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| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | Cerethan, Corvin and Vaaria return to the Barrens to assist the Alliance forces. From raptors to surprise jungles to quilboar to Horde forces, the Alliance has plenty of difficulties in this campaign. ~4600 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: Kalimdor Newbies
The team assembles at Northwatch Hold.
[Corvin]: Ray, Vaaria… good to see you. Halnar's not made it back yet?
[Vaaria]: I suspect the wind blew him elsewhere. *dryly*
[Corvin]: He does seem to get on well with the wind. *Corvin's voice is also dry*
[Cerethan]: Corvin, Vaaria, greetings! I hope both of you received my presents.
[Corvin]: Ah, yes. The cheese. It was… pungent.
[Vaaria]: Yes.
Vaaria does not elaborate.
[Cerethan]: I chose it specifically for you! *He beams at the compliment for the cheese.*
Gon seems to be giving Cerethan a strong fox side-eye.
Cerethan smiles at Vaaria.
[Corvin]: Thank you for the consideration.
[Cerethan]: Where have you been, since last we met? I personally was staying at Theramore. What a lovely city! In magic research it is second to only Dalaran, I believe.
[Corvin]: I was up at Wyrmrest Temple, killing Deathwing. Did you hear we killed Deathwing?
Corvin was probably not personally killing Deathwing. But he helped.
Cerethan's eyes widen. "You were there?"
Corvin nods, and then tilts his head towards Vaaria. "Saw you there, too."
[Vaaria]: I assisted with keeping the temple from falling under siege while the elite forces did the majority of the work. I apologize for not seeing you, Mr. Trent. I was deeply focused.
[Corvin]: No offense taken. I was mostly out of the thick, shooting in.
[Cerethan]: As I'm not part of any army officially, I missed my chance to join such an historical event. Perhaps we will all be joining each other for the next one. *He looks at Corvin.* If time allows it, that is.
[Corvin]: If there's no historical event for the rest of my life, I'll try not to be disappointed.
Don't worry Corvin, you live in a world of warcraft.
[Corvin]: In the meantime, we're to report to Paxton, now that the Hold's secured.
Cerethan looks up. "Halnar must be overjoyed he doesn't have to worry about Deathwing chasing him any longer."
[Vaaria]: The last stand against the Burning Legion will be here.
[Vaaria]: If you did not know.
[Vaaria]: But perhaps it will be after your lifetime.
[Corvin]: Aye, yes. Next week, or next year or next century. I have my preference on which.
Vaaria nods, one corner of her mouth lifting slightly.
[Vaaria]: For now… Paxton.
Vaaria salutes Thomas Paxton with respect.
Cerethan bows before Thomas Paxton.
Thomas Paxton says: Hello! Admiral Aubrey is pleased that Northwatch is secured, but if we're to keep a grip on this continent we're going to need to maintain the supply lines to the interior.
[Corvin]: We did some work on that over at the border of Stonetalon, but… something more?
Thomas Paxton says: Indeed. I've received the strangest of reports from Corporal Teegan, who's in charge of maintaining our contact with Forward Command. Says he's having trouble with the "jungle?" There's no jungle in the Barrens!
[Corvin]: Well, actually… *Corvin pauses, looking at the other two*
[Vaaria]: I take it you have not flown here.
Thomas Paxton says: I'm not with the Air Force, no. What do you mean?
[Corvin]: We came over in a plane, and there's…
[Vaaria]: If you fly to or from the north, you will see that there is a jungle in the Barrens now.
Corvin nods at Vaaria.
[Cerethan]: The jungle is indeed alive and well.
[Vaaria]: Next to the great chasm which you also may not have seen.
Thomas Paxton says: Huh. Well, that's quite novel. Anyway, follow the upper road out of Northwatch and see if you can render any assistance to our wayward Corporal.
Vaaria salutes Thomas Paxton with respect.
Corvin salutes Thomas Paxton with respect.
[Corvin]: We'll do what we can.
