• Event • The Gathering

[Fate]

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The Gathering

The melrathie mountains were a beautiful, but rigid and unforgiving. Ymir loomed above the other mountains, ominous, clothed in snow much of the year, but still beloved to the people of Melrath who dwelt in the valley he watched over. Ymir’s peak wasn’t alone as other smaller peaks stretched to either side and behind him. For centuries the only a few of the small valleys along the edge of the range could be accessed. That had changed…….


The gathering place was in a spot just outside of an old abandoned mine. A century ago Veldalite had been mined here, and only here. The beautiful gem and completely extracted, but was no longer to be found in this or any other mines. So it was that this mine had been abandoned, but know it was a live again as once again it had provided a possible treasure to Melrath. Beyond the mine was a sheer cliff face. Part way up the cliff face sunlight now spilled through from a whole that had appeared in the wall. A sort of stairs now existed up to the door.

At the base and in the old mine itself a make shift set of buildings. All who had wanted to come and explore what lay beyond shuffled around as various officials trying to control the chaos. For any who arrived early The interior of the mine had been converted into a barracks style place to sleep. Outside where an tent for administration, An old storage cave was once again being used to store the equipment being handed out.

Everyone who signed up, by order of the Circle had to be prepared, and so while if anyone brough there own equipment they would happily let them uses it, but now one would go through with out the supply pack they had been given.

Lykla had been assigned to a group with Sam. In addition two more agents of house Gofrith had been assigned to their group. One was a middle aged man, Opiraz, who had spent much of his life outside and had the wrinkles to prove it. The other was a young man, Dax’dra, who was hoping this would make a name for himself within the family.

Supplies had been handed out, groups organized, stirring speeches had been delivered. Now it was time for action now it was time to choose which path you wanted to take. Jarl Amelie Veldaris herself had condescended to come to this event. So it was that she moved from group to group holding out a helmet, said to have been worn by Veldaris herself, so people could pull numbered slips. This would determine which the order one could choose.

She came up to Lykla and Sam. Her face was pretty, and she smiled friendly enough. Sam she gave an openly curious look, nothing hostile just curious. Lykla she was friendly enough but she clearly was aware of his allegiances.

“Please draw a number. Remember that we have determined seven routes which show promise.” She said holding the helmet. “There are three that are dropping towards the coast. We know one at least goes to a valley, the other two appear to wrap around that valley one to the north. The other four go off into the mountains. One seems to head west, one south west, and one north west. The last appears to be joins some type of animal track.” She waited as they pulled their number (2). “Well think about what I said and decided where you want to go.” Then she moved one.

OOC

In your post please make sure you express, even mental what goal you are hoping to achieve. Introduce yourself, explain to me anything YOU brought on this expedition, and make a decision which path you want to go. You may play Opiraz as wanting to challenge the high mountains (he thinks that would be the South west route.) Dax’dra wants to see the valley. You may PM each other about your decisions. Please have post up by March 9th.

[Sam Rasvima]

Idle bliss scrawled itself across Sam's face as his wonderous smile stretched itself with newfound freedom. He could not contain his excitement at the new sights that this foreign land brought to his eyes. Deep valleys carrying a mottled green. Dense forests that seemed to stretch for miles. Mountains which reached for the to the sky like old and greedy giants, capped with glistening snow.

Snow! Actual snow!

A childlike chuckle sprang from Sam as he beheld those whitecapped mountains. At first he had thought they had been touched with ash, as they had been in Sirothelle. But when he saw that there was no smoke or spilling smog bubbling out from the peaks, his delight was plain to see. A jitter of excitement shot up his spine, even as his eyes fell on the rather makeshift status of the expedition's barracks. Hastily constructed tents set themselves as the staging ground for this new exploration; which spoke to a speed and urgency of need that set the aukari's teeth on edge.

