Closed [Pavi Lake] Traps Galore

[Plume]

50th of Spring, 515
Location: Pavi Lake

Beyond Syliran walls, far away and utterly removed from the daily hustle and bustle of the city, lies Cobalt Mountains in all of its quiet, untamed mystery. Spring brought with it a surge of life and greater accessibility, but the mountains are not without their perils. Predators that had spent most of the Winter hibernating or conserving their energy have begun to reclaim their hunting grounds once more, eager to fill their bellies with a fresh kill, whilst newly made mothers of all species are equally on edge, ready to defend their newborn litters at a moment's notice.

Finn was the opportunistic sort. As soon as he'd learned of the snow melts and ensuing floods, he'd leaped into action, knowing the mountain's various denizens would be fleeing from the onslaught of water. They would be more careless and teaming in numbers--the perfect circumstances for bountiful trapping.

Only, he had been a bit too enthusiastic in his efforts and was now confined to a small, limp-friendly radius around his quarters in Traveler's Row. His custom made traps are especially heavy and one had fallen on his left leg during his mad rush to beat his competition to the game. As a result, Finn is even more short fused and surly than usual, cursing anyone within earshot and fretting over his precious traps day in and day out.

Fortunately for those seeking to take up on his recently posted offer, Finn, for all his faults, is a fair man. Though by no means generous, he values those traps of his almost as much as his own life. He's willing to pay a good sum for their safe return. Even if he appears at first he'd rather beat you to a pulp than listen to what you have to say.

Finn spends most of his time during the day lingering around the Bulletin Board. Most have no idea who he is, so the only way he'll interact with anyone willingly is if he is able to identify his traps. Then, and only then, will he approach whoever had braved the wilderness to Pavi Lake and back. Otherwise, he remains brooding in some corner or other. Ever vigilant. Ever watchful. Should night fall and the streets grow too dark, Finn stays up late into the evening at the Rearing Stallion, where his watch continues, albeit with a bit more drink and food in his stomach.

Meanwhile, most of the routes to Pavi Lake are still in passable conditions. The ground ranges from being damp to downright muddy at various points along the way and most predators are not terribly interested in the bizarre creatures that thrive within the salty waters. Caution is still recommended, however, as not all of the lakes inhabitants are purely waterbound. Some may be able to breach the lakeshore for a peek. Or a snack. No one really has any way of being sure. Not even Finn chooses to stick around for longer than necessary, as the scenery is both eerie and alien in nature.

The traps themselves can be found tied around some of the sturdier salt structures. Most are still hanging in tact, but some may have sunk to the bottom of the lake--or gotten stolen by Pavi's more curious denizens--since Finn had favored thick, heavy rope over metal chain. He had known the risks, but wanted to avoid letting the chains rust and become impossible to unlatch.

The good news is that this rope can be sawed apart with a sharp blade within eight to ten chimes. The bad news is that some look like they've already been freed...

...by razored teeth.

[Holland Rolandus]

This had to have been the correct place; with all of its incredible beauty. Idiosyncratic and chaste did the entirety of the vicinity appear to have been. The scent of the water was rather intriguing; it smelled salty, incredibly salty. It had an almost barren appearance at first glace; Holland steps forward simply observing. Looking and paying close attention to the surrounding area. As he observed and carefully made note of several things; including how unwelcoming several of the large protrusions that exited the water looked. They were for the most part covered with what appeared to have been a white crystalline substance; stuck to them. He began to wonder what in the world could've caused the formation of such structure. Although he didn't quite care about the formation of structures for now. Having just recently made a stop by the bulletin board and picked up a tasked assignment to retrieve traps; Holland noticed several ropes hanging from the structures. Although for now all he needed was one; in order to gain the attention of the grouch who wanted the traps. Holland carried with him this day no more then his typical equipment. His tent, compass, map set; his rapier and his back-and-breast plate. His horse "Declan" and a newly purchased "Float Bladder." In order to prepare for the task at hand. He wasn't quite experienced at swimming at all; despite the fact that he was a wizard who could use water reimancy. Holland feared not; and decided upon pulling out the floatation device. Looking at the rather radical appearance of such an object. Holland takes a seat near the waters edge, and holds in his hands the object. Rather slick and yet tough it felt against his fingertips; He noticed an area that could be filled with air. Therefore he decided upon placing his lips upon the specific area; after having filled his own lungs first. With a deep inhalation; his lungs were filled to their capacity. Before he blew with all of his might into the floatation device; filling it up. Having to repeat the action several times due to the elongated "Neck" of the device.

