[Horde] Chapter Five: Session Thirty-Four
Appearing Characters: Arthak Saurfang, Dargrul, Ebonhorn, Mayla Highmountain, Nyxxa Murkthorn, Oro Highmountain, Rak'Symma, Sol'chi, Zar'Kaa
November 28th
Inside the worm, Sol, Arthak, and Dargrul felt the muscles of the worm tense around them. Sol was able to slip free and got into a position where he could act. He got a read of what was going on over the telepathic bond, and Rak’Symma informed them that they were actively in pursuit on Ebonhorn. Arthak and Dargrul also managed to free themselves.
Arthak started to race back toward where Sol was as Sol struggled to close the distance. Sol heard the unmistakable voice of his mother in his head, encouraging him to not be afraid and keep moving forward. He managed to shake off the fear that had settled over him. Arthak managed to reach Sol, and Sol used his Gaze of Two Minds ability to share Arthak’s vision as he turned around and jumped back into the acid. Sol used their connection to warp Arthak over a greater distance deeper into the stomach chambers. Arthak squeezed further into the digestive system, entering the small intestine.
Up ahead, he could see the Hammer of Khaz’goroth wedged in the small intestine.
Meanwhile, Dargrul continued to wail on the inner chamber of Naraxas, trying to get to the heart.
On the outside of the worm, Zar’Kaa managed to hang on and he used his Hexblade’s curse on the massive creature as shadowy energy coalesced around the wound he had opened. He drove Rokul Kaz deeper into the worm, and she shrieked in pain as the weapon dug into some meaty bits. Some of the creatures’ blood sprayed across the creature’s scales, spelling “focus” and “kill” in eredun.
Naraxas shrieked in anger and pain as she flailed through the earth. Nyxxa tried to attach [Dancing Lights] on Naraxas, and it seemed like it was going to fall off, but she used all her focus and managed to get the spell to stick to the worm’s tail.
They were managed to track her, and Rak’Symma tried to use [Bones of the Earth]. She scraped her talons down the side of the tunnel, and pillars of earth jutted out and attempted to impale the worm. One almost struck Zar’Kaa, but the worm burrowed around the pillars–some of which were caked with the worm’s blood.
Nyxxa launched herself from Ebonhorn to slash into Naraxas with a flurry of attacks. She attempted to stun the worm, but the beast continued strong. Rak’Symma used Nyxxa’s blades as a focus to blast a [Jolt].
Ebonhorn shouted for Nyxxa to get down and magma formed in his maw. He expelled a blast of magma at the worm. Naraxas shrieked and then spun around to lurch at the group. Ebonhorn shouted for the group to hold on as the worm chomped down on the dragon. He roared back at her as he braced his claws against her. He exhaled another stream of magma to turn the worm away and promptly shouted to make sure those on his back were okay. Mayla assured him they were.
They suddenly burst into a super-heated chamber that dripped with magma. On the worm’s back, Zar’Kaa dug Rokul Kaz into the creature again with a shock of stormy, fel lightning, which course through the worm and illuminated it.
Nyxxa took the advantage to cleave into Naraxas with a series of devastating attacks. She managed to cleave into the worm’s eye, but it became apparent that the worm had some other sensory organs it was using to see.
Inside the worm, Arthak put his hand on the Hammer of Khaz’goroth. His mind flurried through a series of images of the hammer being wielded on a dozen forges. There was a hand of a shu’halo wielding it up against a massive shadow above it. A clawed hand struck upon an unknowable metal. There was a giant striking it on an anvil seemingly made of the stars themselves. He felt so incredibly small at that moment.
He managed to wrench the hammer free from where it was wrenched as he got bigger. He was blasted by the backlash of the hammer, but he had it safely in his hands, and he shrank back down.
The worm tried to slam Zar’Kaa into the wall, but he was able to scurry out of the way. However, inside, the muscles tensed again, restraining Arthak, Dargrul, and Sol. Sol looked through Arthak’s eyes, and he used [Teleport] to get them all out from inside the worm.
As the worm thrashed around, rocks from the ceiling and plummeted into the lava which sent a wave of super-heated rock over the group. A swarm of smaller, dog-sized worms erupted from the ground and bit at the ground before retreating back under the ground.
