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| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | Baalun, Corvin, Saion, and Sorraine head to Stardust Spire to help build the foundation for taking back Silverwind Refuge and to clear the path into the Stonetalon Mountains. In the process, they uncover a horrifying new Horde weapon. ~4700 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: Kalimdor Newbies
The scene opens on Baalun, Sorraine and Saion at Stardust Spire.
Saion makes as if to scoop Sorraine up in a big hug.
Baalun raises an eyebrow at the nickname, "I am well, thank you."
Corvin sidles up to the group, looking mildly concerned about the hugging potential.
Sorraine is not about to refuse that! She squeals and kicks her legs excitedly!
Saion gives her a little wiggle back and forth before setting her down.
Saion does not attempt to hug either of the men. He's met men.
[Corvin]: So, uh… worgen and draenei today, huh?
[Saion]: I am draenei!
[Baalun]: It would seem so, yes.
[Saion]: Vhere is Star Boy?
[Sorraine]: Horror dogs and space goats. What a team.
[Sorraine]: He don't like bein' called Starboy no more. He's Ray now.
[Saion]: Oh! Okay!
[Saion]: Vhere is Ray?
Sorraine shrugs. Who knows?
[Corvin]: He's tied up elsewhere for today. Who knows, some kind of highborne thing, I'd guess.
[Sorraine]: Dunno!
[Corvin]: I think it'll be us four, unless Anselyn wanders in. He does that sometimes.
Baalun nods at you.
[Corvin]: We're supposed to report to the Sentinel here…
Saion salutes Sentinel Velene Starstrike with respect.
[Sorraine]: 'Ello, gorgeous.
[Saion]: Reporting for duty, sir!
[Saion]: Ma'am!
Sentinel Velene Starstrike says: You’re the assistance I requested, then! Good, good. There’s work to do.
[Baalun]: We are here to aid you.
Saion agrees with Baalun.
Sentinel Velene Starstrike says: We could easily have held Silverwind Refuge from the Horde had they not taken control of our water elemental defenders on Mystral Lake.
Sentinel Velene Starstrike says: One of their shaman summoned in Tideress, an old and angry water spirit of the forest who befouled our elementals and turned them against us
[Sorraine]: Bloody rude.
Saion as usual looks very attentive to the person speaking, but with just the slightest glaze to his eyes suggesting he might be hearing about 5% of it.
Sentinel Velene Starstrike says: Your mission is to go east. Take the lake back so that we will have a chance to retake the refuge some day. Huntress Jalin has more plans – talk to her before you go.
Velene points to Huntress Jalin.
Sorraine salutes Sentinel Velene Starstrike with respect.
[Baalun]: We will make it so. Light bless you. *he bows*
Sentinel Velene Starstrike says: Elune be with you as well, draenei.
Saion salutes Huntress Jalin with respect.
Huntress Jalin grumbles to herself, “If we could just stop the damned bombing from the goblins' creations we'd be able to launch a counter-offensive to take back Silverwind Refuge!”
[Saion]: She is tall like draenei!
[Baalun]: Greetings, Huntress. We are here to aid you.
[Sorraine]: So talllll…
Huntress Jalin says: Ah, good! Maybe you can help. We need to put an end to their bombing efforts.
Huntress Jalin says: It's been my experience that goblins are either lazy and unproductive, or too productive and end up killing themselves with their own explosives.
Huntress Jalin says: Unfortunately for us, they're being motivated by the brilliant Chief Bombgineer Sploder.
[Sorraine]: Sploder?
Sorraine giggles.
Huntress Jalin says: Yes, they don't have very creative names, either, do they? Get up to the Skunkworks on the west side of the refuge and don't come back until you have the chief bombgineer's head!
Huntress Jalin says: As for our bombs, the gnome explosives squad we requested from Tinker Town arrived last week – just in time to face an assault by the Horde. We lost a lot of soldiers that day.
[Corvin]: Oh, no.
Saion understood 'oh no,' so he makes a sad face.
Huntress Jalin says: Most of the gnome team was taken captive as well. Now we're neck deep in Horde and we're down a dozen gnomes.
Huntress Jalin says: I'm begging for your help here. Travel east to Silverwind Refuge and look for any gnome survivors. They were all carted off by a big, merciless orc named Thundrak. Find him and you'll find our gnomes.
