(2022-05-29) Grim Work And Due Diligence, Blue Squad Log

Details

Author:	Athena
Summary:	Blue Squad lends their aid to the Sha'tari Base Camp, where they get to be big heroes, imperil their very souls, fight an undead dragon, and push a giant spider off the edge of the world. All in a day's work!
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Season 6

05/29/2022

[Dane Atley]: “Lord Aspenwood.”

Cressidha Aspenwood traces her water-conjuring sigil in the air.

Mordecai Aspenwood fidgets and backs up behind Colson a little.

Ben Hazan nods respectfully to Cressidha.

[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “Good afternoon.” Cressidha offers Ben some water.

[Ben Hazan]: “Hey, Cressidha.” Ben accepts with a sidelong smile at her. His gaze is on the other group. "Thanks."

Cressidha Aspenwood heads on over.

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Hi! Is Sandy here yet?”

[Dane Atley]: “'Ve not see him.”

Mordecai Aspenwood looks around for Sandy. No Sandy in sight.

Gwenivene Whittle wrings her hands with worry.

[Dane Atley]: “Hullo', you lot.”

[Ben Hazan]: “Afternoon.”

[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “Good afternoon.”

Colson Aspenwood looks at Cress, a gentle smile on his face, and he salutes Ben as he gets near. "Cressidha. Ben. Good afternoon."

[Ismene Hazan]: “I'm here! I'm here!”

Cressidha Aspenwood hands Dane some water. It's water. And then Colson. Water!

Ben Hazan glances back and grins at Ismene.

Ismene Hazan briefly gets stuck behind a fence because she's pulling her tabard on and can't see for a moment.

Dane Atley takes it with a grunt and immediately takes a sip.

Mordecai Aspenwood gives Ismene a tiny little finger-wave.

[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “Ah. Yes.”

Colson Aspenwood takes the water and briefly lets go of Mordecai to tie it to his belt. Hydration.

Ismene Hazan smiles brightly at everyone. Oh. Right. Everyone. Her smile fades and she shuffles a little in place.

Cressidha Aspenwood passes Mizzy some water as well and then goes to put her own tabard on. She didn't forget or anything. She forgot.

Ismene Hazan says softly to Ben, "I got caught up with a sewing lesson."

Nilunelle Mistwalker offers everyone a bright smile.

[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “Nilunelle, Silvestere, good afternoon.”

Nilunelle Mistwalker gives a little wave.

Ben Hazan raises an eyebrow at Mizzy and smiles again.

[Nilunelle Mistwalker]: “Hello!”

Colson Aspenwood smiles faintly back at Nilunelle, and nods at Sil.

Gwenivene Whittle smiles. "Hello, Nilunelle."

Dane Atley nods to Nilunelle. "Hello, then," he greets, making a few last adjustments to his armor.

Silvestre Silentstep waves at Colson and thanks Cressidha for the water.

[Ben Hazan]: “Hey, Nellie. Sil.”

Cressidha Aspenwood looks at Gwen. "Miss Whittle, did you… try the water I gave you last time?" She sounds… a little shy about asking? That can't be right.

Mordecai Aspenwood mumbles a greeting and inches further behind Colson.

[Dane Atley]: “We're just waiting 'bout for Sanders.”

Ben Hazan leans back a little to peer behind Colson and give Mordecai a friendly up-nod and a smile.

Mordecai Aspenwood catches that and smiles back at Ben.

Nilunelle Mistwalker grins at Gwenivene but then tilts her head looking around. "Where is he? Sanders?"

Dane Atley looks to Gwenivene at that.

Gwenivene Whittle nibbles her lip. "We don't know…"

Ben Hazan looks around, frowning.

[Dane Atley]: “S'bout. A moment.”

Ben Hazan nods respectfully to Gavynn and smiles.

Gausanders waves.

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “SANDY!”

[Dane Atley]: “There he's.”

Cressidha Aspenwood smiles. "Sir Gavynn." She hands out more water.

Colson Aspenwood glances behind him, and turns to Gavynn. "Sir Gavynn. Good to see you."

Ismene Hazan tries standing on tiptoe and craning her neck, frowning a little at Colson. She hops a time or two. "Oh! Colson! Hello. I couldn't see you at all over those shoulder… pads?"

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Ismene.” Colson smiles at her, his voice quiet.

[Gausanders Spellbond]: Gwen!

Nilunelle Mistwalker grins as Sandy sees Gwen and runs to her. “Hiii Sandy.”

Gausanders Spellbond smiles at her, then at everyone.

Sir Gavynn of Eastweald nods quietly to all the greetings in turn.

Gwenivene Whittle runs up to Sandy and throws her arms around him. “I was worried! We…we were worried!

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Hi Nilu!”

Mordecai Aspenwood has people coming up behind him now. He lets go of Colson's hand and backs up to the fence.

Colson Aspenwood moves back with Mordecai.

Dane Atley faintly raises his brows.

Ben Hazan 's mouth twitches slightly at Mizzy's remark, and then he raises his eyebrows at the Sandy-Gwen reunion.

[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “There you are.”

Nilunelle Mistwalker goes around and places a mark of the wild on each person, ensuring that they will be protected from dangers to come.

