(2023-03-26) Giant Babies and Mega Liches (S9 E10 - White Squad Log)

Details

Author:	inkie
Summary:	White Squad helps a pair of scholars at Fort Wildervar investigate the mystery of the Iron Dwarves' runecarving. Paluuva inadvertently adopts a giant. Rae develops an interest in linguistics.
Rating:	M for Mature 17+

Arc: Season 9

Ben emerges a little breathlessly from the inn, still buckling on his swordbelt, and stops short when he spots Paluuva and Rae at the mailbox.

Ralaea has her goggles off for once, and is scowling at a letter in her hands. She glances up and tries to straighten out her face upon seeing Paluuva. "Hey."

[Ben]: Hey, hi, sorry. My turn at bein' late?

Ben eyes Rae and her scowl. His gaze drops to the letter she's holding.

Paluuva nods to Ben's arrival, but her concern face is on, focused on Rae. "Something troubling?"

[Ralaea]: Why do we care if Alysson Mondragon is missing?

[Paluuva]: Oh dear, he's gone missing?

[Ben]: … Alysson's f*cken what?

Ben steps toward the mailbox himself, his brow knit.

[Ralaea]: …And why do you both know who he is?

[Paluuva]: I am a Lieutenant now, Rae. I have made a point to familiarize myself with the company roster as much as possible. His name… stands out.

Ben has found a copy of the memo and is scanning it now. "I'm his da– uh. Friend. Known him a while back." He glances up and surveys Rae. "On account of you, I recall."

[Ben]: Sh*t.

Ralaea frowns again at Paluuva's words. "The company? You're not telling me he's in the company?"

Ben has finished reading. He folds the memo up as though it has personally insulted him and tucks it into his pack. "He was Blue Squad, Rae. In Netherstorm. Under Mr Atley. Done some goo– uh. Some work."

[Ralaea]: Mondragons are no good. I told you all. I'm surprised he got in.

[Ben]: I know. I was not… uh. Real in favor.

[Paluuva]: As I understand it, he was quite effective on the squad.

[Ralaea]: Well… I can't deny his skill in battle, but… still.

[Ben]: He is… a fellow. For sure. He ain't on squad no more. But he did come north with Blue.

[Ben]: And if any of ours goes missin', we got to know and be on it. You know that.

[Ralaea]: Oh, sure. Bring him to Northrend. Whose great idea was that?

[Ben]: … pretty sure it was his on his own. I did not see him on the Company manifests before we sailed.

[Ralaea]: You don't find that suspicious?

[Ben]: If I gave you the list of sh*t I thought was suspicious about Alysson, we'd be here till after dark. But also I have got reasonably confident in the last year maybe that eighty percent what seems suspicious comin' from anyone else is just… either empty-head or accidental, comin' from him.

[Ben]: Reckon a fair share of his suspicious sh*t is sh*t got done to him, not sh*t he done.

[Paluuva]: I take it you have some history with the Mondragons, Rae.

[Ben]: Let's get movin' to Wildervar. We can talk more on the way. Time's movin' on us.

Ralaea nods.

Paluuva nods.

They do not talk more on the way.

A gryphon-ride later…

[Ralaea]: No Lena or Ace?

[Ben]: No Lena this week. She got some kind of… warlock business with a teacher of hers. 7th Legion fellow. Ace should be meetin' us here.

Ben peers at the dwarf standing by the narrow building.

[Ralaea]: Hope the missing nonsense is limited to Alysson.

[Ben]: Reckon that's our contact. And yeah. Me too.

Ace rides up just as they stop to introduce themselves to their dwarven contact.

[Ben]: Oh, speak of the fellow. Hey, Ace.

[Paluuva]: Ahh, hello Ace.

Ralaea nods at Ace. "Good."

[Aiseia]: I finally found all those feathers!

Ben nods to Prospector Belvar. "Sir. Cobalt Company. You asked for us?"

Prospector Belvar says: Cobalt! There ye are. Had your fill of collectin’ feathers and trapped rabbits yet?

Prospector Belvar eyes Aiseia wryly.

Prospector Belvar says: Grisert’s told me he can spare ye for a mission of a different sort, if ye’re willin’.

[Ben]: We are willin', sir. What you got?

[Paluuva]: I believe we are ready for something more suited to our talents.

Paluuva smiles.

Prospector Belvar grins at Paluuva. He bows respectfully.

