Warning, this chapter is an informative introduction, so...lot of names xD
Hour Later
Prince Ainzah was finally in understanding of the situation. With the arrival of refugees, and most importantly, a first front fighters, they were given crucial informations about their enemies.
Something he always wanted to have before a battle, before any given fight.
Preparations.
Still there was something he must speak more of with Antonidas. This strange energy his new friend described. The corrupting and destructive power. As he called it, Fel Magic.
He also said about a great tragedy that happend with his master, Guardian Medivh, who was found possesed by demonic rage, making him crazy. Sadly, it seems that he choose this path willingly, making him enemy of mankind. He was struck down by party that was heading to the tower of Medivh.
Ainzah was thinking why was Guardian corrupted?
If he remembers correctly, he we was corrupted by some great lord of demons in time this world was just a game one.
But, with his arrival, and the changes of "There is no greater evil that will break your fun", he doubt that this path is followed. Change had happend.
He understand crear meaning. There must be a book, a journal, that will have Medivh memories, with changes included.
He was sceptical of the great trickster god, but he trusted him.
He was thinking of additional ideas. What about other members of Nazarik? Yuri Alpha, or Felicia Doan, as she wears the name, is present here, meaning there are members of Nazarik around this world, somewhere.
Second is Nazarik alone. If he would have acces to the Great Tomb, he would feel more save than in his form of a human alone. Not that it is weak, but as situation at Vandelmar showed, he is killable. And that makes his hari shiver.
Death.
Outside of his mind, he, Satoru, started to feel weaker mentally. As he spotted in the twisted reality, there is an original holder for this body, this mind. His influence is still there.
But still, for now, he has worst news to think about then his mental status.
There is a war.
As he left the meeting, he decided to ask for information about enemy movement.
They recived a news that the Orcish Horde overtook the Badlands, and was flooding a lands of Loch Modan. King Magni was wounded in his arm, making him unable to fight for some time.
Ironforge wrote a letter for help, as they started to defend the tunnels to Dun Morogh and Wetlands.
This information gived an appocimetly a month or two for orcs to arrive at the lands of Eastern Kingdoms past the grand bridge. Stromgarde will be first to fight them by direct contact past Khaz Modan.
Given that, they had time.
Ainzah headed for the throne room, to speak with the father and his new advisor, Sir Anduin.
He went past the great wooden doors, arriving at the place. Both of them were there, waiting.
"Father"
"My son"
Then nodded their heads to each other.
"I spoke with Khadgar. I was expecting a dire situation, but this is dangerous. Do you have a plan?" Asked prince.
"My son. There is a tale you know of. Tale of the grand Arathor Empire, that fought of the troll army, and won. Do you know, my son, how?"
Ainzah thinked for a second.
"100 mages focused their power on a massive spell, that dusted the troll army" he said.
Terenas shaken his head.
"Yes, but actually no, my son. This was because human race standed united, under one banner, decided to face the enemy of their existence. Do you understand?"
Prince nodded.
"But you are sure a grand alliance is possible? Please don't mean me wrong, but this was a time there wasn't many kingdoms, but one united. Now, many people, many nations, have their own intrests" he replied.
"I know my son. This is why we will work to unite them, to get them to see past their gains, and look for the future. I want you to help me with that."
"Of course father. What should i do?" He knell.
"Ainzah Menethil. You will try to negociate with other nations of the humans, when we will bring them here. If we are to face an enemy that is inhuman in nature, an alliance of humans is needed to stop them. I call for the idea, to unite nations of our and their, into a strong and stable alliance"
"Sound like a plan father. I hope it will work. We can easly count us Lordaeron, Stormwind and Dalaran. I would include Ironforge, as they are fighting against same enemy. Rest...i don't know. Stromguard would probably join, as they are directly in line of enemy. Kul Tiras might join, if given points and reasons. But rest in diffrent all together"
Terenas sighed.
"I know. Gilneas, Altarac, and Elves" he said.
They both understood that. To unite the kingdoms of north, they will need good reasons to convince them.
