The Knight's Tale

[Kaghuros]

"Once upon a time, Old stories tell us,/there were great knights who died defending us."
-From the Lordaeron Tales, Cheoffery Gaucer.

The Knight's Tale
A record of the travels of Aidan Medren and his companions as his life unfolds.

I've decided that it's a good idea to record the important moments in my character's progression so I can keep my notes together and have a nice record of the storyline for everyone involved. This is something new for me, and it's changed in intent from before since I really don't see the need for the kind of structured plots I was doing but also want to have a kind of timeline of how he's changed. Consider it an experiment in charting my character's development. A pilot project for my new main character.

Arcs noted in Red are stories dealing with Aidan and his past, sort of his original "main plot" and future branches wherever that plot takes him. Events noted in Light Brown are related to the subplot The Blade Itself, and other subplots may be noted in different colors in the future. The arcs marked in Purple deal with negative events outside of Aidan's control that have hindered him and must be overcome.

While some of these events will be DMed, most arose spontaneously from RP and are here mostly to bookmark the places I feel Aidan's story has advanced significantly.


(If one of the people who took part is reading this, enjoy hearing about your exploits!)

Timeline:

• The first major offensive against the Twilight's Hammer concludes in HyjalLINK
  
  
• A week passes as Aidan recovers from his injuries at Acherus and returns to Nordrassil.
  
  
• The party travels to Lordaeron via boat.
  
  
• Arc I Part I - A Fool's Errand - Arc 1 begins
  
  
• Arc I Part II - Chasing Ghosts
  
  
• One month has elapsed.
  
  
• Arc I Part III - River's End - Arc 1 ends
  
  
• The party returns to Nordrassil. Aidan remains for a week to arrange temporary command of the Death Knights before departing to Acherus.
  
  
• Aidan passes through Redridge on his way back to Hyjal, meeting Cristovao and having a chance encounter with Mica.
  
  
• Two months have elapsed.
  
  
• Finding the Wind
  
  
• Bones of the Earth
  
  
• Into the Heart of Darkness
  
  
• Aidan forges the hilt of his blade, getting it enchanted by an Elven runeworker in Darnassus for a sum of gold and the remainder of his Abyss Crystals.
  
  
• Aidan and Roux venture to the Exodar, where Aidan has a religious experience at the foot of the Naaru O'ros.
  
  
• Three months have elapsed - Aidan leads a raid in Hyjal, during which he and many others are taken captive by the Twilight's Hammer.
  
  
• Arc II Part I - The Shattered Crown - Arc 2 begins
  
  
• Arc II Part II - Guardians' Mercy
  
  
• A Candle Against the Dark
  
  
• Four months have elapsed.
  
  
• Arc II Part III - What All True Heroes Strive For
  
  
• Picking up the Pieces
  
  
• Arc II Part IV - An Oath Among Brothers - Arc 2 ends
  
  

Part I - A Fool's Errand

The Party embarks from Acherus to reach a village on the outskirts of Stratholme. The group finds passage to a western watchtower by air, but that's as far as the Argents will assure their safety. With their forces stretched as thinly as they are, the Crusade can't bring much to bear re-capturing the outlying hamlets. That means that the party must travel the rest of the way on foot and without the protection of Argent patrols - a dangerous proposition in these times.

Resolution:

Subject to a vision of the past brought on by a strange artifact, Roux and Paulton have discovered the potential destination of Aidan's wife Elaina. What they also discovered was Aidan's strength as a Paladin - and his ultimate selfishness. In the heat of battle the Paladin abandoned his men to protect his wife, condemning his men. The line broke without his support, allowing the Scourge to overrun the Paladins.

Though disgusted by his actions, Brother Paulton forgave Aidan for his sins and drove him to renew his vows in service to the Light. Though not entirely divested of his guilt, Aidan hopes to redeem himself through service to virtue so that he can one day greet the spirits of his brothers in the Light with his head held high and his honor restored. Glory to the Light! Glory to Lordaeron!

Additionally, the party has acquired a strange artifact. The Dreamspike, the bizarre trap that Aidan activated, can be used to trap an effected subject (and anyone in the general area) in one of the most powerful memories in their life for the duration of the memory. If operated by a skilled user, the delusions can become as dangerous as the real event, though divergences from the actual events of the memory will cause it to become unstable (subjects can roll vs 40 to disbelieve and destroy the illusion, or to attempt to strengthen it and stay a few minutes longer than the memory would normally last). Item appearance: http://www.wowhead.com/item=15854


Part II - Chasing Ghosts

Following in the footsteps of a Plague-era refugee caravan the party sets off to Erol's Landing, a fishing village on the Throndroril River that once housed a bustling river-barge industry. The refugees would have gathered here to find passage north or south on the river to safety, however it's difficult to say which way the barges were sent that day, or even if any made it out. In this town, now overrun with the restless spirits of the dead, Aidan hopes against hope that he can locate the trail of the refugees once again - and that he doesn't find the ghost of his beloved on the banks instead.

Resolution:

Aidan recovered a ledger with the logs of the travelers leaving the docks fairly easily. However, when the group attempted to save some books from a monastery of Paulton's religious order (the Order of Leofrick), they were attacked by the ghosts of refugees slain by the Scourge while they hid in its halls. Though they escaped with some priceless books and relics of the Order, the ghosts remain. Perhaps another party can free the monastery from its curse.

The ledger revealed that Elaina and her group had evacuated to the north, retreating to Quel'thalas and the Sunwave Anchorage. There, it seems, they intended to take an Elven ship to the kingdoms of the south, bypassing the plague and war-stricken Arathor by the grace of the Elves. This poses a problem... How to find out where she went!


Part III - River's End

Stealing across the Thalassian border by night, the party enters the western Ghostlands following the trail of Elaina's journey up the Throndroril River. Sunwave Anchorage, long abandoned due to its remote location (far from the capitol city) and Scourge presence, proves to be a potential conclusion for Aidan's search. Can they translate the passenger logs to find her destination, or will they encounter a very familiar ghoul instead...?

Resolution:

Roux and Aidan successfully infiltrated the Ghostlands with little incident, and made their way into the city. Initially the zombies around the area proved to be no threat, but the large concentration within the main docks proved almost overwhelming. With a combination of luck and skill the pair took down the shambling dead and searched the premises. Roux found some of Elaina's belongings, but refused to allow Aidan to lose hope. They stole away with the Elven transport records, hoping that a translation would reveal Elaina made it out safely.


The Blade Itself

Pushed onward by his defeat at the hands of Twilight's Hammer elementals, Aidan hopes to forge a blade capable of striking grievous wounds to those incorporeal fiends. He begins working on a way to gather Elementium, the only metal he knows capable of physically restraining an elemental.

He'll need many other components to forge this legendary weapon. A Mage has shown him the value of Abyss Crystals, harvested from the dreaded Realm of Shadows. He must also procure enough Truesilver to forge strong runes, and the Saronite necessary for a cruel edge. That's all in addition to overcoming his own flaws and becoming a better warrior.


Finding the Wind

On the banks of the Well of Eternity Roux taught Aidan how to meditate and find an inner calm, a new experience for the troubled Knight. Letting go of his worrisome thoughts allowed him the focus to channel his Death Grip in a much more precise way, feeling for the shadowy vibrations of individual types of substance instead of the whole of an enemy's body. This came as a useful preparation for the mission he was about to attempt: to steal the elementium bindings from a Twilight's Hammer elemental servant.


Bones of the Earth

Roux and Aidan ambushed a small Twilight patrol, stealing the elementium from their Bound Elemental using the Death Knight's newfound mastery of Death Grip. With its bindings removed, the elemental was a difficult beast to fight. Aidan distracted it while Roux took care of the cultist with the grisly efficiency of a wolf. Though both Aidan and Roux took injuries in the short encounter, they were able to escape with their spoils before a second patrol arrived. Spurred on by their success, Aidan believes he can easily acquire the other components he needs. And, at least for the present, he can begin to work on the basic pattern of his new runed blade.

Into the Heart of Darkness

Aidan has been dreading this moment for some time, but he knows he must soon enter the Realm of Shadows to seek out the Abyss Crystals he requires for his blade. As a Death Knight he knows a bit more than he'd like to about this horrifying realm. He's been haunted since his dark rebirth by the spirits of the dead whose lives he ended in the Lich King's service, as well as other dark denizens of that parallel realm. Now he must confront the sins of his past in order to forge the weapon that will give him a more hopeful future.

Resolution:

Callum and Roux found more than they bargained for in the realm of the dead. Four shadowy knights, dead by a selfish decision Aidan made during the Third War, led a group of spirits to assault the party. Though the spirits were vanquished, the ghostly knights stood to prevent the party from ever returning to Azeroth, their power in this realm greater than those who did not wholly belong to it.

The knights offered a bargain: Aidan could pledge an oath to the men he wronged and confess his sins before his companions (including the woman he now loves), or he could leave his guilt hidden and condemn two more to death. Naturally Aidan confessed, though reluctantly. This proved enough to turn the spirits away, though they seemed to have more in mind for the Death Knight in the future. Perhaps the spirits of the dead offer more to men of the Light than simply a danger to be rooted out or a problem to be solved.

The party recovers a number of Abyss Crystals: enchanted gems crystallized from the congealed envy of the vengeful dead. They have the ability to absorb magic and other forms of energy.


Part I - The Shattered Crown

Imprisoned by the Twilight's Hammer and tortured bodily for days, Aidan found himself suddenly freed from his imprisonment via a pernicious bargain. Seldszyne proposed a deal: let Roux go free unharmed in exchange for Aidan's sword in battle alongside the Twilight's Hammer. Naturally Aidan agreed, hopeful that he could use his newfound freedom to escape or sow discord in the ranks. He apologized to a confused Roux, promising her he would come back to her safe and sound. He left a message with a ghoulish servant and cast it into the Realm of Shadow for Ydir to find, hoping to warn the Guardians of Hyjal and bring aid swiftly for his friends.

After being questioned by the Black Dragonflight, Aidan's attempts at bravado proved his downfall when he was thrown back into the cells for insubordinate behavior. He found himself under assault from the Twilight Anchorite Nytamuur, and only too late did he realize the man was there to twist his memories of his friends. By excising some of his corrupted memories and "walling off" what he valued within the deepest reaches of his soul, Aidan was able to preserve at least some shreds of his sense of self from destruction.

However this desperate gambit has left Aidan's soul fragmented. His mind was broken by the effort, shattering his memories and blending what remained. Though he preserved what he felt was "him" within a cocoon of memory, what was left was bereft of allegiance and all too willing to serve whatever master happened upon him. This servile state is also what the Twilights would encounter upon his regaining consciousness: a broken Knight whose only desires are to kill for the sake of killing and serve for the sake of serving.


