[A-TTH] The Underforge

by **Whiston Farley** Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:51 am

The Underforge

The Underforge is the darkest and deepest part of Ironforge, a maze of streets, forgotten clan halls, mining shafts and forlorn places. The enchanted lights and the fires of the forges no longer illuminate this halls and even the brave Guard rarely ventures in this dark alleys. In Underforge all kinds of dubious individuals gather, clanless dwarves, dishonored warriors, criminals and rogues, practitioners of forbidden arts, whores and thugs and all kinds of vile folk.

Here crime is the rule, if you are able to kill than you are able to survive in Underforge. Criminal groups organized as clans rule the streets, bands of thughs enforce the ruthless law of the criminal thanes and each dwarf or other being on this streets is wise in the ways of deceit, murder and stealing. But still Underforge thrives, dwarves spend their money on whores, ruthless assassins sell their services to the great Clans, dark magicians practice the forbidden arts and sell potions, poisons and other services to their kin while merchants sell goods that are forbidden in Ironforge, goods like tomes of demonic magic, brimstone bullets and cannonballs rumored to tear trough walls and magic defenses alike, cursed blades enchanted by dark magic, corpses for necromancers and the treasures looted from forgotten clan halls situated in the depths of Ironforge. A dwarf who ventures in Underforge can be sure to find anything he needs for his dark desires and shadowy plots and plans, the only thing needed is a bag full of gold.

While Underforge is a natural haven for criminals and ruthless dwarves one group of people can be considered at the top of the food chain in theese dark halls and that is the Shadow Hammer, a ruthless coven of sorcerers who exploit the common criminals known as the Branded to fulfill their dark goals.

by **Whiston Farley** Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:52 am

The Branded

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The Branded are the dwarves who have been punished by the authorities of Ironforge for their crimes. The punishment is cruel and feared by all the dwarves. The Branding takes place when a criminal is sentenced and taken to the Hot Coals in the Military Ward. Here a Guard and a Rune Priest brands the dwarf with a searing Rune of Shadows and the magistrate removes the rank, clan status and honorable deeds of the criminal, sentencing the rogue dwarf to a life of exile. Many criminals become crazy for their loss of honor, some commit suicide, but the majority retires in Underforge where their talents are appreciated.

The Branded are a very diverse group of dwarves, among them there could be found warriors, priests, warlocks and even fallen paladins but the majority of them are rogues. Some of this dwarves try to make a living serving the criminal clans, other venture deep in Underforge risking their lives to bring some treasures back but most of them continue their lives by earning coin practicing their former jobs.

by **Whiston Farley** Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:55 am

The Shadow's Hammer

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In the recent years with the death of King Magni and the introduction of Queen Moira a clandestine organization took place in Underforge. Formed by illuminated dwarves the Shadow's Hammer is seen as a ruthless organization in which many of the Underforge talents are being assorbed. Deeming the physical fighters weak for their ranks, this group of intellectual dwarves seeks to manipulate and use the criminal elements of Underforge to serve them and once more be usefull to Ironforge. The Shadow Hammer in their goals is a honorable faction, they seek to legitimate the claim of prince Fenran Thaurissian as the rightful leader of the three clans and to protect the dwarves, but in their approach they are the lowliest of the dwarf kind. Demonic magic, raids, forbidden rituals, assassinations, spying and terror, blackmail and necromancy are just some of the tactics employed by the Shadow Hammer. The members consider themselves champions of the dwarven race, ruthless wardens of all dwarves and sharing the vision of dwarven supremacy, but their knowledge and skills make from them a dreaded enemy of the Crown and of the Alliance. They consider Light and Nature Magic weak, so their members are constituted by Warlocks, Necromancers, Shadow Priests and Mages.

The Shadow Hammer is an organization divided in many cells across Azeroth, the majority of the cells are located in the aincent dwarven lands but some dwarves who are tasked with information gathering can be found in the cities of elves and humans. The Shadow Hammer sees the dwarves as the greatest race on Azeroth, as the only true children of the Titans and the only one worthy to inhabit Khaz Mountains. One of the primary goals of this organization is to eleminate the Lesser races that lurk on the Dwarven Kingdom and then proceed to seal Khaz Modan from the rest of Azeroth. Setting aside old traditions, Shadow's Hammer considers the clans and their disputes and feuds as foolish and only good to weaken the dwarven race. To keep the clans united against the common enemies the cultist of the Hammer infiltrate among the dwarves, eliminate politic rivalities among the clans and aid the regular Ironforge organizations from the shadows. When an enemy is located the Shadow Hammer dispatches its assassins, magicians and priests to fight the enemy with stealth and dark magic. Using every weapon available to them, the Shadow Hammer is not above to employ demons, undead, poisons and political ties to execute their plan and thus they are always discredited by the dwarves of a more honorable reputation. As a supremacist and racist group the Shadow Hammer recruits only dwarven magicians in its ranks and fights a bitter battle against the Cults of Twilight Hammer and The Scourge which lure ingnare dwarves and harm the dwarven race. The higher echelons of the Shadow Hammer are composed by powerful warlocks, mages, priests and necromancers who are able to control vast magical powers and have the necessary acumen to organize and execute the many intricate plots conducted by the coven. As the founding members of the Shadow's Hammer, Nhur, his brother Grignar Coalfury and the undead Thane Grimbor Ironfist lead the coven with an adamant will and iron hand each is responsabile for several cells of the Shadow Hammer and their influence ranges all across Azeroth.

