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Sympathy for the Forsaken: A Warcraft-AU CK2 Quest

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[X] Slaughter and Solliden
I'm personally worried that the seige is to hasty and I would prefer to get that gold mine under our control however i understand that if we take it now even if we take decent loses. it would fortify our position so we wont have to worry about them attacking us at a bad time. and as long as we don't take heavily loses i believe we will be able to bounce back afterwords. I personally would prefer to be more cautious, however since we already have a direct line to their base we would just be giving them time to fortify up. So well i would like to take over more territory i believe it would be advantageous to take out the monastery, as long as we at most take moderate loses.
 
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Turn 7 Results
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    • Turn 7​



    Sylvanas stared down the Darrow Pass, deep into the former heart of Lordaeron. From here she could see the ground slowly start to change color, like milk curdling from decay, as rot and fungus sprouted out of the ground. There was where the Plague still danced in the sickly air; where only through the power of the Light did men still breath safely. There was where the Scrouge reigned, where vast armies of mindless zombies clashed on fields long since gone fallow and rank. There was where the the Scarelt Crusade devolved into increasingly bloodly acts of zealotry and raised army after army from the untainted lands of New Avalon and Tyr's Fist. A Crusade was building there, a grand expedition that sought to smash the Forsaken in the cradle and unite Tirisfal under a red banner.

    "Interesting how the growths stop almost exactly at the dividing line between Andorhal and Tirisfal. The fungual infection should not respect political boundries. Something to look into." From the ruined tower they were on Puttress muttered as he wrote down in his notebook. Sylvanas, Nathanos and the alchemist had come here to observe the pass and any movements from either the plagued earth or the forces beyond.

    "Was always told that Tyr himself protected the the glades. That or the Council. Maybe there is a bit of magic in the soil after all." Nathanos said as he watched.

    "Possible, possible. Venomweb candidate for resting place, as is Brill cairns and Whispering Forest. Carins are the only accessible site currently. Crusade makes movement into Venomweb dangerous and current political diffculties with Solliden needs to be solved before Whispering Forest is even a possibility." Puttress mutters. "Tyr's body is a red herring anyways. My work on the Plague will bear fruit long before any arcehological expedition into the tomb of a dead god will. How many generations of Menethil died in the hills of the Whispering Forest in vain?"

    "At least three from the records. Numerous minor lords as well, along with countless lowborn adventurers and soldiers." Syvlanas had been spending a long time ruminating over the Menethil Dynasty. "Whatever the case any expeditions into the unexplored places can wait until the Crusade is crushed in Tirisfal." She turns to Nathanos. "There have been no new movements at the Monastery, yes?"

    "None. I assume they know that help is coming and Whitemane and Mograine are content to sit pretty and ration out their supplies."

    Sylvanas nods. "Good. Keep on preparing and tell me when you're ready to assault the place. If we can take it before the Crusade reaches here hopefully they'll turn back and refocus on securing Darrowmere. If not then at least we won't be facing attacks from the rear."


    Martial (Choose 2) - Nathanos Blightcaller is Champion of the Banshee Queen and Ranger General of her armies. Under his watchful eyes he seeks to bring up the status of the Forsaken military from a ragtag group of walking corpses in rags and tatters to something resembling a professional army. Blightcaller is a master of using special forces and highly trained individual units to accomplish objectives. This elven approach to war makes him focus less on the mainline units of the Forsaken army.



    [x]Securing Darrow Pass: Darrow Pass, named after the Darrowmere, had long been considered the main gateway into the inner kingdom of Lordaeron. Scattered ruins in the pass has lead scholars in Dalaran to beleive that even the Amani constructed fortresses in the pass. Now it sits wide open, allowing Crusader and Scrouge alike to pour into Tirisfal and bring war to the Forsaken. This cannot be allowed any longer and the Banshee Queen has mandated the construction of an outpost within the pass. Cost: 100 Gold Time: 1 Turn CoS: 65% Reward: Darrow Pass Controlled


    71 + 22 = 93 vs 35 = Good Success

    While the main host of the Forsaken gathers and prepares itself for war, a small group of soldiers and builders quickly move to the passage between the Eastwald and Brill. A hastily assembled wall of stone and wood quickly arises across the pass, only a single gate barring the way forwards. Such a construction will likely barely hold out against any determined assault; but its better than nothing and the defenders can sell their lives dearly till help arrives.

