• I pace back and forth trying as best as I can to ignore the earsplitting groans arising from beneath my boney feet. My eyes flutter shut for a moment allowing me to replay the unusual events that have taken place over the past few days. I do my best to keep my composure though internally I find myself struggling with the idea that somehow I’ve crash landed onto a massive tortoise and, in doing so, have brought chaos to the ecosystem in which it harbors amongst its back. As it turns out, the shell of this ancient beast, known as Shin-Zin Shu, is home to a curious race known as Pandaren. Since the arrival of our Horde warship it has become my duty to recruit these beings as part our legion. Just the thought of fighting side by side with one of these meaty, fur-covered freaks was almost laughable, but what could I say? The Dark Lady commanded that I be obedient under the rule of that dog Garrosh.
    A lonesome sigh surpassed my lips as a stocky female Pandaren dashed past me, bringing my work back to attention. With a flick of my wrist I encased myself in a luminescent shield, preparing myself for a possible attack. I cautiously trotted up to the woman, observing her skills as I did so. Judging by her singed sleeves I’d have guessed she was a fire mage. A very poor one at that. She spun around to face me, her expression changing from ferocity to pure fear. I could feel her wide eyes burning into me as she stood gaping at my corpse like features. A small smile forced its way across my face as I tried to think of a proper introduction, but by the time I began to form the words I had been seeking, she had retreated in the direction opposite to me.
    My hand crept up to my slightly decayed forehead and began tracing the raw skin. The grotesque flaws I possessed frightened yet another possible ally, causing me to drown in self-consciousness. As proud as I was to serve the Dark Lady I often found it unfair that I had to suffer through all of the hatred and horror bestowed upon our people; though, I guess we’re referred to as the Forsaken for a reason. I took a deep breath and straightened up my posture. I would prove to these Pandaren- to everyone- that I was not the monster they all believed me to be.
    My eyes darted to the direction in which the mage had run off to. After having taken a couple of steps forward I stopped, wondering whether it was really a good idea to push the envelope like this. I shook my head and set off once more, praying to whatever god that there may be that our paths would cross again.
    An ache began to manifest itself deep within my bones after having searched for what seemed to be hours. As the sun started to set I began thinking about finding some place to settle down for the night. I plopped down onto the grass and leaned my head against the trunk of an ancient tree. Not far away I could hear the whispers of the ocean’s waves lulling me into a state of relaxation and peace. I tilted my head back and looked towards the sky when rising smoke snuck into my peripheral vision, snapping me out of my trance. Before I knew it I was on my feet, cautiously weaving my way through the trees in search of the location of the fire.
    The harsh smell of burning wood filled my nostrils, acting as a guide through the thinning forest, as I drew closer to my destination. The massive trees and bushels of bamboo became smaller in number and in doing so allowed just enough of a gap between themselves for me to be able to clearly see into the wide opening that lay just feet away from me. After having curiously scouted the area before me, it became clear that although there was in fact a camp nearby, the dark smoke that had led me there was born from something much more horrendous than the campfire of a couple of pesky Alliance.
    In front of me lingered the black mass which I had hoped would lure me to safety looming above what had previously been one of the Alliance’s magnificent ships. Amidst the thickening air a battle took place. Creatures in which I’d never seen the likes of before, resembling that of a fish and a human, ferociously attacked the stranded sailors. Enemy’s or not, my heart ached for these courageous men of the sea.
    My eyes broke away from the atrocious scene and back to the camp parallel to it where I managed to catch a glimpse of the Pandaren in which I’d been searching for. I watched as she spoke to the ship’s captain before dashing off to the blood-stained battlefield. Without having paid any proper attention to her surroundings, the woman darted towards one of the many injured soldiers sprinkled across the proximity. As she struggled to toss the man onto her shoulder one of the fish-like beasts roguishly made its way toward her. I stepped forward, attempting to scream some words of warning, but by the time I was able to squeeze them out her throat had already been slit, forcing her lifeless body to collapse onto the hard earth.
    I called forth my Shadowfiend to slaughter the ruthless assassin as he had done to the innocent Pandaren that now lie motionless at my feet. A vector shot out from within me and attached itself to the broken spirit of the sailor before me, pulling him into my arms...