faroth
Newbie
Sentinel of the East
Posts: 32
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Post by faroth on Jan 7, 2009 21:37:15 GMT -5
(Taken directly from my posts on the Order of the White Tower's forums)
Introduction
Stormforged asked me to put together a historical look at the conflict between the Horde and the Alliance so those who have done less lore digging can get up to speed on what's happened and perhaps take a stronger look at how their character feels about the events at the Wrath Gate and after. I'll divide this into a few posts:
The First War The Second War The Third War Aftermath of the Third War The Burning Crusade Recent Events Things to Keep in mind.
As a result, I'm going to make seven replies that will be basically kept as placeholders.
Please forgive me as it's not entirely easy to keep Blizzard's lore entirely intact, mostly because they have contradictions within games and to books and many things from the first two games are not nailed down. Azeroth has no defined calendar, though the King's Calendar was used in the first game's manual. There is a reference to a month or season in some of Brann's journals, but not enough to pinpoint a full year's worth. I stole a bit from Forgotten Realms in naming the years, as I liked the somewhat middle age fantasy feel of that method, and combined it with the King's Calendar, making drawn out references to them as I imagine a scholar of that period would. Hopefully this will be entertaining and informative while still maintaining that feel.
I hope you enjoy, and please note that this is written from the perspective of an Alliance historian's manuscript.
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faroth
Newbie
Sentinel of the East
Posts: 32
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Post by faroth on Jan 7, 2009 21:37:34 GMT -5
The History of the Alliance/Horde Conflict by Cassius Loreholder of Lordaeron
-The First War-
The struggle between the Horde and the Alliance began in the forty seventh year of the rule of King Terenas Menethil II of Lordaeron in Year 593 of the King's Calendar, the Year of Betrayal, when the wizard Medivh opened the Dark Portal and the orcs first came to Azeroth. In their first invasion, they stormed straight through all territory with only small skirmishes in the borderland as they made their way straight to Stormwind Keep. The overconfident orcs expected a quick victory, but were easily routed and driven back by the forces of King Adamant Wrynn.
“The beasts that besieged Stormwind Keep came in great number and slammed into us like waves against rock, raging with fury. They are larger than men, with green skin and tusks similar to, but shorter than, the trolls of the wild lands. They are large creatures in both height and mass, with powerful limbs the likes of which even the strongest of masons cannot hope to compare. There is some skill in their fighting, but it is raw and brutal with no indication of true training, only of barbaric instinct. Though they fought with ferocious savagery, they were unable to break our defenses and were quickly sent packing.” Relthor Torthal, 4th Legion of Stormwind Year 593 of the King's Calendar, Fall
A year passed and scouts reported that the orcs had fallen into chaos and in-fighting, though some magic prevented their main encampment from being found. King Adamant Wrynn fell ill in the fall and passed away months later as the cold of winter settled over his kingdom, unable to fulfill his vow to rid his lands completely of the orcs that had invaded. That winter, Llane Wrynn succeeded the throne.
“At the age of twenty years, Llane is pronounced King of Stormwind. His task is clear – to rid the lands of these creatures. The few that have survived battle refer to them as Orcs. When questioned, they will tell little else, and prefer death to releasing information. They are cruel, sadistic, and vile – making no distinctions between soldier or child, warrior or woman. They will slay anyone who they encounter without a second thought.” Lord Anduin Lothar, 20th Armsman of the Brotherhood of the Horse, Year 593 of the King's Calendar, Winter
In the late winter of Year 594 of the King's Calendar, the Year of the Sword, Aedalas Blackmoore found the orc child that would later be known as Thrall. That same year, an orc known as Blackhand the Destroyer rallied the Horde and began new attacks on outlying settlements. With new leadership and better preparations, the orcs proved more formidable. Moving into the southern region of Elwynn Forest from the east, the orcs attacked Grand Hamlet. Their forces came down from the borderlands, charging from the east down the hills towards Grand Hamlet. There were no tactics nor strategy to their first assault, but rather their sheer strength and force of numbers rained down on the militia with fury unmatched. The city was quickly overrun, devastated, and sacked as the citizens attempted to defend their homes, or flee from the onslaught.
“It was late afternoon when our scout rode into town. His warnings, however, came with the sounds of horns and drums. As we marshaled the town militia, they came riding down with war cries and weapons drawn. Our forces quickly rallied, but we were soon outnumbered and the orcs began to ravage the town, setting fire to houses and tearing down their doors, giving the thick air more weight as the screams of women and children filled the darkening dusk sky. Screams that were quickly silenced. We did all we could. Captain Armstrong called for us to retreat, to try and get the citizens north to Goldshire, but we were cut off. Three of us broke free from the battle and ran. Light help us, we saw the orcs close in ourselves…and as they hacked them to pieces, we ran. As they butchered the children, we ran. Light forgive us…" -Private Ebonlocke, of Grand Hamlet. Report given to Stormwind Keep Year 594 of the King's Calendar, Summer
The orcs moved west and repeated the slaughter and complete destruction of Sunnyglade. Within a week, only a few dozen survivors had escaped the two towns to fall to the Horde’s first true attack of the First War.
As Year 595 of the King's Calendar, the Year of the Shield, carried on into fall and then winter, Stormwind attempted to reclaim its lost territory and the orcs strengthened their new outposts' defenses, questions arose about how the orcs were able to pass so freely through the borderlands north of Karazhan Tower. The Dalaran wizard, and apprentice to Medivh, Khadgar, had reported the orcs came through a rift between worlds known as the Dark Portal; information retrieved from Garona Halforcen, emissary to the mage’s tower. Eventually, Khadgar and Garona, along with Anduin Lothar, confronted Medivh and learned he was responsible for bringing the orcs to Azeroth. In the end, Medivh was killed, and Garona disappeared.
The next year, Year 596 of the King's Calendar, the Year of Despair, an orc named Ogrim Doomhammer killed Blackhand and took leadership of the orcs. The bloody march of the Horde intensified under Doomhammer’s leadership. As spring peaked, Moonbrook, in the Westfall, was destroyed, its people slaughtered. Of the 1,000 citizens in Moonbrook, there were no survivors. As the leaves began to announce the arrival of autumn, the Horde marched on central Elwynn Forest and sacked Goldshire. Many citizens had fled to Stormwind City, but the dead still numbered over 2,000 in the seemingly unstoppable charge of the Horde’s onslaught. To prevent any attacks to their flank, Doomhammer ordered the orcs to prepare for a siege on Stormwind while a regiment of his forces ventured to Northshire to eliminate all the inhabitants of the town, leaving nothing in the valley that could possibly aid Stormwind Keep.
The orcs had grown smarter in their war tactics under Doomhammer and waited outside Stormwind’s gates, letting fear and an uncertainty of a depletion of supplies weigh on the defenders’ minds.
“I do not know where these creatures came from, nor even what they are. The soldiers call them orcs, but I know they must be some manner of demon from some horrible hell. They sound horns outside the gates of Stormwind, reminding us of our impending deaths. Let them come, I say. In Goldshire, they killed my son, Garlos. He would have been six next month. He had no weapon, he posed no threat, and still they ran him through and cut him in half. My husband died defending us and my daughter fell to their arrows as we ran. I have nothing. There is nothing left. Let them come and end it. I want this to be over.” Elandria Proudland of Goldshire, Year 596 of the King's Calendar, Summer
A tenday later, the assault began. The battle was fierce, but the number and power of the orcs was relentless. In Stormwind Keep, as he prepared to lead his forces personally into battle, King Llane Wrynn was assassinated by Garona Halforcen, the orc that had come to be a trusted friend to the king. Varian Wrynn, who witnessed the assassination, escaped into the streets of the burning city with Lord Anduin Lothar, who led the remaining forces, and any survivors, through a mountain pass that led to the kingdom's port, and the royal fleet.
As the refugees of Stormwind set sail, the orcs finalized their holding in Stormwind. For the remainder of Year 596 of the King's Calendar, the Year of Despair, the orcs hunted down and killed every human south of the northern range of the Redridge Mountains, destroying every settlement in the entire reach of the Kingdom of Stormwind and thus ending the First War.
