Chapter 4.3: The Last Warlords and the Secrets of Zul’Azrak

The Last Pure Orc Warlords

As the Horde Wars faded into legend, the once-united orc warbands of Grommash the Unbroken fractured, scattering across the wild lands of Eldoria. Some became mercenaries, others turned to raiding, and a few sought to forge their own dominions. Yet among the remnants, there remained those who clung to the old ways—the last pure warlords, bound by honor, strength, and an undying thirst for battle.

These warlords, though few in number, carried the blood of the First Horde, their lineage traced back to the warriors who had stood alongside Grommash in his final battle. They were not mere chieftains or raiders; they were the living embodiments of orcish pride, determined to see their people rise again.

Among them, three names stood above all others:

Gorvak the Red Blade – A warrior of unmatched brutality, once a warlord under Grommash himself. He still carried the legendary axe, Bloodfang, forged in the fires of Durnhold. It was said that with every kill, the axe grew stronger, drinking the essence of the fallen. Mazgul the Iron Tusks – A master of siege warfare, whose warbands had razed human strongholds long after the fall of the Horde. He was known to wield Tuskbreaker, a warhammer forged from the bones of a slain giant. Shaara the Howling Wind – One of the few female warlords, feared for her cunning and ruthless tactics. She commanded the Stormfang Raiders, a cavalry force that struck like thunder across the plains, never staying in one place for too long.

Though their methods differed, these warlords shared a singular goal: to reclaim the lost strength of their people. But to do so, they would need more than warriors—they needed power, the kind of power only found in the darkest corners of Eldoria.

The Secrets of Zul'Azrak

Legends spoke of a ruined city hidden deep within the Withered Wilds, a place where even the bravest orc feared to tread. Zul'Azrak, the City of Shadows, was once the grand temple of the Gor'Vash trolls, the firstborn children of the Black Root Titan. It was here that the greatest warlocks of the ancient troll empire performed rituals of unimaginable power, drawing magic from the lifeblood of Eldoria itself.

The city had long since fallen into ruin, its ziggurats crumbling and its sacrificial altars buried beneath tangled roots. Yet something still lingered within the ruins—something old, something hungry.

It was said that deep within Zul'Azrak lay the Heart of Vash'Goroth, a relic of the Dark Titan's power. Those who found it would gain mastery over shadow magic, but at a terrible price. The heart was not merely an artifact; it was alive, pulsing with the remnants of its master's will. It whispered to those who came too close, promising power beyond reckoning in exchange for servitude.

Gorvak, Mazgul, and Shaara all knew that whoever wielded the power of Zul'Azrak would have the means to unite the orcs once more. But they were not the only ones seeking its secrets.

The Final Remnants of the Gor'Vash

Unbeknownst to the orc warlords, Zul'Azrak was not as abandoned as the world believed. The last remnants of the Gor'Vash trolls still lingered in the shadows, their bodies twisted by centuries of dark sorcery. These were not the scattered warbands of common trolls, nor the shamans of lesser tribes—these were the last true children of Vash'Goroth, immortal beings who had refused to fade.

Their leader, Zul'Rathis the Undying, was said to be the last High Warlock of the Gor'Vash. His body, no longer truly flesh, had become a vessel of pure dark energy, his soul bound to the ruins of Zul'Azrak. The trolls under his command, known as the Shadowborn, were shades of their former selves, their existence sustained by the power of the Heart.

They had waited for centuries, knowing that one day, outsiders would come seeking their secrets. And when the orcs arrived, the warlocks of the Shadowborn welcomed them with open arms… and wicked smiles.

The Bargain of Blood and Shadow

What happened within the depths of Zul'Azrak is a tale whispered in hushed voices, for none who entered the ruined city ever emerged unchanged. Some say that Gorvak, Mazgul, and Shaara struck a deal with Zul'Rathis, offering their own warriors as sacrifices to fuel the dark magic of the Gor'Vash. Others believe that only one of the warlords walked away, having slain the other two in a desperate bid for power.

What is known is this: after the journey to Zul'Azrak, the warlords were never seen the same way again. Some claim they returned bearing weapons crafted from the bones of the fallen Gor'Vash. Others say they did not return at all, their souls consumed by the Heart of Vash'Goroth.

What is certain is that in the following years, new orc warbands began to rise—stronger, deadlier, and touched by an unnatural power. Their weapons dripped with shadows, their eyes glowed with a crimson light, and their bodies healed from wounds that should have been fatal.

The last pure warlords had sought to reclaim the power of the Horde. Whether they succeeded or not is unknown, but one thing remains true:

The echoes of Zul'Azrak still call to those who seek power. And deep in the ruins, the Heart of Vash'Goroth continues to beat, waiting for the next fool to heed its call.

Final Thoughts on the Horde Wars

The story of the Horde did not end with Grommash. Though the great warlord fell, his legacy endured in the scattered remnants of his people. The orcs, despite their defeats, never truly vanished. They adapted, they endured, and in the darkest corners of Eldoria, they plotted their return.

As for the Gor'Vash, their time had passed… or so the world believed. But shadows never truly die. And in the heart of Zul'Azrak, the whispers continue, promising a reckoning yet to come.

Perhaps the Horde Wars were not truly over. Perhaps they were only waiting for the right moment to begin anew.