STRANGLETHORN VALE
A vast and only partially tamed jungle, Stranglethorn Vale was a land of lush foliage, towering trees, and dense undergrowth. A riot of colors, with vibrant flowers, ferns, and mosses covering the forest floor and climbing the tree trunks.
The air was thick with humidity, and the sounds of the jungle echoed through the canopy. Exotic birds, the rustling of leaves as creatures moved through the underbrush, and the distant roar of waterfalls and rivers.
And amidst the jungle was a certain motivated group that had just received new orders...
Along the northern coast of Stranglethorn Vale, a large crew of Venture Company goblins scurried about their encampment, beady eyes gleaming with anticipation. They had been tasked with a important mission - to blow up a giant sealed gate. One blocking entry to a Defias sea cave harbor.
But with news that the Defias was broken and their leader slain, orders had trickled down to the goblins already stationed in Stranglethorn. Along with the news came the rumors of a large weapon stored there that was too big for the Defias killers to claim. So they were ordered to MOVE FAST!
The goblins worked with frenetic energy in a few specific groups.
One group was venturing into the jungle with some shredders, driving off the tigers, panthers, and raptors while toppling nearby palm trees.
The next group was retrieving those trees and dragging them to shore.
Another was busy with rope, lashing together the fresh-cut palms into makeshift rafts.
And another group was loading the shoddy rafts full of explosives.
The last group was rowing the rafts out to the watergate, tying them to previously anchored rafts, and then swimming back to shore with their oar. While battling crocolisks. Swim or sink style.
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Overseeing it all was their overseer, an ambitious goblin named Bling, directing the operation with hurried efficiency.
Bling grumbled cheerily as he surveyed the progress of his crew, a golden tooth glinting bright. It was midday, of the third day, and finally all the explosives were floating out on the water.
Now they just needed extra rafts to get beyond the gate once it was blown open.
As the sun began to set and the jungle grew darker, Bling was ready to go. Noting the expectant eyes of his coworkers, he pressed the big red button.
The detonator triggered, a massive explosion out on the water sent debris flying and a great wave rippled out. The goblins cheered, their eyes glittering with excitement as they watched the gate blast inwards.
Only for everyone to start booking it for higher ground, Bling in the lead, as the approaching wave surged up to the shore into their camp.
When the wave finally receded and calm was restored, Bling wasted no time in sending his crew out swimming to retrieve the rafts that had floated away. And some of the camp supplies.
It was time to confirm the rumors now that the gates were compromised.
A small flotilla of rafts floated past the broken gates, torches illuminating a small portion of a vast sea cavern.
Bling ordered his crew to spread the rafts out, and slowly the vast dark interior came into view.
And as raucous cheers broke out, Bling joined in with a wild holler. THE RUMOR WAS TRUE!
STORMWIND
Bolvar Fordragon, the High Regent of Stormwind, stood on the balcony outside his quarters in Stormwind Keep, overlooking the bustling city. As he surveyed the peaceful streets, his thoughts drifted back to a report that had landed on his desk.
His brow furrowed. The Venture Co had moved faster than he had anticipated, but luckily he had already stationed sentries overlooking the Defias harbor in Stranglethorn Vale.
With Alliance troops being stationed further north to combat the Scourge, when the ambassadors from Westfall had begged for aid dealing with the Defias fallout, Bolvar had figured out a quick solution.
It was not ideal, but it was his duty to protect the kingdom until the King came of age.
So Bolvar had offered a contract to the Venture Co goblin cartel, simply due to them having the nearest bases. To mine the Deadmines, clear Westfall of Defias rubbage, and to ship-break the Defias juggernaut for materials. And the Venture Co had accepted.
The High Regent had, had thoughts to use the ship for the invasion of Northrend, but the Defias juggernaut had been designed solely for a short coastal run to Stormwind harbor instead of being truly seaworthy.
But the cunning and resourcefulness of the Venture Co goblins presented a unique challenge. If Bolvar didn't arrange a surveillance force, who knows what the goblins would get up to in Westfall.
He would continue to keep a vigilant eye on Venture Co activity, ensuring that they would not cause issues to the kingdom!