Moria, Thrakburzum Commons This room is vast, vaguely semicircular or triangular in shape, the ceiling forty feet high, or more, stained black by the soot from torches and from the fire-pit, surrounded by a grill of iron spikes pointed outward, that centers the hall. The room itself is maybe five hundred feet from gate to throne, if not more; the roof is supported by thick pillars, of dwarven design, relatively undefiled (for their task of bearing the roof is too important to risk). At the corner of the room, where the walls come together, there rises the massive gray-stone Chieftain's throne, uncarven, simply cut and polished in the form of a large, raised seat. Along either long, curved wall at whose intersection the throne is placed, there are doorways that yawn into similar vast chambers, filled with bustling uruks. The room is filled by busy uruks, whether Guards in tight groups, patrolling the chamber or moving through it to meet elsewhere, or Slavers with whips, driving snagas to their destinations, or Foresters, or Herders, bearing wood, meat, skins, furs; orcs of every stripe and class move through this chamber, conducting business, eyes shifty, or thrusting meat spitted on sticks into the great fire, and scampering off whenever a Guard patrol comes nearby. The temperature of this chamber is unnaturally high, both from the fire and the heat of orcish bodies. Yet lining the wall with military precision, a guard is kept on this chamber at all times, and rotated frequently; where orcs are gathered, there lies the danger of civil disorder. A set of double iron doors leads North to the Officers' Quarters. Contents: Khartzog Wurpox Zijgrak Talashakh's Throne(#23906Ca) Obvious exits: North leads to Thrakburzum Officers' Quarters SouthEast leads to Durin's Way - West [Khartzog(#29717)] A strange silence falls over the orcs near the entrance of the Thrakbruzum Commons as the beastly form of the Master Hammerer strides in. His arms swing freely, unburnded by axe or shield. Khartzog enters just far enough to become encircled by orcs, he puts his hands in front of him, and bellows, "I wish to see the Talashakh of the Thrakburzum!" [Wurpox(#25602)]   Hooting, hollering, and every other manner of dog-called revelry thickens, then dissipates in waves from the epicenter of the hammerer's arrival. Wurpox's guard-boosters both dart out from under him. A short span of weightlessness preceeds a cushy-tushy *SLAP*, announcing the new juicer's arrival on the floor. He doubles over and clutches at his tail bone. [Zijgrak(#24843)] The crowd of revelers rapidly flows to the back of the Commons as the Master Hammerer bellows out his demand. The two guards that hold Wurpox on their shoulders deposit him none to gently on the ground and wield their weapons. "Nah, begone from here, guards," the uruk-hai says from his throne. Grudgingly, the guards put their weapons away and begin to herd the crowd into the Officers' Quarters. Wurpox is left, as is Zijgrak, who sits upon his throne with a scowl on his face. "Look up and you shall see the Talashakh of the mighty Thrakburzum... Khartzog, is it? I have heard much about you..." His voice trails off, an obvious invitation for Khartzog to state his case. Gurstaka roars his approval of the celebration, downing a half a mug of foul uruk brew in celebration to the new member of the Thrakburzum. The noise in the room is quite defeaning as all ranks of the greatest tribe in Moria congratulate the new arrival. Gurstaka himself is enjoying himself, his apparant victories over the last few days buoying his spirits. The revelry is disrupted however, by the entry of the Master Hammerer, who looks like he is on a mission. Interested, he sidles closer to the Talashakh's side, his hands on his hips as stares at the Morghash who dares enter the commons in such a defiant fashion. [Khartzog(#29717)] Eyes darting from orc to orc, Khartzog's attention moves from them as they begin to move away and comes to rest upon the Thrakburzum Talashakh. He approaches Zijgrak slowly, hands still before him. "Talashakh," he says, "It is my desire to speak with you in less public conidtions." The Master Hammerer stops a few feet short of the Talashakh's throne and kneels. [Zijgrak(#24843)] The Talashakh does not answer for a long time, and indeed it seems he is ignoring Khartzog. Then, after several minutes of silence, and unease, he speaks, his voice low and threatening, "What is it that you have to say that cannot be spoken in the midst of my loyal uruks? You are lucky I do not behead you right now, for your insolence, for disturbing a Thrakburzum celebration, and for the other trouble you have caused that I have heard about. State your case quickly, or you shall lose your tongue, and perhaps more. I will then decide if the matter requires privacy." [Wurpox(#25602)]  Still preztled on the floor, Wurpox clutches his rear, vigorously rubbing blood back into his hind cheeks. The forboding tones of the more important orcs go as yet unnoticed by the new juicer. Gurstaka scowls at the master hammerer, bringing himself foward to involve himself in the conversation "What right do you have to make demands of our great Talashakh, treating him as if he is a servant to your wants?" he growls at Khartzog. "How dare you come onto Thrakburzum ground and act this way? You will be lucky if our Chieftain allows you to leave this place intact. Scowling, he lets one hand drift down to the mace at his waist, content in the knowledge that dozens of like minded uruks surround him. [Khartzog(#29717)] "So they do not lie," Khartzog murmers, standing, "I am an enemy of your tribe," his voice louder so that all may hear. Arms folding over his chest, he rests his weight upon his heels, eyes lying upon Zijgrak. "Trouble Talashakh? I have caused trouble?" He utterly ignores Gurstaka and goes on, "I am Master Hammerer of Moria, ordained so after trial by combat against him," a hand waving simply at Gurstaka, "as ordered by the King. His body is the only thing Thrakburzum I have ever harmed. So Talashakh, what have I done to your tribe to be its enemy?" [Zijgrak(#24843)] Ignoring the Master Hammerer for now, the Talashakh turns to Gurstaka, anger set on his stony face, his fiery eyes glowing. "Is this true, Gurstaka? Was the duel ordained by the King? And how else did Khartzog /supposedly/ harm you? You