(2023-03-12) Curses! Foiled Again (S9 E8 - White Squad Log)

Details

Author:	inkie
Summary:	White Squad attempts to reclaim vrykul artifacts from a band of scurvy sea dogs to lay the angry dead to rest. The angry dead are, on the whole, not havin' it.
Rating:	M for Mature 17+

Arc: Season 9

[Ben]: Rae. Afternoon.

Ralaea quickly shoves something back into the mailbox. "Ben. Hi."

Ben eyes the mailbox and then Rae. He doesn't comment.

[Ben]: Hey, Ace, afternoon.

[Aiseia]: Hey there!

[Ben]: How you both doin'?

[Aiseia]: Keepin' it even.

Ben smiles crookedly and nods to Ace.

[Ben]: Afternoon, ma'am. *He inclines his head to Paluuva.*

Paluuva offers a gentle smile.

[Paluuva]: Good afternoon to you all.

Aiseia greets Paluuva with a hearty hello!

[Ralaea]: Today we're helping… that village down there, right? The… what were they called again? The walrus guys.

[Aiseia]: The Kalu'ak?

[Ben]: Tuskarrs, yeah. The, uh — Kalu'ak, s'right.

Ben nods again at Ace.

[Paluuva]: Yes. The people in general are the tuskarr. The particular tribe is the Kalu'ak.

Ralaea mutters the words to herself a few times in an effort to remember.

[Ben]: That Elder fellow has sent a little one up to say he's got a plan now for the pirates, so.

[Aiseia]: Pirates it is.

[Ben]: Now all we need is —

Ben looks around. He takes out his fancy silver pocketwatch and flips it open.

[Ben]: Oh, there she is.

[Paluuva]: Lena, welcome.

Lena waves. "Hi, everybody! Hope I'm not late."

Ralaea gives Lena a nod.

[Aiseia]: You're not late until they're looking for you.

Ben nods to Lena too as he tucks the watch away.

[Ben]: An' I only just started lookin', so.

[Ben]: Anyway, we are headed back down to talk to Elder Attic.

Lena giggles nervously. "Heard from him, then? Got a plan?"

[Ben]: He has, yeah. We'll fly on account it's quicker. *Ben sounds only a little bummed about this.*

[Lena]: Shame we couldn't take the boat again, but I guess we're on work time.

After the boring gryphon ride to Kamagua…

Ben bows before Elder Atuik.

Paluuva bows before Elder Atuik.

Lena bows before Elder Atuik.

Ralaea grimaces as they enter the tent.

[Ben]: Sir. Cobalt Company at your service again. You sent up?

[Paluuva]: Elder Atuik. It warms my heart to see you again.

Elder Atuik smiles at Paluuva, his rheumy eyes crinkling at their corners.

Elder Atuik says: Likewise, my friends.

Elder Atuik says: And I am pleased you have returned so swiftly at my summons. The time to strike at these pirates is now! We have negotiated an arrangement with one of their kind.

[Lena]: One of the pirates? They're a kind?

Elder Atuik says: Yes. A pirate mercenary by the name of Grezzix Spindlesnap recently came to our village in search of food and shelter.

Elder Atuik says: In exchange, he gives us information about his fellows and feeds them misinformation about our attack plans.

[Ralaea]: Sounds like a goblin.

[Lena]: The name or the behavior? *Lena quirks a smile at Rae.*

[Ralaea]: Yep. All of it.

[Paluuva]: Do you believe he can be trusted, Elder?

Elder Atuik peers at Ralaea. "The small, green ones?" He looks to Paluuva and shrugs. "He has proved trustworthy so far. His… vanity is easily flattered."

Elder Atuik says: He has agreed to get you past the deadly defenses surrounding the pirates’ camp at Scalawag Point, far to the south.

Elder Atuik says: His information should enable you to infiltrate them, and hopefully to learn what they have done with the vrykul artifacts.

Ben nods. "We will — go careful. On account of a goblin. But yessir."

Elder Atuik says: I am sure you know best. Seek him out at his ship just off the coast here, southwest of our nets.

[Ben]: Yessir.

Ben looks around at the others. He waits in case Paluuva has Diplomacy.

[Paluuva]: We thank you for the opportunity to show our good intentions.

Paluuva bows before Elder Atuik.

Elder Atuik says: We thank you for your aid.

Elder Atuik bows to Paluuva.

Ben bows before Elder Atuik.

Outside the Elder’s hut…

Ralaea tries not to stare at the barely dressed tuskarr.

[Ben]: A goblin. Hm.

[Lena]: You all had much experience with goblins?

[Ben]: Nope.

[Paluuva]: Not a great deal, myself.

[Ralaea]: They're thieves and robbers.

[Lena]: I worked with some down in Stranglethorn before.

[Lena]: It was mostly on account of that troll business.

[Paluuva]: I encountered some in Stranglethorn with Lena… but goblins have proven surprisingly difficult to get a read on.

[Ben]: You want to talk to him?

[Lena]: I don't know as I'm an expert exactly, but… I can try.

Ben peers. "Past the nets, he said."

South and west of the tuskarr fishing nets is a small boat, with an even smaller canoe lashed to its side. A goblin in a black tricorne hat is standing imperiously in the boat. A tauren occupies the canoe.

[Ben]: Oh. He's out on the water.

The only path from the shore to the goblin’s boat appears to be a loose archipelago of broken ice floes.

[Ralaea]: Oh. This looks…safe.

[Lena]: We got to swim out there?

Lena leaps onto some floating ice.

Ben grimaces.

[Ben]: This ice steady?

Paluuva gently levitates the entire squad above the icy water.

[Ben]: … thank you, ma'am.

[Aiseia]: Oh, wow!

[Lena]: Thanks, Paluuva.

[Paluuva]: It will only last a couple of minutes, though…

Ben does not say "Whee!" but he kind of looks like he wants to say "Whee!"

Molly says: *Squawk!* Ahoy! Look at me pirate disguise! Yarrrr! *Sqwak!*

Grezzix Spindlesnap says: Shut your trap, you feathered idiot! These pirates will cut you open and wear you for a hat!

[Ben]: Uh. Spindlesnap?

Grezzix Spindlesnap looks the floating group over suspiciously.

Grezzix Spindlesnap says: Yarr, mateys. Grezzix Spindlesnap, that’s me.

