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| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | Atley, Kyris, Ralaea, Imrolane and Florande continue to help out the new settlers in the Western Plaguelands, as well as the Argent Crusade and the Cenarion Circle. ~6200 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
The team reassembles at Chillwind Camp.
Atley marches up to the Campground, chewing on some jerky. He grunts at everyone.
Florande waves at Dane.
Ralaea stares distantly into the fire.
Atley looks at Florande and nods. "How's the day, then?"
Kyris approaches and salutes.
[Florande]: Well. We're meant to go check on the farm settlers.
Atley looks around at each of them, sizing up his fellows as he chews, before he looks back to Florande. "At your command."
[Florande]: No news on the Forsaken. They are keeping back, it seems.
Atley grunts and scowls off into the verdant forest. "For now…"
Florande nods. "Is everyone ready to go?"
Atley grunts in the affirmative and shreds another piece of salted jerky with his teeth.
[Kyris]: Aye.
[Imrolane]: No more eating Scourge faces. Blech.
Atley grunts at Imrolane.
Florande turns into a leopard.
Florande nods at Imrolane.
Kyris jogs along after the druids.
Florande notices the two-legged people struggling to keep up and shifts back into elf form.
Ralaea looks a bit relieved at the pace change.
They pass into Sorrow Hill Cemetery.
Atley warily glances around at the tranquil spirits.
[Florande]: You can see the spirit of the place is much happier now.
[Atley]: Strange.
They pass through near to the Forsaken side of Andorhal.
Florande stares at the burned-out half of Andorhal.
Atley glares at the relatively quiet setting. "Those structures there. Forsaken."
Kyris takes note. He nods.
[Florande]: Yes, this is the part they hold.
[Florande]: Too close to the farm.
[Atley]: The curs seek to return it to its former 'glory.'
Kyris draws his sword as they reach the farmlands being beset by Forsaken.
[Florande]: This place… unsafe.
Atley growls. "They're pressing in on the settlers —!"
Thurman Grant waves them into a house.
[Atley]: Put us to work, Grant.
Kyris piles some armor and weapons onto the table.
Atley adds his own cargo to Kyris' pile.
Thurman Grant says: Hello again! And I fully intend to.
Thurman Grant says: We’ll make good use of the armor you’ve brought us! The weapons will prove a little more challenging - most of these men still barely know which end to hold.
[Florande]: They are fighting out there now.
Thurman Grant says: Yes, they are. I told Commander Valorfist that we could hold our own, and we intend to. I had a little conversation about that with the death knight general, Thassarian, as well. We farmers plan to help in our own way.
Thurman Grant says: We will take control of this farm, begin to cultivate the land… and then when the battle for Andorhal commences, we will attack the Forsaken from the rear. They'll never expect it.
Atley gestures to his fellows. "We can see to sharpening your folk."
Thurman nods at Dane. "I appreciate it."
Imrolane bares her fangs in a grin. "Very sharp!"
Thurman Grant says: But first, we need to get rid of these Forsaken outriders. I think this is proving to be beyond the abilities of my men. Will you clear them out for us?
[Atley]: F'course.
[Kyris]: I thought you'd never ask.
We begin fighting Forsaken Outriders.
[Ralaea]: I suppose who would expect farmers to join a battle like that.
[Atley]: This land no longer belongs to the dead.
Atley growls at the Outriders.
[Florande]: The Forsaken will be very surprised when they train up.
[Atley]: Aye. Never underestimate a properly motivated militia of human peasants.
[Florande]: I have seen how they learn in the Borean Tundra. People learn fast when they need to. *Florande nods at Dane*
[Atley]: Too right.
The farm is pretty much cleared of undead, except for one abomination near the barn that seems to just be hanging out peacefully.
[Atley]: Warrant that'll give us some breathing room.
Atley looks to Florande.
[Florande]: Yes, aye. Breathing room. *Florande looks at the abomination*
[Ralaea]: What's with that abomination?
[Atley]: Mm. Doesn't look to be hostile. Warrant Grant may know.
[Florande]: We can ask him.
Atley grunts.
We head back into the house.
Thurman Grant says: How'd it go?
[Florande]: We have cleared out Forsaken for now.
Thurman Grant says: Thanks. You fight well, Cobalt Company. I hope my men will learn a few moves from experienced mercenaries like you.
[Atley]: S'an abomination out there as well. Meandering about. Wot's with it.
Thurman Grant says: Gory? Yeah, he's an odd one.
[Ralaea]: …Gory.
Atley narrows his eyes with immense disgust. "You're friendly with it, are you."
Imrolane picks at Dane's tabard, then peers around at the others all adorned in cobalt blue, as if realizing for the first time they're all with Cobalt Company.
