Karp
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Chapter 164
🕑 Added 2025-02-05 10:02:52 +0000 UTCDuring his flight back to the Sunwell, Varrus was introspecting on what needed to be done in the coming three days before they invaded the Scourge held lands.
Number one, he drastically needed to repair his golem army, and rebuild the Towers of Jenga. The Eastern Kingdoms was a large subcontinent roughly the size of Europe, he needed an army to cover so much land, the Elven forces would not be enough. When it came to threat projection, they needed the floating buildings to act as weapons platforms.
The way Varrus saw it, they could utilize the high levels of mobility granted by flight, and go for surgical strikes against Hero & Elite units. Once these stabilizing foes were ganked from above, then the incredible numbers advantage of the Undead would be lessened. Without local leadership, the literal millions of zombies would be easy pickings if handled properly.
To rebuild this army, Varrus needed materials, something he was in desperate need of. Unfortunately, the Kobolds were worked to capacity, and would not be able to conjure up the necessary materials needed for the planned invasion three days later.
However, Varrus had a solution to this. He was going to have to mine for the materials himself.
Using Telekinesis and Undermine, Varrus could easily find his way through the treacherous underground shafts.
It was dirty, and a terrible waste of his time, but it was something that needed to be done. They were in a time crunch, and had to act as soon as possible to capitalize on the death of the Lich King. Otherwise if they waited too long, someone like Kel’Tuzad would supplant the leadership role in the Scourge, and very well could become the next master of all Undead.
Once he had the resources, and rebuilt everything, there was still more to do, but it wasn't as pressing.
Number two, making last minute gear for his army, as well as his allies army. He had stolen that rune pistol from the Crowley girl too, and now that six months had gone by, Telonicus had finally produced some working schematics. Varrus had never gotten around to looking at them, as he had been preparing for the Sunwell, but as soon as he read the schematics, he could ‘eat’ the knowledge, just like any spellbook in Skyrim.
If there was any way he could mass produce mana powered rune pistols, and hand them out to his Human allies, then it would be a great boon when it came to dealing with the Undead. As to why he wouldn't hand them out to Elves for use? With the return of the Sunwell, all Elves would be spamming spells. Even rangers would be casting Arcane Arrow nonstop. Meanwhile, from what he saw, the pistol could be powered by Mana Stones, and/or could draw energy from the environment with a cooldown between shots.
However, he would at least ask the Elves if they wanted one, because unlike a spell, pistols were fire and forget. At the very least, he could see their use in melee combat, like how they were used effectively during the age of pirates.
Pistol aside, there was one last set of gear Varrus had been salivating over for quite some time.
Adamantium.
It was a word everyone who read comics or enjoyed fantasy was aware of.
Virtually indestructible, magic resistant, and black as midnight, this metal was amongst the very best.
With Thaladred and Doomhammer dead, they both left with them full suits of the stuff.
Once Varrus got his hands on their armor, he planned on smelting them, and making himself an entire set, as well as finally finishing a new buster sword for Syra.
Personally, he didn't plan on wearing it anytime soon, as he didn't have the enchanting materials for it, nor did he have any skill/perks in Heavy Armor. For Varrus, the armor was something to keep in his inventory, and hot swap to if the situation called for it.
As for his wife, it was Varrus's dream ever since he first saw her cut dozens of zombies in half to make her a black blade.
Now that he had the Legendary Soul, the material, and the buff from the Sunwell, he was ready. He didn't know how strong she would become due to this, but he was looking forward to even more badassery from his lovable murder machine.
Buffing Syra before this war kicked off was one of his highest priorities, however, there was one more thing he had in mind that needed to happen before the armies of Quel'Thalas pulled the trigger.
The third, and last thing that Varrus needed to finish was his secret war plan that he and Telonicus had been cooking up. There wasn't much to say on this matter, but it was something that with the return of the Sunwell, should be at 99.8% completion. Hopefully these three days were enough time for the famed engineer to finish it.
In the meantime, if Varrus even had a second to spare, he would check up on Starbottle, Karwl + his paladin initiates, have a chat with Dawnbringer + Helios to see how they were holding out behind enemy lines, and lastly, inspect the construction of the Goblin factories.
It was a lot to accomplish in three days, but not impossible. As someone who just restored the Sunwell, then had a back to back fight against demigods, this day was far from over for him.
