Blackface was the current leader of Moria.
An Uruk from Mordor, he had spent over a century in these mountains. In the past, he had always been one of Azog's most capable subordinates, chiefly in battle.
Yet time passed, and fate was fickle. No one had imagined that Azog, who could command all the Half-orcs of the north, would recklessly get himself killed on Ravenhill while directing the Battle of Lonely Mountain.
When the news reached Moria, all the Half-orcs were stunned. Blackface, who had been left to guard their home, rose in one stroke to become the leader of the Half-orcs remaining there.
In his younger days, he had gone by another name. But because of his pitch-black face and eyes that gleamed like coal, Azog had simply given him this nickname.
That name had grown famous as Blackface rose to power.
Ordinarily, the chief of a Half-orc tribe possessed intelligence equal to any human's. Only then could he lead his dim-witted people into battle against humans, Elves, or Dwarves.
Blackface, however, was an exception.
It would not be quite right to call him unintelligent. His instincts in battle were exceptionally sharp. He could keenly spot opportunities to turn the tide and swiftly issue the right orders.
But to call him intelligent would be generous. His intelligence was very limited.
Recently, for instance, people kept reporting that some of their fellows had not been seen for days, and no one knew where they had gone.
Any Half-orc with a little sense would have immediately thought to send someone to the gates of the First Hall and ask whether anyone had gone out without returning.
Blackface, however, never thought of that. In fact, he could not even remember who had disappeared.
Nor could he understand why anyone would disobey his