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*The letter appears hastily scrawled out on a scrap of parchment*

Arjah.

Your precious Horde is a scrap heap of honorless, witless thugs who would kill just for the sake of killing. I've seen what they've done to Astranarr. I called that place home once, I'll have you know. The damnable orcs of your little faction have reveled in destruction for as long as I can remember them being on my planet. The Horde took advantage of the Cataclysm as an opportunity to conquer Kal'Dorei lands in an attempt to slaughter my people to extinction.

But I don't speak just for my race. I speak for the entirety of the Alliance. Northshire, Andorhal, and Gilneas are but a few of the towns your merry band of misfits has destroyed, and contain only a fraction of the families that you motherless rats butchered!

Ill be honest with you. All I want is a nice dose of revenge. I'd stick an arrow in Hellscream's throat, and I'd have a dandy time doing so. If need be, I'll gladly stab you too.

I do agree, our factions have been at odds for far too long. But unless you can come up with something better than trying to offer us protection after trying endlessly to kill us, I wont hesitate to kill you on sight.

Have a nice day, *next phrase is scribbled out*

Tyrynna Stomshade, Proud vanguard of the Pillar of Honor.

<Carried by raven, the scrap of parchment below is in almost laughable condition. The quill strokes are boldly legible, however.>

I remember a time when Horde and Alliance worked together to defeat not one, but several threats to Azeroth. Several of the Horde I counted among my friends. I was young and foolish then, and believed a lasting peace was possible.

Now I'm just old and foolish I suppose. Either that, or the adventures of my youth are being channeled through the young one who talked me into this.

I will sign your treaty, Greatmother, though I speak for none other than myself.

A candle shines the brightest at night.
--Dustwing

Arjah dipped her pen once again. Andelia -- bless her peace-making little heart -- was already on the way over. A more general response would save at least a few hours of correspondence. Not that the troll particularly minded the excuse to write again...

To My Various Correspondents:

I believe I need to clarify a basic, philosophical premise. No doubt it is a flaw in my own writing (Orcish is not my native language) or the necessary translations (the AAMS does the very best of work, but nothing is as perfect after it has been altered into a new vocabulary), rather than any error on the part of you my readers.

Therefore let me be plain: I do not speak for the Horde, nor does this proposal represent the governments of either Garrosh or Wrynn in any meaningful way. It is a voluntary accord by private parties to respect certain boundaries above and beyond the established lines of war.

That being the case, there is little weight to arguments that "the Horde" or "the Alliance" have done so-and-so, and are therefore impossible to treat with. I do not ask anyone to sit down with Garrosh or Wyrnn, or even to like them particularly.

I would never dream of trying to take the war away from those who have done well by it. Leave that to the AAMS. This offer was based on nothing more than the assumption that some of us could still find common ground in the hope for a safe, protected homeland.

If the great majority genuinely prefers that we should re-dedicate our commitment to raiding not only military outposts but also small family farms and shops, I shall be -- surprised. And a bit saddened.

But do me the justice of taking the treaty for what is offered: an agreement between combatants, voluntarily and privately entered, not the work of governments or a symbol of either the Horde or the Alliance.

In Good Faith,

Greatmother Arjah
Homeland

An elegant letter is sent, bearing the the stylized blue "L" of Lordaeron at its header.

To Greatmother Arjah:

It is unfortunately the sign of our times. Few are interested in such peaceful pursuits anymore. There are many, even among my fellow paladins, who revel in the war with the Horde. There are many, like me, who remember the atrocities of the First and Second Wars, though my knowledge of the First is purely second-hand by refugees from Stormwind who were sheltered briefly in Stratholme before it was besieged by the Horde.

I myself am a landless refugee - yes, I'm another one of those people who hails from Lordaeron (as if the symbol at the top was not an indication). I'm also under no pretenses. The Forsaken - many of whom were also of Lordaeron in life - hold Tirisfal in an iron grip, and have largely consolidated their control of Silverpine, southern Hillsbrad, and the area around Andorhal...of course, they will also want more. This, of course, may end up resulting a war between Tirion and Sylvanas, another stupid and pointless conflict while the world teeters on the edge of its own death - just like the fighting in the skies around Icecrown Citadel, or the wars fought for Wintergrasp and the Strand of the Ancients, or the bloodbath between Alliance and Horde champions on the floor of the Argent Coliseum.

