Reviews:
Guest 1: Hmm, yes a strong question. And that is Tzeentch's personality. But for the chaos Gods the question is if the Azeroth Elves are a match in terms of value to the Mallus Elves.
Guest 2: I'd imagine they'd take to it about as well as a bunch of loot hungry murder-hobos from the Horde and the Alliance Kicking down their door to murder them.
Guest 3: That is a intriguing idea, there's probably some of the Dawi who might do that, though the Dawi-zharr are far more likely to pull that.
Guest 4: That is an idea, but probably wouldn't work out too well.
Guest 5: Doris quick write that down, write that down!...whhaaaat nooooo, Wha'chu talkn about Phyllis?
But yes, all that's good but Shandris sadly isn't going to know that info unless someone gives it to her...or she learns the hard way.
Guest 6: *omg he said cool, quick remain calm and think of a response...think of something cool...* "Tomato is a fruit" *God damn it*
Guest 7: We will have to see. And SI:7 is arrogant being the only competent spy agency in a world where "tell men in full plate armor and no ability to breath under water to swing across a river, rather than use my handy dandy 'Gobco 100 Bridges in a box'" is considered a brilliant military leader by these same foes SI:7 has to deal with.
Guest 8: Two Acrch-Lectors and no Chaos invasion to make them put aside their ambitions, and both Lectors representing a several topics of deep divide within the Cult. And where the End of the World puts things into perspective, when dealing with the future of a Empire which "certainly" will be around for at least a hundred more years, then the debates become less of "who will stop evil" and "should we try and start a war to retake marrienburg and punsih them for what they've done to Sigmar's Grand Empire.
Guest 9: Though do recall WHB Tzeenth is more self defeating, and less focused on "conquest" and more on ensuring his own existsnce and changing himself. He's partially the reason why there's magic to resist Chaos with in the world, and he's "inadvertently" helped the enemies of chaos plenty of times.
Guest 10: I honestly would love to explore that, but since GW and CA keep dropping hints that way and Nippon's way I'm more or less scared to explore it knowing GW's probably going to charge a whole shit ton about those places.
Guest 11: There is plenty of alternatives on Mallus alone that could be manipulating her. While very unlikely there's also Neru, or Sakhmet both of which are Moon Goddesses and both have traits either similar to Elune or Lileath.
Guest 12: Could be, or could be used as a pawn to attack Lilesth's enemies.
Guest 13: That's all interesting info, but it still doesn't give much more depth to their role...but still gives me plenty to laugh about as Bright Wizards continue to be the most useless Wizards in Warhammer, yet they're the ones who the casual MMO-player or DnD-newbie would think are the strongest because how much they fireball and the flaming skull, and the fire cage spells.
Guest 14: Ikit Claw, aka the guy who blew up the moon, destroyed a Continent and is memed to heck because he makes Nukes...ones much MUCH more powerful than a simple mana bomb.
Also Cathay has already successfully "allied" with the Skaven in the past showing pseudo-tolerance to Clan Eshin and even having one of their Warlords as the Monkey King's advisor when he took over Cathay. The Monkey King whose role in Cathay is still a little unclear being both a antagonistic character as well as a ally and officially recognized by them. Likely Cathay has a very similar policy on "Beastmen" as Ind does where they are not only tolerated but accepted so long as they don't worshio the four chaos gods. And while your individual Skaven isn't trustworthy, and you can always expect the individual to be a peice of garbage, their overarching society is rather reasonable and can be expected to partially uphold any deals they make. I mean it's thanks to the Skaven that any race on Mallus even lived long enough to see Sigmar's birth.
But the Dragonflights...ehhh, the only ones that were ridden had their leader under a spell and hed eggs held hostage on top of that. Otherwise it's lesser offshots which...Cathayan Dragons had children with horses and now those are riden by dragonblooded. Pause to cringe, then pause to go wait dragon doing human isn't any worse...then pause to admit that thanks to a certain mod, you know you'd totally still go for Dragon sis.
Guest 15: I'm guessing you're asking if the Dragons know they'd be dealing with the Skaven? and the answer there is "yes" but remember to the Dragons of Cathay the Skaven are little different than the Monkey-men, the Tiger-men or the Snake Men, and since the Skaven they know are ALL clan Eshin or Eshin aligned, what's a bunch of pretend Crow-men compared to the original? Also while the Skaven are...sketchy they've shown more honor than what's implied to come from the Snake Men and what's confirmed from the Tzeentchians and the Kurgen.
And for that hate of the other Dragons, well one is ridden by humans and Elves, the other RULES. It's like that edgy "why serve in heaven when you can rule in hell" statement. The Cathayan Dragons are (both in their own minds and from a objective lore perspective) "better" than all the other Dragons. For a WoW comparison they're the Dragon aspects themselves compared to a proto-dagon.
Guest 16: No, not likely the Asrai aren't necessarily outgoing enough...also their trees aren't victims...more like predators who belong on a sex offender list, and possibly responsible for more warcrimes than the Asrai themselves.
JiggyliFAP: Man's a questionable Game Hunter. He never seems to be the FIRST one scene but rather someone who shows up because he's heard tale of something to kill, and found a way to get to his destination without getting captured, or stopped by authorities or D.E.T.H.A. I mean the man has put even Sir Hammerlock to shame in the number of "precious" animals he's causes ecological disaster for or killed.
