Day 150

You want to know what sounds like a bad idea Journal? Volunteering to help construct a crane after discovering we can transport lumber easily. We didn't have to cut many trees down this time so we finished collecting and bringing the materials back to town to process in one day. Shatterbang had his notes from the crane back in Ashenvale so we spent yesterday and today fashioning the parts for a smooth assembly later.

I've been informed that the new arrivals are expected tomorrow so my squad gets guard duty while another heads out to meet them on the road. That gives me plenty of time to think up a good way to approach the High Executor with my plans. I haven't exactly been able to make enough friends to pull this off with just them and I'll need some more support which means I need to submit to the chain of command.

Hopefully enough people reply to my letters but I'm also ready to write to Sergra Darkthorn back in the Crossroads for more recruits if I get the go ahead. I wonder if Shimra and Trak'gen would put up a recruitment poster? Maybe if I pay them. Hell I'll probably get way more volunteers if I put some of my new gold towards recruitment. Money upfront gains a lot of interest, I suspect the quality of fighters would increase dramatically for simply ten gold and promises of loot.

While I'm thinking about adventurers I should probably mention how Krusk's mission went. According to the poor scrubs he'd dragged along with him Krusk had basically purged the Syndicate in the foothills and would have chased them further into the mountains if they hadn't needed rest. He burned off quite a bit of rage over the capture of his friends as well as the fact Drull and Tog'thar haven't recovered from their stay in Durnholde yet.

I tracked Krusk down in town earlier to give him fifty gold so that his friends could be taken back to Orgrimmar to heal properly. He gave me a gruff thanks but he said he'd already made arrangement for transportation. When he tried to give me the money back I told him to save it and try to hire adventurers. Adventurers have the craziest luck and not everyone is as attentive to destroying bodies as I am, so they may actually make it back alive if they fail.

Krusk wanted to rescue his leader but Outland has drawn the skilled adventurers away and there isn't enough military force in the area to assault Strahnbrad. The ogres between us simply complicated things. If they were simply bandits the ogres would have destroyed that town long ago but the Syndicate have a lot of blades and plenty of mages, even if they are mostly pathetic. I almost wish the town was as deserted as the game but all the old reports I read say otherwise.

Their warlock allies are an even bigger threat. Fuck the Shadow Council and everyone who serves it. Unfortunately with the Syndicate domination of a large portion of mountains and farmland pinning the warlocks down is practically impossible. I have no clue how many of them are actually involved with the Syndicate but they can die as well.

It is almost enough to wish they were all bunched in one spot to deal with but, and I'm just guessing here, that would probably need an actual army to deal with. Strahnbrad is pretty isolated so it makes a bit of sense to have a large population there but they operate as far North as the border to Lordaeron and all the way South to the Thandol Span. The half destroyed stone bridges crossing between the Wetlands and Arathi Highlands, if you needed a reminder.

If I needed a bigger indication that they likely have thousands of informants and thugs the reminder that the can blend into Alliance territory to escape us did it. Thanks for that Taliaa. I've been reminded that unless we actually cripple their operations they will just rebuild. See, I listen to my friends!

Speaking of friends and on a much happier note, I have drafted several 'official' guild letters to go out today. Our guild isn't centralized at the moment but apparently most guilds don't bother with things like bases and membership rolls unless they happen to have a militarized mindset. And of course most of those are Alliance based and probably filled with arrogant assholes and toadies. Well, I suppose that isn't fair but I have an odd image of the Lion's Pride Inn of Goldshire filled with guilds in Log Horizon style.

Before I get distracted with pleasant thoughts of the source of all money I should finish my explanation. The letters going out are basic information that my squad and I are going to don our guild tabards and cause chaos in Alterac. Invitations to join in were included as well as permission to recruit new guild members. I'm actually a bit worried about that point even though I know it is necessary.

I'm not exactly a socially graceful person as you might have noticed Journal. People confuse the hell out of me sometimes but that is what I have Taliaa and Mugga as guild officers for. If it wasn't for the fact that orcs generally aren't socially graceful I'd have issues advancing any further in the military. People skills and obedience are required for advancement but dedication to the Horde and trying to make the world better helps a lot.

I also think that despite my self-criticism I may actually be one of the more sociable orcs. Nothing like Thrall or Eitrigg of course but I do try to get along with people. Hell I even gave Shatterbang a purple and green sash to denote his affiliation with us, seeing as he can't actually join our guild without being a citizen of the Horde. I would have felt bad about recruiting the entire squad without him otherwise.

I'm aware enough to admit that part of the issue was a 'lack' of things to talk about which is easily solved by ALL the things I can talk about here. Gundams and DNA and other advanced ideas are out but just about every warrior is interested in talking about tactics or skills that might help them. Though the thought of the Forsaken utilizing the Art of War would be insane. Plus they all love to gamble as soon as an officer isn't present to get on them. I should stop that but honestly as long as they are off duty, not gambling big, and it remains friendly I leave them alone. I write, they gamble, we all relax at the end of the day.

High Executor Darthalia, as the equivalent of an Overseer, usually spends her time holed up with the banshee Melisara glaring at a map of Hillsbrad and coordinating the Horde and Forsaken forces in the area. You'd think she'd be a stickler for regulations but after seeing some of the crazy things stressed Forsaken tend to do a bit of gambling is honestly harmless and easily ignored. As an example I should mention that I saw a Forsaken human male running around in his boxers yesterday looking for flowers. Yeah. The boxers thing is a bit odd but at least he was wearing something.

