[Horde] Chapter Four: Session Forty-Four

Appearing Characters: Allari Elburn, Altruis Shadowsong, Arthak Saurfang, Azgadaan, Azuka Stormbreaker, Barthamus, Go'el, Iskaar, Karg Bloodfury, Kaylaan, Kaza, Kroll Gravenight, Lantresor, Levia Blackflight, Lokra, Nitrogg Thundertower, No'Rash, Noriyaku, Nyxxa, Omor, Oronok Torn-heart, Palkar, Rakeesh, Rexxar, Sadras, Tyrygosa, Velhari

Outland Day 59 - Outland Day 60

As the group looks about, the area is still awash with conflict and battle, but it seems the fighting is starting to slowly wane. However, there does not seem to be anyone in the immediate area that have been left as witnesses.

Most of the demon hunters have not stayed in the area as they have opted to go and slay any other demons in the area. Altruis had remained nearby, his arms crossed and standing by upon realizing someone had been lost. Nyxxa approaches him.

Altruis nods.

Altruis nods.

At that moment, a figure lands on the battered stonework. It’s Allari, who is starting to head over–her belt awash with a collection of daggers like those that Loramus had. Her eyes are burning with fel energy.

Allari looks at Nyxxa one more time.

Allari plants the scythe on the ground and vanishes in a flash of magic to go and support her allies.

Nyxxa smiles and then heads back to the group as Altruis makes himself scarce.

Meanwhile, Arthak had been gathering up No’Rash, and a few other orcish warriors join them with Sadras and Summerpaw at the head. Azuka has still not moved–staring at No’Rash with her sword in her hand. Sadras slows down at Azuka, and they exchange some words, before Sadras’s eyes are drawn toward the group–her expression sinking.

She rides harder, up and over to join the others. She leaps off Summerpaw and runs over to Arthak and No’Rash’s lifeless form.

Sadras goes over to No’Rash and puts her hands on his face.

Sadras shakes her head, attempting to stave off tears, but they start to fall freely. She collapses half in Arthak’s arms and half wrapped around No’Rash, burying her face in his chest.

Sadras nods through her sobs and sniffles.

Sadras presses her forehead against No’Rash’s.

Sadras nods again.

She kisses his forehead and pulls away, trying to regain her composure.

Sadras nods.

Sadras nods and heads off.

Levia scoffs, on the edge of tears.

Arthak pulls out his stone and sends Rakeesh a quick message.

Nyxxa puts a hand on Levia’s shoulder.

Levia nods.

Levia glances back at No’Rash’s body.

Levia nods again, placing her hand on Nyxxa’s.

She glances at Mannoroth’s corpse, which is still spewing toxic, demonic blood. She backs away to keep an eye on the perimeter.

Azuka starts to move slowly, her eyes still locked, unblinking, on No’Rash. She stops around 5 feet from No’Rash in Arthak’s arms. Her eyes go past Arthak to the broken, blasted remains of Mannoroth.

Sadras, nearby, looks to No’Rash’s club, Hardskin, and she picks it up with no small amount of effort. Azuka closes the distance to No’Rash, and she grits her teeth, then looks to the ground with clenched fists.

She puts a hand on No’Rash’s arm. There are no tears–just solemn, contemplative recognition and sadness. She nods at Arthak, who returns the nod.

Azuka moves to help Arthak as Azgadaan claims some trophies from Mannoroth. Arthak notices he didn’t feel the heat in his blood much anymore. It feels like the weight of his own blood had been washed away, but perhaps it was the rush of the victory as well.

Go’el nods.

Nyxxa moves in to hug Sadras, and she squeezes Nyxxa very hard. Go’el looks at the Doomhammer.

Go’el takes the hammer, and Azuka places her body under No’Rash.

She’s struggling, but she seems like she’s determined to do it herself.

Go’el draws a cycle on the ground around the group, and magic spirals around his small group before they disappear in a bout of spiraling, spiritual energy as he casts [Word of Recall].

The group takes a few moment to secure the direct area. A short while later, they hear a roar pierce the sky, and they see a multitude of nether drakes erupt from Sinestra’s facility in the distance. Some of them are carrying eggs. At the end of the group, they see three large dragons: one is Tyrygosa, another is Noriyaku who is spiraling around another tealish-green wyrm. It was likely her mate, as they were continuing to spiral closely around each other as the flock of dragons takes off towards the north.

