![](http://cobalt-company.wdfiles.com/local--resized-images/writing:2025-07-22-imp-and-claw/style="margin:/medium.jpg) |
| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | Hespyth, Kaladris, Sarandis, Syreithe, Qelida and Velrin arrive in Felwood to assist in healing the lingering corruption, only to find the druids there have made familiar allies. It seems that the plan for driving satyrs from the land will involve a talkative imp and an unwelcome relic of the past. ~3500 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: Kalimdor Newbies
The team begins to assemble at the Emerald Sanctuary.
Qelida nods. "Aegis." She looks to Velrin.
Hespyth stands half behind her sister.
Velrin salutes the group, "Velrin Silverbloom, reporting."
Sarandis walks over from the hippogryph stand. "Everyone is here to help the Emerald Circle with Felwood, yes?"
Velrin stands at attention and salutes.
[Hespyth]: Silver… silver… silver….
Qelida nods. "Velrin, I am Qelida. This is Sarandis. Hespyth, Syreithe, Kaladris."
[Velrin]: Yes. When I heard that Cobalt Company was dispatching a team here, I requested to join.
[Kaladris]: Hello, Velrin! Elune light your path.
[Qelida]: What is the difference between Emerald Circle and Cen…arion Circle?
[Hespyth]: Oh good, oh good! More!
[Velrin]: I think I recognize most of you. *Vel smiles* It's good to see you all again.
Sarandis nods. "Yes, you were our… orienter. When we first began to work in Darkshore."
[Hespyth]: Mmmmm yes yes, I remember, yes.
Syreithe gives a sharp nod of her head in greeting.
[Sarandis]: To my understanding, the Emerald Circle is the part of the Cenarion Circle that works in Felwood, specifically.
[Velrin]: Correct.
[Velrin]: There is much work to be done here.
Hespyth hums to herself and shifts back and forth, eyes wandering.
[Sarandis]: We are to report to Tenell Leafrunner.
Tenell Leafrunner says: Welcome! You’re the Cobalt team that’s been sent to assist here in Felwood?
[Qelida]: Yes. We are the Cobalt Aegis.
Tenell eyes Syreithe and Hespyth.
Tenell Leafrunner says: The Emerald Circle is sworn to accept the help of any who wish to fight the demons of Felwood. Though my people have long shunned the arcane, we cannot afford to deny ourselves such advantage here.
[Sarandis]: A wise decision. *Sarandis stares at him, unblinking*
[Qelida]: What needs to be done?
Velrin stands at attention and awaits orders.
Tenell Leafrunner says: I must send you to Arcanist Delaris, a surviving Highborne mage, who helps us battle the Jadefire satyr. Follow the road to the north, and you will find her at our encampment overlooking the Ruins of Constellas.
Hespyth takes a half step back at Tenell's comments about the arcane.
[Hespyth]: DELARIS IS ALIVE?
Hespyth clears her throat.
Hespyth whispers, "delaris is alive?"
Velrin's eyes seem to burn a bit brighter at the mention of satyrs.
Tenell Leafrunner says: If you wish to help cleanse Felwood, I ask you to follow her— what? Yes, last I heard. I certainly hope she still is.
[Qelida]: This is someone you know? Good or bad?
Syreithe smiles at Hespyth, amused.
[Hespyth]: Sorry, sorry… it's fine, it's fine, it's fine.
Hespyth shadowmelds.
Tenell Leafrunner says: Ah, well. I expect you will have no difficulty identifying her, in that case.
[Velrin]: Anyone who can help deal a blow to the satyrs is a welcome addition to me. *Vel remarks coldly*
[Sarandis]: Yes, I think we will manage. *Sarandis doesn't look at Hespyth, because she is shadowmelded*
Hespyth is invisible! Yay!
[Sarandis]: Indeed. We must drive them from this land.
[Qelida]: Come, we will ride. Carrot!
Qelida fetches Carrot, who is a cobalt blue talbuk having an ordinary day.
Hespyth and her sister mount their identical sabers.
Sarandis gestures, and her frostsaber slinks out of the shadows.
Syreithe's saber licks her chops at the sight of Carrot.
Velrin whistles and Shalla'tal emerges from the shadows.
Carrot is now surrounded by five (5) sabers instead of the ordinary four (4) sabers. This is worse.
[Qelida]: Come, Aegis.
Carrot RUNS FOR HIS LIFE.
[Sarandis]: This must be the place… I see tents.
[Qelida]: We are here for Delaris.
