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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on May 28, 2023 17:36:52 GMT -5
The Dragon's Cradle was admittedly an area of Charon that Leandros had not spent much time in since starting this journey to learn the lands better. What little he knew about it and the creatures in this latest missive helped him quickly learn just how hardy the country was. It made sense why the folks from here were able to make such a steadfast community unlike that in Sol City where the city is barely holding together despite his best efforts.
He lets out a sigh, now is not the time for those thoughts. The political squabbles of home rarely matter to the folks in need and that should be his focus. As usual, he sits atop Byrr flanked by both Theobo and Gilder. He protested against bringing along the squire, but the boy made a point. Leandros couldn't keep him from these fights forever and its best he get the experience now rather than when the knight isn't near.
"Do we have an idea of where these things might roost? I am not keen on letting them find us in the open field."
"Could be anywhere in these mountains, too many cracks and crevices down here to get a clean look at all the spots it could be." The scout responds as he looks out over the area ahead of them. They really were sitting ducks for the time.
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Post by Shitakibo on May 29, 2023 20:47:34 GMT -5
While Taki had been away on another job, she'd heard rumors and reports of creatures attacking people in Dragon's Cradle. The report had said it was Arcuilas, a magnificent elemental creature that was the stuff of fables and tall tales. There wasn't much information or study on their kind, but that couldn't dissuade the shaman from trying to resolve this issue. Most adventurers would take the 'slay monster, get paid' mentality, and either end up hurting themselves or killing the birds. While she was only traveling with Kamina for this trip, her other companions were at home and well stocked. Instead of making another trip all the way back home, she caught a ship from the mainland and headed out into the Lightning Fields to investigate for herself.
When she arrived, she noticed the plume of ash and dust from the Smokey Mountains had grown immensely since her last journey. That had to be at least part of what was responsible for what was happening, but time would tell. She took a few minutes to get her bearings, communed with the local spirits to get a general idea of where she needed to look, and set out to investigate. As she made progress through the hilly lands, Kamina flitting about and keeping her entertained with her curious and silly nature.
As she crested a hill along the path she was taking, she was met with a familiar sight. It had been a while since she'd seen Leandros and his entourage. Wondering what had brought the nobleman, she caught up to the group pretty quickly. "Fancy meeting you out here Leandros, what's the occasion?"
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on May 29, 2023 22:46:19 GMT -5
"Hm?" The knight looks back over his shoulder, before smiling broadly. "Ah, I thought other adventurers might come out to this. Taki, it is good to see you again. I had heard something about the troubles some have been having with the arcuilas and thought to help remedy it."
As Taki approaches, the halfling squire does his best to seem tall and proud. His chest is proudly puffed out in an attempt to appear a bit more knightly like Leandros. Gilder on the other hand does not adjust his posture, looking a few years older than Leandros it was clear he'd seen enough that he didn't feel the need to put on airs around others.
"This is my squire Theobo Buck and huntsman Gilder Tavoie, they'll be assisting. Gilder is an excellent tracker and Theobo needs the experience of seeing others fight and deal with bigger problems like this. Both fine young men, I hope this isn't a bother."
The horse gives a huff of noise and shakes his head. Leandros gives a soft laugh and pats his neck, "And this is Byrr. I've raised him since a colt, a well-trained warhorse who perhaps has a bit more attitude than He should sometimes."
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Post by Shitakibo on May 29, 2023 23:07:31 GMT -5
"It's no trouble at all, welcome and well met to you both." She bowed politely, then walked up to the steed and gave the big warhorse a pat on the flank. "And you as well Byrr, I hope Leandros has been feeding you well." She chuckled softly and looked about for a moment. Among the rocks was a tiny, sparking pixie curiously overturning pebbles and small stones to inspect the critters living underneath. With an amused smirk, she called her companion over. "This is Kamina, a Lightning Pixie whom I've been raising and training to travel with us. While this wasn't our original task while we were out, I thought it prudent to try and get out here before someone gets the foolish idea of slaying such majestic creatures. Perhaps with her help, I can convince the Arcuilas to move their nesting grounds... though that may not be the cause of their fury." She stated, looking up at the growing cloud of ash and dust.
