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| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | The fourth week of the war against the denizens of the Firelands, during which the Druids of the Talon officially join the fray. Logs include Anareline, Celaven, Jocoza, Auralind, Caspis, Tyrrell, Cressidha, Linwel, Mordecai, Ralaea, Sintha, and Velrin. ~7600 words |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Monday
Anareline nods at the stormcrow, a faint smile on her face. Words might be useful sometimes, but they are not always necessary.
Caspis changes into elven form to embrace Anareline silently.
Ana relaxes into the embrace, her head on his shoulder, and waits for him to be the one to pull back.
"I am ready to fight at your side," he says solemnly before kissing her hair and releasing her.
"Always," Ana says quietly, before her posture straightens and she returns to solemn elf warrior. "Our usual rounds. The border, the front."
Caspis nods gravely and turns back into stormcrow form for travel.
"I should tell you about the mission not long ago," Ana says, as they fight. "On behalf of… the blue dragonflight."
"Ah?" Caspis's feathery brows lift.
"One called Kalecgos," Anareline explains. "He… cares for Nordrassil. I suppose it is not surprising that the dragons do, but the blues have never been close to our people."
Caspis nods solemnly in agreement
"The Druids of the Flame were attempting to use some kind of magic on a branch, within the Firelands, to set the tree aflame," Anareline says, ending a fiery behemoth casually.
Caspis growls, his eyes flaring brightly for a moment.
"We killed them," Ana says, just as calmly. "It was very undiginified, on their part. They were transformed into various animals.By the mages, I mean. Not by their own power."
Caspis smiles fiercely, showing fangs. "I am pleased this was handled properly."
Ana smiles, and for once there's a hard edge to it. Then the smile fades, and she adds, "They had trapped an Ancient Protector. We were able to douse his flames, but…"
Caspis's ears droop.
"We brought him peace, and he will grow again in time," Ana says quietly. "And then, we were able to recover the branch. Well, after we defeated an elemental," Ana shrugs.
Caspis's gaze has drifted far away - he is clearly Reliving a Memory of some kind.
"In any case, that is one thing I have done lately, while not directly on the front," Ana concludes. "The branch itself I trusted to Auralind, who I believe took it to the dragons."
"Ah, good…" Caspis says vaguely. He continues to focus on damaging enemies with spells, leaving Anareline unhealed. Good thing she's tough.
"It will be treated with due reverence, I believe," Ana says. "It was Kalecgos who uncovered the plot, so his respect is assured." Ana doesn't seem to mind. She's tough.
"What do you know of this … Kalecgos?" Caspis says, pronouncing the name as though it is some new slang the kids are using these days.
"I know little," Anareline admits. "I did not even speak with him myself. But the others… Mordecai and the mages, they seemed to trust him." Ana passes into the Firelands.
"If Mordecai Aspenwood trusts him," Caspis says solemnly, "Then he is trustworthy."
"He is a good man," Anareline says, after a moment. "I think… his judgment is sound."
"I… wish to learn more about the Light, from him," Caspis says a bit awkwardly as they head into the fiery battle.
"About the Light, love?" Ana says in surprise. "It is a different tradition to Elune, but I think it is valuable."
"He seemed to think it might help with my anger…? Or… I do not remember the details, only that this was the plan, when we parted,” Caspis says.
"At a time before we were reunited…" Ana frowns in thought. "I spoke with Colson, with some bitterness. He said at the time that the Light would guide his path. Perhaps if it has for me, it has led me to you."
"The Light seems… less stern than Elune, as he describes it. That even though it is simply a force of creation, it still is… forgiving? Caring? Somehow?" Caspis looks confused but interested.
"Forgiving…" Ana says, and then pauses to kill a lava burster. "That may be a tradition we could do well to emulate."
Caspis sighs heavily, brow furrowing. "I draw the line at any talk of forgiving Fandral," he growls softly.
"He has had entirely too much forgiveness, without his even asking for it," Ana says coolly.
"And he would feel insulted by the very idea that anything he does requires forgiveness," Caspis says bitterly.
As they fight, Caspis pauses now and then to retrieve strange blossoms from the lava pools.
"I think… forgiveness is for those who seek to change," Ana says, picking one of the magmolias carefully. "Not for those we wish would change."
A lava burster emerges from the pool where Ana was gathering - the two end it swiftly.
"He will never change," Caspis says. "Except to become worse."
"As he has," Ana nods. "But now he is defended, and our work is harder."
"Fandral's is the sort of arrogance that would insist mountains move to him. The sort that would insist the facts change, rather than that he correct himself in his ignorance."
Anareline glances at the Sentinel sapling as they return to the camp, and smiles briefly. "Luckily, neither mountains nor facts will obey his whims any longer."
"We should aid the Wardens," Ana says, gesturing to the northeast. "If you're… willing?"
Caspis frowns, but nods. "They clearly need aid," he says dryly.
"He escaped under their watch, I know," Ana says with a sigh. "I think they seek to right that."
"The mistake was imprisoning him to begin with. What was that meant to do?" Caspis shakes his head.
"They obeyed," Ana says, galncing at the nearby Shalis. "Though perhaps they should not have. We still do not know exactly how he escaped."
