[H-RP] The Broken Shield

[Ralthak-argent-dawn]

The Broken Shield will be a highly disciplined, military war band with a strong focus around Orc culture. By joining you will find your character subjected to these things, they may experience a high level of discipline or may even receive punishment for failure to adhere to such. These are themes of the guild you chose to join. With that out the way!

Formation
With war raging, the Horde must dig deep to hold onto its place in the world. A young orc finds himself elevated, selected to lead. The war band of the Broken Shield has been formed and is seeking warriors from all walks of life to join its ranks. It’s military ways will see them fighting and raiding lands far and wide.

Premise
A military war band centered heavily around Orc culture and shield wall combat. All races are accepted into the band but they will be expected to learn and adhere to the culture within. Any who can hold a shield - except Goblins, for practicality - are welcome in the wall, the highest honour a warrior can hope to earn in the war band is to fight, bleed and kill side by side with brother and sister in the shield wall. There will of course be roles outside of the wall for skirmishers, menders, archers and spell casters when the time is right. However for the most part, emphasis and focus will always be on the wall as the guilds core principle.

Culture & Tradition
As mentioned above, there will be an emphasis on building upon orc culture and our own traditions within the war band. Loyalty to one another will be of upmost importance, second only to loyalty to the Horde.

True orcs know that very little is solved with bickering and that words are important, your word carries weight and should not be thrown around needlessly. An orc solves their problem through combat! You fight, you get up, you dust off and you shake hands. If you cannot do this, you fight until one no longer breathes, either way the issue is settled. Brawling will be common in the war band, what better way to test each others strength and to really learn those you fight alongside that to test each other?

All Recruits will be expected to take part in three trials to earn their place in the war band. The rites of endurance, unity and spirit.

Ranks
As with any military assembly, there is a ranking structure. For the most parts, I have taken these from the book in Orgrimmar that details the officer and enlisted ranks of the Horde and Alliance. These ranks are not permanent and a character who fails to act as expected of their rank may find themselves demoted indefinitely.

Centurion - Charged with leading the war band, he will be at the heart of the shield wall, leading by example. It is up to him to lead the warriors into combat, in travel and to ensure all are equipped with their shield. His word is final.

Head Shaman - The direct advisor of the Centurion, it is the Head Shamans responsibility to ensure the war band follow true the advice of their ancestors or risk bringing shame upon themselves. They will play a deep part in promoting the spiritual and cultural aspects of the war band.

Blood Guard - The closest to the Centurion, these are the most formidable warriors the war band has to offer. Their duty is to ensure unity and cohesion among the shield wall and to act as honour guards to the Centurion and Head Shaman of the band.

Stone Guard - Stoic, fierce and resilient. These warriors have proven their strength in countless battles and have shown unshakable loyalty to the war band and the Horde.

Raider - The standard rank a member of the war band can hold. These men and women are expected to be strong, disciplined and iron willed.

Recruit - Speaks for itself, those who have yet to pass their trials and earn their shields.

Peon - A punishment, those who fail to uphold the standards of the war band may find themselves demoted to this insulting rank where they will stay until they have repaid their mistake. They will be stripped of their weapons and expected to perform menial duties and manual labor.

[Ralthak-argent-dawn]

The Broken Shield will be making an adjustment to our schedule!

In order to open up recruitment, the decision has been made that the shield wall elements of the Warband will be “postponed”. It will most certainly be a important part of the guild still but not the focus. In order to create roleplay we need to expand our field and believe it will be better to focus on the Orc culture aspects of the guild first and foremost, the shields can come later.

I am a firm believer that creating a good environment to nurture high quality and enjoyable RP is one of the strongest ways to draw peoples interest.

[Ralthak-argent-dawn]

A young Warsong makes his way into the camps outside Orgrimmar, dressed in light leathers, a spear in one hand and several fish upon a hook in the other. Already beheaded and gutted. He approaches his tent, a fire still smoldering. He spends some time to nurture the fire back to life and cooks his supper. Mulling over the weeks progress as he gazes up towards the night sky. He did not expect responsibility but saw an opportunity to earn himself honor, glory and to perhaps one day claim victory on behalf of the Horde. He runs his tongue idly across his back teeth, aware his visions of grandeur may both be his driving inspiration towards legend or towards a quick death that no one will remember. Time can only tell.