Prospector Belvar says: Bit o' scholarly work, in fact, which I'm told is your field, ma'am?

Paluuva inclines her head in acknowledgement.

Prospector Belvar says: The vast, rocky area northeast o’ us, Giants’ Run, has been o’errun by Iron Dwarves. Scouts have reported seein’ the dwarves coaxin’ stone giants from the ground, then carvin’ runes on ‘em.

Prospector Belvar says: I can’t fathom their motives, but I suspect they don’t bode well as far as we’re concerned. I want to know what they’re up to.

Prospector Belvar says: The dwarves workin’ with the giants seem tae be carryin’ a book with ‘em. I’ll wager that book contains the runes they’re carvin’ on the giants. Collect me one and bring it back tae me.

[Ben]: Yessir. We can do that.

[Paluuva]: Dwarven runes? Fascinating.

[Ralaea]: So they're… decorating rock giants?

Prospector Belvar says: Runecarvin's a more powerful affair than decoratin', lass. They're animatin' the giants to some purpose or other.

[Aiseia]: Inscribing, though it may look decorative.

[Aiseia]: All those pretty engravings on a stormhammer are vital to its making.

Prospector Belvar nods to Aiseia.

[Ben]: Let's head out, then.

[Aiseia]: Hold on, where's Lena?

[Ben]: Ain't comin' this week. Got some warlock business I guess?

[Ben]: Teacher of hers is over to Dragonblight with the 7th Legion, put in a request for her help.

[Aiseia]: Okay. Hope it goes all right.

[Ben]: Hopin' too.

Ben is squinting at the valley below.

[Ben]: Iron Dwarves. I'll be damn.

[Paluuva]: Be careful not to damage the books.

[Ben]: Yes'm. *Ben nods to Paluuva.*

[Ralaea]: They've got fires. You think they get cold out here?

Ben eyes a Runed Stone Giant up and down.

[Ben]: Oh, hell. That's what they're up to, huh?

[Ralaea]: It's… huge.

Everyone watches the Runed Stone Giant go by.

[Ben]: … okay. So.

Time for dwarfmurder!

Iron Rune Binder attempts to run away in fear!

[Paluuva]: Look at this. A massive rune?

[Ralaea]: Is it?

[Paluuva]: I'm not certain.

[Paluuva]: I would need to see the books to compare.

Ben circles the ring of rocks, studying the mark on the ground. "Yeah, I dunn– I mean. I ain't the expert."

[Ralaea]: Just looks like rocks, to me, but… I'm no rune expert.

[Aiseia]: Won't be surprised if it is.

[Ben]: Not the rocks, though, Rae. You see the thing they got, like — cut in the middle?

[Ben]: Like a brand or somethin'. Kind of mark you'd use for one, anyhow.

[Ralaea]: Oh. Funny shaped… bench?

[Aiseia]: Like clasped hands.

[Paluuva]: That is certainly not a natural formation.

[Ben]: Y'all findin' books on 'em?

[Paluuva]: Not as yet.

[Ralaea]: Gotta watch out for those big guys…

[Ralaea]: Another… rune thing?

[Paluuva]: This one is different.

[Ben]: Looks kind of like… a stick dog. With a leg missin'.

Paluuva smiles.

[Ralaea]: Poor dog.

[Paluuva]: Hmm.

[Ben]: … a stick dog that done somethin'. Behind it.

[Ralaea]: Don't death knights use runes or something too? This related at all?

Ben looks to Paluuva.

[Paluuva]: I haven't been able to study death knight runes in detail.

[Paluuva]: Once I've studied these books, I could compared notes with Icaros and learn more.

[Ralaea]: Just seems like… it's Northrend, and the Lich King is out here, so he's got to know about Iron Dwarves right?

[Paluuva]: It's a reasonable speculation.

[Ben]: … yeah. Fair. You reckon these fellows are on his side, too? Best we heard was they was up to somethin' with Titans maybe. Maybe to do with the Old God.

[Ralaea]: Maybe we'll find out.

A crack in the earth begins to open beneath Ben’s feet.

[Ralaea]: What the heck magic was that?

Ben eyes the displaced earth. "The hell was that?"

[Paluuva]: I've found something.

[Ben]: Yeah?

[Paluuva]: Pages, yes. We'll need to collect the rest to form the entire tome.

[Ben]: Huh. Okay.

[Ralaea]: What good does splitting it up do them?

Iron Rune Binder attempts to run away in fear!

