(2023-01-08 The Ghosts of Karazhan

Details

Author:	inkie
Summary:	Cobalt Company invades Medivh's Tower in search of answers for the Violet Eye. And lost family.
Rating:	M for Mature 17+

Arc: Season 8

+ Show additional content warnings

Some sexual innuendo; grief and loss

Elohad approaches, looking grim.

[Elohad]: Afternoon, friends.

[Cressidha]: Sir Ference.

[Elohad]: This place is not for the faint of heart, but I don't think we have any fainthearted sorts present today.

Elohad lets his eyes travel up the exterior of the tower, and up, and up.

Cressidha says in a typical Aspenwood Understatement, "It's rather dreary, isn't it?"

Averlena nods. "Sir."

[Averlena]: Wonder what-all we'll find in there.

[Elohad]: Spiders. Undead horses. Ghosts. Probably demons.

[Elohad]: According to a ghost I spoke with, there are demons.

[Elohad]: Or what he assumed were demons. He's no expert, I don't think.

[Averlena]: Well, I am. So I'll keep my eyes open.

[Elohad]: We've got a nice variety of specialists here today.

[Elohad]: I think we'll be fine, but if it gets hairy, we can turn back and regroup, call in some bigger guns.

[Elohad]: We'll see how far we get, and what we can find.

Cressidha flexes her fingers. "Hm."

Ben nods respectfully to the group.

Elohad salutes Ben with respect.

[Elohad]: Sir.

[Ben]: Sir. Misses.

Elohad and Ben "sir" each other, as usual.

Azizia joins with the group, walking beside her elekk. "Hello, Company."

Azizia bows down graciously.

Colson salutes Elohad with respect.

Colson salutes Ben with respect.

[Colson]: Good afternoon.

Mordecaì's horse Pastry is visibly uncomfortable just being here. Mordecai has to keep shushing her.

[Ben]: Cole. Miss Azizia.

[Elohad]: Afternoon.

Cressidha smooths out her tabard.

[Azizia]: I have to say I am not happy to be here again. Very bad energy of place does that.

[Ben]: Yes'm.

Colson nods hello to Dane.

[Atley]: Can say that again. I'd tear the place down brick by brick if we could.

Azizia gets startled by Dane suddenly speaking behind her. "I can say that again, Mr. Atley, yes."

Atley side-eyes Azizia for a moment, his eyes briefly flickering with amusement. "Aye, lass. I'm sure you could."

[Elohad]: I need some answers from here. And I'd like to help with whatever's wrong in there. But after that… yeah. It can burn.

Elohad shudders.

Atley flicks his gaze to Elohad, green eyes pensive, but he just nods.

[Cressidha]: Er… what exactly… the newsletter was vague as to the contents of…

Cressidha produces a mana biscuit and sprinkles some yellow powder on it.

[Cressidha]: What exactly is in this tower?

[Ben]: Nothin' good.

Azizia nods at Ben.

Atley glares at that, and turns that glare towards the towering structure, itself.

[Elohad]: We don't know.

[Elohad]: I mean, we know… spiders. And undead horses.

[Lena]: That's what we're going to find out, right?

Colson regards the tower. He doesn't seem to disagree that it does not contain anything good.

[Atley]: I've heard stories. Stories I remember, since I was a lad. Strange things happened here…

[Elohad]: But we don’t know why.

Mordecaì shushes Pastry again. This horse is not pleased. Take her home.

[Elohad]: The place has always been haunted, my dad used to say. But now it's… doubly so.

Atley grunts.

[Elohad]: Something is very, very wrong in there.

[Gwenivene]: Gwenivene Whittle, reporting for duty!

Gwenivene stands at attention and salutes.

[Elohad]: You'll feel it the second you walk in, I suspect, even if you're not a paladin.

[Colson]: Yes. There is… quite a lot of undead around us.

[Mordecaì]: Well, you'll all be all right, I'm sure. Just… stay together.

Ismene hovers between Ben and Elohad, rummaging nervously in her pack.

Elohad puts a reassuring hand on Ismene's shoulder without even looking at her, as though he can just feel her vibe.

Ben glances down at Ismene and smiles, though his eyes are tight with worry. He glances at Mordecai and nods.

Atley reaches into his pack and looks down to sift through it before he pauses, and grunts softly in surprise. He takes out a tiny bite-sized meat pie and pops it into his mouth.

Ismene whispers, not exactly quietly, "I think I forgot something, but I don't know what."

[Elohad]: It's okay, sweetheart.

Elohad gently pats Ismene.

[Elohad]: Between the ten of us I think we've got everything covered.

Lena glances at Ismene. "I don't recall if we've met? I'm Lena."

[Ben]: You're okay, Mizmainy. Oh, Miss Coit, this's my wife. Ismene.

Ismene peeks up at Lena and smiles a little, ducking her head away again.

[Lena]: Looks like you're our priest, so I could keep your soul safe, if that's alright with you?

[Ismene]: Uh… yes, that sounds like a very nice thing, thank you.

Lena smiles at Ismene.

[Atley]: Alysson! Hold fast, lad. Stay with the group.

Azizia nods at Atley.

[Mordecaì]: Ah, if anybody needs me to take their horses back to Shattrath?

Ismene looks over at the sound of Mordecai's voice. Why she looks so relieved at seeing him is anyone's guess.

[Elohad]: I'd appreciate that, Mordecai.

Elohad refers to Mordecai by his first name, since he isn't technically a Co-Worker today.

Mordecaì smiles at Elohad, and then waves to Ismene.

Ismene waves at waist height and smiles.

[Cressidha]: Cinnamon, if you don't mind.

Tenacious is READY. For Adventure! Why is he in the group with the Shattrath horses? Wait. What's happening.

[Cressidha]: Mordecai, you'll take a portal, yes?

Mordecaì nods. "Mmhm."

[Elohad]: Mages, I'm going to need you to be extra alert. Coit, you too. It may take your expertise to sort this mess out.

[Atley]: I fear this place will be far stranger than anything we've yet come 'cross, even in Outland.

[Azizia]: And Outland is not that very weird to begin.

[Atley]: Mm… Aye.

Atley mutters dubiously in response to Azizia, briefly side-eyeing her before goes back to glaring Karazhan down.

[Elohad]: Outland is weird, Azizia. Maybe Draenor wasn't, to you, but… Outland? All kinds of weird. This though? Weirder. And that was just poking my head into the entranceway.

Atley just gestures towards Elohad.

Alysson sweet talks the gate. From a distance. Where it probably can't hear him. Also it's a gate.

[Lena]: Alysson, we've got a key. Just gettin' organized.

[Alysson]: Aw. I bet that lock feels nice.

[Azizia]: Yes, a little weirder, but places like Zangarmarsh are not very much weirder. Or Shattrath, not very weird either.

[Atley]: Wot'ever word we want to use, this place will prove to be a great deal more horrid.

Colson frowns slightly as he downs a potion in preparation. "Hm."

Atley eats another meat pie, chewing angrily at Karazhan.

[Gwenivene]: I've been trying to do research on this place at the Citadel. But…it's surprising how little information there is.

[Azizia]: … But yes. This place gives me… duck bumps.

[Lena]: Well then, we're about to add a lot more.

Azizia nods at Lena.

[Lena]: Like, percent-wise.

[Alysson]: Duck bumps?! Is that contagious?

Ismene tries not to giggle.

[Atley]: She means goose bumps, lad.

[Alysson]: Goose bumps don't sound much better. I didn't even know geese had bumps.

Alysson shudders.

[Azizia]: It isn't contagious. For Draenei, at least.
Gwenivene reaches up to gently stroke her hat frog with one finger. "I know…I'm nervous, too. But we're with the Company. We'll be okay."

Atley side-eyes Lena. "So that's it, then? An expedtionary force to learn wot's about in that place?"

[Lena]: I think so, yeah. They were real worried about the stuff they were reading out of there. And the stuff they were not reading.

[Lena]: Magic not comin' out, but faint demonic stuff.

Atley grunts at Lena. "Right. Well, odds are there's some jabbering monstrosity in the bowels of that place that's due for a proper beheading."

Mordecaì looks a little overwhelmed trying to wrangle all the horses' reins, but he shifts to have a hand free and taps Colson's arm.

Cressidha digs around for a portal stone and flips it into the air. "Here, Mordecai. Get back safely. Cinnamon, behave."

Colson looks to Mordecai, his expression softening from the frown of Karazhan Vibes.

Mordecaì says quietly, "Love you. I'll see you at home later. You'll be fine."

Colson holds Mordecai's hand up to his heart briefly. "I love you. I will see you at home."

Mordecaì smiles at Colson and then oh no horses. He has to wrangle horses.

[Colson]: Tenacious. Behave.

[Mordecaì]: Okay, um, Valiant, Cinnamon, Pastry, Tenacious… here we go… please follow me…

Mordecaì carefully herds all these horses into the portal.

Ismene 's Runaway follows placidly behind, belying her name.

Ben ’s Dare follows Runaway. It is a metaphor, probably.

Ben looks around. "Are we ready?"

[Colson]: Yessir.

[Lena]: As I'll ever be. *Lena eyes the gate.*

Atley grunts and tugs on his helmet.

Azizia looks at Elohad. "Ready if everyone is."

[Ismene]: Big door.

[Ben]: Go careful.

Ben takes a Fortifying Sandwich from his pack.

[Alysson]: Why's everyone so scared of a tower? Looks cozy.

Gwenivene giggles at Alysson.

[Atley]: You'll see…

[Elohad]: Mondragon, just so you know, this is the last place my father was seen alive.

[Cressidha]: Oh.

[Cressidha]: I was unaware, sir.

[Gwenivene]: Oh wow, sir…

Atley briefly turns to peer at Elohad.

[Alysson]: Ah… a Pops problem. I see… Sorry, sir.

Elohad gently pats Alysson.

Ismene hops a little to see over and around people before finding Ben and Elo and hovering. Again.

Ben finishes his sandwich and brushes his hand off on his tabard, then pulls his gauntlet back on. He seems narrowly focused on their surroundings, ignoring conversation around him.

Cressidha tosses out Marina's bracers.

Alysson grins and waves at Marina.

Marina slowly raises a hand towards Alysson. A bolt of water begins forming in it.

Cressidha motions Marina to Not Do That.

Ismene continues to rummage.

[Lena]: Well, it sure is decorative. But also cobwebbed.

[Lena]: Are those like… horses? The pillars?

Atley looks up and grunts. "Aye. Must be standing in wot' used to be the stable."

[Ben]: Yeah. There is… uh. You will see.

Ben nods grimly to the left.

[Cressidha]: How long ago was it, sir? That your father was last seen here?

[Elohad]: Twenty years?

[Cressidha]: Ah.

[Elohad]: Twenty-six, I guess.

[Alysson]: That's a long runnin' phase.

[Cressidha]: Quite…

[Elohad]: He went to a party here and then… he just never came home. We've been assuming orcs got him on the way back, but he may have left something here, letters, something.

[Azizia]: I will keep eye on if I see anything, Elohad.

[Elohad]: Thank you, Azizia. *He smiles at her warmly.*

[Gwenivene]: If there's something here, we'll find it!

[Lena]: Probably not in the stable, but…

[Ben]: Hold up while I give a look in.

Ben peers ahead searchingly. He turns to consider the stairs behind him.

Atley eyes Spectral Stallion up and down.

Elohad eyes Spectral Stallion up and down.

[Ismene]: Oh. Horses.

[Ben]: Archmage said we was lookin' for the blacksmith. I reckon he is gonna be in here rather than a ballroom, but I guess we find out.

Atley grunts.

Azizia 's head and horns are covered by rocks as she headbutts the Spectral Stallion.

