On the board you see a scrap of paper that bore a large symbol the glowed with a soft bluish green light, as you place your hand upon it you begin to see a series of images and events, a story:
The old Tauren sat there shaking his head as he put down another flask of this Dwarven “water” he had looted from the latest attack on the Wildhammer here in the Highlands, he thought to himself with a chuckle, “it makes sense at how furiously the fight, if they drink this kind of water,” his eyes lifted from the wood table he sat at to the “room” around him, the destroyed building that was once a home of those very same Wildhammer whose water he now drank, was not much of a bar, but it did just enough to allow him to drink his spoils, wash and repair his armor and let his mind wander.
His large brown eyes looked down on the pile of armor on the floor to his arms which even now showed large amounts of gray mixing in with his once dull red brown fur, “Maybe I am getting to old for this insanity,” with one last chuckle his mind quickly shifting back to the parchment laying out on the table before him the writing on it while very difficult to make out, not too surprising knowing not only who but had written it, it was, honestly, the last thing he needed right now, sure he was off duty right now, but this deep in the Highlands?, quietly he sighed to himself and looked over the parchment reading the order once again.
“By Order of the Grim as your first trial, you must prefect your skill in Engineering and provide detailed schematics that can be made and mass produced to aid us in the ever growing war” at least that is what it meant he could not mimic the troll accent or language in jest let alone when he was this tipsy.
He snorted and shook his head as he thought to himself “I could have sworn fighting in and securing the Highlands for the Glory of the Horde was proof enough that I was true the Mandate but then again they would not be call it a Trial if it was easy as doing my job” slowly he raised one large hand to his aging brow and rubbed it gently “I am going to need ore” finally he spoke out loud to the surprise of the Goblin sitting next to him, it blinked a few times and then laughed “you could always just go mine it up here, this place is rich in the stuff, kinda wish I still had my old crew from Kazan” the Goblin grinned as he reminisced “we would have had this whole place strip mined in under a week” the Tauren looked down at him and shook his head “no that won’t work, I can’t mine, but I know someone who can”
At that the Goblin looked up at him with a confused look, “sorry pal, all my mining slave died on Kazan and I have no plans to start again, I risked my neck enough as it is keeping these Horde bases…” The Tauren spoke loudly “Not you little one… no no… a friend that owes me a few favors… it is going to be a bit of a trip though” the Tauren reached down and grabbed his pile of armor and bag from the floor and with the practiced experience that comes with age he fastened his armor on and tied his bags to himself.
As soon as he was out the door and had himself geared and ready he placed his fingers between his lips and with a slight enchantment on the air he let out an ear splitting whistle as he ran, then mere moments later a dark shadow covered him keeping up with his growing pace, it grew larger as the beast grew closer and soon as his as he was running he looked up, smiling, at the great beast, one of the Proto Drakes he found and had tamed while in his tour to the North, it’s red hide glowed in the light as it came closer to the ground, and him just as he was about reach a cliff he flicked his hand and a bolt of electricity shot from his hand to the thick metal chain he used as a harness for the beast bringing it to him and letting him swing up and onto the beast as he jumped off the cliff, quickly he climbed up the chain and onto the beast as it ascended into the air quickly going up past the clouds.
As he sat in the familiar saddle he pulled out a small map and checked to ensure his route all while he turned the beast to the North and laid his head down upon it, it would be morning before he got there, softly he sighed “Steady dear, we are heading to Hearthglen” the beast growled loudly and took off at full pace
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The cold air clung to the two of them as they slowed and descended to the ground the old Tauren wanted to approach by foot and avoid a great deal of anger and trouble, an hour later the large Tauren approached the guards, he was in luck both were recruits from the Horde, one Orc and one of the Sin’dorai, and he had fought with them both in the court before the Icy Citadel, the Orc grinned and stopped him “So old one, how goes the fight in the Highlands?” Ajarma looked over his shoulder and saw a group of Dwarves heading out to patrol walking out and grinned “I suppose this not the best place to speak of it, but those Wildhammer, they are a tough little bunch” at this a few of the Dwarfs puffed out their chests and he laughed and thought to himself “but they fall like all the others”, the Old Tauren looked back to the Orc and spoke in a strong clear voice “I am looking for the one called Teridonimas, has he reported here like he said he was?”
The Orc rolled his eyes and shook his head “Oh he did, but he does nothing, except when the undead attack, and while that is decently common event, never have I seen him Patrol, Guard or even practice” the Orc cleansed his fist and grumbled a bit “the little Elf bastard is getting on my last nerve with all of his, The Great Teridonimas, the Wondrous Elf!” the orc spat on the ground “I will bet you he is all talk!”
Ajarma chuckled and nodded “that sounds like him, where is he, I may take him off your hands” at that the Orc lifted an eyebrow and hiked a thumb towards the Inn in town “he is usually there drinking when he is not fighting” the Orc glared at the Tauren and mumbled “I wonder who he learned that trait from?” Then with a smirk on his face the old shaman walked in and made a straight line for the tavern.
