Quest [Regional Quest] Stranded

[Whimsy]

80th Spring, 513AV

Wind Reach was a city of colour and vibrancy; the colour of passion and fire strewn everywhere, from the stained glass windows and trinkets found around the city, to the very hair on the head of the Inarta. But even so, a fiery red flash across the sky like a comet was an unusual addition of colour the Inarta were not used to.

It streaked across the sky like fire, early in the morning hours, bare minutes after sunrise. The Dek all saw it, already up and about fulfilling their hard and taxing duties. The Wind Eagles felt the shudder in the air, and silently their thoughts connected, sharing their concern and worry over the event: the happenings of the Djed Storm not yet forgotten. The few early-risers of the upper castes would have seen the flash come from over and behind the peaks of Mt. Skyinarta, and descend with a silent brilliance into the waters of Thunder Bay.

Kaden Avin watched the flash split the sky in two and disrupt the waters of the bay of the Inarta, his eyes slightly narrowed and his mind churning. The Valintar of Wind Reach immediately felt the burden of response fall on his shoulders. As the ashes of the Djed Storm were swept away, Wind Reach had heaved a sigh and relaxed: they hardly needed yet another destructive event sent by the Gods. He did not know if the city would survive that. He waited for a few moments in the silent morning, the city only barely beginning to awaken, before heaving a sigh. Well, Wind Reach felt no damage or destruction from this 'comet', but this did not mean that nothing would be done.

Donning his cloak in the cool Spring morning, Kaden strode with purpose from his office by the Sanikas Gates. He knew where the gossiping and wondering Inarta would head: his people were fiery, passionate and spontaneous, but they were predictable in their rashness and their will for action. Kaden was the same, once upon a time. But now, responsibility fell to him and his thoughts were slower and more rational. If he could prevent the emboldened and the brave from simply running off to seek out this fallen comet, then he would.

When Kaden entered the crumbled, stone Courtyard of the Sky, already Inarta without tasks set to them were crouched over the stone steps, their heads bent together and their voices hurried. Every eye seemed to follow him: he might not know every one of his people by name, but they all knew him. Every one of them had their lives shaped by Kaden. Barely flinching underneath the gazes of his people, Kaden strode into the center of the Courtyard, and rose his hands.

"I am sure you have all seen the flash of colour across the sky this morning. It came from yonder Skyinarta and landed in the waters of Thunder Bay." His voice was raised, and held a strength within it, an implication of leadership and the understanding that they would follow his word. "We need to investigate this. We cannot let such an event go unnoticed and without response. I'm calling for volunteers to travel to Thunder Bay and deal with whatever threat may lay there. Step forward if you wish to assist. Swiftness is essential." The silence that lay after Kaden finished speaking was laden with expectation, and the gazes of the Inarta swept over one another, each seeing who would step forward first.
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[Arandolya]

Arandolya's shuddered as she watched the light streak across the sky like some twisted falling star.

She had risen with the expectancy of greeting the morning sun, offer prayer of Priskil, and thus begin her day of hunting. When she had woke while the night was just wheezing its last breath, the young woman ventured outside, eyes blinking to adjust to the lacking light. Arandolya had settled down, and waited for the beginning of the sunrise. It was as radiant as ever, filling her heart with the strength to face another day, more sustaining than anything else. The golden-eyed hunter was about to journey back and return to her home to properly prepare for the day when the first glint of something stayed her feet.

It was a colorful streak of brilliant red that hurt her eyes to look directly at. Arandolya turned her gaze away, breath hitching as she tensed. What would this mean? The effects of the Djed storm last year may have visible worn away, but mentally many held deep scars. The loss of family, Wind Eagles, and various other precious articles shook Wind Reach to its core, taking many days to repair, and would take many more to fully heal. Her heart wrung with the thought of everything falling apart once more. The Inarta were hardy, and the mountain strong, but how many times could they bear through these events?

Was it some displeasure of the Gods that sent wrath bearing down upon their heads? Some cruel twist of fate that wished the Inartans disheartened, or lost? Arandolya had no answers, and couldn't pretend, only frozen as she watched the light descend towards their precious earth. It seemed to take a life-time, though the span was of heartbeats, finding a resting place within the waters of Thunder Bay.