Part II - Guardians' Mercy

Aidan fought beside the Twilight's Hammer when the Guardians of Hyjal rescued their prisoners from the cave. He was subdued by Aroes and Sorley, and carried back to camp by Ydir to recover. Unbeknownst to them, however, Aidan was fighting under his own power and not at the whims of the Twilight Lich. When he returned he was greeted by Roux, his intended target, whom he had been tricked into believing was the one who killed his wife Elaina (when in reality his memories of the two women had been mixed together with his memories of his own death). When she came to greet him he gave her a deadly attack instead of a loving embrace.

She would have died if not for the timely intervention of the Elven Death Knight Shendan, who pushed Aidan away and restrained him until Janice could subdue him further with frost magic. Aidan was imprisoned by the Guardians for evaluation- if he failed to recover from the Twilight mind-breaking he was to be dumped into the Well of Eternity for a swift death from its holy waters. Luckily his friends came to his aid once again. Aroes, Ydir, and Roux came together to enter his mind and repair the damage the Twilights had done. With Roux's soothing magic and Aroes' mind-altering Shadows the group broke through Aidan's mental blocks and sealed what memories could be saved. Though some memories were left unfixed he regained enough to become himself again.

Now free, Aidan hopes to recover from the mental trauma of remembering his actions as a cultist and perhaps even recover more of the memories he lost under Nytamuur's shadowy assault.


A Candle Against the Dark

In an abandoned smithy nestled in the Dun Morogh countryside Aidan crafted a masterwork blade. Enchanted by an Elf paid in priceless gems and made from metal stolen from the bindings of a Twilight elemental, this sword is the blade he will carry with him into the future he sees before him. The world calls for battle, for an iron will, and for hope. This is a blade forged with hope. Silverflame.


Part III - What All True Heroes Strive For

Peace, hope, faith - all things lacking in those Death Knights who have given up on a normal life. Though Aidan lost them once in the bowels of the Twilight's Hammer camp, he has regained them through the help of his friends, new and old. His meeting with Araeviss, a Naga, proved to be of little use to him immediately. However, her advice echoed across his waking hours: you do not need to atone for the sins of your past. She showed him a curious example, an example of a creature hideously cursed but ultimately able to live without it burdening her spirit. Her lesson has affected him, even if he won't admit it. It has given him hope for a future of peace, of respect, and most importantly the sense that he should continue to fight for what he believes in.

Indeed for many Death Knights peace is a thing that's only found in the grave, but for others it has become a lifestyle. Journeying across the Eastern Kingdoms with Roux Blackwood, Aidan has made it his goal to interview and reconnoiter with those Death Knights who have made lives for themselves outside the confines of the Ebon Blade. He met with Gavin, a barkeeper in Fuselight, whose success gave him hope, and Anisa, a hunter and leatherworker in Lordaeron, who had much to say about helping other Knights through their troubles. With Anisa's inspiration and the shared experiences of those few Knights who integrated with society, perhaps they can aid their fellow Knights in returning to a productive life after the battles are done.

Though he is still unsure of himself, as he always was, Aidan firmly believes he can fight at the forefront of the Guardians of Hyjal and make a difference in the world.


Picking up the Pieces

Aidan participated in all four of the efforts to piece together the Archdruid's broken staff. By his efforts five elementals were banished from Azeroth, and by the efforts of his comrades all eight pieces of the staff were safely recovered. Though Aidan himself doubts the power of the staff's magic, he's grown proud of the Guardians of Hyjal and their fierce determination to defeat the Twilight's Hammer. Not only has his courage been renewed, but he got to see Roux lead an assault on her own - something both rare and unusually successful. Though he holds no illusions that the ongoing war will be easy, he knows now that the Guardians have what it takes.


Part IV - An Oath Among Brothers

Summoned before the Knights of Acherus to give testimony about his condition following the Twilight's Hammer incident, Aidan was faced with perhaps his greatest challenge yet: proving his ability to the Knights of Acherus for a second time. Through the testimony of one Roux Blackwood and the examination of a Lich Aidan was cleared for command. However, the Knights of Acherus were unwilling to put Aidan back in his original command so soon after his defeat. Instead, he has been ordered to report before Dread Commander Itheros Blackheart for an urgent assignment that could use his unique set of skills.

For the resolution of this story, read below!


Blades of Hyjal [Coming Soon!]

The Guardians of Hyjal have their secret weapon and Aidan has his: Elementium. But his Knights aren't yet outfitted with enough of the stuff to hold their own, and one man with an Elementium runeblade is hardly enough to take on an army of crazed cultists. He'll need to get more, and that means shaking down the supply line on one front and shaking down the Twilight's Hammer on the other.

Expect some spontaneous DMed events in Hyjal, at least when I've got the mood to do them. Fight for honor, reclaim resources for the war effort, and help the Ebon Blade earn the respect of the Elves.

[Kaghuros]

This section is now reserved for logs. Keeping them in a separate place from the main thread helps me keep it organized during edits.

Arc I Part I Logs:

Spoiler:

