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| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | Arric, Glyphe, Kahlidai and Slicket encounter their first ever friendly troll, who seems to have very reasonable concerns about the local Gurubashi. She sends them on a harrowing chase after Zanzil the Outcast. Afterward, the team runs into another person present in Stranglethorn on troll business, Admiral Siamus Fallon! ~5300 words |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
The team is assembling at the Explorer’s League Digsite in Stranglethorn Vale.
Arric has dry clothes but wet hair, and stands at the fire warming his hands.
Glyphe walks over to the fire. "Hi Airy! Been swimming?"
Slicket stands over by Dask, talking animatedly. He notices Glyphe and Arric and waves, stepping over.
[Arric]: Hello Glyphe! Yes, I got a bit overheated, so I decided to try out the nearby stream - it is blasted COLD. *He laughs*
[Glyphe]: You should just take a bubble bath next time!
[Arric]: A bubble bath? *Arric tips his head and laughs.* I have my masculinity questioned quite enough, thank you, my friend.
Slicket laughs. "Yeah, streams and lakes are more manly, for sure. Colder, though."
[Arric]: I would not have thought water could get so cold in this heat, but by the Tides, I nearly lost some toes, I think.
[Arric]: Do not recommend!
[Slicket]: I'll take that advice.
[Glyphe]: Maybe that's why the murlocs aren't in the water, but are in the middle of the jungle.
[Arric]: You know, I wonder!
Arric peers at Glyphe searchingly.
[Kalhidai]: River Murlocs? Ugh!
Glyphe tries to look modest. But she's very smart.
[Slicket]: We do not need those hanging around everywhere.
[Arric]: I do enjoy the way your mind works, Glyphe!
Nearby, Linzi, hands full of akiris, looks troubled.
[Glyphe]: Aw, thanks, Airy!
Arric peers at Linzi Hewstrike searchingly.
[Arric]: Are you all right, madam? You appear troubled.
Kalhidai catches where Arric is looking and looks too.
Linzi Hewstrike says: Who, me? Oh, I was jus' thinking.
Glyphe looks too, too.
Linzi Hewstrike says: You know, there's a troll hiding behind that pile of boxes. She must be awfully sad, if she doesn't want to come out and talk to anyone.
[Arric]: A troll!
Arric looks startled.
[Slicket]: That's kind of you to consider, but uh… troll hiding behind boxes?
Arric puts a hand on his rifle and looks around.
Linzi Hewstrike says: Oh, she's been there for days and not caused any trouble. Maybe she's on our side?
Glyphe seems dubious.
Linzi places some of the Akiris reeds in a kerchief and ties them together.
[Arric]: Or she could be spying on the camp!
[Kalhidai]: I don't see anyone, but I thought I saw the dust move? Arric? Did the dust move?
Linzi Hewstrike says: Spying? Oh, I doubt it. We here at the Explorer's League believe that knowledge should be shared, anyway. Or at least, I do.
Arric looks around, but doesn't seem to spot anything.
Kalhidai is very concerned.
Linzi Hewstrike says: Here, give these reeds to her. They're very soft, and that maybe they will make her feel a little more comfortable back there.
Linzi Hewstrike says: And you can ask her if she's a spy, if you're worried.
Arric is concerned too. He stands with his back to Lhilhi and scans the area.
[Kalhidai]: I'm sure she'll say yes if she is a spy.
Arric laughs.
[Slicket]: Spies are notoriously honest folk, yes. *Slicket says, raising an eyebrow.*
[Arric]: It say says a great deal about Ms. Hewstrike's character that she is so trusting.
[Arric]: Those who trust tend to be trustworthy, in my experience.
Slicket nods at Arric and then stops. "Whoa. There is a troll back here."
Arric keeps his hand on his rifle as he approaches.
Maywiki looks up at the team with a keen gaze.
Slicket offers the reeds, as requested.
[Arric]: Do you speak Common?
[Glyphe]: She doesn't look like a spy. She's just kneeling there.
Maywiki says: I do, yes.
[Arric]: I hope you understand why we're a bit concerned about a troll lurking near the camp?
The troll takes the reeds.
