• Graded • Sweetwine Song: Base Camp.

[Pegasus]

121st Ashan, 721

Sweetwine Song!

A haunting melody is heard from Sweetwine Woods - rather like all the animals are singing at once. Will anyone investigate?

The University had asked for people to investigate and many had signed up to do so. There were a lot of volunteers and they had been put into groups; one guide or staff member, and four volunteers. The groups were chosen randomly, and randomly assigned to a guide.

Before they left, though, Chancellor Kristoff Manyon called them together, in a hall downstairs in the University building. "Good trial," he said, looking around at the volunteers present. Those who noticed such things would see that there were twenty eight volunteers in all. "I am Kristoff Manyon and I very much wish to thank you for helping us." Then, he looked over at a woman with pale blonde hair and white skin and he gestured. "Felicia will talk you through the practicalities, but I just wanted to say, thank you each one, for being willing to help" With a smile around he added, "Each person who returns having completed this task will be offered free tuition in one subject of their choice for a full qualification," he said.

He exited the stage and then up stepped the woman with the pale hair. "I am Felicia Du'Wintre, and as Dean Manyon has explained, I will be overseeing this expedition. You have been randomly assigned into groups of four. Each group will be given supplies and assigned to a location. If there are an uneven number for any reason, you will be in a smaller group, but none will be larger to ensure that our staff can guarantee your safety. Each group will be led by a member of our academic staff. "

She gestured then to a table, it was a long dining-room style table and on it were satchels. "Pick one of those. In there is a water flask, some dried food provisions, and a map of Sweetwine Woods. There are also various implements and containers for collecting samples, a note book for making records and writing equipment." Felicia waited while people made their way up to collect the satchels. Each one did, indeed, contain the things she had described. There was also a checklist on each one. "The Group Leaders have camping equipment and so on." Felicia explained.

Once everyone had collected their satchel, she spoke again. "We are going to put you in to your groups, now, the staff will call out your name and where you are going. Then, you'll be taken in a carriage and for some also a boat as far as we are able to. If you have any questions, please ask your Group Leader. Thank you."

And then began the calling. At that point, from a door to the left of where the Dean had been and where Felicia now stood, staff members came through the door. The first few came in, introduced themselves, said where they were going and called names. Eventually, everyone was called and led out by their guide.

"My name is Migh Gir," the man who stepped forward was a human man in his early thirties. He called out four names. "In my group I have Kalortah, Klaudia, Alyssia, and Oram." He looked up from the parchment. "Step forward please." When they had, he looked at the four of them and nodded. "I am a professor here of History and Theory of Magic." His tone was sharp, clipped, business-like. "We are travelling to the area of Sweetwine known as the Sky Worshippers Clearing. Here is a map of the Northern area of Sweetwine, it's more detailed." Handing that out, he was quiet and gave them a moment to look at it.

"We'll be taking a carriage then we'll take a small boat along the river as far as we can. It's quicker and safer than sailing around the island. Ask any questions you wish to, tell me anything you think might be important." He motioned to the map. "I plan on heading into the middle of the clearing, to find out what those buildings are. If any of you have any experience in Sweetwine, or of wilderness work, now is a good time to let me know. Come on." And, with that, he turned and ushered them out, gesturing that they should talk as they went.

The Map

The next group, after the Sky Worshippers Clearing group were led by a Sev'ryn male. "My group is Ari'sora, Balthazar, Shl'drei and Yeva" He called the names and waited for them to come forward. "I am Jasper Seams. We are heading to Widow's Valley." He looked around at them, gazing at them with an appraising eye. "Very little is known of it, and so we will be collecting as much information as we can."

Jasper regarded them. "I lived in the wilderness of Scalvoris for a long time. I can keep you safe and I will. We need to function as a pack, together, and as such it helps if we communicate skills and strengths and weaknesses. I am a professor of zoology, and I know a lot about survival and flora and fauna. I am not good at reading people's emotions. I am blunt and straight talking. If I hurt your feelings, I will not notice. You will not hurt mine." Short, clipped, clear. He nodded to each of them.

"Here is a map, more detailed. I hope to come back here with a better one, we have made. Come with me and introduce ourselves as we go."

The Map

The woman who stepped forward for the last group (and so they could tell who they were before she called them) still called out to them. "I'm looking for Zoro, Darius, Elijah and Bao," she said. An eyebrow raised, but she said nothing as they came forward. "I'm Alison and I'm your Group Leader. We're going to a place called Fool's Errand, so lets hope it's named wrong." She laughed at her own joke and then, abruptly, stopped.

"It's down in the South of Sweetwine, and it's one of the less-known places. We'll take a carriage, then a boat. Our group is going to discover lots of things, so I want you to keep your eyes and ears open. As we're going, we'll get to know each other." Looking around at the four of them, she sighed slightly. "We're going to be getting dirty, clambering in trees and digging in the muck, so if any of you have a problem with that, drop out now. Do what I tell you and we'll get on fine." Then, Alison grinned. "I hope one of you boys is a decent cook. Because I've got nothing of use there. Burnt beans all round. Come on then, lets get going and get to know each other."

She was about to turn around when she realised something. "Oh, yeah. Here's a more detailed map. Enjoy."

