(2024-01-08) Chapter XI: Uldaman Undoing, Part 1 (Cobalt Blade)

Details

Author:	OzmaAsimov
Summary:	Armed with new knowledge from the book they obtained from the Scarlet Monastery, as well as a lead from their goblin contact, Kreebo, the Cobalt Blade venture into the Badlands to pick up the trail of the elusive Alavin Mithiel.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: The Cobalt Blade

Vesyllah slouches in the chair most enshrouded in shadow, the Mysteries of the Old Gods open in her lap.

Zaara, Arthur, and Tadget arrive, mid-conversation.

[Zaara]: And god-eyeballs.

[Arthur]: Just like a steelbloom novel!

Tadget nods at Arthur.

[Tadget]: Elanor Steelbloom has a crush on me.

[Tadget]: You can tell by the way she writes my character.

[Zaara]: What?! How exciting!

Vesyllah arches an eyebrow at Tadget.

[Tadget]: Sup, cheesebag?

Vesyllah 's spider, Tadget, crawls out from under Tadget's chair to say hello to Tadget.

[Tadget]: Sup, Tadget.

[Arthur]: Well that's not confusing at all.

Tadget cackles maniacally at Arthur.

Vesyllah smirks.

[Tadget]: If she gets a really pretty shiny pet she can name it Art.

[Vesyllah]: So, I guess Thalstan's still held up reporting in to Ference. Guess Mr. Knightypants can't get away from Stormwind so easily these days.

[Tadget]: Yeah, fancy political stuff.

[Zaara]: Nightie-pants?

[Vesyllah]: Please murder me if I'm ever stupid enough to get involved in politics.

[Tadget]: He's a knight! And has pants.

[Zaara]: I will not murder you, thank you. But Mayhem will probably if you ask.

Tadget nods at Zaara.

Vesyllah , however, is the Night.

Zaara | Vesyllah is the Nightie-pants.

[Vesyllah]: I thought it was understood I was speaking to her.

[Tadget]: Ference is a knight, not to be confused with the Night, which is Vengeance here.

[Tadget]: Hope that clears things up.

Vesyllah just points at Tadget like 'she gets it'.

Tadget cackles maniacally at the situation.

[Tadget]: But it's cool to have friends willing to murder you if necessary. Finn almost had to one time. But he decided not to. Which was pretty cool.

[Zaara]: Oh, this is a hommonimp. Night night.

[Tadget]: Night night!

Tadget falls asleep. Zzzzzzz.

[Vesyllah]: Soooo…did everyone read their transcripts…or have them read…that Artie and I worked so hard on?

Tadget sits up.

[Tadget]: Sure, I totally read the thing. I'm a big reader.

[Arthur]: It's absolutely fascinating to think that such a thing could be done with alchemy, even when it's horrifying.

[Tadget]: And here is where Art begins his Archvillain Journey.

[Zaara]: Yes! The woman who read it to me became very excite!

[Tadget]: We were here to see it.

[Arthur]: I have my hands full with tinkering, so maybe I’ll work on a death clock or something.

Tadget cackles maniacally at Arthur.

[Zaara]: Artvillain journey?

[Tadget]: Yes, he'll become so evil they start calling them all artvillains instead.

[Zaara]: I think artvillains, this is called vandaling.

[Zaara]: Art, do not be a vandal.

Tadget cackles maniacally at Zaara.

[Vesyllah]: Art…a villain. Could work as a comedy, I guess.

[Arthur]: I would never. not to Art.

[Tadget]: Art loves Art.

[Tadget]: Which is healthy.

[Zaara]: This is healthy, yes.

[Zaara]: Good for you, Art.

Tadget giggles at Zaara.

Zaara tips her head sharply and frowns.

[Vesyllah]: Anyway…yeah. Alchemy is capable of incredible things. The formula for the elixir is super complex, but I'm sure I can do it. It just takes time to brew.

[Tadget]: I have no skills at making things. I'm a full time destroyer.

[Vesyllah]: Speaking of…make sure you three check your deliveries. I sent some potions your way.

[Tadget]: Nice.

[Arthur]: I got mine! Thank you, I can't wait to try them!

[Arthur]: Okay wait. *What* are planning on brewing?

Vesyllah taps the book in her lap. "The Elixir of Beginnings. Y'know, the thing we've been gathering components for to destroy the Seed of Eternal Endings."

[Tadget]: I will continue mooching off of all of you and giving nothing in return. That's kind of my thing.

[Zaara]: It was in the reading, Art.

[Vesyllah]: I've read a bit more of this book. It's confusing as fel, but I think I'm absorbing some of it. Any questions about what we learned?

[Zaara]: What did we learn!

Vesyllah sighs.

[Tadget]: No questions. Ready to stab.

