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| Details |
| Author: | OzmaAsimov |
| Summary: | The Cobalt Blade stops a demonic strike force, assassinates a fel orc warlord, and discusses eating one of their own. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: The Cobalt Blade
Tadget greets Thalstan with a hearty hello!
Thalstan waves to Tadget and Vesyllah.
[Thalstan]: Ah, and Zaara! Art's off fer magic stuff today, so it'll be us four. Commander Trollbane's got another mission fer us.
[Tadget]: Oooh, magic stuff. What a nerd.
[Zaara]: What a nerd!
Tadget giggles at Zaara.
[Thalstan]: He's our nerd, so he's the best nerd.
[Tadget]: So what's the mission?
[Vesyllah]: He's alright.
[Vesyllah]: Killing more lazy fel orcs?
[Thalstan]: No idea. Let's get to the Keep!
Thalstan salutes Force Commander Danath Trollbane with respect.
[Thalstan]: Sir, Cobalt Blade reporting in.
Tadget salutes Force Commander Danath Trollbane with respect.
Danath Trollbane gives a sharp salute in return and gets right to the point.
Danath Trollbane says: The latest report from Expedition Point is late. I'd like you to look into the situation. On your way there, please check in with Sergeant Altumus, stationed just east of Honor Hold. She may have more current intel.
[Thalstan]: Sir, yes, sir!
[Zaara]: Yes sir, sir!
[Vesyllah]: Well, that was curt. I like it.
Tadget giggles.
[Thalstan]: He's a man who knows how ta not waste words.
[Tadget]: Military guys are like that.
[Thalstan]: Sometimes ye do get the right time for a rousing speech, though, in the military.
[Tadget]: Some military guys would be real bad at that. But I think officers must get lessons.
[Thalstan]: Aye, or maybe they're officers cause they know how ta channel the dramatics.
Thalstan salutes Sergeant Altumus with respect.
Sergeant Altumus says: Cobalt Blade! You've got to hurry! Scouts spotted a strike force of demons emerging from Hellfire Citadel. They're headed straight for Expedition Point! Intercept and destroy, then report directly back to me!
[Tadget]: Oooh demons, that should be more fun to fight than these dumb orcs.
[Zaara]: Orcs are good to fight also.
Thalstan nods. "Demons or orcs, we can slay them both just as well."
Tadget grins at Thalstan wickedly.
Tadget casually poisons her blades.
The Blade rides east with haste, soon coming upon the demon force.
[Thalstan]: I spy the demons! Let's take them down!
Tadget goes ham on all the demons.
Thalstan fights with boisterous enthusiasm. The wind flows through his hair. And his beard.
Vesyllah drapes herself in darkness, punishing the demons with lashes of shadow and psychic assaults.
Thalstan lets out a cheer as the last demon falls.
[Tadget]: We sure made quick work of those @#$%s.
[Thalstan]: Let's let her know the problem's solved!
They ride back to report their success.
Tadget salutes Sergeant Altumus with respect.
[Vesyllah]: Demon strike force, eliminated
[Tadget]: We did an amazing job as usual.
Sergeant Altumus says: Well done. I wonder what that was about. Corporal Tierell's interference with fel orc communications must have really struck a nerve. But we had no idea there were still demons in the Citadel.
Sergeant Altumus says: Report what we know to Forward Commander Kingston at Expedition Point. He'll have further instructions for you.
[Thalstan]: Yeah, that's not a good sign, is it? Might be why they're perkin' up.
[Thalstan]: And yes, ma'am, we'll report right away!
[Tadget]: Let's ride!!
Off they go to Expedition Point!
Thalstan looks around and spots the dwarf with large pauldrons. "Forward Commander?"
Tadget salutes Forward Commander Kingston with respect.
Commander Kingston says: Aye? Ye've found me.
Thalstan salute Forward Commander Kingston with respect.
[Thalstan]: We were sent ta report to ye by Sergeant Altumus.
[Vesyllah]: You've got demon troubles. Or…had. We took care of it.
[Thalstan]: Well, and also Trollbane.
Commander Kingston says: Ahh, that was you, was it?
Commander Kingston says: We're grateful for the protection. I'm nae certain we'd've survived a demon assault of that magnitude.
[Tadget]: Cobalt Blade delivers.
Commander Kingston says: Since yer here, have a chat with Corporal Ironridge about the fel orc situation.
Thalstan checks out the Forward Commander's beard. Wow, what braids.
[Vesyllah]: Is it weird to anyone else that the dwarf here is named 'Kingston', and 'Ironridge' is human?
[Zaara]: No?
Tadget giggles.
Vesyllah snorts.
[Thalstan]: It is a bit backward. I wonder if they're playin' a prank.
[Thalstan]: Ye'd get bored out here.
[Thalstan]: Corporal Ironridge! We're back! Did ye learn anything about the fel orc situation?
