(2025-03-18) Ashenvale: All Ye Bully-Rooks

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	After the defense of Astranaar, Anselyn, Baalun, Cerethan, Corvin, Saion, and Sorraine investigate the problem with the local furbolgs, while they also get to know one another a little better. ~4500 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Kalimdor Newbies

+ Show additional content warnings

faction conflict, obvious pseudo-cursing

The team is slowly assembling in the inn common room of the now-peaceful Astranaar. Sorraine is playing a rousing tune, and some are dancing.

[Baalun]: Light shine upon you. *Baalun nods to Anselyn*

Sorraine plays on, singing, "♫ All ye bully-rooks with your buskin boots, Best ye go, best ye go, outrun my bow ♫"
[Sorraine]: ♫ All ye bully-rooks with your buskin boots, Best ye go, best ye go, faster than mine arrow ♫

[Saion]: Best ye go!!!

Sorraine laughs at Saion.

Saion continues to dance wildly, almost alarmingly so. Some of the nearby vendors inch away, pulling their wares closer.

[Anselyn]: You must sing that to the orcs! They should have some gaiety.

Sorraine smirks at Anselyn.

[Saion]: This — my favorite song now!

Corvin sits over by the innkeeper's desk, sketching on a pad propped on his knees. He watches Sorraine and Saion.

Sorraine puts her lute away, but continues to hum a draenei tune she has heard (it is 100% Tunak Tunak Tun).

Saion stops dancing when the lute stops, but continues to tap his foot to the tune of Sorraine's humming.

[Saion]: Dance break — good. I ready for vork now.

Raene looks on with amusement. "I'm happy to hear it. We could use some help with the furbolg situation."

Corvin hums along, almost inaudibly, a slight smile on his face. He folds up his sketchbook and tucks it away.

[Baalun]: Greetings Cerethan.
[Baalun]: It seems we are all gathered here now.

[Saion]: Seressan! Greetings!

Corvin rises and moves over to the group.

Saion has the grace to look embarrassed when he realizes the person giving them orders was here this whole time.

[Cerethan]: Greetings… *He seems to have a moment of recollection of who Baalun.* … My friends. *Oh no he forgot people's names.*

[Baalun]: We are here to serve. Where would you have us go?

Saion salutes Raene Wolfrunner with respect.

Raene Wolfrunner says: It's as you mentioned in Maestra's Post — something has been affecting the furbolg, leading them towards unswayable violence.
Raene Wolfrunner says: Directly to the north of Astranaar are the Thistlefur furbolg. My scouts report that their numbers have grown greatly over the past few months. If they grow too great, they may find the courage to attack Astranaar directly!

[Corvin]: A second attack, after the Horde wind riders. *Corvin says quietly, shaking his head.*

Raene Wolfrunner says: If you're willing, I'd send you to Thistlefur Village to kill as many of their kind as you can. I shall remain here in Astranaar and await word from you. Elune be with you.

[Baalun]: We will drive them back if we must. It is regrettable, but we cannot allow the people of Astranaar to be endangered.

[Saion]: Yes! I mean… no!

Raene Wolfrunner says: Yes, there are many civilians here. We can't afford — I hope we can find out what is causing this, but until then we can't afford the danger.

[Saion]: Ve help you.

[Sorraine]: "Aye, ve help you!"

[Baalun]: We have our orders then. Let's be off.

Saion salutes Baalun with respect.
[Saion]: Yes sir!!

[Cerethan]: I don't believe a few Furbolgs will be anything to worry about… *His eyes widen.* For a group like us, I mean. I didn't mean to undermine the very real threat they may pose to this town.

Corvin looks down at his fox, sitting politely by his side. "You heard that, Gon. We're helping the villagers."

Cerethan wasn't invited, but he seemingly decided to come along.

Saion cheers at Baalun!

[Anselyn]: bussin' boots…

[Baalun]: Here we are. We strike head on! *Baalun readies his weapons.*

The fight against the furbolgs begins.

Saion smiles at Corvin. "I like your dog! Or… is cat?" He squints at it.

