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*Notices are posted in many of the usual places. Any town or settlement near the Barrens seems to have been papered with them.*

Attention:

My dad is missing, and we want him to come home. His name is Liko Farstrider, and he is a Tauren. He is a great hunter and tracker, like me. We haven’t seen or heard from him since late November, but I bet he is fine. I just want him here because I miss him so much.

Please keep your eyes open for him. He was last seen heading from Bloodhoof Village toward the Barrens. He was tracking a pretty little kodo calf (because my little sister needs to learn to ride soon), so I bet he is just being really quiet and sneaky, so he doesn’t scare it away.

He is thirty-two years old. He is a little tall and skinny for a Tauren. (Oops, my mom says he is *lean,* not skinny. Except when he gets busy and forgets to eat.) He was wearing light hunting armor at the Ishnu Por Ah’s tabard when we saw him last. There is a raven’s feather in his hair. He is probably traveling with his riding wolf, Shilah, and (maybe) a lion named Alastro.

If you see him, please let me know. You can contact me over the hearthstone or through the mail. You could probably even leave a message with someone else in the Ishnu, if I’m not around.

Please help me look for him, if you can. We have been looking all over, but can’t do it all by ourselves. I do have some money from selling skins and my drawings and glyphs, so I could pay good money for anyone who can help find him.

Thanks for reading this.

Degan Farstrider,
Ishnu Por Ah

---

((Initially, I’d intended to just write a story to explain where Liko has been since the Cataclysm. Instead, I thought it might be fun to go for a more interactive approach that could incorporate both Horde and Alliance characters.

Here is what I hope will happen in this thread:

Anyone who wants to help in the search should make an IC post that includes *where* they looked and *what* they did. (Maybe they searched for tracks. Maybe they interviewed potential witnesses. Be creative!)

I will be checking the thread regularly, and I’ll post the results of each person’s efforts. I’ll do my best to include clues to help drive the search, but I may slip in some red herrings, as well.

Feel free to contact Degan in game with your finding. Send a letter or ask in the Hearthstone channel. Even if I’m not on Degan, I may be around on an alt. (Alliance players might consider using the AAMS to pass on information.

I’ve got high hopes for this thread, but it depends entirely on the participation of other people. Every discovery is one step closer to finding Liko!))

Dernes blinked as he read the notice, a sinking feeling of dread creeping to him. Liko... Missing? But...

He quickly wrote out a note to Degan.

Degan,

I know you Father well enough, and I promise that the Wardens will do everything we can to find him. Please let me know if there's anything else we can do for you, and your family.

Dernes Proudhorn.


The letter had been barely sent out before he went to find Teicuih to tell her the bad news. Nightshade was walking alongside him, growling dangerously. "I know Nightshade... We start at the beginning. Go to Bloodhoof, and ask Harb Clawhoof of all kodo sightings he knew of."

It was a good enough place to start, any mount vendor had to know where the kodos roamed... And then if the track wasn't too cold, they would find him. They had no choice but to find him.

Harb scratched his head and closed his eyes in thought.

"Aye, I remember talking to the boy about a tiny white kodo calf that he thought would be perfect for his sister. He and his father seemed to think the calf's herd was heading east.

That's about all I remember, sadly. I know Degan headed back to the Bluff, and I assume Liko followed the herd into the Barrens.

I hope someone finds him. I still remember teaching him how to ride."

Dernes nodded his thanks to Harb, complimented the man on a young brown calf he was raising and bid him farewell. With Nightshade following, the Tauren quickly made his way out of town and gazed at the road that lead to the Barrens.

"November... the earth was shaking a lot back then." He sighed and whistles sharply, extending out his arm as a large bird landed carefully on it. "Alright. We will scan through Mulgore quickly, but mostly focus on the Barrens."

The sounds of hooves interrupted him and he saw Teicuih racing towards him with Woofers. "Were do we goes." She looked shaken but determined and Dernes saw no reason to dwell on anything else but the task at hand. "We follow until Taurajo. If he was hunting kodos back then then he would have likely crossed the town."

