[h2][color=662d91]The Mustaqilun Tribe [Turn 4][/color][/h2]

As Rukdug stared into the fire he was seated in front of, he watched the shadows it cast dance as his mind pondered the information he had received and witnessed first hand.

It had been mere hours since sundown and the 'Lord of the Forest' withdrawing into the forest after its show of force. Rukdug had summoned a war council of his captains with haste to bring them up to date on the situation... before dismissing them after the briefing so that they could have a few hours before the war council started properly in order to think about the situation at hand. The Hunter knew well the feeling of blood boiling in ones veins in rage after a threat had been given... and even more so the frustration that lingered afterwards from not being able to strike then and there. But such feelings, while powerful, tended to be impulsive and reckless; Traits they couldn't go into a war against an unknown foe that knows the terrain of battle so well with.

So he had informed his captains of the situation and gave them time to think and have a meal so that the initial surge of fury and desire for blood would have a chance to cool and they would start to put those brains to use instead. It also gave him the chance to do the same, since the desire to smash the skull of the so called 'Forest Lord' with his bare hands was a strong impulse and he couldn't let it effect his judgement... if he wanted to make this nature lover truly suffer, he was going to was going to have to consider it with care. 

By comparison, the incident at the mountain was an simple affair to deal with. After the scouts and magic-belchers had a chance to enjoy a night in the relative safety of the walls of Riverforge, he was going to send the scouts and [i]some[/i] (but not all) of the magic-belchers back to the mountain ruins with tools to open the door up to start exploring inside the mountain. He did not know this human witch who claimed to be the mountain or what her goals were, nor did he trust her in the slightest. But the belchers were insistent that she was powerful in magic and had chosen to aid one of his people rather then kill them on the spot. He was willing to be diplomatic, if only to figure out how much of a threat she was and if her personal desires would put her at odds with the desires and ambitions of his own people. 

Currently she was a mystery, and Rukdug didn't like mysteries. Mysteries got you killed. 

As the warchief watched the dancing flame and shadow, an plan started to develop in his mind.

..........................................................

While he had never seen the political gatherings of other races or witnessed the political courts of monarchy himself, Rukdug suspected that at the heart of all political organizations it was just like being apart of an orcish war council, but with pointless restrictions, laws and different weapons. All orcs with the skill and ambition to attain the rank of Captain had an ego to them, though it had to be said that it was bigger in some then others. Most were either self important busy bodies who only wanted to be captain for the perks or narcissists on an ego trip from the power the position offered over their fellow orcs... and the number of captains that he knew had been content with this level of power could be counted on one hand without risk of needing additional fingers. 

The Mustaqilun Tribe's own war council of captains wasn't much better, but Rukdug had at least made sure that his captains had earned their rank through talent as well as loyalty to him. If they didn't like or get along with each other sometimes as acceptable as long as things didn't spill over into a body count and they could work together like professionals when the need arose. Thankfully, having some strange and unknown outside force making a show of force and threatening them and their people to deny them [i]anything[/i], let alone a resource was a hell of a rallying cry. 

For a time, Rukdug listened to the ideas of his captains. None of them by themselves were better by their own, but elements of them could be used to enhance the scheme that was brewing in his mind as the warchief finally raised a hand to silence his captains to speak. "Having listened to your suggestions, I believe we have a solid plan to work with going forward. I fully intend to do what most of you suggested and and increase the number of patrols along our western, north western and south western boarders, as well as booby trap the hell out of them to ensure that any incursion is going to suffer heavy losses. The lumber mill will remain where it is, but for the time being we won't be drawing wood from the western forest."

Before any of the Captains had a chance to speak up about what seemed like weakness like their leader, Rukdug firmly hammered his point home "As far as I am concerned, we are now at war with this upstart forest lord and his walking fur pile he calls an army. We were at war the moment he threatened our people and mobilized against us. However, our enemy in his arrogance has allowed us the opportunity to make the opening move because he believes we cannot hurt him." The smile that grew on Rukdug's face was a wicked thing indeed. 

"He is going to learn otherwise. Once the traps have been set, I fully intend for a fire break to be built to shield us from the western side of Riverforge... and once we're stockpiled enough lumber that we can afford to lose the current lumber mill in the event of an attack, with a little extra potencey and resilience from the magic-belchers, that forest is going to [i]burn[/i]." There was a moment of silence before Rukdug continued. "I doubt that even with the magical assistance of the belchers that the whole western forest will burn completely. Either it will burn itself out or the upstart will manage to stop it before it completely consumes his so called 'sacred forest'-" there was a small scoff from the Warchief as he shook his head "- but I believe that is a suitable way to start the war properly, don't you think?"


[hider=Actions]
For the time being, tree cutting efforts will be focused eastward and cease in the western forest, through the lumber mill will still be used for it's intended purpose in its current location. 

Along the western boarder of Riverforge (including north and south west), patrols will be increased to keep an eye out for further incursions by the forest lord or his forces, as well as traps to be set on mass in these areas to blunt any assault that comes apart from a few key paths that will be watched and guarded. 

Plans to build a fire break to the west of Riverforge, as well as spells and rituals to create a magically empowered forest fire to consume the western forest are underway, but are expected to take some time to develop properly without drawing notice from the forest prematurely.  

The scouting party, as well as the younger and weaker magic-belchers, are being sent back to the mountain ruins to open them up and explore... as well as to be diplomatic to the human claiming to by the mountain to figure out what she wants, if her desires go against Riverforge and how much of a threat she would pose if it turns out the answer is yes.
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