[Horde] Chapter Two: Session Seventeen
August 10th, Evening
0:00
It’s snowing heavily as the group follow after the Ashtongue toward the northwest. It’s a forced march as they struggle through the heavy snow.
Remnii is setting her jaw and going as hard as possible.
One of the Ati-Kaso, Vendiir, that had joined Akama approaches her, surprised to see her there, of all places. Remnii informs her of how his mother is doing, and that she misses him, and Vendiir realized as much, but he couldn’t just sit back any longer.
They spend some time catching up, and Vendiir realizes that Remnii knows Kaylaan. He mentions he is a curious man, and tells of some of the things that Kaylaan had told him. That he had come from the stars and fought in the Army of Light.
Remnii also informs him that they had found Phaedra and aided her, with the help of many other people in their warband, and he is happy to hear that she is alright.
They agree to catch up more later, as the forced march is continuing, and they part ways for the time being.
However, the frigid rain is starting to take its toll. Kaylaan informs them they are about halfway there. Sorak and Yrel are starting to slow down, and they begin to fall behind during the final hour. Remnii and Azgadaan also drop back to stay with them. Kaylaan comments that, at such a pace, they would be lucky to arrive by sunrise (though it’s a clear exaggeration).
Remnii nears the front, and tries to convince Kaylaan to slow things down. He relents, and everyone slows.
0:28
On Remnii’s way back, Arthak pulls her aside to speak.
Arthak: “I believe you have an opportunity coming soon.”
Remnii raises an eyebrow.
“Spinyl announced her intent to leave. This may be your chance to follow suit. I think you should. It’s your choice, but… the alliance was always going to be temporary. My entire lifetime is but a moment in yours, and we are heading different places. When we get back to Hellfire Citadel, things will most likely not go well, and if you and the Ati-Kaso are there… you’ll get dragged into it. I’ll respect you and your comrades, but hiding orcs is one thing, hiding unbroken Draenei is another. If you come back, you won’t make it through the portal. You’ll probably die or worse with me. The Ashtongue are resourceful and organized. They may be able to put together a plan to get you all where you want to go. So. Your chance is coming. I recommend you take it.”
Remnii is quiet for a moment.
Remnii: “I… well… we know the risk in these moments. I will think upon your words, Arthak, but I should also have you know that any alliance we do have is something that I value deeply, and while temporary in some regards, perhaps, I will never, in all of my time, compromise compassion and thankfulness to someone who has helped me along the way. It’s going to take all kinds.”
Arthak: “Yes it will.”
Arthak falls quiet.
R: “I will come to speak with you again. For now I wish to make sure Yrel doesn’t fall further behind.
August 11th, Morning
0:36
The group continues on at a slower pace. As they reach their fifth hour of travel, they are now in the early morning of the next day. There is a flicker of a fire in the distance, and the thatched roof huts of an orcish village is a short distance away. There are broken draenei spread about.
Kaylaan hails them in draenic.
Go’el’s brow furrows, recognizing the village as a Frostwolf village, though any orcs are now absent.
A broken approaches, asking Kaylaan what was going on. Kaylaan informs him that he found some people that he felt Akama would likely like to speak with. The broken looks at the group itself suspiciously, his appearance rather ragged and battered, and informs Kaylaan that this situation had best be important. Akama wouldn’t appreciate being woken.
Kaylaan said he understood that, but insists that the broken wake the leader.
The broken mutters angrily, but goes to wake Akama. A few moments later, a familiar broken steps through the fur-lined drapes over the hut. He has wrinkled and fel-scarred flesh, and he has sharp teeth laden in his mouth. He has two scythes a this sides.
It’s Akama.
Akama: “Well well well. It’s been some time. I didn’t expect to see all you here at the heart of this corruption.”
Go’el: “Before we go any further, elder. What have you done with the people who lived here?”
Akama: “Fear not, son of Durotan. They have not been harmed, unless they drew their blades first. Most of the people left when the quakes intensified. Those that remained were given the option to flee. The wise left. Now come. I can see the chill of the evening has ravaged your bones.”
Go’el shares a look with the rest of the group before following.
Inside there is a small hearth that keeps everything warm, and Akama turns to them.
Akama: “Let us not mince words.”
He looks at them expectantly.
Arthak: “We came looking for information, Akama. The earthquakes. The Legion facility.”
