Reviews:

Guest 1: There's some strong Ignorance. WC has always had everything follow the same cookie cutter formula in terms of morals, while the Empire has a completely different reality.

Guest 2: Oh you know them poor, but thems got that fighting spirit...and good cavalry.

Guest 3: Kyn'ra's breakdown is both from her own side, and a growing hate of the Mallus. She probably thinks she's in one of those "the extremist was right" situations.

Guest 4: It's a bit hard to measure. Empire has great tech development in some areas and in some...well even CA called out GW over the idiocy of the Steam Tank "only having 8 left and can't build more" but having just as many variations and talking about multiples of each varient existing and rebuilding an absolutely destroyed boiler once, yet then claiming the Engineers can't figure out the tech...both statements in the same paragraph.

But the water is muddled because Empire is really both mid-renaissance and mid-industrial revolution with major factors that defined both taking place almost simultaneously. And let's take the Alliance for example, they claim to have absolutely unbeatable, almost even for the Horde, industrial capacity...all centered in one city...in some very questionable "factories" where even the industrial process comes into question because they're pulling out resources and components just straight from thin air and each of those factories looks more like a Chinese/N.Korean/Societ Union/hell WW2 USA era propaganda shoot of a factory rather than the IRL process...but its a video game. but still puts the strain on these factories especially when they have to keep switching their production lines over to different products how much they can actually achieve. If you play HoI4 you might get a bit of the idea when considering the final industrial tech level "stramlined factories vs versitile" debate,

But it more or less seems to play out as Q -Can the Empire solo any one state in the Allaince or Horde? A -Undoubtably, 2 is now pushing it, and 3 they will lose no questions asked. and the Horde and Allaince are more or less comprised of 3 maybe 4 "major" states each, and then 4 to 6ish minor powers...pre-battle for Azeroth mid battle for Azeroth they each add one major power to their side. But Stormwind has almost no industrial capability on its side, and a pathetically few people who even bother to learn about the technology in their hands and less than half, maybe less than a quarter of the Empire's population, Azeroth maybe has more humans total than the Empire, Kislev and Bretonnia combined...maybe, and then Stormwind relies exclusively on a professional army that makes up (following IRL recruitment numbers, or HoI4's recruitment levels) 0.2 to 1% of their population and then act like it's a warcrime to enact conscription. One on One even Ostermark and Reikland together could out last Stormwind's initial advantages (not counting all the heavy duty artillery from their allies they own) and produce enough sufficiently trained and equipped military to gradually negate any advantages Stormwind has and crush them over several months to a couple years...but we're not talking Stormwind alone, WC3 notwithstanding it's always going to be Gnomericon, Ironforge and the humans vs whatever threat is out there. and to beat a combo that OP you need a strong ally to break all hope...so summon the pompus "not french" Horse people to the west and let all Azeroth know true despair as men riding horses and holding pointy sticks crush every flying, super armored, and movile artillery based threat before them completely by unleashing a pompus Frenchman laugh.

Guest 5: meh friendship...it's not that magical. but still good to see something actually useful good come from 4th ed. Was really worried about it based on the group that initially wrote it and a friend of mine's ability to break the metagame in it within hours of the book release, but because that haven't had motivation to buy my own copy, since Id not have players who'd want to play it, and no real chances to play it. But still the idea of the tech shares still is fun.

Guest 6: Who says they can only use humans? Tiger warriors of Ind reporting.

Guest 7: *singing to a upbeat song*Oh i just can't wait to be King...*screen time minutes later* proceeds to get father killed in beastman stampede.

Guest 8: You know they won't learn. If after a near 100 years of the tech I existing, and yet they still won't collectively get off their lazy asses to improve their quality of life on their own, you know they'll just sit their collecting their stimulu...i mean allied support, until the end of time. meanwhile the Gnomes at the rate their going are going to have Time Variance Authority, and Time Lords running scared by the end of next century.

Guest 9: Oh she'll learn, but the whole thing is basically counter intuitive to how magic in Azeroth works and she's arguably the most powerful mortal spell caster specifically because she spent so much time formally learning from every possible source material, so the people on Mallus are logically idiots...and I mean it's a Bright Mage she's not wrong, the only real career path those guys have going for them is killing people and property damage, at least the other schools actually contribute to society.

Guest 10: Yeah effectively "First Contact" is still ongoing for both sides both are going to be idiots about it, but the Empire isn't quite cruel enough to it's people or disunified enough to actively invite foreign invaders to overthrow or destroy their government. And both are still used to operating at different paces, one being "make a decision and everything happens instantly" and the other "set a course and eventually get there". Meanwhile the Alliance is stuck in a rough spot, working in a world where magic and physics are just different enough or so very different as to ruin basic fundamentals, and coming off of a ego trip so huge they had memebers who thought the Horde could be convinced peacefully to surrender.