She gave him a look and he nodded sadly. "I know... But we have to try. Once we hit the camp, if we don't see anything then I'll go find the survivors and see if anyone remembers, you can keep tracking east." He nodded to the bird, "He'll keep watch above."

"Okeys." She nodded and was already on her way.

Dernes sighed and released the bird before quickly following, murmuring a prayer to the Earthmother about lost bulls and a river of lava.

((Bumping this thread for my honey!))

Benna read the poster and blinked back tears. "Mr. Liko's missing? Por Ah! I hope Miss Jaxila is doing alright." She felt sick. The kid seemed so hopeful and positive, but someone who had been missing since before the quakes? How likely was it Mr. Liko was still alive? Well she could look for him here and she could ask her ancestors to look for him among the spirits.

She traveled to a quiet place, somewhere high up. She built a fire, lit the incense, centered herself and called out to her great grandmother for help. When she felt the old woman near her she explained the situation.

"Is that the same bull who went missing in a zeplin crash? You don't hold on to them very well do you?"

"No, Mr. Liko is not Mr. Nishk, Great Grandmother"

"Does this one come from a good family?"

"Mr. Liko is a friend, Great Grandmother. He is married with a large family, but we have fought together."

"Well alright then. I'll make inquiries. See if your Liko Farstrider resides among the spirits."

"Thank you Great Grandmother" Benna smiled and put out her fire.

((Benna, I'll let you write this up however you want, rather than take control of your characters. Liko is *not* dead, though there have been several close calls.))

Rillik set the notice down on his desk lightly, a frown creeping across his face. He knew neither of the Farstrider gentlemen personally, but if the information provided alongside the copy of the notice was accurate, he had reason to assist. After all that had happened in the Barrens recently, the death knight had to admit that he respected the Ishnu Por Ah, if nothing else.

He determined he would do what he could to assist them in finding one of their own, since they had done what they could to protect one of his when there were questions about her actions.

Rillik placed a sheet of paper on the desk and began roughing out the memo he intended to send.

************************************************************************************************************************

TO: Zizzikky Plaxxil, AAMS Horde Branch
FROM: Rillik Verogoth, AAMS Alliance Branch
RE: Farstrider Notice

I thank you for forwarding a copy of the missing persons notice to our office, Ms. Plaxxil. It is my wish that you divert all possible attention to this matter, while of course maintaining due dedication to our clients and their needs. This matter has become one of personal interest for me, and I am unfortunately unable to give it the attention it is due, at this current juncture.

Any resources that you require to pursue this matter will be happily provided by myself, personally.

Regards, and Safe Journies,
Sgt. Rillik Verogoth
Supervisor
AAMS: Alliance Branch

Margie read the post again, the hopeful letter written in the childish hand. She silently counted to herself: November, December, January, February... She sighed and looked down at the small orange tabby at her side. "I h-hadn't realized how long Liko hassss been m-missing, Jack. This issssn't good at all..." The cat emitted a protesting mew and bumped his head against her leg. The priestess smiled in spite of herself and knelt to pat her companion. "We'll st-still be on the l-lookout, though, eh?"

----------

He trailed behind, his friend riding hard ahead of him. His dainty paws left tiny puffs of dust on the road behind him as he ran quickly, trying to keep up with her. Her kodo's tail swished near him, almost hitting him, but he nimbly leapt out of the way and ran underfoot. He was unsure of where she was leading them, but he knew what he was looking for.

Up ahead, there it was: nearly camouflaged in the high grass, a golden cub was frolicking, running ahead of its mother. He quickly darted off the road and over toward the lioness. His lady rode on, unaware of his absence. He carefully padded through the high grass until he stood in front of her. He stretched his arms out in front of him and bowed his head low. She looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and reproach. Her voice was a low rumble. Are you very lost?

Without looking up, he replied, I am not. I was hoping for your help. When she did not reply, he slowly lifted his head and saw she was mere inches away, towering above him, seemingly more interested in flexing her claws than in looking at him. Her cub, still much bigger than he, sat quietly off to the side, her head tilted in mock curiosity. He mastered his fear and spoke again, his voice a trembling mewing. We are searching for one of your kind. Do you know of Alastro?

