Gatwazzak, Shaman and Runemaster

[MrCandlejack]

Chapter 1: Following the Path

After deciding to follow the path towards Runemastery, Gatwazzak began asking around Booty Bay for any leads to masters. He finally found somebody, who pointed him towards Orgrimmar. He told an old friend of it, Kahla, and she decided to come. They set out early the next morning, jumping on the earliest boat to The Barrens.

Once there, they rested a bit, got food and more supplies, and set out to the Crossroads, trekking through the blistering hot lands of The Barrens, running into beasts occasionally on the way. Having Kahla with him - who is a seasoned fighter - proved handy to Gatwazzak. Once they made it to the Crossroads, they sat down for a drink and something to eat, and talked about the journey ahead of him, as well as why Gatwazzak had chosen the path of Runemastery. Once they were finished, they consulted the signs and headed off once more, towards Orgrimmar.

After traveling for several more hours, they found themselves in hotter terrain, which by then did not seem possible, in account of the already scorching heat of The Barrens. Even though the heat was almost unbearable, they both knew that this was a checkpoint, and they both knew that they were in the right direction. Not too long after crossing into this red landscape, far off into the distance they could hear the very soft and distant sound of war machines and Orcs. They picked up the pace and found themselves staring at the great walls of Orgrimmar, with the large army and tanks in front of it. They discussed how they had bulked up their forces since the last time they were there, and entered the great city.

Once inside, they asked around to find out which direction they needed to go for the master Gatwazzak was looking for. They were pointed in the direction of the Valley of Spirits, and given instructions on how to get there. They talked along the way, both being excited and glad that the long journey had paid off with the assurance that there was indeed a master in Orgrimmar. They found themselves staring at large huts sitting in small, clear ponds. One particular hut stuck out, with swirling wisps of incense pouring out of the windows. Kahla nodded to Gatwazzak, bidding him good luck, and told him that she was going to find somewhere to rest. Gatwazzak nodded back and started towards the large hut. He took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of the smoke, blinking his eyes as he finds a single female Troll, adjusting a stick of incense. He walks up the steps, bowing as he comes to her. The female Troll looked him over, finishing her task of adjusting the incense before facing him before nodding her greeting. Gatwazzak told her the reason he was here, and she asked him several questions, such as his name, where he came from, and why he wanted to study the runes. After truthfully answering all those questions, Gatwazzak was rewarded with confirmation that she would take him in as her apprentice. He grinned wide and nodded his great thanks, asking her when they would start. She began to share the information of the Ley lines, and where Gatwazzak would find them. She told him of marks, and where the nearest ones were. She told him of the area in Ashenvale, where all the animals lazed about without care or hostility, but lived in peace. She told him of the hot springs in Mulgore, and Mount Fairview and a maze in Stonetalon. Gatwazzak listened carefully, and blinked as she was finished talking. She told him that he was to go to Ashenvale to find his first mark. She gave him a quill, some ink, and a book to copy the mark into. After taking the supplies and placing them in his bag, he was sent on his way to Ashenvale, to claim his first mark.

[MrCandlejack]

Chapter 2: The First Mark

After exiting the great gates of the city of Orgrimmar, Gatwazzak saw his traveling companion, Kahla, waiting by the gate. He greets her and is pleasantly surprised that she will also be accompanying him to Ashenvale. He tells her what his master said, and where she instructed him to go, describing the area where the animals converge peacefully. She nods gently as she listens, telling him after of the supplies she bought while he was with his master. They sit down and eat before preparing to set off towards Ashenvale.

They begin their journey to Ashenvale soon after eating, consulting some signs on guards towards which way Ashenvale was. Kahla continued asking questions and making small talk, and Gatwazzak happily replied, seeming content that he had somebody to talk to on the long journey. Gatwazzak explained his confusion on what he was supposed to draw as they approach slightly more lush and green terrain. They stop in Splintertree for a nice meal and a quick nap, the evening sun draining them thoroughly.

After the nap, they continue on into the forest, examining the animals for any peaceful behavior. After about an hour, all they found were some hostile animals, and some gruesome scenes of wolves enjoying a tasty snack of rabbit. Gatwazzak pulls out the book, ink, and quill as he carefully studies the forest, Kahla doing the same, only without the book and drawing utensils. Gatwazzak sighs, figuring that they'd never find the peaceful valley before he heard Kahla gasp a bit and whisper Gatwazzak over. He hurries over to her, and follows his gaze to where she is pointing. There are animals lazing about, rabbits crossing the paths of wolves without the fear of being mauled. They both stare in wonder until Kahla finally speaks up, wondering if the beasts are friendly or not. She approaches them while Gatwazzak stands up and begins to search for the mark. The rabbit squeaks and runs away as Kahla approaches it, and the wolves snarl, sitting up to circle around the invading Troll. Kahla yells something that Gatwazzak couldn't understand, and the sounds of yelping wolves are soon heard. Gatwazzak ignores them and continues to search for the mark, staring around. He suddenly feels... something. He couldn't place a word for it, but it was unusual. He continues walking, shuddering a bit. As he hit a certain point, his body jolted and a vision was placed in his head. Memories came flooding back from his childhood, where the elder panther attacked him when he was just a young Troll. Suddenly, the vision changed. Gatwazzak became the panther. He felt the power of the panther coursing through his muscles, he could feel the fearsome abilities to prowl through the forests, letting nothing stop you from you and your prey. Suddenly, a feeling coursed through his already shocked body. He didn't know how he knew, but he could feel the Ley line. He'd never felt it, but he.. -knew-. He falls to his knees, the vision of the elder panther disappearing, leaving him with just the sensation of the ley line. He feels the ground before him, power seeming to pulse through his fingers. He suddenly feels grooves in the ground, and he quickly takes his hand away. He stares at it in wonder, seeming to forget about the book and writing tools in his bag. Remembering, he quickly pulls them out and begins to draw the mark. Kahla looks over at Gatwazzak and rushes towards him, kneeling down to stare at the rune. She wipes soil away and pulls grass back, revealing the entire mark. Gatwazzak nods in confirmation as Kahla asks if this was it. As he finishes, he stares at the piece of paper in wonder, then back down to the rune. They wait for the ink to dry before standing and putting the book back into his bag. They start back towards Orgrimmar, with the knowledge of yet another mark in their heads.