lookingformore | Behold the Orb of Noitisopxe, much like the Mirror of Erised!

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Behold the Orb of Noitisopxe, much like the Mirror of Erised!

[The paladin in his Lightsworn armor looks fairly grim -- coincidentally enough, the exact sort of look you'd expect from someone who spent a week dodging capture by hostile forces. Despite this, he looks none the worse for wear, no visible injuries or exhaustion. Behind him, his borrowed nightsaber yawns and stretched lazily, somewhat damaging the dignity of his message.]

[He is sending this message out to each sanctum, indiscriminate in his supply of information.]

I have mentioned this to a few people, but history is not proceeding according to how my modern studies of it say it should. The emergence of demons from the Well of Eternity is supposed to have led to certain events that have not occurred or have occurred differently in Azeroth. That, in and of itself, isn't surprising, since Azeroth's timeline has been riddled so full of holes that Kael'thas Sunstrider's mental state looks solid in comparison. But it does lead to certain questions.

To seek the answers, I borrowed a nightsaber from the Silverglen elves and have spent time traveling along the outer borders of what I know the Dragonsworn to have experienced, to determine what else is out there. I found what I more or less expected to find -- four hostile empires, inhabited by three different races, which appear to correlate with what history told me I should expect. The trolls broke the aqir, the Kaldorei broke the trolls, and now the demons are close to breaking Kalimdor itself... so it's education time, and I hope you're listening.

The aqir were a race of insectoid creatures, alien to us in many ways and yet as intelligent and disciplined as us. If not more so. They are, and I must stress this very highly -- [Mar taps the scrying orb, to make the point clear] -- creations of the Old Gods, and as such, their loyalties lie entirely with those great evils. They are not invincible, though. The actual aqir empire, Azj'Aqir, has been broken by the troll empires after a very long war, and now they exist in two or three separate places.

[To help the view orient, Mar shifts backwards to point to his left.] The northern descendants of the Aqir are the Nerubians, who maintain an empire far greater than it looks because it's primarily underground. They're pretty fervently xenocidal, but actually make very little appearance in the history books after the Sundering until just recently since they ended up in Northrend, where many other races that would oppose them weren't. For all their power, however, they are unable to win a war of attrition. If the Burning Legion reaches them, they will fall to its superior numbers just as they fell to the resurrecting waves of the Scourge in my time. That may be our only hope to persuade them to aid us.

To the south, the quiraji are probably holed up in an old Titan research center they call Ahn'Qiraj. [Mar grimaces slightly.] I say 'probably' because there was no way I could reach it to confirm, but I have no reason to doubt that history has fallen out here as it did as I know it. They're much worse than the Nerubians because of this, since AQ -- [Yep, he just used the initials] -- is the prison of the Old God C'thun, and remember who made these guys to begin with? The only advantages we have are that first, historically speaking, they won't muster the strength for another massive war for several millennia after the Sundering, and that second, they're no more allies of the Legion than we are.

[The paladin allows a moment for absorption, but then continues on. The news doesn't really get any better, after all.]

On the other side of the continent, we have the trolls. The trolls are one of the most ancient races of Azeroth, perhaps the original humanoid race -- without getting into the races created by the Curse of Flesh, at any case. My guess is that the progenitor tribe of trolls, the Zandalari, is already in hiding by this point in preparation for the Sundering, leaving us to deal with two of its descendent empires, the Amani and the Gurubashi.

I'm not privy to the histories of the night elves, who... I should probably mention are descended from the trolls, but changed by the influence of the Well of Eternity, much the same way as we Sin'dorei are descended from the Kaldorei and changed by exposure to the Sunwell. [That's right -- the fair-skinned, shorter elf is a distant cousin to the ones you've all been meeting!] Judging from the present boundaries of the Amani Empire, the Kaldorei have cut through it just as history speaks of. I'd expect to find them on the decline internally, although they certainly mustered enough of a response to keep me from any investigating. The Gurubashi empire is stronger and more cohesive, probably because of its location.

Keep in mind that these twin empires defeated Ajz'Aqir and broke the power of the aqir, and yet with the power of the Well of Eternity behind them, a small splinter sect broke them effortlessly. [A snap of the fingers punctuates the statement.] This is the force we have to deal with, augmented by the might of the Burning Legion.

I also am going to emphasize that all four of these empires are hostile. Not one of them took my effort at diplomatic contact as anything other than an opportunity to capture me, and it's only because I had a borrowed nightsaber and am experienced in running the hell away that I'm here to deliver this message to you. Do not approach them on your own.

[Mar is being serious, which should tell anyone who knows him just how much he means his words.]

Another thing to consider is that several races I should have been able to find, I did not. The mantid, the vrykul, and the mogu are probably the biggest three missing races. The mogu and the mantid may simply be buried behind the Gurubashi where we're presently unable to pass. but the vrykul... the vrykul are odd anyway.

I'm giving everyone this information not to encourage you to go running off to see the cool other races of Azeroth, but so you have the information, and so it informs us all as we continue to make decisions and efforts to oppose the Burning Legion. Be mindful.

