• Graded • [Faldrass] Fire-Forged Group A

[Pegasus]

120th Ashan, 720

Winston led them out.

He led them into a room which had a large wooden table in the middle - not the deep mahogany of the rest of the place but actually just a sturdy oak, functional table. On it was laid out climbing gear of all sorts - more than one of each kind of thing, enough for all of them. "Please, feel free to borrow what ever you like." He waited while they got themselves ready and then he spoke.

"My plan is this - we have a large amount of the mountainside here mapped, but there are gaps and there have been some reports over the last few seasons of unusual animals and plants being seen. Therefore, for each of you - with the compliments of the Baron, here is "Smooglenuff's Guide To The Flora & Fauna of Scalvoris: Volume 5: Faldrass" It was a fairly hefty tome which he passed out - nicely made, leather bound. If they looked inside there was information on the Flora and FaunaPlease feel free to assume the information in the Flora and Fauna threads are covered in general way. For well-known animals, it's got tracks etc, also, in diagrams. So, even if your pc can't read, it could be useful.

"What I suggest we do," Winston said, "Is to fan out in pairs, covering more ground, but within earshot. Then, I suggest we look for anything unusual. Out of the ordinary for here. We have these," he gestured to whistles, there for them to hang round their necks. "If you come across anything you believe is unusual, check your manual. Then, if it is mark it on the map, draw it or note it if you can. If there's something you think we all need to see - blow this, we come to you." Winston was, it seemed, more than "just" a butler.

"Blow like this," and he blew a single note which he held for a 2-count, then waited a 4-count before blowing again. "If there is nothing urgent. If it is important and you'd like backup to hurry up, then make the gap a 2-count. If it's urgent and immediately so, single blast for as long as you can. Repeat." That was clear, he thought. He gave them each a map and then motioned to it.

Group A Map

"We start at C2. That square - each of them - will take us a couple of breaks to fully explore, even if we split up as I suggest. Therefore, we have camping gear also. If something happens in one of the other groups, I will know. Now. Each one of you please introduce yourself, say a small bit about yourself, your skills, your strengths and weaknesses." When that was done, he smiled a slight, tense smile. "Excellent. Any questions?"

He waited to hear if there were, answered them, and then he motioned for them to follow him.

It was time for them to go.

General Info

!

Message from: Peg

Alright my lovelies. This is your "Group" post. It will be your group thread throughout the event and every post of mine here will inform you of the Group StatusGood, Alert, or Immediate danger as well as whether Basecamp is OPEN or CLOSED to you. For this round you may post here for any questions and so on you have for Winston. I will either address them in a modnote or post here again, depending on the question. All of the group may assume that they have heard all questions and answers. You may take any equipment which might reasonably be there. It is of very good (expert level) quality. What you choose to take must be listed in an OOC note at the end of your post. If you didn't say you took it - and you wouldn't normally have it - you don't got it. Please end your post assuming you got to the base of the mountain. In a group. Winston will put you into pairs in my next post.

Rules

!	Message from: Rules
	One post maximum here. Play to your skill level. It helps me if, when you use a skill you maybe put an OOC note or such at the bottom to tell me what your skill is. I'll check your CS, no worries, it just takes me longer. Do not control any NPCs. They are mine.

Mod Style

I will, as usual, post secret objectives, post objectives, secret achievements etc. I've said it before, I'll say it again - this style of moderation was taught to me by one of the most talented storytellers I've ever met. His name was Crimson / Straylor, and I miss writing with him, very much. My thanks go to him.

The NPCs did it, not me.

No matter what level of risk / reward thread you're in - if you do something along the lines of walking up to an Immortal and yelling at them - you're going to get dead. The risk / reward is assuming a basic level of not-stupid from your pc. Please be aware, I'll adjust as needed.

The point of this is to have fun. Lets do that, shall we?

Obectives

!	Message from: Objectives
	Must Do Objective: Speak out and introduce yourself to the group. Must Do Objective: Get to the base of the mountain. Can-Do Objective: Include an anecdote or tale (truthful or not) about yourself in your introduction for a consequence! There are currently TWO hidden objectives in this thread.

