The Sack of Freewind Post

[Garbhan]

As written by Pylith

I would have called this an attack, but it wasn't, clearly.. not by a longshot. This.. was a sack; as brutal a massacre that had found the gates of Stromgarde just one day prior.

Planned for weeks this was, oh yes: masterminded by Captain Turen of the Ironforge Regiment, and joined along with members of the Keepers of Stromgarde, and other friendly guilds.

We set out of Theramore late Sunday eve, when the moon shone high above the jewel of the coast, flying out unto two destinations, some to Gadgetzan, the Hammers, and some to Thalanaar, the Anvils.

The Hammers were supposed to make as large a noise as they possibly could in Tanaras, before moving boisterously up to Freewind, where they were to hold the lift into the city. The Anvils, were to sneak along the southern wall of the canyon known as Thousand Needles, racing up the ramp on the south side of the outpost.

I led the charge along the south wall, being the only one present with knowledge of the town's location, and we went, swiftly and silently, not seeing one horde along the way.

The Hammers were doing their job splendidly, killing everything in their path, and being loud doing it. They reached the town first, and had the flight master slain before we reached the summit of the mesa.

The town... was barren, only guards and civilians stood in our path, and they were all quickly dealt with, even the replacement flight master was put to the axe. As for common defenders, I counted with my own eyes... three.


Three.


Are you so cowardly that you do not even defend your own cities?! What happens next when our sights turn on Splintertree? Crossroads? Or even Orgrimmar itself!!

You have shown your true colors tonight horde, that when the fight comes to you, ... you avoid it.


We shall remember that, and you shall hear from us... much. more. often.

[Garbhan]

The wailing sound of bagpipes drew attention from the regular goings on of Ironforge. The song was a march, but also a song of victory.

The aged form of Captain Garbhan Steelbrow in formal dress led the march as the Ironforge Regiment returned to their home city, pipes blairing. His face, grim and serious with concentration. Admitedly, he was one of the few with this condition - the dwarves marching in line were standing tall, chins up in pride and faces agleam with the pride of a job well done. Behind them, the allied contingent led by the still injured Jerone Trollbane seemed in a well enough mood, the loss of Stromgarde somewhat repayed.

Those who could marched to Bruuk's Place in the Military Ward for celebration. And there was much to celebrate, for there were no casualties and only one serious injury - that of the young priestess Tindary, who slipped on the way up the ramp, sliding down the cliff to below. Her legs she managed to heal on the own and were now simply a little battered.

Garbhan timed the songs end to coinside with the war parties arrival at the pub. There was a cheer from the soldiers and they began to filter in for a well deserved rest and to share stories. Garbhan chatted with the officers of both groups breifly - the Keepers were somewhat mystified at the astonishing effect the bagpipes had had on dwarven moral - before wandering home. He was old, and he would celebrate by waking up again tomorrow. At his age, that was something to be happy about.

[Fallacy]

((You attacked Freewind Post, and actually expected people to be there? That place is almost always empty. Those three were probably the only ones even in the zone. It's hazardous enough with high-level Alliance coming from Gadgetzan just to camp any unsuspecting lowbie.))

[Thrysta]

As written by Pylith

I would have called this an attack, but it wasn't, clearly.. not by a longshot. This.. was a sack; as brutal a massacre that had found the gates of Stromgarde just one day prior.

Planned for weeks this was, oh yes: masterminded by Captain Turen of the Ironforge Regiment, and joined along with members of the Keepers of Stromgarde, and other friendly guilds.

We set out of Theramore late Sunday eve, when the moon shone high above the jewel of the coast, flying out unto two destinations, some to Gadgetzan, the Hammers, and some to Thalanaar, the Anvils.

The Hammers were supposed to make as large a noise as they possibly could in Tanaras, before moving boisterously up to Freewind, where they were to hold the lift into the city. The Anvils, were to sneak along the southern wall of the canyon known as Thousand Needles, racing up the ramp on the south side of the outpost.

I led the charge along the south wall, being the only one present with knowledge of the town's location, and we went, swiftly and silently, not seeing one horde along the way.

The Hammers were doing their job splendidly, killing everything in their path, and being loud doing it. They reached the town first, and had the flight master slain before we reached the summit of the mesa.

The town... was barren, only guards and civilians stood in our path, and they were all quickly dealt with, even the replacement flight master was put to the axe. As for common defenders, I counted with my own eyes... three.


Three.


Are you so cowardly that you do not even defend your own cities?! What happens next when our sights turn on Splintertree? Crossroads? Or even Orgrimmar itself!!

You have shown your true colors tonight horde, that when the fight comes to you, ... you avoid it.


We shall remember that, and you shall hear from us... much. more. often.

Ah, it seems the beardling rabble have finally found their spines, even if only to attack such a...modest...target.

Bring your antics to a target that has the teeth to bite back, little one.

I do so love when my meals are delivered to me.

