Orcs of the Red Blade

The sun scorched my neck as it bore down mercilessly upon Desolation Hold. I was alone, sat upon a crate of armaments in the sweltering heat. The Slitherblade sat in my lap; I saw the distorted reflection of a pathetic orc in its chipped hessonite pommel. The stale, humid air was thick with smoke and the reek of gunpowder.

Dark stone walls, reinforced by spiked obsidian metal, dominated my field of vision. A mighty pyre burned intensely as heavily-armed grunts stood regimented in the courtyard below, awaiting the command of Warlord Bloodhilt. In the distance, I heard the clash of steel and desperate cries of ‘Lok’tar Ogar’; within my mind rung the shrill cackle of Feralheart, the gruff chuckle of Devilstep and the insipid ‘har’ of the Son of Stronghand.

The atmosphere was oppressive. This was not a settlement like Razor Hill or the Crossroads. This was a fortress; the Horde’s sole stronghold in the chaos of the Southern Barrens. In my mind, it felt more akin to Lordamere Internment Camp; Desolation Hold was a prison of our own making. Within its walls, paranoia was rife - rumors of traitors in our midst and morbid rumors about the fate of Warlord Gar’dul hung heavy on my mind.

Glistening sweat scalded my brow as I turned my thoughts to the Battlescar. Of all the Barrens, this was the single most desolate place; the land itself torn apart and ravaged beyond recognition. Abandoned siege engines smolder amidst a sea of mutilated corpses as wounded soldiers attempt to rally around the tattered rags of battle standards. The fighting at the Battlescar has continued relentlessly since I arrived at the hold. I do not know when it will end. I do not know if it will end.

I have heard this war referred to as the Path of Conquest. If it continues such, will there be anything worthwhile left to conquer?

((Written for the current PvP campaign. First time doing IC prose in a while, so apologies if it's a little shabby.))

No worries, Sadok. It's an enjoyable read. And quite philosophical for those couple of paragraphs too.  ;)

Yup nicely written Sadok :)

A really nice read! I love the first person perspective with the detailed desriptions that paint a vivid image of how Sadok feel in regards to what he's surrounded by. I'd request more, perhaps catch a glance of Sadok in a more social environment too!

A very enjoyable read indeed! Orcish internal reflection is always such an interesting thing to see =D

I request more!