Forgotten Journal of Bronil Nightwind Book4

5/20/06
(( /salute

I have been trying to post this for quite a few days. "Forum not found". How do you "lose" a forum?

Thanks for the bumps :D ))

 So much has happened within the past week that I don't know if one entry is capable of relating it all. I suppose I should start at the beginning.

My expeditions into the ruins and dungeons of the Eastern Kingdoms have met with success; I only need a few more pieces and then I can begin the process of improving it. Still, I grow uneasy with each passing day. There's no telling how much longer this endeavor will take, but I pray that it is not much. The Burning Legion still touches this world, and I feel that only a precious few are truly aware of it. From my time in Ironforge, it seems that most concentrate their efforts on the Silithid, Black Dragonflight, Zul'Gurrub, and some place known as the Molten Core which I have only recently been made aware of. There can be no doubt that these are all noble efforts, but who is watching the Legion? Too few, I fear. With luck, my armor will be assembled quickly so that I may do my part against the Legion.

On a much more tragic note, the Rangers have accepted a new member; a Mage by the name of Ablythe. Her joining the Rangers is not the tragedy, but rather, the news she brought to me when she did. She is the cousin of Sonata. Sonata Catherwood.

I have never met Mistress Catherwood; I had only heard of her presence in Darnassus long ago. She was a human Priestess who wanted to dedicate herself to the service of Elune. An admirable goal. At the time, I knew of only one other individual like Mistress Catherwood; a human Paladin that had trained in Darnassus and claimed Elune as her deity. Unfortunately, her name escapes my memory; I know only that it contained the word "Silver". In any event, I was happy to hear that Mistress Catherwood had come to the Temple of the Moon. She had taken the land route from Stormwind, and as one who has traveled that same path before, I know it could not have been easy for her, epscially considering she is likely not as comfortable in the wilds as I am. Something told me that she would continue plunge herself into danger.

So I wrote her a letter, and sent her the Light of Elune. I recieved the vial as a gift for helping our kin in Ashenvale. It contained a bright liquid empowered by the goddess herself; a physical manifestation of Elune's love and care. I was instructed to use it only as a last resort by the one who gave it to me. However, I felt that Mistress Catherwood would need it much more than I, so I gave her the vial via the postal service. She sent word back to me expressing her gratitude and I still have that letter. Unfortunately I have not heard from her ever since, and now I know why.

She has become one of the Forsaken. Ablythe did not know the details, only that Mistress Catherwood had met with a very unfortunate accident resulting in her death and twisted rebirth. My gift could not protect her in the end, and because of that I somehow feel. . . responsible for her fate. Ablythe however seems to think that it is a strong possibility that the Light of Elune stopped Mistress Catherwood from becoming one of the Scourge. If that is the case, then I am somewhat cheered. Certainly being a Forsaken is the lesser of two evils. . . at least I pray that it is so.

It is strange. . . I have never met Mistress Catherwood, I only know her through one letter written long ago. Yet, I feel her loss as if she were a close friend. I also feel my faith in Elune has been shaken to it's core.

If Elune can guard against evil, then how could this happen? The only answer I can find is that She *let* it happen. I am trying very hard to see a greater good in such a decision. I have been unsuccessful thus far.

-Bronil Nightwind

5/24/06
Shortly after the arrival of Ablythe, I found myself in Blackrock Depths. There was a man by the name of Windsor who had been taken captive by the Dark Iron dwarves. He seemed as if he had lost all hope; as though he had fallen from such heights that he could no longer climb back up. After some more exploration in the dungeon, the group I was with had come across some documents that gave Master Windsor hope. The documents indicated that there was apparently something sinister brewing in Stormwind. We proceeded to free Master Windsor from his captivity, fighting our way out of the dungeon. As we left, he requested that we rendezvous at the gates of Stormwind, and bring a small army with us.

For whatever reason, the group I was with was not interested in meeting at the city gates. Thus my "small army" consisted of myself, Kodrak, and Priestess Moonwillow (also a Ranger). So the three of us along with Master Windsor trekked through the streets of Stormwind, our destination being the throne room itself. It seemed, at first, that we would have to fight off the entire city guard; Lady Prestor made it quite clear that she wanted Master Windsor thrown in jail for treason, and that his accomplices also be shown to a cell. My right hand twitched, ready to go to my quiver, and my eyes scanned the guards for exposed areas in their armor. Kodrak, ever aware of my mood, let out a low growl.

