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| Details |
| Author: | OzmaAsimov |
| Summary: | The Cobalt Blade is sent to Outland to investigate the recent resurgence of fel orc activity. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: The Cobalt Blade
[Tadget]: Hey there, fellow sexy people.
[Zaara]: Hello there, fellow sexy person!
[Tadget]: So. I don't want you three Outland Newbies to worry. Zaara and I have you covered.
Thalstan rides up on his ram. "Ye've got us covered? Tha's good ta hear."
[Tadget]: Yep, she totally used to live there, and I've explored every inch of its current devastated incarnation.
Thalstan starse up at the ominously-glowing green portal. "Aye, that'll be good ta have along. I've ne'er left Azeroth m'self."
[Zaara]: Totally.
[Tadget]: So she can fill us in on any like, cultural details or whatever, and I can point out landmarks and navigate and stuff.
[Tadget]: I do not suggest we rely on Zaara for navigation, no offense.
[Zaara]: No offense!
[Thalstan]: An' I'll jus' keep my shield up to fend off whatever odd creatures try ta bite us.
[Tadget]: Unless it's like… spiritual navigation or whatever.
[Vesyllah]: Hopefully this will just be a quick trip to another world.
[Zaara]: I navigate the spirits, Mayhem navigates the feet.
[Tadget]: Okay so that's my little pep talk. I'm ready when you guys are.
Tadget stands at attention and salutes.
Tadget turns to regard the huge, menacing portal.
Vesyllah peers up at the ominous Dark Portal.
[Vesyllah]: So inviting.
[Tadget]: Yep.
Zaara cannot see the portal.
[Thalstan]: Shall we head through th'… big glowin' portal?
[Tadget]: You're the boss.
Thalstan takes a deep breath and squares his shoulders. "Let's march through together."
[Thalstan]: To a new world. One fallin' apart.
Tadget nods at Thalstan.
[Zaara]: Oh. I hear it.
[Tadget]: Creepy huh?
[Thalstan]: Are those… stars?
Tadget cheers at Thalstan!
The Cobalt Blade enters the Dark Portal, traversing seemingly incalculable distance in an instant to arrive on the remnant of Draenor known as Outland.
Thalstan staggers on the other side. "Whoa."
Zaara makes a small, despondent sound.
The hellish, dry landscape rests under an unsettling calm
Thalstan looks up at the sky. "Is tha'… planets?"
[Tadget]: Ah, good to be back. And by good I mean, bleak and horrific, but, different from yesterday.
[Arthur]: The sky….
[Thalstan]: This place is so… so… reddish-orange?
[Tadget]: Kinda pretty huh?
[Tadget]: The sky I mean.
[Tadget]: Not a big fan of orange.
[Thalstan]: Yeah, the sky is somethin' else.
[Zaara]: It is still so pain.
[Zaara]: This place was a jungle you know.
[Thalstan]: Oh, I think I see th' Alliance contingent below.
[Tadget]: It was a swamp on the other side of the portal.
[Tadget]: Fel magic is very desiccating, it seems.
[Thalstan]: Tha' is… not a good recommendation on havin' portals in a place.
[Zaara]: Here it was jungle. Tanaan. So wild.
Commander Duron hails the approaching adventurers.
[Thalstan]: Now it’s Hellfire.
Tadget greets Commander Duron with a hearty hello!
[Thalstan]: Hello, sir! Cobalt Blade reportin' fer duty
Commander Duron says: Been some time since I've seen the Cobalt wings coming through the Portal. Don't take offense…but that's usually not a good sign for Outland. It means something's gone wrong.
[Tadget]: Also means we're gonna fix it.
Commander Duron says: Let's hope so. Go speak with Amish Wildhammer, about 30 paces south. He'll put you on gryphons to Honor Hold. Once there, report to Marshal Isildor. He'll put you on track.
Thalstan points at Tadget. "Tha's my hope, we can nip this whole thing in the bud."
[Thalstan]: Alright, let's head over to the gryphon fellow.
Tadget looks around.
