Holbright's Institute of Higher Magic Vol. 1

"The people I think are victims of the unstable magic that were strongest here when the city first fell," Gen-ga begins speaking to Ted. "I don't think anyone's tried to study them if I'm honest. Would you like to," the bronze dragonborn asks curiously.

Areon leads in camp's setup. He finds an outcropping of sandstone to back the tents up to but only room enough for two as well as another space, 10ft away, to hobble the horses and mule. The sandstone looks like it was carved out by a great river once now long since descended now the cause of the chasm.

"I think we're even safe enough here to light a fire," Gen-ga says beginning the meal as usual with Zira playing sous chef.

It's a simple meal but a hot one and after it's passed out everyone settles into their meal. Vanya however remains distant. She stays close to the party but doesn't engage with anyone. She refuses the food Gen-ga cooks and Zrira offers her. Instead, the dark elf eats her dried rations in silence looking out over the chasm towards the glimmering city ruins beyond.

1rst watch: Ragnar/Ted, 2nd watch: Areon/Vanya, 3rd watch: Erika/Gen-ga/Zira

(Ted said he'd join 1st Watch)

Ragnar digs into the food, watching Vanya as he eats. He thinks about talking to her, but what can he say. He's not her ship's skeppare.

OOC: To ease the transitions between watch everyone roll perception checks and we'll take it from there.

"We'll join you Erika," Zira says when watch has been agreed upon as dinner wraps up.

Two tents I think 3 NPCs in one and 4 PCs in the other.

Ted jumps to his feet, "So nobody has a name for this effect? It could be called the Dreadbane! I'll show you, watch and learn, I'll figure out this mystery that has baffled academics for centuries!" Looking over the crystals, he rubs his head as he tries to figure out what they are. Arcana 15

Perception 13

"Maybe just keep the noise down while you make your discoveries, Ted," Ragnar says as he settles into watch over the camp. "Makes it harder to hear the ghouls and ghosts prowling around."

He looks outwards from the camp, while keeping an eye on Ted at the same time just in case something tries to drag him into one of the crystals.

Perception: 20   

Before retiring, Erika takes off her heavy armor and sets her longbow close, ready to grab at a moment's notice.

(Watch Pre-roll: Perception 18)

Ted and Ragnar's watch passes uneventfully. The crystals ate more ominous in the dark and as the fire light flickers off them one could swear the people in them move! It's soon riddled out it's a trick of the light but Ted divines little else about them.

Nature check?

First watch ends at Areon and Vanya get tapped in. Vanya sits staring into the fire and sipping an elaborately decorated leather flask. She sighs every now and then but says very little before humming a song as Areon watches a jet black feathered imp however appears on her shoulder with a faint purple poof leaving a sulfuric odor to the air. The small beast mumbles to Vanya in a low voice before turning it's black void like eyes towards the ranger. It's feathers flecked with purple ruffle as it stares in Areon's direction.

"He's kind Blix dear. Don't bother him," the dark elf says scratching the beastie under its chin.

The imp appears docile, affectionate towards Vanya. She continues to hum staring into the fire and drinking as the imp strokes her hair nestled on her shoulder peering now into the encroaching darkness.

"I..." Vanya begins but then pauses looking at Areon as if changing her mind about her words and begins again. "It's a job," she says with a shrug. "It's always been unpredictable but this isn't the first time Zira's leadership or lack there of has gotten good people killed. This trip..." she sighs and then smirks darkly, "the guild won't be pleased with Holbright regardless what she pays us. Dolan has been a tracker and guide in Ellyria for nearly seventy years! It's....its a tragedy he's dead and Garth...this Well he wasn't too famailar yet but he seemed decent unlike...." she trails off looking towards the tent where Zira and Gen-ga are sleeping before sipping her flask.

The dark elf then holds out the flask towards Areon giving him a studied look.

Does he take it?

Vanya nods tucking the flask away.

"More for me," Vanya smirks. "I... I appreciate you taking the time to check on me. I don't think I've made friends with anyone else among you besides maybe the shield maiden," she sighs rubbing the heels of her boots into the red sands on the outskirts of the waning fire. "You all seem to be a good lot. Maybe not Dreadbane...," she smirks, "but you look out for each other. Watch your backs eh? If I die I don't you'd have any chance of fighting Zira or her bronze scaled lacky off if they turn on you," she adds before getting up. "You can wake the next watch. I'm going to watch over the horses," she adds disappearing by the animals.