[And at this, Mar rests a hand on the orb -- dismissing his message, but remaining present so anyone else could speak to him further if they so desired.]

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[Huge wall of exposition? Qilby may have found a kindred spirit.

But while Mar's come back from a dangerous journey looking just about the way he's left, Qilby's managed to pick up a dark, nasty bruise over the bridge of his nose and beneath both eyes just by staying home. The Obsidian Sanctum will do that to a guy. Maybe it won't show over the scrying orbs-- or maybe it will. What is certainly clear is the interest in his expression. Finally! Someone who (by all appearances) truly knows this world.]

This is all a bit... Much to take in.

We all know by now what to expect from the Legion, I should hope. But these other races-- are they any immediate threat to us?

[Anyone's got a right to be concerned, after all. They can hardly control the Night Elves, and they're the ostensibly cooperative ones. How are they to deal with outright hostile neighbors?]

[Mar strokes his goatee as he considers the question. A very basic one, but an excellent one.]

That is an excellent question. My personal opinion is that they aren't, because they simply don't have the strength to move against the Kaldorei alone, much less the Kaldorei with the might of the Legion behind them. In that respect, they can't mount any significant attack against us without provoking a response from them. The Amani seem to be fairly broken, and the insects undoubtedly view us in the same manner as they view everything else: fodder for extermination.

But they're all hostile to us because we aren't them, so if we provoke them, we will earn a response, and they are not safe to approach.

And that's your personal opinion as someone from a possible future of this world. [He's not necessarily skeptical -- because although there's no reason to take this elf's word for it, right now there's no reason to write him off either -- but merely interested in clarifying the matter. As Qilby's already seen with Yugo, brought here all the way from his future, the limits of the dragons' reach are bound by neither space nor time.]

Have any events involving these civilizations differed from those that happened in your world? Or... What I mean to say is-- [And he kind of massages his temples here, because time travel is a headache that he's still getting accustomed to. A fascinating headache, but a headache all the same.] --You clearly have some sort of knowledge about our neighbors, and how they were and how they came to be. You understand them as they are now.

Is there a danger of anything happening that will drastically change that? Something that didn't happen in your world?

[Mar quirks one eyebrow, midway between surprise and amusement.]

Well, history never, ever spoke of a group of heroes being pulled through time and space by the Aspects to combat the Burning Legion.

Of course, this might just mean the entire experiment was lost to history, but considering how many dealings I had with the five Aspects in my past and Azeroth's future, I really do believe that the timeline has branched. Our presence here can and will change things.

I meant besides the obvious. [A wry little smile.] ...But I suppose you're right-- and it's a silly question. I don't think anyone can predict exactly how our presence will affect the course of this world's history.

[Not with so many people of different backgrounds and abilities and motivations... Himself included. Certainly no one will predict what he's planning on doing. They rarely do.

He rubs his chin.] The trolls are our closest neighbors, correct? Have you had much experience dealing with them?

The answer is yes, but 'experience' in this case means 'repeatedly putting paid to their efforts to reassert their empires through violence'. [He punctuates the statement by punching his fist downwards into his palm.] The Amani and Gurubashi tribes are relentless enemies of both Alliance and Horde. The only friendly tribe of trolls... I don't think exists yet, or if it does, it's in a protoform.

I see... I suppose there's little use trying to negotiate with them, then. [Useful information -- quite useful, in fact. More useful than Mar probably knows.]

Your expertise is appreciated. But I must apologize-- even as few as we are, I don't believe I've ever made the effort to speak with you before this. [Normally he'd politely offer to shake, or maybe dip a short bow-- but all of these options seem a bit awkward over the scrying orb. He settles for a friendly smile.] My name is Qilby. Are there many others like you? Others who were already of this world?

The name is Maridian, and I have titles aplenty -- Blood Knight Master, Crusader, of Silvermoon, Master of the Ways... the Love Fool, but that one is totally not my fault... anyway, that list goes on for a while. [He waves a hand dismissively. It's not HIS fault he likes celebrating the holidays in style.]

To the best of my knowledge, I'm the only Dragonsworn from any Azeroth timeline, although we have a pair from an associated world in the Ruby Sanctum.

[Half of those sound as legitimate as Apollo's "Pirate King" title, but he's not going to say as much -- the large bruise still visible over his nose is enough of a reason not to, even if the risk of being headbutted in the face for calling someone out on it is significantly lessened over the scrying orbs. But then again, Mar doesn't seem the headbutting type that Apollo is.]

One would think that with the sort of knowledge you provide, the Mages would focus on trying to bring in more heroes like you. [Qilby knows fully well, of course, that the Mages have no control over who they bring in -- he's just being a shameless flatterer as usual.]

--And all of you belong to the Red Flight? [A good-natured laugh.] The rest of us should feel lucky you're so willing to share.

[Hey, ask Alexstraza! She totally sent him a drake in the mail for his hard work at holiday partying! ....15,000 years in the future, but who's counting!]

