YET I WOULD NOT ALLOW THE SOURCE OF MY POWER TO SLIP FROM MY MIGHTY CLAWS, THE POWERFUL CLAWS OF THE SHAMAN-KING, HE WHOSE CLAWS ARE GREATER THAN ANY OTHER CLAWS IN ALL MANNER OF CLAWLIKE THINGS.

INSTEAD SO IT CAME TO PASS THAT THE THUR-RUK ORACLES PLEDGED THEIR POWER TO MINE, EACH PLACING A PORTION OF THEIR SOUL WIRTHIN THE SCEPTRE OF THE SHAMAN-KING, THE GREAT AND POTENT WEAPON THAT YOU HAVE LAID BEFORE YOU, A WEAPON THAT HAS LAID WASTE TO ARMIES BEYOND YOUR RECKONING. WITH THIS SACRIFICE MY FORMER POWER WAS RESTORED AND I CONTINUED TO RULE CLAN REDBLADE WITH HONOR, WISDOM AND STRENGTH. TRULY I AM AS HONORABLE, WISE AND STRONG NOW AS I WAS THEN, AND EVER WILL BE."

Rhonya tried to keep listening, a large frown on her face. She had to shift her hand to help herself keep her balance, placing it in front of her on the ground while trying to make it look as if she was still humbly paying attention while he kept talking.

“AS I PASSED UNTO THE REALM OF SPIRITS, THIS MIGHTY WEAPON WAS KEPT AS AN HEIRLOOM OF CLAN REDBLADE, THOUGH NONE COULD WIELD IT -- FOR NONE ARE THE EQUAL OF MRUTHGOR THE SHAMAN-KING, HE WHO IS MIGHTY IN ALL WAYS. YET FOLLOWING THE TREACHERY OF AKESH THE POISONER, STONEBROWBANE AND LEGION SNAKE, IT FELL BEYOND THE RECKONING OF MORTALS AND SOON INTO THE HANDS OF THE TWILIGHT'S HAMMER CULT.

TRULY THEN I HEARD THE SPIRIT-GODS CALL OUT WITH A VENGEANCE, WITH PAIN AND WITH ANGER. THEY CURSED THE SCEPTRE, CURSED THE SHAMAN-KING, CURSED CLAN REDBLADE AND ALL OF ITS DESCENDENTS. THESE DARL FPRCES PERVERTED ITS INTENT TO CALL UPON THE SPIRITS AND INSTEAD SHACKLE THEM INTO SERVICE, A TRULY DEPLORABLE ACT (THOUGH MRUTHGOR IS OF COURSE POWERFUL ENOUGH TO DO SO IF HE WANTED, HONOR FORBIDS HIM EXERCISING THIS GREAT POWER).

LO, THOUGH THE SCEPTRE WAS RECOVERED, IT WAS NOT PURIFIED. LO, THOUGH IT ENTERED INTO THE SAFEKEEPING OF HONORABLE ORCS, IT REMAINED A DISHONORED WEAPON DEDICATED TO A GREAT EVIL. SO THAT IT WAS WHEN THE ONE YOU CALL SADOK WAS IN MORTAL PERIL, THE WEAPON SEIZED UPON HIM AND ENSNARED HIS VERY SOUL. YES, THE SHAMAN-KING HAS KNOWN THIS, THOUGH NONE WOULD ASK HIM. HOW FORGOTTEN THE GREAT MRUTHGOR IS BY THE CHILDREN OF REDBLADE, HOW ASHAMED THEY MUST FEEL.

SO, THIS IS YOUR BIND. YOU HOLD BEFORE YOU A SCEPTRE CONTAINING THE SOUL OF THE ONE YOU SEEK TO SAVE, WHICH THE WEAPON HAS CONSUMED SLOWLY. IF YOU WISH TO SAVE WHAT REMAINS, THE SCEPTRE MUST BE CONSECRATED. IF YOU WISH YOU DESTROY THE WEAPON, SO TO WILL YOU DESTROY THE SOUL WITHIN. THE CHOICE IS YOURS."
Mruthgor nods mightily.
"MRUTHGOR HOPES YOU HAVE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION. THE MIGHTY SHAMAN-KING WILL NOT REPEAT HIMSELF AGAIN."

Rhonya looked somewhat impressed when he finished talking. She had a great urge to tell him what she really thought of him, but.. he was still an Ancestor and she needed his help. So she’d play her part. Like an obedient little shaman.

"I heard you and I will remember, mighty Shaman King. And I ask you now, because I didn't know about this curse. I apologize if you had to tell the clan this before already. We'll try to do better." She winced a short moment, inhaling with a sharp hiss before continuing.
"Pray, do tell me, how does one ..consecrate such a mighty object?"

Mruthgor looked down at Rhonya as if she was the stupidest person alive.
"HOW DO YOU CONSECRATE A CORRUPTED OBJECT? ARE YOU NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A SAGE OF YOUR CLAN, COUNCIL IN MATTERS OF THE SPIRITS? TRULY, HOW STANDARDS HAVE FALLEN IN THE MANY YEARS SINCE MRUTHGOR THE MIGHTY SHAMAN-KING TRANSCENDED MORTALITY.
YOU MUST ANOINT A VESSEL OF CLEANSING WATERS BLESSED BY THE ELEMENTAL SPIRIT-GODS OF THE ABYSSAL MAW. YOU MUST PREPARE A WHITE FLAME OF PURITY BY SEEKING THE APPROVAL OF THE ELEMENTAL SPIRIT-GODS OF THE FIRELANDS. YOU MUST CRAFT A STICK OF INCENSE AMONG THE FOUR WINDS ATOP A MOUNTAIN-PEAK, BLESSED BY THE SPIRIT-GODS OF THE SKYWALL. YOU MUST GATHER SOIL FROM THE TWO ENDS OF THE EARTH, HALLOWED BY THE BLESSING OF THE SPIRIT-GODS OF THE DEEPHOLM.

BATHE THE SCEPTER IN THE WATERS OF THE VESSEL AND PRONOUNCE THE WORDS 'AQUA, EGO EXCITO ELE.' PASS THE SCEPTER OVER THE WHITE FLAME. 'IGNEM, EGO EXCITO ELE." PASS IT OVER THE RISING SMOKE OF THE INCENSE STICK. “VENTUS, EGO EXCITO ELE.” AND BURY IT WITHIN THE SOIL OF PURITY. “TERRA, EGO EXCITO ELE.”
FINALLY, TAKE THE SCEPTER IN BOTH HANDS AND RECITE THE FOLLOWING WORDS SEVEN TIMES: "I CONSECRATE THIS WEAPON BY THE POWERS OF THE FOUR ELEMENTS AND THE SPIRITS THAT BIND THEM. MAY THE SPIRIT-GODS WITNESS THIS HALLOWING OF ITS MATTER -- IN MY HANDS SHALL IT SERVE TO WEAVE THE POWERS OF THE SPIRITS. AS I WILL IT SO IT SHALL BE."
YES, THE SCEPTER’S POWER WILL BE MADE ANEW AND YOU MIGHT RELEASE THE SOUL WITHIN, TO ITS FINAL REST IN THE ETERNAL PLAINS.