Threads

There are currently 4 active threads. We maintain the following statistics:

Thread	Status	Notes
Basecamp	Green	Currently an exit point. You may leave the thread at this point. All PCs are free to post here.
Group A	Green	This thread. NPC Reaction is Neutral to all
Group B	Green	Link
Group C	Green	Link

[Tio Silver]

Tio held the weighty tome of "Smooglenuff's Guide To The Flora & Fauna of Scalvoris: Volume 5: Faldrass" with an amused glint in his eye. So Smoogle was a writer with an interest in nature? He hadn't expected that, but then again he couldn't claim to know the reclusive baron after just one meeting. This book could be pretty useful for any future alchemy experiments he tried to run. He packed the book, along with a map and a full set of camping and climbing gear laid out on the table, into his domain bag and nodded to Winston in silent thanks.

He nodded along as Winston explained the plan, and when the butler suggested they pair up his hand immediately shot in the air. "I vote for myself to pair up with the pretty one." He announced, nodding his head over to Eliza and shooting her a flirtatious half-grin. When Winston asked them to repeat, Tio picked up one of the whistles and brought it to his lips. "Blow like this," he echoed, blowing a very loud and shrill single note for a 2-count, then waited a 4-count before blowing again. "If there is nothing urgent. If it is important and I'd like backup to hurry up, then make the gap a 2-count. If it's urgent and immediately so, single blast for as long as I can. Got it. You know you seem very familiar with all this. Were you in the military or something?"

When the time came for introductions Tio stepped forward confidently. "My name is Tio Silver of the Tarnished Silver Crown, a title given to me after winning the Darbyton Derby. It's where I got this lovely armour actually." He gestured down to the black leather armour covered with intricate carvings of the Scalvoris mountains that he was wearing. "A fun day that one. I had to run naked through the snow, ride a giant ram and fight a bear. Good times..." He seemed to get lost in the memory of it for a moment, then snapped back to reality. "My strengths are that I've got a sharp tactical mind, am a master of alchemy and unarmed combat, and have a hold host of weird little abilities that might come in handy. My weaknesses are that things have a strange habit of exploding when I interact with them. How about you Winston? What are you strengths and weaknesses?"

After the introductions were finished Tio followed Winston's lead, striding off towards the base of the mountain.

[Devin]

When Winston led them into another room and showed them all the gear on the table, Devin looked at it somewhat incredulously for a moment before he smiled, as if he were quite excited about the adventure that lay had. In truth, he was wondering if he actually wanted to be there. They expected him to climb a mountain? He didn’t know how to climb a mountain, even all the gear in the world wouldn’t change that, and truth to be told, he didn’t want to climb a mountain either! His fancy clothes would probably get ruined!

There was also the promise of fame, rewards and possibly the Baron’s eternal gratitude and such though. He looked at Winston, took the book and examined it. It was rather thick and heavy, he noticed – which mean that he might stand in front of a flower for breaks, trying to identify it, before he finally found the correct page. Why hadn’t they hired any naturalists that were already familiar with the local flora and fauna for the job?

He looked at Winston again, looked at the map, looked at the whistles, and finally remarked, in a very polite and reasonable tone, as if he weren’t annoyed at all, “Pardon me, sir. But it seems as if you expect things to get dangerous. Shouldn’t someone who is skilled in medicine stay behind at basecamp, in case some of the adventurers get injured and need treatment then? I'm willing to volunteer. I’m Doctor Thorn”, the Mortalborn added, figuring that he probably ought to introduce himself.

“Which means that I know how to heal people”, he explained in a friendly, humble tone as if he were a Good Samaritan that was quite willing to do without all the fun and excitement in order to help people – and not a coward that was worried about ruining his clothes and being eaten by monsters. Having said that, he took a first aid kit. He might need one, even if he stayed behind. He might run out of medical supplies very quickly!

“I introduced Northern Medicine to Desnind, I cured all kinds of ailments, and I even treated someone that had been bitten by a couple of Kudi’Eltu at the same time once!” he informed him, hoping that sharing that little tale would help convince Winston that he’d be more useful elsewhere.