Vaaria pulls up her elekk.
Corvin retrieves his horse.
The three of them ride towards the jungle, but they see something along the way…
Corvin draws to a stop next to a crashed wagon and a body. The body looks military.
[Vaaria]: What has happened here?
[Corvin]: Someone was attacked?
Vaaria dismounts and attempts to resurrect the man.
It has been too long, unfortunately.
[Vaaria]: I cannot reach him.
[Cerethan]: Dear Elune! Those wounds are severe! *Cerethan says after examining the body.*
Cerethan kneels before Mangled Body.
[Vaaria]: Are those… tooth marks?
[Corvin]: Who is he, do you think? Supply wagon? We can check if there's anything on him…
[Corvin]: Ah. Raptors might have gotten him, instead of the Horde.
[Vaaria]: Animals? Then why is he not eaten?
Corvin eyes a blood trail away from the wagon. "Maybe they already had enough."
Cerethan nods at Vaaria.
[Corvin]: Anything on him to indicate what he was transporting?
[Vaaria]: There… that looks like it was done with knives.
[Vaaria]: Knives and teeth?
[Vaaria]: I… did not check his pockets.
[Vaaria]: I am not accustomed to doing such things.
Cerethan picks up a cargo manifest. "Sundries urgently needed on the front, I assume."
[Corvin]: Hm. I don't see any of that here. Maybe the raptors got it. We could check around, see what we can bring with us.
[Vaaria]: Yes.
The raptors are easy to find. They seem to have overrun some kind of old primitive village nearby.
Vaaria eyes the Terrortooth Runner up and down.
Vaaria blesses the group.
Vaaria attacks a raptor.
[Cerethan]: I wonder why raptors would have taken such equipment, but that is our only lead, as of right now.
[Corvin]: Maybe they like collecting things, like crows?
[Corvin]: Look… a crate.
[Vaaria]: Northwatch symbol, there.
[Cerethan]: Fascinating! Raptors would have an interest in the material side of life!
[Vaaria]: I doubt this.
[Corvin]: Might've just happened to drag it along with the bodies. Or maybe they could smell food in some of them.
Many raptors are fought, and crates collected.
[Corvin]: This place is truly inhospitable.
[Corvin]: I don't mean Kalimdor. Just like, literally, this place.
[Cerethan]: What do you mean, Corvin? Look at this! Raptors build houses!
[Corvin]: Or, you know… they destroy peoples camps.
[Corvin]: I really doubt raptors built those.
Vaaria looks like she doesn't care much either way.
[Cerethan]: That's not very perceptive of you. Which people do you mean build such houses? Who are they stolen from?
[Cerethan]: And the feathers… like the raptors use to decorate themselves!
Corvin eyes the hanging bone mobiles. "Trolls? Orcs?"
[Corvin]: Anyway, this place gives me the creeps. Let's get to this Teegan.
[Vaaria]: I think that is all the lost supplies.
[Cerethan]: I must come back to study raptors later.
[Vaaria]: Please do.
Corvin stays in worgen form to carry as many crates as he can.
The team arrives to a small camp just inside the Overgrowth.
Corporal Teegan slaps a mosquito on his neck.
Corporal Teegan says: Disgusting! We'll have to slash and burn our way to Forward Command.
Corvin drops the crates at the camp and melts back into a blond-haired young man to salute Corporal Teegan.
Hannah Bridgewater says: Aren't you the least bit curious why the Barrens are suddenly in bloom, seemingly overnight?
Corporal Teegan says: In a word? No.
Vaaria salutes Corporal Teegan with respect.
[Cerethan]: I am!
[Cerethan]: What happened to this place? I thought it was, well… Barren.
Corporal Teegan says: No idea, and I don't care.
[Vaaria]: Deathwing changed many things.
[Cerethan]: Deathwing does not make life bloom. You should know that, if you killed him… Not that I doubt that you did!
[Corvin]: Corporal Teegan, sir, we found these supplies on the way. Raptors got the men.
