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| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | Dara, Sophiette, and recovering agent Raschal head into the cultists cave complex to stop whatever it is they've got planned. ~4400 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Chain: Light Guide Us
Dara and Sophiette approach the mouth of the cave they explored once before, this time ready to take on the inhabitants by force. Sophiette is in her armor, and Dara is wearing a kind of green halter-top, pants and boots. A paladin, a priest, and an agent who’s meant to meet them here…
Raschal appears from the shadows.
Dara squeaks.
Sophiette takes a step back, hand moving to her sword.
[Sophiette]: Who goes there?
[Raschal]: So. You must be the holy gals.
Raschal speaks Common not only fluently, but with a hint of a slangy cadence and accent that just screams 'no good ruffian'.
[Dara]: Oh, are you… are you the agent who's going to help us?
Sophiette relaxes her stance…a bit.
[Dara]: I'm Dara Tennerow, a novice priestess of the Holy Light.
[Raschal]: Raschal Crowflight. SI:7 sent me to babysit you, yep.
[Sophiette]: Babysit?
Sophiette frowns.
[Raschal]: Yes, you're fresh little recruits or something right? Very cute!
Dara blushes a little. "I hope we don't require that exactly, but I do appreciate the assistance."
Raschal smiles happily.
Dara smiles nervously at Raschal.
[Raschal]: Lead the way. I'll watch your back, hm? *The smile never fades.*
[Sophiette]: Alright…just stay close, hm?
[Dara]: Sophiette's less fresh than I am… and I've been training for oh, over a month.
Raschal quietly snickers to himself.
[Dara]: I mean… she's not stale.
Raschal laughs.
[Dara]: More experienced!
Sophiette laughs.
[Sophiette]: Stale…
[Sophiette]: Careful now. This cave is crawling with those cultists.
Raschal doesn't seem the slightest bit nervous.
[Dara]: I do normally wear a proper white robe, too.
[Raschal]: Cute.
[Dara]: I just thought… maybe I needed to be more limber for this.
[Raschal]: White robes aren't great for crawling around caves, no.
Sophiette blushes a little. "You look lovely in that outfit."
Dara smiles. "Thanks. And yes, I hope it will prove better."
[Raschal]: Oh HO… *Raschal murmurs to himself, and does not elaborate.*
[Dara]: So, Mr. Crowflight, do you often root out cultists in caves?
[Raschal]: Stuff like that, yeah.
[Dara]: It must be quite exciting.
[Raschal]: Very good at rooting out things. Haha, 'root,' because elf.
[Raschal]: And yeah, it's good fun.
Sophiette snickers.
[Dara]: Well, I'm not sure how much SI:7 tells people, but we can give you the rundown of what we know about these ones.
[Raschal]: Sure.
Dara launches into exposition as they work their way deeper into the cave.
[Dara]: Did you hear about that ghastly triple-murder, around a month ago?
[Raschal]: Yep.
[Dara]: Well, Sophiette and I went to the funeral of the three priests, and some other woman who died the same night. Mid-ceremony, they were raised as ghouls, can you imagine?
[Raschal]: I can.
[Sophiette]: Horrible.
[Dara]: I suppose I can too, now, since I remember it. At any rate, Lord Amerith spotted someone fleeing to Westfall.
[Raschal]: Mm hm.
[Dara]: We suspected Cult of the Damned, because Soph and I'd had a run-in with them before in northern Elwynn.
Raschal absently carves a smiley face into one of the cultists’ backs.
Dara blinks when she sees this, but doesn't comment yet.
Sophiette thankfully did not notice.
[Sophiette]: There. Looks like that leads deeper in.
[Dara]: Let's go.
They charge through some cultist guards.
[Raschal]: Whee!
[Sophiette]: Keep moving!
They make it to safety, and continue further in.
[Dara]: So anyway, we reported to SI:7, and they sent a tracker to find out where he went.
[Raschal]: 'Kay.