[Kalhidai]: Well, she's very good at not hiding.
Maywiki says: Yes, but I hope that calms some of your concerns. I've not been stealthy about it.
[Arric]: The only trolls we've seen thus far have been attempting to kill us all.
Glyphe nods at Kalhidai.
Kalhidai totally was not looking at the other stack of boxes.
[Arric]: You're certainly very polite, I'll give you that. Arric Falrevere.
Arric bows before Maywiki.
[Kalhidai]: I'm Kalhidai, of Telaa. This is Finder, of Gilneas.
Maywiki nods at draenei and then fox.
Maywiki says: They call me Maywiki in Bambala. *she says, after a brief hesitation* Of the Z… *she trails off, uncertain.*
[Arric]: Might we ask what brings you to the camp, Ms. Maywiki?
Maywiki says: Well, I can also hear people who are standing three feet away from me. You have my thanks for the reeds. You may tell your young dwarven friend that I am not sad. I am waiting. For you, I think.
[Arric]: Do you need something from us?
Arric peers at Maywiki searchingly.
Maywiki says: I have a target, and I believe he is a common enemy. Have you heard of Zanzil the Outcast?
[Arric]: I have, in fact! They speak of him in this area.
Glyphe doesn't introduce herself. Just in case of…. something. She's not sure what. But something.
[Slicket]: Uh, yes. He's the one making all the zombies.
Kalhidai feeds Finder a bit of cheese. "It's all right, girl. She's very good at hiding."
[Slicket]: I'm Slicket, by the way.
[Arric]: I hope you'll forgive my initial mistrust. You are quite literally the first troll I have ever spoken to, and the first I have been this close to without being attacked.
Maywiki smiles. "May I not be the last. I've been keeping an eye on the Stranglethorn situation for some time now."
[Arric]: Tell us what you can, and we'll try to help.
Maywiki says: So, Zanzil. I know a little more than you about him, because I have contacts you don't.
Maywiki says: Recently, I have heard tales from my brothers in the north about his planned reentry into society, starting with an emissary he sent to the Skullsplitters. This is not good news.
Arric winces and nods, listening.
Maywiki says: He's planning something, but I don't know what.
[Arric]: We'd be more than happy to investigate.
Maywiki says: I want you to spy on him, and I can help. Take this incense, and place it in front of the bat totem in the Ruins of Jubuwal, to the north. Hir'eek will guide you from there.
[Arric]: Who is Hir'eek?
Maywiki looks briefly surprised, and then seems to remember we are not trolls. "Hir'eek, the bat loa."
[Arric]: The bat… loa?
Maywiki nods. "Perfect for spyin' on trolls, seeking through the sky. Hir'eek is one of the good ones."
[Arric]: What is lo-a?
Maywiki blinks. "The loa are… sacred beings. There are many, all through the natural world."
[Arric]: I see, and this… sacred being will speak to us?
Maywiki says: Some have more form than others, and those ones we name and speak with, yes. Hir'eek is one of those.
[Slicket]: This does sound like something we should look into.
[Kalhidai]: Oh certainly, I'm sure. The Naaru are great talkers.
[Arric]: A… sacred bat being. Very well, I suppose I've seen stranger.
[Glyphe]: I've never met a loa. I say we go, for sure!
The team heads for the bat totem.
[Slicket]: It's a little wild, actually talking to a troll.
[Arric]: Do you suppose it's some sort of bat priest? Or an actual talking bat…?
Arric seems hung up on the loa.
[Slicket]: I hope this doesn't turn into some kind of necromancy thing.
[Slicket]: No idea, my man.
[Arric]: We do seem to keep tripping and falling into necromancy.
[Slicket]: I guess we'll see here in a minute.
Slicket looks excited.
Arric startles as an ambush appears.
Arric leaps down from his horse and starts shooting!
There are trolls of the hostile variety around the bat totem. We handle them.
[Glyphe]: Look, a treasure chest!
[Slicket]: Oh, cool!
[Arric]: Sir, perhaps you should open it.
Arric backs up cautiously.
[Slicket]: Yeah, just in case of traps. I have a hard head, so says… friends of mine.
Arric laughs.
