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| Details |
| Author: | Athena |
| Summary: | Blue Squad delves into the conflicts simmering under the surface in Nagrand, and nips a growing war that could leave thousands dead by killing dozens and sowing seeds of conflict among people we don't really care about. There's differing opinions on how much good they did. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: Season 6
In Telaar, Nagrand, outside the inn by the mailbox.
Gwenivene greets everyone with a hearty hello!
[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “Miss Whittle, good afternoon.”
Cambrin Cooper wakes up from his nap and waves at his comrades.
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Good afternoon.”
Cambrin Cooper stretches. Popping noises can be heard.
Cressidha Aspenwood nods politely.
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “It's a great afternoon, isn't it?”
Mordecai Aspenwood mumbles something that's probably a greeting.
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Just look at that gorgeous sky!”
[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “I suppose the weather is nice.”
[Cambrin Cooper]: “Howdy, folks. Yes, it's awfully pretty here.”
Mordecai Aspenwood looks up at the sky.
[Cambrin Cooper]: “Makes you forget sometimes that there's stuff that wants to eat you lurking about.”
Gwenivene giggles at Cambrin. “Truuuuue.”
Colson Aspenwood looks mildly out over the landscape.
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “I'll never get tired of Nagrand. It's so gorgeous here.”
[Cambrin Cooper]: “But at least it's not like up north in the mountains, where it looks like the ground itself wants to stab you.”
[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “I haven't been there just yet. What is it like?”
Colson Aspenwood raises his brows at Cam. "Oh? I have not yet been far to the north. I will bear that in mind. Greaves do assist with fending off the ground, but I do not always wear them."
[Cambrin Cooper]: “It is good to see the sun again after so much time in the swamp and in the forest!”
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “I pitched Telaar as a place to set up a Cobalt Company headquarters in Outland when Jo was looking for one. I don't know if she ever decided on that.”
Cambrin Cooper nods at Colson. "Took a trip up there with the Captain and Lord Ference a couple weeks back, looking for someone named Hex, I think."
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Ah, yes. Hexera Witchblood. She disappeared some time ago.”
Ben Hazan ambles down from the flight point, still adjusting a gauntlet. He glances up at the gathered group, blinks at Cam, and grins.
[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “Ben, good afternoon.”
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Hi, Ben!”
[Ben Hazan]: “Hey, Cam. Nice seein' you out here. Aspenwoods, Miss Whittle.” Ben nods respectfully to the others.
Mordecai Aspenwood stops staring at the sky and smiles a little. "Hello, Ben." It's audible.
Colson Aspenwood nods and smiles faintly at Ben. "Ben."
Padrick croaks respectfully.
Cambrin Cooper nods at Ben. "Howdy. Captain said you folks needed a back-up today."
Ben Hazan eyes Padrick like he isn't sure that was directed at him or not. Was he just … addressed by a frog?
Cressidha Aspenwood starts tracing water-conjuring symbols in the air.
Colson Aspenwood nods respectfully at Padrick. "Padrick."
[Ben Hazan]: “Uh. Oh. Do we? Well. Glad you can make it.” Ben smiles again at Cambrin.
Padrick stares at Ben. Or…seems to? Hard to tell with frog eyes.
[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “I'm afraid I don't recall your name, if we've met. I'm Cressidha.” Cressidha offers Cam a flask of water which is not cinnamon rolls, it's water.
[Ben Hazan]: “Oh, sorry. Cam Cooper, Cressidha Aspenwood.”
Cambrin Cooper thanks Cressidah.
Cressidha Aspenwood nods. “A pleasure to meet you.”
[Cambrin Cooper]: “I think we met briefly at the keep in the Blasted Lands, before you all went through the Portal.”
[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “Ah. I apologize, that seems like so long ago.”
[Cambrin Cooper]: “No worries! It's been a busy few months.”
[Ben Hazan]: “Cam was in the militia in Westfall with me.”
Gwenivene gasps. “Another Westfall kid!”
Ben Hazan eyes Padrick again. Is the frog watching him?
Mordecai Aspenwood is also looking at Padrick.
Cambrin Cooper shakes his head. "Not originally. From Lorderan, back before."
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “OH, well…in that case, thank you for your service to Westfall!”
Cambrin Cooper dips his head in thanks.
Ismene Hazan runs up, smiling and mussed, smoothing her flyaway babyfine hair back where it belongs.
[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “Ismene, good afternoon.”
Ben Hazan glances down at Ismene. He smiles and reaches for her hand.
Colson Aspenwood nods and smiles faintly at Ismene. "Ismene."
Mordecai Aspenwood manages to look away from the cute frog. "Hello, Mizzy."
Ismene Hazan smiles at everyone. "Sorry I'm late, I was in Azeroth." She stops smiling. "What an odd life I live."
Ben Hazan nods solemnly. Ain't that the truth?
[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “Doesn't it sound odd, when you say it like that?”