had better tell the entire story RIGHT NOW, uruk." The Talashahk's voice has raised into one of near rage, and his hand has traveled to his war hammer... Gurstaka looks up at the Talashakh, his face even in the face of the uruk-hai's rage. "The duel that Khartzog speaks of was fought weeks ago, at the Kings command. It was merely a testing, no more. The reason I approached you was not because of personal injury to myself, but because of the injury his ways are causing the Hammerers. Khartzog has been spurned by the shamans due to his actions, and other groups have begun to shun the Hammerers. He makes enemies everywhere he goes. Gurstaka's eyes then fix directly on the Master Hammerer's face. He is an embarassment to the hammerers, unsuited to his role. There are also whispers that he is involved with a plot against the king himself. That is the true story, my master." [Zijgrak(#24843)] Now the uruk-hai's enraged look turns to the Master Hammerer, growing no less angry as he does so. His hand remains on the handle of his war hammer, though he does not arise from his throne just yet. "Now it is your turn. Defend yourself from the claims of Gurstaka, or lose your head. The choice is simple." Wurpox finally unbends, and waddles bo-legged to the party supply of kegs on the north wall, apperantly to make himself usefull. He begins rapping all the casks there with his knuckles, each gurgleing a different response. Wurpox finally comes to a smaller, darker barrel, marked only with a skull, the skulls' eyes replaced by 'X's. He thrums his knuckles against it, and it answers: 'full'. Wurpox smiles wide. Khartzog is silent, eyes remaining upon Zijgrak, "He readily makes accusations," he says after some time. "Perhaps I should not have spared that whelps life." The Hammerer grunts, shifting his weight. "The Hammerers have not been harmed, they now have the protection of the Guards and are under the eye of the King. Were I causing harm to his Hammerers, I would not be alive now." [Zijgrak(#24843)] Once again turning his attention to Gurstaka, the Talashakh's fiery eyes glare at him. He seems calmed down a bit, and his hand has relaxed from its grip on his war hammer. He stares intently at Gurstaka and says, "What /specific/ allegations do you have against Khartzog, uruk? I do not want more dung-slinging, I want information. Speak now, or I shall hold your head in my hands before the days is done!" Gurstaka scowls, not taking his eyes off the Master Hammerer. "Perhaps the great Master Hammerer forgets his current relation with the shamans. He has been officially placed under a cloud of suspiscion and is out of favour with the temple. So bad is his current relations with them that honest Hamerers with wounds are being turned away, refused treatment. I have also receieved knowledge that he was knocked unconscious by his own chieftain for insurbordination. Gurstaka then sneers at the Morghash. "The reason that the King keeps close eye on you is because you are suspected of plotting against him and he doesn't want you out of his site. Protection of the guards? That is also the order of the king that the Hammerers not be let out of site. Khartzog is making enemies of everyone, even his own tribe!" [Nargrukh(#30504)] From Durin's way, a Thrakburzum guard comes walking, intent on getting some rest on his bunk. His iron-shod shoes echo down the long corridor, empty corridor as he approaches the Thrakburzum commons. Upon entering, he tosses a quick salute to the Talashakh and stays his desire for rest a moment, standing next to the archway and watching the conference between the two hammerers and the Talashakh. [Khartzog(#29717)] "He makes accusations he is not in the position to make." Khartzog keeps his eyes on Zijgrak. "The shaman Hykhert and Talashakh Z'macht disapprove of my method of punishment. They would prefer I yell at those who anger me instead of lessoning them throug pain." A grin grows slowly upon his face, "Not even the shaman Hykhert who dislikes me so much has accused me of being a traitor to the king and he is the voice of the Flame! He makes accusations to draw attention away from himself." Wurpox spots the guard's arrival, and does his best to get the other orc's attention. He waves and prods and nods, ever cautious of the heavily sloshily prize resting on his shoulder. He keg leans lightly to one side, but Wurpox gladly tidies up the excess with a few sweeps of his leathery tongue. [Zijgrak(#24843)] Seemingly annoyed at BOTH uruks now, the skin on the Talashakh's face has tightened and his eyes are now thin slits of fiery rage. "So this entire debate circles around the methods of punishment one Master Hammerer? This is ridiculous! You waste my time!" He now stands up, his hand going back to his war hammer and he looks to Gurstaka, "It seems the allegations are much more minor then you had made out to me. You had better explain rapidly, unless you want my war hammer to rest its point in your addled brain." Wurpox unlatches one of his arms from the carefully cradled keg, and purses his lips with a single finger, offering only, "Shhh." Then he points to the torch propped against the wall behind him, and gives the guard an exaggerated wink. Gurstaka looks up at the Master Hammerer, his eyes narrowing slightly in a hint of annoyance. "I do not call bringing the Hammerer's reputation into disrepute and having services that are due to us denied minor, nor do I consider open disrespect for the shamans a minor matter either. Khartzog has shown time and time against through his arrogance and disagreements with his superiors that he is unsuited to the task of guiding the Hammerers of the Flame. Gurstaka takes a deep breath and continues. "If you will not take the word of one of your tribe over a Morghash, then prehaps we should bring a Shaman of the Flame here to give his point of view." Gurstaka then sneers at the Master Hammerer again. "Or perhaps we should ask the many snaga he has butchered in his "punishments", dead snaga are useless to the flame. I am even willing to take this matter before the King, putting my life on the line, if you should give me blessing to do so. [Khartzog(#29717)] "I speak not as a Morghash," snaps Khartzog, "For as you said, I am out of favor with my Talashakh, so why should I speak as one of his tribe?" His eyes remain on Zijgrak, "I speak