Gausanders Spellbond hugs Gwen back, lifting her up a little. "Sorry!" he puts her back to the ground. "I had stuff to do in Ratchet!"

Gwenivene Whittle giggles a little at the lift.

Gausanders smiles at Gwenivene.

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “I'm just glad you're here.”

Nilunelle Mistwalker also sends a flood of green light to envelope Sandy. He wasn't looking quite at his best when he'd arrived.

Gausanders thanks Nilunelle.

Cressidha Aspenwood waits until the hugging is finished to pass water over to Sandy as well.

Gausanders thanks Cressidha.

Ismene Hazan sidles a bit closer to Ben. Not quite behind his arm, but basically behind his arm.

Ben Hazan looks around, counting heads. "Okay. We all are here?"

[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “I believe so, yes.”

Dane Atley nods. "Looks it. Lieutenant Gravelhammer's asked us to report to a Base camp, a ways south-west f'here."

Ben Hazan nods back at Atley. "We got some more arakkoa sh – tuff to look into."

Dane Atley scoffs with amusement. "Right then."

Mordecai Aspenwood says quietly to Colson, "I love you. I'll be here later, when you're done."

Colson Aspenwood nods sharply to Dane, and exhales slowly. "I love you. If you see Rosetto, pass on my regards," he says in a low voice to Mordecai.

Mordecai Aspenwood nods.

[Ben Hazan]: “Okay. White Squad, we are goin' north to check out one of them arakkoa camps. Let's get movin'.”

Cressidha Aspenwood goes to fetch her horse.

Silvestre Silentstep moves over to stand with his group.

[Dane Atley]: “Blue squad, s'mount up.”

[Nilunelle Mistwalker]: “Good luck white squad!”

[Silvestre Silentstep]: “Hope they don't got any more kids locked up.”

Ben Hazan smiles at Nilunelle. “You too, Blue.”

Colson Aspenwood calls for Tenacious, who was….just waiting there. READY.

Mordecai Aspenwood mumbles a prayer.

Gausanders Spellbond almost moves with White Squad, still not used to being Blue, now. Sandy whispers in demonic while holding out his hand. From below him, a dreadsteed 'claws' its way out of the ground.

[Ismene Hazan]: “Good luck, Nilunelle!”

[Dane Atley]: “We're making for the Sha'tari Basecamp — On me!”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Yessir.”

Blue Squad moves out to the Bone Wastes.

Gwenivene Whittle tugs on her hat rotating it to Mission Ready Position.

Gausanders waves at Decrepit Clefthoof.

They’re briefly ambushed by phantoms.

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Fire rain!”

Nothing a little fire rain can’t solve.

[Dane Atley]: “Bloody phantoms…”

They arrive at the camp.

[Dane Atley]: “Commander Ra'vaj. We've been sent by Lieutenant Gravelhammer, from the Stronghold. Heard there's work needs doing.”

[Commander Ra’vaj]: “Is there nothing that can be done to stem the tide of corruption? My soldiers have been battling the Auchenai for days now with no end in sight. Each casualty, whether Auchenai or Sha'tar, is snatched from the battlefield - their souls lifted and taken to parts unknown. I will not have it! A proper burial is out of the question but those fiends will not have their souls! Take this torch and travel to the field of battle, directly east of here. Burn every corpse you see! We will not fuel their rituals.

[Dane Atley]: “Burning corpses…? We'll see to't.”

Colson Aspenwood looks grim, but he nods to Ra'vaj.

[Dane Atley]: “If I'm ever to become a rotter, d'have you lot burn me instead.”

Colson Aspenwood nods slowly to Dane.

Gausanders Spellbond sighs. "It's going to smell bad, isn't it?"

[Dane Atley]: “Aye, it's a grim work. Let's get it over with.”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Right, their souls, that's worse than the smell!”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Their souls…? It's awful…”

GRIM WORK BEGINS.

[Dane Atley]: “Sanders…” Dane gestures to the body.

Colson Aspenwood murmurs prayers as the body burns.

Dane Atley nods to the Vindicator and presses on.

Dane Atley nods at Slain Sha'tar Vindicator.

Colson Aspenwood prays again, after each body.

[Dane Atley]: “S'a brutal fight 'gainst the undead.”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “It's good we have a paladin with us… for the praying part!”

Dane Atley grunts his agreement.

Gwenivene nods.

Colson Aspenwood smiles faintly.

[Dane Atley]: “Wager these sorts are ending up in the same place our souls do?”

Colson Aspenwood makes a 'hm' sound.

Gwenivene Whittle looks to Colson. "Where…where do our souls end up?"

Dane Atley briefly glances over to Colson, and then Nilunelle as he waits for the flames.

Nilunelle Mistwalker steps forward.

[Colson Aspenwood]: “I believe that we return to the Light, when our souls pass through wherever it is we go.”

[Dane Atley]: “All of us…?”

Colson Aspenwood's voice is mild, as he waits for the flames once more, praying. “We are all its children. Every aspect of life itself has a part of the Light.”

Dane Atley grunts. He peers at Teribus the Cursed searchingly. “Ought to be watchful of that terror.”

Colson Aspenwood nods sharply. "Yes."

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Well the Light is going to get a little Fel surprise the day I get there!”

Colson Aspenwood opens his mouth, closes it.