As he approached he heard what sounded like a women screaming and a large thump and suddenly the side window shattered outwards being propelled out by a troll being hit by what looked like a large golden shield, on the other side of the window stood the elf he had been looking for, holding the shield he had pried off of the Alliance gunship in their battle in The Citadel of the Lich King, lowly the Tauren laughed and shook his head, the elf stood there wearing a just a tabard, a pair of pants, and boots his hair loss, free and bright red, his eyes glowing a dull green and his face was a deep red from all the drinking he had been doing, the elf made a rude elaborate gesture and then fell down onto his ass and let out a bark of laughter “That’s what you get you filthy Trool! No one grabs the Great Teridonimassssss assssssessss!” and then dropped his head to the floor, the old Tauren watched this and could not help but laugh deeply and head in to help his old friend off the floor.
One would not guess from how he acted, but Teridonimas used to be a guard of Silvermoon, refined and sophisticated, he was the best at what he did, and when the call went out for Blood Knights to take the power they wanted and needed he was one of many to stand proudly, but in the years to come, and as the truths became revealed he lost his faith. He decided that it was more enjoyable to just do whatever the heart desired, at the same time he found he did not like many people… many races… hell he pretty much hated everyone, but he hated the beings who stood against him and would beat back anything that got in his way with his big shield.
Hours later in the Elf’s room, after some of the Booze wore off the two of them spoke, “Damn, old one it has been… at least six months sense we spoke last” “Well, we went our separate ways, I was sent to the front by the new Warchief, and you became more dedicated to the Argent Crusade and their… clean up efforts” the elf makes another rude gesture “Clean up effort? Is that what they are calling it, blessed light, all we do is sit on our asses and hit any undead that comes near the base… that is it… they send all the adventures that show up for fame and glory, we get put on patrol and guard duties, shouldn’t be surprised seeing as the person who leads us is one of those two faced asshole humans,” the Elf spits onto the ground.
“Well then… might I interest you in a chance to” the Tauren thinks for a moment “get a bit more action, I am here to turn in the favors you owe me” the Elf visually cringes “I need ore, well I need bars… I have been ordered to improve my skills in engineering, and you are going to provide them for me” the elf was sitting there muttering to himself, it was obvious he didn’t want to, for whatever reason the elf didn’t want to go and repay his debt, the Tauren opened his mouth to try to persuade him some more and a loud long horn echoed through the Town, the Dead were coming!
Teridonimas grabbed his shield and a pair of gloves as he bolted for the door, Ajarma just at his feet as he headed out of the inn and towards the main gate, at the gate it was like looking at the entrance to the frozen wastes of Icecrown, the land was covered in the undead charging the gates “Where did this many come from?” the old shaman asked loudly, and without even hesitating one of the orcs barked out “Andorhal!, that blasted lich in the middle of the town attacked and started raising anyone who fell around him, then he got into the field where the Horde and the Alliance were going at each other again and he used their bodies, and soon enough we had a full on invasion on our hands!, Now stop jabbering and get outside the gates and help fight them back!”
Teridonimas laughed and just charged out as he flung his shield as it glowed bright golden as it slammed into the undead splitting three of them in half turning their remains to dust before the shield flew back to him letting him catch it and bring it across the face of another undead as he started wading in and tearing through them no weapon in sight, just beating them with his shield as golden energy rolled off of him and seemed to slow the vile beasts.
Just a step behind the Paladin, Ajarma jumped into the Fray flinging the trademark of his class, Totems, down through some of the undead landing on a few others, crushing them with his hooves, the totems focused the elemental presence everywhere in the world, into effects that would amaze even the most war torn veterans, the massive beast was moving twice as fast, any injuries being inflicted upon him was healed away instantly, and with every slam of his large axe a ball of fire would incinerate the corpse stopping it from standing again while the air developed a strange feel and static rippled off of his body, after a few more breaths he flung his hands out wildly and let out a deep bellow that shook the people fighting against the undead horde, at the end, the air broke out in lightning and shot out from him frying and destroying the un natural abominations.
The fight continued for a bit longer until Ajarma heard the Paladin call out, he was calling out for aid, the shaman’s head spun to the source of the sound and saw the Elf pinned to the ground, his shield was lodged deep inside of one of the larger undead and they were descending upon him, to feed upon him.
The shaman acted without thinking, he charged towards him, hacking through the undead before him, he ripped the shield out of the beast and used it to beat back the undead going after Teridonimas, as he neared he lifted his hand, axe grasped tight, towards them, and a wave of lightning was loosed again that either knocking back or out right killing the undead that were surrounding him.
The Paladin quickly leaped to his feet, just in time to catch his shield and slam it through the head of one of the ghouls the wave of electricity missed. He spoke loudly “Alright Cow! I will help you! Just keep near me till we are out of this, but it is using all of my favors to you” the old shaman nodded and let loose another loud ear splitting whistle summon his two Wolf spirits to his side, the old Tauren spoke lowly “Alright, lets finish this then.”