Akama: “So you wish for me to tell you what we learned?”
Arthak: “If you’re willing.”
Akama: “Very well. That much I will share. As payment for allowing me to rid the world of that treacherous snake. What do you wish to know?”
Go’el: “What are they trying to accomplish with these structures?”
Akama: “I would like to discover that myself. They’ve leveled your village and have constructed the forge camp on its bones. The orcish sorcerers weave necromancy in the ancestral graveyards. They twist their spirits and bones to their one desires and designs. I know not for what reason. I only know it must stop. Otherwise the earth’s tremblings will grow worse, and the ground will shatter. This the elements have told me. I lost one home to the Legion. I will not lose a second one.”
Go’el: “You say the elements told you this… I see. Have you discerned the exact source of this so far?”
Akama shakes his head.
Akama: “But we will find it. And level their structures. We will slay the overseer and cut out the heart of the operation. It is my hope the rest will disperse.”
Arthak: “What do you know of the overseer?”
Akama: “I can tell you little. A winged demoness. Powerful. But reclusive. They call her Vilateth. I know little else. We can’t draw her out. Though we have struck at their patrols, their numbers remain.”
Azgadaan: “Can you tell me more of what she looks like?”
Akama: “Use your ears, man’ari whelp. I already told you. We can’t draw her out. Our spies haven’t seen her close. We know only that much.”
Arthak: “Apparently this… an orc camp near the facility. Two banners hang. One is that of the Stormreavers, but the other we don’t recognize.”
Arthak recreates the symbol that Nyxxa showed them.
Arthak: “Does this mean anything to you.”
There is a twisted smile from Akama.
Akama: “So you have not heard of it? Curious.”
Arthak: “Would you be willing to tell us? Seeing you apparently know it?”
Akama: “Such information… is not given freely. “
Kroll: “What is it you would ask of us then?”
Akama: “What is it you seek here? If it is merely information, then I told you everything I will. But something tells me that the two chieftains, one of the Frostwolf clan, and one of the newest clan, would not come here with the daughter of the Prophet, and one touched by the Shadowmoon, along with… heh… him.”
He gestures at Azgadaan.
Akama: “I would tell you what I know, but only after the forge camp lies in ruins. The elements did not bid me to talk. They bid me to act. And act I will. Talking will come later. If you would be allies with the Ashtongue, then you will do this. If you will not, then leave. It is by your actions alone you have come this far. I do not wish to reconsider.”
He looks at them.
Arthak: “Might we have a few moments to discuss?”
Akama: “Speak. And do so quickly.”
0:58
Arthak catches Go’el’s eye, and they step outside Akama’s tent.
Arthak: “So what do you all think?”
Sorak mentions that it isn’t the wisest plan, and Kroll agrees it is unwise to spread more war. Go’el says that it would not be easy if they attacked the forge camp, and it would tarnish what reputation they had with the Legion.
Azgadaan tries to think about what he knows about the Nathrezim, and unfortunately, he knows very little. They are vampiric demons, and effectively intelligence operatives of the Legion. Their specialty is in infiltration and sabotage.
However, Azgadaan presents the idea that if they can be masked magically, they could maybe infiltrate. However, Sorak counters that any misstep may doom them. Arthak agrees, mentioning that returning to Hellfire now with the information they have may allow them to help the Frostwolves. Go’el said perhaps, but they may give up any chance to help here. At the most, they could perhaps give the Ashtongue an opening, but the moment they intervene directly, the group would have to explain themselves.
Arthak says that, if Go’el wants to save his people, they may have to be willing to give up these lands.
Go’el nods. “I do not wish it, but I do not believe we will be able to help him.”
Arthak: “I’m sorry.”
Go’el: “Our hands are tied. There’s nothing you can do.”
Kroll puts a comforting hand on Go’el’s shoulder.
Kroll: “Your people are more than just the lands they occupy. There are lessons that are more important.”
Arthak: “Well said.”
Go’el: “I thank you, Kroll. You’re right. Shall we give him our answer, then?”
Arthak: “Yes. And resolve what business we have, then return to your clan, and mine.”
They return to Akama to give them their answer, however, first, Remnii sends a message to Ahonan via sending. “Ahonan. Met with Akama. Two options. Meet them and join or go back to Hellfire. Wanted your opinion. Will have to leave Wor’gol.”
