It gladdens me to hear that we have High Elder Shadowsong's blessing for our expedition. Now that the cult has been defeated and preparations have been made, I think it's finally time. Ansirem has worked diligently to help us get stable skycutter transport going between the city of Dalaran and Zephras Isle. We've done as much testing as we can, and the time has come for our vanguard to depart.

Though the rebellion had been quelled, the Horde was unable to recoup the terrible losses it had suffered. Gul'dan's betrayal had afforded the Alliance not only hope, but also time to regroup and retaliate.

Greetings, As a guest of the Alliance, you have been given leave to travel freely throughout Alliance lands. This document will serve as a guide to help you reach the other member cities of our alliance.

Would you like a flight to Rut'theran Village, courtesy of the Cenarion Circle?

Sad news indeed. Still, I thank you for making the journey. With neither Stormwind nor Darnassus coming to aid us, it seems that Auberdine's fate is our own to decide.

The bewildered Doomhammer, having lost nearly half of his standing forces to Gul'dan's treachery, was forced to pull back and forsake his greatest chance at victory over the Alliance.

Judging by this map, it certainly looks like these Dark Irons are planning some sort of incursion into the vaults beneath Ironforge. The band ye busted up to the east must be a scouting force. Thank ye for bringing me this. If we hurry, we might be able to beat them to whatever their goal is down there.

Thundris does not speak for some time. This bears the mark of an ancient evil, druid. I will see it brought to Darnassus at once for further study. Ande'thoras-ethil.

No one's ever stolen anything out of here. Not in the whole history of... the whole history!

So ye see now, mage? Thick as cockroaches they are, and that's just the ones we can see from the sky. Ye look like a sturdy enough sort. How's about a bit o' violence?

they would have life eternal, and have naught to fear from the Sundering that was to come...

What do ye need, citizen?

With the absence of trolls in the northlands, the elves of Quel'Thalas bent their efforts towards rebuilding their glorious homeland. The victorious armies of Arathor returned home to southlands of Strom.

The human society of Arathor grew and prospered, yet Thoradin, fearful that his kingdom would splinter apart if it overextended itself, maintained that Strom was the center of the Arathorian empire. After many peaceful years of growth and commerce, mighty Thoradin died of old age, leaving Arathor's younger generation free to expand the empire beyond the lands of Strom.

Seeking to punish the wayward orcs for their costly betrayal, Doomhammer sent his forces to kill Gul'dan and bring the renegades back into the fold. For his recklessness, Gul'dan was torn apart by the maddened demons he had set loose. With their leader dead, the renegade clans quickly fell before Doomhammer's enraged legions.

"It's well documented since our ascent to Skywall that our people have adopted more lithe, slender forms, but this occurred over the course of many millennia. In contrast, the first recorded case of the Sky-Touched Blessing--which causes shen'dorei children to be born with vivid cerulean skin--was noted fewer than five generations ago. Within a single generation of its first appearance, one child in twenty born among the Skyborne bore this curious alteration. Two generations later, that rate had doubled."

That is... a very good question. I have a hard time remembering things, but I do remember something... "Engineer", perhaps? I think that's what, or who, I was. Other than that all I can seem to remember is soaring through the sky, then seeing a flash of lightning before things got very bumpy. Then... a crash. It's been... a long time though. A very long time.

The original hundred magi, who were tutored in the ways of magic by the elves, expanded their powers and studied the mystic disciplines of spell-weaving in much greater detail. These magi, initially chosen for their strong wills and noble spirits, had always practiced their magic with care and responsibility; however, they passed their secrets and powers onto a newer generation that had no concept of the rigors of war or the necessity for self-restraint.

Where would you like to fly to?

As the politics and rivalries of the seven human nations waxed and waned, the line of Guardians kept its constant vigil against chaos. There were many Guardians over the years, but only one ever held the magical powers of Tirisfal at any given time. One of the last Guardians of the age distinguished herself as a mighty warrior against the shadow.

I hope that your interruption is for a good cause, I was in the middle of some important work.

I have a lot of chores today, so can you keep it quick?

As the empire grew and expanded into new lands, the young magicians also spread out into the southlands. Wielding their mystical powers, the magicians protected their brethren from the wild creatures of the land and made it possible for new city-states to be constructed in the wilderness. Yet, as their powers grew, the magicians became ever more conceited and isolated from the rest of society.

We are currently accepting donations for wool cloth. A donation of sixty pieces of wool cloth will net you full recognition by Ironforge for your generous actions. Our stores are such on wool that we would only need sixty pieces from you total; we should be able to acquire enough from others in the realm to support our drive. If you have the sixty pieces of wool cloth on you and are ready to donate them, I'm able to take them from you now.

"The skyseer elders among the Windshapers, by contrast, place implicit trust in the wind spirits and regard any questioning of their designs as an affront to our benefactors. They hold that our patrons in Skywall have already sacrificed much to bring us here and sustain us. They assert that if any further knowledge was vital to our survival, they would surely reveal it in due course. This difference in belief has given rise to no small measure of tension between the two orders. Whatever the truth may be, it is plain that we are not alone in this realm, and that many mysteries yet remain beyond our present understanding."