as the Master Hammerer of Moria who shows no bias toward tribes." Nargrukh looks back at the torch resting on the wall behind him and Wurpox, and looks mildly puzzled. He mouths a silent 'What?' and heaves his massive shoulders up and down in an over-exaggerated shrug, to emphasise his puzzlement. Wurpox whispers to the guard staring at Khartzog, "Mind your manners, Morghash." Alliteration contorting his lips into a wide and winding curve, the juicer jerks beneath his load; resting the cast on higher, steadier regions of shoulder meat. Wurpox sulks at the cheiftan's proclimation, but obeys, and marches towards the south. The keg he still carries, floundering beneath its awkward bulk. Gurstaka looks less than satisfied with this outcome, but he still has his head and the outcome is still up in the air. Guess thats a victory, of sorts. Unable to leave without one more parting shot, he turns to the Talashakh again. "I will return to the forges then, with your permission. There is much work to be done, and the Master seems to be out far more than he is in lately." With this, Gurstaka drops to his knees before his Master, awaiting permission to leave. [Khartzog(#29717)] The Master Hammerer bows his head to the Thrakburzum Talashakh. As Gurstaka's words reach his ears, his head perks up, "No, you won't return to the forges. As the Master Hammerer, I ban you from the forges. You are to serve the Hammerers in the deepest of the mines until the Talashakh Zijgrak reaches his descision." He bows his head once again to Zijgrak, "With the leave of the Thrakburzum Talashakh, I will make my leave." [Zijgrak(#24843)] Exasperated at the childish game that the two hammerers play in his presence, and at the expense of his time, Zijgrak holds up a hand to halt them both from leaving. He then looks over to Narghrukh, the guard in the area, and says in his booming voice, "Shut the gates. None are to leave my presence just yet." He then looks between Gurstaka and Khartzog and says in a threatening voice, "Your ceaseless bickering grates on my every nerve. This will be settled by the time the gates open again..." [Wurpox(#25602)]  Still struggleing to march without spilling the strange keg's contents, Wurpox lingers at the southern arch. He hears the ban, and turns to let his eyes play freely about the commons, that is untill they rest on the guard, and then the torch... and a wide smile blooms beneath them. The juicer trods back to the north wall, spouting, "Shall I juice one cheiftan?" Gurstaka comes back up onto his feet, turning to feast his eyes on the form of the Master Hammerer once again. "As incompetant as you are, I will not obey any order you give. I serve the Thrakburzum, my Talashakh and my King, you have lost your right to command in my eyes. Never taking his eyes off the warrior for a second, he talks over to his shoulder to the Chieftain behind him. I am your loyal servant, command me and I will obey. Wurpox meekly intercedes on his own behalf, " I think I know a way to let living flame decide their worthines cheiftan. LIVING FLAME!" The contents of his keg slosh noisily on cue. Wurpox inches around either hammerer, locked on his Talashakh. "What you thinking mighty cheiftan?" [Zijgrak(#24843)] Nodding as Nargrukh shuts the gates, the Thakburzum Talashakh says in his loud voice, "Very well. Your bickering has gone on long enough. Gurstaka, the Thrakburzum Hammerer, and Khartzog, the Master Hammerer of the Morghash shall resolve their differences. They shall choose the manner of their own resolution." Growing tired of standing, the Talashakh sits on his throne and says, "The only rules are as follows: no one else is to intercede without first receiving my permission. The elf is in your tree, Hammerers." Wurpox sulks, but remains undaunted as the terms of the bout are voiced. He turns his pleeding to both the hammerers, shouting, "What say you two to a test of FLAME? We can get you both all juiced..." He waggles the bulky cask, "Then spill two lines to a common pool by the might cheiftan... and set torches to the juice. First to get catched by the flame.. well.." Wurpox smirks, "And the other can leap away and break the line... What says hammerers to 'THE JUICING'?" [Khartzog(#29717)] "Strike me you elf loving traitor," Khartzog hisses at Gurstaka, "Strike me and incur the wrath of the King Magog! I live now because of his want for me to be alive. He spared me from death in the commons of the Morghash. Strike your master and find death waiting for you." Gurstaka grins, taking the permission of the Talashakh gladly. Pulling the mace from his belt with a deft move, he swings the round shield on his back over his shoulder, thus girded for war, he stands just before the Master Hammerer. "You are a fool not to take the blessing of the Talashakh and attempt to strike me down. I will make your pay for your actions, for bringing shame to the Hammerers and to Moria. Master to me you are not, and will never be again, unless you cast me down upon this floor. With this Gurstaka snaps into actionn, rushing at the unarmed uruk with his mace held high and striking the first blow at the unprotected warrior, seeking to cripple him with one massive blow to the side of his chest. COMBAT - Wielded: Flanged-Mace [Combat(#13388)->Gurstaka] Wearing: Metal Shield You attack Khartzog with your Mace... [Combat(#13388)->Gurstaka] Your attack against Khartzog badly wounds him! [Khartzog(#29717)] The Master Hammerer stands there and is then struck back, the cracking of ribs sounding, as the mace collides with his chest. He does not move to pull out his axe of swing his shield to defend himself. "I do not accept your duel. Kill me and become a traitor to the will of the King and the Demon." ARB: Khartzog has "passed" on his turn to attack. [Zijgrak(#24843)] Shrugging non-chalantly as Gurstaka strikes Khartzog, the Talashakh settles himself comfortably into his throne to watch the battle, "So be it, we shall see a fight." He yawns sarcastically and then calls out, "Minus 2 points to Gurstaka for striking first." Zijgrak adds quickly, "2 points to Khartzog for his bravery." Gurstaka pulls back from the still unarmed warrior, snarling at the fool for not attempting to get out of the way. Pulling back so that a good 3 metres stand between himself and the foolish Master Hammerer, he is still in an attacking