As someone who's seen enough war for its own sake - in Outland, in Northrend, and in our so-called heartlands - I do not believe that any efforts to achieve a peace between anyone can be done on paper. Action. Not words. We have had plenty of words exchanged with Alliance and Horde for years now, and nothing has changed. We befriend people from the "other side" in a greater war - the battle against the Lich King, for example - and then when the war is done and the enemy is defeated, we go right back to killing one another. We face our friends on the battlefield.

The fog of war is thick and cold.
The world is soaked through with blood.
The spirits of Azeroth scream for peace.
But no one is listening...

Saavedro of Stratholme

One last message comes in from the sons of Rukh, this one short and straight to the point.

Greatmother Arjah,

I hope you will forgive the tone of my previous message...yesterday's attack left me in poor spirits. I have reviewed the message you have sent most recently and pondered it.

You make an excellent point - this is not about Horde, or Alliance. This is about us all having somewhere to call home, without fear of attack. This is about giving those who cannot defend themselves a chance to live and thrive in a world otherwise consumed by war.

I can think of no cause more noble, more honorable, or more glorious.

You have given me much to think on. I will continue spreading word on your diplomatic solution.

Aka'Magosh!

Drakehide, son of Mok'Rukh

The Hungerer stopped feeding for a moment, his brackish drool pooling around the festering corpse at his paws. His eyes glimpsing a piece of parchment crumpled on the floor, obviously discarded by on of his Guild brethren. The best he can, he scrawls a quick reply on a piece of conjured rotting bark:

Ah Arjah,

Your wonderful propaganda is one of the reasons I pledged my maw for Modas. What sinister plans do you have behind this? Have you and your "lover" conspired to keep the respective races to their own lands for breeding? I do love the taste of pure flesh.

Kun

Gruzzexl read the parchment twice.

It was unmistakeable. It was awful. It was a proposal for peace, of sorts. Disgusting. Frustrating. He dropped the parchment, which quietly drifted to the ground.

His focus on the Presidium was necessary, but he sorely needed to work on the Homeland front. Proposing peace..... he could not have that.

Well, it was a simple enough solution. If the treaty was, in fact, signed he would just have to find someone to break it.

Hardly a challenge.

Cray frowned at the letter. He wondered what the Sepha would think of it.

Ideally, yes, this was a good idea. But who else would sign it?

Curious, Cray sat down in his office and scrawled out a letter in response. He hoped the AAMS would be able to properly translate his barely legible writing...

Greatmother Arjah

We have not met, although I have made the acqua<the word is scribbled out> met Greatmother Poni. I believe your treaty is a noble step towards peace. I question your desire to give Andorhal to the Forsaken -- it is hardly theirs by right, as they have only recently acquired it. Confine their home territory to the Tirisfal Glades, and I will sign this treaty and attempt to convince our leader Gentyl D'Amond to sign on behalf of the whole Pia Presidium.

Know this, however -- the Pia Presidium will always defend the territories of the Alliance. Should any Horde entities break this treaty, I will not and cannot guarantee that we will not come at them with the greatest fury of the Light, no matter where they claim sanctuary.

By the honor of the Light,
Cray Auchtin
Templar Knight of the Pia Presidium

A letter is sent by one lone orc. But in fact it is not a letter. Merely a picture. the picture appears to be a highly detailed drawing of an afternoon in Durotar, several orc children running around and playing in the hot sun. The tag simply reads, "Bralox liek hume."

Another batch of replies is hastily dispatched from the troll's comfortable Silvermoon apartment:

To Cyrus Sagewind,

I think it bears repeating that I do not speak for the Horde or entertain any hopes of ending its part in the overall conflict. That is left to governments far higher than my own.

This is more of a "gentleman's agreement," I suppose it might be called, though for obvious reasons I prefer a less gendered term. I don't doubt the Horde will continue to attack, and the Alliance too; presumably both will use the phrase "retaliatory strikes" with the usual vagueness as regards what, exactly, is being retaliated.

