Poisoning the Well was a series of events in which the Vilebranch Tribe began to stage attacks upon the Quel'Danil Lodge using the shattering of the veil to the Shadowlands as a distraction. Orchestrated by Jin'kul the Slaver, the Vilebranch used the rampant Wildkin in unprecedented raids to whittle away at the elven resistance. Attempting to corrupt one of the last docile tribes of Wildkin left in the Hinterlands, the Vilebranch revealed a newly discovered weapon: the Emerald Nightmare.
Events[]
With the shattering of the veil between life and death, the Undead Scourge became rampant across the world, Northrend especially. As the Alliance and Horde deployed many of their best to the frozen north to take the fight directly to the Mawsworn, lesser Scourge from the Western Plaguelands took the Plaguemist Ravine, the sole passage between the Plaguelands and the Hinterlands.
The Vilebranch were quick to catch on as the Quel'Danil Lodge and Aerie Peak sent their best to hold the ravine against ghouls and gargoyles galore. At first they sent only minor attacks upon the Lodge, headhunters and blood drinkers. However, when these attacks once again fell short, Jin'kul intervened with a plot to overwhelm the elves with each passing invasion, using the rampaging Wildkin of the Hinterlands as pawns in their assault. The hexers under Jin'kul's command began to employ his tactics, with growing success.
Wildkin attacks on the Lodge, accompanied by the Vilebranch, became an expected regularity every day the elves reinforced the Ravine. Even worse, some of the hexers seemed to command an even more insidious power than they had witnessed before, power unlike even what Hakkar had granted them. Though the elves survived, it was clear they would begin to suffer a war of attrition.
At Their Weakest...[]
After the success of the Alliance, Horde, and the Argent Crusade in an initial push into Northrend, many of the factions' elites returned to their respective homes. Upon her arrival back at the Lodge, Isira Lure'mil was quickly informed of the crisis at the Lodge. Furious, she contacted the Silverguard to personally request their assistance in defending against the next troll attack to assail the Lodge.
Ylandra Nightstar, Neo Starstrider, Raphah Sunflame, Vhaenyra, and Miralyne Valetender answered the call to arms and joined the defense of Quel'danil. They were informed of the attacks by an outrunner named Anthelon Swiftfoot, who promised to watch the battle from a distance and call out to the Silverguard when needed. With the rangers of the Lodge making their departure from home to return to the Ravine, Anthelon called the Silverguard to arms to defend the base.
Highvale Swiftblades and Draenei priestesses manned the front entrance of the Lodge to protect against intrusion, while the Silverguard spread out to watch numerous points of entry. Miralyne to the west, Raphah took to the roof, Vhaenyra kept to the Highvale, and Ylandra and Neo watched the east. The east proved to be the trolls' choice of approach, as Neo was soon greeted by a stampeding flock of wildkin bearing down on him.
When Neo threatened to be overwhelmed by the Wildkin, the Swiftblades broke formation to come to his head while the other Silverguard did the same. It was soon revealed that four troll hexers followed the Wildkin as well, incanting their curses to keep the Wildkin bound to their will. Flame and steel licked at the Wildkin, until finally enough fell that a hexer broke her concentration to assail Raphah.
Blows continued to be traded, though the Wildkin charging the Lodge unleashed their bloodlust upon the hapless priestesses trying to keep their allies alive. Beak and claw viciously tore several Draenei apart, forcing them to retreat behind the Swiftblades as the Silverguard continued applying pressure as best as they could. The battle continued without much change until Raphah noticed an invasion from the west - headhunters, making their way to scale the roof.
Raphah and Miralyne set themselves to task with handling the western invasion while Ylandra and Neo held the eastern front, the Swiftblades splitting their numbers accordingly. Vhaenyra took to an especially impressive display in her fury, mourning her fellow priestess' passing. Beams of Light pierced the clouds overhead, scorching the trolls and Wildkin below and even killing one of the hexers outright.
Furious, both hexers ended their incantations, resulting the remaining Wildkin losing what hex kept them restrained. As the Wildkin went rampant and began attacking wildly, one of the hexers turned her eyes to the destructive elven priest who had attacked them, and cast a hex to transform the priestess into a frog for the remainder of the battle. Still, with Raphah and Miralyne burning and picking away at the headhunters and Ylandra harrying the hexers, the battle was soon in the elves' favor.