There are gloves inside for Arric!
[Slicket]: Alright, and this has got to be the totem. Ready to light the incense?
[Arric]: It does look… batty.
The totem has batwings and kind of a smush-faced bat in the center.
[Arric]: Um, who wants do do the… incense part?
[Kalhidai]: I'm ready.
[Glyphe]: Let's see what happens.
[Arric]: By all means, Lhilhi.
[Slicket]: Light it up!
When the incense is lit, the bat spirit comes to us. Hir’eek seems to know exactly what we need, and draws all of us up into a long-legged bat shadow that flies down to the Ruins of Aboraz and hovers discreetly. Zanzil the Outcast is there, and another dark and shadowy troll form.
Zanzil the Outcast says: Jin'do the Hexxer! It's been a while since I've seen that mask.
Zanzil the Outcast says: What brings you out to my part of Stranglethorn? I'm not accustomed to taking visitors from the esteemed Zul'Gurub.
Shade of the Hexxer says: You know well enough about why I'm here, Zanzil.
Shade of the Hexxer says: The Gurubashi have fallen on hard times. I live, and Mandokir has returned… but the rest of us are gone.
Zanzil the Outcast says: What a shame… but not a concern for an old exile like Zanzil.
Shade of the Hexxer says: Well, Zanzil, I'd like to make it your concern. I've recovered the bodies of High Priestess Jeklik and High Priest Venoxis.
Shade of the Hexxer says: I remember what you can do with those elixirs of yours. Can your elixirs help out an old friend?
Zanzil the Outcast says: Friend? You were among those who spit and threw stones, Jin'do. But let's let bygones be bygones, eh?
Zanzil the Outcast says: So your bat and your snake need Zanzil's help? Very well. I'll see you inside Zul'Gurub… old friend.
The bat spirit rapidly returns our people to the bat totem and their waiting bodies.
[Arric]: Did anyone else just have… a sort of…. vision? *Arric looks a bit pale and sweaty.*
Slicket rocks back on his butt. "Whoa, yeah. I was a bat."
[Glyphe]: A bat with big long legs. Everyone has long legs around here.
[Arric]: And there were two trolls talking… I could understand their language.
[Arric]: I didn't fully understand everything they were discussing, but… there was definitely necromancy involved.
[Kalhidai]: They were talking about bringing priestesses back, I think?
[Arric]: From the dead!!
[Glyphe]: Should we go tell Maywiki?
[Arric]: Most certainly.
[Slicket]: Yeah, for sure.
[Glyphe]: Must be a troll thing.
[Slicket]: Why is it always necromancy?
[Arric]: They do favor skulls in their decor…
They head back to the Digsite and seek out the friendly troll.
[Slicket]: Maywiki! Your bat guy did us a solid.
Arric stands back to let the others explain; he's looking a bit woozy.
Maywiki looks on politely.
[Slicket]: Jin'do the Hexxer came to ask him back to Zul'gurub, we think to reanimate some… priestesses? Priests? Both?
[Kalhidai]: We know it was because Zanzil called him by name.
Maywiki says: That is good. Convenient for us.
Maywiki says: It is as I suspected. Zanzil is too haughty to interfere with the squabbles between the Bloodscalps and the Skullsplitters.
[Arric]: What are we to do?
Maywiki says: It seems Zanzil is playing a part in a grander scheme… Jin'do the Hexxer is using him to help bring Hakkar back to Zul'Gurub. That’s not going to be good for anybody’s plans if it happens now. Or ever.
[Arric]: Who or what is Hakkar?
[Kalhidai]: Is Hakkar another loa?
Maywiki says: Yes, the Soulflayer. You do not want Hakkar messing around with Azeroth.
[Arric]: The… soul… flayer?
Maywiki says: He is a loa of blood. One of the bad ones.
[Glyphe]: Right. No soul flayers on Azeroth.
Arric turns even paler, even as he says emphatically, "That sounds like someone who must be destroyed."
Maywiki says: Yes, putting us again on the same side.
[Kalhidai]: You don't get an epithet like soul-flayer for no reason. Brr!
Maywiki says: It's good that you found this out now, because it offers us a simple solution.
