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| Details |
| Author: | OzmaAsimov |
| Summary: | The Cobalt Blade infiltrates Hellfire Citadel, where they learn some vital new information about how the fel orcs have been rejuvenating…and who might be behind it. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: The Cobalt Blade
Vesyllah sits on the tavern floor, petting Tadget. No, the other Tadget.
[Tadget]: I think I'll get a pet… I dunno, a really limp sad pale albino fish or something… and name it Vesyllah.
Vesyllah gives Tadget the fakest of fake smiles. The OG Tadget, that is.
Thalstan chuckles, rustling his beard.
[Thalstan]: Maybe we should all get pets an' name 'em after each other. It'd confuse our enemies.
[Vesyllah]: I think it'd confuse us.
Tadget bats her ridiculously long lashes at Ves, then gives her attention to Thalstan, adopting a stiff attentive military posture.
[Tadget]: What's our mission today, sir?
[Thalstan]: I could get a sleek grey cat named Arthur, fer instance.
Tadget nods at Thalstan.
[Thalstan]: Oh, mission, right. We're ta report ta Force Commander Trollbane.
[Arthur]: it would be a terribly handsome cat. but prone to oversleeping.
Tadget giggles at Arthur.
[Vesyllah]: That guy just can't get enough of us.
Thalstan grins at Trouble.
[Tadget]: So, basically… a cat.
[Thalstan]: Everyone ready to report to 'im?
[Zaara]: Yes!
[Tadget]: I was spawned ready!
[Thalstan]: Onward, Cobalt Blade!
Thalstan strikes an imposing pose as he marches forward.
[Tadget]: COBOLT BLADE!
Zaara clip-clops cheerfully.
Thalstan salutes Force Commander Danath Trollbane with respect.
[Thalstan]: Sir, Cobalt Blade, reporting for duty!
Tadget salutes Force Commander Danath Trollbane with respect.
Arthur surreptitiously passes out cupcakes.
Danath Trollbane says: Blade, the time has come to infiltrate Hellfire Citadel. Lieutenant Chadwick, the situation, please.
[Zaara]: Ooooh! Cupcakes!
Tadget less-than-surreptitiously crams a cupcake into her mouth.
Lieutenant Chadwick steps forward and clears his throat. "The latest intelligence we have on the Citadel's inner workings is well over a year old."
[Tadget]: *mouth full* Ooooh Hewfii Fibabemw.
Lieutenant Chadwick says: It has hosted demons in the past, but has always been primarily occupied by fel orcs.
Thalstan accepts the cupcake from Arthur and tries to make cupcake holding look dramatic. "Oh, aye. Since Cobalt went in there last, aye?"
Lieutenant Chadwick says: The size of the demon strike force you vanquished suggests they are being summoned into the Citadel itself, or worse, that a stable portal has been established inside.
Trollbane nods to Thalstan.
[Tadget]: I can destablize that portal for ya. I can destabilize anything.
Lieutenant Chadwick says: Your primary mission objective is intelligence-gathering. Enter the ramparts and learn what you can about the situation inside.
Lieutenant Chadwick says: Expect considerable resistance; the orcs inside will likely be stronger than the ones you've been fighting.
Lieutenant Chadwick says: Attempt to locate the source of the voice you heard in Zeth'Gor, and if at all possible, eliminate it along with any other commanders you can identify. We need to keep the enemy off balance until we know more.
[Arthur]: Stronger?
[Zaara]: Orcs will die, strong or not strong. Cobolt is strongest.
Magus Filinthus says: I have a good mind to tear that portal down myself! This is outrageous!
Zaara has frosting on her nose.
[Tadget]: I'm also really good at unbalancing things. We've got this.
[Thalstan]: Aye, we can beat the strongest orc.
Lieutenant Chadwick nods to Arthur. "These orcs have had more time to regain their strength, and if we are correct that the Citadel possessed the source of that strength, they are closer to it."
[Thalstan]: And unbalance the stablest portal. *Thal nods at Tadget*
[Zaara]: Do you want hands?
[Tadget]: If you need order brought to a situation you call on Valor. Need some chaos, you call on me.
Thalstan blinks at Zaara. "Hands?"
Danath Trollbane says: You have your orders, Cobalt Blade. Light's speed to you. Dismissed.
[Thalstan]: Yes, sir!
Arthur salutes Force Commander Danath Trollbane with respect.
[Zaara]: Yes, like the orc in the camp, we cut his hand.
[Tadget]: Sure, we can do that.