As for the Old Alliance, I think they were trying to pull the Soviets death camp approach of not really genociding the entire race just enough of them that the rest will lose all sense of identity and get intigrated. Also Draenor blew up after they started the (not) death camps so it went from "remove threat to our society and world" to "we must preserve these morons" ...seriously the Old Horde Orcs are like 50% morons 50% "i'm too badass to care" , so half of them were probably going "wait selling my soul to a demon was bad?" and the other half "yeah bad-ass, now lets go fight aliens to the death over a flaming volcano!" and then proceeding to do just that and either pulling it off and it's as badass as it sounds, or having it fail in the same way Stirling Archer fails to have his James Bond moments. And the Humans were just there going "WTF is wrong with these idiots, it's called pragmatism, wait i thought the horde was all about that *author whispers in Knight's ear* oh thats the new horde...ok i guess I'll teach this Thrall kid here all about basic pragmatism, half decent morals, and how not to be absolute dumbass, when I'm done with you you'll be like both Moses and Jesus all rolled into one...not that i know who the hell im referncing since I'm a fictional character from a totally different universe." "umm sir you sure you don't want to teach it to this Arthas kid who will one day be our future king?" "nah what's the worst that can happen?"

Guest 11: Blizzard would say "no" but the entirety of their behavior after the fall of the Legion and the sheer depths of insanity they dived into up to and during BFA would say yes.

Random Anon: Whaaaaat, you don't want to drop the soap? and yeah who knows how the cookie will crumble now.

as for Tzeentch's Labyrinth, the whole thing is actual mythology, Mid summer Night's dream, and Labyrinth all rolled into one.

ww1990ww: And what Sigmar fearing intelligence agency would allow a Vampire into their ranks? What next suggesting that there's Vampires who marry mortals and have semi-healthy relationships and fight weird psuedo-undead-rights battles? For shame, this is Warhammer good sir!

kingbean777205: The difference in most of them isn't "THAT huge" but as someone whose parents own a large pony and a small horse, and then keep them around normal sized horses and riding all the above, the diffrence is weirdly noticable in terms of how they move, their strength etc, yet visually it's not that significant of a difference between them all. Course the Griphons are a different story as thats like comparing a large pony to a stud Clydesdale. But definately the Griphons of WC and Demigriphs are about the same size, while that large pony or to a full horse, or small horse (more accurately) to a Stud Clydesdale certainly fits the Hippogryphs...which makes the reversal on that for WC wolf mounts being larger funny to me foe some reason.

micelzod: I can still pricture the scene. "and how do you spell that name umgok? " "Nah not at all baby it's spelled like..." but WHFB, while "a travesty of women's rights" bla bla bla worthless mingeing, they take their women very very seriously and treasure their women to an extreme degree. Trying to hit on em like WC would certainly is abour the worst you can do.

As for a retaliation, so swiftly unlikely but if the situation turns into a siege maybe, would give Avenah's half time to arrive as well, but Aunduin might get yanked off the scene then.

as for horde meeting Cathay, well Alyzz first needs to meet the King of Warhammed fans... (.) ... (.) I mean of the Ogre Kingdoms.

Hakuryuu: The Alliance has enough intel they should be stable, but poor Kyn'ra needs a break, but soon there will be diplomacy or many kinds. Man you people must be RPers, you suspect vampires around every corner, psssh no that's beastmen and brayshamans.

Jak23: Considering that even in WoW the titans aren't actually that great, minus Sargeras, the Old Ones. I'd jokingly, and I emphasise that this is a gag point, point out that Ursun some bitch regional God of a nation of stupid Kislevittes his Roar caused as much surface damage as Sargeras' sword thrust. And the Dragon Emperor's children almost thought he wasn't worth their time. And Ursun doesn't have Jack shit on Sigmar's power, even Ulric (wrongfully) looks down on him. Old Ones vs First Ones? now there is a Question because so far besides some obvious points such as First Ones having a doll fetish and Old Ones adoring Lizards they could be one and the same. The First/Old ones on abandoing Mallus going "well fuck that shit, lets stick to the whole six powers formula Leroy here devised." "Sir what should be the battle plan these new worlds use?" "Leroy?" "...Jenkins!"

OscuroSignore-51: While they're command structure is broken, the Legion certainly has more pride than to allow themselves to be conquered let alone by four "theme villains". But the Eredar probably would bargain for more power looking to be the next Kil'jaeden or Archimonde...or meet the unstoppable power of Daniel.

IDK about alliance elitism coming frir Titan origins seeing how the Old Alliance had a healthy dose of it long before learning of the Titan-forged. But the view through the portal Elune and her sister are both just seeing...*Cue ricardo dancing* "cuz you got that...cuz you got that..." as meanwhile Ulric is drooling over what he sees as well and the Chaos Gods rush to finish making their newest Everchoosen before they start simping.

