Prolog

previously

This is the third story in the Gate of the Elder Gods series, book one covered the discovery of portals between Azeroth, and how schemes and opprotunism laid the seeds for the expansion of a brewing war on Azeroth to include factions from, and even perhaps expand to Mallus, the fan name for the warhammer world. The War of the Thorns is then kicked off by the Horde as per Sylvanas' plans and she manouvers to gain the commitment of the Skaven Under-empire and the Von Carstein bloodline to join the Horde while manipulating the information all sides of the portals know about each other.

With the Horde's victory in the War of the Thorns, the Battle For Azeroth begins with the sealing of the portal connecting the cursed Imperial city of Mordhiem and the peak of mount Hyjal by a small glacier's worth of ice and snow, the burning of Teldrassil by the Skaven in what the Horde claims is a misfiring and self deatruction of one of their siege weapons, though in truth it happened by Sylvanas own order. At the same time agents of SI:7 alongside brave and, lead by Volkmar the grim, misplaced Rieksguard Knights and King Anduin alongside his bodyguard attacked deep into Orgrammar, the clandestine SI:7 agents in desperation or simple spite unleashed a wave of terror against the Orcish city and Anduin and Volkmar both barely escape the city before Orcish retribution and vengeance can reach them.

In book two "Drums of War", While trapped on the Mallus side of the of the Hyjal-Mordhiem portal Shandris Feathermoon leads her own stranded army of Night Elf Sentinels as well as the shook survivors of the Alliance's attempt to explore and establish a colony on the other side of the portal. However a misguided Night Elf Adventurer splits her own following from Shandris and far north in the lands of Norsca battles against the followers, and draws the attention of the Blood God who then sends a small army against the Horde owned Portal in the Land of Wolves, located in the south western half of the Dark Lands.

At this time Shandris was locked into negotiations with the Empire hoping to gain some measure of their support against the Horde, though the Empire had no real stakes that they knew of in the recently started war, and thus Karl Franz gave subtle aid to the Night Wlf general to buy the services of his fellow elector counts in a gamble to strengthen the Empire and gain riches.

But Once Shandris was ready to depart back to the portal and hopefully force her way through the ice, at the same time the Chaos Dwarfs true masters of the Dark Lands joined with the forces of the Blood God in a gamble to take the portal. A gamble which was spoiled by the intervention of Ogre Mercenaries, the Black Dragon Wratheon, and Zhao Ming along with a Cathayan army intending to establish their own foothold on Azeroth while hunting for a as of yet unknown power on Azeroth for the purposes of the Dragon Emperor. Also the portal blocked Valkia as she tried to cross between the worlds.

But while the Horde secured their portal against invaders while also allowing their allies from Mallus passage, Shandris lead her mercenary Imperial army alongside Hans Lietdorf, Elspeth von Draken, and Luthor Huss through the portal and onto Azeroth where upon discovering that the Night Elves still held their ground if barely, and of her people's horrific losses, they made path for Mulgore in a bid to reduce the Horde's food supply and hopefully force the Horde into an armistice or even surrender. However the dark events, reflected on Shandris and drove her to behaviors out of line with her normal self. The sieging of Mulgore cumulating in a siege of Thunder Bluff itself, where eventually and with dark sacrifices and the manipulation of a Vampire spy for experimentation's sake Elspeth unleashed a dark spell to momentarily steal control of and wills of the Elemental spirits to tear open a path onto the city plateaus where the Empire may have sized victory over the Tauren. however Sylvanas air floatilla, a diverse array of mercenary and elite forces, and the sudden arrival of the alternate timeline Mag'har Orcs from their alternative homeworld broke the imperial siege scattering the Imperial forces some now under the protection of the Army of the Light and guided by Luthor Huss, others following Hans to be retrieved by an Alliance fleet, and others lead by Elspeth to escape into the mountains. And in the chaos of the battle's ending hours Shandris fell from the cliffs of Thunder Bluff, no healing able to resurrect her properly as a yet unknown force has stolen a portion of her soul.