It was Master Windsor that stopped the coming battle. He spoke with the leader of the city guard, and after they exchanged words, the city guard (despite the wishes of Lady Prestor) allowed us passage. They even went so far as to offer sincere praise to Master Windsor as we made our way to the throne room.

When we arrived, Windsor confronted Lady Prestor, claiming that she was of the Black Dragonflight. I must admit that I had my doubts about the claim. . . and then Lady Prestor, or rather, Onyxia, confirmed everything by changing from her human form and summoning others of the Flight to her aid. The ensuing battle was fierce. Kodrak and I made it out alive, but I have no doubt that we would have fallen had it not been for Moonwillow's healing and the assistance of the city guard. When the battle was over, Lord Fordragon presented with me something that Onyxia had dropped during her escape, a Fragment of the Dragon's Eye. It's power had been drained however, and I was given the task of finding someone to repair it. I was given no other information other than that.

I knew of one such person however. I only hoped that this time I would not find myself on the other side of the world. Once everything was ready, I made for Winterspring to pay another visit to Haleh. Her Flight was no less aggressive than it was last time, so again I had to make my way to her without drawing notice. She then informed me that in order to repair the Dragon's Eye, she would need the blood of General Drakkisath, a creature I had thought slain. However, it appears that Nefarian, Lord of the Black Flight, has managed to bring his General back from the grave.

It is no matter. Drakkisath has been killed before, thus he will fall once more.

-Bronil Nightwind 

6/1/06
I have failed yet again to grasp the social culture of humans. I cannot help but laugh.

Through the Rangers, I learned of a Ball (some sort of dance festival it seems) in Stormwind. My first reaction was to ignore it, as I do not dance in any sense of the word. Even in swordsmanship, which some consider to be a form of dance, I do not dance. I wield my swords "in a feral manner", so said Woo Ping, the man who taught me swordplay. However, I also learned that a few of the Rangers had planned to attend. I do not know very many Rangers outside Mistress Drahliana and Moowillow, so I decided to come.

It turns out that in human society, one does not bring a bear to a Ball. Weapons are also not allowed, though I saw little enforcement concerning that matter. Not wanting to be a bother, I respectfully kept my weapons elsewhere during the Ball. There was no explicit rule mentioning animals, so I allowed Kodrak to come with me. A few at the ball (mostly the Rangers) were friendly towards Kodrak, while others sought to jest and cast disdainful glances. At one point, I was asked by a dwarf to take Kodrak elsewhere, but upon explaining that Kodrak would not harm anyone (which I hold all confidence he would not) the dwarf reluctantly allowed Kodrak to stay.

How ironic that Kodrak, who fought and bled beside me against the black dragons in the Stormwind throne room, should be so outcast by the humans of the Stormwind Ball.

I cannot help but laugh.

-Bronil Nightwind

6/7/06
The morning air of Winterspring was sharp and cold despite the sun's rays as Kodrak ran alongside the Big Cat. Atop the Big Cat was a two-paw. The two-paw was Kodrak's Friend, and he was a strange creature. His fur wasn't soft like Kodrak's. It was hard like rock and had a funny smell to it. Even stranger, his Friend could take his fur off, and even wear other pieces of fur. Sometimes the fur he wore was soft, but it never stayed just one color like Kodrak's fur.

Despite his strangeness, his Friend was not like most two-paws. He felt more like a beast to Kodrak. In fact, his Friend felt more like Kodrak to Kodrak. He didn't know why, but being around his Friend made Kodrak feel comfortable.

Suddenly, the Big Cat stopped, and his friend got off and chattered to the Big Cat who then layed down. Off in the distance the ground changed it's color, and wasn't soft and fluffy anymore. As he and his Friend drew closer, Kodrak growled. There were Dark Ones near. He could even see one of them and he prepared to charge it, waiting for his Friend to direct him.

