Quest Restoring the Web (Team 1)

[Jackalope]

Restoring the Web 12 Fall, 512 AV With the realization that the webbing was not providing the early warning which the moving city was used to, and in all honesty, was really needed, the Ankal's of the many pavilions put out a call for several to volunteer to go out ahead of the city and begin to undue the damage caused by the massive storms which changed the life of everyone on Mizahar. Teams were assembled and gathered to be sent out to complete this vital task. Those skilled in the use of the web were surrounded by those who could aid in protecting them in an unknown wilderness. You all are one such team. Jasper and Akarn will be joined by Tsavik of the Sapphire Clan. A talented Web user, you are all tasked with not only guarding him, but discovering if you've got the skill yourselves to pick up the sacred ability as he uses it. Though the exact amount of time this will take is unknown, most teams are estimated to be back after about a third of the season, in time to participate in the Fall Hunt. "Greetings all," Tsavik began, happily meeting the group who stood beforee him. "I am Tsavik, and am looking forward to working with you all." The man had a slender build, especially for a Drykas, but the scars marring his face gave the suggestion he wasn't one to shy away from trouble. "Let me know if I can do anything for you. We've been tasked with getting the Serenity Tree reattached to the webbing. Hasn't been since the storms, but people would like to be able to pay their respects again, so there we have it." He tapped the hilt of his tulwar, smiling as he continued. "And if we're lucky, we'll do more than web work as we move along!" The morning was young, with the sun just peeking over the horizon, but it was to be a long day, and likely a long season. A light breeze offered refreshment to those packing their supplies for the strenuous adventure which lay ahead. Spirits were high, with an abundance of laughter and joy. The vast majority of those participating considered this to be the highest honor, a story which could be passed down through the generations. One by one each team would set out atop their Striders, ready to complete a task vital to the continued survival of the moving city of Endrykas and its people. ooc : At this point, feel free to interact with each other and ask questions of Tsavik. Once everyone is content, I'll get things moving along!

[Akarn]

The task at hand was paramount for the tent city and all involved knew that, after all that is why they had volunteered. Well at least that was why Akarn had. Without the web strands in place he knew Endrykas or even the Sea of Grass was open for invasion. All of the pavilions, all of the clans were disconnected from one another and would not be able to come to the aid of one another until it was too late. The web had to be restored.

The young Drykas warrior stood there and listened intently to Tsavik while he spoke. The man before him was a webber, a skilled person that was needed in every pavilion of the horse clans. He wondered if there would be time for or even if Tsavik would be willing to teach him of the web and even webbing itself. Not everyone could master the talent of webbing, but the young man was hopeful. He would wait and ask Tsavik later when he had a better gage of his personality.

Standing directly behind Akarn was his faithful companion and mount, Maverous. He was a large dapple-grey Strider that seemed to be listening in on the whole conversation. The striders large head hung over the Drykas's shoulder and his ear swiveled this way and that as things happened around him. In truth, Maverous, did not have a notion of what really was going on but he could feel the urgency within his friend so the mighty steed stood ready to assist the Drykas warrior in any way he could.

As Tsavik talked, the young man looked at all that had gathered for quest. With Akarn, the group made five. Some had whispered it would take them until all season if not longer to achieve what they sought. A long time for the five to be together, each having to rely upon the others skills to pull them through. Akarn did not even pretend to measure up the others, he just hoped when the time came he would not let his new companions down. The Sea of Grass can be very unforgiving, his father's words echoed through his mind at that moment. Which caused the young man to slowly exhale and wonder what dangers awaited them.

When the Webber got done speaking Akarn nodded and he introduced himself. "I am Akarn." He said looking to everyone in turn. "When the time comes to draw steel, I will stand with you. But let us pray the Zulrav will give us the wisdom to avoid bloodshed when we can." With that the young warrior fell silent and waited to see if anyone else was going to speak.