[Corvin]: I hope at least some of them are still alive *Corvin mutters*
Baalun sets his jaw and puts on a stern expression, "It seems we have our work cut out for us. We will overcome this challenge."
Saion cheers at Baalun!
Professor Xakxak Gyromate waves a hand. "Hey, if you’re going out there, can you do something for me as well? My gnomecorder communicator was damaged in the attack, and I don’t have the parts to repair it."
[Sorraine]: Your whatchamawhatzit?
Professor Xakxak Gyromate says: My gnomecorder. These goblins disgust me. Their filthy goblin technology is inferior to anything gnomish, yet…
Professor Xakxak sighs.
Professor Xakxak Gyromate says: They likely have the parts I need to make repairs. If you’re heading into the "Skunkworks", please bring back any spare parts you can find.
[Baalun]: We'll keep an eye out for any parts.
Professor Xakxak Gyromate says: Thanks, you're a lifesaver. Or at least a gnomecorder-saver.
Saion laughs at Professor Xakxak Gyromate.
[Corvin]: Seems like they need a lot of help here.
[Corvin]: Rescue, combat, assassination, recovery…. we're good for it, though, I think.
Baalun turns to the others, "Get ready to head out. We march."
Saion salutes Baalun with respect.
[Sorraine]: Wolf time! Awoooo!
Corvin salutes Baalun with respect.
Saion falls in line behind Baalun.
[Saion]: Very beautiful black talbuk here!
[Corvin]: What, the deer?
[Sorraine]: We call them 'deer'.
[Saion]: How sveet!
[Baalun]: These are not talbuk. They are Azerothian wildlife.
Saion peers at the stag.
[Saion]: Look like talbuk.
Corvin draws up short as we approach the Horde camp.
[Corvin]: Going through the front door, huh.
They are.
Corvin's wolfish form doesn't seem to hinder his aim in archery.
[Baalun]: Perhaps the Horde will respond to strength. *Baalun lights up as he puts on a seal of righteousness.*
[Corvin]: By dying, I hope.
The team makes their way into the camp, killing orcs.
[Corvin]: Looks like they're doing a lot of construction and… whoa.
[Baalun]: Look on top of that machine. *Baalun points*
[Corvin]: I don't know if I've ever seen a bomb that big before.
[Baalun]: An explosive?
[Saion]: This is bomb???
[Corvin]: I mean, I literally don't. Because amnesia.
Baalun points at Chief Bombgineer Sploder.
[Saion]: Dis is very bad! Ve have enchineer?
[Baalun]: And that must be the engineer.
[Corvin]: That must be him, yeah.
[Sorraine]: That's a really big bomb…
[Corvin]: We'll have engineers if we save those gnomes.
[Saion]: Ve need enchineer to make bomb not esplode!
[Corvin]: Wherever they are… but this could flatten Stardust Spire. Or even Astranaar!
[Saion]: I vish Sgt. Fallon is here. She vill make bomb not esplode.
[Corvin]: Think you could call her from… where was she again?
[Saion]: PLANE OF FIRE!
[Corvin]: Uh. I don't know if they have mailboxes there.
The team gets to the top of the structure and slays the Sploder.
[Corvin]: I can get the head if you like.
[Baalun]: Make it so.
Corvin does the grisly head-retrieving work, and tucks it in a dirty bag that he might keep around for that sort of thing.
[Baalun]: We will need to report on this bomb as well. The Sentinels made no mention of this.
[Saion]: Not good, not good, not good.
[Saion]: NOT GOOD.
[Corvin]: Yeah, I don't know how to disarm it, and we can't very well carry the thing.
[Saion]: Dis will destroy BIG CITY.
[Corvin]: Maybe one of the gnomes… or if you can get that sergeant from the Plane of Fire…
[Baalun]: We still need to locate those gnomes. Keep your eyes open.
Corvin nods.
[Corvin]: Look, a wagon!
Saion smashes the wagon wheels with his axe.
Saion cheers!
[Sorraine]: You're welcome!
Two gnomes are the only survivors. The bodies of the others are in the back of the wagon.
