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| Details |
| Author: | Luridel |
| Summary: | Blue Squad gets to work with an old 'friend', Thassarian, to try and break the Lich King's hold over Mord'rethar, the Death Gate. Brannagen tests an explosive formula. Auralind wants to remind everyone that we should not become the baddies. Immediately after her warning, Cressidha becomes a necromancer. Dane and Colson collect spines. This episode is sponsored by GLACIAL BAGS. 22 slots, large enough to fit five giant spines in them, rescue one from your guild bank today. ~7700 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: Season 13
At Crusader's Pinnacle, outdoors…
Brannagen turns from sketching the tower to sketching the horrid gate, with no change of expression.
Cressidha traces water-conjuring sigils in the air.
Velrin shivers in the cold northern air.
[Cressidha]: Velrin, good afternoon.
Brannagen seems contented with the temperature, and implausibly contented in general, as he sketches the Death Gate in his journal.
[Velrin]: Good afternoon.
Cressidha sweeps a warmer wind across them, but it dissipates sooner than normal in Icecrown's supernatural chill.
Averlena arrives by gryphon.
[Cressidha]: Lena, good afternoon.
Iphindra stumbles slightly as her foot reaches the ground after jumping off of her gryphon.
Brannagen wanders toward the sound of voices.
Brannagen greets everyone with a hearty hello!
[Averlena]: Cressidha, it's good to see you. *Lena smiles, and then turns in concern as Iphindra stumbles*
Mordecai's rental gryphon lands. He unties his crutches from the saddle.
Averlena waves back at Brannagen.
Velrin looks over at Mordecai with concern.
[Cressidha]: Water, anyone?
[Brannagen]: Sure!
Iphindra waves at everyone here. "H- hi!"
Brannagen thanks Cressidha.
[Auralind]: I would be grateful, Cressidha.
[Iphindra]: I'll take water too, please!
Colson is there to help Mordecai, a hand held out for when he needs it, and an arm ready if it proves necessary.
Mordecai gets off the gryphon with Colson's help, steadying himself. His left leg is held a little awkwardly, and the crutches are a little dangerous to use in this terrain.
Averlena turns in even more concern when she sees Mordecai with crutches. "Are you alright?"
Cressidha continues passing out water.
Auralind bows her head reverently to Cressidha as she accepts the Gift of Water. "Shaha lor'ma dula Luvas'alith."
[Mordecai]: Oh, um.
Iphindra thanks Cressidha.
Iphindra turns to look at Mordecai. "Oh! You're hurt?"
Mordecai looks increasingly flustered the more people notice him, but he can't hide behind Colson very easily. "I, um. D-don't worry about it."
Ralaea experiences a small moment of trauma, seeing the crutches.
Colson waits patiently with Mordecai, nodding to the group. "Good afternoon, everyone."
[Velrin]: Do you need medicine? I can try and make you some later.
Averlena looks to Colson next, question in her eyes. Is he alright?
Cressidha passes out water to her brother. She gives him extra - maybe this is for Mordecai.
Iphindra approaches, worried about it.
[Mordecai]: N-no, no thank you, I just need. Time. For the.
Brannagen sketches the Horde airship just barely visible in the distant sky.
[Colson]: Thank you. It is a residual effect from the nerubian venom. *He ties his water to his belt, as usual.*
[Colson]: The antidote has been administered, it is only time in healing.
[Iphindra]: Ah! You were bitten? I'm sorry to hear.
Auralind's ear twitches at the sound of the sketching. "What are you drawing today, Prospector?"
[Velrin]: Oh, I see. *Velrin gives Mordecai puppy dog eyes* I hope it isn't too unpleasant for you.
Colson doesn't seem panicked, so maybe that means Mordecai is okay? Or maybe that's just Colson's face.
Averlena shifts her gaze back to Mordecai. "If you need any help gettin' around I can summon you wherever."
[Iphindra]: I can't do… anything about this, unfortunately. J- just, maybe… If you allow me… *She reaches a hand towards the crutches.*
[Brannagen]: Many thengs. Right now, the Horde airshep. But I can see, on the rise there, one o' them abomination-factories I was talkin' about before. Sketchin' tha' next. Unmistakable, those big spiky wheels on top.
[Colson]: Thank you, Lena, that is a kind offer.
Bennarin nods to Lena and Rae. And, unhelpfully, to Auralind.
Mordecai nods. He's blushing all the way to his ears. "It's - it's fine. I, um." He looks curiously at Iphindra. "Um… allow you to do what?"
Velrin is willing to princess carry Mordecai wherever he needs to go. She does not vocalize this, however.
Auralind chuckles softly. "I had no idea there were 'spiky wheels on top'."
[Brannagen]: Aye!
Ralaea returns Ben's nod with one of her own.
Averlena nods back to Ben. And Rae, her too.
[Brannagen]: Durin the therd war I go' real good at spottin' the outlines o' different types o' Scourge buildin's from a distance.
[Iphindra]: I can share plants from m- my hair! It's, um… I have flowers that help with pain. With their scent. So you can carry them with you!
Averlena shifts her focus to Brannagen. "So you can tell what they use 'em for, based only on the shape?"
[Brannagen]: Aye.
[Averlena]: Huh. *She peers out at the spiky wheel herself*
[Brannagen]: D'ye see tha' one there? *he follows her gaze*
Bennarin glances over and his eyes widen when he sees Mordecai. He heads that way at once.
[Mordecai]: That… um, I-I do like flowers?
Bennarin eyes Mordecai up and down.
[Brannagen]: Tha's where they build their siege weaponry an' their abominations.
[Bennarin]: Hey. Hey. How are you doin'?
Auralind doesn't look.
Averlena nods solemnly.
Mordecai has crutches, and he seems incredibly embarrassed. His left leg is held very stiffly, like it won't bend properly. "I, um. Hi, Ben. I-I didn't want to miss seeing you all off today."
Ralaea looks startled. "Are… I haven't seen either of those things here, are they hiding them?"
[Averlena]: Maybe usin' 'em elsewhere.
[Brannagen]: Aye. Keep an eye out.
[Mordecai]: If… you really want, Iphindra. That… might be nice.
