Appearing Characters: Allari Elburn, Arthak Saurfang, Azgadaan, Galell, Halno, Kayn Sunfury, Khadgar, Lantresor, Levia Blackflight, Nekros Skullcrusher, Nyxxa, Selin Fireheart, Sevis Brightflame, Turalyon Windrunner, Velhari, Vereesa Windrunner
November 24th
The battle continues to rage on!
One of the remaining rylaks takes off with its rider and flees the battlefield. Before the other one can flee, however, Velhari leaps upon it and drives her greatsword into to the beast, killing it. She then whirls around and strikes the Dragonmaw veteran behind her, cleaving their head straight off.
One of the sole remaining fel orcs swings at Azgadaan but misses horribly. Nyxxa counters with a shot from her bow, connecting right through the orc’s left eye before he drops to the ground, dead.
The remaining skarvyn, at least those that are not sleeping, attempt to flee the battle, and the remaining living orc remains under the effects of Halno’s hold person. Halno, instead, massively overkills one of the last skarvyn with carrion beetle. Small beetles begin to eat it alive by burrowing through its skin.
Azgadaan attempts to take out the fleeing rylak. He connects with a ranged shot, but it remains up. However, its rider plummets. Azgadaan tries to follow up with another melee strike after he changed his weapon back to a maul.
Both the rider and rylak try to eviscerate Azgadaan in a final stand.
Back with the main group, Levia heals Nyxxa as they take stock of the situation. Nyxxa asks if they should go help Azgadaan, but Arthak says that he has faith Azgadaan has it handled. Instead, they go to the captive fel orc, and Arthak pries his weapon away.
Nyxxa casts hunter’s mark on one of the sleeping skarvyn, and then wakes it up, intending on tracking it. Halno also decides to take one of the sleeping skarvyn.
Azgadaan knocks the orc he’s fighting unconscious. He then starts to swing at the rylak, and his blow connects. The rylak responds, and its two bites miss, but its talons connect, and it plunges its talons into Azgadaan and starts to take off with him in his claws 50 feet into the air.
Velhari looks up in disbelief.
Velhari says: ...are you kidding?
She walks over, but she doesn’t intervene, instead opting to see how this plays out. Arthak asks Levia to go see to the prince just in case, and she complies. Halno drops hold person, and the war captain is freed, but he surrenders.
Levia tries to start helping, but Velhari stops her.
Velhari says: Not yet. I want to see how he handles this.
The rylak continues to tear into Azgadaan as it flies another 100 feet into the air. Azgadaan blocks the first hit, but the second connects. He drops unconscious.
The rylak then reverses, and drops Azgadaan, before swooping down and attempting to grab its owner before flying away again.
Velhari then allows Levia to go and assist Azgadaan, before she turns around and walks back toward the others as the rylak escapes with its owner. Azgadaan awakes to Levia looking over over him, having brought him back to consciousness.
Levia Blackflight says: Are… you alright, m’lord?
Azgadaan laughs.
Azgadaan says: Well that was a learning experience. Ah. I’m fine now, thank you.
Levia offers a hand to help him up, and Azgadaan takes it, thanking her and stating if he can help her in anyway, in return, she just had to ask.
Meanwhile, Nyxxa is watching the path of the skarvyn she’s tracking as it flees. Nyxxa then plops down to rest for a moment.
Velhari makes her way back to the group, and the one-legged orc they saw with the rest of his Dragonmaw also joins them.
One-Legged Orc yells: Hey! You’re Saurfang, yes?
Arthak Saurfang says: Nekros.
Nekros Skullcrusher says: Appreciated! These bastards thought they could take everything and run.
Arthak Saurfang says: Anytime. If anything, I appear to have goaded them into action, so the help was owed. Do you know what they’re planning other than flight?
Nekros spits to the side.
Nekros Skullcrusher says: I have a few ideas.
He braces himself on the spear, and some dark energy wraps around it. He spins it around, and knocks the war-captain to the ground before thrusting it into the other orc’s side.
Nekros Skullcrusher says: And this bastard was too much of a coward to stand up to Mor’ghor and his witch.
Arthak Saurfang says: But he may be able to tell us something.
Dragonmaw War-Captain says: I can! I can tell you what I know. I have a feeling Mor’ghor won’t be the chieftain for much longer. I didn’t think so many would stand against his commands.
Arthak Saurfang says: Do you know where he is? Where he’s going?
Dragonmaw War-Captain says: If you take the spear out of my side, I can tell you easier, Nekros.
Nekros tears it out.
Nekros Skullcrusher says: You’d best start talking.
Dragonmaw War-Captain says: As you know, Mor’ghor ordered us back through the Portal. We were supposed to head back to Draenor. A lot of our clan went with him, but not all of us. Nekros and the others refused, said they didn’t want to follow Sinestra’s orders. Mor’ghor didn’t like that, so he tried to take what he could by force.