[Tadget]: Are you sure you should be reading that book? Isn't it kind of evil? More so than most books, I mean?

[Arthur]: Okay, whew! Just for a second there I got really confused. It’s all this amoral villain talk.

Tadget laughs at Arthur.

[Zaara]: Self-doubt, also healthy some of the times.

[Tadget]: Healthy if you're ever wrong, I guess.

[Vesyllah]: We learned that Damina Krawse wasn't so sure her interpretation of her original visions about the Seed were accurate.

[Vesyllah]: At first, she thought the if one planted the Seed in a Titan facility, it could somehow reach through all of existence to destroy the Titans. But…I guess later she wasn't so sure she got that right.

[Tadget]: That's good. Let's not destroy the Titans.

[Vesyllah]: She worried it might actually just piss the Titans off and make them want to destroy the world to destroy the Seed.

[Tadget]: Let's not do that either.

[Vesyllah]: I'm paraphrasing…but that's the gist of it.

[Zaara]: Is there a more middler outcome?

[Vesyllah]: Destroying the Seed, which is what we mean to do.

[Zaara]: Ah! Yes, good. This is good of us.

[Tadget]: Destruction!! Now we're speaking my language.

[Vesyllah]: The author of this book is convinced that where we use the Elixir is gonna matter. Otherwise, the Seed will, like, suck up all the life and energy around it trying to survive.

[Tadget]: I don't suppose anyone tried stabbing it a lot.

[Zaara]: With the alchemy, and the titan place. This part I remember.

Vesyllah smirks at Tadget.

Vesyllah nods to Zaara.

[Arthur]: I was thinking about that. First, and most obviously, this is the most dangerous thing we have ever contemplated doing.

[Zaara]: Yes! I mean, yes.

[Tadget]: I'm just saying, it's surprising how many things you can destroy if you stab them enough. Gods, for example.

[Vesyllah]: The impression I get from the book is that even touching the Seed without proper protection will likely get you killed. Or worse.

[Zaara]: That is so bad.

[Arthur]: I mean, we can't destroy the seed. We have to counter it.

[Arthur]: and that means our timing will have to be perfect.

[Vesyllah]: Well…that's kinda one and the same. The Elixir of Beginnings should counter it, and effectively destroy it in the process.

[Tadget]: Okay, sounds like a job for a bunch of geniuses like us.

[Vesyllah]: Geniuses. Riiiight. Art…glad you're here.

[Zaara]: We are a bunch of geniuses?!

[Tadget]: Well, I am, anyway.

[Tadget]: I was being polite about the rest of you.

[Zaara]: You are a bunch of geniuses?

[Vesyllah]: Tadget…bite Tadget.

Tadget attempts to bite the spider.

[Vesyllah]: I should have expected that.

Tadget the spider is having none of that and scuttles under Vesyllah's chair.

[Tadget]: Bye bye, tasty-crunchy.

[Tadget]: Okay so what do we do next? Assuming Valor is ever released from the grip of Stormwind Politics?

[Arthur]: Also on the "this is really dangerous" part of the discussion, besides perfect timing, we don't know how the neutralizing will react. I'm not an alchemist, but I have made explosives, and…

Tadget peers at Arthur searchingly.

[Arthur]: What I'm saying is, I think we need to have a portal. so, we can escape in a heartbeat.

[Vesyllah]: I like this plan.

[Tadget]: Sounds like a job for a mage with pretty hair.

[Tadget]: The pretty hair part being optional.

[Arthur]: I think that's me. I'm the mage. I have a portal.

Tadget cheers at Arthur!

[Arthur]: Or, I will.

[Vesyllah]: See? Resident genius.

[Zaara]: If we take away a portal, how will we see if it works? The elixir?

[Vesyllah]: As for what now…Thalstan forwarded this letter from that goblin, Kreebo. Any of you get a copy?

[Tadget]: I have a copy.

[Vesyllah]: Did you read your copy?

Tadget produces a copy of the letter. It is uh, still sealed.

[Tadget]: Totally read mine, yep.

Vesyllah blinks slowly at Tadget.

[Arthur]: Wait, a letter?

Tadget quickly breaks the seal without breaking eye contact.

Arthur looks surprised.

[Zaara]: I did not read it! But someone did. To me.

[Zaara]: Mothertaxers have hurt Kreebo.

Vesyllah nods to Arthur. "Dark Irons. Tracked him down and gave him a Booty Bay Hello."

[Tadget]: Booty Bay, otherwise known as Tadgetzan.

Vesyllah offers her copy of the letter to Arthur.

[Arthur]: thanks.

Arthur reads it, scanning one finger down the page.

Tadget practically falls off her chair leaning over trying to look at the spider under Vesyllah's.

[Arthur]: Oh, hell.

Arthur keeps reading.

[Arthur]: Oh, no.

