Appearing Characters: Acteon, Elissa Cross, Maraad, Medivh, Remnii, Seria, Tol'vas Moonshadow, Uther Menethil, Velameestra Windrunner, Zathra
July 30th
Prior in the day, while the rest of the group was dealing with the oracula, Remnii had been walking around Azure Watch with Maraad.
Maraad says [draenic]: Are they going to be alright? They seem to be delayed? Did they forget something?
Remnii sighs, following Maraad’s gaze out into the woods.
Remnii says [draenic]: This particular party I am traveling with is… quite exciting, for better and for worse. There were a few unresolved issues that they are taking care of. I have faith they will be okay though.
Maraad says [draenic]: I will take your word for it, Remnii.
Remnii says [draenic]: I can explain in the aftermath. By the time I explain, they will likely be back.
Maraad says [draenic]: An interesting group you discovered.
Remnii sighs and nods.
Remnii says [draenic]: These worlds have been full of interesting people. Wonderful if their own right, and equally as strange. I do not believe I could cast a stone… what is average for a draenei may not be shared across different species.
Remnii shrugs and chuckles quietly.
Remnii says [draenic]: This is the first time I am not the odd one out.
Maraad also chuckles.
Maraad says [draenic]: I am happy I can aid you once again, Remnii.
Remnii smiles and looks down at the ground, thinking carefully before she looks up at him again.
Maraad says [draenic]: Your father was beside himself when we first made landfall and we realized you were nowhere to be found. I… wish to apologize. I should have been there with you. I did not realize you had delayed, and by the time that wee realized, it was far too late. I was so busy fending off the attackers that I was unable to confirm you had made it aboard the Exodar.
Remnii shakes her head.
Remnii says [draenic]: Why do I have a feeling we would be able to go around and around with this particular thing? I did not stay close. You were charged with my protection, yet I fell behind. But I believe we were both where we were supposed to be. I felt Mu’ru’s call, so I went. I did not mean to put people through such turmoil. I’m surprised I made it this far, honestly.
Maraad says [draenic]: That is because of the strength of your spirit and because of those you surround yourself with.
Maraad considers.
Maraad says [draenic]: I am not upset, and truthfully perhaps it is for the best you did not. The trials you underwent brought you here, and the trials we went through brought us elsewhere, and now you have a different perspective on things. Without what had happened, perhaps we wouldn’t have even made it here.
Remnii says [draenic]: For all the pain everyone has been afforded… I hope good can come out of both situations in the long term. I am glad you are here, and I’m glad to be home. Home is where my people are.
Remnii sighs.
Remnii says [draenic]: I am not entirely sure of the best way to say this, so please hear me out in the meantime. Those who stayed behind, fell behind, or left behind… I don’t know what you’ve heard or noticed. These last few days are the first ones I’ve spoken to you without Yrel… but Draenor, or what is left of Draenor… I try not to feel responsible for what was lost at my behest a number of times. Samaara is broken because she was trying to protect me. Yrel is gone because she was trying to protect me. No matter how strong I have gotten… Ahonan, also gone. I’m not sure if Ishanah told you, but Ahonan was the former Exarch Larohir.
Maraad’s expression saddens.
Maraad says [draenic]: He survived?
Remnii says [draenic]: He had up until approximately last year. He did not die just for me, but my escape caused a ripple effect through the broken that you will eventually meet far south from here--safe from all this.Trying to keep this brief, there is a lot…
She toys with a strand of hair.
Remnii says [draenic]: The sacrifices our people will have to make to make a new home again… to gain any ground in safety and to fight for anything that is within our grasp… they will be many. It has been posed to me by many people. Perhaps I am taking too much responsibility, but whatever we are doing here--the fights… Uther did not die for me, but in the defining moments I had met him, he had died on Velhari’s sword for Silvermoon. Vel’s home. He also died for me. A demon helped me get this far. She also died for me. She is okay now, but… it keeps happening, Maraad.
Remnii’s expression had grown tired, but she still offers a small smile.
Remnii says [draenic]: If we can help it, let us make sure we get back to Timbermaw Hold together? Please? Jarod… I sent him on that doomed mission, and he also almost died. At Divinius’s hand no less.
Maraad puts a gentle hand on Remnii’s shoulder.
Maraad says [draenic]: If you were to ask any of those who had fallen, or any of those who had almost fallen, if they resented you or regretted doing what they did… how many of them do you think would?
Remnii says [draenic]: I don’t believe any of them would, and I think that’s the thing that scares me.
Remnii’s eyes look watery.
Remnii says [draenic]: It will not be the last thing… there will be more pain, there will be more joy in equal measure. I know. I try not to dwell, and I try to make those choices matter…
Remnii puts a hand over Maraad’s and holds it.
Remnii says [draenic]: I don’t think my heart can take much more though.
