Higher Calling - Prelude

[Mad corsair]

Hey all, just looking for some feedback on this prelude. Post all you want and be brutally honest in your opinions and comments. Enjoy.


Higher Calling – Prelude

‘How kin I be killin’ my own brothas’ I thought to myself as yet another troll fell into shadow from my blood-stained poleaxe. ‘I too, be troll, why dis bloodshed?’ I asked myself as I parried a spear thrust, countered with a kick to my foes’ stomach and continued with an upward slash of my blade to his face.

“Kill da defiled ones!” I heard from my left; ten more trolls charged throwing axes and spears. I dodged one spear and deflected a thrown hatchet before decapitating the nearest troll. He left his guard low and paid dearly for it. Another troll lunged from the left and sliced my side with his axe. I knew the blood was dripping but my lust for battle blocked all pain. A left hand uppercut stunned the troll long enough for me to pierce his throat with a stab of my tusks. He slumped to the ground as his eyes darkened and life seeped from the two gaping holes in his neck. A spear pierced my shoulder but I fought on; my rage distorting reality like a strong inhale of my pipe. Or so I thought.

I shattered the bodies of two more foes with a single strike and impaled a third on the back end of my poleaxe. The remaining five trolls charged at once to overwhelm me. I deflected an axe and caught a spear that had been thrown at my in my right hand. I returned the spear to its rightful owner but he wasn’t as agile as I was and he failed to catch my throw. He crumpled to the earth in shock, eyes wide open and misting in the last few moments of life. ‘Pity’ I thought ‘It’s been far to long since my last game of catch.’

I raised my poleaxe and cleaved the next troll clean in two; he (well, ‘they’ now) dropped to the earth and fell into eternal slumber. I threw my poleaxe at the furthest troll from me to end the spell she was casting. My pole weapon ended her spell and her life. I was now weaponless and the final two trolls, the leader and his final crony, simultaneously struck at me. I dropped to the earth and avoided both spear thrusts. I tripped the clan leader and then rose to my feet. The crony stabbed me in my gut but it didn’t matter. The regenerating abilities from my troll ancestors would render me healthy in a matter of minutes. I grabbed the troll’s head and twisted violently. An audible snap told me he would never move his limbs again.

I dropped the limp body and turned to face my final foe. “You be good fighta’ mon, too bad yous gonna be joinin’ dem in dere eternal rest” He said to me.

I laughed at his comment, “Fight me like a troll mon, no weapons or tricks, jus’ you an’ me,” I responded. He lunged at my head with his spear; his answer was clear enough. I evaded the stab and countered with a jump kick to his neck. He stumbled back before recovering and lunging once more. I dropped to the ground once again but not to dodge. I kicked my legs up and caught my foe in the stomach. I rose as he flew into the air, ready to finish him when he landed. He hit the ground and never rose again, his face impaled by the tusks of a head I had severed from his crony minutes ago.

I found my poleaxe and made sure to decapitate each troll to ensure none could recover from their injuries. I cleaned my blade and sheathed it to my back before inspecting my injuries. I looked down at my body and stood in shock. It was not rage that had kept me from feeling my injuries. ‘No’ I thought ‘this cant be true’.

I awoke with a gasp and beads of sweat running down my face. “I’m sorry, sir, but the Warchief requests your advice on some important matters,” an orc warrior said before closing my door.

“More nightmares, Surak?”

“Ya, girly, da battle ova’ in da Plaguelands against da Mossflayer Tribe,” I responded. But the nightmare wasn’t just a dream, the nightmare was my life.

“Dat be a gory one, try ta forget it, honey. Go an’ help govern da Horde, it take your mind off some of those bad memories,” my wife said. I dressed and put on some ceremonial armor to look presentable to Thrall. I exited my room and was escorted by four shorter but burly orcs to the warchief’s chambers. “Welcome, Surak,” he said to me as the guards left, “Please come and sit.”

I did as he asked and we made small talk. Thrall was not always like this. Early in his life Thrall was strictly business but that was then. His beard and braids were now gray, his green skin losing it pigments. “Surak, you and I have been friends for many years, comrades through countless battles. I need your advice now, old friend,” the warchief said to me. He coughed and hacked before straightening again.

The question he asked me was the result of many events, some of them personal, others that affect the Horde entirely. In order to understand his question, and my answer, I must tell you young ones of many events. I will tell you my view of recent past. Listen and listen well, for it all began in the village of Sen’jin.

Next: Chapter One – Coming of Age

[Tor varr]

Nice start.

I will be looking for more of this story in the future.

I don't really have any complaints. It flowed smoothly, and save for a "my" when it should have been "me," the grammmar was flawless.

Most excellent.

[Mr_Teatime]

Very good and gripping start. Dream sequences are a bit cliche (in my opinion) but you pulled it off very well. I especially liked the usage of troll tusks as spears. I've always felt that should be a racial ability.

[Niderin]

Screw grammar it was great but how far is this into the futur is this

[Mad corsair]

Ive already written the first four chapters and the prelude. Each chapter is about six pages long in microsoft word and the fifth chapter is halfway done (minus some proof reading and so on). I have the full story planned already, I just cant get anyone to okay it in TDL.

[Niderin]

So post it here

[Mad corsair]

Here's Chapter 1-part 1. Its set in Sen'jin village and the surrounding areas (I'm taking a few geographical liberties). The first few chapters of the story tell of Suraks initiation into adulthood and how his journey to greatness and disaster begins.
Chapter 1 - Coming of Age

"I neva’ thought mah life would come ta dis. Da shamans had tried ta warn me, I didn't believe dem, no one eva' did. Maybe I should 'ave. Listen up lil ones, I'll tell ya of mah journay."
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Hammering.

On a beautiful morning like this I was stuck in the village.

Hammering. The dew hadn't even evaporated and the morning sun was still crimson in the low eastern sky. But I was in the shop.

Hammering.

It was a perfect morning to train and kill murlocs and other semi-mindless creatures but there was much to do. Battle would have to wait for tonight the rite of passage for males in our village was taking place. Every troll boy of at least seventeen years would be granted status of man tonight. The women would have their rites tomorrow. Hammering. As the son of the village blacksmith I was overwhelmed by the number of orders that had to be finished by tonight. Ceremonial helmets, axes, spears and an assortment of metal objects all had to be repaired and polished to perfection. My father, Uhlaki, and my younger twin brothers, Ahnlaki and Berlaki, were with me as well furiously working to mend all sorts of weapons and implements. My older sister, Lanlaki, worked in the room beside us patching up leather and cloth armor and items of the same purpose. "Surak, quit daydreamin’ mon, we got work ta do," My father said.

"I would 'cept it not be day yet fatha’," I replied.

"Well den stop ya 'mornin'dreamin' or whateva' you calls it and hamma' dat spearblade nice and flat mon," He said back. I resumed my tedious work. Dad worked alone on more delicate and precious pieces while Ahnlaki, Berlaki and I worked as a team. Berlaki tended to the fires while Ahnlaki would heat the metal in the furnace and I hammered the heated metal. My father was stern at work but otherwise very laid back. A good joke or wrestling match wasn’t far away when he wasn’t working. My father and I no longer practiced wrestling though. Instead he trained me to be a warrior like himself. He was of average height for a troll at around seven feet two inches. I on the other hand was not at all average. Fully stretched my frame was close to nine and a half feet tall. It came from my mother’s side; she was of the Zandalar tribe while my father was of the Darkspear. My father still had the upper hand in our matches despite my height. He had experience and strength that I had yet to gain. "You boys betta not be fightin' while I be away." My mother Skam'ra said as she returned from the well.

“We weren’t fightin’ girly, I be tellin’ da kids about ‘ow I made a sword for an orc chief once an’ ‘ow ‘e still carries dat blade t’dis day” my dad said. We knew the story wasn’t true but dad insisted it was.

"You know dis be da last day you kin call me 'boy' right ma?" I asked.

"You always be mah lil bebe, Surak, and doncha be fergettin’ dat mon," She countered as she poured the water into the cooling bowl for our metal works. "Besides, your mohawk be too short ta be a mons mohawk." My copper mohawk wasn't short by any means, but compared to my height it looked small. The rest of my head was shaved except for the three braids hanging from my chin as was traditional of my family. Ahnlaki and Berlaki had just started theirs while my father’s braids were close to three feet long. "Surak," my mother asked, "doncha ‘ave ta go finish your armor fer tonight?"

"Ya, ma, I gotta get some featha’s from da harpies an’ a few more murloc scales." I said. "An’ den I still ‘ave to coat mah helmet with coppa."

"Get breakfast an’ get ready, yer brothas kin finish da weapons an’ armor up." She replied.

I went up to our house on the second floor of our hut that was both a home and a hardware store. I ate and took a loaf of bread for the day. I put the bread, my skinning knife and a few healing potions in my bag and went to the family armory. I put on my murloc scale shirt and some pants of the same make. Some hard leather armor and boots were next plus a worn belt. Some murloc skulls on my shoulders added the final touch to my armor. My dad had coated them in copper to increase their durability and our village shaman had blessed them to add protection from magic. The final piece was my necklace that hung low and was adorned with bones, talons and tusks. My future wife, Nefertan, was the daughter of an enchanter and had the necklace blessed to give me strength. Our families had promised us to each other when we were about three. It wasn't bad; Nefertan was a priestess trainee and was considered by many the most beautiful troll in Sen'jin. I left my helmet on its pedestal, It was my most prized possession. It was the skull of a baby kodo I had killed when my father and some of his friends took me hunting in the Barrens. I had to coat it with copper like my shoulder skulls so it wouldn't break in battle.

