Another ding!

So, two new things. First up, Arien has mined/dungeoned/quested herself to 85, finally. And I might have stayed up until around 3 in the morning to get it done. *cough* >.>



When my leveling OCD kicks in, it is really hard to stop when there's less than three bubs of XP to go. :P

Second, Kel got into a group of fellow Feathermoonies for a troll heroic, which wound up being Zul Gurub. First time in there for me since Blizz updated it, so it involved lots of dying, as I relearned the fights. The last boss failed to give Kel a shiny bow, but she did leave the place with a new friend.



It was a major pain to get this guy. I finally wound up asking everyone to go outside the building where the last trash pack (with a cat in it) was. I forgot to hit my haste pot before starting the tame, but she still barely managed to finish before the extra troll killed her. It was pretty awesome. :D

On a final note, I may possibly be doing a more serious post sometime soon(ish). I've been running across some stuff from other bloggers over the last several weeks, not to mention a lot of RL stuff going on lately, and it's all starting to make me think. A lot. So, well, yea. No idea when I'll actually be writing it, since it's not really an easy topic for me. So, umm, you've been warned? :P

Anyways! That's it for now. /Waves

p.s.- I had a little bit of RP with Windstar and Jahira that I might post, as well. Just a short bit involving what little I know of what happens in 4.2. (Spoiler: Windstar meeting Malorne will be so fricking epic.)

Storytime: Cataclysm pt.2

Have a sad-Kal-rant. Enjoy!

Elf and human sat next to each other on the edge of the canal, their feet dangling just above the waterline. Kal was slightly hunched, staring at her hands, amost as if she was deliberately trying to keep from looking at the wreckage across from them. Arien finally reached over to place a hand on her friend's shoulder.

"At least not many died, and none of our friends or family have been hurt, that we know of. And I can make you a new motorbike in a few days." Kal just gave a faint shake of her head. "I'm not really worried about the bike. And I am grateful nobody we know got hurt. It's just..." She finally raised her head to gaze over the still-smoking pit across the canal.

"We were there when I first met Windstar. It's where we first-." Kal cut herself off when she noticed Arien's faint blush, then after a moment she continued. "It's where that blasted thing attacked Channi. Which was awful, but it happening helped me realize how much I was falling in love with her. It's where she first kissed me. Where we first..." She paused again, glancing sidelong at her friend. "Yes, Kal, I know." Arien sighed quietly, her blush deepening slightly. Kal gave a very faint smirk. She quickly sobered, however.

"It feels like those memories have been violated. Like, with the place wrecked, they might just fade from my mind like...." She quickly glanced away, rubbing at her eyes for a moment. Arien simply sat and watched her, then finally reached over to gently brush the long scar running across her cheek with one finger. Kal's hand came up and caught Arien's, quickly lowering it back to the paladin's lap. Her voice was so quiet Arien could barely hear, and was slightly hoarse with long-suppressed grief. "Yes, that. And Alli. And Kira. And all of the short flings and one-nighters that I can't even remember the names of. I keep hoping and telling myself, this time it's different. That neither me or Channi are going anywhere. That this time it's gonna last. But all the others, they had messes like this screw everything up, too, and then boom it's over and we all move on. And gods, I'm getting sick of it." She abruptly stood and stalked off, in the direction of the Harbor. Arien was left sitting, watching her leave. After a moment, the paladin sighed again, rubbed briefly at her stinging eyes, then stood and followed.

I promise, this mood is going to be temporary for Kal. To be continued...

Storytime: Cataclysm

Little bit delayed, I know. Work and spending time in-game tend to do this a lot. Short one this time, because I have once again stayed up way, way too late.


Kal stood at the edge of the new crater, looking at what once had been the Park. The canal bridge behind her was the only marker left to tell her that she was looking at the right place. As she stared blankly at the space the apartment had stood, the only place she had ever called 'home', she felt a trace of anger slowly rising through her shock and grief. She finally tore her eyes from the spot of broken pavement, and looked down at the wreckage in the deep hole that... something... had left. Just as she thought, she couldn't see anything that even might have passed for any of her or Arien's belongings. She finally accepted the realization that the two of them were left with what they were wearing or carrying, that all their other worldly possessions were gone beyond recovery. She absently thought to herself, Ari's gonna miss all her books. Oh, gods, where are we gonna sleep tonight? Maybe the Rose has our old room free. That'll mean no private time with Channi, but she's probably still busy somewhere. Oh bloody Elune, I hope she's okay...

Kal finally turned away, walking back to where she had left Myte at the other end of the bridge. She mounted, and rode at a slow walk in the direction of the Pig. When she got close, however, she realized that she didn't really want to be around people at the moment, and turned the 'saber towards the gryphon master. Perhaps beating in the skulls of a few of the scattered cultists would make her feel a little better. She suddenly heard static from her buzzbox, and reined Myte in. It was the private channel she and Arien used, so she quickly pulled it from it's pouch and turned it up.

"Kal, are you there? Please answer me."
Crackle hiss click. "I'm here, sis. Where are you? You alright?"
"I'm okay. Someone just told me that something huge just flew over Stormwind and wrecked it. Are you-"
"Only the Park, Ari. And yes, I'm fine, I was out of town when it happened."
"Sigh. Oh thank the Light. I'm coming home now. Want to meet me at the docks?"
"Coming in by boat? Sure thing, I'll see ya there soon." Click.

Holy bloody Elune, how am I gonna tell her...


(To be continued...)

Storytime: Meeting the parents

(Sorry for the latest silent spell, here's a story to make up for it. Possible PG rating, maybe.)

Arien finished her classes at the Cathedral for the year, and had an unexpected couple weeks before the next ones began. Since the holiday of Winter's Veil was approaching, she asked Kal if she wanted to come along for a visit to Arien's parents. The elf agreed.

They started for Eastvale a few days before Winter's Veil, taking with them the gifts that Arien had bought for her parents. Kal had never celebrated the holiday, so Arien got to tell her friend all about the history and customs as they rode. Arien had remembered to write a couple days in advance, to tell her parents about the extra guest, so they wouldn't make Kal uncomfortable, either. At least, she hoped they wouldn't. They finally arrived at the cottage, to find it empty. "They must be at the tavern," Arien said, thinking out loud. "Let's leave our stuff and meet them there." Kal nodded, looking slightly nervous, and they dropped the packs in a corner and headed for the cluster of buildings that marked the main area of the village.

Arien stopped outside the door of the tiny tavern. "Kal, please don't mind my father, if he seems a little rude. He just doesn't meet new people often, and you being an elf will be even stranger for him." She looked at her friend almost pleadingly, who nodded, reaching to take Arien's hand and giving it a quick squeeze. They entered the tavern, and Arien scanned the few faces in the room, looking for her parents. She spotted her mother quickly, and hurried over, waving. Mother saw her, and quickly set her tray on the bar, smiling as she came to meet them. "Ari, we've missed you so much," she told her daughter, giving Arien a warm hug. She then stepped back to look at Kal, who stood motionless, with her arms crossed over her chest. "And this is your friend. Kal, isn't it?" Kal nodded and held out a hand, which Mother took and gave a gentle squeeze. "Is Father in the kitchen?" Arien asked. Mother nodded. "Give him a minute, he's still working on the stew. He should be out to check on the crowd soon."

Sure enough, after a few more minutes of small talk, a stocky, bearded man came in through the small doorway in the back. Arien waved and called him over. "Father! Hi, this is my friend I wrote about, Kal." She gave him a hug as soon as he reached them. Father returned the hug, then gave Kal a slow, measuring look. Kal simply stood there, then offered a hand after a moment. Father looked at the hand for a second, before taking it and giving a firm but cautious shake. They chatted for a few more minutes, until finally Father looked around the room. "Gettin' busy in 'ere. You care to 'elp out? Or would ya rather 'ead back and rest from yer trip?" he asked Arien. She wrinkled her forehead slightly, in thought. "Well," she replied, "we are a little tired, but I think I can help with handing out dinner, at least." Kal quickly spoke, for the first time, "I'll help, as well." Arien's parents seemed slightly startled for a second, then gratefully accepted Kal's offer.

A little over an hour later, the small crowd were all happily eating, many of them finished and sipping their ales, and Mother insisted that Arien and Kal go back home to rest. Father then surprised them by telling Mother to go with them. "You go get 'em all settled, I can clean up m'self, just for tonight." She finally agreed, and the three of them went back to the cottage. Once home and inside, Arien's mother turned to the friends, forehead wrinkling slightly. "Ari, I'm afraid we don't have an extra bedroom," she said uncertainly. "That's fine, Mother. Kal can sleep in the loft with me, we brought extra blankets," Arien reassured her. Mother's wrinkles deepened slightly at that, and at Kal's confirming nod. Arien looked at her, puzzled. "Is that okay?" she asked. "Oh, yes, it's fine," Mother answered, rather quickly. Before anything else could be said, she was heading to the small closet next to the stairs, getting a few more blankets out.

The beds were made and the girls' things were put away, by the time Father came home. Mother met him at the door, and had a brief whispered conversation with him as he came inside. Arien and Kal were warming some cider by the hearth, and pretended not to notice. They gave each other half-curious, half-frustrated glances. Arien could only give her friend a slight shrug, not certain what her parents' concern was. Her parents finally came inside and settled, and Arien passed out the cider. Kal sat back by the hearth, as if trying to be inconspicuous. She had a couple different possible ideas of what Arien's folks were concerned about, and didn't want to make anything worse for her friend. Finally, though, she needed to get away from the nervous glances the two were giving her, when they thought she wasn't looking. She stood and told them, "I'm going to check on Nyte. He's not used to being out of the city, and I want to make sure he won't spook the horses." They all nodded at her, with Arien giving her a strange look. Kal just gave a tiny shake of her head, and walked outside to the stables.

Once the warrior was out of sight, Arien turned to her parents in time to catch another look between them. "Is something wrong?" she asked. "Nothing is wrong, Arien," her mother began. Her father then cut her off. "We've just 'eard some strange stuff about Elves out 'ere, from passing adventurers," he told her, looking uncomfortable. "We're a bit worried that yer friend might be, uh, well.." He trailed off, uncertain of how to put his concerns. Arien had been around enough adventurers herself, and a bit of understanding began to show on her face. "You think she and I might be..." She looked blankly at the slight, embarrassed nods her parents gave her in response. She blushed slightly, then it faded as indignation took over. "Well, you can stop worrying about it. We are more like sisters than anything else. And besides, even if Kal is like that, I am not, and she would never make advances on me when she knows I wouldn't want her to." Her parents still looked uncomfortable, but now also relieved. Arien shook her head in mingled disbelief and frustration. "I'm going to go check Faithful. We'll be back in a few minutes." She stood and walked out.

Arien went inside the stable, to find Kal perched on the dividing wall between Faithful and Nyte. Soft rumbling sounds from Nyte's stall told anyone in hearing range that the 'saber was sleeping peacefully. The warhorse stuck his head out over the stall door and nickered at her, and she gently rubbed his nose as she looked up at her friend. Kal just sat and watched her soberly, as the paladin told her, as briefly as possible, what her parents concerns were. When she was finished, Kal looked down at the floor, expression unreadable. "And, uh, what do you think about it?" she asked quietly. Arien raised an eyebrow. "What does it matter?" she began, and then paused. Kal glanced quickly at her, then back down at the stable floor again. "Umm, Kal, are you like that?" Arien asked, hesitantly. Her eyes widened at Kal's nod. She opened her mouth, then closed it, as she tried to think of a response. Finally, "Well, umm, that is a bit of a surprise for me. You seem to hide the fact pretty well." Kal just gave a slight shrug. Arien looked at her closely for a second, then stepped closer and put a hand on the elf's knee. "Kal? You don't think that matters to me, do you?" Kal finally looked at her, blinking in surprise. "Shouldn't it? I mean, uh..." The warrior actually flushed slightly, making Arien's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "Well, I think maybe I should tell you that I think you're very attractive. I just figured that you weren't interested, so I never said anything. Because I would rather be friends than nothing." Arien nodded slowly, making Kal blink in surprise again. "Well, um, thank you, I think. But I'm afraid you're right about me not being interested in, uh, that. But, I definately want to keep our friendship. You're like a sister to me, Kal. I can't imagine not having you around. And well, I love my parents, but living in a tiny village like this, it kind of makes them not very open-minded. About a lot of things." Kal grinned, then hopped down off the wall to wrap Arien in a hug. The paladin hugged her back, smiling. "Well, I think they might not stare at you as much now, if you want to come back in," Arien said. Kal nodded, and followed her back into the house.


(Bit of random info: There are exactly 3 people that can get away with calling Arien 'Ari': her mother, Kal, and, more recently, Alanon. It is a personal form of endearment for her, not to be taken lightly. If anyone else even tried, they would most likely be totally ignored, or possibly asked not to refer to her by that name.)

Storytime: Meeting

(Arien meets Kal. Enjoy!)

Arien's father had finally been talked into letting her go to Stormwind to be trained as a paladin. She was happy for the opportunity, and she enjoyed her training, but going into the second year at the Cathedral, she began realizing that she was lonely. The rare short visits to her family helped, but as her training progressed, her relationship with her father began feeling strained, as he continued to criticize her teachers and mentors. Her mother remained supportive, but Arien still didn't really have any friends close enough to talk to.

One day, during a break in her studies, she heard someone crying as she was walking across the courtyard. It was fairly common for people to come to the Cathedral to seek comfort or grieve, but the absolute heartbreak in these sobs made Arien pause. Unable to help herself, she sought the source of the sobs, only to stop in surprise when she discovered it was a Night Elf. The female Kaldorei was sitting, hunched over, on one of the benches under a shade tree. Arien stared for a second, then approached. When she reached her, the elf looked up with pain-filled eyes. "She's dead, I know she is. Oh Elune, why?" Arien felt a stab of pity for the elf, and quickly sat down, offering a shoulder she was quick to accept. Her sobs started again, and Arien simply held her, murmuring softly in her ear.

Finally the elf seemed to regain control. She sat up, as Arien kept one hand on her shoulder. The paladin dug a hanky from a pocket and handed it to her. After wiping her eyes and blowing her nose, the elf looked at Arien with piercing, pale blue eyes. "Thank you," she said. "I'm Kal." "I'm Arien. I'm studying here to be a paladin." Arien replied. She gave Kal's shoulder a comforting squeeze. "You want to talk about what happened?" she asked gently. The elf's eyes began watering again, as she looked away, and began speaking quietly.

"My sister is,... was, a Sentinel. Her squad was sent to Northrend almost a year ago, and what was left of them just got back a few days ago. Riatha wasn't with them." Another tear slowly ran down her cheek, only to be wiped away. Kal blinked at Arien in surprise, seeing the sympathetic expression on her face. This was something the proud elf would have normally spurned, but it seemed so honest and genuine, coming from this paladin. It touched the solitary warrior, seeing a human acting so selflessly.

The Cathedral's bells began ringing at that second, startling both of them. Arien glanced towards the doors, then back at Kal with an apologetic expression. "I'm afraid that means I have to go back, but we could meet later, if you want?" Kal nodded, reaching up to touch the hand still on her shoulder, simply saying, "I'd like that." Arien smiled. "Do you know where the Pig and Whistle Tavern is?" Kal nodded, and they arranged to meet for supper. Arien stood and went back inside, pausing to wave at the door. Kal waved back, then leaned back against the tree, closing her sore eyes wearily.