    Reward: Darrow Pass secured, Darrow Outpost built.



    [x]Siege of the Scarlet Monastery: The last line of defenses before the Scarlet Monastery have been taken by the Forsaken. The path to that great fortress of fanaticism now lies open and vulnerable to attack. However it will not be any easy fight; as the Forsaken military is little more than bands of armed citizenry backed up by an elite corp of special forces. Blightcaller has drawn up plans for the assault; but worries that the Army of Undercity will face horrendous losses in assaulting the Monastery. Time: 1 Turn Cost: Lots of Units CoS: Unknown Reward: Begins Crisis Turns; starts the Siege of the Scarlet Monastery

    The hosts are called, last minute drills finished and arms shoved into rotting hands. From out of Undercity a procession emerges, with the Banshee Queen, her pet Dreadlord and the Blightcaller at its head. The war against the Cruasde will either have a triumphant end or wrench into a new, desperate phase depending on the outcome of the next few days. The die has been cast. To Be Continued in Crisis Turns




    Stewardship (Choose 1) - Varimathras is a Dreadlord, one of the great demon commanders of the Burning Legion. Forced into Sylvanas's service during the Third War he now is the Majordomo of Undercity and in charge of the running of the Forsaken as a whole. While not widely liked or trusted by the undead, Varimathras has managed to gain a measure of grudging respect for making sure that the Forsaken have food, shelter and the semblance of an economy. He is quick to note that you are running quite the deficit and the treasure you looted from the Lordareon Royal Vault will not last for much longer.




    [x]Center of the City: Undercity is broken up into different Quarters, a relic of when the city was meant to serve as a massive military base for the Scourge. Since they every part of the city but the center has gotten a specific purpose. Varimathras has the idea to turn the currently vacant center isle of Undercity into a trade and commerce hub, a feature the Scourge left out due to having no need for such a thing. While right now it would simply provide space for local craftsmen and farmers to sell their wares, hopefully one day it will provide a space to do business for all friends of the Forsaken. CoS: 80% Time: 1 Turn Cost: 100 Gold Reward: +50 Gold Trading Income, +10% boost to any future trade deals and inter-nation commerce

    25 + 15 = 40 VS 20



    While the city is emptied out of troops, this does not mean that activity grinds to a halt. Within the central isle of the Undercity the great, many tiered platform there is cleared out of the various pop up stalls and piles of debris that were accumulating. In their place comes shops, a central bank, a bat courier service, workshops, a small library. This new market extends throughout the entire central chamber of the Undercity. Taxes on the various business have already started to come in, and Varimathras notes that once more trade is established the market will facilitate it most excellently. Even better the Council payed for all of it out of their own pockets due to gratitude!

    Reward: Central market district built, +50 Gold Trading Income, +10% boost to any future trade deals and inter-nation commerce




    Diplomacy (Pick 1): Vellcinda Benton, a former scullery maid, was one of the first zombies to regain their minds in Tirisfal. A symbol of hope and freedom she gathered together a mass following and became incredibly popular among the average Forsaken citizen. In another life she might have been the Forsaken's Dark Lady, but instead she serves you a liaison to the people and the other powers of Azeroth. Such that there are.




    [x]Swaying Solliden: After the success of the food caravans to Solliden the humans there are much, much more inclined to create a more permeant pact with the Forsaken. A formal alliance would finally mean that most of Tirisfal outside of the Vale of Vandermar is secure for the Forsaken. Diplomatic missives are to be sent and Vellcinda is preparing to engage in long, hard negotiations with the Solliden family. Releasing what Belmont found in the Scarlet Church within the town will also speed up the process, and if the people's anger grows great enough formal vassilzation may be in the cards. Time: 1 Turn Cost: 50 Gold Cos: 75%/20% Reward: Alliance with Solliden gained/Vassilzation of Solliden.

