Hello everyone!
The Burning Legion has invaded azeroth once again and hunters are able to pick up 3 different
artifacts to empower them in this war.
For marksman hunters it’s Thas’dorah, Legacy of the windrunners, a bow passed down
for generations within the windrunner family.
The last one to be seen with it was Alleria Windrunner, but she hasn’t been seen for
a very long time.
The short version behind that story is that when the Alliance of Lordaeron was formed
to fight against the first orcish Horde invasion, Alleria decided to join them and within the
army was Turalyon who fell head over heels for the elf and she eventually warmed up to
him.
The Horde teamed up with trolls and eventually tried to take her homeland of Quel’thelas,
but they had magical defenses in place that defended their lands.
The orcs had dragons though and despite being unable to take their land, they did burn down
a big portion of quel’thelas and they murdered eighteen of her kin, including her younger
brother Lirath.
Alleria was devestated and a burning hatred took place in her hearth.
When the Horde return for a second round, she once again joined Turalyon and the sons
of lothar in their war against the orcs which took them through the dark portal and into
Draenor.
She became reckless in her search for revenge until she was able to confess her emotions
to Turalyon, that she was unable to grieve for her fallen brothers and sisters for to
do so would mean having to accept the reality of them really being gone.
She tells Turalyon who had orderd her to stay behind, that she can’t stay behind, she
won’t she another loved one die and she was finally able to grieve.
The romance that had been building between these two for a long time was now allowed
to flourish and they vowed to never leave each other behind.
The second horde invasion was defeated, Ner’zhul made his portals acros draenor causing draenor
to become incredibly unstable and destroy itself.
Khadgar sealed the dark portal from their side to protect azeroth from the destruction
and our heroes hid away in one of the rifts opened by ner’zhul.
When they returned, Draenor had been transformed into outland as we see it today and the world
thought that they had died, until the dark portal re-opened during the Burning Crusade.
There was no sign of Alleria or Turalyon though, not even their son was able to find them and
for years fans speculated on what might have happened to them.
It seems that Allerias sister Vereesa has found some information not only to find her
sister, but also their family heirloom.
Ranger Orestes: “This stinks of a trap.
You can’t rely on the word of a demon!”
Vereesa: “If it’s lying, we’ll have its head.
But if there’s even a chance it speaks the truth, we have to try!
“ Vereesa: “My elder sister Alleria has been
missing for years.
A demon we captured claims she is being held on a legion world called Niskara by some sort
of inquisition.
Her return would be invaluable!
“ Ranger Orestes: Admit it, Vereesa!
This mission is personal!
“ Vereesa: “Alleria’s knowledge about the
Legion could help us defeat them once and for all.
Our goal is to reacquire a strategic asset...nothing more!
“ Ranger Orestes: “ I should be going with
you.
If this is a trap, you need my bow covering your backs!
“ Vereesa: “No, Orestes.
I won’t risk anyone else until we’re certain Alleria’s there.
I do not trust the demon’s word.
But this might be our only chance to save my... to retrieve a valuable ally.
“
Those that played during Mists of Pandaria might remember Vereesa, Jaina and the silver
covenant kicking the horde out of dalaran for stealing the divine bell and hating the
horde for what they did to Theramore.
Vereesa especially lost a lot during that attack since it was her husband Rhonin who
drew the mana bomb into himself to minimize the explosion and casualties.
With that history, you might wonder how horde hunters get their weapon but there’s minor
difference in dialogue.
For alliance players she says: You have long been a trusted hero of the Alliance.
And like the rest of us, you have endured many hardships to reach this point.
Now I must ask even more of you.
Will you hear me out?
And for the Horde: As you well know, I have opposed the Horde at many turns.
The orcs have taken...
so much from me.
From my family.Yet I have witnessed your deeds firsthand, .
I have seen you fight for Azeroth time and again.
And like the rest of us, you have endured many trials and hardships to reach this point.
Now, I must ask your help.
Will you hear me out?
Vereesa: “Magus Solgaze, empower the portal crystal.”
At once ranger general.
But beware!
Time flows unpredictably so deep in the nether.
This fel magic eats at my soul!
I can’t hold the portal open long.
Get going!
Ranger Orestes: “Never was very good at following orders.
See you on the other side!”
Vereesa: “Orestes, you fool!
Now we have two allies to rescue.
Follow me in!”
“No sign of Orestes.
He’s headstrong, but should have the sense to wait here for us!
Let’s ascend the rise ahead and see what we’re up against.
A sentry!
Destroy it before it warns the others!”
“Summoners, open a portal!
We need reinforcements!”
We go through the portal and end up on the planet of Niskara.
A lot of of classes go here for either artifacts or campaigns, but not much history is known
behind this place.
