Monday July 6, 2009 Comment
So Endorah wasn't lying. The Kirin Tor occupy a mage tower in the west of Borean Tundra - Amber Ledge. Just next to what is known as the Westrift Valley which is a cold fjord that separates the mainland from Coldarra, a snow covered island dominated by Malygos and the enraged blue dragonflight. As I passed on Endorah's message it was made clear to me that the abduction of mages has become a frequent occurrence. They have been working together with the Red Dragonflight to counter the Blue Dragonflight's efforts and avert disaster.
Malygos blames the mortals' pursuit for magical power for the declining state of the world. He is seeking to divert all Ley Lines into the Twisting Nether - sending the magic beyond the reach of anyone. He just doesn't understand! We need the power, it is strength for many races including my own! Magic has always been a part of the land. It is a part of us now. Malygos' actions are having much more detrimental effect on the world than the magic usage of mortals ever had. The divergence of the Ley Lines has weakened the mages of Dalaran and torn the earth's surface apart, creating dangerous rifts. I can't begin to imagine what would happen if this continues for much longer. My addiction to magic is strong. Though I am ashamed of it, it can't be overcome. Should Malygos succeed I think I would die.
Unknown to Malygos, the Kirin Tor and Red Dragonflight have been working very near to his home - the Nexus. As I flew on the back of Surristrasz I could see the great tower effortlessly scraping the sky. The magic that flows around it is daunting yet beautiful. The grounds of Coldarra are crawling with mage hunters. Blue drakes circle the tower, scanning for intruders. I passed through a thick magical membrane - the Transitus Shield. It is a magical wall, invisible to the Blue Dragonflight. The only thing that separates the Kirin Tor from Malygos and discovery. It is the same kind of shield that was erected round Dalaran whilst it was still located in the Eastern Kingdoms. Powerful mages are required to sustain it constantly.
There were various rifts around Borean Tundra where Malygos has tried to divert the Ley Lines. The rifts are a source of magical instability, and the mages of the Kirin Tor are becoming weakened by it. After surveying the rifts and trying to detect the main source of instability it became clear that there was a very large and dangerous rift developing within the Nexus itself. Before the Kirin Tor can become strong enough to fight Malygos and his forces, the rift inside the Nexus needs to be somehow stabilised. Archmage Berinand requested the assembly of a team to enter the Nexus with an interdimensional refabricator to slow its advancement.
Tuesday December 9, 2008 Comment
Like most of the Blood Elves who remained in Azeroth after the third war, I took a blood oath swearing my allegiance to the Horde. I have since played an active role in their millitary efforts - particularly those in against the undead Scourge, so I can take vengance on what destroyed my homelands. A few months ago I was promoted to the position of ambassador - one of many. I was helping the Forsaken in Howling Fjord when I kept hearing reports of more trouble with the Scourge over in Borean Tundra. I felt the urgent need to assist Garrosh Hellscream and High Overlord Saurfang at Warsong Hold.
The most immediate threat was the nerubians emerging from sinkholes connecting the surrounding quarry and their hives. They set out to destroy the foundations of Warsong Hold and attack our infantry. If they were to weaken the hold's defenses, it would be an open door to the Lich King's Scourge. I was given a bundle of seaforium depth charges and told to blow in the sinkholes to set them back and buy us time. What a task for a warlock!
Whilst I was down in the quarry rummaging through dust and dirt to destroy what eggs I could find above surface, I found the body of a Forsaken clutching a journal. I pried it from his hands and flicked through. An agent gathering intelligence on the Scourge - he'd written about Necrolords using the farms to the west as a spawning glade for undead. I took the journal to Shadowstalker Barthus who advised that I ask Hellscream to send reinforcements to the farms. He laughed in my face, and told me to report to them personally. As I marched out of the hold to tackle the situation myself I came across a lost looking Forsaken warrior who I asked to come with me to the farms.
We were greeted there by a small camp of Horde looking over the farms in disbelief. Sure enough, Necrolords were performing rituals and strange undead creatures were roaming around. Shadowstalker Ikoris explained that the 'monsters' were once orcs and tauren. We scouted the surrounding area and moved onto the neighbouring farm where we were greeted by Shadowstalker Getry. Also displeased with the so-called 'reinforcements' that Garrosh had sent, pointed out over the field so that we could see what we needed to take down. As it turned out, the warrior I had picked up was highly capable and together with Getry we despatched the lead Necrolord and his minions. I congratulated the warrior on his fighting ability and he introduced himself to me as Ambassador Robin - another one for the Horde! Lok'tar Ogar!