Thurman Grant says: I guess with whatever happened up in Northrend, a lot of the undead were kind of freed in mind. Seems a lot of them still just want to kill things, but…
Atley briefly eyes Imrolane's picking hand, then peers at her, before he looks back to Grant, unfazed.
Thurman Grant says: Gory here got it in his abominated head that he wanted to be a farmer. No idea why.
Atley deadpans Grant.
[Ralaea]: And when he's tired of that?
Thurman shrugs uneasily.
[Ralaea]: Maybe he'll decide he'd rather eat farmers?
Thurman Grant says: We did try to fight him, to start with, but he wouldn't fight back. He just… hangs around and tries to help on the farm.
[Kyris]: Tch.
Atley growls tiredly. "T'would make taming the land easier, harnessing his strength. We'll teach your folk to dispatch it at the first sign of disobedience."
[Atley]: Though I'm not fond of tolerating any undead here, t'all.
Thurman Grant says: Oh, hey! That's an idea. A training exercise.
Thurman Grant says: I bet Gory would be in for it - you could take a few of the farmers and have a bit of a sparring match.
Thurman Grant says: That way, if he does go wrong, they'll know how to handle it.
Atley tilts his head back and forth. "There's merit to it."
We head out for some Gory joint training.
Atley whistles at Gory.
[Florande]: Um, Mr. Gory?
[Atley]: Oi. You witless bloody eyesore.
Gory says: This best dream ever! Gory always wanted to be farmer.
Kyris stares with quiet disgust.
Atley grumbles. "Then you'll join the rest of this lot and become a minuteman. It's time for training."
Gory says: Training? With the farmers? Gory love to join!
[Atley]: We'll practice a bit on you. Fight back or we'll destroy you.
Gory says: You want to fight? Alright, Gory fight.
Atley draws his sword and looks to the minutemen. "On your guard, lads."
We have an enjoyable training match. The farmers are doing pretty good and Gory steps back cheerfully.
Gory says: Gory give up! You farmers fight more good!
[Florande]: Well, they did well.
[Atley]: This handsome bastard gives any of you lot trouble, spear his head like the rotten pumpkin 'tis.
Several of the farmer trainees nod seriously and hoist their pitchforks.
We head back to Thurman at the house.
Thurman Grant says: Did it go well? If we're going to help out in this battle for Andorhal, we need to learn how to fight.
Atley marches back in. "We've sparred with the thing. Your Militia held its own."
Thurman Grant says: Good, good. We can handle things from here. I thank you for your help, Cobalt Company.
Thurman Grant says: I assume that when we next meet, it will be in battle. Take care of yourself until then. We'll need all the help we can get.
Atley grunts.
Thurman Grant says: If you're looking for something else to do, I recommend heading up the road to the northwest.
Atley grunts inquisitively.
Thurman Grant says: The Cenarion druids and Argent Crusade have a small camp set up there, at Dalson's old farm. Maybe they can keep you busy until we need your help again.
Atley grunts quietly.
[Atley]: We'll make for it, then. I know the prop.
[Florande]: You know the area?
Atley quietly gnashes his teeth in thought.
[Atley]: I used to.
[Florande]: Ah. Like Briellen with Andorhal.
Dalson’s old farm seems to be in really good shape. Lots of blooming greenery, and fields full of crops.
Atley lightly glances around at all of the green.
[Florande]: Another farm! And no Forsaken here.
We head over to a draenei wearing the tabard of the Argent Crusade. Next to him are a few colleagues, including a troll.
[Atley]: Cobalt Company, reporting for service.
Ralaea bites her lip and her gaze travels to the barn.
Atley eyes Zen'Kiki up and down.
Zen’Kiki is the troll.
Field Agent Kaartish eyes the Cobalt tabards.
Field Agent Kaartish says: Welcome, Cobalt Company!
Kyris nods to the draenei Crusader.
Atley grunts. "Wot' needs doing?"
Field Agent Kaartish says: Ah, straight to the point! As you can see, our camp is a joint expedition between Argent Crusade members and Cenarion Circle druids, but we welcome all who wish to help heal the land.
[Imrolane]: I do not Cobalt Company. But…I help.
Atley glances around, observing the coalition.
Field Agent Kaartish smiles at the team.
Atley grunts and waves vaguely in Imrolane's direction.
Field Agent Kaartish says: No longer does the Scourge hold this area. We, the living, are retaking Lordaeron. We have taken great strides already, as you have already seen.
Imrolane smiles brightly.
Field Agent Kaartish says: The earth flowers, the trees grow tall and green, and the wildlife is beginning to come return. Yet a few remnants of undeath remain.
