Starts in fifteen minutes, and lasts for an hour! Donât miss this weekâs Purity of Essence!
Arugal and the Bloodmoon Pack (4-13-20)
Introduction
And with that, we will begin. Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, once again to the Purity of Essence.
The history of the worgen⊠the plight of my people⊠reaches so vast through many lives, several lifetimes, and across the continents. It would be impossible to tell it all in one sitting and do it all justice.
Thus, the Purity of Essence, named after the book of the same name - written by the first worgen - to explain it all, chapter by chapter.
At the beginning of the year, I begin with the origin of the lupine gift. Followed close after by the banishment of Alpha Prime and the first worgen. Over nine thousand three hundred years pass before they would be released to this world once again, in several different locations, in several different ways.
Some summoned by Archmage Arugal in Silverpine, to become the Bloodfang Pack, who Alpha Prime would later lead to bite many in Gilneas.
Others were summoned in Felwood, becoming the Terrowulf, leading as well to the Nightbane Pack that thrives today in Duskwood.
But tonight I speak to you of a fourth pack⊠Of their creation, and their demise, at the hands of an unexpected foe.
Please, feel free to sit, snack as you will, and tend a fire or three to keep you warm. For our tale tonight takes us not to the forests or jungles of Duskwood or Ashenvale⊠but to Northrend, not but six years ago.
Arugal Returns
As you may have heard, Archmage Arugal summoned the worgen in Silverpine on orders from Genn Greymane, to fight back the scourge.
What you may not have heard is that, once summoned, Archmage Arugal chose to bend the knee, and serve the worgen leader, the cunning packleader called Alpha Prime.
Together, they took Silverlain Keep, renaming it Shadowfang Keep.
As their numbers grew, the pack grew too large to lead alone. Alpha Prime put Arugal in charge of his own group, called the Shadowfang Pack, while the alpha lead his Bloodfang to dig tunnels under the Greymane Wall.
But while the Shadowfang Pack prospered, for a time, Archmage Arugal was a wicked man. Where Prime called his packmates brothers, Arugal called his âSonsâ, and treated those under him as lab rats.
When the Forsaken came into power in Silverpine, they were quick to rid the forest of the pack, and the mad mage.
This was eight years ago. (World of Warcraft Classic)
But as like many things in this world⊠the dead do not stay buried for long.
The mad sorcererâs reputation had spread far and wide in rumor, and had even reached the ears of one undead overlord⊠the Lich King, Arthas Menethil.
The mage was infamous as the secondary leader of The Wolf Cult, an order dedicated to spreading the worgen âcurseâ among the human populations.
For many in Silverpine, it was either worgen⊠or undead. An easy choice. The Lich King, who had been having difficulty ridding the Grizzly Hills of the stalwart trapper communities, thought this would be of use.
The Lich King sent forth his three death princes to Silverpine, and raised the Archmage as a Shade. A dark ghost of the man he was, but capable of his past skills all the same.
They brought him to the Grizzly Hills, where he would begin his own knockoff version of Alpha Primeâs âWolf Cultâ. His would be using the same teachings, but twisted, manipulated, and secretly to serve the Scourge. This, he named âThe Wolfcultâ. Original, I know.
The Wolfcult
And⊠just as they had hoped⊠it was a success. Much like Silverprine, the humans in the Grizzly Hills knew that the Scourge would win in time. And, as humans, they would likely fall and be raised as cannon fodder. Or worse⊠their bodies used for scrap.
The Worgen âcurseâ, on the other hand, grants an immunity from undeath besides the most powerful forms. What was more, these were trappers. The hunt is life, for a hunter. Becoming half wolf in mind, body, and soul as a worgen, one becomes the apex predator. Many were eager to accept the worgen bite, earning it in rites of passage to prove loyalty and potential.
(All this is from the Grizzly Hills and Howling Fjord questlines, as well as the Curse of the Worgen five part comic, and the short story Lord of his Pack. )
Yet not all were so eager⊠As the Wolfcult grew in popularity and number from one trapper town to the next, there would be humans who refused, even fought back.
These would disappear, handed over to their ghostly leader⊠to be handed over to the Scourge. But what happened to them? I will reveal later.
