Reclaiming of the land

[Swordbrother Nova]

Nova hid and recovered after injuries forced her comrades to drag her away from the battle. She may have been forced to flee this time, but in now she is ready to prepare to reclaim her lands... as soon as she has fully recovered.

[Swordbrother Nova]

Nova began preparing herself for a rebellion. She sought out her friends who had been scattered throughout the realm and tried to offer what aid she could. It was time Maethodoron began the process of regaining control.

[Scarlet]

Scarlet was enraged at the end of the battle, numerous times had she come across members of the Six-Fingers clan during battle. They were her enemies but she couldn't bring herself to kill them. She felt like she had failed her master and her comrades when she was felled by a spear as she tried to avoid fighting Vors. Luckily the demon blood that ran through her veins allowed her to recover and empower her to fight with everything in her to protect her first true home... MAETHODORON!

[araduin]

Araduin's last words..."I never seen so many goddamned orcs"

[kojiro]

As the rancid wind hits his all too sensitive nose, Kensei Kojirô, snorts, flaring his nostrils. The constant racket from the “rebuilding” of the forest, and the incessant, putrid odor that now lingers throughout the surrounding areas have been nagging at Kojirô since the first day the orcs “moved in”. If the smell wasn’t enough, the way they were destroying the land; they had no respect for the power of nature.

“They will learn very soon what happens when you have no respect, no honor,” he says to himself as kneels down, his daishô laid out in front of him. He lights the incense and closes his eyes. As he tightens his obi as he draws up the memories of his ancestors; all three sets of ancestors.

As he calls forth the visions of the past, the images from his younger years, he feels the warmth of his parents’ home, of the spring and the sakura blossoms falling around him. He then recalls the day that all that ended in one massive blaze. On that very night, while he was hidden where his father had put him, his nose had caught, for the first time, the smell that now permeates the air around him. As he evokes the memories, the hair on the back of his neck stands on end, his lips curl up bearing his teeth.

Realizing what is happening, he quickly pulls up the lessons taught to him by his sensei. With some quick meditation and controlled breathing, Kensei slows his heart rate down. The recollections of his master, the one who taught him so many things, brought back many images and sounds that filled his soul with both, pain and happiness.

With a small smirk appearing on his face, he opens his eyes, blows out the incense, and picks up his swords. While he stands, he places the swords in his obi.

The smirk disappears in a flash of anger, “Soon, you, the most unclean of all beasts, will pay for what you have done to me….”

[Morguinness]

Morguinness has decided to put his "busineses" on hiatus, and has returned to his father's lands northwest of Gondor. Waiting by a secluded inlet on the River Isen Morguinness thinks, "We'll need gold to refurbish our supplies and gain allies, and attacking their supply lines will weaken them while helping us".

The light is getting lower, and Morguinness is getting impatient waiting for his contacts that will take him to his ship. Slowly, from under the shadows of the trees creeps a barque floating down the river. "Hail", the men on it say in a tone loud enough for his ears ,yet not too loud in case the surrounding woods hold more than trees and rocks. The men disembark from the small water craft and greet Morguinness.

"Is the ship ready?" Morguinness asks one of the men, an ederly man, whose grey beard and leathery face bespeak his experience and wisdom. "Aye, but your father won't like you taking one of his ships for one of your cruises." he replies. Morguinness pauses for a moment, "True, but I have friends in need. He'll get over it." Morguinness turns to grab his pack, and as he does an arrow passes his cheek and skips on the rocks beside him. "They've found us, run!" the old man shouts. Morguinness and the others make quick use of the barque, paddling it swiftly down stream, ducking arrows as they swing the oars. "Those damn Orcs put a bounty on your head when they heard you're going to hit their shipping lines." the old man shouted to Morguinness as another volley of arrows came past and splashed in the water beside them. Rowing as fast as he can, Morguinness begins to laugh and looks at the old man and says, "It's time to go a piratin' boys. Gold in your pockets, rum in your bellys, and a wench in your bunks." And as Morguinness spoke those words, the small barque cleared the last bend of the river and brought them to the safety of the open sea, and ever closer to the deep water where the waiting ship was anchored.

[Vors Nymphkilla]

For the first time since he carried the scroll of war from Mog Bonecutta to Six-Fingers, Vors climbed the hill to his boss's tent. This time he carried a note of war not in his hand, but around an arrow imbedded in his leg. He shouted for his leader who swiftly tore from his hovel and ripped the arrow from his Pain Bhoy's leg. The great ork snarled and walked back into the tent. After a quick reading of their fate, Six Fingers ordered Vors to amass the last troops and any allies that would come to their aid, the Fellowship and the Six Finger Klan were at war for control of Maethodoron.