A doctor that treated injured adventurers would probably receive fame, rewards and the Baron’s eternal gratitude as well …

“As for my strengths”, he mused and wondered if he should show Winston and the others his Wings of Steel or not. He quite liked showing them off and being admired, but if he showed them that he could grow steel feathers on his arms, they might decide to make him do dangerous things after all. So, he opted for something else somewhat reluctantly instead – something that was less impressive, but not entirely unimpressive either – and useful on top of it. “I can enchant mirrors! I just need two mirrors! You take a mirror, I take a mirror, we agree on a codeword, and then we’ll be able to see each other. So, you could tell me if somebody’s injured, and I could prepare everything I need to treat them while you bring them here. When you arrive, everything will be ready for them!”

He really didn’t want to climb a mountain, fall down, break a limb or ruin his nice clothes, but he was too desperate for money and fame and other rewards to just leave again. If his being able to heal people and enchant mirrors wouldn’t convince Winston to let him stay behind, preferably at the Baron’s luxurious manor where he would be able to seduce the heirs that the Baron hopefully had at the same time that he waited for injured adventurers rather than in some sort of tent at the base of the mountain, then he didn’t know what would!

“I’m not sure what my weaknesses are”, he admitted. He didn’t really have any. Winston expected him to talk about them though, so he eventually claimed, “I’m a healer though and not a warrior. I mostly carry a sword so that people think I can fight.” He tried to make it sound as if he weren’t looking for an excuse to stay behind, but was just being realistic – and helpful on top of it. Nobody could dislike him for being realistic and offering to help people and save lives rather than climbing a mountain, right?

OOC

Devin will stay behind at basecamp in order to treat injured adventurers rather than going to the mountain.

He took a first aid kit though, just in case. He is also wearing a Ring of Reversal.

He probably used Persuasion (currently Expert), Acting (currently Expert) and Deception (GM) in this post. He also has the Medicine skill (currently Expert).

The mirror thing he talked about is the Tarouz ability “Mirror, Mirror”.

[Eliza Soule]

Winston, Eliza thought as she followed along behind the rest of the volunteers and their guide, would make a very good subject for a portrait. The man who appeared to own the house might make an even better one, if based only on his name as opposed to his taste in furnishings. But she wasn't here to paint. Apparently they were here as volunteers to aid in some sort of search and rescue operation.

Already, she was a little bit out of her element. But the daughter of Ymiden had dressed appropriately and come prepared, the best that she was able. Leather armor, short sword, pistol crossbow...hat pin. First aid kit, rations, even her sketchpad and charcoal pencils among other things. She'd left her wolfhound Darwin behind at the inn, but by the same token, she hadn't come alone. A tiny primate not much larger than the palm of her hand was perched upon her shoulder, taking in its surroundings with large, seldom blinking eyes.

An inquisitive and talkative little creature even at the most solemn and serious of times, what sounded like a perfect command of the common language to Eliza's ears, sounded to others like one would expect of primate chatter. "Hey, look!" Eberhardt whispered in her ear when the monkey recognized a familiar face ahead of them. Tio. "Didn't you say you wanted to punch him in the eye for breaking Emea next time you saw him?"

"That was the other one," Eliza whispered back as they all filed in and approached the table. "I'm pretty sure it was him too," Eberhardt insisted. "Shush," Eliza whispered again, just as Winston began to explain just exactly what it was they'd be doing. There was all sorts of equipment that she could help herself to. Some of it, she hardly recognized. But she took a second first aid kit to add to the one she already had, and one of each piece of climbing equipment. She hadn't the foggiest how to even put some of it on, much less how to actually use it.

The book seemed much more useful to someone like Eliza, and she curiously leafed through it while Winston described what they'd be looking for, and what they ought do when they found it. Then she accepted a whistle and blew it, just as instructed. She might just be in over her head, she thought but wasn't inclined to say. At least, Winston made it seem the case. But unlike Devin, she'd probably be of little use if she was to stay behind. So she wouldn't, and would help herself to the camping gear too, all of which should fit nicely inside the domain bag she'd gotten.

As for Tio, his request and that leer he shot her, Eberhardt stared back unblinking and showed her teeth. It could have been a warning display or a primate smile; it was almost impossible to tell. As for Eliza, she rolled her eyes at him as if to say, I know all about you; but she left it at that and even smiled a little before introducing herself to the others. Things exploding, indeed. "My name is Eliza Soule, and this is Eberhardt," she said, referring to the monkey on her shoulder. "She took up with me an arc ago, right here in Scalvoris in fact, and she's much more useful that she looks." It earned her a tug of the hair for her troubles, which she completely ignored. "She's a good friend to have in a pinch if you're lost."

