The Dwarves of Thor Modan (( Open PvP/RP ))

[Liftrasa]

Liftrasa circled above the remains on the Westfall encampment on her Netherdrake, observing the routed Alliance forces as they scattered into the woods to regroup for a counter-attack. It appeared however the Horde was not interested in occupying the encampment as they were already leaving, the former prisoner in tow. It was of little consequence, she knew. They had already divulged the information of what the Horde had uncovered in the Hills: A dwarven artifact. It was regrettable the filthy traitor elf was allowed to escape though. Those who would ally with Orcs, after all the horror they unleashed on the Dwarven people at the onset of the Second War, was an unforgivable crime.nnThough defeated, she had learned a great deal about the Nyxians Forces and their own forces. They knew how to use terrain to their advantage. Were it not for the stupidity of the human commander, they could have easily countered. What else should she expect from a man who was willing to use the soldiers of the Westfall Encampment as fodder though. A paladin however could not simply watch as others took the brunt of a battle. It was Uther himself who had told her that paladins fight the most dangerous battles so that others do not have to take the burden. Still, it was not the same as when she had lead the ambush on them at Caer Darrow. They seemed a tad... smarter, she would have said were it anything but mangy Horde. Though she supposed it was possible they might have learned charging head long into Alliance soldiers amounted to little more than suicide. After all, even dogs learn that fire is hot once they had been burned.nnThe important thing though was to not dwell on the matter of defeat. Thane Talonaxe demanded the artifact be retrieved even if from the cold dead hands of the one that held it, some cow as she understood it. The Thane's orders were paramount, especially to the Khurzhurar of the Nargurd, the Commander of the Thane's Personal Guard. An honor which was bestowed upon her a short time after the Council's Forces were routed. The nearest clue they had was that the Artifact was likely near Warsong Hold.nnIt was a rather defensible structure, but not impervious, especially not since Orcs built it. Garrosh and Saurfang both commanded from there as well, both formidable fighters. If this Oracle was indeed housing the Dwarven artifact there in order to discover and, most likely, defile the mysteries held with in, they would storm the keep and spare not a one of the beasts or die in the process, such was the task of the Nargurd. Dwarven history was for Dwarven eyes after all and the hooves and other odd appendages of a walking mound of beef had no business touch and feeling such mysteries. Thane Talonaxe would have his artifact or pile of Horde corpses till it came into his possession.nnLiftrasa wheeled her drake around and set off for Borean Tundra to begin military operations there, but not before making sparing one last glance at the tattered encampment, swearing justice for those that fell there.

[Oneille]

A resounding crack, brittle in nature then thunderous on impact, echoed through the waterfront. A loud splash followed by the alarmed calls of gulls carried on the wind. Several Northrend Pengus flocked to the cold ocean depths, their glossy two-toned figures darting headlong into the icy waters. While the aquatic foul dashed pass Orcas and nearby fish schools above the glassy surface a looming shadow flew over. The flapping of wings and a gutteral growl greeted the pengu who swam in a flurry escaping a predator. A younger pengu squawked straining to catch up with his flock till ebony claws plucked the trailing youngster. nnIn a blur the giant netherdrake swooped low then darted further up. It's snack squirming in it's grasp. Growling the drake tossed the terrified pengu up, the small creature squawking in distress till his cries were silenced. A large jowl opened and devoured the young creature snarling as it pursued others of the same flock. One by one the glacial pengu disappeared meeting their fate. The male netherdrake hissed semi-sated only to have a whistle divert his attention. Off in the distance a small figure stood at a cliff's edge. Upon closer examination the drake found his mistress calling him back.nnWhining in a draconic manner, the drake soared high then swooped to meet his rider. A dainty hand reached to touch the long snout of the nether created dracon. There lay hidden a faint smile under a lined cloak wrapped tightly about the neck and face of an elfin woman. The harsh winds of Northrend billowed up from the rocky cliffs chilling both dragon and elf. Not a word said the drake circled about and landed gracefully on the ground behind his mistress. nn"Jorustraza, you've been a busy drake," Oneille noticed the dried blood at his maw's edge. "Pengu hardly count as a snack for one of your size my pet." Jorustraza reared back bellowing a low roar. The elf maiden smiled and stroked his rough hide. nn"Let's be on our way to Warsong Hold. I've a feeling with recent events no Alliance will welcome our tribal banner about." Jorustraza lowered his neck, rider taking the flat saddle hoisting herslf up. With a soft thud the drake and rider situated. A whisper of command and lift-off! Large cobalt wings spread, flapped, and shot up the duo. In no time the pair were skyward the ground miles below. nnOneille and her mount left early that Tuesday morning to seek rhino meat for cooking but instead the drake found brunch. Cold winds whipped passed the drake whose wingspan caught the winds propelling himself through the drafts. Oneille's hands pushed at his neck and changed his destination. Through the howling winds her voice called out, "Head to Dalaran!" The drake dove and tilted wheeling around. Cold air blasted at Oneille sending a shiver down her spine. From the Borean Thundra to the Crystal Song Forest the rider and drake made quick time back to the mage city.