By Word or By Sword

Alyzz shivered in the cold. The tribe still had yet to enter into the mountains of Mourn, but still the Goblin could feel the horrific cold, a dreadful change from her old tropical home. Still somewhere in these mountains was Greasus Goldtooth, whom was apparently the Overtyrant of all Ogres, and who Alyzz would need to schmooze up to if she wanted him to sign the Ogre Kingdom up for the Horde, something that the Goblin both for her pride and pragmatically needed to do, and then lets not forgetting the fat bonus she had waited if she did. The Goblin drolled for a moment thinking of the pile of Gold waiting for her if she did, but stopped herself reminding herself that once again business was business and payment only came if you made your business look good.

So Alyzz retruned to analyzing everything she had learned and how best to sell it once she returned home, assuming success on this part of the mission. Ogres were large, with the most extreme appetites for a entire race she had ever seen. But all that fat hid an incredible strength as well as a toughness. Against the Alliance she'd have to say stronger than Draenei and certainly tougher. They were also dumb...but pragmatically smart, which made their overall appearance a little deceptive, she'd have to dress them up somehow, maybe find a 'smart' Ogre to bring home with her.

As fighters she doubted it would be that hard to sell them to the Horde for her reward. She'd seen them weilding Cannons as firearms, and that one Dwarf Camp all they had to do was group up and charge and they litterally killed the entire, whatever those scrawny green guys were, all of them by running over them. Maybe a hundred Ogres most killed over a hundred smaller enemies by running into them. Then there strength and toughness definately made for a good sale.

Their territory being far from the portal...that might sour the deal a little, she'd have to either have to lie, or as her friend Kogradd pointed out Ogres were migratory, maybe she could convince some tribes to move to Azeroth, if she did that with them signing onto the Horde, she'd probably be rich enough to have aspirations to be a trade prince in the future.

Again the Goblin stopped herself. Now she just needed to consider the minds of her companions and think of the best way possible to convince them that they were the ones who wanted to both join the Horde and why it should be done.

"Great Mawrider! Come we will be entering the mountains soon, and after we will reach Goldtooth territory where we will have to pay tribute to the Overtyrant." Kogradd Kegeater stated to the Goblin momentarily snapping her from her dreams of riches and profits.

"Up." The Goblin stated, lifting her arms and was immediately picked up by the Tyrant and placed on his shoulder before he began to march once again. After getting forward a small distance the Tyrant shouted and the men and women of the Tribe who had sat down for a rest and, of course, a snack all stood up and began to march with him.

Alyzz looked over to her Tyrant companion. "Alright, I know you're working as mercenaries, but all I've seen you do is eat, what sort of payments do you typically like for your work?" The Goblin asked.

"Hmmm, well payment, Gold, Jewels, shiney trinkets that you might trade for a healthy helping of meat. Heh, Meat and lots of it. Or..."

The Tyrant lifted up the large pistol he held in his hand, the weapon would have been almost a slightly oversized rifle in the Goblins hands. "...Useful things." The Tyrant finished.

Alyzz pondered the Kogradd's words for only a second before her next inquiry. "And what were you paid to bring me along?"

"Gold, and plenty of meat, little miss spy." Kogradd answered immediately.

"You knew I was sent as a spy this whole time?" Alyzz was far more amused and impressed than shocked or concerned.

"Course. Don't know why people go about wasting time and brains, thinking things like, 'what is snack, what is the meaning of food before I eat it?' when they could of used em brains to think of a way to get themselves a nice snack. See when people always thinking like that and thinking that because I don't, that I's is got ta be dumb. Thats what em Merchants thought, but while they were thinking of ways to save their 'pride' and 'Harmony' from big stinky Ogres being around, I thought of a nice trick, and they got so scared of big beasts and grateful of the Ogres nearby fighting them big beasts that they paid more than full price!" The Tyrant then got laughing and Alyzz couldn't help but join, alreay she was thinking of how to implement such a scheme into her own future trade empire.

"So Kogradd, what would you say if I were to offer you better armor and better weapons than what anyone else out there could give you?" Alyzz then ask, her tone now conspiratorial.

"What kind of work are we talkn bout?" The Tyrant's smile now turned dark and ominous.

"Remember the guys back at the Portal?"

"Da Sky hole with the woman with the funky food, yeah." The Tyrant looked like he fondly remembered that.

"They are a group called the Horde, and they're from a place no Ogre has been to before. They're obviously already to pay you a decent amount, but if you go fight for them and the more Ogres we can bring the better, well the better geat and the better pay they'll be willing to give. Heck if Greasus is willing to sign a agreement with that one lady I can guarantee a constant stream of food and tribute. And that's all before you fight for them, immagine how much they'll pay me, pay us if you guys go there and fight as well as you do here. Of course I don't have anything to guarantee the deal, nor can I really pay you much in advance." Alyzz explained, she would steak the pride of Kneecord Private Investigations on this deal if she had to.