Maywiki says: Let’s do this the easy way – you kill Zanzil. You rode on Hir'eek's wings and saw through Hir'eek's eyes; you know where Zanzil hides within the Ruins of Aboraz. Travel there and kill him.
Maywiki says: Then there will not be nobody reanimating anyone.
[Kalhidai]: At least for today.
Maywiki says: Sometimes today is the day we have to worry about, and let tomorrow come when it does.
[Kalhidai]: As you say.
[Slicket]: Right, let's go kill this guy.
[Slicket]: Should stop the zombie making, too.
[Arric]: I'm with you!
When they get to Aboraz, Zanzil is gone. Where he was standing is a swirling magical portal.
[Arric]: Is that a portal?
[Slicket]: Uh, Zanzil was just here.
[Slicket]: We just saw him!
[Arric]: Should we… *he points through the portal*
[Slicket]: Maybe… we should go after him before this closes?
Arric glances at Glyphe.
[Slicket]: We are heroes.
[Kalhidai]: Let's go.
[Glyphe]: Well he's not here and the portal is. I say we go quick!
[Arric]: Quickly everyone!
Slicket dives in the portal.
[Arric]: By the Tides and the Light. Where are we?
[Slicket]: WHOA! I think we're in Zul'gurub?
[Slicket]: Only ever saw this through raptor eyes!
[Kalhidai]: This is that big troll city we were in.
Arric clutches his gun, eyes sharp.
[Slicket]: Let's, uh, look for him.
[Arric]: Do you see Arric'Aka?
Slicket shakes his head at Arric. "I'll look as I can, though."
They come around a corner to find Zanzil casting magic next to an altar where the body of a female troll rests.
[Slicket]: There! Zanzil!
Arric glares angrily at Zanzil the Outcast.
[Glyphe]: And there's a body on that altar!
Arric gasps!
[Slicket]: No! We gotta keep that High Priestess dead!
Zanzil the Outcast yells: What're you doin' here? Don' matter, I'm gonna resurrect Jeklik before you get a chance to interfere!
Arric fires at the troll.
Zanzil is easily driven off.
Zanzil the Outcast yells: Uh oh… Jin'do's not gonna be happy about this…
Zanzil the Outcast yells: Time to get out of here!
[Glyphe]: Hah! Take that, necroma—- Hey, get back here so I can brag.
Zanzil dives through another portal. Now it’s time to handle the body of Jeklik.
Arric fires at the body on the altar!
[Slicket]: Ugh, a portal again!
[Arric]: Was that one of the priestesses? It must have been.
[Arric]: Someone set the remains on fire.
Slicket nods at Arric.
[Slicket]: Glyphe, you got it?
Glyphe tosses a fire grenade at the altar.
Arric smiles at Glyphe.
[Kalhidai]: We can't let him get away!
[Slicket]: Yeah, gotta get that guy!
Arric dashes for the portal.
[Slicket]: To the portal!
[Arric]: It is courteous of him to leave his portals open behind him.
[Slicket]: Yeah, that or sloppy.
[Slicket]: Let's make him regret it!
[Glyphe]: Now it's all snakes.
Zanzil the Outcast yells: You're back for more, huh? Too bad, because I've got a stronger potion mixed up this time! Venoxis will live!
Arric startles at the yelling but immediately starts shooting.
Arric's aim is steady.
Zanzil the Outcast yells: Nooo! Zanzil is a failure…
[Arric]: Another body to destroy.
Just then, the same dark, shadowy form we saw before appears in the room.
[Arric]: The spirit!
Shade of the Hexxer yells: What's goin' on in here?
Jin’do the Hexxer immobilizes the team.
[Kalhidai]: GLLK!
Shade of the Hexxer yells: Zanzil! Finish with Venoxis, then we'll talk about your failures.
Shade of the Hexxer says: Hakkar grows impatient. And so do I.
He turns his attention to us.
Shade of the Hexxer says: You may have slain Jeklik, but you will not leave Zul'Gurub alive.
Arric turns dead white, which may be his way of preparing for death.
Just then, a small airship drifts above the scene. It's Bronwyn Hewstrike from the Digsite! He lowers a rope ladder.