Easiest will be Kindgom of Altarac. Their kingdom lays on the important route, and would greatly improve line of defences and communication. Altarac Mountains are huge, and many valleys provide a save route into a central Lordaeron. If they were to be invaided unprepared, they would become more of a problem then ally.
Aiden Perenolde is a manipulator and greedy bastard, but he is ruler of Altarac. As a nation living in mountain area, they aren't a strong force to fight with or for. Most important resorces are metals from the area, as there are deposits of many ores there. They are already dependend on food from Lordaeron, so, giving them presure by treathening of cutting supply of wheat would force them into joining.
They might not like it, but this is the way.
On the other case, Gilneas and Elves are worst to deal with.
Quel'thalas is massive, in both strengh and numbers. High Elves are the most magicly advanced society on the continet. They were the ones to teach first humans magic. They are responsible for the spread of magic knowleage among the humans.
But thing is, elves are not easy to negociate with. They are proud race, with a high view on themselfs. Not many of them decide to ever leave their homeland. There as small pockets of lands they control and live outside of Quel'thalas, but it's rare. Hopefully words of the invading army might change their decision.
There is also one last deal they need to pay for. Arathor Bloodline.
The ancient bloodline they requested help from. The desciption says, that as long as there is a living member of this bloodline, elves are required to anwser the call. Logicly, they don't need to mobilise the army, but at least send out some forces to help.
In our situation, every help is welcomed.
This means the last, and the worst person to speak with. King Genn Graymane of Gilneas.
The most stubborn, pridefull and ignorant person on the list.
Gilneas, without being a great nation is size, is a center of power. It provides a lot of soldiers, as they are man of tradition. They are mostly a nation of culture in time of peace, but there are legends of battles with gilneans, and they are not plesent ones.
Worst is, we would need a decision of three people, that rule Gilneas. Three families with the hold of power and territory. First of course being a royal family, Graymans. The ruling family is a wealthy and powerfull, controling directly a city of Gilneas and big part of the mainland of gilnean peninsula. From noticible people of intrest, there are Genn, the stubborn king and his childrens. Liam and Tess Graymane. They are the political agents of their father, and as such, they are players of the line.
Liam is a young boy, around 14, but he is a smart beast. He plays the games of noblilty, as he is right hand of his father. He might be a great leader in future, but for now, he is a hand of the king.
And there is also Tess. Reports of her are many and divided. She is adopted daugter of Graymane, being born of pact between Genn and Arugal dynastic games, when he was focusing more on politics then magic. She is in an age of 15 by now, and not arranged in marriage.
Her details speaks of her political games, but also of a position of power of faith, as she was named pristess in gilnean cathedral. Strengly, there are hints of her being affilieted with druidic and shamanistic groups in their land. She might be worth ally.
Rest of the land of Gilneas proper is under control of Crowly family, with also holds a lot of military power. Darius, head of their family, is advisor and general of Genn. He is a honorable individual, but an aggresive one. Lot of preparation with the meeting is requre to make a move.
Lastly, there is Arugal. Now, he is member of council of Six, but is also holder of few lands outside Gilneas, mainly in Silverpine Forest. Speaking with him, he can be talk with over the problem, as he understands it. He will be an ally.
Preparing informations and discussing took them few hours, but they decided to send out letters the next day.
Ainzah and Terenas were tired of prepering their plans.
First of all, they will send out messeges to the available and easy to convince leaders. At the send time, a invitation for a meeting was send to every nation around.
Next few days were spend on preparations of the meeting. As this was an emergency, Dalaran provided the fast information gathering system, giving them reply in only 3 days.
All guests will arrive at the 25th of Midsummer, 598 of King's Calendar.
For this day, Capital was reinforced. As many imprortand members will arrive, many of them of highiest honors, they have to be provided with everything.
Representatives of entire continent came to speak of the matter.
Many carriages were seen on the streets. Most of them with royal emblems and banners.
Representatives of the nations:
Lordaeron - Terenas II Menethil and Ainzah Menethil
Lordaeron Additional - Lord Alexei Barov, Baron Sirius Rivendare, High General Stephan Abbendis, Brigitte Abbendis
Stormwind - Sir Anduin Lothar and King Varian Wrynn
Stromgrade - Thoras Trollbane
Altarac - Aiden Perenolde
Kul'Tiras - Dealin Proudmoore, Derek Proudmoore and Jaina Proudmoore
Gilneas - Genn Graymane, Liam Graymane and Tess Graymane.
