Tides of Darkness

Throm'ka, Orgrim! That armor suits you well, old friend, befitting of your new station as a Warchief.

Throm'ka, Varok! Thank you!

Do you bring any news?

We besieged the Temple of the Damned, as you instructed.

And the Warlock? Did you manage to take him alive?

Yes, Warchief. The Shadow Council resisted, however, and we were forced to kill almost all of them. Gul’dan was performing some kind of ritual when we found him. He fell unconscious and hasn’t stirred since we brought him back.

I want him and whats left of the council brought to the city. Lock them up. I will teach the Warlock the perils of treachery…

It will be done, Warchief.

Gul’dan lit a match and the fire cannot be stopped. It will devour this entire world.

I have lost count of the days I spent in this damned prison. I should have died during the assault on the Temple… sitting here is unbearable!

Stop complaining, Teron’Gor! We are alive only because Doomhammer is planning a trial for Gul’dan… our lives depend on him awakening.

Cho’gall… do you have any idea when Gul’dan will wake up?

Cho: No Nekros..
Gall: We know no more than you...

Ah… there you are, Medivh. The Horde is making excellent progress. The Kingdom of Men is almost broken. Stormwind will not last much longer.

This is just the beginning, Gul’dan. There are six other human kingdoms in these lands. Their lands are rich and vulnerable. The greedy dwarves sit on their treasures in the mountains of Khaz Modan. The high elves, spoiled by magic, hide within the forests of Quel’thalas. All of them… are enemies of the Horde.

They will all be enslaved or slain…

Good… and once you are done, remember who it was who brought the Horde into this world, who saved your kin from starvation and death after Kil’jaeden abandoned you.

What do you know of Kil'jaeden, Human!

Human? I am more than just a man, Gul’dan, and more than just a mere magician. I am the Guardian of Tirisfal. I know all that there is to know, about you, your kin, and demons. I also know that Kil’jaeden simply used you to rid himself of his old enemies, the Draenei… but that is beside the point.

Then what is the point of this conversation? I am grateful for your help in opening the portal… and for the information that will help us defeat the weaklings of this world, but what do you want in return?

What I want in return, Gul’dan, is this world.

This world? This world will belong to the Horde!

The Horde, Gul’dan, or yourself? I can see right through you, little Warlock, and your desires are simple. Believe me, what I want from this world is beyond you… but in return I shall offer you something that is worth this world a thousand times over.

And what would that be?

Power, Gul’dan, power many times greater than the strength of even Kil’jaeden himself.

Intriguing… and where can such power possibly be found?

A long time ago this world was shaken by a great battle in which the dark titan Sargeras was defeated. If you find his tomb, you can absorb his essence and claim the dark titan’s power for yourself. That is my offer.

And where can I find this tomb?

What?! Khadgar… Lothar?! You shouldn’t have come here, my old friends.

Medivh! Where is it?

What?! No! Impossible!

No! Where is the Tomb?! Where…

Where... ...am I?

Cho: You slept, master...like the dead.
Gall: For many weeks you did not move, only breathe. We thought your spirit had been destroyed.

I am not overcome too easily… were you afraid that I would leave you to Blackhand’s mercy, Cho’gall?

Cho: Blackhand the Destroyer…
Gall: Is dead, master.

Dead? What happened?

Nekros, look, he's awake! The Master is awake!

Wait! Someone is coming...

So… the warlock is awake at last. The Warchief wants to see you. Follow me, and do not make any sudden movements. If you do, I’ll cut off your hands.

Where are you taking me?

Cho: He usurped power, master Gul’dan, and attacked the Shadow Council while you were unconscious.
Gall: He killed almost everyone… only you, Nekros, Teron’Gor and we remain.

Who! Who did this!?

Cho: Orgrim Doomhammer...
Gall: the sons of Blackhand swore fealty to him, and the Horde followed.

I am sick of this putrid stink! Gather everything of value and burn the dead!

It will be done, warlord…

Back to work! Sort through the rubble… we need the materials.

Yes, master.

So, you finally woke up…

Master, I...

Silence!

