NorthFace
02-11-2006, 06:15 PM
The shambling mass of roots and stagnant moss flailed aimlessly as he lunged foward, fanged teeth sinking deep to seek the pure heart of this tortured creature. Finding his aim was true, the sleek panther bit down hard and violently jerked away, tearing it from the moist, cold core of the beast. Once extracted, the dull lifeless lights that served as eyes began to fade, and with a few last steps, it crumpled to the earth. Spitting out the heart, he reared up and in a flash of violet light, shifted into the form in which he was created: A young-looking night elf druid. Looking down on the tangled roots and branches, Northface searched for the reason he'd been sent here: Blood Amber. The druid, Arathandis Silversky, had sent him to these caves in search of this amber, as proof that he was willing to aid the Cenarion Circle. He couldn't believe his dedication to the Circle was being challenged... but as someone who had lived in the tainted lands of Felwood, Northface suspected Arathandis knew more of demonic corruption than he did.
With his gloved hand he brushed aside the clinging moss and brambles, searching for a suitable source. From what he'd been told, this amber was essentially some form of circulatory system for these reanimated creatures. Digging a bit deeper inside, he found a suitably thick, spongy branch, and carefully cracked it open. Quickly retrieving a vial he'd been given to collect the amber, he popped the cork off and began to squeeze a thick ruddy liquid into it, nostrils flaring at the stench of decay and mildew it gave off. Once completed, he tossed aside the branch, resealed the vial, and looked around. This was truly a vile place, desecrated by the legion when they arrived, corrupting what was once a beautiful elven forest. Though he had not known these lands first hand during their previous glory, he'd been shown mental images by Ysera, and had spoken with some of the few remaining druids during his time spent in the Emerald Dream. He hoped that, though he had another agenda in being here, whatever he did would help heal this place.
Glancing around to ensure there was no danger remaining, Northface cupped his hands around his mouth and blew, making a sound similar to that of the strigid screechers back on Teldrassil. A few moments later, his called companion came leaping down from the boughs of a nearby tree, it's harness and adornment rattling slightly as it landed. Smiling, Northface gracefully hopped up onto it's strong back, and patted the Stormsaber's side... steering it south, back toward where Arathandis resided.
Riding, he began to think, wondering if any of this would actually work. He remembered Kurohane coming to him, asking for any knowledge of corruption, claiming that someone dear to her had been corrupted by a demon, and though the evil presence had been purged, a remaining taint had been left on this person's spirit. Given that he'd seen a recent public "confesson" by Lovely, he knew she was referring to the Paladin. It was then that he remembered being told about someone stationed in Felwood, researching a way to cleanse the forest's corruption.
As if reading his thoughts... he arrived in front of his most current taskmaster. He scratched his stormsaber companion behind the ears, in thanks for the ride, and leapt off the great cat. In seeing him, an eager look was on Arathandis' face... for this task, killing elementals that would otherwise be peaceful protectors of the forest, was not one she could do herself. With his typical confident stride, Northface revealed the vial of blood amber from within one of his packs, and handed it over.
"That's it! That's exactly what I need!" she exclaimed, taking it excitedly. Northface could not believe such enthusiasm over a sample of foul-smelling plant blood.
"So you will help me then?"
The woman nodded in response "Yes, you have proven yourself as someone who wishes to help the cause of the Cenarion Circle in Felwood. I can make the salve for you, but I will need you to retrive the ingredients. There are many ways for you to do so..." she looked up at him with a slightly apologetic look.
He knew there had to be a catch. Letting out a sigh of resignation, Northface nodded "What must I do?"
"Well..." she continued "Your best bet would be to simply put some of the tortured creatures in this region to rest. Here... " she pulled out a small stone with druidic symbols carved across the surface "Take this. It is a beacon that will identify and allow you to collect shards of corruption from those that you put down. Bring the shards to me, and I can use them to make the salve."
