"Yes." Faenkon responded to Lysandriax, "If not for the cameoline cloak he surely would have had the upper hand. But on the brighter side of things, we have a better understanding of some of the predators found here." Crouching down over the crag-cat he lifted one of the paws, "As you can see from the large paws and claws they have evolved to handle large prey, even larger than us it would seem." Next he revealed the large fangs, "And here you can see the awesome ripping and rending power of it's powerful jaws. If anything this should be a lesson on just how dangerous life can be here. Which means if we find the exodites they will be, just a guess, extremely cunning and capable fighters."

Turning to face Talis and Avrielle in turn. "The first lesson will be in skinning, tanning, and of course good meat cuts. Talis you more than likely have the most experience here with this. Would you mind showing Avrielle while I prepare a smoker for the meat?" He didn't really wait for an answer before starting to dig a small hole a short ways away from the main fire. He hoped forcing the young exodite to assist in the lesson would boost his confidence. He stole some of the hot embers from the main fire to start his own, once lit he began picking the wood that would cause a decent amount of smoke for the smoker. The meat could easily smoke for the time they were out without risk of ruining it, in fact the longer it smoked the better! As an after thought he turned to Talis, "If possible could you keep the head and paws intact as much as possible? And thank you for your help."

Alos' face frowned as he regarded the trees surface with a close eye. He wielded his dire sword and looked for the best place to cut.
He didn't even think what other Dire Avengers of his shrine would say about using the Eldar weapons of war to cut trees, his path had felt distant as of late as did everything else at Il-Kaithe. His thoughts drifted for a moment to Salianna while he worked, stopping him in his tracks for a few seconds.
Why does she invade my thoughts so. Damned woman, you set me up on this course. Alo grimaced with his inner monologue.
With two hands he first pressed a proper dent to the tree. Then little by little he sawed it a bit bigger with a sawing motion, putting a bit more force into it each time.
This would be a lot easier with tools, damn it. he thought as he started to hack the tree.

How much time passed until he gained what he wanted from the tree was lost on Alo, consumed in his work as he was. He would not give up until he had what he had set out to do.

Amriel finished up his breakfast and departed down to the lake surface to rinse off his plate. He abhorred leaving food gunk on eating utensils, it made them so much harder to deal with later. He had once left a plate unclean in his quarters before departing on a mission, and when he returned he was fairly certain what had grown on it was more intelligent than an Ork, and roughly the same color. The plate had not been good for anything after that, except for target practice with heavy weapons. From where he sat, he could just see the Avenger hacking away at a tree, the usage of his weapon in such a manner making the former craftsman cringe.

Alo cut away at the wood, the shape of the vithira in his mind's eye. The rough wood was not yet right, but it could be shaped, worked, made to serve his purpose. The desire to create burned in his mind even as the need to play drove him. It was a truly Eldar sentiment, to feel so strongly, but the need did not allow him time for much reflection. The words of the Farseer sang in his mind. But what did they portend?

Watched by the Fire Dragon but unaware, Alo continued in his quest so that he might quiet his soul and return to the greater matter at hand. Beside the camp, a little way away, Faenkon was preparing too, taking care of the body of the crag cat and making good use of many of its parts - with the help of Talis, and the less useful but nevertheless keen to help form of Avrielle, he soon had a fine pelt and busied himself making a stone smoker for the meat. It wasn't usual to eat a carnivore, but the Ranger did not believe in waste. much like the tough and hardy Exodites.

The others gathered at the fireside. One by one, they made their preparations, some taking up provisions and others gathering blankets and other supplies such as the Chance could furnish, which, given the lack of preparation before coming down, wasn't much. Still, the Eldar had their wits and their strengths, and with those, they could surely find a way.

@Uriel1339 @kanila @MetalDog4 @DaKaptin @BadDo9 @Avenging-Angel @matt23 @Wata @ItsTime

Some of you have posted and some have not, I am aware that some of you have busy schedules, not to worry, and poor matt23 is currently recovering in hospital! (Good luck @matt23 I hope it's going well!) This is a quick last call for anything else you want to do before heading off, then I need to know where you are going (back the same route? another way? back into the Chance? Ultramar? ) and I'll send you on your merry way.

@kanila | Finishing her pollen-cake, again thanking Talis, Avrielle and Lysandriax, as Faenkon returned Astarielle watched the Ranger begin preparing the animal he'd bought with him. The camp seemed more active, Alo running all over the place in search of something to help him make his vithra, and everyone else up and moving in their own particular fashions.

Rising to her feet the Biel-tani glanced up at the mountains surrounding the lake basin, tracing the less navigable routes they'd decided against using the previous day. Struck by a sudden thought Astarielle turned, glancing over at Faenkon.
"If the best trail out of here was mined what are the chances of the other trails also being mined?"

Alo had finally mutilated the tree enough to gain his material. He scanned it with a sharp eye to determine its quality, turning it in his hands and nodded to himself when it qualified. He almost left his sword leaning on the tree before he left, with a sharp turn he snatched it and seathed the weapon.

Once he was back at the fireplace he began working on his instrument.
"Any ideas for strings, Avrielle?" He asked her while planning on how to proceed on shaping his work and searching for the tools again what to use.