“We sail north under leadership of Lord Anduin Lothar, set for Lordaeron. Light's blessing young Varian Wrynn was saved, but our king is dead and our city, nay, our kingdom, has been lost to the savage orcs. There is no hope against such mindless hate. Of the hundreds of thousands our kingdom was home to, not even half sail with us. We can only pray they will be warned and able to escape to Khaz Modan before the brutes come upon them. We can only pray.” - Brother Antonius Paloras of Northshire Abbey Year 596 of the King's Calendar, Summer
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faroth
Newbie
Sentinel of the East
Posts: 32
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Post by faroth on Jan 7, 2009 21:37:58 GMT -5
The History of the Alliance/Horde Conflict by Cassius Loreholder, of Lordaeron
-The Second War-
By the spring of Year 597 of the King's Calendar, the Year of Respite, King Terenas Menethil II of Lordaeron had welcomed the survivors of Stormwind and heard their tales of the coming invasion. King Terenas called the human nations together to discuss the matter. Backed by Daelin Proudmoore of Kul'Tiras, he suggested the human nations unite to save Stormwind and drive the Horde from the land. Dalaran and Alterac are agreeable, while Gilneas and Stromgarde agreed, but were hesitant. Sir Uther Lightbringer founded the Knights of the Silver Hand in Lordaeron while the orcs brought more reinforcements through the Dark Portal.
Year 598 of the King's Calendar, the Year of Darkness, saw the beginning of the Second War, during the fifty second year of the rule of King Terenas Menethil II of Lordaeron. The Horde had taken Blackrock Mountain as their base and set a twofold attack into motion. Invading Khaz Modan by land, they clashed with the dwarves and gnomes, who sent requests for help to the Alliance. As the orcs invaded Loch Modan, the dwarves were hard pressed to defend their towns and eventually retreated into the tunnels beneath them, forced to destroy the buildings to seal off the tunnels. The orcs moved into Dun Morogh where their forces were stymied by the dwarves' knowledge of the land and the bitter cold that battered them, even in the spring and summer months. Still, the dwarves and their gnome allies were eventually forced into their cities, the gates of Ironforge and Gnomeregan shut, sealing themselves in. Only from the Ironfroge air strip were dwarven forces able to reach the Alliance. Though some orc clans attempted to lay siege, the Horde eventually turned its attention in further conquest and pushed northward.
“We've sealed the gate to Ironforge. King Bronzebeard was reluctant to admit the green beasts had beaten us back, but there is no denying it. Their ferocity is unlike anything we've seen. The gnomes have sealed Gnomeregan, as well. We have provisions that will allow us to survive through next winter, but we can't just wait for these creatures to leave our homelands. Messengers are being sent to Lordaeron to call for aid. The air strip is our only means of contact. Hopefully these monsters won't find their way to the high mountains.” Modyn Stonecutter of Ironforge Year 598 of the King's Calendar
Simultaneously, the Horde launched a naval assault from the ruins of Stormwind, taking three islands off the coast of Baradin Bay. Zul'dare was taken and a base of operations was built on it to launch attacks on Lordaeron. Tol Barad, belonging to the kingdom of Stromgarde, was seized; its citadel razed to the ground and every living thing on the island was slaughtered. Crestfall was taken by the Blackrock Clan to support the main fleet of the Horde's naval forces, supplying Zul'dare with troops for its attacks.
From these islands, attacks began in the Wetlands, where the Dragonmaw Clan eventually took Grim Batol and enslaved the red dragons; Arathi Highlands, where the Horde decimated Stromgarde; and the southern coast of Lordaeron. South Shore's population of 2,300 was decimated and the city razed to the ground when the orcs first attacked the kingdom, followed by Tarren Mill, which sat on the coast north of Southshore until it was destroyed. As winter dragged on, they moved to Hillsbrad, where the troll Zul'jin was freed and made a pact to further bolter the Horde's numbers with the forest trolls.
Only two months into Year 599 of the King's Calendar, the Year of Hope, the Horde marched on the Hinterlands. A feint drew Alliance defenders to Aerie Peak while the majority of Horde troops moved north through a pass in the mountains into Lordaeron and marched on Quel’Thalas. The Horde reached the Eversong Woods before Alliance forces mustered a defense, joined by the enraged high elves defending their land from their age old enemies, the trolls. Their fury was so great, the Alliance managed to push the Horde back all the way to Hillsbrad.
“We have gained tremendous ground against the Horde. With the strength of the elves and the aid of the Wildhammer gryphon riders, we have gained tremendous momentum. Lord Lothar believes now is the time to strike, while the orcs are wounded. We have identified their naval base and the Kul'Tiras fleet is preparing to launch an assault to destroy the orcs' primary base of attack. If all goes well, we will push these beasts from Lordaeron and then make preprations for Khaz Modan and eventually Stormwind.” Turalyon, Knight of the Silver Hand Year 599 of the King's Calendar
With the Alliance battling back Horde forces in Quel'thalas, the orcs launched a secondary assault on Dalaran, led by the Death Knight Teron Gorefiend. The city was devastated in the attack, but managed to rebuild quickly after the Horde withdrew. As their forces from Quel'thalas returned, Orgrim Doomhammer set his sights on ending the war with a direct attack on Lordaeron's capital. King Terenas Menethil II oversaw the defense personally, though the actions of General Turalyon and Khadgar were instrumental in holding off the Horde forces. During the battle, however, Doomhammer suddenly withdrew half of his forward forces and retreated. The remaining forces were quickly cornered and descended upon by the Alliance while Thoras Trollbane's forces kept reinforcements from arriving. It was later learned that the orc warlock Gul'dan had withdrawn half of Doomhammer's forces and set sail westward and that Doomhammer withdrew from the battle to follow him.
To stop the attacks on Lordaeron, the Alliance took the Kul’Tiras navy and assaulted Crestfall, reclaiming the base and ending the Lordaeron invasion, though South Shore and Hillsbrad were nearly obliterated entirely. The Alliance momentum drove the Horde south, all the way to the Thandol Span where both Dun Modr and Dun Algaz were taken, effectively shattering the Horde forces. However, with Grim Batol under the control of orcs and their red dragons, the Alliance turned its forces to cleaning Lordaeron’s borders of any Horde remnants.
Uther the Lightbringer and the newly formed Knights of the Silver Hand were sent out to aid victims of war when a small revolt began at Tyr’s Hand. The Knights journeyed there to maintain order after the uprising had been quelled. They discovered that Alterac spies had instigated the rebellion to draw attention away from a Horde mining facility. The Horde's ogre-magi helped create and defend a base at the mouth of Tyr's Bay, cutting off supplies from the Alliance and later razed Tyr's Hand, killing many of its population. The Knights of the Silver Hand destroyed the Horde occupation and revealed Lord Perenolde of Alterac to be a traitor to the Alliance after he sent assassins to kill Uther. The response brought upon the kingdom was swift and quickly ended the king’s rule by placing it under martial law of the Alliance.
Bolstered by its victory and with Perenolde no longer aiding the Horde, the Alliance forces pushed south towards Blackrock Mountain, but soon found themselves again outnumbered and exhausted, and in the harsh territory under enemy control while the Horde continued to gain fresh new soldiers from the Dark Portal each day.
The Alliance pushed to Blackrock Mountain where Lord Lothar led his forces into battle. He was separated from his men and faced Orgrim Doomhammer in battle. During the fight, however, orc warriors ambushed Lothar and further weakened him. Still, in a heroic and valiant attempt to find victory, he managed to slay the warriors and resumed combat with Doomhammer. The outcome may have been different, but Lothar's sword was shattered by the legendary hammer from which the Warchief took his name and his skull was crushed. Rather than despair as the orcs had hoped they would, the Alliance rallied and pushed forward.
“Never before have I seen such courage as in the soldiers that have journeyed here for this battle. With no word from Lord Lothar, countless soldiers volunteered and four full legions of forces marched on Blackrock Mountain under General Turalyon. His military genius is undeniable, as is his charismatic leadership. The warriors of the Alliance eagerly follow his command, and none speak of defeat. The Alliance met the orcs and their vile allies head on at the foot of the mountain and soon found themselves in pursuit of their enemy, following the Horde's retreat to the Black Morass and the Dark Portal itself.” Milan, of the Elven House of Scribes Year 599 of the King's Calendar (Excerpt taken from 'The Annals of the Great Alliance')
The Alliance forces fought valiantly as they clashed once more with the battered orcs at the Dark Portal itself. In the bloodiest battle of the Second War, the Alliance defeated the Horde at the door to their own world. The remaining orcs, including Orgrim Doomhammer, were rounded up and taken back to Lordaeron. Arch-Mage Khadgar destroyed the Dark Portal, marking the end of the Second War.