[Ismene]: Poor horse.

[Gwenivene]: Yeesh…

Atley scoffs at Azizia.

[Ben]: Yes.

[Atley]: That was bloody diabolical.

[Alysson]: Wouldna happened if they'd feed 'em more.

[Ben]: Heads up.

[Ben]: Some of 'em wander.

[Cressidha]: I see.

[Gwenivene]: Somehow, undead horses give me worse jibblies than undead people.

[Elohad]: I know what you mean, Gwen.

[Elohad]: It's just not right.

[Gwenivene]: It's just so sad!

Ismene looks at Gwen and smiles.

[Ismene]: I agree.

Cressidha says quietly, "Ismene. It's good to see you."

[Ismene]: At least the ghost looks nice.

Elohad eyes Calliard up and down.

[Elohad]: Another ghost. Not hostile.

Ismene waves at Calliard.

[Alysson]: Hey, it's a see-through guy.

Elohad peers at Calliard searchingly.

[Lena]: They had a lot of horses. I reckon he was really rich.

Calliard says: Who goes there?

[Elohad]: Okay, I just talked to Calliard here…

[Elohad]: He says to watch out for that one.

Elohad points at Midnight.

Atley peers at Midnight searchingly.

[Atley]: Proper terror, that.

[Lena]: It's dead too, isn't it?

Ben glances back at Elohad and the ghost, then rises to his feet again to peer through at Midnight.

[Ben]: Yeah. Okay.

[Elohad]: Some of the ghosts here are just… they think they're still doing their jobs. They won't hurt you, but try not to distress them by telling them what year it is or what have you.

[Cressidha]: I see.

[Colson]: I see.

Azizia nods at Elohad.

[Gwenivene]: Understood, sir.

[Lena]: So this one's just trying to watch out for us.

[Elohad]: Yeah.

[Ben]: Stay this side.

Azizia throws one of her weapons in the air and puts a flaming hand on a Spectral Stallion's face before catching her weapon again.

Calliard says: Am I hearing things?

Elohad mops at his brow.

Atley eyes Calliard up and down.

[Atley]: Steady on there, mate…

Calliard says: All quiet.

Spectral Stable Hand says: What will become of–

Marina makes an alarmed burbling noise as she's feared away.

[Lena]: These ghosts give me the willies.

[Colson]: Some of that is unnaturally so, but that is understandable.

[Alysson]: What's a willie and where can I get one?

Lena giggles nervously at Alysson. "Just a thing my ma used to say."

Gwenivene giggles, blushing at Alysson's question.

Azizia stares at Alysson. She doesn't know if this is a relevant question or not.

[Colson]: Ah, an uncomfortable fear feeling, Alysson.

[Ismene]: And if you'll get one anywhere, it's in here.

Colson inclines his head politely to Ismene. It's true.

[Alysson]: Oh, uh… might pass on the willie then.

[Azizia]: I heard laughing. Was it one of you?

Atley grunts in the negative.

Elohad shudders.

[Lena]: I mean I did laugh a little.

[Ben]: It ain't us.

Ben is still grimly fixed ahead.

Ismene frowns a bit and cocks her head.

[Azizia]: No, no, I heard man laugh. Like… *She mimics The Man Laugh(tm).*

Atley sharply turns over his shoulder, glaring.

[Elohad]: Eyes forward, people. Try not to get distracted by anything weird in your peripheral vision.

Cressidha keeps her eyes forward.

[Elohad]: My dad says the castellan here used to wear blinders.

[Colson]: Blinders?

Ben is distracted at last from his focus. "… what?"

[Elohad]: Like a horse.

[Elohad]: So he wouldn't see things from the corner of his eye.

Atley just growls at that.

[Ben]: Uh. Shit.

[Lena]: It's to keep horses from spooking, but…

Azizia raises an eyebrow at Elohad.

[Colson]: I see.

Spectral Stable Hand says: You are not welcome here!

Azizia shivers.

[Lena]: I'd think a person could just turn their head.

[Gwenivene]: You mean…it was this creepy even before?

[Elohad]: Yeah.

[Elohad]: This place is built on a whole mess of wrong.

[Gwenivene]: Yeesh.

[Cressidha]: Understood.

[Atley]: Unnatural.

Atley lifts his helmet to spit on the ground.

[Elohad]: Ask the Kirin Tor about it, Gwen, I bet they can explain exactly.

Alysson is collecting bread. He seems quite happy about this.

[Colson]: I would not recommend doing so, Alysson.

[Alysson]: Aw.

[Azizia]: You clearly have no connection to world of spirits, Alysson. Maybe it is good, better to be this way.

Elohad nods at Azizia.

Ismene hesitantly offers, "I don't think it's bad. Just… at an angle."

[Ismene]: Like a tram car off its tracks. It used to go straight ahead but now it's sideways of where it's supposed to be.

[Azizia]: I don't see it the same way, *she says at Ismene*. Not at all.

Ismene ducks her head and lets the matter drop.

Spectral Servant says: If we dawdle much longer, there'll be hell to pay!

Spectral Servant says: They'll never know we're missing.

[Gwenivene]: I'm starting to think there's more information about this place at the Citadel that they just didn't give me access to.

Ben glances at Dane and tilts his head to the left. "Forge. Reckon there's our blacksmith."

[Atley]: Mm. Right.

[Elohad]: And there's the horse we were warned about.

Azizia nods at Elohad.

[Ben]: Keep about here so we don't get that fellow's attention.

Ben juts his chin toward Midnight.

Atley grunts at Ben.

Elohad squeezes Ben's shoulder briefly.

[Elohad]: There are ten of us — how bad can it be… ?

Elohad eyes Midnight up and down.

[Atley]: Ought to be wary for its rider.

Colson might be murmuring extra prayers.

[Gwenivene]: Oh, don't ever say that, sir…

[Elohad]: Sorry Gwen, good call.

[Lena]: Do you reckon we can sneak by?

[Atley]: I doubt it. That thing's got to be put down.

Colson looks at the heavily armored plate wearers. "I am not certain we will be able to sneak around, Lena."

Cressidha flexes her fingers, frost forming on her gloves.

[Elohad]: Okay. I got your back Ben, if you want to try it.

Ben nods absently at Elohad. He's sizing up the Angy Horse.

[Alysson]: Scariest thing I ever seen was Miss 'meiria in the bath.

Colson clears his throat at Alysson.

Alysson shushes.

Ben turns his head to blink at Alysson.

Azizia readies an earth totem in her hand. "I have really bad feeling about horse here."

[Ben]: All right.

[Ben]: Ready?

[Atley]: I'm with you, Ben.

[Cressidha]: Yes.

Ben nods.

Azizia nods at Ben.

[Elohad]: Ready, sir.

[Colson]: Yessir.

Marina splashes.

Midnight calls for her master!

Azizia throws one of her weapons in the air and puts a flaming hand on Midnight's face before catching her weapon again.

[Gwenivene]: Wait for it… BAM!

Gwenivene uncurses herself. "Holy shinbones!"

Azizia takes a deep breath, and then readjusts her curls that got messy during the fight.

[Ismene]: He was a good warhorse. That didn't change just because he was dead.

Elohad agrees with Ismene.

[Atley]: Right then. Who in the blazing hell was that?

[Atley]: Huntsman in platemail with a broadsword, mm?

[Colson]: Hm.

[Gwenivene]: You don't suppose this was one of the Dark Riders… do you?

Lena looks at Gwenivene. "Do you think?"

Gwenivene shrugs at Lena. Who knows?

Atley does glance at Gwenivene upon her hypothesizing.

[Gwenivene]: I have no idea. I've only heard stories.

[Lena]: I never saw them either, but it took ten of us to take that guy down.

[Lena]: He was about as mean as the ghost said.

[Alysson]: I kinda think we were meaner.

Ben spits on the ground. He nods at Alysson with a grin.

[Ismene]: Ben…

[Ismene]: Don't spit.

[Ben]: … yes'm.

Cressidha clears her throat.

Azizia nods at Ismene.

Elohad chuckles at Ismene.

[Lena]: So now we got to find the blacksmith fellow, with the evil horses out of the way?

[Atley]: There's somman' about there, working the anvils.

Ben points at Koren.

[Ben]: That's our smith, I reckon.

[Elohad]: Ah, good, the smith.

Elohad eyes Koren up and down.

[Alysson]: Hey he's another see-through guy.

[Elohad]: They're ghosts, Mondragon. Ghosts. They're dead. These are their spirits.

Elohad speaks as though to a child, with slight annoyance.

[Alysson]: Oh. Dead, is it? *He squints.*

[Atley]: Mates don't look properly friendly.

[Ben]: Yeah no, let's see how the prentices feel.

[Elohad]: Begone!

Spectral Apprentice says: I am lost…

[Azizia]: And now maybe you will finally find your way back to peace, ghost.

Alysson whispers to the ghost, "I'm lost too."

[Ben]: … they felt pretty hostile.

[Elohad]: Yeah.

[Colson]: So it would seem.

[Elohad]: Hope the smith isn't, we need his help.

[Ben]: Hold up. More of 'em.

Cressidha glances at Azizia, seems to notice something, opens her mouth to say something, and then shuts it. Not the time.

Colson holds up.

Atley grunts.

Spectral Apprentice says: Why…?

[Gwenivene]: Incidentally…this is totally secondary of course…but if anyone happens to come across a hat that looks a bit like mine, would you let me know? It, uh…might be something I'm looking for.

Elohad eyes Gwenivene up and down.

[Colson]: A hat?

[Cressidha]: Of course.

Elohad gives Gwen about the same look he just gave Alysson a moment ago.

[Gwenivene]: Yeah, a hat– oh, is this our blacksmith?

Atley eyes Koren up and down.

Ben approaches the smith cautiously.

[Ben]: … sir?

Ben peers at Koren searchingly.

Ben looks to Elohad.

[Ben]: You want to handle this, sir?

Elohad hails Koren.

[Elohad]: Hey there, sir. The Violet Eye sent us to talk to you.

Atley sharply glances over his shoulder again, glaring into the darkness.

Koren peers up at Elohad. "I don’t know any Violet Eye. Maybe I'll have time for you later. I have to get back to my work."

[Elohad]: Sir, we need your help. We're looking for someone named Keanna.

[Elohad]: From the Violet Eye.

Ismene can't seem to decide where to stand. She fidgets in place then hides behind Ben except he is in the front.

Ben steps back very slightly to make a reassuring wall for Ismene, apparently aware of her presence without looking.

Koren says: Keanna? I don't really know anything about any Violet Eye. I'm just a blacksmith. But I did know a Keanna. She was staying at the guest chambers.

[Elohad]: The guest chambers.

Koren says: I was supposed to keep that a secret now, wasn't I?

[Elohad]: That is also where there'd be any of my father's things.

[Elohad]: That's secondary, of course.

Ben nods at Elohad.

[Elohad]: But keep an eye out for any papers with the Ference seal, anything like that.

[Ben]: It ain't that secondary, sir.

[Ben]: We got you.

Ismene nods vigorously.

Elohad smiles lopsidedly.

[Atley]: Tower that, innit'?

Koren says: I need to return to my work now, if you don't mind.

[Cressidha]: Of course. Come, we should be going.

Koren seems to have forgotten the group already.

Elohad sighs at Koren.

[Elohad]: Ghosts don’t have much in the way of short term memory.

Colson seems almost mildly uncomfortable, and he looks over his shoulder as though something's there. There isn't anything. Probably. Maybe.

Alysson pulls a sword out of the box and looks it over. "Ghost sword…" he whispers.

[Colson]: Alysson, please leave the ghost swords alone.