Corporal Teegan says: What? My supply caravan was sacked by those cold-blooded scissor-paw things?
Corporal Teegan says: But you brought my supplies! Well, that showed some real initiative. Those rap-saws or whatever they're called have torn lesser men to ribbons. Thank you!
[Corvin]: Anyway, we're here to help. What needs doing?
Corporal Teegan says: One of the native species in Kalimdor is the'quilboar.' Prickly little buggers. Reason enough to hate this continent. Their raids started shortly after we established our forward camps.
[Corvin]: Ah, they don't sound pleasant.
Corporal Teegan says: Ambassador Gaines insisted he could negotiate an alliance with them against the Horde. I told him he was a fool, but he still went out to try. Even if he succeeded, I for one wouldn't want to fight with those … pig-men at my side.
[Vaaria]: So you wish us to find this Ambassador.
Corporal Teegan says: Exactly. Gaines hasn't returned, and General Hawthorne will hold me accountable if I lose one of our best negotiators to these squealing savages. Also, the raids haven’t stopped, so I assume the diplomacy was a failure.
[Vaaria]: And kill pig-men.
Corporal Teegan says: By all means, kill all the pig-men you can find. Oh! One more thing – while you're out there, you could try to acquire one of those twisted branches their casters seem to be using to manipulate the jungle growth…
Corporal Teegan says: I may not give a rat's %^&* about why this jungle is here, but I have an idea…
[Cerethan]: Oh, primitive magic built this jungle. I should have expected it, with all the druids around Kalimdor.
Vaaria mounts her Special Paladin Elekk again.
[Corvin]: Let's go find this ambassador.
Vaaria nods at you.
There are indeed lots of quilboar in this Overgrowth.
[Vaaria]: These must be the pig-men.
[Corvin]: I don't think the druids built this, or they'd be around tending it, wouldn't they?
[Vaaria]: I do not know.
Vaaria attacks a pig-man.
Corvin shoots at the quilboars without hesitation.
[Cerethan]: It's possible the pig-men themselves are druids, I mean. It's a rather basic and common way of manipulating the energies of the world.
Vaaria just continues killing them.
[Corvin]: I won't repeat that to any druids I know, for your sake.
[Cerethan]: Like, look at the type of focus they use to control their powers. *He grabs a random stick from one of the dead pig-men.* Simple, plain, uninteresti- oh! *Cerethan keeps the stick in his hand and runs to the tied man.*
Corvin nods at Cerethan. "Keep that one for Teegan. He wanted one."
The team fights their way into the Overgrowth. Eventually, they spot a human man, tied up. He’s splayed out, each hand tied by rope to branches protruding from the ground.
Ambassador Gaines says: Please - help! The ropes … please…
[Corvin]: Look!
Vaaria eyes the tied up man.
[Vaaria]: This must be the Ambassador.
[Corvin]: Gaines, don't worry, we'll cut you free.
Corvin turns and starts sawing on the ropes confining Gaines.
Vaaria helps.
Gaines is freed in short order.
Ambassador Gaines says: Ah, thank you! Suffice it to say… Negotiations did proceed as planned.
Ambassador Gaines says: I should be able to get back to camp on my own.
[Corvin]: Well, he's run off. Let's get back to the camp and see if he made it?
Vaaria kills some nearby wildlife to carve them a path back. Or maybe just because she enjoys murder?
[Cerethan]: Absolutely. Failing to reach camp now would be excruciatingly embarrassing for him, I wager.
As they come into camp, conversation is already in progress between the military folk there.
Corporal Teegan says: Stinking. Disgusting. Filthy animals!
Goucho says: Aye, the quilboar are a foul lot.
Corporal Teegan says: I was talking about you and Durty Pete.
Ol' Durty Pete belches loudly.
Corporal Teegan says: Keep hacking at the overgrowth! If that doesn't work, we're going to start burning.
Hannah Bridgewater says: Is that your plan, Teegan? Set fire to anything that gets in our way?
