[Horde] Chapter Three: Session Three

Appearing Characters: Ariok, Arthak Saurfang, Azgadaan, Azuka, Caria Felsoul, Belo'vir Salonar, Dal’rend Blackhand, Galforr Siegebreaker, Garona, Garrosh Hellscream, Gramgun Laughingeye, Grotan the Herald, Gul'dan, Halno, Jorin Deadeye, Jubei’thos, Kargath Bladefist, Kaz the Shrieker, Levia Blackflight, Maim Blackhand, Mor’ghor, Nyxxa, Relgor, Sadras, Sagaz, Selin Fireheart, Sinestra, Thura Saurfang, Velhari, Win’thas Keenblossom, Zagarra

Locations: Silvermoon City, Quel'danas

November 22nd

Upon arriving on the mainland, Halno and Azgadaan sell their spell scrolls they had created.

Halno goes to seek out Gul’dan, and he is directed to the very pinnacle of Stormreaver Spire. Gul’dan was at the top of the spire above an expansive and partially destroyed library. One of the great wings that just out from the spire had been destroyed and replaced with some sort of bone or white wood, and it is crackling with fel energy that is shooting up to the sky and striking against the ban’dinoriel.

Gul’dan seems to be commanding the lightning, but ceases as he notices Halno’s arrival, and he turns toward him.

Gul'dan says: Halno. What an unexpected surprise. Have you something to report already?
Halno says: Not exactly. More of a curiosity. And. Well. I figured you may be the best one to answer this. It’s a bit outside my expertise. Is Arthak… a demon binder or warlock or does he have one working for him?

Gul’dan’s eyebrow raises.

Gul'dan says: What leads you to, ah, such a peculiar conclusion, my friend?
Halno says: The reason for the weird question. He has an eredar claiming to do assistant work for him, he has a satyr in his company, and I believe I previously saw a succubus cheering for him? Also the wyrmtongue. That’s a lot of demons for a clan that supposedly has no connection with the fel.

Gul’dan thinks for a moment.

Gul'dan says: You do raise a curious point. Young Saurfang seems to have a certain charisma about him, and that is precisely why it is wise you are there to watch. Not only him, but the others in his company.
Halno says: I was simply wondering if there was someone else at play, but if you do not believe so, it is unlikely to be so.
Gul'dan says: If Arthak has the capacity to bind demons into his power then he has done an exceptional job of hiding it. Likewise, I find it unlikely given his upbringing, that he would learn such things. None of his bloodline have shown such a gift. I think it more likely that they have attracted his attention, much like he has attracted ours.
Halno says: In that case, do you believe the young eredar would be a problem?
Gul'dan says: I cannot say that I could divine what Lord Azgadaan seeks. I do not know if you are aware, but he and his lord father are not on good terms. It could be he is seeking his own path, or the patronage of the White Tyrant.
Halno says: I see.
Gul'dan says: I do not presume to understand the minds of the great leaders of the Legion. But he is an enigma, that I can assure you. If he is to become a problem, he will be dealt with, but likely not by us, I imagine.
Halno says: I understand. Well then, I’ll get a report to you on Arthak and his strange company shortly. I appreciate your time.
Gul'dan says: Of course. And if you require aught from us, you need only ask, Halno. What you may accomplish may be the beginning of a new era.
Halno says: Slightly unrelated, I intend to potentially help Arthak boost his resource potential. And to that end, I was wondering if I could set up a trade agreement with you for spell scrolls between his clan and yours, with me as the intermediary.
Gul'dan says: In what capacity?
Halno says: We create the scrolls and sell them to you.
Gul'dan says: Provided the scrolls to be of use to us and our allies in the Shadowsword, I do not see a problem with such a thing. Such artifacts can be useful.
Halno says: Well then, I believe I’ve taken enough of your precious time.

He looks up at the crystals, which are still crackling with fel energy.

Halno says: I bid you farewell, then.

He bows and starts to back away. Gul’dan nods to him, then turns back to his work.

The rest of the day, Halno holes himself up in an arcane sanctum with some tomes, as the meeting was going to be taking place in the Spire the next day.


Arthak and his company seek out a place to stay with the Ironmarch to bide time until the meeting.

