(2023-04-14) Chapter IV: Twilight Tribulations, Part 1 (Cobalt Blade)

Details

Author:	OzmaAsimov
Summary:	The Cobalt Blade's success in the Wailing Caverns has put Vesyllah into a slightly more positive light with her order. That, or they don't mind sacrificing her in a suicide mission. They have called on her to enter Blackfathom Deeps to investigate renewed cult activity, so naturally she roped the Blade into helping her.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: The Cobalt Blade

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Some discussion of gory content

Vesyllah Rivenheart stands alone in the Stormwind Park…or so it seems.

Sharpgear giggles.

[Sharpgear]: Boo!

Vesyllah smirks wryly.

[Sharpgear]: How's it goin, Vengeance?

[Vesyllah]: I'm getting better at spotting you…or just assuming you're there, maybe.

Sharpgear giggles at Vesyllah.

[Sharpgear]: Always assume I'm there. Watching.

[Vesyllah]: Seen any of the others yet?

[Sharpgear]: Not today.

[Sharpgear]: Ugh, tardiness. These people need to spend some time in the military.

[Vesyllah]: Or a religious order. Guilt is an amazingly potent tool for discipline.

[Sharpgear]: I only have a very casual relationship with religion myself.

[Sharpgear]: I'm pretty keen on the Titans, but they're pretty hands-off these days.

Vesyllah sighs. "I was being funny." Because it was so obvious.

[Sharpgear]: Oh. You're not very good at that, then.

Vesyllah snorts…but doesn't argue.

[Sharpgear]: That's okay. I'm hilaaaarious.

[Vesyllah]: You have your moments.

Sharpgear preens.

[Sharpgear]: You have really skinny knees.

[Sharpgear]: What's up with that.

Vesyllah stares.

[Vesyllah]: I kinda have skinny everything.

[Sharpgear]: Yeah. I wasn't gonna be that mean.

[Vesyllah]: You got a problem with skinny?

Sharpgear blinks.

[Sharpgear]: You don't?

[Vesyllah]: Should I?

[Sharpgear]: Are we just answering questions with questions now?

[Vesyllah]: …yes.

Sharpgear giggles at Vesyllah.

[Sharpgear]: So, that letter you sent was interesting.

[Vesyllah]: Yeah…interesting is a word for it.

[Sharpgear]: I love me some Twilight's Hammer nonsense.

[Vesyllah]: I love beating them senseless, if that's what you mean.

[Sharpgear]: Yep.

[Sharpgear]: Cultists are really fun to murder.

Zaara bursts into dance.

Sharpgear giggles at Zaara.

Sharpgear dances with Zaara.

[Arthur]: are we going after cultists?

Zaara grins a wolfy grin at Tadget.

[Sharpgear]: Whoa, where'd pretty boy come from?

Sharpgear puts an arm around Zaara's shin.

[Thalstan]: 'lo there! Are we murderin' cultists today?

[Vesyllah]: With any luck.

Zaara beams down at her shin.

[Vesyllah]: So, you all read the letter, right?

[Sharpgear]: Yep.

[Zaara]: No!

[Zaara]: But a person read it to me.

Sharpgear giggles at Zaara.

[Arthur]: That counts.

[Zaara]: Then yes!

Sharpgear nods at Zaara.

Arthur thanks Thalstan.

[Sharpgear]: Allow me to say that everyone is looking especially sexy today! Me, mostly, but also the rest of you.

[Thalstan]: I read the letter start ta finish! We got to stop this whole seed thing before it gets outta control.

[Vesyllah]: Skinny knees and all.

Sharpgear thanks Thalstan.

[Vesyllah]: So, see that druid over there?

Vesyllah points at Argos Nightwhisper.

[Zaara]: No.

Sharpgear cackles maniacally at the situation.

[Vesyllah]: Right…

Arthur peers at Argos Nightwhisper searchingly.

Thalstan chuckles. "Yeah."

[Sharpgear]: That never gets old.

Zaara grins.

Sharpgear gently pats Zaara.

Sharpgear waves at Argos Nightwhisper.