[Daedraug]

When we offered the regiment our hand in alliance they faulted their notion of honor to turn us away.

And yet you say they laid waste to civilians?

Time for some reflecting, eh?

This one's going to be brutal; mark my words. Leave it to a troll to call the slaughter of women and children in retaliation a "warning" then expect things not to escalate.

I've seen their "cookbooks." Don't argue with me about any shred of honor in that race.

[Gannarak]

War always push us towards terrible deads, and yet we never learn. I do not think there is any honor in attacking Freewind Post, nor in slaugthering women and children in response. It can only be solved through an honorable fight. If you want to kill each other that bad, do so without dragging civilians in the cross fire.

You youngsters can never see the consequences of your actions, and you keep making things worse in the name of "vengeance" or "honor". Pathetic...

Gannarak takes a look at the horizon, and then turns around, there are more important battle to fight right now...

-Gannarak-

[clys]

Clys looked wistful for a moment, thinking back to her rather boring Sunday evening. It was too bad she hadn't caught wind of this attack. It would have been enjoyable to battle there among the tall spires. But, such is life. And it was so like the Alliance to march a large army into a deserted outpost, level it, and call it a victory.

"Like taking candy from a baby," she laughed to herself. "Yes! A baby!"

She turned back to her alchemy table, where her newest mixture simmered above a small flame. The contents of the flask moved about, as if the liquid were alive. Just one more ingredient was needed. And she knew where to get it.

[turen]

Don't be too hard on ol Garbhan. I was behind the attack. I commanded none be spareda, and it was not out of mere vegence. I've resolved it is time to fight fire with fire. Ye Horde strike at our women and children, ye attack the homes of many a peaceful elf. Well, now I've something to say about it, and I'll see the Horde suffer for the wrongs they've done us. Expect to see more of these attacks, and know that I am behind them. I'll see ye on the field.

Captain Turen Longrifle

[Longcat]

(( :o Go attack Stonetalon next time! They're actual more than 3 people there than like in Freewind Post. Really, I barely even see people in 1k Needles in the questing areas. ))

[Daedraug]

Oh I'm not criticizing - not so long as the Dark Lady runs loose under the Blood Ravens banner. In fact, I just wanted the regiment to be sure that past offers still stand seeing as your...tactics...have changed.

[Daedraug]

Then I grant the House of Kai a nod of respect for separating themselves from the rest of that breed.

Leave eating anything on two legs to the wretched dead. At least their existence demands it, as opposed to their preference.

Not that I'll suffer any of them to remain walking the land because they have some necessity. My brother's body never returned to the sacred island and for that many a reckoning will come.

I'm going back to my drink before anger steals my mood as well as my appetite.

[Daedraug]

Scrawled on the back of a tavern billslip

If we were born of mothers,
Whose forms beheld the same,
We might have shared a tale or time.
Instead we die in vain.

It has been a long time since I have been moved to compose. Perhaps not since my time on the island. Though I cannot give you mercy any more than I would ask it, take that as a gift all the same.

[Thrysta]

Ye Horde strike at our women and children, ye attack the homes of many a peaceful elf. Well, now I've something to say about it, and I'll see the Horde suffer for the wrongs they've done us. Expect to see more of these attacks, and know that I am behind them. I'll see ye on the field.

Captain Turen Longrifle

I will comfort your loved ones with these words as I take them apart:

"Fear not, your protectors do fine work while you die in agony. They are off in distant lands, slaughtering children in their cradles and weaklings in their beds. Praise them with your screams. Laud them with your cries. Honor them with your tears."

Perhaps one day, beardling...you will see a familiar face amongst the Abominations the Royal Apothecaries unleash upon you.

[Garbhan]

"Fear not, your protectors do fine work while you die in agony. They are off in distant lands, slaughtering children in their cradles and weaklings in their beds. Praise them with your screams. Laud them with your cries. Honor them with your tears."

This 'grand' Alliance we've been stuck in doesnay value protection, I'm sorry t' say. How many soldiers d'ye see in Westfall? Darkwood? E'en Lakeshire is bein' abandoned slowly.

Th' only solution is t' stop bein' on th' defensive! If none will rally t' save our towns, then maybe they'll rally t' send yer warriors behind their own walls instead've climbin' o'er ours!

So bugger ye, ghoulie! An' t'th' Nether with yer 'New Horde'! Demons or nay, yer all still bloodthirsty monsters!

[Gannarak]

And I suppose you are a hero ? Don't make me laugh ! You are just as bloodthirsty as the worst of the Undead. You take pleasure in the slaughters don't you ? Of course you do, why would you seek combat in such remote places otherwise.

The Horde is no longer what it was, it is a pity the Alliance is too stubborn to see or admit it. And so the war will keep on raging, because of people like you, and more innocents will die, and I will fight for them. Who do you fight for ?

-Gannarak-

[Garbhan]

Dunnay presume t' understand me, Hordling. Ye've nay understanin' of me motives 'er drives!

