(2024-03-13) Naxxramas: The Plague Quarter

Details

Author:	Luridel
Summary:	Dane, Vond, Etone, Caspis, Cressidha, Lena, and Ralaea kill Noth the Plaguebringer and burn a fungal underground chamber. Dane gives the Barlowes' regards to Noth. Cressidha, Lena, and Etone set things on fire. Ralaea doesn't know how fast the moon turns. Caspis doesn't know that he's creaky as a tree. Mr. Bigglesworth has done nothing wrong and survives - for now. ~7500 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Season 13

Cressidha passes out water as usual to the others.

Dane performs one last gear check as he looks around. "Right then, you lot. A reminder on Wyrmbane's briefing 'fore we get in there."

Dane takes Cressidha up on her water and downs a controlled gulp before he fastens it to his belt. "Mind your footwork in here. We'll be delving into the heart of their alchemical operations."

[Cressidha]: Understood.

Vond is pretty ripe and sooty at this point, less bright with fresh energy and more burning something trained and stubborn.

Averlena nods.

[Ralaea]: So more plague and diseases.

Caspis seems to be well recovered from his minor disease explosion in the Construct Quarter. But it's hard to tell, since he's a tree.

[Dane]: Aye, more than we've yet countered. If we fail, our corpses are to be incinerated to avoid further decontamination. Play it smart, keep a decent spread, and stay sharp.

[Dane]: Any questions?

Etone shifts from side to side, "Well, it really is their main thing."

[Vond]: Greennote and I are at your disposal, Sir Dane. This is a Cobalt assignment and we're in on your word.

Caspis shakes his head at Atley in response to whether he has questions.

[Cressidha]: No questions at this time.

Dane looks to Vond and Etone. "I'll have you beside up front, Vond. We'll need it." He gives them both a single nod.

Etone nods sharply as Dane gives out orders.

Vond nods assurance. If there's one thing at all he appears comfortable in, it's getting at the Scourge.

Dane lowers his head and looks around to each of them. "There is no second chance. Every day from the second plague has led us here, now, to win. Understood?"

Caspis absently takes his place at Atley's flank.

[Vond]: Understood.

Averlena nods quietly.

[Ralaea]: Yes sir.

Dane draws his sword and shield. "Let's get this done."

Cressidha nods, silent.

[Dane]: The briefing says it's here. On your guard, you lot.

[Ralaea]: I did not miss this place.

Cressidha absently incinerates a maggot.

[Dane]: Soon it'll be little more than ruin.

[Ralaea]: It's not going to fall randomly, is it?

Vond passes quiet blessings over the group and readies his shield arm.

Dane frowns at the thought and idly shakes his head. "I doubt it."

[Cressidha]: I do not believe so, no.

Time to fight some gargoyles and ghouls!/

[Vond]: Close.

[Dane]: This has been a long time coming.

Stoneskin Gargoyle emits a strange noise.

[Vond]: All fire on the one.

Cressidha fires on the one. With fire.

[Vond]: No reason to let those remain standing.

The gargoyles spit acid. Fun.

[Dane]: Aye, nothing in here's left moving after we're through.

[Ralaea]: What keeps this place floating, anyway? Is it a mage thing, like Dalaran?

Cressidha frowns at her tabard, which is starting to become more Hole than Fabric.

Dane glances around at that, settling on Cressidha.

[Cressidha]: I imagine it is a mage thing, yes.

[Dane]: Let's put 'em to the sword!

[Cressidha]: I do not know the details.

Cressidha puts them to the… no, it's more fire.

[Ralaea]: So there's maybe a mage keeping this place up. What happens if we kill the mage?

Dane frowns and marches over to the railing.

[Averlena]: It seems the Scourge did recruit a number of mages.

[Dane]: I warrant the Scourge has safeholds in place.

Vond takes a moment to breathe. "Many necromancers originated from the Kirin Tor and their immediate disciples, as I understand."

Caspis shudders as he looks over the railing.

Cressidha looks over a railing.

[Ralaea]: Ugh, mushrooms.

Below, dozens of bats and maggots and grubs are hanging out, along with the occasional meandering plague beast. Whatever that is.

Dane grimaces in disgust.

[Dane]: Let's keep moving.

Vond looks over, his face twitching a bit.

[Averlena]: …I'm not sure we should go down there. Without masks.

Etone shifts uncomfortably, "Light, it's spewing filth too…"

[Vond]: Looks like Plaguelands stock.

[Dane]: We may have no choice but to brave it.

Ralaea tries to shake the acid off her armor.

Dane grunts upon observing Noth.

[Dane]: Speaking of necromancers…

Atley glares angrily at Noth the Plaguebringer.

[Vond]: That's him, is it?

[Averlena]: Necromancer?

[Dane]: Aye, matches the description. That bastard has much to answer for.

Etone would spit, but he's got his scarf up again… would be nasty.

[Cressidha]: Hm.

[Vond]: Not any necromancer. That's one of the prime culprits of spreading plague far and wide.

Dane spits off to the side, hateful gaze never leaving Noth. "To Stormwind."

[Ralaea]: Well, stopping him would be quite the win.

Caspis says nothing, but a shiver runs through his limbs, making his foliage tremble.

[Dane]: Or cutting out wot's left of his heart.

Ralaea flinches at the tree noises again.

[Vond]: One could hardly measure the blood there is to answer for.

[Dane]: Then I warrant his head'll have to do.