posture, ready to strike at any time. "Talashakh, I would not slay this warrior while he stands there undefended. Unless I receive your direct permission to kill him I cannot continue this fight. Focusing again on Khartzog, he sticks his tongue out briefly. "Unless, of course, Khartzog prefers to proclaim to all assembled here that he is my inferior and will lick my feet before my Talashakh..." [Combat(#13388)->Gurstaka] You forego your chance to attack. [Zijgrak(#24843)] Crossing his arms over his chest, the Talashakh slouches back in his throne. He waves his hand apathetically at Gurstaka, "Do what you wish. I will not say this again. The decision is between the two of you. I wash my hands of this ridiculous argument." He then grows silent, his eyes watching the proceedings, though he does not seem very excited. [Wurpox(#25602)]  Though he may have sighed several times turing either orc's speechmaking, Wurpox now sighs a sigh of defeat. He burdens the small barrel to the Talashakh's throne, whispering, "The cheiftan thirsts while he waits for hammerers to out-yawn another?" The cask is offered, though not displayed between the cheiftan and the combatants. [Khartzog(#29717)] "You are my inferior," Khartzog hisses, "that has already been decided. I have defeated you before and have no need to prove to you once again that I am your better." He remains unarmed. ARB: Khartzog has "passed" on his turn to attack. Gurstaka is unbothered now. Having receieved the blessing of his master, his fierce urukish mind cares little of the intricacies of the situation. He thirsts for blood, and will have it, regardless of the Masters seeming indifference. "You should have slayed me when you had the chance, mercy is for the weak Tarks and Pansies!" he howls as he charges again, Mace brought high above his head and then brought powerfully down at the top of the Master Hammerer's head in an attempt to end the combat here and now. The weapon whistles as it carves through the air, the weapon seeking to knock the Master senseless. "Defend yourself!" he cries as the mace flies down. You attack Khartzog with your Mace... [Combat(#13388)->Gurstaka] Your attack against Khartzog badly wounds him! [Khartzog(#29717)] Once again, the Master Hammerer takes the blow of the mace, though it does not knock him back. "Kill me and become a traitor," he repeats, remaining unarmed and defiant. ARB: Khartzog has "passed" on his turn to attack. [Zijgrak(#24843)] "Enough!" The Talashakh cries out. "This is utterly ridiculous!" He turns to Gurstaka in rage and sits upon the floor, "You claim that the only thing that this Hammerer has done wrong is his cruel punishment of others. Yet you attack him unprovoked and show your own cruelty. I grow weary of this childish game. If this is not solved to my liking in the next 15 minutes, I will have you both killed. Is that understood?" <OOC> You say, "There's something wrong with cruelty?" <OOC> You say, "we're Uruks, not Humans :P" <OOC> Zijgrak says, "No. I'm just saying that that was your complaint against Khart, and you are no better." <OOC> You say, "Im gonna need some time to think about this next pose. This is not the way Uruks should be acting" <OOC> Zijgrak says, "What?" <OOC> Wurpox says, "if only we'd chosen the juice test..." <OOC> Khartzog says, "Tell that to Bo and Hy, Gur, they're the reason why I'm in all this crap, I'm cruel and get  in trouble for it, it's the way it goes, deal with it, that's what I'm doing" <OOC> Sohargh grins, "None of you are GG or Hk style cruel." <OOC> Khartzog says, "True" <OOC> Wurpox says, "they're shephards, and deal in anarchy.. not seasoned beaurocracts for black and white policy  making. Its true, khartzog has swallowed his share of abuse in stride" <OOC> You say, "I cant even count the number of things that have occurred here that are out of theme :P" <OOC> Wurpox says, "what specifically do you have a problem Gurst? lets resolve this" <OOC> Sohargh can't count the number of things in Bree that were out of theme and he only RPed there once with his alt. <OOC> Wurpox says, "problem with.. zij has a right to play his orc as he's been playing him thusfar" <OOC> Nargrukh says, "Back." <OOC> You say, "I dont even know where to freaken start" <OOC> Wurpox says, "the first thing you took issue with would be a good place" <OOC> Zijgrak says, "You just wanted me to behead Khart because he killed a snaga?" <OOC> Nargrukh hehs. <OOC> You say, "First the most obvious thing - The most tame uruk in the world would not simply stand there and let himself be battered with a Mace" <OOC> Wurpox says, "im not ganging up on your staka, im trying to be impartial" <OOC> You say, "Uruks are vicious and cruel, prone to infighting at the drop of a hat. They're not noble, and they certainly aren't tolerant" <OOC> Wurpox says, "now hold on, you can't say khart is REQUIRED to fight back if he doesn't want to.. he's no where near death yet" <OOC> Wurpox says, "yes but they're scheming.. khart could definately be scheming a way out of this without having to kill you" <OOC> You say, "Td, he's over half dead" <OOC> Zijgrak says, "If you want to kill him, then kill him." <OOC> Nargrukh says, "Orcs usually try to kill someone that they think is threatening them. Orcs in the books do it all the time. :P" <OOC> You say, "they certainly dont stand there and mouth of platitudes while someone is wailing away at them, Td" <OOC> Wurpox says, "they also learn through pain and punishment, maybe khart came up witih a different approach" <OOC> You say, "especially when the person attacking is of a lower rank and skill" <OOC> Wurpox says, "well that I may agree with, he perhaps was a bit coy while getting bludgeoned, but that is a pose style  issue and not a finite thematic error" <OOC> Zijgrak says, "Perhaps he is testing you." <OOC> Sohargh says, "Khart is in the middle of the Thrakburzum commons, surrounded by uruks that would be more  than happy to kill him if he started to win. Better to talk his way out." <OOC> You say, "I'm to angry to even think of coherant things to say" <OOC> Nargrukh says, "Good point, Soth. But an orc's temper a lot of the time gets the better of him. Look at Gorbag and Shagrat, in the books." <OOC> Wurpox says, "well that was at the sigh tof mithril, and would drive us all mad" <OOC> You say, "Khart's the kind that goes around killing