The remainder of the group begins the trek back to the base camp on Ashran. The mood is quite different. The feel of electricity and drive of battle has evaporated, and there is no column returning. Instead there are just scatterings of forces–orcs that have no idea what happened. Some of the other leaders are trying to form some semblance of organization, and it passes to the group that some of the chaos from within contributed to the scattering that occurred. Some of the lieutenants from Hellfire Citadel had turned on their fellows to claim glory. Those individuals are believed to have been slain–but there are no eye witnesses of the conflict between Mannoroth and Sinestra.

It seems several outposts along the way were destroyed, as well as various circles of power. It seemed that fel magic was responsible, but it’s unknown if one of Sinestra’s Dragonmaw sabotaged it, or if a warlock got ambitious, or what exactly happened.

Arthak works to get some of the aimless orcs under command as the chain of command was otherwise disrupted, and he gets them heading back toward Warspear. Arthak had managed to snag Mor’ghor’s head on the way out.

There are a few skirmishes between stranded Sinestra forces and some of the scattered Legion agents, but nothing notable. It takes them two days to get back.

That night, Azgadaan opts to [Dream] Kaylaan, and he conjures the island of Ashran–bereft of any people. He sees Kaylaan appear.

Kaylaan shrugs.

Kaylaan chuffs.

Kaylaan turns away as the dream dissolves.

Outland Day 61

The group arrives in Warspear after a rather sad, quiet journey of two days. They find the camp is still up, but there is something of a small buzz of uncertainty and panic. They find a group of warlocks near the circle of power, and Oronok is among them. They seem to be speaking about the best course of action. Oronok’s eye catches Arthak’s.

The other warlocks look at him.

At that moment, a scout shouts at Arthak.

They look up, and they see several figures flying in the distance. The one at the head is a large demon with deep violet flesh with a dark, burning flame in its gut which is also a half-maw. It’s a terrorfiend. This one seems to be Omor the Unscarred, the representative from Magtheridon.

He lands right in the middle of the camp, and those with him seem to be mostly eredar warlocks and fel orcs riding aboard felbats and rylaks. On a well-armored felbat is Velhari. Shadowlord Iskaar is also among them.

Omor calls out with a booming voice as a circle opens in the crowd for him.

Velhari gets off her felbat. There seem to be recent healed injuries in her flesh, and battle damage to her armor. She draws her blade from her back and she slashes the blade through the air, opening a rift. On the opposite side seems to be Karabor.

Velhari starts to issue many of the orcs through the portal. She looks at Arthak.

Arthak then goes and speaks to Oronok, who has his sons disperse around the area to make sure they are not overheard.

Oronok chuffs.

Oronok grins.

Oronok turns and heads back to his sons, and Arthak returns to his warband while smoking smugly. Azgadaan casts [Teleport] to get the group off Ashran, and they arrive in Varok’mar–which is exactly as they left it.

However, there is a bit of excitement. The first thing they notice is there are a handful of large receptacles that are similar to barrels.

Kaza nods.

She prods Arthak in his chest.

Kaza nods and turns to scold an ogre that almost dropped one of the receptacles.

Azgadaan, however, sends Kaylaan.

Arthak is able to take the day to just do chieftain things in a small village–one of the last times he may be able to do so given the looming attempt at the title of warchief.

Azgadaan works with Levia to borrow her scrying focus so he could scry on the mine. She had started to to bristle slightly at first when he approached her, but she hands over the mirror she had purchased on Argus. He opts to scry on the outside of the throne room of the demon that had been in charge, and the mirror clears up. The first thing he notices is there are no guards, there are no workers, there are no demons, orcs, or anything. But there are signs of battle. There are bodies breaking apart, including that of a fel guard, and two ravagers picking at his corpse. The entire place is in ruins. There are broken chains and shackles strewn about, and rocks are slick with green and black blood. There is a single humanoid figure who seems to be affixed to the top of the massive throne-like chair. The figure is moving ever-so-slightly, but only just.

As the spell fades, he casts it again inside the throne room. It’s a krokul with heavy steel spikes through his limbs, suspending him about 7 feet off the ground. He is alive, though not much. He has only simple undergarments, and he had been beaten severely. Demon blood stains the room extensively. There is a word in rough draenic on the stone chair–and Azgadaan calls Lantresor over.

He also picks up “betrayer” and “coward”.

Azgadaan sends Kaylaan one more time.

He gets no answer back.

