08/07/2020

❏ With her recent blessing of her new rank, Koza has tried her best to keep her spirits high despite the circumstances. Her victory over the Skypath, speaking with friends, watching the druids overcome the same challenge, and the new friendship forged with the nervous elf helped balance the difficult feelings that had come to rest on her shoulders. Gordrik seemed to be growing ill again, the boy telling her he was hearing things and that she needed to teach Iko how to shout again. Her own dreams seemed to chastise her for recent actions, the tiger once again looming from the high stones surrounding a pond. Still, she went about her duties with chin held high and her mood as even as the orcess could manage. She had decided to right these wrongs, making a passing remark to Iko that she'd come and visit her as soon as she could and waiting to see if the Chieftain would wander off alone so she could follow. Otherwise, she was either consumed by her usual duties, her task at the kiln, or working alongside Korgig in the forge on a special project proposed by Jaeva.

❏ Kota had become fairly excited at the completion of the skypath. Having not slept much of the night before debating on whether or not she'd be able to participate. Though now her thoughts were conflicted. The vulpera Iko had told her of the tribes connection, and life with the wyverns. Offering to show her to the roost. But not soon after she met the elf she had somehow missed so far. No matter how close minded she may be called. She'd seen far too much to trust him out of the gate.

❏ Garth had experienced his first significant wyvern flight last night. Prior to that, he had only been on short transit flights (often over-fitted for passenger safety). While observing the competition, he was awe-struck by the prowess of the two druids. It was really an exciting event for him! He is now hoping to find his place more in the tribe by providing scientific and medical support to both the tribe members and their wyverns or familiars. - Garth can always use more samples for his medical research. Tissue, hair, water samples, plant samples. This elf can study nearly anything! He is also interested in collecting some wyvern venom for study or potential use in his potions. - Garth would like to speak with Korgig more regarding Draenor! He also would like to meet with Iko regarding wyvern care/psychology. Lastly, he would like to check in on the cute bab Nifu.

❏ Ustok: The lanky bull lingered on the edge of Desolace, eyes peering towards the outline of the village. He could've easily been back by now and Ucheki was growing restless at being so close to home. But he couldn't bring himself to enter the village. Not yet. He still fought a war within himself and was not willing to make his return known until a victor had been decided.

❏ Healing with good speed after her run at the Skypath, Mahala is left feeling much lighter than she had been feeling in weeks. With the furbolg Chieftain officially out of her hair and everything slowly returning to some semblance of normal, she is able to focus on her current tasks at hand. After Koza had been named Towateke, Mahala is filled with a sense of pride for both her friend and her tribe, and feels compelled to go out of her way to do more, and has since started to ask Venzolo for other tasks she could be doing for the Skyship. She also seems to be floating about the village, searching for Korgig. It seems that now that the fangs were finally blessed, Mahala was excited to try and get the wyvern dentistry on the road.

❏ Iko has been hard to find. The night after her Skypath run she was riding on a high-- and then the next time anyone (aside from a certain goblin) saw her, she was guarded and placid. Her expression unreadable, her tone flat. Though she was happy and proud of Koza's ascension to Towateke, and Mahala's completion of the Skypath, she was hard-pressed to express anything else. After she and Gordrik stole away into the Medicine Chambers, this only seemed to worsen. Whatever they had talked about has haunted her more dearly than anything else so far. Something is wrong with this fox. Akee'Awak stands guard outside of her hut and threatens anyone that gets too close with a muted hiss and a raise of her club-tail. - Whatever plans she had made with anyone else-- Kota'Vi, or the Chieftain, or anyone else --has suddenly been put on hold. Her chores at the Roost have been supplemented by Texas and a couple other helping hands for the time being. - She has left her hut to find Koza in the dead of night, with sleepless, haunted eyes.

❏ Texas, after helping butcher the corehound, has been diving straight back into work around the village. His Honor Feather has been tied to his remaining horn prominently, and he seems full of earned pride now, more sure of his place in this tribe than he ever was before. He looks like a reborn tauren as he heads about his day, helping work on construction for the Roost when he's not operating the bellows at the Zeppelin Drydock.

❏ Following the Skypath challenge, Doomwinter was slightly more active around the village, most notably visiting the roost at least once per day to check on Uchek’mani’s recovery, and having spent some time with Kanatu and others working on the corehound corpse. While she still mostly stood long shifts on watch at night, during the day she might be spotted watching the activities of the village more than was usual. Those awake in the dark hours just before dawn may have spotted her once or twice in the meeting hall, having set up a table with a cloth over it to work on mixing inks and making scrolls of some sort. 

❏ Enyetof seems to be restless. The Plagueshifter is almost constantly up and about in the village. When he isn’t, the strong smell of alchemy is almost constant from his home. The pair of giant roots continue their digging, but seem to be slowing. Enyetof seems to be trying to keep himself occupied with tasks he has assigned himself. With the scorch marks on the ground outside his home, it’s hard to tell if he’s been able to accomplish what he wants. - Enyetof has left short letters with Kanatu, Koza, Nataka, Mahala, and even Narv requesting to speak with them privately.