Rak’Symma noted the glint of metal on Nyxxa’s glaives, and Nyxxa caught her eye and nodded at her before raising one of them up into the air. Rak’Symma used [Chain Lightning], arcing off Nyxxa’s weapon as a tether.
Zar’Kaa plunged his spear into the head of the worm. Dargrul slid over to Arthak.
He got down and used his hands as a platform for Arthak to step onto. Dargrul launched Arthak up into the air. Arthak brought his sword down in a devastating slash on Naraxas. Suddenly, they heard the sound of pistons going off overhead, and harpoons slammed into the worm from overhead. A team of niffen arbalists swept town from overhead along with Sol’s arcane hand, which gave Sol a thumb’s up.
Ebonhorn spoke a prayer to the Earthmother, and he shaped the earth into metal around the harpy to amplify the lightning. At that moment, Nyxxa helped direct the lightning from Rak’Symma straight into Naraxas as Rak’Symma released an unholy shriek.
The worm collapsed, perfectly bridging the gap over the lava, its carapace smoking with lightning as the magic faded. Naraxas, the Mother of Worms, was slain.
There was a moment of silence and peace. But then, they felt an aftershock begin to tremble the earth.
Arthak ripped his forearm open with his tusk and smeared the blood on the ground and then the hammer. He raised it to swing, but Dargrul grabbed his hand.
Dargrul stared hard at him, but let go. Zar’Kaa called out for everyone to take evasive maneuvers.
Arthak swung once.
Then twice.
Then thrice. But as he took the third swing, Mayla took his other arm in hers and squeezed it.
May: I believe in you Arthak, you can do this.
The hammer hit the ground a third time.
With each strike, the trembling of the earth grew quieter and quieter until the aftershocks subsided. Mayla threw her arms around Arthak and hugged him.
Dargrul had turned towards Ebonhorn as Sol moved forward to heal Arthak and Dargrul’s injuries. Rak’Symma stepped protectively in front of Ebonhorn.
Ebonhorn took his tauren form.
Dargrul rounded on Mayla and Rak’Symma.
Dargrul looked at Rak’Symma as well.
Dargrul looked conflicted.
Ebonhorn slowly stepped forward and gave Rak’Symma a warm smile before he looked at Dargrul again.
Ebonhorn offered a hand out to the Underking. Dargrul looked at the hand and then over at Rak’Symma, and the back at the warband and Mayla. His shoulders sank in acceptance. He didn’t take Ebonhorn’s hand, but he slapped it in a sign of begrudging acceptance.
Ebonhorn nodded.
Sol healed Arthak and Dargrul, and Arthak held out the hammer to Dargrul and Mayla.
Mayla smiled and looked at Dargrul.
Dargrul crossed his arms and looked at Arthak.
Dargrul smirked at Arthak, who gave him a tired smile. Dargrul promptly slammed his hand on Arthak’s back and they shared a spit-shake. Dargrul then turned to talk to Mayla as Arthak leaned down and put his hand on the earth.
He then looked up and saw large bones. Dragon bones. And then Arthak realized Naraxas had led them to Neltharion’s old lair. He felt a deep reverence, fear, and anger pervading the chamber. It was old and powerful. However, there was also a warmth. But he could see just how dark it was where the light didn’t reach. It was a suffocating darkness, but no fear of the darkness.
A question came to his mind: Is the darkness entrapping her, or is she holding back the darkness?
Arthak caught Ebonhorn’s eyes and directed them to the bones. Ebonhorn mused Naraxas had brought them deeper than they anticipated, and asked if Arthak had a feeling. Arthak confirmed, and Ebonhorn said to chase that feeling.
Arthak asked if this was where Ebonhorn had his vision of them, and Ebonhorn said it was close, and then gestured to the skull of a massive leviathan that had taur-ahe runes on it.
Ebonhorn looked at Dargrul and asked if Dargrul consented as well, given the place was as sacred to them as it was to him. Dargrul nodded. Ebonhorn took his draconic form again, and carried Arthak and whoever else wished to investigate to the platform of hardened magma.
Ebonhorn explained the runes were attempts to understand what his purpose was. He said he knew he was Spiritwalker Ebonhorn, but he was also more than that. However, he had not truly found an answer, but he knew he had always had a home.