Nyxxa familiarizes herself with the city, which is now quite thoroughly under orcish control, and Arthak presents his game plan.

Game Plan Write-Up

Sadras ends up raising a question of what Arthak is trying to do, such as if he is attempting to delay the dropping of the barrier until the Resistance is dealt with. Arthak responds that he is not, as they are not going to be able to eliminate all of them. The goal is to limit the damage the Resistance can do, while hoping dropping their command structure and eliminating any mages.

Gramgun asks how much of Arthak’s resources he wants to involve, and Arthak responds that they are going to still prioritize taking care of their clan, but this is a training opportunity for the warriors of the clan as well.

Nyxxa is a bit apprehensive about the situation, but she reassures Arthak that she will not do anything to threaten Arthak’s position of authority during the meeting.

Azgadaan seeks Arthak out later that night to present an idea: namely present a high value target to cause the Resistance to do something rash. Specifically, they could probably speak with Gul’dan or Shaspira about it.

Arthak takes note of the idea, and agrees it may be a good one if Gul’dan or Shaspira do not have a more pressing things to attend to. They can speak about it later.

But Arthak does ask Azgadaan if he will be comfortable with the work ahead, and Azgadaan responds that he will be comfortable enough.

Arthak also tells Azgadaan that he was informed that Aracyra had been sent after a specific artifact (namely the sword). Azgadaan confirms that is correct.

Arthak asks if Azgadaan was helping her, and again, Azgadaan confirms.

Arthak Saurfang says: Do you know if she intends to speak with me about it?
Azgadaan says: She hasn’t made anything known, but I can suggest that she, or we, can speak to you about it. Between you and me, for now, I think she would rather get told of the sword before the opposition does.
Arthak Saurfang says: We’ve been through a certain amount together, Azgadaan. So I hope you understand my feelings on the matter when I ask where your loyalties lay here. There are no accusations or doubts depending on your answer, but I would like to know: do your feelings lay toward her cause or mine?
Azgadaan says: I’d rather your cause, currently. But I do want to help her, and if we can figure out a way for us both to win, I’d be ecstatic.

Azgadaan also says that he is intending on sending Aracyra Arthak’s way in the future.

He also asks if Arthak wants some aid during the presentation (in the form of enhance ability), and Arthak asks if the Shadowsword would notice or take offense. Azgadaan doesn’t think they will.

Azgadaan says: Think of it as… putting on makeup.

Arthak is left puzzled on what “makeup” is, because there’s no real orcish word for it.

Overnight, Halno also summons his familiar: an animated orc hand. It was likely his former hand.

November 23rd

The group heads over to Stormreaver Spire with the two representatives from the Ironmarch. Early that morning, they are introduced to Ariok, the last remaining son of Eitrigg. Both himself and Galforr would be representing the Ironmarch.

The spire leads into a large central atrium that connects to some of the upper sections of the spire. One by one, the Ironmarch takes their places around the circular room. Likewise, Arthak and his people also take their places, and Halno comes down to meet them. His skeletons spread around the room within about 30 feet of their master.

The first ones to arrive after are the representatives of the Shadowsword: Selin Fireheart. To his right is Win’thas Keenblossom, who has a small imp perched on his shoulder. A few paces behind them is the dark-haired, leather-clad woman with asymmetrical horns and white skin. Her eyes are down as she enters.

Next to arrive is Jubei’thos. He is alone, and he nods at Arthak.

Next are the representatives of the Warsong clan. Garrosh is accompanied by a female raider with a short brown mohawk.

The Bleeding Hollow is next, lead by Jorin. To his right is a red-haired hunter with a ponytail and a bright red beard. He has white tattoos on his face and body. He is introduced as Relgor, one of the master scouts of the clan. His lieutenant is a greenskin orc with long dreadlocks: Zagarra. There is a chain wrapped around her right arm, and she is dragging a female krokul with her.

The Thunderlords sent two hunters along with Grotan the Herald, one of the new chieftains. While he was not invited personally, he wanted to represent the Thunderlords in a gesture of good will.

There is another solitary figure: Velhari. She strides in, her eyes flickering to those present, but says nothing as she takes a position against a far wall. Nyxxa is able to tell she clearly does not want to be here.

