Ry'klead raises his glass, returning the salute. He takes another sip of his whiskey and stretches out a little bit.
There are several more rounds of toasting, but in the morning there are small alchemical bottles along with strong teas and coffee to restore you to fine mettle. The journey goes uneventfully and you soon find yourself outside the dead-gray mists. The apparatus walks carefully off of the flatbed and you approach.
Alvar will hand out signal whistles to everybody, "Just in case we get separated. Long blows to find each other and a series of quick loud ones if you need help. Anything else we want to work out before we go in?"
... Well then.
After a moment of gathering herself after the ride, prying her fingers out of the bent metal she hd been squeezing, she gathers herself and responds to Bertholdt.
"I barely knew this place existed before this. As far as hostiles, you should know that my priority is to target witches and magical creatures. Otherwise, I usually charge in and prevent as much movement and living as possible. Unless someone has a better idea at the time, that's probably what I'm going to do. I can be sneaky when I want to be too, you just have to let me know. I'm a bit... direct usually."
After a moment if thinking, she adds quietly "Oh, and when I'm in the zone, I don't play nice with anyone's magic..."
Alvar has recommended following the lighting rail. This will cover about 2/3 of your journey (though it does add a little to it). You will not need to roll survival checks while following the conductor stones. However, others may also have that idea.
"Most of what I've heard about the Mournlands is rumors. However, in my travels many of the rumors share enough to give them the sound of truth. Things like areas of dead magic, areas of wild magic, dead that refuse to stay dead. And magic healing may not work. Which makes me curious to see how the living healing spell will fare," Ry'klead speaks up as he is checking over his gear. The Half-Blood thinks for a few more seconds.
"As far as combat goes, I tend to be more fluid in a fight. I'm certainly not the best holding the line, as I tend to be better suited in being able to move around, helping with support and the like." Ry'klead shrugs his shoulders slightly. "How I fight tends to be based on the situation."
Looking into the mist for a few seconds, Ry'klead looks back at the others.
"As far as patrolling goes, we should probably stick closer together while in the mists. Possible tied together if the mist gets too thick," the aberration pats the pocket he had put the whistle in as if to remember where it was. "The suggestion of following the lightning rail sounds pretty good. If their were going to be anyone trying to ambush people heading into the Mournlands from this way, I'm willing to bet they would be closer to where we are. As opposed to lurking days in. Unless they are natives to the Misty Realm, that changes things a bit." Ry'klead muses out loud.
At Gloria's mention of of not playing nice with magic, Ry'klead smiles to himself. The handsome humanoid's head was cocked to the left as if he was listening to someone or something.
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"Well, Senor, for navigation, we follow the lightning rail. If we lose that, it will be tougher going, but possible.
Healing isn't easy in the Mournland. My advice is, no get hurt, then you no need healing. Failing that, we can use Quay's tame living spell, or I can pray to Lady Olladra to consecrate the place we rest and bless us with healing.
I think patrols be too dangerous; visibility may not always be as good as we would like, so we stick together. Quay or Count Evaille will control our contraption, the rest of us about as necessary. We only need to decide if we keep going day and night, taking shifts, or stop periodically for a rest. My vote would be to keep going as long as we can, then if necessary we can change that.
If we spot hostiles, we avoid if possible. The less we engage out there, the less chance we have of getting injured. If we cannot disengage, then those who stand back to shoot need a high, secure spot. Possibly on top of the contraption, if there is anywhere with cover? Others can move forward to engage as necessary.
For myself, I prefer to shoot; but I can shoot in melee as easily as at range; it is what I trained for.
Does that cover everything?"
Gloria eyed Ry'klead suspiciously, but not threateningly, as she spoke.
"It's worth mentioning that my training as a defensive martial artist makes me bad at avoiding damage, but I'm great at mitigating it. I may take many light wounds, but it takes a lot to seriously wound me."
She now turns her attention mainly to Ry'klead as she continues addressing the group.
