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Post by Infynis on Feb 10, 2018 5:15:10 GMT
Congratulations! Though your motives may vary, each of you possesses the spirit of an Explorer. What that means to you is anyone’s guess, but it is immaterial to the fact that you are about to embark on the first leg of a journey steeped in legend, speculation, and divinity. Those that you have met stand in awe at your will, knowing the motivation to leave The Tranquil Sea is a special thing that most will never know. Be it through bravery, curiosity, or desperation, there is a little drop of that divinity within you.
This motivation has lead you now to a village called Kerth, a mining town on the edge of The Barrier Mountains, with an unusual name for a place in Anbesa. Despite its low population, it has been able to see to your needs well, with a number of talented smiths, and a collection of shops peddling uncommon goods. This is likely because Kerth is the most frequently trafficked waystop for Explorers about to enter The Wilds. It’s position against the narrowest part of the mountain range allows the easiest access to the uncharted territory beyond.
Hatui, this village is more welcoming to you than even others have been on your journey to this point, but the air is colder by the same measure. According to the locals, it’s due to an icy downdraft off of The Mountains. Perhaps more impactful to you however are the machines you’ve seen here, things unheard of to your people, and even stranger than the Ironside you glimpsed on the horizon during your voyage across The Sea. There are great bellows, like those you’d seen at forges, but attached to pipes burrowing into the roots of The Mountains, and pumping of their own accord. There are also what look to be moving walkways built upon gears that pull ores from the earth in which they had previously been interred. Various other more mundane, but still impressive mechanisms serve other functions about the outskirts of the town.
Baraz, this place reminds you somewhat of the Lower City of Hastkhr. The people that live here are not wealthy, though some of the minor merchants seem to be doing comparatively well. Doubtlessly, those who profit from these mining operations live elsewhere. The roads are dirt, and the buildings are small, but sturdy, and the residents seem happy with their lives, such as they are. They have been free with the information you’ve asked for thus far. Your status as an Explorer seems to make them very accommodating. If those back in Hastkhr prove similar, the success of your plan is without doubt.
Zee, seeing how Anbesa’s mining operations work is interesting. It’s much more complex than a few burly men hacking at a mountain, as some might assume. The area around the town is regrettably barren however, likely due to the rocky soil and chilly climate. The locals are very friendly, but at times a bit overwhelming. It seems they look at you as almost a form of entertainment, asking you questions ranging from why you’re adventuring, to how you keep your hair so nice. Some of those burly miners have even attempted to gain your consent for one or more less than ladylike pursuit.
Mezzo, you are a favourite of the children in the town. It seems there’s always one or two of them following you around, and when they see you’ve noticed them they jump on the opportunity and beg you to play a song on your “awesome lute!” Despite living in Anbesa, the only thing they have close to a bard is an old story teller, and he’s not nearly as exciting as you. It seems the children are also not the only ones keeping an eye on you. Occasionally you’ll catch their mothers eyeing you appreciatively, and some of the younger women have actually attempted the same kind of thing their brothers tried on Lady Zee, albeit more subtly.
Regardless of what else you’ve done in Kerth, the four of you were lead unfailingly to a tavern dubbed “The Wandering Soul”. Apparently the tavernkeep took a trip beyond The Barrier Mountains once himself, but he’s an old man now, and spends his time serving ale to travelers. His establishment is the local hub for Explorers, as you’ve been told once or twice. The townspeople try to group people like you all together here so you can form groups to begin your adventure. At the moment, the only patrons are you, and your local guides who abandoned you as soon as they got you inside, and have congregated at a table together to watch.
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Post by TheFluorescentDodo on Feb 10, 2018 7:03:13 GMT
The journey from Napa Rui had been long, but not necessarily unpleasant or difficult. Aside from his trek across the actual ocean where encounters with humans were scarce, Hatui had been battling culture shock for almost the entire journey. It wasn't even really a bad kind of shock, but instead filled Hatui with wonder and amazement at the ingenuity that other humans had off of his island. Did he understand any of it? Not a bit, but coming from a culture that was frequently treated with disdain Hatui made sure to try his best and not insult these foreign customs. As he and Moai made it into the town called Kerth, it didn't get any easier, but Hatui felt he was up to the challenge. It was cold here, far colder than back on his island, that much was certain. Even as he shifted uncomfortably in the coat and cloak this now forced him to wear, he held both confidence and excitement for what was about to come.