The Map

OOC Info

General Rules

• This thread will last for - at most - 3 IC days. Therefore, it will be done before season change IC.
• I'm not going to give a "risk - reward" level. That will depend on you and what you do. The opening idea is very unlikely to be such that you all die hideous deaths.
• The way I mod, the NPCs are as "real" as the PCs. Be clear of that and don't be surprised if they react appropriately.
• I will post once a week. That gives us plenty of time for this to be finished. If you need an extra day, let me know that's fine.
• No rewards or consequences from this thread are canon until such time as they are approved in the review, or unless I specifically state.
• The rewards and consequences at the end of this thread will be directly related to how active and involved your PC was. Not how skilled.
• If you need a reason to join there is a call for help / investigation from the University.
• There are NO skill level requirements for this thread. However, it may interest specifically people with an interest in:
  • Fieldcraft, exploring, nature.
  • Unusual things
  • Cartography, cryptography, puzzles
  • Research, learning
• Dropping out of the thread / not posting will have IC consequences, because of the nature of this plot.
• The sign up questions are important.......
• This style of event moderation - with objectives etc - was taught to me by a dear friend and one of the most talented Storytellers I've ever known. With thanks to Crimson / Straylor.

Objectives for this post

Please post here. You will post here now, then split into your threads next round. Then, you will post again here at the end of the event (I'll link you).

!	Message from: Must Do Objective 1
	Select and check your equipment

!	Message from: Must Do Objective 2
	Introduce yourself to your Group Leader

!	Message from: Must Do Objective 3
	Identify your equipment in an ooc at the bottom of the post. Any magical /unusual items you do not list may not be used during the course of this thread

!	Message from: Can Do Objective 1
	Find something unusual when you check your satchel (can be a non-listed item, but can't be magical etc)

!	Message from: Can Do Objective 2
	While introducing yourself to your Group Leader, use an onomatopoeia.

!	Message from: Can Do Objective 3
	Tell a joke or funny story

There are currently 4 Hidden Objectives

Groups

For this post only you can swap groups IF both parties agree. If you're happy with your group and don't want to swap you absolutely do not have to.
For this post only you can socialise with people from different groups before you leave.
Next week, I'll post links to the three threads here and, from that point, you'll be in your groups.
Any questions, please ask.

Next Post: 1st March 2021

[Kalortah]

The news from the University, that there was a mysterious song heard to be sung in the Sweetvine woods of course would've been of interest to the finest singer that Scalvoris knew. So when Ibudo told him all about it, on returning from class one day, Kal was swift to prepare for an expedition. Kal only had limited experience in the field, having traveled overland just once in his life. There was of course his ill-advised hunting years spent in Desnind, but he'd gotten by scavenging for scraps, and eating berries. It had been a lean time before he returned to Athart. So a woodsman, he was not.

So he went to Hurk's and bought a good quality smallsword. Hurk claimed it was forged from embersteel, and would be heavier than other blades, but more durable. The court sword was attractive, with a cup hilt and a fire-agate socketed in the pommel. The metal itself shone with glistening fire-like flecks. In addition to these, almost as an afterthought, he also purcahsed a set of caltrops, for dropping on any hostiles they might encounter. Once he'd acquired his personal protection, he left the shop.

He was no woodsman, but he did know some fighting skills, and leadership, and could finesse a social encounter with an aggressive slant. Perhaps he'd find something useful in this expedition, and be of use himself? The former being of most importance.

When they arrived, a few others were there. Only one that Kalortah recognized, a fire-haired aukari girl... Hadn't he seen her in Yaralon? Yes, he taught her some of how to use it, as he remembered. He nodded at her cordially. Then he went to fetch a satchel. He checked the equipment. All that they promised was in there, all they'd need for a expedition. Plus, one strange object, that almost reminded Kalortah of the livlos reed... It was a wooden nel, carved with elaborate etchings. Kalortah held it out from the satchel, looking at it intently.

The professor introducing himself as a Magical Theorist and historian intrigued Kalortah, enough that he felt the need to share a strange story he'd experienced first hand. "Professor, I'm Kalortah. You might find my story strange, perhaps even a bit funny, given your field of experience... I was just reminded of something that happened to me over an arc ago. I used to be a mage, you see. I was initiated against my will. Yet, for that, my mentor eventually regretted making me an initiate, and as his dying act, attempted to purge the magic from my soul..."

Kalortah sighed, to remember the incident. He looked at the wooden nel, and then back up at Professor Migh, "He was stabbed with many livlos reeds, a special wood that dampens magical ability. I used my pet bird to pluck them one by one, before setting upon the camp of mage hunters that had him strung up."

"I took him by the shoulders, but then he drew me in toward him. I thought for sure he would try to flay me, but instead, he latched onto the sparks within me. Then, using their power to fuel a massive abrogative blast, he destroyed the other magical entities that gave me magic... Obviously, everyone in the vicinity was killed by the boom of the blast."

"Well, as it happened, I had a magical ring that could reverse a deadly event. And so was brought back, but this time, without my magic. Yet, the event had left me with one last mutation." Kalortah fluttered his brilliant red wings. "My feathers, my white feathers turned crimson red. They used to be white as ivory, you see?"

"Anyway, I never... actually shared that story with anyone, but I thought someone like you might find it interesting."

So saying, Kalortah took a deep breath, and then stepped back into line.

Candomustdo

Kalortah brought along some masterwork padded textile armor for himself. And also bought a smallsword rapier made of embersteel, good quality. He also brought a set of good quality steel caltrops.

He also grabbed a satchel of exploration stuff. The strange item he found was a wooden nel.