[Corvin]: It's a fox… a bit of a different sort of thing. *Corvin says with a smile.* Maybe a little like both?

[Sorraine]: S'pose oi better wolf out 'round these parts.

[Saion]: Oh! I like your fux!
Saion says it like that.

Sorraine laughs at Saion.

[Cerethan]: … Fox. "O".

Corvin transforms into a worgen as well.

[Saion]: fffooooxxxx.

[Sorraine]: Gotta love a good fux.

[Corvin]: Met the little guy not long after I came to.

Baalun raises an eyebrow

[Sorraine]: After you came to…in Gilneas…which is def'nitely your homeland, yeah?

Saion rifles through his bag and pulls out a little atlas book, which he starts flipping through as he follows Baluun around.

Corvin shrugs evasively. "I mean, who can say, really? But yeah, I think I needed somebody to look after. And Gon here needed looking after."

Sorraine sings for Anselyn's benefit: "♫ All ye bully-rooks with your buskin boots, Best ye go, best ye go, outrun my bow ♫"

Sorraine laughs at Saion.

Corvin shrugs evasively. "I mean, who can say, really? But yeah, I think I needed somebody to look after. And Gon here needed looking after."

[Sorraine]: That's adorable, mate.

[Corvin]: I named him after a folktale. *Corvin freezes for a moment, and adds,* That I seem to remember somehow. It's probably common enough that it won't help me find out about my past.

[Sorraine]: Oh? I love a good story. Wot's the tale?

[Anselyn]: What is the tale?

[Cerethan]: Please do… tell. Eh.

[Corvin]: It's a bit of a sad one, but I plan for Gon's to have a happy ending. It's about a little fox. He steals food from a farmer, but then realizes the farmer's really bad off.
[Corvin]: So he starts gathering things for him, leaving gifts, trying to help the farmer get by.

[Sorraine]: Awww, sweet li'l fing.

[Corvin]: The farmer doesn't realize where all these little gifts come from, so when he sees the fox lurking around, he hunts him down. Only to realize at the last moment that the fox is a friend.

[Sorraine]: Oh, blimey you scared me for a minnit.
[Sorraine]: Fot for sure he were gonna kill the fox.

[Cerethan]: You said it didn't have a happy ending, if I recall correctly?

[Corvin]: Yeah, he… *Corvin shrugs* There's a few different versions of the story. In some he realizes a moment too late.

[Sorraine]: That's awful!

[Corvin]: In mine, for my Gon, I know he's a friend.

[Sorraine]: Good li'l Gon.

Corvin smiles down at the little wolf. It might not look gentle with all the worgen teeth, but the fox doesn't seem to mind.

[Cerethan]: Well, that is a terrible story. … The ending I mean, the story itself is lovely.
[Cerethan]: I meant to say it was a tragedy, I promise.

[Corvin]: Yeah, it's a tragedy about not recognizing friends when they look like foes. Like… us worgen, I think.

[Saion]: This happen to draenei!
[Saion]: Elves think we are manari. Demon.

[Cerethan]: In our defense, you do look like them.
[Cerethan]: Distant cousins, if my memory serves me right?

[Baalun]: We were once the same, yes. I remember the days when we were all called 'eredar'.

[Saion]: No, ve are not demon-cousin. But some of us become demon. Like elves! *said cheerfully and without judgment*

[Corvin]: Huh. Do you… often become demons?

[Cerethan]: Interesting. *Cerethan's attention seems to be suddenly drawn somewhere else. He kneels beside the corpse of one of the Furbolgs they killed.*

[Saion]: I never saw anyone become demon.

[Baalun]: We do not. This all happened thousands of years ago.

[Anselyn]: So in the beginning, you were all eredar, but then some of you became like demons, and you who did not changed your name?

Cerethan picks up a figurine carved in wood. "This does not seem to be one of their charms."

[Saion]: Draenei mean, ones who are sent away.

Cerethan gets up and observes the [Troll Charm].

[Saion]: Ve had to go away, to run from demon ones.

Sorraine pats Baalyn's arm. "We Gilneans are hardly anyone to give ya the side-eye about turnin' into monsters. S'goin' around, innit?"

