(2023-06-11) Danger Pickle (S10 E7 White Squad Log)

Details

Author:	Jessa
Summary:	In which White Squad learns of the production source of Iron Golems and destroys it. Also, pickles.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Season 10

[Jocoza]: Hi Sabitha, Rae. How're you two doing?

Sabitha smiles over her shoulder. "Hullo, Cap'n. Sort of getting mesmerized by the fire."

[Jocoza]: I can't disagree with the appeal of fire. *Jo smiles gently into the flames*

Sabitha chuckles.

Ralaea nods at Jocoza. "Doing okay. Better, I think. Than lately."

[Jocoza]: Oh! That's good. Something change for the better?

[Ralaea]: Less…you know. Dead people around. Helps.

Sabitha nods her head. I mean, valid.

[Jocoza]: Hm, I can imagine that. *Jo looks like it's taking some effort to imagine that. She doesn't know many undead.*

Paluuva arches her eyebrow at the curious conversation.

Bennarin is out of breath. He rakes a hand through his hair. "Hey, y'all. Afternoon."

Ralaea nods at Ben.

[Jocoza]: Hey, Ben!

[Paluuva]: Achal hecta, Ben.

[Sabitha]: Hullo, Ben.

[Bennarin]: Achal hecTA, ma'am.

[Bennarin]: Hey, Sabitha..

[Bennarin]: Sorry I am a little late. We all good? Everyone good today?

Bennarin eyes Rae.

Ralaea nods. "Better, yeah."

[Jocoza]: Everyone seems in good spirits!

[Bennarin]: Okay, good, okay. Well, that Stoneshear fellow wanted a word with us again.

Bennarin nods toward Brugar Stoneshear.

[Jocoza]: More Thor Modan, then, maybe…

[Bennarin]: Mr. Stoneshear, sir. Reportin' back.

Brugar Stoneshear says: Ah! Cobalt. Brilliant.

[Bennarin]: You need a hand with somethin' new today, sir?

Brugar Stoneshear says: Oh, aye. Er. With all the excitement about trying to move the army through Thor Modan, would ye believe I’d forgotten completely about Raegar’s crew down at Prospector’s Point?

[Jocoza]: Raegar's Crew? What are they doing?

Brugar Stoneshear says: Well, I sent Raegar and his assistants, along with a Mountaineer friend, down to establish a small post near the iron dwarf enclave of Dun Argol, at the southern end of the Eastwind Shore.
Brugar Stoneshear says: They were to investigate the iron dwarf presence there, but I haven’t received any reports yet. Could you check up on them for me?

[Ralaea]: Forgot…doesn't sound healthy out here. Hope they're still…safe.

Bennarin nods. He nods at Rae and then at Brugar.
[Bennarin]: Yeah.

[Jocoza]: There's definitely a non-zero chance that they're totally fine and just haven't sent in a report yet.

Brugar Stoneshear says: Explorers are a hardy lot, lass!
Brugar Stoneshear looks optimistic. And awkward.

Sabitha whispers toward Jo, "I don't think that's as comforting as you meant it to be."

Ralaea opens her mouth to comment about the ones in Howling Fjord, but changes her mind.

[Bennarin]: Okay, well. We will head down and see.
Bennarin glances at Rae again. He may be thinking similar thoughts.

Brugar Stoneshear says: Thanks, Cobalt! Much appreciated.

Jocoza whispers back, "Reports take ages."

Paluuva murmurs quietly to Ben, "For future reference, 'hecta' means 'day'. But what you said…'hectaa'…essentially means 'pickle'." She cannot help the amused, maternal smile.

[Bennarin]: Oh. Uh.
[Bennarin]: Okay.

Paluuva chuckles softly.

[Bennarin]: Well pickles is nice too.

Sabitha giggles.

[Paluuva]: True. I quite like pickles.
[Paluuva]: So…good pickle to you as well.

Jocoza nods. "Nothing wrong with a good pickle."

[Bennarin]: Thank you, ma'am. I do enjoy a pickle.

Paluuva chuckles at Bennarin.

[Ralaea]: Maybe not the danger kind?

[Jocoza]: Danger pickles?

[Bennarin]: Why is everything called Argol around here? Speakin' of — the danger kind?
Bennarin blinks at Ralaea.

[Ralaea]: You know…if we get into a pickle?

[Bennarin]: Ohhhh.

[Paluuva]: Ahh.

Sabitha laughs!

[Bennarin]: Well, if we do, let's hope it's a good pickle.

[Jocoza]: OH! The colloquial kind. Clever!