[Corvin]: Two of a dozen. I'm glad we weren't too late for all of them.
Baalun smiles almost imperceptibly, "Good."
Boog and Minx sprint off for Stardust Spire. They are not sticking around here.
[Baalun]: Now for the elementals!
[Corvin]: That's the lake just over there.
Saion seems to notice Baalun's smile, and reflects it at 20x the wattage.
[Sorraine]: Egbert! Stay close! Bloody bird….
[Corvin]: A shame seeing all this Horde machinery around a kaldorei camp.
[Saion]: Vhy you have egg bird?
[Baalun]: A red water elemental? What is going on here?
[Sorraine]: Ahh, that's a whole story, Puppy. If you're int'rested.
Saion turns his attention to what Baalun pointed out.
[Corvin]: Must be corrupted in some way. Wish we'd brought the Pilgrims with us, they might know.
[Baalun]: I fear you may be right. Either way we must defeat it.
Corvin nods, and readies his bow.
Saion outruns Corvin's bow.
Corvin barely manages to get a shot in before it falls. Saion goes faster than his arrow.
Saion finds a massive discarded hammer lying on the ground. He picks it up, hefts it experimentally, and then puts away his axe in favor of it.
[Corvin]: Maybe they'll be able to take it back now, if they can do something about that bomb.
Baalun nods at you.
As they head back towards Stardust Spire, Sorraine launches her tale.
[Sorraine]: Right, so picture this—I’m in some backwoods tavern, yeah? Place smells like damp wool an’ regret, full o’ folk lookin’ for a fight or a fool, an’ I’d had just enough drink to think meself both.
Saion listens intently to Sorraine.
Corvin looks over curiously at Sorraine's unfolding story.
[Sorraine]: So this big, ugly troll, built like a brick sh—…well, built like a fortress, he leans in an’ says, "Betcha can’t play a song so beautiful it makes a beast weep."
Saion is riveted by what he understands of this story, which is maybe 50%.
Corvin raises his eyebrows. "Was he talkin' about himself?"
[Sorraine]: Now, I might be a hopeless wanderer. Maybe a girl with a taste for bad decisions and worse ale…but I am a bard.
[Saion]: Yes!
[Sorraine]: And that, boyos, means I don't back down from a musical challenge.
Saion nods at Sorraine.
[Sorraine]: Y'know, Cor…maybe he was. That mighta saved me lots of trouble. But I was drunk.
Corvin laughs.
[Sorraine]: So, where do I go? Off into the woods to find myself a beast!
[Sorraine]: What do I find? A great big forest strider, just standin' there in the moonlight, starin' at me like she's judgin' every choice what's ever led me to that moment.
[Saion]: Vhat happen next??
[Sorraine]: Well, I pulled out me lute, didn't I? And I played. Oh, I PLAYED.
[Sorraine]: I pour me very soul into it. A melody so tragic, so achingly beau'iful, the very trees get all misty-eyed.
Corvin is rapt in attention to the story now.
[Sorraine]: The wind itself holds its breath. The stars lean in close, whisperin' to each other, "This one's a banger, lads."
Saion is beginning to look confused, but continues listening.
Corvin chuckles. "Poetic stars, those."
[Sorraine]: An' that strider? That judgy beast? She starts a'shakin'.
[Sorraine]: Then her beak wobbles, and—I swear on me muvver's bum—a single, glistenin' tear rolls down that feathered face.
Saion cheers at Sorraine!
[Sorraine]: I won! At least…I thought I did.
[Corvin]: That was the terms, yeah? You made it cry!
[Sorraine]: See, what I didn't expect was for the bird to start squawkin' and shudderin'…then right there, with one last KWARRK!…it lays an egg.
Saion gasps at Sorraine.
[Sorraine]: Now, I ain’t no expert on the ways of big, lanky birds, but I’m fair certain that ain’t normal. An’ yet, there’s the egg, sittin’ in the dirt, rockin’ side to side like it’s got urgent business to attend to.
Baalun 's expression remains stony but he listens intently to the story.
[Corvin]: What did it do next?
[Sorraine]: Then…crack! Out pops this scrawny, daft little hatchlings, all beak an' legs an' far too much enthusiasm.
