Balledor the Lightbinder

Balledor the Lightbinder

"*The Burning Legion, and those created by them; both the Horde and the Scourge, share one common principle which we must never imitate. They openly seek the destruction of freedom on every world including our own; they seek to establish dominion over all life by individuals who have seized power by force. These villains and those who follow them call this 'new order.' It is not new, and it is not order.*"
—Balledor the Lightbinder

**Balledor the Lightbinder** (born **Balledor Asahel Macidean**) was a Master Knight of the Order of the Silver Hand.

He maintained the traditions of the Silver Hand in a time when many considered the order obsolete or dead. His persistence in educating and training the next generation of paladins in the ways of the Silver Hand contributed greatly to the order's revival.

Throughout his career, Balledor fought countless battles against the Scourge and the Burning Legion, seeking to redeem the Silver Hand for their failings during the Third War.

## **Physical Appearance**

The Alliance of Lordaeron's faded glory survived through paladins like Balledor the Lightbinder. He was a Knight of the Order of the Silver Hand and looked every bit the part. Clad in the traditional uniform of his brethren, Balledor carried the aura of a lasting paradigme, one which began when Archbishop Alonsus Faol first oversaw the creation of the Silver Hand and its Paladin-Warriors.

That mission was to uphold the honor and codes of the Silver Hand, vanquish evil wherever it may be found, and defend the innocent - even with their very lives. Thus was well inscribed the motto of this Order, "By blood and honor we serve."

And serve Balledor did. Judging by his attire, Balledor was a veteran of the Second War. The ornate silver pauldrons and blue stole indicated this much, for that was the manner in how these Knights were once recieved.

So too did he bare the warhammer of the Order, a magnificent weapon with a powerful head of admantite.

The armor itself seemed to be made up of lightforge iron plates, which overlapped another coat of mithril mail. Presumably, gambeson and padding was worn beneath this. The armor shone with an unatural gleam, where most of the surface of the plates had recieved the truesilver treatment. While it was true that the armor had an ornamental value, the strength of its material could be attested by any metalsmith alive. These were vestments of war, designed to withstand battle against the tides of darkness.

Balledor proudly donned the habit of his Order, emblazoned with the insignia of a clenched gauntlet raised in salute. It fit taut and snug about the waist, where both a waistguard and an arming belt helped to cinch the tabard in place.

A scabbard for an arming sword was attached to the the latter, securing a glinting blade of azuresteel — used to decpitate Dreadlord's or deliver to the coup de grace to other deserving foes.

Opposite the sword's scabbard was a libram which dangled by a silver chain. The bronzen, leatherbound covers of the tomb concealed many leafs of sacred scripture. It was a manuscript copy of the Tome of Divinity. Its front-cover bore the seal of an ankh-like cross.

A secondary weapon was clad like-so — a rondel dagger used to dispose summarily armored foes in closed-quarter combat.

As for the man himself, Balledor was a tall fellow and well-muscled. The man's hair and beard, thick and bright, were well-kept and presentable though both continued to give the man some ruggedness. His eyes were grey as rain, often caught in a thousand-yard stare. He was a fighting-man: one who spent more time in the field than in the palace.

For many the Paladin was a paragon of a by-gone era —  an exemplar of chivalry and piety, who refused to abandon his fealty to Lordaeron and the Order of the Silver Hand.

### **Origins**

**Balledor Asahel Macidean,** also known as **Balledor 'Ace' Macidean**, or **Balledor the Lightbinder**, was born in the year 559 of the King's Calendar.

Native to the lands of Lordaeron, Balledor’s youth was mostly spent in the forests of Tirisfal and Darrowmere. His father, Clerval Macidean, was a monk within the Lordaeron Monastery.  Balledor was raised to follow in the footsteps of Clerval, and even in childhood, Balledor possessed great piety.  He became well versed in the doctrine of the Church of the Holy Light and strove to follow its statutes.

### **Holy Order of Northshire**

Once Balledor reached the Age of Ascension, he accompanied Clerval on pilgrimage to Northshire Abbey, where he was subsequently ordained a Cleric of the Holy Order of Northshire.  Despite the calling of most Clerics towards parish or lay ministry, Balledor felt that he could best channel the spirit of humanity by serving as a Chaplain for the Knights of Stormwind.  As such things came to pass, Brother Macidean was assigned to the Brotherhood of the Horse.

Balledor took residence at the Order’s headquarters in the Tower of Karazhan, for whom the Court Mage of Stormwind, Nielas Aran, had generously granted the Brotherhood use of its stables and fortifications. There, Balledor became the protégé of a senior Chaplain within the Order: Brother Isidore Isenstrider.  Together, they saw to the spiritual and pastoral needs of the brave Knights of the Realm.

###  **The Gurubashi War**

Isidore Isenstrider had been a veteran of the Gnoll Wars, and regaled Balledor with much of the Holy Order’s rich history as healers of the realm. He also warned Balledor never to underestimate the more bestial races of the realm, as time and again defeat came to those who considered them simple-minded beings.

Balledor experienced this firsthand when the Gurubashi Warlord, Zan’non, led an immense army of Jungle Trolls to invade the Kingdom of Stormwind. Their number was beyond reckoning, and most of the surrounding countryside was devastated by the onslaught of the Gurubashi.