[Asarelah]

Asarelah paced back and forth, between her desk and the fireplace, nervously eyeing the stone tablet, and the Dwarven history book laying open. Only a moment before, she had been buried in study... But now...nn"Aitana....." Lah's mind voice broke, ragged, and clearly there was a note of raw fear in what reached the Oracle, "I am about to... more closely examine... the stone tablet..... It’s… most curious!!"nnThe Oracle’s sending came back sharp and clear. “Take no chances, Lah. We do not know what, if anything, might occur, should you tamper with it.”nn“I will be very careful!” was Lah’s only response as she closed the link, and moved back to her desk.nnAfter having cleaned away the rest of the moss, and untold centuries worth of grime that had encrusted the stone, Asarelah examined it closely.nnThe Tablet measured some nine inches wide by some fourteen inches in length, and was approximately one inch deep. It appeared to be a piece of hand crafted grey marble into which a heavy blue gem with a slight glow has been sunk in the lower right hand corner. The tablet was chiseled with Dwarven Runes which have been filled with a shining gold inlay to make each rune level with the natural cut surface of the marble. The Runes upon it read as follows.nn-2312953.6761478945nn-Midd-havas ta gosh grum dun-fel ganrokh gar-mogothn-Goten we kost ganrokhn-Midd-havas geardum gorn-Khurzhane Havar Misfaran Gar-Mogothn-Khurzhurar Frean Hoga-Modann-Vardormak Haldji Ganrokhn-Vardormak Kaelsag Ganrokhn-Vardormak Mok-kha Gar-mogothn-Rune Azregahn Zu-Modr Haldrenn-Azregahn Thros Dun-haldrenn-Azregahn Dun-fel Ge'ar-anviln-Azregahn Farode Ge'ge-kruann-Azregahn Bergum Godkendn-Midd-havas modoss ga hrim a angdor-dum mgodune ta mogoth haldrenn-Frean Modoss zu-modr ta eft Hoga ta eft Golganar loch hoga ta rune modgud ga eft gar gor eft frean skalf ta gear goten khaz haldji thros ta eft eftn-Grum Skalf Kost grum mos thros gor eft gor eft Frean gosh havasn-Hine Misfaran guma-syddan kha hoga khaz ga eft gar Ahz-dagumnnTry as she might, Asarelah could make no sense of the chiseled writings. Once again touching her hearthstone, she sent her mind voice out, but this time to Oracle Smoketusk. “Warby, you best come have a look at that relic I fished up. I can’t make heads or tails of it. But you might….”nnWarburn’s mind voice sounded far away… “Mebe later Lah... gonna see wat de fuss is ‘bout Xoott dressin up. Wat yous send her dat winter garb fer anyways?”nnTrueheart could only giggle to herself thinking of the lovely young troll and her new winter veil outfit, complete with matching boots, and how excited Xoott was to receive them. “Oh, you will see Warby. You will see.”nnPausing, she then added “I shall leave the Tablet on my desk, along with an old history book I… borrowed… from the Stormwind Library. There is a page marked in the library book that I wish you to see. Have a look when you can get this way, whether I am here or not. Chali will let you in.”

