A Journey Underneath

Xhar'zyavhir awoke the next morning after the night of festivities. Her strength restored, she felt invigorated and hopeful. The skies were bright blue and the sun was shining. "Bleh. The sun is getting in my eyes. It's time to move to a darker habitat..." Xhar'zyavhil desired more powerful followers. The Drow with their skill in magic, and stealth. Or perhaps a tribe of Ilithid with their terrifying psionic powers. no doubt their intelligence would be useful in divining the location of these forces she is sensing. From there, she could march her force to the north and discover what exactly was going on.
She exited the tent and rose. If Kurgoth was not awake, she would use her telepathic link to wake up someone near him. Once there, she would address him, "Kurgoth. I am planning an excursion. I think we should have enough firepower to defend whatever we come across. Rathrrow will make enough poison to coat our weapons, and then we shall be off. Have you ever been to the Underdark, Kurgoth?"

Kurgoth was awake and when she met him he bowed his head and smiled and unnerving Orkish smile, it was not something many people would want to see first thing in the morning. He seemed interested and was listening intently to what she was saying, but when she asked if he had ever been in the Under Dark his eyes shot open wide.

“The Under Dark!? My queen...No Ork has ever been in the Under Dark, unless we count those deserters who go off and join human adventures. Are you planning on taking us to the Under Dark? If I may be bold enough to advise you, I suggest we gather the other clans I mentioned, I've heard legends about the Under Dark. Orks will not be the strongest things down in those holes.”

Xhar'zyavhir appreciated that she was getting the respect she deserved. It seems that little spell had worked just as she intended. She could get used to this. His face, however definitely left something to be desired...everything really.

At the mention of the Under Dark, she noticed Kurgoths expression. "Bwahaha!" Xhar'zyavhir sneered wickedly. The sight of this Ork, wide eyed and tail between his legs was too much! Hilarious even. "Forgive me, I am not used to talking with Orks who tremble so easily! Ah.."
She snickered one final time and her tone became serious again. "But that does mean, Kurgoth, that you posses some inherit intelligence." This was her time to educate the Ork. He should be aware of the Under Dark to better prepare him to deal with the things lurking beneath.
"Yes, the Under Dark is very dangerous. However, the Orks have unparalleled strength among humanoids, and you will have my spells to guide you. Not to mention, you, Kurgoth are immune to any attacks of the mind, very useful down there. Those are our advantageous, play to them well. Although, I think picking up the other Ork clans would be wise, let's take everything we can get. Now," She continued her rant,
"You're likely to encounter a variety of strong creatures. They will all undoubtedly be able to see in the dark and have some degree of magic resistance. The msot dangerous things are the ones that you can't see. We'll be looking for one of two groups, Ilithids or Drow..." She would spend the next few minutes discussing common Under Dark creatures, such as Beholders, Umber Hulks, various Troglodytes and especially the Drow and the Mind flayers. Hopefully all this information didn't overwhelm his poor little mind.

He just sat there listening to this list of horrifying under dark monsters and races "My queen, with all these creatures and there powers, do you really think the Ork clans we'll be able to gather today would be able to survive long down there? Preparation and waiting could be a better strategy." He seemed afraid, not for himself, but for the survival of his clan, he had just gotten control of it back from Goreboz, them all dying wasn't something he looked forward too.

She pondered his comment. It was food for thought. It's true, that the denizens of the Under Dark were far more formidable. The Orks were sure to take casualties. To Xhar'zyavhir however, these followers were mostly temporary buffers to aid in survival down. Still, they had been loyal to her. And they make excellent slaves.
Xhar'zyavhir was always proud of her cunning and intelligence. With proper preparation, their chances of survival could greatly improve. It need not take more than a week. And she was always proud of her patience too.
"You have so little faith Kurgoth. We shall muster the other two clans of Orks, the War Hammer and the Fire Kin. And if it makes you feel better I shall personally attend to the preparation of our party. You will all be trained in how to protect yourselves against the Under Dark and we will proceed with the utmost caution. Rest assured that with my help, you and your clansmen will be safe."