A general agreement to leave one another's personal homes in relative peace and quiet seemed, to my mind, the sort of thing that anyone who claims to be fighting an honorable fight could agree to.

If you prefer to think of it in purely military terms, consider that every Alliance guild or individual is one more pledged to aid in defending those lands should Horde signatories, as you suggest, break faith. It is entirely a gain in defensive advantage, and no loss in offensive potential unless you consider troll villages or tauren camps particularly valuable military targets.

Still, I am aware that the Ocheliad is, at its heart, a mercenary force, and I am sure its cooperation could be compensated if necessary. The Homeland is not exactly without means. I should be happy to discuss details in person, if you like, with the aid of the AAMS.

Yours in Good Faith,

Greatmother Arjah

--

To Trommarik:

As I have stated to others, I have no intention of trying to end the war between the Horde and the Alliance. An agreement to prosecute the war while respecting a few small homelands of both factions seemed, if you will pardon the word, civilized.

Every Horde signatory is one less body (or guild) that might perpetrate raids on homesteads such as your own. If your interest is truly in their defense, I think this treaty serves your aims.

And there will, after all, still be the rest of the world to slaughter one another in.

Yours in Good Faith,

Greatmother Arjah

--

To Promethius Nukenson:

I feel I must apologize, as I have to others -- I do not propose that anyone "stop the war," or presume to speak for the Horde at all. The offer is simply an agreement between combatants to leave certain small areas unmolested, in exchange for the same treatment.

I confess that I had not thought it radical. I expected that the territories themselves would require some wrangling, to ensure that both parties made relatively equal concessions, but the overall concept of an equal trade seemed a reasonable one.

Perhaps I have been mistaken. The ruined world seems rather a small pot to play "all-or-nothing" for, to my mind, but we shall see what comes of these discussions.

I hope that you will consider the point I have made to others, that encouraging this treaty ensures more Alliance defenders against Horde attacks while sacrificing no particular military advantage.

Yours in Good Faith,

Greatmother Arjah

--

To Tyrynna Stomshade:

How pleasant to hear from the Pillar of Honor! I still have fond memories of sharing a dance or two at an Armistice Day Ball with Ehlina, though I suppose she was with the Sisters of Mercy at that time. And of course I was with the Erinyes Sisterhood when we sat down to negotiate with her...many fond memories. Forgive the personal indulgence!

To business -- I do not disagree, particularly, with your overall characterization of the Horde's armed forces, though I might submit that the Alliance's behave in much the same way. But it is not really "my" Horde in any meaningful way; this particular treaty is offered strictly as an agreement between guilds and individuals, with no intent of ceasing the Horde-Alliance conflict overall.

Therefore I do not think agreeing to the terms would harm your hope of revenge or of "sticking an arrow in Hellscream's throat" particularly. Were you to sign I would still hope to see you on the battlefield -- simply not in our homes and quiet villages.

if it were in my power to give back the Ashenvale and draw the Horde's borders at the Mor'Shan Rampart I might be inclined to. Alas, that lies beyond my power, so a mutual respecting of treasured homelands is the best that I can currently offer. Perhaps we may be able to negotiate for more than that in the future -- but it does not seem so bad a starting point to me.

Yours in Good Faith,

Greatmother Arjah

--

To Dustwing:

I am glad to hear your support. I hope that you will come help me and any other signatories iron out the details of the boundaries soon -- I am, of course, interested in making fair and equal concessions for both sides.

Yours in Good Faith,

Greatmother Arjah

To Saavedro of Stratholme:

I would certainly not oppose a joint military action to divert our governments' hostilities from one another! But I lack the power to order one myself -- this small gesture of mutual respect is the largest extend of my own diplomatic influence, at present.

Still, I hope it will not be entirely a futile one. Actions do matter more than words -- but entering into an agreement is an action, and one that, I think, speaks of the possibility for greater and more meaningful cooperation in the future.

My ambitions here are modest. The war will go on and I have no plans for stopping it. But it would be good to see that we can respect the universal needs we all share as we prosecute it.

