(2025-11-14) Felwood: Rooting out the Corruption

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Hespyth, Iphindra, Kaladris, Qelida, Sarandis, Syreithe and Velrin investigate the demon hunter's claims of demonic infiltration, as well as the possible danger it represents for Whisperwind Grove. ~4300 words
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Kalimdor Newbies

The Aegis team begins to assemble at the inn of Whisperwind Grove, Felwood.

Sarandis comes down from upstairs at the inn, adjusting her armor over her right shoulder as if to alleviate discomfort. She nods at the other women in the common room as she moves to join them.

Qelida leans against the wall near the door, her arms folded. She nods.

Iphi is sitting by the well in the middle of the room. She waves hello excitedly.

Sarandis smiles faintly at Iphindra's warm welcome.

"Greetings," Qelida says.

Syreithe bows her head in greeting. "Hespyth will come soon. She was slow to wake."

"Then we shall wait for her." Qelida nods.

"Ah, I hope nothing was wrong?" Sarandis asks, glancing back towards the inn's rooms.

Hespyth wanders in, murmuring to herself.

Velrin smiles meekly at the group, looking much calmer than last time, but still with a touch of nervousness lingering deep in her eyes.

Iphi smiles at Velrin, looking at her kindly. "Ho- how are you today?"

"I-I'm ok. Thank you." Velrin answers after taking a deep breath.

Hespyth smiles dreamily at her sister. "I was dreaming of Kalecgos," she says in Darnassian, "and was loath to awaken…"

"Those always seem like pleasant dreams," Kaladris says.

Hespyth smiles at Kaladris.

"We might check in with Huntress Selura?" Sarandis says, glancing to Qelida. "In case she has news from… Sindweller."

"Yes, let us see," Qelida says. "If we are ready to work?"

Sarandis looks over the team, checking for any signs of unwellness.

Syreithe give Hes a little smirk. "It did feel like you dreamed of something…pleasant."

"Yes, yes, yes," says Hespyth in Common. She looks a little sleepy, but attentive.

Iphi nods to Velrin, then at Qelida. She gets up. She's ready for the mission doing.

"I am prepared for whatever must come next," Sarandis says to Qelida.

Qelida beckons them on. "Come, Aegis."

Hespyth watches Qelida's tail sway back and forth as she walks as though it is a hypnotist's watch.

Huntress Selura looks over with a crisp nod as the team approaches. "Cobalt Aegis, I’m glad you’re here."

Kaladris bows in greeting.

Qelida nods to Selura. "What news?"

"We’re at a tenuous truce with the demon hunter, but I would prefer to resolve things soon, one way or another," Selura says. "He’s been as good as his word in not acting further in violence, at least."

"Thus far," Kaladris adds.

"That is… something, at least," Sarandis murmurs.

Selura nods to Kaladris in acknowledgement. "The latest message we received indicated that he had contrived a way to prove his claims."

"Prove his claims…" Hespyth echoes softly.

Kaladris listens.

"Will you speak with him, and see if this proof of his holds up?" Selura asks, and glances at the various weapons among the team members. "If not, I trust you know how to handle him."

"We will do what is necessity," Syreithe says.

Hespyth looks around to check if the others know how to handle him.

Qelida nods. "We shall see."

Velrin nods firmly.

"Let's check h- his proof!" Iphi nods.

"We should confirm it, yes," Kaladris says.

Hespyth nods when she sees that the others are confident.

"Thank you," Selura nods in dismissal.

The team heads out into the forest in the direction of the demon hunter’s clearing.

Kaladris lifts her head to smell the air.

"Fresher, today?" Sarandis asks Kaladris quietly.

"Perhaps. I think so," Kaladris says.

"Still a discordant chorus…" Hes murmurs in Darnassian. "But softer now…"

As they head north, Qelida looks at Iphindra. "You have been elsewhere, yes? On your lost continent?"

"Yes!" Iphi smiles. "Pandaria is wo- wonderful!"

Qelida warily approaches Feronas Sindweller. "You have completed your preparations?" Not even a hello.

"H- hello!" Iphi corrects Qelida.

