Reviews:
Guest 1: The Empire Decentralized? *Looks to the HRE and the Italian peninsula* Are you sure?
But a decent summery of simple details of war many people would overlook. The Alliance in particular are based off more romanticized aspects of war and the world in general with dives into the darkness, So they focus on the more civil Medieval warfare where it was all about capturing people to ransom for money, and the cold war where everyone just sat around competing in a space race.
Where WHFB almost over focuses on the darker aspects but still with plenty of moments where we can surface for some fresh air. Both have their good flavors and times. Everything else is dependent on the quality of writers and mechanics.
Guest 2: What? Nah fake surrender isn't a negative thing, badguys would never do that. Isn't that right Anakin Skywalker, whats that you want to surrender your self and your vessel to a seperatist blockaid after they blaster you to heck...man so noble i surely can't see anything wrong with you flying your ship over alone...at full speed...straight at us. But like i slipped in, Hans was going to have his men kill the POWs no matter what, just for the experience, there's actually a bit of a psychological effect gained from doing that, one that was expertly displayed and used in the Kingdom Manga, though for different purposes.
Dragon King of the West: Understanding a enemy is crucial to defeat them. Even if the understanding isn't anything that adds mercy, you don't have to submit to something to understand and study it. Which that's one area i fell most people fail both in comprehending why Chaos is so threatening, most people can't understand how respect and understanding can make a hateful enemy all the more powerful over their foe, and Chaos you can't earn that respect, can't give it, and certainly you can't understand it either.
JiggyliFAP: WoW wiki would have to challenge you on that when speaking of the Warsong Gulch Battlemaster, and in my own writing she's always been a she, she's not the Druid character Uydron Dusktree who has been serving as one of the two subordinates of Shandris.
Jak23: I'd have to argue the scaling of war on Mallus vs Azeroth on that. Azeroth is built by people whose only context for what "war is" has been "police" actions by states that never formally declared their wars (thus rendering them illegal in their own books) or total wars like that of WW2. So of course they write their setting as one that's afraid of war and then of course the writing needs a ever bigger and more absurd (thats why WoW resembled Starfinder more than anything else by Legion)
Where war is more constant on Mallus but its more limited, in modern terms "limited warfare" which is something of a benefit to Empires and nations since they can wage multiple small and fast wars and still see undisturbed economic growth and population growth. Now Mallus offsets that by the Threat of Orks, Chaos, Beastmen but their infighting tribalism ironically limits the scale still. But by the sense of Limited War a true veteran will have seen much more consistent fighting and against varied foes, or against the same foe for almost their entire lives.
And Honestly I agree with Battletech's assessment that limited war will be the dominate form of warfare in the future and particularly so when space travel makes the distances wars are fought over far more extreme, no one would be willing to risk the social collapse of their space Empire (win or lose) over a single war. But WoW profits off the Cold War thematically, just like authoritarian politicians, spy agencies, weapons manufacturers, and less than moral tech research did in actuality. Having their nations engage in constant limited warfare rather than reenacting WW2 or the Cold War ad infinitum, well that would mean a dynamic gameplay of the world scale...and that means effert so nope.
I could understand back in the early 200, but even as a Tween I questioned why they didn't have such a dynamic ability to go back and forth on territory control since they tried to push the Horde vs Alliance narrative and then push PVP arenas, even at the time i was playing games that had that sort of dynamic gameplay such as Future Cop LAPD, CC Renegade (somewhat), Battle Tanx (which still sucked at it but still), and even Plastic Soldiers had it at that time.
But while I hate doing Blizzard's job for them, and this will help contextualize my earlier tirade. And as much as I dont like giving unearned/unshown sustainability and power to Azeroth, particularly in the face of my long history of dealing with WoW fanboys trying to tell me how undefeatable and brilliant Azeroth's leaders and military are (glares at DeviantArt's "DeathBattle trend") for Azeroth's "canon" PvP match play Horde and Alliance engaging in Feudal style limited war against one another makes sense. Technically the Russia-Ukraine war right now for Russia fills the definition and they've even used the idea of escalation to total war to impact diplomacy (of course that was when they were winning and the were suffering embarrassing military setbacks).
