Based on “World of Warcraft”, Blizzard Entertainment
*A note on a leathery book*
Journal of Varen Bushwick;
Advisor of the “Tattered Spire Battalion“
Veteran of the ‘Second War‘
Ex-Member of the ‘Kirin Tor‘
Renegarde Warlock
Regarding the events of the Northrend campaign and the Wrathgate. Found it amongst some Goblin’s wares. Thing feels odd. Like a presents still lingers one. Bad Voodoo, if you ask me.
Still, I hope this helps you with your collection.
If you need anything else Llore, send me a message.
Regards,
Ju’pa
Day 2; Somewhere in the Northern Sea
“We have been on open sea for two days now. Following Gallius and his idiot son, Eriand, into the frigid North, to fight against the Lich King and his ravenous horde of undead. A fool’s errand.
I believed Gallius trusted me more, as we fought side by side in the Second War. But his love for his re-found son blinds him. He simply does not listen to my advice anymore as he used to. Back in the early days of the “Tattered Spire”.
His little Guild. More like an old man’s dream of the glory days, than a real fighting force. But under Eriand’s demands, he enlisted us under the High-King’s army, to join the fight against this old enemy. Northrend will be the end of us.”
I have warned Gallius about this campaign. Normally he listens to his old friend’s council. But not as much anymore, since his boy got older and bolder. Maybe it is, because of his late wife. Eriand is the only thing left of Gallius’ wife. I can understand this. Kind of. I would not be here, with Gallius’ battalion, if I did not.
Day. 4; off the shores of the Borean Tundra
“Arrived at Valiance Keep yesterday. Place is full of young soldiers, hopeful and itching for a fight. And I thought the Outland Campaign was enough for most of them.
Normally, I would appreciate such zest for action, but this is different. Back then, you never knew what each battle would bring. You always were hoping for the best. But this time, I know the outcome.
That young Draenei girl, Jiine, can see into the future. Normally I do not put much weight into primitive forms of magic, like shamanism. I trust things I can form and command, like the Arcane or Fel-Magic. But of her, I am sure. She has already proven her visions to be accurate, and her visions say death this time. But no one is listening to me, or her.
I will try to stay with the soldiers. Maybe I can minimise the ‘damage’.”
Day. 5; Valiance Keeps, Courtyard
“Tomorrow, we will march. East, to the Wrathgate. The enemy’s front door.
Not sure what they think to accomplish, by throwing themselves against a bulwark, but apparently the Horde will be joining us. Cannot believe we would join forces with those savages, but the enemy of my enemy…
Eraind seems eager. His mother would be proud. She always dashed ahead into conflict. Even left her injured husband Gallius behind, to push back the Horde in the Second War. When the portal to their home world closed behind her, we never saw her again.
More surprising, to find Eriand on the other side, when the portal re-opened again. She died already but gave birth to a child. His child. And now he rides at Gallius’ side, ready to die like his mother. Not sure if Gallius could survive another loss.
At least I still got Samin…”
Day. 11; Dragonblight, near the Wrathgate
“Have not written in some time now. Spent a week on the road. I hate this land. Too cold. Would love to set it all just on fire.
Just reached the Wrathgate. Never seen anything like this before. Everyone was already dead or dying. Alliance, Horde, even the Scourge, caught in a green mist, choking on their own guts. Glad to be late for once.
Eriand almost rushed into the field. Put him in his place. He wanted to save some soldiers, but luckily the Red-Dragon Flight took care of it for us. Those big lizards bathed the fields with their fire, cleansing the plague-mist and giving the soldiers a less painful death.
New plan now is to move further east, towards Wintergarde Keep. Warn the generals about what happened here. Not sure if we have enough rations for the journey.”
Day. 16; somewhere in the Dragonblight
“Always thought, I would be the first of our old team to die. Gallius’ wife died in the Outlands. My Eowell, when the Scourge hit Lordaeron during the Third War, attacking her and her husband’s farmstead, leaving Samin only with me to take care of her. Great work, I did. Leaving her with some poor sods in Stormwind, while I avoid the responsibility. And now Gallius, in this hope-forsaken place.
We were caught off guard by a Scourge ambush. Undead clawing from underneath the snow. The men were tired. Hungry. Still fought valiantly. One of those unholy Deathknight impaled Gallius on his Rune blade. I set the bastard on fire. We could not save Gallius.