-Beyond the Dark Portal-
In the Year 601 of the King's Calendar, the Year of Victorious Loss, the orcs were placed in internment camps rather than being outright executed. Varian Wrynn led his people to return to their kingdom and began the process of rebuilding. Stormwind scouts reported the orcs that escaped capture managed to reconstruct the Dark Portal and King Terenas chose to fight the Horde on their own soil after the orcs clashed with Alliance soldiers at Nethergarde Keep. Khadgar, General Turalyon, Alleria Windrunner, Kurdran of the Wildhammer Clan, and Danath Trollbane led troops to the Black Morass once more and ventured through the Dark Portal after the Book of Medivh was stolen by Ner'zhul and his Death Knights from Stormwind.
“We ventured through the Dark Portal not knowing what we would find, or if we would even survive on the orc's world. The land was dead, their world desolate, as if the entire world reflected the harsh, wickedness of their souls. The ground was barren rock, red like the fires of hell and the air itself seemed to burn our lungs. General Turalyon assured us we would defeat them and end the threat once and for all, and we pushed onward. Destroying the creatures from this world would be doing not only the Alliance, but their world, a favor.” Lieutenant Dalthor Reinstock, 2nd Lordaeron Infantry of the Outland Expedition Year 601 of the King's Calendar
On Azeroth, the Kirin Tor sent a lone mage on a mission to Khaz Modan, supposedly on a mission to observe orc activity. Rhonin Redhair, accompanied by Vereesa Windrunner and Falstad Dragonweaver, journeyed on this mission, which turned out to be the plans of the red dragon Korialstrasz to rescue Alexstrasza from the Dragonmaw Clan. The plan succeeded, and the final hold of the orcs in Azeroth was destroyed with the freeing of the Red Dragons, the survivors placed with their comrades in the Lordaeron internment camps.
Back on Outland, the Alliance forces managed to retrieve the Book of Medivh as well as the skull of Gul'dan from Ner'zhul's forces, but not before the shaman Ner'zhul learned what he was seeking and opened multiple rifts like the Dark Portal. The entire world began to tremble with violent earthquakes as the heroes returned to the portal to Azeroth. Sending the Book of Medivh through with a trusted mage, Khadgar kept the Skull of Gul'dan in Outland to create a bridge between the two worlds. Sacrificing himself, while Turalyon and his comrades fought off the bloodthirsty and desperate orcs trying to escape the crumbling world, Khadgar destroyed the Dark Portal, sealing the rift completely.
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faroth
Newbie
Sentinel of the East
Posts: 32
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Post by faroth on Jan 7, 2009 21:38:17 GMT -5
The History of the Alliance/Horde Conflict by Cassius Loreholder, of Lordaeron
-The Third War-
Years passed and the Alliance knew peace, though the taxes on the citizenry of all the kingdoms caused unrest, but the cost of rebuilding the shattered kingdoms was unavoidable, particularly with the rebuilding of Stormwind. In Lordaeron, internment camps had been set up to hold the captured orcs, but a strange lethargy had fallen over the entire race. They had lost all will to fight and many speculated that they had gotten a disease unique to the orc race. Arch-mage Antonidas disputed it with his own theory; believing the orcs were suffering from withdrawal of demonic magics after being corrupted by it for generations.
"Something strange has come over the orcs in the past weeks. They have always been eager to fight with the guards in the camps, and even each other. Lately, though, they have been quiet and somber. Some hardly seem interested in food or water. Some of the men have suggested that they may be sick; stricken by some disease unique to their race. With any luck, this is the case and it will end their miserable existence once and for all. Antonidas in Dalaran says they may be suffering from withdrawal of demonic magic that he claims has corrupted them for generations. If that's true, all the more reason to send them back to hell with their demon masters." -Daeldric Pearson 22nd Infantryman of Stromgarde, guard of the eastern orc camp of Stromgarde
In the Year 617 of the King's Calendar, the Year of the Splintered Shield, Thrall escaped from Durnholde and began to seek out other orcs that had avoided capture in the internment camps. Scouts searched, but never managed to find the orcs themselves, only traces of their passing. Rumor began to spread that Thrall was seeking the escaped Orgrim Doomhammer to rally the Horde under his banner and begin the war against the Alliance once again. The orcs began to attack internment camps, freeing their brethren and growing once more in force. Eventually, they even attacked Stratholme before moving south to destroy Durnholde and murder Aedelas Blackmoore, the human who not only raised Thrall, but taught him about combat, tactics, philosophy, and strategy.
During the course of the year, the Alliance began to fracture. Quel'thalas broke away from the Alliance, officially claiming it was the humans' poor leadership that allowed the Eversong Wood to be burned by the Horde, despite having send minimal forces both time they were called for to aid the human nations. Also, with Lord Lothar slain, Anasterian Sunstrider felt the elves' debt to King Thoradin of Strom and his descendants was paid. Stromgarde withdrew from the Alliance in defiance of King Terenas Menethil II's decision not to execute the surviving orcs outright. And finally, Gilneas was quick to withdraw from the Alliance, having never supported the Alliance personally. To further barricade his kingdom from “other nation's troubles,” King Greymane had the Greymane wall built to separate his kingdom from Gilneas, allowing no outsiders to enter. Only Stormwind and Kul'Tiras still backed the Alliance, Lordaeron, and the cost of rebuilding the ravaged towns of Lordaeron, Dalaran, and Stormwind.
"I worry about the strength of our nations. The Alliance has begun to fracture just as the Horde is said to be reforming under a new chieftain's banner. The high elves blame our nations for the destruction of their woods. Gilneas was a shaky supporter at best and has now withdrawn not only from the Alliance, but from the world. Stromgarde's support has also withdrawn in disagreement with King Terenas' decision to imprison the orcs rather than execute them for their crimes. With only Kul'Tiras, Lordaeron, Khaz Modan, and Stormwind remaining in support of the Alliance. I fear what may happen if this new warchief does rally the orcs again. What's worse, I fear the burden of rebuilding may put too much strain on the remaining kingdoms of the Alliance." -Tirion Fordring, Paladin of the Silver Hand; Lord of Mardenholde Keep, Hearthglen Year 616 of the King's Calendar
In Year 617 of the King's Calendar, the Year of Bountiful Harvest, Orgrim Doomhammer was slain by a knight of Stromgarde as the orcs raided an internment camp in the Arathi Highlands. Thrall took up his armor and hammer, officially proclaiming himself the new warchief of the Horde, killing all the guards in the process.
In the first days of spring in Year 619 of the King's Calendar, the Year of Chaos, the orcs led by Thrall attacked Stromgarde ships and set sail westward, away from the Eastern Kingdoms. A cult arose in Lordaeron known as the Cult of the Damned that began to spread a plague of undeath. The Knights of the Silver Hand were unable to cure the plague, though they fought countless battles against the cult and the undead through the kingdom. Prince Arthas Menethil tracked the plague to its source: a demon known as a Dread Lord in Stratholme. The Prince, losing his grasp on sanity, dismissed the Knights of the Silver Hand, and his mentor Uther, from service and took his soldiers into the city where he purged it by killing every citizen they cam across in search of the Dread Lord responsible for the plague. After the culling, the Arthas took his men to Northrend to further hunt down the demon.
In his absence, while Lordaeron was still under assault from every angle, Alliance forces abandoned their kingdom and followed Jaina Proudmoore west across the Great Sea, leaving many cities and people undefended. When Arthas returned, he assassinated his father, ending the seventy three year rule of King Terenas Menethil II of Lordaeron. The Third War officially began, facing the Alliance against a new enemy as the undead, led by Arthas, swept through his own kingdom.
"Everything is lost! The entire kingdom has fallen, King Terenas Menethil II has been assassinated by his own son! The reports of Arthas' slaughter in Stratholme must be true, the prince has gone mad! We believed his return would herald the end of this Cult of the Damned, end this plague, but instead he brought death with him. Our prince has betrayed us all, they're all dead! Light help any who find this journal. They are unstoppable. They feel no pain, no remorse. Nothing can stop them. Woe to any who enter these lands!" -Unknown, journal found in Silverpine Forest
"We heard them coming in time to escape and rallied the men. We did all we could to get as many citizens together as possible, loading them into wagons and riding as fast as we could. The Knights of the Silver Hand stood against the coming zombies bravely, knowing they would die this night. We ride south now, seeking refuge in the former kingdom of Alterac, or South Shore. If need be, we will go to Stromgarde. We sought haven in Gilneas, but none would answer our calls for aid. No guards even approached the gate. It remained shut and silent. We don't know how much of Lordaeron has fallen, but I fear the entire kingdom is lost. Arthas has damned us all." -Welton Suribar of Brill Year 618 of the King's Calendar
The Third War raged in Lordaeron, but troops were sorely scarce and each death increased the undead's numbers. The dwarves offered troops to lend their aid, but the gnomes mysteriously withdrew all support save for their engineering skills, and those only from gnomes in Ironforge. Calls for aid went out to all the allied nations of the Alliance, but it took time for messengers to reach their destinations. Time that Lordaeron didn't have.