Though to be fair, Sam didn't quite know what to expect as he arrived at the previously-abandoned mine. He was not an adventurer in the traditional sense, unused to hard travel or even spurts of high danger. He was a preacher by trade, albeit to which particular Immortal was a matter of debate at the current moment. His area of expertise was the pulpit, and his weapons of choice were steady words and quiet charm. Beyond that, he was an immigrant. A stranger to Melrath in every sense of the word. He didn't even speak the language, not fluently at least. Amidst the hard and hardy folk who readied themselves for a trip into the unknown, Sam stuck out like a fire in the underbrush.

Yet, as he checked in at the site's administrations, Sam took his provided pack of gear like the rest of the adventurers surrounding him. He may not have been built for this particular foray, but he felt called to it all the same. His people were knew to the country, and like or not, each individual aukari would add to the collective narrative being told about them. Showing up here, showing an investment in what their new home deemed important, Sam was trying to tell the story of what his people could bring to Melrath through his actions. He was hoping to make a good impression with his neighbors with whatever meager assistance he could provide. If he happened to catch the eye of any people of note while he did so, then that would only aide his purpose.

Sam quietly took stock of the items within his provided pack. He himself had only arrived with a staff for hiking and an admittedly

excellent quality ranging outfit he had purchased for the occasion

. The quality of the thread was superb, sturdy cloth that was embroidered with beautiful flowing designs. Reds and blacks and blue cut across Sam's form, the edges of the outfit tipped with furs to keep him warm should the environment change suddenly. Of course, the aukari ran hot naturally, but he wasn't used to how deeply chilling Melrath's weather could shift to. While Sam was in no-way the caliber of adventurer that many on this expedition were, he at least looked the part.

After taking stock of his state-provided belongings, Sam was quickly sorted into a new group of strangers. An old man named Opriaz, a young man named Dax'dra, and another youth named Lykla. Apparently they were all a part of the same family? They did not particularly look related, but Sam also wasn't quite sure why they all wore the same colors and symbols. Sirothelle had no concept of nobility, and as such Sam's grasp on the social constructs of the Gofrith's before him was loose at best.

"Greeting," Sam managed through mangled Common, accent thick and evident in his speech. "Name is Sam. Nice meet."

He winced at his own introduction, regretting that he had still not yet even become conversational at the shared language. A touch of blush reached his cheeks, but he smiled through it; not wanting his own embarrassment to bleed through on his new companions.

After their group had made themselves known to each other, it was not long before Jarl Amelie Veldaris approached with helmet in hand. She had a sharp beauty to her, like a keen knife caught at a moment of rest, and a magnetism of respect that even a foreigner like Sam could notice. She was blonde, which was relevant only in so far that Sam had a particular weakness to blondes who commanded attention. She smiled at him with curious eyes, which Sam returned in equal part. He met her gaze, and then bowed his head in recognition of her clear status.

"Glad help new home," he offered, forcing the words to take shape on his lips with a steady and slow pace. Sam nodded along as Amelie explained the paths ahead, catching maybe every third word but understanding the gist of the decisions that lay ahead of him. It seemed to Sam that there were three known destinations. The coast, the valley, or the mountain. He saw the younger man next to him, Dax'da, chirp excitedly to his fellows at the mention of the valley. Sam's eyes trailed up to the mountains, and while the sight of snow still filled him with delight, the preacher did not know if his body could keep up with what his soul yearned for.

But then he looked to the Jarl, and wondered what decision would most impress this leader? A safe one, or one that beget glory?

His eyes drifted around to the adventures which littered the grounds of the expedition. They would choose glory, most likely. But glory did not mean success. It was in fact often the enemy of that vaunted goal.

Sam reached in and picked the number denoting the path to the valley. "Have good trip," Sam offered warmly as the Jarl began to move to the other groups. It was one part politeness, and another part a prayer for their own success.

[Lykla Gofrith]

Lykla had heard through his mentor Kiljan Bindle, that there would be an expedition to venture beyond the pass that had opened up beyond the mines beneath Ymir. For the relatively sheltered noble, even for a Gofrith, Lykla had jumped at the chance to put his knowledge and skill at navigation to the test in this promising adventure. He enjoyed the crisp mountain air as he exited the barracks in the mine, and found his way to his assigned group, which included a pair of Gofrith retainers. He wasn’t sure how to feel about their inclusion. Whether his parents had arranged for them to attend the outing, or if the Jarl had. On the one hand, he could be assured that they would protect him with their lives. On the other, they may well have been spying for the benefit of their masters in the House.