Colson Aspenwood inclines his head to that.
Ben Hazan leans toward Padrick carefully, peering. He is respectful of Gwen's Personal Space, however.
Cressidha Aspenwood starts passing out water to the others.
Colson Aspenwood nods to Sil with a faint smile. "Sil."
[Cambrin Cooper]: “Howdy, Sil.”
Ben Hazan manages to tear his gaze from the frog to up-nod at Sil over Ismene's head.
[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “Silvestre, Dane, good afternoon.”
[Silvestre Silenstep]: “Hey, Cole,” Sil smiles “and Cam… Cam? You're joining us today?”
Cambrin Cooper nods at Sil. "Captain asked me to report here. I guess someone's indisposed?"
Dane Atley stomps up to the group. "Hullo', you lot."
Mordecai Aspenwood mumbles a greeting.
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Hi, Dane!”
Ismene Hazan leans around Ben to wave at Atley. "Hullo, Mr. Atley."
[Ben Hazan]: “Mr. Atley, hey.”
Colson Aspenwood nods to Dane in greeting.
[Silvestre Silenstep]: “Hi everyone, so I don't list all the names.” Sil chuckles
Dane Atley grunts and nods.
Ben Hazan looks a little disappointed that Dane is now between him and the frog.
Cressidha Aspenwood looks around, trying to figure out who's missing. "Nilunelle? Sandy? Sir Gavynn?"
[Dane Atley]: “Sanders' here.”
Gausanders waves.
[Silvestre Silenstep]: “There's Sandy!”
[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “Sandy.”
Gwenivene Whittle squeals! "Sandy!"
Mordecai Aspenwood mumbles a hello and gives a tiny little wave to Sandy.
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Hello everyone! Hi Gwen!” He beams.
Gwenivene Whittle lunges into Sandy's arms!
Colson Aspenwood nods hello to Sandy.
Gausanders Spellbond hugs Gwen and lifts her off the floor slightly.
Ben Hazan eyes the whole Sandy-Gwen situation dubiously. More dubiously than he'd eyed the hat frog, even. “We are missin' Sir Gavynn and Nilu. But Cam is here in place of … someone?”
[Ismene Hazan]: “Oh! Mordecai, we found out what the shadow in my shadow was.”
[Mordecai Aspenwood]: “You did?”
Ismene Hazan nods at Mordecai. "Apparently a little shadow fiend followed me back after I died and got stuck. Estel unstuck it."
[Mordecai Aspenwood]: “Oh.”
Colson Aspenwood blinks once at Ismene. Okay. Sure. That….happens to people. Maybe?
Cambrin Cooper blinks at Ismene. "Er… a fiend?"
[Ismene Hazan]: “It was really very sweet, though. It curled up in Estel's lap like a little puppy. It was lost and hungry and confused, pooor thing.”
Cambrin Cooper boggles slightly at a fiend being described as 'cute'.
[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “That does sound rather sweet.”
[Colson Aspenwood]: “That does sound rather like Estel.”
Ismene Hazan says proudly, "Estel's wonderful." Why she's proud of that, who knows.
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Indeed.”
Ismene Hazan nods at Cressidha. "I haven't named it, though. What if it has a name? I didn't want to be rude."
Dane Atley nods and gestures to Cambrin. "He'll be with us today. Hope you've packed your sword arm, lad."
Gwenivene Whittle giggles, her feet kicking in the air as she's lifted.
Cambrin Cooper grins at Dane. "Still firmly attached to my shoulder."
Ben Hazan looks from Atley to Cam. He smiles at Cam.
[Colson Aspenwood]: “That is the preferable location.”
[Dane Atley]: “Squared away, then.”
Gausanders Spellbond puts her back on the floor, then waves at Padrick. "Hi, you!"
Padrick licks his eyeball in greeting to Sandy, perched up on the brim of Gwen's hat.
Ismene Hazan pats Ben's arm. "He's always a little late. He'll be here."
Cambrin Cooper adjusts his gear and now carries a much bigger sword.
Ben Hazan grimaces at Ismene and nods.
Cressidha Aspenwood passes out water to everyone else except Gwen.
Gausanders thanks Cressidha.
Ismene Hazan tries to think of other news to share. "I'm not pregnant."
[Dane Atley]: “Right then. Blue Squad's all here.”
Cressidha Aspenwood blinks at Ismene.
Ben Hazan shifts awkwardly, glances at Ismene, glances at the sky. Yessir, that is some sky.
Colson Aspenwood looks mildly at Ismene, inclines his head, and turns his attention to Dane.
[Mordecai Aspenwood]: “Oh.”
Cambrin Cooper 's head snaps towards Mizzy and then he quickly looks away. At literally anything else.
Silvestre Silenstep tries very hard to act like Mizzy's statements are totally ordinary and expected.
Ismene Hazan stops sharing.
Ben Hazan puts his arm around Mizzy.
