(2024-03-13) A Briefing on Naxxramas

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	High Commander Wyrmbane communicates the Naxxramas battle plan to Cobalt Company. ~3500 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Captain Jocoza Sparkwire of Cobalt Company arrives by gryphon to a Wintergarde Keep bustling with more activity than has been usual in recent days. Soldiers are rushing about, organizing arms and armor, and there's a tense anticipation in the air. The assault will happen soon - one way or another, the problem of the Dread Citadel of Naxxramas will be decided.

The gnomish mage waddles over to the main keep, and no one stops her on the way to the war room. She's expected. Cobalt Company, in general, is expected. Inside, she pauses to look at Commander Wyrmbane and gives a crisp salute in greeting.

"Sir," Jo says with a smile, as if maybe the salute wasn't enough of a greeting. "My people are on their way, and I'll make sure any latecomers know the plan. They're coming from all over, of course, so there'll be stragglers. What's the situation? We're here to help, as called for."

The helmet inclines slightly toward Jocoza, just enough for her to see the glint of eyes behind the slit. Their color is impossible to discern; they're only a hint of reflected light. The bit of mostly-gray beard visible is the only clue as to his humanity. When he speaks, his voice is ringing but a bit raspy, like an ill-tended blade drawn rapidly from a badly-fitted sheath.

"I have every faith in Cobalt Company," he says in a voice utterly devoid of warmth. "Wintergarde Keep would have been overrun if you had not slain the lich Thel'zan."

Jo straightens and smiles proudly, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "It wasn't only us, of course, credit where it's due and all that, but yes. I'm rather proud of our work here."

The High Commander, meanwhile, seems to be waiting for some unknown signal to begin the briefing.

Velrin arrives promptly on time and strides silently into the room. She nods respectfully to both commanders and finds a place for herself somewhere out of the way along one of the walls.

High Commander Wyrmbane stands waiting, tall and straight and adamant, like a statue of a leader in his blue and gold armor. His face is invisible and inscrutable under his aliform helmet.

Lode is leaned against a wall in a grease-smudged tank and sarong, in only sandals and armbands, as suits the freezing weather, in a crossed-armed surly posture as she listens.

Nearby, strangely casual in her posture, crouches his right-hand woman Commander Lynore Windstryke, her indigo hair pulled back in a no-nonsense ponytail. She keeps her eyes on everyone who enters, gaze tilted up.

Iphindra shyly enters the room, as if making sure this was the right place. When she does spot familiar faces, she salutes the commanders, standing as straight as possible. Then, she goes to stand by Jocoza's side. She looks curiously at all the details she could find in the room, until she notices the way Lynore looks at people. At that moment, she stops, and just stares straight ahead, avoiding the woman's gaze.

Atley marches in, armor battle-tested and scratched from activities in Icecrown. He grunts faintly, giving Wyrmbane, Sparkwire and Windstryke a crisp, smart salute before he settles into the center of the room, thumbs cinched in his belt.

Prospector Brannagen Stillwall comes in not long behind Sir Atley. His beard is neatly braided and his tabard is on straight, and there are no ink smudges visible on him anywhere (probably because he is wearing gloves). His turqouise eyes fasten on the High Commander with bright, cheery interest.

Lydia Harcourt strides into the room, wearing a Cobalt Company tabard over her armor. She salutes first Jo and then Wyrmbane in that order. She looks at Dane with faint recognition, nods, and goes to stand by him.

Jo nods in answer to Lydia's salute, and looks at her curiously. Then she turns her attention back to Wyrmbane.

Atley spots Lydia and inclines his head in greeting.

It takes a bit longer for Caspis Silvershade to wander his in. He has a leaf in his hair. It is not a particularly healthy looking leaf. He finds his way into Atley's periphery and then seems to simply daydream, his gaze far away.

Anareline Evensong quietly steps in behind Caspis. She's wearing a Cobalt tabard.

Velrin's ears perk up at seeing Ana, Cas, and Dane all gathered together.

Atley raises his head as more Cobalts filter in, turning to give Caspis and Brannagen each a nod and grunt in greeting.

Iphindra looks in the direction of Dane, nodding politely in his direction. Seeing everyone gather around him, though, she begins to doubt. Should she be standing next to Jo? She takes a few steps back away from Jo, feeling the comforting vines tightening gently around her arms.

Lena steps into the room quietly and goes to stand over by Iphindra.

Cressidha enters on time. She doesn't salute anybody, but she nods politely.

