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| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | In the conclusion of the Stonetalon Mountains storyline, Baalun, Cerethan, Corvin, Halnar and Vaaria uncover what the Horde means to do with the bomb. It's a race against time to prevent the worst from happening. ~4400 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: Kalimdor Newbies
Vaaria salutes Baalun with respect.
Baalun salutes Vaaria with respect.
Cerethan stands at the bottom of the stairs, inside the inn, waiting for the others impatiently.
Corvin nods at the assembled diverse team, checking his gloves.
Gon paces nearby, sniffing curiously.
[Corvin]: Are we ready to speak to that Lord Fallowmere again? He might have news of the bomb.
[Cerethan]: I am as ready as I'll ever be. I too am concerned about this bomb.
[Baalun]: I am. It is time we eliminated the Horde threat for good.
[Halnar]: YAWP! Here an' ready! Mrs. Brumble's eager to get this done!
[Cerethan]: … Although I must confess, the letter asking for us to meet arrived at the most inopportune time.
[Corvin]: Well, glad you could make time, Ray.
[Cerethan]: I am too. My studies will not prevent me from helping with this situation.
[Vaaria]: Why was time inopportune, Ray?
[Cerethan]: I was studying the relics of this long lost Highborne city! It was most fascinating.
[Halnar]: Oooh, int'restin'! Find anything useful?
[Corvin]: That's… definitely interesting. But you know, they've been around for a while. They'll wait while we make sure our people don't get blown up.
Vaaria agrees with you.
[Vaaria]: This does not seem time sensitive.
[Cerethan]: Yes, of course. I wouldn't have missed this for any knowledge in the world.
Lord Fallowmere says: Good to see you again. I have some news from Mirkfallon Lake.
[Corvin]: Right, so what's this news?
Lord Fallowmere says: Scout Commander Barus, stationed at Mirkfallon Post, to the northwest, has spotted the Horde bomb. The Krom'gar hot air balloon, with bomb attached, is currently at the new goblin fueling station at Mirkfallon Lake.
Vaaria immediately stands at full attention. Talk about time sensitive.
[Halnar]: That's great! Let's go blow it up!
[Cerethan]: No!
[Halnar]: Eh?
Lord Fallowmere says: Exactly! This might be the opportunity we need to take that thing out once and for all. Gather your things, and move out! Scout Commander Barus awaits your arrival at Mirkfallon Post.
[Vaaria]: That is… not … we wish for it not to explode.
[Baalun]: I assume you have a strategy as to how we should most safely engage?
[Corvin]: Take it out, but uh.. not exploding it.
Vaaria stares Halnar down.
[Halnar]: No even when it's at the goblin station?
[Cerethan]: We must secure it with no explosions. The consequences of that bomb exploding would be drastic!
Lord Fallowmere says: I am certain Scout Commander Barus does, yes. He's the on on-site.
[Vaaria]: It is very big bomb.
Cerethan nods at Vaaria.
[Halnar]: Hoew big could et be?
[Vaaria]: Would take out … perhaps entire mountain range.
Halnar blinks.
Lord Fallowmere says: Disarm it, explode it where it will harm those who would use it against us… we must handle it one way or another.
[Baalun]: Understood.
The team heads out.
[Cerethan]: Bigger than you. … Not that you are big to begin with. Not that you are small, either.
[Vaaria]: It is size of siege engine, according to reports.
[Halnar]: A whole mountain range, yeh say? Och…I dinnae wish to anger the Earth any further….
[Vaaria]: Yes.
[Corvin]: It is really %^&*ing huge.
Vaaria eyes you up and down.
[Corvin]: That's a specific measure of size.
[Corvin]: You'll see.
[Vaaria]: I know what @#$%ing means.
[Cerethan]: I believe this was just an inappropriate use of language.
[Corvin]: Yeah? It's a modifier. Like 'very'.
Vaaria sighs.
Corvin looks at her in all innocence.
[Vaaria]: It is good thing you are pretty.
[Halnar]: I preer #$@#in' to %@!$'in.
Corvin blinks.
[Cerethan]: Vaaria, Halnar. I beg, don't encourage this type of language amongst our party.
[Corvin]: Some things invite profanity. That bomb is profane. But sure, I'll rein it in.
[Vaaria]: Me? I am not encouraging.
[Halnar]: Eh? Wot type of language?
The conversation is ended as the team arrives to Scout Commander Barus.