    92 + 12 = 104 vs 20/80 = Unnatural Crit




    As the Forsaken troops march along the former King's Road, towards Balnir Farmstead and from there the dirt path to the Scarlet Monastery, a horn rings out over the massed troops. Captains quickly bark orders as the undead form into battle lines; for that horn had been signaled out to sound if armed men were on the approach. The infantry, shining in the moonlight in their pre-Plague armor, created a tight square the that the militia moved to back up. From atop Lirath Sylvanas strains forwards to look into the gloomy dark of Tirisfal. The sound of tramping feet soon echoes through the trees and questions whirl in the heads of the Forsaken. Had the Crusade broken through Darrow already? Did Nathanos misjudge the enemies ability to sally forth from the Monastery? Had Solliden betrayed them; or was this some fresh horror Silverpine? The Dark Rangers took aim through the trees as the shapes of men could be seen, only to draw them down as two horses broke through the brush. Vellcinda Benton, on a skeletal mare, riding alongside Cardinal Solliden.

    "Hold, hold! I bring friends not foes! Please do not stab the people coming to help you!" Vellcinda shouts out as the Forskane slowly lower their weapons in confusion. Sylvanas glides forwards on Lirath, Nathanos and Varimathras quickly jogging up behind her.

    "I take it negotiations with Solliden went better than expected?" She says to her head diplomat.

    "Aye Dark Lady." Sylvanas raises an eyebrow as the blacksmith/farmer turned mayor gives her a bow. "My people were right pissed when the plans of those Crusader bastards broke out. Treating us like disposable bodies, fucking shameful. More like the bloody Scourge than the Silver Hand."

    Vellcinda cuts in. "So everyone there was suuuuper pissed and kicked the Scarlet priest and his cronies out. I was gonna ask Mr. Solliden if he wanted an alliance with us; but he swore fealty to you before I could even finish speaking."

    The mayor blushes. "I was cut up in the fervor of the town. You've done nothing but help us, even in the face of pure hate and prejudice. Lordaeron's dead; there ain't no way my town would survive for long on its own. So it seemed just natural to join with you 'Forsaken."

    Sylvanas nods at the man. "Thank you. I promise you've made the right choice." She then looks over at the milling crowd, now shown to be quickly armed and roughly armored humans. "I do have to wonder about the small army you've brought, however."

    The mayor follows her gaze. "Aye, as I said the town's mighty pissed at the Crusade. When Miss Benton said that you were marching to kick the buggers out of Tirisfal once and for all my captain of the guard, Shannon Hornsby, said she was gonna take the guard to go help. Some of the lads heard that and said they would come too; then their friends heard and said the same thing. So on and so forth and I'm being asked to march with most of the autumn's harvest's workforce to go take part in a siege." He looks up at the looming Monastery. "Not that I'm complaning. Getting back at the Crusaders would be ideal. Sad that the Monastery's gonna get ruined though. Always did think it comforting that Northshore was watching over us. Just feels like its looming now."

    Sylvanas awkwardly pats the man on the shoulder. "Any aid would be taken gladly; but this is more than I had hoped. Let us sign the pact between Forsaken and man in the blood of the Crusaders."

    Reward: Solliden Vassalized, two temp Human Militia units gained for the Siege of the Scarlet Monastery




    Intrigue (Choose 1) - Commander Belmont was a student of Ravenholdt Manor in life and death has only strengthened his love of all things shadowy and underhanded. A prime example of a Rogue he has quickly risen to the top of the local Thieves Guild, naming it the Undercity Lodge of the Ravenholdt and working to secure a home for his new people. A master of infiltration and information gathering, Belmont hopes to see the Forsaken dominate the information game in Lordaeron.



    [x]Warrens of Undercity: It is not secret that Undercity is snuggled deep within a honeycomb of caves, tunnels, secret passages and ruined dungeons. Even before the Scourge Lordaeron sat on a massive warren; with the dockyards of the city on Lordamere Lake even laying on top entire districts and sunken city blocks. This vast network of tunnels needs to be secured and turned to the use of the Forsaken, lest the city be infiltrated by outside forces. Cost: 50 Gold, Time: 1 Turn Cos: 70% Reward: Undercity Tunnels secured, Stewardship and Intrigue options unlocked


    57 + 14 = 71 vs 30 = Success


    With his part in the battle for Tirisfal over, Belmont moves to make sure that the next war can be won before it even starts. Small strike teams of the more rougish Forsaken plunge deep into the sewers and tunnels of the Undercity. Many great wonders; sealed chambers of old kings, entire ballrooms lost beneath the ground and long tomb corridors that stretch into the distance, are found. However the primary job of plugging up the tunnels and preventing access to the city from them prevents any real exploration. Instead enterances into the netowrk either from wider cave systems or the surface world are found and then either blocked or marked on maps for guarding and watching.

