[Alliance] Session Thirteen
The two Alterac knights set the dragon egg down on the ground. The group debates what to do with it. It is thought that the dragon egg will attract its mother.
Gil suggests sending it somewhere else as opposed to destroy it, and Vel suggests sending it to Dalaran considering the resources they had access to. Victor says it may be dangerous to do so, but Gil points out it’s a good thing there is an entire entourage of men Victor has with him to escort it.
Victor correctly assumed that Gil didn’t want that many people accompanying them.
There also comes a matter of the Syndicate prisoners as Hillsbrad was too small to hold the amount they had found. Victor had the idea of Dunholde Keep… which was not too far out of the way of the route to the Hinterlands.
He expressed General Blackmoore would likely enjoy some “fresh meat.” It is one of the largest prisons in Azeroth, after all. In addition, it was home to several fighting pits and it made the prisoners a bit of a sport.
Victor expressed that perhaps they could spend a night there and enjoy such sport after explaining that those that resisted his father being given the throne of Alterac had been placed there.
Vel was not particularly amused by the idea.
Uther expressed he wanted to share some words with Vittoria, and Victor started to round up the townsfolk while the mayor thanked the group for their part in liberating Hillsbrad from the Syndicate. He offered them a pouch of coins, but the reward was refused so he could put it to use rebuilding the town.
The mayor was incredibly grateful and expressed that their room and board would, of course, be free.
They return to the town and settle in. Victor is insistent on getting caught up with Uther, Vittoria, and Ashwynn, and is also schmoozing with basically anyone that he can talk to.
---
Gil pulls Uther aside to talk to him, and expresses there is an obvious problem. Namely that one of the people that are now accompanying them has the last name of “Trollbane.”
Uther said he was going to appraise Vittoria of the situation and she can then choose whether she wishes to come or not. He was going to handle his cousin the same way.
Gil is a bit… skeptical. After all, if Victor is extra-opposed to the idea they are in his lands with several of his man. However, Victor said that he doesn’t see his cousin risking an international incident, and the only other option is secrecy… which doesn’t end well.
Gil: “...Uther, her name is Trollbane.”
Uther: “Is it now? I hadn’t noticed.”
Gil: “I’m genuinely afraid they will come with us not to help.”
Uther: “Well in this particular instance, Gilveradin, I have to ask you to trust me.”
Gil: “...Very well, you know them better than I do. Just wanted to make my concerns heard.” He claps Uther on his shoulder. “You have fun with that conversation, though!”
Uther: “I’m certain I will.”
Gil: “Uther, actually, as far as the dragon egg. Could you perhaps convince the justicar to personally bring it to Dalaran?”
Uther is pretty sure he can convince her as she seems like a pragmatic woman.
Gil: “Hmm… things have been going too smoothly for too long.”
Uther: “What you say is true, but lets try to ride it out for as long as we can.”
Gil: “Oh, it’s been great. I’m just waiting for the other foot to drop. I’m not foolish enough to think we were not too lucky with that dragon. It may be a powerful enemy in the end.”
Uther: “No shortage of those.”
Gil: “I’d like to shorten the list, not lengthen it.”
Uther agrees, but expresses they have no control over that list aside from what order they place the names.
They banter a bit more, and Gil goes to have a drink. When they return, Victor is drunkenly singing. Gil goes to join him and they somehow bust out into a perfectly choreographed duet.
(It was “A Girl Worth Fighting For”)
A few coins are tossed at them (20 copper pieces). Victor scoops some others up (10 gold pieces) and hands them to Gil as he deserved them with his impeccable timing. Elissa and Vittoria (who is a tad drunk) were clapping along.
Uther goes and sits next to Vittoria, and she elbows him and flags the server for a drink for him. She joyfully greets him and he returns the greeting.
Vittoria was going to ask him what was new, but she mentioned Uther had said he wanted to talk to her. Her confirmed seeing she wanted to join them and it may be worth bringing her up to speed.
Uther: “I suppose, in order to avoid wasting time, how much do you know about the troll situation?”
She, regrettably, didn’t know a whole lot. Just that there were groups of trolls in the area being more organized than normal. There was also tales of the risen dead. Other than that, she hadn’t heard much.