Colson Aspenwood is exactly on time, to a possibly slightly unsettling degree, as if he had just had a watch out and made certain that on the exact hour, he would be there, lending the timing a bit of a weird mechanical nuance. He's in his full blue and gold plate, Cobalt Tabard meticulously pressed, but he's not wearing either gauntlets or helmet. He saluts Wrymbane with military precision, and takes his place next to his sister.

Ben Hazan is definitely present, right on Colson's heels, and takes up an attentive position standing sentry along one wall.

Mordecai enters with Colson, dressed in a blue and gold robe with the Cobalt Company tabard over that. His gait is a little stiff, but he's no longer using crutches to get around, and he seems to be standing well on his own. Wound around his sleeve is the flower that Iphindra gave him yesterday, and he goes to quietly offer it back to her.

Iphindra smiles shyly at Lena. The vines seem to let go of their hug, slightly.

Lena smiles back encouragingly, and tilts her head towards the flower Mordecai offers.

Mordecai nods back to Dane. "Do you want this back?" he whispers to Iphindra.

Iphindra finally notices the flower. "O- oh!" She looks at it, tilting her head. "No, you can keep it. It- it's happy to help you," she whispers. "Maybe just replant it somewhere nice and warm, once the en- enchantment runs out."

Mordecai smiles shyly at Iphindra and whispers, "Thank you." The briefing has begun, and he is now stuck standing near Iphindra and Lena, rather than next to Colson as usual.

Lena offers Mordecai a reassuring smile, too.

Atley's eyes flick to Mordecai in particular. His exposed features harden in observation as he eyes the Chaplain up and down before giving a nod, perhaps in greeting, or perhaps in approval of his recovery.

A light rap at the doorframe announces the arrival of Gwenivene Whittle, representing not only Cobalt Company, but the Kirin Tor. "Hello? Am I in the right place? Oh, yes! This must be it." The presence of so many Cobalt tabards answers her question.

Nunuzac arrives a bit late in the company of a high elf with a suspiciously crimson-forward dress sense, we know how these things go. An invited representative of Wyrmrest here for some of the overview.

As if in response to that mysterious signal he awaited, High Commander Wyrmbane clears his throat (with no obvious effect on the rasp of his voice thereafter) and addresses those assembled.

"You have heard, no doubt, of the losses the Alliance forces have suffered at Mordre'Thar, the Death Gate. I will not rehash those events. I will say only that given our losses we can no longer afford to fight the Lich King with Scourge forces remaining at our backs."

Iphindra smiles back just as shyly at Mordecai, before bowing her head sadly at the mention of Death Gate.

As he speaks, Commander Windstryke rises from her crouch and stands to her full, impressive height, arms folded over her chest and eyes scanning the crowd.

Jo stands at full attention, listening intently. She is very small compared to both Wyrmbane and Windstryke. She should maybe find a barrel or a crate, but it's too late now.

"A decisive strike is needed," Wyrmbane continues, "and the 7th Legion has been chosen to lead that assault." There is not even the faintest pretense of humility in his tone, but nor is there pride. He speaks in the voice of a man who knows that it is simply his duty to be the reliable, unerring wrath of the Alliance.

Atley grunts quietly, frowning at Wyrmbane.

Velrin remains quiet, waiting for the details of the mission.

"Cobalt Company is happy to lend our assistance once again," Jo says, looking up at Wyrmbane. "We don't have an army, but we do have a powerful fighting force to offer."

Gwenivene pipes up. "Oh, right! And, um…the Kirin Tor stands ready to assist!"

The inscrutable helm turns toward Jo, then Gwen, then back to the assembly in general. "Sparkwire's finest mercenaries, and the Kirin Tor, and the Argent Crusade, among others, have been called in to bolster our numbers. Understand this: if you have been asked to participate in this mission, it is because you have proven yourself to be the very best that the Alliance has to offer. Even so, on this mission, you will be tested to your utmost."

Jo looks ready to be tested to her utmost.

Anareline looks impassive.

Lena looks calm.

Iphindra nods, determined. She'll do her best!

Velrin adjusts her posture and twirls a knife across her fingers while she listens. The knife wasn't there a moment ago.

Dane’s glare remains etched into his rugged features. Without context, one might assume he was angry with Wyrmbane, but when doesn't he look that way?

Gwenivene's eyes widen. The very best? Her? Her cheeks flush an intense pink and she tries her best to disappear under her hat.

Cressidha has no particular visible reaction at being called the very best the Alliance has to offer.

Lydia nods. She does not disagree.

Wyrmbane's helm turns toward Commander Windstryke, and she immediately slips behind him to unfurl a giant blueprint or rough map down along the wall. Where did that thing come from? Was it shadowmelded? She whips out a long slender blade, also from seemingly nowhere, and as Wyrmbane continues to talk, she uses the weapon's point to draw attention to relevant areas of the drawing.

