How can this be? All members of the Horde who are familiar with the bastion of Shadowfang Keep, and the infected camps of the Grizzly Hills, know that it was the Archmage Arugal, and Ur before him, who were responsible for the Worgen's presence in this world. There is no record of either of these wizards of the Kirin Tor ever making their way to the untamed wilderness of Kalimdor. And yet, here the Worgen reside, nonetheless...
Nothing is as it seems. What we know of the Worgen is very little, and by this discovery, it is less that we thought. Upon further investigation, a journal was found among the ruins, one that may explain the presence of these beastmen. Written in Elvish, the journal dates to just before the end of the Third War, when the Demons of the Burning Legion first corrupted a once mighty forest into the Fel-ridden abomination it is today. The following is the account of Velinde Starsong, Night Elf Priestess, and apparent Captain of the expedition to first cleanse the forest, a mission that, up until then, was going quite poorly:
Day 114:
"Elune has granted my wishes. The lives of my fallen comrades will not be in vain, and I shall avenge their deaths using the Scythe of Elune. It is an ancient thing, a branch, twisted and gnarled of wood that could be older than even the Kaldorei."
"For many hours I examined the tool that the goddess granted to me. It is no ordinary weapon, that is for certain, nor is it a simple magical implement. With it... it is as though the barriers of time and space are weakened."
"Holding the Scythe in my hands, I received a vision of chaos. Wolf-men... the Worgen... battled an incredible enemy. The Worgen fought savagely, as fit their primitive race, but their enemy was unflinching: the Lords of the Emerald Flame."
"And that was when I realized the true power of the Scythe. By focusing on it, I became able to communicate with the Worgen. It was not speech I used to contact them, however. It was something different... I could not describe it."
"What mattered was that the Worgen heard and understood me. By further channeling energy into the Scythe, the barriers weakened more, and I was able to draw Worgen into our world. A score and half I was able to summon in my first attempt. They followed me into battle, and with their brutish strength at my command, we tore into the demons of Felwood."
"Elune has granted my wishes. The forest will be cleansed."
"May Elune's blessings be upon me until my work is done."
From this passage, it is clear who was responsible for bringing the Worgen to Ashenvale. What is not clear is whether or not this "gift" is really of their supposedly benevolent diety. Also, who or what are the "Lords of the Emerald Flame?" Obviously enemies of the Worgen, it is not known of what nature such an unflinching enemy is. Is it possible that the Worgen have faced the Burning Legion? If so, why not simply call them the Burning Legion? Surely, this Elf Priest has heard of them. Perhaps the term instead applies to the situation that confronts the Druids of the Cenarion Circle, within the Emerald Dream. If this is the case, which "Lords" did these Beast-men face, the soldiers of the Dream, or the Nightmare? Much is yet unknown. The Journal continues:
Day 126:
"All goes well. I have summoned larger numbers of Worgen to fight at my side. Though they are of simple mind, they have shown impressive ability to coordinate their attacks and function as a group."
"I have identified leaders in their packs. To them I have given command of small groups of warriors. We strike from many places in the forest at once, and my campaign against the demons is a fruitful one."
"May Elune's blessings be upon me until my work is done."
Day 167:
"A pack is lost. I sent the Worgen to range through the forest and identify areas of demonic infestation, but they did not return. I begin to worry about the leaders that I have entrusted control to. They are of simple mind, and this small bit of authority I have given them, they stretch to the utmost. Am I losing control? Perhaps I shall cease summoning additional Worgen for the time being."
"May Elune's blessings be upon me until my work is done."
Day 212:
"Though I have not summoned additional Worgen, their numbers continue to increase. It is as though the Scythe no longer requires my intervention for the summoning process. This is troubling. I have gathered as many of the packs as I could find, and ordered them to remain at the Shrine of Mel'Thandris."
"Meanwhile, I have searched the libraries in Darnassus and consulted with the Circle of Ancients in Darkshore. Not one scrap of information about these Worgen did I find. I have heard reports, whispers, of a wizard of the Kirin Tor named Arugal. From what I have heard, it is possible that he has also summoned Worgen. I would consult with this wizard--distasteful as it may be--and see what he knows.""The Worgen are dangerous, and I wish to stem the tide. On the morrow, I will travel to the port in the Barrens and book passage to the New World."
"May Elune's blessings be upon me until my work is done."
It is here the Journal Ends. No one knows the whereabouts of this Elf Priest, nor whether her mission to find Arugal was successful. But given the nature of this insane wizard, and the company he keeps, perhaps we can assume the worst. Suffice it to say, as an advocate for these otherworldly creatures, Arugal has proven to be quite a thorn in the side of the Horde. Now it appears that there is another. An Elf who, in an act of desperation, turned to powers beyond her understanding, as so many have done before. And as it has been done before, so too has it seldom ended favorably.
In conclusion, it appears that this...Curse of the Worgen, is no longer isolated to the Eastern Kingdoms. Apparently, they have resided in the forests of Ashenvale, undetected, since the end of the Third War! No easy task, given the war of resources that still rages to this day. If the Night Elves were to call once again upon the aid of these worthy warriors, it may spell trouble for the Horde the likes of which we have not yet seen.
We must be vigilant, for if left unchecked, the Horde may find itself up against a new enemy, one that may turn the tide in favor of the Alliance!
-If you have uncovered an obscure but Epic storyline in game, send your story and screenshots to: OgamiGoro@yahoo.com
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