The lioness flexed her claws once more and smiled dangerously at the cat. He is known to us.

He nodded. His voice quivered less. He and his master have been missing for many moons now. My lady and I are looking for him. Have you seen him?

As night fell Benna looked for a quiet place to wait for her great grandmother. She settled herself below a tree, lit the fire and the incense and waited for word. Evetually her great grandmother came to her.

"Benna-girl. Your Bull isn't dead. Wherever he is, it's not with his ancestors."

Benna smiled, good news was a rare blessing "Thank you Great Grandmother!"

"His ancestors are nice people, are you sure he's married?"

"He's married, Great Grandmother"

"Maybe he has a brother? It's high time you stop running around killing things with bulls and settle down with one."

"I will work on that, Great Grandmother"

Her Great-Grandmother sighed (Did most spirits sigh?) "Well good night then Benna-girl"

Benna put out the fire and said the appropriate prayers and tried to think where she might look for Liko in the land of the living. She could start in the Barrens where the kid had seen him last, but if Liko was in trouble in the Barrens, with Mr. Dernes and Miss Red Earth both guarding the Barrens in different ways, it was unlikely he wouldn't have been found. And he must be in trouble, he couldn't/wouldn't have just left Miss Jaxila and the kids. Would he?

The place to start would be the bar in Booty Bay. It was a gossip hub and someone there would know something about Mr. Liko. That was where she would go.

Upon arrival she walked up to the bar and ordered something strong but not on fire. Then she asked the barkeep if he'd heard anything about Mr. Liko Farstrider or anyone of his description in the past few months.

While cuddling in ghost wolf form under the tent, Renkha strikes up a conversation with Firereader.

Hey hun, did you see those signs posted all around recently?

Firereader blinks at Renkha, unsure where the conversation was heading. Nope. What signs?

You mean you haven’t seen the signs about a missing tauren?

Renkha watches as Firereader shakes his head in confusion. Nope. Why, who’s missing?

One of our own is missing. Degan’s father has been missing for many moons, according to the notice.

Oh, well I hope they find him.

Renkha stirs, glaring at Firereader. So…you are saying you don’t want to help look for him at all?

Firereader realized how menacing that last statement was and quickly responded. I’d gladly help, of course. He smiled, tracing his claws through Renkha’s fur, calming her down.

Good. I think we should find this Degan first and see if he can give us any clues. As a part of this family, we should help him out. Renkha pads about in her ghost wolf form, her agitation lessening before settling down next to Firereader.

Right now, I just want to spend some time with you.

Renkha nods as Firereader cuddles up next to her. We can look for him tomorrow. Lets get some rest tonight.

The two ghost wolves fell asleep under Mu’sha's watchful eye.

We are searching for one of your kind. Do you know of Alastro?

The lioness flexed her claws once more and smiled dangerously at the cat. He is known to us.

He nodded. His voice quivered less. He and his master have been missing for many moons now. My lady and I are looking for him. Have you seen him?

The lioness cocked her head. He was here, yes. Before the pale two-legs came to this town. Before the smoke. Before the fire. Before the blood.

Jack ducked his head. They were in the camp there?

Yes, yes. The Shu'halo fought with the pale two-legs. Many fell that day, from both sides. The eating was good.

But Alastro and his master?

The lioness paused. Many fled north. Some went east, to the stone town of the pale two-legs. We did not see which way Alastro went.

Her information given, she turned to the pressing business of examining her claws.

Jack started back toward his mistress, but the cub called to him softly. He followed her to the east side of the village, where she lead him to a nearby bush. A curious white stone gleamed underneath.

The Shu'halo dropped this, and I have kept it safe.

Jack thanked her, bowing low. Then he ran to fetch his mistress.

Margaritha followed him back, curious at his insistent mewing. When he disappeared under the bush, she dismounted and reached under after him.

Her hands closed on a battered hearthstone. It bore the initials LF.