Procrastination is pwned (by OCD)

About time too.

Today I spent most of the day on Arien. Started with a few heroics, and when people wanted to take a break, I finally finished something I had been wanting to do since Arien started Northrend. I finished her Argent Dawn rep. It took a lot of undead-killing.


But it was totally worth seeing the title next to my little holy warrior's name. :D



Argent Crusade was the first Northrend rep that I got to exalted with her, so Argent Dawn was the only thing left, and she was almost halfway through revered when I started. One full clear of Scholomance got her from 9k to around 11k rep, then turning in all the scourgestones made it about 14k. Then I discovered she hadn't even been to Light's Hope yet, so I ran her there, in between a couple more heroics, and did a couple quests, 2 of them inside Stratholme. That got her most of the way, so another partial run in Scholo, another quest complete, and more scourgestones, and boom, exalted. Yay!

Then to celebrate, I went and got her t9 pants. That's another blue gone from her ret set, just need new helm and bracers now. Plus a ring and a trinket. Then I can start getting t9 healing gear. Fun times.

On another note, I have started leveling Tad again. He is now in Northrend, and just dinged 69 before I got too sleepy and had to log off. He still has a ton of rest xp too. Not to mention his 2 heirlooms. Letting heirlooms be mailed cross-faction is possibly the best thing Blizzard has ever done. My tauren druid Bearkat took my leather heirloom shoulders from Durotan to Feathermoon, so Tad is now using them, since I seem to be in a Horde slump right now. He also has the bow, a present from his sister Windstar. It is so nice to not worry about how gun-happy Northrend is. :D

Last thing, I have been working on another Windstar sketch. I'm too tired to get it on my 'puter to post it now, but I will get it up for inspection ASAP. Hopefully tomorrow. Now off to bed for me.

/waves

Arien and Alanon - Underbog

As promised (sort of), here's a quick story of when Alanon came to help Arien find a couple lost druids in the Underbog. We did most of it in character, though this was before I got my chatlogger addon, so I wrote it afterward from memory. It happens right after this. (Also, please forgive the rather rushed editing job. :P)


Shortly after noon, Arien met Alanon at the draenei post of Telredor. The druid and paladin set off. They soon reached the mass of pipes in Coilfang Reservoir, marking the drain-entrance, and Arien slid off Snow's back into the water. Alanon dropped out of his bird form and splashed in with her, where he promptly turned into a sea lion. Arien was a bit startled, but quickly got used to it, and even thought to herself that it was almost rather cute. They swam quickly, and soon were through the water-filled tunnel, entering a large cavern. There they found the contact for the missing scouts, Watcher Jhang, kneeling on the shore holding her leg. "I twisted my ankle, or else I would be with the others. Don't worry about me, the others are in trouble. Can you please go find them?" she pleaded. "Rayge and Claw are somewhere in the Underbog, and Bite and Greenthumb got lost in the Slave Pens." They agreed, though Arien hated to leave the scout without healing, even for a simple twisted ankle. They slipped down one of the huge branching tunnels into a place the scout had called the Underbog. Aggressive sporebats greeted them, and Alanon quickly changed to a bear and charged them. Arien gave him a moment to grab the attention of all of them, then came up behind and began swinging her axe. With just two of them, and Alanon being very skilled at this kind of thing, Arien felt more comfortable helping him to bring their enemies down, rather than just sitting back and healing him. They progressed relatively quickly through the damp muggy caves, to the point where Alanon mentioned that they made a good team. Arien felt a small flush of warmth at that, and agreed.

After a while, they left the crude tunnels full of sporebats and elementals, and found some constructions rough-made of metal. Arien felt a very different flush at the familiar sight, this time of anger. Sure enough, a pair of naga guards came down the narrow ramp, where Alanon surprised them and, with Arien's help, quickly dispatched them. As they stepped past the bodies, Arien quietly grunted in disgust. "Hm? You ok?" Alanon asked. "Yea," she replied. "Just hate nagas." She wondered briefly what he would think, of a paladin admitting to hating something, but he just shrugged and went on. As they fought on through the hallway, they found a huge room, with a ramp leading to a platform with a enormous hydra. Alanon and Arien looked at each other, and Alanon switched to bear form. They charged the 'guard dog', Alanon giving Arien a warning to watch out for it's tail. She quickly discovered that the creature gave off a toxic sort of aura, which was making her too nauseated to fight, so she backed off and worked on just keeping Alanon healed. The aura didn't seem to bother him, and the thing was quickly dead.

They both moved to the edge of the platform afterward. Arien looked down at the water below, then glanced back at Alanon. "Guess we're jumping?" she asked. He nodded, and they both plunged in. The drop wasn't as bad as it looked, and Arien got a surprise when she hit the water. It was warm, almost hot. Alanon shifted into a sea lion, and lead her to the small niche in the surrounding wall that allowed them to climb out. From there it was another drop, into more of the crude tunnels. Different creatures lurked there, vicious nether rays and huge glowing insects. Arien was kept busy, using the Light to cleanse the bugs' poisonous spit, as well as helping out with her axe. At the end of the first stretch of tunnel, Alanon, in bear form, suddenly stopped and started sniffing the air. Arien heard a faint rustle almost immediately after, and slowly moved to investigate. She jumped and almost tripped over herself when a Night Elf suddenly appeared right in front of her. It was one of the missing scouts, Rayge, and he thanked them profusely for clearing the monsters out of his escape route. He too was slightly injured, but assured them that he was only resting before healing himself and escaping. He had a warning before they left him and continued, however. "There is a hunter up ahead, and he has somehow managed to trap my comrade Claw in his bear form, and is treating him like a pet!" he told them indignantly. "I'm afraid you might have to fight Claw in order to free him." The druid and paladin nodded to him, promised to be careful, and continued.