Vesyllah nods along with each of Art's reactions.

[Tadget]: You should never hide when being hunted, Tadget. You should go on the offensive. *presumably to the spider*

[Tadget]: If you're going to carry my name, you need to live up to it. You think Finn let me use Tadget lightly? No sirree.

[Arthur]: Shoot! Shooting Sheep dip and bloody buttered biscuits!

[Vesyllah]: That about sums it up.

[Zaara]: Sheepdip!

[Zaara]: Sheeeeepdip.

[Vesyllah]: Oh, Tadget, do at least read the postscript. Kreebo had a request of you, specifically.

Tadget scans the postscript and cackles maniacally.

[Tadget]: It's nice to be understood and appreciated. Even if it’s by a goblin.

[Tadget]: He clearly has a crush on me.

Zaara is just silently mouthing 'sheepdip' to herself over and over now.

[Vesyllah]: If the Dark Irons knew about the lockbox, I think we have to assume they know what was in it.

[Arthur]: We've got to tell the Explorer's League! Not only do they have a lead, this Prospector is in danger!

Vesyllah nods. "And if they're after this Prospector, good odds he knows something that'll be useful to us, too."

[Tadget]: They're just right over yonder, so.

[Zaara]: YON-der.

[Zaara]: Yonder.

Tadget nods at Zaara.

[Zaara]: Sheepdip. YON-der.

[Vesyllah]: I'm also both confused and kind of impressed this Mithiel guy may have actually managed to negotiate with troggs.

[Arthur]: Well, he's got no qualms. That’s probably helpful.

[Tadget]: We'll have to go through the Forlorn Cavern to get to the Explorers' League, so pardon me if I sort of vanish for a bit. I would prefer not to be Seen there.

[Zaara]: He has got no qualms?! What happen?

[Tadget]: In fact, I may go all the way the other way around the circle.

[Vesyllah]: We're used to you vanishing, Tadget.

[Vesyllah]: Just means he's not worried about talking with troggs, Zaara.

[Zaara]: Oh.

[Zaara]: I though qualms was… never mind.

Vesyllah arches an eyebrow at Zaara.

[Zaara]: Sheepdip! Let's go!

Tadget hops on her mechanostrider and heads off the wrong direction.

The other three, meanwhile, walk through the Forlorn Cavern.

[Vesyllah]: As I was saying earlier, the elixir will take a while to brew. I've already started it, in my lab. But several stages can take several days each.

[Vesyllah]: So, it'll be at least a week before it's ready, if not longer.

[Zaara]: Okay!

Tadget rejoins them on the other side of the Cavern.

Vesyllah checks Kreebo's letter, "So we're looking for a Prospector Steelstrap."

Vesyllah peers at Tadget.

[Vesyllah]: How long have you been with us?

[Tadget]: Um, like a year?

Vesyllah sighs. "Never mind."

[Vesyllah]: Any of you in good with the Explorers' League? I don't even know where to start.

[Zaara]: No!

[Tadget]: Not really.

[Vesyllah]: Art? You're the smart one. Go talk to the smart people.

[Tadget]: Just pick a random guy and ask him where our guy is.

Arthur greets High Explorer Magellas with a hearty hello!

High Explorer Magellas says: Greetins, lad. What can I do for yeh?

[Arthur]: Hello! I'm looking for Prospector Steelstrap. Do you know where I could find him?

High Explorer Magellas says: Steelstrap? Hmm. I don't rightly know, but I'll bet Prospector Stormpike would. He's right over there in the library.

High Explorer Magellas points behind him.

[Tadget]: Oh, I know Prospector Stormpike a little. I see him.

[Tadget]: He works with outsiders a lot on stuff.

Tadget points at Prospector Stormpike.

Prospector Stormpike says: Hello, there. Cobalt Company is it?

[Arthur]: Hello! Yes, we're Cobalt Blade.

Zaara strikes a pose, in case he doesn't recognize them.

Prospector Stormpike says: Ahh, right. Like in the stage plays!

Prospector Stormpike says: I especially liked the one about the mad druids.

[Tadget]: There are plays?

Prospector Stormpike says: Eh? Well…yes, of course! Yeh dinnae know?

[Tadget]: Not much of a patron of the arts.

[Zaara]: I know there is fanfics!

Vesyllah sighs. "I swear, if they got some human to play me and stuck fake ears on her…."

Prospector Stormpike says: Well then. What can I do for yeh?

[Arthur]: We're looking for Prospector Steelstrap.

Arthur mutters, "there are plays?"

Prospector Stormpike rubs his chin through his thick beard.

Prospector Stormpike says: Steelstrap? He's been out on a dig for the last month or so. What's yer business with him?

[Vesyllah]: We have reason to believe there are Dark Iron dwarves with ill intent searching for him.

