(2023-01-20) Chapter I: Defias in Disarray, Part 1 (Cobalt Blade)

Details

Author:	OzmaAsimov
Summary:	The Defias are fighting among themselves and the Alliance wants to take advantage of the situation before they can reform into a single power base again. The Cobalt Blade gathers in Westfall to meet their team and investigate the current situation.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: The Cobalt Blade

Vesyllah turns her gaze to the sky, letting the rain pelt her face. Somehow, she looks equally annoyed by and satisfied with it.

[Sharpgear]: Sup.

Vesyllah jumps a little at the voice, whirling with her hand going to her dagger.

Vesyllah smirks. "Oh, it's you."

Sharpgear greets Vesyllah with a hearty hello!

[Sharpgear]: Ready to meet the whole gang?

Vesyllah shrugs. "I guess so. Let's hope they're more than just pretty faces."

Sharpgear bats her eyes.

Zaara comes light-footed up the hill, her hair plastered to her head by the rain, her tabard plastered to her person; the feather hanging from her left horn is a sad little damp sliver. She looks utterly delighted by the world at large.

Vesyllah looks Zaara over, noting the tabard. "Ah. You must be here with us."

Sharpgear greets Zaara with a hearty hello!

[Sharpgear]: Whoopsie, forgot my tabard.

[Zaara]: I am here with you. And also here with you.

Zaara spreads her hands cheerfully. Get it?

[Zaara]: Is a beautiful today, today!

[Vesyllah]: It's fine.

Zaara nods firmly at Vesyllah, smiling vaguely in her direction. "Fine, yes. Very fine."

[Sharpgear]: I'm gonna need a neck brace.

[Zaara]: Oh, no!

[Sharpgear]: Hey there, handsome.

Vesyllah nods. "Thalstan."

Thalstan grins at the gnome. "Hey there… you mus' be Tadget?"

[Sharpgear]: Tadget Sharpgear, your scout, reporting for duty, yep.

Zaara turns her head in the direction of the new arrival and smiles over his head at draenei-height. "Hello, handsome!"

Thalstan nods greeting to Vesyllah.

[Thalstan]: HeLLO! *He says, looking over Zaara* I havena' met many o' yer people afore.

[Zaara]: Well, I am the best one to meet, so this is fine.

Zaara curtsies.

[Sharpgear]: I like her.

Vesyllah smirks. "Confident."

Sharpgear nods at Vesyllah.

Zaara spreads her arms and then spreads the fingers of both hands and tips her face blissfully up into the rain.

[Thalstan]: Ya should be. We're a squad o' the elite. *He straightens up proudly*

[Sharpgear]: *fake dwarven accent* Damn straight!

[Zaara]: And good-looking, says Elokhad of Stormwind.

[Vesyllah]: Elokad?

[Vesyllah]: Cute.

[Zaara]: Elokhad, yes. He is cute!

Thalstan looks over the rest of the team with a professional, appraising air. "Yes. I can see us on a cover of an adventure book. Motley crew but gorgeous."

[Sharpgear]: Aw, shucks.

Sharpgear bats her gem-green eyes.

Zaara hums and sways a little in the rain.

[Sharpgear]: There's one more, right? Mage or something?

[Vesyllah]: Oh…yay. SOOO looking forward to being on a book cover.

[Thalstan]: Mebbe yeh'd be the one only in profile, tha moon a' yer back.

[Sharpgear]: I'll send a copy to Cap'n Tyrrell, he he he. He'll blow a gasket. He's my 7th Legion Captain. Very super serious.

Thalstan nods at Tadget. "I was told we'd ha' a human. Human mage. Name's Arthur."

[Vesyllah]: Wait…you're in the 7th Legion? What the fel are you doing here?

Thalstan looks at Vesyllah innocently. "What d'ya mean? We attract tha best."

Zaara nods firmly in Thalstan's general direction.

[Sharpgear]: I have to um, recuperate a bit before I can get back into the field with them. After the surgery and stuff.

[Vesyllah]: Ahhh, right.

[Sharpgear]: Hey, a human. This him?

Sharpgear eyes Arthur up and down.

[Thalstan]: Fella, are yeh Arthur, the mage?

[Arthur]: that's me!

[Sharpgear]: Welcome, welcome

Zaara does not look Arthur up and down. She just looks him up, which is to say cheerfully over his head.

[Sharpgear]: He's all right I guess, other than the tiny head and whatnot.

[Zaara]: Artur the mage! Now we are good, yes?

Sharpgear nods at Zaara.

[Thalstan]: Alrigh' So yer our last one. I'm Thal, and these here's Zaara, Tadget Sharpgear, an' Vesyllah Rivenheart.

Sharpgear stands at attention and salutes.

Thalstan points to each one as he introduces.

Vesyllah nods grimly. So grim. Grimdark grim.

[Arthur]: yes. hi! I'm Arthur. I'm a mage.