[Lena]: We heard you were the one to talk to about the pirates.

Grezzix Spindlesnap says: The walruses sent you?

[Ralaea]: They're tuskarr.

[Lena]: Yes. We're after some vrykul artifacts as have been cursed, maybe. Think you could give us a hand?

Grezzix Spindlesnap says: Tuskarr, whatever. I’ve seen those artifacts you’re after. They’re the reason I’m here and not at Scalawag myself! Those things are bad, bad news.

[Lena]: Oh, for sure, yeah. Real dangerous, which is why you ought to help us out. Benefits you too.

Grezzix Spindlesnap says: Oh yeah? Well, it’s your lives, right? You wanna get inside Scalawag, and Grezzix can help.

Grezzix Spindlesnap says: The Northsea Freebooters all fear and respect Grezzix. I’m thinking they recognize my special talents and envy my amazing ship. All you need to do is tag along with my cabin boy, Lou, and you’ll be in like… in like tin.

Grezzix Spindlesnap says: Pirates love tin.

Ben looks dubious.

[Lena]: Tin. Um, of course, as you say.

Grezzix Spindlesnap says: Oh, yeah, and you’ll want to talk to “Silvermoon” Harry first. He’ll have more information on the stuff they pilfered. Just… watch what you say around him. He’s got a weird thing about blood elves.

Lena perks up at the name.

[Paluuva]: A thing about blood elves? So… he is not a blood elf himself?

[Lena]: Then "Silvermoon" is the nickname part, not "Harry". *Lena nods at Paluuva.*

Grezzix Spindlesnap says: Oh, yeah. Harry’s a weird duck. Anyway, talk to Lou when you’re ready to go and he’ll take you to Scalawag.

Grezzix Spindlesnap points at the tauren in the canoe.

[Ralaea]: Is that a tauren? He looks…small.

Grezzix Spindlesnap says: Yeah, that's my cabin boy. Say hi, Lou!

Lena gives Lou a friendly wave.

Lou the Cabin Boy says: Hello!

Lou the Cabin Boy smiles shyly.

[Ben]: Okay. Reckon we are ready, then?

[Lena]: We all going to fit in that canoe, Lou?

[Paluuva]: This… should be interesting.

Lou the Cabin Boy says: Bessamy is a very sturdy canoe.

Lena shrugs. She's game.

[Ben]: Bessamy. Okay. Well, let's see about that.

[Ben]: 'Preciate you.

Lou the Cabin Boy says: Hang on to your hats! To Scalawag we go!

The canoe, surprisingly, does hold all five of them, and definitely does not replicate itself into five different canoes manned by five Clone Lous.

It also travels alarmingly fast. Lou puts some back into it.

Lou the Cabin Boy says: Here we be, mateys! Scalawag Point!

[Ben]: Well. Definitely pirates.

[Lena]: Like a slice out of Stranglethorn…

[Ralaea]: I'm sorry but I have to ask. Why does nobody wear clothes out here?

Who can say? No one in White Squad, apparently.

[Ben]: Keep an eye out for a Silvermoon-lookin' fellow.

Ben skirts the camp's edge warily.

[Paluuva]: Should we…

[Paluuva]: …perhaps remove our tabards for the moment?

[Ben]: Oh damn. Yes'm.

Ben hastily yoinks his tabard over his head.

[Lena]: Good idea. *Lena hastily takes hers off before they approach. She is still wearing an oddly fancy purple dress.*

Ben clears his throat and looks around. "Good? Everyone good?"

[Ben]: Okay.

Drunken Northsea Pirate says: Whatcha lookin' at, ye bilge rat? Har, har…. just kiddin' with ye, mate!

Act casual, White Squad.

Ben peers curiously into a fancy tent as they pass.

[Ben]: Ah. The robe.

Ben ducks through the silk drapes over the tent's door.

Lena eyes the wispy curtains. "Very Scryers there…"

[Ben]: You "Silvermoon" Harry?

Harry raises an eyebrow at the strangers, and surveys them head to toe.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: So. You’re like me, eh? A little… eccentric.

Harry lowers his voice to a whisper.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: Nobody dresses like that around here.

You should’ve seen us in our tabards, buddy.

Lena smiles and straightens her hair. She's not eccentric, she's pretty. She hopes.

[Paluuva]: Ah, yes that's right.

Ben looks down at his armor and then up at Harry again.

[Ben]: We are, uh, yes. Eccentric. We are… we heard this was some Silvermoon fashion, right here.

Ben gestures around at the group.

[Lena]: I spent a lot of time 'round the blood elfs in Shattrath. Your robe'd fit right in, sir.

“Silvermoon” Harry brightens, and then surveys them again. He looks perturbed. "Well, if that's the latest, I've missed it. But welcome. What are you all here for?"

[Ben]: We heard some rumors about, uh. Some local artifacts. We was hopin' to get a look at. Vrykul ones?

“Silvermoon” Harry blinks.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: Those artifacts… Everyone that came in contact with that stuff has ended up dead, missing, or stark raving mad.

[Lena]: Oh gosh, not the best treasure ever then, is it?

Ben nods agreement with Lena. "Maybe we could take 'em off your hands?"

“Silvermoon” Harry considers this shrewdly. "Hm. Well, if you're really interested in learning more, I can help — but it’ll cost you."

[Ralaea]: Of course it will.

Harry winks. “You scratch my back and I’ll try not to stick a dagger in yours.”

Ben eyes "Silvermoon" Harry.

[Ben]: That is the– our piratey way, I guess, right?

[Lena]: What'd you have in mind? *Lena smiles at him, batting her eyes just a little.*

“Silvermoon” Harry says: Okay. One of the first things Jonah Sterling did after he went crazy was to take my prized sin’dorei scrying crystal and feed it to the bane of my existence, “Scoodles” the orca.

[Lena]: Oh, no! Not your scrying crystal! *Lena looks shocked. Maybe it's fake, but whatever.*

“Silvermoon” Harry smiles at Lena. What a nice young lady.

[Ben]: Scoo–

Paluuva smiles.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: No, I didn’t name the damned thing. I just know she swims out past the ships directly southeast of Scalawag. Kill that overinflated goldfish and rip my beautiful sin’dorei crystal from its guts.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: Do this and I’ll know you’re serious about doing business.