[Tadget]: and we want to get them before they get him.

Prospector Stormpike says: Well, that won't do at all. I appreciate the warning. We'll inform the guard and make sure security is tightened up.

Prospector Stormpike says: Meanwhile, I'd be obliged if ye'd check in on Steelstrap. I haven't heard from him in a few weeks and now ye've got me worried.

[Tadget]: Uh oh.

[Arthur]: We're happy to go check on him, if you like.

[Tadget]: Uh how long exactly has it been since you expected to hear from him?

[Tadget]: I'm not sure if a few weeks of silence is normal with you guys.

Prospector Stormpike says: Usually maybe once a month. But Steelstrap and I go back some time and write each other regularly.

[Tadget]: Welp.

Prospector Stormpike says: To be fair, both of us sometimes just get so involved in our work we forget about the rest of the world for a while.

[Tadget]: Okay. So there's still hope.

Prospector Stormpike says: Aye, and I'll feel comforted knowing the Cobalt Blade is on the case.

Tadget salutes Prospector Stormpike with respect.

[Zaara]: COBOLT BLADE!

Prospector Stormpike says: He should be working an excavation site in Loch Modan, just southeast of the loch. Yeh cannae miss it.

Tadget smothers a giggle.

Thalstan waves as he approaches.

[Thalstan]: Blades, hail!

Tadget salutes Thalstan with respect.

[Tadget]: Good timing, sir. We're on our way to Loch Modan.

[Vesyllah]: Thalstan. You made it.

[Zaara]: Valor!

Thalstan smooths down his beard. He wasn't in a rush, he was cool and composed!

[Arthur]: We'll head to Loch Modan, then?

[Thalstan]: Aye, jus' when I meant ta get here. Was wi' Lord Ference, discussin' our progress.

[Thalstan]: T' Loch Modan then?

Tadget cheers!

[Thalstan]: So, what'd I miss from the Library?

[Vesyllah]: Stormpike hasn't heard from Steelstrap for a few weeks, which has him a little worried.

[Thalstan]: Ah… the one the Dark Irons were after.

[Vesyllah]: Right. So, we're out here to check in on him.

[Tadget]: Is it just me or is that name kinda kinky somehow?

[Vesyllah]: Steel straps are hard to work with. I prefer leather.

Tadget cackles maniacally at the situation.

[Thalstan]: In the stories it's usually ropes and such…

[Thalstan]: No' so much steel straps.

[Vesyllah]: Ropes are terrible. Unless you get a nice silk rope. Chafing, otherwise.

[Tadget]: I miss Finn.

[Vesyllah]: If you need someone to tie you up….

[Thalstan]: Did he have some nice silk rope?

[Tadget]: He had all kinds of stuff.

[Vesyllah]: Sounds like a guy who knows how to have fun.

[Tadget]: Heck yeah.

Arthur is riding in the back and blushing like mad.

[Thalstan]: I'd like ta talk to that fella someday.

[Tadget]: He's quite genial, you'll find.

[Thalstan]: An' sounds like a man o' varied talents.

[Tadget]: He's brilliant at everything, basically.

[Tadget]: And stunningly handsome.

[Thalstan]: We'd get along famously, then.

[Tadget]: He also has legendary facial hair. Moustache, in his case.

[Vesyllah]: That must be the dig site, ahead.

[Tadget]: The style has simply come to be called the "finnstache."

[Thalstan]: Ah, mine may be a dif'rent style, but we could share care tips!

Thalstan waves at Prospector Steelstrap.

Prospector Steelstrap says: Stop right there! If ye've come for the rest of me, ye'll not be takin' it without losin' a few pieces of yourselves!

Prospector Steelstrap is looking worse for wear. His left eye is swollen shut and he has a bloody bandage wrapped around his right hand.

[Tadget]: I take it you're Steelstrap.

[Thalstan]: We've no' come fer the rest of yeh. Alrigh' there, man?

Prospector Steelstrap says: What do yeh want, then?

[Arthur]: I'm sorry we didn't get here sooner. We were warned you were in danger.

[Tadget]: Belatedly.

[Zaara]: Mothertaxers!

Thalstan nods at Arthur. "Which seems ta be the case. But yeh fought em off?"

Prospector Steelstrap says: Aye…that was I was. Forgive me if I'm a bit jumpy. The last stranger that came through here weren't too friendly.

Tadget gasps at Zaara.

[Arthur]: It doesn't look like it, no.

Prospector Steelstrap says: Fought him off, though? Nae exactly.

[Vesyllah]: Who attacked you?

Prospector Steelstrap says: He was a Dark Iron. Didn't get his name. He wanted my research on the troggs.

Prospector Steelstrap says: I'm afraid he stole my ledger for tracking the troggs' movements. I can't rightly say why he wanted it, but I'm sure nothin' good can come of it. He was a vicious one.