And the Nightborne and Highmountain both effectively were part of the Horde post legion in the intermediate between Legion and the War of the Thorns event and their magic city is on the Broken isles so who Elune fed to Ardenweld is her own people the Night Elves...because you know killing your own followes on mass and not even caring about what happens when they die, despite killing them for a very specific reason that has to do with trying to send their souls to a very specific place, something the existence of wisps shows is kinda hard for the NE, yeah Elune be IQ 10 trillion...oh wait i mean Blizzard made her a drolling moron since I'd almost argue Legion, but until Dragonflight entirely retcons the Centaur and absolves the NE of all their and their Wild Gods role in the near extinction of the Tauren (most likely shifting the blame to the Tauren in the process)...the NE have a bit of a tendancy to chose to worship absolute morons who also die very easily.
As for Shadowlands, since i stopped playing WoW at early Cataclysm (both due to life issues then not liking what i was seeing when i was able and had the patience to deal with MMO's and all dominating toxic competitve players again). So Im still trying to find out about the layout and more relevant details so i can rewrite that nothing burger into something with relevance and staying power...like Warlords of...it's bad that I'm rewriting Shadowlands up to the quality of WoD.
Dragon King of the West: I've from time to time compared WoW to a fantast version of Star Trek, i mean you've got species of hats, shields and doors that function on drama detectors, the same plot being used over and over again and the writers being suprised and caught without other material when they get called out... excessive doses of idealism...and "brilliant" writers who can't grasp how to use their tech/magic beyond the most superficial of ways.
But at the same time. Both IP have a strong basis, and those gems of great story telling. WoW's Idealism isn't without it's merits, and I personally feel that unlike Trek. WoW has avoided its Deep Space 9/Dominion War story arc like the plague because they know if they do...then they too will be held to a standard and can't ever get away with a S.T.D. type arc pretending that garbage and "current (see outdated but kinda recent-ish unless they rushed the production) politics" is good story telling.
Hakuryuu: Both Old and New Kislev isn't in much of a state to help. but certainly back when Orks kicked Archaon's ass proving Chaos to be the joke it is when compared to true threats, like the color green, and dead bodies, well Kislev had better control over their land. While the flavor text would say "no" the fact that the Ice Queen could from her throne watch Grimgore marching through the World's Edge Mountains and track his army, and counter them, well that says a LOT.
On the next...Well North is typically where bad stuff is in Warhammer, heck even on the 40k galactic map...idk why but GW just seems to hate that direction I'm certain they'd revive Morgoth in LoTR just so North is evil in their LoTR tabletop if they were allowed to...they probably also think Canadians and the Scotts are all evil devil worshipers, darn Scotts they ruined Scotland!
As for the travel and the route...to quote the Joker "I'm like a dog chasing after a car, I don't know what I'd do when i get it, i just chase it." While inlay out a simple outline, i let momentum, the characters and the world dictate how i get from my point A to point B.
Also the Electors wanting to save Volkmar is one thing, but Volkmar...well Battle and then Pope, and the Pope has always been a controversial figure within the church and Volkmar is no different, about half the Cult are just waiting for him to die thinking that they, or their candidate for Grand Theologist, would do a better job...and much like with the Catholic Pope's your basically gambling with odds against you and more likely to roll a idiot who can't tell his God apart from Zeus, or in WHFB case Sigmar from Ulric.
micelzod: What allies from Azeroth being a liability...nah thats never...*cough* Northrend Campaign*cough* Seige of Orgrimmar *cough* Blood Elves in Burning Crucade *cough* Suramar *cough* Zandalar *cough* Kul Tiras *cough* Stormwind's nobles *cough*...maybe i cought a cold all thay sudden coughing, phew... but no Azeroth's forces would never cling on to allies whove done nothing but betray and leech off them, their reasonable and well hello Honor and Valor that means their good and know better and are in no way doubious words that can be justified and claimed no matter what someone does.
Besides the website I assume you were trying to post (Nippon killing Estallians was always a good memory for me suck it spain my dice say die), there actually is enough context info in the OLD stuff and in the RPG books. Estallia is basically just Conquistador Spain, Spanish Inquisition Spain, and generally fantasy Spanish History.
They in practice are masters of small unit tactics such to put Azeroth to shame...but as i've been telling everyone about the general AzerothVMallus their logistics leaves a lot to be desired. Particularly if you think about the fact that Estallia does cannonically have a Musket type firearm and Light Portable Cannons. Which then some people wonder why they seem to out tech the Empire's main firearm but they don't have the Empire's logistical needs or manufacturing ability, plus the Empire has the Hochland Long Rifle which sort of leapfrogs the Musket as it even has actual rifling in the barrel. But in the Warhammer world, the best small unit fighting humans, by nation, have got to be the Estallians.
Ironwall: And so we shall see.
Jak23: I'm a little more active with political stuff so it's somewhat natural for me. Ill try to boil it down in a "clear" manner though, basically for writing diplomacy it comes down to three things you have to consider with each character.
1) The bartering: if you can write a protagonist engaging in bartering with a salesman, you can get the basic diplomacy down. A good example of Bartering can actually be found in JoJo's Bizzaed adventure Starlight Crucaders...sure Grandpa is actually not the best...maybe even bad, at bartering but that just helps the example, and if you can find examples of people bartering with goods or services (which i find street crime series to have some hidden gems) then you've got the act of diplomacy put forth right there, but for politics and its diplomacy we then have to scale it appropriately to who/which groups are in the agreement.