[Dara]: The cultist necromancer, I mean.
[Raschal]: Gotcha.
[Dara]: And it was here, this cave complex! We thought maybe the whole ghoul thing was a diversion for another goal.
Raschal keeps one ear turned toward Dara as his blades flash lightning-fast.
Dara carefully keeps Sophiette shielded as she continues with the explanation.
[Sophiette]: We suspect it may also be connected to that group of cultists we discovered at Heroes' Vigil.
Dara nods at Sophiette.
[Raschal]: Uh huh.
[Dara]: They were trying to raise heroes of the Alliance.
[Raschal]: This is interesting. I'm not used to people telling me the backstory.
[Dara]: No? What, does SI:7 usually just point you and say, here's a cultist, kill it?
[Raschal]: Yeah, usually they just tell me who to take out and… *he makes stabby motions with his blood-drenched daggers.*
Dara giggles. "Well that doesn't seem very nice. Wouldn't you want to know the backstory?"
Raschal considers. "Yeah, I think I like it."
Sophiette 's eyes widen and she points ahead. "Dara…."
Dara sobers immediately. "Whoa…"
[Raschal]: Hey, don't be scared. I've got ya.
In a chamber up ahead, what looks like some kind of undead abomination lumbers.
[Dara]: I think this is definitely the right place…
[Raschal]: Oh, I've killed these. Smelly but not too hard. Cut them enough and they go down like anything else.
[Sophiette]: Looks like it's not alone.
There are two cultists, possibly keeping it under control.
[Raschal]: Try not to breathe through your nose too much. … Or through your mouth, actually, that could be its own kind of problem.
[Dara]: Necromancers with it? Or… or handlers? I'm not sure how one manages undead monsters.
[Sophiette]: I'll keep the monster's attention. Raschal, see what you can do about it's friends.
[Raschal]: Sure thing.
Dara pulls out a handkerchief and wraps it around her mouth and nose.
They defeat the abomination.
Dara looks queasily down at the vanquished abomination.
Raschal takes a moment to wipe off his daggers.
Sophiette grimaces as she wipes ichor from her blade.
[Sophiette]: Uck…you weren't exaggerating about the stench.
[Dara]: I hope that's the worst that's in here.
They continue on, and Dara returns to backstory.
[Dara]: I suppose there's one last bit of information, the bit that makes us think it was part of a bigger plan. We managed to waylay one of the cultists, and he had an encrypted message on him.
[Raschal]: Oooh, I love encryption.
[Dara]: Yes, once we got it decoded *Dara does not clarify that she did not decode it* it said something about starting the 'second act'.
[Raschal]: Probably not talking about a play.
[Sophiette]: The show must not go on.
[Raschal]: Which is a shame, I like those, too.
Dara smiles. "Oh, yes I do too. But not this kind of play."
[Raschal]: Tragedy. Blech.
They come to a closed door.
[Dara]: A metal door. Hm.
[Sophiette]: They've entrenched themselves well here.
The team opens the door.
Behind the door lies some kind of workshop, manned by ominous-looking gnomes.
[Sophiette]: Oh Light's mercy…we have to kill gnomes?
Raschal carves his initials into a nearby beam with the point of his dagger.
They seem to be producing weaponry and armor of some sort.
The gnomes practically swarm them. It’s a difficult fight, but the trio succeeds.
[Dara]: I suppose we do, they seem quite aggressive. But why would gnomes join a cult?
Raschal laughs.
[Dara]: Or… I suppose the same reasons humans do…
[Raschal]: One out of three gnomes I've met is in a cult.
[Dara]: Really? How dreadful!
[Raschal]: Twilight's Hammer is overflowing with the little guys.
[Sophiette]: That's so sad. Every gnome I've ever met has been rather pleasant.
[Sophiette]: Admittedly…a few were a touch arrogant. But still not entirely unkind.
[Dara]: I've not met many, but really just the ones in Stormwind. They seem nice enough.
