To Answer the Question Lingering in the Air...

...a witch turned me into a newt.

...I got better.

On a more serious note, If you're wondering where I've been since late 2013, I've been working alongside several other Feathermoon realm RPers to co-host and edit the Feathermap Podcast, a small podcast that covers topics relating to RP on our realm. Feel free to check it out if that kind of thing interests you. A new episode in which we delve into the lore found in the Shadowmoon Valley, Frostfire Ridge, Gorgrond, and Talador zones just came out and should be available here.

Friday Five - First War Lore

This week, I contributed some prompts regarding the First War—the original war between the Orcish Horde and the Human Kingdom of Stormwind portrayed in the first WarCraft game WarCraft: Orcs & Humans—for Anna's Friday Five feature. Since I'm the one that asked the questions in the first place, it's only fair that I answer them for my own character, right? So, here goes. ;)

Be sure to check out the prompt before reading on, else this may not make much sense. :P

1. Gryphonheart knows a great deal about the First War. He spent the better part of his childhood listening to the other refugees of Stormwind tell tales of their lost homeland, and the experience has caused him to seek out more knowledge of these events—from both first-hand and third-hand sources—whenever he has the opportunity.
2. Born the day Stormwind finally fell to the Orcish onslaught, Gryphonheart has no recollection of the actual events of the war. His father managed to secure passage to Lordaeron for himself, his wife, and his newly born son on one of the many ships that carried the nation's refugees to the southern shores of Hillsbrad Foothills. Gryphonheart's grandfather (on his mother's side), however, was one of the city defenders that fell to enable their safe escape from the invading army. Prior to that final day, though, Gryphonheart's parents resided in Northshire Valley and fled to the city as the Horde pressed further and further into Stormwind territory.
3. Despite its ultimate defeat by the Orcish Horde, Gryphonheart views Stormwind's actions with pride. It was King Llane's valiant defense of his lands that stalled the Orcish Horde long enough to obtain the valuable information on Orcs and their combat strategies that helped the Alliance defeat the Horde in the Second War. It was Anduin Lothar, Knight-Champion of Stormwind, who ensured the participation of the Wildhammer Dwarves and the High Elves and who led the Alliance armies against Doomhammer's Horde. It was the clerics of Northshire Abbey who passed to their northern brethren knowledge of the extent of the Orcish threat, and thus helped inspire the creation of the Paladins. Of course, Gryphonheart knows that Stormwind's actions weren't perfect—there were many things that could have been done to prevent the nation's destruction, such as calling on the northern kingdoms for aid, or taking a more aggressive stance towards Orcish incursions, or not blindly trusting the actions of Medivh and Garona. Yet ultimately, it's his belief that the seeds of Alliance victory were sown by Stormwind hands.
4. Indeed. Not having known a stable home for much of his childhood, Gryphonheart knows how valuable one can be. Having found that home in the reconstructed walls of Stormwind, he is determined to keep it safe and prevent history from repeating itself.
5. Gryphonheart still doesn't really know how he feels about Medivh's actions. He's read the first-hand accounts of the soldiers who participated in the final showdown at Karazhan, as well as what the official (and some unofficial) histories tell of Khadgar's tale, so he knows of Sargeras' possession of Medivh. Even then, he has an incredibly difficult time forgiving Medivh for what he did, even after the former Guardian's actions saved Azeroth from the Burning Legion's return in the Third War. Perhaps someday he'll forgive Medivh. Until then, though, Gryphonheart is perfectly content to hate Medivh's failures and appreciate his successes.
   

Wrath of the Holy Light

Be warned! The Lich King no longer sits idly upon his glacial throne. His wrath—the cruel and uncaring fury of death itself—is upon us at last! Be wary, friends. The Lich King knows no mercy, and even the eternal slumber can not grant you reprieve from his icy influence.

Yet we must fight on, as brothers and sisters, Alliance and Horde, blessed of the Light and damned of the darkness. We must stand united, for the Lich King seeks not only to divide our attentions, but to tear asunder all that we love and hold dear!

Stand tall, my brothers and sisters! Stand resolute. Know that so long as you fight against the evils that seek to devour this land—that seek to purge it of all that is good and just and right—know that the very world itself shall fight alongside you. Know that we will emerge victorious—of this there can be no doubt! No matter how deep the darkness, the Light shall always drive it away. No matter how great the horror, the Light shall grant us the resolve to face our fears. No matter how desperate and depraved our souls become, the Light shall always greet us with a welcoming embrace.

By blood and honor we serve. By body and mind we protect. By life and death we sacrifice. And by the Light we'll prevail!

To arms! To battle! Together!

To Northrend!