(2022-08-06) Investigating Zul'Gurub

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	A Cobalt Company strike team makes its way into Zul'Gurub, following information about the possible resurrection of Hakkar.
Rating:	T for Teen

The team begins to assemble at the Rebel Camp in Stranglethorn Vale.
Bargrimm shoots Keane a stern glance. "No snackin' on frogs, lad."
Kaleyah sniffles.
Alliza eyes Dane back, and finally meanders over to join the group.
Colson salutes Elohad sharply, nodding to Dane first before the others.
[Kaleyah]: Hate the moist…s'gotta be so hot 'ere…
[Gwenivene]: Oooh…I think he's probably more of a southern frog…
Keane huffs, as if insulted.
Atley nods firmly to the Aspenwood twins with a very subtle smile tugging at his stern features.
[Atley]: Aye, proper swampy, innit'.
[Elohad]: I don't even want to imagine what I'm gonna smell like when I get this armor off.
Bargrimm smiles at Jocoza.
Elrissadel's eyes widen with every additional person. This is the most members of cobalt she's ever seen in one place.
Atley produces a waterskin and pops off the cork, pouring some out onto his gauntlet. He rubs the water on the back of his neck and sprinkles a bit on his face.
[Bargrimm]: Miz Jo! Good t' see ye again!
Cressidha takes a manna biscuit and sprinkles some yellow powder on it.
Gwenivene beams excitedly. "Hi, Jo!"
Elohad looks around. He turns a bit red. "Captain."
Kaleyah mutters "More'an'ah ogres ass…"
[Cressidha]: Ah, if anyone would care for some refreshments…
Elohad salutes you with respect.
Colson salutes Jo with military precision.
Jocoza salutes Elohad and Colson. "Looks like most everyone is here! Anyone we're missing?"
Atley looks around, eyes briefly lingering on Keane.
Cressidha drops the manna biscuit. It spins in the air, rotating in slow motion, and by the time it hits the ground, there's a little table set up with water and soft-looking bread.
Atley grunts and walks over to pick at the table, muttering a growling "Cheers" to Cressidha.
Colson looks at Cressidha with an Aspenwood beam of pride, which, admittedly, looks a lot like Colson just usually looks at Cressidha.
Cressidha smiles proudly and takes a little bow.
[Bargrimm]: Keane! Gi' 'way from th' food, lad.
Mordecai quietly shuffles over to collect some water off the table, then backs off.
[Jocoza]: Right, so today we're here to investigate that new danger that our Foxglove-cooperating operatives have uncovered. It was kinda secret, which is why I didn't bring it up in the newsletter.
Atley packs away a biscuit and looks to Jo.
Jocoza nods at Elrissadel, who was part of said cooperation.
Elrissadel nods at you.
Cressidha steps aside from Jo as people turn their attention to her, and uses the opportunity to put her tabard on. She didn't forget or anything.
Bargrimm cracks his knuckles like an ice-cube tray as he listens.
[Jocoza]: So, you all recall the summoning ritual we prevented, back in Swamp of Sorrows, right?
[Elohad]: Yyyyep.
Atley nods sharply. "Aye."
[Cressidha]: I do.
Colson inclines his head to Jo.
Kaleyah scratches her nose, squatting low to the ground. "Nope."
[Jocoza]: That was a group of troll priests called the 'Atal'Ai', who worship Hakkar, the Soulflayer.
Keane nods. Maybe he reads the newsletter?
Elrissadel does not, but keeps quiet about it.
Mordecai looks at Keane and does a double-take.
Atley grimaces at the god's name and spits off to the side.
[Elohad]: The Soulflayer is as nice as he sounds.
[Jocoza]: I don't know how much of a troll background everyone has, but that creature was the impetus behind the rise of the ancient Gurubashi Empire. And its fall, ultimately, as he required more and more human sacrifices.
Keane is now busy sniffing for something in the underbrush.
[Alliza]: Is that…human sacrifices specifically, or…troll?
[Atley]: Somewhere out there is a drooling monster cringing in a cavern, and somewhere out there is a pack of trolls looking for a way to worship it.
[Jocoza]: Oh, um, troll.
Mordecai shrugs a little and stops contemplating wolves reading newsletters.
[Jocoza]: Probably human too?
Kaleyah blinks a few times, probably tuning most of that out.
[Elohad]: I think all of the above.
[Elohad]: Anything that bleeds.
[Jocoza]: Whoever's on hand, I suppose. He seems to be all about blood, not so much species.
Atley grunts.
Padrick tenses at the mention of Hakkar the Soulflayer. The time has come.
Jocoza nods at Elo.
[Jocoza]: So the Atal'Ai were not entirely stopped in their efforts to bring him back to that old temple, as it happens.
Elohad sighs at you.
Atley furrows his brow.
Colson looks serious and solemn as he listens.
[Jocoza]: They've gathered forces in the old Gurubashi capital of Zul'Gurub, which our clever operatives have located here, in the mountains of Stranglethorn.
Atley looks off at the horizon, tonguing the inside of his cheek.
Bargrimm sucks on his teeth a little, glancing toward the mountains.
[Jocoza]: We don't know how far along they are in the whole summoning and/or resurrecting process, but we're going to go in and see what's what.
[Jocoza]: Either we stop them, or we bring back valuable intel.
Colson nods once at Jo.
[Gwenivene]: Cheese and crackers, this is heavy stuff.
