WQ - Hidden Paths

Words and fighting both seemed like quite the waste of time, in Claire's own opinion. If the tunnels were being guarded by a band of sea raiders that had decided to give up half their name and trudge all the way to an inland mountain range, then she'd just have to find another way through. And she saw that she had come across some other like-minded individuals.

Perhaps arranging such a large group for a covert mission wasn't the wisest of decisions. But if the area was, as King Astor's message said, full of Aesirs then having people around to watch your back would be helpful.

"I'm Claire," she said, giving them a polite smile. "So, anyone have any preference for which route to take? I say we should minimize our chances of running into the Aesir and stay out of the tunnels, but I don't mind going through the paths inside."

There was the option of trying to head on through some of the less-guarded tunnels. Some of the Aesir lookouts appeared to be less disciplined than the majority, and though it would be tricky to figure out how to get around all of them, it would definitely be possible. A large enough sprawl of tunnels would give them plenty of places to hide, but also more chances of running into an unexpected Aesir or two.

Alternatively, going over the mountains was also a possibility. It wasn't like they had to climb Everest, they could just stick to relatively lower elevations and pick their way across cliffs and ledges. The group of them seemed nimble enough to make sure they wouldn't go tumbling off if the wind blew too strongly. Less discreet than slipping into an unguarded tunnel, but they were also less likely to run into any Aesir. Of course, four figures moving in the distance would probably be rather blatantly visible, especially given that some of them were quite... brightly colored.

(Herself, mostly. Claire was quickly regretting making her hair white and favoring pale blues and whites for her clothes. Natural colors would be a lot more helpful, she lamented privately, eyeing Alphabet's more subdued hair color.)

The last time she was in cramped tunnels, it hadn't ended well. Claire repressed a shudder as she recalled the unfortunate end to her expedition below Castle Dormont. The unfortunate, bloody end. But, she could probably stomach it. As long as they didn't get separated, it would be all right.

@Aalam Abungu, @Alphabet Chocolate, @Gwyn ap Herne

62 + 10 = 72
STEALTH / Roll Link
72 / 660
​

 

"Hmm, so I know you from somewhere...not sure where...hmm," Alpha eyed @Gwyn ap Herne with a close eye but ended up with only blurred memories and a frustrated grumble when she failed to remember that familiar face. After a few more moments of intense staring, she sighed and gave up, throwing her hands down, as she addressed the remaining two members of their group. "So, uh, nice to meet you guys?"

Her earlier irritation was easily swept under the rug as she gave a short and informal bow. "Name's Alphabet Chocolate!" she said before looking over to @Claire Thalassa. "Haha, your name is, like, the best! Well, kinda second to me and, if you count Bartholomew something-something, then you're kinda third place. But still! Third place isn't half-bad!" Alpha commended, reaching out to give Claire a pat on the back. Unfortunately, Alpha was on the brink of being half to the girl's size and she had failed to reach. She silently cursed her tiny, grubby arms before she turned to @Aalam Abungu and back to Gwyn.

"And what're your names? Oh! Don't tell me! I kinda recognize you from somewhere," she pointed over to Gwyn. "Uh...Theodore? Pandora? Snide? Asch?" she guessed, pouting as each name just didn't click. "Oh! Don't tell me; your name is Carmen Sandiego, isn't it?!"

Alpha seemed to be excited by that moment of realization. "Okay! Now, just to remember how I recognize your face Miss Carmen Sandiego! Oh! And what about you?" she turned back to Aalam but, after a quick second, shrugged. "Well, first off! Let's get the mission started first and then you can tell me your name! I'm just itching for a good mystery and I want to guess a few times myself before you give me the answer! Just warning you though, I'm kinda like Sherlock Holmes!"

Finally, at the end of her long string of welcomes, introductions, and words, she turned back to Claire with rapt attention. "Just tell me where to go and what to do! Don't know where to go or what to do so that'll be important! Not sure about any routes, either. Anyone want a cupcake?!"

