The Founding of Balor
The Founding of Balor is a book that can be found in the Sanctum of the Fist in the Scarlet Monastery Library.
After migrating south following the fall of the Empire of Arathor, a large congregation of Arathi settled in the fertile valley of Elwynn, founding the Kingdom of Stormwind. While under the leadership of House Wrynn, the populace enjoyed prosperity and peace, having survived the countless perils and enemies that threw themselves at the young nation.
Solidifying themselves as the prominent force of the southern parts of the Eastern Kingdoms, the people of Stormwind prided themselves on their newfound independence. With such feelings in heart, it is only natural for some to wish for even greater fortune.
One such individual was the charismatic Duke Balor, a fairly influential nobleman and merchant, who knew his way around the people. Having discovered an isolated group of islands full of natural resources in the Great Sea west of Stormwind, he gathered a large group of like-minded followers in pursuit of even more wealth.
It didn't take long for the settlers to establish a small settlement called Breezehaven, named after the fresh and salty winds circulating their new home. Surely, there were a few settlers doubtful about the Duke's promises. However, not long after the first mining work started, it was clear that his words could be trusted. The island was filled to the brim with plentiful gold veins, showering the settlers with unprecedented wealth. Using their immense fortune, Balor quickly became its own self-sufficient town, and soon after a valuable merchant port.
Of course, this did not go unnoticed by King Barathen Wrynn, Monarch of Stormwind. While not fearing that Balor's current autonomy could pose a threat to Stormwind, he could not deny the potential uses a maritime port could open up for Stormwind. Thus, he ordered the prestigious Grahan family, arguably Stormwind’s most renown merchants, to join Duke Balor on his island, acting as a double agent for the king.
Becoming a bustling tradepoint for all sorts of goods from far and wide naturally drew the attention of more unsavory folk. Following the years of Balor's rise, its reputation had found its way into the dens of powerful pirate captains and lords seeking fame and booty. They hailed from Plunder Isle, a lawless off-shoot of another nation founded by Arathi settlers, Kul Tiras. While only facing skirmishes at first, their assaults slowly became more and more daring and vicious.
Fearing for his and his people's future, Duke Balor saw desperation draw in closer. Luckily for him, his eldest daughter, Daria Balor, a skilled and thoughtful tactician reminiscent of those in the Empire of Arathor, had a solution to their dilemma. Utilizing the islands' unique terrain and deadly cliffs to her advantage, she lured the bashful brigands and their ships into seemingly safe waters.
However, without the knowledge that the people of Balor possess, there would be no way these pirates could navitage the perilous reefs. The scoundrel vessels crashed against the steep rocks, sinking below the surface to their watery tombs.
Daria's strategy proved successful: the pirates were driven off, and she was heralded as Balor's heroine. A grand feast was held for five days straight, filled with laughter and joy, celebrating the island's prosperity and rescued existence. Unbeknownst to the cheerful crowd, however, was trouble brewing across the sea.
Furious about his severe loss at the hands of Duke Balor's daughter, the Lord of Plunder Isle was not about to let that impertinent woman trample on his honor as the famed regent over Azeroth's seas. As if fate had dictated it - he had a trump card at his disposal: one of his surviving crews was able to capture a terrified citizen, that oozed cowardice out of every pore. Greedy and unloyal, he accepted the offer he had been given without second thought. With his knowledge, the pirate ships would finally be able to navigate the ruthless sea of Balor.
See also
Patch changes
- File:Expansion logo mysteriesofazeroth.png Patch 1.17.2 (2024-11-01): Added.