2) The secret: Everyone in diplomacy and politics has a secret deaire at the current moment. Be it "I'm tired, and my wife promised me sexy times if i get home soon, so why can't they hurry up" to full on "This is step two, step six is that I proclaim the first ever Galactic Empire to a senate that claps and cheers for me" and just like how those secrets are not everyone knows but some are obvious or can be guessed. Which these secrets don't always come in for basic "I want food" bartering but even that at times has this element come into play for a story such as when one of the protagonists friends stomach rumbles while they're haggling for food.
3) Their personality: While pure logic and reason driven individuals can get into politics and negotiate, if you look throughout history it's all been about the cult of personality, or getting the litteral cults behind you. And you as a General, and as a Leader have to get the people to follow you which then lends itself to turning Bartering and personal Secrets into Diplomacy. So is your character someone people follow off reputation, their feats performed, their Yuge Orange Maga powers, or the Wealth litteral or conceptual that they they'd give the people under them. or to shorten that whole thing simply "why are they in charge and what are they in charge of?"
After that think of what organization each character your writing for is from or leads and it all will get more intricate and "well written" as you just add some characters.
jweller12: Hey if it ain't broke don't fix it. Though i really do wish Blizzard would stop making the Heroes the first resort or "the last hope" it'd be nice to have a "oh hey *whatever pretentious name Blizzard is calling the PC's* yeah your like our 23rd attempt, we're just throwing shit at the wall here but we need _ to happen or else bad shit might happen." and then as you go you peice together all the elements everyone before you did, or at least they make it apparent that you're not the only person working on the issue.
I'm going to super date myself here, but Megaman Legends, and The Misadventures of Tron Bonne on the PS1 had done a far better job of "lone adventure kills God" while making it apparent that you're not the only person working on a dungeon/the overall issue and well PS1 in the 90s vs computers from 2006 onwards...and all Blizzard has done is the DM trope of having a DM "not PC" follow you around and either be worthless or kick too much ass.
OscuroSignore-51: For the Question, honestly their physical location would matter more on Mallus than anything. since A LOT of Gods share creatures and symbols. I think Tzeentch might be the God whose symboligy is the most shared with other Gods as many of his icons are shared with deities of not only multiple regions but of multiple species...and then Azeroth makes that worse. But IN KISLEV maybe depends on me doing a bit of a deep dive on the Beast Forms of the Druids and the innate magic of the land in Kislev, because depending on the type of power that is, it might be able to override or cloud their judgement and make them think Potato Wine is good.
And yeah, but I mean they are civilians... and while the gap of intelligence between civilians and military isn't great...well i keep seeing Azeroth's "shining beacons of intellect" and gerring discouraged. Seriously who turns their home into a military base, and then thinks genocide is acceptable because their home got bombed?
AReader: More maybes and speculation. Sorry Can't provide more than i've already said on it.
kingbean777205: I can easily imagine the Dawi being insufferable. I mean "they don't even have Long Beards...and is that *insert me taking time to look up the proper word* trimming his beard to make it shorter!?...and did his face magically change while sitting in a barber's chair?!?"
TheOrkbane123: Overall plan maybe, More i just sort of mapped out the likely overall responses and sequences of events, thought of a couple cool ideas and noted partular characters and then packed it on top of a mountain, started shouting and now we're just seeing where the avalanche takes my corpse.
There's plenty to explore though currently the TWW3 unit roster has a few new and creative units but there's plenty of others to explore.
and the divide there is more 3 ways. Horde "Gunship"...i"d argue that a Cathayan War junk outperforms that load of garbage but "magic makes unarmored exposed balloons of explosive gasses on zepplins viable" apparently, never mind that on the campaign map Cathay has a fsr superiorly designed Skyship with two obvious forward facing cannons, and with a few mods to get a better look, obviously internal ballons making the think keeping ship afloat safer, you know details the Horde obviously shoeved aside as they put big red "shot here for instant kill" on their flagship...but my conplaints on how the Horde post War of the thorns shouldn't have been able to continue existing for a week past the start of BFA and was in its deathbed at the end of Legion, lets put those aside.
Then from there the question becomes "Sherman Tank vs Tiger mk 2" Your average newb will answer Tiger 2 immediately, but anyone with logistical and ergonomic understanding will beg for Shermans. On the surface the Thunderbarge is the superior vessel in both tech and stats which comes from a mix of factors both Old WHFB being a world where the contrast of advancement and tradition was more prevelent and even Khorne was actually highly intelligent, and that the vessel is the peak combination of everything the Engineers stood for. But there is the issue, due to these details it's so rare, and has such logistical issues associated in universe with it that while the Alliance Sky-fleet either shows that there is a severe resource shortage on Azeroth or simply their ships actually take a very long time build (and thus any losses are sorely felt) but the overall design and the rate in which the fleet has grown drastically puts it ahead of the thunderbarge especially when you can present a small flotilla of vessels for every Thunderbarge and the performance gap between both isn't that large.
Which that's the odd and somewhat ironic twist since in most other categories it's WHFB that's manner much more likely to have and use superior numbers effectively and here it's WHFB that's falling for the "German Engineering pitfalls" while the Alliance has produced what is the effectively Sherman Tank equivalent of its category.