[Dane]: He'll put up a fight, you lot. Have a care.

Cressidha has a care.

Vond looks around the room cautiously. "I don't like the look of the bone stacks. Be on guard."

Dane grunts. "Looks to be an ambush waiting to happen."

Averlena nods at Vond.

Cressidha pulls up her ice barrier.

Vond steadies his breathing and keeps an eye on Dane, ready.

[Etone]: We'll set that on fire, to be certain.

Dane points his sword to Noth and bellows, "Attack!" He sprints in, platemail rattling as he charges the Plaguebringer.

Caspis the Treant shuffles along behind Atley, moving as though leashed to him.

Noth the Plaguebringer yells: Glory to the master!

Etone picks up in song once more, casting a protective shield on both Dane and Vond as they charge in.

Vond follows closely a bit out from the flank to hedge in Noth from both sides - one old wizard is surprisingly sturdy with this level of powerful necromancy.

Noth the Plaguebringer fights near the center of a large, square room, but at the edges of it are piles of bones, and they stir as skeletons rise from them.

[Dane]: 'Hind you!

Caspis's leaves flush with fresh green color at the sound of Etone's song.

Averlena hurls shadow at the necromancer, her expression grim.

Dane slashes and thrusts at Noth, the necromancer given physical boosts thanks to his dark magic.

Cressidha unleashes a barrage of flames, her fireballs weaving around her allies as they travel rather than flung in straight lines.

Noth the Plaguebringer yells: Rise, my soldiers! Rise and fight once more!

Vond whistles sharply and rings out ricocheting shields of manifested light when the expected occurs. Necromancer, bone piles… A+ in Scourge math over here.

Dane growls and blindly elbows a charging undead minion sprinting towards him from behind, sending the foe clattering to the ground in a pile of bones and rusted armor.

Ralaea takes up a position directly behind the necromancer, though the rattling of rising bones has her watching her back when she can.

Caspis seems almost inert throughout the fight, moving very little but to stay within a set distance of Atley. But those near him can feel a constant flow of healing energy, and smell a faint fragrance reminiscent of sun-warmed leaves.

The first wave of skeletons are sword-wielders, drawn to the fight, but they approach from all directions, causing a bit of danger to the back line.

Vond leaves Dane to tangle with Noth's fists of fury while moving to intercept a steady flow of skeletons.

Dane continues to feverishly engage Noth. "Keep the shamblers off us!"

Averlena doesn't move much during the fight, focusing on her casting.

Ralaea lights a bomb and tosses it into the group of skeletons, keeping Vond just out of its blast radius.

Caspis wobbles slightly as a skeleton slams into him, but it's quickly distracted by Atley and charges for him instead.

Dane's shield stops a punch so strong it sends him sliding backwards, armored greaves scraping and squealing against the runed floor.

Etone shimmers slightly, losing all threat from the reanimated bones.

Noth, although heavily empowered by the Lich King's magic, having survived blows that should have felled him already, does seem to be showing some wear and tear. Abruptly, he teleports away from the fight, leaving the skeletons to swarm.

[Ralaea]: Coward!

[Cressidha]: Where'd he—?

Etone scoffs, "Tacky…"

Dane spots the skeleton charging from his periphery, and widens his stance, moving with graceless precision to provide his foe with a hearty shield bash, sending it toppling to the ground.

[Dane]: Coward! Where'd — he's there!

Averlena seeds bombs of shadow within the skeletons, which detonate across the group in a chain reaction.

[Dane]: Everyone, backs together! Stand firm!

[Ralaea]: He thinks he can overwhelm us without facing us directly?

Vond drives a shield into one beelining for a slightly oblivious tree while drawing others into a steady pulsing burn of consecration, occupying their fairly limited sensibilities. Fans of shining hammers shimmer into being, strike and dissipate.

Cressidha turns her attention to the skeletons for the time being, calling down a firestorm.

Caspis moves around to be nearer to Atley, and in the process spots the torrent of green slime dripping from the doorway.

[Dane]: He's wrong.

Caspis hesitates a moment, then quickly continues his healing.

Dane swiftly disarms another skeleton with a faint flick of his wrist and twist of blade before he cleaves through its skeleton in a crunch of dusted bones.

Noth the Plaguebringer, seeing that the group isn't going to die to skeletons alone, teleports back onto the field to call down a powerful curse on Dane, Lena, and Caspis.

Caspis manages to dispel the curse on himself, but doesn't manage to catch the others before Cressidha makes quick work of their curses.

Vond seems only further energized by being surrounded by crowding skeletons, holding his defenses.

Cressidha de-curses Dane and then Lena.

Averlena refocuses on Noth, not even worrying about the curse on herself as she curses him back. Her allies will handle it.

Dane exhales powerfully and charges in again, platemail rattling as he slams into Noth.

Noth curses another trio of people. And then another. Skeletons pour from the piles against the wall.

Cressidha crushes a mana sapphire into powder.

Ralaea gladly turns her attention back to the necromancer. "I would've been mad if he'd left us here. Actually…I'm still mad."

To make Ralaea even angrier, Noth the Plaguebringer teleports back to his balcony. Jerk.

Etone busies himself by SETTING HOLY FIRE to the skeleton piles left.

[Ralaea]: Hey–!

[Dane]: Bastard–!

[Ralaea]: THAT WASN'T A HINT!

This time, the skeletons that rush in seem to be imbued with arcane power, and they detonate in small shockwaves as they get near to the group.