Balledor assisted the Brotherhood of the Horse in leading civilians to safety behind the walls of Stormwind City, where the greatest battle of the war was soon to follow. The young Chaplain tended the wounds of the injured on the ramparts and presented the dying with their last rites as the Gurubashi laid siege to the Capital. Stormwind’s forces were utterly unprepared for the sheer size of the Gurubashi warforce, let alone the Dire Trolls which scaled the City’s walls with ease. Only by the raw power summoned by Medivh the Guardian, was the City made safe. Though victorious, the war resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians and King Barathen Wrynn. Balledor had experienced his first taste of war.

Following the battle, Balledor spent his time in the infirmary, under Isidore’s supervision, where he successfully harnessed the power of the Holy Light for the first time. Balledor’s service to the Holy Light was soon put to the test when Isidore led him to the Stormwind Stockades, and insisted that as the Holy Light is a universal force of good, that even the captured Jungle Trolls who survived the battle were worthy of healing.  Balledor was reluctant at first, arguing against such actions with his master.  The battle had taken a toll on Balledor, and led him to despise the Trolls. He spoke vehemently about the savagery of the Trolls and how they were baseless beasts and monsters who  deserved only death - but in his anger, Balledor knew the folly of his words and was soon overcome with guilt. In his heart, he knew his Master’s words were true, and after apologizing to Isidore, Balledor repented.

Understanding that the Holy Light was the harmony between all living things in the universe, Balledor quickly learned why compassion could be the most difficult tenant of the faith: the grace of the Light extended even to the enemies of humanity. Isidore had reminded Balledor that he should not compare his conscience to others, only to his former self.  With this, Balledor called upon the Holy Light and healed the Troll that was before him. The wayward Clerics of Northshire were altruists, known to heal even Gnolls and Trolls. The Clerics imparted this greatest wisdom of compassion to Balledor.

### **The First War**

Brother Macidean was Thirty-Three years of age when rumors spread through the streets of a monstrous race lurking in the swamplands of the Black Morass. Fanciful stories abound as many theorized what these new creatures were.  Some believed they were vengeful spirits, or trolls armed with some terrible, newfound power.  Others believed them to be a race from across the sea. Their warriors wielded axe and spear with deadly proficiency, while others rode dark wolves as black as the moonless night.  After several reported sightings and killings, King Llane Wrynn dispatched Sir Anduin Lothar to uncover what exactly these new creatures were, and if they poised a threat to the Kingdom.

#### **The Black Morass**

As Chaplain to the Brotherhood of the Horse, Balledor accompanied the Knights of Stormwind in their reconnaissance mission.  Little time was spent scouting the swamps when the forces were ambushed by marauding bands of the hellish creatures. This first confrontation with the Orcish Horde left behind shockwaves of terror in Balledor’s mind. The Orcs were fearsome foes who rivaled even the ferocity of the Trolls. Only the seasoned experience and superior arms of the Knights granted them victory over these berserk warriors.

Isidore and Balledor remarked on the red-rage that burned through the Orcs like an inferno, and which were manifest in their eyes – they were possessed by a bloodlust, the likes of which had never been evidenced. Isidore felt a strange disturbance in his connection to the Holy Light – as though these frenzied creatures offset the nascent lay-energies of the land.  As the Knights continued their wayward quest through the swamp, Isidore began to sense that the land itself was under otherworldly curse.

But Isidore and Balledor had little time to explore their premonitions. A series of bloody skirmishes erupted across the mire, as the Orcs launched wave after wave of violent assaults. Each battle, the number of the Orcs increased.  Despite many token victories, Sir Lothar and his men were overwhelmed by the growing number of Orcs and made an expeditious retreat without gathering any further intelligence on the Orcs.

#### **Patrolling the Borderlands**

Reporting their findings to King Llane Wrynn, preparations were made for war as it became evident that the Orcs were amassing a full-scale invasion force.

Heavy fighting and skirmishes erupted across the borderlands, as many of the local towns, shires, and fiefdoms were sacked by the Orcish Horde’s raiding parties.

Balledor had rallied to the grand army placed under the command of Sir Anduin Lothar, whom King Llane Wrynn had appointed Champion of the Realm. Battle was met with the Orcish Horde across the borderlands.  Unlike the previous enemies of the Gnolls or the Trolls – the Orcs were particularly ruthless in targeting the Clerics and slaughtering them without mercy. Isidore and Balledor quickly learned of the Orcish Horde’s Necrolyte’s – whom to their absolute horror, were able to animate corpses from the dead and command them in battle.  Their twisted sorcery was anathema to the Holy Light, and relied on the suffering and destruction of the life-force of other creatures.

#### **The Grand Hamlet**

At-last, the forces commanded by Sir Anduin Lothar managed to secure fortifications within the village of the Grand Hamlet. The Orcish Horde sent wave after wave of their kind to siege the settlement, but the superior arms and strategic minds of Stormwind had now come to understand the tactics of their barbaric adversaries. Repelling the invaders, the Knights of Stormwind were at long last able to go on the offensive.

#### **Battle of Kyross**

A counterassault was launched against the Orcish outpost of Kyross, situated deep in the Swamp of Sorrows. The Knights of Stormwind laid siege to the encampment and brought swift justice upon the Orcs who had plundered the borderlands. As sword and bow and engines of war were met, Isidore Isenstrider and Balledor Macidean came face to face with the Necrolyte’s; facing the fury of the Fel with the Holy Light. The time of the Cleric’s role as pacifists now ended, as cosmic forces collided.

