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Post by Vaelitha Skysong on Mar 11, 2011 11:58:14 GMT 1
Karael is brought before the Elders and her peers to be judged for her crimes. Elder Theronth presides and after deliberation, makes a decision. Karael is to be spared execution and will instead make recompense for the wrong committed. She is to heal the land with her own hands, do all she can to preserve the Balance and she is also forbidden to raise and care for any creature or being, which means she will never be able to raise children or have a companion. Theronth is praised for his wise judgement, and the Followers return to where they came, leaving Karael to start her repentance.
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Post by Aldrannath on Mar 20, 2011 13:53:48 GMT 1
Vanathisorr and Aldrannath manage to sneak into Orgrimmar, to determine whether this strange and deadly artifact is still there. They establish that it has gone, before being spotted and attacked; they are both injured, but manage to escape by transporting themselves to Moonglade.
Deliaris, Caranir and Nathaldir go to investigate the deaths of two Sentinels, who had attempted to rescue a Kaldorei prisoner being transported by a lone Tauren guard. It transpires that this "prisoner" and her "guard" are both Twilight cultists; the two leave a trail of blood and death across Azshara, and take a ship eastward across the ocean. Their pursuers guess that these are the same two cultists who kidnapped the Shen'dralar scholar Venyas.
When this news is recounted to Kelenos of the Circle, he is distraught - he realises that the Twilight's Hammer are seeking for the same mythical Titan artifact that seems to have fallen into the hands of the Horde - the same artifact mentioned in ancient legends that Venyas had studied.
Seeing that Venyas is utterly insane, Kelenos studies the research notes left by the scholar, and finds several mentions of another scholar, named Shelyenos. Guessing that Shelyenos may now be the only living mortal to understand the lore surrounding this mysterious artifact, Kelenos advises the followers of the Way to seek him in the library of Eldre'thalas.
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Post by Aldrannath on Apr 4, 2011 6:23:50 GMT 1
Ashunera celebrates the Rite of Tranquility in Feralas; Aldrannath behaves strangely at the Rite, departing suddenly after declaring that Ashunera's hunt was not an omen.
The followers of the Way reach the library of Eldre'thalas, only to find that Shelyenos is no longer there; they are told that he has gone to Outland, to study the Arcane technology of the Naaru.
Travelling to Outland, the followers pause for rest in the Wetlands, where they are informed about a group of humans carrying a burden towards the Twilight Highlands. The artifact, whatever it is, seems to kill or poison every living thing around it. Realising at once that this may be the same thing they found traces of in Azshara, they track the humans to the gates of Grim Batol.
Soon after, Caranir leads a group of followers into the ancient Dwarf city, to find and hopefully recover the artifact from the hands of the Twilight's Hammer. The Red Dragon Calen, meanwhile, orders a terrified and reluctant Isance to carry the thing to Outland, and ask the Ethereals to find a way of keeping it safe for a time. The warriors escape Grim Batol with the "artifact," which appears on the surface to be a perfectly normal cat. The group then sets out to continue the journey towards the Dark Portal.
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Post by Aldrannath on Apr 29, 2011 7:37:49 GMT 1
After a circuitous journey, and considerable trouble with the terrified human Isance, the followers of the Way arrive at the Stormspire, where the Ethereals take possession of the artifact, deactivating it, and bloodily discarding the cat it had apparently "created". They remark that the device is highly sophisticated, using technology beyond their own knowledge, and is a broken piece of a larger whole. They also note that it has been tampered with, both physically and magically, in an attempt to change or subvert its functioning. However, they offer no explanation as to its nature or origins.
In return for their aid, the Kaldorei agree to travel to the Temple of Karabor and retrieve another artifact the Ethereals are interested in. This turns out to be a device that can be used to create portals between worlds, given sufficient magical power. While fighting the disorganised and demoralised remnants of the Illidari, Vaelitha receives a dangerous head wound; Aldrannath heals the injury, but afterwards she seems distressed and confused.
