(2023-02-17) Chapter III: Suspicions in Silverpine (Cobalt Blade)

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	The Cobalt Blade investigates troubling news of san'layn agents in Silverpine.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: The Cobalt Blade

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in-game violence, mild profanity, implied undead nudity

It’s a bright February day in Southshore. People of various races are wandering into the main square of the town.
Thalstan waves at Vesyllah.
[Thalstan]: 'lo there, Ves!
[Thalstan]: I'm lookin' for Art, then I think the rest o' the team will meet us there.
Vesyllah sighs.
[Vesyllah]: I'm sure they'll turn up.
[Thalstan]: Hope so. We're goin' to impress the Kirin Tor!
[Vesyllah]: Oh. Goodie.
[Thalstan]: Stormwind, the druids, the mages… we are doin' great as heroes.
[Thalstan]: Also there's bloodsuckin' undead elves involved.
Vesyllah perks a little.
Thalstan looks up at Ves, hopeful that this will be more exciting for her.
[Vesyllah]: Cool.
[Thalstan]: You ever heard of a san'layn?
Vesyllah shakes her head.
[Thalstan]: Tha's what Sir Ference said.
[Vesyllah]: Is that what the bloodsuckers are called?
A draenei walks up to the two of them.
[Kaerix]: Thalstan Stouthammer?
[Thalstan]: Indeed it is! *Thal turns to Kaerix* And tha's me. *He looks her up and down* You're our healer for today, then?
Kaerix smiles shyly. "Yes, I am."
Kaerix bows before you.
[Thalstan]: Zaara isnae able ta make it. Draenei business.
Vesyllah frowns a little. "No cutie Booty, hm?"
Thalstan gestures at Kaerix. "She's a cutie, too, is she no? Not a Booty, but she can have another name."
Kaerix understands enough of what's said to blush a dark blue.
Art walks over and promptly starts summoning water.
[Thalstan]: What was yer name? *Thal looks up at her.* I'm Thal, and this is Ves and Art.
Kaerix wrings her hands gently, glancing at Vesyllah from under lowered lashes.
[Kaerix]: Kaerix.
[Thalstan]: Pleased ta meet yeh, Kaerix.
Arthur nods as he conjures water. "Hello."
[Thalstan]: An' Tadget…
[Vesyllah]: Wait…no Tadget?
Vesyllah scowls. "Where the fel is Tadget?"
[Thalstan]: Sick kids. No' sure wi' what, but you know. Kids.
Kaerix smiles shyly at Arthur.
[Vesyllah]: Ugh…kids…
[Thalstan]: So our mission today! We have been requested by the Kirin Tor!
[Arthur]: We have?
Kaerix listens intently to you.
[Thalstan]: There's some sort of bloodsuckin' undead elf folk pokin' around at the keep over in Silverpine. We're ta find out what they migh' be up to.
Arthur hands some water to Kaerix.
Kaerix thanks Arthur.
[Thalstan]: They're called 'san'layn', I've been told.
Vesyllah bows her head reverently to Arthur as she accepts the Gift of Water. "Shaha lor'ma dula Luvas'alith."
Kaerix looks quietly excited by the upcoming adventure.
Arthur smiles. "That's pretty."
[Thalstan]: It's a bit o' a ways. Ready to head out?
Kaerix lets you know that she is ready!
[Vesyllah]: Sure. Whatever.
A baby raptor peeks out from a hiding place in nearby tall grass, only bounding out after Vesyllah as the party departs.
[Kaerix]: I love the smell of the trees here.
Kaerix 's Common is Stormwind-accented, but slow and thoughtful.
[Thalstan]: Yeah 's good air up here!
Kaerix takes a deep breath.
[Thalstan]: Mebbe a bit worse over in Silverpine, but also there's the piney smell.
[Kaerix]: Cleans the soul.
Kaerix continues admiring the pines.
[Thalstan]: Bit darker here… yeh all been over this way before?
They pass by Ambermill, full of Dalaran people.
Thalstan waves at Dalaran Watcher.
[Kaerix]: Like spears wounding the winter sky…
Kaerix gazes sadly at the sickly trees.
[Vesyllah]: Not for a few years.
[Thalstan]: Th'trees? Aye. Big ole spears
Kaerix waves at Dalaran Watcher.
Another draenei walks up to the team.
[Kaerix]: Kehda!