Perhaps, but it's possible the knowledge is dangerous as well. Breaking the timeline and all. For all I know I'm a greater danger to this Azeroth than the Burning Legion and the Old Gods combined!

[Mar laughs, because it is funny. Even if he's completely serious.]

[He echoes the laugh. It really is funny, after all-- that this elf thinks he's any sort of danger to anyone.] You did say history's never spoken of a group of heroes like us. With all this happening, I'd say the timeline's already as broken as it's going to get.

And as far as "dangerous knowledge" is concerned... No amount of danger ever outweighs the benefits. No line of thinking should ever be left unpursued. At least, that's what I've found in my many generations of experience. [A smile.] So that being said, share freely what's on your mind-- without fear of breaking this world any further.

It could get more broken. [Mar is abruptly much more serious -- unusually, deadly serious. He'd seen the shattered post-Cataclysm future of Azeroth firsthand.] It could get much worse indeed. The wrong move could hand victory to the Legion, the Old Gods, or worse, in the future.

*oh, now that's fascinating information indeed*

So they're hostile toward each other, as well?

Yes. Both, or perhaps I should say all thee races are generally hostile to pretty much everyone else, whatever their form.

I see.

*somehow, does not seem remotely surprised by this*

That could become a problem for all, under the circumstances.

Exactly why I went out to investigate the current state of affairs. I can't predict what will happen with our interference, though.

The trolls we might be able to reason with... I don't think my status with the Klaxxi will do us much good even if we find the mantid, though.

Oh?

I'm not exactly certain at what point the Klaxxi Paragons began encasing themselves in amber for preservation.

You might want to explain what a "Klaxxi" is.

The Klaxxi are a group of mantid elders and Paragons who are basically the giant check to the mantid Emperess's power.

I see.

*...he's able to pick out enough bits of that to put together some of the missing pieces himself, at least*

I don't suppose it's occurred to any of these others that a divided opponent is more easily defeated.

Right now, most of them are divided or suffering themselves. The Well of Eternity is just that powerful, alone. Add the Legion in, and...

[He shrugs. The only way the Legion had fallen, and in fact the only way any of the troll or insect empires had lasted, was from detonating the Well, after all.]

Figures.

*he's so not surprised; he's quite familiar with how difficult it can be to get different peoples to work together when all are concerned about themselves*

It's one reason to consider uniting them ourselves, though I truthfully doubt that's possible.

Not until they either get some sense into them or have no other choice. And then it's still not a sure thing.

Far from it. In fact, it's an outlandish and improbable hope. Which is pretty much all I gamble on, so worth pursuing.

*raising an eyebrow*

Oh?

Absolutely! What else do you HAVE when you propose to take on absurd evils with power far beyond the ken of us mere normal people?

*...just. giving you long look for a moment, then shaking his head with what might actually be a hint of amusement*

Guess you have a point.

The question is never, 'what can I do?'. The question is always, 'what needs to be done?'.

That's a good way to look at it.

*one Geddoe approves of, at least!*

Good to see you're still alive. Think you can swing by my way and add some notes and possible borders onto the map I have?

Well, if the lady requests, how could I possibly say no? But what is your way, at the present?

I like a man that understands priorities. [ha ha] And, actually, I'm at the my Sanctum right now, but I'll be in Derenaar over the next few days.

I'll head that way as time allows and meet up with you. I really must return this nightsaber and get back to my own flight first, so they can chastise me for this whole expedition some more, but as soon as I have the chance, my time is yours.

Eh, tell them to put a sock in it.

Well, we really ought to start trying to function semi-cohesively at some point.

That doesn't mean you can't tell them to put a sock in it. Though I suppose it would be a little counterproductive at this point.

Very much so, since in fact that's their usual reaction any time I try to explain myself. [Mar shrugs. If they aren't going to even listen, what can he do?]

It's things like this that starts cementing the theory that high school apparently never ends. Even in other dimensions.

Now that's a reference I don't get! [He taps the orb with a finger, practically bouncing it off just for the extra energy of the gesture.]

What, your elves don't have secondary schooling?

Ah, I was educated both in classroom settings and by tutors, but we didn't refer to it as 'high' school. Of course, at the time, we were the Quel'dorei, the 'high elves', so that would have been a bit redundant.

In my world, high school is what we call classroom style learning years nine through twelve. Basically, it's the last bit of schooling you get while still considered a child before moving onto adulthood and pursuing a trade of some sort.

Ah, I see! Well, in that respect my education in that area was not entirely completed, as I wasn't quite an adult when Silvermoon was razed. But since we elves live longer, I had much more of it in any case.

I don't know whether to pity you having been forced to endure more high school than I did. Four years was enough, even if I was sort of absent for almost all of my third year.

[With an amused chuckle, Mar flicks her pity away.] I enjoyed it. I've always loved history. If things had gone differently, I'd have been a tutor now instead of a Blood Knight.

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Behold the Orb of Noitisopxe, much like the Mirror of Erised!

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