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| Details |
| Author: | OzmaAsimov |
| Summary: | The HOWL feral-hunters, becoming known colloquially as the Bloodhounds, locate what might be a feral worgen that can be pulled back from savagery. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Gabriella gives a curt nod to Tyrrell as she comes over to the fountain to her 'post'.
Tyrrell nods crisply in return.
Addelaine steps from the inn and approaches the other two, smiling in greeting.
[Tyrrell]: Good afternoon.
[Addelaine]: Good afternoon, Lord Tyrrell.
Thaniel trails after Gabriella like a puppy.
Tyrrell nods to Thaniel in greeting.
Commander Althea Ebonlocke says: Stay on the roads. The forest is overrun with undead.
[Thaniel]: Hello…
Gabriella gives another sharp nod. "Good to see you're all here."
[Tyrrell]: What work is there to be done today?
[Gabriella]: Commander Ebonlocke has reached out to me. She seems to have something in mind.
[Tyrrell]: Very well.
[Addelaine]: I never asked before, but what does H.O.W.L. stand for?
Addelaine absolutely spells it out, just so no one (Thaniel) defines 'howl' for her.
Tyrrell makes a slightly :| face.
Thaniel tilts his head.
Gabriella has to think about that for a moment, "Help and Opportunities for Worgen Living…I believe. I honestly paid little attention to the name."
[Tyrrell]: That will be Lady Kenelly's doing.
[Tyrrell]: Trust me when I say it might have been worse.
Commander Althea Ebonlocke says: Fear not. The Night Watch will rid the land of this foul taint soon enough.
[Addelaine]: Ah. I see. *She struggles not to make a :| face*
Gabriella shrugs. "She is young," she says, as if that should explain whatever needs explanation.
Tyrrell nods.
Youths.
Merelda waves absently to the team as she walks towards the group outside the inn.
[Gabriella]: Lady Merelda.
Gabriella nods.
[Tyrrell]: Good afternoon, cousin.
[Merelda]: Good afternoon, the both of you. Well, all of you.
Addelaine inclines her head politely to Merelda.
[Thaniel]: Hello.
[Tyrrell]: It seems as though we must speak with Ms. Ebonlocke again.
[Merelda]: There is further worgen business to be settled today? Will they have us go after more feral packs?
Gabriella gestures toward the Commander. "Let's see what she has for us."
Tyrrell does not acknowledge her Commanderness. Hmph.
[Gabriella]: Commander. What can we do for you?
Commander Althea Ebonlocke says: I don't mind admitting when I'm wrong. I wasn't sure you were right for this work. But Master Carevin and Calor seem to be pleased with your work. Impressing them is no small feat.
[Tyrrell]: We are not here to impress. We are here to help.
Gabriella just bobs her head slightly in agreement with Zath. He gets it.
[Merelda]: Of coursse, if it does impress, then all the better.
Thaniel stares off into space.
[Tyrrell]: Agree to disagree.
Addelaine stifles a smile.
Merelda shoots Zath an exasperated look.
Tyrrell returns his cousin's gaze with a cool, unreadable expression.
Commander Althea Ebonlocke says: I like the attitude. In which case, there are others in Duskwood that can use your help. I'd like you to travel west to the crossroads. Speak to Apprentice Fess there. He will explain more.
Tyrrell nods briskly.
Gabriella quickly checks her map, tracing a line to the crossroads.
Commander Althea Ebonlocke says: Stay on the roads. The forest is overrun with undead.
[Gabriella]: Let's go. Get your horses, it's a good distance.
Tyrrell nods and heads to the stablemaster.
[Thaniel]: I don't have a horse.
Addelaine fetches her horse.
[Tyrrell]: You can ride with me.
Tyrrell scoots forward to make room.
[Gabriella]: Or run alongside, if you wish.
Tyrrell blinks at Gabriella.
Merelda fetches her horse.
[Thaniel]: Okay… thank you.
Thaniel climbs up with Tyrrell.
Tyrrell makes sure Thaniel is settled before he nudges his horse into motion.
Tyrrell 's horse has a magnificent smooth stride; he's a genuine pleasure to ride.
Thaniel holds on. "What's your horse's name?"
[Tyrrell]: Somber.
[Gabriella]: Here is the crossroads.