Though a hexer conjured a dark magic that warped the senses in an attempt to corrupt Neo, it was to no avail as Ylandra soon beheaded, leaving the Lodge with nothing but the corpses of dead invaders strewn about. Thanking the Silverguard for their aid, the Highvale set themselves to task with cleaning the battlefield and making repairs to prepare for their next foray against the Scourge.
A Reprieve[]
With the attack at the Lodge repelled by Silverguard forces, Vilebranch trolls began to pull back on their assaults. Even as rangers continued to aid the Wildhammer against the Scourge, Vilebranch began to refrain from any further attacks. Perceiving this as a moment of opportunity to regain control, the elves began to deploy patrols to watch the forests, and riders between the Lodge and the Wildhammer outposts to keep their dwarven neighbors informed.
The Vilebranch, however, were not yet beaten. Instead, the architect of the attacks, Jin'kul, deliberately reined in the attacks on the Lodge to watch the Silverguard. Recognizing the Silverguard as a threat that defeat both Zulzul and Je'kana, Jin'kul instead decided to focus his attention on the further acquisition of the Wildkin, and the exploration of a newer power.
Jin'kul paid a secret visit to the Witherbark survivors as well, seeking out their witch doctor, Tai'Waka. Calling upon an older history between them, Jin'kul requested that Tai'Waka and his people stop attempting to resist the Vilebranch and fold into their numbers. Considering this out of character for any of the Vilebranch to offer a place in their tribe rather than attack, Tai'Waka pried into Jin'kul's motives, trying to determine why the Shadow Hunter was interested in mercy. To this, Jin'kul promised only that the power he now held was far greater - and far more indiscriminate - than anything Hakkar could muster.
One night was a night of festivity under the roof of the Quel'danil Lodge. Uniting in the Hinterlands, High Elves from all across the land gathered to reaffirm their loyalty to the Alliance and honor their heritage. Alerted to the uproar, Asaesisilae took interest in the commotion and settled upon a hill overlooking the Lodge, where she met with a fellow satyr.
The two of them had both come to watch the event from afar, waiting for something to happen that would be of interest. With the recent tensions of the Hinterlands, Asaesisilae had partially hoped that the trolls would issue yet another attack. The fellow satyr had wished for the same, seeking a similar chaotic excitement to spice up an otherwise "dull" display of camaraderie.
However, Asaesisilae took interest in the trolls for an entirely different reason as she confided her suspicions to her kinsman: a troll had found a mote of the Emerald Nightmare. How this troll had ever come by such a fragment of lost power was unknown to her, but she paid keen attention and watched as this troll, and his followers, experimented with the forbidden power. They played with it, toyed with it, learning to master what they did not know to be a most untamable force.
Asaesisilae admitted that part of her was considering intervention, as an infestation of the Nightmare would draw attention to her in her retired state. However, the troll in question had utterly captured her interest, and so she decided she would simply remain watchful, and let the story unfold.
Know Your Enemy[]
With the flow of Scourge into the Hinterlands held in check, the Wildhammer and the Highvale turned their attention to resurgence of Vilebranch after their defeat at the Altar of Zul. Though agreed that they needed to retaliate and put the Vilebranch to the sword, a point was raised that they also needed to glean information from these trolls to determine their motivation. Anthelon, the outrunner who aided the Silverguard, pointed out that the use of Wildkin in war, and their retreat from further assaults, were uncharacteristic of their tribe and that there had to be an architect keeping their otherwise stubborn nature on the straight and narrow.
An agreement was established, then, that the Wildhammer dwarves would hold the trolls' eyes while the Highvale elves carried out a mission of subterfuge to learn and seize anything they could. Using the rangers' reports of a large congregation of trolls guarding Hexxers within a ruin, the dwarves decided they would ambush the trolls upon nightfall, while the elves would infiltrate through the chaos. Once again, Isira Lure'mil, one of the Lodge's elves, offered the aid of the Silverguard in completing their side of the mission.
The Silverguard soon convened upon the Lodge for a briefing, under the command of the captain, Volantus Dawnseeker. Agreeing upon a strategy to let the Wildhammer lead an overt assault on the elves' signal, before the elves themselves ambushed the camp, the elves finalized their decisions to approach these trolls, and Isira informed the Lodge to focus on holding off the Scourge to the north while the Silverguard took over with the Vilebranch.
