A tale once was told
Of a Solarian Stone.
Carefully crafted
from the Sun God's mould,

When the Sun God ascended,
He left it behind.
It lies now among us,
For the lucky to find!

Tread carefully friend,
If you deign to search forth,
Scholars may say,
The key lies to the north,

But in the devil's spine,
Lies the ash and bone -
Of the brave and foolish,
who so selfishly desired that stone...

---

... and she doesn't remember the rest of that verse; but she does remember the woman from the Dancer's Den. She remembers the obsidian silks that she wore; and the ebony skirt that swayed as she danced to the beat of her own tune. She was enchanting; she was elegant in her words; but it wasn't the woman, or the story, which had charmed her into this venture to the Devil's Ridge.

It was the feeling she received afterwards; the feeling of being pulled by something beyond her; when she left the Den.

As much as a part of her begrudges her so-called mentor, she does remain ever-faithful and ever-alert to the whispers of Avasha, as he had said. The goddess still feels so quiet in this new land— and perhaps Leni-Aura takes it a little too close to the heart sometimes— in which the smallest gust might dictate her next course of action.

She feels a little less alone that way, though. She feels as though she is given purpose in the times of uncertainty; like there is somewhere to look to aside from the torrent that is her thoughts, grievances, and troubles.

It works for her.

But this venture into the Devil's Ridge is... risky. She left her caravan behind in Darkveil with only a note. It is well known by the people of Darkveil as a place where criminals gather, and is certain to bring numerous challenges. The dense mountains are shrouded in smoke and ash, blocking the sun; sparks rain from the sky; and the heat is unbearable. Avasha is not here— the wind is stale and quiet— and so in this moment, Leni-Aura feels uncertain about her decision.

How could the beloved Solaria of this land leave something so important in a place like this?

She doesn't understand, nor is she familiar with the deity; but she is not following his will.

The Rabbitaur moves on, murmuring the poem as she goes; reminding herself of the presumed location of the ruins in the north, which the Solarian Stone is supposed to reside. There is a tiny weight pressing on her back; the form of a small reptilian creature curled up in her fur; sound asleep, despite the ash and soot. She looks over her shoulder at it; hazel eyes giving way to a small fondness for the little beast; before she turns back.

She will remain on her course, hopefully undisturbed, until she reaches her desired location; but not all things always go to plan. After all, although the Devil's Ridge is well known as a dangerous location— not all of those beings traveling upon it are necessarily criminals...

Beist sat on the bench at the front of his wagon behind the large griffon that pulled it. He felt guilty and foolish. He had been so excited to be free of his mistake, but he had only ended up making it worse. And his newly increased size and weight was also causing him to be more of a burden to the griffon he cared for now. Perhaps he should get off and walk along the side of the wagon from now on? No, he was not as fast as the griffon, even with the weight of him and the wagon. He would only prove to be a burden in a new way, slowing them down in their travels.

He let out a sigh, causing the griffon to glance at him over her shoulder. "I'm sorry Dora. I must be quite heavy now." he said sadly to her, his ears drooping and his head hung low. The griffon gave a short screech and faced forward again. He couldn't speak to her, but he could feel it in his heart that the beast was trying to reassure him. He wondered if he might just be projecting, but it was still comforting just to have her present. Even if she had actual just called him a fool or something along those lines.

As the two carried on along the road, they saw a small figure in the distance. Someone riding a small beast on the road? As they drew closer, Dora suddenly recognized the figure and let out a happy screech, picking up speed slightly to go greet her.

Javal Zarrias is currently in Devil's Ridge after helping some merchants transport their goods safely which Javal found a pretty easy task they made it to Darkveil City safely. Then for the next couple of days Javal spent his time in the Dancer's Den and tavern's in the city to make new friends. He made a couple of new friends saw some cool dances and joined in dancing his heart out with the dancers all and all Javal had a good time but it is time for his adventurers to continue. He hoped on his steed of flames Asleipmir and bid his dancer friends and tavern friends goodbye and was on his way out of the city. He now was riding around in devil's ridge looking for someone to help out to make a new friend. Soon he say two figures in the distance he recognized one furry fellow and told Asleipmir to hurry and soon the arrived in front of the two induvials. Before him stood two people, Beist a truly kind fellow that helped him take down the owlbear, and another person that Javal didn't know a rabbit centaur induvial. Javal gets off of Asleipmir says, "Hello Beist how have you been, my friend", after Beist responds Javal then turns to the new induvial and bows "Hello my name is Javal Zarrias I'm tiefling from thorock. Don't be mistaken I am no ordinary blue strong muscular tiefling. I was once apart of the black dragon pirate crew a couple years back". I am in search of someone to help is either of you in need of help. 