Uther mentioned their investigation had yielded some results. However, he had mostly stumbled over things.
Vittoria mentioned he seemed to be being humble, after all, Menethils have a habit of finding things when they needed to find it.
Uther: “What you’ve heard about the trolls being more organized, it’s worse than that. They’ve united under a king named Zalazane - who died some years ago.”
Vittoria’s eyebrow raises and she takes another drink.
Uther mentioned he commands necromantic magic - far more powerful than what they had known previously.
Vittoria asked if he was hiding in the Hinterlands, but Uther said that he had no idea. They, instead, believed there may be clues there.
Uther: “Now… before I continue, I would like to know something….”
Vittoria: “Why do I get the feeling you’re gonna tell me something I won’t like?”
Uther says that’s probably because it’s true. “Given the option of laying waste to a small tribe of a 100 or so trolls, would you take that over having the ability to take on an army of thousands of them?”
Vittoria blinks and finishes her drink. She slams the stein back on table and leans with one elbow on the table. “Alright, Uther. Speak plainly. What the devil are you talking about?”
Uther: “We’re not headed into the Hinterlands to kill trolls. When this Zalazane rallied the trolls, there were isolated pockets that didn’t agree. I hesitate to call them a rebellion, but, these trolls may be our only lead to find Zalazane himself. We’re going into the Hinterlands to parley with them.”
Vittoria: “You’re shitting me.”
Uther: “I know better than to joke with a Trollbane about killing trolls.”
Vittoria: “So you’re going to this tribe assuming that they aren’t gonna just take you down right the first moment they see ya? You do realize these are trolls you’re dealing with.”
Uther: “Right, and while it’s not difficult to simply see these trolls as monsters, they are a people, they have a culture, and right now that culture is in danger of extinction. I’m counting on their desire to protect themselves to protect me.”
Vittoria looks at Uther and her eyes narrow. “You’re certainly full of surprises, Prince Menethil. That’s for sure.”
Uther expresses that’s not the first time he’s heard that.
Vittoria leans back and holds her hands up and claps them on her thighs. “Alright. I don’t imagine anything I could say could change your mind on how you’re dealing with this, and if I don’t go with ya, I can’t ensure you and your friends don’t end up as the trolls next meals.”
Uther: “So I hope this is you agreeing to come with us?”
Vittoria mentioned the Trollbanes have been friends with the Menethils for a long time., However, she expressed that if this goes soul, he needed as many people as possible. “As far as everything is considered, I just rendezvoused with an old friend. The last thing I want to do is go to Lordaeron and tell everyone you’re not going to make it. Just don’t expect me to talk to trolls.”
Uther expressed his gratitude, but said that he had one more thing to say. He also said he needed her to not overreact to what he is about to tell her.
She laughs and smiles. “How many surprises are you going to give me in one night?”
Uther: “At least two more. We are traveling with one. A troll. That is.”
Vittoria: “I think I would have recognized a troll.”
Uther: “Aye, that you would, had he not been in disguise.”
Vittoria: “Who was it?”
Uther: “The young red-headed man.”
Vittoria: “That twitchy fellow? So you’re telling me that twitchy fellow is a troll in disguise?”
Uther confirms, and she laughs. Vittoria takes another drink of a fresh tankard.
Uther said he had one more thing. “This part is of utmost secrecy. The young woman that we’re traveling with, Tess. She is Testament Greymane.”
Vittoria: “You’re shitting me.”
Uther: “She is. And furthermore, she is a worgen.”
Vittoria was astounded at the amount of royals in Hillsbrad. Uther mentioned the joke about being short of a few Proudmoores and a Wrynn short of a full reunion was accurate.
Vittoria said he was lucky she trusted him, and Uther mentioned he was sure they had a decent system in place, but she did transform every month. However, Vittoria said he probably shouldn’t tell the justicar, and he agreed.
Ultimately, Vittoria said her options were going to Lordaeron and waiting, or joining. Besides, she still wanted a rematch with him.
Uther: “Just my luck. Two old friends, and they both can’t wait to beat me into the dirt.”
Ultimately, Vittoria did agree to go with them. Uther was quite pleased, and expressed his gratitude at her taking everything so calmly as he still had to tell Victor.
