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| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | Baalun, Cerethan, Corvin, Saion and Sorraine do their best to thwart the dropping of the balloon-carried Horde bomb, and then spend some time helping out on the ground against Horde and other foes. ~4300 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: Kalimdor Newbies
The team gathers at Stardust Spire in Ashenvale.
Saion salutes Baalun with respect.
[Corvin]: I was talking to the night elves here — looks like we just missed the gnome who speaks Orcish. She should be… back at the Windshear Mine already?
[Saion]: Okay!
[Baalun]: Very well. Let us head out then.
Saion salutes Baalun with respect.
Cerethan 's owl flies towards the group, quickly followed by a blinking Cerethan. "Ah! Finally! There you were."
Corvin waves. "Ray, glad you're with us again!"
[Corvin]: Not sure if they filled you in — the Horde has a massive bomb.
[Saion]: SO BIG!
[Corvin]: We're not sure what they're going to do with it. I mean, explode it, obviously. But where and when and why.
[Cerethan]: I heard of your mission to stop a bomb. The stakes seem… higher than they usually are, for this group.
Saion looks around alertly. Possibly for stakes.
The team travels over to the Windshear Mine.
Corvin waves at the gnome under the mine.
Boog says: Minx is inside the mine — you'll have to go in after her. She's a slippery gal, isn't she?
They head into the mine.
[Corvin]: Keep an eye out for a gnome in here.
[Saion]: Okay!
[Cerethan]: Ah! Ther- My apologies, that was a goblin.
Corvin raises a wolfy eyebrow at Cerethan.
[Cerethan]: Not… that they look any similar. Not remotely.
[Corvin]: I doubt they like to be mistaken for one another,
[Corvin]: The one at the camp seemed to really look down on goblins.
[Cerethan]: It was an honest mistake.
Krom'gar Peon says: Why me have to carry big rock? Dey said less work under da new Warchief! Dey promised change!
Krom’gar Peon is killed by the Alliance team shortly after this statement.
Saion yells: FOUND GNOME!
[Corvin]: Nice!
Saion gently pats Minx.
Minx looks faintly baffled at being a scavenger hunt prize.
[Baalun]: Well met. I take it you are Minx?
[Baalun]: I am Baalun, a vindicator.
[Cerethan]: We have a parchment that may or may not be toilet paper, according to your colleague.
[Saion]: I am Saion! 7th Legion, 6th Expeditionary Unit!
Minx says: Yeah, we met briefly before, but I didn't stick around to trade names. You lot saved me from the orc cart.
Minx says: I'm Minx, of the explosives squad! And you brought me… toilet paper?
Minx says: Uh… let me see it.
[Saion]: If you have to go, we turn around.
Saion turns his back.
Minx says: No, gosh, if it is toilet paper, I'll throw it away.
[Cerethan]: I am… just as baffled as you are at that theory. See, the orcish language is far from my expertise, and it seems to be the case for your colleague as well. That was his theory, not ours.
[Cerethan]: Right?
[Cerethan]: It wasn't… our theory. *He tries to reassure himself.*
Minx says: Oh! Is it something in Orcish? Then let me see it. Maybe it's intel.
Saion whistles nonchalantly, giving Minx time to do whatever it is she's doing with the paper.
Cerethan hands her the letter.
Minx takes the letter and begins to read it.
[Baalun]: What does it say?
Minx says: Uh oh… The letter is actually an order from Horde high command.
Minx says: Someone named Overlord Krom'gar has issued a "strip job" on this mine in order to obtain something called azure iron flake. Presumably this flake is obtained from breaking down the ore.
[Corvin]: So that's why all the peons.
Minx says: Yeah, and it gets worse. They plan to mix the azure flake with the explosives sitting inside the huge bomb outside and blow up Windshear Hold.
Baalun remains stern and unfazed, "So it's an ingredient for an explosive then."
[Cerethan]: We cannot allow this to happen.
Minx pulls out a pen and scribbles frantically on the paper in Common. "Yes. We sure can't."
Minx says: We don't have a moment to lose! Take this translated copy of the letter and return to Boog! He'll know what to do next.
[Saion]: Okay!
[Baalun]: Let's move out!
