Vol'jin: Shadows of the Horde



Vol'jin: Shadows of the Horde is a World of Warcraft novel written by Michael Stackpole. It focuses on Vol'jin, Chen Stormstout, and the events of patch 5.1.0.

Summary
Warchief Garrosh's assassins strike at Vol'jin, leaving him at death's door. But fate smiles on the wounded Darkspear leader when renowned brewmaster Chen Stormstout transports him to the safety of an isolated mountain monastery. There, Vol'jin wrestles with old hatreds smoldering between the Alliance and the Horde as he struggles to recover alongside a mysterious human soldier.

Yet this is only the beginning of Vol'jin's worries. Soon, he becomes embroiled in an invasion of Pandaria launched by the Zandalari, revered trolls driven by dreams of conquest and power. This ancient tribe offers Vol'jin a chance to seize the glory that is the birthright of all trolls... an offer made even more tempting after Garrosh's brazen treachery.

Amid these troubling events, Vol'jin is rocked by intense visions depicting his race's grand history. As he questions where his loyalties lie, he knows he must make a choice about his own destiny that could save his people or damn them to languish under Garrosh's heel.

Plot
The story begins after the end of the Dagger in the Dark scenario. The poisoned Vol'jin stumbles out of the Ancient Passage and is picked up by his old friend Chen Stormstout and brought to the Shado-Pan Monastery to recover. However, Vol'jin's Regeneration (racial) is not working because the doubts in himself, his decisions and his conflicting loyalty to the Horde weakens his spirit to the point that the Loa forsake him and withhold his shadow hunter powers. The longer he stays at the monastery, the more he learns of Pandaren ideology from Chen, Taran Zhu, and Yalia Sagewhisper. He becomes fascinated with the fighting style of the pandaren monks, since they are taught to fight in order to keep balance, while a shadow hunter is meant to sow chaos among his foes. Vol'jin also bonds with a recovering human hunter named Tyrathan Khort, a veteran of many wars who was wounded by the Sha of Doubt during the Battle of Serpent's Heart in the Jade Forest. Chen and Yalia begin to fall in love after he helps her reconcile with her estranged family, Chen deciding to open a brewery in Zouchin so that he may be close to her. With the help and support of friends old and new, Vol'jin rekindles his bond with the Loa, who return his power to him. Vol'jin would recover not a moment too soon, as the Zandalari attempt to invade Pandaria through Zouchin Province. Taran Zhu and Vol'jin would prove at odds when discussing the defense of Pandaria given their differing viewpoints. The Zandalari were led by Khal'ak and Warlord Kao, sent to pave the way for the newly revived Thunder King's conquest. The invasion is eventually repelled and Khal'ak is killed. Chen confesses his love for Yalia, but claims he has things to do before they begin their life together. Vol'jin, now fully recovered, sets off with Chen to begin the Darkspear Rebellion.

Locations

 * Kun-Lai Summit
 * Binan Village
 * Peak of Serenity
 * Shado-Pan Monastery
 * Temple of the White Tiger
 * Zouchin Province
 * Zouchin Village
 * Vale of Eternal Blossoms
 * Tu Shen Burial Ground
 * Veiled Stair
 * Ancient Passage
 * Isle of Thunder
 * Stormsea Landing

Audiobook
An audiobook adaptation was released by Simon & Schuster Audio in August 2013. It was narrated by Scott Brick.