Cristok’s Collusion

[Cristok]

Cristok had finally gotten them all together. On the far southern shores of Kalimdor at the most remote location he could find, he summoned the leaders of every organization and fighting force he could find. THIS was to be the beginning of the end. The army he knew was needed to end the War was possible.
Eleven Guilds were represented. Each brought two representatives. The meeting was large and many voices spoke.
“ We WASTE blood fighting the Alliance while the Lich King threatens all!”
“ That is COWARDICE!”
“ Why are we even here?!”
Cristok furrowed his brow as the gathering seemed less pliable than they each had in person. Recent events had thwarted his attempt to bring the likes of Sanctuary to the table. With the opening of hostilities he had hoped to unite all in a single endeavor. The representatives of Sanctuary were conspicuously absent in fact, unable to quell any suspicion of their conspiracy.
“ We all have in our power the ability to determine, for ourselves, the course of our actions. That freedom sets us apart from the mindless soldiers of this realm, who fight for no purpose or reason.” Cristok made his case for a declaration of the Free Horde. “ Regardless how you feel about the War, I ask that we unite under this principal of self determination.”
The Druid was in an odd position to be making such claims of even handedness. Cristok was routinely leading assaults on Alliance strongholds and cities. Most understood that Cristok sought a bigger force to do these. His efforts to entice the more passive Guilds with a broader mandate was advised heavily against by those closest to him.
“ We are mercenaries. We fight for gold. We need no Council to help us do that.”
“ We cannot support this without having a more specific purpose.”
“What power would this group wield anyway?”
He was making some progress. The news of the day was on his side. The Humans had declared war. Thrall himself sent letters of reward to those sacking Alliance cities, the Grim receiving theirs just the day or two before. If there was ever a time near consensus, this was it.
The meeting broke up with no clear result. Cristok told them to think on his proposal and to gather again to decide. In the meantime, for those willing, War operations were to be planned on. A select group of Guilds stayed to discuss things.

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A week passed and the first united operation of this Coalition was to ensue. Cristok spent the week in the Emerald Dream swirling among the Nightmare it seemed. He was to test the will and resolve of the coalition.
Many times had the Infection rode with the Grim. They each lined their forces up, facing each other as if to do battle. Cristok was almost uneasy standing between the two groups. The Lady Pearlle brought her men and Zerrah of Symbiosis brought his. A full battalion of a diverse group, the bulk of which were Grim and Infection. The Warlord Keraph and Cristok conferred.
“ We must assault the King of Ironforge.”
“ Certainly, I was planning on this operation here.” Cristok pointed at the plans and maps laid out on a tree stump. “ And we can assault the King as part of this.”
The troops were assembled and ready. Cristok envisioned a future assault of three battalions strong, all in concert, acting as one. He was lost in day dreaming of this as the Horde assembled began getting restless. They may feast on each other soon if I don’t find Alliance, he thought.
A glorious parade of strength followed Cristok out of Grom’gol to the gates of Stormwind. He was nervous about hitting the city first on the way to Ironforge, but they were in position. Defenseless souls that crossed their path were cut down. They gathered in the forest outside Stormwind. This was going to be easy.
Cristok gave the order to engage and all hell broke loose.
As half the force attacked, the rest split off into the City. His orders were misunderstood if not misguided in the first place.
“ We must make it to the Tram!” shouted a reasonable enough voice.
The Grim stood by Cristok thereby splitting the force in half. As they made their way through the city, many started to fall. They re-grouped in the trains, taking precious time. Their advantage was wasted early. The operation was to fail.
The leaders began recriminating each other.
“You didn’t follow my order!”
“It was a foolish command!.”
“ We would have been fine if we stuck together!”
The troops were looking to their leaders and at least a few of the Grim snickered. Most of Cristok’s own people indulged his vision but viewed it as folly. The Alliance were gathering on both sides of their position having seen the all too familiar tabards. The Grim never got far into enemy territory without familiar knights coming to aid the city. Cristok knew this particular group was a good prize for the Alliance. They would have to flee.
After an attempt to surge out of the Tram, the forces made portals and retreated.
“ We will have to talk Druid.” griped the Warlord, Keraph.

The coalition was not a success, just like the meeting. Perhaps it is simply not in the cards that the Grim lead. Cristok had no choice however.
“ I can’t stop now. The War demands much of us all, and this is no time to falter.”
“ It was simply a first step.”
“ We will find victory yet.”


(( Feel free to add your view of the meeting and the assault afterward if you were there!))

[Rhatizin]

The Meeting

The council meeting went as most expected it to go, arguments were plentiful and compromises were lacking. Me and my most trusted mercenary sat by a fire, listening to the arguments. One of them we found to be humorous, it appeared we were not the only team of mercenaries to show up to this meeting. However this other team became offended at the idea of the council and left, as if they had no prior idea of what this meeting was to be about. They did not research the event or the host it seemed, it could have been a set up to imprison or execute them for all they knew….poor leadership.

