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Chronicles of the War in Azeroth
A treatis of the events leading to the war between Mankind and the Orcish hordes
as related by
Sir Lothar, Knight of the Realm
I am Sir Lothar, Armsman to the Brotherhood of the horse, and a warrior in the King's service. I feel it necessary to inform you of the events that have led us to this time of conflict. The tale of our battle with the Orcs begins some forty years in the past. I tell you of these things so that you might glean some understanding of our plight, and gain insight into our enemy. As a student of history and battle, I have found that only through understanding of the past can we make well thought decisions for the future.
559
All has been peaceful for many generations, and the reign of King Wrynn III is a prosperous one. The constant bickering and infighting that marred the rules of former Kings has no place in the court of Wrynn. The child sorcerer Medivh is born of a coupling between the court Conjurer and a mysterious traveler. After the child is born, the woman disappears, and the baby is taken into the court as a ward of the kingdom.
564
The child prince Llane is born to King Wrynn and Lady Varia. This is their first and only offspring, but the birth of a son marks the continuation of their line. It is a grand day in the Kingdom that is celebrated by great feasts and tournaments. King Wrynn proclaims the day to be a time for festival for the duration of his rule, and to mark the occasion gives each citizen of Azeroth one gold sovereign.
571
The marking of the Age of Ascension from childhood to adulthood is one of great anticipation for both parent and youth. Medivh attains that time and is expected to be given the title as Apprentice Conjurer to the Court. On the eve of this occasion, the boy's sleep is troubled by dark dreams of figurers giving chase through deep chasms. Waking in a cold sweat, Medivh makes his way to the bedchamber of his father. As the Conjurer reaches out to touch his fevered brow, a burning fire ignites in the child's eyes. This backlash of power must have reached as far as Northshire Abbey, for within the hour over one hundred clerics arrived at the castle.
Only by combining their abilities with the powers of the Conjurer were on hundred enough to contain Medivh. As magiks unimagined poured forth from him, the boy screamed in unholy pain at the energies that were channeling through him. Hours passed, perhaps even days, for time seemed to stand still as the onslaught grew in fury.
Then, as simply as one snuffs a candle, both father and son crumpled into a heap. The Cojurer lay dead, drained of all life, and Medivh fell into a deep sleep - his heart barely beating, and only the faintest of breath escaping his lips. After long dicsussion, the King and the Abbot of Northshire agree that Medivh should be taken to the Abbey for the safety of both child and kingdom.
577
A New Generation
Years passed as tensions abated and a lasting peace settled over Lordaeron. King Terenas and the Archbishop Alonsus Faol worked ceaselessly to rebuild the kingdom and bring aid to the remaining nations of the Alliance. The southern kingdom of Azeroth grew prosperous again and reestablished itself as a military power under King Wrynn’s visionary leadership. Uther the Lightbringer, the supreme commander of the Paladin Order, kept the peace in Lordaeron by settling civil disputes and quelling demi-human uprisings throughout the realm. Admiral Proudmoore, whose mighty fleets patrolled the trade lanes hunting pirates and marauders, maintained order on the high seas. But it was the exploits of a newer generation of heroes that captured the imagination of the populace.
King Terenas’ only son, Arthas, had grown into a strong, confident, young man. The young Prince was trained as a warrior by Muradin Bronzebeard – brother to King Magni of Ironforge – and despite his youth, was considered to be one of the finest swordsmen in Lordaeron. At the tender age of nineteen Arthas was inducted into the Order of the Silver Hand under the command of Lord Uther. The kindly Uther, who had been like brother to King Terenas for years, considered the Prince more of a favored nephew than a pupil. Though headstrong and somewhat arrogant, none could dispute Arthas’ bravery and tenacity. When the troll warbands of Zul’Aman began raiding settlements along the Quel’Thalassian border, Arthas was quick to hunt down the savages and put an end to their rampage.
Yet despite his heroics, the citizenry of Lordaeron obsessed over the young Prince’s personal life. Rumors of a budding romance between Arthas and Lady Jaina Proudmoore had surfaced and set the kingdom ablaze. Jaina was the youngest daughter of Admiral Proudmoore, a childhood friend of Arthas. However, the beautiful, yet shy young woman was also the star pupil of the Kirin Tor – the Wizard Council of Dalaran. Tutored by the revered Archmage, Antonidas, Jaina managed to maintain a close relationship. Given King Terenas’ age and deteriorating health, the citizenry was pleased to see that their beloved Prince would marry and carry on the royal bloodline.
Embarrassed by the public attention, Arthas and Jaina kept their affair as private as possible. But Jaina, committed to her studies in Dalaran, knew that their romance could not last. She has studied the ways of magic her whole life and knew that her true calling was the pursuit of knowledge – not the trappings of the throne room. Much to the frustration of Lordaeron’s citizenry, the two lovers reluctantly parted ways and refocused themselves on their duties.
The Shadows Return
After nearly thirteen years of peace, the rumors of war began to circulate once again. The King’s agents reported that a young, upstart warchief had arisen and rallied the few remaining orc clans into an elite fighting force. The young warchief was intent on tearing down the internment camps and freeing his people from their bondage. The “new horde” as it was dubbed, had brazenly attacked the northern city of Stratholme in an attempt to rescue one of its captured warriors. The horde even destroyed Durnholde – the fortress that oversaw the security of the internment camps – and murdered the officers who ran it. King Terenas sent Uther and his paladins to quell the warchief’s uprising, but the crafty orcs could never be found. The young warchief proved to be something of a tactical genius – and evaded Uther’s best efforts to corral his hit and run attacks.
Amidst the strain of the new orc uprising, King Terenas was disturbed to hear ill news on another front. Rumor held that a number of supposed “death cults” had formed in the northern provinces. The cults attracted the disenfranchised and disheartened citizens of Lordaeron, offering them “eternal life” on earth as an alternative to servitude to the King. After many years of peace and quiet, Kin Terenas knew that troubles were only just beginning for his land. He took some comfort in the fact Lordaeron had endured every trial that had ever come its way – and that its defenders, both new and old, would see it safely through to a new dawn…
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