Corporal Teegan says: I like the way you think, Bridgewater.
Corvin looks around the camp, not spotting Gaines. "Corporal, did the Ambassador make it back?"
Vaaria salutes Corporal Teegan with respect.
Teegan says: Yes, good work. Gaines passed through here not long ago on his way to Northwatch and a warm bath.
Teegan says: The mission wasn't a total loss, though. Gaines brought back a good deal of information about these quilboar and their leadership structure. Did you find one of their twigs?
Cerethan is holding a stick. A stick that had some work done, but still, he's holding a stick like an ice cream cone.
[Cerethan]: Yes.
Corporal Teegan nods as Cerethan hands over the branch, and then grasps the Bramblestaff with both hands.
Corporal Teegan says: So, this is what the quilboar are using against us? Do you think they used these to create this jungle?
[Corvin]: Could be? *Corvin glances at Cerethan*
Corporal Teegan says: Now then. Let's see what this what this crazy stick is capable of…
A massive vine explodes from the dirt and snatches up Ol’ Durty Pete.
Ol' Durty Pete says: Gol-Crawdad!?
Ol' Durty Pete says: Frappin' cratchet! Sonnova HEY what!?
Corporal Teegan says: Interesting. Very … interesting.
Goucho starts firing, trying to free his friend.
Ol' Durty Pete says:'magonna - git! Git! Horkin' nit, unfh, DABBIT!
Hannah Bridgewater says: Stop shooting you senile idiot! You're going to kill somebody!
Goucho says: Hang in there ol' buddy!
Cerethan takes a step back. "Careful!"
Corporal Teegan says: Wonderful. Now we can handle things … MY way.
[Cerethan]: Please, Corporal, that is not how you're supposed to use unknown magical artifacts! Someone of importance could have been hurt!
[Cerethan]: … Not that you aren't important! *He turns to Pete.* I meant someone above him in a chain of commands.
Pete looks a bit miffed at this.
[Cerethan]: He could have lost a lot today, that is what I meant.
Corporal Teegan says: Right, so you can take it with you, and use it against the quilboar. Perfect plan!
Vaaria just stares at Cerethan.
Corporal Teegan says: According to Gaines, "Three-Tooth" is what the quilboar call their matriarch. She's been twisting the thorns of this crazy jungle to her own ends, and it was her orders that Gaines be "torn apart and fed to the overgrowth." Nice lady.
[Corvin]: Nice. *Corvin says, raising his eyebrows*
Corporal Teegan says: Let's give her a taste of her own. Take the Bramblestaff you recovered, and use it on Three-Tooth to take her out of the picture. Then kill the crones she's been training, to ensure nobody else can take her place.
[Corvin]: Yeah, I'm in for taking out the quilboar leader.
[Corvin]: Let's go find this Three-Tooth?
The team heads out to take out Three-Tooth.
[Corvin]: Look ahead. Some kind of… fel circle?
[Corvin]: That's gotta be the crone.
[Vaaria]: It is same color.
Three-Tooth says: They come… <Snort> Pretty elf, yes? So pretty…
[Corvin]: Quick Cerethan, use the staff on her!
Vaaria glances over to see if Cerethan is going to be useful for once.
Cerethan seems almost pulled towards the circle at first. When Corvin calls for him, he shakes his head and raises the staff up to the sky, summoning a vine that grabs the witch.
[Vaaria]: Oh!
Three-Tooth says: EeeKKeech - it stings! It crushes! He tricked us, kills him, kill!
Vaaria seems surprised and pleased by Cerethan's creative violence.
[Cerethan]: My apologies. I was… *He bites his lips.* Absent, for a second.
Vaaria peers at Cerethan searchingly.
Corvin casts a slantwise glance at Ray. Gon pads in between the lingering fel circle and the highborne.
[Vaaria]: Absent? Is something the matter?
[Corvin]: You came through.
[Cerethan]: I'm all right, there is nothing to worry about.