Mayla promised him that she wanted to make Highmountain a place that he didn’t have to fear living. Ebonhorn thanked her, and they embraced.
He looked at Mayla, and she smiled and hugged him again. He then looked over at Rak’Symma, though noticed she had started to walk away. Arthak asked if he could try and commune at the skeleton like Ebonhorn did, and Ebonhorn confirmed before he walked after Rak’Symma.
He asked if she was alright.
Rak’Symma chuffed and stared up at the ceiling.
Ebonhorn shook his head.
Rak’Symma smiled and took a deep breath.
Meanwhile, Arthak had plunged his rock hand into the lava to clear his mind as he tried to meditate. He focused on the skull of who had been revealed to have likely been Ebonhorn’s mother. He saw a very young Ebonhorn as a tiny whelp, his head pressed against the side of the bone. Time passed, revealing Ebonhorn growing through the ages. There were more questions and more pacing, but every time he returned to the front of the bone and pressed his forehead against it.
The size of the skull was comparable to Sinestra’s, but each time he returned he was bigger. And bigger. But even at the size he was now, he was still dwarfed by the skull. Larger still was the shadow that loomed behind him, ever present.
Arthak pulled himself out of the vision, and he walked around to the spot he had noted Ebonhorn always came back to. He reached out and cautiously touched the spot, but he didn’t see anything else.
Zar’Kaa walked over to Arthak, incredulous.
As Zar’Kaa stepped away, Nyxxa commented that he had taken well to the magic and it was impressive spellwork. Zar’Kaa seemed taken aback, and thanked her, but he admitted he hadn’t known what he was doing, but it seemed right. He said it felt satisfying, like it felt good to hurt the beast.
Nyxxa put a hand on Zar’Kaa’s.
There was a certain pleading direness to her words.
Zar’Kaa moved his hand away from Nyxxa’s.
Zar’Kaa gave Nyxxa a slap on the shoulder as he strolled away. Nyxxa’s expression hadn’t changed from a smile, but as Zar’Kaa turned away there was a certain look that asked: “Don’t you, now?”
Meanwhile, Rak’Symma had approached Dargrul to check on him. She called his name, and he grunted in acknowledgement. She asked how he was doing.
Rak’Symma’s eyebrows went up.
Rak’Symma admitted it was taking a better turn than expected. She hoped the work would trickle down below as well, and Dargrul said he had a sense it would, as they likely had to go topside more often.
He looked over at the charred body of the worm, which the niffen had already started to assemble around.
Rak’Symma said not everything needed to change quickly.
Rak’Symma nodded and they awkwardly walked away from each other.
Meanwhile Arthak had approached Mayla and he thanked her for her help with the third swing. Mayla blushed immediately.
Mayla said she would send representatives from the tribes to Black Rook Hold. The Unseen Path had already offered to help them get there, and she told him that if he needed anything, they knew where to find them. Ultimately Highmountain would stand with them at whatever trials waited at the end.
Arthak said she did well at the peace talks and he couldn’t have done it better. Mayla said she had good teachers, and Arthak agreed Ebonhorn was wise. Mayla smiled and agreed, a twinkle in her eye. Arthak disengaged, and Mayla watched him walk away for a bit before shaking her head and snapping out of it.
Nyxxa raised an eyebrow at Mayla with a small smile.
When they returned to Marl, they found the niffen already working to repair the Diggindome and any of Ularogg’s co-conspirators were captured to be turned over to Dargrul. Sol opted to leave a [Magnificent Mansion] open for ten days to explore and experience. Some of the niffen cheered as they realized the festivities were back on.
They bid farewell to the niffen and made their way back to the surface. They were given lodgings to stay one final night in Thunder Totem before they returned to Black Rook Hold.
November 29th
Before the group left, Ebonhorn approached to bestow some good bye gifts on them. The first of the gifts was a very sizeable chunk of Azerite bestowed upon Sol and Arthak. The Ironhorn had hoped they would find a good use for it. He also wanted to give them something of his own, which were two large sheafs of metal that had an almost oil-like sheen to it. He explained the metal was recovered from Neltharion’s lair, and he believed it was remnants of the armor plating the drogbar had forged for him. He didn’t know what it was, but it was very heavy, and had properties he didn’t fully grasp as it seemed to draw in magical essence.
