5/29 late morning
I almost visited Ysera before getting to work, but I restrained myself. That couple's fruit is potent stuff. I had two women to collar, and one man. Going and visiting the beautiful queen of the green dragonflight would be a special treat for later.
Xylinnia was stationed in Auberdine, where Tyrande and Shandris were marshaling their sentinels. When I entered their meeting, I was welcomed warmly and pleased to see a Tauren man hunched over their maps.
"I see that you have company. I hope this means you need not face this danger alone?"
The towering humanoid bull nodded and rumbled out his response. "No. The spirits warned us of this danger. Whatever our cities might hold against one another, the Earthen Ring and the Cenarian Circle have always been allies when the Earth Mother cries out." As he spoke of the Cenarian Circle he nodded his head at a blue haired night elf woman next to him. Presumably the leader of the Druids in this joint venture; I noted that she was not one of the Druids of the Claw I'd seen at the last table like this one.
I saluted the Tauren, placing my fist against my heart in the tradition of his people. "A pleasure to meet you. I am Erius of the Green Dragonflight. I come bearing what aid I can." I looked at him and the druid questioningly, and quickly got their names. He was Sagorne Creststrider, a name that meant absolutely nothing to me. She was Ysiel Windsinger, a name that sounded vaguely familiar, which could mean anything from Hearthstone card to the central npc of some kind of forgettable subplot, but definitely meant that she was at least vaguely important. In any event, everyone around this table would be worth capturing; the three ladies were all named and powerful, and the Tauren was important enough to be sent as an ambassador.
The Earthen Ring was a group analogous to the Cenarian Circle, a guild of shaman dedicated to building bridges between their people and the Elementals of the world. The social position of a druid was very different from that of a shaman, but they had enough common ground to be able to cooperate occasionally. The Ring didn't become a properly neutral institution until Alliance shaman started to join up, but there was never a point where they were actively pushing for war. After all, one of their prominent patrons/leaders was orc Moses himself, the Warchief of the Horde, Thrall.
I summoned all four of today's amulets and passed them out; Tyrande and Shandris already trusted me and thought they knew the purposes of the amulets, and their instant acceptance of the jewelry was a powerful recommendation.
Tyrande explained to her comrades, "These amulets require an attunement time, but they are the best defense we have found against the corruption of the Nightmare. I believe they also serve as a communication device for the green dragonflight?" She turned to me and cocked her head with that last bit, and I nodded.
"Among other things, all beneficial. I hope you can forgive my delay; I had to deliver one to Ysera herself before any could be spared for you."
Tyrande asked the obvious question, "and Malfurion?"
I gave my best reassuring smile. "Of course. He's the next person on the list. I'll need instructions for your priestesses to allow me to give it to him, though." I could have used psychic paper for that, but why bother when I can get a real letter?
••••••••••
With the letter of introduction, I was escorted to the cave where Malfurion was being kept with a ghost hiding in my body. One who Sylvanas told me was one of her best infiltrators. I'd gathered the amulet from a gnomish fisherwoman in Ironforge (who was now stowing a beacon in her house and helping some newly healed former leper gnomes settle in), and I was hoping that we might have Malfurion in play today. It was a high hope, but Natalie was clinically braindead and she was doing fine.
The sealed letter from Tyrande was enough to get me into the room where a nearly naked Malfurion was being kept on a stone slab in the middle of a moonwell. The whole place radiated Elune's energy; it was similar to the Holy Light I used, but a different flavor, if that makes sense. More aware, if only slightly, of what was happening around it. Artisanal craft Light while I was using the brand name stuff. Similar enough to be interchangeable in function, but absolutely distinct if you look at it with any nuance.
In any event, I waded into the moonwell and felt a pit form in my stomach; I could feel Her eyes upon me. It made me very uncomfortable, but I knew Elune was there. Watching me. She didn't say anything. She drove her meaning directly into the open third eye that was communication talent without bothering with words.