[Jasper Rainsong]

Jasper stood amongst a small group, all of them men. Her back was straight and her chin was tilted upward, the picture of Pride. Her clothes were simple and light, leather armor strapped over the top and her long, light brown hair braided at the back of her hair into an intricate bun. Her hand rested comfortably on the hilt of her Tulwar.

She listened to the Webber as he spoke, taking a moment to glance around, studying the men standing around her, most standing with their Striders. Maro stood behind her, less than pleased by the amount of new people. He snorted and kicked up dust whenever anyone got top close, something that Jasper ignored easily, used to his posturing. The heavy animal was as temperamental as his rider, and while she was quick to adjust to a situation, he was not.

Jasper could feel the anticipation in her bones. When she was young her brothers would tell her to trust in the feelings that her body gave her, even if she did not understand what they meant. Being so closely tied to the land, they had said, our instinct would often pick up a ripple, a foreboding feeling, like an ache in ones bones. She didn't know how true what they had said was, but she found that when she followed her instincts everything seemed to work itself out.

jasper listened to Akarns introduction and warmed immediately at the mention of Zulrav. "Well said Akarn." She said, smiling warmly. "I am Jasper, of the Diamond clan. It will be a pleasure to ride with you all."

[Jackalope]

ooc : Looks like two of our members have dropped out. My apologies for this taking so long. I suppose we'll be doing this quest well into Winter. Tsavik let out a chuckle after Akarn had spoken. "Yes, yes, I suppose it is truly more wise to avoid violence when possible." The Drykas man paused, grinning at his two companions. "But it's way more exciting if there's something to do, wouldn't you agree. Yet it is true. Let us avoid any harm which may befall those out on the deadly plains, and if we must fight, let us have ultimate victory." Tsavik gave his Strider a gentle nudge and trotted over to where Akarn and Jasper waited. "Diamond Clan? I trust we can count on your blade as well, then?" "Akarn, was it? It appears that it will only be us three. I guess that means more adventure for the each of us, hmm? I'd been told there were to be a couple more, but the morning grows old and we must make haste. The Serenity Tree lies almost directly upon the path our great city will be taking, so our task is really twofold. In rebuilding the webbing around the tree, we'll also aid in laying out the early warning that we Drykas so desperately depend on. So let us ride!" With that Tsavik turned his mount around and set off at a brisk trot. "There's always something to see in the Sea of Grass. Let us pray it's something we can eat and not visa versa." He let out a loud guffaw as he looked back, motioning for them to follow. The ride itself began quietly enough, save for the particularly energetic and loud man leading the small crew. The weather was fair with clouds dotting the morning sky. The chirps of birds and buzzing of insects carried throughout the area, only dampened by the clodding of hooves against the ground. The pace they were travelling at was by no means slow, but a considerable speed slower than the Cyphrus Striders were capable of going. Tsavik addressed his two companions once again. "By estimations, the Serenity Tree should be about ten or twelve days ride from where Endrykas currently is. By the time we finish up there, the city will be maybe seven from us, so we're in no rush. We need to make sure we do a good job, and I'll need you two to protect me while I work. When I'm walking the web, I'm defenseless from threats in this world. Once we get a little ways from the city, we'll break for some food and a bit of rest. At that time, I'll go ahead and tie us all together to the web so in the event I become separated from either of you, it'll be easier for me to reconnect." Tsavik's mount snorted in agreement. It was a common practice, especially in these troubled times. The webbing was life, after all. "So that's that. Tell me, do you two have much experience out here in the deadly grass? I've had a few brushes myself," he said, running his hand tenderly across the many scars on his face. "Pretty vicious place, it is. I'm on borrowed time though, so I'm just as vicious back."

