Even though Oda is not an Elf herself, she is well known by the Mountain Elves here.  Not only was she raised among Mountain Elves, but she's a cleric and she's very, very different.  She stands out from Elves like a cactus would stand out in a tulip garden.  Most of them can identify her easily.

It doesn't work in reverse.  There are many tulips.  One cactus.

Her appearance here makes Jiri and Earamin quite happy.  Being a cleric, even though not an Elf, Oda lends a certain air of respectability to the venture.

Lysarra is less expected... but welcome.

"DeSantos family?" she asks, trying to see where the name fit in with her own memories.

"Of the Crocodile River Campaign," Earamin says, displaying his knowledge of Mountain Elf history.  "They are associated with the Honoan Humans, traders and builders of colonies, I believe.  Not Honoan but had a hand in establishing the Honoan settlements on the mainland, and supported the Crocodile River Campaign."

A counter offensive, 18 years ago, hitting a Hobgoblin army in its flanks even as it pressed eastward against the last strongholds of the Mountain Elves.  The Honoans, along with some allies, moved up along the Crocodile River, ferrying troops and supplies with their war canoes, which could handle the river better than large seagoing vessels.

Ultimately, unfortunately, unsuccessful, though it left the Honoans with a fortress on the Crocodile river, Maho'o, a port at the river's mouth, Matapua, and a growing number of settlements.

"We're going to return to the Mountain Elf Kingdom," Jiri says.  She is young, and doesn't look like any sort of warrior... or magic user... but she looks entirely serious.  "They've been saying we shouldn't for years, and they can never give me a straight answer when I ask them why.  So I have been asking why not, and now we have the services a ship, whose master is a Human geographer.  Well, this will give him a book that will make him famous for many years."

Oda smiled at Jiri's proclamation. ""We're going to return to the Mountain Elf Kingdom."

Oda didn't expect the words to cause goose flesh to roll over her arms and the back of her neck as a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Hello those who do not know me. My name is Oda. We, all here are aware, that there is bound to be considerable danger. Any force great enough to force out elves of that era, would be considerable." Oda said her elven (even though it was her "mother's tongue") was rough and oddly pronounced due to the fangs which jutted from the bottom of her lips.

"I will use my powers to suffuse you with divine vitality, but I am only a novice." Oda said
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 07:10, Fri 01 Jan 2021.

It was almost like Varis could see Jiri's words written on the air in fire. The emotion overwhelming for a moment.

Working to regain his composior Varis spoke up. "To return...a long time dream. This is an opportunity to sieze! The chance to see and know for ourselves what happened and how, any risk is worth it. While I don't have the divine answering my call, what small magics and knowledge I possess are sure to help. I wil not pass up this chance."

As he speaks the emotion returns and by the end, Varis is almost vibrating.

Lyssara raised her chin, her appraisal of the people before her greatly improved.

"Indeed," she said, lapsing into common, "It was shortly before this Crocodile River campaign that I had been born, and upon father's return I was brought over to learn my duties to the family."

She glanced to either side, noting the eager reactions of the snow-haired elf and the tempered caution of the half-orc with curiosity gleaming in her eye.  Shifting her feet closer together, Lyssara crossed her arms under her chest and gave one last glance over Earamin and Jiri...

"...My father told me that he was called a fool by many, for plunging his fortunes into supporting the Elves with ships and supplies, but now he claims one of the largest holdings and manages trade up and down the river.  No one thinks him a fool, now.

One of the lessons he taught me is that the one who sees farthest into the dark is the man holding the torch; all others merely bask in their light, or are left staring at the torch-bearer's back.  I must confess that this meager five people... six, if we include this geographer you mention... hardly seems enough.  I should hope to have crew and supplies for a proper trek through the unknown, but I would be failing my family name if I wasn't willing to aid those who have rewarded our previous efforts so richly.  What is your plan?"

Most of the characters here would know Jiri.  She's been the "activist" the longest, trying to drum up interest, being discouraged by older, wiser, more sensible Elves, and trying to find a way to do exactly this.

She's been planning this a long time.

Jiri's family, back in the days when they lived in the Mountain Elf region, were "Magemongers".  They collected and sold the many odd things magic users needed in their preparations.  They specialized in magical plants and minerals, and traveled around the countryside.  This was an art passed along through the generations of her family.  But, it was a difficult art to relocate.  They knew where and how to find things in the mountains, but the warm and humid forests surrounding Lighttree were foreign to them.*

Jiri has taken to learning the Whats and Wheres like a religion.