Dane Atley settles in his saddle for a moment as he eyes Isemene. “…Aye, that's well then.” Dane remarks stiffly and somewhat uncertainly.
Ismene Hazan smiles brightly at Mr. Atley.
[Dane Atley]: “Right then. Let's bugger off.”
Mordecai Aspenwood turns to Colson. "I'll be… here?"
Colson Aspenwood turns to Mordecai, pulling up his hand to Colson's heart. "Yes. I love you," Colson says quietly. "I will see you soon."
Mordecai Aspenwood looks over at Dane. Oh no they're leaving. "I love you, be safe," he says very quickly to Colson.
Colson Aspenwood steps away, for Tenacious. "I will."
Gausanders Spellbond puts on his own hat because Gwen likes hats.
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Oh? Where are we…um…bug-swatting off to?” Gwen portals her mount in and teleports into the saddle.
Gausanders Spellbond whispers in demonic while holding out his hand. From below him, a dreadsteed 'claws' its way out of the ground.
Ben Hazan shifts his weight and looks around again.
[Silvestre Silenstep]: “I guess we can wait a bit for Gavynn?”
[Cressidha Aspenwood]: “I'm sure he'll be here soon.”
[Cambrin Cooper]: “Ready to roll.”
Dane Atley grunts and looks to the others before he spurs Hutch down the road.
Ben Hazan relaxes slightly at the sight of Gavynn. He nods curtly to him.
Gausanders waves at Gavynn.
Colson Aspenwood nods at Gavynn. "Sir Gavynn."
[Dane Atley]: “Bulletins… Extra coin for the company.
Wanted: Dead or Alive: Giselda the Crone of Kil'sorrow and her lackeys for murder, ritual sacrifice, communing with the Legion, kidnapping, and burglary. Known to congregate at Kil'sorrow Fortress in southeastern Nagrand, near the border of Terokkar. Large gold reward to be dispensed by Warden Moi'bff Jill at Telaar to anyone able to bring Giselda to justice.
Gausanders Spellbond, still reading the paper on Giselda. "Ritual sacrifices? Eww."
Wanted: Dead or Alive: Zorbo the Advisor, wanted for numerous planned attacks on Garadar. Along with his reavers and shaman, Zorbo has slain countless orcs. Consider Zorbo as armed, dangerous, and merciless. Zorbo makes his home in the Laughing Skull Ruins in the northern mountains of Nagrand. Reward for Zorbo the Advisor's death or capture to be dispensed by Warden Bullrok at Garadar.
[Dane Atley]: “You're the Huntress, then?”
[Huntress Bintook]: “I am.” She looks out across the Nagrand wilderness. “Do my eyes deceive me or is there an ogre hunting party over yonder? What could ogres be doing this far from their mound? I don't like this one bit, stranger. First Murkbloods and now ogres. We just don't have the manpower to handle all of these threats to our land. Could you investigate the ogre presence to the east for us? Their forward camp is about 200 paces east of here. You'll know you're at the right place if you see the Boulderfist hunters. Kill them to find the plans!”
[Dane Atley]: “Ogres… Could be a war party.”
Cambrin Cooper grins. "Not for long."
Colson Aspenwood's expression is neutral, as he nods once.
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “We've fought ogres so many times before, we'll be fine!”
Dane Atley grunts and nods. "Let's make for 'em, then."
Cambrin Cooper loosens his sword in his scabbard.
[Dane Atley]: “There they are. Cambrin, I take it you're well tested in a fight?”
Gausanders Spellbond starts a dark ritual, mumbling in demonic. After a moment, a somber figure grows out of his shadow.
Dane Atley asks, making some last minute adjustments.
[Cambrin Cooper]: “Yessir.”
Dane Atley grunts. “Have at them, you lot. Look for plans, missives, somming'.”
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Yessir.” Colson murmurs prayers as he runs.
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “I am not looking for those in their clothes!”
Cambrin Cooper grimaces as he searches the corpse.
Gwenivene Whittle holds her nose.
Dane Atley wrinkles up his nose in general distaste for ogres, dead or alive.
Colson Aspenwood looks more expressionless than anything.
Cambrin Cooper pulls up a ratty looking bit of parchment. “I think this might be it? Anyone read ogre?”
Gausanders Spellbond whispers to Gwen. "Is it too late to say that Grimnos could have searched for that for us?"
Dane Atley glances over and scowls at the missive before looking to the others.
Colson Aspenwood looks over at the parchment. That sure is smudged with food, blood, and unidentifiable liquids and substances.
[Dane Atley]: “They'll know wot' to make of it.”
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Yuck…”
[Dane Atley]: “Let's ride back and see.”
Cambrin Cooper tucks it in a bit of oilskin, then wipes his hands on the grass.
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Yessir.” Colson passes a Cleanse over Cambrin. Just to be safe.
They return.
Cambrin Cooper pulls out the oilskin package and hands it over to Huntress Bintook. "We got lucky, ma'am."
