"Odmugg hates water. But worse: spiders and burning trees," the ogre says, trying to keep his composure despite apparent sea-sickness which turns his face rather colourless, even the tattoos seem to be paler than usually. "Maybe we keep sailing." He glances carefully at the water, in fear of spotting a river-sized Kraken.
The river actually ran west to east, starting in the northern mountains and eventually
depositing in Lake Darrowmere. As they got off the barge, they found themselves on the shore of a tranquil woodland. Tall pines rose up tot he sky, with some smaller deciduous trees awash with beautiful shades of orange and red, contrasting against the grey sky above. They only had to follow the riverbank north to reach the Church.
depositing in Lake Darrowmere. As they got off the barge, they found themselves on the shore of a tranquil woodland. Tall pines rose up tot he sky, with some smaller deciduous trees awash with beautiful shades of orange and red, contrasting against the grey sky above. They only had to follow the riverbank north to reach the Church.
The Dragonhawk rider stays in the air and scouts ahead towards the Church.
The Dragonhawk soars over the forest, before Wintershore gazes upon Vandermar Church. For a human building, it was very impressive. It was a large building of grey stone and alabaster, with a large, tall spired belltower that stretched above the trees. All around, it was adorned with gargoyles, small statues and elegant columns, and great gothic-arched stained glass windows depicting the Three Virtues and tales of Mereldar and Tyr.
This structure would doubtlessly be referred to as a Cathedral if it stood in a city, yet here it modestly served Vandermar, the Lord of the land who built it was most likely very wealthy. It was immediately surrounded by a large graveyard, that stretched from the woods behind the church up to the road.
Along the road was an patch of heathland meadow, small sheep grazing could be seen. Near the great stone bridge crossing the river into Vandermar was a tall watch tower flying the banners of Lordaeron. She could see some human guards there, likely protecting the gates to the town.
She could see no one else on the road, though there was a figure kneeling at one of the gravestones.
This structure would doubtlessly be referred to as a Cathedral if it stood in a city, yet here it modestly served Vandermar, the Lord of the land who built it was most likely very wealthy. It was immediately surrounded by a large graveyard, that stretched from the woods behind the church up to the road.
Along the road was an patch of heathland meadow, small sheep grazing could be seen. Near the great stone bridge crossing the river into Vandermar was a tall watch tower flying the banners of Lordaeron. She could see some human guards there, likely protecting the gates to the town.
She could see no one else on the road, though there was a figure kneeling at one of the gravestones.
Point of interest!
I don't want to bog down the game with geography, but following my goof about the direction of the river, it is worth pointing out this river probably can't originate in the mountains near Hearthglen -- that would make it the Thondroril River, which is East of Andorhal, and we are told by the map we are West of Andorhal.
We'd have to be on the river that runs through/directly South of Andorhal, which as far as I am aware simply isn't named. It joins the Thondroril River in depositing in the lake, I think, and then that becomes the Darrowmere River and heads south to empty in Baradin Bay.
I only say I think because the direction that river flows in isn't clear in-game. It doesn't have any handy waterfalls to give it away, although it looks like it once originated in the hills South-West of Andorhal, pre-Cataclysm. It's apparently a bit buggy in-game!
I suppose it could just be known as the "Andorhal River"?
Anyway, apologies for the digression!
13/10/2018 15:34Posted by AldebrandtI suppose it could just be known as the "Andorhal River"?
Yeah, sure.
I've been a bit flexible with the geography, since it's an alternate universe. Unconsciously, this was supposed to be either that river, or a river like it. Azeroth is much bigger in lore than in-game, but it's supposed to start in the northern mountains and empty in Lake Darrowmere. The timber harvested from Vandermar is exported to Andorhal and Caer Darrow.
Vandermar itself has only ever appeared in WarCraft 3, in which the place was bisected by rivers. As you can see from this map of it:
https://wow.gamepedia.com/Trudging_through_the_Ashes_(WC3_Undead)#/media/File:Trudging_through_the_Ashes_Map.jpg
I know the Cathedral here appears in the middle of Vandermar, but the general landscape of autumnal forests, rocky hills and rivers is meant to be similar, if not exactly the same. In any case, nothing here is canon, and the in-lore locations of settlements in Lordaeron has always been inconsistent since WarCraft 3...look at the varying locations of Brill for example.
Growing tired of waiting, and agitated by the recent travel via boat, the ogre starts his walk northward. He manages to take a few steps before halting and turning to look at the rest of the group. "This the right way, right?" he asks, bewildered. "You coming? Yes?"
Croecell gets off the boat. She looks up past the trees to make out the church spire.
"Come then, let us be on our way."
"Come then, let us be on our way."