Bronwyn Hewstrike says: Hey! What are you doing down here?
Bronwyn Hewstrike says: Quick, grab onto the ladder. That troll doesn't look too friendly!
Arric struggles free of his immobilization and reaches for the ladder!
Jin’do is startled by the sudden airship, and loses his grip on the others as well.
Glyphe grabs onto the lowest rung! It's the only one she can reach.
Arric helps Glyphe up.
Slicket lunges for the ladder, barely catching the bottom rung, next to Glyphe.
Kalhidai leaps for that ladder. Time to go!
Bronwyn carries the team safely back to the Digsite.
Arric collapses onto the dirt as soon as they arrive, sitting with his head in his hands.
Bronwyn shakes his head. "Lucky I happened to notice that ruckus! Glad I got ye all back here safe!"
[Glyphe]: That definitely counts as a heroic rescue!
[Kalhidai]: We're glad too! That was too close.
Arric takes a few deep breaths and slowly gets to his feet.
Bronwyn grins. "I might like bein' a hero. But for most of the time, I'll leave it to you lot."
Arric bows before Bronwyn Hewstrike.
[Arric]: We are in your debt, sir.
Slicket is taking deep breaths. "Think we should tell Maywiki what happened?"
[Glyphe]: She should know, yeah.
We walk over to where Maywiki waits.
[Slicket]: Right, troll lady. We didn't manage to kill Zanzil. But we did stop him from resurrecting a High Priestess something-or-other. And we almost stopped a second one.
Maywiki looks impressed.
[Kalhidai]: We were so close!
Maywiki says: I ask you to slay Zanzil the Outcast, a lowly, hermetic exile of the Gurubashi, and what do you do?
Maywiki says: You dash headfirst into the Gurubashi capital and eliminate one of their High Priests! Very nearly two! Only one word suffices to explain such a rash and foolhardy endeavor: Heroism.
Arric turns very red.
[Glyphe]: Aw. Golly.
Maywiki says: Jin'do the Hexxer still walks within Zul'Gurub's walls, but he lost one of his legs when you crushed the High Priestess. Today's battle is ours.
[Arric]: We were delighted to help, to the extent that we were able.
Slicket straightens a little. Praise is still praise, even from a troll.
Maywiki says: The glory is all yours, my young friends! You do not even need to mention me, when you tell the tale.
[Arric]: You are most kind, and we are grateful to you for the intelligence you provided.
Arric bows to the troll woman with sincere respect.
Maywiki nods, standing up. "May be I need to walk the jungle again, see what other threats need to be brought into balance."
[Arric]: I wish you the best of luck. And may your… loa watch over you.
Maywiki says: May Hir'eek guide you as well. Or whatever spirit you worship.
[Arric]: Well, she was really quite pleasant.
Slicket looks around. "I guess it's about time to get to Booty Bay? Maybe we can check up on that blue stone thing."
[Arric]: Booty Bay!
[Arric]: I cannot wait.
[Arric]: I've heard so much.
[Slicket]: It's a wild city.
[Slicket]: We'll be fine if we stick together, though.
We ride down to Booty Bay, exotic goblin port city!
Arric looks around in fascination.
[Arric]: Ah, how exotic!!
As we wander down the dock, a familiar face…
[Arric]: Why, is that…?
[Slicket]: Hm?
[Arric]: Siamus Fallon!
Siamus is engrossed in a conversation with the Wharfmaster. It doesn't seem like a friendly conversation. He looks up.
Arric leaps off his horse and runs over to Siamus.
Arric looks a bit ragged around the edges. His ginger hair looks like it got wet and then dried in a strong wind, and his complexion is a bit blotchy. But his eyes are alight with genuine enthusiasm, and he has a huge smile for Siamus.
Siamus breaks into a smile and steps away from the disgruntled goblin. "Falrevere!"
Arric reaches out for a manly arm-clasp.
Siamus does the manly arm-clasp.
Slicket looks between the two men. "Oh, the one with the sister!"
[Kalhidai]: Oh goodness, an admirable!
[Arric]: Yes, yes, this is Sintha's brother!
