"They'll be coming soon. Lightning comes from the Sky and they're dangerous and they'll hurt you and me too. Im' just trying to find the time, and then I can leave!" He voice is raising in pitch now.
<"Okay, now we move,"> Albert messages.
The professor begins moving towards the errant sylph, aware of how he might look to the man taken by some sort of traumatic stress. He'd have to be careful.
"Keep your voice down," he speaks, calm and measured, as he rounds the corner towards the stables. His left hand is on the hilt of his blade, ready to draw it. "It's a bit past seventeenth candle."
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Surprisingly, he listens to Albert's advice. In a very quiet voice, he says, "Close to bed time for the little ones."
He peers at you, his eyes a pale white-blue and full of anxious thoughts. "Why are you here? Did you kill a golem and take its clothes?"
Albert smiles at the man and then moves his faceplate so that he can look at him directly. "I did kill a golem, with help from my friends, but the clothes are my own. We left Light after Moonrise. It isn't safe there anymore." After a moment, he adds. "It doesn't sound like it's safe here either."
He reaches out a gauntleted hand. "I'm Albert."
" ... and I am Zephyr, and you met my friend Fury also. Come, let's be away from here."
The nervous sylph shakes Albert's hand, and then turns toward Zephyr. Where is safe? Can you tell me more of a Father Sky that doesn't hate me?"
"Together. Together is safe." Albert shows his hand back the direction he came from. "We have a group. We'll take shelter and make way again when Moon wanes."
Now please come along.
The nervous sylph shakes Albert's hand, and then turns toward Zephyr. Where is safe? Can you tell me more of a Father Sky that doesn't hate me?"
"MUCH more, for he is not hateful, even to the wayward, and he wants you to be safe ... with your people. Come, join us, rebuild our sky."
"We can come back later? And find the time?...so I can really leave?" He seems impossibly hopeful, like a poisoned el offered an antidote.
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Albert isn't precisely sure what the el means but picks up on the repetition and draws on some of his older learning about psychology. Traumatic stress. Possible obsessive compulsions. Unlikely delusions, given the horrific realities of what they had all experienced in the last few days, but those weren't entirely out of the question.
"Yes," he says, calm but insistent. He realizes, almost too late, that the agreement was a tacit promise based on incomplete data. That had been a sticking point in the medical community of Light. Which is more helpful to the patient with a potentially terminal diagnosis: false hope, cold reason, or hedged bets with detached uncertainty? Which respected their autonomy more? Which led to better health outcomes?
"Yes," he repeats, his voice gentler and his hand held out in invitation.
"Yes." He takes your hand like a drowning person, clinging desperately to rescue.
Albert quickly taps a message to the others, rapid short-and-long tones conveying the message on his short-wave channel broadcast.
<"There are lightning elementals around that may not be open to company. We have found a sylph who we're bringing back to the main group. The town may not be safe. Be prepared to vacate.">
Not only do you know when Moon will be at its weak point tonight, but you can track the period of that weakness ---
Assuming the lightning elementals' activity corresponds to Moon's level of activity, you could have two candles' worth of "safe" time before they became dangerous again.
(safe: reasonable caution, and staying away from their nests, means you could get supplies from town if needed, or just walk through and find a place to rest on the other side)
**
Byron is obviously disturbed from some Moon-related trauma, but he seems in control of himself, and not mind controlled, charmed, etc. Beyond wanting to find out the time, you can't figure out any of his other motives right now (or if he himself knows) .
Albert gathers the group together again after the initial quick scouting, introducing Byron to the group and asking Iris to look after him. (I.e., keep on eye on him.) He then reports what he knows about the current situation. "It looks like there were reasons to abandon the town. There are nests of potentially hostile elementals throughout that I believe must be avoided at all costs. Given current conditions, it will become less safe in two candles. I recommend that we take one hour to gather supplies and then put an hour between ourselves and the town so that we can set up camp elsewhere." He pauses, recalling Gam's earlier outburst. "Does anyone have objections or other recommendations?"
