Moria, Forges(#5014RntUf)
The heat of this
place is truly hellish. A wall of elemental fury that batters at all who would
walk through the great arch in the wall. Dozens of
fires along the walls creates this heat, as does the central kiln and the
dozens of anvils manned by large and muscular uruks
with long hammers.
And the noise
almost blots out any talk over roar: the ringing of hammers and the rush of the
bellows. The clatter of the ore carts and the screams of orcs who have been burned. It seems that the only
way to speak in this place is through a huge bell hanging in the corner,
guarded by two giant orcs.
The walls of
this place rise up hundreds of feet until they vanish from sight in the
darkness that shrouds the ceiling. Truly this hall is huge, stretching even to
dwarf the greatest halls in the mountain. Yet woe betide
to any who would stay in this burning abyss for long. You would know madness.
A busy hour in
the forges it is, no one can argue. The tempreature
is immense, from the great roaring fires in the room. Even sweats steam in no
time. And the noise, loud and hard, as should be.
About 20 hammers clank again and again at burning hot metals and shape them to
useful weapons. Same amount of snagas pour more and
more woods into the fires, forcely overcoming the
pain of the heat, and uncountable number of uruks
carry items and minerals in and out of the room.
Amidst the deafening noise it is not difficult for an uruk to approach unheard and neither is it difficult for one to pass un-noticed when all are at work, such as the hammerers are now, bent over anvils and wielding hammers that twist metal into forms of war.
Into the heat, noise and bright glow of the forges steps Snurga, Maluuk of the Morghash tribe. Her strides are purposeful and her gaze intent--it seems she has bsuiness with the workers of the forges. Moving into the room she has to step nimbly and turn and twist this way and that to avoid rods of glowing metal and bursts of scalding steam. Her black uniform contrasts sharply with the glowing metal and makes her look like a silhouette as she approaches Ezmakh.
"Use more power on the edge!" Ezmakh shouts to an apprenice currently working on an axe, "It needs to be thinner in order to be sharp!". The Hammerer then turns his head to his left, and gives a grunt. Walking quickly, hiding his small haunch of back, he lands his nand on a snaga leaning with his hands on a crate. "What do you think you're doing? I said no rest until all the crates are put in the storage room. Now keep working or I'll the fire with your body!" The snaga squeels, and immediately continues to push the crate, though his progress is very slow and weak. Ezmakh doesn't linger to watch the snaga work, but returns then to the working hammer-users. Suddenly his gaze lands on the approaching dark figure, so the Morghash Tetrak stands in his place and tries to catch the face of the 'guest'.
The black-clad She steps around a pile of twisted metal that lies on the floor, probably to be melted down and resused. Her long clawed hands rest on her hips now that she has found a place reletively out of the main flow of activity. Snurga's green eyes meet the red ones of Ezmakh "A word, Hammerer.." she beckons for him to come closer.
As the smiths forge the weapons of moria, and fires blaze on the red coals, a uruk emerges into the room. His eyes skimming around. Looking from snaga to snaga, uruk to uruk. Gonkich's eyes land on a uruk. Watching him for a moment, he see Snurga beckoning the uruk to speak with him. He momentarally pauses and watches. Then slowly approaches a crate a little ways away, but in hearing distance. Out of sight, out of mind of the Maluuk and tetrak.
Yes, once seeing the green eyes within the dark figure, the Hammerer immediately finds the identification he sought. Nodding to Snurga, Ezmakh immediately walks towards her, and speaks with his wry voice, forcing himself to speak much louder then usual due to the loud noises in the room. "Maluuk Snurga, yes yes, what can I do for you?"
Snurga's voice is rasping, as always. "I am hoping that you can.." She rubs her hands together as she glances around, taking the sights and sounds of the forge with a keen interest "I am after a set of chain-mail. I have coin and my ring-mail, which should cover any costs but.." she pauses and watches Ezmakh intently "If that is not I am sure we could come to some arrangement.." she grins slowly and looks around again, peering into what shadows are to be found.