"The entire system of imprisonment," Caspis opines, is unnatural and cruel. Those with good in them will find it extinguished. Those without good in them should simply be extinguished."
"You may be right," Ana nods. "In any case, I do not seek to be a jailer. But speaking of imprisoned… watch out for cocoons. The spiders catch our people."
"What a dreadful way to die," Caspis observes.
"Hopefully, most of them will find rescue before death," Ana says, cutting another druid out of a cocoon.
Caspis spots a druid of the flame and goes absolutely berserk, flinging spells at them.
Ana dives in front, preventing the Druid from harming her shalan in response. Ana nudges the mask aside and looks down at the face for a moment, and then shakes her head.
"I do not know what it says that I am relieved all their talk of their 'Lord' is about an elemental and not Fandral."
says Caspis.
"They serve the same master, but they do not serve him," Ana agrees.
"An interesting note about these spiders they've tampered with… their carapaces are peculiarly well suited for leatherworking.
Ana looks at him, surprised. "Are they? You can work leather with… spiders?"
"It was a surprise to me, too, but my father taught me well to notice the signs. My experiments bore out my intuition." Caspis's ears perk up a bit.
"I wonder if it might have flame resistant properties," Ana muses.
"We've done what we can for now," Ana says, heading back to the Sentinel Tree. "Let us take some time to rest."
"It helps me, I think. To be a part of this," Caspis says. "Talking is necessary, they tell me. But action also helps."
"Yes," Ana says. "I agree. Talking is one thing, but action… it helps us, and more than us."
"If we can defeat him, perhaps my rage will abate entirely. I… cannot even imagine what that might feel like," Caspis says. "It has been so long, my love."
Ana's posture softens, aware from the front, and she steps closer to Caspis, threading her arm through his. "I would like to see what our souls feel like, together without the rage on either side."
Caspis meets her gaze for a long moment, then slowly nods. He settles in, then, for some much needed rest.
Wednesday
Celaven waits at the Sanctuary of Malorne, carefully inspecting his robes for fire damage.
Mordecai speaks quietly to Dorda'en Nightweaver about supplies.
Tyrrell approaches Celaven and snaps off a crisp salute. "Captain Hall is taking Lt. Crowley and Sgt. Greywatch to the Spire. We're with Master Sgt. Fallon."
Sintha Fallon approaches from the direction of the flight path, clad in her blue and gold leathers. She blows a stray strand of hair out of her face, and then slips her hair primly behind her ears.
"Just as well we're not with the Captain today. She seemed especially cross. Another report from Sgt. Saion perhaps?" Tyrrell suggests.
Celaven nods at Tyrrell. "The usual split then." He notices Mordecai over by the kaldorei healer. "Mordecai? You're here as well?"
Tyrrell crisply salutes Sintha.
Mordecai turns at the sound of his name. "Oh. Um, hello, everyone. Yes."
"Ah, Cobalts. Perhaps we ought to team up" says Tyrrell.
Sintha smiles at Tyrrell like the little girl from the GIF. "Sergeant Tyrrell."
Tyrrell sighs.
She looks over her shoulder, blinks, and then turns. "It is Cobalts."
"They're quite helpful in a pinch, I've found," Tyrrell says mildly.
"We were about to make the rounds, I believe," Celaven says, smiling at Mordecai and Auralind. "If you are as well?"
Auralind nods sharply. "Shai."
"A pleasure to see the pair of you not on a plummeting airship!" Sintha says airily to Mordecai and Auralind.
"Yes. Somehow even these dire circumstances are preferable," Auralind says to Sintha.
"Death is marginally less imminent," Sintha says to Auralind.
Mordecai fidgets with his fingers. "I, um, I could, if you want another healer, I'd be happy to…"
"One can never have too many healers," Tyrrell says gravely.
Tyrrell might be remembering some occasions when the 6th EU did not have enough healers. :(
"I would be happy to work alongside you again," Celaven says to Mordecai with a smile. "As in the infirmary, years ago."
Mordecai manages a faint smile.
Tyrrell lofts an inky brow. "I didn't realize you knew one another. Excellent."
Sintha surveys Thaeru'kal. "Your cat isn't going to eat Tyrrell's… thing, is it?" Sintha does not look down at Bizpep.
Thaeru'kal eyes Bizpep.
"Surely any creature would know better. The smell alone." Tyrrell raises his other brow.
Bizpep scowls but does not comment. He knows better.
"Not unless she gets hungry," Aura says dryly.
Sintha smiles again. "Well, then. Let's get on with it!"
"I can recommend her a number of more pleasant things to eat," Tyrrell says.
"The southern ledge is still a problem, it seems. Shall we?" Sintha looks the group over.
Celaven calls his gryphon.
Mordecai trails after them on Almond.
"One day, we will drive them out entirely," Celaven murmurs, as they fly.
Tyrrell turns into a jet-black wolfman, as per usual, once the battle begins.
Sintha slips through shadows as blithely as if she were navigating a crowded party. But with poisoned blades.
The druids at Sethria's Roost are hard at work holding back the tide. A moonkin with antlers decorated with small trinkets channels the power of the stars.
Celaven keeps an eye on his friends, but primarily focuses on sending holy fire at his enemies. There is little danger in such an efficient group.