Meanwhile the Night Elf Adventurer Kyn'ra after her failed expedition into Norsca, and driven both to madness and desperation, gave herself fully to the Old God N'zoth. Coinciding with Elspeth's spell in Mulgore she made one of her few remaining companions enact a ritual using gathered magical power from Mallus' warp and cultists following the Old Gods they opened a third portal between the worlds, Kyn'ra's companion suspecting the mad elf also enacted a spell that saw him wisked away into a unknown crystal labyrinth and the Blue and Bronze Dragonflights struggled to prevent the portal's opening yet still failed and were further thwarted as Kyn'ra escaped their attempt on her twisted, no longer elven life as she had become some twisted half Naga abomination and was fully under her new God's protection.

But now we turn back the dials to before Shandris' return, Kyn'ra's fall to N'zoth, or even the first Mallus Ogre or Dragon-blooded ever setting foot on Azeroth's soil. Now we cover the story of what happened shortly after the War of the Thorns, and what happened in the Eastern Kingdoms and eventually what would take place after these events.

Prolog

Anduin woke up in a cold sweat and gasping for breath. It wasn't nightly, but he still was suffering from some various recurring dreams. The first was simple enough for him to understand, the first was his sense of guilt, the faces of those he and his forces have killed and the faces of the men he had lead to their deaths. The war was already costly and it hadn't even lead up to the battle that Anduin hoped would be the single great battle to end it all, the one where certainly a great number of men would die.

The second dream, that dream was certainly harder to interpret. But the rats, the moving bones and the suits of armor with flesh, Anduin was concerned about whatever was on Mallus. Both the Undead and Skaven were threats he knew and they and the Empire even all expressed a concern over some other force called chaos and from what was described...he feared that they might be able to kill a good number of villages before the Alliance could stop them, perhaps more.

The last however, was the hardest to understand. While he could possibly understand the fear of seeing Stormwind destroyed, its citizens lost forever. This dream was oddly different, like the land was being consumed, everyone and everything becoming something else and eventually sinking into the sea. Perhaps there was far more subconscious thought or fears in this dream because it didn't feel in line with the other two. Even so, Anduin knew that he couldn't let these dreams drive him. Fear was not something to allow to control him, fear could not paralyze him into inaction or drive him into cruelty.

But now he was awake and certainly with how close both sunrise and the start of his day was Anduin could not go back to sleep. Not with the threat of more nightmares, and the possibility of oversleeping a very real thing. Besides he could always call upon the light to give him energy for the day when the time came.

Instead Anduin slowly rose from his bed, dressed himself in one of his more 'casual' suits and made his way to the Cathedral of Light with a small escort of guards. It was so early in the morning that the young king almost failed to draw any sort of crowd, this time only a small gathering of interested onlookers who watched his every step with interest before setting off to start their days before the rising of the sun, or end their busy nights.

Soon after entering thr Cathedral however Anduin learned that High Priestess Laurena was still asleep and no one else of rank was available. Even Mia Greymane who had been being tended to and in turn tending to the Kaldorei refugees here had left to spend the night with her husband. Anduim came seeking guidence and he had come too early and perhaps with too much doubt.

Yet, not counting his bodyguard and the early morning priests, Anduin was certainly not alone. Virtually sequestered away in a corner of the Cathedral lit only by candle light Volkmar the Grim, Grand Theogonist of those calling themselves the Cult of Sigmar sat over a simplistic desk, fingers blackened by a layer of graphite as the man took the time to painstakingly draw upon a large sheet of paper.

Driven by curiosity and without anyone else to speak to the King of Stormwind walked to the Imperial's corner of the Cathedral. Even as he approached many of the awake Reiksguard Knights rose to their feet taking formal defensive positions around the Grand Theogonist, but for his own part Volkmar didn't respond to Anduin's approach if he even registered it. The man was entirely focused on his work, and as Anduin neares he could finally begin to see what the other man was so intently working on.