Down a few more bends of the tunnel, they found the pair. A broken hunter was sitting by a small fire, with a large bear with the typical markings that druids have on his shoulders and face. The smallish horns he sported marked him as a tauren, but druids held themselves mostly apart from the Alliance/Horde squabbles, and Alanon and Arien had no hesitation about helping him. "He's in the wrong shape for me to hold him still much," Arien whispered, as they tried to figure how to not hurt the bear. Alanon looked unhappy, but all he could say was, "We'll just have to try not to beat him up too much." She nodded, Alanon shifted again, and he trotted out to challenge the hunter. It called the bear to attack them at once, and Arien had to pull back her axe-swing more than once to avoid him, but after a long, dancing battle, the hunter fell. The bear continued his attack, however, and finally the two were forced to fight back to defend themselves. Before too long, the bear's angry red eyes seemed to clear, and he suddenly broke off his attack. He stood panting for a few seconds, then shifted into his tauren form and walked to the campfire, plopping down next to it, still looking confused. Arien slowly approached, Alanon right behind her, and she told him about his friend they had already discovered, as well as the two still unaccounted for. Alanon looked him over for any major injuries, as he thought for a moment. "Well, now that I'm free of that hunter, I can get out of here fine. Perhaps I will collect my companion on the way out," the tauren finally decided. Alanon nodded, having found nothing more serious than some small cuts and bruises, and the two of them continued, hearing some strange noises ahead.

Around another bend in the tunnel, Arien noticed some dark shapes on the ground. As they neared, she saw they were more nether rays, dead. She shuddered a bit at the sight of so many, and Alanon, a bear once again, remarked wryly, "You should be glad you can't smell as well as me right now." They turned the last corner, and saw a huge, strange creature moving about the piles of ray bodies. It was similar to the tall marsh walkers that roamed the waterways of the marsh, but much bigger, and solid black. It made low hissing noises as it fed on several of the half-rotted rays, and Arien began feeling slightly ill, watching it. Alanon was looking at her, and seemed to pick up on it. "Let's get it," he growled. She nodded and tightened her grip on her axe. Once again Alanon led, Arien letting him grab the monster's attention. As she moved in to join the battle though, it started casting magic, throwing chains of lightning around the cavern. Arien got too close on one blast, and was knocked back, lightning crackling around her hands as she stood back up. She stayed back after that, throwing healing spells on Alanon, and as the creature weakened, she called a hammer made of holy energy and threw it as hard as she could. The monster fell, leaving a small opening in the back of the cave clear. Bear-Alanon backed a few steps from the body and sat down, breathing hard, and Arien came up beside him, checking to see if he needed more healing. He was fine, though, if slightly out of breath, and they went to inspect the small doorway, finding it dropped into the same tunnel they had started from. They both looked at each other and shook their heads. "How convenient," Alanon said, with an ironic tone. They dropped down together, and wearily backtracked to the entrance.

+ + +

The two of them sat around in the instance for a while afterwards, chatting and such, but I'm gonna end the story there, because I don't have the entire dialog, and I don't want to wind up forgetting anything important. Hope you enjoyed it!

And now to go finish setting up my new laptop that I just got for Christmas. :D
Hope everyone else had a good holiday! /Waves

More Updates and Thoughts

Because we need a happier post now.

First, I'm starting to think I'm getting a cold. Not sure yet though. Been having a stuffy/runny nose off and on for a while now, and today my throat is starting to hurt. It could all be weather related, though.. (I really don't like winter)

Second, I still love the new LFG tool. Windstar has 2 peices of t9, all from badges. Working on a new ring next. She is So Very Over-Hit-Capped though, argh. WTT hit rating for some expertise and ArPen. And need a new trinket. :P And then need to work on her healing gear. :\

Also, Star has done the entire new ICC trio, and it was AWESOME. Halls of Reflection especially. Running from Arthas was epic. At one point (third ice wall, I think?), we were killing the adds, and I noticed him almost right on top of us. I actually got scared for a second. Yes, I am a nerd. She got the Orca Hunter's Harpoon too, 'cause the hunter in the group had better already. It was over 100 more AP, in cat form, un- gemmed/enchanted. O.O (She had the staff from the Argent Tourney vendors.)

I need to run the entire thing with Arien. ICly if possible.. >.> With sis on Alanon, of course. I did get as far as the start of HoR with a guild group, but my friend on his shammy healer was starting to fall asleep by then, so we called it there. :P

Windstar is also getting her reputations done, which will be a first. :P My other level 80s, who I've played more than her, still haven't gotten all the WotLK reps done (although Kel is close). I'm such a slacker...

She's also almost at 300 fishing. Did I mention I'm a slacker?