"There are a few more who would join us," she says.  "I am expecting Rolen.  If we are successful, if we bring back good reports, maybe this can be the start of a movement.  There are many Mountain Elves who dream of returning."

The Mountain Elves here know that is true, but to a limit:  for the most part, not if they had to fight for it.  That could be the end of them.

"Going over land is too long and too dangerous.  Two hundred miles of wilderness before we reach our land... that would take a large, well financed expedition.  But by sea, we can be dropped off at Mount Keru, and then picked up and returned.  There would be a few details..."

The immediate one would be this: go directly there, or make a stop at the volcanic island offshore, Pikua, that has a small Honoan settlement.  It also has a handful of Elves living there.  Thousands used Pikua as a first stop when they fled, but most traveled on.  Pikua was too small, and worse, too close: they feared they would be too much of a temptation to the enemy, causing them to cross the narrow straight and continue the war.

"There probably isn't much they could offer," Jiri says.  "They probably don't even want to think about it anymore.  But maybe they would know a thing or two.  Or we could go straight into the harbor at Mount Keru.  We haven't been there in seventeen years, they wouldn't be expecting that."

*Lighttree has a climate that approximates Miami. It's never cold, just "not hot" in the middle of winter.  Summers are steamy.  Further north, the Mountain Elves' Kingdom would be warmer, were it not for the altitude.  Most Mountain Elves never bothered descending into the adjacent lowlands. The jungles were nearby, but alien for them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:50, Sun 03 Jan 2021.

Listening to Jiri's words seems to calm and focus Varis, as he visibly settles down and concentrates on what she is saying.
"So the goal is a small group, moving discreetly, moving though to perform a preliminary survey on the current conditions?"
Nodding slowly, obviously considering the options as Jiri finished her description, he seemed to come to a decision.
"An interesting set of options. To stop in Pikua gives the chance to acquire more current information, find out what they may know as well as feel out the opinions of that settlement. Going directly to Mount Keru bypasses that opportunity but also bypasses entanglements with the factions in Pikua, some who might support us and some who almost certainly will not. Mount Keru is our immediate goal and is where we need to go in any respect, it seems best to avoid the distraction of Pikua."

"I have secured the services of the Irolando," Jiri explains.  "It's a small ship, but they were willing to go out of their way in... for..  well for very little."

Those that know her know that she probably means "for nothing at all".  Jiri doesn't have much money, just devotion to a cause.

"They can take us straight there, so there's no swamps or lowlands to cross."

The benefit, as the Elves know, is that the Goblins had some dreadful allies, the Bullywugs and Slugfolk that live in the wetlands near to the Mountain Elves.  Although less numerous, by most accounts these creatures were worse.

"But they are academics, not warriors.  We can't expect them to endanger themselves on our behalf.  So we should probably expect them to drop us off, and pick us up.  Maybe a few days, what do you think?  If all goes well, we can make another run, maybe with our own ship!"

Coming late to the meeting and the gathering of the others Rolen quietly enters the home of the hunter and settles against the wall and shadows; being as unobtrusive as possible. Nodding at the others he scans the room and the others; taking in their measure and gauging their words with care. Talking never was something you were good at, he thought.  That's why you let Jiri to most of the talking, but I suppose I shouldn't be rude.  "My apologies for my tardiness.  My work kept me late. You were saying?"

Listening to Jiri's words and the passion behind them Rolen had to pause for a moment; noticing a few details were missing, maybe intentionally. "So ultimately, what is the purpose of this scouting expedition and how far inland from Mount Keru harbor are you expecting to go?

Jiri looks a little sour when "purpose" is questioned.

For so long, for her, the answer has been "just to be there would be enough".

But she's learned that others don't always feel that drive, and need other things they can work with.

"I suppose, for a first trip, it is to see what's happened.  Seventeen years since the evacuation from Mount Keru, eighteen since the Crocodile River Campaign.  I want.. we should want.. to know what's left, what's there.  Did Goblin Kings just take over and put their thrones on our mountains?  Are Slug folk breeding their disgusting things in our ponds?  And what was the fate of all we left behind?  Our people and our magic?"

"I think he means in a more specific manner," Earamin the hunter says.

"Well, of course, we ought to have a specific something for this first trip," Jiri says.  "And we cannot impose on the Irolando for too long, not without some compensation for them.  Maybe just to the top of Mount Keru, that's a day... a day or so exploring and then we come back... we could tell them to meet us again in four days time?"