"Ah, It's all a little uncooked, but I like it. And yer the Mawrider. So I agree, now you said you need Greasus to agree to something. How can I help, and what's my cut?" Alyzz laughed, these Ogres were...well Ogres, but with enough Goblin in them to make her really appreciate them.

Zannae sighed in exasperation before looking at his two companions, the leader Launchalot looking upset, while Gin just looked eager. "No, I did not see some small hooded guy walk into the Warchief's tent, and why should I care?"

Launchalot just glared before responding with a growl. "Don't you dare lie to me. I know you saw him too, tiny little fellow about this high!" Launchalot held his hand down by his waist.

Now Gin sighed. "No if he was that small there's no way Zannae would have seen him, he was this tall..." The Orc held his had to the top of his stomach, "...and had a hunch. He probably would have been a little shorter than you...sir."

Zannae sighed, he was tired of hearing these stupid rumors, first three days ago someone raised an alarm claiming someone had broken into Sylvanas tent and was out to assassinate her, but before any guards could rush in the Warchief had come out to admonish every for their lack of diligence and paranoia. Then since yesterday people had been claiming to see this, thing coming and going from her tent. Some claimed a goblin lover, others some sort of Undead familiar, others were making up some fantastical race of Hoobits, some were claiming Murlocs in some sort of deranged not water bound varient, others claimed Gnolls, and still others were wondering if it was one of the goblins from this world or a similar race.

"Why do you care, hell, Sylvanas told everyone to drop it and stop being paranoid. Yet you mr.Sylvannas worshiper are not following her order." Zannae reasoned, crossing his arms and looking disapprovingly at the pair.

"Because the Warchief is planning something and while she needs secrecy, we're going to be in on it. Bringing victory to the Horde!" Launchalot stated his arm pumping before him.

"Half our unit is dead, and you want us to still focus on missions?" Zannae asked incredulously.

"For the Warchief. Yes." The Undead Knight asnwered.

Gin then walked over to Zannae. "Besides knowing is more fun." The Orc reasoned earning a angry shrug from Zannae.

"And what does that do for us? Nothing." Zannae countered.

Launchalot glared back at the Blood Elf. "Knowing or making ourselves noticeable likely gets us on whatever she has planned. And then we contribute and make ourselves a part of her ultimate victory." The Undead reasoned.

Zannae rolled his eyes, and was about to rip into the Undead when one of Deathstalkers approached interrupting the Blood Knight. The Deathstalker looked between the three before approaching Launchalot. "Launchalot Bloodfeeder, You are to report to the Warchief's tent immediately." The Deathstalker informed before walking towards the portal a satchel full of letters on hand.

Launchalot went from full seriousness to a childish smile and almost jumping in place. Much to Zannae's dismay even Gin seemed excited. This, whatever was happening, didn't bode well and Zannae could feel it.

Gin leaned into Launchalot shopping the Undead who looked like he was going to sprint to the Warchief's tent. "Keep your eyes open, we need all the deets on whatever her little friend, lover, whatever is in there. Swear now."

Launchalot just grinned. "So long as she doesn't demand absolute secrecy I'll tell you everything i can." The two co-conspirators smiled at eachother stupidly for a moment as Zannae just sighed. He was going to have to keep Gin safe from Launchalot's insanity, the Orc already had enough issues as it was.

Launchalot then took off running towards Sylvanas' tent, his companions forgotten behind him. As he neared the tent Launchalot slowed as the careful gaze of multiple guards locked onto him. The Undead leader of the Sunset Expedition slowed his pace to casual walk until reaching Sylvanas tent.

Outside the entrance to her tent, two of Sylvanas' guards stopped Launchalot from going in. The pair announced the unit leader's presence and within moments orders to allow him past came from inside the tent. Eagerly Launchalot pushed through the flaps and into the tent seeing everything of the dim chamber.

Inside a crystal ball was slowly dimming leaving only sparce candlelight. Beyond it sitting on the other end a table and casually spread out on a small throne was Sylvanas herself various tomes and maps of the new world laid out before her.

"Sit." The order was short,simple and soft spoken. Yet Launchalot dared not show even a moments delay walking swiftly to the only other open seat and taking it. Once he sat the Warchief of the Horde leaned forward. "You will speak nothing of what you see, or hear of this briefing understand?"

The Warchief's order was direct, sharp, and underpinned with a layer of threat enough to scare Launchalot into complete submission. The Undead Knight could only nod his head in agreement and submission to the Banshee Queen. Though seeing this Sylvanas smiled and shifted in her seat pulling out two sets of maps, the first housing a regional map that had four territories listed, World's Edge Mountains, Ostermark, Stirland, and Sylvania. The second map showed a view of the regions to the North of the Crimson Post.