[Ben]: Keep us getting hands on the whole thing, maybe?

[Ben]: If they know we're interested.

[Paluuva]: They're using different runes at different sites.

[Paluuva]: Perhaps they don't need the entire book for their particular functions.

[Ralaea]: Oh.

[Ben]: Oh huh, yeah. Look at this one.

[Ben]: Looks like… a crooked fish.

Ben holds up a sheaf of pages. "Ma'am?" He offers it to Paluuva.

[Ralaea]: Maybe… the fire keeps their joints from freezing?

[Ben]: Reckon somethin' like them's more like to need oil for that.

Iron Rune Binder attempts to run away in fear!

[Aiseia]: I think that's a whole book!

[Paluuva]: I believe we need a few more pages.

A crack begins to open beneath Ben’s feet.

A crack begins to open beneath Ralaea’s feet.

Ben sidesteps the moving chasms.

[Ben]: What is that?

Iron Rune Binder attempts to run away in fear!

A crack begins to open beneath Ben’s feet.

Oh OK I guess it is just earth crack time again.

Ben holds up some more pages. "Ma'am?"

Aiseia looks. "Oh, that one's got pictures."

Paluuva collects the pages, puting them in what seems to be the correct order.

[Ben]: You reckon that does for us?

[Paluuva]: Hmm. Yes, I believe that is all of them.

[Ben]: Okay.

They ride back.

[Ben]: Prospector. Sir.

Prospector Belvar says: Have ye recovered the book?

Ben gestures to Paluuva.

Paluuva presents the tome to Belvar. "We have, Prospector."

Prospector Belvar pages through the volume, frowning. He traces a line of text with his finger, mutters to himself, and looks up.

Prospector Belvar says: There’s… a lot here. I’m going to need some time to study it. While I work on it, though, I’ve another task for ye.

Prospector Belvar says: I’ve a feelin’ if we want to truly understand the nature of these runes, we’re goin’ tae have tae try carvin’ a few ourselves.

Prospector Belvar says: This place is fair littered wi’ picks, hammers, and chisels from the buildin’, but they won’t work for this. A runecarver’s tools are imbued wi’ magic in their forgin’.

Prospector Belvar says: When those special tools are used to carve runes, the symbols are much more than mere words. Runes have the power to bind, compel, and twist.

Prospector Belvar says: I have a fair understandin’ o’ how runecarvin’ itself works, but without a set o’ those tools, I can’t do it meself. Look for kits o’ tools near the Iron Dwarves’ pavilions and bring ‘em to me.

[Ralaea]: So, art class with magic?

[Paluuva]: A bit more artisan than art, but essentially… yes.

Prospector Belvar peers at Ralaea. "I'll… guess it's aye? Ne'er done an 'art class' meself."

[Ralaea]: Neither have I, but my brother has.

Prospector Belvar nods politely to Rae. He seems a little baffled.

[Ben]: Let's — uh. Yeah. Tools.

[Ralaea]: Well, it's got my attention anyhow. If these are anything like death knight runes, I need to understand them.

Ben raises an eyebrow at Rae.

[Ben]: You do, huh?

[Ralaea]: B-because… I'm going to fight one. You know.

[Ben]: We are all gonna fight 'em, Rae. Yeah? But you're right it's worth knowin'.

[Paluuva]: Rae? You intend to fight a death knight? Surely not alone.

[Ralaea]: No, not alone… I've been talked out of that.

[Paluuva]: I'm glad to hear that. I have been studying them; their powers and tactics. They are astonishingly formidable.

[Ralaea]: Yeah, found out that much already…

Ben looks between the two women. He inclines his head to Rae with a half-smile.

[Ralaea]: Light's Hope and what happened after was a real mess.

[Ben]: 'Preciate you bein' careful, Rae, I do.

Ralaea ducks her head and nods.

[Ben]: Maybe you ought to work with Lieutenant Paluuva some, then. Since she got her source, an' all.

Ben rises in the stirrups to point. "'Pavilion' is the square tents, yeah?"

[Ben]: Don't see tools at that one.

Paluuva points at Runed Stone Giant.

[Ben]: Give it room.

[Ralaea]: Gotta say those are some tenacious trees hanging off it.

[Ben]: Right?

[Ben]: Ace, you wanna grab them tools there?

[Ben]: We will look around for some more.

[Aiseia]: Right!