Kaerix greets Kehda with a hearty hello!
[Thalstan]: There yeh are, Kehda! Glad yeh could make it on short notice.
Kaerix approaches Kehda for a hug.
[Vesyllah]: Wait…what?
[Kehda]: Kaerix, hello! *She beams.* Hello to you all, too!
[Thalstan]: Ves, surely yeh noticed we're down a person?
Kaerix slips an arm around Kehda's waist.
[Vesyllah]: Yeah, but-…
Vesyllah grumbles.
[Kehda]: No worries, Thalstan! It is a pleasure to be working with all of you again!
[Thalstan]: Alrigh' so I thought we could ask around down at th'village first, see if they've run into anything.
Kehda smiles at Kaerix.
Thalstan smiles at Kehda.
[Kaerix]: What manner of village is this?
[Thalstan]: I dinnae know.
Thalstan waves at Pyrewood Watcher.
[Thalstan]: Hey there! What manner of village is this, good sir?
Kaerix peers at Pyrewood Watcher searchingly.
Pyrewood Watcher says: This is Pyrewood Village, travelers! We’re friends to the Alliance here, and I hope you can find everything you need!
Kaerix smiles at Pyrewood Watcher.
Thalstan peers into the town, and looks back at the guard.
[Kaerix]: For the Alliance!
The guard speaks with a Gilnean accent, for those who would notice such things.
Kehda pouts. "Hmmm…"
[Thalstan]: Is it safe here? This close to tha keep o'er there?
Pyrewood Watcher says: We're perfectly safe! Oh, do you want to know more about our village? It’s been a tough road for us, for certain, but our people are tough.
Kaerix slips an arm around Kehda's waist again, as though comforting her pouting friend.
[Thalstan]: Tough road, yeh say? What d'yeh mean by that?
Pyrewood Watcher says: First off, we were Gilnean, as you might have guessed, but King Greymane didn’t seem to recall this when he built his wall and shut us out.
Kaerix tips her head and listens to the guard sympathetically.
Pyrewood Watcher says: Our lord up in the keep, Baron Silverlaine, tried to protect us against the Scourge, but what hope does a small village have against that kind of might?
Vesyllah siiiighs and mutters, "Is this gonna be, like, a whole lecture?"
Kaerix frowns with disappointment at Vesyllah.
The guard looks at Vesyllah. “The elves helped us back then, for which we’re mightily grateful. Both your folk and the pale-skinned ones.”
Pyrewood Watcher says: After we made it through the war, that’s when the others and then Archmage Arugal came. Things were messy at first, but really it was only that we didn’t understand.
Pyrewood Watcher says: Transitions are always a challenge, but he made our village safer than ever!
The guard’s face brightens in a happy smile, like a child bragging about his father. Then his smile falters.
[Kehda]: Are you sure that it is safer than ever?
[Kaerix]: Perhaps let him finish his story, dear Kehda.
Pyrewood Watcher says: Well it was… for a time. About two years ago, the keep was infiltrated and the Archmage was cruelly murdered. He’s buried just at the head of the path, as you go on up toward the keep.
Kehda nods at Kaerix.
[Kaerix]: I am very sorry for your loss.
The guard nods to accept her sympathy.
Pyrewood Watcher says: It was a dark time for us, no clear path ahead for the future. But now we have a new Lord in the keep! He’s… different… but I think every transition is a little messy.
Kehda repeats her 'Hmmm…' from earlier.
[Vesyllah]: Eh? What's this new lord like?
Pyrewood Watcher says: Mm, I shouldn’t say. He likes his privacy.
[Kehda]: A mysterious mystery…
Thalstan 's bushy eyebrows go up. "Mebbe we ought to pay him a visit. Stop fer tea."
Pyrewood Watcher says: Oh, I’d be careful if you go up to the keep. The new lord doesn’t much care for visitors. Also, the place is haunted.
Kaerix looks around uncertainly at the others.
[Kaerix]: I will keep everyone safe.
[Arthur]: haunted?
[Thalstan]: Hmm… *Thal echoes Kehda. Then he looks up at Ves.* Care for a haunted castle?
[Kehda]: This is a good story to tell a group of young people who might be interested in exploring the keep and discover its mysterious mysteries, no? That there is ghosts.
The guard chuckles. "Oh, I just don't see outsiders all that often, and it's fun to get to talk about my hometown."