The team approaches the familiar clearing with the shirtless demon hunter. He turns as we approach, and nods to Qelida. "You’ve returned! I had thought you might not. To answer your question, yes.I have something that will reveal the demonic corruption.”

Feronas holds out both hands, offering what appear to be bloodsoaked strips of cloth.

Hes subtly hides behind her sister.

"What… is this?" Sarandis asks, staring at them.

"What are those?" Velrin raises an eyebrow.

Vel is tense, but her voice remains steady.

"NO THANK YOU," Hespyth blurts.

Iphi approaches to take one of the cloths. She is accepting the gift.

Qelida gingerly plucks one from his hands with a look of mild disgust. She holds it with her nails, as if reluctant to touch. "Explain further."

"These blindfolds are soaked in demon blood," Feronas explains. "and I’ve further enhanced them to enable you to see demons as I do."

"No thank you, no thank you, no thank you," Hespyth says nervously.

Syreithe reaches back to give her sister's hand a reassuring squeeze. "You do not have to touch them."

Hespyth relaxes.

Iphi regrets taking the blindfold. She just stares at the blood soaked piece of cloth in her hand.

"Fine." Velrin takes one for herself.

Sarandis sighs. "I braved the slime, I may as well." She reaches forward reluctantly and takes one.

Kaladris also steps forward.

Qelida holds the blindfold up in front of her face, looking at Feronas himself.

Feronas, as expected, does look like what he is.

"Hespyth," Syreithe says quietly, "Will you allow me to use the blindfold? I trust you to watch over me."

Hespyth nods at Syreithe. "Nothing can hurt you," she says softly.

Syreithe smiles, choosing not to disabuse her sister of her own indestructibility at this moment.

Velrin barely even hesitates as she puts hers on.

"It isn't a permanent effect," Feronas explains. "It will not last more than a day, but that's enough time for you to see the druids at the Jadefire Run for what they truly are."

Syreithe approaches the demon hunter, and accepts one of the bloody blindfolds, wrapping it around her eyes.

"If we're anything alike," Feronas says, and tenses a little. "I expect you will be horrified and desire to wipe them out immediately. Thus I warn you – gazing through the veil for too long without practice will break your minds."

Hespyth bursts into giggles.

Sarandis carefully secures the blindfold around her own head, flinching a little at the touch of the cloth.

"Elune, guide me," Kaladris murmurs, and puts the blindfold on.

Iphi very reluctantly places the blindfold on her eyes. She immediately removes it when he says she shouldn't wear this for too long. "I- I'll put mine when we get there."

"My shalan is one of your kind. I have some sense of this skill." Velrin explains.

Hespyth makes an interested noise in Velrin's direction.

Qelida ties her blindfold over her eyes and then pushes it up onto her forehead so she can actually see for the time being.

Hespyth follows her sister like some sort of reverse seeing eye dog situation.

Kaladris takes a moment to turn her head and look for something. She nods and takes it off again.

Syreithe lifts the blindfold for now, letting it rest on her headband.

Feronas looks sharply at Velrin, and then gives a faint smile. "Well, then. Feel free to slay demons if you like, but when you begin to feel… unsteady, I advise you to remove the blindfold. Then you can return to me, convinced, and we'll discuss what's next."

Velrin seems pretty unphased by being blindfolded.

"It feels angry," Kaladris says.

"Where do you believe we can find these demons?" Qelida asks.

"Jadefire Run, just to the west of here," Feronas points.

Sarandis pushes her own blindfold up to her forehead. "We will see what we will see. And then we will decide if we are convinced."

"Wh- what if we don't see them as demons, when we p- put the blindfolds?" Iphi asks, tilting her head.

"There's no point in my answering that," Feronas says with confidence. "You will."

"Then we will proceed accordingly," Qelida tells Iphindra.

Iphi nods to both of them.

Hespyth quietly hums an ancient song and smooths her hands down the soft, nearly seamless fabric of her current robe, repeatedly, as though it were a pet cat.

"Such an odd sensation…" Velrin mumbles.

"He does seem so certain," Sarandis murmurs. "He would not offer us this, if he were not."