[Ben]: Oh, here's some. They got a stock of 'em here.

[Ben]: Grab what we can.

[Aiseia]: Any more?

[Ben]: Lieutenant Luu's got some.

Paluuva gives Ben a strange smile.

[Ben]: Ma'am, it's okay to call you that?

[Ben]: Only I heard Miss Coit do it.

[Paluuva]: Very much so, and I am impressed that you are pronouncing "Luu" correctly.

Ben is too, frankly. He looks very pleased with himself, and turns a little pink.

[Ben]: Uh, sir. Prospector. We got some things.

Prospector Belvar says: Well? What have ye got there?

Ben offers out an assortment of tools.

Prospector Belvar examines the tools, handling each one carefully.

Prospector Belvar says: All right. I’ve been through the runecarvers’ books and I think I have some sense of ‘em. But if we’re tae understand what the Iron Dwarves are up to exactly, I need tae see the runes at work.

Prospector Belvar moves to a nearby table, on which he’s laid a small stone tablet. One of the runecarvers’ volumes lies open beside it.

Belvar consults the book, then picks up two of the runecarvers’ tools and begins carefully to chisel out an inscription.

The Prospector considers his work, checks the book once more, and nods, satisfied. He lays down his tools, picks the tablet up carefully, and turns back to the group.

Prospector Belvar says: Can ye feel the power emanatin’ from these runes? They’re smaller versions of the ones the Iron Dwarves are usin’. We’re goin’ tae try tae shut down their operation.

Prospector Belvar says: Take this tae Giants’ Run and see if ye can fix it to a stone giant that the dwarves haven’t yet altered.

Prospector Belvar says: If I’ve got it all right, the giant should obey you for a time — I’ve tailored the runes tae return the giant tae its natural state after a time.

Prospector Belvar says: But if ye work quick, it’ll last long enough tae help ye take down Binder Murdis, the leader o’ the Iron Dwarves’ forces at Giants’ Run.

[Ben]: Yessir. Ma'am?

Ben looks to Paluuva. Prospector Belvar does too, and offers her the tablet.

Paluuva nods and takes the tablet.

Back at Giants’ Run…

Ben points at a Runed Stone Giant.

[Ben]: That one?

[Ben]: … no, hold up, it's carved. He said one they ain't got to yet, yeah?

Ben points at a Stone Giant.

The gang dispatches the Iron Dwarves assembled around the unmarked giant.

[Ben]: Ma'am, you want to handle the letterin'?

Paluuva nods.

Ralaea watches closely.

Ben does too.

Paluuva holds up the tablet, imprinting the rune upon the stone giant.

With an earthen groan, the giant lumbers to life, and immediately beelines to stand beside Paluuva. If it stood any closer, she’d get squashed.

[Ben]: … Lieutenant, you got a pet giant!

[Paluuva]: So I do.

[Ralaea]: Can you tell him to do things?

[Paluuva]: I am uncertain how…

They venture deeper into the Iron Dwarves’ encampment, Paluuva’s giant trundling behind her like the world’s most awkward duckling.

Ben points at Binder Murdis.

[Ben]: Bring him this way. See if you can get him to take that fellow out, like Prospector said.

The giant just wants to hang out by its New Mom. It has no interest whatsoever in Binder Murdis.

[Ben]: Heeeere, giant.

[Ben]: Psspsspsspss.

Ralaea snickers.

The giant continues to ignore both Ben and Binder Murdis. At this point, however, Ben is himself close enough that the Binder takes note of him — or maybe Binder Murdis answers to psspsspss better than a stone giant does? — and attacks.

The group dispatches him efficiently while Paluuva’s giant looks on.

[Ben]: Uh. Well I am not much a giant-caller. But that done the trick.

They mount up to return to Fort Wildervar. The stone giant dutifully takes its place basically on top of Paluuva and her talbuk.

[Paluuva]: Eh… go, be free.

The giant does not seem at all inclined to be free. The giant is going home with Paluuva.

[Ralaea]: Hope you don't like personal space…

Paluuva sighs at Enthralled Stone Giant.

[Ben]: Shoo! G'wan, git.

Ben is learning that giants are neither cats nor mules.

[Paluuva]: Let's at least get him out of here.

[Ben]: Okay.

They head back toward the fort. The giant keeps pace with their mounts easily, its stony legs churning ground.

[Ralaea]: They're… faster than I thought.

[Ben]: Yeah. Damn.