Now analyzing how useage of limited War impacts nations and their military experience is a whole other detail. For Example the Horde and Alliance could be "undefeatable super broken OP never ever try" ...against people who fight just like the Horde or Alliance. But someone who then fights in a different style would mess up the whole affair, something with historic precedent, even modernly as some countries are reanalyzing both Technicals as "light cavalry" and Trench Warfare as both could see significant roles in a WW3 scenario.
Meanwhile the Empire of course their Limited Warfare experience has resulted in particular groups having experience against nearly every type of for in their world, while others have rathet limited experience, and a few still are absolute experts in killing Undead. I wouldn't trust some particular factions on Mallus to even stand a snowballs chance in hell against the Horde or Alliance in battle, but between skill and a equipment gap thats not as large as people keep trying to make it sound, factions like the Empire should excel for a while at least fighting against the Azerothean factions.
Hakuryuu: Yeah sadly the most neglected model line in 40k was the Sisters of Battle (until the last five years) and even then they got a better treatment than most factions in WHFB whose "now models" were just the old molds with a few new parts and the plastic 40k had already been using.
On the next, having long been a part of the CnC community, I was hoping SC fans would go the way CnC fans did of just going "fine I'll do it myself" and making Blizzard regret ever thinking they could abuse them and directly hurt sales by doing what the company did but better and for free, even pushing the old engines beyond what their limits should have been or even building new engines for the games to run off.
And that's the thing, Oda works for a company just as fiscally BS as Blizzard, but they have a culture that allows for good writing to take precedent and has far less corporate meddling from idiots. Idiots who will actively protect rapists while spending years showing "solidarity" with "the cause" even donating to "the cause" heavily knowing they can lower standards and get away with things like sheltering rapists so long as they include the political BS in their works. *glares at Catalyst Game Labs firing Blaine Lee Pardoe (I've talked to this guy face to face and even played tabletop with him and somehow i still can't spell his name right) all over BS claims that his book about a faction thats actively called the confederacy has "confederate dog whistles" all so a male feminist can replace his works with "her" own vastly inferior shallow books lacking any of the character depth while "her" personal life is vastly more controversial than his, IE making an attempt on the life of the guy the next rung up on the corporate ladder.*
More I was saying Troll Country is that Border Region which historically nations don't have active military enforcement in. Unless a Kislev army is marching through the area on a patrol or on their way to war, anyone there is on their own.
In general Hans is a awesome dude and he could have been a decent "replacement" for his brother at least from a tabletop perspective giving players a flexible but unconventional Empire Lord. And you want Asur you're sadly going to have to wait I mean there shouldn'tbe incentive for even Teclis to march through one portal especially since there is a second he has to see to. But Eekizz i never said was mutated, i did say though he can't really run away since he's already on the boat. Unless he wants to swim through a ocean south...with a Naga and N'raqi on his tail.
To your next comment set...Umm Franz definitely knows of the world portals, but the internal portal system likely not for another week or so, at least not until contact can formally be reestablished. As for the Goblins, I'm having just a bit harder time factoring them into the story, since 1) the Horde's goblins are a small percentage of the total race, there's more anti-Horde (Hostile-Unaligned and Pro-Alliance) Goblins than there are Horde Goblins.
I've heard of the Kings of War, but haven't seen anything of it. But I've had more of a eye on Battletech and Privateer Press as of the last couple years than watching GW murder themselves with bad staffing and labeling their most loyal fans Nazis off of lone events in Spain.
micelzod: There is value in treating enemies with proper respect and limiting the scope and casualties of warfare. To quote the greatest "Since we are Hollywood and don't want to actually address his points and arguments against Collectivism we'll just label his works as Nazi propaganda...and whoopse we made a highly successful movie franchise from an attempt to slander a author." "War is not violence and killing, pure and simple; war is controlled violence, for a purpose. The purpose of war is to support your government's decisions by force. The purpose is never to kill the enemy just to be killing him . . . but to make him do what you want him to do. Not killing . . . but controlled and purposeful violence." -Robert A. Heinlein.