[Rei'sari]

121st Ashan, 721

Location: ---


Ari'sora had had serious misgivings about coming when she had first heard of this expedition. The inability to make complex decisions was a huge hinderance to...well...everything. But she was working under a lot of long standing "orders" from Ryl'ryn which made it possible for her to avoid some decisions that she was no longer able to make. Things such as where to land when she was flying, for example, were answered with the first clear area she saw where she could land without injuring or bothering anyone. Than came in handy as she made her landing on the University grounds. When Ryl'ryn learned that the expedition was to be in the Sweetwine Woods, she had told Ari'sora in no uncertain terms to take her short bow with her in case she needed to defend herself, so she had done just that. Further orders had included things like "shoot at anything that was trying to attack you if you have a clear shot," and "take to the skies to avoid a threat if possible" among other things. Ari'sora was under no false belief that her "orders" would cover any situation that she might face, but they would cover a lot of things. She just had to hope that she wouldn't encounter something that Ryl'ryn hadn't anticipated and given her an "order" for.

She knew where the meeting was to be held, and there was only one way to get there from outside the University building itself, so that wasn't a decision that she had to make. Once she was in the room, she had another "order" to guide her. Find the first empty area you see where you won't be in the way. Stand there if there isn't a chair to sit in, and sit there if there is. That saved her the impossible decision of where to park herself for the meeting.

As various people introduced themselves and spoke of the expedition they were about to embark on, Ari'sora made a mental note of who they were, and paid close attention to what they had to say. Some of them were people that she had met in the past, or had heard of, but others were complete strangers to her. The promise of free tuition in a subject of her choice was a welcome one. But choices were dangerous, and she forced herself to think about that choice just now. It wasn't something that affected her immediately, so she was able to ignore it.

When told to pick one of the satchels on the table, she froze, wide eyed. Her stomach lurched painfully, but she was able to prevent herself from getting sick by breaking it down into decisions that she could handle. Get a satchel, or don't? Get one was the choice she made there. Take one now or wait? That question was asked immediately, and each time someone else moved to take their satchel. And in each case, the answer was to wait. When there was only one satchel left, that was when she took hers...having safely avoided the impossible question of which satchel to take. When the choice was a choice of one, the decision was an easy one. As she looked inside the satchel, she found everything that Felicia Du'Wintre had said there would be. She also found a pretty blue stone that was shaped like an egg. Several different shades of blue were swirled around the egg shaped stone ranging from a beautiful sky blue to a deep twilight blue, to an even deeper blue that almost looked black. The egg was ringed in strange silver runes that Ari'sora had never seen before. That was...odd. But an act of will quelled the urge to wonder what it was and why it was in her satchel. Wondering led to questions, and questions were bad. Questions led to choices that she couldn't make.

They were split into groups, and the first thing Ari'sora noticed was that she knew the three others in her group. She had worked with both Balthazar and Shl'drei in the past. And Yeva was the Hero of Faldrass. When their group leader introduced himself, Ari'sora paid close attention to what he had to say. She took the "suggestion" to communicate skills and strengths and weaknesses as an order, and that eliminated the need for a choice; do it or not. An order was to be obeyed. Always. So was the need to introduce herself.

"My name is Ari'sora." she said softly as a bird began to chirp outside the window.

"I'm not really good with anything that is likely to help with this expedition. But I am good with linguistics. I'm good at flying too. I'm also good at following orders. I need them, really. I can't make complicated decisions that involve three or more choices without getting too sick to actually make the decision. But if a decision can be broken down into a series of simpler ones, I can handle that. Or I can just follow orders instead of deciding anything. I don't know anything about traveling in the wilderness, or surviving in it. And I can't touch anything that is made out of glass without having a panic attack."

Ari'sora didn't think they were likely to hear flutes out in the woods, but to be safe she added that the sound of flutes would also cause her to have a panic attack. She realized that her weaknesses would likely seem strange to others, so she felt the need to tell the story of how they had happened.

"Back in Cylus of 719, I was held captive for most of the season. During that time, my captors forced me to practice the glass flute constantly until I became good enough to meet their expectations. The punishments for failure to pass their tests were...bad. That's why I can't touch anything made of glass or hear the sound of flutes without panicking. It's also why I can't make complex decisions. It started happening last Zi'da, and I don't know why it didn't start sooner since the events that caused it happened so long ago." she said softly.

Equipment

Ari'sora has the satchel she was given and all of its contents; a water flask, some dried food provisions, and a map of Sweetwine Woods. There are also various implements and containers for collecting samples, a note book for making records and writing equipment, and a pretty blue stone that was shaped like an egg that has silver runes, her short bow and a quiver full of arrows, a second, more detailed map, and an amulet that allows her to heal from emotional trauma, acts as a mirror to the wearer's mind, reflecting images and memories that trouble the wearer (emotional trauma, fears, etc.), and suppresses things that would prevent the wearer from dealing with whatever troubles them. The amulet is worn under her clothes.

[Shl'Drei]

He didn't know why he was there. Compelled? Pulled by an invisible thread to those in need, perhaps. He had no answer honestly. His sense of selflessness had gotten him hurt last arc, and totrial he wasn't exactly 'over' it. He was better at managing it, better at separating what emotion was what for the sake of his own mental stability and awareness. Leaving Sek and Leora at the menagerie, he questioned himself the entire trip to the university. Why did he come? Was he okay with the risk? The unknowns? He knew there was anxiety and worry there- the only thing he could think of was how much he didn't know- how much he wouldn't know until he'd arrived. In doing so, was he prepared to leave if things didn't seem right? Could he bring himself to leave after showing up?

Dressed in light attire, a long sleeve shirt and dark pants. His boots were terribly worn, and he had little with him other than his whip incase something happened. Another doubt, another worry. But packing light had advantages, hand he hoped as he rounded the corner and entered the room with his peers that the academy would provide their needs given it was sponsored. Either way, he entered just as a man started to speak, human in looks. The Chancellor, Kristoff Manyon introduced himself, shed some light - Free tuition? That's certainly tempting, he looked around the room and found he wasn't the only one who was interested. The Chancellor then moved to give Felicia the stage. She spoke, short and too the point.