Vaaria stands at Baluun's shoulder, returning to full serious attention.
Corvin salutes Scout Commander Barus with respect.
Baalun approaches the scout commander, "Greetings. We have been sent to address the Horde situation regarding the bomb."
Scout Commander Barus says: Perfect. I'm assuming you saw the Krom'gar hot air balloon on your way here. If not, get your eyes checked. It's hovering directly over the oil platform.
[Cerethan]: Really? *He turns around.* I was focusing on the obscenities that were being said.
Cerethan suddenly turns back around. "Not that I was enjoying said obscenities!"
[Corvin]: I uh… wasn't looking. I'm sure we'll see it.
Scout Commander Barus stares at Cerethan for a moment.
Vaaria side-eyes Cerethan.
[Baalun]: What is our strategy?
[Cerethan]: I was actually telling them to stop this nons— Yes. The bomb. Tell us about the bomb.
Scout Commander Barus says: Well, now you're here and it's time to get to work. *He nods at Baalun*
Vaaria listens intently to Scout Commander Barus.
Scout Commander Barus says: Mirkfallon Lake is crawling with Horde. The goblins have set up shop and they aren't going to leave until all the oil under Stonetalon is sucked dry.
Scout Commander Barus says: Thankfully I have a gnome on the inside that's been collecting information for us. If anyone knows what's going on with that bomb, it's my inside gnome.
[Corvin]: Your inside gnome *Corvin repeats*
[Vaaria]: They are good infiltrators. Hiding is easier.
Scout Commander Barus says: Yeah. Make your way to the Sludgewerks, north of here, and find Minx. She'll be disguised as a "goblin" pump controller.
Scout Commander Barus says: While you head through, feel free to destroy some pump machines and kill some of their hobgoblin enforcers.
[Corvin]: Of course, *Corvin says, and casually checks his gun*
Vaaria salutes Scout Commander Barus with respect.
[Baalun]: We will make it so.
The team heads into the goblin camp. They are not particularly stealthy, killing goblins and hobgoblins as they go and exploding oil drills.
[Cerethan]: I wonder how realistic is that disguise. Is it an illusion spell? Or more practical, with makeup and prosthetics? How intriguing!
[Corvin]: I guess we're about to find out.
Vaaria follows closely behind Baalun.
Vaaria uses proper following distance, i.e. leaving just enough room for Baalun's tail.
[Cerethan]: If we desire so, I feel confident I could cast a disguise spell on myself and pass for a goblin as well.
[Vaaria]: Yes, please do this.
[Corvin]: Really? Where would all the… mass go?
[Cerethan]: Well, I just need to keep my distance from the other goblins, and objects that may be too low for my head.
[Corvin]: Ah, so it'd just be the looks.
[Cerethan]: Indeed!
[Halnar]: Hmph! Look at these big, lumberin' oafs. Eejits!
Corvin nods. "No match for us, in any case."
Vaaria breathes deeply as she fights, her gaze distant and detached as she calls on the Light.
We kill a few more.
[Cerethan]: Observe! *Cerethan traces the constellation of the chameleon with his staff and suddenly! He turns into a gnome.* There, see?
[Corvin]: Whoa.
[Corvin]: Impressive, Ray.
[Vaaria]: Yes. You should stay this way.
Cerethan is not a goblin. He is a gnome. No one tells him, so he assumes his spell went as planned.
[Cerethan]: Please, I have nothing to gain from staying under this goblin guise. I wouldn't be welcomed in Alliance society properly anymore.
Halnar is tossed into the water.
[Halnar]: Stood too close to the explosion and was blown clear inta the lake!
Halnar laughs.
[Corvin]: Oh, you alright? Water have anything against you?
[Halnar]: Nae, water an' me get along grand!
[Halnar]: I am the Laughing Tempest! The Dancing Storm! Love me some water!
[Corvin]: Gotcha. So no worries about you and water.
We see someone in a control hut. It is clearly a gnome with a paper goblin mask on her face. She is obviously female, the mask is male.
Vaaria blinks at "Goblin" Pump Controller.
[Corvin]: Oh, uh… I think your disguise is better than Minx's.
[Cerethan]: … I see that.
Halnar laughs at "Goblin" Pump Controller.
[Vaaria]: Yes, perhaps you should give her some private lessons in disguise.
[Halnar]: So, where's Minx?
