[Quest] Welcome to the Wastes (Closed)

[Cheshire]

Timestamp: 1st of Summer, 511 AV Location: The Northern Wastes Reason: Icewatch Recruitment Status: Closed The members of Icewatch could vouch for the fact that their jobs came with their share of danger. Why else would they be accompanied by dire Polar Bears? The Wastes were the worst place for one to find themselves, even if they had a bear of their own. It was the land where the wind never seemed to stop blowing and the ice never seemed to wain. For this reason alone Icewatch tested their new recruits in its unforgiving arms. There were beasts the size of large buildings and the chances of finding food were less likely than finding a place to sleep that was not a dangerous hunting territory. It was dangerous, there was no doubt about that. Icewatch was created to combat that danger and if they could not they would be dead within the first day they set foot in the ice of the Wastes. At the edge of the city Avanna and her mount stood waiting for the recruits. Her short stature looked much shorter when the great white beast stood at her side. She was standing in for Jariah. The woman normally took out the recruits but she had been instructed to stay at Whitevine for the next seven days. Her cold (caught in the Wastes themselves) had earned her a short break from her Icewatch duties. Avanna did not have an issue standing in for the woman though. In fact, she saw it as an honor. The weather was mild, or as mild as weather can be in Avanthal. The snow was falling lightly as the wind blew Avanna's hair. It was a good day to set out. Although, just because the weather was fair now it did not mean the next three days would fair the same. The name of the game was simple. Stay in the Wastes three full days and if you did not die you would return a member of Icewatch. Many people did not see this as a hard task. They were marked by Morwen, what could go wrong? Snow and Ice were not the only danger in the wastes though. There were the beasts and the land itself. It was not uncommon to see recruitment parties come back missing a member or two. Only time would tell how this one would fair.

[Yuralria]

Yuralria reached the city limits and looked into the foreboding icy wastes outside of Avanthal. A chill wind swept around her, playing into her bangs. She shivered slightly "Do you mind? I'm cold enough out here" She said. "Well, I'm a breeze. I'm doing what I'm supposed to" It replied, flipping her bangs around. Yuralria muttered an unintelligible response and walked towards the woman standing by the huge bear. She was kind of nervous. She had heard rumors of how trying the recruitment trip could be, and she didn't have a mark from the goddess of winter, so it would be extremely difficult. "Zulrav, keep it calm, be kind to me, please."She whispered to the wind. She approched The woman and hear bear. She was short in stature, but the were rather imposing nonetheless."I assume you are the one leading the Icewatch recruitment?" She asked, trying her best to have some amount of respect. "I am Yuralria Whitevine. Jaerith told me to stop by" She said, extending her hand. The wind ruffled through her hair gently "Must you be so formal? Be yourself." Yuralria grinned "Myself tends to be rather abrasive" she whispered back.

[Belgar]

Belgar had spent too long amid the comfort of the city’s holds, walking patrols and only straying to the wilderness for sport. But while his excursions had not lasted for more than a day in recent years, he had not forgotten the Wastes’ bitter enthusiasm for all things perilous. The cold winds that blew from the endless tundra seemed colder, burdened with the promise of future hardships. The last time he had faced that wilderness, he had carried a brave and honorable woman between his shoulders.

But he was not afraid. He looked forward to the trials ahead. The bear’s sniffing black nose perceived adventure in the threat and strength in the uncertainty. He had not felt that sort of enthusiasm in too long; he thought he might even be happier for it. As his great black paws padded through the snow to the waiting Vantha and her mount, his eyes shimmered with pale green cheer. He did not care if his fellow beast noticed the candid emotion. In fact, he nodded to her as he neared, then turned to face the distant city to await the rest of the party.

His eyes faded to a contented black as he turned to regard those who had already arrived, settling on a slight, short girl who seemed far too young to accompany them. She did not seem like the other Vantha, no matter how she looked. He could not smell Morwen’s warmth in her blood and, though he could not hear her, he thought he saw her lips move where no one had addressed her. He caught himself staring and glanced again towards Avanthal. If she was invited, he did not doubt that she was capable.

