Appearing Characters: Arthak Saurfang, Azgadaan, Drak'thul, Go'el, Halno, Kargath Bladefist, Lantresor, Mindi, Mork, Nesslyn, Nyxxa, Orican Runesight, Sadras, Sagaz, Samaara, Teron'gor, Viridius, Zalia
January 3rd - January 5th
Azgadaan and Nyxxa work on trying to find a weapon adept at fighting undead. They managed to find a lance that was recovered from Sinestra’s manor--a magical weapon that when it strikes an enemy, it prevents them from regaining hit points until their next turn. A lance of certain death. There was also some universal solvent, a potion of supreme healing, and a mysterious scroll that they aren’t able to tell the spell contained within.
They continue searching, and they manage to find a greataxe that was constructed out of the bones of an orc’s ancestors. Supposedly, it has great strength and the ability to ward away evil spirits. It is a corpse slayer greataxe.
Mork and Mindi also finish up their shopping, and they manage to grab some greater healing potions and a potion of invisibility.
Early in the morning on January 3rd, a familiar figure approaches Arthak: Viridius, the Ethereal flesh-handler.
Viridius says: Good morning, chieftain Arthak!
Arthak Saurfang says: Good morning, flesh-handler.
Viridius says: It has reached my knowledge that you expect an attack. Is that correct?
Arthak Saurfang says: It is.
Viridius says: I see. I suppose this is an opportunity I could perchance provide some help for you. As I had mentioned before, the contacts I have… the various Nexus Princes that command the groups that we have divided into. Some are merchants, some builders, and others mercenaries. Though your people are quite capable warriors, even the most powerful generals are not above the hiring of mercenaries. There are a great number of small and large mercenaries amongst various groups of the ethereals. If you wish, I can reach out to some of these groups. If I do so soon, they could potentially arrive before this attack.
Arthak Saurfang says: How much would they cost?
Viridius says: That depends on the size and level of competences you wish to seek. I would estimate the average would be somewhere around… about 500 iron coins or similar currency. This would extend for about 3 months before you would have the opportunity to extend it. Typically extensions are a fraction versus a new contract. Depending on what you seek, that could be a large force of regular mercenaries, or a smaller group of more, shall you say, specialized mercenaries, such as the one you met from the Protectorate. This, of course, could extend to multiple groups, but it is an option. There is also the option to hire additional help in construction. That… may be difficult. It seems there are an abundance of strapping orcs doing what they can, but it is possible you could purchase the assistance of some magical technology that the Etherium can offer. That would not be cheap, of course.
Arthak Saurfang says: Increasing my forces. What about 1,500 rezi?
Viridius says: That could open up some contracts with 2-3 elite units, or you could increase your numbers temporarily with a larger force. I can call some representatives to work out the kinks, if you will.
Arthak Saurfang says: How soon would you need to send out the communications?
Viridius says: If I can meet with them within the next 24-48 hours, they should be able to arrive and solidify contracts. Preferably earlier.
Arthak Saurfang says: Alright. I need to see how much we need to set up our defenses. Afterwards, I’ll find you, or you find me in the evening. I’ll have an amount to offer.
Viridius says: Of course. I’ll start to reach out to see about some things being prepared to save us some time. Do you have a preference for the types of units you want? Smaller and elite units, or would you seek larger units?
Arthak Saurfang says: Our adversaries specialize in stealth and hit and run tactics and the disruption of magical effects.
Viridius says: I see. I’ll ask my colleagues what they believe is wise. I look forward to hearing from you.
Arthak thanks him, and they go back to their business. Arthak goes and gathers his leadership that are still present on this side of the portal. He also had sent requests for representatives from other factions and potentially any diviners that can offer services.
He also starts to send out the greater bonestripper riders to patrol the surrounding shores, and some of the lesser bonestrippers to drop messages. Goat riders are patrolling the ground.
He also gets people moving on digging trenches and erecting wooden barricades, as well as what watchtowers can be managed.
Some Shadowsword do also show up to help Arthak where he needs them, though most of them are remaining under Selin in Silvermoon, or Runesight at the Magister’s Terrace.
