Underdark- Unending Abyss Region

Ghazren Hold

I studied the Orc Hold around us, like the one Dwarven Thiag I had seen before starting this whole mess, it was carved from the bedrock but far cruder than what the Dwarves could do. "Welcome to Ghazren Hold, home of the Blood-Fang Tribe," Drex told me as we passed through the gatehouse.

Orcs and Goblins were the predominant people that I could see, but I also spotted a few Gnomes and Drow. "Come, we must go to the castle, I must report my survival to my father and return those that fell to their families," Drex told me and I followed him along with the others.

Sessa and Drax were riding on the cart with the bodies while June and Chalxae brought up the read. The Drow women had been talking constantly today in low whispers when we had not been engaged with the random dead or other threats within the Underdark.

The buildings closest to the outer wall were squat, but the closer you got to the castle and back wall of the cavern, the larger the buildings were. While the town was not as large as Eternal Night by any means, it was intact and fully functional, unlike the city. "Your people have done well and carved out a good home Drex, your tribe should be proud," I told him earning a smile from the Orc.

Drex waved at the town around them, "I was told our people immigrated here three hundred years ago after being defeated by the Drow. Of nearly five thousand, we had just over five hundred survivors. We have slowly rebuilt our tribe, even inducted Gnomes and some renegade Drow within our ranks. We are prospering and growing steadily." the Berserker stated proudly.

It took us less than twenty minutes of walking to get through the streets of Ghazren Hold to the castle that sat overlooking the town. It was about a quarter of the size of Shadows Fall, but that was a Keep, almost a small town unto itself if it was ever fully restored. Yet the castle was well fortified and I would hate to have to try and take it even with both siege weapons and magical support.

A large glowering Orc was at the edge of the bridge that spanned the moat encircling the castle. While he took in our whole small procession, his eyes settled on Drex. "So my errant son finally returns...What happened? It was supposed to be a short trip then come back. You have been gone for more than a week and your companions are dead. Report!" the larger Orc barked and I looked at Drex to see what he would do and the younger man strode foreword and stopped in front of Orc before throwing a salute towards him.

"We investigated the disturbance that was detected by our Shamans as told. After nearly a day's travel, we found the ruins of a city that had not been in a previously mapped cavern. The city was heavily damaged, the outer sections compromised and indefensible at this point. The inner portions we could not see for the inhabitants had repaired the inner gatehouse and wall sealing the inner portions of the city." Drex reported and a dark look passed over the other Orcs face and he glanced at me but I remained quiet for now. "We sought to make camp in one of the ruined buildings when my party was ambushed by Spiderlings and subdued. Two days later I was rescued but my companions had been killed at this point. After that, I assisted my hosts in avenging my compatriots' deaths and assisted in eliminating threats that had settled into the outer portions of the city before returning to Ghazren Hold." Drex reported.

The larger Orc stared at me for a few moments then back to Drex, "What is your assessment of our new neighbors? Are they a threat? Can they become an ally?" the man pointedly asked.

Drex looked slightly uncomfortable but did not look away from the other Orc. "At this time, no they are not a threat. They are a what survived a war and are trying to rebuild as ours did. Could they become a threat, yes, but I think they would be far better allies than enemies. That is my recommendation father." Drex reported.

The other Orc nodded slightly before stepping forward and embracing the other Orc in an armored hug. I saw a brief flash of relief on Orcs's face before I averted my gaze to give them a semblance of privacy. I could see the other Orcs relaxing slightly, whatever had happened they were pleased with the outcome. "So my son speaks well of you and your people." I looked over to see the Orc looking and addressing me now. "I am Rexxar Skullcrusher, father of this idiot and Chieftain of the Blood-Fang Tribe and ruler of Ghazren Hold. On behalf of my people thank you for returning the fallen and the living to our ranks." Rexxar stated and offered his hand as a notification popped up but was minimized immediately.

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Without a second of hesitation, I took the offered hand, "I am only sorry I could not return them all alive, but the Underdark is not an easy place to live or survive in.' I replied with care not wanting to offend or alienate his people. To survive and have a chance, Eternal Night needed to be friendly with its new neighbors. 'Yet your people thrive and have carved out an existence here. As I told your son, you should be proud of that." I told him and a small smile flickered across his face.