Tadget greets Amish Wildhammer with a hearty hello!
Thalstan hails the dwarf with a friendly wave.
Tadget salutes Amish Wildhammer with respect.
Amish Wildhammer says: Hullo! Cobalts, eh? Is the world about to end again? *He chuckles* I imagine you'll be wantin' to fly to Honor Hold. Climb up on one of my gryphons.
Amish Wildhammer says: Should be an uneventful flight. Outland's a rough place, but it's a lot tamer since Illidan and Kael'thas were slain. It's made it a lot easier to deal with the Legion without so many other enemies at our backs.
Zaara is very quiet. She does not smile at remarks about the world ending again.
Thalstan nods seriously. "I hope it remains so. And aye, hopefully no world endin' today."
[Thalstan]: Everyone ready ta see this Honor Hold? Or visit it again?
[Tadget]: It's quite the sight.
[Vesyllah]: Sure. Let's do it.
Climbing aboard gryphons provided by Amish, the Blade takes flight, soaring over the shattered landscape to the Alliance fortification, Honor Hold.
[Tadget]: For twenty years, this was where the Alliance held out with zero hope of ever returning home. Why anyone chooses to hang out here now, I dunno. I think it's like that thing where you start to love your jailor.
Thalstan looks around at the stone of Honor Hold, over the dry orange ground.
[Thalstan]: It's uh… quite a place.
Arthur looks around at everyone in Honor Hold, peering at everyone's faces.
[Vesyllah]: Suppose they have to occupy it to prevent another Legion invasion?
[Tadget]: I dunno.
[Thalstan]: They were talkin' like that before, here's th' place ta hold th' line and the like.
Marshal Isildor approaches the new arrivals and spits in the dust.
Marshal Isildor says: Ah, you're here at last. Younger than I expected. In any case, report to Force Commander Trollbane within the keep. He's been expecting you.
[Zaara]: Oh! *Zaara seems startled by the nearby spitting.*
[Tadget]: Hey Marshal.
Marshal Isildor salutes stoically.
[Zaara]: Younger!
Zaara laughs.
[Thalstan]: Will do, sir. An' we're not so young. No' all of us.
Marshal Isildor says: Hmm. Off with you, then. The Force Commander is waiting.
[Thalstan]: Where's he? In the Keep?
[Tadget]: Yep.
[Thalstan]: Ought we mention the state of Stromgarde?
[Tadget]: Uh, no.
[Tadget]: Why would we do that.
[Thalstan]: Right, right. Maybe that would be impolite.
[Vesyllah]: Surely someone has sent him word.
[Tadget]: Straight up mean.
[Thalstan]: Uh, he is maybe the last of the royal family, aye? And he's still here.
[Tadget]: Then he has his reasons.
[Tadget]: Not our beeswax.
[Thalstan]: I'll keep it professional then.
[Tadget]: I believe in you.
Within the keep, they find the command room where Trollbane awaits.
Thalstan looks at the draenei, then the obvious mage, and then the warrior-looking guy. It is obvious which one of these is Danath Trollbane.
Thalstan salutes Force Commander Danath Trollbane with respect.
Danath Trollbane looks up from his maps and books at the Blade's arrival.
[Thalstan]: Sir. Cobalt Blade reportin' for duty.
Tadget salutes Force Commander Danath Trollbane with respect.
Danath Trollbane says: Well met, Cobalt Blade. I'm glad you've come. Tales of your exploits have reached us even here.
[Tadget]: Nice.
Thalstan tries to straighten so Danath can see him over the table. "Glad ta hear it. What've ye got for us here, in the details?"
Danath Trollbane says: Let's get right to it. We might be having new problems with fel orcs. Report to Lieutenant Amadi in the tower just west of the Hold. She has the latest intelligence and can tell you what you need to know. Dismissed.
[Tadget]: Sir, yes sir!
Arthur keeps his mouth firmly shut.
[Thalstan]: Aye, sir!
Vesyllah blinks. "That was quick."
Tadget stands at attention and salutes.