[Akarn]

Maverous was energetic this morning on their ride away from Endrykas. The steed was happily away from the confines of the tent city and back out in the open plains. Akarn felt the same way, he had been too long in the settlement and was elated to be out in the vastness of the sea of grass. Still a cloud loomed over the small group, that was even smaller than anticipated since they were short two members. Their guide and leader seemed all to ready to clash head long in to trouble and seemed he would do so with a smile perched upon his face. The warrior pushed that to the back of his mind for now, since so far there seemed to be nothing to worry about.

After all it seemed to be a rather pleasant day, even if there was a slight breeze remnding them that it was season before winter. The sun warmed his bronze skin and he knew as long as he could hear the birds chirping then there was no real danger about. Akarn's thoughts drifted towards Natane and could not help but wonder if the young woman was faring well in the tent city without him. It brought a slight smile to his lips.

The dark haired Drykas thoughts were interrupted when Tsavik spoke. Akarn's green eyes looked up and over to the webber while they continued. "Webbing." He said like a kid wanting something. Then the thick framed man nodded. "Is it hard to learn?"

"We are all on borrowed time." The memories of his youth flooded through him and the harshness of the life upon the sea of grass. Instead of telling of his tales he just simply said, "What Drykas doesn't have a tale or two to tell about life as we all know it?"

[Jasper Rainsong]

"You are right." Jasper agreed. "The more there is to do the quicker our little journey will be over, if were lucky before winter is fully upon us." She frowned at the prospect. Winter was her least favorite of the seasons, the cold made her slow and sleepy and the frost made her sword freeze into its scabbard.

Jasper smiled at the mention of victory, though it could barely be called a smile, more of a eager barring of teeth. The man sounds like one of the Diamond Pavilion. She thought absently, pulling at a loose embroidery thread on her Yvas.

"Of course you can!" She smiled, chin held high as she settled her hand of the Tulwar's pommel with confidence. Squeezing Maro's sides with her legs Jasper urged him forward, rubbing a hand against his large shoulder as they went.

"Personally i don't have much experience. My brothers used to take me out hunting with them but i scared away all the games so they gave up on that quickly. I occasionally come out for a ride during the day, but that's about all." Truth be told Jasper was looking forward to experiencing, but her lips pulled downward at the mention of her brothers, thinking of her eldest sibling who had been lost in the Djed Storm, along with his family.

[Jackalope]

Ever smiling, Tsavik listened quietly as his two companions spoke. Akarn, he seemed to favor discretion over valor, but this was good. Tsavik expected the man to live a long healthy life, then. Foolish, brash, overconfident men found themselves returning to the web early, and it was nothing short of a miracle that Tsavik hadn't been one of them. But the webbing, that's what Akarn was concerned with. "Ahh, the web. Webbing. Difficult to learn?" He paused for a moment in thoughtful contemplation. How to answer this one? "I would say..yes. Yet, for some it isn't true at all. Some can walk our wonderful webbing easier than our physical world. It's a gift which some have, and others don't. It is why those of us who can separate from this form are expected to do so, for the betterment of Endrykas." He laughed once again, shaking his head. "I suppose that does little to answer your question. Can you learn it? With enough time and a good teacher, maybe." Next, Tsavik focused on their other companion. The Diamond Clan girl. Presumably good with her weapon, perhaps she would have a chance to test her prowess. "I approve of your choice of blade. A marvelous weapon, wouldn't you agree?" He nodded, patting his tulwar as well. "I suppose our clans mostly stick true to their types, hmm? I'm no hunter, either." With that, Tsavik would fall silent for the first time since they'd met. It was time to ride, and while he would answer any questions they had, the excitement of what they were doing began to overtake the man. He urged his strider on, picking up the pace of travel. Plenty of time to rest when you're dead. After half a day's ride, they would arrive in a clearing in the grass, where an offshoot of the Bluevein would offer them refreshment as the rested. Tsavikwould dismounted, motioning for the others to do the same. "This is where we'll join our little group together. It won't take too terribly long, but I'm completely exposed during my walk. For now, rest, drink, and let me know when you're ready." The webber closed his in quiet meditation, preparing himself his real journey.