Snaga for punishment. Doesn't strike me as the kind  of person who would stand there and patiently let himself be beat up by someone of lower rank and skill" <OOC> Sohargh would fight Hk and GG for a suit of Mith ;) <OOC> Wurpox says, "the gate is shut, he can't pose fleeing" <OOC> Wurpox says, "and we can't rightly demand that he fights" <OOC> Nargrukh says, "So what else can he do but fight?" <OOC> Wurpox says, "he can do what he's done, which has thusfar worked to his advantage" <OOC> You say, "Thats another mistake, there should always be an IC way for a person to evade a fight and "live to fight another day" so to speak" <OOC> Wurpox says, "the speechmaking being a side issue" <OOC> Nargrukh says, "Counting out the loss of health. :P" <OOC> You say, "thats why the +flee command is there" <OOC> Zijgrak says, "There is another way..." <OOC> Wurpox says, "there's still the officers quarters" <OOC> Zijgrak says, "He's using it." <OOC> You say, "dead end, Wurpox" <OOC> You say, "you cannot honestly believe that a uruk in the middle of a fight would stop simply at words do you?" <OOC> Wurpox says, "what I read from his posing, was having something else in mind" <OOC> Nargrukh says, "Orcs usually aren't like Martin Luther King." <OOC> Wurpox says, "but I rp with khart a lot, and he leaves stuff between the lines" <OOC> You say, "All he's doing is standing there and doing an Obi-wan impersonation" <OOC> Nargrukh says, "Or Martin Luther King." <OOC> Khartzog says, "Dangitt, let me play /my/ character. You worry about your own characters." From afar, Nargrukh agrees with you. This is kinda strange. :P <OOC> Wurpox says, "you posed not caring that he sat there, that is your ic response" <OOC> Wurpox says, "now zij has got you in a tight spot with his reaction.." <OOC> Khartzog says, "And if you think I'm in serious brrech of RP, tell MAD, let them decide, because I do not think I'm breeching theme at all." <OOC> Wurpox says, "but tight spots abound... and i feel people thrive in attempting to wiggle out of them" <OOC> Khartzog says, "serious breech of theme" <OOC> Gurstaka slaps his head in frustration Nargrukh pages: I see where you are coming from. <OOC> Wurpox says, "you did have another option to bludgeoning him while he sat there also.. a rather spammily reinforced offer" <OOC> Zijgrak says, "really, no one had to fight." <OOC> Wurpox says, "it wasn't your only option, so zij's reaction was a concequence and not an unavoidable conclusion" <OOC> You say, "Wurpox, there is no pity in Uruks. No kindness. All that there is, is a limited form of  camaraderie. Zij should not give a damn about Khart's fate unless he can see a direct threat to himself because of it" <OOC> Wurpox says, "that is all I guess i was trying to conferr" <OOC> Nargrukh says, "Maybe the Pox's flame trial would have worked better." <OOC> Zijgrak doesn't give a damn about Khart's fate ICly. <OOC> Zijgrak says, "Can't a Chieftain be bored? Dear Balrog..." <OOC> Wurpox says, "perhaps he enjoys watching underlings twist and turn out of situations" <OOC> Khartzog says, "Let's just retcon the entire scene, this is pointless." <OOC> Wurpox says, "horvak has pulled that on me plenty o' times" <OOC> You say, "I agree, anul the whole RP" [Raugha(#29406)]  A black figure materializes from the depths of the shadows, seeming to congeal like liquid darkness at the southern end of the chamber. Crimson eyes glow, blazing with sated ire. Blood stains the muzzle of the black Warg as he slinks into the chamber. <OOC> You say, "It should never of occured the way it did" <OOC> Raugha peers <OOC> Raugha says, "I /hate/ retcon." <OOC> Wurpox says, "hey gulp" <OOC> Raugha says, "What's happening?" <OOC> You say, "I have serious theme issues here" <OOC> Nargrukh says, "What's the last pose we should start at? Closing of the doors?" From afar, Nargrukh agrees. <OOC> Zijgrak says, "Slow down, Narg." <OOC> Nargrukh sorries. <OOC> Raugha says, "Tell me the hell what's happening. Sorry if I seem a touch severe." <OOC> You say, "I'll send you a log, you can read for yourself" Wurpox pages: i did not mean to talk soley in arguement with you, but you were the only one talking, so i   tried to voice what khart's side would be <OOC> Raugha says, "My email isn't working yet." <OOC> You say, "ICQ? Yahoo? Aim?" Wurpox pages: khart is a twink. but we have to let him play his twink char as he wishes..   if you can actually get a concurrance that he's being unthematic, then you will be my personal hero You paged Wurpox with 'shh, I'm thinking :)'. Wurpox pages: okay <OOC> Raugha says, "Would someone mind just paging me a summary? :P" <OOC> Wurpox says, "mind if I do?" <OOC> Wurpox says, "either parties?" <OOC> You say, "you can if you want, but Ill be sending one too" <OOC> Wurpox says, "ok you then staka" <OOC> Zijgrak says, "Gurstaka ICly has a problem with Khart. Gurstaka tells me. Zij puts price on Khart's head. Khart comes to explain. Zij can't decide which is at fault, so he closes the gates and tells Gurstaka and Khart to solve it on their own. Gur beats Khart. Khart doesn't attack back. Zij gets bored, says to solve this quickly or he'll kill them both." <OOC> Raugha says, "And the problem with this is ... ?" <OOC> Zijgrak says, "I guess Gur should say that, since he is the one with the problem." <OOC> You say, "beats him to less than half hp, while Khart spouts off lines like - "Kill me and become a traitor,"" <OOC> Raugha says, "Other than the pacifism being scary as hell, what's the problem?" <OOC> You say, "do you really think its within an uruks character to stand there and get beaten down by someone of lower ran kand skill, when he has receieved permission to fight?" <OOC> You say, "Im not talking about 1 attack and 1 pass. He's passed 3-4 times all the while refusing to fight and urging me to kill him" <OOC> You say, "I cant understand how an uruk can try and become a Martyr =/" <OOC> Wurpox says, "he did not explicitly say he was being a martyr.." <OOC> Wurpox says, "he was more threatening.. and in the end, zij stopped the attacks" <OOC> Nargrukh says, "What would you say he was, then?" <OOC> GreenGuts says, "Okyday" <OOC> Wurpox says, "which beleivably may have been the outcome he was trying for?" <OOC> GreenGuts says, "I'll watch" <OOC> Zijgrak says, "Woah n ow..." <OOC> You say, "he's not threatening me, he standing there daring me to kill him" <OOC> Zijgrak says, "I did not stop the attacks." <OOC> Wurpox says, "well not stop the attacks, you just scolded him and said resolve it" <OOC> Zijgrak says, "I said I was bored and if it was not resolved in 15 minutes, I'd kill 'em both." <OOC> Khartzog says, "This is /my/ character, I do /not/ need to explain everything my character does to you. Nor will I begin to do so, ever." <OOC> You say, "Zij, you came across overall as stopping the fight because you believed it was unfair.  