Constable Turn 5
You had been Constable of Alterac for a year now. You had come to the kingdom with a few hundred orcs, and now you were a chief and master of thousands of warriors.
"I want the kingdom properly fortified." you said to the captains. "Tagorr, you will have command of the defences and the garrisoning of the forts. A thousand for the north and south passes, half Blackrock and half Burning Blade for each. Shatterskull, lead your Warsong and another thousand of my Burning Blade infantry into Silverpine and purge it."
"Aye, Warchief." the hideously scarred wolf-rider replied.
"Runewatcher, take five hundred Blackrock, scouts from the Revantusk and some of Gol'dir's Frostwolves into the eastern mountains and across the river. Don't provoke the Trolls but if they oppose you call back for reinforcements and we'll deal with them. There are mines, pastures and forests in this land that are wilderness or Scourge territory. Find good places for our people to settle and clear for land or the deserted mines. We can use the Orebenders to call up metals and other things we'll need."
Runewatcher stroked his beard, "If you mean to settle the land we'll need roads and supply depots. There's barely enough food for everyone as it is, let alone with your new warriors."
"I know." you replied, "I'll see to it, but we must prepare at least. For now there's enough game and no doubt more than a few flocks that've been let loose after the Scourging."
Alterac wasn't self-sufficient in food. The Crushridge Ogres who'd bullied their way into the feudal hierarchy of the Syndicate had taxed the kingdom in food mainly and there were the shells of enormous ovens where the ogres had forced the human population to cook great pies and loaves of bread for them. You'd seen on, it was like a house for a normal sized person, but the bakers of Alterac's capital had acquired the unusual skill of monumental creations during their captivity.
They'd made such a creation for you when you'd assumed the mantle of Constable, creating a battlefield of bread with little hard figures which were apparently intended to be your army at the Battle of Varnhold. The master baker had been very pleased and you'd thought it remarkable, if somewhat of a waste.
It was necessary now though to put aside such luxuries. Dathrohan and the Scarlet Crusade couldn't forage as they might in other country, due to the diseased land and unhealthy nature of much of Lordaeron's produce. Vast wagon trains of grain and other foods came up from the south, exactly why Dathrohan had wanted you to secure the Crusade's southern supply chains, for by importing goods from Kul Tiras, Stormwind and Ironforge, Dathrohan could conduct his war without needing to slowly purge the land as he went. Indeed, you understood from speaking with officers attached to the supply convoys that the Crusade had established many secret caches, taught by the Arathi army in their battles against the Syndicate and the Witherbark.
For your purposes, while you could siphon off some of the food coming from the south and easily justify it given your recent actions, that would only weaken the Crusade. You'd send off some of the more moderate Burning Blade recently arrived, they could settle Silverpine and the eastern mountains and you might rely on them later for further resources, but there was a limit in your logistics currently meaning you couldn't concentrate twenty thousand orcs even if you might want to. More than that, Shatterskulls wolfriders could go hunt in the woods of Silverpine, and by distributing your orcs in such a way you'd distribute the logistical burden of their maintenance too.
The moderates would go off and adapt to Lordaeron, and it would be a challenge and a test for your captains.
You regarded Runewatcher again. You had your eye on him, you suspect he was among those who'd been agitating for you to be Warchief, though he was evidently hiding it extremely well, or speaking in a most indirect manner. He'd convinced Shatterskull to swear the blood oath to you, and done so himself, but you knew he'd done that to artificially gain closeness to you, for you had to honour those who gave such oaths.
The settlement of the eastern mountains would be a test for him. A test of organisation, of diplomacy with the Winteraxe trolls, and perhaps a test of military skill after his poor performance in the Hinterlands.
Meanwhile you'd keep the demon-worshipping Burning Blade close. Scorn had once served the same masters as they did, and it would be a test for him too. He was your loyal, if troublesome, captain and had served you now for two years. He greatly desired advancement and with the forces you were assigning him he now commanded the single largest division of your forces.
You paused, examining the map on the table before you. "Sorek, expand my guard to two hundred and Scorn, form the remaining Burning Blade into a cohesive force. I impress on you all, these are Orcs who've not experienced the Scourge or the same way we deal with the humans here. I won't tolerate dishonourable conduct. I intend to have the Blademasters enforce my will in this regard, but it will be for you all to communicate that will, given we've fought together longer."
There were others to consider too though, Garneg Charskull, commander of the Dragonmaw prisoners had drawn breath to speak and you motioned to him to continue.
"Warchief." he addressed you, for like some of the others he openly called you by that weighty title, "My people have the greatest skill in defeating flying adversaries, and I know the dead use many of them. Let us join you in your march."
