[Alliance] Chapter Five: Session Fifty
Appearing Characters: Aelthalyste Everpost, Alleria Windrunner, Anya Eversong, Arthas Menethil, Benedictus, Calia Prestor, Genn Greymane, Gilveradin Windrunner, Harrold Grimstone, Hath, Jaina Proudmoore-Menethil, Kael'thas Sunstrider, Liadrin Everpost, Mia Greymane, Natalie Seline, Othmar Garithos, Radulf Leder, Remnii, Renault Mograine, Rhonin Windrunner, Rommath Pyrewing, Sally Mograine, Seria, Toren Snapjoint, Uther Menethil, Victor Prestor, Zabra Hexx
October 22nd
As the devourers swarmed into the replica of the basilica, Gil used [Rain of Fire]. However, all the devourer controllers turned to looked toward him. Victor attempted to interrupt their attempts to devour the spell with [Silvery Barbs], but the devourer pushed through. Gil harnessed the magic and converted it to [Minute Meteors], and the other two devourers fought over the magic, but he took the opening to push through and hurl the meteors at some of the swarms.
Some of the devourer mites screeched and attempted to attach to Victor, but he was able to deflect them off into Remnii’s spirit guardians. Another group of devourers moved toward Seria and also was slammed by the shadowy, necrotic energy of the spirit guardians. More devourers launched at Victor and Seria. Three more swarms attached to Seria. Another swarm rushed at Uther, but he grabbed one of the mites and slammed it into the ground. One of the remaining mite swarms scurried at Remnii, but T’uure pulsed and the darkened naaru slammed into the swarm. However, several of the mites latched onto Remnii.
Seria roared and bathed her body in flame, which scorched several of the mites as she then tore into more of them with her flaming claws.
Remnii used her channel divinity to turn aberrations. One of the swarms were completely destroyed as they were burned with holy energy. She then healed Seria. Victor ran at one of the controllers that wasn’t turned and slammed his blade into it before he quickened a [Molten Armor]. His scales radiated with molten heat as the spell coated him.
The devourer controller teleported behind Victor and emitted a warbling noise. The magic on Gil was stripped from him as the controller consumed it. It then hurled a psychic lash at Remnii, but she was able to deflect it aside with her will. However, the turned controller retreated back through the portal and closed the portal behind it.
Uther started to work on the swarm that had attempted to latch onto him, and with a few holy smashes, only a single mite remained. He then ran to his friends to help back them up.
The remaining controller moved upward and attempted to assault Rommath with a series of psychic lashes. Rommath put up a [Shield] to deflect the psychic energy aside as he continued to try and focus on the ritual.
At that moment, they sensed another gateway opening, and a horrific creature that was easily 30 feet tall emerged. It had two eyes floating in rippling energy, and it tore through the side of the cathedral. The worldeater turned its eyes up toward the group, but suddenly they heard a loud repeated series of slams.
The fabric of reality itself started to fracture into glowing white spider cracks, and then a massive claw erupted through the fracture. Another one followed, and the worldeater was immediately killed as one of its claws crushed it.
The very reality seemed to be torn apart by the presence of the massive creature, and it opened its maw and started to absorb anything around it. Pews hurled up to it, and half of the cathedral was evaporated into nothing.
Gil turned his bow toward the controller by Victor, and with a flaming blaze the controller was heavily injured. He then teleported over to the other side of the group and an after image of him shot a third arrow through the controller, which had started to leak an ichorous energy.
The worldgorger looked at Gil and its eyes flashed. He felt his body start to be pulled towards it, and he momentarily switched places with his after image, which was instead yanked toward the worldgorger and devoured. One of the remaining swarms attached to Gil.
The worldgorger’s very presence started to unravel reality as it roared. It then inhaled and began to suck in the very magic in the area, disrupting spells, magic items, and pulling them all closer to it. All the swarms completely disappeared as they were consumed by the worldgorger, and Seria and Gil felt their essence start to be ripped apart.
It then brought up its claws and slammed them down on Gil and Seria.
Victor looked toward the controller that had evaded the worldgorger’s cone that was still looking at Rommath. He leaped over to it and slammed his blade into its disc-like head, and managed to stun it as he tore into it with several slashes of flame. The controller was left reeling.