[Lena]: For sure we can do that, don't you all think?

Lena looks at Ben, Ace, Rae and Lu.

[Aiseia]: Oh, sure.

[Ben]: I sure do. We are for sure serious. Let's go take care of, uh. "Scoodles."

[Lena]: Scoodles will rue the day…

[Ben]: Scoo the day.

Lena stifles a giggle as they head out.

Paluuva laughs.

[Ralaea]: Alright. I'll handle the gut ripping. Not a very paladin thing to do.

[Ben]: … well that's real big of you, Rae.

[Lena]: Okay, who wants underwater breathing?

Ralaea points at "Scoodles".

[Paluuva]: Aha! Is that Scoodles?

[Ben]: Well. It's a orca. Let's see if it's got a crystal in it.

[Aiseia]: Who's a cutie scoodle wooty?

[Ben]: Damn he swims fast.

[Paluuva]: We can hurry over the top of the water.

Paluuva levitates everyone again. Paluuva is this episode’s MVP. If [Levitate] cost her feathers, we’d owe her like four entire chickens..

[Ben]: Crystal in there?

Ralaea rips a strange crystal out of the orca. "This it?"

[Lena]: I think so? Looks kinda Scryer. I hung out with them.

Ben nods at Lena.

[Ben]: An’ I dunno how many other crystals been eaten by orcas around here, so.

They run back (thanks, Paluuva!) across the bay to the pirate camp.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: Well???

Ben lets Lena do the talking this time.

[Lena]: We found the crystal, we think. *She gestures to Rae to hand it over.*

[Lena]: And Scoodles has scoodled off to the afterlife.

Ralaea hands over the scrying crystal.

Harry takes the crystal and gently strokes it.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: Oh, my precious! Did the big, mean whale hurt you? It’ll be okay. I’ll never let you out of my sight again!

Paluuva lifts her brow.

Ben takes a very slight step back.

Ralaea wrinkles her nose and bites back a comment.

Harry looks up at the gang. “So. Where were we?”

Lena just keeps a mild smile on her face. "Those artifacts as were making folks go crazy and missing. Know anything about them?"

“Silvermoon” Harry says: Ah, right, the artifacts. So I did say the thing about dead, missing, mad, and so on, then? Well, they’re your funerals, I suppose.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: Now, I personally was on the ship carrying the armor. We’d just boarded and were heading back here when we were attacked by a Forsaken destroyer. They boarded our ship, took all our booty, and then sunk her.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: That was the last I saw of that armor. If you want, you can take my bomber from Scalawag to the dreaded isle where that destroyer be docked. Talk to my woman, Alanya, outside. She’ll get you on the bomber.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: As to that staff: last I heard, the ship that held it was abandoned and left to rot on the coast of the Isle of Spears, north of here. If you want it, check the ship’s hold.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: Just steer clear of Abdul! He’ll tear your hearts out.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: The shield, now — if you listen real close, you can hear cannon fire coming from the northeast. That’s Captain Ellis’ ship, Sister Mercy. Thing is, Ellis and his entire crew were killed ‘bout a month ago.

Harry nods.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: Ghost ship…

Lena murmurs, "Talk to Alanya, steer clear of Abdul, Ellis is a ghost…"

“Silvermoon” Harry says: If it’s info about the shield you be wantin’, Ellis is the man — er, ghost? to ask. Sister Mercy docks on the small island east of here, between here and Sorlof’s Strand, to pick up more souls for the ship’s crew every so often.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: There be no shortage of souls ‘round these parts….

[Lena]: We will not be joinin' that crew, but we can talk to him.

“Silvermoon” Harry shrugs at Lena. He's still stroking his crystal.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: If you survive the collectin’ of those three, we’ll talk about the last one.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: Oh, but whatever you do: Don’t bring any of the damned things back here!

[Lena]: Don't you worry, we'll take 'em far away.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: Good luck with that.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: If I don't see you again, well. I told you so!

[Ben]: … thanks. You did.

Lena nods and follows Ben out.

[Ralaea]: The guy's got a boot rack.

[Lena]: Is that bad? *Lena blinks at Rae.*

Ben peers cautiously back into the tent. He whistles. "So he does."

[Ralaea]: Of all the things to put in a tent…

[Ben]: I mean. It's a lot of boots to bring with you, but. What do I know?

[Lena]: Well, he's a bit unusual, I think, as pirates go…

[Ben]: Anyhow. Let's get to that armor first? The bomber, he said.

Ben might just want to ride in a bomber.

[Lena]: Shame all these artifacts are cursed, isn't it Paluuva? Probably could learn a lot from 'em.

Paluuva sighs and nods. "Very much so."

Ben points at Alanya.

The woman in the blood elf mask turns to stare them down.

[Ben]: Uh.

Aiseia gasps at Alanya.

[Paluuva]: Oh… my.

Ralaea shakes her head. "Right. Okay. I guess they're committing to it."

Lena startles at the mask, and tries not to laugh.

Alanya says: Friends of Harry's, I take it?

[Paluuva]: We have… met.

Lena nods, not trusting herself to speak just yet.

[Ben]: Yes'm. You are… Alanya?

Alanya says: Yeah. Sorry about the mask. The stupid thing's the only way Harry will even talk to me.

[Ben]: Uh. Okay. Sorry about that.

[Lena]: Some fellas… *Lena says under her breath.*

Alanya nods again and seems to warm a little. "What can I do for you?"

[Ben]: Harry said we could take his bomber out to the island where that… Forsaken ship went?

Alanya says: Oh? Well. Sure, okay. Hop in.

[Ben]: Thank you, ma'am.

The squad clambers into the bomber. Alanya fires it up and then steps back.

Alanya says: Enjoy the ride! It's a one way trip!

… and White Squad is airborne.

[Ben]: … uh. Maybe should've said that part first?

Ben shouts above the clatter of the rusted rotors to be heard.

[Lena]: We'll find another way back. Got our hearthstones, right?

[Ben]: Yeah. An' Paluuva's got that… runnin' on the water trick, if we got to.

[Ben]: Priest float.

The sputtering bomber lands with a clank and a wheeze of smoke at the sandy edge of an island shrouded in fog.