Arthak Saurfang says: So, Mor’ghor is already through?
Dragonmaw War-Captain says: He went through to move her stuff. Sinestra’s slaves. And whatever other projects she was working on. I dunno all the details. She had some big stuff with her. I was sent here to convince the others to come with us, with some of the other stone guards. Those that escaped are probably heading toward the Portal now. But a lot are already through.
Arthak Saurfang says: Alright.
He looks at Velhari.
Arthak Saurfang says: Can you inform Lady Shaspira?
Velhari says: As soon as I can, but I have no way of sending a message quickly until tomorrow.
Arthak looks at the members of the Shadowsword that had arrived as backup.
Arthak Saurfang says: Selin, do you have anyone capable of messaging magics?
Selin Fireheart says: We can see to it that Lady Shaspira is informed, and the warlocks maintaining the Portal can try to stop the Dragonmaw, but it seems many may already be through.
Arthak Saurfang says: If you would also do me the favor to send messages to Gul’dan and the Warchief.
Selin Fireheart says: I’ll be sure it is done. As for them
He gestures to the Skarvyn.
Selin FIreheart says: I imagine Gul’dan and our magi would like to take a closer look. See what experiments Lady Sinestra was unfolding.
Velhari storms forward and points her blade to the under chin of Nekros.
Velhari says: And what are you planning on doing to make this right, orc?
Nekros Skullcrusher says: I… I suppose I will take command of the Dragonmaw for now. I will bring us back to order, and see what I can do to seek out the traitors, by your leave, of course.
The tip of the blade sears some of his flesh, and she looks at Arthak.
Velhari says: What says you, chieftain? This is an orcish matter. It is more your call what happens to these fools.
Arthak Saurfang says: How many of your clan are left?
Nekros Skullcrusher says: Enough. Most of us stood against Mor’ghor, but not as many as I would have liked. I’m more than willing to ensure any that remain don’t follow him. He was a sycophant. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was enthralled.
Arthak Saurfang says: You should have spoken up.
Nekros Skullcrusher says: I didn’t think it was as bad as it was, nor that Sinestra was a threat against the Horde. I will remedy this issue.
Arthak Saurfang says: Very well. I see no harm in you attempting to redeem your clan. I don’t know what Gul’dan or Blackhand will say, but we need every clan we have.
Velhari drops the sword, and Nekros exhales.
Nekros Skullcrusher says: Much appreciated.
He turns to the other Dragonmaw and starts barking at them to get the situation under control.
Arthak Saurfang says: Do you have communication magic, Nekros? I need word sent to Gramgun’kur incase Sinestra has reprisal in mind. I want to ensure my people are safe.
Nekros Skullcrusher says: I’ve not dealt with your people enough, and I don’t believe my warlocks have either.
Arthak Saurfang says: Selin?
Selin Fireheart says: I can see what I can do.
Arthak Saurfang says: I’ll be in your debt.
Selin Fireheart says: I’ll endeavor to remember that.
Nekros takes his spear and smacks it against the wounded war-captain, informing him that he will be kept on a short leash and will be made to make up for what he did to the clan.
However, Arthak opts to take the war-captain’s head instead.
Nekros Skullcrusher says: Well. That takes care of one leash. You earned that trophy.
Arthak Saurfang says: Traitors deserve what they earned.
Nekros looks to his people.
Nekros Skullcrusher says: New plan! Feed him and the other bodies to the rylaks.
At that moment, Azgadaan comes around, brandishing his manacles.
Azgadaan says: So, are we still taking prisoners-- oh, he doesn’t have a head anymore.
He witnesses one of the Dragonmaw tossing the head to a rylak. Nyxxa also gives a quick rundown of the situation for Levia, as she doesn’t understand orcish and did not have an immediate translator like Selin.
Nyxxa says: Orcish culture happened here. Draenor is an orc eat orc world. Literally. It’s pretty brutal out there.
Levia Blackflight says: I see.
She swallows.
Arthak touches base with Nyxxa, and Nyxxa confirms that she is fine, largely thanks to Levia. Arthak agrees she was useful, as the group presently didn’t have a healer. Nyxxa asks Levia if she wished to come with them, and Levia agrees.
Arthak Saurfang says: Selin. Do you need this one?
Selin Fireheart says: Do you have some plans with her?
Nyxxa runs through the situation for him. Selin expresses it’s no concern of his, and he would inform Orican of the situation. He admitted that Runesight wouldn’t be pleased, but it isn’t currently his operation.
Arthak said that if Runesight had a problem, he could talk with him.
Selin notes the comment, and agrees having a liaison with the group with be useful.
Levia, for a moment, looks at Halno, examining him, before she asked if he needed help with his skarvyn. Halno said she didn’t have to if she didn’t want to, but it would be appreciated. Levia kneels down and hefts one of the bodies over her shoulder, and she uses gentle repose on the corpses for Halno.