[Morguinness]

As Morguinness and the others clamor on board the ship from their barque, Morguinness is greeted by the ship's captain and handed a frosty pint of stout. Draining his mug, Morguinness looks about the crew. Most of them he already knows, except for two standing a few paces from the captain. The captain informs Morguinness that the two new men were picked up just a few hours before he had arrived on board. The man standing closest to the captain was wearing a simple doublet and pants and had a pleased, happy expression on his face, as though he had been looking forward for some time to finally meet this Morguinness he had heard so much of. The other new man was quite the opposite, his eyes barely peered from underneath his cloak's hood, but his gaze fell on Morguinness like a lion judging the distance to its prey, quite still and focused on its target.

After a few simple pleasantries the first new man eagerly shakes Morguinness' hand explaining at length how honored he was to meet him, and with those words came an awkward pause. "Oh" he said, "I also have a message for you". And after another brief pause, "it's from Mog!" he shouts. And as the man finished his last syllables he had produced a dagger that was coming swiftly toward Morguinness' heart, but stopped shot only an inch. Morguinness looks up at the man not believing that he wasn't killed by the thrust of the man's dagger. Slowly, Morguinness understands why, the momentum of the man's body had been halted by the broadsword that now protruded from his chest. The holder of the blade was none other than the cloaked man who quickly removed his bloody sword from the body as it lay limply upon the deck of the ship. "Don't thank me" he says, "thank your father, he pays well." The cloaked man sheathed his sword and turned to go below deck.

As the events unfolded, the captain and the rest of the crew stood in amasment at what had just transpired. "So, there is a bounty." the captain finally said. With a gesture of his hand Morguinness waives off the enormity of the captain's coment. "Set a course south, to the Bay of Belfalas" Morguinness replies, "captain, I need to speak with you in your quarters." As Morguinness utters these words all hands set to work weighing the anchor, and making preparations for their voyage.

[Morguinness]

It is just after sunset. The ship has been hugging the coast, near Anfalas, navigating by whatever landmarks may be present. The night watch pace upon the deck, long used to the creeks and groans of the ship's wooden frame. Most of the other men are asleep in their bunks, or gambling with dice. In the captain's quarters, sitting across from one another, with the captain's desk between, Morguinness and the captain continue their, at times, heated debate over the nature and purpose of the voyage.

"My friends in Maethodoron are fighting a guerilla war!" Morguinness forcefully tells the captain, "they won't last long unless some presure is taken off of them." The captain patiently listens while waiting for his turn to speak. "Aye, but I've been an honest sailor my whole life, and you want me to turn pirate." A pleased expression comes over Morguinness' face, "We'll divide the Orc's attention by hitting their supply lines. No invading army can maintain occupation when their lines of supply are cut off." Morguinness calmly explains to the captain while reaching into the rucksack that sits by his feet. "Besides", Morguinness says to the captain while unraveling a scroll, "we're not pirates, we're privateers." The captain recognizes the design of the scroll, and realizes that it's a Letter of Marque. The knock at the door interupts the captain's reading of the Letter, "Sir, we've spotted a ship in the distance, judging by the rigging, it looks like an Orc slaver" says the sailor while standing in the doorway of the captain's cabin.

"Now captain" Morguinness says while leaning comforatably into the back of his chair, "raise the standard of the Easterlings, and place twenty men in the garb of the Haradwaith."

[rockledge]

As I sit in the shade of the old oak I see yet another group, another clan, another gaggle pass by. They all stroll by by taking no notice of the man on the outskirts of the field. I have seen them train, I have seen them fight, but when the wars come they leave to battle each other in far off lands. The Fellowship with their haughty acts, the Orks behaving like disgruntled children, Nightstalkers with arrogant parading, and the Sons of Mars wandering around like vagrants. Yet there is something appealing about these groups despite their flaws and and limitations. It could be the comradeship or the pure glee they take in their acts. Maybe they have found something that that binds each one personally to their group, something intangible. I have ventured out, occasionally, to partake in their events but only a few recognize me and to others I was just a nameless entity. One of these days I may leave the comfort of tree and its enveloping shade to join them. Its been a long life and I grow weary of the peace of my shadows.

[Scarlet]

Seamus calls me out into the field. Looking down at me he says, "Enough moping, brooding isn't goin to kill Orks and reclaim Maethodoron, but training will." I look up and notice that he doesn't have his sword and shield and laying on the ground behind him are 2 spears. He picks up one of the spears and tells me to pick up the other. "looks like we're goin to have to make ya a shorter spear there Scarlet. Cause that one's twice as long as you are tall." I stick out my tongue and pretend to look mad, but I'm the happiest I've been since Seamus took me on as his retainer.
We practiced for hours and I learned fast, Kenshin even came over to help Seamus teach me. With each hit on the targets Kenshin and Seamus had made for me I felt more and more alive. After a while I knew my arms would be sore from the work but I kept practicing. I felt like learning spear was my way to show my comrades that my size didn't make me any less of a fighter and I couldn't wait for my chance to christen my spear with the blood of my enemies. The next time we go to battle to reclaim our lands the Orks will find out why I have the surname Nemain...