Vittoria offered him her luck.
Meanwhile, Vel takes Elyssa to somewhere quiet and asks for a word.
Vel tells her that she doesn’t put up with Victor because he’s a prince. Elyssa admits his flirting is a bit much. Vel advises that she tell him to back off, but Elyssa doesn’t want to be mean.
“It’s not mean, it’s asserting yourself.” Vel says. Vel assures that if it’s a problem Vel will deal with it.
Elyssa asks how Vel has been feeling, that she looks tired. Vel related that a lot has been happening lately. Elyssa understands, and promises to help with studying. She relates she doesn’t have to be alone.
Vel relates that she did promise her reading lessons, a knight should be fluent.
Elyssa says she’s gonna practice being more assertive. She says she’ll promise to be more assertive to Victor and taking reading lessons. But Vel has to not try to do everything herself.
Vel agrees to the best of her abilities. Elyssa makes her shake on it.
Vel continues that that counts for Gil as well. “He struts more than a hawkstrider in mating season.”
Elyssa laughs, but says she doesn’t mind.
She says she has something for Vel, and shows her a sketch of her playing with Arkadaan. She thought Vel would appreciate it. She thought to preserve smiles in the days to come.
Vel looks it, and supposes she’s right. After Elyssa leaves she folds it up and puts it into the back of her book.
Victor and Gilveradin, at one point, link arms and sing again. At that point, Vel disappears upstairs.
Enough is enough.
At the end of the night, Uther got Victor’s attention. Victor had quite enjoyed Gil’s company.
Uther said that he wanted to fill him in if Victor was going to be traveling with them. He asked him what he knew, and Victor knew more than Vittoria - he already knew about Zalazane.
Uther: “Apparently he has eaten his people’s gods.”
Victor: “I hope he doesn’t get indigestion. I trust you’re hunting him, yes?”
Uther confirms, though they had no idea where to find him. Specifically, they were chasing a lead in the Hinterlands. A small group of trolls that had not rallied to Zalazane.
Victor wanted to know how he found out about them.
Uther explained they had run into one of their number in Quel’Thalas.
Victor: “I don’t suppose that individual is with you, is he?”
Uther: “What if I told you he was?”
Victor: “The young red-headed boy?”
Uther: “Very astute.”
Victor explained his hand hit something that wasn’t there when he tried to rope him into some of the partying. Uther said it was his people they were going to see.
Victor: “Hmmm. I knew I could trust you, Uther. You can’t make this up. A rogue tribe, rebelling against a king raising the dead, breaking bread with the enemy, trying to find a way to bring down the enemy. The bards will sing this tale for ages! All that’s missing is for you to fall in love with one of the trolls when you get there, Uther.”
Uther expressed his parents would have something to say about it.
Some of Victor’s banter continued, and he mentioned the “cold, yet comely elf” when he mentioned that Uther had a tendency for talented, beautiful women following him. He was *almost* envious.
However, Victor said he was not going to allow any kin of him to get eaten, so he’d follow.
Uther also mentioned that Tess was a worgen. This, however, did take Victor by surprise. He correctly assumed she was from the Silverpine Forest, and Uther said that she was from further in Gilneas: she was the daughter of Genn Greymane.
Victor expressed both their fathers would be interested in that.
Uther informs him that she was traveling with an apothecary who was working on a cure.
Victor relates that there have been a lot of worgan related deaths in the area, and they should start working on the cure quickly before an army is amassed.
Victor- “It’s quite astonishing that a young maiden such as that would be afflicted by a terrible curse. I wonder if the curse is transmitted through bite when she’s not transformed.”
It took Uther a moment, then he got it. He advised Victor not to try it, but he also knew that Victor was going to do what Victor was going to do.
Victor suggests they keep a *close* eye on her.
Victor is a horn dog. Confirmed. Surprising absolutely no one. Zap spent most of the evening talking to the two dwarves about mortars. The shorter one promised Zap, if he was still in one piece, that he will show him a special recipe using dragon’s blood.
---
The next day- Friday, May 4th
They gather all of their things and start to head out.
They see Julia off, and she thanks Victor for sending his men along with her. However, before they parted ways, Uther asked for a favor from her. Specifically, he asked if she could take the drake egg to Dalaran.