[Aiseia]: This Harry fellow is a real piece of work. I'm of a mind to punch him right in his stupid sindorei fetishy face!

[Lena]: What, why? 'Cause of the mask thing?

[Aiseia]: Yeah, that was the last straw.

[Ben]: … Forsaken destroyer don't seem to have come out of this real well.

Ben eyes the beached ship and the patrolling vrykul.

[Ralaea]: Well… curse and all.

Lena looks around the small island. "They look plagued. Like the ones in the village."

[Ben]: Let's clear through 'em, see if we find that armor. From the look of 'em, I reckon it's still here.

The island is littered with Forsaken corpses, most of them lying in a swirl of greenish, glittering mist.

[Ben]: … damn. It really did for them Forsaken, huh?

Ben sounds more impressed than anything.

[Ralaea]: Is this… sparkling mist?

[Ben]: It does look like. Do curses… sparkle?

[Paluuva]: I suppose they can.

[Lena]: Not normally, no. But then, it's not a warlock curse.

They reach the askew gangplank of the ruined Forsaken ship.

[Lena]: Think it's safe to go on board?

[Ben]: Hold up.

Ben casts [Divine Shield] and proceeds cautiously aboard, then waits on deck as the shield fades. The greenish mist shimmers in pooled clouds above the planks.

[Lena]: Feel alright Ben?

[Ben]: Yeah. I look all right?

[Aiseia]: Yeah.

[Ben]: No sparklin'? Okay, let's do this quick, then.

Ralaea warily proceeds onto the ship.

[Ben]: Reckon it'd be… in the hold, maybe?

They proceed with uneasy haste belowdecks through the sparklemist. In the captain’s cabin, they spot a battered, ancient-looking cuirass, uh, just hangin’ out. Literally. Hovering. In the air.

[Paluuva]: Look!

[Lena]: It's floating… that is not a good sign.

Ben whistles again.

[Paluuva]: Be careful…

[Lena]: Think there's a ghost invisible, wearing the armor?

[Ralaea]: D–don't say that.

[Ben]: I will — lemme just try takin' it? Paluuva, Ace, get ready if I need — y'know. Cleanse or whatever.

Paluuva nods at Ben.

Ben reaches gingerly for the floating armor.

Anticlimactic.

[Aiseia]: Looks all right.

[Lena]: Where we taking this? Back to the grave? To the elder?

[Aiseia]: Elder.

[Ben]: Let's get those other ones, too. Bring him the bunch.

[Lena]: We do it fast like, though.

[Lena]: I don't want to be missing or dead.

[Ben]: Yeah. I am with you there.

[Ben]: No one here gonna turn up missin' or dead.

They retreat to the beach, where Harry’s plane is still kind of sagging into the water.

[Lena]: Bomber… still looks functional?

[Lena]: Maybe she was just messing with us.

[Ben]: Is it? I dunno machines. Rae?

Rae examines the plane.

[Ralaea]: It… should get us there, yeah.

[Lena]: Ugh, Alanya.

[Ben]: Okay, then. I trust Rae's word more'n the gal in the mask, no offense to her.

[Paluuva]: Absolutely.

They climb aboard. Rae cranks it up. Sure enough, the noisy bomber clatters them right back across the bay to Scalawag Point.

[Ralaea]: I would have expected his bomber to look more…Silvermoon-y.

Lena glares at Alanya. "It was not any one way trip."

Alanya eyes them nervously. "You didn't… bring anything back here, did you?"

[Ben]: Um.

[Lena]: Don't ask questions if you don't want answers.

[Aiseia]: Don't worry.

[Ben]: We are just gonna… pass through real quick. Don't you worry.

They pass through real quick. At the other side of the Point, a little knob of land is visible rising above the waters. A decrepit-looking ship is moored there.

[Ben]: Y'all reckon that is a ghost ship?

Ben peers across the water.

[Aiseia]: Yeah. I definitely reckon that.

Lena peers at it. "I think yeah. Look at the people on it."

[Ralaea]: Maybe not ghost, but… skeleton, sure.

[Lena]: Undead ship, anyhow.

[Ben]: Okay. Welp.

[Aiseia]: So if we go to that little island…

[Lena]: Paluuva, can you float us over?

[Lena]: It's way too cold to be wet.

[Ben]: Thank you, ma'am.

Paluuva nods.

[Paluuva]: Of course.

There is a nautically-clad ghost hanging out cheerfully on the island.

[Ralaea]: Now that's a ghost.

Lena peers through Juniper on the island.

[Lena]: Friendly enough one, though.

[Ben]: Uh. Captain Ellis?

Juniper says: Nay! I be Juniper! Ye be lookin' to book passage aboard the Sister Mercy, mateys?

[Lena]: More or less, yes!

[Ben]: We were… yeah.

Juniper says: Well, ye've come to the right place! She'll be back around if ye bide awhile.

[Paluuva]: I see.

[Ben]: It ain't gonna make a difference that we are, uh — ?

Ben looks around at the others.

[Paluuva]: Ahem…

[Paluuva]: Perhaps we do not mention that.

Juniper says: That ye're what?

Juniper peers at them.

[Paluuva]: Strangers.

[Ben]: Strangers. Yeah.

Ben nods gratefully to Paluuva.

[Lena]: Some people are wary of strangers. *Lena nods agreement.*

[Ralaea]: Not sure I like this idea…

Ben climbs the gangplank warily. The skeleton crew don't seem perturbed, or even to take much notice of them.

Lena swallows, looking around at the non-hostile skeletons.

[Ben]: Okay, uh. Where's the captain?

[Ben]: Helm, I guess?

[Lena]: High up?

[Ben]: Sir?

[Ben]: You Captain Ellis?

Captain Ellis says: Aye, that I be! And what be ye here for?

[Ben]: We heard y'all come across a… shield? Vrykul one?

Captain Ellis says: Arr! Me n' me crew pilfered that shield fair n' square! We be tryin' to get her back from that no good, landlubbin' scallywag, Sorlof! So ye come to help?

Lena looks at Ben and the others, uncertain. Are they here to help?

[Ben]: Recover the shield? Yessir, that is just why we're here.

Lena hastily steps out of the way of an animated broom.

Captain Ellis says: Then welcome aboard! As ye can see, we're runnin' a skeleton crew.

Captain Ellis laughs heartily at his own joke.