[Huntress Bintook]: Bintook reads the plans. “BY THE LIGHT! Their penmanship is atrocious. From what I can gather, they're either planning to "eat the blue skins and take their village" or bake a blueberry pie. It really could go either way. We must get to the bottom of this!”
Dane Atley knits his brow. “Don't doubt they were planning to eat you lot.”
[Huntress Bintook]: “The battle plans were written up by an ogre lieutenant. His name is either Dump or Lump.” Bintook turns the parchment sideways and cocks her head. “It could also be Billy. Anyhow, I think you should go back out there and have a word with Billy or Lump or Dumpy or whatever! Try to approach him diplomatically. If that doesn't work, try using some muscle.”
[Dane Atley]: “Billy, Lump, or Dumpy.” Dane repeats, face deadpan.
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Billy. Lump. Or Dumpy.” Colson repeats carefully, almost in perfect sync with Dane. “As you say.”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “We potentially have three ogres to find!”
Colson Aspenwood inclines his head to Sandy. Sure. Why not.
Dane Atley grunts. "Be mindful of the smell, you lot." He looks to Colson and Cambrin.
[Cambrin Cooper]: “Are these ogres, or a traveling group of jugglers?”
Gausanders laughs at Cambrin.
[Dane Atley]: “We need this bastard alive. We'll be using fists.”
Colson Aspenwood looks mildly at Dane. It does not look like Colson has ever used his fists for anything.
Cambrin Cooper flexes his hands inside his gauntlets.
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Oh don't worry. My spells won't kill him.”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Mine… Mine, uh…”
Dane Atley nods and looks to Gwen and Sandy. "You lot do wot' you must."
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “I will not use too many spells!”
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Maybe…um…just have Grimnos punch him? Oh wait…the touch of the Void…”
Atley points at Lump/Dumpy/Billy????. “That one. He looks important.”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Right, Grimnos will handle this!”
[Dane Atley]: "Let's keep him alive — for as long as we can handle the stench, anyway. Like a bloody walking bog.”
Gausanders nods at Atley.
Cambrin Cooper keeps an eye on the rear [of the squad, presumably, not anyone’s in particular.]
[Dane Atley]: “We want answers, savage.”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Hello, Dumpy, Lump or Billy!”
Lump/Dumpy/Billy explains that he’s hungry.
[Cambrin Cooper]: “He's hungry? So that's what I heard.”
Gwenivene Whittle smiles. “He just wants a snack!”
[Dane Atley]: “Some sort of ogre tribal war…”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “He sounds just like me!”
Colson Aspenwood 's face is stoic. "Hm."
Lump/Dumpy/Billy continues with the fact that, well, people are delicious. What is an ogre to do? That’s prime snacking just walking around in mobile flesh bags.
[Cambrin Cooper]: “Um, he wants to snack on people, I think.”
[Dane Atley]: “Aye, the Broken folks.”
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Perhaps we can find an alternative. As with the Bog Lords in Zangarmarsh.”
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Oh…”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “… that's not like me. At all!”
[Dane Atley]: “Let's get the news to Telaar. We'll leave him alive. He may be more useful.”
Gausanders nods at Atley.
They return.
[Huntress Bintook]: “Oh my! This is a small scouting and hunting party? You must tell Mo'mor the Breaker what you have discovered.”
[Dane Atley]: “Right then. We'll pass it on.”
[Cambrin Cooper]: “‘Mo'mor the Breaker’ sounds like a friendly guy.”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “It does, right?!”
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Perhaps it is one of those titles like 'Tiny' for a large person.” Colson says in a dry voice.
Cambrin Cooper counts noses, then brings up the rear.
[Dane Atley]: “Mm… Which of you three's Mo'mor, then.”
Colson Aspenwood eyes the one with the enormous mace.
Dane Atley gets a look from one of the elder Broken, and decides to approach.
Cambrin Cooper eyes Mo'mor's hammer with professional interest.
[Mo’mor the Breaker]: “The huntress's agents send news of the Boulderfist leader: He is an orc! An ancient orc that passed through the Dark Portal in the time of our fathers and has since returned to his homeland. I wish for you to track down this orc and try to convince him to pull back the Boulderfist ogres. He resides on an upper platform in the Burning Blade Ruins to the east. Good luck, Cobalt Company. Be warned, he is a blademaster…”
Colson Aspenwood looks down at his hands at the mention of war, and the solution being to destroy the ogres. "I see."
Dane Atley grunts and whirls Hutch around, walking off. “The Burning Blade…”
Colson Aspenwood follows Dane.
[Dane Atley]: “They're mostly all gone, now. Few hold outs left.”
[Cambrin Cooper]: “That bunch gets around.”
[Dane Atley]: “They'd been blademasters in the war. Colson, you ought to remember.”
[Colson Aspenwood]: “This was their homeworld,” Colson says to Cam, and then looks back to Dane. “Yes. I recall.”
