Kor'kron 501st

Mooglegem and I finished the Dominance Offensive recently. Getting a new storyline, non-repeatable quest every two days of dailies is a whole lot better than the faction reputations that launched with Mists of Pandaria. As I worked on my Klaxxi reputation, I only got a break from the monotony when my reputation level changed. With the Dominance Offensive, I looked forward to the dailies because I wanted to see where the story went. I hope that dailies in the future follow the Dominance Offensive model.

I took a lot of screenshots along the way, so I thought I’d go through them. Landfall starts with Garrosh landing in the Krasarang Wilds and leading the Dominance Offensive in an attempt to conquer take control of Pandaria. He doesn’t seem to want to forcibly take it from the pandaren, but he definitely wants to keep it away from the Alliance. He brings tauren, Blood elf, and goblin with him and his orcs but distrusts the Forsaken and Darkspear. When Vol’jin follows after being ordered not to come to Pandaria, Garrosh sends him on a mission with the Kor’kron. This is really a secret mission for the Kor’kron to slay Vol’jin. Ultimately they fail as Vol’jin clings to life while the player heroes return, pretending that the deed was done.

Vol’jin gives players his hearthstone, which players then take to Thrall. Learning something is wrong, Thrall escorts the heroes to the Echo Isles where they discover that Garrosh has ordered martial law and is treating the Darkspear as prisoners under the watch of Kor’kron. When the Kor’kron explain that they will not stop at Thrall’s request, Thrall and the heroes slay the Kor’kron, and Thrall stays in the Echo Isles to protect the remaining Darkspear.

Garrosh travels across Pandaria with Malkorok, former Blackrock member, and Ishi. He’s intrigued by the mogu’s power, especially their ability to create warriors. Garrosh orders Lor’themar Theron, leader of the Blood elves, to find out more about the mogu’s powers. After Garrosh orders Blood elves to an area without warning them about the mogu present in the area, Lor’themar Theron further questions Garrosh’s rule. He remarks that with the Horde not valuing Blood elf life (just as the Alliance treated his people at the end of presence in the Alliance), perhaps it’s time to rethink their stay in the Horde and to consider old alliance. Baine Bloodhoof arrives on Pandaria as well and appears to help Garrosh. He doesn’t really agree. In fact, he’s in communication with Vol’jin but chooses to stay close to Garrosh.

A Sha-related artifact is found, and Garrosh uses it to empower his soldiers. The warriors can’t control is and end up driven mad. In this picture, a Sha-touched mindbender battles a Sha-corrupted Horde soldier. After more pushing by Garrosh, Fanlyr Silverthorn, of the Reliquary (and likely the Sunreavers) discovered information about the Divine Bell, an artifact capable of empowering warriors. Its location was eventually discovered, but the Alliance beat the Horde to it and teleported it to Darnassus.

Fanlyr teleports Horde heroes to Darnassus and magically cloaks them. He urges them to remain hidden, telling the heroes that should Jaina Proudmoore discover the Sunreavers’ actions there could be dire consequences. The Divine Bell is found and teleported to Silvermoon.

Unfortunately, Jaina does discover the actions of the Sunreavers and exiles them from Dalaran. Any Sunreavers she discovers are attacked and imprisoned. Horde heroes are sent to Dalaran and meet with Grand Magister Rommath. They evacuate as many Sunreavers as they can, slay Alliance soldiers stationed in Dalaran, and free the Sunreaver Dragonhawks so that escape will be possible.

Heroes search the city for Aethas Sunreaver, leader of the Sunreavers. He’s discovered imprisoned in the Violet Citadel. After freeing him, he makes an escape with the heroes.

Grand Magister Rommath, Aethas Sunreaver, and the Horde heroes escape through the sewers of Dalaran and jump out of a pipe, landing on the Sunreaver Dragonhawks below. In this picture, you can see Mooglegem still falling. (Don’t worry; She lands on a Dragonhawk just fine.)

In Silvermoon, Lor’themar Theron learns of the happenings in Dalaran. After angrily throwing a bench, he welcomes the Sunreavers to Silvermoon, and the Sunreavers join the ranks of the Magisters. Lor’themar Theron remarks that the Alliance’s actions have only pushed the Blood elves back further into Garrosh’s Horde.

Back in Pandaria, Garrosh prepares to use the Divine Bell. While clearly wielding the power of the Sha, Garrosh doesn’t care. He rings the bell, his Kor’kron and Ishi are corrupted by Sha.

Anduin attempts to stop Garrosh from using the bell, but it’s too late. As the corruption spreads, Anduin helps the Horde heroes defeat the corrupted soldiers who are not able to control their power. Garrosh seems to believe that if a person is strong enough, they can control the power.

Anduin uses the Harmonic Mallet to stop the effects of the Divine Bell. Garrosh, furious, strikes the Divine Bell, shattering it and burying Anduin, presumed dead by the Horde.

And then Horde heroes are given mounts. I’m sure Anduin lives, but I don’t actually know the Operation: Shieldwall story. I’m considering watching it on YouTube, but it’d be nice to stay in the dark like I should in character. Regardless, the Dominance Offensive was some of the best story-telling Blizzard’s done with WoW. I look forward to further content like this and can’t wait to see what plays out with the faction leaders. Lor’themar Theron finally took action, and I loved learning more about the Blood elves. I’m sure I’ll learn more in the next patch!