Shl'drei shuffled forward with the rest to pick up a satchel as per instructions. So they did provide provisions, he scanned the contents gratefully. Food, waterskin, collection necessities, and writing instruments as well as parchment. The map was good quality, but upon shuffling around the contents, Shl'drei's hand met a smooth, hard surface. Quirking a brow, he wrapped his hand around the wooden object and pulled out what seemed to be a decent blowhorn. If something happens I suppose this could be useful, he put it back in the satchel. Shl'drei waited patiently back in his spot as the group leaders, the professors, introduced themselves and called out to their team. Thankfully, he recognized at least on of his fellow explorers, and as he stepped up she introduced herself as well. He'd met her during a separate expedition.

He nodded at her and waited until she had finished speaking before introducing himself. "Shl'drei," He shrugged, but took note of the location on the map. He realized that the group should list their skills a bit slowly, but he was quick to fix it. "I'm not sure that I'm above average in anything, but I like all manner of fauna. I'm a trainer. Uh, animal trainer." He paused, almost as if recalling something. "Though, the malamute pup I'm training doesn't see me as anything other than a chew toy at the moment. He's taken to chewing up furniture so I can't even house him at an inn. Munch munch, your pillows are now my teething toy."

It wasn't particularly funny in the money sense, but Shl'drei found it amusing despite the trouble it caused. Leora was happier to have him and that was important, but also important was the fact the malamute was helping them both. His smile was easy and Shl'drei thanked the immortals when someone else spoke. He wasn't much of a spotlight guy. He waited until everyone was introduced to speak again. "You lived in the wilderness, right? Can you tell us anything that might be helpful about the area? Widows valley is unexplored, yes, but we'll still be in the surrounding area for a bit to travel."

He looked at Jasper somewhat expectantly. After his house came down he realized how little of the area he knew. Even after helping the relief effort for the others who were also affected, he accepted the fact that caution never hurt. They were going into someone unknown place, he wanted to be at least somewhat prepared. At least something to keep an eye out for would be good. Jasper was a professor, and he didn't question his skill. Though they were all under his care, so he did want to be familiar with him at least. "I lived in Sweetwine, near Immortals Clearing, I think. I didn't venture further than I had too." He added.

OOC

Shl'drei has;

• The items in the satchel including, writing stuff, provisions, collection jars, a map of sweetwine, and a wooden Blowhorn (Unusual Item)
• Whip
• More detailed Map from Jasper

Can Do's;

• Munch munch (onomatopoeia)
• Tell a funny story

[Oram Mednix]

Just what I always wanted: notebooks.

Oram had no sooner returned from his foray to the Sentry that he heard reports that the University was leading yet another expedition in just a few trials, this time into the Sweetvine Woods. There were, apparently, curious tales of singing being heard throughout the forest, and while the trapper was not all that interested in singing, he was concerned about anything unusual happening in his hunting grounds. Besides, his experience with the Sentry expedition had been so positive, how could he not want to go on this one, as well?

When he arrived at the meeting place, the traveler quickly saw that this outing was of a different order than the earlier one. For one thing, there were significantly more people this time, many of whom Oram knew, including Darius and Yeva; he even recognized Jasper Seams from the faculty. It looked like there was decent equipment available. Finally, the whole thing just felt like it was actually being organized and run by thoughtful and capable adults. The hunter walked towards the group, greeting those he knew and finding himself feeling good about this outing, or at least better than he had about the last one.

Oram listened to the first couple people speak -he was left confused whether the first guy’s name was ‘Kristoff’ or ‘Dean’- but apparently the one he needed to listen to, the one actually in charge of this expedition was the second person, the woman named Felicia. Listening to her instructions, the traveler felt a pang of familiarity, and with it a hint of dread. It was exactly an arc ago, he recalled, almost to this very trial, that another conspicuously pale-skinned woman had pointed him and a group of would-be adventurers towards tables similarly laden with equipment to select from. Was this some weird late-Ashan festivity or tradition Oram hadn’t heard of? At least he could understand clearly what Felicia said. Also, the equipment was already organized into satchels, of which the party members were clearly instructed to pick just one each. Hopefully, no one would trigger a ruckus this time by trying to take extras.

Oram certainly wasn’t going to do that. He walked towards the tables with the satchels where this Professor Meager guy was and gave the fellow his name, while getting those of the others he would be traveling with. His group didn’t include anyone he had gotten to know well from other adventures, like Darius or Yeva, though the Avriel and the young Aukari girl both seemed vaguely familiar.

”I’m a hunter,” Oram explained as he went through the contents of his satchel. ”Trapped in the Sweetvine most of my life. I don’t know what kind of woodcraft you have, but I could do as much as anyone to keep you guys safe and fed and sheltered while we’re out there.” From the satchel, Oram pulled out the rations and the water flask, then the sample containers. He peered questioningly at the array of tongs and tweezers for a moment before continuing. ”I could also give you an idea which bugs, plants, and so on, are common and thus not worth collecting. I could tell you usual from unusual, if that helps.”

The hunter frowned as he pulled out the notebook, the pencils, the map. ”If you want good notes and sketches, though, you might want to get someone else to do that. I ain’t so handy with letters, nor drawing.”

There was something else in the satchel, something shiny, hard, flat, round, about the size of Oram’s palm. It turned out to be a transparent disk, the heft and feel of it suggested to Oram that it was some kind of rock crystal rather than glass. Things seen through the glass looked larger and distorted. Oram held the glass up to his eye. ”I can see how this would be useful in examining things,” he remarked.