Ahonan’s response comes: “I’m glad to see the young man is still kicking. Tell him that Exarch Larohir reminds him there is always another path.”
Remnii knows Larohir was a high-ranking member of the Sha’tari. He not only took over for Restalaan, but when the exarch betrayed the council and became Socrethar, Larohir took his position. Larohir was presumed dead, however. Ahonan is possibly Larohir?
They re-enter the tent.
Akama: “Do you have an answer?”
Arthak: “In light of circumstances at Hellfire Citadel… regretfully we can’t. Not at this time.”
Kaylaan: “As I expected.”
Kaylaan has a look somewhere between “I told you so” and a bit of disappointment.
Akama: “Then we have little else to discuss. Go then. Return to your Legion masters. If you speak to them of our presence here… there will be no bridges left to burn.”
Arthak nods, then looks at Remnii.
1:17
Remnii holds up a finger. In draenic, she tells Akama she has something to tell him after, but then she motions to Arthak to continue.
Arthak: “Very well. About the item we delivered into your hands last time we spoke. Be warned. The individual I acquired it from is desperately in need of it being returned.”
Akama’s hands slip into his cloaks, and he produces two Ata’mal crystals. One is the Brilliant Star, and the other is the Spirit Song.
Akama: “It is not I who should be warned.”
Arthak: “Regardless. He is desperate for them. And seeing I will not be returning to Hellfire with them, I would keep an eye out. He may send others. He may have already sent others. He has some purpose for them against mutual enemies-”
Akama: “You imply you would have been returning with them? Some may take that as a threat.”
Arthak: “Some would. If I hadn’t already said I wasn’t returning with them. I gave the one to you. That has had consequences.”
Akama: “Do you know why he sought them?
Arthak: “No. He wouldn’t tell me. And it became clear he is mad. Those are part of the reasons I have no desire to take them from you. I am many things. I hope a thief isn’t one of them.”
Akama: “Or a dead man. Which would be more likely had you tried.”
Arthak: “It’s already likely. If something else doesn’t kill me” he glances at Kaylaan, “he likely will. But that’s not your problem.”
Kaylaan: “You think I’m going to Hellfire with you?”
Arthak: “No.”
Kaylaan: “Well. I haven’t discovered a way to kill someone across the continent.”
Akama: “The Brilliant Star calms one’s mind and spirit. Ner’zhul is a mad man. One who tapped into magicks long forbidden by his own people. Who drug your people down into the dirt. And invited our ancient enemy to the doorstep. Of course he wants it. With every spell he weaves, a part of his soul is lost with it. This would perhaps stave that off. Even just for a day. We all have a darkness inside of us, Arthak, chieftain of the Broken Blade. With this crystal, I have begun to face my own. He may send whatever assassins he wishes. But he can take nothing more from me. My life for Argus.”
Arthak: “Very well. The warning is given. That is all I need to say to you.”
Akama: “Then go in peace, Arthak, and may we never meet again. Chrono kai kristor.”
Arthak then asks Kaylaan if they can speak.
Kaylaan: “Depends. Who is speaking, and who is listening?”
Akama: “Kaylaan, escort them out of the village.”
Kaylaan: “I suppose that’s your answer, Arthak.”
Akama: “You may stay, children of Argus.”
Azgadaan tries to stay, and Akama growls “Not. You.”
Azgadaan: “...okay.”
1:28
Azgadaan also leaves. Remnii, however, gestures Arthak over before he leaves too quickly.
Remnii: “Arthak. Whatever you’re going to do. Know that it takes all kinds. In the Army of Light, there will be many, many codes of honor. Not all of them orcish. In his eyes… in Draenic eyes, Kaylaan showed the strongest show of brotherhood that he ever could have. In those moments.”
Remnii sighs.
Remnii: “If my words mean anything to you, we need both of you alive. Compromises and sacrifices must be made on all accounts. Something in the armies we fight for is listening to your brothers. The orcs have a saying ‘listen to your second.’ When he told you not to fight Azuka, you went. Pettiness aside, I beseech you on some levels. You are both doing your best to show honor. What you choose to do is your own. But I do not believe you are a dead man walking. Please prove me right.”
Arthak looks at Remnii for a long moment.