His thoughts shift towards those he has drawn to his cause so far. Long time friend, Stone Guard Dresh’nak. The old orc has seen it all. He will be a steadfast ally and a voice of reason, when to strive for glory and when to show patience. I expect he will do well to keep the recruits in line and help teach them the way, the proper way… The orc way.

I have managed to assemble a handful of recruits, they seem dedicated. Next week I shall take them for their trials and the Stone Guard will join them. One practices foul magics, a Warlock. I do not like his kind but if we are to wage war, then I concede it pays to have his knowledge at our disposal. I shall take his head should he subject a member of the Horde to his sorcery. For his aged and weathered appearance he packs a punch. Hah, put the Stone Guard on his back in one go. He seems dedicated enough to give him the chance to prove his worth, at the least. We picked up a Warsong by the name of Bloodmaw, she carries a shield. Her attitude and prowess are encouraging although she is too aggressive in combat and stops paying care to her footing and posture, but she shows promise. Another orc - Toja - he seems young, perhaps younger than me. He carries a pair of axes and attacks without practiced precision. He seems a bit twitchy. A shaman joined our number, Crom Windhammer. He is an odd one…

Rumours have been floating around about the Wolfspirit Clan, the most unusual being the death of their Chieftain. A number of their Clansmen seem disheartened. I do not know the full story, nor do I care to. The Wolfspirit have been supportive of my cause, they have earned a measure of respect but I have no intention of fighting their feuds, especially when they are a Clan problem and not a Horde problem. So long as they do not attempt to drag my Warband into their problems, we shall remain on good terms.

The Orc scratched his bristly face as he chews his food and his thoughts, picking a bone from his teeth and flicking it into the fire before hauling himself to his feet and venturing under the canopy of his tent, laying himself down and drifting off to sleep.

---

We have been busy attempting to draw interest and get some recruiting done this week so we can commence with our first events! It has gone better than expected, after initial frustration we had a sudden flux of people joining. I am very much hoping I can provide an environment for them to enjoy roleplaying in. I would like to thank the Wolfspirit Clan for inviting us along to one of their events, nearly getting us drowned after Naga hijacked our alliance-slaying party, and even helping us to find new members, sending them our way if they thought they would better suit our idea.

[Aróna-argent-dawn]

Arona Bloodwolf joins the rest of the Warband in the high hills of The Valley of Trials. She dismounts, Riverrun, her frostwolf, and kneels before the Centurion. She listens closely as the Centurion explains the values and standards of the Warband. A small breeze caresses her skin, she looks around at her brothers-in-arms, feeling proud to be among Orc’s once more. After the exxplanation they are led to the Earth Shrine near the Valley, where a Shaman sits before a small bowl of water. She greets them. One of her brothers goes first, performing hiss Rite of Spirit succesfully. Arona was well aware with these rites of communion. To commune with a spirit of an ancestor was a great honor. It was her turn. She kneeled before the shaman. “Hello sister.” The shaman stated. “Hello, sister.” Arona returned to her. The shamans were a close-knit community, almost all of them either knew eachother or knew -of- eachother.

Arona takes a sip of the water, the water becomes a sensation of toxicity and discomfort, but she’s used to it. Communing with the Spirits is not an easy task. Suddenly she spots the image of her father before, claiming to be proud of her, and asking when she will give grandchilderen to him, to which she replies:“I will grant you offspring when I find an Orc strong enough to handle me.” With a sly grin. She talks to him about her concerns of the Horde and her loneliness over the past few months. After some solid advice, her father leaves again and Arona passes the rite succesfully.

The next day, early in the morning. Arona aids the Troll guards of Sen’jin with some scorpion troubles before her second rite. Collecting a quillboar’s tusk. The rite was rather easy but when told that it was sloppy, she felt ashamed. She was a Shaman! A spiritwalker, she’s supposed to be the voice of reason and composure among Orc’s and yet, she failed to be that in this rite. She moved on to the third rite, with a fresh view. No more mistakes.