What strategic importance is there in attacking Southshore? Sentinal Hill - it's nay e'en a town - or Darkshire of all places! Lakeshire! Yet it happens anyway! Brutally!

An' also, dunnay believe we slaughtered the enitre damn place! There were civilian casualties - three. One - th' Butcher - was a war Criminal an' th' others were merely unfortunate fools who sought t' anger our less experienced. Ye're 'Brave' guards payed the first of an exacting toll on all th' sufferin' 'caused since th' foundin' o' yer new, 'peaceful' Orgrimmar or Thunder Bluff.

[Thrysta]

You proved victorious in your raid, beardling.
But you are losing the battle for the souls of your soldiers.

Let them taste how this war is truly fought.
Let them slaughter indiscriminately.
Let them debase themselves.
Let them revel in the fear they sow.

Fight as we do...rival us in spreading terror, carnage and death.

Do so...and soon you will join us on the same fine path.

[Gannarak]

I cannot speak for all my kind gives a side look to Thrysta but most members of the Horde are sick of the war and the suffering. We all made mistakes but we are too proud to admit it, better to spill blood all around then to admit defeat. Sadly, I will keep shooting Alliance warrior where I see them because if I don't they will. You can look at my military record though, you will see that I am far from being the assassin that you are !

-Gannarak-

[Longcat]

Oi oi oi... Dun be 'atin' on eatin' odda folks. I ain't loike a forsaken, I season an' cook me meals first 'fore eatin' dem!

I dun loike ta waste gudd meat. 'Specially wen folks take a loikin' ov raidin' places we've git supplies fer grub an' wotnawt.

[Longcat]

Sick ov war an' sufferin'? Oi bring it! Come an' attack da Crossroads an' give us sum entertainment ya stunties! We'll show our weedlin's 'ow da 'Orde fights against ta Alliance!

[Garbhan]

Ha! This old priest? Assassin? I've nay held a blade since before th' first war, an' that was clenain' fish in Menethil.

An' ye gobbo lovin' troll bugger! Stunty! I ne'er!

[Gannarak]

So you are saying you never killed a member of the Horde ? I found that very doubtful. Participating in a murder counts too, commanding murder counts too.

-Gannarak-

[Garbhan]

Aye, I've taken command of scared young adventureres at Southshore, preventin' them from foolishly gettin' themselves killed. Aye, I've come t' th' aid of young'uns in th' wetlands, purgin' them from Dwarven lands an' aye, I've sat down an' drank infront've a superior Horde bugger, just t' 'ave 'im take th' bait an' be knifed by a Rogue fer attackin' me while I'm down.

Aye, I've participated in killings.

[Garbhan]

Look, ye! This attack was nay planned by me! But aye, I helped lead an' it was a success. What're we supposed t' do while our towns are attacked constantly, our citezens killed, maimed? Aye, there's bad blood! What more ye expect!? Our charter, straight from th' King, is t' protect th' interests of Dwarven an' Allied lands while th' army is elsewhere! An' ye thing we uoght t' do so by sittin' on our hands, spittin' when someone tells th' story of another sackin' of Darkshire, or of the lootin' of our civilian transport ships. Defenseless ships, too!

Troll, th' goal of e'ery soldier is t' hang up 'is axe, but th' likelyness of that now is... slim.

I've been t' Silithus. Such a force I hadn't imagined. But by Khaz, General Zorg in Ironforge or not, we've nay th' peace t' deal with it! An army shows up there, n' th' otherside'll attack, thinkin' they mean t' go fer one've their town!

[turen]

And I suppose you are a hero ? Don't make me laugh ! You are just as bloodthirsty as the worst of the Undead. You take pleasure in the slaughters don't you ? Of course you do, why would you seek combat in such remote places otherwise.

The Horde is no longer what it was, it is a pity the Alliance is too stubborn to see or admit it. And so the war will keep on raging, because of people like you, and more innocents will die, and I will fight for them. Who do you fight for ?

-Gannarak-

Hero? Nay, only a soldier who knows what must be done to keep ye from intruding on our world any longer. I fight to remove ye from this earth that you have no rights to live on. Go back to Draenor. Whats that? Draenors been destroyed? Guess ye'll just have to shut up and die, then.

[Grisch]

Garbhan, this vicious cycle has gone on for too long. Though your attack on Freewind will most likely force some of the horde to give into the bloodlust and seek vengeance, we must do what we can to break the cycle.

If Ironforge Regiment does follow the light as I believed, you would do your best to avoid this happening again. Possibly offering to making reparations to the victims killed in the unwarranted slaughter.

Ask yourself if you want to lump the Regiment in with all the other Alliance bigots, or stand for something more and work toward a more noble goal.