Unexpectedly, as Leni-Aura tangles with her thoughts, a bird's screech fills the air; she jumps to attention, one hand moving to her spear. She spins around to face the sound, but... almost immediately drops her hostile, defensive stance. She gasps, forgetting where she is for just a moment, as she cries back in a nostalgic delight, "Dora!"

She could recognize that big, fluffy bird anywhere!

She feels the tiny claws of a scampering creature as she waits for the wagon to approach. A small reptilian pops its long neck out from over her shoulder, blinking its ice blue eyes sleepily before squinting them and squeaking out a teeny yawn. She looks at it from over her shoulder fondly, scratching it beneath the chin with her index finger; it makes an odd and rapid clicking sound that resembles a purr as it rests its small head over the leather of her pauldrons.

She looks back to Dora, her smile big as the bird approaches her. She stands off to the side to give them room on the road, but is surprisingly pleased to see them. "Hello, Dora! Hello, Beist!" she greets, reaching out a hand to let Dora acclimate to her, before she tries to give her a friendly pat of greeting. "It's been forever since I last saw either of you! I wouldn't have expected to see you in a place like this."

Does Beist... look different? Is he bigger? Did he change his clothes?

It has been a few months since she last saw him; she almost cannot tell if it's a trick of the eye, but something is most certainly different about him... he's definitely bigger, isn't he? Taller? "How have you been? What are you doing out here?" she offers him a smile; and her words are accentuated by the tiny squawk of the little beast on her shoulder. It seems to be wide awake now; big, curious eyes focused on Dora as it twists its head about quizzically to her. "Ah... this—"

Another voice rings out, however, before she can introduce the little thing; Leni-Aura failed to notice the presence of another individual; and it makes her jump. She turns sharply in her surprise to see a Tiefling, a blue-toned one, who hops off of a flaming steed. She hesitates, but the man regards Beist by name; which only gives her a slight comfort that he is not a danger. She still does not know him. The drake on her shoulder tucks down and hides in her hair— even though its tail is visibly drooped over her shoulder— and its snout pokes over the opposite side, curious despite its hesitance.

"Javal...? This is a friend?" she asks, looking quizzically towards Beist, before looking back to the stranger. "I... am Leni-Aura." she greets the new stranger hesitantly, "This is Nimbus."

The drake tangled around her neck props its chin against her leather pauldrons. The little guy lives up to its name for the most part, though— what can be seen of it, anyways. The little creature is a stormy grey; the colour changing slightly depending on the light, creating lighter opalescent illusions to the eye. The scales of its underbelly and beneath its jaw are a soft silver-white; its horns the same; and its eyes a clear, ice blue.

In a strange way, it almost vaguely resembles a Nimbus Lily.

"It is nice to meet you." she nods to Javal hesitantly.

Beist descended from the driver's seat of the wagon and walked up to Leni-Aura and Javal with a smile.

"It has been a while, hasn't it? It's wonderful to see you both. Yes, this is Javal. We met in Moonveil some time ago when he required some assistance with a bit of an owlbear problem." he said to them, a hand gesturing toward Javal.

He put a hand on Dora's back, petting her as he spoke to the two, his other hand holding his walking stick. The walking stick now was topped with a decorative handle to extend it to an appropriate length for his new height. He gave a nervous chuckle, wondering if the two might be concerned with his changes in appearance. Perhaps he should just mention himself before one of them brought it up first? It might make explaining a bit easier.

"Ah, you may have noticed my.... changes in appearance. Yes, there's nothing to be alarmed by. I've just had a bit of an unexpected reaction to a potion of mine. I've just gotten a little taller and... uh... less hairy." he said, his tail swaying to his side to show it was no longer covered in fur, but was instead covered in green scales except for the tuft of fur at the tip. "Among other changes..." he said as a second pair of arms revealed themself from under his cloak, pressing their fingertips together in front of him.

"If you'd like, you could attach your steed to my wagon and we could ride together. Where would you happen to be heading?" he said, patting Dora on the back as she glared at him. He would never offer to let the other two on normally, but with the nightmare's assistance, the weight might even be lessened for Dora despite the addition of the two. "Though the driver's seat might be a little cramped..."

