Fire engulfs Orgrimmar, rebuilding costly due to scarce supplies
Political tensions mount after Thrall appoints Garrosh as acting Warchief prior to vision quest
Political tensions mount after Thrall appoints Garrosh as acting Warchief prior to vision quest
[Pguinto-Frostmourne-US], 16th day of 11(1) ES 33, hard embargo - immediate release
N.B. Spoilers for Golden, C (2010) (World of Warcraft: The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm) and strategy guide for the Elemental Invasion after the jump
ORGRIMMAR - A devastating fire tore through Orgrimmar today after the recent dry spell throughout Durotar had escalated the [fire hazard] to alarming [levels]. People throughout the Horde territories worry about political, economic and ecological difficulties stemming from it.
Orgrimmar had suffered an invasion of fire elementals, which caused an inferno that reached calamitous proportions and burned down most of the predominantly wooden architecture. Shaman are still baffled as to the reason for the elements’ disgruntlement.
The fire may be related to the recently foiled [arson] attempts by the Doomsday Cult. They had attempted to use special devices and rituals to mass summon fire elementals to the city.
As part of the fire fighting effort, which literally required monsoonal amounts of water, able shaman arrived at the scene to commune with the fire elementals responsible for the blaze. Thrall, shaman and Warchief of the Horde, personally assisted in the effort.
Repairing the unprecedented damage sustained is challenging given the strain the city's coffers are under from drought and restricted trade with the Alliance.
Repairing the unprecedented damage sustained is challenging given the strain the city's coffers are under from drought and restricted trade with the Alliance.
Prior to the fire, citizens of all major cities had complained of minor ground tremors. It is widely believed that action by the earth elementals, or some other related phenomena, would cause a more major earthquake.
Additionally, it had been known for some time that the weather had become unusually extreme. Following their return from the Northrend campaign, members of the Warsong Offensive described unnaturally powerful storms during their journey home. It was claimed that several ships, carrying soldiers and desperately needed supplies, had sunk.
These circumstances have aroused the interest of the Earthen Ring shaman [learned society]. An Earthen Ring Emissary commented that "the phenomenon is not entirely natural", and that they "haven't quite been able to determine the source".
Thrall, shaman and Horde Warchief, resolved to travel to Outland to understand Azeroth’s elemental activity via a shaman vision quest. He has appointed Garrosh Hellscream, Mag’har and Overlord of the concluded Warsong Offensive in Northrend, as a replacement Warchief while he, following the vision quest, communes with the Four Furies there.
As Thrall considered one “expensive”, a ceremony was not hosted for the event. He additionally noted that “Such frivolities… merely serve [their] vanity”.
However, this appointment did not come without criticism. Opponents to the appointment, notably Garrosh himself and tauren High Chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof, cite hotheadedness and lack of experience as undesirable traits in Garrosh.
Garrosh prefers military service over the notably more civil duties is expected of him in this position. His stance (mind the pun) on the issue has changed since the Mak’gora leadership challenge prior to the Northrend campaign, dropping it in favour of incumbent Thrall. He had accepted the prestigious [office] out of respect.
Thrall firmly defended his decision, believing there was no more suitable alternative candidate. Indeed, High Overlord Varok Saurfang opted to maintain operations at Grommash Hold in Northrend, while Vol’jin, shadow hunter and leader of the Darkspear trolls, is currently occupied with reclaiming the Echo Isles. Varok’s son, Dranosh (meaning ‘heart of Draenor’ in Orcish), was [KIA (killed in action)] during the Northrend campaign, firstly during the Battle of Angrathar the Wrath Gate and secondly and finally under the Lich King’s service.
Cairne, another potential candidate, was suffering a low approval rating among the citizens of Orgrimmar due to his age.
In consolation, Thrall requested that Cairne, along with Eitrigg and Vol’jin, act as advisors. Cairne resigned from this capacity after Garrosh allegedly repeatedly ignored his contributions.
Adventurers aid [Strategy guide]
Real-time feed... Adventurers could determine the districts under attack by the red flags appearing on their maps.
Adventurers from throughout the Horde territories had assisted in the fire fighting effort.
Heralds had afforded the city five minutes of warning prior to the invasion of fire elementals; however, it was equally likely for it to start sooner when the city is fully fortified. During this time, adventurers collected supplies of Unbinding Totems from Earthen Ring Defenders and were additionally instructed to place barricades throughout the city. Those not able-bodied were evacuated through portals.