Then, stumbling through the dooors with the scent of alcohol on them, is Kaz the Shrieker and another pyromancer.

The next people that arrive, much to Arthak’s chagrin, are Rend and Maim. Rend approaches Arthak and greets him, still referring to him as “cowardspawn.”

Dal'rend Blackhand says: I have to say, Arthak, we’re offended you didn’t invite us personally.
Maim Blackhand says: The Blood Shrike has targeted our people just as much as yours. Her people will pay.
Arthak Saurfang says: My heart is gladdened to see you both. I didn’t invite you because I wasn’t sure you would come. But more bodies are welcome.
Dal'rend Blackhand says: Of course we would come. It’s what we could do for an old friend.

Noticeably, however, they didn’t shoulder check Arthak as they passed, which they would have previously done.

The next person is the fel orc Mor’ghor, the chieftain of the Dragonmaw, and he is pulling a large cart with a black sheet over it, covering a cage. Following after him is a familiar elf: Sinestra. She offers a kind smile in Arthak’s direction.

She directs the orc to take the cart with the cage to the side, and they can hear a soft rattling from inside, and they can a guttural language. The orc slams his fist on it, and there’s a yelp. Nyxxa, however, can understand the language. It’s draconic, though a broken version of it. It was basically asking where it was at. It seemed frightened.

Everyone is starting to get antsy, and Galforr asks Arthak if everyone was present. Arthak said they were still waiting on Kargath.

However, at that moment, the door goes slamming open, and as he is draining a drinking horn of its contents, Kargath strolls in with a solitary other orc.

Kargath Bladefist says: Ugh! We’re here. Quit your bitching.
Arthak Saurfang says: Almost as if you heard my cue.
Kargath Bladefist says: Yeah, I almost didn’t come. But I didn’t want to hear you moan more.

He claps Arthak on the back as he strolls by.

The orc following after Kargath has a ritualistic sword replacing one fist, and he has a mask over his face. He is not introduced, but is identified as an Iron Blood Mage. They use warlock blood magic combined with a practice of shamanism and divination. They can manipulate blood, but the depths of their powers are largely unknown.

Azuka is watching the pair with a degree of cautious recognition.

Arthak Saurfang says: Chieftains. Warriors of the Horde and Legion. I thank you for your time. And I’ll avoid wasting it too much.
Kargath Bladefist yells: Good!
Arthak Saurfang says: I’ll keep it simple. The Blood Shrike is a problem that needs to be dealt with before this barrier drops. If this barrier is to drop sooner rather than later. You can trust me in my assessment that every elven mage that is not hiding is fighting aside the rest, behind their Blood Shrike. So. All of our problems share a common source. We kill resistance, we kill casters, we drop this damnable barrier, and we are free.

There are some shouts and nods of agreement.

Arthak Saurfang says: That’s the intention. That’s the mission. How we achieve it… there are three ways this happens. First we hunt them down. They are hiding. They know this city well: below ground, above ground. They know every shadow. We will hunt them. We will track them with beasts. We will follow their trails, we will use magic to haunt their shadows and their dreams. They have wizards. Casters. We will confront them. We will break them. We will kill them. We will learn what they know, and we will bring this barrier down. They have a finite number of warriors. No one comes in or out, and that includes them. Our numbers can be replenished, theirs cannot. So the plan is simple. We do not negotiate. We do not bargain. We find them, we grind them down, and we take their hiding places, poison them if needed, and put pressure until there is nothing left. And if we find the Blood Shrike, whoever finds the Blood Shrike, their head will be mounted on a pike to that warrior’s glory. We work together, we all have a good chance at that kill, and a good chance at being free of this place, able to conquer any place of Azeroth we desire.
Kargath Bladefist says: Good and excellent words, Arthak. You are good at those. But what of it? We have been slaying them in their sewers for long. They are quick like rats. You stomp one and the rest flee.
Arthak Saurfang says: You are right, but even rats need to sleep and eat, and that is how we will find victory. The Shadowsword and Bleeding Hollow have magics that will help us find those places, and we will take them. When we find a place, we ensure they cannot return. And then we will kill them. Every last one. The reason they keep running is because they have places to run to. Our strategy, our victory, will come from depriving them from those places. We will flush them out, and there, we will crush them.
Galforr Siegebreaker says: A sound strategy, chieftain. But I will posit something else. When that barrier went up, more than just the Shrike and her followers were trapped. Women. Children. The weak. Those who wield a weapon as efficiently as a babe are trapped beneath these sewers. What is your plan if we discover them? Those who are not fit for battle?
Arthak Saurfang says: Shadowsword. For this I had an idea.