Halno expresses he wouldn’t mind chatting with her later, as he’s interested in the magical arts she possesses. Levia swallows.
Velhari approaches Azgadaan.
Velhari says: Your strength is admirable, Azgadaan, but you are not invincible. It’s true we cannot die, but I imagine you have little desire for such a thing. The orcs may be primitive, their magics… uncertain in their hands, but they command potent strength, as do their beasts. You would do well not to underestimate them again, or you may find yourself in a place you don’t wish to be. I’ll be returning to Shaspira. I’ll see you later.
Azgadaan says: If you can, leave out the embarrassing bit.
Velhari says: My report will reflect the matter in its entirety, and that the mission was accomplished. Farewell, Azgadaan.
Nyxxa starts to track the skarvyn, while the others head back to Stormreaver Spire with Arthak. They bring the skarvyn bodies and captives with them, and they are able to find a scroll of sending to purchase. However, Halno trades his scroll of tiny hut for it. Arthak gives Halno the 150g to copy the spell into his spell crystal.
While Nyxxa is following the skarvyn, she realizes she has about 40 minutes left on her spell. She can almost see the footprints on the ground thanks to the magic. However, it seems the skarvyn is better at ditching people that follow them than she expected. It actually threw her for a loop, and in the process she lost about 20 minutes of time.
However, when she backtracks, she is able to catch the trail again. It had dove into a stream that lead down into the sewers, and as the spell ends, the last place she found the trail was a rather small sewer grate. The steel has been loosened and replaced, but she can see the fingerprints of the skarvyn on the edge of it as the spell fades.
Nyxxa opts to follow up on this location tomorrow. She’s pretty sure that it’s long gone in the sewers at this point anyway.
She heads back to the others, but as she’s creeping through on the byway heading toward the Silversun District, she sees movement for a brief second and two elvish eyes as they see each other at the same time.
A young high elf, a young priest from the look of his garb, tumbles out and holds out hand as his hand sparks with light. Suddenly, Nyxxa finds her vision is blinded with Holy Light, and she starts shedding bright light around her.
Then the priest starts to run.
Nyxxa says: Hey, wait!
She easily catches up to the young elf and gets in front of him.
Nyxxa says: I just want to talk.
It doesn’t seem like the priest believes her.
Resistance Priest says: Back, fiend, I won’t listen to your trickery!
The air around him flickers and shimmers, and spectral entities that look like elvish knights with wings surround Nyxxa. A spectral blade slashes across her, and the blade burns her magical sight for a moment.
Nyxxa puts her hands up, her blades having not even been unsheathed, and she backs away.
Nyxxa says: Alright. Alright. Just stay safe kid, wars are dangerous.
Resistance Priest says: Do you think I’m not aware?
However, he doesn’t attack.
Resistance Priest says: What do you want?
Nyxxa says: Look, since no one appears to be around, I don’t want to hurt you. That’s all. Seeing there’s no reason for me to keep up appearances at the moment.
Resistance Priest says: Then you’re just going to let me go? How do I know you won’t follow me?
Nyxxa says: Look, I’ve already almost died once today, and I know if I do so it’s going to get me killed.
Resistance Priest says: And why shouldn’t I just wait here? They know my path, and they’ll check on me. Maybe I should just hold you here until they take you out.
Nyxxa says: Then, we should probably get off the road.
Resistance Priest says: …Very well. But you’re sticking close to me, and if you try and run, my spell will tear you apart.
Nyxxa says: I’m well aware. You’re not the first.
The priest walks behind Nyxxa, and the orb of his staff touches her back.
Resistance Priest says: Why don’t you keep moving. I’ll tell you where to go. Don’t try anything funny. There’s an underpass about a quarter mile from here, and we’ll go there.
Nyxxa says: If I had my rope on me, I’d offer you that.
The priest swallows.
Resistance Priest says: There’s no need for that.
They, surprisingly, don’t run into anyone on the way. The spectral entities still are encircling them, and Nyxxa sees him reach under a stone as they arrive.
Resistance Priest says: Good. We’re going to keep heading south, and you’re coming with me.
Nyxxa nods, and they continue another quarter mile south. Still, they are not stopped. They pass through a small ingress into one of the districts, and as they duck into the alley, Nyxxa sees two pairs of eyes meet them, crouched in the dark.
One of them is a dark-robed, black haired elf.
Dark-Robed Elf says: What took you so long? We were about to send a search party to find you.
Resistance Priest says: As you see, I ran into a bit of trouble, but I handled it.
The elf nods, his face half covered.
Dark-Robed Elf says: So what’s your story?
Nyxxa says: I’ve been looking for someone in the Resistance to talk to.
Dark-Robed Elf says: Well, you’ve found it.
Two other figures appear, a young elf with reddish brown hair with a bow trained on Nyxxa. The last one is an elf with brilliant white hair and a staff, clearly a mage.
Dark-Robed Elf says: And why shouldn’t I take you out right now?