I strapped my quiver to my back and picked up my three axes. Two single hand axes sheathed into my belt and a two-handed poleaxe on my back. I picked up my bow and attached my item pouch to my belt. The armor was lightweight, suited for long hunts in the wild. I left the house and walked over to our neighbors’. My friend Gul'gantu was crouched on the porch. Gul'gantu was a trainee assassin, his double long knives were deadly and his throwing daggers could be thrown with pinpoint accuracy. "You be late, mon," he said to me.

"It be a big day at da shop, Gantu. My fatha was needin a lil help." I replied. "You be ready ta go, mon?"

"Ya mon, you wanna kill da harpies or da murlocs first?" He asked.

"North ta da harpies, den we kin work our way back down da shore killin murlocs and dem lil crab tings." I replied. Gantu lept off the porch and we jogged north towards a nearby harpy nest. Gantu and I finally stopped after a good half hour or so of jogging. We took a quick break before we began our hunt of the harpies. I readied an arrow and Gantu prepared to throw his daggers at a moments notice.

We turned the corner ready for battle, but that was not necessary. We relaxed slightly, and then cringed at the scent of fresh, roasting death. We were too late, someone had already killed the harpies, and quite effectively at that. Harpy bodies were strewn everywhere but oddly enough, there was little blood. The bodies were not stabbed or slashed, but burned. "Da magic energies in dis place be strong, mon," said Gantu.

"Shush, I be smellin orcs nearby." I replied, "Over dat way." I pointed down a small ravine with my tusks.

"I check it out mon, you see if dere be more harpies for us ta kill out 'ere." Gul'gantu slipped down the ravine and began using the rocks and small bushes for cover, blending in with his surroundings. I turned to inspect the rest of the harpy roost and look for any undamaged plunder. I collected some talons from the bodies and around one hundred or so feathers of blue, red and copper color. There were a few coins in the various nests and even a decent leather glove. Gantu already had some of his own so this one was mine (my left hand felt much safer having a thin layer of animal skin covering it). "Psst, Surak, down dis way mon," whispered Gantu. "It be a she Orc warlock mon, she be attackin' da harpies."

"She be friendly or is she corrupted mon?" I asked. Most warlocks were friendly to the Horde but others were not because of the demons they served. They were consumed with the need for power, and would do anything to get it.

"Friendly, she be killin’ ‘arpies fer a reason, not jus’ random killins," he replied.

"Alright mon, let's go have a word wit' her, see if she wanna help us kill some more ‘arpies." I said. Gantu stood up straight (as straight as trolls stand) and we walked down the ravine to meet this she Orc. Gantu and I both had our weapons at the ready but concealed in case of a trap, warlocks had been known to lay traps. The orc turned to us and greeted us in a slightly more jovial manner than expected.

"You two little trolls are a little far away from home aren’t you," she stated. Her eyes were brown but the tint of red made it obvious she was a warlock in training. Her skin was an average green of orcish heritage.

"Well Razor Hill be far too, girly," countered Gantu, "I be Gul'gantu and dis be Surak. You be pretty good at da ‘arpy killin business, mon."

"A polite troll? Should I go report to Thrall?" She replied jokingly, "I'm Ytanna. Did I take all of your harpies? There should be more on that mesa right there," she pointed northeast. "Why don't you boys join me, I need a few more eyes and livers for my master."

"We'd be 'appy ta keep ya company, Ytanna" I replied. The three of us made our way up a slope to the top of the mesa. Sure enough there were harpy nests built on, in and around a few scattered trees. "Alright," I said, "Ytanna an’ I will pull da harpies dis way, den I charge dem while Ytanna cova's me. Gantu, kin sneak around be'ind dem and do 'is business."

"Sounds alright ta me mon," said Gantu.

[Mad corsair]

And here's chapter 1-part 2

"No objections here," answered Ytanna. Gul'gantu used the cover near the edge of the mesa to stealthily make his way behind the nearest harpy nest. Ytanna prepared a fire spell while I fitted my arrow. "On t'ree girly," I said, "One...two...T'REE!" All hell broke loose, first from Ytanna's fingers (literally), then from my bow as I furiously shot down harpy after harpy. Ytanna unleashed two more fire spells that killed four harpies and then three more. I dropped my bow as I fired off my final arrow straight into the face of what looked to be the matriarch of that particular nest. With their leader falling limply to the earth the harpies panicked. I lifted my poleaxe off of my back and charged into the fray. Harpies were falling left and right from Ytanna's spells of darkness and inferno but still more swooped down upon me. I sliced, slashed and stabbed with all the strength I had.

A second wave of harpies closed in on me but they never made it. A splash of fire incinerated three harpies and the six others died in less then twenty seconds. Gul'gantu lept from one harpy to the next slicing the throat with one dagger while plunging the other deep into the soft belly and up into their chest cavities. All nine harpies were dead before they hit the ground.

We all gave each other nods of approval and small smiles. Gantu and I took the talons and feathers we needed, Gantu was also preparing for the ceremony tonight. I retrieved my arrows and sliced off four harpy beaks with my skinning knife, they would make for good elbow and kneepads. Ytanna took all the eyes, livers and other organs she needed. "Look at dese t'ings mon," said Gantu as he held up some harpy eggs, "I found lunch for da t'ree of us." I took out my loaf of bread and split it among us and Ytanna tossed out a few apples. She then proceeded to fry the eggs on a rock she heated with a small fire spell.

After a good eat and some light conversation about the previous battle we got ready to move out. "Ytanna girly," said Gantu, " 'ow about you come back wit' us to Sen'jin, dere be a big party tonight."

"I'm sorry boys but I cant stay and play any longer. I must be off to Orgrimmar." She answered. "I'll see if I can visit you tomorrow or the day after though, we can go hunting the pig men or horse men." We said our goodbyes and parted ways, Ytanna north and Gul'gantu and I southeast towards the coast. The sun was still high in the atmosphere and we had murlocs to hunt. We stepped onto the hot sand and spotted the dead carcass of some dead seabeast. It was well over forty feet long and covered by a horde of little crabs and small shore scavengers.

We walked up to the corpse and began hacking at the crabs, Gantu with his long knives and I with both of my hand axes. Within minutes there were at least one hundred dead crabs. The small ones took a single stab or a crushing stomp of the heel to kill. But then the larger crabs came out of the crevice they had eaten into the beast. Their shells were thick and spine covered and their claws could cut off a limb with relative ease. I sheathed my two hand axes and took out my poleaxe. My poleaxe made the crabs seem like I was chopping firewood. Two or three good hacks would split their shells and then Gantu would run behind them and stab their exposed innards. Seven giant crabs were slain before their comrades scuttled away into the sea and seceded their rights to the dead seabeast. None of the organs were whole so none could be sold at the village. Gul'gantu and I salvaged all of the bones we could including the pelvic bone and the skull. The teeth would make good daggers for Gantu and the tail fin had a wide, flat bone that would make a good shield for myself.

With half of our mission complete we decided to go home to Sen'Jin and drop of all our new plunder and then set out to a nearby murloc settlement. A few of our trollish neighbors gave us stares of awe as we passed with the giant skull of a sea beast. I walked a little taller as I passed Nefertan and a group of her friends on my way home. Their excited giggles and some 'ooohhhs' and 'ahhhhs' told me they were definitely impressed. The skull of a sea beast would be a great adornment over the top of my family's forge and home (I got to keep it because Gul'gantu couldn't carry it himself). After showing the skull to my family and recounting the story of how Gul'gantu and I lured it onto the beach and slew the beast (it didn’t really happen but no one had to know) Gantu and I set out again. This time to the southeast towards the murlocs.

Murlocs were unlike harpies for they had strategies and weapons. Their shields of shells made our projectiles useless and murlocs were smart enough to know when to run, when to fight and how to execute some simple battle tactics. Gul'gantu hid on the dunes as I charged into a group of three murlocs, shouting at a full sprint. They immediately surrounded me but they failed to see Gantu making his way towards the skirmish. I killed one murloc straight away by hacking his shield in two and slicing him in half with an upward slash. The murloc to my right wounded my leg, but he was soon dead from a few clean backstabs from Gantu. The final Murloc ran but a thrown dagger and a poleaxe throw dropped him ten yards away.

By this time my leg had healed up with no traces of a scar. I skinned the murlocs for their scaly hides as Gantu took their teeth and any loot they had on them. Three swift chops severed their heads and we stored our plunder and skulls on a nearby dune. We used the same strategy on four more patrols until we had all the scales we needed. We took all sixteen murloc heads and their scale hides back to the village along with an assortment of shells, clams and gold. One shell had a large black pearl inside it, about two inches in diameter. "Take da pearl mon," Gantu said, "Give it ta Nefertan, she be likin' dat fer a necklace." It was a good day of profit and hunting, sixteen dead murlocs, but there was one problem. There were sixteen murlocs dead, but one more was alive, watching from the safety of the waves. That murloc slipped away after watching us leave to our village; he would avenge his brothers’ deaths.

