"I am so proud of you," Vesra said, her voice flat and devoid of emotion. She didn't notice the barbarian had joined them until her sister was all over him. "It's a shame he's out. I had wanted to thank Parleydin for his hospitality "

"Ellangil, I'm glad you joined us," the druid breathed a sigh of relief. "There's no way I'm going to be able to support her all the way back. Could you help me carry Vasha?"

Ellangil smiles broadly at Vasha, touching his forehead to hers to show light affection, but also keep her mouth at bay. He did not know how long his will to remain noble and focused on the task at hand would hold.

"Aye, we do," he says with a heavy sigh. "But not tonight. Tonight you need to rest and think. Who knows what dangers will face us tomorrow."

He nods at Versa.

"If she needs carrying, I'm up for the task."

By the time the afternoon is reaching the end, Parleydin is still passed out from the alcohol. Disappointed, Vasha swears to herself that she'll find the time to get his naked arse prancing through the Open Flame Bazaar. The suns begin to disappear over the Teeth of Akoum [the largest and most prevalent mountain range in Akoum, covering a span of over one-hundred miles. The tallest peak towers into the sky, over three miles above the ground at its base, and is known as the Glistening Pike, due to its location and how it seems to "pierce" the space inbetween the suns as they make their descent below the horizon.], marking the time that Vielara wishes to see the group to discuss their first expedition. Questions abound in their heads, as do emotions of nervousness and excitement at the coming task ahead of them.

They make their way through the northern gates, the situation with the goblin caravan having been settled long ago. The guards nod to each of you, as you pass through the heavy, wooden gates. One of them eyes eyes Kayn suspiciously, only to receive an elbow in the side and a whisper in his hear. The guard's eyes go wide, accompanied by a nervous smile as he nods his head to Kayn. The Open Flame Bazaar is busy as ever, the large, flaming fountain situated in the center of the open bazaar ever-continuing to bellow out tongues of fire, dazzling the eye.

The group follows Kayn, who rides himself, through the twisting alleyways and mud-filled canals between the adobe buildings, climbing up a small hill where the Tekentlar Expedition House rests. What once was a large warehouse has been transformed and renovated according to Vielara's whims. The paths the group ventures on opens up to a cul-de-sac, where a large, alabaster statue of Vielara with arms stretched open rests in the center. One hand holds an actual glowing hedron; the other holds a bundle of stone scrolls. At its base, Vielara waits, looking up at the statue. Sensing the group's presence, she turns to face them, and smiles. Noting some of the group's eyes lingering on the hedron, she mentions, "That was the first "portable" hedron I ever found. It was situated within a ravine, deep in the tangle of jaddi trees in Murasa. A group of vampires, meer nulls in the hands of a more powerful demon, was excavating it for a purpose I never discovered. I felt it appropriate to place on display outside of the expedition house, a testament to vast wealth of knowledge, artifacts, and treasure this house will discover."

She counts the heads, noting the lack of Ato's presence, and looks up at the suns as they ever-slowly descend behind the Teeth. "It would seem we still have some time before the final employee arrives." she mentions starkly.

Kayn's eyes are definitely attracted to the Hedron on the statue. The power it holds, the secrets. Such a powerful relic being used as eyecandy for the Expedition House. It feels wasted... but it also fills him with a bit of pride. It is a symbol of status, and Kayn represents that status as a member. 

"It is a wondrous thing," Kayn says, "To see such an symbol of power on display. It will also paint targets on this house, I think. I am curious what dangers you plan to send us on, but excited to see what we find." Kayn's dog sits on the intense desert sand, allowing him to dismount. "What other relics will we find, and how does the house spread the wealth and knowledge of those finds to its members?" He asks, curious if he'll ever get to study a Hedron that they find or if it will merely be placed in a display case like this one. 

"Here's what's going to happen, big man," Vesra whispered in Ellangil's ear. "She's going to insist on walking, and make it about a block before that no longer becomes an option. About a block later, she'll start explaining in great deal all of the ways she knows how to disembowl someone. If she says the words 'hooks' and 'intestines' in the same sentence before you pick her up, I will be very cross. Understood?"

The trek back went almost exactly as she had predicted. About a block before they reached the Adventure House, Vesra placed a hand on Vasha's forehead. She channeled a small amount of her power into her sister, hopefully helping her to sober up a bit. The Kor did not want any further issues with Vielara. 

"Ato will be here soon," she spoke up. "But if you are in a rush, I would be more than happy to relay the relevant information to him."

Kayn's questions on distributing wealth cause her to chuckle. "Don't worry, little goblin. You'll get your artifact to impress the rest of your kind [goblins prize artifacts less for their value and more for their mark of status, due to it showing others how brave they are]. Though truthfully, I don't know what artifacts or relics you will find. The places I'm sending you to have never been explored, and some will only be theories based on myth and legend. This first location is a curious hedron, massive in size: large enough to fit a house within, and situated along the border to Guul Draz. It houses a door, which has never been able to be cracked. But more details will be provided when Ato arrives."