Arandolya winced. What habitat would it destroy? The things it could harm, and maim. The animals. The food. Thunder Bay was a precious resource, and Arandolya wasn't sure if the Inarta would survive without it to provide food for a couple seasons, so plentiful that stores were able to be built up each year. The spirit of the hunter within her began to fret, and anxiety twisted within her mind as she retreated back into the mountain. She had to see what damage was wrought.

The woman moved smoothly to her little cave, hearing the murmurs already stir as those who were up start wake others. She gathered her bow, and found its curved wood soothing in it familiarity. There would be people going to investigate soon, if the Inartan personality was any inclination as to how this would be dealt with. Perhaps they wouldn't mind if a simple Avora traveled with them. Time was of the essence.

Arandolya departed her home faster than she arrived, boots on, vinati adjusted, and every thing else in place - apart from her hair, which was never really neat. Her goal was the Courtyard, where she knew people would be gathering and felt it would be the best idea to find a group to leave with there.

Though Arandolya was collected and refined, considered closed off in terms of Inartan brashness, there were certain aspects Arandolya did possess akin to her fellow redheads. The woman never considered the dangerous implications of running off towards Thunder Bay, her loyalty to the health of Wind Reach outweighing any rational protest her mind might come up with. The Inartans needed Thunder Bay, and if there was anything she could do to preserve it, Arandolya would willingly commit herself.

When the woman entered the Courtyard, she found it bursting with the suspected activity. Though, instead of loud calls for gathering up people, attention was turned towards the center where a very important man stood.

Their Valintar. Only the very foolish would disrespect Kaden Avin, and Arandolya was definitely not one of them. She stopped where she was and listened to what the man was saying. His voice was strong, confident, and had an aspect that just made people want to stop an listen. "... We cannot let such an event go unnoticed and without response. I'm calling for volunteers to travel to Thunder Bay and deal with whatever threat may lay there. Step forward if you wish to assist. Swiftness is essential."

Silence expanded in the Courtyard, and Arandolya looked around herself. She began to wriggle her way to the front. This was the opportunity she was looking for, and the Valintar even approved of it! Careful not to jab anyone with her bow, or break any of the feathers on her arrows, Arandolya made her way to the where a bubble had formed around Kaden. Arandolya stepped forwards, golden eyes bright with a mixture of emotions. She realized the severity of the situation if the higher ranked citizens took notice, and breathed out. Wind Reach's safety had to come before her own. If she wasn't loyal to here, what Inarta would she be?

"I volunteer," Arandolya said steadily, nodding to Kaden with a measure of high respect. Her calm golden eyes swept the others, and she wondered who would join her.

[Kitchi]

Kitchi was startled awake, it was unusual for the city to hush so quickly, it was unnerving. The silence of Wind Reach wrapping its way around her and making her uncomfortable. The silence was almost unbearable, she had know nothing besides the constant busyness and noise of Wind Reach. What on earth was happening? She gulped. This was bad, very very bad. Her covered were tossed to the side and in seconds she found her clothes, tossing them on haphazardly and starting to arrange them as she continued to flit about the room. Her possessions were shoved into any space she could find, her dagger was clutched between her fingers, not having time to find the space she needed. Her bow was digging uncomfortably into her back and it forced her to move unusually. Her cards had been tucked into their usual spot and arrows tossed into her quiver which was slung onto her back. She had no idea what was happening, what she would need and so anything at hand was grabbed, food, water, weapons. The hallways were crowded, others like her had rushed from their homes and a blurry of red hair dabbed with a few other colors shifted and muddled into the seething crowd. It was noisy again, the rushing of people still packing on their feet, the young bewildered, some crying as they were carried in half sleeping states. Some paper had gotten caught in the rush, twisting and fluttering in the movement. Kitchi feared for the mountain, the animals, the city. It was almost unbearable to think of the city trying to recover from another tragedy. Eventually the crowd started to disburse into the courtyard, crowding any free gap and attempting to push themselves forwards. Kitchi was no exception, as much as she would love to travel some day she loved Wind Reach, it was her home and she was loyal to nowhere else. Kaden Avin appeared and Kitchi, like everyone else, fixed their eyes onto him. They followed his movements until he stepped in front of them, glancing down at the crowd. No one would dare to disrespect him.
"I am sure you have all seen the flash of colour across the sky this morning. It came from yonder Skyinarta and landed in the waters of Thunder Bay." His voice was raised, and held a strength within it, an implication of leadership and the understanding that they would follow his word. "We need to investigate this. We cannot let such an event go unnoticed and without response. I'm calling for volunteers to travel to Thunder Bay and deal with whatever threat may lay there. Step forward if you wish to assist. Swiftness is essential." Their was another uneasy silence. Everyone loved the mountain, would do anything to protect it but the hesitation still existed.
''I volunteer,'', Golden eyes turned towards Kaden respectfully before sweeping the crowd.
''I volunteer'' Kitchi stepped forwards herself, a bow of respect as the other woman had done.