"Winds of Azeroth, guide us," Qelida requests. There's a whoosh of wind and a little air elemental gathers itself together.

Hespyth claps her hands and cheers girlishly at the little elemental.

Sarandis looks at it in curiosity.

Iphi shakes her head. "He- he's shown us illusions before. We need to make sure what we see isn't more of them…"

"I will tell you," Hespyth reassures Iphi.

"There, ahead," Sarandis says. "A tauren druid."

Qelida approaches. "Greetings, druid."

Iphi smiles at Hespyth. "That's good, it's a good idea you do- don't use a blindfold too! More perspectives!"

The druid turns and smiles, then pauses at the sight of the blindfolds. "Greetings… friends."

Syreithe pulls her blindfold down over her eyes.

Velrin stops dead in her tracks and motions for the others to halt.

Iphi finally puts on her own blindfold. Hers isn't 100% dry. Eww.

"That's no druid!" Velrin growls.

Sarandis pulls down her blindfold and draws in a breath.
"What is that? Not a satyr," Sarandis whispers.

"Oh. I see something. How odd," Kaladris says.

Syreithe frowns, "Some kind of felfire entity."

"What is your name?" Qelida asks the 'druid' as she draws the blindfold down over her eyes.

To Hespyth's eyes, the druid droops a little. "Names have power, little draenei. It is a shame. You have seen too much, and now you must die."

Kaladris casts a protective shield on Velrin, knowing she'll be quick to attack.

Velrin draws her weapons and darts in.

Hespyth squeals.

"The fire!" Kaladris calls.

Iphi gasps in surprise. She draws her spear.

Syreithe leaps in alongside Velrin with a flying kick!

The little air elemental zips forward and zaps the demon with lightning!

Sarandis draws sword and shield, and steps forward to defend.

The creature of fel hurls fire at the team, holding nothing back in the attack.

Iphi summons some moonlight by summoning it with the tip of her spear.

The creature does not stand long against the team, but as he falls he says, "…back to the Nether."

"See," Qelida says to Hespyth. "Even without the blindfold, they do not maintain the deception."

"S… so the demon hunter was ri- right?" Iphi asks, frowning sadly.

"Yes." Kaladris looks grim.

"What are these?" Sarandis says, tilting her head to peer forward. "I see them blazing, but they are not satyrs."

The blindfolds reveal that the entire camp is full of demonic creatures of felfire.

Velrin clenches her teeth, "So this uneasy feeling I've had all this time wasn't just the corruption of the land itself…" Velrin says, frustrated.

"About this, he was right," Qelida says with a frustrated sigh. "Come." She pushes her blindfold up at an angle so that it covers one of her eyes but not both.

"Demons infesting," Sarandis nods.

"It hurts to look at them," Kaladris says.

Hespyth's ears swivel between each speaking person, but she remains quiet for the moment, her luminous eyes wide.

Sarandis pushes back the blindfold, then spots Qelida's solution and copies her.

Sarandis's breath comes more quickly as her enchanted eye sees the fel flames the creatures leave behind.

Hespyth moves nearer to Sarandis and absently strokes her hair.

Sarandis settles a little at Hespyth's touch, and forces her breath to slow.

Iphi is following the group with her blindfold on. It's hard to say if she's simply following the sound of their stops or using some kind of echolocation, because this is Iphi the grain whisperer we're talking about.

Velrin takes to the strange sight startlingly well.

"It is… the whole camp," Sarandis says in horror.

Qelida eventually pulls the blindfold back down all the way and lets the elemental guide her. It's too disorienting otherwise.

Kaladris tears the blindfold off. "Horrid." She looks deeply shaken.

Hespyth makes a sympathetic sound. "I wasn't brave enough," Hespyth says softly to Kaladris. "Thank you for doing it."

Sarandis moves more slowly with the doubled sight, but she grits her teeth and carries on. After another demon kill, she shakes her head as if trying to dispel something, and then removes the blindfold. "I think… that is enough of that, for me."

Iphindra immediately removes her blindfold as well, wiping away the demon blood with her sleeve. She shivers, looking at the blood stains left on her armor.