During their incursion, the Kaldorei find a prisoner; his Broken kin had asked them to kill him, but the Kaldorei decide to let him go free. Passing the Broken forces on the way out of the Temple, they discover that a bloody battle has taken place among them, apparently brought about by the return of the same prisoner.
Back at the Stormspire, the Kaldorei receive a letter from Shelyenos, warmly offering his assistance, and inviting them to bring the artifact and its bearer (the human Isance) to his place of study in the Eye of Tempest Keep.
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Post by Vaelitha Skysong on May 6, 2011 13:33:49 GMT 1
With a few of their number missing or unwell, the Followers of the Way gathered at the Stormspire decide to go and investigate the Tempest Keep, with the hopes of seeing what they might face there before an actual meeting with the mysterious Shen'dralar - Shelyenos.
They are unable to prevent meeting Shelyenos, and after a brief, but heated, conversation with him a few things become apparent. He is not a Highborne of the Shen'dralar, but is a Blood Elf mage of enormous power. With his cohorts beside him, he asks that they leave the human Isance behind, after discovering that they do not have with them the artifact. He is angrily rebuffed, and after a long and bloody battle he is defeated along with his comrades. Ashunera and Isance are wounded, but not mortally, and are taken back to the Stormspire to recover. Vaelitha and Caranir were able to take some of the mage's notes and papers before hurrying from the Eye.
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Post by Aldrannath on May 28, 2011 19:18:40 GMT 1
The followers of the Way return to Kalimdor via Stormwind, where a chance encounter with some boisterous humans comes very close to starting a riot. Arriving back home, they learn that the Shen'dralar scholar Venyas (whose notes first set the followers on the trail of Shelyenos) has partly recovered from his madness.
Nomani's Rite of Tranquility is celebrated among the roots of Teldrassil; some of the Seekers are shocked by the unfamiliar ceremony. The Kaldorei then travel to Moonglade, where Venyas, still somewhat deranged, explains what he guesses about the artifact they stumbled upon. It is apparently one of five fragments of a lost magical tool once used by the Titans, which fell into the hands of the Old Ones before their defeat and imprisonment. Venyas believes that such tools were used by the Titans to shape and alter the living things of old Kalimdor, but these fragments still bear traces of the dark magic used by the Old Ones in their efforts to bend the stolen artifact to their will.
Realising that the Cataclysm may have unearthed more of these five legendary fragments, and anxious to find them before they, too, fall into the hands of the Twilight's Hammer, the followers of the Way travel to Darnassus, only to find that Celegil has been partly successful in her efforts to sow suspicion of the Way among their kin. Huntress Stillwater reluctantly shares the information that unusual numbers of Goblins, apparently under Sin'dorei supervision, have been spotted near one of the mines on the edge of Mulgore. The Elders decide to look into this rather tenuous lead, trusting that Malorne's will is guiding them.
Speaking privately with Vaelitha, Aldrannath at last explains the terrifying omen revealed months ago in Ashunera's first Hunt.
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Post by Aldrannath on Jun 19, 2011 20:15:12 GMT 1
The followers of the Way travel to Mulgore, and with some difficulty manage to approach their target without being spotted by Horde patrols. Deep inside the mine, they find an abandoned tunnel, marked with warning signs. Inside, an unnatural darkness conceals a number of dead Goblins, apparently slain by the Sin'dorei. At the end of the tunnel they find a series of carved stone panels of vast antiquity, portraying scenes from the War between the Titans and the Old Ones. Two panels have been removed. Shaken, the Kaldorei withdraw from the mine, and follow the trail of the Sin'dorei as far as Thunder Bluff. They find the Blood Elves' campsite, and a small, slightly magical mirror they had apparently left behind.
The followers take the mirror to a Highborne scholar in Darnassus, who is able to trace its owner to Silithus. Kelenos, meanwhile, reads Ashunera's transcription of the ancient carvings, and guesses that the events described probably took place in what is now Silithus. He also cautions Ashunera, who had unwisely committed the script to memory.