I know what you did, Gul’dan. I know how you manipulated Blackhand, and how your Shadow Council pulled the strings of the Horde in secret.

Your black magics will not save you now. You and your foul ilk nearly destroyed us all, tainting our honor and proud traditions with your trickery and witchcraft… and for this you will pay dearly!

No… do not do this, Doomhammer!

Give me one good reason to spare your miserable life, warlock.

I bow to your strength, mighty Doomhammer! I recognize you as Warchief of the Horde and swear my eternal loyalty to you!

Empty words, Gul'dan.

We need each other, Warchief! Yes, you are much stronger, wiser, and more visionary than Blackhand, but you cannot win the coming war on your own.

We both know that the humans are not the only threat, and that this was not their only realm. The Horde cannot maintain its superiority in the wars to come without warlocks. Do not throw away this power for the sake of revenge.

What you say is… true. Very well then, I will put the Horde’s interests above my own in this matter. I will spare your life and the lives of your remaining Shadow Council, but only for as long as you serve the Horde.

Thank you, mighty Doomhammer. I shall make warriors who can repulse even the most powerful priests and magicians of Men. They will be loyal only to you, I swear this to you!

See that you do… I will be keeping a close eye on you, Gul’dan. Stray from this path, and your life is forfeit.

Gather the Shadow Council and summon whoever is left… we have a lot of work to do.

Warchief, the sons of Blackhand, Rend and Maim, are asking for an audience.

Let them come. I have orders for them.

With respect Warchief… those two cannot be trusted. They will always resent you for their father’s death.

Their lives are in my hands, Varok. They submitted to me after the Mak’gora. I will find good use for them.

As you say, Warchief.

Lok'tar...Warchief.

Lok'tar...We await your orders, Warchief.

Lok'tar. First of all, I want you both to always remember that you owe your lives to me. The unity and the strength of the Horde is my utmost priority. That is why I accepted your oaths of loyalty, despite the rumors that are circulating.

What rumors?

That you are planning to start a rebellion against my rule.

No Warchief! There may be some orcs who would want such a thing, but we acknowledge your superiority. We wouldn’t rise against you and tear the Horde apart!

Good. I am pleased that you understand. That is why I have a proposal. I will allow you to inherit the Blacktooth Grin clan and even take warriors loyal to your family with you.

That is a very generous proposition, Warchief.

In return, I expect you to follow my orders fiercely and without question.

Our clan will serve the Horde well, Warchief.

Good. Now that this matter is settled, I have a mission for you.

Yes, Warchief?

We have learned that the humans that escaped us because of Gul’dan’s treachery are amassing in Lordaeron. Our prisoners have revealed that this human kingdom is not only Stormwind’s close ally, but also the most powerful human nation in the north.

I have ordered an ambitious orc named Utok Scratcher to establish a base on the island of Zul’dare, close to Lordaeron’s southern shores.

You will accompany him on this mission. From Zul’dare you will evaluate the enemy’s strength and prepare for the arrival of our invasion force. This will be your first test, Rend Blackhand.

When do I leave?

Immediately.

Throm'ka, Chieftain.

Throm'ka, warrior.

The horde is preparing to launch an assault against the mainland of Lordaeron.

Orgrim Doomhammer - Warchief of the Orcish hordes and Ruler of the Blackrock Clan - has ordered us to establish a small outpost on Lordaeron's southern shores.

To secure the Zul'dare region as Doomhammer demands we will need to construct a Barracks and several Farms to feed the troops.

Our success may help us determine the extent of the pathetic Human defenses and what resistance they can offer against our forces.

Alright men, establish a basecamp and prepare to move out.

Is it true sir? Have the orcs really made it this far north?

And the stories? If even half of them are true, how can we possibly defeat them?

Calm yourselves and stay focused on our task. We are here to investigate the rumors of a suspected Horde presence in the Zul’dare region.

Now, see if you can get that fire going.

Light protect us...

Chieftain, there are human ships in the northern bay!

The wretched humans have been destroyed!

Excellent, we've made ready and scouted the area. Doomhammer will be pleased.