Lakynin
06-11-2006, 11:32 AM
"Visions of Autumn", By Jason Luedeking
This fanfiction is a side-story based on "Ennie (http://forums.worldofwar.net/showthread.php?t=376570)" by Bethany Jensen. This story also does not follow the latest troll history posted by Blizzard. Therefore, it is to be considered an alter-reality.
--------------
Chapter I.1 - The Shifting Forest
--------------
It was the middle of September. The fall trees had began to sprinkle down upon the earth with copper colored leaves, blanketing everything in a beautiful shade of brown. The towering trees sprang from the forest bottom and stretched deep into the skyline. Had it not been fall, the leaves would have blacked out the whole area from sunlight with their massively stretched limbs and bulky covering. Everywhere, birds sang of the beauty around them, as if the whole forest had been magically enchanted by a single song that flowed throughout. It didn't seem to matter to them that the once gorgeous greens had faded to dead browns. Outside of such melodies, it was very quiet within the forest. Creatures had already began to seek warmer places for the coming winter, or had entered caves to begin the first stages of their hibernation. Small animals ran about digging through the leaf blankets to seek what food they could before the area would be covered with a heavy snow. The only other brings that stirred here were two trolls, that walked from overturned leaf patches to patches, picking the herbs underneath.
The larger male troll appeared to be some kind of warrior. His thick dark iron plate armor dully gleamed with the large openings of sun that broke the trees. Heavy steel boots kicked boredly through leaves as they passed along the heaps of vegetation. And upon his back, a large thick shield and heavy one-handed axe were strapped down. By the looks of it, he normally carried more of an arsenal with him, as there were many worn leather weapon straps around his body that were left unclipped but looked overly used. He appeared quite young, possibly having just entered his troll adulthood. Yet some of his features that would seem most odd to any non-troll onlooker; were his bright red hair, curled tusks, and turquoise skin. Most trolls had large tusks that stretched straight out in front of them. However his grew up the sides of his face, and they wern't straight but curled. This was most desired among warriors because they didn't throw off the weight of the body, and also couldn't be used against you as a grabbing device. The contrast between his skin and hair colors would normally be the laugh of the pub inside the orc cities. However such a contrast was seen as very attractive in the troll race. Most trolls had blue or green skin depending on their region, but to have a mix of the two was very exotic and unique. Red was the color of blood, which in most of the Azerothian regions wouldn't be an attractive color. However the trolls' had a different belief system.
--Passage from Sir Hienrich's Journal, one of the rare copies still in existence. The others have been burned by both the Horde and Alliance.
"After further study of the troll race, I've come to a unique discovery about their interests in blood. What we humans take to be quite a grim image, isn't so within the trolls. Judging by the landscape of their old regions, and after some soil samples, I've come to discover that the ancient trolls were primarily farmers, as opposed to mostly hunters and gathers. I've found some old texts written in common about the first sightings of trolls, most of which are heavily egocentric, however the information needed is still spelled out clearly. The trolls valued their livestock, and never slaughtered them for food. Often they were traded as gifts for rights of passage. However, in order to create a balanced diet and get their iron, they would drain a small bit of blood from their livestock, mix it with sweet milk, and drink it. This allowed them to keep their sacred animals, and still get the needed nutrients from them. Trolls back then were unique in that iron made up a large part of their blood. Why this is, I have yet to discover. However, it did seem to affect their strength quite a bit. Because farming took a great deal of push back then, the livestock blood was seen as a vital part of their society. This could also explain why many tribes later on turned to cannibalism, as they needed the iron in order to stay healthy. However back in these times, such concepts didn't exist among the trolls. Red seemed to gain a different kind of meaning throughout the race, and still stands today even if the blood iron is no longer needed. To trolls, it stands for vitality, strength, love, happiness, and status. Quite a fundamental contrast to our human image of it."