[Ishgrameer Windwalker]

Ishgrameer let loose a piercing screech that echoed against the stones of Mt. Skyinarta, and then proceeded to soar into the sky. He stretched his wings, and picked at the feathers under each wing, before receding them back against his body. Through familiar burning orange eyes he gazed at the world around him. From atop the gatehouse he glimpsed the sky, which was a pleasant blue. All was right with the world, and it appeared that another day of Spring would go by without to much hindrance.

However as he made to continue his sleep, a sound caught the wind and filtered its way into his ears. Suddenly a flash spread across the sky. Then-thanks to the aid of his avian eyes-he glimpsed something amiss in the air. Something, careening across the sky. A red comet. It split the sky in half.

Quickly as the comet made its way overhead, a violent streak of fiery red, he ascended into the sky. His strong wings carrying him aloft into the disturbed sky. When he reached a high enough point in the sky he caught a faint glimpse of the comet crashing into the waters of Thunder Bay. He looked below him and saw, the Valintar making his way towards the courtyard of the sky.

He hastened back down to the gatehouse, and transformed. It was sudden, and the action spooked a few of the other-more skittish-birds. He donned his armor, gathered his bag, bow, and quiver. He raced out of the gatehouse towards the courtyard of the sky. He imagined the Valintar would want to investigate, why he was unsure.

After a few moments, and several pants, he managed to find his way to the courtyard, where Inartans were picking up rubble and whispering amongst one another. Then Kaden strode out from amongst nowhere, and began to speak. Even after the time he had been in the city he still admired the strength with which Kaden carried himself.

After Kaden asked for assistance, he watched as an Inartan woman strode from amongst the crowd and offered her assistance, and then Kitchi. He wondered if Fraha would show up, if not she would surely understand his departure from her side if she were to need him this day.

Once the previous women had spoken up he to strode out from the crowd and stood a ways before Kaden, putting one arm across his chest in a sort of mock warrior salute. "I too volunteer". He wondered what they would find. What power of the gods, had caused such an event, and what consequences would it bring upon the land it had touched, and the people yet to be touched by it.

[Iosha]