Maraad says [draenic]: None of us want to lose the lives of our friends, of our companions, of our loved ones… least of all ourselves. But all of us…
He looks around the Watch.
Maraad says [draenic]: Who have been in this fight, well before you and I were born, we are prepared for what has to be done. Whether we realize it or not. It is alright to hurt. It is good. It means your heart is strong. I am… far from an expert, but I do know that what makes a warrior is the strength of their purpose. And what makes the difference between a champion of justice and Light and a killer is the weight of what we must do. I have ended more lives than I would like to admit. I have seen more lives ended than anyone should. And mine is a trifle in comparison to those of your father and those who fled with him so long ago. It doesn’t get easier. But you don’t have to carry this on your own. But we will do what we can to save as many lives as we can. I for one never want to leave anyone behind ever again. So we’ll start with returning to Timbermaw Hold, and then we’ll try to keep that momentum going.
Remnii smiles and shakes her head.
Remnii says [draenic]: And in those small steps together, we begin to see our lives are worth more than a trifle, Maraad.
Maraad chuckles.
Remnii says [draenic]: That is all I had to say. We will go together.
Maraad says [draenic]: Just make sure you stick close to me this time.
Remnii turns her head in a mock-pout.
Maraad says [draenic]: It’s hard to be your shield if you are too far away, after all.
Remnii smiles and squeezes Maraad’s hand as they see the rest of the group returning.
The party all looks at Remnii as Acteon suggests that Remnii would be irresistible to the Legion.
Remnii says: O-oh! Me?
Remnii looks to her left and right, but there is no one else next to her. Maraad steps in.
Maraad says: Absolutely not, that is far too dangerous.
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: It might be effective though.
Remnii says: It would not be the most dangerous thing I have done in the last… decade…
Maraad says: I don’t think that’s a wise idea nonetheless. While that is not as comforting as you might hope it is Remnii--
Remnii says: I’m sorry, Maraad!
Maraad says: And while it may be effective, I think the dangers far outweigh the benefits. If I am to speak plainly.
Velameestra Windrunner says: For the tracking to work, we do not need a person, we just need an object. If there is something they can take--
Remnii says: I am willing to humor the idea. Only if we are unable to think of something else. There is purpose in divining who and how. I also have faith in everyone to ensure I am easily recovered. I also do, in the worst case scenario, have a means to return quickly to Timbermaw Hold. If magic was not blocked, I would be able to leave.
Maraad says: That is what I am afraid of. I would fear they would not underestimate you.
Medivh says: That isn’t a terrible plan though. Placing a spell on an item would rely on the item being valuable enough for them to take, and only them to take… Remnii is undoubtedly quite valuable for them to take… but! Not up to me. And we can have other means to discover their hideout.
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: There is a lot that can go wrong if you just track an object. Namely, how do you get them to take it and not think it’s a trap?
Velameestra Windrunner says: ...It would be a matter of disguising it appropriately, but I do see your point.
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: And they’ve been chasing people, not objects. But what if we disguised someone as Remnii? Someone who could fight back more readily?
Maraad says: I do not think it’s a matter of fighting back that is a concern. The priestess that was bested was alone. Any single person being alone will be in no small amount of danger.
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: If we could disguise our presence from them though…
Maraad says: It is a possibility. Though it would still be reliant on putting someone at risk. And what is the plan here? Tracking them or ambushing them?
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: Ideally, we could get a tracker on one of them in the scuffle.
Maraad says: I see… It is a plan, though there are a lot of moving pieces in it.
Velameestra Windrunner says: For the time being, we may be able to have someone set some ground work without setting a solid bait piece while we investigate the Shadowridge. We can make a decision when we return.
Acteon says: I can scout out somewhere that may be a good place to lay a trap. Regardless of whether or not we use this plan, that information will be useful. So I’ll start that when I return.
Elissa Cross says: So, what’s our plan for now then? Are we going to go to the site of that battle then?
Remnii says: It seems as good a plan as any.
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: Maybe we can get a lead on Ash’alah.
Elissa Cross says: Well if anyone can track it down, I imagine it will be you guys!
She looks at Tol’vas and Seria.
Velameestra Windrunner says: In that case, we might as well make the best use of the day.
The group agrees and they all turn into their cloud forms again. Acteon starts to head back to Azure Watch, while the rest of the group veers off to travel towards Ammen Vale in the east. They travel for about an hour and a half before they pass over the misty river that separates the core of Azuremyst Isle from Ammen Vale. They start to soar up a ridge and they can see a thick blue canopy of trees spreading out below them.
Beyond the thicker trees the forests thin into fields. They can see a lake far in the distance, as well as the coast that had been mentioned. However, with a quick fly over, there does not seem to be any signs of battle as the battle had happened nearly fifteen years ago.
