Shadow Trails in Azeroth

The human kingdom was truly unified from the period of barbarian tribes, forming an empire and a true civilization 2,800 years ago, at the beginning of the Troll War.

For human beings whose life span is generally less than 100 years old, this is already an extremely long time.

It's just that the unification of human civilization after defeating the trolls was embarrassingly unable to last even for one generation.

After Thoradin the Great disappeared mysteriously in his later years, the empire's short-lived unity ushered in a great schism. Without trolls as external enemies, humans, like all other intelligent life, began to look for enemies within.

After the great chaos, each tribe established a city-state system and was wary of everyone nearby.

As the veterans who followed Emperor Thoradin to conquer the world passed away in time, human civilization once again entered the age of kings.

It has continued until now, forming the structure of the Seven Kingdoms.

Logically speaking, given the characteristics of short-lived humans, it is impossible for a character like Thoradin who existed 2,800 years ago to be completely and truly recorded.

But the problem is that next to human civilization, there is also an immortal kingdom of elves.

To the elves, 2800 years is nothing more than a generation.

The Sun King Anastarion, who fought side by side with Emperor Thoradin against the forest trolls, is still sitting peacefully on the throne of Silvermoon City.

Therefore, it doesn’t matter if humans can’t remember their ancestors.

The elves will help them remember it.

To this day, elven painters continue to paint portraits of Emperor Thoradin and the Sun King when they formed an alliance. The paintings of high elves, in addition to being artistic, also pay attention to realism.

They will make some artistic modifications to the characters in the paintings, but generally they will not change the facial features of the people in the paintings.

Such paintings will be given as gifts by the elves to the kings and bishops of human civilization. In the cathedral of Stratholme City, there are many portraits depicting Thoradin the Great.

There are images from young, to middle-aged, to old age before abdication.

As for the lich Meri Dongfeng, he personally went into battle with the emperor to defeat the forest trolls. Therefore, the moment the ghost rushed out of the lake appeared, the old lich and His Majesty the Pope recognized him immediately.

That was the only emperor of mankind, His Majesty Thoradin who mysteriously disappeared at the end of his reign 2800 years ago!

He wore black armor.

It's not very gorgeous, but it has a very warrior style, and it still retains some of the fierce features of the Vrykul, such as the shape of a black wolf on the shoulder armor and breastplate.

This is the symbol of Emperor Thoradin. According to human epics, Emperor Thoradin's nickname is "Black Wolf".

It is said that when he was building the empire and choosing the capital, he was hesitant for a while. Finally, in a dream, he was guided to the plains southeast of Tirisfal by his father wearing a black wolf fur.

He went there as directed and found a wandering black wolf there, so he decided to build a city on that land.

That is the origin of Stromgarde, the first strong city of human civilization.

The human emperor in front of the four of them was extremely tall. The Great Knight of Dathrohan was born in the mountains of Alterac, and he was already powerful, but in front of the emperor, he was a quarter lower.

The ghost of Emperor Thoradin stood on the water. Its size was twice larger than that of ordinary humans, but smaller than that of orthodox Vrykul.

"The legend is true."

Black whispered beside the old lich:

"Emperor Thoradin has the purest barbarian blood, and his true title should be the King of Barbarians."

"Shh!"

The old lich made a silent movement to him and said:

"Emperor Thoradin doesn't like others whispering in front of the battle. I saw him whip unruly soldiers when I was young. You'd better behave decently."

After finishing speaking, the old lich adjusted his robes. He took a step forward and shouted loudly to Emperor Thoradin who was watching them warily on the water:

"Merry Winterwind, captain of the Third Battle Squadron of the Stromgarde Arcanist Force, salutes you! Your Majesty. Long live Stromgarde!"

This was Merry's rank and unit name during the Troll War.

"Merry Winterwind? I remember you."

The ghost of the great emperor standing on the water was stunned for a moment, then looked at the old lich and said:

"You died heroically in the battle to stop the trolls. You killed hundreds of trolls alone and were praised by the soldiers for your reputation. And because of your merits and the fierce battle, my old friend Anastas was The arcanists under Li'an were resurrected.

I remember that you ended up living in seclusion in the city-state of Dalaran founded by the wise Aldogan.

Master, tell me, how is my friend Ardogan? "

"Your Majesty, the founder of Dalaran Castle, Archmage Aldogan, has passed away long ago."

The old lich responded softly:

"That was 2,700 years ago."

When the emperor's ghost heard this, he immediately fell silent. In this silence, the pirate rolled his eyes, strode forward, and shouted loudly:

"Drake Proudmoore, on behalf of the Kingdom of Kul Tiras, salutes you! His Majesty Thoradin."

"Kul Tiras?"

This visit awakened Thoradin from his deep thoughts. He looked Black up and down and said:

"When I abdicated, Kul Tiras was just a coastal outpost, and the brave Captain Arom Waycrest was leading his people to reclaim the island.

So, during this long period of time, did the settlers also establish a kingdom? "

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Blake responded loudly:

"Although the empire you established has declined and collapsed over time, your descendants have not stopped at the territories defined by their predecessors. Although human civilization today has not yet been unified.

But our civilization has spread across this continent.

And began to immigrate to the Northrend continent of Manchuria to colonize wasteland, just like the persevering ancestors under your rule.