Arthak: “Go and seize your opportunity, Remnii.”
Remnii: “You have many more to seize as well if you listen to the people who care about you.”
Arthak then turns to head after Kaylaan.
Kaylaan: “Well, this has been fun, everyone. I’m to escort you a quarter of a mile away from this village. You are not to cross that boundary, or you will be treated as an outsider. Honestly, you should be thankful, considering there are not only orcs, but demons, present, I’m surprised the elder did not dispatch you where you stood. He must be having a good day.”
He starts to lead them out, and Arthak steps beside Kaylaan.
Kaylaan: “You wish to speak to me. Then speak.”
1:37
Meanwhile, back with Remnii and Akama.
Akama: “Remnii. What you have to say. I’m listening.”
Remnii: “I am thankful for your ear. I will not believe we will be staying long. As our means are different, but the goal is the same. As the Legion prepares to march, they go to the very world where the Exodar crashed.”
Akama: “So he said. It is true then?”
Remnii nods.
Remnii: “My… after some deliberation, I have a question for you, but I can tell you anything… know that I wish to leave here as kindred, as draenei. I intend to speak to my father, if I do not die in this foolish process of attempting to locate the Exodar and the rest of our people. I intend to mobilize the draenei.”
Akama laughs.
Remnii: “Laughable I know.”
Akama: “We have run for so long. To convince your father otherwise will be no simple task.”
Remnii: “I am aware. Yet I have one message for you. Exarch Larohir says to you, and myself, that there is always another way.”
Akama’s brow narrows.
Akama: “Well. The old counselor survived. Did he?”
Remnii nods.
Akama: “Of all who survived the sacking of Shattrath, the Sha’tari Broken Soul was not the one I expected. Color me surprised. Tell me. What path do you believe he speaks of?”
Remnii: “I did not know it was him until moments ago when I spoke to him. Over sending, mind you. But we are, as foolish as it may be, I intend to return to Hellfire Citadel. Face those demons there.”
Yrel: “If you return, then I will be behind youj.”
Samaara nods.
Remnii: “I need to tell my father of everything. If I cannot bear a first hand account of what is coming, of what has come… we cannot run forever, and we have been running for a long time.”
Akama: “That. That is your path.”
Remnii: “I know.”
Akama: “Do find and protect those you hold dear. To return to your people. To give them hope. A noble cause. But that path is not for me.”
Remnii: “I am not here to try to get the Ashtongue involved. But I hope, Akama, if we prove resilient enough to find our people and return to the Exodar, in the future, would you be willing to take a call if we mobilize. I will not call you if it is a lost cause.”
Akama looks between them, and then smiles.
Akama: “When I first met you, Remnii, some months ago, this… is not what I expected. When I envisioned the daughter of the Prophet, but you… you have a spirit. Deep within. One of a warrior. Of a fighter. Of one who does not fear doing what must be done. The Horde leaves Draenor, but what will happen to it then? That is the question on my mind. And I intend to find out. I will not leave this fight. 100 years ago, if one would have said that you, Remnii, would be the one to try and convince our people to take up our swords and fight for our people and the rest of the worlds out there, a thousand thousand Legion worlds that burn, and the thousands that remain, I would have laughed. But in this moment, perhaps no laughter is needed.”
Akama reaches into his cloak.
Akama: “Should you be successful, yes, you need only ask, and the Ashtongue will join. The Legion will fall. On that, you have my word.”
He pulls his hand out, and in it is the shimmering violet crystal he had before.
Akama: “Your road will not be easy, and you will face a great many dangers. May this allow your spirit to sing as loudly as it does in this moment.”
He places Spirit Song in her hand.
Akama: “May it be reunited with its kindred when you find our people once again. I was wrong. When you said long ago that our people, broken as we were, were still one. You were right. And I thank you for showing me that.”
Remnii clasps her hand over his.
Remnii: “Chrono kai kristor”
Akama: “Chrono kai kristor”
Remnii thanks him.
She goes to leave, but then stops. “At Hellfire. There is a general of Archimonde by the name of Shaspira.”
Akama growls. “So I’ve heard.”
Remnii: “Leaving on a high note is good, but… I have never seen hatred burning so deeply. Do you know anything of her?”