[Vesyllah]: That's Argos Nightwhisper. He's got a brother who’s done quite a bit of research on Blackfathom Deeps. Worked with Cobalt before, in fact.

[Sharpgear]: Nice.

[Zaara]: Nice.

[Vesyllah]: I wasn't able to get in touch with the brother yet, so I figured we see if Argos knows where to find him.

Sharpgear nods at you.

[Thalstan]: Hope they get along alright. So he knows where ta find the fella.

[Vesyllah]: Yeah…hope so. Siblings aren't always tight.

[Sharpgear]: Ugh, brothers…

Sharpgear makes a face.

[Vesyllah]: Pretty sure you all know as much as I do now. But…any questions before we start?

[Sharpgear]: What is the square root of 37?

Vesyllah sighs at Sharpgear.

[Zaara]: Six point zero eight two seven and so.

Sharpgear blinks at Zaara.

Thalstan blinks at Zaara.

[Vesyllah]: The fu-….

Sharpgear cackles maniacally at Zaara.

Zaara continues smiling gently at no one.

[Sharpgear]: Nice.

[Vesyllah]: Right then. Apparently, Zaara's a math genius.

[Sharpgear]: Draenei know a lot of stuff.

[Vesyllah]: So, any relevant questions?

[Zaara]: I am a great booty of maths.

[Sharpgear]: Why are your knees so skinny?

[Sharpgear]: I feel like that's relevant.

Sharpgear peers at Vesyllah searchingly.

[Sharpgear]: Because, what if your legs just snap in half mid battle?

Vesyllah glares at Tadget.

Sharpgear smiles at Vesyllah.

[Vesyllah]: What if you fall down a two foot hole and are lost forever?

Sharpgear cackles maniacally at Vesyllah.

[Sharpgear]: Okay, that's all my questions. For now.

Sharpgear peers at Arthur searchingly.

[Sharpgear]: Uhhh

Vesyllah sighs. "Anyone else need to comment on my knees? Or are we good?"

[Sharpgear]: Anyone else alarmed by the sudden … sparkling thing going on over there?

Thalstan shakes his head good-naturedly. "No comments on my end."

[Sharpgear]: Oh, it stopped.

Arthur gasps back a laugh. "your knees are fine."

[Sharpgear]: Maybe it was just the sunlight on his pretty pretty hair.

[Zaara]: We are doing insults! This is fun! Why do you smell like that?

[Sharpgear]: I have some comments on your end, Thalstan, but I'll keep them to myself.

Sharpgear laughs at Zaara.

Arthur can't help laughing now.

Thalstan laughs helplessly. "You all are jus'… jus'… what a team."

Vesyllah grumbles, "Night Warrior…just kill me now."

[Zaara]: I am sorry. No more foolery.

[Sharpgear]: I cannot promise the same.

[Sharpgear]: But we can, you know, go talk to the guy.

[Vesyllah]: Fine. Let's.

[Zaara]: Let's!

[Sharpgear]: This way, Booty.

[Zaara]: Grass! Grass grass grass.

Sharpgear greets Argos Nightwhisper with a hearty hello!

Thalstan gestures for Vesyllah to speak, as the Kaldorei among us.

Sharpgear stares at Argos's knees.

Vesyllah sighs out a bored, "Elune adore."

Argos Nightwhisper says: Hmm? Ah, ishnu del dieb. What can do for you?

[Vesyllah]: You are the brother of Gershala Nightwhisper, are you not?

Sharpgear looks at Zaara's knees for a bit.

Argos Nightwhisper says: I am. Why do you ask?

Sharpgear can't really see Art's knees under that robe.

Thalstan peers up at the Kaldorei.

Vesyllah looks to the others to see if anyone seems inclined to jump in.

[Sharpgear]: We are the famous COBALT BLADE.

[Sharpgear]: We want to help with his cult problem.

Argos Nightwhisper says: The Cobalt Blade? Oh…has Cobalt Company changed its name?

[Sharpgear]: No, we're like one of their elite teams.

[Sharpgear]: You haven't seen the posters?

Sharpgear flexes at Argos Nightwhisper. Oooooh so strong!