"Sure, Aslepmir would love to help out with the wagon", Javal says. He gestures the Flaming Horse who snorts loudly a bit at the comment his master made. Aslepmir here is a strong guy but he doesn't like helping out other people, but that's ok because Javal will show him the rewards you get from it, Friends. Javal then hitches Aslepmir to the wagon alongside Dora and tells him to be nice maybe he'll make a friend. Javal then says," It's nice to meet you guys as well, what are you Looking for Ms. Leni-Aura and Nimbus". Are you in search for the legendary and mythical sol stone, "I've heard a a group of people talking about it back at the tavern I was at in Darkveil City". I hear its a big race to find such a precious item there are many group hunting for it. If that's what you are looking for then I, Javal Zarrias will give you my pirate's word that I will help you get it, Beist himself can tell you me and my pets here are pretty strong". He hops into the wagon awaiting the rest of the party's response. 

Ah, so there was something different about him. "Oh?" Leni-Aura responds, brows furrowing; her expression shifts to slight surprise as a second pair of arms emerges beneath his cloak. Obviously, last time she had seen Beist, he'd only had the two. "I... do not know much about alchemy still; but it must have been quite a powerful potion you'd made."

Powerful potions would have more powerful side effects, right?

"I would hate to trouble you, Beist." She flicks her ears, turning her eyes towards Javal as he speaks and gestures to the flaming horse; she watches him hitch up Aslepmir to the wagon; she shuffles her paws, looking to Nimbus as the little drake slithers his head farther up her shoulder. It squawks at Javal. She, meanwhile, just looks surprised when Javal mentions the Sol Stone; she lowers her ears. "No, I—" she starts almost defensively, but then hesitates; a strong wind gusts through, rustling past the scorched underbrush, and buffeting the rabbitaur's fur.

... Fine.

She closes her eyes for a second, changing her tune. "... The Storm Mother has pulled me here, in search of it. I heard a woman sing of it in the tavern, and that many had fallen trying to obtain it. I do not know what she wants with it, or why; I have no interest in your Solaria, but perhaps she wants to protect something from those who might misuse it. I suppose I could use the assistance."

She hates asking for help, but hesitantly, she looks up at Beist. "If you don't mind, I'm heading north. There's something beneath one of the volcanoes there that I would like to investigate; the one from her song. You don't need to go any further if you don't want to," Leni-Aura hops up onto the wagon with ease. Nimbus gives a little squeak. "But I do appreciate the ride, at the very least."

Beist thought about it for a moment. He didn't know much about something called a Sol Stone. From Leni's words, it must be related to Solaria, but he wasn't particularly devout toward Solaria or any of the gods. She also said many had died looking for it. That was a bit ominous. He was now worried for the Rabbitaur's safety along with the the adorable little baby drake she now had with her. Well, even if he didn't continue into the volcano with them, he would still give them the ride he had offered.

He moved to the side a little to give Leni-Aura some room in the driver's seat with him and opened the window behind him into the wagon so he could speak to Javal better from the driver's seat. He reached a long arm through and parted the curtain that separated his small sleeping area at the front of the wagon from the rest of it. The wagon began moving again without him saying anything as Dora began walking forward. She was very smart and didn't need orders from Beist or any reigns.

"Of course. I don't mind at all! I'm happy to have the company. Dora's not really one for idle conversation. We can discuss this Sol Stone you speak of more. I don't know much about it. I haven't read anything on it or heard anything of it before. It would be interesting. I'm also interested in this adorable little creature." he said looking at Nimbus happily. His ears were sticking up more than usual and his tail was swaying. He loved meeting new magical creatures and was delighted by the presence of the baby drake next to him. He really wanted to hold it, but thought it might be rude to do so without asking and was also afraid the small creature might be afraid of him.

The wagon continued on toward the mountains with the three on board.

Javal sits down in the wagon crossing his feet looking ahead at the group. He hears that they are heading towards a volcano and gets excited and says, "Man, going to a volcano sounds really fun, even if it may not been active for a long time". He then yells over to Aslepmir, "Hey Aslepmir make sure to be nice to Dora and Behave yourself I also thank you both for your power and might helping us get to our goal".  He hears Beist bring up sharing information on the sols stone and starts to think really really hard for about five minutes and then he suddenly speaks, "Well I will tell you guys know about the Sol Stone. It is a very powerful artifact that is made by Solaria and is known to give tremendous amount of power, fame, and wealth. I remember once my Captain, Captain Wilford Wyther being somewhat interested in tracking it down but gave up on the idea citing mysteries that were too dark even for him to pursue". Javal then hears the groups response and other information that Leni and Beist share. The party soon stop the wagon, they have arrived around the Volcano Area. 

