Eithan took a deep breath and squared his shoulders as he made his way out to the center of the village, trying not to look deeply conscious of the stares of the people throughout the villagers.

He found a likely spot near the center of the village, relatively flat, and not too many stones - and a view of the three chairs, which seemed like they might get interesting later on.

After placing his burden down and taking a moment to look around - just in case someone would correct him on setting up camp in the wrong place - Eithan got to work. He knelt down, and etched out a circle on the soil before him, using it as a reference guide to re-summon his Unseen Servant, Drogo.

He went through the motions with his wand, and checking back to his book several times, trying to ignore the sensation of other people's eyes watching his every move. Why was doing magic in public always so much more embarassing than in private?

As Drogo returned into existence, Eithan commanded him to help, and together they began to lay out a tent.

As they went, Korbin landed on one of the tent supports, looked between Eithan and the invisible patch of air currently inhabited by Drogo, back to Eithan again, and cawed inquisitively?

"Hmm?" Eithan muttered absent mindedly as he tied off a line. "What do you mean, why didn't I do that before?"

Korbin cawed again, impatiently.

"Oh, helping out with the shop myself, and not having Drogo do it for me?" he said, pulling the canvas tight as Drogo held down the other side. "Isn't it obvious?"

Unimpressed, Korbin hopped around in a circle, and playfully pecked Eithan on the wrist.

Eithan chuckled, and took a pretend play-swipe at the bird, who fluttered off and perched atop another perch on the gradually assembling tent. "Fair enough. I wanted her to like us, Korbin. She could be an excellent person to know if we ever open a shop of our own - or maybe even a patron for future expeditions. She can also do magic that makes my head spin. Drogo is a wonderful assistant," he added quickly, nodding deferentially to the empty air, "but I don't see a mage with Hexia's abilities being impressed by my magical dabbling any time soon."

The tent finally coming together, Eithan stopped to take a stretch before continuing, and Korbin cawed impatiently. "That's just it. Now she knows my skill-set, she knows that I'm the kind of person to help those who help me, and that I'm not afraid to put my own hands to work to get something done than needs doing."

Korbin titled his head on the side, unimpressed. Eithan laughed again. "We can't all have your charming personality, Korbin. Some of us have to plan a little more carefully if we're going to make an important new friend, yes?"

The two-person now ready to use, Eithan and Drogo set up the bedroll and blanket inside, and stored the pack within.

"That's our bed for the night sorted. Now, Korbin - how about we go find out about dinner?"

Korbin cawed happily. It was the best news he'd heard since lunch.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:17, Tue 08 Dec 2020.

Hexia hurried along the line of tents until she reached where Eithan was then started to speak, "I nearly forgot, just a little something for your troubles, an appreciation for the work you did if you will." She took Eithan's hand and placed a scroll in it. "Hopefully these will help you some on your travels."

You also get 50xp for helping Hexia in her shop.

Eithan accepted the scroll graciously, and absently unrolled it. "That's very kind of you, Hex-" he stopped as the details hit him.  "My word! That's exactly something I've been looking to get hold of! Thank you very much!"

Eithan scratched Korbin under the chin. "You see, Korbin, oh ye of little faith?" Korbin accepted the chin scratch, but managed to convey grudging tolerance while doing it.

Eithan returned his attention to Hexia. "I'm tied up with an expedition I need to get under way right now, but I very much look forward to working with you in the future once I've established myself a little more," he said, with a gentle bow.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:33, Tue 08 Dec 2020.

"An expedition you say? What type and where to if you don't mind me asking?" Hexia's eyes lit up at the mention of an expedition.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 07:28, Tue 08 Dec 2020.

Eithan's grinned. He knew that look.

"A ruin, actually. Something that a colleague of mine and I were studying at the Great Library in Wuaden. She came on ahead of me to scout the location. I only arrived in town yesterday, and I've been recovering in town, and getting back Korbin here." The raven croaked his assent.

"That's why I'm heading back into Smith's Gambit tomorrow, in fact. I'm a capable traveler, but I'm under few illusions about myself. I'll need some capable companions to travel with me if I'm to meet up with her in one piece."

Eithan reached up, and scratched Korbin under the chin again. "It was another reason I was glad for the opportunity to meet with you. Darla mentioned that you had an interest in such things. Magic is grand, but archaeology is my profession, and it's always good to meet a potential future patron."

"You could say I'm already a patron, just not to you as of yet. I sent a group to go explore an area where some old ruins might be located here in the Rimewood. I have suspected they were here for quite a while, but thanks to my presence being required here have never gotten to go explore them myself. I suppose it only makes sense that others would eventually follow after my work."

Eithan's gaze turns distant as a moment as he looks up and to the left, snapping his fingers softly by his right ear in an effort to remember.

"Wait... Hexia... Hexia... Hexia H? H.I.? Are you H.I.?" he asked excitedly.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:45, Wed 09 Dec 2020.

"H.I. is how I sign my research and paperwork, after all those are my initials." She smiles at you.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:04, Wed 09 Dec 2020.

"Then it was your research that put Gabriella and I on the right path. And of course it was - you're in the area, and you have an interest in local ruins. I should have connected the dots sooner."

From his perch atop the backpack, Korbin leaned down to gently peck Eithan on the head. He waved a hand up at the bird. "Yes, yes, alright. You've made your point."

Eithan turned back to Hexia. "Normally I wouldn't hesitate in asking for your blessing and to share our findings with you, we wouldn't even be here at all if not for your research.

"But I don't know what Gabriella is up to or what she's promised to anyone else. I don't make promises if I'm not sure I'm free to keep them. But if you'd be interested in giving me your approval and any advice or guidance on the area, it would be a privlege to share whatever knowledge I find with you to within the best of my ability."