[Thalstan]: Oh… right.
[Tadget]: Cut off any bits of 'em you like.
[Thalstan]: I expect we're gonna kill too many orcs to keep a hand each.
[Thalstan]: But aye, you can grab a few if ye like.
Thalstan mounts up on his ram, ready to storm the Citadel.
The Cobalt Blade enters Hellfire Citadel.
[Thalstan]: I'm no' a big fan o' their architecture, I have ta say.
[Thalstan]: Too much iron and spikes.
[Tadget]: I like it. Pointy.
[Thalstan]: Heh, but th' spikes are way too big fer good stabbin, Mayhem.
[Vesyllah]: Like…we get it, orcs…you like spikes.
[Tadget]: If they like pointy things, I've got two for 'em.
[Thalstan]: To stick right in their eyes, aye.
[Vesyllah]: Let's get to it, then.
[Tadget]: You gotta leave at least one eye so they can see what you do to 'em.
Tadget is normal and fine.
[Vesyllah]: Oh…I have ways of making them see.
[Tadget]: Oooooh.
Tadget slips into the shadows.
[Thalstan]: They are a bit tougher than the ones before.
[Thalstan]: Might be drinkin' up demons, hm.
Bonechewer Hungerer attempts to run away in fear!
[Tadget]: Gosh.
[Thalstan]: Trouble, did ye just turn that orc into a… gorilla?
Zaara giggles.
[Arthur]: I did!
[Thalstan]: Nice one! Tha's new, isn't it?
[Arthur]: Yeah!
[Zaara]: Cooooooool.
[Thalstan]: If I see any gorillas, I'll try ta let 'em be.
[Vesyllah]: Just…make them small gorillas.
[Tadget]: This is fun.
[Vesyllah]: Look up there…
[Thalstan]: Aye, this place is right fortified. They were no' kiddin'.
Vesyllah points to a strange dragon-like creature circling in the sky.
An orc houndmaster sics his beasts on the Blade!
[Zaara]: Oh no, it is his hounds!
The Blade [redacted for animal harm].
[Zaara]: Oh, it was his hounds.
[Thalstan]: They were a bit late ta make any difference, weren't they?
[Zaara]: Aye!!!
Thalstan grins at Zaara.
[Thalstan]: We're still under th' open sky an' already hittin' resistance.
Bonechewer Hungerer attempts to run away in fear!
[Thalstan]: Hah! I spot a gorilla.
Tadget giggles at the aped Bonechewer Ravener.
Vesyllah smirks slyly at the aped Bonechewer Ravener.
Thalstan gives Arthur a thumbs up.
Thalstan charges the gorilla, since the other orcs are down.
Thalstan peers ahead. "Looks like a big fella patrolling around."
[Tadget]: He's gonna be trouble.
[Tadget]: Oh, sorry, that's an insult to Trouble.
[Thalstan]: Maybe we can wipe out some o' his minions without him noticing.
[Zaara]: Or all of them.
The Watchkeeper is much larger than the other orcs, and its musculature seems warped and twisted…but massive.
[Thalstan]: Aye, or all of them.
[Thalstan]: I think we might be able to take 'im now.
[Tadget]: Let's do this.
[Thalstan]: Let's get his two assistants down first.
[Vesyllah]: Elune…he's even uglier than the rest.
[Tadget]: Who're you talkin to?
[Zaara]: I will take ONE hand.
[Zaara]: This one.
[Tadget]: Admirable restraint.
[Zaara]: Thank you.
Tadget gently pats Zaara.
[Vesyllah]: Bloodthirsty, Zaara. I like it.
[Zaara]: It is souvenir.
[Thalstan]: It's a good one. Ye picked a big fella.
[Thalstan]: Now let's wipe out whatever minions he's got left.
[Thalstan]: I think I see a door ahead, so we might be makin' our way in.
[Thalstan]: Hm… a ramp. Look sharp all, might be something around the bend.
[Zaara]: I am going to look just a usual amount.
[Tadget]: I always look sharp.
[Zaara]: If it is okay.
Thalstan nods.
[Vesyllah]: They're doing some kind of ritual.
Thalstan then clarifies, because Zaara cannot see the nod. "Yer usual amount is great, Booty. You're a good looker, in a manner of speakin'."
[Tadget]: Wow, orcs doing some kind of ritual. In other news, fork found in kitchen.
[Zaara]: Whose kitchen?!?
[Thalstan]: Heh, now it's time ta be sharp, Tadget. Let's get 'em!