    Reward: Undercity Tunnels secured, Stewardship and Intrigue options unlocked



    Learning (Choose 1) - No one really trusts Grand Apothecary Putress all too much. A former alchemist in service to the last king of Lordaeron, Putress fell victim to the Scourge during Arthas's butchering of Capital City. Before he died Putress has been part of the royal effort to understand and combat the Plague of Undeath and carries that knowledge with him into death. While most of his attention is focused on the Plague his alchemical genius can be put towards other efforts easily enough



    [x]Standard Testing: With the most basic facts of the Plague of Undeath revealed, Putress now feels confident enough to move forwards onto more intensive testing. If the Plague is to be either cured or reverse engineered the Forsaken must know how to both reverse it and how it was created. The tests to do so are expensive and ethically dubious, but the dungeons are bursting with captured Scarlet patrols and more treasure can always be taken from the enemies of the Banshee Queen. Cost: 200 Gold Time: 3 Turns Reward: Creation and Reversal of the Plague revealed.

    LOCKED FOR 2 MORE TURNS



    Piety (Choose 1) - There is no formal head of the Cult of Forgotten Shadows, but Aelthalyste is the spirtual leader of the faith in all but title. Formerly a High Elf native of Stormwind, Aelthalyste fell into the company of the heretic Natalie Seline and was an eager disciple of the rogue bishop until her murder by the Church. Aelthalyste fled north to Lordaeron and hide some scraps of her works in the sewers of the Undercity. After being killed by Arthas during the sacking of Capital City she reemerged to spread the teachings of Seline and bring about the balance between Light and Dark.



    [x]Powers of Shade: Divine magic has always been something that those truly devout among the priestly class of Lordaeron were able to grasp. If the self-righteous Light Worshipers can do it, Aelthalyste is sure that her clergy can too. Already there are rumors and claims that some Shadow Pirests can do miracles, and the banshee intends to gather them, test them and then work on spreading the ability to use these powers as much as possible. Time: 1 Turn Cost: 200 Gold CoS: 50% Reward: Shadow Priests Divine Casting Established



    65 + 11 = 76 vs 50 = Success


    While established too late to provide any use in the siege, the first Shadow Priests come out of their training as the battle wears on. Garbed in spider silk robes and carrying dark iron staves, the Shadow Priests of the Cult of the Forgotten Shadows cut an imposing figure. Masters of crippling their enemies and providing succor to their friends, the Priests are a potent addition to any force. Their training consists of long meditative sessions, study of the texts of Seline and days upon days of desperate prayer. Their creation has boosted the profile of the Cult significantly among the citizens of Undercity.

    Reward: Shadow Priests available, Shadow Divine Casting available




    Personal (Choose 1) - Sylvanas Winderunner, the Dark Lady of Undercity, Banshee Queen of the Forsaken. She fought against Arthas and at his side and was legendary even before her death as Ranger-General of Silvermoon and one of the Windrunner Triplets. It is through her force of personality that the Forsaken are brought together and by her will and desires that they work. She will not let her people be slaves again




    [x]Shadows of the Grave: Alethalyste is a former native of Stormwind and one of the first banshees to join the Forsaken, beyond Sylvanas herself of course. It is her faith, however, that makes her stand out. Claiming to have known the founder of her religion before both of them died, the banshee has been adamant in her convictions and happy to have found eager ears among the undead. It may be worth Sylvanas talking to her to get a better grasp on the religion her own nation has set as policy. CoS: 75% Time: 1 Turn Reward +Relationship Sylvanas and Alethalyste, Info on Cult of Forgotten Shadows, Personal Options Unlocked



    60 vs 25 = Success



    It is the eve of the siege that Sylvanas seeks out Alethalyste deep within the catacombs of the Undercity. The Cult had taken over a large temple in what the Scourge had named the War Quarter and within this shadow temple the faithful had carved out a bustling compound. At its deepest, where the shadows were the longest and the taint of the Scourge seemed to almost completely seep out of the soil Alethalyste had made her own personal shrine. Sylvanas waited at the doorway for an extra second, unsure if she should disturb the banshee's meditation, before she walked in.

