Event - The White Dragon Travel Log

[bravenewmods]

[It's a lengthy journey even by air, that our intrepid heroes find themselves on. The veteran fliers set a quick, but not grueling pace at the suggestion of the Valkyries. Arriving to a battleground when a god had taken the field tired was not wise, they'd said, and who could really blame them? The prospect alone of facing down one of the beasts of legend would be enough to send most men fleeing in the opposite direction, but one who was working with a human? That was all the more reason to make sure that proper care was taken on the trek. And so for a day the party traveled, a caravan of birds, dragons, reptiles and the odd flying robot making steady time across the Rolling Plains before setting down at the north-eastern edge.

The curious would find that not far from where the tents were pitched, the green hills turned jagged, the land going from verdant to a sea of dark glass. Obsidian shards spiked upwards, spires gleaming in the moonlight like razor sharp teeth, setting an ominous tone for the evening's respite. Tents were pitched, fires were lit, and the more warlike companions even began a drum circle and dance. Valkyries and shirtless Calderan volunteers, a small number of visiting mages, and other more mysterious folks all curious to see the god and to help with the relief efforts. The camp, despite the circumstances, was at least a lively one.

And then came the final day.

Over the Obsidian Flats they went, the massive shapes of Boldore and Tyranitar visible even from up in the sky. And...further perhaps even more stunningly, a gigantic lake almost large enough to call an inland sea, sprawled out below. Rivers snaked out of it all around, and the water itself was a pure crystal blue. But perhaps the most awe inspiring sight of the whole journey came once they cleared the Flats and the area around Glacier came into view. An expanse of white, thick snow covering the ground this early in the year. Arctic forests cropped up here and there, snowcapped trees and a frigid looking river marring the perfect canvas beneath. And more Pokemon , of course. Gigantic Avalugg shook the ground below, and a new species plodded along, chewing amiably on the trees, largely unconcerned by the humans overhead, and the occurrences in the distance.

Along the coast a city was in flames, people streaming out of its ruined gates, desperately fleeing along the rivers before whatever it was came back. Smoke curled up along the skyline, burned hamlets and outlying settlements that'd already been destroyed.

It seems like they weren't too late, and it in the moment of respite there was a chance for our heroes to at least get their bearings and prepare for the Dragon God's return...]

[OOC: We will be opening some of these areas for bonding within the next few days for everyone who is taking part in the expedition.]

Comments

[lunchleader]

Stop being a scaredy-Skitty! I keep telling you-- [Right stops mid-scolding upon seeing that Foongus hopping into the burrow.] ...Oi. Aren't you--?

[Yami the Diggersby, however, isn't as pleasant or curious as his Trainer. He immediately starts shoving the little mushroom Pokemon out of his snowy burrow.] Who asked you to come in here?! Get out!

[untalented]

[Orpheus squeaked as he was unceremoniously shoved out of the hole.]

Hey! I'm just looking for ideas to keep my friend warm! I wasn't gonna stay!

[If Right were observant, he would notice a small note pinned to the edge of the Foongus' little scarf:

'This is Orpheus. Please return if he gives you a problem. -WV']

[lunchleader]

Don't be a meanie!

[Right moves to kneel down next to Orpheus.] Hey, you ok--what's this?

[He picks up the edge of the scarf to read the note over for a brief moment.] 'Orpheus', huh? Don't suppose that 'W' is for Waver, is it?

[untalented]

[Orpheus nodded exhuberantly at the question.]

That's right. He's pathetic at anything that isn't in a book, so I want to help him!

[He chittered and waved his arms emphatically with his remark. Clearly, the tiny mushroom is as big a ham as Right himself...]

[lunchleader]

[That gives Right pause.]

Really? He's that bad at camping?

[Meanwhile, Yami remains snuggled in his snow burrow. Nope, not coming out anytime soon.]

[untalented]

[The little Foongus nodded rapidly.]

That's right. We don't adventure outside the city often because he gets nervous.

[But at least the Mageling knew when he was in above his head. Waver might have his problems, but Orpheus was glad to have a smart human by his side.]

[lunchleader]

He sounds like Tokacchi was growing up... [Right mumbles to himself, thinking briefly of one of his childhood friends.

He glances over at Yami.] I'll be back in a few minutes...but don't get comfortable, Yami.