TheJackinati275: Jaina and Imrik joining that Dragon borne mile high club. Meanwhile Miao Ying is currently talking to her horse granddaughter along with Loki talking to his Horse children since Daddy isn't there to do so.
Marching Order
Shandris' glare once again locked with Kyn'ra's gaze. The standoff between herself and the increasingly supported leader of the Pioneers, had gone on for several moments as the woman continued to smirk towards Shandris. The Elf was however proposing exactly what the Imperials wanted, and what Shandris wanted from the Pioneers that they would remain with the rest of their Azerothean kin and march north to Bechafen. But even then Shandris had to measure that and the risk of a riot from the Pioneers against the risk that Kyn'ra's freedom and condition posed against the benefits and risk.
"So General Shandris, how are we going to be marching north, may we know the route?" Kyn'ra asked simply and with faux kindness, all undermined by her arrogant smirk.
Shandris knew she couldn't stand there inactive any longer. Not with both the Empire's own people watching, nor could she try to detain Kyn'ra least she start a riot or maybe even a battle among her own people. The General was stuck, she had to go off faith that Elune would protect all of them from whatever states of mind and fantasy Kyn'ra was prone to. Perhaps the Goddess could even make even Kyn'ra useful to Kaldorei's current situation.
"Aethalas, get the interim representative of the Pioneers a map." Shandris ordered, feeling a twist in her stomach as she did so. In the corner of Shandris' vision Irma, rather than writing, was watching with rapt fascination and her own toothy smirk. Across from her Kyn'ra's smirk spread into a genuine smile, but as the Elf went to speak Shandris cut her off.
"We need to coordinate our marching order with the Empire's own forces first. However most likely these blocks of infantry the Empire are forming will march on the roads while we will march to their sides, I'll argue that you all should march behind them, either with the Baggage Train or just before it." Shandris confessed to the 'Leader' across from her.
"We aren't civilians, at least not like those, but it does sound more suitable. However, I now expect that we will be back near the Baggage Train, no changing the agreement on us." Kyn'ra's cocksure attitude infuriating Shandris further, even as the Night Elf waved her hand and began to walk away from the encounter.
"Where do you think you're going?" Shandris demanded, stopping the Elf.
In response Kyn'ra turned back to Shandris with her insufferable smirk still present. "What do you expext me to walk away by myself with you? The Pioneers aren't even ready to march yet, general. But i'll let everyone know how disappointed Elune, myself and you are with them, we shouldn't be in this state. There are demons and dark forces to save this world from, and by saving this world we save Azeroth. I will join you once we are ready." With that the Night Elf waved her hand towards Shandris as if to dismiss her, before walking away.
The General glared as Kyn'ra sashyed away, the Elf speaking to many Pioneers who quickly rushed to her side. While Kyn'ra strutted away pretending she had a victory, Aethalas returned to Shandris' side. The Night Elf bowing slightly to her General.
"What are your orders General?" The Captain asked, a question that Shandris wasn't certain of but was determined to answer.
"For now keep a close eye on her. First opportunity we get to do so peacefully Kyn'ra is getting deposed and put back in a cage where she belongs." Shandris answered, putting off her final decisions until after she revisits Lady Nacht.
"It looks to me general that your out of your element. If it wouldn't be a bother, might I have a say on this subject?" Irma interjected, a grin on her face that nearly irked Shandris as much as Kyn'ra's.
"Say it." Shandris barked at the woman softly.
"Kyn'ra and the Pioneers are out of your control. As long as they have Kyn'ra they have a excuse to disobey you. And as long as she's with them, you can't touch her. But in Bechafen? In Bechafen, Wolfram Hertwig's word is law, and she's just a guest from a unknown kingdom, the word of a General with Hundreds of Elven troops vs that of someone who doesn't command a quarter that number including suspicious humans and rather unimpressive Dwarves. Stall, distract, and once she's in the city take her and surround her followers with steel." The human agent hummed. "Or leave her to her devices. She doesn't seem to pose much a threat and is clearly on a path towards self destruction."
"I'm on my way to lady Nacht. Let the troops know we march soon." Shandris pushed past Irma with a huff, even as the human woman shrugged.
"Just a suggestion...OH, WAIT WAIT CAN I RIDE ONE OF YOUR TREES? Fucking Ranald's balls!" Shandris ignored Imra as the woman begged while shouting and then threw herself to the ground pouting before pulling out another one of her notebooks.
It took only a minute at her pace for Shandris to return to where Emmanuelle Nacht oversaw laborers packing the final remains of the Empire encampment into various carts and a few carraiges and wagons. The woman stood quietly watching as burly, dirty looking men lifted chairs, small tables and a other trinkets onto the last carts while bundles of arrows, labeled pouches Shandris recognized as bags of gunpowder, and odd containers with what looked to be crossbow bolts were each tied to and left hanging from the sides of these wagons along side what appeared to be an array of axes, shovels, hammers, and even swords and maces all ready for whatever task they were needed for at a moments notice.
"Shandris, you return." The Imperial Diplomat spoke first noticing Shandris as she walked swiftly towards her.
"Yes my army is ready to march, and between their...new leader...and the threar of my arrows the Pioneers are getting ready to march north but are asking where in they will be march with the rest of the army." Shandris explained swiftly, still finding herself disgusted by the thought of the Pioneers new leader, and disturbed by her memories of her recent discussions with Irma.
