Crossroads

Crossroads

After killing the Crone and returning to Bloodhoof, Gennia told me to look for the archdruid Hamuul Runetotem in Thunder Bluff, as she had told us in our last encounter.

I slept a heavy sleep and woke up very early the next morning. My kodo had already returned from Razorfen Kraul. Since Thunder Bluff wasn't that far away, I didn't even let him fully rest. We left as soon as the sun allowed us.

We arrived at Thunder Bluff and I quickly went to talk to Auld, I was looking forward to the conversation with Hamuul. Auld was very grateful and said that surely his tribe would find comfort in the justice I had helped establish. With the heightening sense of Auld's gratitude, I went looking for Master Hamuul on the cliff of the Elders of Thunder Bluff. I crossed the bridge that connects the central table to the cliff with an air of haste and authority, I already felt important there, answering a call from our ancestral spirits. From the middle of the bridge, I looked down at the valley of Mulgore; I was already strangely homesick for the tranquility of that land.

“Master Hamuul, I am Broomn and I come by order of Gennia Runetotem,” I introduced myself.

“Welcome, Broomn,” he replied with the voice of thunder.

“See, unfortunately we don't have much time to talk. The druids of Thunder Bluff identified the source of a strange energy coming from the Barrens. I've sent a druid to investigate what's going on, but I'm afraid he needs help. His name is Tonga Runetotem. He's in Crossroads, downtown Barrens. So listen carefully: I'll give you some coins to pay for the manticore. Fly to Crossroads and support Tonga.

That sense of importance I had felt as I crossed the bridge just behind me had already given way to more doubt and insecurity. Flying? I had no idea I could fly on those manticores one day, and the day came without any prior sign. I had gotten used to the elevator, but flying?

Well, I wasn't going to give up, so I took those coins and went to Tal, the master of manticores in Thunder Bluff. He quickly pushed me on top of a manticore and slapped him on the ass. The winged beast roared loudly and leaped out of the flight tower like an eagle diving to catch a rabbit. My body went first all the way back, then all the way forward, my four stomachs came up to my throat, I thought I was going to fall, so I clung tightly to the manticore's mane and tried to balance myself. The flight wasn't as graceful as a kodo march, but within minutes I could see Crossroads. A trip that would take at least two days of kodo. And the scenery up there is stunning!

Arriving at Crossroads, I vaguely remembered what Kirge had told me in the tavern at Camp Taraujo. I didn't remember much, but I remembered it was also something about Crossroads. And there I was.

Crossroads isn't big, but it has strong military concentration. Because it was strategically positioned, it became a kind of Horde command center in the region, despite its proximity to Orgrimmar. I met Tonga at the entrance of the villa. He readily welcomed me as a pupil of his cousin, Gennia, and envoy from Hamuul. He asked me to come in and get some rest, so we could freshen up with some juice and talk about what was taking me there.

“I'm investigating a strange energy coming from the oases around us, and I need you to go down there and collect evidence and observe." However, the Horde maintains all military control of the Barrens here and that makes us have many needs beyond my own. Today we will meet with the local leaders at the tavern. There I will be able to introduce you and discuss where to best apply your energies.

He continued:

“Thork is the military commander, an orc with a lot of pulse." In addition to him, we have other leaders who make up the board. Each is responsible for something that is in their personal interest or that of their people, but also represents some interest to the Horde. And it is the Horde that unites us by our yearnings for a dignified life in our sacred lands.

The Council of Seven

Night came and we headed to the tavern. Most, if not all, were already there when we arrived. Thork began to speak.

“Good evening. As you all may know, things remain complicated on all fronts.” Centaurs and quilboars are increasing in number, if they continue like this, we will soon be in the minority. The northern patrols also need more soldiers. Sergra, how are our meat stocks?

“We don't have much,” she replied. “Perhaps enough for two weeks, no more than that, despite the abundance of animals in the region.” It's just that there have been few new hunters and an increase in the number of mouths to feed.

“Jahan, tell me about our armor and trade,” Thork retorted.

“We depend on the hide of the game animals, so not very well,” Jahan replied. “And the reduction I see in trade also indicates increased danger on the roads of the Barrens.”

“Korran?” asked Thork.

“Silithus also reports constant turbulence, the Quiraj have been increasing their activity,” Korran replied. “I continue with my studies of the giant insects enslaved by them and some help could be very helpful.”

“Darsok, what do you have for us?” asked Thork.

“Not much news from me.” Just waiting for the moment when they might need someone discreet and smart for the job.

This one elicited laughter. The mood was tense, but there was always room for some good humor. Thork continued:

“Helbrim, for your part…”

"Nothing new so far..." he replied. “We're making progress, but I need more time.” The poison I study is rare and unstable, very difficult to obtain and manipulate.

"Tonga, what brings you to us again?" asked Thork, looking at me.

“This is Broomn, druid of Bloodhoof, of the order of the druids of Thunder Bluff,” Tonga replied. “He came to us to offer support and his workforce."

"Great!" interrupted Thork. "We can send you to the northern patrols. I see you're young, strong, and I can smell your bloodlust from here. Have you ever killed anyone, young man?" he asked, addressing me.

I replied with an innocent air, not much sense of what I was talking about:

“I killed an old sorceress in a sneak attack, does that count?”

This time, laughter in the hall.

"Of course it counts!" shouted Darsok.

Calmly, Tonga poured cold water on his spirits.

“Uh, it's just that the druids have plans for Broomn here in Crossroads. I am investigating the strange energy source that has been coming from our oases, I need his help in this."

“Okay,” Thork replied. “So be it! Once you meet Tonga's most immediate needs, you can help us with something else. Broomn, welcome! Blood and honor!"

The meeting ended, but people were still there, talking and drinking. At that, Helbrim approached.

“Tonga, you said you're investigating something in our oases. Any chance of going to the Forgotten Pools to the northwest?"

“Yes. I'll need to send Broomn there tomorrow morning,” Tonga replied.

“I need some mushroom spores from there, can you bring them to me, Broomn?”

"Yes, of course!" I replied.

It was late and everyone retreated to their tents. The next morning, before the weather got too hot, I set off for the Forgotten Pools. This time I could no longer count on a kodo, but since it was a short distance and I didn't need luggage, I went in the form of a leopard. In this form I can travel with great speed, although I can carry less luggage. I took only one bag, to collect the spores ordered by Helbrim.His alchemy made me curious, since I'm also an alchemist, but without any shadow of a doubt, we practiced slightly different alchemies, to say the least.

The Forgotten Pools

Arriving at the Forgotten Pools I was delighted by the beauty of the oasis. A lake in the center and a lot of life around, totally out of touch with the barren landscape of the Barrens. The abundance of shades of green also reminded me of Mulgore, since the whole Barrens is dominated by yellowish tones, dry brush and dust. Centaurs were everywhere, clearly dominating the place and its resources.Before I approached, I changed shape again, this time to lion, to peek. I sneaked through the grass to the shore of the lake, where I found the mushrooms Helbrim wanted. I collected the spores, hid the bag in the bush so it wouldn't get wet, and went into the water to continue my investigation. A power source… what might a power source look like?

He had already swum all over the lake and hadn't found anything reminiscent of an energy source. Not knowing much to do, I decided to take a dip and refresh my head before leaving. That's when something caught my eye: a fissure at the bottom of the lake, which blew bubbles as if it were breathing. I dived there, you could feel the energy flowing from that fissure.

I got out of the water, picked up my spore bag, and quickly returned to Crossroads. Tonga needed to know about my discovery.

How about you? Would you like to know too? Then don't miss our next date. :)

See you there,

Broomn.