"Your skill is known, Nelgor'shomash." you replied formally. You hadn't decided where you'd deploy the Dragonmaw recruits yet, but he made a good point. The Scourge used Frostwyrms, undead dragons animated by the magics of winter storm, as well as a variety of undead beasts and constructs in their battles. The Crusade had few forces to oppose them for there weren't enough gnomish gyrocopters or Wildhammer gryphon riders to go around.
Garneg was a Quickened orc, artificially aged, his memories of Draenor largely gone. He wore two tails of hair from the sides of his head, and had extensive tattoos of ash etched into his skin in what you assumed was a Dragonmaw style. The orc been your contact in the march back from the Wetlands after your indecisive bout with the Dragonmaw there. He'd been impressed by your use of the Purefire to heal the wounded, and had known that without you and your shaman there would have been many more deaths among the prisoners. He was a shaman himself, and carried a staff with a great red crystal on the top. He could call the Spirit of Fire to flow around him like a shield, an impressive feat and something that was more a 'spell' than what you'd usually described as a shaman's 'calling', for it spoke of great discipline to compel the elements to obey him in such a specific way.
The Dragonmaw had proven significantly more receptive to your recruitment than you'd expected. You had some skill in oratory, but you didn't regard yourself as an especially persuasive individual. You were a man of action and intended to prove your honour through deeds, but that seemed to be enough for the Dragonmaw. You'd gone to them and spoken of your plans and your thoughts for your people, you'd spoken about the place of your people in history and the role you saw as the protectors of the world. Then, after a short conference Garneg had come to you and declared that they'd all agreed to swear to you, subject to the brief provision that they wouldn't be employed to battle their own kin, or Rend's Horde. It was an easy agreement to make, for there were many enemies you might turn them against after all.
"Vark, I want to hit the Scourge hard, soon. I must consult Dathrohan and others, but make sure your Ogres are trained."
Your blood-brother nodded. You'd discussed it with him previously, but you knew from experience that Ogre stomachs were more hardy than Orcs and much more than humans. You intended to use the Ogres to contest some of the larger Scourge constructs, like the reports of undead giants, grotesque stitched creatures in the forms of men and beasts, that you'd heard of troubling the eastern bastions of the Crusade. The Ogres would be big enough to fight them effectively, and hardy enough to eat the roots and bark they were accustomed to, or to consume the unclean beasts or other such things in the Plaguelands.
There were dozens of other issues to resolve, but the military conference proceeded smoothly and you went to the yard to spar. You'd devoted considerable attention to it recently, fighting with the more junior blademasters who'd come over from Desolace. Almost all of them were Fel-Orcs, but for a Blademaster, you'd begun to think that was even appropriate, for it was an ultimate mark of their self-control and willpower. The more senior ones, the ancient Saruk and the commander of your father's troop, Rahjak, had demurred. Saruk was old enough not to care about status but Rahjak you suspected was concerned about how it would look if he was defeated by you. In any case, you'd fought their disciples and held courteous speech with the two.
You sparred for two hours, then went to take a meal in the communal hall. All about you there was talk and news of the wars seemed relatively positive. The Amani intervention in the Plaguelands seemed to be going well, while the Kul Tirans had been able to rally against the Zandalari and goblin forces in the trade war they seemed to be fighting currently, while also continuing to interdict the Vrykul forces from making significant landings on Lordaeron's northern coast.
There were other bits of news going about, from what Kartha and Darion had told you. The Kirin Tor and Baradin's Wardens were still struggling to contain the denizens of the magical prisons they maintained. You wondered if there'd been some disturbance in the ley lines, if the magical wards for both prisons in Dalaran's Violet Hold and the one on Tol Barad were failing.
"Honoured Grandfather, how easy would it be to…" you paused, looking at the warlock. It had been unusual, treating with an elder, and one of your kin. Your grandfather didn't seem to mind your awkwardness though, and Xerash Fireblade had adapted to the cold of Alterac well. He seemed to be pleased with the acclaim his status offered him as the kin of the most powerful orc on this half of the continent.
It had been a stupid question, such a thing wouldn't ever be 'easy'.
"How viable would it be to bind the various creatures imprisoned in the Violet Hold?" you asked him.