MRUTHGOR THE SHAMAN-KING HOPES HE HAS BEEN SUITABLY CLEAR ABOUT THIS MOST SIMPLE OF RITUALS."

Rhonya now did look up at him, blinking. Surprised. She opened her mouth a little, but didn’t find the words at first.
"Eh-... What? I'm sorry, but that's.. not simple at all. There is no other way?"
For a moment forgotten that she was supposed to be humble and submissive, a light expression of anger crossed over her face.

Mruthgor stared down Rhonya, an unimpressed expression beneath his ancient wolfmask.
"FOR A RITUALIST AS POWERFUL AND KNOWLEDGABLE AS MRUTHGOR THE CELEBRATED SHAMAN-KING, TRULY IS IT SIMPLE. YET WHAT IS SIMPLE IS NEITHER EASY NOR FAST. YOU MUST DECIDE WHETHER YOU WILL CLEANSE THE SCEPTRE AND FREE THE SOUL OF THE ONE ENSNARED WITHIN, OR TO SIMPLY DESTROY IT AND WITH IT DESTROY THE SOUL. THE CHOICE IS YOURS, FOR THE SHAMAN-KING MAY COUNSEL BUT IT IS FOR MERE MORTALS TO ACT."

"I can't.. get to all those places you mentioned, as ... mere mortal. Someone as powerful as you must be able to help me, no?"
She could try, at the very least..
"I am but a mere mortal, after all." Rhonya said softly, lowering her head a bit more.

Mruthgor laughed.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. HOHOHOHOHOHOHO. DO YOU THINK MRUTHGOR THE SHAMAN-KING IS SO EASILY SWAYED BY THE BASEST FLATTERY?"
He snorted.
"A FAVOR FOR A FAVOR THEN. I WILL USE MY GREAT POWER TO ACQUIRE THE ITEMS YOU REQUIRE FOR THIS RITUAL, BUT YOU MUST DO SOMETHING FOR ME."

Rhonya sighed softly, grumbling to herself before answering: "Favor for a favor. The great Shaman King is very generous. What would you ask of me, Mruthgor the almighty?"

"I AM DISAPPOINTED AND DISHEARTENED THAT SO FEW ORCS OF CLAN REDBLADE HONOR OR CALL UPON THE GREAT MRUTHGOR THE SHAMAN-KING. IT IS A GREAT INSULT TO BE IGNORED. MRUTHGOR DEMANDS RECOGNITION. YOU WILL HOLD AN EVENING'S CELEBRATION AMONG THE CLAN IN HONOR OF MRUTHGOR, WHERE STORIES WILL BE TOLD, ALE WILL FLOW AND ALL WILL PAY TRIBUTE TO THE GREATEST OF SPIRIT-WALKERS.

MRUTHGOR WILL BE WAITING AND WATCHING. WHEN THE EVENING'S FESTIVITIES HAVE CONCLUDED, AND IF THE MIGHTY SHAMAN-KING IS SATISFIED, YOU WILL FIND EVERYTHING YOU REQUIRE FOR THE CONSECRATION WITHIN YOUR VERY HOME. SUCH IS MY POWER."
Mruthgor nodded grimly. He was clearly very serious about this.

Rhonya noded slightly. Well, what else had she expected.
".. I can do this. Very well, you have a deal, oh Almighty Mruthgor. I will hold to my end of it and I expect you to hold to yours then."

Mruthgor returned her nod, more firmly.
"MRUTHGOR THE CELEBRATED SHAMAN-KING ALWAYS HONORS A BARGAIN. WHEN THE CLAN'S VOICES ARE UNITED IN PRAISE FOR MRUTHGOR, YOU WILL HAVE WHAT YOU NEED. THIS WILL MY COVENANT, AND MY SWORN WORD."
He stared Rhonya down, folding his arms.
"WILL THIS BE ALL? MRUTHGOR'S TIME IS VERY VALUABLE."

"Wonderful.. That will be all, mighty Shaman King. I thank you for the time you spend on this humble shaman, and I will honour your memory together with the clan."
She just puts her head almost on the ground now, again suppressing a grunt of pain. She could barely focus now, the pain in her ribs making her see black spots before her eyes.

"EXCELLENT. FOR THE BLOOD OF CLAN REDBLADE. FOR MRUTHGOR THE SHAMAN-KING. FOR ME."
Mruthgor's bright spectral form faded away in a matter of moments, leaving Rhonya alone in the dark.

She fell over instantly when he was gone, wrapping her arms around her chest.
A party… Very well. If she had to do this.. All that she had to make the orcs do was eat, drink, tell some stories and raise their tankard in his honour.
She really really hoped he would keep his end of the promise. Deals with spirits were often rather risky. But she needed to help Sadok.
And thus, she got back upon her feet slowly, made sure the Sceptre was hidden again, and started her trip back to Razor Hill, the pain in her chest a constant fire burning.
Time to plan a party.



((I applaud all of you who actually read this all through.))

The trek up the mountain was a long and tiring one. Step by step, Rhonya got higher and higher, but her breathing also got heavier and she started to feel the ache in her legs. Almost there.. she was almost there!
It was utterly dark around her and she had swapped her bright armour for dark brown tinted pants and a simple shirt with long sleeves, her hair bound up in a long ponytail that hung heavy on her back. She risked a glance over her shoulder, smiling as she watched the small puffs of wind clear out her footprints, blowing the sand around where she stepped. Srelok had aided her with that little trick when she’d gone to update him about the former evenings happenings, to make sure she couldn’t be followed that easily.

Finally, she reached the top. The air was clear here, the night sky stretching out all above her. Her hair moved as the little wind spirit twirled around her before disappearing. It’d probably be back later. With a deep sigh Rhonya sat herself down, taking a moment to catch her breath and drink a little. The bag she’d been carrying was gently set aside.
The place was abandoned for now, but not empty. Large totems towered over drums that surrounded a ritual circle. The circle in turn was filled with items, bowls and offerings, various carved wooden idols and painted rocks.