The hunter turned towards the young girl in their group with the glass still raised: ”My eye looks really big and strange, doesn’t it?” he asked, peering at Alyssia’s distorted face. ”There was a boy in my travelers’ camp about your age, I think, who liked to go around startling people with a glass like this.” He paused and lowered the crystal from his eye, realizing Alyssia was possibly a bit older, and probably much more mature than that. ”Maybe he was a little younger,” he conceded.

“Anyway, he continued, ”there was a baby boy in the camp at the time, a bit over half an arc old, that this boy with the glass thought he’d try his big eye trick on. You know, see if the baby would laugh at it. Or get scared and cry. So he goes over to visit and he leans over to the baby and peers real close, puts up the glass. The baby just looks at his big eye, all intent. Not laughing, not crying, not moving or making a sound, just staring fascinated at the boy’s big eye in the glass for several trills.

“Then all of a sudden wap! the baby reaches out his little hand and punches the glass right out of the older boy’s grasp. Takes him completely by surprise. Somehow, the thing doesn’t break, though; it manages to land on its edge and starts rolling across the floor, and the boy has to chase it all around the room. Then the baby *does* start laughing, and so does the rest of the baby’s family. Not the boy of course, who just left without another word once he had his glass again.”

Oram shrugged, putting the glass back into the satchel. ”At least, that’s how the story was told to me,” he concluded. ”I don’t actually remember it happening, you see. Because that baby was me.” He gave Alyssia a smile, hoping she liked the story. Even if she didn’t, it was time to turn to Professor Meager for some more business. ”You say you have camping gear. May I see it? Maybe I can offer some suggestions of anything else we might need. Heck, I might even have whatever is needed back home.” The one thing that Oram was fully ready to let somebody else carry and/or look after was tentage, easily the bulkiest and messiest bit of camping tackle to lug around. The other thing he was interested in was figuring out how much if any rope they had. If the University’s gear was up to snuff, the trapper would be ready to go right away. If not, Oram would want to make some additional preparations before heading out.

Loaded for bear

Oram is wearing a straw hat, his gambeson, sturdy pants and boots. He wears a homemade harness made from belts, rope, and twine, on which he has attached a hatchet, a knife, a waterskin, a pouch containing some money and some snacks, and a lantern in which he has a yellow lightstone mounted. The lantern’s hood is currently closed, as it is daytime.

Inside the chimney of the lamp he also has stowed his flint and tinder, and some fishing hooks and line.

He has a backpack, currently without a frame so that it sags low on his back, in which he has a bedroll, camping spade, extra cloak, change of clothes, a spool of twine, a trial or two’s worth of food, some rolled up rags for use as bandages or padding.

He carries his boar spear like a walking stick. He will strap the satchel atop his backpack, to make it all one big ruck.

[Balthazar Black]

121 Ashan 720

It was time for another expedition but Balthazar deeply hoped this one would be nothing like the one he'd partaken in an arc ago on the very same trial. The University asked for people to go investigate the strange sounds coming from the Sweetwine Woods and Balthazar's curiosity drove him to answer the call. He always had work to do, but he knew better than to ignore strange things in Scalvoris. He wanted to know what was going on and the expedition was the most convenient way to find out first hand. He had come armed more than most but only because he owned so many weapons and struggled, on occasion, to pick just one. His sword sat beside a dagger on his left and his hammer hung on his right side. He wore black pants with brown boots and a nicely made dark blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up his forearms. He wore his dark red cloak with the hood down and had soothed his Rupturing spark for the time being so he could look around without having to squint his eyes. He thought about soothing his Defiance spark as well because it was rarely pleasant to feel subtle but constant shocks when his hand brushed against things but he didn't.

Rarely pleasant but still pleasant.

Chancellor Kristoff Manyon called all the groups together to explain the plan to the groups that had gathered and while he listened, Balthazar also looked around for the familiar faces. The more he saw, the more he was reminded of an arc ago. Yeva, Darius, Ari'sora, Kal, and Oram were all recognizable faces from the last journey and he hoped they'd all fair better this time than they had before. Well, they'd all lived, so maybe that was the best they could ask for? Manyon explained that Felicia would talk them through the practicalities and thanked them all for coming. He said they'd all be a full qualification of their choice but he didn't think much of it at the time. He still had a mixed opinion about academics. Helping the University was one thing, attending it was another, but at the moment he was more interested in the task before them than the reward for it.

Then Balthazar listened to the woman with the pale hair as she explained what Manyon had called the practicalities. There was something uncomfortable about the thought that they had been randomly divided into the four groups. Balthazar would have thought the University would put more thought into their groupings but realized there was no way for them to know what each person was capable of and therefore it was unlikely that they'd have been able to plan the groups beyond names. Regardless, he'd do his best with the people he was assigned to work with. Balthazar was not the first to step up to the long table and claim his satchel but he was also far from the last person. While the groups were being divided, the mage looked over the items in the satchel that he'd been given. Everything the woman said would be there was there but that was not all, there was a small, decently carved, wooden mouse inside.

What is this? Balthazar picked the mouse up and turned it over in his hand a few times without pulling it out of the satchel where his little diri Fuego was now also resting.

What should we call it? Fuego asked as Balthazar set the carving down beside his diri in the bag.

