Burning Blood
A tale freshly told of the Mordain
In order to reveal the truth of whether or not Drikh is indeed the reborn leader he claims to be, the Uruk-hai is given a shamanic test.
[+TIME] Middle-earth time is:
Late Morning on Monday, Day 8 of November.
Execute the +TIMEFRAME command for year information.
Real time is: 18:56:18 MDT on Sun Jan 03 2010.
[Bagaglok(#24847)]
Like angry ants, the orcs of Mordor scamper about beneath the late morning sun, and the
hatred the twisted creatures share for her watchful eye is almost palpable. The noise in the camp seems a little quieter today, though of course still quite a racket by orcish standards. The firepits have been neglected, the debris of half-eaten food and other nasty items laying around. Here and there snaga and other smaller orcs carry new firewood to feed the flames later after nightfall.
Stalking slowly through the encampment and weaving in and out of the shade of the tents, comes the red-cloaked figure of Bagaglok. There is a slight limb in his step as he goes, and one shoulder sports a black-stained bandage. Inaudible grumbles comes from between clenched teeth, mentioning something more or less about elves. These mutters, however, are cut short as one of the approaching snaga hurries forward, stumbling and promptly dropping his load of firewood on the Malkog\'s foot. There is a hiss and a glare of pain as Bagaglok whips around to look at the other, and he roughly tugs the foot out from under the pieces of wood.
[Shrag\'kai(#28755)]
Through the morning mists that twist through the trees about the depths of the forest, shadows churn. Moving figments dance about the backdrop of this eerie place. As the orcish encampment bustles with activity, few notice a small band of shadows that seem to grow closer as minutes pass. From tree base to tree base these figures travel, pausing slightly at each broad trunk... The fog seems to grow more thick, pushing from the depths of Mirkwood. In a moment the shadow figures disappear..
--A horn blasts--
A scout from the woods depths is reporting in that something is coming. The border guards stand alert with eyes peeled into the trees... as they appear... Five shadows push through the shadows of the forest and into the last that drifts in from the treeline. As they grow closer it can be seen that they are of orcish breed. Quite a strange sight, of four white robed figured following side by side behind a single being clothed in a deep black cloth and carrying what appears to be a long staff ordained with bright red symbols. The camp guards on duty gather and stand at the edge of camp awaiting the arrival of the travelers.
[Bagaglok(#24847)]
But the annoyance spurred by the lone snaga is quickly masked by a great disturbance..
Again, the harsh voices of the goblins are hushed ever so slightly as heads turn to regard the newcomers, and their mysterious arrival from the misty veils of the forest. Certainly, the sight now claims Bagaglok\'s attention, and he stands still a moment, watching.
[<#28755>]
The Uruk guard stands with weapons ready... The travelers approach and stop just a few yards from the camps line. The black clad Orc takes a step forward and rests his strange staff beside him. With his free hand he pulls back the hood that had shrouded his face. Every inch of this creatures skin is covered with red symbols... much like those visible on his wooden rest. The voice that comes from this creature does not seem like it belonged in his small form. The very base resonates further to ears well past those of the guards. Yet the words are strange... old..
The guards look dumbfounded... They all look back and forth between themselves before one utters \'\'He be some kind of Shaman... best not tick em off, \'ell shink yur feet!\'\' Now looking a bit disturbed they take a few steps back and allow the crew of five to pass... With a motion of his hand, the white clad orcs quickly begin assembling what appears to be a tent, while Shrag\'kai moves to the first fire and begins warming his hands. The dark eyes of the Master Shaman drift to Bagaglok and remain there for a moment...
[Bagaglok(#24847)]
And the other\'s stare is returned, though the look Bagaglok gives is not cold rather a hint of uncertainty clouds orcish features at the spoken words. Is it perhaps, that he does not understand them, foreign as they should not be to a Malkog\'s ears?