The second Arathorian city-state of Dalaran was founded in the lands north of Strom. Many fledgling wizards left the restraining confines of Strom behind and traveled to Dalaran, where they hoped to use their new powers with greater freedom. These magicians used their skills to build up the enchanted spires of Dalaran and reveled in the pursuit of their studies.

Baros opens the letter and begins to read it, his smile fading.

The high-borne buried themselves in their work and studied the Well ceaselessly. In time they developed the ability to manipulate and control the Well's cosmic energies. As their reckless experiments progressed, the high-borne found that they could use their newfound powers to either create or destroy at their leisure. The hapless high-borne had stumbled upon primitive magic and were now resolved to devote themselves to its mastery.

It is not yet your time. I shall aid your journey back to the realm of the living... for a price.

Your body looks worn and your spirit weary. Rest yourself beneath our roof and allow Elune to guide your dreams.

You have returned. What news comes from Stormwind?

For the first time in nearly three thousand years, the disparate nations of Arathor were once again united under a common banner. Appointed as Supreme Commander of the Alliance forces, Lord Lothar prepared his armies for the coming of the Horde.

...that's about all I have to say about it. I was--um--somewhere else before I was here. Now I'm here and I have my friends, and my things. T-things I built, I mean. That's about all I need. I think that's all I need, anyway. I have to say though, it is nice to talk to someone who will talk back. The forest spirits try, but they just end up singing at me. That's nice in its own way, but not exactly s-stimulating conversation.

Director Riddlevox put me in charge of the Union's shredder development program. Few months on the job and I'm already in hot water! I could use your help, adventurer!

The clothcraft of the Shen'dorei is a harmonious imitation of the flowing, carefree currents of the winds. While the spirits have left us, and I know not when I may see them dance once more... I find great comfort in my art, if only as a distraction. I can teach you to work the cloth as well, if you'd like to learn?

Talaanis Shadowsong listens intently as you tell him of what transpired above the Shrine of Akir, and of Elaadrin's plan to leave Zephras Isle. I need to reflect on this further, but looking at the upside, we have rid ourselves of Lorthuna and deprived the cult of their leader. Our home has not been invaded yet, and on the timeline of elemental demigods, it could be years... decades even, before Al'Akir deigns to turn his attention to us. There is much to fear now, but much to celebrate as well.

There you have it, you can now craft your very own Lodestone. Most folk don't care much for camps being set up in the center of town, so you'll need to head into the wilderness if you want to test it out. Oh, and just remember, no camp is complete without a campfire. You'll need one of those before you start up your camp. Most cooks can teach you to make a fire. If you haven't already, you might want to check in with someone who can train you in the culinary arts to learn the basics.

was Asterion, who lived among the people of Bashal'Aran, and went many times to Ameth'Aran, to see to the needs and wants of its people. And so it was, upon the shores of the Well of Eternity, the twin towns grew and prospered, while the world beneath the stars fell slowly to madness.

blessed. It was not all the Highborne that fought. Some stood, transfixed, as the madness took them. Mighty cities and humble towns alike were felled around them. In Ameth'Aran, all was in ruins, its people clinging to the ground as though that might spare them from the destruction. It was then that Athrikus Narassin, favored of Azshara appeared to guide them to safety. With a spell he could protect them, he would say. While around them, brother and sister, father and mother perished,

The earth trembled as the ancient trees in the enchanted forest were uprooted and toppled. The groves and glades tended by the sons and daughters of Cenarius and the stone towers of the children of the stars were brought to the rolling ground. There was our queen, radiant even in the desperation, in the chaos that was the battles. The enchanted sky changed colors with the discharge of magic, with the explosions that threatened to tear the world asunder. Brother fought brother. Chosen fought

Oh these things? I built them. My little friends helped me. I'm not very good at remembering things, but, um, I do know that at one point I used to build a lot of things. Big things! But then, like I said... I was here. The things I build aren't so big and impressive anymore. Still makes me h-happy, heh. B-but... If you want, I can show you how to build things too!

Do you seek the blessings of the Windlord?

What have you brought from the depths, mage.

<As you approach the enormous cyclone construct, you hear a faint buzzing emanating from beneath its massive armor plates. If you listen carefully you think you might be able to hear a few words being formed but they are too distorted to make out.>

As the generations passed, Guardians defended the masses of humanity from the invisible threat of the Burning Legion throughout the lands of Arathor and Quel'Thalas. Arathor grew and prospered while the use of magic spread throughout the empire. Meanwhile, the Guardians kept careful watch for signs of demonic activity.

These younger magicians began to practice magic for personal gain rather than out of any responsibility towards their fellows.

The Council of Silvermoon, which ruled over the elves of Quel'Thalas, entered into a secret pact with the Magocrat lords of Dalaran. The elves told the Magocrats about the history of ancient Kalimdor and of the Burning Legion, a history which still threatened the world. They informed the humans that so long as they used magic, they would need to protect their citizenry from the malicious agents of the Legion.

Best deals in all of Stormwind my friend, won't find any better. Now, what can I help you with?

Hmm, I see. Very well then, hero. The Windshapers will provide aid. Please inform Valennia that she can count on us for this fight. Ayessa lowers her voice dangerously. Do not mistake our cooperation for any sort of forgiveness. You owe the Windshapers blood, and someday we will collect.

Winds tidings. What can I help you with?