Liko and Alastro had gone east from Camp Taurajo.

The place to start would be the bar in Booty Bay. It was a gossip hub and someone there would know something about Mr. Liko. That was where she would go.

Upon arrival she walked up to the bar and ordered something strong but not on fire. Then she asked the barkeep if he'd heard anything about Mr. Liko Farstrider or anyone of his description in the past few months.

Barkeep Fillamug peered up at her thoughtfully. "Well, Shipmaster Grizzlowe'd probably have a good idea if they ever showed up in town. If he don' have anything for ya, I'd try askin' Innkeeper Wiley back in Ratchet."

Benna thanked the barkeep and finished her drink in a single quick gulp. Then she made her way down to the docks. When she arrived the goblin was still guiding people onto the ship and taking fares, so Benna sat at the edge of the dock and waited for the boat to leave.
"You missed the boat" the goblin helpfully informed her.

"I was actually hoping to speak with you Mr. Shipmaster Grizzlowe, sir" Benna smiled.

The goblin backed away "I TOLD the last one of you I'll have the money to SeaWolf Mackinley by friday! I can't make it any faster than that!"

"Um... it wasn't about money sir...?" Benna said tentatively.

"Then why are you wasting my time? Time is money, friend!" the goblin turned to go back to work.

"I'm looking for a Bull named Liko Farstrider. He's been missing for close to six months. Have you seen him?"

Dernes had wandered though Taurajo quickly, more concerned with finding the survivors than to hunt through the town for clues. After so many months, and so many battles, he doubted there was anything left there worth finding. Still, it would not do to ignore any possible lead and Teicuih opted to stay in the camp for a few hours while he ran north to the small refugee camp in the Overgrowth.

He gathered some supplies along the way, simple leathers and some fresh meat to offer the ones he had known so well.

As he arrived to the camp he bowed before Makaba and offered him the few supplies he had gathered.

"Greetings Brother. I am afraid I do not have much to offer you today, and must ask much of you all." Dernes glanced around the camp and smiled apologetically, "I was hoping to find some information about Liko Farstrider, and Alastro. I suspect they came through Camp Taurajo some time before it was attacked."

"Then why are you wasting my time? Time is money, friend!" the goblin turned to go back to work.

"I'm looking for a Bull named Liko Farstrider. He's been missing for close to six months. Have you seen him?"

"I seen a lotta bulls, sweetcakes. Tell me somethin' else useful about him."

Benna gave him a description of Liko and mentioned that he was probably traveling with a lion named Alastro.

Grizzlowe glanced around. "A lion, huh? Why's that sound familiar?"

One of the other goblins chimed in. "Humans, boss. The ones tellin' them stories."

"Right! Lis'en, hun. We had a buncha humans, a while back, drunk and talkin' about this bull and lion they took down somewhere in the Barrens. Took them back to one of their forts there, right?"

04/27/2011 05:00 PMPosted by Dernes

"Greetings Brother. I am afraid I do not have much to offer you today, and must ask much of you all." Dernes glanced around the camp and smiled apologetically, "I was hoping to find some information about Liko Farstrider, and Alastro. I suspect they came through Camp Taurajo some time before it was attacked."

Makaba nodded gravely. "They were there. Farstrider and his cat fought like mad beasts, giving many of us a chance to leave the camp with our wounded and our young. Many brave fighters fell to the humans, but I do not think these two were among the dead."

"I thank you Brother. That he fought so fiercely is no surprise, he has always had a proud and true heart." Dernes smiled, "That he survived gives me hope we may yet find him. His family has been without news since that day... Is there anything else you," He glanced about the camp for a moment, "or the others here, might know that could help us? We know he came to the Barrens initially to find a kodo for his daughter, and he followed the herd."

Benna thanked the goblin in a daze. She remembered what the troll who had been captured looked like, so bloody he could barely move, and he'd only been in the hands of the alliance for a week. Would Mr. Liko be recognizable? Well, she would have to raid the camps and find him. Not her alone of course, perhaps she could find Mr. Dernes he would know what to do.