rustyiron
Iron Veterans
Never Surrender, Sometimes Retreat
Posts: 431
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Lessons
Feb 15, 2012 8:07:13 GMT -5
Post by rustyiron on Feb 15, 2012 8:07:13 GMT -5
"What have you learned?"
I slowly become aware as the soft voice surrounds me. I am someplace greenish, soft, comfortable. The voice flows through my consiousness again.
"What have you learned?"
I look around and see a spirit, ethereal, sitting patiently near me, sipping a cup of tea at a small table. A second cup is set out, as if the spirit was expecting me. I get up and stretch, but feel no pain. Strange, there should have been pain. I was wounded...
I sit at the table, the spirit waiting patiently. She (I think so but not sure), pours a cup of tea, the steam shimmering in the greenish light. She appeared to be waiting my answer.
"I have learned..I was Kate, an artist with a wealthy background. My father was a merchant of food goods. He always laughed that 'people have to eat' ... his store was at the edge of the Military Quarter, and he did well when the soldiers recieved their pay.."
The spirit took a sip of tea, and I followed suit. Honeymint, with a touch of yarrow. A healing brew. My answer was not what the spirit appeared to be looking for.
I searched my memories. The lockdown. The worgen, so many worgen..I shivered..
"I learned..I learned how to fight. To help others. I learned..you must train your skills from those that are knowledgable, otherwise you are weak....and die.." I looked up at the spirit. "I died..at the hands of a bloodfen worgen..because I was too careless.."
The spirit smiled, took a sip of tea, then said, "Now go back and start again, Wolfiron, and use that knowledge to survive.."
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rustyiron
Iron Veterans
Never Surrender, Sometimes Retreat
Posts: 431
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Lessons
Feb 15, 2012 8:41:02 GMT -5
Post by rustyiron on Feb 15, 2012 8:41:02 GMT -5
.."Welcome back, Wolfiron. What have you learned today?"
I was back with the spirit, sipping tea. Time has no meaning here. "I learned that I became a rogue, stealing, thieving, killing to survive. When the worgen attacked, I learned to help, train, to survive to fight for Gilneas. But...it was hopeless.."
"And why was that?"
I felt a cold shiver pass through me. "Because the worgen we were killing..they were..the citizens of the city. People. People we knew, our neighbors..I know because..I became one.."
The horror of it all, the bite, the pain of transformation, the suspicion and mistrust of Lord Godfrey and other humans who were not affected. The agony of regaining the trust of people you knew..
The spirit nodded. "All is well, Wolfiron. You gain knowledge each time. That is good, soon you will survive and be an example for others."
I sipped at the tea, my inner soul calmed. "I did learn the Forsaken are heartless and cruel..."
The spirit smiled. "Ah, not is all as it appears. The Forsaken have their own story, and may not be as heartless as they seem.." She set her cup down. "It is time to return. Use your knowledge and advance, Wolfiron, maybe we will not have to share tea anymore..."
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rustyiron
Iron Veterans
Never Surrender, Sometimes Retreat
Posts: 431
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Lessons
Feb 16, 2012 10:41:27 GMT -5
Post by rustyiron on Feb 16, 2012 10:41:27 GMT -5
I, Wolfiron, am a Gilnean.
But I, Wolfiron, am a Worgen. I am cursed. But I have learned.
I have learned to make the most of my Worgen senses. I have learned I still love Gilneas, and all her problems, bickering, and infighting. It is my home. I will do what it takes to protect her.
I have learned new rogue skills, how to stealth, how to creep around my enemies, how to ambush and sap their strength. Is it enough, I ask, to survive?
Earthquakes. Changes. Destruction. But of it all, I have seen good. I have met the Night Elves, and learned that the Curse started with the druids who ignored their calling and gave in to the dark forces that dwell within us all. I feel those forces. The urge to run wild, tear at warm flesh, taste the blood of the kill. But I am Human too, and I still can think and act civilized.
Is this the battle the Forsaken have within themselves?
I am off to aid Lord Godfrey. Hopefully I will survive and learn more. As much as I like to visit with the Spirit of Death, I do not wish to return. The smell of the sea air braces me as I head up to my new mission.
For Gilneas.
~Wolfiron Level 10 Rogue~ Cenarian Circle
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rustyiron
Iron Veterans
Never Surrender, Sometimes Retreat
Posts: 431
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Lessons
Feb 16, 2012 12:10:15 GMT -5
Post by rustyiron on Feb 16, 2012 12:10:15 GMT -5
"Hello, Wolfiron. Can't say it is nice to see you, but we can at least visit for a bit."
I sighed. The pain of death at the hands of the Tempest Reach watchmen on the high cliffs after killing Lord Walden. What had I done wrong? The seasoned brandy that Walden threw in my face had not helped my vision. I had killed the patrol, with those all knowing mastiffs. I had distracted and pulled out one of the bridge guards and the other mastiff handlers stood around gabbing. Trying to pull out the other bridge guard attracted the attention of another watchman, without a dog. I killed the bridge guard, then, using my worgen abilities, I ran down the hill. I escaped my secondary attacker, but the guards had been replaced lower down, and I was soon left bleeding on the road, one watchman spitting on my worgen form. I despair. I do not want to go back..