"H-Hi, it's nice to meet you all... ummm I hope it's okay if I join you." Said the pixie, whose voice was a breezy melody that buzzed with electric humming. While she was small enough to go unnoticed if she wanted to, she was curious and cheery and loved to socialize. Making her way around to each of them, she wasn't well versed in the idea of personal space. Taki smiled, she was so very young and yet was learning at an amazing rate... albeit slightly alarming. She was all too aware of the nature of Fae, and hoped that by growing up with the shaman and her companions, the youngling would develop other values on her own.
"Shall we keep going? There's a lot of ground to cover, and while we're on the right path, our destination is still a good ways from here." She said after Kamina was done 'introducing' herself to the others. The tiny fairy rested atop Taki's shoulder, swaying gently in the breeze and humming a tune.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on May 31, 2023 18:17:28 GMT -5
"That was our first option." Gilder responds pretty flatly as Taki suggests not killing the creature.
While Leandros gives him a sideways glance, the scout wasn't wrong. Being from the city, anything like this fell under a threat to Leandros and for a hunter like Gilder it was just more prey. Plus neither of them had the skill to talk to such creatures and parlay an agreement, slaying the monster was the best option they had.
"I would wager that whatever disturbance is happening across Charon has somehow upset them. Plenty enough is happening that there could be any number of things happening." The knight finally speaks before smiling towards the pixie and introducing himself.
He gives Byrr a gentle nudge and rustling of the reins to get the horse moving once again when they started walking. "If you are able to talk to them, then I am willing to hear them out...at least as much as I can. The villagers who brought this to my attention would likely prefer them dead, but they only asked I take care of them. That leaves enough leeway to take a more diplomatic approach if we can find one." He softly laughs as the trek over begins.
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Post by Shitakibo on May 31, 2023 22:26:50 GMT -5
As the day wore on, they came upon a rising hill in the distance. It was wide enough one could put a small fort atop it and still have room for farms and a town. The plates of compacted stone mixed with mosses and shrub grasses gave the area a patchwork appearance. As the group neared what they thought was the crest of the hill, an unusual formation revealed itself. Yukina called out as they approached, circling tightly near the top of the mound. Eager to explore, Kamina rushed ahead, zipping around and between the others like a spark. Sighing, the shaman rushed off after the small Fae.
As Taki clambered up the rocks after her, she wondered what chaos would await her. Still too young to understand the hazards of her own curiosity, Kamina often went careening off into the ether when Yukina or one of the others signaled. She swung herself up a crag of rock and perched on top to survey the area. Tumbling through the air over a wide Chasm and laughing was the Pixie. Taking a deep breath, she called the pair back. Yukina caught Kamina gently in her talon and delivered her to the waiting shaman before landing further up the rock to preen her feathers.
"I... sorry..." She said, having been caught up in her excitement and missed the signal to return.
"It's wonderful that you wish to experience new things, just remember it's polite to go with everyone when you travel as a group. We send out scouts who help us avoid danger and travel as swiftly as possible, but that signal doesn't mean things are safe, it means they are getting more dangerous. That's why we're here, so you can experience these things, and learn first hand. While you did not realize it in the moment, you understand it was not a wise choice. This will mean you are more likely to remember and make a wiser choice in the future." Taki explained to the youngling, glad that it was a surprising terrain hazard and not something worse. Gaining experience in any field can be a difficult and painful procedure, but Kamina was learning. Berating the girl or making her feel worse wouldn't help her learn to do better next time.
After a moment to catch her breath, Taki walked over to Yukina and stroked her soft feathers. After giving the hard working owl a bit of affection and a small treat, she took a sip of her water skin. "I know you're probably enjoying the rest but would you mind bringing the others here my sweet snowy friend?" Yukina let out a soft whistling sound, ruffled her feathers for a moment to warm her muscles up again and took off to find the others.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Jun 1, 2023 17:42:26 GMT -5
Byrr and the knight did their best to handle the terrain, uneven and craggy as it was. The Charonian Warmblood was quite ready to handle anything, but rider and knight knew there was a limit. Eventually he is forced to dismount, patting Byrr's shoulder.