[Aitana]

The large crow swooped in the door to be replaced by the form of a Tauren female. Words tumbled out in a torrent.nn"Lah, I apologize for not giving you more warning or contacting you ahead of time about this," Aitana panted. "We must get that tablet out of here. After the attacks yesterday it is not safe. The innkeeper in Warsong Hold owes me several favors and he has made arrangements to put it in safekeeping under the watch of Garrosh Hellscream and Saurfang. It will be safe there."nnAsarelah nodded and handed over the book. In a moment Aitana stuffed the book into her bags, ran out the door, transformed back into a crow and was back up in the air on her way to Warsong Hold. The voice in her head rang through loud and clear. It had not taken but a moment for Asarelah to recover and demand more information.

[Liftrasa]

Liftrasa observed the towering structure of Warsong Hold upon one knee from the watch tower of Valiance Keep. Behind her were two of the Nargurd, the Honor Guard devoted to the will of the Thane of Karglos Telormar.nnVongnominton, a peculiar gnome death knight, watched with scrutiny. He was likely examining the structure with his destructive gnomish mind, plotting how best to blast a hole in it. Lifty did not often accept the aid of the tainted former minions of the Lich King, but Vongnominton was too useful to simply pass over. Besides, his pink mohawk and mustache were rather humorous, even to the normally gruff paladin. The other with her was the paladin healer, like herself, Nuali. He didn't say much, but he was old and sagely looking and handy to have at her back if she became engaged in conflict and could no longer heal herself.nn"There it is!" shouted the gnome in his shrill yet sinister voice.nnLifty extended the telescope and looked to see a large bird totting an object of some sorts. It was the cow with the artifact she knew. Confirmation, at last, that the artifact was at the Hold. The object of the Thane's desire was so near, but alas, they could not grasp it... not yet at least.nnThe Humans and Elves of the other Council Guilds bickered continually about strategies and politics. Who would hold what title during what battle and so forth. It was all irrelevant to the Nargurd. All that mattered was getting what that rotten lump of buzzard meat had in its mangy talons to Thane Ulfengard and punishing the animals that stole it in the first place. Whoever pretended to have command over the Nargurd at the time besides the Thane was of no consequence to her.nn"Ya, tha's it Gnominton," she said in an even tone, "that is it."nnThe gnome grinned with glee, likely relishing in the idea of killing the Nyxian Cultists. While such thoughts did not give Liftrasa the sadistic pleasure it gave the gnome, they did give her a sense of vindication that at last these monsters would pay for their crimes in the Second War. Justice would be served as well as her duty to the Thane. Nuali offered a curt nod to her and the group departed to report their findings.

[Warburn]

(( I really enjoy your writing Liftrasa, thanks for contributing. Having the "other faction" point of view, and especially that of the dwarves is so fun to read. ))

[Ulfengard]

