[Horde] Chapter Four: Session Thirty-Two

Appearing Characters: Arthak Saurfang, Azgadaan, Azuka Stormbreaker, Dieworth, Go'el, Halno, Levia Blackflight, Morran, No'Rash, Nyxxa, Ravandywr Somberwind

Appearing Creatures: Arcane Elemental, Mageslayer, Mana Invader, Mana Seeker

Outland Day 40

The battle continues to rage on as Nyxxa activates the flames on her glaives and swings into the nearest mana seeker. With two quick slices, the tormented creature is carved to bits and dissipates. No’Rash, in the midst of his partial fel transformation, swings his club down on the nearest mana invader and then grabs it, tearing its head off with his teeth. He rounds on one of the wraith-like mageslayers with a roar, his club whipping through the creature’s incorporeal body. He tries to grab the creature around the throat, but his hand passes right through its body.

Go’el runs by and swings his axe through the the mana invader wrapped around Azgadaan, a burst of frost erupting through the creature as he runes back to engage with a few more of the swarming creatures.

Meanwhile. Arthak is getting dogpiled by mana seekers and the battered elven arcanist continues to spar with his own mana seeker as it passes through him with a slash of its claw. A mageslayer reaches out to Arthak with a claw, and he feels a zapping, tingling sensation as a small portion of Arthak’s life essence is drawn into the spectral creature.

Azgadaan brings his maul down on the mana invader, the pike of the weapon burst through the creature’s body as its form dissolves, and he swings the maul around into the nearby mana seeker. He glances at the elf.

Azgadaan says [common]: Hey kid, stay close. Get too far away and we can’t help you.

The arcanist blinks as he stares at the demon in confusion.

Arthak slams Champion’s Forge into one of the mana seekers, trying to cripple it, but it is manages to hold on just a second longer before Arthak finishes it off with a cleave through it and into the second mana seeker--the second creature also dissipating. He then runs for the elven arcanist to offer some backup.

A mana invader attempts to latch onto Levia with a high pitched screech but she shoves it off with her shield as she runs over to No’Rash’s other side. She uses turn undead, and she holds her shield up as it is rimmed with white light.

Levia Blackflight says: Get the fuck back!

The two mageslayers and two mana seekers are blasted backwards, and the mana seekers are completely disintegrated by the light. Levia then casts [Spiritual Weapon], and the spectral sword appears next to the mana seeker engaged with Azgadaan and slashes through it. Levia looks at No’Rash as the mageslayers start to flee.

Levia Blackflight says: Let it go!

No’Rash, however, is lost in his frenzy and slams his club into the fleeing mageslayer--an attack that has enough hesitation that the spirit evades the strike.

The mana seeker that was trapped in the sphere starts to roll the bubble closer to Nyxxa. It tries to reach out to her, but it can’t because the magical sphere of force is in the way.

The arcanist shoots a [Fire Bolt] but the remaining invader consumes it. Halno fires his own from a distance away, the flames bursting into a mana seeker before he leaps on the animated carriage as it rolls forward.

No’Rash charges at the bubbled mana seeker next to Nyxxa and swings his club at the sphere. However, his club bounces harmlessly off. Growling in frustration, he charges into the sphere and sends it flying backwards.

Nyxxa runs up to the sole remaining mana invader and it slithers around her first strike, but her second lands true--leaving its body battered and flickering.

Azgadaan devastates the mana seeker engaged with him before retreating to back up the elf.

Azgadaan says [common]: Just stick with me and we should be safe.

The elf looks unconvinced.

Arthak, meanwhile, carves through two mana seekers at once, and they promptly dissipate into nothing as he moves onto the mana invader and destroys it as well. He continues running, his armored form heaving over the broken stairs and driving his blade into the remaining mana seeker, which is also immediately destroyed.

The remaining creatures are fended off and the ghostly battle-sorcerer calls out the few retreaters.

Spectral Battle-Sorcerer says [common]: That’s right. Not a step closer to this tower!