Nyxxa says: Well, I assume by your excellent work, we weren’t followed or scryed upon.
Dark-Robed Elf says: Not by anyone we’d be concerned about.
Nyxxa says: Just to be on the safe side…
She casts see invisibility. The mage raises her staff, lightning cracking around it.
Resistance Mage says: What do you think you’re doing?
Nyxxa says: Just checking. I prefer to be safe than sorry if I’m going to be blunt about this.
Red-Haired Elf says: Captain Sunfury. Should we take her in? She may have information.
Nyxxa says: Oh, good. I wanted to give that you.
Red-Haired Elf says: We know your type. Any information you give us willingly will be taken with a grain of salt.
Nyxxa says: Good. That’s good. Very well.
Captain Sunfury says: Sevis. Take her weapons. Blindfold her. We’re going to take her downstairs. Elburn, blindfold her. Send word to the Shrike.
Magistrix Elburn says: Um. Captain. She’s already blindfolded.
Captain Sunfury says: Skip that then.
Magistrix Elburn examines the weapons curiously, having never seen them. Nyxxa complies willingly, and one-by-one the group slips into the sewers with Nyxxa in tow.
Magistrix Elburn says: I want to make something perfectly straight, if you try anything, I will banish you back to the Twisting Nether before you can speak your true name.
Nyxxa says: … actually… it won’t work with a satyr. I can explain.
Magistrix Elburn says: I look forward to hearing it.
Nyxxa says: Yes ma’am.
They begin to lead Nyxxa through the winding corridors, purposely taking as many side routes as possible. Elburn seemingly utilizes sending.
Magistrix Elburn says: Lady Shrike. We’ve captured a curious specimen for you. A demon with lavender skin and teal hair. She seems… uncharacteristically cooperative.
After a pause, she speaks quietly with Captain Sunfury.
They dip further into the sewers, and the Thalassian architecture changes as they arrive in the ruins further below, specifically in a naturally occurring cave. Nyxxa can sense she is no longer alone with just the group that brought her.
The sound of tightening bowstrings is heard in the pitch dark, and figures are crouched and starting to move closer. Many have bows, some have other weapons.
One figure steps forward. Her face is obscured with a long red hood that covers the upper part of her face, and there is a mask beneath it. Only the bottom of her nose and mouth are visible. She has some armor plates beneath the long red cloak, and she has a bow in her hand, and an arrow in her other hand, though her weapon isn’t knocked.
Blood Shrike says: Well, well well. When the magistrix told me your description, and a curious disposition, I don’t know what I expected. But the last I saw, you passed through a portal, yet here you are.
Nyxxa says: Yeah, turns out humans don’t like demons in their city. I was made quick work of, and it took a while to get back.
Blood Shrike says: I see.
Nyxxa says: So that is you, then?
The Blood Shrike pulls her hood down and allows her mask to fall around her neck, covering her red pendant. It’s Vereesa Windrunner.
Vereesa Windrunner says: That’s correct.
Nyxxa says: I’m glad you survived.
Vereesa Windrunner says: I wish I could say the same about you. Now that you confirmed my identity, there are only two ways this night will go, and one of them will be you returned to the Nether. But I believe there are things we need to speak of.
Nyxxa says: Yes. Preferably in private. You have my weapons, so…
Vereesa Windrunner says: We’ll see if we get that far.
Nyxxa says: What do you want to know then?
Vereesa Windrunner says: Everything would be a good place to start.
Back with the rest of the group, they arrived at the Summerfall to bed down for the evening and so Halno could copy his newly acquired scroll. Levia is mostly keeping to herself, and Halno’s acquired Skarvyn had been handled.
Halno says: Who am I attempting to communicate with, Arthak?
Arthak Saurfang says: Sadras, Thura, or Lantressor… Sadras.
Azgadaan was trying to small talk with Levia, but she’s not super receptive to it. However, she suddenly stops.
Azgadaan says: Are you alright?
Levia Blackflight says: There’s something out here.
Arthak Saurfang says: Which direction?
She looks around for a moment.
Levia Blackflight says: Uh… everywhere.
Arthak draws his sword, and as they look around, they also get the distinct feeling that they are being watched and followed by… something. Something they can’t see easily.
Arthak Saurfang says: Lets keep moving. Eyes out.
As Halno looks out, he notes the shadows themselves almost seem to be following them. More and more start to join the shadows following them.
Halno taps his scepter on a rock, casting light, and the shadows halt back a bit, but he sees the after images of creatures as the light bathes the area directly behind them. However, they are hard to perceive.
He knows that, in the darkest places of the world, certain magic that can tap into the veil beyond the world as one one knows it. An essence of pure, shadowy magic that can be brought forth. They can manifest in a number of ways, but judging from the eyeless forms that can be seen in the amorphous shadow, he gets the sense there are a large number of malevolent entities following them.