King Varian Wrynn still supported the Alliance and sought to give full support to Lordaeron when the messengers arrived calling for reinforcements. Unfortunately, the Stonemason's Guild had begun to stir unrest in the people of Stormwind, claiming the kingdom had offered no compensation for their services in rebuilding the city. King Wrynn was tangled in negotiations between the House of Nobles and the Stonemason's Guild, but found no success and his depleted forces were kept busy maintaining peace in his own city. As negotiations continued to break down, the Stonemasons began to push harder and a violent riot erupted in Stormwind. During the riot, Queen Tiffin Wrynn was killed during the outbreak of violence. King Wrynn, though he still sought to support the Alliance, seemed to lose heart, his men dealing with the Stonemasons under Edwin Van Cleef as he struggled with a deep depression.
Before the year's end, Quel'thalas was destroyed by the Scourge; the undead forces led by the traitor prince Arthas. Ranger-General Sylvannas Windrunner put up a fierce defense with her soldiers, but was eventually defeated and the Sunwell destroyed. The Scourge then marched on Dalaran, killing the wizards despite their best defenses and eventually destroying the entire city completely. The Alliance, too fractured to call for reinforcements, was unable to send any aid. The entire northern reaches of the Alliance kingdoms had been devestated by the Scourge, marking the end of the Third War's battles in the Eastern Kingdoms.
-The Lands of Kalimdor-
On the western continent later learned to be Kalimdor, Thrall's orcs began to raid and plunder the settlements being constructed by the thousands of deserters of Lordaeron led by Jaina Proudmoore, attacking again and again until they were confronted by a wizard known only as The Prophet, who told them of an impending threat, demanding that orc and human work together to stop it. Further north, in Ashenvale Forest, Grom Hellscream and his Clan had begun logging the forest. The demi-god Cenarius led the Sentinels against the orcs, but Hellscream and his warriors managed to slay Cenarius. Under the urgings of The Prophet, the warchief Thrall and Jaina's forces captured Grom Hellscream, only to free him shortly afterwards. Fortunately, before Hellscream could sow any more devestation, he was killed after he and Thrall hunted and killed a demon known as Mannoroth.
Atop Mount Hyjal, the Horde and Alliance deserters rallied together with the Night Elves to stop the demonic forces' assault on the World Tree Nordrassil. With the defeat of their commander, Archimonde, the Third War was considered to have ended, as the Burning Legion was responsible for the Scourge.
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faroth
Newbie
Sentinel of the East
Posts: 32
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Post by faroth on Jan 7, 2009 21:38:35 GMT -5
The History of the Alliance/Horde Conflict by Cassius Loreholder, of Lordaeron
-Aftermath of the Third War-
Thrall led the orcs to a rocky stretch of land on the eastern coast of Kalimdor, claiming the land to found the capital of the orcish kingdom, which he named Orgrimmar in honor of Orgrim Doomhammer. Jaina's forces settled further south on Theramore Island where the mage encouraged her people to accommodate the unwritten truce between Thrall's forces and her own. Some began to believe peace was possible with the orcs, while others sought to understand how such a notion was possible. Word came back to the Eastern Kingdoms of the events, along with ambassadors from the Night Elves to officially open ties with the humans and dwarves. Some sought answers to how the monsters that had wreaked chaos could now be considered allies to the humans.
"What we have suffered? It can not be understood by those that did not suffer it." -Voldigar of Stromgarde Year 621 of the King's Calendar
In the Year 621 of the King's Calendar, the Year of Unrest, human forces began to attack Durotar's small villages. Admiral Daelin Proudmoore arrived on Theramore with the remainder of the Kul'Tiras navy, overjoyed to find his daughter had survived everything during the Third War. Facing the Horde in a series of battles, his forces were pushed back to Theramore where Thrall led an assault on the city. Rallying the bovine creatures called Tauren and once again gaining the aid of the cannibalistic, bestial trolls, Thrall's forces ransacked the city, slaying all that stepped into their path. Eventually, Thrall and his closest comrades faced Admiral Proudmoore. Jaina betrayed her father and aided the Horde in gaining entry to the city and simply stood by as her father, hero of the Alliance, was killed.
"Admiral Proudmoore was the head of all naval forces in the Alliance through the First and Second War and we gladly sailed with him to the lands of Kalimdor. Through countless battles, he brought us through near hopeless situations. Countless victories snatched from the jaws of defeats because of his military knowledge and strategy. When so many turned their backs on the Alliance, he saw to it that Kul'Tiras remained a steadfast ally. In all my days, I've never seen a man so respected by his men. Admiral Proudmoore is truly a hero on equal standing with his friend Lord Anduin Lothar. A true hero of the Alliance." -Samitheil Liendor, First Mate of The Sea's Spirit Year 621 of the King's Calendar
That same year, Lord Garithos led Lordaeron's remaining forces in an attempt to reclaim the lost cities of the kingdom. Kael'thas Sunstrider and his high elf forces were tasked with aiding the Alliance in defending important towers in Lordaeron territory, but was found consorting with the naga and taken prisoner to Dalaran. The high elves, who had never given the Alliance any worthwhile support, now outright betrayed their allies by cooperating with and aiding monsters. He was freed by a naga raiding party, killing many of the Dalaran mages and soldiers stationed in the city and escaping through a portal to the remains of Outland.
The Scourge and the demon Dread Lords had taken Lordaeron, but lost it to the Death Knight Arthas upon his return. However, he soon left once more to Northrend. The former Ranger-General Sylvannas, raised by Arthas after her death, had broken away from Arthas and began gathering undead to her cause, freeing them from the Lich King's control. Lord Garithos rallied the few remaining forces under his command and negotiated a deal with Sylvannas to have her revenge on the Scourge in exchange for the liberation of the once-great capital. Upon their victory, Sylvannas betrayed her word and killed Garithos, claiming the city for herself.
In Year 622 of the King's Calendar, the Year of the Mask, Tarren Mill was attacked at its new location further inland by the Forsaken, killing all but a handful of the 1,200 residents that had managed to rebuild a life there. Sylvannas' forces assaulted the town from the north, killing everyone. However, the town wasn't destroyed as so many before had been, but was instead claimed by the undead forces. After incursions between the militia of South Shore, which made up the majority of the Lordaeron soldiers that had escaped the falling kingdom, the Forsaken withdrew and began to fortify their holdings. In need of allies, Sylvannas struck out to Kalimdor, seeking aid from the orcs and vowing the Forsaken's allegiance to the Horde. It was after this that the undead grew bolder, pushing south through the mountain border on the Arathi Highlands and attacking the settlements of the League of Arathor in the Arathi Basin.
The Alliance continued to question the peace the orcs claimed to be seeking with Jaina's forces in Theramore. Ambassadors visited the island nation, particularly after war nearly broke out in the northern citadel of North Watch between the two factions. Jaina and Thrall both appeared at the battle, ending it and withdrawing their respective forces, still claiming to seek peace. But the Horde's actions would continue to make such a difficult, and questionable, search.
In the Warsong Gulch bordering the grasslands known as the Barrens and Ashenvale Forest, the remnants of Grom Hellscream's Warsong Clan still ravaged the forest, felling trees indiscriminately to take lumber back to Orgrimmar. The warchief, though claiming to want peace, turned a blind eye to the deforestation of the Night Elves' ancestral homeland. The Silverwing Sentinels sought to push them back from their lands to save the forest, clashing with the orcs in battle for years.
As hostilities continued to grow and the Horde aggressively expanded their borders by invading Alliance territories, tensions continued to grow. King Magni Bronzebeard opened the gates of Ironforge to the gnomes, who came to the city seeking refuge. While the Third War raged and the gnomes withdrew support, they were fighting their own war against a subterranean race known as troggs that had invaded Gnomeregan. Rather than further thin their allies' forces, they faced their doom alone and with honor. With a betrayal from within, the gnomes were forced to retreat from their own home. King Bronzebeard sent word to Stormwind, seeking to renew the bonds of the Alliance to stand against the ever-growing threats of the Horde and monsters of the wilds.