[Bennarin]: Snow. *Ben sounds grim.*
[Bennarin]: Oh, I see a camp?
Bennarin waves.

Several people promptly run into the fire in front of the twin cabins. IC-ly, everyone ignores this. OOCly, there is Talk.

[Jocoza]: I guess we're closer to the Fjord.

[Ralaea]: They've got shirts on, that's a good sign.

[Bennarin]: One of you fellows is called Raegar?

Jocoza eyes the little huts and the laundry line like 'isn't that just adorable.'

Raegar Breakbrow says: Aye, that's me.
Raegar Breakbrow eyes the group.

Ralaea whispers, "Isn't that a dress? Why's there a dress?"

There is a dress on the line. Happy Pride Month!

[Bennarin]: Hey, sir. Brugar Stoneshear sent us down from the Brigade Encampment to make sure you was doin' okay here.

Raegar Breakbrow says: Brugar sent ye? Hm. Ye don’t look like research assistants. Which is just as well. The iron dwarves look to be preparing for war, and my research team hasn’t returned. We could use some help around here.

Bennarin glances at Jo. He bets she looks kind of like a research assistant.
[Bennarin]: Okay, well. Cobalt Company. We are here to help.

Jocoza adjusts her goggles. She is quite researchy,

Paluuva takes a bit of offense.

[Jocoza]: I suppose we're mercenaries, but we also respect the scientific method, sir.

Bennarin thinks Paluuva is too tall to be an assistant.

Raegar Breakbrow says: Oh, aye? Well, brilliant. Mountaineer Kilian here will brief ye on the lost researchers. Meanwhile, my job as research chief is to investigate the iron dwarves’ military technology.
Raegar Breakbrow says: With their giants, golems, and lightning elementals, they have a huge technological advantage over the Westfall Brigade. If they don’t find passage north in time, the irons could take them by surprise.
Raegar Breakbrow says: We’ve got to tie them up here, and I’ve got just the way to do it. Dun Argol is full of rune-smiths churning out war golems. They carry plans for specific pieces, so ye’ll need to find and assemble a comprehensive set.

[Jocoza]: We've done what we could to stop the flow of enslaved giants, so hitting the golems next sounds like it makes sense. *Jo nods*

[Bennarin]: Right. Okay. We can't have 'em ambushin' Captain Stoutmantle's people with technology.
Bennarin makes "technology" sound like "cheating."

Jocoza nods again at Ben, though she doesn't seem to pick up the cheating subtext..

[Ralaea]: Lightning elementals…the swirly guys? Too bad we don't have a shaman.

Raegar Breakbrow says: … aye, the swirly guys.

[Bennarin]: We will handle it.

[Ralaea]: Do they have shaman?

[Jocoza]: Hm, we could transfer Azizia temporarily if we needed to. Of course, we also have Nunuzac and others not posted here in Northrend.

Raegar Breakbrow says: I am assuming aye. Because they have… swirly guys. But ye can find out and report back to me.

[Bennarin]: Yessir.
[Bennarin]: And that's Mountaineer Kilian?
Bennarin points at Mountaineer Kilian.

Raegar Breakbrow says: Aye.

At least one person walks back through the fire. See above re: the fire.

[Paluuva]: Hmm. This sounds like a bad pickle. But I believe we can turn it into a good pickle.

Bennarin grins at Paluuva.
[Bennarin]: Mountaineer Kilian, sir? You got information on the missing team?

[Jocoza]: And hopefully the team can come back here and enjoy pickles. Or not, if they don't.

Mountaineer Kilian says: Aye. Raegar’s team of prospectors never expected Dun Argol to be this heavily populated. I suspect they’ve been taken captive while the irons prepare for war.
Mountaineer Kilian says: We haven’t the men to charge in after them, and Raegar’s too busy fantasizing about defeating the irons to be of much help.

Raegar Breakbrow says: I heard that! This is vital research, man!

[Jocoza]: Taken captive? Do you know what for?

Mountaineer Kilian ignores Raegar. He shakes his head at Jo. "We don't know, no. If ye can find out, do."

[Ralaea]: Yeah, it's weird that they didn't just… *She doesn't finish.*

Mountaineer Kilian says: Any of the iron dwarves or their servants could be carrying the keys to the cages holding our men. You must rescue them!

Jocoza nods at Rae. "We know why the vrykul were, but that doesn't seem to apply here."

[Bennarin]: … well, we will find out.
[Bennarin]: We're on it, sir.

Mountaineer Kilian says: Good. We're relying on you, Cobalt Company.