Crackling over the Stones of Karglos Telormar throatily "This is tha Thane, Target has been identified, preparin' to make entrance. Keep tha 'orde buseh if yeh woul'"nnUlf stood on the running board of his flying machine, he checked the straps on his parachute grinned, lowered his heavy brass goggles and leaped from the running board of the flying machine the wind whistling past his face tossing his hair and beard about erratically. He Pulled the pin on the parachute the great red canopy opening quickly allowing him to slowly drift to a gentle landing atop the Zeppelin entrance to Warsong Hold.nnUlf looped a length of rope around one of the Horde's many convenient spikes, then he crouched and waited. He watched as Nyx's war band wooping and hollering in there unknowable tongues mounted there various beasts of burden, he muttered to himself "Naht a proper ram amongst tha lot." Ulf Dropped the Rope over the side when the next Zeppelin came through the gaping hole. As He slid down the rope to the bottom level of teh tower Ulf thought to himself "Hones'leh, who woul' leave two gian' feckin' 'oles in thar base anehone coul' jus' toddle on in."nnUlf Set on the edge of the opening and looked about, minimal guards were visible so he dropped into the bottom level and swiftly made his way through the shadows to a spot where he could get a view on one "Williamson Codwallow" an Undead freak charged with guarding the Artifact. Without further to do Ulfengard shouldered his trusty Crossbow piercing a note on the first bolt and taking aim for the undead's heart, he pulled the trigger, snap CRACK! followed by the resounding wet plop of the arrow sinking home in whatever passed for the undead freaks heart. in rapid succession a second rapid shot passing through it's throat grazing it's spine.nnUlfengard fell upon the corpse rapidly rifling through it's posessions as his hound defended him from the Horde who were setting upon them. With a woop of Joy Ulf drew the artifact from a side pouch and commenced running all out towards the ramps. Ulf ran up each ramp towards the top of the tower horde guards chasing him, he was forced to dodge incoming blows from all directions. As his feet touched the elevator platform it began to rise.nnUlf Scarbbled over the edge of the rampart and ran for the end of the Platform Orcs looking at him Quizzically. as he lept over the side arms and legs splayed wide air rushing past his face as he pulled the rip cord hard opening his reserve shoot, a great red canopy with the Ironforge Hammer Emblazoned upon it in gold "Ulf Spoke into his stone laughing madly.nn"This is Thane Ulfengard Anvilmar Talonaxe, I 'ave tha Relic an' am returnin' ta Valiance Keep"nn***nnThe Note impaled upon the Bolt reads simple and sweet nn"Horde whom wear the manner o' Nyx,nnTake naht tha posessions o' tha Dwarves o' Ironforge. For if yeh shall we will fall upon yeh wit' tha fureh o' a 'undred forges an' a thousan' 'ammers, we will figh' ta tha las' man ta claim wha' is ours an' kill those who are yers.nnTha' which is our will remain ours an' yeh Bes' Remember it.nnWit' Regards,nnThane Ulfengard Anvilmar TalonaxenThane o' Karglos TelormarnSon o' tha Bronzebeard, Wild'ammer an' StormpikenFather o' a Fine SonnHeir ta tha Line o' ModimusnnPos' Script: Go Feck Yerselves

[Leothiel]

The intelligence reports were floating in: Alliance were assembling in Valiance Keep. Leothiel knew why: Asarelah had found a tablet while fishing in the Grizzly Hills. Alliance were also seeking the tablet and captured her in the process. It was a back-and-forth battle to rescue her. This time, the Alliance wanted to get their hands on that tablet: It had dwarfish script. Leothiel flew to Warsong Hold on his dragonhawk. He saw that the Horde force was assembling. Word had it that the Alliance forces were assembling as well and were on the move.nnAlarm bells rang from the reports of the scouts. The Horde defense forces were put on high alert. The Alliance charged through the front door only to be greeted by rains of fire, ice, and death. The invading forces were routed and the Horde quickly reassembled themselves. The scout kept in communication: The Alliance defenders in Valiance were grouped in the courtyard. Leothiel thought it would have been an easy victory. It was a rout for the Horde and they returned to Warsong Hold to lick their wounds. The Alliance then patched their wounded and readied for another assault. Horde were even more on edge in the anticipation. The zeppelin platform proved to be a good vantage point to cover the entrances. The alertness drove away a diversionary force and the main force. Two alliance troops nearly slipped through. The Alliance were routed again and there was renewed morale in the Horde forces as victory was the only option ahead. This time, they did not charge straight into the courtyard on Valiance. It took time to thin the ranks of the Alliance defenders before they found the Alliance general.nnThe Horde flew back to Warsong Hold in victory. Soon, the celebration was interrupted as the artifact was missing with a taunting note left behind. Their victory was hollow. After the revelation, Leothiel slipped away from the group as Oneille was taking him somewhere that night.

