Moria, Slaver Meeting Hall(#21149RntUf)
This room embodies the terrible might of the Slavers of Moria. A great stone table stands proud, dead center is it
placed, with dimensions that exceed twice the width of the fattest of trolls, and
thrice the length of that monstrous kin. While an assortment of ornately
designed and extremely large wooden chairs lines the table, the largest, and
grandest, serves as a throne for the Slaver master and is reserved at the head
of the table. Candelabras cast of iron are placed by walls that are etched with
a myriad of ancient Dwarven hieroglyphs and modern Orcish inscriptions and designs, providing a rather dim and
eerie light, which only serves to add to the terrible atmosphere of this strong
hold of iniquity.
Two doors branch off from this hall of Slaver malice,
leading deeper into the Slaver strong hold - one to the torture chamber, the
other to the pits. Two passages lead out, and above these gateways is etched
the symbol of the Slavers, a giant silver disk with an unspeakable depiction.
Contents:
Laerecht
Durbmog
Gartogg
Rajoo
Sohargh
[Rajoo(#19968)]
However wide and large the entrance door is, it is still crowded and busy with
activity. dozens and dozens of orcs,
push and strugglr to get into the room. Guards are
all around, also marking the areas for each rank of uruk
to take a spot and watch the event. Special seats were set for the Masters, Talashakhs and Shakhs. An
extremely Large one made of engraved stone, made for
the Gothshaka himself. Behind a line of Baneguards the Maluuks and Cobugs and stand and watch the occurances,
and at the back the rest of the uruks and snagas can fight and strugglr for
a nice position to follow the events to come.
With no such difficulty Rajoo
passes through the bustling horde at the door. The Gashobazog
Cobug seems concerned a bit. "Rajoo must find Gothshaka."
he murmurs to himself again and again "Perhaps Gothshaka
will come and see trial." He looks around, locking his eyes on the great
seat and sighs. "Perhaps Gothshaka will come
later. Rajoo will wait." And he takes a position
by the doorway, leaning on the wall and scanning the entering crowd.
Sohargh sits quiet, impassive,
in the throne-like chair reserved for the Talashakh
ob Thrakburzum. Both of the uruk's
eyes, gleaming and flickering orbs of gold and black, narrow on the large
throne set aside for the Gothshaka.
The Talashakh ob Morghash is not lead into the room, no, instead he bursts through the chamber doors; his chain armour glinting and ringing. "Hrrrmmpf."
Huzghash snorts, his eyes
scanning impassively over the room. Moving quickly for his own seat, a pair of
Guards trying hard to catch up to the Master Guard, Huzghash
shakes the chains still around his hands; a mocking smirk on his lips. Taking a
seat across from Sohargh, the seat for the Morghash Talashakh, Huzghash sits calmly. "So glad to see you could come, Sohargh. I had no doubt you wouldn't miss this, my puppet Talashakh."
[Rajoo(#19968)] Once in several moments the large sized Apprentice
Guard leans towards a passing snaga "Maggot seen
Gothshaka coming?" making the little one effort
more to push onward in an attempt to run away. The burst of the defendant into
the room catches his attention for a moment, but once the Morghash
Talashakh takes his seat, Rajoo's
attention returns to the entering horde.
[Laerecht(#23460)] Another bursting through the doors and the
lumbering form of the massive Boss ob Ghashobazog
looms into the cavern. Sighting his own chair aside Sohargh's,
the Talashakh limps slowly therin
with the aid of a snaga beneath his single good hand.
"Ahhh.
My lateness can be equated with that of my mendings.
Please procede," the giant uruk
rumbles as he heaves his great hide into the predestined seat.
Sohargh sneers, "Puppet Talashakh? Have you suddenly taken up the habit of talking
of yourself in the third person?" The Thrakburzum
Talashakh appraises his rival with a quick glance,
"I actually thought you were more intelligent than that or perhaps a bit more sane. Even I am wrong at times, it seems."
Huzghash smirks, his only
response to Sohargh's accusation. "Ah,
Laerecht. The Ghashobazog
have been doing well, or so I have heard from my cell." Turning back to Sohargh, "And the Thrakburzum
are ever powerful, Talashakh Sohargh.
I have not lost the intelligence you have seen in me. Though
I perhaps see more than you at present." Huzghash
shrugs, his words sincere and calmly placed.