"This mission will require upmost haste, as you will have a strict timetable to operate with." The Queen of the Forsaken began. "In three weeks and five days time the Horde will be cutting off the Alliance's main supply of Azerite out of Kalimdor. However the operation is already at risk, Alliance forces are now more active in Kalimdor and in a position to disrupt the entire operation. Also if the Alliance should prove successful in preventing the success of thie operation and escalate matters they could successfully include newly made allies from this world who live within close proximity to their portal, and thus Durotar." The information was a bombshell. Sylvanas had confessed to being on the verge of attacking the Alliance outright. Launchalot sat back in his chair then returned to the maps, now noticing several small marks.

Sylvanas finger tapped one of the marks, and as she did so a hunched hooded figure emerged from the shadows between both leaders. "Fortune, however favors the bold. We have several potential allies each willing to take action on our behalf, so long as we provide them reassurances and support both in this world and with claims they've made on Azeroth." The silent figure nodded as Sylvanas spoke.

"That's why your team will cross the World's Edge Mountains enter into Sylvania and engage in supporting a false flag operation in the Alliance held city of Mordheim. To the eyes of everyone on both worlds it will look as though the Alliance struck first, and expose their portal to an assault from the Mallus side even as Adventurers and my own forces strike the portal site." The plan was, insane to attempt in this timeframe, but brilliant nonetheless.

"But it would take a month to cross the mountains alone based off of what the Merchants told us, and crossing unknown territory like that could take two more weeks, maybe longer!" Launchalot tried to protest, but was shot down with a glare.

"Our new ambassador here has given some reassurances. His people will meet you at the World's Edge Mountains and provide you with their fastest route through the mountains. They already have teams setting up in Mordheim as we speak. And I had just finished negotiations with your guide through Sylvania. Our agents will be attempting to secretly steal an Alliance Mana-bomb at the same time your portion of the mission takes place, but the weapon is already on its way to Mordheim now and should be arriving and setting up as you do. Deliver your briefing to your men after you take to the road. Dismissed." As she was speaking the Queen traced the Sunset Expedition's intended route with her finger, eventually settling in Mordheim. And as she detailed the plan, the dark realization settled for Launchalot.

This was going to be it, the deathblow against the Alliance. Their Azerite cut off, new enemies emerging through what they thought was their portal, whatever schmucks they had been lying to at their side cut off and eventually destroyed. Even if this whole operation was partially successful it would still cause the Alliance to collapse. And Launchalot was going to play a crucial role!

"Yes my Queen." The Undead Knight bowed as he vacated the tent now hurriedly returning to Zannae and Gin. The knight passed multiple others but nearly running over a few individuals. Eventually the Undead Knight found his two living companions.

"Quickly, get the men and prepare our mounts and gear we're heading out. Glory to the Horde." Zannae and Gin looked between eachother cautiously.

Gin was the first to hazard any questions, even as all three began moving to prepare and gather the men. "Sooo, what did it look like?"

"You'll see with your own eyes soon enough, but we need to hurry, I'll share the briefing once we are on our way."

Avenah looked out of the carraige window watching as the Horse riding diplomat and Relyea marched side by side. While Relyea clearly disliked the woman's smell, with her hood pulled back and her bright eyed and freckled face was revealed the Worgen at least took to conversation fairly well with the woman, and Gerunn had eagerly engaged in conversation to pass the time.

"No truly I really wish to see this 'Worgen form' my parents were extreme Ulricans so we sort of fetisized wolves in my village. My mother was so upset when she learned I wasn't going to become a priestess like her, she broke my jaw." The human woman, Irma Schoff, stated with good humor.

"Eh, my father broke my snout when he found out I was a Worgen." Relyea laughed, earning some sympathetic chuckling from Gerunn and honest laughter from Irma.

"Oooh? So we have a little in common that way. Parents can be rather extreme at times, it's sad to disappoint them." The human woman stated with a honest smile.

The human then sighed and continued. "But if not for our families we wouldn't be the people we are now. If not for my family and the determination they instilled in me, then I probably wouldn't have succeeded as the Baroness' agent, and since our organization is effectively a bureaucratic Library, if not for my parents I would never have been selected to train under a Cathayan Weapons master. And I probably wouldn't have even been selected for this mission either."

"A what master?" Gerunn asked.

"A Cathayan Master, they hail from a strange far eastern land. Quite lovely art and some very interesting flavors to their tea." The woman responded with a smile. While not exactly what he was looking for Gerunn accepted the answer.

Relyea however didn't. "So what you're like somesort of Blademaster?" The Worgen woman asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I don't know what you mean by Blade Master, but I studied purely for the artform. I wrote three short books on the topic...unpublished and reserved for the Organization's use. But I did happen to become a expert in the use of a Dadao and Giandao in that time. Those are a Cathayan Sword and Pike, since you probably don't know. The mistress even has paintings of me holding the weapons...in the buff." The Irma answered mumbling the final part, but approaching the topic with the eagerness and joy of a fantatic.