Zaara 's expression darkens. Darkens even darker.
[Tadget]: Military guys are not big on small talk.
Thalstan salutes as well.
[Thalstan]: He must be a busy guy.
[Tadget]: Almost definitely.
Tadget sticks very close to Zaara, for some reason.
[Thalstan]: Fel orcs… those are the ones tha' were with Illidan, aye?
[Tadget]: The red ones.
Tadget is helpful.
[Thalstan]: Aye. Wonder who they're followin' these days.
[Tadget]: They drank demon blood TWICE.
[Tadget]: Like, who goes back for seconds?
Vesyllah sighs wistfully at the mention of Illidan.
[Thalstan]: That's a lotta blood.
[Zaara]: More worse than regular orcs. They are very worst. *Zaara's tone is grim, even if her grammar is not.*
[Thalstan]: Let's get our mounts. I don't want ta linger o'er the countryside.
Tadget nods at Zaara.
Thalstan looks seriously at Zaara. "The very worst. Then they best not be up to trouble."
[Tadget]: More demon than orc, to be honest.
Just outside Honor Hold, the tower comes into view.
[Thalstan]: Ah, there's the tower. It's not far.
[Zaara]: How they can not be up to trouble I do not know. They are only trouble.
[Tadget]: I wonder what color they'd turn if they drank again? Maybe they'd just explode.
[Thalstan]: Composed of demon blood and trouble.
Vesyllah snickers. "Exploding orcs…."
[Tadget]: Hey, not Trouble! Trouble is good!
[Zaara]: Evil, it is more like.
Tadget gently pats Arthur.
[Zaara]: Not trouble, but evil.
[Thalstan]: Oh, aye, Art is good Trouble.
[Tadget]: Yeah.
[Tadget]: Demon blood and evil.
[Arthur]: Also, I have cupcakes.
Tadget cheers at Arthur!
Thalstan looks around the tower. "We're lookin' ta report to a Lieutenant Amadi?"
Lieutenant Amadi says: Are you the Cobalt Blade?
Tadget blows Arthur a kiss.
[Zaara]: Cobolt Blade.
[Thalstan]: Aye, Lieutenant?
[Tadget]: We are!
Tadget salutes Lieutenant Amadi with respect.
Lieutenant Amadi says: Aye, you've found me.
[Tadget]: At your service, ell-tee.
Lieutenant Amadi says: Let's get right to it. What do you know about fel orcs?
[Zaara]: Evil.
[Tadget]: Red.
[Thalstan]: Demon blood and evil. No cupcakes.
Thalstan thanks Arthur as he accepts some cupcakes.
[Tadget]: I know they drank demon blood twice and they used to be in cahoots with the Betrayer.
Lieutenant Amadi says: That's the short of it. Green orcs that drink more demon blood turn into red-skinned monsters of pure rage and bloodlust.
Lieutenant Amadi says: They weren't always with Illidan, though. Magtheridon, the pit lord that previously ruled Outland, created an army of fel orcs.
Lieutenant Amadi says: But when Illidan overthrew and imprisoned him, he took control of the fel orcs and kept feeding them blood from Magtheridon.
Lieutenant Amadi says: But with both Illidan and Magtheridon dead, the fel orcs fell into a deep lethargy. Still a force to contend with, but they've been easy enough to contain…until now.
[Tadget]: Magtheridon, yeah, that's the second uh, beverage.
Zaara is thin-lipped and tense.
[Thalstan]: He was jus' doin' the Legion's work for 'em, sounds like.
[Tadget]: Any idea what's got 'em all stirred up?
[Thalstan]: Hm.. what do you think's happenin'? Another Magtheridon around?
[Tadget]: Have they turned a third color, by any chance? Perhaps yellow or blue?
[Tadget]: If so I have a theory.
Thalstan looks curiously at Tadget.
Lieutenant Amadi says: No, still red…and still dangerous. Something is stirring them, and they've been sending out scavenger parties to gather supplies — for what, we don't know. Whatever it is, it can't be good for us.