"Right, I was hoping to intigrate your forces essentially towards the mid rear of our marching order. The Vanguard will consist of the mosr battle ready units, the food supplies will be spread evenly to encourage a little more speed and even pacing from our forces. Then i hoped for the main body of the army to be followed by the Pioneers, you, then the supply caravan followed by the rear guard. If you can sign off on the plan we can arrange our forces and start marching probably within the hour." Lady Nacht provided sounding extremely hopeful.
"I apologize. The Kaldorei don't do well in marching formations. Also the Walking Wood wouldn't fir into your own organization very well. If i might spread my forces on either side of the road and your own, we can guard your flanks, and perhaps avoid some conflict." Shandris first apologized then provided.
"And are these Pioneers going to be like this?" Emmanuelle looked displeased, though the woman certainly was a fair margin from upset.
"No they'll march as you suggested, though I might post some trustworthy guards near your supply wagons. The Pioneers have become, less compliant and trustworthy than I expected of the good people of the Alliance. I might need to complain to Jaina and to the Explorer's League upon returning to Azeroth." Shandris provided, her heart aching with the admission.
For her part Lady Nacht simply nodded. "That sounds reasonable. I'll see to it Irma and some of the best troops are mixed with the Camp followers to keep a eye on the Pioneers." The Diplomat smiled and bowed to Shandris. "May your Goddess watch over you."
Swiftly Shandris returned the bow. "And your God, may he keep you safe." And with that Shandris marched back to her army.
As she arrived the Pioneers had started packing what little of their belongings that remained, and looked that within a half hour even their group would be ready to set out. Shandris ignored them and instead made a beline for Aethalas and Uydron Dusktree. "Uydron, tell the Ancients and Druids we will be moving soon. The army will be securing the flanks of the Empire's soldiers as they march. Aethalas go inform the Pioneers that they have the marching spot they wanted. If either of you see Irma tell her to report to Lady Nacht immediately."
Upon hearing their General's order both Aethalas and Uydron immediately moved into action without question. It would still be a hour and much frustrating coordinating later, but like Lady Emmanuelle Nacht predictes the army was soon marching. The Alliance Pioneers, the Sentinel Army, and the Empire's forces, both of Reikland and Ostermark, all set upon roads traveling first to the North East to make use of the Old roads that once lead into the City, and then from there east again to reach a place marked as Burgenhof. After that a main road would lead the armies north to Bechafen where they would meet with the Elector Count who rules Ostermark, and by whose order the Ostermark army had come to confront Shandris and her Sentinels.
Hundreds of miles away, a small Goblin woman woke in a rucksack many times larger than she was, enough that a Goblin family could be fit inside the item's warm embrace. Naked she slipped out of the warm fuzzy covers blinking herself awake before stepping infront of a mirror, the Goblin then stretched showing off her nude form to the mirror and inspecting her body with a critical eye.
"Ok looking good, looking...oh who am I fucking kidding I'm a whopping eight pounds over weight!" The Goblin complained to herself, no longer sucking in her stomach and looking at the slight fat rolls that now could be seen on either side of her stomach. The Goblin grabbed these rolls frowning into the mirror cursing the ineffectiveness of her exercise and 'diet' routine. However even on her 'I don't eat unless a Ogre feeds me' diet Alyzz Kneecord P.I. of Kneecord Investigations, subsidiary of Bilgewater Intelligence, was getting fat.
Ever since she had ridden atop of and helped kill a horrific beast called a Dreamaw the Ogre clan she was with had taken to calling her 'Mawrider' and would often offer her food out of respect and then they'd have their feasts and so much of their culture centered around food, eating food, fighting their food, or getting money to buy food or weapons to fight their food with there was always food involved and even with the gluttonous lugs practically inhaling food all the time they still had plenty of food they were constantly giving her. She maybe had felt hungry rather than bloated and stuffed once thus far in this adventure.
Still the results she got were the results she had been contracted to get and then some. And such results Alyzz could honestly say she was proud of. So the Goblin shamelessly donned her outerwear thong, tightened her corset, slipped on her socks shoes, and her oversized heavy coat as well as her fuzzy hat and stepped out of the warm comfort of her tent to the first sights of her new day.
And proud of her accomplishments Alyzz Kneecord sighed in frustration at the extra complication that had come to blight her and the Ogre's return trip over the terrifying Mountains of Mourn. Standing only a few short yards away, and as insufferable as the last time she had seen him Zhao Ming stood watching the Goblin P.I. with a small smirk in his bearded face that Alyzz always attributed to criminals. Still she couldn't afford to be hostile towards this man, first was that he was simply far more powerful than she was, maybe even on a personal level more so than any Goblin, and he even claimed to be a Dragon from this world.
And more than his overwhelming power advantage over her was the second issue Zhao Ming represented. Standing around their leader was nearly twenty different retainers, and each of those retainers was a representative of or the direct commander of a segment of a army nearly One Hundred Thousand soldiers in the making.
Over the last several days hundreds of Ogres and their 'Gnoblars' had gathered forming a marching force following Alyzz's guidance to Azeroth. Well over five hundred Ogres, and a few thousand of the Gnoblars. This force while Alyzz was certain would be a boon to the Horde, ultimately they would not even take a hour for the army facing them to destroy.