. . . but his Friend did not tell him to charge. Kodrak did not know why. His Friend always hunted Dark Ones, and hunted them well. He badly wanted to tear at the Dark One with his claws and teeth. Dark Ones were not like beasts or two-paws. They were vicious and hunted when they were not hungry and inflicted uneeded pain on their prey. They smelled terrible, and used strange powers. Kodrak did not like them and neither did his Friend. Yet he and his Friend made his way through the Dark One without drawing notice, and without hunting the Dark Ones. Though he wanted to tear at the Dark Ones, he trusted his Friend, who always looked out for both of them.

Kodrak could not understand why his Friend was behaving this way. Couldn't he see the Dark Ones? Apparently so, for he and his Friend entered a cave and walked right up to a small Dark One with long ears. Kodrak readied his claws for the attack, but the Dark One did not attack. Again his Friend told Kodrak not to attack.

Then his Friend started chattering with the small Dark One, and the Dark One chattered back. After more chattering, his Friend reached into his fur and gave shiny rocks to the Dark One, who gave his Friend a smelly stick. Kodrak's confusion doubled. His friend seemed to treasure his shiny rocks and never gave them to enemies, especially not to Dark Ones! The Dark One chattered again and suddenly his friend drew his fang, holding it to the Dark One's throat. He hissed at the Dark One who cowered away. His Friend put his fang back in his fur and walked out of the cave with no more chattering or hissing.

The two of them made their way out the place with Dark Ones and back the place where the ground was soft and fluffy. His Friend got back on top of Big Cat and did not look back at the Dark Ones.

6/9/06
(( Thanks Rainfalle. :)

Now for round 2 of Bronil vs. Forum Programming. Hopefully posting will work for me this time. ))

 In working with Deliana to upgrade my armor, I have done something that does not sit well with me. It started in Tanaris.

There was a goblin there by the name of Mux Manascrambler. Together we had been working to make a device that would allow us to speak with the dead. Most of it involved me running all over Azeroth on various errands and paying the costs for Master Mux's materials. That did not bother me in the least. I have grown disgusted by gold as of late and was glad to be rid of it, and of course, I am no stranger to travelling. So I would bring the materials back to Master Mux and he would use his skill in engineering to create the device. It just needed one more part: A Fel Elemental Rod.

The only place to get such a rod is in Winterspring apparently. It is sold by an imp in Darkwhisper Gorge. An imp! I have sworn to defend Azeroth against the Legion and have just given them forty gold for some rod soaked with their dark energy. Yes, I make a fine defender do I not?

Kodrak was troubled by this matter as well, I can feel it. If only there was some way I could explain to him the circumstances surrounding my actions. But there is not. Ends justifying the means do not carry any meaning to an animal, and perhaps that is how it should be.

Forty gold.

My only comfort is that I will use this damned rod to make my armor stronger, and with it, kill many times that number of demons.

-Bronil Nightwind 

6/15/06
The device I spoke of in my last entry is now complete. I was told to venture to the gates of Stratholme and use it to speak with Anthion Harmon. As it turns out, Master Harmon's spirit is not content to leave this world just yet. His wife, Ysida Harmon, is apparently being held captive by Baron Rivendare, the lord of the Scourge controlled area of Stratholme.

Curious.

In my dealings with the Scourge, I've never known them to keep captives. They are more interested in quickly forcing others to their madness through the Plague. What could Mistress Harmon possess that would give the Scourge pause? What is it that makes her more valuable to them alive, and uninfected by the Plague?

I suppose it matters not. Rivendare will soon be relieved of his captive and then it will all become a moot point.

-Bronil Nightwind 

6/22/06
War comes yet again, and it is for this reason that I have not made any entries lately. I have been quite busy fighting and scouting.

Just as it was with the Silithid invasion, this war is fought on two fronts. The first is with the Scourge, whose buildings have been appearing in mid air all over the world (which I am certain you have no doubt heard of by now). The second is against the Horde, again. Prior to the battle at Cenarion Hold, Cairne Bloodhoof had been attacked by members of the Alliance, resulting in having to contend with both Silithid, and Horde out for revenge. I worry about the Horde this time because of information the Rangers have gathered concerning Sun Rock Retreat. It would seem that one of the Quel'dorei has been sending members of the Horde against the Sons and Daughters of Cenarius at Stonetalon Peak. So far apparently only the Rangers have taken interest in these killings.