In the midst of battle, a Warlock of the Shadow Council, Krolan Deathrender, sent his skeletal forces upon the Clerics. With waves of holy energy, the Clerics turned the undead. A final duel broke out between Isidore and Krolan.  Isidore seemed to have the upper-hand, until Krolan’s foul magic conjured an Ered’ruin Daemon who wrought his infernal wrath upon the Clerics, and slaying many Knights in the process with its flaming sword. Isidore managed to vanquish the Doomguard in a clash between good and evil. The flaming blade of the Daemon delved through the holy magiks of the Cleric, and delivered a mortal blow which impaled Isidore through the side. Summoning upon his last powers, Isidore vanquished the Daemon with the power of the Holy Light, which exorcised the Daemon from the material plane.

Balledor in a righteous fury, took up the blade of a fallen knight, and charged the warlock. In his zeal, the light enveloped the Cleric in a bright aura - blinding Krolan, who met his end by the hand of the sword which severed his body in twain.

The Cleric fell at his master’s side, who was now upon his final throes. In his last words, Isidore harkened back to his lesson about the Troll from many years ago, professing that these beings were one with the universe, and though opposed to humanity, still within the graces of the Holy Light.  But now, he elaborated that there were some beings in the universe, so terrible, who were not only the enemy of humankind, but of the Holy Light itself.  And, that those who made the Holy Light their enemy threatened all life and goodwill in the universe.

“So now will it be your role to bind the Light against the tides of darkness.”

These were Isidore’s final words to Balledor before his soul ascended into the embrace of the Holy Light.

Understanding the final lesson of his master, Balledor took up arms and joined the Knights in the rest of the siege where with unbridled fury, he laid low many of the Orcs who were now as hellspawn to him.  Stormwind’s forces were triumphant, and the fortress of Kyross was destroyed.

#### **The Deadmines**

For a time, a small peace was secured after the counterassault on Kyross. But it had been learned that during this operation, a band of Ogres had sacked the Abbey in Northshire and looted its most sacred text – The Tome of Divinity.

It was learned that these Ogres and their leader, Turok, hid away within the depths of the now-abandoned Moonbrook Mines. Sir Anduin Lothar led an expedition to reclaim this great Tome, but after twenty-months, nothing had been seen or heard from the Champion.

Learning of the disappearance in Moonbrook, the Abbot of Northshire sent a force of now-armed Clerics to the rescue of Lord Anduin Lothar.  Balledor was among those recruited for the mission.

It was then discovered that Lord Lothar had been captured by the Ogres, and that many of his retinue had been slain.  The death and violence were so great that future generations would come to know the Moonbrook Mines as “The Deadmines.” The ensuing battle was just as fierce – as the Clerics braved the Ogres head on.  Many met terrible deaths, but they proved successful in liberating Lord Lothar and those who had been held captive.  Together, they reformed their ranks and put an end to the villainous Ogres.

With the Lion of Stormwind rescued and the Tome of Divinity safely retrieved, a great victory had been won by the Clerics of Northshire.

#### **Scouring of the Shires**

Little time was left for the humans to celebrate, however.  In their time of recess, the Orcish Horde had banded together under a new Warchief who called himself Blackhand. Unfortunately for Stormwind, this Warchief appeared to be far more competent in strategy than his predecessors.

Although the Orcs had suffered many reeling defeats, they had time to learn the strategy and the cunning of their human adversaries and began employing counter-tactics. Advanced war-parties of Blackhand descended upon the villages of Brightwood, Westfall, and Lakeshire – despite the best efforts of Stormwind’s regional defenses.  Stormwind was now fighting a war of attrition, as it economy lay in ruin. It now prepared for the great siege which the Orcs had relentlessly committed themselves.

#### **First Siege of Stormwind**

Three years had passed since the first sighting of the Orcish Horde. Much had been learned since that time: The Kingdom of Stormwind had been internally betrayed by its former-Guardian, the Sorcerer Medivh, who built a portal between the world of Azeroth and the home world of the Orcs.  He had been the one to usher forth Stormwind’s doom by the legions of daemonic Orcs who poured through the Great Portal in the Black Morass.  For three years, intense warfare had overtaken the Kingdom. With no remaining line of defense, the Orcish Horde now marched directly for Stormwind.

But this would not yet spell the end for the Kingdom. Sir Lothar and his army, Balledor among them, laid in wait in the Redridge Pass where Blackhand’s forces marched on Stormwind from the decimated fiefdom of Lakeshire. Brutal war was met, as the Orcs began their assault. Fel-fire engulfed the ramparts of the City, while Daemons, the undead, and thousands of Orcs battered against the City’s walls. But what they could not expect, was the tactical genius of Lord Lothar, whose army flanked them from the rear.

The grand melee had been met, where Balledor found himself locked in battle against many of the foul beasts. With fellow Clerics, he was tasked with healing the soldiers on the field and striking down the nefarious warlocks and necrolytes of the Orc menace.

With casualties mounting, the Orcs were left with no choice but to flee. It seemed as though the Kingdom of Stormwind had been saved.

#### **Second Siege of Stormwind**

Though Stormwind had made its best preparations, no relief or aid was received from the nations to the north.  None of its ambassadors had returned, and with an economy in collapse, the Kingdom was bargaining for time at best.  But this too fell short, when the Orcs summoned upon their full power and laid siege to the City for a final time. A hail of stone fell upon the City from the massive siege engines which the Orcs had constructed. Fel-fire engulfed ramparts, while the Orcs advanced on the Main Gate, and the Blackrock Clan charging from the East Wall. Though the defenders made a heroic final, stand – the Orcs employed a new weapon which would shake the morale of Stormwind: assassination. The Half Orc Garona assassinated King Llane Wrynn in his chambers, and the outbreak of this news spelled the doom of the Kingdom.