Vesyllah gives Thalstan a little shrug. It's not a 'no'.
Kaerix smiles at Pyrewood Watcher.
[Thalstan]: We-ell…. I think maybe we should pay th'lord a quick visit. Jus' ta say hi.
[Vesyllah]: Suuure. Just to say hi.
[Kehda]: Whatever this lord might be.
The guard raises a hand before they leave. “One more thing, make sure you’re gone from this place before nightfall.”
[Thalstan]: Uh…
[Vesyllah]: Um…I'm a night elf. Nightfall is kind of my thing.
Kehda smiles at Vesyllah.
The guard gives a friendly smile. "Oh, I'm sure it is. It's just that… this is a perfectly safe place, but only during the day."
[Vesyllah]: Uh huh. Sounds super scary.
Arthur senses a story.
[Kaerix]: We will watch out for one another.
[Thalstan]: Thanks fer the tip, kid. *Thal nods at the guard*
Kehda nods at Kaerix.
Vesyllah mumbles softly, "…I am the night…"
Kehda whispers to her group. "I feel a very bad energy coming from this village. On one of the worlds we Draenei saw, there was a plant species creating doubles of people and taking over whole towns. I fear this is what happened here too…"
[Arthur]: Okay, but why…
[Thalstan]: Do yeh think? He's a double?
[Thalstan]: Seemed kind o' fishy ta me.
Thalstan looks to Arthur. "Why?"
[Arthur]: Why is it dangerous at night?
[Thalstan]: Mebbe we don't stick around ta find out.
[Kehda]: A new strange lord that doesn't want visitors, a dangerous night in the village… it sounds kind of… doubly, no?
[Vesyllah]: You outlanders are always afraid of the night. I'm sure it's fine.
[Thalstan]: Yer not spooked a'tall, Vengeance?
[Arthur]: I'm curious.
[Kaerix]: What does spooked mean?
[Vesyllah]: Should I be? I like this place. Got a cool vibe.
[Thalstan]: Means a bit scared. But only a bit.
[Kaerix]: Thank you.
Kaerix files this away mentally.
Kehda smiles. "I'm not afraid. I'm not afraid of plants taking the appearance of people."
They make their way into the keep. No one bars their way, and it seems to be a wreck inside.
[Kaerix]: This place is utterly ruined.
[Thalstan]: Way seems ta be blocked.
There’s a doorway to the right, and a worgen tears out of it, attacking them.
[Kaerix]: Oh!
[Kaerix]: What are they?!
Thalstan looks down at the body. "Some sort o' wolf man?"
[Thalstan]: Looks like we can get in this way.
Kehda doesn't answer. Her plant impostor story doesn't hold up now.
They walk through the doorway to see more destroyed furniture and other ruined decor.
[Thalstan]: The whole place is wrecked.
[Kaerix]: I hear more howls from within.
[Kehda]: Perhaps this is because of the people who killed the archmage last time?
[Thalstan]: I heard stories once about folk who turn into wolves. Think tha's what's happened?
[Kaerix]: I have not heard such stories.
[Kehda]: That sounds druidic.
[Vesyllah]: Yeah, so have It…children's stories.
[Thalstan]: These dinnae look like children.
[Vesyllah]: That…isn't what that means.
[Thalstan]: What were yer children stories, then?
[Kehda]: Wolf live not as long as humans or elves and dwarves and draenei. Perhaps they were children when they transformed, and grew old faster… At wolf speed…
[Vesyllah]: It's a whole thing. It doesn't really matter. The Wolves-That-Walk-Like-Elves is a Kalimdorian story…and just a story.
[Kehda]: I would love to hear it!
Vesyllah peers at Kehda searchingly.
[Kehda]: I have time. *She sits on a broken table.*
[Vesyllah]: No, we don't.
Kaerix lifts her lantern to see better.
[Kehda]: We don't? *She looks at Thalstan.*
[Thalstan]: We got a lord ta visit.
[Thalstan]: But… it does seem relevant.
[Vesyllah]: Look, I barely remember it. But…fine…
Kehda beams.
They head further into the keep as Vesyllah begins her tale…
[Vesyllah]: It's about this pack of wolves getting desperately hungry because the forest was sick, and prey was scarce.
[Thalstan]: So what'd they do?
[Vesyllah]: The wolves come across these two kids, a brother and sister, and kill them. But before the sister dies, she pleads to Elune to avenge her. Badass li'l kid.