[Bennarin]: … I guess we are goin' up in the snow.
Bennarin lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
Bennarin points at Lightning Sentry.
[Bennarin]: Swirly guys.

[Jocoza]: Dwarf!

[Ralaea]: A key…

[Bennarin]: Nice.
[Bennarin]: So yeah, eyes up for keys an' blueprints.

[Jocoza]: We'll probably need more than one. I bet they don't use the same one for all the cages.

[Sabitha]: I found one on that … um… swirly guy.

[Bennarin]: … for serious? A lightning thing had a key? Huh.

[Ralaea]: Swirly guys carry keys? That's…

[Bennarin]: This is a weird operation.

[Jocoza]: Keys do conduct electricity.

[Bennarin]: I see cages over there.
Bennarin points over yonder.

[Sabitha]: Clear a path? We can open two of them.

Jocoza holds up some papers. "These look like partial blueprints."

[Ralaea]: Why don't they ever keep books and plans in one piece?

[Bennarin]: It is pretty disrespectful of the written word.

[Jocoza]: Security maybe? Or sloppiness.

[Sabitha]: Hi. Hold on, I'm going to try this key.

Prospector Torgan says: Thank goodness! I was worried they were going to press me into service in their war against the stone giants!

Jocoza waves at Prospector Torgan.

[Bennarin]: They are waitin' for you at the camp, sir.

[Ralaea]: Uh…some rock thing's head?

Bennarin peers at the rock thing's head.

[Bennarin]: Huh.

[Jocoza]: Maybe it's decor?

It is not décor. It is foreshadowing.

[Paluuva]: Interesting.

[Ralaea]: Weird place for it.

[Bennarin]: What you reckon he meant they are gonna press him into service? They can't just… do that, can they?

[Paluuva]: We should be cautious. It may, in fact, be active.

[Jocoza]: Discarded decor… okay, so it didn't sound like that guy knew exactly what they had planned.
[Jocoza]: He's not a stone giant, they can't just rune him, can they?

[Bennarin]: … sh*t, you reckon they could?
[Bennarin]: Rune a fellow?

[Sabitha]: Make them work under threat of torture, maybe.

[Ralaea]: Or death. Or undeath?

[Bennarin]: Sh*t. Maybe.

[Jocoza]: This is sounding more and more like the whole death knight thing.
[Jocoza]: But we haven't seen the Iron Dwarves doing anything necromantic.

[Ralaea]: Well if the Lich King's a shaman that could explain the swirly guys…

[Paluuva]: It is pure conjecture…but what if the Iron Dwarves have a means of making other dwarves like them?

[Bennarin]: This is a whole lot of puzzle pieces without like any of the edge ones. You know what I mean?

[Jocoza]: Hmm, like the Gearmaster…

Paluuva nods at Jocoza.

[Bennarin]: I should've worn more socks.

[Jocoza]: That did seem to affect their minds as well.
[Jocoza]: See any more cages?

[Bennarin]: Not that way. Headin' back toward where the other was.

[Ralaea]: This place is…big.

[Bennarin]: Yeah.

Jo mindcontrols an iron dwarf.

[Jocoza]: Oh goodness, they have minds.

[Bennarin]: Whoa.

Bennarin prods the Iron Rune-Smith.

Jocoza adjusts her goggles again. "Resistant."

[Sabitha]: They talk, I assumed they had minds.

[Jocoza]: I had him there for a little while though.

[Ralaea]: That statue up there got lighting happening?

[Bennarin]: I was gonna see if we could communicate to him. But not fast enough.

[Jocoza]: If I could hold one a little longer, you all could talk to him, yeah.
[Jocoza]: Now the psychoteric fibrillilators need to cool down, so I can't try again for a while.

[Bennarin]: Cage!

[Jocoza]: Oh, a cage! We'll get you out, hold on.
[Jocoza]: Anyone have a key that might fit?

Prospector Gann says: Thank you for rescuing me, but the others are still held on the tiers above!

[Bennarin]: We got one of 'em, sir. Head for the camp!

[Bennarin]: Okay. Above, he said.

[Jocoza]: We must have missed the other.

[Sabitha]: Lots of skeletons in armor…

[Bennarin]: Huh.

[Ralaea]: A stone foot.

[Sabitha]: Golem bits.

[Bennarin]: You get enough pieces you could build a whole stone fellow, maybe.

Foreshadowing.

[Jocoza]: Well, if we can find all the blueprints…

[Bennarin]: How are we doin' on those?