She admitted she had tarried longer than she would like, but she could do it. On the condition she could use it as a lure to draw the drake out. If so, she could drop it off at the Kirin Tor before she headed off to Silverpine Forest.
Uther: “It’s not my egg. It’s merely a suggestion.”
Zap: “I imagine if Uther had an egg it would be a lot more handsome.”
Julia agreed.
Gilveradin pointed out the egg may be close to hatching, and she reassured him that she had experience with dealing with any whelplings.
They part ways, and the party heads west with a few cage-carts with the prisoners. They make a ways on the high road. They travel for some time. It’s about six hours before they encounter anything notable. Most of the way towards Durnholde, the false mayor is trying to broker a deal with members of the party.
Vittoria punched him the face.
Vel ended up chilling a limb.
Zap, however, made small-talk. About four hours of dwarvish stories later, the false-mayor is very much regretting it, and he doesn’t try again.
They reach a group of soldiers after some time. The banner they fly appears to be from Southshore, and all of them are fairly despondent. Some are in slings. Some have bandages over their eyes. They seem to be heading back towards Southshore itself.
They notice the approaching cart, and someone whistles. Two of the less battered soldiers ride up and eye the cart with disdain.
Man: “Aye. My lords. What have you got there in those cages?”
Uther: “Prisoners, why?”
Man: “What kind?”
Zap: “The incarcerated kind.”
Uther: “The kind who have commited crimes.”
Man: “They ain’t Syndicate are they?”
Uther: “I don’t see how that’s relevant.”
Man: “A thousand pardons. We lost many men to Syndicate. A man got into our numbers. Told them our defenses. Robbed us blind. Forgive us for being a bit… vengeful about it.”
Uther: “I understand your feelings. And if these were Syndicate members, they are in custody, and will face the king’s justice.”
Man: “They don’t deserve no justice. None of these Syndicate rabbel deserve any sort of justice. If you ask me, you should put them to the sword right here. Lighten your load.”
Zap: “Not sure if we asked your opinion, but thanks for it.”
Uther glances at Victor. He looks up from a book he was reading, rolls his eyes. “Gentlemen, I know that Southshore is one of our most important port towns in Alterac. My father appreciates it, but these men are on their way to Durnholde. You understand that General Blackmoore will appreciate these people being delivered there as much as you want to gut them. I’m sure you’ve seen the fight rings in Dunholde, yes? I’m sure whatever fate awaits them there is a much worse one than you can arrange here. Why don’t you listen to my cousin, Prince Uther of Lordaeron, and trust they will get their devil’s due. Lick your wounds, embrace your wives and children if you happen to have them.”
The man clenches his fist for a moment. “With all due respect, m’lord. My wife was on watch that night. She was their first victim. With all due respect, m’lord, but perhaps if the Syndicate had an actual presence hunting them, perhaps no one else here would have to lose their wives and brothers.”
Zap: “How does stabbing a bunch of people accomplish that? Lad, you don’t need a stabbing session. You need a stiff drink, and a nice funeral for your wife.”
Man: “With what materials, dwarf?”
Zap offers he can provide the drinks, but he isn’t no preacher. He also offered to see to his wounds.
Victor tosses his book on the cart and dismounts. He walks up to the man. “What’s your name, good sir?”
Man: “Leggit Padley, your highness.”
Victor: “Listen here, Leggit. I’ll have words with my father. I understand that the Syndicate is a problem, but we’ve been trying to deal with it. It isn’t an easy one to handle.” He withdraws a small pouch and he hands it to the man. “Split this among your men. I suppose use it as reparations when you get home. There is only so much I can do right now, but my dwarf friend is right. We can see to your injuries and do what else we can do.”
Leggit looks at he coins and unfolds them. He then dumps the coins into the mud and stomps on them. “To hell with your coin. Southshore will continue making due. Your coin won’t bring back the dead. We’ll keep working with our own coin. Your assistance won’t do nothing. Just like all your other assistance, if you can call it that.”
Victor looks like he’s about to storm after him. Zap and Gil both try to stop him. Victor shoves them off.
Zap: “Easy there lad. He just lost a wife.”