I hope that we will continue to enjoy your insight and your support -- even tenuous -- as these proceedings go on.

Yours in Good Faith,

Greatmother Arjah

--

Dearest Kun,

Alas, you will have to apply to my husband for any information regarding the Modas il Toralar's plans and intentions. My obligations are presently to the Homeland, and I try to spare him too much wifely pressure to reveal his own agenda. He has done a fine job since his return so far as I can see, and I hope you will serve him and the Order well and faithfully!

Fondly,

Arj

--

To Cray Auchtin:

I am glad to hear of the Presidium's support. I am not entirely sure that I would be comfortable with an Alliance claim to Andorhal, but perhaps it, like the rest of the Plaguelands, could be left to the general world and the wider war, with the Forsaken territory starting at the Bulwark instead.

These are, I admit, the sorts of wrangling I had expected to comprise the majority of discussion. I am glad to hear from an Alliance perspective on the matter; establishing a fair and balanced exchange of safe territories is obviously essential to the treaty's success.

I am all too aware that it cannot stop the attacks of anyone but the signatories themselves, and would hardly expect you to lessen your defense of the Alliance -- if anything, this would strengthen your obligation to do so!

And should a signatory break the treaty that they themselves have signed and attack a protected "home territory" of the Alliance, I hope that you leave me some small piece to exercise my own irritation upon.

Yours in Good Faith,

Greatmother Arjah

--

My Dear Bralox,

I see that you have in fact found a home with us. Welcome! I hope to see you soon about the longhouse.

Fondly,

Greatmother Arjah

Greatmother,

As always, I respond with respect.

You believe will be the opening salvo of peace talks, no doubt. However, blood runs high when a person's home is at stake. Deveaneaux was correct. The Gilneans have a right to their homes as do those from Lordaeron.

Aside from that, from experience, we of lower rank can talk peace until we are blue in the face. Or bluer in the face if you're a troll, dreanei or elf I guess. Our leaders will do what they will and I don't see any of the leaders ceding land.

Gentyl

To Greatmother Arjah.

You ask for peace. Some things can not be forgiven. When can we have peace? When you deliver the head of the Lich Queen to Stormwind, when you turn Garrosh the butcher over to the Alliance in chains, when your dammed fel-cursed orcs leave OUR WORLD and return to own destroyed husk of a planet, when you lay down your arms and surrender. Then we can speak of peace. Until then may the spirits of your ancestors have mercy upon you-for the Alliance shall not.

Emma Mac Nee

A second, more carefully written letter from a familiar address arrives at Arjah's doorstep. This one is shorter and more to the point, with much less ranting.

Arjah.

Well, I must say, you've done it. Though I'm still a little annoyed that I am ultimately agreeing with a Horde member, the very notion of having a place to call home, free of intrusion, while still being able to crack some orc-skulls, well it speaks to me.

I will take it up with Timeus (Ehlina's long out of leadership, if you didn't already know) and the rest of the Pillar. I'm not making any promises that I'll sign the treaty, however, I'm definitely considering it.

Of course, this doesn't mean that I wont take great joy in shooting at you on the battlefield one day, but that's something we can all worry about later, eh?

Watch your back.
Tyrynna Stormshade.

My Dear Gentyl,

I had wondered if I would hear from you on this. It has been some time since our last correspondence! You will have to forgive me; my efforts have largely been focused on domestic matters within the Horde until quite recently.

At any rate -- I realize the treaty cannot bind anyone beyond its signatories; we can hardly expect all attacks on our homelands to stop. But it will at least reduce the number of attackers somewhat, while also putting all of us who do value home and hearth in closer alliance with like-minded defenders of our respective factions.

We can, in the end, only ever hope to govern ourselves. As my own mistress and sovereign it pleases me to take part in this agreement. If Garrosh ever takes exception to it, or feels the need to try and order me into violation of it, I am sure he can find the time in his busy schedule to come and have that discussion with me personally.

Until then, I prefer not to let the possibility that he might disagree dictate my actions. I would hope that you are likewise not bound by what your king might or might not do.

