[Alliance] Chapter Five: Session Ninety-Four
Characters
| Major | Supporting | Minor | Antagonists | Mentioned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
December 10th
As the group settled into Reginald Windsor’s apartment, Vel was the first one to speak up to question Taelia. She asked if Taelia had the opportunity to speak with her father at all since she arrived in Stormwind.
Taelia winced.
Taelia played with the strap of her tunic.
Taelia reached up to her scarf and undid it.
She handed it over for Vel to look at, and Taelia explained it was from her maternal grandmother. Vel’s eyes widened as she touched it. There were intricate patterns, and the only places that were worn were the fringes.
Vel’s eyes illuminated as she identified the item, and she read that it was an emerald scarf. Woven into the thread of the scarf were silken dragon scales. It was a powerful relic that had strong associations with the green dragonflight. The scales could be removed to do various effects. The mage hummed quietly to herself and then held it back out to Taelia as she pointed at one of the scales.
She pulled at the scale and it came off with ease. She was surprised, and she admitted she never wanted to mess with them because she thought they were broaches of some sort. Vel clarified it could become a weapon, and Taelia blinked and asked how that was possible.
As if on cue, the scale transformed into a long spear that appeared to be made of translucent green energy, which startled Taelia.
Uther had been to Stormwind before, and he knew the Fordragon family was a noble family whose first claim to fame was from an ancient predecessor named Lady Mara Fordragon. She lived hundreds of years ago, but her devotion was what got her elevated to full nobility. Before then, she was a humble priestess. Vel, however, recalled talking to Remnii after their last visit to Stormwind when Remnii and Anduin had a discussion. Remnii explained she had learned a bit about Mara Fordragon as there was a statue inside the keep. Mara was given the name Fordragon along with the noble title, and she was known as the dragon rider saint as it was said she flew on the wings of a majestic dragon. It was not a leap of logic to think that she may have been dragonsworn.
Vel asked if Taelia was familiar with her ancestor’s history, and Taelia confirmed she was.
Vel confirmed.
Taelia’s eyes sparkled in awe as she looked up at the spear.
Vel briefly explained the power of sympathetic magic and connection of items to the resonant energies of an individual, but she admitted she wasn’t entirely sure if the connection would be strong enough any longer as the scarf ultimately now belonged to Taelia and had for some time.
Samia asked if a likeness would work for Vel’s purposes, and she confirmed it would. Samia explained there was a massive statue just outside the city, as well as a smaller one in the keep, though admittedly both were heavily guarded, even in the dead of night. Vel acknowledged it was something to potentially fall back on if they had no other options.
They briefly discussed the possibility that the connection of the Dragonrider Saint to the green dragonflight potentially gave a motive to Taelia’s mother’s killer, as if they knew of the connection to dragons and reviled it, they could have been trying to wipe out that legacy. Gil also mused that it wouldn’t have been the first time a dragon took an interest in a mortal family line.
They agreed it was possible Mara’s companion dragon could still be around and was perhaps watching the Fordragon line, and would maybe have answers if they could find out who it was: something Gil decided to focus on for the time being.
However, they opted to not tell Taelia the full details of who they believed the suspect was, as while she was trustworthy, she was someone that wore her heart on her sleeve, and if she would likely show suspicion around Katrana without meaning to. The excuse Vel gave was that speaking conjecture in an investigation could color the bias of the investigation, and it was not wise.
Vel suggested Taelia perhaps works on trying to get some of the stories of her ancestors, or even friends of her mother’s, as it was unlikely anyone would question a young woman trying to know her mother after death. Taelia said she could perhaps talk to Anduin given he was a bit older than her and thus knew her mother better, and Vel suggested that she could also talk to her father, even without bringing up the investigation.
Samia told Taelia that was all they needed for the moment, she asked if she could write her name in Samia’s ledger so that she could contact her more freely. Taelia agreed, and jotted down her signature in Samia’s book. Taelia promised they wouldn’t mention they saw them, and Flynn said they had better get back before others got worried.