Alyzz had even taken the time to spy on the 'Army of Grand Cathay' that marched, 'convinently' on the same path she and her following traveled. The bulk of this army seemed to be comprised of armed civilians, distributing food, working on anvils, and doing much of the manual labor. But then there were better dresses individuals that Alyzz labeled as the engineers, they seemed to be carrying various guns, and tethering and directing, or pulling along strange ballon vessels each loaded and weighed down by huge and complex looking nets filled with various supplies the army seemed to make use of. These engineers also maintained cannons that great Oxen pulled, while what appeared to be a small flotilla of Gunships of similar design to the Alliance's gunships, but with a distinctive flair also flew low over the army occasionally dropping ropes and lowering nets filled with supplies as well.
Then though the core of the army marched. Each of these warriors moving in a professional manner that challenged even the Human soldiers of the Alliance. Each was also as or even more heavily armored than their Alliance counterparts. And beside these soldiers where similarly dressed mounted soldiers, and a small block of more uniquely armored soldiers. There were also flying horse riders, a number of strange carraiges, and then the Giants and the formation of things at its feet. Alyzz wasn't sure how to label this thing. It and those beneath it reminded Alyzz of the Watchers, or maybe the Earthen, but each of the massive giant or watcher like beings stood near the center of a massive block of their smaller man-sized counterparts and they all, when not tended to by the Engineers and other mystic looking individuals of the army, stood or marched in near perfect formation.
Alyzz could not let that army threaten Azeroth. 'I won't let this bastard threaten my homeland.' The Goblin thought to herself as she stepped forward and tried to match the smile that Zhao Ming held.
"Lord Zhao Ming, such a... supriii... joy! Such a joy to see you this morning... again." Alyzz was no diplomat, she sold herself and her skills, she could market her abilities and the information she could get to the slimiest of sleezebags with a smile and unbroken cheer. But keeping a diplomatic character, while essentially trying to tell a dragon to go fuck off, that was a skill she certainly didn't possess.
For his part the Self identified 'Iron Dragon' released a small chuckle. "And I am here to let you know that my army seems to be marching on the same route as the Ogres who are following you...Heh... again." As he spoke the Dragon's enjoyment of everything playing out was obvious. The Dragon though remained tall and regal while those at his side bowed ever so slightly to Alyzz.
"And so why haven't you spoken with Kogkradd Kegeater or Tragg Gatecrasher?" Alyzz asked, making a show of looking for either of the two Tyrants who were the real leaders of the Ogres following Alyzz back to Crimson Post. Honestly she hoped the pair could save her from having to deal with the Dragon Lord before her. However she couldn't see gut or well gut of either Ogre.
Zhao Ming simply smiled in response to the small Goblin's attempt to deflect him to someone else. "Unfortunately both Ogres are trying to outdo one another and are both currently trying to scout ahead for you. This leaves me in the worrisome position of having to bother you rather than having our subordinates speak on our behalves. Great Mawrider."
Alyzz's eye involuntarily twitched at the Dragon's mockery and odd emphasis on her Ogre given title. She disliked encountering Zhao Ming like this, no she simply disliked Zhao Ming, maybe all the Cathayans as well. He was smug and superior, like he was always looking down on her. And all his subordinates seemed to fawn over him like he was the most precious and most valuable thing in their entire lives and he seemed to bask in it.
"Well once again, I suppose that the Ogres will march our own way, ahead of you. And you can march your own way... well behind us. Or maybe you can camp out here a extra day so we don't have to meet like this, every single day." Alyzz tried to remain cordial with Zhao Ming however it was getting more or more difficult to remain polite to the ever smug, superior, and smiling Dragon every day.
"I'm sorry but I can't do that I paid Greasus for an escort through the Mountains of Mourn and he selected your tribes to help guide us through since, as you might be aware, we're all traveling the same direction currently." The Iron Dragon stated.
"Spoiled bastard." Alyzz whispered under her breath, though Zhao Ming's sudden chuckle, and a hand gesture stopping one of his retainers who had taken a step forward with their metal clawed hand ready to spear Alyzz told the Goblin she wasn't nearly as soft spoken as she hoped.
Alyzz's eyes widened momentarily as she realized how close she was to being attacked by one of these Cathayans Martial arts using magic casters. "I ask for his Lordship's forgiveness. I am out of line due to lack of proper rest and bad health...due to eating too much." Alyzz snapped to her apology, earning another amuzed chuckle while the murderous glares behind Zhao Ming softened to simple simmering rage rather than outright murder.
"And I apologize for Zhang Genji, she should not have done that. There now that we both have apologized, lets get back to our discussion." The Dragon stated simply as if his follower attenpting to kill Alyzz meant nothing.
"Even if Greasus was paid to provide you a escort, none of the Ogres here were paid, and I was never given proper payment for what you wanted me to do for you." Alyzz complained, a bitter workers union type flavor filling her mouth as she brought up points of complaint against the Dragon of the Western Provinces.
"You dare bring such a triffle complaint to..." Zhang Genji spoke up, the masked human growling her claw gauntleted hand flexing in rage. However the human was stopped with a glare from Zhao Ming.
"I apologize for my descendant. The Shugengan Lords are fiercely loyal, but proud people. Warriors one and all, however this offense has overstepped the bounds. As such I owe you something oh Mawrider." Zhao Ming stated, nodding his head towards Alyzz with a straight expression.
"You'll give up this creepy stalker behavior?" Alyzz asked both hopeful and wanting to insult the Dragon further.