The Alliance
It came time that the Alliance and Horde alike arrived in Northrend, seeking to bring the fight to the Lich King. These soldiers of the Alliance came to build their fortifications in the Grizzly Hills, where other humans lived.
Those of the Alliance had knowledge of these trapper communities, and sought to reach out to them. For who better to serve as scouts in this wild, northern frontier than the frontiersmen themselves?
At this time⊠only six years ago⊠the people of the Alliance knew little of worgen. Rumor and superstition gripped Stormwind with fear, some even claiming things about the lupine race in Silverpine and Duskwood to spread hate and fear.
Some said worgen are mere beasts, incapable of human thought. Others even went to far as to claim worgen were beasts of shadow, from a realm of nightmare, and that they terraform the forest with their presence.
Lies that permeate and persist in the city to this day.
But where the Bloodfang suffer at the hands of the Forsaken, and the Nightbane murdered for coin by adventurers, the âBloodmoon Packâ of the Grizzly Hills met an even⊠grizzlier betrayal.
23:22:52 Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord isnât joking. In fact, his mouth seen under the mask is quite serious, and he inhales, steadying himself, as if retelling a tale of loss.
The Alliance sent one of their champions forth to these communities, who were thought still to be humans. There, the alliance adventurer performed tasks, even uprooting and removing Wolfsbane from the surrounding area, which they could not do themselves.
Eventually, the Alliance Adventurer put it together. They realized that, while these men and women appeared to be human in form, they were indeed worgen. Frightened and appalled, they lashed out, and fled, with the worgen now on their tail.
The adventurer returned to the Alliance army safe and unharmed, and was quick to tell their commander what they had learned.
The commander, Lieutenant Dumont, was even more disgusted.
âWorgen. Blasted, Light-forsaken, filth-ridden worgen.â he said, disgusted, before readying the troops, saying, âItâs time we showed the locals what us civilized folk do with beasts like them.â (Escape from Silverbrook)
Many would argue that there is no prejudice towards worgen⊠the poor souls of Silverbrook would say otherwise⊠if they were here today. Sadly, many are not. The Alliance discovered they were worgen and - not caring to ask how, or why, or notice that they could use human form - rained down upon one village after another, slaying all they could find.
The adventurer then followed the trail north, to Bloodmoon Isle. There, they would discover the leadership of this Wolfcult. The Alliance then assassinated the leadership they could find. The twelve foot worgen Selas. The worg-rider Varlam. And the massive worg Goremaw. And finally, at the top of the tower, the shade of Archmage Arugal.
The Alliance had realized, with the help of a seer, that the Wolfcult was in league with the Scourge. The humans had been manipulated, becoming worgen as their only way out. Those that defied the Wolfcult had been taken, handed to the Scourge, and raised as undead slaves to work the mines.
Of Monsters and Men
This tale⊠has no happy ending. Lives were lost⊠families broken, and trust shattered. Very few Bloodmoon worgen remain, many forced to hide their past, for fear of the Alliance. It was only one year later that Gilneas fell at the Cataclysm five years ago, bringing with it many revelations about the worgen, as the Alliance was only then forced to reconsider past âcommon knowledge.â
Even in Gilneas, worgen racism was spread, greatly thanks to the Gilnean lord, Vincent Godfrey. He would spew slander, much like Lieutenant Dumont⊠not knowing that all the while, his King was one of them the whole time.
Those that were there, at the fall, may even remember Vincent Godfrey frequenting the cages of Mindless Gilneans, berating and taunting them. And of course, his famous âlast wordsâ. After realizing Greymane was in fact a worgen the whole time, and failing in his attempt as treason, he yelled âI would rather DIE than have one of YOUR KIND as a king!â, and leapt of Tempest Reach to his death.
In Silverpine, the Forsaken still hunt the Bloodfang. And in Duskwood, the Carevin Family - rumored to be affiliated with the Scarlet Crusade - used to hire adventures to kill worgen, as I said before. That is, until Darkshireâs demise at the hands of the Night Watch just last year. Still⊠even today, worgen are kidnapped. Just this year, the Nightbane worgen âBloodeyesâ was kidnapped and turned over for experimentation. (Gilneas Heritage Armor Questline)
But⊠things -are- looking up. As the Alliance learns more, they fear less. As they fear less, they accept more. This ongoing plight of the worgen will never go away, but it is, perhaps, not as bad as it once was.