Azgadaan does one more scrying outside the complex, and there is much of the same evidence of battle. A warpstalker appears with the half-eaten body of an orc, and then disappears. There are a few krokul corpses, but not many–there are more orcs and demons. However, there are no remains of the terrorfiend that had been commanding the mine.

Rexxar winds up finding Arthak.

Rexxar takes Arthak about a half mile outside Varok’mar. There is a small cove at the foot of a series of ridges that forge camps sit atop. There is a fel river flowing past into the canyon of Hellfire Citadel, and Nisha and the rest of Rexxar’s beast companions are around a small camp.

Huelo, Rexxar’s wolf, is there laying on his side. He doesn’t seem to be doing great, and there are wounds in his sides. Puffer, Nisha, and the other animals are all gathered around, as well as Huelo’s mate and their children.

Rexxar gestures with his head for Arthak to approach, and Arthak kneels down beside the wolf. Huelo rights himself and sits up, looking up at Arthak. He then bows his head and brings his nose over to Arthak’s stone hand and licks it, before brushing his head against it.

Arthak leans his hand into the wolf’s nuzzle, and Huelo’s dark-furred mate supports Huelo while their children gather around. Huelo withdraws and stands proud, locking eyes with Arthak, who gives a respectful nod, before the small pack of wolves howl. A few frost wolves back in Varok’mar join the howl.

Then, limping, Huelo starts to head off with his mate supporting him, and their children following in their trail.

He gestures to the wolves.

Rexxar avoids eye contact.

Rexxar holds his arm out, and Arthak clasps his arm in a firm handshake. Keepers the rat scurries onto their clasped arms, and then scurries onto Arthak’s shoulder. Arthak nods at the rat.

Arthak and Rexxar unclasp arms.

Arthak is pretty sure he’s joking.

Rexxar puts a hand on Arthak’s shoulder, and Keepers scurries back into Rexxar’s hood. They start to head back towards Varok’mar.

Outland Day 62

The next morning, the group gathers again, and Azgadaan casts teleport to head to Garadar. There is a gentle mist of rain from high clouds over the floating village. The central gathering area has already been affixed with a large pyre upon it, and there is a large wooden slab prepared.

They quickly see Summerpaw and Azuka as well as Sadras and everyone else.

Sadras shakes her head.

Sadras throws her arms around Arthak.

Sadras pulls back.

Sadras gives a sad, small smile and jabs Arthak’s arm gently.

Many of the crowd makes their way out, and the group finds themselves in the middle of a somber but memorable feast and ceremony. Food is shared, and individuals start to share stories about No’Rash. Many of those present knew of him for one reason or another.

As the food and drink empties, the stories begin to slow to a trickle. Go’el looks to Palkar and some of the other Frostwolves and nods. They retreat, and a few moments later, Sadras, Go’el, Palkar, and Azuka return bearing the wooden platform with No’Rash on it. He had been clothed in clefthoof leathers–light and simple. He is placed upon the large pyre.

Kroll steps forward.

A handful of shamans step into a loose circle around the pyre. They all raise their hands, and wind whips around the area, and with it, sand spirals into the air. As it does, the shamans open water skins and trails of water join up with the particles of earth. In a burst of elemental energy, it starts to snow.

Some of the older shamans take buckets with more sand–sand that has a violet color. It’s the same debris that had blown in from the Frostwind Desert when they were on the train. They offer the sand to anyone that would take it to provide it as an offering and a send off.

Everyone says some words–and Palkar throws the first handful onto the pyre.

Nyxxa approaches with the hairstick she had made for No’Rash, as well as a handful of sand.

She places them on the pyre and turns away. Rexxar then approaches with a large handful of the sand. He tosses it in. Then there’s a second handful.

He gives two gentle pounds of his fist on his chest, and turns away.

Lokra approaches with Karg. Karg is barely able to speak through his tears. Lokra looks up at the falling snow.

She throws the sand on the pyre, and squeezes her mate’s shoulder before wheeling him away.

Sadras goes up with a smile and tears in her eyes. She balances the massive club on her shoulder.

She drops her handful of sand on the pyre.

Nitrogg then approaches.

He pours a small string of alcohol onto the wood from his flask.

He takes his own swig and throws his and on the pure. Lantresor approaches and says nothing, simply bowing his head and sprinkling his sand delicately.

Levia grips her hands tightly as she approaches.

She springs her sand. Azgadaan approaches then.

Azgadaan sprinkles his handful of sand.