The winds groped at his fur, for now unable to penetrate the thick white armor. As his gaze broadened to the horizon opposite their course, the old color returned to it. His stiff ursine jaw masked the recurring happiness—barely.

[Druna]

Druna walked the snow beyond the gates of Avanthal. It was a mild day so she felt fit to arrive in her human form. Not really ready to be seen in her beastly manner. To most she appeared human enough, her years kept from interaction with most of the natives gave her a more emotional stance, helped her blend in more with the humans, even if she wasn't. She wore he basic wool dress, leaving her belt behind in the barracks. She wanted to watch the recruitment and see who was entering the Icewatch, see who would be worthy of a rider of her kind. She also felt like it was her duty to come and help out the humans in their challenges. Her senses were on high alert, have never been allowed out side the gates, she was a bit nervous and also excited. Druna approached the small group that was forming, she could smell the bears before she actually saw them. The smell of animal and warmth hit her nostrils, they flared in and out. Her hair on the back of her neck prickled with anticipation. She could also smell two human girls. One she could instantly tell wore a mark of Morwen, and one who did not. Why one with out the blessing would try to enter the cold was beyond her own reasoning. But trusted there was a reason. Finally seeing the group she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She could see the large bears and a smile came to her face. Small and cold as it was, it was met as a greeting. She then turned her attention to the young girl that stood sandwiched in between the two bears. She felt that she came in the right form. Her large black eyes watched the small girl with a bit of a predatory watch. She walked up to them and continued her studying of the young girl. After she memorized the human girl her black eyes shift to the rider and her beast, she bowed her head lightly, and then moved on to the large bear that was settled with the group. She watch him for a moment, knowing he would know what she was. She gave him a small nod also before looking out to the land. She knew that it was going to be a challenge, but so looked forward to it. As she watched the land the wind picked up, if she didn't wear the mark she would show signs of being cold. No goose bumps arose, the wind only tossing her dark brown hair. The challenges that lay ahead of us will be hard. Changing to my true nature will be necessary once this day is over. Am I ready?

[Jonas]

Jonas grit his teeth. He had been here for a while. Avanthal was a winter locked land, cold and ice over even during the summer. Despite having spent the winter in this "icy wonderland", he still hadn't gotten used to this damned cold. The young Reimancer clutched the fur coat tightly to his body, trying to keep in what little warmth he had left. He stopped walking for a moment, tipping his head back to peer into the sky. He had to admit to himself, this wasn't nearly as bad as it had been in the winter. It had been cold enough that he had had to make balls of fire just to keep his hands from getting frostbite. After the years spent south in a warmer climate, it didn't seem like his body enjoyed the winter weather he had grown up around. The man let out a sigh, the warm moisture from his breath causing a large cloud of mist to appear in front of his face, fanning out lazily as it left the vicinity of his face. Jonas turned his head back down as he began to walk, blinking his right eye furiously, attempting to dislodge the snow flake that had landed in his eye before it melted. It seems his attempts were futile however, the cold liquid running down his face like a tear after his last ferverous bout of blinking. Who would have thought after all those years I would return to this place. I always have hated the cold. Jonas pulled the carrying pack he had slung over his left shoulder further up, clenching it to his body in an attempt to use it as a shield against the cold winds. When he had looked into the "trials" to join the Ice Watch, he had gotten the simple answer to just survive in the wastes for 3 days. They hadn't told him that he couldn't bring supplies. In the bag rested a set of dry clothing, a bed roll and enough traveling rations to last him four or five days. One could never be too careful when it came to their life. Jonas made his way through the gates of Avanthal not long after that. He immediately regretted leaving the city's walls. Inside the walls the wind had been kept at bay, not only that but the walls had helped keep a bit of the warmth the city was producing from escaping. Out side of the walls the temperature was noticeably lower. It might not have been a very big deal for people that were native to such climates but for Jonas, who had spent the better part of the last decade in a much milder place. For a moment he considered creating a bit of flame with his magic but almost as soon as the thought crossed his mind he dismissed it. The last thing he needed was to waist Res before the test had even started. The things I go through in search of power. You would think I would have learned by now. Slowly he made his way to the group gathering in preperation. He must have looked a bit comical wrapped in all the furs that he had drapped off his shoulders. Jonas took the time to look each of the people waiting, as he made his way closer. His eyes first gravitated to the woman, standing near what could have only been her mount. He had seen her a couple of times before, she was clearly one of the Ice Watch. The next person his eyes came to rest on was much shorter then he was, that he could tell even from his vantage point. Even from this distance however, he could tell that she had vantha blood in her. From this distance however, he couldn't see her odd behavior. The other two stood close enough to each other that Jonas surmised that the bear was likely bonded to her. That would make him a kelvic. While they hadn't been something common where he had spent his later years, he remembered many run ins with the famous kelvic polar bears of Avanthal both before and after his time away from the wintery city. Finally reaching the group, Jonas sat his pack down in the snow and pulled back his coat's hood. Despite the sudden lack of protection from the cold on his face he did his best to put on a warm smile. One only got one chance to make a first impression. "It seems we're an odd assortment of people. If we all make it back alive I say we drink to good health." He kept the grin on his lips as he turned his gaze back to the woman of the Ice Watch. "But I would settle for a drink with you."