Gabriella dismounts, lashing her horse to the fence.
[Tyrrell]: Apprentice Fess? *Tyrrell looks around.*
Apprentice Fess perks up, looking away from a journal he was writing in. "Hm? Yes? I'm Fess."
Thaniel carefully dismounts Somber.
[Thaniel]: Hello, Fess. I'm Thaniel Clay.
[Tyrrell]: Count Tyrrell of Drakewatch.
Apprentice Fess says: Pleased to meet you, Mr. Clay! What can I do for you?
[Merelda]: We were sent to meet you by Ms. Ebonlocke?
Apprentice Fess says: Ah, and Your Excellency.
Merelda does not use the title 'Commander'. She can read a room Zath.
Apprentice Fess gives a little bow to Zath.
Apprentice Fess says: Oh! You're the Bloodhounds! At least, that's what everyone is calling you. I'm glad you're here.
[Thaniel]: How can we help?
Apprentice Fess says: My kinsmen at Raven Hill are concerned with curing the feral worgen in these forests. The condition itself cannot be lifted, but sanity can be restored to those not too far gone…which I now realize you are clearly aware of.
Tyrrell makes that face again at "bloodhounds."
Apprentice Fess says: Sadly, most of the worgen here have proven beyond help. But we keep an eye out for those that retain vestiges of their minds… attachments to their old lives.
[Addelaine]: That's our goal as well.
[Merelda]: I take it you may have found one of these?
Tyrrell narrows his eyes at Fess, not seeming disapproving, but merely keenly interested.
Apprentice Fess says: I've seen a lone worgen lurking the Yorgen Farmstead, just southeast of here. He's been digging in a pile of dirt between the buildings. He might be looking for something… or leaving something behind. It's odd for a feral.
[Gabriella]: Very odd. We'll look into it.
Merelda nods.
Apprentice Fess says: Oh, another thing. The Yorgen Stead is overrun by corpseweed. We need large amounts of it for the potion Master Harris is concocting to restore feral worgen to sanity.
Apprentice Fess says: Corpseweed is tough stuff to tangle with…the plant will get you before you get it, if you're not careful! But I'll eagerly pay you for any you can gather while you're there.
[Thaniel]: I can do that.
[Merelda]: I think we know our way around a plant well enough to help you with that.
Apprentice Fess says: Well…just be careful. These are Duskwood plants.
[Merelda]: I take it you've never been to Gilneas. *Merelda says, deadpan. She does not explain further*
Tyrrell snorts.
Thaniel smiles.
[Gabriella]: Let's go have a look. Time to change.
Tyrrell does not seem to think it is time.
Thaniel says to Fess, "Don't be scared."
Tyrrell gives Thaniel a brief, strange, soft smile.
Merelda shoots a look at Fess, and follows suit.
Thaniel follows the others a little ways into the woods before he changes into his worgen form.
[Gabriella]: This must be the farmstead.
[Merelda]: Ah, ambulant plants. Well, then.
Thaniel points at a moving plant. "Corpseweed."
[Addelaine]: And that must be corpseweed. I didn't expect it to move.
[Tyrrell]: Even Gilnean plants tend to stay put.
Merelda stays in worgen form, like last time, calling down moon and starlight to attack.
Thaniel hacks off some of the roofs with a knife.
[Gabriella]: Nothing we cannot handle.
Tyrrell remains in human form so long as the others are handling combat without his help.
[Gabriella]: Mind those boars. Looks like they're just foraging. If we don't bother them, likely they won't bother us.
Thaniel plucks a leaf off of his staff, holds it in his cupped hands, and whispers to it.
Thaniel | The little leaf sprouts into a small plant creature.
[Merelda]: Angry wild boars, I could do without. More dangerous than most expect, I've heard.
[Tyrrell]: How on earth did you do that, Thaniel?
[Tyrrell]: What in the -
Tyrrell is so startled by the pumpkin creature that he shifts.
Addelaine blinks.
[Addelaine]: Well. 'Tis the season, I suppose.
[Thaniel]: Oh… I asked it to help me.
Gabriella frowns at the Carved One in disapproval of its very existence.
Thaniel says like this makes perfect sense.
[Tyrrell]: I see. Nature magic?
[Thaniel]: Mmhm. I'm a harvest witch.
[Tyrrell]: Interesting.