[Ben]: Lookit him go!

[Ralaea]: Running literal circles around us.

They reach Fort Wildervar. The giant continues to hover hopefully by Paluuva.

[Paluuva]: Now… go… back to your people.

I was out of /say range but I guess Ace proposed naming the giant.

[Aiseia]: How about… Gus?

[Aiseia]: Stu?

[Aiseia]: Petrus?

[Ben]: Rocky.

[Aiseia]: Rocky!

[Paluuva]: Rocky… Rocky it is.

[Ralaea]: Lieutenant Paluuva… mother of stone giants.

Paluuva sighs.

[Paluuva]: Come along, Rocky.

[Ben]: You must've done that rune real good.

[Paluuva]: I am not happy to have a being under my thrall.

[Aiseia]: Maybe it will fa–oh.

As they reach the courtyard, the stone giant silently crumbles.

Paluuva breathes a sigh of relief as Rocky returns to the earth at last.

[Ralaea]: Just as well. Any sort of stealth work would be impossible with that creature around.

Prospector Belvar says: Did it work?

[Paluuva]: It did… too well.

[Ben]: It worked… real well. The Binder is dead. And Lieutenant Paluuva adopted — well. Came real close to havin' to adopt a giant.

Paluuva chuckles weakly.

Prospector Belvar looks amused, his mustache twitching. "Well, well. I'm glad tae hear there were no… permanent effects, though."

Prospector Belvar says: And well done! We’ve made a fair bit o’ progress here in understandin’ how the Iron Dwarves manipulate runes. Perhaps next time we encounter ‘em, our knowledge will give us an advantage.

Prospector Belvar says: Ye’ve done well in defeatin’ Binder Murdis, but this whole land’s a-swarm wi’ Iron Dwarves, and I doubt they’ll give up easily because we’ve taken out one o’ theirs.

Prospector Belvar says: If ye don’t mind, I’d ask ye tae head o’er by the bonfire and talk wi’ Researcher Aderan. He’s a canny fellow for a human, and helped me wi’ some o’ this runic translation. He’s got more work tae be done.

[Paluuva]: I believe the runes will need further study before they are used again… and preferably not to dominate other beings.

Prospector Belvar nods agreeably at Paluuva. "Perhaps ye could join me sometime, lass? For a spot o'… research?" He looks hopeful.

Ben eyes the dwarf sternly.

That is our mom you’re hitting on, buddy.

Paluuva smiles warmly to Belvar. "Perhaps. But until then, I must attend to my squad."

Prospector Belvar nods regretfully.

[Ben]: We are gonna go find this human fellow.

Better not hit on mom.

[Ralaea]: So if those things are iron dwarves… does that make them machines? Or are they just dwarves, but… their skin is iron?

Researcher Aderan says: Cobalt Company?

[Ben]: Yessir, that's us.

Researcher Aderan says: Ah, excellent. Belvar said he’d send you my way when you’d finished with Binder Murdis. I take it you were successful?

[Ben]: That's right.

Researcher Aderan nods. “Good, good. Though I had little doubt; your reputation precedes you.”

[Ben]: Thank you, sir.

Researcher Aderan says: Now, taking out Binder Murdis hasn’t put an end to the runecarved giants his people have already raised. These giants have begun migrating north, toward Frostblade Peak.

Researcher Aderan says: What their ultimate destination is, I do not know — but I intend to find out.

Ben raises his eyebrows and glances northward toward the mountain peaks.

Researcher Aderan says: Some of the runes inscribed in the stone flesh of the giants must be guiding them on this journey. Use this pick to deactivate the runes on the giants’ corpses, and return to me with your findings.

Paluuva sighs.

[Ben]: … ah. Well. Okay.

Ben leans down from the saddle to accept the pick, with an apologetic look at Paluuva.

[Paluuva]: I do not suppose there is a way to stop the giants without killing them?

Ralaea nods at Paluuva. "I'm with the Lieutenant on this one. There's no other way?"

Researcher Aderan says: I'm sorry, ma'am, not that we know yet. Hopefully we can find one. But at the moment there doesn't seem to be another way to stop them.

Paluuva frowns, nodding sadly.

Ralaea sighs. "Maybe they just… go back to the earth or something? I don't know anything about stone giants."

Researcher Aderan says: Please keep in mind they aren't acting of their own volition as it is. They're being controlled by the runes cut into them. If we can find a way to undo this, we will try.