Remnii opts to cast [Find the Path] when they land and focuses specifically on the site of the battle. Her glyph appears over her forehead, giving her a preternatural sense for the direction they should head in. It doesn’t take them long to find the site in a section of shoreline forests that does not seem to have anything of note, but then they start to see deep cuts in the bark of the trees.
Once they land again, Vel starts to case the area to find any sort of minute details. She finds an arrowhead and some other remnants of the battle prior, such as bones that have been long covered by the natural world. There are rusted pieces of both Sentinel and draenic armor as well. However, she notes a few strange inconsistencies. There is a bush that seems to have been damaged in a way that is not delicate. There are also flowers that were trampled and a tree that has several divots in it, as if it was stabbed multiple times. All of them are at eye level. Then she finds a circle on the ground where grass had been pulled away, as well as the tell-tale signs of campfire. All of them are recent, from within the last week or so. Someone was here.
Vel promptly points the signs out to Tol’vas and Seria, and Tol’vas is quickly able to pick up that this was not a night elf camp. However, he shifts into his wolf form and starts to sniff around. He picks up a few recent trails that seem to go in multiple directions--as if they were trying to cover their trail. But he finds the main trail and the general direction it seems to lead.
The group heads off in that direction and Uther starts to send out some pulses of his divine sense. After some distance, he picks something up. There’s almost a miasma--it’s not visible for anyone else, but he senses a putrid, foul presence that was here. It’s unmistakably dark and evil. As he looks around, he doesn’t see any signs of desecration, nor does Vel feel anything despite her undead state. Yet Uther feels an overwhelming source of evil in the direction Tol’vas is leading them. Seria, meanwhile, is keeping watch and staying alert. She doesn’t see any danger at this point, however. There are more of the large, white moths and general wildlife fleeing at the approach of the group.
Remnii says: Vel. Honest question. If I was looking for a body… would I be looking for a creature or an object?
Velameestra Windrunner says: If you’re looking for a corpse… it would be object.
Uther Menethil says: That… makes sense, I suppose, but something about that doesn’t sit right with me.
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: Well, if it’s a body it doesn’t have a soul anymore?
Remnii says: I know. But it… I don’t know…
Medivh leans over to Vel as they are walking around.
Medivh says: It would be rather strange to cast locate creature to find a chicken sandwich.
Vel actually chuffs at that and Uther blinks and looks at him.
Uther Menethil says: That… makes sense.
Remnii upcasts [Locate Object] to start looking for Ash’alah’s body as they continue on. Vel summons Arkha’din and has him settle on her shoulder as she flips between his vision and her own, looking for magic. She doesn’t see anything notable as they are meandering through, but Tol’vas starts to pick up the obvious signs of foot traffic.
Then Vel starts to pick up very faint traces of transmutation magic around the areas where there is foot traffic. It’s another campsite with a dozen or more holes--some of these holes have the aura of transmutation magic as if they were dug with mold earth.
Vel dismisses Arkha’din and starts to investigate the holes. None of them are deeper than six feet, and some are older than others.
Velameestra Windrunner says: I think someone else had the same idea we did.
Remnii says: While it is not the most original idea… if some of these are more recent…
Velameestra Windrunner says: Some of these are not even finished.
She gestures to one of the shallower holes.
Remnii says: I told very few. Only you all, the draenei, Tyrande, my father… and Jarod.
Vel looks at the oldest holes, which seem to be no more than a week old.
Remnii says: If Jarod’s mind was invaded…
Velameestra Windrunner says: We should likely assume that any information he had was compromised.
Remnii does not sense Ash’alah’s remains here--which she relays to the group. It was likely the tiger’s body had already been recovered. Tol’vas starts to try and pick up the trail as Vel investigates the hole that seems to have been Ash’alah’s actual grave. She doesn’t find anything notable.
Remnii says: Our next step should be that trail.
Uther Menethil says: One way or another, something wicked is in that direction.
Medivh says: I’ll keep an eye in the sky!
Medivh swirls his cloak around and takes off into the air as a raven to keep an eye out.
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: I can do that too, I’m not impressed.
He returns to sniffing along the trail, guiding the group in the direction of whatever had been here. He also picks up a number of other tracks--lighter than the others, and seemingly bipedal hoofprints. Then he and Seria both get the scent of burning wood.
Medivh flies down.
Medivh says: There seems to be smoke. It’s direct location seems to be masked, but it’s not far from here. I would use caution. I’m going to try and find specifically where it’s at.
He takes off again.
Tol’vas shifts out of his wolf form and casts [Pass without Trace], then shifts back into his wolf form again. They start to make their way into the wilderness, sneaking quietly in the shadows of the strange, slightly bioluminescent trees. They can hear quiet laughter and talking.
Then they see a tent, with some smoke in the trees.
A deeper voice speaks up.
Deep Voice says [orcish]: Oh! I got one too!
The voice starts to tell a stupid joke, and Vel glimpses an ogre sitting next to a bright blue, babbling brook. He shoves some food into his mouth, and then the group hears something else moving in the woods.