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Albert gathers the group together again after the initial quick scouting, introducing Byron to the group and asking Iris to look after him. (I.e., keep on eye on him.) He then reports what he knows about the current situation. "It looks like there were reasons to abandon the town. There are nests of potentially hostile elementals throughout that I believe must be avoided at all costs. Given current conditions, it will become less safe in two candles. I recommend that we take one hour to gather supplies and then put an hour between ourselves and the town so that we can set up camp elsewhere." He pauses, recalling Gam's earlier outburst. "Does anyone have objections or other recommendations?"
"No objections friend, but for the time being, I think I will take the form of the 'enemy' while Fury & I are scouting ahead."
Several of Zephyr's acolytes gasp as he shifts into a Lightning Elemental
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Gamberino immediately speaks up. "I think we need one of our valuable senior members to watch over our younger ones here. How about goodpriest Edmund stays behind this time? I'd feel better knowing his protective magic was here. Maybe Iris can come instead? We can use more firepower and brainpower."
Well, Gamberino's "explosion" was a mild one. Albert nods. "If they're both fine with that, then it seems sound to me." He looks at both Edmund and Iris for their own feelings on the matter, and then begins rattling off the most immediate needs of the camp for the groups that will be going out.
"We're looking for whatever we're low on or that will get used rapidly. So food is the top priority, followed by medicine. If you see something that can be used as a weapon, grab it if you see something and have enough room for it. Look for restaurants and stores before you waste time looking for larders in homes. If anyone finds an apothecary, let me or one of the medical students know so that we can assess what they have. Let's go."
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Zephyr emir, this new form lets you see with clarity - everything seems crystal-edged as you silently spark through the air like celerity itself. You easily find the various nests of the lightning elementals - there are many, and it would be an utter disaster if they all turned against your group at once.
Thankfully, they rest. You can see clearly that these radiant pieces of sky-energy have been corrupted by Moon - they are His creatures now. Once Moon begins to wax anew in a few candle's time, they will surely awake and start buzzing like bees warmed by summer air. They are not evil creatures, but they will destroy invaders without remorse. All this you see, in your glimpses of Fury's cousins and kin.
More importantly, you see where the lightning elementals are not present. There is a cluster of strange-looking buildings on the far outskirts of town, seemingly covered in a fence, or a mesh of wires. You cannot make sense of it, but what you do know is this - there are no lightning nests anywhere close to it. This could be a place to shelter away from the light of Moon.
Albert, an opaque expression passes over Iris' delicate features as Gamberino makes his decisions without consulting anyone. She lets gratitude color her words. "Thanks Gamb. Since you worked so well with professor last time, I'll head up the second team with my 'brainpower'." She smiles sweetly enough that it seems more like teasing than the jab that it is.
She takes Fredrik with her, smoothly explaining that he can help her identify any divine healing magic they might find, and report back to goodpriest Edmund. At Edmund's vague nod to his idea, Fredrik straightens up and agrees to go, healing wand and all. She takes two other good alchemists for fire, cold, and even bludgeoning bombers.
Gamberino nods and says, "Yeah, ok! Perfect!" in a way that attempts to make it sound like his idea. He takes the role of your second-in-command seriously: as the entire group is looking for shelter, he makes sure all the supplies are well-packed, and everyone is accounted for. He even keeps Gull close by, speaking kindly to him.
**
You find food in the taverns that cater to the gaming houses, and take your pick of the better-preserved items. The population left in a rush when Moon-madness and other horrors started sprouting up. Aside from scorch marks on the walls and doors, most of the interiors are undamaged; these elementals have no interest in elen comforts or elen foods.
You are lucky, and find a community center that is separate from the gaming houses and the taverns. You see a guardhouse, a jail, some administrative buildings, and finally an infirmary.
