Getting to the Point

Caves of Isengard: White Wolf Inn

The entrance to the White Wolf Inn is large, the doorway spanning twice as tall as any Uruk-Hai and easily five times as broad. The door is made of wood but is encased completely in iron in order to protect against fires, the handle to the door is a large metal ring welded on. The floor of the Inn itself is made of smooth black stone, it is in desperate need of a wash, food, and filth and grog coat almost the entire surface of the floor. The ceiling of the Inn is also made entirely of smooth black stone it is low hanging, the cave
itself not actually being that high. The centrepiece and most dominating aspect of the Inn is without a doubt the bar, the bar is made of black obsidian stone and is completely smooth, and not a nick can be seen on its hard stone surface. It spans across almost the entire breadth of the cavern, behind the bar is Bram, and he is by the looks of him a half orc. He is hideously ugly, and looks almost entirely uruk, but his skin is too pale and his teeth too straight and blunt. Throughout the Inn are scattered a number of wooden tables, and wooden stools. Most are broken as a result of the brawls that go on here daily. At the very end of the cave are several women, half-orc by the look of them they look like either beautiful orcs or ugly humans. They are chained to metal poles stuck into the ground, they do whatever any passing Uruk or Uruk-Hai ask them to do. Past the bar can be seen an iron door, small, and left ajar. The smell of Uruk cooking wafts out of the door and into the
Inn, it smells of burnt flesh mixed with the scent of fermenting alcohol.

The walls of the cave are again made of smooth black stone, but that is not all, on the wall opposite the entrance to the Inn there are five carvings made into the cave wall itself. They depict grotesque stone visages of Uruk-Hai wielding various stony weapons. Opposite these carvings on the walls either side of the entrance are four more carvings, to the left of the entrance immediately is a huge carving of a hammer being held in a clawed hand. To the left of this carving is the depiction of a large raven flying out of the wall, it's beak open and it's wings spread. To the immediate right of the entrance is carved the form of a Bear crawling out of the wall, it looks as if it is actually crawling through the wall, and only it's torso and upwards can be seen so far. It has been painted a dark red colour it's jaw open exposing stony teeth. To the right of this is the image of a wolf only the head of the wolf is carved. It's neck embedded in the wall itself, the wolf's eyes are painted a striking yellow and the rest is left the same black colour of the stone it was carved from. Directly above the entrance is the effigy of a huge hand grasping outwards, painted white. The hand of Saruman.

Contents:

Zordain

Arauruk dancer
Obvious exits:
 South leads to Gathering Area
 

[Narshaak(#16331)]
A flurry of smells and noises pervades the scene inside the Inn, the din of harsh orcish voices rings out above the clammer of scraping chairs and clanging eating utensils. Another tipical day for the usual tavern comers, it would seem. In one corner of the dark stoned room, Narshaak has seated herself in one of the rickety old
stools, and the Uruk-hai frowns slightly as the busted thing threatens to topple over. One gloved claw comes outward to grip the table in protest against the chair, and in the process almost whacks the creature's mug off of the wooden surface.

Zordain spots the other -hai strugging with her seating arrangements from across the room and gradually makes his way through the other uruk towards her. He smirks from across the table at Narshaak and rests his elbow on the surface, leaning forward slightly to leer at her, though not menacingly. "Having difficulty there?"

[Narshaak(#16331)]
"What does it look like?" the other's frown deepens a little, and the she-hai's crimson gaze shifts from the chair's legs to find the speaker. "You just going to stand there watching?"
Narshaak cocks a brow instead as she peers across the tabletop. "Fantastic help, indeed," she snorts a little bit, turning then to search the nearby seats for a better one.

Zordain nods once in response before taking a stool and scooting it towards the she- with a
kick of his boot. "I thought about it, yes." He grins at her, before setting his own tankard down at the table and pulling up a seat of his own. "So who are you?" Clearly this isn't one for formalities, the -hai getting right down to business. "I don't remember seeing you here before."

[Narshaak(#16331)]
"Narshaak, I am called Narshaak," comes the answer, as the she-orc takes the moment to swap
out the broken stool for the one Zordain ushers over. There is a pause as Narshaak contents herself with taking a sip at the drink in front of her, but then the voice comes anew, "And you, o great helper?" The fanged mouth twitches at one corner as if stifling a laugh.

Zordain smirks right back, the orc leaning on the table after a long swig of the foul liquid in his cup. "Zordain," is the simple reply, the other's crimson gaze shifting a bit to check his surroundings ever vigilant, even in a place of relative safety. He thrums the table with the clawtips of his left hand, the right lightly teasing at a newly formed scar over a wound on the arm. He curls his lip, remembering the encounter with his feathered foe, then shakes his head. "Are you a fighter?"

[Narshaak(#16331)]
"I may or may not be," the traces of a held back grin are more pronounced. "Why do you inquire? Not looking for a fight, I hope?" The she-hai's look flits for an instant to regard one of the closer tables, where there appears to be some sort of squabble on the verge of breaking out. Several of the Uruks gathered around it have begun to bang angrily upon the wood surface, and the grating sounds of claws can be heard as they scratch over it.