In one last desperate plight, Knights of the Brotherhood of the Horse organized themselves for a cavalry charge.  These Knights charged the Orcs head-on, becoming lambs to the slaughter.  But their heroic sacrifice purchased time for those who could to board seafaring vessels in the docks, and prepare their exodus across the sea.  Balledor was himself, tasked with escorting civilians to safety onboard the Kingdom’s galleons.

As the ships set for sea, Balledor beheld an image which would forever be burned into his mind: the destruction of the Kingdom which for thirty-years, had been his home.  The City’s walls crumpled as the demonic Orcs over-ran the city and slaughtered the civilians and soldiery who were not so fortunate to reach the harbor.  Beholding Armageddon, Balledor vowed he would return to see Stormwind avenged.

### **The Second War**

#### **Exodus to Lordaeron**

Balledor landed on the coast of Lordaeron alongside his fellow refugees, a people who now lived in diaspora. Southshore proved a hospitable sanctuary for the homeless survivors, but the greater task remained of warning Lordaeron of the Horde which set its gaze on global domination.

#### **Knights of the Silver Hand**

During the months to follow, Balledor reported all that he had witnessed to his companions within the Holy Order of Northshire. With the foundation of the Alliance of Lordaeron underway, Archbishop Alonsus Faol created an order of paladins known as the Knights of the Silver Hand; who combined the fighting skills of a warrior, with the faith and healing abilities of a cleric. After the creation of Azeroth’s first five, leading paladins, Balledor was selected as a candidate for the new order.

Balledor underwent a significant transformation at the Silver Bastion in Stratholme, where he learned to hone his skills as a warrior in combination with his faith. The training program was physically and mentally taxing, where the aspirant was drilled vigorously in advanced-combat tactics, military strategy, and channeling the aura’s of the Holy Light. In addition to his prowess from the First War, Balledor demonstrated remarkable skill and potential. Enough so, that Balledor was officially inducted into the Order of the Silver Hand that same year at Alonsus Chapel. But above all else, it was the Paladin’s unwavering faith and willpower that set him apart from the common foot soldier, and thus earned him admission into the most venerable order of knighthood.

#### **Hillsbrad Outpost**

Along with his fellow Knights of the Silver Hand, Balledor followed the command of Lord Uther, helping to prepare fortifications for the war to come. In this time, Balledor was assigned with assisting Southshore’s regional commander, a High Elf named Milan, in constructing an outpost in the Hillsbrad Foothills. Assisting primarily in Milan’s barracks, Balledor found that Milan’s regiment was unique from most others in the Alliance. Not only was the legion comprised of veteran soldiers from Stormwind, like Balledor, but also a considerable number of survivors from Khaz Modan. This included many dwarves and gnomes who had fled without being trapped in Ironforge or Gnomeregan. The unit hosted a wide variety of knights, foot soldiers, dwarven rifleman, dwarven mortar teams, Gyrocopter pilots, gnomish engineers, scouts, spies, and even boasted a steam-tank appropriately named ‘Goliath.’ Balledor quickly learned that this unit was a special-operations task force, training for success in clandestine operations and unconventional methods of warfare. Trainees at the outpost learned sabotage techniques, subversion, intelligence gathering, lock picking, explosives training, radio communications, close quarters combat, the art of silent killing and unarmed combat. Steam tank crews and Gnomish Engineer Corps versed the operatives in the basics of phlogiston-powered engineering.

Within the week that Balledor arrived at the Hillsbrad Outpost, a detachment of mages from Dalaran arrived to join the special unit, sub-commanded by Archmagus Cartoris Konig. These magi of the Kirin Tor immediately immersed the unit in defense against the dark arts. Balledor’s role at the Hillsbrad outpost proved to intrigue Milan, and the paladin-warrior of Lordaeron was recommended for the unit, a commendation which was approved by Balledor’s superiors. As a Knight of the Silver Hand, Balledor along with two other Paladins, Therderos Greyfox and Kai'dan Veringian served as lieutenants. This special operations unit was none other than the Alliance 3rd Legion.

Soon reinforcements arrived, warning of destruction of villages in southern Hillsbrad, along with several bands of Orcs that had been spotted in the region. The legion’s spies were also able to report that Durnholde Keep had been ransacked in a stealth operation; resulting in the disappearance of the Amani Troll, Zul’jin. However, the first major operation of the 3rd Legion began when a contingent of elven archers sent from Silvermoon to survey the orc threat were ambushed by orc forces after passing through the Arathi grasslands. The Legion's spies reported that the elves were being held captive in a small prison camp northwest of Tarren Mill.

Balledor, along with the 3rd Legion arrived in Tarren Mill and were greeted by a second cadre of elven rangers sent to liberate their comrades. After gathering around the Circle of Power, and empowering their weapons at first light, the Legion's spies reported that the orcs had spread out to plunder the surrounding area, leaving a minimal guard at their prison camp. The unit advanced upon the startled orcs and trolls, easily outnumbering them, and cutting them down to a man. They broke through the wall of the city before the remaining orcs could return, and once inside, the archers tossed bows and quivers to the captives. The 3rd Legion eliminated all orc presence in Arathi, before returning to Tarren Mill.

#### **Southshore**

The elven envoy returned to Quel’thalas, while the 3rd Legion rejoined Anduin Lothar’s main army at Southshore. The army only had a single night’s rest before an elven destroyer baring Alleria Windrunner and Silvermoon’s token force arrived the next morning. With orders from Daelin Proudmoore, the 3rd Legion began to oversee the construction of Southshore’s naval defenses, in preparation for the arrival of an elven fleet. The fleet worked together with the legion in securing the oil tankers on the coast, providing the necessary resources to fuel Proudmoore’s fleet. While on their endeavor, the unit encountered a troll spy, and after thorough interrogation, learned of the location of the Horde’s destroyers and tankers. With the assistance of the elven fleet, the unit was able to sink the orc destroyers and ensure the Alliance’s dominance over the sea.