Halno says: Well who did we piss off, because this isn’t natural. These are shadows… no pun intended, dark magic.
Arthak Saurfang says: Will they attack?
Halno says: Without a fucking doubt, this is no scout.
Halno asks if Levia can conjure the Light, and Levia is uncertain, admitting she is new to the magic herself.
Halno says: Well, we can try running or fighting, but these are not natural, and whoever sent them will likely continue to do so.
Arthak Saurfang says: Lets see what they do. Keep moving.
Halno picks up the stone he cast light on and starts to walk with it. The shadows seem to be avoiding the light. It doesn’t seem to be hurting them, but they can’t hide in the light.
Azgadaan makes a torch out of his cloak wrapped around his maul, and Arthak also lights up a torch.
The shadows continue to coalesce, almost wrapping themselves around the aura of light.
Halno says: Arthak, we’re going to have to fight.
Azgadaan starts to light anything burnable on fire. Arthak asks if they should try to double back for reinforcements, and Halno expresses he doesn’t think running is an option. There are a lot of them, and they are dangerous.
Arthak Saurfang says: How do you weigh our chances fighting them here and now?
Azgadaan says: Well, I have basically nothing right now.
Halno says: Excellent. Well. Maybe running is our best option.
Arthak Saurfang says: Lets see if we can break through. Keep the lights up, and stay together. Try to cut a path through to the boat. There are Broken Blade there. Backup. Plus, I wonder if this may be an attempt to delay us, so. All in favor of pressing forward?
Halno translates for Levia.
Levia Blackflight says: I think that’s our best choice.
The group braces their weapons, and as soon as their pace quickens, the beings quicken as well, and lunge at the group. As they get closer to the light, Arthak gets a better glimpse at one of them.
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The shadows then lunge forward as a whole like a feeding frenzy. One of the shadows latches onto the unconscious skarvyn in Levia’s arms and tears it apart, dropping its torn body to the ground. The other skarvyn is also eviscerated.
Halno hurls a lightning bolt at a bunch of the creatures, and the lightning goes crackling through the shadowy mass, but only two were dissipated. They continue to swarm.
Arthak whirls around and carves through one of the shadows. He then carves through another one, and another one, taking several down.
Levia whispers something in Thalassian, and one of the creatures is assailed by magic as she draws a small sword that she had at her hip.
Azgadaan also smashes through several as the shadows continue to swarm, but are unable to land any hits. Levia manages to carve through one of the shadows with a spectral sword. Several more are carved through by Arthak as the group continues to run.
The last one is crushed by Azgadaan.
As they look around, it seems nothing else is moving to attack, though the skarvyn corpses are shriveled in the road.
Halno says: Is Runesight the petty type?
Levia Blackflight says: I don’t know. I don’t know if he can do something like this though… I don’t know. I’m sorry.
Halno says: Don’t worry about it. Selin just said he may not be pleased. Either way, it worked out well.
The group is unsure who may have been responsible, though Arthak is aware that the clans most known for shadow magics are the Shadowmoon, Twilight’s Hammer, or Stormreaver. They may potentially know more.
Halno suggests they shouldn’t stick around. Azgadaan puts out the fires he had started. They arrive at the boat without further incident.
However, upon getting there, they see that the skull of Tyranastrasz had changed. It was just a skull. No flesh. No eyes. Nothing. Just a skull.
Halno is able to copy sending successfully, and it seems Nyxxa is running late.
Back with Nyxxa in the sewers, she is continuing to speak with Vereesa.
Nyxxa takes a deep breath and shifts her demeanor a bit. She stands as tall as she can.
Nyxxa says: Thousands of years ago, your people, our people, once fought the Legion as they invaded our world. The battle was deep, hard, and left many scars. You, you’re people, highborne, the Quel’dorei, and us, lower born, but, the kaldorei. We fought the Legion, and we won, but not without sacrifice. As for myself, I fought the Legion a long time ago, but… I fell in battle, and there are a lot of things worse the Legion can do than kill you. I was transformed in an attempt to take away my sanity, but I was able to retain it. That’s the simple of it.
Vereesa Windrunner says: By a miracle, you say?
Nyxxa says: I’ve died many times, and each time I’ve lost more and more. But I do know that what I am, satyrs… it’s a curse bestowed as both a reward and a punishment by the Legion.
Vereesa Windrunner says: And you say yours was a punishment?
Nyxxa says: Yes.
Vereesa Windrunner says: Yet they let you walk free all the same?
Nyxxa says: They expect me to be mad, and given I’m down here, I probably am, but… only those who are mad choose to fight the Legion, and though I am in this state, I would not see all that we worked for, all we sacrificed, be lost. Because I can tell you this, you can kill every single orc that came through that Portal, and what comes after will be much, much worse. The Legion is coming once more, and I want to ensure it’s stopped.
Vereesa Windrunner says: What are you, Nyxxa? What are you really?