Yours in Good Faith,

Greatmother Arjah

--

To Emma Mac Nee:

I apologize if my writing was unclear -- I am not, in any significant regard, asking for peace at all. I do have some sympathy to the notion of blood feuds; I would hardly try to talk anyone out of their war with the Horde or the Alliance.

The treaty is simply aimed at making the unpleasant reality of our world -- too many people in too small a space, and that now badly damaged -- more bearable for us all, through a fair exchange of safe havens.

Please do not interpret this as a pacific gesture. You would be more than welcome to sign and immediately continue with your battles. Truly, I wish you well of them; when I was younger I found the military life both invigorating and profitable. I have done well by war, and would not be so hypocritical as to pretend otherwise.

But I do not think any of us -- except for a few true sociopaths, I suppose -- really believe that "war" necessitates "genocide." It is possible to win military victories without attempting to eradicate entire lands and peoples.

I hope we can discuss the matter further. I thank you for taking the time to write me, despite your evident distaste for the Horde.

Yours in Good Faith,

Greatmother Arjah

--

To Tyrynna Stormshade:

I had heard of Ehlina's convalescence, and hope that she continues to heal well and swiftly. As to the rest of the Pillar of Honor, they continue to have my respect and my hopes of civil -- if not always peaceful -- exchange.

Your input and any of your fellows' are more than welcome as we refine the treaty. Please let me know if there are specific alterations that would make it more palatable to you and yours.

I doubt you shall see me on any battlefields, but perhaps we can meet in friendly competition some time -- I should be more than happy to try my hand at two falls out of three bare-knuckled in the arena, or a joust at the Argent Tournament; some contest of strength and skill that would not immediately deprive the victor of the defeated's pleasant company!

"A spirited adversary is worth three good friends," a saying among my people has it. If we do have the misfortune to meet in mortal combat I shall regret the outcome no matter who has the day. But perhaps only briefly, in the one case...

Regardless, I remain yours in good faith,

Greatmother Arjah

Another reply is sent from Packleader Zherron, this one quite indignant:

So, what you're trying to say is, we're not supposed to come burning and pillaging your homes, but you're more than welcome to come pillaging ours. You are a hypocrite, a double-talker, and a liar.

Let me make this perfectly clear to you, Horde-filth savage: GILNEAS IS OUR HOMELAND!!! And yet you and your Forsaken friends have despoiled it - far more than we worgen, feral or otherwise, have done! You despoiled it the moment your filthy excuses for feet touched Gilnean soil!

We will never have peace, freedom and a sense of home until all of your heads are mounted on pikes along the streets of Gilneas City and every town in the Alliance. As the spirits of Gilneas are my witness, WE WILL DECORATE OUR HOMELAND WITH YOUR BONES!!!

To Greatmother Arjah

You may believe that war does not equal genocide. The ghosts of Southshore, of Gilneas, of Ashenvale argue differently. As your own Lich Queen has said "let the Gilneans enjoy their small victory-tomorow not even their bones will be left." Ask the Draenei if the horde's goals are not genocide. Once you started down this murderous path, you can not simply hold up your hands and say 'oh not me' while remaining part of the Horde. Should the Darkspear leave the Horde, and return to their ancestral homeland, then yes, I can see leaving you in peace. But as long as you remain part of the horde, you shall suffer their fate, with all that entails. I will confess that I look forward to the day when we have cleansed the Universe of the Horde and carved their bones into little flutes for our children. It is a dream I have.

The orc sends a second drawing. This one is an elegant sketch of everyone he's met in Homeland so far, gathered in front of the gates of Ogrimmar. They are all smiling, an arm around each neighbour. Bralox is sitting in the front of the group.

The Maggot Lord drips some of Arjah She-Troll's sweat onto his maggot-hide parchment. In a scrawled hand, with many track lines wriggling throughout the letter, it reads as follows:

Dearest Arjah-creature,

We, the Forsaken, will never relinquish our lands. Lordaeron is, and always will be, ours. Any attempts by the Alliance to retake them will only result in more Forsaken being raised. The Gilneans will be shorn or their precious fur if they dare to try it. We do not make policy for the Forsaken, but will follow the Dark Lady's lead on this.