23:49:44 Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord sounds to be coming to a close. But, of course, he did mention questions welcome after the âshowâ.
And this⊠at least⊠is a glimmer of hope. A silver lining, as we look to the future of our people. And thus, the Purity of Essence. The worgen look⊠at worgen lore.
I thank you all for coming tonight, to listen to an old manâs tale, and I encourage you to seek more for yourself, and to come to my next even in two weeks, where I will speak of what really happened during the Fall of Gilneas.
Questions
At this time, I would love to answer any questions you may have. Though please, one at a time.
What can I do to help?
23:53:13 Menathos-WyrmrestAccord raises his hand. âI am sympathetic to the plight of the worgen.â He says. âI am only one man. But what can I do for your people, if anything?â
23:55:14 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: What can you do to help the worgen people? Honestly⊠it is as simple as to learn the truth. Read, ask questions, seek answers. When you know the lies from the truths, you will know what to do.
23:55:25 Menathos nods at you.
23:55:28 [Menathos-WyrmrestAccord]: Thank you.
23:55:36 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: And obviously, stop killing worgen for sport⊠but I doubt you do that.
23:56:06 Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord looks up and around for the next raised hand, looking to Jinelle Blackwald. âYes, miss?â
What is Wolfsbane, and what does it do to worgen?
23:56:36 [Jinelle-WyrmrestAccord]: I wus wonderinâ if yaâ could elaborate on theâŠWolfsbaneâŠI believe, yaâ mentioned? Wot kind of effect exactly does it have on worgen?
23:57:33 Sydarlin-WyrmrestAccord cleared her throat and rubbed her nose at the mention of wolfsbane.
23:57:58 Linetabe-WyrmrestAccord actually growled a bit at the mention of wolfsbane, her bones creaking and cracking angrily.
23:58:30 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Aahh⊠a good question. I skipped over such a rabbit trail for fear of any that would use the knowledge against us, but I will not hide the truth when asked. Wolfsbane is a poisonous violet flower, historically used to kill
23:58:30 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: wolves, and which grows in wet, hilly terrain. âŠ
23:59:09 [Jinelle-WyrmrestAccord]: I seeâŠand itâs dangerous enough wer a worgen couldnât even pick it?
00:01:03 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: While it may be harmful to humans, it is particularly deadly to worgen. For a mysterious⊠unknown reason⊠of which I have my own theories. But what -is- known is its use. That man I spoke of⊠Lord Vincent Godfrey⊠he did not stay dead
00:01:03 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: either, raised by the Banshee Queen to hunt worgen. He used bullets and blades coated in the oil of the herb, and Deathstalker Commander Belmont instructed the Horde champion to pick the herb where it could be found in Gilneas.
00:01:11 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: (Silverpine Forest horde questline)
00:01:48 Menathos-WyrmrestAccord raises his hand as a thought crosses his mind.
00:01:57 Jinelle-WyrmrestAccord nodded. âI seeâŠwell, thank ya for the informationâŠâ
00:02:04 Emmalilla-WyrmrestAccord would growl lightly trying to not cause a commotion.
00:02:31 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Of course⊠we also have Godfrey to thank for shooting that bitc-- woman in the back of the head and actually -killing- her, before he was killed himself. So there is that.
00:02:41 Lupyns-WyrmrestAccord snickers.
00:02:42 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord snapped out of her own thoughts as she heard the tension of her Shadows. Sets a hand on Emma and Laruâs shoulders.
00:02:45 Linetabe-WyrmrestAccord gave a snicker at that.
00:03:26 Emmalilla-WyrmrestAccord would take deep breaths to relax.
00:03:26 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord 's full lips twitch a little with humor at raeâs words.
00:03:37 Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord nods. Satisfied that he had answered her question to her satisfaction -as it would seem- he searched for another hand, finding River Hawk and nodding to the elf once more.