[Cheshire]

OOCIf you are a bear in your animal form feel free to assume Avanna has your clothing so you don't have to carry it with you. Avanna stood quietly next to her bondmate as the first of the recruits stepped forward. The first as a curious looking girl. She was a shade too pale to be a Vantha, or at least a full blooded one. The red in her hair could have given hints to her mixed blood. Perhaps she was part Inarta. The people of the mountains were known for their fiery red hair. Possibly Drykas as well. She had heard talk that many families had red hair that ran in the family. Her blood was not the important issue though. What was important was her dedication and skill. Avanna nodded at the girl, Yuralria as she introduced herself. "Yes, I am in charge of recruitment this round." Her eyes seemed to glow a soft magenta as she looked at the girl. Yuralria Whitevine, the name had been spoken in the halls of the barracks before. "I've heard… interesting things about you Yuralria. Jaerith seems to think that you are meant for Icewatch though. He is a good man. You better not prove him wrong." It was hard to tell if the woman was being friendly or a bit abrasive with this statement. Her tone was smooth and cool like the ice around them. "I look forward to seeing you in action." There was a faint hint of a smile that itched at her lips before she turned to her bear and motioned for him to follow. The bear at Avanna's side, Aeyan, watched the other's in the group as well. He cared little for the half blooded girl but instead turned his sights to the bear who had approached while his bondmate had been talking to the pale girl. With a quick press of his nose to Avanna's side, a sign he was going to go off on his own, he walked over to the fellow bear. "Hello Belgar. There seems to be slim pickings for bondmates this turn. A half blood and a human." He motioned with his nose to the outsider who had walked up to the group. "I'm not saying that they would not be good mates but neither of them are marked by Queen Morwen. I doubt they last a day, let alone all three." He was not known to be the most optimistic of souls, let alone with those who were new to the lands of Avanthal. "The girl has been here her whole life but the man has only been here a year." He let out a low growl as he flicked his eyes from the human man to Belgar. "What do you think? Any chance you would have interest in either of them?" Aeyan could smell another bear. She was a female and not in her bestial form. He nodded a farewell to Belgar and walked over to Avanna's belongings, pulling out a set of his own clothing with his teeth. Within a flash of light a man stood naked in the snow. He was tall, with dark hair and a tattoo lining his right shoulder. He quickly dressed, not because he was embarrassed to be nude but for the simple fact he did not want to freeze. He walked up to Druna, extending a hand to her. "Hello, welcome to recruitment." He looked over the woman with careful eyes which turned a bright blue as they met hers. "I'm Aeyan, Avanna's bondmate. I suppose you are looking for one of your own today." He motioned to the two non-kelvics standing in the snow. "We have a half blood and a human. Your choice if you feel the compulsion to bond with either of them." He liked the looks of this girl. She seemed delicate but tough in her own way. "And what should I call you?" He had seen the girl around the barracks before but had never thought to speak to her until now. He found himself strangely intrigued though. Avanna watched the human man carefully. She was not as keen as Jedara about letting foreigners into the watch, especially those who had been in the city less than a year. She was not the leader though and she should follow Jedara's to the letter if need be. Her eyes flickered a dark green as they landed upon Jonas. "Talk like that is bad luck you know. Why don't we see how you can do in the Wastes before we make plans for your return. Who knows, you could die before we even meet a beast." She pulled at his fur coat, trying to get a look at his skin. "Morwen has not marked you has she? Unfortunate for you. Frostbite is a terrible way to die." She was a bit put off by the man's optimism, perhaps because her bondmate was as well. The two tended to be quite similar despite the great difference in height between them. Next, Avanna addressed the entire group. She assumed there would not be many others who were going to arrive and if they did, they would be late and unworthy of the journey to the waste, at least in her opinion. "Hello everyone. I am Avanna Winterflame and this is my bondmate Aeyan." She motioned to the tall man still standing at Druna's side. "I assume all of you know what you are getting into. This is a test and a dangerous one. For some of you, this is your admission to Icewatch. For others, this is where you will meet your bondmate. I cannot promise you either. Some of you most likely will die. There are beasts larger than anywhere on Mizahar in the Wastes and weather that will make you pray that you never knew cold existed." The woman's eyes had taken on a bright shade of gold as she spoke. She meant to scare the recruits and she hoped that she had. "This is your last chance to back out. If not, we will head out."