<ALBERT - there is a cluster of buildings where there are no concentrations of elementals; I will land there and examine arcane signatures around the perimitre. There may be something we can learn there.>
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There is a cluster of strange-looking buildings on the far outskirts of town, seemingly covered in a fence, or a mesh of wires. You cannot make sense of it, but what you do know is this - there are no lightning nests anywhere close to it. This could be a place to shelter away from the light of Moon.
If Gam was still trying to be sweet on Iris, he'd have to watch himself. She was showing that she'd take no prisoners in a battle of wits. Love is a Battlefield...
Albert is just about done with his inventory when he receives the message from Zephyr. There were more processed and preserved foods than he would have preferred under normal circumstances, but these were not normal times. Fresh produce wouldn't last long right now. But cans, dehydrated, salted, and such--yes, these would do. There was even a bit of medicine, but mostly other supplies to stanch bleeding and secure breaks and sprains. It's enough that, unless they're stuck out in the wilderness for a couple of weeks, he probably won't run out of his own alchemical supplies either.
So the professor tries to make out Zephyr's message through the interference. It's a little hollow and tinny sounding, with all sorts of noise meaning that he has to pay extra attention to understand it.
<"Understood, Zephyr. If I don't hear from you in 10 minutes and cannot reach you, I will bring a group towards you.">
That should give them enough time to finish this up this current scavenging effort before they take shelter.
A nice bottle of alcohol might be a good find, too...
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There is a cluster of strange-looking buildings on the far outskirts of town, seemingly covered in a fence, or a mesh of wires. You cannot make sense of it, but what you do know is this - there are no lightning nests anywhere close to it. This could be a place to shelter away from the light of Moon.
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Albert, as all of you reconvene on the far side of town, the intent of the wired structure is obvious: a steady stream of celerity, channeled through this fine wire mesh, would act as an...insulation of sorts against outside signals. The lightning elementals would avoid it, for fear of being grounded out. Your mind begins to process the possibility of shielding against Moon's rays, as well. This will make for a good, defensible place of rest.
Inside the mesh, it's a simple enough building plan - it's rather like a broad factory floor, broken into multiple utility sections. You assume the employee amenities are on the second floor, the balcony that goes around the ground floor.
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The addled sylph struggles to tell you his name as you make you way into the building. "Bribing. Bry- No. Ryan. Bright. " He begins breathing harder, struggling to continue talking. "Bye. Rrrrye." His jaw clenches from the effort, then he seems to give up. "D-damn it.
"Moon took it away. I can't think about my name anymore. I know it's there. It drives me crazy, and I know it's there but my name is Bye. It's like I'm saying Bye to my memories of myself.
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Sylphan 'wasteland' whiskey was the closest that most sylphs came to understanding the nature of firewater. It was a small miracle to find, and even if it was to be gone by the end of the night it would be worth the time and energy it had taken to get it. The Hearthsblood red, too, would be enough of a tipple to bring flush to cheeks devoid of it for much of the last week. Albert packs the bottles into a bag with ample insulation between them. The last thing he wanted was a bag of broken glass smelling of stale booze.
Albert marvels at the cage on the far side of town, parsing a schematized version of what he was looking at into circuits and trying hard not to keep himself from doubling over in laughter. "Brilliant," he says to those near him. He wasn't jealous: merel impressed by the ingenuity. The physickers might not grasp it, but someone with cross-training like Iris would almost certainly figure it out. If they didn't get it before going in, he'd use it as a teachable moment once they were safely ensconced.
"We have less than a candle until Moon's power waxes again," he says. "We should be safe here, but we need to do a few things first." Albert begins directing people he knows with knowledge and facility of wiring, soldering, and such towards what needed to be done. Others without such skills could move inside--carefully, and with constant communication back outside.