Dane Atley scoffs with amusement.
[Nilunelle Mistwalker]: “When… when we are valiant… my mother said that Elune sends us riding across the sky as stars.”

Colson Aspenwood nods to Nilunelle. "So you return to Elune's light, in the end."

[Nilunelle Mistwalker]: “If we shine like stars in life. Yes.”

[Dane Atley]: “S'that just you lot, or us as well?” Dane peers grimly down at the body.

[Nilunelle Mistwalker]: “Umm… It might… just be us.”

Dane Atley peers at Auchenai Doomsayer searchingly. “You see that…? She bloody did somming' to the corpse. Sent its soul somewhere.”

Colson Aspenwood watches the souls drifting in the air. "They are being sent to the tomb."

Dane Atley grunts.

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “It's horrible…”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Yes.”

[Dane Atley]: “To wot? Power somming'?”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “That would be my guess. Or to feed something.”

Gausanders Spellbond takes Gwen's hand.

[Dane Atley]: “Another monster.”

Colson Aspenwood inclines his head.

Gwenivene Whittle looks to Sandy, squeezing his hand

Gausanders Spellbond smiles sympathetically at Gwen.

[Dane Atley]: “Well then. That ought t'be enough for now. S'ride back.”

Gwenivene Whittle portals her mount in and teleports into the saddle.

Colson Aspenwood calls for Tenacious, who has been just…following along.

[Dane Atley]: “Commander. We've done it.”

Commander Ra'vaj holds his head in his hands. “It's not enough… It's just not enough.”

Colson Aspenwood inhales sharply at the 'it's just not enough,' but he inclines his head to Ra'vaj.

[Commander Ra’vaj]: “It is not enough. A hero is needed. Our forces are overwhelmed as the Auchenai continue to grow in number.” Commander Ra'vaj looks at Cobalt. “Will you be the hero? Return to the field of battle and strike at their soldiers. Keep them occupied so that my scouts can get behind their lines and see what they are creating.”

Dane Atley nods gruffly. "Aye. We'll put a dent in their numbers."

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Okay, that's more like the kind of missions I like!”

Colson Aspenwood's face looks Extremely Neutral. “On your mark, Dane.”

Gausanders Spellbond traces a strange sigil in the air. Afterwards, a green flame bursts at his feet and a sinister cackle echoes around.

Dane Atley eyes the Broken Skeleton. “This necromancy seems … different than the plague. Not properly rotters. Is it necromancy, or some sort of arcane … shite'.”

Colson Aspenwood shrugs one giant shoulder. "They feel the same to me, as undead."

Dane Atley grumbles.

One of the Auchenai starts casting Holy Heal.

Colson Aspenwood's lips tighten.

[Dane Atley]: “Reckon we're just barely touching the ground here. Must've been trodding on piles of bone dust all this time.”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Eww!” He jumps from one foot to the other repeatedly. Sandy burns them with his magic. He is a fire mage, after all.

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Puh-puh-puh-POW!”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “They are using the Light. Some of them.”

[Dane Atley]: “Right. Wot's all that, then?” He asks, looking to Colson.

[Colson Aspenwood]: “They can still call it. To heal.” Colson's eyes are ice cold.

[Dane Atley]: “Like the Scarlets…Twist it to make it work for 'em.”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “It means they believe fully in what they're doing, yes.” Colson seems to be more effective against them, now.

[Dane Atley]: “I suppose every world has its zealots.” Dane spits off to the side. Dane peers at Colson. "Wot'd you do? Wot'd you change?"

Colson Aspenwood adjusts his gloves. "Intent and purpose," he says.

Dane Atley grunts. “Works for me. The souls are empowering that ritual…” Dane squints at the Auchenai Death-Speaker. “Likely just one of many, innit'.”

Colson Aspenwood nods, his eyes flashing. "So I would guess."

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Should we stop them?”

Dane Atley grunts at Gausanders.

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Yes.”

Blue Squad stops them.

[Dane Atley]: “Lord Aspenwood. Might you bless the ground here or somming'?” He peers at Colson searchingly.

Colson Aspenwood clenches a fist hard, and gestures to the ground, consecrating the area. “That is all I might do. It…will not last.”

Dane Atley peers at the glowing ground and nods his approval. "That ought to do for now, then."

Blue Squad starts making their way back, trying to cull the numbers of cultists one at a time.

Dane Atley startles faintly at the sudden panther before he realizes. “That'll do, then. Else we'll be out here for bloody weeks.”

Back at Base Camp.

Dane Atley salutes Commander Ra'vaj with respect.

[Commander Ra’vaj]: “You've done it, Cobalt! Because of you, we have made a new discovery…They are feeding the souls they steal to a coffin that they have dragged out from the Auchenai Crypts. My scouts believe the contents of the coffin to contain the first exarch of the crypts. They seek to resurrect the ancient one! You must battle your way to the western side of Auchindoun and disturb the contents of that coffin before they feed it enough souls. Should you lose your way, follow the walking souls. Destroy whatever is inside that coffin!

[Dane Atley]: “Right then… Put down a monster.”

Colson Aspenwood adjusts his gloves again, flexing his fingers in the gauntlets.

[Dane Atley]: “Into the ruins proper we go, then. S'mount up.”