The third rite, the rite of Endurance. She had to face all her brothers-in-arms and commander in brawls. First she fought Nargarok, an elderly Warlock. After a short fight, she made quick work of him.
Secondly, she fought Nagarok Ironskull, they seemed to be equal in strength and skill for a while, but after a fierce brawl, she beat him to the ground.
Thirdly, she fought Tojara Axefury. Their fight wasn’t as long as Nagarok’s but in he did put up a fight. After a while, she won that one too.
Then her true target, Ralthak Ironspine, Centurion. He had beaten Arona before. She was gunning for a rematch. The fight was long and arduous, Arona was getting tired. Beads of sweat rolled down her frame, her breathing became heavier. It seemed that for every attack she landed, he struck back twice as hard. She was not going to lose, she couldn’t. Not again. She was her father’s daughter. He trained her, taught her everything. And in the final moment, the last blaze of glory, putting everything she had in the final flurry, every ounce of strength, every ounce of passion and with three mighty blows…she did it. She had beaten Ralthak…and became the first to cross the column undefeated. A moment of pride washed over her before she regained her composure and serenity…

(This was an IC perspective of my character’s participation and view on the Rites of the Broken Shield Warband.)

[Ralthak-argent-dawn]

The Broken Shield are currently enjoying the festivities of the Kosh’harg!

Traditions are important, especially to Orcs. The festival promotes unity and provides respite for the stress, chaos and grief of war, a place where everyone is welcome to drink, share stories, pay homage to the ancestors and the elements, make friends and engage in fun and games! There has been spiritual voyages alongside trials of focus, strength and athleticism.

May the fun, games and friendships continue!

[Nelox-argent-dawn (Nelox)]

Can’t you guys just repair the shield?

[Bohemyr-argent-dawn]

XD in ten characters

[Kump-argent-dawn]

When it’s Broken, you seek the reason why it was broken, but when fixed, you forget it

#BrokenHype

[Ralthak-argent-dawn]

A Broken Shield has seen use, has seen battle!

[Chatty-argent-dawn]

The spirit stone rose out of the red Durotar soil. Its smooth surface was covered in paintings, some easily identified, some more obscure. Infront of it by a small fire sat a female shaman. Vrogar approached her and drank from the liquid she offered.
Lashka watched from a distance as he started to have a conversation with himself it seemed. The shaman simply sat and observed the fire. After what seemed like a long time Vrogar walked back from the fire and Ralthak said her name. “Lashka.” She nodded. Showing apprehension was showing weakness and she would not be seen as weak. Not again.
She drank deep from the bitter concoction as the shaman held it up and said “Drink.” And at first nothing happened.

In the Valley of Trials, the dry cool night air of Durotar soon gives way to something more damp. Something more dark. More wild. Before Lashka’s eyes the shaman disappear and the red scenery around her fades into a murky green darkness. A skull fades in from the darkness. Lashka draws in a ragged breath.
Soon the rest of the orc’s form starts to show underneath the skull and bone drawings marking his skin. Dark green leaves, colourful shrubs and the sounds and smells of the jungle hit Lashka in the chest like the fist of a Gronn.
You have left the jungle. You come here kneeling when you should be stalking.
There is a touch of accusation in the voice.
You are of our blood.
The orc jerks his head up, a long ragged scar visible across his throat.
She swallows, a hard rock of anger burning in her chest. She licks her suddenly ashendry lips, breathing deep from the life of the jungle she juts her chin forward and nods.
“I did not choose it. I want to go back.”
The skull face breaks apart in a laugh, a coarse croaking sound.
You speak of choice. You want? Then you take. The strong survives on the flesh of the weak. The orc points to his neck and pushes a fist to his chest. Unless the weak grow strong enough to survive their teeth. He gestures to the wild greens around her. You want back? Then come back. The way goes through blood and bone. Once again the skull face breaks apart as the skull grins, white fangs almost glowing in the darkness. Through the bone, guts and blood of anyone in your way. Carve your way back. We do not relent. We do not forget. We do not forgive, the orc says as he leans forward, the bitter words dripping from his lips. This is your way, too. Embrace it. Or fail and perish.
He steps back into the shadows, dark green waxy leaves closing in and covering his exit like the drawing of a curtain. Before she can even exhale once more the jungle fade from around Lashka, the sweet-clangy thick air of Tanaan evaporating and she finds herself pulling in her next breath from the dry Durotar night air. Lowering her gaze from where her forefather stood to where the shaman now kneels she gives a sharp nod and turns on her heel, her fingers curled into ready fists and her gaze set before her, the words of her father’s father carrying her foward.
We do not relent.

[Kump-argent-dawn]

This nice guild idea needs a bump

A good shield is a broken shield, to remind you have an enemy to defeat…
Best of luck! Lok’tar ogar!

[Ralthak-argent-dawn]

We have recently merged with another guild - The Varog Gor - in the hopes of tackling our activity issues. We’re going to be sharing our concepts and themes and hoping to better the experience for all involved!