Waygate Research Notes

To the Esteemed Councilor Zyra Spellshadow,

Councilor, I have complied the research notes that I mentioned previously relating to the ogres and their use of magical stones as foci for a portal network that may encompass the entire width and breadth of Draenor. Below I have included my preliminary findings, recommendations, and concerns relating to this research and the implications of this network's existence.

Basic Theories on the Operation of the Ogre Portal Network

The existence of the portal network was at first not obvious to myself or my staff when we began our exploration of the region known as Frostfire Ridge. As basic concerns for safety and security asserted themselves, little time was available to study the local leylines and patterns of magic that existed in the region. With the immediate threat diminishing, research teams were dispatched to map what we could of the leylines and any anomalies that might exist in the region.

It became immediately apparent that several locations in this geographic area had what can only be described as bubbles or a general warping of the leylines towards specific points. Naturally we conducted a thorough investigation of these points, and determined that ancient magics were drawing on the local magical currents to power some unknown magical construct.

Further investigation lead to the discovery of the first of these ogre 'waygates', which are essentially anchored portals maintained by bound spirits. Our initial interaction with the spirit guardian of this location was extremely hostile, resulting in casualties amongst our expedition. After pacifying the immediate vicinity of the portal, further evaluation of the magic was conducted and it was discovered that the portal network is activated via specially prepared stones known as 'waystones'.

Waystones appear to be a type of indigenous quartz carved into a rough circular disc the size of an ogre's palm. It should be noted that I have discovered, since our initial investigations, waystones using other local rock. I am not a trained geologist however so I will leave speculation on the value of one stone over another to those whom you deem skilled in this field.

Each waystone is carved with a dormant rune that itself contains no energy. A Sin'dorei would not be able to draw any power from such a stone by itself, and many appear to be attuned to specific members of the ogre species as the runes can vary from stone to stone. When brought near one of the dormant portals, the portal itself focuses leyline energy into the runes, activating them and allowing the bearer to pass into the portal network.

Using such stones taken from ogres (A total figure of slain ogres is attached to this report in Appendix A), I have managed to force one of these waygates open, although it required more than one stone to breach the spirit-fueled security of the network.

Recommendations on the Use of the Portal Network

Based on my findings, it appears that these waygates will serve as a useful if somewhat limited transportation network for our forces and for members of the Magistrate who may be on urgent business. I would make the following recommendations:

1. We should continue to breach the portal network's security, forcing open as many of these waygates as possible for Sin'dorei use.
2. We should further investigate the creation of these waygates as they differ from our existing portal magics and may prove beneficial for the creation of anchored portals in our own holdings.
3. Once a sufficient number of portals are opened, the military of Quel'Thalas should be advised of their use and locations, allowing for convenient and fast deployment of Sin'dorei power wherever it may be needed in Draenor.

Additional Concerns

Based on my research, I have several concerns relating to the magic of the ogres, the most pressing of which is the fact that ogres have created such an efficient and powerful magical transportation system. Ogres found on our own world are dim-witted creatures for the most part, and only a rare few have shown the magical potential necessary to create such a powerful and useful magical tool. The fact that there are so many suspected portal sites, and that this network continues to function after what appears to be many centuries, shows that more than one very skilled magi was involved in the creation of these waygates.

Use of these waygates should be weighed carefully against their potential dangers. Given that this is an alien magical construct that we are effectively breaching with our own magic, there is potential that one or more of the network's creators or their students exist who may use our breaches to their own advantage. We should consider that the teleportation destination may be altered by hostile magics, resulting in potential ambushes or the capture of lone Sin'dorei making use of these magics.

Furthermore, as we have not identified all of these waygates or their destination points, it is feasible that the ogres or creatures who have usurped the ogres may make use of these portals as well, leading to surprise attacks on Sin'dorei or allied forces. I would advise that all of our military forces be forewarned of these potential dangers so that they are not caught by surprise.

Summary

In conclusion, I hope that you have found the above information useful. Should you require additional information or research on this topic, I would be pleased to aid you and members of the Magistrate in such an endeavor. Attached you will find Appendix A detailing the gathering of waystones, Appendix B which depicts a drawing of a waystone including its rune magic, and Appendix C which outlines the locations of waygates and suspected waygate sites based on leyline currents.

It was my pleasure to provide you with this report, Councilor. May your own research yield excellent results.

Respectfully,

Biara Dayfire

Scion of House Sunfire

Magistrix of Silvermoon City