Is Wolfsbane native only to Gilneas?
00:03:55 [Menathos-WyrmrestAccord]: This plant - is it native only to Gilneas?
00:06:26 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Wolfsbane grows in woodland and plains habitats across the eastern kingdoms. It thrives in well-drained and evenly-moist soils, particularly that of hilly regions. Which adequately describes Gilneas, Silverpine, as well as the Grizzly Hills.
00:06:26 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: It can be assumed to be found elsewhere as well.
00:06:58 Menathos-WyrmrestAccord nods. âI see⊠part of me had hoped that such a potent threat might be contained. Even if it was a shot in the dark.â
00:07:11 [Menathos-WyrmrestAccord]: Thank you, storyteller.
00:07:49 [Linetabe-WyrmrestAccord]: The scarcity itself is enough to curtail its use. Only three known places it can grow.
00:08:42 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Food for thought⊠when it comes to Wolfsbane⊠and where its ârootsâ may lie. The Grizzly Hills and Gilneas have little in common⊠but they do have one thing. Corruption. Corrupted trees, at that. The Grizzly Hills is home to the remains
00:08:42 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: of Vordrassil, which is the source and origin of the Emerald Nightmare. Gilneas, likewise, has a great tree in the depths of its own dark forest, the Blackwald.
00:09:21 Linetabe-WyrmrestAccord gave a small whine as it dawned on her. âBrightwood if the grove falls.â
00:09:41 Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord gives a grim nod in agreement. âExactly.â
00:09:49 [Menathos-WyrmrestAccord]: You suggest that Wolfsbane may be unnatural. This is not unlikely.
00:09:54 Gyroflux greets everyone with a hearty hello!
00:09:57 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Does that answer your question, master elf?
00:10:03 Menathos nods at you.
00:10:13 [Menathos-WyrmrestAccord]: It is a good answer. Thank you.
00:11:08 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: I am glad. Please, any other questions ladies and gentlemen? Do not be shy.
How has the curse changed your life?
00:11:28 Sorveia-WyrmrestAccord ponders for a moment, then raises her hand.
00:11:35 Emmalilla-WyrmrestAccord would scratch at the ground for some reason thinking of something in her mind.
00:11:38 You nod at Sorveia.
00:11:56 [AbighaĂl-WyrmrestAccord]: Think it was one from thâother nighâ?
00:12:00 [AbighaĂl-WyrmrestAccord]: When we were at thâbar?
00:12:31 Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord raises an eyebrow under his mask, which shifts just a little, almost comidically, like a dog tilting his ear in question.
00:13:00 [Sorveia-WyrmrestAccord]: For those of you who donât know me, I am Thaumaturge Emmy Bluefire, An archmage of the KirinâTor. Much like Arugal. My question is of- a bit of a personal nature, if you donât mind. Those within your pack can answer as well, if they wish.
00:13:09 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord smirks at Rae. Wonders why they wear masks in human skin. Shrugs to herself.
00:13:34 Linetabe-WyrmrestAccord nodded, âBlessings of Elune on you, Thaumaturge. We all hope to answer if we can.â
00:13:43 Lupyns smiles at Sorveia.
00:13:34 Linetabe-WyrmrestAccord nodded, âBlessings of Elune on you, Thaumaturge. We all hope to answer if we can.â
00:13:43 Lupyns smiles at Sorveia.
00:13:55 Emmalilla-WyrmrestAccord nods to herself as to what she was thinking and she seems to have something in mind.
00:14:29 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Of course. I will never deny knowledge with one who asks. Though, I do pray you use it with more wisdom and goodwill than the mad wizard.
00:14:41 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord slides a glance to Emma. Studies her curiously before turning her attention back to the archmage.
00:19:16 [Sorveia-WyrmrestAccord]: As you know, Dalaran was teleported to Northrend in preparation for the Nexus wars. During that time, I was sent with a caravan of apprentices to gather some rare herbs for potions. Many lives were lost that day to what I know today was a pack of those who lost themselves to the beast.