During the invasion proper, elementals spawned from rifts without the apparent aid of the Twilight's Hammer. Adventurers were required to free citizens trapped by the elementals, which the Totems provided proved useful for. This was in conjunction to suppressing the elementals in combat.
During combat, adventurers reported becoming imprisoned. The Totems, used by free allies, also proved effective for releasing them.
During combat, adventurers reported becoming imprisoned. The Totems, used by free allies, also proved effective for releasing them.
32 elementals were counted from every rift that appeared.
Members of the Earthen Ring had personally assisted in the effort, ensuring that the invasion could be repelled within the hour [60 minutes] should the defense provided by the adventurers prove insufficient.
Rebuilding
Big and spiky… An artist’s life-like impression of the reinforcement of Orgrimmar’s main gate; the plan for the rebuilt Orgrimmar.
As the fire was being brought under control, the extent of the destruction became increasingly apparent. A majority of the buildings had burned down completely, with several others uninhabitable. Of note is the Chophouse, whose contents of cut meat produced an acrid smell of burning flesh.
This calamity puts a further drain on Orgrimmar’s already hollow coffers. The city had already been experiencing a severe drought which greatly reduced yields for natural resources.
Thrall struck a deal with goblin Ratchet leader Gazlowe to repair the city, the latter of which was involved in the original construction. Despite securing steep discounts, the price finally agreed on was still a tremendous burden on the [public] [finances].
Regarding the construction materials selected for the rebuilding effort, a greater use of flame-resistant stone will be adopted. Additionally, following successful trials in Northrend, surfaces will be further reinforced with a special black iron.
Vision quest
To gain an understanding of the Azerothian elements’ recent unease, Thrall returned to Garadar in Nagrand, Outland to embark on a shaman vision quest and, ultimately, commune with the Four Furies.
Elderly shaman Drek'Thar had already provided Thrall this rite; however, due to the difficulties brought by the human imprisonment of the orcs, as well as the dire shortage of shaman, at the time, it was rudimentary at best.
He expects that Greatmother Geyah of the Mag’har would be able to instruct him. However, she is [motion-impaired] and, given the need to travel during his studies, she would likely appoint her apprentice Aggra for excursions.
Since adopting former Warchief Orgrim Doomhammer’s ([KIA] during the Second War) plate armour and Doomhammer, Thrall had been drawing criticism from the shaman community for dressing more as a warrior than a shaman. As part of a vision quest, and as typically required for other shamanic activities, he is expected to drop that wear (literally with regard to the Doomhammer) and instead don a special ritual robe and prayer beads.
As it stands, the current symptoms of the elements faintly but worryingly suggest a problem of cataclysmic proportions. The more elder shaman had only ever observed elemental rowdiness of this magnitude and (strikingly similar) nature on Draenor, before the opening of several dimensional portals by former Warchief, Elder Shaman and Lich King Ner’zhul shattered the orc homeworld.
The possibility of a cataclysm is further supported by an increase in the activity of the Twilight’s Hammer cult. They wish Armageddon to befall Azeroth and take action to make it happen.
As a result of his studies in Outland, Thrall would be able to confirm or disprove this theory. Should the need for elemental analysis arise, he brought with him an Azerothian rock as part of his portable altar.
The Twilight’s Hammer is leading the recently formed Doomsday Cult.
Conflicts within and without
The appointment of Garrosh as acting Warchief upset relations between Orgrimmar and Thunder Bluff.
Cairne had strongly condemned the appointment. He expresses ultimate concern that Garrosh would upset the tenuous truce with the Alliance.
Indeed, Garrosh is widely believed to have ordered the attack on a night elf supply convoy in Ashenvale. Minor sources instead suggest action by the Twilight’s Hammer, to which several orcs have defected.
On the issue of acquiring supplies for the rebuilding effort, Garrosh suggested attacking the night elves to gain unrestricted access to Ashenvale’s wealth. Thrall was quick to dismiss that option, opting instead to mend diplomatic relationships broken during the Wrathgate event.
The harvesting of lumber from Ashenvale had sparked hostilities in Warsong Gulch prior to the truce.
Cairne, furious about both this incident and a suspected ordering of attacks on an interfaction druid [convention], is widely expected to challenge Garrosh’s leadership via Mak’gora. Should Cairne lose both the challenge and his life, Magatha of the Grimtotem, with which relations have been strained for years, would likely seize control of Thunder Bluff in a coup.