Selin looks up, listening.

Arthak Saurfang says: Every elf that still resides in Silvermoon, you once counted as kin.
Selin Fireheart says: That is correct, yes.

As he speaks, the imp on Win’thas’s shoulder translates.

Arthak Saurfang says: Then I would suggest that our best course would be to offer the chance for any that come forward to be recognized as kin. Any elf, whether they fought beside the Blood Shrike, or if they were hiding, if they come forward, they can be welcomed. Even if no one comes forward, such public overtures will breed doubt and uncertainty.
Kaz the Shrieker says: And knives in the back of all of us! Your penchant for mercy might not lead to anything good, Arthak. Whats to say one won’t come with some information, only to learn from your own, and drive a stake straight through your heart.
Arthak Saurfang says: I trust the Shadowsword have ways to determine truth from lie, and if they don’t, Bleeding Hollow?
Jorin Deadeye says: Such things are in our capacity, and others amongst our kind.

Selin nods.

Imp Familiar says: Some amongst the ranks of the Shadowsword have turned away from the faulty religion of the elvish, and they retain some of their capacity to pry fact from fiction.
Arthak Saurfang says: Then we test their words with magic, and if they are wanting, examples can be made. Regardless of what happens, even the offer presents a challenge. The Blood Shrike will have to evaluate who they can trust. Even the slightest mistrust we can exploit. Another fracture.
Imp Familiar says: Lord Selin will see it done. It will be a trifling measure to spread it through those in the sewers. Even if one comes forward, it would be a boon.
Arthak Saurfang says: What motivates them is built on an idea that they can survive until the barrier drops. It is a strong motivation, but also quite fragile. One fights for one’s people until one realizes they are not fighting for ones people, but one's family and one's self. Divide and divide again, and then we crush them.

There are general nods of approval.

Nyxxa scopes the room, and notes Levia acting dejected in the back. Rend and Maim try to poke holes in Arthak’s logic, Galforr seems to have concerns, Kargath seems to want to leave anytime.

Sinestra readies herself to speak of the Dragonmaw clan and whatever is in the cage. She elegantly walks forward

Sinestra Windrunner says: I have an offer for you, however, Chieftain Saurfang.

She introduces herself to Arthak as a friend and ally to the Dragonmaw.

Sinestra Windrunner says: Chieftains and Warriors of the Horde, I have an offering for you. While the Dragonmaw cannot assist directly due to their current obligations, on behalf of my friend Overlord Mor’ghor, I would like to aide in your manhunt.

Revealing the creature inside, she burns off the cover. Inside of the cage, is a humanoid between 5ft and 6ft tall. It hisses and covers its eyes. It is hunched and covered in scales. Its arms have fins and its fingers covered in claws. It has a muzzle with protruding teeth. It hisses again, a kind of Draconic-humanoid.

Sinestra Windrunner says: Allow me to introduce one of my newest creations. The Skardyn.

Nyxxa notices that it translates best in common to “Scale Slave” or “Scale Servant.”

Sinestra Windrunner says: They are nimble. They specialize in crawling into the nooks and crannies of the world, like the sewers are in. They’re quick, nimble, and cowardly… but loyal to a fault. I daresay they'll serve you well. I’ll let you use them under one condition, Arthak. If you find any of those civilian hovels… If you find any of them, bring them alive to me. There’s more that we can do for a living elf than a dead one. There’s information to be found and more. I’ve over 100 of theses creatures. They’re simple to create after all. They can be a bit volatile, but not in a dangerous way. I can assure you that further generations will have added benefits. Things that make them even more devastating on the battlefield, useful to you and your Horde. What say you, young Chieftain? Will you consider my offer?
Arthak Saurfang says: You would let me use them, in exchange for the civilians of our enemies?
Sinestra Windrunner says: From what I’ve seen, your Horde is adept in taking slaves.
Arthak Saurfang says: And they will be used to make more?
Sinestra Windrunner says: They’ll be used to make more, and other things. They’ll be well taken care of.