The other troll didn't have this trait of red hair, however her skin was also of a mix. She was smaller, and more petite in size. Her body was not clad in heavy metal but in thin magical cloth that reached down to the tips of her toes. She had this innocent quality to her. Her large gray eyes jumped from patch to patch as if she were following a cat chasing a mouse. Her long white hair braided down along her back, with small ribbons that held the braids together. Judging by her face, she appeared to be a sibling of the other troll, and nearing the end of adolescence. The girl hopped about and made small gasps and coos as she found the different herbs. It was clear to see that the larger male troll had been dragged into guarding the younger female troll through the forest. His body language showed slight boredom, perhaps not being very fond of picking herbs. "Oi Iya," he said with a deep trollish tongue, "when yu gunna be done wit dem flowers?" The girl spun around and gave him a huffed face, "Dey not be flowers, Josen! Dey be herbs! An' if yu gunna be gett'n any potions lata you betta be do'n your job!" Josen pressed his forehead against a tree trunk and closed his eyes, letting out a slow exhale, "Just be hurry'n, ya? Yu be say'n Ah gotta be fight'n bears and beasts. But tha most Ah be see'n was a deer that look'd like it ain't be eat'n in months." The girl ignored her brother, as most sisters do, and ran over to another patch. She dropped to her knees and started to tug at something in the ground. "Ear---th---root! .. Josen! Come help!"
He slowly walked over to the girl as if he were fighting a water current. With one hand he reached down and gripped the root, pulling the whole thing from the earth in one easy movement. The girl's eyes widened with excitement and she pounced her brother, "Thank ya!" Josen just smiled and rubbed the top of her head, "We should be gett'n back tho. Sun be go'n down soon, ya. I don't be trust'n these forests at night time." The logic had seemed to make it through to Iya, who nodded her head once and started to wrap up her herbs. The two then started back the way they came. The forest had started to get very quiet, the birds having moved to their shelters as dusk started to shift the sky. "Oi Josen, what it be like to be a warrior?" He thought for a moment then snickered, and began to check his armor, "What it be like to be a priest?" Iya scrunched up her nose and stuck her tongue out, "You first" she insisted. "It be like anything else. Just a job. Yuuuu protect village, and yuuuuu get silver." The girl knew that Josen's occupation ment more to him than that, and took it just that her brother was trying to act cool. "Priest is like dat too. Yu heal some trolls, and you get silver" she said in a mocking tone. Then Iya stuck her chin up and acted like she was checking her cloth armor, shooting Josen a grin and making a 'Nyah' sound.
--------------
Chapter I.2 - The Shifting Forest
--------------
The forest thickened with the passing of day. The soft blues of the sky that peaked between the massive tree branches slowly darkened to a hazed purple. The trolls had slowed as night fell, being extra cautious of anything that seemed like a threat. Although Iya had her brother with her to guard her, a pack of beasts could still get a snap at her while he was pinned in battle. Due to the prowlers that stalked the forest, the male troll had drawn his sword and shield. His steps were slow, and he seemed to have gained a sensitive eye for their surroundings.
The girl started to pout as her feet began to ache. Their travels had taken up most of the day, and due to the nature of the Shifting Forest, there was little time to rest. She began to walk slower, making faces as each heel hit the soil beneath. Taking notice of her lagging behind, Josen came to a stop and peered over his shoulder. They surely wouldn't make it back to the tribe at this rate. However, if they didn't clear the second pass before the sun ducked behind the mountains, the forest would shift, and they'd be trapped until morning. Josen could only imagine what a night in this forest would be like; the beasts, the pitfalls.. the cannibals. He never wanted to worry his little sister with the reality of this place, always enjoying the sight of her so happy with her rare herbs. But it seems they had stayed a little longer than he had planned.
Twisting about on the ball of his foot, he bent over and made a scrunched face at her. His voice grew husked, and had a certain tone that mocked their grandfather, "Iya! What Ah been tell'n you 'bout walking behind tha group! Yoooou've got ta keep up, ya! Othawise ya be get'n left behind! Yooooou don't wanna be eaten by harpies do ya!?" The pout that once rested upon the girl's lips had twisted up into a grin as she giggled, "Grandpa Shu! My Feets hurt!" With a chuckle, Josen brought his sword back to its sheathe, sliding it into the cover and clipping it down. He slid his arm through the shield straps so that it was gripped in his forearm, then he knelt down into the dirt, "Oi.. Ah be carry'n ya. We ain't be far away now." She limped over to her brother and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding tightly as he hoisted her up onto his back. They would be at a disadvantage like this.. should a wolf attack them, there was little that he could do to fight back. But he could still block with his shield as he set her down to draw his weapon. This was however, the only way they'd make it out of the forest in time, and that was worth the risky travel.