The boy was devastated. Had everyone take some time to collect themselves, then moved on to Wintergarde Keep. Could not let the rest to die here as well.
Samin seemed fine. I will not let her die here too.”
Day 20, Wintergarde Keep
“Just reported to the authorities about the events at the Wrathgate. New orders are to wait for the Skybreaker to pick up the troops. They want to try a sneak air-attack. As second in command of the Spire, I took charge. I will lead the men home, as soon as I can.
We will later set a burial-fire for Gallius. I promised Eriand.
Also talked to Jiine again. She needs to keep out of other people’s past.”
Day 21, Wintergarde Keep
“I will address the soldiers in the courtyard about our departure later. Have not seen Eriand since last night. Same goes for that Priest, Faulter. I do not trust that ‘Holyman’. Are they not supposed to be helpers and healers, instead of cold and brutal Inquisitors?
Had a talk with Samin. She does not know who I am, but there is something in her eyes. It is better for us both if she does not know.”
Day 24, Wintergarde Keep
“Glad I can still write at least. Eriand put me and Jiine in the dungeon keep and took over the Tattered Spire. Blamed me on Gallius’ death and the ambush. Says I am a spy for that Necromancer cult, the Cult of the Damned. But I am not.
My testimony against him. Tried to use my “research” in demonic magic to bad-mouth me. That foolish brat would do anything, to gain his personal glory in battle. But this is not just another war. This is madness.
Still, the commanders put me in the dungeons until the troops return from the attack. Will be too late then. They will all die, and I am stuck in this cell.”
Day 26, Wintergarde Keep
“Faulter has been using some rod on me. Thing detects unholy energies in people. Wants to use it to ‘prove my guilt’. Only thing is, fel-energies are “unholy”. When he uses it, it feels like my body burns up from the inside.
That cocky shit revels in his assurance. Says I will be executed as soon as the others return.”
Day 3ß, Wintergarde Keep
“That manic still uses the rod on me regularly. Enjoys my torment. Vermin.
Jiine is the only reason I am alive. Does something after my “session”, to ease the pain and give me strength. My resilience starts to annoy Faulter. One good thing.
Jiine looks worse though. It drains her instead. One of us will die here soon.”
Day 40, Argent Vanguard
“Cannot believe I am still alive. Only made it by a Knick.
Samin came down the stairs. Knocked down Faulter and got us out. I enjoyed, ripping out Faulters soul. Made it long and painful. Also gave me the kick to get up again.
Jiine did not fare too well. Poor girl collapsed, but she will be fine. I guess her “Spirits” are looking for her after all. Turns out, Samin talked to Jiine before the Skybreaker left. Not sure what she said, but Samin knew. Somehow, she knew about me and her mother. Did not talk much, back in the dungeon. The two of us went to the Broken Front with some of the Gryphons in the Keep saving at least some.
I could not care less for those people, but Samin did.
When we arrived, we were already too late. Jiine’s vision came true. The Tattered Spire died on that field. Horde caught wind of the surprise attack and engaged the Alliance from the other side, while they wailed against the Undead. Another massacre.
Still, picked up some people. One of Samin’s friends. A Bloodelf Mage. And even Eriand. Brought all of them to the nearby Argent Dawn encampment. Paladin-Order established a foothold in enemy territory.
They have been nursing all of us back up. I will later bring the Mage to Wintergarde Keep. How did the Horde know about this? Maybe that Elf can help us find out.
Also had a private talk with Eriand, far away from camp. Samin told me that he forced himself upon her back at Wintergarde Keep, after locking me up. I asked him about ‘regret and sins’.
He kept babbling on, about the failed attack, the Spire, me in Prison, his father, Faulter.
I had fire turn him inside out, into ash.
He does not deserve to have a grave.”
Day 52, Stormwind
“We arrived in Stormwind Harbour. Jiine recovered. That Bloodelf Mage got pulled out of trouble by those incompetent Kirin Tor. Typical. I decided to retire. I am sick of fighting. I am sick of losing people. At least one of the four of us will not die fighting.
Maybe some nice farmstead somewhere. Or the city?
Samin decided to join me. She does not need to. She has no obligation towards me. We are not related. And when her mother asked me to take care of her, I gave her away to study the forbidden arts. Coward.
Still, she persists. Turning her away would only make me even more of a coward.
V.J.J. von Schellwitz 