Albert draws closer to Bye as the addled el rambles. He'd seen this sort of thing in his training, but the elen mind had not been his ultimate focus. Still, there were ample theories about the connection between the body and outward manifestations of behavior. And depending on the nature of the bodily affliction, he knew oof (and had the materials to address) several of the things that it might be.
He'd want to do an evaluation with Bye to assess his current physical and mental state. But if the moonsickness could be addressed, Albert would find a way.
He had to. He wasn't willing to abandon Light. They needed time. Resources. Plans. Knowledge.
"Well, Bye," Albert says, "We'll figure out what we can. And what we can't, we'll find a way to live with."
With Albert's collection of knowledge at the forefront, the various crafters and alchemists are eager to make repairs to this unexpected shelter. Within half a candle, the mesh is tight, and the celerity is humming. You notice your messages are blocked to anyone on the outside of the active field.
Inside, you see this is a prototype celerity station. Light is (was?) the only city with access to celerity, to power everything from major alchemical experiments down to shoe-shining machines. Apparently, some wealthy investor wanted to bring celerity to the town of Ramé. You use the spare parts in some of your repairs - this factory was clearly shut down before it was ready for full production, but there is plenty of alchemical and engineering equipment to choose from.
Like a sudden shift in air pressure, you all know that Moon has waxed strongly into the Sky. Your protection holds true, and you are sheltered from madness.
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Tomorrow, when it was safe, Albert was going to have to install a node somewhere here in town for his [url=https://aonprd.com/SpellDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Whispering%20Wind]mind-range communication[/dice] device. He'd probably only be able to access it from a few miles away, maybe 8 or 9 at the most, but a relay network with enough hands to manage it could potentially get messages back and forth from towns like Light and Ramé rapidly!
Albert catches himself in that sort of a thought. Here he was hiding from a malicious, powerful being that had caused people he had known for years, decades even, to fall on each other with fists and knives. And he was thinking about normal. Was it hopeful? Delusional? Likely a mixture of both, generated by his mind to try to cope with an unfathomable situation.
Speaking of unfathomable situations, Albert finishes his rounds of initial checking in on students and colleagues for now to go and speak with Bye. He sits down at a table with the el in a room with a desk and a few spread out chairs that probably served as someone's office. A small book and a pen are just in reach, ready for Albert to jot down notes. "Bye: is it all right if I bring one of my students in? I'd like to talk with you about the last few days and see if we can't understand your situation a little better. If you're not comfortable with that, there's no problem. He's here more to observe me than he is you. Is that all right with you?"
Regardless of the el's response (a positive which triggers Albert to tap a quick <"Come in>" in his earpiece, and a negative which triggers a <"Next time"> tap instead), the professor begins doing a abbreviated neuropsychological battery. Cranial nerves and reflexes are tested seamlessly alongside the acquisition of an abbreviated medical history (focusing on recency over distance) and assessment of over two dozen cognitive factors.
Unfortunately, this particular battery was distant for Albert, and he finds himself stumbling over his recollection of what ought to come next. He was still a professional, able to do better than most of his students on even his worst day, but he'd be lying if he said he would give himself a passing grade for his conduct. He'd still be able to come with a diagnosis, but he kept second-guessing himself about the way he had worded certain questions and whether that had influenced Bye in his response. Agh, this was why he hadn't gone into psychiatry. Els were complex enough biological systems without considering the idiosyncrasies of elen behavior.
"One more is alright. But not more than that. Too many eyes, too many questions in them."
Bye is easily distracted, and refuses to answer many of the questions. For a long time now, you've been used to responsive, intellectually curious adults in your life, and you are unable to emotionally connect with this sulky, mumbling el. Unlike treating an infection or a broken bone, the subject has to be willing to meet you halfway - there is no forcing therapy down a patient's throat.
As the testing wears on, Bye becomes more and more insistent about the time. "We still haven't found it. When are we going to find the time so we can leave?"
