Largely here for provisions, the party is back on the road quickly afterwards. After two or three hours of backtracking, the carriage is on a road towards the lands of the howlers.

It's, again, quite a distance.

The two hired carriage drivers speak to you little, but are willing to discuss anything you'd like. They are quiet professionals who've made these journeys many times.

Again, it takes a few days before you notice significant difference in the type of ground you are treading, but it's quite a difference by the end of the third as the ground becomes increasingly sandy. It's still soil rather than sand at this point though. The wind picks up as well, and if you were mortal you'd be glad to be on the inside of the carriage.

Atop, the two drivers shiver a bit, but wear buff jackets and heavy scarves for warmth. They were quite professional, and acted as though "The Infnite" was the boss of this expedition (probably because he'd paid). Gaja feels a certain familiarity as the terrain becomes increasingly familiar.

The loose soil is terrible to drive across, but the ancient stone roads, said to have been here when the Patrian empire had first settled upon it, were still in good condition. There were small areas that were damaged, but even these had been replaced with more traditional stonework and repaired, at least on this side of the border.

Eventually, the party reaches a small village at the edge of "civilized" territory. Warning signs begin dotting the road, and the occasional sign of battle can be seen by the edge of the road. There is a military and trade outpost, just a bit too small to be a town, where the carriage stops. Unlike the previous walled towns the city has visited, the guards here look on edge, and the only areas outside of the fortified walls are a few large slaves camps, mostly unpopulated.

The carriage came to a halt, the ever present clacking of the wheels on stone finally becoming silent as the driver pulled off the road to a rest station. One of the drivers began making arrangements to have the horses cared for while the other addressed the pantheon.

"Welcome to the Edge of Nowhere, gentlemen and ladies. This is as far as the carriage can go, given how bad the roads and how lawless the areas beyond here are.

We'll wait for you here for 12 days. That is far more time than you should need to get to where you need to go." He hands Vissio a small map, and gives a brief bow to Plaga. "This is a map of the local area. If I were you, lords and ladies, I wouldn't head out there without an armed escort. Most of the mercs inside are Falchetto or Schivone affiliates: they won't just kill you and take your stuff. You can also get horses or other mounts.. not that all of you will need them."

Giant scorpions, of course, had no difficulty crossing this terrain, so that would be one problem easily addressed.

[OOC - Anyone want to hire anyone, look for rumors, or whatnot, just let me know. The village/outpost is officially called Edge, and it essentially exists as a staging ground for people to trade/raid the howlers, or launch expeditions. Very few citizens actually live here, but there's a wide range of scholars, mercenaries and slavers. Otherwise, I'll post the journey to the cave next.]

Vasati took the map gratefully, looking over it twice before handing it to Increase Scholar.

"How many people live within this village?"

He asked, pulling out his tobacco pouch and beginning the ritual of rolling several cigarillos.

"And why have they not called for regional support against the Falchetto or Schivones?  Are they perhaps all also under the thumb of these two houses?  Loyal servants and terrorized informants?  If that is so, we should be about our way quickly, taking only what mounts and supplies we need."

He turned to the others, tapping his temple.

"My whispers have told me exactly where to find what we seek, but once we have our prize, I am not so sure I can find the way back to this little shit hole."

He turned their escorts and flashed them an extremely apologetic smile, offering them two of his rolled cigarillos in recompense.

"I could find our way all the way back to our dear city, but that is quite the journey.  Signora Gaja, are you at all familiar with this area?  Surely you have the desertcraft to see us safely through.  If not, we should hire a guide, and figure out a reason we should trust them."

---

Along the journey, Vasati had been full of questions for the others, and had sought many of them out individually.

"Signora Plaga, I have good news to share with you, if you will hear it!  I have been quite successful in my efforts to secure favor with the guild. I wouldn't go so far to say that they trust me, but they certainly respect me.  How goes your own efforts to secure your operations, and when will you be requiring my largesse?  I certainly have the funds ready, if you have need of them."

---

Claire Durand too, had met with his attention.

"Ah, Signora Durand, I must admit to far too much ignorance as to your name and accomplishments.  I am familiar with the circumstances around that rather miraculous iceburg, and very little else.  If you do not mind, I am a collector of legends and tales, I would very much like to hear of you what you are comfortable sharing?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:48, Sat 02 Feb 2019.

When inquired about her intentions, Plaga nodded respectfully to Vasati, approving of his good work.

"I have been presented with the opportunity of investigating a matter of a personal concern, so I'm afraid I'm not fully aware of how my operation has been evolving during my absence. Once I return to town, I'm sure it won't take long until we are ready to proceed with the project. I'll keep you updated."

Once they had reached Edge, Plaga smirked behind her mask when the drivers implied their group would need an escort. But was then surprised to hear Vasati show concern about the two houses. She hadn't heard about them before, but if Vasati was concerned about them, they surely where people to be mindful of. Of course, the possibility of Vasati pretending wouldn't be a surprise.