Alysson puts it back, sulking.

Ben eyes the ramshackle stairs ahead.

Ben follows the balcony around with his gaze.

[Ben]: Reckon that is a servant's way. Let's see how far it gets us.

Atley grunts.

[Lena]: These stairs don't look safe.

[Ben]: Guards.

Atley grunts.

[Atley]: I've the one on the right.

[Ben]: Thanks, sir.

Spectral Sentry says: You… will… pay.

[Elohad]: Beds, but not guest beds. Barracks.

Atley grunts.

Ben nods.

[Lena]: Probably not here, then.

[Elohad]: Something tells me my dad slept in more style.

[Lena]: Higher up in the Tower?

[Ben]: Reckon this way will get us where we want. Servants an' guards get to everywhere.

[Ben]: And we ain't exactly guests.

Elohad nods at Ben.

[Atley]: Watch it.

[Atley]: Patrol!

[Ben]: Nice an' sharp, y'all.

Phantom Guardsman says: You… will… pay.

Alysson addresses the ghost. "Oh. Didn't know I owed." He sets a few gold coins on the floor.

[Colson]: Ah, no. Alysson, there is no need.

Gwenivene giggles at Alysson. "No, no… he didn't mean pay with money."

[Cressidha]: You don't, Alysson. They're not speaking to you.

[Alysson]: Naw, it's okay, I probably did owe some fellow somethin'. He can have it.

Azizia sighs at Alysson.

[Cressidha]: He's gone now.

[Colson]: And I am afraid gold will not do anything for him.

Azizia picks up Alysson's gold.

Phantom Guardsman says: You will be punished!

[Ben]: Aw. A dog.

Ben looks sadly at the dog. The ghost dog.

[Elohad]: Where? *He looks uneasy*

[Lena]: Poor thing.

[Ben]: … dead, sir. Again.

[Lena]: I think it's like… vanished.

Colson looks warily where the dog that went straight for Cress was.

Alysson also looks around for the ghost dog. "Aw, I wanted to pet it."

[Elohad]: Evil ghost dogs could be worse than evil ghost horses.

[Elohad]: Teeth.

[Elohad]: Just be careful.

[Elohad]: Take nothing for granted in here.

[Elohad]: Even if it seems harmless.

Azizia hands Alysson his gold back. "Ghosts we just fought said he owed this to you."

Cressidha smiles at Azizia.

Colson looks back at Azizia, and there's something like a faint smile on his face.

Alysson pockets his gold again with a shrug.

Padrick hops into Marina and swims about for a bit.

Marina looks absolutely baffled by this new experience. There is a FROG. Inside her BODY.

[Gwenivene]: Pad…? What are you…hey, get out of her! Cheese and crackers….

Marina sticks a hand inside… herself, gently fishes out the frog, and offers him out to Gwen.

Marina burbles agreeably.

[Ben]: These're archers so I'm gonna drag 'em out of sight again. Sir Dane you got the right hand again?

Atley grunts.

Elohad salutes Ben with respect.

Phantom Guardsman says: I have failed….

[Alysson]: I saw it! The ghost dog! I'm gonna pet the next one.

[Azizia]: Do not pet spirit dog.

[Colson]: Please do not pet the ghost dogs, Alysson.

[Ben]: Ghost dogs but for real bites.

[Alysson]: Aw.

[Ben]: Clear. Unless the rats are gonna take at us.

[Elohad]: You never know, Ben.

Elohad eyes the rat suspiciously as though expecting it to decuple in size and grow giant fangs and glowing red eyes.

[Lena]: Definitely still not in the fancy part of the tower.

[Atley]: Gear's left about.

Atley lifts up an empty goblet and turns it upside down before tossing it onto a dusty mattress.

Cressidha sneezes.

[Lena]: Just look at those spiderwebs, it's like the whole wall.

[Atley]: Cannot imagine when the last time a living person's traipsed through here.

[Elohad]: Leave it to us to be the first du– uh, brave enough to do so.

Elohad winks slyly at Atley.

Atley scoffs with amusement.

Colson makes a faint sound of amusement.

[Ben]: Right around the corner some.

[Alysson]: Lit candles!

Colson looks at the candles. "Indeed."

[Lena]: Magic candles? Or the ghosts…?

[Ben]: … uh.

Ben steps back from the blood-drenched door.

[Atley]: Blood.

Elohad shivers.

[Lena]: Blood?

[Atley]: Somman's torn apart.

[Ben]: We gonna open this?

[Atley]: May as well.

[Elohad]: I think we gotta.

[Atley]: There'll be horrors about any corner here.

[Cressidha]: Hm.

Azizia rolls up her sleeve. "Let's open."

Atley lingers in the doorway.

[Atley]: Wot's in there, then?

Cressidha looks around.

[Ismene]: Well. That was anticlimactic.

[Alysson]: I don't see anythin'.

[Ben]: … y'all hear that?

Ben looks around sharply.

Colson looks over his shoulder again.

[Azizia]: Heard what?

Elohad shudders.

[Lena]: That a harpsichord?

Colson listens. "Hm."

[Ben]: No, I heard like… a groan. Sorry. Just my head maybe.

[Lena]: Huh. Thought I heard somethin' in the distance.

[Atley]: S'not … coming from in there.

Ismene frowns again and cocks her head. "I don't hear anything."

Ben shudders.

[Elohad]: I'm hearing… too many things.

[Cressidha]: Well.

[Elohad]: You wouldn't believe the chaos in my head right now.

[Elohad]: Well, some of you might.

Azizia nods at Elohad.

[Cressidha]: Sir, are you all right?

[Elohad]: I'm good, I'm good.

Elohad gently pats Cressidha.

[Colson]: There is… an almost overwhelming amount of undead here.

Elohad nods at Colson.

Colson nods back.

[Ben]: Yeah. It is cold as– I mean. It ain't cold, but it is cold as fuck. You know.

Azizia nods at Ben.

Colson nods. It is indeed.

[Azizia]: Spirits are loud. I am not as much attuned to dead, but I still hear them… more than most I believe.

[Elohad]: I can feel their fear, their confusion. Their rage.

[Ben]: Oh, heads up. That a kitchen ahead?

Ismene relaxes.

[Atley]: We've got roamers on the left here.

[Atley]: Likely we can skirt 'em.

[Alysson]: I like skirts.

Atley scoffs with amusement and mutters. "Bet you do, lad…"

[Cressidha]: Skirt around is another term for traveling around the edge of something, Alysson.

[Alysson]: Travelin' around the edge of a skirt, huh?

[Cressidha]: Around the edge of anything…

Cressidha sighs. She tried.

Ghostly Steward says: That was wasted on the likes of you!

Ghostly Steward says: You'll never make it out alive….

[Ben]: Stay put. I wanna see the situation.

[Atley]: I've to say of all the things we've faced here thus far, the ghost of a baker doesn't properly set my hair on edge.

[Cressidha]: Bakers can be dangerous.

Colson smiles gently at that for some reason.

[Elohad]: Don’t underestimate anything or anyone in here, I'd say, Atley.

[Elohad]: I mean, a horse gave us a pretty good fight.

[Ben]: There is a hell of a lot of servants in this fucken place.

[Atley]: Wise, though I'd still place 'em below the flaming horse.

[Elohad]: See, I trust horses more than just about anything. Usually.

[Atley]: As do I. But not ones that are flaming.

[Azizia]: I am glad you did not have elekk. Horse we fought, but elekk size, can you imagine that?

Colson inhales sharply and looks behind his shoulder again. There isn't anything there. Probably.

[Atley]: Flanked!

Colson relaxes. There WAS something there. This time.

[Ben]: We good? We all good?

[Cressidha]: Yes.

[Elohad]: Fine.

Elohad doesn't sound super fine.

[Colson]: Yessir.

Lena nods, then says, "Yes, sir."

Azizia nods at Ben.

Ben glances back at Elohad and scans him a moment before turning forward again.

Cressidha keeps an eye on the other entrance.

[Lena]: No demons yet, really. Just undead.

[Ismene]: They're just dead people.

[Ismene]: Most of them… I just feel… duty or maybe purpose. Routine, in some cases.

[Lena]: Feel bad for 'em getting stuck in here, when things happened.

[Ismene]: They don't know they're dead, they're just doing what they always did, even if there's no one to do it for.

Atley grows thoughtful. "If there's still wine in those casks I wager they've aged well."

[Elohad]: Don't even think about it, Atley.

[Atley]: Mm…

Atley grunts reluctantly, looking away.

Azizia whispers to Dane. "We will come back without others to take look at wine.”

[Atley]: Too right, lass.

[Gwenivene]: Animate skeletons!

[Ben]: Animate skeletons, *Ben agrees. It sounds a little like the imperative rather than an adjective phrase, in his accent.*

[Alysson]: Bone guys! I like the bone guys. Cute little fellows.

[Colson]: Ah. Shorts.

Cressidha covers her mouth to hide a smile.

[Colson]: Of course.

Colson nods like, well, at least some things are consistent in life. Or death.

[Atley]: Shambler.

Atley points at a Skeletal Waiter.

[Elohad]: Damn, the size of this scullery.

[Elohad]: For one man?

[Atley]: Properly stocked.

[Elohad]: I see why he had to throw parties all the time.

[Lena]: Most well took after man in Azeroth, I reckon.

[Elohad]: Yeah, Lothar took after him pretty well at the end.

[Atley]: Too right.

Atley growls proudly at Elohad.

Ben stares straight ahead. "There is — uh. The party room. I reckon. Dinner room."

[Atley]: Bloody hell that's a proper banquet hall in there, innit'?

[Atley]: Just short of a few dancing girls.

[Ben]: Let's get these two an' then check for walkers before we put heads in the dining room.

[Atley]: Right.

Atley does cast a sidelong glance at the casks one more time.

[Ismene]: Not even the food is spoiled.

[Alysson]: They got cheese in this pile.

Cressidha watches Traajhom warily.

[Ben]: … don't eat the cheese. C'mon.

[Cressidha]: This is the first properly-sized mage tower I've seen.

[Alysson]: My crates are nicer'n the ones here.

[Gwenivene]: If I ever have my own tower, I think I'd want a smaller one. Easier to keep tidy.

Azizia nods at Gwenivene.

Ismene nods at Gwen.

[Ben]: You will need fewer skeletons for a smaller tower, *Ben says drily.*

Cressidha covers her mouth to hide a smile.

[Lena]: Maybe if you're not all evil and cursed, you don't need any skeletons at all.

[Azizia]: But if you get mage tower, maybe it is not up to you to keep tidy anymore.

[Azizia]: Or you can get make spell to tidy tower instantly?

[Azizia]: Like moving, dancing brooms with buckets of water!

[Ben]: Y'all stay here.

Elohad salutes Ben with respect.

[Ismene]: What was that?

Ben freezes and glances up, startled, at the bell.

Elohad jumps at the bell.

[Ismene]: Maybe calling everyone to dinner?

[Cressidha]: Ah.

[Cressidha]: The hour, likely.

[Elohad]: That sounds doomy.

Colson looks tense at the sound of the bell. "Ah. Yes."

[Elohad]: Very death knell kinda feeling.

[Ben]: … okay. Anyhow, stay.

Colson stays.

[Elohad]: It's fine.

[Elohad]: This is fine.

Ismene reaches out to pat Elo's arm.

[Lena]: At least the guests get to be enjoying a party forever? Instead of working a kitchen forever.

Azizia nods at Lena.

[Gwenivene]: Gosh, partying forever? I dunno. Sounds exhausting.

[Azizia]: With how humans do parties, I can see why partying forever would be boring, not exhausting.

[Cressidha]: …do you suppose your father… ah…

Cressidha gestures anxiously towards the guest hall.