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Zephyr emir, as Albert tries to wrap his mind around insanity, Anan approaches you. His smile is wide, and in his eyes is a touch of reverence. "Emir, I brought the black feather and the word of our Sky Above to many in our camp while you flew as lightning. One of the boys, Drook I think his name is, breathed deeply of its presence, and seemed in a holy trance, saying he would finally sleep well this night. I wished to bring news of this relief that you have wrought." Despite the stilted cadence, Anan's joy shines through in his words.
For a moment. During the night. Feel a presence. Of something Alien. it Watches you. Then it leaves.
Night passes strange. But safe, under. The absolute silence. Safe and snug. In your cage.
Goodpriest Edmund arises from sleep, though his pale features speak of a restless night. He tries to find comfort in the rituals of the morning. As he unpacks the carefully-stowed symbols of priesthood, he thinks of the Warrior, and the Lady. Stalwart paladins and vengeful priests. These two Aspects protected Hearth, and that is why the group fled from Light, and made for Hearth. Powerful Aspects that inspired faith.
What had Silver-Bringer truly brought? Golems that ultimately betrayed, and technologies that became Moon madness?
Was there nothing to Silver-Bringer but a facade of Moon?
Edmund brings out the miniature anvil and hammer, to ring out the beginning of the day. Once again, he makes that small choice to reject despair, and believe in something. Perhaps helping other to believe, as well.
One strike for each Aspect of Volcano. Warrior. Lady. The sound on the silvered anvil is both delicate and deep. On any other morning, it would be beautiful. Edmund will not let his doubt be heard in the third blow; he makes sure the strike for Silver Bringer is just as strong. He tenses, lets his anger build, brings the hammer down -
snap
and crushes the thumb of his left hand upon the anvil. He howls in surprise. How had he been so careless? ...then all thoughts flee as his knees buckle from the pain, and all he can do is cradle his broken hand.
Zephyr emir, as Albert tries to wrap his mind around insanity, Anan approaches you. His smile is wide, and in his eyes is a touch of reverence. "Emir, I brought the black feather and the word of our Sky Above to many in our camp while you flew as lightning. One of the boys, Drook I think his name is, breathed deeply of its presence, and seemed in a holy trance, saying he would finally sleep well this night. I wished to bring news of this relief that you have wrought." Despite the stilted cadence, Anan's joy shines through in his words.
Zephyr beams at the young man, "You have done well Anan, so very well. You have brought the Father's message to his children; there is no greater calling than this."
He takes the young man's hands, saying, "Be forever mindful; we can be the message, we can be the messengers, but what is wrought is wrought by Him and we are but bearers of all his tidings. Even the relief comes from the Father, and I can only claim the wisdom to know to share it."
"Fly with me? Will you try to shape the lightning today? I know you can do it ..."
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The two return from their morning flight thrilled to have embraced The Sky Above, that is, until they see Edmund and the pain he is in.
Zephyr stops short of casting the spell spontaneously ...
"Friend Edmund, I will gladly place you back in pain any time you ask because I know it is part of your faith, but please make sure bearing this pain also bears no risk to our charges. You need to be at your best for us to keep them at their safest. Mark my words, if you need a Period of Pain and a Time of Remembrance I will drop the hammer myself every day; but make sure that you think carefully about what you sacrifice."
Zeph claps the man on the shoulder (the one connected to the undamaged hand), "I stand ready, let me know when you need your hand back."
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"This is Washakie of the West Tribe," Albert says, bringing in a tall oread with amber brown skin and a crest of green pine needle hair. Washakie of the West Tribe was a shaman of his people who had come to Light from his Way of the Branch monastery to see what sorts of learning was being done in Sylphan society. He had already been a gifted healer before enrolling in the University of Alchemy, and although he had none of the formal Fritan or Sylphan education he easily surpassed most of his peers. It had been humbling for Albert to go through some lesson on this or that condition, which had eluded him and his colleagues for a decade or more, only for Washakie to explain that his tribe had described the same problem many years prior and developed a cure. Albert, so reliant on technology and advanced alchemical techniques, began soliciting Washakie for his knowledge on traditional Orean remedies.