I am aware of your actions. I accept them as useful, but I am not amused by your flippancy. You have chosen to appoint yourself champion? Very well. You will fulfill your promises. You will protect my children. You will earn this trust you have stolen, and earn it again a thousand times. Anything less will earn my ire. Do not corrupt this one with the unclean spirit. It's presence here is an affront.
I stumbled and fell into the water, narrowly avoiding hitting my head on the stone edge of the pool. It took several seconds to recover from that, but the first thing I said, in a daze, was "Yeah. Sure. Sounds great."
The priestesses rushed to assist me, more concerned than suspicious. Which was good. Elune hadn't actually done much more than lay out some ground rules. So brainwashing is fine as long as I'm fighting the baddies while I do it? I'll need to be a little more careful about making sure that I don't abuse the night elves trust, but I can accept these terms. Definitely not going to possess Malfurion either. Right-o. Reasonable compromise all around.
I very politely wrapped an amulet around his neck, told the priestesses not to remove it, and got the fuck out of there. I wasn't really sure what I was expecting from the goddess, but it certainly wasn't being appointed the champion of Elune. Elune was a goddess who valued peace and tranquility, no matter how many people you had to kill to get it. Brainwashing everyone into compliance apparently fit the bill well enough to allow, which lined up with certain later revelations about the less pleasant aspects of the Light. I didn't feel like I had any new powers, but I guess I didn't really need them. I'm sure as hell not going to go back and ask for any.
As far as I could tell, I was the stand in for the entire player base. Nobody else was positioned to handle all of the problems to come, and Elune was not one to step in personally except at key moments. She was probably at least as aware of all of the bullshit that was coming as I was, and she thought that me assembling a harem was a completely reasonable trade off for being the ultimate unifier and protector of Azeroth. I wasn't yet, but let's be honest, I've been at it for a month and a half and I secretly rule three of the most powerful nations in the world.
••••••••••
I decided to be there for the last few Worgen Captures. There was a general tone of excitement; we had more than a hundred more to go after we finished with the mission, especially if the rangers kept catching more, but the 100 mark was a milestone and where we hit pay dirt.
The last one was a sweet old lady who didn't look like a worgen at all; she was wearing one of dozens of simple linen robes we had been providing the new recruits. She had only just reverted to humanity when I entered, and Talaada was soothing her and helping come back down from the eternal adrenaline rush that is the Worgen form. I didn't interrupt, letting my high priestess do her most important job.
As the granny revealed that she was quite a looker in her day, I felt new sensory information flood into my brain. Smells became more sharp and specific, with their approximate source seeming obvious. As with most company provided abilities, it was inexplicably intuitive and user friendly. Good, good. That was the bonus reward; Potpourri. An enhanced sense of smell, control over how I smell, and a knack for guessing what smells will subtly induce certain emotional states in those around me. It was a weird power, but I was absolutely not going to complain about getting another lure. Even if I probably wasn't fully utilizing the ones I already had.
The other rewards were much less flashy, but damn useful. One more necklace per day, a deluxe mission ticket, and 10 credits. Sure, it's objectively good, but it's all just stuff I was going to eventually get anyway. If I ever complain about getting any of these things, please slap me, but I couldn't bring myself to get specifically excited about them.
I didn't immediately go for the shop; 10 credits is enough for a lot of possibilities, but Helcular's Revenge should be finished tonight. 15 credits is enough for even more possibilities, and there was a chance that my next major mission would be easier if I bought something to help with it.
We all had a lovely little celebration, where I was obliged to explain to my many uninitiated followers what the fuck a major mission was and why it was worth celebrating. Shit. I really did need to start sharing this kind of stuff with the rank and file. It's best that they know what the fuck we are doing and why.
To that end, and others, I took Talaada off to the side and asked her to start scouting out members of the retinue to be my other priests. Not in the magical sense; in the spiritual instruction sense. Recruiters who could soften people up for possession, sell amulets based on their powers, educate the retinue, and help my people integrate into the world around us.
"There's no one I trust more for this. Are you sure I'm not putting too much pressure on you?"
She smiled at that. "Never. It is an honor and a pleasure to be given such a vital role." She meant it, too.