On this day, a human entered the Tomb of Roland. He was a scholar from Stormwind who had long heard of the legends of the werewolves in Duskwood and had voluntarily come to be transformed into one.
Transforming into Worgen is not difficult. All you need to do is be bitten by Worgen or drink Worgen blood. If you can withstand the madness after the transformation and regain your human sanity, you can become Worgen. Otherwise, you will be banished from the Roland's Grave and become a wild beast that roams the land.
Jaina noticed that the Worgen at Roland's Grave were somewhat different; they transformed into Worgen through a specific ritual.
Deep within the cave lies a special room, a sanctuary used to transform Worgen. Human scholars kneel in the center of the room, surrounded by candles, while a Worgen Priest cuts open his arm, dripping his blood into a bowl.
Before the anthropologists hung an old-fashioned portrait on the wall. The portrait depicted a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance, showing nothing particularly special about him.
Strangely, the Worgen Priest showed particular reverence for the portrait, bowing and worshipping it while chanting incomprehensible incantations.
Upon hearing the incantation, Kites collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony and screaming:
"That's the sound, that's the sound!"
To avoid attracting the attention of other Worgen, Jaina turned Kites into a lamb. Even in lamb form, Kites remained restless and kept howling in pain.
"Who is this person in the portrait?" Jaina wondered. The Worgen Priest then asked, "Have you thought this through? Human, are you willing to endure this suffering?"
The anthropologist gritted his teeth and finally made up his mind. "I'm willing."
The Worgen Priest carefully observed the scholar's expression and asked:
"I see your concerns. Please swear before the gods and tell us why you chose to be transformed into Worgen and endure this avoidable suffering?"
The anthropologist hesitated for a moment before replying, "It's the Peace Dove. They're spreading the word throughout Stormwind City that King Varian is returning and will be waging war against the Lich King Arthas. I don't know if Arthas is Evil. I had a peaceful life, with enough to eat and wear. But once war breaks out, peace will end, my family will go bankrupt, my fields will be abandoned, and I myself will be forced to walk the path of war, buried in the cold Northrend. Rather than that, I'd rather become a carefree Worgen."
The Worgen Priest was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "The world is full of suffering; there is no such thing as carefree existence. Our lives as Worgen are also filled with all sorts of hardships."
The anthropologist sighed, "I understand that perfectly well, but once King Varian returns, Stormwind City will become a meat storehouse for the Orcs. Rather than be eaten by Orcs, I'd rather become Worgen and endure the wind and sun in the wild; at least I'll live with dignity. Please grant my request."
The Worgen Priest closed his eyes and after a long while said, "The gods have heard your prayers and have granted you permission to become one of us. Welcome! From now on, we are brothers and sisters."
The scholar looked up at the man in the portrait. "Please satisfy a scholar's curiosity, who is the deity in the portrait?"
The Worgen Priest calmly replied, "This is our savior, the creator of Worgen. When the Orcs crossed the Dark Portal, Duskwood was attacked by Orcs, and we were about to be eaten. It was he who stepped forward and transformed us into Orcs, giving us sharp claws and fangs. The Worgen 'Worgen curse is feared even by the Orcs, which is why Duskwood was preserved."
Jaina's heart skipped a beat. For a long time, it had been believed that the origin of Worgen was related to the Scythe of Elune, and that Worgen were likely creations of the Elune. But now it seemed there were other answers.
The scholar nodded. "I have no more doubts in my heart, and I am willing to become Worgen."
After drinking the Worgen blood from the bowl, the scholar collapsed in agony, his body convulsing uncontrollably.
The scholar had to undergo a painful transformation process, Worgen Priest ordered his people to lock him up, waiting for the transformation to end.
Jaina and Kalecgos seized the opportunity to slip into the sanctuary. They carefully removed the portrait from the wall; it appeared quite old. After examining it closely, they turned it over to check the back. Jaina frowned slightly and whispered:
"There are traces of Arcane Magic."
Arcane light flashed, and as Jaina finished casting the spell, the hidden image on her back was revealed: a six-pointed star, with six stars marking six names.
Kalecgos, reading the ancient text above, exclaimed in surprise:
"These are the writings of the Highborne from ten thousand years ago. The six names are: God of a Thousand Scars Y'Shaarj, God of a Thousand Eyes C'Thun, God of a Thousand Mouths Yogg-Saron, N'Zoth the God of a Thousand Tentacles, God of a Thousand Mouths Xal'atath, Thousand-Faced God... wait, the names on these have been erased."
The six stars vary in brightness, with the Thousand-Faced God being even Y'Shaarj. The star representing Xal'atath is the dimmest. If brightness represents the strength of the Old Gods, then the Thousand-Faced God is even Y'Shaarj.
Jaina reached out and brushed her hand across the six-pointed star. A faint gray wisp of light appeared on her fingertip. She put it in her mouth and tasted it, then Jaina.
"This is the chaotic aura of the Old Gods, it doesn't belong to C'Thun, nor to Yogg-Saron. That's right, it was the owner of this aura who erased the name on it."
Kalecgos exclaimed excitedly, "Perhaps we have found evidence of the existence of the Sixth Old Gods!"
Jaina shook her head, her pretty face slightly cold. "The evidence isn't enough."
Kites had reverted to human form, but was still clutching his head in agony. Jaina coldly asked, "Tell me, when did you hear this spell, and why does it cause you so much pain?"
Kites said in a panic, "I lost the Scythe of Elune at the Roland's Grave. I stumbled and fell all the way to a nearby farmer's house. Sven's wife took me in, and I thought I could finally get a good night's sleep. But then Medivh's Black Knights came after me. I knew they were looking for me, but I had already lost the Scythe of Elune, so how could I dare to go back to Karazhan? I hid in the attic."
At this point, Kites, with a pained expression, said hesitantly:
"Yes, I am a complete Imp. Right in front of me, the Black Knight killed Sven's wife and her three children. Later, Farmer Sven returned and, seeing the deaths of his wife and children, almost went mad. I saw Sven transform into a giant Worgen. Worgen have an excellent nose and easily found me."
"It was a terrifying Worgen, and I had no choice but to confess everything. Sven cut his wrist and fed me his blood, then chanted a spell. Although the spell caused me immense pain, it couldn't turn me into Worgen. Sven said my bloodline could resist the Worgen's curse. Because I drank the Worgen's blood, the Black Knight couldn't find me and then let me go."
"There's definitely something wrong with this Sven," Kalecgos exclaimed.
Jaina said coldly, "I know without you saying it. Let's go see Farmer Sven."