Atley grunts.
Field Agent Kaartish says: While the trees and grass prosper, some of the animals are struggling. Something is preventing them from healing, and I intend to find out what.
Imrolane frowns deeply.
Ralaea points behind the draenei to the tub of water with candles in it. "Do you bathe in that?"
Field Agent Kaartish says: I wouldn't ask you make a special point of it, but if you do end up fighting with any of the wildlife, I'd ask you to bring me back some samples. And… no.
Atley shoots a look at Ralaea and looks back to Kaartish.
Ralaea shrugs.
Field Agent Kaartish says: The tub is for my work, naturally. But I do bathe, if that was your question. *He grins*
[Atley]: Cheeky… We'll gather samples.
[Imrolane]: What you want? Face? Paw? Guts?
Atley calmly looks between Imrolane and Kaartish.
Field Agent Kaartish says: Oh, guts, preferably, but any living matter will be helpful.
Atley grunts.
Imrolane nods firmly. You want guts, she's your girl.
Field Agent Kaartish says: The worgen over there, Selyria, might need more of your help. I'd ask you to speak with her.
Kyris grimaces, but he nods.
[Ralaea]: Worgen. I haven't… This will be my first time…meeting one. One that isn't trying to kill us that is.
Field Agent Kaartish says: It's quite a change, isn't it! But she's been nothing but industrious and kind.
Atley looks back at Ralaea and nods, lowering his voice. "Ones I've met seemed properly civilized. This one's wasted no time making it here."
Atley looks to Kaartish and nods once.
We walk over to Selyria who is in her worgen form. She’s standing peacefully next to a tauren druid.
[Atley]: Ms. Selyria? Wot' needs doing.
Kyris looks at the tauren warily.
Kyris regards the worgen with equal wariness.
Selyria Groenveld says: Oh, hello! I'm glad someone's here to help me out.
Selyria Groenveld says: We Cenarion druids *she says this very carefully* have re-cultivated Dalson's Farm, immediately behind me. The land has flourished and our crops have been successful… mostly.
Atley eyes Selyria for a moment before he looks to the farm.
[Florande]: Oh, you are a druid? *Florande straightens, and then glances at Imrolane.*
Ralaea tries not to stare at the worgen. She is not successful, as she is also trying not to stare at the barn.
Selyria Groenveld says: Yes, a rather new one, I confess. But I am a druid.
Atley grunts.
Imrolane beams at the worgen like she knows her.
Selyria smiles back at Imrolane a little nervously.
Selyria Groenveld says: But back to where you can help. A few plants seem to still be infected by the plague that ran through this land. Perhaps their roots were too deep, perhaps the seeds were weak… I cannot say.
Selyria Groenveld says: All I can say is that I need able mercenaries like you to help me remove the bad plants from the good ones.
[Ralaea]: You'll have us touch infected plants?
[Atley]: We'll have our druids to see to it.
Atley gestures to the night elves.
Imrolane nods emphatically.
Florande nods happily. "This is like work we did with Caspis and Ana."
We head to a pumpkin field first.
Kyris examines the pumpkins.
Atley lifts a bushy brow as he inspects pumpkins, occasionally lowering to knock on them.
One of the pumpkins bursts into motion as an evil spirit. It is a bad and violent pumpkin.
Ralaea frowns at the violent pumpkin.
Florande carefully extracts a rather rotten looking pumpkin.
[Atley]: Right. Wot's all that, then?
[Imrolane]: Bad gourd.
[Florande]: Many of these look fine, though.
Atley scoffs with amusement.
[Atley]: Cannot say I've seen worse.
[Kyris]: Most of these look fine to me. But I'm neither a farmer nor a druid.
[Florande]: I think many are. If we get out the bad ones, then we save the good.
Rae looks down at the vanquished Bad Pumpkin.
[Ralaea]: It's got a face.
Imrolane perks up at 'face'.
Atley grimaces in disgust. "Wretch."
Kyris examines a Bad Pumpkin when it gets uprooted. "Ah."
[Florande]: Caspis talked about this, the spirit of the plants, they affect those nearby.
[Imrolane]: Yes. Cull to save herd.
Atley goes quiet for a moment upon 'cull.'
[Florande]: He was helping the ones who were full of despair. But these ones. These ones I think are just angry.
[Atley]: Orchard, there.
Florande tilts her head at Dane curiously.
[Florande]: Ah, we should check there too!
We head into the orchard. Soon, an apple on the ground proves to be simply sitting atop some kind of evil spirit that leaps from the earth.
[Ralaea]: That's not an apple!
[Atley]: This bugger climb out of the ground, then? It's got a bloody apple on its skull.