"You're getting quite good at that," Tyrrell comments to Celaven.
Celaven smiles. "I try to be flexible to the circumstances."
Tyrrell is surprisingly gentle with the little bear cubs the team attempts to rescue.
"Gateway there," Sintha says, abruptly terse.
A flame lieutenant emerges, and is promptly dispatched.
Tyrrell looks down at the giant corpse. "We handled that swiftly," he notes.
"They keep sending these creatures through," Celaven frowns.
"And we keep sending them back but they don't take hints," says Sintha.
Mordecai has not said anything other than 'Shield' in a little while.
Aura nods. "I am unsurprised by our efficiency."
"They've enough of them that our constant annihilation of them does not seem to concern them," Tyrrell says dryly.
"Well, at least we're nuisances," Sintha observes cheerfully.
Tyrrell opens his mouth. Closes it.
"We're going through the gate. Cobalt, coming?" Sintha looks over her shoulder.
"Yessir," Mordecai says to Sintha.
Sintha beams at Mordecai, wrinkling her nose.
On the other side of the portal, Cressidha is distributing water.
"Celaven, can I ask you and Mordecai to fan out and recover the wounded?" Sintha asks in a tone that suggests she's not actually asking because she's the boss.
Tyrrell gives Cressidha a warm nod of greeting as he passes.
Celaven gives a salute and heads out to find the wounded.
Cressidha raises a hand to them.
Sintha trots down the slope toward a Molten Giant with a nonchalance that would make her brother extremely angry.
Mordecai salutes Sintha in odd synchronization with Celaven.
Tyrrell sees Sintha surrounded by flaming creatuers and heads over to help out.
In a moment when they pass on the battlefield, Celaven says to Mordecai, "I am pleased to see you're also lending your strength here. There is much to heal."
Tyrrell calls down a hail of fire as firekin emerge from a portal.
Mordecai shoots him a brief smile. "Help me get her up, please?" He is trying to support a tauren druid who is barely standing.
Celaven bends to get under the tauren's other shoulder. "We should get her back to the Sentinel Tree."
Sintha tucks her hair back behind her ears again. It stays put this time, because it is damp. Because sweaty. "Was that Cressidha Aspenwood? Gosh."
Mordecai helps the druid back to safety with Celaven's support.
"It was," says Tyrrell. "She's been helping out here for some time," Tyrrell adds, studying Sintha.
"How brilliant of her." Sintha nods firmly and then ducks aside from a fire elemental and spins lightly to lash out with a knife.
Tyrrell backs Sintha up with a fel-green chaos bolt.
Celaven helps get the tauren settled with Mordecai, and then straightens. "What next, today?"
"I think I'm going to try to catch up with the rest of my unit at the Spire, now that we've got this area cleaned out a bit. Unless the Master Sergeant objects?" He turns his glacial gaze to Sintha.
Auralind's arrows thwip through the air, often concerningly close to her allies, but she never seems to hit them.
"I'm going to help them hold the line here, because these giants are absurd," says Sintha breathlessly. "Celaven, you'll remain for healing. Tyrrell, yes, you can report ahead."
Tyrrell can't help but cringe away a bit as one of Auralind's arrows whooshes by.
He salutes Sintha crisply.
Celaven nods. "I'm with you, Master Sergeant."
"Take care of her," Tyrrell says.
Cressidha offers Sintha and Celaven bottles of conjured water.
Sintha gives Celaven a wrinkle-nosed smile, and then nimbly manages not to be stomped by a giant. She casts an exasperated look upward.
"Chaplain Aspenwood and I will continue to fight alongside you," Auralind declares, apparently deciding for Mordecai.
Mordecai bows his head.
Celaven accepts with a murmured thanks in Darnassian to Cressidha, and says to Tyrrell, "Have no fear, I will."
"Oh, hello, darling!" Sintha beams at Cressidha and steps aside to chug water in a most un-Sintha-like fashion.
Tyrrell nods gratefully to Celaven. Then he eyes the water-chugging going on.
"Good afternoon, everyone," Cressidha says. She passes out water to the others as they get closer.
"Lady Cressidha," says Tyrrell. "You are well?" He reverts to human form as she approaches.
"I am, thank you," Cressidha says. "Where is the rest of your unit?"
"Most of them have gone ahead to the Spire. I'm heading that way myself. Master Sergeant Fallon and Sgt. Evensong are remaining here to hold the line."
Anareline comes through the portal. She spots the others and raises a hand, coming to join them.
Cressidha nods to him. "Fight well. Be safe."
Caspis follows behind Anareline quietly.
Celaven nods, and turns back to see to those who need healing.
Tyrrell gives Cressidha a gallant bow. He remains in human form, for now, even as he begins to head out.
"To the Spire?" Anareline says, coming in at the end of the conversation. "We are headed that way as well."
Auralind dips her head to Anareline and Caspis. "Ishnu dal dieb."
Mordecai looks faintly relieved that Anareline does not have contradictory orders for him. "Yes."
"Onward then," says Tyrrell, saluting her. Caspis shuffles behind in moonkin form.
Anareline acknowledges Auralind, Mordecai and Tyrrell. She pauses as her gaze goes to Sintha and Celaven. "I trust the 7th will continue to look after my son."
