#kained

Clan Stormfist finally arrived in numbers tonight, my soldiers held some hesitation at their late arrival in this conflict, but we welcomed their help nonetheless. Reports came in finally from the regiment that was sent from Orgrimmar to investigate Zoram'gar... There were no survivors. We knew the battle would be harsh, so as I gathered the combined might of the Highguard and Stormfist, I left Kained De'leon in co-charge of the operation along with a stormfist orc. I road to Hellscream's Watch as fast as Tereus would go to muster what soldiers I could for reinforcements.

After de-briefing the battle ensued as such: As the coalition made there way to the outskirts of Zoram'gar, the horrific truth was revealed. The Orgimmar regiment attempted to siege Zoram'gar but were slaughtered before it's walls, the usual gap between the wall and the ocean was protected by a dark barrier of some kind. Dozens died. The “Commander” of Zoram'gar taunted them before the gates before releasing a volley from the Demolishers that had disappeared from Maestra's Post. As coalition forces exchanged fire with what was assumed loyalist archers on the walls, Few brave souls charged the gate, where the Orgimmar reinforcements left a shabby battering ram. It was not long until the gate finally gave way.

As both parties charged the gate, they glimpsed what could only be a slave-works, the original garrison was put to the task of building ships, catapults, and other machinations of war from the Iron Horde. But where the battle started they fled to the forge barring themselves in. What Loyalists were left in the main part of the fortress retreated to the hillside to regroup for a counter attack.

And there the mystery behind the barrier was revealed, a Kor'kron Shadow Mage stood near the land bridge to the Light house channeling power into the barrier. By that time I had arrived finally with the promised reinforcements, but the barrier extended over the gate and the land bridge. We positioned ourselves right outside.

The battle was fierce between the Shadow Mage, who from reports from random clan members and highguard, who had sexual relations with the former-warchief, but finally she fell to one of Tormanil's attacks. As the barrier came down, The Horde forces and I charged through dealing with the loyalist demolishers and forces on the land bridge clearing a way to the Light House.

As the coalition made it's way there I left orders to capture or kill the Iron Horde “commander” while me and the orc's from Hellscream's watch finished loyalist remnants still in the fortress. As Highguard and Stormfist forces cornered the Commander in the watchtower he leaped from the window to what they thought was his death, but landed on a Infinite Dragon being rode by a Dragonmaw orc. They escaped and flew South East towards Stonetalon Mountains.

In the aftermath the real commander who was freed, told us that weeks before Loyalist infiltrators captured him to make way for the Iron Horde Commander, and that the real garrison became nothing more then slaves to the Loyalist forces. Following him and ending this was our top priority, and there had already been strange reports from Stonetalon, I knew ahead of time that the land routes would be watched, so yesterday I hired to civilian ships to carry us south to Stonetalon. One ship for us, the other for Stormfist. I also left gold with the Windrider keepers, to taxi any stragglers to the ships once they catch up. We should arrive in Stonetalon on Tuesday.

Going on what we learned yesterday from scouting, I ordered full investigations of Hellscream's Watch and the Warsong Clan's Lumber Camp. Much was discovered. After debriefing Antorias and Thannalor, who both showed traits of good leaders, we see now where out target lies. 

I ordered Thannalor and a contingent of Highguard, along with one of the few Stormfist, a Corrosh, to the Lumberyards, along the way they passed through felfire hill. What they discovered was nothing short of a massacre. A Horde Caravan laid ravaged, Orc, goblin, and Demon bodies layed everywhere. but something was amiss. Upon further examination, many of the bodies were killed with weapons not used by the demons, or the warsong. A kodo, which was burnt with a unrecognizable flame, neither arcane or fel, turned to dust as if it was aged. Another Orc was bitten in half as if from a large creature. Dawnstalker found a odd dagger as well, made of Black metal.. I believe it is the same material found on other Iron Horde.  Bits of scrap metal was also found in the caravans, but no cargo was there. When the group arrived at the Warsong Lumber Camp, they questioned the Overseer of shipments on what was on the caravan, he shared with them that Over Half the Goblin Shredders at their disposal was on it. supposively being sent to be repaired at Nozzlepot's Outpost in the Barrens. So many Shredders gone, I have no doubt it was not demons. No one survived. Upon dealing with local alliance they came across Kal'dorei reports:

The Alliance in the area, believe that the Horde in the Ashenvale, and possibly most of Kalimdor, are already under the control of loyalists and the Iron Horde. As well as large creatures being seen in the sky. The Night elf Senitinel Captain from the reports have ordered more raids and skirmishes against Horde positions in the area.