[Sharpgear]: We figured.

Zaara bows cheerfully and shakes back her soaked hair. She hums again.

[Arthur]: and I blow things up.

[Sharpgear]: Nice.

[Zaara]: Ooooh.

Thalstan brushes some rain off his beard and says, "So we're meant ta check out tha Defias. Causin' problems again, seems."

[Sharpgear]: Stubborn bastards.

[Zaara]: Yes! Yes? Who is this?

[Sharpgear]: They used to be a stonemason's guild. Then they got mad. Now they're a gang of bandits.

[Zaara]: Oh! No no no.

Zaara shakes her head disapprovingly.

[Vesyllah]: Vermin, preying on the weak.

Sharpgear nods at Vesyllah.

Sharpgear blows Tralfazs a kiss.

Arthur thanks Tralfazs.

[Zaara]: Well, we will put a stop.

[Thalstan]: Had a decent grievance, jes went a bit wrong. A lot wrong.

[Sharpgear]: So what's on the agenda for today Stouthammer?

[Thalstan]: We're ta report to Mr. Gryan Stoutmantle, see what's what.

[Sharpgear]: Righty-O.

[Thalstan]: Ready to get our orders, Cobalt Blade?

Gryan Stoutmantle waits patiently.

[Sharpgear]: Yes sir!

Zaara turns a circle in the rain, and then nods cheerfully and trots after the others.

[Arthur]: I conjured water and bread. does anyone want some?

Thalstan approaches Stoutmantle proudly, looking up at him but somehow projecting a presence of the same height. "Mr. Stoutmantle, Cobalt Blade is here. What needs doing?"

Sharpgear arranges herself between the taller folk and Stoutmantle, so she can see more easily.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: Ah, so this is Ference's new band of heroes.

[Sharpgear]: Some of us are new, anyway…

Thalstan nods proudly, as we are all clearly heroes. We look the part, anyway.

Gryan Stoutmantle looks the group over, rubbing his chin. "Let's hope you're not just pretty faces. Lord Ference should have informed you by now that the Defias Brotherhood is still quite active, but it's in shambles."

Sharpgear nods at Gryan Stoutmantle.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: We need to move fast if we're going to tear them apart while they're still in pieces. But to do that we'll need more intelligence about the heads of the factions and the current state of things in the Brotherhood.

[Thalstan]: I see. Then we keep 'em in tha shambles. *Thal nods*

[Sharpgear]: Oooh, intelligence gathering. Right up my alley!

Gryan Stoutmantle says: That's the idea.

[Thalstan]: Where to first, sir?

Sharpgear listens intently to Gryan Stoutmantle.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: In Lakeshire, in the Redridge Mountains, you can find a resourceful rogue by the name of Wiley the Black. Go there and speak with him to find out what you can.

Zaara stares intently at the tower behind Gryan Stoutmantle.

[Thalstan]: Redridge, alrigh'.

[Sharpgear]: Everybody clear to fly there or are we hoofin' it?

[Zaara]: Oh. I am… hoofs.

[Thalstan]: I am gonna be hoofin' it. I've no' been there before.

[Sharpgear]: Great! Lots of time to get to know each other.

[Sharpgear]: And cardio.

[Thalstan]: And by hoof I mean foot.

[Vesyllah]: This is pretty new territory for me. So…yeah. Walking. Joy.

[Zaara]: Joy!

Zaara flings her arms out again.

[Sharpgear]: You'll live, Rivenheart. Build up some calf muscles.

[Thalstan]: I hope yer endurance is up to par.

[Thalstan]: Move out, team!

[Thalstan]: Will be good ta get outta this rain.

[Zaara]: Why?

[Sharpgear]: I can lead the way if you want sir. I know the area well.

Zaara blinks wet lashes at Thalstan.

[Thalstan]: Mail rusts, Zaara.

Sharpgear giggles at Thalstan.

[Thalstan]: Oh, sure thing there, scout.

Sharpgear motions for you to follow.

Sharpgear motions for Arthur to follow.

[Thalstan]: So, road talk. Wha' all made you want ta join up with the Blade?

Sharpgear slicks back her wet bangs. They immediately spring up again.

[Vesyllah]: I didn't. Ference talked me into it..

[Sharpgear]: I think you've all heard my story by now.

[Thalstan]: Ah, an' then ya met me, and well… *Thal shrugs, that was the end of it*

[Thalstan]: Ha' ya all heard Tadget's story?

[Zaara]: Elokhad of Stormwind ask me! My teacher, Paluuva, said I am good to it. Elokhad of Stormwind said we will do good deeds. I will do good deeds on Azeroth. Azeroth do good deeds on Draenor.

[Sharpgear]: Gosh you're cute.

Sharpgear has a lot of nerve calling anyone "cute."

[Thalstan]: I sure as shepherd hope we do some good deeds.

[Zaara]: Yes, thank you, Tadget.