OOC: Plaga won't do any investigations per se, but would walk the streets using her Death word to "know the details of what, where, and how anything dies or is dying within 100 feet of them" to get an idea of how bad things are within Edge.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:30, Sat 02 Feb 2019.

Claire nodded to Vasati. "There's not much to tell, really," she said, pulling back her hat briefly to show her mechanical ears before covering them again. "I am XI-3-Claire, musical and combat automaton, created in the Bright Republic. I was an idol singer for the Bright Records Company, before I was sold off. I don't know why." She smiled just a bit. "I also don't know why they gave me military-grade etheric weapons, flight capability, or the ability to trap a leviathan in ice, but they have proven useful in aiding my friends. I do intend to ask someone in the future. What about yourself? I'm afraid I know nothing of you - you weren't with us on the Isle."

"If we are going openly, I won't need a horse. I can run or fly at roughly equal speed with no need to stop for food or rest."

The guards outside watching the slaves give you odd looks: probably understandable, given that not many private carriages come all the way out to edge. The high walls and towers give you a glance, but are more focused on looking for trouble.

Vasati's eyebrows rose a solid inch each when Claire pulled aside her cap.

"That is..."

He scratched a hand through his hair.

"That is quite a lot of names and words I am not exactly as familiar with as I would like to be, I am afraid.  I don't have much experience with the Bright Republic, it was never a land I passed through in my considerable travels.  A military au-to-ma-ton you say?"

He sounded out each syllable of the word, clearly unfamiliar with it.

"It certainly sounds impressive, even if you remain somewhat unclear of your initial purpose.  Ah, but you have found a new one yes?  I am hoping that I am included among your friends.  I like having friends."

He patted her on the back enthusiastically, clearly unconcerned with her non-mortal nature.

"As for me?  I am a keeper of things long lost and forgotten, a chronicler of tales and legends.  Recently out of retirement, in fact."

He leaned in close to whisper conspiratorially.

"I'm also a rather talented thief, recently successful too, which is why I'm here with you all and not back home in my lovely city."

He leaned back out and flashed Gaja a smile.

"What is with you all and your insistence on flying everywhere?  I'll admit there are few sensations like it, but it's not exactly subtle.  We are here to be sneaky though, no? If I misunderstood, please correct me of my ignorance."

He turned and looked at Increase Scholar.

"And you, Signor Saggio, do you also wish to take flight?  Or is your tale more humble than these brave companions?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:27, Sat 02 Feb 2019.

  Their local guide, as it were, had ridden outrider for most of the trip, too far in advance of the carriage to communicate except by hand signals.  By the time the others had reached Edge, she had Szkarik tethered in a proper paddock for a creature his size.  She's all smiles, walking up, and greets Vasati's question with a boisterous laugh.

  "Oh!  I haven't told you, mister thief?  We are in My lands, now.  I walk here as you do in your city.  We will come to no harm.  But..."  She gives Claire an appraising once-over.  "If she does not make a big scene, how will we announce ourselves to every raider in half a day's ride?"

  "Wait for me!" she cries out before anyone has time to determine exactly whom she's teasing or about what, turning toward a low, broad building near the road.  The dull knocking sounds of practice dummies being lain into were just loud enough to be heard from behind it—the mercenary soldiers staying in practice, most likely.  "I am going to bring a messenger with us!  Sarnai, bring the paper from the Falchetto woman that makes them obey."

---

Gaja would like someone from that family to be able to confirm the parts of what comes next that she lets them know about.  And Roberta did offer aid, so I figure Gaja probably has a minor writ or something.  She doesn't know what it says.
This is not me saying I'm leaving the scorpion behind.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:05, Sat 02 Feb 2019.

Claire simply nodded as Vasati spoke of friends, then turned to Gaja. "I'm sorry, I couldn't tell if that was sarcasm. Does this mission require us to announce ourselves to the raiders?"

Sarnai made her way up with some papers, trying not to laugh. If you were going to lie, you might as well do it brazenly. "Thats not.. never mind." She wisely shut up, trying to conceal a smile.


[OOC - So, shall we carry on to the cave then?]

"Horses then, or is Signora Gaja going to get her wish, and I will give us all the sky?  It won't be subtle, but it will make quite the tale."

Vasati said, and it was impossible to tell if he was joking.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:02, Sun 03 Feb 2019.

  "I think you should suit yourselves," Gaja replies with a cryptic smile.  "I know how to speak to my people.  And you will do me no harm by bringing their attention to us.  But maybe save your theater for out in the wilds, so we don't get these soldiers too curious, hm?"  She waves toward the barracks and the nearby public house.

  "Get your horses.  Heaven knows Sarnai has been too long without.  Szkarik and I will wait for you on the edge of the Edge."

Vasati gave a gracious bow.

"Signora Sarnai, perhaps you could assist me with securing some mounts for us?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:17, Sun 03 Feb 2019.

Sarnai doesn't quite jump up and down with at the prospect of getting back on a horse, but you can certainly see it in her eyes as she nods solemnly and smiles at Vastai's request.