[Brannagen]: Meat wagons, they call their seige weapons. Or they did durin' the war anyway.
[Bennarin]: I mean, damn, Mordecai. There is — that is okay. You got to take care.
Mordecai smiles at her, shy.
Colson seems neutral, but he's holding onto Mordecai still, so he can stay steady while Iphindra takes the crutches.
[Brannagen]: They used 'em t' fling plagued corpses over walls.
Iphindra smiles. She gently touches one of the crutches with a finger. A flower detaches from her hair and slithers towards the medical instrument. It wraps its roots around the crutch. It has a sweet - if a little numbing - smell. "Here!"
Bennarin looks from Mordecai to Iphindra distractedly. He looks at Colson.
[Ralaea]: Meat wagons are horrible… I've encountered a few.
Averlena's expression goes kind of flat, like her mind is elsewhere.
[Auralind]: Disgusting.
[Mordecai]: Oh…
[Brannagen]: But they also have real sharp bits on the' front, can plow down trees easy as pie. Oh aye, y'know what I'm talkin' about then, lass.
Brannagen nods at Ralaea.
Auralind scowls at the plowing of trees.
Mordecai smiles down at the flower, then looks up at Ben. "I-I'll be fine. I can sit down inside in-in a moment." He tilts his head towards the tower.
Averlena is breathing kind of shallowly, but seems otherwise okay.
[Iphindra]: Lieu- lieutenant Ben! Greetings! *She salutes him, finally noticing him.*
Ralaea steps closer to Lena, maybe for moral support.
Colson inclines his head politely to Ben, and examines the flowers briefly.
Brannagen absently pats Lena twice without looking at her.
Bennarin nods, brows knit with concern. "Mizzy is gonna want to come by as soon as, if you are up for people. I mean, the both of us, but in case you ain't heard from her."
Bennarin nods at Iphindra, again distractedly, still looking at Mordecai.
[Mordecai]: I've been in, um, Dalaran, because it was easier to - to hearth there. Y-you're both welcome.
[Bennarin]: I had a hard time keepin' her home once she heard. But I thought maybe you are wantin' some time to — y'know. I will let her know it's okay.
Brannagen steps closer to the ledge to peer down at the Scourge forces.
Mordecai nods to Ben. "Th-thank you." He looks down at Iphindra's flower again.
Colson sets his hand gently over Mordecai's. "Would you like help walking inside before we leave?"
Bennarin steps back and looks at the rest of the group. He seems to have just realized Mordecai might be feeling crowded.
Iphindra doesn't understand why Ben is taking a step back, but she does as well.
[Mordecai]: Yes, please. I just want to - could you pass me a candle, please?
Averlena glances over at Rae. "By the way, not now, but… can we talk sometime? I just got… some stuff on my mind I figure we might have a little in common."
[Colson]: Of course. *Colson knows which bag, and retrieves the necessary candle, passing it over carefully to Mordecai.*
Ralaea eyes Lena in concern. "In common with me? That's…probably nothing good."
Mordecai takes the candle, murmuring his usual prayer as the candle melts into Light.
[Averlena]: Yeah, you know. Us Lordaeron girls.
Iphindra smiles at Mordecai.
Bennarin appears, on closer inspection, to have some… glitter? in his hair.
[Bennarin]: Okay, I am gonna get White Squad together now. Let's assemble up, y'all. Mordecai, you… take care.
[Iphindra]: Lieutenant Bennarin, you… shine?
[Velrin]: Thank you Mordecai.
[Mordecai]: Of-of course.
Bennarin blinks at Iphindra.
Colson looks over at Ben. Hm. He might be a little extra shiny, it's true.
Iphindra blinks back.
[Mordecai]: Maybe I should - just so when you're ready to go I don't slow things down - go inside now?
Cressidha nods politely to Mordecai.
Colson inclines his head to Mordecai. "As you wish."
Averlena looks over at Ben and tilts her head curiously. Crafts project?
Iphindra waves shyly at Mordecai, then joins the rest of her Squad.
Mordecai eyes the snow like it might have dangerous ice underneath it and begins making his way carefully towards the tower.
Averlena waves farewell to Mordecai.
[Bennarin]: Okay. Blue Squad is headed up to that airship again. *Ben does not sound even a tiny bit envious, nope, no sirree.*
Colson keeps a hand steady on Mordecai.
[Brannagen]: Blue Squad movin'!
[Bennarin]: We been asked to do a favor for the Highlord, though.
[Averlena]: A favor?
Velrin nods along.
Mordecai leans his crutches against the bed and sits down on the bottom bunk. "I love you. Be safe."
[Ralaea]: Lovely. A favor. Did he lose something?
Iphindra looks at Ben curiously.
Averlena does not laugh. Her lips quirk though.
[Brannagen]: Should we just fly up ta the airship, ell-tee? Meet the Red Knight there?
[Bennarin]: Listen. I know we all… think some things about Howling Fjord, but he is the Highlord of the Argent Crusade, so. Manners, okay?
Colson holds Mordecai's hand to his heart for a moment, the sense of the [Warm Cozy Aura] still present. "I love you. I will see you soon. If you decide you need to leave…" It's fine, they've worked this out already. A note, hearth back, Colson will follow later.
Mordecai nods. "Of course."
Colson is trying not to fuss too much.
Ralaea sighs. "Yessir."
Averlena nods firmly.
Bennarin looks around distractedly and then down at Bran. "I reckon maybe? Maybe he is up there already? I dunno."
Colson is leaving any second now. …..any second now. Okay. Okay, he's going.
Mordecai waves to him, smiling.
Colson glances back.
[Brannagen]: Must be. I dinna see 'im here. All righ' then! *He marches off.*
[Bennarin]: Good luck, Blue.
Colson waves a little, at the door.
[Bennarin]: Okay. Let's go.
Iphindra gives a little wave to Thaeru'kal before she leaves.
Colson's aura shifts, and a white gryphon descends, barely letting Colson mount before she hops up.
[Cressidha]: Colson, Auralind. I believe we're going to meet Dane on the Skybreaker?
[Velrin]: Lead the way.
[Colson]: Very well.
Auralind makes a hippogryph call. Talathar swoops down from her perch and Auralind mounts up.