[Dane Atley]: “I hear they're a right pack of demon worshippers, now. Be mindful of tricks, you lot.”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Don't worry, I'm ready!”
[Dane Atley]: “Right then. Let's ride!”
They ride.
[Dane Atley]: “This is it. Dismount. We move in on foot from here…”
Colson Aspenwood does. Tenacious starts chomping grass.
Atley eyes Cambrin up and down. “You in the army, lad?”
[Cambrin Cooper]: “Westfall Militia, for a while.”
Dane Atley grunts. "With Ben?"
[Cambrin Cooper]: “For a little while, yessir.”
They start killing ogres.
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Killing ogres is so easy!”
Gwenivene Whittle grimaces at Sandy
[Dane Atley]: “Aye, they're as sharp as marbles.”
Colson Aspenwood says nothing as he works.
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “I don't like to think of killing anything as ‘easy’….”
[Dane Atley]: “Must've been a proper village, once.”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “… Right, but I mean… that's a job where we don't risk much! We're not in danger like when we're fighting stronger stuff!”
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “What about….the danger to your conscience?”
[Dane Atley]: “Conscience?”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Yeah, conscience? We're helping people!”
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “I guess…I just think that when you start thinking of taking lives as easy…you're in danger of losing something important.”
Dane Atley glances at Gwen, grunting inquisitively.
Padrick croaks in answer to Dane's grunt.
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Hm… Maybe I see what you're trying to say… I just.. don't really think about that, because I'm just happy to be helping!”
Dane Atley glances between before jogging on.
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Hmm…I guess I envy you a little, Sandy. I can't not think about it.”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Sorry… I won't say this kind of things again!”
Dane Atley peers at the ritual circle. “Aye… They're properly doing each other in.”
[Cambrin Cooper]: “Skulls. Why is it always skulls?”
Dane Atley grunts.
Gausanders Spellbond looks above the skulls. "I mean… it's not… always skulls."
Colson Aspenwood looks at the pulsing ones with still skin on them.
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Eww!”
[Dane Atley]: “Let's look 'bout for the red ones.”
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Puh-puh-puh-POW!”
Colson Aspenwood steps in front of the ogre going for Gwen.
Gwenivene Whittle smiles, "Thanks, Colson."
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Of course.”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Are you okay?!”
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “I'm okay, Sandy.”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Phew! I was looking at the other one, I didn't notice the one coming for you and I don't want you to get hurt like last time again!”
Gwenivene Whittle gives Sandy an 'awwww' face. She leans up on her tip-toes to kiss his cheek.
Gausanders Spellbond blushes. "Hehe!"
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Colson covered me and I've got my mana shields.”
[Dane Atley]: Properly thinning them out, aren't we. That ought to do…” Dane looks out over the carnage.
[Cambrin Cooper]: “I only know a couple of words of ogre but they always seem to get their attention.”
Dane Atley glances over. "Where'd you learn it?"
Cambrin Cooper grins. "From a goblin in Booty Bay, naturally."
Dane Atley scoffs lightly. "Aye, sounds right. Let's move on."
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Yessir.”
Gwenivene Whittle portals her mount in and teleports into the saddle.
Gausanders Spellbond magically conjures a soul shard from his own chest, splits it in half and places one part inside Grimnos.
Colson Aspenwood dodges around the ghost in the road.
Gwenivene Whittle shivers.
Dane Atley eyes them unpleasantly.
Gausanders Spellbond hides Grimnos behind a tree before they enter the town.
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Keep seeing spirits….”
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Yes. Nagrand is filled with them.”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Yeah, I don't see many out of here!”
[Cambrin Cooper]: “This land has seen a lot.”
Colson Aspenwood nods. "And it is possible the Naaru have something to do with that. Why we do not see spirits everywhere. Vindicator Erixa spoke of a time when the naaru draw spirits in to themselves."
[Dane Atley]: “They ate them, or somming'?”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Ooooh. Do you ever see some in Azeorth, then? Or is the Exodar's Naaru taking them there too?”
Colson Aspenwood shakes his head. "Erixa said that it a state of being some naaru enter, but O'ros is not there. It is, however, why Auchidoun is as it is. Filled with them. The naaru we aided draws them in.”
[Dane Atley]: “We're due north, then. Let's put the hurt to them, you lot.”
Cambrin Cooper looks around for signs of ogres. “Eyes up, sarge. Hostiles front.”
Dane Atley nods slowly with a grunt, turning around.
Cambrin points at Boulderfist Warrior.
[Dane Atley]: “That's them. “
Colson Aspenwood turns his attention to the field.
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “So we'll see some in Azeroth, then? Nice!”
Colson Aspenwood heals Dane in between strikes.
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Puh-puh-puh-POW!”
Gausanders Spellbond stabs the dead ogre in the knee with his dagger. "Stop attacking Gwen!"