For the time being, Mistress Drahliana has ordered there be no killing. She wishes to gather as much information as possible before sending the Rangers into battle. This is a wise decision for I am not sure as to how much of a fight we'd be able to put up. The Scourge have also been invading lands under Ranger protection and there is little need to gather intelligence, for these attacks are being carried out in a much more blatant manner than those carried out from Sun Rock.

Just as it was months ago, I cannot be two places at once. I had to choose whether to go to Cenarion Hold, or to stay at Darnassus and defend against vengeful Horde. However, with the alarming number of undead corpses strewn about the land, I don't believe there is much of a choice to be made in my actions.

Stonetalon Peak will have to hold its own for the time being.

-Bronil Nightwind 

7/1/06
(( Well it looks like my little IC thread finally managed to fall off the forums. Heh, knew I should have posted the next entry yesterday :P

If this happens to be the first entry of Bronil's journal you've read, fear not. Fortunately all of the recently vanished entries (as well as new ones) can be found here:

In the event the Rangers forum is down, I also believe Mirabela has a copy of the entries archived somewhere. Check the stickies. ))

 Once again, another entry in my journal has been delayed. With the advent of the Scourge's latest ploy, I have had little time to myself. If I was not out fighting, then I was recuperating. Often times the battles left me so battered that it truly would have required effort to raise pen to parchment. Their numbers are limitless, and they are driven ever forward by the will of their master. They do not rest, sleep, or eat; war is all that is on their minds. Yet, they are not invincible.

I was there at the last battle in the Eastern Plaguelands. It was early in the morning, and my only support aside from Kodrak was Mistress Moonwillow, Master Stormfeather, and Master Daywalker. There was one final shard, and it was heavily surrounded by Scourge on all sides. Master Stormfeather and Daywalker were trained in the arcane, and Mistress Moonwillow as you recall is a servant of Elune. Thus, the only ones capable of getting into the thick of the battle were Kodrak and myself. I was not scared in the least. Though great in numbers, the Scourge are weak individually. The shock troops were barely able to harm Kodrak unless they had many of their companions with them. Even then, Kodrak would not fall. And it was Kodrak who took the brunt of the assault from the formidable Shadows of Doom, and still would not fall (much in part due to Mistress Moonwillow's healing magic, and the little skill I possess in that regard). Eventually, more of our allies from SASU reinforced our small army. After perhaps an hour's time had passed, the number of Scourge troops dwindled, and the shard was finally destroyed.

When I was fully rested from that last battle, I related what took place to High Ranger Drahliana (I have recently decided referring to her as 'Mistress' may be slightly inappropriate) and she seemed pleased to know that the Rangers were there for the final battle. After further conversing however, we agreed that this is likely just the beginning of a much longer campaign. For now though, we have won a respite.

Thus, I now head back to Stonetalon to investigate the Sun Rock matter more fully.

-Bronil Nightwind 

7/6/06
As I feared, High Ranger Drahliana's claims are true. There is indeed a quel'dorei that resides at Sun Rock Retreat (by the name of Firehand), and it she who has been ordering the attacks on Stonetalon Peak. I know not to what end these attacks are carried out, nor do I care. Firehand's goals are obviously of a malicious nature and she must be stopped. To that end, as I understand it, High Ranger has distributed some sort of ultimatum to the Horde. The ultimatum essentially requests that the Horde hand the quel'dorei over to the Cenarion Circle for judgment, lest other action be taken instead.

This ultimatum will only escalate matters, I fear. Yet, I cannot think of any other solution short of going back to Sun Rock and assassinating Firehand. Elune send that this will work out with little to no bloodshed.

In other matters, I found a few documents on the bodies of Scourge troops during the recent invasion. After giving these documents to the Keeper of Scrolls at Light's Hope, I have finally recieved word back from him. The documents belonged to the Scourge troops I slew, and were perhaps the only remains of the lives they led before falling to the Plague. Thus, I could only give the documents to their surviving kin, who the Keeper has graciously are already located for me. Though my meetings with the kin initially brought sadness, I found that sadness was replaced by contentment knowing that their loved ones are no longer slaves to the Lich King's will.

I have only one document left to deliver, and it is destined for someone in the Temple of the Moon. Soon, I will be home once more. It is likely I will stay for a few days, perhaps a week. After everything that's happened recently, I could use the respite.