I am missing my pally again, so sometime in the next day or so I might spend some time on Gilneas and just run heroics on her. And abuse her mote extractor, since it will be harder for my other toons to get eternals without Arien. Although my DK is a transmute-spec alchemist...

And I think there was more, but I'm falling asleep over my keyboard now. Must try to catch up on sleep, especially after I let myself get suckered into going in to work a few hours on Saturday, which was a day off. :(

I will end with one more thing Star has accomplished. Screenies are worth way more than words, so here ya go:


Goodnight! /waves

Arien and the Scythe of Elune

(This is a story I wrote while going through the Scythe of Elune quest chain, that starts in Forest Song in Ashenvale. Some of it, like npc chat and such, is written from the actual quest text. Enjoy!)


Arien slipped down the path, trying to be as silent as possible while wearing chainmail armor and carrying a huge axe. The sinister shadows around her seemed oblivious to her presence, but there was no telling how long that would last. Sentinel Frostshadow had asked her to come explore the hidden shrine near the border to Felwood. The mysterious wolf-men that had invaded the tiny vale were making it difficult to reach the book that the Sentinel wanted Arien to inspect, however. Finally the inevitable discovery; a worgen smelled her and made a fierce, charging attack. Arien met it head-on, blocking its claws with her axe handle, then bringing her weapon around in a smooth arc that nearly cut the thing in half. It fell, twitching, and she looked around to see if any more were coming.Fortunately, none of the other creatures seemed to have noticed. She resumed her sneaking, and only had to deal with two more of the monsters, one at a time, before finally reaching the tome. She noticed, as she aproached the pedestal it sat upon, that it was remarkably well-preserved for being out in the weather as it was. She reached a hand to open the cover, and as she touched it, suddenly light came spilling out of the book. A tiny, flickering figure appeared, floating just above the pages, and spoke:

"The numbers of my companions dwindles, goddess, and my own power shall soon be insufficient to hold back the demons of Felwood.
"Goddess, grant me the power to overcome my enemies! Hear me, please, my need is desperate and my cause is just!
"What... what is this? Could this be the answer to my prayers? Elune has granted me a weapon--this scythe--to defeat the demons."

The ghost's voice was faint but clear. Arien's jaw dropped at her appearance. Sentinel Frostshadow had warned Arien that the Tome of Mel'Thandris was not a normal book, and now the paladin understood. But what had triggered the memory, and how had it been preserved inside this tome? She shook her head slightly, puzzled, and prepared to escape the shrine.

Arien quickly looked around. The nearest wolf-men had amazingly not noticed the tome's display, so she started slowly sneaking back towards the path, taking the same route as she had entering. She reached the little trail without incident, and prayed a quick 'thank you' to the Light, quickly leaving the cursed vale behind. Once back on the road, she called her warhorse, mounted, and rode back to Forest Song as fast as Faithful could run.

The Sentinel was shocked at Arien's report. "That was priestess Velinde Starsong, my predecessor!" she exclaimed. "She seemed to have the situation in Felwood under control, but then one day she just disappeared. I was sent to continue her work here, but I'm afraid I know nothing about her." Sentinel Frostshadow thought for a moment. "Perhaps a commander of the Sentinels might have some information they didn't tell me. Go see Thyn'tel Bladeweaver, in Darnassus. Surely she will understand the need for such information." Arien wasn't as certain as the sentinel that a ranking officer would reveal anything to a stranger, but she suposed it was worth asking about it.

A short hippogryph ride later, Arien stood in the Warrior's Terrace of Darnassus. Commander Bladeweaver stared at the paladin for a moment. "It is common knowledge that Priestess Starsong disappeared some time ago. As to further details of her departure ... it would take a very good reason for me to devulge such information." Arien supressed a sigh, then reported her incident with the Tome. Bladeweaver's eyes widened. "The Tome of Mel'Thandris showed you this? Well then, I supose there is no harm in allowing you to examine her belongings." She handed Arien a key, then gave directions to the bunkhouse where Starsong's belongings were kept. "I should tell you, the Sentinels believe she had reasons for leaving, and expect her return at any time. She has done much to earn our trust." Arien nodded, and left for the bunkhouse.

She quickly found the room, and retreived a journal from the small chest inside. She was curious about what would make such a respected priestess just pack up and leave, so she opened the journal and began skimming through it. As she read, though, she began feeling a small chill of dread crawl up her spine.

"Elune has granted my wishes ... Holding the Scythe in my hands, I recieved a vision of chaos ... the Lords of Emerald Flame ... I was able to draw worgen into our world ... I have identified leaders in their packs, and given them command ... A pack is lost ... I begin to worry about the leaders ... The small authority I give them, they stretch to the limits ... Though I have not summoned additional worgen, their numbers continue to increase ... Ordered them to remain at the Shrine ... Reports of a wizard, named Arugal ... see what he knows ... I will travel to the port and book passage to the New World ..."

Arien closed the journal, her heart pounding and mind whirling. This explained the monsters' presence at the shrine, and fortunately the priestess had enough control that her orders to stay confined still held them. She thought for a moment about the wizard Velinde had mentioned, this Arugal. The name was disturbingly familiar, but she could not remember where or when she might have heard it. She finally decided to think more about it later; the Sentinel commander was waiting for her to return with any important information, and this certainly qualified. She tucked the book under her arm and strode quickly back to Warrior's Terrace.