[Jocoza]: I've not found any since.

[Sabitha]: I found one. I think.

[Paluuva]: I believe I have found a few pieces. Jocoza? Do these seem right to you?
Paluuva shows Jo the blueprint pages.

Jocoza peers over them. "They do seem related to the one I found. I don't think we've got all the subsystems yet, though."

[Bennarin]: Cages.

[Bennarin]: Ma'am?

Prospector Varana says: These irons are crazy! They keep talking about serving their 'master Loken' but from what I can tell, only a few receive orders from him.

[Bennarin]: … Loken. Huh.

[Ralaea]: Maybe the dress is hers?

[Paluuva]: Master Loken? Interesting.

[Bennarin]: Well. Look out for a Loken I guess?

[Sabitha]: … Wow.

Bennarin peers into the building.

[Bennarin]: Damn.

[Jocoza]: I've heard that name before.
[Jocoza]: I think…

[Bennarin]: Loken?

Rae spots a platform that only moves down from this level.

[Ralaea]: There's a de-elevator.

[Paluuva]: A de-….ah yes, that does make sense.

[Bennarin]: Let's ain't touch nothin' until we got these blueprints together and know what-all they are buildin' here.

[Jocoza]: Mm… I think the same report where they were talking about Ulduar.
[Jocoza]: There was like a hologram, of a sorts?
[Jocoza]: I suppose that tracks with him being the boss, he was the one all talking about marching on Ulduar.

[Bennarin]: I am gonna get f*cken frostbit in my ears.
[Bennarin]: We figure out yet where Ulduar is?

[Ralaea]: It's not that bad out here.

[Jocoza]: Not that I've heard.

[Bennarin]: Yeah says you, north girl, *he tells Rae.*

Ralaea smiles a little.

[Bennarin]: Any sign of them subsystems?

[Jocoza]: Not yet, a lot of pages but there's still missing pieces.

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

Jocoza holds up a new page, and shuffles around the remaining.

[Jocoza]: Ah, I think I see how it all matched up now. This should be enough for them to go on. It would be for me, anyway.

[Bennarin]: Okay, well then.
[Bennarin]: Let's get it to 'em and make sure those other fellows got back okay.

They get it to ‘em. I won’t trouble you, dear Reader, with more accounts of how everyone runs through that fire, but trust me, it happened a //whole lot.//

[Bennarin]: Sir. We found your people. They, uh — ain't get back here yet?

Mountaineer Kilian says: No. We haven't seen them. You set them all free?

[Bennarin]: We did, sir. They said somethin' about bein'… pressed into service? And about Loken?

Mountaineer Kilian says: Loken? Are ye sure?

Bennarin glances at Jo.

[Jocoza]: Yes, not the first time we've heard the name.

Mountaineer Kilian nods grimly. "So Raegar's instincts were right. We have to find a way to get in there and learn more about their plans."

Raegar looks smug.

Mountaineer Kilian says: All right, well. If our experience is any indicator, it'll only be certain of the irons who have the privilege of communicating with this 'Loken.' I'm betting it's the overseers.
Mountaineer Kilian says: We have to get you in there to see what all this is about, but it won't be easy. The first step will be to get a proper uniform for you.

Bennarin looks down at himself and then up at Mountaineer Kilian.
[Bennarin]: A… dwarf uniform, sir?

Sabitha smirks.

[Ralaea]: Okay, I'm short, but I'm not that short?

[Jocoza]: Um. You think we can pass for Iron Dwarves if we change clothes?

Mountaineer Kilian says: Ahh, we'll worry about doing your makeup later.
Mountaineer Kilian waves dismissively.

[Ralaea]: I think it'll take more than… *She sighs.*

[Bennarin]: … makeup, sir?

[Paluuva]: Ehm…I do not think makeup will be convincing in my case….

Jocoza pats her face and murmurs, "I don't think I have the features for this…"

Mountaineer Kilian says: Trust me, aye? I've been in this business a long time. Find one of the overseers at Dun Argol, kill him, and bring back his uniform. If you get blood on it, you'll have only yourself to blame.

[Sabitha]: I almost can't wait to see how this is going to work.

[Jocoza]: I suppose it's worth a shot.

[Bennarin]: The business of spyin', or… makeup, or…?

Mountaineer Kilian waggles his eyebrows.

[Bennarin]: … okay.

[Ralaea]: I've only worn makeup once in my life…

[Bennarin]: You are one up on me, then, Rae.

[Jocoza]: Oh? What was the occasion?

[Ralaea]: …To impress someone. But…it was a disaster.