Colson Aspenwood murmurs different prayers on Gwen.
[Dane Atley]: “This lot's properly armed. Wager they're aiming to stomp Nagrand, sooner than later.”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Ouch!”
Colson Aspenwood passes a Heal over Sandy.
Gausanders Spellbond suddenly turns to Grimnos and smiles. "Awww, thanks!"
Dane Atley admires the gory decorations.
Dane Atley grunts. “Let's venture further into that cavern…Ought to be some casters roaming about.”
[Colson Aspenwood]: “On your mark, Dane.”
Casters do Damage.
Colson Aspenwood heals Sandy quickly.
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Thanks Colson!”
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Of course, Sandy.”
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “We'll have none of that magic, Boulderfist Mage.”
Dane Atley growls at the humid stench.
Colson Aspenwood's hair has started to almost…curl? Colson drinks some water.
Gausanders Spellbond hits one of the meat hooks with his hand to make it swing.
Colson Aspenwood passes a Cleanse over Sandy. Just in case.
Dane Atley scoffs with amusement and shakes his head. Dane steps over more and more slain ogres. “That'll do, you lot.”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “That was a lot of ogres!”
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Yes. It was.”
[Dane Atley]: “S'ride back.”
Gausanders waves at Ravenous Windroc.
Cambrin Cooper eyes the powder dubiously. “This powder looks like something a sketchy goblin in Ratchet tried to sell me once.”
[Dane Atley]: “Wot' was it?”
[Cambrin Cooper]: “Dunno, I didn't buy it.”
Colson Aspenwood looks over at it. "Ah, yes. This is from a crystal here. Valuable to the Kurenai."
Ben salutes Atley with respect.
Colson Aspenwood makes a 'hm' sound.
Dane Atley stiffens slightly at the mention of a blademaster.
[Gwenivene Whittle]: "An orc…?"
Colson Aspenwood looks over as Cressidha rides past. He watches her for a long moment.
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “What's a blademaster? I mean…aside from the obvious.”
[Dane Atley]: “Most orcs are brawlers. Grunts. Big bastards who rely on strength, brutality, grit. Blademasters were … somming' else. I've seen one cut through five knights and steeds at once. Single bloody stroke.”
Mordecai Aspenwood fidgets, hesitant to interrupt.
[Dane Atley]: “Took a volley of arrows to get him down…”
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Masters of their crafts, yes. The ones in Azeroth swore their allegiance to Warchief Thrall.”
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Cheese and crackers….”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “… I'm not very good with blades, but… that sounds difficult to do.”
Mordecai Aspenwood takes out a candle and quietly says a blessing for the squad.
Colson Aspenwood looks over as Mordecai walks past, his face lighting up in a smile. Colson is covered in blood.
Mordecai Aspenwood smiles and waves.
Colson Aspenwood waves back, his eyes soft.
[Dane Atley]: “Of the orcish clans, the others'd speak of the Burning Blade in a different sort'f tone.”
Gausanders Spellbond smiles and waves at Mordecai, as if he had waved at him.
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Honor Guard now, to Warchief Thrall, but…I doubt this one is allied so, if he has returned here.”
Gausanders nods at Colson.
[Dane Atley]: “They're warriors of legend. Let's tread lightly.” Dane nods to Mordecai.
Colson Aspenwood is still looking at Mordecai, even as he speaks. He exhales slowly, and nods at Dane's words. "On your mark, then, Dane."
Mordecai Aspenwood nods back. He gives the group another shy wave.
Dane Atley grunts.
[Cambrin Cooper]: “Well, that ought to be interesting.”
Gausanders Spellbond waves at Mordecai once more. “Just to make sure what Dane said he saw happened won't happen to us, I suggest we leave our mounts away from that guy!”
They do.
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Fire rain!”
[Dane Atley]: “No sudden movements. Beware the old man in a trade where men die young, especially with this lot…”
Gausanders Spellbond gasp. "Outland rat!"
Dane Atley scowls. "Never heard of an orc named 'Lantresor' f'course…"
Cambrin Cooper whispers "His sword is on fire."
Dane Atley takes out his shield and readies it.
Colson Aspenwood readies his shield and his Blessings.
Dane Atley glares angrily at Lantresor of the Blade.
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Hi there!”
Lantresor of the Blade greets them, and explains that he is a half-draenei, half-orc. And he’s willing to hear out Cobalt’s efforts to halt an all out war in Nagrand for his own purposes…and that his solution is not exactly fully ‘peaceful.’
Gausanders Spellbond gasps. "Half-draenei?!"
Dane Atley blinks at Lantresor of the Blade.
Colson Aspenwood's brows raise.
[Lantresor of the Blade]: “So what is your decision? Will it be war or will you lend your assistance?”
Dane Atley scowls at Lantresor of the Blade.
Colson Aspenwood's voice is low. "Dane. If we can avoid war, we should."
War. War is hell.