Corvin peers at the troll charm. "What is that?"

Cerethan hands it to his familiar, the owl. Its eyes shine bright blue, and Cerethan nods. "It appears to be some kind of dark magic."

[Corvin]: And yeah, I'd never judge anybody on somethin' that happened thousands of years ago.
[Corvin]: Maybe this charm’s the cause, then, of why the furbolgs are turnin' into monsters?

[Cerethan]: Corruption could very well be one of its uses, yes.

[Anselyn]: We should bring it back.

[Corvin]: Raene would probably know.

[Baalun]: It's possible. We should take it back to Astranaar and see what they make of it.

[Saion]: Elves turn into so many monsters! Satyr! Naga! Blood elf!

Cerethan takes it back from his familiar, and wraps it in cloth before putting in his satchel. "Very well."

Sorraine laughs at Saion.

[Saion]: Ve only become one kind.

Corvin chuckles.

[Sorraine]: That Illidan bloke were an elf too, yeah?

[Corvin]: Who's that?

[Sorraine]: Oi've only heard the stories. Somethin' about him eatin' a skull and growin' giant bat wings and horns.

[Saion]: Did you say EAT A SKULL?

Corvin laughs. "Wow, that sounds like a story made up to scare kids."

[Sorraine]: Aye! Ate it right up!

[Saion]: How???

[Corvin]: With his massive jaws. And if you don't eat your vegetables, he'll eat you too. *Corvin chuckles*

Sorraine chuckles at Corvin.

Saion listens intently to Corvin. He seems to be taking mental notes.

[Cerethan]: I am… far from an Illidari.

[Sorraine]: Aye, but ya got them elfy fangs, don'cha?

[Cerethan]: … I do.

[Saion]: Vat is fangs?

[Anselyn]: long eyeteeth.

Saion looks alarmed!!!

Sorraine points at Saion's face. "Them bitey teefs! You got 'em too!"

[Cerethan]: But it would be uncouth of me to open my mouth to show my teeth for all to see.

Saion peers at Cerethan's eyes.

Sorraine grins at Cerethan, showing off a whole lot of fangs.

[Corvin]: We all have sharp teeth, don't we? Uh, maybe not the draenei?

[Cerethan]: They're not eyeteeth!

[Anselyn]: Are we Cobalt Fang, then?

Saion looks relieved.

Corvin laughs. "Are we? What's Cobalt?"

[Baalun]: We have driven back the furbolg. Also we've found something that may interest you.

Saion laughs.

[Anselyn]: Cobalt Company's smaller groups have names too. Cobalt Eye, Cobalt Aegis, Cobalt Blade…

[Sorraine]: The Cobalt Company. Real tough, them.

[Saion]: I am 7th Legion, 6th Expeditionary Unit!

Raene Wolfrunner says: Well done. Hopefully this will keep them at bay for a bit longer, while we try to figure out what has caused this sudden turn to violence. Let me see that?

Cerethan unwraps the Troll Charm, showing it to Raene. "Dark magic, for certain."

[Sorraine]: 7th Legion, 6th Expeditionary Unit, 5th biggest bloke in Azeroth!

[Corvin]: Oh, are you in Cobalt Company?

Raene examines the charm.

[Saion]: I vas in Cobalt Company. Now I am in 7th Legion.

[Cerethan]: The name of Cobalt Company rings a bell for me, but alas, I cannot say for certain who they are. *He says, while Raene examines the charm.*

[Anselyn]: They helped us. When Gravehowl Pack made it out.

Corvin looks at Anselyn curiously.

Raene Wolfrunner says: A troll charm? What are the furbolg doing with such a thing? You're right, it does have a feeling of corruption about it… even I can sense that. There's someone here who might be able to help.

Sorraine lifts her brow at Anselyn. "You a Gravehowl, lad?"

Sorraine keeps one ears on Raene, following multiple threads of conversation at once.

[Anselyn]: I am, but I got lost for a while.

Raene Wolfrunner says: The man right over there is known as Hephaestus Pilgrim. He's one of the worgen. He and his sister came to Astranaar not long ago looking for a place to live.