Cressidha lands, collecting her carpet.
Colson manages to dismount only slightly awkwardly, before his gryphon shrieks and rides up, circling the airship a little too much like a vulture.
Auralind salutes Atley with respect.
Brannagen salutes Atley with respect.
Dane waits for the others atop the the airship.
[Dane]: Afternoon, you lot. How's the day?
[Cressidha]: Just fine, thank you.
[Colson]: Dane, good afternoon.
[Dane]: We're to report to the High Captain, see wot' else around here needs doing.
Brannagen looks bright and happy, bouncing a bit on the balls of his feet. His beard has been rebraided neatly, so he must have paid Oranna a visit.
[Cressidha]: Understood.
Colson inclines his head. "Understood." He murmurs prayers quietly.
Dane briefly, faintly lifts a brow as he peers at Brannagen's beard before he nods to them and marches off.
Cressidha seems calm and collected as usual.
Atley salutes High Captain Justin Bartlett with respect.
Colson salutes High Captain Justin Bartlett with respect.
[Dane]: Cap'.
Auralind salutes High Captain Justin Bartlett with respect.
Brannagen salutes High Captain Justin Bartlett with respect.
Cressidha says politely, "High Captain Bartlett," and nods. She does not salute.
High Captain Justin Bartlett has a seemingly permanently furrowed brow. "Desperate times, Cobalts… As uncomfortable as it makes me, I'm prepared to accept assistance from anyone - including our resident death knight."
Auralind sighs at High Captain Justin Bartlett.
[Brannagen]: Aye ser.
High Captain Justin Bartlett says: Go to Thassarian and see if he can help us develop tactics against the Scourge that will ensure victory once we are able to mount another offensive. We have come so far… we must not fail here.
High Captain Justin Bartlett says: And another thing.
Dane grunts.
Brannagen listens intently to High Captain Justin Bartlett.
Colson glances at Cressidha, before he attends back to the High Captain. "Ah. Thassarian," he says quietly.
Cressidha's expression lightens a little at the mention of Thassarian.
High Captain Justin Bartlett says: Chief Engineer Boltwrench has proven invaluable in his service aboard the Stormbreaker. Were it not for his ingenuity, we'd be sprinkled across half of the glacier several times over by now.
High Captain Justin Bartlett says: The thing is, he feels he must share his every miniscule invention or discovery - most of which I don't even understand.
Brannagen chuckles at High Captain Justin Bartlett.
High Captain Justin Bartlett says: My focus must be squarely on our enemies right now. I cannot afford any distractions.
High Captain Justin Bartlett says: Please… visit him in my stead, and if you can, assist him. You'll find him belowdecks.
Colson salutes High Captain Justin Bartlett with respect.
[Brannagen]: No problem!
Cressidha nods politely.
Dane works his jaw and looks to the others. "To the death knight, then."
[Cressidha]: Very well.
[Colson]: We have worked with Thassarian before in the past. He conducts himself well.
Brannagen seems untroubled by the prospect of speaking to him.
[Dane]: He's a more reliable 'friend' here than the Horde…
Auralind seems troubled enough for herself and Bran.
Brannagen gently pats Auralind.
Colson seems entirely unbothered by the prospect of working with the death knight. But also maybe that's just his face. Sometimes real hard to tell with this guy.
Thassarian turns towards the Cobalts. "It is good to see you again. How could I ever forget the people who saved my sister's life?"
Auralind raises her eyebrow inquisitively at Brannagen.
Cressidha smiles. "Thassarian. I hope you and your sister are well? High Captain Bartlett has sent us to offer our assistance."
Brannagen raises a brow. He didn't know we did that!
Brannagen stands far enough away to give the man some Space, but doesn't seem afraid of him.
Thassarian waves a hand at Cressidha's inquiry. "It was wise of Captain Bartlett to send you. While he frets over your conflict with the Horde, someone must remain exclusively focused on the real mission here - the march on Icecrown Citadel."
Colson inclines his head politely to Thassarian.
Brannagen nods at Thassarian.
Thassarian says: Who better to direct your efforts than a former servant of the Lich King?
Atley eyes Thassarian up and down.
[Brannagen]: Makes sense.
[Auralind]: Is that an honest question?
[Brannagen]: *quietly* Rhetorical.
Thassarian says: No.
Brannagen clears his throat and then coughs, not laughing, nope, that would be wildly inappropriate.
Thassarian says: As people with your collective experience must surely know, there's no better way to familiarize one's self with their enemy by confronting them in combat.
Absalan the Pious says: Join the Argent Crusade! United, we shall destroy the Lich King!
Thassarian says: While you no doubt lust for the glory of taking Icecrown Citadel, that cannot happen without taking each of the Lich King's gates first. For now, you must focus your efforts on the first of these…
Colson doesn't really look like the kind of guy who lusts for glory, but it's fine.
Thassarian says: Return to the Broken Front. Engage the enemy in battle. Search for a weakness we might exploit and return to me with a detailed report.
Cressidha looks in the direction of Mord'rethar, the Death Gate.
[Colson]: Understood. *He looks to the same gate as Cressidha does.*
Dane stares at Thassarian for a moment before he sets his jaw and grunts.
[Dane]: Let's see the engineer 'fore we shove off.
[Colson]: Yessir.
[Cressidha]: Very well.
Cressidha is no longer smiling.
[Brannagen]: Also, fight cautiously. Healin's harder doewn there.
[Colson]: Ah.
Dane grunts.
Cressidha nods to Bran. "I shall maintain my ice barrier."
[Brannagen]: Good idea!
Dane glances around. "'Tis an age of marvels."
[Brannagen]: Right?
Brannagen grins.
Cressidha asks the marines belowdecks for directions to the chief engineer.
Brannagen greets Chief Engineer Boltwrench with a hearty hello!
Dane approaches the pair of gnomes and grunts. "Chief Engineer Boltwrench."
Chief Engineer Boltwrench adjusts his goggles. "That's me. Got somethin' that needs tightening?"
[Cressidha]: Actually, High Captain Bartlett sent us to see if you needed anything.
Chief Engineer Boltwrench says: Cappy sent you in his place, did he? Very well. Roll up those sleeves… Time to get to work!
