Appearing Characters: Garona, Gilveradin Windrunner, Go'el, Jaina Proudmoore-Menethil, Mag'beth, Maim Blackhand, Maraad, Nazgrim, Rekshak, Remnii, Samia Inkling, Sasha, Seria, Shokia, Thragg, Uther Menethil
October 29th
As the battle unfolded, Garona darted at Maim and drove her blades into Maim’s shoulder with snarl. The strikes connected and she retreated back to the group as he made a furious swing at her that narrowly missed. Maim started to sprint right for Garona, and his eyes flared with wrath. He slammed his axe down at her with a furious series of blows that she narrowly dodged around as sparks flew from her blades.
One of the spectral crusaders rode through the battlefield and his blade rippled with necrotic energy. A wave of mist flew over the group and started to sap their strength. A risen knight tore himself off the orcish spike he was impaled upon and started to hurry towards the group. He lunged at Seria and forced her back with a swing of his blade. A templar atop a ghostly steed charged at Seria and clipped her as he rode by. He then phased through the group and left a wake of ghastly chill as he passed. The steed then kicked Maraad as it turned.
The burning dead started to crawl from the buildings and one broke one of Gil’s mirror images as it hurled a mote of flame at him. Another ghost screamed and battered his shield with his blade, which sent another wave of mist over the group.
Remnii says: If we can let them close… I can try to turn them, but I need more of them closer.
She channeled her magic and cast a [Mass Flash of Light] over the group. More fire rained down on them and other undead continued to swarm on the group as they set up a defensive bulwark. Seria roared as she turned into the form of a massive bear with acid dripping from her claws. Spike growths burst around her and impaled several of the undead. She ruptured an undead, starving orc, which cast a pungent stench into the air.
Gil raised his bow and worked on taking down the undead that were further away from Remnii, taking down three of the burning dead and injuring another risen knight. Another knight ran at Garona and closed. His first strike was deflected off her daggers, but he then kicked her in the chest.
More spectral crusaders called out a battle cry as Maraad takes a step back and then charges into Maim with his hammer. While Maim was focused on fending off Maraad, who had just hit him with a blast of radiant energy, Garona slipped in and drove her dagger into Maim’s side. They made eye contact and exchanged a nod.
Several starving undead started to clamber up on Seria with gnashing teeth and grasping claws. Maraad continued to maintain a bulwark along the side of the group as undead continued to pile on top of each other.
Remnii took a step as the holy radiance was channeled around her hands as she planted T’uure in the ground. She emitted a soft golden light and raised the staff up, and the light radiated in a pulse from her. Several of the undead immediately crumble into the ash, while others are heavily scorched and disrupted.
Uther surveyed the battlefield and then slammed his hammer onto the ground. Golden cracks of light emanated from the impact, and there was a deafening sound of a gong as light erupted from the ground and scorched the undead again.
As Maraad cleaved his hammer around, Garona grabbed onto the haft of his hammer to give her momentum that brought her weapons straight into Maim’s throat. It was a decisive strike, but Maim’s eyes flared red and he shouted her name as he unleashed a flurry of attacks on her. She attempted to dodge, and Maraad intercepted the brunt of the first attack, but then Maim grabbed her chain and brought her straight to his blade. She pivoted at the last second, and the weapon clipped her side.
Maraad says: Garona! Down!
Maraad swung his hammer around like a baseball bat and Garona ducked beneath it. Maim exploded in holy energy as the crimson aura of malice escaped into the air. Maraad continued through another risen knight and his hammer impacted heavily into a downed starving orc.
Gil channeled his mage and conjured an isolated [Rain of Fire]. He molded the magic around his allies, and all they felt was a gentle warmth. He then knocked an arrow and destroyed the singularly remaining burning dead that had hovered outside the cluster of enemies. He shot a second arrow at the hateful templar, which exploded in another wash of fire over the surrounding enemies.