Dane quickdraws a hatchet from his belt and flings it up at Noth, just to let the Plaguebringer know that They're All Still Thinking About Him.

Dane widens his eyes at these foes and kicks one skeleton away before he shields himself with a blast. "He's empowering them!"

Vond peels a lingering trace of magic that seems to incite sluggish movements from Etone, further enabling his most blessed arson. The curse is unaffected by his efforts.

Caspis sends out waves of healing energy in all directions, helping those near to him regenerate from the shockwaves.

Ralaea takes special care around the magic flinging skeletons, focusing them, but fleeing the blasts.

A blast shatters Cressidha's ice barrier, and she cries out just as Caspis' healing heals her before she's even fully acknowledged the pain.

When Noth seems to have run out of exploding skeletons, he teleports back onto the battlefield to see if cursing the group will solve everything again.

Dane snaps his head towards Cressidha's cry before a skeleton slams into him. He raises his shield at the last moment, but he's still blasted backwards, staggering but somehow managing to stay upright.

Ralaea calls back to Cress, "All good?"

[Cressidha]: Fine!

Ralaea nods and focuses the necromancer again.

Caspis sends a concentrated blast of healing toward Sir Atley when he stumbles.

Vond dampens one final arcane wave with an offering chant, filling his armor with sizzle of redirected magic. Looks like it might sting a little.

Dane rushes towards the Plaguebringer, snarling a name with each blow. "Josette — Karson — Calder — Kellis!"

Noth is running out of skeletons. He might be running out of mana. He's also running out of blood. (Yes, he's a living necromancer. Very soon to be a dead necromancer.)

Cressidha cracks open a second mana sapphire.

Averlena winces as she does something to herself to get more mana, and resumes the attack.
Dane grits his teeth and maintains his tireless strikes. "Kira!" A strike. "Jens!" A stab. "Tomlin!"

Etone flicks his attention toward Vond, sending out a wave of penance to help stable him.

Caspis seems not the least bit drained by the fight; a fresh wave of forest-scented magic washes over those nearest him.

Noth the Plaguebringer yells: I will serve the master… in death!

Cressidha looks doubtful.

Vond twists back with another furious swordpoint when the skeletons begin to thin, renewed by the bolster.

Vond draws up his shield with a sharp strike to the Plaguebringer's back to pin him from any further retreat.

Dane side-steps, dodging one of the Plaguebringer's last strikes, but deftly flicks his sword to slice the harsh blade across his hamstring. Noth drops to a knee, only to get bashed by the center of Atley's shield. His head lulls sharply, features tightening and Atley stomps closer, grasping at the gray hair atop Noth's head. He forces the Plaguebringer to face him and snarls, twisting his blade, raising it to the Plaguebringer's lips. "The Barlowes send their regards." Without any further warning, he feeds the blade to Noth, punching out the back of his skull. With disdain, Atley kicks the necromancer off, letting him fall backwards onto the ground, slain.

[Ralaea]: He's not actually going to do that, right? Serve his master in death? Someone burn him.

[Averlena]: I can get that.

Dane takes a step back, staring at the corpse.

Averlena rains fire on the body until it catches.

Caspis steps clear of Lena's rain of fire.

Cressidha allows Lena to burn this one.

Etone calls down holy fire as well, to be through.

Cressidha looks at Etone. Hmm.

Dane nods to Etone. He glances around, licking perspiration from his lips. He grunts as he notices the next chamber.

Cressidha flicks an ember onto the body so as not to be left out.

[Dane]: I'm not leaving without clearing out that next room.

Vond backs away quickly from any vicinity of sprouting bladepoints or fire, finding his breath as he stares at the body for a moment, just in case. He gravitates toward the Confessor to assess him.

Etone nods at Cressidha in apparent approval.

Ralaea tosses a bomb at the ashes. Since we're being extra thorough.

Caspis falls back into Atley's shadow.

[Dane]: … Fack' charging in there. You lot, look for a way to shut that portcullis from this side.

[Ralaea]: What, you think the skulls extend?

[Ralaea]: They look pretty…stretched as is.

[Cressidha]: We could rain fire on them from the balcony, but the bats will probably come up and at us.

[Etone]: It's a necromancer castle, I'm sure they would if they could.

[Dane]: You've read my mind. Lena, you'll join her. Etone, you as well.

[Dane]: Rae, Caspis, Satterly, we kill anything else the fire misses. Like the bats.

[Dane]: Let's move.

Averlena nods.

[Cressidha]: Understood.

Cressidha moves.

[Dane]: It looks to be fungus and other organic growths, but we'll leave swiftly after we ignite it. I don't want any of us breathing in anything longer than necessary.

Cressidha nods.

Caspis is fortunate, perhaps, to be a tree.

[Ralaea]: Is fire going to cause any fumes to…I suppose there's already fumes.

[Dane]: Wyrmbane instructed us to burn infected corpses. This'll be no different.

[Ralaea]: The mushrooms won't explode, will they?

[Dane]: And well fought back there, you lot. Looks like we'll all live to see another day.

[Etone]: Hmhmm, they might.

[Cressidha]: Thank you.

Cressidha ties a cloth around her face, Etone-style.

[Vond]: It's the same as the fungal glens back home. Druidry and shielding should block any unintended sporefall.

Averlena nods again at Dane. She peeks at what Cressidha's doing, and follows suit.