Kaleyah spits on the ground. "Easy peasy."
[Elohad]: It's all right, Gwen. We've got this.
[Jocoza]: Alright, any questions about our objectives, before we ride out?
Elohad lets you know that he is ready!
Atley shakes his head.
[Cressidha]: Not at this time.
Bargrimm checks to be sure he's loaded properly. "Clear here, cap'n."
Atley swings himself aboard Hutch.
Mordecai fetches Pastry.
Kaleyah hitches a ride.
Gwenivene portals her mount in and teleports into the saddle.
Jocoza looks to Elohad and smiles. "Then let's ride out, Cobalt Company!"
They ride out!
[Kaleyah]: Need ta get one'ah these already.
Atley peers at Cambrin searchingly.
[Atley]: Looks to be — aye. S'one of ours.
Jocoza slows as they approach the ramp.
[Elohad]: Cam.
[Jocoza]: This is the place.
Atley grunts.
Cambrin creeps out of cover as stealthily as he can.
Kaleyah hops down.
Jocoza looks over. "Oh, Cam! There you are!"
Elrissadel waves at Cambrin.
Cambrin salutes you with respect.
[Elohad]: Glad to see you're in one piece, son.
[Cambrin]: Been keeping an eye out. No sign they know we're coming.
[Elohad]: Thanks.
Atley briefly runs a whet stone along his blade.
[Atley]: Mm, properly done.
Elohad keeps a close eye on the young warrior.
[Jocoza]: This is as far as the joint team came. Apparently they sent some arcane type of scouting a little further, but the trolls were too powerful.
Mordecai lights a candle and says prayers very quietly. The candle burns away in his hands.
[Atley]: Looks well defended in there.
[Bargrimm]: Aye, but don' get too confident there, lad. These tribes always have a few surprises up the sleeve.
Kaleyah pops the cork on a small vial, douses it over her blades. She goes to toss the cracked glass, looks toward Mordecai, and shoves it back into her pouch.
[Alliza]: Well they are part of a massive empire, I would expect they are quite powerful.
[Cambrin]: A bit of a choke point here but they don't have many guards out that I've seen.
Bargrimm nods at Cambrin.
Colson murmurs prayers as he looks up at the troll temple.
[Atley]: They used to be. This lot's defending naught but a ruin.
[Kaleyah]: If'in ya need any trolls bopped on the head, eh. Y'know.
[Bargrimm]: Gonna be more of a ruin after today.
Elohad grins wickedly at Bargrimm.
Bargrimm winks slyly at Elohad.
Elrissadel looks up and up "Wow it really is big"
Elohad looks grim.
Colson exhales slowly and looks at Mordecai once more before turning his attention to the task at hand. Troll Murder Time.
[Elohad]: Got your back, Cam.
Mordecai smiles fantly.
[Gwenivene]: This place must be soooo old…
[Jocoza]: Thousands of years, yeah!
Cressidha definitely participates in combat. Absolutely. She's throwing ice bolts and occasional blizzards when relevant. Helping.
[Kaleyah]: Ehe.
[Atley]: Light…
[Jocoza]: It looks like the gate is dead ahead.
[Bargrimm]: Well now.
[Elohad]: Did you have to say "dead" though?
[Jocoza]: Uh.
[Jocoza]: Hakkar-is-dead, ahead.
Atley gestures off to the side.
Elohad grins at you wickedly.
Elrissadel giggles.
[Atley]: Captain, wot' of these spares?
Jocoza shrugs. "I think we can leave them."
They move into Zul’Gurub, through the gate!
[Alliza]: It's okay to be a little excited, isn't it? Saving the world is all well and good, but this is history.
[Elohad]: I agree. Alliza, is it?
Kaleyah sniffles.
[Kaleyah]: Snakes…
[Kaleyah]: Always gotta be snakes…
[Gwenivene]: Yeah…just caught by surprise.
[Bargrimm]: I brought a few o' them meself.
[Elohad]: Why, though.
[Jocoza]: Whoa… this place…
Colson nods.
Mordecai traces a Fear Ward symbol over his own heart and takes a deep breath.
They get their first clear view of the massive jungle temple complex.
Gwenivene gasps in awe.
[Atley]: Take them down 'fore they can bang on that gong.
[Jocoza]: It's like another jungle!
[Gwenivene]: Puh-puh-puh-POW!
Kaleyah picks up a red coin?
[Gwenivene]: If I MISSILE try again.
[Kaleyah]: Ain't money…is it?
Atley takes a breather and looks over to Kaleyah. "Some sort f' troll coin?"
[Kaleyah]: Then it ain't worth a damn.
Kaleyah tosses it.
[Cambrin]: Snakes. Lots of snakes. Big ones.
[Alliza]: Could be some manner of ancient artifact. Maybe belongs in a museum.
Atley scoffs with amusement and takes a moment to look around.
[Bargrimm]: I got a box o' my own.
[Cambrin]: Sure.
Mordecai coughs. "I'm fine," he says quietly to Colson.
[Atley]: Never thought I'd see the inside of this place in a hundred or more years.
Elohad has fallen silent with awe.
[Cressidha]: It's huge.
[Kaleyah]: Watchin' th'bridge for others.
[Alliza]: I wonder if it's correct to call it "inside."
[Jocoza]: And right here, all this time.