[Cerethan]: Aha! Trollish in nature, then? *He takes back the charm from her hands.* With a little time, I myself might be able to decipher how it works, precisely.

[Baalun]: He is an expert in this sort of magic then?

[Anselyn]: I had to stay in Darnassus for longer than the others.

[Corvin]: Pilgrim, *Corvin repeats, his ears perking up.*

Raene Wolfrunner says: Yes, I think he can help you.
Raene Wolfrunner says: From what little I've been able to glean, he's interested in trying to help the Earthen Ring with the Cataclysm. His sister is even more powerful. She's gone east to try and help the shaman deal with the volcano.

[Baalun]: We will speak to him. Light keep you.
Baalun bows before Raene Wolfrunner.

[Corvin]: But you're still Gravehowl, then? That's an impressive name to put on your resume.

[Saion]: Vat is Gravehowl?

Anselyn looks a bit bashful.

[Sorraine]: Gravehowls are prob'ly the reason any of us made it outta Gilneas.

[Saion]: Ohhh! Hero vorgen?

Cerethan is examining the troll charm with the help of his familiar. "… of course, it was made by trolls, look at its design. Look at the symbols…"

[Corvin]: Yeah, I mean, I heard about them in Darnassus. After I woke up.

[Sorraine]: S'roight! Hero vorgen!

Corvin looks curiously at Hephaestus.

Cerethan has not followed the group. He is too focused on the charm.

Hephaestus gives the team a blank look as they walk up to him.

[Corvin]: Starboy, give the worgen the charm.

[Baalun]: Greetings Hephaestus. Our comrade has something we would like you to see.

[Anselyn]: Easy to be a hero when there's only one thing you can do.

[Saion]: Starboy! Hahahaha. This is nick name, yes? I have many such name.

[Anselyn]: Like what?

Cerethan 's right ear tilts in the direction of Corvin. "Ah, right, my apologies!" He joins the group, handing the charm to Hephaestus. "Careful, it's an object of corruption. In less experienced hands, it may become a hazard."

Looking down at the wooden carving, the worgen reaches out to take it.

[Saion]: My favorite nick name is "Puppy," very pretty Master Sergeant call me.

[Sorraine]: Puppy!

[Saion]: It means small dog.

Corvin laughs.

Sorraine chuckles. "Oi know wot it means. It's perfect for ya."

Hephaestus Pilgrim says: The furbolg covet that which does not belong to them.
Hephaestus turns the charm over in his hand and then discards it.
Hephaestus Pilgrim says: There's a property to the carving that slowly corrupts those that aren't trolls. As I understand it, the furbolg have done this sort of thing before, gathering things that harm them. Some never learn.
Hephaestus Pilgrim says: No doubt they hoard most of the charms in Thistlefur Hold above their village to the north. You should gather and dispose of them, for the furbolgs’ sake.

[Sorraine]: Aye, for the furbolgs' sake…and anyone else they're gettin' charmed into murderin'.

[Baalun]: If it will prevent more from being corrupted, then it is our duty to help them.

Saion nods at Baalun.

[Cerethan]: … I would actually appreciate getting that charm back. I was studying it. I will use as much magic wards to protect me from its influence as possible, have no fear.

Hephaestus stares at Cerethan. "Take it, if you like."

Cerethan SHAMEFULLY kneels to pick up the discarded charm. A nickname and now this? This is a terrible day for Cerethan.

[Saion]: Seressan is very smart! I can tell this!

[Baalun]: We head back!

Corvin nods at Baalun.
[Corvin]: So… should we call you Puppy? Is that the name you prefer? *Corvin directs to Saion*

[Saion]: Call me vat you vish!

[Corvin]: I like nicknames. Shows familiarity.

[Cerethan]: While we are on the topic of names… While I appreciate the camaraderie implied by the use of nicknames, Cerethan will do just fine!

Corvin shrugs.

[Sorraine]: If it makes ya feel any better, you can call me wha'ever you loik.

[Saion]: I forgot your name! Sorry!

[Corvin]: Do you have a favorite nickname?

[Sorraine]: The Erubescent Bard!
[Sorraine]: But some folks just stick to 'Red'.