"What I meant earlier was that, over the past while, I've learned to begrudgingly accept friendly spells... for the most part. When I've engaged the enemy, I lose most of my sense to tell hostile magic from friendly. Your spells probably won't work on me when I get started, so try not to waste your time. As far as the lightning rail, that works for me."
up to two people can ride on top of the apparatus. When it's moving in combat, they'll take -4 to ranged attacks an may need to make the occasional acrobat's checks to hang on.
Gloria's body language is clear; she is NOT riding on the apparatus.
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"So, we will be camping out for 8 hours, in order for Gloria to sleep. No reason we cannot be moving the other sixteen. That's two shifts moving, one shift camping. If we divide ourselves into three shifts, so that at all times some are sleeping, some are resting and some are on duty; for food we can either cook on top of the contraption - with Master Quay's permission, of course - or just eat the food that is preserved.
We need a name for this contraption. We cannot keep calling it 'the contraption'. If Master Quay or Count Evaille can, let them choose a name."
Smiling Ry'klead nods to the fierce battle-maiden.
"Nothing to worry about from my spells. Most of them are for me, aside from the more offensive ones," says the best looking aberration in the Mournlands. Tapping his chin with a rusty colored clawed finger, his arm length gauntlet seems slightly more ominous in these war haunted lands. His head cocks to the left slightly as if listening to something. The Half-Blood smiles, looking over at Quay's magnificent spider.
"Of course, I do have a few spells that will mend and clean clothing," Ry'klead chuckles, the mist eating the sound of the cheerfulness as if it wasn't allowed.
Listening to Rolando, the Half-Blood pipes up.
"Well, if I haven't been slinging spells all over the place, I only need to sleep for a few hours, plus, I really don't need to eat," Ry'klead offers this tidbit of information. "So, I'm easy with long waking periods and guarding. However, if I've been burning the bones out of people, I'm going to be quite the prima donna about getting my rest."
Rather suddenly, Ry'klead turns to speak with his patron, a curious idea coming to his mind. Walking over to the count, Ry'klead nods to the noble.
"What are the chances of someone learning about your investment," the Half-Blood points a claw at the Quay's machine. "and rather than waiting for it to go into production, they attempt to steal the only working model? Or was this beast constructed more secretively than I am thinking?"
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"So, Gloria will be on duty for both shifts, she will have to eat on the move. Berthold is on duty First Shift, rests during the second shift and sleeps during the night shift. I will be on during the second shift, I can Rest at Night and sleep during the First Shift. That leaves Ry'klead and Eloith to be on duty during the Night shift, Resting during the First Shift and Sleeping during the second shift.
Master Quay and Count Evaille can share the driving. One drives the first shift, Rests during the second shift and sleeps during the night; the other drives the second shift, rests at night and sleeps during the first shift.
Any questions?"
Gloria looked at Rolando and nodded approvingly. She was fairly impressed with his leadership and she was comfortable under it for the time being.
"Lot's of questions, just nothing relevant to the current situation," Ry'klead says with a faint grin. He thinks for a couple of seconds.
"Actually I do have a relevant question. Where are we resting? I know the compartments are extra dimensional in nature, but do they have air within the space?" He directs this more towards Quay and Alvar. The Half-Blood glances at Gloria and thinks for a moment. He wisely decides to not mention the spaces are rather coffin looking.
"Not to mention, where is Gloria going to rest, since I doubt that she'll willing crawl into the extra dimensional guts of Quay's Spider." The aberration smiles innocently at the battle-maiden. "No offense intended."
Gloria laughs and shakes her her head at the notion of sleeping in the spider.
"Rolando is observant. I have a tent that's big enough to fit two people comfortably."
Quay shakes her head, "The compartments on the Quaylish Apparatus were designed to preserve organic matter. They are sealed airtight and not appropriate for sleeping. I also doubt that most people will be able to sleep inside or on top while the apparatus is moving. Ambulatory travel involves a lot of motion."
"Not an issue, I can create an extra dimensional place to rest. It's rather pleasant napping place." Ry'klead says, half paying attention to the others. "Completely safe. Unless someone is being hunted by something that can move through dimensions." The Half-Blood adds with a shrug of his grey cloaked shoulders. He seems to be looking at something that isn't there for a few seconds before turning to face the others.