Victor: “Listen here, Leggit. I’m doing what I can. They impersonated one of your own men. How hard do you think it is to get them out of Alterac, where they’ve been for a long time. My father unseated the former king, their leader, and we still can’t get them. Do you think we’re not trying?”
Leggit was not amused. He said he had a wife to bury.
Victor’s shoulders sink and he returns to the group, not making eye contact. “Lets keep moving. No sense tarrying here.”
Victor is very quiet for the rest of the day.
That night, Uther pulls Victor aside out of earshot of everyone else.
Victor sighs. “What is it, Uther?” Uther: “Just wanted to make sure you were alright.”
Victor: “I’m fine. I’m just dwelling on that soldiers words more than I should.”
Uther: “Are you dwelling because you feel like he spoke unfairly, or because he did speak fairly?”
Victor: “He was completely in the right, and I should not have lost my cool. It was unworthy of me, and only escalated the situation. I suppose I should count myself lucky. Had he swung, I may have swung back.”
Uther: “For what it’s worth, you’re not the only prince who has lost his cool.”
Victor: “I’m fine. I’ll be fine. I’ll be a lot better once this scum gets to Dunholde where they can live our their short sentences.”
Uther: “Well then. I have nothing to worry about. But, should you ever feel like you may not be fine, we’re family, cousin. You can always talk to me.”
Uther gives Victor a shit-eating grin and a shot in the arm. “Now, cheer up. You’re bringing everyone else down.”
Victor: “Right. And what am I without my signature smile?”
Uther: “That’s the spirit. We have a long road ahead of us.”
Victor: “Indeed. We still need to find your unknowing soulmate deep within the Hinterlands. I’m sure she’s ravishing.”
Uther mentioned a fortune-teller had told him he was going to meet the love of his life soon.
There is some banter between the pair, and Victor comments on how strong Vittoria had become. She could likely outswing both of them.
Later, Vel and Uther also continue magically sparring, and Gil starts to try and show Elissa how to heal - at least in the manner he knows how.
Gil is able to tell the core of their magic is the same, but there’s a certain difference. Gil learned from other high elves. There’s a certain degree of raw talent involved with Elissa’s, however. Almost the same difference as between Uther and Vel’s magics.
Elissa’s eyes also always glow whenever she is using large bursts of magic.
The following day, nothing happens. The third day, however, during the early morning, Zap hears something storming down the high road. There are two horses. They are riding hard on the road. However, they have no riders.
Zap asks Gil if that’s customary for Arathi basin. Gil confirms not, as did Victor.
One of the horses seemed to be injured.
Gil is able to steady the wounded horse, and as he draws closer, he sees an injury on its flank. A small arrow shaft. It seems to be troll in origin.
Gil points the arrow shaft out to Rai, and his eyes widen. “That’s not from ours, mon- I mean, Gil. You may want to help him. That looks like it’s poisoned.”
Gil brings the horse over to Elissa, and she asks what is wrong with it. Gil explains that it may be poisoned, and he’s pretty sure she can help. “Give it a go. Worse comes to worse, we can use conventional medicine.”
The beast whickers a bit as it staggers back from the pale green light, and there is a slight breeze. Suddenly it is standing a little bit stronger.
Vittoria mentioned she saw similar breeds near Tarren Mill when she and her girls made a pit-stop. They may have hit the small little town there.
Gil said they should go there.
However, Victor mentioned that that was far off the course of Dunholde.
Gil asked Rai how fast acting the poison was, and it seemed like the horse had been injured recently.
Vittoria mentioned it was their decision. Victor suggested they send the six guardsmen that accompanied them to watch the prisoners to check on Tarren Mill, while the group continues on to Durnholde.
The leader (guardsman #8), Landon, said they’d be willing to do so.
Gil suggested, alternatively, they could send the guards to Durnholde with the prisoners, the group could go to Tarren Mill, and then Gil could get them into the Hinterlands.
Victor admitted that was an idea, but he had sent word ahead that they would be arriving. However, Blackmoore may take them not showing up as a slight.
Gil commented that being royalty seems to be much more trouble than it’s worth. He then asked Uther what he thought, and Uther commented their work was much more important than the ego of Blackmoore.
Vel mentioned troll involvement may be a lead.