To answer your question on how wealth is distributed," she continues, a smirk spreading across her face, "I believe in what Shaedrol [a famed writer and retired explorer] said in An Explorer's Folly, "they who seek are they who keep." That said, as the sender and provider, I will request that all unknown artifacts and relics found be sold to the House, so that we might research and discover what the nature of such an artifact is, and then possibly flipped for profit and glory for the House. And more mundane treasures are yours to keep and do with as you see fit."

Go, keep her company, Vesra thought to her new little companion. Ember gave her a little salute before jumping out of her bag and floating over to her sister. It was probably for the best that Vasha did not take part in these discussions, especially in her current, inebriated state. But that didn't make the reality of her sister's loneliness any easier for her to swallow. And don't you dare burn her!

Ember's response was most certainly not worth repeating.

"Are we heading to Ora Ondor?" Vesra asked softly. The Impossible Garden housed some of the most exquisite botany she had ever laid eyes on, and she would not mind returning. "What's behind the door, my lady?"

On the other side of the courtyard, Ember began to poke Vasha's leg and wave at her to try to get her attention. His little hands attempted to sign, "Vesra is sorry she waited so long," but the miniature elemental sincerely doubted she would understand him. 

"Ora Ondar?" Vielara asked inquisitively. "What would give you that idea? No, the Impossible Garden is hundreds of miles away northwest of us. It would take weeks to travel there. Though the group will most likely be going through one of the local life blooms, a smaller representation of Ora Ondar. It's been around for a few years now, along the border to Guul Draz on the near side of the Cokatara Chasm [a wide, deep chasm, spanning just over one hundred miles between the two local mountain ranges, which separates the continents of Guul Draz and Akoum along the southwestern border]. And how should I know what's behind the door, little wolf? It's sealed. No one's been inside. I could probably crack it open with ease, but this is why I have all of you."

She looks up at the suns once again, slowly disappearing behind the Pike.

The goblin begins to get impatient as he waits, and his dog-butt is getting hot. Seeing Vasha in the shade, the dog walks over and sits next to her. The change in temperature just from the shade was cool and refreshing. 

In the meantime, Kayn's thoughts keep him occupied. He wonders where Ato could have gone to make him so late for this afternoon's meeting. He can also tell that Vielara is getting a bit impatient. The thought of being able to keep everything the group finds was exhilarating, but what does the guild consider a priceless artifact compared to his own standards? That would have to be something he discovers when he comes back to the hall lugging around a huge amount of artifacts. Dog-self can't really carry too much though, so he may need to upgrade his bonded animal during the trip. Maybe something large. Something that'll be able to carry all of the group's belongings and the treasures they find. He then starts to think about the dinosaurs that have been rumored to exist. Imagine if he was able to bond with the largest one! That'd be a worthy body for Sear.

He preferred to keep Sear away from danger, only bringing out his precious familiar when truly needed. He was an amazing help during his studies and while scouting, but he wasn't that great in a battle. At some point he'll need to find a few spells to use in conjunction with the familiar. That'll make him a little more combat worthy, at least. His mind finally wonders to the books he got from Lillith's study. These books were going to change everything. Not only are they filled with history, but one of them may contain the secrets to allowing him to soul-bind Sear to a bonded creature.

He sighs with his thoughts, and so does dog-self.

Ellangil follows, observes, and listens, setting aside his inner turmoil for tending at another time. Now is the time to focus. Distracted preparation means more bodies on the battlefield than necessary.

Ato winds his way through he circuitous streets of Affa, more comfortable now with it's layout than he'd been, but still learning his way.  Glancing up at the sun, he realized that he was later than he should be - it hadn't helped he'd gotten himself turned around twice in this maze, but he could see the peak of the expedition house not far ahead now.

Arriving as Vielara is making her comments about the Ora Ondar, he tries to slip in unnoticed, but fully expects that the vampire doesn't miss his entrance at all. After a few moments of it appearing she is waiting for someone else, Ato walks over to join Vasha and Kayn's dog by the tree. "Who are we waiting for, do you know? Is there another person she'd having join us?"

Ato doesn't respond, just hides a grin behind his hand and fakes a cough to cover it.

The vampire does in fact, miss Ato's presence as he makes his way into the group. She paced around, taking view of the statue once again for a minute before looking back at the group... and at Ato. "Oh!" she exclaimed, surprised. "Looks like we're all accounted for." She quickly turns face, guiding the group to the expedition house. With a wave of her hand and a whispered incantation, the double doors open, revealing a long, well-lit hallway, with empty alcoves every five feet. You suspect this is where prized artifacts and other finds will be shown off to those who visit.

Making your way down the hallway, you see a pair of regular-sized doors on both the left and right sides of the hallway, with a large set of double doors at the end. "The smaller door to our left house your personal chambers. They are still being prepared, but should be ready when you return from this expedition. The door to our right leads to the training room, where obstacle courses, practice dummies, and other training materials are present to help hone your skills in between expeditions." She waves her hand again, and the double doors open once more, revealing a large banquet hall, with sets of both rectangular and circular tables scattered throughout. It looks like the place could fit up to one-hundred people. The far side of the banquet hall reveals an elevated platform, where another long table rests with eight chairs. She gestures for the group to follow, and asks that they take their seats.