After a moment, Bagaglok draws closer, and his gaze shifts to take in the strange markings and designs the dark-clothed uruk bears. \"Welcome, brother,\" is all that is said, for now, as he resumes the quiet regard.
Around the scene, the majority of the orcs attempt to go back about their business, though
many pause now and again to peers curiously back toward the group now raising the tent.
[Shrag\'kai(#28755)]
The elder Shaman uses the base of his staff to stir the smoldering logs in the fire before him. A few yellow tongues begin licking up the sides of the untouched wood. The new light dances across the hard face of the uruk. His eyes shift from the approaching uruk and now gaze solely on the fire before him. \"Greetings, breath...\" The words now do not carry the same bass as before. Yet they drift from his mouth like a loud whisper. The master Shaman frowns at the fire before him, and with a quick hand that disappears beneath his robes, he produces a small black pouch. He slowly rolls the pouch around in his hands as his gaze returns to the Shaman near him...
\"From the belly of shadows does one emerge to live again. Many moons pass the tops of hills before sight is given.... What path do you step young follower?\"
[Bagaglok(#24847)]
\"The Path of the Great One, certainly,\" answers Bagaglok, and the yellow eyes drop to the small black pouch ere they shift higher to look upon the dark countenance of the Master Shaman. \"It is through the studies of divination and potion brewing that I wish to further His strength...\" he pauses then, the need for introduction becoming more pronounced. \"I am called Bagaglok,\" he gives an inclination of his head though he has not met the other orc prior, it is obvious the elder shaman is one to claim respect. \"I was ushered in as a Malkog, though missing the initial stages is something I am growing to regret.\"
[Shrag\'kai(#28755)]
The gaze of the Goth-Sharkuun must seem cold as his black eyes look as though he is in a trance as the Malkog speaks. \"Fools are those shadows that step into the light...\" his voice seems demanding now, and he grips the pouch in his hand tightly. Bringing the small black back up to his face, he grips a small string with his teeth and pulls so that the pouch becomes loose. With a fluid motion he dumps the contents towards the dwindling fire...
-BOOM-
With a thundering noise and a ploom of purple smoke, a new blaze appears before the Shamans. It\'s red flames lick towards the sky as if they wished to escape their earthly bindings. Shrag\'kai doesnt flinch, his eyes remaining on the Malkog before him. \"Missing stages? How does one /miss/ a step in ones path?\" The words are pronounced so that spittle leaves his lips. \"This is like jumping from here to the top of the tallest tree in the Darkwood.\" His eyes drift now towards the strange red fire. \"How, Malkog, have you lept into knowledge?\"
[Bagaglok(#24847)]
Evidently the fiery explosion was not something Bagaglok was anticipating, and his posture does not stay as rigid as the orc opposite him. But it is quickly forced into calmness again as he listens to the harsh sounding questions.
\"I do not claim to have leapt into knowledge,\" replies the second shaman slowly. \"It is something I yet seek to attain. As for my sudden skip through stages, it is not something I would have wished, nor done so by myself. I was thrust into the midst of the Path by one of the Eye\'s favored servants.\"
[Shrag\'kai(#28755)]
A sly smile crosses the smooth lips of the Sharkuun as he watches the one before him. \"Then, young breath...\" He pauses as his eyes drift up to the leafy roof above them, \"As they see fit... perhaps your path has been laid before you...\" Gripping his staff till his knuckles turn white, Shrag\'kai motions to one of the white robed apprentices. Quickly, he is brought a solid iron mug with a dark liquid within that one could only assume to be grog, yet it seems to sizzle inside the cup. Trading off the mug for the elder uruks staff, the apprentice quickly bows and vanishes back to the work of erecting the tent.
\"So...\" Shrag\'kai utters as he raises the strange drink to his lips. After a few gulps he lowers the mug and continue, \"What have you learned of your path?\" His eyes now are centered on those of Bagaglok....
