I’ve heard of this creature whispered in taverns throughout Azeroth and Outlands.
Ever since Northrend had opened up, there were sightings, and even skirmishes with a beast seldom seen. It wasn’t of this world, yet for some reason chose to walk amidst the animals of the Scholazar Basin from time to time.
He was never in the same place twice; and then only for a fleeting moment or two.
I even heard a name once…just once.
Loque’nahak
Odd. Such an odd name. It speaks of intelligence beyond the norm. What could this creature be?
I knew the moment I heard the name, that I would seek him out. I was a hunter, it is what I do. This would be the hunt of a lifetime, something I had to do.
From all the rumors I had heard, I knew I wasn’t a match for him at the time. So, I set out for Northrend, intending to develop my abilities as much as possible. I traveled both the Tundra and the Fordje. I made my way through grizzly bedecked hills, and the wastes of Dragonblight. When I finally felt I was ready, I set off for Scholazar Basin.
I had heard he enjoyed spending his limited time in the area around the gorillas. Most of them were fairly docile, as long as you didn’t get to close and anger the males. So, I set up a small shelter…a lean-to of sorts on the eastern side of the Basin. I found the main congregating areas of the gorillas, and planned out a rout to travel several times throughout the day.
And I waited.
I waited for days.
Days turned into a week.
Then a week turned into two. And two turned into…
I thought I was a hunter with patience, but my patience was wearing thin. I began to hear things. I began to see glints of things out of the corner of my eye. I knew I had to give up the hunt, if not for a little bit; lest I go insane by the isolation.
I gathered my things, what little I had with me, and set out for Nesingwary’s base camp. From there I flew back to Valiance Keep, for a hot meal and a warm bed. I spent a few days traveling the Tundra, helping out where I could. But, the hunt called back to me. Loque’nahak called to me, or so it seemed.
I woke up in a fit.
I saw eyes in my dream. Ghostly, glowing eyes. I saw a maw, filled with razor sharp teeth. I saw a glistening hide, with an ethereal radiance to it; speckled with strange…almost rune-like markings all over it. It looked like a great cat, but not like any cat on Azeroth that I’ve seen. To be sure, this was no feline.
Still, I awoke in a sweat; and I knew I had to get back to the Basin. I knew not if it was a challenge, or a request; but it seemed that Loque’nahak had become conscious of my self-imposed quest.
I gathered my meager belongings, and paid the last of my bill. Decided to pay the Gryphon Master his due, for an expedited trip. I soon found myself in the skies of Northrend headed towards Scholazar Basin.
Just as we peaked over the mountains, north of the wolfman’s village, and southwest of Nesingwary’s camp; I saw something. I barely made it out, and the gryphon was kind enough to fly a little lower.
There! Just a glint off a tooth.
Surrounded by Dreadsabers, yet totally unmolested he stood. Right at that moment, he looked up at me and let out a deafening roar, frightening the gryphon I was on. It bolted back up into the sky, making hastely towards Nesingwary’s camp.
When I landed, I could barely stand. My knees were shaking, and I couldn’t think straight.
Did I really see him? Did he really see me? Did he really see me?
I had to go, I had to get there quickly lest he tired of his time in the Basin.
I had to reach Loque’nahak.
By my pen,
Zwingli