Vaaria keeps an eye on him.
Cerethan casts evocation by drawing an air elemental constellation. He absorbs mana from around himself.*
[Corvin]: Okay, let's report back.
They head back to camp.
[Corvin]: Sir. Ray used the staff, and a big vine came out and tore her limb from limb.
Corporal Teegan says: ..Torn limb from limb!? Well, I'd almost feel bad but the burning hatred gets in the way. That’s exactly what she wanted to do to Gaines. She got what she deserved.
Vaaria nods in agreement.
Corporal Teegan takes the Bramblestaff from Cerethan and snaps it over his knee.
Vaaria blinks.
Corporal Teegan says: Problem solved.
Corporal Teegan says: I'd love to keep you here behind the lines, but it looks like you've been summoned to the front. Turns out Gaines has relocated to Forward Command and while you were gone he sent word for your team, specifically, to assist him. Guess he’ll have to wait on that bath.
Corporal Teegan says: You'll find our Forward Command operation south of here, in what's become known as the "Fields of Blood." Be careful. The Horde has taken to ambushing some of our officers en route.
The team heads south towards Forward Command.
[Corvin]: Glad to be of service, sir.
[Corvin]: I hope that really does solve their problems here.
[Cerethan]: I hope so as well. Although a problem rarely only has one source.
[Corvin]: It seems unlikely a single crone with a staff built that whole jungle.
[Cerethan]: Indeed.
They arrive – Forward Command is mostly a small fortified camp in the middle of the Barrens.
Vaaria looks around the small military encampment.
Ambassador Gaines waves them over cheerily. He is not tied up at all now.
Vaaria peers at Northwatch Rifleman searchingly.
Ambassador Gaines says: Ah, friends! I've been talking you up to the General here. Thank you again for saving my life.
Vaaria bows before Ambassador Gaines.
[Cerethan]: No need to thank us. It was no trouble for us, these pig-men are rather weak.
Vaaria nods in agreement with Cerethan for once.
Ambassador Gaines blinks. Was that an insult?
Cerethan smiles at Gaines.
Ambassador Gaines says: Anyway, General Hawthorne has a few requests for you, if you’re here to help.
Corvin clears his throat and smiles at Gaines, and then turns to Hawthorne.
General Hawthorne says: Welcome! You’re here to help us maintain our hold on this land, yes? Beware – the Horde has taken to calling this region the "Fields of Blood." It's an apt name: these reeds run red with the blood of some of my best men.
[Corvin]: Sorry to hear it, sir.
[Cerethan]: That is poetic, we can give them that.
[Cerethan]: … But yes, I'm sorry to hear such terrible news.
General Hawthorne says: Appreciate the sentiment.
General Hawthorne says: Strategically, control of a region requires constant observation. I've sent out recon patrols to crush the quilboar and report on the Horde troop movements, but not all of them return. They could use your support out there.
General Hawthorne says: I need you to patrol the fields and seek out the Desolation Grunts that are causing us so much grief. Do not expect them to surrender; their Warchief has instructed them to fight to the death.
[Vaaria]: We will oblige.
General Hawthorne says: While you’re patrolling… look here on this map - I've identified a number of strategic hills, similar to this one, that the Alliance must acquire if we are to keep the enemy under our thumb.
General Hawthorne says: My scouts have already marked their location on the field. What I need is someone to spearhead their capture, and you're the team for the job. You don’t have to take all of them, just capture a hill while you’re out.
[Corvin]: I'm sure we can do that.
The team heads out to fight!
[Corvin]: This is around the old Camp Taurajo, isn't it? Heard about what happened there, back in January.
Corvin is prevented from further commentary by a rush of Horde attackers.
Vaaria happily helps dispatch them.
[Corvin]: Good high ground here. They should be able to keep it.
[Vaaria]: Well done.
We have captured a hill! Once soldiers arrive to begin fortification, we head back to report.
Vaaria salutes General Hawthorne with respect.