[Drikh(#31337)] \"His path could be as short as past my teeth and out my arse.\" Comes a snarling voice from a nearby crimson tent. Soon an armored and viscious looking Uruk-hai slips past the flap, letting it fall behind him as the final fastening of his ringmail is latched together. Drikh, Self proclaimed Teguk of the Ushataar Krimpatul, and whispered \'Norikh Reborn\' eyes the shamen with disdain, but mild respect is shown towards Shrag\'Kai, the warrior obviously understanding that elder shaman get that way through cunning.
Chuckling to himself, Drikh nods to two other blood garbed warriors of Minas Morgul, who come up with him and flank the hulking beast as he spits upon the ground and moves off towards the fire, the seeds of his disdain planted firmly within his believes and statement.
[Bagaglok(#24847)]
\"My path is still clouded, veiled by the darkness that must be breached by understanding and
enlightenment,\" says the Malkog, his yellow eyes not straying from the crimson ones. \"But in rare moments the shadow parts is it only a passing instant, ere all is smothered once more.
What lies beyond I have not seen, but I feel that in moments of seated meditation the will of the One dwells closer.\"
At the commotion of Drikh\'s arrival, Bagaglok glances sideways, and his gaze mirrors the disdain the self-appointed Teguk shows. \"Interrupter, and botherer,\" he mutters under his
breath, glaring a little. \"The meditation would be better if it were not for this one\'s racket which has cropped up lately.\" The words are low, grumbled only for the other of his order to hear.
[<#28755>]
Shrag\'kais gaze does not shift from the Malkog before him as the loud Urak-hai makes his loud entrance. \"
[Drikh(#31337)] \"I am no Young Warrior.\" Snarls Drikh, without turning back to face the Elder Uruk, or the unguarded tongue of Bagaglok. \"I am Drikh. I am Norikh Reborn.\" He says, the name of the infamous leader of the Ushataar Krimpatul of seasons past, where the Ushataar Krimpatul were ever present A ruthless -hai indeed, worn as a mantle around the massive creature of war.
\"The Lord Shrieker hears the bidding of The Eye..He sends us for the host of the eye is weak
without true strength, and this engadgement takes too long.\" Drikh continues, finally turning blood shot eyes back towards them, the orbs burning into Bagaglok like a starved Snaga eyeing moldy bread. \"Educate the desciple, before I do.\" He says to Shrag\'Kai, holding out his hand to the two UK snaga who bring him food and drink.
[Bagaglok(#24847)]
\"A snake may teach discipline to the stray mouse,\" Bagaglok says, returning the larger
uruk\'s hungry stare, \"but he cannot correct the mouse\'s feet to the path. Only another of its kind can do thus.\" A nod then, toward Shrag\'kai at the Elder\'s statement in the Black Tongue a few of the words are not understood, but the meaning of the message taken.
\"The elf-lord has been poisoned and put out of the battle, following the arrival of your troop.\" This is the only thing the younger shaman yields to the Uruk-hai nigh, and he falls silent again, watching, though his look softens but a little.
[<#28755>]
With a smirk, the Master Shaman motions for the Malkog to take his side. He then turns and takes a few steps towards \'reborn\' leader of the Ushataar Krimpatul. Again his voice takes the tone of his entrance, the bass almost unnatural as it rings through the camp, \'\'To be born again is the ultimate honor from the Dark Lord!\'\' He steps closer still, again his words ring loud as he draws his arms out, \'\'Born again from the shadows while the sun dies in the oceans of faithless blood!\'\' He sweeps his arms around, making quite a scene now as those passing by have stopped to see the newcomer and hear his words. Either out of
curiosity or belief a crowd is growing...
\'\'To be the reborn leader of the crimson guard is an honor indeed! Yet if there are and nah-sayers in the camp, perhaps the test of truth from a Goth-Sharkuun shall quiet flapping tongues??\'\' He steps closer still, this time so close that his words fall towards Drikh alone, \"A master in ... ... ... ...... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .... ... is ...