[Sorraine]: He's starin' up at me like I'm his mum. And his actual mum? Hildegard? She gives me this long, solemn look, like she’s just made a decision, an’ kneels right down at me feet.
Saion is amazed by Sorraine!
Corvin looks a little skeptical at this, but who's he to question a good story.
[Sorraine]: So now I got meself a ridin' strider what cries at music an’ a baby bird what thinks I’m its mum.
Saion claps excitedly for Sorraine.
[Sorraine]: An' do ya know the worst part of it all?
[Saion]: No!
[Sorraine]: I never got me money from the bet!
[Saion]: Oh no!
[Corvin]: Troll skipped out on you?
[Saion]: Pffft! Trolls!
Sorraine shrugs. "Never saw 'im again. What can ya do?"
[Saion]: I do not know!
Sorraine smiles, satisfied with her obviously Very True and Indisputable tale.
[Baalun]: A fine tale.
[Corvin]: I'd say the birds are worth more than the money, in company alone.
[Saion]: Oh, dis is story of egg bird, yes! Thank you!
[Sorraine]: If ya say so. This scrawny thing is always runnin' off into trouble.
[Corvin]: Oh, and here we are at the Spire.
Saion salutes Sentinel Velene Starstrike with respect.
Corvin salutes Sentinel Velene Starstrike with respect.
[Baalun]: We have cleared out as many elementals as we could.
Sentinel Velene Starstrike says: Well done! With the befouled elemental numbers thinned and Tideress put back into the lake, we should be able to launch a counter-offensive on Silverwind Refuge. Just as soon as we're done with defending the spire….
[Sorraine]: About that….
[Saion]: GOBLINS HAF VERY BIG BOMB!
[Sorraine]: …you might have to defend from a bit more'n you anticipated.
Sentinel Velene Starstrike says: Oh?
[Sorraine]: Yup. That.
Sentinel Velene Starstrike says: They’ve got something explosive?
[Baalun]: Yes. We return with some bad news as well.
Sentinel Velene Starstrike says: I don't like the sound of that, but let's hear it.
Saion frowns. Was he not loud enough?
[Saion]: VERY BIG BOMB!!!!!
Sorraine flinches.
Sentinel Velene Starstrike says: Wait, you meant that literally? Oh dear.
Saion nods at Sentinel Velene Starstrike.
[Baalun]: Like Saion said, the goblins seem to have constructed a huge explosive device and are keeping it near Silverwind Refuge.
Saion nods at Sentinel Velene Starstrike.
[Sorraine]: Aye, lit'rally!
Saion nods at Sentinel Velene Starstrike.
[Sorraine]: "Big" doesn't really do it justice. It's bloody massive!
[Saion]: Big as … dis sing behint you! *He points to the ballista.*
Sentinel Velene Starstrike says: What, really? That sounds unreal.
Sentinel Velene Starstrike says: I have a very bad feeling about this. Definitely tell Jalin, she's the one interfacing with the gnome explosive experts.
[Saion]: Okay!
[Sorraine]: Get ready to shout again, Puppy.
[Baalun]: We will.
Saion nods solemnly at Sorraine. He's always willing to shout.
Professor Xakxak Gyromate says: Got my parts?
[Saion]: Oh yes!
[Sorraine]: Unreal, she says, as if I would ever fib.
[Saion]: Ve forget, because dere vas BIG BOMB.
[Baalun]: We have some of the parts you requested.
Professor Xakxak Gyromate says: I did hear that. But excellent, the goblin junk has arrived! Now to get this thing repaired. Standby, team. I'll let you know when it's ready. *He does not clarify why we should care*
[Baalun]: Also we managed to free two of the gnome prisoners.
[Saion]: Dey were very happy!
Professor Xakxak Gyromate says: Only two? That's… wow. Maybe we should've stayed in Dun Morogh. I expect they'll be making their way here soon.
We walk over to Huntress Jalin.
[Sorraine]: Tell her, Puppy.
[Saion]: GOBLINS HAVE VERY BIG BOMB!!
Sorraine giggles at Saion.
Huntress Jalin says: I think I heard you shouting before. Please at least tell me you killed their Sploder.
Saion looks to Corvin.
[Corvin]: Oh, yeah, head's right here. *Corvin casually gets it out to toss at her feet.*
Saion cheers at you.