Your heirs and descendants will greatly expand the territory of your empire in wars and conflicts.

We are also about to defeat the powerful invaders from another world and prove our strength to other civilizations in this world. The fire of civilization you ignited and the courage you left us have never dissipated from our blood vessels and bodies.

We are proud to announce this to you today.

We have not disappointed you, Your Majesty. "

The sonorous and powerful words of these words immediately cheered up Emperor Thoradin, who had just been immersed in the changes in the world and the vicissitudes of life.

The barbarian king laughed and turned his attention to the other two people.

He looked at Fao and said:

"The faith of the people of Lordaeron has not dissipated. It is as strong as your ancestors and my most trusted comrade Lordaeron.

Not bad!

And you

Your body is filled with the blood of Ignaus, the bravest warrior leader of my time! "

Emperor Thoradin looked at the knight of Dathrohan who was half kneeling in front of him, and he asked loudly:

"Descendants of the mountain people, tell me, are you still like your ancestors, sticking to the bitter cold territory of the Alteranchi clan, always guarding the people against the invasion of forest trolls?"

"We still live in the land of our ancestors, Your Majesty!"

Dathrohan also responded loudly:

"The bitter cold wind of the Alterac Mountains forged our unyielding will. For thousands of years, our people have been standing there, fulfilling your garrison orders back then.

But we let you down.

The cowardly man who called himself the king of that land surrendered to our enemies and nearly destroyed our civilization.

It was the first time in thousands of years that the unyielding Alterac Mountains had fallen.

We, the incompetent descendants, have brought shame to the reputation of our ancestors. "

"Shamed? No, Ignaius would never use that word."

Emperor Thoradin shook his head. He looked at Dathrohan, whose voice was full of guilt, and said:

"In our time, forest trolls have crossed the Alterac Mountains several times.

But Ignaus and the Alteranchi barbarians under his command would repay the cannibals ten and a hundred times for the humiliation the trolls brought them.

When his blade drips with troll blood and his enemies flee, all the humiliation will be repaid.

If you feel shamed, it’s time to take action!

The shame will eventually be washed away.

Use the enemy's life!

Or your blood.

But we can talk about that later.

I know that you are here today to explore the dark secrets of this underground place. I have been here for nearly three thousand years to ensure that no one makes the mistakes I made back then. "

The ghost of the emperor pointed at the dark and ominous lake floating behind him, and he said to the four people in front of him:

"The god Tyr died here, but his old enemy is still alive. I made a terrible mistake and almost destroyed all the efforts of a god.

For more than two thousand years, I have guarded this place, never daring to let down my guard, for fear that the monster released because of me would rush out of the ground and devour the world.

If you want to enter it, you must be prepared to bury your bones here like me. "

"That's why we're here, Your Majesty."

The pirate patted his chest and said:

“While exploring the overseas lands, I accidentally discovered the same dark seal as the Tirisfal region, which was a disaster that spread throughout the world.

It is a sign of the end for all civilization.

I brought three strong men here just to take over your unfinished business and completely eliminate the disaster before it breaks out.

For that, I also brought this. "

As he spoke, Blake took out the large buckler used by Odin from his bag. The moment it appeared, its ancient surface was immediately alarmed by the power of darkness emerging from the lake.

Circles of flowing light were shaped into runes, flowing around the buckler.

Black stretched out his hand and knocked on the shield, which was not amazing in appearance but actually had extraordinary power. He looked at Emperor Thoradin in front of him and said:

"I guess Your Majesty has seen similar things or heard some sounds from the sky over the years, right?"

"Indeed."

Thoradin the Great was a warrior of barbarian blood.

He was not as particular about etiquette as the current human kings. In fact, to be fair, the emperor's speaking style and tone were somewhat rude.

When faced with Blake's inquiry, he did not hide anything and said very directly:

“When I fought the monster to the end, struck the final blow with my sacrifice, and was crushed to pieces by the monster, I heard a voice.

That should be a war god.

He calls himself Odin, Lord of War.

He told me that He saw my strength, but He cared more about my inexhaustible courage. He said that I had accomplished miracles in a mortal body that countless warriors under the Pantheon had failed to achieve.

He said I was qualified.

Inviting me to Valarjar, the glorious golden shrine, to join his Legion of Heroes.

Fight for the world and a greater mission.

I am happy to go.

But I can't go. "

The emperor spread his hands and said helplessly:

"Although that monster was beaten to death by me, it may not have the concept of 'death' at all. Its dark spirit is as powerful as its cursed body.

For more than two thousand years, I have been trapped here.

Unable to rest.

Nor can he go to the temple where thousands of warriors live. "

"But you will be freed from your curse and your duty today."

Blake knocked the shield in his hand again and said:

"We will kill that monster for you, eliminate your worries, and let you embark on the road to the Hall of Valor.

Maybe there will be a beautiful and majestic Valkyrie coming to greet you and set foot in the golden paradise only for warriors.

I would also ask you to bring a few words to the God of War, Chief Administrator Odin, about the war and conflict between me and his misbehaving daughter.

About the ‘personal grudge’ between Hela and I.

I don’t pray for His help.

I just want Him to know that there is a mortal man fighting against His enemies and winning.

In fact, this is one of the most important purposes for me to travel across mountains and rivers to come here. "