The arcanist steps cautiously away from Azgadaan and the ghostly custodian floats closer and bows.

Ghostly Custodian says [common]: Thank you. Thank you so much for helping. Had you not intervened I fear that arcanist Ravandwyr would have joined us sooner rather than later.
Azgadaan says: Glad we arrived when we did. Pity it wasn’t sooner. Perhaps more of you would have been alive.
Spectral Battle-Sorcerer says [common]: I’m not so sure that would have been the case, demon. I don’t think you could have prevented this catastrophe.
Nyxxa says [common]: What happened?
Spectral Battle-Sorcerer says [common]: Good question. But what the hell are a bunch of demons, orcs, and whatever hell the rest of you are doing in a place like this.
Nyxxa says [common]: I was sent on behalf of Archmage Khadgar to see what happened. There was no way to contact any of you, and all scrying had failed.

No’Rash had bent over to start to get his transformation under control.

Spectral Battle-Sorcerer says [common]: So Khadgar sent you? That’s interesting. I suppose I might thank him if I could, but there aren’t many other survivors here.

He looks at the arcanist who is dusting himself off with his one good arm.

Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: The only reason I survived is because I wasn’t here. I came back to investigate what happened to my teacher, but… I suppose I should have been more ready for the dangers that awaited me.
Nyxxa says [common]: So, to reiterate, what did happen here?
Spectral Battle-Sorcerer says [common]: I’ll tell you what I know. The name is Morran, by the way. I’m the Lieutenant-Sorcerer, and was the captain of the mage-guard here. For whatever that means now. This here is the custodian of the tower, Dieworth.

The older custodian ghost bows.

Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: And my name is Ravandwyr Somberwind. Thank you for saving me, for whatever reasons you did…

He glances warily at the orcs.

Nyxxa says [common]: It’s understandable to be wary. It seems you’ve been through a lot. All of you. But I assume there’s a reason you haven’t left already?
Lieutenant-Sorcerer Morran says [common]: I can’t allow myself to enjoy my afterlife until I get the master free from the tower and let the spirits here find rest.
Nyxxa says [common]: I see.
Lieutenant-Sorcerer Morran says [common]: What can I call you, stranger?
Nyxxa says [common]: Shalla’xar.
Azgadaan says [common]: Agrius.
Lieutenant-Sorcerer Morran says [common]: Well, I don’t know how I feel about trusting this task to a bunch of orcs… but it’s not like you can do more damage than Naberius has.
Nyxxa says [common]: Naberius?
Lieutenant-Sorcerer Morran says [common]: Aye. One of the master’s other apprentices. One of the more gifted ones at that.

Ravandwyr gets a look.

Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: He’s one of the more senior apprentices. Despite the fact I’m older than he is, well, was, he was more gifted. He was not spared from this tragedy, but neither has it stopped him from his pursuit of power. If the whispers of these tortured spirits are anything to be believed.
Lieutenant-Sorcerer Morran says [common]: I can tell you what little I know, but that’s the best I can do. We’ve been having skirmishes since we arrived. These strange bandaged creatures have been trying to harness the chaotic energies of the Nether.

He points at the pillar of light in the distance.

Lieutenant-Sorcerer Morran says [common]: They have a base in that direction. We’ve had to bolster ourselves and have had more than a few scraps. They’ve taken more than their fair share of our people. They’ve been doing something with strange technologies, and putting captives to work in the mines. We thought we could rescue some of our people from one of their caravans, but there were no prisoners. We found an object. A device. A bomb. I don’t know what it was, but Vargoth and his apprentices as well as some of the magisters from the Sunfury Outpost were looking at it, and then this happened. I don’t know if it was sabotaged or something else, but I had good men here, and those men won’t have rest, nor can I tell their families what happened here. Not until we get the archmage from the tower. I can’t tell you much more than that. Shortly after that happened, the dead started rising. From what little I was able to know, it seems Naberius is behind this thing--likely the same one that apprenticed under the archmage.
Nyxxa says [common]: Well… that sounds an awful lot like the ethereals we were warned about. Fits the description at least. We were sent to disrupt the mining operations the ethereals were doing here.
Lieutenant-Sorcerer Morran says [common]: I can’t say what they’re after, but any damage you could do tot he bastards would let my soul rest in peace.
Nyxxa says [common]: Are the captives still alive?
Lieutenant-Sorcerer Morran says [common]: I don’t know.