[Raschal]: Do you know Jocoza Sparkwire?
Sophiette shakes her head.
[Dara]: I believe I was at a party with her once.
[Raschal]: She saved my life! Well, she and her friends. Gives great hugs, too.
[Dara]: Oh! I didn't try to hug her.
[Raschal]: I owe her a Life Debt. Also infinite hugs.
[Dara]: I hope she's the one who wasn't in a cult.
[Sophiette]: Wait…Sparkwire. Of course! I was wondering about your tabard. That's the Cobalt Company sigil, isn't it?
[Raschal]: Unless Cobalt Company counts as a cult.
[Raschal]: Opinions vary.
[Raschal]: Yes, I'm their courier. Their main courier, anyway.
[Dara]: I don't think so? My brother seems to think highly of them.
[Raschal]: I think very highly of them.
There are gnome cultists ahead. The team snaps to action.
[Sophiette]: Stay here, I'll draw them near.
Gnome cultists defeated.
Dara keeps Sophiette shielded from a distance.
[Raschal]: Jo's like the mom I never had.
[Dara]: That's sweet of you.
[Raschal]: Of her, really.
[Raschal]: I'm a lot.
Raschal smiles.
Dara laughs.
Sophiette chuckles.
[Sophiette]: You seem alright to me.
[Raschal]: Cobalt Company's good people all around.
[Raschal]: Maybe they're rubbing off on me.
Sophiette grins.
They walk through the workshop.
[Dara]: Whatever their second act is, it must involve some kind of violence. It's an awful lot of weapons here.
Raschal peers at them.
[Raschal]: You don't have to shield me, y'know.
[Raschal]: I'm tougher than I look.
[Dara]: But I'm… I'm supposed to keep you both safe, right?
[Raschal]: I can take care of myself.
[Raschal]: I'm here to keep YOU two safe.
[Dara]: Yes, well… maybe you can take my shield as a positive intent, and not that I think you're incapable?
[Raschal]: Just sayin', might be a waste of your… um, holy mana or whatever.
[Raschal]: I'm slippery and wily, plus I've got bandages.
[Dara]: Okay, if it looks like I might run out of Light, I'll trust you.
[Raschal]: I don't really know how all that works.
[Dara]: Sophiette explains it better than I do, to be honest.
[Sophiette]: Behind us.
A patrol of cultists attacks, and then is cut down. Some flee at the end.
[Dara]: Goodness do they like to run away.
They come to yet another door.
[Sophiette]: ANOTHER big metal door.
[Dara]: Do you suppose it's more gnomes?
[Sophiette]: I hope not. I feel awful killing them.
[Dara]: After all they went through, with Gnomeregan. And then there's the nice ones, like Miss Sparkwire.
[Raschal]: Yeah. She's so great.
[Raschal]: Soon as we're done here I'm gonna go find her and give her a hug.
Sophiette nods. "I suppose it isn't too difficult to imagine how they succumbed to a cult, given all the tragedy they've seen."
[Dara]: That's… well, I've heard… that's how it happened in Lordaeron. *Dara looks nervously at Sophiette.* People wanting to be in control of something, I suppose.
Sophiette nods grimly.
[Raschal]: Stick close to the outside wall here.
They head down the workshop ramp.
[Sophiette]: It's hard…when everything is taken from you. You feel so powerless.
[Raschal]: I've never been much for power.
[Raschal]: Probably not a cult risk.
[Sophiette]: Good to know.
[Dara]: If my life had gone a different way, I might've happily spent my life with no power at all. Except, you know, social power.
[Sophiette]: The only power I want is the power to protect those I love. Though…I suppose many cultists may have had the same intention.
Sophiette looks a little haunted now.
Dara nods at Sophiette and then pauses. "You're not the same as the cultists, Sophie. There are things you won't do."
[Raschal]: I guess I haven't lost much. I've been lucky.
[Raschal]: Oh except my mom I guess.
[Raschal]: And most of my body function a couple years ago.