January 4th
Arthak meets for a war council at Magister’s Terrace. One of the people that arrived on Shaspira’s behalf is the Queen of Bones, Zalia. Nesslyn is also with her as an intermediary for Runesight and translator. Some representatives of the Shadowsword are present. Kargath and one of his chief blood mages is present, and one of Gul’dan’s leading warlocks, Drak’thul, and a small group of Shadowmoon members as well--Teron’gor and two other robed and masked creatures that are likely similar to Halno.
Nyxxa is also there.
Nesslyn says: His eminence, the Grand Magister, has matters that he wishes to attend to after the meeting, so he asks that we begin and speak of what is acquired.
Arthak Saurfang says: I brought you all here today in anticipation of the attack by what’s left of the high elven people on this island. The target is the Dark Portal. Now, I’ve already begun fortification and other preparations for this attack, but if we are to repel this assault, we are going to need to cooperate with one another. We’re going to need a plan we can all act upon.
The group listens intently.
Arthak Saurfang says: If any of you have any information from magical sources we can exploit, now would be the time to state it.
There are a few moments, and Teron’gor speaks up.
Teron'gor says: We have done what we can, but they have hidden well. Divination magic can learn much, but we can, at the very least, confirm that they are making an attempt on the Sunwell.
Zalia says: I can confirm that as well. We have captured more than a couple members of the Resistance, and though their activity has dropped dramatically, they are planning something. I would not be surprised if many of their number have infiltrated the island. I will be doing what I can to discover if any of them believe this to be a wise idea.
Nesslyn says: Grand Magister Orican Runesight is an accomplished and esteemed diviner. Before the destruction of the old Magistrate, he was among the most gifted. He would warn all those present, however, that the foes we face are what are left of a dying order, but they were strong enough to resist the new order. It is possible they will defend themselves against such divination magic. We should also be cautious that divination magics run aground amongst themselves. The information one learns from one reading can make others less helpful. Even magic has limitations.
Arthak Saurfang says: So, if they use divination to assist their own plans, that could interfere with our readings.
Runesight nods.
Nesslyn says: The grand magister gives an example. If you, Arthak, used a divination spell to determine an attack would occur at a certain angle, and then we asked the same question, our divination magics may lead us to similar conclusions. However, if magic casted by our enemies reveals we prepared, they can change their plans, and it can become a game of cat and mouse. Even our collective divination could cause the ending result to be something neither could see. If you were to divine that one were to play scissors, and another played rock, would you not both change your options?
Arthak Saurfang says: Could we use divination instead to deliberately muddy the water? Not to gain intelligence, but deny them intelligence.
Nesslyn looks confused, and Runesight raises an eyebrow.
Nesslyn says: The Grand Magister asks that you elaborate further, chieftain.
Arthak Saurfang says: If, as you say, too many eyes on the future cause it to become muddier… then we can confuse the future enough so no one can use it.
Runesight speaks to Nesslyn again and she explains Arthak’s idea.
Nesslyn says: But then one would then give up the potent tool divination can be. It is one used carefully. Not using them at all, is depriving yourself, but to utilize it overmuch could be dangerous, and could cause you to become less prepared. So you could attempt to do that, but it could be difficult to coordinate on a large scale.
Arthak Saurfang says: Well. If that’s the case, I’ll leave it in your hands as far as how best to utilize your magics. But any information would be useful. I have my scouts monitoring land and air, so we should have an idea when they’ll make landfall, but nothing is certain. However, we know their target is the Sunwell. If we can’t predict how they’ll attack the Sunwell, then we will have to utilize that we know their target. Any forces you can dedicate to its direct protection would be good. We need to turn this into a war of attrition so it can’t be a fast strike. If the Resistance has already started to infiltrate this island, we need that countered. Kargath, this is a place for your people’s expertise to work with the Queen’s.
Kargath scoffs.
Kargath Bladefist says: We’ll handle our part. You handle yours.
