The Siege of Balor
The Siege of Balor is a book that can be found in the Athenaeum in the Scarlet Monastery Library.
The pirates of Plunder Island were eager to ravage the wealthy Balor. Now knowing how to navigate the seas around the island, they had the element of surprise on their side. And thus the first Siege of Balor began, with an armada of vessels creeping in from the horizon. Day after day the pirates drew in closer to the island, showing their nautical prowess by evading the rocky reefs using their newly acquired knowledge.
The citizens were distraught, begging for Duke Balor to save them from their doom. Stormwrought Castle may have been well fortified, but the rest of the isle was defenseless before the rampaging swashbucklers and the few ships they possessed were not enough to halt their advances. Corralling the populace into the castle was the only thing he could do for now.
The siege was relentless. With only a few men and women able to defend the keep, the morale was low. It was not to stay that way, as Duke Balor's daughter Daria once more rallied the people to defend their home and their future. Commanding others to mount the few siege weapons they had, she herself took the charge in direct combat, leading those able to fight. Fierce battles were fought and with many Arathi veterans on their side, the people of Balor were able to push the pirates back.
Their celebration was cut short, however, as the Lord of Plunder Isle himself entered the battlefield and the fighting began anew. Swords clashed and bodies fell to the ground. Daria herself was up against the pirate lord.
They engaged in a violent duel, with one strike of their weapons more vicious than the last. The Duke's daughter was able to outrange her opponent with her halberd, but struggled with keeping up against the incredible speed of his saber. Pushing her further and further into a corner, the pirate lord knew how to counter her range advantage.
Daria herself was a competent fighter, but this man she was up against was clearly a battle hardened warrior. But her resolve to save her home was not to falter. She continued parrying his strikes, one by one, completely focusing on the metal of his sword. In her determination, however, she did not notice the dagger he pulled from beneath his coat.
Even before she could see it, she felt its cold iron in her side. Shocked and caught offguard by his feint, she lost sight of his saber, before quickly getting disarmed. With a grin of malice, the pirate lord thrust the blade into her, ending her life. Those able to witness it were horrified. Her father, who watched all of it from atop the castle walls could not believe his eyes. Terror, grief and despair all culminated within him at the sight of his daughter's lifeless body being thrown in front of the castle for all to see.
Duke Balor was completely mortified and if it had not been for Lord Eugent Grahan, then the castle would've been stormed that day. Reminding him of what Daria fought for, he managed to release the Duke from his stupor, causing him to have the remaining forces retreat into Stormwrought Castle.
Now besieged in his own home. Duke Balor was caught deep in despair, his pride shattered by the pirate assault. Lord Grahan stepped in front of his ruler, and as a beacon of hope, offered a proposition. Telling the duke of his good connections to Stormwind, he promised him a regiment of King Barathen's men to aid him in his most desperate hour. In turn, Stormwind would have direct authority over Balor.
Left with little to no choices, he agreed to the terms, under the condition to remain a figurehead for his people. With Lord Grahan assuring him of that, they sent a messenger bird to Stormwind, hoping for a quick and positive answer.
Days went by, and morale on both ends fluctuated. The pirates' inability to seize the castle and the rations getting depleted more and more with each passing day factored heavily into each party's fighting spirit. A few more days; the rations wouldn't suffice any longer. Laying eyes upon the broken courage of his people, Duke Balor mustered up his strength to address them in their most dire hour.
With a booming voice he reminded them of their mettle, splitting themselves from Stormwind without certainty; he reminded them of their ingenuity, turning the raw gold they found into a blooming trade port, he reminded them of the pride they have in Balor and all the grandiose feats they accomplished together as one. Before he could continue, a powerful and awe inducing horn could be heard in the distance.
Taking Lord Grahan with him, the invigorated Duke rushed on top of the castle walls, only to see blue sails adorned with a bright gold at the horizon. King Wrynn kept his promise and with almost double as many ships, he and his men easily overwhelmed the brigands, driving them off the island for good. While the siege was broken, the island had been sacked. Still, Duke Balor was thankful for his and his people's rescue at the hands of Stormwind's king; the king he now swore his loyalty to.
With the help of their new patrons, Balor recovered and soon could begin trade anew. Now protected by the Knights of Stormwind, the small island autonomy could prosper and grow even more. In front of Stormwrought Castle, to commemorate her heroic stand against the assailants, a statue of Daria Balor was erected. For her people, she remained a symbol of hope and resilience ever since.
See also
Patch changes
- File:Expansion logo mysteriesofazeroth.png Patch 1.17.2 (2024-11-01): Added.