The duo left, and Samia asked the group what they thought about everything. The group agreed, and they ultimately debriefed the potential leads they had before they opted to split up into at least twos.
Vel and Alleria opted to go towards the mage quarter so Vel could speak with the Gothiks. They found the small domicile without much issue, and Vel approached the door. There was a knocker in the shape of a corgi, and when Vel knocked on it, the knocker came to life and spoke in Clarence’s voice.
Vel raised an eyebrow at it, somewhat amused, and she opted to knock again.
Kel'Thuzad chuckled in the back of Vel’s mind, and he told her that she should knock a third time just to see. Vel chuffed, but she decided to indulge her mentor.
An illusion that was a write-up of the first message appeared in front of the door so if someone was deaf they could read it.
Vel opted to send Bronjahm, and she apologized for the intrusion as she understood the knocker had a very clear message, but she ultimately had matters relevant to his and his husband’s interests.
Not long after, the door opened to reveal the elderly older man. He smiled at her, crow’s feet at the edges of his eyes, and dressed in a bathrobe and slippers. She also immediately heard an indignant barrage of barking. Bronjahm welcomed Vel in, and she saw a corgi that appeared to be very clearly perturbed the order had been disturbed as he looked at Vel, then up the stairs, and back again.
He bent down and scooped up the corgi.
He made the dog’s paw wave as he just loafed in Bronjahm’s arms, clearly not sure what to do. Vel greeted the dog back in turn, but the dog growled at her.
After she entered the domicile and allowed the door to close behind her, she allowed her magical disguise to drop.
They heard a voice call out from up the stairs.
There were some thumps, angry grumbling, and other noises from upstairs as Clarence stomped down the stairs.
He looked over and saw Vel, and he pushed up his glasses.
Clarence scoffed.
Kel’Thuzad chuckled in the back of Vel’s mind, and she apologized and assured Clarence she wouldn’t overstay her welcome, but she noted that Bronjahm had mentioned some unscrupulous visitors.
He moved into the kitchen and they heard him tinkering around as Bronjahm offered Vel a sympathetic look. Clarence continued to call from the kitchen and he confirmed there had been no end of individuals asking after them, and it had been a nuisance. Specifically, it had largely been individuals from the Academy as he had started to take his sabbatical and the Court Conjurer apparently wanted to speak to him about it.
Clarence returned with some coffee and handed it over. Vel thanked him and took a sip as she sat down.
Bronjahm looked surprised, but Clarence scoffed and took a sip from his own mug.
He looked at his husband.
Vel confirmed she’d be happy to do so, and Clarence asked what it was she wanted to talk about.
Clarence rolled his eyes.
Clarence was in the middle of taking a sip and he fully spit-took.
He sputtered in between coughs. Bronjahm patted his back.
Vel confirmed.
Bron: Well, if she’s a dragon, sweetheart, she’s–
Bron: Clarence, come on, deep breaths. You know getting this animated isn’t good for your heart.
Clarence took a deep breath and Wishbone hopped into his lap, where the dog received some therapeutic pats.
Clarence hissed at him.
Bronjahm held up his hands.
Vel asked what the topic of the theory was, and he explained they were the theories of arcane relativity as far as they were concerned with alternate dimensions and the entropic theory of magic: things he had specifically dedicated his entire life to studying. She knew the basics of arcane relativity was an expansion upon the idea of arcane magic only existing because of the existence of other forms of magic, and what gave the world its structure was the interplay between the arcane and the other cosmic forces of the world. Meanwhile, the entropic theory was the notion of how the level of magic in a world is always dropping because it constantly is trying to escape from the world it originated from, thus magic naturally sought to diminish its power and followed to its extreme it posed the theory of a magical heat-death of the universe as magic spread out so far from its origin point that the planes could no longer exist.