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... have ... ... path ... ... ......\" he steps back, as the crowd closes in, trying to hear his words. \'\'A test have I that can show sure that your body does hold the rebirth of Norikh.... Do you accept?\'\'
The Shaman licks his lips as he steps back, eyes sweeping the Orcs gathering around, and awaiting the answer from the Crimson leader...
[Drikh(#31337)] The elder shaman moves towards him, and it has Drikh standing. The Uruk-hai is an imposing visage, even to the hardest of Uruk. Many scramble a safe distance and watch the exchange with rapt attention. The rebirth of Norikh would mean many things. Momentum to the hosts of Mordor, but Death to any nay-sayer of the cause is swift.
\"I -AM- Norikh reborn! His thoughts are my thoughts, the strength MY STRENGTH!\" he roars,
the firece thumb of gauntlets upon mail from around the camp the \'hoorah\' from the Ushataar Krimpatul troops. \"Bring on your test shaman.\" he growls lowly as the distance closes between them. \"For failure is impossible.\"
[Bagaglok(#24847)]
The second shaman obeys the gesture, seemingly glad to step away from the intimidating presence of Drikh as Bagaglok halts at the side of the Elder. The proceedings are viewed with a new interest as the curious crowd musters. As the great Uruk-hai shouts his acceptance of a test, the disdainful look is traded for a pointed tooth grin. A mixture of curiousity and amusement hangs upon his dark lips as he stands waiting to see what is to come. A brow cocks a little at Drikh\'s last exclamation.
[<#28755>]
A sly smile crosses the face of the elder as he steps back from the Uruk-hai. Drawing back the sleeves of his robe to reveal intricate red tattoos in the old language, he motions to his four white clad apprentices that just finished erecting his tent.. His mastery of the dark tongue is perfect and the Lata-Mogburzuul quickly move to the command of the Master Shaman. They hand him a large metal bowl that is filled with a thick green liquid. \'\'This..\'\' he proclaims to the horde that has amassed, \'\'...is the blood of a kin of the mighty Shelob!\'\' Shrag\'kai raises the bowl so the crowd can see... mumbles rush through the orcs as the gathering grows larger. The Goth then moves over to the fire. While holding the bowl in one hand, he quickly sticks his other into the licking yellow flames.
The smell of burning flesh fills the air yet the Shaman doesnt flinch... He fishes around in the glowing embers until he fishes out a bright red piece of smoldering wood...While his skin seems untouched, the master of the dark path then tosses the glowing object into the bowl....
The bowl hisses and whistles as Shrag\'kai once again holds it up. \'\'The shadows shall reveal this great Uruk reborn for all to know that he is the true leader he claims!\'\' Walking quickly towards the Uruk-hai Shrag-kai offers the bowl. \'\'Drink! Only the reborn can withstand the burning blood!\'\' And the crowd waits...[
Bagaglok(#24847)]
As the Goth reaches into the dancing flames, a flash of awe flits across the Malkog\'s features as the hand withdraws unharmed. Indeed, this other shaman is of great achievement
upon his own Way.
The grin widens as the command to drink is uttered, and Bagaglok\'s yellow eyes narrow,
surveying the spectacle with apparent relish.
Drikh eyes the bowl, but A fanatic light has entered his eyes. \"You play with fire Goth-Sharkuun\" he whispers, words meant only for Shrag-kai. \"Now you give me weight with the masses.\" He adds.
Reaching forward he takes up the bowl, and eyes move from Shrag\'kai to Bagaglok. Turning, he
shows the bowl in his hands to those assembled around. \"Behold the truth. he that is bested only by our Lord, and the Vorazg!\"With that, Drikh drinks what is within the bowl.What is a low growl becomes and ragged cought after a moment, as Drikh doubles over in apparent discomfort. Gargling, horrid noise erupts from the mouth of the \'Teguk\' as clawed hands dig into the mud. \"Nnngh...Mrrrr....Reeeeeaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!\" Comes the horrible noise. Soon Drikh is back on his feet, his back arched almost impossibly far back as he howls to the moon and stars above, his body writhing with pain to the point veins and
chorded muscle seem to ripple beneath the skin like a pond during a hail storm.