Arthak Saurfang says: I already am. Those of you with magic, anything you can do to add to our defenses, but I imagine you already understand your role. Beyond their speed and stealth, the elves’ chief asset is their magic. But, their numbers, however many they have, will not be equal to ours. Anything we can do to lower them would be the difference.
Drak'thul says: Agreed. We have sent some of our vessels out already to try and secure a perimeter and this information is recent, but we’ve already discovered a number of vessels that are making their way toward us. Slowly. But they are coming. They are not elvish, however. I believe it is likely these… humans that the elves aligned themselves with. It is likely they will try to blockade us in the future, but they are some distance away.
Arthak Saurfang says: Good to know. Do you think they will arrive to be involved in this battle?
Drak'thul says: No. They will not. Once the barrier was lowered, their presence became known to us not long after.
Arthak Saurfang says: A problem, but for another day. Does anyone else have anything else to add to this meeting?
Drak'thul says: Elder Gul’dan has planned on having more individuals stationed at the defense of the Dark Portal. The Stormreavers will be here before the most likely day of their attack.
Arthak Saurfang says: Excellent. I’ve also commissioned the arrival of mercenaries that should be here before too long.
Runesight nods, and Nesslyn communicates that he believes that is wise.
Those present explain that the city itself is going to still be under defense as this could all be a diversion. However, the others would have their people posted around the island to prevent access. The Sunwell itself will also have many people from the Stormreavers (and likely the Shadow Council) defending it.
Arthak ensures everyone is briefed on Frostmourne, and it’s believed that Kael’thas has died and has seemingly come back for this attack. Teron’gor provides that while he has some additional strengths, there may be other weaknesses as well… which would be hard to discover.
January 5th
The forces do not arrive, so it’s likely that the attack will happen on the 7th if Levia’s divination is to be believed.
At some point over the weekend, there is some commotion that Arthak’s scouts inform him of. When Arthak goes to check them out, he finds a grizzly sight. There are what is left of a few elvish remains, but they are not fully together, and it seems every bone in their body has been either removed or shattered. There are a few elves, but none that are recognized. Arthak gets confirmation that there were a number of elves found amongst some of the clanless orcs that were disguising themselves as workers that were setting up sabotages. That being known, they are going to do what they can to prevent further sabotage--but this may result in some problems.
Seeking to counter this, Arthak directs people to look for further sabotage. He is able to find what he believes to be other instances of sabotage, and there doesn’t seem to be any other instances--but they are probably still hiding, and no more are able to be found.
Halno works on just raising dead things for the rest of his time.
January 6th
The coldest day the group had experiences on Azeroth rolls in, and it drops to 10 to 15 degrees below 0. A heavy snow coats Quel’danas, and in hours, it has started to accumulate on the trees and roofs and all the defenses.
Meanwhile, the feelings Arthak has been having toward Frostmourne have started to increase in frequency. The sound of icy wind and creaking wood draws his focus away, and when he snaps back to it, he hears Sadras calling for him.
Sadras says: Are you alright? You were just staring off into space.
Arthak Saurfang says: The sword again. It’s getting closer.
Sadras says: Arthak, we need to talk. About… this.
Arthak Saurfang says: Alright.
Sadras takes him back into their home and turns toward him.
Sadras says: Arthak, I’m getting concerned about you.
Arthak Saurfang says: Understandable. There’s a lot going on, and the sword and I have history, as do I and the wielder of the sword. My life is in more danger than usual… so I understand.
Sadras says: It’s not just that. That’s a part of it, but it’s that connection I’m afraid of, Arthak. What are you planning on doing?
Arthak Saurfang says: If we win and she is slain? There is not much I can do in regards to the sword. I can’t destroy it. And the Legion will want to take it back.
Sadras says: So you’re going to take it? If you defeat her, you’re going to take the blade, aren’t you?
Arthak Saurfang says: I don’t know. Not if I have a choice in the matter.
Sadras says: That’s not good enough, Arthak. You said it yourself. The Legion wants it back, and whose hands do you think they’ll put it in?
Arthak Saurfang says: I know. My options are limited.