"I have some experience with medicine and healing, though I'm only a novice in comparison with others," she added with a nod Devin's way. In that sense she believed she'd be better placed out there with the others. "If I'm needed in that way, if anyone is injured some distance away but is downwind of me, I can get to them rather quickly." Or rather, as fast as the wind could carry her. As for weaknesses? "Combat is not my strong suit though I do know which is the business end of a sword or bow. A novice of each, I suppose. I'm much better at painting and drawing," she admitted.

However, "I do have a few other skills or rather abilities beyond the usual that could easily prove useful in a pinch." As for what those abilities were exactly, or the reasons why, a girl ought to be able to keep her secrets until it better suited her not to. At least until she got to know the others much better. In either case, when they were ready, she'd go along with the others and follow Winston to where he would lead them.

Eliza took climbing gear, camping gear, the field guide, a whistle and an extra first aid kit

[Shl'Drei]

As WInston lead them into a different room Shl'Drei was going through the information that the Baron had given. His boots suddenly felt heavy, each step bringing him closer to a panicked state. He was made aware of how unprepared he must seem looking around at his group companions. He'd brought two daggers, one strapped to each leg plus his bullwhip was in it's holder on his right hip.

That aside the large wooden table - questionably mahogany - inside the room they were organized in had a large assortment of gear. Something to sleep in might be nice was his first thought. But he simply grabbed a length or rope and moved on. He wasn't sure they wouldn't be provided with camps, packing light and only things seeming vital would help? Possibly, he wasn't sure.

Winston's proposed plan laid out, Shl'Drei took a copy of the large time and skimmed a page. Mainly diagrams and noticable quirks, but with a good understanding of behaviors and tracks as well. Generalized data that could be helpful for the untrained eye. He nodded along with the others and listened to there responses as the group and himself collected a whistle.

Shl'Drei tried his best to review the information mentally - whistles were for alerting the group of important sightings. The time between each whistle and the length determined the urgency. He restated the information as it came to keep it ingrained. After a few others had stepped forward for introductions, Shl'Drei had his nerve back.

"Shl'Drei, rookie animal trainer. New to Scalvoris in general actually, I came from Rharne last arc. I wouldn't call myself skilled," he seemed to pause as he considered his words. "I like to think myself good will a animals. I'm not so good with combat, though hopefully I won't need to be."

He glanced around the group as the rest filtered in and made their statements. He then gestured to Winston for his attention. "Will we be given tents or otherwise? Or should we assume to take them with us from here..?"

Once he had his answer he nodded and as the group concluded their questions he followed them out, gesturing for the lounging caracal to follow. Liam stretched languidly but quickly responded to his call as they made it to the base of the mountain. Shl'Drei was sure to try and remember the landmarks if he could retain them. Still, this was no simple task they had, especially given the time they were needed to tote around.

OOC

Currently Shl'Drei has a bullwhip, two daggers, the tome, a whistle, and rope with a caracal at his side.

[Luka Magnus]

“Luka,” said the Melrathi mage in simple introduction. He’d remained quiet up until that point, careful to pay attention to Winston and all the instructions involved, as well as gather the items he’d be taking. However, even as he introduced himself, he blatantly stared at Tio Silver of the Tarnished Silver Crown… and he recognized the man from the night at the bookshop. Yet the man acted so cavalier, could it truly be him?

He almost forgot to say anything else but his first name, so confused and distracted by Tio's presence. Until the recollection that he was also supposed to share his skills with the group he’d be working with.

So, Luka raised his right hand – or more accurately, where his hand should have been. It had gone almost unnoticeable until this point, for he’d gotten quite good at hiding it as if he were holding it in a pocket or sleeve or likewise. The wrist was wrapped with the same sort of leather glove that was on his left forearm and hand. He told the story in an absent-minded tone of voice, “Can’t climb, at any decent rate. My hand got severed in Zi'da of last arc, when I was trying to save a woman at a bookshop… She'd been cursed... but I failed. She died.”

He continued to stare at Tio.

Maybe it wasn’t him. Just someone who looked like that man.