Or perhaps they were merely low-ranking retainers, looking to make a name for themselves. Opiraz struck Lykla as the most likely spy, being a bit older and seasoned. Not seeming the sort that would be finding his fame this late in life. But then, there was more to be earned than fame. There was rumored to be fortunes yet untold in the frontiers of Melrath.

It was that which had brought Lykla here, above all, afterall. He loved the idea of seeking treasure and forgotten things in the wider world.

As he arrived at the base camp, and received his number and assignment, he found that he was paired not only with two Gofrith retainers, but also a strange aukari man. Lykla tilted his head curiously at the fire-haired man. He was clearly an Outlander, judging by the absence of a Embla. This didn’t discourage Lykla however, as it might’ve others. While Melrath had contentious views toward Outlanders, mixed at best, House Gofrith was an outward facing house that often dealt with foreigners as a matter of business. The overall culture of the house instilled this cosmopolitan view upon their members.

Some were more naive than others, and though Lykla knew the people of SIrothelle were rumored to be treacherous, he was interested in seeing how useful they could be. The connection with Sirothellites might be something that Lykla himself could leverage.

“Hello, Sam. My name is Lykla.” He said to the aukari priest. “It’s good to meet you.”

Before he could properly introduce himself to the expedition members, Amelie Veldaris herself approached them. She was undoubtedly beautiful, although she had ten years on Lykla, he could see what the fuss was about. She radiated a calm warmth that engendered trust. There were rumors that his uncle the Jarl had been involved with her even, before he and Jarl Crovan married. Lykla would be on guard with the Jarl Veldaris, as it was also said she had designs on his house.

Whether he believed it or not, he knew well enough to be cautious In the presence of a Jarl, or at the very least distantly respectful.

He bowed his head, not meeting her eyes for more than a few seconds as she gave them their assignemnt. “Thank you for this opportunity, Jarl Veldaris.”

The aukari echoed the well-wishes, stating his eagerness to help his ‘new home’.

That said, Amelie swiftly moved onto the next group, leaving this one to confer about where theyw anted to go.

Lykla took stock of their belongings. Lykla was wearing a hardened leatherh scale hauberk with metal rivets fastened beneath the scales. The lower limbs were protected by a skirt of the same material, with pauldrons and gauntlets of the same hardened leather, articulated for the movement of joints. Lykla wore a square wooden and leather targe on his back, which was around two feet by two feet. Fastened to the target, a trio of throwing hatchets.

Otherwise, he carried a long stick that would serve as a heavy club in the case of any trouble they ran into. That, plus the provisions given by the expedition leaders, as well as map-making materials, and mountaineering gear, he felt very ready for whatever lay ahead.

He followed along beside Sam, as they ventured into the valley. It seemed a good choice, and one that was less likely to follow with disaster. Especially as the mountain passes would prove treacherous for Jolly, his merquestrian.

Lykla fitted his provisions on the back of his Merquestrian, as he proceeded on foot, leading his mount behind them all as they proceeded forward. As they did so, Lykla thought to make small talk with the aukari, since he was the newcomer to Melrath, seeminglly. He was intrigued by the aukari’s strange accent and garb. “So, where do you come from, my friend? I am from the coast, from Raelia. I grew up near the ocean.” Lykla offered a little about himself.

“How long have you been in Melrath?”

[Fate]

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The Gathering

Everyone got there numbers and everyone choose their destination. The Gofrith group selected to drop down towards the valley. There were several dark looks from other groups as they made the chose to go to the valley. Specifically from the groups specifically from the other noble houses which the acceptance of house Veldaris itself. Once all of the groups had received their lot and gotten their assignments they were allowed to pass through the new tunnel. As the came through the could seem the scares from the earth quake that had opened this pass. The could also see that others had taken precautions and shored up the again any further earth movements.

