Inar

Much more details: http://wolfriders.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=211 My apologies to those who have to register -- I've tried to include those who have already registered in the appropriately permissioned group "Skullcrusher Clan". If you do choose to visit the wolfriders meager site and register, you should be able to request membership in the group, and then wait patiently for me to approve the request. The reasons for trying to keep these plans on a more "need to know" basis is the simple desire to keep 100 Alliance guilds from showing up and crashing the party. We'll likely get more than we've bargained for just by activating the "such and such is under attack" message. So in short, to learn more details, either visit that link or wait until someone who has already registered (Volonazra, Sleyvas, Grawuulf) can post the details on a "private" board. The principal details and needs are likely to remain unchanged. -Nar

Right now I'm working on the "when". Plan is going to be: 1. find time Inar is certain to be available 2. invite Wolfriders and find response 3. invite Allies and find response 4. announce intention to select enemy forces (e.g. they have a spy in Thrall's court somewhere) 5. have at it. Point #1 is going to be a bit tough to gauge at this point as the 4th of July weekend is creating a bit of craziness. Best guess is "very very late" on Friday July 15th or "very very early" on Saturday July 16th depending on your perspective -- 1 AM server time (EST) very very early Saturday July 16th in my perspective. Event likely for two hours, including meeting with Thrall ahead of time, flying to Bloodvenom Post, riding... er... well I may have already given too much away for now. I don't want to advertise too widely in a publicly readable place as if "way way too many Alliance show up" it will not be pretty or very fun, and as they outnumber us by a wide margin... The ending will either be returning to Thrall (which I usually like) or having a Warsong Gulch battle first, then returning to Thrall. I just don't know how really to wrap roleplay around capture the flag yet. I'm aware this time isn't the best for everyone, and I apologize for that. We try to move the times of our events and meetings to involve different sets of people. -Nar

In the coming weeks we're actively planning the next event of the Wolfriders storyline. It will be a level 50+ event involving unknown numbers of Alliance defenders and an attack on a remote Alliance outpost (there is a story involved but I don't want to give too much away just yet). We'll likely need a few helpers, maybe more than a few depending on the Alliance response. (Basically: there's an identified NPC target in a remote Alliance town who Inar has found to be supplying arms to the Alliance forces in Warsong Gulch. Thrall asks this target be ... uh ... neutralized. We're going to flag from a Horde outpost and ride to the Alliance outpost, and at least one Alliance guild will be tipped off to the oncoming attack. So we'll expect resistance. There won't be any attempt at a "strict" script as we could be defeated at any point, but there are a series of fall-back and rally points along the way. But it's not entirely unlikely that we we'll find ourselves with a score of Alliance "adds" and won't be able to complete the mission. This time.) -Nar