Baalun raises an eyebrow at the disguised gnome.
Minx says: Get in here and hug a wall! I can't risk blowing my cover!
[Cerethan]: Hello, fellow… Goblin! We're here to discuss with a certain… Minx.
[Vaaria]: I have news for you about your cover.
Minx says: The disguise is genius, isn't it?
Halnar jabs a finger at Minx. "Tell us where to find Minx, ya filthy goblin!"
Vaaria gently pats Halnar.
[Vaaria]: Shhh shh shh
Minx points at Halnar. "See? Perfect disguise. It's okay my dwarvish ally. I am ACTUALLY Minx, the gnome."
Vaaria covers her face with her palm.
[Halnar]: Lyin' greenskin! I can see yer face, plain as me face!
Vaaria shoots Baalun a glance as if to say, 'This is what we have to work with?'
Minx says: Anyway, listen, I've been tracking this bomb since you rescued me in Ashenvale. Whatever they're doing with it is going to happen real soon.
Halnar hefts his hammer, which crackles with arcs of electricity. "I'm warnin' ye!"
Minx says: You've got to believe me, Mr. Dwarf. Quick, we have no time to lose. The bomb!
[Cerethan]: The bomb! *Cerethan repeats, thrown back on topic again.*
[Cerethan]: Are you certain that your information is correct and that they didn't see through your… everything? They may have given your the wrong information on purpose.
Minx says: I don't think so. These goblins aren't very smart.
Minx says: Right. At the top of the large oil rig is a control room. Inside that control room you'll find a Krom'gar log book. That log book is the key to where this bomb is heading.
[Baalun]: Then we need to get that book. If the bomb takes off, the people at its destination will need to evacuate.
Minx says: We know they plan to do something in Battlescar Valley, but what?
Very reluctantly, Mix tips the mask back and peers at Halnar from under it. She winks, and drops the mask back in place.
Halnar gasps at "Goblin" Pump Controller.
[Halnar]: This goblin's a gnome!
Minx says: Exactly, my friend.
[Halnar]: HAH! FanTAStic disguise!
Minx says: This dwarf, he gets it.
[Cerethan]: … Perhaps I shall remove my disguise. I don't wish Halnar to think me a goblin as well.
Cerethan is still a gnome, not a goblin.
Vaaria looks at Halnar and covers her face with her palm.
Minx says: It'll be in code. Get up there and get the log book! Bring it back here and I'll decipher it for you, like I translated that letter.
[Halnar]: Noew, tell us about the bomb.
Halnar starts listening.
Minx says: Yeah, logbook, code, bring.
[Cerethan]: We'll tell you on the way, Halnar.
[Halnar]: Got et!
Minx gives him a thumbs-up.
Vaaria sighs at Halnar.
Corvin steps up by Baalun. "That's probably the structure."
There’s a central structure, and near it floats the familiar-to-some hot-air balloon with a bomb suspended from the bottom.
Halnar gasps at The Bomb.
[Corvin]: Yep, there it is. They got the air balloon under control.
[Halnar]: That's a bloody hyuge bomb!
[Corvin]: Like I was sayin'.
Vaaria stands back for a moment to watch Baalun fight.
[Halnar]: Yeh said it was big…no HYUGE!
[Cerethan]: That is why we mustn't let it explode, Halnar. You see it now, do you?
[Vaaria]: I would advise not concerning yourself overly with what Halnar does and does not see.
Cerethan steps inside the building atop the platform and observes the machinery.
We snag a log book by the door.
[Baalun]: Good. We have the log book.
Corvin nods. "Back to our 'goblin' friend?"
[Cerethan]: Right, yes! Right away.
[Corvin]: I don't know what we would've done if we hadn't rescued those gnomes. They've been a help time and time again.
[Vaaria]: It rarely serves to think of what would have been.
Corvin glances at the Halnar and Vaaria.
[Corvin]: We saved Minx from an orc death wagon, in case I didn’t say before. She and her friend Boog were the only survivors.
We make it back to Minx’s hut.
[Baalun]: We have returned with the log book.
[Halnar]: OY! GOBLEN! What did yeh do with Minx?!
Vaaria grabs Halnar by the shoulder and turns him to face out the door.
Minx lifts the mask a little once more, and gives the thumbs-up.
[Halnar]: Wot?
Vaaria gently pats Halnar.
[Vaaria]: Look over there.