Hey, I just made that joke.

[Ralaea]: …Very funny.

[Aiseia]: Heh. See what you did there.

Lena chuckles weakly.

Paluuva chuckles at Captain Ellis.

Paluuva is very good at diplomatic fake laughter.

Captain Ellis is clearly pleased by the appreciative audience.

Captain Ellis says: Sister Mercy be needin' some more powder monkeys to man the big’uns o'er on the poop deck. Think ye be up to the job, me hearties?

[Ben]: … powder monkeys?

Captain Ellis sighs. "Gunners."

[Ben]: Oh. Sure.

Lena blinks. She mutters, "I spent years in Theramore and I did not understand that."

Captain Ellis says: Excellent! Ye see, me old gunners have mutinied. Me n' the crew up here be tryin' to deal with kickin' Sorlof's kiester while dealin' with the mutinous scalawags below.

Captain Ellis says: Ye're gonna have to go down there and take their blastin' powder to use up here. Got it?

[Paluuva]: Oh dear. I believe I see where this is going.

[Ben]: … uh-huh.

[Lena]: So do we need to fight the mutineers… or man guns… or both?

Captain Ellis says: Both! Both, me lassie! Now step to it! Sorlof's a-waitin'!

[Ralaea]: Fighting mutinous skeletons. Huh.

[Ben]: Okay.

[Lena]: Okay, we can do that…

They trudge resignedly belowdecks, and find themselves facing a bounty of mutineers.

[Ben]: … oh hell.

[Ralaea]: Oh. Gross.

[Ben]: They are ghouls.

[Aiseia]: Ooooh.

[Lena]: Ugh, skeletons are better than ghouls.

[Lena]: Rather no flesh than rotting…

[Paluuva]: Do you suppose they mutinied because they are under the influence of the Scourge?

[Ralaea]: Who knows, in this place?

[Lena]: Could be? They look Scourge. More than the pirates above.

[Ben]: Wouldn't be a surprise.

[Ralaea]: Either way, they're the enemy.

[Aiseia]: Can we rush them? Please?

[Ben]: Let's go. *Ben nods at Ace.*

PALADINCHAAAARGE.

[Lena]: This may not be the weirdest thing I've ever done, but it's up there.

[Ben]: Stinks down here worse'n a regular ship's hold even.

[Lena]: That'd be the rot, I'd guess.

[Ralaea]: Hope we don't catch anything from being down here too long…

[Paluuva]: These ships normally smell bad?

[Ben]: I mean, bunch've sailors crowded in, damp, no one washin' properly…

[Lena]: Too much human in too little space for too long is for sure a smell.

[Ben]: Like some barracks I known, too.

[Paluuva]: Ahh… I see. I have not studied human sea vessels. They do not have sanitation on board, then?

[Ben]: Um. Not… as such. So much.

[Lena]: Look at this ship, right? It's no Exodar.

[Paluuva]: The one we took here to Northrend was… nicer than this.

[Paluuva]: Though, I suppose I spent most of the time in my cabin….

[Lena]: That one was the flagship too. The nice one.

[Ben]: Yeah the one we took here was some pretty new technology sh*t. Dwarven. Reckon more advance than your standard old-time human boat.

[Ben]: We got enough, you reckon?

[Lena]: We killed a ton.

Captain Ellis says: Ye got me powder?

[Ben]: Yessir, we did.

Captain Ellis says: Here's to hopin' those treacherous bilge rats learned their lessons! Now it be time to man the big'un, matey!

[Lena]: That'd be the big gun?

Captain Ellis eyes Lena skeptically. "That's what I said, lassie."

Lena smiles mildly, satisfied.

Captain Ellis says: Me crew is gonna get the big'un all primed an' ready for ya, hearties. She's restin' snuggly on the bow, o'er on the other side of the ship. Go'n man it and be ready to fire when Sorlof is in our sights!

Captain Ellis says: Once we take that landlubber down, ye'll have to recover the booty for us, seein' as how we can't leave the damned ship! Bring that booty back to me and ye'll get your cut — the shield.

[Ben]: Okay, yessir.

[Paluuva]: That is a very big gun.

It is a very big gun. Their quarry ashore also proves to be very big: Sorlof is, for some reason, some kind of forest giant.

The big gun takes him down with a crash.

[Ben]: Let's go!

White Squad scrambles to abandon ship and get to Sorlof’s waiting treasure on the shore.

Ben rummages among the heaped gold to pull out a battered shield.

[Ben]: Reckon this is it?

[Lena]: Well, that's a lot of treasure. Looks like it?

[Lena]: Looks old.

Paluuva peers at the shield

[Paluuva]: The markings are consistent with those we saw at the grave.

Ben eyes the heap of the rest of the treasure.

[Ben]: That is… prob'ly cursed, huh? From… bein' with the shield?

[Ralaea]: Why'd a tree… giant… have it?

[Lena]: I admit I thought Sorlof was another pirate…

[Ben]: Maybe he was not a tree giant until he stole the shield?

[Lena]: Maybe?

Ben shrugs.

Ralaea shudders. "We need to get rid of that thing, fast."

[Ben]: Yeah. I agree.

[Ben]: Can we get — thank you, ma'am, okay.

(Paluuva has levitated everyone for the 4,023rd time.)

[Ben]: Let’s head that way.

Ben points over yonder.

[Lena]: Do we honor what we said to the ghost though? Bring him the treasure?

[Ben]: Oh, yeah.

Ben considers a moment, then retraces his steps to gingerly collect a couple of the sacks of potentially-cursed treasure.

[Lena]: I guess we could've just gone on with the shield, but… we said we would.

[Lena]: We said we'd help, anyway.

Paluuva nods. "It is important to honor one's word."

[Ben]: This place bein' how it is, I reckon we ought to keep our word for ghosts.

[Ben]: You never know.

[Paluuva]: Ghosts or not, it is a measure of character.

The ghosts were evidently confident in both White Squad’s integrity and their patience, because by the time the squad has collected both shield and treasure, the Sister Mercy has sailed blithely away without them. They are obliged to hoof it (get it? because Paluuva?) across the water back to the little mooring isle.

Ben waits patiently with the shield and the treasure for the ghost ship to come around again.

[Ralaea]: They could have waited for us…

[Lena]: Yeah, they knew we were just hopping ashore. They could've waited.