Sentinel Bladeweaver skimmed through the journal with raised eyebrows. "It seems Velinde's disappeareance is more troubling than it appeared. Even still, I cannot believe she has come to a bad end. Perhaps we should make contact with her." She looked up at the paladin. "Arien, since you seem so interested, I would like your aid." Arien nodded, supressing another sigh. She was not so certain Velinde was still fine, but what else could she do? The Sentinel commander instructed her to go to Ratchet, the goblin port, and ask about the Priestess from the wharfmaster there.

Faithful trotted wearily into the town of Ratchet, and Arien gratefully slid off and tied him to the post by the inn. Stretching her legs, she slowly walked down the docks, towards the goblin that looked to be in charge. Dizzywig the Wharfmaster listened to Arien's discription, then quickly scanned through the papers in his hand, then moved to the stack nearby. "Human, eh? Don't see too many of your kind here." He rifled through paperwork for several minutes before suddenly looking up at her. "When exactly was this elf suposed to have been here?" With an apologetic grimace, Arien gave him the estimated time. "Oh, here we go, shoulda told me it was that long ago. Velinde, booked passage to Booty Bay on the Black Osprey. No other reports, so I assume she arrived safely. Not much else I can do for ya, but she did ask about overland travel on that side of the world, and I mentioned a caravan driver based in the Bay. Might be this Velinde traveled with him. Move along, now. I ain't got all day for ya."

Arien thanked the goblin, then strode down the dock to the shipmaster. She booked passage for herself and Faithful, and spent an hour or so caring for her horse, then waiting in the shade of the inn, before the boat was ready to sail. The next morning saw her was stepping off the boat in Booty Bay. She strode down the dock, and soon found a goblin that fit the wharfmaster's description. Ruzzgot looked at her suspiciously. "You don't look like someone with goods to ship, so either you're lookin' for work, which I ain't got, or you're talkin' to the wrong goblin. Which is it?" The nasty glint in his eye disappeared as Arien explained. "Guess I was wrong about you, and that don't happen every day. Just so happens I remember this Velinde you're lookin' for. Ain't every day a night elf priestess wants to travel with a caravan like my own. We split up on the way north, she was headin' for Darkshire. Wanted to see the clerk about some records, he might know somethin' useful. And be careful, the jungle can be deadly at the best of times." "Don't worry about me, I have been through worse before," she replied with a grin.

A long and uneventful ride later, and Arien was standing in the center of the town of Darkshire. It was appropriately named, the sky clouded and dark, the few trees leafless and dead-looking. It was altogether a rather depressing place, and Arien began having a faint feeling of dread again. She spotted the town hall and quickly trotted into it. Clerk Daltry was in the entryway, and was quite happy to answer Arien's questions. "With all the strange happenings these last few years, I've kept as good records of strangers as I can." he told her as he lead the way to the records room. "Never know when it might come in handy... though it usually isn't very pleasant when it does. Not that I'm suggesting anything about this Velinde you're looking for." He poked around in his records for a few minutes, with Arien standing behind him, trying to at least look patient. "No, I don't have any records of a Velinde Starsong staying here in Darkshire... though, I can hardly imagine a night elf priestess taking a room in the inn, if you take my meaning. Those wolf-men you mentioned though, that's something I've heard of. Just the other day, Calor came in with a string of their heads. He works for the Carevin family. Hunters of demons, undead, and other monsters. Jonathan is the head of the household, go speak to him."

Arien went to the house Daltry pointed out, and spoke to the man she found inside, who seemed very suspicious and slightly angry at her questions. "Dark times, these are," he muttered, with an odd accent. "And in such times an unknown stranger enters my home and asks of worgen... I'll ask no forgiveness for my suspicions, only answers. And answers, I will have." Arien was slightly taken aback, but she carefully explained her story, about the book and the mysterious wolf-men in Ashenvale, and the clues that had led her to Duskwood. He considered her for a long moment before answering. "Your story rings true... I don't understand your motives, but if your business here involves ridding the forrest of a number of worgen, then I can forgo understanding for the sake of results." Carevin then told her about a mine, to the south, that had been overrun with worgen. He then asked that she come share anything important she found. She agreed, then stood to leave. She paused at the door, though, and looked back at him. "As for understanding motives, sir, there is only one thing you need to keep in mind," she told him. At his inquiring look, she simply stated, "I am a paladin," and left.