They can see orcs sitting around a small campfire, as well as two ogres. In the woods, they see a darkness leaping through the trees, and a satyr with deep bluish-violet fur leaps out of the shadows at Elissa. He conjures a [Shadow Blade], but Elissa parries the slash aside at the last second. The satyr tries to ram his head into her, but he meets her shield instead. He brings her hoof around and kicks her side, a cloud of darkness wafting over her and veiling her eyes. However, Tol’vas immediately leaps at the attacking satyr, sinking his fangs into the demon as he opens up a sickly wound. The satyr’s concentration on the shadow blade falters. Tol’vas then howls and uses [Roar].
Orc Mercenary says [orcish]: What’s going on?
An orc warlock peeks out of a tent.
Orc Warlock says [orcish]: They’re here already?! Destroy them! Burn the forest if you have to!
The orcs start to scramble to their feet.
Elissa swings blindly at the satyr and shove him backwards but is unsuccessful. Suddenly a rain of crossbow bolts comes raining through the air. One of the bolts strikes right into Seria’s breastplate as the rest of the group gets grazed by bolts, and a sand troll assassin rolls out of cover. She then disappears once more.
Vel enters bladesong and then leaps off the ledge, disappearing as she casts [Steel Wind Strike]. She carves into a satyr, an ogre, and three orcs, eviscerating two of the orcs as she appears behind one of the orcs--her eyes glowing a bright magenta as she straightens up. She tears the blade out of the orc’s chest, and licks a trickle of blood off it.
Remnii casts [Mind Sliver] on the satyr that had attacked Elissa, and the satyr winces, closing an eye against the pain. Seria transforms into a massive, hulking tiger and then starts to run in the direction of the sand troll, sniffing around to find her. She catches the assassin’s scent and spies her behind a tree.
Maraad says: What are orcs doing here?! Uther. Let us back Velameestra up!
Uther Menethil says: Absolutely.
Maraad pounds his fist on Uther’s breastplate and Light echoes around him, a draenic symbol appearing over Uther’s head for a moment as Maraad casts [Bloodlust] on him. The vindicator then charges forward, leaping off the same ledge and running past the satyr as he splashes into the brook.
Uther hurries after Maraad and leaps over the pool next to Maraad, landing next to the severely injured ogre and orc. He swings his hammer around, narrowly missing as the ogre reels back from the damage Vel had caused, but then catches the large creature with a second swing and a brilliant smite. The ogre shouts and falls to the ground, dead. The nearby orc curses as the light blinds him, and he shields his eyes with an arm that has his hand replaced with a vicious blade. He then quickens a [Web of Fire] which races to the remaining orcs, killing the severely injured one and two others. The tent catches fire as the orc warlock exits.
Orc Warlock says [orcish]: Oh… you think you’re so cute, aren’t you?
She snarls.
Uther Menethil says: You can surrender now and no one else will die.
The Axxarien Shadowstalker satyr cackles and plants his hands on the ground, a cloud of darkness emerging around him and casting Tol’vas, Elissa, and Remnii into darkness alongside him. He then scurries around to Remnii’s back, grazing a hit on her side. She yelps loudly, and in the darkness Tol’vas turns in her direction as she is knocked to the ground. He then leaps down the ledge.
The remaining ogre skirmisher gets to his feet and runs at Uther, bringing his giant bladed hand down on the paladin. But Uther casts [Shield] and deflects it aside. The ogre grunts in frustration and swings again, which also clashes harmlessly aside. Another satyr leaps from the trees and attacks Uther as well, but neither attack lands.
The satyr snarls and then runs towards Vel. He tries to slash her next, but Vel grabs his horn and slips around him.
Velameestra Windrunner says: Maraad! To your rear!
Maraad turns around and sees the satyr he had run past.
Maraad says: Shit!
Vel then looks at the satyr and her blade shines bright magenta as she uses [Heart Strike] and slashes into the demon’s gut, opening a massive bleeding wound with two deft strikes.
Velameestra Windrunner says: Your fellows learned this lesson too.
The satyr cackles.
Axxarien Satyr says: Not bad, elf!
Meanwhile, Seria bites into the sand troll assassin. The scorpid wrapped around the assassin’s chest stings her, but Seria ignores it as she tries to maul the assassin, pinning her to the ground.
Sand Troll Assassin says: G-good kitty!
She looks up at Seria, who snarls. The scorpid around her screeches and leaps off, clawing and stinging as it drags Seria off its mistress.
Maraad rounds on the satyr that Vel had pointed out, and his violet crystal hammer glows with radiant energy as he cleaves into the demon. Cracks spider over the satyr.
Axxarien Satyr says: No no no-!
Its body explodes into fel fire.
Maraad says: Now it’s your turn!
He turns on the satyr that had fled from Remnii, but the demon deftly dodges around the blow.
