Sophes sighs, "I was younger and much more impulsive, I leaped from the millenium tree in England.  Was testing a theory about my skin and bones being tougher than the ground.  Was funny, but painful."

"From the top of a Millennium Tree? That's an interesting test, sort of a like asking to be hit by Mjolnir just to see what it's like." the elven sorceress responds incredibly, and glances as Vrryl for verification. Upon seeing Vrryl's resigned nod at the incredulous story, Mika continues, "Well I certainly wouldn't have guessed that nor would anyone else I suppose. As for myself why don't you ask me... what animal would I be, if I was one?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:33, Wed 03 Feb 2016.

Sophes looks at Mika, "An interesting question.  With your vast array of abilities I would assume you can change your shape as often as you like.  What animal do you change to most often?"

Vrryl rolls his eyes, "Yep, I can confirm him doing that. Sophes, show me your arm, please."

<assumes Sophes complies>

"She'd be a porcupine." the mage answers playfully while examining a particular ink etched into the Undead Slayers left forearm. "Trigger this tattoo for me." he asks simply. Upon compliance, Vrryl nods. "This is Sophes." And he turns to Mika.

"May I see your pendant, Mika?"

"Which one?.. I'll assume you mean this particular ornament," Mika responds and hands Vrryl the pendant received from him years back.

Vrryl takes the pendant, giving it a brief once over before handing it back. "I'm satisfied. I'm going to switch to telepathic communication. I have an idea to indicate between us, and I'd rather go where winds whisper least."

<The dragon shares his idea with Sophes and Mika>

Sophes nods his head slightly as he is communicated with indicating is understanding and agreement.  After he will take his cue from Mika and get some rest knowing he will need his magic stores resupplied for the work tomorrow.

After some time discussing their options, the group brought their new information back to the rest of the Gathering.

In a change of tactics, one group including Mika, Sophes, Jessica, and Galahad, would quickly fly around looking for lakes and/or mountain ranges.  Other groups would travel to identified villages, including around Lake Victoria, and ask after the same geographical features.  During this time, the main group would continue traveling north towards Lake Victoria.

In the course of the day, the flying group spent time investigating a mountain range to the northeast of Lake Victoria.  The investigation was not particularly difficult as the group had previously been in the area and were slightly familiar with the terrain.  While a long thin range bordered either side of the great rift valley to the west, it was easy to discount due to its unique topography and appearance.  They did not find what they were looking for in the mountains of pre-Rifts Kenya, though farther to the northeast they did see what appeared to be vast mountainous terrain.

Upon return to camp later that day, various villages reported similar descriptions.  Aside from the high topography bordering them on either side of their current location, the Ethiopian highlands are known to exist farther to the northeast, though few have traveled that far in recent years as it gets closer to the Phoenix Empire.

Upon returning from her team's recon flight and freshening up, Mika joins the assembled heroes around one of the camp's fires to listen and report on the day's events. "It would seem the trail leads us straight towards the lion's den, to use a regionally appropriate metaphor. We've yet to encounter much in the way of Phoenix forces, but that doesn't comfort me at all. I'd very much prefer to know what their capabilities and strategies are, for I think they may pose the more immediate threat when we finally track down Famine."

"What do we know about the Phoenix Empire, aside from their use of a variety of demonic forces?"

Sophes will canvas the locals about their knowledge of the Phoenix Empire upon hearing Mika's request.  He will use magic to communicate and will offer food and water to those who wish to share anything.

Sophes will volunteer to head one of the perimeter groups so as to ensure the Phoenix Empire cannot surprise the main body.

"I think our best bet is to assume they will only be hostile towards us.  This way we cannot be caught unawares as easily in this hunt for Famine.  Every member of the team should have a reliable method of dealing with demons and other supernatural threats to ensure we have no weak links."

"Indeed, I don'think anyone should be scouting or travelling alone. With what we've seen of supposed Phoenix Empire minions previously they're not to be trifled with. The best course of action would be to incapacitate or immobilize then somehow and fallback to regroup with a larger force. The closer we get to their territory the most discrete our movements and especially our scouts will have to be," Mika adds. "Since we have a general direction to move in, probably better if we keep everyone closer together for rapid reaction"

The next few days, the Gathering heads northeast across the outskirts of Lake Victoria in what was the northern parts of Uganda and Kenya from ancient times.  With the Ethiopian highlands as their destination, members of the group don't stray far, using proximity for protection.

As the main group travels, reconnaissance teams pan out, keeping alert for threats in the vicinity of travel.  There is no shortage of communities in this region, despite the relative proximity to the Phoenix Empire, due to the resources of the lake and rivers.