Rhonya stayed away from the circle. It wasn’t hers, the Tauren had made it long ago, and she wouldn’t use it. But this mountain had a ritual circle on it for a reason, the Tauren believing it brought them closer to their spirits, their sun and their moon. Perhaps the veil between the worlds was thinner here. It was worth a try.
So she started to set up her own little circle, a respectful distance from the larger one.
It was a circle of several bowls, one filled with earth, one with a burning stick of incense in some sand, one with water and one with a feather. All representing the four elements. In the middle she placed a small rabbit carcass, freshly killed, on top of some wooden sticks.
She herself remained sitting inside the circle, in front of the rabbit and made herself comfortable, closing her eyes. Her soft voice filled the quiet night air.

“Air, fire, earth, water, wilds.. I call on all of you. I plea for your aid, to help me find and thank a certain spirit.
A spirit that aided us in times of need, that aided us without being asked to by any of us. A spirit I don’t know, but would like to know…
Dear spirit, if you can hear me..”

With a small flint and tinder box and a small mutter, Rhonya set the wood and rabbit in front of her on fire. First the smell of burning fur filled the air, but moments later it started to smell of burned meat.

“I offer to you, spirit of the windroc, this rabbit. I offer to you, spirit , my blood. “
With those words she grabbed her ritual knife, slicing it across her palm, letting some of her blood drip into the fire.

“You saved my blood. My family, so I gift you mine as a sign of trust, as a thank you. Please, accept my offerings, accept my thanks…”

Rhonya remained quiet now, her eyes closed, her bleeding fist still hanging above the fire as she waited patiently, hoping for an answer, a sign, anything.

A few moments, nothing. No sound at all aside from the still slightly burning rabbit, the sizzling of the drops of blood falling into the fire and evaporating into the air. No movement of anything, no change in light as far as she could notice with her eyes closed.
Then, suddenly, something softly brushed along her cheek, down her neck and over her shoulder. For a moment Rhonya thought the little air elemental had returned, but it disappeared again and it hadn’t felt the same as the one Srelok had asked to accompany her. 
Again, a light touch. This time different. Warmer, softer, making the hairs on her arms rise and goose bumps appear on her skin. Just as fast as the first one, this one disappeared as well. 


Rhonya remained sitting for a little while longer, slowly opening her eyes. The rabbit wasn’t burning anymore and she actually didn’t know how long she had been sitting there. Her wound had stopped bleeding and she now felt the muscles in her arm were entirely cramped because she had been holding it forwards all the time. A small smile appeared on her face though.

“I’m glad you came.. Thank you.” She whispered, before standing up slowly, giving her body the chance to get the blood flowing properly again through her legs before she turned to the edge of the mountain.
Now some sand moved close to her feet again in weird patterns and Rhonya recognized the somewhat cheerful presence of the little air elemental. “Welcome back..” she said softly, her smile growing.


Leaving all the things she brought behind, she started her trip back down the slope of the mountain, pondering on what had happened. So there were two, at the very least. Two different ones, keeping a close eye on the orcs and what they were doing. The touch had been very faint however, something Rhonya found odd, seeing most spirits liked to make themselves known a bit more by showing what they could do. Especially because she had seen the windroc very clearly before and according to Nosh’marak, the spirit helping them the day before had actually given him the strength to stand up again and withstand the mist. There was power in them, that was for sure.

Now the questions remained.. Who or what were they, and why were they helping the orcs?
Rhonya sighed softly. She was happy though for now. If she had pried too much they might’ve taken it as an insult, so for now a ‘thank you’ and an actual acknowledgement had to be enough. At least she could tell the others with a certainty now they were watched over by something, aiding them along the way… It made her feel better.

Perhaps hope wasn’t lost yet.

The sun was just disappearing behind one of the dusty mountains, the last rays still shining down on a tiny hut that was lodged between the trees in the northern part of the Barrens. Bare feet made their way over the reddish sand, the ground still holding the warmth of the day. They moved north, past the barricades into the deep, dark woods of Ashenvale forest. The grunts stationed here knew her by face and name, greeting her as she passed. She was a common sight after all, living nearby and sometimes even aiding them with food or mending.
One of them spoke up as he noticed her, his deep voice clearly used to giving commands, but to her he spoke gently.
“You chose a nice evening, Steelheart. All is quiet. Be careful though, some elves were seen passing by here a few days ago but they have not been sighted since. Better to be safe than sorry, at least, “ He said, while giving her a rare smile.
The she-orc in question returned the smile with one of her own, her red and blue eyed gaze resting on his face for a moment before her mass of black hair hid her expression again as she turned her head to the woods ahead.
“Thank you, Strongarm. I won’t be long, hopefully.” She spoke, her voice soft but determined. With a nod Strongarm waved her on through.
“Spirits guide you then, Steelheart.”

Without another word Rhonya moved on, her bare feet almost making no sound on the soft mossy earth. Clad in one of her simple garments, she also blended in pretty well against the deep greens and browns of the ancient trees. Spirits guide me indeed.. she thought as she made her way to her destination. The pool nearby. Something was pulling on her, a tugging, barely noticeable but to her it was like a bright shining beacon. Rhonya could not resist this pull, just like someone starving for food would do anything to find their next meal. She had to answer.


She reached the silent waters without issues, nothing disturbing her aside from the normal things. Animals scurrying around in the trees and undergrowth around her, birds singing their last tunes to the ending of the day. Rhonya chose a quiet spot away from the path, a spot she used often, sitting down and folding her legs under herself. The waters in front of her were as clear as a mirror, no ripples, no disturbances. Her eyelids closed and she focused, reaching out with her entire being, opening her mind.
“Spirit of water, of life and growth, spirit of my heart.. I’ve heard your calling. I accept your guidance, I am here to serve. Please answer me.”
It was a regular plea, she knew if it really was this urgent, they would be there. They were calling for her after all, not the other way around.

As she opened her eyes again, a small ripple broke the water’s surface. Soon more followed, all starting from the point where her knees were almost touching the water’s edge. She leaned forwards, looking down into them.


Rhonya Steelheart…

The whisper was barely there. If she didn’t know any better, she could’ve sworn she had imagined it, but she was used to water’s voice by now. If you could call it a voice. It was more of a feeling forming words, like hearing spring waterfalls coming down, a music in its own right if one took the time and effort to listen.

Look.


And she did. Rhonya saw herself, her own reflection. Long, black hair framed a friendly but worried looking face. The roundness of it was still there but it had gotten less over the years, time and experiences having hardened her features somewhat. The oddest things were still her eyes, the black pupils surrounded by a red rim, the rest of them blue, making her eyes almost look purple from a distance. No scars were visible on her skin, the only jewellery being her earrings, several necklaces and one small, silver ring in her nostril. For a few moments she merely looked at herself, not entirely sure what else she was supposed to be seeing, or what the message was if there was nothing else shown. But water required patience, so she showed it.