Lots of outspoken pride at this meeting, I have heard it all before. Either way, we were there as contracted, we could care less what becomes of these people of the Horde. At the end of the meeting I stayed and spoke with the two members of The Grim, they told me of the bank in Stormwind City. That caught my ears.


The Battle

We stood and watched at the base camp in Stranglethorn as the army prepared itself for battle. This was the coalition armies first gathering and it was obvious as each guild stayed formed to themselves rather than forming as a single unit.

Alliance spies were seen entering the camp a few times before we departed, so I decided to take a mercenary and go on ahead of the army. I informed Cristok that I would depart for Stormwind ahead of schedule and then we made our way there. We waited on top of the main gates for the army to arrive, the city was quiet but was more than ready to deal with an unorganized army.

Once the army arrived the battle began, and so did the confusion. I saw Cristok try to stop the panic that set in as he dismounted and went into battle. To no avail though as a nice portion of his army remained mounted on their steeds and war beasts riding as fast as they could to a spot they hoped to be safe. A proper order of dismount at the gates would of proved a wiser choice perhaps. As it was though, many lives were lost in this parade of Horde that wove its way through the city due to the fact only half this force was actually fighting en route.

So we eventually landed in the tram area, and immediately people demanded we rescue or somehow help the fallen. We did make an effort to help some but it wasn’t long before we were back in the tram area. Any veteran of wars with the humans or dwarves knows that positioning your army in the tram station is the end. From there you will feel the wrath of Stormwind and Ironforge, and reinforcements have little chance of getting to you.

So the battle was lost, the Alliance began going on the offense and the coalition was on the defense. It was now a matter of survival. This entire failure could have been avoided by setting up multiple commanders and briefing them the day before the battle. I hope Cristok heeds my advice on this matter, creating order for the army is the function that will separate it from just an angry mob of horde. I also hope other members of the council go easy on him, he is a great commander for the most part, its just that running a coalition of people who don’t want to follow your command is not as easy as running your own army.

[Saphiara]

"We were supposed to attend the first meeting...but separate issues happened to keep both Vilmah and myself from attending at the last moment." Malethia sighed and smoothed out her robe. "Probably thinks we meant it as some kind of snub. Or that we're planning something - not like they trusted us anyways."

Saphiara looked across her desk at the High Inquisitor. "My reports indicate that this supposed 'Council' ended up attacking Stormwind, and were soundly routed. It seems to me that our presence would have had little to no effect anyways. Your time would have been wasted by attending."

"I've also been told by a contact that they just met again in Orgrimmar. Should we be offended by the fact that we weren't even invited this time?"

"Why should we? I have looked into reported efforts of cooperation in the past. They have all failed, and this will be no different. Because they are elitist, and consider themselves above us, and will do what they want regardless of any pathetic attempt to pretend that any sort of mutual consideration of ideas exists."

[Cristok]

The coalition of what Cristok was now calling the ‘belligerents’ met again, this time in Orgrimmar. Assembled were those from the last meeting advocating war. A smaller more dedicated group this was. They discussed what they thought the War involved and what a proper end would be.
“ Do we advocate unconditional surrender?”
“ What about some of the Alliance races or Guilds yielding before others?”
“ Outright genocide is not noble”
The Infection naturally saw no need to spare the citizens and children, the Grim pointed out the children rarely stood guard with Wrynn. With a large amount of discussion was spent on rules of engagement an agreement seemed close.
“ So we support unconditional surrender and that all the Alliance must surrender as one. Rules of engagement are a point of contention perhaps?”
Discussion of the non-belligerents ensued. Cristok announced his intent to call the Free Horde together again. What is our place among those that ignore the Alliance threat? Might we sway them to action in time? Might we entice the Mercenaries to more active participation with simple promises of plunder? “ We certainly can’t PAY them at this time.”
Finally they discussed future operations of the coalition. What went wrong last time? How can we prevent that? What else can we do to bring the fight to the Alliance?
“ We need proper command and control.”
“ So perhaps we select a Warlord?”
“ But we agree that whoever is in command must be followed to the letter? And we are willing to have our troops under another’s control?” There was large agreement on this point. Cristok sighed heavily to himself. “Very well. Next time we meet we will have suggestions for a Warlord? One that will execute our will? We may need more than one of course.”