If this wasn't what you intended, Im sorry, but thats how it came across to me." <OOC> Nargrukh says, "Let's just continue, and solve this Theme dispute later." <OOC> You say, "well, not stopping the fight, but voicing disapproval" <OOC> Wurpox says, "that's what i meant too" <OOC> Wurpox says, "unresolved arguements ending in dead chars don't help any narg" <OOC> You say, "If a newbie grew wings and flew off into the air I would object to the too Khart" <OOC> Khartzog sighs. <OOC> You say, "the fact that you've said nothing at all explaining why the hell your doing what your doing is disturbing" <OOC> Nargrukh says, "Yeah, nevermind." <OOC> You say, "all you've said is that you dont need to explain your reasoning" <OOC> Zijgrak says, "Separation of IC and OC?" <OOC> Zijgrak says, "OOC" <OOC> Wurpox says, "well we don't want him 'emoticonning' what his plans are" <OOC> Nargrukh says, "It would take the fun out of some of the RP." <OOC> Wurpox says, "and he can't rightly spout out his motives icly" <OOC> You say, "if he keeps this up he's not gonna have any plans or motives, he's gonna be dead." <OOC> You say, "and its ludicrous to think an uruk would act any other way than to kill him" <OOC> Wurpox says, "yes.. and zij has explained the nature of his pose, so it is his choice to play his character in that way.. resulting in his death" <OOC> You say, "or that anyone in this room would attempt to stop it" <OOC> You say, "what this comes across is, is that Khart is quite happy to die, and is trying to get me killed in retribution for his death by someone more powerful than me. thats what it comes across as to me" <OOC> Wurpox says, "i read it as khart threatening you with the concequences of slaying him, but not choosing to attack a thrakburzum in a thrakburzum hall full of thrakburzum  with the gates closed" <OOC> Wurpox says, "lengthy speechmaking aside" <OOC> Wurpox says, "heh did rp the injuries though" <OOC> Nargrukh sighs. This is never going to get resolved. <OOC> You say, "thats very un uruky, Td" <OOC> Raugha says, "Anyway. I don't think, myself, that there's necessarily a problem -- if Khartzog is  killed by Gurstaka without offering any resistance, Zijgrak then gets to decide what happens, yeah?" <OOC> Zijgrak nods. <OOC> Wurpox says, "'unuruky' is kind of a vague term.. our orcs are special, by default.. since we're playing them and assuming they're interesting enough characters to be 'played out'" <OOC> You say, "Seems to me like Khart's gonna die on purpose and take me out on the way down" <OOC> Raugha says, "So just play it :P Chances are Khart's character's belief that Gurstaka will die if he kills him are unfounded. *shrug*" <OOC> Nargrukh says, "Just go off of what happened." <OOC> Wurpox says, "no ones making you attack gurstaka" <OOC> Raugha says, "An orc might do that out of spite, Gurst." <OOC> You say, "Yes, something is making me attack, Td" <OOC> Wurpox says, "no" <OOC> You say, "Why on earth, Gulp?" <OOC> You say, "yes, urukish behaviour" <OOC> You say, "Why on earth wouldn't he fight, when he has every advantage over me?" <OOC> Wurpox says, "well if you want to play YOUR uruk always being foolhardy and ready to attack.. then  play him getting into the trouble that is the concequence of that" <OOC> You say, "why would he seek to kill me by falling by my hand when he could attack me, kill me, and take his chances?" <OOC> Wurpox says, "i see him locke dbehind a gate full of your tribemates, and no adgvantages" <OOC> Raugha says, "I have no idea. Sometimes characters don't act predictably, yeah?" <OOC> Nargrukh says, "I agree with Gulpy." <OOC> You say, "The only excuse I could possibly see for his behaviour would be insanity" <OOC> Wurpox says, "in all of uruk kind, the way he is acting is not an impossibility.. rare perhaps.. but  because we're playing these chosen characters, they should be rarities, standing out from the countless meatheads" <OOC> You say, "and still he keeps quiet. Khart, aren't you gonna say anything?" <OOC> You say, "I'm interested in your point of view" <OOC> Raugha says, "I don't think there is a problem with an orc doing odd things. If you want, I can call  in an ARB. But really, if an orc wanted to jump off of Durin's Bridge ..." <OOC> Raugha says, "*shrug*" <OOC> You say, "No, we'll continue it. If Khart wants to stand there like a dummy while I beat him to a pulp, so be  it. If I die as well, I'll live with it" <OOC> Khartzog says, "I have nothing to say except that I am very hurt by your attacking of my character OOCly Gur. I do  not want to be any part of this arguement." <OOC> Wurpox says, "you were faced with a choice of an equal chance test also.. and chose to attack someone you know icly  is more adept in combat than you" <OOC> You say, "because it is what an uruk would do, Td" <OOC> Wurpox says, "now that might be construed as unthematic, in regards to self preservation" <OOC> Wurpox says, "that is an opinion then," <OOC> You say, "we're not humans, with free-thinking and the choice to be good or bad" <OOC> Wurpox says, "we have the choice to be self-preserving" <OOC> You say, "we're creatures created by sauron, totally evil, without pity, bloodthirsty, agressive" <OOC> Wurpox says, "and attacking and bad aren't always synonymous" <OOC> Wurpox says, "morgoth" <OOC> Nargrukh hmmmmms.....I agree somewhat with Gur, but we shouldn't tell others how /their/ chars should act. <OOC> Wurpox says, "but you know that" <OOC> You say, "What if Khart wanted to dance in the Silverlode and pick daisies? :P" <OOC> Wurpox says, "then he would be culled as a fairy weakling" <OOC> Nargrukh says, "He wouldn't, probably. :P" <OOC> Wurpox says, "but i would not tell him directly to stop doing that" <OOC> You say, "you wouldn't?" <OOC> Wurpox says, "no" <OOC> You say, "You've got to be kidding" <OOC> Wurpox says, "what is the