    Before Sylvanas could say anything Alethalyste spoke. "Ah, Dark Lady. I had sensed your approach. I wondered if now was when you would seek my knowledge." She turns to look at Sylvanas, blank eyes staring through the elf. "It is often on the eve of battle that leaders come searching for spiritual guidance."

    "I...Cannot deny that." Sylvanas says. "This will be the first real test of the Forsaken; and of myself as their ruler. We have not spoken much outside of the council, and I hope you are not offended by the timing of this conversation."

    Alethalyste waves away Sylvanas's concern with a hand. "Do not fret. The Shadow is nothing if not pragmatic. The Cult was not unified until recently, to speak with me then would both show favoritism and take away time you could be spending with less controversial figures."

    Sylvanas bows her head. "Thank you for understanding." They seem to struggle with something for a moment. "I am...unsure of tomorrow's victory. The last time I marched out at the head of a proper host for a real battle it ended in disaster. Not only did I fail on that day, but the Light failed me as well." They look up at the banshee. "I need a garuntee that the Shadow, the creed I have hitched our civilization to, will not do the same."

    Alethalyste nods. "A fair concern. I will not demand your blind faith like the Light would." They turn to look at the deep shadows that suffuse the room. "The Shadow is a kind but stern teacher. She wants us to stand on our own two feet, to find the divinity in ourselves. She values survival and pragmatism, with a healthy dose of respect, so that you may live to see your own true potential reached."

    Sylvanas stares into the dark, following Alethalyste's lead. "Forgive me but that sounds very..selfish, in many ways."

    "A common assessment. There are those who follow the Shadow in only the most shallow of ways. It was for those same concerns that the Church of the Light hunted down Natalie Seline." Alethalyste's face twists into a scowl. "Both are fools. The Shadow teaches us that we must respect all other life in order to truly know our way in the world. Furthermore it is important to realize that working together can bring about the divine goal quicker than struggling on one's own. As Seline says in Book 3, Chapter 5, Line 153: 'The follower of the Shadow must know that either he rises together with his fellows, or he falls into death alone."

    Sylvanas nods and stands silently along side Alethalyste, staring into the dark. What had previosuly seemed cold and dangerous now had an all encompassing, warm quality to it. Alethalyste breaks the silence. "Would you like me to lead you in a prayer?"

    Sylvanas turns to the banshee and nods. "That...That would be lovely."

    Reward: Increase in Relationship Sylvanas and Alethalyste, Info on Cult of Forgotten Shadows, Personal Options Unlocked


    ((I hate to apologize twice in a row for the tardiness of the update, but COVID-19 has a way of messing up everything. Sylvanas now has character sheet. Crisis turns will begin soon, hopefully tomorrow.))
     
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    • Hell yeah! A clean sweep and a critical success on the most important one. Forsaken ftw!

    mcclay said:
    Traits:
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    Are traits' bonuses already included in our stats? Or we should add those for an effective number? Also, I hope we can get new traits in the future/upgrade our existing ones. I feel like our current stats won't cut it in lategame.

    mcclay said:
    COVID-19 has a way of messing up everything.
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    So true.
     
    This was a nice turn!

    Would have loved if the headlines and rolls were hidden and a we marched for war, without news from Solliden, we suddenly found this. The impact on the reader would ahve been even better (instead of the spoiled result since the beginning)
     
    While it a shame about not having shadow priests to help us with the siege, I'm am extremely happy with the success with Solliden that would surely tip the scales in our favor when we need it most.

    It also an shame about the Church of the Light hunting down Natalie Seline, and outright murder her, Alethalyste is well wroth the action, as well as giving Slyvanas some faith is important.

    Same for the success with the Undercity.
     
    Varder said:
    Are traits' bonuses already included in our stats? Or we should add those for an effective number? Also, I hope we can get new traits in the future/upgrade our existing ones. I feel like our current stats won't cut it in lategame.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Traits are factored into your stats already. There will be a multitude of chances to upgrade and gain new traits. Remember that you're only in the Classic WoW period still. Theres a lot more to come.



    Tomcost said:
    This was a nice turn!