"He is in good hands, with Master Sergeant Fallon. They will look after each other."
Tyrrell reverts to his wolf-form now that he's hurling fire again.
"Naturally." Sintha waves her water bottle and gives Ana a solemn nod.
"Fallon," Ana repeats, the name clearly familiar. She nods. "Their ward has been acquitting herself well. Take care." She turns to head for the spire.
Mordecai sips water in between Power Words and skirmishes. He is doing his best to keep everyone shielded as much as possible.
Tyrrell solemnly acknowledges Mordecai with a nod when he is shielded.
Ana considers this new battlefield. "The spiders are still numerous."
Caspis makes a low moonkin aggro sound.
Ana glances back at the others, "In case you had not heard, they have been cocooning our people. Keep an eye out in case you find anyone who needs freeing."
"Light, what a way to go." Tyrrell shudders.
Caspis shuffles over near Mordecai and briefly places a feathery hand/claw/wing/thing on his shoulder.
Mordecai starts inspecting cocoons.
"They will not, if we can help it," Ana nods to Tyrrell.
Mordecai pats Caspis's wing gently. "Hello."
"Ruru," says Caspis softly.
Caspis is visibly agitated when he sees that the wardens are capturing the Druids of the Flame alive.
"There's someone in here!" Mordecai calls, gesturing to a cocoon.
Ana moves over to hack at the spiderweb with her sword.
Auralind doesn't seem to notice Caspis's visible agitation.
Carefully, so as not to kill the person inside.
Tyrrell carefully singes the outside of the cocoon in a way to help destroy it without hurting the trapped person, helping Ana.
Eventually, a druid emerges. "Thank you. I thought I was done for."
Caspis turns into elven form to hiss to Ana, "What are they going to do, put them in a dark hole for ten thousand years? What is the meaning of capturing them?"
"It's temporary, love," Ana says comfortingly. "The last prisoner we brought, they simply questioned. Then they killed him."
Caspis looks relieved to hear of the killing! Tyrrell eyes him up and down.
Auralind leans toward Caspis. "Gathering information is a vital part of war, rul'denore."
Cas, back in moonkin form, nods to Auralind, seeming mollified.
Mordecai quietly tends to the druid rescued from the cocoon.
"I think that may be what we can do for today," Ana says solemnly.
Tyrrell salutes.
Friday
Anareline rides through the air over Mt. Hyjal on her gryphon, glancing to the stormcrow at her side.
Caspis caws softly. He lands at Sethria's roost, shifting effortlessly into his rather ominous moonkin form.
Ana nods at the nightmare moonkin, unafraid. "This is still the form you prefer?"
Caspis shifts back to elven form to answer. "My spells are more potent in this form," he explains. My preferred form is my own, as it is the only one in which I can speak."
Anareline nods. "I love you in any form, but I prefer this one as well."
Caspis smiles slightly, then sobers. "In the fight against Fandral's minions, I cannot sacrifice an iota of spellpower," he says, and then shifts back to help assault a molten giant in moonkin form. He seems to have no difficulty shifting back and forth between moonkin and elf, however, and easily does so when he needs to speak to her.
Anareline nods her understanding. She carefully unwinds the bindings from each behemoth, as she has seen Mordecai do, preserving them for the healers. "I confess I am troubled that Runetotem is still healing."
"I am shocked that he is alive at all," says Caspis. "I pray daily for his recovery."
"Sometimes I question myself, if there was anything I could have done," Anareline says, as another giant falls. "I was there, trapped in smoldering roots. I did not realize he would follow us."
Caspis studies her solemnly. "I know how much this haunts you," he says softly. "But please understand, Tyrande Whisperwind herself could have done no better."
Ana howls over another giant, and her expression is tense as she says, "The people who went with me there. They said afterward that it was poorly done. That we should have planned better, and I…"
"Who said this?" Caspis interrupts sharply.
Anareline shakes her head. "It is a valid criticism. If one does not allow criticism, then a system is corrupt."
"Who said it?" Caspis asks again, his eyes hard.
"It is not what was said that matters," Ana says, meeting his gaze. "It is what I believe. I did not know the powers that these Druids of the Flame muster. We went in without necessary intelligence, and Hamuul Runetotem paid the price."
"I know what you believe of yourself," Caspis says, his gaze firm. "This is why I want to know who is speaking these lies to you aloud and making them take deeper root."
Ana sighs. "I don't even remember anymore. The important thing is that the next time I face Leyara, I will kill her."
"That is important," Caspis agrees. "But promise me that if anyone else should try to undermine your confidence, you will let me know."
"I promise, shalan," Ana says, a flicker of vulnerability in her expression. "I never expected to be in such a position."
"The world needs leaders like you. Not leaders like the ones who wish to lead." With that, he turns back into a moonkin and unleashes hell on a giant corehound.
When they get back to the Sanctuary, Ana gives the bandages to Dorda'en before they prepare to head into the Firelands.
Caspis heads there in stormcrow form, another form he seems to slip in and out of easily.
Ana looks at the small Sentinel Tree before she heads into the breach, and seems to take some courage from it.