@Avenging-Angel

Finishing his work, and setting the meat to be smoked. He turned to Astarielle, "More than likely the other paths would be clear. I'm sure they would have their own dangers." Faenkon thought for a moment. "But it probably wouldn't be much difference in travel time. So it would be an option."

@Jorimel @kanila @MetalDog4 @DaKaptin @BadDo9 @Avenging-Angel @matt23 @Wata @ItsTime

"If I may chime in." The noticeable quiet diplomat throughout the conversation and morning rites at last spoke, having tended to her future spouse's aching muscles, she at last walked into the midst of the group, as close to the fire as possible.

"Now that Morvan has established his communication as intended, and the fact that the Pearl can send vox-frequency as well as Avrielle having her backpack along this is how I propose our groups to split."

OOC: Yareli explains it like this:
Group Chance (stays in/at the ship):

• Morvan & Llyr
• Lysandriax
• Volunteer Guards if anyone doesn't feel like wandering

Group Explorers (goes out into the wilderness):

• Everyone Else except those who want to volunteer to stay at the chance.

"This will allow us to communicate through all our assets from the Arcadia to the Chance and from the Chance to our exploration group. Furthermore I suggest that Faenkon and Alo take vanguard and map the way ahead with Astarielle and Talis on rear guard and marking our way back which we came. We do not want to end up lost in the woods like from the fable tales, yes? Even without crumbs of fresh loaf or a thread, I am sure you can mark our way back, yes? Avrielle will form the center with everyone else around her in free formation to stay flexible."

"And if that formation is acceptable, I would like to state that we continue on the path we have taken yesterday and continue onward." The Diplomat bowed to the assembly of Eldar, indicating her presentation has been finished.

"It's a good plan," Lysandriax said, "with one exception. I am not staying here." Her eyes swept the group, but it was clear that the Corsair wasn't giving up her place and chance for glory.

"I will stay." Artarsi spoke up. He had been quiet, reflecting on the choices that led him here. Some of which, it seemed, were not of his own making. He would serve the will of Fate, but he would do so in his own way. "The Avenger teaches defence as well as attack. I will guard the base. That way - once you have the sword - you will have something to come back to. And a means to get it off-world."

Lysandriax grinned and slapped him on the shoulder. "Good man."

"I'm not doing this for you," the surly Aspect Warrior replied. Lysandriax just blew him a kiss.

After gathering up provisions and making what farewells they wished, the small group set out across the mountains that surrounded the lake. Faenkon's fur wasn't fully tanned, but with Talis' help he had enough local bark to make into a solution that he could rub into it every night to finish the process. The meat he left smoking in the stone tower, with instructions to Artarsi to keep the fire lit below. The Dire Avenger shrugged. But he would probably do it, if only to try a new type of jerky.

The path that some had followed before was still as they had left it - no rock falls had ruined the lay of the land, and none of the mines they had located had been tripped. There was also no more sign of rock-serpents. Talis and Faenkon could speculate, logically, that this was because of the size of the first one. Such a predator would need a relatively large amount of prey.

After half a day's travel, when the most exciting event had been the spotting of some six-legged mountain grazing animals halfway up the opposing cliff face, the sun began to slip past its zenith. And in the fading light, the drone sent ahead by the Ranger saw the first traces on the mountain path of anyone else living here. It wasn't much - just some handholds cut into the rock above a narrow section of the footway - but it showed some signs of Eldar being here. Or at least, a race with hands and a similar height. Half an hour later, there was a more definite sign.

Across the narrow pathway there was a simple tower, blocking the way but with a gate - more of a gatehouse, really, half hewn out of the cliff and the rest built up in elegantly-cut stone. It was weathered, and had clearly been in place a long time, but it had something more than a portcullis to deny passage: in a niche sheltered from the winds, there was a clear, smoothly-polished gemstone. A very ancient design - as those who had been aboard the Hope of Eldanesh could confirm - but it was definitely a key-gem, such as any Eldar building might use. It would be triggered by the psychic command of an Eldar, recognising the soul's nature.

There was no way around, and the cliff beside it was sheer. The small tower did have slit windows, but these were too small for an Eldar to fit through. The door was sturdy, though weathered, and looked to be made of hardwood. It was tough enough to resist a simple axing, though it would probably burn. That would leave the way open - for the Eldar, and any that might come after. There were no visible lights or signs of occupation, no pennants flying. Above, a few pterosaurs circled, but they had been keeping their distance all morning.

Lysandriax looked up at the gateway.

"We could knock?"


@Uriel1339 @kanila @MetalDog4 @DaKaptin @BadDo9 @Avenging-Angel @matt23 @Wata

Amriel followed along, keeping to the center of the group as suggested. He possessed no extraordinary skill in moving through the woods or perceiving those who may be moving with them. He certainly was not familiar with such a terrain, as it was ill-suited to vehicles, both those of the Eldar and the lesser races, and thus his Aspect was less commonly called upon to fight in such environs.

As they arrived at the tower, he began to examine the tower itself as best he could, visually speaking. He was no architect, but had a basic understanding of where to put holes in building when you didn't want them to collapse. Should the other members fail in finding a quieter, less intrusive method of entering the tower, he would simply blow a whole in, a tactic that was easily suggested by the way he held his weapon.

"Yeah, we could try that first. Always got a backup here if all else fails."