Breathing heavily for a moment in order to catch his breath; Holland knew what had to be done. One way or another he would have to somehow manage to cut down one of those ropes. From there he would need to find a way to carry the trap out of the water. The problem is that he would need to move slowly in order to do so. He didn't want to risk his only bodily protection rusting; so he wouldn't go in with armor. Holland begins to conjure up a tactic in order to complete the task. He continued to think harder; much harder only to realize something. Yet, he hadn't thought about the fact that he was indeed a wizard. He could simply cut down the rope and use an attraction pull in order to move the trap. Though he knew very well what did happen to him after the last time he used large amounts of res. Using Reimancy would be a last resort for him if anything at all for now. He needed to do this the easy way; definitely not the hard way. Holland began to think about the fact that; perhaps his Rapier is too heavy to carry into the water. He needed it though; and wouldn't bother going without it. Because if he hadn't had it why wouldn't he bother trying to cut the ropes down only to fail? Holland had no choice; a lack of options in this case. If nothing else; Holland knew himself well enough to have been able to use common sense. There were large faces of what appeared to have been rocks. Those were good for more reimancy; yet, he couldn't risk using magic here. He would have to come up with a plan; quickly. For if not he wouldn't ever get into the water itself. Still sitting at the waters edge attempting to prepare to do the job; Holland simply decides he should go for it. Holland looks at the strange series of black elongated straps. Before he places the large bladder upon his back horizontally. After haven taken off his shirt and boots in order to prevent them from being too wet.

Water had a tendency to weigh things down; Holland had no intention of going too slow once he entered. Although he didn't know much about tying knots in the least bit. Yet, he would try time and time again until he succeeds; for now this would likely be the only thing which could keep him alive as he would make his way into the lake. After all; Holland didn't know the first thing about swimming and probably hardly ever will again. Yet, for now it seemed like swimming would be an essential skill to add to the set. He would go about learning it one way; or the other. Not bothering to waste time any further; Holland enters the water. With his rapier already in his right hand; prepared to lash out and strike at anything that moves. For now the lake would be shallow beneath his bare feet. He could feel a multitude of rocks beneath his feet; surely not the most comfortable feeling in the world. He wasn't quite used to doing things of this nature; although he might as well start getting used to it now. Regardless of if the rocks cut away at the flesh upon his feet; which they hadn't just yet. He had a mission to complete; the first task alone was already going to be quite the hard one. He would aim to cut down the trap nearest to him and cover the shortest distance possible. In order to get the first assignment out of the way. A demeanor of determination, willpower and courage was shown. His face straightened; his focus was one hundred percent of the way set upon the task at hand.

Holland could hear the sheer splish-splash of the water as he continued forward. Going deeper into the shallow water; regardless of how scared he was. Making note of all of the small fish that swam about within the lake. Attempting to ignore them all; for he knew nothing about the lake. He didn't quite plan on sticking around too long to learn anything about it anyway. He didn't even want to think about what kind of strange and dangerous things that could be swimming about him right this moment. Slowly, but steadily did Holland make his approach toward the first of the nearby traps he saw. He could only hope and be filled with courage for now. He could only pray that he succeeded in grasping hold of the correct trap to begin with. For if he hadn't all of his current efforts would've been in vain. It would've likely been pointless to have carried on trying to complete this task if he hadn't been fully prepared for what might go on. Holland didn't mind being battered up a bit if it meant gaining some income right now. After all; he was on the verge of being flat broke; with only a few silver mizas to his name. Sooner or later he would have to pay living expenses as well. Therefore; with all the strength and determination he had within him he pushes forward. Until he is practically submerged within the water; up to his neck and being upheld by the floatation device. Making note of the fact that the more he kicked his legs the easier it became to maneuver throughout the water.