(2025-06-12) Desolace: Warlike Cultures

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Author:	Alli
Summary:	Arric, Kenelly, Stelianna and Thaniel continue to help in Desolace, this time with a local centaur, whose people have been displaced from their ancestral lands by demons and rival clans. It can be difficult, sometimes, to ask for help.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Kalimdor Newbies

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quest-usual violence

The team is grouping up in the Cenarion Wildlands of Desolace.

[Arric]: Ah, it's good to be back here, *Arric says, placing a flower-wreath around Rica's neck. Rica chirrups.*

[Thaniel]: Oh… that's right. Did you kill Deathwing yourself?

[Arric]: My job was simply to help keep the temple from becoming besieged while the Aspects and the elite fighters put their plan into action.
[Arric]: The er… the former Aspects.

Kenelly grins at Rica's new ornamentation.

Stelianna looks a little shakier than last time they met up. "Not… not myself, either. I was down with Arric in the base."

[Thaniel]: Oh. That seems important.

[Arric]: Whatever it is they did to stop Deathwing, it cost them their power, I was told. They're just dragons now.

[Kenelly]: It's hard to believe…but one must admire the sacrifice they made.

[Stelianna]: It's nice to be back here. *She holds up a hand to catch a falling leaf.* I hope that doesn't change the healing they're doing here.

[Arric]: The world is very changed… but mostly for the better, with Deathwing gone. It is time, they said, for mortals to chart the course of Azeroth.
[Arric]: So let us do our part!

Stelianna nods firmly.

Thaniel smiles and nods.

[Kenelly]: I certainly don't feel as though my power has diminished. If anything, the land feels like it's breathing a sigh of relief.

Rica says, "Trrrrr!"

[Stelianna]: At least we don't have to worry about fire raining down out of the sky anymore.

Thaniel looks up at the sky. He can't even see it, it's all green canopy. He catches a purple falling leaf.

Garren Darkwind says: Hello! I have heard of your assistance here in Desolace. We are in your debt.

[Arric]: Not at all, not at all!
Arric bows before Garren Darkwind.

[Stelianna]: Oh? Well, thank you. I mean, you're welcome. Yes, that.

[Thaniel]: Hello…

Garren Darkwind says: There is a task I would ask you to take on, perhaps more pressing than studying the revitalized countryside.

[Arric]: How can we help, good sir?

Garren Darkwind says: The landscape is not all that has changed here of late. Old conflicts have made way for new, more dire ones. I should allow our guest to explain further….
Garren gestures to the nearby centaur, standing rather peaceably by a massive tree root.

Thaniel looks at Khan Leh'Prah, the nearby centaur.

Arric hadn't noticed him. He startles.

[Thaniel]: Hello. You were very quiet. I didn't see you.

Garren Darkwind says: Khan Leh'prah is among the last of the Kolkar tribe that once possessed all of eastern Desolace. We found him near death on our borders. He saw one of your tabards and insisted that he speak with your team.

Arric looks down. It must have been him…

Thaniel tugs at his shirt. He doesn't have a tabard.

Khan Leh'prah nods gruffly to Thaniel. "Hello, two-foot."

Arric looks uneasy at the idea that this centaur has TWICE seen him without him knowing it…
[Arric]: Greetings…?

Khan Leh'prah says: Be not afraid, little ones. I mean you no harm.

[Thaniel]: I'm Thaniel Clay. This is Kenelly, Arric, Singer, Stella, and Rica.

Arric looks up at the centaur. Very far up.

Stelianna gulps, but seems less afraid than she was of all the dragons, at least.

Rica hisses.

Thaniel seems perfectly at ease.

Khan Leh'Prah points at Arric. "I recognize that tabard. Cobalt Company."

[Arric]: Yes, that's right.
[Arric]: You know of us?

Khan Leh'Prah says: Yes, I have worked with you before. There was once a team of your people who tried to help me unite the centaur clans.

[Arric]: Oh? Interesting!
Arric peers at Khan Leh'Prah searchingly.

Khan Leh'Prah says: My goal for this began with a bad dream that repeatedly warned me of the danger to come. I saw the demonic legions bearing down upon our kind, overrunning our lands.

[Thaniel]: Oh…

Stelianna listens, wide-eyed.

Khan Leh'Prah says: I tried to reunite us all in time to face it together, but I was too late - the dream has become real.

