[Horde] Chapter Four: Session Forty-Six

Appearing Characters: Aracyra, Arthak Saurfang, Azgadaan, Azuka Stormbreaker, Blackhand, Garrosh Hellscream, Go'el, Gramgun Laughingeye, Gul'dan, Halno, Jorin Deadeye, Jubei'thos, Kaznada, Levia Blackflight, Mahka, Mankrik, Nitrogg Thundertower, Nyxxa, Rexxar, Rokara, Sadras, Sagaz, Shaspira, Thura Saurfang, Varok Saurfang

September 14th

Many of the clan approach the group to welcome them home after their adventure into Outland. Over time, the group disperses, leaving only the core leadership.

Thura nods.

Gramgun claps a hand on Arthak’s shoulder.

Nyxxa glances at Arthak. Maka smiles.

Gramgun smirks.

He elbows Arthak in the side, but then he winces and grabs his elbow. He squints.

Nyxxa crosses her arms.

All of the orcs blink.

He laughs. Mankrik looks slightly disappointed.

Thura had been looking at Nitrogg and Rexxar.

He smirks.

He looks at Thura, who nods.

Rexxar nods and gives a grunt of acknowledgement. Somehow, some of his beasts had already started to filter into the village despite the fact they had not followed them through the tree. Puffer had already found a puddle of mud.

Mahka smiles.

The other orcs nod.

Gramgun winks at him, and Arthak closes his remaining eye in response.

The group starts to disperse. While it’s not particularly cold outside, it is quite toasty inside the main buildings and it seems there had been quite a bit of work in building up Gramgun’kur while they were gone.

Go’el and Arthak hang back together as the group moves.

Go’el smiles and puts a hand on Arthak’s shoulder.

Go’el squeezes his shoulder.

Go’el also bids farewell to the rest, and Nyxxa asks him to tell Rehgar she said hello. Go’el agrees he will, and then tells them all to relax if they can–as fruitless as that advice may have been.

Nyxxa nods.

She glances at Azgadaan and Levia.

Nyxxa nods.

Nyxxa nods.

Nyxxa nods again.

Nitrogg, Sadras, and the others also keep their heads down for the duration, Azgadaan opts to set up his mansion whenever he is able.

Arthak sends Gul’dan with the sending stone.

Arthak also asks Azgadaan to send Shaspira.

Arthak pats him on the shoulder and goes to find Halno so that he could send Shaspira instead. He finds him at his workshop with Sagaz and the other members of the small cabal he had been building. Halno sends the demoness, and she expresses she was glad to hear it–and she would like Arthak to stop over.

He looks back to his projects.

Arthak opts to make the trek to the new base of operations she had set up on Quel’danas–staying as discreet as he possibly can using the cover of evening and with Nyxxa’s help to maneuver through the woods.

The tower is well-lit, and reminiscent of many of the Archival Authority buildings. There are guards around, as well as some researchers, and they duck into the heart of the spire. There is a familiar figure as they enter–Aracyra, who seems to also be moving discretely and quietly.

She does not seem to see them, and Nyxxa gives Arthak the sign to stop.

Nyxxa uses her sending stone to inform Azgadaan that she is on the island.

They see Aracyra continue to move away, and with a wave of her hand, her shadow emerges from behind her. She kneels down, whispers something to it, and darts off into the night. She glances around suspiciously, and then she sighs and heads further in before tracing a circle in the air and stepping through the crimson portal that had appeared.

Nyxxa exhales and casts [True Seeing].

Under her cloak, her tattoos glow, and she clutches her head momentarily. However, she sees nothing left that would indicate Aracyra.

Arthak nods, and they head further into the tower. The wrathguard there sees Arthak and nods in acknowledgement.

Arthak looks at Nyxxa.

They enter, and they see a truncated version of the lobby from the Archival Authority building. There are more decorations around, and it's a bit less museum-esque. There are no attendants or guards inside, but the door at the far end opens automatically.