No’Rash straightens, listening to the translations offered to him.

No'Rash says: Do you know the layout of the mine?

Azgadaan translates.

Lieutenant-Sorcerer Morran says [common]: It’s all we could do is keep this operation going. You’d need to ask at Sunfury Hold, but, no offense, greenskin, I’d keep your distance. This forge here is one of many forges here, but you’ll have to talk to someone that knows more than I. You could ask archmage Vargoth if we can get him out.
Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: I know how we can do so. Or, well, I have the startings of an idea. I recognize the defenses. It’s an incantation that Vargoth created. He’s a mage whose found interest in chronomancy, and I believe this to be an expression of that. Unfortunately, something is wrong. I haven’t been able to contact him through the barrier. I’m at a loss for how to right this… I was hoping to try and contact him using his staff-- oh, right, his staff, one moment.

He runs over and starts poking around the rubble.

Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: There you are!

He pulls a Kirin Tor staff from the wreckage.

Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: If I were able to reach some of his other apprentices, I might be able to break this enchantment off. I know the words to do so… the actual process of lifting the enchantment is beyond my strength. Unfortunately, I’m the only apprentice that survived… the archmage had sent me to do some fine tunings as the staff reacted strangely to this Netherstorm… the spirits of the other former apprentices are still gone. Tormented amongst the wreckage. If we could reach them somehow, perhaps we can get their assistance in lifting this. Alternatively, we may be able to pull the rest of the incantations from Naberius himself. I can’t say much else about how we can do that…
Azgadaan says [common]: I would like to help you, but, we should probably rest and see to everyone’s wounds. Especially yours. We can figure it out while we rest.

Ravandwyr looks at his arm.

Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: I’m not sure if much can be done about this. I’ll have to adapt. As far as my strength, I feel drained, but that’s about as good as I think I will. We should be safe to rest here… those creatures are likely not to return. Thank you, by the way.

He looks at Levia.

Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: I don’t understand why you’re all doing this.
Levia Blackflight says [common]: You were about to die and we kind of need some answers. Plus, I’m just glad to help out.
Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: You have my gratitude nonetheless.
Nyxxa says [common]: This magic stuff is beyond me.
No'Rash says: If you give me a moment, I can scout the perimeter and ensure no enemies lie in wait.
Nyxxa says: I can join you. I’m not too torn up.

The group take a brief rest while No’Rash and Nyxxa keep watch. Nyxxa casts [Detect Evil and Good] briefly, and notes the two undead and also that No’Rash seems to register as a fiend. At the conclusion of the rest, she uses [See Invisibility] again.

Go’el checks in with No’Rash.

Go'el says: Are you alright, old friend?
No'Rash says: As alright as I can be. The transformations are worse than they used to be.
Go'el says: For a moment I was concerned, but it seemed you had control over it. At least in that short burst.
No'Rash says: It can get worse than that. As you know.
Go'el says: For the time being, I suppose that makes it a useful weapon. But be careful, my friend. I don’t want to lose you.
No'Rash says: Thank you chief-- Go’el. I will keep moving on.

He gives Go’el a pat on the shoulder.

No'Rash says: I wish Azuka did not have to see that.

Go’el glances at Azuka.

Go'el says: At this point… she’s seen much worse than that. Sometime you might be able to see her cut loose in her own way. Whatever magics she and Arthak have been learning are impressive. They have tricks of their own.
No'Rash says: Wouldn’t be surprised.

Thankfully, the perimeter around them had stayed safe, for the most part. No other wraiths seem to be drifting closer, at least not yet.