Jalin looks down at it and nods. "That's better. Without him, their technicians are sure to fall back to their normal laziness. "
[Saion]: BUT VERY BIG BOMB???
Saion shifts from hoof to hoof, seeming anxious about this giant bomb situation.
[Baalun]: Saion is correct. We cannot ignore this threat.
Saion nods at Baalun.
Saion smiles at Baalun.
Stardust Sentinel says: Huntress, there! What is that!?
Huntress Jalin says: I… is that it over there? This land is doomed if the Horde manages to set that off.
[Saion]: Yes!! Doomed!!!
[Corvin]: Yeah, no kidding.
[Baalun]: I take it this will be our next assignment.
Huntress Jalin says: I don't know how to deal with a bomb like that. Can you help Gnombus in the meantime, and I'll try to think of a plan…
Gnombus paces irritably nearby.
Saion nearly trips over Gnombus, but looks down at the last minute and quickly backs up.
Gnombus says: You're here to help? Good. These night elves sent out a desperate call for help to us, so here we are. The first thing I did was upgrade their aerial defenses with some of my new sniper guns.
Gnombus says: Problem is, they don't use guns. Bow people, I guess. Do yourself a favor and lend 'em a hand, eh? Find 'em south of here.
[Baalun]: We are on our way.
Saion salutes Baalun with respect.
[Corvin]: I can use a gun. I'm sure we can help.
[Saion]: I also can use gun!
[Saion]: Right now do not haf gun. Only haf crossbow.
[Saion]: But know how to gun!
We get to the rise, where there are three cannons and a bewildered night elf.
[Sorraine]: Oy…those're some big guns.
Saion cheers!
[Corvin]: Whoa, yeah… that I have less experience with.
Saion seems excited about the giant cannons.
[Saion]: I know dis! I can help!
[Corvin]: Uh, we heard you don't know how to handle guns, we're here to help?
Kalen sighs.
Kalen Trueshot says: We use guns just fine, friend. CANNONS, on the other hand, I take issue with…
Kalen Trueshot says: The skies are swarming with heavily armored orcs on the backs of even more heavily armored wind riders. Our best efforts to bring them down have thus far proven fruitless.
[Saion]: I CAN HELP! *he is too loud in his excitement. Again.*
Sorraine chuckles at Saion.
Kalen Trueshot says: If you can use these things, then by all means.
Kalen Trueshot says: Our arrows usually just bounce off of those foul creatures. If we do happen to take one down the orcs deploy their goblin parachutes and safely land on the ground below.
Kalen Trueshot says: I need you to use Gnombus's sniper cannons and blow up the Warsong wind riders and then blow up the parachuting orcs.
[Sorraine]: I ain't never shot sumfin' like this in me life. Maybe best you boys 'andle this.
[Baalun]: I have some experience with the cannons on the Exodar. I will do what I can.
Saion nods at Baalun.
[Corvin]: Yeah, we did something similar in Astranaar with the kaldorei glaive-thrower things and wind riders. But, you know, less cannony.
[Saion]: Yes! Baalun and I know dis! Very lucky you have us!
[Sorraine]: That we are, Tiny!
[Corvin]: We can let the draenei handle it, then?
Saion rushes over to a cannon. He settles, focuses, and aims. He does seem quite experienced and confident at thiis.
[Sorraine]: I'll just be back 'ere coverin' my ears.
[Baalun]: Baalun mans a cannon and fires away.
Corvin flinches a little at the sound. "You and me both. You found your ears a little more sensitive after the change? Or maybe I just always had good hearing."
Saion cheers!
Saion takes down a frankly stunning number of wyverns and orcs.
Kalen Trueshot says: Excellent work. The gnome technology, while somewhat obnoxious, is highly effective. We should now have a clear path to Windshear Hold.
Saion cheers at Kalen Trueshot!
Kalen Trueshot says: Huntress Jalin will be pleased to know that the way to Windshear Hold is now clear. Please return to Stardust Spire and inform her of your success.
Kalen Trueshot says: She will most assuredly have more work for you now. Thank you and good luck, friend.
Baalun nods, "We will make it so."
Saion nods at Baalun.