As the two uruks speak, Gonkich watches, learning, thinking. His eyes stare directly at the two. And then standing, he walks towards the two uruks. The clank of his iron shod boots muffled by the pounding of hammers on red hot steal. His ears catch the sound of the Maluuk,"Chain Mail? Why would such a skill warrior like you need chain mail?" he asks. Looking over to the tetrak, Gonkich says,"If that is what you desire, you have choosen a good smith. But...But I thnk that you'd be better suited ring and a helm." Then he hisses a low rasp,"But few listen to me."
Ezmakh starts tapping his gloved fingers at their parallel handed ones, as he listens to Snurga's words. "In order to know if we need arrangement, Maluuk," he replies wryly, "I need to know how much money you can give, yes yes." A certain spark appears in the Hammerer's red eyes, and after a slight pause he continues. "Anyways, no matter how much you have at the moment, it will take a time until you'll have the set, if you want one of good quality. I suppose this kind you seek, yes?" Looking at the approaching Gonkich then, the Hammerer doesn't reply anything to him, but his grin sligthly twitches to be broader with the comment of his own skiils.
Snurga's green-eyes flash to Gonkich before they narrow a bit, she sniffs "I want chain in the hopes of better deflecting arrows..cursed elven archers.." The senior scout spits into one of the fires, resulting in a hiss of steam which then joins the general clouded nature of the place.
She returns her attention to Ezmakh "'Course it's to be good quality and.." she pauses "as for what payment I can give, what would you ask?" her grin's tone becomes a little more complicated than just amusement.
Looking at the Maluuk, Gonkich says,"Arrows, ehs?" he grunts. "Arrows hurt, but are far better then having the spike of a warhammer acting like a spear and bursting right through those rings. At least ring gives some padding." With that he pats the hammer at side. And returns his gaze to Snurga.
"This is very simple, yes." The hammerer replies, the red orbs of his focused on the Senior Scout, "Chainmail costs 4 Gold coins, yes. Ringmail is half the price. Easy to calculate, right?" Then pausing again, he runs his finger on the hammerers pierced to his chic and continues, "If you want good quality, we need to know your measurements. Prugle, get over here!" he shouts to the side at a short apprentice, he immediately obeys the command. "For that you need to take off the armor, though." For now, he still ignores the words of Gonkich.
"I /know/ arrows hurt" Snurga mutters, the gaze that falls on Gonkich a little harder now "I am far more likely to take an arrow than I am to feel the touch of war-hammer, or...I should hope so anyway." She runs her gaze up from Gonkich's boots, over him and finally past the stump of an ear "Do I know you?"
The Morghash Maluuk pulls at the sharply cut black shirt which fits over her ringmail and then begins untying the armour, finally removing that. Beneath the She's ringmail is only a tattered and ragged garment with many rips and tears that barely covers her, without the shirt it's to be seen that the scarred pattern on her cheeks runs down her arms.
"Good, yes, Plugle, take measurments of the Senior Scout and report them to. I'll make the armour myself, yes, for the Maluuk." Ezmakh's orders are sharp and clear. "The payment we will discuss later, for I must give the maggots new orders, I see they take rests for no reason." He gives another nod to the she-scout and walks to the other side of the room. His shouting voice soon echoes above the clanking voices.
"No. You dont." With that Gonkich's eyes seem to glow a little, and his teeth begin to bite his lips. "But I know you, Morghash Maluuk." Taking his hammer in hand, he says,"C'zakh, has sent me to dispose of you. And now with the smith being gone, I will do so. He pulls the hammer back, and swings with it sharp point aimed at the She's chest. An attempt to slaughter the uruk in one stroke.
Gonkich attacks you with his War Hammer!...
...and he hits! Ouch!
Snurga hisses and staggers back as the point of the war hammer cuts through the ragged and thin material, tearing it and the flesh beneath. The ripping of the cloth also allows it to be seen that the she-uruk has rings in rather more interesting places than her ear too. Still taken aback by the sudden attack and the feeling of hot blood, hers, on her skin her right hand goes for the scimitar that rests on her hip. The Maluuk soon has the blade in her grasp and ready "Thrakburzum Maggot.." she snarls and then slashes at Gonkich's mid section.