Zordain glances over towards the table in question, a raised brow his only response at the
moment. "Not at all," he replies to the she-hai. "I merely was curious if you could hold your own with a weapon." He glances again towards the table, peering over the throng to try and discern what the commotion is about. "Should we go see?" he murmurs towards Narshaak.

[Narshaak(#16331)]

At first Narshaak seems determined to stay put, finally having gotten a sturdy seat to perch on. But the commotion now coming from that direction has grown into a rather unignorable disturbance, and the -hai flashes a glare toward one of the larger orcs who has decided to take to his feet, voice still shouting. At this point, the spectacle has succeeded in attracting many stares from around the room, but the onlookers generally fade back again to their own businesses.

"Why not handle it from here?" the she-orc says, nodding toward the noisy group yonder."They are not so far as to be out of earshot..." Not bothering to stand up, Narshaak raises her own voice to be heard over the rabble. "Be quiet over there, if you've any manners at all! Some people are trying to have a conversation!" Something further is muttered under her breath, but it is inaudible.

Zordain turns his head towards the disturbance and rises to his feet. A scowl plasters itself over his features, before his fingertips slip away from his tankard and up towards his chin. He pauses as Narshaak makes herself heard. As soon as the she-orc is done speaking, he echoes the sentiment with a considerably rude gesture, then re-seats himself across the table from her. "Now then, where were we." The larger orc takes a large gulp from his drink and smirks.

[Narshaak(#16331)]
"Well, that is one way to handle it," remarks the other at Zordain's contribution. "Seems to have worked well enough." her companion's smirk is mirrored as Narshaak watches with satisfaction as the arguing lowers considerably, though the ex-disturbers still flash sneers of annoyance their way. "I believe we were exchanging pleasantries, were we not?" answers the she-hai, eyes returning to the orc opposite her. "Something about fighting, or being a combatant? Is it an important topic to your occupation, then?"

Taking a hand, Narshaak drums idly at the side of her drink, the muffled clicking of the gloved claws mostly drowned out in the noise of the other inn goers.

Zordain nods a bit and chuckles darkly, turning his attention back to his companion. "Indeed. Narshaak, was it?" He waves his hand to dismiss the snaga pouring him a refill. "I think I was asking if you had any experience with weapons."

[Narshaak(#16331)]

"Yes," Narshaak replies after a moment's silence, the word coming out as more of a hiss, though not menacing. "I have wielded a broadsword during a short skirmish once, but it was only a temporary blade given to me by one of the higher ups for that specific purpose. Other than that, the answer would be, no not much. I am still searching for a faction I am interested in joining. You are a member of one, no?"

Zordain nods a bit and leans back in his chair, taking a large gulp of his drink. "I'm what's left of the Bear," he says proudly before leaning forward again. "Perhaps you should take note. I'm probably our finest archer." The orc grins and waves his head dismissively. "I can also hold my own with a War Hammer."

[Narshaak(#16331)]
"Hmm, is that so?" the she-orc perks her ears at this, grinning. "Well, I shall remember that, especially if I decide to enlist in the Raven Company, where they are known for their renowned archery skills." The fanged smile widens a little more. "Long range is always good against the cursed Strawheads.Never hurts to thin out their ranks whenever we get the opportunity."

Zordain nods and grins back. "Indeed, indeed. However, more importantly I'm curious to see
if you'd be of any use to the special expedition squad under captain Hephtur." The battle-scarred -hai moves his fingers to play lightly with the handle of the warhammer strapped to his waist. "Usually they are the first to go scouting about, and they see plenty of action." He shifts a bit, leaning an elbow on the table. "Have you ever been in a battle?"

[Narshaak(#16331)]
"A special squad?" echoes the other, interest evidently piqued. "The scouts I thought were of the Raven, unless the group of which you speak is a more secret organization?" The she-hai shakes her head slightly then, explaining only, "No, as I mentioned before, I have only seen a few skirmished, not full out battles with the Horse-whelps or our other neighbors." The tapping on the mug stops, and Narshaak takes the moment to sip from it. "But I like the sound of this scouting business...perhaps I could prove a fast learner?"

Zordain chuckles darkly and nods. "I see I've captured your interest now." He claps his hands once, then gulps down the rest of his drink. "The clans have all but disappeared these days, not sure why." He mutters something under his breath then looks back at the she-orc. "A fast learner perhaps, but yes, lets have you prove it. I'd prefer to present someone with at least minimal training to Hephtur."

[Narshaak(#16331)]"Very well, then I shall do what I must to prepare or prove my worth," answers Narshaak, eyes not straying from Zordain's. "What must I do? A test of some sort? Name it and we shall see." She glances around, watchfully suspicious. "Though, I assume I will be told when this test, if indeed it is thus, will be held? I do not fancy waiting for a sudden ambush or anything of that sort."

Zordain laughs. "I'm not planning to ambush you. I just think that it might be wise to spar a bit, to make sure you're up to par. I will let you know later of the time and the place, once I have one worked out." He gets to his feet, leaving his empty glass where it is and glancing around. "We'll speak again." With that, he's gone.