Once Leni-Aura is settled in the driver's seat with Beist, she feels it start to move; Dora is already on the go, with Alsepmir assisting in the travel. The ride is smooth so far between the two great beasts, and Leni-Aura is grateful to rest her aching paws— the ground in the Ashlands can be quite scorching at times. She hides her relief with a soft sigh, ears perking as Beist speaks, and regards the Sol Stone. "Ah... yes." she agrees; she looks towards Nimbus with a slight fondness as Beist regards him, but is unable to respond when Javal interjects with his knowledge on the Sol Stone.

Leni-Aura looks towards Javal in the wagon, but Nimbus— currently untangling himself from her hair— seems much more interested in Beist. The tiny reptilian makes a curious, clicking purr from deep in its throat at him; head tilting exaggeratedly as he studies the much bigger creature. "Mm." Leni-Aura agrees with Javal, wincing slightly as Nimbus pulls on a tangle of her hair trying to free itself to go somewhere. "Ow— Nimbus—" she complains; the drake chirps back in response; nipping playfully at her fingers as she reaches back to untangle him herself. "The woman at the Dancer's Den mentioned that the stone... Ow— stop squirming... was an extension of the god. Like, a heart."

After much effort, Leni-Aura untangles the wiggly reptile from her hair, lifting Nimbus up and holding him in her arms like one would a baby; Nimbus lies there, both feet up in the air, and his long neck resting against Leni-Aura's arm. He lies there contently for only a moment. "She said many were looking for it; some with cruel intent, and others with good intent. People seem to think that it could bring horrible things forward in the wrong hands—"

Nimbus proceeds to squirm in her arms, and Leni-Aura offers him his freedom, knowing he will just throw a tantrum if she tries to contain him. He really is like a child in many ways. The little drake flips over in her arms, using the small claws on its wings to scale up Leni-Aura's armour to reach her shoulder. It's where he prefers to be, most of the time, so she doesn't think twice about it. "—and that the lands could be due for a tragedy."

Nimbus reaches her shoulder as the wagon slows to a stop. He wiggles his haunches, before he makes a leap onto Beist's big, fluffy forearm. Leni-Aura feels the absence of weight immediately, and snaps her gaze to him. "Nimbus!" Nimbus turns his head to squeak at her, before scrambling up Beist's arm; the drake tries to wriggle beneath the massive beastman's cloak, as if to hide from a mother's scolding. "You cannot just—! I am sorry."

She looks conflicted, as if she wants to retrieve the baby drake, but now that it's hiding on his person, it would be a bit awkward to do so.

Beist watched Nimbus curiosuly as they squirmed and wiggled in Leni-Aura's grasp. He was surprised when they jumped onto his arm, but not unhappy. He watched the little drake climb around on him and try to hide inside his cloak with an amused smile, but it quickly changed to laughter as the drake crawling around inside his clothing tickled. Beist was now the one that was squirming as a little lump shifted around under his cloak and inside his makeshift robe made of cloths draped over his shoulders.

"Oh! It's- ahaha It's alright! I'm glad they seem to like me." he said, struggling to hold in his laughter long enough to get full sentences out. "Please, settle down. That tickles!"

He breathed a sigh of relief as the wiggling lump came to rest in the space between the two cloths making his robe, just above the belt. The little drake seemed to have found a cozy spot to rest, nestled into the hammock-like place. Beist looked like he was sporting a tiny, lumpy gut hanging out over the belt. Nimbus's head poked out of the side of the robe and yawned before tucking itself back into the cloth.

"Well, they seem quite comfortable. Though, this isn't the most flattering look for me, is it?" Beist joked, looking to Leni-Aura. "I suppose you wouldn't mind me accompanying you to go see about this Sol Stone? I can't just drive off with your little one, after all. And this Sol Stone does sound rather interesting anyways."

Once the group finally reached the base of the volcano, Beist carefully got down from the wagon, trying to jostle the sleeping drake as little as possible. He unharnessed Dora from the Wagon. "We'll have to leave the wagon here. It won't be able to go up the mountain without a proper trail." The wagon was hidden a little ways away from the path, behind some large rocks. It should be fine here until they return.

The group's climb up the mountain began now.

Javal was currently leading the party up the summit humming cheerily as he did. Beist and Leni trailed behind him with Dora the Griffon he decided to leave Aslepmir down with the Wagon to serve as security and since he probably wouldn't be much help trekking the mountain. Javal then says, "So what do you guys plan to do if we do find the Sol stone, power, fame, wealth anything you'd want you'd probably be able to get with it". He then waits for their response and then says, "I'd probably use it to have giant party with lots of food and friends". Javal smiled as he had his arms behind his head. Javal then spots a strange cave around half-way up the mountain since Javal is a bit ahead of the other guys he yells, "Hey guys i think
I found something important, are caves important". The party then stands in front of the cave debating on what to do next. 