[Halnar]: RIGHT THEN!
Minx says: Alright, let me see it.
[Cerethan]: I beg, Halnar, please. Try to keep up. *He looks genuinely desperate.*
[Vaaria]: See the pretty lights?
Vaaria points to a string of lights.
Minx says: The book, that is, not pretty lights.
Vaaria gently pats Halnar.
Minx scans through the book, deciphering.
Minx says: OH NO! They plan to "test" the bomb at Thal'darah Grove! That's the school for young druids located in the heart of Battlescar Valley. Master Thal'darah must be warned!
Vaaria returns her attention to Minx once she has finished attempting to mesmerize Halnar.
Halnar keeps a stern eye on the pretty lights for Vaaria.
[Corvin]: What? Not a military target? These Horde… *Corvin growls*
Vaaria gasps at Minx's revelation, but then quickly composes herself.
Minx says: RUN! Get out of here. Get back to Barus and inform him of what you've discovered. He'll arrange for you to get safely across Battlescar Valley to Thal'darah Overlook.
[Cerethan]: Druids? My Lowborne brethren need our help!
Vaaria salutes "Goblin" Pump Controller with respect.
Baalun tenses his jaw, We head back with all due haste. This is worse than we thought."
Corvin nods grimly.
Vaaria's face is composed, but her hands are trembling.
Cerethan's steed is a little weirded out as it's summoned by a gnome and not the usual night elf.
Halnar gasps and raises his hammer at Cerethan. "A goblen followed us back!"
[Cerethan]: No, no, Halnar! It is I, Cerethan! I'm disguised as a goblin! *He's actually transformed into a gnome.* See, I can remove the disgu- *The spell doesn't dispel.* Hm.
Halnar pauses, but growls. "Just wot a goblen would say!"
Cerethan turns his attention to Barus, but keeps an eye on Halnar. Just in case.
Corvin hurriedly salutes Barus.
[Baalun]: Commander. We have bad news.
Scout Commander Barus says: About the bomb? What is it?
Vaaria looks between Baalun and Barus, her posture tense, and her face carefully composed.
[Baalun]: The Horde is planning to detonate it on druid trainees. They are in danger!
Scout Commander Barus says: What? At Thal'darah Grove, you mean? Blasted Horde! I've got friends at that grove. There are dozens of students at Thal'darah Grove. Most of them have no means of defending themselves, ripe for the slaughter.
Scout Commander Barus says: You must get word to Master Thal'darah of the Horde's plans. He will direct you in what you must do next. Fiora Moonsoar will grant you the use of her fastest hippogryphs. Take them now to Thal'darah Overlook! Don't look back! The Horde must be stopped!
The hippogryphs are very fast. We are very soon at Thal’darah Overlook.
[Corvin]: That… that was a fast gryphon. *Corvin looks a little windblown*
[Cerethan]: An hippogryph, my dear friend.
[Cerethan]: … not me. The creature you called a gryphon.
[Corvin]: Right, right, the kaldorei thing.
[Corvin]: Sorry, used to gryphons. Probably.
[Corvin]: Halnar, you know that's Ray, right?
[Halnar]: Aye, Corvin, so he claims!
[Baalun]: That is no matter now. We must warn the druids.
[Cerethan]: I've only discovered the existence of this druid school and I cannot bear the idea of losing it. I had no idea druidism required such education! *He says, next to what are clearly druids.*
They can hear you, Ray.
[Baalun]: Are you Master Thal'darah? We bear urgent news.
[Cerethan]: Bear, eh! *Cerethan looks at the two bear druids around Thal'darah.*
Cerethan clears his throat. "This is of the utmost importance. My apologies."
Master Thal'darah says: Ah? What is it?
[Baalun]: The Horde is threatening to use their bomb on this location. You and all of your students are in danger.
[Corvin]: On the grove below, specifically.
Vaaria stands rigid beside her commander, her face impassive.
Master Thal'darah says: Oh no! My poor, defenseless young students are stranded at Thal'darah Grove. With the battle raging across Battlescar Valley, they have no means of escaping. We must save the children before the Horde drops their bomb!
Master Thal'darah says: Take my hippogryph and use it to rescue the young druids of Thal'darah Grove. Drop them off at the hippogryph post here in town. Save them all! You truly are our only hope.
Vaaria 's hands are shaking quite visibly now.
Vaaria takes deep breaths.