Between Vasati's cash and Sarnai's eye for horseflesh, you are quickly agree to buy mounts.
Sarnai ends up going for four clean limbed, athletic horses, after eliminating a few immediately as being bait for suckers.

The tavern turns out to be a bit of a bore: it's the only one in town, and those inside are tired and primarily there for a drink. The mercs seem to eye you more up as a potential customer.. or a threat, then as a guest, and you don't get the idea that any scholars in town want to talk to you.

After you gear up, you and make your way in the general direction of the cave in Vasati's vision. Scholar finds reading the questionable charts reasonably easy (an advantage to knowing nearly anything) and of course Claire's GPS system and ability to fly and Gaja's ability to simply... know the desert certainly makes travel trival. Though she has to maintain a slight distance from the horses (who are perhaps justifiably skitish around a giant scorpion).

The desert is quite cold - further inward it would be substantially warmer, but here, it's actually quite chill. Sarnai seems fairly comfortable inspite of this, and of course, the rest of you don't really qualify as human any more, and the horses are quite used to the chill of the desert wind.

Eventually, Vasati find an outcropping that looks very familiar to the one in his vision. This should be the place.

[OOC - I'm just trying to keep things moving. However, if anyone wants to do something substantial in town, I'll happily backtrack/retcon till it works.]

Increase accepts the map and familiarizes himself with the details. It takes a few moments but he drags out the exercise in an attempt to appear more natural to any unseen onlookers.

"There are approximately 250 permanent residents and as for why they do not call for regional support I imagine it is a multifaceted issue. The Falchetto are employed to defend this area with their mercenaries, giving them a degree of control into...events that might occur."

---

When asked to share his story Increase spoke plainly.

"I was born in Lom and as my name dictated I became a scholar. I was groomed to serve the antipriests of True Reason as a scribe. It wasn't until I discovered the truth of their ways that I left my homeland. I dedicated myself to the pursuit of knowledge and inevitably sold myself into slavery so that I could learn the secrets of immortality. That is where I meet my current allies."

---

I have no desires within the compound.

Increase breathes the cold desert air and is reminded of Lom and its bitter weather; how nostalgic.

"So, let me go over this a last time, to make sure I'm not missing out on any details. Once we reach the cave, what's the plan?"

Vasati lived up to his boast, telling a seemingly never ending series of tales of adventure as they gathered their supplies and mounts.  As Sarnai was purchasing the horses, he wove alternating tales of some of the great races of Vissio, interspersed with a mirthful story about a Howler horsewoman of unrivaled skill.  He was generous with his coin, seemingly unconcerned with running out of funds, or the kinds of attention such obvious wealth would draw.

Within the tavern, he switched to myths and legends that all seemed to involve Raktine bandits and sell-swords biting off more than they could chew, the seemingly helpless victims of their exploits always revealing themselves to be wandering demons, trickster fey, or curse ridden monsters.  He smiled mischievously at the mercenaries in the tavern, taking time to eye them each time he elaborated at length on a particularly gruesome detail of the highwaymen's demise.  Along the journey, his stories switched over to tales of Kasirutan treasure seekers, but he became quite when Plaga asked what was next in their journey.

"Once we find the cave, we withdraw a ways and make camp for the night."

He said plainly.

"I will need to get eyes on it first, and then fresh eyes on it in the morning.  Once we've settled in round a nice fire, I will have a better idea of what to do next.  Besides, we need to wait up a bit to see if any stragglers catch up to us.  We don't want them finding us when we are on our way out.  Better to catch them now, and have a little chat, no?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:12, Tue 05 Feb 2019.

Claire had no idea how to sit a horse, so instead she jogged along next to the steeds. On the other hand, she could in fact match the horses' pace without any apparent difficulty. She didn't speak much on the way, but she smiled a couple of times at Vasati's jokes and more comical tales.

"If some of you need to sleep, then I will take watch," said Claire in response when Vasati mentioned the camp, not even pausing to breathe as she kept pace next to the cantering horses.

"I can assist Miss Claire on that. Besides, standing watch alone would get lonely far too quickly, I'm sure. We haven't really have a chance to know each other, this may be as good of an opportunity as any".

  "I can do without,"  Gaja offered as she approached.  She'd released her scorpion to stalk a herd of what had looked like featherless ostriches, and was only just getting back from something about "scent-marking their camp" for it to return to.  "But I should probably lie down all the same."  It sounds vaguely suggestive when she says it, and it's never clear whether she knows her voice does that thing.

  "We haven't met anything that could contest us since that barter god, and they know they have been seen, so I think they will be expecting trouble.  If they are foolish enough to bring magic into the wastes, they will be foolish enough to use it here, so we should all be as lively as we can."

  "And besides," she says, shooting Sarnai a conspiratorial smile.  As she turns to continue, Vasati catches her eye, and the last wisps of her smile are perhaps a different kind of conspiratorial.  "It has been too long since I've stirred a fire that wasn't boxed in.  It has been a long journey.  Let us take one night to say goodbye to the sky before we descend into the earth."