    Would have loved if the headlines and rolls were hidden and a we marched for war, without news from Solliden, we suddenly found this. The impact on the reader would ahve been even better (instead of the spoiled result since the beginning)
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    Click to shrink...

    I agree but I also do not want to start fucking around with the flow of information towards the playerbase. One of the important things about quests is balancing making a good game vs writing a good story. You need to make some sacrifices on either end to make sure that both happen and this was one of them. Keeping how information is presented to the players in the turn results posts is important and makes sure that we're all on the same page.
     
    mcclay said:
    I agree but I also do not want to start fucking around with the flow of information towards the playerbase. One of the important things about quests is balancing making a good game vs writing a good story. You need to make some sacrifices on either end to make sure that both happen and this was one of them. Keeping how information is presented to the players in the turn results posts is important and makes sure that we're all on the same page.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Okay... but how about posting the rolls in spoilers? That way, whoever wants to be spoiled can do so, and the rest can simply read the story, not worrying too much about the result of the action.
     
    I'm excited to see an update for this. My mom wants me to stay home and clean my hands every 30 mins. I need sanity man and something to read.
     
    Siege Turn 1
  • Threadmarks
    • Siege Turn 1​

    From deep within the grey mists of the glades comes the steady trump of hundreds of boots marching in sync. From the mists emerge silent, pale warriors, eyes blazing with inhuman light, armored in faded and scratched plate and mail from a now dead kingdom. Above the heads of the warriors flew a dark blue banner, the cracked face and arrows of the undead queen glaring down at any who would oppose her soldiers. This was the army of the Forsaken, or at least the first few ranks of it. Behind the gleaming mail were the militia of the Forsaken, the true mass of the army of Undercity. Their march is less disciplined than their drilled comrades, their captains village headsmen and guard captains in life. They wear hastily boiled leather, ragged gambesons, patched Brigandines and, for a lucky few, rusted chain mail. Instead of longswords the militia carry woodcutter's axes, farm tools, crude spears and hunting bows. But what they lack in equipment and training they make up for in a inhuman fervor to their Queen and their cause. For Sylvanas has saved them from the damnation of the Scourge, has shown them a path away from the utter despair that undeath should bring. For that they will sell their new lives as dearly as their better equipped brothers.

    But the dead are not the only ones who march to war on this day. Men have long flourished in Tirisfal, gathering their cities around the tomb of their fallen champion and god in times long past. Not even the Scourge could wipe out tenacious humanity, and in the secluded parts of the now defiled glades men endured. The settlement of Solliden, a cramped refugee town caring for the woes and ills of hundreds of farms and homesteads, had been nearly under the sway of the zealous Scarlet Crusade. But the kindness of the Forsaken, and the knowledge that the Crusade cared only for them as fodder for its endless wars of annihilation. Now, armored much as their undead militia counterparts, they march under the Banshee Queen's banner. The zeal of the Forsaken swapped with the rage of a man scorned.

    And at the head of this procession marched the commanders of the Forsaken. Nathanos Plaguecaller, Champion of the Forsaken, personally sent out strike teams of Dark Rangers and heavily armored Forsaken from his place in the van of the Infantry. Commander Belmont looked over the various maps and communiques of the Crusade one last time, searching for something that might give them the edge in the trials to come. Shannon Hornsby, guard captain of Solliden, chatted and riled up her fellows in the mortal ranks, slapping shoulders and bellowing commands. Mayor Solliden and Vellcinda Barton, Mayor of the town that bore his name and diplomat of the Forsaken respectively, chatted about future plans to quell their nerves. And above it all, on her great direbat Lirath, Sylvanas Winderunner, Banshee Queen, gazed up towards the looming figure of the Scarlet Monastery, just barely visible through the fog and mist.

    Her reverie was broken when a Dark Ranger; Sylvanas remembered her as Lanrea Blackwish, who been torn apart by ghouls when Arthas assaulted the first gate of Quel'Thalas, flew to queen on a bat of her own. "Dark Lady," she started in a low voice, "Our scouts at Darrow Pass have a report." She stops for a second, conflicted about how to continue. "Its the Scourge. Thousands of them. Death Knights, abominations, ghouls; everything you can imagine."

    Sylvanas drew in a breath, a useless gesture given her undead state, and closed her eyes. "What were the casualties. How many made it away and do we have time to retreat back to Undercity to fortify?"