The Hellscream's expedition, led by Antorias was just as fruitful. Upon arrival at the Watch, the outpost was recovering from Kal'dorei attack. The Orc, who ordered the retrofitting of the Goblin Mower, was killed, the evidence that we needed was taken by the Alliance back to Astraanar, the contingent followed right after them. After initial skirmishes with Alliance they were able to get an answer from a Night Elf, that the evidence was being sent to the Cenarion Circle in Darnassus. Upon hear this, the Highguard regrouped at Silverwind Refuge to prepare for an attack on the Night Elf Capital. But just like the report Thannalor's group found, the Alliance indeed, stepped up there attacks. 

Kal'dorei forces attacked the refuge, possibly keeping tabs on us, or trying to keep us from getting the Evidence, Light knows. Quickly we drove them off, but any chance of a full-scale assault died there. Silane Falorus and Kained De'leon led a small detachment north in hopes of catching the Alliance before they reached the safety of Darnassus. Near the border of Darkshore, they caught them, it wasn't long before Alliance forced them to retreat, but the evidence was ours...

I sit here and read over what was so much fought over, The Orc from Hellscream's watch named (forgot it) has been in contact with Zoram'gar, who has a new Commander. Attached to the log is a copy of some of the notes:

" Day one:Through forged orders from Orgrimmar, I have taken over command of Zoram'gar, the old commander has gone.... missing recently. To them I only look like one of these... 'Mag'har.' The stupid peons. The Loyalists agents have been in charge really for weeks now, Large catapults and other Machines of War, are already under construction. The Kor'kron i met with in the Barrens easily blended in with armor from slained grunts in the region, though they still smell of blood, it makes my mouth water.

Day Two: The Demolisher's have arrived just as I "requisitoned" from Maestra's post. The Idiot trolls and troll loving orcs in command of this False Horde still suspect nothing. I could conquer Orgimmar before they knew anything. But I must bid my time as commanded...

Day Three: Already things are being set in motion across the Woods and in Stonetalon, our agents there work hard to make conquest easy! The Shadow Mage, arrived today, erected the shadow barrier across the open parts of the Fortress, I will soon have the gates sealed, they will not open again until the Iron Horde is ready to march to glory!

LOK'TAR OGAR, VICTORY FOR THE HELLSCREAMS!"

Why he used a plural I do not know, perhaps a typo, you know orcs can't write worth a damn.  

I've informed Horde High Command of this and asked for reinforcements. They should arrive by morning. By Antorias' suggestion, I asked for reinforcements for Hellscream's watch. It seems they suffered much."

Signed,

The Call to Arms was answered swiftly by the Highguard, everyone had heard of the horrors inflicted on both the Horde and the Alliance in the Lower Eastern Kingdoms, each one ready to take the action to our new enemy deemed the Iron Horde.

We met on the slopes of the Shattered Landing near the Horde Frontlines, the battalion ready to look on the faces of our new foes. The General who has contacted me stood there with us on her vicious war wolf. General Gra'non ((I can't remember the name lol)) a fience orc woman. She was a part of Horde High Command, a commander in the navy. For weeks she's been writing me about the oddities of the portal and strange reports coming from Kalimdor, both are fears came to light early tuesday morning.

Our journey sadly will take us far from the front-lines but our mission was of equal importance, but Sha'Qelas and I both agreed that thinning our enemy here might give the Horde and yes, even the Alliance a small respite. We and the Warlord of Stormfist Dargarok Icefist, charged the Iron Horde Defense line, passing strange cannons and large containers that shot over the Horde lines filled with these new brownish orc grunts. We crushed them easily enough, their armor was thick and black with war paint, made of some type of dark material I've never seen before...

Soon we charged the portal itself, both sides clashing with ferocity, in years have I not seen such fighting, but we prevailed for now. We took the camp just yards from the now red  portal and began investigation. We found a Warsong tabard which striked me as very odd, as well as Clefthoof rations, Outland? Surely it cannot be the Mag'har, they are too few and scattered.