[Sharpgear]: I am happy to do any good deeds that involve stabbing.

[Vesyllah]: Sure as…shepherd?

Arthur nods. Zaara is cute. She knows it. This is known.

[Sharpgear]: You don't know what a shepherd is?

[Sharpgear]: They herd sheep.

[Thalstan]: Do ya not count on yer shepherds in Kalimdor?

[Sharpgear]: They don't have sheep there.

[Arthur]: They don't?

[Vesyllah]: I know what a shepherd is. It was your expression that sounded weird.

[Sharpgear]: Dwarves are prone to colorful colloquialisms.

[Zaara]: Sheeeeeep. Sheep sheep sheep.

[Thalstan]: 'tis a nice word, sheep. *Thal smiles at Zaara* Good eatin' too.

[Zaara]: Ooooh, a sheep is a food?

[Sharpgear]: Yum.

[Sharpgear]: Sheep are food, clothes, and sometimes even mounts. The big ones. Boy ones.

Thalstan nods. "Can be. Or fer clothes. Warm clothes."

[Arthur]: yes. meat, and milk that makes good cheese.

[Sharpgear]: Dwarves like to ride big ol' rams. A ram is a boy sheep.

[Arthur]: and their fleece, for wool!

[Sharpgear]: Very useful animals.

Thalstan nods at Tadget, and then Arthur. "Mm, the cheese, yes. Tha best cheese."

[Zaara]: Cheese is a food!

[Sharpgear]: So what's your story then, Stouthammer? How'd you get pulled into this?

[Thalstan]: Yeah, a food comes from animals what give milk. *Thal nods*

[Sharpgear]: Cheese is great.

[Arthur]: a really good food.

[Vesyllah]: It's fine.

[Zaara]: Fine! Yes. Very fine.

Arthur gasps at you.

[Thalstan]: Me? *Thal considers* I'm livin' up to a family legacy.

[Sharpgear]: Neat! My family was garbage.

Thalstan looks sympathetically to Tadget. "Sorry ta hear that, scout."

[Thalstan]: An' I think Elohad was impressed wit' my initiative in the Great Rat Disaster of the Deeprun Tram.

[Sharpgear]: Oh, those deeprun tram rats are NO JOKE.

Zaara hums to herself.

[Vesyllah]: There was a Great Rat Disaster?

[Arthur]: My parents were soldiers. I think.

[Sharpgear]: Not the little ones whatsisname makes into kebabs. The big ones that lurk in the tunnels.

[Sharpgear]: Those kinda rats used to be the scariest foes we faced in Gnomreregan.

Thalstan nods. "Tha BIG ones all ganged up and come to the station. It was a whole thing. Guard totally unprepared."

[Sharpgear]: I heard about that. Nice work, didn't know you were involved in that mess.

[Sharpgear]: Oh, more rain. Yay.

[Thalstan]: I took charge, yeh could say. Drove 'em back.

Vesyllah 's mood improves slightly as the rain returns.

[Sharpgear]: Nice. How bout you, mage?

[Sharpgear]: Arthas or whatever it was.

[Arthur]: Arthur

[Thalstan]: No' Arthas. *Thal says sharply*

[Sharpgear]: Right, right.

Zaara beams upward at the rain and spreads her arms again, wiggling her fingers as she trots along.

[Thalstan]: Don't reckon humans will be namin' their kids tha anytime soon.

[Sharpgear]: Human names all sound kinda the same.

[Arthur]: and I got into a conversation with Captain Jocosa, since we're both engineers.

[Sharpgear]: She's my bestie.

[Arthur]: She's better than me, though.

[Thalstan]: Oh, wow, engineer! Tha's how you blow things up.

[Sharpgear]: She's better than everyone.

[Vesyllah]: If I ever have a son, I'll name him Arthas and just claim it's Darnassae for, like, "Blessed One".

Sharpgear giggles at Vesyllah.

Thalstan raises an eyebrow. Very high.

[Sharpgear]: Wiley oughta be hanging out in the inn here, if I know Wiley. Which I sort of do.

Vesyllah gives Thalstan a dry smirk.

[Thalstan]: I have no' talked much to Miss Jocoza. You like 'er, Arthur?

[Arthur]: Yeah! she's smart. and nice!

[Sharpgear]: If you don't like Jo I will murder you.

[Sharpgear]: Just FYI.

Thalstan bangs a hand on his shield. "WILEY!"

[Sharpgear]: Wow, subtle.

[Sharpgear]: Upstairs maybe.

Darcy winces. "Could you not do that?"

Sharpgear giggles.

[Zaara]: Hello, stairs.

[Thalstan]: Seemed tha most direct way…

Sharpgear watches Zaara on the stairs.

Zaara climbs carefully.

Sharpgear points at Wiley the Black.

[Thalstan]: Wiley? *Thalstan asks in a voice lower than a shout this time*

Wiley the Black sighs. "Loud person? What do you want?"