Gabriella points ahead. "Fess said between the buildings."
You point over yonder.
Thaniel looks over the pumpkin that attacked them, but does not cut off any roots. This is not corpseweed.
Gabriella looks to Cheddar and barks a command: "Seek!"
Thaniel looks down at a dead boar.
[Addelaine]: Someone's interrupted dinner?
Tyrrell scans the area, ears twitching.
[Thaniel]: Hello…?
Merelda sniffs the air.
Tyrrell 's ears seem much more scarred in this form, for some reason; they're a mess.
Cheddar sniffs around, first at the dead boar, then tracking to a nearby mound of soil, poking it with a paw and looking up to Gabriella.
[Thaniel]: Is someone there?
[Thaniel]: We won't hurt you…
Gabriella tosses the hound a treat. "Good boy."
Lurking Worgen leaps from the shadows, knocking Gabriella and Cheddar down, snarling, "GO AWAY!" The lurking worgen speeds away around one of the nearby buildings, vanishing from sight.
[Tyrrell]: We might hurt you…
[Addelaine]: Wait, come back!
Tyrrell narrows his eyes at the vanishing worgen.
Thaniel gasps and shields… Cheddar.
Gabriella grunts as she is knocked to the ground.
[Tyrrell]: Are you all right?
Addelaine frowns at Zath. "You frightened him."
Tyrrell said that after he ran!
Thaniel offers Gabriella a clawed hand up.
[Merelda]: He spoke. He's clearly holding onto his mind, somehow.
Gabriella nods in thanks to Thaniel, but stands without assistance.
[Tyrrell]: He also attacked.
[Tyrrell]: Sapience does not imply benevolence.
Thaniel whispers a healing spell anyway.
[Gabriella]: He attacked…but I am unclawed.
[Merelda]: Did he? He knocked them over, but then he left.
[Tyrrell]: Ah?
Tyrrell peers closer at Gabriella.
[Tyrrell]: No teeth or claws at all? Hmmm.
[Tyrrell]: It happened too fast for me to see, but yes. That suggests a certain level of control.
Gabriella sniffs about, as does Cheddar.
[Addelaine]: The feral ones didn't care how many of us there were, either. They just attacked us all.
[Gabriella]: I concur, Lord Tyrrell.
Thaniel holds up a bundle of corpseweed roots. "We should deliver these, maybe?"
[Tyrrell]: Worth trying to follow him then.
[Merelda]: It seem more caution than malice, to me.
[Gabriella]: He went this way…but it smells like he's masking his scent somehow. That also suggests sapience.
[Tyrrell]: Very interesting.
[Gabriella]: Back to Fess. He'll need to know about this.
The Bloodhounds return to the crossroads to report to Apprentice Fess.
Thaniel offers his bundle of corpseweed roots. "We did see a worgen. But they ran off."
Apprentice Fess jumps, startled at the sight of all the worgen. "Oh! Sorry…so sorry. I'm still getting used to-…yes, anyhow."
Tyrrell 's blue eyes widen, almost a hurt puppy look, and he shifts back to human form.
Merelda belatedly starts to clench her fists to switch back, but then just sighs. The damage, such as it is, is likely already done.
Apprentice Fess says: You saw him? Blast it. I was hoping the presence of other worgen would settle him a bit.
[Merelda]: He did speak to us. And though he was somewhat hostile, he fled rather than harm any of us.
Thaniel makes a sad wolf noise. "He said 'go away' and ran."
Tyrrell 's now-human fists clench and unclench a few times; he takes a few slow breaths.
Apprentice Fess says: Sounds like a close call! But at least he departed without harming you further. But you say he spoke? He might be still fighting the curse. Master Harris will want to know of this immediately.
Addelaine nods, serene in her worgen form. "We can take word."
Apprentice Fess says: Excellent. Thank you. Take the corpseweed you collected to the camp at Raven Hill along the western road. Tell Master Harris what you saw at the Yorgen Stead.
[Thaniel]: Okay. We'll bring it to him.
Thaniel 's plant creature drapes around his neck like a scarf.
[Thaniel]: Oh… I know Master Harris.
[Gabriella]: Oh?
[Merelda]: We will do so.
Thaniel smiles. "He's an alchemist too."
[Tyrrell]: Excellent.
