The following morning Wightvane waited by the portal. He had spent the night before with the tribe and Hexia gathering any information he could about the journey ahead. He found that the tribe's people hadn't dared go near it for fear of it being a holy place, but no one could be sure. Nonetheless, whether holy or not, they figured it was best to stay clear of it. Hexia said it was just superstition and that the people were better off leaving the exploring to real adventurers. The rest of the group, the night before, went off to take care of what they needed to before the journey ahead. By morning time they were ready and each made their way through the portal to Hexia's tent.

Elisar stepped through the portal and greeted Wightvane warmly. As the others appeared he greeted them all as well, and introduced Malkus as the newest recruit to their merry little band. He adjusted his pack, with no indication of the large load it now carried thanks to his new magic toy.

When they were all assembled he said, “Well, let us find Hexia and then prepare for the off.”

Enialis finishes packing whatever luggage he has for this trip. When he meets Malkus, he gives him a nod and says,"Good to have you working with me again, I confident to know that with your skills, this job will be a breeze."

Wightvane greeted all who came, and introduced himself to the two new additions to the team. As they prepared to get started, he refreshed his protective magic spells, sending a silvery-golden light flashing across his body before being absorbed into it.
08:28, Today: Wightvane rolled 6 using 1d4+4.  Fiendish Vigor.

He spoke a bit more, then, with the new melee combatant in the group, "Malkus, what kind tactics do you prefer to use in your fighting style?"

Malkus joins the others at the portal, returning Enialis' greeting.

"Well met as well, friend. This is a welcome surprise."

He turns to the towering dragonborn, calmly considering his question.

"It is nice to make your acquaintance, Wightvane. Thus far, I have had the most success with direct assault. If space permits, I may try to impale my foes first, but my sword seems so much more efficient. Also, Helm has blessed me with His divine mending. If you find yourself low on the necessary bodily fluids, I can saturate you with His radiance."

Enialis looks at the conversation with interest,"Oh, so we're talking about tactics now, well it might be for the better to tell you what I'm mostly skilled at, spellwise. I'm mostly an enchanter, able to manipulate a persons mind but I have some basic attack and defense spells. Which reminds me to do so." he says, and cast a spell that creates an ethereal armor around the wizard,"Oh, and if we ever need a bird's eye view, then you can count on Fion to find something shiny." he says,refering to the hawk on his shoulder.

I'm basically a lvl 3 wizard with charms and the most basic of spells. Nothing really interesting in terms of class features here.

Elisar grinned and tapped the rapier at his side. “If needed I stick’em with the pointy end! Otherwise I’ll stand on the sidelines and shout encouragement.” Though he was chuckling as he spoke, it wasn’t quite certain how serious he was being.

After receiving more than one stern look from the group he clarified. “Don’t worry my friends, I can handle myself in a scrap. And I know a few tricks to help a fight go our way. I have other talents too, should the need arise.”

He looked around. “Now, once Izayah gets here we can be off.”

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Izayah walked up to the group. "My 'pologies on bein' late. I got...a lil' held up." He took in a deep breath to cleanse himself.

He nodded to the two he knew. "Mornin', Wightvane, Elisar." He looked at rest of the group.  "I'm Izayah Hamadrell t'the couple people I don't know already. Please t'meetcha."

"It's likewise nice to meet you. My name's Malkus."

Malkus gives a polite nod to the newcomer.

As the group stands around talking Hexia approaches. "Ah good you all are here and a new face nice to meet you, I'm Hexia. Now you have all of your things and you know what to do?" She waits for an answer.

Elisar greeted Izayah and nodded to Hexia. “I think I have all I need for our little adventure. If you could point us in the right direction then I think we can be on our way.”

Enialis pulls out a notebook,"I'll do my best keeping notes of the subject and cataloging any artifacts we find." he says, confident in his studiousness.

Wightvane nodded his agreement, "Preparations have been made. Tactics have been discussed. We lack only the specific location, now."

Izayah seemed a little distracted. The news last night had shook his a bit. He'd been chasing a rumor, but to find out the rumor was true and have a name to go with it? Well...a nickname. A criminal name? He shook his head.

But Hexia was talking. He gave a nod. "I'm ready."

Malkus stands ready with the others.

"I'm as ready as the rest of you. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single bite."

The small gnome eventually makes his way outside of Hexia's store and finds a group of adventurers waiting for her.  "Hello everyone.  My name is Alban.  Is this where the briefing is happening? I think I'm suppose to attend, but I'm not sure."

"Ah you made it. Good to see you." Hexia greeted Alban, then continued speaking, "Three days north of here, at the center of the Rimewood is where you'll be headed. Make sure to take lots of notes and be safe." She filled Alban in on the rest of the information that there was a place at the center of the Rimewood that had no snow and needed investigating. She also told him of the rewards such as the 100 gold she would be paying each of them and that they would each get to keep any treasure they found so long as they allowed her to study any artifacts they found. "Now on your way to the center of the Rimewood and may you find much on your journey."

"Thank you for the information. Izayah, would you care to lead us out?"

"Also theirs some ancient ruins we should explore, it might have some artifacts and some treasure we can keep." Enialis added to explain to Alban.

Alban replies to Eniali with a smile, "I suppose we will have to see."

Elisar greeting the new face. “Good morning Alban, I am Elisar, called the Moonraven. A simple singer of songs and teller of tales. I look forward to travelling with you.”

When they were ready for the off he adjusted his pack and fell into stride with the others. As he walked he marvelled that’s his pack was now so light, his new toy taking most of the weight of the bulky items. As they set a good pace he sung a little tune to raise their spirits.

Moving in silent desperation, keeping an eye on the Holy Land
A hypothetical destination, say who is this walking man?
Well, the leaves have come to turning and the goose has gone to fly
And bridges are for burning so don't you let that yearning pass you by
Walking man, walking man walks

Any other man stops and talks but the walking man walks
Well the frost is on the pumpkin and the hay is in the barn
Pappy's come to rambling on stumbling around drunk down on the farm
And the walking man walks, doesn't know nothing at all
Any other man stops and talks but the walking man walks on by, walk on by

Most everybody's got seed to sow, it ain't always easy for a weed to grow, oh no
So he don't hoe the row for no one, for sure he's always missing
And something ain't never quite right, ah, but who would want to listen
To you kissing his existence good night?
Walking man walk, walk on by my door
Well, any other man stops and talks but not the walking man
He's the walking man, born to walk, walk on walking man

Well now, would he have wings to fly? Would he be free?
Golden wings against the sky, walking man, walk on by
So long, walking man

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Walking Man, by James Taylor

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