[Bargrimm]: Aye, th' overgrowth is jus'…
Atley 's eyes keep shifting around, gauging the capabilities of their troll enemies.
Bargrimm shakes his head.
[Elrissadel]: it's like a whole other jungle just on it's own
[Jocoza]: Yeah, it's still pretty much outside, just… like a gated outside?
[Atley]: Must've been a proper kingdom… in its time.
Colson looks at the plants with brief interest before looking back at the Dangerlandia Trolls.
Atley admits reluctantly.
Gurubashi Axe Thrower says: You be dead soon!
He’s dead soon, instead.
Elohad nods at Atley.
Cambrin mutters "Won't be laughing long"
[Kaleyah]: Load'ah big lizards down there so eh…
[Kaleyah]: Don' look down?
[Cambrin]: And mind your step.
[Kaleyah]: Two on
[Jocoza]: I uh, hope they've done upkeep more recently than the Gurubashi Empire.
They cross over a rickety bridge with some kind of crocolisks congregating below.
[Atley]: Oi, wot's that there?
[Jocoza]: Oh wow, check out that waterfall.
[Elrissadel]: It really is quite pretty in here
[Kaleyah]: S'pretty, yea?
Hakkar yells: Minions of Hakkar, hear your God. The sanctity of this temple has been compromised. Invaders encroach upon holy ground! The Altar of Blood must be protected. Kill them all!
[Atley]: … Who's that yelling?
[Elohad]: Uhhhhh…
[Elohad]: I… saw something.
[Elohad]: Huge.
[Atley]: Wot' was it?
[Gwenivene]: 'Hear your God'…?
[Gwenivene]: GAHH! HUGE!
Gurubashi Berserker becomes enraged!
[Mordecai]: Get off the bridge!
[Mordecai]: Stay where I can reach you!
[Gwenivene]: If I MISSILE try again.
The Gurubashi Berserker knocks a number of them, Jo included, off the cliff and down into the waiting jaws of crocolisks. They scramble back up the bank and manage to lure the crocs back to the main group before being eaten.
Atley stares Hakkar down.
[Elohad]: Everyone all right?
Gwenivene shudders.
[Elohad]: Never seen anything like that.
[Atley]: Eloha…
Mordecai drops to one knee and drinks half a bottle of water.
Atley points at Hakkar.
Kaleyah checks herself.
[Bargrimm]: Bracin'!
[Alliza]: That was pure chaos..
[Elohad]: There!
[Gwenivene]: That was scary…
Elohad points at Hakkar.
[Kaleyah]: Big guy but eh, slow.
[Jocoza]: Okay, so… we may be a little too late for the 'preventing resurrection' thing.
[Cambrin]: Well. Important safety tip - don't fight those big ones on a bridge!
Colson moves over to Mordecai, panting before he stops to drink water, his face a Mask of Neutral.
[Elohad]: That's the thing I saw. A… snake? Dragon??
[Kaleyah]: Wanted my bum for a bit, yea?
[Jocoza]: And yes, noted!
[Elrissadel]: So in the squads, do you deal with stuff like this all the time?
[Atley]: *That's* a proper monster.
Bargrimm has a faint trickle of blood down his cheekbone and a gleeful glint in his eyes.
[Gwenivene]: What's a proper mon-…
[Jocoza]: Minions of Hakkar, hear your God, it said.
Mordecai straightens up and pats Colson's arm. "'m fine," he says quietly.
Gwenivene blinks at Hakkar.
[Elohad]: Are we too late?
[Alliza]: I rather…don't like that thing.
[Jocoza]: Uh, I mean. Tadget killed a god, right? Surely we can.
[Atley]: That thing's broad enough to take down an entire shire.
[Gwenivene]: Hoooollllyyyyy shhhhhh-….
Elrissadel lets out a string of curses in Darnassian
[Atley]: If it bleeds, it dies.
[Gwenivene]: ….-eeeeep.
[Jocoza]: If not us, the army. Let's just see what we can do!
Jocoza nods at Dane.
Kaleyah mutters something about a lizard in a cape.
[Alliza]: I hope it doesn't see us…
They head down a path with bats in it.
Atley scowls. "*Batriders.*"
[Atley]: 'Ve not seen them since the war.
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
[Colson]: The ghosts! Stand back!
[Kaleyah]: Oho.
[Kaleyah]: I'm guttin' the ones inna masks.
Kaleyah shivers.
[Cambrin]: Ugh. Bats.
[Kaleyah]: Turnin' me inta a toad…
[Colson]: Be wary of their spirits.
[Bargrimm]: …bat riders?
Kaleyah spits.
[Jocoza]: Up is usually to the more important places, right?
[Atley]: They're hell on infantry.
Elohad nods at you.
Atley remarks spitefully.
[Atley]: Aye, Cap'.
[Atley]: Easy…
[Atley]: S'pace here.
[Cambrin]: More bats.
[Gwenivene]: I hoped I could somehow interfere with Hakkar's crossing over. But…if that's…oh fudge…no no no….
[Bargrimm]: Oh, look at these boys…
[Atley]: Now!
[Alliza]: I hate bats…
Gurubashi Bat Rider fully engulfs in flame and a maddened look appears in his eyes!
[Gwenivene]: Careful behind you, Mordecai!
[Atley]: Aye, good eyes…
Atley says to Kaleyah.
[Alliza]: What was that? They threw something and it exploded!
[Kaleyah]: An' I got two'ofem, would ya believe.