❏ Venzolo had been avoiding Iko completely after she went all demonic on him and it has been eating at him whether or not he should do something about it. He had seen Iko get mad and get a bit of demon glow before but nothing like he witnessed the other day. It seemed to him that she was falling farther and farther down the path of demonic corruption. More alarming is that she seems to hide it very well from everyone else. He is worried she may become a threat to the village. Despite this Venzolo tried to keep his mind off it by focusing on the zeppelin construction. Though his carefully laid plans for the zeppelin were being undermined by others in the tribe who were having “ideas” about the Zeppelin design which was not making him happy. Venzolo had also begun what he calls “experiments” and has been seen slinking off into the Kodo graveyard at night with that book he has been enamored with lately. He is careful to hide what he is doing from the others but some may have heard very strange and creepy noises coming from the gave yard at night.

❏ Sanji: Troubled by the business in Ratchet and falling back into old habits left the seafox confused, and anxious. With the rediscovery of his belongings after the trek through Shadowprey and his heart once more yearning for the sea, Sanji starts on a hike back to Shadowprey, leaving Yuna with a final farewell and a heavy-handed wave goodbye to the Tribe that had done all they could to help him out. Meanwhile, in other corners of the desolation, another fox stumbles through the dust, irate and displeased with the troll whom she swore was high on Peacebloom for giving her the wrong directions to Thunder Bluff. Too late to go back now... She mutters to herself fitfully as she crests a lifeless hill. Better see where this takes me...

❏ Korgig: The Mag‘har had all but barred himself inside the forge. There was more work than he could keep up with, though it was unlikely he would ever admit to such. Even young Muuran had been pushing beyond his normal tasks and into full on smith work. The apprentice having some knowledge in macecrafting had become a useful skill as he was set with a new task. Korgig did pause the work long enough to take part in the Skypath and prove his prowess of the skies. A broken nose was a worthwhile price to show off his skills; even if Cirrus’mani has been making claims that he did all the work. Some of his projects were beginning to come together, and he was thankful for that. Projects: Armor set: 60% Complete Hammer: 50% Complete Wyvern leg pup braces: 20% Complete Tauren not-shoes: 80% complete- Priority project

❏ Kanatu has still been making an effort to get with anyone that needed to speak with him over the course of his days back. At a full week there had been a great deal of movement including the butchering of the Corehound. Many of the more unknown items and substances have been stored with Kireena and is studying them with anyone that has interest. The Corehound heart, a massive eight chambered lump of fire, stone, and meat, the size of two plainstrider eggs, was handed over to Venzolo. The hope was that the elemental magic within the corehound heart would help to power the furnace for quite a while without the need for additional fuel. It was the first step towards cleaning the air about the village. His next priority was to call on the aid of the winds to scatter the ash away from the village.

❏ Ruhanik, with the Emberstride Tribe settled in the Glade, has returned to his normal place about the village. Talking with people, helping out with random projects and so on. Showing particular interest in the new elf addition to the village population as well as continued work with Doomwinter and Kanatu. The elder though seems to be slightly distracted. Anyone that catches him in a moment of stillness might notice his gaze turned to the north east.

8/14/2020

❏ Jaeva: With the tribe readying themselves for battle and traveling out to find Hotah, Jaeva would have managed to stabilize Kanatu's hoof within their last evening togethee. Though following the incident with Narv, the healer has been working constantly to mend his broken bones. Her work really was cut out for her.

❏ Atuluki had packed up her tent and departed the village late at night after the meeting among the tribe. She was heading North up to the pools, as she told Kanatu two days prior. With a goal in mind and a pair of elemental cuffs to bind to her will, she had a long month ahead of her.

❏ Korgig: After leaving the village and through the travel to the camp in Ashenvale, Korgig had been more reserved than usual. There seemed to be a number of thoughts plaguing his mind regarding this mission to retrieve Hotah. Being able to free the former wyvern master would bring about a great relief for the orc, though to lose many of the others in the process would only reverse that effect. For him, failure was not a possibility, but an inevitability with what the tribe had discovered so far about their enemies unless they would change their methods. During the morning hours he would've been seen stepped away form the camp to consult with the ancestors, or at least that was what he had told anyone who asked. On the first night after leaving the village Doomwinter and Korgig had a long discussion regarding tactics. The pair could often be seen practicing some of these theories with the ghoul holding a small shield and acting as a training dummy. Projects: All blacksmith projects on hold during travel

❏Kota had at first seemed fairly excited to the prospect of going in to slaughter elves. But slowly the talks of strategy reminded her that this was indeed a rescue mission above all. Her plan with sap and leaves may have fallen on deaf ears but she did decide to bring it with her in case, wondering through the entire flight north what plan Enye needed her assistance with.