[Dane]: That's you, Caspis.

Dane looks to the sentient tree.

Caspis begins releasing regenerative waves of energy, perhaps in anticipation of toxic smoke or fumes.

Etone beams stupidly, fashion and function.

Ralaea doesn't know a thing about druidry so she shuts her mouth.

Averlena looks over at Cressidha. "Ready?"

Dane reaches for two more throwing hatchets from his belt, laying his shield on the ground. "Aye. Nothing in there survives. Put everything you have into this purge."

Cressidha moves up to the railing, hands raised. "On your mark, Dane."

[Dane]: Do it.

Caspis even manages to summon up a slight wind, blowing over them and over the railing, toward the plagued area.

Averlena turns back resolutely to the mushroom area and rains as much fire as she's able.

Cressidha does the same. A flamestrike hits one mushroom and catches, quickly, spreading among the fungal growth in a dangerous conflagration.

Vond drifts toward an open spot to be able to lash light-shields for fleeing bats without knocking any heads.

[Dane]: Feeding time, curs.

Ralaea tosses bombs over the railing as well, adding to the firepower, at least until the enemy reaches the balcony.

Dane twists the hatchets in his hand, cracking his neck.

Vond eyes Etone. "Light 'em up, Confessor." It sounds probably more eager than is decorous.

The chamber comes to life. Slugs boil and burn. Mushrooms seem to melt. Bats in small swarms screech and fly towards those on the balcony, some even ignited themselves.

Caspis keeps the breeze blowing at their backs and into the burning filth, while nature magic bathes his companions in a subtle, glistening verdant light.

[Dane]: Here they come!

Etone sucks a deep breath in, nods to Vond and bursts into a rather rousing prayer, commanding the Light to torch anything it touches.

Caspis is forcing the bats to fly into the wind.

Cressidha remains with her hands held up, small movements of her ring fingers and pinkies almost like she's conducting the spread of the flames.

A number of the screeching beasts are blown back into the blazing inferno and disappear in the flame, but a handful manage to make it through, battling the actual elements to escape, or to attack in a frenzy.

Ralaea takes up her rifle to shoot the bats until they are finally in melee range, then tosses the gun aside and engages them with her swords.

Dane winds up and flings one hatchet, bisecting a bat in mid air. He flings a second hatchet, smashing the target against the wall where it nearly explodes.

Averlena does not have that same level of control, but she makes up for it in destructive power.

Dane swats one on fire out of the air with his shield only to stomp on it, though the flame still sizzles underneath his boot.

Cressidha channels more and more of her mana into feeding the flames. She seems to be waiting for a command from Dane to stop.

Averlena pauses her fire as some of the bats get too close and shifts targets, sending them wheeling through the fire and smoke in terror.

The heat of the growing inferno, a mixture of raw firepower and precision, nearly becomes unbearable. Soon, nothing emerges from the flames but ashes.

The motions of Cressidha's fingers are starting to look less like she's conducting the inferno and more like actual tremors.

[Dane]: That's it! We're done here! Let's move!

Vond cheers on the spellcasters - especially when plagued matter begins to sizzle with earnest with Light - hoarsely goading. He might be a little over thrilled about the maneuver. "That's the stuff!" He intercepts bats until they thin.

Cressidha wrenches herself away from the fire.

Dane rushes towards the way they came in, beckoning. "Everyone! Move, move, move!"

Caspis autofollows.

The growling inferno is near deafening as they make their escape.

[Vond]: On then, outta the smoke!

Ralaea needs no second urging. She picks up her gun and follows quickly.

Cressidha almost runs into the tree. She sticks close to Caspis, where the air is fresher, as they run out.

Dane steps out into the central chamber and takes a big breath.

Vond draws up the rear, making watch for any straggling.

[Averlena]: I suppose we'll need to report back to Wintergarde?

[Dane]: I say we stand guard here and wait to be relieved.

[Dane]: That quarter is our responsibility, and we must hold this line.

Commander Windstryke drops down from somewhere above, and lands as silently as a cat.

[Ralaea]: There's…a cat.

To be clear, Ralaea has noticed Mr. Bigglesworth, the cat. Commander Windstryke is not a cat.

[Cressidha]: Windstryke–

[Vond]: I'd wager well that the 7ths scouts have seen the whole of it - oh.

Cressidha looks at her. Right on cue.

Commander Windstryke says: Well. That was an interesting approach.

Averlena steps back and nods at the woman.

Dane doubletakes and glances over his shoulder. He cracks off a swift salute. "Commander."

[Ralaea]: I think it was more of a retreat, because we did not approach.

Commander Windstryke says: Go on, you're relieved. I know just whom to send in to follow up on that chaos.

Etone struggles internally, do not pet the cat.

Vond looks about to retort something in his elevated spirits, but thinks better of it.

Commander Windstryke smiles enigmatically.

Dane nods once. "Aye, Commander. All out!"

Dane jogs past her.

Etone loves Mr. Bigglesworth.

Cressidha heads outside on Windstryke's command.

Vond murmurs as they move past, "I hope she wasn't out to keep anything past the plague pit intact."

[Cressidha]: Wintergarde?

Dane makes a face and wrinkles up his nose. "Aye, Cress."

Caspis turns back into an elf.

Caspis is not wearing any of this.

Ralaea blinks at the elf, that is no longer a scary creaky tree.

[Dane]: Let's get to the ground.