Radiant leaped over several downed undead, and Uther brought his hammer around and with a whirlwind of holy smites only a singular, heavily wounded Scarlet Crusader spirit remained. However, the magical remnants of the banishing smite knocked the Crusader into the ethereal plane and onto the Shadowlands.
Radiant then charged over to the starving orcs and kicked them with his hooves. The hateful templar swept through the group and Maraad grunted as he fell to one knee from the surge of cold.
Remnii channeled her magic and once again used her turn undead. She barked at the undead to get away from Maraad as they were scattered or destroyed, and she hurried over to remedy his wounds. Maraad thanked her as she helped him to his feet.
Gil was able to dispatch the last two undead as the hateful templar started to back off, turned by Remnii’s magic.
Scarlet Templar says: No… no this cannot be! How!? I cannot be dead!
Uther Menethil says: I’m afraid so, friend.
Scarlet Templar says: But… but I had so much to do… so many things…
Uther Menethil says: Those things are in the hands of the living. It’s time to rest now.
Scarlet Templar says: Rest… rest…
The templar faded away and Maraad asked if everyone was accounted for and if anyone was bitten. Everyone confirmed they were alright. The orcs they had fought alongside looked at the group, and a few raised their weapons, but the bald orc, Rekshak, the warlord, raised his hand and stopped them.
Rekshak says [orcish]: You. You were the ones that made that call, yes?
Remnii says [orcish]: Correct.
Rekshak says [orcish]: We heard you as the battle commenced.
Remnii greeted the warlord, and Rekshak returned the orcish greeting.
Rekshak says [orcish]: Unless my ears deceived me, you said you had information. But before that, I have questions.
He looked at Nazgrim.
Rekshak says [orcish]: What do you think you’re doing back here, traitor-general?
Nazgrim says [orcish]: I’m here to find you, Rekshak. These small teeth are planning a raid on the fortress that holds Grom. I thought you might be interested in joining.
Rekshak furrowed his brow, and Thragg, who had been on his warg, approached.
Thragg says [orcish]: You expect us to believe the words of a traitor? A few moons ago you raised your axe against your kin!
Nazgrim says [orcish]: And I’m not the only one that can say that!
He pointed at the sharpshooter orc woman.
Nazgrim says [orcish]: Shokia fought you as well.
Rekshak says [orcish]: Aye. We’ve had discussions. But right now… we don’t have the luxury of turning our blade against orc. Not even someone like you, Nazgrim.
Nazgrim says [orcish]: I did only what was best for the Horde.
Rekshak says [orcish]: Betraying your chieftain is best for the Horde?
Garona says [orcish]: Silence, both of you. This fighting won’t accomplish anything. A lot has changed. A lot you need to know about.
Rekshak says [orcish]: You’re Gul’dan’s half-bred pet. What are you doing here?
Garona says [orcish]: I am no pet. I am Garona.
Rekshak says [orcish]: You have all brought these two here, but you also fought alongside us.
Remnii says [orcish]: There is much more to discuss. But I would ask the same question, was anyone in your party bitten?
Rekshak barked out to his men for wound checks. No one appeared to have been wounded.
Rekshak says [orcish]: Those things were contagious. We encountered a few. The ones who had risen were the first ones to arrive here. But introductions. I am Rekshak, warlord of the Warsong. Everyone else was captured, killed, or separated. This is Thragg, one of our champions, and this is Tolven Warsong, one of our warchanters. It seems your friend is already familiar with Shokia. I do not trust you, small teeth, but you fought with us, and you come with others of our own.
He looked at Mag’beth and Sasha.
Rekshak says [orcish]: The Warsong welcomes you back to our chorus, sisters.
Mag'beth says [orcish]: We were liberated by these strangers from our prison.
Rekshak nodded and asked for introductions from the rest of the party, which they all provided. Rekshak seemed impressed Uther was speaking in orcish. His brow raised as Remnii offered her name, and he said that he remembered her, as she was the one that was brought back during the raids at Hellfire Citadel. He said she was a long way from her former chains.