Sharpgear makes a pose like on the poster, to help.

[Thalstan]: Yes, we're the new hotness in Cobalt Company. *Thal nods sagely*

Sharpgear giggles at Thalstan.

[Thalstan]: But we're no' here for public relations, we're here fer a mission!

Argos Nightwhisper says: Ahh, I see. My apologies. So, Cobalt Blade, you say my brother has a cult problem?

[Vesyllah]: We need his expertise on Blackfathom Deeps.

[Sharpgear]: Which has a cult problem.

Argos Nightwhisper says: Oh yes, of course. It is true. My brother, Gershala, has studied the Deeps and the Twilight's Hammer, trying to understand the nature of their corruption.

[Zaara]: Cults! A problem.

Zaara sighs heavily.

[Sharpgear]: The nature of it is that Old Gods made them craycray.

Sharpgear loops her finger around her ear.

Thalstan shakes his head. "Poor sods."

Zaara mouths craycray to herself with interest.

Argos Nightwhisper says: I wish I could offer you some of his wisdom. But I can send a letter with you pleading for his assistance. He is residing in Auberdine now.

[Sharpgear]: I know where that is.

[Sharpgear]: Noooo problem.

[Thalstan]: Auberdine! Tha's the kaldorei port town, innit?

[Sharpgear]: Yep.

[Arthur]: yes. i've wanted to go there!

Vesyllah sighs, "Yeah…home."

[Thalstan]: I think a boat goes out from th' harbor here in Stormwind.

Sharpgear nods at Thalstan.

Vesyllah groans. "Let's get this over with."

Sharpgear starts to charge.

Sharpgear beckons everyone over.

[Thalstan]: There was one other fella mentioned in the letter.

[Thalstan]: Gerrig Bonegrip?

[Vesyllah]: Right. We should probably head to Ironforge before we cross the sea.

[Thalstan]: D'we want ta ask him too?

[Sharpgear]: Hehehe, "bonegrip"

[Arthur]: yes. in ironforge.

[Sharpgear]: We know how he spends his spare time…

[Vesyllah]: Gross.

Sharpgear cackles maniacally at Vesyllah.

[Thalstan]: Heh it does sound a bit… odd.. *Thal grins at Tadget*

[Vesyllah]: C'mon. To the tram.

[Zaara]: Gripping bones?

[Thalstan]: Dwarves are no' quite like gnomes tha' way. It's probably not to comment on him in particular grippin' bones.

Sharpgear tags Art. "You're it!"

The Cobalt Blade boards the tram to Ironforge.

[Sharpgear]: I love the tram.

[Sharpgear]: One of our finer ideas.

[Arthur]: The tram is awesome!

[Thalstan]: It's a right good one, that's fer sure.

Vesyllah makes a face as her long hair is whipped back and all around. "Yeah…it's great."

[Sharpgear]: Wheeee!

[Arthur]: Hello Fish!

[Sharpgear]: Rats.

[Sharpgear]: I used to spend quite a lot of time in the Forlorn Cavern.

[Sharpgear]: Uh, maybe I should… *Tadget pulls up a hood.*

[Vesyllah]: Yeah…so have I. Uh…there might be a few people there who won't be too happy to see me.

[Sharpgear]: Same.

[Sharpgear]: Thalstan can take point on this one.

[Vesyllah]: Good idea.

[Thalstan]: Alrigh' I can do tha'. It's my hometown after all.

[Thalstan]: Don't reckon I've ticked off no one in the Cavern.

[Sharpgear]: You used to be a guard here huh? So I bet they play nice when they see you coming.

[Thalstan]: Less they jus' don' like guards, but I'm no' in uniform today.

Thalstan nods at Tadget.

[Thalstan]: Travelin' fishermen. Hmm.

[Thalstan]: Tha' a codename?

[Zaara]: Fish!

Sharpgear pulls her hood close so her face isn't visible.

[Vesyllah]: That's next door.

[Thalstan]: Ahh that would make sense.

Thalstan waves cheerily at the warlocks.

[Thalstan]: I'm lookin' for a Mister Bonegrip here?