Bennarin clears his throat at Raegar Breakbrow.

[Bennarin]: Sir. We got your blueprints.

Bennarin gestures at Jo.

Jocoza smiles sympathetically at Rae, then turns to Raegar with her stack of blueprint papers. "It should all be in order here."
[Jocoza]: If you have trouble seeing where the fragments fit together, I can walk you through it.

Sabitha bites her lips.

Raegar Breakbrow snatches the plans eagerly. "A-ha!" He begins paging through them.
Raegar Breakbrow says: … this is going to take me a few minutes to go over. Get back to me when ye return from your errand for Kilian, aye?

[Bennarin]: Okay, sir.
[Bennarin]: So we will go and… get uniforms, I guess. Meanwhile.

[Jocoza]: Might as well.
Jocoza whispers. "There's got to be magic involved, right?"
[Jocoza]: You can't makeup a draenei into a dwarf.

[Sabitha]: Maybe they have magic that does it.

Ralaea sighs. "Magic…"

[Jocoza]: That's the overseer then?

[Bennarin]: … yeah.

[Jocoza]: Or was, I should say.

[Ralaea]: Do these things bleed, or was he talking about our blood?

[Bennarin]: I dunno.
[Bennarin]: But let's see what he can do with this, yeah?
[Bennarin]: We got a unbloodied uniform for you, sir.

Mountaineer Kilian says: This should do. I won't have time to sew on a little patch with your name embroidered on it or anything, but anyone looking closely at you should be convinced that you're an overseer by the time we're done with you.

[Ralaea]: Uh-huh…Okay.

[Jocoza]: If you say so…

Mountaineer Kilian says: Now that we've got the uniform, we've got to get enough information to complete your camouflage.
Mountaineer Kilian says: Raegar brought along this camera to document the team's finds, but I have a different use in mind. I want you to take it with you to Dun Argol and use it to capture the images of iron dwarves.

[Bennarin]: … sorry, what?

[Jocoza]: Like a Super Snapper?

Mountaineer Kilian says: I need you to photograph the iron dwarves, son. For costume design purposes.

[Paluuva]: Curious…

Mountaineer Kilian says: Of course, your models aren't going to be a cooperative lot, so you may have to, err… subdue them first. Bring back the camera and the images when you're done.

Ralaea peers at the camera.

Jocoza also peers at the camera.

[Bennarin]: Right, okay. That makes as much sense as the rest of it, I guess.

Mountaineer Kilian says: Who wants the camera?
Mountaineer Kilian does not offer it to Ben.

[Sabitha]: I don't even know what it is.

Jocoza looks at Rae. "Do you want to?"

[Ralaea]: You're probably better at this sort of thing. I only… I'm better at explosives.

Mountaineer Kilian eyes Rae severely and holds the camera out to Jo.

[Jocoza]: Okay, then I can take it. *Jo smiels*

Mountaineer Kilian says: No exploding our equipment, please.

Ralaea looks a bit anxious suddenly.

Jocoza reaches out to take the camera and immediately starts turning it this way and that, examining it.

Sabitha watches Jo, intrigued.

Raegar Breakbrow says: Cobalt! Cobalt, let's talk about these blueprints.

[Bennarin]: Sir?

Ralaea looks relieved at the distraction.

Raegar Breakbrow says: We've got the blueprints, but we can't do anything with them without parts! We don't have access to a foundry, much less materials, but there's a whole load of parts up in Dun Argol.

[Bennarin]: … oh. Yeah. We have seen 'em, I reckon.

[Jocoza]: So… do you want to build one?

Sabitha sighs.

[Ralaea]: The random heads? …And foot?

Raegar Breakbrow says: Brilliant! Let's give 'em a new home. Check around the buildings where the smiths are working, and collect as many parts as you can bring me.

[Bennarin]: … okay.
[Bennarin]: Y'all ready, then?
[Bennarin]: Reckon there is parts in there?
[Bennarin]: Get ready for, uh. The camera thing, too.

[Sabitha]: And dwarves to camera at.

[Jocoza]: Oh, right, yes.

They begin taking pictures, for some reason only of the dead dwarves which is concerning to Ralaea t least, and gathering body parts as foretold. Or at least, foreshadowed.

[Jocoza]: I think it's working. The camera, I mean.

[Bennarin]: Let's head up where there was more parts.

[Ralaea]: What is this, the foot room?

[Bennarin]: … the skeletons room.

[Jocoza]: Oh! A lift!

[Ralaea]: There are a few de-elevators.