RP thread posted on the Argent Dawn forums: http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.a...&ThreadID=89187 Of the ancient days of Draenor, not much is known or remembered. The bloodlust dimmed memory, and not many now live who passed through the Portal into Azeroth. Of the history of the Wolfriders, there is no tale or record of those days. All that is known is that the Wolfriders were once a proud and independent clan, but in time forgotten they were gathered under the banner of the mighty Frostwolves, whom they served with loyal fealty. When Durotan led the Frostwolves into exile on Azeroth, rather than allow his clan to be led down the dark and demonic path the Horde had been beguiled into following, the Wolfriders faced a terrible choice. Follow their sworn chieftain into exile, or serve the Horde? It was then that Thynar Bloodaxe, who led the Wolfriders into battle in the name of Durotan and the Frostwolves, resolved to stand and fight for what Durotan believed, instead of being forced into exile. In the chaos of the battles that ensued, Thynar's mettle was tested, and that of the Wolfriders, and he proved his worth so well that he was rewarded with his own clan - the Wolfriders maintained their loyalty to Durotan in secret, but they were an independent clan once again. When Durotan was foully murdered, Thynar swore fealty to Ogrim Doomhammer, who fought to free the orcs from their demonic bloodlust. When Doomhammer seized the mantle of Warchief, Thynar was honored to serve him still. In time, the tides of bloodlust were beaten back, and the orc clans were scattered, and, one by one, destroyed or fitted with chains and enslaved. While wars raged across Azeroth and even beyond the Portal in Draenor, through force of arms, Thynar and his loyal Wolfriders maintained the freedom of their clan. But on the Day of the Dragon, all was lost. In one fell swoop, many of the last free clans were destroyed or taken into slavery. Following a young orc's strange visions, Thynar led the strongest of the Wolfriders into battle, to buy his people time to escape. That young orc, barely having come of age, was Menar, the son of Thynar's younger brother Asznar. Thynar and Asznar were slain, and Thynar's son Donar was enslaved. But following Menar's strange vision -- a white-winged ship sailing across the ocean to the west -- the surviving Wolfriders captured a ship and set sail into the unknown. Menar's mother, Narsa, worried for the future of her sons, for while Menar's vision took them away from the fire and chains of the Eastern Kingdoms, who knew what awaited them in Kalimdor? But she took comfort in the thought that her five year old son, Inar, might never know war. In time, the ship carrying Narsa and her hopes reached Kalimdor, where the Wolfriders founded their new village of Brithbarad. The Wolfriders returned to the shamanic life of their ancestors, far away from the battles that continued to rage in the east. Putting away axe and bow, they took up the plow, pole, and hearth. For ten years, it was a good life. In time, word reached the clan that a new warchief had risen, Thrall, and was leading his people to Kalimdor. Rallying to his banner, the Wolfriders were proud to swear allegiance to the new warchief, and hoped he would preside over a new era for the orc race. When Thrall asked for warriors, the Wolfriders were proud to send all they had. Inar was not yet of age, and so was left behind. Menar fought well, aiding Thrall's efforts to ally with the mighty Tauren, who quickly grew fond of the young shaman who sought to learn more of the Tauren's earth mother. Battles against the Scourge raged. The Burning Legion, too, had its ambitions. The Night Elves had awoken. Orcs and humans fought side by side against the evils of the world. But the arrival of Admiral Proudmoore's Kul Tiras fleet in Kalimdor changed everything. Inar was hunting in the great Barrens to the west of Brithbarad when the first of Admiral Proudmoore's battallions bombarded Brithbarad from the sea. By the time Inar saw the fires above the horizon, a landing party of marines had already razed Brithbarad to its cinders, killing women, children, and the old, as the few warriors who had made the journey to Brithbarad from across the sea had already perished in the wars against the Scourge and the Burning Legion. Menar was with the Tauren, helping them establish their new home in Mulgore. And so Inar was helpless to watch as Proudmoore's marines laid the first stones of what would become Northwatch Hold. In time, Inar enlisted in Thrall's service, and was sent away to distant lands. In time, Menar re-formed the Wolfriders, gathering trolls and Tauren to Thrall's service, pledging to some day reclaim their village and see a lasting peace for their people. And so the ashes of Brithbarad were not forgotten, although Admiral Proudmoore's Kul Tiras marines were replaced by his daughter's troops from Theramore when she and Thrall united to defeat her father's genocidal quest against the orcs. Months passed, and the Wolfriders grew strong. Mighty Tauren druids joined the shamans, and their might was felt across Azeroth, wherever Thrall sent them. But a moon ago, the druids left, following their own path, and the brotherhood of Wolfriders was shaken. Many followed the druids and their visions of a crimson moon to come, yet the Wolfriders remained strong and steadfast. But Menar, now beginning to gray at the temples even though he had scarcely seen more than three decades of life, knew that action was needed. And so, he left Inar as steward of the Wolfriders while he pursued another vision quest, a quest he felt in his oddly aching bones would be his last. He had seen much battle, and grown old and weary before his time, but he would see the Wolfriders through this time of uncertainty and change. One week ago, Menar returned from his meditations with a vision -- Northwatch Hold in ashes. He had tried to shake it, for naturally he thought it to be only the desires of his own mind, but the vision only became more clear. And so he returned to Ogrimmar and told Thrall of his vision, seeking guidance, and expecting rebuke. For Thrall still holds to the hope that orcs and humans can be united against the great evils of the world, that threaten to destroy all life. But Menar found not rebuke for himself, but anger! Thrall had grown weary with the constant incursions against Horde settlements, defying the truce between their races that Jaina had joined with Thrall to kill her own father to protect. And so Thrall bade Menar to follow his vision, to send a message to the Alliance that while unity of the mortal races is of the utmost importance, those that sow the seeds of war must see that they may reap them, as well! But still, Menar was afflicted with the same weakness, the same dulling and puzzling ailment that drained his vigor from him, leaving him aged and longing for the land of dreams. So he bade his brother to carry out this work for him. Inar was shocked to see his brother's lined visage -- for he had left him not a month earlier with the fire of a young chieftain and shaman, and returned seemingly to have aged nearly to the grave! But disregarding his concern for his brother, Inar followed his commands, gathering the Wolfriders to him to see the vision fulfilled. The troll shamans Ukorim, Tiolas, and Varnaz joined Inar, along with another shaman, Bellgrove, a Tauren. Together, the three stormed Northwatch Hold, killing its captain and its cannonneers, and the fire totems of the shamans pulsed into the night, melting their implements of war and scorching the very rocks of their battlements. Returning to Thrall, Inar gave a report of the completed mission, and took his leave. His thoughts dwelled on his brother, and his fears, it seems, were not unfounded. The shamans told Inar that as the towers of Northwatch Hold burned, Menar faded even more quickly, until all that remained was the ghostly outline of a spirit wolf, which in turn faded and blew away on the wind like ash. Young Inar, having seen a scant 20 winters, was now Chieftain of the Wolfriders. With a silent prayer to the Earth Mother to see his brother's spirit safely to the beyond, Inar vowed to someday join his brother again. But not yet. ... Surely, Northwatch Hold will be rebuilt, a new battallion garrisoned there. Perhaps the attack will be interpreted as an act of war, but perhaps it will be seen in the light of reason instead as a warning: if the Alliance continues to attack Horde settlements, the Great Axe of War swings both ways. While Northwatch is of no great importance, in fact a cry for its defense was never even raised, the next target may be more dear to the hearts of those that would oppose Thrall. You have been warned. You bring war upon yourselves, when we should be fighting as brothers against our common enemies. The Wolfriders stand ready, and we will bring the bite of war to those who defy our Warchief. -Nar