Sharpgear immediately becomes almost disturbingly low-key and nondescript.

Zaara looks unusually grim. She hangs back.

Vesyllah looms back in the shadows, letting them envelope her to be less noticeable.

[Thalstan]: Jus' here askin fer some help.

[Thalstan]: I hear he's an expert in, uh, certain types o' lore.

Arthur wore a purple robe on a shady mission, and should not be counted.

Gerrig Bonegrip perks up.

Sharpgear hangs back with Ves in the shadows. Just two lurkers, nothing to see here.

Gerrig Bonegrip says: Aye, I'm Bonegrip. The expert in question.

Sharpgear tries not to snicker at the name.

Arthur looks puzzled as he turns a circle, like he forgot where his put his keys or his murderer.

Thalstan grins widely at him, rustling his mustache. "Glad I found yeh! I been real innerested in the whole Twilight Hammer situation, doin' some research."

Gerrig Bonegrip says: Oh? Researching the Twilight's Hammer? Fascinating subject, aye. Eh…what in particular interests you?

[Sharpgear]: Prophecy!

Gerrig Bonegrip glances around, trying to place where the voice came from.

Sharpgear remains very hard to see.

[Thalstan]: Fascinatin' is the truth! *Thal continues to grin, as if maybe he means that in a positive way. Maybe.* But yeah, like my scout says, I'm innerested mostly in their prophecies.

Arthur frowns again. He looks a lot like a young, confused Hugh Grant.

Gerrig Bonegrip says: Prophecy, you say? Certainly, I happen to specialize in the topic. The Hammer is chock full of 'em.

Arthur 's brow clears as he hears "scout." ohhh.

Sharpgear whispers "The seeeeed…" in a creepy fashion.

[Thalstan]: Oh, I know! Seems like every time you talk to… *Thal coughs and meaningfully raises his eyebrows* …yeh hear about new ones!

Thalstan leans forward a little conspiratorially. "Way I heard it, might be some are bit closer to bein' forged true than others these days?"

Gerrig Bonegrip squints, eyes casting about. "Wha-…could have sworn I heard…never mind. Ahem. Right then. Yes well…some do carry more weight than others."

Gerrig Bonegrip says: You sound like you may have something specific in mind. Heh, I see the twinkle of discover in your eyes, lad.

Thalstan nods, stroking his beard in thought. "Which one would yeh say is the most important fer a young… a young fella and his comrades to know about?"

[Thalstan]: I heard sommat about a seed, but no one seems ta know what's here or there about it.

Sharpgear puts her hand over her mouth to smother a giggle at how adorable Thalstan the Cultist is.

Gerrig Bonegrip's eyebrows shoot up.

Gerrig Bonegrip says: A seed, you say? Yes, I think I may know something of this one. It's referred to in some texts as the Seed of Eternal Endings.

Sharpgear takes a few notes in the shadows.

Gerrig Bonegrip says: But there are arguments over just what the Seed is, and its purpose. I have long sought a particular manuscript written by Damina Krawse, the one who first spoke the prophecy.

Sharpgear's tongue pokes out of one corner of her mouth as she writes.

Gerrig Bonegrip says: Her writings are said to explain her vision in great detail, including subsequent visions she believed were related.

Gerrig Bonegrip says: The last rumors of the manuscript suggest it was lost somewhere in Blackfathom Deeps. If you can bring me the manuscript of Damina Krawse, I'll be able to piece together the truth of the Seed of Eternal Endings.

Zaara whispers, "Wisions."

[Thalstan]: Ah… Eternal Endings…. *Thalstan nods, trying to look intrigued.* Blackfathom Deeps? Hm… tha's a dangerous place ta go, but I'll see… I'll see…

Gerrig Bonegrip says: Any knowledge worth having requires risk to obtain, lad.

Sharpgear tucks her notes away, remaining inconspicuous.

Sharpgear slips out.

Vesyllah follows after Tadget.

[Thalstan]: I s'pose yer right, sir. *Thal nods reluctantly.* If we can manage it, yeh'll be the first ta know. After us, o' course.