Caspis nods, then turns into a bird.

Dane scoffs with amusement.

[Etone]: Mmn, let's regroup.

Cressidha lays out her carpet and climbs on.

At Wintergarde…

Dane leaves Thoras with the gryphon keepers.

[Caspis]: Is everyone all right?

Caspis looks slightly disoriented. But when doesn't he?

[Dane]: Any signs of plague?

Cressidha rolls up her carpet. She looks visibly tired, which means she's probably exhausted.

Dane thoroughly inspects each of them.

[Cressidha]: I am fine, thank you.

[Caspis]: I am well.

[Cressidha]: I should like to sit down.

[Dane]: Aye, inside.

Caspis offers her his arm.

Vond nods vigorously at Caspis, and the nod grows more sluggish as it goes on. He's probably starting to feel that prior tangle with the abomination and friends.

[Ralaea]: I got checked earlier, and I didn't get anything injected this time, so.

Cressidha takes Caspis' arm.

Dane growls at Lexey. "Let's have a round, please."

Caspis carefully helps Cressidha toward a chair that 100% works.

Dane sets a hand on the back of a spare chair for Cressidha.

[Cressidha]: Thank you.

Caspis sits near Cressidha, peering at her in concern. He is sitting.

Ralaea prefers to stand anyway.

[Dane]: You're off duty until you get eight hours, Cressidha. That's an order.

Etone pulls his mask down and offers a rather loud, wide mouthed, yawn.

Cressidha sinks into the chair. "Understood." She removes the cloth around her face, and then what remains of her tabard, which is barely holding together.

Cressidha actually leans back against the back of the chair. Who is this woman and where did Cressidha Aspenwood go.

Vond falls back into the nearest seat he can find with a bit of a clatter, only now starting to slow from whatever Light-fueling and doggedness that has been driving him.

Dane looks to Vond and Etone. "Good to have you with us, Crusaders. It was a boon to have you two at our side."

Caspis had the benefit of being in an entirely different form while getting showered with goo. It does not seem to transfer.

[Dane]: Looks as if I'd order you to rest as well, if I could.

Dane remarks to Vond with gruff amusement.

Caspis looks over at the two Crusaders, his expression vague.

Vond raises a gauntleted thumbs-up a moment before he finds his voice. "I think someone's gonna, don't you fret sir. "

[Caspis]: We have done well.

[Dane]: Aye, we have. Well fought, Caspis, 'specially with those bloody fumes.

Cressidha says, "Good work, everyone," with her eyes shut.

[Caspis]: I was pleased to be of assistance. I have learned a great deal, from fighting alongside Cobalt Company.

[Dane]: You've taught a great deal, as well.

[Dane]: Are you familiar with these Argents?

Dane gestures to Vond and Etone.

Caspis reaches over to briefly, gently, lay a hand on Cressidha's hair. A slight fragrance of pine needles accompanies it.

[Vond]: I was well glad to hear Cobalt was on the task here. That the 7th were finally able to make it happen. All of it.

Etone snorts a short laugh as he slips down into a chair next to Vond. "Mmn, it were excellent work in there, be proud 'f it."

[Ralaea]: What happens to the place when it's empty? Is it just going to float there forever or…?

[Dane]: I warrant it'll be safely lowered and deconstructed, or destroyed. In time, folk may not even believe t'was little more than myth.

Etone hisses loudly, "If I'd my way it'd crash into the ground in holy fire!"

[Dane]: Too bloody right.

Dane accepts a pint from Illusia Lune as it comes around, taking a measured sip.

[Ralaea]: As long as it doesn't… I mean, there's horses that live out here.

[Caspis]: They can be brought down. I have explored their crashed remains, before.

[Ralaea]: The crashed ones, were they… did they make the land gross?

[Vond]: It'll be done with more of a care than what happened to Kolramas.

[Caspis]: Ah… Kolramas… was that the one…? I cannot recall the exact extent of the devastation, but it did not seem to blight the land for any great distance around it.

Etone fumes over the 'correct' way to go about disposing of floating plague factories.

[Vond]: That left the earth blighted because it was blasted from the side straight through. I do not think we are talkin' wild god type firepower.

[Caspis]: Ah yes, that is right… it was the wild gods that brought it down.

Dane shakes his head, having zoned out, taking a page from Caspis' leaflet.

Vond gives Etone a commiserating look, because he appears generally on board with the fellow's burn it all in holy fire opinion. At least, he's supportive.

[Dane]: Which are we speaking of?

[Caspis]: But the plague did not spread beyond the crash site, I do not believe.

[Vond]: No, it was left about by the mechanical sprayers from on board. It were a mess and a preventable one.

Cressidha's chin tilts down. She might be starting to fall asleep in her chair.

Dane squints in thought as he glances between them. He leans forward to see Cressidha' tilt down.

[Caspis]: I will confess my memory of the situation is… unclear.

[Dane]: Alright, then, you. Off to bed. If you can't walk, I'll carry you.

Dane sets down his tankard on the table.

[Cressidha]: Hm?

Vond rubs his temple, mood shifted by dwelling on Kolramas.

Cressidha blinks up at Dane. "Ah."

Cressidha stands, pushing in her chair. "Please excuse me, everyone."

Dane had started to move before she rises. "Go find a bed."

Caspis touches his fingertips briefly to Cressidha's cheek, and murmurs something in Darnassian.

[Cressidha]: I'm sorry, I didn't catch that?