The sky was really growing darker now, as the sun fought with all its might to burn past the tree limbs. However this was a dying effort, as its strength faded out with each passing moment. Josen was moving at a hussle now. The thought of introducing his sister to the true dangers of this place was starting to boil in his thoughts. He could defend her against a small pack of beasts, sure, but if the Wachu tribe was hunting them, he feared that they could very well die here -- and not in a pleasant way. Yet he showed her nothing but happiness, moving along the forest floor toward the large barrel smoke fire off in the distance. It was something that their tribe lit as a signal that it was time to return for the nightly feast. He almost felt that she might have sensed something was wrong, as her face appeared troubled. However he was releaved as she rested her head against his and let her mind free, "Josen.. why do ya tink grandpa left tha village?"
It was perhaps three weeks ago when the leader of the Shu'jin tribe, their grandfather, left for Orgrimmar. He said only that it was urgent, and was something that none should speak of until his return. For the most part, his people took up his request, but there was a great deal of talk behind closed doors. "Iya Iya.. you know Grandfatha said not ta be talk'n about his trip, ya." But that would never be enough for the curious little troll girl, and she knew well how to get things out of her brother. She put on the mask of guilt and pouted out her bottom lip, causing her small horns to stick out in a pitiful sight. Unfortunately, Josen was born with a weak spot for such faces.. He spoke as he continued on through the forest, "I tink he be need'n ta report to Orgrimmar. You know we ain't really be parta tha Horde, ya. So sometimes he has ta go back there to report to Thrall, so he be know'n we ain't side'n with tha 'liance and start'n a war." She thought for a moment as she stared down into her herb basket, "Why didn't he just send one of tha guards, like he always does?" He shrugged, "Must be an important meet'n, that he could only do himself." -- Shock suddenly hit the girl, as she gripped her brother tightly, "You don't tink Thrall be recruit'n Shu'jin do you!? ..W-...Would you be goin ta war? Leave'n us here?" Although this was a dream of Josen's, he knew that it bothered the females of his family. He shook his head and snickered, "Naw -- My place is with Shu'jin."
-----------------
(Part I.3 coming later.)
This fanfiction is a side-story based on "Ennie (http://forums.worldofwar.net/showthread.php?t=376570)" by Bethany Jensen. This story also does not follow the latest troll history posted by Blizzard. Therefore, it is to be considered an alter-reality.
--------------
Chapter I.1 - The Shifting Forest
--------------
It was the middle of September. The fall trees had began to sprinkle down upon the earth with copper colored leaves, blanketing everything in a beautiful shade of brown. The towering trees sprang from the forest bottom and stretched deep into the skyline. Had it not been fall, the leaves would have blacked out the whole area from sunlight with their massively stretched limbs and bulky covering. Everywhere, birds sang of the beauty around them, as if the whole forest had been magically enchanted by a single song that flowed throughout. It didn't seem to matter to them that the once gorgeous greens had faded to dead browns. Outside of such melodies, it was very quiet within the forest. Creatures had already began to seek warmer places for the coming winter, or had entered caves to begin the first stages of their hibernation. Small animals ran about digging through the leaf blankets to seek what food they could before the area would be covered with a heavy snow. The only other brings that stirred here were two trolls, that walked from overturned leaf patches to patches, picking the herbs underneath.
The larger male troll appeared to be some kind of warrior. His thick dark iron plate armor dully gleamed with the large openings of sun that broke the trees. Heavy steel boots kicked boredly through leaves as they passed along the heaps of vegetation. And upon his back, a large thick shield and heavy one-handed axe were strapped down. By the looks of it, he normally carried more of an arsenal with him, as there were many worn leather weapon straps around his body that were left unclipped but looked overly used. He appeared quite young, possibly having just entered his troll adulthood. Yet some of his features that would seem most odd to any non-troll onlooker; were his bright red hair, curled tusks, and turquoise skin. Most trolls had large tusks that stretched straight out in front of them. However his grew up the sides of his face, and they wern't straight but curled. This was most desired among warriors because they didn't throw off the weight of the body, and also couldn't be used against you as a grabbing device. The contrast between his skin and hair colors would normally be the laugh of the pub inside the orc cities. However such a contrast was seen as very attractive in the troll race. Most trolls had blue or green skin depending on their region, but to have a mix of the two was very exotic and unique. Red was the color of blood, which in most of the Azerothian regions wouldn't be an attractive color. However the trolls' had a different belief system.