The duo continues through the doorway, and they feel the lift beneath their feet move. Unlike the one on Argus, this one does not go in a perfectly vertical direction–instead it moves as if navigating through a maze. After a few moment, the lift comes to a stop and opens.

They see a hallway, which has a single door at the end–already open. The suite beyond is slightly smaller than the one on Argus, and more suited for one person to live instead of multiple.

Inside is Shaspira, wearing a nice black dress with a high neck. Her back is to them.

She hadn’t turned around, and Arthak walks in–leaving Nyxxa at the door.

Nyxxa hesitates, but then enters.

Shaspira glances at Nyxxa.

Shaspira sighs.

Shaspira smiles.

She pulls out a cylindrical object in a sheath of black velvet.

With a flick of her wrist, the cylinder floats to Arthak, and he takes it. He unwraps the cylinder, revealing a smooth, steel cylinder. It’s about 4 inches long, and it has beautiful, ornate, silver filigree that surrounds the sides of it. Engraved on it is the symbol of the Horde on one side, and on the other side is the symbol of the Legion. All across it, in both orcish and eredun, are inscriptions of important words in the conversations that Shaspira and Arthak had had: duty, weight, burdens, and so forth.

There is a smirk on Shaspira’s lips.

Arthak does, and there is a spark, along with a small crimson-red flame. All the engravings also glow crimson.

Shaspira smiles.

Shaspira turns to stare back through the window of her chambers, her smile slowly fading.

Shaspira smiles again.

Arthak bows and he and Nyxxa head out. They head back into the woods to make their way back to Gramgun’kur.

Arthak lights a cigarette with his new lighter.

Nyxxa looks back at the tower they had left.

Nyxxa puts a hand on Arthak’s shoulder.

They continue in silence.

September 15th - September 16th

For the most part, the group keeps their heads low until the celebration. Halno coordinates with the cabal that had been created.

Sagaz nods.

Nyxxa had started to work on a gift for Levia and had also spent some time with Sadras. However, Sadras had come to find her on one of the days.

Nyxxa nods.

Sadras smiles. There is a sadness there, but she seems to be working through it. She puts a hand on Nyxxa’s shoulder.

Nyxxa nods and puts her things away before going off with Sadras. The group she sees gathered is fairly large. Azuka had gotten dragged along, along with Mother Kaza’s granddaughter–Kaznada–and many others. One unfamiliar voice speaks up.

Nyxxa sees a wirey, muscular female orc with a wide grin and a steep black mohawk.

Nyxxa holds out her hand, and Rokara smirks and pulls Nyxxa into a hug.

Nyxxa looks at Sadras.

Sadras looks between then, and something clicks.

Rokara puts her hands on her sides and belly laughs.

Nyxxa goes into her explanation in the group of mixed age women.

One morning Gramgun finds Arthak to inform him Gul’dan had arrived and was awaiting him outside. Arthak had been basically existing on micro-naps, but he gets himself together and heads outside.

Gul’dan smiles as he sees Arthak.

He gestures to the camp of scarkvyn that had set themselves up near the village.

Gul’dan gestures for Arthak to follow as they head to walk in private.

Gul’dan nods.

Arthak nods and shifts his cloak so he can see the hammer, and his new hand. Gul’dan’s eyes widen, and then he laughs.

Gul’dan smiles and starts to cast fel magic.

He disappears in a flurry of fel fire.

Arthak spends the rest of the days attempting to meditate and connect with the ancestors. He does not receive any sort of omen or proof that he is following the right course of action. There is no secret message or guidance, but then again, the days he spends with his clan, his people, and those he built all of this with… perhaps there was an answer to be found in that even if it wasn’t the one he was searching for.

It was the last days of his time as the chieftain of the Broken Blade, one way or another.

There is a comfort that comes to him, even if it is not in the spiritual sense.

However, he visits Varok in a dreamscape–opening up the scene on top of the tower he had spoken to Garrosh at, but now it is placed in Hellfire Peninsula and surrounded with the corpse of Gruul and other things Arthak had overcome. The scene includes the corpse of Mannoroth.