Elohad looks a little green, for some reason.

[Ben]: Okay. Keep stayin'. *Ben is focused ahead.*

Colson is staying.

Ghostly Steward says: How dare you disturb the master's dinner!

Elohad stares dully at the table.

Atley discreetly eats some jerky.

[Alysson]: They seem pretty mad 'bout somethin'.

[Gwenivene]: Are we allowed to tell them the master isn't here anymore? I mean… they're already trying to kill us.

Colson tosses back another potion.

[Elohad]: Who's to say he isn't here?

[Atley]: They've not any semblance of a mind between the lot them.

[Elohad]: No one else seems to have left, no matter how dead…

[Gwenivene]: Wait…you don't think he could really be…?

Gwenivene shudders.

[Ismene]: Oh… This must've been so beautiful once.

Alysson whistles at the statue.

Azizia gets startled by one of the statues.

Atley double-takes the statue busts and stomps over.

[Ben]: Oh, hey. This Aegwynn? Or …?

Ben peers at the statue.

[Gwenivene]: Oh my gosh, do you think?

Colson examines it briefly. It doesn't seem possessed at least. He looks over his shoulder again.

[Atley]: Cannot say. Likely some lily palmed nobles.

[Alysson]: They got flowers for palms?

[Atley]: They've got soft palms. Or had. Wager they're all dead now.

Atley explains, gesturing dismissively to the row of statues.

Gwenivene gazes in awe at the bust she has now decided must be Aegwynn.

[Alysson]: Hey, if some fellow's here eatin', that mean the stuffs…y'know, edible?

[Elohad]: No, Mondragon.

[Elohad]: Just no.

[Colson]: Not quite, Alysson. They are dead. Please do not.

[Alysson]: Aw.

[Ben]: … they throwin' shit at us? So much for manners.

[Atley]: I think I caught a spoon there.

Elohad mops at his scalp with a handkerchief.

[Elohad]: My heart's pounding. I don't know why. Do I have a curse on me or something? Mages?

Ben eyes Elohad up and down.

Cressidha makes her curse-dispelling gesture just in case.

Elohad does not appear to be cursed.

Ismene assesses Elo with a critical healer's eye.

[Cressidha]: You're clear. Do you need to sit down, sir? Perhaps when we clear the room…

Elohad takes a deep breath and nods.

Ben bumps his shoulder briefly against Elohad's, not looking at him.

[Ben]: Want a sandwich?

[Gwenivene]: Um…you brought your own sandwiches, right?

[Ben]: Yeah.

Cressidha is definitely not standing anywhere near Traajhom at any time.

[Azizia]: Ben always has sandwich.

[Ismene]: He always brings sandwiches.

Azizia chuckles at Ismene.

Elohad takes a sandwich from Ben but doesn't eat it, seeming to just need the idea of the thing.

Atley takes out another snack from his pack.

[Gwenivene]: Really? That's so considerate!

[Colson]: They are exceptionally good sandwiches.

Ben smiles bashfully. Exceptionally good sandwiches.

[Ben]: You want one, Miz Whittle?

[Gwenivene]: I'd love one! But…maybe save them for now. We can have victory sandwiches later.

[Ben]: Yes'm.

[Alysson]: The only light comin' through those window things? Candles here aren't lit.

[Atley]: Don't try and make sense of this madness, lad.

Colson looks at the tables and the window. "Hm."

Cressidha says quietly to Azizia, "I like what you've done with your hair."

Azizia beams. "Thank you!" she speaks out loud after Cress compliment.

Atley double-takes one of the paintings.

Atley points up at the massive painting. "Lookit'. The old regalia."

[Atley]: I was always fond of that blue.

[Gwenivene]: Puh-puh-puh-POW!

Colson removes the knife in his arm. It's fine.

[Lena]: Is that the master up at the high table?

[Lena]: 'less the master's higher up or something.

[Lena]: In the tower, I mean.

[Ismene]: It should be.

[Ismene]: And the honored guests and family would be with him.

Elohad peers at Moroes searchingly.

[Elohad]: I don't think so.

[Elohad]: The guy in red? From his clothes I'd say that's the castellan.

[Colson]: That looks to be, yes, the castellan.

[Colson]: Livery rather than robes.

[Lena]: Oh, the Castellan! *Lena nods* What's a castellan?

[Colson]: The caretaker of the house, Lena.

[Gwenivene]: That's the guy that wore blinders?

[Elohad]: Yeah.

[Elohad]: No blinders now.

[Elohad]: Guess he no longer needs 'em.

[Ben]: Reckon he don't need blinders now that he's somethin' you wear blinders against.

Azizia looks at the ghosts around Moroes and seems to shiver while looking at one. She glances at Elohad briefly.

Ben surveys the group again like he's counting heads. His gaze lingers on Ismene and then Elohad.

[Elohad]: If we were looking at the Master, I am pretty sure we would know.

[Ismene]: Rude of him to leave the table with his guests still here.

Ismene sniffs disdainfully.

[Ben]: Sir Elohad's father said he used to do that.

[Ben]: Just huff off.

[Lena]: That is pretty rude. Just leavin' guests with the caretaker.

Ismene will plainly be speaking to him later about his manners.

[Atley]: Ought to do in the rest of these hedonists.

[Azizia]: I have very bad feeling about ghosts near windows. *She whispers at Lena.*

Lena whispers back to Azizia. "What kind of bad feeling?"

Azizia shakes her head. "One of them has… familiar energy. Presence. In spirit world."

[Gwenivene]: If I MISSILE try again.

Ghostly Steward says: How dare you spill the master's wine!

Ghostly Steward says: That was a 200 year old Pupellyverbos Port!

[Ben]: WELL THEN DON'T CRACK IT ON MY FUCKEN HEAD.

Ben glares at the dead undead steward.

Elohad gently pats Ben.

Atley shakes his head. "Bloody hell." He looks to Ben. "You feel that?"

[Ismene]: Um…

[Ismene]: Who's this?

[Ismene]: There's a large skeleton in the corner.

[Ismene]: It's just that it's the only non-walking skeleton I've seen.

[Alysson]: Dancin' folk.

[Elohad]: Wait, that looks a hell of a lot like Lady Berrybuck, and—

Elohad freezes.

Colson looks at Elohad with mild concern. "Sir?"

[Atley]: Easy, you lot. Proper dance party that way.

[Ben]: Yeah, don't back up too–

Ben looks to Elohad.

Azizia bites her lower lip, staring at Elohad.

Elohad stares blankly at Lord Crispin Ference.

Atley frowns faintly and glances between Elohad and the honored guests.

[Ben]: Hey. Sir?

Ismene turns to look.

[Elohad]: Ben. …. Ben…. ?

Elohad sounds about eighteen years old all of a sudden.

Ben puts a hand on Elo's shoulder and follows his gaze. "Yessir. I'm here."

Lena turns and walks back to Elohad.

Cressidha squints at the guests at the high table. "They look solid."

[Elohad]: Ben…

Elohad points at Lord Crispin Ference.

Atley slowly raises his brows as his jaw drops. He peers at Elohad.

Colson follows the line of sight, as he regards the guests with a mild expression.

[Ben]: … sir. You see… s' that him?

[Elohad]: It's… it's him…

[Atley]: Faaackin' hell…

[Lena]: Him?

Ismene looks at Elo, then follows his gaze.

Elohad 's eyes fill with tears, but his face is otherwise expressionless.

[Ben]: Aw, shit.

[Colson]: Ah. I see. I am sorry, sir.

[Lena]: Oh. Him. *Lena looks at Elohad with worry.*

[Cressidha]: Is he alive?

Colson shakes his head to Cressidha.

[Cressidha]: Ah.

[Elohad]: He… he never made it out. He never made it out. He… he never made it out.

[Gwenivene]: Oh gosh…

Ben turns and hugs Elohad. Voluntarily. And awkwardly, because armor.

[Ben]: Hey, sir. We got you.

Elohad returns Ben's embrace, but in a slightly shell-shocked manner.

[Ben]: Reckon if he got out, sir, he'd've come back to you. Yeah? He is– I mean.

[Alysson]: So's this a rescue now?

[Atley]: This is no rescue, lad…

Atley growls ominously.

[Lena]: They um. I do not think they are alive Alysson.

[Alysson]: I dunno, 's it possible to rescue dead folk? Chat with 'em?

Atley moves to speak to Alysson before he looks to Elohad and decides not to.

Azizia puts a hand on Alysson's shoulder and whispers. "Not now."

Alysson looks at Azizia in confusion, but quiets.

[Elohad]: Maybe… maybe we can talk to him.

[Lena]: We can try?

[Elohad]: I need to talk to him.

[Ben]: Yeah. Maybe.

[Gwenivene]: Y-yeah…we gotta try, right?

[Ismene]: Go slowly. He might not recognize you after so long.

Colson adjusts his gauntlets.

Elohad swallows hard and nods.

[Ben]: Let's, uh. Break up the rest of the party first. Okay?

Atley grunts.

[Cressidha]: Understood.

Phantom Guest says: It's not my time, not yet!

Phantom Guest says: Not… fair…

[Elohad]: We have to at least try to talk to them. I know these people. …Though, they might not recognize me… *He runs a hand back over his thinning hair.*

[Elohad]: DON'T HURT HIM!

[Gwenivene]: Mmmmmagic!

[Atley]: Hold fast!

[Atley]: Where'd that bastard–

[Gwenivene]: Wait for it… BAM!

Ben swears.

[Elohad]: Papa…

Moroes goes into a frenzy!

Ismene seems to ignore the fight, concentrating fiercely on holding Crispin’s restraints.

Azizia 's head and horns are covered by rocks as she headbutts Moroes.

Atley spits on the ground.

Ben approaches the shackled spirit cautiously

[Ben]: Sir? Lord Ference?

[Ben]: Sir?

[Elohad]: I don't… I don't think he can hear us.

[Elohad]: We're going to have to…

Atley licks his lips, looking dubious as he keeps his shield ready.

[Elohad]: Go ahead.

[Elohad]: Just… just end it.

[Cressidha]: But…

Ben looks pained.

[Ben]: But sir.

Azizia bites her lips once again, getting her fist weapons ready.

[Elohad]: I'm sorry…

[Ismene]: I can't hold him forever…

[Elohad]: I know. I'm sorry, Papa…

Gwenivene wrings her hands, unable to bring herself to cast against Crispin.

Colson looks Incredibly Neutral.

Atley lets out a small sigh of relief.

Elohad swears.

Ben looks at Elohad, his expression crumpled miserably.

[Lena]: I'm sorry, Sir Ference.

Ismene walks up to stand by Ben, rubbing her forehead a little.

Elohad kneels before Lord Crispin Ference.

[Ben]: Sir.

Elohad says a quiet prayer, his eyes closed.

Ben steps back to put his arm around Ismene and squeeze her, watching Elohad.

Cressidha backs away a little.

Elohad continues praying for a moment. Tears leak out from between his lashes.

Colson murmurs a prayer quietly, his eyes on Elohad. His expression seems blank, but there's a softness to his tone as he prays.

Ismene watches Elo, leaning against Ben.

Ben closes his eyes and whispers something inaudible, perhaps also a prayer. He tips his head to rest it on Ismene's.

[Elohad]: We'll… we'll keep the tower for you. Go, please. Rest.

Elohad takes in a deep shuddering breath as the ghostly remains dissolve in a shimmer of light.

Atley frowns out the corner of his mouth before he approaches Elohad to set a hand on his shoulder after his praying.

Elohad stands slowly, looking about a hundred years old.

Atley offers no prayer, just his gauntlet and a characteristically deep frown.