[Tadget]: Hmmm. Okay. Probably not a third pit lord open bar situation then.
Lieutenant Amadi says: I need you to go engage with these scavengers. They're not yet at full strength, and we've found they're more willing to retreat than usual. Kill them until they pull back.
[Tadget]: Killing I can do.
[Thalstan]: Aye, that's our specialty.
[Vesyllah]: Sounds simple enough.
[Thalstan]: Let's go slay these fiends.
[Thalstan]: Let's have at 'em!
The Cobalt Blade heads out to engage with the scavenging fel orcs. It doesn’t take long to find some. Though fearsome in appearance, the mutated creatures don’t put up much of a fight.
[Tadget]: Whee!
[Thalstan]: Aye, they do not seem to be at full strength.
[Vesyllah]: They weren't exaggerating. These are hardly the battle monsters they were made out to be.
[Tadget]: We're the battle monsters here.
[Thalstan]: We should be able to take care of this fel orc issue no problem.
[Tadget]: Mkay so if I remember correctly these guys were the Bonechewer clan.
[Thalstan]: Bonechewer? Don't seem like their jaws are that tough these days.
[Tadget]: These guys were cannibals BEFORE they drank demon blood. Twice.
[Thalstan]: Ugh. Good thing we're doing for 'em.
[Tadget]: We did this whole unit on orc clans in the 7th training.
[Zaara]: Monsters.
[Tadget]: Some of them I can't keep straight, but "Bonechewer" was easy to remember.
[Thalstan]: I bet that'll be handy if there's more of 'em went in for being fel orcs.
[Thalstan]: So we'll know what to expect.
[Thalstan]: Though we are definitely no' giving them a chance to demonstrate cannibalism.
[Tadget]: There were quite a few clans that went fel, either in whole or in part, but I don't remember 'em all.
[Thalstan]: Ye can point 'em out as we see 'em.
[Tadget]: Bleeding Hollow, I remember, just because that is the most badass clan name ever. But there's like… at least half a dozen.
[Thalstan]: Left? After everything?
[Tadget]: Oh there probably aren't too many left now, no.
Thalstan peers at the orcs who seem to be fleeing after the easy slaughter of the Cobalt Blade.
[Vesyllah]: Did any whole clans not drink demon blood? I mean, even the first time.
[Tadget]: But in their heyday, when I was here before.
[Tadget]: That's a real good question, Ves.
[Thalstan]: Oh, you mean at least half a dozen clans. *Thal chuckles* I heard that as at least half a dozen Bleeding Hollows.
Arthur shakes his fist at Fel Reaver.
[Tadget]: The ones who didn't drink are brown, and still live here.
A horn sounds and the Bonechewer orcs begin to pull back toward Hellfire Citadel.
[Thalstan]: I think that's done it. Let's report our success?
Tadget cheers at Thalstan!
[Arthur]: Huh! that didnt take much.
[Tadget]: But the ones who didn't drink it's because they were cut off from the rest of the Horde, not because they're better.
Thalstan salutes Lieutenant Amadi with respect.
Zaara nods firmly at Tadget.
[Thalstan]: We sent 'em runnin'.
Lieutenant Amadi says: Well done, Blade. My scouts report that the Bonechewer are pulling back toward Hellfire Citadel.
[Tadget]: We scared em.
[Zaara]: Cowards. We kill barely twenty or so.
Lieutenant Amadi says: Now I have another task for you.
[Tadget]: We did kill the twenty very fast though.
Thalstan nods at Tadget.
Lieutenant Amadi says: While our attention has been on the Bonechewer to the north, the Bleeding Hollow, entrenched in Zeth'Gor to the east, have been able to start rebuilding.
Zaara nods again firmly.
[Thalstan]: Oh? What can we do for ye? ((above))
[Tadget]: Oh hey! Bleeding Hollow!!
[Thalstan]: Ye just mentioned those folks!