#### **Hillsbrad Foothills**

Shortly after their victory along the coast, the Horde’s massive warfleet arrived from across the sea, eager to plunder the northlands. Balledor along with the 3rd Legion stood with the main army in the defense of Hillsbrad: the key to entering Lordaeron and Capital City. Proudmoore’s fleet sank many of the Horde’s transport vessels, but their numbers were so many that the orcs arrived by the thousands onto the mainland. After the greenskin tide clashed with the Alliance shield walls, Death Knights emerged from the Horde’s ranks, wreaking havoc with their necromancy. In response the Knights of the Silver Hand charged forth to challenge the dastardly necromancers, their righteous might and holy power inspiring the Alliance ranks to reform and hold the line! Balledor was among this charge, as he held his own valiantly against the orc’s vile sorcery.

It was then that Balledor clashed in arms with an adversary who would prove to be a lifelong nemesis, the Death Knight Krolan Deathrender. Pitted in the heat of combat, their duel turned into a stalemate at the battle raged around them. As the Paladins and Death Knights fought, alliance footmen under cover-fire of elven archers scorched the earth surrounding their formations, which prevented the orcs from continuing their clashes without being consumed by the fire. Balledor was given pause to return to the ranks of the main army and his unit, maintaining their stronghold over the battlefield. This however, did not prevent the ogres who crashed through the brush fires and broke the shield formations. Beside his unit, Goliath clashed into two of the ogres who had broken the ranks! Cartoris’ magi brought hellfire down upon the orc barbarians, while dwarven musket and gnomish aerial fire greatly lowered their numbers. Unfortunately, this could not prevent the long line of alliance defense from buckling in. Turalyon and Lord Lothar called for the shielwalls to break off into subsegments, while the Archmage Khadgar began to blast down the Ogres with magic.

Sensing that the battle had become a stalemate, and that the casualties would become too high if the assault were to continue, Orgrim Doomhammer led the Horde into the Hinterlands, ignoring the blockade to Capital City set up by the Alliance forces.While the Alliance held their own that day, they were unable to pursue the Horde into the Hinterlands without rest, repair, and regrouping. The townships of Hillsbrad and Southshore had been destroyed.

#### **Battle of Zul’Dare**

The 3rd Legion was prepared for such an occasion and thus their modus operandi in clandestine warfare earned the Alliance another victory, when Alliance intelligence was at long last able to report the location of the Orc’s secret base in Lordaeron, a fortress on the isle of Zul’Dare. Balledor boarded Kul Tiran transports with his fellow operatives, as the fleet took sail into the Channel Islands, located in Baradin Bay. There, the Alliance struck upon Zul’Dare with terrible vengeance. Waylasting the remaining Orc war vessels, Balledor supported elven archers who had since joined the unit in providing cover fire, allowing their engineers to erect siege towers that the Horde could not destroy. In a brutal, final siege, the Keep at Zul’Dare was captured, even as the Orc warships attempted to fire on their own base. They were annihilated by the Kul’Tiran destroyers.

Unfortunately, the rest of Proudmoore's fleet did not bode so well. After the 3rd Legion made their way off the island, Red Dragons controlled by the Dragonmaw Clan made their way into the fray and set ablaze a number of Proudmoore's destroyers. The victory at Zul'Dare proved to be Pyrrhic.

#### **Tol Borad**

While the main army under Lord Lothar pursued the Orcs through the Hinterlands, forces from Stromgarde and Kul Tiras were locked in battle on a different front. Orcs stationed at an outpost near the ruins of Dun Modr had repeatedly driven the Alliance forces back, and the unit was ordered with seizing a nearby island known as Tol Barad, and then launch an attack on the outpost. The 3rd Legion landed on the island, rushing off the transport ships and landed just in time to prevent the demolition of a barracks there. Though, the victory did not come without a cost. The unit sustained heavy casualties in the assault, and Balledor lost many good men - and friends, in the brutal siege. Still, their task was not over, as they fought off Orc marauders while the Engineer Corps and labor force constructed cannon towers and repaired the barracks. They began to build siege weapons, including ballista to accompany Goliath. Escorted by Proudmoore’s destroyers, the force sailed to the west end of the island and began their furious assault. The Orc structures were leveled from the sheer power of the Legion's siege engine, and Balledor felled many an orc and troll in glorious battle. The battle ended with a resounding victory for Balledor and his compatriots. But the war had yet to be won.

#### **Dun Modr**

Tol Barad had been left in ruin, equally worthless in terms of resources to both sides of the war. But its strategic value, had been in its geography - and from the island, the 3rd Legion and the Kul’Tiran fleet were able to advance on Dun Modr, while also preventing counter movement. With siege weapons deployed, Proudmoore’s Destroyers lined along the coast, and Stromgarde fierce army rallied into a powerful charge, the Orc resistance at Dun Modr collapsed.

#### **Dun Algaz**

Following their defeat at Dun Modr, the Orcs were forced to retreat south, across the Thandol Valley to a secondary outpost at Dun Algaz. The 3rd Legion was commanded by Lord Lothar to destroy this newly discovered encampment. A small company of Knights was sent to bolster the strength of Milan's unit, and together marched across the great bridges of the Thandol Span. With Knights placed at the front, and siege weaponry including Goliath and several Ballistas in the rear, a battle soon erupted on the bridge when impatient orcs rushed Milan's unit. Balledor with his fellow Knights held the line, and smashed the Horde monsters into pieces. They stood no chance against the mounted warriors.