[Atley]: I am sorry, sir.

Ismene watches Elohad, dark eyes both sorrowful and compassionate.

[Elohad]: Well. At least now I know. *He stares ahead grimly.*

[Colson]: May he rest in the Light.

Atley grunts.

[Ben]: Sir. We got him out of this tower. He is claimed for ours again.

[Azizia]: You have done great thing today, Elohad. You have freed spirit of his from place. I am sure he is very grateful to finally leave here.

[Lena]: He's not stuck running in a circle anymore in this awful place.

[Atley]: He's at peace. No longer shackled to this wretched place.

Cressidha remains quiet.

[Ismene]: And thankful that you came to his aid.

Azizia nods at Ismene.

Ben nods at Ismene too. "It was right it was you came to free him, sir."

[Elohad]: He's with Cris, now.

[Elohad]: And Annie.

Atley looks down, thumbs cinched in his belt.

Elohad nods. "All right. But we have work to do here."

Ben straightens and nods.

Ismene straightens too.

Atley flicks his gaze back up to Elohad and waits.

Alysson takes in the somber mood of the group. "So, uh…did we fail one o' our missions then?"

[Atley]: No, lad.

Gwenivene smiles at Alysson.

[Ismene]: Just succeeded in one we'd hoped not to have.

Ben nods somberly at Ismene.

Azizia nods at Ismene.

[Elohad]: At least his last twenty years of limbo were… pleasant.

[Elohad]: …Thirty. Almost thirty now, I guess.

[Elohad]: He looked younger than me.

[Elohad]: I'll… I'll process this later.

[Lena]: There's still a lot of tower.

[Ben]: More party. They are havin' a hell of a time in here, yeah? *Ben is grim.*

[Lena]: Time to tell 'em the party's over.

Ismene watches the dancers. "I know that dance."

Azizia raises an eyebrow at the dancing. "See? This is why I say eternal human party gets boring, not exhausting."

Atley just glares ahead at the dancing ghosts.

[Atley]: Drinking and whoring.

Gwenivene gasps at Atley.

Ben glances at Atley.

Colson twitches again as he looks over his shoulder. There isn't anything there. Probably. He doesn't even clear his throat at Dane.

[Elohad]: Just… dancing for thirty years… look at them.

[Elohad]: This whole place, just frozen in time.

Cressidha glances occasionally at Elohad.

Elohad looks… vacant. Still healing, still relatively focused, but old and drained.

Ben studies the scene before him. "S' this… how noble parties go? A lot?"

[Elohad]: I never got to go to one, if we're being honest.

Colson looks in. "Ah. Well. Yes."

[Elohad]: I was too young, and then… orcs.

Atley grunts.

Ismene eyes it all a bit wistfully.

[Elohad]: But dad sure did come home smelling like perfume and wine.

[Lena]: I bet they have them now.

Ben glances at Colson. He nods and does not comment further.

[Lena]: Noble parties.

[Alysson]: They need more tables to dance on.

Azizia nods at Alysson.

Ben grins at Alysson.

[Atley]: Not enough booze in the world'd make me muck about with this lot.

[Atley]: Willingly.

Cressidha clears her throat.

[Ismene]: I think it looks nice.

[Ismene]: Well, dead. But nice.

Ben nods solemnly at Ismene. He was, uh, totally thinkin' that too.

Ismene is certainly not swaying a little or moving her feet to dance in place.

[Elohad]: Wish I could've gone to one. Just… to have done it.

[Elohad]: But… I guess not this one.

[Elohad]: Whatever the hell happened here.

[Colson]: Well.

[Atley]: Looks to me like we've arrived just in time for their last dance, sir.

Spectral Servant says: Invaders in the tower!

Phantom Valet says: Begone, outsider!

Phantom Guest says: All good things must come to an end.

Phantom Valet says: My time is done.

Cressidha makes a gesture, dispelling a curse from Ben.

Azizia 's head and horns are covered by rocks as she headbutts a Phantom Attendant.

Phantom Attendant says: I mustn't be afraid….

[Atley]: Another roamer.

[Atley]: Watch him.

[Ben]: This party seems kind of dead.

Azizia chuckles at Ben.

[Elohad]: Ben.

[Ismene]: Ben Hazan.

[Ben]: Ha ha?

[Elohad]: Ben MARIE Hazan.

[Ben]: … sorry, sir.

[Colson]: Yes, this is very much like most parties.

Gwenivene snickers…

Lena tries not to giggle.

Colson sees nothing different about the liveliness of this party and the usual.

Ismene nods.

[Alysson]: I get it! 'Cause they're dead!

Ben sighs.

[Cressidha]: … Can we get this over with, please?

[Ben]: Some of these skeletons on the floor look like things out've Scholomance.

[Atley]: Mm?

Phantom Guest says: You do not belong here!

Phantom Attendant says: We do not wish to be disturbed!

[Gwenivene]: Kapow!

Phantom Valet says: You'll not ruin the celebration!

Phantom Guest says: It's not my time, not yet!

[Alysson]: Y'think they just ignore the bones'n things scattered about?

[Colson]: I am not certain they can see them, Alysson.

[Atley]: I wager they don't rightly know they're dead.

[Colson]: They may be seeing something quite different.

[Ismene]: They see what they saw before they died.

[Elohad]: Yes. That's why the nobles attacked us. They thought we were invaders.

[Elohad]: They can't really see reality properly.

[Elohad]: They thought they were at a party and then a bunch of armed strangers came rushing in.

[Elohad]: Probably thought we were bandits, or enemies of Medivh.

[Alysson]: Okay, next question. How's a fellow die standin' up?

[Atley]: You'd be surprised by the strange positions men can take after they die.

Ismene sighs and turns her back on the dancers. "All those lessons," she murmurs.

[Lena]: I see stairs through there. Fancier stairs.

Colson sips at some water. He still looks tense, and like he's trying not to look over his shoulder.

Atley reaches into his pack for another meat pie.

[Ben]: Sandwiches?

Ben digs a second sandwich from his pack and holds it up in Gwen's direction.

Gwenivene gives in to sandwich temptation.

Gwenivene takes the sandwich. "Thank you, sir."

[Ben]: Welcome, Miz Whittle. It is ham an' pickle.

[Gwenivene]: Yum!

[Elohad]: I do love a good pickle.

[Ismene]: It's always ham and pickle.

[Ben]: Ham an' pickle is nutritious. Meat an' veg.

Marina is no longer enthusiastically splashing.

Cressidha taps her foot.

Azizia, who's used to speaking with elementals, speaks to Marina. "[Draenei] You seem peaceful, for an elemental of this world."

Marina reaches out and pats Azizia's arm. It's very wet.

Azizia stares silently, blankly, at her arm. "[Draenei] Thank you."

Ben eyes the pillars. "Dragon heads?"

[Atley]: Was just wondering that myself, Ben.

[Ben]: Huh.

[Lena]: Now we're getting into the fancier part, I bet.

[Elohad]: Such a grand place. Must have been something to see in its time.

[Elohad]: Even now. Stunning.

[Ismene]: It's remarkable how much is intact.

Atley grunts.

[Atley]: Practically a fortress.

[Elohad]: Makes Stormwind Keep look like a cottage.

[Alysson]: We sure this is the same tower thing from outside?

[Elohad]: No, Mondragon, we are not.

[Cressidha]: Incoming.

Spectral Servant says: No!

[Ben]: Hold up on this one.

Colson holds up.

[Ben]: Okay.

Phantom Attendant says: Where am I? What–

Spectral Retainer says: Ben, you too shall serve the Master!

[Alysson]: Hey, they're tryin' ta recruit Ben?

Colson glances once at Ben. He's got it under control.

[Ben]: Like hell they are.

Ismene looks at him anxiously.

[Colson]: Very difficult to turn a paladin.

Ben shakes his head briefly. He nods at Colson.

[Azizia]: Yes, but also he is human. You are more likely to get mind to be controlled.

Ben nods awkwardly at Azizia.

[Colson]: Hm.

[Azizia]: It is because very young mind. I have had centuries to get stronger mind.

Alysson pockets more bread.

[Lena]: What do you reckon's down this hall?

[Atley]: Some sort of antechamber, wager.

[Colson]: Undead.

[Lena]: Well. Besides the obvious.

[Ben]: Reckon we will find out anyhow.

[Elohad]: …Wow.

[Elohad]: Beautiful.

[Atley]: Lion stonework. Don't hate that.

[Lena]: Look at all the statues. And the windows.

[Elohad]: That dome…

Ben eyes the portraits on the draperies.

[Ben]: Who's that?

[Atley]: Some sorcerers.

[Ben]: Huh.

[Ismene]: Why do they ever paint portraits of warriors with their helms on? They could be anybody.

[Elohad]: I think that's the idea, Mizzy.

[Elohad]: They're ideas, not people.

[Atley]: That's the point. It's to represent the common soldier.

Elohad nods at Atley.

Cressidha taps her foot.

[Gwenivene]: These people…don't look like ghosts…

[Alysson]: Hey. These fellows aren't see-through.

[Ismene]: The one in the slinky red dress.

Ben eyes the slinky red dress with interest.

[Colson]: Hm. A sin'dorei?

[Lena]: Would've been quel'dorei back then.

[Elohad]: Yep.

[Elohad]: A @#$%in' elf.

[Atley]: Cannot be. Not properly. Nothing living can dwell here… can it?

[Ben]: Yeah, I do not know that they are really elfs no more, sir.

[Azizia]: Rats seem to be living.

[Elohad]: Rats can live anywhere.

Azizia glares angrily at a Wanton Host.

[Alysson]: Say, Azizia? Meant to say somethin' earlier, but I think you're missin' some hair.

Cressidha covers her mouth.

Azizia forgets to glare at the sin'dorei. "Do you… do you never cut hair? It is not missing. It is short!"

[Elohad]: It looks great, Azizia.

Wanton Host says: Come play with me!

Azizia throws one of her weapons in the air and puts a flaming hand on the Wanton Host's face before catching her weapon again.

Zealous Consort says: Let's get down to business.

Gwenivene gasps at Zealous Consort.

[Colson]: Well. That was odd.

[Ben]: … well, there's the fucken demon.

[Elohad]: Welp.

Ben shakes his head again briefly, briskly. He was totally not seduced by a satyr.

[Gwenivene]: Demons?!

[Lena]: Yep, as an expert, I can say. That's a demon.

[Gwenivene]: Well then… no need to hold back my magic…

[Lena]: Shape-shifting demons.

Atley grunts at Lena.

[Atley]: Looks to be … Blast. Wot' are they called.

[Atley]: Satyrs.

[Cressidha]: Ah.

Colson regards the remains with a blank face.

Zealous Paramour says: Let's get down to business.

Zealous Paramour says: We could have had so much fun!

Night Mistress says: Shhh… I have a little secret I've been keeping.

Atley casually stomps through the skull of the fallen Night Mistress.

[Atley]: Rotters. That's more like it.

[Cressidha]: Ah.

[Lena]: Yep, shape-shifters.

Ben chugs water.

Ismene turns toward the laughter. "Ick. More of them in there."

Alysson pets a Phantom Hound.

[Lena]: Wait, you see that up ahead?

[Atley]: …Aye.

[Lena]: A big ole woman.

[Ismene]: Oh my.

[Cressidha]: A statue? No…

[Atley]: Wench looks like the kind we came 'cross in Uldaman.

[Elohad]: Oh, what the– yeah.

[Alysson]: Where's the big… Oh.

[Elohad]: What did they call themselves? Keepers?

[Atley]: Wot' … in the bloody hell … is it doing here?.

[Elohad]: NO clue.

[Lena]: And surrounded by sexy demons?