Sadras says: They’re not as limited as you think they are. This whole thing. This whole thing with Lana’thel, Frostmourne, none of it has to involve you.
Arthak Saurfang says: What are you saying?
Sadras says: I’m saying you shouldn’t fight her. Look, I… I went to a friend of mine. One of the crones from the Frostwolves. She consulted the spirits. I asked them what would happen in the battle. Arthak, if you cross blades with her, I don’t think you’re going to survive. I know that the spirits can’t know everything, but something terrible is going to happen. I feel it.
Arthak Saurfang says: My plan isn’t to fight her. I don’t know what kind of warrior she is, but with that blade in her hands, I don’t know if I can win. But I also may not be given a choice on it. The sword has a piece of me. Maybe I can avoid crossing blades with her, but maybe she’ll be able to find me. I can try to avoid it, but I can’t run from it.
Sadras says: Then… then you need to promise me that you will not take up that blade again. Under any circumstances.
Arthak Saurfang says: And if they punish the clan for my refusal?
Sadras says: Then we’ll fight back.
Arthak Saurfang says: With what?
Sadras says: I don’t know, Arthak! But this clan isn’t worth losing you. Not to the Legion. Not to the Shadow Council. Not to that cursed blade.
Arthak Saurfang says: I can try. That’s all I can do. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t… I can’t win.
Sadras says: Sometimes the only way to win is to survive, Arthak.
Arthak Saurfang says: Exactly. And that’s what I’ll do.
Sadras exhales.
Sadras says: I know.
Arthak Saurfang says: You want me to draw a line in the sand against forces…
Sadras says: Look, I know. I know it’s too early, it’s too soon, but what if it’s never time? What if you keep waiting for the moment to make your move, and it never comes?
Arthak Saurfang says: Then I’ll have failed. Like fucking many before me. But I don’t see the Horde at my back. Patience. If I can have that, if that separates me from those that have come before. I’m grateful.
Sadras says: I hope you’re right. I really do.
Arthak Saurfang says: But you don’t think I am.
Sadras says: I’m afraid of what happens if you’re not. I’m afraid of what’s going to happen between now and that moment. If you sharpen a spear too long, there’s not much left. I know how fond you are of talking about losing pieces of yourself, and I’m here to keep those pieces together. But that blade will tear more than you apart. I’m going to keep trusting you, and I’m going to keep following you, and it might be a huge mistake. I don’t know. But I want to believe that you’re right, so I’m going to keep believing you’re right for as long as I can.
Arthak Saurfang says: I’m grateful for that as well.
Sadras says: The Smiling Eye. That wasn’t the Resistance, was it?
Arthak Saurfang says: … no.
Sadras says: What did you do, Arthak?
Arthak Saurfang says: ....What I had to. To preserve what I’ve done this far.
Sadras says: You’re sounding like Lantresor. Speak plainly, Arthak. What did you do?
Arthak Saurfang says: ...Rosh.
Sadras’s brow relaxes.
Sadras says: Hellscream? He was about that vessel?
Arthak Saurfang says: Yes.
Sadras says: Why?
Arthak Saurfang says: He had to get out.
Sadras says: So you had him killed?
Arthak Saurfang says: Yes.
Sadras says: They told you to? And you did?
Arthak Saurfang says: I didn’t have time, and I wasn’t able to figure out a plan.
Sadras says: … I see. You had no choice, then. Just like with Frostmourne. I… I hope the day never comes where they tell you to turn your blade on me. On Azuka. On Lantresor. Or on Remnii. Maybe even the whole clan. Maybe you won’t have a choice then either. I’m sorry, Arthak. I know how much he meant to you.
Sadras then comes closer and presses her forehead against Arthak’s and wraps her arms around him, but there is definitely a fear that wasn’t there before.
Azgadaan manages to dream Go’el to warn him about the circumstances with the Sunwell.
Go'el says: Prince Azgadaan.
Azgadaan says: It’s good to see you.
Go'el says: Good to see you as well. This is not a typical dream, is it?
Azgadaan says: No. One of my creation.