You attack Gonkich with your Scimitar...
Gonkich parries your attack with his shield!
As the blade comes towards his torso, Gonkich hisses,"Morghash traitor!" Turning his shield in front of him, it thuds as the scimitar bounces off of the shield, and then swings int he hammer with its pointie spike back towards the chest of the Maluuk. As he does so his face grimes with distaste for the Morghash tribe.
Gonkich attacks you with his War Hammer!...
...and he hits! Ouch!
Snurga yelps painfully as Gonkich's hammer catches in one of the afore mentioned rings, ripping it from her flesh. She bleeds proffusely now, her chest soaked with hot dark blood and her green eyes blazing with pain and rage. "All the same, Thrakburzum.." The scimitar is slashed quickly at the bouncer's hammer wielding arm..
You attack Gonkich with your Scimitar...
Your attack against Gonkich moderately wounds him!
THe blade cuts down the chest of the uruk, barely moving past his ring armor. ANd with a quick yelp, GOnkich yells,"Snaga!" With that the hammer is brough back above his head, and then down in a downward fashion, spike aiming for the throat. And as it flies down, his teeth grit.
Gonkich attacks you with his War Hammer!...
...and he hits! Ouch!
From the east, a small clatter can be heard amongst the terrible bellow of the Forge fires. The smell of melting steel, singed flesh, and acrid sweat saturates the air. Passing into the great Forge hall is a single cart, pulled by four snaga's who seem to have a relatively easy job as their only cargo is a single Uruk. The cart creaks to a halt just inside the door of the Forges, the uruk sitting atop it staring out.
"What is this?" Rukghash bellows from his cart top, standing almost immediately. His face winces slightly from the pain of standing so quickly. "Who's allowing this to go on in my forges?" The Master Hammerer roars, his voice causing what little work was occuring to stop comepletely. "Skai." The Hammerer snorts, taking a short hop down from the cart with the aid of his snaga bearers.
"You two! Stop that fighting now! There is to be no fighting in this place of work!" The Hammerer's voice is crisp, his armour rattling against his body as he walks. Hiw face is tensed, as if in a constant thrum of mellow pain. Slowly does Rukghash pull his axe from a loop at his waist and sling his shield down from his back. "Stop now, by order of the Master Hammerer!"
Rukghash pulls a wicked goblin-axe free from his belt, light glinting off of vulgar uruk runes etched in the steel.
Rukghash dons a suit of blackened chain armour - rings rattling lightly as he does so.
Rukghash puts on Metal Shield.
The Maluuk is nimble and she manages to twist away from the latest blow of the hammer, but not enough to totally avoid its caress, the sharp spike takes a groove out of her flesh, releasing more sticky blood to trickle downwards to drench her. Green eyes dart towards the nearest exit as if she would try and run but then Rukghash's presence is felt and she freezes on the spot, though the fingers of her right hand are curled tightly around the black bound hilt of her scimitar, which now bares anoher nick in the blade from its impact with the Thrakburzum.
Ignoring the words of the Tetrak, Gonkich does not stop, as the Maluuk begins, to turn, his hammer has no mercy, and lashes down towards the spinal area of her back. "Take her flame," He yells as the hammer flies down. It seems he pays no attention to the morghash tetrak.
Gonkich attacks you with his War Hammer!...
...and he hits! Ouch!
The Senior Scout crumbles to her knees, with a growl, as Gonkich strikes her again, her face becomes a twisted mask of pain now as she starts to crawl along the rough floor, amidst the sparks and steam that is still produced by the working uruks--though most have stopped to watch. Her crawling leaves a line of blood on the floor after her.
As the axe swings at him, Gonkich brings his shield up and manages to stop the axe from going any farther. And looking down to see the maluuk crawling on the floor, Gonkich leans over to smash the skull of the uruk. The hammer flies down towards the skull of the uruk, and a hiss is heard from beneath his visored helm,"Snaga!"
