Zem'lan

Galen, an outsider, was well-versed in the legend of Zem'lan's treasure, a tale passed down through generations in Vol'dun. As someone who had studied the history of Azeroth, he knew of Zem'lan's exploits. Zem'lan was the first pirate to be recorded in Azeroth's civilized history, appearing after the War of the Ancients, when the great explosion transformed Kalimdor's central region into the island of Zandalar.

During that era, the Zandalari began their advancements in navigation technology, and with the aid of the Zandalari Empire's formidable shipbuilding prowess, pirates were able to roam the boundless seas. The Night Elves were preoccupied with rebuilding their homes on Mount Hyjal, and it wasn't until the High Elves were exiled that they raised their own fleet and ventured across the ocean.

In this vacuum of maritime dominance, Zem'lan assembled a crew of desperate Zandalari trolls. Driven by greed and a thirst for adventure, they embarked on a relentless campaign of plunder. At their zenith, they audaciously occupied the Vol'dun Desert and established a port named after him: Port of Zem'lan. This was the very port Galen now saw, swallowed by sand.

Zem'lan dared to build a port on land because he exploited the Zandalari's limited control over Vol'dun. Or, perhaps more accurately, the arrogant Zandalari dismissed the already barren Vol'dun as merely a place of exile. However, he hadn't anticipated the emergence of an aggressive faction of unbelievers among the desert's otherwise peace-loving snake people. The Faithless Serpentmen expanded relentlessly, eventually attacking the Troll Pirates in Port of Zem'lan.

Zem'lan had plundered immense treasures and even constructed a Treasure Island outside the port. He could not bear to abandon his port and his hoard. Thus, Zem'lan retrieved a sacrificial statue and utilized its power to curse his crew and himself, transforming them into undead skeleton pirates. This desperate act allowed him to successfully defend Port of Zem'lan. Galen even surmised that the cursed statue in the pirate king's hand must have belonged to the troll Loa, Bwonsamdi, the god of death. This entity was known for making deals indiscriminately, scattering his magical essence far and wide, yet he often forgot the terms, leading many to seize the essence without fulfilling their end of the bargain. In his previous life, Galen had even helped this old entity collect his debts.

The naval battle had concluded. Once a boarding action began, the outcome was almost certainly decided. With equal numbers, few races could overcome the sheer might of the Naga thugs and royal guards. Observing the skeletons scattered across the deck, a rare, sarcastic smile touched Zasj's charming face beneath her wide captain's hat.

"Pirate King Zem'lan?" she scoffed. "Times have changed! You are nothing but a bunch of dead bones in a grave!" She then commanded the Naga thugs to collect all the skeletons and confine them in the prison within the Black Pearl's bottom hold.

After the naval resistance was quelled, Galen saw the flag-bearer on the Black Pearl signal. In response, five warships broke formation from the fleet encircling the port and initiated an attack.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

The five warships unleashed a fierce artillery barrage. The skeleton pirates stationed in the port hastily operated their troll-style crossbows and Naga-made harpoon launchers in a futile attempt to retaliate. It was to no avail; soon, the ancient city defenses were reduced to rubble under the relentless bombardment. Having obliterated the port's defenses, the five warships swiftly entered the harbor to commence a landing operation.