[Gannarak]

Now i see your true colors dwarf, I hope not all of your kind thinks as you do. You want to perform Genocide is it ? And we are the monsters. Well I know this, you will not live to see the end of the orcs, and no orc alive today will live to see the end of the dwarves, I just hope one of us lives long enough to see the end of the war, but I doubt it, because as long as there is people that think like you Turen, it will be massacre after massacre. And its not like the Dwarves ever wanted to populate Durotar.

-Gannarak-

[Mortica]

((best cross-faction forum fight ever.

not a single "suck" "n00b" or "lrn2play"

*grabs popcorn*
))

[Lupa]

An' ye thing we uoght t' do so by sittin' on our hands, spittin' when someone tells th' story of another sackin' of Darkshire, or of the lootin' of our civilian transport ships. Defenseless ships, too!



Defenseless? Hah! I lost half my crew to one of those "defenseless" transports! Even so, I managed to spare the defenders from a slaughter, an be settin them adrift with their lives and dignity intact..though slightly poorer in tha wallet..

How many Horde have the Bloodsail Buccaneers been attackin over the years? They be mostly human. Go reign in dem brutes an clean yer own Alliance hut out before you be takin a gripe with us.

An you be talkin 'bout sackin Darkshire.. well tell me, what be the dorfs doin diggin up all the land down in south Barrens, attackin anyone who comes to see what's up? You get a permit from Thrall to be doin that excavating?? Didn't think so..

[turen]

Genocide? I prefer to think of it as pest control. Besides, yer all gettin worked up after one alliance strike. Think of how many times ye've hit our lands. I don't even have time fer a cold ale between fending ye off, so dun talk to me aboot peace! Ye crossed the line, and so I'll be bringing the war to ye. I stand by me actions at Freewind, and I'm proud o' me boys fer havin' no qualms aboot killing the civillians that were there. Ye got a taste o' yer own medicine, Horde, and expect more.

Captain Turen Longrifle

[Thrysta]

Oh, do continue trying to bring peace through discourse and negotiation.
If nothing else, you amuse us.

The Grim will bring peace.
Peace through annihilation.

[Gannarak]

Well, it would seem there is no possibility for peace as long as both factions have to deal with extremists like you. Pest control he ? Well maybe you should take a closer look at orc society, but I dont expect you to do it, your are far too narrow-minded for that. Quit crying about Darkshore, a few weeks ago Sunrock retreat was assaulted every single night by warriors with far too mush experience to even call it a fight. You are pathetic, you justify violence by violence, it is sad and cheap, but we can't really expect Mighty Captain Turen Longrifle to know any better right ? It would be too smart and logical. But keep attacking us, its the best way of stopping the attacks on your precious Darkshore, no one will take offense in it, hell, it worked so well for you those past years.

Get your head out of the water and look around, their is more to this wiorld than war, then again, you enjoy it too much to stop. Zusteakai, I see you have enough brains to see that no solution comes out of war, and I am proud to be in company of such high quality persons. Maybe we should leave the warmongers to fight each other in a cage while we enjoy some peace...

-Gannarak-

[Garbhan]

I'm no sailor, troll an' Magni's commisioned nay Privateers. So much a bother? Ye've ships, it seems. Hunt them yerselves.

I doubt I'll live long enough t' see any meaningful peace. I ne'er fought th' Horde durin' th' three wars. An' I'm not ignorant enough nay t' know th' difference between a green Troll an' a blue... So my experience with yer ilk 'as been only recent history. An' our attacks are few an' yers are many.

How honourable can yer Thrall be, bringin' in th' unclean blight-bringers o th' Undead int' 'is embrace? Answer me that, ye. Answer me that.

[Garbhan]

((Oh yeah, and this thread is hot.

Mortica? L2ButterPopcorn. ;)))

[Daedraug]

No matter how many banners of the horde swear to want peace, many more will continue to attack and even some of the "honorable" bring false promises to the table. This war is not stopping any time soon.

It seems to me that as long as the Horde's alliegences of convenience continue to pair the mindless and vile with those few who would search for a better way there is no way for the fighting to slow, much less stop.

[Gannarak]

I believe the decision to take the Undead in the Horde was strategic, nothing more. Thrall knew that the Alliance would not let us be, and having a foot in the Eastern Kingdoms was not a negligible advantage. As long as the Alliance will keep being a major threat to the Horde, the Undead will find a home and a function within our ranks. Not all undead are evil too, I have a few undead friends that have a lot more moral than some Night Elves I've seen, some undead actually try to rid themselves of the curse that fell upon them, and we will help those lost souls get back on the right track, we do not abandon those in need. We did the same for the Taurens, we helped them when they needed it the most and gained their trust and friendship, and they have been most honorable and great allies.

Most of us are part of the new Horde, the one that is not so different from the Alliance when you think of it, but I guess we are too different physically for us to be accepted by you. You'd rather call us monsters and hunt us down like animals, blaming us for all that is wrong. There is two sides to a medal, and I recognize not all of the Horde is Honorable, but the majority is. Its always the violent minority that pushes two factions to war while the peace lovers are caught in the crossfire. Unlike your friend here I do not wish to exterminate anyone, I only wish to live in peace and make this world a better place, and I do not believe destroying or enslaving the Alliance makes Azeroth a better place.