"This is Naxxramas," Wyrmbane says in a voice that easily fills the room. "As you can see on the map behind me," at which he does not even glance, "it consists of four 'quarters' surrounding and guarding a central sanctum — the haunt of the wretched Lich Kel'Thuzad. The 7th Legion is planning for a multi-pronged attack to take out the quarters, and then to put an end to Kel'Thuzad once and for all."

Ben surveys the map and then nods to himself. That seems like a solid plan, Mr. Wyrmbane.

Jo peers at the map, as if memorizing it.

Atley looks away from Wryrmbane to squint at the map, plate mail clanging quietly as he folds his arms, tonguing the inside of his cheek.

Velrin scans the map, memorizing the layout and already forming strategies of how she could work her way inside without being detected.

Iphindra looks at Windstryke's suddenly appearing map. She follows the explanation intently. She doesn't know what 'multi-pronged' means, though, and she's too afraid to ask. She's ready for the mission.

She does throw a quick glance at Mordecai and Lena to see if they understood what "multi-pronged" means.

Lena catches Iphindra's eye and splays out her hand. Look at all the prongs.

Iphindra stares at Lena's hand for a little moment, trying to understand the warlock's attempt at communicating an idea. She splays her hand back. Communication.

The side of Lena's lips quirk at the obvious lack of communication, but she returns her attention to the Commander.

Anareline simply stares straight ahead. She might not be paying attention.

Colson watches the map and the sharp weapon close to it with a neutral expression. If he's worried that someone's going to get excited and stab the map, it doesn't show. But that might just be his face.

"The most important quarter to understand for our purposes today," Wyrmbane says in his rough, ringing voice, "is the Arachnid Quarter."

Behind him, Commander Windstryke raps sharply on the wall, pointing to it.

"Not only does this quarter house powerful Nerubians," Wyrmbane continues, "it is also where they breed deadly spiders and poisons for their army. The reason this quarter is the most important is that it will be our point of entry. Until we have this quarter cleared, we cannot commit to the order of assault for the other quarters. But I will brief you on the other quarters before the mission as well, so that you can respond more easily in the field to dynamic strategy."

Jo nods. Armies of spiders. She's got this.

Iphindra turns her head back to hear the explanations about nerubians and spiders. A lot of her missions on the squad have involved spiders, it seems. She almost raises her hand to volunteer.

Mordecai's eyes flick towards Colson, then back towards the map.

"The Construct Quarter" - here Windstryke's weapon does another sharp rap - "is much as it sounds. A sort of manufacturing center for various deadly creations. Abominations are just the beginning. The challenges of clearing such an area are obvious, but should be fairly straightforward. We'll also want to disable the operations so that there is no chance of their coming back into use the moment we turn our backs."

Another grunt.

Jo's expression darkens at the thought of undead constructs.

Iphindra nods. She doesn't feel like volunteering for that part. She wouldn't know how to disable operations.

"Extreme caution will need to be taken with entering the Plague Quarter," Wyrmbane says. "The blight cauldrons, the plague misters… this is their unholy birthing place. Malevolent master alchemists reside here, and these are the ones responsible for the very heart of the Scourge. All who enter this area will need to take proper precautions… and be prepared to be put to a swift end if they fail, their corpses incinerated. There is no cure for the plague once it has entered a living being. But a brave few of us will need to take the risk of entering this quarter, as the plague can be neutralized while in the misters and cauldrons, and those wretches in Naxxramas responsible for brewing the foul poisons can also be eliminated."

Lena nods sadly. No Keepers or Dragons or Naaru can cure it.

Iphindra takes a deep breath, one of the flowers in her hair wilting, its petals slowly fluttering towards the ground.

"The Military Quarter should be the most straightforward, if we can penetrate that far," Wyrmbane continues as Windstryke gives the map behind him another stryke. "This is the headquarters of the most powerful Scourge Death Knights. I say straightforward, but that does not mean easy. The place will be saturated with the foulest necromancy, and its occupants well trained in the arts of war.

"All four of these quarters will need to be cleared if we hope to confront Kel'Thuzad himself. Are there any questions so far?"

Atley gives a small shake of his head, committing the map to memory, before he looks back to Wyrmbane.

Iphindra ponders the question. She shakes her head, not managing to come up with anything interesting to ask.

Nunuzac is among the rest of Cobalt fiddling with her fingers a bit uncertainly at all the talk of storming the undead citadel, but keeping on what she imagines is a brave face.