On the desk well lit by a series of candles was a map. The map detailed what Anduin was certain was the Empire. While not what Anduin assumed to be a perfect map it was certainly far more detailed than the one Adventurers frequently used and even marked and gave information on cities and landmarks in the Empire. From it's western most border and a nearby city of marienburg, to the the Empire's eastern most borders marked with the mountains and small depictions of what Anduin assumed to be the Mallus versions of the Dwarves.

Near the city of Altdorf there was also a drawing of a man done in painstaking detail. Holding a hammer and dressed in barbaric garbs that wouldn't have been out of place alongside the companions of Thoradin which was quite the divergence from the aesthetic of the Imperials that Anduin was used to. Still while certainly not a artist, the care and detail Volkmar was putting into his work, particularly the drawing of that barbarian was something Anduin took note of.

After several minutes of watching the other man drawing his map Volkmar eventually paused his work, checking on his candles and using a water basin to wash his fingers of the graphite that had built up on them. As Volkmar tended to the candles Anduim stepped forward and cleared his throat.

Without looking up from his work the Grand Theogonist spoke. "Greating King Anduin, what is it you want this morning?"

How Volkmar knew with such certaincy it was him, Anduin didn't know but that didn't matter. Instead the King asked the first question immediately on his mind. "Why are you drawing a map of the Empire? I'm sure we might have one so there shouldn't be a need for you to make one for us.'

"This isn't for you. It is for me, the Empire is Sigmar's land, the realm he created and everything I do is for Sigmar and to thus best serve him, I and my fellow countrymen are to serve for the betterment of his Empire." The Priest of the Sigmaritte cult stated with unwavering certaincy.

"Well then, why choose to stay here, wouldn't you better serve the Empire and your god from Stormwind Keep?" Anduin then inquired of the Priest while watching as several Night Elves either returned into the cathedral or came up into the main area mostly loitering about with nothing to do.

Volkmar stopped and looked Anduin in the eye. "We are new to this strange land you call your world and some normalcy is good for the heart. Besides look about you, see that man there mr. Bishop Arther, strange name, strange faith allows himself to be too impacted by the failings of others rather than holding strong to his own faith. And then there are these Kaldorei, that one there is mourning the loss of his brother, and she is still waiting for news of her sister's return from the battlefield, and that one is waiting for his spouce to heal in the cathedral below."

As Volkmar spoke Bishop Arthur walked past, his eyes sweeping the room analyzing everything with severe scrutiny. Meanwhile one of the Kaldorei men sat in a pew where he cried softly, and a woman stood pacing while watching the door, and lastly Volkmar pointed to a male looking down the stairs towards the lower levels of the cathedral.

"On their own the lives of these people are meaningless to the Empire. None of them are my countrymen, and none of them feel the slightest loyalty to Sigmar nor the Emperor. But I have to consider the future of Sigmar's Empire. What if these people seek refuge in the Empire, how can I guarantee their loyalty and the benefit to the Empire, what about the future with trade or if they try to include us in a war, or if I can somehow earn enough good favor that they fight alongside the Empire when we need it. The Dwarfs are not subjects but the allies and friends of Sigmar, and so the Cult of Sigmar has worked hard to maintain that friendship and to ensure the Empire's benefit. For now a little charity is certain to go a long way." As the Grand Theogonist explained his logic Anduin conceded to himself that while for certainly selfish reasons, at least in the scope of kingdoms, Volkmar was still doing what would be good for the people of Darnassus and he probably shouldn't challenge the man's reasoning.

"Volkmar, do dreams hold any meaning for your people?" While Volkmar was certainly of a different world and culture, perhaps his perspective was something that could shed new light on Anduin's doubts. Besides Volkmar's God was certainly a worthy champion of the light perhaps even someone on par with a Naaru at the least, or so Anduin had argued to the Church of the Light.

