The Rise and Fall of Shamanism

As scribed by Tarok of the Shining Talon clan.


The Golden Age

My cycle-name is Tarok and I am Chieftain Shaman of the Shining Talon clan.

This document is intended for the educated, open-minded orc that desires to know that there was once a time of peace over Draenor, though it is understandably hard to see how it ever was.

We, the orcs, happily lived in our primitive society for thousands of years, embracing the illustrious ways of shamanism and enjoying the benefits. Fresh, plentiful crops, warm homes and serenity within all boundaries. As a shaman, I can sense how the soul of the world, long ago, and its elements were as content as could be. Though documentations are rare, it is thought that change beyond our culture was never thought upon by our race. People were happy, technology was all it needed to be and evil intentions in the minds of our race were practically non-existent. Our fellow beings of creation, the humble draenei, worked alongside some of the clans, and the other races of the world were left to live as they saw fit. Over time, the families in their community grew and joined one another, eventually forming large clans.

It was the age when the five Grand Masters oversaw our race. These benevolent few were great shamans of wisdom and intellect, each partially speaking for the elements of the world. They were the best and most honoured of us. Though grand they were, one should not be presumptious by their title - for they held no control or authority over others. Instructions were performed by orcs out of respect and trust. The Grand Masters spent most of their times in isolation, privately communing with the elements, though they did gather twice a year to be informed of events.

How glorious life must have been without rampant conflict ... and so it saddens me to observe how things have changed. Such ages have a trend of swiftly turning grey and lifeless when you least expect and such a lapse of golden age can down any spirit, that I am sure.




The Lure of the Demon

Then came the orc known as Ner'zhul, one of the hardly potent but ambitious of the lesser Shamans. He rose to power through one of the minor clans, which he later renamed 'Shadow Moon' and was able to bolster their number over time. Though those of questionable intent came to be throughout the ages, they were never able to dare defy the other clans in large scale. Due to their number and power, the fear of retribution was well regarded.

It was known that Ner'zhul desired power, but it was not known how far he would go. Using dangerous, forbidden lore to extend his consciousness beyond our world, he called out for a reply to his presence. It was then that he was allegedly contacted by a creature known as a 'demon' from another 'dimension'. We orcs were only ever aware of our own world - it is thought that the great blackness and stars above were the spirits of the dead resting and watching over us. Those of sensible mind that heard the rumours from Shadow Moon orcs about other realities simply dismissed them. Yet the Grand Masters sensed a a dark taint in the form of a tremor upon a member of our race at the same time - such a resonding effect is as to detect as a rock thrown into a pool of water. From what they could detect, this 'demon' creature seemed to be of pure hate, of complete darkness, and the 'dimensional' aspect suggested it was indeed from another aspect of existence. Such creatures are common in myth and the fantasy stories of the youngling orcs, but the Grand Masters knew it to be true, thus they and the other shamans such as myself became cautious of what was to come but were unsure how to act. Though it seemed prudent to demand Ner'zhul's state and plans, it takes great time to ensure that the elements would not be annoyed at such actions. Or so the Grand Masters said.

I am unaware of the exact details, but it appeared that this demon spoke to Ner'zhul and promised him great power, giving samples of immense knowledge new to those of our race. Ner'zhul was no fool, but he certainly lacked patience. When he initially accepted to be bound to the demon so they could 'help one another', it resulted in an immediate taint in not only himself but other orcs in his clan. Before it held much sway, however, the Grand Masters detected that this demon seemed to be bothered by the commitment of Ner'zhul. If the two destroyed each other, then surely the matter would be resolved. Apparently it appeared that both were having doubts over one another and an intense argument broke out. Soon after, the demons communication seemed to switch away. It had changed from Ner'zhul ... to his pupil, Gul'dan. Had the demon ran out of patience himself in Ner'zhul, or had the shaman gone back on the agreement? The masters were again unsure, for the wise can not divine every and any thing, but they did agree that it was extreme cunning on the demon's part to now focus upon Gul'dan, whom everyone knew was lustful for power.

The demon's decision seemed to instantly work, for Gul'dan was far more willing than his tutor and had soon bound himself to serving this demon - the effects for any shaman sensitive to nature and our race were not at all difficult to sense. While Ner'zhul had not wholly abandoned his ways, for his shamanistic aura vaguely remained, Gul'dan completely removed his and a dark source of power began emmanating from him. It felt like power of a cold void, one that was proven to be dangerous to sense further. We heard that he changed his profession to that of a 'Warlock', though the demon's further plans for him were uncertain. Perhaps their powers had waned or perhaps the years of peace had softened their resolve, but the Grand Masters only remained on their guard.