Scouts in the 3rd Legion spotted a makeshift enemy Barracks across the Thandol Span; and the full-force promptly leveled it. Peasants were summoned from the home camp to establish a new barracks and Cannon Towers on the flanks. Slaughter followed as Milan's unit slew the rest of the Horde's defenders at Dun Algaz. For the first time in months, the brave soldiers of Milan's unit felt that the Horde could be stopped - but the road to final victory would be long.

#### **Aerie Peak**

The 3rd Legion, after completing their intense series of special assignments, were ordered to rejoin the main army at Southshore - where Lothar and his men recovered from the onslaught in the Hillsbrad Foothills. The objective of the Alliance military was then to route the armies of the Horde, who had fled into the Hinterlands.

By the time of the Army arrived in the Hinterlands, fierce fighting had already broken out between the Horde and the Gryphon Riders of Aerie Peak. The Wildhammer lands were besieged by the forces of Varok Saurfang, and following the rallying call of Lothar, the 3rd Legion sprang into action. Lieutenant Balledor alongside his brave Legionnaires demolished the Orcs in their path; having learned to outmaneuver and effectively combat the weapons in the Horde's arsenal from their previous battles. Hopes ran high as the Horde's forces were dashed across the Hinterlands. However, Alliance intelligence quickly learned that their victory in the Hinterlands was a Pyrrhic one - for the Horde commanded by Saurfang had been a diversion force. The bulk of the Horde had been on the move towards Quel'Thalas!

During the defense of Aerie Peak, the 3rd Legion had recruited Gryphon Riders of the Wildhammer Clan, including a notable aerial officer - Captain Haggerfall. These Wildhammer Dwarves hailed from the Aerie Peak and Northeron, and proved to be the 3rd Legion's primary aerial support.

#### **The Grim Batol**

While the Alliance raced for Quel'thalas, advanced scouts reported that the primary base of the Horde's refinery operations in Khaz Modan had been located. This was a mountain fortress in Northeron known as 'The Grim Batol.' Seeing a chance to strike a decisive blow against the Horde's navy, Lord Lothar ordered the 3rd Legion to infiltrate the Grim Batol and put an end to all Orcish activity there. In so doing, the Orcs would have no further use for Khaz Modan and their navy would be crippled, thus enabling the Alliance to secure abslute victory along the shores of Lordaeron.

The 3rd Legion sailed along the coast of Northeron aboard *The Tidebreaker,*before travelling as far in-land as the Verral River would permit. After landing, operatives of the 3rd Legion were southward bound on the march towards the Grim Batol. The advance of the 3rd Legion took the the Bleeding Hollow Clan by surprise, as they broke through the walls of the outcropping fortifications and found unmanned catapults. Balledor and his comrades quickly slew the Orc guards and assumed their artillery for their own use.

Continuing south, the 3rd Legion destroyed an enemy Tower with these siege weapons, and managed to claim a third catapult in the process. The 3rd Legion then used *The Tidebreaker* to cross the Verral River with the artillery, and lay waste to the settlements erected by the Bleeding Hollow Clan. Unprepared for such an ambush, the Orcs and their refineries were decimated.

Simultaneously, the 3rd Legion set to establishing Alliance dominance along the coast. A Foundry and Shipyard were constructed on a neighboring isle of Northeron known as Highbank. Six accompanying Battleships from Kul Tiras proceeded to remove the final defenses of the Orcs along the coast, and bombard their Oil Platforms.

Unaware of the Horde's deeper activity within the Mountain Fortress itself, the 3rd Legion corresponded to their next mission in Quel'Thalas. A major victory had been won for the Alliance of Lordaeron.

#### **Quel'Thalas**

With little time to spare, the 3rd Legion were transported via *The Tidebreaker* along the edge of the Forbidding Sea and made landfall on the Azurebreeze Coast. To the dismay of the 3rd Legion, much of the Eversong Wood had already been set ablaze by the Horde. The 3rd Legion raced to unite with the forces underneath the command of Turalyon. The 3rd Legion were ambushed in many places by Forest Trolls, but were able to counter the headhunters with the aerial support of the Wildhammer Dwarves. By the time the 3rd Legion reached their rendezvous with the mainstay of the Alliance Army, Ranger-General Sylvanas Windrunner and her archers had also arrived.

The Horde then clashed with the Turalyon's forces, pouring from the outskirts of the Eversong Wood in a frontal assault. The 3rd Legion resisted the impact of the charge, when HIgh Elven infantry commanded by Lor'themar Theron flanked the Horde from the rear, as they charged from the forestline. The Horde ranks were summarily surrounded, and attacked from all sides as Balledor and his allies slew droves of Orcs and Trolls. After sustaining heavy casualties, the newly created Ogre Magi broke through the infantry lines, shattering the deathtrap and creating an exit for the remaining orcs to escape. Balledor fought ferociously against the Ogre Magi, and had it not been for the aid of Archmagus Cartoris Konig, he may have been felled by one. The 3rd Legion continued to fight valiantly, but were no match for the greatest weapon of the Horde arsenal: Dragons.