greater good gurstaka" <OOC> Wurpox says, "the culmination of DIFFERENT styles, suffering perhaps a few oddballs" <OOC> Nargrukh says, "I doubt he would in the first place, so don't argue it." <OOC> Raugha says, "If he danced in the silverlode and picked daisies, I'd ICly kill him." <OOC> You say, "this isn't a place with free creative reign" <OOC> Wurpox says, "or all rping the same cutthroat characters, day after day, backstab after backstab" <OOC> Nargrukh says, "Exactly." <OOC> Raugha says, "OOCly, I'd say ... wow, you like to play weird chars." <OOC> Nargrukh says, "yeah." <OOC> Wurpox says, "why is this not a place with free creative reign" <OOC> You say, "we're here to RP uruks in the way Tolkien conceived of the Uruks. There are exceptions, but thats the basic rule" <OOC> Wurpox says, "which do you think tolkien would appreciate more" <OOC> You say, "Its in +moria newuser for cryin out loud" <OOC> Wurpox says, "people adhering to his concepts, or appreciating their creativity, whichever tangents it leads them on" <OOC> Raugha says, "Guys, would you like me to call an ARB? 'Cause I can. Or I can lecture you folks." <OOC> You say, "No, its alright, I'll kill him and go to bed" <OOC> You say, "must be my pose" <OOC> Wurpox says, "no one's making you kill him either" <OOC> Wurpox says, "there are so many more options than that, for your char though, you choose" <OOC> You say, "Why the hell wouldn't an uruk kill another uruk when there is great personal gain in it and the opponent isn't fighting back?" <OOC> Wurpox says, "for the reasons that khart has repeated icly many times" <OOC> Raugha says, "Just remember that ICA = ICC. If you kill him, whatever the penalties are, you take.  I dunno what Zij's IC opinions are -- he might reward you for all I know." <OOC> You say, "Td, please stop taking Khart's side. If he wants to argue it, he can argue it himself" <OOC> Wurpox says, "ok then im done" <OOC> Wurpox says, "i wasn't on any side but my own as a whitness" Gurstaka is in the throes of bloodlust now. Shouting over his shoulder as he fights to his Talashakh, he continues his verbal tirade. "I am sick of the way this so called warrior has perverted the hammerers and gone against the flame. Look now, he does not even raise his hand against me. Perhaps he should run to the flower sniffing pansies and ask for sanctuary from the evil uruks. Hide in trees and shoot bows at his own kind. He has no place under this mountain, and I will slay him as a mercy killing! Sweeping in again with his weapon, Still moving as if he expected the warrior to strike at any moment, he sends the mace flying out at the former Master Hammerer, now soon to be nothing but a bad stain on Moria's stone floor. Wurpox pages: khart isn't going to win any rp awards, or RSes, or i will be the first to take offense, if I thought we could MAKE his roleplay improve then i'd be the first to try, sorry for taking his side You paged Wurpox with 'Your a damn good arguer :)'. You paged Wurpox with 'it was good for me, made me come up with solid reasons for my arguments'. Wurpox pages: and khart was just being immature, so i tried [Raugha(#29406)]  The shadowy Wolf pads silently forward, gazing at the combatants. Bright red blood -- and some black blood, as well -- drips from his yellowed fangs; a soft growl emanates from deep within his throat. Moving toward Zijgrak silently, the Wolf comes to a halt. [Khartzog(#29717)] Hardly moving, Khartzog only steps back a short step and the mace misses him. He does not taunt this time, but instead pulls out his axe. He does not attack, just holds it in his han, eyes slowly following Gurstaka. [Combat(#13388)] Khartzog pulls the crescent bladed axe from the thong at his waist. ARB: Khartzog has "passed" on his turn to attack. [Zijgrak(#24843)] The Chieftain shakes his head in disgust and turns to look at Raugha. "They are fools, both of them. I do not know what to do with them." He then turns his attention back to the fight, his crimson eyes watching lazily as he awaits a reply from the warg. [Wurpox(#25602)]  Greedily wooing the mysterious keg with a double wound embrace, Wurpox backs away from the warg's encroach. The slurps taken from the oozing spout in the keg's face he steals as if they could be his last.. shakily addressing the beast, "You found the Demon then? And Food? You found Food?" The juicer's heel catches on something, and he mustobserve his retreat more carefully, though his eyes roll upwards with every foot of tile spanned between he and the beast. Gurstaka dances around the still Uruk, glad to see that the warrior has at least pulled his weapon from his belt. The same weapon indeed that a few weeks ago sent Gurstaka to the shamans with his throat cut. "Ooo, perhaps the elfsie has decided to strike. I think not, I think he is merely scared of the pain I will inflict upon him. Pointing his mace at Khartzog, he continues to sneer at the former Master Hammerer. "Death is not enough for the likes of you, I should beat you senseless and have your tortured before the king for his amusement. You'll not get away from me and run and hide with the tree-dwellers like you wish to do. Gurstaka strikes again, the mace darting in to smash the warriros groin area. You attack Khartzog with your Mace... [Combat(#13388)->Gurstaka] Khartzog dodges your attack. [Raugha(#29406)]  Leaning up toward the Uruk-Hai, raising his muzzle until it almost brushes the Chieftain's ear, Raugha whispers three soft words to Zijgrak ... [<#29406>] Raugha +whispers to Zijgrak, "... ... ...." [Khartzog(#29717)] Stepping out of the way of the mace again, Khartzog shrugs carelessly, shooting a glance at the warg and Thrakbruzum Talashakh. He then reverts his attention back to Gurstaka. ARB: Khartzog has "passed" on his turn to attack. [Zijgrak(#24843)] Shaking his head again, the Talashakh rises to his feet. He opens his mouth as if ready to make a proclamation, but snaps it shut again with a scowl. He then seats himself again, his hand gripping his war hammer unsteadily. He looks back to the warg and says, "What does he wait for? I would not have a murder take place in front of my throne." [Raugha(#29406)]  "Perhaps he bides his time," Raugha hisses. "Perhaps he waits for something." [Wurpox(#25602)]  "The beast thirsts? He wishes refreshment?" chimes Wurpox in intermission from his