[araduin]

Haughty? Well, I suppose it's better than being a vagrant :-)

[Scarlet]

I traveled with my comrades including most of my fellow Nightstalkers, Izad of the Sons of Mars, and the Fellowship to Angaron to fight in the War of the Phoenix. All of those from Maethodoron who traveled the great distance allied with the Army of Angaron and fought honorably and with all they had, hoping not to help one side or the other but to help bring Angaron back together as a solid realm.

Araduin had been the one to offer our aid in the war, hoping our presence on the field and a show of strength would win us more allies in our own war. Maethodoron needs all the allies we can muster to win back our lands from the Urk Kuldar.

The fighting was rough, casualties at every turn, I myself almost had my head cleaved in twain. Thankfully I was able to return to battle with the aid of healing sutras from Kenshin. I laid on the hill overlooking the battle as my unit leader healed my wounds, jokingly cursing the fact that I am a half-breed, "If you were a pure demon I would not have to heal you like this..." As we watched the battle we saw Seamus drop his sword and shield in a fit of rage, pick up Luicious's great sword begin to cleave spartan shields in half as if they were parchment. Kenshin smiled at his Retainer's performance and then looked down at me as if he was wondering if Seamus would teach me as well as he had been taught.

Once he was finished with the sutra Kenshin returned to battle and left me to recover. Still I knew I had to go back into the battle, I could not let Seamus and Kenshin down. I knew I was heading in too soon but I went back into the fray anyway. The rage compounded by my desire to make my masters proud pushed me to my absolute limit.

I ran across the field towards a gestiguse fighter with a bloodcurdling cry, for a moment he looked afraid, but then he just looked confused because of my size. In the end he did in fact fear me, he forced me to one knee trying to cut off my left leg and thought I would give up as I kneeled there, but I was too foolish to give up. I yelled and growled at him as he tried in vain to kill me. Finally launching myself with my good leg and pushing both of his arms to the side I killed him burying my sword into his back.

I may enjoy battle to a certain degree, but I do not enjoy watching things I die, so I turned and limped back to my line to give myself sometime to heal before I made another attempt to flank Sparta's line. Seamus hadn't seen my kill but he had heard my scream and when he saw me limping back towards the line he smiled knowingly, and gave me a nod of approval. As I reached the line the feeling of contentment that accompanied the kill receded, and I was hungry for more...

[Morguinness]

Dawn has come, and all of the men except those dressed as Easterlings are waiting below deck, out of site from the watch on the Orc slave ship. Calls and signals are made from the decks of both ships in the language of the Orcs and Haradwaith. A meeting has been arranged under the pretense that the Easterlings want to buy some slaves, but wish to come aboard to inspect them first.

Brief and brusque greetings are made between the Orc captain and the Easterlings as they come aboard. It's obvious by his body language that the Orc captain wants this over with as quickly as possible because he knows that every moment that the slaves are on deck, the danger of a revolt increases to his already depleted crew.

"I see gold, you see slaves" the Orc captain tells the leader of the Easterlings impatiently. "They are for a special guest" the Easterling replies as he gestures for a chest to be opened and the gold displayed, "they must be looked over before we decide what we want." Several of the Easterlings move within the throng of slaves standing on the deck, seemingly inspecting them. Meanwhile, the handful of Orc guards aboard ship are observing this scene while they are in postition to quickly stop any revolt that may happen and make an example out of the offenders.

One guard perched atop the upper deck of the ship notices an Easterling slip a dagger into the hand of one of the slaves. As the guard is about to call out to his captain his vocal chords are interrupted by the arrow that has suddenly penetrated them, and he collapses to the deck gasping in his own black blood. In this instant, a flurry of arrows flies across the deck of the slave ship as the Easterlings and a few of the slaves attack whichever Orc may be nearest to them. Their numbers are quicly reinforced as the men hiding below deck on the other ship swiftly climb aboard the slave ship and join the fight.

Within minutes the ship is taken, and the remaining Orcs who are able to have dived into the water and began swimming for land.

[Morguinness]

Umbar is an arrid desert land that is within the realm of the Easterlings. It's remoteness and lack of resources act as a wilderness buffer region that the Easterling kingdoms use as a natural defense. Morguinness' ship and the captured Orc slaver are anchored in a small and secluded estuary surrounded by scorching banks of sand with only a few sparse palm trees and scrub brush for shade.

"Most of the freed slaves have decided to stay on as crew, the others have opted to come with us to the City of the Corsairs where they plan to catch a caravan that will take them home." Morguinness tells the captain who is sitting in a chair on a part of the deck that has the benefit of some shade. "Aye, into the den of pirate scum I've spent my life fighting." the captain replies in a sarcastic tone after taking another drink of rum, "this should go well". Morguinness sits down and adjusts the bandage on his shoulder, a necessity for a wound caused by an Orc scimitar. "We'll be safe enough with my contacts there. Besides, we need to resuply, and we can't hide here forever from the patrolling Orc warships." Morguinness casually says to the captain while filling his own tankard with a draught of ale.