Arric smiles at Siamus.
[Slicket]: Hey, man! Good to meet a friend of a friend!
Arric pushes his goggles up on his head.
[Siamus]: A pleasure to meet all of ye.
Siamus removes his hat. He is now Informal.
[Arric]: I've been working with these three; they're splendid. What brings you here?
[Glyphe]: Hi, I'm Glyphe Tinkerspell! You can call me Glyphe, though. On account of you know Airy.
Arric blushes slightly at 'Airy.' Maybe Siamus didn't need to hear that one.
[Siamus]: A pleasure, Glyphe.
[Kalhidai]: I'm Kalhidai of Telaa. This is Finder, or Gilneas.
Siamus bows gallantly to Glyphe. If he heard 'Airy,' he doesn't show it.
[Slicket]: And I'm Slicket Throttleblast. You can call me Slick, if we're doing friend names.
[Arric]: You're what? *He turns and gapes at Lhilhi.*
[Arric]: Tides below, have I been calling you the wrong name this entire time?
[Kalhidai]: I'm Kalhidai, of Telaa. It is in Nagrand.
[Arric]: My apologies, Kalhidai.
[Slicket]: Oh, we started calling her Lhilhi a while back. You like it, right Kalhidai?
Siamus looks politely from Arric to Kalhidai.
[Kalhidai]: Yes! It is an affectionate name.
Glyphe beams. "Like Airy!"
[Arric]: Ahem. Sorry. Is everything well, Fallon?
[Arric]: Er, Admiral?
[Siamus]: A pleasure to meet all of ye. Any friend of… *Siamus clearly contemplates the nickname for a moment* … Falrevere's.
[Siamus]: Ah, everything is… aye. As usual. I'm making the round of the coast here. What brings you and your friends?
Arric can't help but gaze all around at the city as they talk, taking in its bizarre architecture and lively denizens.
[Kalhidai]: And also to you. Are you from Kul Tiras?
[Arric]: Oh, you wouldn't believe me if I told you… trolls. Necromancy.
Glyphe mutters, "So much necromancy."
[Slicket]: Probably be careful if you go much inland, lot of stuff going on with the trolls.
Siamus smiles warmly at Kalhidai and starts to answer in the affirmative, and then stops to stare at the other three.
[Kalhidai]: They raise people from the dead! Terrible business.
[Siamus]: Necromancy? Wi'the trolls? What's that, then?
[Arric]: I'll confess that I'm not yet fully informed of the exact hierarchy, but someone is attempting to raise some high priestesses from the dead. We stopped one of those rituals, but could not stop the other.
[Glyphe]: Uh, necromancy is when you bring someone back from the dead.
Glyphe speaks a little slowly, for Siamus' benefit.
[Arric]: They want to bring back some sort of soul-flayer … loa?
Arric shrugs at Siamus. Who knows?
[Kalhidai]: There's a huge troll city there, called Zul'Grub.
[Siamus]: … thank you, Glyphe, I'd heard of it. *Siamus nods courteously.* My present concern is wi'the trolls.
[Slicket]: Zanzi Not-Anymore-the-Outcast. He's the one doing it.
[Arric]: Zanzil! That was the outcast.
[Kalhidai]: Why they would name the city after larva…who knows?
[Siamus]: Hang about. At Zul'Gurub? There's talk of the Soulflayer?
[Slicket]: But yeah, High Priestesses popping up like daisies, though we stomped one out.
Siamus rakes a hand through his hair.
[Arric]: Yes, it was definitely the Soulflayer. I would not forget that name easily.
[Kalhidai]: Yes. They are trying to bring him back.
Kalhidai thinks. "We should probably report that to someone."
[Siamus]: Tides ha'mercy.
[Slicket]: I don't know why now, of all times.
[Arric]: Is there anything that can be done? *Arric peers at Siamus anxiously.*
[Siamus]: I wonder — *Siamus glances over his shoulder at the water, squinting. He turns back to Arric.*
[Arric]: We did our best, but with just the four of us, and all their magic…
[Slicket]: Yeah, we're really tough, but probably not strong enough to take on the troll city alone.