❏ Choosing to stay behind to help defend the village, the decision did little to ease Mahala’s worries. The rest of the tribe was off to find Hotah, whom she considered a friend, or at least someone who held a special place in her heart for his help with Lok’natah. She was nervous for his safety, on top of everyone else’s, and couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going to go horribly the wrong. The Windwarrior, however, kept her worries to herself. After the incident with the crane and Narv getting caught in the accident, she’s also been left waiting for him to wake up, constantly pacing about like a worried calf. With so many worries going on in her brain, Mahala threw herself into work; continuing the wood carving that Venzolo had taught her how to do, and continuing work on anything Narv had started recently that didn’t require a master’s hand. Even when Mahala would be told to give it a rest, either by Jaeva or someone else, the Druid would restlessly work away at small wooden beads, using the wood working skills that Venzolo had taught her.

❏ With the tribe splitting off, Dursk chose to go with the group to save Hotah. In his mind, especially after asking the Chieftain to join the tribe, it would look a little odd for him to bow out now, plus he wanted to make sure Teyshas didn’t electrocute everyone in the middle of the battle. Even now, Dursk could still feel the tingles. Now that the group had made camp, he made it clear to the others that if they needed any mending done, or anything small made with leather or cloth before the battle that he would be available to help, but for the most part the trader kept to himself, spending time with Samiwa.

❏ As was typical for her, Doomwinter spent most of her time at camp standing watch, remaining at her post throughout the night to allow at least one more person a few more valuable hours of sleep. During the mid-day breaks, and the evening camps before most of the travelers had bedded down, she’d been seen (and possibly heard) speaking with Korgig about tactics and planning. Anyone listening in could easily hear enough to know that the death knight had a gloomy outlook about the goal of rescuing the prisoner alive, and of doing so without taking more losses. Despite that, there was no sign of her wavering on whether or not she would participate in the battle to come, and seemed in fact to have every intent of giving the tribe the best chance they could get, mostly through planning and preparation. When she wasn’t speaking with Korgig or at her watch post, she could be spotted by herself meticulously carving and inking some short bits of wood.

❏ Venzolo seemed to be almost giddy as the group continued on their journey to Ashenvale. Venzolo seemed to be itching to kill some elves as he would constantly mention cryptically about how he needed “test subjects” for some field “experiments” but would never bother to elaborate. Though concern for Hotah’s safety seemed to interest him far less. Despite his giddiness at attacking the elves and his seeming indifference about Hotah he did seem to be spending a great deal of time thinking about the how to go about getting Hotah out safely. At one of the camps along the way Venzolo created a map of the base, his memory being nearly photographic when he actually pays attention to something, he was able to recreate it on paper rather accurately to the vision he had seen from the wyverns and his experience in drawing schematics came in handy too. He made it mainly for his own use but if asked he would share with others. After several days of travel studying his map at every opportunity his interests seemed to suddenly shift. Using a small cauldron, one of the many items that had been packed onto Taco, he had begun experimenting with some sort of potion recipe almost every time they camped. Sometimes staying up when he really should have been sleeping. When asked about it he said he was working on a new invisibility potion recipe but it remained to be seen if he had figured it out yet. Venzolo seemed like he wished to talk to speak Nataka about the elves and strategy when it came to dealing with them, knowing that he would have the chieftain’s ear in the coming battle, but his own work and other distractions made it somewhat difficult to get a word in with him.

08/17/2020

❏ Despite the desperate nature of the mission Venzolo thought the whole situation reeked of opportunity. A chance to test out new potions and new spells. And a chance to learn about this enemy of whom seemed to be the greatest threat to the skyrunners. Venzolo did not care much for Hotah but he did understand how much the others cared for him. He knew there was no possibility of dissuading the others from the rescue so he might as well help factor that in. Venzolo was probably the best at stealth so it would make sense for him to lead the stealth mission. Though more important than Hotah, Venzolo wanted to make sure all the elves were killed. He believed challenging the elves and putting them on guard to be foolish. The stealth team should infiltrate the compound sabotage defenses set bombs and traps then find Hotah. Venzolo had been on missions to save people before and he knew that prisoners who were broken could be just as big a threat as the enemies themselves. They should be prepared to knock out Hotah and drag him out if need be. There was no need to think about an exit strategy because then the bombs and traps would be set off causing mass confusion the skyrunners would launch a surprise attack from the outside and the stealth team would launch an all out attack from within. Between them they would slaughter the elves and burn the compound to cinders. However, such a plan would require planning. Not taking time to scout the enemy beforehand would be madness, they needed up to date information. Any other advantages should also be considered. Perhaps they could get aid from the horde or baring that trick the elves into a fight with them somehow. These things should at least be considered or attempted. Above all else the elves must be slain to the last everything else, including Hotah, was secondary. Nothing can threaten the investment he has here.

❏ The Mag'har had traveled close with Muuran during the day. The pair of them discussing smiting techniques as if Korgig was trying to force as much knowledge about the craft as he could into the young bull's brain. Throughout the days of travel, though, Korgig's mood had improved through conversations with Doomwinter regarding tactics and ideas Kanatu had eluded to which the orc thought would be more helpful for a possible victory, and further, retrieval of Hotah. Through his talks with Doomwinter he decided it would be best if at least the pair of them visited the nearby horde encampment to attempt to learn as much as they could about their enemy before making any final plans of attack to be brought to the chieftain. Both had considered attempting to recruit extra blades from the outpost if the opportunity presented itself, but that was unlikely when the question of loyalty, honor, and the current peace found its way into the conversation. Korgig still believed trained soldiers would have improved their odds tremendously but he yielded to the idea of his tribesmen being able to fit that need just as well, if they could stop talking long enough.