The worldgorger reared back as it continued to consume, but Seria ran forward and slammed into its face as she interrupted its psychic projection ability. She then tore into the worldgorger with her claws as she siphoned some of its life essence into her.
Uther stepped out of the antimagic field and then vaulted right for the worldgorger. His hammer radiated with holy mage and he landed two devastating blows. It drew the worldgorger’s attention to Uther as he then rushed in the opposite direction of Rommath. Psychic energy sparked off the creature as it roared.
Remnii managed to push her way out of the antimagic field. Remnii tried to use [Dominate Monster]. The worldgorger tried to eat her spell, but Victor called out and used [Silvery Barbs] to interrupt the attempt. Remnii’s eyes rippled dark as she pushed her spell through and for a moment the worldgorger’s eyes also flickered voidal purple. She started to dominate it, but she felt its alien mind shove her out, and she realized it was immune to the charmed condition.
Rommath harnessed his magic in preparation to continue the ritual if the antimagic cone was pulled off him, and the remaining controller used its dispelling burst before lashing out at Victor, but he was able to block it.
Seria continued to tear into the worldgorger, and she was able to force its head down, dragging the antimagic vacuum off Rommath, who was able to harness the ritual and continue the ritual.
Victor continued to slash and slam into the controller, once again locking it down as he was able to stun it. A wave of fire set the creature alight, while meanwhile Uther continued to slam his hammer into the worldgorger.
Gil turned his attention to the portal the worldgorger had appeared out of, and he tried to reverse engineer on feeling alone what it was like trying to close the Dark Portal. He launched an arrow imbued with his magic, and it connected with something integral. The portal started to close on the worldgorger and started to try and suck him back in as it destabilized. He then used [Swift Quiver] and fired twice, once at the worldgorger, and once at the controller still in the antimagic cone. The controller fell dead and swiftly swept into the worldgorger’s maw and consumed.
The worldgorger directed his full attention straight at Uther.
The worldgorger attempted to chomp down on him, but Uther grabbed his lower jaw and pushed him aside. He clawed at Gil and Seria, and a claw pierced fully through Gil. He jolted up in a cold sweat on the waking wall.
Liadrin asked him what happened, and Gil said that was a heavy question. Liadrin asked if they found Natalie, and he confirmed, but the others were still in the Void as he was killed. Liadrin said she hoped they would be alright, but they would be on standby.
Remnii readied herself to release the astral projection once Rommath finished the ritual. The worldgorger reared back as it prepared to devour everything around it, hunger emanating off its body. Its eyes shimmered with raw, unbridled magic, but Uther vaulted up toward the creature’s chin with his hammer in his fist. He uppercutted the creature, which sent it staggering back.
Rommath finished the incantation and a cage fully formed around Natalie. It pulled her into the silver cage, and he called for Remnii to take them back. Remnii wound the shadowy threads around her fingers, and there was a soft snap.
The worldgorger roared, getting ready to devour the rest of the cathedral, but they were all pulled back to the material plane, and their eyes snapped open. None of their injuries remained.
Uther jumped up and punched the ground with a shout of “AND ANOTHER!”
Remnii remained on her back, her eyes covered with her arm, and she asked if everyone was alright. It was confirmed. Liadrin went over to Rommath and asked if he was alright. He confirmed he was, and he held up the silver cage, which now contained the soul of Natalie Seline.
She then went over to Remnii and grabbed her hand as she told her that she did great. Remnii thanked her.
All of them caught a warm scent of baking bread, and they noticed there were some biscuits and water waiting on the table. Liadrin explained Mercy was taking care of the kids so they wouldn’t be alarmed if there were loud noises, and she cleared her throat as she looked at Uther. She and Zabra handed out the water and bread to help calm their nerves.
Zabra checked in Seria, who said she was also fine. Zabra said the denizens of the void were nothing to be trifled with, and Gil said they weren’t what they were having issues with.
Liadrin told them to rest up, and she was going to send for Rhonin so he could take care of the next steps. From there, they could take their next steps.
Uther looked at Rommath and asked what the astral plane was. Rommath explained that it was best described as the place between the planes of existence and it was indefinite, indeterminate space.
Eventually, Rhonin arrived and headed into the basement. He exhausted, but looked around and asked if it was the secret basement they were practicing the dark magic in. Gil confirmed, and Rhonin asked if everything went alright.