16:33:34 Aidan | The town is eerily empty after the ruckus on the road coming in. Not only are there no zombies, but there are no animals either, not even insects or rats crawl the cobblestones.
16:33:54 Paulton gives out a few weak sniffs of his own; but he's mostly giving weak whining due to the place being ridden with Scourge. "[Low] No life...No Light here." He mutters.
16:34:44 Roux eyes the green fire with disturbed hatred. If it's actually there.
16:34:58 [Roux]: ...I don' like th' quiet...
16:35:06 Aidan wandered around, somewhat aimlessly, as he looked around at the town. It looked too familiar.
16:35:15 [Aidan]: It's... Everyone just... You know.
16:35:22 [Aidan]: Look for...
16:35:36 [Roux]: This th' 'all?
16:35:45 Roux motions to the building with a large, broken clock tower.
16:36:07 Aidan gave Roux a strange look and then took off towards the door.
16:36:19 [Roux]: Oi!
16:36:22 Paulton follows!
16:36:27 [Paulton]: Aidan!
16:37:56 Aidan | When you catch up to Aidan he's standing over something strange. A strange staff has been thrust into the stone floor. It glows with an otherworldly light.
16:38:12 [Paulton]: ...
16:38:18 [Roux]: ...I don' like tha'...
16:38:36 Roux leans forward slightly, crouching a little, fur bristling. She shuffles before Paulton, protective.
16:39:49 Paulton just stares.
16:40:00 Aidan turned slowly, his eyes wide. They burned with blue intensity. "I can see them... Light please help me I can see it all again." The intensity of the light grew and grew, and from behind Aidan there emerged a company of ghostly armored knights.
16:40:25 Aidan | In fact, the light wasn't coming from his eyes at all. It was -everywhere-. It overwhelmed everything until suddenly...
16:40:52 Roux 's nostrils flare, eyeing Aidan. Her fur bristles even stiffer. As the light grows, she flinches, then half-barks out a roar at whatever's going on.
16:41:42 Aidan | The air was heavy with the smell of sweat and fear. An enormous crowd huddled in the lamplit council hall.
16:41:59 Paulton blinks, and his jaw drops. It's not seen from behind his mask, but he certainly looks surprised. "I...What..." He does the sign of the Light, just letting what happens, happens. At least for the moment.
16:43:11 Roux turns once, twice, feet making a circle in the dust. Gaze flits quickly around.
16:43:31 Aidan | The place had certainly seen better days, but this was not the dessicated husk of a building the party had been standing in moments before. In addition, Aidan was completely missing. Where he stood was a woman with a messy blonde bun, ushering the -
16:43:42 Aidan | refugees around into groups.
16:44:16 Roux starts at the sudden introduction of the woman, teeth baring reactively. Lips shut, and she eyes her. Gears turn in her head as she blinks slowly.
16:44:43 Paulton just...Keeps staring. He's really no idea on what's going on, so he 'accepts' it.
16:50:28 Dark Summoner attempts to run away in fear!
16:52:19 Elaina addressed the crowd. "Everyone please, don't panic. We're all going to make it through this. Have faith in the Light." She turned around and stared oddly in the direction of the two Worgen. "Oh, I thought I saw..."
16:53:40 Elaina | The woman seemed entirely unaware of their presence, as though they were invisible to her.
16:55:25 Roux slowly relaxes, straightening. She watches, warily. As if waiting for something.
16:55:51 Paulton stares at Elaina. Though he nods as she speaks, drinking in every word. Clergy respect, and all dat.
16:57:02 Aidan | A voice could be heard from the hallway. "Ellie! Come quickly we need you at the steps!"
16:58:28 Roux glances behind her to the steps. She eyes Paulton. "D' we follow...?"
16:58:41 [Paulton]: If we don't, we may not get out of this.
16:58:57 Elaina ran out into the hallway, passing by the Worgen without so much as a glance. The sound of battle could be heard outside, clanging steel and the roar of many undead.
17:00:08 Aidan | A circle of Paladins stood at the foot of the steps, their swords and hammers clashing with a tide of onrushing Undead. In the distance the landscape was... Almost fresh. Autumn leaves fell from the trees, and only a slight hint of blight could be seen
17:00:25 Roux takes in a sharp breath through her nose, eyes widening. She sets a hand on the flaking wall next to her. "...Aw, shite..." She sighs out roughly, as if knowing exactly what was occuring. Her gaze flits about the crowd, then settles on a particular--
17:00:39 Roux | figure. Her hand clenches.
17:02:14 Paulton watches all of this unfold. "I...Only heard stories," he utters. "Are we somehow back in time? Is this an illusion? It all seems so real." Paulton takes in a whiff of air; does he smell anything rotten besides the Undead? Is the landscape about him -
17:02:14 Paulton watches all of this unfold. "I...Only heard stories," he utters. "Are we somehow back in time? Is this an illusion? It all seems so real." Paulton takes in a whiff of air; does he smell anything rotten besides the Undead? Is the landscape about him -
17:03:02 Paulton - Smelling fresh? After staring at the members of the Scourge for a considerable amount of time, he finally notices Aidan, and focuses all of his attention on him.
17:03:56 Aidan stood on the frontlines, clashing with the Undead. He glowed with the Holy Light, fighting at the point of the wedge against the onrushing horde. He was singing a battle-hymn, his booming voice carrying over the crowd.
17:04:27 [Roux]: [Low] M' guess 's illusion...shite, 'e'd give Di Silvio a run for 'is copper...
17:05:02 Roux can't help but flicker an uneasy, if honest smile. Only a moment, though.
17:05:21 Paulton doesn't smile at all. He's horrified and awestruck at the battle.
17:06:09 Elaina stared down at Aidan as eagerly as the Worgen. She was joined by another Priest, and then a handful more. They channeled their might into a barrier that would momentarily turn back the onrushing horde. As they fled, the Paladins tiredly turned back to -
17:06:13 Elaina | regroup.
17:06:47 Roux skitters back a tiny bit at the display of Light, unsure what it might be at first. Then she relaxes and refocuses.
17:07:29 Aidan sighed deeply. His eyes had dark circles beneath them, as if he hadn't slept in a long time. "Ellie... Thank the Light. I don't think we can hold them too much longer."
17:08:10 Paulton smiles only at the display of the Light, and the mention of it. "[Low] They're like saints."
17:09:05 Elaina threw her arms around the Paladin. "Don't say that. You know the Light will protect us, it always has."
17:09:30 [Elaina]: Come back inside. I've got tea brewing. You look like you could use a few more cups.
17:09:45 Roux flexes her fingers with a hard sigh out of her nose. She side-steps a little closer to Paulton.
17:10:41 Aidan glanced back towards the steps. "I... Okay." He chuckled. "You're always telling me I should give myself a rest. This time I need it."
17:11:16 Roux turns to watch the two 'saints', giving Paulton's hand a small squeeze.
17:11:16 Paulton turns around and watches.
17:12:25 Elaina retrieved a kettle from a small fire made out of broken chair-legs and old ledgers. "It's the last of the leaves from Quel'thalas. I was saving them for a rainy day."
17:13:23 Roux huffs out of her nose, glancing outside, a little pained. She pretends to eye for a threat, covering her unwillingness to watch the doomed pair.
17:13:44 Paulton closes his eyes and lets out a sigh, expecting the Undead to break down the door any minute.
17:14:53 Aidan took the first cup she poured and gulped it down like it wasn't still steaming hot. "Oh Light... I wouldn't be able to do this without caffeine." He glanced at Elaina. "And you, of course." He laughed. "But I feel like I haven't slept in years."
17:15:59 Aidan | The Worgen might notice a pair of siege engines rolling up in front of the town hall, as well as a mass of new undead.
17:16:18 Roux blinks slowly. She pokes Paulton to turn his attention to the machines.
17:16:45 Paulton slowly turns his head.
17:16:58 [Paulton]: [Low] Oh no.
17:19:23 [Aidan]: It's getting pretty bad, and I don't think we're getting reinforcements from the city after all. The Knights and I all agree we should make a break for it.
17:19:53 Roux hooks one arm in in Paulton's scowling knowingly.
17:19:56 [Aidan]: It's a long shot, but with all of us pushing ahead we'll probably be able to get the villagers far enough ahead that the Scourge can't find them.
17:21:01 Paulton turns around, and pats Roux's hand with his own. "[Low] Come on, just...Get it over with." He's hoping this will be a quick end.
17:29:40 Aidan | A crash sounded against the roof of the building, and the Undead surged forward. Aidan stood and ran to the door. "Damn it! Ellie, go get the villagers ready. We're going NOW!"
17:30:05 Roux tugs Paulton out of the way, with her as she backs off.
17:32:02 Paulton closes his eyes and hopes for a quick end. "[Low] Please, please, please..."
17:32:30 Roux lays her arm across the priest's shoulders, watching dourly.
17:32:48 Elaina | The battle rages again, and after a few minutes of holding action by the Paladins the Priests emerge, guarding a horde of scared Lordaerons.
17:36:38 Paulton just keeps patting Roux's hand.
17:39:45 Aidan glanced back to the doorway and gave Elaina a thumbs-up, then waved the Paladins forward. They crashed against the Undead and pushed slowly forward, bolstered by the shields of the Priests and the rush of desperation. When they got out into the square-