The nature of such a loss would be ironic for a tauren who had lived his life with honour.
Baine, Cairne’s son, is doubtful on whether he will be able to succeed his father as High Chieftain should this happen. He is widely cited as the best successor for the position.
These incidents have additionally upset the broader Alliance.
In relation to the attack on the supply convoy, King of Stormwind Varian Wrynn made several requests: a formal apology; reaffirming the truce; denouncing the actions; and turning over those responsible for Alliance justice. Thrall agreed to points two and three.
He refused to apologise because of the necessity of such an act of survival given the drought. He also refused to turn over suspects primarily due to the absence of any; however, should any have been found, he would have honoured the peoples’ trust in the Warchief.
Despite the failed druid [convention], the Alliance has not declared war. This may be because of disruptions bought by the recent deemed death of King of Ironforge Magni Bronzebeard and a prolonged succession.
Magni had been petrified into diamond while participating in a ritual to “become one with the mountain”. A translation of ancient tablet pieces, of Earthen origin, was revealed literal after Ironforge scholars initially interpreted the passage as a way to commune with the earth elementals.
During the ritual, Magni had drank a carefully prepared concoction of mountain silversage, black lotus, ghost mushroom and the soil from which they grew. The herbs are known to be poisonous when not properly treated, hence the use of the soil.
As the earthen (to which the dwarves are related) are of earthly origin, they express a desire to return to the earth from which they were born. In light of the unexpected results from it, it was learned that the ritual was able to facilitate this for dwarves. This final rite is known to be respected by the members of the red dragonflight upon their deaths.
Thrall had sent a blood elf and tauren to Magni’s funeral service to represent the Horde.
[Conservatives] view the current moment as an ideal time for any attack on leaderless Ironforge. Thrall, a [progressive], condemns such action.
Where heredity determines the [head of state], brothers Brann or Muradin Bronzebeard are expected to succeed Magni as King of Ironforge and its resident Bronzebeard and Wildhammer dwarves. However, Moira Bronzebeard, Empress of the Dark Iron dwarves and next of kin to Magni, has priority claim to the throne as direct heir.
Despite possessing a legitimate claim to the throne, an exercise of that claim by Moira is likely to be controversial, as Ironforge's relations with the Dark Irons have been strained for years.
[Thrallgate] scandal
Under pressure… The fire elemental alleging undue assault by Thrall.
Thrall has been criticised over the methods he used in combating the blaze, which came after accusations by a nameless fire elemental.
Critically Analyse has learned from this fire elemental, spawn of the Spirit of Fire, alleged undue assault by Thrall during the fire fighting effort, whereby it was forcibly suppressed to embers. Given the obscurity of the Kalimag language spoken, a shaman (acting as interpreter) was present during the interview.
Shaman are widely praised for their bona fide relationship with the elements. For a shaman to force, rather than negotiate with, an elemental is unconscionable.
“The spirits of the elements are wise”, Gotura Fourwinds of the Earthen Ring explains. “They’ve been here long before us and will persist long after we’re gone. When they speak to us, we must listen.”
Thrall has admitted to shamanic misconduct, defending it on the basis of necessity existing in the situation. Indeed, the repair bill from the calamity would have rose even higher otherwise.
He further explained that the elements were becoming increasingly uncooperative, possibly compromising the elemental relationship without the fault of the shaman.
He expressed remorse in resorting to such action.
Given the mitigating circumstances, a [court] would likely dismiss such [legal action] should the fire elemental decide to pursue it.
- Critically Analyse
Bibliography
- Cataclysm Guide: Pre-Launch Events, strategy guide for computer game, Wowhead, viewed 7 November 2010, <http://www.wowhead.com/guide=cataclysm&prelaunch>.
- Golden, C (2010), World of Warcraft: The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm, 1st hardcover edn, Gallery Books, New York.
- Sacco, M (2010a), The Shattering plot summary: Thrall, blog post, WoW Insider, viewed 23 October 2010, <http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/the-shattering-plot-summary-thrall/>.
- Sacco, M (2010b), The Shattering plot summary: Garrosh and Cairne, blog post, WoW Insider, viewed 23 October 2010, <http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/the-shattering-plot-summary-garrosh-and-cairne/>.
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