Again he falls to his hands and knees.
Moments pass as breathing slows and returns to normal. Another moment. Feet are found as
Drikh finds his feet. Lucid but wild eyes scan the masses who watch this \'Ritual\'. A look is returned to Bagaglok, and Shrag\'kai.
Turning his head skyward Drikh Lets a roar loose that could loosen the foundations of Barad dur itself.Soon all is quiet again.
A ploy? Truth? Miracle of The Eye? It is what each uruk thinks it is unto themselves.
[Shrag\'kai(#28755)]
The Goth-Sharkuun watches the excitement before him with his hands outstretched to his sides. Dark eyes contently watching the \'teguk\' reacting to his potion. After the commotion is over, the crowd rawrs to life with yells, howls, growls, and every other noise orcly possibly. The Master shaman the motions for the masses to go quiet. After a moment his voice booms over even the loudest horde..
\"SILENCE!\"
And there was silence. This strange newcomer has some talent indeed... perhaps in potions.. perhaps in the dealings of the shadow relm.. or perhaps in control. But either way, there is now a deathly silence as Shrag\'kai stands before Drikh. A boney finger reaches out towards the -hai \"He LIVES! His being reborn from the true leader of the Ushataar! The Crimson Guard!\" The crowd begins to stir once more... \"None can doubt the shadows! He who drinks the blood of the Queen spiders kin and lives has been touched by Him!\" The Goth turns now to the crowd, draws out his axe which is strangle carved with the same symbols that appear all over the Uruks body.. \"Any who question it shall be gutted and fed to the mountain trolls!\" The crowd erupts in ear shattering noise once more...
Shrag\'kai lowers his ornate weapon and looks towards Drikh, \"I am at your service, Norikh! What can this master of the path do for you? I am at your council...\" He half bows his head to the \'Teguk\', a sly grin touching his lips...
[Bagaglok(#24847)]
Indeed the amazement conveyed by the masses of onlookers is nothing sort of jaw-dropping,
still born by their expression after Shrag\'kai motions them to be silent. Even Bagaglok\'s frown of disappointment as the uruk-hai rises to his feet alive, is contested with another look, this one proof that the Malkog is nevertheless impressed with Drikh\'s feat.
\"Impressive,\" he voices the feeling, \"indeed you must speak your claim in truth.\" A nod is slowly given to Drikh. \"To be reborn you have been honored by the Eye likewise I shall provide services to you if you would have them. Healing I can give, as well as divination...\" Still, a slight frown remains around the corners of him mouth, evidently not as thrilled at serving this new Teguk as the other shaman would appear.
[Drikh(#31337)] \"Then both of you shall be stripped of your shame, and clensed within the
waters of The Ushataar Krimpatul!\" Drikh\'s intelligence tempers the will of Norikh it would seem. For the ruthless Uruk-hai was known for his disdain of Shaman. This reborn hero, atleast understands their value.A snarling roar is given to nearby snaga. \"Hot food and drink for my Shamen!\" he sneers, and the slaves are off and running.
[<#28755>]
Raising his head, Shrag\'kai motions for Bagaglok to come near. Turning to Drikh, \'\'After walking the path of shadows for many moons in the Dark Wood, I have arrived just recently. If you seek my wisdom, Great Norikh... You shall find me here...\'\' His outstreched finger points to the newly constructed tent where the Masters apprentice await.
As he draws his dark robes about him, he steps in to the Malkog, \"We serve none but our path. By the mouths of others one can control armies...\" He begins to walk away, \'\'Malkog, you are given entrance to my tent for further meetings... Till then...\'\'