Ben nods sternly at Researcher Aderan.

[Paluuva]: Precisely my concern.

[Ben]: Well. Let's see what we can do about 'em. For 'em.

[Ralaea]: Agreed.

Back in Giants’ Run…

Ben sighs and dismounts, eyeing the Runed Stone Giant.

[Ben]: Sorry, fella.

One dead giant later…

[Paluuva]: At least we can end it quickly.

Ben takes the pick to the runes on the giant's chest.

Ben pries a line of the runes out whole and holds it up. "Takin' these for him to look at."

[Ben]: …Actually. Lieutenant, maybe you can draw 'em? Might be easier'n carryin' a bunch of tablets around by the time we're done.

[Ben]: I did not bring my pencils, an' you prob'ly got a neater hand.

[Paluuva]: As much as I trust my own scribing skills, having the original runes will be far more valuable, as they have the actual magic imbued into them.

[Ben]: Okay, yes'm.

Ralaea studies the runes, trying to make sense of them. Nope. Still not a rune expert. She sighs.

Ben pries out a second chunk of tablet and wedges it into a saddlebag. Dare looks resigned.

Iron Rune Binder attempts to run away in fear!

[Ben]: Okay. Let's get him these.

[Ben]: Sir.

Ben dismounts and takes the stone tablets from his saddlebag to hand them over.

Researcher Aderan says: Ah! You brought me intact runes, excellent.

Researcher Aderan lays the tablets out on the table that is totally right here and studies them, frowning.

Researcher Aderan says: Interesting. The runes for “north” and “west” appear multiple times. That’s a highly reinforced command to move in that direction, but without the Binder and his lackeys to drive them on, we have to assume something is drawing them forward.

Researcher Aderan says: But what?

Researcher Aderan looks up.

Researcher Aderan says: If we can locate what’s luring the giants northwest, we might be able to stop them before they reach their destination. I can only assume that stopping them is in our interests.

[Ben]: … and maybe in theirs, if they are gettin' pulled that way by magic?

Researcher Aderan nods gravely. "And perhaps also in theirs, yes."

[Ralaea]: Don't suppose they're making a stone giant army for some reason?

Researcher Aderan says: That is — a concern. Although Belvar and I have been able to decipher many of these runes, there are a few here that I still don’t know. Those concern me the most.

Researcher Aderan says: When I visited Giants’ Run myself, I noticed a large, broken tablet jutting from the earth near the snow line at the foot of Frostblade Peak, to the northeast of the area.

[Ralaea]: If it's broken that means it doesn't work, right?

Researcher Aderan says: If it's broken, yes, we must assume that isn't what's drawing the giants northward. But it may give some clue what lies that way.

Researcher Aderan picks up a sketch and offers it to Paluuva for some reason rather than to Ben.

Researcher Aderan says: Take this sample, compare it with the runes on that tablet, and see what you can learn.

Paluuva takes the sketch, examining it.

Paluuva nods.

[Paluuva]: This sample is from the tome we recovered?

Researcher Aderan nods. "A few runes of interest. We'd like to check for their presence. Runes about, for example, an 'army' or 'leader,' as your colleague suggests." He nods at Rae.

[Ben]: Okay.

[Ben]: We'll have a look.

[Ralaea]: I can barely read Common, and now there are runes to study too…

[Ben]: Yeah, you an' me both.

Ben scans the area.

[Ben]: Northeast, he said.

Ben points at a Runed Stone Giant.

[Ralaea]: We could follow that guy.

[Ben]: Reckon we can see what direction that fellow's marchin'.

[Ben]: Keep back so we ain't agitate him.

[Ben]: Oh, there. I see the tablet.

[Ralaea]: Oh. Tablet.

Ben surveys the broken chunk of stone.

As Paluuva approaches the broken tablet, a spectral vision shimmers to life around them.

Image of Megalith says: Arise from the earth, my brothers!

Image of Megalith says: Our iron masters have a mission for us!

[Ralaea]: W-what the…

[Ben]: … whoa, sh*t.

Image of Megalith says: Follow me into the mountains to carry out the plan of the masters!

[Ben]: That is not what I was — uh.

Image of Megalith says: We will not fail!

Ralaea squeezes her eyes shut as the visions pass her.

[Paluuva]: What has happened?

[Aiseia]: Who was that?

[Ben]: What was that fellow?

[Ralaea]: It didn't look like the rest of them.

