Lore of Warcraft: The Arcane Smith of Andorhal

     His name is Jeziba.  According to Haleh, Matron Protectorate of the blue dragon lair of Mazthoril, "He is a mortal as wise as the ancients and as patient as the immovable earth."  He calls himself a sculptor, not of stone or metal, but of heroes.  Through his guidance, the bravest and most stalwart adventurers are tested and hardened.  Much as the Argent Crusade seeks the best and brightest to send forth against the Lich King, so too does Jeziba seek champions against an equally sinister enemy.

  

     Largely forgotten, but ever watchful, Nefarion, the son of Deathwing, sits upon his throne in the Blackrock Mountains.  While the defenders of Azeroth focus their efforts upon Icecrown Citadel, the acting head of the genocidal Black Dragonflight, plots from his fiery stronghold.  Very few venture into his lair, but even when they do, fewer still ever return.   His designs are dire, and far reaching.  His schemes extend beyond the borders of Azeroth itself, even to the shattered world of Outland.  His plan; to prepare for the return of his father by building an army worthy of the Black Dragonflight.  Through careful breeding and ancient magicks, Nefarion and his siblings labor to create a new Dragonflight, one more powerful than the world has ever seen.  

The bad news is; they have succeeded.  

It is ironic how so many heroes venture into the depths of the Obsidian Sanctum, and yet so few realize the threat they have uncovered.  It is worse still that they have uncovered it too late.  The Twilight Flight has been created, and while one bastion may be destroyed, there are no doubt countless others, hidden throughout the deep places of the world, known only to the beings who live there.  

But there are also those of the world above who know of this.  Long before Malygos turned against the Kirin Tor, the Blue Dragonflight have taken personal interest in foiling the plans of Deathwing's brood.  Fuelled by a betrayal that nearly obliterated their flight, the Blue Dragons hold a special hatred of their wayward kin.  Out of necessity, they have turned many times to the Mortals, the lesser beings of Azeroth, to aid in this purpose. 

Jeziba is one of these mortals.  Entrusted with long forgotten, and sinister, techniques, he may yet hold the knowledge that will save us in the coming storm.  He knows the crafts that will withstand the unfathomable power of the Chromatic Dragonflight, Nefarion's own pet project.  However, only the bravest and most resolute heroes are worthy of his aid.  This is not of his design, for the creation of his master works require nearly unobtainable materials, namely, the scales of a Chromatic Dragon itself!  How can one retrieve such a thing, when none can yet withstand the unknowable power of these creatures?  Therein lies the test.  Those who pass are no doubt proven worthy.  Those who do not, die.  

 

 Neimue, the Demon Hunter of Akatsuki, pauses to consider a deadly task...

 What part will this ancient artisan play in the coming war?  Between the Lich King and Nefarion, how many Heroes can possibly rise to this challenge?  And if the rumors are true, if Deathwing the Destroyer returns, will it be too late?

Only time will tell.  But, as Nefarion is known to point out, as mortals, Time is seldom on our side...

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