"T'anks mon," I replied, "We betta' get goin though, we got t'ree hours til dusk be comin'." We rushed home and dropped off our spoils of battle. Gul'gantu and I ate a little supper bought with some of the money we got from selling our plunder and then stored the rest in our houses. I took off all my armor and washed it off. Harpy blood and murloc mucus makes you smell like the local latrine. After a ceremonial cleansing for both body and soul, I went downstairs to find Lanlaki. I would need her help to make the pearl into jewelry. "Whoa mon, dat be a big pearl!" she stated, "for Nefertan right lil brotha?"

I nodded and replied, "What kinda jewelry you t'ink she be wantin?"

"I be talkin' ta 'er today and she was complainin' dat she be needin somet'in for 'er 'eaddress tomorrow night." Lanlaki answered.

"T'anks girly," I said, "you t'ink you kin mount it by tomorrow den?"

"Yah mon, jes' be gettin me dat 'eaddress tonight," Lanlaki replied.

I threw on some fresh clothes and made my way over to Nefertan's house. Her mother and father, E'Fratne and Og’nate, were on the porch rocking their youngest child, bringing the count to around fourteen kids. They were very jolly trolls, always optimistic. She raised the kids and baked food for profit in her spare time while he was the town enchanter and alchemist. We exchanged pleasantries and then I asked where I could find Nefertan. "Oh, she be at da swimmin’ 'ole wit' Reyana and Jujika. Go and see dem dere, and tell dem ta 'urry back 'ome for da ceremony tonight," She replied. A ten-minute walk southwest put me at a small grove near the shore. A tight clump of bushes and trees surrounded the swimming hole with the exception of where a path was cut. I cautiously entered and bolted upright as I heard three screams. Luckily they weren't screams of pain, but of embarrassment, the three girl trolls were skinny-dipping. I politely turned away (after a short look) and asked, "Could I speak ta you Nefertan?"

"Sure, jes' one sec, Surak," she replied. I escorted her out of the grove after whispering a sorry to Reyana and Jujika. I began to speak when Nefertan quieted me, kissed me, smiled and then told me to go ahead. "Well," I started nervously, "I got a lil surprise for ya." Her eyes lit up as I showed her the pearl, reflecting the evening sunlight into her cerulean eyes. After another long, but awkward troll kiss (the tusks are a little restricting) I asked if I could put it in her headdress. "Ya mon," she replied, "but only if ya do me one other fava.' Kin I have a few of da blue featha's put in ta make mah 'eaddress look betta?"

"No problem girly," I answered. I apologized for 'interrupting' her and her friends. She giggled, winked and said, "maybe you kin join me next time I go swimmin." I waved goodbye and told her that E'fratne said to hurry up and get home.

Nefertan's younger sister gave me the headdress and I brought it back to Lanlaki. She sealed the black pearl on the headdress and put in five blue feathers. The five blue feathers contrasted perfectly with the copper ones behind it and the black pearl shone on the headdress. I thanked Lanlaki and put the headdress on my pedestal and took my helmet.

I bought copper from the local supplier and melted it. I poured the copper over the baby kodo skull, only the brow ridges, eye sockets, horns and nose holes did not get covered. Those places were painted black to match my murloc shoulder skulls and to accentuate the skulls features. Some new blue and copper feathers made for a good mane on the helmet. My mother Skam'ra gave me my scale chest armor that now had sleeves to the elbows and then she helped me put feathers on the murloc skulls to match my helm. We dipped the four harpy beaks in copper and then mounted feathers on each pad. My armor was ready for the ceremonies.

My father had carved a new spear and I was to give it to Nefertan's father as was tradition. We dipped the blade in copper and the adorned it with feathers and runes of good fortune along the spear shaft. My final trip was to the village shaman. Lanlaki had made a necklace from the murloc shells and the harpy talons. I was going to have it blessed to provide the wearer with increased intelligence and a spell to increase the regeneration of energy for Nefertan. The shaman, Kuji'fet, smiled and blessed the necklace. I thanked him, bowed, and left to get ready for the rites.

I put on my armor and I took my poleaxe for show. The whole village gathered to the northeast of our village. A natural indent in the wall of a mesa made for a perfect amphitheater for town ceremonies. My siblings took their seats in the indent while my mother and father stood behind me. Thirteen boys stood with me around the fire in the center of the amphitheater with their parents behind them. Kuji'fet walked to the center of the circle near the blazing pyre and began the Rites of Adulthood.

Next: Chapter 2 - Rites of Adulthood

[Niderin]

Good work keep it up

[Mad corsair]

Part 1
Chapter 2 - Rites of Adulthood

The bonfire was massive, blazing high and bright and even causing some of the stars in the sky to fade. The light danced across the masks and helmets of fourteen soon adult male trolls. I had only been this nervous three times before in my life: the day I met Nefertan for the first time, the first time we ever kissed and the time I went kodo hunting and killed the baby kodo that became my helmet. Kuji'fet the shaman began his speech with a gruff voice that did not fit his frail, lanky body. “Quiet mah children,” he pronounced, “It come dat we must recognize dese no longa be boys, but dey be men. Da time 'as come ta give dese men vocations ta follow and a destiny ta pursue.” The crowds cheered at this time, but a hand raise from Kuji'fet was enough to silence them almost instantly. “First, let us recognize each of da boys. Boys, please respond ta me by steppin' forward and statin' your chosen profession.”

“Kanat!” yelled the shaman “Mage, good shaman,” he replied.

“Nonak!” said Kuji'fet. “Shaman, good shaman,” Nonak answered.

“Enifod!” declared the elder. “Mage, good shaman,” was the return.

“Gul'gantu!” cried the shaman. “Assassin, good shaman,” returned Gantu. Whispers rippled through the crowds, Gul'gantu's late father, Ru'gantu, was the last assassin to go through our village.

“Presuiti!” Kuji'fet said. “Priest, good shaman,” was the reply.

“Hadrada!” the shaman proclaimed. “Warrior, good shaman,” Hadrada yelled back. Hadrada was my only competition to become champion of the village. He was barely seven feet tall but was built more like an Orc than a Troll. I had never fought him with weapons, but he had won two out of our three wrestling matches, but that was before my growth spurt.

“Telpren!” The elder boomed. “Shaman, good shaman,” Telpren replied somewhat timidly. Telpren was about eight feet tall, intelligent beyond belief and weighed as much as a stick of his height.

“Sipasa!” announced the ancient troll. “Hunter, good shaman,” was returned.

“Ypokax!” yelled the frail man. “Hunter, good shaman,” Ypokax yelled back. Ypokax was Gul'gantu's cousin. We hunted together every once in a while when he wasn't helping at the tavern his father ran.

“Nasco!” was said next. “Mage, good shaman,” was his answer.

“Jikota!” Kuji'fet cried. “Hunter, good shaman,” declared Jikota.

“Trasta!” the troll declared. “Priest, good shaman,” said he.

“Un'poyu!” boomed the shaman. “Assassin, good shaman,” announced Un'poyu. There were more murmurs in the crowd. It was rare to see an assassin once every nine years. Two in one ceremony was unheard of.

“Surak!” roared the ancient. “Warrior, good shaman,” I boomed back in my own louder and deeper voice. The crowds gave a few 'ooohs' and 'ahhhs' at the resonance of my voice off the mesa's walls. Showing off was always fun.

“Good,” the shaman said as he smiled, “and now, as be tradition, if any boys 'ere 'ave a marriage proposal, please step forward.” Six of the fourteen stepped out. Hadrada, Un'poyu, Ypokax, Telpren, myself and surprisingly Gul'gantu. I’d never heard of his plans for a marriage proposal.

Ypokax went first, he offered a ring of silver to Jujika and a new axe to her father; they were an arranged marriage. Un'poyu went to offer his hand to Reyana; they too were arranged. He gave her a set of bracelets inlaid with jade and a new war hammer to her father. I went next, giving Nefertan her headdress and necklace and the spear to her father. After this all hell was ready to break. Hadrada and Telpren offered their marriage proposals to the same girl. She had to choose Telpren, Hadrada or neither by the time her ceremony came the next night. Finally it was Gul'gantu's turn. He walked straight to Lanlaki. He gave her shell earrings inlaid with three pearls each that we had collected that day. He brought my father a new set of forge hammers made with sea beast bone handles and pure granite hammerheads, Gul'gantu had really put thought into his gifts. All six of us returned to our places in the circle.

“Now dat we've finished dat, I will bless all of you wit' attributes dat will benefit you t'roughout your life.” Gul'gantu was blessed with speed, quickness and accuracy. I was given endurance, power and courage. Then came Kuji'fet's final words. “By wind, earth, fire and wata', and you as our witnesses, I proclaim dese boys now be men. No longa are dey children, for now dey be adults, and as adults dey will 'ave full rights and full accountability in da community.” The people roared in approval and cheered as we exited the amphitheater.

By this time the moon was high and the night was clear. Eight great pyres were lit surrounding the village and one even larger one was made in the village center. All sorts of foods and drinks were set on massive tables out in the village square. The fourteen 'new men' as we were called were allowed to change into our ceremonial garb. We entered the tables together amid loud cheers and the songs of the slightly drunk. We sat together at the head table with the village elders. They gave us advice on war, politics, love and any little anecdote they could conjure up.