Gwenivene Whittle portals her mount in and teleports into the saddle.

Dane Atley glares angrily at Teribus the Cursed.

They get a little swarmed by the necromancers.

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Big meanies.”

Colson Aspenwood heals himself automatically.

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “They are!”

[Dane Atley]: “Seems the coffins' somewhere above us. Means more running, you lot.”

Kupjub looks at Padrick as he approaches, drooling. Sandy grabs Kupjub and holds him in his arms.

Colson Aspenwood looks fine with the running. Maybe he could do this all day. He doesn't look tired, at least.

Padrick eyeballs Kupjub with a hard stare. Fight me.

[Dane Atley]: “Mind that screechy runt.”

Gwenivene Whittle portals her mount in and teleports into the saddle.

[Dane Atley]: “S'got hungry eyes.”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “We would not want to lose our artillery.”

Kupjub tries to pull himself out of Sandy's arms. Challenge accepted.

Padrick licks his eyeball as if to say: It's on.

Dane Atley eyes Kupjub up and down.

So many necromancers.

Dane Atley grumbles. “Quite the neat little prayer circle, innit'…Curs.”

Colson Aspenwood murmurs familiar prayers as they approach. “I see.”

[Dane Atley]: “Lord Aspenwood. You take one side, I'll have the other.”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Yessir.”

Gausanders Spellbond tries to stop the ghosts from approaching. He uses his hands like a fan against the ghosts.

Dane Atley sets his hands on the stone and braces himself. "Three, two … lift."

Colson Aspenwood lifts on command.

They get the tomb open, and out pops a Ghost Monster. He goes roar argh you cannot stop m – and Cobalt stops him. So, there was that.

[Dane Atley]: “Proper progress, that. Let's return.”

Colson Aspenwood nods sharply.

They get back.

[Commander Ra’vaj]: “Victory is ours! This defeat will set the Auchenai back several weeks.”

Another of the Draenei waves Dane over, after the cheering subsides.

Dane Atley peers at Oakun searchingly. “You've somming' else?”

[Oakun]: “Long ago a caravan went to Auchindoun with a mission to take a Dread Relic from the ancient tombs beneath the necropolis. They fled, but the relic was their undoing. The relic is evil and it summons evil when touched. Their caravan was destroyed somewhere to the east. This dark artifact is the key to a terrible plan to defeat Teribus the Cursed, a creature that flies over the Bone Wastes. Help me if you wish, but your life and even your soul will be at risk.”

[Dane Atley]: “This 'relic' shall take down the dragon, will it…?”

Colson Aspenwood nods, and looks at Dane for a decision. "Something does need to be done about that creature."

[Dane Atley]: “Sanders, wot'ever this thing is, it'll be riding with you.”

Gausanders salutes Atley with respect.

Dane Atley nods back. "If there's a chance of bringing that bastard down we'll make the most f'it."

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Yessir.”

Kupjub stares at Padrick. Alas, Sandy will not let him go.

They get to where there’s a bunch of Real Zombies. Like, bunches and bunches.

[Dane Atley]: “Now these are proper rotters. Sanders, can you sense where this thing is…?” He eyes Sandy up and down.

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Hmmm… Evil artifact, evil artifact…” He focuses. “This way!”

[Dane Atley]: “Caravan's strewn 'bout the plateau here. Could be all night searching.”

They move around a corner, and there is an enormous Evil Looking Container, practically with a sign saying This Is Where We Keep The Evil Artifacts.

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “.. Hard to miss, actually.”

Dane Atley blinks.

Colson Aspenwood makes a mild sound.

[Dane Atley]: “Well it's a giant bloody chest innit' – “

They mess with it. A massive gathering of undead circles them.

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Uh oh”

[Dane Atley]: “Lord Aspenwood.”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Dane?”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Look out!”

Dane Atley moves to the other side of the cairn again. “Hold fast!”

Colson Aspenwood blasts out a Holy Wrath.

They all die, except for one, who stubbornly resists the Wrath, and has to be killed the old fashioned way. Blue Squad dusts off their hands, and Sandy picks up the Evil Relic that could TAINT HIS VERY SOUL.

Dane Atley peers at Gausanders searchingly. “Wot' do you make of it?”

Nilunelle Mistwalker squeaks!!

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Kapow!”

Colson Aspenwood flexes his fingers in his gloves again.

Gausanders Spellbond lets out a "hmmm", holding the artifact. "It's powerful. Dark magic. It doesn't feel like the Fel, though!"

[Dane Atley]: “Mm…Can't decide if that's worse. Let's be rid of it.”

Gausanders nods at Atley. “I'm glad I didn't take my other bag with me today!”

[Dane Atley]: “Other bag?”

Colson Aspenwood glances over at Sandy. Hm. No babg today.

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “The, uh… the big one. That I wear backwards.”

Dane Atley grunts in faint confusion.

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Has something happened to it? Cressidha would fix it, if you had need.”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Oh no I just lent it to my dad, for a bit!”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Ah. I see. Please, pass on my regards to him, next you see him.”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Sure!” He smiles.

[Dane Atley]: “You found him, have you?” Dane Atley eyes Sandy.

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “I did, he's great!”

[Dane Atley]: “Is he … Like you?”