No'Rash says: What do we do now? Do we press on or wait until they come again. If we leave the rest of these beings to fend for themselves, they may not make it.
Halno says: I’m more concerned about whatever they were working on here. We shouldn’t leave it laying around.
Nyxxa says: It sounds like something the ethereals were doing.
Halno says: Regardless, we shouldn’t leave their… whatever this was. I would like to see what happened here so we can prevent it from happening again.
No'Rash says: What if we take most of the group forward and leave one or two behind to handle defenses?

A translation is offered to the spirits.

Lieutenant-Sorcerer Morran says [common]: If you’re concerned about defending this place, you don’t have to. I’ll make sure these bastards don’t harm the archmage. If they can even get in.
Halno says [ravenspeech]: Yeah, because he was doing such a good job of protecting himself earlier.
Nyxxa says [common]: So, the strategy is protect you..

She points to Ravandwyer.

Nyxxa says [common]: And try to get the incantations so you can open the door?
Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: Yes, that’s what I’m hoping. But I’m going to need a bit more power. Likely whatever Naberius is hoarding. Or the other apprentices…
Nyxxa says [common]: And Naberius is the one that is messing with this?
Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: I noticed the signs of necromancy here and I…

He glances at Halno.

Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: Get the feeling you might understand a thing or two. It is forbidden by the Kirin Tor. If he was practicing this before, that is news to me. It seems our best course of action is to try and seek him out and stop him from what he’s doing, or seek out the spirits of the other apprentices first.
Azgadaan says [common]: Either way, we’re going to need to look for people.
Lieutenant-Sorcerer Morran says [common]: Well, I can’t say if he’s there for certain, but there has been a concentration of the walking dead around the chapel. That could be a good place to start. I can’t say to the rest, though I suppose you could try to find these other ghosts…
Nyxxa says [common]: How can we find them?
Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: I should be able to identify them. I don’t know necromancy, but I’ve read a ghost story or two in my life…

Halno facepalms.

Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: If you have a better idea, perhaps you can share it.
Halno says [common]: No no, I’m happy to see where this is going.
Nyxxa says [common]: He’s just like that.
Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: You certainly choose an interesting group to travel with.

Ravandwyr’s eyes hover on Arthak for longer than the other orcs.

Nyxxa says [common]: The Eastern Kingdomers I’ve met have used a phrase about war and strange bedfellows.
Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: So how should we move forward? I’ll try not to get myself in any danger.

-.Nyxxa says [common]: Which avenue would you be more comfortable pursuing?

Ravandwyr Somberwind says [common]: Well, there are merits to both. Finding Naberius and confronting him will have to be done regardless, but I don’t know how this work. Seeking the spirits may be useful as well, but we would lose the element of surprise…
Azgadaan says [common]: We very rarely have the element of surprise.
No'Rash says: Could any of us search for the ghost in secret? So we can maintain the element of surprise and find the ghosts at the same time.
Azgadaan says: Sticking together is wise.
Halno says [common]: If undead are the main concern, we have the best way to deal with that.

He points at Levia.

Levia Blackflight says [common]: It worked once, I’m sure it can work again. I should be good to hit them with everything I’ve got--at least punch a hole through his defenses.
Halno says [common]: We solve all our problems the same way.
Nyxxa says [common]: That’s what I was thinking too…
Halno says [common]: So lets go do what you do best.
Lieutenant-Sorcerer Morran says [common]: I think that’s the best course of action anyways. Plus the quicker you can break off that bastard’s… whatever, the better for everyone. We’ll defend the tower in the meanwhile. Hopefully we can put an end to this.
Nyxxa says [common]: Nothing worse than an unintended necromancer, right?

Levia snort-laughs. The group starts to head back towards the chapel, and Arthak, Azuka, and No’Rash notice their nonmagical weapons had started to crackle with some sort of energy. As they approach, they try to make their way as quietly as they can through the haunted streets of Kirin’Var Village. There is a low, violet mist over the grounds, and they all notice the sounds of rattling bones and armor scraping across stone. They see the busted up ruins and walls of the chapel up ahead, and several of them immediately attract attention.