His fel-green eyes burned as he looked at you. "I am not the warden of that prison." he replied easily, "Aside from those within being powerful, dangerous, and for some reason undesirable to destroy, I wouldn't know much. I heard during the war that the Kirin Tor had captured Elementals, demons, or creatures from the Outer Planes. My son means to weaken the Legion, this you know, and if you would do the same you cannot banish the demons, whoever they may be, that would merely allow them to reform in the Twisting Nether and trouble us again. If it were only a Wrathguard or a Mo'arg it would be relatively easy to bind them, especially given the number of shaman in your forces now. If it was something more powerful you'd have to use reagents and powerful magics. First, you would have to weaken them and contain them so as not to interrupt the magics, then you'd have to create some method of binding them. For a lesser demon you can just use the power of your own soul, but for a greater one you need something like that." he motioned to your elementium bracer which bound Myzrael to your will.
You did have a chunk of elementium, back in the Demonsword valley. It was unworkable, as far as you knew, but perhaps with the efforts of many shaman you might make some sort of binding with it. You'd have to see. That or perhaps the methods of the Argus Wake could be useful, weakening such a demon with a modification of the Searing Collars your clan used to enhance magical power.
"I'd like to organise something." you continued after thought regarding the demons. "I want to bring all the clans together in a festival. I want to address them and hear them too."
"Is this where you intend they declare you Warchief?" Xerash asked, "Already the captains clamour for the proclamation."
That was interesting phrasing. Indeed, it was those who had the greatest to gain from such a political move who had spoken strongest for it, such as your more ambitious captains, rather than the lower ranking warriors.
"If our people acclaim me I'm minded to accept it." you replied, "I've sworn an oath to defeat the Burning Legion and we can ill afford division and debate."
"Young Neeru spoke also of calling a Circle, do you intend such a thing at this festival? You might revive the Kosh'arg." Xerash continued, "I will see what the Shattered Hand girl has to say."
You nodded, speaking of it a little more and resolving to speak to Kartha soon too. You'd confided in her that you suspected the Shattered Hand also served the Legion, following on from a conversation in which you'd both speculated such months ago. She wasn't really a spy anymore, but you intended that she keep an eye on the warbands now that there'd been such a great infusion of new warriors.
You needed to fight. It was your belief that nothing would so achieve your aims as leading your forces in battle. It would let you show them by example how to treat the humans, it would instil a sense of community and belonging in their new home, and it would stamp your authority on them. Quite apart from that, it would hopefully resolve some of the threats to Alterac, and to the Alliance.
For now though you were back to your meetings and those who would come to report to you.
"This wouldn't be accepted." you told Darion.
The youth had grown. You'd met him as a boy, hard-faced and thin, bearing a dagger and an angry grimace against the Scourge. Now he'd grown and as you understood it would soon be time for you to find someone to knight him. He sat across from you in his armour, sword, two handed like yours, propped against his chair. "If it's unsatisfactory…" he began, but you cut him off.
"It's not, but I would just say that if mak'gora was declared, no orc would wait to receive permission, they'd call the banners and fight there, or as soon as they could find a shaman to officiate." you said.
You'd tasked Darion with thinking over the Orcish culture and considering changes you might make. You'd given him a challenge, a broad directive from which he could take his own tasks and consider what he might do. You'd largely resolved to revive the Circle of Elders, for example, but you'd also told him to consider other, lesser or subordinate Circles. You were determined that Orcs needed a Warchief, especially with so many threats, and that the authority of that Warchief should be absolute in military matters at least, but it need not be so in all things. You might have a Circle of Captains who could consider military matters if you were away in battle, or a Circle of Shaman to advance the arts of your people's magics. At the very least, the Orcs were no longer a conquering army. It was time to change again. Blackhand had effectively targeted his reforms, and now you had to consider your own.
Darion's proposals for the regulation of the mak'gora needed work, but you sent him away with your thoughts, as well as those on some of his other writings.
For example, you wanted to be able to state clearly what magics were and weren't permitted. Some magics were clearly foul and evil, yet others were simply perceived as such. You didn't wish to permit the rampant use of the Fel as it corrupted the world around you and turned weaker minds to madness. As Darion noted in his points though, it would be difficult to regulate it without also infringing on the ancient rights and customs of some clans who still practiced sacrificial magics such as the Bonechewers or the Bleeding Hollow.
You'd also told him you needed to grapple with the inherent nature of your people as an unlettered and unorganised race. You were not like the humans, who would respect a piece of paper which claimed to have legal weight. Your ways were uncodified, driven by passion and custom as much as by the writ of a Warchief.
"I think these proposals eminently sensible." Regent Gregor said when you mentioned it to him, "But I feel you're being too rigid still. Even if you did codify this, ritual duel is it? Even if you did codify it, conflict would still arise in various circumstances. One powerful chief would violate the rules and it would cause dishonour. We find written laws to be useful in that regard because even if such a duel, for example between knights, causes accusations of dishonour you can still rely on the written law to regulate it. Your people respect institutions, but you have to be flexible about how that respect can change. You believe these reforms are necessary? Have you convinced others?"