Rekshak says [orcish]: Your warsong has been accepted. You are given leave to come and go unmolested. What we depart as will depend greatly on what you have to say, small teeth.
He called for his men to burn the corpses, and then he asked for clarification of what had happened. Remnii gave an overview of what was going on with the Horde, as she had been in in contact with two thirds of the new Arsenal. Blackhand was gone, and Gul’dan had fled.
Rekshak says [orcish]: So Blackhand no longer rules. What of you, Nazgrim? You and your rebels struck us on orders from Garrosh, and now he leads this Horde along with Saurfang and Go’el. What’s your plan to move forward?
Nazgrim says [orcish]: I… owe my life to these small teeth. Though I was commanded to bring Grom’s head back to Garrosh, plans have changed. Garrosh does not lead alone, he is but one of three leaders of the Horde, and considering they are his allies, I do not know if it would be right for me to make such a decision. We did not come here to ask for your help in taking Grom’s head. If the Arsenal is three, I know only that one of them wants Grom dead, and another does not. It seems until a consensus is reached, I will stay my blade.
Rekshak says [orcish]: If you wish not to cross blades with us true Warsong, I recommend you keep it that way.
Nazgrim says [orcish]: Hopefully it won’t come to that. But know that everything I did at Garrosh’s whim was to bring about the Horde that is now unfolding. It was our goal to get Garrosh into a position where he could become warchief. Seems the plan has changed, but I see no reason we need to be enemies any longer, Rekshak.
Rekshak says [orcish]: We’ll see about that. But you.
He looked to the others.
Rekshak says [orcish]: What do you hope to accomplish? Surely you know the reputation of Grommash Hellscream.
Maraad says [orcish]: I am well aware of the devastation that he has wrought. But right now, there are greater enemies that must be stopped. Grommash Hellscream is in my way. There are two ways this can go. I can remove him as an obstacle, or this time, perhaps, he will turn his blade on those who deserve it.
Rekshak says [orcish]: You were at Shattrath, weren’t you?
Maraad bared his teeth and clenched his fists.
Remnii says [orcish]: If Grom Hellscream is still with us by the end of this fight, I have been in contact…
Remnii went into the details of her conversations with both Garrosh and Go’el. She explained there was a shot that there would be a hostage exchange for prisoners of the Horde, so that the orcs could also then return north.
Rekshak says [orcish]: We are cut off from the rest of the Horde, and winter is coming. I know not how fierce the winters are on this world, but I know that were we to face it as we are now, we won’t come out on the other side. Not all of us. It was our hope to take the fortress that these red garbed humans had taken, and to buckle down for the winter. But you offer us a way to leave these lands without needing to steal the human warships. I’m listening, that’s for certain. But why should we trust you? This could easily be some sort of trap. Indeed, you…
He looked at Uther.
Rekshak says [orcish]: You said these lands are yours. Surely you wish us chased from them.
Uther Menethil says [orcish]: Well, I could certainly do without you slaughtering my people, but I have a feeling you don’t want to be here either.
Rekshak says [orcish]: You’d be right. While I’m sure it’ll do your heart no good, know this village was like this when we arrived. It was burned and demolished, the people slain in their own homes. This was not our doing. You would be able to tell if it was. We arrived here looking for a place to shelter ourselves. Not long after we plundered this place of what resources remained… we found little than old stale grain. Those that consumed it did not live long.
Uther Menethil says [orcish]: No, I don’t imagine they did.
Rekshak says [orcish]: Moments after, the crimson clad humans returned. They came in force and tried to cut us down. I believe this poisoned grain was a trap. Which leads me to believe this village was ransacked by them as well.
Samia Inkling says [orcish]: That would make sense. I do not believe that this village was one of the ones we were able to save. They could have been compromised, and the Crusade took it into their hands and destroyed it, then left a trap for any orcs in the area. Which there was, as it were.
Uther Menethil says [orcish]: Another crime I will see them answer for.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: No shortage of those right now.