Syreithe peels off the blindfold, then leans into Hespyth affectionately. "Thank you for watching over me."

Hespyth beams! She helped!

Qelida removes the blindfold and presses her hand to her forehead. "That sight is… difficult."

"I suppose… I am convinced. Of this, at least," Sarandis says with a low sigh, looking at Qelida. "I do not know what 'next steps' he intends."

Syreithe nods. "I believe the demon hunter says true."

"Thank you all for being so brave," Hespyth says solemnly.

Qelida nods. "We shall return, then."

Velrin removes her blindfold once they're finished and looks at the others, "Was it really that harrowing?"

"It felt… very wrong," Sarandis nods. "Disorienting and wrong."

Velrin purses her lips, not quite sure what to say.

"It may be… your shalan," Sarandis offers. "When we find our soulmates, they strengthen us."

"I am going to wash myself as soon as I can," Kaladris says.

"Yes," Qelida says. "Being blind is no hardship, but the demonic sight… My people are blessed by the Naaru. It felt like I was stretching past… straining my eyes to see something very far in the distance."

"I just di- didn't really like the demon blood…" Iphi shakes her head.

"I hope we will not have to do it often," Sarandis says with a shudder, turning to head back towards Feronas's camp.

"There was something about the look of it. Where I saw, I also…felt. and that feeling tried to sink into me," Kaladris explains.

Hespyth nods. This much, she can understand.

Velrin looks down at the blindfold in her hands, starting to feel a little insecure now. How deeply has Nylarria affected her? Or has she always been like this?

Sarandis reaches out a hand to fortify Kaladris with a touch on the shoulder, but then she sees a smear of blood on her own hand and stops short, flinching.

"I could feel it trying to seep in me," Syreithe confirms. "I make my mind like steel."

Qelida turns her attention to Kaladris. Her eyes flare as the symbol of the Naaru appears over her brow, and she sends a surge of healing Light into Kaladris.

"I think my mind is much like softer stuff—ahhh. That's better," Kaladris says in relief.

Iphi nods at Syreithe. "I- I think my mind is like a sieve, so it just fell th-through, I think."

Velrin just stares at her blindfold for a while, "Was he right?" She mumbles to herself.

Sarandis draws in a long breath. "If we must do this again, we do not all have to. Some few of us can use the blindfold to confirm. But we will need to talk to the demon hunter again. He said there was more."

"Thank you. I think I am too open to such feelings. I will leave off the blindfold this time," Kaladris says.

"R-right…" Velrin snaps out of her reflection.

"We can be no-blindfold friends!" Hespyth says to Kaladris with a nervous giggle.

"Kaladris. I can teach you technique for steel mind," Syreithe says, "If you wish."

"That would be most welcome,” Kaladris says.

They return to Feronas Sindweller.

At the camp, Feronas is a picture of eager impatience. He straightens as the team approaches."Now you see? Now do you believe me?"

Hespyth frowns at the man's tone.

Sarandis reluctantly nods.

"We do," Iphi nods.

"You've made your point." Velrin admits.

Hespyth murmurs to Velrin, "I wish he did not make it so loudly."

Kaladris tries not to smile, but it was funny.

Feronas looks genuinely relieved. "Then we are allies in this. Whether you dislike me or not, we share the same enemies. I can handle the demonic impostors in the forest, but I suspect there are others I cannot reach."

"Where? In se- settlements, you mean?" Iphi looks worriedly.

"I fear you are right," Kaladris says.

"Hm." Qelida folds her arms over her chest.

"Exactly," Feronas nods. "Even with this ‘truce’, I am not permitted within Whisperwind Grove. I would be set upon by ignorant protectors… but you! You can catch them unaware."

Sarandis looks around at the others, and back at Feronas, warily.

Iphi does as well.

"If you are willing to remove the root of the infiltration, take those blindfolds and go back to the Grove," Feronas smiles. "Check everyone, even the Archdruid in charge of the Emerald Circle. No one is above suspicion."