Axxarien Shadowstalker says: Nice try!
Maraad says: Thank you for the heads up, Velameestra! Light be with you! Uther, go for their knees!
The magic around the destroyed demon coelesces and flies toward Uther, bolstering him.
The orcish warlock starts to channel energy.
Orc Warlock says [orcish]: Power of the fel, I summon thee--
The portal that she was opening promptly shatters as Vel swipes her hand through the air, countering the [Summon Greater Demon] with [Counterspell].
Velameestra Windrunner says [orcish]: Pay attention to your enemies.
The warlock growls.
Orc Warlock says [orcish]: I won’t make that mistake again.
And then she promptly backs up. Remnii staggers out of the darkness and sees Skitter on Seria. She casts [MindSliver]', and the creature’s eyes cross as the spell streaks through its mind.
Uther looks past the ogre at the warlock.
Uther Menethil says: Sorry friend. Priorities. You understand.
He then quickens a [Thunder Step] and disappears in a blast of thunderous energy, reappearing next to the warlock.
Ogre Skirmisher says [orcish]: Where… did small man… go!?
Uther brings his hammer down on the warlock with a smite, and she coughs thick blood onto her hand. It starts to boil with fel fire and she punches her hand into his face as the warlock casts [Hellish Rebuke]. The fire licks around him, but sloughs harmlessly off of Maraad’s bolstering shield.
Uther Menethil says: Last chance. Do you yield?
The orc starts to laugh hysterically.
Orc Warlock says [orcish]: Yield? You have no idea what you’re speaking of man-child.
Uther Menethil says: Lok’tar, ogar friend.
The hammer cracks into her skull, splattering her brains across the ground with a brilliant flash of holy light. The warlock dealt with, he runs back to the ogre.
Uther Menethil says: Terribly sorry about that, where were we?
Ogre Skirmisher says [orcish]: There you are!
The skirmisher disengages and runs away, but double-takes as he sees the dead warlock.
Ogre Skirmisher says [orcish]: When did that happen!? You’re gonna get it for that!
The sand troll assassin starts to retreat and fires a shot at Seria--which knocks her out of her tiger form.
Sand Troll Assassin says: Ahhhh. That be better.
She fires again and then ducks behind a tree. However, Seria sees her.
Another Axxarien Satyr runs at Uther, but both his strikes are deflected by Uther’s hammer.
Tol’vas emerges from the darkness, tumbling down the ridge. He gets back to his feet, his teeth bared at the satyr engaged with Maraad.
The remaining orc runs for Vel, tripping her to the ground as he slashes at her. He tries to stab her while she’s down, but she rolls out of the way.
Seria casts [Greater Force of Nature] on a tree behind the sand troll. The bark starts to split, and a human-sized creature emerges, a club in its hand.
Seria says [sylvan]: Don’t let her escape.
Summoned Wood Woad says [sylvan]: As you wish.
Seria then transforms into a tiger once more.
The orc killer runs for Vel again. It manages to get a solid hit on her arm, but as he pulls his blade out, there’s no blood.
Orc Killer says [orcish]: What are you!?
Velameestra Windrunner says [orcish]: Your death.
The Axxarien Shadowstalker vanishes and starts to stalk into the darkness behind Remnii.
Maraad says: Can you handle that one Uther?
Uther Menethil says: Absolutely!
Maraad looks at Vel, who has seemingly taken no damage at all, and opts to charge back into the darkness to go after the satyr. His hammer slams into the satyr’s side, light emitting from the center of the darkness that blasts the satyr into nothing--leaving nothing but Maraad standing behind her.
Maraad says: Are you alright?
Remnii says: I will be! Better now!
She gives a wobbly smile.
Meanwhile Skitter continues to grapple Seria, driving his claws and stinger into Seria as he gets her to the edge of the waterfall, and then drops her off the side. The scorpid then turns around to focus on Elissa.
Tol’vas leaps across the stream to back up Uther and knocks the satyr to the ground. Tol’vas howls and uses [Roar] again.
Remnii steps forward and casts [Shadow Word Pain] on Skitter. The scorpid screeches as the magic wracks his mind.
The sand troll assassin looks at the woad that had appeared.
Sand Troll Assassin says: You’ve gotta be kiddin’ me!
She dodges away from the woad and races down the ramp. She pulls something out of her cloak and hurls a small bomb at the tree behind Tol’vas. It explodes into shrapnel. Tol’vas, Vel, Uther, and Seria are all able to shield themselves from most of the damage.
Uther swings his hammer into the satyr engaged with him, cracking into it twice. Light shines out of the satyr’s wounds, forming cracks along the demon’s skin until it explodes into oblivion. Uther then runs to the ogre, smacking him and then quickening a [Green-Flame Blade].
The ogre shouts as the flames wash over him.
Elissa closes on the sand troll assassin.