"They are often means by which the gods communicate with us though they are typically the domain of Morr so he most frequently issues prophecy through dreams. Why? What dreams have you had?" Volkmar responded.

"I have only one I need help interpreting." Anduin began with a even tone. "I have been having a dream of Stormwind being consumed by darkness as a red eye watches. Tentacles grasping our citizens and them changing into things I can not recognize and then the entire kingdom sinking into the sea." The King of Stormwind explained while the Grand Theogonist listened carefully.

"It sounds like a warning about chaos from the Gods. The Dark Gods warp people into monsters, change others into daemons, and make one's own body into their crafted tool for their own amusement. I can see no other possibilities." Anduin resisted rolling his eyes, there were no Chaos Gods, not on Azeroth and the Burning Legion was already defeated, he would be far better served in this by asking the priests. But for now socializing with and learning about Volkmar and his culture was proving both interesting and useful in easing his mind.

Out of Place Review Responses from Drums of War:

AN: for new readers I try to keep up a steady set of responses both to keep me writing and to add some fun engagement, or add hidden insights, please enjoy.

Ravenguard0009: That first paragraph on Sister Avenah and her views regarding Volkmar is pretty spot on, some minor tidbits but certainly in the 90% range barring any changes as the story progresses.

As for Cathay well thats a slightly more complicated issue, as from short stories and author interpretation and text spots in game. They preach a idea of equality and meritocracy but practice racial elitism and cultural elitism looking down on more or less everyone, even their own, as a cultural inferior. hey its almost like their based on china ;).

Oh he WILL ride Alexstrasza one way or another.

As for imperial tech, they've always been in a weird more/less advanced state, so add in some of that lower level alliance tech and we can expect more or less exactly as you described. The real questions are with their cannon technologies, the clockwork angels, and pidgen bombs...also the weird turret things from the MMO...but that's exclusive to that... besides who doesn't want pidgen bombs?

As for Stormwind's industrial base, if you take it in context of either/both the lore and the Blizzard fans/particular authors interpretation of how construction works in any Blizzard setting...and lets just say Stormwind the kingdom either becomes the single most wasteful and excessive kingdom on the face of Azeroth or so poor they can't even afford to pay attention. Since Stormwind started reconstruction of their city shortly after the second war and weren't done even after WoW started and Gold Payments for the work was deferred to the completion of the task... meaning the only materials that mattered were stone and wood and of course labor time...which by Blizzard fanboi/Space battles logic is measured in minutes. Meanwhile Orgrimar was completed in about three years time. There blatantly is something holding Stormwind back and since they're somehow supposed to be the leading kingdom after the fall of Lordearon...well is humanity just a pathetic joke in WoW?

And thus why the Vampires have been on the fence with the Horde, gambles aren't a bad thing to take, but you got to know the odds when you make them.

JiggyliFAP: your welcome question mark, I enjoy these moments as well as the big story beats question mark, lets see what is to come question mark.

I'm likely to make use of it, but only when the need arises. and yeah a lot of WoW fans seem... illiterate with the lore which is sad since Warcraft has a good range of great stories...and a lot of terrible in game bits...But generally its all fairly intriguing.

But even WW2 planes don't require much in terms of runway, propeller planes in general don't amd have much safer/more rugged capabilities when on a runway when compared to jet planes... just ask any Airforce member of almost any nation about their FOD walks. and compare that to the dirt runways with weeds growing out of them that existed in the pacific theator of WW2.

Yeah a lot of "good forces" on Mallus as things are getting them to so much as give a fuck would be like pulling teeth from a bears mouth bear handed.

I bear that grudge with dignity, no stunty no matter how awesome and cool shall be allowed to dictate terms to me!

The Shuk'tar, descendants of the Eradar, descended of those who just named and claimed a occupied planet for themselves, and Vampires to boot... not just taking what they want when they want?

Likely the other Bloodlines will start taking more interest and the news spreads and they can actually move about.

Hakuryuu: many of your hopes we might just see here soon. and welcome to "part 3"