[Horde] Chapter Five: Session Forty
Appearing Characters: Altruis Shadowsong, Arthak Saurfang, Elfbane, Gramgun Laughingeye, Kilnar Goldensword, Levia Blackflight, Nethrandamus, Nyxxa Murkthorne, Rak'Symma, Runas, Sol'chi, Tae'shara Bloodwatcher, Thalyssra Dusklily, Velameestra Windrunner (Simulacrum), Volpin, Zar'Kaa
November 30th
The manasaber that had raced to Nyxxa seemed confused that she could understand what he was saying, and Rak’Symma also nodded. Nyxxa expressed he was a very handsome gentleman, and the saber, D’Bynn, straightened up and thanked her. Rak’Symma said that she hoped her allies didn’t inconvenience him too much, and he admitted some parts of him were numb, but he wanted to know why they didn’t try to kill him.
Nyxxa said there wasn’t any reason, as all they wanted to do was get away and not get killed themselves. She asked if D’Bynn’s partner could understand him, and he confirmed she could. Nyxxa apologized again, and D’Bynn admitted he likely would have killed them if he had caught them. They spent some time complimenting each other, and Nyxxa then looked at Thalyssra and asked if she knew the woman mentioned in the letter, Syrenne, and Thalyssra said she didn’t, but if she was a huntress she was one of the outriders. However, the fact that she would send her companion alone was something, and she offered to write a response to the huntress, and she believed the story Elisande had told might have been embellished to make Thalyssra seem worse than she was. She hoped this would mean they may actually find more allies than she thought.
Rak’Symma offered the manasaber some dried meat, and he was quite excited to receive it. After he was finished, Rak’Symma and Nyxxa took turns petting him.
Mischief manifested behind Nyxxa and proceeded to shoot daggers at Nyxxa, especially when she offered D’Bynn some of her catnip. She crept forward and bit Nyxxa’s calf. Nyxxa argued that D’Bynn had a hard die, and Mischief yowled angrily about how Nyxxa gave him her treats, and it appeared she had overestimated the importance of her bond with Nyxxa. She stormed away and sat in a huff. Nyxxa tried to coax her with salmon from Highmountain, but Mischief stuck up her nose and claimed she didn’t even want it. Nyxxa simply said it would be there if she wanted before she went over and scooped her up to give her kisses on the head. Mischief yowled for the “harlot” to unhand her.
Thalyssra finished the letter to send back to Syrenne.
Meanwhile, Kilnar had finished up her own conversation with Thalyssra, and Vel indicated to Arthak that now was an adequate time to speak. He headed over to the makeshift landing the Reliquary had made along with Vel, and Kilnar regarded Arthak.
Arthak quickly brewed some tea.
Arthak had every reason to believe that, even were the barrier down, Kilnar would not inform her people of this matter immediately because there was nothing that could be done now. However, it was unclear what she would do if the barrier was down and the Horde was leaving tomorrow. However, it seemed she was genuinely curious to see what Arthak was about. He also got the sense that Kilnar was the kind of person that would likely speak with other people and see what they thought, including Velameestra.
Arthak drained his cup.
Kilnar sipped her tea.
Kilnar took another sip. Arthak asked if she liked it. Kilnar admitted it wasn’t bad. She correctly presumed it was from Arthak’s original world, and Arthak confirmed. She said a thanks was in order for such a unique culinary experience, and Arthak replied that no thanks was owed. They sat drinking tea in silence for a moment before Arthak took his leave.
Nyxxa approached to speak with Thalyssra and said she wanted to ask her a few non-pressing things. Thalyssra said she was welcome to, and Nyxxa said they would soon be going to Nar’thalas and she wanted to know if Thalyssra wanted to know the state of it. Thalyssra admitted she wouldn’t mind, and Nyxxa went into details, and then asked if Thalyssra knew anything about Farondis or anything that happened.
Thalyssra said that Farondis had visited Suramar on many occasions, and Nar’thalas was formerly one of the magical centers of the old empire. She had even studied there for a short time. She said the academy there was believed to be the greatest among many, though she didn’t imagine much remained after Azshara’s wrath, and she hoped the spirits there could find some semblance of peace. Nyxxa asked her if she could remember what happened from her point of view, and Thalyssra said they detected a powerful magical anomaly. When they attempted to contact Farondis, nothing worked, and when they scryed they saw only flooded ruins. She said that level of magic was unprecedented. It was a spell that even after 10,000 more years of study she still wasn’t certain how it happened, but that was only proof to Azshara’s unquestionable strength.