But...there was a reason...
"You seem down, Wolfiron."
"I had gotten so far..I was at tempest Reach.." It hit me, and I jumped to my feet, spilling my tea. "The King! By Gods, they kidnapped the King! Lord Godfrey! Damn him!"
The spirit sipped her tea, watching me. "What have you learned to think you can save him?"
I calmed, her voice soothing. I sat down again, to see that the tea had been replaced. "I need to do with less. Not try to kill all and beware of the patrols. Lord Walden and Lord Ashbury must pay for their treason. I must return to save the King."
"And so you shall." the spirit smiled on me. "We start at the beginning.."
....Liam is shouting, a proud figure on a grey horse, calling for the gates to be secured...I run to him, wanting to help...
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rustyiron
Iron Veterans
Never Surrender, Sometimes Retreat
Posts: 431
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Lessons
Feb 17, 2012 13:23:19 GMT -5
Post by rustyiron on Feb 17, 2012 13:23:19 GMT -5
...I paced."No.I'm not going back. The gods can have Gilneas for all I care."
The spirit watched as I raged, and gloomed. "Don't you want to know what will happen to your people?"
I glared at the spirit in all her calm beauty and serene aura. "Pah. They can suck chicken eggs for all I care. Let the Forsaken have at them. The Gilneans will never learn, the humans will never learn. Infighting, bickering..the stupid Wall! Look at Godfrey! Paranoid of the worgen, he was willing to trade his king to the Forsaken..Traitor! And look at Walden and pitiful Ashbury, going along with it...I hope they become Forsaken too, or better yet, plain ol Scourge..serves 'em all right." I flumped down in my chair, head between hands.
"I suck at it. All of it. Being a Worgen. Being a rogue. Being a decent human being. No one cares if you kill off the zoumongous spiders, no one cares if the king gets dealt off like a band hand of cards. I should just goad the cave ettin into eating all the crash survivors, or leave 'em all up at Greymane Manor so that the sea cuts them off from civilization. I'm sick of hearing their whiney voices asking 'stay a bit over there, you might have fleas.'ugh"
"Do you wish for a better reward? Gold? A horse? Beautiful, magical clothes?" The spirit watched and quizzed. I wondered what she must think of me. Failed. Again.
"No. I don't wish for all that. I just want to be successful. I hear of other from the Order who have ranked up, and continue to do real work. For good. I am a failure. I can't do this anymore. I never thought I would be so bad at something..."
The spirit shrugged. "It is your choice, Wolfiron, if you wish to remain dead. You were doing well. You were getting stronger. Even Chromie couldn't tell you if some Forsaken Infantryman was having a bad day, and decided to jump into your fight to take his anger out on you. He did and you are here. You believed in the Order, no? I think you can do this."
I made a face. "I want to do this. But maybe I just can't."
"You can take as much time to think about it. But I think you will return. "
I sighed. "But I'm such a stumblebum."
"Such a poor excuse. You are smarter than that. Besides, you earned that spiffy hat. It becomes you. And what of revenge on Godfrey? What of Gilneas? Don't you want to find out?" The spirit smiled, and sipped her tea. Baiting me. Damn I did want to find out. I wanted to best myself.
"ok, maybe. Just wish I didn't have to start at the beginn--"
..."HEY! You there! Citizen! Lockdown! Evacuate now!"
I was standing in the Market area, and Prince Liam was shouting at me in the chaos....
Here we go again...
((I bested my personal record on Wolfiron, which was 10. I made 11..argh..and again..))
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rustyiron
Iron Veterans
Never Surrender, Sometimes Retreat
Posts: 431
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Lessons
Feb 18, 2012 7:44:05 GMT -5
Post by rustyiron on Feb 18, 2012 7:44:05 GMT -5
I sighed and closed my eyes.
I had taken a shot with my crossbow at one of Lord Ashbury's watchmen, but I did not realize that Lord Ashbury was having a cigar with the man at that very moment. Damn. All three came running at me. I could run across the bridge, but there was that patrol with his dog I did not bother to take out...
So I jumped.
It was quick, and Over.
"I'm not going to ask you what you learned, Wolfiron. Maybe, though, you need a rest?"
I leaned back in my chair, and picked up my tea. "Maybe. Are you an Aspect? Watcher of the Emerald Dream or something?"
I could see a smile. "Maybe. Something like that. Do you remember your sister?"
I searched my memory. "Half sister, I think. My father was a bit of a player.."
"She has decided to follow in your footsteps. She is calling herself 'Pupdog' and has taken up some rogueish ways.."
I rolled my eyes. "Figures. She was sort of a spoiled princess, that one. I suppose she is following the Way of Iron?"
"She is thinking about it."
I let random thoughts skitter across my mind, recalling the very pretty and bratty Clarissa, who got anything she wanted, and always wanted the best. "She is too much into the shiny things. I doubt she can resist the temptations of enchanted clothes and weapons. Now, I suppose I will need to go back and one up her, eh?"