[Atley]: They've some sort of bombs. Crude, but effective.
[Elohad]: That hurt.
[Jocoza]: Ouch, yes. Good to know, that.
[Cambrin]: Need to take them down fast, then.
Atley grunts. "Too right."
[Mordecai]: Behind us.
[Jocoza]: I think they'll still do that bomb thing, no matter how quickly.
[Jocoza]: Just keep an eye on it, and move out?
[Atley]: I've got one, you've got the other lad.
[Cambrin]: Got cha,.
Mordecai watches the two groups.
[Alliza]: They aren't leaving much for openings..
[Jocoza]: At least the ones without riders seem weaker.
Gurubashi Bat Rider fully engulfs in flame and a maddened look appears in his eyes!
It dies prior to bombing us.
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
[Jocoza]: Ah, we CAN kill it fast enough!
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
[Kaleyah]: Got some priesties comin' Dane.
Atley squints ahead.
[Atley]: M'not seeing a way out through this way. Somman' else check me.
Colson murmurs another prayer over Alliza.
[Elohad]: Who's that?
Elohad points at High Priestess Jeklik.
[Elohad]: Looks important.
[Elohad]: Doing some kind of ritual.
[Cressidha]: Channeling something.
Elohad agrees with Cressidha.
[Jocoza]: Probably we should kill her.
[Atley]: Aye, some witch. Ought to do them in.
Jocoza nods at Dane.
[Alliza]: What, they weren't done? They needed more rituals?
[Elrissadel]: almost certainly connected to the large god/beast
[Gwenivene]: Puh-puh-puh-POW!
[Elohad]: Let's hope they aren't done.
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
[Gwenivene]: Puh-puh-puh-POW!
Colson removes the polymorph on Mordecai in a blink.
[Cambrin]: Ware' ghost!
Mordecai seems a little disoriented by being turned into a frog and then instantly back.
[Atley]: Let's go to see her, aye cap'?
[Colson]: Are you alright?
[Jocoza]: I think I see a few more bats.
Jo points at Gurubashi Bat Rider.
Atley nods and grunts.
Kaleyah points at Hakkari Witch Doctor.
[Jocoza]: Oh, yeah, and more trolls.
[Kaleyah]: More trolls patr…ollin'…
[Atley]: We'll do the three of them first.
[Cambrin]: Bats to the left of me, trolls to the right, here I am…
Kaleyah snickers.
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
[Kaleyah]: Y'were more bald for a sec, chief.
[Alliza]: Toads.
[Elohad]: Grace.
[Kaleyah]: Kinda cute, though.
[Jocoza]: One more group of bats, and then…
Colson tries to pass a cleanse of magic over the toads. Just in case.
Atley nods. "Aye,cap'."
Kaleyah apologizes to Elohad. Sorry!
[Jocoza]: Channeling something. Maybe Hakkar isn't fully here yet?
[Elrissadel]: thank you again sir
[Jocoza]: Just enough to like… rant?
[Elohad]: That was my thought, Jo.
[Atley]: Oi! Come down here!
[Elohad]: I hope I'm right.
Colson inclines his head to Rissa.
[Atley]: Time to die, witch!
[Cambrin]: You okay, Rissa? Took a nasty knock there.
[Alliza]: He looked pretty here. If he's not, I shudder to think…
Elrissadel nods at Cambrin.
[Kaleyah]: Call'er stinky.
[Atley]: Stin —
[Atley]: You wot'?
[Elrissadel]: yeah. I'm good thanks
Atley side-eyes Kaleyah.
Kaleyah snickers. "I dunno. Bad at tauntin'."
[Cambrin]: But you're damn good at slice and dice.
[Kaleyah]: I'm a simple lady with'ah simple job.
Colson drinks two potions, quickly, from his bag, as he looks at the High Priestess.
Elohad wipes sweat from his brow.
[Jocoza]: Okay, are we ready for this?
[Atley]: Lad, go take a pop at her with that rifle.
Cambrin pops a large pink potion. "Better living through alchemy."
[Atley]: See if that gets her attention.
Kaleyah cracks a small vial of mottled black ooze over her dagger. She toes this vial to the ground.
Alliza stares at the troll, composing herself. "There's just one of her, this should be fine…right?"
[Colson]: Yes ma'am.
[Bargrimm]: Can do.
[Gwenivene]: Oh gosh. Yeah…let's do it.
[Cambrin]: Ready here.
[Atley]: S'never so simple with witchdoctors. Be ready for anything.
High Priestess Jeklik yells: Lord Hir'eek, grant me wings of vengeance!
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
High Priestess Jeklik yells: I command you to rain fire down upon these invaders!
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
[Gwenivene]: If I MISSILE try again.
High Priestess Jeklik begins to cast a Great Heal!
[Kaleyah]: Nope.
Mordecai drinks a mana potion.
High Priestess Jeklik begins to cast a Great Heal!
[Kaleyah]: Nah.
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
High Priestess Jeklik yells: Finally…death! Curse you, Hakkar! Curse you!
They kill High Priestess Jeklik.
[Elohad]: I wonder what that meant…
Gwenivene grimaces. "Is she…?"
[Jocoza]: She didn't really sound like she was on Hakkar's side?
[Elohad]: Yeah.
[Elohad]: Puzzling.
[Jocoza]: But like… enslaved?
Cambrin leans on his sword, panting a little.