Nyxxa said there was a curse at place too, and Thalyssra confirmed that made sense. The last time Farondis had visited, he had spoken to the Grand Magistrix and her council. He had brought his concerns and accusations forth and he was seeking allies to hold Queen Azshara accountable. Azshara’s retribution was proof he was right, but it was also a warning. Thousands of lives had been snuffed out in an instant. Thalyssra admitted she regretted not being able to do something to help them, and she had spent many years wondering if it had been better to die making a stand or live by lowering one’s head. Nyxxa admitted it depended on the circumstances, and Thalyssra said she would like that to be the case.
Nyxxa thanked her and admitted she didn’t know what to expect, but it seemed they were reliving the War of the Ancients. She had been wondering if playing into the belief might have helped them, but she also had another question that was a bit more personal but also relevant. She asked her if Thalyssra knew anyone with the last name Moonfang.
Thalyssra considered and admitted she heard it before, but she didn’t remember much else as they were not a highborne family. She knew they had some degree of prevalence in the clergy, but other than that, she didn’t know. Nyxxa admitted she knew he was her superior officer, and Thalyssra said that if he had trained her, he must have been a stand-up individual. Vaerux cackled, and upon seeing Nyxxa’s cringe, she backpedaled on the compliment. Nyxxa told her she could tell her the story later, but she also relayed there was an orphanage in Suramar that was run by a priestess of the moon.
Thalyssra nodded and said she was familiar with it. There were a multitude of orphanages, but the last to be run by the priestesses was called Star’s Rest. It was run by a ranking member of the sisterhood, as Suramar was once one of the centers of the Sisterhood of Elune. It was believed that the order got its start in Suramar, in fact, but it had lost prominence over the years. However, this sister maintained her faith for many years. Her name was Mother Moonweaver. Thalyssra admitted she had been exiled about a thousand years ago as she had been caught harboring fugitives, specifically individuals that were wanted by the Duskwatch. The Lunastre family took over the orphanage and ensured it had funding. However, with Mother Moonweaver’s exile, the last major priestess of the moon was gone from the city, and it was unlikely she was still alive.
Nyxxa admitted it wasn’t like she could remember her anyway. However, Runas cleared his throat and hastily apologized for eavesdropping, but he had heard the name Mother Moonweaver. He said he had known her. The fugitives didn’t have access to arcwine, so he had helped Mother Moonweaver acquire extra beyond the stipend her orphanage was given. When she was caught, he thought she would have turned him in too, but she never revealed his name. He got caught later, but in a lot of ways he owed her his life.
Nyxxa said if Runas could tell her what she was like, she would like to know. Runas said she was absolutely gorgeous, and he had always enjoyed the company of older women… though he said that was probably not what she was asking about. Thalyssra and Nyxxa both laughed. Runas said he didn’t think she knew how to raise her voice, as she was kind and looked out for the kids, but she always seemed very tired. He said he had known her even before then, as he had grown up at the orphanage as well. She always took in anyone that needed it, regardless of who they were. He thought if Elune was real, she would have been something like Mother Moonweaver. Nyxxa thanked him for looking out for her, and Runas started to talk about how she had beautiful blue hair she kept in a braid. Nyxxa said she apparently had used to send the orphanage money when she was a soldier.
Zar’Kaa approached Levia, who was looking around Shal’Aran and helping to find various things before they got ready to leave. He asked if she found anything interesting. Levia glanced at him and admitted it was a lot of junk, but it was as safe as things could get with a bunch of ghosts around–granted, they had been in haunted ruins for a few weeks.
Levia asked what he wanted, and Zar’Kaa asked how her wound was holding up. Levia said it was fine, as it wasn’t the first time she had been stabbed.
Levia furrowed her brow.
Levia looked down and shook her head.
Levia chuffed.
Levia shrugged.
Levia got back to what she was doing.
Rak’Symma grabbed Levia and asked if she would come along to talk to Vel, which Levia was eager to help. The simulacrum was getting her stuff settled in, and Levia flagged her down. Under her breath, Rak’Symma chuckled and expressed that if it was just a conversation she felt she would be okay, but she wasn’t the best when she needed to ask someone for something.
Levia smiled and reassured her that Vel was extremely helpful, and she also felt Vel would be curious enough that Symma likely didn’t have to worry about it. Rak’Symma clarified that it was about the spell Levia had used to speak to Ulan, and Levia assured her that Vel was a really good teacher.
As Vel turned to address the duo that was approaching her, Levia more formally introduced Rak’Symma and explained that they had met her in Highmountain, and she was basically the reason they were able to do everything they had managed to do, as she was also friends with a lot of the people there. Levia said that while they were there, she had used the spell Vel had created to help the Highmountain chieftain contact her dad, and Rak’Symma had wanted to speak with Vel about that.