Colson looks at Lena. Sexy demons?

[Azizia]: You have people taller than draenei in azeroth?

Ben eyes the lorge lady up and down.

[Elohad]: They're not people I don't think.

[Elohad]: They're like… huge statues.

[Elohad]: That move.

[Alysson]: We gonna go say hi?

[Cressidha]: Hm.

[Atley]: I've never known those things to favor the company of rotters or demons.

[Atley]: Might be a bloody captive.

[Elohad]: I wonder if someone just… brought him one.

[Elohad]: Like, for his collection.

Ben grimaces.

[Elohad]: My father said he was obsessed with rare artifacts and stuff.

[Alysson]: Wait, you can collect those?

[Elohad]: If you're Medivh.

[Elohad]: He could collect anything or anyone.

[Ben]: Reckon if you are rich enough an' asshole enough you can collect whatever you want, yeah.

[Elohad]: He certainly collected my father.

Atley briefly side-eyes Elohad.

[Alysson]: Ah…

Ismene surreptitiously sidles sideways to look over the books.

Ismene rises on tiptoes to read the spines.

[Gwenivene]: Shame to just let these tomes rot away in here…

Colson nods at Gwen. "Hm."

Ismene looks over at Gwen, startled. "Oh! I was thinking that too, yes."

Ismene ducks her head again and sidles away from Aziza. Sidle sidle.

[Elohad]: She's kind of beautiful.

Ben eyes the Maiden of Virtue up and down.

[Atley]: Mm. Doesn't look like, to me. Statue walking about.

Cressidha taps her fingers against her arm.

Colson glances at Cress, raising his brows slightly.

[Atley]: And they're bloody tough to kill.

Ben jumps again at the sound of the bell.

[Elohad]: That @#$%ing bell.

[Ben]: … yeah.

Cressidha looks at Colson and tilts her head slightly in Elohad's direction. There might be secret twin communication going on.

Colson makes a soft 'hm' sound at Cress, looking at Elohad. He frowns slightly, and makes a slight gesture with his hand.

Cressidha sighs quietly and nods to Colson.

Atley glances over his shoulder and double-takes the twin telepathy before hastily looking away.

[Alysson]: Think she can call statue friends? Plenty o' them around.

[Elohad]: Possibly.

[Atley]: Not many f'them with limbs.

[Alysson]: So we might get some flyin' heads then.

[Ben]: We ready to see this lady about a sword?

Colson downs yet another potion.

Atley grunts.

[Colson]: Yessir.

Azizia casts Gift of the Naaru on Elohad, to make him feel like in the presence of one. To take away some of the pain from all the ghosts around. Of course. Nothing else.

Elohad studies the fallen Keeper(?) thoughtfully.

Ismene looks uneasy, eyeing the Possible Keeper.

[Cressidha]: Hm.

Alysson looks around. "No? No heads?"

[Atley]: No heads, lad.

[Lena]: Well, she was pretty hostile.

[Elohad]: She doesn't read as anything to me. It's so odd.

Colson looks over his shoulder again, exhaling slowly when there is nothing there.

Cressidha does not stand near Traajhom at any point in time.

Lena keeps her felhunter under strict control.

[Elohad]: I can't even tell if she was alive.

[Azizia]: Undead statue?

[Elohad]: Not undead either.

[Colson]: No. Not undead.

[Ismene]: No.

[Elohad]: I'd read undead.

Colson nods in agreement with Elo.

[Elohad]: She's just… nothing, to me.

[Ismene]: She…

Ismene shrugs and doesn't follow up.

[Alysson]: What if she's imaginary?

[Ben]: She did not hit like she was imaginary.

[Colson]: Indeed.

[Atley]: Sentient object stomping about.

Azizia nods at Atley.

[Lena]: Just so weird to see something like that in here.

[Ben]: Yeah.

[Elohad]: There could be almost anything in here, to be honest.

[Cressidha]: There were rooms off the side of the hall we came through.

[Atley]: Aye. Ought to clear those out.

[Lena]: These at least seem like the guest chambers?

[Elohad]: Medivh was a fanatic collector of anything and everything.

Ben peers into the room.

[Atley]: Guest chambers or … somming' else.

Cressidha blinks as the doors open.

[Gwenivene]: What you were saying about Medivh coveting magical artifacts… that's actually why I think that hat is here.

[Alysson]: Lotta folks in there for one bed.

[Elohad]: Uh.

Elohad turns red.

[Cressidha]: Indeed.

[Gwenivene]: Oh my stars and garters…

[Colson]: Ah. *Colson clears his throat.*

Ben glances at Alysson and away, politely.

Cressidha does not look flustered at all, probably because something's gone over her head.

[Alysson]: S'pose two could sleep on the head, an' two on the foot.

[Atley]: This is a shagging room, lad.

Atley growls flatly.

[Gwenivene]: Mr. Atley!

[Gwenivene]: I mean…Sir Dane!

Atley grunts.

Colson clears his throat louder at Dane.

[Elohad]: It's all just haunted rooms now.

[Ismene]: When I think that this is what my mother wanted to re-create, but in a farmer's house…

[Elohad]: I… what?

Elohad blinks at Ismene.

[Azizia]: Remember we are fighting demons here.

[Ismene]: Well, not THEM, of course.

[Lena]: Do we think the Violet Eye woman was in a shagging room?

[Elohad]: Uh.

[Ben]: I mean.

[Cressidha]: It's a guest chamber. It's likely it's housed multiple guests.

[Azizia]: What is shagging room?

[Ben]: It is… uh. A room like this.

[Alysson]: What's shaggin'? Like, what dogs are?

[Ismene]: Shag is a kind of carpet.

Gwenivene covers her ears.

[Atley]: Aye, there's one here.

[Lena]: Shaggy, dogs are shaggy.

Colson is gonna need water at this rate.

Cressidha looks down at the carpet. Quietly, to herself, she says, "But that isn't a shag carpet…"

Ismene shrugs at Cressidha. She doesn't understand it either.

[Ben]: Anyhow.

Ben clears his throat.

Elohad is red all the way to his scalp.

Zealous Consort says: Let's get down to business.

Wanton Hostess says: It was fun while it lasted….

Night Mistress says: Come play with me!

Azizia opens a wardrobe. "Hm. Very, very not fashionable. Maybe when I was little in Draenor it was popular, but not now."

Ben flips through a book on the table. He glances up.

[Ben]: S' in code. The log?

[Elohad]: YES.

Elohad cheers at Ben.

Ben smiles crookedly at Elohad.

[Elohad]: We actually did it. I can't believe it.

[Lena]: So she was in here.

[Azizia]: Oh, sorry, what did we actually do? I was… searching for clues.

Gwenivene giggles at Azizia.

Cressidha covers her mouth.

[Alysson]: What's this thing?

[Atley]: Alysson…

[Alysson]: Fancy chair.

[Colson]: Alysson, please leave the… chair, alone.

Atley just pinches the bridge of his nose.

[Alysson]: Aw.

[Elohad]: But we're here, let's see what else we can find, hm?

[Elohad]: Unless it gets too much.

[Ismene]: There's a portrait of a female warrior in there. She doesn't have her helm on.

Ismene has plainly decided helms-on in paintings is a guy thing.

[Alysson]: That's 'cause ladies are pretty.

Elohad admires the lion.

Atley admires the lion as well.

[Atley]: I wonder… where it happened.

[Atley]: I wonder where Sir Lothar cut off his head.

Colson regards the books mildly.

[Alysson]: Sir Lothar cut off his own head?

[Colson]: No.

[Elohad]: Medivh's.

[Atley]: No, lad. Sir Lothar decapitated the treacherous madman, Medivh, somewhere… here.

Atley glances around, almost wistfully.

Elohad peers at the bookcases.

[Elohad]: Uh, one of those books growled at me. Is that… is that a thing?

[Alysson]: Growlin' book? Where?

[Azizia]: Nowhere.

[Elohad]: Uh, it's gone, Mondragon.

[Elohad]: It disappeared.

[Gwenivene]: Um… maybe let's leave the growling book alone, yes.

[Colson]: Hm.

[Alysson]: Aw.

Elohad was totally lying.

Azizia is keeping The Alysson by a cloak/leash before he turns around and tries to find the growling book.

[Lena]: Probably don’t read the ones that growl.

Colson looks appraisingly at Azizia.

[Atley]: Ought to set fire to this place 'fore we depart.

[Atley]: Not that it'll do much good.

[Elohad]: I don't think it w–yeah.

[Elohad]: I don't think any of the normal rules apply here.

[Ben]: Can't fire stone. Maybe f' we got some sappers in to mine it….

[Atley]: I mean the books, the growlers and the quieter ones.

[Atley]: Though I'd not scoff at a proper siege to collapse the place from afar.

[Azizia]: Ah, like you destroyed necromancy school! … Necromancy school is gone, right?

[Ben]: Necromancy school is… not gone, no.

Ben winces a little.

[Lena]: Ley lines though.

[Lena]: What would that do with the ley lines?

[Ben]: We ain't gonna burn the ley lines. They are… magical.

Ben looks at Gwen for confirmation. Can you blow up a ley line?

[Cressidha]: You cannot burn a ley line.

[Lena]: It just seems like a place you oughtn't explode.

[Ismene]: Except for this hallway. Quite dank and dreary.

[Ismene]: No tapestries, no banners, no paintings.

[Colson]: Hm. Perhaps someone has already attempted to burn the place.

[Azizia]: Let us hurry. Dank is very bad for hair.

[Azizia]: Gets my curl very messy.

[Elohad]: You'd need some heavy artillery to take this place down.

Marina leaves a trail of water behind her.

Skeletal Usher says: Clear the area!

Skeletal Usher says: Where's your ticket?

[Cressidha]: Hm?

[Elohad]: What is this?

[Cressidha]: A theater?

Elohad 's eyes light up.

Elohad can have a little theater, for a treat.

[Lena]: Food, dancing and theater?

[Gwenivene]: Fascinating!

[Ben]: A… theater?

Ben peers at the curtain ahead.

[Ismene]: And ushers in armor?

Atley sags, and dejectedly says, "…Looked like an arena from afar."

[Cressidha]: A stage of that size…

Elohad looks genuinely dazzled.

[Ben]: Huh.

Ben may or may not have seen an actual theater before.

Colson seems neither impressed nor unimpressed by the theater that isn't an arena.

[Alysson]: It's a curtain room.

[Alysson]: Room o' curtains.

[Ismene]: It's odd, though.

[Ismene]: That curtain is the only damaged one.

[Ismene]: I wonder what happened.

[Ben]: So that is where the play goes? You reckon f' we sit down it'll show?

[Cressidha]: They're certainly waiting for one.

[Atley]: M'not sitting through a bloody rotter play.

Elohad looks like a starry-eyed schoolboy.

[Elohad]: Look at this place….

[Elohad]: What I could have done with this…

Elohad looks as glowing and delighted as he did despondent a half hour ago.

Azizia gets cobwebs out of her horns. "Eww!"

[Lena]: Now that is a massive organ.

Ben chokes on his water and glances at Lena.

Colson covers his mouth for some reason at Lena's comment.

Cressidha looks over at the massive organ by the stage. "Indeed."

Ben glances at Cressidha awkwardly.

[Lena]: You ever played an organ like that? *Lena asks Cressidha cheerfully.*

Ben turns to give Lena an Eyebrow, sternly.

[Cressidha]: None that size, no.

Elohad seems to be picking up none of this double entendre.

[Cressidha]: It's a little different than a regular piano.

[Azizia]: What is organ? I did not see massive organ.

Elohad continues to look boyishly delighted.

Colson clears his throat a little.