I am far too old now to see my dream realized, but I hope my son will live in a era of peace, I hope the common war effort will teach all of us that we can cooperate, we can be on the same side. I must admit that I have shed Alliance blood, and not always in defense, I cannot deny what I have done, but I can try and make it better and admit my mistakes. I know peace is possible because not all of my meetings with the Alliance resulted in combat, and I hold those moments dear.

-Gannarak-

((oh yes, this is a great topic))

[Thrysta]

Garbhan, I will say this...

If these nattering sycophants happen to fall under the axes of your soldiers...

...then The Grim will ensure your death is quick and relatively painless.

[Fallacy]

Fallacy leaned on his spear, impatient at the bickering between the two sides. He just shook his head as he overheard the arguments that were thrown back and forth, disgusted at the ignorance that seemed to permeate the air.

"Fools, the whole lot of you. You accuse, you fight, you threaten, yet none of you offer a solution. None are free from guilt, not even myself. However, instead of learning from our mistakes, several have turned to hatred and anger because their 'pride' and 'honor' have been attacked. Others turn to assumed intentions to breed even more feelings of animosity. Night Elves, betrayers of the Dragonflights; dwarves, more concerned with their heritage than with the protection of the land, and bringing gnomes with them in suit; while humans cling to old rivalries and fear of the unknown. Orcs hold themselves above others for the sake of honor; trolls dabble in their old and mysterious rituals, frightening other races; Tauren destroy old friendships; and the Forsaken fall to insanity and the lies of those who they believed would help them. It's disgusting to place one's false loyalties over the lives of innocents."

He sighed before he continued.

"I cannot remember how many lives I've taken for the sake of peace, how much innocence and purity I've destroyed. Perhaps I deserve death for it, even though I know my soul would live on in this world, despite my body's destruction, and my sense of guilt would never fade. There's not a moment I don't regret it, and, yet, I know if that I did not take those lives, several others would be dead, or I would be unable to help protect any others in the future. I would even kill my comrades if they would resort to such brutish attempts."

A cough interrupted him, and a moment passed before he began again.

"So, know that you live in hypocrisy and with the weight of those innocents you've killed in your mind. Such a cycle cannot end with retaliation, only worsening it. You isolate and persecute others just for the sake of being different, and you will pay for it. Be it by my hand, that of your enemy, your own conscience, or whatever lies in wait in the Nether, it will happen, and you will suffer infinitely beyond that which you have given unto others."

With a flourish of his cape, Fallacy left the conversation.

[Thrysta]

Save your orders for those foolish enough to follow you in your antics.

At best, you are an amusement and a distraction to our enemies.
At worst, you are an annoyance to our ranks.

[Thrysta]

Zusteakai, you know nothing of our strength...
Our numbers...
Our machinations...
Our motives...
You know nothing of The Grim.

You speak of us falling...
Yet it is the Brotherhood that is no more.

You speak of us perishing...
Yet more flock to our banner with every passing day.

You speak of respect...
Yet we have none for you or your ilk.

We continue our fine work.
We continue to bring about peace.
Peace through annihilation.

[Kurohane]

Kurohane finally sighs heavily, shaking her head. "As Fallacy eloquently put it, this conversation is going nowhere." She pauses a moment, chuckling to herself, "And whoever would have thought I'd agree on anything spoken by a forsaken? Regaurdless, this is pointless. Both factions hold members that would see the destruction of the other side. Both factions hold members that hold no regaurd for honor, that even enjoy the death and destruction that war brings. I am by no means saying that Garbhan and his ilk are of that nature. I can certainly understand why they felt the need to act as they did.

"I am not innocent of murder myself. I have helped chase people from Stonetalon Mountains, into Sunrock Retreat, until they fled from the area completely, because of thier violence against me and mine. I have stood at the entrance to Darkshire with only a few people at myside as a small army of Horde was bearing down on us.

"I have assisted in the assault of a horde town in retribution for cruelties placed upon the Alliance."

Leaning back in her chair, she looks back around at the odd gathering of people, "Zusteakai, Gannarak, I admire your will to see peace brought to these lands. I wish for much of the same - however, I will continue to fight and defend as I see fit and necissary. I will kill those whom I believe are a threat to me and mine. I will murder someone who may, perhaps, be innocent because, at the time, I have reason to belive that they are a threat to even one member of the Alliance. I will do all of this and if it gives me a heavy heart, I still will not turn away from it. I wish you both luck in your search for peace, but I fear it will not come for many generations, if ever."

[Thrysta]

Amusing...
Now, I will leave you to your posturing.
The Grim have fine work to do this eve.

