The Construction of our Future

Banners of the Blacktooth Grin now draped the towers of Conquest Hold. Deliberations with Garrosh had allowed the Grin to take control of this vital outpost against the alliance. With the resources provided by this new alliance with the Horde and the raw materials spread about the Grizzly Hills, the Grin is tasked with fortifying Conquest Hold into a livable home for the clan.

((The way this works. Guado Greensparx is the Head Engineer of Grin construction. You all may control him for whatever you want to add, but remember the warchief approves all of this goblin's workload so no personalized bathrooms and the like. We'll try and have a finished map of all the construction changes the Grin has made for Conquest Hold when this is done! Have fun with making our new base!))

Jornag drank amongst a group of chattering goblins within a tavern in Orgrimmar. The tavern was busy with shouting and music, the common gossip was of the war in the north.

"Alright squirts, I'm tellin' ya yer not gettin' such a large investment of gold from the Grin. We're in service o' the horde now, we get discounts."

"Ha! Discounts! Do you hear this clown boys? He comes to us in our home and asks for discounts. Listen here buddy, we're not hurting for work. You're better off peddling your sob story in Thunderbluff, lots of strict sanctions on the cartel over there. I'm surprised they even got a zepplin put in, silver tongued bastards."

Jornag rubbed his forehead, he had not dealt with goblins for many years. If he had his way the warchief himself would be here, but sadly these things had to be done proactively before orders were given.

"I'm tellin' ya, I've looked at yer work history. Yer not unreasonable, and yer no friend of the peacechief-"

"Shhh, you demon addled git. We're in the middle of Orgrimmar and you want us all thrown in prison."

"What I'm saying is, the Grin needs construction workers, and yer the best I've heard of. Consider yerselves conscripts welcome in the clan. We're in need of artillery and massive construction work."

The goblin just stared at Jornag, dumbfounded by the orc's lack of any business savvy.

"Alright, let's say we put aside the fact that you don't want to pay us. You're practically war criminals. And you're ugly. What exactly are we looking at here?"

Jornag grinned at the tiny goblin, inwardly wishing to burn him alive where he stood.

"We need to fortify Conquest Hold. the job entails fortifying the Keep, construction of an armory, stables, and barracks. We're going to need siege weapons and training. A lot of our boys would blow themselves up-

"Know how that is."

"When you get there, our men on the ground will probably require more personalized construction. This needs to be cleared by the warchief a course, but I figure a proper wyvern roost and training field would be amongst the requests. As well as a blacksmith."

The goblin shifted in his stool and took a drink from his mug.

"I like how you said when I get there. I haven't signed anything buddy. This seems like a massive job. Andd you don't want to pay for it. How am I to get resources? Pay my labor? You're mad if you think they'll do this pro bono for murderers."

"Hrrrr, Grizzly Hills has everything we'll need. There are rich areas of ore in Whisper Gorge, the Grin will provide you with all the materials needed. I do not have time to negotiate forever goblin. I must be off the Zul'Drak soon myself."

"Negotiate?!? You aren't giving me anything. That's not how negotiations work, friend."

"I'm providing you with a place where you are welcome amongst the strongest fighting force currently in this New Horde. You won't be jumping through the hoops placed upon you in this Dung Pit and are free to work side contracts, as long as our needs take priority. Look, you follow me to the northland and consider yerself free from anyone detracting from yer business."

"Hmmm, we're still getting payed. I'll talk about it with your boss. We're going to need transport for our equipment. Zepplins can't carry it, it'll have to be by ship. The name's Guado Greensparx. This is probably the stupidest decision I've made for the Company."

"Don't worry about it Guado. Good ol' Jornag will take care of ya and yer boys. The Grin will bring your cargo north and you can get ta work."

"Faaaaantastic, now if you don't mind, I'd like to drink away my regrets."

"Sure thing."

Jornag patted the goblin roughly on the back, causing Guado to dunk his face in his drink. The orc stood and left the tavern making his way to the zepplins. He had hoped to arrive back in Conquest Hold and prepare the Grin to make the delivery by the morning.

Guado Greensparx is the new head engineer of the reconstruction of Conquest Hold.

~You are to work with him for all repairs or construction.