[Brannagen]: We're headed down t'the Broken Front if tha's helpful…
Colson's sleeves stay unrolled, but he does seem ready to work.
Cressidha does not roll up her sleeves.
Auralind is just annoyed to have sleeves at all.
Chief Engineer Boltwrench says: That's convenient… I get it, I get it. Cappy's too busy to see this for himself. His loss!
Brannagen obligingly rolls up his sleeves, but they are very loose and just flop down again. Maybe they needed tightening.
Chief Engineer Boltwrench says: See, I've managed to 'acquire' a certain shipment of solution from the enemy. As much as I hate tinkerin' with inferior goblin technology, I'm inclined to make an exception here.
Chief Engineer Boltwrench holds the solution out to Brannagen. "Take this sample. I'll need you to run a few field tests, just to prove its usefulness, while I try to do a little reverse engineering to duplicate the creation process."
[Brannagen]: Can do!
[Colson]: Ah.
Chief Engineer Boltwrench says: Go to the front and gather the materials to make a decoy, then use the oil.
[Cressidha]: I'm sorry, a… decoy what?
[Brannagen]: Pretend soldiers I imagine?
Chief Engineer Boltwrench smirks. "And ruin the surprise? No way! I assure you, it'll prove useful in our efforts here."
Dane knits his brow down at the Chief Engineer.
[Cressidha]: Forgive me, I am not entirely certain I understand our objective.
[Auralind]: I do not like surprises.
Chief Engineer Boltwrench says: Oh, very well, very well… It's for use against frostwyrms.
[Brannagen]: So when we pour it on the decoys it'll attract wyrms??
[Brannagen]: Aye, tha' … is somethin' some advance notice would be good for.
[Colson]: So, you wish for us to build decoys out of some material, and then set the substance on these decoys?
[Auralind]: You wanted to surprise us with frostwyrms?
Brannagen laughs.
Chief Engineer Boltwrench grins. "You'll need to collect, hm, say, a set of armor, a helm, a pile of bones, and then use the solution on it. If my calculations are correct, frostwyrms should swoop down to grab them, and blow up!"
Auralind glares in Boltwrench's general direction.
[Colson]: Ah.
[Brannagen]: So… stand back.
[Brannagen]: This is all very useful information.
Chief Engineer Boltwrench says: That is advised.
Brannagen cackles maniacally at the situation.
[Dane]: Right then, you lot. Let's bugger off to the front.
Colson buggers off to the front.
[Cressidha]: Very well.
Brannagen whistles for the king of birbs.
[Dane]: Ought to bring us to the same place, but let's see to Thassarian's task first.
[Cressidha]: Understood.
Dane climbs aboard Thoras.
Cressidha gets on her carpet.
[Brannagen]: Let me just say how very unthrilled I am ta be on this battlefield again!
Dane grunts. "Aye, same protocol as last time. We find any survivors that can't be helped, we kill them."
Dane looks around at the wasteland distastefully.
[Brannagen]: If my heals seem weak, dinna blame me.
[Brannagen]: This place is like a vortex of fear an' despair.
Colson frowns, flexing his hands in his gauntlets uneasily.
Cressidha says nothing.
[Dane]: They've reinforced since we were here last. It's swarming.
[Colson]: Oh, lichbloom.
Dane glares as the team begins to scour the land for bones and discarded equipment.
[Brannagen]: I thenk I got enough t'make a decoy - should I try it, ser?
Cressidha observes the behavior of the Scourge.
[Dane]: Aye, as good a time as any.
Dane stands back, watching carefully.
Brannagen yells for everyone to flee!
Colson stands back a reasonable distance, watching with a neutral expression.
[Brannagen]: Nothin' happened…
Dane grunts.
[Brannagen]: Lemme try again.
[Brannagen]: Stay back!
A frostwyrm swoops down and grabs the dummy, carrying it away. A short while later, it detonates, and the body of the frostwyrm falls to the ground.
[Colson]: Ah.
Dane raises his shield and steps away as a frostwyrm swoops down.
Brannagen cheers!
[Brannagen]: Wow!
[Dane]: Aye, knocked the piss out of that one, didn't it.
[Auralind]: Exceptional.
Cressidha nods.
Colson seems to be counting how long it was before the frostwyrm hit the ground.
[Dane]: Keep an eye out for more, Brannagen.
[Brannagen]: I'll get some more bits to make more pretend soldiers, aye.
[Brannagen]: Ye saw nothin'.
[Cressidha]: Dane.
[Dane]: Mm.
[Brannagen]: Let's do another test.
Dane looks to Cressidha.
[Brannagen]: Ready??
[Dane]: Hold fast, Brannagen.
[Dane]: Wot's it, Cress?
Cressidha points to a tank where reanimated Alliance soldiers are working to repair it.
Brannagen holds.
[Cressidha]: Does the Lich King want to repurpose our weaponry?
[Brannagen]: Seems so, aye.
[Dane]: Wot'ever it is, I don't like it. Clear that rabble out, then we do a second test.
Cressidha nods.
Colson looks over as well. "Understood."
[Brannagen]: Yes ser.
[Cressidha]: The sort of thing we ought to report to Thassarian, perhaps.
Brannagen does his best to heal.
[Colson]: Yes.
[Dane]: Aye. Brannagen.
[Brannagen]: So, I'm gonna put it down here, stay clear.
[Dane]: Put the dummy atop the tank.
[Dane]: I want that frostwyrm to damage it.
[Cressidha]: And the casters are gathered in clusters, channeling energy into… I'm not certain.
Brannagen yells for everyone to flee!
Cressidha stays clear.
Another frostwyrm takes the bait. Boom.
[Brannagen]: Beautiful.
[Brannagen]: Got enough fer one more test.
[Dane]: Nearly looks like they're harvesting something from the ground.
[Colson]: It seems to take between five and six seconds for the frostwyrm to perish.
[Dane]: Let's head over to that lot and slaughter them.
Brannagen nods at Colson.
Atley points over yonder.
Brannagen salutes Atley with respect.
Cressidha gets hooked by an abomination while watching the test. Her ice barrier keeps her from taking any damage, however.
Test number three is also a success!