Prospector Steelstrap says: I reckon I'd be dead if my fellows hadn't come along 'fore he could finish me.

[Thalstan]: Well then, I'm glad yer fellows came along.

[Thalstan]: Where were the troggs movin' if I can ask?

Prospector Steelstrap says: Oh, all over. Got loads of underground tunnels, they do. Makes it hard to keep track of 'em. But that's what my little project is for.

[Vesyllah]: With that ledger, he could probably find the trogg Kreebo was talking about. The one that was supposed to meet with Alavin Mithiel.

Thalstan frowns. "An' we're three steps behind."

Prospector Steelstrap says: If ye're lookin' to catch up with him, all I can say for sure is he went south into the Badlands. If he's lookin' for troggs that'll lead him to the Stonevault Clan.

[Zaara]: The bad lands!

Prospector Steelstrap says: They claim a good chunk of territory, plenty of it underground. But they have a surface camp in the south. I'll mark your map.

[Thalstan]: Stonevault Clan… that sounds… like they're inta jumpin.

[Thalstan]: Thank yeh, friend.

Prospector Steelstrap says: Eh? Oh…nae that kinda vault, laddie.

Prospector Steelstrap says: If yeh do find him, I'd sure appreciate the return of my ledger. That's years of work lost if it's not recovered.

[Thalstan]: OH! Like the treasure kind. Gotcha.

[Thalstan]: We'll keep an eye out fer it, for sure.

Prospector Steelstrap says: I'm much obliged.

[Tadget]: So the lands we're going to, Zaara: as you may have deduced, they are not good.

[Zaara]: Bad lands.

[Thalstan]: Yep, they're not good lands.

[Vesyllah]: I've never been to the Badlands. I've heard it's pretty desolate.

[Thalstan]: I've seen it from Loch Modan, but no' had call to travel there.

[Tadget]: It's hot and dry and full of ogres and Dark Irons and vultures and all kinds of stuff.

[Zaara]: Terrible lands!

Prospector Steelstrap takes whatever map is given and draws an X far to the south. "There. That's where they keep a camp on the surface."

[Tadget]: I'm gonna be cleaning orange dust out of Tailwind's chassis for weeks.

Prospector Steelstrap says: Mind yerselves, though. The troggs are no friendlier than the Dark Irons.

[Tadget]: You are telling me — a gnome — that troggs are unfriendly?

[Tadget]: Sit in the corner a while and think about what you've done, sir.

[Thalstan]: Even I know tha' one, sir.

Tadget sticks her tiny offended nose in the air.

Prospector Steelstrap squints at Tadget with his one remaining good eye. He seems in no mood for apologies.

The Cobalt Blade mount up and head south into the Badlands. The journey is long, dry, and hot. It is bad.

[Thalstan]: Hope I'm not cleanin' sand out of Proudhorn's chassis… *Thal mutters*

[Tadget]: I gues I gotta lead the way huh.

[Tadget]: You're lucky to have such a well-traveled person in the group.

[Thalstan]: Tha' we are. We're a well-appointed group.

[Thalstan]: An' I will no' let troggs hurt a one of yeh.,

At last, Tadget’s familiarity and the map marker pay off, and an encampment of troggs comes into view.

[Tadget]: Voila. Trogg camp.

[Thalstan]: Well navigated, Mayhem.

[Tadget]: You're welcome.

[Vesyllah]: Aaand…a skeleton.

Stonevault Bonesnapper attempts to run away in fear!

[Thalstan]: Tha's never a good sign.

Tadget pokes the skeleton.

There isn't much left of the bearded skeleton, the flesh seemingly having been stripped from the bones. But the style of armor worn clearly identifies them to dwarven eyes as a Dark Iron.

[Tadget]: No biggie, it's only a Dark Iron.

[Thalstan]: Unless… p'raps he's got the ledger? Who wants to rifle his pockets?

Tadget rolls up her sleeves.

[Arthur]: hm.

Tadget rifles.

Tucked into the corpse’s belt is a leatherbound book. It appears to be some kind of ledger with various troggs listed in tables (some with names, other simply by an identification code).

[Tadget]: AHA!

[Tadget]: This looks ledger-like.

Tadget hands it over to Thalstan.

[Thalstan]: Found it? *Thal peers*

A bookmark opens the ledger to a page with a specific entry circled: Kilatch - Stonevault - Main camp, southern Badlands.

[Thalstan]: This camp here's sure marked.

Thalstan shows it to the others.

[Tadget]: So the guy tracked the trogg here, then got eaten.

[Tadget]: Hehe.

Vesyllah smirks.

[Tadget]: Well all troggs look alike to me, so I dunno which one's the one he was looking for.

Vesyllah peers at the book. "Kilatch. This one has a name instead of just a jumble of letters and numbers."