[turen]

Zusteakai, it's too late fer peace. There will be none untill one side wins. Whether or not I live to see it is doubtfull, but I will do all I can to make it so. How can ye honestly expect us to talk peace with ye when ye got the Grim running about trying to poison our waters and use other cowardly biological weapons? Or the walking disease known as the Forsaken in general working on new monstrosities every day? Ye can't, an we won't suffer our dignity to listen to ye. War is the only solution. We'll keep fightin till we win. I'm sorry, lad, yer efferts are simply too little and too late.

[turen]

In a perfect world, or even a fair world, doin such a thing as letting me kill ye would make enough of a statement t' make peace possible. But, in this world, the real world, ye'd fall, I'd shrug and those around ye would snicker and call ye a fool. I'm curious, as ye seem awefully civilized fer a troll, who do ye represent? Do any o' yer Horde veen agree with ye? Seem ye know an aweful lot about me but I'm not knowing anything 'bout yerself.

[Xoscyl]

There can be no peace while the stumplings of Ironforge still roam the lands.

*Xoscyl grins as she grips the rope, formed of the beards and hair of her dwarven victims, at her hip*

They once came to slaughter the great clan of Vosuvras... Few made passage into the protection of tunnels and caverns. Women, children and men were all slaughtered alike. How anyone who would perfom such acts could truely want peace is beyond me. Had their King not ventured into that city to tear down it's people, perhaps I too could believe there could be peace. But I know, first hand, that from the heart of the ranks in Ironforge, peace is not on the agenda. Once their stump like bodies spill blood that stain the white snow, we shall be one step closer to peace.

*Strokes the rope gently, her mind stirring with dark thoughts and images*

And as for you... Zusteakai... You have shown your true colors. You, and any of those that may follow under your name, shall be concidered as kin to the dwarves. Perhaps when you fall to your death we shall see if your blood reeks of their taint.

[turen]

There can be no peace while the stumplings of Ironforge still roam the lands.

*Xoscyl grins as she grips the rope, formed of the beards and hair of her dwarven victims, at her hip*

They once came to slaughter the great clan of Vosuvras... Few made passage into the protection of tunnels and caverns. Women, children and men were all slaughtered alike. How anyone who would perfom such acts could truely want peace is beyond me. Had their King not ventured into that city to tear down it's people, perhaps I too could believe there could be peace. But I know, first hand, that from the heart of the ranks in Ironforge, peace is not on the agenda. Once their stump like bodies spill blood that stain the white snow, we shall be one step closer to peace.

*Strokes the rope gently, her mind stirring with dark thoughts and images*

And as for you... Zusteakai... You have shown your true colors. You, and any of those that may follow under your name, shall be concidered as kin to the dwarves. Perhaps when you fall to your death we shall see if your blood reeks of their taint.

Ye see what I mean, Zust? Too many crazed Horde like this one.
Hmph. This 'stumpling' would see ye in the earth fer good, Xoscyl

[Grisch]

In a perfect world, or even a fair world, doin such a thing as letting me kill ye would make enough of a statement t' make peace possible. But, in this world, the real world, ye'd fall, I'd shrug and those around ye would snicker and call ye a fool. I'm curious, as ye seem awefully civilized fer a troll, who do ye represent? Do any o' yer Horde veen agree with ye? Seem ye know an aweful lot about me but I'm not knowing anything 'bout yerself.

*Grisch steps up next to Zusteakai. His mane of white hair and polished tusks adding a wolflike look to the old shaman.*

I am Grisch of Durotar. I stand with Zusteakai.

There are others who feel the same as us. That peace requires people who are willing to be different. People who are willing to stand out above the petty rivalries that have been plagueing us. People that are willing to swallow their pride and work to the good of everyone.

We represent ourselves, and any others who want to be free of this petty bickering.

*His voice now grows venemous*

We do NOT, however, represent those like The Grim! In fact The Grim view themselves as separate from the rest of the horde. I will NOT have their actions define me and mine!

Don't cast your lot in with them and others like them, Turen. Ironforge Regiment was once a group many of us looked up to and respected. Don't destroy this.

[Xoscyl]

Hmmm. Let us see how your children react when their family is cut down and slaughtered. Perhaps they will prove me wrong and accept me as brethern as opposed to foe. Until then...

[turen]

Me family? Already gone. Nuthing left ye bastards can take from me, just me life. If ye want that, yer welocme to try.

[turen]

But how many stand with ye, Zusteakai and Grisch ? We must deal with the Horde on the whole, and unless the majority of the Horde are with ye two, that means killing., and continuing with me campaign.

((edit... in hindsight i shoulda made that all one post.... d'oh on me))

[Grisch]

Hmmm. Let us see how your children react when their family is cut down and slaughtered. Perhaps they will prove me wrong and accept me as brethern as opposed to foe. Until then...

Silence your sniveling! Leave this meeting and cease trying to promote your hatred here, or by my axe, I WILL end you!