[Right then turns back to the little Foongus.] Mind if I visit him with you? Maybe I can help, being his friend and all.

[untalented]

[Orpheus squeaked his reply, and held up his arms in open request for a ride.]

Good idea! He needs help!

[lunchleader]

[Right happily picks up Orpheus, setting him on his shoulder.]

Alright - lead the way!

[untalented]

[And with a squeak, Orpheus points the way. The two of them weave through the campsite, with the little Foongus chattering along the way....it doesn't take them to hear the tell tale cursing and clattering of metal falling onto rocks that indicates Waver's location.]

[lunchleader]

[Right waves to a few friends, human and Pokemon alike, as he passes them by. But he doesn't stop to chat with them - he's on a mission. And very soon, his objective can be heard just before spotting the young Magus ahead.]

Oi! Waver! Need a hand?

[untalented]

[The interruption was enough to distract Waver in the middle of his mess. Yelping in surprise, he looked up and stared in Right's direction with wide eyes-- and promptly toppled over in a mess of poles, cords, and canvas. Orpheus buried his face in his little hands and groaned.]

This is what I mean...

[Waver, not understanding Poke-speak but familiar with Orpheus' mannerisms, looked up at the duo with more questions in his eyes.]

Orpheus, what did-- he's not causing problems, is he Right?

[lunchleader]

Nah, he's very friendly.

[Right pets the Foongus before gently setting the little Pokemon down.]

But it looks like he's right. What were you doing with your tent?

[untalented]

[Orpheus chirped in agreement. Right's totally right-- he was just looking for some help!

Waver, carefully picking the Foongus up when he tottered over on the ice, gave Right a tired look.]

What do you think I'm doing?

[Because it was pretty amply clear, in his opinion]

....you're not going to tease, are you?

[lunchleader]

Tease? No way! I'm here to help.

[Right glances around at Waver's campsite. Is there anything other than the tent that he needs help with? Just something to notate before he gets started.]

[untalented]

....The last time someone said that, they put me through the ringer and dared to charge me for receiving their abuse.

[Waver sighed and dropped the tangle of tent materials onto the ground. Right would notice that his meager campsite was okay enough-- if only because he had the luck of travelling with more experienced adventurers, and a Ranger. The only reason there was a fire going at all was because of his Vulpix, but everything else...?

The Mageling was woefully inexperienced at this sort of thing.]

[lunchleader]

They don't sound like a good friend to me.

[Right sighs at the poorly set-up camp that Waver has going.]

Lucky for you, I grew up doing this stuff. Let's start with getting your tent setup properly.

[untalented]

Did I say they were a friend?

[Waver huffed, but dutifully stayed near Right as he began to make his own assessments of the campsite.]

I'll be glad for the help. This all is new for me, and it's difficult to keep track of the proper instructions when you're trying not to fall off your ride.

[His legs and feet ached from holding onto the lent flying-type as tightly as he had. Riding anything was a new experience for him....and he suspected that he would never entirely get used to flying.]

[lunchleader]

That's why you wait until you're not riding in order to read stuff.

[Right starts setting up the poles for the tent properly, pausing every few steps to point out some tips to Waver.]

[untalented]

But there's a lot to catch up on...

[And he didn't want to get in anyone's way-- but he followed Right's instructions carefully, and assessed every step with an attentive, studious eye.]

[lunchleader]

That's why you read by the firelight - or lamplight, if you got a lamp.

[Even with it being an information instruction session, it doesn't take that long for Right to help get the tent set up properly. It's even sturdy!]

There we go! Now, you can sleep without getting snowed or rained on.

[untalented]

Who needs a lamp when I have Flash?

[It was a silly little spell that was worthless for attack or defense, but it was quite helpful in shedding light on a situation. ba-dum-tsh

Waver took a step back and stared at the completed structure, a look of admiration and even disbelief in his eyes.]

It's impressive, how something so simple can be so hard to erect...

[lunchleader]

It's not that difficult. I mean, I'm no genius, but I've been doing stuff like this since I was 8. My Grandpa taught me everything I know about camping and foraging and such.

[untalented]

That sounds like incredibly useful information, if you're going to be doing much travelling. Was your grandfather a trainer and explorer as well?

Sorry for missing this for so long

[lunchleader]

Yep! He's even what I'd call a 'Master Trainer', since he's got a knack for training folks.