This morning was a early one for the young konti, Iosha had been starting her morning routine of five laps of swimming across the Lake Shivias. Iosha didn't have to worry about drowning because her mother side gave her the gift of gills allowing the young woman the ability to stay underwater indefinitely. However, from time to time, the white skinned fish girl would suffer a massive leg cramps and slowly start to fall to the bottom of the lake until the cramp subsides. When Iosha got out of the water, the blond woman wrung out her long hair as she was walked across the grass to her backpack. She let the morning wind dry her white skin as she watched Syna start to rise above the horizon. When Iosha felt dry enough, she started to dress herself from the morning swim. As she was buttoning up her shirt, she could hear the morning song of birds turn into a frenzy when Syna finally peeked over the horizon. Iosha stopped buttoning her shirt when she saw the sky painted in a deep red and orange. It was a breathing taking sight, and Iosha wished she could share it with anyone at the moment, but no one was here other than the birds and her. Suddenly, all the birds in the area went silent. When Iosha looked around in confusion, and she looked into the sky and saw a fireball streak across the sky. Iosha had to shield her eyes when she saw a bright red fiery flash streak across the sky. The object looked like a comet, but Iosha didn't know what to think under sight line of the cliff. Iosha ran to the edge and looked over the cliff, and she saw no impact crater or signs of a explosion. She wondered if the object landed out in the middle of the bay. She knew she needed to get back to Wind Reach because she had a feeling the city might be in a panic. Iosha ran back to equipment. When she made it to her backpack, she grabbed her quiver, short bow, and long sword, and she made her way back to the city as quickly as possible. Iosha didn't run because her muscles were aching from the morning swim, but she walked as quickly as possible to the Courtyard of the Sky. Iosha could see people walking straight to the Courtyard of the Sky, and she could tell their was a growing anxiety on the faces of the proud Inarta. When Iosha made it to he courtyard, the market day must have been canceled because the area was filled to capacity with gingers and foreigners alike. Iosha made her way through the crowd, and she heard the Valintar started to ask for volunteers to investigate the falling object. She recognized the first three volunteers as they stepped forward as Arandolya, Kitchi, and Ishgrameer. She knew Arandolya and Ishgrameer were both skilled with a bow. Iosha started to wonder if she should get involved with the quest, but she knew the party would need a healer if they got into a sticky situation. Iosha continued making her way forward to the Valintar, and she wondered what she could offer the leader of Inarta. Iosha knew most of her skill proficiency revolved around healing and magic, so she made her way to the front and raised her hand and said loudly to the Valintar in common, “I will volunteer my healing skills to the party, and since I am a Konti, I have the ability to breath underwater, so if you need me to explore the bay floor for the object. I will gladly help you in finding the object.” Iosha knew going underwater could be risky, but she knew if they wanted to find the object in the bay. They will need someone to locate it under the water. She thumbed the etching in her bow as she waited for Valintar to speak up again.

[Darren]

The Vantha open his eyes to the sound of a continuous din outside his room. The sun was barely rising when the incessant chattering rouse the Vantha out of his stupor. "Already the day has started yet I'm not a Coolwater. Someone better be dying." Unsurprisingly no one reacted to Darren's Vani as he tried to figure out what exactly had everyone excited. The constant bickering of the same few phrases was bad enough but that he could not understand what it meant infuriated the Whitevine. They were all heading in the same direction the Vantha noticed as he watched neighbors and strangers alike hurry to what they called the 'Courtyard of the Stone.' Darren raised an eyebrow at the sudden interest before turning around heading back inside his room. Whatever valuables and supplies the Whitevine was left in his backpack. Donning on his gauntlets Darren watched his reflection lazily mentally preparing himself for what may happen next. Darren remembered vividly the last time the Inarta of this mountain were so animated and worried. Even now Darren was not completely sure what happened outside of Wind Reach. What happened to his people in Avanthal? What of the coast city between Wind Reach and his homeland Denval? Gritting his teeth Darren tried to ignore the irritating responses some of the Inarta gave him when it was finally over. “Planned for this to happen?” “We knew it all along?” That's absolute bull. Damn incompetent warmbloods. Not this time. This Vantha will not let these Inarta do as they please with the world. If this was another catastrophe waiting for happen he was going to make damn sure that they deal with it right. “An unslung bow is just a stick.” Though he wielded no bow Darren had something else for that old joke. The slight shimmer of his gauntlets did not stand out in the crowds of Inarta wielding Talon swords and bows alike. In this sea of armed gingers Darren did not free at all threatened. He was a better warrior then half of these welps and would be happy to prove himself. The foreigner started taking longer breathes until his irritation subsided, all this waiting was for a reason. Finally in his sights appeared the man that the Vantha met the first day coming into Wind Reach. Kaden was his name and that's not all the Whitevine knew about him. Though they had only met once Kaden left a rather strong impression on him as he threatened but otherwise welcomed him into the city. Darren smiled. As far as Inartans go, Kaden was definitely one of the few Darren actually liked. His words left little for the Vantha to go on. Merely two words were discernible: Sky Inarta and Thunder Bay. Something amiss in the waters? What could have possibly happened there? One by one Inarta stepped forth in front of Kaden saying the same words. What did it mean? Finally some clarity with somebody who knew common spoke up. Konti and object. Still that was too little for Darren to understand. Was there an object in Thunder Bay? His common was bad, his kontinese poor and the his knowledge of the language these people of the mountain used was nonexistent. Only actions truly spoke for the Vantha. Thus after hearing this dainty, unassuming konti step forth Darren's mind was set on what to do. “HEY!!! I shall go.” Raising an arm up from a distance Darren wasted no time as he sauntered over to speak with to Kaden. “I am not sure what is going on but take me with you. I shall represent Avanthal and bear all responsibility for my actions today.” At least Kaden would understand what he said and to that. The Vantha's face twisted into a scowl as he recalled the amount of reverence that the ones before him showed. Closing his eyes Darren gave a short, respectful bow to Kaden before continuing once more. This slight deference meant nothing in the grander scheme of things. “By my will this shall be finished,” Darren proclaimed evenly. The Whitevine did not hide the resolve in his eyes before deterring once more to Kaden. “Ahh...If you want my help. Have it.” Offering the translation as an afterthought Darren gave a look over at each face. The first with the audacious move of volunteering first, the second with a different type of resolve then the rest, an excessively tall fellow and-. The Vantha's face twitched slightly seeing the konti up close. Some faces on SkyInarta are starting to look familiar. “If you want me. You can have me.” LanguagesBlue will be Vantha. Green Common. Red Kontinese.