The path was decided, and Uther said they would head to Tarren Mill. Ideally, Gil would be able pick a path through.
Gil: “Actually, Victor, did you promise to be there or did you mention all of us?”
Victor mentioned the royalty and the entorage, but he was not specific with anyone else.
Gil: “how good are you at apologies?”
Victor: “I’m a prince, Gilveradin. I generally have better results than you’ve seen.”
Gil suggests that Victor and Tess accompany the guards.
Vel: “You’re surprisingly cruel, Gilveradin.”
Gilveradin: “I don’t think so.”
Victor: “I would be more upset if it wasn’t for the beautiful woman accompanying me.”
Vel: “I wasn’t referring to you.”
Victor and Tess take off with the prisoners and guards, while the rest head towards Tarren Mill.
Gil attempts to sense any humanoids, but he is unable to find any. Some of the horses were butchered and seem to be half eaten - by some sort of beast, not a troll. As they continue to look, it seems that earlier today something had happened.
Gil manages to find tracks. They lead toward the east. Through some of the hills and channels, he sees what seems to be a small village, and they are able to set off towards it very quickly. They travel a short distance through some hamlets and farms. There is some blood and bodies, but not a lot of bodies.
There is a graveyard nearby. Gil can sense humanoids, and they are steadily disappearing. Gil alerts the group, and they take off at full speed.
As the group approaches, they hear trolls talking. There is an abundance of trolls - about 5 dragging unconscious people who seem to be alive. Many of the graves have been open, but there are no undead around. Except for one. There’s a troll necrolyte who is walking toward one of the graves and is saying some sort of incantation as he reads of a stone slab - which is glowing a pale, eerie blue.
Vel turns Gil invisible, and Zap also sneaks in. Gil nocks an arrow, and fires. It sinks into the necrolyte’s back, and it tears through its robes - revealing a skeletal body. As if on cue, Zap blasts off a giant glob of glue that explodes.
The necrolyte managed to jump out out of the way of the glue bomb, but two other ones are promptly covered in sticky, white goo.
The necrolyte shouts out a warning just as Ashwynn charges in. Uther follows after her and lobs a fireball at the necrolyte. However, as it hits, the fire washes over it and it laughs.
Necrolyte: “Ya have to try harder than that, mon.”
Uther: “Don’t worry, I’m just warming up.”
Gil fires another arrow and it impacts right next to the other one as he drops the tablet he was reading off of.
Vittoria also charges in and shouts out words of encouragement to Zap. He comments he may blush. Zap darts in like a little football linebacker and scoops up the tablet. As the necrolyte tries to strike at him, a retractable shield pops up from his left arm and blocks the inky, black hand away as he charges out again.
He gleefully shouted to Vel that he got the scroll. She acknowledge she saw, and Uther shouted out good work.
The necrolyte starts to chant something else in a strange language, and a bunch of bodies and viscera shoot up from the ground and shoot into the center of the graveyard. The corpses assemble into a large creature, that quickly hurls around and crunches the gleeful necrolyte beneath it’s fists.
Rai cowers behind the wall, and everyone around him distantly hear a the beat of a heartbeat - that is likely Rai’s - as he uses War Drums.
Vel, meanwhile, hurls bright blue electricity at the monstrosity, but it courses through the bodies that make up it’s form and it seems to ground the creature, leaving it unaffected.
Elissa also vaults over and uses Protect from Evil and Good on Uther. Gil fires another arrow, and it sticks firmly, but it also seems to resist
Rai is still cowering behind the wall, and he tells her to maybe wait until it moves and then strike (help action).
Vel, upon seeing an opening, hurls another orb of energy at the monstrosity and it explodes at its feet - sending some bodies reeling off its mass. It seemed to be fairly effective. However, it flailed over to Ashwynn and knocked her prone as it’s other clubbed hand cleaved into Uther. However, it had picked up a body as well, and it seemed to repair itself with it.
Elissa struck at it the monster, but the blow glanced harmlessly to the side as Zap ran forward to drag Ashwynn back and use his protoplaszer on her. She thanks him.
Vittoria ran forward and spun her greatsword around in a vicious arc and it connects heavily as she comments on Zap making a comment earlier about strong ladies standing in the way of the enemy.