Nyxxa says: I am… well we call ourselves demon hunters. Bit on the nose. I don’t know how much you know the old tongue, it seems to have changed a bit.
Vereesa Windrunner says: So you mean to tell me… you’re a demon hunter? What does that entail?
Nyxxa says: Doing whatever it takes to ensure the Legion falls. Whatever methods. Whatever… it takes. Right now, seeing I am a demon, I… the plan was that I was in deep cover, but I nearly blew that cover trying to get a friend of mine to safety. I needed to help her through the portal. She had valuable information, and she had the same goal. Seeing she is not a demon, they would listen to her. The fact I died is… trifling.
Vereesa Windrunner says: So it seems. You’re very forthcoming.
Nyxxa says: I’d prefer not to die. I have people that I do… it’s complicated.
Vereesa Windrunner says: You made a lot of bold claims. A lot of radical ones. The woman who killed Belo’vir… she wields similar weapons, and fights similar to you.
Nyxxa says: A traitor to us.
Vereesa Windrunner says: So there are more?
Nyxxa says: It was a secret until she betrayed us. It’s… complicated.
Vereesa Windrunner says: I’m starting to realize that’s the case.
Nyxxa says: No other way to war against the Legion. But I have a place in the orcs for now.
Vereesa Windrunner says: So it seems you do.
Nyxxa says: And I intend to use that to my advantage. And in doing so, I need to make sure I don’t lose my cover. I’m hesitant to speak names, to do so is to invite them into the conversation. I am no one, so my name is… whatever. The demon that I told you to run from. She saw what I did and was infuriated, nearly killed me, but the fact the purpose of satyrs are to breed contention and deceive, well, if you don’t believe me, that’s also good, because I don’t want you to trust satyrs, so you see my predicament.
Vereesa Windrunner says: That I do.
Nyxxa says: Besides, I understand there are magics that can discern the truth.
Vereesa Windrunner says: That much is true, but I rarely trust it. There are too many loopholes to manipulate.
Nyxxa says: Fair enough.
Vereesa’s eyes flicker to the right and left.
Vereesa Windrunner says: What do the two of you think?
There are two other voices. One is a deep, regal voice.
Turalyon Windrunner says: I’m loathe to trust a demon, but… she does not seem to be lying.
There are two other figures that had been masked by invisibility. Both are human. One is armored with a large, broken sword at his back. He has a gruff face, but kind eyes. The other is an aged man with short, white hair and a magnificent staff.
Turalyon Windrunner says: I see possibility in a potential partnership with this one. As I said, I am loathe to trust a demon, but I have no reason to see deceit in her words.
Khadgar says: I have to agree with Turalyon on this one.
The mage looks at Nyxxa closely for a moment, and scratches his chin.
Khadgar says: There may be something we can do with you yet… You say that you have an in with the orcs, and the demons at least don’t hate you?
Nyxxa says: For the moment, but I would have to say, seeing my cover is tenuous, I would have to be cautious. I am willing to take risks, though.
Vereesa Windrunner says: Good. I don’t trust you, Nyxxa, but as my companions said, I am willing to give you an opportunity to earn it, as absurd as that is. If what you say is true, your story collaborates with everything I know. The woman, Remnii, is her name, if I’m not mistaken.
Nyxxa says: You’ve heard of her?
Vereesa nods.
Vereesa Windrunner says: I have my own way of keeping in contact with things outside the barrier. I can at least tell you she’s safe.
Nyxxa says: Thank you.
Vereesa Windrunner says: She’s with people I trust with my life.
Nyxxa says: She is good at making friends. I… thank you.
Vereesa Windrunner says: ‘Tis the least I can offer you for risking your life in such a reckless and haphazard way.
Nyxxa shrugs.
Vereesa Windrunner says: I’ll give you an opportunity, however. This organization. The orcs are mobilizing to hunt us down, that much is certain. I believe everyone knows the ban’dinoriel will fall in time. And we will do everything that we can to buy as much time for those that require more time. But when this barrier falls, there are people in this city, many people, and not all of them are warriors. If you want to earn my trust, and that of my people, we will need ships. When the barrier falls, vessels will be able to travel through and escape this blighted land. If you can acquire such a thing, perhaps we can talk more. Is that a fair arrangement?
Nyxxa thinks.
Nyxxa says: That’s a lot for one person. What method would you want these ships in?
Vereesa Windrunner says: Whatever method works. You can build them if you desire, but I feel stealing may be easier. Or even opening up a pathway for an eventuality. You say that you want to help the people the Legion wants to crush, and the orcs want to enslave, and this is an opportunity. If you really are our ancestor, and they are your people as much as mine, though you are a demon, perhaps this is an opportunity to prove such a thing.
Nyxxa says: I’m uncertain if I can do it, and I’m uncertain how I can contact you if I can.
Vereesa looks around.
Vereesa Windrunner says: We will have our ways. We can contact you, if need be.