[Yuralria]

The threats of death hung in the icy air foe a few moments as they sunk in, and Yura shivered, this time more from the fear then the cold. She was ready to face the wastes though. Anything thAt threatened her would feel the icy bite of her swords. She had never faced the wastes before, but she was ready to learn how to survive the hard way. Taking a deep breath, Yuralria calmed her nerves and stopped shivering. She stood as tall as she could, given her diminuitive stature, and placed a hand on the pommel of one of her swords. "I'm ready, Avanna" she stated resolutley. "are you really" Asked the wind gently, forcing her to think a little more about her decision. "I am" she replied firmly, not caring who heard her. She was ready. Her eyes turned an icy blue color as she stared into her snowy surroundings.

[Belgar]

He smelled the bear in the young Kelvic’s blood even as she approached in human form, offering barely a nod to the slight smile that greeted him. While he recognized her from the Barracks, they had never spoken. She seemed strong, stoic, and if she had apprehensions about the journey, he could not tell. Her eyes left him and his wandering gaze settled on another approaching man. He seemed ill-prepared, with his heavy pack and apparent dependency on dried rations. He passed the animal faces as soon as he neared. Belgar did not have time to examine him further before the low rumblings of the bonded bear beside him stole his attention.

The bear-tongue did not allow much for the subtleties of sarcasm. Belgar took his words seriously and was disheartened. He glanced back at the two candidates with scrutiny in his eyes. Though it was an honorable thing to take up the Watch no matter your race, the absence of true Vantha unnerved him. He would not tell the truth of this discrimination to Aeyan, only pointed his nose at the male human and mentioned with a practical grumble, “There is food in his pack. We will attract the wolves at every turn.”

Avanna’s announcement rose above the murmuring conversation and he turned an ear to listen. If it were any other day, he might not have cared for the idle manipulation of fresh new recruits, but the happiness of the moment colored his eyes with amusement. He glanced towards the wilderness again, all misgivings lost.