[Elohad]: Maybe, something like that.
[Jocoza]: She seemed almost happy we stopped her.
[Elohad]: Honestly that's a good sign. Means there's chaos in the ranks.
[Gwenivene]: Yeah what was that about? 'Curse you, Hakkar'?
[Bargrimm]: Or maybe she's a wee bit tiffed he didn't come save her?
[Atley]: The trolls both hate and fear their gods. I wager she feels like that monster failed her.
[Alliza]: I was certainly not expecting her to turn into a… That thing. What she did there.
[Colson]: Hm.
[Atley]: I'd feel a bit raw about it myself, with all the blood this lot plied him with.
Kaleyah wipes a sweaty strand of hair behind her ear.
[Elohad]: If they're not all one solid loyal block, that gives us a better shot.
[Cambrin]: Sounds like they have their own political shenanigans going on.
Elrissadel thanks Mordecai.
[Jocoza]: I guess not all the loa are evil, right?
[Cambrin]: A chink in the armor we can exploit.
[Kaleyah]: Not gonna lie, y'all are so smart.
[Elohad]: I have no idea.
[Atley]: This is wot' happens when you put your faith in blood sucking monster.
Atley spits on the ground.
[Jocoza]: Maybe Hakkar's been rounding them up, forcing them into line.
Colson makes an affirmative grunt at Dane.
Kaleyah sniffles.
[Jocoza]: Or his followers have.
[Gwenivene]: She said another name…Hir'eek? Is that another god?
[Elohad]: Don't know anything about troll gods except that occasionally some of them try to kill us all.
Gwenivene portals her mount in and teleports into the saddle.
Kaleyah hitches a ride.
[Jocoza]: I did some reading before I came, and yeah… that's a 'loa', they call it.
[Atley]: Hir'eek… Could be some other 'priest.'
[Jocoza]: A bat loa.
[Jocoza]: It's like a god, I think?
Atley grunts at Jocoza.
[Elohad]: That would explain the bats.
[Atley]: Aye, might be.
[Elrissadel]: bat loa would make sense *looks at all the bat corpses*
[Cambrin]: I know my uncle fought the Gurabashi a long time ago, but he never mentioned their gods.
Elohad winks slyly at Elrissadel.
Atley perks a brow and looks to Cambrin with interest. "That right?"
[Kaleyah]: Chief.
Gwenivene giggles at Kaleyah.
Cressidha covers her mouth to hide a smile.
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
[Jocoza]: SNAKES!
[Mordecai]: On the left!
Colson smiles faintly when the bubble lands around him.
Jo points at High Priest Venoxis.
[Cambrin]: Oh wow. That's a lot of snakes.
[Jocoza]: Another channeling person in there.
[Elohad]: Take 'em out.
Elohad takes a moment to survey their surroundings.
[Alliza]: These trolls…must have liked walking. Long paths everywhere you look.
Colson looks discreetly at Padrick. "Miss Whittle? Perhaps…Padrick should not be among the snakes?"
[Atley]: We doing this lot, Cap'?
[Gwenivene]: He should be okay up on my hat.
[Jocoza]: Yep, I think it's snake-o-clock.
[Atley]: Right then. I'll lure 'em out of there.
[Atley]: Then we stomp 'em.
[Gwenivene]: If I MISSILE try again.
[Atley]: Aye, another witch.
[Atley]: S'clear the spares, first.
[Atley]: You lot, let's all move in.
Atley beckons everyone over.
[Cressidha]: Understood.
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
Colson gets knocked down, but he gets up again.
[Kaleyah]: Ya think…they ever get dizzy, spinnin' like that?
[Jocoza]: Okay, another priest…
[Elohad]: Snake loa? Wild guess.
[Cambrin]: What is it with trolls and snakes?
Elrissadel cat hisses at the snake's hisses
[Atley]: They've somming' of an affinity for the foul things of this world.
[Bargrimm]: Don' ye be bad-mouthin' snakes now.
[Kaleyah]: Maybe they like'em cus their both green.
Cressidha says, just so quietly, "Snakes are cute…"
[Elohad]: Trolls are… kinda blue.
Colson smiles gently at Cressidha.
[Elohad]: Well, the forest ones are green.
Bargrimm has sharp ears and grins at Cressidha.
[Elohad]: Jungle ones are— anyway, I digress.
[Kaleyah]: Lookit'em.
Kaleyah pets Snake.
[Kaleyah]: This'uns adorable. Just scootin' aroun'…
Atley side-eyes the snake a mutters something.
Alliza eyes Snake up and down.
[Elohad]: Grace.
[Elohad]: Don't pet the snakes.
Kaleyah sticks her tongue out at the snake.
[Elohad]: Light, it's like having Sandy along.
[Alliza]: I don't know… It's awfully… Aren't some of them poisonous?
[Colson]: Yes.
[Jocoza]: I think we're going to have to kill the snakes.
[Kaleyah]: Ye, s'how I get some venoms.
[Bargrimm]: Ye jus' got t' know yer species is all, lass.
Colson does not correct that snakes are venomous.
[Elohad]: Or how about we just DON'T PET RANDOM SNAKES.
Mordecai winces.
Atley grunts in agreement.
[Elohad]: Just a thought.
[Elrissadel]: I'm not as good at casting as catting but I'll stay back with the ranged contingent for the priests I think
Kaleyah sulks.
[Kaleyah]: A'right, sheesh.