[Siamus]: The matter I'm here on is… related, I suspect. I'll send word to the Grand Admiral.
[Kalhidai]: We nearly had him!
[Arric]: Anything we ought to know? Any way we can help?
[Slicket]: Are you after trolls, too?
[Glyphe]: Don't kill one named Maywiki. She was nice.
[Arric]: Extremely courteous and helpful.
[Siamus]: I am, aye. After different trolls, though. Not the Gurubashi.
Somewhere in the distance, Jes-Tereth corrects Siamus.
[Slicket]: Yeah, first and only troll I ever talked to. She pointed out the thing with Zanzil.
[Arric]: Oh? I… should probably read up on all this a bit.
[Siamus]: … that is, I'm investigating troll business.
[Arric]: Well if you see a troll woman with dark blue hair tied into a tail, try talking before you shoot - it could be our informant. She was very helpful.
[Arric]: And her Common was impeccable
[Glyphe]: She wears goggles, too!
[Siamus]: Goggles are a sign of high character.
Siamus nods gravely.
[Siamus]: So ye heard mention of the Soulflayer, Zul'Gurub, and this Zanzil? And aye, your… Maywiki, you said? Nothing about, say, the Zandalari?
[Arric]: I haven't heard that particular Z word, no.
Siamus nods thoughtfully.
Slicket shakes his head in thought. "Didn't come up."
[Arric]: I'll keep an ear out, though.
[Kalhidai]: She mentioned a place called…bombala? Something.
[Arric]: Say, do you know any books on trolls I should read? It's all more complicated than I thought.
[Glyphe]: I think Maywiki's Zandalari, actually.
Slicket blinks at Glyphe. "You do?"
Arric swivels to peer at Glyphe.
[Siamus]: Aye, if ye mean to spend more time in the area, I'd be obliged if ye could let me know if ye hear mention of the Zandalari. No one here is interested in talking wi' — what?
[Arric]: Why do you say that, Glyphe? *He glances at Siamus* This one is very clever.
Siamus 's attention swivels sharply back to Glyphe.
[Glyphe]: Uh… she said so. I thought.
Glyphe shrinks in on herself. That's a lot of attention.
[Arric]: So many new words. I've been having trouble tracking them all. Well done.
Siamus is definitely aiming a lot of attention at Glyphe.
Arric gently pats Glyphe.
[Kalhidai]: I believe you! I had trouble tracking all the names and things.
[Siamus]: And she helped ye, you say?
[Arric]: She did, even after we were quite rude to her.
[Slicket]: Huh. I remember she said she was keeping an eye on the Stranglethorn situation. I guess… maybe nobody wants a Soulflayer around?
[Glyphe]: Oh sure, we never woulda known about the necromancy if she hadn't told us how to turn into a bat loa and spy.
[Kalhidai]: I think she wanted our help, and was friendly enough to get it.
[Arric]: She was patient and seemed deeply interested in stopping this Soulflayer.
[Arric]: I also cannot emphasize enough how good her Common was.
Glyphe smiles up at Arric. He's so nice.
Siamus eyes Arric as if briefly and distractedly trying to imagine him being rude to anyone. Then he focuses again.
Arric gently pats Glyphe.
Siamus nods slowly. "That's… very useful, in fact. To know."
Siamus inclines his head to Glyphe. "Obliged to ye, miss."
[Arric]: I'm going to head to that library I've heard of in Stormwind as soon as we're off duty here, and see what they have on trolls, so I'm not quite so lost next time.
Glyphe puffs up. "Happy to help. We're with Cobalt Company, you know."
Arric smiles at Glyphe.
Arric pats his own tabard proudly.
[Slicket]: Should there… not be Zandalari wandering around Stranglethorn?
[Siamus]: That's what I'm trying to sort out, *Siamus tells Slicket.* They have a… mixed history.
Arric listens intently to Siamus.
[Slicket]: Huh. Well, all we did was the stopping of the Priestess resurrection. We did not do any necromancy. There was one gnome who did, which is why Bloodlord Mandokir is around again, but we lodged a complaint about him.
Siamus blinks at Slicket.
[Siamus]: Ye lodged a complaint? About… Bloodlord Mandokir? With whom?