[Halnar]: Shuwer! We're beg damn heroes!
[Baalun]: We will make it so. Light willing they will all be saved.
Vaaria looks to Baalun as though trying to absorb his confidence.
[Halnar]: We got to save those wee droods!
Cerethan takes the whistle. He whispers to to Baalun. "I hope Halnar will get an hippogryph that will show itself quite obedient. I'm afraid he may not be able to handle a more savage one."
Master Thal'darah says: What will become of us? Of Stonetalon?
[Corvin]: Yeah, we've got to.
Baalun says: Get on!
The team is once again on fast hippogryphs. We zip through the Grove, picking up helpless young druids.
Helpless Young Druid says: Where is Master Thal'darah!?
Corvin says: This whole place is going to blow up! Let's go!
Helpless Young Druid says: HELP!
Vaaria continues working until she has rescued every last druid she could find.
We pick up as many as we can find, and drop them off at the Overlook, where they depart amidst effusive thanks.
Helpless Young Druid says: All of Darnassus will know what you have done for us.
Helpless Young Druid says: You are a hero.
Helpless Young Druid says: I thought I was done for!
Helpless Young Druid says: I am forever indebted to you, friend.
Helpless Young Druid says: Thank you, friend.
Helpless Young Druid says: Thank you. You saved my life.
Helpless Young Druid says: May Elune watch over you.
Then the team reports back to Master Thal’darah.
[Corvin]: We got all the kids we could find.
Master Thal'darah says: Praise you. The heroes we have been searching for have finally arrived, and not a moment too soon.
Vaaria looks around for heroes.
Master Thal'darah says: I mean you, dear.
Vaaria turns a very dark blue.
Master Thal'darah says: You and the whole team here, saving the lives of young druids.
In the valley below, the Horde forces begin to pull back.
Master Thal'darah says: Oh no! The Horde have signaled a retreat. Look now, they fall back from the field of battle - portends of disaster.
[Cerethan]: You will thank us for our heroics once we've diffused that bom. We will be unworthy of that praise until the situation is really handled.
Vaaria peers over the battlefield, tense once again.
Master Thal'darah says: I think it's far too late for that, my highborne friend.
Master Thal'darah says: We must make one final descent into Thal'darah Grove. I could not live with myself if any of our young druids were left behind.
Master Thal'darah says: Assist me. I will fly with you. We will all search for any druids that might be left behind.
Master Thal'darah says: Elune help us.
Baalun tenses his jaw and nods, "Of course."
Vaaria nods as well.
[Cerethan]: All this knowledge… soon to be lost.
The team of hippogryphs fly out, but no sooner do they approach than the bomb is dropped. The explosion destroys the grove. All that is left is a smoldering crater.
Halnar howls in horror! "NOOO! YEW BASTERDS!"
[Vaaria]: We got them all… we got them all… we got them all… *Vaaria says in a trembling whisper.*
[Corvin]: We had to. We were very thorough. We had to have.
Vaaria nods gratefully at Corvin.
Baalun closes his eyes and offers a prayer.
Master Thal'darah says: What will become of us? Of Stonetalon?
Vaaria's eyes are teary, nonetheless, though the rest of her face remains composed.
When we have returned, Master Thal'darah looks down at the destroyed school, his face stony and impassive.
Cerethan 's ears droop as he looks into the distance. "Such tragic fate. I cannot imagine the countless scrolls and books." He looks to the side, realizing he said that out loud. "And the personal belongings. And the memories."
Master Thal'darah says: Do you know why the Horde destroys?
Vaaria's face goes stony at the question.
Master Thal'darah says: I will tell you. The Horde destroys because they cannot comprehend beauty.
Vaaria's eyes fill with tears again, perhaps thinking of the many beautiful things the Horde destroyed on Draenor.
Corvin looks at him in silence.
[Baalun]: Those who lack the capacity to create tear others down to raise themselves up.
Vaaria nods at Baalun.
Master Thal'darah says: Yes. They fear it and that which they fear they must destroy.
Master Thal'darah says: The future of Kalimdor looks grim.
[Vaaria]: Do not lose hope.
Master Thal'darah says: Why else would they destroy Thal'darah Grove? *Thal'darah's voice cracks slightly at the end, as he holds back tears.*
Halnar trembles with rage. Lightning literally crackles across his skin as a whirlwind picks up around him. "Let me at 'em! They've unleashed the STORM!"