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With almost unlimited wealth, its powerful magicians and highly trained infiltrators the Shadow Hammer is one of the most influent organizations in the dwarven kingdom and almost every clanhold has one of its members within its ranks. The cultists of the Shadow Hammer are extensively trained, schooled in the arts of subterfuge and deceit and very capable in combat. Under the watchful eyes of the dreaded warlocks and mages the cultists are tought in various schools of magic, they are infiltrated in the ranks of other dwarven organizations where they recive additional training. The ultimate goal of the Shadow Hammer is to elevate Fenran Thaurissian on the throne of Ironforge with the intention to unite once again the dwarves of all the three clans as in the aincent times uder the wise gaze of Modimus Anvilmar, and to fulfill that goal their leaders spare no expenses. Despite the fact of their belief in Dwarven supremacy they consider the Wildhammers as lesser dwarves, due to their connection to trees and plants rather then stone and metal, the supporting of weak magic and their relation with the Elves. Although they believe that the Wildhammers have a fundamental role on a purely Dwarven society, as farmers, hunters, forest watchers or preforming any other kind of low jobs that aren't mighty enough for a Bronzebeard or a Dark Iron.

With the recent destruction of the Scourge numerous death knights have abandoned their dark master only to find themselves unwelcome among the living but the Shadow Hammer embraced them as brothers. The martial provess and the unholy magic of this undead dwarves are of incredible importance to the Shadow Hammer who quickly sized the unliving and transformed them into the most powerful shock units ever fielded by a dwarven force. As true masters of dark magic, the Shadow Hammer cultists are perhaps the most skilled of their kind and the most aware of the weakness and perversion of the other races and not a single member of this dreaded organization will rest until the dwarven kind reigns supreme and the other races are destroyed from the shadows.

Sargeras as the Liberator:
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The Shadow's Hammer does not believe Sargeras to be a destroyer and corrupter. Rather, Sargeras' tale is a tragic one of liberation and betrayal. The pantheon's nigh-perfect creations were the flaw of pride and blindness, being unable to see the world's natural state of chaos and turmoil. Sargeras, seeing this has stepped up to become the antagonist, an agent of this very same Chaos which we strive against, giving it a face and an entity to rally for or against. In the struggle between Good and Evil, they see Sargeras on the dark grey in between, serving his purpose more to others than to himself, as the Enemy, for that is the role which was naturally drawn to him, rather than out of malice. This might fit a Shadow Priest, with faith on the Pantheon, but following a rather peculiar Titan.

Members:
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The members of the Shadow's Hammer got a normal civilian life, and keep their membership a dark secret, not even reveled to there closest family. Non of them are in the military of Ironforge. Membership is only given to dwarves sponsored by an older member and upon initiation they must make a ritualistic sacrifice to the cause.
The members would bear a mark on the lower part of the neck. It would be a dwarven rune carved in flesh. So it would be firstly crafted physically, and then crafted magically. That mark has a slight green shine that becomes brighter with the presence of foul magic. This rune will hold a special power: If 5 members unite, they can kill a 6th one in order to not allow him to share information in case of being captured.

The members of the Shadow's Hammer will bend perfectly into the society, and will not go around wearing strange masks or skull made shoulder pads enchanted with Fel Magic.

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OOC:
This is mostly for all the dwarven Death Knights, Warlocks and Shadow Priests that want to go down a dark path ICly and have some folks to RP with.
We will not be accepting jolly DKs or Warlocks that are think that the demons are his friends. Also, while playing an evil character, be very carefull with meta-gamers.
Big thanks to Namli for putting this three wonderful texts up!