Sharpgear makes herself comfy on the end of the bed.

[Zaara]: You!

Zaara beams at Wiley the Black.

Wiley the Black eyeballs the five people gathering around him. He tenses slightly.

[Sharpgear]: Yep, we want you baaaad.

Sharpgear winks slyly at Wiley the Black.

[Thalstan]: We want yeh for yer information. *Thalstan wiggles his eyebrows*

Wiley the Black says: Of course you do…

[Sharpgear]: Give us that sweet, sweet info.

[Thalstan]: We've come from Stoutmantle, if that helps. Dealin' with the Defias re-organizing.

Wiley the Black says: Stoutmantle sent you? Remind him he's racking up the favors he owes me.

Sharpgear gloats over Wiley the Black's misfortune.

Wiley the Black says: Stoutmantle isn't wrong. The Defias is alive and kicking…but kicking and screaming. They're not currently a threat, but they will be if any one of the current factions gets control.

[Sharpgear]: We're here to stop that.

Thalstan nods seriously, listening.

Arthur examines the wardrobe.

Wiley the Black says: Yeah…good luck with that. But, not really my problem. Here, take this note to Stoutmantle. It explains as much as I know on the subject.

[Thalstan]: Thank ya kindly fer yer help. *Thal nods politely* An' we'll tell 'im about the favors.

[Thalstan]: Reckon we can fly back this time, you lot.

[Zaara]: Goodbye, stairs.

Wiley the Black nods. "Do that. This is getting tiresome."

[Thalstan]: So, Arthur, your parents were soldiers? They over in Silithus at all?

[Sharpgear]: Know where the gryphons are? I'll show ya.

Sharpgear motions for Vesyllah to follow.

Sharpgear takes it upon herself to read Wiley’s note aloud:

Stoutmantle —

I'm getting a bit weary of you sending all these Cobalt whelps to pry me for information. You're going to owe me big.

The Defias are still a bigger threat than you realize. It isn't just that the factions are trying to get control of the Brotherhood. They want control of some project VanCleef was working on before he died, and I don't mean the ship.

That's as much as I know. But we both know who would know more, if anybody does.

// — W//

Sharpgear greets Ariena Stormfeather with a hearty hello!

[Vesyllah]: Back to Sentinel Hill. At least we don't have to walk this time.

The team reaches Sentinel Hill…minus Arthur.

Thalstan counts the team members and frowns. "Arthur's gyphon went rogue?"

[Sharpgear]: Ooooh, Rogue Gryphon.

[Vesyllah]: That gryphon looked a little off.

[Sharpgear]: I'm sure he'll be along shortly. Only so many places they fly to, and someone'll straighten it out once he arrives and realizes he's not in Westfall.

[Sharpgear]: One time a gryphon flew me straight through the window of a tower, nearly bashed my brains in. They get really squirrely over the Wetlands sometimes for some reason.

Thalstan nods. "We'll give him a minute afore we mount a rescue."

[Sharpgear]: There he is! Knew he'd be okay.

[Arthur]: i had to get a new gryphon!

[Sharpgear]: Some of them are a little… *she makes circles with her finger around her ear*

[Arthur]: the first one went to stormwind and wouldn't budge

[Sharpgear]: Okay, let's deliver that message which I'm sure it was fine for me to open and read.

[Thalstan]: Arthur, glad you got here alrigh'. If ya need pointers on handlin' tha gryphons, I could point ya to a Wildhammer or two.

Vesyllah snorts.

[Arthur]: oh, good idea!

[Sharpgear]: Hey, we brought you a message. The seal got broken somehow.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: Good to see you back, Cobalt Blade. What did Wiley have to say?

Gryan Stoutmantle says: Ah…

[Thalstan]: Wiley says you owe him more than a favor.

Arthur looks terribly innocent.

Gryan Stoutmantle takes the note and reads it.

Sharpgear peers up at Arthur. Or tries to. She gets a faceful of rain instead.

Gryan Stoutmantle snorts. "That arrogant little-…never mind. This is vital information. Good work."

[Sharpgear]: Mmf.

Sharpgear salutes Gryan Stoutmantle with respect.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: The person in the note Wiley was referring to is Mathias Shaw, head of SI:7. If anyone would know something about this secret Defias project, it would be him.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: Go to the Barracks in Old Town Stormwind and deliver Wiley's note to Shaw. See what he has to say.

[Sharpgear]: Ho boy.

[Thalstan]: Ah, ya want us ta go have a chat with Matthias Shaw? *Thal raises both bushy eyebrows*

[Sharpgear]: Mind your p's and q's, friends, he can be a little testy. You have to call him MASTER Shaw.

[Thalstan]: Master Shaw, got it. *Thal looks around at the team.* Ready to meet a spymaster?

[Zaara]: Mastershah. Yes!