Caspis does the same, then follows her out into the fiery chaos. "I felt it again," Caspis says quietly between battles. "Just now, when you spoke of someone casting aspersions upon your leadership. That… strange wild fire inside. I thought at first it was only things to do with Staghelm, but… anything that would normally make me angry… I start to feel it… burning out of control. I do not know why. I am accustomed to anger, and have always been able to keep it controlled."
"The one that kindles into violence?" Ana looks at him in concern.
"Only the once," he said. "Because I did not expect it to burn so hot. I can… prevent that now, I believe."
"But…" he continues. "I do not want to feel this way. It isn't right. Anger is understandable, but this… this is… I know not what."
"Do you think…" Ana frowns. "Perhaps it sounds foolish when I say it aloud. But you speak of fire, and here we are."
"I have wondered that too. I hope I am not in danger of… becoming what they are." Caspis frowns deeply.
"Could the unbalancing of the elements affect you?" Ana asks, looking at him seriously.
"I am not sensitive to the elements at all," he says. "Blind and deaf to them, for the most part."
"But then, a thing may affect you without your knowledge," Ana says, considering. She sighs. "Perhaps it is better to address the things we can, the internal things."
Caspis ponders for a while. In moonkin form, hurling spells. "I must admit," Caspis says hesitantly afte ra moment, "that part of me embraces whatever it is. I seem… more effective in battle."
"If I can hold off doing any more … collateral damage," Caspis muses, "perhaps it would be best to hold onto whatever it is until Staghelm and his toadies have fallen."
Anareline frowns. "I would not want you to harm yourself in the process of pursuing another."
"But it is my passivity, my inaction, that led us here in the first place," Caspis says gravely.
"Not only yours," Ana says. "Many others had the same opportunities."
"But I knew. I had seen his corruption, and they were blind to it. I saw the truth and was too quiet, too patient."
Anareline doesn't answer, as they reach the Druids of the Flame. Her expression drops to one of cold fury as she fights.
Caspis unleashes his full fury - and there's no denying it. His spells are hitting harder than she has ever seen them.
For a time they are silent, as flame druids surround them and outnumber them. Their combined fury makes an end to their attackers.
Ana nods to Caspis, "Still no sign of him."
Caspis turns back into elven form long enough to growl, "We will find him."
"I must say," Caspis says at the next break in the fighting, "that I am strangely glad he has done something I am not obligated to forgive him for. I have always been angry at him for abandoning you and his children."
"He…" Anareline frowns. "He was a better man than he was a father. Now, I do not think he is either."
"I will not mourn his loss, only that he entangled himself in your life."
"I did love him, once," Ana says quietly. "And I cannot regret my children. But… all the rest."
Caspis inclines his head in regretful acknowledgement. "Celaven is a gift," he agrees.
"What was it that you loved about Cerelar Dawnshadow?" Caspis asks, no trace of anger in his eyes this time.
"He… valued my strength," Ana says, her eyes going distant as memory stretches back centuries. "He found it beautiful. He was patient, never asking more of me than I had to give."
"I am glad, at least, that he treated you well for a time," Caspis says with soft sincerity.
Ana nods. "I think he believed he wanted to be a father. But, he always struggled with difficult emotions. We were similar in that way, though I think I have grown where he has not."
"I am glad you were not alone all that while," Caspis says sadly. "I am also glad, however, that I need not pretend to forgive him for abandoning you."
Ana nods slowly. "I had been, largely, for centuries, at that point. I think I needed to break the solitude, even if I did not understand it myself at the time. But… I am also glad that it is over with him. If not glad of the pain he left behind for the children."
"Celaven, at least, seems to be thriving," Caspis says with fatherly pride.
Ana smiles. "He does. His comrades seem well-suited. The Fallon girl, the worgen."
"They are here, you know. His 'unit' from the 7th Legion. I see them frequently, and the way he works alongside them."
"Yes, I have spotted them as well," Ana nods. "And worked with the worgen, a man called Tyrrell. I advised him to seek out your shan'do. He seemed… a little uneasy with his shapechanging."
"I hope she is able to help him, though I admit the worgen still make me uneasy," says Caspis.
"It is not an easy affliction," Ana concedes. "But it seems the druids have managed to find a way to calm the wolf spirit in them."
"I have had little involvement in that," Caspis admits. "I believe that was near the time that I was working with the Cobalt Squad in Hyjal…?" He shrugs. Time is hard.
Anareline shrugs. "It was… recent years? I have not been deeply involved either, though one sees them around Darnassus."
Caspis nods, then surveys the surroundings. "I believe it is safe for us to rest a while," he says.
"Then let us do so," Ana says, some of the tension going out of her shoulders. "We will be called back to the fight soon enough."
Caspis turns into a storcrow, so as to follow her more swiftly to shelter.
Saturday
Mordecai is once again in conversation with Dorda'en Nightweaver about Arch Druid Hamuul and necessary supplies.
Caspis is once again a stormcrow, perched on the head of the statue of Malorne. Watching.
Velrin is chilling up with Caspis.
Ralaea is down by one of the tents, watering her gryphon with a root.
Jo arrives as usual on her flying machine.
Caspis's feathers ruffle slightly at the sight of the flying machine.