[Kehda]: Hm. That sounds like a sad story.
[Thalstan]: So Elune… did somethin'?
[Vesyllah]: Yeah, so this shaft of moonlight shines down on them…the wolves…after she dies.
[Vesyllah]: In the coming months, the forest starts to heal, but the wolves are still hungry, no matter how much they eat.
[Thalstan]: Cursed ta hungriness?
[Vesyllah]: They know something is wrong, so they visit a witch in the woods.
[Vesyllah]: She tells 'em they're cursed, but she can help them…for a price.
[Thalstan]: Always th'way with witches in stories
[Vesyllah]: She says the kaldorei of the nearby village are haunted by an evil spirit.
[Kehda]: The witch has stronger magic than Elune? She can remove Elune's magic?
[Vesyllah]: It's just a story, Kehda.
[Thalstan]: So what, they got to help the kaldorei?
[Vesyllah]: She says the spirit is also her enemy, and she can grant the power to kill it. But the villagers don't trust her. So, she grants the power to the wolves to have them do her dirty work.
[Vesyllah]: They get to the village, and there's this spirit setting fires, and the villagers can't stop it.
[Vesyllah]: So the wolves surround it, and that's when they feel this change. They become larger and strong, and stand up on their hind legs like elves.
They fight more wolves-who-walk-like-elves, if that’s what they are.
[Thalstan]: Like these ones we're seein' in here?
[Vesyllah]: I dunno. Maybe. I told you, it's just a story.
[Vesyllah]: Anyway, they also felt this rage like nothing they'd ever known. They tore up that spirit like it was a paper doll.
[Kehda]: Stories are important! It's never just a story!
[Thalstan]: They get ta stay like that after, on account of th'witch?
[Vesyllah]: After the spirit died, the rage remained, and the wolves turned toward the villagers, remembering how tasty those children were.
[Thalstan]: Ohh… Oh no.
Kehda shakes her head.
[Vesyllah]: But they also remembered how they were cursed for killing them. But the rage was strong. They reasoned that surely Elune wouldn't mind if they only ate the bad children.
[Thalstan]: Aha! Now tha' part sounds like a children's story.
[Kehda]: And so? What did Elune do?
[Vesyllah]: They tore through the village and found that their keen noses could sniff out the naughty children. And one by one, those children that were disobedient, deceitful, or cruel were eaten up. Every. Last. One.
[Vesyllah]: Elune did nothing. Ever since then, the Wolves-That-Walk-Like-Elves have stalked the forest, looking for bad children to devour.
[Kaerix]: A very interesting story. Thank you for sharing it.
[Kehda]: Well… this isn't a very nice story…
[Vesyllah]: It's a story to get kaldorei children to behave. Those usually aren't very nice ones.
They come into a banquet room that has ghosts rather than worgen. They still seem to be killable and hostile, so the team does their work.
Thalstan looks down at the flickering human ghost. "This one looks like a nobleman. Wonder if he was the first fella they were talkin' about."
[Vesyllah]: Huh…the murdered lord?
Thalstan nods. "Maybe murdered for bein' a bad lord. Or somethin'. By the wolves that walk like elves."
[Vesyllah]: Come ON. These are not the elf-wolves.
Kehda shakes her head. "The world needs more happy stories, even children who misbehave! And I think it paints Elune in a bad way, I think… I hope this is not a true story at all, for her."
[Vesyllah]: It's not a true story…but don't kid yourself. Elune's vengeance can be terrible.
[Thalstan]: Well they're for sure somethin', and they for sure exist.
Kaerix peers at Deviate Hatchling searchingly.
[Kehda]: Anyone has a happier tale to tell?
[Kaerix]: I have many.
In the next room, the large worgen’s eyes brighten at the sight of prey wandering so willingly into his domain. His claw-tipped paws are deeply stained with blood.
[Kaerix]: But I cannot tell stories and cast spells at the same time.
Kehda smiles at Kaerix. "It takes practice, yes!"
They don’t have any trouble defeating the bloody-pawed worgen.
Kehda turns to Arthur. "And I'm sorry, I don't think I know your name! Were you the one who was ill last time?"
[Arthur]: Er, yes.
Kaerix looks at Art in concern.
[Kaerix]: Are you feeling better?
[Kehda]: It is good to see you are well! There were doubts in the team last time!
