Prisim's journey from Eldre'Thalas to Moonshadow's Rest was merely a small interlude, yet prior to this, Moonshadow's Rest truly lacked any specialized Rogues worth mentioning.
Although the combat priestess units under Naisha's command practiced some shadow-specialized skills, their essence remained that of Priests—just more violent compared to ordinary missionary priests.
With Prisim joining their ranks, Moonshadow's Rest's scout forces would no longer be limited to Rangers and Druids. Rogues, possessing powerful stealth and infiltration capabilities, would gradually be trained into shape. Compared to the versatile Druids or the Rangers active in the wilderness, Rogues were the combatants best suited for infiltrating settlements to steal or gather intelligence.
...
While the Satyrs had been very cunning, utilizing a gap in the logic of Shandris and others to escape into Winterspring and take advantage of the cold valley to recuperate, it was only a matter of time before their hiding spots were found once Shandris mobilized a massive force for a "carpet-style" search.
According to Andreas's calculations, around the year 9500 B.P. (Before the opening of the Dark Portal), news finally arrived from the Winterspring front.
Several of Lunara's Dryad sisters were attacked in the eastern mountains of Winterspring. Had the Sentinel Hippogryph Riders not been patrolling nearby, those lively Dryads would have found it difficult to escape the Satyrs' clutches.
Perhaps the Satyrs had grown weary of their centuries-long game of hide-and-seek, or perhaps they believed they had accumulated enough strength to resist during these hundreds of years. Using this attack as a trigger, the Satyrs of Winterspring and Felwood Forest finally launched a full-scale assault against the Night Elves.
In the southern region of Felwood Forest near Ashenvale, there was a scattered Furbolg village. The local Furbolgs called themselves the Timbermaw clan, and their settlement was known by the Night Elves as Timbermaw Hold (Greywood Village).
Large swarms of Satyrs surged out from the valleys northwest of the village, frantically attacking both the Furbolgs and the nearby Night Elf outpost, Emerald Sanctuary.
Although Shandris had long ago stationed multiple Sentinel detachments throughout Felwood, by the time the defenders of Emerald Sanctuary repelled their own attackers and rushed to check the village, the local Furbolgs were already on the brink of collapse in the face of the swarming Satyrs.
The tragedy at Timbermaw was merely a microcosm of the Satyrs' full-scale counterattack. The Satyrs, who had been missing for so long, seemed to spring out from the very cracks in the rocks.
Jaedenar in central Felwood, the highlands near the Cliffs of Darkshore in the north, the ruins of Kel'Theril in central Winterspring, Frostwhisper Gorge in the south, and near Frostsaber Rock in the north—Satyrs were sighted almost everywhere.
Fortunately, Shandris was no amateur. During the centuries the Satyrs spent hiding, she had withstood Tyrande's numerous pressures to rush and instead steadily ordered the Sentinels to build multiple fortified outposts across Felwood.
After overcoming the initial panic of the sudden total assault, the Sentinel forces across Felwood began to showcase the results of their years of rigorous training.
The joint force of Sentinels and Dryads at Emerald Sanctuary, supported by the vengeful Timbermaw Furbolgs whose homes had been attacked, counterattacked and drove the Satyrs back to their previous hiding spot—a valley north of the village.
The Sentinels frequently patrolled the areas around their outposts. Previously, this valley had been peaceful, with no sign of Satyrs hiding there. But when the joint force stormed the valley, the sight of green sludge flowing everywhere and scorched trees ignited by Fel fire left everyone shocked.
Coincidentally, the Heart of the Wild outpost near Jaedenar also made a significant discovery during their counteroffensive. Following the direction in which the Satyrs were retreating, the Sentinels and Dryads were surprised to find that a massive bunker had been excavated deep within the previously empty Jaedenar at some unknown time.
A large number of Satyrs were hiding in this underground fortress named Shadow Hold. The Sentinels also discovered a fair number of low-level demons within the bunker—likely reinforcements the Satyrs had summoned piecemeal from the Twisting Nether.
The situation near the northern highlands was relatively optimistic. The nearby Ironwood Forest was home to a large number of powerful Ancient Protectors (Ancients of War). These Ancients had been dormant since the end of the War of the Ancients, but the Satyrs' rampage had awakened them.
The Satyrs at the Felpaw (Culpability) Highlands were indiscriminately spreading Fel energy, causing immense damage to the lush nearby forest. After witnessing the Satyrs' atrocities firsthand, the Ancients of War responded to the Sentinels' request without hesitation. Utilizing their massive frames to clear the path for the Sentinels and Dryads, they successfully broke through the defenses of the highlands and charged into the Jadefire Path behind them.
...
"I see."
Andreas put down the battle report and pondered for a moment.
"In other words, the situation in Felwood Forest is basically under control. Aside from the main stronghold of Shadow Hold, the Sentinels and their natural allies hold the upper hand on all fronts from south to north."
Turning to look at the massive map of Kalimdor hanging on the wall, Andreas's brow gradually furrowed. "The biggest problem... is indeed in Winterspring?"
Leticia nodded solemnly. "Yes. I have already issued orders to the garrison in Darkshore to hold their respective defense zones and maintain the highest level of vigilance at all times. It should be impossible for the Satyrs to break through the Felwood lines and invade Darkshore."
Andreas studied the map of the Winterspring region with a deep gaze. The Dryads who were first attacked had accidentally stumbled upon the Satyrs' largest base of operations. At this time, Everlook had not yet been established; the Sentinels, who had only recently entered Winterspring, had only one camp in the central-northern area—Starfall Village.
"The Satyrs near the ruins of Kel'Theril don't need our concern. Those fools will eventually provoke someone they shouldn't."
Andreas traced his finger thoughtfully across the map. When passing over a gorge southeast of Kel'Theril, a mocking smile appeared on his face.
Leticia was puzzled. "Someone they shouldn't provoke? Are there powerful creatures living in that area?"
"You didn't know?" Andreas raised an eyebrow. "To monitor the growth of Nordrassil, the four Dragonflights once built a temporary residence at the foot of the mountain near the northeast of the World Tree."
Pointing at the target gorge area, Andreas sneered, "Although the Red, Green, and Bronze dragons withdrew from the valley they named Mazthoril after confirming Nordrassil was growing healthily, many Blue Dragons refused to return to their home in Coldarra to face the maddened Malygos. They still reside there to this day."
Leticia's mind worked quickly. As soon as Andreas finished, she immediately understood her mentor's meaning. "If those foolish Satyrs provoke the Blue Dragons living in Mazthoril, even if we don't actively ask for help, the Blue Dragons should help us clear out the enemies near the Kel'Theril ruins."
"Yes." Andreas looked toward eastern Winterspring with concern. "The areas where the fighting is most severe are the northeast and south."
"The Hidden Grove in the east is the Satyrs' base. If they link up with the Satyrs coming from Frostsaber Rock in the north, it's a question whether the forces at Starfall Village are sufficient. Most critically, the enemies at Frostwhisper Gorge in southern Winterspring can directly threaten Mount Hyjal."
His lips curled into a meaningful smile. Andreas folded his arms and mocked leisurely, "I'd like to see just how long Tyrande can maintain her composure now that her own doorstep is under attack."