Gonkich attacks you with his War Hammer!...
Defeated, you drop Scimitar to the ground...
...and he hits! Ouch!
Darn! You've been knocked to 0 HP by Gonkich's attack!
You are critically wounded, and will die soon without a +HEAL'er.
See HELP COMBAT DEATH for more information. Good luck!
"I said to stop, fool." Rukghash grunts as he see the Thrakburzum attack the Scout once more. "Skai!" RUkghash shouts, his body tensing and wheeling round to bring his axe in from a low starting point. Swiftly does his axe rise at an angle through the air - whistling as it goes. The Master Hammerer's hips twist to his right adding torque to his strike, speeding the metal weapon onwards and upwards.
Rukghash attacks Gonkich with his Axe and moderately wounds him!
Snurga yowls as the hammer meets her skull, she falls flat on her face, half curled up and twitches--she still breathes but is unconscious now, the fingers of one hand still but clawing at the ground.
The axe from the Master smith slashes at Gonkich torso, a bit of black blood trickles down his ring mail, as the maluuk falls to her doom. Looking up at the Tetrak who's axe has struck, him he hisses,"Traitor," And bringing the hammer across his left side swing back across in a backhand fashion towards the chin of the uruk. A slight grunt can be heard from within his helm.
Gonkich attacks Rukghash with his War Hammer, but he misses by a handspan.
"No, only you are the traitor." Rukghash says, after taking a half-step back to avoid the hammer. "I'll skin your feet as punishment for this, and the scouts will owe me as well. But you most of all, Thrak." The Master Hammerer spits, his eyes like giant coals of hot fire set deep within his skull. Quickly does the Master Hammerer spring forwards, his legs pushing forward at a great velocity. If pain Rukghash feels it is not noticeable in his movements now - the adrenaline pumping too high. The axe comes in with a quick flick of the wrist towards the chest of the Thrakburzum, Rukghash's body shifting slightly to give him a decent angle on the strike.
Rukghash attacks Gonkich with his Axe and mildly wounds him!
The axe barely nicks the uruks, rings, which will cause little more then maybe a bruise. The Bouncer is quite displeased with the Tetrak now. ANd quickly brings the hammer towards the Tetrack's skull, hissing,"NO, I'LL HAVE YOUR HEAD!"
Gonkich attacks Rukghash with his War Hammer, but Rukghash parries the attack with his shield!
A lift of his shield and the blow is easily deflected. "No. No you won't." Rukghash's words come easily, mockingly from his throat. His voice, however does not do his feelings justice. Indeed his eyes burn ever bright, seeming to mock with a mere glance. "You, are the only traitor here." Rukghash's axe is brought round again, quickly cutting from left to right on a horizontal plain trying to spill the intestines of the Thrakburzum upon the ground.
Rukghash attacks Gonkich with his Axe and moderately wounds him!
The flies, but misses, instead hitting the thigh of the Bouncer, he cries out,"Die Snaga!" with that Gonkich reaches out with his spiked hammer towards the chest of the Hammerer. In an attempt to fend him off long enough to stand.
Gonkich attacks Rukghash with his War Hammer and moderately wounds him!
Thump! The Hammer manages to catch him lightly in the left shoulder, Rukghash's eyes widening a bit. "Not a chance, fool. You do not even deserve the rank of snaga." THe Master Hammerer preses his attack even with the new wound to his body. The axe comes over his head and down, trying to cleave Gonkich's skull in two. A snarl replaces the smirk on Rukghash's face, his entire body moving with his attack.
Rukghash attacks Gonkich with his Axe and lightly wounds him!
The axe slashes down over the alread nubed ear on the side of Gonkich's head. Looking up Gonkich says,"No your the snaga!" Standing up takes a swing at the skull of the Tetrak's.
Gonkich attacks Rukghash with his War Hammer, but he misses by a mile.