Mordecai glances up at the noise. That sure is a device. "Oh! Jo."
If Jo notices the feathers ruffling, she probably just assumes it's a bird thing. She dismounts and turns the device off. "Hello, Mordecai! Thought I'd join tonight."
Caspis looks at Velrin and tilts his head inquisitively.
Velrin giggles and strokes Caspis's head.
"So you had the same idea as I did," Ralaea says, addressing Jocoza. "I brought firecrackers today, because I heard you can fight fire with… more fire."
Jo grins. "That you can! It's an excellent idea, Ralaea."
Anareline flies in on her gryphon, considerably more quiet than the machine. She dismounts and nods to Caspis and Velrin, and then raises a hand to Mordecai and Ralaea. "It is nearly time for us to speak with the Druids of the Talon."
Mordecai smiles at her. "We need, um, flamewaker scales. Running low."
Caspis perks at the words Druids of the Talon, and caws softly toward Velrin before descending and landing near Anareline.
Ana nods at Mordecai. "Perhaps we should see to that before we speak with Omnuron."
Velrin hops down to join the others.
Caspis bows respectfully to Jocoza.
"Could we? That would be… really helpful. Hello, everyone. Light grant us Fortitude," says Mordecai.
"The usual rounds, to get the scales, then?" Ana glances around at those assembled. "We can see to the southern border while we're out."
Mordecai's prayer spreads over the group.
"And arcane grant us brilliance," Jo whispers.
Caspis murmurs a thank-you to Mordecai.
"We have a patrol route," Mordecai explains to Jo.
Jo nods. "I'll follow the team."
Caspis shifts into stormcrow form and circles above.
Ana leads the way to the southern cliffs, where the elemental creatures continue to fight.
Bells jingle as a moonkin disappears behind a tree. It's not Caspis.
Caspis flies over toward the moonkin and caws at it in a friendly manner as he does a lazy circle over it. Then he heads back toward Jo.
Jo glances around at the sound of the jingle, curiously.
The moonkin chirps and raises their arms to the sky.
"We made quick work of them," Ana says in approval. "A strong team today."
Caspis lets out a shrill caw that sounds strangely triumphant.
Mordecai uses a tool to peel scales off the dead flamewakers and wraps them up in cloth.
Velrin uses her many knives to help Mordecai.
A molten boulder crashes into Caspis mid-flight - he shifts into moonkin form on the way down, going into Battle Mode and flinging bright spells with a vengeful fury.
Mordecai gasps and hurriedly heals Caspis.
Mordecai startles as a spectral stag dashes through his body.
Anareline rushes to Caspis's defense. Once things are stable again, Ana points. "Portal. Let's see to it."
The team sees to it, killing a lieutenant of flame.
"Now we can drop off the scales, and continue on to the Druids of the Talon." Ana nods, satisfied.
Mordecai turns his scales over to Dorda'en with a smile. "Here. Velrin got some, too."
They continue on to the Druids of the Talon.
As the group approaches Aviana's shrine, Caspis turns back into elven form, and removes his hood and mask.
Ana steps back to walk at his side.
Mordecai tucks his hat under his arm.
When he reaches the top floor of the shrine, Caspis bows deeply and says, "Skylord Omnuron." He appears to be addressing the man in the OTHER bird mask.
Velrin bows to Omnuron.
Mordecai quickly bows. He smooths out his tabard self-consciously.
Ralaea silently mouths 'Omnuron' to herself.
Omnuron nods. "Caspis Silvershade, it is good to see you and your companions." Omnuron nods at Velrin and looks over the others.
Ana nods respectfully.
"This must mean it is time for us to assist in the Firelands," Omnuron says seriously. "I can't say I'm eager to bring my flock to the Firelands, but I knew it would become necessary at some point."
"Because of the catching on fire part?" Ralaea asks.
Velrin sideyes Rae.
"It is… not advisable for birds," Omnuron says, looking at Rae quizzically. "Indeed."
Caspis's ears suddenly lift, and he tilts his head sharply, eyes going fixed on a random point in the distance as though he has just had a sort of epiphany. None of the local druids seem to find his behavior unusual, and don't pay him any mind.
"In any case, I need no more convincing. The Druids of the Talon will lend their aid," Omnuron nods.
Suddenly, Thisalee Crow and another druid run in.
Mordecai startles and hides behind Jocoza. He's not hiding very well.
Jo steps shifts to help shield Mordecai, even though she is very small.
Cas is distracted from whatever just distracted him, by the entrance of Thisalee. Unselfconsciously he moves to embrace her, his manner that of a man with a young child.
Ralaea offers Mordecai a shield.
Mordecai takes another half-step back to stand next to Rae. He mutters to her, "Just startled me."
"It's a good instinct," Ralaea tells Mordecai. "Might save you from actually bad things."
"Caspis! It's a good day," Thisalee says, returning the hug with a laugh. "Did I hear right, Omnuron? We're going to join the fight?" Thisalee sounds excited, not scared.
"Yes, Thisalee. Gather our forces. We leave for the Molten Front at once." Omnuron says.
Caspis nods at Thisalee with the sort of solemnity adults usually reserve for precocious seven-year-olds.
Thisalee grins at Caspis, and then looks over the others. "I'm going to enjoy this."