Lyssara looked positively excited despite her efforts to conceal it; biting at her lower lip, nodding along with each point being laid out, and clutching the leather purse in her hands closer and closer to her heart.

"I think it is a fantastic plan!  A day's journey inland, half a day's rest, a day of exploration and scouting, another half-day to recover, and then right back to the shore."

Lyssara walked up to Jiri, placing one hand on the young elf's shoulder and tucking the other inwards towards her chest over her purse.

"I can only promise my own aid in this endeavor,  but this is a good opportunity.   If we have something to show for this trip, even if it is just to find what we are up against, then I might be able to leverage some assistance upon our return.  You can certainly count me in!"

A dark haired elf woman dressed in academician's robes, junior grade, hustled into the room, and made breathless excuses, "sorry I'm late! So sorry! So many preparations!  I  needed to get my sabbatical approval, and I needed to get supplies of course..."  She paused leaning against the door jam while she caught her breath.  "So what did I miss?"

Nodding towards Jiri with a trace of a smile on his face and hint of amusement in his eyes Rolen nods towards Jiri in agreement to what she said; taking in the excitement of the others in the room. "Sounds like the makings of a plan, Jiri."

As the late elf arrive in a huff Rolen grunts under his breathe at her question. "We are planning to mount a scouting expedition to the Mr Keru area with the intent to resettle there, one day.  The ship Irolando's captain has agreed to take a small party to that region.  My name's Rolen by the way.  And you are?""

Rolen turns back to Jiri thoughtfully. "When does the Irolando set sail for the Mt Keru harbor and will we have to take our own supplies?"

"I agree, as a preliminary plan an initial exploration of the area is sensible. While we may all desire something larger or longer term, the information we gather will allow for greater success when that time comes. If we can obtain a good map of Mt Keru harbor and the surrounding area it might help. It might even provide some ideas of things or places to check on to give us an idea that has been happening there. If we go for a short time we must make the most of that time." 
With a quack nod of acknowledgment to the newcomer he adds, "And I am Varis."

"I'm Lipika.  It's nice to meet you all," She greeted the room.  "I suppose a short initial survey makes sense, if it can lead a more in depth exploration later."

The next steps are obvious...

"We'll need a few weeks of food," Jiri says.  "They didn't say anything about feeding us... I don't think they even know how many we are.  We aren't paying for the trip, I don't think it's right to impose."

"We might be able to find some food there, the land was rich," Earamin says.  "Food was in the forests, practically for the taking."

"But we have no idea what it's like now," Jiri says.  "That's one reason we're doing this.  The Irolando... they didn't give me a schedule.  But I think we should reconvene at the ship.  We should get ready, pack our things, tools, food.  Whatever we need.  And... there are friends and family who... well they might not be pleased with the idea but I need to explain what I am doing."

Going out to do something crazy dangerous, see you in a few weeks...

Jiri's expression told the story:  this was probably going to be the hardest element for her.

"I have a map I made as well, from what people from there told me," she says.  "It's at the head of an inlet.  Like a gap in the mountains.  It should be easy to find. I hope."

Oda attempted to attend to the rules of the small social meeting and ensure each of the gathered guests where introduced to the others as then arrived to the meeting after it started. She introduced herself the same way each time, a meager cleric who would do all that she could to protect the sparks of any who helped to free 'The Mountain' As the meeting came to a close, Oda moved to Jiri's side and placed a reassuring hand her shoulder.

The half-orc didn't know what Jiri was thinking exactly but she could since the wellspring of emotions which rolled under her calm demeanor and though that her support in this tumultuous moment might mean something. "This is not your task alone, there are others who have a stake in this, and mean to see it through."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:06, Sat 09 Jan 2021.

"Well, if someone will shop for the supplies we will need for the voyage as a group and have it deliveried to the ship that seems to be the last item of business we need to discuss.  Would everyone agree?" Rolen paused to gauge everyone's reaction.

He continues,"We should meet up again at the Irolando at the next high tide and be on our way to Mt Keru. No time like the present."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:49, Sat 09 Jan 2021.

Lyssara sighed wearily at the mention of "shopping" and turned slightly aside to check inside the small leather purse clutched in her hands, counting under her breath and nodding in a very distracted manner.  Despite her earlier eloquence,  she looked rather foolish going one-by-one through her coins in the tiny container, and utterly oblivious to what the repeated nodding was doing to her tight maroon dress.  After far longer than it should have taken for such a simple task, the young Tiefling looked up and snapped the brass-rimmed hinge shut.