Kurgoth bowed and smiled with a fanged toothy mockery of a grin. He gave a throaty laugh and said "My Queen it is not a lack of faith in my men, it is a lack of understanding. Like you said, I'm more intelligent than your average Ork, that's been true since I ate the fey heart. If I don't understand something, I'm more cautious than to run in and attack it like the normal Orks would. The normal orks that die after being able to hold an axe for just a couple years. I will make preparations, I beleive the closest of those two clans are the War Hammers, then the Fire Kin."

"Excellent. You serve me well Kurgoth. It is wise to be cautious with the unknown. Keep that knowledge, and you shall live long. Now I let us go and find our 'new recruits.' I don't think we will need everyone. A small band will do. The rest should stay and begin work on crafting poisons."
Xhar'zyavhir would rise and exit her tent. If there was any food left she'd gobble up some of it. She stretched her wings and neck preparing to set out. When Kurgoth was ready, she'd cloak herself in invisibility once more and fly off to the War Hammer clan.

"I will gather a small band of our strongest warriors and meet you."

He did exactly that, he gathered a group of 20 Orks, ten from his clan, and ten from the Sky Breakers. Once they were ready to move, he and his elite band of Orks moved fast towards the War Hammer clan. They moved slower than she did obviously, but they were keeping time rather well.

When she saw the War Hammer Clan, she could see why they had their name. Their walls were larger and adorned with the heads of their enemies, ranging from humans and elves to other Orks and even hill giants. There were at least a hundred and fifty Orks in this village, and they seemed to be like the other Ork settlements, everyone was a warrior. They got their food through pillaging and hunting.

Xhar'zyavhir ordered her band to wait as before nearby. She circled around surveying the encampment. The War Hammer Clan was much larger than other clans around here. And likely more formidable than her own force. Taking down hill giants and elves is no simple task. They would be excellent to have on her side.

Xhar'zyavhir prepared her spell, the same mass suggestion spell she'd used before. But this time there were many of these creatures, perhaps too many. Yet, she decided it would still be worth it. If she could take hold of most of the Orks then the rest could be forced into surrender.

While still invisible she launched her spell. The psionic attack latched onto all minds below as she repeated her commands. It was a little overwhelming, making contact with that many beings at once. She then landed amidst the camp and revealed her true form, her mind slightly cloudy. She gnashed her teeth to instill a great fear in the Orks all the while willing her subjects, "Submit!"
Xhar'zyavhir's mind ached and her head was hammering at trying to control so many but her attack persisted. "Sumbit to your new godess, Xhar'zyavhir!"

The orks were surprised and about half of them immediately bowed, the other half clutched their heads in pain and fell to the ground writhing in agony as they resisted, or at least tried to. Her pain seemed to be transferring to them and magnifying itself. If she persisted, some of them may die, and some of them may come under her control. If she stopped, those who were not already under her control may swear allegiance out of need, since their numbers have lessened by so much. It was impossible to know which of those two routes would turn out better for her.

"Bah! I need strong warriors not addle-brained idoits," she thought amidst her pounding headache. She released her spell, reared her head and roared at the remaining Orks. Her runed scales glowing.
"Your clan falls around before you! Submit to me, or face my wrath!" she shouted. Her mood was absolutely sour, and her words were final. She had no patience in her voice, and was in no mood to negotiate.

sixty of the defiant seventy five bowed, by the other fifteen took up their war hammers and great swords, charging her with a loud roar, ready to kill or die trying.

Without hesitating she launched her breath weapon at them. Her eyes fierce and angry from her temper. The focused poison gas stream would strip away their constitution. She shouted aloud at her followers, "Seize the defiant traitors and bind them!"

They roared and shouted in pain when her breath weapon poured over them in a wave of pain. And they shouted more when their once comrades took them and threw them too the ground before her, especially because since one of the Orks was their previous leader. He growled and roared "What is this!? What are you, giant purple beast! I will feast on your scaly flesh!"

Normally Xhar'zyavhir would love to come up with a witty response. Possibly try and make this Ork submit. Under these circumstances, however, she couldn't care less about a single defiant subspecies. A fierce growl and a sharp look was all she gave to this Ork. She very briefly sized up the Ork.

She reached out her maw and proceeded to devour the Ork alive. Enjoying whatever screams accompanied the action. Orks were not her favorite taste by any means, but in this case she didn't really care.