Luka finally managed to break his attention away. He mentioned, this time in a clear and neutral voice as if he hadn't told the most boring rendition of a grim story. “I come from the land of Melrath. I am an Acolyte mage of the Syns. I know the basics of attunement and abrogation. If you allow me to attune to your frequencies, it will be easier to find anyone if you get lost or similar during the mission.”

He walked over and took a pocket mirror out from a satchel on his belt. Luka retrieved a similar mirror, then he handed it over to Doctor Thorn. The mage said, “Doctor, it won’t hurt to have multiple points of connection in the case of anything. The codeword for these two can be… Vynmur.”

“I notice things alright,” he mentioned in additional information for the group. “See things, hear things… remember things…” his attention slowly returned to stare at Tio when he recalled the man's recent attempt to cozy up to the only woman of the group.

Luka finished adjusting the items in places where they would settle, and he could manage the weight of them. He walked along with the group as they headed to the mountain, and immediately diverted his direction so that he was beside Eliza… and to block space between her and Tio.

The Melrathi man nodded to her in polite greeting, and quietly said, “Eliza, you said? Be careful around that one…” he flitted his blue-eyed gaze toward Tio and gave her a warning look. “You let me know if you need me to get rid of him for you.”

OOC

Luka has two whistles (yeah, he grabbed two), the field guidebook, as much rope as could fit on his rucksack, camping gear, climbing gear, first aid kit. He also has his House Magnus and House Gofrith amulets on necklaces, hidden under his clothes. He is wearing cloth and leather layers (breeches, tunic, undergarments, vest, boots, gloves, scarf), has a toiletry set on his belt, the pocket mirror linked to Devin (codeword: Vynmur), three-day rations, and his right hand is holstered.

[Pegasus]

120th Ashan, 720

The first thing that to do was to get into pairs. Winston paired them up as follows:

Red Team	Blue Team
Luka & Eliza	Shl'dre & Tio

They wouldn't be able to cover a lot of ground, but Winston hoped it was enough. Then, he addressed their questions, such as they were. "I was in the military, yes," he said, quietly. "I served the Eternal Empire for many Arcs. Then, I met Baron von Smooglenuff, and now I serve him." Winston looked at Tio and nodded his head. It was a fair question. "I am too serious and often unable to find humour in things which other people perceive as funny. If people make jokes around me, I take them seriously. This damages communication. I have skills of survival, weaponry, and tactics, and I have led teams of soldiers in some of the most inhospitable places on Idalos. I can kill without pause and will do so in an instant, should it be needed to protect my team-mates." It might be particularly noticeable that Winston did not describe which were flaws, and which strengths, he simply stated them and left the judgement to the group.

When Devin spoke up, Winston nodded. "Your skills are better at Basecamp." That was all he said, he seemed to be a man of few words, but that was it. He clapped Devin on the shoulder, and that was that. When Devin mentioned the mirror though, he nodded. "That is useful. Tell the Baron when you return. The codeword will be Eliot." He had a mirror in his bag - it was on a bendable stick-thing, useful for seeing around corners. Eliza had no questions, so Winston turned to Shl'dre. "We have tents. Here." He handed each pair a tent in a very light bag. One tent, two people. Cosy.

And then, they split up.

The Red Team went to the left - they needed to clamber over rocks which were slippery because of the shallow river at the base of the mountain. They could do so relatively easily - but there was a very real dangerLuka's dancing skill of 5 is the only one I can see either of you have which will mitigate this of them stumbling about. However, exploration of this area would reveal the following.

!	Message from: Both of yous
	It's warm here. Too warm for the time of year / ambient heat. It's like a degree, two at the most - and it's the rock. The rock is warm.

!	Message from: Luka
	You find a trace - a very small one, of something that appears to be (although you can't be sure) blood. It's dried and old (how old is hard to tell) - but when you touch it (either yourself or with something) it turns back into liquid. Warm liquid....