Once again Kuji'fet silenced the village. The fourteen new men were given ceremonial wine, well over one thousand years old, as our first 'official' adult drink. After hours of eating, drinking, vomiting and more eating and drinking, us ‘new men’ were told to report to the village council. We all took one last drink and made our way (slowly) to the village council. We sat in front of Kuji'fet, his wife Danzi'fet and an Orc of pale green color and speckled hair. The orc spoke to us with a northern accent, “Welcum, lads, to our council. The time has come to prove to the Horde an' to your community that you are truly worthy of full adult status.”

“Dat be right, new mons,” said Kuji'fet, “we 'ave two missions fer ya ta complete. Da first one is fer dose of you dat 'ave not made a marriage proposal. Tomorrow you be travelin' ta da nearby Echo Isles ta assault Zalazane and 'is minions. We want proof dat 'e be dead when you return. Da priests dat be goin wit' you be able ta resurrect you, but dat shouldn't be 'appenin.”

Danzi'fet was next to speak, “and fer you possibly married new mons, we have a different task. Ta da nort' dere be a salamanda' dat be rampagin' in da Barrens. Da Orcs be needin' a team ta put da beast down.”

“That's correct,” cut in the Orc, “you trolls will go to Razor Hill with me and then west to the Barrens to slay this salamander. Your shaman trainee will be given the spell to resurrect any of you that may be killed. We leave for Razor Hill tomorrow just after daybreak. Get some sleep, you'll have a busy day tomorrow.” The fourteen of us left in a shock. None of our parents ever told us of a 'test' after the ceremony. We all took a drink home and chugged it to ensure a good, hardy sleep.

I woke the next morning before the sun showed itself but after it was light. A splitting headache and aching limbs greeted me with open, yet unwelcomed, arms. My mother had packed my pouch with lunch foods while I ate some fruit, bread and a tall glass of goat milk. Gul'gantu came up the stairs, we exchanged 'good mornings' and he helped me gather my equipment. I couldn't help but notice the stare-tag he was playing with Lanlaki. It was look, look away, look, look away until I thought their necks might snap. Finally, fully armed and ready, we made our way to the village center. Our family, friends and our possible brides waved us off after we had exchanged a few 'good lucks' with the other squad of eight. Presuiti was chosen to lead the other squad; he was a solid choice for a commander. For our group Telpren was given authority. It was a good decision; Telpren was smart and made up his mind quickly plus he was the only possible healer for our group.

The orc that addressed us the night before pulled up in a wolf drawn cart with a large orc at the reigns, a bodyguard no doubt. We piled in, took off our heavy armor and laid our weapons down. Some of us talked and others slept from a lack of rest the night before. It was a two hour ride to Razor Hill. “Git out, boys!” yelled the Orc driver, “Yer ride ends here.”

“Over that bridge,” said the councilor, “and down the path is the Barrens. Follow it west and take the road north a ways when it turns, the salamander is known as 'Dromogash. Find it, put it down and take whatever plunder you find in its den and split it among yourselves. If there's anything of real value then bring it here back to me. My driver will bring you back to Sen'Jin when you finish so you wont miss the ceremonies for your women. Good luck and may your ancestors protect you.”

We decided to get our weapons sharpened and stock up on supplies before moving out. Hadrada and I had our weapons sharpened, I bought some better arrows while Un'poyu and Gul'gantu purchased new throwing weapons. I sold my two hand axes for a larger battle axe so I could use my newly carved shield. A single rune was on the shield, fierce, or 'suras' in trollish; the basis of my name. The rune blessed me to give me strength in battle and my poleaxe was blessed to help me regain vitality when attacking my enemies. With all our equipment in line the six of us left for the Barrens. Ypokax Deadeye, Hadrada the Strong, Gul'gantu the Swift, Un'poyu the Crafty, Telpren the Wise and Surak the Fierce.

We set out eager but nervous, anxious but still excited at the thought of heroic battle and glittering plunder. But after an hour of walking it became obvious that a new method of transportation would be needed. A passing goblin cart was the answer. The three-foot high knee biters wouldn't deal with Telpren, so I decided to try my two fingered and one thumbed hand at negotiations. “Mista' goblin 'ow much fer a ride ta da north road?” I asked.

“Well big boi,” his little voiced piped up, “How much do you have?” his eyes glittered with a tint of gold.

“I've got dis axe, it be pretty nice,” I said as I drew my pole axe to a stop about a millimeter from his neck, “Do ya get mah point ya wee lil mon?”

“I'm sure we can work something out,” he said as he smiled and laughed nervously. We climbed on board and told him of our situation. A promise for ten percent of all our plunder was enough to buy us a rides for the day.

The goblin, Werqutink, was actually quite pleasant after the first altercation. He had a wife, identical triplet daughters and a home in a place called Ratchet. He and I struck up a quick friendship on the way to the northern turn where we would find Dromogash. He bid us good luck and happy hunting as we exited the cart. We put on our gear and headed north to find the rampaging salamander. It didn't take long to find his wake of destruction. A three story orc home was ablaze and sending smoke over a thousand feet in the air. “Betcha he be dat way,” I said.

As we rounded the bend on a hill we saw a massive twenty-foot tall and forty-foot long salamander. I drew my bow and fitted an arrow, Ypokax did the same, and Hadrada readied a light javelin. Telpren had a plan ready in seconds. “Alright mons, Un'poyu stealth left, Gantu da right; go fer da flanks and soft undabelly but wait for us ta charge,” Telpren said as the two rogues set off, “you warria' boys fire yer t'ings and den rush him wit' space between you twos ta avoid da firebreat', I be keepin' you's 'ealthy wit’ spells, ya mons?”

“Ya mon,” said Hadrada.

“Yasureyoubetchamon,” was my reply.

Forty arrows, five light javelins and three medium javelins later Hadrada and I charged the great Dromogash with melee weapons ready. Hadrada threw his heavy javelin at a full sprint from twenty yards. The bolt pierced the lizards front right leg, slowing the salamander. He then readied his round shield and long sword for close combat. I drew my poleaxe and lodged it in the great beasts neck, right behind the skull when Hadrada was keeping Dromogash's attention.

I readied my tall shield for the retribution I knew was coming. I was ten feet in the air and fifteen feet away before I realized the salamander had head-butted me. My shield withstood the attack but my arm was broken in several spots. The drop to the ground didn't help much either but a potion later plus a little troll regeneration and I was sprinting back into battle.

By this time Gul'gantu and Un'poyu had charged throwing their daggers and axes. The lizard was bleeding from deep gashes to its sides and underbelly. Ypokax had moved into position to fire arrows into the softer right flank of Dromogash while Telpren was busy casting his healing spells. I picked up my poleaxe that had been dislodged and decided on a bold move. I picked up one of Hadrada’s javelins and stabbed it into the reptilian beast. I leapt onto the javelin and immediately leapt once more onto the beasts back. I roared with all my might as I took one good slice at the beast’s spinal chord. The thundering slam of the mighty tail shook me from Dromogash's back. The beast's spine had been severed from mid back down. With no back legs and no tail, the beast was a sitting duck (well, lizard).

We decided the best way to kill it would be a slit, or twenty, of its gargantuan throat. Un'poyu and Gul'gantu climbed onto the beasts back and simultaneously severed the beast’s spinal chord at the neck. With the beast dying slowly Hadrada and I both took our two handed weapons and made a deep slash on each side of the reptilian neck. Telpren shot a spell of shamanistic fire into his mouth as the beast roared in pain. Ypokax used a short ranged triple shot at the same time to finish the job.

We gathered by the head, cleaned our blades and retrieved what projectiles we could from the earth and our newly deceased foe. A few handshakes and pats on the back all around and we got to work skinning the beast; every part could be used at the village. Telpren stood guard for any predators or scavengers. “Gantu,” Telpren said, “Go back ta Werqutink and 'ave 'im get a few more carts, mon.” Gul'gantu sprinted away with his blessed speed southward. “And Ypokax,” he continued, “Follow da trail and see if you kin find a den or lair.” Ypokax left scouring the earth for the trail to the lizards’ den.

Laughing.

That was never good on the plains. It was a vile laugh. Hadrada, Un'poyu and I turned to see a pack of a dozen or so gnolls, smiling in their own disgusting little way. They stopped smiling when Hadrada and I drew our two handed weapons, ready for a battle. Eleven four-foot-tall gnolls against four seven-foot-tall or taller trolls seemed like a good match to us.

In a flash Un'poyu had killed two with his long knives and Telpren began weaving a spell of earth-based destruction. Hadrada charged and sliced a gnoll clean in half with a vertical strike. I roared as I ran towards three more gnolls, they raised their crossbows to fire. Only one shot his off and landed it in my shoulder, the other two were killed by my downward chop, one was beheaded and the other had an axehead-shaped hole in his chest. I saw the fear in the third gnolls eyes, but it ended in a flash from an arrow to the back of his neck. Ypokax had come back from his tracking in time for a few kills of his own.

With half their number killed in minutes, their living comrades fled, but none made it very far. An arrow and a thrown dagger cut down two of the five, and Telprens spell slew two more. I launched my poleaxe in an overhead throw, lodging the blade into the final dog-mans back. Another blade cleaning later we settled back in to butchering Dromogash's remains. “So Ypokax, didja find da lair dis salamanda' 'ad?” asked Telpren.