[Saion]: Red! I can remember this.

[Anselyn]: Red.

One furbolg raises its hands in the air, a gesture of surrender.
Vear Darksnout says: Please, do not fight. Listen. Yes, I speak your tongue.

[Saion]: Oh! Yes you speak Common very good.

[Sorraine]: Oooh, a friendly!

[Cerethan]: My, that would be rude to call you by such an impersonal name. … Get it? It's as if you asked us to call you "whatever you like" instead of a name… Ah.

Vear Darksnout says: Thank you. I try.

[Anselyn]: What occurs here?

[Baalun]: You have not been corrupted? What are you doing here?

Cerethan puts on his serious face, something is happening, his joke was badly timed.

Vear Darksnout says: I am… mm… smart… lucky.
Vear Darksnout says: We furbolg have been through this kind of corruption before. Some years ago, after the Battle at Mount Hyjal, our leader stole the Idol of Remulos.

Sorraine stifles a snicker at Cerethan's wit.

Saion immediately starts listening intently to the furbolg once it explains that it is smart.

Vear Darksnout says: The demon-tainted thing ensorcelled the entire tribe and our redemption was barely delivered by a druid known as Broll Bearmantle.
Vear Darksnout says: But this time, we did not steal. The trolls of Zoram'gar gave us the charms as a sign of friendship. A deadly friendship it would seem.

[Sorraine]: Broll. Now there's a name.

Corvin expression goes cold at the revelation. "They… poisoned you."

[Sorraine]: Aww, those fux!

[Saion]: Poison is very bad!!

[Baalun]: What a despicable tactic.

Cerethan nods at Baalun.

Vear Darksnout says: Our chief is too far gone. Enter the hold and please, end him. And destroy these charms, or at least take them far away.

[Anselyn]: We can do this.

Saion nods at Anselyn.

[Sorraine]: You got it, mate.

[Corvin]: I am sorry you were betrayed in this way. Betrayal like that is… unforgivable.

[Cerethan]: I take it upon myself to study the charms. If I find a way to counter them after we've taken them, you will be the first to know.

[Baalun]: We will do it. I mourn for the sacrifice your people must bear.

Vear Darksnout says: Thank you, new friends. I want my people to live safe and free.

Cerethan nods. "As we all do."

[Baalun]: Let's collect those charms.

[Saion]: Is this demons? Demons do this, poison, and hurt furbolk?

[Corvin]: Trolls.

[Saion]: Oh.

[Corvin]: Might as well be demons, but they're Horde.
[Corvin]: Probably thought it was an easy way to force Astranaar to fight on another front.

[Sorraine]: Oy, Starboy. How'd'you say yer name again?

[Cerethan]: I am Lord Cerethan Starflight, but as previously mentioned, Cerethan will do just fine. As a Higborne, I do not seek to distance myself from the common people with such trivialities as titles.

[Sorraine]: Oooh, a Loooord! Fancy in the pantsy.

[Corvin]: If you don't, why do you people call yourselves Highborne?

Cerethan regrets not distancing himself from the common people for a second.

[Sorraine]: Ce-….say-ray-thun. Oi'm never gonna get that right. How about Ray? Can I call ya Ray?

[Cerethan]: I… suppose that will do.

[Sorraine]: Ray, it is!

[Cerethan]: Forgive me if I don't answer to… Ray right away at times. It will take some time getting used to.

[Saion]: Is Saion too hard? You can say "Sai."

[Sorraine]: I'll call ya 'Lord Ray' so you know it's you.

Cerethan nods. He is somewhat pleased with Lord Ray.

Baalun points at Dal Bloodclaw.
[Baalun]: That must be their chieftain.

Cerethan's Owl makes a loud noise. Bad magic detector activated.
[Cerethan]: I sense a lot of those troll charms around him.

The chieftain goes into a frenzy!

The chieftain is killed quickly and mercifully.

[Corvin]: I never really had a shortened name. Corvin is pretty short. Some people used to call me sketch, though.

[Saion]: Sketch?

[Anselyn]: Why sketch?