[Caspis]: Ah it is… mm, a wish for peaceful sleep.

Etone elbows Vond and points to the pitcher of ale. "Thirsty, mn?"

[Cressidha]: Ah. Thank you.

[Cressidha]: Rest well, when you do. Please excuse me.

Vond presses his palms together and murmurs a faint blessing. "Great work out there, miss. Impeccable casting arm. You deserve rest." He jostles slightly and nods to Etone.

[Cressidha]: Thank you.

Cressidha heads on upstairs.

Dane looks to Ralaea, eyeing her up and down.

[Dane]: And wot' of you, then?

[Ralaea]: What of me? I'm due in Icecrown I expect.

[Dane]: I was asking as to how you are. Well 'nuff, it seems.

Caspis circles around the table to put a hand on Atley's shoulder and grip it firmly, in a way that is clearly an exact copy of an Atley Maneuver.

[Dane]: We're closer to avenging Lordaeron than ever before.

[Ralaea]: Envy the death knights sometimes. They don't have to rest…

[Dane]: They don't have pulses, ei–

Dane cuts off and looks to Caspis. "All in one piece are you, my friend?"

Caspis looks down at himself, as though to make sure.

[Caspis]: I am well.

Dane growls with amusement and raises his hand to clasp Caspis' in kind.

Vond looks over Ralaea consideringly. "Due in Icecrown is its own sort of state, I imagine. We'll be glad for the fighting power."

Ralaea watches to make sure Caspis isn't going to creak in elf form.

[Dane]: Of course you are.

Caspis does not seem creaky in his natural form, despite his age.

[Dane]: I'm grateful I won't have to deliver any bad news to your Anareline.

[Caspis]: She fought splendidly in the Construct Quarter.

Vond nods in agreement to Caspis.

[Ralaea]: You'll have me until it's over one way or another, Argents.

Dane grunts. "I've no doubt."

[Vond]: That sounds a little like a threat, but I'll take it.

[Caspis]: After this I will likely return to the Plaguelands with Anareline.

[Ralaea]: If it's a threat, it'll be one for the Scourge.

Dane opens his mouth to speak before he nods. "Any progress there?" he asks Caspis, searching his features.

Caspis smiles very very slightly. "Yes."

Dane's brows raise. "Truly?"

Etone hums loudly in agreement as he plucks up two mugs of ale, handing one to Vond. "Not a terrible threat."

Vond laughs lightly, the sound one of general relief to be in a habitable building.

[Etone]: For us that is.

Ralaea nods.

[Caspis]: I still would not recommend visiting the area, but I feel certain now that within a few turns of the moon, certain areas of the plagued lands will be bearing leaves and blossoms once again.

[Ralaea]: …How fast does the moon turn?

Vond takes the mug and doesn't really drink it yet. The urge for refreshment is running up against the fading adrenaline and clinging scent of smoke.

Caspis blinks at Rae as though he doesn't understand the question.

Dane grunts. "I thank you for tending to my homeland. There was a time when you could take the King's Road from Brill to Corin's without catching a patch of sunlight, the trees were so mighty and healthy."

Vond tilts his head slightly with a curious searching look straying back to Caspis, only now registering some of the other conversation.

[Ralaea]: You…said a few turns, so I…wondered how long that… Will I still be alive?

Caspis looks somewhat distressed at Rae's question.

[Caspis]: I do not know you well enough to say.

Dane waves a hand dismissively in the air between them.

[Dane]: By how it sounds, within our lifetimes, Rae.

Vond gives a bewildered blink, expression fading into something dumbfounded.

[Ralaea]: …Right, okay. Thanks.

[Dane]: Argents, you've met Caspis 'fore now, haven't you?

Etone peers searchingly at Ralaea, clearly missing something.

[Vond]: We met Silvershade a ways back, discussing the matter of saronite around Moa'ki. That and facing the constructs just prior.

[Caspis]: Mm.

Caspis may or may not remember; it is unclear. He always looks just a little bit confused.

Dane grunts, nodding slowly. "Aye… He and Rae both have served the Company for a long time." He suddenly stares at the Argents intently, for some reason.

Ralaea adds helpfully, "He creaks."

Etone's narrow eyes widen as Dane suddenly stares his way.

[Caspis]: I was among the first to encounter saronite, and had hoped never to see it again. *He sighs*

Vond tilts his head. "Is… is it true, what you were saying just now?" He blinks owlishly at Caspis. "That you believe you can bring green growth to the Plaguelands?"

Caspis nods solemnly at Vond.

Dane stares for a while longer before he tongues the inside of his cheek and shakes his head, thoughtfully looking between Caspis and Vond.

[Caspis]: I would not make such a claim lightly. You may trust my word.

Etone leans forward and offers a low whistle, clearly both impressed and interested in Caspis' work.

[Dane]: The kaldorei have been gracious in their efforts, considering we met them while tromping through and cutting down sacred groves.

[Caspis]: It will not be as it was, but at least parts of that land will nurture life again. This I promise you.

Vond turns a baffled look to Etone, surprise and other emotions wrestling there for a moment, then blinks back across the room. "Are you working with any of our people, by chance - contacts in Light's Hope, at least?"

[Ralaea]: For the record, I didn't cut or tromp through any elf lands.

[Dane]: I did. You were too young.

Dane growls with amusement.

[Caspis]: Some of the Circle have been working closely with those in Light's Hope, yes. I myself, personally? Mmm. I … it is difficult enough for me to mingle with my own organization.