Gryan Stoutmantle says: Sgt. Sharpgear is correct. Shaw is no one to be trifled with. Respect is well advised.

[Sharpgear]: Even I know better than to sass Master Shaw. He can turn you inside out before you see him move.

[Vesyllah]: Hot.

[Thalstan]: Fond o' Cobalt though, yeah?

[Zaara]: No trifles! *Zaara singsongs.*

[Sharpgear]: yeah, drop Cobalt's name for sure.

[Thalstan]: Alrigh' now to Stormwind!

[Sharpgear]: To Stormwind!

[Zaara]: To Stormwind!

Sharpgear motions for everyone to follow.

[Sharpgear]: I know this route by heart.

[Thalstan]: I ha' not had cause to visit SI:7 afore, I must admit.

Sharpgear beckons Zaara over.

[Sharpgear]: Don't be too intimidated.

[Sharpgear]: Be just intimidated

[Sharpgear]: enough

[Vesyllah]: I'll do my best….

[Zaara]: Okay!

[Zaara]: I say 'okay.'

Zaara laughs.

[Sharpgear]: Welcome to the heart of Stormwind Intelligence!

Zaara is a wolf, which means she laughs a little weirdly.

Sharpgear salutes Master Mathias Shaw with respect.

[Sharpgear]: Master Shaw.

Mathias Shaw says: What business do you have with me? I am a very busy man…

[Thalstan]: Master Shaw? We've come from Cobalt Company and Stoutmantle down in Westfall.

[Zaara]: With respect.

Sharpgear nods at Master Mathias Shaw.

Zaara bows down graciously.

[Thalstan]: Respect. *Thal nods* With that too. *He bows*

Sharpgear smothers a giggle.

Mathias Shaw says: Cobalt, hm? Alright then. What news from Stoutmantle?

Sharpgear once again places herself so that she can actually see.

[Vesyllah]: There's a note.

[Thalstan]: The Defias are still scattered, but if they reorganize they may be a threat. *Thal nods at Vesyllah* Our scout has a note.

[Sharpgear]: Me. I'm the scout.

Sharpgear passes the note to Shaw. He clearly recognizes her, but just as clearly is not 100% delighted to see her.

Mathias Shaw extends his hand. "Sharpgear…" With a small sigh, he takes the note and reads it.

Mathias Shaw says: Hmm. This matter might be more complex than Stoutmantle realizes.

[Thalstan]: How so, Master Shaw?

Mathias Shaw says: As you likely know by now, the Defias Brotherhood was originally run by a man named Edwin VanCleef. He was an extraordinarily clever man and had numerous projects and failsafes in development.

Sharpgear listens intently to Master Mathias Shaw.

Mathias Shaw says: He was also smart enough not to trust any one particular lieutenant in his organization, at least not when it came to the security of his projects.

Thalstan furrows his brow and listens.

Mathias Shaw offers a sealed envelope.

Mathias Shaw says: Take this report to Marshal Stoutmantle. He will know what to do from here.

Sharpgear represses a sigh.

[Thalstan]: Right-o, Master Shaw, we'll do tha'. *Thal bows again*

Sharpgear salutes Master Mathias Shaw with respect.

Sharpgear murmurs, "I wouldn't recommend trying to break that seal. Just sayin'."

[Zaara]: Okay!

Vesyllah pouts a little.

[Sharpgear]: Not saying I tried once.

[Vesyllah]: Uh huh…

[Sharpgear]: Not saying I still sometimes get pins and needles in my left hand.

[Arthur]: oh no, never.

[Thalstan]: Poison?

[Sharpgear]: Yep.

[Vesyllah]: Damn. He really doesn't fuck around, does he?

[Sharpgear]: He really doesn't. Okay, let's book it!

Sharpgear waits for the nice blind lady.

[Thalstan]: Back to Sentinel Hill again!

[Zaara]: Okay!

Sharpgear cheers!

[Sharpgear]: Woo hoo!

[Vesyllah]: Ugh…

[Sharpgear]: You love this and you know it.

Zaara tips her face up into the wind and hums.

[Vesyllah]: Oh yes. Bugs in my teeth are the best.

[Sharpgear]: Just keep your mouth cl— PPFTTH BLECH

[Sharpgear]: Ready gang? Now watch him send us back to Redridge.

Zaara laughs.

[Vesyllah]: If he does, I'm stabbing someone.

Sharpgear agrees with you.

Thalstan huffs a little, going back up the hill.

[Zaara]: Not it!

Sharpgear salutes Gryan Stoutmantle with respect.

[Thalstan]: Stoutmantle! We got a note.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: I hope Master Shaw shed some light on things.

[Sharpgear]: I assume you know how to open it without losing a hand.

Arthur looks completely innocent.

Gryan Stoutmantle takes the note with a grumble before taking out a small vial, the contents of which he applies to the seal.

Thalstan looks at Arthur with something just a hair short of suspicion.