~You are to lend service as laborers if called upon. Grots especially.

~Do not gamble with any Goblins if you want to keep your gold. This is your only warning.

~Here is a map of the current Conquest Hold. Be mindful of what we have and expand upon it.

~Whoever stole Jornag's prized silver bowl will be executed should he ever find you.

Back to work!

((Gee.... lots of numbered points but... nothing explaining what they are? Hmmm.... I LOVE TREASURE HUNTS!))

Kisuk sighed, applying a balm to the old orc's ear.

"Really, you shouldn't cut things like growths off. They could be really serious and grow back- or worse, get infected."
The old orc scoffed.
"Had worse things try 'n' fail ter kill me, youngin. Anyways, pure coincidence I could find someun ter put some ointment on my ear. All yew healer types 'r busy hidin' 'r something, I ain't gonna chase ya around the keep just fer somethin' I can cut off myself."
The shaman carefully bandaged up the old orc's ear, reflecting on his statement.
"Well that's all, Grokk. Just don't touch it for a week and it should be fine."
"Thank yew plenty, youngin." The orc stood up from the steps leading to the headquarters and went back to his post. The shaman stood there, arms crossed, feeling somehow disturbed.
Perhaps if healers had been more available and easily found, Animal's situation could have been avoided.

She wandered about the keep, distraught, until she found the sign informing the Grin of the new construction. The girl tilts her head one way, then the other. "Guado Greensparx... Well, Mr. Guado... I need an infirmary built." The girl looked around, immediately starting her search for the goblin.

Kreatchurs turned fitfully in his sleep. Nightmares of succulent beings escaping his ever shortening grasp plagued him. He awoke to find himself still inside his self made tomb. This tomb, ever widening, had been dug slowly but deliberately just behind the grot pit. Currently it was little more then a shaft that led down, and opened up, into a larger inner chamber containing numerous skeletons and a large, stone coffin.

Though it was total darkness Kreatchurs eyes adjusted quickly. A Half eaten ghoul lay directly on top of him, another lay to his left, though this one was whole and wore partial armor. The first ghoul lay dumbly atop as though awaiting an order. Lifesorrow flashed through the den and hewed the partially devoured ghoul in halves. Kreatchur raised himself to a crouch and began to attempt to sate his ever growing hunger with the remnants of the ghoul.

Several minutes later Kreatchur slid from his hole, with him was not his runeblade Lifesorrow but a rather stout and thick pole with a long fleshy tendon tied to the end, serving as a string.

Kreatchur positioned himself above the Grot Pit and began to survey the meals below. 'Ach!' The orc he wanted to devour out of spite was still missing. Animal, what the others called it, had been missing for some time. Kreatchur wondered little about this but was angry that some other fortunate sole might have been dining on such a treat.

Shrugging at his unfortunate luck Kreatchur slipped a large ghoul claw onto the end of the tendon string and slipped it through the grating into the pit. For awhile he merely stood there swinging his pole wildly about in a comical way, before his face lit up and he yank back revealing his quarry.

Guado Greensparx slowly slipped up through the grating, partially unconscience but all the same still hanging like a small green ornament clutched in the claws of the ghouls hand. Kreatchurs face went sour. 'Bad! Kreatchur die for this. Festering elf head! Nasty goblinses!'

About this time Gaudo awoke, to imagine hanging from a rotting hand, tied to the end of a stick, and being held by a burly, walking talking and now raving corpse, is something that could drive most to the brink. Yet, Guado, as any other good goblin, thought of only business.

''Aweful lousy way to get a interview! Coulda ask politely. No matter! You look like a.. man.. with work that needs to be built. You know my great-great-great-great grand pappy always used to say any business is good business.. Or was it great-great-great-great-great grand pappy? <Guado hung thoughtful for a moment before returning to his normal business manner with a wide toothy grin> What'll it be dea- uh Buddy?

Kreatchurs rotted brain lacked any high function tom comprehend the sudden bursts of squeaks and squeals from he though to be a dwarfish orc, therefore an enemy. Yet and enemy he was alone was forbidden to touch. His face remained slightly marred by a mask revealing the enormity of his mistake as well as that of deep thought.