They could never have possibly concieved of the destruction waiting.




Rise of the Warlocks

Ever since the demon's last vision to Gul'dan that the major shamans had sensed, the pupil rose to power in weeks for what had taken many years. Orcs were roused at his private speeches, much of which discretely spoke out against shamanism, and he soon built up several fanatical followers. He promised a new, glorious age that would be twice as great as the present and bring about the true destiny of our race, which was not, he decreed, sitting in idle peace upon our world. All of his actions seemed to be effective - even veteran members of the Shadow Moon clan left to seek his counsel and had soon pledged their allegiance to him. The dark emmanations we had sensed began to grow, now within other orcs - whatever had happened to Gul'dan by affect of the demon was beginning in more orcs. And then the Grand Masters were unable to discern any further from the meetings, not even to detect Gul'dan's presence. It seemed as if he knew they had been watching and would stand for it no more.

The Grand Masters were in disagreement over what to do. All five of them were in uproar at the suggestions of the others. Whether Gul'dan had incited anger onto them, or whether it was pent up frustration over the esculating situation, I do not know. Since all of them had to be in agreement, they continued to bicker.

Meanwhile, with such powerful members under his command, Gul'dan soon secretly spread his influence and 'taint' amongst several clans on Draenor such as the Warsong and Bleeding Hollow. Many sources of that cold void appeared all over the world and it was difficult to keep track. We soon saw the effects - all of those clans visited by Gul'dans followers soon grew in fury as if suddenly made berserk ... and evil. Once calm and peaceful orcs soon became violent and aggressive like a drunken, angry rabble. Even the sceptical had become united for Gul'dans vision of a 'better' future.

And then, like a single axeblow to the neck, the news spread like wildfire - the Grand Masters were dead.
In one brutal swing, Gul'dan had machinated their deaths through the fevered aggression of his clans and their lack of action, and now few could truly stand in his way.

Soon the clans under Gul'dans command, like puppets dancing on strings, revoked their shamanistic culture and replaced it with the magik's of the demon the Grand Masters had sensed long ago. The remaining shamans in the world instantly felt their powers dissipating - the elements were clearly angry at how they had been disbanded in an instant and no longer had the attention or respect they had received for thousands of years. This demonic magic was severely destructive and perverted, as was proven when the major tribes of the draenei were wiped out in several bloody assaults, scattering the survivors to the far ends of the world.

Everything in our entire society and world had changed. I even sensed Ner'zhul brooding over the events, blaming and loathing himself for his part, but unwilling to act and be caught foul of his former pupil.


The Birth of the Horde

It was now evident that Gul'dan truly had vast power at his disposal, though to the public eye it was a united effort of 'willing' orcs determined to bring about his vision of a new destiny for our race. This now huge faction was known as the Horde. He soon revealed his plan - a huge portal was created in the centre of Draenor in the middle of the Hellfire peninsula itself. It was an actual gateway to another world. Sometime later, the various clans under his power left their homes and gathered near it, before travelling through. It was described as a glorious journey and colonisation to some, whilst others spoke of unprecedented war, designed to continue to increase this Horde's power and brutal prestige.

The shaman Durotan could no longer sit silent at the events, for he had witnessed the intense arguments yet timidness of the Grand Masters. Despite the huge risks at speaking up against such a powerful figure, Durotan verbally assaulted Gul'dan and his shameful ways, calling his doing a path to senseless war and bloodshed. I presume Gul'dan was not yet ready to bloodily execute an entire clan and popular hero for fear of backlash and losing his forces in war, thus Durotan and his clan were instead exiled. I lost a valued friend that day, and my clan lost a firm ally and pillar of support.

The remaining clans in Draenor, from Shadow Moon to Laughing Skull to Bone Chewer to Shining Talon, gradually received reports of the so-called 'glorious' victories the Horde was achieving in its war against the 'evil' inhabitants of the 'new world'. I knew it to be falsified and covered up. While the more bloodthirsty clans celebrated, we in the Shining Talon grimaced.

And this leads to what is today for me. The future remains most forboding and uncertain. Though war is present in Azeroth, it may commence here in Draenor at any moment, for while we remain in what was once a lush land, the nearby clans seem to hunger for war, of that I do not need to divine and sense.

I grow tired and anxious to act, for an uncertain future is a burden I do not wish to hold. Actions must be taken before the final vestiges of shamanism are wiped out ... forever.

But even though a lack of decision had killed the Grand Masters, every action must still be carefully considered.

Yet I feel I am running out of time.

-Tarok