Brannagen cheers!
Colson looks over at Cressidha.
[Cressidha]: That's a giant arm.
[Dane]: Mmm…
[Cressidha]: Were they reanimating something buried under the earth?
[Dane]: Aye, and that looks to be a plague cannister.
[Brannagen]: Hmmm…
Colson nods seriously. "Hm."
Dane squints. "A Forsaken bombardment, here?"
[Brannagen]: The Scourge use plague bombardments too.
[Colson]: From perhaps their initial assault.
[Brannagen]: This a good place fer a test?
Brannagen seems itchy to see another exploded wyrm.
[Dane]: Use it near that tank, Brannagen.
[Dane]: I want it destroyed 'fore the Scourge can use it.
Colson adjusts his gauntlets, flexing his hands.
Brannagen yells for everyone to flee!
[Dane]: Let's wager farther in, see wot' else we can find.
Cressidha nods.
Colson nods.
Atley whistles at Malefic Necromancer.
Brannagen points at Malefic Necromancer.
[Brannagen]: Just saw that one raise one of ours.
[Colson]: Ah.
Cressidha nods grimly.
[Dane]: The abominations must be to keep the likes of us from interfering.
[Brannagen]: Let's get 'im.
[Dane]: While the cultists … harvest.
[Brannagen]: Aye.
Bran gets hooked by an abomination this time.
[Brannagen]: Oof!
[Brannagen]: Hate those thengs.
Dane grunts.
[Cressidha]: Are you all right?
Atley eyes Brannagen up and down.
[Brannagen]: Aye.
Cressidha nods.
[Dane]: Sturdy.
[Brannagen]: Made o' stone, right?
Brannagen laughs.
[Dane]: Let's take flight. Do one pass over 'fore we return.
Brannagen nods.
[Cressidha]: Very well.
[Colson]: Yessir.
Auralind calls for Talathar.
Brannagen just shakes his head as he looks over the field.
An enormous reanimated skeleton with an axe stands in the opening of the gate itself.
Atley points at Bone Sentinel.
[Colson]: Ah.
[Dane]: T'may be wot' we saw sticking out of the ground.
Brannagen eyes Bone Sentinel up and down.
[Colson]: I agree.
[Colson]: The size and structure are consistent.
[Dane]: Far too large for any vrykul. Not stout enough for an ice giant.
[Brannagen]: Where do they even find the bones fer tha'?
[Colson]: There is often a twisting of nature when they reanimate as they do.
[Brannagen]: They may have a way of alterin' bones somehow.
[Dane]: May be some long lost graveyard here the wretches are plundering.
Brannagen nods.
Dane spits off to the side, where countless Scourge swarm over the ground.
The skeleton is not wearing shorts.
Brannagen sketches it quickly, with the gate for scale.
Colson is relieved to see the shorts era has ended.
[Dane]: Let's get back!
Brannagen salutes Atley with respect.
[Dane]: To the engineer.
[Colson]: Yessir.
Brannagen's eyes sparkle at the little gnome.
Dane looks from Boltwrench to Brannagen.
[Brannagen]: Wish ye coulda seen it.
Chief Engineer Boltwrench says: Good news! I've managed to reproduce the solution, too - hardly an accomplishment, of course.
Chief Engineer Boltwrench says: Doubt I'll live to see the day those neanderthal goblins cook up somethin' a gnome can't recreate in his sleep!
Brannagen chuckles at Chief Engineer Boltwrench.
[Dane]: Aye, t'worked well. Keep it up.
[Brannagen]: Yer service is appreciated.
Chief Engineer Boltwrench nods and turns to speak at length with his fellow Skybreaker Engineer.
[Dane]: We took the fight to them.
Colson inclines his head politely to Thassarian.
[Cressidha]: Thassarian.
[Dane]: Cut down everything in our path.
[Brannagen]: Was pretty much as expected.
[Cressidha]: The abominations are holding ground while their necromancers reanimate the dead.
Colson waits patiently for Cressidha to give the details as they were ordered.
[Cressidha]: They have been raising larger-than-usual skeletons. One stands watch at the gate.
Colson inclines his head in agreement.
[Cressidha]: The gate itself is manned by even larger-than-usual abominations patrolling over top of it.
Dane grunts. "Aye, and the mindless ones were at work stripping our siege weapons."
[Dane]: Otherwise, nothing of substantial note.
Thassarian says: Really, warrior? Nothing notable to report?
Thassarian eyes Dane's armor, splattered in abomination remains. "I beg to differ…" He looks to Cressidha and nods faintly, briefly growing thoughtful.
Thassarian says: Abominations. They can be a very capable enemy. I've seen them turn the tide of battle more than once. What few realize, is that they can also be very capable friends.
Dane knits his brow at 'friends.'
Colson seems as neutral as ever.
Thassarian says: They are not deep thinkers. If you know the secrets of their creation, you can issue them basic orders that they will not question. Fortunately for you, I know these secrets.
Colson doesn't mention that some of them might know that, from, uh, piloting abominations before.
Brannagen's eyebrow goes way, way up.
Thassarian offers them a kit. "This kit will reanimate the remains of abominations you defeat. Take it, and learn to use them against the Scourge on the death gate."
[Brannagen]: Ach.
Auralind scowls. "We are not necromancers."
Dane glares, and doesn't rush to take the [Abomination Reanimation Kit] for himself.
Cressidha accepts the kit from Thassarian and looks it over.
[Cressidha]: Hm.
Colson doesn't take the kit either, but he looks to Cressidha.
Brannagen peers at you searchingly.
Thassarian says: That much is certain. I am, and I am your best ally given the circumstances.
Thassarian says: While it's going to be crucial to defeat the Scourge on the ground, we mustn't neglect the gate itself.
Thassarian says: The flesh giants on the ramparts are capable of hurling massive boulders and chunks of ice, inflicting devastating damage to enemy infantry below.
Thassarian says: You are a formidable force mustered. Defeat these giants. We need to know just what we're up against in terms of their strength.
[Dane]: Right.
Colson frowns slightly, and adjusts his gauntlets again, unnecessarily. "Understood."
Thassarian says: Oh… and bring me their spines. If memory serves, there's a little trick I can share with you.
