Chapter 1: The Cataclysm

[Derek Raines]

The heroes awake. They are in a small cottage. They have been cleaned and garbed in simple clothing. Their gear has been washed, repaired and is stacked neatly to the side. The smell of food is cooking from a side room and their stomachs rumble.

A simple woman, named Martha, smiles and brings them food. She answers their questions and explains to her best ability what she knows. She found the heroes two fortnights back, laying near death in her turnip garden. They have remained in comatose states ever sense and she hand fed them all with thin soups and waters. The heroes try to make sense of all that has happened and discuss their next course of action.

Martha's husband, Timothy, comes home. The simple hunter is happy to see them awake and begins to prepare the hares he killed that day to celebrate. Timothy shares what rumors he knows. He explains to them that they are in Hillsbrad. He doesn't travel far, but he has heard rumor that Terran Mill to the east has emptied out of the sinister Forsaken who called it home and that Southshore has closed it's gates. He says the land has changed too- and that the animals seem nervous and are acting oddly. The heroes thank the couple with a generous gift of 30 gold and decide to travel to Ambermill to see if they can make sense of what has happened.

[Derek Raines]

On magically summoned steeds, the heroes right out over the Hillsbrad foothills. They notice that much of that land seems flooded, wet, as though the very sea swept through. The numerous bones of dead fish and water logged valleys seem to give credit to the notion.

After several days of travel, the heroes enter Silverpine Forest. There, they meet at elderly wizard named Brinn, who claims to be of the Violet Eye order. He is dirty, mouthy and seems to be slightly insane. Jerod knocks him out several times when he becomes a nuisance.

The heroes discover Amber Mill which has been emptied out of its normal residence. Instead they discover a small band of Forsaken taking refuge within. After some diplomacy by the Blood elves, they manage a meeting with the Forsaken leader. Baron Moonscar sits at a desk and explains what has taken place. Since the fall of Arthas, the Forsaken have begun to...well die. Fall apart. The energies that kept them animated is failing. He claims that Sylvanus Windrunner has asked all Forsaken to return to the Ruins of Lorderaun- that she may have a cure. So he and his people have fled Tarren Mill and are making their way to the Undercity. With a sigh, he explains that not many have made it. Only the strong willed are surviving and even they are on their last legs. The heroes decide that they will ride ahead to Undercity with the Baron's seal to seek out this cure. Perhaps they can make it back in time to save the Baron and his people?

Brinn, who has the brief luxery of being conscience for awhile, tells them of the City of Gilnias not from from where they are. He explains that the great wall that cut the City off from the rest of the world has fallen when the earth shook two fortnights ago. The heroes decide to go there.

As they travel they fight off a massive mythical spider named Blackfang that flees back into the trees after being pummeled.

And the battered gates of Gilnias emerge. Brinn has no intentions of going inside and instead decides to leave the party. (He is tired of being punched in the face anyhow) The heroes enter Gilnias.

[Derek Raines]

Gilnias is a city splendor and simple beauty. All the people are smiling, colored lights line all the manors of the winter town and the heroes are immediately greeted as somewhat of celebrities. It has been many years since an outside has ended the fabled grounds of Gilnias.

They are met by Mayor Fenrus who takes them into his home and treats them like royalty. Fine foods, wine and gifts are bestowed upon the heroes and they are urged to stay and be honored guests. A light snow falls over Gilnias and the stars and moon cannot be seen through the thick, white clouds that drift overhead. The heroes are dressed in the finest cloths and roam the city, speaking with various people and seeing the sights.There doesn't seem to be anything at all wrong with Gilnias- it is oddly, perfect.

The heroes split up. Vareesa gathers some supplies and scouts out from the city to see what she can find. Lalanna speaks with Gilnias' Elder and scholar, learning of the city and sharing tales of the outside world. Madurin manages to woe Lady Cersei, a noble woman who has never seen a Dwarf man before and is intrigued, he takes her upstairs for more nefarious purposes...and Jerod simply studied the towns people, frustrated at their lack of a weapon and armor smith.

The clouds part and the stars and great, round silver moon are revealed to the heroes in their various places about the lands of Gilnias. The people of the city, all smiles, begin to alter. Their fine clothing rips and tears, their top hats and bonnets burst or fall to the ground. Their backs arch and contort, their hands and feet elongate and their jaws thrust forward- lining with teeth. They grow thick, heavy fur and their eyes glow with a sinister light. The people of Gilnias, under the light of their full moon, have changed in to worgen!