I
I returned to Honor Hold alone, wondering why it is that my comrades never stick around long enough to take any credit for their deeds. Danath Trollbane stood up as I entered the room. “We have succeeded in taking out Vazruden the Herald, and many of his followers, sir.” For a brief second a smile began to emerge on the old advisors face, but in an instant was transformed into a scowl. “Very well, here is your reward.” He gave me a pair of shining pauldrons.
Leaving the Stronghold with my new armor, I was left feeling a bit let down. Two weeks of killing, and completing countless deeds all over the area, trudging through a fortress, and I didn’t get so much as a pat on the back. I was certain there was more to do in this area, but I was ready to move on. When I was fighting through the Ruins of Sha’naar, I noticed a strange blue haze down a narrow pathway to the west. Maybe that place would show a bit more courtesy to the heros that pass through. I boarded my Gryphon and flew towards the haze.
Eventually I made it to that blue light. Eager to discover new adventures I didn’t slow down. At once the dark, unforgiving red desert gave way to a humid forest of enormous mushrooms. There were so many that I couldn’t see the ground, so I decided to take a look from below. The ground was soft and wet, and the surroundings were eerily silent for such a rich, dense environment. In the distance I saw a platform suddenly lift off the ground. I followed it with my eye until it reached the top of a great mushroom.

So there was life around here. A kingdom within these mushrooms. I hopped back on my Gryphon and landed at the top. This glowing mushroom was home to inhabitants from all around. A Dranei noticed me land and called me over. “What brings you to Zangarmarsh, outsider?” I introduced myself end explained that I was a lone traveller, looking to help. He told me that he hasn’t seen many of my kind around here since the heroes all left for Northrend, yet there was still much to do. To start, I was told to check out at the Dead Mire.

Feeling refreshed, I obliged and took flight. to the north east. It was clear right away that there was something odd going on. The Dead Mire was just that; lush, blue growth was replaced with brown, rotting death. I landed and took a look around. The mud bubbled and seemed to move on its own. I squinted to get a better look when I felt an enormous push from behind. It wasn’t just my imagination, this mud was alive, and wanted to kill me!
So there was life around here. A kingdom within these mushrooms.
I doubled back and swung my mace at it’s dripping tentacles. Summoning all my strength, I slammed it with my shield, and bashed it with my mace, causing surges of wet mud to cover me head to toe. When the beast punched the ground enraged, I swung at it’s glowing eyes, knocking it out of balance. Then, without warning, the beast seemed to succumb to it’s own mass and sank into a lifeless puddle.
Clearing my eyes, I took in my surroundings. The creatures here appeared to be on their last breath, stumbling around. There was something unnatural in the center of this pit. A noisy pump, moving nothing but dead air and ash into the sky. Clearly this has caused a great upset in the balance of nature here, but who put it there? I collected some soil samples and returned to Telredor where the Dranaei was waiting. “So, you’ve returned.” I explained to him what I saw. “Yes it appears the Naga are at it again, even without Illidan. You must stop these pumps before they destroy our land!” I promised to do my best. “ There are several pumps around the area guarded by Naga. To stop them you must first stop these Naga. Please hurry!”
Who’s Illidan? What is this Northrend place all my fellow heros have flocked to? Why are Naga draining water to begin with? If my travels have taught me anything, it is that in this life, there are far more questions than answers. I knew that even if I stopped these pumps, a larger threat was waiting. It always seems to work out that way.