Thalstan waves at Gerrig Bonegrip.

Gerrig Bonegrip says: Best of luck!

Gerrig Bonegrip chuckles a little too sinister.

[Zaara]: I should perhaps have stay out here? I do not look like a cult.

Sharpgear reaches up to hold Zaara's hand. Whether to guide her, or because she's skeeeerd, it's hard to say.

Thalstan chuckles, once they're out of earshot. "That was kind o' fun."

Zaara takes Tadget's hand gravely.

Sharpgear giggles at Thalstan.

[Vesyllah]: It's fine. Moonshroud wasn't kidding about stroking his ego.

[Thalstan]: Oh, I bet he saw yer lovely tentacles and thought no more of it.

Arthur lowers his voice. "where did you go, Tadget?"

[Sharpgear]: They do like Tentacles.

[Zaara]: My — what? Why?

Zaara frowns.

[Sharpgear]: Oh, I'm just really good at hiding.

[Arthur]: you really are!

[Sharpgear]: I'd never leave you, pretty boy.

Sharpgear bats her eyes.

[Vesyllah]: Alright, let's get out of here before someone recognizes me or Tadget.

[Sharpgear]: So, Zaara, Old Gods are really tentacly.

[Sharpgear]: But not nice tentacles like yours.

[Thalstan]: Off t'Auberdine now?

Sharpgear nods at Thalstan.

Sharpgear pulls Zaara along by the hand. Which is hard to do in-game.

[Vesyllah]: Yeah. Time to track down Gershala.

Zaara is pulled along, believe it or not, despite animations to the contrary.

The Blade heads back to the tram to return to Stormwind.

[Sharpgear]: Man, what kind of parents name their sons Argos… and Gershala?

[Sharpgear]: Gershala really got the short end of that stick.

[Arthur]: elves?

[Zaara]: Argos! Very good name.

[Vesyllah]: Kaldorei parents.

[Sharpgear]: Gershala is a crap name.

[Zaara]: Why crap?

[Vesyllah]: There are a lot of crap kaldorei names.

[Sharpgear]: If you were a man, would you want to be called GERSHALA?

[Zaara]: Maybe?

[Sharpgear]: It sounds like a sneeze.

[Sharpgear]: gerSHALA!!

Sharpgear says, sneezily.

[Thalstan]: I dinnae know about 'Gershala', but Gersh is alrigh'. Folk can believe it's somethin' proper like Gershstan.

[Zaara]: Shhhhaaaalllaa.

[Vesyllah]: Gershtan?

[Zaara]: Gersh sounds like sneezing!

[Vesyllah]: Ugh…even worse.

[Sharpgear]: You all have terrible taste in names. Never mind.

[Arthur]: hello fish!

[Zaara]: GERSH! *Zaara fake sneezes.*

[Thalstan]: I never knew a Gershstan, but it sounds nice ta my ears.

[Sharpgear]: Goood thing I didn't have you name my kids.

Sharpgear giggles at Zaara.

[Sharpgear]: My kids have amazing names.

[Vesyllah]: What did you name your kids? Stabby, Knifey, and Deathstroke?

[Sharpgear]: Jerameter, Pinkipher and Pinniphee.

[Vesyllah]: Close enough.

[Thalstan]: Which one ya reckon is Deathstroke?

[Sharpgear]: Definitely Pinki.

[Zaara]: Pinkipher! Phinnipee! What good words!

[Zaara]: Phhhinnnnipeeeeee

[Sharpgear]: PinniPHee.

[Zaara]: I say that. Phinnipee.

Sharpgear sighs at Zaara.

[Vesyllah]: Pinkipher. Yeah, I'd wanna deliver some deathstrokes if I had 'pink' in my name.

[Zaara]: But you do not! So this is good for you!

Vesyllah likes to deliver deathstrokes nonetheless.

The group arrives at the dock in Stormwind Harbor to await the ship to Auberdine.

[Sharpgear]: Pink is the color of entrails. Once you wash the blood off.

[Vesyllah]: …I can't argue with that.

Sharpgear points at Auberdine Sentinel.

