Alterac Altercation

The Alterac Altercation was a showdown between the Horde and Alliance in Alterac Valley. Considerable aid came to both factions. The Alliance were bolstered by the forces of Queen Calia Menethil, Darren Formigny, king of Alterac, and Vinthrin, who led the Stromgarde forces. The Horde fielded the Awakened, a powerful group of Forsaken, the Eclipsion Blade, a sect of Blood Elves heavily strengthened by the martial excellence of Blood Knights, and hired the Ragetusk Warband, some of the finest mercenaries in Azeroth. The largest outside organization to take the field were the Defilers, who backed the Horde soldiers.

The first engagement was at Dandred's Fold in Alterac, though it was not in the Valley proper. As the Horde forces departed via zeppelin, the Alliance destroyed their artillery through magical means. The Manor house was rigged to explode and, after detonated, turned the immediate area to ash. The Forsaken had left a corrupting agent on the field and still the land is inhospitable - it slowly dies, though the Alliance forces have yet to vacate it. Instead, they set up fortifications before following the Horde into Alterac Valley.

The first true battle was brief and telling, despite the numbers brought by both sides: The elves of the Eclipsion Blade formed an impenetrable wall, marching with the combined military might of the Awakened and the Defilers. The Alliance forces split in two in an attempted pincer movement but were checked by the elite forces of the Ragetusk, ultimately being ground down between the hammer of troll ferocity and the anvil of steadfast elves. In the post-battle aftermath many of the human kingdoms deserted the field, leaving the dwarves of the Stormpike to their own devices.

The next battle was as one-sided as the first. The Horde moved forward unstoppably, organizing outside of Dun Baldar. The bridge had been destroyed by the inhabitants. The besieging force began to move artillery and siege engines into position as well as establishing magical superiority, effectively locking down any attempt to enter the Valley via airship. The dwarves were now, well and truly, alone.

A demand for congress was sent. When Vanndar met with Drek'thar, neither side was willing to relent and the terms of surrender were, ultimately, refused. Drek'thar granted his longtime foe the dignity of three days to dispose of their dead, but vowed to exterminate those remaining once the truce faded. At this time, there seems no hope for survival.