Orsinium Was Lost
Smashed by the order of King Ortog gro-Orsinium. A summary of the Orsinium War Council meeting on "How to Save Orsinium from the Empire."
The meeting began with an address by Forge-Mother Ashla thanking all the chieftains, shamans, and great heroes for arriving, emphasizing the importance of our unity in the face of the threat. Next, King Ortog gro-Orsinium spoke; his opening words are recorded in full for posterity: "My brothers! My sisters! You know why you are here! For it is my honor to have shaped the city built by the Fool Kurog into the greatest Orsinium that has ever stood! There is but ONE Man who desires our fall more than anything... the Emperor of Cyrodiil! That foul Man has made his thoughts known—that he wants nothing more than our downfall. He is incredibly powerful, having already assembled all the Tribes of Men; our enemies of High Rock and Hammerfell are ready to fight at his command. This is why YOU are all here, for I will hear any loyal servant's suggestion for how we may KILL Emperor Septim! Cyrod has fallen nearly as many times as Orsinium itself! What's one more time?!"
The King's speech was met with uproarious applause. After the crowd was settled, the process of giving suggestions began.
First came Chieftain Balshack of the Trini-Maskers, who demanded the rites of Trinimac be invoked, that all those in the city join in prayer so that Trinimac may use their forms as one. King Ortog quickly dismissed this, reminding Balshack that while Trinimac worship was permitted in the city, Mauloch was still their patron and would not be pleased with such disrespect.
Next came Shaman Meeka, an elderly Goblin who had fled from Hammerfell; she suggested that the gates to the Homeland be opened yet again. King Ortog berated her, reminding her of the last time they tried that—how the reinforcements wouldn't obey his commands and were all eaten by one of the Emperor's Dragons.
Next came the King's Forge-Wife Fecca, who suggested that Volendrung could be tossed to lead them to a source of great power. In response, the King's Hearth-Wife Offa asked why they couldn't just throw Volendrung at the Emperor's head instead. A large argument broke out between the two women and then spread to the crowd. King Ortog resolved the conflict by reminding his people that no one in Orsinium even knew where Volendrung was to begin with.
Next came Shaman Forteat, who had originally come from Morrowind in the far east; she asked why they didn't try to convince one of the Emperor's allies to turn against him. King Ortog praised her thinking but did not believe it would be feasible, for the most disloyal of the Empire's servants, the Redguards, were still bitter enemies of Orsinium.
Next came Orcadmiral Borkus, commander of Orsinium's navy and one of its most accomplished whale trainers. Borkus suggested making alliances with seafaring groups from outside Tamriel, such as the Sea Giants, Sea Elves, or Hadolids. King Ortog threatened to demote Borkus on the spot, declaring that his mothers taught him three things: "Never put yourself in a Giant's path, never trust Elves or Snakes, and always make sure your shellfish is properly boiled."
Next came Warchief Ekir of the Riek tribes, accompanied by his Shaman, Shub. Ekir suggested that his Shaman could send the great icy wind of Wrothgar down upon Cyrodiil. King Ortog thought the idea had some merit, but reminded Ekir of the rumors that Septim had come from Atmora, and that the icy air might just give him a warming reminder of home.
Next came the Ogre champion Oober, who suggested they throw the biggest rock they could at the Emperor during a parade. King Ortog thought long and hard about the suggestion, with others providing additional suggestions about the kind of rock and how it could be transported. Eventually it was decided it simply wouldn't be feasible, as the Emperor's next scheduled parade wasn't in a good season for rocks.
Next came the surprise arrival of Tittle, a Gremlin courier, who brought news that it had been discovered the Emperor's battlemage had a secret fortress in the Dragontails. Recognizing that a blow to his trusted battlemage would be as good as a blow to the Emperor himself, the King started barking orders. Right as the King began asking his Shield-Wife Perag to assemble a force to investigate, one last suggestion was offered.
This last arrival was the King's personal champion, Tiberius gro-Minat, who had been raised in the Heartlands of the enemy but had become like a son to the King. He offered to become a spy, using his connections in Cyrodiil to get close to the Emperor by posing as a lowly servant. King Ortog seemed surprised by the offer, but did not doubt Tiberius' ability, for he had provided invaluable information in the past on the inner workings of the Empire. After a few thoughtful strokes of his facial hair, the King decided he would allow Tiberius to go, offering his heartfelt thanks for his service.
When the meeting concluded, King Ortog gro-Orsinium expressed great faith in Orsinium's future, ending with the declaration: "Orsinium shall be saved thanks to all of your loyal efforts!"
[FROM THE NOVA-ORSINIUM ARCHIVE FILE ON "TIBERIUS THE TRAITOR". REQUISITIONED BY GORTWOG GRO-NAGORM, LORD OF ORSINIUM, CHIEFTAIN OF CLAN MINAT, SAVIOR OF THE ORSIMER.]