[Thaniel]: He's very smart.
Addelaine walks to her horse, then pauses to change before trying to mount.
Thaniel drops to all fours, remaining in worgen form.
As the Bloodhounds enter Raven Hill, a figure can be seen hunched over an alchemy table. It must be Master Harris. As they get closer it becomes clear that Harris is a worgen!
Thaniel looks around.
[Tyrrell]: Hm.
Merelda nods in approval as she notes Harris and the other worgen in the camp. Clearly, the team's efforts are encouraging other worgen to come out this way as well.
Addelaine murmurs, "I wonder what pack he's in."
Tyrrell scowls.
Thaniel wanders over with the bundle of corpseweed.
[Merelda]: Mr. Harris?
[Thaniel]: Excuse me, Master Harris. Fess wanted us to bring you this.
Oliver Harris turns from his potions at the Bloodhounds' approach.
Tyrrell lurks toward the back of the group, letting Thaniel and the others handle it.
Oliver Harris says: Ahh, excellent. It's good to see more kinsmen here. Welcome to our humble camp. I wouldn't call it pleasant, but it's at least somewhat private.
Gabriella nods to Harris. "S.I. Thorne. We are the Bloodhounds, apparently, with HOWL."
Oliver Harris says: Bloodhounds? Is that your pack? I've not heard of you, I'm afraid.
Thaniel picks his plant creature up and winds it around his staff, where it grows and merges back into it.
Tyrrell 's eyes wander around the area - he is too focused on absorbing the miserable details of the ruined town to flinch at either 'Bloodhounds' or 'HOWL.'
[Merelda]: No, no… most of us here are Gravehowl.
[Gabriella]: The Bloodhounds are agents of HOWL charged with hunting ferals…and capturing those that can be saved.
Oliver Harris says: Ah, I see! I'm on a similar mission. Perhaps we can collaborate. Have you had any success finding semi-sapient ferals?
[Merelda]: We have one lead, at least.
[Thaniel]: Oh, there was one.
[Addelaine]: Just one, so far. We think.
Oliver Harris says: Really! Do tell!
Thaniel passes over the corpseweed.
Oliver Harris takes the corpseweed, giving it a sniff…and he recoils at the odor, muttering, "Fresh."
[Tyrrell]: He attacked but non-lethally. He did not use fang or claw, suggesting that despite feeling threatened he was still reluctant to harm and able to think clearly enough to prevent it.
[Addelaine]: And he spoke.
Oliver Harris says: Fascinating. Where did you find him? What did he say?
[Thaniel]: He said 'go away'.
[Thaniel]: He was by… a farm?
[Gabriella]: He was at the Yorgen Farmstead.
Thaniel has not retained the name of the farm.
Addelaine nods.
[Merelda]: He might be a worgen of the… the farmstead where we found him. *Merelda carefully does not say he might be a Yorgen worgen.*
Tyrrell narrows his eyes at Merelda, then nods slightly in appreciation.
Oliver Harris says: A worgen at Yorgen? Hm…this is very good. We might be able to help this lone wolf.
Oliver Harris says: Ever since we regained our minds, I've been working to further develop the potion that initially restored us, using what we've learned from the kaldorei to make its effects permanent. I believe we're on the edge of a breakthrough.
Oliver Harris says: This worgen you've encountered sounds like he's fighting to stay aware. We've got to find him again.
[Gabriella]: Unfortunately, he masked his scent. So we were unable to track him.
[Tyrrell]: So your goal is to render the ritual unnecessary?
Oliver Harris says: The ritual is useful, but it's impractical to transfer every captured feral to Darnassus. So yes, ideally the ritual would become unnecessary.
[Tyrrell]: A commendable initiative. A quicker and more easily accessible method of control that does not require a specific location would be invaluable.
[Addelaine]: That would be a great boon.
Oliver Harris says: As for our lone wolf…if he's fled the Yorgen Stead, search Addle's Stead to the south. The Yorgens and the Addles were longtime friends. I suspect that may feel like the safest haven for him now.
Oliver Harris says: Give me just a moment.
Oliver Harris turns to his table and fills an ampule with some mixture. "Here. Inject him with this ampule to tranquilize him. You'll need to be quite close."
[Addelaine]: Hopefully he doesn't run off again.
[Thaniel]: Okay.