Eventually, some of the locals guided him to a small tavern where adventurers could meet up and combine strengths for their trek into the wilderness. Hatui was the first there, but the locals assured him that there were other adventurous souls in town and ushered him to a table to wait. Sure enough, three other people were eventually brought to the tavern as well. Hatui gave them each a traditional greeting and small half bow as they arrived. He could only hope he didn't handle this too awkwardly, but it was certainly wise that he find help from the like-minded.
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Post by Trixander on Feb 10, 2018 14:16:13 GMT
This town felt familiar, or maybe they had been somewhere else a bit north of here. Mezzo and Zee had been around The Barrier Mountains looking for Rock-type pokemon for her catalog. He remembered liking it here, although really he liked it anywhere that he could be outdoors. Legato also enjoyed running around in the open, barren area outside of town. This would inevitably tire the little Shinx out and Mezzo would have to return him to his Pokeball.
While in town he couldn't help but notice that the children were following him. His unique lute, Scherzo, got their attention. When the children wanted him to play he didn't hesitate. In fact, he just played the lute while he walked. Not letting the children slow him down, but also not one to disappoint them. If any of them happened to know the name of a song, he'd play it. As for their mothers, Mezzo would just give them a winning smile. He was a bit too romantic for the sort of performance they were looking for.
On a similar note, Mezzo never took his eye off of Zee. She had a penchant for wandering off, which was all well and good in Bellezza, but out here he would have to keep her close. Mezzo was never intrusive though, he always watched from afar. He also made an effort to make his watching unknown. Zee appreciated the way that Mezzo didn't stalk her like a guard, so he tries his best to be unobtrusive. Still, if one of those miners laid an unwelcome hand on Zee they would be in for quite a shock.
When the duo arrived at The Wandering Soul, Mezzo felt right at home. Before his time as a court bard he had played in many a tavern just like this one. Well, not just like this one. They usually had more patrons. He placed Scherzo on his back, not wanting to be mistaken for a bard who would work here. Looking around he immediately saw Hatui, who was a bit hard to miss. The tall man with the tattoos approached Mezzo and Zee and gave them a slight bow. Mezzo assumed that he was coming with the duo over the mountains. The bard responded with a lower, sweeping bow. A sign of respect in Anbesa, but also a common move for the performer to make. After his bow he introduced himself and Zee, after which he suggested that the three of them sat at the bar. This bartender had a bit of a reputation.
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Post by raventhefree on Feb 10, 2018 14:28:15 GMT
Zee was uneasy.
That wasn't to say that her resolve had wavered at all. She had packed a satchel full of fine parchment, ink, and charcoal, and she was determined to take note of everything between here and the End of the World. Not only that, but she had packed her bag such that Lillette's PokeBall was tight against her hip. Ducklett wasn't the first thing that most people thought of when they thought about fierce pokemon. Hell, Ducklett wasn't the first thing Zee thought of when she thought of fierce pokemon. Even so, Zee wouldn't have even been able to leave on this adventure without Lillette. As if going beyond the wall with theoretical knowledge of how to survive wasn't enough, going out without a pokemon would have been straight up insanity.
Even with all the comforts of her sketchbooks and pokemon, Zee still couldn't shake the nerves that bubbled in her stomach. Being here was just... different. The girls fawning over her hair, the people asking why she was traveling--there were a lot of people who were more curious about her than she was used to. Back at home, people didn't bat an eyelash when she wandered off. If anything, it just meant that she was no longer a burden on her family that day. Here, they treated her with reverence.
Besides, Mezzo was here. Zee had known Mezzo since she was barely thirteen years old, and he was about as familiar to her as the sound of her own voice. Unlike the reverence for her, Mezzo was adored here. He picked away at his lute, bringing delight to the children around the village as they were escorted through. The way people looked at him, admiration shining in their eyes... Zee had never been on the receiving end of that before. She had always been the bookish type, buried in the library with an oil lamp and a mountain of books, and the suitors always looked at her as if their arrangement was transactional. To be fair, though, Zee preferred that to the more blunt advancements from the miners here. She had rebuffed the first one with "I would never!" before realizing how cruel she had sounded.
All of this just made Zee more anxious to get over the mountains. She had initially intended to just cross them with Mezzo, thinking--apparently naively--that they could travel together without help. When the guide suggested that it would be better for them to find some other adventurers to assist in their travels, Zee was too polite and too reasonable to voice her concerns. The guides were right: if the Wilds were anywhere near as dangerous as she'd been led to believe, having more people to travel with would just make this safer. She couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, though. People didn't always believe her when she told them that she was here for research purposes. She was "too pretty for that," or worse, she was "only there because she came from money." She hadn't heard the second one aloud yet, but she could tell by the way some of the people looked at her that she was not the type to be going on this sort of adventure, if there was a type.
When they finally reached The Wandering Soul, Zee shot Mezzo a small, nervous smile. He seemed much less bothered than her by all of this excitement, which did help to calm Zee's nerves. When they entered, Zee was pleasantly surprised to see only a few other adventurers. Upon being unceremoniously dumped off here, the guide skittered over to another table to drink and watch the events of the day unfold.
Before rushing into the tavern, Zee took a long look around. The innkeeper was old, and Zee found herself understanding the man behind the counter. Despite his greying hair and the wrinkles that criss-crossed his face like winding, branching rivers, he was doing something he doubtless enjoyed. Even if he couldn't adventure beyond The Barrier Mountains himself, he could watch as each subsequent generation of travelers prepared to take the same journey that he had been on so many years ago. His rest stop was perhaps the last bit of comfort they would find for a long while, and Zee was grateful for it. It wasn't hot-water baths drawn by servants or feather-stuffed beds, and it wasn't six-course meals on a table that had been polished with an inch of its life. Zee had to remind herself that she had given up that life to be here, that this was what she truly wanted.
She was so absorbed by her observations of the innkeeper that she almost missed the greeting they were given by one of the other Explorers that had ended up here. Mezzo's grand flourish snapped her back into reality, and she gave a very small curtsey, pulling the blue fabric of her tunic up and crossing her legs just the way she had been taught. It was strange. She was trying so hard to walk away from her old life, but she couldn't help but curtsey just so or miss the comforts of home. Maybe she wasn't cut out for this after all.
When Mezzo suggested they go sit at the bar, Zee nodded along. It was too late to go back. She was going to do this. The world had a place for her, and it wasn't behind castle walls. She smiled, a small thing that she tried to keep to herself. Everybody would have done this if it was easy. She was doing it because it was hard.
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Post by Vazad on Feb 10, 2018 14:47:26 GMT
Since leaving Hastkhr Baraz had been extremely careful to be polite to those he encountered. This was a strange place after all, there was no need to make enemies yet and he'd need every little advantage he could get to help him on his coming journey. No, it was better to play the martyr. It would make everything all the sweeter when he returned. Baraz trudged his way through the city on the dirt these people seemed to think of as a road he followed the guide that had been foisted on him. Not wanting to insult these townsfolk he had accepted their offer when they had insisted and he now was heading for some form of "saloon" or somesuch where the townsfolk seemed to think that those going exploring should meet and create small companies for mutual protection. That suited Baraz just fine actually, he might be able to scrape by on his own but who knows what sort of strange things one could find out there. Anything from wild Pokemon looking for a meal to desperate explorers, no, it was better if he could obtain some potential underlings to watch his back.
In some small way, this whole venture was rather exciting despite his knowledge that it would not be pleasant. Maybe he could bring back some new undiscovered species that could make him rich, or he could find some of the strange Pokemon that changed once they were beyond the mountains. He could get back in the game and crush Sharhzad and Banu, there would be no playing nice this time. Letting them leave was not an option, they had shown themselves too clever. But Baraz would have the upper hand in the end. The Chain would be his once more and he would restore the proper order of things.
As the guide finally reached the establishment and ushered Baraz inside he watched as the man slunk off to another table where they seemed to congregate. Surely these people had better things to do that turn these guests into some sort of spectacle? They needed to work to eat, didn't they? Dismissing the thought he decided to head to the bar where the other potentials had seemed to gather. Approaching the group of strangers Baraz gave them the traditional greeting he would give to any potential business partner. In quick succession, he formed the hand signs for Tirtouga representing longevity, Meditite for peace and calmness and finally Whismur for communication. He then held his hands a few inches apart and horizontally parallel against his chest as he gave the others a low stiff bow.
"It is good to meet you all, I am Baraz of house Gul. May I assume that you all are on your way into the Wilds as well?"
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Post by Infynis on Feb 10, 2018 16:50:19 GMT
"Well, they're certainly not here for the night life, young man," the bartender said, inviting himself into your conversation. He is elderly, with the wrinkled face and silver-grey moustache to prove it, above a friendly smile that seems a little bit more sincere than a proprietor would usually show his patrons. "Don't many come round here with that in mind. What'll ya'll have? First round's on the house for Explorers." Behind the bar is an impressive array of bottles. Much like the other shops, it seems this place serves people with a myriad of tastes not usually seen in a small town.
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Post by Trixander on Feb 10, 2018 16:52:57 GMT
"Got anything with fruit in it? Might be my last chance to get something sweet," Mezzo says as he laments the fact that this may in fact be the last drink that he ever has. He'd ask for something stronger, but the last thing that he wants is to be drunk these next few days.
Mezzo did not know much about the culture of Hastkhr, so instead of the bow he gave Hatui he offered Baraz a handshake.
"Mezzo Reveille and Zee Burgau. You assume correctly. May I assume that you would like to accompany us?" Mezzo said. "The more the merrier, as I always say."
The bard was eager to get this show on the road. Not just for his own sake, but for Zee's as well. The noble woman was looking like she was beginning to have doubts about this whole thing, which was just absurd. Mezzo was confident that once she got out there in the field her nerves would vanish.
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Post by raventhefree on Feb 10, 2018 17:16:26 GMT
While Mezzo introduced them, Zee smiled at the other two. Two more seemed like just enough for a party of Explorers. When Baraz introduced himself, Zee looked up. "Gul. From the island of..." she paused. "Oh, it starts with an H, but the name escapes me," she admitted, leaning around Mezzo to get a better look at Baraz. "Nonetheless, good to meet you. And you," she said, turning to the other man who had not yet introduced himself. He looked cold, and Zee had half a mind to offer him her jacket if not for the fact that he would stretch it terribly.
When the bartender offered them drinks, Zee looked over the bottles wistfully. "Mmm, do you have Verschel?" she asked. She had always been fond of their chocolatey red wine, even if she didn't often drink often herself. "It's an impressive collection," she complimented.
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Post by Vazad on Feb 10, 2018 17:24:51 GMT
Baraz nodded and smiled at the bartender's comment. As he took Mezzo's hand in a firm shake, he had been to enough cultures to know that this was quite often a common method of signing deals and greeting others even if it was a bit foreign to him, he replied to the barkeep.
"I will take a glass of wine if you do not mind, whatever you happen to have is fine. Thank you."
Turning back to the other potential explorers he continued.
"I would be glad to do so, I'm sure the Wilds are a dangerous place for those alone so such a contract would be quite amenable."
Something about Mezzo's comment stuck in his mind though, there was something... Ah! That last name. As Zee spoke it clinched it in his mind.
"You would not happen to be of the Anbesan Burgau's? The family has quite a bit of standing as I recall."
Quickly he formed the signs of the Tyrunt, the Meowth and the Togepi before giving her an even deeper bow than he had given earlier.
"It is a pleasure to meet you indeed."
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Post by TheFluorescentDodo on Feb 10, 2018 18:56:07 GMT
Hatui tried his best not to be too awkward as the first two Explorers exchanged their pleasantries. As they moved over to the bar, before Hatui got a chance to introduce himself, a third Explorer approached them for a group total of four should they decide to stick together. He tried not to look confused as this final man made several strange hand gestures. He did return the bow with the same greeting he had presented the other two."My name is Hatui Matuha, of the island of Napa Rui." It was then that the bartender offered them some drinks. Hatui stared at all the various bottles of strange liquids, most he had never heard of. "Hmm... I'll just take some Bounsweet water if you have it."
As the bartender prepared their drinks, the discussion continued. Hatui glanced from one person to another as they apparently recognized each other in name. Having lived insulated on his island for so long, Hatui knew very little about foreign powers and nobility. Thus he had no idea if these people were particularly important or powerful in their own cultures or if he might have somehow not shown the proper respect to them because of this. They did certainly seem amenable to the idea of travelling together though.
"Yes, I feel it would certainly be better to travel in a group than alone. The Wilds are a mysterious and almost mythical place and there is strength in numbers. It would be an honor to work with fellow Explorers who seek an adventure into this unknown."
They had only just met, but surely if they were undertaking this journey they had some good quality of character. Baraz's talk of a contract did certainly remind him of that Lugaran whom came to his island and tried to swindle them out of everything. He tried not to judge, however, as it would be rude to base his judgement of all other Lugarans off of just one poor experience. The other two seemed nice enough though, and at least agreeable in terms of personality. None of them quite look experienced in survival based pursuits on the outside per se, but Hatui knew it was what was on the inside that really counted.
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Post by Infynis on Feb 10, 2018 20:03:58 GMT
As you talk, the old man busies himself behind the bar preparing your drinks. From the very top shelf, which he can only barely reach, he removes a dusty bottle that Zee recognises to be the Verschel she requested. Removing the cork with ease, he places the bottle on the back counter to allow it to breathe while he procures the rest of the drinks. Baraz's wine is a red from the middle of his display. Judging by the number of bottles he keeps in stock, it is probably quite popular. From beneath the bar, he removes a third bottle, containing a clear liquid. As the cap is removed, the fragrance of Bounsweet water is recognisable immediately. And for the fourth drink, you can't quite see what he's doing. As he opens a cabinet beneath the shelves of liquors, a white mist pours out. He then takes two bottles from different ends of the selection. With his back still turned, he decants them into a glass he must have had on the counter.
Turning with a smile, he places your drinks before you. "Bounsweet water, and a delicious red from an Anbesan vineyard to the south," he says, without a trace of the accent he had when he introduced himself, "and for the lady, a glass of Verschel. I'm afraid it is a newer vintage, but it is difficult to get their best all the way out here." Looking at the label on the bottle, you can see it is in fact, forty years old, and an excellent year. "And finally, a "fruity" drink, for the least decisive among you." Turning back to the counter behind him, he retrieves a glass that he has managed to keep hidden by standing at particular angles to it. "Forgive an old man his symbolism, but I couldn't resist."
The stemmed glass he places in front of Mezzo is clearly chilled. At the bottom is a finger and a half of a clear liquor, that somehow has not mixed with the other above it, a playful pink, about four fingers. After you've had a moment to see it, the barkeep snaps his own fingers over the glass, and the surface of the beverage ignites.
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Post by Trixander on Feb 10, 2018 20:37:41 GMT
"Oh ho, a showman! I like your style," Mezzo says. The drink burned bright blue as its flames danced slightly from side to side. "I may be indecisive, but I ended up getting the most exciting drink."
Symbolism. It's funny, because the drink didn't symbolize his indecisiveness at all. A bright, pink drink that the nobility would take part in. It would be sweet most likely. Yet, with the slightest spark, it would burst into flames. Dancing back and forth, the fire would be extremely hot. Yet he was in no danger, so long as he didn't put his hand in its way. There was more to this drink than was on the surface.
Of course, Mezzo could just be reading too much into it.
The bard blew out the flames and took a drink of his fiery beverage. "So, you're an elementalist then. That how you made it back from The Wilds?" he asked.
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Post by Infynis on Feb 10, 2018 21:08:45 GMT
"Oh, nothing so special as that," the bartender says with a smile, turning his hand palm up to reveal small pieces of flint and steel pinched between his fingers. "Just a few tricks up my sleeve." As he says that, he gives the flaming glass a flick, and the blue flames flares orange, then swiftly burns through the entirety of the pink liquor, leaving only a garnish of purple ash atop the clear liquid. The aroma it gives off is sweet indeed. "You know, back in my day, there were only two paths through The Mountains."
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Post by raventhefree on Feb 10, 2018 21:30:16 GMT
Zee sighed as Baraz recognized her family name. "Yes, I am one of the Anbesan Burgaus," Zee admitted. "The youngest of their current litter, though if I were to guess, my brother won't be too far away from children of his own."
"I am familiar with these hand signs, but do not know them," Zee said as she imitated the three new signs clumsily. It wasn't technically a question, but she asked it like one. "I was taught the first three to greet people when my parents threw parties," she said, gesturing them more deftly.
When Hatui introduced himself, Zee nodded. "Hatui. Good to meet you." She bit her tongue before she could say anything more. She wanted to ask about the island he had come from, but she couldn't think of a polite way to phrase it. You must come from a backward people just didn't have the right ring to it.
When the bartender retrieved an excellent bottle of the Verschel, Zee raised her eyebrows. She hadn't truly expected him to have any; it was more of a wistful desire for something she likely wouldn't be able to taste for a long while. The bottle itself was excellent. She had only had younger years--her family wasn't much for wine collection--and she accepted the glass of wine gladly.
The production of a flashy, fiery drink made Zee pause. Mezzo could be a bit of a show-off, and she was hopeful that he wouldn't choose this as the time to flash a bit of lightning magic. Internally cringing at her pun, she relaxed when she realized that Mezzo was not intent on letting everybody know why useless Lady Zee was even remotely able to think about crossing the mountains.
After finishing his show, the bartender mentioned the paths over the mountains for old Explorers. "Oh?" Zee asked. "How did you go about it? Crossing The Barrier, that is?"
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Post by Vazad on Feb 10, 2018 22:32:21 GMT
As Zee confirmed his suspicions and commented on the hand signs he gave a quick clarification. "That would make sense, the first set is to hope for a prosperous meeting and the second was more giving deference to your families status. I doubt anyone with suitable rank to deal with your family would deign to think themselves as being lesser." Baraz watched as the bartender played the crowd and was actually quite impressed, the wine that was picked seemed to be quite good as well. Picking up his glass he swirled it slightly as he took in the aroma and let it breath a little before taking a sip. "This is wonderful, much appreciated." Baraz himself couldn't have said if the man had any elemental connections, he hadn't really dealt with those that did much. During his years running The Chainthoug he'd mostly concentrated on his work. He was quite interested in the final comment h. "Yes, I'd very much like to know as well and based on your statement I must also conclude that there are more than just two now?"
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Post by Infynis on Feb 10, 2018 22:59:57 GMT
"So you don't even know?" the old man asked with surprise. "I was sure the other villagers would have filled you in by now. I guess they've left it to me instead." As he speaks, he winks at the table of locals, and retrieves again the spirits he'd used to make Mezzo's drink, and a second chilled glass.
"There are three paths to choose from. The first:" he pours the clear liquid into the crystalware, causing the appearance of a chill mist. "is simply called The Pass. It is a canyon between two mountain peaks that is not impossible to trek. This was not my choice, as I had never been one for the cold." He then decants the second liquor, filling the drink nearly to the rim with the fruity pink beverage. "The second is an abandoned mine, vacant now for nearly fifty years. The excavation was forced to stop when the miners broke into a cavern system of strange luminescent crystals. At first they wanted to mine them, but the Pokemon there proved too threatening. This is the new path. The third, is the lava tubes of Lifegiver Mountain." Finally, he snaps his fingers again, and the drink is set alight. With a smile, he hands it to a young woman, one of your guides, who has been waiting on the periphery. She takes it with an eager smile and scampers back to their table. "That is where I began my journey into The Wilds all those years ago."
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Post by Trixander on Feb 11, 2018 1:38:23 GMT
This was a tough decision for Mezzo. What would be the best route for not only him, but for his teammates? His coat would keep him warm in the frozen climates, and Zee was no stranger to extreme weather, but the rest of his party was not so lucky. As for the lava tubes, he didn't much like the sound of that either. Being melted alive by molten rock just didn't sound appealing. Lastly was the mine, but that way seemed the most mysterious of all. What had the miners found, and what was up with the crystals? The bottom line was that the party would need some more information.
"Tell me more about this excavation. How do you know that they made it through to the other side?" he asked. "And these crystals, what are they? Actually, is there anything else you can tell us about these three routes? The more we know the better off we will be."
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Post by TheFluorescentDodo on Feb 11, 2018 3:41:00 GMT
Three paths had been presented for Hatui and his potential companions to possibly follow.The first, the Pass, was solely described as cold. Surely the outdoor nature of this did in fact mean this pathway had a cold climate and likely they would have to endure the various harsh conditions this entailed.. Hatui was not used to cold: he had simply never experienced it before now. Still he was not one to back down from a challenge should this be the pathway his companions desired. The second path was a mine. The Pokemon here seemed to be the biggest obstacle, or at least they were to the miners who discovered the cave. It certainly was the more mysterious of the three, as Mezzo's curiosity demonstrated. Finally, the lava tubes of Lifegiver mountain were the last path presented. As this was the path the man had attempted himself, surely it was the path he knew most about.
Adding onto Mezzo's inquiry, Hatui asked, "Is Lifegiver Mountain an active or dormant volcano? I know there are some minor lava tubes on my island, and they are fairly safe to traverse, but our volcano is completely inactive. Presumably the wild Pokemon and environment make this far more treacherous in this instance?"
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Post by Infynis on Feb 11, 2018 4:21:19 GMT
"Thinking of heading through the mine are you?" the bar tender responds to Mezzo's questions. "I'm afraid they're a little after my time, but I've heard a few things." As he begins his tale, he pulls a stool up to his side of the bar, clearly anticipating that you will have a lot of questions. "First off, we do know the caves go all the way through. We didn't off the bat, but a group of Explorers about thirty years back decided it was worth a shot, and when one of them came back by way of The Pass a year later, it was obvious they'd succeeded."
"The Pokemon in there are strange for an underground environment. The miners are equipped to handle Rock types you see. Once they got into the caves though, it was a totally different game. I haven't had it confirmed, but from what I've gathered, they sounded like Fairy types. And some of them were evolved. That starts to happen deeper into any of the routes though."
At Hatui's question, the old man smiles, a glint of humour in his eye. "Lifegiver's active, alright" he says with a chuckle. "Just because he hasn't sent any lava our way in a couple thousand years doesn't mean there isn't any to give. The tubes on this side are quite safe. Once you get into the magma chamber though, things get pretty hot, and getting out the other side is always a bit of a trick." He talks about this possible death by incineration like it's all in good fun.
"As for The Pass, I'm afraid I don't know that much. As I said, the cold's not really for me. It is probably traveled the most frequently though. All I know is that it's not just a straight shot across The Mountains. Seems the gods couldn't make it that easy."
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Post by Vazad on Feb 11, 2018 4:47:45 GMT
All of these options seemed to have unpleasant sides to them. Baraz supposed he should have expected this, otherwise, there wouldn't be a bunch of broken failures dragging themselves back. Taking another sip of his wine he contemplated the options. He was sure the mines would be full of rock types even if they also had fairies in them, that really wasn't the best for him. Rock types were one of the ones you'd need to be careful with when training as they didn't respond very much to the whip. The lava tubes kind of made Baraz think of imminent fiery death, especially since the bartender... Now that he thought about it he hadn't caught the mans name, it was usually best to keep things on pleasant terms.
"Ah, my apologies but I don't believe I caught your name, sir."
As he waited for a reply his mind slotted back into its previous track. The bartender had confirmed that there were active caves with pools of literal magma. Baraz wasn't particularly good with climbing or jumping so that sounded like it might be a fast track to burning alive. The pass didn't sound very pleasant but at least there might be the possibility of finding shelter among the slopes if the weather turned bad. Once he was sure the Bartender had finished replying to him he asked another question.
"By the way, what sort Pokemon did you run into in the tubes? Also, how long did it take you to pass through?"
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