[Sorraine]: Corvin. Cor…Cor Blimey!
Sorraine laughs at you.

[Corvin]: Oh, because I've always… um. I'm fond of drawing.

[Saion]: Oh! Pictures?

[Corvin]: Yeah, mostly people.

[Saion]: I love this!

[Corvin]: Not like… painting. Just sketches.

[Sorraine]: Oooh, a fellow artsy type, yeah?

Corvin smiles at Sorraine. "I'm no bard, but yeah. Fellow artsy."

[Cerethan]: I am not surprised to learn you're an artist, Corving. Your interest in stories and tales was one many clues that one could follow to this conclusion.

[Saion]: I cannot art. But it is nice to see. And hear!
[Saion]: Music is my favorite art, but also I like pictures.

[Sorraine]: You can dance! That's art!

[Saion]: It is??

[Cerethan]: It is.

[Sorraine]: Course, mate!

[Corvin]: I have… I hope it's alright, I tried to sketch you dancing, Saion. I don't really get draenei yet, so it's not good.

[Saion]: You sketch me??

[Corvin]: Yeah, at the inn earlier.

[Saion]: WOW!!
Saion laughs loudly in delight, loud enough to reverberate off the cavern walls.

Corvin pauses to pull out his sketchbook, a little self-consciously. He shows Saion the page where there are lines suggestive of a draenei dancing. It might not be fully recognizable as Saion himself. Corvin's still practicing draenei.

[Saion]: I see it!! WOW!! Is me!?

[Corvin]: Yeah, it's meant to be.

[Saion]: WOW!!!!!!!

Cerethan, uninvited again, moves to look at the sketchbook. "Interesting linework," he says.

[Corvin]: So, another topic. This Cobalt Company. You've got an in with them, Anselyn?

[Sorraine]: A Cobalt and a Gravehowl. S'quite the C.V. ya got, lad.

[Anselyn]: I…yeah. I could definitely get in touch with someone, if you'd like?

[Cerethan]: What exactly does this… institution do, specifically? The Cobalt Company, you said?

[Anselyn]: They're mercenaries, technically.

[Sorraine]: Big Alliance heroes, ain'cha?

[Corvin]: Might be interesting, if they're fine with worgen? I've been doing some work with the Reeve fleet, but maybe mercenary could be good.

[Cerethan]: Hm. Mercenaries, heroes?

[Anselyn]: Their founder also founded a theatre company, like my mother did. I've never met him, though.

[Saion]: I am very big Alliance hero! Because 7th Legion, and also VERY big.
Saion laughs.

[Corvin]: Huh. So he's an artsy fellow, too.

Cerethan chuckles at Saion.

[Anselyn]: He's a lord, too.

[Corvin]: Highborne?

[Cerethan]: No, that's ridiculous, I would know about him, were it the case.

[Anselyn]: A Lord of Stormwind.

[Saion]: My Captain Sergeant is a human Lord!

[Corvin]: Oh, of Stormwind. Sorry, all this talk with Star… Ray… yeah, humans can be nobles too.

[Saion]: Also Master Sergeant is Lord too. But lady lord.

[Cerethan]: Lady only, then.

[Sorraine]: The pretty one?
Sorraine smirks at Saion.

[Saion]: Well, the man lord is also pretty.

[Corvin]: Are you a draenei… lord?

[Cerethan]: …

Sorraine chuckles.

Saion considers. "Everyone in unit is pretty."

[Anselyn]: Yes. Not me, though. We weren't noble. Just…um. Sociable, I guess?

[Corvin]: I didn't realize that was a 7th Legion requirement…
[Corvin]: Pretty sure I was never noble. Hands are too rough.

[Baalun]: It seems like we have gathered enough charms.

[Saion]: But Baalun is close to draenei lord! Very important, leader.

[Sorraine]: That righ'? Big Baloon Boss?

[Saion]: I vas not important before 7th Legion. Miner only.
[Saion]: But killed MANY MANY orcs, and so they say, I am veteran.

[Baalun]: I am no lord. I am just a simple teacher. *he says as he ruthlessly bashes in a furbolg's face*

[Corvin]: Good teacher. *Corvin grins*

[Sorraine]: Oy, teachin' is a noble profession, mate.