[Florande]: That was… very angry spirit in an apple.
Kyris looks absolutely baffled.
[Kyris]: What… how…
[Atley]: Mind your footing.
[Florande]: All living thing have some kind of spirit, I think.
Ralaea wrinkles her nose.
Atley grunts, clearly taking her word for it.
Kyris sifts through the apples in the cart and the baskets, but they seem fine.
Florande glances at Imrolane for confirmation on the whole spirit thing.
Imrolane just stares back at Florande for a moment before finally nodding. "Ah. Shai. Spirit in all life."
Florande shoots Imrolane a little relieved smile.
[Ralaea]: Don't make your apple tree angry I guess…?
[Florande]: No angry orchards, yes.
[Atley]: This progress is fierce. I'm surprised there's any green here.
[Florande]: And corn fields.
[Florande]: This farm is doing even better than the last one we visited.
We head into the corn fields.
Kyris looks at the rows and rows of corn.
Imrolane sniffs at the corn.
Atley grunts. "Less rotters."
Florande peers at another particular ear.
Then a corn zombie bursts from the ground. He has corn cobs stuck all over him.
Ralaea blinks at the zombie corn.
[Atley]: Devilry.
[Kyris]: What - what is that?
[Ralaea]: It's a corn zombie?
[Atley]: Looks stuck to it. You've got much experience with the undead, Sir Lysander?
[Kyris]: It's… growing out of their…
Kyris clears his throat. "Normal undead, yes."
[Florande]: Let's just make sure they are not in fields. Farmers need wholesome foods.
[Florande]: Already these grow very fast. Druids help.
[Atley]: Warrant these corpses have been long trampled, buried. Roots made a home in their skulls.
Atley grunts.
[Florande]: Oh, that could be it!
[Kyris]: Ah.
[Atley]: Still, they're no less wretched.
Atley wields his massive shoulders between corn stocks.
[Florande]: Yes, roots down into land which has… one day less angry spirits, I hope.
[Ralaea]: These are some garden variety undead.
Florande giggles at Ralaea.
Atley exhales at Ralaea's remark, but some may or may not note a brief glimmer of humor pass across his features.
[Atley]: Right.
Florande sniffs the air. "I do not notice any more. Imrolane?"
[Atley]: S'all the corruption I can see.
Atley looks to Imrolane.
[Kyris]: I'll trust your senses.
Imrolane peers around and sniffs at the plants.
Atley grunts.
[Imrolane]: Gooder.
Ralaea stares at the ground as the barn passes in and out of her line of sight.
Atley briefly looks back at Rae, then the barn, and back again.
[Florande]: Is there something over there I did not see?
Ralaea blinks. Oh, is she being addressed? "Something…where?"
[Atley]: The barn.
[Ralaea]: No, there's… it's nothing.
Atley grunts dubiously.
We head back to the worgen.
Selyria smiles as the team approaches.
Selyria Groenveld says: Any luck with the fields?
[Atley]: We've cleared out a good bit of the corrupted plants.
Selyria Groenveld says: Thank you for your help. I know that picking vegetables isn't the most heroic task imaginable, but even the humblest tasks have their rewards.
Ralaea doesn't look particularly pleased to see a toothy worgen smile.
Florande doesn't seem to mind it. She often has a rather toothy smile herself.
Atley glares through it.
[Kyris]: Sir Atley thinks the roots of the corn have reached bodies beneath the soil.
[Kyris]: I'd watch for more trouble in the corn fields in particular.
Atley inclines his head.
Selyria Groenveld says: Reached bodies? Oh, that's horrific. But I suppose this land has seen a lot of death.
Selyria Groenveld says: I'll let the other druids know to keep a close watch.
[Atley]: Wot'd you ask of us, next?
Selyria Groenveld says: I'm planning to just continue my cultivation. You might check with Kaartish, in case the Argent Crusade has something further they need?
Atley grunts. "We'll meet with Kaartish."
Ralaea flinches a little.
Atley pauses, and looks to the water for a moment. He hesitates before he leans down to scoop up a sip.
The water seems fresh and clean.
Kyris nods to Selyria and follows the others.
Field Agent Kaartish says: Back again? I hope you were able to help out the Cenarions.
Atley grunts quietly. He refocuses on Kaartish.
[Florande]: Yes, no more corn zombies for now.
Kaartish looks a little puzzled.
[Florande]: Is there anything else you need us to do?
Field Agent Kaartish says: I think we're doing pretty well, except for those samples. Hm… but we are not the only Argent Crusaders here in the plaguelands.
Field Agent Kaartish says: Our headquarters, Hearthglen, lies to the north. Even nearer to the north is a small lumber mill which we also control.