Uther follows up with a fierce swing from his own greatsword, and he buries it deep into the body.
Uther: “By the Light, I will hurl you back into the abyss from whence you crawled! Your fight is with me, monstrosity.”
However, its fight is not with Uther. For as the holy energy from the sword surges through it, the monster reels back and effective explodes as the corpses are immediately cremated from the force of the damage.
Uther looks a little surprised. He wasn’t expecting just to kill the thing.
Vittora watches the thing explode. “I’m almost disappointed. If I wasn’t so impressed.”
Uther: “I will admit, I did not think that was going to be enough.”
Zap: “And so humble, too. And that’s why I voted for him.”
Gil: “But Zap, we don’t vote for kings. And he’s not your prince.”
Zap: “Then who did I vote for?”
It’s a good question.
They are all in a bit of shock from the sudden success, and they determine that they should probably take care of the unconscious bodies. Zap asks Elissa to lift him so he can pat Uther on the back. Elissa does. Some of the people were taken by the trolls that fled, but the people that remained were, at least, alive.
Ashwynn said it seemed like it was a good thing they came, and Vel mentioned that they also had a lead on how the spell was being cast - referring to the scroll. Half of the scroll was blank, but the other half was, at least, present. However, it was not in a language she recognized.
Zap said he didn’t wipe it off. Vel said that’s not how scrolls work.
Some of the villagers began to stir, and one said they could not offer them a reward other than a place to stay if they wanted it. They chose not to, but Zap said they should immediately fill in the graves. Some of the less-tired ones immediately went to fill the graves.
Gil, however, mentioned that some trolls got away. One of the men noted the fact and said they would be ready to run.
They head out, and thanks to Gil’s natural talents, they are able to find a clear path through the pine forests and streams.
In the meanwhile, Zap regales the group with a retelling of how he got the slab as if they were not there. There was some exaggerating.
They get a distance away from Durnholde, to a pass through the mountains, on May 9th.
However, there is no sign of Victor and Tess. It’s been about a week since they left Hillsbrad.
During that time, Vel has copied the stone- tablet scroll into her notebook.
She studies it. The language alludes her, but she can tell the spell is pretty potent. It’s stronger than what she can cast. The spell is forbidden and also around level 6- more powerful than what Rhonin can use.
She deduces that Zalzane likely created the spell. She then uses Arkadaan to observe the scroll. It has the same energy as the graves. She needs another piece to figure out the puzzle. Gil recommends Rai. Rai didn’t understand the language, neither did Gil. Vel notes it also wasn’t Draconic.
Since necromancy was linked to the twisting nether- it could be demonic. And they have no means to figure ask one.
Gil suggests sneaking into a troll encampment, should they find one, and stealing a scroll. Vel doesn’t advise it. But the rest think it’s as good of an idea as any.
Gil suggests they stop at Quel’Danil, the farstrider lodge, and Elissa also mentioned Aerie Peak. While Zap didn’t know anyone at Aerie Peak personally, he was able to provide it was bustling because Ironforge was preparing for war. Zap explains not all dwarves like each other too much, which was why the Cold Iron War was raging. He mentioned he may explain on the road as “everyone can agree his storytelling is very interesting.”
Uther, however, seeing they have a day of downtime, figured he’d give Vittoria that dual she was clammering for. Uther said Vittoria could go first, and she commented that she would ensure he would reget it. However, Uther managed to narrowly beat her.
However, while they were sparring, it was clear Vittoria - in the way she held herself and spoke - had an obvious crush on Uther. Uther, however, didn’t notice.
Gil commented to Vel that Vittoria was how Vel tended to look, and her ears turned pink, she shut her book, she got up, and walked away. Zap and Gil exchange a high-five.
Ashwynn asked if she missed something.
Towards the evening, however, they see Tess and Victor making their way towards camp. Zap waves excitedly, and they ride up. They are alone, as the guards headed back toward Hillsbrad and Vittoria had told her girls to head back to Stromgarde to reduce the amount of people.
Victor greets them, and states there was something interesting after talking to Blackmoore. There was a small piece of parchment, which looked like an advertisement.
Uther takes it and looks. Gil peers over his shoulder and picks up Zap so he can see.