[Druna]

As she watched the wild, she became aware of a human. A rather particular man, scruffy who looked utterly ridiculous walked up to the group. Druna couldn't control the look she made. It was very fleeting, but it was that of disapproval. She raised an eyebrow as he asked out the Icewatch woman named Avanna. What a waste of time... at least he has confidence. she thought to herself as she turned her attention to the bear that was approaching her. In a flash of light he was human. Her gaze didn't falter from watching. This was something she was used to. Bear, man, and the naked state they all had to be in to transform. She took his hand and gave it a strong shake. Her face stayed unreadable as she spoke to him. "My name is Druna, and I was intrigued with the recruits though, as of right now," she looked over to to girl and the scruffy fur covered man, "It doesn't look like I have a pull towards these two." She turned back around and her eyes turned a lighter shade of black, almost dark grey. "I'm excited just to be out of the barracks, this will be my first. I hope I don't disappoint you." Her voice remained even, she wasn't used to talking, with anyone. She was kept away from almost all contact. She remember seeing the bears and the Human Icewatch members around the barracks, but never spoken to them. She remembered to make her expression softer, she tried to smile at the Humans, though it failed half way. That is when she turned towards the Bear, "He says there is food in his back pack." she turned towards the scruffy man. "Are you ill headed? Or do you want to die out here?" her voice didn't contain sarcasm or any ill will towards the man, she was just wondering. She waited for his reply then turned her attention to Avanna, she couldn't help the small smile that came to her lips. I am ready.

[Cara]

Cara walked through the snow, leaving a trail of messy footprints behind her. Iaera ran at her side, leaving a trail of her own. The creature's tail swished back and forth, as she kept the pace of her mistress. "Well today is the day love," Cara whispered, "time to prove to this wretched place that we can play with more than fire. That we are truly a force to be reckoned with," Cara went on, her voice as cold as the air that swirled around her, whipping her hair wildly about her slender face, accentuating her deep, violet colored irises. "Unless of course, they'd like to be burned. After all, my dear friend, water is useless in a place such as this, when everyone seems capable of manipulating ice... when it seems as though all it can do is freeze in the middle of its projection; its general formation." Cara sighed as she began to pick up the pace, with some more practice Cara, you shall grow all the more powerful. Capable of wielding more than two elements; bending them to your will. The Watch will give you an excuse to practice Cara... you shall grow among their ranks. Teach every pathetic fool in this city to pray for your mercy... just as your mother prayed, as your father will too, beg for his life one day. A sinister smile crossed Cara's lips as she walked past the gates. She knew she would be there soon, if only she kept on walking. "Come on Iaera, keep up," Cara called as she began to walk even faster, crossing her arms even more tightly over her chest to help lock in the heat. It was a few more minutes before she noticed a gathering of people. Probably recruitment, a few wannabes, and the bears, Cara thought as she approached them, and allowed her eyes to pass over them. Well, well, do those half-blooded freaks think that they can join the watch? she wondered, as she sized them up. It seemed obvious that the girl wasn't a full-blooded Vantha, it was her hair, but the man was another story. After all, he could be just that, a man, with no race to truly call his own. Cara came to a halt a few feet away from Avanna, "you must be recruiting everyone for the watch," she said simply, as Iaera took up residence by Cara's feet, her tail curling around her body. "The name is Cara Frostfawn, and I'll be coming along. After all, it doesn't seem likely that those two will last," she continued, with a sudden jerk of her head, indicating that she was referring to the two non-kelvics standing behind her. "Especially when neither of them is marked by our queen..." Cara's voice trailed off as her eyes flashed menacingly. "What do you give them, a few hours at best?" Cara asked, knowing that if they begged her for her help, she would not help them survive the cold. She would not share the warmth of her fire. OOCYes, I am crashing your thread. And um... she missed all the speaking Avanna just did... or maybe she made the end of it but simply ignored it all since she's such a bi***