[Thalstan]: I hoped it was not but a stomach bug!
They pass into the next room.
The butchery room is a mess. Blood is everywhere.
Vesyllah snickers. "I remember the first time I heard the phrase 'stomach bug'. I thought that human literally meant an insect living in his stomach."
[Thalstan]: Hope this is no' makin' yeh queasy.
[Kaerix]: What does it mean, then? Stomach bug?
[Thalstan]: When yer stomach hurts. Mostly.
[Vesyllah]: And usually makes you puke.
[Kaerix]: What does puke mean?
[Vesyllah]: Barf. Hurl. Blow chunks. Vomit.
[Kaerix]: Vomit! My, there are many words for it.
[Vesyllah]: So many.
[Kehda]: Ah, so when you say I have a head bug…
[Thalstan]: Head bug? I dinnae think I've heard that one.
[Thalstan]: Sounds like some sort o' qiraji thing.
[Kehda]: I have heard it, once, in Shattrath, a long time ago. A human trapped on the other side of the Dark Portal said it.
[Thalstan]: Some Outland monster o' sorts, perhaps?
Kehda shrugs. Who knows?
[Vesyllah]: I want to move in here after we clear it out…
[Kaerix]: It would be beautiful, if not neglected.
[Kehda]: We can help you with the cleaning!
[Thalstan]: It could use some cleanin' up.
[Vesyllah]: Cleaning…?
[Vesyllah]: You'd ruin the charm.
[Kehda]: I am very good at removing dust from objects!
[Thalstan]: All th' broke furniture and the torn banners.
[Thalstan]: Looks like my ma's place after a bar fight.
Kaerix giggles at you.
[Vesyllah]: The decor says "get out". It's perfect.
Kehda uses a staff to remove cobwebs from a corner.
[Thalstan]: It is no' workin so well on us.
Kehda nods at you.
[Vesyllah]: Yeah well…we're stubborn !@#$%^&s.
[Kaerix]: What does *!@#$%^s mean?
[Vesyllah]: Oh for fu-…
[Kaerix]: I'm sorry. I'll stop asking such questions.
[Vesyllah]: It can mean a lot of things.
[Kaerix]: You use many words I haven't heard before. But I will try to understand… from context.
[Thalstan]: I think it's great yeh ask questions! We're like a multi-culture team, half o' that is fer questions!
Vesyllah sighs. "It's fine. I had to learn Common once, too."
They head up a ramp and come to a room with more ghosts. One seems to be in charge.
Captain Springvale paces the room, muttering at his guardsmen. “That damn wall. What does Greymane think he’s playing at? We’re Gilneans as true as those behind it.”
[Thalstan]: Ooh, it's a talkin' ghost!
Kehda mutters. "Unless they've been replaced by plant doubles…"
Captain Springvale flickers, and his face looks slightly more lined. "With the elves gone, how does the Baron expect us to withstand the next Scourge attack?"
Kaerix listens, fascinated.
Captain Springvale flickers again, and he looks in more distress. "That damn Archmage has doomed us all! We’ve only escaped the Scourge to be murdered by these… worgen!"
Kaerix opens her mouth, then closes it.
Kehda whispers "Oh! Worgen, I've heard of those!"
[Vesyllah]: Sure you have…
Captain Springvale suddenly looks directly at the party, but doesn't seem to be seeing them.
Kaerix shivers.
[Kehda]: They're wolfmen from Duskwood!"
Captain Springvale says: Men, with me! The worgen monsters have made it into the keep!
[Kaerix]: Duskwood… but that is far south of here.
[Thalstan]: Why'd they attack up here? And why's it the Archmage's fault?
[Vesyllah]: Wait…oh &*!@, no she's right. I have heard stories of wolfmen in Duskwood.
Kehda shrugs. "Wolves run fast."
[Thalstan]: We may not be able ta give this fella rest, but we should try, shouldn't we?
Kaerix nods at you.
[Vesyllah]: Sure. Whatever.
They attack the ghosts.
[Vesyllah]: This is your penance!
The team wins.
[Thalstan]: He seemed like a paladin. He was tryin' ta call the Light.
Kaerix gasps at you.
[Thalstan]: Poor fella, endin' up with wolfmen invadin' his home.
[Kaerix]: May the Light embrace him.
Thalstan nods sadly. "Wolfmen from Duskwood, workin' with an Archmage."