The best Warhammer leaders understand this, but of course Chaos and Orks are a cancer on the world that has to be fully removed so it's a war of extermination. WoW...is based off this, but doesn't seem to comprehend this and don't have a out like WHFB does. Thus why they confuse me as they refuse to hold territory and make it clear that their warfare is more about killing and capturing enemy soldiers rather than forcing changes in borders and the acquisition of resources via border changes. And Aethalas is there willing to perform a military maneuver that will force starvation upon her enemy's people, but she doesn't want cruel acts that will mark the psyche of her people making them more willing to jump to excessive acts, and she doesn't want the Horde galvanized to the point they'd accept starvation just to spite the enemy (not realizing they are already there).
jweller12: Good question and I'm sorry the answer might seem somewhat non-committal. but yes/no. Can they do it, yes, will anything come of it, no. Clan Pestilence remain firmly devoted to the Horned Rat despite being a half step away from becoming plaguebearers in Nurgle's Garden. But the Skaven have been raised as undead, hilariously enough made into Vampires in a hilariously wasted Vampire's kiss, and they have been subject to every corruption Mallus has to offer. but as of yet nothing has impacted the Skaven even close to what the Clan Pestilence return had, and that one is just a bunch of fever deluded rats thinking that their eastern orthodox church is better than the state church and that their God loves them more than the other rats.
A Hill on Fire
The next day was one of intense work for the Horde and Cathayan survivors of the battle against the Mallus Ork threat. The few hundred Horde warriors who could still move about without risk of reopening wounds that had been swiftly sealed by magic, and the slightly over three thousand surviving Cathayans had to clean up after the dead and set upon repairing the damaged walls.
Then rather mixed news came through the portal, to the troops it was releif, to the leaders however it was more problems for them to consider. The Alliance's Seventh Legion and their assault on the Scarlett Monastery had been driven back, the lands outside the monetary were still heavily contested and the Alliance could make a push for the monetary again at any time. But Tragg Gatecrasher charged into the melee between the Seventh Legion and Horde, devestating both sides while depleting his own tribe's fighters in a misguided attempt to assist. It had taken Sylvanas Windrunner's own declaration in order to spare the Ogres from death at the hands of a recently victorious and enraged Horde.
Still too few on the other side could be brought over to help the Crimson Post. And there was still one other participant in the struggle for the Scarlett Monastery, one who walked through the portal now smirking down at the various Horde officers assembled around the Portal. The individual claiming to be Wrathion, leader of the Black Dragonflight gave a mock bow to the assembled Horde. Meanwhile Zhao Ming and a wounded, and barely standing, Zhang Genji both stood to the side watching Wrathion bowing to the Horde members.
"As leader of the Black Dragonflight, I graciously appreciate your hospitality to my esteemed personage." The confident smirk on the Dragon's face causing the blood of the Horde members present to boil. While next to them, the Captain of the Celestial Dragon Guard, Zhang Genji and Zhao Ming watched on with implacable expressions.
"What do you think you are doing here, traitor?" While no one had drawn any weapons the hostility of the Horde's Warriors was clear.
"Traitor? I come to offer my assistance and you instead throw wild accusations my way? If I didn't know any better I'd think you had something against those who come here to help you." The Dragon stated with a sly smirk directed towards his opposites.
Thinking quickly Alyzz Kneecord intervened. "How do you intend to help us oh great son of the Black Dragonflight?" The Goblin asked making a exagerated bow.
"Nothing much, when I saw those other Ogres come through your portal I cought the scent of a unfamiliar dragon. I figured it would be best if I come investigate and of course offer an exchange, and to help guide our new guests. If mostly to keep them away from those stench ridden fellows your Horde has been inviting more and more of to our world." The smarmy answer of the Black Dragon prickled the nerves of the Horde present while earning a odd smirk from the other dragon in the room.
"And what the hell..." Ergere began but was stopped as Wrathion ignored the Orc onstead strutting out and into the Crimson Post proper. standing tall and proud the Dragon smirked at the various resting Horde members, and the working Cathayan soldiers ans Horde Warriors. While the Cathayans paid the Dragon little mind, many of the Horde were confused as to why an apparent human had come from the portal, yet those who could recognize the Black Dragon felt their hands drawn to their weapons as their senses went into an alert.
"Well it looks to me, like you certainly need all the help you could get. Not a single flee infested furball in sight, an army occupying your base, and I suspect they aren't here to sign up for Sylvanas newest recruitment drive. And despite the magic here being harder to work with, I get the distinct impression that the very earth beneath our feet is trying to warn you of something, but your druids are either too incompetent or too dead to get the message."