Don't get attached. Balthazar told his diri as he turned his attention back to Felicia. One by one group leaders came through a door, called out the names of those in their groups, and then took them off to explore whatever portion of the Sweetwine that they were assigned to. While the first group leader came out, Balthazar looked over his map of the Sweetwine woods, trying to remember as many details about it as he could before he rolled it back up and put it in the satchel he'd taken it from. He listened closely to everything that was said so he didn't miss any details, even when he was not called forward. He notes the group leaders, the members of the group, and where they were going so he'd know who, if anyone, didn't come back.

Migh Gir, professor of History and Theory of Magic, was taking Kalortah, Klaudia, Alyssia, and Oram to the Sky Worshipper's Clearing. The area had an interesting name but Balthazar wasn't called to that group so he did not think very much about it. However when Kalortah shared his story, Balthazar fixed him with some small level of surprise. He wasn't sure if his surprise was from the fact that the bard had once been a mage or that he'd had a spark removed and lived. Balthazar couldn't imagine what it would be like to have one of his sparks removed. It seemed like it would be painful. When Kalortah spoke of his master being impaled with livlos reeds, a wood that dampened the abilities of mages, Balthazar's brow furrowed. He did not like the idea of a wood that could do that. Perhaps he'd have to consider a controlled burn one trial, but not totrial.

There were other things Kalortah said that struck Balthazar and reassured him in some ways. Kalortah had a ring that had revered his death? That sounded... familiar. Balthazar looked down to the two rings he wore, one on his right index finger and one on the properly named finger on his left hand. Each was said to do something different but useful. He looked back at the bard as Kal talked about his lingering mutations and thought of Devin, another bard who had always seemed so interested in that sort of thing. Devin might have enjoyed Kal's story. It was good Balthazar would remember it.

Balthazar was glad he was called in the second group. He thought himself fortunate because he didn't have to wait any longer to figure out where he was going but it was also unfortunate because his mental catalogue of who was going where would be left incomplete. Jasper Seams was straightforward and bluntly declared himself so which Balthazar liked. It wasn't often you found someone who said what they thought when they thought it. There had been more people in Rharne like that then in Scalvoris. They were going to Widow's Valley which had a slightly more ominous name than Sky Worshipper's Clearing. The mage looked at the others who had had their names called for his group and gave them all a small nod, well all except Yeva. He gave her a small wave and when the group began to assemble he'd nudged her with a small grin and say, in a friendly tone, "Hopefully this goes better than the Faldrass expedition, right?"

Jasper seemed eager to get a move on after giving his group the more detailed map. Ari'sora introduced herself first and Balthazar listened while giving the more detailed map a glance. Her explanation about her trouble with decision making explained what he happened at the Dusk Festival in Cylus. He put the more detailed map in his satchel and listened to the winged woman as she finished explaining her decision dilemma. "Well then if it helps, consider this an order- don't touch anything made of glass." Balthazar wasn't sure if she worked that way but he wanted to make things easier for Ari if he could. She seemed to have a lot of issues like the ones Doran seemed to think Yeva would have had. Doran. Perhaps he could help. Balthazar would have to remember to recommend the professor at a later time but he was uncertain. He and Doran had not left things on the best of terms. When Ari'sora was done speaking the other new face that Balthazar did not recognize introduced himself.

Shl'drei talked about being an animal trainer and it made Balthazar think of his settlement. They could always use a decent animal trainer. However the thought slipped from his mind quickly as Shl'drei asked Jasper about his time living in the wild. It wasn't that he wasn't still considering the man, it was just that he had not come here to recruit more hands to his growing mark on the world. When it came time to introduce himself, Balthazar gave a similar introduction to the one he gave in most of these situations.

"Half the group knows me already but I'm Balthazar. I'm an Attuner, Etherist, Defier, Rupturer, detective, and a decent fighter. If you need a shortcut to something, I can probably make it." It would be disappointing if Jasper didn't have some understanding of what he could do with those named magics but Balthazar would do his best to keep all his senses on alert and report useful things as he discovered them. "I also work with the Elements, as in the military not the elements themselves. Though, again, I'm a Defier so I can do that too. I can also make us water and zap stuff." He gave a small shrug. He never got any better at explaining magic on the go and he really should have prepared something. "I've had a few bad experiences with nature over the last arc. I fought the Creep in Quacia and something similar to it in Melrath... so I'm hoping that things go a little more smoothly this time." But he wasn't really counting on it. If he ended up fighting vines again he would be certain plants hated him. Then again... when didn't he end up fighting things? He'd probably end up fighting spiders or some grumpy woman in Widow's Valley.

"I also have a really good memory. Really good. So if you want something remembered, or you want to see a memory, I'm your mage." Balthazar tapped on the side of his head with blackened fingertips.

Equipment

On him: - Grabthar's Hammer
- Adamantite Dagger
- Faldrunium Katana
- Ring of Reversal
- "Mage Miracle" Ring

In Satchel: - Dried provisions
- Water flask
- Map of the Sweetwine Woods
- Slightly more detailed map of the Woods near Widow's Valley
- Notebook and writing equipment
- Checklist
- Containers for Samples
- A carved wooden mouse

[Elijah Lamoreaux]

Eli was a city boy at his core, and not in the least a wilderness type. He was young, healthy and durable enough to be sure. But trekking through the woods had never been a pastime of choice. He'd taken note of that when he'd seen the flier asking for volunteers, put out by the university. But he did have a number of skills and abilities that he thought might be useful, so he'd signed up just the same. He liked a good adventure, and even better a mystery.

So on the trial in question, having already told Perdie where he was going, he equipped himself best that he was able and set out to the meeting place. It appeared that a number of others had signed up as well. He didn't recognize any of the others who'd arrived before him. But it wasn't surprising since he'd only been in Scalvoris since the start of the season. There'd be plenty of time for sorting out names and faces as they went along. For now, he just slipped in, nodded a hello and stayed quiet while Kristoff Manyon spoke his piece.