Rukghash dodges the blow easily his body shifting to the side and dipping down. No words are spoken from the Master Hammerer now, his eyes intent on the midsection of the Thrakburzum. The forge fires seem to be burning extra hot now for some reason, or it's possible not that at all. Nonetheless Rukghash rises and brings his axe upwards towards the groin of the uruk he fights - his snarl tightening on his face as he does.
Rukghash attacks Gonkich with his Axe, but he misses by an arm's length.
Side stepping the uruk's axe, Gonkich moves enough to clear the arch of steal. ANd as he moves over brings the hammer down towards the shoulder of the Uruk, in an attempt to take the arm and the shield away from the uruk.
Gonkich attacks Rukghash with his War Hammer and mildly wounds him!
A grazing brush is all the Rukghash receives for moving slightly too slow. His body begins to circle to his right, trying gain an opening at the side of the uruk. Just as quickly as he moves right he begins moving inward again, his axe held at the ready at mid-height. Then quickly the axe snaps out to attack Gonkich's side, hoping at the least to cracks ribs or cut through them. No sound is made as the Hammerer pushes his attack onward, his eyes merely watching, preparing for his next strike.
Rukghash attacks Gonkich with his Axe and lightly wounds him!
The strike merely nicks the Bouncer again, mut barely shows blood. ANd in a agner swings his hammer back towards the chest of the Tetrak. Wondering 'if this snaga will ever die?'
Gonkich attacks Rukghash with his War Hammer and moderately wounds him!
Ummp! The Hammer connects solidly again, and manages to slow Rukghash from making his next attack too quickly. Still the Master Hammerer presses on, coming again to attack the Thrakburzum. The axe circles once in his hand, then comes forward and up to strike into the stomach of the Thrakburzum.
Rukghash attacks Gonkich with his Axe and badly wounds him!
This time the axe solidy connects. Slashing across the stomach. Blood come slowly but steadily. And quickly looking towards the uruk, Gonkich yells out,"Ghlurshrekh, I will avenge!" With that the hammer flies rapidly toward the eyes of the Hammerer, GOnkich eyes now glowing heavily in red.
Gonkich attacks Rukghash with his War Hammer, but Rukghash parries the attack with his shield!
"He's dead too." RUkghash muses momentarily, before being forced to lift his shield and deflect the blow off over his head. Clearing the Hammer Rukghash steps back in for another attack, his shield held at the ready before him and his axe coming in from his right - diving towards the deltoid muscle on Gonkich's upper arm.
Rukghash attacks Gonkich with his Axe, but he misses by a handspan.
Snurga twitches unconsciously, blood pooling around her form on the floor of the forges, unaware of anything that is happening around her.
The attack misses, as gonkich steps away, and then quickly turns his hammer back towards the Tetrak. The iron rushing downward towards the colarbone of the Master Hammerer. A grunting coming from beneath the visor of his helm.
Gonkich attacks Rukghash with his War Hammer and mildly wounds him!
ANother glancing blow, rattling the Hammerer's helm slightly. It only disrupts his motions slightly however, as the Master Hammerer bounds in to try and hit the Thrakburzum in the stomach once again. The axe dips in low and comes in horizontally towards Gonkich's already wounded gut. The Hammerer's hips torque with the move and his shield comes round for a bit of protection.
Rukghash attacks Gonkich with his Axe and badly wounds him!
GOnkich tries to block the axe with his shield, but fails. The axes strikes him in the stomach, but just enought the slash him. Blood now trickles down his mail to the floor. And in an attempt to make the tetrak unconsious he brings the hammer in a backhand fashion towards the uruk's right cheek. Hoping to fall him to the floor.
Gonkich attacks Rukghash with his War Hammer, but he misses by a hair.
Rukghash again dodges aside the strike, waiting for it to pass before acting again. Then with a great burst of force Rukghash cuts forward towards the Thrakburzum. Axe in the lead the strike comes in from above down towards the left - trying to cleave at the uruk's shoulder. Rukghash still holds his shield before him in a strong defensive position, his eyes measuring his next attack already.
Rukghash attacks Gonkich with his Axe, but he misses by a handspan.