Master Thal'darah nods to Halnar.
[Vaaria]: You will have ample opportunity to spend your fury, Halnar.
Master Thal'darah says: Together, we will make them understand. They will know that what they do comes at a great cost.
Vaaria nods at Halnar.
Vaaria nods at Master Thal'darah.
[Baalun]: The Horde's new warchief is driven by hate. He reminds me much of Blackhand…
Vaaria nods soberly at Baalun.
Master Thal'darah says: To use such a weapon to attack children…
Master Thal'darah says: Our Darnassian glaive throwers are at your disposal. Use them to cut a swath through the encroaching Horde forces. They may have destroyed our school, but we will still drive them from this land!
[Vaaria]: Let us have our retribution.
Vaaria sets her jaw.
Master Thal'darah says: Yes, let us take it.
Cerethan fidgets with his foot on the floor. He can come up with a few reasons why they would want to destroy the school that trains flying healers, spies, assassins and bears. None of them have to do with beauty. He guesses that's not time for that though.
The team heads down to claim some glaive throwers and take them out into the field, where battle is beginning to ramp up again.
Vaaria quickly adjusts to the learning curve of operating a glaive thrower.
Vaaria takes a moment to sort out all the glaive thrower's controls, and once she does, she sets her eyes grimly on the battlefield and begins to wreak HAVOC.
Corvin climbs into a glaive thrower. He seems to remember how they operate from Astranaar, and he heads out into the field of battle quickly.
Vaaria's eyes are hard and cold as she unleashes spinning blades that slice through entire groups of Horde combatants, creating a grisly spectacle.
Baalun takes his seat in the war machine and smoothly brings it forward to engage the Horde. He takes careful aim and launches barrage after barrage at the Horde forces.
Cerethan doesn't get into one of the glaive throwers. Instead he traces constellations and blasts the Horde with arcane explosions.
Halnar screams bloody murder and calls down hurricanes and lightning on the enemy.
Corvin sends out glaive after glaive, with precision honed from shooting down wind riders.
Vaaria spares an admiring glance for Corvin's technique.
Cerethan protects a fellow mage by EXPLODING the orcs attacking him. That'll teach you to use BOMBS.
Slowly, the tide begins to turn against the Horde. The fighters are pushed back through Battlescar Valley, past the grove they have destroyed.
The team makes their way to a nearby settlement and dismounts from the glaive throwers.
[Corvin]: If we hadn't warned them in time — think of the loss of life. We have saved people.
Vaaria looks satisfied with the day's work. There is not nearly as much blood on her armor as there should be. Thanks, glaive throwers!
[Cerethan]: Indeed. We may take solace in that fact.
[Vaaria]: I hope those children grow up safe and strong.
[Vaaria]: And I hope there is a world left for them to grow up in.
[Corvin]: Yes, I hope for that as well.
[Baalun]: All we can do is carry on with what the Light provides us. *He takes out a string of beads and prays quietly for the fallen.*
Corvin lowers his head in respect, touching a knuckle to his forehead, as he listens to the prayer.
Vaaria takes out her own prayer beads and obediently joins her mentor in prayer.
Cerethan waits for the prayer to be done, with a blank expression on his face.
[Cerethan]: Have no fear, there will be a world waiting for them. They can bomb all our territories- Hm, I don't like this turn of phrase. Even if they bomb all our territories, Azeroth is vast. We will find a way to survive, I'm sure.
[Corvin]: Yeah, no matter how many homes we lose, we'll survive. So will they.
Cerethan opens his mouth to protest, but he doesn't. If they were to survive, why wouldn't the Horde too? He may have messed up his encouraging words. Hm.
[Vaaria]: And perhaps one day we shall learn to fight evil instead of fighting for conquest and resources.
Vaaria does not look really hopeful about that, tbh.
[Halnar]: 'Til that time, we'll just keep pummelin' the basterds into submission!
Vaaria sighs, but nods. He's not wrong.
[Baalun]: You have all done well today. There has been much suffering here, but you have all generously taken a portion of it onto yourselves. You have spared innocents from the horrors of war. Take solace in that fact.
Corvin smiles at Baalun, straightening a little at the words. "Thanks, sir. I will."
Cerethan grabs his own elbow. "One can only wish. Too much blood has been shed for the wrong reasons already."
[Vaaria]: Now I must go… meditate a while.