"No, Zhang Genji, you are to serve Alyzz Kneecord of the world of Azeroth until I, or one of my siblings commands you otherwise. Her success and honor is your family's success and honor, and should she face disgrace by your hand, then your family's fate shall similarly be sealed. Inform the Magistrate that he shall be assuming command of your forces for the foreseeable future." Alyzz froze as Zhao Ming spoke, never once did the Dragon so much as look at the human woman.
As her Dragon spoke to her however Zhang Genji dropped to her knees, her head planted firmly on the ground in supplication. Though near the end her head pulled up as if the woman was going to beg for forgiveness or another chance, but instead she remained silent her mouth hanging open without words. Then as Zhao Ming turned about the Shugengan Lord planted her face into the ground again. "Your will shall be done, great Dragon!" The woman proclaimed, though the Goblin P.I. could easily detect the quaking of her voice.
"You don't really need to..." Alyzz started, complete with the human, Zhang Genji, silently nodding in agreement.
"No, you could use a liason who knows Cathay, and some releif from my retainers. And Zhang Genji needs to learn both of the conquences of disgracing me, and of your people. It is a suitable arrangement." The Cathayan leader proclaimed, causing Alyzz's eye to twitch.
"Suitable!? What if I don't want this?" The goblin asked in disgust.
"You do not wish for Zhang Genji as a servant? If that is the case,..." The Dragon turned to the Shugengan Lord bowing before him. "Zhang Genji you have dishonored your family, unless you can convince this Goblin to accept you as their servant by this time tomorrow, you are to march home alone and without supply. If you complete this, you and your entite house will take whatever weapons you possess and march north beyond the Great Bastian. None of your house may return to Cathay until until each has collected twenty Kurgen noses." Zhang Genji held her tounge, bitting it as she shook holding back tears, most of her house were mere servants and children, among the Dragon-Blooded while her line was relatively pure and produced extremely powerful individuals such as herself they were also new with few elders and even fewer dedicated warriors, Peasent servants, or war machines such as Sky-Lanterns or Terracotta Warriors. To march north with so many children and so few capable of fighting, her household would all die.
The Dragon of the Western Provinces then turned to all his retainers as a whole. "Lets go and share a drink. Something bitter, fitting the current affairs." The Dragon then began to walk away from Alyzz and Zhang Genji.
Alyzz frowned watching what was happening. Was this asshole really going to banish a entire community over this incident? Over Alyzz refusing to take this woman on as her servant? Over what should amount to nothing more than a inconvenience? No, no matter what morality or thoughts Alyzz might have learned should be dominant from people like the Tauren, the human propaganda of Stormwind, or even Thralls Orcs, Goblins knew the ugly side of the world far better. This woman, and her entire family's fate hung on Alyzz, these Cathayans were willing to march a massive army across their world over visions and intel they rightfully shouldn't have or at least be highly doubtful of. They were more than willing to take radical actions to support their ambitions.
"Wait! I'm sorry, I was just suprised and well I'm a Goblin, we and Humans don't really have good relationships anyways. And you are all new so the situation has my paranoia on edge. But I'll accept her as a servant for the time being." Alyzz stopped the Dragon with her cry. Zhao Ming stopped mid stride looking over his shoulder back at the pair.
"Zhang Genji, attend to this one faithfully, and report back to me in the morning. Alyzz unfortunately it looks like I won't be seeing you in the morning, but hopefully we will be able to meet you in person soon enough." The Dragon then turned and walked away his retainers following one by one. Eventually only Alyzz and Zhang Genji were left alone only the distant Gnoblars and waking and already eating Ogres distant in the camp anywhere near the pair. Alyzz standing over and watching the Shugengan Lord who remained bowing unspeaking, yet still trembling in silent despair.
"Sooooooooo... I-"
"How! M-my lady, how may this Shugengan be... how may I be of service to you?" Zhang Genji interrupted, voice quivering as she remained in her bowing position.
Alyzz was suprised and stared wide eyed for a moment. "R-right, well I don't know. Kiss my feet?" The Goblin joked amuzing herself at how severe and just extreme these Cathayans seemed to take everything.
Even as Alyzz amused herself the Goblin barely missed her human counter part shakily crawl over to her. Then with quivering lips the Shugengan lowered her head to the Goblin Invesigator's foot, and holding back her gaging, the odd sound snatching back Alyzz's shocked attention, Zhang Genji kissed Alyzz Kneecord's foot.
"Whaaa." The Goblin vocalized in suprise as she stepped back from the human on her hand and knees before her.
The P.I. then considered the whole moment. "I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean that seriously. Look I don't like you people very much, but it doesn't mean I want anything bad for you or your nation. Maybe we just, had a bad first impression. Either way let's treat eachother with a little dignity and a little respect here. I'll show you around, we'll think of something for you to do, and then you can go back to Zhao Ming tomorrow morning and hopefully that will be that."
The Shugengan Lord nodded her head in agreement slowly rising to her feet. Alyzz hoped to all her money that this situation was as temporary as it could be, but she felt in her gut that this 'temporary situation' was going to be anything but short lived.
"As you wish."