Tadget rolls on the floor laughing at Zaara.
[Thalstan]: An' here we're in the open again. Lots of orcs patrollin' around.
[Zaara]: It was a very small time indoor.
[Thalstan]: Aye, an' here I thought we were gettin' into th' fortress.
[Vesyllah]: I am vengeance!
Tadget bursts into dance.
[Thalstan]: I think we can come out here now.
Tadget starts to charge.
[Thalstan]: Hmm… there's two paths. Which should we take first?
[Arthur]: left has the weirdest dragon I have evver seen.
Vesyllah peers down the right path. "Is that a demon?"
[Zaara]: An old draenei choosing rhyme: Aani maani maeni mo…
Thalstan peers ahead. "Aye that is a… wait demon?" Thalstan rotates around to the right, his beard swaying.
[Tadget]: What does that translate to, Booty?
[Zaara]: Nothing! Is just nonsense noise.
[Zaara]: But we go that way.
Tadget giggles at Zaara.
Zaara points to the right.
Vesyllah snorts.
[Thalstan]: Alright. Who'm I ta fight against th' nonsense noise?
[Tadget]: I mean all draenei words are nonsense noises to me, so.
[Zaara]: Aani maani is draenei tradition! Rich history.
Tadget giggles at Zaara.
[Thalstan]: Aaani Maani. *Thalstan repeats seriously*
[Zaara]: Maeni mo.
A massive ered'ruin Terrorguard is kneeling on the platform ahead. Its arms are bound in chains seemingly formed of fel energy, each leading to a fel orc warlock maintaining the confinement spell.
Upon the Blade's arrival, the two warlocks take notice, casting snarls in the heroes' direction.
[Thalstan]: Hm, now that is fore sure a demon, but it does no' look like a friend to th' orcs.
Olesh the Pristine laughs cruelly at the orcs. "You were fools to allow your concentration to lapse."
Olesh the Pristine grips his fetters, which burst into unnatural flame that travels up the chains to the warlocks. With an agonized scream, the warlocks disintegrate to ash in moments.
Thalstan raises his shield to attempt to deflect the magic from his team.
[Tadget]: This is both good and bad.
[Zaara]: Ohhhh no.
Olesh the Pristine says: You have my thanks, little mortals. These pathetic creatures were ruining my beauty. But now I am curious about something….
[Tadget]: No, you can't be on the next poster.
[Thalstan]: Oh, aye?
Olesh the Pristine says: You are no minions of the Legion, and clearly not servants of that fanatical elf. Why have you come to my rescue?
[Zaara]: Oh, um. We are rescue?
[Tadget]: Rescue might not be the word?
Zaara looks around.
[Thalstan]: It was no'… exactly a rescue, so to speak.
[Zaara]: This is not my understanding.
[Tadget]: We're just here to kill orcs mostly.
[Thalstan]: We came in ta find out what's got the orcs up in a tizzy. An' it was your blood?
[Zaara]: I got a hand!
[Zaara]: From the big fella.
[Tadget]: Zaara comes in handy in a fight.
Thalstan frowns. "I've not seen any elves, though. Are they wi' the orcs?"
Olesh the Pristine says: I see. Yes, indeed. They were gaining what little power they could glean from my blood. They recognized my magnificence.
[Tadget]: Oh no, not some other blood elf wanna be overlord.
[Tadget]: Um yeah, you're certainly a magnificent specimen of… something all right.
Zaara frowns.
[Zaara]: Elves gleam demon blood?
Olesh the Pristine says: You do not know about the elf? Interesting. I shall have to investigate what has transpired since my capture.
[Tadget]: Uh how long have you been here?
[Tadget]: I mean, there was Kael'Thas, but that was years ago.
[Tadget]: Oh I guess also Illidan. If he still counts as an elf.
[Thalstan]: Yeah, he's been well an' killed. An' the other elf, Illidan Stormrage. Him too, also killed.
Olesh the Pristine says: Months, perhaps? It was difficult to tell the passing of time under their spell.
[Tadget]: Hmmm. Seems like there's another elf up to no good. You got a name for this elf, gorgeous?
[Thalstan]: Huh. So ye're not likely talking about Illidan or Kael'thas…
[Arthur]: Wait.
[Arthur]: When you were abducted, what was the date?
Olesh the Pristine chuckles. "I like you, little gnome. But it would be pointless to give you his name."
[Zaara]: Male or female elf? How tall? A breadbasket?
[Zaara]: Male okay.
[Vesyllah]: Why pointless?
