This expansion has certainly been divisive in its story! Consider this letter sent to the heads of your guild, whenever they reach the point in their timeline where “The Baine Thing” happens. Rather than write all the leaders of the guilds Anroka is familiar with individually through ingame mail, it seems more efficient to place the message here for all to read. If there are folks that wish to base RP on these ongoing events, I would happily take part in that.
These are the words of Anroka Scaleslicer, daughter of Agram Skullslinger, Champion of the Hand of the Titans.
This is a letter to those I respect the most. The leaders that have fought by my side. My comrades with which I have shed blood. The brothers and sisters I have bled with, and for.
I send you these words, that you may understand my decision. That you may hear it from me, first-hand. That you have the answers for those that follow you. Ancestors willing, you will not tear them apart before you reach the end.
I just had a difficult meeting with my forces, about what you must have received word of as well by now. Baine broken out of Orgrimmar to escape execution. This war has had many twists and turns, none of which have been easy for anyone.
We had an easy time justifying the War of Thorns itself, but things came apart with the burning of Teldrassil. A senseless slaughter that made Theramore look like child’s play. Many saw dishonor in this, and feared a return to the times of Garrosh Hellscream.
I disagreed. There were no repercussions to speaking out. Those that disagreed, had the chance to fight for that view and keep honor alive within the Horde. The Horde was a force with no alternatives, so we would shape it from within, for the good of its people. Win this war, the way it should be won.
We held the lines against the Alliance, and did work I will always be proud of on Zandalar. But the war remained clean on neither side. The fallen were desecrated and a city turned into a trap at the Battle for Undercity. Tricks and assassination slew a king and blew up a fleet. And slowly, Horde leaders have been pushed off stage.
Varok Saurfang, highest leader of the Orcs, became hunted like a traitor. Baine Bloodhoof was arrested, and with that, it was open season for “traitors”. No longer were words against Sylvanas welcome in the Horde. Suddenly we had to watch what we said again, just like under Garrosh. Changing the course of the Horde became out of the question.
I predicted the Banshee Queen’s next move would be a scheme to overcome the threat of the Alliance fleet. I did not predict she would accomplish it by luring it out over the Naga city of Nazjatar. There is no doubt in my mind that she knew its location in advance, and hoped to provoke the Naga into a disastrous attack. Same way I do not doubt she placed the Elven leaders on those ships deliberately. What I doubt much more, is that those elven leaders themselves were informed of her plans to sacrifice them.
And now Go’el Thrall is on the list of those wanted for treason, for saving Baine Bloodhoof, High Chieftain of the Tauren, from the executioner’s axe. And we once again face the challenge of seeing if we know the difference between loyalty, and obedience. I know their will be some that fear changing course now. That will say that division in the Horde could weaken it to the Alliance. To those that will act out of fear I say: You are unworthy of calling yourself Horde. The Horde is for the courageous and strong of heart. For those that find honor in Victory or Death. For those that forge their own path, rather than take the easy one.
Division is here. Avoiding it is no longer an option. It is the job of the Warchief to lead the Horde united, and it is falling apart. That means Sylvanas has failed as Warchief. By the very definition of the role. The path should now be clear.
My people largely have no doubts in this. Sylvanas’ arrows are aimed at the Tauren people. The only ones that have been giving a damn about actually helping our world. Despite all the things I have mentioned, it is even simpler for me: Go’el Thrall will always have my axe. And I pray that he will have your strength as well.
The Horde has fallen apart before. And I was on the wrong side of that, for too long. I will not repeat my past mistakes, and I hope you will not either. For the values, victories and bonds we have shared, I ask you to stand with us. For the Horde, for Azeroth, for the good of our people. Ancestors willing, we will stand and fight side by side again.
And if you are not willing to do so… Then stay out of our way.