!	Message from: Eliza
	Eberhardt sniffs the air and tells you most clearly - there is a "bad" smell. The little creature can't tell you what that is, just that it's bad. It's not big, it's hard to explain - it feels like just a taste of it - but it's there. It's there and its scary and Eberhardt doesn't like it. But is brave..... for now

The Blue Teamwent to the right - they also needed to clamber over rocks which were slippery because of the shallow river at the base of the mountain. They could do so relatively easily - but there was a possibilityTio's acrobatics of 35 makes it unlikely for him unless he's messing around. Shl'drei, however, is highly likely of them stumbling about. For them, though, they THEN had to make their way across the slippery river-bed. It was shallow enough that they only needed to get wet up to mid-calf, but still. This was a fast-flowing river which made balance very tricky. Their exploration of this area would reveal the following.

!	Message from: Both of yous
	It's warm here. Too warm for the time of year / ambient heat. It's like a degree, two at the most - and it's the rock. The rock is warm - as is the water.

!	Message from: Tio
	There are bones in the river-bed. Quite a few. Not hundreds - but some. Investigation will lead you to realise that they are not just fish-bones - but some of larger animals, too - depending on how much time you give it - you could explore this further.

!	Message from: Shl'drei
	There's something off about the wildlife. The sounds of it are wrong. Crickets chirp in daylight, a bat flies overhead in bright light - it's like .... there's something wrong. Not right. Weird.

General Info

!

Message from: Peg

Current Group StatusGood Basecamp is OPEN to you. This means you may leave this thread and return to basecamp if you choose. For this round you must react to what you have discovered. You have the following options. Continue onward. Explore ONE discovery in detail (please describe) Explore BOTH discoveries in a more surface manner (please describe) You may only pick ONE of those options. If you wish your team mate / group mates to know what you have found - you must tell them IC. This includes Winston.

Rules

!

Message from: Rules

One post maximum here.  !  Message from: Next Post Round Please post on or before Monday 10th February 2020 Play to your skill level. It helps me if, when you use a skill you maybe put an OOC note or such at the bottom to tell me what your skill is. I'll check your CS, no worries, it just takes me longer.  !  Message from: Skill Note I have your Swimming skills noted as: Tio: 35/250 = Competent Eliza: 0 / 250 = Blub, blub. Shl'dre: 0/250 = Glub, glub. Luka: 0/250 = Flub, flub..... Please let me know if that's wrong. Do not control any NPCs. They are mine.

Mod Style

I will, as usual, post secret objectives, post objectives, secret achievements etc. I've said it before, I'll say it again - this style of moderation was taught to me by one of the most talented storytellers I've ever met. His name was Crimson / Straylor, and I miss writing with him, very much. My thanks go to him.

The NPCs did it, not me.

No matter what level of risk / reward thread you're in - if you do something along the lines of walking up to an Immortal and yelling at them - you're going to get dead. The risk / reward is assuming a basic level of not-stupid from your pc. Please be aware, I'll adjust as needed.

The point of this is to have fun. Lets do that, shall we?

Status

Name	Status	Notes
Tio	Amber	Luka seems unsure of this man - and Winston has noticed that.
Luka	Amber +	Luka seems unsure of Tio - is this justified or is Luka a trouble maker? Yet, he was gallant to Eliza - Winston approves
Eliza	Green	Currently on positive terms with all NPCs in this location
Shl'drei	Green	Currently on positive terms with all NPCs in this location

Obectives

!	Message from: Last Round's Objectives
	All Players Met This Objective: Speak out and introduce yourself to the group. : All Players Except Devin Objective: Get to the base of the mountain. Tio & Luka Met Objective: Include an anecdote or tale (truthful or not) about yourself in your introduction for a consequence!

!	Message from: Current Objectives
	Must Do Objective: Choose one of the options in your next post Must Do Objective: Include an unusual sensory experience - catching a glimpse of something out of the corner of your eye - a sudden smell of something unexpected ( ) that kind of thing. Can-Do Objective: Include a mathematical equation in your dialogue for a consequence! There are currently TWO hidden objectives in this thread.

Threads

There are currently 4 active threads. We maintain the following statistics:

Thread	Status	Notes
Basecamp	Green	Currently an exit point. You may leave the thread at this point. Alyssia and Dev post here
Group A	Green	This thread. NPC Reaction is Neutral (minus) to all
Group B	Green	Link
Group C	Green	Link

Winston

Lived and worked in the Eternal Empire
Loyal to Smooglenuff
Previous Military experience.