Korbin gave a single reminding peck to the top of Eithan's head again. "Oh, yes, right. Was there anything about the ruins in particular you'd like me to look into should I manange to find my way there?"

"It's not a problem. I would love to get confirmation on what origins the ruins have as well as any story they tell like why they are abandoned, if they're there of course. Any information would be appreciated, anything to help fit the puzzle pieces together. I have my theories, but I need conclusive proof. The party I ready sent there already will hopefully be finding something to bring back to me. They are also supposed to be finding out what is causing there to be a different climate there as well."

"Certainly. Once I manage to get there, I'll see what I can do to get that information back to you. Of the party that left - what were their names and numbers? I'd like to be able to recognize them if and when I manage to find them."

"No problem. Wightvane, Alban, Elisar Moonraven, Malkus, Enialis Siannodel, and Izayah Hamadrell. As for numbers what do you mean?" Hexia gives you a puzzled look.

"Just curious if if they had more people with them; porters or diggers, that sort of thing, so that I'd know how big of a camp or dig site to expect. But Hamadrell, that's my colleague Gabriella's last name."

He rubbed his chin, mulling over his thoughts for a moment. "Could they be related, I wonder? She never mentioned that she had any family to me. I'm not sure what to make of these coincidences."

"Izayah has been looking for family. Perhaps she is it. Hopefully they are able to meet and find out their connection. As for diggers or anyone else, it's just them. No crew went with them."

Eithan nodded, and - suspicions having been put to rest, he fumbled around with the map case strapped to his back, as he muttered to himself, thinking out loud.

"Excellent, so that's a party of six, one of whom may be family to Gabriella, no subordinates. Scouting party then, not a full excavation. If I can catch them up there may still be something left to investigate, or at least make sure Gabriella is okay."

Having the map free, he returned his attention back to Hexia. "One last thing then: Tell me... Sorry, one moment," he said, arranging the map, in his hands. "Yes, is this the area you sent them to? Were Gabriella and I at all close?"

Hexia looked at the map where Eithan pointed then she nodded yes. "To the center of the Rimewood is where I sent them. You both were spot on following my research. Well done. The party I sent was also suppose to find out why, at the center of the Rimewood, was the land there untouched by the snow. From what I've been told it's just a big area with possibly some type of powerful magic shielding it from the cold."

"Untouched by the snow? Fascinating. But I wonder if it could be the other way around, and whatever power is keeping Rimewood in eternal frost is the one that is a barrier to something in the ruin?"

Korbin nipped the wizard on the ear, and Eithan shook his head clear.

"Exactly right, Korbin. We need data before we start speculating wildly."

He turned his attention back to Hexia once more, carefully rolling the map and returning it to its case without looking, with an ease born of countless of hours handling maps and scolls.

"Thank you so very much for your insight, Hexia - and for blazing a trail on the research. I very much hope I manage to find my way to this ruin and uncover something interesting for you there sometime soon."

"Sounds lovely and best of luck to you. I wish you safe travels and I hope you find what you're looking for." Hexia then turns to return to her tent for the remainder of of the evening until dinner.

Eithan went on about his business making sure his camp was set and as he did he was eventually approached by the chief of the village and his son. They introduced themselves as Chief Armand Amzi and Andre Amzi. They told him a little bit about the village and answered any questions he may have had. All the while during the talking food was being brought out and set on the wooden tables next to the thrones. When it came time to feast Eithan was offered to take the first bit of food for himself. As he approached the table a well cooked bore came into view as the main course followed by some root vegetables native to the Rimewood with berries as well. That night after all was settled, Eithan would go to bed and sleep comfortably, at least as comfortably as you can in a tent. When he awoke he found himself fully rested and ready for the day ahead. Drogo helped him gather his camp together as expected and then they were off ready to be on their way. He said his goodbyes to the chief & son, then went on to say his goodbyes to Hexia as he once again saw the magnificent portal open in the same spot as he had originally arrived in. With a deep breath, Eithan entered the portal and not a moment later found himself back in Smith's Gambit.

Chelsie leaves Hexia's shop and takes a stroll into the village, visibly unsure of where to go. She peers around at the tents, realizing that she didn't quite realize where she was headed when she went through that portal.

OOC: I'm perfectly happy to skip forward, spend the night here, go through the portal, and get back to Smith's Gambit, if that's fine. I had no further goal with the town, just checking out what I've come across.

No problem. Sorry it's taken us so long to post anything more. Let's just say that you were able to meet the Chief and his son. You were able to stay the night, enjoy the food of the Fierce Hearts (Roast Boar stuffed with roots), and wake up refreshed in the morning. You return to Hexia's Shop where you can post that you are entering her tent and going back thru the portal.

Having previously met the chief of this village, Chelsie decides to take point in leading her companions to their quest giver. When they find their way to him, she speaks up.

"Good morning. We're here to help you find out what's happened to your missing scouts. I'm not sure that you've had the chance to meet any of these fine folk—that's Carmen, Victor, Wendel, and Nutcracker."

The sight leaving the shop was not what he had expected, but Nutcracker liked the appearance of the tents making up the settlement as opposed to the hard, static buildings in the town. But a part of him figured this wouldn't last. This likely wasn't a nomadic group.

However, Chelsie seemed to be familiar with this place, so he decided it would be best to let her take the lead and stay quiet. He was good at that.

Aside from the occasional buzz from his new friends.

Having followed Chelsie's directions as she seems to know where to go, Victor gives the Chief a short but respectful bow, "I understand that time might be short, please tell us what we need to know so that we can aid you."