Then Kained De'leon brought me something that struck as at most odds... a map leading from positions in this "Tanaan Jungle" to another portal, on one half, the other half showing important targets on our side in the Blasted lands. Never had I heard of this Tanaan Jungle, could Draenor have a sister world? I showed the map to Dargarok and he spoke of one of his clansmen hearing that long ago Hellfire Pennisula use to be named such a place... this just make no sense at all...

Soon though a explosion rang out, countless new orcs charged from the portal down on us, I quickly called for a retreat. As we made our way out of the crater Iron Horde forces blocked the pass trying to box us in. Again fierce fighting, but we pushed through to relative safety of the Horde lines... just barely.

We relayed what we had found to the General who seemed ill at ease to say the least, but we could not stay. We promised we would find what is going wrong in Kalimdor and return to the fight. Light knows they need us.

As we left, what stormfist clan was there stayed behind as we made our way through Orgimmar to Ashenvale, our target.

Reports for weeks have been odd to say the least, things that would other wise be over-looked especially during an invasion of our world such as these times. One day, barrels of Oil are "misplaced" in Stonetalon. Another, entire units seem to disappear, rather from treason or other means, Light only knows. Shredders blowing up or disappearing from lumber yards. And most of all, Zoram'Gar Fortress lost contact with the Horde, multiple times, blaming it on an ailment or sick flying mounts. Something was wrong, and if eyes of the Horde are turned to the Blasted Lands, that leaves the Horde blind to all else.

We set up base at Silverwind Refuge, everything seemed normal enough in this war-torned forest, perhaps I was wrong... but sadly, I was right. I ordered scouting of the area from the Highguard, to assess the situation. Banmine Wildmane led one to the eastern reaches, at the skunkworks he found something troubling... A large goblin-made machine known as the "Goblin Mower" was being retrofitted for war. The machines are already terror to the eyes, they can deforest entire regions in the matter of days... but the goblin in charge spoke of adding extra armor, and goblin shaman totems for extra firepower... said it ment to head to Stonetalon then Feralas within a week... We asked where the orders came from the goblin spoke of a commander from Hellscream's Watch. The Group traveled to Hellscream's Watch but said commander was missing, the officer in charge spoke of steering clear of Zoram'gar for now. I agreed upon hearing. Not until we know more. Another troubling fact was at maestra's post where Horde Demolishers besiege the alliance outpost, the orc in charge told us that 10 or so Demos were ordered to Zoram'gar.... something about Orders from Orgimmar. How far does this infiltration of Hellscream Loyalist and Iron Horde go?

I sent De'leon west with a small contingent, upon the road they came across a seen of battle, a lone Orc, who seemed to be from the Near by Warsong Lumber Camp layed killed with 3 Kal'dorei Sentinels around him. They found a pendant made of the same black metal from Blasted Lands with the Iron Horde Sigil on it. There was a missive also on the bodies speaking a "Package being delivered" and he was on his way to Hellscream's Watch.

Thing's are starting to come into place. But tomorrow I am ordering a full investigation of the Lumber Camps and Hellscream's watch. Light willing, we may finally learn what we are up against. As our scouting came to an end, finally the reinforcements from Stormfist showed up. But only three of them, they spoke of their chieftain sending only them and few others to aid us. The General and I were expecting their entire clan. I hope more show up, because if not.. we may be fighting this battle alone...

Light help us all....

Signed:

Tarenor Swiftdawn,

It's seems like weeks since I have seen you, I miss your smile,  your laugh, Your touch, and yes even the little kittens. Pandaria has been quiet, though some action has been seen, The Highguard fought I believe in it's first naval clash. We fought the Mantid in Townlong, and stopped a horrible sha-like disease from spreading over the Jade Forest.

The whole time though I always think back to you.

How is Silvermoon and the house decorating? I hope all is well, perhaps soon I can come home to visit and see! But I have this dread feeling that something horrible will soon happen, I don't know where, or what, just something. And I dread I won't see Silvermoon... for a long time.

But enough bad thoughts, I hope you find some happiness though I am absent, though you do not need me to smile. I keep busy with duty among other things. Training with Silane and Kained are going well. De'leon forged me a new sword, the lad has strength in him, and both Silane and him will become beacons of Light for others, I know it.

Well, I'm running out of paper room, I'm sitting here on the shores of Sri-La, enjoying a reprieve letting the warm Pandaren sun kiss my skin. I hope to hear from you soon.

With all my Love,