Rak’Symma confirmed and said that the magic she could perform wasn’t able to do whatever Vel’s spell had done. Vel asked if she was referring to the magic that could animate the skulls of the dead so that someone could ask questions of their echo, and Rak’Symma confirmed that was what she meant.
Symma nodded, and Vel explained that her magic was actually built upon the same spell, it just instead contacted the actual soul of the dead instead of whatever remnant echo remained with a skull. She asked what Rak’Symma wished to know about it, and she said that she wanted to learn how to do it.
Vel’s eyes subconsciously flickered to the large skull that Symma wore on her back, and she confirmed she could show her how to use it, though it was evident she was curious about who Symma wished to speak to.
Vel agreed with the notion, and with the insinuations presented it was evident her curiosity was satiated. She explained that it might take a bit more time to learn it than what they had right this moment, but she would be glad to teach her, as they would be working together for a time.
Rak’Symma’s lips squiggled into a lopsided smile.
Levia seemed eager to help while Symma fussed over time. They discussed that Vel would be staying behind for the time being, as the simulacrum was more adept to help the spirits that resided in Shal’Aran as she ultimately wasn’t much of a tracker or survivalist, on top of her abilities being largely limited.
Rak’Symma nodded.
Vel asked if the Haglands were in Highmountain, which Rak’Symma confirmed it was where the harpies roosted. Vel agreed she was willing to help, either with her vessel as is if there was time, or theoretically in the future her Primary could return to the Broken Isles as the Illidari had allowed her access to their teleportation circle. Rak’Symma said it wasn’t a pressing issue, but she did not imagine the lands were restful.
Symma thanked Vel for being patient, and Vel replied that she hardly required much patience, as she appreciated how forthright Rak’Symma seemed to be. Symma noted she had found too many things got lost in translation when they were surrounded with too many other words, and Vel agreed and thanked her for such a notion.
A few people approached Thalyssra to ask a few small things, and Sol asked if there was a note or something to give the people Thalyssra wanted them to find so they knew they were allies, and Thalyssra produced some coins with the symbol of a dusk lily, which she was known for giving to her closest confidants.
They were also able to assess, with Levia’s help, that the entire area was under the protection of a very old private sanctum spell. However, Sol didn’t think the anti scrying measures was keeping the withered away, there was something else at work.
Arthak asked Thalyssra about Broxigar, and she admitted he was liberated from their prison before she had the chance to know him well. All she had heard was he had gone on to fight with the Resistance, though she had spoken briefly with him once. Arthak asked why Broxigar had been incarcerated, and apparently the first meeting with him had been tense. He had trespassed in a location, and when a large warrior without a shared tongue abruptly appeared, there had been a lot of confusion as to what to do, so the wisest course of action had been assessed to prevent him from wandering off. It didn’t seem Broxigar had known how he arrived either, but in either regard, he had arrived in a restricted area of the Moon Guard’s territories in the city. It was believed Tyrande Whisperwind had been the one to liberate him. Nyxxa suggested they could ask Tyrande.
Thalyssra seemed confused Tyrande was alive, and Nyxxa quickly explained most of the night elves received immortality after the war. But they could go into more details later, aside from one important matter: Azshara had also been ruling beneath the sea since the Sundering.
Thalyssra completely stopped and stared, asking if Nyxxa was kidding, and Nyxxa admitted she wasn’t. Though supposedly Azshara had learned her lesson, and they didn’t need to worry about Azshara as an enemy in the engagement with the demons. Thalyssra thanked Nyxxa for telling her. Nyxxa admitted her information was largely second hand, but Thalyssra was receptive to speaking with Tyrande in the future if she was also willing.
Zar’Kaa found Runas and mused that it was probably nice to be out of Shinfel’s grasp for a time. Runas said she was a wonderful and brilliant individual, even if she could be a bit intense. Zar’Kaa said she kind of scared him, and Runas agreed a little bit, but he said it was nice to see Suramar again.
Zar’Kaa asked why Runas wanted to come along actually, and Runas insisted that he wanted to come along to help, just like he said. Zar’Kaa insisted there was more, and Runas insisted he didn’t know what Zar’Kaa was talking about or what he wanted from him.
Runas blinked.
Zar’Kaa scrutinized Runas, but he suddenly got the sense he had picked up on Runas’s duplicitous nature and trying to fawn over people, and he believed he had an idea about what that thing was. And he believed Runas was extremely desperate. However, he didn’t think there was any reason to actually be worried about him.