The Dragonmaw Riders clashed with the Wildhammer Dwarves, but the Gryphon Riders found themselves outmatched. A large number of the Gryphon Riders were tragically killed during the dogfight. Lacking air superiority, the Alliance helplessly watched as the Dragons set the Eversong Forest ablaze with dragon's fire. with only a magic shield to stave Silvermoon City from the perilous flame. The High Elf army became seperated from their people and their King, who now pledged their fighting courage to the Alliance in an oath of vengeance.

#### **Tyr's Hand**

The 3rd Legion were left with little time to grieve their losses. The Alliance was continually harassed by the Dragonmaw, Stormreaver, and Twilight's Hammer clans in Quel'thalas. But, the real war continued in the Northlands. The menace of the Horde still lorded over the Alliance, as unseen forces perpetrated the war further.

Troubles had arisen in the township of Tyr's Hand, as a peasant uprising threatened Alliance solidarity. The 3rd Legion was sent to accompany Lord Uther Lightbringer in quelling the rebellion, and restoring peace to the region. Though the slaughtering of the uprising peasants was an unpleasant task, the 3rd Legion did what they must to preserve the sanctity of peace and the united war effort against the larger threat of the Horde. The 3rd Legion successfully assisted the Knights of the Silver Hand in squashing the mysterious rebellion.

The 3rd Legion then assisted in establishing defenses to repel marauding orcs skirmishers.

#### **Battle at Darrowmere**

With the 3rd Legion keeping vigilant watch over the Northlands, the Archbishop's assistant, Lord Uther, was sent to provide relief and comfort to the populace of Lordaeron suffering from the misfortunes of war. The 3rd Legion was entrusted with the task of protecting Lord Uther and his entourage as they traveled to the island township of Caer Darrow.

The 3rd Legion's spies reported that land forces may not have easily arrived to Caer Darrow due to the heavily fortified Orc settlements in their path. Treacherous Elven Destroyers blockaded the Thronondril river, for reasons yet unknown The 3rd Legion instead opted to assemble aboard *The Tidebreaker* and a tight formation of warships. A single fast destroyer was sent south to deal with the mysterious enemy. The plan worked, and safe passage provided for Uther and his paladins.

Uther arrived in time to the Circle of Power in Caer Darrow. And, whether Nature or Providence, a thunderhead of of lightning sank the elven destroyers. Fate smiled on the 3rd Legion once again. Caer Darrow had been liberated from the Horde's blockade.

After the battle at Caer Darrow, a number of Orcish soldiers were captured. A crew of Alterac sailors were caught assisting the Horde in battle - the very sailors of the treacherous destroyers. Under the edict of Lord Uther, the 3rd Legion was charged to restrain the prisoners until they could be escorted to capital city of Lordaeron. The Horde desperately sent their forces into the brink, sending orcs and too many Ogres to count. Fortunately, the 3rd Legion had seen to the construction of better defenses since liberating Caer Darrow, and the Cannon Towers which were erected drew the Ogres to their death. Balllistas made quick work of the enemy Juggernaut which had unloaded the Horde on the river.

The prisoners from Alterac were taken to Stromgarde, where they were interrogated by the Trollbanes. The prisoners confessions confirmed the worse: Alterac was a traitor nation, who had betrayed the Alliance of Lordaeron from the very start. Lord Aiden Perenolde had arranged a secret alliance with the Horde. It was Alterac who had provided the Orcs with the travel routes of the Elven strike force passing through Tarren Mill; Alterac who had helped the Horde to establish their secret base at Zul'dare; Alterac who had provided the Orcs passage into the Northlands and the Grim Batol and helped them to establish their refineries; Alterac who incited the rebellion at Tyr's Hand; Alterac who blockaded Caer Darrow and the Thronondril River - and now, the Alliance learned that Alterac had more recently allowed Doomhammer and the Horde to march through the mountain passes of Alterac, directly to Lordaeron.

Aiden Perenolde had conspired against the Alliance of Lordaeron from the very beginning, but his clever schemes had been unraveled. Now it was time for the traitor nation of Alterac to answer for its crimes.

#### **Betrayal and Destruction of Alterac**

 By decree of the High Command, the nation of Alterac had commited treason against the Alliance, and its union with the Horde was to be broken. The 3rd Legion was sent on a mission to destroy Perenolde's regime, and liberate his unjustly held prisoners. A full-scale assault was launched against the traitor nation.

A great siege was laid against Alterac. Mobilizing the full might of the 3rd Legion, and joining with the forces commanded by King Thoras Trollbane, the defenses of Alterac were overwhelmed, and the remaining Orcs on the move were ambushed. General Hath and a pocket resistance of Alterac turned on their treacherous masters, and showed their loyalty to the might of the Alliance. The traitor King of Alterac, Perenolde, was removed from his throne and arrested for treason. Having occupied Alterac and subdued the nefarious scheme of Lord Perenolde, the 3rd Legion now rushed to the aid of Lordaeron herself.

#### **Siege of Lordaeron**

Capital City and Lordaeron Keep were surrounded, as oceans of orcs led by Orgrim Doomhammer advanced along the plains, with ranks that extended as far back as Lordaemere Lake. The 3rd Legion joined the main army in their efforts of breaking the siege. With their arrival, the Orcs became trapped between the main forces commanded by Lothar, and the vigilant defenders of Lordaeron Keep They could not withstand the combined might of the Alliance of Lordaeron. With Alterac's secret schemes thwarted, and a Horde whose forces had been divided due to Gul'dan's betrayal, the Horde stood little chance against the righteous might of the 3rd Legion. Balledor personally slew many Orcs, Trolls, and Ogres that day. Though again, he found himself locked in battle with the Death Knight Krolan Deathrender.