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The cave was hot, humid, and was crawling with agents of Twilight’s Hammer, but it was the best place to find what they needed, Hell it was called the Elementium mine for a reason! Ajarma wandered around a bit keeping his eyes and ear open, his armor had seen better days, so had him, they had been down in this caver for well over a week, and they would soon be done, they just needed a little more ore and a few gems, and he would be able to get to work, his eyes shifted over to the Paladin hammering away at the wall pulling the ore free, he was now fully geared, wearing his full set of armor, but like the Tauren it had looked better.
Sense they had been down here they had been under constant attack from the Twilight hammer, elementals, and spider rock things that not even Ajarma was sure about, but they loved to eat the ore they were uncovering, the only piece of equipment that looked to be in good condition was Teridonimas’s shield, it still shone with the soft blue light it always had.
The Shaman stood slowly, stopping his head so as not to hit the ceiling, “I am going to go on patrol, think you be okay?” in response all he heard was a low grunt and Ajarma headed out walking slowly and carefully so as not to make much sound, just as he got to an out cropping he stopped and peered down at the group of Twilight Hammer who were doing the same as they were, but for something much worse he feared, he thought to himself “They are doing something and could destroy the Horde and Azeroth…, but if I attack it will make them aware of us, again, and we would have a big fight on our hands…, follow my order… or follow The Mandate..”
“Fuck them they are dwarves!” Teridonimas yelled and leapt down opening up with his golden flying shield, instead of tearing through them it knocked into them dazing them just long enough for the two of them to get down there and slaughter the Dwarfs with a few smooth hacks of the shaman’s axe and loud clanks of the Paladin’s shield.
“Why did you stop mining?” the shaman asked as he light the bodies a flame, “That place had run dry, plus I needed to stretch a bit” the Paladin smirked and lifted up a bag he had found over near where the dwarves had been mining, “And I think we are done!” inside was double what they needed both in ore and in Gems, Teridonimas threw the bag to the shaman and clapped his hands “And I am now free of you” he pointed to the shaman with his gloved hands “I think I will go sleep in a bar for a few months, the shaman just laughed and shook his head , but suddenly he felt and saw stars as he fell to his knees dazed he could only watch as he saw two figures, one very small compared to the other dash towards Teri, his thought echoed fear, “Shit! Alliance Rogues!” the shaman continued to watch as he saw Teri being attacked just as he had, the smaller one, a Gnome, began collecting their bags… they were going to take their ore! He had to move, he had to stop them! But Teri beat him to it, his shield flying fast knocking them off their feet as he started to charge them, his pick-axe in hand as he attacked and started to push the two of them away from the ore and away from the shaman, with a loud grunt the shaman stood as fast as he could and threw one totem at the Gnome, it impaled him to the wall and from it oozed out molten fire that slowly took form.
Seconds later a beast made of living fire stood before them and Ajarma spoke clearly “Brother Fire!, I have called upon you so you may have your chance to burn and grow, I give you this Gnome and that Human as kindling!” the elemental let out a roar that could only sound pleased as he darted towards the human quickly engulfing it in flames, in just a blink of an eye nothing was left short a pile of ash as it moved over to the Gnome that was pinned to the wall, Ajarma looked away as the Elemental repeated the process, Teri walked over to him and offered him his hand, “Seems you owe me now Old Cow!” Ajarma just smiled and nodded “So it seems”
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He slammed his wrench down and looked over his work, it was done, an upgraded and modified set of goggles, it was a small greenish orb with inlaid gold, circuitry, and bits of metal to look like an eye, he picked it up gently and looked it over grinning, with his other hand he made some marks on a piece of parchment, he had done it once again, he used the basic design for the advanced targeting goggles, but made it smaller and more compact, perfect for fitting into an eye socket, at which he proved ,the images you were viewing changed suddenly flashing and a series of numbers and images flicker into life and then fade from view, “Fits perfectly and there was compatibility issues like the last one.”
The Tauren’s hands come into view and then the sheet of parchment he was marking before, on them was the design and diagram from the eye he just made, with this, people who lose their eyes in combat will not be weakened for long.
Beside that were a number of other designs and diagrams, for bombs, guns, things that could be attached to gloves, belts and boots, which would provide a number of short term but incredibly effective results. Hell one design he got from one strange little goblin had him make something that could feed people with as much skill as any chief, not sure how much he trusted the food.
At the End of the report there was a little note that simply said, “Any Grim that feels they have run out of options to fix their problem, see Ajarma, I may have the Answer, and I will gladly fix it”
Field report - Engineering and better living
Re: Field report - Engineering and better living
Well, someone went on a long adventure! Met some interestin' people as well. Well done! Very good, in depth report! I know I'll be usin' some of dos Engineerin' wares soon.
Be lookin' fo' ya next task soon!
Be lookin' fo' ya next task soon!