"Ex- except us!" Iphi clarifies. "We'd have seen if we were demons, b- by now…"

"Yes," Qelida says seriously to Iphindra. "I have seen that we are not."

"Our meeting would have happened very differently, if you were," Feronas says dryly.

"It is my duty as one of the Watchers to bring justice to those who would threaten our people." Velrin says firmly.

Velrin nods to Feronas, "My thoughts exactly."

Qelida nods.

"And it is my duty to destroy demons, wherever they may be found," Feronas nods. "We are in accord."

"I will help," Hespyth says feebly.

"We must do this today," Sarandis says. "Before the power fades."

Sarandis enters the Grove warily, glancing down at her blindfold. She cautiously raises the cloth to cover one eye and looks around, then breathes out in relief.

"Velrin, since this comes easiest to you," Qelida says, and nods to her as they return to Whisperwind Grove.

Sarandis then lowers the cloth, rather than tying it around her head. "It is not full of demons, at least."

"Praise Elune," Kaladris says.

Velrin nods without looking back and puts on her blindfold.

"G- good!" Iphi smiles. "Maybe there are none, in the e- end."

"Velrin is very brave," Hespyth notes. "I am not," she says with equal tranquility.

"How to check?" Sarandis asks. "Each building? Begin with the Archdruid?"

The team approaches Huntress Selura, who is not a demon.

"There was truth to the demon hunter's claims," Qelida tells Huntress Selura. "He suspects there may be a demon hiding within the grove itself."

"The Grove itself?" Selura asks, alarmed. "Surely I would have noticed…"

"We'll check with demon-blood bli- blindfolds!" Iphi explains.

"I sense something… coming from the tree in eastern part of town." Velrin says calmly.

"These cloth blindfolds are temporarily enchanted to allow us to see - to sense - demons. We shall search." Qelida nods. "Lead on, Velrin."

The little air elemental whooshes off towards the tree.

"Search on," Selura agrees. "If this is true, it must be rooted out."

Selura shoots a sharp look at Velrin. "From the Archdruid's tree? Someone so close to him?"

"I fear so." Velrin says.

"At least it was not Selura," Sarandis says. "That would have been difficult."

"Rooted out…" Hes repeats softly.

Sarandis looks pointedly at the tree roots.

Hespyth giggles.

Sarandis smiles briefly.

Qelida walks near Velrin, ready to guide her to the ramp if needed.

Vel's steps are sure as she makes her way up.

Kaladris is utterly tense as they climb all the way to the top.

The Arch Druid appears to be alone in his chamber atop the tree.

Iphi looks at Velrin, worriedly.

Sarandis stays a step behind, looking at the white-haired kaldorei worriedly.

Hespyth starts to look uneasy.

"Navarax." Velrin says, "You stand accused."

"Something… something is…" Hespyth whips her head toward Velrin, then Navarax.

"Accused?" Navarax says, glancing at the blindfolded Velrin. "Of what, young ones?"

Iphindra's hand is on her spear, reading to unsheath it.

Kaladris stands ready. oh no. oh no.

"I thought it was only my bond with Nylarria playing tricks on me, but we have seen the truth. This place is rife with corruption." Velrin hisses.
"Reveal it to us willingly and I will grant you a swift death, demon." Velrin says coldly.

Navarax sighs. "And after all the trouble I went to, in order to secure such a position of power. Well, perhaps I can put the blame on you, after you're dead." Navarax smiles, a very un-druid-like smile.

Kaladris knows danger when she sees it in a smile.

Qelida holds the strip of cloth up in front of her eyes and frowns.

Hespyth's hands crackle with arcane energy.

Navarax bursts into the form of a satyr, with a blast of air that pushes back the team. He shouts, "Your deaths will tell a different story!"

"Aegis!" Kaladris cries, and her healing spells become protective shields, enveloping everyone.

Qelida drops the cloth and quickly pulls out a few of her crystal totems that grow to full size when she casts them in front of her.

Velrin rolls into the blast and catches her feet on the wall behind her to rebound back, blades drawn.

Sarandis drops to a fighting stance immediately after the blast, drawing sword and shield and charging forward, fully trusting Kaladris's shield.