00:19:32 [Sorveia-WyrmrestAccord]: Many lives were, lost that day. But I got as many out as safely as I could. In so doing, I was bitten. Long story short⊠I was able to remove the curse before it progressed too far and turned me. I worried the anger that came with it would affect my progression as a mage.
00:20:13 [Larulen-WyrmrestAccord]: I can answer this question well.
00:20:16 [Sorveia-WyrmrestAccord]: So, my question for you guys is: how do you feel the curse has affected you? As a person?
00:20:25 [Linetabe-WyrmrestAccord]: We call them the Mindless. I was in it once, a perpetual state of fight or flight and little more than animals. It is what happens when one fights against their nature for too long instead of striking a balance. As for being âcursedâ, the Purity does only take root in humans and kaldorei. As for how it affects me as a person, it saved me when the Riders came to Grand Hamlet.
00:20:53 Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord turns to Linetabe, and raises a hand, as he prepared to speak.
00:21:10 Linetabe-WyrmrestAccord bowed her head at the upraised hand, finishing what she said.
00:21:18 [Sorveia-WyrmrestAccord]: (Will note that she is half-elven not void-elven :P)
00:21:28 [Sorveia-WyrmrestAccord]: (And Quelâdorei can also be afflicted.)
00:21:34 Jinelle-WyrmrestAccord sneered slightly at the curse being called the purity.
00:22:24 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: (Theoretically yes, because they are just Night Elves. Sinâdorei etc cannot)
00:22:34 [Sorveia-WyrmrestAccord]: (Percisely 
)
00:22:59 [Linetabe-WyrmrestAccord]: (Linetâs a villager. She donât know any better.)
00:23:40 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord shoots Moon Moon with a tranq dart⊠or three))
00:25:19 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Miss⊠the gift cannot be taken back. In theory, if one were to remove the limb before the blood can reach the rest of the body, the awakening could be avoided. But if a human or elf does drink the blood or is bitten, the power of Elune and
00:25:19 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Goldrinn combined in the curse is too powerful for any antidote or magics to work. The only means to remove the gift is with the Scythe of Elune itself, as it was used on three night elf worgen in Valâsharah
00:28:16 [Sorveia-WyrmrestAccord]: I- had an alternative method. Of course, at the time I didnât know for sure that it had taken root within me, I was merely taking percussions. But in theory if you contain the blood or saliva from the wound useing certain abjuration magics, you can »
00:28:17 [Sorveia-WyrmrestAccord]: » prevent it from taking hold of you entirely. Because even the strongest magics, after awhile, fade back to raw energy. That was my theory. But as I said, it is certainly possible it never took root within me to begin with.
00:28:53 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: If you are a worgen, you will feel the rage, as well as the need to hunt, and other instincts. Even so, this does not have to stop oneâs studies, and even of my followers is an esteemed arcanist. If you are not
00:28:53 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: worgen⊠your are not worgen. But humans can have anger problems as well, such as King Varian Wrynn, who took the worgen Ritual of Balance to help his anger issues.
00:29:07 Verlianith raises her eyebrow inquisitively at Sorveia.
00:29:36 [Sorveia-WyrmrestAccord]: My question was more: How had it affected your life? And if you had the oppertunity to take it back, theoretically, would you?
00:30:11 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord whistles as she leans back. âThatâs definitely a deep and personal question to a worgen and one some of us still are trying to figure out.â
00:30:37 Larulen-WyrmrestAccord raises her hand a little, hoping to add her input.
00:30:59 Shadowdamzl looks at Larulen.
00:31:12 Fuzzywumps-WyrmrestAccord shifts uncomfortably.
00:31:50 Sydarlin-WyrmrestAccord rubbed the back of her head. âGood questionâŠâ
00:32:46 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: A popular question⊠the gift - or The Purity, as my people call it - did not come easy. I was bitten not but five years ago at the fall of Gilneas, with many others, against my will. Even so⊠it is the only reason I stand here today as a man, and not
00:32:46 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: a rotting skeleton. Much like Genn Greymane who prefers his true form (Wolfheart), I do as well. The worgen have heightened senses beyond human imagination, and can even see auras (Wolfheart).
00:32:46 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Imagine getting to see in color for the first time in your life, and finally getting to walk on your feet instead of your knees, and you will have an idea.