    Lanrea shook her head. "No Dark Lady, the Scourge, they...they flew a flag of parley. The one called Araj the Summoner wishes to speak with you."

    Sylvanas stared at her for a long second. "And you're sure that this isn't a trick? The messenger wasn't under a spell?"

    Lanrea shook her head. "I flew over Darrow Pass myself to see. The Scourge are just...waiting there. They haven't pushed through into Tirisfal."

    The Banshee Queen took a moment before nodding. "Inform Nathanos, have him encamp the army. After that he and I will speak with this Araj."

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Later that night Sylvanas found herself staring down the pass Nathanos and her been planning to hunt in. Now the pass roiled with rotting flesh and alchemical liquids. There was almost no end to the mass of dead bodies that milled about, packed tight against each other, like water at a dam. In front of them all was a great lich of the Scourge; a floating, skeletal creature garbed in strange, ritualistic fetishes and ceremonial items, and a whole troop of bored looking Death Knights. At the sight of her the lich, which Sylvanas assumed as Araj, gave her a low bow.

    "Ah, Lady Sylvanas. I greet you in the name of Arthas Menethil, Lich King of the Scourge, King of Lordaeron, Prince of Lordaeron City, Count of Southshore, Baron of Vandermar, Protector of Northrend, Gilneas, Quel'Thalas and Stromgarde." Its voice sounded like the rattling of wind through icicles during a winter's storm. "As a fellow member of the Scourge it is my duty to assist you and yours with any danger you may face; despite the insubordinate nature of your command."

    Sylvanas debated insulting the insinuation that she was part of Arthas's gang of butchers, but decided that discretion was the better part of valor, especially when you were staring down an unending horde of the living dead. "Undercity thanks its fellow brothers in undeath in the Scourge for the compliments. I, however, must ask why you are here?"

    Araj made a sweeping gesture with its floating arms. "The Scarlet Crusade, the vicious band of zealots that wish to despoil the name of the Holy Light and burn our peoples at the stake. It was against them that the generals of Arthas discarded our...differences," Sylvanas can hear the grinding of its teeth, "and worked together as a united front to crush them. With the engagements in Darrowmere going so well it was decided that this small expeditionary force could be sent to assist the weaker vassals of the Scourge in the west."

    Sylvanas raised an eyebrow. "What engagements in Darrowmere. I'm a afraid that my knowledge of the eastern duchies is fairly limited."

    While it should be impossible on a skull, Sylvanas swore that the lich's smile grew wider. "The Crusaders choose to sally out of New Avalon in a great force at the same time as their garrison in Stratholme marched out as well. There was a great deal of letter sending between the various generals before we agreed that the Crusaders must be crushed before they turn Tyr's Hand and Darrowmere into a rebel kingdom against Lord Arthas. Lord Barov," she could hear the hate when he said that name, "Lord Rivendare, Lord Drathir and myself all called our banners and attacked the foe. The foolish humans thought that myself and Barov would oppose them at the Corrin's Crossing, but not that the legions of Deatholme and Stratholme would attack them from the rear! The humans were crushed and now their bodies now boost our numbers. New Avalon and parts of Stratholme still resist our advances, but the Crusade will be crippled for a long time yet."

    Sylvanas could not pale anymore, but were she alive her face would've been a ghostly white. The uniting of the generals of the Scourge was one of Undercity's greatest threats, and even if this coalition proved to be fleeting, it still showed the terrifying potential if the Scourge turned its full might on Tirisfal. Sylvanas schools herself and speaks. "A grand victory to be sure, but I still wonder about the aid you offered."

    Araj gestures to the horde behind him. "This is the aid! We want the Crusade crushed as much as you do, and having their great western fortress fall would do much to easy our minds. I am prepared to march my troops through this Pass and lay siege to the Monastery. With just my force we could easily take the day, combined we shall utterly slaughter them."

    "I doubt you are doing this out of the goodness of your heart. What do you get out of this, lich?"

    The skeletal creature's smile grows sinister. "Loot and bodies from the fallen come first to my mind. However if I am to help you, you must resume your tribute payments to the nearest Scourge general. Which would be myself in Andorhal. Furthermore even with the ease of this conquest I may lose a great deal of corpses fighting against the zealots. I would expect you to help me in the future."

