Post by talis on Jan 3, 2018 6:35:39 GMT
The Great Hall of Orcland sat in Thundercrown. Enormous pillars, each build from the trunk of an ancient tree, held up the tall roof. The entry hall was for audiences, with a raised platform and long tables, but the heart of the building laid deeper inside. The great Council Chamber was a wide, circular room with a floor of polished granite and pillars made of carved oak. At its center was a great, wooden table with 24 seats, each one marked for its owner. A hearth sat on one end of the room, a pair of double-doors on the other. Tapestries bearing the symbol of each House hung from the back of their chairs, while the banners of their clans hung from the pillars above them. Together the rugs and tapestries helped to warm the room and dampen sound and hold warmth. Because of this it was quite easy for even the aging elders to hear one another across the table. There were, too, many smaller rooms set aside privately for Elders, Chieftains and petitioners; space aplenty for back-room meetings and hushed conferences.
This was where the true business of Orcland was perpetrated: outside the eyes of common folk and Chieftain alike, among the Elders of the Great Clans. The High Chief made many of the decisions, but he was chosen by the Elders and restrained by their laws. Politicking, argument and deal making were the norm here. And while the Firetooth dominated the Council, they were far from the only voice.
"The War continues." Elder Maerk Maidenshot called, hammering his fist on the table. "I understand that many are... dissatisfied with the progress of the war. But the point remains that we are winning. The Union is gone - off on some fool adventure in the west, and Sacrye is on its last legs. Its men are all drafted, its people discontent, its armies bloodied and ill-equipped. Artog's latest push will see that army collapse, and when it is over we will have such an advantage that we may demand far more than the simple return of Ironskull lands. It's my belief that we should demand reparations in full for our losses, and amends for the giant's treatment of our soldiers. We were too soft, thinking that we could have a quick and limited war; that Aonag would gladly give up one province rather than face a full-scale conflict. Well if he wants it, I say we give it to him, and take our price out of him and his kingdom's hide."
This was where the true business of Orcland was perpetrated: outside the eyes of common folk and Chieftain alike, among the Elders of the Great Clans. The High Chief made many of the decisions, but he was chosen by the Elders and restrained by their laws. Politicking, argument and deal making were the norm here. And while the Firetooth dominated the Council, they were far from the only voice.
"The War continues." Elder Maerk Maidenshot called, hammering his fist on the table. "I understand that many are... dissatisfied with the progress of the war. But the point remains that we are winning. The Union is gone - off on some fool adventure in the west, and Sacrye is on its last legs. Its men are all drafted, its people discontent, its armies bloodied and ill-equipped. Artog's latest push will see that army collapse, and when it is over we will have such an advantage that we may demand far more than the simple return of Ironskull lands. It's my belief that we should demand reparations in full for our losses, and amends for the giant's treatment of our soldiers. We were too soft, thinking that we could have a quick and limited war; that Aonag would gladly give up one province rather than face a full-scale conflict. Well if he wants it, I say we give it to him, and take our price out of him and his kingdom's hide."