Qelida strides forward.
Two draped tents stand amongst the ruins, where a night elf and a Highborne stand.
Hespyth starts crying quietly.
Velrin gives Hespyth a concerned look and places a hand on her back.
Syreithe frowns in concern, putting an arm around her sister.
Arcanist Delaris says: Ah, are you the assistance the Circle druids promised me? Wait… is that…?
Hespyth stares at Delaris, both hands over her mouth, eyes streaming tears. She starts in surprise at Velrin's touch, then smiles at her.
[Qelida]: We are Cobalt Aegis. I am Qelida, and this is Sarandis, Kaladris, Hespyth, Syreithe, and Velrin. We are here to assist you.
Arcanist Delaris says: Hespyth! You made it?! I haven't seen you in an age!
[Hespyth]: You… remember me? Hi! Hi!!! *Hespyth cries happily.*
Hespyth waves violently at Delaris.
Arcanist Delaris says: Oh this is excellent. Then I know you can handle… uh. I hope you can handle what I need to ask you to do.
Hespyth nods at Arcanist Delaris.
Hespyth nods just like the game animation.
Arcanist Delaris says: The druids fight valiantly against the satyr, but fel sorcery blocks their path. Luckily, I have a plan…
Arcanist Delaris says: The satyr hide their corrupted moonwell behind an impenetrable barrier of demonic fire. Their forces must have some way of getting through it.
Arcanist Delaris says: Interrogating the satyr will be useless, but the imps they consort with will be easily swayed. I have a specific one in mind, as well…
Hespyth listens intently.
Velrin grins wickedly at what she's hearing.
[Qelida]: They have… corrupted a moonwell. This is bad, I understand. Perhaps Kaladris can help… but accessing it comes first, yes.
Arcanist Delaris says: Indeed, it's bad, but we can only do anything about it if we can reach it, as you say.
Arcanist Delaris says: In the foothills to the east, a lone imp has been seen wandering, far from the other demons. He should prove easy pickings. Weaken him with combat, and then use this enchanted sack to capture him. Then I'll do the talking.
Hespyth giggles.
[Hespyth]: Imp in a sack!
Syreithe smirks. "This should be simple enough."
[Velrin]: I do think I'm going to enjoy this.
Hespyth giggles at Velrin.
[Sarandis]: Which of us should man the sack? I shall be on the attack, I think.
[Hespyth]: Man sack?
Hespyth is still working on Common.
Hespyth may have misunderstood, as she looks scandalized.
[Sarandis]: Who will… use it to capture the imp.
[Qelida]: Velrin, the sack is yours.
Sarandis nods.
Delaris cheerfully hands Velrin the enchanted sack.
[Velrin]: Understood. *Velrin takes the sack.*
[Hespyth]: Oh. Oh! *Hes claps for Vel.*
Hespyth claps excitedly for Velrin.
[Sarandis]: Let's go find this lone imp.
Delaris waves farewell.
[Kaladris]: Only one imp?
[Sarandis]: That's the plan, so that she can question it.
[Qelida]: She has picked this one because he is alone.
Hespyth emerges dripping from the tainted water she just fell in.
Hespyth shivers with revulsion.
Velrin winces at the sight, "Are you ok?"
Syreithe helps her sister back up the hill, now also dripping with ick.
Kaladris heals Hespyth just in case.
[Hespyth]: No! But I am almost never ok. It is fine.
[Sarandis]: Does anyone… Kaladris, can you cleanse her?
Qelida looks at the twins.
[Kaladris]: Let me see….
Velrin looks at the water for a moment with a melancholy expression.
Hespyth peers at Velrin searchingly.
[Kaladris]: You are not diseased, but still…
[Kaladris]: I'm sorry about your robes.
Sarandis peers at Hespyth and Syreithe, like maybe she could see the corruption. She can't, but she can see the robe damage.
[Hespyth]: Always I like your blessing. Wait… Where is Hat?
Hespyth peers at Kaladris searchingly.
[Kaladris]: I have it!
Kaladris puts it on.
Hespyth claps excitedly for Kaladris.
[Hespyth]: Okay, not lost, okay good.
Syreithe chuckles.
[Sarandis]: I think I see the creature up ahead…
Hespyth whispers to Velrin, "Do you like hats?"
[Velrin]: Not particularly, why?
[Hespyth]: Because I wanted to know if you like hats!
Hespyth is still learning to people.
Hespyth murmurs nervously, "I don't like wearing hats, but I like sometimes to see others wearing hats. I know not why."