Situated on the table is a map of the area surrounding Jolantur Bay [the bay which the Lentin River empties into from the nearby mountain range]. On it, a large "X" resides over an area towards the far base of the western mountains.

Having taken your seats, she begins, standing and leaning over the table. "As you all might've guessed, this is the region surrounding Jolantur Bay. Sachir's Lighthouse [Sachir is a famed explorer who mapped out most of Akoum] resides here." She points to the tip of the peninsula [the place that looks like Italy]. "The 'X' marks the location of a hedron I will be sending your expedition team to. To get there, I've chartered a galley, which will sail from Affa across the bay tomorrow. From there, you will need to trek by foot through the foothills leading up to the mountain range, wrapping around the southern tip to reach the hedron on the other side. This will also lead you through one of the more recent life blooms, situated within the foothills, along the southern part. Rumour has it that a branch of the Joraga tribe [one of several elf tribes known of in Zendikar] has laid claim to the life bloom, so do try and avoid them. They're xenophobes, and don't take kindly to guests. Once you've cracked open the hedron and taken what you can find, I want you to meet me in Fort Keff [a stronghold situated at the base of a ravine in the heart of the Kargan lands]. It'll be a long trek, and through the Scorched Wastes, so make sure you have proper rations and water. We'll plot our course from there."

She smiles, seemingly excited at what's transpiring. "Now, what question do you have?"

For the most part, throughout the day and then into the evenings meeting, Veythe kept rather quiet. It wasn't so much that she didn't want to interact with the others, more that she was focused on her babies that needed tending to after the mess in the water. She did keep an ear out, and raised her eyebrows during the drinking game. She would've loved to have joined the group, but the smell of the alcohol they'd chosen had her scrunch her nose up in distaste. Not her favorite, so not her drink.

While Vielara spoke Veythe kept herself just a little ways from the group, not because she didn't want to be a part of them, but more that she wasn't sure where she fit in them. It left her with a bit of a nervous energy and air, and more often than not she settled to tap out a faint rhythm while she fiddled with her new knives and crossbow. Names, names, names--what to name her newest children?

"What would you prefer?" Veythe murmured to herself. She eyed one of her newest daggers. Angel was her oldest, and then she had her beautiful instruments -- Reason, Resonance, Rhythm, and Rest. Now she needed to name the two new daggers, and her crossbow. Veythe settled herself crosslegged against a wall. She kept one ear onto the conversation, curious as to what her--companions? What were they to one another?--were talking about.

"Hmm, you seem like..." Veythe turned the dagger in her hands and flipped it casually. "Honesty." She looked to the third dagger as she put the second away next to her first. "And you..." She twirled the dagger lightly between her fingers, watched the light catch off the blade. "Grace...yes, Grace." Veythe brushed her fingers against the crossbow next as she settled the third dagger away. "Now for you..."

"Who are we waiting for, do you know? Is there another person she'd having join us?"

Veythe tilted her head to the mer, now distracted from her crossbow. There he was--she'd wondered where Ato'd gotten to. For a moment she considered blandly stating the obvious, but Vasha beat her to it. Ah, well, perhaps another time. Late, late, late, Veythe tapped onto her thigh and looked toward Vielara. The meeting fell underway rather quickly. Veythe eyed the map while Vielara spoke, lips pressed together. Great. More salt water.

"The hedron is movable?" Veythe questioned. She looked to Vielara. "Or are you wanting us to find something at the hedron?" She wanted to know their specific goal, if there even is one at that.

The inside of the guild hall was even more amazing than the outside. This place could house hundreds of people, and we were the first. He was sure they'd also be the best. When Vielara led them to the table with a map and detailed the plans, Kayn had to ask, "Are we sure this is wise?"

When the others glance at him, he adds, "Opening a hedron could easily release something upon the world that might be best left un-touched. The power of the artifacts is enormous. Maybe more study before opening? Maybe talk to Joraga Tribe and see. Take all precautions before doing something stupid, I think." This mission was insane. Opening a Hedron that has a 'door' could lead to anywhere. And there were far more dangerous places than the wilderness of Zendikar.  

Ato listened to Vielara as she outlined the mission for them, studying the map as each location was pointed out. At least we won't have to trek all the way around Jolantur Bay on foot, he thought. Hearing the questions posed by Veythe and Kayn, he added his own comment. "You believe it within our abilities to open this hedron somehow? I understand you have no way of knowing what we will find within, so the risk once it's open is entirely ours to deal with, but given the expense just to get out there..." He lets the question trail off. "Seeking out these things despite the dangers is precisely why we are here, Kayn, remember?"

He pondered the map, and sighed inwardly at the thought of that god-awful journey across the Wastes to Fort Keff. "The water and rations to get us to Fort Keff. We need to gather those ourselves, or are we drawing from a supply here and just need to be sure we've planned accordingly for the trip?"

"That disregard for the dangers this poses will be what gets you killed," he responds to Ato. 

He turns his attention back to Vielara, "More research. Any research you have on this hedron... it will be useful to us."