I’ve seen a whole lot of demons getting their asses kicked, I’ve seen victims of
the inquisition from all kinds of races and of coruse the inquisition itself which seems
to be bend on gaining information and torturing their victims.
I’m hoping that once I’ve played through everything the pieces will come together,
but for now that’s pretty much all I know.
“Keep moving!
That was only the first!”
“Portal mages!
Take them out before they bring reinforcements!”
Herald Xarbizuld: “You survived the summoners...such determination.
A pity you won’t live to experience our glorious cathedral!”
“That structure in the distance must be the cathedral.
Lead on, I’m with you!”
“There up ahead!
It’s Orestes.”
Kill felmaw devourer.
Vereesa: “Orestes!”
Ranger Orestes: “Beware...the hound mistress...
“ Mistress Torvis: “How convenient!
Your little group will make an excellent meal for my hounds!
“ Vereesa: “Witch!
I’ll gut your beasts and take your head for what you’ve done!
“ Mistress Torvis: “Hardly more than a morsel,
but I suppose you’ll have to do.
“
Kill her
Mistress Torvis:”But...who will feed my darlings?
” Vereesa:”We’ll get you out of here Orestes.
Any sign of Alleria?
” Ranger Orestes:”No, but...didn’t make
it to cathedral.
Wounds bad...it’s so cold....
” Vereesa:”Orestes, try to...Orestes!
” Ranger Orestes: ”Good luck, friends.
Save...Alleria.... *rip*” Vereesa:”Rest in the Light, Orestes.
”
Herald Xarbizuld:”You believe yourselves worthy to enter the cathedral?
Then come forth and be tested!
” Vereesa:”Come.
Let’s find Alleria and finish this.”
Rest in peace and that cathedral they mention is actually a legion spaceship.
As we make our way forward and take down Herald Xarbizuld, lets talk a little bit about the
history of Thas’dorah.
This bow was crafted to aid in the defense of the Highborn Kingdom but over the course
of its storied history, the weapon became so much more.
After the War of the Ancients, the Highborn refused to give up their magic which the night
elves no longer wanted around caus it had drawn the attention of the legion and caused
the war to begin with.
Instead of executing them all, exile was the chosen option and the Highborn set sail to
a new home for themselves in the Eastern Kingdoms and created their beautiful city of Silvermoon
near their Sunwell, a fount of pure arcane power created from waters from the original
well of eternity.
The Kingdom of Quel’thalas rose over the land as a shining monument of the glorious
civilization that had once surrounded the shores of the well of eternity.
As the Sunwell's magic radiated outward through Eversong Woods, the forest's oldest tree began
to absorb its energy.
The massive tree was named Thas'alah, the "Light of the Forest."
From its enchanted branches, the entire region seemed to be bathed in the glow of an eternal
spring.
This bow would be made from Thas'alah's wood, and it would bear the legacy of a Highborne
family whose members showed heroism for thousands of years.
The Highborne elves or high elves of Quel'Thalas had fended off constant attacks from Amani
trolls.
To keep their enemies at bay, they constructed a series of Runestones that acted as wards
against intruders-and also hid the elves' use of arcane magic from the Burning Legion
and this magical protection was also what kept the horde out during Alleria’s days.The
wards succeeded in keeping their enemies out of Silvermoon, in part due to their anchor:
the elven arcanists had linked the Runestones to Thas'alah, tying the power of natural magic
to their arcane spells.
However, the tree's power could not keep the Highborne safe when they left their city.
For that, they needed skilled fighters.
The Amani trolls were wary of launching direct attacks on Silvermoon.
The elves' magic kept them at bay for several millennia, but eventually the trolls lashed
out again.
The conflict would become known as the Troll Wars, and the death toll rose quickly.
An order of fighters called rangers was founded to defend Quel'Thalas.
The greatest of these early rangers was Talanas Windrunner, a master of archery and ranged
combat.
He swiftly rose in the ranks and was named the first ranger-general of Silvermoon for
his bravery and valor.
The leaders of Silvermoon commemorated the occasion by declaring that their champion
be given a weapon befitting his new status.
A trio of skilled artisans joined together to create a great bow for Talanas.
They carved its body from a limb taken from Thas'alah and infused the wood with waters
of the Sunwell.
Immersed in arcane power, the bow began to change.
It was hardened, becoming nearly indestructible, and yet it still maintained its connection
to the natural magics of Thas'alah.
It’s interesting how they combine nature with the arcane something that we also see
happen in the Nightborn questchain.
When it was retrieved from the Sunwell, the bow radiated power.
Talanas was humbled by the gift.
He named the weapon Thas'dorah, "Valor of the Forest."
He promised that, as long as this weapon protected Highborne lands, Silvermoon would never fall.
Talanas made good on his promise.
The Amani trolls soon learned to fear the sight of his bow, for if they were caught
a glimpse of it,they were within its range.
They were forced to retreat, allowing the Highborne elves to settle deeper into the
forest.