[Rajoo(#19968)] As his Talashakhs bursts
throgh the crowd to his seat, Rajoo
tries to catch his attention with no avail. Therefore, after thinking a bit to
himself, he walks towards the area set for the Maluuks
and Cobugs to satnd, and
gets a position right behind Laerecht. He gasps
deeply before stating "Can Rajoo give report to Rajoo's Talashakh?"
Sohargh murmurs, "I see
more and hear more than most uruks could make
themselves believe." He half turns to face the Ghashobazog
boss, "I find this turn of events interesting. If my memory serves me the Ghashobazog became a tribe to oust the Morghash
chieftain of the time, a known heretic, from his position. Now another sits at
the head of the Morghash and the Ghashobazog
appear in their shattered and defiled commons." He is thoughtful, almost
polite.
Huzghash's face hardens
slightly at Sohargh's last remark. "Do not call
me a heretic, Sohargh. Of that you know
nothing." Huzghash's words a raspy, knife-edged.
The Talashakh's eyes are fiery, flaring to life. He
pauses, turning to Laerecht again. "Tell me Laerecht, were you present at Dugzash's
demise? I wonder, why was he slain?"
[Laerecht(#23460)]
At the words of the Thrakburzum, Laerecht
half turns his head as he brushes a hand over his shoulder toward Rajoo before the rumblings continue.
"Your memory serves correctly, Talashakh. However..." A slight pause as the huge uruk crosses his burly chest with his left arm to cup the
missing hand of his left. "Grunnu's work will
continue. A mighty tribe did he plan in the Ghashobazog,
and well was he toward his goal before the sickness of mind took him
over." Is that sadness in his old eyes? "But know you that I was
there at his final days." Hastily changing the subject with a grunt and
sneer at nothing in particular, the Boss continues. "But that is of no
matter at the present circumstances. The Thrakburzum
prosper as the accused has so thoughtfully pointed out?"
Not a bend in the large orc's
thick neck slights to acknoweldge the words of Huzghash, merely another grunt and a
"It is not your place to question at the moment, Huzghash."
"Interesting, Laerecht.
For one who professed openly that you saw my piety." Huzghash
chuckles, eyes glinting as he reclines slightly in his chair. "I
question," Huzghash says, pausing slightly to lean forward. "I question because I am a Talashakh and the Master Guard. I still hold my rank, Ghashobazog." Huzghash spits
on the floor, a smirk slithering on to his weathered face.
"No matter though, Laerecht.
I empathize with your motives. To bad you too are a mere puppet. A shame." Huzghash shakes his
head side to side, lightly clicking his tongue.
Sohargh's lip curls into a
smirk as he answers the Morghash, "I know many
things, Huzghash. I have made full use of my gifts
and talents while you have squandered yours." His guttural voice utters
yet more, "Do not concern yourself with the fate
of another, Huzghash." The Thrakburzum
turns back to Laerecht, "Ah, yes.
I remember the whispers of Grunnu the mad haunting
the mines when I was a snaga. The Thrakburzum
prosper except for the loss of an officer by your hand," his tone remains
civil throughout his address, "though I trust you have an
explanation?" The words of the Morghash are
ignored..
Rajoo thinks to himself,
extremely extrovert are his self thoughts - wide puzzled eyes and paw rubbing
his chin. He opens his mouth to speak, but regrets before a voice comes out. He
thinks a bit again and opens his mouth saying. "Rajoo
wants to update Talashakh on reasons for delay of
eastern Prisoner, if Talashakh wills to listen."
[Laerecht(#23460)]
Eye single eye flits to Rajoo then back to the Thrakburzum before Laerecht
continues again.
"I will receive your report following the
proceedings, Cobug." An idle hand filts to the seared haze upon Grunnu's
robes as he remembers a meeting and a command received not too long ago.
"At my hand, Talashakh? Yes. The old one was unfit to live as was
testament by those that viewed his heresy. He became the first sacrifice to the
Flame by the hand of the Ghashobazog reborn, and
though I regret the loss of a warrior, I do /not/ regret the requital he
received for his words. Open disclamation of the Flame's blessing and words,
and the direct slander of the Ghashobazog tribe and Grunnu himself warranted his death. However..." The
tell tale word of pause creeps from Laerecht's lips
as he squints his venom-pained eyes toward Huzghash.