[Corvin]: Good job, with the cannons.
Saion thanks Corvin.
[Baalun]: We've helped with the cannons. The Horde will be short a few officers now.
[Corvin]: Skies above Stonetalon are clear now, ma'am.
Huntress Jalin says: That's welcome news. They could do with a few less.
Huntress Jalin says: And with the airways clear our hippogryphs will be able to move into Stonetalon freely. Well done!
Saion was happy to help Huntress Jalin.
Huntress Jalin says: Now onto more pressing matters. What you witnessed at Trueshot Point was a small sampling of the decimation left in the wake of Hellscream's legacy.
Corvin's expression darkens.
Huntress Jalin says: As Warchief of the Horde, Hellscream has declared Kalimdor as the Horde's sovereign territory. All that would oppose the Horde are destroyed.
Huntress Jalin says: We are Kalimdor's last line of defense. Should we fall, Kalimdor will also fall. The Horde must be stopped!
[Saion]: Yes!
[Baalun]: Agreed.
Huntress Jalin says: Now the real work begins. Enter Stonetalon Mountains through Talondeep Pass and head towards the smoldering trees. Seek out the Krom'gar incinerators that are destroying the forest and slay as many as you can!
Saion salutes Huntress Jalin with respect.
Huntress Jalin says: Be warned, the incinerators are powerful orcs. Attacking them through conventional means will likely result in your death. Destroy the oil canisters on their backs and they will be devoured by flame!
[Baalun]: We will preserve the Night Elves' land here.
Saion squints, trying to understand her explanation.
Huntress Jalin says: We are happy to have such allies. Report to Sentinel Heliana at Windshear Mine should you succeed. She will have your next mission.
Baalun nods at Huntress Jalin.
Xakxak jumps up and down excitedly, waving us over.
[Baalun]: Do you have another mission for us?
Professor Xakxak Gyromate says: I have the gnomecorder repaired! Now we need to try it out. You’re heading into Stonetalon, right?
Saion nods at Professor Xakxak Gyromate.
[Baalun]: We are.
Professor Xakxak Gyromate says: Take this with you, and head down Talondeep Pass until you reach a filthy goblin drill machine. I’ll activate the gnomecorder when you reach your destination.
[Saion]: Vhat did she said about killink orcs?
Corvin glances to Saion. "She said we ought to bust up their flame canisters? To kill them easier."
[Saion]: Vhat is flaneca— vhat is dis sing you said?
[Corvin]: I'm sort of assuming it'll be clear when we see them.
[Sorraine]: I'm sure we'll know when we see 'em.
Saion looks very concerned and confused.
[Corvin]: Yeah, I usually just try to remember what people say. Even if it doesn't make sense.
[Corvin]: It usually does, eventually.
Corvin peers ahead. "Is that a filthy drill machine?"
Saion is visibly sweating.
[Saion]: AAAAACK!
[Sorraine]: You okay, Pup?
Saion - not having understood the assignment - just attacks the flamethrowing orcs directly.
[Corvin]: I uh… I guess that's the canister thing.
Corvin noted the thing on the orc's back and shoots it with arrows.
The gnomecorder crackles and pops with static electricity.
[Saion]: Esplain tactic please.
Professor Xakxak Gyromate says: Come in. Can you hear me? This is Professor Xakxak!
Sorraine unstraps the cannister from the orc that Saion took down. "This one's still in one piece. Might be useful."
[Corvin]: Yeah, yeah, loud and clear.
[Baalun]: We hear you. What would you have us do?
Professor Xakxak Gyromate says: PERFECT! With the Gnomecorder I will be able to direct you about Stonetalon! Now, onto our next order of business!
Professor Xakxak Gyromate says: These orc incinerators that burn the forest carry with them powerful weaponry! You must kill them and take their flame throwers.
Professor Xakxak Gyromate says: Once you have a flame thrower, search the forest for Warsong stockpiles and use the flame thrower to burn them down!
[Corvin]: That… sounds like a pretty sound strategy?
[Saion]: Yes! *Saion seems to understand this. 'Flame thrower' is pretty clear.*
Saion saw it throwing flames, so.
[Baalun]: Cutting them off from their supply lines. A good strategy.