- Turn Seven -
Map:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/497836202620092418/500788718089666600/Vandermar_Game_Map.png
The party made their way along the riverbank. They came across what appeared to be a riverside pastoral farmstead. In a large barn, they could hear the sounds of cattle and sheep. Up ahead there was a small farmhouse with a fishing jetty, where upon the porch sat an old man smoking from a pipe who glanced at the party with curiosity. By the look in his eyes, it seemed he had watched the party as they had made their way across. Further around, visible through the trees, was a stone guard tower that stood near the mouth of the bridge.
"These are dark times...these..." the old man said in a strong accent, before laughing ominously.
-
Map:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/497836202620092418/500788718089666600/Vandermar_Game_Map.png
The party made their way along the riverbank. They came across what appeared to be a riverside pastoral farmstead. In a large barn, they could hear the sounds of cattle and sheep. Up ahead there was a small farmhouse with a fishing jetty, where upon the porch sat an old man smoking from a pipe who glanced at the party with curiosity. By the look in his eyes, it seemed he had watched the party as they had made their way across. Further around, visible through the trees, was a stone guard tower that stood near the mouth of the bridge.
"These are dark times...these..." the old man said in a strong accent, before laughing ominously.
-
For anyone who wants to join the game, now would be a great time! Big things are going to happen soon.
Thalanaar eyed the old man upon the porch warily as he spoke, trying to maintain his stride and press on. There was no need to tarry here and make more trouble. All the same, he wasn't wrong, was he? These were trying times for the Eastweald. Once again, his mind wandered to where his heart was -- Quel'thalas. What would become of her?
He took another look at the old man, trying to make out some of his features, if only out of curiosity.
He took another look at the old man, trying to make out some of his features, if only out of curiosity.
She uses her keen eyesight to observe the kneeling person at the graves.
Thalanaar turns to face the old man, only to see an empty doorstep.
Wintershore stares down at the person. It appears to be a man dressed in a cloak, ragged and dirty looking, he embraces a small child in his arms. Tears streaam down his face. They are in mourning.
Wintershore stares down at the person. It appears to be a man dressed in a cloak, ragged and dirty looking, he embraces a small child in his arms. Tears streaam down his face. They are in mourning.
Sorry for the late response. I've been very tired lately.
"Was there a people, there?" the ogre asks, seemingly alarmed. He glances around, trying to see where the wily old man had disappeared. Fear as a concept is unfamiliar to the beast by default but numerous clashes against human wizards have left invisible scars in his mind - the whole endeavour has so far been almost too much for the straight-forward ogre to grasp. Ominous doomsayers make things even worse. Odmugg draws his crude zweihander and holds it rather easily in his right hand, despite the fact they are still in the vicinity of the village. "This not feel good."
The party continue along the riverbank until they reach the guard tower. It's an old looking stone structure with a wooden parapet. It looked like it had been damaged, likely during the Second War, and hastily repaired. One of the guards, a young human lad with a buckler in chainmail, walked over and asked "We saw you take the barge across from the lumbermill. What's happening over there? Are we under attack?"
Croecell silently approaches.
"No, you're not under attack. We have orders involving the church."
"No, you're not under attack. We have orders involving the church."
"The Church? Are you working for Alonsus Faol?" he looks at the Forest Troll and the Ogre. "Have the savages finally chosen to accept the Light?"
Thalanaar joined Croecell at the fore in addressing the guardsman, while having a keen look at the defensibility of their position, their equipment, and the rest of the guards.
"We are not here on a religious mission. These are mercenaries, bound by contract to defend the Eastweald. The Church is the point of assembly. Tell me -- any news of Quel'thalas? Are reinforcements on their way?"
"We are not here on a religious mission. These are mercenaries, bound by contract to defend the Eastweald. The Church is the point of assembly. Tell me -- any news of Quel'thalas? Are reinforcements on their way?"
He shakes his head with a sad expression. "They were due west of here half an hour ago milord, but we haven't seen or heard anything from them. So were Lord Lothar's knights, in fact, you've a perfect view of the road from the church for when they get back. I hope they're alright."
"Very well, thank you..." Thalanaar responded in something of a daze. His eyes were not on the man's face, but out West, to the Church and beyond.
Where were they? What terrible fate had befallen these supposed reinforcements? Could Quel'thalas have been laid siege to, in his absence? Light, he must return...
"We should press on to the Church. We're nearly there, now."
Where were they? What terrible fate had befallen these supposed reinforcements? Could Quel'thalas have been laid siege to, in his absence? Light, he must return...
"We should press on to the Church. We're nearly there, now."
I don't mean to be presumptuous in assuming we're carrying on, but I certainly don't want to be the cause we stop, either! I'm still looking forward to where this goes.
The ogre, almost unintentionally brandishing his sword, looks at the guardsmen with a wary look in his tiny eyes. He clumsily sheathes his sword upon realizing that the guardsmen might give him an odd look because of that. "Maybe you lead", Odmugg replies to Thalanaar's urging. He starts marching toward the Church as soon as the cue is given.