While passing these communities, other members of the caravan travel to and through within them, attempting to gather intelligence on the Phoenix Empire.  They learn that most people avoid going north towards the desert if they can avoid it.  While sparsely populated, the desert areas of the Phoenix Empire still contain all manner of different monsters and demons though it sounds as like it is dominated by Demons and Death worshipers.  The communities encounter lone creatures, but also organized groups looking for food, fun, or slaves, people being the essential ingredient to all three.

When they get closer, a fast scouting group, including the player characters other than Vrryl, start scouting into the highlands.  Much of what they see is rough, hard to traverse terrain for a large group.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:18, Wed 01 June 2016.

At the end of a long day's travels, the main body have found themselves setting camp against a rocky outcropping, overlooking a deep valley. The final rays of light glitter off the distant lake, refusing to surrender themselves to the night. Scouts reported a village not far, and Vrryl has organised a team to approach for supplies and information.

As the scouting teams return, ground teams disperse for localised sentry. The dragon waves greetings to Mika as she comes in to land, and casually approaches the tall woman. "You look in need of a shower." he banters.

Upon hearing the mage's comment the elf performs a quick assessment of her armor and appearance and frowns. Them with a with a few arcane words and articulate gestures conjures up 9 gallons of fresh water above herself which proceeds to crash down, washing away the grime of the day's journey and drenching her thoroughly."Ahh... better. It's hot out there," she responds and approaches, leaving a trail of muddied earth behind her. "How's your day been? Anything new?"

The mage raises an eyebrow at the display, the weight of water splashing mud and water across the lower hem of his robe. He takes a look down, gives his boots a once over, sighs, and looks up. "Galileo's leg is acting up again, I'll have to bug Jess to take another look. And a couple of our merc friends have stomach cramps, but nothing serious."

He scratches his chin with his right thumb, fist clenched.

"Did you find time to grab food?"

"Why, do I have some green-orange blood on me?" the Elf asks quizzically, raising a sun bleached eyebrow. I managed to skewer some sort of worm creature, similar to a worm of Taut but not. There wasn't much energy for me to absorb, but it was something. A girl has to eat, though I can't really say the meat looked edible, so I didn't bring any back."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:11, Thu 02 June 2016.

From Vrryl's expression at your worm description, he doesn't seem disappointed.

"We had better luck, hopefully trade up some supplies with locals. Changing topics, I wanted to ask about your vision."

"I'm going to assume the one about the lake, the mountain and the demon assault, right? Fire away," Mika fires back, pausing in stride and giving her attention to the mage.

Vrryl nods. "I'd like you to perform a memory transference with me. If I take your memory direct, I believe I can draw up images from the vision... of the lake and mountain.... we could use when speaking with locals."

Mika nods in agreement, "Indeed, that should prove useful. As they say, a picture's worth a 1000 words. You ready now, or do you want to wait? The magic allows the memory to only last for certain amount of time, in the neighourhood of 4 hours."

"Wait a little... get yourself unpacked and settled, I've got a couple things to do before nightfall. But after dinner?"

Sophes watches as Mika and Vrryl finish their conversation giving them some privacy. Once it appears they are finishing he will approach, "Is all well? I don't want to interrupt anything important, I just wanted to let the both of you know what I had noticed on my part of the recce before my mind moves to other things."

Sophes will run his hand through his hair and look at them both. "I know we have seen a demonic presence pertaining to the Phoenix Empire with Alu and Tautons among some others. When questioning the locals I was informed of beings that sound like Grave Ghouls and Gargoyles in the area. This is troubling enough, but they also described a demon that can only be a Baal-Rog too."

"I do not know what this means in our search for Famine, but it is troubling that the Phoenix Empire employs such a great variety of demonic forces. It speaks of a terrible power behind the throne."

"Indeed, and I've heard tales of what is likely a succubus and/or incubus. Seems like the Phoenix Empire is more firmly aligned with Hades rather than Dyval. Running the whole gamut demons," Mika adds to Sophes debriefing. "Oh, and after dinner will be fine Vrryl; it's not an overly complicated spell so please just find me when you're ready to start your masterpiece."

Sophes nods to them both, "I will dine with you both and then retire to meditate on what we have seen today so we can use it tomorrow in our scouting."  Sophes will walk off looking for some shade and rest before the evening meal.

As Mika walks back to her tent she quickly casts Cleanse on herself, then greets Daniel and stows her gear. After relating the day's reconnaissance results and encouraging him to grab some dinner, as she was able to siphon some energies from a creature earlier, she sits down to meditate for a couple of hours before going out to find Vrryl.

Mika eventually finds the dimensional wizard speaking with Fang Lo, Sir Thorpe and Sophes about the collective intelligence on the minions of the Pheonix Empire. "Well, ready to have a vision?" she asks as she draws near the group.