Dalaran - Councilor Archmage Antonidas, Councilor Archmage Kel'thuzad, Khadgar
Also Representative
Ironforge - Muradin Bronzbeard
Quel'thalas - Ranger Captain Alleria Windrunner, Ranger Lord Lor'themar Theron
With all of them coming, meeting could start.
As they all standed in one hall, there was time to speak.
Terenas went up to them, starting with first words.
"Welcome, Rulers and Representatives of many nations and factions. It warms me that all of you decided to anwser on our call, as we gather to decided our plans on the dire situation." He paused.
"I expect you know of a treath looming over us, as you might have heard, and as i wrote in the letter, but we gathered here today to discuss the plan, as our world was invaded by the vile creatures called Orcs, under the banner of nation called The Horde." he continued.
"I understand you might have questions, and those will be anwsered while we will plan. For the leaders of the nations, i would want us to come to the war room, where we will discuss our plans. I know few of you came here with childrens, but if you intend them to listen, you must decided now. After that, door will be closed, and we won't let anyone new in.
For now, I call for Sir Anduin Lothar, King Varian Wrynn, Mage Khadgar, for you are requied to attend with us" He looked at the rest.
"From Lordaeron side, i call all representatives of houses to attend the debate"
He looked at the rest.
"All additional guests, that means: Councilor Archamage Kel'thuzad, Brigitte Abbendis, Derek and Jaina Proudmoore, Liam and Tess Graymane and Ranger Lord Lor'themar Theron are in need to decide if they want to attend, or be seen as guests. Please decide and state your position" he ended by that, giving them time to decide.
But most of them had their mind make up.
After a quick list, Terenas added.
"Brigitte Abbendis and Jaina Proudmoore, you have been given position as a guest, please follow our head maid, Felicia Doan, to the guest room. There, you can enjoy yourself." Then he turned to the maid.
"Lady Felicia, please call my kids, Arthas and Calia, to take care of our guests" he ended.
"Understood, my king." she knell "Please, Lady Brigitte, Lady Jaina, follow me"
"Yes, miss Felicia" they both anwsered her at the same time.
Rest of the guest moved into a war room, where preparations had started.
All of them entered into a big and long wooden room. Inside, there was a long, build table and many chairs, fitted for royalty. On top of a walls, there were banners of each Nation or Family.
Thirteen banners on the walls, six on the right side, six on the left side, and one at the back wall of the room.
On the right, Banners of Lordaeron, with Menethils, Rivendares, Baroves, Abbendis, Stormwind and Dalaran.
On the left side, Stromgarde, Altarac, Kul'tiras, Gilneas, Ironforge and Quel'thalas.
On the back, one flag, one banner. United Alliance.
Terenas let them take their place. Room was build so one person can hear diffrent one from the other side of the room.
"All of you, welcome once again in Lordaeron Palace. I, Terenas II Menethil, welcome all of you in our Kingdom. Today, me and my son, Ainzah Menethil, would like to speak with you about, as we think, important matter. But first, let us know each other. Please, introduce yourself, your nations and your companions"
He and Ainzah sat down, letting others introduce themself.
First, was the fallen nation, Kindom of Stormwind.
Even with Varian as a king, Lothar was the one to stand up.
"Welcome, leaders of the human kingdoms and representatives of both elven and dwarven nation. I am Sir Anduin Lothar, Commander of the Azerothian Army and Regent Lord of Fallen Crown of Stormwind. By my right sits King Varian Wrynn, son of now dead King Llane Wrynn"
Many of the faces were shocked seeing them. News about fall of Stormwind was knew by now, but to see the survivors, it's diffrent experience.
"We will describe the story after introduction" he added.
Next ones were nobles of the Lordaeron.
Baron Sirius Rivendare was first. He was a strong man, with build and shape. His sharp face shows focus and experience in combat, embraced by his long, black hair.