17:40:06 Aidan | The Paladins held, letting the villagers spill out behind them and down the road to the Southwest.
17:40:49 [Elaina]: Everybody, get moving! Let the Priests and militia go ahead!
17:40:54 [Paulton]: Come on, come on, come on...
17:41:00 Roux rises on her toes to watch, gaze flitting back and forth between the two scenes.
17:42:30 Elaina | An errant group of Undead shambled out after the villagers from behind the line of Paladins. Ellie caught a glimpse of them and shrieked, throwing out a burst of Light against the first of them. "Get away!"
17:43:31 Paulton tries to help Elaina! But as soon as he takes out his prayer book, he realizes he can't do a thing.
17:44:05 Aidan turned and caught sight of the ghouls. He broke away from the defensive line and rushed them, crushing one with a punch. "Ellie, get out of here!"
17:44:41 Aidan | The Paladins began to falter as he left the line, and they tried to move bac into a better formation to hold against the undead.
17:45:03 Roux steps out a little further, trying to see what becomes of the scene. She still remains quite close to Paulton. Security-blanket priest.
17:46:27 Paulton tries to usher Roux back.
17:46:42 [Roux]: Come 'n we, gotta see wot 'appens.
17:47:34 [Paulton]: ...Only a little.
17:47:35 Roux finally pushes off to step to the other side of the landing, hand trailing down Paulton's arm until his fingers end.
17:47:50 Elaina threw another beam of Light towards the undead. "Aidan, you oaf! We're leaving together, just like King's Ford."
17:50:21 Paulton gently tries to lift Roux up, and set her down behind him.
17:50:38 [Roux]: Fockin'--! We gotta see, there migh' be a clue!
17:50:43 Roux trots down the steps after that.
17:51:07 [Paulton]: Roux, we might be actually...You know, walking, now! Outside of the illusion!
17:51:12 Aidan kicked down the last of the ghouls. "Go, I'm right behind you!" Behind him, the Paladins were losing ground. Without a fifth man to fill out the formation the were getting overwhelmed.
17:52:15 Roux keeps near the steps, lifting on her toes high as she can to see.
17:53:00 Aidan glanced back at his men, struggling against the Undead, then off into the distance at his wife. "Light forgive me." He turned and ran. The line broke and the Paladins were trapped in melee.
17:53:23 Paulton stands in front of Roux. "Look over my shoulder. That way nothing bad happens." He focuses on the fight ahead, and then...Aidan running. "..."
17:54:13 Roux looks to the town hall, then the abbey. "I...is 'e still in th' 'all? 'R is 'e runnin'?"
17:54:36 [Paulton]: I...Don't know.
17:55:02 Aidan | He could hear their feet drumming on the paving stones. They surged after the fleeing pair and he halted, then turned to face them. His face was contorted in a horrible grimace. Slash. One Undead. Kick. One Undead. Claws, teeth, a scream of anguish.
17:56:10 Roux 's ears, if they weren't pinned by the helmet, would be dropped back listlessly. She stands on the stone, one hand gripping the decorative sconce-spike.
17:56:21 Elaina was already far from him. She turned at his scream. "No! You- You can't- I- I'm- We almost-!" She ran, tears streaming down her face, vanishing down the road after the refugees.
17:56:48 [Paulton]: [Low] No.
17:57:38 Aidan collapsed as he watched her run. Everything began to blur. The claws, the scratches, the entire world stretched and heaved. The illusion was collapsing, a moment in the dream of a dead man.
17:57:45 You kneel down.
17:57:51 You kneel down.
17:57:54 [Aidan]: .
17:58:32 Roux stumbled back off the steps to Paulton as things disperse. She grips his arm.
17:58:46 Aidan | The road still remained clear, a gleaming strip of color as the walls of memory began to cave in.
17:58:52 Paulton looks bitterly at the ground.
18:00:06 Roux is stubborn, Light-dammit. Holding onto Paulton's arm, she dashes off a little further.
18:00:27 Paulton has no choice but to...Follow? But he doesn't notice anything happening. Does he?
18:00:32 Aidan | The vision shuddered on the brink of collapse, then everything was yanked halfway back into place with a whooshing noise. Aidan stood, suspended in the stale air of the dream.
18:01:31 Elaina | You see a ghostly trail of Elaina-images dashing off into the distance, across the leaf-strewn roadway.
18:01:53 [Roux]: Nnngh...
18:02:06 Roux keeps running and dragging the poor priest.
18:03:38 Roux , likely thinking it unwise to run too far, pauses on the bridge.
18:09:07 Aidan | Looking back towards Aidan would show the vision-form melting, and his black Death Knight armor dully gleaming beneath. It's like an onion unwrapping.
18:09:22 Roux , holding Paulton's hand, runs back to the Knight!
18:09:35 Unseen Servant lets out a high pitched screech, calling for help!
18:10:48 [Roux]: ...Aidan?
18:10:58 Aidan groaned fitfully. He looked like someone having a nightmare, his eyelids flickering rapidly.
18:11:37 Roux doesn't near the Knight, who knows if he might lash out. "Oi!" She flicks her hand to him, a quick shock of nature magic perhaps innervating him into wakefuleness and awareness.
18:13:00 Aidan opened his eyes, and the entire world seemed to get sucked into a pinprick of light and explode outward. With that, the entire party was back in the town hall. Aidan himself was slumped against the staff with his cheek resting on the floor.
18:14:03 [Aidan]: .
18:14:08 Paulton stares.
18:14:20 [Aidan]: Buhh... Light, what happened? Why am I on the floor?
18:14:38 Roux wheels, dizzy and startled. Gaze flits around. Then she hears Aidan and wheels to face him. After making sure Paulton's alright, she pads over to him.
18:15:10 [Paulton]: ...Aidan?
18:15:27 Roux rumbles lowly, then offers her hand to the Knight.
18:15:30 [Aidan]: Oh, Roux you're okay. Paulton, Roux, what happened? Was it a trap?
18:15:45 [Roux]: ...It, uh. I dunno...? We, uh...saw fings.
18:15:59 Aidan took Roux's hand, standing up slowly. "I feel like I have a hangover. What did you see?"
18:16:19 Roux lets go once he's stable, peering around. "Um. Ye...an' 'er."
18:17:03 Aidan frowned. "I... Don't really..."
18:17:15 [Roux]: ...We saw wot 'appened.
18:17:33 Paulton retains a safe distance away from Aidan. "She was...A blonde-haired woman." He then shuts his mouth. He doesn't want to release any emotions.
18:17:42 [Aidan]: Yes, tell me what happened! I touched this stupid trap, then I passed out, and the-
18:17:58 Roux glances to Paulton, then back to Aidan.
18:18:10 Aidan spun quickly to look at Paulton. "Ellie?! What happened? You saw her?"
18:18:48 [Paulton]: I...She...She ran away on the road after you were surrounded by Undead, and-That's what Roux told me.
18:19:02 [Roux]: ...We didn' follow. Didn' wanna leave ye.
18:19:04 [Paulton]: She was crying, and, and....Ehn.
18:20:41 Aidan looked down. "Oh... I... I won't ask how it happened, but I guess that means you saw it all." He sighed. "So... So tell me, did she make it out?" He conveniently neglects to mention that he tried to run after her instead of holding the defense.
18:21:20 [Roux]: ...Mmh. She made i' over th' bridge. Bu' we didn' follow af'er that.
18:22:39 [Paulton]: Aidan?
18:22:44 [Aidan]: Thank the Light... Don't you see? That means she could have made it to Erol's Landing, and from there... From there...
18:23:12 Aidan put his hands to his face. He wasn't crying. He probably couldn't. He was just holding himself.
18:23:46 Paulton fidgets with his fingers, and mutters for a moment. Realizing that Aidan doesn't seem to be in a good state, he doesn't talk about the issue.
18:24:11 Roux huffs in and out of her nose, once, twice. She eyes Paulton, then Aidan, fingers flexing. She seems to want to do something, but isn't sure what.
18:25:50 Aidan took in a deep breath, then let it out again. He let his hands fall to his sides. His expression was blank, all business. "Okay. That settles it. We're heading to Erol's Landing. They were supposed to ferry us out."
18:26:39 [Paulton]: I have nothing but respect for you Aidan. But we should proceed cautiously, yeah? We're still in the plaguelands, and the Undead are...Well, the Undead.
18:27:09 Roux grunts, studying Aidan closely.
18:28:52 [Aidan]: Erol's is along the Throndroril. We can go back to the Argent roads and take a rest in a real inn tonight. I... I won't push you. This wasn't what I planned.
18:29:25 [Roux]: ...Mmh. Ye don' rec'gnize th' staff, d' ye? Weren' 'ers were 't?
18:31:01 Aidan grabbed the staff with both hands, yanking it up out of the ground. "I have no idea what this is."
18:31:37 Roux lifts a hand hesitantly, as if to stop him from touching the thing. When nothing happens, she drops it.
18:31:56 Aidan | The orb at the end was no longer glowing. It seemed the staff had grown dormant.
18:32:24 [Aidan]: We should turn this in to the Argents maybe... Unless either of you want to end up face down on the grass some time.
18:33:00 [Paulton]: ...Well...
18:33:05 [Roux]: I will smack ye.
18:33:14 Paulton shuts up.
18:34:10 [Paulton]: I was going to talk about the kids when I was younger.
18:34:14 [Paulton]: Perverts.
18:34:37 Roux heaves a sigh. " 'S jus' 'ead back."
18:36:23 [Roux]: Out, boff 'f ye afore we're cornered in 'ere.
18:36:51 Dark Summoner attempts to run away in fear!
18:36:52 [Aidan]: I'm not waiting to see what knew about that trap.
18:39:21 Aidan | The party easily made it back to the patrolled section of the road, with no sign of the undead in the area. It almost seemed as though the haunted village was keeping the Scourge away as well.