"Hello again," Mordecai mumbles. "I'm glad you're doing well."
Thisalee waves cheerily to Mordecai, and then the three druids shift into stormcrow form and fly out.
Velrin does her best to not get jealous that she's not getting all of Caspis's attention. (Only child problems)
Caspis shifts into stormcrow form, almost follows them out, then remembers and flies back. Changes back. His ears droop with embarrassment.
"We should join them there," Ana says. "But most of us cannot turn into crows."
"Yes," Caspis says softly, gazing at the floor.
Mordecai heads down the ramp. "Almond is outside."
Caspis gives Mordecai a gentle pat. This time, Caspis waits for everyone to mount before he turns into a bird.
The team heads for the Firelands. The Sentinel Tree has now grown significantly larger, and greenery and plant-life has begun to spread out from it over the scorched and ashy soil of the Firelands.
When Ana passes through the portal, she stops in place, shocked but not upset.
When they arrive at the front, Caspis turns into moonkin form and gazes approvingly at the greenery that has sprung up all around Malfurion's tree.
Jo comes through and makes an exclamation of surprise.
Mordecai pulls his hat on. "Oh," he says. "It's growing." He gently touches a flower with his fingertips.
"It's so lush…" Velrin takes in the sight.
"It's growing," Ana says, staring at the tree in amazement.
Caspis turns back to elven form briefly to murmur to several of the nearby plants encouragingly.
Mordecai looks around for a bunch of birds.
Omnuron says, "Good, you're here. We need your help to secure additional landing territory past the Furnace."
"We can help with that," Mordecai says. He then looks at Anareline to confirm that they can help with that.
Caspis looks very willing to help with that, though perhaps not certain what exactly 'that' entails.
Ana nods. "That's what we're here for."
Windcaller Nordrala says, "I will go with you by foot and clear the path of flames. It will take all my concentration to keep the fire at bay, so you need to make sure that I remain safe."
Windcaller Nordrala says: Stay close. Stay vigilant.
The team follows Nordrala as he makes a path across ground literally covered with fire. Every once in a while, flame naga attack.
Caspis takes position just behind and to the right of Ana, though he also keeps an eye on Jo's position.
Ralaea grumbles during the path through the fire. "Isn't blowing on fire supposed to make it worse?"
Windcaller Nordrala says: We're almost through. Stay close!
At the end of the path, a large elemental attacks.
Ana dives in to fight the creature.
Jo fights fire with fire, and presumably Rae would agree it works well.
Velrin rushes in to strike.
Mordecai does his best to keep everybody healed and protected. He doesn't have much time for offensive spells with such a large group.
When the creature falls, the ground beneath him cracks, sucking the entire party down into a cavern below.
Caspis lets out a moonkin squawk of alarm as he falls.
Mordecai screams in terror.
Jo frantically casts slow fall on everyone around her. And then herself.
Caspis changes into a stormcrow, and futilely tries to swoop under Mordecai to somehow buffer his fall. Then Jo's spell kicks in, whew
Jo lands and looks around the big, echoing cavern. "Well, this is somewhere new."
Mordecai manages not to squish the stormcrow with the power of slow fall.
Anareline looks around for threats. "I suppose… we should explore. Perhaps some of the other druids made it down here."
"Light." Mordecai presses a hand to his heart and takes several deep breaths. "Thank you, Jo. Caspis."
"Looks like we'll need to find another way out." Vel says.
Caspis switches back into moonkin form, obviously still on alert despite the emptiness of the smoldering cavern. Then he spots Thisalee and sprints to her. Caspis hugs Thisalee Crow.
Ralaea tries to look through all the cave windows as they walk.
They mostly show lava.
Thisalee waves cheerily. "Glad to see you made it down here safely!"
Mordecai trails at the back of the group, trying to breathe in a normal way and not in an 'I nearly died' way.
"You're all right," Caspis says breathlessly to Thisalee. Of course she's all right; she's a badass, buddy.
Velrin pouts a little underneath her mask. Then she sees enemies in the distance and gets excited for more action.
"Thanks to - thanks to Jo." Mordecai gestures to her.
Caspis bows gratefully to Jo.
Jo smiles. "I'm glad we're alright."
"Yeah, of course I'm alright. I'm a badass," Thisalee grins. "But look, there's Ragnaros's minions down here! We should defeat them."
Anareline looks ahead, troubled. "We can do that, but how do we get out?"
"Oh, the thermals," Thisalee says dismissively. "I mean, I can just fly, but even you all should be able to float up in the hot air from the thermal vents."
Caspis looks at Jo, obviously trying to picture this.
"Oh," Ralaea says. "That means we were probably safe from the fall?"
Caspis frowns dubiously.
Thisalee shrugs. "That I couldn't tell you. I just flew down."
"Let's not test it," Jo suggests.
Mordecai wraps his arms around himself.
Caspis falls back and gives Mordecai another gentle pat. "We will protect you," Caspis promises Mordecai, then turns into a giant scary black moonkin. Very comforting.
Mordecai mumbles, "I know. Thank you."
Caspis keeps an eye out for enemies… and seems almost disappointed when there aren't any. When flamewalkers appear, he bristles happily and hurls spells at them.