[Merelda]: Understood.
Oliver Harris says: If you successfully inject that, his ability to escape should be hindered. At least…that is the intent.
[Tyrrell]: Who should do the injecting?
Thaniel takes the solution and injector from Harris.
[Merelda]: The rest of us can keep him distracted.
[Tyrrell]: Ah, good plan.
[Addelaine]: Or pin him down.
[Thaniel]: Or turn him into a sheep…
[Merelda]: I can call roots to entangle his feet. *Merelda says nonchalantly.* Since I'm a druid.
[Tyrrell]: The sheep method may be the least traumatizing.
Gabriella nods. "It might take all of us to hold him down. A feral's strength is…unhindered."
Thaniel smiles. "We'll be ready for him to run this time."
Thaniel tucks the supplies into his sash and drops down to all fours.
[Gabriella]: Hm…would stabbing him with a needle interrupt the polymorphing magic?
[Tyrrell]: Mm, possibly.
[Addelaine]: Maybe. By that point, it may be too late, though.
[Tyrrell]: We can surround him in case he changes.
Sister Elsington says: Bloodhounds! May I have a word?
[Thaniel]: Oh…
Gabriella perks at Sister Elsington's call.
Thaniel scampers over and straightens up.
[Gabriella]: Sister. Make it quick. We're on a mission.
Tyrrell studies Sister Elsington.
Sister Elsington says: Of course. I could not help overhearing that you are headed for Addle's Stead. Like the rest of this tragic land, that place has a history of violence and despair.
Sister Elsington says: While many of the dead roam in the flesh, some are simply lost souls, wandering in confusion. They deserve to be put at ease.
Sister Elsington says: Many such souls gather at the Addle Stead. If you would help them move on, take this censure of holy incense. Sway it before the forlorn spirits, and let the offering of its gentle scent give them peace.
Thaniel reaches a hand out for the censer. "Okay."
[Gabriella]: If we're able, we'll do what we can.
[Gabriella]: Move out.
The Bloodhounds head south. As they cross into Addle’s Stead, they can see luminescent figures dotting the landscape: full-torso apparitions…and they’re real.
Tyrrell seems a bit out of his element with this whole soothing/pacifying business.
Thaniel raises the censer. "Shhh, shhh…"
[Thaniel]: It's okay…
Merelda leaves the soothing to Thaniel.
[Thaniel]: You can rest now…
Addelaine smiles a little at Thaniel. "You're very kind."
[Tyrrell]: Isn't he though?
[Thaniel]: Everyone should be kind, I think.
Some of the spirits are too angry to be soothed, and they attack.
Gabriella points to the barn. "Good place to hide."
The group slowly enters the barn on high alert. The tension in the air in palpable.
[Tyrrell]: Careful.
[Gabriella]: We come in peace!
Lurking Worgen dives from the rafters and attacks! "LEAVE…ME…ALONE!"
Thaniel readies the syringe.
Addelaine cast a polymorph spell, transforming the lurking worgen into a sheep!
[Tyrrell]: Try it now.
Thaniel injects the sheep.
[Addelaine]: Does it work?
It does not work. The sheep immediately transforms back into a very angry, very attacky worgen.
[Addelaine]: Bother.
They go on the offensive, attacking from all sides to confuse and wear the rogue worgen down.
[Gabriella]: Hold him down!
Merelda summons roots to hold him, even if that wasn't, strictly speaking, requested.
Tyrrell just stays out of it. Nothing he knows how to do will help.
Lurking Worgen shudders as the tranquilizer enters his bloodstream. He staggers, flailing weakly at the closest Bloodhound, then collapses to the floor.
Thaniel goes, "Shh, shhh," and stays stubbornly close as the worgen struggles… and then falls asleep.
[Merelda]: Oh, should we… who should carry him?
Gabriella bends down and picks up the fallen worgen with a grunt.
[Addelaine]: We can put him up on Lord Tyrrell's horse. He's the biggest.
Gabriella nods, taking Addelaine's suggestion and carrying him to Zath's horse.
[Gabriella]: Let's get him back to Master Harris.
Thaniel soothes some spirits on the way back.
Tyrrell makes sure the worgen stays on his horse.
Sister Elsington is waiting as they enter Raven Hill. "You have brought peace to those who knew only misery. Be proud."