Paluuva examines the broken tablet.

[Aiseia]: Some of the earth elementals look like that. At the gates of Uldum.

[Ben]: Uldum?

Ben frowns.

[Ralaea]: I'm just glad they didn't possess us. You never know, when things don't have a form…

[Aiseia]: South of Tanaris. a legend so long lost we don't know what it was.

[Ben]: Relation to Uldaman?

[Aiseia]: We have argued about that for centuries.

[Ben]: Because Bran was talkin' about some sh*t from Uldaman. Regardin' the Iron Dwarves.

[Ralaea]: Don't recall seeing any metal dwarves in Tanaris, but…

[Ben]: There's earth ones though, at Uldaman. Maybe Uldum got… sand ones?

[Ben]: Maybe there is all kind of other dwarves we ain't seen.

[Ralaea]: Sand dwarves is an unpleasant mouthful.

[Aiseia]: Maybe Bran will know more?

Ben nods to Ace.

[Aiseia]: I don't know the stories unless they have a beat and you're supposed to drink and cheer in certain places.

Paluuva looks to the sample, then back to the tablet and frowns.

Ben peers at Paluuva.

[Paluuva]: They mistranslated this rune, I am certain.

[Ben]: What's that, ma'am?

[Paluuva]: Well, look here. This is referring to the giants, and this is clearly a leader among them. But the identifying marker for that leader, they translated as 'Monument'. I believe that is wrong.

[Ben]: Is it?

[Paluuva]: No… is it more like… monolith or… no… 'Megalith'.

[Ben]: Megalith.

[Ben]: Huh.

Paluuva nods firmly.

[Ben]: An' that's who you reckon we just saw.

[Paluuva]: I believe so. I'm sure in his own language his name is very different. But translated to Common, that being is Megalith.

[Ben]: All right, well, let's go tell that fellow he got his translatin' wrong.

[Ralaea]: At least it's not Megalich?

Ben casts a startled glance at Rae, and then grins.

[Aiseia]: Thank the Light for that.

[Ben]: At least not. Yeah.

Researcher Aderan says: Have you discovered what the lodestone is that draws the giants onward?

[Paluuva]: I believe so. They have a leader.

Researcher Aderan listens intently to Paluuva.

[Ralaea]: And it's not a mega lich.

Researcher Aderan says: It's not — ah. I see.

Researcher Aderan does not look like he sees.

Paluuva clears her throat and simply hands him back his sample, but with 'monument' crossed out and 'Megalith' written in.

Researcher Aderan accepts the sample from Paluuva and scans it. His expression clears. "Ah!"

Researcher Aderan says: Of course. 'Megalith!' This ‘Megalith’ must somehow be key to the Iron Dwarves’ plans. We must destroy it before their plan comes to fruition!

Researcher Aderan says: I imagine that Binder Murdis created ‘Megalith’ to be a sort of general for the runed giants: the most powerful of them, meant to lead them in their mission.

[Ralaea]: But… we still don't know what that mission is.

Researcher Aderan says: Defeating Megalith should free the runed giants from their bound purpose, at least. Once the full expeditionary force arrives, our soldiers can advance into the mountains and eradicate the remaining Iron Dwarves, perhaps discerning their intentions in the process.

[Paluuva]: I believe he is correct about destroying Megalith.

[Paluuva]: That tablet seemed to suggest Megalith is somehow key to controlling them.

Ben looks from Paluuva to Aderan and back. He nods at Paluuva.

[Ralaea]: Maybe consult with some druids and shamans about resettling the stone giants?

Researcher Aderan says: We'll certainly do what we can, miss. Watcher Moonleaf with the Steel Gate expedition may have thoughts. I'll consult with her.

[Ben]: Okay. Meantime let's take down this Megalith fellow and get 'em freed. Yeah?

[Ralaea]: I'm sure our presence here is distressing enough, never mind their experience with the metal dwarves.

Ben eyes a pair of Runed Stone Giants lumbering into the foothills.

[Ben]: Okay. Again, I guess we go where they're goin'.

[Ben]: There's the — holy sh*t.

Ben eyes an Icehollow Behemoth up and down.

[Ben]: That is a huge f*cken yeti.

[Ralaea]: I uh… guess these yetis just live out here like this.

[Ben]: Uhh, shoo.

[Ralaea]: Go eat a ram that isn't mine, yeti.

[Ben]: Shoo, fellow.