Varrus was sure he must've forgotten something, and Rho'dan would remind him later, but for now he had a Sunwell to get to.
However, as Varrus drew near to the isle of Quel'Danas, he slowly began to grow enraged.
The partying Elves were beginning to return to their decadent ways, and he didn't see a single person standing on watch or guard.
His people were drunkenly throwing around magic as if they were on drugs, and the air smelt like wine.
Various competitions and lewd acts were taking place publicly, and the celebration which began hours ago, was now going long into the very early morning.
At first, the idea of a party had appealed to Varrus. Everyone deserved to celebrate their victory, to unwind after grueling months of mana addiction, and the harrowing losses inflicted by the Scourge.
The people needed this. To act out all these feelings, and get it off their chests.
And yet…Varrus had so much work to do, that when he saw the very same decadent acts that lead to their downfall in the first place.it made him furious!
Storm clouds rumbled in his chest, and his fists clenched so hard, he almost drew blood.
He had sacrificed so much for his people, and was going to sacrifice so much more in the coming days. When he saw this excessive level of partying, he was stunned speechless! If anything, they should be using this boundless energy, and infinite mana to be making potions, preparing enchanted materials, making new levitating buildings, creating fresh food for their army/allies armies, or a million other things.
They were on a tight schedule.
Hell, even his own guards were all getting busy! The fact that not one person was acting as security really made Varrus realize that he had to go even further with his reforms.
Once the new generation of Elves started to be born-thanks to Starbottle's fertility potion-things would be different.
He would not allow the Highborn to regress!
Feeling hot blooded, he scanned the area for those who should know better, and it seemed only Tae'thelon, and Koren were amongst the partiers. Kael, Telonicus, Liadran, and Lor'Themar were nowhere to be found. He could only surmise that they had gone about various tasks, or were resting/recuperating for the next fight. As for Tae'thelon and Koren? Hmph.
Feeling such tumultuous emotions, Varrus decided to put an end to this gathering.
As if sensing his mood, no one else on the flying carpet uttered a peep. Perhaps Rho'dan, as his steward, and closest companion, realized what was pissing him off, because he was grinding his teeth at the sight down below.
Releasing the full might of Commanding Presence, and Imposing Presence, the additional perks Imperious Splendor & Kindred Mage activated, each perk doubling the effects upon the Highborn down below for a quadruple times increase.
The power wafting off Varrus trembled across the sky, and an invisible gravity lightly pressed upon the shoulders of every Elf present.
The music stopped, and every eye turned up to look at him.
It was as if a sudden sensation spread throughout each and everyone of them. They all had the collective feeling of fucking around the house, only to be caught in the act.
In short, Dad was home.
Varrus held them under this terrifying pressure, then magnified his voice so all could hear.
"The speech which I am about to deliver will not be for the purpose of checking your soiree, for, so far as I am concerned, you may celebrate wherever you wish; but because I wish you to know what kind of people you were originally and how you have been transformed since you came into our service.
In the first place, as is reasonable, I shall begin my speech from my father, Vandercross. For he found you vagabonds and destitute of means, most of you clad in tattered robes, hungering for mana, and left broken after the Sundering. Providing new clothes, boats, and mana to sup upon, he, alongside Sunstrider, and my mother, Nightsong, led the banished High Elves away from the tyrannical rule of the druidic Night Elves to find salvation.
They made you capable of fighting the neighbouring barbarians the Trolls. They made you colonists of cities, which he adorned with useful laws and customs, fostering respect amongst ourselves. They also added the greater part of the Eastern Kingdoms, securing vast coasts for trade, bringing exotic goods, and wealth to our lands.
Vandercross made you rulers over Eversong, and by humbling the nations of the Humans, they rendered the avenue into five thousand years of peace. The Arathi Empire, who were always lying in wait to attack Quel'Thalas, they humbled to such a degree, that the Empire fractured, never to threaten our domain again. Finally, establishing the Sunwell, we were all blessed with eternal youth, and a constant wellspring of mana.
These were the advantages which accrued to you from my father Vandercross, and mother, Nightsong; great indeed if looked at by themselves, but no lesser than those achievements you have obtained from me.