They move out!
[Cerethan]: … I am curious about that azure flake, though. Is it that potent an explosive that it was absolutely necessary for their plan? That other explosive substances just weren't cutting it.
Corvin turns back into a human to speak with Boog.
Saion tags along obediently and does not get in the way.
Boog overhears the tail end of what Cerethan is saying.
Boog says: Azure flake? Is that what the ore is for?
[Baalun]: It seems so.
Boog says: Ah well, at least you deprived them of a lot of it, then. Did Minx find anything useful in the note?
Cerethan hands him the note. "There, I believe she wrote the full translation."
Beads of sweat roll down Boog's overly large forehead as he reads the translated letter.
[Cerethan]: I did take a peek, but we were running down the mine back to you, so I didn't have much time to analyze it.
Boog says: This is bad. Really, really bad. You have to warn Lord Fallowmere at Windshear Hold.
[Cerethan]: Really bad? Really?
Boog says: What in the… It's MOVING! The goblin balloon is taking off! We're too late!
Saion whirls around to look.
Cerethan does as well.
Corvin whirls around to look as well.
Boog says: We don't have a moment to lose. You're going to have to commandeer that hot air balloon and stop it!
[Saion]: REALLY BAD!
[Corvin]: What do we do? How do we disarm…?
Boog says: How? I have no idea! We don't have time to argue details! Grab onto that rope ladder and climb up! Just start banging on stuff once you're inside!
[Saion]: I CAN DO THIS!
Boog says: If you somehow manage to stop the balloon and survive, report to Lord Fallowmere at Windshear Hold in the west. Good luck, we're all counting on you. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to RUN FOR MY LIFE!
[Baalun]: Understood! *Baalun looks at the others and nods. There's no time to waste.*
[Saion]: Okay!
[Cerethan]: I don't have a license to- you're right, we must ask fast. *Cerethan blinks towards the balloon.*
[Sorraine]: Oh this is gonna be so stupid and fun.
The team hastily climbs up the rope ladder and lands in the small gondola. A goblin technician cries, "You can't stop us! The Horde will never fall!"
Saion starts smashing everything in sight.
As ordered.
Saion is really good at smashing everything in sight.
Gon did not make it up the ladder, because he is a fox. Corvin looks deeply uncomfortable in such tight quarters, but he tries to help with the smashing.
Baalun muscles his way to the front and uses his shield to shove the goblins out of the way while Saion smashes.
The goblins in the gondola continue to yell stuff including…/
Windshear Overseer says: Get off! Get off!
Windshear Overseer says: You won't get away with this!
Windshear Overseer says: HIJACKER! DIE!
Windshear Overseer says: The chief will pay big money for your head!
And so on.
Cerethan realizes there isn't enough space for all of them in the gondola. He holds onto the rope ladder and draws constellations with his staff to shoot arcane magic at the goblins.
The central control panel starts to give erratic warnings, like "MALFUNCTION" and "REROUTING POWER SOURCE"
Saion seems instinctively aware of Baalun's position and intentions and moves so as to allow him better access.
The balloon diverts wildly away from Windshear Hold as the controls are utterly smashed. Finally, it flashes, "EJECTING ALL UNAUTHORIZED PASSENGERS"
[Cerethan]: Oh, that means us, for certain… *Cerethan whispers.*
Everyone in the gondola is tossed out, leaving it drifting away with the bomb, unmanned.
Cerethan draws a harpy constellation to slow down everyone's fall, and make them land safely.
Corvin lands heavily, looking at the balloon. "They'll have to trap it or something, if they want to use it now."
Saion yells "WOO HOO!" on the way down.
Baalun lands on the ground with a thud and grunts as he stands back up straight. He's not as young as he used to be.
Sorraine tries to do a cool superhero landing pose. "Ow…that was dumb."
Gon scampers up, taking stock of the team as if to make sure no one is missing.
[Corvin]: Maybe dumb, but I bet we saved Windshear Hold.
[Cerethan]: It was reckless. We didn't have many other options, however.
Saion looks happy that dumb stuff saved stuff!
Sometimes dumb stuff saves stuff.
[Baalun]: Indeed. It was reckless, but that recklessness may have saved us all.