[Qelida]: Alone, yes. We will let Velrin approach, so we do not alert it.
Qelida nods to Velrin.
Impsy says: Go away, kid, you're botherin' me!
Velrin closes in on the imp and wrestles it to the ground. Once she has it in a submission hold she manages to stuff it into the magic sack.
Kaladris claps excitedly for Velrin.
Hespyth giggles at the imp sack.
Impsy says: You can't do this! I have my own soul shard!
[Kaladris]: Quick work!
[Sarandis]: Well done.
Impsy says: Niby sold me out! HE SOLD ME OUT!
[Qelida]: Shut up, imp.
Impsy says: Do you HAVE to flail around like such an idiot?!
[Sarandis]: I wonder how she plans to get secrets from this imp…
Impsy says: Let me out of here! It smells like ELVES!
[Hespyth]: Shake the sack! *Hespyth says excitedly, then immediately lowers her voice to a whisper. *If you want…*
Impsy says: It burns in here! Wait, that's just my feet.
Velrin gives the sack a firm but gentle (by her standards anyway) kick.
Hespyth cheers at Velrin!
[Kaladris]: he's frightened. Which is wise.
Impsy says: Let me out and I'll give you three wishes! I swear!
[Sarandis]: Three wishes? Not likely.
[Velrin]: Be quiet, demon.
[Hespyth]: I hate its voice… *Hespyth's ears droop*
Qelida looks scornfully at the sack.
[Qelida]: We have your imp. It will not shut up.
Impsy says: Let me out of here! It smells like ELVES!
Arcanist Delaris says: Wonderful! I want him to talk. Preferably, to tell me things of substance, but we'll see what we can do about that.
The imp is dumped out of the bag at Arcanist Delaris’s feet.
Impsy says: I'll talk, I'll talk! Anything! Just keep that perfumed bag away from me!
Hespyth puts the other elves between herself and the imp.
Arcanist Delaris says: Imps are creatures of deception. With so many of them spotted at Shadowlurk Ridge, I'm positive something is being hidden there. Our little friend will tell us exactly how to find it… if he doesn't want to go back in the sack.
Velrin squats down and sizes up the imp with a menacing, toothy smile.
mpsy says: Yeah, yeah, your stuck-up mage friend there hit it on the nose. The imps over at Shadowlurk Ridge are hiding the key to the satyr's barrier in the nether. It's right there, but you can't see it or touch it unless you're shifted.
Hespyth 's sprite darter companion lands briefly on her shoulder. She gives it a few gentle taps with her fingertips, and it flutters away again.
Impsy says: I guess you're out of luck though, because only imps can phase shift! So you
should just close your eyes, turn around, and let me go…
Sarandis casually reaches towards her sword hilt.
[Qelida]: Not likely.
Impsy flinches.
Impsy says: It was just a joke! Don't hurt me! I'll need slime from the cursed oozes around these ruins. Bring me enough to cover you from head to toe!
[Hespyth]: Noooooooooooooo
Syreithe sighs.
Arcanist Delaris says: Even if it gets you past the barrier? Maybe you can make an arcane layer to hold the slime just off your skin.
Velrin raises an eyebrow, "I trust you know what will happen if you're lying to us. Don't you, imp?"
Sarandis stares at Delaris stoically. "If there is slime, I will endure."
Impsy says: What?! Would I lie to somebody who might throw me in a perfumed sack FOREVER!?
Impsy says: That was rhetorical. No, I wouldn't.
[Qelida]: This is disgusting. Is there any chance this will work?
Hespyth giggles at Impsy.
Qelida looks at the mages.
Hespyth's ears are drooping. It's possible her SOUL is drooping.
Arcanist Delaris smiles. "I think so. This imp truly is terrified. And if we can clear out the satyrs, it's worth a little slime, isn't it?"
Syreithe droops a little, feeling her sister's dismay. She moves to hold her hand to try to bolster her.
[Hespyth]: no
Hespyth leans on Syreithe.
[Velrin]: If that's what it takes to kill a few more of those beasts! *She practically spits out the words*
Arcanist Delaris says: If it's too much, then we might be able to just send a few of you in with slime for recon. We don't need to slime all six of you.
[Sarandis]: Let's just… collect the slime for now. We can decide what to do with it afterward.
[Kaladris]: The baths in Darnassus are excellent, and we will deserve the relaxation.
[Hespyth]: no no no
Hespyth is not saying this as though she expects it will change the plan.