Lordaeron is ours for the simple reason that it has always been ours, except when Troll-things scurried about, back in the long ago. We are sure that the Dark Lady would agree to emigration of loyal Sons and Daughters of Lordaeron back into these lands, if they swore Allegiance unto Her as their rightful ruler. A breeding population would be welcomed into the Forsaken lands eagerly, yes?

The Grim Maw Clan cannot be a signatory to this document in whole, as the needs of the guild preclude peace. However, individuals may sign, as they deem it necessary.

We hope this letter finds you unwell. Remember: Patience, Discipline.

Love,

Abominus the Maggot Lord
Horde Combat Barber
Defiler of the Great Anvil of Ironforge
Stainer of the Altarcloth of Stormwind Cathedral

Written in a neat, slightly slanted hand on crisp white parchment.

Dearest Arjah,

This concept of a treaty to designate specific ‘Home territories’ for the Horde and Alliance, where civilians will remain unmolested by either faction, holds great interest for the Modas il Toralar. Traditionally, our fine Order has been focused on offensive tactics against the Alliance. However, as you are well aware, the Modas il Toralar is now under the leadership of the troll witch doctor Dree’jin, who has deemed it necessary to reconsider our previous direction to a more balanced approach, focused on both the defence of Horde territories in addition to the elimination of the Alliance. The Modas il Toralar supports the rights for Horde civilians to have a high quality of life in conflict-free territories, and your treaty would seem to be an excellent way in which to facilitate this. In a show of good faith, to display the Order’s support for the Horde, we are willing to have the Modas il Toralar act as a signatory partner to your treaty, if certain alterations are made to the treaty itself. These include, but may not be limited to, the following:

1) The Modas il Toralar agrees to avoid all conflict with Alliance civillians and non-combatants in the agreed upon home territories, however military personnel, including militia, are exempt from this agreement and will be treated as potentially dangerous. The Modas il Toralar will defend itself appropriately if it is forced to do so.

2) An attack upon the agreed upon Horde home territories is unacceptable. Should this occur, the Alliance signatories should be legally bound to investigate and appropriately punish those who have blatantly sought to attack our own civillians and families. If this responsibility is not met within 72 hours, the Modas il Toralar demands the right to retaliate against the Alliance in a manner that is agreed upon by the Horde signatories.

3) The Modas il Toralar retains the right to travel peacefully through the agreed upon Alliance home territories with the understanding that civilians are not to be harmed. For example, as the Redridge Mountains are not a designated home territory, the Modas il Toralar may travel through Elwynn Forest to invade Lakeshire without attacking Goldshire.

4) The Modas il Toralar would like to have the orc city Garadar and human city of Theramore added to the considered home territories. Furthermore, as the Modas il Toralar has a great deal of political interest and financial assets involved with the war on Gilneas, we do not think it is unreasonable to consider Stormwind and Elwynn Forest as the home territories of those infected humans native to Gilneas – in short, we suggest that Gilneas is not to be considered as a home territory, as the humans have already been allocated lands. Of course, the Modas il Toralar is willing to negotiate these suggestions.

5) The Modas il Toralar retains the rights to attack capital cities within the designated home territories as deemed necessary acts of war, with a focus upon military personnel, militia and government leaders involved with the war. Civilian casualties will be avoided as much as possible.

6) Finally, if a significant portion of Horde and Alliance guilds refuse to sign the treaty, the Modas il Toralar retains the right to break from it as deemed necessary by the High Karcist.

The Modas il Toralar wishes to express gratitude toward the brilliant minds of the Homeland who devised this treaty – certainly, it is a shame that nothing quite like it has been considered up until now. It is the Order’s fondest hope that both the defence and quality of life of Horde civilians is ensured by this treaty. We would also like to encourage as many guilds as possible, both Horde and Alliance, to consider the rights of civilians during these troubled times of war and to act as signatory partners to this treaty. We look forward to strengthening the bonds of trust and potential partnerships between the Modas il Toralar, the Homeland and other Horde signatory guilds.

Kindest regards,
Fernand Argustus
Department of Horde Relations
Modas il Toralar