King Wrynn responded diplomatically to King Bronzebeard, unifying the Alliance with the dwarves stronger than ever. However, the young king was unwilling to dismiss Jaina Proudmoore's claims and ventured to Theramore to discuss matters regarding the Horde. His ship was attacked and for months, the king disappeared. At the urging of Lady Katrana Prestor, Highlord Bolvar Fordragon took stewardship of the kingdom while young Anduin Wrynn was named king in his father's absence. But upon his return to Stormwind, rumors circulated that the king was different. While he still entertained nobles, went on hunts, and attended to his standard duties, the king seemed to have lost his heart for true battle. Most of the kingdom's efforts were directed in handling the bandits and highwaymen of the Defias Brotherhood.
In the late Autumn of Year 622 of the King's Calendar, cries for aid were sent to the Horde and Alliance from the Night Elves in southern Kalimdor. The ancient Qiraji had returned, renewing the War of the Sands from millenia past. Forces poured to the land of Silithus to drive back the bug-like creatures. Although the Horde and Alliance stood unified against a common foe once again, fighting frequently broke out between the races of both sides in the desert sands. As many Alliance soldiers were killed by orc spears as by Qiraji pincers before the insect-like forces were finally defeated.
"The Qiraji have returned and we are once again drawn into battle with the insect creatures. The Cenarion Circle has sent forces to drive back the bugs and soldiers from both Horde and Alliance have been arriving at Cenarion Hold. Our forces are bolstered each day, but even these heroes do not offer enough to match the forces we face. The last battle saw us with four to one odds before reinforcements arrived and both forces broke from the battle to regroup. The orcs were reliable enough at Mount Hyjal, but I still have trouble believing their troll allies will prove so honorable. Their wickedness is undeniable, but I can only pray that Elune will see them put to use against the Qiraji to thin both sides before we enter the battle. In the end, I trust we will win this new War of the Sands as some are calling it, particularly as the brood of Nozdormu have come to our aid, but once the gates of Anh'Qiraj are in ruin and the ruins of the fortress are cleared of every last one of them, will our supposed allies honor this camaraderie? I doubt it as their forces have already attacked the humans and dwarves on numerous occasions in the desert. While the Qiraji remain our primary enemy, I keep my eyes open, my war glaive sharp, and my ears attuned to the whispers of Elune if warning be given of an enemy at our sides." -Sentinel Kallindiera Mistwind of the Cenarion Hold Late Iavas (Late Autumn, by the King's Calendar's reckoning)
As the Year of the Mask drew to a close, a new threat returned from the north as the Scourge returned, led by Kel'Thuzad, to attack the cities of the Alliance in floating citadels. Soldiers and adventurers ventured to Lordaeron to find the Horde claiming the fallen towers of the land now known as the Western Plaguelands. As the Alliance sought a way to attack the citadel Naxxramas, Horde forces attacked from the towers, which traded hands repeatedly over the months into Year 623 of the King's Calendar. Despite the Horde's attacks, largely from the Forsaken, the Alliance managed to end the threat of the Scourge by defeating Kel'Thuzad in Naxxramas and returning his phylactery to Light's Hope Chapel and the Argent Dawn.
But just as the winter's snows began to melt and the icy grip of the Lich King was broken once more, a new threat loomed from the south as the spring of Year 623 of the King's Calendar, the Year of Discovery, began.
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faroth
Newbie
Sentinel of the East
Posts: 32
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Post by faroth on Jan 7, 2009 21:38:50 GMT -5
The History of the Alliance/Horde Conflict by Cassius Loreholder, of Lordaeron
-The Burning Crusade-
In the spring of Year 623 of the King's Calendar, the Year of Discovery, an explosion rocked the northwestern coast of Kalimdor. A small tidal wave hit Darkshore as a large structure appeared in the sky and crashed onto Azuremyst Isle. In time, the survivors made contact with the Night Elves, and then the Alliance. The draenei told of their plight on their homeworld of Draenor; the same home as the orcs. Although their entire culture was almost entirely eradicated by the orcs, they had rebuilt in time, but had now come under attack by the forces of Illidan Stormrage and the command of the blood elf Kael'thas Sunstrider as well as the demons of the Burning Legion, caught in the middle of a war between the two. At that same time, the Blood Elves of Quel'thalas joined the Horde through contacts with the Forsaken, led by Sylvannas Windrunner, once a high elf herself.
“I know not what to make of these strange creatures calling themselves 'draenei' just yet. Sylaniel Truestrike says they are identical to the eredar warlocks the Burning Legion commanded in their invasion thousands of years ago. But they seem to have an affinity for the Light and have pledged themselves to the Alliance. For the time being, they seem to be our friends. Let us hope it remains so.” Anothias Telendaer, Paladin of Stormwind Year 623 of the King's Calendar
The backlash of magical energies of the Exodar's entry into Azeroth caused a reaction at the Dark Portal and soon the Legion was able to open it and began to enter Azeroth once again. The Alliance answered the call to arms from Nethergarde Keep, sending out calls for all adventurers to lend aid to the soldiers, though Stormwind's military was still stretched thin. Instead, both Horde and Alliance forces arrived under the command of the Argent Dawn and managed to drive back the demonic forces.
In Outland, the Alliance learned the heroes of the Second War still lived. Danath Trollbane led his forces against the orcs, though they now followed Illidan's command. Rather than lend support to Trollbane's forces at Honor Hold, the Horde set up their own based, called Thrallmar. However, the blood elves found a small settlement in the region known as Hellfire Peninsula established by their kin under leadership of the prince they sought to bring their salvation; Kael'thas Sunstrider.
“The heroes of the Second War live! We never thought we'd see this day, but it's true. Danath Trollbane himself commands the soldiers that passed through the Dark Portal and sacrificed themselves to seal it thirty years ago. We are told Arch Mage Khadgar is in a city called Shattrah as well. We could not have hoped for better news upon our arrival to this Light forsaken place. Sadly, it is unknown what has become of Alleria Windrunner and Turalyon, but we still hold hope that they live and are somewhere on this world as well.” -Darion Pindel, 13th Footman of the Fourth Regiment of Stormwind's Infantry Year 623 of the King's Calendar
Both Horde and Alliance attacked Illidan's forces, the chaos orcs, of Hellfire Citadel, but clashed at three structures surrounding the stronghold. Rather than working with the Alliance, the Horde sought to take the ruins that offered the best vantage point to gain information in the battle against the Citadel. Tensions grew in the Zangarmarsh where Horde forces again clashed with the Alliance over structures called the Spirit Towers. However, it was the draenei and blood elves who seemed to show the most animosity on the fields of battle. In Shattrath City, the reasons became clear.
Kael'thas Sunstrider's forces ahd been the most vicious of the attackers to assault Tempest Keep, a draenei inhabited temple of sorts of which the Exodar had been a part of. In Shattrath City, the draenei priests known as the Aldor had been prepared for another battle as Kael'thas' forces marched on the city. As the battle was about to begin, the blood elves laid down their weapons and asked to meet with the city's leader, a being known as a naaru named A'dal. The forces had turned away from Kael'thas after their leader had a vision leading them to A'dal. As such, the Aldor and the blood elves calling themselves the Scryers came to share residence in the city's walls, though they remained bitterly at odds with one another. Still, Shattrath remained neutral territory and sanctuary to all who entered.
“I try to find solace by reassuring myself that A'dal knows what our best course of action is, but it is difficult to do with the blood elves walking within the city. I recognize many of them from the battles they waged against us here and at other temples and towns we had managed to begin to rebuild. They claim they no longer follow their leader, Kael'thas, and his master, Illidan, but I am keeping a close eye upon them. I must pray often that the Light guides my actions as my hand has often gone to my mace when I pass by them. The same blood elf that killed Alata, Neishen, and Norkama at the first attack on Shattrath now walk within its walls, these murderers are now our allies. We must now indeed follow the road traveled by few. The road of acceptance and forgiveness. But it will be long before I take my first step on that road.” Malaki, Vindicator of Shattrath City and servant to the Aldor Anchorites
In Zangarmarsh, the druids of the Cenarion Circle's expedition learned that Illidan's lieutenant, the naga Vashj, was siphoning water from the marsh into one lake to create what Illidan intended to make into a new Well of Eternity to amplify his magic. In the north, the Aldor and Scryers grudgingly worked together to assault the mana forges Kael'thas had established in the region known as the Netherstorm. During the attacks on the manage forges, it was learned that Kael'thas had betrayed Illidan, siding with the Burning Legion instead. Eventually, forces invaded Tempest Keep and defeated Kael'thas, reclaiming the naaru structure.