[Brannagen]: Giant spines. Got it.
Brannagen looks like he's suppressing a laugh again.
Cressidha examines the components of the kit and politely asks Thassarian for a few more specific instructions on how to use it. When she's satisfied she understands, she thanks him. Her face is expressionless the whole time.
Dane looks from Thassarian, to the kit in Cressidha's hands, to Cressida.
Does she actually intend to use it? Who knows.
[Dane]: Let's move.
Colson moves.
They go to a slightly more private place on the Skybreaker to discuss.
[Dane]: I don't like it, but I say we use it.
Cressidha looks calmly at Dane.
[Brannagen]: He'd know better'n us what's gonna work against 'em.
[Brannagen]: Let's get it done.
[Colson]: We may need to, given the situation with the difficulty in healing, and the potential for grave harm.
Brannagen agrees with Colson.
[Auralind]: How many times will we employ the horrid tactics of our enemy?
Dane looks between Cressidha and Auralind.
[Colson]: I would rather an abomination take a fatal strike than any of us at this juncture.
[Cressidha]: I have given commands to them before - this was during an infiltration mission, Brannagen.
[Brannagen]: Fascinatin'!
[Colson]: We are here ultimately to preserve life.
[Dane]: We've all fought too long and too hard to get here. That deader is best equipped to match our foe.
[Brannagen]: Sentinel, just think of it as pickin' up one orc an' throwin' it a' another.
Colson opens his mouth, considers, and closes it again.
[Auralind]: This is not that, Prospector. Every time we do this, we bring ourselves that much closer to the edge.
[Brannagen]: Speak fer yerself, friend.
[Brannagen]: I'm nowhere near an edge of any kind.
Dane grunts. "It's no easy thing, Auralind. I find this revolting, as I do even speaking with Thassarian."
[Dane]: But I will do wot' I must so my son knows a world free of this endless madness and carnage.
[Colson]: I do not believe that any of us here are entertaining any idea of pursuing necromancy.
[Brannagen]: They threw weapons a' us, we're throwin' em back.
[Brannagen]: Simple as tha'.
[Colson]: We must always be conscious of a slippery slope, but so too must we be aware when we are still on our path, narrow though it may be.
[Auralind]: The undead are not merely weapons. They are a corruption of nature.
[Brannagen]: I got no interest in makin' new abominations. If any of ye are findin' it temptin' from this… then aye, maybe ye should sit this one out. But I dinna think tha's the case.
Dane looks to Auralind. "Your reservations are well placed, and I share them. I trust this group, as I know you do, as well."
[Colson]: And they shall not be in service for long, Auralind. They are a brief tool, to compensate for those we have already lost in force.
[Brannagen]: Gotta look a' the whole picture, no' just what yer hands are touchin' a' this exact moment. Ye know?
Colson inclines his head in agreement. "Just so."
Dane grows quiet as he peers at Auralind.
[Brannagen]: None of us are pro-abomination, it's safe t'say.
[Auralind]: I am looking at the whole picture. With a longer view than the rest of you, I would say. Corruption always starts small, often unnoticeable.
[Brannagen]: Do ye feel it startin' in you? In any of us?
[Auralind]: Does anyone feel it before it is too late?
Dane grunts.
[Brannagen]: Aye, they sure do.
Cressidha says, "Yes," mildly.
[Colson]: I believe that the potential for leaving these gates and these places as they are for longer is far more corrupting than five people using a necessary tool, briefly.
[Dane]: Will you prevent us from using it, or abstain from the mission?
Dane inquires bluntly.
[Auralind]: Fewer than you imagine.
[Brannagen]: We are the few, Sentinel.
[Brannagen]: Tha's why we're here.
Auralind growls. "I will follow orders, Dane. But I urge you to heed my warning."
Brannagen looks to Atley, then back to Auralind.
Dane inclines his head. "I don't like it anymore than you do, and I rely upon your reservations. They haven't failed us yet."
[Brannagen]: We are listenin' Sentinel, that I assure ye.
[Dane]: Let's get this done. Fell deeds awake.
Brannagen nods.
Colson gets this done.
Cressidha gets on board her carpet.
Brannagen lets out an audible WHUFFF exhale as they land.
[Dane]: We'll clear out these massive rotters first.
[Dane]: Then take the fight to the ground.
[Colson]: Understood.
[Cressidha]: How… ah.
THAT UNDEAD GIANT IS HUGE.
[Brannagen]: TITAN'S BOLLOCKS.
Dane pulls out his sword. "We start digging."
Cressidha looks at the giant.
Colson starts digging.
[Auralind]: Ah yes…Thassarian's trophy.
[Brannagen]: Tha's a job fer bigger folk.
Dane climbs up onto the giant and casually marches over its spine. He plunges his blade into its back and begins to perform post-death surgery.
Cressidha looks at her staff. "Hm."
Colson helps, as a healer who knows his anatomy.
Dane growls to himself as he carves. "Aye, that's a smell, innit'."
[Colson]: Yes.
Cressidha remains on guard for more giants, "Auralind," she says quietly, as Dane and Colson work on the spine.
Brannagen shivers. "Ye feel that, Twin Lad? It's worse up here than it was on the field, a' least t'me."
Auralind wretches a little. "Horrid odor."
Cressidha wrinkles her nose.
Dane whacks at a piece of the spine before he holds it up to Colson. "Warrant that'll do."
[Cressidha]: I just wanted to say that I do appreciate you speaking up, and your warning was… useful. For me.
Colson looks up from his work. "There is something very disconcerting here."
Brannagen's olfactory senses may have been burned out by living in Ironforge. Lucky for him.
[Cressidha]: As a mage in particular.
Auralind arches an eyebrow in Cressidha's direction.
[Brannagen]: Never felt a damn theng like this place.
Brannagen looks around, curious but also apprehensive.
[Colson]: Nor I.
[Auralind]: Do you feel you have been tempted by corrupting influences?
Dane growls, and perhaps misses his meaning. "This whole place is 'disconcerting.'" He hops off of the giant corpse.
[Brannagen]: Well glad I have ye fer backup t'day, lad.
Brannagen winks slyly at Colson.
Colson inclines his head politely at Bran.