This drew a silent huff from Ergere. Mary of the Druids were in bad shape or had indeed died in the battle. Still in a couple days Crimson Post would be back in full fighting shape. The Orc was certain they didn't need whatever toxic deal Wrathion brought to his 'favored' faction.
"What sort of Skink-oil salesman is this?" It was a slip, an almost uncharacteristic one. But Alyzz nearly chuckled at the statement from Zhang Genji until a look from Zhao Ming set his subordinate straight.
A tense silence then filled the air. For nearly a minute all present watched Wrathion's expression morph from one of confidence and joy, and slowly to one of disbelief.
"Are your druids really that out of touch with the earth?" He then pointed the Zhao Ming. "You surely feel what is coming don't you?!" The Black Drake then asked with a demanding tone. While a slight worry crossed Wrathion's face, Alyzz sensed a disturbing smile almost interceptable to all but those trained, like she was, to notice such things set in the other Dragon's features all but unnoticed by all the others present.
"You will have to be more precise strange one. My Mother has taught me a great many things, but speaking to dirt is generally seen as something more reserved for those with less than balanced mind." The Cathayan Dragon responded.
This was not well received by his Azerothean counterpart who gaped at the mixture of ignorance and the insult from this other Dragon. "You're very world is screaming in agony, and bringing pain to Azeroth itself with whatever force is try to kill your world and you are blond to it?"
"Many things bring about many forms of death and destruction. Are you perhaps complaining about a mole digging through the dirt? Or perhaps there is a particularly vicious herd of Boars you can sense ravaging the countryside? I'm sorry but you're not being specific enough." Zhao Ming replied, earning several gasps of outrage from Wrathion for several moments before the Drake corrected himself.
"No it doesn't matter, I didn't come to debate or even deal with this world's problems. I came to offer my services when we come to Azeroth. And since I do have them, perhaps offer some of my own followers to assist in the defense of this... adequate outpost." Wrathion collected himself before looking over to the Horde representatives around him extending his offer.
"We don't need you or your Mercenaries." Ergere answered harshly and before Alyzz could interject.
The young Drake merely scoffed at the reply. "And I take it you trust him to protect you?" The son of Deathwing stated accusingly pointing at Zhao Ming.
Now Alyzz broke in cutting off any further statements. "I apologize Wrathion. However the Horde's military structure we could not possibly accommodate whatever warriors you intend to bring without the permission of the Warchief or one of the Warlords. We certainly would bot turn down aid even if we don't necessarily need more forces, but we can't accept at this time." The Goblin woman stated swiftly and before the raging Ergere could say anything more, or Zhao Ming could remark on the contradictions in her statements.
With a sigh Ergere calmed and rejoined the conversation with a more level head. "Zhao Ming has aided the Horde greatly and we are with him opening negotiations with yet another nation on this world. If you wish to negotiate with the Cathayans I can not stop you. But right now unless you can tell us exactly what this threat is Wrathion, I can't accept what you are offering."
For his part Wrathion just huffed before smirking at the Orc. "Well while the threat closes, and for as long as I am here my offer stands."
"Well then when you get home, I hope you can tell your friend that your stay was comfortable." Ergere answered back turning to disregard the intrusive Dragon and set back to his duties overseeing the reconstruction of the Crimson Post.
Watching this Alyzz could only feel a sense of apprehension. "Wrathion." The Goblin woman, greatest adventurer of Azeroth to travel Mallus thus far, called out to the Black Dragonflight Drake. "You never answered, do you know what's coming?"
Wrathion simply stopped midstride as he was starting to pace the fort. "Darkness, Death, Hate and the power of Fel." A simple answer, but just enough a hint for Alyzz.
The Goblin still had a huge gap of knowledge concerning the world of Mallus, but she certainly knew of a few things that gave a similar feeling. the Wyrdstrone, or Warpstone as others called it. And that strange snake creature that had worn the skin of a man and attacked her. If either some mage army using the stone, or more of that snake thing were coming then certainly there were foes far worse than thise Orks coming. And as she considered that more thoughts and remote possibilities occurred to her...it had to be her parania, but she couldn't ignore the instincts that had established her as a Private Investigator.