Go'el says: I see. Why have you visited me? This doesn’t seem…
Azgadaan says: One part to check up, but mainly, when you come back, the Portal may not be there.
Go'el says: How do you mean?
Azgadaan says: Quel’danas is about to be under siege. The main host has moved on since the barrier dropped.
Go'el says: And you believe they may try to attack at the heart?
Azgadaan says: We know they will. We just don’t know if it will be successful.
Go'el says: I see. I appreciate the warning.
Azgadaan says: If the Portal does go down, I may be able to retrieve you and your people.
Go'el says: Of course. If such a thing comes to pass, once our business is concluded, I’ll try to reach out.
Azgadaan says: How much longer do you think your business will be? Arthak seems… stretched thin, and I imagine guidance from a stable orc such as yourself…
Go'el says: I appreciate the praise, but we need time. It is not safe. The demons have been busy, and it has been difficult to move unnoticed. Our destination is not close, either. But, hopefully in time, we will conclude our business and we can return to the Horde.
Azgadaan says: Alright. Take care, and come back in one piece.
Go'el says: I will. Make sure you protect yourself and the others.
Azgadaan says: I’ll do my best. Fair warning, Arthak seems to be losing more of himself. Physically.
Go’el sighs.
Go'el says: I’ll need you to watch out for him until I return.
Azgadaan says: If he does anything supremely stupid, I’ll turn him into a bug and carry him away.
Go'el says: I’m doing this for him, and for the Horde. I’ll need him alive.
Azgadaan says: A woman with Frostmourne is coming.
Go'el says: Great. What of Garrosh?
Azgadaan says: Ah…
Azgadaan fills him in on what he knows. Which was just news they had returned from the mission, and Zaela was now in recovery.
Azgadaan says: I can try to contact him later.
Go'el says: No need. I don’t think he would take kindly.
Azgadaan says: True, but I need to give him an update on his mate.
Go'el says: Do what you wish, Azgadaan. Just be careful around that one. He has reasons to mistrust demons. A lot of them. I wouldn’t want you to become the object of his ire.
Azgadaan says: It’ll just be a sending spell or this.
Go'el says: I wish you the best of luck.
Azgadaan says: You as well. How are the quakes?
Go'el says: They’re getting worse. The time between them has been shortened. Now they happen almost once every couple of hours.
Azgadaan says: Come back as soon as you can. That’s concerning.
Go'el says: I plan on it.
Azgadaan says: Take care, be safe, and get some rest.
Go'el says: I will. Send Arthak and Sadras my love. And tell the others I send my blessings.
Azgadaan nods and the dream fades out.
Azgadaan also dreams Samaara, and the dreamscape manifests on the beach he had spoken to her on before.
They exchange some pleasantries, and Samaara expresses she is better now than she had been in some time.
Azgadaan says: I’m glad! How is everyone else doing?
Samaara says: They are keeping it together. We have dilemmas to handle, but we have help. I hope the help will be enough.
Azgadaan says: I hope so too. I have some things to inform you of. Quel’danas is under attack. Hopefully we’ll get through it. We believe a woman is going after Arthak, and she has Frostmourne with her. That may be a large issue. I hope you don’t bring that up in any communications…
Samaara says: You don’t need to worry about that, Azgadaan. I have more things to worry about. I’m grateful to the elves, but I’m sure they know that you will be ready. Whatever happens, Azgadaan, you must survive.
Azgadaan says: I’ve prepared a spell for that!
Samaara says: If they seek Arthak, don’t let that put you at risk.
Azgadaan says: I have a few ways to get out. I have a personal ship, or I can just turn invisible. Or both.
Samaara says: Well, you’ll be well protected then.
Azgadaan says: By the way! I don’t think we’ll be continuing draenic for a while, and it seems like this may help you more. How would you like to learn the common language?
Samaara says: I’ve actually already begun to learn that.
Azgadaan says: Then I could help you to further that!
Samaara says: Do not overtax yourself, but I would not be opposed to it. I met a curious friend, one that you may or not be familiar with.
Azgadaan says: By the way, how are the elves? The three of them? I put Nallorath with the others?