[Thalstan]: Why would it be pointless? It would nae be pointless!
[Tadget]: Elf men are the WORST. Major drama.
Olesh the Pristine says: Pointless because you will soon be dead. But in my gratitude, I will grant you swift deaths.
[Tadget]: Wait, I have an idea.
[Zaara]: Oh, no! That is backwards.
[Arthur]: oh just when we were having a nice time!
[Tadget]: Since we're going to die anyway you might as well tell us his name first.
[Tadget]: Consider it our dying wish.
[Zaara]: Mayhem, we are not — ohhhhh.
Thalstan looks warily at Tadget and then nods. "Aye, let me take at least that much to th' shadow lands. Jus' to know why I was killed."
Olesh the Pristine chuckles and starts to stomp forward. "Come and die quickly at my hands, mortals."
[Tadget]: Rude.
Zaara lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
[Arthur]: I mean we should be fully cognizant of the magnificence. shouldn't we be?
[Thalstan]: Well, it was worth a shot. *Thal shrugs.* We can no' let ye out o' here alive, demon.
Olesh the Pristine attacks. The battle is fierce, but despite the demon's arrogance, he falls to the strength of the Cobalt Blade.
[Tadget]: Stupid jerk.
[Vesyllah]: Not so magnificent now.
[Thalstan]: Wish he'd ha' given us a name. I don't like th' idea of another elf upstart causin' mischief.
[Tadget]: I'm telling you, elf men are the WORST.
[Vesyllah]: Truth.
[Zaara]: The woooo-ooooorst.
[Vesyllah]: Except Ill-….
Thalstan raises a bushy eyebrow at Ves.
Vesyllah shuts up.
[Tadget]: Especially when you kill them. They're like, "How daaaare you, I am to pretty to diiiie, AAAAAAGH" *dramatic reaching gesture*
[Thalstan]: An' ye don't find it amusing, Mayhem? I'm surprised.
A shadow falls across the party. From above a hulking, grotesquely mutated fel orc descends astride a netherwing drake.
[Tadget]: I can be simultaneously annoyed AND amused.
[Tadget]: In fact, it is my primary state.
[Zaara]: Annused.
Tadget giggles at Zaara.
[Tadget]: Amoyed.
[Zaara]: Ooooh, amoyed is better.
Thalstan laughs, rustling his mustache.
Tadget giggles at Zaara.
[Thalstan]: Now, to this strange dragon… an' its rider.
Urborug snarls, greenish drool leaking from the corners of his too-wide mouth. "At last you have come. The Master will have such plans for you." His harsh, menacing voice is familiar — the voice heard in Zeth'Gor after the death of Warlord Orsohn.
[Tadget]: Ewwww.
Urborug says: Kneel now and I will tell him of your desire to serve. Stand against me, and you invite a painful death.
[Tadget]: You were scarier when I couldn't see you drooling.
[Zaara]: Whose painful death, though?
[Zaara]: I think I am okay to invite yours.
[Tadget]: Same.
Urborug growls and spits green.
[Vesyllah]: I kneel only to Elune.
[Tadget]: I kneel only to— nevermind.
Vesyllah smirks.
Zaara giggles at Tadget.
[Zaara]: Same.
Urborug says: Sentries! Kill them!
[Thalstan]: I'm in for a painful death, causin' it anyway.
[Thalstan]: To arms, Cobalt Blade!
[Vesyllah]: What is with these extra-gross fel orcs? Ugh.
[Thalstan]: What is it with people an' not usin' names? The elf this, my master that…
[Tadget]: Maybe they just have bad memories.
[Tadget]: You know, "My Master uhhhh, whatsisface"
[Thalstan]: Maybe who they follow switches so often they can no' keep up.
Tadget giggles.
Tadget bursts into dance.
Vesyllah rifles through the mutated fel orc's clothes, gagging.
[Thalstan]: Well, see if ye can find any more information about what they were on about?
[Tadget]: I'll just stand over here.
Vesyllah coughs, "Smells…awful. Here." She holds up a scroll to whomever wants it.
Thalstan reaches over to take it.
Zaara does not take it. She's not a big reader.
Thalstan unrolls the scroll and frowns.
Tadget examines her blades.
Thalstan looks up at the team seriously. "Savar the Bloodless. I think we've got our name."
[Zaara]: Bloodless? What?
Thalstan reads off the scroll, "Urborag, I warned you not to draw the attention of the Alliance and Horde before your forces were at full strength. I have not provided you demonic assets for you to waste in pointless skirmishes."