Captain Ellis grins. "And?"

Ben holds out the treasure sacks.

Captain Ellis cackles and reaches for them. "A deal's a deal, me hearties! Take yer shield, and I hope it doesn't curse ye like it did me n' me crew. Now, ye can't stay here with the damned thing, so take it off me ship and back where it belongs!"

[Ben]: Yessir. Thanks.

[Paluuva]: Yes, captain.

Lena nods.

The shore they jog toward after leaving the Sister Mercy looks familiar. There’s another pirate ship moored there, and restless figures stalk the beach aimlessly.

[Ben]: … oh, hey.

[Lena]: This is where Ben and I were fighting pirates the other day.

[Ben]: Lena, it's that — yeah. They are all run mad.

[Lena]: They were slavers, but they killed all their captives, yeah.

[Ben]: I reckon it is the curse, then. An' not the ore.

[Lena]: Seems it, yeah.

[Ralaea]: I'd say that's good… but it doesn't actually look that good, if there's something else that can cause this.

[Lena]: Too many things in Northrend make folks go murdery.

[Ben]: Steelring said he did put the ore back down the gulch, so.

Lena smiles at Ben. "So they didn't chuck it over the side where it'd hurt other people, the ore."

Ben eyes the ship moored along the coast. Lightning crackles along its masts.

[Ben]: They did not. That, on the other hand —

[Lena]: Probably the staff's on the boat?

[Ben]: Harry said, ain't he? In the hold.

[Lena]: He said a lot of stuff.

[Ben]: Least we ain't have to wear masks to talk to him.

[Ben]: Guess we see if this one's full of ghouls, too.

[Lena]: Been no Abdul yet, was he on this one?

[Ben]: Yeah, Abdul got the Staff of Storm's — I am guessin' that's Storm's Fury we are seein’.

Ben cranes his neck at the lightning in the rigging.

[Lena]: Oh now, there's a big fellow. Think it's him?

[Paluuva]: He said just to avoid Abdul.

[Ralaea]: No shirt on him either.

[Ben]: Ace!

[Lena]: Ace, where are you…

Abdul the Insane says: The fury of the Vrykul will consume you!

Ben sighs.

[Lena]: Think we got away?

[Ben]: Lot've dead sailors down here.

Abdul the Insane says: Its power courses through me! I AM A GOD!

[Ben]: Follow the lightnin'?

[Lena]: Probably?

[Ralaea]: N–not a fan of all the sparks…

[Lena]: Some kind of a shamany staff.

[Ben]: Ace, you see somethin'?

[Aiseia]:Lightning.

Paluuva cringes away from the lightning arcs.

[Ben]: Careful, Lena!

[Lena]: It's alright. It pulses.

[Ben]: Okay.

Ben eyes Lena. He nods.

[Lena]: You just got to make sure you're not touching it on the pulse.

Abdul the Insane says: ARE YOU CHALLENGING ME? I HAVE THE STRENGTH OF TEN MEN!

Literally no one is challenging him, FYI. White Squad is two decks below him. He’s just up there pacin’ and yellin’.

[Ben]: We are good, then, I reckon?

[Lena]: Fellow sure is loud.

Abdul the Insane says: ABDUL IS STRONG LIKE BULL!

[Paluuva]: That was frightening!

[Ben]: Let's get these to the Elder?

[Ralaea]: Yes please.

They beat feet for Kamagua.

Lena bows before Elder Atuik.

Ben bows before Elder Atuik.

[Ben]: Sir.

Paluuva bows before Elder Atuik.

[Paluuva]: Greetings, Elder.

Elder Atuik says: Ah! Honored friends. Cobalt Company.

[Ben]: We have got back three of the artifacts, sir.

Lena pulls out the lightning staff and holds it out helpfully. It sizzles.

Elder Atuik says: So quickly? Truly, you are a wonder. But I cannot keep them here in the village.

Elder Atuik steps back politely from the sizzling staff.

Elder Atuik says: If you take them up the Ancient Lift to Orfus, he will know what must be done.

Ben only needed to hear the words "Ancient Lift." He brightens immediately. "Yessir."

Lena smiles. "Guess we've got to take the boat again, no way around it."

White Squad heads with perhaps unseemly alacrity for the Ancient Lift and boards one of the creaking boats.

[Aiseia]: Wooo!

Ben doesn't say woo– okay, Ace said it first. "Wooo!"

Lena cheers!

Ben laughs.

[Aiseia]: It's so fun!

[Paluuva]: Truly extraordinary.

Ben composes his expression in time to greet Orfus.

[Ben]: Hey, again.

[Paluuva]: Hello again, Orfus of Kamagua!

[Lena]: Elder Atuik sent us up here to you with these! *Lena holds out the sizzling staff again.*

Orfus of Kamagua says: My friends! I have heard of your great deeds, even as I stand watch here against the spirits. I was — oh. I see.

Orfus of Kamagua accepts the staff very gingerly. Ben sets the other artifacts helpfully before him.

Orfus of Kamagua says: My friends, thank you for these. We must return all of the artifacts, though, I fear, before the spirits will rest again. When you have the last of them, come back to me. Uh. Quickly.

[Ben]: We are on it. Fellow said he'd show us the way soon as we got these ones.

[Lena]: Don't go missing, *Lena says seriously.* They say that happens, with this stuff.

[Ralaea]: Yes, and in the meantime, try not to turn into a skeleton, go mad, or get killed by spirits.

Lena nods at Rae. "None of that."

Orfus of Kamagua regards Lena and then Rae with wide, sad eyes. "I, uh. Shall try not to. Thank you, friends." He shuffles a few steps away from the artifacts.

Paluuva winces. "Yes… stay safe."

[Ben]: Okay. Let's get that last one quick, then.

[Aiseia]: And come straight back here.

[Ralaea]: Think he'll be alright?

[Aiseia]: He will be. We just have to be fast.

[Ben]: We will come straight back, like Ace says. Ain't take us… too long? To see about them others?

Paluuva murmurs a quick blessing for Orfus… just in case.

They beeline back to Scalawag Point.

“Silvermoon” Harry eyes them with some surprise.

Aiseia gives Harry the stinkeye.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: Huh. You survived the others, eh? All right, then. I suppose you’ll be wanting to try for the last of them.

