A Militia in Place of an Army

At Sentinel Hill, Gryan Stoutmantle organizes the People’s Militia around the defense of Westfall. Its campaign begins among northern farms and mines, then reaches the quarry, Moonbrook and the southern hills. The Defias are not confined to one camp: trappers, smugglers, pillagers and highwaymen hold different parts of the countryside.

Captain Danuvin speaks as a resident who refuses to abandon his homeland. He calls on volunteers to patrol the grasslands and suspects the gnolls are cooperating with the thieves. Scout Galiaan follows the Brotherhood’s changing positions and uses its red leather bandanas as evidence of action against its members.

Certain newly arrived Skyborne travelers are also directed to Sentinel Hill. Their guide acknowledges the journey from another plane, then asks them to help the people facing hardship here. Whatever brought those adventurers to Azeroth, Gryan’s militia has work waiting for them.

The Name Behind the Bandanas

Gryan needs more than another patrol. He sends the adventurer to Wiley in Lakeshire, an informant who owes him a favor. Wiley reports that the Defias are working with gnolls, kobolds and goblins, and warns that revealing their plans could cost him his life.

A reference to the Stonemasons sends the investigation to Mathias Shaw in Stormwind. Shaw names Edwin VanCleef, leader of the guild that rebuilt the city after its destruction in the First War. In Shaw’s account, the workers were dissatisfied with their treatment after reconstruction.

The trail gives the militia a person and a history behind the raids. The skills associated with rebuilding the capital are now connected to the organization driving people from Westfall. Shaw prepares a report for Gryan; finding where VanCleef operates becomes the next task.

VanCleef and the Unsent Letter

With the hideout exposed, Gryan Stoutmantle orders Edwin VanCleef’s death. He frames the sentence as necessary for Westfall’s people, while acknowledging its gravity. The adventurers are asked to return with proof that the Defias leader has been killed.

A follow-up begins while searching VanCleef’s person. Among his possessions is a recently written, sealed letter addressed to Baros Alexston, Stormwind’s city architect. Carrying it back to the capital opens another lead rather than neatly explaining every connection behind the rebellion.

Three Appeals for Help

Magistrate Solomon tries to obtain reinforcements before Lakeshire is overwhelmed. His first message goes to General Marcus Jonathan in Stormwind. The general sends a reply while waiting for the king, but the message chain does not deliver the army Solomon needs.

Solomon next turns to Gryan’s militia in Westfall. Gryan’s response is bitter: his own people formed their militia because they too were left without help. He cannot withdraw them from their war to defend Lakeshire.

A third letter reaches Lord Ebonlocke in Darkshire. Ebonlocke gives the same practical answer from a different frontier. The Night Watch is all that prevents his town from being overrun. Each community needs assistance, and none can safely spare its defenders. The courier returns carrying refusals rather than reinforcements.