❏ Enyetof has spent many hours simply watching the gate at the edge of the Forgotten camp. Try as he might, the plagueshifter can't shake his heavy feeling of dread. Even with the wyverns, they are badly outnumbered, and options are few. He has been seen idly handling his idol, seeming to try and find answers there.

❏ Kota has no interest in speaking to the horde or the elves. She knows it is important to recover Hotah for the skyrunner, but is more directly interested in killing the Forgotten.❏ Having finally stepped into the forests again, Koza's sense of purpose was off set by memories of archers and owls within the tree branches, of clansmen being picked off one by one with arrow fire. The narrowness of the space between the trees made her throat seize up as she remembered the Skypath and how she was nearly decapitated by a branch, as well as the many injuries the others had endured. This battle would not be an easy one, and even with the information the Holy Strider had given them, the orcess felt as if she was walking into the situation blind. She made it known to Kanatu, Nataka and Ustok that she intended to approach the others and ask for volunteers to scout the outpost again. Only then would she be comfortable allowing a challenge to their forces, to know how many were there and to hopefully catch a glimpse of Hotah. Not only to stoke the fires within her own heart, but within the others as well.

❏ Texas has been stern-faced and stalwart the entire journey to Ashenvale. His cousin is on his mind, the closest blood-relative he has left. Whatever plan Kanatu and the others concoct, he will follow-- but it will take Herculean effort for him not to attack first and ask questions later. When they made camp, he stayed on the outskirts with his hooves and hands buried into the loamy soil, meditating before the coming battle. His Kalimag is whispered on a clumsy tongue, but he presses on like a true bull-headed Brave. He otherwise has been silent and contemplative among the rest of the tribe.

❏ Iko has been a busy bee since the tribe left the village, between training the new cubs and the yearlings and her new project out in the Kodo Graveyard. At night, firelight burns on the ridge to the west of the village, a stark shadow of a kodo ribcage outlined by an orange glow. Iko seems well-rested, however, and just as fiery and cheery as she had been prior to the rescue mission's exodus. Additionally, she's been seen around the village with a massive... hatchling of sorts perched on a thick leather pad strapped to one shoulder. The hatchling is a bird, but it is fully-fledged with bright red, purple, and white plumage. Its beak has a monstrous jut of bone spreading to its forehead and it squawks with a terrible sound. Iko has taken to calling this little creature "Kibowashi"-- in the Vulperan tongue, it means "Eagle of Hope". In between training the cubs, she's been seen getting this bird comfortable with a band around its leg and being hand-tamed. She also has been making preparations to head to Thunder Bluff to pick up some supplies and trade off some of the cubs-- the Skyrunner name is important to get back out there! -Iko has been needing to speak with Saya about the wyvern she purchased/borrowed, so that she can either release it or integrate it into the Skyrunner pride.

❏ For all the chieftain spoke of the value of one life, and even though Doomwinter recognized that it was a noble goal, she couldn’t even complete the thought without screams from her past rising up to shatter the idea. Nobility of purpose meant little when soldiers were dropping like flies. She’d tried to point out the issues in the village, but everyone had their ears pinned back and their mouths open to add to the cacophony. She had fortunately found an ally in Korgig, and perhaps he would succeed where she had failed, and at least convince the chieftain and the tribe to take their first steps towards becoming an organized fighting force, because that’s what they were going to be facing, and the enemy still held nearly all the cards. With little time left to do much, she’d focus on working with him on tactics and ideas, and on doing what she could with her runecarving to keep death’s claws at bay once the battle started. And while she respected the healthy fear of re-igniting a war, she still saw little reason to avoid at least talking to whatever Warlord or other leader manned the nearest Horde camp to their enemy; even if they wouldn’t, or shouldn’t, get involved directly, they could know something useful, or offer subtle help. The elf’s idea had some merit as well - if recovering their tribesman was in fact the most important goal of all, a hostage trade might be the best course of action. Destroying the enemy was important, but attacking them in their own stronghold with what she at least deemed to be insufficient preparation, that seemed like a bad idea. Also, after hearing about the Forgotten’s interest in ley lines, she found herself wondering if they’d chosen their spot for a particular reason, and further wondered if that could be somehow turned against them.

❏ The travel had been rough on the Holy Strider, with many different thoughts and feeling running rampant. His time spent with the Towateke Nataka had only muddled those feelings even more. The bull had expressed a strange desire to make it back home quickly, and upon pressing Ustok had learned it was to pay respects for his slain brother. In his mind, Ustok had assumed all actions were committed without feeling, without remorse. Now though, such news only made it worse. With the Skyrunner set on their path, Ustok made a decision after a deep talk with the tribe's tradesman to right what he had wronged. To accompany Towateke Steelheart on another scouting mission. This, at least, was something he could do.