The promise of free tuition was a nice touch, should he decide to pursue any further higher education than he had already. But Eli would have signed up regardless. And finally, at the last, as others fell into their assigned groups, his own name was called. He'd watched and listened carefully to what Allison had to say as group leader, and found her tone and mannerisms curious. As if, maybe, she was less than impressed by the names on her list. Nonetheless, he could hardly boil an egg. So on that count, he'd be no help at all. So as directed, he walked forward and grabbed a satchel for himself.

It was stuffed full with the things already mentioned, but while rummaging around in the bottom of it to account for the promised items, Eli's hand blindly closed around a curious, metallic feeling object, and he pulled it out for a closer look. He wouldn't have known right away what to call it. But he immediately recognized it's usefulness. Especially for someone with his kind of skills. A tool of sorts, or several at once, all put together in a single package that would fold in on itself like a pocket knife. It was a good sign, he thought, and grinned a little while slipping the thing into his pocket. That could prove handy indeed.

"I'm Elijah Lamoreaux," he said when he finally joined Allison, and whoever might have joined up before him. "I prefer Eli, if that's alright. I'm not much of a woodsman. My talents lean more towards engineering, tinkering and design, but I'm pretty good at figuring how things work, how they don't and reworking them so they do, and the reasons why. Like why a spring doesn't spring as it ought to, but twangs dully instead," he added with a grin before realizing that was probably humor that only a fellow engineer could really appreciate.

► Show Spoiler

equipment: Contents of the satchel and maps, etc. Also, engineer's toolkit, design book and pencils, first aid kit, an old but working bronze pocket compass on a chain, a sling and round metal projectiles, a long sword and a knife. A regular lantern. A fancy hourglass filled with mysterious green liquid

[Bao Bao]

121st Ashan, 721

Who was Bao to say no to an adventure?

After all the time he had now spent in Idalos, Bao felt like a new Cadouri. So many friends had been made, so much had been learned and all of the time he had spent in Idalos had been spent well. He was a Councillor on Scalvoris already, he had met a fortune teller that had told him so much about his future, he had met more friends than he could count on all four of his paws combined. It had been a beautiful, warm experience for the Cadouri. Everything that Idalos was promised to be and so much more.

This trial, he had a feeling, would be no different. Singing in Sweetwine, lots of people all gathered into one hall and a journey to be had along the way. It was his kind of trial. As Kristoff gave a small speech, followed by Felicia, Bao sat down on a chair and smiled with full attention given to the group. Their offer of a free qualification didn't mean much to the Cadouri, though that was in part to do with his lack of understanding towards University. Besides, why get a qualification when he could simply travel the world? That sounded far more fun.

As Felicia spoke on stage about Satchels and told the group to collect them, Bao smiled and stood up from where he sat, clambering up onto the table with some ease and picking a small satchel for himself. Thankfully, whoever had made this expedition possible had prepared for small folk like Bao, giving them a tiny satchel that fit neatly over his robes. If the Cadouri could have smile any harder he would have, looking down at his own little satchel with delight that people like him were thought of in advance.

As he opened his satchel he had the usual equipment that others got, as well as what appeared to be a small rock. It had a weird pattern to it as if someone had carved little shapes into it, and the rock itself for a beautiful white like that of quartz. Shrugging, and not particularly sure what it was useful for - Bao stood up and made his way back to the table. As well as his satchel and the weird rock, Bao had some nice robes on and a warm blanket that Saoire had given him. It was a beautifully decorated, nice blue color with lovely knitted patterns over it and Bao held it around his shoulders like a little cape.

After a little bit of time he found his group, the last ones picked. He came over to the group and smiled at everyone, already recognizing two familiar faces. Darius and Eli. Both of them had met the Cadouri prior, one of which during a lantern festival and the other while their fortunes were told. Allison gave them basic directions and instructions, wanting to introduce themselves, and talked about what their journey would entail. Eli spoke first, introducing himself in a way that fit the man he had met on one night in Cylus. With some quiet, Bao figured he would go next.

"My name is Bao Bao, as some of you know, but everyone just calls me Bao - because it's easier than saying it twice!" he smiled happily to everyone, offering a hand to anyone that would shake it. Despite being far smaller than anyone else around, Bao showed no fear or nerves at meeting his teammates, simply happy to be around such vibrant people. "Climbing in trees is...well, all I used to do before as a Red Panda, so I'm excited to try it! I was camping before too once, or at least at a campsite. I climbed a tree with my friend Leni nearby, and we had just got off a flying turtle in Idalos. It was my first day. I met a man, Oram, and he let me sit down and eat food and talk about Scalvoris."

Bao, not wanting to leave the story there, continued. "He asked me where I was from, and he meant where in the world I came from, but I didn't really understand Idalosian people then. So I pointed to the bush I came from, stupidly" he laughed a little at the fond memory. "I was so embarrassed a few trials later when I realized, I nearly fell off my chair with a THUD" he chortled at the thought, hoping others would find his story just as uplifting.

Then, with a smile, he listened as the others introduced themselves - glancing to Eli and giving him a warm grin as he did so.

[Zoro Astrian]

Zoro Astrian was awestruck by the remarkable people gathered for what he considered would be a most exciting adventure. He was incredibly pleased with the prospect of at last doing SOMETHING! He hoped to make a difference in the world and leave behind him something more than numberless journeys on well known seas. He an inquiring mind made him a passionate believer in education and the University and science particularly natural science enthralled him.