[Arric]: Demons?

[Stelianna]: Oh, no!

Khan Leh'Prah says: Demons, yes. The Burning Blade and their demon masters have pushed the Magram out of their lands in the south. In turn, the Magram have defeated my people and taken over our homes.

[Arric]: Good heavens, with all the cultists and black dragons and elementals running amok I had completely forgotten about Azeroth's recurring demon problem.

Kenelly gasps softly. "That's horrible."

Khan Leh'Prah says: I know not about the black dragons and elementals, but the Burning Blade is a problem that consumes my thoughts.

[Arric]: I'm sure we can help.

Khan Leh'Prah says: The fight between the Magram and the Kolkar was ferocious. Only a handful of the Kolkar still live, and I am now their leader. I would ask that you visit what was once my land in the east, and free them from their prisons.

Thaniel makes a noise of dismay.

[Stelianna]: Their prison?

[Arric]: We'll free them, don't worry.

Khan Leh'Prah says: Yes, the Magram have imprisoned most of my remaining kin.

[Stelianna]: Of course, we'll see to it.

Nearby, Garren clears his throat.

Thaniel nods.

[Arric]: To the east, he said…

Kenelly glances to Garren.

[Arric]: Yes?

Garren Darkwind says: We have problems with the Magram as well.

Arric peers at Garren Darkwind searchingly.

[Thaniel]: What's wrong?

Garren Darkwind says: Since the demons have invaded their lands, the Magram have broken all ties with any outsiders. They are untrusting and hostile and have taken to stealing from others instead of providing for themselves.

[Arric]: They don't sound terribly pleasant.

[Stelianna]: Not at all.

Garren Darkwind says: Many of our needed supplies have gone missing of late and we suspect that the Magram are to blame. Please, when you go into their lands in the east, search for our belongings.

[Arric]: Of course!

[Stelianna]: We're here to help! *Stella smiles*

[Thaniel]: Okay. What did they take?

Rica does a little vertical hop in place. "Chrrrrr!"

Garren Darkwind says: Food, mostly. I know they're likely in need, but stealing from others is not the way to fix that.

[Arric]: If they just asked, I'm certain the druids would share.

Thaniel nods.

Kenelly nods vehemently.

Garren Darkwind says: Yes, we could ration things out as needed. If you can find a way to communicate that, please do.

[Arric]: We'll certainly try.

Kenelly pets Lashtail Hatchling.

[Stelianna]: I suppose this will take us out of the Wildlands. *Stella sounds a little wistful* I like it here.

[Arric]: Me too.

[Kenelly]: Hopefully, one day all of Desolace can look like this.

Arric waits for Thaniel.

Thaniel twirls his purple leaf and tosses it away on a breeze before dropping down on all fours.

[Stelianna]: If the centaur like it like this. But maybe they do?

Arric waves at Gazelle.

[Stelianna]: At least, Leh'prah seemed okay with the greenery.

Kenelly smiles at the gazelle that has decided to follow her.

Arric smiles at Gazelle.

Stelianna draws up short at the edge of the Magram camp and peers in.

Thaniel peers into the centaur encampment.

[Stelianna]: I think I see the pen, just ahead. Lots of centaur in it.

[Arric]: Let me try and speak to them.
Arric is immediately shot by a centaur arrow. Out comes the rifle.

Thaniel pulls up a bubble of light just as an archer shoots Arric.

[Arric]: Or perhaps not.
Arric cocks the rifle.

Violence it is. Sigh.

[Stelianna]: Let's free the Kolkar, and then see what we can figure out…

Thaniel sticks close to the others.

[Stelianna]: These boxes, in their huts. They have the Cenarion symbol on them.

Arric makes a hand signal to Singer, who dives screeching at a Magram spellcaster.
Thaniel picks up one such box.

[Stelianna]: Maybe once they see they can't just get away with theft, they'll be willing to talk.

[Arric]: Honestly, after the blood that's been shed, I doubt it.
[Arric]: But they started it.

Kenelly sighs, nodding. "We must try, all the same. Perhaps their leaders will be more reasonable than their guards."

[Arric]: I imagine we have been squarely identified as enemies now, since I did not meekly allow myself to be impaled with an arrow.

[Kenelly]: Honestly, Lord Arric. You couldn't take just one itty-bitty arrow?
Kenelly snickers.