They attack High Priest Venoxis.
High Priest Venoxis yells: Let the coils of hate unfurl!
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
[Gwenivene]: Puh-puh-puh-POW!
High Priest Venoxis yells: Ssserenity…at lassst!
Kaleyah pales.
[Elohad]: Well, they seem to be happy we're killing them.
[Kaleyah]: What in the world was that…
[Elohad]: I'm not sure how to feel about that.
[Colson]: Hm.
[Atley]: They've enslaved themselves to their god.
[Alliza]: So do they all…turn into things?
[Jocoza]: Yeah, I mean… I guess it's nice, we're doing something good, even for them?
[Elohad]: So uh, win-win, I guess.
[Cambrin]: Um… I guess that's one way of looking at it.
Atley rotates his shield arm.
[Kaleyah]: Spooky…
Colson looks grim.
[Elohad]: You okay Grace?
[Atley]: S'press on.
[Jocoza]: Lotta skulls behind that snake altar.
[Kaleyah]: Ye, that wasn' a cute snake…
[Alliza]: Maybe after we've cleared this place we can come back on an exploration mission…?
[Atley]: S'a fallen kingdom that venerates monstrosities.
[Kaleyah]: Weird how sommin so pretty can be th'worst place ever.
[Jocoza]: I mean it's pretty cool, if not for all the blood gods and stuff. So I'd be in to explore.
[Elohad]: "If not for all the blood gods and stuff."
Jocoza nods at Elo. Exactly.
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
Colson 's lip twitch.
[Kaleyah]: Keepin' an eye out…
[Alliza]: Well, that's a good point. It's all I can do to focus on survival.
[Jocoza]: Another big one!
[Atley]: S'get him.
Kaleyah nods.
[Cambrin]: Wow, that's a big one.
[Elohad]: Do not like those.
Gurubashi Berserker becomes enraged!
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
[Jocoza]: That time I did not fall on a pile of crocodiles, so I count that as a win.
[Colson]: Indeed.
Kaleyah points at Gurubashi Berserker.
Mordecai smiles at Jo.
Atley wipes some sweat from his brow. "Which way, cap'?"
[Kaleyah]: Oh no no no.
Cressidha freezes some spiders.
[Elohad]: Great. Spiders, now.
Colson does NOT make a face as the spiders skitter out.
[Alliza]: Now they have spiders?
[Jocoza]: …spider loa.
Colson is totally fine.
[Atley]: As I said…
[Atley]: The foul things.
[Kaleyah]: S'big spider, sheesh.
Atley remarks bitterly.
[Gwenivene]: Do they have a loa for every creepy crawly?
[Alliza]: What's next, a maggot god?
Colson smiles faintly when the bubble lands around him.
Gurubashi Berserker becomes enraged!
[Elohad]: Why not a nice deer loa?
[Kaleyah]: Ice cream loereror.
[Jocoza]: Would you really want to fight a giant ice cream?
[Kaleyah]: Ye.
[Elohad]: Yes.
[Elohad]: I'd win.
Atley grimaces.
Alliza pales.
[Atley]: S' a *nest.*
[Elohad]: Welp.
[Cressidha]: You can just melt it, Jo.
[Atley]: Wretches.
Atley shakes his head.
[Cambrin]: Oh. My.
[Gwenivene]: I…I want to fight a giant ice cream…
Colson sighs as they go into Cobweb Landia.
[Elohad]: This is not a nightmare at all.
[Bargrimm]: Look, ye lot, mos'
[Colson]: Well.
Mordecai touches Colson's arm.
Atley cuts through some webs with his sword.
[Bargrimm]: o' these critters be FINE when they're in th' righ' spot.
[Cambrin]: Maybe… we could call in an air strike?
Kaleyah looks back to Colson. "Don' worry, I'll walk in front'ah ya."
[Cressidha]: Jo? Miss Whittle? Can we burn through here?
Colson briefly touches Mordecai's hand, and inclines his head to Kaleyah.
[Atley]: Aye, a pack of gnome pilots or Wildhammer would make quick work of this lot. But we've not the luxury.
[Gwenivene]: Um…I'll leave the burning to Jo….
[Jocoza]: Doesn't seem to be flammable.
Atley points at Hakkari Shadowcaster.
[Jocoza]: Ugh, wish it were.
[Atley]: S'a troll, standing in the midst of them.
[Bargrimm]: Well if ye WANTED a mass conflagration ye should ha' SAID.
[Cambrin]: More on the left.
Mordecai ducks through the webs as best as he can.
Colson 's shoulders start catching spider webbing tag alongs.
[Atley]: We'll do the right first and see where that gets us.
Alliza tries to shake the webs off her robes.
[Kaleyah]: What're the big ol' piles?
Atley spits actual webs out of his mouth and beard.
[Gwenivene]: Oh, I'm great at mass conflagration. That's kinda the issue.
[Kaleyah]: I'M UPSET THAT I ASKED!
Colson immediately consecrates the ground.
[Elohad]: Me too.
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew! …hic!
[Gwenivene]: Puh-puh-puh-POW!
Colson pants, passing another hand over his eyes.
Elohad comforts you.
[Atley]: Miserable little ba—
[Gwenivene]: Bluugghh….
Colson stares at his hand.
Atley spits out more webs.
Cressidha freezes so many spiders.
Kaleyah kneels before Razzashi Skitterer.