Although had spent most of his relatively short life navigating the waters around Scalvoris on his parents boat, he felt that he knew very little about the island which he called home. He had great love for his parents and his brothers and sisters, however life with them had seemed a little monotonous his father, ZoLane, was very focused and they would sail from place to place for practical reasons rather than being able to explore them as Zoro Astrian would have liked.

He was thrilled at the thought of adventure and the opportunity to study at the University free of charge. He sincerely thought that this would be the making of him and his first opportunity to make his mark on the world he had a destiny.

He was delighted to receive the satchel and enthusiastically checked the contents all was there that had been described by the amazing professor with the pale hair Felicia Du’Wintre. In addition Zoro found a waxed box that shined a brilliant yellow it must be Dragon wood. He opened the box to find a compass that due to its exquisite get simple design marked it out as a quality item. Strangely it was similar in design to the Sextant that he had inherited from his Grandfather. He carried the sextant with him everywhere he went in a strange way it symbolised that he aspired to be.

Rather clumsily, perhaps due to the Longbow hung over his shoulder or the cutlass thrust into his belt, he slung the satchel over his shoulder and gangled all knees and elbows towards the group gathered together by the striking young woman, Alison. Zoro Astrian wanted desperately to make a good impression.

He was very pleased the shake the hand of the Cadouri Bao, but was mortified when he was taken with a long sneezing fit. Unknown to Zoro Astrian his eyes that normally swirled between blue grey and lilac blushed a livid pink. “I do beg your pardon, I have been achooing for the last hour”!

He turned to Alison. “ Did you know that there are four type of dear on Scalvoris? Snow dear, dear, Oh dear and no eye dear”!

Zoro smiled broadly at them all. “I have no idea how to cook”.

He had completely forgotten to introduce himself. “Hi, I am Zoro by the way”. His eyes blushed pink again.

[Alyssia]

Alyssia walked around the group of people that were gathering to go on the sweetwine expedition curiously. She normally has Novus with her, but the girl was worried that the pup would be in too much danger in the woods. So, with a heavy heart, the teen had asked Devin to watch him for a few days so she could go and help. Now the closer that the girl got to leaving into the wild the more her nerves were growing. She had not realized just how much of a safety net the puppy had become since she received him. She stayed towards the middle of the crowd looking around when it came time for everyone to receive their instructions.

With a small almost inaudible sigh of relief, the girl was glad the trip would be conducted in groups. The teen stayed back waiting for as many as the other people to go up and get their packs so that she wasn’t in the way. Looking when a man walked forward and introduced himself as the first group leader calling her name. She was surprised to know several other members in the group. One was Oram who Alyssia had met very briefly at the Cylus Dusk event with Saoire and the other fire forged. The second was none other than Kalortah himself.

The pair had not spoken very much to each other since they had met in Yaralon many cycles past. Moving through the crowd in an attempt to not bump into anyone, the girl grabbed herself a pack and quickly moved over to where Migh was standing. When prompted Alyssia took one of the maps that was handed out and curiously opened it looking inside. It took her several moments to finally spot exactly where the man was talking about them going. When Kal walked past her and nodded the teen did the same. It was strange for her to recognize so many people. It had never dawned on her how many people she had met since leaving Yaralon, of course the pair had met there.

“Hello Kalortah, it is nice to see you once again. I hope you have been well,” Alyssia stated then looking over to Oram when he approached.

The girl gave a start seeing his big eye before giggling some. It was funny to see only one part of him so much larger than the rest of him. Perhaps it was just the child in her that rarely got to show itself. But she was beginning to relax around adults now that she was safe in the city of Scalvoris. The teen had not seen any sign of the knights since her encounter with them when she had met Darius for a second time. It was not a surprise that their retrieve had come when so many children had gone missing. She often wondered how many had went missing when she was taken as a child. For now, though that was questions for a different day.

“Oh, hello again Mr. Oram,” Alyssia said with a smile and listened to his story. A giggle left her mouth when the man told his story about the child who used to scare people. Especially other children, babies were always cute little things that could not defend themselves. And yet if it were actually true that the baby was indeed Oram, could he be as strong as an adult as he had been? The girl was sure it would turn out to be a very interesting trip.

“I’m afraid I do not have any stories as funny or intriguing as you or Mr Kalorath. I have not learned such things yet, nor do I have anyone to tell me stories of my youth. I hope that is not upsetting for anyone,” Alyssia explained gently.

When the teen had a moment letting the others tell their stories to Migh and meet each other; she sat down and opened the satchel looking through what had been provided. The girl did not have much to her name besides the few weapons she had bought in previous cycles. Alyssia looked at the water flask, the dried food, and then to the map that had been included. She pulled the whip off her hip and bound it tightly together making sure it would not come untied until it was time to be used then put it inside of the bag. Looking at her two wrapped sais the girl made sure the tips were covered and placed them in the form of an x in the bag before closing it back so that the handles were sticking out.

As she began to close the bag a strange flash caught her eye. Carefully the girl moved the items reaching making sure to not disturb anyone. Alyssia pulled out the item and was shocked to see it was some kind of bound hair tie. The teen moved it back and forth in her fingers before putting it on her wrist and securing her bag. She thought it would be silly to ask about such a thing when she knew what it was for. The Aukari was simply unsure how she had ended up with the bag that had the tie in it. Standing up she moved to the side and waited moving the satchel to her back waiting for the last of their group to arrive.

► Show Spoiler

Alyssia has her two sais and her whip that the girl brought with her. The satchel also has a waterskin, dried provisions, and a map included. The teen found a hair tie made of leather in the bottom of the bag and put it on her wrist.