Greetings Skullcrushers, I owe a "proper" post and it will be forthcoming on the Argent Dawn boards -- hopefully I'll get it out by the weekend. Just wanted to stop by really quickly and thank so many for coming. More Skullcrushers than Wolfriders were on hand in Thrall's chamber and for the "recap" at the statue of the great Demon afterwards. As a question: did you find it at all worth your time to listen to my being an egomaniac? I have problems coming up with "events" that make any sense in a broader environment, as the world isn't really affected by anything we do. If listening to a bit of "storytelling" was a nice thing, I'll continue with similar "recap" storytelling events after missions. If the Alliance attacks continue (and is there any doubt?) we will be looking at a couple of targets in the future, perhaps at fist another "non-faction" NPC fort or camp, but soon I'd like to follow through on this event idea: http://wolfriders.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=146 Unfortunately I do not have the, uh... wherewithal to find a suitable Alliance guild for this. I can imagine that simply being flagged we would quickly draw attention, but it is hard to say. This event would be definitely open to participation (even leadership) by Clan Skullcrusher, and would generally be a level 50+ event. My responsibilities would hopefully be limited to participation as a grunt in the event and recording how the storyline turned out. -Nar

9 pm EST? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes - sorry should have specified but "server time" which in Argent Dawn's case is EST. -Nar

Edited post.

The Wolfriders have a clan-only RP event Sunday evening, ending with a visit to Ogrimmar. At 9 PM we will be meeting in Thrall's chamber, and invite Clan Skullcrusher members who are interested in the next chapter of our story to join us there, as we return from destroying Northwatch Hold, the former site of Brithbarad. Also invited: Darkspire Clan and Herd of One. -Nar EDIT: toned this back again. Sorry for drama, not intended or desired.

I placed an order for one through the link this evening. Not having ever been on the "other side" of this kind of referral link... well anyway, I guess "something" should tell you that "somebody" ordered a 60-day card, yeah? (Let me know, I buy cards for my siblings and a friend as well...) -Nar

Get us a commission link for 30- 60- and 90-day time cards. 60-day card with referral: Note: please double-check this, I just tried to figure it out for myself and put it together. -Nar

Forgive my clumsy words which may be foreign to you. I have not much knowledge of the old ways or language of our people, for my own kind were lost to me before I had yet become of age. First: Honor to Clan Skullcrusher! I have seen you in battle, in faraway lands, and flying into the face of dragonfear without a moment of cowardice or weakness. I have no doubt of the might of your great clan, or of its chieftain, Volonazra the Warlock. I know that your clan fights fiercely for the future and survival of the orc race and traditions. My own clan, the Wolfriders of Brithbarad, share this battle. I believe we come into the same battle from different ways: ours in loyal and unquestioning service of Thrall, yours in your bloodlust for the destruction of the Alliance. While we could likely never be true brothers, I hope that our two clans can come to an understanding of one another: our purposes, our goals, and how our roads can often intertwine. Perhaps you would at first look upon me as weak, as I have rejected the bloodlust, have found peace in the teachings of the Tauren, and swear fealty above all others to Thrall. Perhaps those feelings you would extend to my clan, and its chieftain, my brother, the shaman Menar. Perhaps my own brothers would first look upon many of you as renegades and savages, tied to our demonic past that many of us would, in folly, yearn to forget. But those I have spoken with have all spoken highly of their dealings with your clan. And so, I invite Clan Skullcrusher to sent an emissary to the next meeting of the Wolfriders of Brithbarad. Perhaps we will learn that we are nothing more than reluctant and seldom allies in need on the battlefield against the incursions of the Alliance. But perhaps instead we will learn that there could be much to be gained from an alliance between our clans? Only in learning of each other can we discover the answer. If this would interest your mighty clan, contact me, or another officer of my clan. -Nar, Wolfriders of Brithbarad

OOC: My clan, The Wolfriders of Brithbarad, also struggled with this question. For we do know of their potential for treachery -- and for killing in what we would consider dishonorable ways. The tide turned in our clan in an early March meeting. If you like, you can read the relevant Guild Meeting Report. -Nar