Then Varok appears and ascends the stairs. He looks around at the countless broken weapons and corpses and dreams.

He looks around.

Varok also looks around more thoroughly.

Arthak tries to block the view of Mannoroth.

Varok stops, and he sees Gruul’s broken body first. He recognizes it.

Varok turns and looks at Arthak.

He shifts his cloak and reveals his hand and the Doomhammer.

Varok nods.

Varok looks down, and he looks his age–tired and worn.

He gestures around, and his eyes fall on Mannoroth, but he doesn’t seem to recognize it.

Varok offers a dispirited chuckle.

Varok nods.

Varok chuffs quietly.

Arthak offers his hand, and Varok looks to it, and they clasp arms. He then pushes his forehead against Arthak’s, their braids brushing. After a moment, Varok chuffs again.

He starts to laugh.

September 17th

The next morning, the group boards a ship to head towards the mainland. When they arrive, they can feel their blood bumping to the rhythm of the drumbeats that seem to be echoing through all of Silvermoon City. In the year since its fall, much of it had been resettled by various orc groups–though the war had branched beyond, clans had carved out sections of the city that have since grown more secure.

Many had returned for the celebration. The majority remained on the warfront, but many clan leaders or their representatives had made it back. There had been a toll, an evident one, but regardless, there is the trace of a more positive atmosphere. There are smells of cooked meats and meads, as well as the light sea breeze.

The majority of those present would be meeting at an address by the warchief in the evening: at the tower that Gul’dan had made his base of operations, in the Court of the Sun.

The feasting and festivities had already begun--fires cooking large beasts and mead flowing freely as clans share bounties with their kin. Nyxxa is fairly certain no one had recognized Arthak, but she sees familiar faces: several warriors that had fought alongside them on Ashran. They had been with Ger’hel.

Arthak nods.

They have a bit of time, as the Warchief nor Gul’dan had yet to arrive. Azgadaan had disguised himself so as not to stand out in the crowd.

As the sun begins to set, suddenly they hear cheering and excitement in the crowd. Blackhand steps out first--exiting from the entrance to the palace of the high elves. Multiple orcs flank him, including Varok. But Rend is not there.

Gul’dan trails just behind, and a circle in the crowd opens to give Blackhand an area to address everyone. Gul’dan joins him at the center, and he does not make eye contact with Arthak, but there is a faint grin as his eyes scan over the crowd.

Blackhand raises his magma-covered fist and strapped to his back is the Doomhammer--or rather, what everyone else believes to be the Doomhammer. Arthak sees Jorin in the crowd, as well as Jubei’thos. However, he does not see Go’el, and several other chieftains that are a bit less likely to draw attention to themselves.

Sadras and Thura give Arthak looks of good luck.

Gul’dan steps forward, starting the address.

Gul’dan looks around and smiles.

There is a chorus of cheers from the crowd, and then quiets again.

Blackhand opens his mouth to speak, but Gul’dan raises a finger.

Blackhand moves towards Gul’dan.

Arthak takes a step forward. Eyes swirl to the the orc that had left the crowd.

Gul’dan smiles.

Gul’dan backs away, giving the two orcs room in the cleared circle.

He pulls back the cowl that he had over his head.

Blackhand spits on the ground.

Arthak pulls out a cigarette and lights it as he strolls forward, letting the height change become obvious.

Arthak shrugs aside his cloak, revealing both his new hand, and the Doomhammer, which he raises into the air.

The Doomhammer begins to glow, a representation of Arthak’s connection with it.

There are growls and whispers and chatter that spreads through the Horde that had gathered around them.

Blackhand looks around, looking at the crowd of orcs–who seem to be getting louder and more discordant in anger and rage.

The might of the shout does blunt the growing voice, and he takes his own hammer. He reaches onto his arm and pulls a lever on it. There is screeching of metal, and the clamping of steel.

He starts to cough, but roars through the coughing fit. He drops into a battle stance, and the crowd spreads out--opening the circle as they all pound their chests and chant for mok’gora.