There is a hiss as soulless empty eyes hone in on the loudest of the group. There are a good number of skeletons, their clothing and armor patchworked. Two mageslayers also emerged--seemingly coming in with a vengeance, and a few more mana seekers. There is also a large, roiling mass of arcane energy as an arcane elemental rises and turns its attention to the group. There is also a skeletal warhorse with a rider that seems to be drawn to their location.

A mana seeker immediately charges at Arthak while skeletal archers begin to fire arrows at the group. Nyxxa leaps out of the shadows at the nearest mageslayer. She manages to stun it. One of the unliving mages uses arcane missile and the three darts slam into Nyxxa before it closes and swings at her with its blade.

Suddenly, three more skeletal mage guards charge into the combat, flanking the group. One blasts Azgadaan with [Arcane Missile], but he uses [Shield] to block it, however, it then closes with an attack at the same time the same combo is used on No’Rash.

Levia Blackflight says: Lets see how much damage we can do!

Levia charges into the midst of the skeletons and uses turn undead. Several skeletal villagers promptly burst into holy flames while others flee from the surge of Light. She then casts [Spiritual Weapon].

No’Rash grabs the nearest unliving mage-guard and drags them to a skeletal villager, swinging their body around into the other undead. The village promptly crumbles, and the mage-guard staggers onto the ground.

A skeleton fires an arrow at Levia, which grazes her shoulder.

Arthak starts to charge right down the middle, swinging Champion’s Forge as he enters a rage. One skeletal villager crumbles beneath his blade, and he carries through to one of the unliving mage-guards, which is able to hold its ground slightly better. However, Arthak continues running--straight into the room with the unliving champion.

Unliving Champion says [common]: You shall not disturb the master.

The champion holds its hand out, and rusted chains of white light try to hold him in place--but the hold person does not stick as Arthak resists the spell. However, the nearby mage-guard fires an [Arcane Missile] and then slices into him. The mage-guard tries to disarm him, but Arthak holds firm on his blade.

The arcane elemental roils forward and arcane bolts of energy starts to break off from it and fire wildly into the air. Three go at Arthak and three go at Azgadaan, successfully breaking through his shield spell as more skeletons dogpile Arthak.

Halno creeps forward, narrowly evading a strike from a mageslayer. He then uses [Living Bomb], marking a rune on one of the mage-slayers as concussive air starts to surge into it--the damage type of the spell changing to bludgeoning.

Azgadaan squeezes past the mage-guards engaged with him--taking some hits in the process before he hurls his maul using the whirling weapon spell. Two unliving villagers are immediately pulverized as the weapon streaks through them and then returns to Azgadaan’s hand.

Nyxxa continues to carve into the mageslayer and promptly dispatches it as she swings into the engaged mage-guard. Arrows are flying in every direction, and a stray one manages to wedge itself in Arthak’s armor.

Levia holds up a small, jet black stone and shadows start to waft from it.

Levia Blackflight says: Out of my way!

Shadows wreathe her as she casts [Shadowform]. Her body becomes obscured and translucent, and a mage-guard manages to cut through--but the shadows lash out at the mage-guard in response. Azuka leaps in at that moment and manages to land a hit on the same mage-guard.

Arthak swings into the arcane elemental with a flurry of attacks, activating his fire rune to bolster the attack. It starts to waver slightly with the influx of damage, but remains standing. There is a magical pressure around it that seems to shut down the magic of weapons and items. He looks at the unliving champion and points, trying to goad it forward before he disappears into the obfuscation of Levia’s shadowform.

One of the mana seekers swings at Halno, clawing at his life essence.

No’Rash enters his fel transformation and starts to charge at the arcane elemental. However, as he closes, he feels the strength of his club fade. He tries to swing anyway, the first attack glancing off the elemental, but the second landing true.

