"These are all standard mage equipment, Lord Rhodes. I picked out the best for you. These bracelets, rings, magical trinkets, and necklaces were all crafted by the most elite jewelers using the most advanced magic." Kael'thas happily showed Rhodes his equipment.
Robe: Sun-Crested Spellweaver Robe, which increases Rhodes' mana regeneration ability and comes with a built-in Lava Shield.
Cloak: Windrunner's Tassels, which can greatly enhance the damage effect of magic in the Azeroth World, though unfortunately, it does not increase Strength or Intelligence.
Circlet: Arcane Dominion Ring. It is not a traditional pointed hat, but a delicate Mithril circlet. The main design of the circlet features entwined phoenix tail feathers, centered with a pure Arcane Focusing Gem.
This circlet was unexpected for Rhodes, as it increased Strength by 1 point, bringing Rhodes' Strength to 7
points. Its effect is to increase Arcane Magic damage and provide resistance against certain mental attacks.
Next were two rings. Combined, these two rings increased Rhodes' Mana by 5 points, roughly equivalent to 0.5 Intelligence. However, when combined with two magical trinkets, the four pieces of equipment successfully added 1 point of Intelligence to Rhodes.
The remaining piece of equipment is the necklace: Phoenix Heart Pendant. This is a treasure Kael'thas created using rare ore brought from the Land of Fire Elementals—that is, the Elemental Plane of Fire—combined with his own phoenix blood.
Equipping this treasure gave Rhodes a small surprise: it increases Fire Magic damage by 25%, which includes heroes of might and magic spells.
This means his Curse and Blindness will also be strengthened, and even the number of Fire Elementals summoned will increase, by at least 25%.
It adds no attributes, but when paired with the Fire Elemental Scroll, it is absolutely perfect. This equipment is good.
The full set of equipment added 2 points of Strength and 1 point of Intelligence to Rhodes. Rhodes' Strength reached 7, and Intelligence reached 9.
At the same time, Azeroth World spells were greatly enhanced, and he gained an upgrade from Fire Elemental to Flame Elemental.
Rhodes, having changed into the new gear, looked incredibly imposing. If one didn't look closely, they might even mistake the person standing before them for a High Elves mage!
"Lord Kael'thas, you are too generous. I am very satisfied with this magical equipment.
In that case, I can't be stingy either! I have two more of these special Stone Golems left, so I'll trade them to you too!" Rhodes smiled, brought out the remaining two Stone Golems once more, and chose to garrison them directly on Kael'thas.
Trading Level 3 troops for treasures is extremely worthwhile. Moreover, leaving them beside Kael'thas allows him to monitor the battle situation here at any time. Garrisoned troops are equivalent to a hero's eyes.
"Hahaha, Lord Rhodes, I'm glad you like them. I wouldn't dare boast about other things, but when it comes to magical equipment, Quel'Thalas has the best, because we only make the best." Kael'thas smiled, praised his own equipment, and accepted control of the two Stone Golems Rhodes had sent over.
Today was a great harvest for him: three creations of Titan magic, possessing powerful magic resistance. If he could thoroughly study them and install them on Quel'Thalas' Arcane Golems, it would be perfect.
Both parties were very satisfied with this transaction. Kael'thas even specially invited Rhodes to stay and prepared a lavish dinner.
He hosted Rhodes and Jaina for a good meal. During the banquet, Rhodes enjoyed the service of the High Elves beauties—limited, of course, to pouring wine and listening to songs.
Late that night, personally escorted by Kael'thas himself, Rhodes and Jaina left Kael'thas' mansion.
Jaina looked at Rhodes with surprise, unexpected that this guy Rhodes actually possessed creations gifted by the Titans, and even traded them to Quel'Thalas.
How many good things does this guy even have? The two chatted merrily as they returned to the mage Tower, and then went back to their respective rooms to rest.
Jaina was scheduled to start contacting the Kul Tiras army tomorrow, and Rhodes also planned to take some time to meet Antonidas and inquire about King Terenas' intentions.
After returning to his room, Rhodes immediately took the Holy Light Greatsword from the Angel. The moment he received the Holy Light Greatsword, Rhodes received a system prompt.
Found Level 5 Treasure, Name Holy Light Greatsword. Equipping it increases Attack Power by 10 points, and grants the spells Holy Light Sanction and Holy Light Healing.
Holy Light Judgment can be cast every turn, consuming 0 Mana, consistently dealing 100 damage. Holy Light Healing can target one unit, consuming no Mana, and restoring 100 Health.
Not bad! It adds 12 points of Attack Power—this is quite an incredible treasure—and it comes with two spells, which are somewhat similar to Titan's Arrow.