Rekshak says [orcish]: So. If I’m to understand this, you seek our blades to bring down this stronghold that belongs to these small teeth. We chase them out, and we liberate our chieftain. Then you allow us to leave. Am I correct?
Uther Menethil says [orcish]: You have my word.
Remnii says [orcish]: I will be coordinating with Farseer Go’el, both tonight and after the Scarlet Monastery falls. To ensure it is all arranged.
Rekshak says [orcish]: And all of you are in agreement?
He looked especially at Maraad and the other humans and elves.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: Even if I disagreed, this isn’t my land.
Rekshak says [orcish]: And if it was your land, what would your solution be?
Gil shrugged.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: Letting you go will end with a lot less death, wouldn’t it?
Rekshak says [orcish]: Yeah. I’d say.
He considered.
Rekshak says [orcish]: You got yourselves a deal.
He then offered a hand to Uther and Remnii, and said that they would fight with them as long as they upheld their bargain. However, if it was a trap, then their descendants would hear the vengeance of the Warsong for years to come.
Remnii and Uther both took his hand.
Rekshak said they were welcome among their camp until morning, and he asked when the battle was happening. It was relayed that it would be two nights from then. He said they would announce themselves when they arrived so there would be no surprises.
Rekshak then looked to Nazgrim and expressed it was not within his right to pass judgment, as that was up to Grom.
Rekshak says [orcish]: But, I challenge you to a Mak'Rogahn!
Nazgrim sighed, but accepted the challenge. Suddenly the entire Warsong followed up and also challenged him. Remnii explained to Gil what a Mak’Rogahn was, and Rekshak expressed Nazgrim would face all of them until their fists had been satisfied with his skull.
Nazgrim looked at Shokia, and she told him she already went through her’s. Nazgrim smirked and buried his axe into the ground in preparation for the fight. The encounter lasted a good few hours, and Nazgrim did well, but there were a lot of orcs.
Gil spent some time partying with the Warsong and showed them a guitar as well as dwarvish drinking songs. The orcs were intrigued by the guitar but were not fond of the drinking songs.
As the sun set, Jaina messaged the group to inform them that the Scarlet Crusade had missed their window to deliver Arellas Fireleaf. They explained how things went with the Warsong clan, and Jaina said they would see them at the warfront.
Remnii sat down next to Uther, who was just watching the brawls with Nazgrim.
Remnii says: I don’t think I’ve seen it ever use a dice roll before.
Uther Menethil says: Is this… typical?
Remnii says: Often, yes. But they will get their issues out, and then the next day they will fight alongside each other like brothers. It is different… but I find myself admiring the clarity with which they announce their intentions. Warsong in particular. Some are far more cunning, but saying all orc clans are the same is like saying all human kingdoms are the same.
Uther Menethil says: The differences are so vast. They obscure how alike we really are.
Remnii says: Well said. I wanted to thank you.
Uther Menethil says: Thank me?
Remnii says: Without the right people, I do not believe this would go as well as it has. I do not expect everyone to agree with this end of things. They have caused much pain to mine and yours and the elves… but it must end somewhere. I hope this goes respected.
Uther Menethil says: They’ll come around.
Remnii says: I hope so.
Uther Menethil says: In some ways, I imagine being a leader is not that different from being a parent. My mother and father scolded me constantly for doing things that were not in my best interest, but I kept doing those things because I was a child. Life needed to happen. People are angry. They see some scale that must be balanced. It’s not in their best interest to seek these people’s slaughter. They feel like it is, but in much the same way my mother and father had to explain and convince me that was not a safe height to jump from, it’s my job to explain to my people the bloodshed won’t help. I’m getting quite good at explaining things.
Remnii says: That is a skill that will only serve you well.
Remnii smiled and set her shoulder against Uther.
Remnii says: So well done here too. Once more, well said. Sometimes we don’t get to learn in the kindest ways. I am glad to hear your perspective.
Uther Menethil says: I can’t take all the credit. I’d be a lesson or two behind in cultural studies were it not for your assistance. Like all of the most impactful endeavors, this is one that’s happening because we are working together. We all have our parts to play. I just happen to be the mouth.