"Just me, or are these snake guys bigger?" Ralaea asks.
It’s not just you, Rae, they totally are.
"Someone's collapsed down here," Mordecai says, pointing at a man lying on the stone.
Velrin sees a druid fallen in the lava pool and rushes to help him.
Caspis hurries after her.
Anren gasps, "Need… water… badly…"
Jo hastily conjures a bottle and offers it.
Cas is startled by the sudden appearance of water!!
"Maybe you can… float him across the lava?" Ralaea asks.
"Tholo, is that you?" Anren says blearily, looking at the group.
"Here's some water, Anren. Let's get you out of this cave." Jo says.
Anren takes it and sips, and seems to come back to himself a little.
Mordecai helps him sit up and drink. He tucks a feather into Anren's hair, just in case there are any more sudden drops.
"I don't think you'll need to float me, but I don't expect to be winning fights anytime soon," Anren says. "Can you escort me out?"
Anareline nods. "We will see you to safety."
Anren Shadowseeker says: I am worried about Tholo.
We fight a few flame naga.
Anren Shadowseeker says: This first part is the toughest. Once we get to the thermal vents, the path will be much clearer.
We approach a rock with a stream of air running up its side.
Anren Shadowseeker says: Here is the first vent! Face the ledge, then jump! The heated air currents will do the rest.
On top, there is another little stream of air.
Anren Shadowseeker says: Just face the ledge, and jump!
We hop from rock to rock, tidily avoiding most of the flame naga.
Anren Shadowseeker says: We're nearly there now.
Finally, we hop down to find ourselves right next to Thisalee and the entrance.
Anren Shadowseeker says: If you find yourself in this cave again, do not forget about the thermal vents. They may help you escape some tight situations.
Anren Shadowseeker says: Thank you. I must go find Tholo, my fellow druid and treasured friend.
Thisalee nods, gesturing after Anren. "You could probably check in with the druids topside. They might have more for you to do."
Caspis looks like he has Done Enough, But Okay.
We head back to the first chamber where we fell down with slow fall.
"Let's try hopping in the vent?" Jo says, skeptically. "I'm ready with feathers."
Caspis is also ready with feathers. Different feathers.
Mordecai looks up at the hole. He does not seem confident jumping, but when Jo mentions her feathers, he nods and moves on in.
"It's worked so far," Ralaea says.
They leap into the air current and are borne away and upward, twisting in the air, to land on the ledge at the top of the drop into the cavern.
Jo staggers at the top. "Whoa. Okay, that's going to take some getting used to."
Caspis looks even more disoriented than usual. Caspis takes a moment to center himself, which involves turning back into his elven form.
Anareline leads the way around a large rock, and then there is a talon druid encampment.
"You! You're the ones who saved Anren. My best friend, Anren." Tholo Whitehoof seems very relieved. “We got separated in that cave. I didn't know what to do without Anren."
Caspis gazes at the two fondly.
Jo looks on like, awww.
"You are a resourceful lot. We may call upon you later to assist in our reconnaissance missions,” Tholo says. “With your help, Anren and I might no longer face the terrifying risk of being separated from one another."
"That is a dreadful risk," Ana says, with a straight face. "I hope you never face it again."
Caspis gazes at Ana solemnly. Having no sense of humor whatsoever, he can't really appreciate this situation.
Mordecai nods. He looks sympathetic. "Make sure your friend drinks a lot of water," he says.
Nearby, Morthis Whisperwing waves us over. "I need you to do something about these fire hawks. Cull a few and… if you can find an egg? I'd like to see if they can be domesticated."
Cas scowls.
Ana looks to Cas. "We might try."
"They are not birds," he growls. "They are abominations."
"Well, maybe he'll agree once he tries with the egg," Jo shrugs.
"Speaking of birds…' Caspis says. "Remind me later." Clearly Ana will know what this means.
Ana nods.
The team hops on a bunch of rocks over to a floating island to cull fire hawks. They use air currents again to make their way to the pinnacle of the floating island, where they are able to take some eggs.
Caspis seems very enthusiastic about slaying the fire hawks. Less so about gathering their eggs.
Anareline reluctantly hands the egg over to Morthis, when they return.,
Caspis broods.
"This is perfect! Come see me again in a day or two and we'll see what happens," Morthis says.
Caspis whispers, "They are not birds" to Velrin.
"I'm a bit skeptical too…" Vel replies.
"I do not know what they are," Caspis says firmly, "only that they are not birds."
Mordecai keeps his mouth shut except for when he's saying the Power Word to Shield others, which is admittedly very often.
"Mordecai, are you alright?" Jo asks, as they head back to the cave.
"Oh, um… no, not really," Mordecai says.
Jo reaches over to pat him on the… side of the leg. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Oh, um, I'll be fine later," Mordecai says, shrugging. He smiles sheepishly down at her.
Caspis hears Mordecai, and hovers. Not literally. It does need to be specified.
Anareline looks around at the others, and then nods at Mordecai. "I think it may be time to head back to the Sentinel Tree. We have done enough today."
Cas exhales in relief. He is a very old man.
Mordecai looks at Anareline with relief.
The team returns to the safety of the Sentinel Tree.