Azgadaan puts an [Ice Barrier] on and then starts to run through several enemies. One of the mana seekers connects, and explodes from the whiplash of ice, as does the critically wounded unliving mage-guard.

Halno uses a holy [Inflict Wounds] on the remaining mana seeker, and it explodes into nothing. Suddenly, the concussive force Halno had placed in the mage-guard near the arcane elemental explodes--obliterating the two mage-guards and inflicting another of the marks on the arcane elemental.

A skeleton villager runs for No’Rash and slices into his arm, causing a thin trail of fel blood to trickle down his arm.

The unliving champion’s warhorse rears, and a facsimile of paladin-like magic appears over the unliving champion. He charges at No’Rash, driving his weapon past No’Rash’s arm. The concussive force in the elemental then explodes, destroying both skeletons and knocking the unliving champion off its back. The arcane elemental swings at No’Rash, and it manages to hamstring him.

The unliving steed then explodes, more concussive force going over the clustered group. The steed shatters into splinters, but No’Rash is still taking the brunt of all the damage. However, the mark then carries over to the unliving champion.

Nyxxa finishes off the skeleton she was engaged with.

Levia uses [Holy Light], healing No’Rash, and then swings her spiritual weapon at the mageslayer. The mark on No’Rash then explodes, and he roars as his fel blood starts to pump wildly.

No'Rash says: Stay… AWAY.

He swings at the arcane elemental, clawing and beating at its face as he rips the elemental’s arm off and proceeds to beat the corpse of the elemental with it before the elemental dissipates. He looks towards the unliving champion and the unliving villager beyond and runs for the villager.

The unliving champion also explodes, blasting concentration for the haste spell he had cast on himself off and leaving him dazed for a second. Arthak runs for him and swings Champion’s Forge, but the skeleton is able to deflect both strikes.

Azgadaan retreats to help Nyxxa and swings his maul into one of the remaining mage-guards as he triggers a branding smite. He hurls the mage-guard to the side. Halno casts a piercing [Inflict Wounds] at the mageslayer, driving his hand through the wraith’s chest. The mageslayer attacks Halno in response, and Levia is able to cancel the critical hit.

Nyxxa manages to decapitate one of the remaining mage-guards, and then spins around to an unliving villager--decapitating it as well. At which point, she quaffs a potion. Just in time to get hit with another barrage of [Arcane Missile].

Annoyed and frustrated, Halno reaches out with a tier 5 [Inflict Wounds], and he surges holy magic through the mageslayer. He completely obliterates the creature. He suddenly feels like he’s short of breath… something he hasn’t felt in a long time.

No’Rash finishes off the unliving villager and then runs down to help Arthak with the unliving champion.

Unliving Champion says [common]: You will join the master’s army…

The champion points up at Arthak as he casts a spell, and then he starts to swing his weapon into him with a surprising amount of strength as the weapon chips away at Arthak’s armor.

Levia incinerates the remaining unliving villager with a [Fire Bolt].

Azuka tries to attack the champion, and distracts it, and Nyxxa leaps at the unliving champion, slashing into it twice. No’Rash follows behind her and slams his club down on on the champion’s head, caving in its skull. The remainder of the skeletons are dispatched, and No’Rash crumples to the ground.

Nyxxa says: You alright there?
No'Rash says: This one was… worse.

His body is shaking and convulsing. Go’el and Azuka approaches, closely followed by Ravandwyer.

No'Rash says: Can I have a hand up, please?
Arthak Saurfang says: Yeah.

Arthak helps him to his feet.

Azgadaan says: Are you okay to continue?
No'Rash says: I have to be.

He looks at Azuka.

No'Rash says: You almost got that one.

Azuka looks away bashfully.

Azuka Stormbreaker says: We should push this advantage.
Azgadaan says: Lets heal up first.

Azgadaan casts [Beacon of Hope] over the group so that Levia’s magic and natural recovery can take a greater hold. They look at the dark doorway into the chapel, and they start to head in..