"I wish no animosity between our tribes, for I believe much can be
accomplished with our combined efforts."
Sohargh's eyes flicker, "I
will let it pass, but if a Thrakburzum is in need of
punishment in the future I will pass sentence, not you." The Talashakh's claws begin to drum on the arm of his chair,
"Where could the warlord and Gothshaka have
gotten too?"
Rajoo gives a semi-nod semi-bow
with his head to his Talashakh and stayes in his spot. He managed to get a nice place in the
middle of his line to follow the proceedings to come. In the meanwhile he
listens to the events within the three Talashakhs,
remaining silent. His ears jump when the Master Gatherer mentions the Gothshaka.
Huzghash grins, his fangs
glistening with saliva. "Ah. So that is why he died." Huzghash chuckles once, his eyes flitting about the room.
The Master Guard shifts restlessly in his chair: carink,
chink, carink, shhhhrikkkk.
The Guard's chains scrape across the stone floor, sounds screeching in the
room. Turning his head back to Laerecht Huzghash speaks as if remembering something, "Oh, I
would not look to myself to lead the Morghash in its
interactions with other tribes anyhow. I retain my rank only by force." Huzghash shrugs, "Khamuz is
the true leader of the Morghash now, for no matter my
punishment I shall not return as head of my tribe."
Sohargh's eyes narrow on Huzghash again, "So Khamuz
now leads the Morghash in name as well as practice?
Has the king or flame made a decree I haven't heard?" The Talashakh's claws cease their drumming.
"In practice only, Sohargh. The Title is still mine. The only a title
it is." huzghash says placidly and uncaring.
[Laerecht(#23460)] Turning his tusked head finally toward the
prisoner, Laerecht barks.
"Khamuz will be
a capable leader. Much trust did I have in you, Morghash
before you turned upon your own words not once but twice. Deeply saddening it
is."
Topknot swishing lightly with the movement, Laerecht stares coldly at the chain-bound Talashakh, an icy leer downturning
his scarred features.
Rajoo now starts to scan with
his eyes and nose how the room was especially organized to the trial. His eyes
eventually fall upon the master of his job, glaring at the chains and searching
any shown effect as a result of such a long while in the cell. He isn't sure he
spotted any. With his one ear still listening to the words between the three
Tribes' Talashakhs, he flinches again when Sohargh mentions the king one more time.
[Durbmog(#29406)]
Boom. Boom.
Boom.
The courtroom drums rumble once, and the tall figure of
the Warlord stands in the doorway to the Slaver Meeting Hall, the dim light of
candelabras sending his shadow this way and that.
Durbmog's sharp-toed iron boots
click metronomically as he advances into the
courtroom. His pale eyes glint, flickering this way
and that; under one arm he carries a sheaf of parchments.
Huzghash shrugs to Laerecht's comments. "Perhaps."
Huzghash murmurs, his eyes flicking to the Warlord as
he enters.
[Laerecht(#23460)] Half swiveling his mass, Laerecht
turns to nod a brief acknowledgement to the entering Durbmog.
"Ahhh, the
Warlord arrives. Then it has begun."
Turning back to the Morghash,
Laerecht continues his consterning
gaze of the chained creature.
[Grok(#19150)]
Grok sneeks noisily into the
Slaver Hall and stands by the door.
Sohargh murmurs, "Ah! The
Warlord arrives well past the hour. If I thought Huzghash
more cunning I would have suspected foul play was the reason for your delayed
entrance." The Thrakburzum Talashakh's
eyes flicker and slide shut, "Horvak has yet to
arrive, but I suppose the warlord can act in his place for now."
[Rajoo(#19968)]
By the entrance of the Warlord Rajoo's
gaze turns immediately towards him. His upper lip curl
under his nose as he scans the Hai and his carryings.
Again, by the mentioning of Horvak he flinches one
more time.
[Durbmog(#29406)]
"Take your places," Durbmog
booms. He strides up to a rough wooden stand, placing the sheaf of parchments
on top of it. "The accused will rise and the indictments will be read.
There will then be ample opportunity for further charges to be petitioned to
add to the indictment by the courtroom populace."