Lieutenant Amadi says: I don't believe the timing of this is a coincidence. We have plenty of reason to believe the Bonechewer and Bleeding Hollow are communicating somehow, despite our vigilance in intercepting messengers.
Thalstan nods solemnly. "So we're to do a repeat performance on the Bleeding Hollow?"
[Tadget]: Can do.
Lieutenant Amadi says: Not quite. Go to Zeth'Gor and find out how they're communicating, then report to Corporal Ironridge at Expedition Point, north of Zeth'Gor.
Tadget theatrically wipes down her blades with poison.
[Zaara]: We make them bleed from their hollows.
Vesyllah snickers. "Gross."
Lieutenant Amadi says: I'm sure you'll get your chance to bleed plenty of them dry. For now, intelligence is more important.
[Thalstan]: We'll bleed 'em, but we'll also get yer intel.
[Zaara]: Blood and intel!
[Vesyllah]: Tadget, you know where to find this Zeth'Gor?
[Tadget]: Oh yeah.
[Tadget]: It's thataway.
Tadget points.
[Vesyllah]: This place has seen better days.
[Tadget]: Not in a long time, though.
[Thalstan]: So, how're we gonna get intel? Kill a few and search 'em?
Zaara 's expression tightens again.
[Tadget]: Yeah.
[Vesyllah]: I doubt they'll cooperate otherwise.
[Tadget]: Orcs are dumbasses at best. Then they drank demon blood. Then they drank demon blood AGAIN. Talking it out isn't gonna be a thing with these guys.
[Thalstan]: Aye. So let's stick with non-verbal intel.
[Thalstan]: Let's pick people off at the edges? No' ta make a scene.
[Tadget]: Aw, I like scenes.
Bleeding Hollow Grunt goes into a frenzy!
Bleeding Hollow Tormentor attempts to run away in fear!
Bleeding Hollow Necrolyte attempts to run away in fear!
Tadget searches corpses.
One of the dead fel orcs is clutching a green crystal in its left hand. The stone has an eerie, sickly glow, and deep within its facets, a pair of glowing eyes seem to stare out at whomever holds it.
[Tadget]: Uh oh.
[Thalstan]: What is tha'?
[Vesyllah]: What?
Tadget points.
[Tadget]: Green glowy crystal thing, Zaara.
[Thalstan]: Are those li'l eyes?
[Tadget]: Looks fel.
[Tadget]: Yeah it's definitely… looking at me.
Tadget stares right back at it with equally green eyes.
[Thalstan]: Think we should take that to Expedition Point?
[Tadget]: I'm not touchin' it.
[Thalstan]: Maybe wrap it in a cloth?
[Tadget]: Not sure a cloth is gonna cut it. What else we got?
[Thalstan]: Uh… Art, you got any magical protecty things?
Tadget continues having a staring contest with the crystal.
Arthur considers it for a moment. "Levitate it?"
Tadget is probably not gonna win this one.
The crystal does not blink…ever.
[Thalstan]: Ves, can you do that?
[Vesyllah]: Levitate an object? No…my magic basically hoists you by the soul.
[Tadget]: Hmmm.
[Zaara]: Take the whole orc hand.
[Vesyllah]: Oh, good idea.
Tadget lets out a low impressed whistle at Zaara.
[Thalstan]: That I can do. *Thal removes the hand at the wrist with a swing of his sword.*
[Tadget]: Like your style, Booty.
Zaara shrugs grimly. She's feelin' stylish.
Thalstan reaches over matter-of-factly to grab the wrist and lift the crystal. "I think we're good ta go, then!"
[Vesyllah]: Now to this Expedition Point.
The Blade rides further east until an Alliance encampment can be seen.
[Thalstan]: Looks like a camp o'er there. One good thing of this place, easy ta see distances.
Zaara mutters something about jungles.
Thalstan rides in holding an orc hand in one hand.
Ironridge stands alert at the Blade's approach.
[Thalstan]: Who here do we report to about Bleedin' Hollow?
[Tadget]: Living up to the bleeding part of their name.
Ironridge says: Bleeding Hollow? That would be me, Corporal Ironridge. Who are you?