[Tadget]: Some of them talk a little. I guess they get names?

[Thalstan]: We could… run around yellin' it and see if anyone looks our way?

[Tadget]: What if we ran around stabbing?

[Zaara]: STORMS.

[Vesyllah]: Well…we need information.

[Tadget]: From TROGGS?

[Thalstan]: Stabbin' and yellin'?

[Tadget]: Guys, have you MET troggs.

[Zaara]: No!

[Tadget]: I have met troggs. I have watched troggs murder my mom.

[Vesyllah]: Look, if Kilatch is the trogg Mithiel was supposed to meet, it might know where he is now.

[Tadget]: They are not talkers.

[Zaara]: Wait, yes. These were in the Gnome city.

[Vesyllah]: If it has a name, maybe it talks.

Vesyllah shrugs. Who knows?

[Thalstan]: Yeah, well, we can try. And then kill it, right?

[Tadget]: It will only say things like YOU DIE NOW!

[Vesyllah]: Of course.

[Tadget]: Fine. You try, I'll poison my blades.

[Thalstan]: Maybe it'll say "Mithiel's a' this longitude an' latitude an' YOU DIE NOW"

[Vesyllah]: I can attempt to invade its mind. But….I make no promises.

Vesyllah bows her head reverently to Arthur as she accepts the Gift of Water. "Shaha lor'ma dula Luvas'alith."

[Tadget]: Yes sir. *sullenly*

Tadget keeps her poisoned daggers to herself. FOR NOW.

[Tadget]: By the way, when I say I watched troggs kill my mom, I am not being metaphorical.

Tadget thanks Arthur.

[Vesyllah]: You will have your opportunity for vengeance, Tadget. I promise.

[Arthur]: you definitely get to stab them when we're done, then.

[Tadget]: My dad could have gotten away, but nooooo, he had to try and saaave her.

The Cobalt Blade engages in some violent diplomacy with the troggs.

[Vesyllah]: Face the agony of your sins!

Stonevault Bonesnapper attempts to run away in fear!

[Tadget]: At least that one didn't try to talk.

[Vesyllah]: So…we just need to find one that does.

[Vesyllah]: Shall we?

[Thalstan]: I am no' suggestin' mercy for the troggs. Jus' tha' we get info first, if we can.

Vesyllah nods.

[Tadget]: Fine.

[Tadget]: I am capable of controlling my murderous urges.

[Tadget]: Temporarily.

Stonevault Bonesnapper attempts to run away in fear!

Stonevault Shaman attempts to run away in fear!

[Vesyllah]: Hey! You talk?

[Vesyllah]: Nope.

[Thalstan]: Kilatch! That you?

Stonevault Bonesnapper attempts to run away in fear!

[Thalstan]: Guess not.

[Tadget]: Hehe, that one said 'baa'.

[Arthur]: I propose an experiment.

Kilatch says: KILATCH?! KILATCH KILL!

[Vesyllah]: Who said that?

[Tadget]: Kilatch, dummy.

Kilatch charges the Blade, swinging his bone club wildly.

Kilatch says: YOU DIE NOW!

[Tadget]: He quite clearly specified.

Kilatch says: Baaaaa!

[Thalstan]: Fer once, useful talk.

Kilatch says: DIE DIE DIE DIE!

[Thalstan]: Can yeh mind control it?

Vesyllah attempts to reach into Kilatch’s mind to calm it, but its thoughts are too simple and full of rage to control.

[Vesyllah]: Shit.

[Thalstan]: WHERE'S MITHIEL!

[Vesyllah]: He's too stupid to mind control!

Tadget stands back, folding her arms.

Murdaloc attempts to run away in fear!

[Thalstan]: Tell us where Mithiel is, Kilatch!

The attempts to communicate fail. The only thing that convinces Kilatch to stop is dying.

[Tadget]: I'm not going to say I told you so, except that I am going to say it, really loudly, like eight times.

[Vesyllah]: Well…damn.

[Tadget]: I TOLD YOU SO I TOLD YOU SO I TOLD YOU SO I TOLD YOU SO I TOLD YOU SO I TOLD YOU SO I TOLD YOU SO I TOLD YOU SO!

Theldurin the Lost whoops excitedly!

Thalstan sighs. "I was about to say you were right, Mayhem, but I feel a bit less gracious after all tha'."

[Arthur]: does the mind vision you do give you access to thoughts? memories?

[Vesyllah]: Sometimes. It depends a lot on the mind.

Theldurin the Lost hollers from somewhere to the south, "That was well done! You bested Kilatch!"

Tadget stabs the dead trogg several times.

[Vesyllah]: Sounds like we have a fan….

[Tadget]: I'll get out my autographing pen.

[Thalstan]: Let's go see what he's on about?