[Thalstan]: So he's providin' demonic assets. But there's more…
Thalstan continues to read, "Deal with these new agents causing you such difficulty. If they will not bend the knee, destroy them. Use the most recent version of the elixir…on a champion or on yourself."
[Tadget]: Uh oh.
[Thalstan]: That might be why he was extra gross.
[Thalstan]: It closes with 'These interlopers must not interfere with the elixir's production. Do not fail me.' And signed, Savar the Bloodless.
[Vesyllah]: Fantastic. I'm just so excited about this development.
[Thalstan]: Some kind of elixir. *Thal frowns.*
[Zaara]: Bloodless is very strange thing for a person to be called.
[Zaara]: Who does not have blood?
[Vesyllah]: Undead, maybe?
[Tadget]: Yeah, maybe.
[Zaara]: Ooooooh.
[Zaara]: Or crabs.
[Tadget]: Or maybe it's just like, a metaphor.
[Vesyllah]: Hmm.
[Tadget]: Or maybe he's a crab, yes.
[Tadget]: A giant alchemist crab.
[Vesyllah]: Savar the Crablegs.
Tadget laughs at you.
[Thalstan]: Undead elf. Or crab elf. Or maybe a real unemotional elf.
[Thalstan]: We'll need ta report this back to the Alliance. They'll no' be pleased to hear about a new rabble rouser, whatever they are.
[Arthur]: Oh gosh, Tadget.
Thalstan chuckles, but he still sounds worried.
[Arthur]: who incorriged you, exactly?
[Thalstan]: Good work today, Cobalt Blade. I think we should head back ta Honor Hold and report, rather than pushin' further in. No telling what waits us in there.
Vesyllah nods.
[Zaara]: Okay! Aye!
The party returns to Honor Hold to report to Trollbane.
Danath Trollbane says: Good to see you alive and well, Blade. Report.
[Thalstan]: Sir! *Thal salutes Commander Trollbane* We've found troublin' news. The orcs had a captive demon they were drinkin' from. We killed them.
The demon or the orcs? Oh, right, he means both.
[Arthur]: And the demon.
Danath Trollbane says: Another demon? Not a pit lord, though?
[Tadget]: Also a dragon, just for fun.
[Thalstan]: No, just a terrorfiend. Oh, aye, and a dragon.
Danath Trollbane says: We've spotted a netherwing drake in the skies again. The fel orcs are fond of them as mounts.
[Thalstan]: They were speaking of some new master called 'Savar the Bloodless' who's makin' some kind of elixir. The demon talked about an elf. No' sure if it's the same fella.
[Thalstan]: Or lass, I suppose Savar could be a lass name.
[Zaara]: Or crab.
Danath Trollbane says: I've never heard of anyone called Savar the Bloodless. This merits further investigation. Any indication about what this elixir is?
Tadget giggles at Zaara.
[Tadget]: Something embiggening, I assume.
[Thalstan]: The last orc seems to ha' drunk it, an' he was larger than usual.
[Vesyllah]: And grosser.
[Thalstan]: Likely a battle elixir.
As opposed to a guardian elixir.
Danath Trollbane says: I see. I fear we may need you to return to Hellfire Citadel. But get your rest for now. You've earned it. Dismissed.
[Tadget]: Sir, yes, sir!
[Vesyllah]: What she said.
[Arthur]: Thank you, Sir.
[Zaara]: Okay, bye!
[Thalstan]: Yes, sir! We'll be ready.
[Arthur]: Does anyone want a portal to Stormwind?
[Thalstan]: Ye heard the man. Let's rest up and be ready ta go back in. *Thal shakes his head at Art* I think I'll stick around here for a time.
[Zaara]: Everyone always is like, "Oooh Cobolt Blade, it is good you are still alive! I thought you would be dead!"
[Zaara]: I AM HEALER.
[Zaara]: It is very rude.
Tadget laughs at Zaara.
[Tadget]: Also we're kind of awesome.
[Tadget]: In general.
[Zaara]: Yes.
[Tadget]: You'd think they'd have figured this out.
Thalstan chuckles. "If it helps, I never doubt ye'll bring us home alive."
Tadget shrugs. Who knows?
Vesyllah | Danath Trollbane overhears and hangs his head shamefully.
Zaara beams at Thalstan.
[Vesyllah]: If you're heading back to Stormwind, I'll hitch a ride.
[Arthur]: Okay, here we go!
[Zaara]: Yes, please!
[Tadget]: I guess I have a couple errands to run.