Uruk-Zaahof: the Jewel of the Orcs
A festival was declared in Aden to celebrate the victory and casks of ale set in the streets. The Second Legion was, however, deputed to hold the peace and an “honor guard” set around Aden’s Mayor. Pyken felt that the hour they waited for had come and ordered the attack by the Citizen’s Militia and Blue Sash. The Orcs, however, were ready, and arrows rained from the upper floors of the buildings. The patriots sought to fight back, but were cut down by a hail of arrows. Seeing the tide of battle turn against him, Pyken invoked the Scales of Balance, a Raven magical balance of considerable power, causing much damage to the Orcs, but also bringing a large part of the City down. And then, the reserve Forth Legion under Korgan’s overall commanded entered the city. Pyken himself was driven into a building, trapped and dragged before Korgan. No doubt he expected to be executed or humiliated, however, the Orc supreme commander was generous. He said that death would be too small a price to pay for Pyken’s crime, he must live, live with the knowledge that he and he alone brought Aden down. Before he could finish, however, Pyken reached for the Scales of Balance, invoking them and escaped, getting trapped on a secluded island.
While Korgan waited for the time to attack, a prisoner was brought to him, captured during the battles. Rasnevic, a young Tribesman of the Circle expected to be ill treated (as he was earlier by his prison guards), but was instead treated with respect and a long conversation was struck about the realms and about Korgan’s own history. The General’s past as a slave in Aden and Prexion and some details about how the Orcish Prophecy came to be uncovered was discussed. Some mention was also made of Korgan’s own mixed blood. They ended the conversation when Korgan moved on Aden, but this talk created the roots of a sense of mutual respect between the two; a respect that lasted into the future when Rasnevic rose to be Prophet and then Jarl of the Circle. As the Orcs struck camp, he was released by a lightning attack by his clansmen Sasnakra, Concolos and Nyah.
Pyken’s attempt at resistance foiled, the Orcs lay claim to the city of Aden and
announced that they were without doubt its absolute rulers. The days of the Orc
have come and the Prophecy has been fulfilled. Henceforth, the City of Aden shall
be called Uruk-Zaahof, the Jewel of the Orcs, which would be the capital city of
the Orc Imperium.
The Clans finally united and an unlikely Grand Alliance of Harmony, Misanthropy, Circle of Fire and Ravens was announced. Each had their own motives, but all were ready to ignore their mutual differences, since this one time their goals seemed to match. A joint attack on Aden was planned. The loyal members of the Phalanx also rallied their troops, making a last stand in the name of their dead clan’s glory. Sarcartia of Maelstrom sent his minions to harass and kill the Orcs within Aden, in compensation for the defeat caused to the city of Aden. Undine of the Ravens was able to persuade the Lizardmen of Thakissis and the Samurai of Nymath to join the final battle. In his turn, Phrez brought an army of Giants. The battle lines were drawn and finally the Orc were outnumbered. It would seem that the “Age of the Orc” was destined to be short-lived indeed
Lord Enke of The New Moon, however, had other thoughts. He listened to the thoughts and actions of the Orcs and that of the Clans. He took into consideration that the Orc talked about peace and the Allies spoke about vengeance and bloodshed. He thought that the Orcs seemed to be intent to rule and rule fairly (in their lights at least), while the Allies were bent on destruction. He realized much of the destruction brought on in Aden was by the Allies, not the Orc. He thought and he decided to support the Orc. Lord Phaisith in his turn, reiterated his stand that he did not care about events as long as his Library in Arnath was untouched and none harmed the Library of Aden. Korgan vowed to keep both promises, securing a state of neutrality with the Dragon-Slayer Elder God. He further swore that he had no intentions to extend his dominion beyond the city of Aden, and would especially respect the territorial rights of the Clans of Arnath.
The Armies moved into position. Misanthropy, The Circle, Harmony, Ravens and the Phalanx were on one side and the Orcs and The New Moon on the other. The battle raged and seemed to consistently go the way of the Grand Alliance. However, the tables were soon turned upon them. Amestrise of The Moon was granted by her Deity Enke the power to Cast a spell of Unprecedented Power. It was to destroy the enemy of the Orc. The Minions of Sarcartia were the first to be destroyed, followed by the soldiers of the other clans. But the mortal Amestrise was unable to control this immortal spell. It backfired and destroyed the city instead. A huge explosion occurred and when the vapors cleared, only a charred ruin lay where the city once stood. Aden or Uruk-Zaahof was converted into a pile of rubble. The Orcs had won, but inherited only charred embers.