--Passage from Sir Hienrich's Journal, one of the rare copies still in existence. The others have been burned by both the Horde and Alliance.
"After further study of the troll race, I've come to a unique discovery about their interests in blood. What we humans take to be quite a grim image, isn't so within the trolls. Judging by the landscape of their old regions, and after some soil samples, I've come to discover that the ancient trolls were primarily farmers, as opposed to mostly hunters and gathers. I've found some old texts written in common about the first sightings of trolls, most of which are heavily egocentric, however the information needed is still spelled out clearly. The trolls valued their livestock, and never slaughtered them for food. Often they were traded as gifts for rights of passage. However, in order to create a balanced diet and get their iron, they would drain a small bit of blood from their livestock, mix it with sweet milk, and drink it. This allowed them to keep their sacred animals, and still get the needed nutrients from them. Trolls back then were unique in that iron made up a large part of their blood. Why this is, I have yet to discover. However, it did seem to affect their strength quite a bit. Because farming took a great deal of push back then, the livestock blood was seen as a vital part of their society. This could also explain why many tribes later on turned to cannibalism, as they needed the iron in order to stay healthy. However back in these times, such concepts didn't exist among the trolls. Red seemed to gain a different kind of meaning throughout the race, and still stands today even if the blood iron is no longer needed. To trolls, it stands for vitality, strength, love, happiness, and status. Quite a fundamental contrast to our human image of it."
The other troll didn't have this trait of red hair, however her skin was also of a mix. She was smaller, and more petite in size. Her body was not clad in heavy metal but in thin magical cloth that reached down to the tips of her toes. She had this innocent quality to her. Her large gray eyes jumped from patch to patch as if she were following a cat chasing a mouse. Her long white hair braided down along her back, with small ribbons that held the braids together. Judging by her face, she appeared to be a sibling of the other troll, and nearing the end of adolescence. The girl hopped about and made small gasps and coos as she found the different herbs. It was clear to see that the larger male troll had been dragged into guarding the younger female troll through the forest. His body language showed slight boredom, perhaps not being very fond of picking herbs. "Oi Iya," he said with a deep trollish tongue, "when yu gunna be done wit dem flowers?" The girl spun around and gave him a huffed face, "Dey not be flowers, Josen! Dey be herbs! An' if yu gunna be gett'n any potions lata you betta be do'n your job!" Josen pressed his forehead against a tree trunk and closed his eyes, letting out a slow exhale, "Just be hurry'n, ya? Yu be say'n Ah gotta be fight'n bears and beasts. But tha most Ah be see'n was a deer that look'd like it ain't be eat'n in months." The girl ignored her brother, as most sisters do, and ran over to another patch. She dropped to her knees and started to tug at something in the ground. "Ear---th---root! .. Josen! Come help!"
He slowly walked over to the girl as if he were fighting a water current. With one hand he reached down and gripped the root, pulling the whole thing from the earth in one easy movement. The girl's eyes widened with excitement and she pounced her brother, "Thank ya!" Josen just smiled and rubbed the top of her head, "We should be gett'n back tho. Sun be go'n down soon, ya. I don't be trust'n these forests at night time." The logic had seemed to make it through to Iya, who nodded her head once and started to wrap up her herbs. The two then started back the way they came. The forest had started to get very quiet, the birds having moved to their shelters as dusk started to shift the sky. "Oi Josen, what it be like to be a warrior?" He thought for a moment then snickered, and began to check his armor, "What it be like to be a priest?" Iya scrunched up her nose and stuck her tongue out, "You first" she insisted. "It be like anything else. Just a job. Yuuuu protect village, and yuuuuu get silver." The girl knew that Josen's occupation ment more to him than that, and took it just that her brother was trying to act cool. "Priest is like dat too. Yu heal some trolls, and you get silver" she said in a mocking tone. Then Iya stuck her chin up and acted like she was checking her cloth armor, shooting Josen a grin and making a 'Nyah' sound.