"I suppose you will. She hasn't died...yet."
I had to laugh. "Oh, and where is she now? Hiding in the Market?"
"Hmm, she is in the cathedral. You remember. Just before you become worgen."
"Pah, she won't make it past the change. Too whiney. Guess I better go back and show her how it should be done. I just need to be more careful..."
The spirit looked very satisfied then. I realize I had been baited.. oh well...
Hello, Liam...
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rustyiron
Iron Veterans
Never Surrender, Sometimes Retreat
Posts: 431
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Lessons
Feb 19, 2012 16:38:02 GMT -5
Post by rustyiron on Feb 19, 2012 16:38:02 GMT -5
I see Forsaken, my blood does boil.
I feel rage deep in my soul. Those rotting carcasses that dare walk the earth. They dare to poison all in the name of power and revenge. I will show them revenge. I will see them crushed to the bone dust they should be.
I am Pupdog, Wolfiron's sister. Sisters of the Howl, sisters of the flesh, sisters of the dagger. I know Wolfiron will be back. She believes in the Iron. And I have taken her cause.
I saw her fall after killing that madman in Emberstone. I saw her brief moment of victory. Until a Forsaken Infantryman appeared in her very spot, by some evil magics, and took the rest of her health. She did not even have time to run.
I will do more than avenge her death, because I know she is not yet dead. But I will destroy the heartless beings that call themselves Forsaken. It will not be pretty.
My hatred will not be sated until I see the Dark Lady fall.
So be it.
((Wolfiron reached 11. Died in the same spot.))
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rustyiron
Iron Veterans
Never Surrender, Sometimes Retreat
Posts: 431
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Lessons
Feb 19, 2012 22:50:33 GMT -5
Post by rustyiron on Feb 19, 2012 22:50:33 GMT -5
I let my anger flow, adding strength and agility to my arms. Forsaken died.
Captain Morris, Captain Anson, Ranger Thyla.
I did not think of myself, just revenge for Wolfiron. I feel her spirit within me. We can do this!
And that coward, Godfrey, jumping off the edge at Tempest Reach. Did he survive the fall? I do not know. My distaste for such a coward knows no bounds. Hopefully he got what he deserved.
Emberstone Village...where Wolfiron fell twice..I felt the rage, yet I tempered it to steel, and killed all I could. I survived and felt that small sense of satisfaction for Wolfiron. We did it!
The battle for Gilneas was scary for me, for I felt like I was alone. I believe Wolfiron left me, satisfied after the cleansing of Emberstone. I will admit I stayed hid, safe, watching the battle from afar. Then Liam fell...
He was our heart, our spirit. Genn was almost broken at his loss. But the spectre of the Dark Lady Sylvannas, and the release of the plague upon our city shifted his attention to things at hand..
Now we are safe, in Darnassas, but a refugee people, homeless. Our land has been plagued, is unclean. We will be back to reclaim it, cleanse it, rebuild it. I know this in my heart.
I took some things to the bank, Godfrey's dagger among them. I looked at it as I stored it away, wondering why the man chose death than be ruled by a worgen king. His dagger shall remind me of his inflexibility in accepting new things. He would not have liked Darnassas.
I sold my rag tag clothes, and bought some new leathers, and weapons. I shall seek out a poison vendor soon, sharpen my weapons, then head for Darkshore. I feel dead inside, wondering if I can ever find hope again. Gilneas is gone.
I will seek out the Forsaken and kill as many as I can before I die. It is all I can do.
For you, Wolfiron.
~Pupdog level 13 Rogue Worgen, Cenarion Circle~
((Yea!))
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rustyiron
Iron Veterans
Never Surrender, Sometimes Retreat
Posts: 431
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Lessons
Feb 20, 2012 21:31:02 GMT -5
Post by rustyiron on Feb 20, 2012 21:31:02 GMT -5
The dead feeling I have inside does not go away. Darkshore is dreary, full of the dead, the dying, the diseased. I go and help, but I'm afraid that my spirit is broken. Darnassus was almost too peaceful, too perfect. I had to get away.
My hatred is still there, but I don't think I can use it here. It makes no difference. I miss my home.
These night elves embrace nature, a nature that has been corrupted. The taint seems more like Forsaken, the smell of plague, rather than the smell of fel. Was the power of the Dark Lady so great that it spread over the world? It all feels so hopeless...I feel like Darkshore after the brutal smashing by Deathwing...broken.
I want to go home. To Gilneas. To rest.
So I ran about, gutting bears, crabs, clams. Rescuing some survivors. Just odd work. My heart is not into it. If I don't keep busy then the sadness overwhelms me.
I will make a mistake. I know it, I feel it. And when it comes I will accept it and embrace it. I will join with Wolfiron, and maybe we can infuse our spirit to a new Sister.
So be it.
~Pupdog~
((The Naga took Pupdog's life in Darkshore today. She was found, looking peaceful, her bloodied Gilnean tabard under her head as a pillow. She was taken back to Darnassas, where a contingent of worgen rogues, under the cover of the new moon, took her body back to Gilneas and buried her near Liam Greymane's grave. She was level 14.))
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