[Vesyllah]: Mmm-hmm.

The Cobalt Blade follow the voice, fighting off the aggressive troggs as they go.

[Vesyllah]: Face the agony of your sins!

Stonevault Bonesnapper attempts to run away in fear!

Just south of the trogg site they discover another small camp with a single, dwarven occupant: Theldurin the Lost.

Tadget strikes her Poster Pose.

Zaara does too. And twerks it.

Theldurin the Lost stares at the group with wide, bloodshot eyes.

[Tadget]: Cobalt Blade, at your service!

[Thalstan]: 'Lo there, sir, lookin' fer an autograph?

Tadget whips out a pen.

Theldurin the Lost says: Heard you trying to talk to the trogg. You want to pry their secrets, too? Secrets…precious secrets.

[Zaara]: Precious secrets!

Theldurin the Lost says: The Dark Iron wanted secrets. Now his secrets are in their bellies!

[Thalstan]: Yeah, we were after some secrets ourselves. You got any on you?

[Tadget]: We can give you shiny things!

Tadget pulls out a newly-minted copper coin, letting it glint in the sun. Ooooo.

Theldurin the Lost says: I have many secrets. But I do not share mine! No! Never…never again. But…you do not want mine.

[Tadget]: We want the dead guy's.

[Tadget]: You can keep yours.

[Thalstan]: You got his, maybe? Before the troggs ate them.

Theldurin the Lost says: I know what he sought. You must trade me for it. I do not want coin. I want secrets. I want what was secret in what was found.

[Vesyllah]: This guy isn't quite right….

[Arthur]: do you have a specific secret in mind?

Theldurin the Lost says: Yes, I do! Will you get it for me?

[Thalstan]: Depends on what it was?

[Tadget]: I'll do it. Whatever it was.

[Tadget]: You can count on me, Mr. Dwarf sir.

[Arthur]: If I know more, it could be possible. Please tell us about this secret, and where it might be found.

Theldurin the Lost points at Tadget excitedly. "Yes, you know! You know it is the only way to avoid the doom!"

[Tadget]: We're all about doom avoidance.

Theldurin the Lost says: Good, good. Then I will tell you.

Theldurin the Lost says: Kilatch met with Mithiel. Alavin Mithiel. Yes, I know him…but I hid! Mithiel is insane! He wanted to free Myzrael, but I stopped him. Now he wants something else.

[Thalstan]: Somethin' worse than this Myzrael?

Theldurin the Lost says: Myzrael is gone. Banished. But Mithiel wants to impress the Masters. He will stop at nothing.

[Tadget]: He'll stop at US.

Theldurin the Lost says: Let us pray that is so.

[Arthur]: And then when we stop him, you shall remain.

[Thalstan]: Alrigh' so what is it yeh want us to do.

Arthur beams. "You'll have triumphed."

[Tadget]: Consider us your mighty strike team, bringing about your triumph.

Theldurin the Lost says: Uldaman! You must go there. The troggs showed Mithiel a secret way in.

Theldurin the Lost says: If you're to find him and stop whatever new madness he has embraced, you must also enter the Titan facility. Inside, you must find something for me.

[Thalstan]: And what migh' that be?

[Tadget]: Uldaman, huh? That's the first place Finn and I ever— uh. *clears her throat* Went on a date.

Theldurin the Lost says: Good! Then you KNOW!

Theldurin the Lost says: There is a chest that once contained the Tablet of Ryun'eh. I thought the tablet was the end. But there is more! A false bottom, and the Black Codex.

[Thalstan]: With silk ropes, maybe *Thal says in a stage whisper*

Theldurin the Lost says: I need the Codex if we are to avoid the approaching doom!

[Tadget]: Hey, I remember right where that chest is! I had no idea there was a false bottom. Wait till I tell Finn.

[Thalstan]: Okay, let's avoid us some doom.

Arthur tilts his head. "Definitely a good idea to avoid the doom."

[Tadget]: We're Doom Avoidance Specialists.

[Tadget]: Ooh, can we put that on our cards?

[Thalstan]: I think this sounds a reasonable enough bargain. Team, ready to head there?

Tadget nods at Thalstan.

Vesyllah sighs. "Sure. Doom is bad. Don't suppose you know where this secret entrance is?"

[Thalstan]: Oh yeah, secret entrance.

Theldurin the Lost says: No. Kilatch knew. But he is dead. Someone killed him.

[Arthur]: I think we should scout it at the very least.

[Tadget]: I can't imagine who would've killed a nice guy like Kilatch.

[Vesyllah]: If Mithiel is planning to enter Uldaman…or already has…we can't do much about the you-know-what until the elixir is finished.

Theldurin the Lost says: I know what! DOOM!

Tadget laughs at Theldurin the Lost.

[Vesyllah]: Right. Doom. Anyhow.