Akama: “I know only her reputation. They call her the White Tyrant. Rarely does she lead. But in her wake, the worlds that fall to the Legion have their cultures burned away. Whatever holdouts they had, whatever traditions they held, vanish beneath her spell. The Archival Authority of Argus. They are censors. She leads them. Expunges histories. Destroys heroes. Ensures only the legacy of the Legion and their twisted crusade remains. She has powerful connections, and is not to be trifled with. But without knowing her true name, that which she held before she betrayed us, there is little I can tell you. As you know, many of the eredar changed, and with them their names became twisted mockeries. Archimonde and Kil’jaeden being two noteworthy locations. Powerful enough they not fear others knowing their name. Should you learn this, or should someone else know, I trust they would be able to tell you more.”
Remnii: “Even what you told me is more than helpful. Once more Akama, thank you. Be safe, and fight well, as I know you will.”
Akama bids her farewell, and Remnii, Yrel, and Samaara leave.
2:02
Back to Arthak. Arthak: “How did you escape?”
Kaylaan smiles. “We all have our secrets, Arthak. But I fear if I told you that, it would put others in danger, and I do not intend to do that. For you see, when I promise to protect people, I like to follow through on my word.”
Arthak: “That you do. If I had thought to tell you to not intervene. To just let whatever happened happen. Would you have?”
Kaylaan: “I would have, yes, and I would have done so without nary a regret. Certainly with less regret than I have now. It is only fair, no? I suggested you not fight Azuka, and you did not listen. You suggested I not intervene, and I did not listen. A fair trade.”
Arthak: “It doesn’t seem like it.”
Kaylaan: “Perhaps not to you. But I was not going to watch you throw your life away. To watch everything we learned, by your grandsire, Master Samuro… would he have wanted you to throw your life away like that?”
Arthak: “No.”
Kaylaan: “And yet you did. Your bones would be rotting beneath the ground, if they even bothered to bury you, were it not for me. You should thank me, yet I hear you coming for my head.”
Arthak: “This is true. Funny, the things we learn about ourselves.”
Kaylaan: “Enlighten me, Arthak. What have you learned. Your pathetic honor is more important than your friends?”
Arthak: “My honor is to me what her Light is to Remnii. It’s what I believe in. It’s what’s driven me to this point. For good and for ill. I have pushed the lines of it repeatedly. Still do.”
Kaylaan stops, and looks at Arthak.
Kaylaan: “That should be far enough. If I may speak plainly, Arthak. From my perspective, if your honor would cause you to betray your friends, to cut down those who would risk their life to save your own, then I spit on it.”
Arthak: “I’m sorry I didn’t listen. I’m sorry that I failed you.”
Kaylaan’s countinence evens out, and he takes a deep breath.
Kaylaan: “I’m glad. Glad that you feel that way. Apology accepted.”
Arthak: “I’m a terrible friend.”
Kaylaan: “On that, we agree.”
Arthak: “And I think a worse leader.”
Kaylaan: “On that I cannot say I have nearly enough experience to say. I suppose time will have to tell on that. Farewell, Arthak.”
Arthak: “Kaylaan.”
Kaylaan turns on his hoof.
Arthak: “Do you know what my hope was?”
Kaylaan: “What was that?”
Arthak: “I don’t know whether you’re going to laugh, or… my first hope was I would never see you again. So that you might have some semblance of peace. Distance from me. Safety from me. But really it was to save me from the dilemma. The second thing I hoped was that I could persuade you to do this. I don’t know what grandfather would have thought. I suppose he would have advised against fighting Azuka, but I think he would have understood this. Our traditions, the Mok’gora, it’s sacred. I hoped that if we saw each other again we could talk. Come to an understanding. Resolve my betrayal of you, and resolve your violation of our most sacred rituals. I can’t just kill you. You’re my friend. You deserve a warrior’s death. I was hoping.”
The air grows silent for a moment.
Kaylaan: “You still intend to go through on this?”
Arthak: “If you’ll take the fight, yes.”
Kaylaan: “If I refuse?”
Arthak: “Then I don’t know. I wrote something the night before you escaped. Preparing myself to honor you. And I was asking the question, so I suppose if you say no, the questions will be answered.”
Azgadaan had started to pull out his camping stuff. Go’el has a solemn look, but doesn’t look like he’s going to intervene.
Kaylaan sighs, and turns fully around.