Nyxxa says: Understood.
Vereesa Windrunner says: It is a difficult task, but you seem resourceful, and you may be able to pull something. If not… well I suppose we’ll have to come to a different arrangement.
Nyxxa says: I’ll do what I can.
Vereesa Windrunner says: We’ll be watching you Nyxxa, as best as we can.
Nyxxa says: There’s also some information I want to disseminate on a more private matter.
Vereesa Windrunner says: Turalyon and Khadgar stay with me.
Everyone else departs.
Nyxxa says: I want to warn you of another threat. One that’s a threat to both you and the orcs.
Vereesa Windrunner says: Oh?
Nyxxa says: Her name is Sinestra. I don’t know what she is, though she appears as an elf, she is not, nor is she a demon. She is something incredibly powerful.
Vereesa looks at Turalyon for a moment, and she squints, turning her head to the side, before turning back to Nyxxa.
Vereesa Windrunner says: How do you mean?
Nyxxa says: First off. She claims to be the one that killed the dragon, the one whose head hangs. We had a meeting, well, to discuss you.
Vereesa smirks.
Nyxxa says: She brought forth her help in the form of these… creatures. Have you seen them?
Vereesa Windrunner says: Keep speaking.
Nyxxa says: In exchange for assistance, she would receive the noncombatants of your people. From her implications, she would intend to use them to create such things that may have been used to help hunt you down. She is doing something. And it was a line that even a friend of mine wasn’t willing to cross.
Vereesa Windrunner says: I see.
Nyxxa says: She has been chased out for now, or rather she left. It’s my understanding she’s heading back through the portal to hide, taking her slaves with her, I imagine, with some of your people in tow. I don’t know what she is, but the Legion was remiss to trust her, and quick to want to get rid of her, but I do not believe her an ally of yours, nor an ally you want. I thought it best to warn you. Her creatures may be skulking the sewers. In fact, that was what I was chasing when your priest caught me.
There is another moment.
Vereesa Windrunner says: That is… valuable information.
Nyxxa says: if nothing else works out, I suppose a more private goal in all of this, is to get in touch with Remnii, and let her know what I know.
Vereesa Windrunner says: As long as the ban’dinoriel holds, she will not be able to communicate with anyone within it. But when the time goes that our strength wavers, she will likely be able to contact you. I believe she will be appraised, rapidly, when such an occurrence has happened.
Nyxxa says: That is good. Well. Not good, but… to do this once more is a daunting task, but I will be candid that it is not simply your people, or our people, I need to aid. When I became what I am, such ties with my people were severed. Though I can use that for good, I… I do know there is much good I can accomplish. But I will try to save your people. Especially those that cannot protect themselves. The old soldier in me… no matter how much I forget, I can’t escape that.
Vereesa Windrunner says: You’ve given us a lot to consider. And we will consider it. You risked a lot by speaking so candidly, and sharing a great deal of information.
Nyxxa says: My life means nothing in the grand scheme of things. If I die, I die, and I don’t have enough information to be of use to the Legion.
Turalyon Windrunner says: Yet you have information that is useful to us. I must echo her sentiments that I do not trust you, but we can use what help we can get right now. And if it comes in unexpected forms, then the Light works in mysterious ways.
Nyxxa says: If there’s any information I can get to you.
Khadgar says: On that, you can count on me. I have my ways of navigating without being seen, more than what you’ve seen here.
Nyxxa nods.
Khadgar says: I will check in at various junctions, and can share what information we can.
Nyxxa says: And I need to be careful what I tell you. If I share too much, they will wonder where you got the information. But at the right moment, the right information is the difference between life and death. I can’t promise a lot, but I can promise to do what I can.
Khadgar says: That is all that can be asked. For what it’s worth, I’m inclined to believe you. Perhaps it’s a whim. But you could have easily slain Brother Galell, yet you didn’t.
Nyxxa says: If I’m running late, I can say I got captured, and it won’t be a lie. If there was no reason for me to keep my cover, there was no reason for me to kill him.
Khadgar says: That alone proves the voracity of your words.
Nyxxa says: I do loathe the day I might… be safe, all of you. As safe as you can.
Vereesa nods and scoffs.
Vereesa Windrunner says: There is little safety to be found, but your words are heard.
Nyxxa nods, and bows deeply.
Nyxxa says: Thank you for hearing me out. Andu-falah-dor. Let balance be restored.
Khadgar puts a hand on Nyxxa’s shoulder and smiles up at her.
Khadgar says: Ande'thoras-ethil
She is teleported into a bell tower, and the presence of Khadgar’s hand disappears as he promptly turns into a small raven and takes off, leaving Nyxxa alone.
Nyxxa says: Tor ilisar'thera'nal
Around the same time Halno finishes copying sending, Nyxxa strolls in.
Nyxxa says: Well, I found where it was going. In the sewers. I also found something else. Well, they found me. I got away.