Arthak thinks hard.

Arthak Saurfang says: I see. Your offer is appreciated. But I… I am more interested to see what intelligence we can gather from the survivors we can collect.
Sinestra Windrunner says: Oh! You’re more than able to speak with them all you wish before you turn them over to me, I care not! I only wish you bring them to me in one piece, if possible. But, no, by all means. Interrogate them to your heart’s content. Anything that will get us out of this dome faster, something that will benefit you and I, young Arthak.

Arthak scrutinizes. He thinks that what he’s looking at is the result of civilians. It’s quite possible that she’ll use the non-coms to create more of the Skardyn.

All eyes are on Arthak as he thinks hard.

Nyxxa leans over, whispering to Arthak.

Nyxxa says: You could mention wanting to do it with Orcish strength first.

Arthak nods, hrrrming.

Arthak Saurfang says: I favor Orcish strength and with all due respect, Lady Sinestra, I am not entirely certain what kind of strength you offer here. It’s not Orcish, and you, I might add, are not the same kind of strength as offered by our Shadowsword allies. You stand apart. What manner of strength do you offer?

Nyxxa detects good and evil. She can feel the Undead in Halno and the skeletons, she can also sense the Fel. But she senses nothing else. She opts to keep the aura up to scan.

Sinestra’s smile washes off of her face. She strides closer to the center of the arena.

Sinestra Windrunner says: I’d thought I’d proven myself and what I can offer. Have you forgotten all I’ve done already? Or did you forget the trophy hanging from the statue of Dath'remar Sunstrider?

Her visage starts to change slightly. Her eyes glow, shifting features. From beneath her raven hair, two long horns begin to snake out. Her eyes take on a ghostly glow. Her voice waivers.

Sinestra Windrunner says: I offered you these creations of mine, ones I slaved over, ever so hard. What do you need to prove I can be useful to you, Arthak?? Please! Say anything!
Arthak Saurfang says: Show me what you really are. I don’t believe I’m looking at an elf. And I don’t believe that an elf killed that beast. I know my allies, they are demon, and they are fel-blood and they are orc. I don’t know what purpose has you aiding the Dragonmaw. But you are not my cause. Show me what you are, then we might be able to talk.

Sinestra raises a hand, beginning to cast a spell. Azgadaan then attempts to counterspell the mysterious elf. Her eyes flare.

Arthak feels tendrils of shadow wash over him. His body seizes in pain. Azgadaan steps forward and a bolt of magic blasts the shadow away.

Azgadaan yells: Enough of this. We’re having a conversation.

Wild-eyed, Sinestra looks at Azgadaan. A long tail whips out from her dress. Azgadaan armors up, quickly, as they challenge each other.

The others in the area reach for weapons. Sinestra, meanwhile, composes herself.

Sinestra Windrunner says: I offered you a great deal of my strength and you turned it down.
Velhari says: Lady Sinestra! That is enough.

Sinestra faces the Eredar.

Sinestra Windrunner says: Very well. If you and your coalition don’t want my help, then I’ll take it somewhere else.
Arthak Saurfang says: I gave you my price. I’ll be waiting in case you ever intend to meet it.

Sinestra turns, and places and hand on the cage. She looks to Arthak with her orange and yellow eyes.

Sinestra Windrunner says: You’ve said your price, Arthak. I sincerely hope that I never have to pay it. After all, it might be the last thing that you ever see. Come, Mor’ghor. We’re leaving.

Sinestra turns around, magic around her begins to ripple. All three of them vanish into thin air, leaving the Clipped Wing Coalition alone.

Arthak gets back to business without missing a beat. There is silence, but a voice rings out in the atrium, speaking in Eredun only.

Demonic Voice says: My, what a show. You know, such an entrance is going to be hard to top. But, I suppose I’ll have to make due. The Orcs said that they wished for dead elves, yes?

Nyxxa translates.