Saion cheers at Baalun!
Saion salutes Baalun with respect.
Corvin smiles at Baalun.
[Corvin]: Should we go check in with that Lord Fallowmere fellow?
Baalun nods at you.
[Saion]: Very glad. I vas very vorrit about bomb.
[Cerethan]: That name sounds familiar.
[Corvin]: Oh yeah? One of your lords?
Windshear Hold commands the high ground ahead, an obvious kaldorei outpost by the architecture.
[Corvin]: That must be it just ahead. Looks pretty well-established.
[Saion]: Elf houses!
[Cerethan]: A lovely abode for an unwelcoming region, if you ask me.
[Saion]: Just like Ashenvale! And Lor'danel!
They head into the inn, looking for the leader.
Saion looks around the inn.
Corvin shifts into human form, but he hesitates to address Lord Fallowmere.
Saion peers at Lord Fallowmere searchingly.
[Baalun]: Greetings. I am Baalun, and these are my comrades. Are you Lord Fallowmere?
Lord Fallowmere says: I am. You look… familiar. Did I just see you all fall from a balloon carrying a bomb?
Lord Fallowmere gestures out to his amazing view of Stonetalon below.
[Saion]: YES!
[Sorraine]: 'At was us!
[Baalun]: We stopped it from dropping a bomb on this encampment.
Saion nods at Baalun.
Lord Fallowmere says: That will make for an amazing story, in the years to come. I'd have never believed you had I not seen it with my own eyes. They’ll have a hard time getting that balloon back under their power!
Cerethan kind of stares at Lord Fallowmere in silence. Does he know the guy? Who knows.
Saion cheers at Lord Fallowmere!
Lord Fallowmere's gaze catches on Cerethan, and his smile twitches for a moment. Does he know the guy? Who knows.
Cerethan shakes his head. He's being awkward right now. He smiles at Lord Fallowmere after a bit.
Lord Fallowmere says: Alas, the threat is far from over. We have only delayed the attack. There is much work to do if we are to stop the Horde from destroying Stonetalon!
That may be, but Sorraine needs a break after the heroic bombing thwarting. She heads off to find a place to rest.
Lord Fallowmere says: Yesterday morning I dispatched a squadron of huntresses on a mission into Windshear Crag to obtain information about Horde operations in Stonetalon.
Lord Fallowmere says: Field intelligence reports that they have all been captured, including their squad leader, Huntress Illiona.
[Corvin]: Wait, all of them?
Lord Fallowmere nods. "Head east into Windshear Crag and slay the Krom'gar infantry that occupy the crag and take from them their keys to unlock the Horde cages holding our sisters. Do your best to locate Illiona once you've freed the huntresses."
[Baalun]: A blessing in disguise. At least we know they haven't been killed.
[Saion]: Krom'gar? *Saion's tone suggests that it is not a question, but a surprised response coming from familiarity.*
[Corvin]: Yeah, we can get them out, as long as they're alive.
Lord Fallowmere says: Yes, he's the commander in this region. He wants our land and our blood. We cannot let him have either.
[Saion]: I vas told of this orc. Very bad.
[Cerethan]: But all of them caught? Who made the terrible tactical decisions that lead to such a situation? *He looks at Fallowmere.* Not… to say that there is one person to blame here. Perhaps the Horde was simply too well prepared.
Lord Fallowmere stares at Cerethan levelly. "I choose not to dwell in the past. Let's look forward to the future."
Saion scratches his head.
[Baalun]: It helps no one to question that now. We move out.
Saion salutes Baalun with respect.
[Cerethan]: Of course, of course, I was simply… Musing out loud.
[Corvin]: So you've fought this Krom'gar guy before?
Corvin unlocks a cage.
Captured Huntress says: Curse the wretched Horde! I would have died without you!
The team continues to unlock cages, and all the huntresses are pretty happy about it, saying stuff like…
Captured Huntress says: Your kindness will not be forgotten!
Captured Huntress says: Elune watch over you.
Captured Huntress says: I am eternally grateful!
And so on.
In the meantime we also fight a bunch of Krom’gar Infantry.
[Corvin]: I guess now I can say we've all fought him.