"How many off us can see in the dark without aid?" Ry'klead asks curiously. "If all of us can, than we could travel longer. Half a day of travel, than half a day of rest."
Gloria looks around for a moment before sarcastically inputting her part.
"Oh, so I guess I'm the weird one for having no particular super sight in the dark? I have a torch that never burns out just for me though, thanks."
Ry'klead looks at the spider and snorts with amusement.
"Not unless it can climb a rope and fit through a doorway sized space. I doubt we will run across anyone with the knowledge to pilot it besides the two responsible for it's creation. Well, at least not in the Mournlands," Ry'klead says with a smile, looking at the noble and the gnome. "I doubt Gloria will be happy in the hole in time and space that I will create with magic, so it's not like the Quay Spider will be unguarded." The Half-Blood looks at Gloria his face serious.
"Yes, you are the weird one for not being able to see in the darkness," the aberration says in a serious tone. Mischief suddenly sparkles in his copper flaked green eyes and a teasing smile spreads across his handsome face. "Only kidding my dear lady," Ry'klead bows formally to the battle-maiden as though she was a member of the royal court.
'Well, one that doesn't have undead in it that is," his half-brother sends to his mind with the sound of it's clicking laughter. Ry'klead smiles once more.
Eloith senses Gloria's continued discomfort, and makes an attempt at empathy, In true darkness, Gloria and I will be similarly blind. Although I can summon light at will.
Thinking about the rope trick, Eloith suggests a work around. We could make a signal system. Tie a rope to the machine, take it into the space. Put a pile of bells up top. If it were tugged, we would hear it up there.
"You are not alone, Gloria, I've got similar issues in the dark," says Alvar. "We do have lights on the Apparatus, but it might be best to keep them off until we need them. No need to attract information."
Gloria shrugged.
"I think we have most of what we need figured out. I'm getting all anxious, let's get started! We can figure out all that stuff as it happens."
She looked around at the others for a moment before continuing with a smile.
"I'm not used to this much planning. I like playing things by ear. We're explorers! Let's... explore!"
"I'd rather not give away us hiding above the Quay Spider. One can see out of the opening, just not into it," Ry'klead pauses, thinking for a few moments. "Hmm, I've actually never entertained guest in my dimensional hide." The handsome aberration taps his chin with a clawed hand. "I don't think that it'll mind some new company," the odd creature says more to himself than the others.
Brushing a lock of his near light absorbing black hair back behind his ear, Ry'klead grins roguishly at Gloria.
"Any other details that we need to hammer out before moving out? Gloria's enthusiasm is rather invigorating, a nice chance from those I have journeyed with in the past," Ry'klead looks at his current mix of companions and smiles.
After their discussion the group enters the dead-grey mists. As you enter you cannot even see your feet below you. Visibility is mere inches and only your rope ensures that you are kept with your companions. Sound and light are likewise dampened by the unnatural mists. After a few minutes it clears somewhat and visibility rises to a dozen yards or so. You can see the flat black conductor stones with their inscribed runes spreading out ahead of you.
It's another forty minutes or so before Gloria sees the naked man off to her right and forward. He appears dead, lying down with a slash to the chest that must have broken ribs and punctured a lung. He has no weapons, clothes, or anything else.
Gloria holds up a hand when she sees the corpse just off of the path that the group was following. She jogged over to the dead man and observed his wounds. She wasn't very informed when it came to strange creatures, but maybe she could see something close up that would give some sort of hint at what caused the man's death and how recently; perhaps magic was involved.
"Looks like someone had a similar idea to the one we have. Also looks like they aren't making it as far as we are."
While on her knee observing the corpse, Gloria unstraps her hammer from its perch on her back and held it in her right hand.
Whatever did this might be nearby.
Eloith looks over the body. I'm no tracker, but as I see it, predators dont eat weapons or armor. We may benefit from determining how he died. Maybe get some idea of what we may be facing.
Eloith mumbles an incantation and shields himself in a translucent armor.
As they move closer, more naked corpses are visible. It reveals a battlefield, but it's hard to tell who was fighting. The bodies have all been stripped. A few have broken jaws where fillings have been taken.