After claiming the spoils and all the treasures within the Hobgoblin's lair, and evacuating the remaining Hobgoblins out of the tunnels, Rain and his forces made a decisive choice: they would obliterate the lair so no one could use it again.
Rain had considered sparing the lair if it contained anything valuable, like an aquifer or a mine, but the place was dry, arid, and reeked of decay. It held no value, only a history of bloodshed and oppression.
With a firm resolve, Rain ordered the placement of explosives throughout the labyrinthine tunnels. Chi, Chin, Chill, Chick, and the Seadwellers worked quickly. They planted charges at structural weak points, ensuring the entire complex would collapse upon detonation.
Rain stood at the mouth of the lair, his gaze steely as he watched his soldiers finalize the preparations. The Hobgoblin survivors, now bound to his service, watched with a mix of relief and fear.
This place, a symbol of their former power and recent defeat, was about to be erased from existence.
As the last charge was set, Rain raised his hand. "Everyone, clear the area!"
The Seadwellers and their new Hobgoblin allies moved to a safe distance. Rain, with a final glance at the dark entrance of the lair, gave the signal.
A thunderous explosion ripped through the air, followed by a series of smaller blasts. The ground trembled as the lair collapsed in on itself, a plume of dust and debris rising into the sky. The once formidable stronghold of the Hobgoblin King was reduced to rubble, buried forever beneath the wasteland.
Rain watched the destruction with a mix of satisfaction and relief. This was more than just a strategic victory; it was the end of a shadow that had plagued his mind for the past weeks.
With the lair destroyed, Rain turned to his troops. "We move forward. There is still much to be done. General, have ten of your soldiers escort these Hobgoblins back to the oasis."
General Varlox nodded, and as Rain and the others talked, the Hobgoblin women watched the man who was both their conqueror and savior.
Though it might seem ungrateful and disloyal to say it, they were glad to be free from the prison of the Hobgoblin King's lair. In a world dominated by Hobgoblin men, they had been reduced to mere tools for breeding and servitude.
Larger, communal longhouses serve as gathering places for feasts, meetings, and rituals. These buildings were often adorned with carvings and paintings depicting the clan's history and legends.
Tall totem poles carved from wood and bone stood as sacred symbols. These poles were often adorned with the skulls of enemies and beasts, as well as intricate carvings representing the spirits and ancestors.
Simple stone shrines were erected in honor of the Orcs' gods and spirits. Offerings of food, weapons, and trophies were placed here to appease the deities and seek their favor. Explore more adventures at m,v l'e-novelhall.net
Clearings within the settlement were designated as ritual grounds. These areas were marked by circles of stones and decorated with symbols painted in blood or ash.
Large bonfire pits were used for ceremonial purposes, where the Orcs gather to perform rituals, celebrate victories, and honor the fallen.
Surrounding the settlements and strongholds were spiked palisades made from sharpened wooden stakes and iron spears. These defenses were designed to deter and injure any would-be attackers.
Large, strategically placed rock barricades serve both as cover for defenders and obstacles for invaders. These rocks were often stacked and secured with iron bands.
The Orcs employ hidden pitfalls and covered traps around their territory, often lined with spikes or filled with venomous creatures. Deep trenches encircle the strongholds, sometimes filled with sharpened stakes or burning oil to create deadly moats.
The settlements of the Orcs were formidable and nearly impossible to breach. Their imposing defenses and fierce reputation made them a race that few dared to challenge.
However, faced with an enemy that outnumbered them one hundred to one, even the mightiest Orc strongholds could fall. The Hobgoblins, with their overwhelming numbers, threatened to lay ruin to their clans.
Inside the Chieftain's Hall, the atmosphere was tense. All the Orc generals and their leader, Warchief Kargoth, were gathered for an urgent meeting about the approaching Hobgoblin horde. The Lizardfolk and Gnolls who had managed to escape the Hobgoblins' onslaught had brought dire news of the invaders' immense numbers.
"We will take the war to the plains, miles from here," Warchief Kargoth declared, his voice echoing through the hall. "This will give our elderly, children, and those unable to fight time to evacuate."