"Wrathion, may I invite you to stay at my chanbers tonight. I have further questions for you and we might be able to further negotiate with both you and my Cathayan servant." As she finished her offer Alyzz could feel herself smirk as Wrathion stopped mid-step at her final words. And she could even see Zhang startle slightly at the statement, the realization that she was still technically banished to be Alyzz's servant dawning on her as she, embarrassed, left Zhao Ming's side to return to Alyzz's, her current Master's, side.
Witnessing this, Wrathion smiled at the Goblin. "I can think of no greater pleasure to be had." Alyzz frowned slightly at the double entendre, but then put on a polite smile and gestured to lead both Zhang and Wrathion to her quarters.
Ghozul watched the Blood-God's minions march like chattel southwards, only the ever present flock overhead and occasional 'examples' being made via bloody and brutal combat-executions kept these savages in a orderly line. Watching those northern umgak take formations and pretend at strict military discipline, as though the brutish beasts they were wasn't somehow visible for all to see would have almost been laughable if it wasn't so pitiful and more importantly disruptive to his plans.
Still the arrogance of these 'Azerothean' Chattel-to-be surely couldn't be as severe as it was when he battled them before. Now surely they should have scouts and spies about who surely must have seen this army marching on them, all while the Dawi-Zharr slowly crept towards the base cautiously bringing their weapons of war closer and closer while the slaves were held back only to be unleashed at just the right moment.
At the rate they were traveling the Blood-God's worshippers would strike the fortress first, the battle would certainly wage for over a hour, maybe several hours before the fortess could be brought into the maximum range of his guns. But allowing the Gorequeen to rampage among the defenders for some time before starting the shelling and his own sapping would serve Ghozul well.
The Despot knew the risks of too much delay but every second where the Khornittes spent assailing the walls and distracting the defense was another second closer he could bring his army. While any delay would earn more and more wrath from the Deamonkin, when were they not full of hate and spite? Still too much delay and the Gorequeen would most certainly attack him, but if he times it right she would likely forget about his delay, all while her men die for Ghozul's purposes and maximizing the weakened tired slaves the supreme master race would then be able to return to their rightful cages.
"How long until the Khornittes reach the Fortress?" Ghozul asked as he looked over his warplans and the estimated designs and likely traps and sally porte of the fortress.
A servant nearby looked over the Blood-host using his spyglass, then referenced notes nearby. "They delayed like you hoped Despot. They should be striking the fortress by sundown."
Ghozul didn't respond, such a act was beneath him as he took his own spyglass. The Chaotic Dwarf then left his command tent and set about the task of crawling up a hill that provided a dead angle of approach towards the fortrss which the defenders in their inexperience had entirely overlooked. No Dwarf would have overlooked this approach, even his own people's lesser cousins would have seen this as a worrisome ridge, but the crude fortress relied on magic to alert them, and magic was something the Dawi-Zharr had made into their tool long ago thanks to Hashut.
He just barely crested the hill, crawling shamefully but this was a task he would entrust to no other, his own life was on the line afterall. The spyglass extended Ghozul looked over the Azerothean Fort, his expert eye spotting shoddily hidden traps, expertly placed ambushes and more keenly placed traps alike for nothing was beyond the expertise of the Dawi-Zharr. He then considered the work taking place, the laborers, and even as he watched he estimated the value of each slave comparing the work and value of one against another.
Ghozul almost smiled his excitement was so intense. The defnders work was almost done, and they showed little signs of being aware of Valkia's approach. There was a wariness in the fort, hopefully they would notice the Gorequeen soon and stop their work short to contest her approach, but if not it would matter little, in a few hours after the Gorequeen's army arrived his army would be within range. And then the other armies would arrive and their cannons would be his to shake this fortress once again. As such rails and paths were being made to accommodate them as well.
Smoke and ruin, the mysterious deathly gas, Ghozul could see it all spread over the Hill as his battle in the past and the battle of the future overlapped within the Despot's mind. His own vengence and bloodlust welled, while his mind struggled to estimate the losses against the profits each of these new slaves would bring. There would be nothing, no beast, slave, Dwarf or God who could stand against the might of Zharr Naggrund.
Zhang Genji sat in shocked contemplation. The stories and claims of this Wrathion had to be myths, yet even Alyzz seemed to think of his words as fact. No the Dragon Emperor would have warned his children if such beings who could carve planets with their sword walked the Cosmos, and there was no Dragon who possessed greater power than the Emperor, let alone one with such a stupid name.
