This one has a map and some political discusion. The choice doesn't lock you into future events, it merely dictates the specifics of the current considerations. Ask me if unsure.
Alterac 3
[X] "I will keep my silence, for now."
Kalaran was well enough controlled not to give sign of his relief, but the tension in his form eased somewhat and he nodded, "We will speak more of this in the future, there is much to discuss."
You nodded. If the Black Dragonflight did have that much influence in relations between the Horde and Alliance, it would be foolish to discount them.
You both departed in opposite directions, and no doubt Kalaran was as deep in his thoughts as you were in yours. You had Blackrock orcs in your warband, perhaps Tagorr the Dread knew something of their alliance with the dragons?
"Breaker." Dathrohan's Red Guards greeted you as you approached, and gave their salute. You responded, knowing you were anticipated and making your way into the Grand Crusader's tent.
"I mean to march on Alterac. It was one of my original purposes in coming here, and now the war against the Scourge has moved into a new phase, I mean to make my way to the old fortresses of my people and seek knowledge there." You announced without ceremony.
"I am glad to hear it." Dathrohan said politely. He was wearing his armour still, indeed you suspected that for a human that was more than just prudence as it would be for an orc. He wore it instead of robes of state or a noble's dress to demonstrate his commitment to the war. "It was said the Archimonde the Despised walked from a demon gate in the mountains of that kingdom, and the Alliance never had the strength or fortitude to drive your folk out. There may be remnants there, is that what you think?"
You shrugged a little, "Perhaps, but Jubei'thos fell there, and I would know how and who raised him."
"That certainly is needed, for all our sakes." Dathrohan nodded seriously. "Very well, let us see…"
"Here is one of our maps that I shall send with you. Here we are in Andorhal." the Grand Crusader said, pointing to a square at the top of the map. "Alterac composes a strong kingdom, surrounded by mountains that defend it. There are several passes, but the fastest route would be here." he tapped a cross, "The pass through the Alterac Valley is contested by the Stormpike Brigade and the Frostwolves. The alternative routes would be over the mountains themselves, or along the coast road to a lesser pass, but I wouldn't advise it."
"What are these?" you point to small crosses in the area marked 'Trolls lands'.
"The Winteraxe. Raiders like all Troll-kind. They freeze the river with their magics and raid our caravans as well. I've had to devote five companies of horse to simply defend the shipments coming up from Southshore recently. They shouldn't trouble you."
You looked over the map and noted that the former Blackrock settlements weren't on there. Perhaps they were higher in the mountains, away from Alliance towns and intelligence. It would take time to discover them certainly.
"What will trouble you is the Syndicate."
"I've fought them before." you replied.
"Yes, at Stromgarde as I understand." Dathrohan nodded. "They are merely the remnants of the old nobility of Alterac, who were always half-bandits themselves! Now their retinues follow them to continue to rob and thieve across Lordaeron. They've made alliance with trolls and ogres, as well as with some elements of the Scourge. Indeed, as I understand it they were stealing corpses to supply the Cult of the Damned in the early days of the Scourging of Lordaeron. For that blasphemous treachery, I would see them all dead… They squat in the ruins of the kingdom, at Strahnbrad, in the capital of Alterac itself, as well as in 'Gallows', once a military camp where we hanged the last king of Alterac."
Dathrohan sighed, "However, if these former nobles are pardoned and settled in Alterac again, the kingdom can be rebuilt in a single stroke, and that may be best. Know this though, if the Syndicate are destroyed in your quest, I for one will have no objections."
You nod, you doubted it, Dathrohan was hardly known for his compassion.
"There are presently three claimants for the throne of Alterac." Dathrohan continued, "Firstly, Aiden's son, Aliden Perenolde. He runs the Syndicate."
"The other heirs?"
"Isiden Perenolde, Aliden's brother. As far as we know he was turned to a Death Knight during the war, and his whereabouts are unknown. Alternatively, there's been some reports that he's in Gilneas. In any case you can discount him. The other party is more tricky though, in the years after the second war a cousin of the Perenolde line, a Lord Daval Prestor, found his way into the close councils of King Terenas, indeed, my lady Calia was once betrothed to him. Lord Daval's whereabouts are unknown, but you're familiar with Lady Prestor? Well, it may be wise for us to elevate her to the throne of Alterac, for if so her fate will be bound to that kingdom, and, if perhaps Varian Wrynn needs a new wife, all the better."