[Stelianna]: Then again, maybe they respect people who refuse to sit by and take arrows?

[Thaniel]: Well… I didn't think it would be good. If he got shot.

Arric laughs a bit uncomfortably.

Stelianna nods at Thaniel. "Definitely not."

[Arric]: Thank you.

[Kenelly]: I apologize. It was a feeble attempt at humor to lighten the mood. It's rather a tense situation.

[Arric]: Mind you, Lady Kennelly, if it were necessary, I would endure a thousand arrows. No need for apologies, I know you meant well.

Stelianna smiles at Kenelly.

Kenelly smiles at Arric. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

[Thaniel]: That's… so many.

Rica, strangely, does not feed on the centaur corpses the way she usually does when they go hunting.

[Stelianna]: Yeah, I think I'd be willing to take an arrow or two, but maybe not a thousand.

[Arric]: Poetic license.
[Arric]: I imagine more than ten would likely kill me.

[Stelianna]: You would look like a hedgehog.

Thaniel says mildly, "I'd rather not get shot with any arrows."

[Arric]: I rather like hedgehogs.

[Stelianna]: There's that, too… yeah, let's just avoid it altogether. But you all can heal arrow wounds, right?

[Thaniel]: Mmhm.

Rica finds a bone in one of the huts, leftover from a meal, and picks it up with her mouth, carrying it around.
Rica then tosses it playfully over her own shoulder.

[Stelianna]: At least we're getting closer to that pen.

[Arric]: Does anyone see any prisoners?

[Kenelly]: Not so far….

[Stelianna]: So far only the ones I saw from the border. They must've gathered them all up in that one place.

[Arric]: Should I tell Rica not to play with bones right now? I don't think she's harming anything, but it is a bit distracting.

[Stelianna]: As long as she doesn't catch anything. Probably raptors don't, from bones?

Thaniel, every time they find a crate with the Cenarion symbol on it, transfers the contents into the crate he's carrying. None of them are full - the Magram have been eating the food.
Thaniel blinks at Rica. He may not have even noticed.

[Stelianna]: It seems like they should all move into the Wildlands. Game is so much more plentiful there.

[Arric]: Rica, darling, are you hungry? You keep taking bones, but you aren't eating your prey.
[Arric]: Do you not like centaur?

[Thaniel]: They're people.

[Arric]: Ah that's right, she heard one talk! Clever little girl!

[Stelianna]: Yeah… maybe it's good that she makes that distinction.

[Arric]: I wasn't certain she could, but clearly she does. Amazing.

Kenelly beams at Rica, offering a scritch, "Such a clever girl."

Rica looks vaguely annoyed but also pleased at the same time. She makes a strange growling little chirrup.

[Arric]: What's the matter Rica? We're all very impressed with you!

Rica just stares flatly at Arric.

[Kenelly]: Hm. Perhaps it's something that should be obvious, in her mind? I hope we haven't insulted her.

[Stelianna]: If only we spoke raptor.

Thaniel blinks at Rica. "I know you're smart."

Rica chrrrrrs at Thaniel.

[Arric]: Yes, I dare say she did look a bit insulted. Fascinating.

[Arric]: The amount of conversation that she understands is increasing so rapidly it's hard to keep up with.

[Kenelly]: Sorry, Rica. We didn't mean to offend you.

Rica chrrrs.

[Stelianna]: Yes, we know you're smart. *Stella smiles*

Rica does a little vertical hop.

The team approaches a pen made of spears embedded in the dirt.

Inside are gathered a cluster of dejected looking centaur, and guards stand at the openings in the spearwall.

Arric takes aim at the nearest guard.

Stelianna swings her hammer at the guard.

[Thaniel]: Your leader sent us…

[Stelianna]: Head for the Wildlands! You'll be safe there!

Arric is careful not to hurt any of the prisoners, aiming carefully.
Arric points at Magram Warden.

Stelianna spins around to attack the indicated Warden.

Once the warden is down, the centaur prisoners scatter.

[Arric]: They do seem to have understood, *Arric says as the prisoners take off running*

[Stelianna]: I hope they listened.

[Thaniel]: Let's go…
Thaniel follows the prisoners, carrying the crate.

Stelianna nods at Thaniel. "We should bring back the food, and let them know what happened."

[Arric]: Do you need help carrying that, Thaniel?

[Thaniel]: I don't think so. You should have your hands free for your gun.

