W
With a new Mechanostrider, I returned to Southshore late that night and told the Magistrate of my mission. He was very pleased to hear of my success, but informed me that this was only part of the battle. While Nagaz was instrumental in the Syndicate strategy, a real accomplishment would be to defeat the leader of The Syndicate, Lord Falconcrest. There is a bounty in the nearby Arathi Highlands. Falconcrest is stationed at the kingdom of Stormgarde, another power scorned by the Second War.
Before my trip to Arathi Highlands, I gave the book I found to the Magistrate. His eyes grew as he read the title. “Give this to our Loremaster, he will be gracious to read such a tale!”. A little confused, I took the book to Loremaster Dibbs in his small house by the inn. The Loremaster was excited and thanked me for the book. He then informed me that it had to do with some ancient Trolls, and promised to tell me more after he has time to study its’ contents.
So I took off, leaving the port behind. I crossed a great wall, then landed in a small outpost. I saw a wanted poster pegged to a post in the ground with the names “Lord Falconcrest”, his bodyguard “Otto”, and “Marez Cowl.”
The Guard nearby noticed me looking and told me if I was up for the challenge, that I’d have to go to the main fortress in Stormgarde. That is where the the tyrant and his bodyguard ruled. Marez Cowl resides somewhere in what was left of the lower city. He then warned me, saying that many of those before me have been defeated. I knew first hand that The Syndicate was a deadly force, but I have dealt with this before.
I took the short pathway to Stormgarde and prepared for battle. Like the Alterac Ruins, Stormgarde was once the representation of sovereignty. Now it was covered in ruins and divided into three tattered fortresses. Behind a large fountain, I saw my target. The once heavily barracaded doors were now silently swinging. I walked into the dark building.
Keeping my wits about me, I cautiously turned the corner. From the corner of my eye, I saw the glint of a knife. Two Assassins and one Warlock came running out of the darkness. Instantly I was up against three of their finest. I countered their agile attacks with sheer force. I knocked one out the Warlock my shield while I slashed the other two with my axe. Eventually the group was defeated. I took a minute to bandage my wounds, then carefully moved through the room.
While Nagaz was instrumental in the Syndicate strategy, a real accomplishment would be to defeat the leader of The Syndicate, Lord Falconcrest
I continued up the steps and peered into a large empty room where Lord Falconcrest and his bodyguard discussed their malicious plans. I entered the room, and they both looked up, shocked to see someone somehow standing in their headquarters. They both drew their weapons and without so much of a shout charged towards me.
I was knocked back by their sheer force, but remained steadfast. The bigger of the two, Otto attacked powerfully. I first focused my attacks on him. Once he was defeated, it was just me and Falconcrest. I was surprised to see Falconcrest backing off from the fight. Clearly he relied too much on his trusted bodyguard. He tripped over a step, and I swung my axe at him, killing the tyrant.
The guard was surprised to see me return. I gave him the severed heads of both men as proof of my deed. Enthusiastically he yelled to the others, exclaiming that the leader of The Syndicate had finally been defeated. He then told me about another battle that would certainly test my dexterity. There is a basin high above the Arathi Highlands. The basin is rich with resources, but these resources are the basis of an ongoing struggle between heroes of the Alliance and the Horde. I’ve battled my way through many malicious groups, but have never been asked to deal with the largest threat to the Alliance. I reluctantly agreed to help, but first I had some business to take care of in Stranglethorn Vale.