As Rhonya thought, it didn’t take very long. Ripples appeared again out of nowhere, outwards away from her reflection. As she looked, other figures started to appear in the water. Vague outlines, dark shadows of people. She squinted, trying to make out their features…
At her shoulder was Kozgugore. Her bloodbrother. Her Chieftain. There was no mistaking that wolfmask, the strong jaw coming from underneath and the broad shoulders. His image came slightly better into vision but remained blurry, the ripples distorting his features slightly. She began to recognize others now. Srelok on her other side. Gashuk beside him, Trakmar, Kogra, Nosh’marak, even Krogon and all the other faces she hadn’t seen in a long time.


Her throat tightened and she closed her eyes a short moment, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes and slowly making their way down her cheeks. Why were they being shown? Were they all gone, dead? Did it mean they passed over and were now all on the other side…? Or did it mean something else?
Rhonya opened her eyes once more, looking at the faces of those she loved, those she had cared for for such a long time. A tear fell from her face, adding its own little ripples to those still moving over the water’s surface.


Remember.


“Oh, I do remember…” she said softly, her voice a mere whisper as she reached  a hand to the water, so very lightly touching the surface close to where Kozgugores cheek was. As she did, the image changed. Brown. Mountains, cliffside passes and the sun shining down. Stonetalon. She recognized it easily. To her surprise, soon after, the water turned red and a feeling of dread filled her. A sign of danger?


Go.


Without further warning, the images disappeared and Rhonya was left looking at her own reflection once again, alone with a deep blackness around her. She sighed deeply, sitting back straight. It didn’t take long before she felt a sharp pang of pain coming from her hand, the burned rune in her skin there almost feeling as if it was on fire.


You are not alone. We will stand with you. Go.


This voice was different. Harsh but warm, almost painful but comforting, direct and commanding. Fire..
“Very well… I will go. For whatever reason it is, I will go. I trust you.” She spoke softly, lifting her chin and wiping her hand over her cheeks. Rhonya would need some time to prepare, tell the children, Sukeenah.

But she would go. Her family needed her.

The light of the candle flickered, making shadows dance over the piece of parchment lying on the table in front of her. She had moved the usual contents of the table to the side, fruits and vegetables, knives and other cooking utensils. For a few moments the she-orc stared at the empty parchment, quill and ink jar at the ready. What would she write? It hadn’t been an easy decision, but Belthran had convinced her it was the right one, so she really wanted to go through with it. Her talk with him had been a real eye opener. He was honest. A bit harsh at times, but honest. He had made her realise that she was clinging on to memories, to her past, instead of looking towards the future and what she still had. Her children, her legacy and Sadoks clutch as well that she had sworn to care for. They needed her.

She pushed some strands of long, black hair back behind her ear and started to write.

“Dear Kogra,

First of all, I’m sorry you have to hear this from me in this way. There is no easy way to tell this though, so I’ll just get it over with.
I have decided to, for the time being, move to Orgrimmar and spend some time with my children. After Sadoks death, I’ve not seen them and as they’ve lost their father already, I don’t want them to feel they also lost their mother. I need to be there for them, more than that the tribe needs me at this point. Karak actually made me realise as well, together with Belthran, that the orcs I once knew well and deeply cared for, have all gone. Some their own ways, some just temporarily, and some we’ll meet again on the eternal plains. You are my last sister left and it breaks my heart to leave you for the moment, but I know you will be alright. Nereesa will be a better sister for you than I could ever be, you don’t need my issues to worry over as well. You seem really fond of her.
I’ll be gone before this letter reaches you, probably. If you do want to send me something back, I can be found in Orgrimmar. Stay safe. Please watch over Tamrah for me too. Tell her it’s not her fault I need to leave, and she can always come visit me.
Love, Rhonya”

Wiping her hand across her eyes, Rhonya sniffed and signed the letter before closing it off with a blob of wax from her candle. She didn’t like leaving the tribe like this, but it was for the best. Kogra would be well looked after, she and Nereesa had seemed inseparable anyway, she didn’t want to get in between of that. So she had no more need to stay, no one else she was promised to protect, and the tribe could always call on her in Orgrimmar.

With a deep sigh Rhonya walked outside of the hut she used in Nagrand, making her way towards a nearby orc. “I have the letter… You remember who to read it to?” she said, the male orc looking towards her as she spoke. He nodded, taking the letter and tucking it into his vest. “Kogra Windwatcher, black and white hair, blind. Shouldn’t be too hard to find. I’ll make sure I’ll read this to her personally, don’t worry, Steelheart.” He actually smiled to her before making his way to the gate, a worg awaiting him there. Rhonya watched him go before turning to her own wolf standing nearby, packed and ready.

Softly brushing her hand across the nose of the animal, she spoke softly. “Well, Keren.. Time to go.” Keren let out a soft huff of breath and nuzzled her hand with her nose, a sign of affection and trust. A gift from another orc who was gone. Krogon had given her the pup, years ago, with the words that he was tired of her riding on a Talbuk. She wondered if he was amused she still rode the wolf he once gave her. There had been a lot more heart and care in that orc than she had expected, eventually.
Checking the straps one last time, Rhonya pulled herself on the back of the wolf, turning her head towards the road leading to Shattrath, setting her in motion.

“Let’s go, Keren. Before I change my mind.”


((Drawing made by Belthran! <3))

-A few weeks ago-

Val’sharah. It was a beautiful place. I hadn’t really known what to expect when I heard it was like the Emerald Dream, or as close as the druids could get it to the actual thing without being in the dream itself. It had colours beyond comprehension, wildlife all around. New and unknown smells filled my nose at every turn and for a while I simply wandered over one of the main paths, taking in the sights and just experiencing a calm I hadn’t felt in quite a while.

The tribe was here somewhere too, but I had left them for the moment to focus on the task I had gotten a while ago from Chieftain Feraleye. At the moment I’d gotten the task we were under attack by the Legion however, so I couldn’t just have run off and leave everyone while they needed every weapon available. Something started pulling at my being though when we got here. I had to go. It was like an invisible string that connected me to something inhabiting this land and it was slowly reeling me in like a fish caught on a hook.
Lian wasn’t with me. Where he was at this point, I only had a general idea but I knew he was alright and would find me again when I would come back. Or when I needed him. But this task, I had to do alone. No weapons, no armor, just… me.

I stepped off the path into the high grasses of a plain, the trees gone for just a short opening in the woods. This way I had to go. There was no question about it, the feeling pulled me here, over the grassy plains and towards the cliffs beyond. I could see the sea now and some very black, big and threatening garrison like structure. I decided quickly to avoid getting in sight of that, it felt wrong and it looked very menacing. Even so, the pull brought me closer still. A large equine looking animal with a horn on its head followed my movements with large eyes but didn’t flee when I passed it. It was beautiful in its own way and I let it be, it wasn’t my target.