"Washakie--this is Bye."
Unfortunately, the el is harder to deal with than Albert expected. Washakie does ask a few questions during the session before Albert calls it so that Bye can rest. Albert looks fatigued from the session, but Washakie seems invigorated. They debrief, Albert curious about Washakie's observations, and together plan a prospective course of treatment. Washakie might actually be a better person to work with the el.
---
Albert usually woke early to brew some hot beverage with whatever he had on hand. Coffee was hard to come by on the road, but there were numerous leaves and flowers that he had gathered to brew some tea. It's another piece in his apparatus for mixing chemicals, checking his batteries, and readying himself for a day beyond Ramé. He is in the midst of his liquid preparations when the ting, ting, HOWL disturbs him (and likely rouses the rest of the group whether they were ready for it or not).
Yet unhindered by his suit of armor, Albert covers the distance between his morning place to Edmund in a few paces to see the el cradling his hand. Recounting two clangs instead of three, he anticipates what has happened before he even sees the injury. Zephyr is the first to speak words of comfort. Albert breathes deeply and sighs at Edmund's religious obstinance.
This was the problem of religious superstition as Albert saw it. Taking deep meaning in moments of happenstance allowed a person to retain injuries that could otherwise be healed. It wasn't madness of the sort that held Bye in an uncertain grip, but it was a feature just as resistant to change. Albert looks over his gathered students. "Which of you has the least experience in setting a break?" he asks. As the students glance around, hands tentatively rising (no one wanted to be the first to admit a lack of experience, Albert points to the first one whose hand makes it past their shoulder and calls them over. "I'll observe. Call any second to assist you. Please look over the injury and ensure that it will heal properly so that Goodpriest Edmund can return to his forge in due time. Is that acceptable to you, friend?"
Class might not be in session, but that didn't mean learning would stop.
"Fly with me? Will you try to shape the lightning today? I know you can do it ..."
Eyes still shining with faith and reverence, Anan agrees. "Yes, Zephyr emir. I will fly with you this day."
"This is Washakie of the West Tribe," Albert says, bringing in a tall oread with amber brown skin and a crest of green pine needle hair. Washakie of the West Tribe was a shaman of his people...
"Washakie--this is Bye."
They debrief, Albert curious about Washakie's observations, and together plan a prospective course of treatment. Washakie might actually be a better person to work with the el...
---
Albert points to the first one whose hand makes it past their shoulder and calls them over. "I'll observe. Call any second to assist you. Please look over the injury and ensure that it will heal properly so that Goodpriest Edmund can return to his forge in due time. Is that acceptable to you, friend?"
Washakie shakes his head sadly before returning his his morning duties. "He's trapped somewhere in his own thoughts. I wonder what he means when he wants to 'find the time'." He puts his large hand on your shoulder, and goes for a more optimistic tone. "I'll talk to him again the next time we rest. We can talk more then."
---
Edmund nods. His face pales with pain as the young ifrit boy--the youngest of your team of medics, likely of an age with Drook--makes his first mistake while setting the bone. To the boy's credit, he faces the problem squarely, and corrects it quickly, with another gasp of pain from Edmund.
When the young ifrit (Matteo, who everyone just calls Mato) is dismissed from his work, he walks calmly over to a sink and cleans himself off. He and Drook talk to each other throughout the day, both boys with haunted looks in their eyes from all they have witnessed on the road.
Albert nods at Washakie's preliminary diagnostic postulation. He knew he'd made the right decision to bring him in. He'd found that, especially with their society's history of monastic training, Orean philosophy was often well-ahead of Sylphan in their understanding of the mind. "Perfect. Thank you."
It was good to be aware of your blind spots, even if you couldn't fix them. And Albert had plenty.