[Glyphe]: No, about the necromancy. With the mage tower. On account of he was a mage.
[Arric]: No, the gnome!
[Arric]: He reincarnated Mandokir or some such.
Slicket nods firmly. "Bloodlord Mandokir has to be stopped. He took our baby raptor."
[Arric]: Well, also he's clearly evil.
[Siamus]: Oh, aye. That makes more sense. I was… the talk of the Zandalari had me — what? Raptor?
[Arric]: Oh, that's not important. *Arric blushes.* More of a personal thing.
[Glyphe]: We almost mind-controlled her to an escape, but they caught her at the last minute.
[Siamus]: … I see.
Siamus does not see.
[Arric]: We needn't distract the Admiral with such things.
[Arric]: At any rate this Mandokir is clearly a threat.
Slicket looks at Arric. "If you say so. But maybe if the army goes in there, they could get her."
[Siamus]: On the contrary, ye've been very helpful. Aye, he is. As is the Soulflayer.
[Glyphe]: Yeah! You could rescue Arric'aka!
[Arric]: I'm sure they'll have other priorities, Mr. Throttleblast. I can only hope Arric'aka knows how to take care of herself.
Arric looks fretful but also embarrassed.
[Siamus]: Arric'aka? *Siamus is losing the thread again.*
[Glyphe]: The raptor.
[Siamus]: Ah. Of course.
Of course.
[Arric]: Honestly, never mind!
[Kalhidai]: Arric'aka is adorable! And taken hostage in that awful troll city.
[Siamus]: The raptor, ye mean? Hostage?
Arric actually facepalms.
Slicket looks curiously at Arric, and then to Arric's friend Siamus."We found her as an egg. Just the sweetest little raptor you ever met."
[Kalhidai]: Yes! We tried to rescue her, but we couldn't. And she loved Arric!
[Arric]: I'm so sorry, Admiral. We got rather attached, and the others are… well their priorities may be a bit… you know.
Arric gazes at Siamus in mute desperate apology.
Siamus nods thoughtfully. "I have not met many raptors. I'm sure Falrevere made an impression."
Arric is nearly purple by this point.
Glyphe sniffs. "There's nothing wrong with my priorities. If they're in the city, they might as well rescue the nice baby raptor."
[Slicket]: He's great with animals, if you didn't know. Which you probably do, since you're friends. All kinds of animals.
[Kalhidai]: He did! He had such a way with her from her first hatching. She understood him!
Arric looks like he wants to melt into the planks of the dock.
[Siamus]: Aye, I do know it. Sintha's talked of it. And he's got some very fine horses.
Arric's pale blue eyes go rather wide when he says Sintha mentioned him.
Siamus nods respectfully to Arric. His gaze is gleaming a little suspiciously but his expression is definitely solemn.
[Arric]: Well. I'm sure we don't want to keep you, ahem. You must be quite busy!
[Siamus]: I'm about to be, and thank ye very kindly for it. I'll drop a word wi' your Captain, as well.
Slicket nods. "It was great to talk to you, Admiral."
[Siamus]: A pleasure to meet the lot of ye. And I'm obliged for the information. *Siamus nods to the group as a whole, and then again at Arric specifically.* Falrevere.
Arric bows before Siamus.
[Slicket]: I hope whatever's up with the trolls gets sorted out with no flaying souls.
[Glyphe]: Or more necromancy.
[Glyphe]: It's just gross.
[Arric]: Tides carry you, Admiral.
[Siamus]: You as well.
Siamus puts his hat back on. He's formal again.
[Glyphe]: Bye Admiral!
Kalhidai waves goodbye to Siamus. Farewell!
Arric turns and, still quite red, begins to survey the city again, his expression shifting toward adventurous curiosity.
[Arric]: Let's see if they have a pirate tavern! I've always wanted to drink in a pirate tavern.
[Slicket]: Yeah! I'm in!
[Glyphe]: Tadget used to live here, you know.
[Arric]: Oooh, this sounds promising.
[Glyphe]: From Cobalt Blade!
[Arric]: Let's have a bottle of your best rum and four glasses!