Vel asked what Clarence’s stance was, and he explained that he believed the theory of arcane relativity was a proven fact, so arguing against it was ludicrous, which was why he thought she challenged him on it. In regards to the theory of entropy, his view was a bit different. He felt the idea the planes could collapse due to a natural phenomenon was absurd, and if it was the case it would have happened eons away. The planes of existence were instead the sources of magic, and if they had such a finite amount, there would be no reason for it to seek to seep into their own world.
However, Katrana argued that, but Clarence believed she would have argued anything and she was just trying to get under his skin or get him to reveal something. Vel asked if she had prodded at all about their other interests, and Clarence admitted she didn’t, but he wouldn’t have been surprised if she was trying to learn about their less legal pursuits.
Vel explained soul magic was something Katrana had some experience in, as she had successfully split someone in twain along the soul, and Bronjahm immediately leaned forward. Vel clarified she had made two individuals out of one, each with half the qualities of the whole.
Clarence got red in the face in rage.
Vel asked if Katrana had instilled any new badges or forms of identification in the Academy, and Clarence confirmed she had. He explained it was a newer addition in the last year or so, and Katrana had claimed it was an overhaul of the ranking system. For students, it allowed the tracking of their years of scholarship and accolades, and for staff members they notated classes and schools of thoughts so newer students could more readily find their teachers if they had inquiries.
Vel asked if they had any of the badges, and Clarence said he had refused to use Katrana’s absurd baubles as he saw no need for them. It was simply a means to coddle the students and give them unnecessary handicaps. Katrana was not happy at his refusal, but he also noted there were obvious tracking magics on the badges so she would be alerted if anyone trespassed on school grounds, or in her tower.
Clarence furrowed his brow.
Vel explained there were two other instances that Katrana had used baubles of some sort in her related schemes, and in the most recent one, there was a master that could be used to hijack the minds of those that wore them. However, it was an underlying hidden curse.
It was obvious Clarence was thinking about the situation, and after some consideration, he agreed he would meet with the Court Conjurer and he’d bring one of the badges back so she could take a look at it. She thanked him, and suggested they could unravel that scheme under her nose if the similarity proved correct.
Clarence scoffed.
She pulled the ring Rhonin had created from her finger and dropped it on the table before Clarence. She explained what it was, and he admitted he had read about such a thing in some of the recent literature. He said it was impressive work, especially given he had never heard Rhonin’s name before he was named one of the Council of Six. It was like he had come out of nowhere.
Luma made their way over to the dwarven district with Samia, who was effectively serving as their “guide”. The district was somewhat hazy, and Luma asked around in pursuit of the sky ship project. Some of the dwarves were surprised an “elf” was interested, and a few were skeptical, but others were more “yeah, of course you’d want to see it”. The adults were more prone to express they weren’t supposed to be talking about it, but Luma’s attention was drawn by a younger voice.
Luma looked over at an alley, and they saw a young dwarvish lass with a smudged face. She was no older than thirteen, and Luma looked down at Samia and expressed she was going to try and take them for everything they were worth. Samia agreed, but pointed out children do see things.
Samia chuckled, and they both approached the dwarven lass, who was also with a dwarf and human kids.The dwarf girl had pig tails and some whiskers just starting to come in. She asked if Luma was asking about the airship, and they confirmed, but they apparently weren’t supposed to be.
The girl said that her dad worked on it and she had seen it before, but they said it was top secret and classified.
She got a twinkle in her eye.
Igha held up her hand.
Samia was chewing on her lip and trying very hard not to laugh.
Luma noted that Igha appeared to be wearing an old tool belt her dad likely no longer used. They looked at Samia who suggested it could allow them to see the airship but doing chores for children sounded tedious. Luma replied they thought it was hilarious, and that ultimately gave Samia an opening to do other things.
Luma made a crystalline hammer appear in their hand and they handed it down to Igha.
It disappeared in a poof.