Gwenivene holds her head.
[Atley]: While I's up there, I saw the leader. Another witchdoctor.
[Jocoza]: I don't think I like spiders much.
Kaleyah slices off a few mandibles, pulling out gooey little glands.
Mordecai drinks water.
[Atley]: Would you have us go straight to them or do this other lot in, Cap'?
Colson drinks water, blinking repeatedly.
Elrissadel still in cat form starts trying to lick herself clean of all the spiderwebs
Kaleyah wraps them in a handkerchief and shoves them in her kit.
[Alliza]: And we're -certain- this isn't a nightmare?
[Jocoza]: We may want to get a clear room, spiders seem to pop out everywhere.
Atley nods. "Aye, cap'."
[Gwenivene]: Not really certain at all any more…
[Atley]: This time, we charge in at *them.*
[Mordecai]: Hold, please…
[Atley]: Mm?
Mordecai says prayers for everyone again, a candle melting in his hands.
Elohad thanks everyone.
Kaleyah gently pats Aspenwood.
[Atley]: S'get at them!
Jo points at High Priestess Mar'li.
[Elohad]: You all right, son?
[Atley]: Mm… Feels like a fifth of bourbon and an 'arse kicking.
[Jocoza]: I think we should probably get all the spiders we can before we go after that priestess.
[Atley]: Mm'well 'nuff.
Elohad smiles wryly at Atley.
[Kaleyah]: S'pretty potent venom.
Atley nods and blinks a few times at Elohad.
Colson nods at Dane. "Yes."
Cambrin nods slowly.
[Jocoza]: Don't want that to happen during.
[Atley]: Aye Cap'.
Elrissadel is doing the thing where she tries to use one paw to get webs off the other paw but it's all so sticky she's just doing a little jib with her forefeet instead
[Cambrin]: Yeah, that's nasty stuff..
Atley tries to pick some webs off of Elrissadel.
[Atley]: There we are.
[Kaleyah]: Can't wait t'use it, really.
Elohad gently pats Elrissadel.
Elrissadel nods in thanks
[Atley]: Mm.. Kaleyah.
[Kaleyah]: Wassat?
[Atley]: Go see wot's in — aye.
Kaleyah points.
[Atley]: Ought to bottle that !@#$e' n' sell it at a pub.
Elohad protects Kaleyah with a holy forcefield.
[Gwenivene]: If I MISSILE try again.
Cressidha shakes off the madness.
Atley feverishly shakes his head again.
[Elohad]: Everyone in one piece?
[Atley]: Aye, well 'nuff.
Mordecai rubs his face.
Kaleyah rubs her gloves hands together.
Alliza hugs Elrissadel.
Elohad gently pats you.
[Kaleyah]: Time t'stop this ehrm…
[Atley]: Time to kill them.
[Jocoza]: Spider… priestess…
Atley states firmly with a growl.
High Priestess Mar'li yells: Aid me my brood!
[Kaleyah]: WEB'ah …something…
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
High Priestess Mar'li yells: Shadra, make of me your avatar!
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
High Priestess Mar'li yells: The brood shall not fall!
[Gwenivene]: If I MISSILE try again.
High Priestess Mar'li yells: Bless you, mortals, for this release…Hakkar controls me no longer!
[Jocoza]: Okay, that's a bit more clear.
[Kaleyah]: Well that kinda settles it, yea?
[Elohad]: Yeah.
Elohad looks grim.
[Atley]: Slaves. But they did this to 'emselves.
[Cressidha]: I… felt it. Before.
[Jocoza]: So all these priests and priestesses are controlled by Hakkar.
[Gwenivene]: Oh wow…they're enslaved…
Mordecai drinks water. "Three," he says quietly.
[Cressidha]: Hakkar. Reaching for my mind.
[Elohad]: For yours? *He looks alarmed.*
[Alliza]: He can do that?
[Cressidha]: I think I hurt someone. I'm not sure. It was earlier, with the spiders.
Cressidha rubs her face. "I'm sorry. I don't quite remember."
[Elohad]: I… didn't realize he could do that.
Atley squints at Cressidha's face.
Kaleyah squints.
[Alliza]: That's troubling.
[Jocoza]: Oh my gosh, really?
[Atley]: We'll keep an eye out on you, lass.
[Elohad]: If anyone else feels that, please say something.
Gwenivene frowns in concern at Cressidha. "Are you alright?"
[Jocoza]: I bet Elo or Mordecai can help.
[Bargrimm]: Wacky troll woo-woo %^&*e.
[Jocoza]: Another big one.
[Atley]: Wot' do they *feed* these bastards —
Gurubashi Berserker becomes enraged!
[Elohad]: We're getting a lot better at taking em down.
[Atley]: Mind the ledge here, you lot.
[Gwenivene]: Puh-puh-puh-POW!
Gurubashi Berserker becomes enraged!
[Jocoza]: Tigers… tiger loa next?
[Alliza]: There's one here.
Zulian Cub flees toward the safety of another tiger.
[Elohad]: I kinda like tigers.
[Kaleyah]: Shush.
[Kaleyah]: I hate that idea.
[Kaleyah]: Swarm'ah tigers.
Gurubashi Berserker becomes enraged!
[Kaleyah]: 'Nother'ah them weird piles.
[Atley]: S'press on.
Atley nods at Kaleyah.
[Atley]: Gimme' eyes up there.