[Cressidha]: I was prepared to use this kit without truly considering the necromancy it would involve, and in that way, yes.
[Brannagen]: Another giant there.
Dane carries the spine straight over to Cressidha' and her bags.
Cressidha holds a bag open.
Dane drops it in.
Auralind nods. "Then I am gladdened that I raised awareness of the risk."
Colson helps maneuver the spine into the bag. Whoosh.
[Dane]: Keep talking as we move. There's another big facker' just there.
This bag is a GLACIAL BAG, made with ebonweave and moonshroud.
[Cressidha]: Indeed. Thank you.
Colson keeps talking as they move. Well, he would if he were talking.
Cressidha moves.
Brannagen beckons Pustulent Horror over.
Brannagen makes a taunting gesture at Pustulent Horror. Bring it!
[Auralind]: If only all mages were as self-aware as you are, Cressidha.
Dane runs out of the way before it collapses.
[Brannagen]: She's special.
Dane promptly climbs aboard the slain Horror just as before, with Colson.
Auralind nods firmly at Bran.
Colson smiles gently, and proudly. His sister IS special!
Cressidha smiles faintly. "I believe I have my teacher Ms. Granville to thank for that."
[Dane]: Another one, there.
[Dane]: Proper stompers, these.
[Colson]: Not skipping any meals, it would seem, no.
[Dane]: No.
[Dane]: Brannagen, Colson.
[Dane]: You say something's foul with the land. Fouler than obvious.
[Dane]: S'it a curse? Saronite?
[Colson]: It does not feel like saronite, no. It feels more like an extreme extension of what I have felt near the Lich King.
[Brannagen]: I think it might be… all the thengs addin' up. Two plus two plus two makin' twelve.
[Auralind]: I feel it as well. There is so little life here.
Cressidha opens her mouth to say something about math and closes it.
Dane growls and nods. "We are in his realm… For now."
[Dane]: One more spine.
[Colson]: Yessir.
Dane goes about carving spines, grimacing at most at the smell.
[Dane]: That'll cover us. Let's get to the ground.
Cressidha's glacial bag now contains five (5) giant spines.
Colson's expression doesn't alter from gathering spines.
Each spine is about six to seven Cressidhas long.
Cressidha reanimates an abomination. The process is [redacted].
Brannagen gasps at Reanimated Abomination.
Auralind shudders.
Atley eyes Reanimated Abomination up and down.
Dane keeps his sword and shield drawn.
[Brannagen]: Let's do this quick, aye?
[Cressidha]: Indeed.
[Dane]: Obedient, then is it.
Brannagen waves his hand in front of his nose.
Auralind keeps an arrow nocked at all times.
Cressidha directs it.
Brannagen shields his eyes from its bumcrack.
Dane watches the explosion.
[Dane]: Looks to've done well. Other bastards didn't know wot' was coming.
Cressidha animates another one.
[Brannagen]: Well that was…
Dane raises a shield to protect himself from flying entrails.
[Colson]: It certainly was.
Cressidha laughs at Colson's comment, startled.
[Cressidha]: It was.
[Brannagen]: Let's never do tha' again.
Brannagen laughs.
[Auralind]: Agreed.
[Brannagen]: Worked nice, though.
Brannagen coughs.
[Colson]: Oh, icethorn.
Colson collects a few little bits of the plant, gently.
Brannagen whistles for the king of birbs.
[Dane]: Let's move.
Cressidha gets on her carpet and moves.
Dane scrapes slime off of his shield before he mounts up.
Brannagen isn't even touching his beard. But he's gonna need to.
[Brannagen]: Ach… Boomer got it so nice an' neat… hmph.
Cressidha seems unfairly clean, except for her hands, which she wipes off on a rag as they fly.
Cressidha has an ice barrier, though. That's practically cheating.
Colson is splattered, but expression as mild as ever.
Brannagen approaches Thassarian cheerfully, spattered with Scourge guts.
[Cressidha]: Will someone assist me in removing the spines from the bag, please?
Cressidha opens the bag in question.
Brannagen looks to Dane.
Colson does not smell like a paladin daisy anymore. He inclines his head politely to Thassarian as he moves to assist Cress with the bag.
Thassarian looks between them in their states. "You see? Ingenuity can sometimes even the odds against a seemingly overwhelming enemy."
Dane grunts mildly and scrapes a hand across his tabard as the twins produce the spines.
Colson is an additional nearly 10% of a Cressidha bigger than Cressidha.
[Cressidha]: Your spines, as requested.
Auralind growls, "Yes. 'Blow them up' is such ingenuity."
Thassarian turns to watch them as well. "Excellent. Those look to be usable samples. Time again to use the enemy's strength against them…"
Brannagen is very obviously avoiding touching any of the guts on himself.
Thassarian holds out a hand for the pustulant spines, and once received, he takes to draining their fluids into a flask.
Colson watches this spinal fluid drain with a Neutral Expression.
Thassarian says: A little-known quality of the flesh giants… Their spinal fluid interacts with the plague in a very interesting way, turning it into corrosive acid.
[Cressidha]: Oh?
[Colson]: Ah.
Thassarian says: Poured from the towering ramparts, acid may not be a welcome sight to the troops below, but at least the victims won't rise up and add to the enemy's numbers.
[Brannagen]: Ach…
Thassarian says: Pour the contents of this flask into one of the plague cauldrons at the western chamber of the death gate.
Colson nods. He approves of destroying the plague.
Cressidha does not take this one. She looks at Bran, the alchemist.
[Brannagen]: I dinna think there are any left alive t'complain abou' the acid.
Colson looks at Bran.
Brannagen nods and takes the gross substance.
Thassarian says: And, reports echoing yours of a powerful zombie at the death gate have reached my ears.
[Cressidha]: None living that I saw. Merely the Scourge.
Thassarian says: Regardless, we cannot allow a potential threat such as this to go unchallenged. Any information you are able to glean from engaging it will be better than what we know now.
[Colson]: Understood.
Thassarian says: Go to the western chamber of the gate and find this creature. Fight him, and find a weakness we might exploit.
[Brannagen]: All right if we turn tail if it's obviously gonna go south?
[Dane]: No.