Dane Atley gestures to Kupjub.

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “No, he's not, he's a warrior working with the Argent Dawn!”

Dane Atley raises his brows. "Mm. Bloody hell."

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “My birth mom, though…”

Blue Squad doesn’t get to find out about Birth Mom, because they arrive back at the Base Camp and they turn over the Evil Artifact. The Draenei call it a Dread Relic, but whatever, tomato potato.

[Oakun]: “It is incredible that you succeeded. The Dread Relic is far more powerful than I feared. Only a mighty hero could have survived the long journey back carrying such blasphemous evil.”

Dane Atley glances back at Sandy, the Might Hero.

Sandy hands over the Blasphemous Evil Antiquity.

[Oakun]: “Now you must use the Dread Relic in a foul necromantic ritual if you wish to challenge Teribus the Cursed. To the northeast, beyond Auchindoun, is the Writhing Mound, a place where necromancers gather. The auchenai death-speakers and doomsayers carry doom skulls that are laced with powerful necro-enchantments. If you collect enough skulls you can use their power along with the power of the Dread Relic to command Teribus to face you.”

[Dane Atley]: “'Foul necromantic ritual'…Gwen, Sandy, one of you shall be taking point on this.”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Hm.”

[Dane Atley]: “We're … to summon an undead dragon.”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Oh…wow. We might want to work together on this one. That's no small feat.”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “With…skulls. Well.” Colson's face is very neutral. “At least we did not have to provide our candles, I suppose.”

[Dane Atley]: “I'm not bloody keen on doing a ritual ourselves, but I see no other choice.”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “So it would seem.”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “… I know I said I wouldn't do necromancy again but… I guess I can make an exception for an undead dragon!”

[Dane Atley]: “You've done necromancy before?” Dane briefly glances around at the Vindicators and lowers his voice.

Colson Aspenwood halts at that. "'Again'?"

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “… I helped someone do necromancy, once, but it was an accident, I didn't know he was doing necromancy! I just thought I was helping a nice old man!”

[Dane Atley]: “Sounds like that mad old bastard out in Duskwood.”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Oh you helped him too?”

Colson Aspenwood exhales slowly. "Ah. That is…not quite the same as intentionally doing necromancy."

Dane Atley grunts. "This time you'll have to do't more deliberately."

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Well. We have collected skulls for summoning the dead once before. I suppose this is not entirely dissimilar.”

Dane Atley grunts. "More grim work. Need doing, nonetheless. Let's ride out there."

Colson Aspenwood looks around at the field with an Extremely Neutral expression. "Yessir."

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “We have the Light, Arcane and nature magic and the Fel. I'm sure we could do some kind necromancy with all of that!”

[Dane Atley]: “Conjure up some sort f'horror. Let's ride.”

They ride and start killing Auchenai necromancers, and going through their pockets for –loose change– doom skulls.

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Boom, boom, boom! It's like fireworks, but uh… in reverse!”

[Dane Atley]: “Hard to bloody fathom how many bodies this all chalks up to.”

Colson Aspenwood nods grimly.

[Dane Atley]: “Must've been somming' of a sight, in its time. This tomb city.”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Indeed.”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Puh-puh-puh-POW!”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “I wish I could have seen it before all of this destruction.”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Me too! We could have gone for a picnic or something!”

Gwenivene Whittle giggles

[Dane Atley]: “All this — T'must've been green fields, far as the eye can see.”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Can you imagine?”

[Dane Atley]: “A damn sight more pleasant 'thout all these bloody cultists about…” Dane spits on the ground. Dane Atley grimly goes through the last cultist’s pockets for the final twentieth Doom Skull. “Wager that's enough, you two?”

Gwenivene Whittle nods. "I think so."

Colson Aspenwood drinks some water.

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “I think so, and I'm not just saying that because I'm tired of collecting those!”

Gwenivene Whittle giggles. "Oh, Sandy…"

Dane Atley nods sharply. "Right then. Let's get underway. I've not fought one of these since The War."

Colson Aspenwood inhales deeply, as he murmurs familiar prayers.

Dane Atley eyes Gausanders. "One way to find out, innit'. Stay sharp, you lot. Sanders… Break t'down in common, will you? Wot' happens if this ritual fails. Our souls get sucked out or somming'?”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “I, uh… I don't know! Necromancy is not my specialty… Maybe they will? Or maybe we'll turn into undead creatures? Or maybe nothing will happen at all if we fail? It's going to be a surprise! Hopefully uh… we won't find out what happens if we fail.”

Dane Atley grunts. "Hopefully not. Let's march up there, then. Form a circle 'bout it. Spread out 'bout this, you lot. Let's get the skulls set 'bout.” Dane grumpily starts laying them out on his side.

Colson Aspenwood takes a position around the creepy necromancy area.

Gausanders Spellbond hums as he lays the skulls on the ground.

[Dane Atley]: “If you'd told a younger me — I'd be doing this shite' — …!”

Colson Aspenwood works to set up the skulls around his area. They're very neatly placed. "Sometimes we must work in Shadow to serve the Light," Colson says softly.

Dane Atley grumbles and stands up, dusting himself off.

[Colson Aspenwood]: “We cannot always know where our paths will take us.”