Dane Atley keeps his shield and weapon readied, staring Lantresor down. “… We'll do it.”
Lantresor reveals his plan to be to cause a civil war to break out among the ogres and orcs of Nagrand, and that this will keep their populations unable to wage greater war with Kurenai.
Gausanders cheers at Atley! “That's a really smart plan, Sir Blade Master!”
Colson Aspenwood's face is stoic, and grim as he listens to the 'solutions' for avoiding the war by causing the clans to fight amongst themselves, but he nods once.
Lantresor hands Dane a pack full of banners. “These are Warmaul ogre banners that I recently acquired. I want you to travel to Kil'sorrow Fortress, directly south of here, and kill as many of the Kil'sorrow filth as you can find. Drive a Warmaul ogre banner through the heart of each fallen Kil'sorrow soldier. Return to me when you have completed this task and the other that this plan requires. And you will need to steal Kil'sorrow armaments from Kil'sorrow Fortress if my plan is to work. Search the fortress for crates of Kil'sorrow armaments. Bring whatever you can find to me. Kil'sorrow Fortress is located directly south and a little to the west of the Burning Blade Ruins.”
Dane Atley sets his jaw and stomps off. "Let's ride."
Cambrin Cooper murmurs "I'll say this about orcs, they aren't subtle.”
Colson Aspenwood is a paladin, as unsubtle as a hammer of justice. He can't say anything about orcs' subtlety.
[Dane Atley]: “True justice would be that animal being hanged from the Stormwind ramparts.”
They arrive to Kil’sorrow fortress. There’s a giant orb. It’s fine.
[Cambrin Cooper]: “Er…Everyone sees the big evil glowing thing, right? Not just me?”
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Yes.”
Dane Atley grunts.
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Would you look at that…’
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “We don't know if it's evil yet!”
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “It seems like a safe assumption.”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Maybe that's just a game? Like how we twirl around a pole form Midsummer but… evil orc version!”
[Colson Aspenwood]: “I feel fairly confident in agreeing with Miss Whittle, Sandy.”
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “But maybe the evil guys are trying to destroy it?”
[Dane Atley]: “No. They're summoning' somming'.”
Gwenivene shrugs. Who knows? “Pew-pew-pew!”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Boom, boom, boom! It's like fireworks, but uh… in reverse!”
They run into an orc who becomes a shivarra partway through. It’s fine.
[Dane Atley]: “That's wot' they're on about. Demons.”
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Hm.”
[Dane Atley]: “D'rather side with ogres than these wretches.”
[Cambrin Cooper]: “Considering their boss turned into a demon, I'm going with ‘evil’.”
Dane Atley grunts.
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “It's one of those really cool demon I can' summon!” He sighs. “Maybe one day!”
Dane Atley briefly eyes Sandy.
[Cambrin Cooper]: “Don't forget the banners.”
Dane Atley grunts.
Colson Aspenwood makes a Not Face at the centaur rug.
A green liquid visibly spreads across Sandy's veins from his hands to the rest of his body. He groans. Sandy nods and giggles at Grimnos. He gives Grimnos a thumbs up.
Colson Aspenwood frees Gwen's feet from the ice and heals her quickly, mid-battle.
Gwenivene cheers!
Colson Aspenwood does not join in a dark ritual to pull Gwen through the aether from time out corner.
Cambrin cheers at Gwenivene!
Dane Atley may do it, reluctantly.
The squad ride hard to the other side of the map, in order to help move some bodies around and plant some more banners. It’s grim work. This is fine.
Colson Aspenwood's jaw keeps clenching as he forces it to relax.
Dane Atley glares angrily at Boulderfist Saboteur. “Get on with it, will you…Working alongside ogres.”Dane Atley shudders and grumbles.
Colson Aspenwood's face is a mask of neutrality.
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Whoa look at his weapon! That's so cool!”
[Cambrin Cooper]: “That's a huge hammer.”
Gwenivene Whittle portals her mount in and teleports into the saddle.
Dane Atley looks displeased by having to work with an orc and his ogre army.
Colson Aspenwood looks completely neutral, his expression almost rigidly so.
Gausanders Spellbond smiles.
Dane hearths back, leaving the squad to handle the rest.
The squad returns to tell Mr. Of The Blade what they’ve done. He approves. Congrats everyone you’ve saved Nagrand for, uh, now.
Lantresor points to an unmarked crate. “Take it. It is my offering to your people. You have single-handedly saved my clan from extermination. You may tell your leader that Lantresor of the Burning Blade and his Boulderfist ogres accept the offering of peace.” Lantresor bows.
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Well, that was exciting! Nice to meet you, Mr. Of the Blade!”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Yes, I'm glad we could solve that conflict in a peaceful way! Thank you Mr. of the Blade!”
[Cambrin Cooper]: “We'll make sure the message is delivered.”
Colson Aspenwood exhales slowly at the 'peaceful way.' "I will return to Telaar and speak to the others."