[Thalstan]: Still wonderin' who this 'new lord' might be, though. No' the Archmage?
[Kaerix]: I don't know.
[Thalstan]: An' I got no clue on what a bloodsuckin' undead elf would want with a keep full of… worgen? and a dead Archmage.
Kaerix shrugs and smiles a little.
[Vesyllah]: So…when are we gonna see these bloodsucking undead elves you were talking about?
[Thalstan]: I dinnae know. I would ha' thought before now.
[Kehda]: I can think of many things a bloodsucking undead elf would want to do with a keep full of worgen.
Kehda begins writing fanfiction about a bloodsucking undead elf owning a keep full of worgen in her head.
They head up a wooden, rickety stairway.
[Thalstan]: Seems kind o' rickety here. Take care.
[Kaerix]: Watch your step, friend.
They come into a kind of tower room with bats and a worgen.
This worgen’s eyes are glazed and don’t seem to focus on anything. He straightens as the party approaches, sniffing the air and letting out a low growl.
[Thalstan]: A big 'un.
As they fight, the worgen turns red and enlarges.
[Thalstan]: An' bigger!
[Thalstan]: That was odd!
They move on. Up onto battlements, where there are more ghosts.
[Thalstan]: More ghosts ahead!
[Kehda]: Say, Vesyllah, I was thinking about your story…
Vesyllah groans.
[Vesyllah]: What about it?
[Kehda]: Do you think the worgen we fight here were sent by Elune? *She whispers ominously.* After all, we've entered this keep without permission. We are the misbehaving children of these stories…
[Vesyllah]: No.
[Kehda]: Hmmmm…
[Vesyllah]: Why would Elune give two #$%^s about this place?
[Thalstan]: Fella said the elves helped them out durin' the war?
[Kehda]: Why wouldn't Elune give a… a poop about this place?
[Vesyllah]: Look, if Elune had a problem with me being here, she'd have told me.
There are a lot of worgen, all of a sudden. The team is victorious.
[Kaerix]: That was… invigorating.
Thalstan nods. "Thanks fer havin' me back, Kaerix."
[Thalstan]: The whole place is littered with bones.
[Kaerix]: Yes.
[Thalstan]: More stairs!
They head up more stairs.
[Thalstan]: Think he's at th' top?
[Vesyllah]: Presumably in my future bedroom.
Kehda smiles at the comment about bones. "Eh, reminds me of my father's workplace!"
[Kaerix]: Most likely.
Thalstan coughs and looks at Kehda. "Yer… father's?"
[Kaerix]: Ohhh…
[Vesyllah]: Elune's light….
They come into a room with a giant wolf! Or worg? Really, what’s the difference there?
This enormous worg looks dangerous and decidedly unfriendly.
[Kehda]: Yes! Auchindoun! Full of bones to— that is a big wolf.
[Kaerix]: I think we can defeat him.
[Kehda]: If not, that'll make a good story!
[Kaerix]: But who would tell it.
[Thalstan]: Let's do. I bet he's the cause o' some o' those bones.
[Thalstan]: We'll live an' we'll tell it!
[Kehda]: Rumors. Legends. What happened to the people who've entered this keep? There can only be speculation!
They can, in fact, kill the wolf.
[Thalstan]: Now we're above where we were before.
[Kehda]: OH. He's not here anymore.
[Thalstan]: Who's not? I wasnae paying attention to balconies.
[Thalstan]: More to tha giant wolf.
[Kehda]: I don't know! A person!
They come to yet more winding stairs.
[Thalstan]: An' more stairs! Oof.
[Kaerix]: Do you need to rest, Mr. Stouthammer?
[Thalstan]: I'm alrigh'. Just never did get why humans need ta be so high up. They're like cats.
Kaerix giggles at you.
[Thalstan]: Under a mountain, that's a proper place ta be,.
[Kehda]: Do you want to be carried, Thalstan?
Kehda turns to Kaerix. "If we work together we can carry him, I'm sure!"
They come to a room with a worgen who seems to have a posse of wolf/worgs.
The worgen howls at you, and glowing worg eyes appear in the corners.
[Vesyllah]: &*!@…
[Thalstan]: I think I'd best keep my feet right now.
[Kaerix]: Oh dear.
[Thalstan]: Wolves and wolfmen in our way.
[Kehda]: The wolfmen keep getting bigger and bigger!