00:33:11 Larulen snorts derisively at you.
00:33:15 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord blinks at that purity thing again
00:33:15 Vakali-WyrmrestAccord tapped the ash free from his cigar, before dropping it to the dirt to stamp and snuff it out.
00:33:38 [Larulen-WyrmrestAccord]: Not all take the change so⊠joyfully.
00:33:49 [Sorveia-WyrmrestAccord]: So you would say the experience was incredibly enlightening?
00:34:07 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord snorts, but doesnât say anything.
00:34:14 Emmalilla-WyrmrestAccord would huff as she would blink and she would wipes the ground of what she was doing and redo it again.
00:34:15 [Vakali-WyrmrestAccord]: ⊠hell of a way to put it.
00:34:18 Vakali-WyrmrestAccord muttered.
00:34:19 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Nor did I. But who among us did not scream in agony upon their birth? Yet you would not wish to return to the womb.
00:34:42 [Larulen-WyrmrestAccord]: We canât all be fanatics.
00:34:53 [Verlianith-WyrmrestAccord]: âYou canât compare the gift of life to a curse.â
00:37:05 Larulen-WyrmrestAccord leans forward to look at the Archmage. âI was studying as a mage when I was turned. Several years of living as an animal set my training back significantly. Your question gains a different answer from each individual.â
00:37:12 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: I can. And I would not call it a curse⊠that which came from Elune, and Goldrinn. It is a gift⊠but spreading it as in Gilneas was never the intended purpose. It is a gift to be earned. Not all are ready to embrace it, and many
00:37:12 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: have fallen to depression and even worse because they believe they are monsters. I believe they are people.
00:37:30 [Linetabe-WyrmrestAccord]: I do not see a curse where you do. Curses have no beneficial side to them by their very nature. The worgen are blessed with superior speed, strength, stamina, the ability to see aura like demon hunters, heightened senses. All it asks in return is living>
00:37:35 [Linetabe-WyrmrestAccord]: >as one with the inner beast.
00:37:45 Lupyns-WyrmrestAccord blinks for a second, and nods. "Aye. Thâ gift made me who I am today. Made me realize a loâ about meself. Changed meâ outlook on things. Where âome saw a monster, I saw âope. In meself. In othaâs. I cannoâ begin taâ try anâ change peopleâs minds, but I |
00:37:45 Lupyns-WyrmrestAccord | can sure as âell try anâ make friends with othaâs."
00:37:47 Fuzzywumps agrees with you.
00:38:12 [Jinelle-WyrmrestAccord]: Undead arguably has certain advantages, is it a blessinâ as well?
00:38:44 [Sorveia-WyrmrestAccord]: Regardless. I can see my question has made many of you uncomfortable. There is no need to answer on my behalf, of course. I was merely wanting to know what it would of been like had it taken root. A curse is simply a long lasting spell that was put »
00:38:44 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord shrugs. âWhen you tear our your little girlâs throat then shred your husband then spend years as a captured animal fighting in some twisted dog fighting ring well⊠you donât feel very enlightened. I get what youâre tyring to say though.â
00:38:44 [Sorveia-WyrmrestAccord]: » upon the target unwillingly. How you deal with it, and how you view it, in the aftermath is merely up to your persional viewpoints.
00:38:57 [Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord]: tear out*)
00:39:18 [Linetabe-WyrmrestAccord]: I am sorry you had to live Mindless, I understand.
00:39:22 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord 's shaking a little and takes a few breaths
00:39:31 You shrug at Jinelle. Who knows?
00:39:33 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: One could argue it. But witness a Bloodfang worgen and an Abomination side by side, and you will be able to decide between the two fates.
00:39:49 [Verlianith-WyrmrestAccord]: âHow so?â
00:39:53 Larulen-WyrmrestAccord snorts in amusement. âItâs a very⊠controversial topic. Not all agree.â
00:40:01 [Jinelle-WyrmrestAccord]: Iâd probably jump off the cliff.
00:40:11 Larulen laughs.
00:40:13 [Vakali-WyrmrestAccord]: Nice you find pleasure in it. At least some of us do.
