SHC Recruitment (Ogrim)

[Gauls]

Brightening 15, Cryxatum; Era II of the Celestial Mandate

A blackened suit of ringmail, a medium red and black shield customized with bladed edges and the clan symbol on the face, a spear, a helmet, and a light crossbow. These are the standard weapons of the Skull Hammer Clan (or SHC). It has been eras since an orc has been seen wearing these items but low and behold, cresting a rise in a field just outside the Orckon Forest (west of Ire), there came a band of orcs numbering about 16. They are led by a tenacious orc intent on regaining the clans honor and fulfilling the requirements placed upon the SHC by Orckon. Ogrim, plus 15 other able bodied orcs of the clan are all that is left of a clan that has seen death from battle, disease, and starvation on grand scales reducing a clan numbering in thousands down to around a hundred or less. Now it was more important than ever to get more members into the clan to bring it back from the brink.

The suns of Aelyria shown down upon the group as they leave the protection and shade of the forest into a large open field. Far to the west are the trade routes that run along the coast down to the Narim ruins and northward into Enamoria, birthplace of the SHC. Beyond the trade road is the coast. It is alot of open space to be treading across for orcs but luckily, Orckon controls these lands all the way to the coast. The chances of running into Imperial forces is nill and really the only worries are the bandits that roam unchecked throughout the provence. It is not likely they would bother a patrol of orcs anyway.

A patrol is what the orcs said they were on their way to conduct in order to get away from the Ire area where all orcs were being snatched up for war training. The SHC had to get away to look for potential recruits to add to their clan or else risk being kicked out of their stronghold in the city or worse.

"Nar too far now." one of the orcs said to their leader. "Urak clan not but little ways on west side of trade road. Der dey maybe hab warriors dat kin' help us."

The group trudged on in the open fields hoping not to draw any unwanted attention. Risking the loss of even one of the last SHC orcs would be disastrous.

[Ogrim]

Striding from the city of Orckon, Ogrim’s usual attire of skins and pelts were abandoned in favor of a more uniform look, the clan’s armor sat upon his broad shoulders naturally. Eschewing the use of a spear and crossbow, Ogrim had his own battered sword strapped to his hip though the Skull Hammer adorned shield was clutched in his right hand.

Moving with intent through the open fields of Orckon territory, Ogrim instructed two orc’s with the keenest eyes to act as outriders. They shadowed the group’s flanks at a distance yet they were still close enough to alert the party of threats. Their crossbows were loaded should an overtly hostile threat present itself.

Nodding to his effective second in command as he informed Ogrim that they were approaching a free clan’s grounds, the one eyed uruk growled a command; ” Deze ladz will not wanna be bullied. If dere gonna be a fight, I do da fightin’.”

Loosening his dotanuki, Ogrim gripped the weapons hilt though did not unsheathe it. His pace slowed and became more deliberate, his senses concentrated on his environment as the orc’s spread into a skirmish line instinctively.

”Be ready ladz.” he murmured as the group advanced.

[Gauls]

The orcs traveled over the open fields until finally gaining sight of the north-south trade route leading up into Enamoria. The day was waining as the suns began to set. Straight ahead in the distance just on the other side (west) of the road, there stood a figure on a mount. It appeared to be a worg and rider though they were still too far away to see it clearly.

Was it another patrol from Orckon? Was it going to be friendly or spring toward the group to fight? Regardless, the group was now spotted. How they reacted might have implications how this lone scout reacts.

Ogrim and his group were in a field with no cover. There was nothing to either flank as his keen watchers observed and there was no way to sprint back to the trees behind them before the worg would be upon them. The only way was forward another 500 yards or so to the road. A light smoke could be seen just out of sight a little farther from where the scout was standing. This could be from camp fires of the clan they were seeking or from a burning wrecked caravan left over from the last poor souls that got too close to this scout and any other unseen foes just out of sight over the horizon.

The orcs with Ogrim were not the poor emaciated souls that were left over from the stronghold but healthy orcs that could be reasonably relied upon if a fight were imminent. They were untested though as far as Ogrim was concerned and losing the cream of your clan's crop would make it nearly impossible for Ogrim to return to the clan. The shame would be too great.