Huzghash rises, his hands
clattering in mockery; limiting his ocne capable
hands from doing much good. "I stand ready, Warlord." Huzghash says proudly, his eyes hardened and staring
straight ahead. The Guard's armour swings lightly on
his frame, blackened rings swaying with some unknown wind.
[Durbmog(#29406)]
"Huzghash
of the Morghash." Durbmog
makes the very name sound incriminating. He lingers over each word. "Talashakh of the Morghash Tribe,
a Chieftain of Moria. Master of the
Guards since the death of Master Guard Irt. Up
until recently ... an upstanding, honest Orc. A generous Orc. Or so everyone
believed. You are here arraigned on a number of charges high and low."
The Warlord pauses to adjust the papers ostentatiously.
Picking up the first, he makes a great show of peering at it.
[Rajoo(#19968)] The crowd in the room goes completely silent. It's
like all fell into deep sleep, except from those at the front, those who deal
with the trial. Some hisses can be heard though s the Warlord pauses from his
opening speach. Rajoo
remains silent all the time and watches.
[Zimbacht(#31819)]
From the back Zimbacht wanders into the room, his
blank expression gazing in through the portal for a few seconds trying to
ascertain if he is 'welcome' or not. Spying a somewhat offical
looking meeting he pauses a moment, before he 'throws caution to the wind' and
walks in, taking his seat, content to watch.
Huzghash nods once, otherwise
remaining motionless and silent.
[Durbmog(#29406)]
"These, then," the Warlord declares in a loud
and booming voice, "are the charges. From least to greatest: Corruption,
one count. Enticement to corruption, one count. Plotting against officers, three counts. Enticement
to murder, one count. Contempt for high officers,
three counts. Plotting against the Warlord, one count.
Plotting against the Master Shaman, one count. High conspiracy, one count. Disregard and disrespect for the
Master Shaman, two counts. Plotting against the King, one
count. High treason to the King, three counts. Intent to blaspheme the Flame, one count. Blasphemy
against the Flame, one count." A pause; his eyes remain fixed upon Huzghash. "Shall we detail the charges?"
[Rajoo(#19968)]
As the charges list is continued by its mentioning, and the greatness of the crimes
rise, so does the whispers and rumbles within the great crowd present in the
room. Once the Warlord is done his count and mentions the last two sins against
the FLAME, dozens of orcs begin to shout in contempt
and disgrace. The guards present to keep order in the hall soon draw their
weapons hissing out warning and slowly silence returns.
Rajoo remains silent,
nevertheless. He switches glimpses from the Warlord to the Master Guard,
curling his lip and listening carefully to their words.
"Detail them? No, I think that will do unless you
choose to do otherwise, my Warlord." Huzghash
says plainly, his eyes matching with the Warlord's for a brief moment before
shifting over the crowds. "I understand the charges, however, and will
enter my pleas when told." Turning his eyes over the audience at their
outbursts, Huzghash allows a grin to again crack his
weathered lips.
Sohargh nods irritably, awaiting whatever is to come next. The Talashakh's
eyes narrow on the Warlord rather than the Master Guard.
[Zimbacht(#31819)] Zimbacht does not
understand the charges - although this in and of itself is not surprising - and
thus does not join in the cat calls against Huzghash
for his crimes. Instead he sits there in his seat, his eyes blinking in their
slow, plodding manner as he processes everything around him.
[Durbmog(#29406)]
"Very well," Durbmog
declares, lowering the parchment with an ironic smile. "We shall have
plentiful opportunity to detail each and every count during the trial. I should
note, by the bye, for those in the courtroom, that you
already confessed publicly -- we have witnesses -- to high treason against the
King and to disregard and disrespect for the Master Shaman. Now, if you will
proceed to plead guilty, innocent, or whatever else you like ..."
Sohargh's gaze shifts to Huzghash, his breath catches in his throat.
[Rajoo(#19968)] Again the crowd returns to shout and call phanatically as the confession is revealed to all. Some
calls are set now not only against the Talashakh himslef, but also a few against the Morghash
tribe by all its members. Some calls in returned are heard, slandering the
other two tribes and chieftains, and several fights emerge. The guards now set
into action, drawing their weapons and carrying out snagas
and uruks towards the Slave Pits to be punished. Some
maggot blood is also shed on the floor, though only injuring not by death. The
guards succeed for the moment to retain order.