[Thalstan]: We're Cobalt Blade. We were lookin' for how they might be communicatin', and we found this crystal.,
[Thalstan]: We, uh, Cobalt Bladed the owner of it.
Ironridge says: The Cobalt Blade, here in Outland? Your timing is impeccable. These fel orcs are starting to get uppity. Let's see that crystal….
Thalstan hands the hand over.
Ironridge takes the whole orc hand to examine the crystal.
[Tadget]: I've got to hand it to you, Zaara, that was a good plan.
Dustora thanks Arthur.
Vesyllah snickers.
[Vesyllah]: Hand it to you….
[Tadget]: Really came in handy.
[Tadget]: Sort of like a handmade transport container.
Thalstan guffaws.
Thalstan then tries to be serious. Professional.
[Zaara]: Because it was a hand?
Ironridge says: So, this is how they've been communicating. Blasted fel crystals! We have to put a stop to this.
Ironridge says: I need you to return to Zeth'Gor and gather as many of these as you can. With enough of them, our warlocks should be able to disrupt the fel signals.
[Tadget]: Sometimes having warlocks on our side is helpful, huh.
[Thalstan]: Alright. That we can do. Are they safe ta touch? Or do we need to take a hand with each one?
[Vesyllah]: Ahh, here's the real bleeding part.
[Tadget]: Can we take a hand with each one even if we don't have to?
Field Marshal Rohamus says: We're gonna melt this hunk of junk down and make weapons with the ingots! Let's see how the Legion likes a taste of fel reaver served up Alliance style!
Ironridge says: Should be safe to touch. Just try not to let them get into your head. We don't need to be tipping off the enemy just yet.
[Thalstan]: Okay, so use yer own judgment on if ye want to take a hand er not.
[Tadget]: Haha, if they get into MY head they'll do a one-eighty SO fast, hahaha.
Thalstan smiles at Tadget, rustling his mustache.
[Thalstan]: Since we know what we're after, I think we can head into the main camp.
[Thalstan]: Just lay waste to all in our way.
Thalstan begins to lay waste to Zeth'gor.
Tadget goes into full Murderous Rampage Mode.
[Zaara]: We kill them and I am happier.
[Thalstan]: Let's kill plenty, then.]
[Vesyllah]: Vengeance feels good, yeah?
[Tadget]: I dunno, lemme feel…
[Vesyllah]: Not now, darling.
Thalstan chuckles.
Tadget goes crazy slicing and dicing fel orcs — a sulfuric smell rises from her blades as they cut.
Thalstan shows no hesitation in slicing his own way through the orcs, smashing them occasionally with his shield.
[Thalstan]: Seems like there may no' be anyone left ta communicate with at the end.
Tadget laughs at Thalstan.
[Tadget]: Stupid warlock eyes, taking the jobs of actual SCOUTS.
[Thalstan]: Guess they're handy for our side, when real scouts are scarce.
[Tadget]: OR YOU COULD HIRE MORE SCOUTS.
Tadget grumbles.
[Thalstan]: Aye, I'd much rather trust to Mayhem.
[Thalstan]: For sure, no. Ye've got many skills a warlock's not got. Like all the stabbin'.
[Tadget]: Also, warlocks are gross.
[Vesyllah]: Isn't your old boss a warlock?
[Tadget]: They grow horns and stuff. True story.
[Tadget]: Yeah.
[Tadget]: He sucks.
[Thalstan]: Has he got horns?
[Tadget]: Probably.
[Tadget]: He's got fangs and claws and stuff, so why not horns?
[Tadget]: Anyway, even if we join the 7th we don't have to worry about having HIM as a captain.
[Thalstan]: Fangs and claws…
[Thalstan]: Demon fangs?
[Tadget]: Sure.
[Tadget]: Point is he's a total monster.
[Tadget]: And sucks. But he's a Sergeant now so we don't have to worry about him getting put in charge of us if we join.
Thalstan looks a little puzzled, but he accepts it. "I thought ye liked yer old team."