My mind kept wandering, thinking back on the first signs of the invasions. The green sky, the noise, the screams. The trembles of the ground as the infernals came down and shattered everything that happened to be under them. The deaths. My jaw clenched in anger as I remembered hearing Sadok hadn’t made it. The cubs had been safe, so at least that was something, but I hadn’t expected him to die. He’d just always been there. It was hard imagining the tribe without him and sometimes I still expected to just hear his voice and see him sitting at the campfire, making horrible puns to newbloods and giving them tasks that would have them regret ever picking him as tutor in the first place. But he was gone, and he wouldn’t come back.
I hadn’t seen Mozrogg in a while either, our interests taking us both in different directions. Which was fine, the oath we’d both sworn had been one of loyalty while it lasted, not wanting to bind ourselves blindly to one another for an eternity. So if he wanted to go his own way, that was alright with me. I’d miss our easy talks and the comfort, but he was his own orc and I wouldn’t stand in the way of how he wanted to live his life.

A branch snapped in my face and brought me back to reality, just stopping me in time before I would’ve stepped off a rock and tumbled down a cliff. I snarled softly to myself for being so careless and took a step back, not wanting to risk the rocks crumbling under my feet and dropping down anyway. I took a moment to look around. Close to the sea now, cliffs below… I sniffed and smelled a familiar smell. Pack. There were wolves down here. So that’s why I had been drawn this way, the time for the hunt had come.

Very carefully I made my way down the steep cliffside, using some larger rocks as stepping stones and finding cracks I could put my fingers and toes in, using them to get down safely. I wasn’t wearing much clothes, just some simple leathers and a belt to carry the big empty waterskin I’d taken with me. The wind was in my back, meaning the wolves wouldn’t be able to smell me just yet, their own scent strong in my nose. I jumped down the last bit, landing with a soft thud on the rocks below. I slowly made my way over to a puddle of mud resting in between of the rocks and dipped my hands in, picking up the muck and simply smeared it all over me, covering my skin and my hair, slightly hiding my scent. I could use every advantage I could get, in this case.
The next hours were spend observing and learning, the sun slowly going down over the sea, dawn setting in. This didn’t bother me much, my eyesight was fine in the dark. Sadly for me, a wolfs eyesight only improved during the night, not to mention their noses worked a million times better than mine. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had noticed me already. They were nearby now, I could see them from my hiding place. A pack of five and some pups tumbling around, playing. One of them was bigger than the others, a deep black ridge of hair going over his back towards his tail. The alpha.

He turned his head and actually looked right at me, our eyes locking. He was the one, the one I had been drawn to for weeks now, the one who called me here. He was beautiful, deep brown and red with the darkest black fur at some points. I stepped out, raising my chin and walking towards the animals. It was no use hiding, they all knew I was here. Heads turned and growls resounded around me, amplified by the cliff and the rocks surrounding us. It sounded threatening, angry, not a welcome, clearly. The alpha however stood there, his orange eyes still on me. He knew it, just as much as I did. This was our fight, just us, and one of us wouldn’t make it.
The wolf let out a low growl, but it wasn’t directed at me. The others slowly grew silent and took a bit more of a distance. They wouldn’t interfere, I hoped. I stood no chance against five wolves that worked like a pack. I didn’t even know if I stood a chance against this Alpha on my own, but I had to try. Our eyes still locked, we stepped closer to one another, a low growl building in the back of my throat as I readied myself.

Without warning, I saw him hunch back and jump and in an instant he was on me, his heavy weight actually throwing me back on the hard rocks. My arms went up and instinctively grabbed his mane of hair, the scruff of his neck, to keep his snapping jaws away from my throat. I couldn’t see anything, stars blinding my vision from the hit my skull had gotten on the rocks, but I could feel, smell and hear him only inches from my face. His teeth scraped the skin of my neck and skin tore, but I didn’t feel it. With a snarl I put my feet under his belly and heaved him off, throwing him to the side. His jaw now closed around my arm and he started to shake his head, keeping a very tight grip. I screamed out, the pain now very overwhelming as he literally was trying to rip my arm off. I had to do something, quickly, or this would be over way sooner than I expected.
My own sharp nails raked his snout, drawing blood. It distracted him for only a moment as he tried to tug me down still. My arm made a loud snapping noise. Time was running out. My fingers locked around a rock close to my feet and with all the strength I could muster I slammed it against his forehead, time and time again. His jaw loosened… and my vision returned. I was looking straight into the orange eyes, only inches from my own. The light was slowly fading from them as blood ran down his snout, mingling with his fur.

The fight had only lasted a minute or so, but it seemed like an eternity in my own mind. My arm was shattered, hanging limp. I don’t know what was wrong with it, perhaps dislocated, broken, it didn’t matter. I looked at the rock in my other hand. It was ragged and very sharp, perfect. The other wolves erupted into howling, the haunting sound surrounding me as I opened my water skin and cut a major artery in the neck of the now dead wolf, filling it to the brim with steaming hot blood. Closing it up properly with my teeth again, seeing I couldn’t use my other hand, I hung it back on my belt and got to work. Painful, slow work.

A few hours later I was staggering through the woods, carrying a skin on my back, completely covered in blood. My own and his. I walked until I could go no further and simply let myself fall over. The world went black around me and for a moment I regretted killing this majestic creature only to die out here myself shortly afterwards…

Something warm covered me. A soft groan escaped my lips and a deep voice sounded nearby, melodic and soft. Surprisingly, he was speaking in orcish.
“Rest, friend. You’re safe here. Your arm will be fine, though it will take a few weeks to properly heal.”
I opened my eyes slowly and squinted against the soft light surrounding me. There was someone standing next to the bed I was lying in. Deep purple skin, softly glowing eyes and long ears marked him as one of the night elves. I could see the wolf skin and my belt with the water skin lying on a chair nearby, carefully displayed.

So I wasn’t dead… yet. I still had to get back to the tribe though and present my catch to the Chieftain… But that would come in time. For now, I could rest. And try not to get an urge to turn on my hosts.

Hey you lot!
Well, as the title says, I have some 'bad' news, so I'll just put it simple. Both me and Srelok will be leaving the officer team as of today.
The past few months we've been in a bit of an odd position here at home together, juggling with wellfare being a bitch, Sre starting a new job which apparently confuses the government so much they mess everything up even more, and me starting a new course which is mandatory or they'll cut our payment.
Sre's job is a nighttime job, parttime, which means he works 3 nights every week. Seeing these are not 3 nights after one another, he's having serious issues with constantly changing sleeping patterns.
We've begun to notice that things in the house got more and more tense, we'd start arguments about little things also to do with officer stuff, becoming more and more snappy.
Simply said, the workload of being an officer (who often deal with a lot more than you know behind the scenes!) together and combined with job and wellfare and course and stress isn't working for us at the moment.
Thus we have decided after a long discussion to stop at this point now the bucket isn't overflowing yet. No, we will not leave wow, we'll still be there and RP, we'll just not be taking any officer responsibilities anymore. So no worries, you'll not be rid of us yet completely anytime soon!
I found it fair at least to tell you lot the what/why/when etc, so there you go.