Arthak Saurfang says: I might be persuaded, yes?
Demonic Voice says: How’s this for persuasion?

Everyone can hear glass breaking. A figure comes flying from the spire. Someone is falling. Within moments, the figure makes contact with the ground. It’s an elf, a mage.

The Shadowsword steps forward.

Selin Fireheart says: What is the meaning of this?

The figure comes out, flipping through the air on two big, black wings. It spirals downwards. There’s a flash of steel. The figure lands on top of the Magister’s corpse. A blade is plunged deep into its chest. Its wings are curled up and out, looking to Arthak.

Fallen Demon Hunter says: I hope this suffices.

A violet skinned elf, with the aforementioned wings, and long front-curled horns and black hair meet eyes with the Chieftain. Her hands are long, covered in long, black nails. They’re wrapped around beautiful glaives of a similar design to Nyxxa’s. The weapons appear to be ancient--the edge is still keen. The blade’s edge glows white-hot.

Nyxxa stops mid-sentence as she looks at the mystery woman.

The other demon hunter smiles, genuinely, at Nyxxa. Arthak looks between the two.

Arthak Saurfang says: More than. May I ask your name?
Caria Felsoul says: Caria Felsoul. At the behest of-- Nyxxa dear, would you inform our dear friend that Lord Kil'jaeden has sent me. As a token of my own usefulness.. My own token for you.
Selin Fireheart says: The Grand Magister. Belo’vir Salonar. How did you…?
Caria Felsoul says: A lady never reveals her secrets. The first of many, and with his death, maybe spell the end of this pathetic little parlor trick of theirs.
Arthak Saurfang says: If you can repeat such a feat, your aide, and Lord Kil'jaeden's offer, is one I can happily accept.

Arthak and Caria clasp arms. Caria takes his hand with a surprisingly strong grip attached to her.

Caria Felsoul says: You may want to tell our dear friend, Nyxxa, that he may not want to be so soon. The rest though…
Arthak Saurfang says: Well, then perhaps it’s good to educate each other.
Jorin Deadeye says: Arthak. Something is here.

Caria smiles.

Caria Felsoul says: I thought they’d catch up. I can’t kill a powerful Archmage without some trouble. Let’s see what they have in store, shall we?

There is the telltale sound of an arrow fwip. They’re sticking into the banners that were hung in the hall. The arrows are ablaze. Halno glances behind him. He can hear footfalls running down the hallway. A skeleton turns that way.

In very short order, a number of things begin to catch fire. One of the flames explodes in an extra burst. The hulking torso of a large humanoid creature, much like an Ogre, explodes from the center. Raging elementals explode around the room.

Jorin looks to Arthak, noting that there are strike teams set around the room. He opts to suggest trying to fell them and leave the hall. Gramgun takes Sagaz to leave, and as he gets to the door a couple of arrows sail past him. One strikes true, but he shakes it off and finds the door barricaded.

Magic surges. An Orcish blade flies down the hall, swinging into Halno’s skeleton. The elementals continue to run amok. The skeletons clash with various enemies to varying degrees of success.

Magical weapons bust out of the hallway, and metallic poles burrow in, one after another. A collection of anything the resistance can find bombards the party. They attack the nearest things, once again, to varying degrees of success. One hits Azgadaan, but he easily shields it away.

From up above, there is a dart as an Elvish sniper tries to take a pot shot at a skeleton, it crumbles.

Nyxxa comes down in a flurry of steel onto one of the elementals. She misses both times, but continues her assault. Nyxxa is slightly singed, but she manages to hit the elemental over her third and fourth attack. She knows that she has to dig too deep to fell the creature. Still, she flips up and digs her hands into its core. She can feel the Elemental binding waiver, it is stunned.

Sadras spins around and growls, looking to help get Sagaz to safety. She rages towards a number of the animated weapons. It waivers in the air as she strikes true.

Battle continues. Orcs, Farstriders, Shadowsword, and Animated Weapons all clash. Jorin banishes one of the Elementals, succeeding to keep it away for the moment despite an onslaught.

Azgadaan scans the room, looking for Caria and Velhari. He moves towards them, as they’re unfortunately across the room. He calls out to his fellow Eredar.