[Arric]: Very well.

Stelianna breathes a sigh of relief when they get back to the green and purple of the Wildlands.

Kenelly murmurs to Arric, "We are very strong in our worgen forms."

[Arric]: Fascinating!

Stelianna waves at Leh'prah and Garren as we return.

Thaniel sets the crate down by Garren.
[Thaniel]: They already ate a lot of the food…

Garren Darkwind says: That's all that's left? *he sighs* Well, we'll send for more supplies. If only we could establish diplomatic relations with the Magram.

Khan Leh'Prah says: I've seen the survivors — I thank you. Our tribe may not have survived without your aid.

[Thaniel]: They made it back? That's good.

Arric bows before Khan Leh'Prah.

[Stelianna]: I'm glad we could help! *Stella smiles*

[Arric]: Cobalt Company always follows through.

Khan Leh'Prah says: Now, as Garren says, we need to communicate with these Magram.
Khan Leh'Prah says: There is but one way to win the trust and loyalty of the Magram. It must be beaten out of them.

[Stelianna]: It… what?

Arric raises his eyebrow inquisitively at Khan Leh'Prah.

Khan Leh'Prah says: They have suffered many losses in their war against my clan. They now possess an unfamiliar land, where they clearly struggle just to feed themselves. Now is the time to strike.

[Arric]: It sounds more like the time to … help?

Khan Leh'Prah says: They will spit on your help! We must prove our strength.

[Arric]: I suppose you know your people better than I do. Or… another tribe of your people.
[Arric]: Clan?

Khan Leh'Prah says: I say we ride in together, and I’ll plant my spear in the Fatherstone. If we can defeat enough of them, their Khan will submit to our will.

[Arric]: So, overwhelm them with our strength in hopes the rest will surrender peacefully.
[Arric]: If that's truly all these people will understand, I am willing. But I won't go against my companions' wishes. *He looks around.*

[Stelianna]: That's… one way to do it… *Stella looks uncertain. She turns to Thaniel and Kenelly*

Kenelly sighs. "It's not my preferred approach…but if this is the way of centaurs, I am hardly one to tell them they are wrong."

[Thaniel]: Okay.

[Arric]: May I suggest a few ground rules, if nothing else?

Khan Leh'Prah says: Ground rules? Is there something wrong with the ground?

Thaniel blinks at Arric.

[Arric]: You ride in, you plant your spear, and you ask for surrender first. Those who attack, we defend ourselves against, but we attack no one who is not a threat to us.
[Arric]: Can we agree on that much?

Khan Leh'Prah says: That sounds… less impressive. But I will agree to your terms for the fight.

Arric bows before Khan Leh'Prah.
[Arric]: Good show. Let's do it, then.

The team rides on the backs of willing Kolkar centaur, who bear them to the place in the old Kolkar village known as the Fatherstone.

One of the centaurs calls, "Now! Plant the spear!"

Arric - in a very manly way - hurls the spear point-down into the dirt at the top of the hill.

Another centaur calls, "Kolkar clan, Attac—- Defend!"

[Stelianna]: We're here to meet with your Khan, for peace! No one who doesn't attack will be harmed!

Thaniel stands by to heal his group and the Kolkar.

[Arric]: Surrender and join with us!

Some Magram centaur attack anyway. The Kolkar are thrilled to fight them.

Arric sighs.

Finally, a larger, bushier centaur charges up and calls, "Enough! What is this about?!"

[Arric]: We are hoping to assist you, *Arric explains breathlessly.*
[Arric]: We know you have a demon problem.

Khan Kammah says: Assistance? From allies of the Kolkar? Nonsense.

[Arric]: Cobalt Company has experience fighting demons, and we are part of Cobalt Company. Leh'Prah here also understands the demon problem well.

Khan Kammah says: Does he now. No one need lecture us about the demons. It is they who drove our clan from our ancestral lands. It is they who forced us to take over the Kolkar wastelands, where we struggle just to exist.

[Arric]: Then let us help you!

Khan Kammah says: …Fine. The war against the Kolkar took a heavy toll on my people. What few of us remain are weary and hungry. Bring food for my people and then we shall discuss the demons.

[Stelianna]: Yes! We'll do that!

[Arric]: Easily done. Rica, shall we go basilisk hunting?

Rica drools slightly.

[Stelianna]: We know exactly where there's some good basilisk. We'll be right back.