He was wearing his noble suit,as he likes to challenge and show up,showing with the banner of Stratholme.
"Greeting, all of you. I am Baron Sirius Rivendare, Lord of Stratholme and head of Rivendare family. I am glad to be able to meet you all, and i hope we will find the anwser to our probem " he said.
Then he passed his place to his fellow rival, Alexei Barov. Alexei is a diplomat in nature, as he is biggest land owner beside crown in Lordaeron. Lord of Caer Darrow, Brill, Tarren Mill, Southshore and Agamand Mills. Partly Andorhal.
He wears a brown beard with, embracing his costly jacked filled with gold ornaments. He is the most powerfull noble in the country, and he shows it, as he is arrogant and shady.
"Welcome, guest of our all loving king Menethil. I am Alexei Barov, grand noble of Lordaeron. I am pleased to meet you, great rulers and choosen representatives. I would like to speak on good terms, as we might find more that we intended after this meeting"
Last of the nobles were High General Stephan Abbendis.
Older man, but wise and strict. General of the Lordaeron Army, and Lord of Tyr's Hand.
"Greeting also, our guests. I am Stephan Abbendis, general and overseer of our nation Military. I am pleased to meet you"
By that, Lordaeron and Stormwind were dealt with.
Rest of the leaders had their time now.
First was a giant of the man. Wearing a battle suit only now, he was bigger then everyone in the room.
"I am welcome king Menethil. I Thoras Trollbane, came to your request. I also welcome leaders of other kingdoms. It's good to see us in this meeting together" he said.
"Ah, Thoras, it's been a while" Said a slim, man with a graying brown hair.
"Aiden Perenolde, Kingdom of Altarac. I am glad to meet you"
As it passed fast, more and more people introduced themselfs...
It took a few more minutes, but in the end, all of them heard of their names.
"With that done, i think we should begin" said Terenas.
This time, Sir Lothar was given time to lead.
"First, we should all know what are we dealing with, starting with enemy. Land of Azeroth was invaded by the enemy race calling themselfs Orcs. They came from the portal created in lower parts of the continent, in Black Moras, by then corrupted Guardian of Tirisfall, Medivh"
Eyes of most of the people widen, their faces showing the suprice or shock, mixed with anger.
Only Mages were avare of this, keeping calm and straight exprecions on their faces.
Genn however, wasn't so calm about it, pointing fingers towards Antonidas.
"Wasn't Council of Six aware of madness from the one who holds power of Guarian?!" He attacked verbally older magus.
Archmage wasn't moved by his explosion.
"We didin't had any knowleage or informations that would suggest earlier that there is something wrong with Medivh. From our sources of information, we gathered he wasn't showing any signs of being insane, mad or corrupted."
Genn wanted to add something, but stopped himself with a look of Lothar.
"With our actions, Medivh was killed, ending a problem of mad Guardian. However, his actions were far worst than himself. He opened was we called "Dark Portal". It's a gateway to another world, homeword of the Orcs. We had contact with the orcish spy on our side, and she named the world Draen...en"
"Draenor, Sir Lothar" Corrected him Khadgar.
"Thank you, young mage. Draenor. She described the world as dying one, with a scarse sources of food, with added with decisions of their higher ups, resoulted with invasion of our world"
Faces of many were sceptical, full of thoughts.
King Aiden asked him.
"How were you able to obtain the spy that was this "Orc"?"
"She described herself as part of the other race, sorry, i don't remember name now. She was forced to this by one of the leaders of their, meaning her loyalty could be used. That was we gathered informations"
Aiden kept straight face, but was smiling in his creepy style.
"From there, grand army of the orcs, called The Horde, entered into Black Moras. War had started. We faced with them on many occasions, and we haven't had easies time with them. They are stronger then humans, and more aggrestive"
Then, as time passed, we started to slowly lose our ground. Land by land, city by city, we lost control of our kingdom. With the siege of Stormwind, and with burning city, we lost, fleeing our homeland. Wrynn family, beside Varian, did not survived" he ended.
A moment of silence filled the room. A small sob of the young king without nations to rule was only sound present.