*Turns to Turin*
There will be more. Give it time. They need a banner to call them, and they will come.

Also, you know as well as I do that destroying other families will not replace your own. I urge you considder your actions past. Use your head dwarf, think about where this is leading!

[Garbhan]

Garbhan had been quiet for some time now. It had brought slight comfort for him when Kurohane had said her piece and he seemed visibly more at ease when the disgusting form of Thrysta had shut her bones and left. At length, he stopped rubbing his temples and placed his hands on his table and spoke in his rumbling, gravel voice.

"Troll, how would ye whipe off this 'line' o' yers? Eh? We dinnay e'en speak th' same language an' -they-" he points at his goblin translator, glaring angrily so the translation is accurate, "won't help us learn th' other languages 'cause they'd loose th' bloody monoploy."

He sighed heavily, looking weary.

"Ye, n' ye" he motions to Zust and Grisch "speak well, oh aye. Peace. Give us a chance t' dispel th' Troggs, be rid've th' Dark Iron menace an' take back Gnomeregan somehow. Aye, peace. N' I'm sure ye've yer own damn problems. An' th' Silithid... creatures. Aye.

"But there are forces workin' against us. Magni 'as chartered us t' protect Ironforge as we can. At th' moment, members've yer Horde are a threat t' our people. So we do our damndest an' sittin' around, mannin' our barricades doesnay work. What would ye do in our possition? Beset from all sides by e'erything? We're e'en beset from within Stormwind an' Darnassus as ye say! What's next, Kobolds in th' Forlorn Cavern!?"

Garbhan huffs and leans forward with his head in his hands. This conversation is obviously very difficult for him. Things have changed, since he was a warrior.

[Kurohane]

Kurohane moves deftly to stand behind Garbhan and place a comforting hand on his shoulder. "There are many sides to all things, as I'm sure is quite obvious by now. War is upon us. We all do what we feel is necissary to protect our people and our lands. Make your stand, Zusteakai, Grisch, Gannarak. Do what you feel is necissary. We will continue to fight, as is demand of us by your breathern's continued attacks. Call your like-minds to your flag. Prove that your idea can work."

Sighing, she retrieves her hand and rests it on one of the swords at her hip, her other hand casually stroking her mountain lion's head. "Until then, however, understand that we will also do what we feel we must. 'War is not pretty, it is not fair - it is blood and blade and whatever is deemed necissary,' my father used to tell me, and that is abundently clear now. Stop the war, if you so believe you can, and we will all rejoice in the peace."

[Grisch]

*Grisch waits quietly for the goblin to finish translating. He lets out a sigh. His eyes make contact with Garbhan and for a moment he feels he understands things from the dwarfs side.

He looks over at the translater again.*

Tell him just this:

Tell him we can lay the groundwork now. If he agrees to reign in his men and stop their wanton slaughter, then... he will recieve the assistance of myself and those who follow our banner.

We will provide aid from within the horde to eliminate their biggest threats. Let the Regiment strike at the heart of those that endanger them the most, not just yapping at the flanks of the beast. We will offer them our respect and assistance.

Any member of the Ironforge Regiment who we encounter in the field will recieve a salute as is due his station, and will have the option of going about his business in peace. Should combat unfortunately be the only re-course, they will be offered a duel, on fair terms.

He will extend us the same courtesy. He will refrain from ambushing our younger warriors, or those who have no chance to defend themselves.

Wait for our banner to appear, and you will know you face someone who respects honor.

There is however one other thing...

[Thrysta]

Silence your sniveling! Leave this meeting and cease trying to promote your hatred here, or by my axe, I WILL end you!

You are not fit to even lick sister Xoscyl's boots.
Know this, old one.
You and Zusteakai are two.
The Grim are legion.

You harm one of us...and unimaginable hurt will be directed upon you.
No fair fights.
No honor.
No civility.

Just agony that will leave you screaming for the release of death.

[turen]

Silence your sniveling! Leave this meeting and cease trying to promote your hatred here, or by my axe, I WILL end you!

You are not fit to even lick sister Xoscyl's boots.
Know this, old one.
You and Zusteakai are two.
The Grim are legion.

You harm one of us...and unimaginable hurt will be directed upon you.
No fair fights.
No honor.
No civility.

Just agony that will leave you screaming for the release of death.


Aye, we've heard it all before ye rotting pile o' bones. Agony, death, an so on. But yer becoming more an more Isolated, O horrible Grim. Ye resort to posions and other toxic weapons. Why? because yer weak, And now ye've scorned what few allies ye've had. Yer time is drawin' close, Grim, and when that time comes, ah'll look down at yer twisted and blackened bodies and smile.

[Garbhan]

Burn, wenchm an' begone with ye!!

'The Grim are legion.