"So what you're like the Empire's version of a military hostorian?" Avenah finally asked, joining the conversation, across from her Günther snored softly in his sleep.

"Ummm, yes. Though the task is more directly associated with investigative work, allowing the Emperor and his staff an insight into whatever that they need be it the fighting styles and tactics of enemies, or the favorite cultural dish of a region a diplomat is traveling to. Honestly if I didn't find you all so fascinating, you'd be my most hellish assignment yet...maybe." The Imperial Archivist stated.

"Oh and what, the Empire want to know how I'd kick anyone of your lot's asses?" Relyea boasted.

"Yes. What blade styles do you use, do you have different ones for when you're in your Worgen form? How do your Dwarves fight, are they motivated by grudges and long remembered slights recorded in their books of grudges? Do your Draenei have any distinct weapons?" The woman suddenly asked, a wide smile on her lips, a book in hand along with a pen and a ink vial.

The woman's eagerness was almost unsettling, though Gerunn registered something about what she said. "Ummm, what do you mean Book of Grudges?"

She looked up from her already writing hands and book to look at Gerunn. "Ok so I take it your people don't have that aspect. But should you slight the honor of a dwarf they often will remember the grudge and inevitably take some form of revenge against you. And if they think their clan should become involved or remember the Grudge they'll put it into their clan's book of grudges and eventually their clan will take often violent vengence on you and your kin. The Dwarves have a long list of ways to settle grudges, but the preferred and ironically easiest ways to settle grudges is through combat and often one party or the other dying. Though obviously if a Dwarf is slain in settling a Grudge then likely the clan will just add to your section in the book, unless some very specific criteria are met."

Gerunn just paled as the human spoke. "And the Dwarf women?" He asked.

"They occupy a odd place in Dwarven society. Based off what i've seen of the Dwarves in the Empire, they have essentially no individual freedom, but hold incredible value and influence over any Dwarven clan, and disrespecting them is no different than begging for a grudge. In fact you're never allowed to directly insult a clan's women, even when the Dwarves have their...well I call them insult competitions." Irma seemed oblivious to the growing look of dread on Gerunn's face.

"R-Right...but what about..."

"Shut it." Gerunn was interrupted by Relyea who before everyone shifted into her Worgen form. The female Worgen sniffed the air stalking around the carraige. Behind them a line of Halbrediers marched in a formation so orderly, at least by the standards of a force marching on a rough road, as to impress even the Battalions the Stormwind army. Ahead of them ranks of gunmen also marched, just ahead of them a formation of shield carrying swordsmen marched. After that the spacing of the army was too much for the Worgen to tell who came next up the line, or after their detachment.

But still the Worgen was now on edge, a new scent had wafted through the field. One worse than Irma's stench, while hers was a stink of rotting vegetables, meat, and dirt, this stench was of wet fur, blood, sweat, piss, shit, and something like a skunk's musk. It was overpowering, and it wafted in from what had been downwind of the convey until moments ago.

But more than the scent, the feeling that came after it, the air was charged with energy like someone was channeling arcane power and a great deal of it. Yet Relyea could not see the signs of any magic being cast.

"Avenah, everyone. Be on guard." The Worgen growled in warning. Quickly Gerunn prepared his shield and axe, as the Dwarf prepared Avenah woke Günther who didn't question but immediately set about putting on what armor and gear he wasn't already wearing. Outside the cart Irma rode closer to the cart pulling her own Cathayan Pike off the back where she had hidden it.

And then suddenly off in the distance loud braying could be heard. The Azerotheans looked out in confusion, while Günther immediately leapt from the Carraige. "Attack, get in formations!"

But it was too late, Relyea could sense the wrongness reach out past her, and then moments later there were shouts, screams and snarling coming from the Halbrediers as some of their own began wildly swinging their weapons at their comrades and others dropped their weapons pounding at the men closest to them or broke from forming hollering in voices that no longer comprehended language.

Immediately Avenah leapt to support the men casting healing spells and calling upon the light to sooth and heal those aflicted by this curse. Many of the soldiers looked to Avenah with amazment as their wounds instantly mended, and as their screeching comrades calmed. But for Relyea it was more disturbing, whatever aflicted these men, was a magic that the Light could not heal, these men's had been stripped of their minds entirely leaving only savage animals.

The Halbrediers quickly started shoving their beastial former comrades out of their ranks but even as they did so the distraction and disruption was enough. While still trying to get the animal-minded men out of their ranks the true enemy were upon them.