For though I inherited from my father only a few gold and few trinkets, and there were not even sixty Mana Stones in the treasury, and though I found myself with only 6 loyal men at the onset, I saved half of Silvermoon. Having slain the arch traitor, Dar'Kahn Drathir, the Scourge forces lost their local commander, making the ease with which His Majesty, Kael’Thas Sunstrider, retook the eastern city.
The riches of the Kobolds, and Gilneans, which I acquired without fighting a protracted war, have come to you effortlessly. The wealth of the underground, the treasures of the sea, and the riches of the Goblins are yours; and so too are the vast farms of Everong returned to their rightful owners.
You are healthy by my spells, my potions, and armed with the finest equipment at my expense, and crafted by my own two hands. What then have I reserved to myself after all these labours, except this title of First Seat, and a fancy house? I have appropriated nothing myself, nor can any one point out my treasures, except these possessions of yours or the things which I am holding in reserve to craft on your behalf.” Varrus gestured towards their shiny armor, and enchanted rings/necklaces/circlets, to let them know that he had hoarded nothing for himself.
“Individually, however, I have no motive to hold onto them, since I take the same food as you do, and I take the same amount of rest as any other…Nay, I do not think that my fare is as good as that of those among you who live luxuriously; and I know that I often sit up at night to watch for you, that you may be able to sleep.
But some one may say, that while you endured toil and fatigue, I have acquired these things as your leader without myself sharing the toil and fatigue. But who is there of you who knows that he has endured greater toil for me than I have for him? Come now! Whoever of you has wounds, let him strip and show them, and I will show mine in turn; for there is no part of my body remaining free from wounds; nor is there any kind of weapon used either for close combat or magic, the traces of which I do not bear on my person.
For I have been wounded with the sword in close combat, I have been shot with arrows, and I have been run through with the claws of a Dragon! Though oftentimes I have been hit with spells for the sake of your lives, your glory, and your wealth, I am still leading you as conquerors of the land and sea, all rivers, mountains, and plains within Quel'Thalas.
I have celebrated your weddings with my own, and the children of many of you will be akin to my children. Moreover I have liquidated the debts of all those who had incurred them, even though as soldiers, you receive such high pay, and have received more Mana Stones than many thought proper.
Whoever has been killed, has met with a glorious end and has been honoured with a splendid burial. Statues of most of the slain have been erected along the Hall of Heroes, and their family are held in honour, being released from all public service and provided a stipend of Mana Stones. But not one of you has ever been forced into a retreat or route under my leadership.
And now I was intending to congratulate you on a victory well fought, to see what progress we have made in beginning the next phase in our righteous fury directed towards the Scourge. To help you rebuild our weapons of war now that the infinite potential of the Sunwell is once again at our fingertips.
But since you all wish to party into dawn, celebrate, all of you! When the fog filled lens of ecstacy finally dims, go back and report to your friends, family, and the ghosts of your kin that your First Seat, Varrus Vandercross, the conqueror of the Amani, Kobolds, Gilneans, and Voidspawn; the man who has subjugated the Murlocs, and Bronze Dragonflight; who has marched over every inch of Eversong to cleanse the land of taint, through the strait to the isle of Quel'Danas to foil a plot most foul by the former Grand Magister, Rommath; who has crossed the rivers of the Ghostlands to reinforce Tranquillian. Who put siege to Deatholme, and secured all of Quel'Thalas? Who was the man who this very day combatted three demigods in defense of the nation, and brought the Green Dragonflight to heel whilst you partied? Who was the one who achieved the impossible, and returned the Sunwell to its rightful people for all to share? And so, report to them this day!
Gossip amongst yourselves in hushed whispers, when you enjoy your revelry and merry making, that when you return to Silvermoon, tell them that you deserted Varrus Vandercross, and went away, handing our long coveted revenge over to the protection of foreign allies, the Humans and Kobolds!
Perhaps this gossip of yours will be both glorious to you in the eyes of the civilians, and devout sycophants. The playboy son of Vandercross, reduced to relying upon foreign aid to wage war! The papers and playwrights will certainly enjoy it! So go, revel, laugh, have wild sex into the morning sunrise; show yourselves for the creatures you truly are, before the eyes of Gods and Mer.”
Comments
Michael DiVelbiss
The only thing missing from that speech was a dramaitc pause before Varrus says "Bitch" then drops a microphone. Where did the mic come from? Who cares.
santhinal
Nice speech Alexander. Could use a few more localization though like switching out the times you said man with elf instead