General Hawthorne says: Your report?
[Corvin]: We fought some of the taurens, and claimed a hill for our people.
General Hawthorne says: Incredible! You're a real asset to the Alliance. I'll see to it that my men follow your example! We may never drive the Horde completely from these lands, but with a strong presence we can undermine their will to fight.
General Hawthorne says: Speaking of my men, there’s one more thing I could use your help with. As you might know, the Alliance military is a little pressed for people, and we’ve been snatching up recruits where we can.
[Vaaria]: … Snatching?
Vaaria looks concerned.
Corvin, who was randomly recruited by kaldorei in Ashenvale, nods.
General Hawthorne says: In a manner of speaking. One effort was to conscript non-violent criminals from the Stormwind Stockades, offering a pardon for service.
[Cerethan]: Hm. I feel like you're about to say this did not go as planned.
General Hawthorne says: Well, some of those recruits have worked out nicely. Others… have shown us why they ended up in the Stockades in the first place. Some of the less-scrupulous soldiers broke ranks and are looting past battlefields.
Corvin winces.
General Hawthorne says: This is a breakdown in discipline. Worse, the desecration of their homes only spurs the enemy to fight harder when our ultimate goal should be peace.
[Vaaria]: Disgusting.
[Vaaria]: These men have no honor.
Corvin | General Hawthorne says: Yes, it is disgusting. Still, I’m not asking you to kill them. Just take these manacles and bring the looters to justice. Speak to them first, but you may need force to subdue them.
[Vaaria]: I am happy to use force.
We head out to a nearby ruin of a Horde camp, where there are looters darting in and out of the charred remains of buildings. We begin the work of persuading them to return to the fold, and also manacling them.
[Corvin]: Hey, hey you…
Taurajo Looter says: I ain't goin' back to the clink, man!
Vaaria starts beating the guy up.
Taurajo Looter says: I yield. I'll go quietly.
Corvin gives Vaaria a thumbs-up. Good persuasion.
[Vaaria]: You are under arrest.
Taurajo Looter says: I ain't goin' back to the clink, lady!
[Vaaria]: Yes, you are.
Taurajo Looter says: I yield. I'll go quietly.
[Corvin]: You're good at this, Vaaria.
Vaaria thanks Corvin.
[Vaaria]: You shame your people.
Taurajo Looter says: It didn't have to go down this way, paladin.
[Vaaria]: Thank you for noticing I am paladin.
Vaaria beats him up.
[Cerethan]: That is an issue with hiring cowards. They will act with cowardice…
Taurajo Looter says: Cheese it! It's the fuzz!
Taurajo Looter says: …Busted!
[Corvin]: People do deserve a second chance, though.
Taurajo Looter says: Okay, stop! I give up!
[Corvin]: It's not a bad idea, when our armies need people
[Cerethan]: Of course. But perhaps the frontlines just aren't for them.
[Cerethan]: They can be of help in other ways.
[Vaaria]: I hope so.
Vaaria sounds slightly doubtful.
[Cerethan]: In ways that don't involve being handed a weapon, for instance.
[Corvin]: These ones, for sure not. But they said some worked out, right? Some people made good use of the second chance.
We arrive back at Forward Command.
[Cerethan]: Of course. Second chances are important, but only for those who are truly willing to repent, like me-a… Mia.
Vaaria peers at Cerethan searchingly.
Corvin glances at Cerethan, and then at Hawthorne.
General Hawthorne says: Well done. Several of the looters have already crawled back of their own accord, requesting clemency. I'll let them stew for a bit in the Northwatch brig.
General Hawthorne says: Thank you for helping maintain discipline in the ranks. It is important for our army to be perceived as soldiers, not common bandits. Also, for them to actually be soldiers, and not common bandits.
Vaaria salutes General Hawthorne with respect.
General Hawthorne says: Thanks in part to your efforts, we've stabilized the situation here. We need to turn our attention south, to Fort Triumph.