After all, even with perfect understanding, nothing could be reduced to zero risk. Training served to minimize risk, not eliminate it entirely. It was best for training errors to occur when the outcome would not be affected too seriously, and with patients who had demonstrated themselves to be understanding.
(To be sure, a patient who believed that their pain was divinely inflicted might be among the best patients for a young student, though Albert wouldn't say so out loud.)
"Good work, Mato," Albert offers. "We'll debrief later."
---
As the excitement of the morning winds down, Albert calls a few of the more senior, leadership types together. He invites Edmund, with the caveat that he's under no obligation to step up if he's feeling out of place. Fredrik would be a perfectly fine second.
Gamberino had expressed his doubts about the leadership and decision-making protocols the day before. Had Albert not done the same thing when he was younger, he might have gotten upset. But noticing it had helped him to shift his orientation a bit, to continue to include Gamberino in the growing council of sorts of those who were stepping up and speaking up. Disabuse the young of the notion that age meant much, enable them to try and fail (with a safety net if possible), and you could cultivate stronger leadership.
Still, Albert was going to let his instincts move and serve as a chair.
"This location is relatively safe for now, but I think we are all of an accord that Hearth remains our destination." The professor looks around the circle to see if there was agreement. "The question before us, then, is whether we take another day to resupply and recuperate before we move on. It was late when we arrived yesterday. We should have more time today during which we can operate more securely. Taking stock of our supplies and morale alike, what are your impressions?"
"Fly with me? Will you try to shape the lightning today? I know you can do it ..."
Eyes still shining with faith and reverence, Anan agrees. "Yes, Zephyr emir. I will fly with you this day."
The town seems the same; empty stretches of abandoned streets, and the occasional nest of wires and scrap metal that the lightning elemental swarms inhabit. Their buzzing is quiescent, almost peaceful. It is easy to forget that the entire swarm would kill you and your friends within seconds (except in your present form, of course)
As you reach the far edge of town and follow the road away from the last buildings, you see a strange distortion in the air. Almost like the ripples from a hot city street, but expanded to unimaginable size. Now that you have noticed the distortion, it seems to be everywhere, an invisible wall stretching up, down, left, and right as far as your eyes can see.
The way to Hearth is blocked.
Gamberino immediately speaks up. "We're fine on supplies." He waits for a moment, seems to hear his own words, and the tone he used, and continues, copying Albert's phrasing, "I, uh, believe we are of an accord, right?."
Iris waits just the right amount of time for Gamb to think everyone agrees with him. Then, a small fencing jab, just a touch of force. "Actually Gamb, with all the elemental craziness around, I'd feel better knowing all our alchemists having admixture ingredients handy. It makes a big difference that we're not just throwing fire at every problem we see."
She smiles sweetly, looking to the other senior members, and, being perfectly polite, includes Gamberino as well. "Being really well prepared will take time. I'd like to stay another day. What does everyone else think?"
Albert nods. "That seems sound, Iris. We were limited in what we could access easily on short notice in Light. Ramé may not have the breadth of supplies, but we're at least nominally safer here." He solicits opinions from others, but feels the tenor going in Iris' direction instead of Gamb's. "Good. We should stay in teams of no fewer than four during supply-gathering."
The professor brings out his ear-held short-range Message communicators, now fully charged for the day. "Use these to stay in touch whenever you go out of visual range. If you're ever more than 200 feet from each other, they won't work at all, and we know they're already going to suffer from interference. So they might not even work up to that distance."
Then he brings out a larger, much more complex device. "I'm going to try to set up a relay node atop this building that will hopefully strengthen our signal throughout Ramé and potentially enable communication beyond. To do that, I need to better understand the mesh around this building. If we can replicate it where go after this, it will prove to be a great boon when Moon wanes."
That meant he would be busy for a while. The others probably understood that as well. He was relying on them to take care of themselves. Trusting them.
** spoiler omitted **