Cernunnos celebrates the Rite of Tranquility in Darkshore, and is named Ranger of the Way. The Kaldorei then travel south to Silithus on the trail of the Sin'dorei, tracking them to the ruins of Ahn'Qiraj. Hours behind their quarry, they enter the ruined city, finding traces of the Blood Elves' Arcane rituals before falling victim to the disorienting mind-magic of the Qiraji. Summoned by an increasingly desperate Nomani, Elder Vaelitha joins them, and is able to help the other followers shake off the Qiraji spell for a time, allowing them to track the Sin'dorei to their destination.
The Kaldorei find a Titanic stone face, surrounded by Qiraji engravings, apparently carved in the wall of the city; they also find the traces of powerful Sin'dorei magic woven about it. The Arcane spells weaken and break as the Kaldorei watch, and the face speaks to them, naming itself "Daehneras", and foretelling the death of three Rangers, beginning with Nathaldir, at the hands of their Elders. Daehneras warns Nomani that "your hands shall be drenched with the blood of your Thero'shan", and entices Deliaris to go closer, apparently in order to tell her "secrets". Kaylaneh, meanwhile, identifies the traces of the portal the Sin'dorei used to depart, and Caranir finally manages to drag and cajole his confused, distraught and stupefied kin away from the accursed place, and back to Cenarion Hold.
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Post by Aldrannath on Jul 4, 2011 20:16:58 GMT 1
The followers of the Way seek out Kelenos in Moonglade, only to find him alone in an isolated spot, blinded and with sinister glyphs carved bloodily into his face and chest. The Kaldorei start a search for the perpetrators, and for Nathaldir, who having gone alone to look for Kelenos in the woods, has also gone missing.
With the help of Druids of the Talon, they eventually track Nathaldir down in Darkshore; Twilight Cultists have apparently offered him to the Old Gods in some kind of sacrifice. Nathaldir is still alive, though raving mad and dying from his wounds; after a fierce battle to save him, the healers accept the inevitable, and Aldrannath cuts his throat as an act of mercy. The followers of the Way set Nathaldir to rest in the forest of Winterspring.
Kelenos, having begun to recover from his injuries, gently but firmly rebuffs the efforts of his friend, the Priestess Kaleina, to ease his discomfort. Instead, with some of the other Kaldorei, she escorts one of his more gravely damaged patients to the Temple of the Moon in Darnassus, to be cared for by the Sisterhood now that Kelenos is no longer fit.
At the invitation of Huntress Thelnaya Stillwater, the followers of the Way gather in a secluded corner of Darnassus, to discuss what they have discovered about the so-called "Darkglaive", also known as "the Shining Light", and the efforts of both Sin'dorei and Twilight Cultists to recover its five broken pieces. Thelnaya announces that the Sisterhood expect the followers of the Way to bring any further pieces of the artifact to them in Darnassus. There is some consternation among the Kaldorei that the first of the dark predictions of "Daehneras" appears to have come true.
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Post by Isa on Aug 25, 2011 13:18:48 GMT 1
((Aldy is having a very busy time IRL, so I offered my time to write up what has been happening around Uldum. Now, there are some mistakes, but I have been careful to include only what I know for certain. Even if it is in error.
This post will be removed when Aldy posts the actual version.))
Summary for the Way:
The Way received word that a Tauren and a Kaldorei were seen travelling together in Feralas. Hoping that this might have been the cultists encountered before, the Way sped off to the majestic, untouched forest.
There they found a camp with large cages, often used, but not recently. Big hoof prints mingled small, light bootprints. Presuming that the pair spent at least one night here, the Kaldorei split up to search the surroundings.
Their findings were both ominous and delightful. They found a Moonwell from the time of the War of Ancients <That demonic invasion> Isance confirmed the sample of water taken to be pure still.
Meanwhile <forgot her name> found a hippogryph whose back-feathers had been broken and ruffled. Indicating that it had carried a passenger upon its back.