Nodding and taking the stone, Northface turned it over in his hand as Arathandis left, no doubt to further examine the amber. At that moment, his hearthstone began to hum in his pack, a call from his compatriots. Removing it, he activated the stone, and the world melted away. In the distance, becoming louder, he heard the ringing of metal against metal, smelled brimstone, and felt the blistering heat that was Ironforge. Appearing inside the local tavern, he tucked the stone back into his pack and brought his thoughts to bear on the most recent threat his guild was being called to rise against.
With his gloved hand he brushed aside the clinging moss and brambles, searching for a suitable source. From what he'd been told, this amber was essentially some form of circulatory system for these reanimated creatures. Digging a bit deeper inside, he found a suitably thick, spongy branch, and carefully cracked it open. Quickly retrieving a vial he'd been given to collect the amber, he popped the cork off and began to squeeze a thick ruddy liquid into it, nostrils flaring at the stench of decay and mildew it gave off. Once completed, he tossed aside the branch, resealed the vial, and looked around. This was truly a vile place, desecrated by the legion when they arrived, corrupting what was once a beautiful elven forest. Though he had not known these lands first hand during their previous glory, he'd been shown mental images by Ysera, and had spoken with some of the few remaining druids during his time spent in the Emerald Dream. He hoped that, though he had another agenda in being here, whatever he did would help heal this place.
Glancing around to ensure there was no danger remaining, Northface cupped his hands around his mouth and blew, making a sound similar to that of the strigid screechers back on Teldrassil. A few moments later, his called companion came leaping down from the boughs of a nearby tree, it's harness and adornment rattling slightly as it landed. Smiling, Northface gracefully hopped up onto it's strong back, and patted the Stormsaber's side... steering it south, back toward where Arathandis resided.
Riding, he began to think, wondering if any of this would actually work. He remembered Kurohane coming to him, asking for any knowledge of corruption, claiming that someone dear to her had been corrupted by a demon, and though the evil presence had been purged, a remaining taint had been left on this person's spirit. Given that he'd seen a recent public "confesson" by Lovely, he knew she was referring to the Paladin. It was then that he remembered being told about someone stationed in Felwood, researching a way to cleanse the forest's corruption.
As if reading his thoughts... he arrived in front of his most current taskmaster. He scratched his stormsaber companion behind the ears, in thanks for the ride, and leapt off the great cat. In seeing him, an eager look was on Arathandis' face... for this task, killing elementals that would otherwise be peaceful protectors of the forest, was not one she could do herself. With his typical confident stride, Northface revealed the vial of blood amber from within one of his packs, and handed it over.
"That's it! That's exactly what I need!" she exclaimed, taking it excitedly. Northface could not believe such enthusiasm over a sample of foul-smelling plant blood.
"So you will help me then?"
The woman nodded in response "Yes, you have proven yourself as someone who wishes to help the cause of the Cenarion Circle in Felwood. I can make the salve for you, but I will need you to retrive the ingredients. There are many ways for you to do so..." she looked up at him with a slightly apologetic look.
He knew there had to be a catch. Letting out a sigh of resignation, Northface nodded "What must I do?"
"Well..." she continued "Your best bet would be to simply put some of the tortured creatures in this region to rest. Here... " she pulled out a small stone with druidic symbols carved across the surface "Take this. It is a beacon that will identify and allow you to collect shards of corruption from those that you put down. Bring the shards to me, and I can use them to make the salve."
Nodding and taking the stone, Northface turned it over in his hand as Arathandis left, no doubt to further examine the amber. At that moment, his hearthstone began to hum in his pack, a call from his compatriots. Removing it, he activated the stone, and the world melted away. In the distance, becoming louder, he heard the ringing of metal against metal, smelled brimstone, and felt the blistering heat that was Ironforge. Appearing inside the local tavern, he tucked the stone back into his pack and brought his thoughts to bear on the most recent threat his guild was being called to rise against.