Trying to get things organized is a pain but I'm giving it my best shot. The mad scramble part is over for now at least and I'm simply waiting for word back while I try to think of things I need to deal with ahead of time. As well as trying to figure out whatever it is that Shatterbang is now tinkering with. From what I remember he's calling it something silly like 'Goblin Voice-Projector Mk-3' and now I'm wondering what happened to the previous two versions.

Oh Titans, the goblin is making a megaphone. Excuse me for a moment as I take a deep breath and thank whatever deity is listening that it isn't a gnome making it. Ok the moment is over and now I need to find some cotton to prepare for ear stuffing once he begins testing. Maybe once he's done I'll buy it, distract him by commissioning one, or have Argan 'accidentally' sit on it. As much as Shatterbang amuses me I am not a fan of unnecessarily loud noises.

Sometimes I wonder if it would have been easier for me to use my knowledge to gain money and power and then open up Azeroth's first proper Maid Cafe. I bet blood elf and draenei ladies would bring in massive crowds. That idea kind of amuses me so maybe I'll keep it in my pocket for when Dalaran becomes active again as a retirement idea or something. At least I didn't get picked up off the shore and put in the gladiator circuit.

Now I'm trying to remember if Varian is back in action yet. I can't actually recall all the details about that, besides the obvious Defias and Black Dragonflight stuff, so I don't know the timeline on it. It isn't really important seeing as he is supposed to be back in time for Wrath but what if I accidentally changed something from the chaos in the Barrens? No, bad Borgin! No giving yourself a headache with 'what if' scenarios.

In the interest of avoiding said headache I'm going to announce happy news that I received today before I head to bed. Saurfang sent me the foreword! I don't care if he wrote it or dictated it, it is basically everything that I hoped for and now I can finally begin the final touches on my books! I know you're just dying to know what it says so I'll write it down here for you Journal.

'Many view the cries of the Warsong as a sign of struggle but to their people the call shows strength. It has been heard from the fertile plains of Nagrand, through the unfortunate cities of the Draenei, and in the lush forests of Ashenvale. It shows that they never give up even when the odds are against them. This book represents a small portion of their history, and a fragment of the Orcs as a people, but it goes far to remind them what they have fought for. Lok'tar Ogar!'

I'm a filthy amateur author so I'm not sure if that is everything that was expected but SAURFANG wrote it and that makes it amazing. The King of Cleaves contributed to my books! My fanboy tendencies are out in full force and I am not ashamed one bit. Once I'm done putting it in the books and have made a copy of it I am totally going to frame it for my future library visitors to gawk at. Well that's it for me Journal, time to let my muscles rest while I can.

-Borgin

(Canon Omake!) Unnamed Peak, Mulgore

'Our Guild Master has found himself with plenty of money and a desire to put it to use it seems. You've probably already got his message about potentially joining in a campaign Greentitan but Borgin has also ordered us to open guild recruitment. The Horde Collective is officially expanding. I have an old contact or two that might be interested though we need more of your folk, Argan has been a wonderful soldier on the battlefield.

Jonjon and Jina are still sneaking around like we don't know their together. I think the only one confused about their actions would be Nyx, she's just not yet old enough to recognize it. Shatterbang is happily ignoring everyone while he tinkers with non-explosive parts while outright denying Borgin when he lifts his head from his papers to throw out a crazy idea. He asked if Shatterbang knew how to make a combat shredder today and I feel horrible to admit to being glad they were both disappointed.

Argan asks for news from home if you have any. I also wish to know more about your forestry efforts as my own people have a long history of tending our woods. It might be worth your time to take a trip to Quel'Thalas for research. I know my people have long abandoned Druidism but the Cenarion Circle might take an interest in the Ghostlands.

Good luck and safe travels friend,

Taliaa Evershield, Officer of The Horde Collective'

"Not every idea is a good one I suppose," I muse as I stare out over the plains of Mulgore. "Should I join them for battle?"

It has been over a decade since I traveled Winterspring. The experience of a cold environment might bring much needed inspiration for my work. The forest between Bloodhoof Village and Thunder Bluff is now expanding under the efforts of apprentice druids. They may not have the power or skill yet to match my own efforts but things are well in hand.

Cousin Bullhorn is likely to volunteer so I suppose I should keep him safe. Once we're done in Alterac I can take that trip to visit Eversong or a longer detour through the Dark Portal to the druids in Zangarmarsh. It is a shame that many of my old friends are busy on the front lines in Shadowmoon. Redtitan told me they were making significant progress the last time he visited and he seemed proud of his new drake mount.

I slipped the letter into my bag before shifting into the form of a storm crow and taking flight. Let Redtitan dream of the skies, I know what flight is like under my own power. A trip to the city to begin recruitment could help me think. Borgin has at least caught my interest and it would be enlightening to speak with Shatterbang about our interests in engineering.

AN: Hope you all enjoyed the look at Greentitan and Taliaa communicating. Interesting fact: as of writing chapter 69 we have 69 reviews! Obligatory and childish 'huehuehue' for the Barrens Chat in my head. Also it has been so long that I have no idea how Greentitan ended up being my engineer but I made my Mechano-Hog before they were easily acquired and I'm proud! Also seeing a tauren druid flying in a helicopter is hilarious. 'Misterfishy'- You devious man! I'm pretty sure I wrote Borgin discussing the floor plan however, hah! Even if Shatterbang isn't a licensed architect... Fun idea you had there. 'Barbaric Bob'- Borgin provides necessary equipment and breaks to keep his workers happy. I hope. 'frankieu'- So many quests and so much timeline balancing, I've discarded plenty of things because they were settled earlier. Or are way too dangerous for Borgin to handle without an overdone deus ex machina.