Iphi is blasted against the window. It takes her a moment to get back up. After she does, however, she makes a night sky appear under the roof, and a rain of stars falls onto Navarax.

Syreithe pushes off the wall and lunges forward in a roll, rising to her feel behind the demon's back. Exhaling loudly with a battle-cry, she hammers her fist into the satyr's spine with an audible CRACK!

Navarax may have miscalculated, taking on seven people.

Kaladris is protected from the impact, but Velrin using the blast to attack? Kaladris is so impressed.

Navarax the satyr swirls around, trying to dodge simultaneous attacks from Velrin, Sarandis and Syreithe.

The stars burn where they strike his fur.

Hespyth's arcane missiles find him as well, a flash of violet light in the dim chamber.

The little air elemental knows its job. Get zapped with lightning, jerk.

Kaladris keeps casting protections.

Velrin sinks her daggers deep into the demon and then tries to grapple him to allow the others to finish him off.

Hespyth launches an arcane barrage, her eyes glowing brightly.

Sarandis strikes forward, burying her blade in his midsection.

Iphi summons TREES that grab Navarax, stopping his movement.

Syreithe leaps up to the demon's shoulder, and unleashes a barrage of rapid punches to its face.

Navarax tries to cast a spell, and Qelida punches him in the throat with a gust of wind.

His last spell failing, Navarax crumples to the ground, lifeless.

Another druid rushes into the door, having heard the noise. "What is going on in here?!"

Qelida points at the dead satyr.

The druid pauses, staring at the body where an Arch Druid once was. "How did that get in here?"

"It is the Archdruid," Sarandis says quietly.

Iphi's hands glow green as the trees disappear. She looks at the druid and blinks. She looks like a deer in headlights.

Hespyth sighs, ears drooping.

Qelida carefully collects her totems and the blindfold she dropped.

"The Arch Druid… how in the world…?” the druid asks. “I… I must tell the others. You should find Huntress Selura right away!"

"I do not know how long ago your Arch Druid was replaced," Qelida says. "We shall tell her."

The druid rushes off.

"I wonder if there was once a true Navarax, or if it was always such," Sarandis says quietly.

"Navarax sounds like a satyr name," Hespyth says.

"I- if there is a true one…I hope he is alive, somewhere. A- as a prisoner…" Iphi looks sadly forward.

On their way back, Qelida takes the time to duck into the other shops and public buildings, blindfold held in front of her eyes. She finds no demons.

Huntress Selura waits where they left her, looking at them in worry.

"It was as we feared. The Archdruid was a demon." Velrin explains.

"The wi- wicked demon is dead!" Iphi reassures Selura. And no one will mourn him. Probably.

"We are very sorry," Hespyth says, her eyes teary.

"The Archdruid," Selura repeats, horrified. "It is hard to believe, but I trust you have done what's needed."

Qelida nods. "It is done."

Selura raises a hand to her forehead wearily, and says, "I will order an investigation into the druids at Jadefire Run right away, and make sure my higher-ups know the demon hunter may be content to remain in exile."

Velrin nods, "I can inform the Watchers as well. We may have sisters to spare as well."

"H- he was weird, but he helped us a lo- a lot," Iphi nods. "I think it is good he is left alone."

"It seems we needed the help," Selura says, blinking back a tear of her own. "And yes, if the Watchers have anyone to spare — I hope you've already uncovered the worst of it."

"They were very brave, and very careful," Hespyth assures her.

Qelida nods solemnly to Huntress Selura. "Good work, Aegis."

"Thank you for your service," Selura says solemnly, bowing her head in respect to the team.

Hespyth looks a bit awkward, and nibbles at the finger of one of her gloves.

Iphindra bows, something she's picked up from Pandaria.

"I was only doing my duty to protect my home." Velrin bows to Selura.

"That is all for today," Qelida says. "I will send word to the demon hunter of our success."

"I will be fit to speak to *after* a bath," Kaladris announces. "And a nap."

"I'm go- going back to Pandaria for now, in case they need me th- there!" Iphi uses her hearthstone.

Sarandis trails after Kaladris towards the inn.