Of Imps And Orcs

The figure slowly made his way up the ruined peak. In this distance ominous thunderclouds shot bolts of lightening at each other. Crashing thunder was heard moments later, still audible over the howling wind.

Vexacus pressed himself to the side of the mountain, taking as much cover as he could. He carefully removed a tome from the depths of his robes, firmly holding the book lest the howling winds snatch it from him. Turning to a page, he studied intently for a moment. Nodding to himself, he flicked a small lever on the side of his goggles and peered towards the crest of the peak. The normal view of the mountain side vanished in an instant to be replaced by a garish clash of colours.

Readings off the scale! This looks like it! The old orc grinned and laughed into the storm. Months of searching this forsaken place on the edge of nowhere… and finally – here it was!

Still cackling to himself the orc did his best to find cover on the mountainside. His find could wait one more day.

The winds seemed strangely calm the following morning, the thunder more distant. The robes of yesterday removed, the green figure looked a curious sight attired in a dirty looking set of blue overalls, accompanied by a gaudy blue hat and sandals. Sweat creased his brow from where he had spent the morning clearing an area at the top of the mountain. In the middle of the clearing, a crackling sphere of deep blue mana energy rippled.

More impressive than any I have ever seen!

Vexacus checked the assembled equipment again. Holding an intricately detailed diagram in one hand, he noted the positioning of all the devices, each one roughly surrounded the sphere of mana energy in a square formation.

All seemed to be in order! Now to check the settings of each of the capacitors, and the Gain Bridger itself!

Folding the diagram up, the orc removed a large tome from one of his packs. Vexacus adjusted his goggles and peered inside the book, The Big Book of One Hundred and One Theoretically Useful Gnomish Engineering Devices, by Wibblescrew Needleburn). A large green hand flicked through the book to a well worn page. The Orc studied the entry one last time.

The Big Book of One Hundred and One Theoretically Useful Gnomish Engineering Devices wrote:

The Zaphrotte Mote Extractor Capacitor (Hypothetical) and Cross Dimensional Gain Bridger (Hypothetical), Proposed by Flipdar Bigglesworth.

In theory, the Cross-Dimensional Gain Bridger should be capable of vastly increasing the gain of motes extracted from a given cloud of energy. By accessing particles at a quantum level, motes can be extracted from multiple parallel dimensions at once, delivering an unsurpassed volume of motes.

It is unknown what effects could arise from attempting to access motes from multiple dimensions simultaneously. Some theorists have proposed that such cross dimensional interactions could result in a catastrophic rip in the very structure of space time. Following extensive tests involving beakers of murloc urine however, I believe that instead the motes will simply combine to form a “mega” mote of epic proportions.

However, we are of course obligated to take precautions. I recommend use of the Extractor Capacitator (in multiple quantities) which should allow your Zaphrotte Mote Extractor to absorb the cross dimensional energy feed. The capacitors act to absorb the energy of several dimensions acting on a single point. It is also recommended to have an adequet storage medium to receive the influx of motes you will receive. Some kind of reinforced toolbox would perhaps be in order. I recommend the Bigglesworth 500 Special Edition, which comes with additional “Mote Pockets” not available in the standard engineer’s toolbox.

(a side note is present on the page, advertising the 500 Special Edition Toolbox)

It is also recommended that test of the above devices are initially made with smaller collections of motes in order to avoid… (the rest of the text is smudged and unreadable).

Further notes are currently unavailable on the aforementioned devices, following the disappearance of Bigglesworth during field tests. Having reviewed his theories and technical specifications however, the author of this tome is convinced the principles remain sound.

Please refer to diagrams on opposite page; some components of the Gain Bridger can be found in Appendix B of this volume.

The orc spent some time cross referencing his equipment settings against those listed in the book.

Almost done! Yes Ruptai, almost done! Shooting the Imp a wide grin he began to laugh as the creature stared back at him levelly with contempt. Though of course my precious Imp, this is too complicated for your little brain, eh? The Imp’s glare deepened, if that was possible.

Vexacus was still laughing at the creature for some time. Upon calming down enough, he stood by his crudely fashioned control stand. Flicking four levers simultaneously, the gain bridgers crackled into life, humming and emitting a slight glow at the same time, which seemed to envelope the massive cloud of mana energy.