In Shadowmoon Valley, a contingent of soldiers from the Aldor, Scryers, Horde, Alliance, and the broken known as the Ashtongue Deathsworn under the leadership of Akama assaulted the Temple of Karabor, now known as the Black Temple. In the end, the Alliance forces, aided by Akama's Deathsworn and the Night Elf Maiev Shadowsong, defeated and killed Illidan Stormrage, freeing Outland from his grip and returning the sacred temple to the draenei.
The draenei had their home back and began to rebuild, though many returned to Azeroth to aid the Alliance that had offered such aid to them. Just as peace began to settle in, Lady Liadrin of Silvermoon, leader of the Blood Knights, arrived in Shattrath City and pledged her knights to the service of A'dal and the Shattered Sun Offensive, a unified force of Aldor and Scryers.
Lady Liadrin brought news that Kael'thas' defeat in Tempest Keep had not been his end and the Burning Legion had revived the mage through the use of a fel crystal embedded in his chest. The prince had returned to Silvermoon City and taken the capture naaru, M'uru. Stealing him away to the Island of Quel'Danas, Kael'thas set up forces at the very site of the Sunwell. Once again, the Horde and Alliance lent support to the Shattered Sun Offensive. Though they fought together against the Sunfury forces of Kael'thas, Horde and Alliance still crossed blades on the island. A small group infiltrated the Magister's Terrace and defeated Kael'thas, this time killing him. They returned with news of the intent in the Sunwell. The blue dragon, Kalecgos, had revealed to them that the demon lord, Kil'jaeden, was being summoned using the power of M'uru and the Sunwell itself, embodied in the mortal form of Anveena, a human woman. An assault force fought its way into the Sunwell and stopped the summoning with Kalecgos' aid, but at the sacrifice of Anveena. The Sunwell's power was restored by Anveena's sacrifice, but was imbued with the essence of the naaru M'uru, returning the source of power the blood elves had once enjoyed, but now empowered by the Light.
While the battles for Quel'Danas were raging, a warrior bearing striking resemblance to King Wrynn by the name Lo'Gosh arrived in Stormwind with the night elf Broll Bearmantle, the blood elf Valeera Sanguinar, and the dwarf Thargas Anvilmar. They escorted Marshall Windsor to the throne room where Katrana Prestor was revealed to be the black dragon Onyxia. It was said that the daughter of Deathwing had somehow split the king into two halves, thus weakening him and allowing her to manipulate matters in the kingdom. She escaped the battle with Anduin Wrynn, but Stormwind's forces followed, led by both Varian Wrynn and Lo'Gosh. A month later, they returned with Varian Wrynn's two halves unified and made whole once more and his son alive and well with reports of Onyxia's death. After so long, the king was finally returned to the throne, and resumed true leadership of his people.
But as fall settled across the lands, the dreaded necropoli of the Scourge returned once more and the undead again attacked the free peoples of Azeroth.
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faroth
Newbie
Sentinel of the East
Posts: 32
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Post by faroth on Jan 7, 2009 21:39:06 GMT -5
**SPOILERS FOR WRATH OF THE LICH KING**
The History of the Alliance/Horde Conflict by Cassius Loreholder, of Lordaeron
-Recent Events-
During the winter of the Year 623 of the King's Calendar, the Scourge Necropoli once again appeared in the skies over both the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor. With King Varian Wrynn returned to his throne, the Alliance once again marshalled its forces, bolstering those of the Argent Dawn. The attacks, however, proved a diversion to draw attention away from the original strategy of Scourge invasion; tainted grain. The plague of undeath once again spread throughout Azeroth as the grain was distributed to various cities and the free peoples of Azeroth once again were forced to fight the ever growing darkness.
Despite the fear gripping the Alliance kingdoms, King Wrynn put the stonemasons to work once again, rebuilding Stormwind's harbor. Without Onyxia's involvement, Wrynn was able to offer adequate payment to the stonemasons and even pardoned many of the imprisoned Defias who had felt wronged by the unjust payment in rebuilding Stormwind, their crimes under Van Cleef's leadership wiped clean.
“I always thought something had gone wrong in Stormwind when the House of Nobles refused to pay us for our work. King Wrynn hadn't seemed like himself back then and this just proves it! A black dragon had been involved back then, but not now. Things is different now. The Defias are no more and Van Cleef is dead. I was spending my days in the Stockades and now I'm a free man all because of Varian Wrynn's royal pardon. It feels good to be holding a hammer again instead of a dagger. The new harbor is going to be grand, better than it ever was before. We're going to make Stormwind a shining beacon for all of Azeroth to marvel at, just you wait and see.” -Daniel Thorglen of the Stonemason's Guild, Stormwind City Year 623 of the King's Calendar (Excerpt of a letter written to Methesda Promilade of South Shore)
In the easternmost region of Lordaeron, the towns of New Avalon and Havenshire, the final true human settlements of the kingdom, under protection of the Scarlet Crusade, came under attack by the Lich King's elite forces, the Death Knights. The citizens were largely slaughtered and the Scarlet Crusade driven back into retreat after heavy losses. The Death Knights were then led by Darion Mograine in an attack to destroy Light's Hope Chapel. But during the battle, Tirion Fordring, Highlord of the Knights of the Silver Hand, joined the defenders only to be confronted by Arthas himself. As Arthas seemed to have the Highlord beaten, Darion Mograine relinquished the Ashbringer to Fordring, unleashing a powerful force of Holy Light from beneath the chapel. With the blade cleansed, Fordring attacked the Lich King, dealing a devestating blow to Arthas, though he still escaped the battle. The battle left its mark, however, restoring the free will of the death knights present at the battle. Enraged by Arthas' betrayal of the death knights by using them as bait to lure out Fordring, Mograine pledged the knights of Ebon Hold to Fordring's cause, to destroy the Lich King. Mograine led his knights to Stormwind to seek acceptance back into the service of the Alliance while others returned to the Horde.
“To King Varian Wrynn of the Alliance, Majesty, O merciful king, may the Light stay your hand and steady your heart. Hold your judgment upon this fallen champion – if only for a moment – and hear my words. The bearer of this letter is a former hero of the Alliance. Though he and his knights carry with them the stench of death and the look of the Scourge, they have the soul of a champion. A soul that has only recently been reunited with the body. Darion and his knights represent a new, united front against the Lich King known as the Knights of the Ebon Blade. Yes, majesty, death knights turned against their former master. They are led by the son of Lord Alexandros Mograin, the Ashbringer. They seek what we seek, what we all seek: the end of the Scourge. I asked not that you accept Darion and the Knights of the Ebon Blade into the Alliance, but only that you show tolerance. Remember, sire, by blood and honor we all serve. Respectfully, Highlord Tirion Fordring Highlord Tirion Fordring, of the Argent Crusade Year 624 of the King's Calendar
With Stormwind Harbor rebuilt, King Wrynn and Bolvar Fordragon prepared the Alliance for an assault on Northrend. Mages arrived in Stormwind, exhausted from a dangerous series of teleportation spells, describing an large scale assault on Orgrimmar by Scourge forces. As warriors and soldiers of Stormwind gathered at the harbor, the sun began to set on the horizon. As if drawn forward with the light's retreat, Scourge forces descended on Stormwind. Abominations, ghouls, gargoyles, and frostwyrms assaulted the forces of the Alliance, but were held off and driven back. Undeterred, Wrynn was more determined than ever to end the threat of his once dear friend, Arthas. Bolvar Fordragon too command of the Valliance Expedition and set sail for Northrend.
“I had prayed this day would not come. I have survived battles beyond counting, longing only for home. The cold grip of war was more painful than the many wounds of battle and dreams of the flickering memory of my love had sustained me through years of seemingly endless war. The valor of youth has given way to the cold existence of a grayed man who has known only death on the battlefield. And yet, I find myself on the ships sailing for Northrend. For despite the fear of what we will face, even greater is the fear of what will become of my home if we do nothing. The Lich King must be stopped and I will raise my axe and sword until we stand victorious over the Scourge.” Tanath Lorgram of Goldshire Year 624 of the King's Calendar
Though assaulted every step of the way, the Alliance and Horde managed to push further into Northrend, aided by the Argent Dawn. However, forces were split as the mages of Dalaran were forced to lend aid at Icecrown's doorstep while dealing with the attacks of the blue dragon Malygos' minions.