Saion still does not get the strategy about shooting the canisters, though.
Corvin points out the oil canister with one hand before aiming to loose an arrow.
They come up to a crate.
[Corvin]: Marked for the Horde. For the flame?
[Saion]: Ve shoot flame srower?
[Corvin]: Yeah, setting all the boxes on fire.
Saion looks confused again, but asks no further questions and just tries not to get in the way.
The Gnomecorder buzzes loudly.
Professor Xakxak Gyromate says: How'd it go with the flame thrower?
[Saion]: SET MANY FIRE!
[Baalun]: We've destroyed the Horde's supplies.
Saion nods toward Baalun. What he said.
Professor Xakxak Gyromate says: Wonderful! Now, I have a bit of news that you might find interesting.
Professor Xakxak Gyromate says: The Horde has moved the gigantic goblin bomb you discovered at Silverwind Refuge.
Professor Xakxak Gyromate says: You remember Boog? The gnome you rescued from the orcish wagon of agony? Well, he and Minx have tracked the bomb down to Windshear Mine. Go there immediately! They'll be expecting you.
[Corvin]: Wow, they bounce back fast. Gnomes are resilient.
[Baalun]: It would seem so.
[Saion]: Is very good, because easy to hurt. By accident.
Saion isn't speaking from experience. Of course.
[Corvin]: They are pretty small. I'd guess you have to be careful.
When the team arrives to Windshear Mine, they see the bomb on a ballon just outside.
Corvin whispers, "The bomb."
Saion gasps!
Saion does not shout about it, seeming to take a cue from Corvin's whisper.
A gnome and a night elf are hiding beneath the mining entrance.
Boog says: Good to see you again. Thanks for the rescue in Ashenvale. Damn shame about all the gnomes we lost. You ready to get down to business?
Boog points to "The Bomb."
[Baalun]: We wait for your orders.
Saion nods vehemently.
Boog says: Keep your head down. No need to draw unwanted attention.
Boog says: Looks like the orcs are piling that balloon up with some type of ore from the mine. Get in there and take the ore from the orcs. Bring me back whatever you manage to grab and I'll ship it off to the professor for examination.
Boog says: Before you go, a word of advice: you can avoid the Krom'gar pretty easily in there as (1) they're dumb as dirt and (2) they can't see anything if they're carrying ore. Of course, you need to kill them to get their ore.
Sentinel Heliana looks over. "I'm not sure what these orcs are hauling out of here or why they're here, but I know that it can't be good. The gnome here will help with figuring that part out."
Sentinel Heliana says: For my part, I want you to get in that mine and take out the management. Without goblin overseers, these peons will be even more worthless.
Sentinel Heliana says: While you're inside, keep your eyes peeled for any other information about the Horde operation in the mines.
[Baalun]: Indeed. If we find anything we will let you know right away.
They get to killing orcs.
[Corvin]: Hey, what's that…
[Baalun]: Did you find something?
[Corvin]: Yeah, some kind of letter. It's in orcish.
[Corvin]: I think?
[Corvin]: I don't read orcish.
They head back outside.
Corvin shows the letter to Boog and Heliana. "Can either of you read this?"
[Saion]: Is orc language!
Sentinel Heliana says: Hm, there’s writing on it, but I don’t read orcish. I think one of the gnomes does.
Saion looks at Boog.
Boog says: Yes! Minx does! She might be back at Stardust, you could check for her there!
[Saion]: Okay!
[Corvin]: Let's head back that way?
[Saion]: Okay!
[Corvin]: I hope the Horde doesn't do anything with that bomb in the meantime.
Saion looks nervous.
The team gets back to Stardust Spire.
[Corvin]: Hey, have you seen Minx?
Huntress Jalin says: Ah… I'm not sure. I'll ask around. Stay here for now.
Corvin nods.
[Corvin]: Whatever this says, it might be important.
[Saion]: I go to make report for 6th E.U.!
[Saion]: Back soon!
Saion dashes off.
[Corvin]: See you soon.
[Sorraine]: I fink I'm gonna take the opportunity for a li'l beauty nap.
[Baalun]: I should meditate to prepare for the coming trials. I have much to reflect on.
[Corvin]: I might do some sketching. *Corvin settles in.*