I exclaimed as I shook his brittle hand, and we returned to Garrosh Hellscream together to brag about our victory. Unfortunately, I get the feeling that the loss of a lead Necrolord was only a very minor set-back for the Lich King and it will be only a matter of time before more serious threats present themselves.
Whilst I was back at Warsong Hold a Sin'dorei named Endorah approached me, pulled me aside and told me a story of how she narrowly escaped capture whilst gathering herbs nearby a rift. She claims to have been rescued by red dragons but nobody else believes her story. She asked me if I would find them and thank them on her behalf. I suppose there's no harm in remembering should I ever encounter the red dragonflight. Frankly, there's more important things to take care of right now.
Sunday November 23, 2008 Comment
So, I'll tell you what has happened to me over the past few days. It has been hectic to say the least. As mentioned before, I encountered the Kalu'ak. To the far west of Howling Fjord there lies an island - the Isle of Spears. Settled on this island in the village of Kamagua are the Kalu'ak, a clan of Tuskarr. At the top of what is known as the Ancient Lift, one of their members, Orfus, greeted me. I'd never encountered this race until now. From what I can gather by talking to the locals, they are native to the colder regions of Northrend, making their homes along the southern coastline. Being so close to the ocean provides them with their main source of food and income - fish. Many of the Tuskarr are fearless fishermen, and whaling is an important part of their culture. They are strange creatures; bulky, with large tusks - a very peaceful, nomadic race. They have a penchant for using turtles as transport; either riding on their backs over the snow or boarding the larger one's shells to swim across the seas. I have a lot more to learn about the Kalu'ak, but they are the midst of a conflict with the pirate thieves of Scalawag Point and have been requesting assistance from anyone who happens to pass by. Curiosity got the better of me, and so, I obliged.
The Kalu'ak's hunting grounds have become rife with bloodthirsty undead rising from desecrated graves - from within, the most prized artifacts of the diceased - stolen. It doesn't take a genius to figure out who's to be held responsible, but replacement was necessary, or the Kalu'ak would be facing ever harder times. After Elder Atuik explained to me the current state of affairs he let me know of a Goblin pirate who goes by the name of Grezzix Spindlesnap. In return for food and shelter from the Kalu'ak, he offers them valuable information about the pirate's attack plans and other dealings. Elder Atuik suggested that I might ask him if he could get me in undercover on behalf of the Kalu'ak. I have to admit that infliltrating the Northsea Freebooters controlled port sounded appealing, albeit dangerous.
I travelled with Grezzix's cabin boy, Lou, to Scalawag Point where I went to scout out their leader - "Silvermoon" Harry. After explaining who had sent me, he had no qualms in sending me off on my first 'mission' which I assume was an initiation test - to reclaim 'his' Sin'dorei scrying crystal from a large Orca. The mere thought that he would take something so sacred from my brethren makes me sick to my stomach, but this was no time to complain about theivery. Judging by his nickname and remembering what Grezzix had told me previously (He's a freak... crazy for Blood Elves.
) it was hardly surprising he had no trouble trusting me with his business almost right away. After performing some tasks for the pirates around base, I asked him what had happened to the stolen artifacts - some armor, a shield, a staff and a frozen heart. He expressed his distaste in ever setting eyes on them again after he explained each dreaded series of events in turn. As it turns out, they were rather bad luck.
The ancient armor of the Kvaldir was taken aboard a ship that was ambushed by a Forsaken destroyer. The crew of the destroyer took the stolen goods for themselves and sunk the vessel. "Silvermoon" Harry escaped, of course, as did a few other shipmates, but many did not return. Harry's girl, Alanya, loaned me a bomber plane and sent me on my way to the docking point of the Forsaken destroyer to reclaim the armor. Many people were on board, but with the power of magic I pushed my way into the cabin containing the goods, loaded it up and hastily made my escape only a little worse for wear. I kept my promise to Harry - I did not return the armor to him, I went straight to Orfus who I knew could be trusted to keep close eye on the artifacts I recovered. The 'cursed' staff was to be found on an abandoned ship out to sea far north of Scalawag Point, and the frozen heart of Isuldorf was being held captive at the back of a deep running cave directly below the pirate's camp.