[Clean up the leftovers]

Clean up the leftovers

Objective:

I got word today there are still a few demons left around demonfall Canyon, though most have gone away. Might be time to clear out the remaining few for now, the less we have nearby camp, the better. Be careful though. Don't stray too far into the canyon, and don't stay too long, that place is so corrupted you'll feel it in your bones after a while.

Rewards:
1 Fang per orc.

Additional notes:

3 or more orcs!




Status:
Incomplete

[Herbs herbs herbs!]

Herbs herbs herbs!

Objective:

Most of our medical supplies got squashed or fel infected in the ramparts. Now we're in the woods, a good time to try and resupply on some useful herbs. Can even try trade for some with some of the neutral druid elves, if you get something to trade. (Don't try meat, I'm not sure they even eat that...)

Rewards:
1 Fang per orc.

Additional notes:

3 or more orcs at all times. Be aware of the Satyr and their totems.



Status:
Incomplete

[Report]

Report

Present:

• Rhonya
• Srelok
• Hellbrew
• Barlgura
• Mokhalak
• Kargnar

Additional notes:

Late night salvaging of what we could find back in the destoyed Ramparts. The place is a mess, but we found several useful things. Everything has been put in the tavern. The fel aura is strong still there, though we didn't encounter any demons. We didn't stay very long.



Status:
Completed

Rule set for the tournament of 19-05-2015:
And another tribe tournament coming up, another set of rules! The usual though. On the day of the tournament I shall also post the brackets here so you can all keep track of them as well.

Rules tournament:


- Arena rules ( No usage of flasks or engineering items either, no legendary rings etc)
- No Blood Lust or Timewarp
- stealth only allowed up to 60 seconds.
- No tank or healing spec. (Nor tank presences such as blood presence or def stance for warriors, no gladiator spec)
- One bandage per player.
- No outsider buffs.
- talents and Glyphs aren't to be changed during the tournament. The Glyph and talent set you have locked in during your first battle will be locked in for the entire tournament.

And most important of all, have fun guys!

Hello people!
The next week we're going back to the north, for a little while leading up to the prepatch. During this time we (the officers) would like to challenge you lot a bit by allowing you to make events for others, even on the normal 'officer day' event days. Does this mean we won't be doing anything ourselves as officers? No, we're going to be planning fun stuff around you guys, to give those who want to, a 'well visited day' to hold their events. This can even be organised with an officer if you're not entirely sure how or what you want to do, just poke any of us. Keep in mind that we'll also be keeping an eye on who does what, so this is a good moment if you want to get a little more involved with event making or doing! Feel free to put events on the calender whenever, we're very flexible these weeks.
Also there will be another tournament next week, so go get your pvp gear ready!

Much love, the officer team.

The rock felt smooth and cool under my hands, and for a moment I paused in my walk to look at it. It was covered in green vines, but it had some jagged edges as well, meaning even at times the sand would reach here and slowly eat layer after layer away. I wondered how many years this rock had been here already, what it had seen through those years, who had rested on its surface just like I was doing now, taking a breather. It was humid here close to the river, a pressing warmth in my chest when I inhaled the air. My dreadlocks were wet and sticking to my face and back, rather uncomfortably. Sometimes I did regret letting it grow out again, the short coupe had had some advantages over the heavy mat of red locks.

For a short moment I pressed my cheek against the smooth side of the rock and closed my eyes, smiling to myself. I liked this land. Not so much the sand, but the warmth and the oasis, it reminded me of Stranglethorn in some ways. I heard a soft splash nearby and looked up, somewhat startled. It couldn’t be Lian, he’d remained back in the city, the sand too hot for his paws to walk on constantly, hurting the soft cushions underneath. Was it a crocolisk? Quietly grabbing an arrow from my quiver,  I knocked it on my bowstring and turned around, making my way through the greenery towards the source of the sound. My feet made near to no noise on the soft earth, and I managed to get to the waterside without being noticed. My arrow was pointed straight at the back of an orc. Long, black hair was pulled forwards over her shoulder. She seemed to be washing it in the stream, unaware of the danger behind her. I could kill her instantly if I wanted to. I only had to release my arrow…

But of course I wouldn’t do that. I wouldn’t kill a True Blood, even though I didn’t particularly like her. Rhonya was the reason Sadok had left me, heavily pregnant and in the middle of Tanaan. She was the reason I had nearly killed him, when he told me what he had done. I had mainly been avoiding her and them together, even though Sadok and I talked things out, it still stung. Even though Mozrogg and me were perfectly fine with being together and gave each other the space we needed, something Sadok had never really been able to give me, it still hurt.

Slowly I lowered the arrow and relaxed the bowstring, clearing my throat to make her aware of my presence. Her eyes went wide and she turned, nearly tumbling into the river while letting out a surprised yelp. I felt one of my eyebrows go up a little and kept my hands on my bow, looking at her as I stepped out from the bushes properly and into the late sunlight of the day.
‘Sorry. I didn’t mean ta scare ya.” I said, my voice a bit dry and hoarse due to the hot, sandy air I’d been breathing the past few hours.

Rhonya shook her fair head and a small smile appeared on her face. Always smiling. Damn that nice smile. Her voice was soft and gentle as she spoke, so different in comparison to my own.
“It’s alright... I just didn’t expect someone to find me here, is all.” She gathered herself a bit again, settling more properly on the edge of the water, wringing out her wet hair with her hands.  The droplets made soft noises as they fall back into the river, and for a few moments that was the only sound around us, until I moved to squat next to the water myself to cup some of it in my hand and splash some on my dusty face. I looked back up.

“Ya s’ouldn’t be alone ‘ere anyway, small t’in’ like ya. Dere be crocolisks an’ wasps an’ snakes. Be no’ really safe. Sadok woul’ be sad if ya get ‘urt.” Snap. Why had I brought Sadok up? I hadn’t meant to, but somehow it just came out. To avoid her eyes, I just started to pull my boots off and put my feet into the water. Rhonya remained quiet for a little moment. Her voice was as gentle and soft as always, though I could clearly hear a sharp edge to the words now.

“I know. I’m not completely helpless on my own, unlike what most of you seem to think. I can take care of myself.”