43 + 30 = 73
Stealth / (Roll) WQ 9/22
145 / 660
​

 

There was something undeniably different to mountain air. The same way the salt of the sea and misting of sea spray came together on the winds to provide a unique scent and feel to the breezes, so too did the mountains have their own. It wasn't as easily explained. It was simply an air that was lighter, that upon breathing made the lungs feel remade. Crisp, clear, clean. Perfect. The kind of peace Gwyn- the kind of peace Sabine found in the hike and the climb were very much entwined with the feeling. All terrain that offered a difficult journey could claim the rush and the burn, but only mountains feel so free. They were kings and queens, reaching high and peering down. Their gaze was neither malevolent nor benevolent. They existed in a detached sort of imperious wonder that only awe and hesitant curiosity could be attributed to when looking at the silhouettes they cut across horizons.

The fact that there was a quest involved was near nothing to her. Had it been a fun hunt? Perhaps it would have drawn her attention more, but as it were there was no horn to call the hounds. There was only the severe face of mountains that had tricked people into thinking them impassable. There was no such thing.

Gwyn met her small group, each prepared to sneak through the bones of the earth or along her rugged spine to find and fetch the lost woman, Pyrna, and her traveling companions. The ranger was aware they were after a princess, but calling her by her name seemed simpler. All the trappings of royalty and such were getting old fact, regardless of the fantastical setting of the game.

Finally she managed to collect her mind, so set on roaming the new ranges it had gone wandering, and faced the group. "Not sure how you don't remember me at least in passing. We were in the Tournament of Skulls together, you healed me in the Mycolossus fight, we've run into each other during Azog and a few other things too. You alright?" Gwyn certainly wasn't friends with @Alphabet Chocolate and they had exchanged names maybe once, but still. Maybe she had one of those weirder death afflictions... or was just stupid? A shame, but not a sin. Glancing over the others, she recognized the stark white hair of @Claire Thalassa but knew they'd never really met. Perhaps shared a battlefield or two playing the game. @Aalam Abungu was an entirely new face, however. She nodded to both in greeting. "Gwyn ap Herne. Nice meeting you both, though could a better situation. And it's up to you lot what you're most comfortable with. The quest specifically said going through the tunnels, but I rock climb back in the waking world." The ranger paused for a moment, hands on her hips, to puff up a little. "I'd be more than happy to teach. Uh, admittedly a little dangerous though. Pirates you can fight. Can't fight gravity or a cliffface."

31 + 8 = 39
Stealth / Roll
184 / 660
​

 

Blinking a few times to get rid of the spots that had plagued his eyes in the day’s sun the shear off the mountain was great, and he hadn’t guarded his eyes earlier. Checking his to make sure that he would have enough arrow for this venture their best bet was to sneak around and hope not to be seen, but as it's said the best-laid plans, so he just checked. Aesirs weren’t known for their hospitality in the best of cases, and if something made a sea raider give up the sea, then there was a great chance that they would be looking to take out that anger on anyone that was caught “trespassing” on their “property.”
He was about to suggest that they take the tunnel when the girl an Alphabet Choloate starting talking, she was polite and friendly but she just had so much to say in such a short amount of time. He was kind of amazed that she could ever hold that much oxygen in her lungs. A look of surprised astonishment was stuck on his face for a few seconds as he looked at her. By the Gods, she just listed at least ten names in five seconds how did she even get her tongue to form the letters was a mystery.

Clearing his throat lightly so that he could get his train of thought back in some order after the chaos of trying to keep up with her. To allow his tongue remember how to form words in a reasonable pace. Trying to ignore the fact that she had cupcakes. Turing his attention towards the mountain to gauge the danger that they would likely face on the cliff side, there were defiantly had fewer Aesirs, but they would be easily spotted, and that could come back to bite them in the end. That's why he would have preferred the tunnels, but it seemed that the group was swaying towards taking a chance on the mountain path. Well at least if he fell then it would be quick. “I would have to suggest the tunnels as I believe the mountain would be too exposed for our purpose. But it seems that the group has decided their cause of action. So I will put my vote in for the mountain path. Hopefully, Aesirs are terrible shots.” @Claire Thalassa