If marching an army on Azeroth was difficult, marching alongside the Imperial Armies of Reikland and Ostermark was hell. On Azeroth armies were straight as a arrow, they marched to their destination, completed their objective and moved on. But these Imperials, if their column noticed anything, they'd send out their scouts or a detachment to investigate and many times neutralize. Beastmen groups that Kaldorei, or any of the Alliance would have just left in peace not thinking their numbers were noteworthy recieved attention from the Imperials, and soon volleys of arrows would proceed a charge of Cavalry or swordsmen who would chash with and kill the entire group before moving on.
By sheer attrition of constant skirmishing alone with her own being dragged in Shandris expected to suffer casualties before ever reaching Burgenhof. But the experience from her own outside view, particularly that of Uydron gave Shandris a interesting insight into the working of Mallus. While she didn't want to label it the same as the Emerald Dream, there was some other layer present on in these woods. Hidden animal trails which would lead to impossible to reach portions of the forest, a realm not entirely part of the real world comprised of secret passageways and hidden groves.
However each time her scouts encountered this they returned either wounded, or with a sense that some beast or creature of greater intellect was watching them and of course the path would be ruined or moved by the time Shandris could go to witness it. Only Uydron himself had successfully ventured deeper into this other realm.
What the Druid reported was staggering. It was likely coincidence, but what appeared to be more vicious and mangled Treants and Ancients alongside strange lizard beasts that looked like Dragonspawn were clashing with an army of the Beastmen with monsters of all types both indescribable and the oddly similar. Uydron escapped uninjured but without any more information. Still Shandris felt the need to know more before the armies left the forests.
As such Shandris Feathermoon walked on her own and eventually found herself next to the carraige carrying Emmanuelle Nacht, lady and Diplomat of the Empire of man. "Lady Nacht, we need to talk."
The window cover of the carraige slid open revealing the Diplomat. "Yes Shandris?"
"My scouts are coming across oddities in these woods, paths, glades and woods that shouldn't be present, some seemingly veiled by magic." The Night Elven General explained. However as she spoke Lady Nacht paled.
"For how long has this been happening?" The Empire Diplomat immediately demanded her eyes locked on Shandris.
"The reports have been trickling in for a little over a day now." The Sentinel General answered truthfully, knowing that for now she had to trust the judgement of the local humans.
The woman then leaned out of the carraige looking about before shouting. "Captain! Captain!" As Emmanuelle shouted a nearby Empire Captain on a horse noticed and rode up next to the pair.
"Captain. Spread the word, we're picking up the march, make it a forced march if we have to. We can not afford to remain in these woods any longer, and if it damages the wheels of the wagons so be it i will see to it that the repairs are paid for." The woman instructed receiving an affirmative from the Captain who then rode off for the head of the column.
Lady Nacht then opened the carraige door waving Shandris in, something the one armed General needed help with as the moving carraige was to her left. Once inside Shandris then took her place across from the Imperial noble.
"Alright, talk. Why are we now in a panic, and what is it that my forces have run across that worried you so much?" Shandris demanded with a hard look.
For her part Lady Nacht sighed leaning back into her seat. "If your Elves had simply run across some Beastmen beast path or even one of their accursed Herdstones that hunters tell tales of that would have been one thing. Actually as the Empire's representative I probably could have promised you a reward for the discovery though it might have delayed us to ensure the stone's destruction."
Shandris watched intently as the Imperial spoke her eyes dark and a deepset frown on her face. As Shandris didn't speak, Emmanuelle continued. "Instead your Elves likely ran into some of the World Roots. I'm not entirely clear on it myself but the Jade Wizards might be a good group to speak to discuss them with since they claim to help sustain the World Roots. The World Roots however are equal parts magic and not at the same time. As such the Beastmen, and the Asrai can access them from their various secret paths, meanwhile humans are mainly just unfortunate enough to occasionally stumble across these entrances and often we find ourselves killed for doing so. If your kind are blindly entering the World Roots then either something dark is taking place, or the roots defenders are already moving to punish us."
With that Shandris then spoke after absorbing everything the diplomat had to say. "Is it possible they just chose to let us go?"
"Particularly in these woods that is extremely unlikely. No, most certainly their attention is elsewhere." The diplomat insisted, now leaning forward in her seat.
"Fine, then what precautions should we be taking?" The General then relented as Emmanuelle looked to her with a steely gaze.
"Pull in your troops and have them make full haste to the other end of the forest. So long as we stick closer to the road we should at least be safe from wandering into places we don't belong again. After that we just hope we get out of the forest before anything happens." Emmanuelle Nacht sounded stressed, but the gentle care in the woman's eye remained.
"What can we expect to encounter if something were to happen?" Shandris then asked, all the possibilities from what she did know running through her mind.
"The Beastmen could assault us, the forest's spirits could overflow as wood and beast attempts to overwhelm us. Or the Asrai could attack their arrows raining down from above in a unexpected instant, the battle decided before any has a chance to respond." Emmanuelle said, her tone threatening as she went over the possibilities she could think of.
Shandris still analyzed each statement and considered it against what she knew. "I'll have my Sentinels form a pocket around our forces. I doubt anything so severe as what you said will come to pass, but we certainly must make ourselves ready otherwise we are lost before we ever even realize it."
Outside the carraige one Lady Irma Schoff frowned as she contemplated what she had overheard. She had intended to report of Kyn'ra's actions and the Night Elf's own strange reaction to the woods about them, but with what she had heard she knew that the situation was far more than the details anyone currently possessed and as such she decided to return to her duties to wait to learn more.