Talanas Windrunner became a legend for his part in securing the land of Quel'Thalas for
generations to come while Thas'dorah remained with the Windrunner bloodline for thousands
of years.
The family dedicated their lives to the defense of Quel'Thalas, and in each generation, one
would carry the bow into the forests to drive away any interlopers.
Because Thas'dorah never left the region, it continued to bask in the radiant magic
of the Sunwell and the surrounding forests.
Slowly but surely, the bow was seasoned in a way no one could have anticipated and Its
strenght only increased.
Ever after the Troll Wars drew to a close, Thas'dorah helped repel countless enemy incursions.
A few years before Horde invaded Azeroth, the ranger-general of Silvermoon was Lireesa
Windrunner, who had three daughters: Alleria, Sylvanas, and Vereesa.
As the eldest, Alleria was to take on the mantle of ranger-general, but she had little
use for tradition or expectations.
She decided to apply her training to practical matters, so she became a Farstrider, a member
of a group of rangers focused on fighting for the Highborne all across Azeroth.
She made a name for herself after a number of quick, decisive victories while her sister
Sylvanas would be the one to rise to leadership in her stead.
Thas'dorah remained in Lireesa's hands.
It would not be passed on to Alleria until tragedy struck.
Lireesa was amongst those of Alleria’s kin that were killed by the Horde and Sylvanas
would become the new ranger-general, but she passed Thas'dorah to her older sister Alleria.
Sylvanas needed to help secure Quel'Thalas; she trusted that Alleria, a Farstrider, would
have better opportunities to exact vengeance on the front lines.
She would be correct and as I mentioned at the start, eventually the bow, alleria and
turalyon disappeared.
Herald Xarbizuld : “I give my life...for the inquisition!
“
High inquisitor Qormaladon: “You mortals have endured so much to rescue your precious
Alleria.
Come forth and reap your reward!”
Qormaladon: “The inquisition sees all!
Every truth!
Every lie!
“ Vereesa: “If Alleria is here, she must be
close!
“ Vereesa: “Up ahead...that looks like the
Interrogation area.
“ Vereesa: “What have you done with Alleria,
monster?
“ Qormaladon: “Another Windrunner for my collection!
Oh, the secrets you will confess to me!
“ Vereesa: “Forget about me!
Save Alleria“ Qormaladon: “This Vereesa should prove useful...until
she breaks.
You, however...welll, every mortal life must end.
Vereesa:He’s tearing into my mind!”
“
Fight with Qormaladon, eyes attack you and such.
“You refuse to surrender!
How splendid!
We did not anticipate the high elf would bring along so...persistent
an ally.”
“Another will take...my place....”
“I felt those eyes peering into my soul.
Had you not freed me...
Enough!
I must know if Alleria was truly held captive here, or if this was all a ruse to trap us!
Was she here for days?
Years?
Centuries?
The mage was right...time has little meaning in this place.
By the Light...There!
It’s her bow!
Thas’dorah!
Alleria was here...her bow’s presence is the proof!
Doubtless she escaped, and the Inquisitor sought to use me to lure her back.
Thas’dorah began as my family’s legacy,...but now this weapon has a greater purpose.
This is a bow worthy of a hero like Alleria...a hero like you.
Take Thas’dorah champion.
Use it to lead the fight to save Azeroth!”
We don’t know how or why or when or for how long Alleria might have been here, but
she was here.
We can only wonder what the Legion might have done to her and hopefully we’ll get some
answers in this expansion.
Pick up bow cinematic
Vereesa: “I know Alleria’s bow is in the right hands.”
Gorelix the Fleshripper: “Find the invaders!
Retake the cathedral!
Slaughter them all!”
Vereesa:”Sounds like we’re about to be overrun.
Let us leave this wretched place to the demons.
”
Gorelix the Fleshripper shows up, time to evacuate the planet and let Death Knights
deal with him.
Just as Thas'dorah had absorbed power from its native realm, it hasdrunk deeply of the
chaotic magics swirling through the Nether.
Its arrows grew more potent, more accurate, and more lethal against the minions of the
dark.
The bow has become a symbol of the war against the Legion, a means to rally the greatest
hunters of Azeroth against the demon horde.
Larkspur: “Ranger-General Windrunner!
Did you find...
Vereesa”Alleria was gone, but we recovered Thas’dorah!
It is now in the hands of our champion.
” Larkspur:”Amazing!
The bow will inspire every ranger who sees it!
” Vereesa”Sadly, Orestes was lost.
I should send word to Halduron.
Come, Larkspur.
” Larkspur:”At once!”
And that’s how Marksman hunters obtain their artifact and wield it in the war against the
Legion as they adventure through the broken isles.
However, those are a story for another day so for now thank you very much for watching
everyone.
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and until next time guys....see ya!