Beira climbed quietly across the expanse of the mountain range, humming an old Utgardian tune to herself. The mountain range surrounding the Phoenix Mountain Village could be very quiet and devoid of life in quite a number of areas, like this stretch of mountain range that had a few stubborn grasses and rock moss as the only living things in close proximity, although Beira was aware of one or two eagles circling far off in the distance. One of them cried out, and the other answered, their characteristic keening calls reaching far across the distance between the birds and the mage. She paused to watch them for a moment, then continued on her way. While watching the wildlife in these parts could be interesting, she had not come here to gain knowledge about birds. Her destination was the lonely and remote village located deep in the mountains, as well as the other hamlets which surrounded it. And while the Utgardian maiden felt that it was quite unwise to establish a settlement so far away from human civilization, in such an inhospitable place, she could understand why the villagers of this place had chosen such a site to found their village. It was most likely to facilitate security, although whoever, or whatever, these people were running away from was anybody's guess. But Beira had decided that it wasn't going to be her business to find out why they had gotten so far away from other human settlements.
The sun was low in the sky, and it was soon going to be nightfall, which would come on quicker, thanks to the fact that the crevices and declines in the mountain range would create shadows and intensify the darkness, while obstructing the light of the sun, something which would be less likely to happen on more even terrain. With the dying sun, the temperatures fell as well, and it was very likely that soon freezing temperatures would be the order of the day... or night, if one wanted to be more accurate. Still, Beira wasn't too worried. For starters, she was immune to the cold, so she could wander as long as she wanted across the mountains. Secondly, despite the very present danger posed by the shadows and forming mists, which would soon hamper visibility terribly, the God Slayer did not need her eyes to see. As a result, she wasn't in danger of slipping into an unseen crack, or falling off a cliff. All the same, arriving at the village before sundown would be more advantageous for her. She had heard that these fellows were extremely superstitious, and even among more... progressive people, Beira was still considered strange, so she had to attempt as much as possible not to appear too suspicious. If she came with the night, who knew whether she wouldn't be fingered as the culprit for all the missing children. Hopefully, if her map was correct, she would be quite close to the mountain village as at now.
A sharp bend round a rather large tooth of rock, jutting up from the mountain like the canine of some dismembered demon, revealed a valley, with the Phoenix Mountain village sprawled in the descent. Even though the mountain was rather rugged and apparently inclement, Beira realized that the people who had established the Phoenix Mountain Village were wise in their choice of location. When rain fell on the mountain, it would wash soil into the valleys and lower areas. Such places could well support agriculture, while presenting an apparently barren surrounding to mislead any potential threat who might be looking for an easy target to raid. The disadvantage, of course, was getting help when it was needed. Descending the narrow pathway which led to the village, Beira began to notice, as was expected, an increase in the life existing in the area. Grasses first, then more broad-leafed plants began to dominate the area, and on the valley floor, Beira could even see trees. In the fading light of day, she could even see patches of farmland as she drew nearer to the village. A shoddy fence of wood demarcated the village proper from the other scattered hamlets in the surprisingly wide valley. One would hardly imagine such a place was here. Beira was sure that whoever had found this place first had most likely stumbled on it, and had not expected to come across such a thing as this hidden valley. The further side of the valley rose up in a steep grey rock wall, which was simply a continuation of the Phoenix Mountain range, so if any enemies would discover this place and desire to attack, they would have to approach from the only entry point into the valley, which was quite visible, and also very narrow.
As Beira approached the rickety gates, someone called out to her to state her business. It was almost amusing to see that they had what passed off as a sentry. The Utgardian was sure that if she desired to bulldoze the place, there would hardly be anything to stop her from running amok. In any case, she was supposed to be here to solve a problem, not cause more of it. So she maintained her civility and replied that she had seen a job which had been put up by the village, and had come to help them solve their child vanishing problem. The 'sentry' vanished momentarily, and Beira could easily hear him arguing with someone else behind the gate about letting her in, as he thought she did not look one bit like someone who could help them solve their problem. For a moment, Beira waited, until her patience grew thin and she sighed audibly. To hell with the perceived notions of these people. Utilizing the power of her Anima Umbrae, Beira simply walked through the wooden gate. Beyond the gate, she saw the two debaters. The one who had asked her what she wanted was facing her, and he froze, his mouth dropping in shock. The second, who was trying to persuade him to open the gate turned to see the stranger looking silently at him. Beira wondered whether she should do or say anything by way of greeting, but she wasn't sure how it would be taken.