Zar’Kaa sat down nearby, and asked Runas if he wanted to sit down. Runas said he didn’t want to sit, as he looked forward to get the place in tip-top shape for the others.
Runas raised his hand, but then closed his mouth.
Runas nodded.
The warband gathered their things and prepared to head out.
Kil: Velameestra made the correct call pledging our support. While we originally came to the Isles with a different purpose, given the orc responsible for bringing his people into my city, along with several of the same demons, is running amok on these isles, we have vested interest. So she made the correct call. In the future, when we have more time, I will likely speak further with you about the Illidari and what happens now and tomorrow.
Tae’shara was glaring daggers at the group, but Kilnar and Arthak exchanged a cool look. Nyxxa called to Runas.
Runas looked around, confused.
He turned around in a very poor attempt to prevent himself from crying, but Nyxxa hurried over and gave him a hug. Runas froze, but then put his hands over Nyxxa’s and accepted the hug.
He was choked up and trying very hard not to fully cry as he held onto Nyxxa for much longer than he meant to.
Velameestra informed the group that she would remain behind until they returned with Kel’danath and Farodin, as her expertise was ultimately better suited to soothing the spirits at Shal’Aran.
Sol tapped the rapier on his hip.
She looked at Nyxxa, then at Sol, and told him he could keep it for the time being, as it was a spare. Sol said that he was looking forward to working with her, and he offered a hand, which Kilnar took it cordially.
They stepped out of the tunnel that led to Shal’Aran, and they stepped through a simple illusion that covered the entrance. There did not seem to be any sign of nightborne scouts, and they once again shifted into their cloud forms to head towards Ambervale. It took them about an hour, but then they started to see the ruins of an ancient night elf town. The sun had started to set, but they still had some time to search before the withered became more active.
The first thing Nyxxa and Rak’Symma did was try to get some information from the local animals. However, a lot of them were relatively unhelpful and didn’t seem inclined to speak with them. They eventually found a raccoon in a nearby tree that claimed they weren’t going to get much from the animals in the area, as it wasn’t a particularly kind place. The weird shamblers largely left them alone, but it was fairly dangerous to just talk to people, as people had been roaming around and poking their heads where they didn't belong. Everything had gone downhill when the Valewalker left, as he hadn’t been seen for a while. They asked if the raccoon had seen a man that shambled less and was more keen, and he said he might know something, but it wasn’t his business to talk.
Rak’Symma offered a shiny gold piece to the raccoon while Nyxxa asked if Sol had honey on him. Sol produced the alchemy jug, and the raccoon mused he might be willing to tell them something as long as this wasn’t all a trick.
He launched into a long tale about how for as long as his mother’s mother and his mother’s mother’s mother, and so forth were in the area, there had always been a singular shot caller called Volpin the Elusive. However, they hadn’t seen him in more suns than he had claws. The raccoon thought Volpin was the one that would know more, but he didn’t know where Volpin was anymore, and the ettins that Volpin used to chase away hadn’t been chased away in some time. Nyxxa asked where Volpin was last seen, and the raccoon directed them to his old stomping grounds. However, the raccoon felt Volpin likely just abandoned them. The raccoon claimed he learned how to read, and Sol asked where the raccoon wanted his honey. The creature directed Sol to his hollow stump.
Zar’Kaa tailed some of the withered and watched their patterns. He noticed they seemed to be avoiding certain areas, and there were large footprints in those area, potentially from the ettins that were mentioned. He managed to find a piece of parchment that seemed to have been caught in some rocks, and it seemed to be written in a language similar to darnassian, but not exactly the same. It was likely the dialect of the nightborne. He returned to the group, where the page could be translated.
The group discussed their next steps and where Kel’danath could have gone, and Levia suggested they could maybe find more of his notes or maybe where his base of operations may have been. Zar’Kaa wondered if he might be dead, and Sol asked if Levia could maybe cure death if it was less than three months. Levia said she couldn’t right now, and Sol said that maybe they could take him to the Sisterhood of Elune if worse came to worst.
Sol used [Detect Magic] and started to look for the wards that were mentioned. He managed to find some that seemed to be inverting the magic of mana crystals to push it out further, effectively distracting the withered away from certain areas. It was fairly cobbled together, but it was impressive he had managed this much at all. Sol asked if Levia could cry presently, and Levia said she could have it in 10 minutes. Sol pointed out the ward belonged to him, so it would work as a link.
Sol then found a second ward, but this one had been completely smashed in a crater, along with an old torn-up rucksack. Inside were more notes.
