Edgewalkers Campaign Thread

Ani would wink to Jhalaar. "So bagpipes it is!" Of course she was only kidding, just trying to lighten the mood a little bit. She'd gesture with her flute. "A little meditative melody was honestly all I had in mind. Sometimes it can help us focus our senses."

The changeling would standby while Vusgar eyes the duo, ready to set out when everyone else is.

Jhalaar nods and pulls out a map, laying it on a stump as she begins pointing out areas. "There are three shifter tribes in the Tundra. In the south is the Qiku, with the Saartuk to the northwest. The rest of the north is occupied by the Chuniigi. The Qiku and Saartuk, while primitive, are generally more likely to kick us out than actively try to kill us, but the Chuniigi have been taking a lot of hits from the Kalaak and have started raiding their fellow tribes as well. They may attack us for our supplies if we penetrate that deep into the Tundra. Usually the shifter tribes have a general peace, but the Chuniigi's raiding are putting that at risk, so everyone's higher strung than usual."

Aali takes over. "In the northeast are the Eska mountains and the Dorann Holds, which hold dwarves. They aren't exactly allies of Riedra, but they're insular and don't help our enemies either. Don't expect to see them at all. Finally, the Kalaak. They come out of the Krertok Peninsula, in the east. The solo scouts we sent in there haven't come back, so we have very little information on it."

 Vusgaar eye twitches at the mention of the Saartuk. "If we wish to minimize contact.... What can you tell us about the White Sea and the land to the immediate area there. Qiku at least keep towards the inner lands, or roam to often to be sure? Also-...." He hesitates, and looks to Talaak for a brief moment before saying, "Does the name Lirika mean anything to you two? Something you might've overheard or saw marked somewhere out in the Tundra?"

Aali and Jhalaar exchange questioning glances before shaking their heads. "But we didn't really look into names. Mostly visual scouting," Aali explains.

Talaak stiffens slightly when he hears the name, but relaxes after a moment. He addresses Jhalaar, "What are the odds we could get some of these groups to turn against each other? If they feel threatened, perhaps we will be able to influence them into acting in our best interests."

"Everyone hates the Kalaak," Jhalaar explains. "Tensions are growing between the Chuniigi and the other two tribes, but they're nowhere near a breaking point. There's a whole mythology they have about working together." She rolls her eyes. "Dorann dwarves make it clear that if nobody bothers them, they won't bother anyone. Then there are the Akiak." She scowls. "They're too insular and mobile to form any lasting relationships with the other groups, although they have stronger ties than the Doranns. Basically a free pass through the shifter territories as long as they don't mess with the shifters. Again though, they hate the Kalaak. Still, wouldn't want an Akiak's help for anything. Backstabbers."

"Everyone hates the Kalaak," Jhalaar explains. "Tensions are growing between the Chuniigi and the other two tribes, but they're nowhere near a breaking point. There's a whole mythology they have about working together." She rolls her eyes. "Dorann dwarves make it clear that if nobody bothers them, they won't bother anyone. Then there are the Akiak." She scowls. "They're too insular and mobile to form any lasting relationships with the other groups, although they have stronger ties than the Doranns. Basically a free pass through the shifter territories as long as they don't mess with the shifters. Again though, they hate the Kalaak. Still, wouldn't want an Akiak's help for anything. Backstabbers."

Talaak grins, "Though if we can use the Akiak to break the Kalaak, we may also gain an opportunity to break the Akiak on the Kalaak. Of course, any other tribe would do just as well. Let their souls be returned to the void, so that they may be reborn again, closer to their true purpose."

Jhalaar looks intrigued by the idea, nodding slowly.

Khern merely grunts. "As long as we don't get too distracted by trying to make the Akiak do our work for us." He gives Jhalaar and Aali a nod. "You two did good. Now, anything else before we head into the territory?"

 Vusgaar, having gone back to hovering over the map, finally looked up at Khern's question. "Yes. Just the one, however." He straightens up, and folds his hands behind his back. "As well as suggestion, for the unlikely event we find ourselves. Mention Lirika looking favorably upon you, if you -two- should be unable to avoid direct contact with shifter inhabitants. If nothing else, it will hopefully buy you time." He eyes Jhalaar and Aali in particular while saying that, then turns more to address Khern, "I... forgive the mistake. But, there are... areas in which magic and the world becomes twisted in the Tundra, correct? If so, have these... have their been any worrying development of more on that front? More than the usual." 

Khern nods. "The aukraks, reality storms. Last I heard they haven't been getting worse lately." Aali gives a confirming nod as Khern continues. "They're essentially mobile manifest zones. They got their name because of how they sweep across the Tundra like weather fronts. If we get caught in one, we're done for. Best option is to take cover, but depending on what plane it's connected to, cover may not mean anything. Fortunately, both Jhalaar and I can detect them. We'll each check twice a day, and if we sense them in an area, we'll move away from them. Even if it delays us, trust me, getting caught in an aukrak is worse. On the chance that we do end up being caught in one, whether because we couldn't outrun it or it formed around us, take cover as much as possible and stay alert."

Ani would play her flute softly in the background to keep herself alert and focused while the others discussed. She’d play faster when the conversation seemed to be getting more intense, then she’d fade off at the end before the group would continue ahead into the tundra.

Vusgaar lets out a deep breathe through the nose and bows his head. "Understood, sir. We will be ready. If not avoid, then to whether come what may." He said, though the last part comes out sounding awkward after noticing Ani's mood music. "We should.. I believe we're ready to go."

You begin your voyage through the Tundra within the hour. Jhalaar and Aali grab their things, already packed, and you move into the icy cold plains. The nearest location Jhalaar and Aali have found traces of Kalaak activity is two days away.

Day 1: 15

OOC: Cool, straight to the unlikely stuff...okay everyone, time for a Perception check!

Watch this hot failure: 21

Perception: 18

No! This is Hot Failure: : 9.

Ani perception: 10

Observe, hot failure: 9

Demetrios and Meiara: