Floating Lands | Ch 1 - A New Begining

[Tondi-]

The day starts early but breakfast is something that the community always tries to do with company.  You are dished out a small boiled egg, sweet oil and some hard bread.  In no means tasty but it will sustain you until your next meal.  A small girl chases a butterfly nearby which distracts your thoughts for a second, you have been asked to meet with the Scribes after breakfast. 

The scribes are the organizers of the settlement. The builders, crafters, hunters and scouts  all have elders who assist in recording and recommending future actions.  These recommendations are then organized by the scribes, a member of the group chosen by their peers.  Until the settlement is stable enough to facilitate such an environment the most active group members have been acting as Scribes.

You enter the communal pavilion everyone just calls the hall, once your plate is empty.  It is dim in the tent this early in the morning which makes it hard to recognize all the people until your eyes adjust. 

Bradick, scribe for the builders looks around impatiently as the rest of the attendees enter.  The tallest human in the settlement Bradick is an out spoken and often intimidating presence.  To his right is Jessil an older by spry elven woman, scribe for the crafters, woven through her hair are assortments of hand crafted clips featuring gems, her works are highly valued by all.  To her right, the youngest of all the scribes, Yasim, a half-elf, smiles broadly at the gathered. Even from here you can smell the sweet herb aroma that always seems to surround her.   Everyone welcomes each other and then the scribes sit watching you... it gets uncomfortable.

At last the the last scribe arrives, a halfling with bright red hair, Jonus is legendary in the scouts for his braveness climbing on the edges.  He blazed the trail in the migration and it was only due to some of his more daring feats that safe passages were found.  He looks tired.  The other seekers stand, alarmed at his appearance but he just shakes his hand in their general direction and plonks down on a makeshift stool.

"You were meant to send someone else to the tree line Jonus," Bradick says with obvious annoyance. 

"Were's the fun in that?" he replies instinctually.

"This is no time for fun.." Bradick blusters obviously about to go on a triad.

Jessil interrupts in her calming voice before he can get started, "I'm sure Jonus wouldn't do anything to put the settlement in jeopardy Brad.  He is here safe and now we will have first hand knowledge instead of second.  Tell us Jonus what did you see?"

Jonus looks ashamed for a moment before starting, "Well you we're right Jess, these trees are much taller and look stronger than those from home.  Tall too, I nearly gave into the urge to climb one more than once.  The builders will have a celebration once they chop a few down I'm sure.  They have broad leaf but I didn't see no fruit or flower, maybe a nut but it was hard to tell from the distance I kept."

Yasmin interrupts, "What about animals, did you see any game?"

"Some quick movements at the corner of my eyes but it might have been the wind. There were trails though, looked like some type of rodent tracks maybe, they get very hard to track when they hit the long grass."

"This damned long grass puts me on edge, anything could be sneaking up on us." states Bradick.

"My boys are out there, they'll keep watch, even in the long grass." states Jonus.

"Anything else of note?"

"Well...." Jonus pauses for a minute, "I don't know if it was just the fact that the land is so new and different but I got the feeling that I wasn't the only watcher if you know what I mean."

The silence that follows that is deafening.

Jessil beaks the silence addressing those that aren't scribes, "You have been chosen to be explorers.  Ultimately we need a permanent secure place to move the settlement but each group has there own needs."

Bradick passes you a bag of rocks, "Any of these stones are indicators of good mineral deposits, a quarry would be even better then the trees.  We need to know more of the trees regardless.

Yasmin says, "We need to know if there are other food sources, the scouts have been reporting small animals running through the grass but no-one has been able to catch one.  Perhaps you'll find something in the trees.  More importantly with that much green there may be a source of water.  That is everyones first priority.  If we don't get a rain soon we will be running very low."

Everyone nods in agreement to this statement except Jonus.

Jonus says in a serious tone, "Even more important than water is danger.  We need to know if there is a threat from the trees, from monster or other.  Keep you eyes sharp and report back often.  He points to the hovering fairy, "Our watchers will look for her glow night and day".

"The trip to the treeline will take about six hours, I travelled through the night alone, at speed. At lease I wasn't attacked by anything" he says with a smile.

"Past that we don't know. Not many have seen an island this large.  It's big enough for there to already be a settlement here somewhere."

Jessil continues, "If you do meet another people, you represent all of us.  Be respectful always, we may be the trespassers here.  Keep this in mind for the wood too.  There may be inhabitants of it who protect the trees."

Braddock rolls his eyes then laughs loudly, "Your tasked an important job, beware all. Explore the wood and find out what's on the other side.  You travel from this edge to the next.  Good luck to you all!"

"Please ask what you will of us, we will help as much as possible."

RP and Questions

[Meowzer]

Arthelian considered the words carefully, not letting the various thoughts that streaked through his mind show on his face. He stood with a straight back and a smile on his face. Of course he made sure he gave the proper furrow of the brow and thoughtful expression when appropriate. At the sounds of the danger he caught his fingers fidgeting with something hanging on his neck. When he noticed the action his hands quickly fell to his hips.

I can see the vast wisdom of what you all say. We must of course do all we can to use the resources that we have made this perilous trip in search for. Yet caution is indeed wise, oh I could tell you stories where caution has saved my life and others at that! I have a bit of experience with furry critters.

He nodded down to the bottom of his legs that showed beneath his kilt, giving a easy self depreciating smile.

Madam Jessil what are we looking for in types of wood in particular? Harder words the such for arrow shafts, crossbows, shields? Or something a bit softer for carved utensils, instruments, or just trinkets? I defer to your knowledge in this for there are few so skilled and yet so very beautiful as your self.

As he spoke the last sentence he gracefully lifted his back hoof moving in back a bit as he went into a small bow.

[Eothr]

Rygar, standing besides his hatchmates, guffaws loudly at Arthelian's honeyed words, "'Ey there, Arthel', don't be gettin' all up'an fancy, already! It's barely even midday! Save that charm for later, Satyr-Man!"

The massive Dragonborn booms out another round of laughter, which worms its way through the ranks, a few chuckles joining in at Rygar's charismatic friendliness. To his right, the blue-scaled Akra Sunderfang snickers into her hand and the somber golden Shamash Sunderfang sighs with patient suffering. At his left, the tiny-by-comparison Surina Sunderfang reaches up to whisper in her brother's ear, her reddish-hued skin hidden beneath a brown cloak. Nodding once, Rygar clears his throat to calm down,

"Your most honorable Elders, lil' 'Rina here wants ta know what we should do if, should we be meetin' others, if they be hostile first?" He seems to tense in his arms and neck at this, his right fist flexing in anticipation of a familiar weapon being grasped in his fists.

[Orillion]

Khaspar smiled as the large voice rang out in jest.  He maintained his generally serious demeanor, though.  Rygar's next words caught his attention, though.  As a watcher who spent much of his time on extended patrols and on high ground a good distance from the settlement, Khaspar would likely be one of the first to encounter any outsiders.

"Indeed. This is certainly important to the Watchers and outriders.  And further, if we should encounter other settlers, should we consider them adversaries?"

His voice was smooth and clear, and his words had just a tiny hint of an Elven accent, lending them a slight air of exoticism as he left his question hanging for the Scribes.

[Strifeter]

Eil, who had been inspecting his harp this whole time looks around to the group and the to Py.

"We are to worried about other people I think. If they attack we protect ourselves. I mean above all else we need to report back of our findings no? I say we go in expecting to find people and a culture not unlike our own. I don't believe we are enough to want to consider them adversaries. We may just eradicate ourselves."

Eil words are sharp but seem to hold no anger. The intensity in his pale eyes show he is ready to go and be done with this task.

[Tondi-]

Jessil replies to Arthelian, "A lot of our tools and wares were small enough to come with us.  I'm sure we will be able to adapt to whatever new resources we have.  I'm more interested in new resources and possibilities to be honest" She says with a pleasent smile, "Report back whatever you think would be helpful for us, I trust your judgement."

Bradick replies to Rygar, "Defend yourselves of course.  You've all been trained well.  We did not choose lightly."

Jessil inteupts, "Try to be diplomatic if possible first, is what he means of course"

Jonus speaks next, "It would be wise to notify us if you do find others.  Friend or Foe.  And if you cannot win against some odds....protect the settlement..." he says the last solumnly letting his words sink in.

Jonus then replies to Khaspar, "If there is already a settlment here we should make contact and make ourselves known.  Settlements alway work together, i'm sure we would be welcomed, even in a place as vast as this.  Always be careful though, only tell them what they need to know until you trust them."

Then to Eil, "We'll expect a report back every night, if we don't hear from you we will expect the worst.  We'll be sending people out from your findings.  If there's anything you need taken back to the settlement or need some support, stay put until a group catches up with you...and lets hope we don't go eradicating ourselves.

[Meowzer]

Arthelian gives a wry smile to Rygar, "My fine scaled sir it is tragedy to let one's self not speak with eloquence and poise in all situations. Hmm my splendid Scribes speak sense, if we happen upon anyone we should seek their comradeship.

He absentmindedly rested his chin on long lithe fingers in a thoughtful expression. "Yet we must not let our selves fall into blood lust. Oh do not mistake me, I am not stranger to combat. Yet even if we can not become allies with these people we should do our best to avoid hostilities.

He took on a grim expression one more fingers fidgeting at  his neck, Yet I believe in these people around me that, if such need arises we shall protect the prosperity of our people.

[sliksham]

Briccys moves to the bag of samples and begins to sort through the rocks and minerals, stopping with each to sniff and taste, committing each sensation to memory; although thoughts of further excursions away, in the wilds, fill his head and it is all he can do to concentrate on his task at hand, he can already feel the grass beneath his paws, erm, feet.
Aware his actions have drawn the attention of some other of the rooms denizens he hastily stuff the items back into the bag and self consciously backs away from the sack, his hand moves to scratch himself behind his ear in an involuntary act of embarrassment.

Thought best to cover all signs we can find, never miss a trick that way

He smiles sheepishly, showing a little too much tooth and sets to fiddling with his backpack
Muttering to himself under his breath, repeating instructions like some form of personal mantra.

Report back daily, be wary but peaceful-like, report back daily, wary, peaceful, report, wary, peaceful...;

[Tondi-]

Yasmin pulls out three pouches, "take these with you, healing herbs of great value."

"Don't waste them, and bring them back if you don't use them." Bradick adds shortly.

"Say your farewells and make you preparations, you'd best be off before full morn." states Jonus.

RP and Questions
State ready when your good to set out

[Strifeter]

Eil looks through his equipment and makes sure he didn't forget some rations.

"Well I am ready. If for any reason we can't make it back by nightfall I will send Py with a message."

With a strum of his harp Eil walks out of the hall.

[Tondi-]

"Oh you'll be gone for awhile, I guarantee that.  Who knows how long it will take to reach the other edge." replies Jonus.

[Meowzer]

Arthelian ones more drops into a graceful bow,I will shortly be ready, I will go gather my things now. He gave turned sharply and left to gather his things.

Moving to his tent to pack away anything he may of left out momentarily to go eat breakfast. Disassembling his tent and wrapping it hanging it beneath his bedroll. Then strapping the soft supple leather case of his lute case to the side. Slinging his pack over his back he headed towards where the others gathered. Stopping by the food tent and with a few quick words and a smile getting a slice of hard bread to eat as he walked. He spoke to no one else, despite being always friendly and quick with the smile he distanced himself from glowing close to anyone. He proceeded to wait with the others.

[Eothr]

Rygar nods in understanding, "Aye, Elders, I 'ear ya. I'll keep things diplomatic-like an' all. I'll be on my way, then."

Bowing in respect, the Sunderfangs exit the gathering area, and towards their pair of tents. Once out of earshot, Rygar whispers to his siblings, his words a deep, archaic syntax from the language of their ancient fore-bearers, "<You will all keep safe while I am absent?>"

[sliksham]

Bowing slightly
I'm ready to get on when you are!

Briccys settles down to await the others.
Somewhere deep inside there is a nagging voice that tells him it would be nice to have someone to say goodbye to, but the louder scream of adventure is filling his very soul.
Grunting resignedly to himself he settles down to wait, one final cursory check over his gear done almost as an afterthought, hands sweeping here and there, checking knots and fastenings.

[Tondi-]

After your farewells you gather again, Jonus is waiting near the hall eating a late breakfast.

Without further show and with crumbs still on his cheek he hops up and heads towards the trees.  

"I will take you a little ways, I'll set the pace.  Keep up.", with that he is off at a quick pace.  

You clear the flattened grass near the settlement after a few minutes and are wading through the long grass.  It ranges from your waist to your neck.  The halfling chooses routes in the shorter grass so you don't loose him, his head does duck under a few times which makes things a little difficult.

His pace is fast...very fast.  Even the scouts in the party have trouble keeping up.   After an hour you come to a stop.  Jonus stands in a shallow patch of grass not even breathing heavily, chewing on a piece of grass.  "I better be getting back.  Some of the boys are posted ahead, you probably won't see em but it might comfort you to know your not alone out here.  Stay in the shallow grass, you don't want to get lost.  Head straight and if you can keep up the pace."  He says the last part doubtfully.  "Best of luck out there.  Stay safe." and he's gone.  

You catch your breaths and head out again.  The scouts lead, more used to the pace and grass.  You don't move as fast as when Jonus was leading but it is still a quick and hard pace.  

By the third hour everything itches.  The little seeds on the grass have a habit of floating between your skin and clothing making things uncomfortable.  

You stop for a quick lunch just before the sun hits it's peak and prepare yourselves to head off again.  

Scouts give me a Nature check
Everyone give me an endurance check:
Endurance DC:12 | If you fail you loose 2 Healing Surges, If you succeed you only loose 1

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