I turned my head and looked at her expression. Her eyes were slightly narrowed. They looked almost purple in this light, the blue seeming to mix with the light hint of red around her pupils. She looked determined, fierce in a way. I exhaled slowly through my nose in a sigh.
“I suppose many seem ta for’et dat at times, ya. Ya dun look very t’reatenin’.” I said, a light joking tone in my voice at the last sentence. She smiled.
“Take my word for it, it can be a blessing and a curse. Though often they don’t expect things from me, which can work to my advantage at times. But you should know, you do the same, in a way.”
I opened my mouth to ask her what she meant, feigning ignorance, but looking at her face I knew I wouldn’t fool her. So instead I just bared my fangs in a knowing grin. Perhaps we had more in common than I thought.

“Ya dun miss bein’ T’ur’ruk?” I heard myself ask. I didn’t really know where the question came from. I moved my feet through the cool water while she shifted herself a little and shook her head.
“Some things, I suppose… But there isn’t much I can’t do right now that I couldn’t do before. It’s… just a title, you know. A name. It doesn’t make who you are, though of course it gives you certain… privileges. But I was never much someone taking point, leading others, ordering orcs. I never liked that… “ Her voice trailed off a little before she continued. “I suppose it’s different as Thur’ruk though than as.. for example, a Varog’gor… They have a clear purpose for everyone to see. Protect the Chieftain, the tribe…”

I nodded to her words thoughtfully. I had admired the Varog’gor. Those I had known, at least, which were not many. Therak had succumbed under the rank, as so many before him. Orcs called it the Varog’gor curse, either they all disappeared without a trace or they died horrible deaths. So far it’d proven true for most of them. To swear your life to the chieftain wasn’t a small thing… To put his safety before everything else in your life. Not that there was much else in my life worth protecting… Mozrogg, of course. But he thought mainly the same as I did. The tribe, but that was also a Varog’gors duty. My children. Though I had never felt as close to them as some other mothers. Perhaps that was simply my survival instinct. I loved them, but with them I was slow, they brought dangers, they were loud and annoying. I was fine without them too, knowing they were well taken care of.

As I looked up, I noticed Rhonya was inspecting my face now. Perhaps she’d noticed my thoughtful expression. “Wat?”
She shrugged, before her smile grew wider a bit. Sometimes I had such an urge to smack her in the face and wipe that smile away. But I held myself back.
“You just looked like you were making up your mind about something. Black knife… Protector of the tribe. You’ve been a Gul’thauk for a long time now, following Kozgugore around in absence of a Varog’gor.”
I nodded. She was right at that part at least. I’d kept my eye on the Chief,  when he was standing alone, his back to dangers. I couldn’t always be there of course. But beside Mozrogg, he was my main focus in the tribe. I didn’t have any bloodsiblings. I never really let anyone close. Only one or two had managed over the years I’d been with the tribe to get to know the real me. And it was fine that way. It was safer.

“Been a year o’ so now.” I spoke softly.
She nodded, responding. “Do you feel you would do different as an Elder? Your views, your ways, priorities?”
I shook my head and she continued: “Then you know a bit of how I feel, not being Thur’ruk anymore. I can do what I want to do, what I feel I need to do… protect the tribe in other ways. My loved ones.”

A soft sigh escaped my lips. “I wouldn’t really min’ t’oug’, I suppose. Bindin’ meself more. Learn more. Bu’ me views woul’ stay da same. Da tribe be me everyt’in’. I ‘ave not’in’ else lef’.” A sudden hand softly patted me on my leg and in reaction my eyes narrowed, but it was simply an automatic gesture from Rhonya’s part, something soothing. I didn’t move.
“Well, then perhaps you know the next steps.” She said somewhat cheerfully before standing up. She wasn’t wearing any shoes, just a simple robe. Without a word she wandered off towards the city and left me sitting, wondering what had actually happened. I hadn’t asked for any advice. Or even stated a problem…

Grumbling to myself, I splashed some more water in my face. Perhaps it was time for some more steps ahead. I told myself I’d talk to the Chief about it. We used to have pretty good talks together. He’d be honest with me.
With a grunt I stood up, picked up my boots and my bow and followed Rhonya’s trail to the city, the scent she’d left behind. She smelled like herbs, like organic things and a hint of the sharp tang of blood. It was easy to follow. Footsteps on perhaps a new path…

There we go! Since you all started off so nicely in the LPW thread, let's do it this way!
If you wanna discuss the movie, changes in lore, opinions, things you liked and didn't like, throw it out here! What would you like to see for the next movie, or think they might change?

Keep in mind this thread might have SPOILERS! For those who have not seen it yet. Read at your own risk.


For myself, I saw the movie tonight, and I loved it. I'm not even going to compare it to WoW lore, because it's a movie based on such a long and deep and widespread story that it could never ever have been done exactly as it should be, unless they made it the new GoT series. (And even then I'm sure they would've changed stuff.)

What I found extremely fun and awesome to watch was the costumes and the female orcs in the background. I absolutely -adored- the amount of details in the armor, the hair, the tattoo's, warpaint and skullmasks, at times I found myself more watching the surroundings and the background characters than really following the story. Give me some of those outfits and I'll be a happy me. <3

The skin under the flames blistered and cracked, spreading a sickingly smell with it of burning meat. Yet she held on, not seeming to feel the pain herself, the rage engulfing her. She was fire, she was anger, she was hungry and she needed to be fed. Something had to burn, pay for the wrong done to the spirit, pay for holding her back, holding her captive and not releasing her smoldering heat into the night air.

The shapes in front of her were unrecognizable, their voices in her ears unclear murmers, only edging her on even more, fueling her flames, her rage. Who were they, trying to interrupt? Who were they, trying to cage a hungry beast? She had opened the gates and now it was impossible to stop.

It was satisfying, holding this neck, this â€"abomination-, this insult to everything natural and pure. It would burn, it would perish, it would be cleansed and returned to its proper place, being the winds and the afterlife. Suddenly something cool was felt, and something tugged on her attention. Something distracting her. She could hear the voice, pleading and begging her to stop, to not consume, to not feed, to close the doors and be locked away. She listened, for now. Then came the promise. The promise for aid, for more freedom. She could have patience, she could wait just a little longer… As long as this one would keep to her promise.
Fading into darkness, the smoldering doors slowly shut, the flames flickering and dying out, shutting her off from all the energy and rage gotten by the burning anger that had spurred her on. When the doors closed, so did her eyes, all her energy drained.



Cold, she was so cold… Rhonya knew she wasn’t awake, she couldn’t open her eyes, her body felt so heavy, almost as if it wasn’t entirely her own. She couldn’t see anything, she couldn’t hear anything, she just felt so… tired. Everything seemed to be a muddy blur in her head, events hard to remember, as if it hadn’t been her alone that had experienced them. She hadn’t felt fire’s presence like that in a long time. Not since Sinami managed to start the flames and make them explode eventually, not heeding Rhonya’s warnings. Not since Nagrand, where fire had consumed her completely and took control, leaving a permanent mark in her eyes of its presence amongst the blue.