[Dane Atley]: “S'long as the path leads to killing this thing, I shall tread it.” Dane glances between Gwen and Sandy. "On you two."

Colson Aspenwood inclines his head in agreement.

Gausanders Spellbond nods at Gwen. "Ready?"

Gwenivene Whittle grimaces. "Yeah, I think so."

Nilunelle Mistwalker looks apprehensive.

They do Necromancy. It’s actually really pretty.

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “That's pretty!”

Dane Atley grits his teeth, sharp eyes angled at the sky.

Colson Aspenwood watches the energy with a neutral expression, as he concentrates.

Gausanders Spellbond looks up in awe.

[Dane Atley]: “C'mon you bastard … Show yourself…”

Nilunelle Mistwalker squints with the bright lights.

[Colson Aspenwood]: “It comes.”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “There it is!”

Gausanders points at Kupjub.

Dane Atley glares angrily at Teribus the Cursed.

Gausanders Spellbond points at Teribus the Cursed.

[Dane Atley]: “Here it comes! Brace yourselves!”

Colson Aspenwood braces.

Blue Squad vs The Giant Undead Dragon, FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT! It takes a minute, even for the squad of five, but they do it.

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “We did it!”

Dane Atley takes a step back to view it all. “The size of this bugger.”

Colson Aspenwood drinks more water.

[Dane Atley]: “One of the largest I've seen. Bloody flying fortress, innit'.”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Indeed.”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “It really is!”

Gwenivene Whittle peers up its nose.

Dane Atley reaches out to tug around on the teeth.

Gausanders Spellbond hugs the big skeletal dragon's big, beautiful head.

Dane Atley double-takes Sandy. “Any idea wot' kind of dragon this thing was, originally…?”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: I bet the poor thing was beautiful in life.

[Dane Atley]: “Right… Wager it's at some sort'f peace now. This alone could've wiped out the entire Stronghold.”

Colson Aspenwood's eyes scan the field, watching for the Auchenai.

Gausanders nods at Atley.

[Nilunelle Mistwalker]: “I heard someone say… only the black dragonflite is here in Outlands. Maybe… that's what he was.”

Dane Atley nods at Nilunelle. “S'likely right, that.”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “I was going to say…if I had to guess, the structure seems to slightly resemble a black…but…I'm no dragon expert.”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Is dragon expert a real job? Can I become a dragon expert?!”

[Dane Atley]: “Lor — Colson.”

Colson Aspenwood looks over, a faint smile on his face at Dane. "Yes, Dane?"

[Dane Atley]: “Make proper it's dead, will you? Don't want this bastard starting up after we roam away.”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “I suppose we can try to incinerate the remains. But…these are dragon bones.”

Colson Aspenwood makes a faint 'hm' sound. "I am not certain I can do more than…" He inhales deeply and exhales a blast of an Exorcism on the bones. It doesn't disintegrate the corpse, but it certainly looks worse off.

[Dane Atley]: “Put a blessing on the ground or somm' — aye.”

Gwenivene Whittle smiles at Colson. “Oh yes…I suppose I didn't consider the holy option.”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Hm.” Colson walks to where they did their ritual and tries a consecration. Just to be safe.

[Dane Atley]: “That'll do. We've done our due diligence. Let's deliver the good news.”

They return to the Sha’tari Base Camp.

Dane Atley issues the good news with pride.

[Oakun]: “A great evil has been cleansed from Terokkar. The Sha'tar are in your debt.”

Blue Squad is on a roll, and a scout beckons them over.

[Dane Atley]: “You're the scout, are you?”

[Scout Navrin] “Our small outpost is under constant attack. Several nights ago, we were raided by the spiders of Netherweb Ridge, on the southeastern edge of the Bone Wastes. They poisoned many of our people, wrapped them in webs and carried them away. Some of our warriors took up arms and with little preparation pursued the spiders. We have not seen the captives or our hunting parties since. We hope that some may still be alive, perhaps imprisoned by the spiders. Our numbers are few. Will you search for our people?”

Colson Aspenwood makes a Very Neutral expression about the Great Spider Raid. He's not making a squick face. He is definitely not.

Dane Atley sets his jaw. “We're headed east then, you lot.”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Yessir.”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Spiders! Do you think you could calm them down instead of fighting them, Nilu?”

Dane Atley looks to Nilunelle upon Sandy's inquiry. “T'would save a bit of trouble.”

Colson Aspenwood steps between Nilu and the infested rootwalker when it goes for her.

Nilunelle Mistwalker smiles appreciatively at Colson. “I… will see what I can for the spiders.”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Nice!”

[Dane Atley]: “S'Vindicator here. May need a bit of healing, Colson.”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Yes. I can…try.”

Nilunelle Mistwalker looks to Atley. "I can help heal."

Dane Atley nods to Nilunelle. "See wot' you can do to save this fellow 'fore we head out."

[Vindicator Haylen]: “When the dreadfang widows attacked our outpost we heard the voice of the naaru calling us to battle. We pursued the creatures into the night. Some of our people we found dead in the dark, others we could hear struggling against their captors. By morning we had come to this place and we fought a fierce battle but we were beaten. Dreadfang poison will soon take my companions and I cannot last long. Before I die I must know that the dreadfang widows were beaten.”