With few moments passed, questions were present.
First one was from king of Stromgarde, towards Lothar but also Muradin.
"Stormwind have fallen, but what about Ironforge?" He asked.
Lothar let dwarf talk.
"From what i heard from my ol'brother Magni, Ironforge have been pushed out of the great lake, back to our mountany home, Dun Morogh. We been holding those passed for our lifes, king Trollbane. And for the swamplands, those are now probably flooded with greenskins. You hope brige will be save for longer, but i can't anwser ya here." said Muradin.
"That means those Orcs could be visiting my land very soon. I am next on the line" Thoras said, both nervous and exited for battle.
"That's the point. It's not just treath far, far away from us. In one and a half year, Horde defeated both Stormwind and Ironforge. Now, they will move foward, into our lands"
Next question came from Kel'thuzad.
"Khadgar, you seen orcs use what you have described as "corrupting and damaging" magic. Could you give more examples of this magic?"
Young, old looking mage agreed.
"From what we gathered, from our spys and observations, they use some corruptive type of magic. I said is, becouse in place they used their spells in bigger numbers, typically grass land changed into dry, hard dirt. From the spells we know of, they could use types of fire magic,
but we found they used spells of shadows. But this isn't as impotrant as two others. Curses and Summonings"
Ainzah, Antonidas and Kel'thuzad were lisining closely now.
"Continue" added Kel.
"First, there was soldiers who were suddenly lighted on fire from thin air. Others decribed suddenly feeling powerless and without strengh. Being hit with the bolts of shadow energy from those enemy casters caused people to feel pain in place of being hit, even some time after fight. Their skin become dead in those places"
He described few more lessers ones.
Some people felt those detailed descriptions...distastefull.
"Adding on that, there were also users that focused their magic on their own units. They send those red rays of energies, that filled the users, making them even more aggrestive and bloodthirsty. We called this spell as Bloodlust"
"This might be reason for them being so ready to battle. Using spell to make your soldiers more destructive by their aggresion." Commented Antonidas.
"Then i should start on the second part. We spotted strange creatures around the casters, most ofter wearing black or purple robes."
"Describe" Ainzad said this time.
"First ones were four legged, with great spikes on their forehead, and great maws filled with many teeths. Their bodies are not covered by fur, but a red skin, with again, spiky hair. We found out that they are keen on attacking mages and priests more then usuall footmans. After being hit by them, many described their power draining. They seems to be able to either drain mana or burn mana out of user.
Then, there are little ones, in most casen not bigger than a gnome, with shoot Fireballs at their enemy.
We also found two more types, but those were rare. First was looking like beautifull woman, with not so many clothes. They skin very from pink or purple to blue. But they have horns on thier heads, and small wings on the back. They were usually carring a wip with themselfs. We don't know much of them.
Lastly, those were the stranges. Those creatures were looking familiar, like a water elemental, but were of the strange, purple energy. I only seen one or two of them. They don't seem powerfull, but attacked with a spells, they sometimes just absorbed it. Priests were more lucky with them, as creature seems to not like Light. That would be it"
Antonidas looked at both Ainzah and Kel'thuzad. They seems to understood this.
"Archmage Kel, doesn't it sound like one description" Antonidas asked, sarcasticly irritated.
"Oh, you right. So, we are fighting Warlocks" replied Kel'thuzad.
Many faces around the table were confused, as they didn't understood what it meant.
Ainzah seen it, and procced to describe.
"Warlocs are users of Fel Magic, corruptive and destructive force, coming from the realm of demons. It was present on our world in the past, but generations of mages were able to deal with them. Those creatures Khadgar described were demons, from what i get, weaker ones, able to be controled by casters. It seems our enemy have casters able to use this type of magic. It was also this that probably corrupted Guardian Medivh, as he fought with it, slowly loosing"
Antonidas looked intriged by the last line, but decided not to add anything himself.
Lothar went foward again.
"Now, i shall describe the units and tactics we have spotted them using.
With that he started to describe it to everyone else around...
To be continued
End of part 1 of 3
Some characters were given names additionaly, as they don't have it in game/books or i was unable to find any given to them.