--------------
Chapter I.2 - The Shifting Forest
--------------
The forest thickened with the passing of day. The soft blues of the sky that peaked between the massive tree branches slowly darkened to a hazed purple. The trolls had slowed as night fell, being extra cautious of anything that seemed like a threat. Although Iya had her brother with her to guard her, a pack of beasts could still get a snap at her while he was pinned in battle. Due to the prowlers that stalked the forest, the male troll had drawn his sword and shield. His steps were slow, and he seemed to have gained a sensitive eye for their surroundings.
The girl started to pout as her feet began to ache. Their travels had taken up most of the day, and due to the nature of the Shifting Forest, there was little time to rest. She began to walk slower, making faces as each heel hit the soil beneath. Taking notice of her lagging behind, Josen came to a stop and peered over his shoulder. They surely wouldn't make it back to the tribe at this rate. However, if they didn't clear the second pass before the sun ducked behind the mountains, the forest would shift, and they'd be trapped until morning. Josen could only imagine what a night in this forest would be like; the beasts, the pitfalls.. the cannibals. He never wanted to worry his little sister with the reality of this place, always enjoying the sight of her so happy with her rare herbs. But it seems they had stayed a little longer than he had planned.
Twisting about on the ball of his foot, he bent over and made a scrunched face at her. His voice grew husked, and had a certain tone that mocked their grandfather, "Iya! What Ah been tell'n you 'bout walking behind tha group! Yoooou've got ta keep up, ya! Othawise ya be get'n left behind! Yooooou don't wanna be eaten by harpies do ya!?" The pout that once rested upon the girl's lips had twisted up into a grin as she giggled, "Grandpa Shu! My Feets hurt!" With a chuckle, Josen brought his sword back to its sheathe, sliding it into the cover and clipping it down. He slid his arm through the shield straps so that it was gripped in his forearm, then he knelt down into the dirt, "Oi.. Ah be carry'n ya. We ain't be far away now." She limped over to her brother and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding tightly as he hoisted her up onto his back. They would be at a disadvantage like this.. should a wolf attack them, there was little that he could do to fight back. But he could still block with his shield as he set her down to draw his weapon. This was however, the only way they'd make it out of the forest in time, and that was worth the risky travel.
The sky was really growing darker now, as the sun fought with all its might to burn past the tree limbs. However this was a dying effort, as its strength faded out with each passing moment. Josen was moving at a hussle now. The thought of introducing his sister to the true dangers of this place was starting to boil in his thoughts. He could defend her against a small pack of beasts, sure, but if the Wachu tribe was hunting them, he feared that they could very well die here -- and not in a pleasant way. Yet he showed her nothing but happiness, moving along the forest floor toward the large barrel smoke fire off in the distance. It was something that their tribe lit as a signal that it was time to return for the nightly feast. He almost felt that she might have sensed something was wrong, as her face appeared troubled. However he was releaved as she rested her head against his and let her mind free, "Josen.. why do ya tink grandpa left tha village?"
It was perhaps three weeks ago when the leader of the Shu'jin tribe, their grandfather, left for Orgrimmar. He said only that it was urgent, and was something that none should speak of until his return. For the most part, his people took up his request, but there was a great deal of talk behind closed doors. "Iya Iya.. you know Grandfatha said not ta be talk'n about his trip, ya." But that would never be enough for the curious little troll girl, and she knew well how to get things out of her brother. She put on the mask of guilt and pouted out her bottom lip, causing her small horns to stick out in a pitiful sight. Unfortunately, Josen was born with a weak spot for such faces.. He spoke as he continued on through the forest, "I tink he be need'n ta report to Orgrimmar. You know we ain't really be parta tha Horde, ya. So sometimes he has ta go back there to report to Thrall, so he be know'n we ain't side'n with tha 'liance and start'n a war." She thought for a moment as she stared down into her herb basket, "Why didn't he just send one of tha guards, like he always does?" He shrugged, "Must be an important meet'n, that he could only do himself." -- Shock suddenly hit the girl, as she gripped her brother tightly, "You don't tink Thrall be recruit'n Shu'jin do you!? ..W-...Would you be goin ta war? Leave'n us here?" Although this was a dream of Josen's, he knew that it bothered the females of his family. He shook his head and snickered, "Naw -- My place is with Shu'jin."
-----------------
(Part I.3 coming later.)