"Wait here, better to keep you out of the bird's eyesight anyways. If they do come, you have my permission to run and protect yourself." He shares a nod with the horse and follows up the hill with Taki, chuckling softly as the fae takes off on its own.
"I suppose I should count myself lucky you haven't learned to fly like that." Leandros chuckles towards Theobo who is trailing a step behind.
"I have the discipline of a proper knight I'll have you know." He puffs up his chest. "You do now at least." Another soft laugh from the knight.
Gilder for his part has kept pace with Taki and the others. His ears twitch as he holds up a hand to the others a moment, looking towards the northwest. "Crack of thunder....but...higher pitched. Could be what we are looking for...or just an average storm from the Cradle, hard to tell at this distance."
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 2, 2023 16:48:45 GMT -5
As the group were gathering near the strange formation in the earth, sharp cracks, like someone snapping a bullwhip of improbably large proportion rolled up from the chasm below. She looked to Gilder and nodded her agreement, having the same thought. It was the crack of thunder but not made by natural lightning. She had heard the sound before around the young centaur she'd helped Socket mentor some years ago, when the young girl would fling magical lightning bolts into the sky, trying to spark a storm.
"Let's be on alert, Kamina, stay close and no wandering off now please... this will be the dangerous part of our adventure." The shaman told her tiny companion, who tucked herself into Taki's traveling back, peaking just her face out to watch over the Orochi's shoulder. She looked about the area, wondering if there might be a path down into the valley. Leaning over the cliff, she inspected the various cracks and platforms. There wasn't anything that stood out sadly, meaning they'd have to either repel or free climb down unless someone had Sky magic. As she was leaning back to talk to the others, she caught a glimpse of sparking wings banking in the air below.
"Lee... they're down below us... or at least... something is down there. I caught a glimpse." The shaman said quietly.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Jun 3, 2023 9:59:31 GMT -5
"Even for birds, somehow it doesn't surprise me they've somehow outflanked us, intentionally or not." The knight looks down below, but his unfamiliarity with the creatures and terrain makes it hard for him to even know what to look for.
Leandros motions with his head towards Gilder who nods and starts to grab the rope from his pack. "I can stay up here and anchor the rope while everyone else climbs down. Just be careful, there will be little we can do to catch anyone that may fall."
Theobo is already tightening the straps of his armor and belts, securing everything for the journey below. Out of the three he likely seems the most nervous, but he is also the youngest. Gilder hands over the rope and helps spool it down just to see how far it is from the nearest platform.
"Ain't a whole lot down there, but there's just enough of a shelf down there we can get to, gonna be tight to get everyone on though....I can go down first with Taki just to scout and see if there's more paths ahead."
Leandros seems to agree with this plan, as does his squire. Gilder was hired for this kind of work, so they would trust his expertise.
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 3, 2023 14:50:22 GMT -5
The plan was sound enough, though Taki didn't exactly need climbing gear to get down the steep cliff. As Gilder began his descent to the platform, the shaman followed. Clinging to the rock with her four arms, she scrambled down the nearly sheer formation with the same ease she walked through the woods to get here. As the pair made their way down near the shelf of rock below, a sharp shrieking cry rang out from under them. Gilder hurried down the rope, pressing himself against the cliff face to keep out of sight. Taki shifted her pack around to her chest, practically hopping down the difficult terrain to get a better look at what the situation was.
As she was nearing the bottom, a pair of massive birds swooped up from below. Staring wide eyed, Taki gripped the face of the cliff as the majestic creatures passed beneath her. Covered in arcs of electricity, the immense creatures soared through the sky discharging sparks as they moved through the air. Flying in tandem, the pair swept over the valley below, banking wide before turning back toward the chasm. Another cry rose up from the valley, answered by their companion.
She looked over to Gilder, then climbed back up to where he was perched on the shelf of stone.