Arc I Part II Logs:

Spoiler:

15:46:45 Aidan | About two days' travel from the nearest Argent outpost, Erol's Landing is in a remarkably pristine area of central Lordaeron. However, the corrupted wildlife encountered en route has made it abundantly clear that the Scourge left its mark here as well.
15:48:03 Roux rolls a shoulder, adjusting her bare feet on the dry earth. Nostrils flare as she peers around. "...Anyfin' in particular t' look for 'ere?"
15:49:24 Aidan pointed across the river. "That's the place we were headed. Erol's Landing. It was a major stopover for barges coming down the Throndroril. We were going to get evacuated from here."
15:49:48 [Aidan]: If they... Didn't make it, we would know.
15:50:04 Roux rumbles in wordless assent.
15:50:26 Paulton taps his fingers together and shifts his weight from foot to foot. Then, Aidan speaks. He calms down for a moment, takes in a deep breath, and awaits further commands. Good Worgen.
15:50:49 Ivory slowly approaches the group of three, along the bank.
15:51:03 [Aidan]: We're waiting for a friend of mine. She's going to help us if we find anything.
15:51:09 [Roux]: Eh?
15:51:40 Ivory slows to a halt as she approaches.
15:52:06 Roux notes movement beyond as she looks to Aidan, focusing on Alicia. Nostrils flare as she studies her cooly, with a hint of a predatory glint. Not trusting strangers out here.
15:52:54 Aidan held up a hand in greeting. "Captain Lorend! Excellent!"
15:53:57 Paulton turns to face Alicia as she approaches; he himself looks about to charge, but as Aidan speaks, he stops, reconsiders, and goes back to his shifting from foot to foot. Not in the calmest condition.
15:54:29 Ivory inclines her head to Aidan. "Aidan. Sorry I'm late."
15:55:52 Roux studies Alicia a little more, then taps her fist to her chest. She eyes Paulton after.
15:56:30 Aidan shook his head. "It's my fault. I was in too much of a hurry to get out here."
15:57:43 Paulton gives Alicia a nod, and turns to face Aidan; he's still a bit antsy, but he's acting a bit calmer now that he's been stopping and breathing. He looks towards the river, and frowns.
15:57:51 [Ivory]: Perhaps such a hurry isn't unwarranted...though this hardly seems like a time-sensitive mission.
15:57:55 [Ivory]: Who are your companions?
15:58:31 Roux peers to Aidan, unsure if he plans to introduce her, she she will herself. "Uhm..."
15:58:58 Aidan gestured towards Paulton, then Roux. "Brother Paulton, a Priest of the Holy Light, and Roux, a... Harvest witch, right?"
15:59:07 [Roux]: Aye.
15:59:47 Ivory smiles, and bows her head. "Light be with you both. I'm Alicia Lorend, Knight-Captain of the Alliance."
16:00:13 Roux relaxes further. She gives a small wave, then pads over to Paulton. "[Low] Ye alright?"
16:01:29 Paulton gives Ivory yet another nod, and then refocuses his attention back on the river. "[Low] I remember something about this place; maybe I'm just being stupid. Was there something here?" He shakes his head, and takes out his prayer book. He holds it under -
16:01:39 Ivory watches Roux and Paulton patiently, preferring not to interrupt.
16:02:23 Paulton - His right arm, and then looks at the bridge with distrust.
16:02:42 [Roux]: [Low] Aside from wot Aidan said, I dunno.
16:02:56 Roux rubs his back gently, then looks to Aidan. She nods, ready to go.
16:06:09 [Aidan]: We should get across the bridge... Though I can't seem to pick out the Scourge from here. That doesn't bode well.
16:06:27 [Ivory]: I'll go first, and keep my shield ready.
16:06:52 [Paulton]: I'll stay in the back.
16:06:57 Ivory slings her kite shield off her back, strapping it to her arm, then draws her sword.
16:07:05 [Ivory]: I would stay close to Aidan or myself.
16:08:28 [Aidan]: Hold on.
16:08:34 Ivory stops in her tracks.
16:09:07 [Aidan]: The docks are that way, but... Hmmm... We'll probably want to see if there are any passenger ledgers at the town hall.
16:09:22 [Aidan]: Brother, did I hear you say something earlier about the town?
16:09:35 Roux blinks at Aidan, then looks to Paulton.
16:09:40 [Paulton]: It just seems and sounds familiar.
16:10:12 [Ivory]: What, specifically, are we looking for?
16:10:31 Ivory keeps an eye out, just in case any scourge pop out.
16:11:02 [Paulton]: There was something here. I remember the abbott talking about it, and-The Monastary. All kinds of tomes were supposed to be held in that old building. Could we maybe...See if it still stands?
16:11:36 Roux seems to have some unease pass over her as she eyes the large building, or tries to.
16:11:46 Paulton holds his hands together and shakes them to and fro, a bit nervous as he talks about it. "If that's alright." He says lowly.
16:11:49 Aidan scratched his beard thoughtfully. "Let's see... We're looking for the town hall, or any place they might keep records. I think the dockmaster's office was in the square, and... Oh! Yes!"
16:13:00 [Aidan]: I can't believe I didn't think of it. Ellie knew some of the brothers there. We were on our way to reinforce them here to see if any more refugees could reach us.
16:15:10 Paulton gives an affirmative sounding grunt, and speaks up once again. "The Order of Blessed Leofrick kept quite a few tomes in this monastary from what the abbott told me."
16:15:33 Ivory 's gaze catches on something as she scans the town. "...Keep your wits about you."
16:15:48 Roux peers to Alicia, then head. Nostrils flare.
16:17:08 Aidan turned to peer ahead at the town. "Hmm... We'll check the town first. Brother, would you recognize the abbey building if you saw it?"
16:18:16 Paulton looks up, expecting the worst. "I-Of course I would, Aidan. I've seen a picture of it before, and the abbot has described it in great detail. One of the administrative hubs of the order. I...Never got to see it in person though."
16:18:31 [Aidan]: Well, with all four of us it won't be so hard to find.
16:18:40 [Aidan]: Keep your eyes peeled, and don't wander off.
16:19:17 Roux takes a couple steps ahead, then turns to make sure Paulton is close.
16:19:49 Paulton is only a few feet away from Roux. He looks to be staying close.
16:20:13 Roux snarls silently at the odd fungal growth.
16:20:30 [Roux]: ...Lesse...I see a smiffy, some 'ouses...
16:20:53 Aidan | Inside, the village is much worse off than you'd have thought. It seems almost as if the corruption was held in by the walls instead of held out.
16:20:55 Ivory looks around, a hint of sadness in her eyes, but her brow is furrowed with intense distaste.
16:21:41 Roux shudders, fur bristling. "Any'un else feel we're bein' watched?"
16:22:04 [Aidan]: It's too quiet here... Could this be a trap like the other town?
16:22:17 Paulton looks around at the fungus; he makes sure to stay on the cobblestone path rather than risk anything. "I'd hope not." He mutters.
16:22:22 [Ivory]: Assume that it is.
16:22:26 [Roux]: ...Sure i' were a trap? Kin'a implies some'un knows we're comin'.
16:22:43 [Ivory]: The Scourge, even unled, is full of surprises.
16:23:40 [Aidan]: I think I see the dockmaster's house... It's burned to nether, but they might have kept the ledger in a safe.
16:23:55 Roux sets her hand to her left shoulder, comforting, as if expecting something. She glances behind her to Paulton--too far away. She rolls her shoulders, then shakes off anxiety like water.
16:24:37 [Roux]: S'go then.
16:25:23 Paulton is not as good with anxiety as Roux is. He looks from side to side, ready to strike at the slightest of movements. "Shall we pray as we walk?" Paulton queries.
16:25:53 [Roux]: I don' mind.
16:26:05 [Ivory]: If you would lead one, brother, I would appreciate hearing it.
16:26:23 Aidan | The ruins of this stately house are dessicated but still somewhat intact. It seems the fire burned itself out shortly after it hit the first floor.
16:26:59 Roux ushers Paulton closer before she makes to gingerly step onto the ruins.
16:27:12 [Aidan]: I would appreciate that... Now, try to see if you can find a safe or a ledger. It might be underneath these ashes.
16:27:34 You kneel down.
16:27:41 Roux hefts her fancy new pollaxe off, then starts poking piles of rubble gingerly, pushing things aside.
16:27:53 Aidan reached down to sift through a large pile of rubble with his hands.
16:28:02 Ivory stands guard as the others search.
16:28:14 Paulton gives a small nod, and pulls down his mask. He starts to chant, barely above a whisper, "Light grant us mercy." He starts as he's ushered into the house. "Light grant us peace. Light grant us our nourishment, both spiritual and physical." Paulton goes -
16:28:33 Paulton - To sift around in the dirt and bricks, hoping to find a ledger.
16:32:01 Paulton pulls out a small jewelry box, and weighs it in his hands. Rather than open it up, he says, "I've found a jewelry box. If we find whom owned it perchance, we could possibly bury it in their name." He starts. "If not, then I suppose we could take it for -
16:33:12 Paulton - "Historical purposes. Has anyone else found anything of interest?" Paulton resumes his prayer with a "Light forgive us, your wayward children...Amen."
16:33:17 Aidan heaved something out of the rubble. A large book, seemingly unscarred by the fire, stood beneath the hefty oaken desk that had apparently saved it. He grabbed it and stood up. "Aha! I think this is it."
16:33:29 Roux kneels, one hand keeping her weapon upright. Crouching, she gently brushes the mason jar of tea leaves and rags of clothing. She gives a low, mournful rumble. She peers to Paulton, then turns to look to Aidan.
16:33:31 Roux kneels down.
16:33:57 Paulton turns to look at Aidan, "What does it say?"
16:34:02 Ivory whispers "Amen," under her breath as she keeps her eyes out for undead/
16:36:22 Aidan cradled the book in one hand, then cracked it open. "Light... Well, this is going to take a long time to look through. How about we-" He gave a glance towards Roux. "Did you say something?"
16:36:50 [Roux]: Naw?
16:37:08 Roux hefts herself up, using the weapon as leverage.
16:37:45 [Ivory]: You've found something?
16:37:47 [Aidan]: Hmm... Well, okay. How about we find Paulton's abbey and get out of this damned place. It's almost giving me goosebumps and I'm dead.
16:37:51 Ivory glances over her shoulder at Aidan.
16:38:29 Aidan nodded. "I have the ledger, but we can read it some other time. It'll tell us where the barges were headed and who got on them."
16:39:25 Paulton nods at Aidan, and goes to search for the abbey. "It must be around here somewhere..."
16:40:29 Roux eyes the large statue with a frown.
16:40:47 [Ivory]: ...This must be the cathedral.
16:41:02 [Roux]: Lookin' more like a fortress.
16:41:10 Ivory lets out a sigh as she examines the statue. Her eyes drop to the stone hand on the ground.
16:41:23 [Ivory]: Perhaps it is both.
16:42:04 Paulton looks up at the statue. "Our order was poor, and often had to use other buildings; abandoned or otherwise. I'd...I'd-Light, what did they do to the abbey!?" Paulton rushes forward.
16:42:19 [Roux]: Oi!
16:42:22 [Ivory]: Wait! Don't run ahead!
16:42:27 [Aidan]: Light wait!
16:42:38 Roux grabs his arm, staring up at the parapet.
16:42:45 [Paulton]: [Low] No.
16:42:50 Ivory storms ahead of Paulton, hunkering with her shield. "We don't know what's inside!"
16:43:15 Roux begins to snarl. She looks to Aidan. "We're bein' watched. Shite's messin' wif us."
16:43:28 [Ivory]: I'm sure of it as well...
16:43:52 Roux has Paulton's arm!
16:44:07 [Aidan]: Brother this has to be the Scourge's work. Something isn't right here.
16:44:21 Paulton shakes Roux's arm off, and starts to walk forward... "I thought for a moment I saw the abbey." He stops walking.
16:44:31 [Roux]: Eh?
16:44:40 Ivory steps forward -again-, keeping Paulton behind the safety of her shield.
16:44:52 [Aidan]: Is it gone?
16:45:41 [Paulton]: This must be it. It matches all the descriptions, and-
16:45:46 Paulton keeps walking.
16:45:51 [Roux]: Hrrngh...
16:45:52 [Ivory]: Stay -behind- me!
16:45:59 [Paulton]: Well, walk!
16:46:20 Aidan clutched the book in one hand and his sword in the other.
16:46:33 Ivory rounds the corner and whirls to face the corridor.
16:46:37 [Ivory]: Clear.
16:46:48 [Aidan]: Light...
16:47:09 [Aidan]: It's clear.
16:47:37 [Ivory]: Clear...
16:47:43 [Ivory]: This feels wrong.
16:47:47 Aidan peered into the back room. It looked like some kind of grim abbatoir. A grate in the center, surrounded by bones.
16:47:53 [Roux]: Chyeah.
16:48:12 [Paulton]: This was supposed to be a pristine place. Filled with pious men, who, who...
16:48:16 [Ivory]: Forgive me for saying it again, I'm just on edge...
16:48:32 [Roux]: No walkin' a'ead.
16:48:46 Roux eyes the grate, tempted to look down...but no.
16:48:49 Paulton clutches his prayer book to his chest.
16:49:18 [Roux]: Aidan, can I bring a wee bit o sun in 'ere?
16:49:33 [Aidan]: Do what you can.
16:49:41 [Ivory]: Light will only help us here.
16:49:52 [Aidan]: What are we looking for, brother?
16:49:56 Roux eyes the axe of her weapon. She taps the butt to the floor and it alights with sunlight.
16:51:02 Roux points the weapon at corners. Shoo, shadows!
16:51:04 Ivory ascends the stairs rapidly.
16:52:22 Paulton walks up the stairs...
16:52:39 Roux carefully sweeps her glowing weapon around.
16:52:51 [Ivory]: Turn the darkness into Light...grant us strength and courage.
16:53:40 [Ivory]: ...Aidan, check the corridor behind us.
16:54:12 Paulton | If one looked up the ramp, they would see a number of bookshelves, many tipped over, and a few books on the ground; but some still stand.
16:54:16 [Paulton]: ...Books!
16:54:20 Paulton rushes forward once again.
16:54:23 [Roux]: 'Ey!
16:54:26 Aidan turned to look behind the group. As he stepped out into the corridor he stopped. "Oh, horseshit. Ghosts!"
16:54:34 [Roux]: Wait, wot?
16:54:36 [Paulton]: ...Ghosts?
16:55:12 Aidan | Like a roiling sea of human bodies, the ghosts pooled and writhed at the stairwell, slowly inching up towards the party. Perhaps they'd been following behind this whole time.
16:56:24 [Roux]: Get up 'ere afore they possess ye 'r somefin'!
16:56:48 Ivory stands her ground, planting her feet.
16:57:09 Roux moves behind the priest lest he run away again.
16:57:25 Paulton gulps, and takes a few steps back, "M-Maybe we can reason with them? F-From a safe distance, of course...Aidan, get up here! Please?"
16:58:49 Roux hefts her weapon, the blade still shining with sunlight.
