Dreams Into Journey

Oswin sorts through his own gear, "Sounds like a plan. Any idea how we're going to carry enough food and, more importantly, enough water? How deep into the desert are we going, anyway?"

"Part of the reason why asking someone who knows the desert better is necessary. While the salt flats - and by extension, the butte - are not hard to get to, on paper, only about a day's travel, I do not know much of the dangers of the desert, the kind of fauna - namely the dangerous ones - that survive there, or where the best places to rest might be."

"Best to hire a guide then."  Lia says with a nod.

"I've 'eard tale 'bout a bottle o' water tha' ne'er goes empty! Tha' woul' be useful if'n we 'ad onna dem!" Jororic muses as he strokes his beard.

Nessarian first responds to Lia, "Indeed. Do not worry about that expense, either. I have plenty of funding from my research and sales to accommodate it."

Hearing Jororic talk about a never-depleting bottle, "I have heard of it as well. It would certainly make desert travel convenient. Hadn't had much success emulating it; either the bottle overfills to cause flooding problems, or the enchantment is too ineffective to do the job."

"Now, all that said, let us depart at once! Conviento!"

With the incantation, a sudden pull is felt by all. For a few seconds, the sensation continues and they witness the world of them moving past them in an almost-blinding blur. The assault on the senses come to an end as they find themselves on the top of a rocky hill. It is midday and the sun is beginning to beat down on them.

Getting their bearings, they see they see a number of plants that are able to survive the dry heat such as brittlebush, desert willows, as well as a number of different succulent species. Down the hill, to the east they see a large number of structures that seem to be made of clay or mudbrick. On the far outskirts are a nearly uncountable number of tents and tarps.

"There it is... Razzel's Edge. Seems a bit busier than what I've heard. Looks to be more than just a few nomads and caravans." Nessarian observes with curiosity.

"Nevertheless, we should get into town before the heat overwhelms us." He beckons.

After getting into town, proper, and down the main street, they look around and see what this town has to offer. It is a bit smaller than Kohmstead, but it does seem to some goods and services. There are two taverns, The World's End and the Dry Camel. There are a few inns around town, Desert Star, First Oasis and High Sun, High Moon. The last of which looks to be considerably more high-class than the others. There does seem to be some stables, but they look to hold animals more suited for desert travel.

There are an number of wells around town. Evidently, the town was built over a sizable underground reservoir.

Most of the other buildings seem to be residences.

Needing to get out of the sun, they move into the Dry Camel. The tavern is only sparsely patronized. The barman, a blue-skinned tiefling sees the party enter as he's cleans a mug and welcomes them.

"Ah! Come on in! There are plenty of seats right now. If you need any thing, I, Seroun Knalvane, will be at your service."

Noticing the group's attire he adds, "I'll hazard a guess and say you're new in town, yes? What brings you to this neck of the sun-blasted wasteland?"

"Travel."  Lia says with a glance around. She wipes sweat from her forehead, then tucks some strands of her white hair behind an ear.  "We need to switch out our supplies before heading into the desert itself, do you have a suggestion for where we can resupply?"  She takes a seat as she speaks, ordering a cold drink of some sort, uncaring what it is as long as it is cold.

Seroun chuckles as he pours an ale for Lia, "Not sure that you realize it, but you've come at just the right time to cross the desert. We are expecting the annual rainfall tomorrow. Makes desert travel a hell of lot easier. But, yes, even with that, some supplies are expected: a couple of barrels of water, some way to shield yourself, some shelter for the nights... I see you have some weapons as well. Good, there are a lot of rather nasty denizens of the desert: all manner of poisonous snakes, spiders and reptiles, packs of gnolls and thri-kreen are known for ambushing desert crossers, there is also the odd elemental every now and then."

"I'm sure you saw the tents and tarps on the other side of town. That is largely a bazaar, you can find most of what you need there. In fact, with so many newer desert travelers like yourselves, they are able to afford selling their wares at a discount."

"What's your destination? I think I can point you to someone who can help you on your way?"