Unable to remain quiet while the rotter stared dumbly back at him Guado began to speak extremely fast. From anything about construction or back to a cousin he once knew three no four times removed.. Or was it three? He debated single sidedly for several minutes before coming to the conclusion that it didn't matter even after several minutes of complete gibberish.

At last, Kreatchurs brain kicked into action upon realizing he missed the Stromgarde Crypt.

''Build Kreatchur Crypt. Kreatchur supply bodies!''

Iceleindis sat quietly at her desk. The mechanism behind her made a click and began to whir softly. She turned around, and watched the goblin-styled pulley machine that Kellexar had obediently produced swing into action. Gears and timing belts turned with one another in exact harmony, and soon enough, whatever library-bound item that was on the ground below would safely arrive at the window. Her eyes passed over the empty chair in the corner and then graced the wall opposite the stairs. Her delicate lips curved up slightly, pleased that her own expert eyes saw nothing out of the ordinary. Indeed, she and a team had already began to construct, supply, and transform the tower into a proper headquarters, library and all. "You have two days. You wouldn't want anything to happen to your books." The orc's insipid voice pierced her thoughts. Ice had spent the last few weeks constructing and organizing the library.

"And I'll be damned if some goblins are going to come in here and undo what I have done." She decided. The whirring came to a stop, and Iceleindis shot a glance at the window. A final crate of books lay there. With a wave of her hand, the crate floated to the floor. She would wait for Kellexar, the servant Sythegar Grimnir had appointed for her to return and open it.

Ice whispered some words in Thalassian, and a bookcase on the side of the room opposite the stairs slid to the side, revealing a secret passage. Having put finishing touches on it last night, Ice now had a vested interest in keeping the library with everything in its right place. Ice entered the door behind the bookcase, and it slid closed behind her.

Bok’theg’s Journal
Entry: 25 November

Today’s meeting with Guado Greensparx was slightly helpful. Apparently I am not the only one who has expressed an interest in subterranean space. Though he said my request was not unmanageable, without all of the requests he could not begin work. Without the full plans there is apparently insufficient information in order to ensure the roof doesn’t collapse on us all. That would not be optimal.

It is annoying however, that I must wait for all the requests to come in before I can contract for my own private quarters. Worst of all, it means I must continue to share valuable bookshelf space with that stuttering fool of an elf in her prim little library. The Keep may have been a pit but at least I wasn’t bothered down in the crypts. The last time I went up to that library for studies, I found some of my volumes carelessly tossed onto a table in order to make room for some useless mage librams. One can only hope that dimwitted grot that enjoys eating books happens to find those texts to his liking. … I wonder what happened to that dolt. I haven’t seen him around the Hold for some days now. Perhaps he was eaten by a grizzly.

There is one other item of curiosity…Yesterday I noticed Icelendis enter the library and I then entered some time afterwards. What was interesting was that she was nowhere to be seen when I was there. I suppose its possible she slipped out when I wasn’t looking or that I was distracted but it was odd just the same. I noticed no other exits within the library but then I haven’t fully explored the room. This is probably something that bears further investigation. The information may come in handy in future.

((Maybe she's a mage! Did you ever think of that!?!?!?))

"Just shut up and listen. Three chambers. Top, open air, covered roof, space for receiving negotiating parties. Place the heavy wooden seat from storage on an elevated platform, put some banners behind it. Got that?"

"Audience chamber, check." The goblin held his clipboard up to where Gorfrunch could see the sketch he'd made, and the Orc nodded his approval.

"Second, war room. The pavilion sits in front of it, with a heavy, soundproof door to the side of the platform leading in. War room needs a large table in the center, with racks for maps, ale, and force markers. Thick walls, reinforced ceiling."

"Got it."

"Below, with passages leading to both, my personal quarters, with--"

"Personal quarters! I was thinking tall, imposing black tower or something else Chieftainly, we've got a discount on reinforced obsidian, got it coming out the ears. One of the boys also tried to build a weapon rack, but something went wrong, but hey, it's perfect for storing skulls, we could put it over the door, maybe with some backlight. My cousin here's a--"

"Just dig it. Underneath the War Room. Dig it, and leave. I've got better things to do than argue about decoration."

((there is no way this happened. I object))

The young shaman peers at the clipboard drawing the goblin holds before her face, brow tensing momentarily.