The worg rider stood waiting as if to see what the group was going to do.

[Ogrim]

Barking an order, Ogrim commanded his clansmen to halt. Raising his shield arm, the uruk displayed the clan’s colors and held his weapon at his side in a sign that conflict was undesirable. Holding his arm aloft for a few more moments, Ogrim lowered it slowly and began to walk directly toward the worg rider and the smoke that rose lazily into the air behind him. With a gesture he re-called the two orc’s that flanked the group. By relaxing their stance and formation, Ogrim hoped that the worg rider would understand his intentions.

As the cadre strode through the field, the one eyed uruk bade his warriors keep aware of any change in wind, any sudden silence that might alert them to a sudden attack while Ogrim himself observed the lone orc in the distance. Once within shouting distance, Ogrim addressed the rider; "Ashdautas Vrasubatlat", and waited for the usual reply.

[Gauls]

With a sigh of relief, the orcs with Ogrim looked to him after hearing what they wanted to hear from the worg rider: "Nar Udautas"

The worg rider lept away just over the horizon out of sight. After a few moments, a drum and horn could be heard. These were not the sounds of a raiding party but that of a village announcing visitors. A few heads appeared coming up toward the road then bodies could be made out. They were orcs. First a few, then handfuls.

"Wud lat wan' it us? Wan' take us ta Orckon? Lat better go oder way an' nar waste our time!"

The welcome was not as warming as the group would have wanted, perhaps this clan had already been hit up by the recruiters from Orckon. Or maybe with their attitudes it was possible that they hadn't and this could be an untapped source of recruits. That is if they could get past the stubborn orcs now challenging Ogrim and his group.

[Ogrim]

Ogrim felt rather than heard the relief elicited from his group as the worg rider replied. Soon muffled drums and horns could be heard and a group of orc’s appeared from over the hill, no settlement could be seen as of yet. Ogrim heard what they had to say and had to clamp down on his tongue lest his retort is too offensive and he alienates the free clan completely.

”I wanna speak to ur Krual. I am Ogrim, Krual of da Skull Hammer clan, hosted in Orckon an’ I wanna make ‘im an offer.”

The situation was delicate. Obviously this clan had already been approached by others intent on enticing or forcing them to join their numbers and bolster their fighting strength. Forcing these uruks to join with violence would be sheer lunacy. Ogrim, at this point, could see two possible ways, a personal fight for leadership of the free clan between himself and the existing Krual or forming a partnership with the clan during war time that could benefit both parties involved. Ogrim favored the later as even if he was able to defeat the chief, there was nothing to stop his subordinates from slaughtering the Skull Hammer uruks afterward.

[Gauls]

"Heh, really? Wud make lat tink kraul wanna speak wit dis group?" one orc replied. "Ju from Orckon, we already say dat urak from Orckon wasting time here. We free clan ju nar..."

The orc was cut off by another voice that came from behind the orc that was speaking.

"Ju say Skull Hammer Clan?"

Up over the rise came a female orc. Looking late in her age she had to be the clan matriarch though it was hard to tell with these free clans. They spend so much of their time out in the wild that the females skin tends to weather alot worse than an orc female that spends all her days in the comforts of a city.

"Rot clan come from Enamoria. Rot clan jus' here ta trade wit Narim forces dat tradin' der war spoils for supply. Rot clan knows of da Skull Hammer Clan. Everyone know da home where da SHC born."

As the female spoke, one of Ogrim's orcs came to his side and said, "Dat her. Dis da urak I tell ya of bolg."

"Where hab da SHC gone all dees eras? Why da SHC not come home? Why da SHC bottle clan up in da stone city of Orckon while da real home of da SHC fill wit shara soldiers an' push out all us urak forcin' urak ta come ta Sheria?" the female asked.

[Ogrim]

”Da Skull Hammers be locked in Orckon. Da Pardahuan not let uz out. Now we out and lookin’ to build more strength for da war wif da shara.”

Ogrim was aware that this kind of discussion was best had behind closed doors. Clan-orcs were not privy to sensitive information for good reason. Such information could be construed as a weakness or a loss of face. Stalking closer to the matriarch, Ogrim spoke to her in a low tone so that others would not hear them.