Atley grunts in approval.
[Ralaea]: Hearth—
Ralaea quiets.
Field Agent Kaartish says: I could route you to either place, but… Nathaniel Dumah is my main contact at the lumber mill. I encourage you to speak with him, should you find yourself in that part of the woods.
[Atley]: S'not far from here. We'll make for it.
Kyris nods.
[Atley]: Lumbermilll ought to be Northridge.
[Florande]: You have spent much time up there?
Atley grunts again.
[Atley]: Long ago. As a younger man, I patrolled these roads.
There are tree stumps as we approach the lumber mill. And spiders, so many giant spiders. They don’t attack, but there’s a lot of them.
[Imrolane]: Don't like. Cut trees. Like goblins.
[Florande]: And many spiders.
[Atley]: Controlled woodcutting has its dignity. These will warm the hearths of children and cook the food for their bellies.
[Atley]: I've no love for the greenskins, either.
[Florande]: The druids will not let them take all the trees.
Atley grunts.
[Imrolane]: Trees give wood. Just ask.
Because it's just that simple for non-druids, apparently.
There are a small herd of mustangs outside by the lumber mill.
Ralaea focuses on the horses nearby to keep calm.
Atley blinks at Nathaniel Dumah and eyes him up and down.
[Atley]: Mister Dumah? We've been told you have work that needs doing.
Florande looks at Ralaea, her ears drooping a little in worry.
Nathaniel Dumah says: Welcome to Northridge! Work? There's always work!
Atley grunts.
Nathaniel Dumah says: It's so good to be back here! I've got my mill, my beautiful wife, a bouncing baby boy… I've even put in my hat with the Argent Crusade. We're supplying Tirion's forces with lumber.
Nathaniel Dumah says: My lumberjacks were being exceptionally productive, too… up until the point when the spiders came. Now they refuse to go any deeper in the woods. That's a bit of work I could use your help with.
Atley grunts softly.
[Imrolane]: Maybe trees ask spiders help.
Atley clears his throat. "Wot' would you have us do?"
Nathaniel Dumah says: The trees ask… spiders… um. Well, I was going to suggest you all hop on some of my horses and use it to frighten those spiders. Maybe we can avoid bloodshed and just scare them away.
[Ralaea]: Got it. Show me the horses.
Imrolane frowns…but nods. "Scare. No kill." Unless it's for lunch.
Kelly Dumah waves the team over surreptitiously. Kelly carries her baby boy in a carrier on her back.
Nathaniel Dumah says: They're just out back, but ah… I see my wife would like a word with you.
Ralaea sighs.
Atley gives the Hearthglen Mustangs an appreciative, if gruff, look.
Kelly Dumah says: Thanks for helping out. There are a few things I might ask you to handle. Things that Nathaniel doesn't seem to think are all that much of a problem.
Kelly Dumah says: I'm happy for Nathaniel: he's spent so long trying to return to Northridge, and now with the Scarlet Crusade out of the way, he can finally move back home.
[Ralaea]: Out of the way?
Atley eyes the baby.
Kelly Dumah says: I'm not sure what's happened to them, but they've certainly left the area.
[Atley]: Wot'd you ask of us?
Ralaea glares at Kelly, but keeps her mouth shut.
Kelly Dumah says: Well… It's just… even for such a seemingly-idyllic setting, it's not really the best place to raise a family.
[Atley]: It'll get better, in time.
Atley growls encouragingly.
Kelly Dumah says: Well, maybe you can help with that. For one example: along this valley's edge, you will find rabid foxes searching for innocent prey. Every once in a while I catch a glimpse of one looking right at me
Kelly Dumah says: Please, remove some of these foxes. I don't feel safe with them near.
Atley 's gaze sharpens. "We'll see to it."
[Atley]: How old is your lad there?
Atley up-nods, intrigued.
Kelly Dumah says: Josh? Oh, he's seven months. *Kelly smiles* I hope this can become the kind of home he'll have fond memories of.
Atley growls fondly. "Just had one of my own. Seven months, twenty-three days. You've a handsome child."
Kelly Dumah says: Oh! Congratulations! Perhaps they might be friends one day.
[Imrolane]: You in fox house. Why you whine about fox?
Kelly blinks at Imrolane. "I'm not saying kill all the foxes. Just the aggressive ones. I've got to keep my own child safe."
[Atley]: They're a hazard to the folk here.
Imrolane glares at Kelly, unconvinced.
Atley grunts. "P'raps, milady. Congratulations to you and yours."
[Imrolane]: Folk is hazard to foxes.
Atley looks to the others. "Too right. Let's move."
Florande looks between the two of them, like maybe she should mediate? Or something?