08/24/2020

❏ Kota had spent the day of rest attempting to get to know Tinso'Te better. Getting him to sting her staff multiple times to get a better idea of his abilities, and rewarding him with a pair of rabbits. Once they had made it into the camp Kota had a difficult time playing the simple owl, and loa knows how the idea to faint in front of the guards even made it into action, but she was not going to complain with the results. Cutting all of the bowstrings too short to use was a proud moment for her, but seeing Hotah attacked right in front of her and restraining herself from killing the elves had taken its toll on her mind. Through the retelling, hearing the truth of the words she'd heard. She had not been able to get over that internal shame weighing on her mind. Giving all the information she could remember, but mostly trying to burn the elves faces into her brain so she would remember who to target once she got the chance.

❏ The Holy Strider hated being idle. His first day was spent resting along with the others, not used to such hard flying. He checked time and time again that he had everything within his pack. When the loud orc tried to hold a training session, he simply watched with an amused grin on his face. He personally did not agree with the scouting mission nor this formal combat request, but he had little say on the matter. He was here to aswage any guilt within his own heart. On the third day, he spent the time to try and continue to speak with Nataka, having heard of the dangerous and disasterous plan the orcess had come up with. The action was admirable, but stupid in his eyes. That was only confirmed when the wyvern he'd seen the orcess sleep and ride landed roughly in the camp with about turned downward and making short, heartbroken sounding calls as she lumbered up to Lo and gave her own report. Ustok now knew this was no longer a mission to save a single bull, and that angered him. As he watched the wyvern prowl off to a section of the camp he'd seen the orcess favor, sniff the ground and plop down, Ustok accepted that he'd no longer allow himself to simply watch and wait. Greater pain has occurred and will continue to do so once they all learn. He needed to stop the bleeding.

❏ These forests. Koza hated these forests. She may not fear them any longer, but her chest still burned being here. On the first day, Koza took the day of rest as a chance to get used to the light of the forest once more, to breathe deep of the air and prepare. On the second day, Koza led the scouting mission. To the orcess, learning so very little and personally contributing so very little gnawed at her. Returning that evening in a contemplative mood, Koza spent the night listening to Korgig quietly explain the tactics he had in mind. With some convincing, Koza agreed to carry a spear if the time came. Then came the third day. After a brief meeting with everyone to collect information, Koza proposed a dangerous plan to infiltrate the Forgotten's base. After Kanatu's reluctant acceptance of the plan, Koza and Garth prepared to leave. Taking off her necklace of binding and feathers and giving them to Kanatu, then giving her hair trinket to Korgig with a promise to return, Koza steeled herself for the mission ahead. A mauling and some sluething later, Koza was captured after Hotah violently reacted to her presence. Now she knew not what day it was, now lost in paralytic nightmares. She hated this forest, but now the fear was returning once more.

❏ The Mag’har had been mostly quiet on the trip back from the Horde outpost, and quieter still once they finally reached the camp. The visit to the outpost was a successful one on his eyes. They had acquired some aid, though not nearly as many soldiers as he would have liked. Shields and spears would come in useful for defending the line and driving back their enemy should formal combat be the path they were able to take. He even had a specific spear for Koza which would allow her to extend her reach and move behind the line to strike out at the enemy. During the visit Korgig was also able best their champion in bare fist combat and earn the title “Warlord of the Trunk” as well as 45 pieces of gold for the victory. Still, with all of this successes something continued to gnaw at the back of his mind. The Captain made claim that the elves were not only peaceful during their interactions but had healed some of his own men without issue or violence. Even Ustok’s actions of taking a life within the enemy camp did not cause them to blindly attack the horde as was his intent. If they were so peaceable, why was Hotah among them? Had he defected as the captain eluded to? He had not made any accusation of Hotah willing moving to their side. Not after what he had heard spoken amongst the others. Still, it was a possibility. For the moment his first priority would be to return to their camp and return the trinket Koza wore in her hair to its rightful owner.

❏ Iko's progress with the newly-hatched Roc and the charhound out in the Kodo Graveyard has been going well. The Roc returns when called and has started to fly short hops-- often plucking at wyvern manes before hop-gliding away with cackling caws. It also has been growing bigger and bony-er.

❏ Texas has been hard at work ensuring his weaponry is ready to go, his connection to the elements is strong, and practicing the line formations with the triplet duo, Winona, and Muuran-- and anyone who was left behind from the other two missions, of course. He made it a point to train the others in the way of line warfare, keen on making Korgig proud and ensuring his tribe has the best chance at victory.