At Angrathar, the Wrath Gate, the Alliance forces led by Bolvar Fordragon laid siege to breach the gate into the heart of Scourge territory. During the battle, Horde forces led by the orc Saurfang the younger joined Fordragon's own and together cleared the battlefield of the undead. The Lich King arrived through the Wrath Gate to confront the invaders, raising undead as he walked towards the joined armies. Saurfang attacked and was killed with a single blow from Frostmourne. As Bolvar prepared to attack, screams and explosions rang out from the rear of the unified forces. The Royal Apothecary of the Undercity, Putress, unleashed the Forsaken's new plague, proclaiming death to both the Scourge and all of the living. Arthas escaped through Angrathar into the safety of Icecrown, but the Horde and Alliance forces were devestated.
“I could hear the screams before we even arrived, even with the powerful beating of air Alexstrasza and Korialstrasz's wings made, the cries of pain carried up on the cold wind. Kirielstrasza veered down with her flight and joined in setting all that remained ablaze with dragon's fire. I could do nothing more than watch as the survivors attempted to flee, some escaping, others falling and seeming to decay before my very eyes. I've never seen such horror.” -Faroth Ravenwing of Ashenvale Year 624 of the King's Calendar
Survivors of the horrendous massacre returned to Stormwind with Bolvar Fordragon's shield with the details of the attack. Varian Wrynn was enraged, but allowed Jaina Proudmoore to take an envoy to Orgrimmar to discern what had happened in Northrend. Thrall insisted the Horde had nothing to do with it and informed the envoy that the Dread Lord Varimathras and Putress had staged a coup, causing civil war in the Undercity and very nearly killing Sylvannas Windrunner, who confirmed the claim. The envoy returned with their findings to King Wrynn, who chose to personally lead the assault on the Undercity to reclaim Lordaeron and to seek justice against the Forsaken known as Putress.
The Alliance forces were assaulted heavily by undead monstrosities and Forsaken that had sided with Varimathras in the coup. Battling their way through the sewers of the Undercity, Wrynn's soldiers eventually came upon Putress and slew the undead traitor.
“King Wrynn and Jaina engaged Putress in battle while we dealt with the putrid cadavers that swarmed us. Slimes, corrosive ooze, ghouls, and monstrosities I cannot even describe assailed us endlessly. It seemed like only minutes before the battle was over and we looked upon the carnage of the Forsakens' devices. Corpses littered the room, discarded in corners after they had been clearly defiled. The torsos of children hung from chains in the ceiling and body parts littered the tables. Flesh was peeled off and made into lampshades to direct light as needed and there was blood coating walls with gore covering others. There was no telling how many had been butchered here for the Forsaken to experiment with their plague and the few that barely held on to life were unable to do more than mutter and groan before we ended their suffering as even our most powerful priests could do nothing for their wounds. By the Light, I swear I shall never forgive this treachery. Putress may have betrayed the Horde, but the Forsaken allowed this barbarism to continue undeterred. May they all be damned to the darkest reaches of the nether.” Ranthiel Duermod, 42nd Infantryman of Stormwind and son of Lordaeron Year 624 of the King's Calendar
King Wrynn heard the war cries of the Horde and led his soldiers deeper into the Undercity, against the protests of Jaina Proudmoore. The Alliance forces met Thrall and Sylvannas with a host of Warsong orcs in the Undercity throne room where Wrynn led his forces into battle. Before either side could gain momentum, Jaina arrived and used magic to stop them both and teleported the Wrynn and his forces back to Stormwind where Wrynn declared war once more upon the Horde.
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faroth
Newbie
Sentinel of the East
Posts: 32
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Post by faroth on Jan 7, 2009 21:39:22 GMT -5
Things to Keep in Mind
There are some things to be considered when developing your character's stance on the current situation between Horde and Alliance. The most important thing is to really separate your knowledge from your character's. I've left out a lot of Horde specific information from Cassius Loreholder's entries on the history of the conflict and perhaps even misconstrued some events a bit. This is how our characters would know things to have occurred. History is rarely clear, especially with war, and the two sides would not be very open in discussing details of their history just yet. Even within either faction, it is unlikely that all the details would be commonly known.
Unless your character is less than 10 years old or has lived under extraordinary circumstances, they have suffered terribly at the hands of the orcs that are CURRENTLY standing under the Horde's banner. It should be almost impossible not to know friends or family that was killed by the very orcs you pass in Dalaran. The Alliance is meant to have a deep rooted hatred for the Horde, despite managing to force themselves to work together in extreme circumstances.
We should not, by majority, favor or sympathize with the Horde, despite what we know as players. Nobody wants to be the character that's the bad guy or on the wrong side, really, but often it is a lot of fun to play these flawed outlooks. Knowing they're wrong lets you really emphasize their choices and play up their prejudices.
Think of your standard fantasy world. Did you sympathize with the orcs in the Mines of Moria? Did you see Aragorn as a racist madman of a would-be king during the battle of Helm's Deep? No, because in The Lord of the Rings, we knew the orcs were bad and humans were good. This is how the characters of the Alliance largely see the Horde; as monsters. I know a lot of people don't care for R.A. Salvatore's Drizzt character, but the last four books offered an interesting look at the stances of our "hero" characters against an orc attempting to establish a kingdom. The parallels were certainly there when I read it and when Drizzt finally brought evidence to King Bruenor that the orc wanted to end the war and seek peace, he concluded by essentially telling the king "You have my council, but I will still follow you into whatever road you feel is best." Drizzt thought the orc wanted peace, that he should have that opportunity to bring a better life for his people. But he was still willing to kill him if that's what the king thought best.
I know we want to be the hero, the character that stands for what is right when no other will do so. But if EVERYONE does it, we weaken that stance as a hero and superficially raise our character above the point of believability if they have no character flaws, no poor judgments. Your character should not be all knowing and wiser than all heroes of the Alliance all the time.
But if you still insist that King Wrynn is mad and his war is wrong, then by all means, take that approach. But be prepared for the consequences. Azeroth is essentially a middle age setting. This means that the king's word is law. Players are roleplaying the open acceptance of Death Knights based on King Wrynn's word more than their actions, but suddenly balk at his decision of war with the Horde. You can not, in any argument, speak against King Varian Wrynn but still support Stormwind. That is a modern mindset. King Wrynn IS Stormwind. If you turn your back on his rule, then you turn your back on the kingdom itself and should roleplay it properly, as being unwelcome within the kingdom's borders. Speaking against a king, be it Wrynn in Stormwind, Bronzebeard in Ironforge, or Terenas when he ruled Lordaeron, would have been viewed as treason and in a middle age setting would likely have come with either execution or banishment.
Uther disobeyed the orders of Prince Arthas and he and his Knights were stripped of their position as a result Tirion Fordring disobeyed the Order of the Silver Hand by aiding an orc within Lordaeron and was banished for it.
Disobeying the king of Stormwind and aiding the enemies of the kingdom during a time of war is going to have repercussions. Roleplay accordingly.
And you have PLENTY of reasons to support the war.
Humans: If you are from the Eastern Kingdoms, your friends, family, and home was likely destroyed by the orcs. They slaughtered your children. Hundreds of thousands were killed, most weren't soldiers. Every human from Duskshire to northern Redridge Mountains were driven out of their homes or killed. If yf your character is an adult, they likely fought in one of the first two wars. If not, they likely lost someone they loved. The orcs were directly responsible for what amounts to an atomic bomb dropped on populated Stormwind a mere 29 years ago and most humans aren't going to know about the blood of Mannoroth and those that have heard about it are rather unlikely to believe it's true or simply won't care.
Dwarves & Gnomes: Khaz Modan was taken by the orcs as well. Dun Modr, Thelsamar, Loch Modan: all overrun by orcs. Ironforge and Gnomeregan were forced to seal themselves in. Your cousins, the Wildhammer Clan, lost Grim Batol and were killed or driven out. Dwarves don't forget this sort of thing after 30 years and you're even less likely to have not been exposed to it than human characters.
Night Elves: Most cultures believe their religion on faith. The night elves were visited on occasion by their demi-god, Cenarius. The orcs desecrated their homeland, cut down the trees they swore to protect, and killed Cenarius. For the night elves, there is no greater misdeed the orcs could have committed. And they still continue to deforest Ashenvale, pushing into Night Elf territory with complete disregard to the damage. And don't forget the elves and trolls have hated each other for thousands of years, so there's no love lost there.
Dranei: Nearly driven to extinction by the orcs, their entire civilization razed, and their most sacred temple desecrated and defiled during the orcs bloodlust. Thousands of corpses used to pave a road isn't going to be lightly forgotten nor forgiven no matter what Velen or even A'dal says.