"Our tribe is filled with those who are stubborn and unwilling to be conquered. Perhaps that is something our people share in common.' Rexxar replied before looking at the cart before looking at one of the guards. 'Send word to the families they have returned. We will have the ceremony tonight, their ashes will be entombed with the ancestors unless their families dictate otherwise. You all are invited as guests of the Blood-Fang Tribe, now follow me I think it is time for you to tell me who your people are and how they came to be here in the Underdark with a ruined city." Rexxar told me before turning and striding into the castle.

I glanced at the others and they followed me into the castle of Rexxar and Drex, "That is a long story, one I would not believe even though I am living it." I told him and he stopped to look at me than his son.

Drex barked out a laugh, "You will have to listen, father, to the whole story. It is...daunting to say the least."

I snorted in amusement, "It's unbelievable, it's ok. Yet what other explanation do any of us have?" I asked as we proceeded quietly through the castle's hallways to an office.

I took one of the offered seats, Drex and Drax took two of the others. "What do you know of the Compact and the Vampire Race?" I asked to start the conversation and both surprise and worry flashed across the Orc's face.

"Stories passed down by our tribe's Shamans. Stories told of a continent-spanning kingdom, of peace and absolute rule of the 'Blood Lords'. That was two thousand years ago, do not take me for a fool." Rexxar replied and I let some of my transformations through, I knew the Orc would see my eyes turn to the bright red and that my fangs would lengthen.

Rexxar jumped up startled and froze when Drex stopped him with a shake of his head as I relaxed pulling back the Vampiric part of myself. "It's not a story, but perhaps you should listen to someone who was there and lived through the end," I told him before pointing to Drax and he bowed his head slightly causing Rexxar to gape in surprise.

Drax immediately filled in the silence answering any question the tribal leader had. It led to a long-drawn-out discussion that ate all the intervening time between when we had arrived to when it was time to attend the ceremony for the fallen. "Lord Longstrider, you and your followers are welcome to stay here in the Hold tonight as guests after. While we do have a few guest houses, after your actions saving my son and returning the fallen, I would be remiss if I did not host you while you stayed here." Rexxar stated formally.

I smiled and bowed slightly to the chieftain. "Thank you for the invitation.' I looked at the other and saw no disagreement. 'We will accept sir. Thank you." I told him as he rose from his seat.

"Good, now come. We will have the pyre and feast, then you can rest. I am sure you all need both food and sleep after the hectic last few days. Come!" he told us and we followed the large Orc.

The Orc chieftain led us outside the Orc castle where a gathering was already underway. From what I could see, not everyone was in attendance, but several hundred people were present. Rexxar strolled up and onto a small raised platform. I could see the four dead Orcs laid out on a small pyre ready to be lit, and considering the scarcity of wood within the Underdark I was surprised they would use fire instead of entombing the bodies but I assumed it had something to do with their people's beliefs. "We are gathered here to honor the fallen. These brave warriors died, but they did not die in vain." Rexxar called out and I spotted a few small groups closer to the fallen bodies and I assumed they were the family members.

"They lived and died for their family and their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Yet their lives have paved the way for new friendships with people lost in time and are new to this area. We all know what our people endured in fleeing through the Underdark and claiming a new home. They, like us, are recovering from a long journey and will recover with time and are no threat to our people, but given time they could be strong allies." Rexxar stated and I began to zone out and brought up the notification I had minimized earlier.

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Quest Alert: Honor of the Fallen

Notice: You completed the secret Quest in returning both the heir to the Blood-Fang Tribe, but also their fallen warriors instead of leaving their bodies for the Underdark to claim. You have received 2,000 Experience, your Reputation with the Blood-Fang Tribe has increased to Friendly, your Reputation with Chief Rexxar Skullcrusher has increased to Honored.

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I read and dismissed the information, the Reputation boost was more important than the Experience at this point. With the state of Eternal Night, we couldn't afford to alienate any of our neighbors at this point. I did my best to be patient and quiet as Rexxar continued as the first of the fires were lit.