The other Orks who had not submitted before decided after seeing her eat their leader, they should probably submit. They started groveling and begging to be allowed to live and serve her, they did not want to die under any circumstances.

"Excellent. It seems there are some here that understand reason!" She snarled. "It is as you see, Orks. Follow me as your queen, and you shall live in glory. Disobey me, and the consequences will be dire indeed." She licked her lips. She would lay down and try to calm her head. The last attack took quite a toll on her. She would have to take it easy for a while.
"Bring the prisoners before me. Each one of you will vow to serve me." As they came up one by one she would bind them as her as her loyal followers. It shouldn't be too much of a problem but her head still hurt her terribly.

They each came up and willing allowed her to bind them to her will, they didn't give her any more problems. Kurgoth walked into the village with his band of warriors "Oh my Queen! You've successfully subdued the entire clan, this will be very helpful in the Under Dark, at least from what I've heard."

Yes, yes be quiet!" She squinted as the her head continued to throb. "I need rest now. My last spell took a bit of effort."
She siged. It's been some time since I've had to exert this much energy. It would be wise to rest and get my power back.
"Kurgoth, with this many men, can you take over the Fire Kin Clan? Remember we want to enslave them, not to kill them. Their magic is no use to us when they're dead. In the meantime I can head back to our camp and oversee things there. To subdue a mage, make sure you bind their hands and muffle them as well."

Kurgoth saluted her with a fist to his chest and nodded "I shall conquer the Fire Kin clan in your name my queen! Within a few days, we will have the provisions and numbers to enter the under dark with you in confidence." He immediately began to bark orders in Orkish to his men.

"Good. Do that and bring them back to the camp." she said plainly.
With that, Xhar'zyavhir wasted no time in taking to the skies, soaring back to her tent quickly. She would turn off her psionic powers for the moment, in order to let her mind rest. She scanned the encampment to see what the rest of the Orks were up to, and if they had indeed begun on their poison craft.

When she returned to her main camp she would see her Orks were all working hard, making Casks full of various types of poisons that would be effective on most creatures. There would soon be enough for her whole little army. These Orks were fast, dedicated, and very efficient creatures.

Excellent. One good thing about these vermin is that they do as I say. I could get used to their unquestionable loyalty.
She called out to the masses, "We have captured the War Hammer Clan and the Fire Kin! The new clans will be here soon, and we shall set out for glorious conquest. Until that time, do not disturb me!"
Xhar'zyavhir entered her tent. Far too cramped and shoddy for her tastes. Everything about it made her more irritated. She laid down, scales shifting, and closed her eyes. She would attempt to nap until Kurgoth returned.

They cheered and roared with glorious applause and when she said not to disturb her, they made sure to immediately quiet down and calm down and not disturb her under any circumstances. She would sleep peacefully for quite a long while. Then when Kurgoth returned, a loud roar of cheering and victory cries filtered out from the Orkish Horde. Kurgoth had returned and managed to bring the entire Fire Kin tribe.

The slumber was good for Xhar'zyavhir, and helped to sooth her mind. When she was awoken, she was slightly irritated but that soon vanished when she saw Kurgoth bringing the Fire Kin tribe in in tow. Thank goodness. I was worried that the fine arts of capture would be lost on the Orks. It seems not.
She shook herself up. Her headache had subsided a bit though it was still persistent enough to annoy her. But she was filled with a kind of hope. Once the poisons were finished and she bound the new mages to her, she would be ready to set out.

"Orks!" She bellowed. "I have promised you greatness, have I not? There is nothing greater than power. And true power lies beneath the surface of this world. We will journey now, deep underground into the Under Dark! Where the riches of kings, and the power of gods await us!" A motivational speech to rally the forces. "I will teach you all you need to know. Follow my commands carefully and we shall conquer."

When she finished, she marched the troops onward. Out towards the entrance to the Under Dark where she had emerged not too long ago. It seems so very distant, and yet, not distant enough. I will never let my name be so easily forgotten again. My palace shall be rebuilt and all will know me and fear me.

While they marched Xhar'zyavhir had a whole itinerary planned out of training for the Orks to keep them busy. She would attempt to educate them on the monsters of the Under Dark and explain tactics for defeating, or at least surviving them. Hopefully the knowledge she could bestow on them would give them a bit of an edge.