"I have fifteen gold that I am willing to invest into whatever supplies are needed, and I believe I already have two weeks of food available for my own needs," she offered, smiling somewhat smugly.  "That just leaves... six people, is it?  I'll have the supplies brought down to the ship.

That is, unless someone would care to accompany me through the market?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:46, Sat 09 Jan 2021.

Seeing Lyssara's plight Rolen says, "Does anyone know how long the sea voyage will take to get to the Mt Keru harbor from Lighttree so we know how much supplies to take with us?"

Moving closer to Lyssara Rolen offers, "I can contribute 30gp to this venture and go with you to the market if you would like my company.  I would also hope the others in the room can pitch in some coin as well to cover the costs. If we are short financially then would your father be willing to extend us a line of credit to cover the cost?"

They can expect 3 days to Mount Keru if they travel directly.  It can be more, or less, depending on winds, but 3 is the Best Guess.

When you get to the ship, with the number of passengers, things will be a little tight, but not cramped.  No one has cabins except for the crew, and even Melligast and Nesterin have to share.

The rest have one large room below decks, or can sleep on the deck.  Since this is the tropics, it's generally not too uncomfortable to sleep on the deck... at least for those who are comfortable with the sea.

Earamin is not.  This part of the journey, actually getting there, wasn't something he had really thought about.  He says nothing, but the Elven hunter is clearly a little intimidated by the thought of being on a little sailing ship.  He is prepared, though, with his backpack filled with food, and a rolled up poncho and mat.

Jiri has a map, cobbled together from sources, ie, Elves who fled from Mount Keru 17 years ago.

The mountain itself is actually a leftover from an ancient volcanic eruption that left Mount Keru on the northwest side, the "East Wall" as a jagged ridge on the east side of the harbor, and the rocky "Black Vent Watch" on the south side.  The harbor itself is the remnant of the caldera, sunken and open to the sea.  The Black Vent Watch is still active in a minor way- there are hot gas vents that occasionally smoke.  There is a small watch tower built there, but Elves never like it.

They were never that fond of the sea level heat and humidity either.  For the Mountain Elves, the harbor was more of a necessity. With any population, there are always a few outliers, so a few did live there.  Most lived higher on the slope.  The real town of Mount Keru is on the mountain overlooking the harbor, spread out on the slopes.



Jiri's Map:
 

Lipika is blushes with embarrassment, "I'm sorry.  I didn't know we were going to pool resources for supplies, so I don't have much money left.  I will share my supplies with the group of course."

Oda smiled, "Do not be overly concerned about this, I am sure we will all over ways to contribute during this journey. Coin is only one way that a member may contribute to the group." Oda slipped Lyssara a small coin bag which contained 10 gp. "Pooling our resources should allow us to purchase a considerable about of supplies for our journey. Ah-on the subject of our journey, does anyone else have training in the healing arts?"

Lyssara smiles at the offers to help, and nods to Oda as the half-orc passed her the coin.

"I will do my best.  I have enough talent to spare the dying from death's grasp, but only a handful of times.   I can also cleanse the body of ails, but doing so would exhaust my divine gifts.

And Mister Rolen, I would love to have your company," she concluded,  turning to offer him her elbow.  "I will not be able to ask for help from my father until we have proof of something worth investment, but as long as you don't mind waiting for a lady to change into something more suitable for traveling, I can certainly show you our home."

Jiri clearly didn’t spend a lot of money getting ready for this trip: her supplies are those she could pick up on the cheap, or scavenged from home.  Many of the Mountain Elf families left the livelihoods of generations behind, and are poor here in the land of the Greenwood Elves.

Earamin, her hunter friend,  manages slightly better, but not by much.

“What we don’t have in resources… we shall make do without,” Earamin says.

“When we were in the mountains, my family collected ingredients for magic users,” Jiri says.  “Everything from feathers of exotic birds to magical plants and minerals.  It is lore we passed down through the family for many years, but useless in the forests here.  Maybe I can find some things back in the mountains, and bring everyone some wealth.”

From here, everyone regroups at the Irolando.  The little ship is in another thread:  Mount Keru.

"I am told I can be very patient when I want to be, Lyssara." He says with a smile.  Taking her offered elbow Rolen escorts Lyssara out of the building one the meeting finishes for the evening to head out on their shopping run and family residence tour.  While making conversation Rolen asks Lyssara, "Can you tell me what would be considered proof from the Mt Keru region that would satisfy your family's business interests to help further endeaverures in the future? Would a simple map of the region suffice or some more concrete samples from the area be more to his liking?"