[Mad corsair]

and this is part 2 of chapter 2

“Ya mon,' it be on toppa' dis 'ill surrounded by a few caves an' rocks an' such,” the hunter replied, “and I be t'inkin' dat mista Dromogash 'ere be missus. Dere be baby salamanda's near da cave.” We checked the reptile and sure enough, the great lizard was a she beast. “Well den,” I said, “we betta go check da cave, salamanda eggs be very valuable.”

“Plus dere could be treasa' in da caverns.” Un'poyu piped in. It was at this time Gul'gantu returned on Werqutink's caravan, he had gotten two of his buddies to help transport the treasure, meat and plunder in their own carts. “Wow,” cried the three anklebiters in unison. Werqutink continued, “You boys do good work, gimme a buzz at Ratchet, I'll give ya so'more jobs to do.”

We loaded the three carts with all of the meat, bones, hides and organs we were taking before telling Werqutink of the caves. “Alrighty then,” said the little green man, “We'll drop yer beasty parts here off at our station in Razor Hill, no one'll steal yer stuff there. We'll be back to help you with the rest of yer stuff in a bit.” Werqutink and his buddies left us to go back to Razor Hill. “Let’s be goin' mons,” said Ypokax.

He lead to the way to the cave, north and then west around the mountain, then up it on the north face. Ypokax stopped us halfway up the slope. We hid behind some rocks, waiting for his voice. I peeked around my rock in time to see Ypokax reach into his pouch, but not for a dagger or arrow, but for rope. He leapt from the path and out of sight. We heard signs of a struggle, but within two minutes the noise ended. “S'all good mons,” Ypokax cried out, “I got da lil guy good.” We rose from hiding and watched as Ypokax carried a baby salamander over his shoulder. The hog tie job Ypokax had done was impressive.

We continued our climb to the summit for a few more minutes but only then did we realize how much time was left in the day. It was barely noon when we arrived at the peak of the little mountain. We decided for a little rest and food before doing any spelunking. We shared our bread, fruit, drink and our point of view in all of the battles of the day. We rested a while more and then picked up our weapons and rearmored ourselves. Gul'gantu pulled out a few torches he had and Telpren lit them for us. The cave entrance was lit, but the many twists and turns would require some personal light. Ypokax drew his single hand axes, bows were no use in close quarters, and I took the lead with my tall shield and torch, battleaxe at the ready. Hadrada took the rear in case of an ambush while Telpren stayed in the center ready to heal us at a moments notice.

It was not long before we heard the infantile roars of Dromogash's offspring. We came to a split in the caves, and it was decided that Gul'gantu and Un'poyu would stealthily scout out the caves. As the rest of us waited, we discussed on what to do with the baby salamanders. “I say we kill 'em all an' sell dem fer profit,” suggested Hadrada.

“But we can't jus' go killin' all da babies, it be messin' up nature's balance of predators an' prey,” Telpren pointed out, “we should kill da dangerous ones an' den leave da babies in da hands of fate.”

“Ya mon,” I said, “an' da treasa' we get from da salamandas horde should be quite a bit. Dere be no sense in killin' lotsa babies.” Gul'gantu and Un'poyu returned within a few minutes of each other. “Not dis way, mons,” said Un'poyu, “dere be lotsa bigga salamandas, not as big as dere momma, but dey be dangerous.”

Gul'gantu's answer was the exact opposite, “Dis way boys, no salamandas, jus' lots and lotsa treasure plus somet'in' else dat be pretty special.” We jogged down the cave, looking at the small rooms that were in each wall. Eggs, hundreds upon thousands of salamander eggs in total. We had found one of nature’s gold mines. “Dese eggs be spawnin' all da salamandas for da next fifty years,” said Telpren.

“Den we be takin' dem back ta Razor Hill,” said Hadrada, “Da other salamandas kin make more eggs once dey get big.” Nods of approval went around; this many eggs could flood the barrens with salamanders, destroying the ecosystem. It was decided that Gul'gantu would go to the surface to find the goblin caravan. Werqutink and his colleagues could drive the carts up the north face because it wasn't too steep and their ogre guards could protect them well enough from enemies. Telpren and Ypokax would stand guard at the entrance to the second passage and watch for reptiles while the rest of us would run eggs and treasure to the surface. We used every bucket, bag, sack and pack to carry the eggs to the surface. They were only six inches tall, but each egg weighed quite a bit, it was apparent the eggs were nearing maturation. Half an hour passed and still there were eggs and treasure to carry. So Telpren went to the surface to act as guard and the ogres came down to help ferry our plunder.

“Dat be all of da gold, mon,” Gul'gantu said.

“Alrighty, mon, run ta da surface and see 'ow much more da cart kin take,” I told him. Gantu sprinted away and came back as fast as possible. “Dey kin fill up another whole cart if wes wanna walk instead of ride wit'em'.”

“Dats fine mon, tell em ta pile it high and drop anyt'ing dat aint important. Dis'll get dem richa' den any explosive or machine.” I responded. He sprinted away once more and I resumed my work of putting eggs into every nearby sack. I was running up with the two ogre guards in pursuit when we heard Ypokax scream. Gul'gantu came down as we arrived from below. Ypokax lay on the ground, scorched and hurt, but alive. “Take da eggs Gantu and get da goblins outta 'ere!” I yelled. The ogres and I ran to Ypokax. “Help...me...Surak,” was all he could muster.

“Take him!” I yelled as I grabbed my battleaxe and shield, “I'll cover your retreat!” One ogre carried Ypokax over his shoulder while the other picked up any of our equipment that was left behind. Now it was just the salamander against me, ‘Time ta really show my courage' I thought to myself. Flames burst from the second passage as I neared, burning my lungs and interfering with my vision in this dark, putrid hole. A quick look gave me a good idea of the second passageway, it was straight and wide, which is why the flames were able to travel so far from the mouth of the salamander. I picked up my bow, took out my straightest arrow and readied it to my cheek. I roared at the top my lungs, mustering every once of energy in a battlecry, hoping to receive an answer. I did.

The second that reptilian voice bellowed out of the depths I released my arrow, hoping to catch the salamander's mouth agape. I never found out weather I did or not, but a scream of what seemed like pain caught my ears as I sprinted away. I arrived at the cave entrance to see my group help the goblin cart navigate down the slope. Ypokax was limping and his hair was completely gone, his body had taken the full brunt of the inferno. How he survived would have to be figured out later. I ran down the trail only to trip and fall in a very graceful, nine-and-a-half-foot-tall troll manner. I looked up to find the baby salamander Ypokax had forgotten about. I almost left it there to die, but a soft whimper and a small snort persuaded me otherwise.

“Everyone be all right now, mons?” I asked when arrived at the carts.

“Ypokax be okay fer now, but we 'ad ta drop a few of da eggs to put 'im on da cart.” Telpren replied.

“You still be wantin' dis pet mon?” I asked the scorched troll.

“Yah mon, I be needin' a good pet when wes get 'ome ta Sen'Jin.” Ypokax said back in a very pained manner. We walked back to Razor Hill in relative silence, except for the goblins who couldn't stop chattering about their pay. The amount of gold, treasure and eggs was staggering, and then there was Dromogash's meat, bones and hides. The orcs who made their homes on the plains cheered as we passed. Whole villages of orcs would come out to thank us and even add gold to our carts as thanks. A few of the orc women gave us kisses as well (it wasn't pleasant for the most part, but it was the gesture that counted). Two wolf riding patrol orcs offered to escort us to Razor Hill, we accepted, there was too much wealth to take a chance.

As we crossed the bridge to Razor Hill all six pairs of trollish eyes were fixed upon one orc, the councilor. It was obvious to us that he did not expect us to return with anything but defeat, let alone six carts of plunder and a live salamander infant. Werqutink and his goblins showed us to their post in Razor Hill. All of our loot was carefully put into the basement of their compound, locked away and guarded by four ogre guards. “T'anks for everyt'hin' mon,” I told Werqutink, “You be sure dat we kin use yer storage fer da night? We gotta be back fer da wo'mons ceremony tonight.”

“Not a problem bud,” replied Werqutink, “with all this stuff here I'm stayin' in the compound myself, we'll put a few extra guards around too.”

“T'anks mon,” I returned, “We’s be back tomorrow ta sort through all dat stuff dere and give you yer cut.” I could see that glint of gold in his eyes again but that was natural of all goblins. Some hearty handshakes for the ogres and goblins and then we were off to our ride home with that crusty old orc councilor. Before leaving I whispered in Werqutinks ears not to let anyone in to even see the treasure, especially the councilor if he wanted to 'inspect some pieces'. He gave me a nod and we departed on the cart with the orc councilor and his guard. “I'm sorry fur not introducing myself before,” the councilor said. It was easy to see by the look in his eye he was only sincere now that we were rich and sure to be the mentioned in the councils at Razor Hill and possibly Orgrimmar. “I'm Drul'anka. I've been commissioned to oversee new developments around Sen'Jin and the surrounding area. Did you remember to bring proof of Dromogash’s demise?”