Kaylaan: “You are impossible. Did you know that?”
Kaylaan takes a stance.
Kaylaan: “Lets make this quick then.”
2:22
The sleet is still coming down. Arthak goes into a rage, and Kaylaan’s form begins to flicker. Arthak runs forward, and his weapon is flung forth with as much strength as he can muster. However, Kaylaan whirls around on Arthak, avoiding his blow, and strikes back. Kaylaan’s weapon shimmers with a shadowy energy, passing directly through Arthak’s armor. The cut goes directly into Arthak’s chest, and he feels a scorching pain shock through his entire body.
Arthak is still standing, somehow, but the shock inhibits his reactions. Kaylaan then turns around, and strikes again. Kaylaan feints Arthak’s blade, and then pivots around him and with two slashes, brings Arthak down.
Kaylaan walks up to Arthak, who is now fading in and out of unconsciousness. Remnii, who heard the clashes of steel, is now running.
Kaylaan puts the sword that Arthak had forged for him under Arthak’s neck.
Kaylaan: “Any last words, Arthak Saurfang?”
Arthak: “I’m happy it’s you.”
Kaylaan raises his weapon. Azgadaan rushes forward, attempting to interpose himself, and Kaylaan’s eyes flickers and he holds the stump of his arm out. There is a shimmering “arm” there, which then grabs Azgadaan and prevents him from moving closer.
Kaylaan then brings down the weapon in one swift, clean strike.
There’s a pain that washes through Arthak. The pain becomes so unbearable that Arthak’s mind grows cloudy, and he loses consciousness.
Just then, Remnii is within sight, and she sees a streak of blood across the snow. On the ground are Arthak’s pointer and middle fingers, rended aside.
Kaylaan releases Azgadaan, and the shadowy hand vanishes. He looks at everyone else.
Kaylaan: “Well. That, is settled. Ah. Just in time Remnii. Make sure he doesn’t bleed out in the snow. I didn’t lose my arm just for him to die.”
Remnii is slightly blue in the face from anger. “I swear… thank you, Kaylaan, for having sense.”
Remnii rushes over to Arthak to tend to him. Kaylaan, meanwhile, withdraws a crystal--the Heart of Fury, another Ata’mal crystal--and places it on Arthak’s sword, Varg. The crystal flames up, and Varg breaks in half.
Kaylaan: “A broken blade. Fitting.”
He stands, and informs the group to make sure Arthak doesn’t die, as Kaylaan wouldn’t be so merciful next time, and then leaves.
Remnii asks the rest of the group if they were going to camp or march, and it’s agreed it’s better to stay. Remnii casts spare the dying on Arthak, and binds up his wounds.
Azgadaan asks if there is any way to save Arthak’s fingers. Remnii gathers up the limbs, but says she does not, and she asks Sadras and some of the others to help her get Arthak out of the cold.
Sadras looks super serious, and Remnii is clearly very mad. She wraps up Arthak’s fingers, and then goes to speak with Go’el.
2:49
Go’el: “You may wonder why I didn’t intervene.”
Remnii: “I wouldn’t mind hearing your reason, but I am not mad at you, just the situation. I wish to get another orcish perspective.”
Go’el: “Arthak approached me about the situation. I did not know it would come to a head so swiftly, but it needed to be done. Arthak had a difficult choice before him. Of what mattered more. His honor or the words of those who had sworn their life to him. If one can only keep one, which do you choose? I understand why he made the choice he did. In his position, I know naught what I would have done. This was his choice. Should he had died this day, he would have done so honorably. When he awakens, that his life was spared will be a dishonor to him, but perhaps that will be an opportunity for him to reflect on what happened, not to mention the blade he forged was shattered. But he lives to fight another day. There is honor in many things.”
Remnii smiles, clearly tired. “I… and yet by draenic standards, it was an honorable thing to do.”
Go’el: “And that I understand. To give one’s life for another. It is a noble thing. But when traditions clash, it is difficult to parse down what is and is not honorable.”
Remnii nods.
Go’el: “If he would have turned his gaze and allowed Kaylaan to walk away, there is honor in that as well, but perhaps not in the way that Arthak needs. In the way that the Mok’gora demands. Complicated, it is.”