Atley blinks a few times and discreetly side-eyes Lena before he goes back to staring forward.

[Lena]: It's like a piano, but its got pipes.

[Azizia]: Oh, instrument, then yes I have seen organ.

[Azizia]: I would call organ instrument. Maybe not musical, but instrument.

[Alysson]: Which organ we talkin'?

[Ben]: The, uh, pipes, ahead. Musical thing.

[Cressidha]: That musical instrument, there.

[Elohad]: That enormous thing in front of you, Mondragon.

[Atley]: Loud.

[Alysson]: Pipes, gotcha.

[Azizia]: I would call organ instrument. Maybe not musical, but instrument.

[Gwenivene]: Oh wow, you're not kidding. That's the biggest organ I've ever seen.

[Ben]: … wait, where're we now?

[Ismene]: Oh! We're going backstage?

[Ismene]: I've never been backstage.

[Ben]: … backstage.

Ben nods sagely. He has never been backstage either.

[Cressidha]: Oh…

[Atley]: Aye, where are all the actors and wot'not prepare.

[Colson]: Hm.

Ismene is delighted.

[Lena]: Are they still putting on shows?

[Azizia]: I see pirates. Was it show about pirates?

[Elohad]: Something piratey?

Atley looks to Elohad at that.

Ben blinks and looks at Elohad too.

Elohad has a goofy grin.

Elohad looks like he forgives Karazhan for everything else it has previously done to him.

Elohad might be losing his mind, alternatively.

[Ben]: Anyhow.

Phantom Stagehand says: You're not allowed here!

Spectral Performer says: I will not be upstaged by amateurs!

[Colson]: Be cautious.

[Colson]: They seem to be carrying some sort of explosive device, or magic.

[Azizia]: Now this is beautiful dress! I would need to ask tailor to adjust it but…

[Azizia]: We need to find woman ghost’s body! Quick!

[Azizia]: For very important mission!

[Atley]: Wot'. Why?

Atley growls at Azizia.

[Cressidha]: Ah. Hm.

[Elohad]: I wonder what play they were putting on!

Elohad looks giddy.

Azizia throws one of her weapons in the air and puts a flaming hand on a Phantom Stagehand's face before catching her weapon again.

Phantom Stagehand says: At last, my work is done.

Azizia opens wardrobes again.

[Alysson]: Got some lights in the eyes for a bit there.

[Lena]: Shoes and costumes here, if you want to check, Azizia.

[Azizia]: I already am!

[Ben]: They got 'em dressed like pirates and Scarlets in here. Either they are doin' more than one play or it is a hell of a show.

Atley scoffs lightly at Ben with amusement.

[Elohad]: I would watch that show.

Azizia throws costumes out of the wardrobe. "No. No. Eww. No."

[Atley]: Oi — Azizia, wot' are you doing?

Ben looks back at Azizia with weary patience.

[Cressidha]: It isn't in there?

Cressidha sounds faintly disappointed.

[Colson]: Azizia, please do not take the costumes of the dead.

[Azizia]: Looking for clues.

[Gwenivene]: Unless part of the costume is a pointy hat!

[Azizia]: Clues about hat, yes.

[Azizia]: That is what I am searching.

Spectral Performer says: The show must go on!

[Lena]: Pirates and Scarlets. Wonder what the story is?

Colson sips at some water.

Ben peers at Barnes searchingly.

Atley peers at Barnes searchingly.

Cressidha checks this wardrobe for a hat.

[Atley]: … Just gonna' stand there having a gawk at us, innhee'.

Elohad eyes Barnes up and down.

Phantom Stagehand says: You're not allowed here!

Phantom Stagehand says: Am I released from my duties?

[Atley]: Sir Elohad, you're acquainted with this world.

[Atley]: Why don't you go up and have a chat with whoever that is?

Atley gestures to Barnes with his sword.

[Elohad]: Sure.

Elohad talks shop with the ghost.

Colson keeps Elo within a line of sight. Just in case.

[Elohad]: He… he wants me to perform!

Elohad looks giddy again.

Ismene backs away from Barnes SO FAST she almost trips over her own robes.

[Cressidha]: Hm?

[Atley]: …D'ah…

[Ben]: Uh.

Barnes says: Splendid. I'm going to get the audience ready. Break a leg!

[Elohad]: He said I'm a natural!

Atley immediately looks concerned for Elohad's mental well being.

Elohad looks pretty manic.

[Ben]: Sir? S'that a good– uh.

[Ben]: Oh, shit.

Elohad follows the stage manager eagerly.

[Lena]: We're… performing?

[Alysson]: Well we did just murder the cast.

Ismene gapes.

Elohad bows down graciously.

[Atley]: Oh, fackin' hell…

Atley growls lowly.

Colson looks stoic.

[Azizia]: It is other stage!

Ismene is NOT going on that stage.

Ben steps out on the stage more cautiously than he's ever stepped into a fight.

Elohad flexes his muscles. Oooooh so strong!

Azizia gasps at Barnes.

[Colson]: Well.

[Ben]: Uhhh.

Cressidha looks at the audience.

[Azizia]: And for a tale of forbidden love we need to wear beautiful white dress! Where is beautiful white dress?

Elohad cackles maniacally at the situation.

Ben eyes Elohad uneasily. And then the audience even more uneasily.

Atley screams at the audience.

Colson glances over his shoulder when the door closes.

[Gwenivene]: We'll have none of that magic, Julianne.

[Alysson]: If I don't get to magic, neither do you, Julianne!

Azizia throws one of her weapons in the air and puts a flaming hand on Romulo's face before catching her weapon again.

Cressidha spends a moment mid-fight just staring at Julianne. Pretty.

Ismene clings to the wall

[Atley]: …Right then.

[Elohad]: Thank you… thank you…. !

Elohad bows to the spectral audience again and again.

Marina turns towards the audience and raises her arms.

[Azizia]: She did not have dress.

[Alysson]: So… Were we s'posed to say stuff? Like, lines?

[Atley]: I'm not saying any bloody … lines…

Atley marches over to Elohad.

Atley clears his throat.

[Atley]: You've done a fine job, sir.

Elohad turns to Atley, eyes shining.

Atley offers the imaginary applause a stiff wave.

Colson sips at some water, frowing faintly at Elohad in what looks to be possibly mild concern.

[Alysson]: Is he okay?

[Ben]: I, uh. Do not know. To be honest.

[Atley]: Nearly as good as the old troupe, in the old days.

[Lena]: Did they enjoy the show?

Elohad nods vaguely, beaming.

[Elohad]: Can't you hear them?

[Cressidha]: I can.

[Azizia]: You can?

Ismene finally comes out from behind the wall, but only because it's Elohad.

Elohad smiles giddily.

Azizia climbs on the bannister and points at one of the audience members and shouts. "You! Where is dress?!"

[Atley]: Ready to press on then, are we…?

[Elohad]: Oh, is it time to go? Right, right, the afterparty…

[Atley]: Aye, sir, the afterparty.

Ismene hides behind Ben while she assesses the situation.

Ben steps back again just a little. He is Wall.

[Gwenivene]: Is that how the play is supposed to go? I feel like we changed the story.

[Elohad]: We improvised, but it all worked out!

[Ben]: Let's head on, yeah?

[Cressidha]: Come, this way.

[Atley]: Cressidha knows the way.

Atley growls at Alysson.

Cressidha does not, but she walks confidently as though she does.

Colson walks confidently behind Cress like yes, this is the way.

Ismene doesn't follow Ben, but waits for Elohad.

Cressidha looks at Elohad with genuine concern at that.

[Elohad]: Is this the way out…?

Elohad is still smiling, his eyes vague.

[Atley]: One of them, sir.

[Cressidha]: The boxes.

Ghostly Philanthropist says: You were not invited!

Spectral Patron says: I'll miss the show!

Elohad gets whacked on the head by a ghost, and seems to get disoriented for a moment.

[Ben]: Sir?

Atley marches right up to Elohad and clasps him on the shoulder.

Elohad 's eyes come back into focus, and he looks briefly alarmed and then embarrassed.

Colson passes a heal over Elohad automatically.

[Atley]: There we are. Steady on. Aye?

[Elohad]: It's fine. Fine. I… @#$%. I'm all right, yeah.

Ismene hovers anyway. Silently.

Atley cranes his head to peer into Elohad's features.

Azizia gives Elohad another gift of the Naaru. Just… because. Ahem.

Cressidha says, "This way," and continues walking as if nothing happened to Elohad.

[Elohad]: That stage manager… did something to me.

[Ben]: Yessir. It's fine.

Elohad takes a deep breath.

Elohad is a little teary, for some reason, but otherwise seems fine now.

[Ben]: I mean, you can tell Aunt Nir you put on a play at Medivh's house.

Elohad smiles crookedly at Ben.

[Elohad]: I can just see her eyes when I say that…

[Alysson]: Lion baby!

Cressidha seems to be trying to take the attention off Elohad by walking forward into danger.

[Ben]: … Miss Cressidha.

[Ben]: You want to borrow my shield?

Atley scoffs with amusement.

[Cressidha]: Apologies.

Ben smiles crookedly at Cressidha.

[Ben]: S' okay. Jokin'.

Cressidha smiles back.

[Azizia]: Oh! I see small lion statue!

[Azizia]: Normally they are very big!

[Alysson]: They sure like food here.

[Azizia]: No.

[Ben]: Uh. Alysson. No eatin'.

[Alysson]: I wasn't doin' anythin', just sayin'!

[Elohad]: Yeah, don't touch anything in here.

[Ben]: … hey, they got corn?

[Elohad]: This whole place is cursed.

[Elohad]: Even the friendly ones mess with you.

Ismene looks about to say something, but doesn't.

[Atley]: It's a proper maze, innit'…

[Ben]: Way up, here.

[Alysson]: Saw a pie.

[Gwenivene]: If you really want pie, I'll conjure you one.

[Lena]: Have we been by this way? I feel like we have.

[Lena]: But no… more angry ghosts.

Ghostly Philanthropist says: It's all… coming back to me….

[Ismene]: We've been working back and forth around the stage.

Colson looks around as though attempting to get his bearings.

[Alysson]: Wow you can really see the organ from here.

[Ben]: These is, like. Little private balconies? Things?

[Colson]: Ah, yes.

[Lena]: Oh yeah! For fancy rich folk.

[Azizia]: They have good view of stage, but can they even hear anything? See actor's faces?

[Colson]: If they are professionals, yes.

[Cressidha]: In my experience, yes.

[Elohad]: Here, the acoustics would be perfect.

[Atley]: Wager they're more concerned with being seen up here.

[Colson]: They project their voices, as Sir Ference can.

[Elohad]: Seeing facial expressions can be hard, so you use your body a bit more.

[Azizia]: Still, this is very far. I do not understand human art.

[Elohad]: It's why theater acting is always a bit more exaggerated than real emotion. It has to carry that far.

[Azizia]: I see. *She doesn't see.*

[Elohad]: The front row is actually the worst row, in a way.

Atley eats some more jerky someone packed for him.

[Elohad]: You're close enough for everything to seem a bit overdone.

[Elohad]: But from a distance, it looks about right.

[Cressidha]: If any of you would care to, ah, see a proper theater show, I'd be happy to take you, er, another time.

[Cressidha]: Somewhere less haunted.

Ben glances at Cressidha, intrigued.

Colson inclines his head. 'Less' haunted. Not 'not' haunted. Because theater.

[Azizia]: I guess I could try to see once.

[Elohad]: Wish you could've seen one of mine.

Elohad smiles at Azizia.

[Cressidha]: As do I.

[Azizia]: Why say it like that? You say like you could never do plays again.

[Elohad]: Oh, I'm too old now, Azizia.