OOC: Does Areon have anything else to add? If not I'll move on the 3rd watch.

Erika's watch with Gen and Zira begin after Areon alerts them.

OOC: Does Erika want to speak to them or move on?

As Erika prepares for her shift, she replaces her armor, but keeps the bow handy. She prods the small fire with a stick, looking into its depths. The normally boisterous and bold woman has been quiet all day, reflective.

She looks up to Zira. "Zira, pardon my boldness. Vanya seems frayed on the edges. Given the last day and night, this is understandable. But she seemed frayed before, too. Why does she blame you for so much? This cannot be the norm, or Holbright would be out of scholars and sojourners long ago."

She sighs. "We have lost so many."

"This is the norm actually," Zira replies frowning. "It's dangerous getting to Ellyria and in the ruins itself then back again. Ragnar can attest to the loss of a whole party. Vayna...well we have a history of such a mission not that long ago. Although it was nothing I could have predicted or controlled she lost her friend, I suspect a lover actually," she pauses briefly to glance at Gen-ga, "on that mission and blames me," Zira replies. "The possession of Garth was new, however," she mentions next with a perplexed look, "if it was indeed possession," she adds next. "There was nothing left of his body to really observe," she adds glancing at Gen-ga again as if for an answer.

"No, uh," Gen-ga frowns deeply, "I mean Garth, Dolan, and Wendel were all...raved by that thing," he replies with a shudder. "I...I felt the necromantic energy spreading out like inky tendrils over the land from the ruins in the mists," they then add. "It's growing stronger with the anti-magic and wild magic ebbing," the bronze dragon born adds poking at the low burning fire with a stick whilst looking around the campsite at the shadows you three are casting on the tents. "I mean the losses on this trip have been heavy yes but...sadly I would say it's normal as well," they agree with Zira with a sigh. 

"Yes, well that's why madame Holbright is always recruiting, training, and producing investigators," Zira begins again. "It's...it's important we learn how to fix the Weave and restore the Waste. Only then will we banish these creatures and cure this cursed land or this will continue to be the norm I am afraid," she adds with a resolute nod as Gen-ga's smile returns briefly putting an arm around Zira.

"How are you holding up," Gen-ga then asks Erika curiously.

OOC: I'd like to wait for Viper's answer but we can flashback.

The following morning the party wakes to find am uneventful night of much needed rest. The dangerous chasm crossing however awaits. The morning is crisp and the sun rises steadily bouncing off the crystal landscape in dazzling rainbows of color. The sight only marred by the poor persons imprisoned within some of the crystalline structures.

"So, uh this crossing is my first," Zira begins as sge looks over the party ay breakfast.

The morning council as usual is held during a hearty breakfast prepared by Gen-ga who seems to take great pleasure in feeding everyone.

"Mine too," Gen-ga says refilling Zira's tea mug with a gentle look.

"Yes, well I...I am very open to suggestions on how we should endeavor to cross it with ourselves and the equipment intact," Zira explains sipping her mug of tea after heavily sweetening it with honeycomb.

Gen-ga stays quiet however looking to anyone in the party who wants tk speak or is ready for seconds of porridge, dried meats, and freshly made pancakes. Meanwhile Vanya is seated beside Areon looking less hostile but still pretty withdrawn. Her brooding expression showing the dark elf offers no insight clearly deferring to the party.

“Has anybody ever crossed it before?” Ted asks, “Maybe we will have to go one by one - I’ll go first!” Ted jumps up, knocking over his mess kit, spilling beans all over the campsite. Hastily putting himself together, he takes a bow as Echo lands on his head, wings spread wide. “If I die a valiant death, keep me in your songs.”

Ragnar peers over the edge and down into the chasm. He kicks a pebble over the side and watches it plummet downwards.

"That will hurt if we fall," Ragnar says then shrugs. "Best not to fall then."

He looks over at Ted and the bird that just landed on his shoulder.

"That is not a bad idea, Areon," Ragnar says. "If we tie two length's of rope to you and we anchor the others around a horse and then to stone or maybe a crystal on this side, you can run across and tie them off on the other end. If there's any weakness in the bridge, we'll still have two guide ropes to hang on to. Some times we had to move one of the crew from one ship to the other. Two or three ropes was always easier to use to get across than one."

He starts looking through his pack for the rope he knows is there.