You considered it. Though you didn't respect Gregor as a warrior and still found it farcical that he carried a sword, he had a point.
"To use an example from my own experience, the nobles of the Syndicate have gone from being feudal lords under a king and in the organisation of the Alliance and the community of nations it provides, to being no better than bandits, and having no ability to secure themselves, therefore only seeking what they could immediately take even if they couldn't hold it for long. Much of my work here has been convincing them that they should once more regard themselves as part of this kingdom and it's works. I have no authority to order them to engage in civic matters. You scorned me for giving them the rights over mines or rivers, you said it would lead to corruption and a bandit's mindset. Perhaps it has, I'll admit, but by converting their avarice into mere commercial greed at least they're now engaging with the system. They look to me, to the Crown, for their sustenance which means they acknowledge the authority of the Crown in the first place." he explained.
You didn't entirely agree, for it was a very generous view of it. The Royal Army of Alterac for example had almost two thousand men, while the nobles of the Syndicate had accumulated their old feudal retinues again. If Alterac were to fall into lawlessness again the nobles would still have their private armies, it wasn't as if they'd not demonstrated that same avarice Gregor spoke of.
But you would consider it at least.
"That reminds me as well, I'd meant to speak to you regarding your tenure as Constable." Gregor said, "Have you thought much of what you'll do in future? I've noted the matter of legal status before, but I'd raise it again now. You have perhaps ten thousand Alteraci if you called the nobles up too, but you have perhaps twenty thousand of your own people. Where will they all go if you depart the kingdom?"
"I've thought on it, yes." you replied slowly. "Perhaps they will return to Kalimdor, perhaps after the wars are over and I relinquish the truncheon, I would negotiate land for them to take, and certainly, where the clans have already occupied land I would ensure this is respected by the Alliance." you said, thinking of the Demonsword in particular.
"After you relinquish it, yes." Gregor said, "May I suggest that you do not?"
You frowned at him then, "What do you mean? I have sworn oaths that I will aid the Crusade against the Scourge when Dathrohan attacks Icecrown Citadel, as well as other oaths that would prevent me from remaining here."
Gregor spreads his hands, placing them neutrally over his knees, the thumb of his right hand stroking at the fabric of his stately robe. "I would say several things, and I would ask that you consider them. I would say that there would be few others who could secure the Kingdom of Alterac in such a way as you do, and few who could command the respect and friendship of the Crusade and the Alliance's leaders. I would say that Queen Prestor is likely to remain in Stormwind indefinitely given her marriage to King Varian, and that from my correspondence with her, it would be little matter to her if you were to take on a greater role in the Kingdom, perhaps through a formal pact and some sort of recognition of the bond between your people and the Kingdom. As I say, it would secure the Kingdom more than many other measures…"
It was much to think about, and you dismissed the regent with your thanks.
You knew Dathrohan's plans had been thrown into chaos due to the Scourge's resurgence, but that he certainly still intended to march on Northrend and seek out the Lich King in his own domain. The Scourge were enemies of the world, and you intended to join the Crusade in that battle. After that, you expected you'd have returned home, or that you might march on Blackrock Mountain.
Your discussion with your father had turned those thoughts somewhat. The Crusade and Northrend would be good opportunities to further bond your people to the humans, to develop mutual respect which would enable you to face the Burning Legion. What of Alterac though? It would be better, perhaps, to not return to Kalimdor still. Thrall would need to be faced at some point, but your father was binding the Warchief's foolishness effectively for the moment. You would have to take on Rend, but after that perhaps your Horde would extend across the continent in both Alterac, and in the domains of the Blackrock and Dragonmaw.
You would have to consider it when you received further news from Dathrohan. That may come sooner than you'd though, for looking out the window after hearing the sounds of horseshoes on the cobblestones of the courtyard, you saw Taelan Fordring looking up at you from his horde, flanked by half a dozen paladins.
Actions
Choose 4:
[ ] Build up the Army... Again
Both your own warband and the Army of Alterac need to be expanded. You cannot lead ten thousand orcs with only a personal force of a few hundred, and the 'Royal Army' is only a thousand men squatting in cold barracks. You must recruit to double the size at least of both forces, and happily you have a sufficient number of good quality recruits to do so.
[ ] Diplomatic Mission
While you could send emissaries, it may prove a sensible option to visit one of the Alliance capitals yourself on a number of purposes, including the negotiation of aid, or simply to make positive diplomatic contact. For example, your master, Akinos, had visited Stormwind several times on diplomatic missions. Indicate briefly where you want to go, and with what intentions.