Gryan Stoutmantle reads the note, his expression growing even more serious than usual.

Arthur shrugs.

[Thalstan]: Wha' now? Back ta Redridge?

Gryan Stoutmantle Shaw's spies report there is a chest VanCleef used to keep his most important items and documents safe. They have been unable to retrieve it, though, as the Brotherhood's increased paranoia makes it more difficult for them to operate.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: Shaw's spies report there is a chest VanCleef used to keep his most important items and documents safe.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: They have been unable to retrieve it, though, as the Brotherhood's increased paranoia makes it more difficult for them to operate.

[Sharpgear]: Ahhh, paranoia. Really adds a little spice to a situation.

[Thalstan]: Hm… wha's in tha chest that we're after?

Arthur murmurs, "are we going in after it?"

Gryan Stoutmantle says: Maybe. We need to learn the location of this chest. My scout reports that a Defias Messenger has been seen on the roads between Moonbrook, the Gold Coast Quarry and the Jangolode Mine.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: I want you to capture him. If he resists, kill him and bring me whatever he is carrying.

[Sharpgear]: I'm not sure if it counts as paranoia though since everyone IS out to get them, including us, and each other…

[Thalstan]: True, that.

[Thalstan]: Well, let's go out to get them.

[Sharpgear]: Maybe we should split up and search.

[Sharpgear]: Send up a flare if we find him.

[Vesyllah]: I don't know these lands well. Do you know the roads he mentioned?

[Sharpgear]: I can head to the Jangolode Mine? Someone else head down to Moonbrook, someone to the Quarry, and so on.

[Sharpgear]: You can come with me!

[Zaara]: I will go to a place with someone.

Vesyllah nods, apparently not unsatisfied with this arrangement.

[Arthur]: if you're going to moonbrook, bring a healer.

[Zaara]: Oh! I am a healer.

[Arthur]: They don't like visitors.

[Sharpgear]: Right, maybe Zaara go with someone there.

[Zaara]: I will go to a Moon Brook.

[Thalstan]: No' a bad idea. I'll take you and Zaara wi' me.

[Sharpgear]: Ves and I will head to Jangolode - meet in the middle.

[Thalstan]: I think two directions. More than tha' and we split up too much.

The group parts into two teams: Vesyllah and Tadget heading to the Jangolode Mine, while Thalstan, Arthur, and Zaara go to Moonbrook.

[Sharpgear]: Cmon, sunshine.

Vesyllah sighs.

[Sharpgear]: I call you that because you're so cheery.

[Vesyllah]: I'll try to rein it in.

Sharpgear peers at the mine entrance.

[Vesyllah]: He might be inside?

[Sharpgear]: Should we wait here a minute? See if he comes out?

[Vesyllah]: Or we could go in…

[Sharpgear]: I'll go in. I can go without being spotted. You wait here a sec.

[Vesyllah]: Ugh…fine

[Sharpgear]: No sign of 'im.

[Vesyllah]: Moving along, then.

[Vesyllah]: Hmm

[Vesyllah]: Think that's our guy?

Sharpgear sends up a flare.

Meanwhile, in Moonbrook.

[Thalstan]: So Arthur, ya said yer parents are soldiers?
Riverpaw Bandit says: More bones to gnaw on…
[Arthund]: Yes.
[Arthund]: they were with the Sons of Lothar.
[Thalstan]: Oh…. that lot.
[Thalstan]: So yeh've got a family legacy a'swell.
[Arthund]: i wondered, when the portal opened again. but…
[Thalstan]: No sign of 'em? Tha's rough.
[Thalstan]: Let's head north a bit, see if we can find tha fella.
[Zaara]: I know Sons of Lothar. *Zaara is suddenly, unwontedly serious.*
[Thalstan]: Bleedin' heroes, all of 'em.
[Arthund]: You do?
[Zaara]: This is very brave. We are glad for them to come to Draenor. Thank you.
[Zaara]: This is how I meet humans and dwarfs, first, and learn to speak Common so good.
Back on the road with Tadget and Vesyllah.

Sharpgear observes the messenger.

[Sharpgear]: Think so.

Sharpgear observes from a distance for a bit.

Vesyllah keeps a distance, letting Tadget stay closer to him.

Alerted by the flare and realizing he’s being watched, the messenger tosses down some vanishing powder and slips away.

[Vesyllah]: Damn, he slipped away! Come on, looks like he was headed for Moonbrook.

Defias Looter attempts to run away in fear!

Defias Pillager attempts to run away in fear!

Vesyllah leans casually against a tree.

[Thalstan]: He mus' be somewhere round here.

Sharpgear whacks Defias Messenger in the back of the head.

Defias Messenger attempts to run away in fear!

[Sharpgear]: Nice work.

[Sharpgear]: Shall I read it?

[Sharpgear]: Seal looks reasonably safe.

[Vesyllah]: Why not.