Suddenly she felt a pang of regret, as a flash appeared in front of her vision, Makaroth’s face, distorted in pain, her burning hands on his chest as his armor seemed to be cooking him alive.
A deep sadness filled Rhonya at that point. Had she done it again? Did he not listen to her warnings, had fire taken over and actually hurt him? Had she hurt any others? Who had been standing close? Suddenly Magrahra’s voice filled her head, something spoken to her. Regret filled her even further as she realized that her brother hadn’t been the only one hurt by her incompetence to keep her fire spirit under control in such situations.

Rhonya tried to force herself to open her eyes, to move, to do anything, but it was useless. Her body was shut down, the fire gone, the warmth extinguished. It felt so cold…
What would happen to her now? She actually feared for herself, for the others, again. Would Makaroth ever trust her again? Her brother in blood, and she’d hurt him as if he had been no one she knew. A thing, standing in between of her and her target. So many doubts, so many questions she couldn’t answer, filling her head. Orcs trusted her, but she clearly wasn’t very suited to have earned that trust, if she kept hurting them, even though she did not want to. Rhonya felt weak. Not strong enough, this spirit influencing her so whenever that line was crossed, and she couldn’t keep it back.

Fire was always hungry, always wanting, always feeding… And she couldn’t satisfy it.
A heavy weight pressed down on her. She couldn’t wake up, she was so cold…
She’d face the others once it was time. Apologize, for what it was worth… and lay her fate in her brothers hands, Kozgugore, to decide what to do with her. As it was custom, as it was rule. She’d face the consequences of her weakness, and probably never forgive herself for hurting those she loved.

The tribe moves into Orgrimmar for a few drinks.

There have been reports of a Chaos Orc running rampant near the border of felwood/ashenvale, attacking and butchering both alliance and Horde with no prejudice. It's up to the tribe to investigate and maybe even put said orc down.

A chill filled the air, the sounds of the deep of the night coming in through the wide, open doors of the inn. It was very dark, the fire of the torches on the wall casting ominous, long shadows across the walls. If one stared too long at them, they could even resemble certain shapes, images on the wall, moving and dancing. Soft murmurs sounded through the building, some shapes here and there walking quietly through the cold rooms. Most of them were Forsaken, but here and there a visitor was visible, looking somewhat out of place, and probably feeling such as well.

One of these visitors was sitting on a mattress in one of the more quiet areas, where those that still had beating hearts could take their well needed sleep. Rhonya was arranging some of her furs around herself, shivering slightly as she sat there. Her mattress was pushed as far in the corner as she could have managed. She still didn’t like this place, at all. Especially this inn had some memories that she’d rather forget, but Rhonya had convinced herself that it was time to move on from those memories and forge some better ones with these Forsaken. Perhaps it would help her.
Rhonya’s first evening had been quite pleasant here. Not exactly planned though, moving away from the tribe so soon after they had reached Razor Hill, but unexpected circumstances had made her pack up her bags again and make way to the city of the Undead instead. And now she was here, in Brill… With a deep sigh, she rubbed her eyes, trying to make herself as comfortable as possible on the pile of furs. She â€"was- tired, it had been a long journey, especially because she hadn’t been able to rest yet after the journey to Razor Hill. She looked tiredly at one of the torches in the wall above her, the dancing fire and shadows slowly lulling her to sleep, and as she drifted away she could still see the flames branded on the inside of her eyelids…



The dark pressed in on her, almost as if it was a physical thing holding her down and preventing her from moving and breathing. A panic filled her, but she couldn’t do anything apart from staring into that darkness… A sound filled her head, so sudden and so loud that she closed her eyes in shock, though that didn’t change anything, the darkness was still there. Cackling, manic, fiendish cackling, all around her. Some light suddenly peeked through her eyelids and she opened her eyes again, only to see a strange pumpkin creature nearby, the hollows behind its eyes filled with a green fel flame.

"Hey, you! You seemed sort of new!" a skittish voice said, even though the pumpkin had no moving mouth. "But it turns out you know exactly what's bound to happen. You've seen the scum with those, uh.... Burning Legion folk, right? You really think that 'Truthflame' boy's any good for your health or that of your friends?" A low chuckle sounded, and she was confused a moment. Truthflame..? The newblood…

The darkness changed and shifted, though she still couldn’t move, pressed down by some invisible force. She could see the Blasted Lands, and figures running. As she focused more on the image, she could recognize some of the orcs… The tribe running, fleeing from hooded creatures in green robes, burning a way through everything with wicked green fel flames. Every orc that she saw turning to face them, was simply reduced to ashes by the hungry flames, and those not burning were cut down by the sickles the enemy carried, flaming runes visible, burned into the steel.
One of the figures slowly made his way through the burned grounds towards her, and as it moved a clawed hand to pull its cowl down, she recognized Ul’guruks face. There was no mistaking those burns on his face, though the expression and look in his now bright yellow eyes wasn’t one she recognized of him. Utter hatred, madness… His sickle came down upon her, and before she could even think of trying to scream or move away, everything went dark again.

"Old habits never die. He turned to us once, he'll do it again! This is a world of sacrifices, buddy, and I can tell you giving up that scarred little freak will do you good! Heck, would probably take some work off those grubby hands of yours, so take some advice from me, kid..." she heard the pumpkin say as it once more appeared at her side. Sudden felflames burned the plant away, revealing a wickedly grinning imp instead in its place. "Give us the boy and go home, or else I'm gonna make stuff..." he said, growing to twice her size within a flash "REAL unpleasant."  His harsh voice faded.



A sudden pain flaring on her back woke Rhonya up with a gasp, and she nearly hit her head against the wall as she sat up suddenly, drenched in sweat, the furs she was sitting in so tangled and wrapped around her legs that she could hardly move. Panting, she turned her head, the soft glow of the tattoo on her back even visible through the thin shirt she was wearing.

Rhonya took a moment to regain her calm, catch her breath, untangling her legs and taking a few sips of water from her waterskin. The felward had been dormant since it had been replaced there on her back, so it worried her that now it would respond… To a dream. But it only convinced her all the more that this hadn’t been a normal dream. Ul’guruk had to be warned… And some others as well. This was the fires doing… Those images in the ash, a few days before.  She’d seen them, but… clearly they had seen her as well.  Grunting softly, she grabbed her writing tools from her bag, and by the flickering light of the torch above her, she started to write…

The tribe gathers under the watchfull eye of Thur'ruk Steelheart for another unsettling story of the past, which might turn out to be rather.. unsettling for some.
((IC mount Hyjal raid, bring some low level gear and make sure you're not locked!))