A forgotten threat rose again in early 235 as the orange-skinned orcs of the Cloudy Mountains re-emerged from their underground lairs and moved west into Arloth and towards the Cuitlaxaochitzin empire. After decades of infighting the orcs and goblins had finally been united under the banner of Warlord Vrak Nosecruncha.
As usual the lizardmen, with only a small standing army of their own, despatched their ogre mercenary forces to halt the orcs before they could spill from the mountains. Tyrant Rargag expressed only disappointment that his foe was not worthy and would not have much loot.
The ogre overconfidence was their undoing. Rargag personally lead his force into the heart of the orc lines, but did not reckon on the ferocity of Nosecruncha's elite orc troops. As ogres were hacked down around him by an endless orange sea Rargag' nerve broke and he fled only to be cut down as he ran. His army broke and scattered back to Cuitlaxaochitzin.
Their mercenaries having failed, and their scouts reporting the ferocity of Nosecruncha's force, the Slann looked elsewhere for help. The Pact of Tacapantzin was signed with the elves of Mellvellon, for mutual protection against 'the evils of Palurin'. The alliance seemed a little lopsided as it forced the Elves into battle within the year.
As the winter snow fell forces from House Wenohtar marched into the foothills, a final line of defence before Nosecruncha's army could spill into Cuitlaxaochitzin. The reduced visibility meant both armies almost blundered into each other with little time to form battle-lines.
This meant Nosecruncha ploughed his force forward, leaving behind his chief shaman Splatterer who was stuck with a group of goblins squabbling over some shiny coins. Still the warlord's elite warriors were strong enough to smash into the elven lines and decimate their spear-guard and archers.
Nosecruncha met his match however against the Wenohtar Maiden Guard. Though vastly outnumbered the maidens were protected by powerful magics that turned the blow of their foes aside again and again. Though their casualties were heavy the maidens wrestled the upper hand, whittling down the Orc numbers until Nosecruncha saw the writing on the wall. He attempted to flee, but was hacked down by the elite elven warriors.
The elves were victorious and Cuitlaxaochitzin safe. Would this be the start of a strong alliance between two of the scattered empires of Palurin?
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