[Sharpgear]: Ram will probably be pretty deadly when he grows up too. But Pinni is kind of pathetic.

[Sharpgear]: I hope we can toughen her up soon.

[Sharpgear]: She's almost eight months old!

[Vesyllah]: Pathetic how?

[Thalstan]: Are gnomes usually pretty tough at eight months? I don't reckon dwarves are.

[Sharpgear]: Like, she cries all the tinme.

[Sharpgear]: And can barely sit up.

[Thalstan]: She's… a baby?

[Sharpgear]: Yeah, but the other two are superior babies.

Vesyllah sighs

[Thalstan]: Maybe she jus' needs extra love.

The ship arrives in Darkshore.

[Vesyllah]: Auberdine…

[Sharpgear]: Pinki nearly bit my finger off! It was great.

[Vesyllah]: Elune's tits, I hate it here…

Thalstan looks at the curvy architecture appreciatively.

[Sharpgear]: I'd think you'd love it. It's all… gloooomy.

[Vesyllah]: I grew up here. It's the worst.

[Thalstan]: Art, you recognize the fella?

[Sharpgear]: He's a dead ringer for his brother.

Zaara mouths, 'Elune's tits' to herself silently.

Sharpgear greets Gershala Nightwhisper with a hearty hello!

Thalstan looks Gershala up and down.

[Thalstan]: You Gershala Nightwhisper?

[Arthur]: yeah he looks a lot like the man we were just talking to.

[Sharpgear]: Not even in an "all elves look the same to me" kinda way.

Gershala Nightwhisper says: You believe I look like my brother? I am honored.

Sharpgear giggles at Gershala Nightwhisper.

[Sharpgear]: You're slightly handsomer.

[Thalstan]: Glad ta hear th' two of yeh get along!

Gershala Nightwhisper smiles at Tadget. "Thank you. What brings you here?"

[Zaara]: Cults problem!

[Sharpgear]: The Prophecy…

Gershala Nightwhisper says: Cults and a prophecy, you say? Go on.

[Sharpgear]: We want to go into Blackfathom Deeps and clean the place out, basically.

[Sharpgear]: If that's cool with you.

[Thalstan]: We wanted ta ask yeh about the Blackfathom Deeps. There's a prophecy afoot there. *Thal nods at Tadget*

[Zaara]: Afoot, *Zaara repeats solemnly.*

Gershala Nightwhisper says: Mmm, a worthy cause. I'm afraid I know little of a prophecy, but I have studied the Hammer and the Deeps for some time.

[Sharpgear]: Any pointers you can give us?

Gershala Nightwhisper says: The corruption in that place runs deep. You must be cautious. I do not believe it will affect you in a short time there. But the beings that reside there are changed.

Gershala Nightwhisper says: For some time, I have been studying the naga and satyrs that reside in Blackfathom Deeps. They are demonstrably corrupted beings, and I believe susceptible to further corruption.

[Sharpgear]: I have some Old God experience. I can help keep everyone from going loopy.

[Sharpgear]: I killed one, one time.

[Thalstan]: Hmm, alrigh'. So we should do our business in there and get out right quick.

[Sharpgear]: C'Thun. You might've heard of him. Yeah, that was me. Few other people.

Arthur frowns. "hm. corruption from a dangerous material, emotional influnce from summoned entities, or just plain old indoctrination. Could be any of them."

Gershala Nightwhisper says: Ahh, yes, I have heard of the battle with C'Thun. Fortunately, I do not believe you encounter an actual Old God in the Deeps.

[Sharpgear]: Rats.

Sharpgear snaps her fingers.

Gershala Nightwhisper says: But their minions are there, and I believe they are mutating further.

Gershala Nightwhisper says: If I can compare freshly acquired brain stems from the satyrs and naga of Blackfathom, I can compare them to samples obtained earlier and learn much about the progress and nature of their corruption.

[Sharpgear]: Brain stems, comin' up.

[Thalstan]: Their brains are mutating… *Thal looks a touch horrified*

[Arthur]: Grisly! but I think i see your hypothesis clearly.

[Zaara]: Brain… stems.