"This is not a place we're going to want to be caught if they turn hostile. There's no room to manuever, no way to spread out if they use an area wide spell or ability. We need to lure them up to flat ground where we can spread out..."
"Your assessment matches my own. Any ideas?"
"One, but I really don't like it... we send Kamina, she's no more than an aphid in the wind compared to such creatures but should be able to match their speed."
"I understand why you don't like that plan. It's risky... to say the least."
"Well, meeting them head on isn't going to go well in this terrain unless we could somehow drop down into the valley..." Her words trailed off as the pair of birds started climbing out of the valley. She looked at Gilder and pointed up. Neither hesitated and scrambled back up the cliffside. Practically throwing herself from one handhold to the next, she moved away from the rope that was the scout's lifeline. The birds fixated on her, flanking her movements as if they were a hunting pair and had found a meal. Perhaps they were mates? Could they be getting ready to nest? There were too many questions. The air around her felt strange as they approached, the way it would before a massive lightning storm. She tensed her body, waiting for a blast of magical electricity to slam into her.
It didn't come, and after a long moment, she stared in amazement as the pair zoomed by. They cleared the chasm and came screaming into the sky above. Sparks trailing, the twin birds rolled in opposite directions before gliding to a stop on a wide brim of rock. Taki scrambled up over the edge, just as Gilder reached the top of the rope. She looked around, then approached cautiously...
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Jun 3, 2023 21:49:44 GMT -5
"Our options are limited if you're sticking to this thought of talking to them first. Without a similar magic, there isn't much we can do beyond getting their attention with warning shots, but that'll turn'em aggressive pretty quickly."
The scout sighed as he started to roll up the rope. The observations they made below are quickly relayed with Leandros and Theobo to get everyone on the same page. There *were* things they could do, but sending rocks in their path or firing arrows past them as noted wasn't going to be taken well.
"What if we made a lot of noise up here? Like...bait or something?" Theobo looked between the group with his idea, hoping it wasn't dismissed outright.
Leandros makes a thoughtful face as he ponders it a moment, "Becoming the bait is never a great option, you saw how I came back after the dragon. I am not keen on doing that again, but if it at least gets them into a range where we can try to parlay with them it might be our only option. I apologize Taki, we have few options on our end, this is a hard lesson about where we can improve that much is sure."
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 3, 2023 23:07:54 GMT -5
"Wait here, if things go south I'll need the backup. I think I've got an idea. There's nothing to apologize for Leandros, you and your group possess skills that I couldn't possibly fathom or compare to, just as I have skills you all do not. Such is life, but it would be best preserving life in this case I think... Arcuilas are almost mythical in their scope, little is known of them, and few have even attempted their study... I would loathe to miss this opportunity if possible, but don't hesitate if the sparks start flying." She chuckled softly to ease her own tension, then stepped out of the trees and into the open field nearby.
With her arms raised out to both sides, she approached cautiously. The twin birds noticed her movement, and stared at her with a sense of both curiosity and caution. They seemed to recognize her from earlier and made no moves. It was always a strange sight, to see a bird go still as a statue except to follow something with their eyes, but it also meant they weren't immediately hostile. When she stood about ten paces away she stopped and whispered to Kamina.
"You're up little one. See if you can get them talking, but please go slowly. I don't want to startle them and endanger everyone."
"Yes miss." Replied the fae, who wriggled out of her pack and walked out across her arm before taking flight. She hovered for a few moments, watching the tree sized birds with a similar expression they watched her. Taki smiled slightly, glad that even Kamina's instincts understood this could go very badly. When the Pixie had cut the distance in half, she hovered in the air.
"Greetings to you both, if you'd be willing, we would like an audience to discuss the events of recent days."
"Fae child, you and your master may approach. We will share words with you." Said the left Arcuila, whose words sounded like a haunting, airy song to the others. They parted somewhat to make room for the pair.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Jun 5, 2023 23:07:06 GMT -5
If Leandros were being honest with himself, there was something about this that didn't seem right to him. Conversing with creatures was an odd tactic to take, even if she was capable of communication it wasn't likely these beasts would be reasonable. They were beasts after all. He crosses his arms over his chest as they wait.