16:58:56 Aidan sprinted up the stairs, then spun to hold his ground at the top of the landing. "I knew it! This isn't the Scourge, it's worse. We'll need to push them back somehow."
16:59:07 [Roux]: Wot's worse than th' Scourge?!
16:59:24 [Ivory]: -Not- the Scourge!?
16:59:47 [Paulton]: T-There's no opportunity for reason?! Ohhh Light...
16:59:55 [Aidan]: No, I've seen these before. They were slaughtered before they turned, or burned beyond raising. Spirits of revenge.
17:00:21 [Ivory]: Then...we must lay them to rest.
17:00:44 Roux blinks, then gives Paulton's arm a gentle whack. "Oi, Paul--'member yer show in 'em barrow dens?"
17:00:59 [Paulton]: ...Show in what? I-
17:01:04 Aidan | A trickle of wispy smoke around the door below signalled the oncoming wave. Aidan tossed the ledger behind him and gripped his blade. "Use magic, or an enchanted weapon. They can't be hurt by normal weapons."
17:01:44 Ivory 's sword lights up with holy light. "Acknowledged."
17:04:16 Aidan | The wave crests against the stairs. You can see countless faces, and a range of twisted emotions on each. It's time to stand your ground.
17:04:47 Roux matches them with her own show of rage, teeth bared, pupils tiny. Granted, it's to mask fear...
17:05:32 Ivory doesn't strike out against the oncoming wave, instead raising her shield. A surge of light spreads out from it, the aura spreading out as a sheet like a wall, attempting to fight back against the tide.
17:06:36 Aidan | The ghosts touch the wall and seem to shrink back. Some of the figures shrivel and dissipate into mist. However, they quickly ooze over and through the barrier despite what seems to be major losses.
kly ooze over and through the barrier despite what seems to be major losses.[/color]
17:07:00 [Ivory]: Brace yourselves.
17:08:07 Roux sweeps her halberd up in and arc, burning sunlight following in a trial.
17:09:41 Aidan | Initially the rays seem to delay the onrushing tide, but soon you notice only a few ghosts have been touched.
17:11:26 Aidan stepped down, raising his blade and slamming it down into the earth. All the runes on his blade flared at once, and a trail of runic markings flew down the steps ahead of him and then burst in a shower of red light.
17:12:12 Aidan | Unfortunately only a few ghosts were destroyed by the unholy energies. Many of the runes fizzled and died beneath the waves.
17:12:38 Paulton reads from his prayer book. "Light of mercy, creator of the three virtues and all that is good in the world...Allow your humble servant to strike your enemies with [Holy Fire]!" From Paulton's hands emanate a bright, divine -
17:13:09 Paulton - Fire, aimed for the mass of souls below; to ensure there's no friendly fire, he takes a step forward.
17:16:01 Aidan | Agan the ghosts shudder backwards, but there seems to be little damage from the attack as they press on. The fog pools at the landing now, and reaching hands rise up with a touch that feels like biting frost.
17:18:24 Roux peers down in horror, shuffling in a turn left, then right. Somehow, she isn't affected, though the ambiant chill isn't nice.
17:18:28 Aidan slashed at the hands with his sword, pushing the mist away before it could form.
17:19:02 Paulton used the last of his holy fire as a makeshift shield; it seemed that it worked.
17:19:22 Ivory absorbs many blows through her shield, and grits her teeth. Even though the ghosts are incorporeal, her arm buckles with the strain of it.
17:20:00 Ivory 's sword flares up with blinding light, and she sweeps up in an arc through the swarm of ghosts, leaving a trail of holy flame behind her blade.
17:22:33 Aidan | The ghosts hardly recoil this time. They seem almost to expect that the attacks coming are weak.
17:23:37 Roux scowls. Unable to sweep with her halberd, she sets the spiked end to the floorboards. From now until the battle is over she chooses to focus her will into bringing bright sunlight to the landing, trying to keep it as a safe-zone while the others battle.
17:25:38 Aidan | The sunlight disperses the fog for now, easing the pressure on the group.
17:29:07 Aidan struck out with his blade, runes of unholy magic giving the strike an edge of dark light.
17:29:44 Aidan | The ghosts retreat, but don't disperse, and seem to coalesce back into place despite the strike.
17:30:38 Paulton prepares a [Smite]...From his body there comes a thick ray of Light. As soon as it heads towards the souls, he'd shout, "Praise the Light!" He'd keep up the ray to the best of his ability; it seems he's actively trying -
17:31:10 Paulton - To push them back and disperse the ghosts.
17:32:30 Aidan | The ray smashes through the ghosts, carving a swath out of the onrushing tide. It splits the horde in half, and their number does not seem to reform beyond that strength.
17:34:16 Aidan | The ghosts seem unable to press to the top of the landing. Roux's light is preventing their movement and Paulton's beam has put them in disarray.
17:35:05 Ivory raises her sword into the air, and a wave of light spreads out from it, a holy shockwave spreading through the air above her.
17:37:24 Aidan | The wave strikes against the retreating ghosts, destroying roughly a third of their number. They seem do shrink back beyond the corner of the landing below.
17:38:24 Roux keeps up what she's been doing!
17:38:55 Aidan | The light expanded down the corridor, forcing the ghostly wave back out of sight.
17:39:27 Aidan peered down the corridor. "We have some time... Brother, collect your books. We're going to make a push for the bridge."
17:40:13 Paulton nods at Aidan, and rushes into the main room. "Help me out, please!" He shouts. He looks over his selection like a kid in a candy store...
17:41:22 Roux hears voices, blinking out of her focus. She shakes her head, then leans on her weapon. "Eh...I'll 'elp 'im." She trots into the room, picking books up at random.
17:41:47 Ivory stares down the hallway with determination, keeping an eye out for any more ghosts.
17:42:31 Paulton starts picking up old books about theology. At least, that's what he'd be looking for. He'd stuff them in his robes, and a bag at his side. "Books, books, books..." He repeats.
17:44:14 Aidan picked up the ledger and peered down the hallway. "They may take some time to reform, but they'll be back. Don't take too long."
17:45:19 Paulton piles books in his hands to the point where his arms are filled with them. He gently makes his way back down. "Hold some of these please!" He'd say as a random book falls down onto the ground.
17:45:48 [Roux]: Paulton we--...
17:46:22 [Ivory]: The coast still seems clear, for now...
17:46:35 [Paulton]: Ehm....Little help, maybe?
17:46:36 Roux pauses, peering at one. She drops what she has, shuffling to pick up something in particular. She stares at it, then hurries out. "I fink we can leave th' res' b'hind." She pushes it into Paulton's arms.
17:47:02 [Ivory]: I don't have hands to carry with, and I didn't bring my bag.
17:47:37 Paulton reaches to grab the book Roux had gotten; but all of the books he had gathered fall in turn. He lets out a shriek, and starts to gather up the books again.
17:47:40 Paulton kneels down.
17:48:36 Roux helps to heft them up. "Come 'n!"
17:48:47 [Paulton]: Let me gather the books please!
17:49:20 Ivory sighs as she hears the book pile fall to the floor. "How many of those do you -need-?"
17:49:30 [Paulton]: As many as I can carry!
17:50:02 [Roux]: Life's more important than books!
17:50:24 [Paulton]: Yes, but books are pretty important! Old knowledge, otherwise lost and all that, you know!
17:51:03 Paulton gathers the last of the books. He's covered to the brim with them; his arms? Full of them. "Tell me where I'm going." He starts as he stands up. Those things are piled high.
17:57:24 [Aidan]: Do you have everything you need?
17:57:30 [Roux]: Aye!
17:58:04 Paulton takes a few steps forward. He says something with a muffled voice, but can barely be heard as, "Where am I going?"
17:58:15 [Ivory]: Can you see me?
17:58:20 [Paulton]: Barely.
17:58:23 Roux just holds Paulton's forearm to lead him.
17:58:28 [Ivory]: Follow the blue cloak.
17:58:56 Aidan | The floor below seems strangely clear of ghosts.
17:59:15 [Ivory]: ...Aidan, take the rear. I don't like this.
17:59:25 Roux figures it's because they kicked their ass, but hey.
17:59:55 [Ivory]: If they are gone, then I'll be relieved, but if they aren't...I'd rather not be taken by surprise.
17:59:59 Aidan | A wall of smoke pours out over the party as they pass the room with the grate and the skeletons.
18:00:06 [Roux]: Fockin'!
18:00:19 Ivory raises her sword arm to her eyes. "Argh!"
18:00:34 Paulton drops quite a few books as this happens. "Light! Please, no! I don't want to leave the books behind!" He shouts.
18:03:51 Aidan | The smoke carries Ivory and Aidan gently away in both directions, Ivory towards the outside and Aidan inwards. Roux and Paulton hold their ground, but the voices of the others begin to fade in the smoke.
18:04:07 [Paulton]: ...Hello?!
18:04:39 [Ivory]: Light...no...hello? Can anyone hear me?
18:04:46 Roux , of course, yells.
18:06:27 Aidan | The sounds of ghostly whispers fill the air, too numerous to make out anything but random words. Figures dash about, coming daringly close to the party.
18:07:26 [Paulton]: ...Light have mercy.
18:10:07 Roux jabs her polearm to the ground, the sharp head flaring with sunlight. "FOCK ALL 'F YE!"
18:11:30 Aidan | The light burns away the fog, driving the figures to the edges. You can see them now, jeering at you, but you can't see Aidan or Ivory.
18:15:04 Paulton would try to cause an explosion of holy energy; a [Holy Nova]. Leaving allies unharmed, but possibly causing damage to those around him whom found themselves to be ghosts. The question being...Would it work?
18:16:31 Aidan | The spell only reaches the edge of the circle, and the ghosts cackle madly.
18:17:52 Ivory 's shield glows with holy light, and she attempts to charge through the ghosts, breaking a path back through toward either the entrance or the others...wherever fate might take her.
18:19:29 Aidan | Alicia pushed forward towards the exit, carried along by the jeering of ghosts. Her shield keeps their blows at bay, but as she bursts into the sunlight there is only a wall of fog at the entrance.
18:20:42 Aidan drew in his runic power, using it to hone his senses to attempt to pick out the voices of his party from the voices of the ghosts in the fog.
18:20:43 [Ivory]: Damn it, damn it...
18:21:29 [Paulton]: Gah! We were in the right direction, right?! Let's try moving, ehm...Forward?
18:21:39 Aidan cut through the fog and burst into the circle of light cast by Roux's staff. His eyes blazed with blue light, and wisps of ghostliness trailed from the gaps in his armor.
18:21:57 [Roux]: GAH!--...oh, Aidan!
18:21:59 [Aidan]: Red! Where's Alicia?
18:23:23 Roux swings her halberd forward, the edge burning. "Gotta be forward if she weren'f wif ye!"
18:25:56 Aidan | The light remains slightly behind them, but as she casts it forward its power wanes behind them, allowing the fog to swirl in closer.
18:26:14 [Aidan]: Come on, we need to go forward.
18:28:09 Aidan | The fog bursts outwards from the doorway and burns up in the light of the sun. It is followed by the remainder of the party, running swiftly from the building.
18:29:03 [Ivory]: Ah, there you are!
18:29:23 Paulton runs forward. He still has plenty of books in his arms, though. "Er, yes. Here we are. Please...Can we get out of here, now?"
18:29:43 Ivory turns and starts hustling. "Yes!"
18:30:33 Ivory slows down as they reach the gate.
18:31:40 Roux leans to peer at Paulton's collection, making sure he still has -that- book she found.
18:31:53 Paulton still does!
18:32:12 Aidan sheathed his sword with a snap of runed clasps sealing. He clutched the ledger in both hands now. "Thank the Light we made it out of there."
18:32:17 Roux sighs in relief, then glances back to the town, then forward.
18:32:46 Ivory slings her shield over her back, and sheathes her sword, catching her breath. "Oh Light..."
18:33:02 [Roux]: ...Still don' quite un'erstand wot all tha' were. Now what?
18:34:04 [Aidan]: They must have holed up in the monastery... You saw the skeletons as plain as I did.
18:35:48 Paulton lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
18:36:10 [Ivory]: I think you're right...they're simply poor spirits of the damned.
18:36:21 Ivory looks to Paulton, and steps up to him. "Let me carry some of those, now."
18:36:45 Paulton nods, and motions for Alicia to grab some books.
18:37:03 Ivory scoops up about half the pile from Paulton. "Perhaps some day we can return here and bring them to their proper end."
18:38:28 [Paulton]: I'd hope so...
18:39:00 [Aidan]: And we can get the rest of those books.
18:39:44 Paulton nods.
18:40:29 [Roux]: Ye've got yer own t' crack. Still safe an' 'ole?
18:41:37 Aidan nodded. "It's all right here. We just need to get back to somewhere safe."
18:44:08 [Paulton]: We should go somewhere safe, yes.
18:44:43 [Aidan]: The good thing is that now we're here we can boat upriver.
18:44:59 [Ivory]: Do you have one, or do you know where to find one?
18:45:34 [Aidan]: I think I saw a few still floating on the docks. I won't have a problem rowing us back upriver.
18:45:44 [Ivory]: All right. Lead the way.
18:45:47 [Paulton]: Let's hope those boats are still sturdy.
18:46:26 [Aidan]: If they're rotten, I might be able to freeze the bottoms.
18:46:50 [Ivory]: ...Like a sheet of ice for us to stand on, right?
18:47:08 [Aidan]: Something like that.
18:47:20 [Ivory]: I see...
18:49:02 Aidan peered over the docks. They were strewn with detritus, and many of the boats and pole-barges had sunk.
18:50:08 [Aidan]: Ah! Here's one... It looks sturdy enough.
18:50:32 Aidan gingerly stepped into the boat, which thankfully did not sink.
18:50:40 [Ivory]: How does it feel?
18:51:48 Paulton follows suit.
18:51:59 Aidan nodded. "It's good enough." He gripped the oars and flared Frost to strengthen them. "Get some rest if you need it. I'll carry on until we're done."
18:52:26 Ivory climbs into the boat as well. "Let me help you row. We'll get out of here faster if I do."
18:52:38 [Paulton]: I'll hold onto the books.
18:53:00 Ivory drops the books into Paulton's lap.
18:54:17 Aidan | The party rowed off into the sunset, away from the cursed shores of Erol's Landing.

