If you are just joining us please start with CREATE YOUR OWN AZEROTH: PRELUDE from Hardcore Casual.

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Grabbing his Hammer, Corrigan turns to exit the tent. He pauses, and kneels briefly at the door.

May the Light bring us strength on this day.

Corrigan rushes out of the tent, and charges to the front lines. As he runs murmurs of surprise spread throughout the lines. Merely having Corrigan’s presence among them seems to bolster the soldiers’ spirits. As Corrigan reaches the front gate and realizes just how close the walls are to crumbling he stops and turns to the men and women under his command.

“On this day we will deliver a message to our enemies. On this day we will show them the strength of Azeroth’s people. We will stand and fight the corrupt, the vile, the Scourge. Cleanse the fear from your hearts! Stand with me, and let us show Arthas’ minions that we shall not falter!”

How can we withstand such an onslaught? There is no doubt that many will die here today.

Corrigan shakes the last of the cobwebs from his mind as the gates fall. Wave after wave of disgusting Scourge soldiers collide with the polished armor of Corrigan’s troops. Blood flows freely, staining the ground in a matter of moments. Cries of strength and honor are cut short, twisting into barely audible gurgles as windpipes are smashed or torn.

“For the Light!” Corrigan yells as he rushes into the fray, his hammer felling three and four Scourge at a time. “Stand fast! Drive these vile creatures back through the gate!”

As the battle rages it becomes clear the Alliance forces are horribly outnumbered. Without some miracle Corrigan and his troops will be fatefully overrun soon. Rondrey makes his way to Corrigan’s side, assuring him the last of the civilians have been evacuated, or are at least as safe as possible with the remaining soldiers.

Breathing heavily, Corrigan turns to Rondrey during a brief lull in the attack, “Old friend, we cannot keep them at bay much longer. Take the remaining soldiers and retreat, I’ll do what I can to buy you enough time to get away. With the entire regiment you should be able to make it through any remaining ambushes blocking your path”

“There be no way to make it outta here alive without help,” Rondrey protests, “I’ll not leave ye alone!”

Maybe this is the price I have to pay for not being able to protect Sylphine… death would almost be a warm welcome, a change from the persistent nightmare I have been plagued to live.

“There’s no time for debate, Rondrey,” Corrigan whispers, “I cannot lead them to certain death!”

Rondrey pauses, accepting that there is but one way to sway Corrigan’s decision, “Sacrificing yerself won’t change the past. Ye can save these people, Corrigan, and I’ll be damned if yer goin’ to give up so easily!”

A fresh wave of abominations and geists fills the courtyard as Corrigan hefts his hammer, the Light feeding him the strength to fight fiercely. Rondrey hefts his small mace and sends bolt after bolt of holy energy into the fray, healing those in need and burning the remaining flesh of the Scourge invaders.

Rage swells inside Corrigan as he crushes the bones of his enemies. Just as the battle appears to be turning in the favor of the Alliance forces the attackers pull back, making room for something coming forward from the back of their ranks. Corrigan’s eyes follow the hooded figure as it steps forward and becomes plainly visible.

Rondrey curses and Corrigan’s rage merely explodes as the hood falls, revealing the icy pale skin of a death knight. Corrigan feels Rondrey grab his arm and hold fast as he whispers, “Steady lad, ye cannot simply rush in against the creature and abandon our defenses!”

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You control Corrigan’s fate!

If you choose to attack the death knight immediately Corrigan will charge, leading the rest of his men into a last ditch assault against their attackers. For this option go to Creeping… (Update, continuation link is here)

If you choose to hold the lines steady Corrigan will listen to Rondrey, hoping to outlast the assault and gain victory. For this option go to Hardcore Casual (Update, continuation link is here)

The story will continue on those blogs next Wednesday, April 22nd.