Arien retrieved her mount from the innkeeper, and rode south, as the bell in the town hall began ringing the hour in dull, mournful clangs. A short ways out of town, she found a small dirt track branching off the road. She decided to follow it a ways, and soon was glad, as she spotted the dim shapes of several worgen in the gloom. She dismounted and tied Faithful, using a knot that would give out should too much pressure be put on it. The trained warhorse would come at her call, and she didn't want to leave him trapped, where worgen could come upon him unable to escape. She stayed in the trees, watching them for a few minutes, then checked her weapon. When she was certain everything was in order, she walked out at the edge of the tiny clearing. The gloom seemed to work in her favor, as nothing seemed to notice her at first. She slipped her way carefully though the worgen, trying to find single targets to fight against as she looked for the mine. They were nasty, vicious, dirty monsters, and after almost every fight, she would have to use the Light on her minor injuries, to cleanse them of infections that would have turned them serious, possibly fatal. Finally, she could see the entrance to the mine, but a small group of worgen were in her path. Arien took a deep breath, and called a challenge to the nearest, as she burned it with a blast of Light. As the entire pack of four rushed her, she consecrated the ground she stood on, burning their feet and distracting them just enough for her axe to find openings for deathblows. The last one fell before too long, and she took a moment to cleanse and heal her wounds, and to catch her breath. As she entered the mine tunnel, she saw the worgen inside were few, and sread out. Fighting her way through, she came to the end of the tunnel, and discovered a small mound of disturbed earth. As Arien inspected it, suddenly a pale light shone from it, and the same ghost as from the Shrine appeared, weeping.

"I have failed... I have failed in my duty... failed my people... The worgen run rampant, and the Scythe of my goddess is lost.
"This evil I have unleashed... In whose hand does the power my goddess granted to me now lie... By whose hand is it directed?"

Arien blinked a little, in shock. The priestess had lost the Scythe? The infestation of the Duskwood was now more understandable. The question now was, where had it gone? It suddenly hit her that Velinde was undoubtably dead, and she took a moment to pray for the spirit of the priestess she had never gotten to meet. She then looked about, back to the only escape from the cursed mine tunnel. More worgen had slunk into the mine, and she had to fight her way back out. Once outside of the tunnel, she whistled to her warhorse, who came trotting to her in a matter of a few minutes. She mounted quickly, and urged him around the edge of the clearing in front of the mine, avoiding the worgen scattered about. Once clear of the creatures, she kicked her horse into a full gallop, riding cross-country for the shortest route, jumping fences and a fallen tree. Back in town, she immediately went back to Carevin to tell him what she had seen.

"This is an interesting story you tell, Arien. We will do what we can to contain the worgens numbers in Duskwood. Already I have instructed Calor to make it his first priority." He smiled grimly. "We will rein in the worgen problem, have no worries. This evil your friend introduced to our woods will be contained, and I bear her no ill will." Arien nodded, and excused herself to go report what had happened to the Sentinels in Darnassus.

Another long ride, another boat trip, and Arien was standing once more in Darnassus, before the Commander Bladeweaver. She was tired, dusty, and still slightly damp from the sea-spray on her last boat trip. She told Bladeweaver all that had happened on the other continent, and then waited for further instructions.

Bladeweaver looked thoughtful for a moment. "So this is the fate of Velinde, is it? The high priestess will be disappointed to hear this, they were good friends before her disappearance. Still, the Scythe of Elune was surely granted as a boon from our goddess, and it is unsettling to me that it has fallen out of her servants' hands." She then looked rather sharply at Arien, whose eyebrows were slowly rising. "Another matter for another time, however. I owe you a great deal of thanks for all you have accomplished." Arien blinked in surprise. Was that a dismissal? Already the Commander was turning away to another Sentinel, listening to her reports from who-knows-where. Arien stood there in confusion for a moment, then, when they continued to ignore her, she shrugged to herself, turned and wandered back towards the path to the docks, and the boat. She had a sudden need to see Kal, and tell her about this strange adventure. Perhaps her friend would be able to explain some of the Sentinels' cold reactions. Whistling to Faithful once more, she swung onto his back and trotted to the portal leading to the coastal village.

Towards home.

Accomplishment

Feels pretty dang good.
Major case of insomnia last night, so after saying goodnight to Feathermoon (after more awesome RP stuffs), I hopped over to Gilneas. Kel was soooo close to exalted with Nethering, my OCD kicked in and I hopped on her to finish it.

Boo. Yea.
Kel named him Dusk. He is now on a macro to go with her Cenarion Hippogryph and bronze drake. Her albino drake, Thori'dal, is still her main flyer. Now to go finish her Wintersaber rep. :P

Oh, forgot something. Before hopping to Gilneas, I checked my toons on Feathermoon, and sure enough, Bearkat has made his little trip successfully. I checked on him, just to make sure, and everything looked good. Then I remembered I had asked my sister to make a mining bag to take with him, for my little troll shammy, which I then totally forgot about. Doh. O well. He will soon be back to his CC rep grind for his Guardian of Cenarius title. Still need to do that with Windstar too. And get both's CE rep as well. /Sigh.

And then today, I've stayed on Gilneas so far (might even go on tonight's raid, if they want me). My DK Riatha hadn't spec'ed her alchemy yet, and I wanted to do transmutes with her. Mostly because I did on my shammy Taarren, and a few days ago, I was doing her daily titanium transmute and got 3 of them. O.o I was short a couple primals, so Arien my pally got to go zap clouds in Zangarmarsh for a while. Then, since I was on her, I finally remembered to go to Shadowmoon and learn her epic flying machine schematic. I had most of the mats, tho I had to buy a couple khoruim bars (impatient pally is impatient). So now I have a specialized alchemist and my pally has a new toy. :D

P.S. self-sufficiency rules.
And that's all the interesting stuff for now. Off to go work on some things Arien hasn't done yet, namely Sons of Hodir quest chain. Procrastination is bad. And, I have missed my little pally so bad.
/Waves