”If ju know da Skull Hammers, ju know we don’t forget our kin. Dere iz war coming, any uruk’s dat outside da city will be easy meat for da shara and dere allies. Da Skull Hammers can provide a place in da city for protection. We gonna talk more or wot?”

Ogrim knew his point of view had logic behind it. The area surrounding Orckon would become an Imperial controlled territory once the war began in earnest and any free clan’s outside would be either exterminated or driven off. As part of one of the hosted clans in the city was not just a position of strength, it was also a position of honor and great face.

[Gauls]

The female nodded. she knew too well what Ogrim was getting at.

"Da Rot clan already pushed out of Enamoria. Rot clan now live on side of da road waitin' fer da traveler ta trade wit. Dis no way ta live."

The female matriarch was visibly disturbed at the current state that her clan is forced to be in. It as also clear that she was torn between agreeing with Ogrim's request for protection and the fear that their lives within the city on the brink of a war cannot be good for the future of her clan especially if the city falls.

"How lat tink ju can protect da Rot Clan? If da city fall, we all slaughtered. Dat not protection."

One of the orcs next to her snickered at Ogrim's suggestion.

[Ogrim]

”Dat no way for a clan to live. Tradin’ on da side of da road like a stinkin’ shara.”

Ogrim looked straight at the orc that sniggered and virtually spat the last words at him. He knew that being compared to a pink skin would hurt the pride of the orc and the clan. Hoping to push the matriarch’s indecision over to his side, Ogrim quickly strengthened his arguments.

”When da shara come through here dey will not trade. Dey will kill ju. Dats what dey are intent on.

In da stronghold ju can be wif uvver uruks. When da war comes ju can fight wif our clan and when we win, and we will win, den you can decid to leave and continue to trade like da weak shara, or stay wif us in da stronghold. Either way, if ju wanna talk more, den we go somewhere private. Too many fools ‘round ‘ere.”

[Gauls]

One of the orcs that was standing next to the matriarch hissed when Ogrim suggested going someplace quiet so they could discuss the proposal further.

"Go hide in secret so ju can cast da spell on our Krual..."

"Hush!" the female snapped as she turned to lead Ogrim toward the camp.

Walking over the road toward the camp it finally came into view as they group got closer. It was a clustering of animal hide tents all setup in a circle around a much larger tent in the center. To the right of the camp was a makeshift rail fence which housed a handful of worgs. On the left side of the camp was another field where a small group of sheep were banded together eating the field grasses. Camp fire smoke trailed up into the air and orcs wandered here and there appearing and disappearing in and out of the various tents. It looked to be a clan of at least 500 orcs judging by the number of tents.

The female orc led the SHC group through the camp toward the central meeting tent. As they passed the various tents, orcs would look upon them. Some would even wave as they saw the SHC as fellow Enamorian orcs and perhaps even distant related. The group now faced the large tent and an orc threw back the tent flap to allow them in.

"Nar, urak wait outside." the orc said after letting the matriarch in and seeing Ogrim and his group waiting to enter. "Bolg only".

After Ogrim enters the tent, he'll notice that the air turns very stuffy. The smell of leather and moist cloth filled the senses from all of the sets of leather armor, hardened leather shields, war tunics, flags, etc. that were strewn around the tent floor or set upon small tables in various spots around the tent walls. There were no chairs but there was a large rug that was situated at the center of the tent. The matriarch now stood on the rug and motioned for Ogrim to appraoch and sit. She would follow suit.

Now only the female orc and one guard that stands at the door are the only others besides Ogrim in the tent. The matriarch picks up a leather water skin and takes a drink. She then offers Ogrim the skin.

"Please drink an' tell me why ju need da Rot clan? Rot clan only hab 500 urak, maybe 125 warriors. Methinks 375 whelp, gru, an' old urak not benefit Skull Hammers much when SHC need warriors ta fight war. Wud da Rot clan git from riskin' own clan's existence?"

The female orc was smart in asking questions and the enevitable "What's in it for me" answer could sway her thinking.

