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Shadow of Sylvanas: History
The Formation of the Order
Shortly after Sylvanas and her rebel undead took Lordaeron from the Scourge and formed the Forsaken, a secret order was created. Sylvanas approached the former Arch-mage of the Kirin Tor, Nokzhal Frostreaver, with the charge of gathering together the most powerful and faithful Forsaken to the cause. This order would answer only to the Dark Lady herself as her own personal tool to ensure that Forsaken interests were represented, officially or not, in all major events across the lands of Azeroth and Kalimdor. From their hidden nature and discrete methods, they came to be known as the “Shadow of Sylvanas.”
The “Second” Plague
Nokzhal Frostreaver set to work, aligning the Shadow closely with the alchemists of the Royal Apothecary Society. The Shadow began devoting its efforts to obtaining rare herbs and powerful items that would lend itself to the creation of a second plague with its effects being two-fold: free any Scourge from the control of the Lich King and convert any living resistance into undead. With the recent opening of the Dark Portal, new, more powerful artifacts are currently being sought after to complete the plague.
The Opening of the Dark Portal and the Rise of the Sin’dorei
Without warning, the Dark Portal was reopened by the Demon Lord Kazaak and the threat of the Burning Legion once again resurfaced. Although the combined might of the Horde and Alliance forces pushed back the infernal demonic legions, many new dangerous foes exist in the shattered world of Outland. Still, in the presence of danger come great rewards and many forgotten sources of power waiting to be tapped for use by the Forsaken and their allies, the Sin’dorei.
After the destruction of the Sunwell, Prince Kael’thas and the blood elves loyal to him sought to forge a new existence for themselves in Outland. Already the city of Silvermoon has commenced reconstruction with new sources of demonic energies sent by Kael’thas himself for the blood elves to satiate their magical addiction. The Forsaken, many of them formally elves after the fall of Quel’thalas including their Queen Sylvanas forged stronger ties with the Sin’dorei, strengthening their hold over the northern lands of Azeroth against the Scourge forces. Haunted with nostalgia over her homeland and her lost sister Alleria, Sylvanas approached Nokzhal with a new task: recruit from the Sin’dorei to bolster the Shadow so that it may also have agents amongst the blood elves. Many Sin’dorei willingly joined the cause.
The Absence, the Regent Lord and the “Fallen”
The closer ties between the two Horde races quickly proved beneficial. With contact lost with Kael’thas, the Shadow promised all Sin’dorei that they would aid them in their pilgrimage to discover the whereabouts of their missing prince. Among the faithful, the cold and shrewd blood knight Seriina Numenesse greeted the Forsaken-Sin’dorei alliance with great zeal. She quickly distinguished herself from other blood elves with her skills in combat as well as a tactician; her dedication earned her the title of Regent Lord of the Shadow, further cementing the bond between the two races.
Sylvanas once again presented a new task to Nokzhal, one that he had to accomplish alone in complete secrecy. Without warning, the Arch-mage disappeared one evening into the swamplands of Zangarmarsh beyond the Dark Portal, leaving the Regent Lord Seriina Numenesse in his stead. The mysterious disappearance of their leader caused much restlessness in the order with many members questioning his motives. Furthermore, that a blood elf was left in charge of operations in his absence was too much to bear for one warrior. Kanashii, a high ranking Dark Lord in the Shadow that had been missing for some time during the absence of Nokzhal. Rumours quickly spread that he was in league with the Scourge and was planning a defection. Eventually, Kanashii did leave the order and his allegiances remain questionable. Today he is simply known as the “Fallen.”
Gorbon and the Royal Apothecary Society
The noticeably lower moral caused Sylvanas to request regular reports from her new protégé. Concerned about the lack of activity and attendance, part of her unease is a lack of presence in the Undercity and abroad. To ensure action is taken, she assigned a devout member of the Forsaken and member of the Royal Apohthecary Society, Gorbon Ashloy to oversee current activities of the order and to report on its value and continued necessity. Somewhat annoyed with the task, Gorbon came to see this assignment as a possibility to advance his research into the new plague. To this end his stuck a deal with Seriina: provide him with any resources he needs, no matter how rare or dangerous, and the reports will remain positive.
Kanashii the Fallen became aware of the suspicious deal between Gorbon and Seriina. Seeing an opportunity to tarnish the reputation of his former colleagues and ruin the alliance between the two races, Kanashii fabricated a story and informed a prominent blood elf Lianthe of House Sunfury that the Shadow was working on a plague to wipe out all life on Azeroth. Concerned, Lianthe contacted Seriina demanding if there was truth to the accusation. Unaware of the nature of Gorbon’s research she arranged with Lianthe for Gorbon to be intercepted in Silvermoon City during a routine visit. Under duress he revealed his true aim to the astonishment of his interrogators: he disclosed he is actually working on a cure for the plague. Lianthe’s fears somewhat assuaged, she accepted the story but remained suspicious. Since the research is contrary to the beliefs of the Forsaken, Gorbon returned to the Undercity in humiliation with all his responsibilities suspended until further notice. To prevent further embarrassment Gorbon was banished from the Undercity to an undisclosed location and kept under close watch. Recognizing the Shadow’s role in uncovering Gorbon’s research and thwarting Kanashii’s plot, Seriina received a special commendation from the Dark Lady. Any concerns over the Shadow’s necessity are quickly dissolved.
The Return of the Shadow Master and the New Threat
Nokzhal returned to his duties after a long absence in solitude. Unaware of the plot his order had been faced with, the news was a great surprise to the leader. Fresh from his studies Nozhal took up his mantle as Shadow Master once again and rallied his members around him. All signs pointed toward a prosperous year for the order however, an old threat returned anew. Gorbon had escaped from his “imprisonment” with the aid of the Scourge and was plotting revenge on the Shadow for his fall from grace. Having heard of Gorbon’s escape, Nokzhal and Seriina decided to hold a meeting in an undisclosed location to warn the rest of the order to be on the lookout. Unexpectedly, Gorbon discovered the location of the meeting and challenged Nokzhal, informing him and his comrades that they would be the first to fall to a new plague created by him. Gorbon was easily defeated and seemingly killed, but evidence found on his corpse revealed he had struck a deal with the Scourge to become a Lich and that a living, breathing, phylactery was holding his soul, allowing him to regenerate. Given time he could prove to become a terrible entity and threat to the survival of the order….