[Ben]: That is correct. On both counts.

Lena nods. "And we didn't bring none of them back here with us."

“Silvermoon” Harry says: I appreciate that, young lady.

“Silvermoon” Harry smiles winningly at Lena. Or what he clearly thinks is winningly.

Lena smiles back.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: Now — some say Captain Jonah Sterling was never quite right in the head, but I know the truth. It was the heart. That damned frozen heart! I saw the change in him the second he pulled it from the grave.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: I could see the blood freeze in his veins… It was then that the madness took him over.

“Silvermoon” Harry says: He left us to hole up in his cave on the north side of this island. Last I heard he’d thrown the heart away into the back of his bear’s den. Too little, too late….

“Silvermoon” Harry says: I’ll kill you myself if you even think about bringing that damned thing back here!

[Ben]: Got no plan to.

Ben looks at the others. "Ready?"

Lena nods.

Paluuva nods.

[Ralaea]: We got a way to touch it without actually… you know. Touching it?

[Lena]: I have gloves.

[Ben]: I got gauntlets on. Can wrap it up after.

Drunken Northsea Pirate says: …so he says "Of course I'm not seeing double! I've only got one eye!"

I missed a line here, but someone suggested having one of Lena’s demons carry the Frozen Heart.

[Ralaea]: There's an idea.

[Lena]: Ah, yes. One with… hands. A sayaad?

[Lena]: Let me just…

[Ben]: Oh, yeah. We… uh, trust one of 'em?

[Paluuva]: I trust Lena's control.

[Ralaea]: Better than us doing it.

[Ben]: Fair enough.

[Lena]: Don't reckon she can get any more corrupted.

Lena summons her sayaad, Syrah.

The group proceeds cautiously into a cave that smells distinctly of Bear. There is a well-dressed nautical gentleman pacing within.

[Ben]: Hello–oh. There.

Ben eyes "Mad" Jonah Sterling up and down.

"Mad" Jonah Sterling yells: Yarrrrrrr! Ye'll never get me, bilgesuckers!

[Ben]: Bilgesu–

The captain climbs onto the wall behind him and jumps down into some sort of tunnel or pit below.

Ben sighs.

[Paluuva]: What…

"Mad" Jonah Sterling yells: Is this how you repay your master, you fleabag? Arrrrrgghh!!

[Ben]: Oh, sh*t.

Ben runs to lean over the wall and peer down. Into what proves to be, in fact, a bear pit. Complete with bear.

[Ben]: Uh.

Ben eyes Hozzer up and down.

[Lena]: What is it?

[Ralaea]: That's a big bear.

[Ben]: A big-ass bear.

[Ben]: It et him.

Paluuva gasps.

[Ben]: The captain, I mean.

[Ben]: Uh.

[Lena]: Oh what? Oh my goodness.

[Ben]: Hope we ain't got to cut a thing out of another thing today.

Syrah shrugs. "You were killing him anyway, weren't you?"

[Ben]: Guess let's find out.

They dispatch the bear, and Rae gamely performs another postmortem veterinary surgery.

[Ben]: Anything? In his guts?

[Aiseia]: Nope.

[Ralaea]: Nothing useful.

[Paluuva]: Maybe… he did not have the heart with him?

[Ben]: … wait, hold up.

Ben shudders.

[Ben]: Y'all feel —

[Ben]: Ah.

[Paluuva]: What?

Ben moves cautiously toward the back of the bear pit. Behind a little rise of stone, a surprisingly ginormous black crystal lies covered with frost.

[Ralaea]: Oh.

[Paluuva]: Oh my…

[Lena]: Oh. That is… that's got to be it.

[Ralaea]: Bigger than I thought.

[Ben]: Yeah. Lena, you want to, uh…?

[Lena]: This is what you're here for, Syrah. Go for it.

Syrah sighs and rolls her eyes, and then grunts in mock effort as she lifts the heart.

Ben narrows his eyes at the demon.

[Ben]: Okay. Let's get it back to Orfus quick.

Syrah mutters, "Just typical that they ask you to…"

They head for the Ancient Lift. Wooo, boats! Nobody seems to be in a very wooo mood this time, actually.

Ben eyes Syrah warily.

Lena keeps her eyes on the demon, and doesn't seem nearly as distracted by the novelty of the boat this time.

[Ben]: Orfus.

Orfus of Kamagua looks overjoyed. "My friends! You have it?"

Lena and Syrah approach Orfus, the latter holding the giant heart. She shuffles up and sets it with the other artifacts.

Orfus of Kamagua eyes the demon. "Oh. I — well. Ah. Very well done. My people owe you a great debt. Now comes the final task, if you are willing?"

[Lena]: Right. We got the stuff. How do we fix it?

Orfus of Kamagua nods. "Take these artifacts. Locate the burial mounds within Shield Hill from which they were taken, and lay them back to rest. We can only hope this will quell the spirits that haunt our hunting grounds…."

[Ben]: On it.

[Ralaea]: How about someone posts a guard there too, so this doesn't happen again.

Orfus of Kamagua says: Be strong, friends! Good hunting!

[Lena]: Make the demon carry them? *Lena looks to Ben.*

[Ben]: Yeah.

Syrah disdainfully lifts the bag of artifacts and trots along behind.

[Ben]: We remember where these go?

[Lena]: Where we found the stuff before, yeah.

Ben points at the nearest pit.

[Ben]: Lena, you lay 'em in. We'll keep watch.

Fengir the Disgraced says: Your offering has come too late, little one. Can you feel the mist closing in upon you? The Kvaldir return…

Ben eyes the ghost.

[Ben]: Uh.

Syrah snorts. "Too bad for you, looks like."

[Ben]: Let's… try the rest of 'em. Maybe it's got to be all four, like Orfus said.

[Paluuva]: The Kvaldir…

[Lena]: We'll fix it. *Lena nods.*

Lena directs Syrah to place the second artifact.

Rodin the Reckless says: From the mist and fog the Kvaldir approach. Flee while you still breathe the air of the living…

[Ralaea]: This is starting to sound… not good.

[Ben]: Okay but we got the rest of 'em, too.

[Ben]: Just hold on a second, buddy.

[Paluuva]: That is two references to mist. Remember the sparkling mist on the boat?