[Ardal]

Ardal had never been much of a morning person; so he had slept through the comet and the red flash it brought with it. He awoke to an eerie silence. No birds were singing their spring melodies, no people bustling outside his home, nothing. He wasn’t sure what was going on but he knew it wasn’t any good. He thought it would be a good idea to take his bow and quiver along, just in case. He left his home and headed outside to see just about the entire city gathered in the Courtyard of the Sky.

Unsure of what was going on he hurried over to the crowd. There was something going on ahead but he could not see anything but the backs of the other onlookers. He decided that he needed to force his way to the front if he was to see what the fuss was about. He was about half way through the crowd when he heard Kaden’s powerful voice discuss some sort of flash of unnatural light and Ardal felt as if he was out of the loop for having missed it. There was also a request for volunteers. However, out of the many people attending only a handful stepped forward.

Once he made it through to the front the young Inarta forced his way to the group “I want to help as well.” Readjusting the bow slung over his shoulder. “I want to volunteer” He didn’t hold the same stoic reverence that the others had shown but he was a patriot of sorts and his heart was in the right place. He wanted to help his mountain home and the people in it; even if it was a small amount.

[Eilea]

Eilea woke with a startle. There was a lot of commotion right outside the door. Hushed voices, movement, nervousness. Eilea opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling for a couple minutes. ’What is going on?’ She thought to herself, before getting dressed, and making her way out to the corridor. People were in a rush, chattering about something. There seemed to be a lot of confusion. From the Nari that she knew, she overheard conversations involving, “fire”, “morning”, “courtyard”, “sky”, but it was all in confusion, almost panicking. Eilea stopped a nearby man and asked him what was going on. He explained in common about the comet that was reported. Everyone was heading to the Courtyard of the Sky, hoping for information from the Valintar. If that’s where the inarta people were heading, Eilea was sure to go as well. Wind Reach was her home. She wanted to know what was taking place. So she returned to her room, gathered a few supplies; her bow, arrows, her woodcarving kit, and her knife. With her bow in her hand, and her bag over her shoulder, the Vantha followed a group of Inarta to the Courtyard. She stayed near the back of the crowd as the valinatr spoke, calling everyone willing to take action about what had been seen. She looked round at the people who had gathered, making note that she had never seen so many people gathered together in Wind Reach, since she had moved there. ’I didn’t know so many people lived here. I’ve never seen them gathered like this. I know there’s a reason, this is important.’ Her eyes deepened in color. The Vantha was determined to help in one way or another. People began to start moving forward one by one. She watched as a few people she recognized stepped forward, offering their assistance in discovering what had fallen from the heavens. The Vantha began to head to the front, paying close attention to those who had offered their help. She raised her hand; calling attention to herself, "Let me help as well.” Her musical, accented voice spoke in common.