[Florande]: Okay, let's move!
Florande seems happy with the moving plan.
[Ralaea]: I don't like her.
Atley glares. "Why not?"
[Ralaea]: I just don't.
[Atley]: She's a fine sort.
Imrolane frowns and kneels by the fox's body.
[Florande]: Is it because of foxes?
[Imrolane]: Hm…she right. Fox sick.
Atley grunts at Imrolane. "Good, then."
[Imrolane]: We cull.
Atley grunts.
[Florande]: Ah. Then it is right to do.
[Ralaea]: It's not foxes. I just don't like her.
[Atley]: More about here.
Imrolane nods firmly to Rae.
Kyris looks at Ralaea. "Then it's good we're not paid to like people, just to help them."
Atley looks to Kyris and nods.
[Florande]: Do you know this land well, like Sir Atley?
Florande asks Ralaea.
[Ralaea]: Spent about five years in the area.
Atley eyes Ralaea up and down.
[Florande]: Five years is a long time.
We finish culling the foxes.
[Atley]: Let's let her know the child's safe.
We head back to Kelly Dumah.
[Florande]: The foxes were sick. We culled.
Kelly Dumah says: I feel a bit more relieved. Thank you.
[Atley]: Rabies, by the looks of it.
[Imrolane]: Because sick. NOT because you weak baby.
Atley inclines his head in respect. "Milady —" He shoots Imrolane one of his regular sharp looks.
Kelly Dumah says: Well, now I feel less relieved. But I hope you've handled… My baby is not weak, miss.
[Imrolane]: Can baby fight?
[Atley]: We've got spiders to scare.
[Kyris]: All babies are weak.
Imrolane sighs at Atley.
Kelly Dumah says: He's… he's very tough for his age.
[Kyris]: It falls on those older to keep them safe.
[Ralaea]: Except vrykul babies, apparently.
[Atley]: He's got a stout heart and a sturdy look to him. I can tell.
Atley nods to Kelly, gruff, but warm.
Kelly Dumah says: But he is a baby. There's no getting around that, yes. *Kelly nods at Kyris*
[Kyris]: I wish him good health, then. Come, we have spiders to… frighten.
[Atley]: Have you got anything else that needs doing?
Kelly smiles at Dane.
Kelly Dumah says: There is a threat a bit farther afield, if you find yourself heading that way.
Atley grunts inquisitively.
Kelly Dumah says: Farther to the south, you will find Redpine gnolls… a new arrival to the area. You probably passed some on your way here. Nathaniel pretends like they're not a problem, but I know better.
Kelly Dumah says: I've seen them running away with our lumber at night.
[Atley]: Savages.
[Florande]: But… lumber? Why lumber?
[Ralaea]: To chew on?
Imrolane smirks. "We ask them go. Nicely." She grins impishly.
[Atley]: Doubt they've the ability to harvest and process it like these folk.
Atley points at Imrolane. "Right."
Kelly Dumah says: You could ask, but I doubt they'll listen. Anyway, I'm not proposing violence.
Kelly Dumah says: I don't know what they'd do with lumber - they don't seem particularly handy - but that doesn't stop them from stealing it. If you head down that way - please steal that lumber back.
Imrolane sighs at Kelly Dumah.
[Atley]: I am. We slaughter a number of their warriors and they'll relocate.
Kelly Dumah says: Slaughter their…
[Imrolane]: Folk woman never know when to violence.
Atley raises a hand to Kelly, almost apologetically. "We'll handle it."
Kelly Dumah says: I don't want to order some sort of mass gnoll murder because of a mother's worries. I'd just like to feel safe in my own home.
[Ralaea]: If we just steal it back, they won't stop.
[Atley]: Your concerns are present, milady. This land belongs to you and yours.
[Imrolane]: But mast fox murder, yes?
Imrolane growls.
Kelly sighs.
Atley gestures to Ralaea.
Kelly Dumah says: Maybe if you took away some of their weapons, they'd be a little less likely to pose a threat to our mill?
[Ralaea]: By killing them, right?
Kyris looks impatient.
Atley grunts. "We'll return shortly."
[Imrolane]: Dumb woman. Lucky we fix.
[Ralaea]: See? I don't like her.
Atley grunts.
[Florande]: Should we herd spiders first?
[Florande]: Or gnolls?
[Atley]: Gnolls don't belong within twenty leagues of a newborn babe.
[Atley]: These spiders seem harmless, for now.
[Atley]: These weapons can be salvaged, converted into tools.
[Florande]: Things of violence, made into useful tools.
[Kyris]: Could use a cart for this.
[Atley]: All weapons are tools, anyway.
Atley grunts at Kyris. "Keep an eye out for one."