[Ben]: Could we revival one, sir?

[Cressidha]: No you're not, sir.

Ben shakes his head.

[Azizia]: Too old to show emotions with gestures?

[Atley]: I caught one of yours, sir.

[Atley]: Long time ago. Dunno' if I've told you.

[Elohad]: You did, Atley. It makes me happy.

Atley grunts.

[Elohad]: I know it wasn't your thing. But I love that you went.

[Atley]: One of the lads teared up, properly.

[Elohad]: Really, Atley? Wow.

[Alysson]: Do a Cobalt play, where we imagin' we're a mercenary group fightin' evil.

[Elohad]: I do that every Sunday.

Atley scoffs with amusement.

[Azizia]: I do not wish to have character based on me in human play.

[Cressidha]: Not even if it was a complimentary portrayal of yourself, Azizia?

[Lena]: Got some less structured ones ahead. Like down by the well.

[Ben]: Lookit these pillars.

[Ben]: Stick gems in your walls, huh, Medivh?

Trapped Soul says: Time to move on.

Ghastly Haunt says: Free… at last.

[Ben]: This's a whole different mood, huh?

Cressidha burns away some cobwebs in their path.

[Elohad]: I don't like this portion of the tower so much.

Trapped Soul says: Time to move on.

[Atley]: Full of rubbish.

Atley kicks at a table.

Trapped Soul says: Time to move on.

Ghastly Haunt says: Visitors are forbidden!

Cressidha burns more cobwebs.

[Lena]: Whoa

[Lena]: There's an outside part.

[Atley]: Fresh air. Well. 'Fresh.'

Ben takes a deep breath, and then looks unimpressed.

[Ben]: Well. Was lookin' for fresh air.

Elohad shivers.

[Lena]: Don't fall!

[Cressidha]: Oh.

[Atley]: We've barely made it halfway up, haven't we.

[Colson]: Hm.

Elohad looks up. "We've made good progress honestly.”

Ben peers down at the village below.

[Elohad]: I wasn't sure we'd get this far.

Alysson also looks up. "Whoa there. Easy, mister tower. We're here to help."

[Elohad]: My good feeling has completely gone away.

Ghastly Haunt says: Free… at last.

[Elohad]: Was nice while it lasted.

Cressidha awkwardly pats Elohad's shoulder.

[Lena]: This part looks way more tore apart

[Ben]: Uh.

Ben eyes the ramshackle staircase.

Ben tests his weight on it.

[Ben]: Okay.

Atley tentatively tests his weight.

Trapped Soul says: You will find no reward here, only death!

Azizia runs confidently on the stairs.

Colson brings up the rear.

Cressidha holds up a feather. "Don't be afraid of falling. I can slow your descent, if you do."

[Elohad]: When I say my good feeling is gone, I mean to say it has been replaced by an Extremely Bad Feeling.

Elohad stops Trapped Soul with a gesture.

Trapped Soul says: Free… at last.

[Atley]: Wot' happened here? Looks like t'was a proper siege.

Ben chugs water again.

[Azizia]: Maybe magical explosion?

[Elohad]: They must've tried to artillery the place after the Guardian fell?

[Atley]: Mm.

[Elohad]: I wasn't here.

[Atley]: Nor I. That's a likely explanation, sir.

[Ben]: Watch the breaks.

Alysson skitters across the stairs.

[Elohad]: Lot could've happened during the second war.

[Atley]: Greenskins.

[Azizia]: But who build stairs? Ghosts? Ghosts need stairs?

[Cressidha]: Hm.

[Ben]: … goin' inside again. Somethin' in there. Big.

[Elohad]: That isn't a ghost.

Elohad eyes Arcane Watchman up and down.

[Elohad]: Feels like nothing again.

[Cressidha]: It's a construct.

[Ben]: Two of 'em.

[Lena]: That looks like one of those things on Quel'danas.

[Azizia]: Like blood elf robots.

[Elohad]: A construct, huh?

[Colson]: Yes.

[Atley]: Mm. Looks to be one of those machinations, from the Blackrock Depths.

[Alysson]: Zappy guy.

[Elohad]: I think that other thing was one too maybe. The lady.

[Colson]: Is it old, or new?

[Cressidha]: I couldn't say.

[Atley]: It's active.

[Colson]: Hm.

Arcane Watchman says: This… changes nothing. Eternal damnation awaits you!

[Colson]: Move!

[Ben]: Ow. It exploded?

[Colson]: The constructs often carry a current, after they are… disposed of.

[Lena]: Is… is that a dwarf?

Ben gapes up at the statue.

[Cressidha]: It does appear to be.

[Elohad]: His interests sure were… eclectic.

[Lena]: Collecting anything and everything…

[Alysson]: That guy hasn't got a face.

[Ben]: Yeah it is a… blank dwarf.

[Cressidha]: Oh, does he have a gallery?

Cressidha sounds faintly excited about the prospect of a gallery.

[Elohad]: Magic stuff.

Elohad eyes Arcane Anomaly up and down.

[Ben]: Uh. They got those mana wyrm things ahead.

Cressidha stops looking excited.

[Ben]: Packs of 'em.

Ismene opens her mouth, then closes it.

Gwenivene grimaces.

Colson glances at Cressidha.

[Cressidha]: Ah. Be careful, they explode.

[Atley]: Mm.

Not all mana wyrms explode.

Cressidha just seems convinced that they will.

[Azizia]: … Of course they explode.

[Lena]: I got my mana wyrm eater.

Lena gently pats Traajhom.

Azizia 's head and horns are covered by rocks as she headbutts an Arcane Anomaly.

Colson sets a hand in the air as though feeling something.

Cressidha inhales deeply as the mana fills the air upon the creature's death.

Alysson coughs mana dust.

[Ben]: Watch out!

[Ben]: Big thing patrollin' ahead.

[Atley]: Looks like a marching fortress.

[Elohad]: ….whoa.

[Gwenivene]: Arcane anomalies are the worst. They just soak up everything I throw at them!

Cressidha nods to Gwen. "Right?"

[Azizia]: Beautiful bird statues!

[Elohad]: Owls.

[Atley]: Are those owls, then?

[Elohad]: Azerothian symbol of wisdom

[Alysson]: Okay, why've they got glowin' eyes?

Azizia raises an eyebrow. "Wisdom symbol? In this mage tower?"

[Elohad]: Ironic.

Colson sets a hand on his [Figurine - Emerald Owl].

[Elohad]: At one time though, Medivh was considered wise.

[Elohad]: All the mages in Azeroth pleaded with him to share his knowledge.

Atley grumbles.

[Ben]: I mean, anyone can say he is wise.

[Ben]: Me, I am wise as fuck. See?

Azizia throws one of her weapons in the air and puts a flaming hand on The Curator's face before catching her weapon again.

Atley rolls his shield arm.

Colson sips at some water as he pushes his hair back from his face. This is fine.

[Ben]: Damn.

[Atley]: That bell again.

[Ben]: Welp.

[Cressidha]: Ah. It's… getting late.

Gwenivene noms on a ham and pickle sandwich.

[Elohad]: Should we turn back?

[Azizia]: Third time bell sounded.

[Azizia]: It has been a long time here, yes.

Colson doesn't look tired, but that might not mean anything.

[Lena]: We sort of cleared out the whole lower tower, didn't we?

[Atley]: We did.

Alysson runs his fingers over his new lockbox. Exciting.

[Ben]: We got what them fellows wanted. The log.

[Ben]: And we, uh.

Ben glances at Elohad.

[Elohad]: I can keep going if you want, but we've done what was asked.

[Atley]: Looks to me that it's time to bugger off.

Azizia nods at Atley.

[Ben]: I reckon we should get, yeah. They can get the rest out of us another time.

Ben turns his head as if to spit, glances warily at Ismene, and straightens again.

Cressidha gathers up Marina's bracers. Marina burbles goodbye as she vanishes.

Azizia shakes her head, whispering. "We did not find dress."

[Gwenivene]: You want an exit?

[Elohad]: Great work everyone.

[Cressidha]: Indeed. Here, Shattrath.

[Colson]: Yes, well done.

Cressidha tosses a portal stone up in the air.

Ismene is mostly loking at the floor off to one side.

Azizia doesn't know which portal to choose.

Ben steps through the portal and immediately moves to Ismene's side. He takes her hand and squeezes it gently.

Ismene twines her fingers with his and steps a bit closer.

[Cressidha]: Well, now.

[Lena]: That was… really something. I dunno but maybe I should go think about it all.

Azizia nods at Lena.

Ben looks around to count heads.

[Ben]: Okay. That is all of us.

[Alysson]: So we're heroes now?

[Atley]: Mm…

[Azizia]: No.

[Alysson]: Aw.

[Atley]: I'm off to see my wife.

[Atley]: Good fighting, you lot.

Atley grunts and nods before he marches off.

[Elohad]: I need some time to process some things. I'll see all of you soon, hm?

Ben studies Elohad with concern. He nods.

[Ben]: Yessir.

[Colson]: Of course, sir. Light be with you.

Elohad stands at attention and salutes.

[Elohad]: I’m proud of all of you.

Colson salutes Elohad with respect.

Ben salutes Elohad with respect.

Lena salutes Elohad with respect.

[Cressidha]: Be well, sir.

[Azizia]: Elohad.

Azizia takes a deep breath. "Remember that… Offer from last time is still possible. Goodbye, Elohad."

Elohad walks off, eyes thoughtful and solemn.

[Gwenivene]: I hope he's gonna be okay…

Colson nods to the others. "Light be with you all. If you will excuse me."

[Alysson]: Hope you find your missing hair, Azizia!

[Azizia]: I did not lose hair!

Alysson points in a random direction.

[Alysson]: Watch out! It's an army of rabid squirrels!

Azizia blinks at Alysson.

[Gwenivene]: It was lovely seeing you all! I'd better get back to the Citadel.

[Cressidha]: Azizia, I do take commissions if you're interested in dresses.

[Cressidha]: If you have any particular specifications…

[Azizia]: Yes! I have ideas for dress!

Cressidha smiles at Azizia. "Would you like to see the catalogue, or do you have an idea for something custom?"

[Azizia]: Well, do you happen to see beautiful white dress? Of ghost? That!

[Cressidha]: Oh! I did.

[Azizia]: But I maybe have other ideas, I will look at catalogue.

[Cressidha]: Of course.

Ismene whispers to Ben, "I'm going to stop by the infirmary to see if they need anything. I'll go home after."

Ben blinks at Ismene. "You want me to — I can stay."

Ben studies her uneasily.

Ismene shakes her head and finds a smile for Ben.

[Ben]: Okay, Mizmainy.

[Ben]: I'm gonna go get cleaned up, then.

[Ben]: I will see you soon?

Ismene ducks her head and hurries out.

Ben looks after her, anxious.

Cressidha watches Ismene run off. "Ah. Hm."

Ben glances at Cressidha, hangdog.

Azizia didn't see Ismene leaving because she was focusing on clothes talk. But everyone looks worried. So she looks worried too.

[Ben]: … you reckon I done somethin'?

Cressidha looks at Ben and shrugs. "Probably not you."

[Ben]: Yeah. Okay. Prob'ly not.

[Azizia]: And if it is you the person will say it soon.

[Azizia]: And then you will know.

[Cressidha]: I couldn't guess as to what's bothering her, but I suppose later, in private, you could ask?

Ben nods at Cressidha.

Azizia nods at Cressidha.

Ben takes a deep breath. "Good job, you two, yeah?"

[Ben]: I will see y'all.

[Cressidha]: Have a good evening.

[Ben]: Yes'm. You too.

[Azizia]: Good evening, yes.