[Thalstan]: Probly no poison on tha' one.

[Thalstan]: What've we got? Somethin' inneresting in tha crate?

[Zaara]: I can cure poisons.

Sharpgear clears her throat and reads the contents of the message:

// Canton —//

I have good reason to believe the chest is on the ship. But getting it won't do you any good without all the keys.

// Until we have a path to claiming the chest itself, I suggest we focus on taking the key from the other captains.//

// — G//

[Sharpgear]: Ooooh, the plot thickens!

[Zaara]: Thicken!

[Sharpgear]: Maybe Stoutmantle knows who the captains are?

[Thalstan]: The keys!

[Vesyllah]: Huh. Keys…plural.

[Thalstan]: Mebbe so! We should report back.

[Sharpgear]: We nab their keys and we find out what's in that chest.

[Thalstan]: Tha' much security, it must be somethin'.

[Vesyllah]: Hopefully not just VanCleef's smut collection.

[Sharpgear]: Cobalt Company pretty much made the ship nonfunctional a couple years ago, but reports say they still use it as a kind of base.

Thalstan laughs.

[Sharpgear]: It's not seaworthy anymore at least.

[Sharpgear]: But I guess it's still down there somewhere in the mines.

[Thalstan]: Bit like a metaphor o' the Defias.

[Vesyllah]: Mmhm. Stoutmantle and Shaw didn't seem overly concerned about the ship. Guess Wiley was right. This is something else entirely.

[Thalstan]: Ship that never did sail.

[Sharpgear]: Very metaphorical, yes.

[Zaara]: Smut?

[Sharpgear]: Smut means uhhh…

[Vesyllah]: Stories about sex.

[Thalstan]: Excitin' readin'.

Sharpgear snorts.

[Zaara]: Exciting reading about sex? To collect?

Zaara looks intrigued.

[Vesyllah]: Sure. Some people do.

[Thalstan]: Might be… inneresting in a anthropology sense?

Sharpgear snorts again.

[Vesyllah]: Or just to get off with.

Vesyllah shrugs.

Thalstan shrugs, and rustles his beard. One or the other.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: Welcome back, Blade. Were you able to gather any information? Did you locate the messenger?

[Sharpgear]: Located and dislocated.

[Thalstan]: He had a note, though! So many notes.,

[Thalstan]: Do ya know about what are the Captains what might have keys?

Gryan Stoutmantle says: Hmm. The captains would likely be the faction bosses. Mostly VanCleef's former lieutenants.

Sharpgear does a few stretches.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: Let's see that message.

Sharpgear hands it over.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: This confirms the chest exists, and is most likely being held on that blasted ship in the Deadmines. But apparently we're going to need these keys mentioned in the message to open it.

[Sharpgear]: You don't say!

Vesyllah rolls her eyes at Marshal Obvious.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: We've had a stroke of luck while you were gone. We captured one of the Brotherhood's wizards. After some coercion, he revealed that the entrance to the Deadmines has been magically sealed so only Defias can pass through.

[Sharpgear]: Uggggh.

[Arthur]: or to pick it.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: He's the mage that originally erected the barrier, and has promised to remove it in exchange for his life. I want you to defend this traitor so he can open the way. Return to me once it is done.

Arthur looks innocent, again.

[Sharpgear]: Nice.

Sharpgear winks slyly at Arthur.

[Thalstan]: Well, if he's goin' ta help us…

[Thalstan]: S'pose tha's worth a life.

[Thalstan]: You all okay ta protect the traitor?

[Sharpgear]: Honestly pretty smart of them to do a magical barrier thingie given how many time Cobalt has wrecked the place.

[Sharpgear]: I'm fine protecting traitors if they're betraying the right people.

[Zaara]: I protect. Is a good deed?

[Arthur]: let him take it down. i'll watch him, try to reclon how it was made.

[Sharpgear]: Yes, is a good deed.

Sharpgear mimicks Zaara's accent slightly.

Sharpgear nods at Arthur.

[Vesyllah]: Sure…we'll protect him for now. If he betrays us, though….

[Zaara]: Cobolt Blade is for good deeds. And to look good.

Thalstan nods. "Right on both counts."

[Arthur]: we are an absurdly handsome bunch. Sir Elohad wasn't kidding.

Sharpgear winks slyly at Arthur.

[Thalstan]: This fella can run!

The Defias Traitor says: So, Stoutmantle sent a bunch of Cobalt nobodies to protect me? Guess you'll have to do.

Sharpgear sighs at The Defias Traitor.

The Defias Traitor says: You know the deal, right? You watch my back and I'll dismantle the ward. But you better be close by my side. Every faction of the Defias will want my head now. If they see me with you, they'll try to kill me.

[Sharpgear]: There is no such thing as a "Cobalt Nobody."

[Zaara]: Nobody! You are very rude.