Kyris looks at what seems to be a broken minecart. "Well, it's seen better days." He moves on.
Atley grunts.
[Florande]: I mostly fight with teeth and claws.
Atley glares at the human face sewn into the gnoll tent.
Florande flinches when she notices it.
[Florande]: Maybe she is right on this one, not safe.
[Atley]: We don't need to go into detail with these.
[Atley]: No need to trouble a new mother.
Kyris leaves the group temporarily to go fetch a cart from the lumber mill, because nobody wants to carry a bunch of lumber. Kyris isn't outfitted with expensive mage bags, at least. He returns shortly.
Atley grunts and makes use of it.
Florande starts piling lumber on the cart.
[Atley]: That'll do, then.
Kyris helps wheel the cart back.
Atley pushes and or pulls it.
Florande helps watch Kyris and Dane wheel the cart back.
We arrive back at the lumber mill.
[Atley]: Milady.
[Imrolane]: We kill many gnoll. You and weak baby safe.
Kelly's face lights up at the lumber and the weapons.
Atley deadpans Imrolane. "These ought to be of some use to your folk." He begins piling the weapons up.
Kelly Dumah says: Well, thank you very much, miss. Me and my weak baby appreciate it.
Atley scoffs with amusement.
Kelly Dumah says: I was thinking I'd just burn them, to make sure the gnolls don't steal them back. But… you make a good point.
Kelly Dumah says: We'll put them to good use.
Atley grunts.
[Atley]: Let's see to those spiders, you lot.
Kyris nods.
The team heads out to get their horses.
Atley approaches a mustang, hand raised. "Hullo, strong one."
Atley calms the beast before he climbs aboard.
Florande easily swings up onto a mustang bareback, murmuring something to it in Darnassian.
Imrolane's horse is not particularly cooperative. Perhaps it doesn't like having a predator on its back.
Kyris takes his time selecting a horse.
[Atley]: Let's get to scaring them.
Atley skillfully rides off on the mustang and charges down spiders, sending them scattering and skittering.
Florande clings to the horse not very much like a traditional human rider, but she doesn't fall. The horse runs freely through the spiders, scattering them.
Ralaea occasionally tosses a bomb. So much for no bloodshed.
[Atley]: Oi! Watch it. We're not scorching earth, here.
Ralaea grumbles in response.
Atley keeps riding spiders down until he can't find them anymore, moving to return.
Imrolane sighs in annoyance at Rae…but goes about collecting the spider meat she's left in her wake. Waste not, want not.
Atley slides off of the mustang and gives it a few firm pats with a grunt.
Once the team begins to regroup at the mill… the spiders start wandering back in closer again.
Atley glances back and growls.
[Ralaea]: That went well.
[Florande]: Yes, very kind horse.
Nathaniel Dumah says: Well, it sounds like they're certainly afraid of the mustangs, but they're not leaving for good. I can't have you running around on horses forever. Nor do I think you'd want to.
Atley grunts.
Nathaniel Dumah says: Fine. Bloodshed it is.
Atley looks to Ralaea and inclines his head.
Nathaniel Dumah says: The Highlord was generous enough to send some of his recruits to protect us here at the mill. With your horsemanship skills, and their martial prowess, we can do away with this spider problem easily.
Nathaniel Dumah says: Hop back on that mustang and scare those spiders again, but this time, scare them all the way up here to the mill. These Hearthglen recruits can handle things from there.
[Florande]: You want them to come to the mill? Will they be okay?
Nathaniel Dumah says: I don't need you to kill the spiders… that's what these soldiers are for. Think of it as killing two birds with one stone: we're getting rid of the spiders, and the recruits are getting valuable combat experience.
[Florande]: Oh, okay. We're helping.
[Atley]: Very well.
[Florande]: Back to horses?
[Atley]: Right.
Atley returns to his original mustang.
Florande vaults up onto the same horse as last time.
Atley races around the swarm of spiders to usher them towards the recruits.
Kyris has to resist the urge to wait with the recruits and cut down spiders himself.
Florande laughs as she canters around, herding the spiders towards the mill.
[Atley]: Well done!
The waiting recruits make quick work of all the spiders that come up their way.
Atley dismounts again and dismisses the mustang with a grunt. He marches over to Dumah.
Nathaniel Dumah says: That's much more like it! Now my lumberjacks can get to work again.
Nathaniel Dumah says: Nice riding out there. You cut pretty impressive silhouettes on those mustangs.
Atley grunts. "Here to work."
Kyris nods.
Nathaniel Dumah says: And you've helped us a lot. I think that's all I need for now.
Nathaniel Dumah says: But oh, before you go… I have a message for you. There's someone in Hearthglen who'd like to meet with you. Said he's worked with your company a lot already.