-Bronil Nightwind 

7/9/06
My journey back home was delayed today, and it was indeed a strange twist of fate. Right as I was stepping on the boat to Teldrassil, a messenger flew into Darkshore trying to rally forces to help defend our bretheren in Astranaar. Something pulled at me in Ironforge not to leave my armor in the bank, and in hindsight, I am glad I heeded it. As soon as a hippogryph could be readied, I was en route to Astranaar.

The initial assault was weak, and was likely just a few scouts probing the defenses. Soon, they brought their reinforcements, and there was nothing we could do to stop them, except hope that the messengers sent to other areas were able to gather reinforcements of our own. Eventually, through sheer numbers, the Alliance forces were able to push the Horde from Astranaar, and went so far as to take the fight to the Crossroads. I do not know how they fared there, as I did not join in the retaliation; it is not my desire to spill more blood. My efforts from that point on were to patrol the road from Astranaar to the border, to ensure any stragglers were sent on their way.

It was during this time that High Ranger Moonrider was up and about. I contacted her through hearthstone and told her of the situation. Apparently, we were due to induct two new members into the Rangers. She changed the induction location to Astranaar, and requested the new recruits attend in their battle armor. After the attacks had settled down, we began the induction.

The two recruits were Druidess Listen, and Mistress Willexise, or Willie as she seems to prefer to be called. Inducting them into our ranks after battle was a grim reminder of our duty as Rangers, I feel. They seemed to take their new roles seriously, and I expect they will turn out to be fine Rangers indeed.

(As an aside, I was reminded of the High Ranger's surname, and can now address her properly. To my shame, I had since forgotten it when I was first inducted into the Rangers, and was thus reminded of it when she introduced herself to the new recruits. I had thought ask her her surname many times before, but was too embarassed at having forgotten in the first place)

High Ranger also used the induction to inform us of the results of the missive she sent to the Horde. As can be expected, most of the replies were of contempt and mockery, but not all. A reply sent by one Master Kormok seemed to hold some promise, but the High Ranger would not elaborate. In any event it is good that there is promise in the replies (and perhaps that there are even any replies at all). I would be most thankful if this matter could be settled through words, rather than blood.

For now, I begin my journey home again. I recently recieved a book from the vaults of the Rangers that will apparently help me further my skills. It is my understanding that I have Mistress Nyidi to thank for this. I shall have send her a note of thanks some time soon.

With luck, I will be home in moments after writing this entry.

-Bronil Nightwind </i>

7/11/06
The weather was pleasant as Bronil stepped out of the Temple of the Moon. Elissa Dumas seemed to take Torgal's fate in stride. If she was at all troubled by the news, she did very well to hide it.

Having no more business in the city, Bronil began the trek back to Dolanaar where Celesst was likely busying herself with the entries in his journal since his last visit home. The journal had actually proved to be something of a safeguard, and was fulfilling what Ayanna Everstride had in mind when she first recommended it. Jocaste also believed the journal was important to Bronil's training, which she claimed never stopped. In effect, the journal kept him grounded in the knowledge that his sister would want to read the new entries when he next came home; which meant he would have to see to it that he would make it back home.

The journal also kept him from becoming like the demons he hunted. Jocaste had warned him constantly about that possibility ever since she learned of his chosen path. Drahliana had spoken to him about it as well when she had learned. She told him that many who hunt demons often lose themselves in the hunt, and forget what they originally fought for. She went on to say to hunt demons, one must have something that serves as an anchor to reality. For Bronil, his anchor was his promise to Siang, and his journal; both of which were tied directly to Celesst.

He could not help but smile knowing that should he ever fall from his path, there would be friends there with an outstretched hand to help him back up. One of of which now crossed his path in Darnassus.

"Hail, Nightwind." Jocaste said greeting him.

"Well met, Jocaste." he responded, a small smile still on his face from his previous thoughts.

"If you have time, I'd like to speak with you about something."

"Will I need to hide my armor?"

Jocaste turned on him swiftly, ready to berate him. Seeing the grin on his face though told her he was only jesting about their last encounter.

"For the sake of your welfare you may want to bring it" she replied with a grin of her own.