Elissa Cross says: Not so fast!
She uses her channel divinity, spectral vines starting to wrap around the assassin. However, the troll back steps and evades the vines. The ogre skirmisher tries to hit Uther, but misses and starts to run.
Ogre Skirmisher says [orcish]: I don’t get paid enough for this!
Meanwhile, the satyr engaged with Vel slams into her with his horns, pinning her to the ground.
Axxarien Satyr says: This is going to be fun!
He stabs her with his scythe. However, magenta energy wreathes around Vel’s hand as she quickens a [Transfusion], driving her nails into the satyr’s chest and drawing blood from his body into vials on her hip. The satyr staggers, stunned, and Vel gets out from under him, flipping him on his back and straddling him as she drives her sword into his chest and digs her fangs into the side of his throat as she casts [Heart Strike] upon them, slurping down the fel green blood as the wound tears open and starts to gush.
She unlatches her fangs, her eyes burning.
Velameestra Windrunner says: You’re right. That was fun.
Tol’vas uses [Wrath of Nature] and manages to restrain the sand troll assassin.
The remaining orc looks at Vel and the fact he’s almost alone, and opts to try and run much like the ogre did. The sand troll breaks out of the restraint.
Sand Troll Assassin says: Skitter! It’s time to leave!
Vel sees the orc fleeing out of the corner of her eye.
Velameestra Windrunner says: One of them is getting away.
Uther Menethil says: He’ll report to someone!
Vel snarls and opts to pursue the fleeing orc, her eyes still burning and fel blood still dripping from her mouth. The satyr growls weakly after her.
Axxarien Satyr says: Get back here!
He swings at her, but the attack clatters off her [Shield] spell.
Maraad says: Pardon me, Remnii!
Maraad charges past Remnii and slams into Skitter.
Maraad says: Seria, catch!
The scorpid falls next to Seria, and Remnii blasts it with [Mind Sliver].
Uther holds a hand out and casts a [Fire Bolt] at the ogre without even looking, and the ogre topples to the ground dead. Uther then closes on the sand troll.
Summoned Wood Woad says [sylvan]: Please do not flee while your judgement is excised.
The creature Seria summoned strikes with a surprising amount of force with its club. Elissa approaches and manages to connect with her blade, restraining her with more spectral vines.
The satyr tries to follow Vel, but it bleeds to death and collapses into the water.
Seria heals herself as Skitter scrambles around her, knocking her out of her wildshape once more. She loses concentration, and the wood woad becomes inert and falls apart. Skitter tries to drown her, but Seria casts [Water Walk] on herself, and they are both shunted to the surface--Skitter still holding onto her.
The sand troll assassin is struggling against her restraints, but she can’t escape. She whistles, and Skitter stops. She looks at Uther.
Sand Troll Assassin says: Is that offer still on the table, mon? I would opt not to see the fatha of sleep tonight.
Uther Menethil says: I’m glad you’re seeing reason.
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: Uther, make sure she doesn’t have anything to escape.
Uther Menethil says: Yes yes, drop your weapons, empty your pockets. I’m sure you know how this goes.
Meanwhile, Vel is still pursuing the orc that was running. The orc sees her and continues to flee.
Velameestra Windrunner says [orcish]: I thought orcs loved to die in combat.
She casts [Steel Wind Strike] and appears right in front of him, using the orc’s own momentum to drive her blade through his chest with a crit. The orc gasps, and falls dead. Vel grabs the body and uses [Dimension Door] to return to the group.
Velameestra Windrunner says: I got him.
The orc’s body slumps on the ground next to her.
Sand Troll Assassin says: Ah. No survivors. I don’t know what they were thinkin’ given’ me half baked assassins like that. But we didn’ expect ya to get here this fast.
Uther Menethil says: Ah. So you were expecting us? Interesting.
Remnii says: It lines up with all the holes that were dug.
Sand Troll Assassin says: We were gonna plug those, but ya kind of got rid of the muscle. Shame, that.
Uther Menethil says: Yes, very sad. Don’t suppose you’d be the group behind the attacks on the locals?
Sand Troll Assassin says: That be a complicated question, mon.
Velameestra Windrunner says: You’ll have plenty of time to answer it.
Sand Troll Assassin says: I’d like to come to an arrangement. Not all of this lot are members of the Hidden, and even if they are, I don’t care. I be helpin’ ol’ Malus for my own reasons. And it ain’t because of any sort of loyalty. But I got somethin’ you want, and you got somethin’ I want. So we doin’ a fair exchange, and we both be walkin’ away with smiles and bright looks on the future.
Uther Menethil says: That does sound like an ideal outcome.
Remnii says: But being cryptic isn’t wise in this situation.
Sand Troll Assassin says: If you wan’ more concrete statements, I need your guarantee that Skitter and me walk away from here scott free. After, of course, I tell ya everything I know. You do that, and you ain’t gonna be seein’ me ever again.