[Cressidha]: When do we get the ice cream loa?
[Bargrimm]: Tigers both sides.
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
Atley peers at Kaleyah searchingly.
[Atley]: Wot' have we?
[Kaleyah]: Yea, y'were fightin' uh.
[Kaleyah]: Like twenty cats, ten trolls.
Atley scoffs.
[Atley]: Blast…
[Atley]: We'll do this one, lad.
[Kaleyah]: Ehehe.
[Alliza]: It's glowing.
[Kaleyah]: Doododoo…
[Bargrimm]: Weird skulls here…
[Kaleyah]: Was runecloth inna last pile.
Kaleyah digs around.
[Jocoza]: Huh, in the skull pile?
[Elrissadel]: why are they glowing?
[Kaleyah]: More coins, eh.
[Kaleyah]: Troll magic? Iunno.
[Kaleyah]: You frontliners…
Kaleyah sniffles.
[Kaleyah]: Pretty neat.
[Atley]: Mm?
[Jocoza]: Another priest… team?
Elohad eyes High Priest Thekal up and down.
[Atley]: Aye. Another 'priest.'
[Alliza]: At least it won't be maggots.
[Kaleyah]: Lemme guess. He turns inta a tiger.
[Elohad]: Looks like it's time to do some more priests a favor.
[Cambrin]: I think that's where the smart money is.
Kaleyah mutters, "Ye cat t'be kitten me…"
Elrissadel hisses at Kaleyah.
[Kaleyah]: No 'fense.
Gwenivene giggles at Kaleyah.
High Priest Thekal yells: Shirvallah, fill me with your RAGE!
[Gwenivene]: If I MISSILE try again.
[Gwenivene]: No touchie!
[Gwenivene]: Pew-pew-pew!
[Jocoza]: No spells for you, Zealot Lor'Khan!
[Gwenivene]: Nasty weather we're having!
Zealot Lor'Khan dies.
High Priest Thekal dies.
Zealot Zath dies.
[Elohad]: Wow.
[Mordecai]: Stay where I can see you!
High Priest Thekal becomes enraged!
[Kaleyah]: Cat's outta the bag!
[Alliza]: This is hardly the time for jokes!
High Priest Thekal yells: Hakkar binds me no more! Peace at last!
Elohad wipes his brow.
[Jocoza]: That was, um, kind of a tiger.
[Elohad]: Friends, that may be as far as I can go with you today.
[Kaleyah]: Fightin' priests onna way t'a big'ol' floatin' snake god thing?
Elrissadel thanks Mordecai.
[Kaleyah]: Gotta keep somethin' light.
Kaleyah sniffles.
Mordecai mutters, "Five." He rubs his face.
[Jocoza]: Yeah, I think this is the end of our recon mission, most likely.
[Elohad]: I think we've slowed down their plans considerably. Enough to give us time to report this to the Alliance mlitary.
[Cambrin]: We damn sure cleared a path for the regulars.
[Gwenivene]: Pretty intense recon!
[Jocoza]: I hope he's not come fully through, and killing… freeing… these will delay it.
[Atley]: Aye, too right.
[Elohad]: I'll head straight to Stormwind Keep.
[Elohad]: Once I've uh, cleaned up a little.
[Elrissadel]: I think a larger force for that big thing is probably for the best
[Gwenivene]: Do you need a portal, sir?
Jocoza nods at Elohad. "Yes, let them know what we've found."
[Elohad]: That would be great, Gwen.
[Elohad]: Ironforge, if you would. So I can clean up.
[Gwenivene]: Certainly.
[Elohad]: Then I'll take the tram to Stormwind.
[Atley]: S'get clear of this blasted place.
[Cressidha]: I'll let Miss Whittle handle it.
[Bargrimm]: I'll bring more explosives if they need us again.
[Atley]: On through, you lot.
[Atley]: I'll be last.
Cambrin nods at Bargrimm. "I'll help carry them."
[Kaleyah]: Leggies and toes al here…
Kaleyah sniffles.
[Atley]: Aye, somming' — wot' are you sniffling over?
[Kaleyah]: Iunno. Been snifflin' all me life, mate.
[Bargrimm]: Good push there, captain. We put a dent in 'em they won't be fergettin' soon.
[Kaleyah]: S'not the greatest for sneakin' which jus' shows how good I am.
Jocoza nods at Bargrimm. "And we can clearly report what they're up to in there."
Bargrimm agrees with you.
[Kaleyah]: Time t'grab a bite an' get back to stuff. Seeya!
[Atley]: Snifflin'? Wot', are you sick or somming'?
[Kaleyah]: Eh, no. Jus' itches.
[Kaleyah]: Like there's always dust or sommin.
Kaleyah shrugs.
[Atley]: Allergies, I've heard it said.
[Kaleyah]: If ya say so.
[Kaleyah]: I'd pull m'nose off, but I like the way I look.
[Atley]: Aye. Best keep things where they are. Properly done today, lass.
[Kaleyah]: S'all a lil beyond me, really.
[Atley]: S'beyond any of us.
[Atley]: Wager I'll see you about.
[Kaleyah]: Got faith all the magey folks know what they're about though.
[Atley]: Mm. Have to.
[Kaleyah]: Ye, I'll be 'round.
Atley nods gruffly in farewell and stomps out.
Kaleyah offers a lazy salute, shoves her hands in her vest.
[Kaleyah]: Seeya, cap.