00:40:17 [Vakali-WyrmrestAccord]: Wretch.
00:40:19 [Sorveia-WyrmrestAccord]: It is much like the words âCorruptionâ verses âPurificationâ , fundamentally they are the same in the world of magic. How magical influences are viewed is up to the person.
00:40:25 [Sorveia-WyrmrestAccord]: I shall step back now.
00:40:32 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Please, please, one at a time.
00:40:41 Verlianith raises her eyebrow inquisitively.
00:40:57 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: My senses might be heightened, but I can still only speak so fast.
00:41:37 Shadowdamzl smiles at you.
00:42:54 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord shouldve said many months not years. distracted typing lol)
00:43:13 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: I realize that many are hurting, from the fall of the human nation. The âcurseâ amplifies your own rage and despair. Those that were panicking, fell into the Mindless State. A state of perpetual fight or flight, of survival. I myself lost my
00:43:13 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: mother to the Gilnean civil war, and my father to the Bloodfang invasion. I do not speak as one of âthe lucky onesâ that got out of having to lose someone.
00:44:20 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord nods at Rae. Still wakes up screaming with the taste of her familyâs blood in her mouth some nightsâŠ
00:44:41 [Larulen-WyrmrestAccord]: tasty)
00:45:01 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: But I would have you know that in that time⊠I have learned to move on. As the Priestesses of Elune may say, life is Balance, as the moon. Life will never be all good⊠nor all bad. It will always come back, and forth. What happened⊠was
00:45:01 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: bad. There is no denying it. But good -has- come of it, and good awaits you.
00:45:16 Larulen-WyrmrestAccord | honhonhon
00:46:15 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord nods slowly. âItâs all any of us can do.â
00:46:24 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Food for thought. In the mean time⊠May I answer another question from the crowd?
Why do you use human form?
00:47:28 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord raises her hand to Rae
00:48:11 Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord barely sees the woman raising her hand, but watching the one woman leave, he does notice Shadowdamzl. âAh, yes?â
00:48:23 Larulen-WyrmrestAccord rubs the bridge of her nose.
00:49:01 Emmalilla-WyrmrestAccord would still be scribbling on the ground and grunts as she wipes what was there and goes back to dooling again.
00:49:05 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord looks back to Raedolf. âPardon, but a few of us were just a bit curious as to why your guild stands in human skin while wearing the face of a wolf rather than just standing in your worgen forms?â
00:51:08 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Aaah⊠Well, good question. I might answer with a question as well. Which face is scarier?
00:51:33 [Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord]: Honestly the fake dead eyed one is kind of freaking me out more grins
00:54:50 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Well, yes, he does that. But you have seen me in my true form, I am not as⊠subdued. As said before, our senses grow far more acute, as well as our instincts. To be blunt⊠the city smells like⊠well, city. Horse manure, canal water, cheep perfume, the passing of gas from across the room. Worgen are not meant for the city. We live in worgen form, in the wild, as we are meant to. When we come to the human city, we use humanâs form, and humanâs ways. But we always return to our true nature, as an acrobat always returns to two feet when the show is done.
00:56:01 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord nods. âTrue. Why I tend to stick with my own human skin while in the city. People tend to⊠open up a bit more and share moreâŠâ gives a small wink. âThe masks assume are to represent the worgen nature?â
00:58:43 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: They are. The human form is a mask in itself. The wolf mask allow us to show we are proud to be who we are inside, but allow us to use human form to speak with the fluency and charisma of a storyteller, without frightening away those who would listen.
00:59:20 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord smiles, showing a hint of fang in her own human form. âIndeed. I was just curious of your own response. Well said.â
01:00:22 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: It also serves to hide our human identities from view, so we may walk the human city unnoticed. When we did walk the city in true form⊠we found ourselves persecuted for what we believe. It got steadily worse, until I found a dozen men beating and muzzling a woman in my pack.
01:01:04 Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord (Actually happened, back on ED in 2016. We decided to move out to the wild, and to move to Wyrmrest Accord.)
01:02:12 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord 's eyes flash with an inner gold among the among with the rage she felt hearing of the woman he spoke of.