[ ] Seize the Administration
While you'd permitted Regent Gregor to operate independently previously, clearly that has proven an error. Now is the time to seize the administration of Alterac properly, and subordinate it's function to the conduct of war. No more will you tolerate Syndicate nobles to legally bleed the kingdom with their tax farming. There must be discipline and a reckoning, and Gregor must be directed, if he will not direct himself.
[ ] Mercenaries
One thing Alterac has in abundance are Orcs, and Orcs are good at fighting. There is a need for warriors in several areas and in return you might gain much for Alterac. Indicate briefly where you want to go, with what intentions. Regent Gregor indicates that without the material support a mercenary engagement can provide, Alterac's coffers will rapidly empty due to the recent demands placed on the administration. 1st MERC ACTION FREE. I made an info post listing some, but you could choose various ones.
[ ] Badlands Mission
Journey to the Badlands on a number of purposes including to gather the Orcs of Kargath, recruit two Black Dragons magically imprisoned there, contest the Dark Irons on behalf of Ironforge, and to review the archaeological sites established by Prince Brann and the Explorer's League.
[ ] Freedom and Captivity
There are several actions relating to Dalaran, the Kirin Tor and their associated organisations which you might attend to in a single stroke. Journey south to trade your assistance with the magical prisons for the freedom of the Forsaken and the friendship of the Alliance's wizards.
[ ] Kosh'harg
Sponsor the Kosh'harg festival you've been considering, bringing the clans together and likely receiving their acclaim as Warchief of the Alterac Horde. You might use the festival to announce certain reforms you've been considering too, such as establishing a Circle of Elders. INDICATE OTHER REFORMS.
[ ] Lead the Breakers
What else is there to call them, but the Breakers? Many of the Demonsword shaman and warlocks were inspired by your actions, and have taken your words to heart, summoning spirits and binding them, breaking their will and bodies into reagents and minerals. Your works were but a copy of the Blackrock Oreseekers you'd seen in action, but perhaps now is the chance to further develop the practices of your disciples?
[ ] Establish Industry
You've acquired a large number of skilled craftspeople, as well as favours in production from the Dwarves of Ironforge. Now is the time to set up an industrial base for the production of military supplies as well as the beginnings of a firearms manufactory.
[ ] New Blademasters
Like yourself, Haomarush and the Demonsword have been training Blademaster. While Sorek and his aspirants have never expressed it, you know they yearn for advancement, and perhaps with Haomarush and Sesk you can increase the numbers of your profession.
[ ] Training
While you've grown considerably in the last few months, there is always more to do, and you should now seek out Sesk, or perhaps Haomarush for advice and training, either in the blade or in interactions with the Spirits.
[ ] Sable Negotiations
Speaking with the Dragonmaw makes you consider the need for an aerial force of your own, and you might seek out the Black Dragonflight enclave in Alterac's mountains to negotiate with them for some of their drakes to use as scouts at least, or perhaps even their older dragons for battle.
[ ] The Silver Hand
Tirion has offered to assemble some of the remaining Knights of the Silver Hand to further discuss your use of the Light. You have been promised training in the various Blessings and other spells paladins use. You also suspect this will be a good chance to advance the Orcish cause among the Alliance more generally through the paladins.
[ ] Revenge the Revantusk
You rescued the Revantusk trolls previously. Several of their people are still held in the captivity of the Vilebranch tribe of the Hinterlands. With a sufficient force you might lay siege to the city, or make some other assault to rescue Elder Torntusk and the others.
[ ] Integrate the New Clan 2
The continued divergence of the New Clan concerns you greatly. While you'd failed to bring them into the fold before, it would be well now to lean upon the leaders among them like Drum Fel to encourage integration, as well as to call more of them up as warriors into the existing units in your command and try to integrate some of them that way.
AN: Lots of developments recently. Read the recent infoposts for ideas on actions. As stated before, you can have considerable efficiencies if you combine, alter or otherwise engage productively with the actions list.
To note very clearly here, I've written out info posts on this and you should be reading them, as well as the merc post and other stuff. All of the diplomatic actions and merc actions are contained with those. Otherwise the action list would be extremely long due to the many people you could speak to and engage with. You can indicate briefly where you want to go and what you want to do in these actions and then we can discuss it, which is what the drafting period is for.
Reminder to self to roll for non-taken actions too. Voting not open yet, will be more like 48 hours this time as I'm busy during the start of this week. Discuss update text and also options, post draft plans if you want, but dont actually vote till the voting is open.
If anyone had any other actions they wanted to add let me know. Write ins have always been allowed so just have a think about what you want to do. Reminder that you have a free social action if you want it.