Luma stooped down and held out their hand. Igha took it and shook it.
Samia was trying very hard not to laugh as she asked if she could see the airship too, and Igha considered, but agreed. Luma asked what their name was, and Igha introduced herself as Igha Toughbrow. Luma introduced themself as Lumaradin, and after Igha struggled to say it, they said that Luma was fine.
Luma said they could speak in whatever language they were comfortable with. The dwarves were amazed that they could speak dwarvish, and Luma corrected it was only kind of, but they were still amazed. Igha introduced her two fellows: her brother, Gwyllo Toughbrow, and the human kid, who was the youngest but also the tallest, who they called “Little” Tom.
Igha led Luma through the dwarven district and they arrived at a warehouse that they slipped into and started to climb upwards to get up to the roof. There were guards around the area that they deftly avoided. Luma said they weren’t going anywhere but they used their cloaking device to disappear. The kids were once again completely amazed and they ooo’d and aww’d in hushed whispers.
They crept further along the roof, and as they got to a corner, in height order, they all peered around it and saw an open-air dry dock tucked behind the walls. It was well-guarded, and there were a lot of people working on it. There were also more than just one project as smaller vessels were being created. The massive airship, however, dominated the area and it resembled a boat with no mast or sails. At its front was a massive lion, and there were large propellers that jutted out from it that likely would give it lift. However, Luma also noticed there was gnomish technology at play, and as Luma looked around, they noticed there were a very small number of gnomes. It also appeared it was heavily armed.
She pointed, but Luma could not make him out. They stayed for a bit until Igha signaled for them to go because the guards were switching.
Gil directed a [Sending] at Itharius and expressed he was trying to find a green dragon in connection with the Fordragons so he was hoping to reach the Twilight Grove. The green ambassador asked how that was his problem, and Gil admitted he didn’t know many green dragons so he thought he would use Itharius as a starting point.
The green dragon said he wasn’t about to cart Gil around, as that wasn’t his job, and said he was sure that Gil or someone with him had other contacts with the Cenarion Circle.
When Vel returned from her visit with the Gothiks, Gil asked her if she knew anyone that could potentially get him access to the Twilight Grove, and Vel recalled that several of the kaldorei the group had worked with during the worgen crisis had been operating around that area. After some consideration, she opted to send Elissa’s mother, Morra, who confirmed she was actually in the area of the Twilight Grove hunting down Wolf Cult members. She said she was willing to vouch for Gil if Vel could get him to her.
Vel scryed on the woman and espied Morra leaning against a darkened lamp post in an unlit wood. She was waiting with Valorn, and Vel relayed to Gil she got an eye on Morra and she was presently with a kaldorei named Valorn Stillbough. She told Gil that she would see him soon, and with a snap of her fingers, Gil was teleported right before the duo of night elves.
Morra started to walk and Gil followed after her without another word. Valorn looked down at Gil.
Valorn shrugged.
They were walking through wild, darkened woods that had shadows which were deep and creeping. The animals were quiet and suspicious, but the deeper they moved in, the more familiar a feeling grew. Eventually, they came to a mountain chain, and though the hills looked steep and unmountable, Valorn and Morra led Gil through with minimal issue. The trees were massive and healthy in the depths of the mountains. He had absolutely stepped into a dragon’s lair, and it was evident that the only reason he wasn’t lost was because he had been given leave to find his way.
Eventually, they came to a massive tree that emerged up from the shadows, and it seemed they were walking on a path that had naturally formed. It was almost an invitation, but also a demand to know why someone unknown had come.
The pathway illuminated it with flowers that offered a natural glow. He came to a natural ramp that led up to a massive tree that was comparable in size to the tree that had sprouted on Quel’Danas. The canopy threatened to block out any sunlight, if there was any. But instead, there was none, as if the grove itself was shielded by the Dream to prevent sunlight from reaching it. But the grove was flourishing aggressively regardless. The bark of the tree, however, was twisted into a massive circle that Gil sensed an active portal manifesting in.