[Tadget]: So Zaara, lot of humans are named after places. Kingston sounds like a town… ton is old-Common for town I think.
[Tadget]: And lots of dwarves have metal in their names, or rocks.
[Zaara]: Oh!
Corporal Ironridge says: Cobalt Blade! Welcome. Those fel communication crystals you brought us have been invaluable. We've been able to keep their network in chaos.
Corporal Ironridge says: I want you to take advantage of the confusion this is sowing. Return to Zeth'Gor and head straight for the command structure.
Tadget gently pats Zaara.
Corporal Ironridge says: You're to locate and eliminate Warlord Orsohn, the current leader of the Bleeding Hollow. He'll never be more vulnerable than he is now.
The Blade rallies and rides for Zeth’Gor with assassination on their minds. They battle through Bleeding Hollow fel orcs yet again to the gate of their command structure.
[Thalstan]: I bet a warlord would be in tha' big buildin' we saw before.
The Blade faces a nominal orcish defense within the building, soon locating the central war room. Waiting in the center is an exceptionally large, vicious-looking fel orc.
[Tadget]: Looks warlordy.
[Thalstan]: Aye, it does. Proper pompous.
[Vesyllah]: Ooh…pompous pauldrons, too. That must be Orsohn.
Tadget laughs.
[Thalstan]: Must be! Let's get 'im.
[Vesyllah]: This is your penance!
The Cobalt Blade falls furiously upon Orsohn. Perhaps in his stronger days he could have put up a decent fight, but even the warlord is weakened and quickly falls to their assault.
[Thalstan]: Whatever these orcs are into, it's no' makin' em a match for the Cobalt Blade.
As Orsohn falls, the image of a fel-green eyeball manifests in the air. A harsh, menacing voice emanates from it.
Mysterious Voice says: Warlord Orsohn, the fel crystals have been compromised and our strike force has not yet reported back. What in blazes is happening at Zeth'Gor?
[Tadget]: COBALT BLADE IS HAPPENING!
Thalstan blinks at the green orb.
Mysterious Voice says: Eh, what is this? Interlopers…and you've slain Orsohn. It matters not. He served his purpose, and soon you will serve yours.
[Thalstan]: Uh, we only serve our own purpose. An' the one Cobalt sets us on.
[Zaara]: Our purpose is killing you so that is good. We will serve it.
The eye vanishes.
[Vesyllah]: Great. Who the fel was that?
Tadget giggles.
[Tadget]: Yeah! Eat a storm, buddy.
[Thalstan]: Heh. Our tagline.
[Thalstan]: Eat a storm.
[Tadget]: Booty's the storm! Everyone eat Booty.
[Zaara]: Yes! No.
[Zaara]: Not everyone.
Tadget giggles at Zaara.
[Vesyllah]: Can we get a list? So there's no confusion about who is eating you.
Tadget cackles maniacally at Vesyllah.
[Zaara]: Okay!
[Thalstan]: I'm no' clear if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
The Cobalt Blade quips and slices their way out of Zeth’Gor, returning to Expedition Point.
[Thalstan]: Corporal! The warlord is dead.
[Tadget]: We're very efficient.
Corporal Ironridge says: Fantastic! You've done it! That'll leave those wretched fel orcs in chaos and we'll be able to sweep in and finish them off.
[Zaara]: We serve our purpose!
Corporal Ironridge says: Thank you, Cobalt Blade. Your aid here is beyond measure. You should probably head back to Honor Hold and report these developments to Trollbane.
[Tadget]: 'Kay.
[Thalstan]: Sure thing.
Once again they ride, returning to Honor Hold.
Thalstan salutes Force Commander Danath Trollbane with respect.
Danath Trollbane says: Welcome back, Cobalt Blade. Report.
[Thalstan]: Sir! Demons are dealt with, as well as the fel orc warlord.
Tadget salutes Force Commander Danath Trollbane with respect.
Danath Trollbane rubs his chin, scowling in deep concern.
Danath Trollbane says: The situation is worse than we imagined. Demons in Hellfire Citadel might explain how the fel orcs are gaining strength, but I highly doubt another pit lord could have arrived without our knowledge.
[Tadget]: They are hard to miss, sir.
Danath Trollbane says: We need more information, and there's only one place to get it. Cobalt Blade, I need you to infiltrate Hellfire Citadel. Stand by. I'll summon you soon.
[Tadget]: Ooooh, infiltration, my specialty!
[Thalstan]: Yes, sir. Happy ta serve.
Tadget salutes Force Commander Danath Trollbane with respect.
Magus Filinthus says: What now, Danath? Can you not see that I am inundated with work as is?
Danath Trollbane says: Dismissed, Cobalt Blade.
[Tadget]: Nice, I've never been inside there before. I bet it's terrible.
[Tadget]: I'll be at the inn!
[Thalstan]: Alright, team, ye heard the guy. Let's stick around Honor Hold and be ready