[Eliza Soule]

Judging by everything that Winston had to say, Eliza surmised that the man was much, much more than a butler. If he was a butler at all, by anything but passing appearances. He might just be as interesting a subject to paint as his mysterious employer would be. At any rate, if taken by his word, Winston seemed more than capable. In fact, the way he turned a phrase made it feel as if his words were as much a warning as they were a reassurance. She briefly wondered after hearing what all the others had to say, if it wasn't just her that might be in over their heads. But if Winston was being truthful, he probably wasn't one of them.

Nonetheless, one tent, two people once they were paired up. Best that those pairs be on friendly terms then and since Eliza's opinion of Tio was a complicated one, she was happy enough with how she was matched. Though she'd saved her response to Luka's efforts on her behalf, until such a time as they'd split off from the others. The way was a slippery one to say the least, and Eliza made her way carefully while Eberhardt stayed safely perched on her shoulder. "Yes, Eliza Soule," she said in answer to Luka's question, though the last bit was oofed when she nearly ended up in split, one foot sliding one way on a sloped outcropping of rock, and one foot the other before she managed to catch herself.

"It's nice to meet you. And thank you," she said, referring to Luka's warning about Tio. Whether the warning and offer was needed or not, and one never knew with Tio to be honest, it was very good of him to have bothered. "Tio and I have actually met before." Her tone implied that it wasn't exactly a friendship that she and the other had forged, but it wasn't necessarily a rivalry either. She'd still like to punch him for what he'd stupidly done whether he'd meant to or not. But that was by the by. So what could she say to describe her personal take on the matter? "What he said about things exploding when he's around? He wasn't joking," she warned as she slipped and slid on the path again, and not as gracefully as she would have liked.

It seemed warm out in the open. Or at least, warmer than it ought to be considering the time of the arc it was, and how cold it had been just a few bits earlier. At first Eliza noted, but didn't think much more about it until she'd crouched down and planted her hands on the rocks to better navigate a particularly slippery patch. "That's odd, don't you think?" she said. "They're warm. Is it usually like that here?" She wasn't familiar enough with Scalvoris to say what was normal and what wasn't. But from all that she'd heard, there were plenty of strange odds and ends that were just part of the place.

And then Eberhardt interrupted with her usual chatter. "Are you sure?" Eliza said, straightening, frowning, lifting her chin and sniffing the air, as if she was smelling it for the first time. Could she smell what Eberhardt could? Could she taste it? She poked the tip of her tongue out, as if to investigate. Clearly when it came to things like that, naturally enhanced senses of scent and taste due to, well, being a monkey, the tiny primate was better equipped than she.

Turning to Luka, she said, "Eberhardt isn't an ordinary monkey. She understands what others are saying but while you hear her chatter, I hear her differently," she said and smiled. "Partly, I'm telling you this, because if I don't, you'll start thinking I'm that crazy artist woman who's a whim away from chatting up a houseplant. She's not reliably practical. She has her reasons. But sometimes with Eberhardt, two plus two really does equal five."

But it was also because if they were in this together as a pair, Eliza and Luka, then being upfront about Eberhardt was a good place to start building trust. "Also, she smells something in the air. Tastes it. Something bad, she says. Scary. Do you smell it?" she asked, and then turned her attention briefly back to Eberhardt. "Is it all around us? Or is coming from upwind?" At least it Eberhardt could give them an idea of where the smell might be coming from, it might be easier to identify what was actually causing it. Something bad, something scary. Though it was probably just the power of suggestion, Eliza imagined that in fact, maybe, she could smell and taste it herself.

[Tio Silver]

Was he being paranoid, or did it seem like the level of trust in him was at a worryingly low rate right from the get-go? The pretty one, Eliza, rolled her eyes dismissively at his first comment; the man in the posh robes, Luka, just flat out stared at him as if he wanted to stab him; and Winston apparently noticed that the other two were wary of him and decide that that was good enough of a reason to be wary of him as well! Even the monkey hissed at him! He'd barely even done anything yet! This was so unfair!

Or apparently very fair as it turned out, as when Luka introduced himself and revealed the story behind his missing hand it suddenly came rushing back to Tio where he'd seen him before. He'd been the guy throwing magical shields around the place hadn't he? Okay, now the staring made sense. Half of Tio's mind was struck by the urge to look away awkwardly, whilst the distinctly less serious other half couldn't help but start coming up with a list of hand-related puns to throw out if the opportune moment ever arrived. Spirits if this guy ever asked for a hand with something during this expedition he was going to have a field day!