Then again...there were plenty of people who found solutions in stranger ways....He even helped broker a deal between a goblin that commanded an army of squirrels, so why was this such an issue? It was had not to see things in the very black and white way it is often taught in the formal education of Sol City. People good. Monsters bad. That's why they are called monsters.
As much as Leandros liked to tell Theobo violence is never a good solution, why would he not extended that courtesy to creatures like the arcuila? This whole adventure certainly had him rethinking his approach to most encounters.
An eyebrow is raised as the bird does seem to approach and then...stop...giving Kamina a chance to talk....there certainly was a response in there, right? He understood none of it, but could just barely hear the rythym of speech and not just animalistic squawking.....It was Fascinating to watch admittedly.
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 11, 2023 8:09:02 GMT -5
Taki approached cautiously at the behest of Kamina, holding her arms out to her sides to indicate she was unarmed. The pair of elemental birds were striking up close, powerfully built yet delicate in a strange way only creatures of the Sky could be. Arcs of electricity sparked about the air near the tips of their wings and tails, so the shaman cautiously picked a place to stand. Kamina landed on her shoulder after a short bow of greeting, then translated for her.
"Why have you come seeking us out?"
"The task was given to us by members of a nearby town. They asked that we find resolution to the predation of their cattle and stock."
"Tch..."
"What you ask is difficult with the mountain spewing ash over our home. All are fleeing, from the smallest mouse to the meaty goats we usually prey upon... This was the closest place for us to survive."
"I understand your plight, though it does put us in a difficult position. Is there some way we could convince you to at least avoid towns and settlements?"
"Perhaps, but hunting will grow scarce in the coming days."
"We know not to draw the ire of towns and their folk... but this is an unavoidable risk."
"Survival is the goal of all beings, true. Perhaps a new territory is in order?"
"You would ask us to leave our home? To abandon the only life we know?
"That would be a difficult prospect. We are tied to this place, in both body and spirit."
"I see... How about moving deeper into the mountains? Instead of getting closer to folk, farther away?"
"That is something worth considering."
"It is a solution, though it means a harsh journey from here with great risk."
"What would help convince you the risk is worth it?"
"Enough food for the journey, and assurance that we won't be hunted further."
"I agree."
"That seems fair. How much food do you believe that would be?"
"Roughly a Goat's meat for each of us would suffice."
"Mmmmm..."
"It would require the time to travel back to town, purchase the meat and return. Would you be okay waiting until we returned and not taking anymore creatures from the fields of farmers until it can be done?"
"Yes, we can forage the area with some restraint."
"... Very well..."
"Our group will return with as much haste as possible, do you currently nest below in the chasm?"
"Correct."
"Excellent, your time and patience is appreciated."
"As is your compassion strange one. We shall see if your deed is as bold as your words soon enough."
With that slightly ominous reply, the pair took flight again. The great gusts of wind sweeping from their wings nearly toppled the shaman over. She and Kamina returned to Leandros and company to relay what they'd learned, and the bargain struck. Now the group just needed to procure two goats worth of meat and make the trek back. Taki sorely wished she had a mount that could complete such a task, but sadly Keiga could not bear the weight of a rider when on land.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Jun 11, 2023 9:20:47 GMT -5
"Seems a strange prospect they would need help gathering food, they are at the top of the chain and can fly much faster than we can move." The knight could say he didn't care for the politics of his home all he liked, but growing up in Captiol Landing it was hard not to be suspicious when a deal seems too good. He's seen plenty of double crosses and back biting.
Still....it was a relatively simple task. Gilder should be able to track down some goats and they have more than enough capable people to take them down. The trouble would be hauling them up the rocky terrain they had to climb when they got here, but Leandros can probably handle that on his own.
"Let us see about bringing back one or two more for them to show our good faith in this effort. Moving a nest I imagine requires much energy, so if we can take care of helping them feel full and content they will be better able to relocate." Gilder just nods lightly, agreeing with his lord's thought.
When everyone is ready, Leandros will start to lead them back towards where they left Byrr to go chase down some goats.
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