The two orcs eye each other down, preparing themselves, and then Arthak starts to grow.

Arthak hurls the hammer at Blackhand’s face as he uses stormbolt, and Blackhand is able to block the hammer with his blackened fist–but the hammer returns to Arthak’s hand. He throws it again, but Blackhand narrowly evades it. As the hammer returns to Arthak, it strikes Blackhand in the back.

Arthak activates his fire rune on the connection, but Blackhand breaks free from the fiery chains–and the flame seems to get absorbed into his armor. Blackhand charges at Arthak.

He swings his hammer down on the grown, and there is a resounding crack as the earth beneath them is shattered. Arthak is able to hold his footing, but many of the spectators are thrown back--including Nyxxa and Halno.

He then goes to swing into Arthak–pushing through the pain. The first strike misses, and Arthak tries to rip his weapon away. It sails out of his hand, and as Arthak reaches to grab it, he sees the chain on it tighten and bring it back to Blackhand’s hand. He uses the momentum to bring the hammer down.

Arthak swings in return and activates his frost rune–as he strikes him, he feels the heat of Blackhand’s armor wash over him. Blackhand is brought to the ground–knocked prone from the impact. Arthak grapples him, bringing his full size to bear as he plants his knee on top of the warchief and brings the hammer down again. Blackhand swings and hits him in the side in retribution and tries to shove Arthak off–again trying to push through, but the sheer pain in his chest leaves him helpless as he starts to cough. Arthak seizes the opportunity and swings again, and again, and again.

Blackhand manages to push through the pain and shoves Arthak off him, getting back to his feet as he backs off the massive orc. He spits some blood on the ground, and Arthak pats out some of the fires that had started on his clothes before closing again. With another three solid hits, he connects, but on the third hit Blackhand rolls with the strike, using momentum to leap back at Arthak.

Blackhand roars, but Arthak catches his hammer and shoves it back–completely ruining the barrage. Arthak swings, and as the Doomhammer connects, Blackhand tries to swing again–but Arthak grabs the hammer and uses the momentum to bring the Doomhammer down. He gets a perfect hit, and Arthak feels Blackhand’s armor buckle, but it deflects most of the blow aside.

The crowd is going wild.

Blackhand swings, and the hammer deflects off his armor, but then he swings around and manages to land a strong blow in Arthak’s side. He then punches Arthak in the face, but the larger orc is able to shake it off.

They are both bloodied and panting.

Arthak swings the Doomhammer, nearly dropping Blackhand with a firm blow against the side of the head before the Warchief responds with another desperate strike. Arthak takes the blow, and Arthak raises the Doomhammer in the air and brings it crashing down on Blackhand. Blackhand tries to catch the hammer with his stone hand, but it cracks–shattering his arm down to his elbow as Arthak brings the hammer straight on his collar bone.

Blackhand’s bones crunch as he falls, his breathing labored. One of his eyes is swollen, and blood is streaking down both of their faces.

Blackhand looks Arthak in the eye, struggling for breath and energy as the life drains from his limbs. He waits.

Arthak nods, and then looks across the crowd–taking in everything. Dal’rend was still not there.

Arthak brings the Doomhammer down, and Blackhand crumples fully–the blood pooling across the stone–and the flames of his armor start to sputter out.

Gul’dan steps forward as Arthak shrinks to his normal size.

He raises Arthak’s molten fist into the air, and the crowd cheers. But then the cheering starts to die. First to the north, but then it spreads.

A figure, cowled, and covered in long, brown cloak steps out. He is clapping slowly, but firmly.

Arthak and Gul’dan look behind them, and they see the figure--Garrosh Hellscream standing amidst the circle, looking at Arthak with an incendiary smile.

This page was last edited on February 01, 2022, at 04:06 PM

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“We may have been given pushes, talked to, lied to, manipulated, all of it, but we made our choices. It does me no favors, but I will not walk away from the responsibility of this. If it wasn’t a choice, what would it matter? For good or ill. What would any of this matter if this wasn’t a choice. Especially in the face of death.”

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