    Sylvanas shared a look with Nathanos, who gave her a shrug. "I...will need time to discuss this with my own commanders. As a great general and statesman yourself, you must understand."

    "Of course, of course." Araj grins at Sylvanas as she moves back into the main building of the outpost. "Just remember who your liege is."

    []Take the Offer: 10 units of Scourge Swarms, 5 Units of Scourge Ghouls, 3 Units of Scourge Abominations and 1 Unit of Scourge Death Knights temp gained for Scarlet Monastery Siege. Araj the Summoner gained as a hero for SM Siege. 1 Favor owed to Andorhal Scourge. -60 Gold in Tribute to Andorhal Scourge, reduced loot from SM Siege, Andorhal Scourge allowed to see composition of Forsaken Army.

    []Refuse the Offer: Forsaken Independence upheld, +10 Legitimacy, Andorhal Scourge snubbed, Araj will remember this, other factions and people will take note.
     
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    • [X]Refuse the Offer: Forsaken Independence upheld, +10 Legitimacy, Andorhal Scourge snubbed, Araj will remember this, other factions and people will take note.

    Bad idea. We'd have a hard enough time being distinguished from the Scourge without bending knee, if we did we'd never scrub that off.
     
    mcclay said:
    []Refuse the Offer: Forsaken Independence upheld, +10 Legitimacy, Andorhal Scourge snubbed, Araj will remember this, other factions and people will take note.
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    If we are to truly break away from the Scourge and Arthas, we're going to need the support of others to keep us from being steamrolled, and allying with the scourge at any time will make it difficult to be seen as independent from them. Refusing this offer will not only show Solliden that they were right to trust us, it will also show our people that we aren't willing to ally with their former oppressors out of convenience.

    [X]Refuse the Offer: Forsaken Independence upheld, +10 Legitimacy, Andorhal Scourge snubbed, Araj will remember this, other factions and people will take note.
     
    [X]Refuse the Offer: Forsaken Independence upheld, +10 Legitimacy, Andorhal Scourge snubbed, Araj will remember this, other factions and people will take note.
    We don't want to owe the Scourge any favors. On the plus side, we can probably play this off as high elven pride.
     
    [x]Refuse the Offer: Forsaken Independence upheld, +10 Legitimacy, Andorhal Scourge snubbed, Araj will remember this, other factions and people will take note.

    Uh, yea we've worked too hard to re-associate ourselves with the Scourge. No deal.
     
    [X]Refuse the Offer: Forsaken Independence upheld, +10 Legitimacy, Andorhal Scourge snubbed, Araj will remember this, other factions and people will take note.
     
    [X]Refuse the Offer: Forsaken Independence upheld, +10 Legitimacy, Andorhal Scourge snubbed, Araj will remember this, other factions and people will take note.

    No, thank you. We offer them a hand, they'll take the whole arm, reanimate it and strangle us with it
     
    [X]Refuse the Offer: Forsaken Independence upheld, +10 Legitimacy, Andorhal Scourge snubbed, Araj will remember this, other factions and people will take note.
    the way we will play it off is as if we didn't need their help.
     
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    [x]Refuse the Offer: Forsaken Independence upheld, +10 Legitimacy, Andorhal Scourge snubbed, Araj will remember this, other factions and people will take note.
     
    [X]Refuse the Offer: Forsaken Independence upheld, +10 Legitimacy, Andorhal Scourge snubbed, Araj will remember this, other factions and people will take note.
     
    [X]Refuse the Offer: Forsaken Independence upheld, +10 Legitimacy, Andorhal Scourge snubbed, Araj will remember this, other factions and people will take note.

    That's one hell of a devils Bargain. No thanks.
     
    What do we do if he attacks us? I didn't expect 15+ fucking squads.

    @mcclay where is varimathras? He wasn't mentioned among our commanders.
     
    Varder said:
    What do we do if he attacks us? I didn't expect 15+ fucking squads.

    @mcclay where is varimathras? He wasn't mentioned among our commanders.
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    Varimathras is remaining in Undercity as your regent. If something happens to you the chain of command is set up so that he takes over. This is less because you trust him and more because he is the only one with an indepth knowledge of the Forsaken's civil service and supply needs.
     
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