General Hawthorne says: Fort Triumph is the keystone of our operation in the Barrens - the vital land-link between Northwatch and Theramore.
Vaaria listens intently to General Hawthorne.
General Hawthorne says: I'll pack up and head out separately. Report to Commander Roberts at the fortress and I will see you there soon. Together, we will secure the frontier!
[Cerethan]: Ah, Theramore! As I said, such a lovely city.
[Corvin]: I've not really been there much, myself.
The team rides peacefully towards Fort Triumph. Midway there, a messenger gallops over.
Triumph Messenger says: Hey you! You're alive! Have you heard?
Triumph Messenger says: They killed him! General Hawthorne - he was ambushed on the road by Horde assassins.
[Corvin]: No!
Vaaria gasps.
Corvin looks shocked.
[Cerethan]: It can't be! We were just speaking to him!
[Corvin]: They did say… they'd been ambushing officers on the roads…
Fort Triumph is just ahead.
[Corvin]: He was right there. It wasn't even that long of a ride.
Vaaria says something very angrily in draenei.
[Cerethan]: And for the news to spread this fast, this must have been a deadly attack!
[Corvin]: They said they killed him, yes, so it was deadly.
[Cerethan]: … Deadlier I meant! For many others.
Vaaria gives Corvin a bleak, mirthless half-smile.
We head in to report to Commander Roberts, as instructed. Roberts is in conversation with a man at his side, Barton Trask.
Vaaria salutes Commander Roberts with respect.
Barton Trask says: Commander, they said his body was found strung up from a tree. Those animals… Those filthy animals!
[Cerethan]: How do you describe a very deadly attack on several people all at once, in Common? That word escapes me, if there is one.
Barton Trask says: Were he still alive to avenge himself, General Hawthorne would have no doubt ordered a retaliatory massacre of massive proportions.
Commander Roberts says: You are quite right, Trask.
Vaaria says something quietly in draenei.
Corvin looks at the two of them skeptically.
[Vaaria]: He seemed to wish for peace.
[Cerethan]: A massacre! That's the word I was looking for! *He exclaims excitedly.*
[Cerethan]: … my apologies. Keep going.
Commander Roberts says: Well, we can see where his hopes for peace brought him.
[Vaaria]: If it is vengeance you want, the right draenei has come to you.
Commander Roberts says: Perfect.
Commander Roberts says: The Horde has fought us to a standstill from their stronghold west of here. Someone's got to break the stalemate! I need you to venture into the Battlescar and help my men crush the Horde opposition there.
[Vaaria]: Gladly.
Vaaria salutes Commander Roberts with respect.
Commander Roberts says: Crush them, in the memory of General Hawthorne!
Vaaria puts her Retribution Aura on. Literally and figuratively.
Corvin eyes the fires and broken gears strewn on the ground outside.
Corvin does not hesitate to move into battle.
Vaaria coughs as she runs by a smoking, destroyed catapult.
Vaaria's sword hews through orcs as though they were saplings.
They fight in the battlescar for some time, bringing vengeance to the orcs.
[Corvin]: This place seems like they've been fighting for a while. Hope our help can start to turn the tide.
Vaaria looks suddenly very old and weary.
[Cerethan]: Hopefully, yes.
The team returns to Fort Triumph.
[Corvin]: Commander, sir.
Commander Roberts says: Incredible work! I bet their stronghold won't survive much longer…
[Corvin]: I sure hope not, sir.
[Corvin]: I might stick around here for now, lend what I can to the fight.
[Vaaria]: I will do the same.
[Cerethan]: I won't.
[Vaaria]: I am surprised.
Vaaria is not surprised.
Corvin looks sharply at Ray. "Sure, Ray. Do what you need to do."
[Vaaria]: We will miss you terribly, Cerethan.
[Cerethan]: I will miss you too!
[Cerethan]: That is very kind of you
Vaaria waves goodbye to Cerethan. Farewell!
Cerethan waves goodbye to Vaaria. Farewell!