[Anselyn]: Mining is important. So many things would never get made without miners!

[Saion]: Yes!

Saion nods at Anselyn.
Saion smiles at Anselyn.

[Cerethan]: Passing down knowledge is one of the most wondrous gifts of all!

Vear Darksnout says: Is done?

[Baalun]: It is. We have a large collection of the charms that we took from your chieftain's body.

Vear Darksnout says: What was done had to be done. As our leader, the chief’s sickness from the troll charms was destroying us.
Vear Darksnout says: It was better for the health and dignity of the tribe that it was you, outsiders.
Vear Darksnout says: This way there will be no civil war amongst us and we will easily find new leadership… hopefully one that does not have a tendency to so easily trust outsiders. Perhaps I am guilty of this as well?

[Corvin]: Well, but we're trustworthy.

Vear Darksnout says: Be safe, outsiders.

Saion waves goodbye to Vear Darksnout. Farewell!

[Baalun]: Thank you. Light bless you, good furbolg.

[Saion]: Baalun is blessed by Light!

[Anselyn]: I am a botanist, and I stay near the mysteries.

[Saion]: Vat is buttonist?
Saion peers at Anselyn searchingly.

[Anselyn]: I study plants.

[Saion]: Oh!

[Anselyn]: my father studied plants!

[Saion]: Nice!!

[Sorraine]: Buttonists work with tailors, puttin' the buttons on everyfing.

[Saion]: This is different buttonist.

Sorraine snickers.

Corvin chuckles at the buttonist comments.

At the inn in Astranaar, Hephaestus is waiting to hear from the team.

[Baalun]: We have returned. These are all the charms we could find.

Hephaestus nods slowly as he looks Baalun straight in the eye.
Hephaestus Pilgrim says: You've likely saved the Thistlefur from themselves, at least in the short run. If they can keep from stealing objects of power that don't belong to them, that is.

[Corvin]: This wasn't their fault, I don't think.
[Corvin]: We talked to one of them. He said that the trolls offered them the charms, as a sign of friendship. False friendship.

The worgen’s expression darkens.

[Sorraine]: Those fux deliberately corrupted the furbolgs!

Hephaestus Pilgrim says: Is there no low to which these Horde will not stoop? In any case, you have done what you can for the furbolg. There is another matter I would ask your help with.

[Baalun]: Say the word and we will go.

Hephaestus Pilgrim says: The volcano threatens to engulf all of Ashenvale if we do not act soon. Let me assure you, this was no natural eruption.

Cerethan seems lost in thoughts.

Hephaestus Pilgrim says: My sister, Sabina, is powerful. She has gone east to the edge of Thunder Peak's lava flow, just north of the road, to enlist the aid of the other elements against the fire lord that has caused this destruction.
Hephaestus Pilgrim says: Please, once you have refreshed yourselves here, go to her and give her what assistance you can.

[Saion]: Okay!

[Baalun]: We will.

[Anselyn]: We should fight the fire lord! When he is ash, the tastiest mushrooms will grow there.

[Sorraine]: Hang in there, Heph. We got this.

[Saion]: I love mushrooms!

[Corvin]: Yeah, in the meantime, Pilgrim, maybe I can talk to you about a sailing opportunity?

Cerethan suddenly loudly exclaims. "Aha!"

Saion looks to Cerethan.

Hephaestus Pilgrim looks puzzled at the change of subject, but nods at Corvin.

Corvin steps aside to talk to Hephaestus.

[Cerethan]: Groups of elves did go through other transformations! *He goes back to a conversation that has been over for a long time.* Satyrs, Naga, Blood elves, and some druids became feral, beastly creatures! *He pauses to look at his audience.* Such as snakes.

[Anselyn]: snakes?

[Saion]: Elves become snakes?? Wow!!

[Cerethan]: Druids of the Fang, if I recall correctly.

[Saion]: Fang, I know what this is!
Saion understood that reference.

[Cerethan]: All this to say… The history of the elves is rife with metamorphosis!

[Saion]: Yes!