Uther Menethil says: We gain nothing from your death.
Sand Troll Assassin says: I not be afraid of death, so ya can threaten me all ya want. You won’t get anythin’ unless I walk away. And ya can go back on yer word… but it won’t be me that you’ll be dealin’ with for that. Besides, you all seem to be folk good on your word.
Uther Menethil says: I never go back on my word.
Sand Troll Assassin says: And ya seem like you’ll ensure your friends won’t either.
Uther Menethil says: You have the right of it.
Sand Troll Assassin says: You’re one of my favorite types of people. How about the rest of you?
Vel is staring her down, and there is an uneasy confidence about her that makes it hard to get a read on her. But if she was caught in a lie, they would just kill her.
Velameestra Windrunner says: If this is what we’re doing, I’ll keep my blade to myself.
Sand Troll Assassin says: What about the rest of ya? I want to hear it from each and every one of you.
Elissa Cross says: I don’t want to kill you anyway.
Sand Troll Assassin says: Aren’t you a sweet heart.
Maraad nods, as does Remnii.
Sand Troll Assassin says: And the talkin’ wolf? That’s quite a trick ya got there. And Skitter’s new best friend?
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: I won’t kill you without reason.
Sand Troll Assassin says: Am I to take that as an agreement, mon?
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: Don’t give me a reason.
Sand Troll Assassin says: Ya won’t be gettin’ a reason. I may be good, but I’m not good enough to fight eight of you alone.
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: I’m not worried about you fighting. I’m worried about you escaping.
Sand Troll Assassin says: Why would I escape if you’re gonna let me go, mon? I ain’t gonna cut and run until I tell ya what I promised.
She then looks at Seria.
Sand Troll Assassin says: How about you, little girl?
Seria’s fuming, but she nods.
Seria says: Ya have my word.
Sand Troll Assassin says: That’s good. That be real good. The name be Zathra. It be a pleasure to meet ya all more personally. So. What do ya want to know?
Uther puts up a [Zone of Truth]. Skitter scurries next to Zathra, clearly in pain.
Velameestra Windrunner says: Where is Ash’alah’s body?
Zathra says: The Axxerian sect took it up to the Shadowridge. If ya move quickly, you can maybe stop them from desicatin’ her corpse. I know ya be tryin’ to bring her back. Ya may not be able to after they do what they doin’.
Velameestra Windrunner says: And where did you find it out?
Zathra says: I heard it from Malus. And he get it from the people he get his orders from. I don’t know everythin’. I know the demons are bein’ led by an eredar named Sironas. Only met her once. I know that she be makin’ one of her lairs on the northern isle, next to one of the biggest pieces of wreckage. I don’t know all the demon tongues, so I don’t know precisely what they be talkin’ about. But it be on the far west of the island. She has an interest in those pieces, though I don’t know what she be doin.
Remnii says: There is much they could do…
Zathra says: I’m not surprised. But it’s not my business to pry.
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: Were you the one who attacked a priestess the other day?
Zathra says: No. I be here, mon. Diggin’ holes and corralling those damned bastards behind ya. Good work, by the way. The orcs here be some of the kill teams from the crash of the Violet Star. Them and some others they brought over. It not be my responsibility to keep track of them. Some of them survived the crash your people made. Made a nice mess of this island.
Remnii nods.
Remnii says: Ships tend to do that.
Velameestra Windrunner says: Is Greydon Thorne still alive?
Zathra says: I was wonderin’ where the boy was. Boss Malus be wantin’ to get his hands on him. More specifically his blade. He was pretty upset when Greydon didn’t have it. To tell ya the truth, I don’t know. But I know we took three captive. Greydon, the dwarf with the eye patch and foul mouth, and the twitchy human. All the others weren’t so lucky. Malus be takin’ them away back to his masters. Ya might as well forget about them at this point. They far from here.
Velameestra Windrunner says: And where is their central hideout located?
Zathra says: I don’t know. It’s a strange world. Nowhere any loa be anywhere close to. I only been there once, and there be plenty of demons.
Velameestra Windrunner says: Then where did you retreat to from the Wavestrider?
Zathra says: There, mon.
Remnii says: Do you know the Twisting Nether?
Zathra says: No.
Remnii says: Then you must have gone to the seat of the Legion.
Zathra says: Perhaps I did.
Velameestra Windrunner says: And when you left that place, where did you return to?
Zathra says: Here.
Velameestra Windrunner says: This place right here?
Zathra says: No. But this front. It be where they workin’ from. Malus be real thrilled about our failure. That be why I’m not goin’ back to him empty handed. He can find someone else. I be gettin’ points elsewhere.
Velameestra Windrunner says: This satyr camp is where you’ve been working out from then?