[Grethem]

((I am most certainly NOT a mangy lump of rotten buzzard meat, nor did I actually have the tablet, I was just giving away all your strategies. >_>))nnGrethem paced around in a small cave in Moonglade, throwing down pieces of paper and and picking up others. He jotted down notes in journals with one hand, while reading books with the other.nnIt had been discussed with Aitana and others that the best route would be to destroy the tablet as soon as it was recovered. If the thing was so interesting as to start such large skirmishes, the overall benefit of destroying the thing would far outweigh the loss of life by keeping it. And the consensus had generally been agreed.nnThough something bothered him... what was the tablet's purpose and worse, what if there were others like it?nnHe scoured his collection of notes and books for anything on the sort of matter, but it continued to remain elusive. What on earth could be written by dwarves that was so powerful? Grethem picked up a collection of dwarvish poetry, shuddered, and tossed it back.nnGrethem sighed and cleared the desk he had set up in the cave. Not even his years of research and collecting any piece of writing could lead him to information on the elusive tablet...nnGrethem sighed, knowing that what he had with him write now wasn't the only research material he had. He HAD promised he would look through the Black Tome of Zaba'kaa. If anything held information on this tablet... or tablets... The tome would.nnHe regretted that he would have to resort to the wretched thing again, seeing as the book seemed to sap his strength away with its shadowy whisperings, but if it saved lives he would have no choice.nnBut it was not the time. Grethem walked to the entrance of the cave and gazed wistfully at the stars and moon.

[Liftrasa]

((I am most certainly NOT a mangy lump of rotten buzzard meat, nor did I actually have the tablet, I was just giving away all your strategies. >_>))

nnn(( The Lump of buzzard meat was actually Aitana with the artifact. My last post was prior to the battle at Borean. ))nn***nnThe depths of human idiocy never ceased to astound Liftrasa. Since the day she had watched Arthas as he went in to Stratholme to massacre the citizens with in, her image of them as a competent and just peoples waned. In fact, the last human she could ever recall holding in high regards was her former master in the Silverhand, Uther the Lightbringer himself. She knew that if he saw such a display of cowardice from another human, he would rise from his grave and scorn them.nnThe Republic forces, the soldiers and sworn defenders of the very keep this battle had been waged had sent a token force at best and their commander, who had continually protested that he should command this battle, was not even in attendance. Was it some sort of message he was hoping to send? A message that the Council was nothing with out him or his soldiers? People's lives were not meant to be sacrificed to prove a point and the thought of it filled her with a righteous fury. Indeed, the human commander of Republic and former paladin had fallen greatly to allow this atrocity, upon his own keep and people no less.nnThe cost to the people of Valiance Keep had been horrific. She looked out upon the Keep from the ramparts to the bodies that littered the area below. The surviving soldiers threw the corpses onto burn piles, a precaution to keep them from rising up again. Valiance Keep was left with a mere Skeleton crew that would be working tireless hours to repel the undead hordes that constantly besieged the fortress, at least until reinforcements arrived by sea or by way of Dalaran. She watched as the forces of Al'shar Lo Dorano departed and offered a solemn nod towards them. Were it not for those new found allies, there was no doubt the death toll would have been much greater. Still, it should never have come to that.nnHumans and their politics made Liftrasa angry, but the Thane had the Artifact in his possession and whatever possible secrets, be them dangerous or otherwise, would not be possessed by the Horde for whatever vile plan they had in store for it. There was at least that one comforting fact out of all the death that was wrought not hours before. She hoped that whatever was on that tablet was worth it.nnHowever, even though they had possession of the Artifact itself and could safely hide it in Ironforge, she had a sneaking suspicion that the blood spilled at Valiance Keep would not be the last over that tablet.