Arc I Part III Logs:

Spoiler:

16:57:33 Aidan peered around the tree. His eyes and the Unholy runes on his new blades glowed, perhaps with some sort of magical assistance. "Roux... This is it, isn't it? The end of the river."
16:58:28 Roux peers about with nose wrinkled, gingerly stepping around and over any sickness in the ground. "Far 's I can tell."
17:00:42 [Aidan]: Well, for me that really means something... But it looks like we've got our work cut out for us. The Elves didn't do much cleaning here.
17:01:09 [Roux]: Wot're we lookin' for?
17:01:57 Aidan pointed towards the buildings. "Something ordinary. You know, Scourge or animals... We've been chasing ghosts this whole time, I'm damned paranoid about it."
17:02:29 [Roux]: Naw, I mean--like th' book las' time? Anyfin' like that 'ere?
17:03:23 Aidan looked down, seeming suddenly interested in the dirt under his fingernails. He spoke in a hushed voice. "I... Don't want to find anything."
17:03:47 Roux blinks, ears stiffening under her helm in a fruitless attempt to perk. "Eh?"
17:05:13 [Aidan]: I don't want to find anything here... I'll never know where she went, but at least... At least it means she didn't die here.
17:06:10 Roux peers at him, focusing on his face. "Are ye sayin' ye don' wanna look?"She rumbles quietly, huffs, then turns to pad forward. Nudging him on without touching, likely certain he'd follow.
17:07:47 Roux eyes the first random building. Then the zombies, eyes trained in a predatory manner. She discerns--do they seem particularly threatening?
17:08:19 Aidan | The zombies seem to mostly be trapped in their houses, or shambling without direction unaware of those moving just outside.
17:08:45 [Aidan]: [Low] If we keep quiet we might be able to pass by these houses.
17:08:58 Roux eyes the building right before her. Is the door open or closed? How many shamblers inside? She draws her halberd, then glances back to Aidan. "[Low] T' where?"
17:10:11 Aidan peered around, then pointed at the tall builing in the distance. "There, that's the port. The refugees should have been... Might still be there."
17:10:23 [Roux]: ...
17:10:25 [Roux]: Kay. S'go.
17:12:08 Aidan peered over the raised entryway to the wide oaken doors covering the entrance. "Stay behind me... We're going to have to take a look inside."
17:12:19 [Roux]: Yer th' one wifout armor.
17:12:57 Aidan sighed dejectedly. "I shouldn't have left it... I thought there would be guards to sneak past."
17:13:12 [Roux]: -I'm- goin' firs', then.
17:13:17 Roux moves ahead, eyeing the door.
17:13:28 [Aidan]: Light, just... Be careful.
17:14:04 Roux studies the door, its condition, its status of being opened or not. She settles her fingertips on it, adding touch to her study.
17:15:32 Aidan | The doors are heavy, and seem to each be made of a single slab of oak, perhaps joined by magical means. Though dirty, it appears as solid as the day it was made.
17:17:31 [Roux]: Rottin' this'll take t' long. Ye can cut off magic, aye?
17:17:47 Roux asks, glancing back to him. The sick glow of the land reflects in flashes in her wolf eyes.
17:19:39 Aidan peered at Roux. "You want to... Do what?"
17:20:25 Roux eyes Aidan, brow lifting. "Th' door. S' solid as th' tree th' wood's comin' from. It'll take t' long t' rot, so can ye open it wif yer anti-magic shite?"
17:21:17 [Aidan]: Well, I can give it a try. Should work.
17:21:24 Roux shuffles to the side.
17:23:05 Aidan took out his runed shortblades and approached the door, looking it over skeptically. His eyes settled on a knot in the wood roughly in the center of the doorway. It looked too uniform to be natural. He pointed his blades at it and spoke something under -
17:24:15 Aidan | his breath. First a ring of circular runes sprouted in the air, then the door grew completely black as a sickly power enveloped it.
17:24:34 [Aidan]: All right, it's working. Now we just need to-
17:24:36 Roux widens her eyes. Naturally, she skittered forward to tug Aidan away. Or try.
17:25:52 Aidan wasn't tugged back so much as pushed back. The door was bulging open and a sound of shuffling and groaning could be heard from the other side. Roux might catch a glimpse in the crack of the door: a room filled with pristine zombies, the floor littered -
17:26:03 Aidan | with shipping trunks and baggage.
17:26:52 Roux widens her eyes. "Bad news!" She pushes Aidan away a little more, then draws her halberd.
17:27:36 [Roux]: We testin' our luck, or savin' valor for later?
17:28:00 Aidan stumbled to the side, blades still in his hands. He sheathed one and got his other hand ready for spellcasting. "They're what we're looking for, Red! I won't let you fall here."
17:28:38 [Aidan]: I've got your back.
17:30:36 Roux eyes Aidan, then the small horde ahead. She tries to use the advantage of the door frame, 'bottlenecking' the undead to a degree, using wide sweeps of her halberd to stymy the flow.
17:33:16 Aidan | Roux succeeds in barring the door, but can't seem to hold against the mass of the horde.
17:36:13 Aidan reached his left hand into the air. An icy spear coalesced in his hand and he hurled it into the partially opened doorway.
17:37:13 Aidan | The spear struck home, entering the first zombie and continuing rapidly through its compatriots. A number of bodies fell and were trampled, but it seemed impossible to count them among the horde.
17:38:22 Aidan | The horde of zombies stumbled free of the doorway, their arms raking towards Roux as they groaned hungrily.
17:39:41 Roux 's had worse times in Hyjal. At least it isn't fire. Leather armor is torn, and she has to roughly shake them off. Teeth bare.
17:42:04 Roux hefts her halberd up, aiming for another sweep, trying to use momentum to keep it circling.
17:42:47 Aidan | The weapon strikes true, but deals no lasting damage to the horde. They continue to shamble free from the interior of the building.
17:45:00 Aidan stepped in, his casting arm already raised in a sign of abjuration. All the runes on his shortblade burned brightly as lines of magic swept out to envelop an area with decay.
17:46:32 Aidan | The zombies attacking Roux melted into a bloody goo, while those behind were much luckier. Those closest to the door had their bodies, up to the chest, reduced to tattered remnants. Those further inside seemed unharmed but would take some time to move.
17:46:48 Roux snarls in irritation and impatience. But that is quickly pushed aside as the -wrong- decay encircles the area. Her fur bristles in disgust and disturbance.
17:49:21 Roux , after that mess passes, is perhaps more assured they can tear into the zombies without concern for their condition. She slinks to the side, then aims the tip of her halberd to the crack in the door. A thrust follows as a shock of sunlight arcs.
17:51:04 Aidan | The sunlight arcs in, striking two zombies cleanly in half and sizzling against the front-lines of the horde as they continue to shamble forward.
17:52:52 Aidan brought his hand back and conjured another spear of frost, chucking it through the doorway towards the undead.
17:53:56 Aidan | The spear sailed over the majority of the dead, whose numbers appear to have thinned. It shattered harmlessly against the Elven stonework.
17:55:20 Aidan | The undead waves advanced forward again. They stumbled from the entrance in their mindless hunger, scratching again at Roux.
17:56:55 Roux has gotten used to fighting the fairly strategized Twilight's Hammer. Armor is ripped and tugged further, dirty claws meeting flesh. She roars, trying to throw one (or all--
17:57:00 Roux | of them) off.
17:59:24 Roux wheels, trying to tear the undead off her and apart. Her maw joins the fray, though she may regret that later.
18:00:38 Aidan | The undead attacking Roux are annihilated by her strike, and as she advances more fall before her blade.
18:01:20 Aidan | Teeth and claws.
18:01:26 Roux | Thank you.
18:03:08 Aidan channeled Frost into himself, creating a crust of ice over his left arm to act as a gauntlet. He then rushed in, striking quickly with his shortsword and blocking as though his arm were a shield.
18:04:20 Aidan | He seemed to fail to strike anywhere important this time, and the zombies surged around their new target, aiming to devour even a man made of dead flesh.
18:05:10 Aidan brought his arms in and channeled Frost. The coating on his arm briefly extended into a carapace of ice that chipped off into the mouths and hands of the attacking zombies.
18:06:10 Roux curses. Tired of her failures with her halberd, she sticks to tearing, throwing, and ripping the shambling undead.
18:07:28 Aidan | The undead are ripped and torn, but they advance despite their flesh hanging in ribbons.
18:08:39 Aidan stabbed with his blade. His strikes seemed precise and mechanical, like a frontline soldier should.
18:09:57 Aidan | He managed to hit many zombies, but only one fell to the strikes.
18:10:18 Aidan | The horde pressed in again, attacking Aidan with but one fewer in its number.
18:10:28 Roux is running out of room to rend and tear, so she focuses on Aidan. A clench of both of her fists, and a natural mark imbues him with heightened instincts--OK GO RIGHT PAST ME, GAWD.
18:14:02 Aidan flinched as the power came over him. He lashed out with one hand to crush the skull of one zombie, then spun to parry another before landing a punch that caved in its chest. "What." He spoke as he advanced through the carnage. "Is. This. Power?"
18:15:44 Roux shuffles forward, watching Aidan. Bemused at the results, then smirking. She spits out zombie flesh, then gags. Coughing back a retch, she snerks. "S' ye. Jus' ye payin' attention' t' yer instincts better."
18:15:58 [Roux]: Don' get cocky.
18:17:38 Aidan tossed down the zombie of a woman, her spine crushed, before turning to Roux. "Is this the power of your faith?"
18:19:54 Roux eyes him, touching a claw gingerly to a wound of hers. "Aye. Ain' noffin' more 'en wot ye already got, really." She flickers a quick cleansing. "I'll s'plain later."
18:22:20 [Aidan]: Right... We need to get looking. I didn't see anyone that looked like her, so- so that's a relief. But if... If some got out, then her luggage would still be here right?
18:22:35 [Aidan]: Even if her corpse wasn't.
18:23:17 [Roux]: She didn' look like she were carryin' much when she ran in tha'...dream fing.
18:27:33 Aidan scratched his beard. "I think it was with the others. She had a small... I think they're called herbalist's packs."
18:28:06 [Roux]: So look for one 'f 'em?
18:29:54 [Aidan]: If you can't find it, then... Well, I'll count that as a blessing.
18:31:05 Roux eyes the death knight, not commenting. She shuffles about, searching for said pack. Nostrils flare to pick up the scent of herbs, if such still lingers. As minutes pass she seems more ill, though not deathly so. She likely swallowed some ichor when she--
18:31:09 Roux | went zombie chewing.
18:33:17 Aidan pushed through the trunks and bags, wading in but seeming almost reluctant to engage in the search.
18:35:59 Roux lowers herself to half-crawl on all fours. Keeping her nose low. Searching, searching. Thankfully, most of the undead are by the door, and out of the way. She finds an old smell of herbs. Follows it, picking things away gingerly. There's something! She--
18:36:41 Roux | bumps her nose against it to make sure. Herbs! She pauses, then glances to Aidan, hesitant to call him over a moment. Gingerly, she picks it up with her teeth, stands, then drops it in her hand to take it to him.
18:40:36 Roux gingerly nudges his arm with one hand, the other holding the herb satchel.
18:44:36 Aidan turned to look at Roux, then down to the satchel. His expression faded to a calm line, and his eyes narrowed. He took a deep breath in and out. "So. This is it, huh?"
18:47:15 Roux rumbls quietly, then leans to carefully take one of his hands to place the herb packet in his palm. "...I dunno. Folk left a lotta shite 'ere." A pause. "Couldn' there be a book o' ships an' passengers like las' time?"
18:47:56 [Aidan]: Maybe... We could keep looking upstairs, right?
18:49:13 Aidan pushed the small pack back into Roux's hands. "And... You should have this. She was an herbalist and kept great notes. You'll get more use of it, and I don't want to remember."
18:50:21 Roux blinks. She snorts. "Ye already are. We wouldn' be 'ere iffin' ye didn' wan' t' 'member 'r know."
18:52:35 Aidan shook his head. "Fine, but take what you want from it first. I want... If we find out she didn't make it, I'd rather someone used these things again. She'd have liked it."
18:53:55 [Roux]: I will when we're somewhere safer, aye. S'go up.
18:58:04 Aidan | The second story is a bureaucratic lounge, somewhere between a formerly-beautiful pleasure palace and a functional office. It was empty, save for the remnants of its furnishings.
18:58:25 [Aidan]: What a... Hideous building.
18:59:06 Roux peers at Aidan, puzzled. "Mean...now, I 'spose." She gingerly pads in, lest she set off some new trap.
19:00:23 Aidan | The building remains benign and vacant. It's obvious where the books once were, piled into corners where the bookcases fell.
19:01:51 Roux pads over to investigate.
19:02:50 Roux grumbles about stupid elf-speak. She searches for one that maybe looks like a log book with its organized lines and bars.
19:02:58 Roux kneels down.
19:04:30 Aidan | A fair number of the books seem like ledgers. Some are still in order, but others are piled on the floor where they fell.
19:05:18 Roux picks those out, better than nothing. "Ye know any'un tha' speaks elf?" She calls over.
19:05:44 Aidan looked at the shelf dejectedly. "Oh Light... I- I do know somebody! In Hyjal!"
19:06:59 [Roux]: Mean, pink elf, no' blue elf. Eh?
19:08:33 [Aidan]: Heh, come on Red. I can tell the difference between a Thalassian and a blackberry.
19:09:12 Roux pushes herself up with a large breath, still ill. She hefts the ledgers in her arms, then sticks the tip ofher tongue out at Aidan.
19:10:41 [Aidan]: You doing okay, Red? Why don't I take those.
19:11:00 [Roux]: Bleh...swallowed some ghoul.
19:11:06 Roux hands over the books.
19:12:27 Aidan held open a burlap sack he had had folded up on his belt as she dumped them in. "Looks good. Though I don't like having to wait for this." He chuckled nervously.
19:14:04 [Roux]: Jus'...wot 'appens, 'appens. Don' settle on somefin' 'till ye know, good 'r bad.
19:15:45 Aidan slung the back over one shoulder. "Come on, Red... You know how hard that is." He muttered to himself "It's been ten lonely years."
19:16:36 Roux just grunts and settles a large hand on his head briefly, not quite ruffling his hair. She slides it off soon enough.
19:18:35 [Aidan]: Let's get out of this nether-cursed place. I want to be sucking clean air by the end of the week.
19:19:21 Roux opens her mouth slightly to comment, then closes it. "M' ready."
19:23:26 [Aidan]: I'm feeling real tired of Thalassia, Red. Now that we have what we came for, I don't care if I'm seen leaving.
19:24:06 [Aidan]: I found myself a strong pair of wings before we left. I brought it with me just in case.
19:24:17 [Roux]: ...Uhhh...
19:24:35 Roux isn't sure what to make of that, rising on her toes slightly to try to eye his back. What?
19:25:12 Aidan unslung his pack, then dumped the contents onto the ground. In it was about half of a gryphon's skeleton and a whole lot of dust. "You'll be fine flying on your own, but now you're not the only one who can take to the skies."
19:27:34 Roux eyes the mess, side-stepping both away and for a better look. Then a little further to make room for whatever's going to happen.