The warlock placed his Zapphrote Mote Extractor into it’s harness, and strapped it onto himself. Plugging the gain bridger into the back of the Mote Extractor, he stood before the swirling cloud.

My fortune awaits!

Vexacus flipped his goggles back down across his face, and flicked a switch on the contraption. Almost immediately a beam of energy shot from the extractor and intersected with the mana cloud. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the machine as it shook violently. Despite the initial kick, it seemed to be working. It was hard to see what was happening before him, as the energy field seemed to intensify and almost burn his eyes.

Behind him, unseen to his master, the small Imp grinned to himself. Oh glorious day master, glorious day!. Time to release myself from your servitude. You pathetic oaf, you really should be more careful. From the depths of the Shadow I came, and there I shall return!

Ruptai shifted back fully to the mortal plane for a moment, hurled a fireball at one of the Capacitor’s surround the swirling mana cloud, and grinned. The capacitor swayed for a moment, seeming to hang in the air, before it crashed to the ground. Immediately the mana cloud began to pulsate wildly. A moment before the explosion ripped the mountaintop apart, Ruptai turned to face it, still smiling.

The orc crawled towards the area of cool and darkness before him. It seemed like a better place to be than the blazing sunshine in the midst of the lush fauna.

Home? he asked no-one in particular. Uh, where am I?

He remembered something had gone wrong. Something spectacular. He remembered his clothes ripped away from him, being lifted up in the air and being burned and slammed from all sides at once. He remembered falling for so long that he could not work out why he had not finally crashed to the ground. Then he could almost remember the realisation he was on the back of his nether ray, gripping the reigns in a vice like grip and repeating the word… home!

After what seemed like a long time, the old orc realised he was somewhere familiar, but still couldn’t place it. The entrance to a cavern was not far from him. After what seemed like an age, Vexacus finally crawled into the entrance to the cavern. The air was cooler here and he seemed to hurt less. The ringing was still present in his ears, all sounds from the outside world gone. The orc dragged himself up against the cavern wall until he was upright, leaning against it heavily.

He wandered through the caverns. He wasn’t sure for how long. Creatures slithered and crawled all around him, but none came too close. After some time he found himself standing before a large, glowing pool. Catching a glimpse of his reflection for the first time, he started.

His outfit was hanging about him in shreds, his face burned down one side, hair and beard scorched to his face. Pieces of shrapnel, including what looked suspiciously like part of his toolbox were embedded in one of his legs. His hat was nowhere to be seen. But worst of all - his precious comfortable sandals – destroyed! Vexacus grunted in disgust, missed his handhold, then sighed as he toppled down to the side of the pond before passing out.

The darkness faded again, and Vexacus became aware he was propped against a wall in a dimly lit cave. Crude blankets formed from what looked like some of the fauna made him feel slightly more comfortable than before. As his eyes focused two figures and a small campfire came into view.

The first was a small creature, wreathed in flames. His luminous yellow eyes and face contorted in a disdainful sneer allowed Vexacus to recognise him immediately. Ruptai.

Looking at the other figure… a dwarf! But what a wretched looking dwarf! Deathly pale and haunched, the round figure was wrapped in a dark robe, his mining hat topped with a candle which cast a dim glow about him. He tried to smile, but it was the forced smile of the sycophant with no real friends. Rultir.

A lot of time had passed. Eyes closing again, more memories flashed before him. Rultir coming and going, bringing him things – food, water, clothing, light. The imp had been there at times, absent for others. Days spent wondering the caverns, marvelling at the deadly but beautiful creatures within. The cave network seethed with corruption, it had washed over the warlock like a soothing balm. And most of all, a giant creature, an albino, which towered above him. It’s swollen eyes and fish like features screamed at him in rage, screamed for release from where it was to be allowed to come fully into this place.

Vexacus’s eyes flicked open. He felt something in his hand. A brilliant green crystal shard. It felt solid enough, but smoke almost seemed to swirl beneath it’s surface. His hand closed around it.

Rultir! he nodded at the dwarf, and remembered to speak loudly and slowly. After all the dwarf only just understood orcish. As you may have surmised my experiments in Netherstorm did not go well. He paused. For some reason he couldn’t quite remember what had happened, where it had gone wrong. Think about that another time…

No matter, no matter. I have some tasks for you, there is much to be done…