Arthak Saurfang says: The Resistance found you?
Nyxxa says: Yup.
Arthak Saurfang says: Well, glad you got away.
Nyxxa says: But, as I said before, we should talk, Arthak. I, frankly I feel like I need to sleep.
Arthak Saurfang says: You should. Tomorrow is going to be busy, and at least what I want to talk about should wait until we are back home.
Nyxxa says: Understood. May be best for the boat anyway. Thank you.
She looks at Levia.
Nyxxa says: The boys didn’t cause you too much trouble, did they?
Levia Blackflight says: Far from it.
Nyxxa says: Also, Halno, I found a library. Dunno if you’ve been there already.
At that moment, Azgadaan appears with plates of food.
Azgadaan says: Oh! You’re here.
Nyxxa says: Yes, I ran into some Resistance.
Azgadaan says: Interesting. Well, I made something that’s not poisoned. And it tastes pretty okay. You can tell us over dinner. So, here are your plates. Levia, Nyxxa, Arthak, and myself. And one for Halno.
Arthak Saurfang says: Thank you, Azgadaan.
Azgadaan says: Don’t thank me yet. Try it.
Arthak Saurfang says: It’s food.
Arthak digs in.
Azgadaan says: Well, he will enjoy it no matter what, but I hope you two enjoy.
Levia picks at it and nods.
Levia Blackflight says: It’s good. Thank you.
Nyxxa and Azgadaan chat a bit about languages, and it branches into what satyrs are. Azgadaan knows they were once night elves. Nyxxa expresses that Xavius messed up big time, and pissed Sargeras off, so he turned him into a satyr, and Xavius liked it so much that he figured it would be the reward he gave loyal agents.
Azgadaan says: Well, at least you don’t look like a mo’arg.
Nyxxa says: You’re right there.
Azgadaan says: To be honest, the hooves look good on you.
Nyxxa doesn’t know how to respond to that.
Nyxxa says: It is what it is at the end of the day.
Azgadaan says: I guess so. While we are having this time to relax, do you know any games?
Nyxxa says: Nope.
Arthak Saurfang says: No.
Levia shakes her head.
Azgadaan says: Not many games back at home.
Nyxxa says: Do eredar not like games?
Azgadaan says: I asked my mother once, and lets just say I was not a very popular child. So I spent a lot of time at home. To be honest, I was kind of a menace. Especially to the staff, which would be mainly the imps.
Nyxxa grins.
Nyxxa says: What, so no difference than you are now? I kid.
Azgadaan says: Before you met me I was worse, so.
Nyxxa says: Huh. Huh. Well, I’m glad you got better. Nah, you’re ultimately not that bad, Azgadaan.
Azgadaan says: Well, thank you. Also, sorry for my comments earlier. At the meeting.
Nyxxa says: It’s nothing. I’ll tell you more later.
Later, Nyxxa asks Levia if she wants to talk later, and Levia shakes her head.
Nyxxa says: I apologize if I stepped out of turn by getting you in this situation.
Levia Blackflight says: No. I… I hate all of them. I don’t want anything to do with any of them, but I have to.
Nyxxa says: Levia, can you keep a secret?
Levia looks up.
Nyxxa says: Neither do I.
Nyxxa grins and puts a finger over her lips. Levia blinks, and there’s a small smirk.
Nyxxa says: I suppose it’s fortunate we met each other.
Levia Blackflight says: I guess you’re right.
Nyxxa says: I hope you can sleep better tonight.
Levia Blackflight says: I think I will.
Nyxxa says: I’m glad.
November 25th
The next morning, very early, Halno prepares sending and fires it off to Lantresor.
Halno says: Arthak is requesting information on the situation at Gramgun’kur. Any issues? Respond in 25 or less.
Lantresor says: Nothing substantial to report. Some have come down with a mild sickness, nothing dangerous. Perhaps exposure to new place.
Once everyone gets up, Halno briefs Arthak on the matter.
Arthak Saurfang says: Hmph. Good.
Halno says: I’ll admit, I’m concerned about the sickness.
Arthak Saurfang says: Something to keep an eye on. But at least for now.
Halno says: You’re familiar with the Frostwolves, right?
Arthak Saurfang says: Yes, my mate…
Halno says: Right. Right. Sorry. We should have one of our shamans look into it. We don’t fall sick often.
Arthak Saurfang says: No. Could be the presence of a new world, or something else. Regardless, we should shorten our remaining stay, and return to Gramgun’kur by nightfall. I still have a bad feeling.
Halno says: Makes sense. Well then, I’ll be here. I have some work I want to start.
Arthak Saurfang says: Very well. Thank you, Halno.
Halno says: No problem. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be playing with dead things.
He stalks out of the room to go dissect the skarvyn.
Azgadaan is working on a spell scroll and cooking, and Nyxxa takes the day to rest. The day passes with the immediacy of the Sinestra situation concluded.