“Ya mon,” replied Telpren, “we brought 'is eight canine teeth, one fer each of us, one for Kuji'fet and one fer da council to use.” Thank the spirits for Telpren; the rest of us had forgotten to get proof with the injury to Ypokax and all our treasure. Ypokax's new pet salamander was roped to the cart, running along with the wolves. The new pet was dubbed 'Dromogashi' in remembrance of our trials of manhood and the bond we now shared.

The sun was beginning to make its way closer to the horizon; it was getting close to dinnertime and the ceremony at dusk. We arrived amid some cheers and congratulations, the other squad had returned just half an hour before. They too were successful, bringing the head and wand of Zalazane. We showed our teeth as we exited the cart, each tooth was serrated, a foot long and five inches wide at the largest. Today was surely a good day for the Darkspear tribe. Both squads congratulated each other as we made our way to the village council to present our trophies. Presuiti gave the severed head to Drul'anka, the wand to Kuji'fet and a necklace Zalazane wore to Danzi'fet. Telpren made a good speech to the council before presenting the tooth of Dromogash to the council. “Der be more in Razor Hill,” he explained, “but we 'ad to make do journey home.”

“Thank you for your gifts,” Drul'anka said, “We the council now recognize you as full adult men, both in the Horse and here in Sen'Jin village. Now go home and rest before tonight's ceremonies. You have all earned it.”

“Yes, new mons,” Kuji'fet continued, “rest but do not be late. For tonight at da fire yous will be gettin' yer permanent face an' tusk paints an' da Darkspear tribal tattoos. Go 'ome and speak wit' your families and your brides-ta-be about your facepaint an' tattoos. Also, you’s will be required ta recount yer tales at da fire. Pick a spokes-troll for yer group an' plan yer story out.” With those final words the fourteen of us went to our homes and did our ceremonial washings once more, both for body and soul. I began planning for my face paint while reciting the ancient rhymes for soul cleansing. My copper colored hair and blue skin made my color choice simple: copper and black.
My face would be painted copper, then lined with black around the edges and around my eyes and ears. My tusks would be painted black and then copper rings would be painted on them two inches from the tip. The rune 'Suras' or 'fierce' would be painted in black on my forehead.

I dried off and clothed myself before heading to the kitchen. I told my parents and Lanlaki of my idea for my face paint, they all approved . All that was left was to speak with Nefertan about it and the matter would be settled. I dressed in some regular garb but I made sure to wear her necklace for good measure. I arrived at her house and greeted her parents on the porch. E'fratne and Og'nate were busy with six kids between the two of them; they said to go on up to see Nefertan. "Knock first though," E'fratne warned, "she be doing 'er washin's wit' 'er friends an' you’s not be married yet mon." She smiled at that last statement and winked, Nefertan must've told her about the night before at the swimming hole. I climbed the steps to her third floor room and knocked on the door. "Don't be enterin," Nefertan said.

"It be me girly," I replied through the door, "I gotta talk ta ya 'bout my face paintin' and my tattoos." Nefertan poked her head through the door and then slipped out in a robe. I told her of my plans for everything, she approved but wondered what I would be doing about my tattoos. "I don’t know babe," I told her, "any thoughts fer my armband tattoos?"

"Put dat rune of yers in a circle, den 'ave da band simple, we kin add on ta it later," She responded. I thanked her, smiled and kissed her before I left. It was time to get dressed for the ceremony.

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Next: Chapter 3 - Womenfolk

[Niderin]

Sounds good my friend. So does the murloc get his revenge?

[Mad corsair]

Chapter 3 - Part 1

Chapter 3 – Womenfolk

Night fell and the town was migrating to the amphitheater again. Even the ‘beloved’ orc Drul’anka and his bodyguard decided to join ceremony. I sat in the front row with the five other new men that had made marriage proposals. The fire was lit and the soon to be women circled the fire in the same fashion we had the night before. Only seven girls were going to be initiated this year, the lowest count in thirty years. The ceremony began like the previous nights’ but it was not Kuji’fet that was speaking but Danzi’fet. “Quiet mah good trolls,” she began, “For tonight be a special night for da Darkspear tribe, especially dese girls. Da time ‘as come fer us ta guide dem on da path ta womanhood.” Her voice was light, but strong with grace from years of experience. Danzi’fet continued to address the village, “I now be announcin’ each girls name an’ dey will respond by steppin’ forward and announcin’ a chosen profession.”

“Jujika,” was called out. “Huntress, good priestess,” was her reply. Jujika and Ypokax had both chosen hunter as a profession. There was no doubt what their children would become.

“Reyana,” cried Danzi’fet. “Warrior, good priestess,” Reyana returned.

“Lanlaki,” said the elder priestess. “Huntress, good priestess,” my sister replied. Even though Lanlaki was nearly two years older than I, the ceremony took place once every three years. It allowed time to train each new man or new woman to the fullest extent. It also prevented rapid change in leadership roles that came with each new wave of adults. The new men warriors would duel for right to challenge the existing champion (currently Hadrada’s father) and all of the new shaman would be tested to find a suitable future village elder.

“Nokana,” the elder yelled out. “Shaman, good priestess,” Nokana yelled back. Nokana was the twin sister of Nonak and both had chosen shaman as a profession.

“Nefertan,” boomed Danzi’fet. “Priestess, good priestess,” she declared. Nefertan’s voice was soft and did not carry well in the night air, the opposite of when she laughed. It was joked that when Nefertan laughed, the Alliance thought a raid was coming.

“Dul’sa,” said the ancient troll. “Mage, good priestess,” Dul’sa replied.

“Tylopay,” Danzi’fet roared. “Warrior, good priestess,” Tylopay said. Tylopay was the girl both Hadrada and Telpren had offered marriage proposals to. She was thin, even for a troll, and her purple hair was different but attractive in a certain way.

“Now dat we ‘ave met all of da young gals, it be time we let dem resolve any marriage proposals from last night.” Jujika approached Ypokax and nodded with a smile, both were strong, silent and rarely used words unless necessary. A customary kiss sealed the agreement to marry. Reyana was next, she made a short speech and accepted Un’poyu’s proposal. Next was Tylopay, the whole amphitheater became silent amid previous cheers, even the wind seemed to quiet itself in anticipation. The warrior woman approached both Hadrada and Telpren, who were seated right next to each other. They shook hands and looked each other in the eye before they stood, not a sign of friendship, but one of respect. “Hadrada, Telpren,” Tylopay began as the two new men rose, “I thank you both fer your marriage proposals, but dere be only one troll dat I be wantin’ ta marry.” The crowds edged as close to the conversation as they could without falling. “An’ dat troll be Telpren.” she said. Telpren received a pat on the back from Hadrada, who looked as though his tusks had fallen out. The two trolls kissed, it obvious it was their first together. After a hug and a nervous smile they returned to their respective places.

Lanlaki was next to step out of place. I gave Gul’gantu an elbow nudge and whispered good luck, knowing that luck would have no effect on the outcome that Lanlaki had chosen. She came to a stop before Gantu and cleared her throat. “Gul’gantu, you and I ‘ave known each otha’ fer many years,” my sister began, “an’ although we ‘ave been friends fer so long, I do not wanna’ remain friends.” She looked at me as she spoke again, “wit’ my brothers approval, I accept yer offa’ of marriage.”

At this time I could feel the whole village’s gaze turn to me, their eyes burning my neck like a mages fireball. I rose and turned to address the whole town. “I can t’ink of no one dat I would rather ‘ave marry my sista’. Good luck ta ya both.” There was an audible sigh of relief from the village followed by a mighty cheer when they kissed. Lanlaki hugged me before returning to her place, and Gul’gantu gave me the hardest handshake I had ever felt. We sat down once more but I did so knowing that I would be standing in just a few seconds. Nefertan walked to me and raised me from my seat. “I know dat dere be no otha’ troll out dere fer me,” she declared to me and the masses, “and I cant imagine life wit’ out you dere by my side.” We kissed, and though I mostly heard clapping and cheers, I did hear a few whimpers and moans. Nefertan had told me that there were some very jealous female trolls in Sen’Jin but I never believed her. She smiled and returned to her place in the circle around the blaze.

“Now fer my blessin’s upon you, an’ den we will allow da new men ta tell dere tales an’ receive dere tribal tattoos an’ face paint. Danzi’fet blessed each woman-to-be in turn, Lanlaki was given agility, confidence and accuracy while Nefertan received intelligence, wisdom and inner strength. “I declare dese trolls ta no longa’ be girls, but dey be wo’mons. Dey ‘ave come ta da age where da Horde and our village will now recognize dem as adults,” the high priestess declared. A cheer arose from the village, but it died when Danzi’fet raised her hand. “It now be time ta listen ta our new men’s first mission’s.”

Presuiti was first to rise and speak. His account was colorful and used descriptions that painted scenes of battle, struggle and triumph, ending with the death of Zalazane. The crowd had ‘oohhh’ed and ‘ahhh’ed all throughout the story, even releasing audible cringes at the gruesome accounts of troll sacrifice, cannibalism and death, but in the end it was a deafening roar of approval that came from the crowd.

I had been chosen to speak for our squad. I rose as Presuiti walked to his seat. His smirk told me that this was a competition between the two groups; and that he believed they had won. I was not the elaborate speaker that Presuiti was, but the fact I was larger and had a much more powerful and deeper voice compensated.