Qelida looks into the nearby tent and comes out with a bucket.
Syreithe squeezes Hespyth's hand. "I will be right beside you."
[Hespyth]: Beside me helps for people and monsters. Beside me does not help slime.
[Hespyth]: You were beside me with before slime. Did not help.
[Syreithe]: Sometime, help is just to give strength.
[Qelida]: I am borrowing this, Delaris. I will return it. There will be slime in it.
Arcanist Delaris says: By all means! I hope you get plenty.
[Sarandis]: The slimes are just here. We don't have to go far.
Qelida scoops up slime in the bucket.
Qelida is trying not to touch it.
Hespyth sighs and tugs at her ears.
[Velrin]: Don't worry, Hespyth. I'll kill enough satyrs for all of us.
[Hespyth]: Thank you!
[Sarandis]: I can only hope this will help the land. It has been in need for too long since the Third War.
[Velrin]: I-it has… *Vel's ears droop*
[Hespyth]: That wolf is… not good.
Hespyth keeps her distance, but does help out with the occasional burst of arcane violence.
[Sarandis]: The animals may need help as well… but I think the satyrs must be dealt with first.
[Hespyth]: They are why the bad.
Sarandis nods.
[Hespyth]: One foot, then another…
Sarandis eyes the bucket.
Qelida's bucket of ooze is quite full and quite heavy. She lugs it along with a look of irritation.
Hespyth stays far away from the ooze.
[Qelida]: Who volunteers? To be covered in slime?
Hespyth baaaacks up.
Impsy says: You got that slime? *He looks at the bucket* Gimme that, I'll have you seeing the invisible in no time!
[Velrin]: If it gets me close to the satyrs I'll do anything.
Hespyth shadowmelds.
Qelida sets the bucket down. "Velrin, then. Anyone else?"
Impsy reaches out to take the bucket.
[Kaladris]: The baths in Darnassus are excellent. I will.
Qelida is notably not volunteering herself.
[Sarandis]: Yes, I have volunteered.
[Hespyth]: …so brave…
Hespyth weeps with admiration.
[Qelida]: Sarandis, Kaladris, Velrin. This is good.
[Syreithe]: I cannot leave Hespyth alone. I am sorry.
Impsy says: I've added a drop of my very own essence to the ooze. Look for a glowing sigil to the west, at the edge of Shadowlurk Ridge.
Sarandis shudders.
Hespyth shudders in sympathy.
Impsy says: Stand on it, concentrate, and pour this stuff all over yourself. It should be enough to shift you into the nether and let you see what's REALLY there.
[Hespyth]: You can lead us…?
Impsy says: You won't be alone… the satyr's treasure is being guarded by the biggest voidstalker they could summon. Defeat him, and the treasure is yours. And come back in one piece, or this broad's gonna fry me!
[Hespyth]: Sorry, sorry, I cannot touch the slime, sorry, I would leave my own skin, I would die, sorry…
Arcanist Delaris says: I don't know what this treasure is, but yes, if this is a lie, I will fry you, Impsy.
[Qelida]: Broad? Is this a term of disrespect?
Qelida leans menacingly towards Impsy.
[Hespyth]: It means wide?
Syreithe frowns. "So…he is saying she is plump?"
[Qelida]: Hm. Her knowledge is vast, but I did not like the imp's tone.
Arcanist Delaris waves a hand. "He's an imp. I don't expect good manners."
[Hespyth]: I am ignoring all his words.
[Kaladris]: You are not cute, imp.
[Kaladris]: You can't have license to act cute.
Arcanist Delaris says: I'll have to manage the imp here, but I'll be following along by scrying, and I should be able to project my voice to you.
Qelida picks up the bucket again. Apparently we're pouring slime when we get there.
Hespyth keeps her distance from the slime bucket. Every so often she whispers "sorry" again.
The team assembles at the designated sigil.
[Qelida]: Sarandis, Velrin, Kaladris, on the sigil.
[Qelida]: Hespyth, stand back to avoid… splashing.
Hespyth occasionally rubs her arms or torso as though she is wiping off nonexistent slime.
Sarandis steps into place and takes a breath to hold.
Qelida douses the three of them in slime and steps back with the empty bucket.
[Kaladris]: Oh, it's horrible.
[Hespyth]: You can guide us.
[Sarandis]: Everyone, there are warlocks binding the imps.
[Hespyth]: Thank you for so brave.
[Sarandis]: Follow our voices.
Qelida kills imps, which she can see.