Remnii: “It has always been complicated. Even in generations before you. I recall once I met with Doomhammer and your father, Durotan. My father and yours broke bread, and yet the stiffness in the end could not be understated. And everything at Garodar… I have never been scolded so hard in my life for attempting to help. There is more of this to come… I know better than to be angry about tradition. I suppose from an orcish perspect, if I were to speak with Arthak, perhaps it is a difference in honor… I find myself frustrated. I sacrificed something that is the most sacred to me and my people. I do not know if I will be forgiven, letting Mu’ru and the others open the portal, even if that is what he requested of me. Where does it come into play? Compromise when times are darkest. Everyone will have a different answer, but I seek a wisdom I do not possess as I am not of your kin.”
Go’el: “War is easy. Strength and shows of force have always been an easy way, while it is not the same as compromise, the end result is the same. Until recently, the thought of other peoples beyond the stars, of other cultures beyond our own, I had never even considered such a thing. But the orcs, we… we’ve answered with force for so long. In outmatching those who would challenge us. To change that will be a long, difficult road. And to do so without losing what it is to be an orc, even more. I believe today was a lesson for everyone. One that shows that moving forward wisdom will be needed.”
Remnii: “That is why I came back. Arthak has a good heart at the end of all of it. As do many others. And the draenic stance originally, when times were easier, was to simply let orcs do as they would, as we did not wish to interfere as the invaders at the time, peaceful as it may have been. But the art of compromise is something that everyone will need if we are to survive this, and to keep those hearts good.”
Go’el sighs. “It’s a war more daunting than anything that awaits us at Hellfire Citadel.”
Remnii: “I’m frightened of that too.”
Go’el: “War is always easy. Peace is hard.”
Remnii: “The draenei believe similarly.”
Go’el is unsurprised, and mentions that there are differences, but many similarities as well.
Remnii thanks him for his time, and comments he makes for good conversation, though she wishes it could be about easier topics.
Remnii then tells Go’el she imagines her path will diverge from Arthak and Go’el in the future, perhaps after the Dark Portal opens, but she asks Go’el to watch after Arthak if he could. Go’el agrees to do everything he could.
3:09
Goel has a question for Sorak during their watch.
Goel: “What do you think was the right course of action? Is it really right for us to turn our back? Our people were killed by them. This forge camp, as it’s called. It stands a blight to everything the elements desire.”
Sorak: “If I had my way, we would go with everyone we had and take our land back. But if we stop one, we make an enemy of everything here, and we can’t save anything else. There is no good answer.”
Go’el: “Then may our ancestors, and those who were lost, forgive us.”
Sorak: “Now, if we had a way to slow them down and hinder without getting involved…”
Go’el: “We would likely have to enter the camp itself. It would require us to put our faith in the strange woman we met yesterday.”
Sorak: “I’m tempted. However… It’s hard to say whether or not we can trust demons. Despite the ones we met being potentially trustworthy. We have attracted far too much attention, so this could just be a trap.”
Go’el: “It’s true, but there was a sincerity… or a bluntness, if you will. I don’t believe she was attempting to deceive us.”
Sorak: “Yet I’m sure she was leaving information out.”
Go’el nods.
Sorak: “I can’t say I’m not tempted to try, but that would undermine everything Arthak is trying. But I suppose… we aren’t intrinsically tied. We could act, and let them sort that mess out. If you’re asking what I want to do, the answer is fight. If you’re asking what I think we should do…”
Sorak lets out a heavy sigh and throws a rock.
Go’el nods again, sighing.
Go’el: “You’re right. There could be some things we can learn by going to the camp, even just trying to speak with the overseer, but it may also be wise to return to our people.”
Sorak: “Ultimately, that’s up to you and Arthak. While I would love to learn more, I don’t know what we would do with that information. Is it worth the risk?”
Go’el can’t answer that.
They discuss a bit more, and Sorak does relent the woman they met may be able to help them with acquiring info. However, they decide to wait for tomorrow to make a decision.
Go’el expresses he hopes he made the right decision, and Sorak said that Go’el has always done what was best for his people.
3:30
Arthak sleeps through the night. The next morning, he stirs. He’s alive. Somehow. His hand hurts a lot. As he looks down, he notices he is missing two fingers on his main hand.
Arthak lays there, and Remnii sits quietly nearby.