[Thaniel]: Here's your censer.
Thaniel gives it back with a wolfish smile.
Sister Elsington bows her head gratefully. "Thank you."
Tyrrell remains astride his large black warhorse, the unconscious worgen draped across the back of it.
[Gabriella]: Master Harris.
[Tyrrell]: Behold.
Oliver Harris says: You've got him! No time to lose, then. We'll prepare to administer the serum right away. JITTERS! Get ready!
Merelda does not bother to return to human form among the other worgen.
Oliver Harris says: I'm hopeful, but let's remain professional. It's business as usual for this one. Into the guillotine he goes…and if the alchemy doesn't take, he won't be getting back out of it.
Thaniel helps take the worgen down off of Somber.
[Tyrrell]: Guillotine. Charming.
Oliver Harris says: Here we go…
Oliver Harris says: It's working. Hold him still, Jitters.
Jitters says: I… I can't…
Lurking Worgen says: Jitters…
Oliver Harris says: Damn it, Jitters, I said HOLD!
Lurking Worgen says: I remember now… it's all your fault!
The Lurking Worgen breaks free of the guillotine, moving in a flash to wrap his powerful hand around Jitters’s throat, lifting him off the ground.
Lurking Worgen says: You brought the worgen to Duskwood! You led the Dark Riders to my farm, and hid while they murdered my family!
Thaniel gasps as the worgen breaks out of the guillotine. He shields Jitters.
Oliver Harris says: Letting him go is the only thing that's going to separate you from the beasts now, my friend.
Gabriella aims her rifle at the worgen's head…just in case…but does not yet pull the trigger.
With a reluctant growl, the worgen drops Jitters to the ground.
Lurking Worgen says: You've got a lot to make up for, Jitters. I won't give you the easy way out.
Tyrrell remains on alert, but detached.
Merelda watches in concern, but lets the locals handle it.
Finally, when Jitters is released, Harris lets out a sigh of relief. The formerly feral worgen stalks away to try to make sense of what's happened to him.
Addelaine is ready to turn SOMEone into a sheep, but it doesn't seem necessary.
Oliver Harris says: Success…finally!
Oliver Harris says: I can't thank you enough for giving me the chance to work the cure myself. I admire the work you're doing, and I'd like to help. Once I have sufficient stock of this serum, I will make sure you Bloodhounds have a steady supply.
[Addelaine]: Well done, Master Harris.
Thaniel follows the worgen. "What's your name…? I'm Thaniel Clay."
Tyrrell gives Thaniel a faint smile that is somehow a little sad.
Oliver Harris says: Well done to you as well, Bloodhounds! I couldn't have succeeded without you.
[Merelda]: I'm glad we were able to pull one more mind from the curse.
Oliver Harris says: The more hopefuls you can bring me, the more we'll save.
Sven Yorgen looks to Thaniel with a suspicious stare, but it soon softens. "Sven…I'm Sven Yorgen."
Addelaine smiles at Sven as she approaches. "It's nice to have a name again, isn't it?"
[Tyrrell]: Count Tyrrell of Drakewatch, in Redridge.
[Thaniel]: It's nice to meet you.
Sven Yorgen nods to Zath. "I know of your house, m'lord."
Tyrrell lifts a brow.
Sven Yorgen says: And…yes…good to have a name again.
Sven Yorgen says: You…you're the ones who found me. Thank you.
Addelaine murmurs to Gabriella, "I want to talk with Master Harris about what else he needs for his potion. I think I can help him collect it."
Gabriella nods to Addelaine. "Good. Do that."
Merelda nods at Addelaine. "It was a pleasure to work with you, Addelaine, as always."
Addelaine smiles at Merelda. "Thank you. It's lovely to feel useful."
[Tyrrell]: I… do not know of what particular help I can be to you, S.I. Thorne. The paramaters of the assignment were not clear to me. Perhaps I can convince young Miss Boles to assist you in your efforts?
[Thaniel]: There's a river nearby if you want to wash up, Mr. Yorgen.
[Gabriella]: You've been helpful, Lord Tyrrell, but I understand your meaning. I would appreciate your influence with Miss Boles. I think this could be good for her.
[Tyrrell]: I am a special operations soldier, of little use in efforts at peacemaking.
Thaniel blinks at Zath, confused. "But you're nice."