[Caspis]: I understand that some of the Earthen Ring are also collaborating with the Circle.

[Ralaea]: Is it because of the creaking?

[Vond]: Most of the druids that worked closest with us came on this campaign, but the chapel is still being maintained. I am just, you know, hoping that any promising breakthroughs might be shared with those who could expand the practices further.

Caspis stares at Rae uncomprehendingly.

[Ralaea]: Because, the creaking is really spooky when you're in a place full of undead…

Caspis looks back at Vond. "I feel sure that the more… sociable members of my order will certainly share their findings widely."

[Dane]: So long as Lordaeron is returned some of her former beauty.

Caspis continues to stare at Rae uncomprehendingly. He may not be aware that he is creaky in treant form. He is rarely aware of… much, honestly.

[Caspis]: It has been an inspiring group effort, of which I am but one small part.

[Dane]: Will you return, after Naxxramas falls?

Caspis nods. "That is my plan, yes. Anareline as well."

Etone elbows Vond again with an excited grin on his face, "How bout that hey!? Think we'll see green grass - or flowers there again?"

Vond looks a mixture of grateful and tense, as if he might be starting to worry about this news getting to where it needs to go. A quick side glance to Etone. He's already made up his mind to make sure someone gets on Caspis's case.

Dane nods slowly. "This is well. You've all our gratitude, Caspis, as I'm sure you've noticed." He gestures from the Argents to Rae.

Ralaea nods.

[Vond]: I am reluctant to hope for such a thing, after all of this, Confessor. You know that. Reluctant but willing to believe my eyes.

[Caspis]: I hope that soon we will be able to invite others to witness the fruits of our labor.

[Caspis]: Just now, the changes are too fragile.

[Ralaea]: Fruits? Actual fruits? Will someone test them first, just in case?

[Caspis]: I would not eat anything that grows there without assurance that no contamination remains.

Dane grunts and side-eyes Rae.

Vond presses his palms and bows his head slightly, a common gesture that seems to double as a sign of gratitude as well as blessing. "I would be more than eager to see it."

[Caspis]: There will likely be need to be several cycles of seeding and growth and re-seeding before anything that grows there is safe for consumption.

[Ralaea]: Fair enough.

Dane grunts. "After Cobalt's tour through there I had my doubts that the land could ever be recovered."

[Caspis]: I hope, as you fight the Lich King in this cold and soulless land, that you will hold in your hearts the image of new blades of grass pushing through the soil of the Plaguelands. For I have seen this with my own eyes. You may believe in it.

Etone simply beams stupidly, the druid said it was true, so it's true!

Dane flicks his gaze to Caspis, taken aback, before his gaze lowers to the table for a moment. "That warrants a toast."

[Caspis]: As you wish, shan'var.

[Vond]: I've come to a point of acceptance of the damage. So any sign otherwise would be - *he hesitates slightly at Caspis words, as if getting a handle on another runaway emotion* - mn, brilliant.

Dane raises his mug.

Ralaea pauses in reflection.

[Dane]: To living things!

[Caspis]: Mm. To life.

Caspis raises a glass.

Caspis was not drinking from that glass, but it was there on the table, so.

Dane rasps his mug lightly against the glass, nonetheless, and takes a moderate pull of ale.

Caspis more or less understands human customs, more or less.

[Ralaea]: Speaking of, anyone see the cat in that place?

Vond notices he is holding a mug and gives it a slightly bleary blink, and raises it. "To bein' too thickheaded to give up."

Etone holds his glass high, "Cheers!"

Caspis raises his borrowed glass toward Vond as well.

[Vond]: A.. cat?

Dane growls fondly at Vond before he wipes foam from his beard, looking to Raelaea. "Wot'?"

[Etone]: Oh - yeah… it's best if you don't fuss with it.

[Ralaea]: It didn't look dead or anything, so.

Etone nods at Ralaea.

Dane squints, looking between Etone and Raelaea. "A living cat?"

[Caspis]: We are uncertain if the cat is alive or dead?

[Etone]: Mmm, it could be both?

Caspis ponders this, deeply.

Vond tilts his head to Etone. "I'd take his word for it. He set foot inside the place while it was still above the Eastweald."

[Dane]: Wot' the bloody hell is this cat?

Dane grows impatient with his confusion.

[Etone]: Ahh…

Etone furls his eyebrows trying to think of a way to explain it.

[Dane]: Is it … some spirit?

Vond makes the mug of ale disappear with little in the way of restraint in the meanwhile. It is gone in a few goes.

[Etone]: N-no… Not exactly. It's someone's pet.

[Dane]: Are you being cheeky, Confessor.

[Ralaea]: …A pet cat.

Caspis suddenly startles. He… understands this reference???

Atley eyes Caspis up and down.

[Caspis]: Do you mean… Auralind Mistwalker's spirit companion?

[Caspis]: Thaeru'kal?

Etone clears his throat. "It- just a cat cat."

[Ralaea]: No, no, this cat was…small. And not transparent.

[Caspis]: …Oh.

Caspis did not, in fact, understand that reference.

Vond blinks. "Whose?"

[Dane]: Alive, in Naxxramas? Whose is it?

Etone peers at the ceiling and casually offers, "Kel'thuzad's…"

Ralaea wrinkles her nose. "Oh."

Dane squints and furrows his brow. "How is it still alive?"