"Shadows watch over yer beard, brother."

by **Whiston Farley** Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:55 am

A short story about Underforge by Namli:

A shadowy figure was slowly making its way among the numeorus dwarves, humans and gnomes on the streets of Ironforge. Cloaked by a cowl few noticed the stocky dwarf in the crowd and if someone saw him nothing could be told but that he is just another traveller covered in dust. Ralun crossed the Commons and slowly made his way into the Forlorn Cavern, the entrance to the Underforge, a maze of dark alleys, aincent dwells of forgotten clans and numerous pits that were the access to the dark depths of Ironforge. When he was crossing the street, numeorus dwarves and humans were looking at him, curious about the new visitor in their shadowy realm. Ralun noticed that some of the dwarves were Branded, punished by the Guard for their crimes with a searing brand bearing the Rune of Shadows, a rune that denoted for evermore that dwarf as a criminal and robbed him from his status as a citizen of Ironforge and determined his fate as a clanless dwarf. Disgusted by the lowly kin he had around and aware of the many eyes on him he reached the place where his contact will appear. The place was a ruined statue of an old hero of his people, forgotten as the people of Underforge, but still enchanted to bathe in light, a light that was unwelcome by the denizens of those dark alleys.
From the shadows a Dark Iron woman appeared and she slowly advanced toward Ralun, her eyes fiery as the light of the statue and her posture, that of a huntress of men. »Welcome to this dark caverns, Ralun....of the Runefist, I trust that you are here to honour our agreement, do you have the gold and the scroll?« Ralun stopped for a moment and than replied with a cold, sharp voice full of hatred: » Be silent witch, and never again pronounce the name of my clan, you are unworthy even to consider it, less to speak with a member of a such a honorable family. Do you have the tome that I demanded, Vierna of the Shadows?« The Dark Iron woman slowly removed her cloak showing her perfect body clasped in a tight leather tunic which eagerly showed the full curves of Lady Vierna the Witch of Underforge, she whispered some arcane words and a book emanating a dark aura appeared in her hands. Ralun still reeling from the charms of the woman, entranced by her lips and eyes promising him all kinds of attentions made a step back and with a gesture he took a scroll from his belt and a bag full of golden coins. »Here are a thousand gold coins, you can trust on the honor of the Runefist that the sum is exact and this here is the Scroll of Alena, I copied it myself from the libraries of my clan, it took me seven months to succeed in this undertaking, I hope that you have kept your part of the bargain Vierna.« The Dark Iron woman smiled and than replied: »Indeed I have master Ralun, this here is the Tome of Golzaan, a dreadlord who mastered the fel fire. In it the secrets that you seek are aviable to understand but I have to warn you, demonic magic is innebriating, corrupting and very demanding for the soul, perhaps you should seek someone to teach you or you will fall as prey and plaything for the demons of the Nether.«
After taking the book in return for his gold and scroll he replied: »Keep your tongue behind your teeth witch, I am a librarian of the Library, I fear not the demons nor your dark whispers, you have recived your payement, and now, begone!« Lady Vierna closed her cloak and with a few steps she dissapeared in the shadows from which a voice echoed: »You have been warned Ralun of the Runefist, the demons always hunger for the souls of the mortals and should you not prove wise yours will be claimed before the next moon. Farewell foolish mage, or should I say...warlock.«

by **teirzul** Fri Mar 25, 2011 11:03 am

may have to have a look on my warlock

nice work and pass my thanks along

by **Jayse** Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:15 pm

Shadows watch over yer beard!

Love it! XD

by **The Misty Beast** Fri May 06, 2011 6:55 am

The Major Gangs of the Underforge

The Deep Cavern Society:
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After his deception was revealed, Frederick Gustavson, former Alchemist of Ironforge, took refuge in the deepest recesses of the Underforge. However, despite his race and mannerism, he quickly became well-known for his skills at alchemy and, more importantly, toxicology. His deadly brews that ranged from coated toxins through potent poisons to highly corrosive acids found many new owners and gained Gustavson many allies. He hired ragtag mercenaries and other outcasts that at first were to guard the products, but later on he formed the Deep Cavern Society from this gathering, a mockery of the noble clubs of humans, where the leader figure was the richest and most influential member while the average members were merely pawns. Gustavson now runs various shops where his dark art can be most beneficial; The Deep Cavern Society’s Venomancer Toxins that are sought by all, but afforded by few. The Society takes in various races and anyone who can wield a weapon or brew a poison. Some say they even favour non-Dwarves as many members feel that the Underforge is far more than what the other denizens believe.

The Twilight Shadow:
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The Twilight’s Hammer zealots are everywhere, with many of them using insurgency to get into positions to manipulate their surroundings. Naturally, this behaviour is even more fitting in the dead halls of the Underforge. A few cultists gathered up within an old clan hall and started recruiting others to their cause; Dwarves, Dark Irons and even the Branded as they felt that the best way to undermine Ironforge would be through their kin. Their zeal knows no bounds and their aims at domination and conquest always gets in the way of the other gang’s interests. They spark the most gang wars and almost always emerge victorious as they know no bounds, no honour and no limit to their fervour and methods.