The stroke fails and misses the Bouncer. Moving aside from the axe Gonkich quickly returns the the stroke towards the Tetrak's stomach. Spike aiming towards his intestine. ANd as it whirs in the air a war cry is heard from beneath the visor of his helm.
Gonkich attacks Rukghash with his War Hammer, but he misses by an arm's length.
Another whirring miss, Rukghash merely watches the hammer float by. A moment later Rukghash's body erupts in motion, the heat of the room not affecting the Master Hammerer's attacks. Upwards does the cut strike, again for the chest or stomach - whichever it can find. Rukghash pushes out with his shield as well, to try and gain a little more space and set an easier defense.
Rukghash attacks Gonkich with his Axe and badly wounds him!
The strike his Gonkich in the chest, boucing off the rings. And he strikes back, this time aiming to bring the Tetrak to his knees. The hammer flies towards the groin of the uruk. bits of blood sling off and land on the floor as it flies through the air.
Gonkich attacks Rukghash with his War Hammer and moderately wounds him!
The Hammer clashes with Rukghash thigh moderately, his eyes wincing barely with the strike. The Master Hammerer, however, makes use of this gifted momentum and spins on his opposite foot. Bringing his axe around in a horizontal strike - the flate of the axe head being used - to try and smack Gonkich upside the back of his head.
Rukghash attacks Gonkich with his Axe and badly wounds him!
The axe graises the side of Gonkich's helm. Barely scuffing it. And doing little more then moving his head aside. Gonkich then swings back again at the uruk's groin. This time with the spiked edge of the hammer. Maybe hoping to circumsize.
Gonkich attacks Rukghash with his War Hammer and moderately wounds him!
Rukghash's thigh takes the brunt of the damage again, his leg wavering slightly from the blow. Yet, this does not stop Rukghash from continuing his assault. Grimacing in pain, Rukghash brings his axe down from over his head to strike at Gonkich's shoulder. Grunting with the motion the Master Hammerer sinks his hips with the blow - driving more power into the strike.
Rukghash attacks Gonkich with his Axe and badly wounds him!
The attack barely touches gonkich. Enough to leave another bruise. He has apperently finaly met a warrior of his match. And as the uruks axe withdraws, Gonkich swing again at the groin. The spiked tip angles to take the groin off.
Gonkich attacks Rukghash with his War Hammer and moderately wounds him!
Enfuriated it seems, and breathing heavily, Rukghash takes the blow heavily to his other leg this time - his eyes closing from the pain. Opening, Rukghash spurts in his axe leading the way and cutting a wide horizontal swath before him, hoping to bring down to the floor for good.
This time the axe drops the uruk to the floor. His body falls loosly to the floor. As it hits it makes a sound somewhere between a clink and thud. Looking up towards the Tetrak, Gonkich says,"You may have defeated me..." cough cough,"But I have defeated you as well. Shamans gave me poison to lace on my hammer." Giggiling for a moment, he says,"You will die too." Hissing for a moment his head then falls back to the floor. And his body quites twitching.
"Bah! Probably Mothrag poison." Rukghash spits, his chest heaving heavily - blood seeping from his many wounds. "You three." Rukghash says, pointing at three Apprentice Hammerers. "Drag his body into on of the fire pits and have it burn up. Bring me all his things, though." Rukghash's voice is a wheeze, stumbling back towards a stone wall and slumping against it.
"And you two! Bring my cart here and lay Snurga on it and then help me up there." The Master Hammerer grunts, his eyes glazing over from the pain. Quickly, Gonkich's things are brought to Rukghash, and they search the body for any money as well. Soon, they begin to drag the body off to one of the forge fires to be tossed in.
Snurga twitches again as her fate is in the hands of Rukghash and those instructed to put her on the cart.
As the snagas come to do their duties, that take all of the armor and clothing off of the uruk. Laying it upon the floor. GOnkich is then hoisted up on thier shoulders. Then walking over to a fire of coals, toss the dead uruk onto the fire. The flesh instantly begins to steam and crack.