Jo considers. "So we'll be in the Arachnid Quarter first, and then after… you'll assign our team to wherever support's needed?"

"That is correct," Wyrmbane says. "We'll be breaking our forces into fast-moving strike teams, cycling people in and out for rest so that the assault is constant yet unpredictable. Your first task will be to clear and hold a path into Arachnid Quarter, as there is no other feasible means of ingress. After that, you will need to stay alert, as orders will be passed down the chain of command swiftly as the situation changes. Each group will follow its own command procedures. The head of each group will be reporting to Commander Windstryke, who will be overseeing the entire operation."

Commander Windstryke taps the pointed end of her weapon against her own breastplate, now. Possibly a sort of joke. It's hard to tell from her face.

Jo nods, and glances over at Dane and Ben, the usual field leaders.

Atley peers at Jocoza and nods before he raises his head, clearing his throat. "Will Quarters be assigned, or shall it be on a volunteer basis?" he asks the High Commander.

Iphindra raises her head at that question. She wants to know that too!

Wyrmbane's helm swivels toward Dane . "You're leading a squad, if I recall correctly?"

Atley grunts and nods. "Aye sir, I am," he says, meeting Wyrmbane eye to eye.

Ben tips his head briefly at Jo, and his focus moves back to Wyrmbane as he awaits the answer to Dane's question.

"Everyone will begin in the Arachnid Quarter. After that, team leaders, unless Commander Windstryke gives you a direct order, it will be up to you to assess the situation and decide where to take your people next. If it is convenient to do so, report to the Commander before heading out, but not if it would slow you down.

"Having Commander Windstryke micromanage every team would clog our forces' movements and reduce our reaction times. Allowing each strike team some independence will also help confuse the enemy's pattern recognition and prevent them from predicting our movements."

Commander Windstryke speaks up herself, finally, her voice low and cool. "Whether you report to me or not," she says, "I will know where you are, and what you are doing. If you are headed toward error, I will correct you."

It almost sounds like a threat. But again, that may just be her face.

Lydia nods to Commander Windstryke, approvingly.

Iphindra shivers, hearing Windstryke almost-threatening words.

Atley grunts respectfully and nods.

Anareline raises an eyebrow.

"Alright," Jo nods. "Is there anything else we should know, before we head to make our preparations?"

"Only that whatever you think you know will likely change the moment you arrive. For the 7th Legion, this is expected. For some of you, perhaps less so. But each of you would not be here if I and Commander Windstryke did not have faith in you. Show us the courage, intelligence and honor that you have demonstrated in every enagement prior to this one, and victory will be ours."

Jo nods firmly and clasps her hands together.

Velrin nods, "Understood." She says confidently.

Iphindra stands tall and proud. She utters a convincing, confident: "W- we will!" in a pitch higher than her usual talking voice.

Gwen peeks out from under her hat, swallowing down her trepidation for a moment. "We won't let you down, sir!"

Colson salutes with all the reflex of a soldier, the motion likely started before he even thought about it.

Atley grunts and nods slowly, working his jaw.

"Yes ser!" Brannagen says enthusiastically.

Caspis just continues to gaze into the middle distance.

Nunuzac nods vigorously in agreement with Iphindra, latching onto her confidence.

Lode looks like she is making a point of being too blase to need to assert anything, like the matter of re-killing everything reachable is settled and obvious.

"Dismissed," Wyrmbane says then, sharply, in a tone that somehow feels like a physical broom sweeping everyone out of the building.

Atley cracks off a salute and instinctively takes a single step backwards, left foot first, before he looks to Jocoza.

Colson is dismissed and swept off.

Caspis wanders off.

Velrin salutes quickly and makes her way off.

Gwen steps out of the room, ushered by Wyrmbane's will, before opening a portal to Dalaran in the hall, offering passage to anyone requiring it.

Brannagen cheerfully hops through Gwen's portal.

Iphindra salutes Wyrmbane and quickly exits the room, throwing one last, slightly scared, look at Windstryke. She makes her way to the portal, turning to Gwen. "Th- thank you!"

Gwen beams at Iphindra. "You're very welcome!"

Atley maneuvers his way through the crowd, nearly speed-walking, to try and clasp a hand on Mordecai's shoulder. "Good to see you on your feet." he growls.

"Thank you," Mordecai says to Dane as he is swept out of the room with the others.

Atley ducks through the portal and departs.

Lode peels herself from her leaning spot near the door with a brusque twist without unfolding her arms and lets the momentum carry her out.

Nunuzac looks around for where she might be supposed to go and opts to follow through the portal in a hurry when she catches sight of Bran escaping that way.

The red drake in elf form remains.