We reach the shore of a lake with a big warning sign.
[Corvin]: Huh, a sign warning of a killer fish. Want to take a look?
[Saion]: YES!
[Baalun]: We have some time to spare.
[Cerethan]: Not reall- I cannot let you all handle this alone, however. Allow me to join.
It is a massive killer fish.
[Corvin]: Whoa, that could swallow us whole.
Saion slices into the giant fish with gusto.
Now it is sushi.
[Saion]: Safe vater now!
[Corvin]: It'll be safer here, if we can get rid of the Horde army.
[Corvin]: This is a lot of huntresses they captured. I haven't seen Illiona yet, I don't think.
Saion finds a huntress in a cage but can't seem to figure out how the key works.
The huntress reaches through to help Saion get the lock undone.
Cerethan turns to one of the freed huntresses. "I just can't wrap my head around your entire squad being captured. Who let this happen?"
Huntress says: We didn't let anything. They ambushed us.
[Cerethan]: … Of course, forgive my ineptitude to express my bafflement properly.
The huntress mutters something that sounds sort of like highborne.
Cerethan looks like he's about to answer the huntress, then turns his attention to the cage inside.
[Corvin]: Oh, look, here's one in a building! Maybe it's Illiona!
The woman looks up, grabbing the bars of the cage.
Huntress Illiona says: Yes, that's me! You have to get me out of here.
[Saion]: VE HELP YOU! DON'T VORRY!
[Baalun]: Huntress Illiona. We are here to rescue you.
Huntress Illiona says: We don't have much time. To get me out of here you are going to have to take out Warlord Roktrog. He holds the key to this prison.
Saion might want to turn the volume down a notch if he's going for reassuring.
Huntress Illiona says: Prepare yourself! The Warlord comes! Kill him and take his key. Use the key to release me.
Huntress Illiona says: Should we make it out of here, report the following to Lord Fallowmere at Windshear Hold:
Huntress Illiona says: The Horde has aborted their plans to destroy Windshear Hold due to the efforts of some of our heroes. They now plan to move the bomb to Battlescar Valley and drop it on our armies battling the Horde at that location.
Huntress Illiona says: They must be stopped!
[Cerethan]: Ah!
Warlord Roktrog arrives. We relieve him of his key and his life.
Huntress Illiona says: Well done! Return to Windshear Hold and notify Lord Fallowmere of the Horde's intentions. I will venture to the Thal'darah Overlook and warn our soldiers.
We head back towards Windshear Hold, slaying more infantry on the way.
[Corvin]: So they already have a new plan for the bomb.
[Baalun]: The Horde works quickly.
[Cerethan]: That didn't hinder them for long. We should have expected this was only a short setback.
Saion continues smashing Horde.
Corvin is happy to kill more Horde on the way out.
We make it back to Lord Fallowmere.
[Baalun]: We have freed the huntresses, but the Horde is already regrouping.
Corvin steps forward, and quotes verbatim, "The Horde has aborted their plans to destroy Windshear Hold due to the efforts of some of our heroes. They now plan to move the bomb to Battlescar Valley and drop it on our armies battling the Horde at that location."
Corvin then tips a shy salute to Baalun and steps back.
Cerethan looks impressed at Corvin.
Lord Fallowmere says: Heroes thwarted their plans to destroy Windshear Hold, eh? She was talking about you all. You are the pride of the Alliance!
Lord Fallowmere says: It seems that you have bought us a little bit of time. I must plan for the battle that lies ahead of us.
Lord Fallowmere says: Seek out the other inhabitants of Windshear Hold and lend them your assistance. I will call for you when I am ready to initiate our defensive strategy.
[Cerethan]: That is too much praise, really. Due to our history and my status as Higborne, I don't wish to place myself above our fellow new allies with such titles.
Lord Fallowmere says: It was praise to be shared, Lord Starflight. The group of you should be proud of yourselves.
Captain Kosak coughs weakly in a bed nearby.
[Cerethan]: … I understand. *He quickly turns to look at Captain Kosak.* I believe I must bring my attention elsewhere, now.
[Baalun]: Do you have a mission for us?
Corvin glances over to him, and steps closer. "What's that? What happened to you?"