Cambrin Cooper thinks Sandy may have a different understanding of the word "peaceful" as he surveys the blood-spattered group.
Colson Aspenwood shares Cambrins definition of peaceful, apparently, as he pushes his hair back. That was not Peaceful.
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “I'll follow you, then I'll take a well-deserved nap in the inn there!”
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Very well, Sandy. On me.”
Back in Telaar.
Colson Aspenwood approaches the Kurenai elder respectfully. "Sir. I am of Cobalt Company. We have word of the brewing war of the ogres." Colson Aspenwood offers the Burning Blade Peace Offering. “Lantresor of the Blade has brokered a…peace, of sorts.”
[Arechron]: “Peace you say? Please, Cobalt Company, take from the peace offering whatever it is that you may desire. After all, without your efforts, this would not have been possible.”
Colson Aspenwood bows politely, and steps away.
Mordecai Aspenwood rubs his arm, fidgeting.
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Good afternoon. Good work, today,” Colson says to the squad, as he looks over at Mordecai, a smile warming his face.
[Cambrin Cooper]: “At least it's resolved, I guess.”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Yup, we did that!” He yawns and stretches. "Time for that well-deserved nap!"
[Mordecai Aspenwood]: “Are you all done?”
Colson Aspenwood is an absolute mess. That is…a lot of blood. "Yes."
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “Yeah…”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Who wants to go take a nap?”
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “I think…I'm gonna go out flying for a bit. I just need to clear my head.”
Gausanders Spellbond he looks more at Gwen then he does at Cam. Sorry Cam.
Colson Aspenwood looks like he wants a shower more than a nap. He tilts his head at Mordecai in question.
[Cambrin Cooper]: “I'm going to go clean up. See you both later!”
Cambrin waves goodbye. Farewell!
Gausanders waves goodbye to Cambrin. Farewell!
Gwenivene waves goodbye to Cambrin. Farewell!
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Oh, I see. We did a lot of a… bad stuff today.”
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “It…really wasn't any worse than any other day. It's just…”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “But we also did a lot of good! That's what matters!” He smiles.
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “But is it all that matters?”
[Gausanders Spellbond]: “Well… I… I think so? That's why we're doing this job!” He extends his hand toward Gwen.
Gwenivene Whittle sighs. "I wish I could agree, Sandy…but I don't."
Gwenivene Whittle takes Sandy's hand.
Gausanders Spellbond looks reassured that she takes his hand, and he squeezes hers. "Are you disappointed by…" he pauses, frowning sadly, before shaking his head. "That you joined one of the squads?"
[Gwenivene Whittle]: “No…no I just think we have to be so, so careful not to get complacent about how we accomplish the good we're doing. We must never be flippant about dealing death. That…that's how the Burning Legion treats life.”
[Mordecai Aspenwood]: “Did… um. It went all right? No deaths?”
Colson Aspenwood looks at his gauntlets, as if contemplating how to remove them without making the blood covering worse. "Not on our side, no," Colson says softly.
Mordecai Aspenwood nods. “Ah… Ben gives his regards to the squad. And Cressidha says she's fine, just needed to go take a bath. Something about an ogre cave.”
Colson Aspenwood looks at Mordecai with an even, military veteran sort of expression. "We halted a growing conflict. It was not…clean work, but it was necessary."
Cambrin Cooper approaches the couple slowly and coughs delicately as he does so.
Colson Aspenwood nods. His own hair has curled slightly at the edges.
Mordecai Aspenwood still startles. He looks over at Cam.
Colson Aspenwood looks over with alertness at Cam, his brows raised.
Cambrin Cooper holds something shiny in his hand. “Sorry to interrupt, but I dug this up while we were out and I thought you could use it.” He holds out a [Golden Draenite].
Colson Aspenwood looks at Cam's hand with interest. "Oh! A golden draenite. Yes."
Mordecai Aspenwood beams. "I think it's for you, Colson."
Cambrin Cooper passes the raw gem over.
[Colson Aspenwood]: “Thank you. I know how to cut them, and set them. If you have need of it, I would be happy to assist.”
Cambrin Cooper nods. “Thanks! I'm off to clean up.” Cambrin waves.
Colson Aspenwood stores the uncut gem carefully.
[Mordecai Aspenwood]: “Right, you should…” Mordecai gestures vaguely at Colson's… everything. That sure is an amount of blood.
Colson Aspenwood cannot figure out how to remove the gloves without making the blood situation worse. "Yes. I am…considering either jumping in a lake or magma at this point, so, perhaps we should…" Colson gestures vaguely to the inn.
[Mordecai Aspenwood]: “What about, um…” Mordecai points. Water.
Colson Aspenwood eyes the shallow water. "That might…well." Colson shrugs and heads towards it. Wet from water Colson could be an improvement over wet from blood Colson.
Mordecai Aspenwood stays on the bank.