"If we push our speed to over 100Kph, we should be able to cover a great distance in a day, and and that speed hopefully avoid getting engaged in any unseemly combat. Mayhap if we can detect a leyline or similar magical confluence it will not only lead us in the right direction but further conserve our energies. Given our quarry it would not do to be caught wanting for vigor," Mika adds. "Furthermore, lakes will be visible from quite a distance if we can fly at altitude, which should assist in focusing our search.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:17, Tue 26 July 2022.

Sophe nods while sipping tea. "As we know should we run into trouble our toughened bodies will keep us alive even from a fall of great height. High altitude recce is a good idea."

Vrryl snickers - Sophes is all familiar with falling from great heights.

"We're looking for geography similar to picture, so we're agreed that we can take the very high ground. We can spread out, myself and Sophes takes the wings, Mika can take centre and navigation... say, one kilometer range?"

"And if we can find a ley line to follow, that would be beneficial, but let's not deviate too much, as it may throw off our search pattern over the coming days."

"I detect a ley line off to the east a ways. Cannot determine which way it goes but with any luck it could cut down our travel time significantly, perhaps worth a look?" Mika puts forth and follows-up with a sip of her own tea.

Sophes nods, "A ley line would be very beneficial to us. We also have to remember it will have the same bonus for those that oppose us. We should proceed along it with some caution."

"If it is not too far out of the way, once we get to the ley line, I should be able to get a sense of where it goes what it along it to at least get a sense if it'll lead us in the right direction or not." Mika adds. "Best to be ready for the worst though... as usual."

Vrryl sips tea and nods his agreement. "Let's investigate this ley line, and decide a search pattern from what we learn. And, dark as it may be, I'd also suggest keeping the details to our plan for us alone. If there is an infiltrator among our group, I'm not keen on setting us up for our own ambush."

Sophes sets down his tea cup and stands, dusting himself off a bit. "I wholeheartedly agree. I will see to any gear I might need and will meet you both at the edge of camp."

Sophes then walks off in the direction of his tent to get his gear and meet at the designated spot.

Mika sets the kettle down beside the fire, ensures the fire is safe, and returns to her tent. She spends a few minutes preparing a light pack and her usual assortment of weapons and armor, then several more minutes on a goodbye with Daniel. Finally donning her armor, techno-wizardry gadgets, weapons and pack she emerges forth again to join her companions on the flight east to find the ley line.

The Chiang-ku watches his companions return to their tents. He finishes his tea, rinses the cup, and walks back to his own tent to prepare. Preparations are simple, and routine, and it isn't long before he's back under daylight sun at the arranged meeting point.

Mika looks over her equipment once more, ensuring her weapons and pack are firmly secured. Satisfied she nimbly weaves an intricate pattern of sigils with one hand and whispers a string of arcane syllables, after which a pair of ethereal wings spring forth from her back. "No time like the present, are we ready?"

Vrryl lifts into the air beside the demi-goddess and awaits the final companion.

Sophes activates his tattoo and lifts into the air ensuring he moves to his designated position, and gives the thumbs up.

The trio quickly climbs to their chosen altitude of about 750 feet and starts heading east northeast.  From that height they can see a large concentration of communities in their area than they've seen anywhere they have been so far in Africa.  As they travel, the land greens and the forest grows thicker, though communities are still present, perhaps due to the presence of ample waterways and greenery.

After a half hour or so, they have to climb further in elevation as they encounter foothills of a small mountain range to the east.  Approaching their target, those capable sense the ley line roughly following a the mountain range.

"We're getting close. It feels like the ley line runs along the mountain range." Mika shouts over the rush of wind hurtling by. "Shall we drop to a lower altitude for a lower profile or do you want to stay higher?"

"I'd suggest we stay high... even move to two-thousand feet... to maintain speed and wider visibility."

Mika nods, "It certainly would be nice bit cooler." She leaps upwards with three strong beats of her ethereal wings, seeking to gain the altitude and vantage point Vrryl suggested.

Sophes follows suit. Letting the magic of the tattoo propel him higher.

Vrryl matches altitude and continues to scan the ground and horizon for the lake or other oddities.

As the group attains altitude high above the mountain range along the old northern Ugandan Kenyan border, they see the glow of the ley line following the range in the distance below.  From that height, Mika further senses another ley line to the east-northeast, to which direction the group sees a long mountain range through a distant mist.

"There's a second ley line. I should be able to discern their details by going down to the one below. Should only take a minute but keep an eye out, will you?" Mika communicates telepathically to Vrryl and Sophes.

"My eyes are better served within their sockets, but I shall watch for complications to our progress." the dragon quips playfully.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:24, Wed 14 Sept 2022.

Sophes grins and looks over at Mika while giving her a salute. He then flies into position to aid with watching for enemies.

As way of acknowledgement the elf dives down to the ethereal blue-white corridor below to attune her sense to the energies within.

On contact with the ley line, Mika instantly knows that it runs northwest/southeast, apparently roughly following the small range, that it extends about another 50 miles northwest and a couple hundred miles southeast.  She senses no nexuses, no open Rifts, and no natural disasters along its length.