As for the shield, now that makes for an interesting ghost story. It was pilfered originally by the crew of a ship belonging to a Captain Ellis - all of whom were killed a short while ago. "Silvermoon" Harry notified me that the ship takes a certain path through the smaller islands that surround Scalawag Point in order to search for new crew members - the souls of the deceased. As I boarded the ship at the pirate's dock, cold shivers were sent streaming down my spine. With great trepidation I apporached Captain Ellis who explained that the shield was pilfered from him by the elemental giant, Sorlof. He couldn't get it back himself as he and his crew couldn't leave the spiritual confines of the ghost ship - nor did he want to get it back, it bought a curse upon them all. I agreed that I would help him blast down Sorlof and go out to retrieve the shield myself. Unfortunately, below deck, an undead mutiny was rising. I had to fend off the rebels as Captain Ellis and his remaining crew directed the ship to Sorlof's location at which point I loaded the artillery ready for fire by the ghostly cannoners. After some time firing, we succeeded in bringing the giant down. I didn't hang around to see if he was really dead. I scrambled off the ship, took back the artifact and returned swifly to Orfus of Kamagua who instructed me of the artifacts' replacement.
I had done what was asked of me by the Kalu'ak, but to avoid suspicion, I returned later to Scalawag Point where I was notified that a suspected traitor had infiltrated the island. I tried not to let on to my true position. I spoke to Zeh'gen, a Witch Doctor, who was convinced that "Crowleg" Dan was the traitor and asked me to confront him. I did so, and it turned out that he was working for the Southsea Pirates. I was off the hook! Other pirates soon noticed what I had been doing for the camp and referred me to Annie Bonn - second in command.
She saw right through me, my intentions were crystal clear to her. I wanted to stop all attacks on the Kalu'ak by the Northsea Freebooters and if that meant destroying their leader, that is what I would aim to do. I did not admit this to her at first, but then something strange happened - she offered her help. She explained to me how Jonah's leadership threatened their operation. His tactics were suicidal and disasterous at best. If we could stop him from making a mess of things, she vowed to take over command and stop all attacks on the Kalu'ak.
After explaining to me where Jonah's hideout was, I set out with a few allies to assassinate him. We made it to his lair and commenced attack. Before we could even succeed in our goal, victory was ours. His bear, Hozzer, picked him up and ruthlessly consumed him - his flesh was ripped, torn and pulled from the bone before our very eyes. His spyglass clattered to the floor as he was thrown about, and I picked it up to return to Annie Bonn as evidence of his demise. The Kalu'ak shouldn't be getting any more trouble. I am spending the night with one of the families here as I write. I have heard reports from the Horde base over at Borean Tundra - this is where I will head next, only after a good night's sleep.
Friday November 21, 2008 Comment
If you can recall, I originally arrived in Northrend at Vengeance Landing, a military outpost inhabited by the Hand of Vengeance - a group of Forsaken. Amongst them, members of the Royal Apothecary Society. When I arrived I had a chat with Apothecary Lysander who explained to me the purpose of Sylvanas' latest task force. They are trying to develop a new plague - one to counter the Lich King's efforts, something that can destroy not only living beings, but also the Scourge. Work on this new plague has been ongoing by the Royal Apothecary Society for some time but with little success until recently. Problems arose when they tried to carry the concoction across the icy seas to deliver it to its destination of Northrend. In doing so, the plague was weakened, causing mild sickness at best.
Apothecary Lysander asked me to take a sample of the weakened plague to Chief Plaguebringer Harris at a settlement called New Agamand in the South of Howling Fjord. Of course, I had taken a detour in order to help the Taunka with their crisises at Winterhoof Camp - looking back, I consider it foolish to have kept the plague in my posession for so long, epsecially during battle. I guess it wouldn't have done much harm had it leaked, anyway. I did eventually make my way to New Agamand.
They were also aware of the Vrykul threat I had worked hard to fight against on the behalf of the Taunka, and were already trying to infect them with the new plague to no avail. Chief Plaguebringer Harris was keen to recruit me to contribute to the refinement of the new plague, and sent me out to fetch new ingredients and taught me how to mix them. I now posess a greater understanding of the intricate workings of the new plague but it still took a lot of time to create a solution that could be successfully used to infect and consume the Vrykul.
Now all that was needed to be done was to infect the Vrykul en-masse with the new strain. Harris referred me to 'Hacksaw' Jenny who was willing to create an abomination carrier of the plague to deliver to nearby Vrykul settlements. They would be infected through the method of self destruction. Any living creature in the vicinity of the eruption of the abomination's plagued flesh was sure to contract the deadly disease. After collecting a few of the parts that Jenny needed to create our vessel I delivered him myself and sure enough, it worked! The plague was successfully deployed, and Howling Fjord is one more step towards becomming free from the Vrykul's grasp, and my work at New Agamand is done - for now. Plaguebringer Harris presented me with a vial of the plague to deliver to other Apothecaries around Howling Fjord and neighbouring Dragonblight but I have other business to attend to - in passing, the Kalu'ak have requested my assistance. Don't worry - the vial is in safe hands. Plus, it may come in handy under dire circumstances...
Tuesday November 18, 2008 Comment