Remnii says: That gives me hope.
Remnii offered Uther another tired smile as there was another series of cheers amongst the orcs.
Far later in the evening, once Nazgrim was done with the fighting, Remnii had made several rounds checking amongst the group and the orcs to ensure everything was going on. However, she eventually sought out Maraad.
They went for a walk to speak before they settled in, and Remnii checked in on him. Maraad expressed he was trying, and he admitted he didn’t like the idea of fighting alongside the orcs.
Maraad says: I wish we did not need to do so, if I am being honest. But the Scarlet Crusade needs to be stopped. And we would be fools to fight two enemies at once. I… I have dreamt of having the chance to kill Grom Hellscream for a long time, and the fact I am now planning to let him go and help him… I fear that I will feel the weight of every innocent life that he has ever taken. I do not trust them, Remnii. I never have, and I don’t believe I ever will, but I trust you. And I trust they will not be foolish enough to turn on us after we are finished. I trust them to have that much logic. They know that to do so would be to die, even with Grom at their side. They could never hope to kill us with the other forces at our side. That is giving me enough for now. I just hope it is not a mistake.
Remnii held a hand out to Maraad, and he felt her hand shake as he took it.
Remnii says: Perhaps less dire than some secrets I’ve shared with you… I think you should know… the orcs terrify me. I’m also uncomfortable with everything that has happened with this plague. I try not to dwell on Tehd Shoemaker or even what Velameestra, who is and was a friend, has become. There are so many things… if I am being honest, Maraad, I do not like. I have even been afraid to tell you, because I believe I need to lead by example. When he took my hand? It took all I could not to tear up right there. I tell you this to commiserate, for as much as I try to look ahead in hope the orc leaders will take council in what to do with Grom. In time, these orcs will be gone, but we and the elves will still be here. If we cannot set an example… if I cannot sit with my discomfort and do that, even when others cannot, then what happens when I need to face my own blood? When we face people who look like us, some of which never asked to be born. I don’t expect anyone to have these answers, but I see how hard you are trying. I won’t know what to do if this fails, but I have to try.
Maraad pulled Remnii in for a hug.
Maraad says: Thank you for sharing, Remnii. I have to admit… you are good at hiding it from me. I am sorry I did not see how hard you are working. Not truly.
Remnii says: It’s easier, I think, if most days it goes unacknowledged.
Maraad says: Things seemed so much simpler when we were simply studying what the Light meant… what is good and what is evil, but it is not that easy, and it never has been. But we are here together. I know that I cannot take everything from your shoulders, but if ever your knees tremble, or you need a hand to steady yours, that I know I can do. And when the time comes, when you must face everything, you will not do so alone. And I’m not talking about just myself, but I will be here. And not just for you. I’m here because I want to be.
Remnii had rested her forehead on Maraad’s chest as they spoke, and she pulled away with a deep breath. She smiled at him, but it didn’t meet her eyes. She just looked tired. But all the same, it was still warm.
Remnii says: I hope that, by sharing this, that you know I am thankful for you being here at all. I continue to see you. That is all. I need to, at the moment, make sure I look presentable in this case. That the orcs think I am brave when I do not feel brave.
Maraad says: That itself is a form of courage. But know that you need not hide, not around me. If that can help you, if I can be a place where you can be safe, where you can feel not brave, I will make sure you are hidden. It’ll be our little secret.
Remnii says: And here I was going to turn that back around on you.
Maraad says: As long as you agree to do the same for me, of course.
Remnii says: That I can do.
Remnii sniffled.
Remnii says: I need this more than I will let myself think I do. I hear you. And I love you.
Maraad smiled.
Maraad says: And I love you too, Remnii.
They pressed their foreheads together. At that moment they heard a hurried apology, and they turned and saw Garona. Remnii and Maraad assured them it was alright. Garona hurriedly said she didn’t mean to interrupt their mating ritual, and Remnii chuckled, but asked if something was wrong.