[Jocoza]: And stairs. I bet there's more parts in here.

[Bennarin]: All right. We got pictures and parts?

Jocoza pats the camera.

Ralaea grumbles, "They should've given us a cart for this stuff."

[Bennarin]: Feel like they always should. Maybe we got to start bringin' our own carts.

Paluuva casts a shield of Light, "Pheta vi krovas!"

[Jocoza]: That sounds very practical.

[Bennarin]: Sir. We got… a whole bunch of parts here.

Raegar Breakbrow eyes the heap of parts and wipes his forehead with the back of his hand.
Raegar Breakbrow says: Oh, no. This is going to be harder than I thought. These things don't have serial numbers or anything, do they?

[Jocoza]: Do you need me to help? *Jo turns her goggled face up at him.*

Raegar Breakbrow says: No, no, I'll manage.

[Ralaea]: We got the blueprint…how hard could it be?

Raegar Breakbrow tries to put two feet together. He frowns.

[Jocoza]: Uh, well. Good luck!

Raegar Breakbrow says: Er. I'm almost there, but the war golem won't run without power cells. From the information in the blueprints, both Rune-Smith Durar and Rune-Smith Kathorn each create one power cell.
Raegar Breakbrow says: While I just jiffy this together right quick why don't you grab a power cell from each of the rune-smiths?

[Jocoza]: Sure!

[Bennarin]: … okay, yeah. While you… jiffy that right quick.

[Ralaea]: They…made the power cells? Or they are the power cells?

[Sabitha]: Or just have them.

Bennarin | Raegar Breakbrow says: Made them. Fabricated. Should have 'em… uh, look, I'm just going to be — let me concentrate, aye?

[Bennarin]: Yessir.

[Jocoza]: I'm sure we'll find the thing that seems power cellish.

[Ralaea]: Would be weird if those dwarves could be used as a source of power…

Mountaineer Kilian says: Ye get those snapshots?

[Jocoza]: Look! We brought back your camera entirely unexploded! *Jo holds it out* All the pictures you could possibly need, except that they're all of dead Iron Dwarves.

[Ralaea]: Maybe make us look less…melted?

Mountaineer Kilian says: The best kind of iron dwarf! Good, good. Give me a minute here to compare….
Mountaineer Kilian says: Good, these should do. Now, to create a kit to pass you off as a convincing
iron dwarf.

[Ralaea]: That…that's not melted, right?

Mountaineer Kilian vanishes into his hut for a moment. He returns with several uniforms. He does not answer Rae's question.
Mountaineer Kilian says: Using the images you've captured, I've created everything you need for your overseer disguise kit. You'll make a fine iron dwarf, if I do say so myself.

Sabitha tries not to laugh.

Bennarin eyes himself. He eyes Paluuva.

Jocoza looks skeptically at her TALL team,

Ralaea looks a bit concerned.

[Sabitha]: You have to admit, it'll be interesting to see.

Mountaineer Kilian says: Take these kits with you to Dun Argol, use 'em to disguise yourself, then go to the easternmost building on the broad middle tier of the city.
Mountaineer Kilian says: There, you should see a pedestal where the thane and overseers receive their orders from this Loken. Activate it while disguised and learn all you can from the communication.
Mountaineer Kilian says: And trust me, I'm a professional.

[Bennarin]: … okay.
Bennarin takes a kit.
[Bennarin]: I mean, either it works or we kill a whole lot more irons. Either way.

[Jocoza]: Provided we can convince them we're Iron Dwarves, should be easy.
Jocoza takes a kit.

[Bennarin]: He said easternmost, middle tier. Right?

[Jocoza]: Power cells first or subterfuge?
Jocoza nods at Ben.

[Bennarin]: Oh, let's do subterfuge first.
[Bennarin]: In case power cells sets off alarms.

[Ralaea]: You'd think they would already be alarmed…

[Jocoza]: We've been around here a lot.

[Bennarin]: Yeah I never can explain that.

Having reached the designated coordinates, Ben tries his kit first, followed by the rest of White Squad. Listen, these are some really good costume kits.

[Bennarin]: Holy sh*t.
[Bennarin]: Y'all?

[Jocoza]: Whoa. Is this a hologram?

[Bennarin]: Daaaamn, look at us.

[Sabitha]: Wow. We owe him an apology.

[Jocoza]: We're even sparkling with lightning.

[Bennarin]: Wait, who's Paluuva an' who's the Cap'n?

[Paluuva]: I am Paluuva.

[Sabitha]: I'm Sabitha.

[Jocoza]: Wow, I want to keep this. *Ben may be able to tell by the high-pitched voice*

[Bennarin]: Y'all look alike.

[Ralaea]: I'm obvious…because of the giant swords.

[Bennarin]: Okay Cap'n Jo maybe you don't talk.

[Jocoza]: Aww… ok.

[Bennarin]: Just in case.
[Bennarin]: You sound gnomey.

There are probably not many iron dwarves with Westfall accents but okay.

Bennarin prods the pedestal experimentally.

Ralaea whispers, "It just looks like a flat rock."

[Bennarin]: Hey, Loken? We are, uh. Here.

Image of Loken says: You're late, overseer.
Image of Loken says: Destiny will not wait. Your craftsmen must increase their production of the war golems before the stone giant leader and his army reach Ulduar.

Bennarin takes a startled step back.

Image of Loken says: Tell your rune-smiths to continue converting what stone giants you can. Those that will not submit must be destroyed.
Image of Loken says: If the stone giants interfere with our work at Ulduar, I will hold you and your thane responsible. Mortals must not be allowed to come to the aid of the giants.
Image of Loken says: Return to your duties, overseer. Be certain to impress upon your workers the urgency of their tasks.

[Bennarin]: Right, uh. Yessir.
[Bennarin]: Okay.

[Ralaea]: Nice guy.

[Paluuva]: So…Loken is a Keeper.

[Jocoza]: Seems like a rough boss.

[Bennarin]: Like the Uldaman fellow?

[Jocoza]: I wonder what he wants with this Ulduar place.

[Bennarin]: I mean it sounds like maybe that is where he's at? He said the giants are marchin' on it.

[Jocoza]: And they've got to bring their army.

[Ralaea]: So wherever it is, they don't want us there.

[Jocoza]: Mortals must not be allowed to assist, yes.

[Bennarin]: Well, tough luck.

[Jocoza]: Does that include Draenei, I wonder.

[Bennarin]: I feel like they are includin' draenei, yes'm.

[Ralaea]: Is it tough luck though? We don't know where it is.

[Bennarin]: Kind of a catchall term.
[Bennarin]: Well we are helpin' the giants.
[Bennarin]: So if that's where they're headed, I reckon we will find it soon enough.

[Jocoza]: Even without being there, we're already interfering.

[Ralaea]: So…what's a thane?

[Bennarin]: Like a boss, right?

[Jocoza]: Oh, that's a dwarf thing.

[Sabitha]: I know that one! Like a king.

[Bennarin]: A king, okay.

[Jocoza]: Like Thane Kurdran Wildhammer.

[Ralaea]: So the guy's threatening their king?

[Jocoza]: I apologize for my doubt. The disguise worked great.

[Paluuva]: I must admit, it was impressive.

[Bennarin]: Sir! We saw Loken. He told us we had to — uh, the irons had to work harder and not let anyone interfere with the war on the stone giants who are marchin' on Ulduar.

Mountaineer Kilian says: Could it be that Loken isn't really exaggerating? The titans' stone and iron sons fighting against each other for control of the ancient city of Ulduar.

[Bennarin]: … I mean I don't think he was exaggeratin'?

Mountaineer Kilian says: This is madness, Cobalt Company, and it could destroy our only chance to learn the true history of dwarvenkind!
Mountaineer Kilian says: I'll have to report on this at once. Thanks for your help! And I told you, about the disguises.

[Jocoza]: If Brann Bronzebeard really is up that way, I hope he stays out of the crossfire.

Mountaineer Kilian nods grimly.

Raegar Breakbrow says: Well? Did you get the batteries?

Bennarin hands over the power cells.

Raegar Breakbrow takes them eagerly, examines them… and then sighs.
Raegar Breakbrow says: You'd think the guys making the power cells would've thought to power them up, but no, they've got to make it difficult for us.
Raegar Breakbrow says: Fine, we'll charge those cells the hard way. There's enough power in them to run the golem for a short time, but don't expect it to be any good in combat.
Raegar Breakbrow says: You see the lightning sentries that the irons have posted around the perimeter of Dun Argol? Bring the golem with you, take it close to them, and use the golem to absorb the power as the sentries die.

[Bennarin]: … okay.

[Jocoza]: Will that give them a stable charge?
[Jocoza]: And we're not likely to get shocked?

Raegar Breakbrow says: Stable enough for our purposes, aye. And the golem should absorb the charge.

[Bennarin]: Okay. Cap'n, I will let you handle it.

[Jocoza]: Got it, squad leader.

[Ralaea]: Is that why they keep those around? The swirly guys?

They kill a swirly guy.

Depleted War Golem says: Intiating energy collection.
Depleted War Golem says: Energy collection complete.

[Bennarin]: Would make sense.

[Jocoza]: You wouldn't think elementals would be happy to just be kept around as batteris.

Depleted War Golem says: Intiating energy collection.
Depleted War Golem says: Energy collection complete.

[Bennarin]: Well that ain't take long.

[Jocoza]: Guess they had more charge than he thought!
[Jocoza]: All charged up and ready to fight!

Raegar Breakbrow says: Hah! Brilliant, look at it!
Raegar Breakbrow says: I only hope it holds together long enough to get the job done. If we don't take out the thane leading Dun Argol, Captain Gryan'll be in for a nasty surprise.

[Bennarin]: The thane, sir?

Raegar Breakbrow says: Aye. Now that you've charged up your war golem, we're going to put all that energy to good use. Activate the golem inside Dun Argol to take control of it.
Raegar Breakbrow says: Our information about Dun Argol's leader, Iron Thane Furyhammer, suggests his bodyguard protects him from all harm.
Raegar Breakbrow says: That bodyguard is the construct he travels with, called The Anvil. Disable the construct, and his protection will disappear.
Raegar Breakbrow says: The thane stays in the building at the top of Dun Argol and supervises production from the bottom level.

[Bennarin]: Okay. On it.

[Ralaea]: Ah, so down the de-elevators?

Raegar Breakbrow says: The what, now?

[Bennarin]: Yeah, Rae. I am guessin'.

Raegar Breakbrow says: All right, then. One more thing —
Raegar Breakbrow says: The thane's hall at the top of Dun Argol houses the power source for the entire area. If you can destroy it, you'll cripple the place for some time.
Raegar Breakbrow says: No power means no golems, no sentries, and no more lightning armaments.

[Jocoza]: How should we destroy it?

Raegar Breakbrow says: When we were sent up here, they told us these explosives were for excavation, but thanks to Iron Thane Furyhammer, the research has been scrapped. We may as well get some use out of them, though.
Raegar Breakbrow says: They're the only thing we have on hand capable of destroying the power core.

[Bennarin]: Explosives. Okay, Rae, that's your job.

Jocoza nods, and smiles at Rae.

[Ralaea]: Alright. I can do that.

Raegar Breakbrow nods and passes them over. "Good luck!"

[Bennarin]: Okay. The thane first, then blow the place up?

[Jocoza]: Yes, sir!

[Ralaea]: That's…probably the best order, yeah.

They ride back, kill a bunch of people in their way, then enter the hall with the de-elevators.

[Bennarin]: Time for the de-elevator, then.

The EMP disrupts Iron Thane Furyhammer's shield!
The Anvil recovers from the EMP and restores Iron Thane Furyhammer's shield.

His shield doesn’t really matter, in the end.

[Bennarin]: Not so hard.

[Bennarin]: Rae, place them explosives an' let's get out.

[Jocoza]: this must be the power supply.

[Bennarin]: Re-elevate.

[Jocoza]: Now, before they all regroup!

[Bennarin]: Let's go!

Paluuva casts a shield of Light, "Pheta vi krovas!"

[Bennarin]: Sir. We took out the thane.

Raegar Breakbrow says: It worked?!

[Jocoza]: And the power supply.

Raegar Breakbrow clears his throat. "I mean, of course it worked."
Raegar Breakbrow This is incredible!
Raegar Breakbrow says: Years from now, Explorers' League initiates will hear the story of how Raegar Breakbrow, some adventurers, and some hunk o' junk golem defeated the thane of Dun Argol!

[Bennarin]: … Cobalt Company, sir.
[Bennarin]: We are Cobalt Company.

Sabitha stands a little straighter.

Raegar Breakbrow says: Right, right!

[Jocoza]: You should put the name in the story. It'll play better. *Jo smiles*

Raegar Breakbrow says: I'll make a note.

Paluuva chuckles.

Mountaineer Kilian says: I'll make sure he makes a note, Cobalt Company.

[Bennarin]: Thanks, sir.

Sabitha grins.

Raegar Breakbrow says: Anyway, job well done. Good work! Dun Argol has been taken out of commission, and shouldn't be a threat to the Westfall Brigade anymore.

[Bennarin]: Okay. I reckon I will report that back to 'em.
[Bennarin]: The rest of y'all, good work today. You can be dismissed.
[Jocoza]: See you next time, everyone!