[Sarandis]: We will slay warlocks, you handle imps on the other side.
[Qelida]: Yes.
Syreithe nods firmly and starts bonking imps.
Hespyth happily blasts an imp, but then the phased warlock starts aiming spells at her.
[Sarandis]: Ah… I see the void creature.
[Sarandis]: It is entirely here. Velrin and Kaladris, we three must slay it together.
Kaladris keeps up, but waits for the signal to attack.
Sarandis charges in to attack the voidwalker.
Velrin slips ahead and slashes upwards underneath one of the void-creature's arms to throw it off balance.
Kaladris calls down the light on the monster. She watches her friends for injuries.
Qelida stands in an empty clearing full of dead imps.
Hespyth waits patiently for things she can see to occur.
Syreithe, unable to see the fight, just stands a close guard over Hespyth, batting away any bold imps that dare to get close.
The void creature stands no chance against Kaladris, Velrin and Sarandis. It dies, leaving its 'treasure' behind.
Arcanist Delaris says: Can you hear me in there? Do you have the claw?
Sarandis moves over to the body of the voidwalker, looking down to see what it has left behind. "The claw? What is this?"
Hespyth's ears twitch at the voice of Arcanist Delaris.
[Kaladris]: I'm not sure. But it's what we have.
Velrin peers at it, "It looks like it belonged to a Nathrezim…"
Arcanist Delaris says: The Claw of Tichondrius… You hold a piece of the very demon that led the Legion to these woods. Better for it to be in our hands than with the satyr.
Sarandis steps back reflexively.
[Qelida]: Take it.
Velrin's face goes pale and her hands start to tremble.
Hespyth shudders, ears drooping. "Nathrezim…"
[Kaladris]: What is that?
Sarandis steels herself, and reaches out to pick it up. "The Claw of Tichondrius."
[Velrin]: Tichondrius? *Velrin mumbles. She grabs her wrist to try and stop it from shaking.*
Arcanist Delaris says: Hold still. I'm going to pull you back to our plane and make sure you and the claw arrive here safely…
[Kaladris]: Ready!
Suddenly, the entire team is whisked back to the Ruins of Constellas.
Hespyth eeps softly as she is teleported.
Sarandis holds out the demon claw to the Highborne, eager to be rid of it.
[Hespyth]: The name… this is from… before. The war. The… our war.
Kaladris looks to Velrin. "We're back. What a relief."
Qelida lets out a breath as she can see the others again. The slime seems to have evaporated.
Arcanist Delaris says: Yes. There is much history here. *She takes the Claw.*
Qelida returns the bucket. That will need to be washed. Not Qelida's problem.
Arcanist Delaris says: I think we can use this… relic… to break into the satyrs' camp.
[Hespyth]: I thought… this Nathrezim died in our war… but… I also thought this of Delaris…
[Sarandis]: The demons, they seem to die time and again. And even dead, still bring trouble.
Sarandis glances to Velrin. "Are you well?"
Velrin tries to pull herself together with little success, "I… I don't know…" Her teeth start to chatter.
Hespyth goes to gently put a hand on Velrin's back as Syreithe often does to Hespyth.
[Sarandis]: Arcanist, I do not think we can storm the satyrs' camp. Not right now. After slime and… not right now.
[Hespyth]: Yes. Time to… rest… prepare.
Syreithe nods. "We need time to find focus."
Arcanist Delaris says: I'll make sure there's no mischief from the imp and the claw in the meantime. We need to make this attack count, so it should be when you're ready.
[Qelida]: It will be so.
Velrin takes in deep breaths and grabs at her chest.
[Velrin]: I'll… be ready…
Hespyth whispers, almost like a weird litany, "Tichondrius… Mal'Ganis… Balnazzar… Detheroc… Varimathras…" She seems to be talking only to herself, like a student preparing for a test.
[Sarandis]: Let us… find a place to rest.
[Hespyth]: Rest, rest, rest.
[Kaladris]: I think we all need a good wash and fresh bao.
[Kaladris]: Can we go back to Darnassus?
[Hespyth]: Yes, yes, yes!
Arcanist Delaris says: Certainly. Let me know when you're ready to proceed — I can be patient.
[Syreithe]: Velrin. Perhaps you will like to join me, to meditate.
[Velrin]: Y-yes…
[Kaladris]: Meditating is a fine idea. I would like to join you.
Syreithe nods. "All are welcome."
Velrin places a hand on Syreithe's shoulder for support.
Sarandis nods respectfully. "Thank you, teacher."