You harm one of us...and unimaginable hurt will be directed upon you.
No fair fights.
No honor.
No civility,' ye say! Where be yer Grim! Eh! Th' last I 'eard o' ye was when ye tried t' attack th' King've Stormwind! Oh, aye, that' worked soddin' well! Where ye been now! Bark, dog! Bark! Speak an' be done with ye! Ye've said yer piece an' nay more be needin'! Begone from 'ere an' may Khaz burn ye from his soil swift so ye're screams will nay interupt th' cheers abound by yer destruction!! Peace By Annihilation! Ye climb through th' Dark Portal an' begone! Then we'll 'ave our peace!

The Goblin bruisers had become more wary, but Garbhan seemed to settle back into his seat. This was certainly good for business.

[Syreena]

A Forsaken emerges from the shadows next to Thrysta and Xoscyl.

"Maybe they want to stop fighting because they're afraid? Like the stumplings that jumped to their death from the cliffs of Jintha'alor last night when they saw a party of Grims approaching," Syreena says as she turns to Xoscyl. "The bodies may still be there to add to your rope."

[Daedraug]

I know one thing: say what you want about the Alliance but we're at least not fractured like this. Either you'll get the savages among the Horde under control or the tide's going to turn when a civil war breaks out and you're forced to fight on two fronts.

Either way I think that means peace sooner or later.

[Xoscyl]

*Grins at Syreena*

My rope grows longer even as we sit here. Splendid.

You dwarves make it seem as though you are the true and pure hearted. Do nae forget your past. Your king has branded you with the mark of murderers. I simply wish to repay the favor.

[turen]

Turen struggles not to laugh as he contemplates how the Forsaken would react to the many Forsaken skulls in his "Trophy Room".

[Gannarak]

I know it is not an easy path, to walk peace, it is much harder than to wage war, and much more rewarding. We had 3 wars, and nothing was solve, no clear victor, only pain and blood. Can't anybody realize how futile war is ? How do you win a war ? When every single one of your enemies are destroyed ? I do not think this kind of event will ever happen.

The Grim is most certainly a threat to the Alliance, and I even wonder if its not a threat to us, seeing how their members adress us. But I also know that their are factions in the Alliance, that like the Grim, do not want peace, they love the fighting, much like many Hordlings. It is hard to control them, I cannot force anybody to wage peace. I have no hope of seeing peace in my lifetime, it is drawing short as it is, this old orc has been around for a while.

I hope someday we can all live in peace, and I hope we can begin to see signs of the peace during my lifetime. After all our history of war, I don't understand how you could not be sick of this. I also hope one day we can find a way to rid the Forsakened of their curse, that way they will stop their foolish talk about genocide; it will solve nothing, after the Grim as annihilated everyone, they will fight each other for power over the wasteland they will have created. Such is the nature of evil.

-Gannarak-

[Xeran]

Well-spoken, Gannarak.

The constant battling between the Horde and Alliance primes you both for destruction as a more powerful enemy waits in the wings. The victory over the Burning Legion was but a mere set-back for them. I fear they shall return. The more you weaken each other, the easier their task shall be when they come to Azeroth again.

- Ajanon

((

n00bs!! Sorry, Morticia. Couldn't help it. :) Nice IC squabble all!

/popcorn

/edgeofseat

))

[Conidivh]

Conidivh allowed himself a secretive smile, a bare twinge of his perpetually smooth features, before chiming in, having stood motionless to one side as he took in all points of view, be they crass and threatening or steadfast and logical.

"Gentlemen. Ladies. Races and creeds. If I may, to perhaps underscore and provide an underpinning of issues at hand here.

Look to the West. The sands of Silithus, parched and barren though they may be, stir and cry for blood to quench them. That War is Nigh.

To the South, the men and women of Nethergarde look to the rebuilt Dark portal and worry even as they contend with the Demon that already holds sway there. The tear in reality itself pulses still clearer every day with the desires of what waits on the other side. That War is Nigh.

To the East, a new plague begins to take shape and form, even as the threat of Blackrock still looms. Alliance or no, all things with a will to exist should take note. That War is Nigh.

And, though even I dread to think on it, I look to the North. Arthas waits there still, and the Lich-King Menethil has proven one thing above all else: when he sets his sights on something, he pursues it to whatever horrible end. I put forth the uneasy question. When will his frozen eyes turn South? When will he bring that War to our shores once again? I ask because it is inevitable.

The time where squabbles over plots of land and fueds sparked by bumped sheaths along the road must end is drawing closer. If there can not be peace due to pride or prowess among you, then let there be a standing truce; an agreement between what WILL have to be future comrades in arms.

Come to an understanding, or come to face the future challenges alone, waiting to see what fate lies for you when your so-called enemy has already fallen to the sword of true threats to Azeroth."

Conidivh inclined his head to all present, allowing the shocked expression of the translators face to ebb as he finished reciting Conidivh's words into the common tongue of the Horde, and faded back into the obscurity of merely bystanding. Truce or no, his plans were already in motion, and what could be saved would be even at the price of death incalcuable.