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That night another Joint Operation. They gathered in the vast unguarded expanse of the Tram system. The surprise nature of Cristok’s plan left them recruiting soldiers mid-operation. Risky at best. Since the last operation he knew he would be judged harshly should failure occur again. Indeed after the meeting it seemed clear many were looking to others to lead. Failure was not an option.
Magni was not well guarded. The bones of a previous failed assault littered the route. This King of the Dwarves was resilient and never was beat easily. However this time the Coalition held strong. The resistance was far too late and the King fell.
The Gnome King was next. Far too often overlooked by invading forces, he was downed in time. The city was roused and enemy forces gathered, sniping at the heels of our group. None were left behind, as Cristok maneuvered the forces expertly and methodically through the streets. Stormwind was next.
The enemy on the heels simply didn’t seem roused enough. Stormwind had some resistance but hardly enough to stall them. Cristok noticed Kharzak of the Grim missing “ We must move! They are picking us off one by one in the back! Stay together!” He wondered to himself if the Shaman would find his way back.
The Keep assault was a mess. Wyrnn and his Allies cut down many before Cristok and Guduk drew them into a defensive position. Eventually the fight was joined by a large mass of Alliance, boxing the Horde into a room of the Keep. Despite the mistakes and the somewhat valiant defense of the Humans, the gathered Horde were victorious. Cristok had succeeded. Both of the major Alliance Lords lay defeated. Cheers went up around the still fighting Horde.
The City lay in ruins as Horde razed the City. Cristok himself gained a bloodlust that lost his composure in the celebration. He ordered the city center burned, allowing his forces to linger and get surrounded. As the enemy surrounded them, in anger over their fallen lords and now shut down economy, they overwhelmed the Horde forces. Cristok did not seem to realize the sheer numbers until it was too late.

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(( As always feel free to add your view of the Meeting or the Operation afterward. Alliance views of the assault are of course welcome as well.))

[Cristok]

In attendance for the inital meeting of the Free Horde (feb 8th, Silithus):

The Grim
Infection
The Raven Cross
ATFD
Symbiosis
The Outriders
A Pale Heart
Blades of Lordaeron
Ice Crown Mercenaries
the Stormwolf

Agenda:

Introductions-All Guilds and reps. introduced themselves and discussed their organizations
Cristoks Vision-Cristok lays out the difference between the MAd and the Free.
Battleplans-a Coalition of the willing discussed battleplans and dates.
Tasks- All were asked to discuss Cristok's proposal to unite with their Guilds.





http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j267/twistingnether/Cristok/FreeHordeMeeting.jpg

[Cristok]

In attendance for the second meeting of the Free Horde (March 8th Arathi)

The Grim
Infection
Sanctuary
Order of Eversong
Symbiosis
Order of the Dying Sun
Blades of Lordaeron
ATFD
Ice Crown Mercenaries
A Pale Heart

Agenda:

Introductions-A new Guild attends and is introduced
War with the Alliance- Cristok reports the last months joint efforts
The Mad- Much discussion over what the view is of the Mad. Many advocate tolerance. It is unclear what the ultimate view of the group is.
The Free- Much discussion over who would be considered 'Free'. The standards vary widely and no clear consensus is won.
The point- It is asked of all in attendance if enough progress was being made to continue to try and meet and resolve issues. A unanimous approval is won.
The meeting lasted an hour and half.
The Pale Hear reps. walked out mid-meeting for a second straight time.
Infections rep. phased out near the end.
There were many attempts to assault the meeting by Allied spies that were thwarted repeatedly by Torrum of ATFD's dogged security efforts...

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j267/twistingnether/Cristok/Meetingtwo.jpg

[Cristok]

(( Sent to several representatives and left on the door to his office in Orgrimmar ))

From the Desk of Cristok:

Recently I have been asked about the latest meeting of the Free Horde and wanted to clarify my position.

In no way does Cristok or the Grim support the idea of trying to ‘exterminate’ the Mad. The Grim care little for the Mad and simply do not allow them within the ranks. Cristok feels they can be ‘brought around’ as he said at the meeting when asked how we should all treat the Mad he replied “ Like future members of the Free Horde.”

It is understandable that his rhetoric may have been construed otherwise. Cristok does think the Mad are a blight and holds back the advancement of the Horde. He also thinks it is a rallying cry for many groups and guilds that may not have other things in common. Public relations is about the only effective thing that can be done however, and in this Cristok is well equipped. He has many ideas and plans to bring about a more Sane course for the Horde.

Currently the meetings seem to involve working out central questions about the Horde, the War and the Mad. No one is seeking consensus, only alignment in these areas. Last meeting was very helpful to hear from some member Guilds who expressed less strident rhetoric in dealing with the Mad. There are many Free Horde in Guilds of Madmen. There are many Madmen in Free Horde Guilds. That is primarily why Cristok feels they should be treated “Like future members.”

Next meeting Cristok is going to reach out to and invite representatives from many Guilds that are not necessarily Free. There are sane individuals among them, and they will be asked to come and tell us what they think can or should be done and if their Guilds can contribute to our efforts.