"A guide would be quite useful." Lia says with a nod of thanks. She describes their destination to the man as she sips her ale.

At a pause in the conversation, Jororic inquires, "Ya mean thar be lotso' newer trav'lers? Wha' be drawin' folks ta come to tha desert?"

Seroun reacts to Lia's description of the destination, "Not exactly a common stop. While guides that go that deep are similarly uncommon, they are more easy to pick out in a crowd. A few fire genasi live in the area and know damn-well near the entire desert. If you want to go as far in as you want, the one you'll want to speak to is Cree. You'll find her at either World's End or the Desert Star."

He then responds to Jororic, "Not the desert in and of itself. There are a lot of reason travelers, new and old, need to cross: business opportunity, religious pilgrimage, refuge; just as may reasons for people to travel as there are people. That, and crossing the desert is the fastest way east without having to tiptoe around the forest up north. The wood elves up there are deadly protective of their home."

"Cree... We'll find them then." Lia says, wiping sweat from her forehead with the back of one arm. She takes another drink of her cold ale, looking around the tavern at the other customers. She sets her ale back onto the wooden bar, condensation having already left a pool of water on the wood. Circling the glass around in a small area she moves the water around the bar top. With a sigh she lifts the ale to her lips and takes another swallow. Glancing to her companions she asks. "Suppose we should find this Cree right off, and then see what they suggest we get for supplies."

Oswin stays back while the others discuss, drinking water only, watching the street and trying to get used to the sudden increase in heat.

Satisfied with their information and rehydrating in some form in another (@Lia the ale costs 5 cp), the party departs for the the other tavern, The World's End.

Still being in the middle of the day, the establishment was almost as busy as the Dry Camel, if not a little busier. With most of the clientele grouped in the back. A grey-scaled dragonborn mans the bar.

"Welcome! The name's Harrok! What can I do ya for?" The dragonborn call out to the new arrivals.

"We are looking for a guide named Cree." Lia says, giving the bartender a friendly smile.  "We have a trip we are planning, and we heard he would be our best bet."

"She." Jororic corrects gently. "She woul' be our bes' bet. I'll 'ave a cold ale, if ye gots it?" he adds, hoping the business will help with the information.

"Heard mah name!" A voice calls out from the crowd in the back. A lithe, red-skinned woman with ash-gray hair raising her half-opened hand. She is leading her seat back on two legs, with her boots propped on the edge of the table. She sets herself down and approaches.

"Creseli Nessal. Most just call me 'Cree.' Only two reasons y'all are lookin' for me: I owe ya something, or ya wanna go somewheres offa the beaten path. Since I've never seen y'all 'fore, I'm guessin' it the second thing?"

"W-Well, yes, exactly." Nessarian replies, taken aback by her blunt nature. "We are needing to go to the butte in the Shestari Salt Flats."

Cree whistles, "I know I said 'offa the beaten path,' but that lonely rock makes that saying inappropriate by comparison! Y'all must have a good reason ta go there..."

"It is an unorthodox request, yes. However, the butte is a subject of great intere-"

"Hey, if ya already made the sale, stop selling," She interrupts.

"I see... Well in term of payment," Nessarian says as he pulls out a small bag and puts it in front of her. "I think this would be sufficient."

Cree picks it up and gives it a couple of shakes then puts it in her bag, "Yeah, seems 'bout right! It will take me 'round an hour to get ready. Any questions before I head on out?"

"We are not exactly experienced with desert travel."  Lia says with a shrug.  "Can you help us with getting the right supplies for the journey?"

"That's what most o' mah prep is for..." Cree replies to Lia. "Can't be much of a guide if I allow somethin' ta happen ta who I'm guidin!' Y'all can tag along, if ya like."

"Blankets, shelter, water, food. All pretty simple to get a hold of, I reckon somewhere around three or four days worth depending on how long we're out there. Anything beyond that would be your expense."

With a look out at the sun, Jororic states, "I t'ink I'll stay 'ere an' drink me ale if'n tha's goo' wit' ya!"