[Dara]: Oh, no! *Dara looks back at him with sympathy.* I lost my mother some years ago as well. Though… not my body.
[Raschal]: Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know mine.
[Raschal]: But everyone acted sorry for me anyway.
[Sophiette]: You…lost your body function?
[Raschal]: I guess humans die in childbirth a lot? But it's a huge deal for us I guess.
[Raschal]: Yeah, well, I got mostly digested a couple years back.
[Raschal]: Long story.
Raschal seems unbothered by any of it.
[Raschal]: Back up a bit.
[Dara]: Wow, these gnomes are mean.
[Raschal]: And they run.
[Raschal]: Pro tip: when dealing with runners, back up as you fight.
[Raschal]: So they don't drag you further into the mess.
Raschal cleans his daggers again.
[Dara]: Okay, we're still more than their match.
[Raschal]: Yep.
[Raschal]: Just don't wanna alert more.
Sophiette peers curiously at Raschal. "You've done this sort of thing a lot, haven't you?"
[Raschal]: Oh yes. Quite a lot.
Raschal grins, showing fangs.
Sophiette 's eyes widen, as if noticing night elf fangs for the first time.
Dara smiles a little nervously. "I'm glad you're on our side."
[Raschal]: Me too!
[Dara]: My mother was killed by orcs in Redridge.
[Raschal]: Ugh. That sucks.
[Dara]: It was nearly twenty years ago now.
[Raschal]: I'm sorry.
[Raschal]: You must've been a baby.
They fight more gnome cultists.
[Raschal]: Nice.
[Raschal]: Good positioning.
[Sophiette]: Thanks!
Fight accomplished, back to conversation.
[Dara]: That, um, nice of you to say. *Dara blushes* But I was a child, yes.
[Raschal]: Do you remember her? I don't remember mine at all. Obviously.
[Dara]: Yes, I still do. I was old enough for that.
[Raschal]: That's too bad.
[Raschal]: Nothing for me to miss.
[Dara]: My two brothers were older, so I think they… the hatred for the orcs runs stronger for them.
[Raschal]: Yeah.
[Raschal]: Nothing to hate in my case either. Just a sad thing. For the people who knew her.
[Sophiette]: I suppose that's one way to look at it. But when you lose someone you know, those memories are treasures.
[Raschal]: I have lots of good memories with my dad. He's still around.
[Dara]: Then at least he can tell you about her.
[Raschal]: He doesn't really. Makes him too sad. You know how shalan are.
[Raschal]: Or do you?
[Raschal]: I forget humans don't have that.
[Dara]: What's a shalan?
Raschal laughs.
[Raschal]: That's a whole conversation.
Instead of having that conversation, more cultists! Afterward, we return to discussion.
[Raschal]: Pro tip: take out casters first. They generally are squishy and also can hit hard.
[Raschal]: Smart enemies will try the same.
[Raschal]: Luckily most people aren't smart.
[Sophiette]: Do we have to put it in those terms?
[Raschal]: I guess not.
[Dara]: I'm not sure I like thinking of myself as squishy. I have been working out.
[Raschal]: Lemme see your muscles.
Dara flexes her muscles. Oooooh so strong!
[Raschal]: Nice!
Sophiette grins.
[Sophiette]: I've got her on a training program.
Dara nods.
[Raschal]: I'm pretty happy with mine lately, too. Think I'm ready to get back to work for real, soon.
[Dara]: Adventuring as a priestess seems to require a lot of stamina.
[Raschal]: Yeah.
[Raschal]: You two are really getting the hang of this.
Dara grins.
[Raschal]: But yeah, battle priestess is a whoooole different thing from temple priestess.
[Dara]: I hope I'm up to it. *Dara glances at Sophiette*
[Sophiette]: Dara, you've been wielding the Light in battle since you first started.
[Dara]: I suppose that's true. I never really considered being an in-church priestess.
[Sophiette]: I'd have gotten myself into some real trouble several times over if not for you.
Dara smiles. "And me as well, I'm sure."
[Raschal]: Don't worry about it too much.
[Sophiette]: This next batch looks like the last of them.
[Raschal]: I wish they weren't so cute!
Despite the cuteness, the cultists must die. And die, they do. Then we come to the workshop leader.
[Sophiette]: Mercy, that's the biggest gnome I've ever seen.
Dara peers at it.
[Dara]: Is that the… like the leader of the workshop?
[Sophiette]: Could be.
[Sophiette]: Ready?
[Raschal]: Those big eyes… the long eyelashes… I just wanna hug 'em. But they're evil, so.
[Dara]: Ready!
Sophiette smirks a little at Raschal.
Dara gives kind of a stifled giggle.
They attack and defeat the workshop leader.
Gnome Workshop Leader says: No…. we must finish these… on time for the attack… agggh.
[Dara]: What was that?
[Raschal]: Hm, seems like they're on a tight schedule.
[Raschal]: Shame if someone came and disrupted it.
[Sophiette]: The attack. The second act?
[Dara]: We will definitely disrupt it.
[Raschal]: I'm great at causing delays.
Dara looks at Sophiette. "It must be. Attacking what?"
[Raschal]: I've got a feeling someone's coming up from behind.
[Dara]: Let's check.
There is, in fact. The trio defeats them.
[Raschal]: Yep.
[Sophiette]: Good instincts.
Raschal flexes at Sophiette. Oooooh so strong!
[Raschal]: That takes care of that.
[Dara]: Now let's press on?
[Dara]: We've stopped the production of weapons, but not the leader here.
Sophiette nods.
[Dara]: If we do find that necromancer, do we question him? Or do we prioritize killing him?
[Raschal]: You asking me?
[Dara]: Both of you?
[Raschal]: I'm more tactics guy than strategy guy.
Sophiette sighs. "It would be good to know if there are other operations. We can try to question him. But…we've already seen how fanatical these people are."
[Raschal]: Yep.
Dara sighs.
[Dara]: Maybe there will be papers or things, clues.
[Raschal]: That'd be neat.
They come to another metal door.
[Sophiette]: This one is locked.
[Raschal]: Want me to open that?
Raschal whips out some tools.
[Sophiette]: Please do, if you can.
Sophiette grins.
Raschal picks the lock on the door and opens it.
[Raschal]: Tada.
[Sophiette]: Well done.
[Dara]: We preserve our element of surprise!
[Sophiette]: More casters ahead, by the look of that staff.
[Raschal]: Yeah. Take em out fast.
[Sophiette]: On your guard, cur!
They enter into a cavern with wooden walkways and a variety of alcoves. Warlocks wander around with their demon familiars and other unsavory cultist types move around busily.
[Sophiette]: Ready to press on?
[Raschal]: Born ready.
[Dara]: I think so. This looks like the center of the complex.
[Sophiette]: Not exactly Stormwind Keep, is it?
Raschal laughs.
Dara giggles.
Sophiette peers ahead into the dark cavern. "Looks like trouble up there."
[Raschal]: Someone over there giving orders, looks like. Prime target.
It is a Tauren! He has some undead minions.
Dara nods, peering ahead.
[Raschal]: Grimtotem, I'd bet my life on it.
[Raschal]: Take out the undead first!
[Raschal]: There we go.
[Sophiette]: You're on your own now, villain!
[Raschal]: I felt like he deserved our undivided attention.
The Tauren says: D'ah! Now you're making me angry!
Sophiette laughs!
[Raschal]: Yikes, gotta love that war stomp.
[Dara]: Useless anger!
[Dara]: Undead and a Tauren? Grimtotem you said…
[Raschal]: Looked like it.
Dara peers at the crates. "It looks like they've got a stack of Banshee Queen banners here. That's a bit weird."
[Raschal]: Mostly when you see evil Tauren they come from that tribe; they're into some dark stuff.
[Raschal]: Wait, whaaaat?
[Raschal]: Forsaken?
[Raschal]: This is something to do with the Horde?
[Sophiette]: Wait what? Mercy, you don't think the Horde is in league with the Scourge now…?
[Dara]: Maybe… or maybe we're meant to think so…
[Raschal]: Uh, you've not been reading the papers, huh.
[Sophiette]: What do you mean?
[Raschal]: The Forsaken are… they're a whole situation right now. Nobody knows what's going on with them.
[Sophiette]: Oh, you mean…the Wrathgate.
[Dara]: If they were in league with the Scourge, it'd be a bit stupid to supply their allies with proof of it, wouldn't it? *Dara gestures at the stack of banners.* They'd want to keep secret, wouldn't they?
[Raschal]: Yeah, like I say, I'm not much of a strategy guy. But the Forsaken, yeah, they're pretty good at keeping secrets. Apparently.
[Raschal]: Doesn't seem like they'd be this clumsy.
Sophiette nods to Dara. "It's all very strange. We'd better try to learn more."
Raschal seems happy to stab in the dark, literally.
[Dara]: I wouldn't put this kind of treachery past the Forsaken, but yes… it does seem like they're better at scheming than this.
[Raschal]: Even my people didn't see Wrathgate coming.
[Raschal]: So yeah.
[Dara]: I suppose… this whole thing with the Alliance and the Horde… It must seem very convenient for the Scourge.
[Raschal]: No kidding.
[Raschal]: I'm not a strategy guy and even I know it's stupid.
[Raschal]: Priorities, people.
[Dara]: Exactly. But with the way the King reacted, if something else were to happen… I think we'd be at war for sure.
[Sophiette]: Mmhmm. The timing of the cult's activities can't be a coincidence. Of course they'll try to take advantage of the new discord with the Horde.
[Raschal]: Your king's a piece of work, if you don't mind my saying.
[Raschal]: He needs to relax a notch. Get him a masseuse or something.
[Raschal]: I guess getting rocks thrown at you as a baby will do that.
[Dara]: Well, I wouldn't say anything against the king. My brother's in the House of Nobles.
[Raschal]: Wise.
[Sophiette]: I just wish he would take more priestly counsel. I'm sure the Church would urge him toward more peace and diplomacy.
[Raschal]: So your brother works with Ference?
[Dara]: Mmhm, they're friends, I think.
[Raschal]: Nice.
[Raschal]: I haven't been following that side of things much.
[Raschal]: Mostly keep my eyes on the Company side.
[Dara]: Lord Ference and my brother have been working together, bringing back some of the old Cobalt Player productions in Stormwind.
[Raschal]: He sure does like to wear a lot of hats, does Ference. Not that I'm one to throw stones.
[Dara]: Are you also a fan of many hats?
[Raschal]: I am. I look dashing in them.
Raschal could definitely use a hat to cover the maelstrom of his hair.
Raschal smiles down at the two smol humans.
[Sophiette]: Remain here.
Dara nods.
Sophiette heads up a wooden walkway and brings back more cultist enemies.
[Raschal]: Nice reflexes there.
[Raschal]: Think I'm finally starting to get mine back a little.
[Raschal]: This is a bit of a test run for me.
[Sophiette]: If you were more skilled than what I'm seeing now, I'm doubly impressed.
[Raschal]: Gosh, thanks.
[Raschal]: Yeah, spent the last two years in recovery.
[Raschal]: It's been boring as hell.
Sophiette gives Raschal a friendly smile.
[Dara]: From the bug thing you mentioned, right?
[Raschal]: Yeah, bug thing. *He smiles.*
[Raschal]: I do not recommend getting caught by silithids.
[Dara]: Well, as far as I can see you seem to be in pretty good fighting form now.
[Raschal]: Thanks!
[Raschal]: Took some patience but I do seem better.
[Dara]: Two years… It does sound like it must've been a hard time.
[Raschal]: Hoping I can go back to the more dangerous courier work I was doing before, rather than just running messages around town.
[Raschal]: I've been all over Azeroth. I miss it.
[Dara]: I've not been many places myself.
[Dara]: The Kingdom of Stormwind… Lordaeron…
[Sophiette]: It's been about the same for me.
[Raschal]: You can change that if you want! Or not. Whatever makes you happy.
[Sophiette]: And only recently have I begun to see more of Stormwind.
[Dara]: It seems likely I will.
[Sophiette]: Well…my ultimate goal is to join the Argent Crusade. I'm sure that will lead to a great deal more exploration.
[Raschal]: Cool.
Raschal rolls his shoulder.
[Dara]: This looks like the headquarters.
[Sophiette]: Maybe we'll find some more useful intelligence here.
The necromancer does not seem like he wants to talk. He and his minions simply attack.
[Sophiette]: On your guard, cur!
[Sophiette]: You cannot stand against the justice of the Light!
The necromancer is now dead.
[Raschal]: Well, ladies, it's been a blast, but I've got to get going. Stay safe now.
Raschal bows with a flourish.
[Sophiette]: Thank you for everything, Raschal.
[Dara]: Oh! You too! We'll let you know what we find.
Raschal was happy to help Sophiette.
Raschal waves goodbye to everyone. Farewell!
[Sophiette]: Call on us anytime if you need help.
Raschal chuckles.
[Dara]: Alright, let's see what we find…
Sophiette searches around the lead necromancer's headquarters.
[Dara]: Hm… a book? By… Kel'thuzad. Well.
Dara holds up a book.
Sophiette wrinkles her nose.
[Dara]: Advancement of Civilization Through Undeath, no thank you.
[Sophiette]: That would seem to confirm they're Scourge. But why the Forsaken banners?
[Dara]: Let's see if we can find anything else.
Dara goes through a desk, and then makes a 'ha!' sound and holds up what seems to be a bound notebook.
[Sophiette]: Find something?
[Dara]: It's the grave register for Goldshire.
[Sophiette]: Mercy…
Dara starts to flip through it, then frowns. "This page, they've earmarked. I recognize some of these names. Murderers from years past."
Sophiette furrows her brow in concern.
Sophiette points to another name, "That's the man who was convicted for kidnapping and torturing three people."
[Dara]: Huh. So if they were raising people, they were planning to raise criminals. And… give them things to tie them back to the Forsaken?
Dara turns back to the desk, and starts going through drawers.
[Sophiette]: And truly the worst among the criminals, by the look of it.
Sophiette opens a cupboard, finding several books and papers within. She starts to sort through them.
[Dara]: They raised them as ghouls at the funeral, but maybe this necromancer fellow was training up, preparing for their 'act two'.
Sophiette gasps.
[Sophiette]: Dara…
[Dara]: What? What is it?
Sophiette holds up a ledger. It's open to a page with several dates, one of them circled in red…with a cute little skull drawn next to it. "It's a schedule for the House of Nobles' sessions."
[Dara]: What?!
Sophiette hands the ledger over for Dara to see.
Dara peers at the ledger. "Oh my goodness."
Dara taps her finger against the little skull.
[Sophiette]: Oh, Light's mercy. If they were to target the House…while bearing sigils of the Forsaken…
[Dara]: King Wrynn would have us against the Horde in a heartbeat, and no worries at all about the Scourge.
[Sophiette]: It would be open war…and the Scourge could just wait as we and the Horde weaken one another.
[Dara]: Now that is a plan devious enough to be true.
[Sophiette]: We need to report this immediately!
[Dara]: At least we've stopped it, haven't we? We killed the necromancer. But yes, we should take all this with us, give it to SI:7.
[Dara]: Let's go now?
[Sophiette]: I hope we've stopped it. Oh Light…what if they're doing something similar to the Horde?
[Dara]: Oh goodness, if only we had a way to tell them…
[Sophiette]: We'll find a way.