Hail! From Mulgore.

[Kantus]

(( The story of Kantus and Veirie, as overheard and retold by a drunken troll shaman at a tavern in Booty Bay ))

Bloodhoof is a village that maintains it’s innocence and a simple way of life, and yet the war wary travelers returning for a hot meal or to visit the stables serve as a constant reminder of the troubled times in the lands of Azeroth. It is here that our story begins.

Kantus, the son of a leatherworker, spent much of his young life hunting in the rolling plains of Mulgore living in the shadow of their capital city, Thunder Bluff. Being the son of a leatherworker, it was Kantus’ responsibility to collect as many pieces of light leather and leather scraps as he could. This kept Kantus busy and out from underfoot in the leatherworking tent. It also taught him the valuable trade skills hunting and skinning. Of course hunting and skinning do not come without risks, and Kantus like most children liked to test the limits of just how much he could achieve. Fortunately Kantus’ mother was wise to the ways of the elders, trained as a druid, and present to heal the broken bones, cuts, and bruises that invariably resulted from said risks.

Kantus’ mother understood the necessity of killing, as the family must eat, and they require clothing to protect from the elements. She strictly enforced rules regarding the use of all resources gathered from the killing required to run the leatherworking shop. These rules being as they were, she had a lucrative side business cooking using the leftovers from all of the skinning. Of course, Kantus didn’t enjoy having to make all of the extra runs back to the village because of the meat and frequently complained about the additional effort required for his chores.

As the seasons started to turn Kantus’ father started to notice that his son was making less frequent trips back to the leatherworking tent and grew concerned. He spoke with Kantus’ mother and she agreed, as mothers often do, that they should get to the bottom of what their son has been doing with his time if not his chores.

With the wave of her hand, Kantus’ mother shifted into her preferred travel form and started searching the plains for her son. Her frenzied search did not last long, for off in the distance she saw her son laughing and chatting near the Wildmane Water Well with Veirie, the daughter of a well known Hunter that lived on the other side of the village. She kept her distance and eventually returned home to tell her husband of the developments in their son’s life.

When Kantus arrived back at the village he found the leatherworking tent empty and both parents sitting on the stumps near his mother’s cooking fire. As Kantus approached cautiously his father gruffly bellowed, “Where have you been?”

“I’ve been hunting, skinning, and collecting scraps as always!” Kantus replied defensively.

“Your mother saw you by the well north of Thunder Bluff today.”

“I was hot and looking for a drink!”

“Who was it you were with?” asked his mother.

At this point in the conversation Kantus broke down and told his parents of the young Tauren novice herbalist named Veirie that he had met while he was out skinning and collecting meat for his mother. Of course, they already knew of her mother working for the alchemy vendors in Thunder Bluff. What they didn’t know was how much Veirie wanted to become a hunter, like her father, instead of following in her mother’s hoofsteps.

While Veirie and Kantus claim to have met while she was picking flowers, it is rumored that may not entirely accurate.

Kantus went on at length about the team that they made chasing their targets. The help that she provided while they were hunting made his chores go by so much faster. It even afforded them the extra time to rest by the well, or so he thought.

Veirie had become a good shot with the gun that she had found just outside of the village. Early one day after tracking down her target, she was surprised to find that a flatland cougar seamed to have eaten it, but fortunately it wasn’t damaged too badly and she was able to use it. She had seen her father working with the guns and bows for years and watched him closely. She had always wanted to be a hunter although her mother would not approve. She wanted to pass along her trade skills; she even had promised her a job working in the alchemy shop in Thunder Bluff.

Kantus went on and on talking about Veirie and eventually it was growing late. His parents decided that they would like to meet Veirie and her family. He did what he could to try and talk them out of this, however, they insisted and an evening was scheduled soon after.

After much discussion Kantus’ parents agreed not to tell Veirie’s mother about their daughters hunting activities, in exchange for 300% more leather and meat coming into the shop. She thought it only fair since they had time for long breaks out by the northern well.

