Gorgrond: Highpass

[archmagetrust]

Gorgrond is hot and arid. That they're currently surrounded by dense vegetation, almost a jungle, is a testament to the botani's vigor and skill. The local plant creatures are vicious, capturing and killing any animal thing they can get their roots in, using the flesh as fertilizer. Khadgar would question the wisdom of setting up a base on the edge of the hungry woods but he trusts the Rangari know this land better than he. 

"Hail, Ben! Hail, Maraad!" He raises a hand to wave at the Alliance commander and the draenei Vindicator and suddenly has a coughing fit.

" 'ail and well met, Khadgar. You ill?" The worgen's gruff voice covers most of his concern but his face is still worried.

"Mm. I seem to have caught a cold but nothing debilitating." 

"That is fortunate, Archmage." Maraad's looking as stoic as ever. "If you should need healing you need only ask."

"My thanks, Maraad, but I don't think this is serious enough to warrant it." The draenei bows his crested head in acknowledgement.

Ben nods. "Alright then. Welcome to 'ighpass. I've got another box o' rocks for yah, but they're about as busted as the last lot. 'aven't made much 'eadway towards the Iron 'orde base, either." He gestures for Khadgar to follow him, leading the way to a table with arcane etchings on its surface. Suspended above it is a blood red pod, fist-sized. "Botani won't give us any 'eadway."

Khadgar raises a hand to touch the gently floating, pulsating seed pod but Ben catches his wrist in a tight grip.

"Bad idea, that. The plant life 'ere is aggressive, never seen anything like it. Spores'll grow in anything." The worgen releases him. "You 'eard about Sol?"

Khadgar shivers, suppressing another cough. Sol had been charged with establishing a Kirin Tor base further north with a portal straight to Stormwind to facilitate bringing troops against the Iron Horde. The botani had overrun it, their plants somehow possessing the archmage and turning her against her own people. "This is what infested her?"

Ben nods. "And the fungus 'ere is just as bad. Worse, maybe, the draenei won't even go down to the swamps no more. Lost too many Rangari. I'm workin' with the Kirin Tor on something to help keep us from being infested, but it's slow going. Plants don't want to work with me 'ere." He shakes his head. "They're real mad about somethin' stone things did to 'em once but I can't get anythin' more out of them."

"I know of a few stories and legends that claim plants and rocks have been at war as long as Draenor has existed." Maraad frowns slightly. "They are orc stories. You would need to speak with one of their shaman for details."

Khadgar frowns. "The Horde reports the elementals north of here are constantly fighting against the botani, but that the stone creatures have strange markings on them. I wonder…"

Ben grunts. "Kanu is up there, yeah? Guess we can trust a tauren's word." Khadgar coughs and gives him a disapproving look. "Don't. I know you want us all workin' together but it was only two years ago the Horde drove me out of me 'omeland. Protecting Azeroth is important, yeah, but don't push for too much. Especially with that Forsaken." He growls. "'e's lucky I didn't rip his throat out the first time I caught 'is scent."

"I appreciate you trying, Ben. I know it's not easy to put aside old hurts."

"Not that old. That's the problem, innit? Didn't really care at all about the Lordaeron invaders till they came and knocked down my door. They're still in Gilneas, pollutin' it with that blight of theirs."

Khadgar looks alarmed. "What? I thought Garrosh forbade that?"

Ben snorts while Maraad looks grim. "Didn't stop 'er, did it? You think Garrosh could control that bitch? Sure, they've kept quiet about it but I was there. Garrosh's kept us from doing anythin' about it since. Still is, the bastard." He spits. "Can't wait to hunt 'im down proper and end this, get back to what matters." A low roar, miles distant, echoes up from the woods below them. Ben's ears prick forward, focusing on the sound. "'ey, Jonaa, any news on where that genesaur is 'eaded?" 

"Kaalya's report from yesterday said it seems to be staying in the southern part of Gorgrond," a lightly armored draenei answers, one of the Rangari. "Doesn't seem to be trying to cross the mountains into Talador yet."

Ben grunts. "Keep me posted, yeah?"

Khadgar coughs while giving him a curious look. "Genesaur?"

"Big colossal plant centaur things. Bigger than gronn big. Completely destroyed the Rangari base, it's why they're 'ere with us. I'd 'ate to actually have to fight one."

"I don't recommend it," Maraad offers, "unless you seek a swift death."

"I'll be certain to avoid them," Khadgar promises. 

"Anyway, that's all I've got for you. Box o' rocks. You got any insight into this?" He gestures to the pod.

"Fire?" 

Ben laughs. "Yeah, that works well enough but most people can't walk around with a torch in front of their face. Burns my whiskers."

Khadgar offers a sympathetic wince. "I shall work on it, my friend, but the mages you're already working with are likely more suited to the task than I." He suppresses another cough.

"Alright. You should 'ead off then, I've got to go inspect the Tangle'eart with the Rangari. Been losing a lot of people to the botani there."

"Do you need help?"

"Stealth, I'm afraid." Ben chuckles. "You're no good at that at the best of times and your coughin' don't help none. Go rest up, Khadgar." He claps the man's back. "Take a look through your Apexy thingies." He gestures for Joraa to follow him.

"Of course. Many thanks and farewell." Khadgar carefully secures the box in his satchel. He's feeling tired all of a sudden and rest sounds like a good idea but he still needs to check in on Kanu before he can do that. "And you, Maraad?"

"Yrel is looking in on a Dark Iron base we lost contact with to the west. Other Rangari are scouting the ridge line to the north and watching the elementals movements. I am here to 'hold the fort' as you say and prepare our forces for when we can engage with the Iron Horde." Maraad sounds surprisingly eager as he says that.

"Have we learned anything about their base here?"

"Only that it is massive and heavily industrialized. It is becoming apparent that Garrosh taught them much." His thick tail curls tightly. "The docks are the most important thing to reach. If we can destroy their ships it will greatly disrupt their ability to travel and keep our coastal settlements safe." His eyes close for a moment, shuttering off their glow. "I am thankful to the Light that we saved Karabor but the temple is still in danger, as is Shattrath. I cannot bear to watch my people die a second time." He opens his eyes to look at Khadgar. "You have seen their atrocities first hand. You know."

Khadgar gives a slow nod, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "We will stop them, Maraad. What befell Outland will not happen here, I promise you."

The Vindicator nods, features grim and voice cold. "I would kill them all to prevent that fate."

"Hopefully that will not be necessary." Khadgar gives him a gentle smile. "We will not fail." 

"Thank you, Khadgar." He sighs. "Seeing this world, seeing my people unharmed, you think it would fill me with joy. Instead I only feel fear for what may befall them. How unbecoming of a Vindicator." He shakes his head, tendrils swaying with the motion. "I will put my faith in the Alliance. They have not let me down yet." 

"It is well placed." Khadgar takes his staff in both hands, leaning on it slightly. "I must go, I still need to visit the Horde encampment. 

Maraad snorts. "I am with Ben on that. It is good you are the one to play diplomat with them. The tauren is alright, but Gorla is old enough to have sacked Shattrath." He holds up a hand as Khadgar opens his mouth to speak. "It is likely for the best that I do not know either way. Farewell, Khadgar. Do not let your guard down."