[Tadget]: Things have changed.
[Thalstan]: Well, now //we'
[Tadget]: I figure if we join, they find a captain and lieutenant who wants a ready made awesome team and bang, we're a shoo-in.
[Tadget]: You'd get to be a Master Sergeant right away probably, Thalstan.
[Thalstan]: So long's the Captain and Lt are suitably awesome. *Thal nods*
[Tadget]: And Trouble would be Siege Engineer.
[Thalstan]: And yer scout, and Zaara healer, for sure. And Ves is… our vengeance slayer?
[Tadget]: Yeah.
[Tadget]: There's always like a mage or something whose only job is to burninate things.
[Thalstan]: Vesyllah, the burninator.
[Thalstan]: Shadownator?
[Vesyllah]: Ugh.
[Thalstan]: Ye can come up with yer own title.
[Tadget]: SHE IS THE NIGHT.
[Vesyllah]: Hand of the Night Warrior will do.
Bleeding Hollow Necrolyte attempts to run away in fear!
[Thalstan]: Alrigh so we've got Master Sergeant, Siege Engineer, Scout, Healer, and The Night.
Bleeding Hollow Tormentor attempts to run away in fear!
[Tadget]: Severed hand of the Night Warrior. Got it.
[Thalstan]: Ah, Severed Hand o' the Night Warrior.
[Vesyllah]: No.
[Arthur]: That reminds me of that fancy sword name.
[Thalstan]: Oh, jus' hand? I thought the Severed gave it a bit more metal.
[Tadget]: Oh yeah, I read about that!
[Tadget]: Good job, Sir Atley the Red, on scoring some sword with a ridiculously long name.
[Tadget]: You KNOW it's gotta be good.
[Tadget]: I don't think the dogs have intel, Zaara.
[Zaara]: They were attacking.
[Tadget]: Stupid orc-dogs.
[Thalstan]: An' they are bleedin' hollow orc dogs.
Bleeding Hollow Necrolyte attempts to run away in fear!
[Tadget]: Worst kind of dogs.
[Tadget]: Only like, six out of ten.
Thalstan chuckles.
Tadget pauses to give Zaara a random little pat on the shin.
Tadget pokes the spying warlock Eye.
[Tadget]: Fun as this is, that's probably enough crystals.
[Thalstan]: Aye, think we've got a fair few dozens.
[Thalstan]: If their warlocks can't use this much, maybe they ought ta find another profession.
After sufficient (or excessive) orc slaughter and collection of fel crystals, the Blade returns to Expedition Point.
[Tadget]: Okay, I think we got what you need, Corporal.
Tadget salutes Corporal Ironridge with respect.
Ironridge says: Excellent work. Let's have those crystals. Zaph! Zaph Tierel, get over here and do…whatever it is you do.
Thalstan salutes the Corporal and hands over his stash of crystals.
A pale-skinned warlock whose hair and goatee have obviously been dyed black (save for a silver patch…also plainly colored artificially) approaches.
Tadget buh-links at the warlock.
Zaph Tierell says: Let me have a look.
Thalstan lowers his head so his amused smile is hidden by his glamorous beard and mustache.
Zaph Tierell examines the fel crystals, then begins a spell, conjuring fel energies of his own that encompass the crystals, as if squeezing them, until small cracks begin appearing in them.
Tadget stands back.
Thalstan watches curiously, from a safe distance.
Zaph Tierell says: There, that should cause considerable interference in their communications network.
[Thalstan]: Good ta hear! What'll be next fer the Blade? Or is this all settled now?
[Tadget]: Must be pretty hard getting dyes shipped all the way out here, I observe for no reason.
Ironridge says: Perfect. We'll monitor the situation and develop a strategy for our next move. We'll be in touch, Blade.
Tadget salutes Corporal Ironridge with respect.
Tadget gives Zaph Tierell a narrow eyed glare before departing.
[Thalstan]: Thanks, sir! Cobalt Blade, dismissed fer now. Let's head back ta Honor Hold.