In this era, the continent of Ancient Kalimdor was still a single landmass. Pandaria was located beyond the southern borders of the Night Elf Empire, neighboring the holy mountain of Zuldazar where the Zandalari Trolls had lived for generations.
It was quite interesting to note that the Night Elf Empire's territory spanned from east to west, covering nearly most of Ancient Kalimdor.
They had even established the city of Shandalar in the frozen north, yet a vast expanse of territory to the south had never been incorporated into their domain.
There was, of course, a reason for this. Under the leadership of Queen Azshara, the Night Elf Empire had waged a massive war against the Trolls who once ruled the entire continent. The conflict ended in a crushing victory for the Night Elves, who commanded powerful arcane energies.
However, the perennially dominant Queen Azshara did not choose to exterminate the defeated Trolls. She held the Trolls' level of civilization in utter contempt, believing these "primitive monkeys" could never pose a threat to the resplendent civilization of the Night Elf Empire.
After defeating the Trolls with overwhelming superiority, Azshara struck a haughty pose, forcing the Zandalari—the most exalted of the Troll tribes—to sue for peace with the Night Elves in a humiliating fashion.
The Zandalari were the heart of Troll civilization. Although they felt immeasurable fury at Azshara's disdain, the reality of an army at their gates forced them to bow their heads.
Ultimately, seeing the Zandalari "gritting their teeth and swallowing their own blood" as they begged for mercy, Azshara contemptuously agreed to their request for peace. She "charitably" allowed them to continue inhabiting the holy mountain of Zandalari, and from then on, the two races demarcated their respective borders.
Gundrak, Zul'Farrak, Zul'Gurub, and the holy mountain of Zandalari—these were the remnants of the Troll territories, totaling less than a third of their peak area.
Because the Zandalari mountain acted as a buffer, Azshara did not explore further south into Pandaria.
Although the Pandaren had sent envoys to warn Azshara when she began summoning demons, the excessively confident Queen paid no heed to their well-intentioned reminder, stubbornly continuing down her path of self-destruction.
"Tauren and Pandaren?" Fandral said thoughtfully. "Setting the Pandaren aside for a moment, we should have a good chance of convincing the Tauren—who share a deep bond with Cenarius—to lend us their aid."
The ancestors of the Tauren, the Yaungol, appeared thousands of years ago in the central wilds during the peak of the Mogu Empire under the Thunder King.
The forest demigod Cenarius discovered this fledgling race. During that period, he frequently stayed at the Yaungol settlements, subtly spreading his Druidic ways among their people.
Tiring of the constant struggle for living space against the Trolls, the Yaungol eventually left the central wilds and migrated south into Pandaria, where they were unfortunately enslaved by the Mogu.
They survived as slaves in shameful stagnation until the various races, led by the Pandaren, cooperated to overthrow the Mogu's brutal reign.
The long period of enslavement caused the Yaungol to lose much of their original culture and history. Once freed, the various Yaungol tribes experienced significant ideological splits.
A portion of the peace- and nature-loving Yaungol hoped to reclaim their past glory and traditions. They left the Yaungol tribes in Pandaria and headed north to find their roots. Ultimately, they were fortunate enough to find Cenarius again, re-establishing a profound connection with the forest demigod.
Today, this race—now renamed the Tauren—lived at the foot of the Highmountain peaks in east-central Kalimdor, neighboring Val'sharah, leading a peaceful and harmonious life.
"Although they also received Cenarius' tutelage, no one as brilliant as Archdruid Malfurion has appeared among the Tauren. They possess a primitive Druidic faith but lack formal Druidic traditions," Fandral explained to those present.
"However, they have unexpectedly developed a peculiar profession called the Shaman. Cenarius says the path of the Shaman utilizes a strange power known as the elements."
"Oh?" Andreas was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected the Tauren to have Shamanic traditions so early on.
Jarod raised his hand to quiet the low-voiced discussions. "Fandral, are you confident you can persuade the Tauren to send us reinforcements?"
"Well..." Fandral scratched his head in annoyance. "As much as I'd like to say yes, diplomacy isn't exactly my forte. Furthermore, I currently bear heavy responsibilities entrusted to me by my mentor, so I can't just leave as I please."
"Theoretically, the Archdruid would be the most suitable candidate, but right now he's single-mindedly focused on rescuing Priestess Whisperwind. Cenarius likely can't be spared either."
Jarod frowned and continued, "What about the other high-ranking Druids? Sha'ni? Koda? Lensa?"
Fandral replied with a bitter smile, "They are all at the front lines assisting the Archdruid and the demigods. Aside from me, everyone stationed at the main camp are second-generation Druids. They likely don't have the cred— wait! Hold on!"
As Fandral turned his piercing gaze toward Andreas, a flash of inspiration also struck Jarod.
"Uh—" Seeing the glint in their eyes, the hair on Andreas's neck stood on end. He had a very bad feeling.
A warm and friendly smile appeared on Jarod's face. "Mr. Andreas, since this proposal was yours, why don't you make the trip to Highmountain and attempt to request reinforcements from the Tauren?"
I knew it...
Scratching his head helplessly, Andreas said with some conflict, "I could, but I must complete another task before I can set out. Besides, who should be sent to the Pandaren?"
"Another task?" Jarod asked in confusion. "If it's convenient, could you tell us what it is? While the current situation is stable for now, it certainly won't stay that way long-term. We need the support of fresh forces as soon as possible."
"Well..." Andreas glanced sideways at Maiev. He wasn't sure if he should reveal Elune's request. After all, saying it would mean most of the Resistance high command would know his identity as a "Favored of the Moon Goddess."
Receiving Andreas's questioning look, Maiev closed her eyes and considered for a moment.
"Andreas is right. He must first fulfill Elune's oracle. The diplomatic mission to Highmountain will have to be postponed."
Maiev looked up at her younger brother, Jarod. She felt very proud of how much he had grown, but focusing on the matter at hand, she supported Andreas's stance. "If the situation is truly dire, I suggest choosing someone else for the mission."
Jarod knew his sister's temperament; she wasn't one to make jokes. He and the other Resistance leaders in the tent looked at Andreas in shock. "An oracle?"
"An oracle from Elune herself?"
Andreas shrugged. "Who else? The Night Elves only have one true deity, don't they?"
A look of realization flashed in Jarod's eyes as he stole a glance at Maiev. I see. No wonder Maiev suggested letting Andreas participate in the high-level council.
After reflecting for a moment, Jarod asked tentatively, "May I ask the content of the oracle? If it cannot be disclosed, then never mind."
Andreas nodded. "There's nothing to hide. Elune wants me to help rescue the imprisoned Tyrande Whisperwind."
With a somewhat complicated look at Maiev, Andreas hesitated for a moment but finally chose to speak out.
"I'm not sure if the currently unconscious High Priestess Dejahna mentioned this before, but High Priestess Whisperwind is the successor designated by the Moon Goddess Elune. Furthermore... she is also a Favored of Elune."
Maiev: "..."