Pausing in his speech to give each of them a quick bow, with a hand across his chest, holding his bow when he reached Gwyn, “I hope we work well together, and it 's nice to meet you, the name is Aalam. I will be counting on your experience for that climb."@Gwyn ap Herne Straighten back up wanting to see what would happen from here on out since they have established a route. It was going to be interesting working with each of them for it seemed that both Alphabet and Gywn had a noticeable amount of experience behind them with Clare not far behind. After a thought, however, he turned to Alphabet “If we get her out I will take you up on that offer for a cupcake.” @Alphabet Chocolate

68 = 68
Stealth / Roll
252 / 660
​

 

Looks like they had come to a consensus about going over the mountains. It was good that @Gwyn ap Herne had experience with mountain climbing, since that skillset wasn't quite in her repertoire. Claire would happily defer to an expert for the best way to proceed forward.

So, no more reason to dally. They had a job to do, and the more time they spent talking, the less time they had to do it. Claire stepped back and let Gwyn take the lead on this journey. The archer found them a suitable path to take and after giving them any particular instructions or directions, they hit the road.

Claire took a brief moment to examine her partners. @Alphabet Chocolate was quite the energetic girl. She seemed to be the kind who spoke faster than she thought, which was one point in favor of not going through small tunnels whose walls were perfect for echoes. It was grating, but Claire would live.

Unless Alphabet's chattering drew Aesir attention, or any one of the multiple beasts that surely dwelled within the mountains. Then she would very possibly end up dead.

As for the two archers, Claire wasn't sure about them. Gwyn's expertise in mountain climbing was useful and she could definitely appreciate that. @Aalam Abungu was mostly an unknown. The two of them seemed rational and easy to work with, which was probably the best she could expect. It wasn't as if they were going to be grouped up for life.

Claire gave occasional glances back at the entrances to the caves as they progressed. From this distance she could still see individual forms moving about, but trying to discern any detail about their appearances was futile. Still, it didn't seem as if there was any abnormal activity, which most likely meant that their mountain climbing group hadn't been spotted. It was no reason to let down her guard as that could change at any moment, but it was reassuring for the time being.

51 + 10 = 61
Stealth / Roll Link
313 / 660
​

 

Alpha's eyes blanked out for a moment as she regarded Gwyn's words. Tournament of Skulls. Azog. Mycolossus. She stood still, enraptured in her memories and, for a minute, was completely dazed with unfocused eyes and an inattentive countenance. It was as if, for that moment, she had been transplanted to an alternate universe where she was revisiting moments of her past. She grasped at the straws; she knew it had happened. She remembered that she was there and that she had vague memories of it. For some reason, however, it just didn't seem real. As if it was all a figment of her imagination concocted during one awfully boring night and she got it mixed up with reality somewhere along the way.

"Cupcakes!" she grinned at Aalam, shaking her head clear of the confusing occurrence. Best not to think of something which hurts your brain an awful lot. The past didn't matter that much and her head was throbbing a bit so she'd rather not go down that train of thought (she absently plucked a petal from her rose, curious as to why its lovely stem embedded in her flesh had stung for the brief moment).

She then opted to concentrate on the duty at hand, forgetting Gwyn's presence to instead comb through every detail of the cave they had found themselves in. Stealth. That was one thing that wasn't a pain to think about.

She kept quiet.

8 + 30 = 38
Stealth / (Roll) WQ 9/22
351 / 660​

 

Gwyn glanced over the other archer as he moved to greet her in turn. The bow was a weak thing, put together with either clumsy or disinterested hands. Beginner equipment, which meant @Aalam Abungu a beginner. It would make sense, considering she didn't recognize his face. That alone was enough to imply he hadn't taken part in any of the larger events she has skimmed the crowds of. She smiled back in greeting and nodded in agreement to his words, wondering to herself just how far he would go in time. So many new archers beginning to walk to same path she had. It was odd, to think she had gone so far down that trail since she had started playing the game. Where did the time go?