Azuka then approaches and says nothing. She stares at No’Rash for a long while, before sprinkling her sand. Veena follows after her, and holds her hand out–a sprig of a root-like flower appears in it, one that grew on the side of the type of tree his club was made from. She detaches it, and places it on the pyre.

Go’el then approaches.

Go’el sprinkles his sand as well.

Arthak is one of the last that approaches.

Arthak pours his sand onto the pyre. As Arthak steps away from the pyre, Kroll approaches him.

He holds a torch out to Arthak, but Arthak pulls out Champion’s Forge and drives the sword into the side of the kindling instead. He activates his fire rune, and the flaming chains wrap around No’Rash and weave through the pyre. They erupt into fire, igniting the pyre. It burns for a long while as the crowd disperses.

Eventually, the fire will subside–Champion’s Forge still in the side of the pyre. Arthak retrieves his sword, and some ashes from the pyre, which he tucks into a pouch on his belt.

Arthak nods.

He withdraws a small piece of parchment and hands it over to Arthak. As Arthak unravels it, it looks to be a eulogy of sorts.

As Arthak reads over it, it almost feels like he can hear No’Rash’s voice in his mind, and he reads it out to the other members of the warband.

“To those it may concern,

A great change is coming. Soon, all of our destinies will collide and determine the fate of the Orcs...and of each other. As I sit here, contemplating, I cannot shake this feeling that I have. The same that I have felt before in battles past. Some of us will not return from this fight. I hope I am wrong but over the years I have learned to trust this feeling. In case I should be the one to fall, I wish to leave behind my sentiments, for what they are worth:

Halno,

You are a complex being. You are a mix of life and shadow into one vessel. In some ways, I am wary of the power that you wield and the restraint that you lack. On the other hand, I pity that this is the state in which you must carry on. Perhaps, if you should fall, your soul will finally be at rest. If nothing else, I should thank you. Were it not for your loquacious tongue, I may never have come to want something other than my death. If you survive, I owe you a blow to the jaw.

Levia,

We have spoken little, but nonetheless, I have seen everyday how much you mean to this warband. I know not your past, but I must assume that you are estranged from your people, and for that, I am sorry. I know the toll it takes on one who chooses isolation. Regardless of what brought you here, who you are now is what matters. Live for today, young one. You are wanted here.”

Levia fights back some tears.

Azgadaan sighs.

Azuka presses her forehead against Arthak’s back.

“Go'el,

I have been both happy and ashamed to spend time with you again, my old friend. I left you when you needed others most. I should have been there to shoulder the burden of your losses. I was not, and I will regret that forever. But you are strong, Go'el. I knew it ever since I first laid eyes on you as you left your mother's womb. You are everything that I am not. I know Draka and Durotan watch you proudly from the great realm beyond. And should I ever join them, I will too.”

Go’el closes his eyes as the last of the snowflakes trickle away, and he smiles.

“Sadras,

Facing you again was one of the hardest things I have ever done. You, who are so decent and kind, saw fit to forgive me for my crime. I do not deserve you, my Sada, but I am ever grateful to witness the wonderful person you have become. If I had born children into this world, I would have been blessed to have a daughter such as you. I know Lokra and Karg are. Should I fall in the coming fight, I wish for you to have Hardskin. It will do well in the hands of someone who is better for this world than I. And in case I don't get the chance to say it again: I love you.”

Sadras tries her best to not burst into sobs.

Nyxxa has been holding it together, but she starts to sob quietly. Azgadaan puts a hand on her shoulder, and Levia puts a hand on the other.

“Arthak,

You and I are more alike than you know. For every way in which we have triumphed, so too have we committed atrocities. We each have so much blood on our hands that we have convinced ourselves that we left no room in each our hearts for good. For so long, I have believed this. Though to some extent, I still do, you have helped me see that perhaps this putrid heart of mine still has room for more than just grief and sorrow. And as I said, you are not much different. Though you are content to see yourself as a cold, unforgivable creature, I see more in your soul than just these things. Surely, one so unforgivable would not have led a clan this far, to the end of this journey, and the end of mine. If my words mean anything, I hope they get through your hardened exterior. Perhaps then, your life will mean more than what it is for one to suffer.“

Arthak closes his eyes for a moment.

“Aka'Magosh, warband.

No'Rash of the Broken Blade”

The group looks up at the endless expanse of the Twisting Nether overhead, and eventually, each of the group retires for the evening. Arthak opts to stay by the pyre for the night.

This page was last edited on December 24, 2021, at 03:00 PM

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