[Ben]: … I do, yeah.

[Lena]: And Kvaldir, whatever that is.

[Lena]: Sounds vrykulish though.

[Paluuva]: The word definitely fits their linguistic patterns

Ben steps gingerly around the sleeping bear-ghost.

Lena directs Syrah to place the third artifact. She sighs and does so.

Isuldof Iceheart laughs.

Lena flinches at the laughter.

Isuldof Iceheart says: Look to the seas, as your doom comes with the swell of tides.

Ben swears under his breath. He's looking grim.

[Paluuva]: Mists and the seas. Hmm.

[Ben]: One more. Last one.

Lena directs Syrah to place the final artifact. She laughs scornfully as she does so.

Ben glares at the demon.

Windan of the Kvaldir says: My brothers have awoken. Your efforts are wasted…

[Ralaea]: Come on. Work with us! We brought your stuff back!

Paluuva takes out her journal, jotting down notes. "Kvaldir… mists… seas… brothers…"

[Ben]: F*ck. F*cken f*ck f*ck.

[Ben]: 'Scuse my Common there.

Ben rakes a hand through his hair.

Paluuva chuckles at Ben.

[Paluuva]: Everyone needs to let out a little 'f*ck' now and then, Ben. It's alright.

Ben smiles ruefully at Paluuva despite the strain in his expression.

[Lena]: Think we can drop the demon now. *Lena waves a hand, and Syrah disappears with an indignant yelp.*

[Ben]: Let's… reckon we best warn Orfus.

[Lena]: Yes, it doesn't sound all that good.

[Lena]: If only those pirates had let alone in the first place.

[Ben]: F*cken Silvermoon Harry an' his friends.

[Ralaea]: D'you suppose the Lich King knows about these Kvaldir guys?

[Ben]: I dunno.

[Paluuva]: If the vrykul dead know, it's likely he knows.

[Ben]: … hn. Yeah.

[Lena]: We're not exactly going to ask him though.

Orfus of Kamagua looks hopeful. "It is done?"

[Ben]: Uh. It is, but….

[Ben]: They do not seem rested. They seem, actually, pretty pissed off still.

Ben looks to the others.

[Lena]: They said something about brother kvaldir comin' from the seas.

[Lena]: On the tides?

[Paluuva]: Does that word mean anything to you? Kvaldir?

[Ben]: Mists. Somethin' about mists, too, and —

Lena nods.

Orfus of Kamagua regards Paluuva mournfully. His whiskers twitch. "The kvaldir? Ah."

Orfus of Kamagua says: These are — yes. Ancient enemies. The sea-giants. The vrykul of the mists.

[Lena]: That does not sound good.

[Paluuva]: I see. The ghosts called them brothers. Cousins of the vrykul, then?

Paluuva sighs.

Orfus of Kamagua says: Yes. Just so.

Orfus of Kamagua says: These are grim tidings. My people are in great danger and must be warned. These seafaring aberrations will take no mercy upon the Kalu'ak.

Orfus of Kamagua says: Return to Elder Atuik. He and the rest of my people must be warned of this impending doom approaching from the sea.

[Ben]: I mean. If it helps, you got Cobalt at your backs, now.

Lena nods, her face worried. "I wish we had better news, but you're not alone."

Orfus of Kamagua smiles sadly and gives a little, tired nod.

[Ralaea]: I'll get in contact with Jenzelle. Maybe she could provide backup here for a while.

[Lena]: Probably a good idea.

[Ben]: That'd be great, Rae.

[Paluuva]: Let us hurry.

Ben is quiet the whole ride down.

Paluuva bows before Elder Atuik.

Ben bows before Elder Atuik.

[Paluuva]: Elder… we come with terrible news.

Elder Atuik peers at Paluuva. "My friend. What can it be?"

[Paluuva]: The spirits of the vrykul have revealed that a doom comes from the sea. An enemy you know as the kvaldir.

Elder Atuik stands very still for a moment, ruminating, his eyes distant.

Elder Atuik says: I see. I had feared — I had hoped it was not so, but feared it might perhaps be too late.

Elder Atuik says: The Kalu'ak thank you nonetheless, friends, for all that you have done.

[Lena]: We'll be here, Cobalt, too. To help with the kvaldir.

[Paluuva]: You will not stand alone against this threat, my friend.

Elder Atuik says: I thank you. We must now prepare for battle, and warn our brothers and sisters across the sea of what is to come.

Paluuva nods.

[Paluuva]: Of course. We will leave you to your preparations.

Elder Atuik says: In fact — have you not also got brothers and sisters across the sea? To the west? We have heard this.

[Ben]: We have, sir. Yeah.

[Paluuva]: We do.

[Ralaea]: Warning them would be good, too.

[Lena]: The other Cobalt squad? You've talked to them? *Lena looks at him in surprise.*

Elder Atuik says: I hear that an army of more of your southern kind — humans? and others? — travels in the west.

[Lena]: Do you have an, um, easy way to warn your people?

Elder Atuik says: As friends of the Kalu'ak, I give you leave to take our great turtle ferry to Moa’ki Harbor, in the Dragonblight. From there, my people can offer you a second ferry to carry you deeper into the west, perhaps to meet with yours.

Elder Atuik says: All I ask is that you warn our kin at Moa’ki and Unu'pe of the danger.

Paluuva smiles. "That is most generous, Elder. Thank you."

Ben bows before Elder Atuik.

[Paluuva]: We will do so.

Ben backs up two steps and then bows again.

[Ben]: Thank you, sir. Thanks.

The squad mills outside the Elder’s hut.

[Ben]: You reckon? Catch up with Blue Squad?

[Ralaea]: Is sea travel safe? What with the…

[Lena]: If the Tuskarr do it regularly…

[Ben]: I dunno. I dunno. But I reckon worth tryin'.

[Lena]: Maybe we ought to let the others know at Westguard, before we go off?

[Ben]: Yeah, I can't — I got to let Mizzy know if I am plannin' to sail off to, uh. The other side the continent. On a turtle.

Lena nods. "Makes sense. No idea how long the trip is."

[Aiseia]: You're right. Let's tell people before we go haring off.

White Squad heads back to Westguard Keep to alert the Alliance Vanguard and various significant others, and to make ready for a turtleback sea voyage.