Arthak looks around, and then he sees what remains of Varg. It’s in two pieces, and seems to have a scar of burned steel. The metal itself is compromised, and not saveable. It would take materials and a lot of time to even begin to repair.
Arthak just stares.
Remnii goes to heal him more, but Arthak stops her, preferring to recover by his own means. As they prepare to leave, he sees Kaylaan’s sword, which Arthak had forged for him, completely discarded and unsheathed.
Arthak buries his sword.
Sadras comes to get him, and informs him that they are going to break camp.
Arthak: “...that blade held his ashes.”
Sadras doesn’t respond.
Arthak: “You were wrong, grandfather. You were very wrong.”
Arthak then gets up and heads back to camp. Azgadaan is cooking. Like usual.
3:37
Most of the Ashtongue have left.
Samaara asks their next move. Return to Hellfire or go to the Forge camp. They discuss potentially contacting Nyxxa, and they decide to do so. Remnii starts to prepare the sending to her.
Meanwhile, with the satyr in question, she is simply keeping an eye on things at the camp itself. There is some weird things going on. For instance, strange chanting coming from a cave only very specific people are permitted inside.
There are also fel canons posted around, and other such security measures. Overall, the forge camp itself is quite booming, and it seems that whatever it was the overseer was working on is nearly done.
In the morning, she receives a sending.
“Nyxxa. It’s Remnii, the draenei. Our business is concluded. Would you perhaps want to meet again?”
Nyxxa responds: “Same place as yesterday. Either way, I’ll be heading in that direction. Was that… yeah? Yeah.”
She then begins to head out to potentially rendezvous with the group. However, as she looks around, using an innate magic to see invisibility, she spots one of the succubi from the forge camp, watching her while invisible. She follows Nyxxa for a little bit, and Nyxxa stays on her designated route.
However, even after an hour, the succubus is following her. However, finally after two solid hours, Nyxxa sees the succubus scoff, clearly upset about something, before heading back to the forge camp.
Nyxxa releases a sigh of relief when it’s obvious the succubus had gone. She holds a conversation with… some voice of some sort. It’s clearly annoyed.
The warband reaches the site first, though Nyxxa arrives no more than 10 or 15 minutes later.
Nyxxa greets them, and apologizes for her lateness. She then informs them she’s pretty sure the overseer is almost done with what she’s doing.
Before proceeding to ask if they had met with the krokul.
Remnii said that their business was concluded, and Go’el adds there wouldn’t be any help from them. Nyxxa asks if they are going to keep doing what they’re doing, and Go’el confirms.
They start to discuss a plan from there, and Nyxxa provides she has a plan. She said that she believes it would be hard for the Legion to believe the entire group was taken out by her. However, her job was to scout. Perhaps they got the upper hand on her, beat her up, and she was just running back to report.
The alternative, provided by Go’el, was that Nyxxa escort them in, as it is within reason that Go’el would seek out reason for why they were on his lands and harming his people. If they were to turn on them, they could escape, and he could then wield that against them, as as a chieftain, he has the respect of many of his people.
It’s an idea.
Azgadaan points out that, once they leave Draenor, the Legion will have free reign. What is keeping them from merely going back to what they are doing?
Go’el said he wasn’t trying to stop them. He just wanted answers.
Azgadaan starts to dig into Nyxxa for more appearance information about the overseer, but there isn’t much. She also gives a rundown of the place, and mentions that the overseer was quite excited about the experiments done on the fel stalkers.
As they approach, Nyxxa takes point, and she informs the felguards that she found a group that surrendered as they wished to speak. The felguard let them pass.
4:37
An imp swats at Remnii’s tail, but a felguard then immediately punts the imp across the way. They are presented to one of the succubi, who is informed they wish to speak to the overseer. The succubus shoos them on, though mentions the overseer is likely busy with her projects.
She flirts with Azgadaan, who tells her to “mind herself.”
Azgadaan examines his surroundings while a wrathguard goes to ask the overseer about meeting with the group, and identifies the infernals, however, he is also able to tell the obelisk itself is a magical focus. It’s probably a magical anchor, and may be vital to the use of the nearby teleporter.
A few moments later, the door sliders open before them, and a wrathguard steps forward. He looks a bit confused, and shakes his head.
Wrathguard: “The overseer has agreed to see you.”
The mist inside the obelisk chills them to the bone as the group steps in.