"Would you scheme before the kingdom is even taken?" you asked. While you'd not been surprised to know Dathrohan was already considering the issues of human politics, you were a little shocked by the mercenary attitude. Lady Prestor was recovering from a great loss, and Dathrohan seemed to wish to take advantage of that.
"I must look to our defences." Dathrohan answered, and the power behind his eyes was sharp and piercing. "There is much to be done, and Alterac's mineral wealth will feed the Crusade's forges in preparation for our attack on Northrend."
You nodded, it was worthy you supposed. You had lied to the Warchief for similar reasons after all.
"We come now to your part in all this." Dathrohan continued. "If possible, I would have you smash the Syndicate. Root them out of their fastness in Gallows and Strahnbrad, as well as Alterac proper. See them dispersed, but if you can try not to destroy them, for we'll need them one day against the Scourge. Take Perenolde alive and bring him to me, and I'll make sure he agrees to join the Crusade. Pacify the Frostwolves, for while your efforts at Hammerfall were fine enough, they continue to raid our supply caravans. If possible, once you've established yourself, lead your forces against the Winteraxe Trolls."
"I have not yet agreed to your request!" you protested. "It may be that I cross the mountains and find what I seek, but I must attend to the affairs of my clan."
Dathrohan sat back down, leaning back and raising an eyebrow, "Have you not?" he asked slowly, "Unless my estimation is much off, I have not taken you for a coward, nor a layabout." he spread his hands over the map, "War lies before you. A chance for your warriors to wet their axes, and gain glory by it. If you accept a commission, as you have in the past, much would be available to you from the Crusade's stores, for as a Captain I can give you more than as merely a diplomat. You are strong and valiant, and your honour is known. I ask you, as one warrior to another, will you truly go alone, with only a few companions to 'attend to your clan's affairs', or will you go at the head of a host? The Syndicate are likely to stand against you either way, and you surely know that without such a commission I cannot order Alliance commanders to stand down as I could if you were under my command? The Stormpike Dwarves guard the Alterac Valley, do you intend to cut your way through them?"
"I will not kill where it's not needed, and while against the Scourge, honour's course was clear, this is less so. I am an exile, far from my people, but that doesn't mean I must involve myself in every contest I see, nor that it would necessarily be wise to involve my people and clan in internal Alliance matters."
Dathrohan nodded slowly, "Perhaps, but as you say, you're an exile, as are many of your followers to hear talk of it. One day Stromgarde will advance on Hammerfall, one day the Orcs in the hills will be rooted out, for the Alliance can't leave such foes behind us when we advance on Northrend. Where then will they go? To the flames of their ancestors? Or to you, Grok'mash, Constable of Alterac?"
Dathrohan tapped the square signifying the kingdom's capital, "You are trusted among the Alliance leadership, and I doubt many would object to you taking command of that kingdom, so long as you kept faith with us and enforced the normal laws. You would have refugee, indeed a strong one within the mountains, and legitimacy to draw followers to your cause."
You were still reluctant. "I could not accept such a broad commision, not without first consulting my father as clan chief." you managed.
The Grand Crusade nodded, "Very well." he began, "I will say this then: Act as a Captain of the Alliance in Alterac, and you may take whatever forces you wish, for the Stormpike will not deny your rank. Act in defence of Alliance forces if you hear calls for aid, but otherwise concentrate on the Syndicate. Root them out, deliver Perenolde to me. I lay no duty to you to carry war against the trolls or your own kind. Perhaps we might discuss that later, but for now, your only proactive action need be against the Syndicate."
You frowned. Dathrohan's speech was full of advantages. And you supposed even if you accepted his commission to take the kingdom, you need not necessarily remain there afterward. However, if you refused it, you could still make your way through the kingdom, either by the coast road or through the mountains themselves.
"What say you then, 'Breaker'?"
Choose 1:
[ ] Accept an Alliance commission to take Alterac, guaranteeing cooperation from local Alliance forces, and support from Dathrohan's Crusade.
[ ] Refuse the commission. You dislike embroiling yourself further in Alliance politics, no matter how convenient it is for Dathrohan. This will make getting through Alterac more difficult for a number of reasons.
