The Ill-Portented Expedition (crossgrave, blueslime, chibi)
The big day had finally arrived. Dawn blossomed over the Aelwall mountains, its light shining down upon the city of Vertkeep Point, a thriving trade and learning centre and one of the most important cities in the Lamian Principality. It was here that young hopefuls flocked, to study and learn, to find a mentor who would take them in and begin their steps down the road of life. Steps in the metaphorical sense, at least, for many such hopefully. It was a fast growing city building upon itself outwards from the cliff-side, where the ruling castle was set and a new stone outer-wall was under construction, the city having sprawled out of its previous walls to the point where it warranted attention. Construction in this day and age was aided by the newly invented steam lifts, combining an ingenious pulley and leverage system with steam powered motors to allow greater loads than would be possible through manpower or beasts of burden. Indeed, it was a showcase of what a modern marvel the city was that such wonders were beholden in plain sight and rich smoke billowed from the roofs of many a workshop as the city's industrial age blossomed .
This particular day was especially important for a number of young Lamia, as their first big opportunity in life began this very morning. With rumours of darkness returning to Vira, the Colleges of Vertkeep Point agreed to fund an expedition to one Professor Jontus Htamedisil, an now ageing archaeologist and researcher whom, rather than many Lamians, looked to the past for answers rather than the future. A prestigious name, he is regarded as one of the top of his field and sought a small team of young and eager Lamians to assist him in journeying to a site he believes contain an ancient ruins connected to a darker age, where many Lamians gave up their sovereignty to serve the Shadow. This site, if is located, he believes may answer some mysteries about why the Lamia swayed to darkness, as well as perhaps some methods to prove or disprove the current rumours about a new dark age on the horizon.
Azalia and Soren were amongst the young scholars to be selected, their studies and proficiency in magic deemed important to Jontus, much to the chagrin of many of their more progressively minded peers. They are joined by fellow student Goron, a large and broad Lamia who possesses a keen interest in following in Jontus' footsteps as an archaeologist, more than making up for his lack of proficiency in the magical arts. From what they've seen of the male in previous meetings, he seems to have a gentle soul despite his large size and doesn't seem entirely to agree with the 'genius' of modern technology.
The Colleges also insisted in assigning an escort to this expedition, much to Jontus' protests. As their journey would take them east through the mountains, an often perilous journey even at this time of year, they hired a journeyman solder by the name of Nath to keep them protected. Nath, now entering his middle-aged years himself, seems to be a sturdy and practical man, sensible and stubborn and him and Jontus have already had numerous arguments throughout the planning phase of the expedition. Nath finds the Professor to be a foolish and reckless man in pursuit of knowledge at any cost, while the Jontus finds Nath to be stubborn, thick-headed and overprotective in the face of minuscule dangers. It was on Nath's insistence that a second escort was added to the mission, a young Satuma, fresh and eager to serve as a solder.
Now, the six of them are to meet up by the main gate of the city in the early morning, ready to set out on their quest to find these ancient ruins over the mountains. Already Nath stands firm and ready, his trusty warrior's staff in one hand, the other comforting the giant monitor lizard often used as beasts of burden in these parts; indeed this one would serve as their pack mule, carrying their all important supplies. Nearby, Jontus slithered back and forth over the stone cobbled road, pacing restlessly despite it still being almost an hour until their designated meeting time. The pair passed time almost silently as they prepared to set out on their journey.