I roared as I told of our battle versus the great lizard Dromogash (and exaggerated just a little bit) putting the village in awe of our tenacity against the salamander and the scavenger gnolls. I talked quietly when I spoke of our first descent in the caves, bringing the crowd closer to me while I drew out suspense. I filled them with wonder at the vast gold and the multitude of eggs we had discovered and captured. A final explosive roar was all it took to shock the village once again as I told of Ypokax’s valor and his sacrifice for us in order to escape. The crowd gasped and murmured but then clapped in admiration. I recited my part in slaying the ‘vile reptile’ in the caves before sprinting for my life from the ‘hordes of salamanders’ that poured from the mouth of the second passageway. It didn’t really happen, but it was obvious that Presuiti had exaggerated as well in his story. I closed with our exit from the cave and the gnoll ambush that came back for revenge (once again, that never happened, but it made for a good ending). There was no doubt that I had won the crowd as I walked to my seat..

“T’ank you fer your tales new mons,” said Danzi’fet, “ will all five couples please come an’ stand inna circle around da fire.” We did as we were commanded, making a circle of five couples around the blaze. “Wo’mons, you ‘ave accepted da gifts dese men ‘ave given ta you. It be time ta return da gift, you’s be paintin’ da face of yer future ‘usbands.” Danzi’fet and Kuji’fet laid out the bowls of different colored paints and a reed to apply each color. Nefertan smiled and kissed me one last time before she painted the first stroke of black onto my tusks. She giggled as the reed tickled me where my tusk entered my lip. Both tusks were painted black from root to tip and then the ring of copper was painted on two inches from the tip. The paint was allowed to dry before Nefertan began painting my face.

Nefertan and I looked around as it dried, Gul’gantu had chosen black and purple to compliment his green skin as well as keep him hidden in his work as an assassin. Ypokax chose a bright red and black, making him look very ferocious. Telpren chose brown and green to symbolize his shaman connection to the earth. Un’poyu’s deep blue skin was much like mine, he chose bright green to match his hair and beard and black to compliment it.

“Face me, Surak,” Nefertan whispered, “We’s gotta finish you up.” A few strokes of a broad reed covered my face in copper paint. Nefertan’s hands were skilled in painting her strokes; she had obviously practiced. Face paint could be redone but the original paint had to be burned off and it was a painful process. She turned my head to outline my ears and then outlined my eyes. The copper was allowed to dry before Nefertan put the outline of the rune suras to my forehead. An even stroke put the rune into place and my paint was finished. Another smile, hug and kiss (after the paint dried) were exchanged and then we waited for other couples to finish.

“Now dat da paintin’ be over, it be time ta eat an’ feast!” Danzi’fet cried, “but you’s couples, come wit’ me an’ Kuji’fet ta da village council.” We walked in pairs, and the two new women that weren’t pledged to be married came as well. Drul’anka came in the rear, leaning heavily on a walking stick. We were seated, the new women had no idea what to expect, the new men did and none of us liked the idea of our brides-to-be going on some mission. Drul’anka came in and sat last but he began speaking as soon as he was in the room. “Welcum once again new men, and welcum new women. As you may suspect, tha new women will be sent on a mission for tha Horde. Razor Hill needs to have that salamander nest weeded out. You five new men will escort them to the cave, but it will be these seven women’s job to investigate tha threat in that second passage and deal with tha salamanders as need be.” Nefertan looked to me for comfort, but found none on my face. I knew what that cave was like and the thought of my future wife going there did not sit well with me. “Tha new men and I will then return to Razor Hill to sort through their findings,” Drul’anka concluded, “we thank you for your time. Now go and feast with the rest of your village.” We left, none of us were happy but food was a pleasant one after a long ceremony.

“I be worried babe,” Nefertan whispered into my newly painted ear, “dose caves be soundin’ dangerous.”

“Yous wo’mons gonna be fine, girly,” I lied. The smile I gave her was false but it seemed to reassure her. The new women left for the main table to sit with the elders as we had the night before. We joined our new men brothers at a nearby table; they had saved us seats and beer. We joked about the day and our adventures, Presuiti and I got into a friendly fight over the exaggerations that we had put into our tales. Voices were raised but it was all in good and slightly drunk spirits. The feast radiated with fun and laughter well into the night before any sign of trouble began. Hadrada, still stinging from the rejection at the ceremony, had a little too much to drink. Like many drunks he became moody and aggressive. He harassed Tylopay at her table and when Hadrada didn’t get the point, Telpren stepped into resolve matters. Telpren tried to talk Hadrada down, but Hadrada’s definition of ‘resolving’ involved a left hook and a right jab. I leapt passed Telpren’s sprawled body, and put a hand to Hadrada’s chest to keep him from killing Telpren. Hadrada swung at me but missed from his drinks and a duck of my head.

By this time everyone was watching; people moved away as Hadrada and I focused in on each other. We both went low into our wrestling stances; even strong ale wasn’t as powerful as troll adrenaline. We grappled, moving in circles while latched on to one another. Hadrada moved in for a quick takedown but I was quicker than he and was able to straighten my legs out. He was pinned beneath me and for a split second I looked to the crowd. Though most trolls cheered, Nefertan looked worried. A poor attempt to buck me off reminded me of the task at hand. I moved my lithe body into position as Hadrada attempted a reverse. I deflected his arm but his trick worked, my focus was on his hand, but his legs had tripped me up. I flew over his head and landed on my back three feet away. He rushed me, but that was a mistake. As he jumped to land a shoulder into my chest, my long legs shot out like twin pistons. My donkey kick hit him square in the jaw and Hadrada rocketed up and landed on a table. We rose bloody and bruised and Hadrada rushed me again. His anger had blinded his better judgement, he rushed me with fists ready to fire, but it was my straight kick that hit him first in the gut. He still landed both punches but they were grazing blows, doing little damage but still causing me to bleed. He was bent over from my kick, and my opposite knee slammed into his face as my kicking leg returned to the bloodied earth. Hadrada countered by grabbing my leg, lifting me and bringing me down to the ground, he pinned my arms with his legs and began punching me. The blows came hard but slow, he was tired as I was. When he threw his next punch I turned my head toward him causing his hand to be pierced by my tusk. His cry of pain allowed me enough time to reverse his hold on me and I gained the upper hand. He attempted to get back on his hands and knees, but that was the perfect opportunity for me. Hadrada’s back was exposed and he was tired. I wrapped my legs around his waist from behind and swiftly slid my left arm underneath his chin. I tightened my chokehold and clamped my hands together. I could feel him go limp and black out. I released my hold on his body and stood up.

Presuiti came over and made sure our bodies had healed correctly. We awakened Hadrada with some strong herbs and I helped him up. There were apologies all around as the crowd settled down. “I t’ink it be time ta get ta bed,” declared Kuji’fet, “we’s all be needin’ some sleep fer a big day tomorrow.” With that the village began to disperse, tables were cleared and put back in storage and torches were dimmed. Nefertan rushed towards me, inspecting where my previous wounds were, “Doncha be doin’ dat no more Surak, you ‘ad me worried sick.”

“I be fine girly, didja get some good advice from da village elders?” I asked.

“Yessir,” she responded, “dey told me some good secrets, like what ta do wit’ you afta’ we be gettin’ married.” Her smile and eyebrow raise told me it was something that involved us and a locked door. I smiled and offered my arm to her, she accepted, and I walked her home. We hugged and were going to kiss when she screamed in pain. Nefertan kicked her leg out to reveal a murloc that had a bite-grip on her leg. I lifted her leg and stabbed the murloc in its plate-sized eye with my tusks. Its grip relaxed and Nefertan healed herself. E’fratne sprinted out of the house and screamed, “Oh great spirits! Murloc raid! Murloc raid!”

I pushed Nefertan up the steps in front of me before I turned around to face the murlocs. Their large eyes reflected the moonlight. At least two hundred eyes reflected throughout our village. Out of every house the troll warriors stepped onto their porches; half armored with an assortment of weapons or something close to one. I grabbed the sword from the murloc I had just killed, it was little more than a short sword but I made due with what I had. I roared with rage and jumped into the fray kicking the midget enemies to stun them before dealing fatal slashes with my makeshift weapon. Teeth and bone swords pierced my legs in quick succession, but with Nefertan’s healing and the blood rage rising in me I felt no pain. Ypokax and Jujika shot arrows from the second story porch of her house and Hadrada had managed to find a war maul, his blows killed multiple murlocs in a single sweep. Even the aging Drul’anka and his bodyguard took part in the fray. Drul’anka fought with demon magic and warlock spells, burning holes into the enemy lines. The battle was going well until the murlocs revealed the next phase of their night attack.

A second wave of murlocs came from the northwest, opposite of the first wave. Drul’anka and his bodyguard were caught in the center with nowhere to run. Drul’anka’s bodyguard fought with rage, but one orc can only do so much and one hundred against one is rarely a fair fight. Hadrada and I made eye contact for a split second, as we both knew it would be moments before Drul’anka was overrun. I picked up a second murloc sword and began slashing and hacking my way towards the councilor. Hadrada did the same, smashing many a murloc with his large war hammer. Just as I had given up hope for the orc, a second orc warlock blasted their way to Drul’anka’s aid. It was Ytanna. I fought harder to reach the two warlocks for it was only a matter of time until the magic in their veins would run out. Hadrada reached them first and I slashed two more murlocs dead to arrive at their positions seconds later. “Lets be getting’ ta Jujika’s ‘ouse,” I said, “dere be a big group a fighta’s dere.”