Samaara says: They are safe. They are with their people, at least those that remain.
Azgadaan says: I think Nallorah may have a hard time… he might blame himself for giving us information when we were tramping around Kilnar’s manor. If it will help, tell him the big scary, red demon cast a spell on him. He was definitely not well after we brought him out.
Samaara says: Few will be before this war is over. I only hope he counts his blessings that he is alive to fight another day.
Azgadaan says: Maybe fight another day, or maybe he can just… relax. Fighting may not be the best for him.
Samaara says: That is a noble dream to fight for, Azgadaan. But I fear there will be no rest for the elvish people for some time.
Azgadaan says: I don’t imagine so. Is there anything you’d like to discuss?
Samaara says: Not at the moment. I should not speak much of affairs here.
Azgadaan says: Indeed. Also. I might have offended Remnii.
Samaara says: What did you say?
Azgadaan says: I said she was looking bigger, but I think she took that the wrong way.
Samaara says: She may have.
Azgadaan says: That and a few other things, but I’ll talk about that later.
Samaara says: An apology would be sufficient. That is for you and her to discuss.
Azgadaan says: Right. Well, if you wanted to work on some common?
Samaara says: If you have the time
Azgadaan snaps his fingers and the scene shifts to a library. Samaara seems to be in slightly better spirits in all of this.
Nyxxa, meanwhile, had sought out Lantresor.
Nyxxa says: Can we talk?
Lantresor says: You have my attention.
Nyxxa says: You’ve been appraised of most, if not all the information, of what’s coming our way, yes?
Lantresor says: Yes. Grim tidings, no doubt.
Nyxxa says: Seeing you are his second, I would ask you what you think of… the way Arthak has been acting in light of that sword.
Lantresor says: He is frightened of the blade, and for good reason. It is a blade that strikes at the soul, not only the flesh. One that has already drunk deep of his life blood. Like facing one’s killer for a second time. Something only an individual such as yourself would be able to understand.
Nyxxa says: And I’ve tried to impart such wisdom upon him… it did not go well, initially. I’m… hesitant to broach the topic again, but I am concerned about his… about what he might do.
Lantresor says: This, like anything else, like the road that has been laid out before him, is a test. Arthak is brave. But this battle will shake his foundation to the core, will break him like the blade upon his standard. It is difficult to hear when one is in the forge, but not to see, not to feel. I believe you will do what you have to to ensure that Arthak can emerge from this trial, too, reforged, and not reduced to slag.
Nyxxa says: I have some thoughts, but I’m uncertain he will like them.
Lantresor gets a devious smile.
Lantresor says: Arthak dislikes many things he does not have control over.
Nyxxa says: This idea is nothing insidious… just… perhaps it might be good to lay some groundwork if it so happens we need to run.
Lantresor says: A wise decision, if you ask me. Honor and valor… they are pillars that have built the orcish people up to what they are, but discretion is the better part of valor at times.
Nyxxa says: Personally, I think it’s the best idea. I just don’t know if I should tell Arthak.
Lantresor says: I believe there are boons toward both. Candidness provides him with information to ensure your plan’s success, but may just as easily prevent him from following through. This is your eternal dilemma. Forever you are one step removed from the chieftain. This grants you freedom, but chains all the same. Tell me, what is your plan? I will inform him only if you wish me to.
Nyxxa says: I can tell myself, at least the start of it. I want to plant the idea in Gramgun’s head that it may not be a bad idea to have the last boat we have as a contingency.
Lantresor says: Gramgun will be piloting the ship himself during that day.
Nyxxa says: I don’t know if I’ll be able to convince him, his loyalty is to Arthak.
Lantresor says: What do you wish him to do?
Nyxxa says: I don’t know if Arthak will leave if it comes down to it. But… I’d like to be able to get as many of us to evacuate the island as we can, if necessary.
Lantresor says: Perhaps. Though from what I’ve seen of the elves, occupation is not their strong suit.
Nyxxa says: It’s true, but it’s not the elves I’m worried about.