❏ For as much as Doomwinter had spent a lot of time at the camp standing around, her days had been mostly busy. A good chunk, as ever, was spent on watch, with the rest of her time split between inscription and discussion or practice with Korgig, and more recently, the others who hadn’t gone off to scout the Forgotten Camp. More recent still was the trip to the Horde Outpost, a trip she’d gauge as successful, as they’d returned with shields and spears with which they could arm their fighting line. She’d also returned with a healthy dose of doubt, or at least concern. Every tale of contact she’d heard about spoke of people who were reasonable and fair. While she had little qualm about killing anyone across a battlefield from her, the missing pieces bothered her, particularly when considering the kodo handler’s tale. The notion of failing the mission because they’d failed to understand the enemy and their actions, that bothered her. Annihilating the enemy camp would eliminate the long-term threat, and that was desirable, and to potentially pay for that with the blood of one brave was a bargain. But she couldn’t shake the notion that there was a stronger move to be made. It was not a soldier’s place to speak up… but this was not an army. If nothing else, she resolved to find Kanatu and make sure he at least understood that there might be more going on than was apparent.

❏ Venzolo’s energy seemed inexhaustible he barely sat still during the entire journey always busying himself with something. This had gotten even worse after his discussion with Nataka getting some of the more grisly details about the forgotten and their initial attack in Desolace. The day of rest Venzolo spent brewing in his little cauldron but seemed to be unsatisfied with the results. Aside from that he spent that day preparing for the planned scouting mission of the forgotten base. When the mission to scout the forgotten base came Venzolo did as Koza asked and disarmed the bomb under the bridge rearming it so that it would go off when he wanted it to. Venzolo then promptly did the exact opposite of what Koza wanted him to do and snuck right into the middle of the forgotten compound. However, it had paid dividens as he was able to get a good look at Hotah and his captors. He was also able to set two more explosives within the base. Venzolo saw this mission as a resounding success but when Koza and garth had planned to be mauled by Kanatu’s wyvern in order to sneak in again Venzolo had declined to participate. While he was somewhat interested in the journal pages that had been mentioned to be floating around the base he decided that what had been done thus far was probably enough for the time being. While the others went off to the horde outpost and Koza and Garth snuck back in Venzolo went to work making a special kind of smoke bomb from the dust that the blink dragon gave off. These bombs could help reveal hidden elves and would probably come in handy during the coming battle. After his little romp through the forgotten base Venzolo was even more convinced that challenging formal combat would be madness and they should use the bombs he planted to launch a surprise attack on the base. But he held little hope that the others would see reason.

❏ Atuluki had safely arrived at the pools a few nights ago, and will proceed with her plan. Every morning she summons her Elemental companion. Though diminished in size due to the smaller body of water, the elemental still proves strong and adamant in retaining the troll's friendship. Games involving water, conversations about history and practicing abilities are merely stepping stones towards the goal of permanent companionship

❏ Jaeva had put in all of her effort into stabilizing Narv, and that she did. Though Narv now had been deemed permanently bedridden. Before she set out to depart, she made enough medication for the next month for his pains and healing, and has put Mahala in charge of looking after the elder. Once all was said and done, she took her new friend, Saya, on the back of her wyvern to meet up with the rescue party in Ashenvale.

❏ With things in the village still looking a bit grim, Mahala has rarely left Narv’s side, doing any work that she can manage to right beside the elder. Between doing her best to help fix the crane and help do some other projects that Venzolo wanted work done on, and also doing some work on projects she knows Narv needed completed soon, she would spend her free time beside Narv, practically moping. The only thing that would drag her out of her sorry state was spending time with Lok’natah who was in his final days of begrudgingly eating fish slop. The operation to replace the wyvern’s teeth was an amazing success, but the two weeks after the operation had left the wyvern feeling agitated and uncomfortable. Mahala did her best to keep the wyvern occupied, having him “help” her carve wooden beads for a bracelet she was making. It mostly involved Lok’natah rolling the beads around on his tongue and Mahala giving him a pat and a thank you, but they got the job done. Not much longer than when the pair had started was the bracelet finally finished, a wooden bracelet with a small wooden wyvern charm dangling from the middle. The bracelet was at least a good size too large for Mahala herself, and after that point she tucked it away, and got busy with carving designs into one of Lok’natah’s old fangs... much to the uncomfortable curiosity of the old wyvern.

❏ After Korgig had pulled Dursk and a few others aside to be trained in tactics, Dursk had spent much of his time after that point making sure that anyone in the other group knew exactly what the Windwarrior was expecting. If they gave him the time of day, the orc would draw the individual tactics on a piece of paper and give them written instructions in either taurahe or orcish, and walk them through it before moving on to the next person. He’d do this with anyone who didn’t know, and then he’d double check with anyone who already knew to make sure they had it memorized. Once he felt that that was accomplished, the orc would spend time reviewing what they had found out alongside Samiwa, the wyvern listening patiently as he did so. Alongside Doomwinter, Korgig and their wyverns, the small group headed to a horde outpost to where they managed to receive some aid. Many of the interactions within the outpost left Dursk feeling a little giddy and excited for the future, but he is mostly relieved that they managed to find help, even if it’s in the form of a goblin and a laughing skull orc who’s favorite form of entertainment is sticking his hand in moving machine parts. Now that all of that was over with, however, he was left with a feeling of worry, unsure of exactly how things will go in the future, and if things should go wrong, if he would be to blame for getting innocent people involved in the tribe’s problems, potentially getting them killed. It was a guilty feeling that easily replaced all the happy feelings the outpost had given him, and he spent much of the time after the outpost in silence.