[Ogrim]

Walking through the camp, Ogrim saw that though it was relatively few in number, the people were healthy and happy for now. He returned the waves he got, hoping to build a rapport with the clan members if they were to join. Ducking to enter the hide tent, he seated himself at the invitation of the krual on the rug before taking the wineskin and taking a deep slug though he was not at all thirsty. Grunting his thanks, he handed the wineskin back to the krual and let her begin the discussion.

”Da Skull Hammer Clan has had hard times. Da clan been killed off because of da plague. Now only small amount uruks be left in da clan. But, even though we got not many uruk, we have a fortress and a place as one of da seven hosted clans in Orckon.

If you know da Skull Hammer Clan den you know dat we have a history of joining wif other clans to make dem both stronger. Da Skull Hammer’s were created from da Bone Hammers and da Skull clan. Da leader, Hazbones led both clans to strength and honor amongst the Orckon horde.

What I ask is for da Rot clan to join da Skull Hammers in Orckon. As a free clan you have no grounds to call ju own, with us you can. As a free clan ju can only depend on yourselves for protection, in Orckon you can depend on da whole city and every uruk in it.

I offer ju a fortress and home. No more ju gotta fight to survive in da wild. No more just gotta be raided by other clans. In return we get uruks ta build da clan up again. As elder ju voice be heard in decisions. Da war is coming for better or worse. Ju outside da city, already forced form Enamoria, will be easy meat for da shara. I ask ju join da clan, defend our city and gain status dat ju would never have.”

Ogrim had make the preliminary offer. He knew details would need to be hammered out but hoped that it was initially attractive to the Krual.

[Gauls]

The matriarch was wise to the status that is necessary to have in the city of Orckon. Out in the wild, a free clan had its own status and the matriarch was not keen to let her status be taken from her by the elders in the SHC.

"Ju say dat me voice be heard in decisions. Me wan' voice dat rules over SHC elders voice when dey speakin' ta Rot Clan urak!"

It was petty leadership squabbling but for an elder female, taking her place within a clan was like a young male fighting for top spot within his mob. It was not something to be taken lightly. No orc would ever agree to lowering the status that they had rightfully gained. Appeasing this request would no doubt challenge the current SHC elder's total authority of the clan but something needed to be done to accommodate the Rot Clan elder or else this was going to be the end of discussions.

[Ogrim]

Ogrim nodded in agreement. Had he been in the same position he would’ve said exactly the same thing. He had assumed leadership relatively easily and under normal circumstances, would’ve been expected to go through era of personal one-upmanship to get to where he was. Still, though leadership had come easily to him, there was the other issue of rebuilding the clan which was to prove very testing indeed.

”Ju wanna control ur uruks if ju decide ta join. Dat iz fair. If ju join den you ‘ave final say on wot ‘appens wif ur uruks. But ju gotta know dat ju cannot act wif out Skull Hammer words az well. Dis gonna be a partnership if ju join.”

“Wif clan matters ju control ur boys. In times of war I make da plans an ju have say az well. On da field of battle, I say wot iz wot.”

Though it may sting the Krual’s pride, Ogrim knew that unless matters were dire, they would not see the battlefield and could not be expected to make quick tactical decisions. Though the females held the clan together at home, it was the males that made war and ended conflict.

[Gauls]

The Krual nodded as well. What Ogrim said made sense. A simple grunt was all that Ogrim needed to hear for confirmation. Getting the other Rot Clan males to go along was another matter. If they were not persuaded as Ogrim had done with the female elder, they could easily within their own right break off into their own mobs and leave the Rot Clan altogether.

"As lat know, urak not all wanna go inta da stone city. Dey simple uraks. Not take lightly ta big city urak pushin' dim around nar lookin' down upon dim. Me go outside ta announce to da clan wud we do now. Der gonna be dos dat nar like da idea! Ju stay here."

With that, the elder rose and walked toward the tent doorway. She made one more look over her shoulder at Ogrim with a look of concern knowing that she was about to lose the liking of some of her clan with this decision. She then ducked out of the tent. Tense moments passed within the tent where Ogrim was waiting and only muffled voices could be heard outside. A great roar of dread exploded from outside. Angry cries rose up and it sounded like a scuffle was going on.

One of Ogrim's SHC orcs poked his head into the tent and yelled at Ogrim, "Bolg, lat better see dis!"