Thrall set out from Ratchet. Gazlowe and Thrall were old friends, and they had always trusted each other. No one knew why Gazlowe held Thrall in such high regard.
Goblins had a terrible reputation in Azeroth, notorious for putting profit above loyalty. Back before Orgrimmar was founded, Thrall had nothing to offer, yet Gazlowe had kept helping the Horde.
Now, Gazlowe was naturally Thrall's first choice for his journey to the Maelstrom. In Thrall's eyes, both the Covenant and the Alliance were outsiders, and Ratchet was the only place in the Horde capable of long-distance sea voyages.
Fresh water, several barrels of beer and liquor, ample supplies, and a full set of sailing equipment were prepared. Only some of his attendants and a contingent of Earthen Ring members accompanied Thrall on this expedition.
These shamans were the Earthen Ring's most powerful members. They had entrusted their important duties and missions to others and come here. One person alone could accomplish little, but many people working together, especially master shamans like them, could build a tower from grains of sand and stand united as a fortress.
The Earthen Ring had many members, not only orcs and trolls, but even Broken. They stood alone, in pairs, or in groups of three or five. The shamans raised their hands, elemental power flowing between their fingers, and made gestures that seemed both commands and requests as they prayed to the Elemental Spirits.
At the same time, the shamans had to do everything they could to remain standing, keeping the tremors in the earth from shaking them. Though their bodies were separate, their minds were tightly linked. All of them kept their eyes closed, immersed in casting elemental magic.
The shamans were trying to soothe the earth elements while encouraging the elements to heal themselves.