❏ At the Village, with Nataka and Koza both away, and Narv lost in a pain and drug mixed haze, Ruhanik worked to organize the tribe through Dakoda. He would instruct the young bull each day on the points of leadership and the duties of a Tribe Ritemaster in times of great pressure and advise him on what he could do to assist. Dakoda, taking the advice and adding a little of his own, advised both Mahala and Iko about what things should and could be done. From prioritizing the reconstruction and stabilization of the crane, modifications to the furnace and kiln using some of the regents gathered from the Corehound to clean the air up, an order through Kirneena to purchas more live animals like hogs, more adult plainstriders, goats, and even a few camels which would provide more easily sustained meat on the Zeppelin and when the rest of the tribe got home so hunting parties were not so necessary. Dakoda and Ruhanik would alternate spending time with Mahala, ensuring that she was not alone, helping to tend to the elder in the less than savory aspects of care including cleaning him, moving him to stop bed sores, and speaking to him constantly though story and news. To help him not feel so useless as Ruhanik warned he would, Dakoda took to asking Narv’s advice on things within the tribe whenever he was awake and not just staring into space. So far there had been no answers.

❏ Kireena had taken over much of the organization, production, and repairs that the Zeppelin needed. Following Venzolo’s instructions as best as possible and making a few additional tasks for the limited workforce. It was slow going but eventually the crane was repaired and work on creating the sheets of metal continued. The supply of good timber was running low even with the chunks of the Minnow being brought inland and supplementing the build, and she noted that more mithril, copper, silver, and steel would be needed to complete the project. Even with crates finally arriving from the Stonetalon mines that were promised. She kept an eye out for the parts that Venzolo had ordered but so far non had come in. What had come in was a flurry of rumors from a trader who dropped off what looked like a mammoth-sized cart of white canvas cloth to the tribe. He spoke of trouble brewing in the Barrens with the Quillboar and pirates. Ships were having a hard time along the easter and southern coast and the Southern Barrens was considered a hot zone for traders who were now avoiding the area.

❏ Through the trip north Kanatu had slept little. Among the tribe it was easily known and even witnessed that Kanatu was a rough sleeper. Though he napped continually any long period of sleep was marked by heavy movement, and what appeared to be bad dreams by his facial expressions. This continued as the days passed by at the camp in Ashenvale only he was getting less sleep. Speaking at a consistent rate with his chosen War Council, Korgig, Koza, and Nataka, he spent a fair bit of time making refined plans as each new bit of information came to him. When he wasn’t doing that he was checking on each member of the rescue party, ensuring that they had not only the items they needed, but the wits and calm to do what would be necessary. Now on the third day, with Korgig and his group finally returning and giving their report, and Garth being brought back to camp, alone, he paced. A track in the earth that circled the camp had been worn down as he moved. Garth was in the middle of translating some pages he had gathered from the Base and it was his only hope of understanding what Koza and Enyetof could provide them and if they could still be alive. He took no council in this time, resolving within himself three courses of action.

08/31/2020

❏ The Mag'har had been busy during the time working on his strategy. He had spoken briefly with Nataka to fill him on theory. Nataka was surprising more informed about formal combat than Korgig would have anticipated. It was coming together, he had gone over it again and again in the few hours they since the encounter with elves finished. Hopefully the reinforcements would arrive soon and they could move for the base soon. He worried the longer they waited, the less likely any of the prisoner's would be found alive. If they were even alive at the moment. He couldn't be concerned about that, though. In between his planning he did sneak off to give Texas the necklace of trophies that the orc wore around his neck. Explaining how to use it and what its purpose was. He also told the bull that he expected it back as soon as the dust of battle settled.

❏ When she wasn’t talking to prisoners, Doomwinter could be spotted looking over her map of the camp that she’d drawn from memory and updated based on anything she’d heard from returned members of the scouting party. She was determined to commit as much as she could to memory, as there wouldn’t be time to look at maps when the fighting started. And the fighting was likely to start, if what the Chieftain had said held true, even if the death knight still firmly believed that path may not be the best one for getting the tribe’s people returned to them. There was also still the matter of what Neran had talked about, and what it meant; she hoped that wouldn’t be something that worked against them in the conflict to come.

❏ Venzolo spent most of the hours of preparation talking with Firefoot about the possibility of her and Bonedog becoming part of the crew and fixing her spiderbot so that it could be used as a shield during the approach to the base. They were able to get the spiderbot working and so it should be able to be used in the coming attack effectively. Venzolo was still happy that his voodoo had worked on the elf and planned to try out some more hexes on the enemy should he get the chance. However, in all honesty he was over dealing with these elves. He wanted this business to be done with and the only one he really cared about getting back was Koza. He hoped very much that by cresting of the next sunrise they would have Koza back, the elf base in ruins, and be on their way back home.