While she had given an offer toward taking both paths, it seemed the others settled easily on the climb. She pointedly ignored @Alphabet Chocolate's lack of a response to her. The archer was incredibly disquieted by the look on the rogue's face. Gwyn could admit she wasn't the best with people, but it seemed like either something had to have happened or that Alpha suffered some affliction unknown to her. She couldn't judge her inept for it, but it was concerning. Maybe, if they had time, Gwyn would talk to her later about it. Though it wasn't really her business if Alpha didn't want to speak on it.

For now, they had a send to see to. She began skimming over the pathways higher up the mountain as the group grew higher and higher up the mountain sides. They had met nearer the caves mentioned in the quest, but the trail they would carve would take them beyond them. The crown of peaks watching over them were already like good friends to the ranger. Their eyes were the slitted bands of color in cliffs, the divots of potential holds, the discarded boulders larger than homes. Their hands were mountain streams, waves of snow, the slick of mudslides, and the beating fists of rockfalls. Their heart was the burning core of a planet itself. How could anyone not look upon such a landscape and do anything but marvel at it?

Gwyn set herself to the task at hand and called out quiet advice on where to place their feet or how to shift their center of gravity as they hiked to keep from burning themselves out before they even faced a true send. The rugged terrain gave them no gentle slopes, but they weren't to the point of scaling the near-impassable faces of cliffs. They wouldn't quite get to it either, she thought, as she caught sight of another few cave mouths nearby. One sported a lookout. It seemed that despite their spread thin numbers and the unlikeliness of anyone trying to climb that mountain that the Aesirs had gone the extra mile anyway. It didn't help she'd placed a foot wrong in the startle and felt the clatter and shift of stone. They hadn't heard or realized, it looked like, but caution still won out. She hissed a low noise of warning to the party and cut them off the trail she had mentally pathed to get them out of view.

"Fuck. Well, none of us have metal armor. Only your polearm, @Claire Thalassa, has metal to the weapon without a sheath. Even without those present to catch light though, I'm not sure we can make it by them. Moderate cloudcover isn't enough if they're keeping an eye on any decent route." Her voice was kept low and sure, not panicked but certainly not pleased. "Up to you all if you want to push on, but at this point I think we should follow the quest's suggestion itself. There's another tunnel across the gap ahead we can duck down into and follow. Hopefully it isn't very well guarded." Gwyn paused for a moment, the serious expression sliding into a far more pleased one, "And if any of you still want to learn later? Haha, I can always find a good route. The Gunks are in this world too. They'll treat us right."

3 + 8 = 11
Stealth / Roll
362 / 660​

 

It seemed that their choose path was a bit more tedious then Aalam had intentional realized mountain climbing had a degree of hardship that he wasn’t familiar even with Gywn ap Herne instruction it was still difficult. She seemed to be at home on the mountain making her way with precision and grace as she ascended. The ease at which she was able to find a handhold and pull herself along it was like she could talk to the mountain itself for a conversation and as thank the mountain showed her the way of least resistance. Find a place to put each foot and avoiding faulty ledges and the snow wasn’t helping. It was a bit of slow going for him making him trail behind the group by a half step, dig his best to keep his movements as silent as possible given his situation. The higher the elevation, the harder it was to catch his breath, he knew it was only a game, but he could still feel the tightening in his chest that came with a lack of oxygen. It didn’t seem that the others had any problem with the climb; it seemed to just come naturally to him well experience makes all the difference it seemed. He still had a way to go to be competent.

Throwing his longbow across his chest the climb as difficult enough without trying to do it was a longbow in his hand. He had even heard when Alphabet footfall even once during the entire ascension she seemed to be as silent as the snowfall. Also, was as talented in scaling a cliff side as Gywn it was a terrible thought, but at least Clare appeared to be having a more difficult time, even if it was only slightly. The climb, however, seemed to have come to a standstill however the Aesirs appears to be extremely well organized for desperate sea raiders. If Gywn was right even sparing a few me even to post a lookout to overlook the cliff side just in case someone had attempted to scale it, that foresight was both annoying and scary for it meant the getting to the princess would be just that much harder.

