Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos
Chapter 1: Invasion Force
Author's Note: No, I do not own any part of Warcraft, whether it is Warcraft 1,2, or 3. This is my version of Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos (note: this is written before the game has come out, I am getting all information from blizzard's beta version guide, so if this information becomes inaccurate when the real game comes out, forgive me!)
The humidity was terrible. The Goblins didn't mind the heat created by the humidity at all, but their noses truly disagreed with its effects on the undead army. The smell of rotting corpses ran rampant throughout all the zeppelins, even though the undead troops did not show any sign of decay. The Zeppelins had traveled 2 months from Northrend, and to their relief had spotted the southern swampy Azerotheian coast. Lucky for them, the undead army didn't require food. This allowed the zeppelins to travel much lighter, and therefore faster. Even through the puffy white cloud they were hovering in, they could see the sun would set soon. The Zeppelins required the night to rush the scourge army into the Black Morass without any detection by the humans.
A large and dark figure opened the trapdoor leading from the lower decks of the air ship. The rancid odor spreading fiercely with the trapdoor open, the goblins motioned for the figure to hurry out and close the door, but it paid no attention to their hand gestures. The creature coming out was around 8 feet tall. Its skin was white as snow, and eyes dark like two black holes. Behind its head, large purple wings are unfolding with every step the creature takes onto the upper deck. The creature's body is covered in a black armor, only ending at its hands, and the soles of its feet. From the hands, five fingers, each ending in a 6 inch black claw, seem constantly posed to fend off any aggressor. The feet of the creature are similar to those of a horse, except each one ends at a sharp hooked point as if from a bird's talon.
The largest of the three goblins manning the zeppelin steps forward with caution toward to creature, he opens his mouth as if to speak, but then backs down. The creature opens its mouth and a bellowing demonic voice spews from its tongue, "How long until our strike force lands in the Black Morass?"
"Not much longer, great Lord Bershzul! We wait for the cover of night to hide your glorious army from the naive humans, then we shall swoop down like silent owls and drop you off safely in the swamps of sorrow!" the largest goblin spoke with much fear in his voice.
"I want no tricks from your kind, Carzyll! If you happen to drop us off into a trap, you and the rest of your goblin friends will become part of my undead strike force, and the only thing you will be leading is a mining operation in Northrend!" Lord Bershzul bellowed. The other two goblins huddled in the rear of the Zeppelin, as far from Lord Bershzul as they could.
"No tricks! No tricks! There shall be no fooling around with you, o great Dread Lord of the Scourge! No Lord Bershzul, no human-dealers are we; you shall be landed in a safe and secluded location I promise! I promise!" Carzyll said very frightened, but with a big toothy grin on his face in an attempt to cover it. Lord Bershzul nodded, and took a seat at the front of the Zeppelin.
Nightfall came quickly, yet it seemed to not come soon enough for the goblins and their enhanced sense of smell. As soon as the last ray of light disappeared over the horizon, the zeppelins hurried from the cloud, and dove down to hug the sea. They continued flying low, almost touching the peaks of the ocean's waves, until the Azerothian Coast was right in front of them. They pulled up slightly, as not to hit any of the small swamp trees. Carzyll took out a telescope, and looked around for a suitable landing stop. They flew for hours attempting to find a clearing of sorts in this seemingly endless swamp, and finally their wishes came true. There was an area of scorched land, where the vegetation had been burned back long ago and didn't dare to return. Also, they could see where the humans had constructed a gold mine shaft before the war started, perhaps the Scourge to use this in their invasion plans if it still contained the precious metal.
Carzyll took two flags and waved them in patterns to alert the other zeppelins they found a landing space and it's location. The fleet lands on the scorched land easily, and the goblins couldn't be happier to get this rancid, putrid army out of their airships.
Lord Bershzul stands up from his position at the front, and walks toward the makeshift plank that would be used to depart from the vessel. The Dread Lord hops over the side of the zeppelin, spreads its wings and floats to the ground. From the lower decks, the invasion force surfaces from the Zeppelins and exit via the plank. What appear to be human males come walking down the planks in ceremonial robes. The robes are black with purple silk laced on the inside. The robes cover their whole bodies, only showing their hands and faces. Ancient runes are written in white all over the robes, and a purple scarf of sorts covers the mouths of each of them. Their eyes are white and pupil less, and their skin is of a very light tan color, not quite the human skin tone, but not white either.
They were the first to come down, followed by the creatures the goblins had smelled along the entire journey. These creatures stand at around 5 feet tall. They are hunched over, and appear to walk that way all the time. They have purple metal armor covering their wrists and their backs. Protruding from their metal armor on their backs are large white spikes and their spinal columns. These creatures lack any kind of muscular or skin tissue, except for what allows their eyes and jaws to move. Their eyes are the same as the robed ones, white and pupil less. Their hands however have four claws, each around four inches long. Also, the hands lack finger bones except for knuckle joints that allow the claws to bend. Their feet are hoofed, and end at a sharp point at the toe. Some of them appear to have greased black hair coming from their heads, while others are completely bald. The last of these creatures to come out of the zeppelins carry stone statues of grotesque figures. These statue creatures have bat-like faces, except for what appears to be like a black Mohawk between their long and narrow ears. Their mouths are open revealing small but sharp teeth. They have large wings covering most of their bodies, except for the feet. The feet each have a metal band protecting their ankles, and each foot has two toes, each measuring eight inches in length.
"Ghouls! Be careful with those gargoyles! If one of them is harmed, I will have all your heads feed to the abominations back home! After you finish unloading them, start harvesting wood! Acolytes! Start corrupting the gold mine over there and summon a necropolis on the double! I want this camp setup before dawn!" commanded Lord Bershzul. The Dread Lord smiled at its army, it knew the invasion had begun exactly as Ner'Zhul had planned it.