Arriving upon the Vilebranch encampment, the elves situated themselves within the trees on the outskirts, while the Wildhammer gathered farther away. With Isira atop a tree, she was given the all-clear to signal the attack. Blowing upon a horn, the elf alerted the Wildhammer, and the dwarves charged upon the trolls, pulling all the guards' attention to their defense. When all defense was lowered, the camp left vulnerable, the Silverguard descended upon the trolls.
The Silverguard discovered a curious operation ongoing within the camp. Hexers oversaw what appeared to be troll drudges gathered around great logs of wood, carving totems. The totems were unusual in design, not belonging to trolls, but the priority was not in their identification. For now, the elves were focused on ending the operation, and taking the desired information.
A curious discovery was made of a Vilebranch shaman who seemed to be lurking about a collection of prison cages, and the sounds of a crying child could be heard. Throughout the battle, the Death Knight, Feylina Paleblood, rushed to destroy the prison to free its captive. In doing so, she successfully opened the cage, and discovered what appeared to be a wildkin hatchling. Though she was reprimanded by Volantus for breaking away from the group, the Death Knight made certain to protect the child from the trolls' sinister plot.
Meanwhile, the elves' assault was almost a complete success, the hexers and drudges promptly slain, leaving the shaman alone. Though he stubbornly fought alone, he was clearly outmatched. Furious as the odds suddenly turned against him, he reached into a pouch to withdraw what appeared to be a mass of dark magic. Though no one seemed to identify the magic at first, its corruption became evident, and recognizable, to Rhenawedd Meadowsong.
The troll consumed the mass and seemingly was empowered by it, but also driven progressively maddened. Though his shamanistic spells had been bolstered by the taint, he was increasingly tormented by seemingly hearing whispers, and in short time he was defeated by the elves, though he was only incapacitated. Seeking information, it was determined best to take him as a captive, though he was searched for evidence as well. Sure enough, a map of the Hinterlands, detailing lands even unexplored to the High Elves, was found on his person.
The Silverguard took the troll and the map to the Lodge, but also took with them the young wildkin hatchling as well. As Rhenawedd warned the Lodge of what she described as none other than the Emerald Nightmare, the Lodge was curious both about the corruptive magics the troll wielded and the docile wildkin child they had taken. Both were given to the Lodge to tend to, with the wildkin falling under Isira's care.
Eventually, the plans of the Vilebranch had been deciphered by Anthelon and the elves back at the Lodge. It was determined that the Vilebranch were after a remote tribe of Wildkin - one of the only tribes left - known as the Mountainpine. These Wildkin were somehow one of the few pockets of Wildkin presence in the Hinterlands to have been spared the mysterious rampancy that plagued so many others. It became a priority of the Lodge to not only investigate how these Wildkin survived in such a docile fashion, but also to ensure that they were protected as well. Furthermore, it was deduced that Sooroo, the hatchling held captive by the Vilebranch, belonged to this tribe and was to be returned.
The Mountainpine[]
While the Silverguard were away and preoccupied with other affairs, the Lodge took to establishing a forward outpost in the uncharted wilds to make first contact with the Mountainpine. When the time came to finally get in touch, Isira reached out once again to her fellow Silverguard to exercise their diplomacy and return Sooroo to her tribe. Though the Silverguard was initially met with apprehension, the realization that they had come to return Sooroo to their village eased the tensions, and the Mountainpine permitted their entry to see their chieftain, Hooroom.
Hooroom was beyond grateful to have his daughter returned to him, thanking the elves for their kindness. The elves were permitted to learn more about the Mountainpine's culture, as well as how they had avoided madness for so long. The answer was soon revealed, in the heart of their village, where the elves were taken to an enchanted stone structure, with a basin filled with a water. It was recognized as a shrine to Elune, which the Mountainpine claimed was left behind by elves far older than the visiting Silverguard, when they first planted the Great Tree Seradane.
The hospitality of the wildkin was short-lived, however; rangers of the Silverguard detected the presence of something in the trees, alerting everyone moments before a troll ambush. The Vilebranch had descended upon the village in force, and the elves were commanded to defend the wildkin and their shrine. However, the ensuing battle drew the elves' attention away from the shrine itself, allowing two more trolls to sneak behind enemy lines: Zuli "Six Hands" and the infamous Jin'kul the Slaver, an elusive Shadow Hunter and adversary to both the Highvale and the Wildhammer alike.