It seemed possible that Kel’danath might have been taken by the ettins. Sol was able to assess the rucksack had been there for a while, potentially a month or more.
Arthak was working on coordinating the hunt, but then he came to the realization the entire place was probably ettin territory and they had to keep moving, which made things harder. However, he started to consider approaches of the Warsong and Thunderlords to try and track and maneuver through the wilds.
Zar’Kaa disguised himself magically as a nightborne and tried to lead some of the withered away. He quickly realized they were chasing him because he was coated in magic, not because he was a nightborne.
Sol looked in the abandoned rucksack for any trace of Kel’danath’s hair, which was supposedly notoriously long and beautiful even if it had thinned out with becoming a nightfallen. However, he managed to find one in the rucksack, alongside another journal entry.
Sol gave the piece of hair to Levia, who was amazed at how long it was.
Rak’Symma used [Commune with Nature] and was able to identify there was a powerful fey about 2 miles away. She also sensed a flurry of peoples around them, which were likely withered. However, there was another presence, and it seemed other forms were running from it. The fey, however, was near several other creatures that were not fey.
Nyxxa hurried over to check out the area around the fey creature, which was located at the edge of a meadow. She saw a nightborne scouting camp along with a dormant arcane sentinel. It seemed they were in the middle of changing their watches, and in the middle of the camp, she saw some sort of nightborne device that was a flat piece of metal that projected a cage of force. Inside the cage was a creature with bright orange fur pacing in the cage. It was a fox, but one that was larger than any Nyxxa had ever seen, as it was about the size of a night saber. Nyxxa informed the group that she believed she found Volpin, which she believed was the fey. He was captured.
Meanwhile, Altruis informed the group he had found another journal entry, and her returned with another note.
At that moment, Levia scryed using Kel’danath’s hair. However, it didn’t seem to be working. She handed her focus over to Sol to look, and she said that either he resisted the spell, he was protected, or he was dead.
Sol suggested the fey creature could maybe give them more information. Zar’Kaa commented that they would have to free him, and Arthak said it was wise to free him. Sol mused that if they could shut down the cage, they could likely free the fox. He used [Invisibility] to turn Nyxxa invisible through the vision he shared with Nyxxa.
As Nyxxa crept forward, Sol saw a nightborne sitting and seemingly writing a report. Next to them, there was a stick that appeared like it was some sort of activation device. The nightborne were talking about how they hadn’t found Thalyssra, but they had found a different prize.
Back with the rest of the group, Sol handed a scroll of [Enlarge/Reduce] and had her prepare to cast it on Sol so that he could [Dimension Door] on Nyxxa and the fox.
Zar’Kaa had hurried over to the camp to try and help support her, and he disguised himself as Thalyssra and tried to taunt them into pursuing him in darnassian. The nightborne all turned towards him. However, the mage among them spoke up.
It was obviously some sort of distraction. They promptly used [Dispel Magic] on Zar’Kaa’s disguise. They immediately started to mobilize and activate the arcane sentinel.
Zar’Kaa turned and booked it.
Meanwhile, Nyxxa tried to nab the control device for the cage. She was successful, using her invisible [Mage Hand]. She also was able to nab a small container of arcwine in the chaos. She deactivated the cage, and Sol triggered to Levia to increase his size. He was able to teleport both Nyxxa and Volpin out, and the nightborne just then noticed their prize had disappeared.
Nyxxa noticed as Volpin ran he had a limp, but Sol was able to magically heal the wound through the connection with Nyxxa. Volpin told Nyxxa they could speak once they reached safety.
Meanwhile, Neth returned to the group with a clue he had found.
Arthak went and tried to find an ettin with Rak’Symma’s help. Rak’Symma took an aerial view and quickly located a towering beast of an ettin, who was easily close to 30 feet tall. She pointed Arthak in that direction, but she also saw something shining on the ground.
As Arthak approached, he saw some ruins and a handful of withered on top of a building. A few were dead on the ground. The ettin was laughing as he threw rocks at the withered on top of the building. Arthak got big and stormed forward, speaking in giant.
The ettin rounded on Arthak and looked down at him.
Arthak walked forward and punched the ettin as hard as he could in the knee. The ettin shouted and hit the ground, shouting in pain. Arthak clambered on top of the ettin.
The ettin moaned in pain, and Arthak told him to moan once for yes, and twice for no. The ettin agreed to listen to Arthak’s questions, and Arthak opted to make the ettin follow him. Rak’Symma investigated the shiny thing and she saw an empty flask like the one Thalyssra had. She also found another journal entry.