Creatures truly unlike any Relyea had seen before charged into pikemen. Horns sharpened or with nails and spikes embedded rammed into the armored torsos or bashed into helmeted heads with such force that the armor was pointless, as axes removed limbs or sliced apart torsos. All as heavy armor deflected the pikes saving the crude wearers of the armor.

Next a volley of Gunfire unleashed, but it too was too late, as barechested the first rank of goatmen dropped but the second rammed into the Gunmen their cleavers and crude axes now wildly slashing into men. The swordsmen that were to support the gunmen were pinned in place by more human looking creatures with various hand weapons, mostly clubs and axes.

"I'll support the Halbreds!" Gerunn shouted leaping towards the the faultering Pikemen.

"Wait no!" Günther's call was too late as the Dwarf was locked in with the Beastmen. And now more Gors and even a Minotaur were charging towards the carraige. No longer afforded the luxury of being able to care about the Dwarf, Günther pulled his repeater pistol out and fired his shot taking a charing Gor dropping it instantly.

Relyea's howl followed the gunshot as the Worgen charged, two swords large enough to be considered greatswords in either hand. In seconds the Worgen fell upon her first Gors, the blades splitting the supprised foes in half with ease. Meanwhile five more shots rang out from Günther's gun and three more Gors dropped.

As this clash took place Avenah empowered the Worgen using the light and extended her senses. The Draenei Priestess of the Light then could feel it. Dark power radiating from the treeline washed outwards empowering all the beastial foes fighting the Empire troops. Men now died much more quickly and the Empire line here could collapse at any moment.

Acting quickly the Priestess cast a mass healing onto the Halbrediers as well as attempted a mass ressurection, though with that miracle she could feel a fierce resistance and only a few of the most recently slain Halbrediers found themselves still alive after death. Avenah turned looking for anyone to take out the clear spellcaster stepping out of the woods, however Relyea was busy dodging blows from a massive beast that looked like a far more savage and perhaps stronger Tauren, and Günther and Irma both were currently occupied with cutting down still charging Goatmen.

Avenah knew that she and she alone would need to clash with this spell caster. But even as she prepared to face him the spellcaster noticed her and began unleashing his own arcane might against her. Avenah felt her pulse surging, rage, the need to eat, sleep, flee, fuck were all overwhelming her mind and the Draenei felt her concentration broken as she yawed animalisticly. Avenah though pushed through the impulses and the pain overtaking her mind, even as her rebellious flesh raised her tail and deficated. Instead the Priestess reached back and struck the enemy's own mind seering him with the light causing him to roar back in pain.

The spellcaster then thrust forward their hand and a swarm of flies suddenly appeared their mandibles tearing into the Draenei's flesh. In return Avenah smote the savage holy flame engulfing his form. Even burning the savage spellcaster refused to surrender, the flies were soon replaced by crows which tore with claw and beak into Avenah. The Priestess' vision narrowed in the pain, and she struggled but after a moment of concentration called a Holy Fire explosion on her foe. The beast roared one last time, and the savages before him became suddenly invigorated but the fire still claimed the enemy and the caster dropped dead moments later. As her foe dropped Avenah smiled before collapsing herself.

Yards ahead of the magical duelist Relyea ducked under a horn aimed to remove her head before blocking an axe as big as she was. The Worgen was little use against this Tauren-like creature. His spead matched her own, his savagry and skill matched or surpassed her own, and he was clearly the stronger of the two. Relyea prepared to absorb another blow in exchange for a chance to attack the monster, but before she could take the blow a staff hilt struck knocking the Worgen aside as a new challenger stepped into the fight.

Irma stepped forward taking the place of Relyea, the blade of her weapon pointing back away from the Minotaur before her, her right leg extended outwards, keeping her center of gravity low as the staff of her weapon was held just above her leg. In a roar of bloodlust the Minotaur brought its axe down to split the woman in two, and Irma drew in her leg shifting herself to the side and with a slight bend avoiding the Axe by centimeters as her own blade followed after. In a cut so swift that Relyea, thrown off balance and distracted, could not even follow the Blade's movement, the Minotaur's throat was split open by a shallow cut and dirty blood began to seap out of the wound, flowing like water down a stream.

The woman then brought her weapon around, even as the Minotaur roared in rage and prepared to bring its axe in a backhanded strike, the tip of her blade stabbed into one of the hands holding the Axe stabbing into beast's thumb and removing one of its fingers. Even as the Archivist's blade removed the beast's fingers its hard head collided with the woman throwing her onto her back.

Relyea jumped forward her own blades lashing out blocking a haphazard and weakened swing of the Axe and with a powerful strike removing one of the Minotaur's horns. Thus earning a pained and powerful roar from the Minotaur. Next another strike from the Axe came for Relyea who blocked the blade, and as she did Irma slipped between the combatants cutting open one of the Minotaur's legs causing it to stumble allowing Relyea to strike it's chest.