There was no way he could make that shot from here even in the best of conditions he just wasn’t that good, and if he missed that stray arrow could being the entire force down on their heads. “Damn well if the mountains are closed off then we must take the caves. Hopefully, we have coved some distance and are possibly nearing the halfway mark.” Making sure to keep his voice low enough not to alert any of the Aesirs. "I will take you up on that offer at a later date, however."

89 + 11 = 100
Stealth / Roll
461 / 660
​

 

Huh. Claire had assumed that @Alphabet Chocolate was the kind of person who just couldn't stop talking. She'd come across her fair share of those people. But the girl was quite good at navigating silently. That was a welcome surprise.

What was not, was listening to @Gwyn ap Herne's explanation of the situation. Claire frowned. "I see," she said. "Then, we have no choice but to enter the tunnels." What could the Aesir possibly be doing here that was so important that they had lookouts for even the wildest possibilities? At Gwyn's offer to teach them how to climb mountains again, Claire shrugged. "Sure. Another time." It probably wasn't an offer she was going to take the archer up on, though.

She pushed thoughts of her prior death out of her mind. She nodded at @Aalam Abungu's words and wiped some sweat from her brow; it certainly felt like they had made decent progress through the mountains.

Well, now to find somewhere to slip in. Little Aesir figures moved to and fro, covering most of the entrances into the tunnel system quite well. However, there was a side that seemed less guarded than the rest.

"There," she said lowly, gesturing at a cavern that seemed like a good enough entrance. "Let's make our way in through that area."

Before continuing to move out, she had one last thing to do. Gwyn's comment about the metal in her staff possibly catching the light made her wrap up the metal ends of her staff with her scarf. Without it, the winds at this high an altitude stung at her face, but she'd take the cold over the chance that the Aesir would be alerted to their presence.

87 + 10 = 97
Stealth / Roll Link
559 / 660
​

 

The agreements to take up her lessons were a moderate surprise, she hadn't honestly expected them to do anything but either shrug it off or admit how much hiking and climbing sucked if didn't already enjoy that kind of activity. Admittedly she also wasn't the best teacher. Apparently she got a little too gung-ho and assumed she and others could take on holds and routes they weren't necessarily ready for. One of her good hiking buddies back in Arizona had also brought up her being a little callous in picking out mistakes and correcting them. He didn't appreciate the honest approach, she had guessed after the third, "Shit, Say. Chill." Either way she didn't figure it mattered too much. The likelihood of them crossing paths outside of events that demanded more attention than could be spared for talks about cinches, anchors, hangs, and the like? Low. Very low.

"We've made a good hike up so any tunnels we enter should be short and sweet to the other side. Less activity this high up. Best guess? That lookout tower is just a redundancy. No need to leave a gap in their guard if they can throw a few in an outlook post and call it a done deal. Hopefully we'll be good to go." The archer watched @Claire Thalassa pause to wrap her weapon as they all spoke lowly for the moment. The woman had a fair bit of trust or another method to fight up her sleeve if she was so quick to bind the cutting edge of her equipment. That she could definitely appreciate and noted to herself to use her more forceful shots to push away any opponents should things go south to ensure their party member had enough time to ready herself. She didn't seem the type to need the breathing space though, as whip thin as she was.

Gwyn checked over her own armor to ensure there were no buckles that weren't tucked over with leather or cloth, or lone metal fastenings. The few on her boots she dirtied with what soil wasn't rock beneath them. All in all they seemed ready to go and so she moved. Keeping low and quiet, the ranger made her way to the mouth of the nearby cavern on swift feet. Perhaps she would need to take into consideration light armor boots for more stealth after this? Surely it would help in the hunt, but it was rare for Gwyn to take the silent approach regardless of her skills. She enjoyed a fight and picking off something from the shadows didn't quite count as that in her book.

Once they were all within the darkened opening of the mountain's side, she gave the lead over to others. An archer on the front line in an enclosed space wasn't the best of ideas. If they did run into trouble, melee was not her area of expertise.