"Ah!" Huzghash
exclaims, his body straightening, "I did not confess to disrespect of the
Master Shaman! Nor shall I ever!" Huzghash sneers, energy surging through his body. "As
to the other charges, I shall plead to each in turn."
Huzghash pauses,
"Corruption and Enticement thereto: Innocent. Plotting: Guilty. Enticement
to murder: No contest. Contempt for high officers: Guilty! Plotting against the
Warlord: Guilty. Plotting against the Master Shaman:
INNOCENT!" Huzghash pauses again, a sneer
firmly replanted on his face; eyes flaring grotesquely.
"High Conspiracy: No contest. Disregard and
disrespect for the Master Shaman: INNOCENT!" Huzghash
proclaims firmly again. "Plotting against the King:
Innocent. High treason: Guilty. Intent to Blaspheme the Flame: INNOCENT!
Blasphemy against the Flame: INNOCENT!" Finished, Huzghash
grunts; his lips locked together and jaw set sternaly.
The Talashakh's entire body seems tensed against the
charges, his entire will.
Sohargh murmurs, "You
plead innocent of the most severe crimes, yet say guilty enough to doom
yourself. I truly did overestimate your intelligence." The Thrakburzum Talashakh's claws
drum on his oily cheek.
Huzghash turns to Sohargh his face calm, "Would I had
plead innocent, would the outcome have been different?" Huzghash shrugs, continuing. "I plead truthfully and
rightly. That is the way of things."
[Durbmog(#29406)]
"Actually," Durbmog
interjects mildly, "You confessed and recanted to the charge of disregard
and disrespect for the Master Shaman. No matter. We shall prove you guilty of
all of these crimes; or, at least, of many more than is necessary to seal your
fate utterly and beyond any doubt." Taking a thin wooden stick, he dips it
into a pot of viscous ink, shuffles the papers, and begins carefully to record
the guilty pleas thereon. "Is there anyone who wishes to add
charges?"
[Rajoo(#19968)] "I'll show ya
innocent!" cries a Morghash uruk
while leaping downwards toward the main area, drawing a dagger. "You
betrayed us, you shall pay." He starts running towards the Talashakh but two Large sized
guards stand in his way and knock him to the ground. Each wielding a club the
beat him to unconciousness and take him as well to
the Pits.
With an apathic look Rajoo watches the events, once in a while glaring towards
the specail chair set for the king and at the
entrance door. He sighs.
Sohargh's lips ripple in
suppressed laughter, "You will never know what might have been. I have no
charges to add at this time, Warlord."
Huzghash smirks, his eyes
falling back upon Durbmog. "I was to die whether
or not I plead innocent to all charges, Warlord. Even you cannot disagree with
that assessment." Huzghash chuckles, turning to the rushing - and then unconcious
- Morghash
[Durbmog(#29406)]
The Warlord shrugs theatrically. "Of course; the
evidence against you bears out each and every charge. Naturally you will be
found guilty of all the crimes that you have committed. I shall now announce
the agenda of the prosecution; for I shall not prosecute each and every charge
personally."
Rajoo's eyes curiously lay and Durbmog without moving off him anymore. A small smirk now
appears from under his large nose, as the proceedings continue.
[Durbmog(#29406)]
"Obviously the charges to which you pleaded guilty
will need no prosecutors," Durbmog declares.
"Therefore no one shall prosecute you for plotting and contempt against
officers and high officers, plotting against the Warlord, or high treason to
the King. The no-contest charges will be treated as guilty pleas ... save for
the purpose of subsequent trials. If any occur."
A smirk. The Warlord turns his
gaze from Huzghash and to the courtroom. "I
shall prosecute disregard and disrespect for the Master Shaman, plotting
against the Master Shaman, intent to blaspheme, and blasphemy. The remaining
three charges will be prosecuted by Shakh Morghash Khamuz."
The Morghash Talashakh laughs, his eyes lighting aloud. "Good.
Good. I will await my trial peacably in my
cell." Huzghash motions with his chains.
"To there I go then." Huzghash moves away
from the table, offering all present a gracious bow before turning fully to
depart.
Rajoo has partially
disconnected.
[Durbmog(#29406)]
"The next hearing shall occur within several
days," the Warlord declares, and, sweeping the papers into a heap, he
strides away from the stand. "Guards, escort Huzghash
back to his cell."