During the journey up the mountain it quickly became apparent that he was something of a third wheel in the group, and was relieved when Winston decided to partner him up with Shl'drei, the only one who didn't seem to want to push him down a steep cliff. Perhaps because he was reluctant to loose the only potential ally he had, when they encountered the slippery rocks Tio decided to actual be moderately helpful. After all he could literally float through the air right over the rocks entirely, and as he did so he offered a hand to Shl to help keep him steady should he want it.

"So you're an animal trainer right? I don't suppose you know any tips or tricks that could help us find these unusual fauna do you? Some secret tracking technique perhaps?" He asked as they reached the river-bed. A faint, unusual prickling sensation ran across his skin, and Tio looked down to see that the hairs on his arms had started standing on edge. What had that been? Perhaps it was just the heat getting to him. He ran a hand over his forehead to wipe the growing beads of sweat off it. "Good lord it's getting warm around here. Who'd have guessed a volcano would be so toasty?"

Something caught his eye through the running water below him, and Tio paused to look down at... were those bones? Yes they were, fish bones from the look of them. His first instinct was to investigate them further, but the logical part of his brain ran through a quick calculation. They'd spent about 10 bits at base camp and roughly another 15 climbing up here, then another 7 or 8 crossing the rocks. That meant just over half a break had passed already in which at a time when this volcano could go off at any moment. Did he really have the time to spend examining bones? What could they possibly tell him that would help the evacuation procedure? Tio opted to ignore them, and instead focused his time on looking for wildlife that was actually still alive.

[Shl'Drei]

Shl’drei slipped the bag over his shoulder after Winston placed it in his hands. Inside it he stored the flora and fauna guide. It wasn’t too big if the bag was any indication. The fact only two people had tents made it clear they’d be sharing tents. Listening to Winston pair them, Shl’drei got the idea that the butler… no, that wasn’t exactly right, was it? Winston had all stated he was an ex-soldier. Whatever the eternal empire was, the trainer felt the need to remember it. Either way Winston didn’t seem fond of his partner.

He wasn’t sure about the exploration part - both groups had gone separate ways with the intention of covering ground quickly. Beside him the caracal seemed agitated if the constant flick of his tail was an indication. Liam was relatively lax, even around other people. Unless provoked or told to attack he showed no interest in anything. So what had his ears flattened and tail flicking?

He scrunched his eyebrows when Tio extended a hand to him, what was he doing? He caught sight of the rocks and finally caught on, hesitantly placing his hand in Tio’s as he tried his best not to stumble too much. His partner seemed to levitate above the rocks so the risk of slipping was non-existent. Shl’drei had no such ability and as such he walked a bit slower and kept his gaze on the rocks to prevent it. Liam managed to make it well enough, the big cats reflexes keeping him safe.

Once they reached the water he glanced back to Liam as he released Tio’s hand. The cat was.. Still not happy. And the water seemed to be making it worse. There were no rocks for Laim to walk over the water on so he would have to bare it, foul mood or not.

“I’m a trainer, yes. I’m no hunter though, the most I can recognize is behavior and the like,” He chuckled - it probably wouldn't be the first time someone tried to make the connection. As if the warmth wasn’t enough, his first step into what he thought would cool him was shocking. He stepped in and paused. Was it strange that the water was warm? It was probably usual for the area. More importantly. “Did you.. hear that?”

And then it sounded again, closer. Taking a few steps ahead, Shl’drei shielded his eyes as he looked above. He might have mistaken it for the wind, but the clear call of an owl sounded as he caught sight of something flying above. “That can’t be right..”

Owls were nocturnal..? Most weren’t active during the day at all. And now that he had the time, he could faintly hear a chirping sound. It was soft, but it was there. Crickets. There were crickets chirping and it was nowhere near trials end.

“Crickets and owls… They shouldn’t be active, it's nowhere near nightfall,” He took a glance back at Liam. Was he being affected by the odd wildlife? The shift would explain his moodiness… “There’s something off about this area. It might be the heat making me see things, if that wasn’t an owl sure. But that doesn’t explain the crickets.”