Gil said he died, and Rhonin blinked and slowly processed that before he asked if they were astral projecting. Gil confirmed, and the renewed tension in his face eased to the resigned tiredness he had entered with.
He said he was making headway on cracking Vel’s code, and he should be able to get some pages translated by the end of the day. He was intending on going back far enough to figure out what led up to whatever happened. He asked if they needed to prepare anything else before he raised Natalie, and they confirmed they didn’t.
Rhonin said the spell seemed to be a bit like an actual resurrection, so if anyone could contribute anything, it would help. He stepped forward and opened up a bag. He pulled various ritualistic implements out, including black wax candles, feathers, and other such things. There was a bouquet of lilies, hyacinths, and poppies, and he placed them around a magic circle.
He then withdrew a single black onyx stone, which he placed in Natalie’s hands over her chest.
He took a deep breath.
He flipped open his spellbook, and the pages flipped until they ended on the appropriate page.
His eyes started to flare as the ritual began. Gil used his life magic to erect a barrier around the ritual site using a small flame to divert the attention of the Shadowlands away. The circle expanded and enveloped the room with the warmth of life, which reflected in the flames around the perimeter.
Remnii had sat down next to Natalie’s head and had started to probe into the mind of her body so she could steady her mind against the madness that was at risk of fracturing it.
She felt a malevolent, shadowy parasite of madness lurking in Natalie’s mind. It almost seemed to be waiting for her to come back. It connected Remnii’s presence, and it tried to break through and reach Remnii. Seria bolstered her with her own magic, and Remnii grabbed the shadow and imposed her own will to stun it and give Natalie her best chance.
Rommath took a step forward and raised the soul cage.
He opened the cage, and her soul wafted down to her body.
The soul hovered over the body, and then sank down into her corpse. The onyx stone in her hands glowed.
The ritual continued for some time. The pages of Rhonin’s spellbook glowed with magic circles, and a wind whipped out around him. He was in deep concentration. As he moved, there was almost an after image of himself, like a ghostly figure adjusting the magic circles. The magic clicked, and all the lights of the circle lit up. It formed three layers, each circle on top of each, as each layer twisted and clicked into place. It shifted to a grim, greenish blue.
The circle poured its magic into Natalie Seline, and it almost seemed to be doing the opposite of resurrecting her. Her skin grew taut, as if the magic protecting her from decay was being ripped off. It had been a precaution placed to ensure this couldn’t happen, but it was removed.
And then she opened her eyes. They were not the eyes Remnii remembered. They were no longer living, but instead glowed with a bright violet, supernatural magic. She did not gasp for air, for it was no longer something she required.
She sat up and looked around. Then she smiled.
She shifted her legs off the table.
Natalie smirked.
Liadrin explained it was the afternoon of the 22nd of October, and Natalie mused it had been over a year.
Liadrin nodded. Aelthalyste emerged and introduced herself as well, and she said she was incredibly impressed.
Aelthalyste assured her that she would make sure Natalie gets rest, but she was very interested to hear how Natalie accomplished her feat. Natalie asked them to all return after sundown, and they could try to discover where Velameestra had gone.
It was agreed.
Natalie looked at Rhonin and noted he was the one that had brought her back. Rhonin nodded.
Zabra introduced himself, and he explained he was a historian, and he had heard of shadows the Zandali people waged war against. He said there was a troll during that period, a witch doctor of the Gurubashi named Zando. He was a herald of the shadows that betrayed their people and brought forth creatures called the aqir. Apparently he had wielded a dagger of blackened steel. He asked if Xal’atath had mentioned such an event.
Natalie said she had not been told anything so concrete, as she had spoken in riddles. But it was quite possible that Zando was deceived, as she was a dangerous one Natalie did not yet fully understand. Zabra explained that Zando and the dagger was never seen again after he went to a mound, and the mound became a creature of shadow and violence named Kith’ix, which called upon the aqir. The war that followed nearly tore the world asunder. The first Zul’jin rose during that time to slay the shadowy monsters.
However the black dagger was never seen again.
Natalie said it sounded like Xal’atath. When they found the dagger, they needed to make sure she didn’t harm anything else.
Victor grit his teeth.
Natalie nodded.
Victor nodded.
However, there was a pit in his stomach. Remnii told Natalie she was glad they found her, and they embraced.