Dane Atley forms a grim expression. “P'raps these beasts don't deserve sparing..”

Colson Aspenwood passes a hand over the Vindicator, attempting to purify and heal the wounds. It doesn't seem to work well, likely because the wounds are old. "Indeed. Nilunelle, can you do any more?"

Nilunelle Mistwalker nods and floods Vindicator Haylen with a gust of green light. “Mm. The rest… will take time. I hope… “

Colson Aspenwood nods grimly, and looks at Dane. "We should see to his request."

Dane Atley grunts. "That's the best we can do. Let's venture out into the trees."

[Nilunelle Mistwalker]: “Yes.”

Dane Atley nods at Colson. He eyes the nearest widow and sighs.

[Dane Atley]: “Nilunelle…S'not my preference, but try telling them to bugger or somming'. 'Lest we brain them.”

Colson Aspenwood is not making an Expression. He's fine. They're just giant spiders. Crawling all over the place. He's fine. :|

[Dane Atley]: “I'll be right 'hind you, lass.”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “That's a pretty shade of blue!”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “They're a pretty color.”

Atley eyes Dreadfang Widow up and down.

Gwenivene Whittle smiles at Sandy.

[Nilunelle Mistwalker]: “I can make them less angry…. but if we get too close?”

Dane Atley grunts. “Nothing for it, then. Slay them all!”

Colson Aspenwood draws his sword grimly.

Gausanders grins wickedly at Gwenivene.

They get one of the Draenei out of the webbing. His reaction can best be summed up as AAAAAAHHHH.

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “This guy was not happy we saved him!”

Dane Atley grunts.

Nilunelle points at Netherweb Victim. “I think someone is there.”

They get another pod open. Oops. This one is Not Friendly.

Dane Atley growls menacingly at Cabal Skirmisher.

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “No touchie!”

[Dane Atley]: “Some f'these bastards have been driven barking mad.”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “I can sympathize with that.”

Dane Atley blinks at something in the distance.

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Dane?” Colson follows right behind Dane.

What is it, boy? What did you see? Is it a shiny bo – Oh. It’s the Edge of the Bloody World.

[Nilunelle Mistwalker]: “Oh.”

[Dane Atley]: “S'the edge of the bloody world.”

[Nilunelle Mistwalker]: “Oooh. It's like… when we first arrived. In the other place. How did this happen?”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “It happened because of Ner'zhul, Nilunelle, a shaman of the orcs. He performed some sort of powerful ritual that ended up tearing Draenor apart.”

Dane Atley spits at the name. “Aye. Curse his name and kin.” He grasps onto a tree branch and dares to peer over into the infinite nothingness.

Gwenivene Whittle sighs in awe.

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “… I wish I could go on that spinning rock.”

Colson Aspenwood makes a soft sort of sound as he looks up at the little floating grove.

[Dane Atley]: “Looks fresh, too. See those trees? Bloody world's falling to pieces more n' more every day. There'll not be a land left to fight over, soon…”

Colson Aspenwood exhales slowly. "Perhaps not. But it is not lost, yet.”

Gausanders agrees with Colson.

Dane Atley grunts. "This damn well could've been our home. Never forget that."

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “We've still got so much time to save this world! Can you imagine that if this lands keeps breaking apart like that, there'll soon be floating islands with giant spiders on them?

Dane Atley grunts. Dane snarls, shoving his way through webs.

Colson Aspenwood murmurs familiar prayers.

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “It should be stable now…as long as nobody tries to open a bunch of giant portals all at once again. This is one reason it was so important to get the telemancy just right.”

Dane Atley eyes Gwenivene with renewed interest and nods. “That makes the fight all the more important, then…”

Gwenivene Whittle nods sagely

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Ooooh! So you basically saved this world!”
13:43:28 Gwenivene Whittle blushes, "Well…I don't know about that…." She dodges a widow. “Puh-puh-puh-POW!”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Oh! Dreaming glory.” Colson crouches down by the plant with a faint smile on his face. He examines the growth carefully, and plucks a single flower from it.

[Dane Atley]: “Look about for any more. We need to clear out this infestation. You two've likely bought that poor bastard enough time for us to report back. Let's see it done.”

Gwenivene Whittle portals her mount in and teleports into the saddle.

[Vindicator Haylen]: “I heard the sounds of your battle from here, Cobalt Company.” To be fair, Dane does make a lot of noise. “The sounds of your victory filled my heart with hope. If you can win against such terrible odds, perhaps I can find the strength to drag my companions from this terrible place. You have slain many of the dreadfang widows but they will continue to spawn and soon they will strike at us again. Deep within Netherweb Ridge is the lair of the Terokkarantula, the brood-mother of these gruesome creatures. If we are to be safe, she must die.”

[Dane Atley]: “We'll find the bitch and slay her. S'likely nestled deep in the thicket there…”

Colson Aspenwood's face is So Neutral. He's fine. “I see.”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “She sounds fearsome!”

Dane Atley briefly side-eyes Colson before he nods.

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “She does!”

[Dane Atley]: “An undead dragon and a spider queen in the same day, hour. Let's see it done, Blue Squad.”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Yessir!”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Be careful, Padrick. She probably eats frogs.”

Kupjub stares at Padrick. She is not the only one.