Gil looked around and saw nothing in the grove. There were no other kaldorei or dragons, but he got a strong sense he was being watched by a fair amount of things. Gil called out a hesitant “hello?”
It was almost as if the land itself was speaking.
Gil could hear the sound of something moving as if the grove itself was winding around Gil like a serpent.
Gil sensed and felt breath on his neck and on his entire body as a great wyrm emerged behind Gil. Gil decided not to turn around.
Hot breath manifested around him as he sensed teeth hanging in his vicinity. They were waiting. Morra and Valorn both stepped away, and Gil stood still for a long moment as the dragon breathed down his back. There was a viridian scent of pollen and blood.
But then he felt the pressure move away.
The presence disappeared again.
Gil saw a shadow of a great dragon emerge from a tree and sink into another one as he circled around Gil.
It was hard to tell how large the dragon was as he faded in and out of the foliage, but he was very large. The way the light played on his scales, it was almost like they were a deep green that faded into blue and there were traces of pink on the edges of his wings. His horns almost resembled rose thorns.
As Gil took a step back, he watched as the path that led him there started to pull away.
The dragon stepped from the circle of trees and instead appeared in the clearing.
He didn’t seem to be angry, but there was a sense of an ennui. He was a dragon who was lost and had grown bitter about mortalkind.
Grief crossed the face of the dragon.
Gil knew the expression was one of a parent that had lost their child. It seemed that he, in part, wanted closure, but there was also spite.
The dragon chuffed.
The dragon turned.
He turned and left.
Morra shrugged.
Valorn released an exhale of relief. However, Gil picked up that he was being followed, and his companions were likewise aware of the fact, though Morra didn’t seem to be concerned. They reached the edge of the grove, and they still sensed something watching them from the distance. Gil cast a quick glance back, and he saw two shadowy figures climbing across the boughs, thinking that they were well-hidden. They believed they were well-hidden, but two pairs of viridian eyes watched as two green drakes hung in the shadows.
Gil waved at them. Both of them perked up, and quickly flew away.
She told Valorn to see Gil back to the city, and the other kaldorei confirmed he could. Morra took her leave.
Uther spent some time looking into the activities of the church, which was the Holy Order of Northshire. It appeared that the schism from the northern Church of the Holy Light was a long time coming, and the Scarlet Crusade was a catalyst that served as an excuse to make it happen, along with the retreat from the Alliance. The faiths were still quite similar, but the church of Stormwind had craved the freedom to make their own changes to their doctrine for generations. It was similar to what happened with the mages, who had similarly made their own mage school instead of relying on Dalaran.
Stormwind, as a rule, was ultimately fiercely independent.
The Holy Order of Northshire was still using the holy texts, but they were changing the interpretations in subtle ways. It was very unlikely they would ever return to the doctrine of the Church of the Holy Light, and it seemed they were hoping others would follow their example as they believed beliefs should serve the modern people instead of an empire that no longer existed.
Luma spent their week palling around with the kids as their personal mage. Over the week, they met Igha’s mother, who admitted that she had been worried about a strange adult hanging out with her kids, but after hearing about all the science experiments, it seemed Luma was pretty harmless. The mother invited Luma back to try some fresh baked bread, and it was delicious. Igha’s mother thanked Luma for helping out with the wee ones as they were a handful, and Igha had been talking about Luma every night until she fell asleep. She said if Luma ever needed anything, just let her know. Apparently she had a sister in Ironforge that was also a baker, and the mother herself had a surprising number of connections in the dwarven district.
Luma asked about how schooling worked, and most of the dwarves seemed to go by apprenticeships, but there were public schools elsewhere in Stormwind. Luma was all introduced to Little Tom’s dad, who was named Brother Joshua, and sometimes Little Tom served as an altar boy. He had met Igha’s father because he was first aid at the airship site.