[Thalstan]: We're goin' in there after a book an' a prophecy in any case, so I suppose we can… how're we gonna get their brains?

Zaara looks a touch queasy.

Gershala Nightwhisper says: Yes…Old God corruption seems to have a physical impact on the brain, which would account for the extreme behavioral changes. There is still so much we don't know, though.

[Vesyllah]: We cut them out.

[Arthur]: dissection.

[Sharpgear]: We'll stop their brains from mutating. Or doing anything else, really.

[Sharpgear]: I also have experience removing brains, as it happens.

[Arthur]: I'm not saying that this experiment is within most investigative ethical guidelines, mind you.

Sharpgear nods at Arthur.

Gershala Nightwhisper says: I will only require the brain stems. You need not carry entire brains with you.

[Thalstan]: I'll… leave the brain stem removal ta th'experts.

Zaara tucks her hands behind her back. Not it.

[Sharpgear]: I have the most agile knife in Azeroth! You will get exactly the part of the brain you need and no more.

[Vesyllah]: I think Tadget and I can handle it.

[Sharpgear]: I also happen to be somethin of an anatomy expert.

[Zaara]: The Most Agile Knife in Azeroth.

Sharpgear nods at Zaara.

[Vesyllah]: Well…while we're nearby, let's head to Darnassus and see what the Argent Dawn knows. They were working with Moonshroud.

[Sharpgear]: Sure.

[Thalstan]: Sure! I'd like to see Darnassus.

[Sharpgear]: Always good to go in as prepared as possible, especially when it's a place with just one narrow way out.

Vesyllah mutters, "…and get the fel out of Auberdine."

Thalstan nods at Tadget.

The Blade takes the boat to Teldrassil. A few of them catch an earlier boat…a fact that Tadget decides to tease the others about.

[Sharpgear]: Hey, slowpokes.

[Arthur]: oh. wow.

[Sharpgear]: I guess I lied when I said I'd never leave you, Art.

[Thalstan]: Well… it wasn't that far.

[Vesyllah]: In here.

Vesyllah gestures to the glowing aura amid the roots of Teldrassil that will teleport them up to Darnassus.

The Blade rides through Darnassus to meet with the Argent Crusade.

[Vesyllah]: This is where the Argent Dawn headquarters in Darnassus.

[Vesyllah]: Sorry…Argent Crusade. Whatever.

[Sharpgear]: They sure get around.

[Thalstan]: This must be a popular post.

[Thalstan]: Such a pretty, peaceful place.

Thalstan salutes Argent Guard Manados with respect.

[Vesyllah]: We're looking for Dawnwatcher Shaedlass!

[Thalstan]: Hello, Argent Crusaders! I'm here on behalf o' Cobalt Company, inquirin' abou' the Blackfathom Deeps.

Sharpgear points to Thalstan like, 'what he said.'

Thalstan nods at Ves, too.

Dawnwatcher Shaedlass looks up from a book. "I am Dawnwatcher Shaedlass. What's this about Blackfathom Deeps?"

Sharpgear greets Dawnwatcher Shaedlass with a hearty hello!

[Sharpgear]: We're goin' there.

[Zaara]: For brains!

Vesyllah takes out her copy of the letter from Delaryn Moonshroud and offers it to Shaedlass.

Dawnwatcher Shaedlass looks over the letter and nods in recognition. "So, you are the agents the Temple called on to look into Delaryn's report."

Thalstan nods proudly/

Dawnwatcher Shaedlass says: Welcome. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated. The Argent Crusade's numbers are thin in the south these days, with most of our forces dedicated to the Scourgewar in the north.

[Zaara]: We are luckily not dedicated to this war!

[Sharpgear]: Right. The Scourgewar.

[Thalstan]: Cobalt's up there too. Tha's why the likes of us are watchin' o'er things here in the South.

[Sharpgear]: We're your friendly neighborhood strike team!

Dawnwatcher Shaedlass says: Such are the burdens of those of us left behind. But no less important our tasks.

[Sharpgear]: Hell yeah!

[Zaara]: Hell yeah!