❏ Iko's successfully trained her dread roc in the art of... thieving shiny objects from unsuspecting tribemates. She always returns the items afterwards, but she can't help but get a kick out of it. She insists this is a foundation block for what she wants this bird, Kibowashi, to become when it gets older. And, as always, her evenings are spent out in the Kodo Graveyard training some manner of fiery fiend out among the ribcages and skulls. In the mornings, she seemed free from the stench of fel-- or, at least, free from its grip. It would seem the work she and Koza did those many nights ago was not in vain, and she was sticking to her promises.

❏ Texas has had some quiet reconciliations with Winona in the hours leading up to the final assault. With her help, he has cleared his mind and prepared himself to serve the elements anew. He also has been practicing his shield-work and line formations with Winona, Muuran, and the triplets. He was ready to see this done, and ready to get his people home. ❏ Having now spoken to Nataka and cleared his heart of the turmoil he'd been facing, Ustok set to work preparing for the battle. In his mind he thought of words to unsettle them, and sharpened his axe in much the same way he'd seen Nataka doing. He had also taken the time to collect many of the surplus spears. The archers he had seen unnerved him, but he knew one well placed spear in the chest would easily knock them from their tree. With so many others that did not have bows, this was his only option in his mind.

❏ Down within the burrow den in the Forgotten Camp, Koza lay unconscious and locked within a mental battle with the void magics that nipped at the edges of her mind. She understood little about the void, but even with that lack of understanding she knew she had to fight. And fight she did, struggling against the shadows that seemed to wind themselves within the cold darkness that encroached upon her mind. In that dark dream, she found herself once more at the edge of that pond. Undiscernible beasts, people and noises sounded out from between the trees, unnerving the orcess. But she would not be broken by these whispers and shade. Unable to escape, she struggled and fought to keep the darkness at bay and protect her mind and soul until she could break free and return to her family.

❏ Enyetof has been far from idle during his confinement. The Plagueshifter has been doing his damnedest to prevent or remove any poisons applied to Koza and Hotah. In the rare event he can get one of the guards to speak to him, he has been trying to plant the idea that there are traitors among them, that they could simply be waiting for the Skyrunners to arrive before they make their move.

❏ Back in the village, things were going about how Mahala could expect. Work for the zeppelin was somewhat back on track, and she was doing what she could alongside Dakoda and the others to keep it moving as smoothly as possible. The Druid herself, however, remained deathly quiet, only speaking when required to. Now that Lok’natah’s teeth were almost fully healed, she no longer had to watch him eat, though she still had to supply him with softer foods. The Druid seemed find on the outside, but every time she left Narv’s hut she had a look on her face that could only be described as utterly heartbroken. She had no idea how the mission for Hotah was going, but was preparing herself for the worst. She wished she wasn’t, but with how things were going, it was hard to think otherwise. That didn’t stop her from etching designs in one of Lok’natah’s old fangs as she spent time sitting by Narv’s side, tending to him. Any harsh words or comments would weasel their way into her heart easily, and her emotional state was possibly the frailest it’s been.

❏ Dursk has spent much of his time in the preparing stage simply making spare bandages out of scrap cloth he had brought, and listening to the plans the others were making, and occasionally putting forward his own opinion. For the most part, he left the goblins to work, and he kept to himself, practicing his shield use. That and achieving a decent nap, not having slept in quite a while.

❏ With the looming battle ahead Nataka stood guard over the three captured elves, not sleeping as he allowed others to rest. The bull remained stoic and even as usual, speaking gently to those that passed. Once they were about to move out he would take about ten minuets to himself to kneel in a quiet place and lay his axe down on the ground. He washed it with water, blessed it with a simple prayer, and then mounted up on his wyvern, ready to bring everyone back home, alive or not.

❏ Dasota and Dehokon had been fairly quiet most of this trip. Speaking together, working with Muuran and Teyshas on their shield and spear work, keeping watch and helping where they could, Dehokon in particular had helped with the meals most while Dasota tended to the wyverns with Teyshas. They had shown great interest in the new arrivals, specifically Firefoot and Neran. Now that battle was about to begin they were busy checking over the wyvern armor and organizing spare wyverns into an assault force.

❏ Muuran stuck close to Korgig through most of the last hours in preparation for battle. He was not pleased by the idea of his role in the battle but he was preparing for it as best he could by practicing shield work and hammer swings with Winona. Winona herself had spent time with Teyshas to try and settle him before the battle. He was so wrapped up in himself but she hoped that he could calm himself enough that the elements would answer his call. After helping Muuran she would try to sleep fitfully.

❏ Kanatu had spent a few hours sleeping which was greatly needed as the draw of the spirits on his body drained him. His work on the prisoners had taken a toll on him so as the magical barrier shield was tested and Shogra arrived with her group he slept on, laying beside Jaeva as she too recovered from her forced flight from the village. When he was woken up by Korgig though to finalize their plans given the new resources he moved off with him and Nataka. Listing out anc changing their forces into groups, speaking of formations and priorities. It would be likely the more coordinated fight that the tribe had ever faced in close quarters. With the air space limited and the use of technologies previously unused in Skyrunner battles it was a great deal to remember. For everyone.