Zathra says: Recently, yeah. We needed their help to get the remains of the good little kitty. Ya be findin’ it further in the forests. Not too far from here. Maybe a few miles. But it be real dark in there, mon. They be coverin’ their tracks with more than just skill. The magics they use be of a darker mojo than even I know about. It be in an old grove of some kind.
She points towards the northwest.
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: If they’re taking those remains now, we should likely move faster so we can get to them.
Zathra says: Oh, they’re already there. The ritual likely won’t be done overnight, and there may be preparation to be done. Are we done here?
Uther Menethil says: One more thing. We found a priestess. She was attacked with something with claws, and thick with the fel corruption. We need to find this creature. Do you know what it was?
Zathra says: Yer best bet be to find Sironas. She be responsible, likely. She be a bit eccentric, mon. She like doin’ all sorts of strange things to herself and the others. I waver she be the one usin’ some kind of poison like that.
Uther Menethil says: Very well. Thank you, Zathra.
Zathra says: The pleasure is all mine. Now if ya don’t mind, can I have my weapons back? This place ain’t safe, ya know?
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: That wasn’t part of the deal.
Zathra says: No, it wasn’t. I just be askin’. To see if ya be doin’ somethin’ out of the kindness of your heart.
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: You tried to kill us.
Zathra says: I did. And I failed. Ya really think I can do anythin’ with just one dagger?
Uther hands over a dagger.
Zathra says: Much obliged.
Uther Menethil says: Be safe, and be well. I hope if we meet again, it’ll be under more auspicious circumstances.
Zathra says: I hope we never meet again. Folk like you shouldn’t be dealin’ with people like me.
She looks at the dagger with a mixture of fondness and relief, and then sheathes it.
Zathra says: Skitter. Lets make ourselves scarce.
The scorpid clambers onto her and they start to walk away.
Zathra says: May ya not become companions of the night’s friend for a very long time.
She smiles, wounded, but mostly alright as she vanishes into the forest.
Uther Menethil says: Alright. Well. I believe we have our next heading.
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: You’re too soft, Uther.
Uther Menethil says: What was she going to do?
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: It’s what she’ll do in the future. She’s an assassin. One who works for the Legion.
Uther Menethil says: Are you suggesting we should have killed her?
Tol'vas Moonshadow says: You didn’t have to give her a weapon back. We made a deal we wouldn’t kill her.
Maraad furrows his brow.
Maraad says: I believe she will find more weapons. Even if she had to fight out of here without one, I doubt she would have had too much trouble. But I understand. The information she gave us was valuable… but… she is dangerous. I would have executed her, but we would have not had the knowledge we now have. So perhaps your path was wiser. Only time will tell.
Uther Menethil says: Indeed, and that day is not today.
Remnii says: There is no use dwelling for now.
Uther Menethil says: We have a ritual to disrupt.
Medivh flits down to Vel’s shoulder.
Medivh says: About that, I heard everything. I did a quick case around the area, and I detect some strange magics in the direction she indicated. It’s not obvious to the naked eye… but it is to someone that knows what to look for. If we move quickly, we may be able to find it.
Velameestra Windrunner says: We can rest briefly and recover our bearings likely, if needed. These rituals do take some time.
Medivh says: While true, we can catch them with their pants down right now. Instead of maybe while they are washing their hands.
Uther Menethil says: That is a clumsy metaphor, but it’s true.
Medivh says: I thought it was clever!
The group opt to go now, and they head into the thickets. They first notice the colors start to dull, and as the sun sets, the area starts to get incredibly dark. They move with all haste, but more and more plant-life is dampened and a shadowy reflection of the brilliance and alien awe of the surrounding forests they had seen. They can’t help but feel like they’re being watched. Occasionally, they hear laughter on the wind. However, Maraad hangs back with Remnii, still thinking about what he had witnessed Vel do.
Maraad says [draenic]: Is it normal for her… kind… to do that? The… with the satyr...
Remnii worries her lip.
Remnii says [draenic]: A gift of the tothrezim. Yes. A… side-effect.
Maraad says [draenic]: I presume… you will explain more later?
Remnii says [draenic]: Vel is good.
Maraad’s eyes glow as he uses divine sense. However, he doesn’t sense anything off Vel because of her ring.
Maraad says [draenic]: … As you say.
Remnii puts a hand on his arm.
Remnii says [draenic]: She has saved my life more than once. I would not fear.
The trees grow more and more twisted, but they find the grove and it’s sorry, addled, misshapen trees. Then they see a wall of bramble, dimly lit by vines of alien colors--green, violet, and red--that shape themselves into the thorns.
As they approach, a signal reaches Remnii’s mind from her locate object spell: Ash’alah’s remains are inside the bramble.
Vel, Seria, and Tol’vas all recognize the site as a druid grove--or at least, it was. It isn’t anymore. It’s been corrupted. They enter with caution, but certainty. They see more of the white moths, which are fluttering around erratically.