Thaniel follows his friends.

[Stelianna]: I can't believe that actually worked *Stella whispers as they leave*

[Arric]: Well, we mustn't count our catch before we've put our line in the water, but yes, so far so good.

[Thaniel]: So… they're not working with the demons?

Rica is ecstatic to have some basilisk to eat. She leaves some for the centaurs, though.

[Arric]: It seems not, Thaniel.

[Thaniel]: That's good.

[Stelianna]: Yes, definitely. That means it was all just a misunderstanding. Or rather, a failure of cooperation.
[Stelianna]: Both of them just want to survive and all.

[Arric]: Their judgment is flawed, but they don't seem fully evil.
[Arric]: Just more prone to confrontation than cooperation, and seeing solutions through that net.

[Thaniel]: A lot of people died because of this.

[Arric]: It was needless and foolish of them.

[Stelianna]: …yeah. That's not so good. But we didn't know to get involved, before.

[Arric]: Perhaps they'll learn something from this?

[Kenelly]: One can only hope so.

[Thaniel]: Don't shoot Arric with arrows.
Thaniel nods. That's clearly the lesson.

Stelianna grins.

Arric laughs in surprise.

Thaniel smiles, all pointy worgen teeth.

[Stelianna]: This should be enough for a little while. And we can tell them where to find more.

Rica looks like she swallowed a cannonball, but she looks quite happy. And a little sleepy.

[Thaniel]: She's so round…

Stelianna grins at the chubby little baby raptor.

Arric laughs.
[Arric]: I keep thinking she will eat too much one day and injure herself somehow, but she always seems perfectly fine!
[Arric]: Perhaps it's normal raptor behavior.

Stelianna drops her basilisk flanks at Kham Kammah's feet. "How's this?"

Khan Kammah says: Very good. This will sustain us for now.

Thaniel looks at the ground. "You should wash those before you cook them."

Rica hops around and chitters, perhaps expounding on the nutritional value of basilisk.

Arric looks dubious.

[Stelianna]: There's loads more prey, also, over in the Wildlands. Just… talk to the druids about balance before you do anything.

[Thaniel]: They're willing to share. If you ask.

Khan Kammah says: We will wash them. We will heed your words.

[Arric]: We appreciate that.
[Arric]: You show great strength.

Khan Kammah says: As reluctant as I am to cooperate with the Kolkar, there is wisdom in the words of their Khan. You may give him my word that we shall lend our spears to the battle against the demons.

[Arric]: Jolly good show.

[Thaniel]: That's good. We'll tell him.

[Stelianna]: Glad to have you as a friend!

Thaniel waves goodbye.

Stelianna might be overstating it.

Arric smiles warmly at the sweet summer child.

Thaniel pauses on the way out to attempt a resurrection for one of the Magram they killed earlier. It fails. He shakes his head and keeps going.

[Arric]: I have always found it difficult to understand warlike cultures. …. Including my own.
[Arric]: Do not tell Admiral Fallon I said that.

[Thaniel]: I won't.

[Stelianna]: Because why can't we all just talk things out?

[Arric]: I suppose I misstated slightly. I do understand them. I simply don't agree with them.

Stelianna smiles. "I can see that. But I think we did well, by their culture."

The team gets back to the centaur in the Wildlands.

[Stelianna]: Khan Leh'prah! Good news! The Magram will stand with you.

Khan Leh'Prah says: You have done well! Now we are one step closer to ridding this land of its demons.

[Arric]: It was a shame we had to lose so many potential allies in the process, but at least the casualties were… less than they could have been if you did not stand together at all.

Khan Leh'Prah says: I must consider how we can convince the Gelkis to join us…

[Arric]: Oh… there are… more?
Arric looks slightly dismayed.
[Arric]: I… need to go for a hunt, I think.
Arric glances at the inn, though.

Khan Leh'Prah says: Yes, the Gelkis are likely to be stubborn. Words did not reach them, years ago, but I will find a plan…

Arric might actually need a nap.

Khan Leh'Prah says: Yes, hunt well! I will be here.

Arric bows before Khan Leh'Prah.
Arric goes off to 'hunt' in the inn.
Arric lies down.

Thaniel follows Arric automatically and looks confused when they end up in the inn.

Arric lies down immediately.

Thaniel pours him a little glass of water for when he wakes up.