atrols near the Azurelode Mine just north of Southshore made a strange
discovery recently. Along the shoreline in small groups a flotilla of
small boats has been uncovered. While some appear to have been
conciously disguised, others were just abandoned on the shoreline or
could be seen bobbing in the tides. Of any occupants, however, there
were no sign save vague tracks heading inland.
While this
discovery caused immediate concern in the region, thoughts of a Horde
plot may be unfounded. Examination of the craft uncovered some clues to
the possible identities of the occupants. Among the dozens of small
vessels a handful of coins were found, all of which were old, but
otherwise legal tender within the Alliance. A dagger, some papers
written in some form of elaborate code, and a water-spoiled cask of
salted beef were also discovered.
Local authorities
assume the boats could have carried at best around forty lightly-armed
persons, and could not have travelled far. Theories abound as to where
the flotilla came from, with some stating the boats could have
travelled down the coastline from the Tirisfal Glades (either
containing Forsaken or Scarlet Crusade members in this scenario),
Silverpine or even from the isolated kingdom of Gilneas. The Gilneans
however have long since abandoned contact with outsiders since the
initial outbreaks of the plague of undeath during the first days of the
Third War. Several attempts to resume contact have been made since,
though it is know the Gilneans have blockaded the straits near their
coastal cities with sea-chains and rumours abound about visitors being
met by cannonfire or simply never being seen again.
Whatever the case, the local militia in the region have doubled their patrols around Hillsbrad and Southshore.