Tyrrell has absolutely no idea how to respond to this. He is momentarily speechless.
Sven Yorgen says: Right…thanks. I know the terrain well. Lived here all my life.
[Thaniel]: Okay. I know it's rude to tell someone that they smell bad, but most of us had the same experience when we were rescued ourselves.
Sven Yorgen stares at Thaniel a moment…then sniffs himself. "Oh…oh, yeah. I take your meaning."
Tyrrell smells of wormwood and black currant. And, you know, worgen.
Sven Yorgen says: So…how long have you all been cursed? You, uh…don't seem familiar. You're not from Bri-…I mean Duskwood, are you?
[Tyrrell]: Would you like some soap, Mr. Yorgen?
[Merelda]: No, we're Gilnean. Well, I am, and Gabriella and Thaniel. And Cheddar.
Thaniel nods. He reaches up to scratch his head and transforms into his human form, losing a significant amount of height. The smell is better this way.
[Tyrrell]: I am Lordaeronian by birth, but now as you know have an estate in Redridge.
[Merelda]: We were cursed for years, most of us. And yet, here we are.
Merelda melts down into human form.
Sven Yorgen says: Gilnean? The folks behind the wall?
[Thaniel]: Mmhm.
[Merelda]: Once, yes, but now no longer. We've lost our homeland, thanks to the Forsaken.
Sven Yorgen says: I see. Sorry to hear it. I know the feeling.
Thaniel makes a sympathetic noise.
Sven Yorgen says: I think I'll take your advice and go wash…and try to feel a little bit human. Thanks again. If you ever need anything, I'm your…man.
[Thaniel]: You're welcome.
Sven Yorgen stalks off toward the river to be less stinky.
Tyrrell follows him just far enough to pass him a bar of soap.
Tyrrell then returns.
[Merelda]: Well, I must say I'm more useful in the field than I was before the fall, Gabriella, but this is still not my strength. Nevertheless, do call if you ever need me again.
[Gabriella]: Fine work. Our first cured feral. This will go far to legitimize our work.
Merelda nods.
[Tyrrell]: Even one returned to civilization is a major victory.
Thaniel smiles. "I'm glad we saved someone."
[Tyrrell]: One can never know what one individual may do to turn the tide.
[Gabriella]: On that note…Thaniel? What do you think? You're not much of a hunter, but you are a fine healer, and that's half our mission.
[Thaniel]: Oh… well…
Thaniel looks a little torn.
[Thaniel]: I'd have to tell Denalan…
[Thaniel]: I do have a job.
[Tyrrell]: I am always happy to assist you so long as I've not been otherwise deployed, but I do not know how helpful a warlock is to your efforts. I do however have a good deal of influence over Ms. Boles, and she may prove useful in a variety of ways…
[Tyrrell]: … if she can be… managed.
Merelda raises an eyebrow. "I think you'll find she cannot be managed, cousin. But if she finds the cause worthwhile, she may manage herself."
[Tyrrell]: Hm.
[Gabriella]: I've spent years 'managing' Miss Boles in my own way. We have a rapport…if a strange one.
Tyrrell nods at you.
[Merelda]: I suppose I should make my way back to Stormwind. Do call again, should you need anything.
[Gabriella]: She needs focus, and an outlet for all that energy. This might be just the thing for her.
[Tyrrell]: Perhaps.
[Gabriella]: Thank you, Lady Merelda.
[Tyrrell]: Call on me if you need anything at all.
Thaniel nods slowly. He still looks like he's trying to solve a puzzle.
[Gabriella]: Mr. Clay, no need to decide now. But if you choose to become a Bloodhound, I would like an answer relatively soon.
Tyrrell mounts his amazing warhorse again, and rides off in a swirl of black edgelord.
[Thaniel]: I'll have to talk to Denalan. I don't know if he actually needs my help, but it's really nice gardening with him and I like it a lot. It's very peaceful.
[Thaniel]: But… I could work with Ozzy and maybe Anselyn…
[Thaniel]: Okay. I'll let you know when I've decided.
Gabriella nods curtly. "Do that."
Thaniel nods. "I'm going to meet the people working here," he says, and walks off.
[Gabriella]: I'm off to report our success to Lady Kenelly.
Gabriella nods (curtly, again) and departs.