[Ralaea]: Maybe he's not into dead cats?

Vond leans back in the chair now with his shield resting near his knee. "Ah. Speaking of former Kirin Tor." He frowns.

Caspis gazes absently into the middle distance.

[Vond]: You'd think the way the Cult is always on about the purity and superiority of undeath… really gives the lie, don't it?

[Ralaea]: Maybe undead cats are just that much meaner. And less fluffy.

Etone frowns, "Someone messed with it once… Back in the plaguelands. Didn't end well for that team…"

[Dane]: Is it accursed?

[Etone]: He… Really likes cats? Nah, that's the thing, it's jus' a cat.

Dane glares in disgust.

Vond disagrees. "Definitely cursed."

[Ralaea]: Unless the cat does the cursing? Magic cat?

Dane glances between them all, looking dubious, a bushy brow lifted.

[Etone]: Well, the folk who messed with it definitely were, by one angry lich.

Caspis is either listening to the conversation or not… it could go either way, as he abruptly turns into a cat and… wanders off.

Vond pats the back of Etone's chair. "I am fading fast. I can get a proper room for a night after all that, right?"

Dane's eyes follow Caspis out.

[Vond]: Like a bath and all? I am dyin' for a bath.

[Ralaea]: Well. Hope the 7th doesn't mess with the cat, then. I'm off to Icecrown, folks. Stay safe out there.

[Dane]: Travel well. And well fought.

[Vond]: Light keep you, even if you are showing me up by heading straight back to Icecrown.

[Etone]: Mmn? Ah - yeah, let's do that. - I really dunno what to say about the cat other than that.
Ralaea nods, then waves as she departs.

[Etone]: Light preserve your travels.

Vond is good humored in tone.

Dane looks back to the Argents and walks around the table.

Vond takes a deep breath. "What a day."

[Dane]: There was a time where I questioned the Argents. You're no servants of Stormwind.

Dane says, still glaring, as ever.

Etone crosses his leg over his knee and leans back in the chair, "No, truly not." He seems rather amused by the comment.

Vond raises his empty mug slightly once more to Dane. "It were an - oh?" He cuts off what he seemed to be starting to say. "I understand some have their reservations."

Dane grunts, unsurprised. "It doesn't amuse me that you tolerate rotters and savages in your ranks, either. But…"

[Dane]: I've no illusions. You've come here to face the true enemy of the hour. I don't understand nor share Fordring's fondness for the barbarians, but he is the man of the hour, and you lot are the key to victory.

Etone holds a corrective finger up, "Still up in the air about the rotters but-"

Dane knits his brow at Etone. "You don't approve of Forsaken Argents?"

Vond gives his head a tilt with a glance aside and slight raise of his brows, no argument to the breadth of the help their people accept. "We have been fightin' this ongoing since the fall of Lordaeron, Sir Dane."

[Vond]: You can count on us against the Scourge, absolutely.

Dane nods slowly. "Wot' happens when the Lich King is stopped? Wot'll you do then?"

Etone purses his lips, choosing his words carefully he continues, "I have my own opinions, however I'll not be executioner to able bodies unwilling to go to the Light as they rightly should."

Dane nods slowly. "Wot' happens when the Lich King is stopped? Wot'll you do then?"

Etone hums on that thought.

Vond gives a quirk of his jaw. "Typically the penitent dead who serve with the Crusade have thrown in their loyalty with this cause, particularly. It's a complicated matter, for some, but care is taken to avoid taking on anyone who has conflicting responsibilities."

[Etone]: There's always demons. *he says nonchalantly.*

Vond may be speaking of Sylvanas loyalists, perhaps. It's a bit hedged.

Dane looks between them. "I'll say it seems you two hold disdain for your own people, and I've always sought to ask why. When we were children there were seven kingdoms."

[Dane]: Now there are three, p'raps two.

Vond lowers his eyes slightly, considering. "It's a matter I might be better suited to explain with a night's sleep, but I will say for certain that it has often been a matter of survival."

Etone snorts laughing at Dane's observation. "I'm not disloyal. Not by any stretch of the imagination." He leans forward and wags a finger, almost tauntingly, "But, I'm not about to follow an idiot plan blindly. No matter who leads it."

[Vond]: There are those remnants who chose to elevate humanity to the exclusion of all else, and it drove them to a terrible place.

Dane squints thoughtfully at that before he shifts his gaze to Etone.

Vond rubs his temple a bit while flicking a look at Etone. Can't take him anywhere.

Dane finally manages a growled out, "Very well," after deadpanning Etone. " I warrant I'll see you both at the front."

Etone eyes Dane up and down, appraisingly. Seeming satisfied, the redhead nods sharply. "Indeed you will."

[Vond]: No doubt. Don't pay any heed to his prickly nature. We have our aim and are on to see it through.

[Vond]: My heart is with our people, and perhaps next we meet I'll have better words to convey that. It's persisting as we are that has gotten us to this place.

Dane grunts. "Once there's time, I've a mind to speak with you," he tells Vond. "I look forward to those words."

Vond nods agreeably to Dane. "It was an honor to fight with ya once more."

Etone nods sharply in agreement.

Dane grunts and drains the rest of his tankard in a few gulps before he sets it down on the table, and slams some coins down to keep it company.

[Dane]: You as well.

Dane turns and marches out.

Vond raises to his feet to work out a place to utterly crash for the night.

Etone follows along behind Vond.