01:02:59 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Perhaps one more question⊠before me and mine return to the wilds.
Do you know what ever became of Lord Crowley?
01:04:08 Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord looks among those gathered, to those that had asked questions before, as well as to those who had not yet spoken.
01:05:04 [Fuzzywumps-WyrmrestAccord]: Do you know what ever became of Lord Crowley?
01:06:27 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Lord Darius Crowley, yes? What was the last you heard of him?
01:07:01 [Fuzzywumps-WyrmrestAccord]: ⊠havenât heard or seen of him since I left Gilneas.
01:08:40 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Well⊠I am quite familiar. My family lived in Pyrewood, which was his land. My father served alongside him in the Northgate Rebellion, and was with him in the Cathedral at their last stand. ©
01:09:46 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: My father has not been seen since, but Darius Crowley reappeared, leading Gilneans who had been bitten by the Bloodfang. After the fall, he then lead those Gilnean Worgen to ally with the Bloodfang in their battle against the Forsaken in Silverpine.
01:10:56 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: I served in this Gilneas Brigade lead by Lord Crowley, fighting back the Forsaken alongside the Bloodfang. But when Sylvanas captured Lorna Crowley, and threatened to turn her into a Forsaken, Darius retreated, leaving the
01:10:56 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Bloodfang to fight on their own. ©
01:11:36 Menathos-WyrmrestAccord 's face falls into a grim scowl at the mention of Sylvanasâs name.
01:11:59 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord remembers some of Iskâs stories abouthis time as a Bloodfang
01:12:06 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: That was five years ago. He has since been active in the Alliance under Genn Greymane, and was seen just last year leading troops into Stormheim to fight back the Legion, and to foil the Banshee Queenâs plans.
01:12:33 Fuzzywumps-WyrmrestAccord nods thoughtfully at Rae. âOkay, thank you. Sorry to keep you all waiting, was just a thought that flitted into my head.â
01:13:02 [Larulen-WyrmrestAccord]: Did you support the Rebellion, like your father?
01:14:25 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: I⊠was impartial, at the time. I was in caught in love with a priestess in a Loyalist family, and so did not take a stance. And it was perhaps my⊠inaction⊠that lead to the death of my mother in the crossfire.
01:17:04 Larulen-WyrmrestAccord raises an eyebrow at that. âCould be. Likely not.â She shrugs, signalling an end to her part of the conversation.
01:17:21 Shadowdamzl-WyrmrestAccord frowns at Rae. Her eyes a little sad. âThereâs no way of knowing that for sure. You stood as you saw you needed to and for the love you had. Decisions were made. I am so sorry for your loss.â
01:18:02 Menathos-WyrmrestAccord gives a look of empathy. âYou are not alone, in having your feet planted in two different worlds. Even if it is not the case anymore.â
01:18:13 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: Yes⊠in any case, as horrible as the experience may have been, I have learned from it.
01:18:21 Shadowdamzl nods at you.
01:18:37 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: As I hope you all have learned something, to take away from tonightâs tale.
01:18:55 Menathos nods at you.
Conclusion
Summary
01:19:10 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: I will be here at the same hour in two weeks time, if you wish to revisit for the next chapter in the chronicle of the worgen.
01:19:38 [Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord]: But as for me⊠the wild beckons, and I will bid you and the city good night.
01:21:02 Raedolf-WyrmrestAccord turns then, and steps off towards the tree, and beyond, having said his fairwell and now stepping from the moonlit stage to the shadows of the wilds.
The Cult and the Fall of Gilneas 
Alliance! Ever wondered about our mysterious allies, the worgen? Come to the Embassy TONIGHT at 7:30PM PST to learn the truths of this ancient, bestial race. This week, learn how a Gilnean cult rose to power, and the true story behind the fall of the kingdom. A tale of hatred, betrayal, civil war, and forgiveness.
May 22nd, 7:30PM PST, STORMWIND EMBASSY
Not on WrA? Click here to add this event to your ingame calendar and be invited when it starts.
https://www.worldofwarcraft.com/invite/E0GezwZiEg?region=US&faction=Alliance