Dawnwatcher Shaedlass says: I have sent a scout ahead to investigate. By now, Argent Guard Thaelrid will have entered Blackfathom Deeps. I expected a report back from him two days ago…none has come.

Dawnwatcher Shaedlass says: Seek him out. If he lives, he will surely have valuable information.

[Thalstan]: We'll find 'im, one way or another. *Thal nods with confidence*

Dawnwatcher Shaedlass says: While you are here, please speak with Argent Guard Manados.

[Sharpgear]: Sure thing.

Arthur spots a book and his eyes gleam.

Sharpgear attempts to swipe the book on Art's behalf.

[Thalstan]: Yeh got somethin' to tell us about the Deeps?

Argent Guard Manados bows his head in greeting. "I do, and a request if you are venturing into that ancient temple."

Sharpgear would probably have done pretty well at swiping the book if it weren't half her size. Instead it thuds to the floor, and she pretends it was an accident.

Argent Guard Manados says: Empowered by the ancient rites of the chaotic Old Gods the members of the Twilight's Hammer strive to bring about the return of their dark patrons and spread death and terror across the world.

[Sharpgear]: Yep.

[Sharpgear]: They are kind of the worst.

[Thalstan]: Seems ta be their thing, yeah.

Argent Guard Manados says: We can kill thousands of cult members…but we cannot kill an idea. The cult survives every attempt to extinguish it. Still, it must not be allowed to grow unchecked.

Argent Guard Manados says: Wage war on the Hammer and bring back their Twilight Pendants as proof of your deeds. Your efforts will be rewarded handsomely.

[Zaara]: Handsome!

Sharpgear nods at Argent Guard Manados.

[Vesyllah]: Bounty on Hammer-heads. Works for me.

Sharpgear giggles at you.

[Sharpgear]: Hammer-heads. Surprised I haven't heard that one before.

[Thalstan]: Sounds like a thing we can do, Argent Guard. *Thal nods*

[Vesyllah]: I don't know about the rest of you, but I need time to pray and rest after all that travel.

[Sharpgear]: I can requisition some of Cobalt's old maps of the place.

[Sharpgear]: Which I guess I should've done while we were in Ironforge, but hey.

[Sharpgear]: Planning isn't my thing.

[Vesyllah]: There's an inn just near here. Anyone who wants to stay in Darnassus 'til we're ready to go can stay there…if you don't mind the whole, no-walls, no-doors things.

[Thalstan]: Yeah, I could use some time ta prep up before we go in.

[Sharpgear]: Okay! I'll let you know when I've got the maps ready.

Thalstan nods. "It's right odd, but I'll get used ta it."

[Sharpgear]: Ot

[Sharpgear]: It's a natural cavern complex, so it won't have changed much.

[Zaara]: No walls! No doors! Yes, nice.

[Sharpgear]: Some guy made like REALLY detailed maps of it.

[Vesyllah]: But yeah, let's get thoes maps. Don't wanna go in there blind if we don't have to.

[Vesyllah]: Er…

Vesyllah glances to Zaara.

[Vesyllah]: You know what I mean.

Zaara blinks innocently at no one especially.

[Sharpgear]: You did say 'if we don't have to.' Implying some of us have to.

[Thalstan]: I know what yeh mean.

[Vesyllah]: Sure, Tadget…that's definitely what I meant.

[Zaara]: It is me! I have to. This is okay!

Sharpgear giggles at Zaara.

[Sharpgear]: Isn't she the best?

[Sharpgear]: Okay sexies, I'm off to go get those maps I should've thought to get before we got here. I'll be back… eventually.

Sharpgear waves goodbye to everyone. Farewell!

[Zaara]: Okay, sexy!

Sharpgear giggles at Zaara.

Arthur waves goodbye to Sharpgear. Farewell!

Sharpgear dashes off.

[Thalstan]: I'll be ready when you all are!

[Vesyllah]: I better go…to the temple…ugh.

[Zaara]: Ugh!

[Thalstan]: I'll go check in at th'inn.

[Zaara]: I go to find no walls, no doors place to stay.

Zaara just wanders vaguely toward a ramp.