Garona says: No… just… during the fight. When we were fending off the… when we were facing Maim. Why did you… why did you help me? I’ve been… I don’t understand.
Maraad took a deep breath.
Maraad says: Because you were in danger. That monster seemed to have a vendetta against you. He was the former warchief’s son, was he not?
Garona nodded.
Garona says: Yeah.
Maraad says: What happened?
Garona says: After we attacked Silvermoon, there was a meeting. The orcs were discussing what to do with the elven resistance. Maim was there. I was too. The elves attacked, and in the chaos I killed him. I killed him, and I don’t regret doing it. I would do it again and again.
Maraad says: It’s alright, Garona. You do not need to explain yourself to me. I know the darkness that lies in men’s hearts. And I am sure you had more than plenty of reason to exact revenge upon him. But he is back… is this the first time you have seen him?
Garona says: No. I’ve killed him over a half dozen times now. Every time he comes back. He warps the flesh of the dead, take their form and hounds me. I don’t know how or why… I don’t know if the warlock sent him, or if his own malice twisted him… but I’ll kill him as many times as it takes.
Maraad says: I cannot say I will be there every time, but I will do what I can to ensure he never hurts you again.
Garona says: Why? Why do you care?
Maraad says: I don’t know. But you are as much a victim of the raids that took my sister from me. And if that monster… it is monsters like he that slew her. He deserves nothing but my vengeance as well. You do not need to accept my help, but know that if he rears his head again, he will receive my justice as many times as it takes.
Garona sighed.
Garona says: It’s not your problem.
Maraad says: No, he’s not. He’s yours. But that does not mean that I cannot help you. Accepting help is hard. Trust me. I know.
He squeezed Remnii’s hand.
Maraad says: But I promise you, there are many people that would rather see you become something else. You are not a weapon, Garona. Though you wield them deftly.
Garona shook her head.
Garona says: Okay. I hear your explanation. I understand I should say thank you. So you have my thanks. Just… stop. Stop worrying about me, okay?
Maraad nodded.
Maraad says: As you wish. Sleep well, Garona.
They all headed back to the camp. Remnii dreamt Go’el and let him know that they had rallied with the Warsong and they were en route to rescue Grom Hellscream. Go’el admitted he didn’t know how effective a hostage exchange was going to be in the immediacy, as they didn’t have an abundance of ships, but he knew there were Alliance forces they could try to reach as there had already been some hostages returned to the Kul Tiran fleets. However, he believed that the best course of action was not for the Warsong to head up through Quel’Thalas. Instead, he believed it wise for the Warsong to join Arthak and the others in the Broken Isles, as he also did not believe it wise for Grom to return to Silvermoon when it was just him and Garrosh there.
Go’el then admitted that, come spring, the Horde planned to leave Quel’Thalas and the rest of the Eastern Kingdoms.
Go'el says: Frankly, with the Horde as fractured as it is, we lost a great many loyalists to Gul’dan and his ilk. The war against the Alliance has grown to a standstill, but I do not believe the war would turn well if we continued to fight. We are stockpiling resources and building ships with the intention of leaving the lands behind us, and we are planning on relinquishing all prisoners in our care at that time. This is a delicate balance, and you understand if the wrong people learn of our plans, our boats would burn before we could flee. I only ask that you keep this information close to your heart.
Remnii says: I had a feeling you had something in the works.
Go'el says: I do not feel Artahk would be pleased with me telling anyone.
Remnii says: I will not tell anyone, but I am planning on going to the Broken Isles on my own. But some good graces now can do a great deal.
Go’el said that they would relinquish as many as they safely could at this juncture. Remnii thanked him for being candid, and Go’el expressed he would rather all the prisoners spend those months with their loved ones. It was just a matter of convincing the others, as there was fear that relinquishing all the hostages there would be nothing to prevent the elves from attacking other than the elements.
October 30th
The following morning, Remnii filled everyone in on the discussion that had occurred.