This item also consumes no Mana and can be used as long as it is equipped, but the other one deals 600 damage. However, this weapon can also restore 100 Health to the target, which is very powerful.
If this item were given to a Melee Hero, its value might be greater. 12 points of Attack Power is no joke. Unfortunately, Straker, the only Melee Hero Rhodes currently has, is an Undead Creature and doesn't quite match Holy Light.
For now, only the Angel can use it. Maybe another day, we can try Lightforged Undead! Princess Calia became Lightforged Undead after being killed by Sylvanas in the future.
This is why Priests among The Forsaken can use Holy Light. When playing World of Warcraft back then, many players complained about Undead being able to choose the Priest class and use Holy Light.
However, according to the records in the Chronicles, the Undead who needed to use Holy Light in the storyline were actually Priests in life, and they only practiced using Holy Light secretly, never daring to use it in public.
At least in the lore background, The Forsaken absolutely did not possess Holy Light; this only appeared around 8.0 or 9.0.
After testing the power of the Holy Light Greatsword, Rhodes handed it back to the Angel, hoping that a suitable Melee Hero would be available to wield this weapon in the future!
The night passed without incident. Early the next morning.
Rhodes planned to visit Antonidas, the visible leader of Dalaran, to discuss leading a portion of the Dalaran populace west across to Kalimdor.
However, Archmage Antonidas seemed unwilling to rush the departure, even suggesting that the fleet should only set sail several months later.
"Archmage Rhodes, or rather, Baron Rhodes, I don't think it's necessary to bring so many people on this trip to Kalimdor. You are merely an advance force.
"Archmage Antonidas, the Titan Keeper has already stated that a catastrophe is imminent," Rhodes said.
"There was indeed a great catastrophe before, but that disaster has completely passed. Our Alliance has achieved victory once again; the scourge has been terminated," Antonidas said with a smile.
During this time, he dispatched a large number of mages to various locations, and the investigation results returned a unified response: the scourge had vanished, and all the Undead had disappeared.
Arthas even sent a messenger to inform his father, King Terenas, that he was returning soon. The Alliance was no longer overly concerned about crossing west to Kalimdor, and large numbers of dissenting voices had emerged.
"Archmage Antonidas, I hope you will reconsider. Lordaeron has already agreed to send 30,000 civilians to cross west with me," Rhodes stated.
"I regret to inform you, Archmage Rhodes, that your position in Dalaran is insufficient to initiate a decision, nor can it influence the Kirin Tor Council of Six's
resolution. You have convinced King Terenas, but you have not convinced me," Antonidas said, shaking his head.
Regarding Rhodes' proposal to travel west to Kalimdor, he had already convened the Kirin Tor Council of Six and some members of the Council of mages for discussion. The result was that most people were unwilling to go to the Kalimdor Continent, believing the scourge was over.
"Master Antonidas, I think you should seriously consider this. The Kingdom of Lordaeron has finished building the ships, and the Kul Tiras fleet will arrive shortly," Jaina said.
"How about this! I will dispatch 100 mages to accompany you to Western Kalimdor, but they will only be performing reconnaissance missions," Antonidas said, waving his hand.
Now that the scourge seemed to be resolved, the Alliance apparently saw no need to send troops across the ocean. Antonidas finally only agreed to dispatch 100 mages to cross west with Rhodes and Jaina.
Hearing this, Rhodes offered a helpless smile. Jaina wanted to say more but was stopped by Rhodes. The two bid farewell to Antonidas and left together.
"Rhodes, I'm sorry, I couldn't convince my Master and the mages of Dalaran," Jaina sighed.
The stubbornness of the Council of mages was beyond imagination, and Rhodes had been busy Holy Light-ifying the Angel, leaving him no time to persuade these mages.
"I pretty much expected this. Without external pressure, naturally, no one is willing to leave their homeland," Rhodes sighed.
In the original timeline, those who left with Jaina included a large number of Lordaeron commoners, Dalaran mages and residents, High Elves, Dwarves, and even the populace of Stromgarde.
But by then, the Capital City of Lordaeron had fallen, King Terenas was dead, and even the High Elves' Silvermoon City had fallen. Only then did the Alliance High Command feel the crisis and agree to jointly form a fleet.
Now he had only convinced King Terenas of Lordaeron, and with Arthas having sent a letter, Rhodes seriously doubted whether Lordaeron's fleet could depart on schedule.
"Rhodes, what do you plan to do now?" Jaina asked.
Currently, the only ones confirmed to be leaving are the Lordaeron commoners and the Kul Tiras Fleet.
"Let's go to Lordaeron first and meet King Terenas!" Rhodes said