Outraged the Minotaur lashed out with his Axe throwing Relyea back and looming over Irma. Then stick shots rapidly, one after the next, rang out and four bullets impacted the Minotaur staggering back the beast. Even as it staggered Irma lashed out attacking the chaotic beast's other leg causing it to collapse to the ground. Seconds after Relyea was back, and her blades lashed out now removing the Minotaur's head.

The battle lasted for less than a minute after that as the Beastial foes eventually broke, their champions all slain, and fled from the the clearly victorious Imperial forces.

Rather than give pursuit the Imperials fired a volley at the fleeing Beastmen. Then after a tense moment with no regrouping Beastmen or second wave, the Soldiers began the task of tending to the wounded, and tending to the dead and lost. Some of the Halbrediers celebrated Gerunn, the Dwarf's decisive holding of multiple Bestigors allowing the line to push back, while others sought-after the Priestess who blessed them in battle.

Sister Avenah was surrounded by her companions, minus Gerunn, the Human Captain and Worgen carefully lifted the wounded Draenei into the carraige. At their side Irma frantically wrote notes asking questions ranging from, "If she dies under our watch would the Alliance consider war" to "Is a Draenei's heart on the right side or left side of their chest?"

It was in this state that those Halbrediers who went to thank their savior found Avenah. Günther attempted to shoo them away but one young man pushed forward insistently. "I said leave her be." The Captain ordered harshly but the young man remained.

"P-please sir, she's hurt. I-I saw him, Morr. I was in Morr's garden but her magic pulled me away. Muh mum gave me this before I joined the troops. She said she bought it off a merchant, I know it's cheaper than probably what your lot can afford, but she needs it more then me." The man said holding a vial toward the captain. Günther intended to toss the Vial aside when the man wasn't looking but noticed an engaving in the glass.

"Thankyou." The Captian stated turning to the Draenei at his side pulling the cork out of the Vial while tilting the unconscious and quickly weakening Draenei's head back.

"Oh Light-Bless, that thing smells like piss!" Relyea complained covering her nose with her paw, regretting staying in her Worgen form.

"It's probably mostly piss or all piss, but it's piss in a vial belonging to one of Altdorf's best potion makers. And unless you can do as she does, this is our best hope of saving her." Günther answered before pouring the dark yellow contents of the vial down the Draenei's throat.

The seconds ticked by, nothing, then a minute and suddenly Avenah gasped, started choking and vomited inside the Carraige. As the Draenei vomited Günther smiled as Relyea sighed in releif and Irma Schoff continued to frantically note everything that was happening.

Next Avenah started hissing, bitting back the screams, in pain. But minutes of concentration later she managed to heal herself slightly, though now she was too exhausted to attempt anything else.

"Hey guys, get this, several points of the Convoy were hit by these 'Beastmen' but our part was the weakest part of the army hit. Only reason anyone here survived was probably because of everything we did...what did I miss." While he had walked up in good cheer, Gerunn's demeanor changed on seeing the state Avenah was in.

In response Relyea scowled at the Dwarf. "We tried to call you back you deff idiot! They hit us hardest, a fucking Dire Tauren type monster, and some funky bug throwing magic caster and a bunch of random creeps attacked us. It's more than a miracle that Avenah is alive right now!"

The Draenei tried to speak up, but her horse cry for peace was drowned out by the Worgen's rage. "So what, did you think 'Oh look at me I'm a Champion Adventurer now, I'm getting a high kill score on foes never before seen' we needed you here and you ditched. We could go to war with these people if we aren't careful! yet here you are running off to get kills, and sparking up Blood Fueds!"

"Grudges." Irma softly corrected not even bothering to look up from her book as she took notes.

"Oi, fuck you puppy dog! This Dwarf saved my life!" a Halbredier suddenly shouted at Relyea her and five others holding their weapons marching over to Gerunn's side.

"Fuck off Soldier, this is between him and me. Doesn't have anything to do with you." Relyea growled.

"It's got everything to do with us ya ugly mutt. We're not letting some monster shout down the guy who killed the Gorge-Horn and helped us reform our line!" One of the soldiers shouted.

"Hey everyone calm down!" Günther attempted to seize control of the situation however the Captain was ignored as five Halbreds leveled towards Relyea who drew one of her swords.

"You fucking weaklings don't want to try me." The Worgen growled but the Halbrediers held firm. Their front three planting their weapons while two in the back prepared to counter Relyea.

"In Sigmar's name, there shall be no fighting among comrades!" A new voice break through the mounting tension and stopping the brewing fight. A armored priest stepped forward before making the gesture of the twin tailed commet to the Azerotheans.

"What's this?" Irma asked, still taking notes frantically.

"Volkmar wanted me to assess the situation here and offer adsistance should you need it." The priest stated simply, but earning scowls from each of the Azerotheans.