[Tadget]: Okay so we finish the elixir and then go, is what you're sayin?

[Thalstan]: Okay, we'll go in the normal way, head to that codex.

[Vesyllah]: That's my thinking. We need to be prepared, and it's gonna be at least a week before that elixir is finished.

[Tadget]: So what do we do now? Take a nap and dream doomy dreams?

[Arthur]: I practice my portal weaving.

Theldurin the Lost says: I have dreamed many dreams of doom! They grow stronger…nearer…

[Tadget]: I do some more pull-ups I guess.

Tadget flexes her muscles. Oooooh so strong!

[Arthur]: I need to be able to do it without effort, no mistakes.

Vesyllah nods at Arthur.

[Thalstan]: Do we get th' codex today? Or wait till we've got th'elixir?

Tadget nods at Arthur.

[Arthur]: well, if we steal the codex, it'll buy us some time.

[Arthur]: Won't it?

[Tadget]: I'm up for whatever, just say the word.

[Vesyllah]: I'm not sure the Codex has anything to do with Mithiel. Just…Doomy here wants it.

[Tadget]: Has it occurred to you that maybe the Doom he's talking about is uh… the same doom we're talking about?

[Tadget]: Then again not necessarily. Lot of doom going around.

[Thalstan]: There does seem ta be a lot of dif'rent dooms on Azeroth, yeah, but it could be.

Theldurin the Lost says: It is true! Mithiel is but one doom. The Codex will prevent another doom!

[Tadget]: Ah okay.

Vesyllah mutters, "How many dooms does this guy know about…?"

[Tadget]: So now we're multi-doom-avoidance specialists.

Theldurin the Lost says: I know of many dooms! But…we must prioritize.

[Thalstan]: Alrigh', so what should we do now? Head back ta Ironforge, or is there more we can do here?

Zaara nods solemnly at Theldurin the Lost.

[Tadget]: Doom Prioritization Specialists.

[Tadget]: That's me, I'm DPS.

[Vesyllah]: Let's get the ledger back to Steelstrap, at least.

[Thalstan]: Alrigh', let's do that an' think on the rest of it.

[Tadget]: Okay!

[Tadget]: I'll leave the thinking to Trouble and Vengeance.

The Cobalt Blade sets out north, back through the harsh Badlands to return to Prospector Steelstrap in Loch Modan.

[Thalstan]: Sir! We found yer ledger!

Prospector Steelstrap says: Ye've recovered it! I cannae thank yeh enough. Did the troggs give yeh any trouble? I'd like to update my records.

[Thalstan]: Some, but no' as much as we gave them.

[Zaara]: Yes.

[Vesyllah]: Kilatch is dead. As well as about a dozen other Stonevault troggs.

Prospector Steelstrap diligently adjusts the information in his trogg log.

Prospector Steelstrap Don't suppose yeh ever sorted out what that Dark Iron wanted with the troggs?

Prospector Steelstrap says: Don't suppose yeh ever sorted out what that Dark Iron wanted with the troggs?

[Tadget]: Did we? I was mostly stabbing.

[Thalstan]: We got some info, but no' all. At least, we have a lead.

[Tadget]: He's dead, though, so.

[Arthur]: Not sure yet. They're not good conversationalists.

[Vesyllah]: Kilatch apparently showed someone we're looking for a secret way into Uldaman.

Vesyllah shrugs at Prospector Steelstrap. Who knows?

Prospector Steelstrap says: Uldaman, hmm? I wonder if I might impose on yeh further. If I know Cobalt Company, I expect ye'll be headin' into the vaults soon.

[Tadget]: The Dark Iron died, the troggs died, we're alive.

[Tadget]: I'm very familiar with Uldaman. And it's very familiar with me.

[Tadget]: We'll be fine.

[Thalstan]: Yeah, soon enough we'll be headin' in.

Prospector Steelstrap says: We've recovered a number of ancient urns from the site that seem to have a connection to the troggs. We have our theories, but the more information we gather, the more we'll understand.

Prospector Steelstrap says: If yeh bring back more of those turns the Explorers’ League will gladly compensate yeh.

[Tadget]: Oh uh, sure.

Prospector Steelstrap says: Be safe in there, Cobalts.

[Thalstan]: Always happy ta help th' Explorers’ League.

[Tadget]: More importantly, we'll be deadly.

[Tadget]: See ya!

[Tadget]: Stay fresh.

Thalstan nods at Tadget.

[Thalstan]: Stay fresh!

[Thalstan]: Okay, I think that's about all we can do today.

[Vesyllah]: Don't expect to see much of me for the next week or so. I'll be in my lab. I have to monitor the elixir closely during certain stages.

Thalstan nods.

[Thalstan]: An' in a week…. Uldaman here we come!

[Thalstan]: See you!