Cylera found a “dark presence” to be watching her intently when she investigated the ruins called “Darkmyst.”
Combining the knowledge of the flying capacity of the wild hippogryphs, the prophecy and the simple logic that there was no reason for the cultist-pair to return to Silithus, the Way concluded that their path lay to the southwest, towards the new land of Uldum…
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Yet the Way had to know for sure that that was the right direction. So they set out to speak to The Watcher. Someone or something, chained up in the top chamber in a lonely tower overseeing Silithus.
Underway they came onto another campsite in the northern mountains of Silithus. The trail became clearer, yet still they needed to know where they went from here.
A select diplomatic envoy went up to talk to The Watcher. When they returned they said that their quarry entered Uldum.
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In Uldum the Way met the strange centaurian people known as the Ramkahen, or is that Tol`vir? This was the first time the Way had met these catfolk, so they sent Isance and Kaleina ahead to make introductions.
The guard was gruff, but polite. Curtly telling the diplomats to go speak with the King and provided directions.
In the great city of Ramkahen, the welcome was somewhat more cordial. Guest chambers had been prepared and we were offered the hospitality of the Tol`vir people while we waited for the Kings Secret-Keeper to have the time to speak to us. Prefering the outdoors, the Way declined the use of the guest house and settled down on a little used plaza.
It took nearly a full week for the Secret Keeper to fit us into his schedule. When he did have time, Isance was elected to speak for the group, having the best knowledge of Common, which the creatures spoke remarkably well.
Secret Keeper Kamendis was not too pleased with the Way. In fact, he was often rude and racist. Some Kaldorei kept muttering darkly at the rough treatment. One spoke of killing him there and then. Then the Ramkahen revealed that he could understand and speak Darnassian well enough, just did not “like to speak such a barbarous tongue”
Before the reputation of the Way could deteriorate further, Isance asked what they could do to prove their worth. The Secret Keeper told them to speak with the High Priest <Whatsit>.
Inside the great Dam of Uldum they found the High Priest staring into muddy waters, while his attendants prayed frantically. Isance told him of their need, and asked for help. The High Priest Amir replied soronously: “Help, I would like. But the waters are clouded, dark. Go to end of the river. Find what is clouding my visions.”
Having no other option, we left to prepare for the flight south…
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At the delta of the river, we were faced with a huge cliffface. Unperturbed the druids continued, leaving those without means of flight to go the long way down, carefully scaling down the slippery sandy slopes. It is no surprise we were soon separated and searched the muddy plains of the delta for clues.
We found signs of digging everywhere. But without pattern, later we discovered these were trial digs to find the Thing.
They found it underneath the seabed just off the delta. The Twilights dug it up and left, presumably that was another part of the artifact.
We also found a strange new plant that used pollen to make its targets drowsy, then dragged its victim to its mouth to digest it. It was an abomination of nature and had to be destroyed. Obviously Aldrannath was quickly affected.
Believing we had the High Priests answer, the Way returned. He was glad with work done, exclaiming that the waters were clear again. He gave Isance a token of his favour to be presented to Secret Keeper Kalemdis.
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After a short while to rest and recover, the Secret Keeper had time for the Kaldorei. His messenger called for “The Human Isance and her followers” to go to the audience. There the human told of their findings and reiterated their request. When she spoke of the thing unburied, Kalemdis was visibly shocked.
Seeing an opening Isance pressed for the location of the Cultists. The Secret Keeper nodded and said: “They have served their use, you can find them at the Vortex Pinnacle, do with them as you wish.”
Distrustful after this cold turn, the Way decided that it would be prudent to move to a base outside of Ramkahen influence.
They landed at an oasis far to the northwest of Ramkanen. While they were preparing for the assault on the Pinnacle, a messagebird came in. A druid asking for help since he/she was about to be captured by Qiraji, he thought they would take him to their fortress.
The Way had the choice of ignoring the plea, hoping against hope that Cenarion Hold would send help. But in our hearts we knew that he would be dead long before the rescue from Cenarion Hold would even arrive.