The Darksmith Gang:
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The Darksmiths were initially a Dark Iron unit sent by Moira Bronzebeard into the Underforge to gain new allies who can rush to her aid when she would take Ironforge hostage. However, by the time they could gather the reinforcements, the civil war already ended: King Varian Wrynn’s interception halted the uprising and Moira saw it best to leave her followers where they were: Deep in the recesses of the Underforge, cut off from the outside world. Or so she thought. The unit she sent down were actually skilled blacksmiths and merchants, hailing from the Shadowforge of the Searing Gorge. Their connections and skills helped them settle in, opening up secret trade routes to their old acquaintances and business partners. They then flooded the black market with armor and armaments made by mostly Dark Irons, but a few exotic and powerful pieces of equipment could be found as well in their inventories. Their aggressive methods also gained their enemies and new allies: Many Dark Irons joined them, and soon they became an exclusively Dark Iron gang that operated most of the black market, eliminating competition through mercantile skills and even brute force.

The Expansion of the Underforge

These gangs would serve one purpose: The aid in making the Underforge into a bigger, more elaborate project. We would open a channel for the kind of Role-Play that involves these gangs and other characters connected to the Underforge. For this reason, we would encourage everyone to make alts (Or use their higher level characters to RP a different persona) for these gangs or groups as the RP that’d take place will mostly be gang wars, robberies, assassination attempts and other destructive behaviour a host of criminals, outcasts or zealots may find beneficial for their cause. We would also advertise this project to the rest of the Role-Playing community: Let them make alts, join the channel, have as many people interested as possible. However, before all this may go out of hand, we would have a few forces of Ironforge that may oppose these groups. These are:

- The Ironforge Guard: Obviously the armoured guards would oppose this criminal activity.

- SIA (Senatorial Intelligence Agency): The secret service unit of the Senate, the SIA would hinder, undermine and even manipulate the gangs to fight each other instead of causing trouble in Ironforge. Should it be needed, they may even use spies or inside-men to set up ambushes should it be required, or at least warn the right group of such advances.

-The Order of the Daurniti’Arkul (Protector Lords): Possibly the most feared group, the Order members consist of volunteers from all across the Kingdom of Khaz’Modan. However, they are all veterans or highly-skilled individuals, even heroes of the kingdom that are granted the privileges of seeking out the most troublesome and dangerous groups and eliminating them. As some of them are trained bounty hunters or even assassins, these tasks are handled with such level of coordination that not a single gang dares to cross the Order’s path, unless their superior numbers, widespread influence or more notorious factors can break and destroy the Order, leaving the gangs time to regroup and continue their activity within Ironforge.

These groups would be the main antagonists for the Underforge groups during events (planned to either be big enough for the law enforcers to interrupt or not and be solely Underforge stuff) and particularly the Order and the Guard members will have to be avoided unless there’s big enough numbers to oppose them. These people would also be on the same channel and attend events on their own alts, so don’t worry about lack of communication!

Most of the events and RP would take place in Ironforge, but should any gang members get arrested they will probably be delivered to the Quarry in Gol’Bolar Dun Morogh: A place which no criminal would want to end up in, as they would be stripped of all equipment and be forced to work in a very dangerous environment. Fear not however, as the journey is long from Ironforge and maybe some gang members are more loyal than one may think...

Numbers are absolutely unrestricted since, while most RP will take place in Ironforge, no one can tell how many members each gangs may have or when would one member change sides. If an alt gets killed off another can take its place and the events can be changed to accommodate as many members as we want. The fights between gangs or the guards will be handle individually, either by rolling or just plain emotes if both sides can consider the other’s equipment and possible skill. As such, the larger gang war events may be preplanned regarding the outcome to contribute to a storyline, but for example a boxing night or a black market stand wouldn’t require such preparation.

The Channel will be /Underforge. Anyone’s free to join it, it’s OOC, but please only mention or talk about relevant things. also, anyone can set up events, but the organisation and calendar setup will be up to them (I would help with recruiting for it).
If you have any questions please contact Vondun of the Three Hammers, I will be glad to answer your inquiries or help you get acquinted with this project!

by **Demurral** Wed May 11, 2011 11:56 pm

is this an actual guild, or a series of IC gangs, under TTH guild, who do this?

by **Whiston Farley** Thu May 12, 2011 12:32 am

It's not a guild. Has several members of TTH in it though...

by **Magaskawee/Anaei** Wed Jun 29, 2011 2:50 pm

How would one go about getting involved?

by **Whiston Farley** Sun Jul 03, 2011 3:03 am

Contact Ildranor for more info.

by Guest Thu Oct 17, 2013 2:07 am

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