The first NPC to enter the spotlight is... Captain Arnath of the Ashen Verdict!
"Even dying here beats spending another day collecting reagents for that madman, Finklestein."Captain Arnath first appears in Zul'Drak as the captain of an Argent Crusade post, which, unfortunately for Arnath, is where the Crusade's best alchemist, Finklestein, chooses to set up his lab to create a truth serum. Arnath begrudgingly ends up organizing the collection of reagents for the lab, a job he deems below him, and so hires you, the player, to help him collect various ingredients.
Throughout the quests that Arnath offers, he's constantly mentioning how he would rather be on the front line making a more direct impact on the Crusade's efforts like he used to, instead of hanging around collecting reagents. And with the Ashen Verdict's breakthrough into Icecrown Citadel, he gets his wish.
Arnath and the other Pa'Troll-involved captains, as well as Crok Scourgebane, lead the way into the Frostwing Halls of Icecrown to battle Sister Svalna, a val'kyr lieutenant of the Lich King. Depending on the performance of your raid, Arnath may or may not meet his end here.
But what is it that makes Arnath such an interesting character?
If Arnath dies, he is risen by Svalna to be used against your raid... and you can hear such contempt and the need for revenge in his voice as he fights you. You can see how he became consumed by his bitterness at working for Finklestein, and how easily the Lich King's forces can corrupt what was once your ally. (If he kills a player, he explains, "That was for bringing me spoiled spider ichor.")
And even after his second death, after he has turned on your raid, you can still feel sorry for him, hearing his desperation to continue avoiding the alchemist. "Don't let Finklestein use me ... for his potions ..."
Arnath's whole scenario is meant to be comical of course, especially shown through, "You miserable fools never did manage to select a decent bat wing."
One thing I really love is that players can relate to Arnath. As he dies, he laments, "Never ... could reach ... the top shelf ..." a feeling that I'm sure many Pa'Trollers will understand. :)
Throughout the quests that Arnath offers, he's constantly mentioning how he would rather be on the front line making a more direct impact on the Crusade's efforts like he used to, instead of hanging around collecting reagents. And with the Ashen Verdict's breakthrough into Icecrown Citadel, he gets his wish.
Arnath and the other Pa'Troll-involved captains, as well as Crok Scourgebane, lead the way into the Frostwing Halls of Icecrown to battle Sister Svalna, a val'kyr lieutenant of the Lich King. Depending on the performance of your raid, Arnath may or may not meet his end here.
But what is it that makes Arnath such an interesting character?
If Arnath dies, he is risen by Svalna to be used against your raid... and you can hear such contempt and the need for revenge in his voice as he fights you. You can see how he became consumed by his bitterness at working for Finklestein, and how easily the Lich King's forces can corrupt what was once your ally. (If he kills a player, he explains, "That was for bringing me spoiled spider ichor.")
And even after his second death, after he has turned on your raid, you can still feel sorry for him, hearing his desperation to continue avoiding the alchemist. "Don't let Finklestein use me ... for his potions ..."
Arnath's whole scenario is meant to be comical of course, especially shown through, "You miserable fools never did manage to select a decent bat wing."
One thing I really love is that players can relate to Arnath. As he dies, he laments, "Never ... could reach ... the top shelf ..." a feeling that I'm sure many Pa'Trollers will understand. :)
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