Lantresor says: Understandable. I will do what I can to watch over Arthak during the battle. Ultimately, his life is mine to safeguard, but it is his to live.
Nyxxa says: I feel the same.
Lantresor says: Then I trust you will do what you must.
Nyxxa says: I suppose, in any case, if it’s not the elves I’m worried about, it might be best…
She bites her lip.
Nyxxa says: There’s a lot of things I’m afraid of in the outcome of this battle.
Lantresor says: The tapestry will weave itself based on a thousand threads. You are but one of them, Nyxxa. But each thread has an integral role to play. Look not to what you cannot, focus on what you can. Your path will reveal itself. Will it be the correct path? The incorrect path? None can say. Hindsight, perhaps. All that will remain is the path that you took. To live with no regrets, one must look forward, or they will miss the threads they can change. A lesson I must remind myself of constantly. An eternal lesson, perhaps. One even more noteworthy for those of us blessed with many years. Or perhaps cursed.
Nyxxa says: In any case, I thank you for your advice.
Lantresor says: As ever, I am here to guide.
Nyxxa says: I suppose it’s only fair to ask if you need any help with anything.
Lantresor says: Nothing imperative, but perhaps another moment of meditation together when this is all done. Should our souls remain linked to our mortal coils, I will look forward to it.
Nyxxa nods.
Nyxxa says: I suppose if there’s one more thing I could ask.
Lantresor says: There is one more thing I could answer.
Nyxxa says: This is ultimately Arthak’s battle to fight, so I will defer to him, but I would ask… please make sure he doesn’t retake that sword.
Lantresor says: I said I would safeguard Arthak’s life. That includes every part of him. His essence, his spirit, as well.
Nyxxa says: Thank you. We don’t know what it’s capable of… and if it has a piece of him. People can control a demon by having its blood.
Lantresor says: So you believe one could control him via his spirit.
Nyxxa nods.
Lantresor says: This is an understandable concern. We will do what we must.
Nyxxa says: I thank you.
The rest of the day is tense, and the snow is still falling heavily. Everyone is watching the horizon as best they can as the 6th turns to the 7th.
January 7th
The cloud cover is bright and grey, illuminating Quel’danas in a perpetual shade of snow. The mainland is not visible at the distance. In fact, one can barely see the bright green beacon that is the Sunwell.
Arthak is very tense all day, and he has a rylak and its rider on standby to cart him to wherever the action strikes.
Halno is in his lab all day.
A few of Arthak’s scouts didn’t report back. Either they had to land because of the storm, or they perhaps didn’t have the chance to do so.
The Sunwell Plateau is moderately well defended at present. It has a lot of Shadow Council present, and a lot of Stormreavers, as well as a decent number of other orcs.
It reaches late evening without activity, but then Halno starts to hear some commotion. He goes to investigate with his skeletons, and as he exits, there is a thick, heavy mist that has begun to roll in from the water.
There is the sound of something cracking at a distance, from the direction of the shore. Sagaz and other orcs have started to run to battle stations, and horns have started to blow.
And that’s when Halno sees, at the very edge of the mist, figures walking across the water’s edge. The figures are too far away to tell much about, but they start to increase in number, until suddenly there is a reasonably large number.
Then lights begin to streak through the sky, reflected off the mist. Bolts of fire strike into the city.
Halno sighs.
Halno says: Get ready, Sagaz.
Halno then sends Arthak, informing him of the attack on Gramgun’kur. Arthak immediately starts to spread the word that the elves are trying to punch through the city. However, he tells his people to hold their positions at the Sunwell until they know where else the elves may come from.
Arthak Saurfang says: If it’s a distraction, we can’t afford to fall for it.
The Broken Blade follows his order, but they are clearly very worried about the people still at the city.
It’s hard to tell through the snow, but as Azgadaan and Nyxxa watch from on board their vessel from the mainland, they see fires from a lot of places. Almost every corner of it, but most are coming from Gramgun’kur.
Nyxxa says: What’s happening?
Azgadaan says: Gramgun’kur is on fire. It seems the attack has begun.
Nyxxa says: ...Where do we go?