The meeting went well and the families became friendly. Kantus and Veirie spent most of their days together, out on the plains. Working as a team Kantus and Veirie hardly noticed as their skills increasing as they spent their days looking for more durable hide less common herbs.

Veirie, quietly working with a hunter trainer in Bloodhoof, finally reached a level where she wanted a pet, tired of always killing her targets. She felt there had to be greater value in capturing and training certain targets and so she set out to try. Her skills became more proficient and eventually she chose her target. Arra’chea had been stalking the plains for a long time, and Veirie thought that experience would be helpful, if only she could tame it.

Kantus and Veirie tried at length to tame Arra’chea, but never managed to succeed. One day, after a failed attempt they decided to venture to Thunder Bluff to run some errands. It was there that they first met the revered Hoofstomper. He overheard their tale while attending to some business at the bank. He offered to use his ability to freeze the animal to allow Veirie enough time to try and communicate with the beast. Excitedly Kantus and Veirie went off with Hoofstomper to find Arra’chea and while they were searching for their target they listened to his retelling of the adventures he had already experienced traveling to the farthest reaches of Azeroth. As the two listened to his stories the same names always seemed to be present at the times of greatest glory and the times of crushing defeat. Hoofstomper explained that given the climate of Mulgore and the constant threat from the Alliance that it is not safe to adventure into Kalimdor and beyond alone. It is critical, he explained, to surround yourself with a group of people for knowledge, protection, and aide in these dangerous times, and for you to assist them in their adventures. It was then that the two young Taurens from a small village in Mulgore first learned of “Clan Skullcrusher.”

As is often the way with adventurers, they are gone as quickly as they appeared. Off to find another quest to conquer. Kantus and Veirie did not see Hoofstomper for a while after that however his stories had inspired them as their trainers set them out to explore more of Kalimdor, even venturing to the remote Eastern Kingdoms undertaking greater challenges and meeting new allies.

As the two journeyman adventurers progressed with their experience in Azeroth they did not forget the words of the druid, Hoofstomper. They began to hear more rumors and see more signs of the presence of the storied “Clan Skullcrusher”. One day, while in Orgrimar Kantus came upon Hoofstomper while seeking the advice of the Druid trainer. It was then that Kantus expressed that he and Veirie would like to join up with the guild known as “Clan Skullcrusher”. Hoofstomper assembled Kantus and Veirie together and explained what it means to be a Crusher. He then provided materials for their language, a prerequisite, he explained. The guild had its roots as an Orc guild which naturally led to the popular language having its roots based on Orcish.

Kantus and Veirie studied the language as they continued to quest, in hopes that they would hear back from Hoofstomper about their request. Eventually they were approached by a Mage known as Verissi. He had spoken with Hoofstomper and they agreed that it was time for us to be introduced to their new guild.

This new group of friends greeted the newcomers warmly as Verissi made the introductions at the Crusher base camp. Veirie and Kantus were quickly overwhelmed with the generosity and hospitality of their new friends and quickly realized that their time spent with their families in their shops was coming to an end.

Upon returning to their families, Kantus and Veirie mutually agreed to tell their parents after spending one last memorable evening together at the Darkmoon Faire setup just outside of Thunder Bluff. As the evening came to an end, the two adventurers showed off their new credentials as members of Clan Skullcrusher. The mood perceptibly changed from one of joy to sadness as the parents processed this information. The mothers cried at the sudden danger that faced their children, the fathers offered advice quickly, and gruffly, to cover for their own grief. Sensing the shift, Veirie quickly declared that the families shall assemble whenever the Faire comes to town to as a celebration of new beginnings.

Thus began a new tradition between their families, even as a time with their children came to an end. As with all ends, there are new beginnings. Even as this story comes to an end, it is really just the beginning of the story of Clan Skullcrusher with the help of Kantus and Veirie collectively working towards the success of the Horde and the preservation of the way of life they have known in Azeroth!

For the Horde!

[Rhoach]

Welcome ta the clan, new blood.