Northwatch Captain Kosak says: Was traveling up Webwinder Path, coming from Northwatch Expedition Base Camp in the south. Ambushed. Not by Horde. Spiders. Big, ugly, hairy, nasty spiders.
Northwatch Captain Kosak says: Fought off dozens, maybe hundreds. Lost count. Overtaken by their queen. She took a chunk right out of me. Barely made it out alive. Might be dying.
Corvin's eyes widen.
Northwatch Captain Kosak says: More of my men coming. Must provide safe passage. Kill spider queen.
Captain Kosak passes out.
[Baalun]: It seems we have more than the Horde to worry about here.
[Cerethan]: Good sir, don't give up just yet. I'm certain the healers here will- oh.
[Corvin]: Maybe we should talk to a healer on our way out, make sure they know he's doing poorly.
[Cerethan]: Unwelcoming land, as I said earlier. Killer fish and aggressive spider queens.
Saion laughs at Cerethan.
On their way out, they stop by the innkeeper.
Corvin waves at Alithia Fallowmere.
[Corvin]: There's a patient who sort of just… passed out?
Alithia Fallowmere sighs.
[Cerethan]: Oh my, we forgot to check if he was dead or alive!
Alithia Fallowmere says: Poisoned travelers are becoming a common occurrence around Windshear Hold. Are you talking about that Northwatch Captain?
Cerethan looks like he's ready to run upstairs to check the state of the Captain.
Alithia Fallowmere says: Oh, he's not dead. He would have died to the poison had it not been for my anti-venom. Sadly my stock of anti-venom is almost completely depleted.
[Cerethan]: So, if we don't act fast, he just hasn't died yet.
[Baalun]: Is there anything we can do?
[Cerethan]: Not to sound pessimistic. I am sure we can act fast. What can we do to help?
Alithia Fallowmere says: If you're willing to go down to Webwinder Hollow, I'd appreciate it if you could bring back some Deepmoss venom sacs. That's what I need to make the antivenom.
[Cerethan]: Of course, Lady Fallowmere.
[Baalun]: We will make it so.
[Cerethan]: … I don't want to speak in everybody's name. Are we all willing?
Alithia Fallowmere says: You can just call me Alithia here. I don't insist on the title.
Cerethan takes notes on how to say that humbly.
Saion does not seem to have picked up exactly what is happening, but seems happy enough to go along.
[Corvin]: Oh yeah, for sure.
[Baalun]: Move out.
We head down to Webwinder Hollow.
[Corvin]: Here's spiders, so this must be the place.
There’s the shadow of a massive shape through the trees in the distance. It is a massive spider.
Corvin tenses. "I think I see the queen."
Baalun points at Queen Silith.
Corvin nods at Baalun.
[Baalun]: That must be the queen.
[Cerethan]: Feel free to collect their legs. Our Lowborne friends consider them a delicacy. I'm certain they will be pleased if we bring them back to Ashenvale.
Corvin nods at Cerethan, with a faint shiver. Spider meat.
[Corvin]: Oh, also, Baalun, sir. I hope I didn't speak out of line before. I'm accustomed to… I think I used to deliver messages sometimes.
[Baalun]: Think nothing of it. We aren't a regular force after all. There's no chain of command to break.
The conversation ends as the massive spider approaches.
Saion cheers at Queen Silith!
[Corvin]: Here she comes.
[Saion]: SO BIG!
Saion is delighted by the house-sized venomous spider.
We kill her.
[Corvin]: Light. It's a good thing we cleared her out. Can you imagine reinforcements running into that?
Cerethan stares at the spider, mouth agape for a bit. He shakes his head. "Indeed. No whole squad captures this time around."
[Cerethan]: To go back to our previous discussion, I was genuinely impressed by your memory, Corvin. I didn't expect such abilities from one of you. Short lived, race, I mean.
Corvin smiles briefly. "I'll take that as the compliment I think you intended."
[Cerethan]: Absolutely! *He smiles of relief. Someone gets it!*
[Baalun]: You would do well not to underestimate the younger races. Just look at the damage wrought by the Horde in such a short time.
[Corvin]: Hard to say where I picked it up, what with the amnesia. But maybe it was an old career skill.