As they checked their suppled bags they would find climbing gear, tarps, blankets, food stuffs, basic medical stuff, a knife and other odds and ends. The air was filled with an interesting mixture of sounds and various voices could be heard speaking as the groups parted way. The natural echoes of the various canyons they carried the sound and stripped it of the words and just carried the sounds. Opiraz looked back up the canyons with disgust on his face at all the noise coming out of there. Dax’dra followed along behind looking eagerly around to see where it was that they were heading.

As the group chatted they moved towards a valley that could be detected through the passes. It would take a few breaks before the path that they were taking suddenly ended. The path they had been following clearly was used by water to funnel through the mountains, at this point the water appeared to take a leap of faith off a small cliff towards a pile of rocks spread below. The cliff face wasn’t very shear but did drop 30 ft before coming to come boulders below. Off to the left there appeared to be some type of game trail about 40 ft off , but there was thick underbrush, but to that side the mountain hadn’t slipped so it slanted down at a angle. To the right there stretched a path along the edge of the cliff face. For humans it was wide enough for them to go one at time, but there is a lot of loss dirt and rocks spread across the path as well as bushes clinging to the edges.

Below them was the valley. It wasn’t anything hug, but a community would easily be built and sustain life’s basics needs. It had no real shape, one could say circler but there was body of water on the opposite side, and was dotted with clusters of trees of various kinds. In some of the open areas there appeared to be open areas doted with a tone of wild flowers. The plant life wasn’t contained to just the flower of the valley but stretched up the sides a distances blocking to see wany good paths down into the valley.

OOC

Please talk, and decide together I will mod note once you have chosen which way you want to go, but reply as the conversation needs until you make that choice. Please include any questions you have in a spoiler before then and I will mod note to it.

[Sam Rasvima]

Sam smiled at Lykla earnestly as the other man introduced himself. He seemed the adventuring sort dressed his sturdy armor, much more akin to this endeavor than Sam was, and he was glad to have his company. It was also good to see that some of the Melrathi were accepting, if a little curious, about his presence. Took a tick to get used to the younger man's friendly demeanor, however. As much as Sam endeavored to find friends despite his kin's fearsome reputation, the actual process of meeting those he did not share flame with was still something he was getting used to.

Thankfully, their introductions were interrupted as the camp began to set out. It gave the aukari a moment to settle his nerves, disguised as busy work. Sam took quick stock of his pack, partially because he was curious and partially because it seemed the thing that their group was supposed to be doing. The rest of the Gofrith's, as he learned his group was to be called, seemed intent on casting their lots into the valley journey as well.

Sam's eyes grew wide at the sight of Lykla's merquestion. A beast of fin and hoof, of glittering scale and a fan-like mane; the priest had never seen it's like or kind before. His hand raised instinctually to touch the creature, before sheepishly snapping back to his side. The whole expedition already appeared to be overwhelming, and it had yet to truly begin.

Lykla's small talk did help ease Sam's anxiety. He wasn't sure if the young man noticed that he was a bit out of his depth, but regardless of his intention the aukari was grateful for it. "Sirothelle," he answered simply, his tone light despite his limited vocabulary. "City of stone and ash. Next to

rvü eav ädà stäêï."

He paused, biting his lip. Sam realized he didn't have the words in Common to describe his home, nor the monument which made it the most notable. Shrugging, he made his hands into a triangle shape, and then split the top of them apart with a pop from his lips. He then threw his hands upward, with a woosh. It was a silly display, but one that the aukari hoped imparted what the smoking mountain was that made Sirothelle unique.

His eyes darted back up to the strange creature carrying Lykla's load. "That coastborn too, yes? Raeliaborn?" He gestured between Lykla and his mount with an open palm, curious to know where such a creature lived. "Ocean, traveled twice. Pretty. Horror, but pretty."

As they pressed forward with their group, Sam pressed closer to Lykla to hear the man's question over the echoing voices which now surrounded them. His eyes traveled up with Opiraz, searching for the source of the sudden cacophony. Distracted, it took Sam a tick to realize he hadn't answered Lykla's question at all. Holding an ear closed so he could better focused, the aukari turned back to the youth.