[Kane]

Kane had been wandering the streets in the early morning with his dog, Saul, enjoying the dawn light, when a flash of light tore its way across the sky. Recognition lit his eyes and his heart jumped. That couldn’t be... He remembered reading many books and listening to many stories of the Djed Storm shortly after its occurance, wanting to learn as much as he could. It was a fascinating, if not terrifying, subject. As Kane watched the sky for any other disturbances, more and more Inarta began to flood the streets, all headed in a single direction. Morbid curiosity took over him as he followed the crowds, Saul on his heels. They seemed to know where they were going. Eventually, they settled into the Courtyard of the Sky. Kane glanced around at all the people packed into the courtyard. There sure are a lot of people here. I suppose this is where everyone goes when there’s an emergency. That’s a good thing to know. The Inarta all bustled around with tense energy, making Saul uncomfortable. His scruffy black dog scooted closer to Kane’s legs and eyed his surroundings, a stern gleam in his blue eyes. In the center of the courtyard, the Valintar began to speak. Kane focused his attention on his words. Volunteers, huh? He considered this as others began to move forward. This was probably his only chance to learn of what happened, and he hated being left in the dark. I guess they’ll have themselves another volunteer then. He began to push his way through the crowds, followed closely by his loyal dog. As Kane approached the center of the courtyard, he caught sight of the Vantha as the offered to join. Well, at least I’ll know someone. Even if she can be a bit crazy. Stepping up to where the other volunteers were standing, Kane did his best to keep his back straight and to ignore the stares on his back. “I would also like to volunteer.” He rested his hand on Saul’s head, idly scratching his ears, as his dog’s strength grounded him. He refused to show how nervous he was feeling.

[Sira]

As usual, Sira was up with the rising of the sun. It was the bird in her, and while she didn't wake and sing, she did wake to go hunt. Early morning was the best time to catch food, after all. Deer and sky goat would be out grazing or searching for water, and even the fish seemed more active in the morning. Sira was standing in her aerie, which overlooked the valley and further down the bay itself. She was busy loading her gear into a sack, which made it easy to transport, when the streak of light burned across the sky and into Thunder Bay. Sira watched it in silence, staring at its magnificence. When she could no longer see it she let out a sigh.

Sira and Aidara had been through a lot together, more disasters than she could count, the djed storm being the most recent of all of them. They were veterans in the city, with more experience under their belt than most. Sira could hear the wind eagles stirring, and she joined in their thoughts as well, expressing her own concern. This had nothing to do with Ivak or the djed storm. Ivak was of the mountain, and the things beneath the ground. This object had fallen from the sky.

Addy. Sira's thoughts penetrated the healer's mind, the seriousness in her tone causing the woman to wake instantly. You're going to be needed at the infirmary, Sira said calmly, flashing an image of the comet into Aidara's mind as she pulled her clothes out of the sack and began to dress.

It seemed like Wind Reach could never get a break. Something bad always happened, at least once a season. Normally the city was able to tough it out, but the djed storm had weakened them. So many died, and so much was lost. The city was still not fully repaired, and Sira doubted it ever would be.

Priskil, Sira prayed silently, Give us all the courage to face this, whatever it is.

She had taken to praying more often. Becoming a mother had changed Sira in many ways. Other things had influenced it too.. but Sira was a new woman. Gone was the kelvic who carelessly allowed a man to drug her, causing her to murder a room full of innocents. No, it hadn't been her fault technically, but Sira had grown from the experience. She still wore the shame of it around her neck, the collar she was forced to wear within the city to prevent her from shifting within the city, and though in those days it was more of a formality than anything else, she still wore it. She could have stopped, and nobody would have said anything about it. Enough time had passed, but Sira continued to wear it as a reminder to herself of what she had done.

Sira did not put the collar on that day, she knew she would need to shift. She did not put much of anything on, because she assumed she would be shifting soon, but put enough to not cause a distraction. Quickly, the endal made her way to the Courtyard of the Sky where she knew the Valintar would address the people, carrying her sack of gear over her shoulder. Her weapons and the rest of her clothing was inside. Boots, a katinu, her magical talon sword, her bow, and a set of arrows. She listened as the Valintar spoke, watching as others stepped forward and volunteered their help. Sira thought it a bit odd that the Valintar was asking for volunteers, and not just sending out a flight of endal to handle the situation, but perhaps he thought it would be better to leave the endal to their hunting duties. Sira wasn't scheduled to hunt that day, which was convenient. She had free time, though she would have volunteered anyway. After a few people stepped up, Sira came forward as well.

"I'll go too."