As casualties leaped for the Horde, Doomhammer sounded for a retreat, and what remnants of the Horde remained were routed away from Capital City. This was the finest hour of the Alliance of Lordaeron: their triumph over the Horde's evil. From then-on, the Alliance would be empowered by this victory at Lordaeron.

During the battle, Balledor had noticed a young cook who assisted soldiers in lowering hot-oil from the ramparts onto the Orcs below. Balledor, impressed by the young lay-servants courage, took the time to formally introduce himself to the cook after the battle, who went by the name of Nicholas Ravone.

Balledor gave Nicholas an offer he could not refuse: the opportunity to accept an internship into the Order of the Silver Hand by serving as Balledor's first apprentice. The two would develop a friendship as master and apprentice, and as brothers-in-arms that would span the century. Balledor and Nicholas became known as a dynamic duo.

#### **Battle of Crestfall**

With the destruction of Alterac and the defense of Lordaeron, the Orcish armies in the north staged a massive retreat. Gnome Submarines reported that they had located the Horde's main naval base near Crestfall. Believing the Orcs planned to launch the remainder of their armada and retreat to the mainland of Azeroth, Lord Lothar and Proudmoore ordered the 3rd Legion to destroy the base at Crestfall before the Horde's fleet could escape.

Once more, the 3rd Legion boarded *The Tidebreaker* and were escorted by Proudmoore's Fleet. Prepared to face the enslaved Red Dragons which have wrought havoc at Zul'Dare and Quel'Thalas, heavy aerial support arrived in the form of Gryphon Riders. Rather than sailing on *The Tidebreaker*, Balledor personally rode alongside the Wildhammer Dwarf, Haggerfall Thunderfury. After battle erupted, the Gryphon Rider's played a pivotal role in outmaneuvering the Dragonmaw Riders, and using Thunderhammers to bring the Red Dragon's down. The fleet and the 3rd Legion simultaneously bombarded and lambasted the Horde fleet and brought the Horde's fleet to a bitter and crushing defeat. Only a handful of vessels managed to escape.

With the Horde's navy crushed, the Seven Kingdoms had been entirely secured from an invasion on land, air, or sea. Seeking retribution and to bring an end to the gruesome war, the Alliance of Lordaeron went on the offensive.

#### **Dun Morogh**

The 3rd Legion accompanied the bulk of Lothar's forces on their liberation march through Dun Morogh, destroying what forces and operations remained of the Orcs, allowing for the rescue of the Dwarves trapped within Ironforge, and the Gnomes sealed within Gnomeregan. Both Kingdoms then joined the Alliance of Lordaeron, and made preparations to join them at the very climax of the Second War: The Battle of Blackrock Spire.

#### **Battle of Blackrock Spire**

Alongside the great heroes of the Second War, Balledor and the 3rd Legion made their great stand against the evil of the Horde. The battle proved to the the bloodiest and fierce out of the entire war. The Alliance marched in the thousands towards Blackrock Mountain, while the Horde rallied all the reinforcements they possibly could. The gates of Blackrock Mountain felt the fury of the great siege weapons constructed by the Alliance - when suddenly the gates burst open and the Horde's garrison spilled out in a blood frenzy. As glorious battle was met, Balledor fought furiously through the rage-filled onslaught, feeling for the first time, wholly empowered by the Holy Light as it filled his strength with divine power. He smote many enemies, sending them to certain death or reeling in defeat.

Like most, Balledor was too consumed by the heat of battle to notice the vanguard of Ogres that carved a path directly to Anduin Lothar, where suddenly a vicious duel broke out between Doomhammer and Lothar. Lord Lothar fought valiantly, but in one sickening blow, the Orc Warlord crushed the skull of the Lion of Azeroth. Proclaiming his victory, the Horde fought on with a renewed vigor as hope waned among the Alliance. The savages descended upon the 3rd Legion, and more of the 3rd Legion's brave soldiers lost their lives in this battle than in any other point of the war.

When the morale of the Alliance was at its lowest, the Holy Light prevailed - through the Knight of the Silver Hand, Turalyon, who took up Lothar's shattered blade. Infused with the power of the Holy Light, he struck down Doomhammer, in a scene of holy fury that is said to even have momentarily bleached the blackrock of the Burning Steppes white. With hopes renewed, the Alliance charged into battle to secure final victory, empowered by Turalyon's heroism. A great battle cry was sounded, that marked the end of Doomhammer's Horde. Crashing into the stunned Horde lines with his fellow Paladins, Balledor unleashed the righteous might of the Holy Light upon many graven and unfortunate Orcs. In terror, the remaining forces of the Horde buckled and fled, scattering in all directions. The Horde was annihilated.

#### **The Great Portal**

In one final push, the Alliance descended upon the gateway that the Orcs had used to enter Azeroth: The Great Portal. A great battle ensued, as the last of the Orcs ran in terror through the Dark Portal as Elven Rangers, the arcane fury of the Magi, the devastating blows of Paladins' hammers, Wildhammer's thunder, and Footman's swords fell heavily upon the orcs. During the battle, the 3rd Legion assisted the Silver Hand in routing the Burning Blade Clan, annihilating their presence on Azeroth. The Archmage Khadgar then summoned his arcane fury upon the Great Portal - destroying it entirely. As the statues burst into broken stone, and the magic of the portal shimmered and faded - cheers erupted from the brave heroes of the Second War. Balledor the Lightbinder and the 3rd Legion were among them. The Second War had ended at long last.

### **New Age**

1. ↑ Balledor the Lightbinder - Total Roleplay 3