[Kehda]: Like in Vesyllah's story!
[Vesyllah]: That's not-…ugh…
[Worgen]: I can't believe it! You've destroyed my pack… Now face my wrath!
[Thalstan]: Whoa! You talk!
They kill the big worgen.
[Kaerix]: You silenced him.
[Thalstan]: An' here I thought they were like wolves. More like men!
[Kehda]: Menwolf.
[Kehda]: Manwolves?
[Thalstan]: Maybe the others were jus' not talkative.
[Kaerix]: Oh.
They come through the last doorway and see a mysterious figure on a platform, across a pit full of worgen.
[Vesyllah]: What do we have here?
The undead elf looks over at the party and gives a wicked, sharp-toothed grin. “What is this? I don’t believe I invited you to…tea.”
Kehda throws a bone she picks up from the ground at the undead elf.
[Kaerix]: Kehda!
Vesyllah arches an eyebrow, mumbling, "Wow…he's weirdly hot."
[Thalstan]: Wha's this? Who are you? What are you doin' in here?
Kehda walks back behind the rest of the group.
Prince Theraldis says: What am I doing here? Being served, as a prince should be.
[Kaerix]: You are not the prince of this land.
Prince Theraldis's gaze lingers on Vesyllah, but then snaps to Kaerix as she speaks.
Kehda giggles at Vesyllah.
Kaerix lifts her chin and gazes back defiantly at the san'layn.
Prince Theraldis says: Maybe I wasn't before, but they accepted me well enough. The worgen here are such biddable little creatures to one such as I.
[Kehda]: He's looking at you. Here's your chance!
[Vesyllah]: Look, Prince…it pains me to say it, but you're kind of an abomination and we have to kill you.
[Kaerix]: Evil rises from him like a cold mist.
[Arthur]: it doesn't hurt *me* at all.
Kehda mutters. "That is not what I meant by here is your chance."
[Arthur]: Eat dirt.
Kaerix giggles at Arthur.
Prince Theraldis spreads his hands. "I'm not harming anyone here, am I? These worgen are used to bringing sacrifices for their old master's household, and they don’t seem to mind that I prefer the blood to the flesh."
[Kaerix]: There will be no more sacrifices!
[Thalstan]: No more sacrifices! *Thal nods agreement.*
[Kehda]: Go! Throw a bone at him, Arthur!! It is funny!
[Vesyllah]: Hey…come on, Artie…we can be polite while we destroy him.
Prince Theraldis says: Enough chatter. After I kill you and drink your blood - in that order, if you’re lucky - I will have your bodies buried in poor old Arugal’s empty grave!
[Arthur]: Nah.
Kaerix gasps at Prince Theraldis.
[Vesyllah]: Okay, that was just rude.
[Thalstan]: Wait. Arugal was buried in… What's he mean by that?
[Kaerix]: Why is his grave empty?
[Vesyllah]: Apparently whoever killed him didn't burn the body…
The team wades into the pit of worgen, fighting their way toward the san’layn.
[Arthur]: THAT'S MINION ONE, SPARKLES!
[Arthur]: TWO!
[Kehda]: Oh, Arthur! I remember something I needed to ask you! *She says, in the middle of the battle.*
[Arthur]: hm?
[Arthur]: THREE!
Kaerix cheers at Arthur!
[Kehda]: Do your explosives work in water?
The worgens are dead. It is time to face the san’layn!
[Vesyllah]: Guess you have to deal with us up close and personal, Your Highness!
Kaerix giggles at Vesyllah.
[Arthur]: NEXT WE'RE DOING COLORS… BLACK AND BLUE!
Prince Theraldis says: Fine, you killed some worgen. It's time to get… up close and personal… you filth.
Kaerix beckons Prince Theraldis over.
Vesyllah grins wickedly at Prince Theraldis.
The fight commences! Theraldis proves to be more of a threat than other enemies. He confuses Thalstan’s mind, so that the dwarf turns on his friends. He frightens the others, making it difficult for them to stay unified in purpose. Finally, the san’layn is defeated. He falls to the ground, now truly lifeless. However, Arthur has also fallen…
[Thalstan]: Arthur!
[Kaerix]: I have him.
[Vesyllah]: #$%^!
[Arthur]: Ow.
Kaerix helps him up.
[Thalstan]: Yeh all right? That san'layn fella messed with my head and went after yeh!
