Finally, we get to see a Tauren Death Knight in action. As a race, Tauren are generally described as stoic and gentle, albiet fierce and powerful when in combat. As a Death Knight, my vision of Saljourn was that of an unstoppable force.
You will notice a significant lack of context leading in to Chapter 5. Many years had passed between since Saljourn’s reawakening, and much has transpired. For those who don’t know, Wyrmrest Accord is an excellent RP server for Horde and Alliance alike. Several Horde guilds commit themselves to harboring the Forsaken and undead exclusively. The Shadows of Lordaeron (SoL) is one of these.
In roleplay, SoL was (is) a secretive military outfit within the Forsaken Army that conducts clandestine operations both diplomatically and in combat. The departure of Sylvanas created a significant power vacuum for those who RP as Forsaken, and SoL was not immune to the fallout. Story plots with inconvenient twists aren’t necessarily bad, and the events hinted at in Shadowlands (no spoilers) lead me to believe the SoL will have ample resources for some solid RP soon.
All that said, the below story is based on one such SoL guild event, in which the Shadows had begun evacuating Forsaken refugees from Ogrimmar following the ouster of the Forsaken-led government.
Thank you for following along, and please enjoy the chapter. Again, I do not take any credit for these artist’s work, but thank them for giving me the motivation to create something.
Finally, If you have questions, or advice I would love to hear from you! But for now, please enjoy.
Chronicles of Deepriver
Chapter V - Specters in the Snow
The Grunt standing guard at the Northern gate to Ogrimmar collapsed without a sound. The snowy night absorbed the echo of the hilt strike. Cloaked and well camouflaged, the Forsaken Deathstalker checked his victim to be sure it was not dead. Loss of Horde life was not part of the Shadow’s agenda tonight.
Satisfied that the Orc was breathing, the Deathstalker beckoned the group of refugees over. The time had come to return to the Eastern Kingdoms. Home.
Filing quickly through the opened gate in a calm and orderly column, the glow of their eyes was the only giveaway. Deathguards of the Shadows of Lordaeron flanked the group while the Deathstalkers checked ahead to clear the path.
But the Night Warriors of the Kaldorei were already in position. They were ready. Their vengeance was at hand. If they could not kill the Banshee Queen, her subjects would do for now. Silently they watched from the woods lining the edges of Lake Mennar. The Ranger General waited patiently to spring the ambush. Looking to her right-side security, she saw the signal that the Forsaken had begun to enter the kill zone. Just a few more seconds.
A shout rang out. A scream. The Ranger General realized they had been compromised, but by who? The sound of a tree snapping cut one scream short. Her eyes widened as the darkness of the night began to glow blue against the horizon of the hill between her and the commotion.
Several Night Warriors scrambled over the hill in terror, some dropping their weapons while in flight. The Tauren Death Knight exploded into view swinging his Runeblade madly. Open wounds from the Night Warrior’s counterattacks bellowed Lichfire. The Death Knight’s rage drove him forward, surging with greater and greater power.
Two Deathstalkers watched from the opposite side of the valley.
“Deepriver is in position. Move out.” The nearest Forsaken Civilian nodded, and the group quickly moved out under the cover provided. The Forsaken raced through the forest to the coast. The sails of their chartered ship could be seen waiting.
“What of Sal’Journ? How will we extract him?” One of the Deathstalkers asked. The senior shoved him forward.
“Never mind him, move.”
As the Forsaken reached the shore they quickly began loading the ship. The impatient Captain stood on the shore tapping her skeletal foot.
“My, how we’ve grown rusty. I’ve never known the army to be tardy,” she snarled.
“Not now. Get everyone on board, we are danger-close and haven’t much time.” The Deathguard scolded in response, almost pacing.
“Are the Night Elves not dealt with?” The captain spat. “Shall I remind you our guns are-” she began to boast. The Deathguard pivoted quickly towards her.
“The Elves are NOT the concern!” Just as he said so, a group of Night Warriors crested the hillside nearest the ship and its crew. Their twisted faces could be seen even from where the group stood.
From behind them the Death Knight burst from the wood line, engulfed in Lichfire and right on their heels. Never tired and feeling no pain, the Undead Tauren charged with a small army of reanimated Night Warriors at his back. Their broken corpses were severely damaged, but terrible none the less.
The Forsaken Captain’s mouth dropped open in shock as the Deathguards rushed the remaining few aboard.
The sod of the forest floor rumbled as Sal’Journ charged, his use of his dark powers ripped Kaldorei towards him, cutting them in two or smashing them against the trees. Those who fell behind were quickly caught by their undead comrades and torn to shreds.
As the ship pulled away from the shore, the Shadows watched as the silhouettes of the Night Warriors scattered away from the Lichfire of their executioner and his minions. The figures spread across the shore and drifted back into the wood line in a terrible wave. Their cries faded behind the roar of the sea crashing against the ship’s hull.