Corvin nods at Baalun.
[Cerethan]: I didn't mean to underestimate anyone, but we all suffer from some biases, don't we?
[Cerethan]: It sounds like I'm insinuating you have biases. Which I am not, for clarification.
[Corvin]: Hopefully, we can all look at the good the Alliance is doing, too. Our younger races add to that, standing strong and not buckling and betraying our allies or anything when times get tough.
Baalun nods.
[Baalun]: Well said.
[Cerethan]: Perhaps you were an actor, Corvin? Able to retain information quickly, and you have the eloquence for it, regardless of your accent!
[Corvin]: Yeah, maybe. I like that idea.
[Corvin]: I could ask Sorraine what she thinks later? Maybe she knows the tells for something like that.
Cerethan nods at you.
We make it back to the inn at Windshear Hold and head for Alithia first.
[Baalun]: We have brought more venom sacs.
Corvin plops his venom sacs down on the inn counter. They'll probably have to clean that now.
Alithia Fallowmere says: That's enough to keep us stocked on anti-venom for the foreseeable future. Thank you!
Alithia Fallowmere says: That captain is awake again, if you want to talk to him. I'll be up to treat him shortly.
Cerethan gently places a piece of cloth on the counter before delicately putting the venom sacs on them. "Please, send back this cleaned cloth to me, Alithia, once you're done with your anti-venom."
Alithia nods to Cerethan.
We report to Captain Kosak.
[Baalun]: Captain. The spider queen has been dealt with.
Captain Kosak forces a smile at Baalun.
Northwatch Captain Kosak says: Don't worry about me. Should be ok now that big heroes killed the spider queen. Can get reinforcements through safely now.
[Corvin]: Should we stick around here? Saion, are you okay to stay down here in the mountains for a while?
[Saion]: Okay!
[Saion]: Is okay if I keep write reports.
[Cerethan]: If you need any help writing the reports, Saion, just say the word. It would be my honor to stay by your side and help you.
[Corvin]: It's pretty cool I get to work with all of you. I mean, I do know I'm probably like a tenth of your ages, if that.
Saion thanks Gon.
Saion thanks Cerethan.
[Saion]: How old are you??
[Cerethan]: A tenth, are you sure? Surely, you're not that young?
[Corvin]: Uh… I think I'm… twenty-two or so? Thereabouts.
[Saion]: TWENTY TWO??? OH NO, HAHA YOU ARE BABY!
[Cerethan]: Hm, You were almost perfectly spot on.
Corvin shrugs good-naturedly. "Somewhere around there. You know, memory fuzzy, feral years…"
[Saion]: I am… maybe one hundred years?
Saion shrugs at you. Who knows?
[Corvin]: You… don't keep track?
Baalun stands wearing a relaxed expression that's almost a smile.
[Saion]: Has been very confusing time!
[Baalun]: It gets difficult after a while.
[Saion]: There vas big var on my home. Orcs killing everyone!
[Corvin]: Yeah… I heard about that. Sounds like a rough time.
[Saion]: Yes! Rough time! So, roughly one hundred.
Corvin chuckles.
[Cerethan]: I personally do keep track. I'm 1862 years old exactly. Working with the movement of the stars requires some precision regarding time passing.
Saion is amazed by Cerethan!
[Saion]: VERY GOOD!
Corvin raises his eyebrows and nods at Cerethan. "That's a lot of time."
[Saion]: Baalun is many thousands.
[Cerethan]: So, you were close when you said you were a tenth of my age. You were simply a millenia off.
Saion smiles at Baalun.
Baalun nods at Saion.
[Saion]: Baalun is SO OLD! *He says this like it's very cool.*
[Cerethan]: Really? That is impressive.
Saion nods at Cerethan.
[Baalun]: Our people are long lived.
Corvin looks at Baalun in surprise. "Many thousands. Hard to imagine."
[Corvin]: Well, I'm happy to walk part of your path with you all. But for now… I think Gon needs some hunting time.
[Saion]: Okay! I will have bunk time.
[Baalun]: Very well. I should take some time to meditate as well.
Saion finds a bed to go flop his enormous bulk on.