When the conversation drifted between bottles of wine to the topic of the Dragon Isles Zhang found herself getting admonished for trying to direct Wrathion to where they lay pointing to a nearby map of the Darklands, her own entrapment with the stories being told making her forget the differences between the two lands she and the two before her came from. So Zhang remained silent listening to the pair continuing their conversation.
"I thought the Dragon Isles had been lost to the mists of time. Not even the Dragons have been able to find their own homeland. what makes you think these other Dragons can help you find it?" The Goblin asked with a cup of wine in her hand and a look of intense suspicion aimed at her opposite.
"I don't honestly expect this Celestial Dragonflight to possess any insight beyond what the Dragonflights of Azeroth hold. It's the tools they possess, tools and magic even my own reach could sense from Azeroth and my spies helped confirm. Thanks to your merchant friends, those possess the attributes I need to tear past the veil that keeps us from the Dragon Isles. Where I then shall claim my rightful inheritance and some of my father's... other experts. And with that I shall finally put a end to the Old Gods who blight Azeroth and claim my Flight's rightful vengence upon them for what they made us into." The human form enveloped Drake explained giving a confident smirk to his counterpart.
Zhang meanwhile was growing ever more frustrated. "The what God's? None of this makes any sense."
Alyzz quickly downed her sixth glass if wine. "Now you know how I feel mate! Oh I'm Gasseus the Fartlord, I'm Bo Ping Bing Bong, fear the crazyus God or else. I have to keep track of all your world's bullshit and I can't even keep track of half the names this asshole is spitting out. I have over one hundred Clients whose names i have to remember and one hundred or more people I have to watch, seduce, or generally spy on, I can't keep track of every minor person, or i guess 'major' in this case.
Like this one history nerd wanted me to know who the hell this Lei Shen guy who lived like a couple hundred years ago or something was. How the hell am I supposed to know who that is, in a absolute instant based off some weird sounding name. Still far better than human names, you're people are pretty much the only humans whose names aren't the sounds Girls make when shoving something up their bums Like Joh-oohhnngg, Joh-onnnn, tell me you don't hear it! Yet you probably have a rod shoved the furthest up there...but then your tall and look like you'd be fun to tie..."
Alyzz stopped noticing the looks from her guest and her companion. "I might have had more to drink than I thought...I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you I thought we were connecting."
Zhang Genji's mask of neutrality and discipline never broke, even as she internally laughed and jeered at at the expense of her 'master' and friend. Still she elected to provide the most proper answer possible. "It was no issue my lady. My family knows a tea recipe that might help you with your current state, I can likely find some supplies to brew it with."
Alyzz Kneecord sat in contemplation for several long moments before Wrathion instead chose to make the decision for her. "Yes servant, go get us the best possible tea. I rather dislike when my companions are not of sound mind. Often they just talk, talk, talk and never provide anything of importance to my very crucial conversations or insights...H-hey where are you going I wasn't done speaking!" But it was too late, Zhang Genji stood and walked out of the chamber abandoning the pair to give herself some repreave and allow herself a chance to decide if she wanted to laugh or be outraged at the antics of the two she left.
Once Zhang left, however, Alyzz cast a hard glare to Wrathion sobering herself up quickly. "You plan to use us, use the Cathayans to steal power from the Dragon Isles? Are you serious? And why should any of us decide to help you!?"
The Black Dragon eyed Alyzz for a long moment. "I have always favored the strength and drive of the Horde. I had been convinced that under your rule the world would have been far better prepared for the Burning Legion than it was. And even after rejection and even betrayal, I still favor the Horde, I see that you're running low on population and warriors so I pull strings in your favor, despite some misgivings.
But we have reached a point where I need you to speak to your leaders. I need some reciprocation for everything I have done for you and everything I offer. Do they think that if I claim my father's title and his legacy that I'll just sit back ignoring the plight of the Horde in this war? Still I know things, and I will eventually be forced to turn to Anduin for help and he will want me to give him something in return. And as for the Cathayans, who would not want the favor of a Dragon Aspect and free access to the remains of the greatest realm of Dragons to ever exist? Our magic, wealth, creations and the boons of the Titans themselves. They won't resist the temptation, and you will ensure Horde will help ensure our quest succeeds."