The group walks up the thin, rough mountain trail in a diamond formation. Beist walks along next to Leni-Aura as Javal walks a little ahead of them and Dora follows behind. Beist cradles Nimbus inside his robe with his lower pair of arms and idly pets him with another. He's happy to have the little drake with him. Perhaps he should find his own little companion? He loves Dora, but its nice to have something small that he can hold like this. It was very comforting. Hopefully, Dora wouldn't get jealous of a sibling. She seemed to like Nimbus just fine, even seeming like she wanted to play with him.

As they walked, Javal called back to Leni and Beist, asking them about what they would intend to do with the Sol Stone if they found it. Beist thought about it for a moment. His hand stopped petting the lump in his robe that was the sleepy reptile and stroked his beard for a moment. What would he even do with the Sol Stone? He had no plans. He hadn't even been looking for it until he had run into Javal and Leni-Aura. He had only joined them on their journey out of pure curiosity and to have the company.

"Hm... I don't really have any particular plans for it. I wonder if it could have any uses in alchemy, but probably not. Besides, I'm only here to assist you both in finding it. What would your plans for it be?" he replied as he resumed petting Nimbus.

Leni-Aura hops alongside Beist as they walk, with Javal leading the way up the mountain. She looks occasionally towards the large beast-man as he gently cradles Nimbus; the little Drake seems to be taking quite well to him. She can hear his tiny little clicking purr as Beist idly pets him; every now and then, he wiggles — at one point, she sees the mass which is Nimbus, rolling onto his back, belly-up, in Beist's robes. He is extremely comfortable, actually; she distantly wonders if it's because Beist seems kind of fluffy, and he is a cold-blooded creature.

She breathes a sigh; and the tiniest hint of a smile on her face while she walks is dissipated when Javal speaks up. She catches herself, clearing her throat slightly. "I don't know either, to be honest." she murmurs, looking to Beist as he goes back to petting Nimbus after answering. She looks back to Javal, ears flicking. "I don't really want fame or power... I believe I just want to keep it from the hands of those who might use it wrong." She furrows her brows, but her tone almost sounds like a question... as though she's not entirely sure, herself. "I just... have a feeling I should be here, is all. I can't explain why."

She sighs, ears perking when Javal mentions he's found a cave.

She increases her speed, hopping up next to the tiefling. "I think that's it..." she remarks, tail twitching as she looks back to Beist and Dora. "A scorched cave in the earth holds a treasure untold; the sun god's gift, from stories of old." she recounts part of the dancer's tale with ease, looking thoughtful as she studies the outside of the cave; it could, indeed, be considered scorched— everything around it, even the stone face, charred with soot. "Although, I suppose it could be any cave, but... the location is matching up so far to the story..."

She feels a little silly relying on poem and word of mouth to carry her to this location, but... well, it's all she has. She shakes her head, "I think this is it, though... let's go." The rabbit takes one last look at Beist— ensuring Nimbus is still safely snug in his robes— and then bounds her way towards the cave. They make it there without much resistance, and as Leni-Aura looks about the front of the cave, she notices something a bit... concerning, in the soot of the earth. "Footprints..." she remarks, narrowing her eyes as she locates pairs of bootprints leading into the cave— but not out. "The people do say that many people have come here in search of the Sol Stone, so... this must be the right place."

She hums her thoughts, looking back towards Beist and Javal. "We should proceed with caution; this place is said to be quite... dangerous. Do you think Dora will be okay?" she looks to Beist, head cocked. "Or, perhaps we should let her be somewhere safe with Nimbus?" She lowers her eyes to the little lump happily snuggled in his robes; he is quite content, and she hates to wake him up, but... she is a bit worried about whatever lies inside, waiting for them.

Javal and Leni round the front while Beist is with Nimbus rounds the back. The entire cave is black and scorch Leni mentions the footprints on the floor leading inside Javal takes his katana out he was almost killed last time for not being careful his time he will be sure he doesn't almost die. The group keeps walking down the tunnel Javal then stops the group and points at the wall there seem to be symbols on the wall, "Hey guys do either of you know how to read hieroglyphs its a half sun, a rock, a snake, a dagger, and a castle looking thing". Javal waits for their responses and then they continue into the cave now they are at an impasse it is a dragon head statue with three tunnels behind it.