"Well, that's quite a fine exterior however... What about the interior? How many beds can it hold? And.. and.. cabinets."

The goblin blinks at the shaman, taken aback.

"I didn't know you orcs were concerned with interior design."

The girl blushes awkwardly, trying her best to shrink.

"My concern... is... functionality." Kisuk sits up straighter, clearing her throat. "If you're going to do something you might as well do it right the first time, instead of half-assing it and fixing it afterward. I need room for at least ten cots, as well as plenty of storage for medicine and tools. And as far as I'm concerned, you can pull any of the grunts or grots from whatever other projects they're engaged in to build the infirmary- as it directly benefits them."

The goblin waves a dismissive hand.
"Alright alright, enough with the motivational pep talks. We'll get you a big infirmary." Guado glanced around thoughtfully, pointing out a hut on the north side of the base.

"That's much too small!"

"We'll re-outfit it. Won't even recognize it when we're through."

"Mister Jornag! Yo! Get over here!" The goblin was bouncing up and down, his arms waving wildly flagging down the orc.

"What's wrong?"

"We're running low on supplies, you're going to have to get us some." The goblin looked at his nails as he said this.

"You flagged me down fer tha'?" The orc was quickly getting irritated. It seemed to happen often when he was around this goblin.

"Hey, buddy. You're the one who said I can rely on you for all my materials. Well, here I am relying and I still seems to be working with used parts and empty stockrooms." The goblin walked forward and the orc followed behind.

"What've you done so far?"

"Well, I talked to your warchief, we're expanding the keep now. Also some disgusting rotter saw fit to lay his hands on me. Worker's comp will be applicable. He wanted some crypts but the warchief rejected the idea. Says up here you want to burn your bodies. Dunno, Im not the war guy. Instead we're digging out tunnels. The tunnels have an escape exit outside and circle the perimeter of the base. They arent too fancy and don't connect with the grot pit, which is in the center. We can build some rooms out of the tunnels but not too many, youre the guy I want telling that rotter. Im not bearing the bad news."

The orc grunted, soaking in the information. "What were those beds fer?"

"Infirmary, female orc requested it. We're going slowly because we're not getting much Grin support. One elf even refused to let me survey a tower. Can you BELIEVE that? Something about me not burning her books."

"Heh, elves can be touchy like that. Anything else I should know about?"

"Uhhh, I dunno. Workers not getting payed can lead to some nasty things sometimes. I should be able to deal with it. We need those supplies though."

"Dabu."

Khabijoo walks the keep aimlessly, humming to himself in a monotone. He sees Jornag and Guado speaking and quickly approaches the two.

"Ey Goblin mon! What the 'ell ya think ya doin n such?"

Jornag and Guado turn to him with raised eyebrows.

"Er, I don't know what you mean. We've been right on schedule! Ahead in fact! Pretty good for the shoddy tools and supplies we've been provided" He shoots a scowl in Jornag's direction.

"Ya don' fool me wit ya triks an tings, I know ya tryin ta get us all killed!"

Guado looks up at Jornag who just shrugs in amusement and takes a step back to watch.

Khabijoo narrows his eyes and points past the goblin. Guado looks over his shoulder and sees a small rundown forge with some boxes nearby.

"An how ya explain dat den?"

"Look buddy, nobody told me anything about the forge. If you'd like I can add that to the list and in a few days time we can st-"

"YA TINK ME A FOOL? Dat forge bad juju fo da whole green and ya tinks ya can start in a few days." He pokes Guado hard on the chest, causing him to lose balance and topple over.

"Da spirits need ta feel da heat a battle before dey can lend dey aid. Or maybe ya tink dey need a blood sacrifice instead?""

"N-no that won't be necessary." Guado quickly scribbles on his clipboard. "Look we'll build an enclosure here, install several new anvils and forges, latest goblin technology I assure you, several shelves and weapon racks in an armory just next door, and a well nearby, you know, water for cooling purposes." Guado holds the clipboard out to show his sketch and winces in anticipation.

Khabijoo studies it for a moment, and looks at Jornag, who nods silently.

"Dat's pretty good mon. Why ya not just say dat in da first place?" He extends a hand to help Guado up, and he takes it reluctantly.