“Come one, come all. Witness the Beast rip apart the competition. General Aedellus Blackmoore’s prized capture. Watch it tear a dozen people apart in a single stroke.”
There’s an illustration.
?version=708b70fe40f195bf0647b3c4f0624034It’s a massive troll.
Gil: “Uther… trolls don’t get that big.”
Victor mentioned he and Tess were able to see it in action. He confirmed it was very efficient, and very large. 10-12 feet tall. However, it’s skin was violet - not green or blue.
Everyone looks at Rai. “Uh… wha? Wait? Wait a minute. There’s no way.” Uther: “What does this mean?”
Rai: “I think I know who that is. He was one of the tribe members. He was the last one after the wars. There wasn’t very many to begin with… One of the dark trolls.”
Gil mentions they were extinct, but Rai said otherwise. He came alone to their tribe. He didn’t say much, but he was with them. However, he disappeared during the first attack.
The group collectively realizes that rescuing him could get them in good favor with the Dark Spear. They decide to head back to Durnholde.
Just at that moment Vel says she’s an idiot. She realizes she has a spell that allows her to comprehend languages. She immediately walks away and starts chanting in draconic.
Zap suggests turning Gil invisible to rescue the troll. Gil suggests turning the troll invisible.
They continue to try and make a plan. Tess mentions that a lot of people were betting, and they could probably use that. Perhaps get him to try and bet his fighter against something they had. Victor comments that they *had* a dragon egg, but not anymore… though (and Victor cringes) they could bet him a favor.
Gil asks for any other idea because that’s a stupid idea.
They continue to discuss.
Favors seems to be the only real viable option.
There’s some banter, and at one point Zap compliments Rai when talking about the fact they seem to have started to collect trolls. Rai - in his human disguise - straight up blushes.
If they were going to do that, they needed data. Fortunately, both Vel and Zap had access to things that could help with that.
Meanwhile, Vel was successfully able to decipher the script. It’s almost there.
They then take off toward the keep.
---
As they approach the keep, the sheer size of it quickly becomes evident. It’s very uninviting with a bunch of siege weapons and the like. Before long, two riders come to meet them. They greet them, and mentioned they weren’t expecting to see Victor again so soon.
Victor expressed that his friends may want to see the arena.
Apparently the fight was about to start.
They turn away to lead them inside, and it is clear this is not a kind place. At all. As they are lead through the fort, there is some cheering and chanting. They are taken to Blackmoore’s viewing box, and as they ascend, they are slammed with the scent of alcohol. Reclined in a huge chair is a man as muscular as he is obese. He has greying-black hair that looks greasy, and a large, bright white beard.
His teeth are yellow and rotting. The crowd cheers as one of the combatants is struck down, and he claps loudly and calls for a woman as he holds out a flask.
A tall woman, almost skin and bones, appears from the back of the box. Her hair is blonde, probably around her mid-late forties. Her eyes are sunken. She takes the flask and hands him a new one.
He goes to drink from it, but the lid is still on it. He yells at the woman to make herself useful, and she takes it back, uncorks it, and hands it back.
He then notices the group, and catches sight of Victor and then Uther - who apparently looks just like his father - and he welcomes the group to sit down and watch the fight.
There is a straining of a rusted gate, and a resounding thud as a huge troll steps into the arena. He is huge, and not as hunched as a typical troll. His skin is black-purple, and he has warpaint over his form. He has several bruises and other injuries, but he is not slowed down by them.
On the other side, there are 5 humans. They are the members of the syndicate that the party arrested. They are dressed in armor and have weapons.
The guard hits the gong. They hear a low rumble as he grunts a bit.
Blackmoore tells the party to watch and he throws a small dagger into the arena.
The humans rush the troll, and the troll throws the dagger and beheads one of the men with it. He then takes two of the men and slams them together, ripping them apart. The last man lumbers forward, and the troll takes the sword and breaks it. The man that impersonated the mayor asks Blackmoore for mercy. Blackmoore declines and the troll rips him apart. The troll then throws the dagger back at Blackmoore, narrowly missing him and burying itself in the chair.
Blackmoore laughs and Uther joins him. Vel and Gil cannot hide their disgust.
The troll continues to cover his eyes from the sun.
