Dominion Aid to Westfall

The Dominion Aid to Westfall was an effort made by the Dominion of the Sun with the outward intention of winning favor of the Kingdom of Stormwind by dispersing the vortex that plagued Westfall.

The Siege of Orgrimmar had proven to be a significant tipping point in the established war between the Grand Alliance and New Horde. United once again by a common foe, the Horde Rebels and Alliance forces took the fight to Garrosh Hellscream and secured a victory paid for in countless lives. The aftermath of the siege consisted of an odd armistice - as both Alliance and Rebel Horde sought to have justice meted out to those who stood with Hellscream. This provided a prime opportunity for those who sought to shift political alliances between the two factions.

Regent Lord Lor'themar Theron of Quel'Thalas and King Varian Wrynn of Stormwind began to discuss in secret a possible peace between their kingdoms. As a measure of good faith, Lor'themar offered for the Dominion of the Sun, a Thalassian organization led by Setrien Dawnlight, to disperse the arcane vortex that emerged in Westfall after the cataclysm wrought by Deathwing. Varian accepted his offer. Lord-Marshal Maxen Montclair and the First Regiment of the Elwynn Brigade were tasked with receiving and escorting the Dominion to the vortex site from the coast of Westfall.

Exerpt: The Elves and the Anomaly
The soldiers of the first regiment milled about the outskirts of Moonbrook, having just finished their evening meal. A number of vagrant children weaved in and out of the camp, seeking any crumbs the troops might offer them. Banners of blue and gold flapped in the wind that rolled off of the plains.

A ranking soldier barked, prompting the troops to assemble. After a flurry of movement and clanking of armor, the men and women of the first had gathered themselves in rows and columns. A mounted knight stood before them, shouting for all to hear.

"Listen clearly, men. We are to observe and be -cordial- to the blood elves that will land on our shores. I care not for your personal reservations. I don't trust the elves either, and they aren't our allies yet. But they have offered their aid in dispersing the arcane vortex that has plagued these lands since the Cataclysm, and the king has given them passage."

Some of the men grumbled, obviously resenting the sentiment. The regiment had faced down the Sin'dorei on a number of battlefields, the wounds of such scarred over with hatred. One of the soldiers spoke up out of turn.

"Sir? Why are we letting them walk right in if they aren't our allies?"

"Because those are our orders."

The men quieted.

Columns were quickly arranged and the regiment marched out to meet the Dominion of the Sun on the southern stretches of the Gold Coast. As they approached the shore, the red and gold sails of the Thalassian ships clashing with the blue skies and seas. A number of ships of the Stormwind Navy stood on standby, stationed off of Westfall's coast to ensure that the elven vessels held to their word.

The regiment soldiers made their way down the steep and rocky path leading to the beach below, their heavy footfalls leaving prints in the sand. A number of ornately decorated landing boats approached the shores from the Thalassian ships, each bearing half a dozen rowing Dominion soldiers and workers. The boats glided through the water like knives, eventually beaching themselves before the regiment troops.

Marshal Montclair, mounted atop his warhorse, bellowed out to the elves.

"Representatives of the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas! You may set foot on our shores!"

Graceful were the soldiers and mages that emerged from the landing craft. Each were adorned in the illuminated garb known of the elves, metals polished to a golden sheen and cloths of the finest warm silks. A leader emerged from the group, bowing with a flourish to the mounted commander.

"Greetings, human. I am Setrien Dawnlight, Sovereign of the Dominion of the Sun. My accompaniment consist of the Sin'dorei under my command who bear the equipment needed for the operation agreed upon."

Maxen returned the gesture by inclining his head, replying in kind.

"Hail. I am Maxen of House Montclair, Duke of Westridge and Marshal of the royal army of Stormwind."

Upon hearing the name, Setrien's features froze in place.

He had heard stories of the man who stood mounted before him from his father's allies. The human commander had faced down his father Tendael Dawnlight in battle several times over, and was one of the leaders involved in Tendael's capture and sentencing. Maxen had even pardoned Grand Marshal Ashamal Shalah'aman, who had murdered Tendael on his way to serve his prison sentence.

After several moments of silence, Setrien twitched and regained his composure. The blood elf stared Maxen down before speaking in an icy tone.

"Ah, Maxen Montclair. I am well aware of your deeds. You pardoned my father's murderer and sided with the militant forces of Dalaran that expelled my people. We Sin'dorei do not forget and we rarely forgive."

The mounted commander drew in a heavy breath as he leveled his gaze at the Dominion Sovereign from atop his warhorse. Several of the regiment soldiers behind him stirred at the elf's words, glancing over their guests in anticipation of an attack.

"I did what I must to preserve the Alliance and exact justice upon those who leveled a city of men, women and children, Setrien. Yet that is not what brings us here today nor is it a matter that we should discuss on these grounds."

Setrien glared with eyes aflame. Several more moments passed before he let out a sigh of frustration.

"I am not done with you yet, Montclair. Justice will be served one day. But you are right. We did not come here to make war."

Maxen nodded, the tension in the air subsiding in part. The soldiers who stood on both sides of the sand lowered their raised weapons, though they remained out of their scabbards. The human commander spoke;

"I only seek peace and justice. It is my hope that this arrangement will be among the first steps towards that for both of our peoples. We have more pressing threats to our kingdoms than each other."

To that Setrien nodded. He motioned for the men of the Dominion to begin unloading the supplies and equipment they had brought from the ships. Maxen continued.

"The agreement set forth by our betters is that you and your men shall be escorted to the vortex. From there you are granted permission to harness or capture the energies of it as you see fit so long as the end result disperses it from our lands. A number of my men will observe your operations."

The mention of regiment soldiers observing the Dominion's work brought the Dominion Sovereign's gaze to an annoyed squint.

"Then let us be on our way. We will establish our camp in the valley that was described and begin immediately. I hope that our efforts will go on unimpeded."

Turning to his own troops, Maxen directed them to make way for the elves to pass. The man had his doubts. With no reason whatsoever to trust the Dominion of the Sun, he ushered his men forward - trusting in the faith of his king.