Padrick croaks bravely.

Well. It was pretty easy to find her, in the end, because she’s absolutely BONKERS enormous.

Dane Atley]: “That'll be it, then.”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “CHEESE AND CRACKERS!”

[Nilunelle Mistwalker]: “That… that is big.”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Whoa! She's so…”

Colson Aspenwood's face can't get any more Neutral. This is it. This is the maximum.

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Pretty!”

Dane Atley spits off to the side. “Right. After this no one can say we're not proper monster hunters.”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “She is one big…um…very-nice-lady…”

[Dane Atley]: “Chittering fiend. Must be older than Stormwind Keep. Mindful of that ledge, you lot. I wager she'll have a mind to flick us off if we give her the chance.”

Colson Aspenwood nods grimly.

Blue Squad engages. It takes a minute to bring her down, and she collapses near the edge.

Colson Aspenwood heals himself automatically, and shudders briefly. “Well.”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Wow…that was intense.”

Dane Atley glares at the husk.

Gausanders Spellbond tries to push her off the cliff.

[Dane Atley]: “D'like to have seen this have it out with the dragon.”

Colson Aspenwood makes a sound very much like a snort.

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Heavy…”

Dane Atley growls with amusement at Sanders and joins in. “C'mon then, you lot. Let's send this thing back to where it — hrnngh — belongs!”

Colson Aspenwood seems to catch wise of what they're trying to do and adds his efforts to it.

Gwenivene Whittle conjures up a strong wind to push the beast.

Gausanders Spellbond pushes as hard as he can on the spider's back.

Dane Atley joins in, gritting his teeth. With their combined efforts the husk slides off of the ledge and into oblivion.

Gausanders cheers!

Dane Atley painfully clasps Sanders on the shoulder. “A kingly idea, lad. Let's bugger off.”

Gwenivene Whittle portals her mount in and teleports into the saddle.

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Well done, indeed.”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Thanks!” He grins.

[Dane Atley]: “Looks like your healing did the job, you two…Let's ride back, directly.”

Gwenivene Whittle portals her mount in and teleports into the saddle.

[Dane Atley]: “Right then. Wager you've all deserved somming' of a break. Did a proper cleaning up of this region so far.”

[Gausanders Spellbond]: “We killed two giant beasts today, so yeah, sounds like we deserve a nice little break!”

Dane Atley grunts.

Colson Aspenwood nods. "Indeed."

[Dane Atley]: “And performed that ritual…Safely make your ways back, however you please.”

Colson Aspenwood nods once to Dane. "I will be returning to the Stronghold. Light be with you."

[Dane Atley]: “I'll be't Shattrath with Barlowe.”

Colson Aspenwood pauses. "Please give her my regards, when you see her. Tell her the new lock picks should be arriving soon.”

[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Anyone feeling lazy and heading back to Shattrath?” Gwen wiggles her fingers.

Gausanders Spellbond raises his hand.

[Dane Atley]: “I'll take a portal.”

Colson Aspenwood moves easily in the saddle, as he sets off for the Allerian Stronghold.

Back at the Stronghold.

[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “Shadow bolt to the shoulder on my way back through the Bone Wastes. It's nothing. I'm fine now, thank you.”

Colson Aspenwood dismounts from Tenacious as he gets near the fountain. He is absolutely covered in cobwebs.

[Mordecai Aspenwood]: “Col – “ Mordecai stares.

[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “Goodness.”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “Cressidha.” He gives her a look, as though assessing her state. “Are you well?” He looks to her shoulder.

Cressidha Aspenwood looks completely fine. Mordecai healed her. "Did you walk into a spider's weekly weaving club?"

Colson Aspenwood moves to take Mordecai's hand and then seems to realize his own state. "Ah." He brushes at himself somewhat ineffectively. The plate doesn't do a great job at repelling spider webs. "We were sent to rescue some draenei scouts who had been taken by the spiders here, and slay the brood mother.” He glances at the water wheel, and points. “Roughly that size.”

Mordecai Aspenwood does not take Colson's hand, but he smiles.

Cressidha Aspenwood turns to look. “Oh. That is… certainly a size. For a spider to be.”

Colson Aspenwood continues to try to brush himself off. His face is twitching slightly in anExtreme Neutrality. "It was indeed certainly a size. We pushed it off the edge of the world. As one does."

[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “You should go get cleaned up. Would you care for a portal?”

[Colson Aspenwood]: “That was, of course, after summoning the giant undead dragon to destroy it.”

[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “…I saw a giant undead dragon fly overhead, earlier.”

Colson Aspenwood nods at Cressidha. "Yes. Likely the very same." He stops brushing at the cobwebs. It's a lost cause, Colson. "A portal would be most appreciated."

Cressidha Aspenwood tosses a portal stone into the air and it cracks open.

Mordecai Aspenwood mumbles, "Thank you."

Colson Aspenwood holds onto Tenacious' reins, and closes his eyes to cross through. He keeps his eyes closed for a long moment when they get to Shattrath. He's fine. He's not tired.

Tenacious nudges Colson's spiderwebbed shoulder pauldron with a snort, and heads off to the stables. He did so good today. He is Best Horse Ever. He's gonna make sure the grooms know it. Colson opens his eyes.