The Defias Traitor says: Yeah, yeah. Also, don't get any funny ideas that you can do this yourself. The spell to control the barrier is bound to this tattoo of mine…and yes, I have to be alive for it to work.

[Zaara]: We are Cobolt good looking heroes.

[Thalstan]: Not nobodies a'tall.

[Sharpgear]: and Cobalt good looking morally ambiguous and very accomplished veterans.

Vesyllah mumbles, "Cobolt…" She does not smile at this, no matter how cute it is.

Arthur glances at the tat. "hm. preservation spell, after careful removal…I think it would work."

The Defias Traitor says: Whatever. Just keep me alive!

[Zaara]: Tch. Slow.

[Sharpgear]: I'm not what you'd call a hero, despite being a GODSLAYER.

The Defias Traitor says: The entrance is hidden here in Moonbrook. Keep your eyes peeled for thieves. They want me dead.

[Sharpgear]: I slew a god once, just FYI.

[Sharpgear]: I had some help, but it was mostly me.

[Vesyllah]: Godslayer?

[Sharpgear]: Yes, I killed an Old God.

[Sharpgear]: With some help.

Thalstan nods absently, eyes on the traitor.

[Vesyllah]: Huh…cool.

[Zaara]: Tadget Godslayer. Eff why.

[Thalstan]: Eff why? Old God'sere bad news tha's why.

[Vesyllah]: Stand down, sinners, or face Elune's wrath!

Defias Pillager says: The Brotherhood will not tolerate your actions.

Defias Looter attempts to run away in fear!

[Sharpgear]: Oooh, I gotta work on my battle cries.

[Sharpgear]: If we're doing that.

[Sharpgear]: BEHOLD, THE GODSLAYER!

The Defias Traitor says: Help!

Defias Looter attempts to run away in fear!

Defias Looter says: Ah, a chance to use this freshly sharpened blade.

[Vesyllah]: Suffer the pain you have inflicted!

[Thalstan]: HAVE AN AXE! TO THE FACE!

[Sharpgear]: nice.

The Defias Traitor says: You can go tell Stoutmantle this is where the Defias Gang is holed up, Vesyllah.

[Zaara]: Vesyllah is so exciting!

[Thalstan]: I could work more on mah writin'.

Sharpgear agrees with Zaara.

[Zaara]: SUFFER THE PAINS.

Sharpgear giggles at Zaara.

The Defias Traitor says: Stand back while I take down this ward. There, simple as that. You can go tell Stoutmantle the barrier is gone.

[Thalstan]: Looks like he undid tha spell.

[Thalstan]: I can get in, anyhow. Then he ran righ' off.

[Vesyllah]: Of course he did. The coward.

[Sharpgear]: Did you learn anything from it, mage guy?

Sharpgear peers at Arthur searchingly.

Arthur squints. "Flux reversal bound to the caster. Pretty sure preserving that tattoo would work. Even if it's gross."

[Vesyllah]: Cool.

[Sharpgear]: Nice.

[Vesyllah]: Come on. Let's go let Stoutmantle know so he can send us off to Tanaris or something.

[Thalstan]: If he pulls tha on us again, then, we know.

[Arthur]: you can use arcane magic to invent a boundary…and enforce it.

[Zaara]: Cool? Cool. Cooool.

[Sharpgear]: I'll take your word for it.

Defias Looter attempts to run away in fear!

[Zaara]: I will say exciting things also to fight.

Zaara muses.

[Zaara]: REFIR UR ADARE

[Zaara]: Exciting.

[Thalstan]: Wha's that mean?

[Sharpgear]: What's that mean?

[Zaara]: It means… to cough badly?

[Sharpgear]: … huh

[Vesyllah]: Choke?

[Thalstan]: The ward's down!

[Sharpgear]: I can already tell this is gonna be fun.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: Excellent. There is nothing to stop you from entering the Deadmines now.

[Thalstan]: So we're doin' tha?

[Sharpgear]: But we should find those keys first.

[Sharpgear]: Otherwise, wasted trip.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: Exactly. We need that chest if we're going to find out what it is these factions are really fighting over. Just as importantly, we need the keys carried by their captains.

[Thalstan]: So, where are tha captains?

[Sharpgear]: If you want I could do a little sneakin' around and listenin' in, see if I can figure out stuff.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: Most likely in the Deadmines. But that would be wise, Sergeant. Some may be holed up elsewhere.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: Oh, and if you haven't already, speak with Scout Riell at the top of the tower. She'll offer you a bounty for those bandanas worn by these scoundrels.

Gryan Stoutmantle says: Get some rest, Cobalt Blade. You have a big job ahead of you.

[Sharpgear]: Ooh, money.

[Zaara]: Ooh, money.

[Sharpgear]: Okay. If I find out anything helpful I'll let you guys know.

[Thalstan]: Sounds like next time'll be a doozy fer sure.

[Zaara]: Doooozy. Doozy.