I signaled to Ypokax to cover our retreat to his position, a quick nod and another dead murloc was all it took to confirm my plan. Hadrada and Drul’anka fought their way to Jujika’s house while Ytanna and I covered the rear. Arrows whizzed by in quick succession, Ypokax had recruited a few more archers to keep the murlocs at bay from the porch. We reached the top of the steps and I signaled to Ytanna to burn them. A few fireballs from Ytanna and a hammerblow from Hadrada burned the steps and any hope for the murlocs to reach the first floor (we built our huts on stilts to keep the snakes and coyotes out, as well as in time of flooding).

[Mad corsair]

Chapter 3 - Part 2

Jujika’s house was a safe haven for trolls at this time, older trolls were seated on the third floor while the fighters shot, cast and hurled at the murlocs from the second and first floors. “Grab a bow Surak!” Ypokax yelled as we made it to the second floor. Jujikas house was well stocked with arrows and archery weapons of every sort. I grabbed a shortbow, there was no need for a longbow in this fight, power shots were needed to break the murlocs sturdy shell-shields. All four of us ran to the deck to fight once more. Ytanna and Drul’anka casting spells of fire and darkness as I shot my bow and Hadrada threw his usual javelins downwards. Shot after shot and spell after spell flew downwards and the murlocs ranks began to thin. The murlocs soon retreated under the flurry of shots and spells, coming from at least two other houses that were doing the same as Jujika’s. “Everybody be okay over dere?” I yelled to the houses.

“Ya mon,” was one reply.

“We be needin’ an extra healer if ya kin get one ‘ere,” was the other answer. Everyone at Jujika’s house was readily healed, so Hadrada and I decided to escort Nonak and Nokana, the twin shaman, over to the needy house. We borrowed some armor from Jujika’s storehouse and I took a two-hand battleaxe while Hadrada kept his war hammer. The four of us leapt down to the ground and silently made our way towards the second safe house. A group of six murlocs ambushed us from beneath a staircase but they were easily put down with a few axe and hammer strikes. The rest of the short run was uneventful, but still suspenseful in fear of another ambush. We walked up the step s to the needy safe house and Nonak and Nokana began healing and inspecting wounds. Murlocs sometimes used poisoned blades but it was rare and usually only for the higher ups in murloc society. All the injuries were healed well until we reached the second floor. A bloodied and bruised warrior was laid on the table, my father Uhlaki.

Nonak and Nokana went to work, weaving spells and inspecting wounds. The more minor wounds close quickly because of natural troll regeneration but a broken arm and a cracked rib required the attention of the two shaman. “ ‘ow did dis ‘appen?” I asked a nearby troll.

“Wes ‘ad no way ta lock da door or cut down da steps, so Uhlaki and two otha’ trolls stayed on the front porch ta fend off da murlocs. Dey all fought well, but Uhlaki be da only one ta survive, da otha’ two were eaten up by da murlocs while dey was dragged away,” answered the old troll. The loss of two trolls was devastating and without full bodies they could not be resurrected. Two new graves would have to be put up in the graveyard tomorrow. Kuji’fet was in this house; he was speaking with some other older trolls on what to do about the murlocs when I approached him. “Excuse me mons, Surak an’ I gots somet’in ta talk about,” he told them. Kuji’fet escorted me to a secluded corner before we held conference. “What you be t’inkin’ needs ta be done about da murlocs, mon,” he questioned me.

“Well, good shaman, da murlocs musta’ followed Gul’gantu and me back from when wes attacked da patrols near da murloc settlement. Dis be revenge,” I answered, “afta’ wes go ta Razor Hill wit’ da new wo’mons I’ll call in a favor ta get some extra guards ‘ere. Den da new mons an’ I kin go an’ scout out da remainin’ murlocs an’ maybe wes kin raid ‘em.” Kuji’fet nodded for a while, brooding over my idea.

“I be likin’ your plan,” he said after a short pause, “We’ll bury da bones of da t’ree trolls dat died tomorrow an’ den yous kin go ta Razor Hill. Now, what about town safety tonight?” he questioned.

“Wes kin send out patrols of t’ree or four throughout da village to look fer murlocs, den circle da village. Double da guards tonight an’ set up extra torches around da village.” I responded.

“Ya mon, I be doubtin’ dat da murlocs be attackin’ again tonight. Go ahead an’ put some patrols together.” Kuji’fet told me. I went back to the main room and began recruiting warriors to search through the village. Three groups came from the safe house I was in; four more were formed by the other two safe houses. I gave orders to capture any murlocs we could but deadly force could be used. Only one patrol saw a group of murlocs. The murlocs were found in a house going through the pantry and eating the family’s food. All three murlocs were captured and caged inside the village council and four guards were posted to ensure there would be no escapes. The civilians returned to their homes and the warriors of Sen’Jin village posted themselves around the perimeter of the village. The new men and new women were allowed to rest for the following day would require much energy.

The village woke up at dawn like every other day; but today was not like any other. Three graves were dug and the services were held to send the three lost spirits to the lands of their ancestors. I didn’t know any of the deceased, but one was an old troll woman who lived two huts south from my families forge. She would always sit in her rocking chair sleeping throughout the day and yelling at the running whelp trolls. The services were ended with shamanistic chanting and then the town was dismissed to go about their day. The new men and new women were loaded onto two wolf drawn carts and then waved off bye the village as they rolled towards Razor Hill. The new women were dressed in full armor and weaponry while the new men dressed light. The new men wouldn’t be fighting, their weapons and armor were mostly for show. The cart ride was much more enjoyable with the women to keep us company but the murloc raid and the fact the women would be going into the caverns still hung in the air.

We arrived at Razor hill for a quick rest before we would leave to show the women the caves. “Kin we see da treasa’ before wes leave town,” Nefertan asked me. I gave a questioning look to Drul’anka because he had the authority in the matter.

“I see no reason not to, I need to see this treasure as well,” he replied. Drul’anka had become much more friendly since Hadrada, Ytanna and I helped to save his life. It turned out that Ytanna was Drul’anka’s niece and that Drul’anka was the master that she had been speaking of with Gul’gantu and I. Ytanna had come with us back to Razor Hill and she would accompany the new women into the caverns. It was a good thought knowing a warlock as skilled as Ytanna would be there to help our brides and troll sisters if need be.

We walked to the goblin’s compound behind the barracks. The six new men greeted him again and gave some handshakes to him and the ogre guards. Introductions were given all around, Werqutink gave me a little nudge after meeting Nefertan and a ‘that a boy’ look. He withdrew a key ring and selected one from about two hundred keys. “Most of tha keys are decoys, but some of them,” he smiled, “lead to some REAL nice toys.” Those toys most likely exploded or turned dirt into fake gold or something. With a few clanks, sputters and grinds the door opened to reveal thousands of salamander eggs. “The gold’s in the next chamber,” said our high voiced green guide. Drul’anka took a few eggs and gave them to his new bodyguard, who looked almost exactly like the last bodyguard.

“Those eggs will be going to Orgrimmar for study,” said the formerly crusty orc, “Chief Bolodras Baneblade and Typhanx the Seer will be coming to inspect the other artifacts and will represent the councils at Thunder Bluff and Orgrimmar.” We walked to the next chamber and once more Werqutink pulled out his key ring. The door opened with a few more screeches and jerks to reveal our gold and plunder. The ogre guards inside denied entrance to everyone, even Drul’anka. “Company policy,” stated Werqutink, “Only outside viewings of storerooms estimated at more than one hundred gold.” Everyone looked at each other; one hundred gold would be enough for every couple to begin construction on a new hut. Kisses, hugs, high fives and handshakes were all exchanged after we stood in awe of the gold. The door was closed and locked once more and we stepped out of the compound.

“It is time that the new women left for the caves,” said Drul’anka. Nefertan and I embraced and kissed, as did the other couples, and the new women went on their way to the caves.

“It be tough ta see dem go mon,” Gul’gantu stated.

“It be twice as bad fer me, Gantu,” I responded, “Nefertan an’ Lanlaki both in ‘arms way don’t sit well wit’ me.”

“Come with me now trolls,” Drul’anka said, “Typhanx and Bolodras should be arriving soon.” I could not help but sneak another look at Nefertan as she walked away. She had done the same and waved to me. I returned the gesture, knowing it would not help her in the fight of her life.


Next: Chapter 4 – Suspense and Spoils

[MoonSage]

Hi, I so love your story; it is wonderfully entertaining. Your narrative is so descriptive and full of clever details. I love trolls, they're my favorite race in WoW, and you depict them exactly as I imagine them. The ceremonies and rites of passage seemed very realistic. Plus, it was neat to see all your references to quests and places in Durotar (with which one becomes intimately familiar after questing there with a half dozen characters). Good character development. Surak is very likable. Please write more soon!

[Niderin]

pretty good man

[Mad corsair]

Well it doesnt seem like Anyee is going to be putting this in TDL, just not enough support for it or maybe he's just not around. Look for my new storyline called 'Holy Perdition' in a couple of days.