"Apologies. Melrath-arrived seven trials since," Sam managed, Common cutting through his mouth like a river through sharp, angular stone. The language still had an uneven flow, looping back on itself as Sam desperately tried to impart meaning through tools he was not proficient in. "You? Melrath-arrived how long since?

Apparently the question was humorous Dax’dra, who stifled a chuckle under Opiraz's withering glare. Sam wasn't sure how the question was funny, but Sam also didn't grasp much of Melrathi culture or politics or geography. Perhaps something was lost in translation, or perhaps he had committed a breach of etiquette without realizing, or perhaps his accent was just funny to the youngest of their group. He tried to not let the laughter linger in his mind as their group pressed ever-onward.

Breaks would pass as the four of them traded what Sam hoped were pleasantries. In truth he could only hold onto a general grasp of where the conversation wandered to, and only contributed to it when a question was directed at him. He did not wish to seem rude to his new compatriots, but also doubted his own ability to keep pace without the aid of a translator. As the conversation grew long, so did their travels through what now appeared as an empty river channel. Absent water, it made a fair path down the mountain until it reached its end. Before their group stood a steep drop; not impossible to traverse but certainly a task of great difficulty for Sam.

He look towards their alternatives, a narrow trek through the mountains or an arduous crawl through a trail thick with underbrush. For the prize that awaited them below, which even from this distance Sam could tell would be a valley perfect for building community, either risk would be worth it. However, the advantage that the their group had was Lykla's mount. If they dropped down into the valley from the dry-river mouth or traversed the mountain, they may need to leave the creature behind.

Sam looked to Lykla, who seemed to command some measure of authority over the other two Gofriths. "What you think? Best keep mount and trail-follow, yes?"

[Lykla Gofrith]

Sam described his home as a city of stone and ash, next to rvü eav ädà stäêi. The words could've been Ancient for all Lykla could tell, but then Sam did a decent enough job pantomiming what he meant by it. Lykla hazarded a guess, "A smoky mountain? With fire in it?" Lykla's brows lifted, "That must be a sight. Our mountains only shake and shiver from time to time, as these have this past season..."

Lykla gestured toward the mountain, and shook his head. He didn't think they should go that way, or at the very least it would prove impractical as they'd have to leave half their baggage behind with Jolly. When Same asked about the Merquestrian, Lykla was happy to explain, "It's a Merquestrian. It can swim quite well, but walks overland just about as well. His name is Jolly." Lykla smiled. "He eats seaweed and sometimes krill, shrimp and sea bugs?" Lykla hoped he was making some sense to his new acquaintance.

But as they pressed forward their conversation continued. Sam admitted he'd only arrived in Melrath seven trials ago. The Gofrith nobleman nodded, "So you came with that group from Sirothelle. What do you think of Melrath so far, then? Are your people adjusting well to the changes?"

Then a question was asked of the nobleman, of how long he'd been in Melrath. Lykla rolled his eyes at Dax'dra, who stifled a chuckle. He didn't think it was an unreasonable question, given Sam's newness to the land. "I'm a Gofrith. I was born in Melrath, to the noble House of Gofrith. These people with us, the Gofrith's are my Uncle's bannermen."

Lykla nodded to acknowledge them in turn. He supposed it was futile to hide his status from anyone, since most in Melrath knew of his affiliation. There was no sense in keeping Sam in the dark, given that. Then again, his father may have had other thoughts about his openness with an Outlander.

"I think we take the trail... There may be artifacts there that were uncovered by the unsettled earth." Lykla said. And thus went on to explore that way.

As he did so, he decided to keep the conversation going with Sam. "So tell me what you can of yourself? You look different than most aukari I've seen so far. Are you an important person where you come from?" Lykla hoped he wasn't asking a foolish question, but then this aukari looked like a more scholarly type, and those tended to belong to higher classes. His hands were not hands that had done hard work, from the look of things.

Off Topic

Sorry for the wait!