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Post by Isa on Aug 25, 2011 13:25:08 GMT 1
(( As a treat, here is a little story by my hand, with all the important clues and discoveries of the adventure into the Qiraji Fortress. Enjoy
This will be reposted after Aldy puts up his improved version of the events leading up to, and in Uldum)) The Human`s ReportTwo hours after sunset on the ruined remains of the oasis, the Human couple returns. Amakatsu and Isance dismount from their shared Hippogryph, then they look at each other fondly. The man mumbles something to the girl, she smiles tightly and speaks softly back. The kaldorei of the Way could easily overhear their conversation, but choose not to. Together, hand in hand, they walk to the waiting circle of Elves. There they bow before Caranir and Aldrannath. Isa`s clear, light voice fills the expectant silence. “Ishnu`dal`dieb Caranir, Ishnu`dal`dieb Aldrannath, and to all of you. Many of you have probably heard already what I am about to tell you, but still I would ask for you to hear me out. I am still shaken from what I saw, and… and…” Without a word Amakatsu squeezes her hand and simply smiles. Isance smiles back and continues. “Even with the wisdom of afterthought, I do not recall anything that pointed out something was wrong when we left the oasis. We, Ralane, Cylera, Ashunera and I, managed to get to the place in the Kiradze fortress where the prisoners were… euhm... ‘kept’.” Again Isa pauses briefly, her face pale as a sheet. “They were kept in strange cocoons. We looked around but saw no trace of a Kaldorei. Ralane rescued one prisoner, a human male, approximate age 35. And dragged him to me and Ashunera." "Two things were very strange to us. One, a large amount of purple tubes were growing outside of the patient`s back and the back of its head. A purple liquid gushed from it. Presumably he would bleed out in ten minutes." "The second strange thing was that he suffocated. In normal air. Without any obstruction in mouth or throat, as far as I could see or reach with my wand.” “More importantly, we found a broken up cocoon, probably the only one of its kind there. It was empty. Besides it was a long curved feather with a message in it. Next to the open cocoon were the traces of a portal or other long-distance-travelling spell. Arcane, according to Ashunera, ask her for details.” “Most importantly is the message, left not for the Silithid, but I think, for who-ever came to rescue her. The message was…” “The short female serves the Old God and wields its power. She is a sacrifice to him.” Now that raises some eyebrows. The Kaldorei glance about and a few stare openly at Isance. “Note the singular use of the phrase ‘Old God’ and that it is a ‘him’. In my own defense I would like to note that the druidess said ‘short female’ never referring to race, which is normal when it the person belongs to another one. If it was me, it would be ‘short human female’ or something similar. In addition, feel free to test me.” The Human falls silent for while letting these words sink in. Also scrutinizing the Elves to see how they take her logic, and her proposal. “Now, what happened in the oasis…” Isa`s voice trembles once more, then a harsh, sharp tone is added to her words. After a while her voice becomes toneless and cold. “Somewhere between nine and ten last evening: Two flying machines, six Wyverns and two larger flying creatures landed about forty paces east of the campsite. They charged into the Humans and butchered them where they stood, dumbstruck. It was not clean and fast. Judging by the brutality of the assault, the Hordies really hated Humans.” “But that was not enough, after their brutal assault, they took one prisoner and tortured her to death. Interestingly none of the women were raped. Not even the one that was tortured. Indicating either the deepest of hatreds, or an iron discipline, since rape is a… well-known way to break a woman`s resistance.” “The assault group had at least one Tauren, at least one Goblin and at least one Sin`dorei, rest is unclear. Their weapons used were various: Spears, swords, axes, the lot. A lot of Arcane magic was used, probably they had two mages. No Warlocks, strangely. The spells used were particularly… destructive. Oh… and explosives were used. No arrows or bullets were found.” “On a practical note: I sang all the victims to Elune`s Embrace. I think… Caranir buried the remains… But by then my memory became… sketchy.”
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