Mika flies back up to altitude, rejoining her companions and telepathically relaying the ley line information, "This is not headed exactly in the right direction, but will take us further north at speed. I sense another one further east, distinct from the one below us if we want to try our luck."

Sophes will mentally send back 'I think it is worth exploring the other line. Better to have more information than less.'

The dragon is in agreement and returns to his position in flight for the shift eastward.

The party starts flying northeast once more at a rapid speed.  The small range they were above retreats behind them as they fly over some more lowlands rich with vegetation and more occasional settlements.

Despite this, they can not ignore the larger mountainous area to the northeast that they are heading towards.  The elevation of which easily dwarfs their current altitude.  The ley line soon becomes visible as one parallel to the previous one and overshadowing a longer than wide body of water while approaching the headlands from the south.

"Might as well get a top up before continuing on. Shall we?" Mika asks as she begins to descend towards the lake and ley line below.

Vrryl scans the horizon looking for signs of movement or unnatural presence, before dropping the two thousand feet to ground level and the glowing eddies of the ley line.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:56, Sat 08 Oct 2022.

Sophes looks back the way they came to ensure safety and swoops after Vrryl and Mika. He steadies himself about 100 ft higher in elevation than they so he can keep an eye on things easier.

The group quickly dips into the mystical energy of the ley line from the air.  Looking up and to the northeast, they see mountainous regions thousands of feet high stretching out hundreds of miles to the northwest and southeast in front of them.

Mika spends a moment absorbing the ethereal energies of the ley line before re-casting her winged flight spell, "Looks like those mountains will be quite the obstacle. Shall we look for some sort of pass through or continue along the foothills?"

The long lake the group was over appears to continue as a river valley cutting northward into the mountains.
To the east/southeast along the edge of the range, the group can see what might look like other north-aligned valleys heading into the mountains.
To the northwest, along the edge of the range, they just see mountains heading into the distance.

In general, the richer savannahs around the mountains appear to change with elevation into more shrubby/treed flora, but still arid, plant-life.

"The valley will come with more beautiful scenery." the dragon remarks, as he baths in the psychic energies. "We'll need extra care... river valleys also yield the highest chances of villages and prying eyes."

Sophes looks at all the varying valleys while absorbing the mystic energies. "If we are unsuccessful with the first branch we can always come back and follow a differing valley as well."

Sophes reuses his flight tattoo as well to ensure he has the time needed for the planned route.

The elf demigoddess re-energizes her magical wings. "As they say, who dares wins..." she remarks as she banks quickly and flaps her wings to bring her to speed towards the mountain river valley.

"Or fills graves." Vrryl retorts jocosely, observing his flanking position in flight.

Sophes shakes his head while smiling, "Well we aren't ever bored at least."

He then swoops to his position on the flank keeping an eye behind them as they enter the valley.

After some minutes spent bathing in the energies of the lake-following ley line, the trio continues north up the river valley.

After about half an hour following the river valley and flying over lightly forested terrain, they see the mountainous highlands rise up around them.  At first, their altitude has them higher than the encroaching ridges, but very quickly the ridges on either side of the 50km wide valley rise up higher than their flight, creating an impressive and beautiful view of the natural forests and woodlands in the river valley below.

"How majestic," Mika states absently, taking in the grand view while flying in place. "The river valley should prove an adequate approach but we may need to find a suitable up to the highlands... depending on what we find beyond."

"Great place for a little cabin."

"Well we have a place to settle now when all this is over," Mika quips. She then flies up the valley, deciding to take the left flank relative to the winding river in the valley center. She keeps a comfortable altitude of approximately 1000ft above the valley floor, and scans the mountainous walls to her left and the forest below. In addition to the usual threats the elf sorceress looks diligently for an easy path for land units to traverse.

Sophes grins at the comment and changes course to match Mika. He pulls into a position over the center of the river in relation to Mika and Vrryl ensuring he is checking behind them from time to time to avoid nasty surprises.

The 50 kilometer wide valley is huge.  While flying through, various animals can be seen, both on the ground moving amongst the scrub and trees, and in the air with flying animals visible both near and afar, with many flying around the tops of the ridgelines.

"Beautiful vistas, game as far as the eye can see, and the imagined cabin in the woods... I'm feeling nostalgic for a life I've never even lived." quips the dragon.

As the group passes through the valley from overhead, they don't see noticeable sign of settlement or humanoids.  From their height, large wildlife, both mundane and some strange appear to be present within the valley.  Hawks and eagles fly through the air soaring and looking for a meal with many flying amongst the mountains and peaks.

After passing 100km north in the valley center, the valley turns to the northeast abruptly.  Mountain highlands lie to the north and the valley continues as a much narrower form cutting through the mountains to the northeast.

Vrryl presses along to the northeast, careful to keep up his eye for danger and opportunities for banter.

Sophes follows suit and veers to the northeast. He activates his supernatural vision tattoo to more closely monitor the more monstrous of beasts noticed below.