Arthak gave Ebonhorn a bow and thanked him for his wisdom and kindness.
They clasped arms.
Sol also thanked Ebonhorn for being a friend to them and for not rejecting them. He also said he had some things for Ebonhorn, and Ebonhorn said he didn’t need to prepare anything for him, but Sol assured him it wasn’t done yet. He just needed 10 minutes. Ebonhorn chuckled, then turned to Nyxxa.
He presented her with a charm that seemed to be circles interwoven with a spiderweb made with silken thread. There were thongs with beads and teardrop-like crystals. Ebonhorn explained they were Asibikaashi, otherwise called dreamsnares. They were believed to help people sleep and protect them from worries, as they were supposedly blessed by an aspect of Mu’sha. He hoped that, given Nyxxa held her own moon goddess, it would bring her and her people peace. Nyxxa thanked him, and she also sensed magic on the item.
Ebonhorn then turned to Zar’Kaa and said he didn’t have a gift for him, because Highmountain instead had one. Mayla was present with her uncle Oro, who pulled a spear from his back and handed it to her. She presented the spear to Zar’Kaa, and explained it was an Eagletalon Spear, which was given to the greatest of their warriors. It was shaped in the image of Talonclaw, and it shared a small fraction of its blessing. She wanted to present the spear to Zar’Kaa and name him as an honorary warbrave of Highmountain. Zar’Kaa was clearly shocked and expressed he didn’t know what to say, and he was unsure if he deserved such an honor.
Mayla smiled and said it wasn’t him that decided such a thing. She believed he had earned it. Zar’Kaa slowly reached out and took the spear to see how it felt in his hand. It was extremely light, but heavy in the right places.
Zar’Kaa gave her a faux grumpy look.
Mayla smiled.
Mayla bowed to him.
He drew his axe.
Mayla accepted the weapon and said it was a fine weapon that would be wielded by a brave that will save many lives and protect all of Highmountain.
Mayla laughed as the remainder of the gifts were bestowed on those present.
Arthak then presented Mayla with a gift: it was a leather-bound notebook that he had made and bound himself. He flipped open to the first couple pages, which outlined a beginners guide to orcish runes. Mayla said it was incredible, and Arthak said it was the basics of how she could start to write their tongue. He then flicked to a page where there was a message in orcish where he said she could try to translate. Mayla smiled broadly and said she accepted the challenge.
Sol kept pulling stuff out of his bag until there was a sizeable mound of material. He cast [Fabricate] to make a model of Highmountain with the warband and many of the people they had met. There was also a secondary version of Ebonhorn that showed him in his draconic form. Mayla and Ebonhorn were dumbfounded.
Ebonhorn picked up the draconic model and moved it to the top of Thunder Totem fondly. He said it was wonderful and thanked him. Sol said they weren’t done, and he and Mayla exchanged a devious look.
They produced a model of Huln as well, with a line that Rak’Symma had imbued into it in Huln’s voice as a switch was pressed: “I’m proud of you.”
Ebonhorn’s eyes widened and started to tear up. Rak’Symma repeated it, showing she had been the one to mimic it. Ebonhorn picked her up into a hug and turned to the rest as well.
He set the Huln next to his draconic model, and then set Mayla’s model next to both of them with a smile as Symma wiped the tears from his cheeks, and held his face.
She reached into the satchel on her hip that he had made for her. She said she was no great craftsman, but she wanted to leave him with something all the same. She produced two feathers: one the size of her palm, the other a bit longer. They were black as night, and she was silent as she stared at them for a moment.
Mayla smiled and said she would be honored. She immediately put it on her spear, and Rak’Symma looked upon it with tearing eyes and a trembling chin.
Ebonhorn said it would be a tether and a bond that no matter where Symma went, she would always have a home with them. Symma started to cry as both Ebonhorn and Mayla embraced her.
Rak’Symma stepped back with the warband and prepared herself to leave. Many of the Highmountain people arrived to see them off. Sol’s magic wrapped around them, and with some final farewells, Rak’Symma almost felt as if Blaithe was there seeing her off too.
The magic whisked them all away onto the first steps of the rest of the journey.