swigging. *GLUG glug* A purple ring of smoke rises and widens, haloing the barrel from which it emmerges. "He thirsts for Juiciest Juices?" Gurstaka howls in frustration as Khartzog once again nimbly dodges his blow. "<Uruk> FIGHT ME! Do not show your cowardice any longer. Strike me down with all of your hatred! I shall crack your skull in two, feed you to the snaga in Sog's hall, a snaga returning to the snaga. FIGHT ME" Stepping in close, he brings the mace around in a powerful blow aimed at the side of the Uruk's head. "<Uruk> May the flame guide my blow!" he cries out. [Combat(#13388)->Gurstaka] Khartzog parries your attack with his Axe! [Khartzog(#29717)] Raising his axe, Khartzog parries the oncoming the mace away, and, in a turn of attitude, lashes out with his own axe. "You are to annoying to live," he hisses, his axe slamming down and across as Gurstaka's stomach. Khartzog attacks you with his Axe!... ...and he hits! Ouch! ARB: You've been injured for 12 hp's by Khartzog's attack... ...you have 70 left. Please RP this injury accordingly. [Zijgrak(#24843)] ...And finally, the Master Hammerer strikes back. The uruk-hai Talashakh somehow appears relieved, and he slumps his shoulders slightly. He looks back to the warg and says, "Perhaps you are right. Perhaps we shall see a fight now." [Raugha(#29406)]  "Tell me," Raugha queries, his red eyes glowing softly. "Who is the one with the axe? I know the spike-clubber's scent." Gurstaka catches the blade of the axe in the stomach, but does not even flinch, and the well made chain-mail resists the blow, preventing it from entering into the flesh of the Hammerer warrior. Rather than be annoyed, Gurstaka is ecstatic that he finally has a chance to bring down his tormenter in an equal fight. So, prehaps there is some fire left in the elfisie. You are indeed powerful as I had forseen. Not strong enough however, I shall have your shrunken skull for a trophy before the day is through. Of this I give my word. Laughing, Gurstaka swings the mace in again, this time with a lot more control, but only You attack Khartzog with your Mace... [Combat(#13388)->Gurstaka] Your attack against Khartzog severely wounds him! Caring little for the fight anymore, Zijgrak leans towards where the warg rests and whispers to him, [<#24843>] Zijgrak +whispers to Raugha, "... ... ..., the ... ...." [Raugha(#29406)]  A soft hiss from Raugha, as he watches the fight unfold. "Ahh ... all is transpiring as I have foreseen." He turns back to Zijgrak. "I have smelt him. Yes." [Khartzog(#29717)] The Master Hammerer staggers back. He winces in pain and does not retaliate again, being slightly bent at the waist and his left leg suffers slightly and he shifts his weight to his right. Though his body apears tired and somewhat crippled, Khartzog's axe waves yet before him. ARB: Khartzog has "passed" on his turn to attack. Gurstaka pulls back and then presses in again, using his weight to try and force the other warrior into a mistake. The head of his mace is soaked with blood - it has drunk well today - but still it has not yet achieved its goal. "Help you I will, yes, help you to your death, mmm?" Gurstaka hisses, as he strikes again, aiming for the warriors leg, seeking to knock the Warrior over and thus gain an easy victory. You attack Khartzog with your Mace... [Combat(#13388)->Gurstaka] Khartzog parries your attack with his Axe! [Khartzog(#29717)] The waving axe is what saves Khartzog this time, parrying the mace once again. His opponent close, he weakly lashes out at Gurstaka's mace arm. Khartzog attacks you with his Axe!... ...and he hits! Ouch! ARB: You've been injured for 6 hp's by Khartzog's attack... ...you have 64 left. Please RP this injury accordingly. Nargrukh watches the fight go on before him, in the favor of Gurstaka, but just when the Master Hammerer seems done for, he parries the next stroke with his Axe, then strikes again! No matter, the guard thinks, glancing back at the doors. The gates would be opened again soon..... Wurpox mouths the barrel's opening again, his outstretched lipflesh bulging with the suction of liquid that then rushes up through it like a fatty, green hose. He waves away all the orcs near him, which are none, and so drains away the cask for quite some time. [Zijgrak(#24843)] Suddenly, the Talashakh stands up from his throne, his voice echoing out through the commons, "HALT!" Suddenly, all the eyes in the hall turn to him and he walks forward. "There is no need for a death to occur in this matter. To me, it is solved. Gurstaka is the new ordained Master Hammerer, and Khartzog may leave as he wishes. The next to strike the other will die by MY hand." He then looks to Nargrukh and shouts, "Open the gates!" [Raugha(#29406)]  Raugha seats himself on his hindquarters, lips twisting, baring bloodied fangs in a horrible grimace of amusement. "What if the master-of-hammering wants not to lose his title?" he inquires idly. "What if they battle?" [Nargrukh(#30504)] With a quick nod to the Thrakburzum Talashakh, Nargrukh turns and grips the handles of the gates firmly, and throws them open with a single quick motion. BOOM! the solid metal gates slam open and against the walls. With another nod, Nargrukh moves to the side of the doors, leaving the exit now open. Gurstaka takes Khartzog's weak hit on his mailed arm, the blow glancing almost harmlessly from the armour. Moving in again to attempt another killing strike, he pulls back immediatly as he hears the words of the Talashakh. Turning his eyes away from his badly damaged rival, no threat to him anymore, he falls to one knee before the chieftain. "The words of my Master are law to me. So he has said, so shall it be. Raising to his feet, he looks back at the pitiful ex-master hammerer, adrenaline still coursing through his veins, causing him to shiver with energy. "Do you have any objections to the words of my master, Worm?" Khartzog says nothing in response to Zijgrak, Gurstaka, or anyone, he merely turns away and begins to walk toward the opening gates. [Zijgrak(#24843)] "Then it is settled. All are to leave my sight immediately. I grow tired of seeing this." He then gathers his war hammer from where it had fallen on his throne and walks slowly towards the Officers' Quarters, never looking back at the participants of the fight.

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