Atley furrows his brow.
Nathaniel Dumah says: Consider yourself lucky. Not everybody gets a personal audience with Highlord Tirion Fordring!
Atley grunts emphatically.
Ralaea all but groans.
Florande looks curious.
Nathaniel Dumah says: Oh, and feel free to use one of my mustangs for the ride up there. They're the fastest money can buy.
[Atley]: Let's not keep him waiting, then.
We head out to get the horses and ride up to Hearthglen.
[Florande]: He's important, right? But you don't like him either, Ralaea?
Atley eyes Ralaea up and down.
[Atley]: Regardless, we're representing Cobalt Company. He'll get our best.
[Florande]: Tell me, if I do a thing that makes you not like me. It is mysterious.
Kyris straightens his tabard.
[Ralaea]: He lost the Ashbringer at the beginning of the campaign.
[Florande]: Oh? Did he find it again?
[Atley]: He used it to defeat the Lich King himself.
[Florande]: Oh, right. That Ashbringer. *Florande is faking familiarity. Details are not her strong suit.*
Florande looks around at the bright buildings of Hearthglen.
[Ralaea]: Sure, after we got it back for him.
Kyris drops the borrowed horse off at the stables.
[Kyris]: You did?
Florande pats her horse, and lets it go free.
There’s a statue in the center of Hearthglen.
Atley glances around as well, specifically at the statue.
Ralaea sighs at the statue.
[Florande]: You personally?
[Atley]: White Squad work, over in the Fjord.
[Ralaea]: And my squad, yes.
Ralaea is at least distracted from their surroundings thanks to this conversation.
[Atley]: Highlord Fordring is the last of the first five paladins and a hero to the living everywhere. He's earned our respect.
Imrolane has no idea what anyone is talking about. But she's here. Might as well see what the fuss is about.
Atley mutters something about greenskin sensitivities.
[Ralaea]: Sure, as long as he's not a dreadlord too…
Atley grunts.
Kyris holds his tongue.
Florande shrugs at Imrolane. The paladins and dreadlords stuff is beyond her.
We head in to speak to Highlord Tirion Fordring.
Atley salutes Highlord Tirion Fordring with respect.
Kyris salutes Highlord Tirion Fordring with respect.
[Atley]: Highlord Fordring.
Ralaea, as usual, does not salute.
Florande doesn’t seem to realize she’s supposed to.
Highlord Tirion Fordring says: Cobalt Company. It is truly a pleasure. And… I know some of you, as well. It’s a pleasure to see you again. Glad to see you made it back safely from Icecrown.
Ralaea deadpans him.
Atley grunts. "Aye, Highlord, and you as well."
[Atley]: The land is healing. It eases the heart.
Highlord Tirion Fordring says: It does.
Highlord Tirion Fordring says: I have no immediate tasks for you, but merely wished to meet you in person, and see for myself what type of people Cobalt has sent this time.
[Ralaea]: The best people. Was there any doubt?
Highlord Tirion Fordring says: I should have had none, indeed.
[Kyris]: This is Florande Wildbloom, sir. One of the druids who restored the Plaguelands.
Kyris motions for Florande to step forward.
Florande perks up. "Yes, that's me. And Imrolane Palemoon too."
Florande steps forward.
Atley shoots Rae a look. "I warrant you recognize Ralaea Westwind."
Atley turns to gesture to Kyris Lysander. "This is Sir Kyris Lysander, Knight-Champion of Stormwind."
Kyris bows his head.
Imrolane waves at Highlord Tirion Fordring.
Highlord Tirion Fordring says: I commend you both. This truly is a wonder I had not hoped to see in my lifetime. And Ralaea, of course I remember you.
Atley eyes Ralaea up and down.
Highlord Tirion Fordring says: I thank you for your efforts in healing Crusader Bridenbrad, even if it proved impossible.
Ralaea mutters something, then turns and stalks back a few paces. Let the others deal with this guy.
[Florande]: And you know Sir Atley and Lysander?
Highlord Tirion Fordring says: Sir Atley yes, and Lysander… it sounds familiar.
Atley peers at Kyris searchingly.
Highlord Tirion Fordring says: I'm sure you'll do good work here in the Plaguelands.
Highlord Tirion Fordring says: For the time being, the amenities of Hearthglen are yours to enjoy. I look forward to our next meeting. You are dismissed.
Atley salutes Highlord Tirion Fordring with respect.
Ralaea is suddenly reminded of their location, and she looks at the floor again.
Kyris salutes the Highlord.
Atley crisply marches out after their dismissal.
Florande kind of salutes, and then scampers after the others.