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faroth
Newbie
Sentinel of the East
Posts: 32
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Post by faroth on Jan 7, 2009 21:39:36 GMT -5
A list of things the Alliance characters would recall about the Horde
Orcs killed hundreds of thousands of dranei
Orcs killed hundreds of thousands of humans Goldshire, Sunnyglade, Grand Hamlet, Moonbrook, Goldshire, Northshire were completely destroyed and almost everyone was killed Stormwind was destroyed; hundreds of thousands killed Khaz Modan, South Shore, Hillsbrad, Tarren Mill, Grim Batol, Dun Modr, Loch Modan all ravaged by the orcs; countless slaughtered
Led by Orgrim Doomhammer, most ruthless butcher to lead the Horde Orgrim did NOT drink the blood of Mannoroth and was not manipulated into his position of leadership
Thrall betrayed the human who raised him and taught him all he knows about human civilization (it is likely not common knowledge among the Alliance that Thrall was mistreated)
Thrall joined and still idolizes the bloody butcher Orgrim Doomhammer Orgrimmar, Hammerfall, and Orgrim's Hammer are all in honor of Doomhammer
Orcs invaded Ashenvale and killed Cenarius Orcs still deforest Ashenvale Thrall has made no attempt to make amends for the death of Cenarius. Hellscream WAS under his command Thrall has made no attempt to seek diplomatic resolution for his need for lumber The Warsong Clan is the aggressive force in Warsong Gulch
Horde raided Theramore and killed Admiral Proudmoore Admiral Proudmoore would STILL be seen as a hero to the people of the Alliance as he is partially the reason you still live. His navy was crucial to victory and if not for him, we would all be dead under the old Horde Jaina Proudmoore is seen by many in the Alliance as a traitor. During wartime, she took thousands of soldiers and deserted Lordaeron. Within her own faction, the people are split on their views towards the orcs
Trolls are brutal, cruel, and practice cannibalism, thus making them monsters to the "civilized" peoples of the Alliance (And the Alliance likely sees a troll as a troll, not jungle/forest/etc)
Forsaken are undead. This alone makes them monsters, unnatural abominations that should not exist. The same Forsaken in Dalaran could easily be noticeable as the Scourge that killed your family. The Forsaken are the ones pushing into Arathi Basin, the land of the people of the League of Arathor. They are the aggressive force in that battleground. The Forsaken have been kidnapping and experimenting on the humans of Dalaran and South Shore for years
Thrall has offered nothing of an apology for the actions of his people. No attempts to aid the Alliance in response to his people killing thousands of humans, dwarves, and gnomes He honors Doomhammer, which alone would be an insult to the Alliance, akin to naming cities in honor of Hitler or Saddam Hussein He honors Hellscream, showing no indication of remorse for what Hellscream did to the Night Elves Thrall claims to want peace so his people can be left to their kingdom. Arguing that Durotar to Mulgore is their kingdom, the Horde still presses into Ashenvale and holds territory in the Eastern Kingdoms and does nothing to stop the military aggression of his forces. Thrall has offered no aid to the Alliance. For example, after WW II, America sent foreign aid to help Japan, the country it had just devestated, recover. Granted, there were other reasons, but you get the point.
The Horde has aided the Alliance at Mount Hyjal, in Silithus, at the Dark Portal, on Quel'Danas, to stop the Plague (which also aided the Forsaken in their new plague), and in Northrend All examples of a mutual benefit, nothing to clear them of their past attrocities
Blood Elves betrayed the Alliance During both the First and Second War, the high elves sent pathetic support to aid the Alliance, then blamed the Alliance when they were attacked. Garithos betrayed Kael'thas troops. This is not the entire Alliance betraying the entire High Elven Kingdom
In Outland, rather than aiding the veterans of the Second War against Illidan's forces, the Horde split away to establish their own base.
After the Wrath Gate Varian Wrynn sends a diplomatic group to Orgrimmar. Thrall has apparently made no plans to send word to the Alliance. Did Sylvannas really not know what Putress was up to? Or did the coup by Varimathras provide her easy cover for her involvement? Did she care what Putress was doing? Is she truly free of guilt? She has proven she can't control her closest groups within the city and is, at the very least, negligent. Thrall says nothing in his defense to Varian in the Undercity What does Thrall do about the Forsaken traitors? He helps reclaim the city and puts control back in Sylvannas' hands without question. Were all the Forsaken loyal to Putress captured or are there still many, many more in the Undercity to further the culling of all living creatures on Azeroth?
The Alliance races would see the Horde as barbaric. Thrall has done nothing to actually promote peace other than try to withdraw into his kingdom. Any time the Horde has aided the Alliance, it has been mutually beneficial. They are brutal, barbaric races that allow gladiatorial combat, slavery, dark magics of warlocks (the Undercity. All other warlocks are, by lore, practicing in secret) and likely necromancy, as well as cannibalism.
None can present evidence of the Horde's self sacrifice to seek redemption for their people's past crimes.
(NOTE: These are the views the characters of the Alliance would likely have. Yes, it's biased, but so should we be. If I had a lvl 80 Horde character, I'd be thrilled to make out a similar thread from the Horde's point of view)
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Post by Nyphistra on Jan 8, 2009 8:17:40 GMT -5
((Outstanding info, Faroth. I have to agree with you that characters should be a little biased based on their faction and their RP involvements with the faction. History is always written by the winners and therefore almost always one sided. I would love to see something like this posted from the horde perspective. hopefully when I get to see these new events horde side it will shed light on the horde's point of view. Very good reading
I would like to point out though that with the defeat of Kil'jeaden at Sunwell, the creation wasn't the Arcane magic once used in the Sunwell, but it was a well of light magic infused with the remnants of M'uru. This was reffered to as the freeing and redemption of the blood elves for their actions against the Naruu. This can be seen in the ending cinematic after the final fight with Kil'jeaden. It shows Lady Liadrin and I believe the prophet Valen appearing at the Sunwell. I'll try to find the video to post the link later. I believe this video is the same no mater which side of the faction line you're characters are on. might be worth taking into consideration.))
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faroth
Newbie
Sentinel of the East
Posts: 32
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Post by faroth on Jan 8, 2009 10:07:59 GMT -5
((Oh yes! Please link the video if you find it. I'll edit the history accordingly and save the video for my Warcraft Timeline DVD I've got. ;D))
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Post by Nyphistra on Jan 8, 2009 11:38:17 GMT -5
((you got a timeline DVD? sweet. Since I'm at work, I'll hook you up with it when I get home. I remember the vid being the entire fight with Kil'jeaden and then including the cutscene after the he died. it's a long vid.))
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faroth
Newbie
Sentinel of the East
Posts: 32
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Post by faroth on Jan 8, 2009 13:22:41 GMT -5
((Mmhmm. You can make your own timeline DVD too. I will admit, I'm missing one segment, though. Basically hit up google for a program that will convert and download flv files from YouTube. Then hit YouTube and scour it for the cut scenes from Warcraft and Warcraft II (you'll have to leave out the Warcraft I video where the humans win). After that, you can download videos, broken into chapters, of the entire game of Reign of Chaos AND the Frozen Throne with the cut scenes that conclude them included on it. Finish up with the stuff from WoW's website for the WoW intro, BC intro, Wrath intro, as well as various raid trailers and you'll have your very own timeline DVD! I will warn you, though, it's a 2 disc set and I think it was tight, so probbaly up to 3 DVDs now. And the in-game footage from WC III used the 1 hit kill cheat code, so it doesn't take too long))
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Post by Suntreader on Jan 8, 2009 16:40:29 GMT -5
((This is awesome, Faroth. Pure, grade A epic. Well done.
It's nice to see someone do something like this; a historic account taken by someone on one side of the conflict. I would absolutely love to see a Horde version of this. It's cool to see someone bring down the hammer and lay down how characters in Warcraft would naturally react, or what they would most likely go through. I especially liked the part where you stated that open defiance of your ruler would get you killed. That's something I never put a lot of thought into. I've seen it before and thought, "I'd be nice if a guard would come and beat him up," but that's as far as I ever went on it.
Beautiful work, and I would love, love, LOVE to see a version of this written from a Horde perspective!
Spam /praise))
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Post by Nyphistra on Jan 8, 2009 18:36:42 GMT -5
((ok got the link for you. following that will take you to a page with a stream and a download. The stream from the site isn't the best quality though. The video is over 15 minutes in length. It's goes from teh trash pull before the summon to the fight with Kil'jeaden to the epilogue. The Epilogue starts at 11:15 into the movie. You can't read the text but the voice over is there. it's my beliefe from this video that the new sunwell created is a font of power using the light, love and hope that M'uru gathered in his life time and not the stored arcane power that Aveena held as the human embodiment of the sunwell.))
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