69 + 8 = 77
Stealth / Roll
636 / 660​

 

Well, it was time to get to it they the mountain path had become too dangerous to continue so they were taking the tunnel, tin was going to be difficult making his way down there without anyone noting his approach. However difficult was never impossible readjusting his longbow to give himself the best possible freedom in the situation. His outfit wasn’t the best to hide his movements, but at least there was nothing on him that would reflect the light or help to give their position away.

However, he was the least capable of his party, and if anything were to go wrong, it was more than likely to be on his head too so as far as he could figure it made sense for him to go last. At least then if he was caught, then he could lead anyone away from the others. Muttering a quick prayer to whatever of the Gods were listening to his request and started to make his way down the mountainside towards the cave. He would have to take up Gywn’s offer as soon as she was willing as this little excursion was proving that it even a bit of mountain climbing knowledge could be helpful at least he had lost his footing so far and fell to what might be his possible death. It was slow going, in the beginning, inching his way down the mountainside watching his foot placement and trying to make sure he didn’t lose his grip.

There was a few time that he lost his footing on the climb and was about to either fall to his end, or he would give away the position of the group to one of the lookouts. But he was able to make it down the mountainside it seemed that for all his lack of skill luck was on their side for he made it down into the cave without incident. Letting out a breath of relief that all seemed to be found before mutter a second prayer to whichever god was listening. He had made it now that they weren’t on a Cliffside with the possibility of falling to one’s death he unslung his bow from his back, feeling the familiar weight in his hands. Taking a few steps to the end of the group he might not have been as good of an archer as Gywn but he could hit a target if the need arose.

52 + 11 = 63
Stealth / Roll Link
699 / 660
​

 

"So, everything's clear?" Alpha asked, hoping for a bit more clarification as to what was happening. Her quiet wanderings had brought her to drift in her thoughts and worries; images and stray thoughts floating through her mind as her body moved mechanically through the cavern. Although she had managed to make it through safely, the out-of-her-body experience had both startled and worried Alpha enough. The unknowing quality of her surroundings left her feeling vulnerable and she couldn't help but try and latch onto any word contrary to the unease she felt in the pit of her stomach.

She let out a deep breath and she closed her eyes, attempting to recall what had went on. Aalam had nearly fallen down a couple of times due to poor footwork caused by the mountainous terrain but miraculously, or due to his own merit, he had managed to pull through without garnering any unwanted attention. His presence relaxed Alpha somewhat for no apparent reason other than the complete openness that seemed to radiate off of him. She could tell with a glance that he was as sincere as possible and Alpha herself didn't need to worry about any malicious motives.

Claire was exceedingly patient and somewhat kind in her words and her flexibility showed. Her personality greatly reminded her of Roland or Aaron or maybe even Vermilion herself. She squashed down that treacherous, blasphemous thought and resolved not to think more of Claire than she had to. Best not to align herself with anyone who resembled Vermilion too closely. Loyalties were easily swayed, as her best friend had taught her, and she knew she was bound to get close to a person of Claire's demure.

Finally, Gwyn was quiet and swift, with the perfect mix of agility and stealth in every graceful, meaningful step. Alpha paid a bit of extra attention to the woman. There was something about her that put Alpha on edge. It was as if the woman posed a threat with her level of skill and Alpha's hairs stood on end with her hackles raised. The woman had a pair of keen eyes. That was something Alpha didn't like. Maybe she'd gouge them out later and invite her to a game of hide and seek.

She giggled and turned to Gwyn, anxiety forgotten as she beckoned the woman closer before hopping over, jumping a few times to reach Gwyn's shoulder, and whispered into her ear. Unfortunately, whispering and jumping at the same time wasn't a good idea and, despite her previous adequacy regarding stealthy measures, she failed to keep a quiet and level tone of voice. "We gotta play a game someday Mrs. Carmen Sandiego!" she winked and, as the words echoed through the cavern, took a confident glance at the rest of the motley crew. "So! Are we done yet? Are we?" she pestered both Claire and Aalam, alternating between them as she latched onto their arms with a vice grip. "Are we done yet?!"

2 + 30 = 32
Stealth / (Roll) WQ 9/22
731 / 660​