Azgadaan says: They’re likely on the other side of these walls! Will you help me get there?

Azgadaan casts haste on Velhari, and Velhari swings into action. She uses her Aura of Oppression, as she draws her blade. The gem in the center becomes blue. An aura of magic grows heavy around her, and the offensive blades struggle to stay afloat.

An opposing magister summons another set of fire elementals before retreating. Azuka, meanwhile, hides behind a pillar, looking for ways to strike. Fighting and skirmishing continues.

Halno’s last skeleton falls to an animated weapon, leaving him defenseless.

A fire elemental washes over Garrosh and his companions. It whirls around, making extra attacks against Garrosh. Meanwhile, Velhari eviscerates one of the floating weapons.

Still, as weapons are destroyed, more continue to pour in. There are seven elementals in the room.

Arthak notes that the weapons and the fire are distractions. If they kill the mages and fighters, they’ll cut a pass through. Thura listens and charges ahead.

Arthak looks up to the balcony level. He squints, looking for people. He rages like a good barbarian. He closes with one of the animated fortifications, attempting to knock it down. He crits and sends the thing crumbling, knocked immediately out of the air. Still on the warpath, Arthak goes for an animated warblade, in narrowly deflects.

Sagaz makes his way to the party, trying to stay away from the flames as he moves. His eyes close, but upon opening them, he blasts out an arcane missile. As expected, they land true.

Halno conjures lightning in his hands. Unfortunately, a Spellbreaker nearby. The lightning crackles and fizzles. Halno’s attack is lost.

Still, the Spellbreaker’s location is revealed by his own actions. Meanwhile, Warsong berserkers crit twice in a row like champions.

Caria runs forward, wings spreading, speaking to Nyxxa in Darnassian. Her glaives gleaming in the firelight.

Caria Felsoul says: Oh, Nyxxa! It’s been far too long since we’ve done something like this!

All four of her attacks connect, in a whirlwind of blades. She seems to absorb some of the elemental damage into her weapons. Still, she’s a burnt girl. It doesn’t affect her as much as she should, though. Nyxxa could tell, early on, that she was completely a fiend now.

Looking to Nyxxa, Caria smiles and tells Nyxxa to keep up.

Caria Felsoul says:Don’t tell me you’ve gotten lazy.
Nyxxa says: Okay then! I won’t tell you~

They grin and continue into the fray, except Caria goes again! She attacks the elemental a few more times, easily carving into it. She flips her blades around, and its essence dissipates. She looks to another elemental and leaps towards it.

The fight continues, magicked weapons pour in and clash. Gramgun escapes a sword. Another Elemental is defeated.

A small sword gets an aggressive hit into Halno, though he feels nothing. Still, a chunk of him is removed, along with his temporary hit points.

Sadras swings down at another weapon. She connects and slams it into the ground, severing the magical connection holding it. It fights back and knocks her back. Still, she stands with little to no issue.

The fight continues! Sagaz dodges, all out of juice, thus he just tries to be careful. Gramgun goes to aide Halno. Gramgun is struck and bleeding, though he remains standing even while heavily wounded.

Arthak calls out for mages to focus on the weapons. He wants everyone else to focus on the elves.

Arthak turns back to the fortification that has been harrying him, looking to get rid of it as fast as possible. He downs it in one strike, cleaving through it. He looks towards an Elvish magister, Arthak takes a Javelin off of his back and hucks a javelin at the elf.

Archers in the back yell and attempt to strike the coalition. A magister sends a fireball down the hallways, it swirls and expands as it meets the center of the room. Halno stops it with a simple gesture and counterspell.

The resistance begins to show signs of retreat, calling for “fall back!” among other words.

Thura defends Azuka as a weapon comes for the little one. She easily fells the weapon before her, making sure to see if Azuka is unharmed. She is.

Nyxxa got rather beat up, thus she tries something different. She seeks to put out fires as she goes. She runs around, extinguishing fires to minimize damage to the surrounding structures.

Halno turns around to target, animated weapons. He readies himself to push his spells, connecting easily to one, missing another. He, too, nukes a number of Resistance fighters. One is dead upon impact. The two remaining seem stunned. Halno, in return, succeeds in his massive corruption save.