Dane says to Brannagen.
[Brannagen]: Ser…
[Brannagen]: He said we needed information about it.
Thassarian merely looks between them.
[Brannagen]: Not ta let it stomp us inta dust.
[Brannagen]: Might take more'n five.
[Colson]: I agree with Mr. Stillwall. Information is more crucial than holding our ground.
[Brannagen]: If we can kell it, I'm all for it. But ef not…
[Cressidha]: Dane will call a retreat in the moment should he believe it necessary, I am certain.
Auralind nods to Dane. "A tactical retreat may be the best option if the battle is going badly."
[Colson]: Agreed.
Brannagen checks with Dane to see if he will actually do that.
[Brannagen]: Remember… resurrection may not be an option.
[Dane]: Aye, if need be, but retreating is a luxury in this land.
Cressidha nods.
[Dane]: We won't have many opportunities left to do so.
[Dane]: Let's fly.
[Brannagen]: Aye.
Colson flies. On his gryphon.
Brannagen looks tense.
Cressidha seems calm.
Brannagen takes a deep breath.
[Dane]: In we go. Mind yourselves.
Colson looks as neutral and mild as ever as he minds himself.
[Cressidha]: Understood.
[Brannagen]: The word is FORTITUDE!!
[Cressidha]: Cauldrons.
[Brannagen]: Parfect.
Colson nods.
Cressidha points around the edges of the room.
[Dane]: Aye, that one will do.
Colson murmurs prayers and blessings.
Brannagen tries to roll up his sleeves. They flop down again. He gets to work.
Dane glares.
[Colson]: Ah.
[Brannagen]: Ach!
[Brannagen]: Got yer cure right here, Auralind.
The plague cauldron begins to boil vigorously! A plague-infected giant ghoul crawls out, followed by some oozes.
[Brannagen]: I shoulda known this would nae be simple..
Brannagen adds more gross stuff to the cauldron of gross stuff.
There's more ghouls in the cauldron.
Cressidha maintains her ice barrier.
[Dane]: Is this working…?
[Brannagen]: Aye, give it a few.
[Dane]: How many bloody ghouls can a single cauldron hold.
How many wonders can one cavern hold? Probably about the same number.
[Brannagen]: Once more…
[Brannagen]: Might be enough, we'll see.
[Brannagen]: Therd time's often the charm.
[Brannagen]: Cure comin' up!
Dane grunts.
[Brannagen]: Nope.
[Brannagen]: Needs more.
[Brannagen]: Might wanna pick out curtains, friends.
Cressidha looks down at the ground littered with ghouls and spattered plague ooze.
The ghouls keep coming.
[Brannagen]: More…
Colson consecrates the ground.
Brannagen tries to wipe goo from his forehead, but there was goo on his hand.
[Brannagen]: There!!
[Brannagen]: Look, it's neutralized!
Brannagen cheers!
Dane sets his jaw, but looks to Brannagen. "We've got it, then. Well done."
[Dane]: Now, for that big facker'.
Atley points at Coprous the Defiled.
Cressidha exhales slowly. "Indeed. Well done."
[Colson]: Ah. *Colson reaches into a bag, and offers out a handkerchief to Bran.* Mr. Stillwall, if I might offer?
[Brannagen]: Oh, thank ye lad.
[Colson]: Of course.
[Dane]: Tear't apart.
Brannagen cracks his knuckles.
[Colson]: Yessir.
Brannagen cheers!
[Brannagen]: Well the information we can report back is tha' we annihilated it.
Colson fights with bright gold paladin wings.
Brannagen laughs.
[Dane]: Too right.
[Dane]: Let's return.
[Cressidha]: Indeed.
[Colson]: Yessir.
Dane briefly eyes Colson and his wings.
Dane scowls at the Horde airship in the distance.
[Cressidha]: What a story to tell Ivri and Mordecai. 'Today we neutralized a cauldron which had about twelve ghouls in it.'
Brannagen laughs.
[Dane]: I'll need to be hosed off 'fore I step into our home.
[Cressidha]: Indeed.
Brannagen gives Cressidha's back a little appreciative thump.
Colson makes a hm sound. He looks like he was more splattered with a cauldron than neutralized it. "Indeed."
Dane looks to Brannagen. "He's done it." he tells Thassarian.
Brannagen beams proudly.
Cressidha briefly describes the fighting tactics of the gigantic zombie they killed. There isn't much to report, but Thassarian did want a report.
Brannagen looks exactly like a guy who just poured stuff into an actively ghoul-spewing cauldron.
Thassarian says: You have done well. When our armies arrive to march on the Citadel, we will have a solid plan in place for taking the death gate.
Brannagen cheers at Thassarian!
Thassarian listens to Cressidha. "Perhaps with some investigation, we can discover how they are bringing such a creature into existence. Return to me in time."
Colson retrieves another handkerchief from his bag, as he carefully wipes at his face. The rest of him will need the hose.
Dane grunts and nods. "Right."
[Dane]: Blue Squad, on me.
Colson is on Dane, respectfully.
Cressidha follows after Dane.
[Brannagen]: I need t'be boiled in holy water an' olemba oil…
[Dane]: Well fought. Rest up and get cleaned 'till that deader has more for us.
[Auralind]: I might join you for that, Prospector.
Brannagen cheers at Auralind!
[Dane]: You're dismissed.
Auralind salutes Atley with respect.
Cressidha nods.
Colson inclines his head. Probably at Dane, and not at getting in the Holy Water Olemba Oil Jacuzzi.
[Cressidha]: Would anyone care for a portal?
[Brannagen]: I got my hearthstone all set.
[Brannagen]: Thanks though!
Brannagen thanks everyone.
[Dane]: I'll roam about for now and return later.
[Colson]: I will be returning to the Argent camp. Light be with you all.
Cressidha nods.
Brannagen beckons Auralind over.
[Cressidha]: Very well.
[Brannagen]: Cmon Sentinel! Let's go get cleaned up!
[Auralind]: Goddess watch over you all.
[Cressidha]: And you.
Colson turns his aura back onto the [Speedy] setting, as Bunny descends from the sky to collect her paladin and hop up.
Cressidha teleports away.
Dane marches off.