"Well I'm very busy and I must be going now. Thank you for your time Mr...er.....goodbye." Guado turns and walks away, quickly scribbling on his clipboard and muttering "Jeez is everyone in this place nuts?"

Khabijoo turns to Jornag and grins. "Sometimes ya just gotta know how ta talk ta people, yah mon?"

Jornag rubs his chin and chuckles. "That's right." He lays a hand on Khabijoo's shoulder and starts walking with him. "You know, I have a little expedition planned you might be interested in..."

Knavedraft was locked up in a side room of the Keep. Jornag's brow was covered in sweat. Both sabotage and theft had occurred under his watch. The warchief would not be pleased. Still, if he could get the little menace to talk, then maybe he could find Guado and fix everything. Time could only tell.

Jornag had dismissed the voidwalker. He personally hated summoning demons, especially within Conquest Hold. Their mark on the area was not worth the benefit of having them nearby. Still he doubted that Gelbis couldve done much to apprehend Knavedraft. Gelbis would have his chance now though.

"Gelbis." The imp popped into reality above the warlock's shoulder. "Listen to me clearly. I want you to soften Knavedraft up by messing around with him. You may NOT discuss killing, maiming, or sabotaging me or any member of the Blacktooth Grin with him. If he talks about it under his own volition you can only smile and nod."

"You ruin everything."

"I try."

Knavedraft could barely distinguish the imp's silhouette in the darkness, just his green eyes. It had been hours of the imp's chattering, screaming, wailing. Accusations at first ignorable and then slowly, as time passed, more personal. Even some number problems, involving how much the imp would actually earn if he were on salary.

The door to the room finally opened and the orc stepped in, staring at the goblin spitefully.

"I give! I give. Just... shut that imp up!"

Guado lays in a bed in the infirmary, covered in bandages. A clipboard is in his hand, and several goblins clutter around him, muttering to eachother. Their voices are drowned out in the frantic noise of the other injured and those tending to them. He winces in obvious effort as he scribbles endlessly, flipping pages frantically as they speak. Snippets of conversation can be heard:

"..Told you this was a mistake.."

"Always said about that Knavedraft...trouble..."

"Fourth time he's done something like this in the last year..."

"...give up this whole project, better off if you ask me..."

Guado puts down his clipboard, and whispers something hoarse and indescernible. The other goblins are too engrossed in their conversation to hear.

He repeats it, and is payed no attention.

"Quiet", he repeats again, barely audible. The others continue to ramble on.

"SHUT UP YOU NITWITS" Silence falls in the noisy infirmary, with the exception of Guado coughing heavily. He raises a hand in a fist. He slowly raises three fingers.

"Three weeks. I want a finished blueprint in three weeks. Find out what the rest of these insane brutes want built. After that we finish construction, get paid, and get out of here"

"But boss, you said we wasn't getting pa-"

"Whatever! Either way, we have a deadline. I've never walked out on a job and I'm not about to start now. Take this to their chieftain." He passes his clipboard off to one of the others and lays down.

"Now leave me alone. I'm going back to sleep"

((about one month ago))

The goblin had been going on and on about Guado and what a brainless nincompoop he was for well over an hour and Bok'theg was sick of it.

"Enough!" he snapped. "I get it! You don't like the little green twerp. The question is...what do you want?"

The goblin thought for a moment then said "A curse...just a little one! That'll teach 'im!"

The warlock scowled as he thought this over. It would have to be a little one. Anything too strong and Guado might die. That wouldn't make the Chieftain happy. Too weak and the goblin might not do his bidding and Bok'theg definitely wanted his personal quarters completed sooner rather than later.

He smirked and said "I have just the thing...now all you have to do is build my quarters to the specifications I ask." Taking a sheaf of paper from the orcs outstrecthed hand the goblin examined it.

"This is easy!" he said cheerily. "There is an unused access tunnel that was supposed to go into the Chieftain's War Room but they dug it on the wrong side and had to start over. It was blocked from the War Room but the cavity is still there and is large enough to make ya happy!"

Bok'theg waved a dismissive hand. "Just get it done...I'll get your curse taken care of...just fix my damn room!"

Turning on his heel the orc returned to his bunk.