The tapestries are still ablaze as the fight carries on. A number of weapons fail to the heat in the room, as ambient burning continues.

A shadowsword member hops off the side, near Azgadaan, she maneuvers towards him. Her eyes are white on black. They darken entirely.

Levia Blackfight says: On your mark, lord Eredar. Unleash all you have.

An elven magister clouds the room with a thick, greenish-black fog. He obscures the room. Meanwhile, on the otherside, Velhari carves a warpath to the exit with great success. Allies within 60 feet of her cannot be charmed or frightened, as she clearly doesn’t give a heckin’ heck. Azgadaan moves forward, charging a lightning bolt with the Shadowsword member. The bolt is charged with inky darkness toward the elementals. It drops one of the blades but the damage spreads easily through the remaining distractions.

Caria takes even more fire damage as she attacks her elemental foes. Still, she doesn’t seem phased.

Arthak, while heavily obscured by the mist, Arthak hopes to give chase while getting out of the obscured. He strikes at the mage keeping up the miasma, and though she got hit, she manages to maintain the spell.

Nyxxa races to help Sadras, aiding in beating back the last of the floating weapons. The orcs and co. barrel through the din. Thura also swings down at a resistance fighter near by, erupting into a hit, she kills the mage upon impact. (Girl power paragraph).

Gramgun disengages from his current opponent, downs a weapon, and bolts to the rest of the party in an effort to stay safe.

Resistance Ranger yells: Retreat!

The Resistance calls, once more, for a full retreat. The remaining members start to peel away from the fight. With one fighter left, Halno offers the idea of surrender. The fighter has none of it. Halno leaves him in smoking wreckage.

The situation begins to wind down. Azgadaan finishes off his enemies. Velhari stands amidst the corpses of three elves, easily felling those inside. The party and company find the door barred and barricaded. Orcs are moving to open the door.

Arthak grabs the body of a magister. Halno also takes his quarry. The situation around them seems to be calming down. As the doors are open, they find that the Resistance had struck outside. The Blood Shrike and a well armored human wielding the Light. Another human teleport them away before anything could have been done.

While there were some Orcish casualties, the damage seems to be medium.

Looking about, they cannot find Rend or Maim immediately. Their attention is drawn away by Gul'dan.

Gul'dan says: What is going on here? Did we truly allow the Shrike to strike in our own fortress?
Arthak Saurfang says: The enemy was kind enough to demonstrate some of my points. Though, their rhetoric did cost them three mages.
Gul'dan says: Good, but not good enough.

Gul’dan looks about the wreckage. An equal amount of Orcs seemed to be felled, but Arthak counts that mages for the elves are finite.

Heavy footfalls are heard from behind Arthak. Coming from a quarter of the fight that the party wasn’t in. Dal’rend is holding Maim’s body. The lifeless body of Maim Blackhand is laid upon the ground.

Dal'rend Blackhand says: They will pay for this.
Arthak Saurfang says: Yes they will.

Gul’dan scrutinizes the situation for a moment. He strokes his chin.

Gul'dan says: Yes, yes they will. You

He motions at a group of warlocks.

Gul'dan says: Bring him to the Shadowmoon clan. Perhaps there is a way he can get revenge yet. Send a runner to tell the Warchief.

Rend shakes his head.

Dal'rend Blackhand says: I will tell him. What are you doing to my brother?
Gul'dan says: Saving him, of course. Arthak, I believe you demonstration has gone on long enough. The rest of you! Your orders are given. Don’t let this happen again.

Arthak gives Rend a sympathetic nod and then he moves to follow Gul’dan. As Arthak does, Azuka comes out from behind the pillar she was still hiding behind. She looks about, straying towards Nyxxa.

Azuka says: I saw something.
Nyxxa says: Tell me later when it’s safe, okay?

Azuka quietly watches the rest of the situation. Nyxxa praises her and ruffles her hair. Azuka protests but doesn’t seem too concerned about actually stopping it.

Sadras heals Gramgun’s wounds nearby. He’ll survive.

With the situation at large handled, Garrosh left a very different way through the front door, storming out as soon as Maim was taken away. The implications seem clear.