[Kaerix]: I am sorry. He … disabled me with a spell.
Arthur looks down upon Prince Theraldis with pity.
[Arthur]: Fool.
Kaerix peers at Arthur searchingly.
[Vesyllah]: Damn…he really was hot.
Kaerix holds her hands over the body as though to warm them?
Vesyllah kneels down.
[Thalstan]: Was he really, Ves? Wasn't he kind o'… dead?
[Vesyllah]: I mean…yeah. But he looked good for a corpse.
[Kaerix]: Arthur, are you feeling well?
[Arthur]: People who will do anything for power are ugly inside, Vengeance.
[Arthur]: It wouldn't have worked out.
[Vesyllah]: These robes are really something. Okay, crew. Look away if you don't want to see undead ass.
Kehda doesn't look away.
[Kaerix]: You are… taking his clothes…?
Vesyllah strips the san'layn's body. "Yup."
[Arthur]: They're nice clothes.
[Kehda]: It would look very good on you, I was about to suggest you take the robes.
[Thalstan]: Well, as fer intel, I guess we found out a body's missin'.
Kaerix apparently wants to see undead ass, because she looks curiously.
[Kaerix]: How pale he is.
[Thalstan]: Should we check? I mean… he's no' exactly trustworthy.
[Vesyllah]: I might need to take them in a lit-…or not. Jeez, this guy had a nice figure.
[Kehda]: Even like this, I must admit I do not see what you saw in him, Vesyllah.
Kaerix giggles at Vesyllah.
Thalstan chuckles.
[Vesyllah]: I'm not saying I wanted to &*!@ him.
[Kaerix]: He is rather too slim.
[Kaerix]: And pale.
Kehda nods at Kaerix.
Kehda shrugs at Vesyllah. Who knows?
[Vesyllah]: Just…he was kinda sexy. Y'know. Not just how he looked. His whole…thing.
[Kaerix]: I understand.
[Kaerix]: Confidence and even arrogance are sometimes attractive.
[Vesyllah]: Exactly. Plus, being a dark and spooky bloodsucker was pretty cool.
[Thalstan]: Confidence fer sure. An' arrogance, there's a market fer that.
[Kehda]: Thank you for sharing, Vesyllah.
[Kaerix]: Everyone is well?
Thalstan nods. "I'm goin' to swing by to check the grave, I think, but we can probably hearth out from here?"
[Arthur]: I…kind of hurt.
[Arthur]: I think I hit a nerve.
[Kaerix]: Again, I am very sorry for letting you fall, Arthur. His magic was very strong.
Thalstan looks worriedly at Arthur.
[Arthur]: I pissed him off.
[Kaerix]: Would you like to lean on me?
Kaerix peers at Arthur searchingly.
Kaerix offers her arm.
[Thalstan]: I would ha' protected you, only he did something ta me. I was all confused, an you all looked like enemies.
[Vesyllah]: Yeah, uh…that was something.
[Kaerix]: He had very powerful magic, yes. I was afraid, and could not move.
Kehda nods at Kaerix.
[Thalstan]: Tha' has ne'er happened to me before.
Arthur takes it, wrapping it in the crook of his elbow. "You did great."
Kaerix smiles shyly at Arthur.
[Kehda]: Now, if you want, Thalstan, I can dig up the grave with you!
[Thalstan]: Alright! Let's do it.
[Kehda]: I love digging up graves!
[Vesyllah]: I'm in.
Kehda beams.
[Arthur]: That's the thing. Is he actually hot? Or is he so insecure he messes with people's heads so they react like he's hot?
Vesyllah frowns at Arthur.
[Vesyllah]: Are you suggesting he got into my head and made me think he was hot?
[Arthur]: Not like Thalstan, who is totally nice and a hunk.
Kaerix giggles at Arthur.
Thalstan nods. He is totally nice and a hunk. Or maybe just very confident. Not arrogant, that's different.
Arthur shrugs. "It's possible?"
Vesyllah snorts.
[Vesyllah]: I get into others' minds. Not the other way around.
[Arthur]: Darn right you do.
Vesyllah smirks darkly.
[Thalstan]: Now, time fer some grave diggin'…
[Kehda]: Arthur. You are not well again, so I will ask another time who would win in a fight. Your explosives or treshers!
Kehda cheers!
The team splits up, some to confirm that Arugal’s grave is in fact empty, and others back to Southshore to rest.