The group made their preparations for the tribunal, and later that day, they headed to the meeting chamber in the throne room. At the head of the room was the throne, and at the center of the room was the crest of Lordaeron surrounded by geometric symbols in an almost constellation-like arrangement.
There were a handful of witnesses already present, and around the walls were twelve balconies which would have been full of representatives during a meeting of the Alliance. Jaina was in one of them, Marshal Radulf Leder was present for Stromgarde, an older Dark iron dwarf with white hair, ashen skin, and scowling red eyes named High Justice Grimstone was present for the Dark Iron. Stormwind and the other dwarven clans were not present. Kael’thas and Rommath were there for the elves, along with Alleria and Anya. Rhonin was present for Dalaran along with a few other mages. The parapet for the church was occupied by several members of the Scarlet Crusade, including Sally and Renault Mograine. There were also a number of other nobles.
Uther was given leave to be up in the Lordaeron balcony with Jaina. Jaina gave Arthas a nod, and he got to his feet.
Everyone quieted down.
A door swung open, and they saw an older gentleman with salt and pepper hair and an older woman that were familiar: It was Genn and Mia Greymane.
Genn smirked, and Arthas swallowed, but nodded and returned the greeting. Genn said he would be representing Gilneas, as he had ceded his throne to his son. He trusted that there would be no objections, and no one said anything.
Another voice spoke up, and some soldiers filed in. There was a portly Alteraci man that was built like a barrel with them, and he was wearing armor of the kingdom of Alterac. His name was General Hath, and he was there as an escort for Queen Calia of Alterac.
Victor was in disguise, hiding amongst the group, and he visibly tensed. Calia smiled.
Arthas said it was good to see Calia, but he refocused on the tribunal at hand and he called it to order. High Justice Grimstone had agreed to be a neutral party given the state of affairs and the fact that members of the clergy were to be questioned. There was no objections at first, but then right before Arthas spoke again, a voice rang out.
Benedictus called out his objection as he walked into the room. He was wearing ill-fitting vestments of an archbishop, but he had an expression of dogged determination. He moved into the center of the room. There were gasps of recognition.
Sally did not look pleased, but she did not object. Arthas nodded and allowed Benedictus to take the floor.
There were whispers, and Benedictus raised his hand as he made the addendum. Eyes turned to the Scarlet Crusade, and Benedictus asked if Arellas was present.
Benedictus explained the situation at hand, including where the evidence was found and the facilities used to produce the grain. He then turned to Sally and asked if there were any words to refute Arellas’s contribution, as it had been documented.
From the balcony, Uther stepped forward and placed both his hands on the railing.
Eyes were upon him. Uther had washed the dye from his hair, and he had elected to dress in a deep navy admiral’s coat with cloth of silver trim. He stood there for a moment, waiting to be recognized. There was a great deal of disbelief in the crowd. Sally got to her feet. Arthas quieted those gathered.
Uther took a stroll down the stairs as he talked.
Sally raised her hand and assured him it was alright.
Sally looked in Gil’s direction, who was disguised, and squinted. But she didn’t dignify that with a response. There were snickers, but Benedictus returned focused as there was no evidence that Uther or anyone in the Scarlet Crusade had been replaced by demonic insurgents.
Sally narrowed her eyes.
He snapped his fingers, and he transformed the entire room into a replica of the room where Heigan was destroyed.
He produced a vial of plague, instruments, tools, and other evidence from his back that was taken from the necropolis. Each of the items was levitated before those gathered.
Benedictus nodded and asked Sally if that was sufficient if the one responsible for penning it gave testimony. Sally acknowledged it was worth it to be considered.
A figure stepped through the crowd. It was a dwarf with a completely shaven head. He had a look of disquiet, but also dark determination in his eyes.
Benedictus was handed a sheaf of paper.
Jaina and Rhonin teleported down, and they asked Snapjoint if he wrote the manifesto. He confirmed.
Sally glared at Uther, but then she looked around and read the room.
Kael'thas leaned on the edge of the balcony, and his claws dug into the stone. He glared at Sally.
Benedictus raised a hand.
Sally grit her teeth.
Benedictus said that was all they needed from Sally for the time being, and he thanked her. Sally had a stone face. He then turned to the other names of the list. He said there were many names amongst the nobility, including men and women of the light.
Othmar Garithos was the first to be called forward. The strong, portly, and scowling form of Othmar was escorted forth by soldiers.