[Kaghuros]

Accoutrements of the Pale Rider

This is a list of the notable equipment in Aidan's possession.

Silverflame

Two-Handed Sword - Runeblade

Appearance: Silverflame is an Elementium-Thorium alloy greatsword with an Elementium hilt. The blade is heavily inscribed with runes, and silvery magic courses through the Truesilver inlays to the blade's forked tip. The hilt is a dark purple, the color of pure Elementium, and bears four glowing Abyss Crystals which absorb and store mystical energy, and serve as the focal point of the blade's enchantment. The hilt is wrapped in a long (and fireproof) Core-Leather strip with a small metal charm attached to the trailing end.

Enchantment: The sword emanates a field that "seizes" magical energy and channels it into the arcane reservoirs in the blade's hilt. This allows it to function as a primitive method of spell-stealing (by capturing and expelling magical energy), as well as an excellent defense against mystical attacks. This field also disrupts the mystical energies of elementals and other such incorporeal creatures, allowing even those that are invulnerable to mundane weaponry to be damaged by tearing at their very essence.

[Kaghuros]

Updated with some stuff. Changing the focus a bit to chronicle not just one plot of Aidan's but to show some of the major threads that come together in plotlines for his character.

Also a timeline.

[Kaghuros]

Added the most recent section, and the beginning of the second arc starting with The Shattered Crown, wherein Aidan has his soul fragmented by foul magic and Ydir discovers valuable information from the broken spirit of his comrade.

[Kaghuros]

A Candle Against the Dark

Beneath the snow-white mountains
Beneath the grey-stone halls
A forge-grate disused opens
A coal-chute's dark load falls

By flame and frost let it be done
The forging of a blade begun

---

Aidan stood before a great glowing furnace, his hands trembling as he maintained the spell that pulled the chill from the core of this great stone beast. A bellows blew nearby, forcing air into the blast-furnace by the power of a pair of ghoulish hands. He had stood here for hours, the strange magic of his spell spattering him with condensing droplets as he waited for the right temperature.

Thorium is the strongest mundane metal on Azeroth, its melting point so high only the Dwarves with their forges bathed in lava had found it commercially viable to smelt. And now Aidan labored to bring that heat into this old smithy. The bars of thorium and elementium began to pool slowly, running together in the crucible like molasses - and then slowly thinning until they reached the temperature of a pouring mixture. It ran out of the stone crucible and filled Aidan's mould, the design for which he scribbled down after what seemed a waking fever-dream. He'd spent the last four days drawing, erasing, measuring, planning- all for this moment.

As the last trickle of molten metal ushered forth he relaxed his magic. A hammer. He took it in his hand. He didn't need magic now, nor tactics or the faith he held. This hammer was a tool from his distant past. This hammer was the only tool he needed to forge his future. He beat the metal into shape, easing out mould-lines and imperfections. He worked the base, the cutting and gripping edges, and up to the forked blade. The clanging was ceaseless. His will was ceaseless. Each part of the blade he beat with the fury of his heart - the fury with which he'd been beaten into the man he was.

He fitted blade to hilt while both were white-hot. The hilt's enchantment flared against the connection and the metal sparked. It joined seamlessl... And then he beat more. Beat the enchantment into the blade; beat the metal together; beat and chiseled and ground the blade until it was there - a perfect but empty vessel waiting to be sealed with its runic power.

He poured his scant bar of truesilver into the carved runes, tenderly dressing and filing each rune down so no metal left the space. Every letter was carved to the pinnacle of Aidan's skill and knowledge - Blood, I am, Blood, he who, Frost, strikes with, Frost, the fury, Unholy, of faith, Unholy.

Wrap the hilt. Hold the blade. Flare the runes. Life.

The blade burned dully in the darkness of the smithy. It burned with a silver-blue fire that seemed to Aidan's manic mind to be alive. "Silverflame." He said, perhaps to the blade itself, to christen this new tool.

He dismissed his ghoul and stepped out, leaving behind the tools of his past and carrying with him the weapon of his future.

[Kaghuros]

An Oath Among Brothers


Acherus always gave Aidan a foreboding feeling when he approached it. The reasonable part of his mind understood that that was the point, that the stark edifice of the Lich King's former power wasn't really meant to be seen but to be understood. There were even rumors that the low rumbling sound it made was pitched intentionally to cause discomfort. Of course he had learned to deaden the sounds and ignore the stark facade, but despite his training and better judgement the place offered the same sense of vile power as the first time he'd looked up through runic blue eyes and seen it loom above him.

This time, unfortunately, it represented the vile power of bureaucracy rather than the Lich King. That sort of power couldn't really be fought. And so he looked again to the writ of command in his hands and thought back to his inquiry...



"...he appears free of taint, Koren," came an echoing voice, "and he looks to be regaining consciousness as quickly as he's supposed to."

The liches were at work on him, he could feel the icy tendrils of their magic slip from his mind like slick mud oozing down an oiled boot. "W-was it fun?" He quipped in a hoarse whisper. No, it probably wasn't but he could hardly think of anything better to say. Of course the liches seemed to enjoy that. They laughed hoarsely to each other as they dismantled their spell.

Koren and Azhek, he recalled, names he had known long before this. He'd worked alongside Koren in Northrend, a trustworthy being but one with strange obsessions. Azhek... Well, Azhek and Aidan had a history as long as his rebirth. This lich was the one who raised him from the dead. Freed from the Scourge's control, the pair had come to a certain understanding- not a friendship but at least an acceptance of their mutual roles. And what better person to check the integrity of Aidan's body and mind than the one who corrupted it in the first place? Or so the rationale must have been. Aidan didn't have to enjoy the process - in fact it was quite a bit more painful than Aroes' Priest magic had been - but it was the easiest way to prove to his superiors that his will was still his own.

He closed his eyes again to wait for the magic circle to be drawn down... And awoke some time later as a messenger jostled him on the table. "Knight-Captain, stand to!"

Aidan practically leapt up off of the altar, getting to his feet and standing at attention with a speed born of years of practice. He saluted sharply even before he could see who was there. When his eyes met the figure approaching him he knew he was really in for it. Dread Commander Shiverwind, his superior officer, stood before him decked in gilded black fullplate. The Commander held a letter out to Aidan and spoke in a voice that was calm but chased with that ever-present echo of malice. "You must do one more thing for us to prove fit for your command - and I believe you will accept."

He reached for the letter, noting that the seal was already broken, then read the contents. His expression darkened...

"Shiverwind,

Blackheart has requested an officer and troops for an urgent investigation. This relates to the losses incurred over the last two months among our patrols in the Plaguelands. The Officer corps is spread thin enough as is, but one of Blackheart's recommendations is under your command and currently relieved of duty. Request his involvement at your discretion.

Thalanor

"So, Knight-Captain, what do you say?"



Hours later, Aidan sat in the belfry of the Tyr's Hand cathedral looking out at Acherus looming in the distance. He mulled over his foreboding and looked to the letter, then peered over the ledge as he waited for the figure of Itheros Blackheart's steed to approach the gates and signal the beginning of this new mission.

Soon, he hoped, he could return to his command in Hyjal: to Roux Blackwood and his relative independence. But for now he was a Knight of Acherus, and he would sooner walk unarmored through the Twisting Nether than go back on an oath sworn among brothers.

[Kaghuros]

Post updated! Some slight organizational changes, as well as a new story segment.