Wrathion's tone and severity held Alyzz's focus. Be it delusion or truth the Dragon was absolutely convinced of his purpose and would not be stopped. Meanwhile Alyzz could feel his will almost pressing against her but still she chose to hold strong.
"I might have taken jobs from you, or your agents in the past to help spy on the Horde. But you're delusional if you think I can sway the will of our leaders. Especially not after what you did!" Her tone was sharp, and accusing, but Alyzz only pointed out the facts as she knew them and in response Wrathion just smiled.
"Oh I know, but still I need you to be my...oh how to put it.. foot in the door. I need a real audience with Sylvanas, and when it comes to matters of Mallus, you do hold her ever so long ear." The Black Prince slyly informed his Goblin counterpart.
Alyzz for her part sighed. "Now I really want that tea. It's really good by the way, but you need to drink it a certain way." The Goblin stated while calming herself and returning to a seated position.
"So, you are taking the request?" Wrathion asked while still standing and waiting for the return of Zhang Genji with the tea.
"I'm thinking about it, but you have to know this is absurdly difficult." Alyzz confessed with a sigh. She hated this aspect of her work, knowing just how twisted some of the people she worked for were behind the vener they put forth.
"Well then maybe I should offer..." Wrathion's next statement was cut off as the rapid clanging of bells and shouts snatched both participants attentions away.
Swiftly both rushed out of the Goblin's private quarters finding the entire Crimson Post alive with frantic activity. The pair swiftly asking what was happening but getting no answer from the confused grunts and Cathayan Guards rushing to the battlements. It was the return of Zhang Genji which shed light for the pair instead.
"My lady." Zhang shouted with relief finding Alyzz in the din of confusion. "I am glad your safe, Ergere wants us to make sure Kogkradd's tribe are ready and will follow orders." The Cathayan informed her Goblin mistress and friend before Alyzz could even speak.
"Zhang! Zhang what is even going on?" Alyzz responded to her counterpart looking over the frantic activity the Cathayan Dragon-Blooded was participating in.
Zhang looked about herself and over the chaotic activity taking place about her. "The ones among you called Shamans, they suddenly started shouting that an enemy was coming and then your Druids began shouting of something and your bull-men even said they could feel some disturbance in the earth. It's another army, someone else is coming for your fortress."
Immediately Alyzz cast her glare to Wrathion. The Drake in response shrugged looking back at the Goblin P.I. "Don't look at me like that, I did warn you. Well if you want my aid I'll be waiting in your chambers. Until then lets see what more this world has to offer up against you." And thusly Wrathion turned and left Alyzz and Zhang.
As they watched him leave finally Zhang spoke up once again. "I dislike him. This self proclaimed Dragon is snide and weak of character."
Alyzz sighed and chuckled slightly. "You're not far off there. Not many people like him, and he's trouble, but what he's offering is legit and Cathay and the Horde would benefit a lot if what he says is true. If whatever this is breaches the walls, we need to make sure he survives."
Zhang Genji nodded at her Goblin Mistress' instructions. She didn't like the idea of protecting what had to be the rudest of these Azerotheans she had met thus far, but even the chance of what Alyzz was saying being true meant that she would have to take extra care of Wrathion.
Alyzz then began trotting away stopping mid stride to turn back to Zhang who was still watching where Wrathion had left. "Come on, you said we need to see to Kogkradd and his tribe didn't you?"
Zhang felt herself surge with a slight moment of pride. While they both could be compared, Alyzz was far more noble than the scum who had blighted her day. So with a eager nod she followed after the Goblin stating. "After you m'lady!" And both women rushed to where Kogkradd's Tribe waited confused as to why the camp was ringing dinner bells with no dinner.
Ergere rode with all the swiftness his great wolf could muster while the Shamans flanked him along with several proud Wolfriders, some of whom were veterans of the first battle for Crimson Post. The land rushed past them as they closed the distances between the hills nearing the lands beyond the hill-blocked sight of the fortress. Soon they should find what had set off all the alarms that the Shamans had prepared.