There was a moment of silence, then the two men let out a cry of alarm and fled towards the other buildings. Beira sighed again and shook her head, but chose to remain by the gates and not move this time. It would be more difficult to explain herself to anyone, if she took the liberties of walking into the village uninvited, since she had already gotten past the gates without prior welcoming.
Total: 1120/3500
The sun was low in the sky, and it was soon going to be nightfall, which would come on quicker, thanks to the fact that the crevices and declines in the mountain range would create shadows and intensify the darkness, while obstructing the light of the sun, something which would be less likely to happen on more even terrain. With the dying sun, the temperatures fell as well, and it was very likely that soon freezing temperatures would be the order of the day... or night, if one wanted to be more accurate. Still, Beira wasn't too worried. For starters, she was immune to the cold, so she could wander as long as she wanted across the mountains. Secondly, despite the very present danger posed by the shadows and forming mists, which would soon hamper visibility terribly, the God Slayer did not need her eyes to see. As a result, she wasn't in danger of slipping into an unseen crack, or falling off a cliff. All the same, arriving at the village before sundown would be more advantageous for her. She had heard that these fellows were extremely superstitious, and even among more... progressive people, Beira was still considered strange, so she had to attempt as much as possible not to appear too suspicious. If she came with the night, who knew whether she wouldn't be fingered as the culprit for all the missing children. Hopefully, if her map was correct, she would be quite close to the mountain village as at now.
A sharp bend round a rather large tooth of rock, jutting up from the mountain like the canine of some dismembered demon, revealed a valley, with the Phoenix Mountain village sprawled in the descent. Even though the mountain was rather rugged and apparently inclement, Beira realized that the people who had established the Phoenix Mountain Village were wise in their choice of location. When rain fell on the mountain, it would wash soil into the valleys and lower areas. Such places could well support agriculture, while presenting an apparently barren surrounding to mislead any potential threat who might be looking for an easy target to raid. The disadvantage, of course, was getting help when it was needed. Descending the narrow pathway which led to the village, Beira began to notice, as was expected, an increase in the life existing in the area. Grasses first, then more broad-leafed plants began to dominate the area, and on the valley floor, Beira could even see trees. In the fading light of day, she could even see patches of farmland as she drew nearer to the village. A shoddy fence of wood demarcated the village proper from the other scattered hamlets in the surprisingly wide valley. One would hardly imagine such a place was here. Beira was sure that whoever had found this place first had most likely stumbled on it, and had not expected to come across such a thing as this hidden valley. The further side of the valley rose up in a steep grey rock wall, which was simply a continuation of the Phoenix Mountain range, so if any enemies would discover this place and desire to attack, they would have to approach from the only entry point into the valley, which was quite visible, and also very narrow.
As Beira approached the rickety gates, someone called out to her to state her business. It was almost amusing to see that they had what passed off as a sentry. The Utgardian was sure that if she desired to bulldoze the place, there would hardly be anything to stop her from running amok. In any case, she was supposed to be here to solve a problem, not cause more of it. So she maintained her civility and replied that she had seen a job which had been put up by the village, and had come to help them solve their child vanishing problem. The 'sentry' vanished momentarily, and Beira could easily hear him arguing with someone else behind the gate about letting her in, as he thought she did not look one bit like someone who could help them solve their problem. For a moment, Beira waited, until her patience grew thin and she sighed audibly. To hell with the perceived notions of these people. Utilizing the power of her Anima Umbrae, Beira simply walked through the wooden gate. Beyond the gate, she saw the two debaters. The one who had asked her what she wanted was facing her, and he froze, his mouth dropping in shock. The second, who was trying to persuade him to open the gate turned to see the stranger looking silently at him. Beira wondered whether she should do or say anything by way of greeting, but she wasn't sure how it would be taken.
There was a moment of silence, then the two men let out a cry of alarm and fled towards the other buildings. Beira sighed again and shook her head, but chose to remain by the gates and not move this time. It would be more difficult to explain herself to anyone, if she took the liberties of walking into the village uninvited, since she had already gotten past the gates without prior welcoming.
Total: 1120/3500
Last edited by Fraag on 18th October 2019, 7:02 am; edited 1 time in total