The yeti does not shoo, but nor is it interested in puny shooing creatures. It wanders off.

[Aiseia]: All right then!

Ben points at Megalith.

[Ben]: That's our one.

Megalith yells: I have fallen! Fear not, brethren! Let nothing keep you from the Stoneforge!

As Megalith dies, he backhands Ben into the hillside.

[Ben]: … ow.

Ben clambers up from the snow where he was thrown.

[Ben]: What he say? What's a Stoneforge?

[Ralaea]: Their mission, or something to do with.

[Paluuva]: Does that mean they will continue without him after all?

Paluuva frowns.

[Aiseia]: I bet we'll be investigatin' it shortly.

Ben brushes himself off irritably. Snow, ugh. He glances up at Paluuva and frowns, too.

[Ben]: Maybe he don't know we took the Binder out?

[Paluuva]: Perhaps. We had best be vigilant.

Ben nods.

[Ralaea]: We may need those druids and shamans after all.

[Ralaea]: Find some way to get those runes off them without killing them.

[Ben]: Yeah.

[Paluuva]: There may also be other iron dwarf sites we don't know about.

[Ben]: …. reckon that's right. Other dwarf sites. I mean, we already know about at least one, so.

[Ben]: Sir.

Researcher Aderan says: Do you bring news of Megalith’s downfall?

[Ben]: We took him down, sir. He said somethin', though, about a 'Stoneforge,' which I guess is what they were marchin' on?

Researcher Aderan says: A Stoneforge, you say?

Researcher Aderan broods for a moment. He shakes his head slowly.

Researcher Aderan says: I know of no place with that name, but of course we’re still stumbling in the dark here in Northrend. I’m hesitant to assume too much, but it sounds like certain Titan ruins and relics we’ve encountered.

Researcher Aderan says: What plans would the Iron Dwarves have for such a thing?

[Ralaea]: While we're stuck back here preparing, Northrend's still moving without us. This is a good reminder of that.

Researcher Aderan nods grimly to Rae.

Researcher Aderan says: This bears watching, Cobalt Company. We must find it before the Iron Dwarves’ plan comes to fruition.

[Ben]: … yeah, about that. He also hollered for the rest of 'em to keep marchin'. Like they was still on plan. So we reckon maybe there is other Iron Dwarves out there, got more of 'em up and marchin'?

Researcher Aderan grimaces and rubs his forehead. “You are likely correct. I’ll confer with the Explorers’ League about this matter. Expect to hear from them when we know more. I'll also let Captain Adams know that it seems we're not done with the Iron Dwarves.”

[Ben]: Okay. Thanks, sir. Keep us posted.

Researcher Aderan says: Thank you for what you’ve done here today. Fort Wildervar is safer, both for your defeat of our enemies and for the knowledge you’ve won us.

[Ben]: That is why we're here, sir. 'Preciate you, though.

[Ben]: Specialist Westwind here has suggested again about gettin' hold of some druids or shamans, to see about scrubbin' the runes without harmin' the giants.

Researcher Aderan nods. "I will see what can be done."

[Ralaea]: I've got to learn some of those runes, too. Might be useful for… things.

Researcher Aderan and Ben both contemplate Rae for a moment.

[Ralaea]: What?

Ben clears his throat. "Nothin'. You can work with the Lieutenant some more if you are interested, I reckon."

Ralaea pulls on her goggles. "Yeah. I'll consider it. But I imagine that's it for today, then?"

[Paluuva]: I will be studying them myself. I will be sure to share my findings with you, Rae.

[Ben]: I think that is job well done for the day, yeah.

[Ralaea]: Thanks, Lieutenant Paluuva.

[Ben]: Y'all dismissed. Good work. We'll keep pitchin' in around here to get the place ready for us to move. Shouldn't be long now. Hopin' this week.

Ralaea nods, a newly determined look on her face. "Alright, then. I've got some stuff to take care of. See you all."

[Ben]: See you.

Aiseia watches Rae go, head cocked.

[Paluuva]: Be safe and warm, all of you.

[Ben]: You too, ma'am, thank you kindly.

[Paluuva]: Light be with you.

[Ben]: You, too.

[Aiseia]: An' also wi' you.

Ben looks from Ace to Rae’s receding figure and back again. "You run into Rae durin' the week anytime, keep an eye on her, will you?"

[Aiseia]: On it.

[Ben]: Thanks, Ace.

[Ben]: See you round.