It would not take long once they crested the hills, entering into the plains beyond, to discover what had set off the Shamans warning totems. There sat five creatures, their leader holding aloft one of the totems while scaled lizard-beasts with thick spiked collars gnawed at saveral others, ones that had been painted in colored code for each region they monitored and each that these hounds crewed on were not the ones the Shamans had raised the alarm about.
Yet the presence of the main beings still seemed more alarming, disturbing, than the beasts beneath them. Ergere was a large Orc, and Orcs were on Azeroth fairly large themselves most of their kind being larger than any human. Yet seated there the leader of these armored behemoths without his armor must have been up to half Ergere's own weight larger than the Commander of the Crimson Post himself was, and his companions were only slightly smaller than their leader. Then each sat waiting upon a vile nether-twisted steed, each whose shoulder was well above where Ergere's head would be if he were standing on his own two feet. These steeds wore heavy armor that blood seeped out from and from the leader's small gouts of flames also emerged from the seams of the Horse's armor with each screaming breath the horse took.
The armored riders and the Horde's own riders all watched eachother for several moments. The Armored rides with fire and searing gazes of contempt and hate, the Horde's riders with caution, calculation, and dignity. Then the silence was broken by the leader of the Armored riders shouting across the short divide of land between the two sides.
"Gore-dronningen befalte at jeg forkynte kampordenen over deg! I dag dør dere alle og dere skal alle dø i kamp! Blodsguden skal æres denne dagen med vår død, og din verden skal blottlegges for hans vrede! Gå tilbake til festningen din og forbered dine forsvar, la oss bryte kjøtt mot murene dine og rive deg i stykker!" The steel giant announced his voice like steel scrapping against steel. Meanwhile Ergere and all of the other Horde present could not understand a single word and sat looking dumbfounded. Despite getting books on the languages, and the work of Sylvanas' spies there were still too many languages present to learn.
Next the steel beast reached into a large sack that hung off his horse just outside of Ergere's line of sight. After a slow tense moment the monster's hand emerged, in his grasp was a man held aloft by his sobbing head while his crippled legs and arms hung uselessly, purple and swollen a beneath him.
"Please, Please, oh Oh by the Light! Horde! Please save me!" The man, a member of the Alliance wearing the clothing typical of an Alliance adventurer pleaded.
The beast held the man by his head forward as if displaying him, the gauntleted grasp causing blood to flow profusely from the man's head. All while the man, unable to move his body and just handing in the monster's grasp continued to beg.
"Please I'll join the Forsaken, I-I'll be your spy in Stormwind, I-I'll give you Anduin's head, just don't let these things kill me! You need to stop them anyways, they-I they're as bad as the Legion so please just kill them and save Az-" The man's useless body collpased to the ground beneath the leader's steed who began feasting on the corpse casually treating it no different than a horse would treat grass.
"Det første blodet har blitt sølt! La skallen stige til himmelen! Blod for blodet Gud! Skulls for the Skull-tronen!"
A.N. obviously the Horde don't speak the same language as the Chaos followers which depending on general point of origin I'll be using either Norwegian or Mongolian. This time is Norwegian.
Gore-dronningen befalte at jeg forkynte kampordenen over deg! I dag dør dere alle og dere skal alle dø i kamp! Blodsguden skal æres denne dagen med vår død, og din verden skal blottlegges for hans vrede! Gå tilbake til festningen din og forbered dine forsvar, la oss bryte kjøtt mot murene dine og rive deg i stykker!
(The Gore Queen commanded that I proclaim the order of Battle upon you! Today you all die and you shall all die in battle! The Blood God shall be honored this day with our deaths and your world shall be laid bare to his wrath! Return to your fortress and prepare your defneses let us break flesh against your walls and rip you asunder! )
Det første blodet har blitt sølt! La skallen stige til himmelen! Blod for blodet Gud! Skulls for the Skull-tronen!
(The First Blood has been spilled! Let the Skull mount to the heavens! Blood for the Blood God! Skulls for the Skull throne!)
AN2: I apologize to Everyone for disappearing for as long as I did, i planned for a one week break due to divorse drama, and ended up shutting down due to work needing me, being generally sick whenever i felt like writing, writers block, and pure exhaustion i put in 90 hours at my job in the last seven days alone and this is after most the difficulty at work and private life drama finished. I should be "getting back on up and eating that horse" (thanks DBZA Goku) so i should start regularly pumping out chapters again.