Though the trolls were routed, Zuli held the Silverguard off long enough for Jin'kul to drop a mote of Emerald Nightmare into the basin of Elune's shrine, with him escaping shortly after and leaving Zuli to die. Despite this, Zuli was instead taken captive for interrogation, when the rest of the elves soon realized what Jin'kul had done.
Seeking a Cure[]
With the shrine to Elune poisoned by the Nightmare, the elves reconvened at the staging grounds to inform Anthelon of what had just happened. Realizing the dire circumstances, Anthelon suggested that the Silverguard meet with a valued contact of his who could help cleanse the Nightmare. Conversely, Isira was inclined to call upon her Green patrons, to commune with Verikus and receive aid from the Green Dragonflight.
When the elves gathered to discuss their options, they weighed them accordingly. Most of the Silverguard were opposed to involving the Green Dragonflight if only to avoid jeopardizing any of their number, citing Ysera as a reason to keep the Greens out of the matter. Furthermore, Anthelon was unusually avoidant in describing his contact, explaining that she could help but also preferred discretion. Suspicious, the elves were unsure about turning to this contact as well.
Additional options were provided, including one by the Highborne Adrelais, who suggested meeting with a friend among the priestesses of Elune in Val'sharah. Believing this to be the safest option, the Silverguard magi opened a portal to transport themselves to the Broken Isles. However, they also agreed to have a back-up option, and sent Isira, Noviri, and Diidlet to follow Anthelon to their mysterious 'contact'.
While the magi collected their priestess friend, Isira, Noviri and Diidlet were led to an isolated part of the Hinterlands, through hills and up into the mountains, until they came upon a hut. Isira kept watch from the trees, while Noviri and Diidlet handled the talking. Before the hut was a lit flame, and from it the sound of plucking strings on a lyre could be heard. Anthelon reminded the two to remain respectful, before calling upon his contact. Emerging from the hut was an unexpected individual; a Satyr, with stark white fur. The White Goat introduced herself as Asaesisilae.
Immediately wary, Noviri described their situation with the Nightmare. While understanding and willing to help, Asaesisilae decided to bargain with a small request. She asked that if she were to cleanse the Nightmare from the Shrine, that she be able to expect a favor in return. However, Noviri rejected this bargain when the Silverguard informed over the beacon that they had recruited the priestess they were searching for. Agreeing to ensure her discretion, Noviri and Diidlet left Asaesisilae to her business.
Cleansing the Well[]
With Kaylasa Moonwhisper recruited, the Silverguard set out again to the Mountainpine Village. There they found that the Nightmare's influence was slowly seeping over the wildkin, with thorny growths planted through the terrain and Jin'kul sitting on top of an unconscious Hooroom, as if expecting something. Indeed, when the Silverguard arrived, he ordered no hostile action, permitting them to even get close enough to inspect the Shrine.
Eventually he let battle be joined, hexing Hooroom into assaulting the elves while other troll allies joined the fray. As Ranger-Captain Sabariel set out to destroy the miasma growths, and the elves battled Hooroom and the trolls, Kaylasa worked to pray to Elune in order to cleanse the shrine of the Nightmare. Isira supplemented the effort with her presence, her bond to the Green Dragonflight and the Emerald Dream helping the cleansing effort.
After finally slaying a dire troll, the Silverguard managed to successfully purify the shrine to Elune. However, Jin'kul did not express disappointment; he merely thanked the elves for teaching him.
Aftermath[]
The Mountainpine wildkin were spared from the madness of the Nightmare, thanks to the cleansing magics that purified the shrine of Elune. Having been reintroduced to the elves of the Hinterlands, the Mountainpine extended welcome to the High Elves, thanking them for their help in returning Sooroo, and in saving them from the trolls who sought to corrupt them.
Though the Mountainpine wished to remain in their village, they allowed the High Elves to remain nearby with their forward outpost. In exchange, the Highvale elves stationed there decided to ensure that the Mountainpine were protected, as one of the last vestiges of docile wildkin in the Hinterlands.
Though the Scourge assault served as a chief opportunity for the trolls' attacks, eventually it was held off thanks to the Wildhammer and the Highvale, and deteriorated over time with the measures taken to lessen their destructive presence.
The knowledge of Jin'kul's involvement spurred elves into action, the notorious Shadow Hunter having always eluded their grasp. With respite from the Scourge and the Vilebranch alike, the Highvale elves now begin a hunt to bring Jin'kul to justice.