C L O S E D | Far Away, I Heard Him Say

[steadypulse]

Who: Soldier: 76 + those he reached out to(y'all know who you are)
Which: Closed Log
Where: Wildlands, eventually the Outer Range mountains and cliffs
What: Following the lead from what clues Eustace and Tifa found, in hopes it's enough. 76, along with the people he personally contacted, travel out through the Wildlands and towards the Outer Range's mountains and cliffs in search of a cave that may hold more Glowing Dawn flowers.
Warnings: Violence due to aggressive wildlife encounters, anything else will be added as it comes up

One early morning there is a private journal message that goes out to a selection of chosen people.

Sender: 76

I'm reaching out to you because I trust you can keep a secret- some of you already are. This is concerning the Glowing Dawn flowers, and where they originated from. Pack some gear if you're willing to go on this trip with me out to the Outer Range, we might be gone for a few days. Bring along someone you trust to keep a secret if you feel you need to. Tell anyone else it's just a scavenging trip or something.

I'll be bringing a wagon along with us, and a couple of animals, to safely stow and carry extra gear we might need. Some nonperishable food items as well. Still want you to bring your own gear if you've got it, just to be safe.

Meet me out in the farmlands, where the pumpkin patch was, tomorrow morning and we'll leave once everyone is there.

There is a list of suggested gear for those who may need that bit of help, along with directions for those who hadn't gotten a chance to visit the pumpkin patch before now.

Gathering

Just as 76 said, he was waiting just beside a wagon with a large beast hitched up to pull. Laying around and one even on the Yetox's back were wooly looking large cats, ears alert despite otherwise relaxed poses; these were the Alpanthra, guard animals for the Yetox and even what some sheep farmers used to keep flocks safe. Apparently the dwarven farmer he was borrowing the wagon and animal from felt it was best a few went along with them.

"Take a moment to get acquainted with each other," 76 was making last minute checks to the packed gear in the back of the wagon, checking it was all secure as he spoke. "Never know who you might need to back up whenever we encounter some trouble out there," Not even an if, but a when. "Will be sharing meals with, and resting near each other, too-

"Buddy up if you feel safer that way."

All the better to keep watch out for one another.

Once things settled and everyone was there? 76 gave a more detailed explanation to just what they were looking for, why they were going out so far just to look for a specific cave. He knew more existed, just not where; thanks to Tifa and Eustace there was more to go on, an actual direction and area to look in. The flowers were important, and if they could bring some back and get them growing- all the better for dealing with nightmare energy and Noctaere corruption.

Off they would go, Yetox pulled wagon and all, after things were clear and those willing to go were ready.

Through the Wildlands We Go

Part of the trip may seem uneventful- reason why gathering some berries and vegetation is encouraged. Even a few rabbits and other animals hurrying about in this weather could be caught. All the better for fresh meat once they stopped to rest and eat a little, right? Right.

I. Wild Encounters

The always looming danger was walking too close to a few suspiciously gathered Willow trees, Wild Willows were sneaky but opportunistic if anything passed through the hanging vines of the "tree" that made up there entire heads. Bodies hidden below the soil, yet ready to move if anything struggled and freed themselves once caught. Fire worked well against them.

Strange beasts lurk near and within smaller lakes and even rivers passed by. Perhaps trying to collect fresh water to re-fill a water-skin/canteen isn't as safe as one may expect.

In thick wooded areas, something large manages to blend in a little too well; moose are a danger to encounter if provoked, but also make a good meal should anyone be daring enough to take down an encountered bull moose. Be wary, they can easily break bones when angered.

Other animals, such as wolves and bears, amongst other things are also around and possible to encounter- either from afar or far too close up that action might need to be taken. Some things creeping just within the corner of vision may be best avoided all together as well.

II. Rest Stops

It's a lot of walking being done, and even with some room on the wagon for a few to sit on when a moment was needed, still was a necessity to pull to a full stop. Sit down, take a breather, and maybe eat a little bit to regain some energy. There is jerky and fruit leather to be passed out for those who may have snacked too hard on-the-go or managed to lose what was had somehow. Even some home-made trail mix courtesy of 76 sweetened with honey to help perk some folks up.

If anyone was injured, this would be the best time to take a better look and see what was needed.

Or anything else needed to be taken care of while the group is at a stop.

III. Camp Made

Before the sun completely sets it's time to pull things to a full stop and set up camp. Some extra tents are provided for those who want them, and a few extra sleeping rolls with that. A large fire made in the center of it all, and the wagon pulled in close and breaks set so the Yetox could be allowed some bit of freedom unhooked from it. This is where the Alpanthras spread out a bit as well, sitting to help keep watch with whoever has volunteered. A few insects could be heard, some nocturnal creatures waking up.

A large dinner provided, boar and venison stew cooked over open flame and bowls passed around. Even for those who don't eat meat there is a hardy vegetable stew made with mushrooms and potatoes, amongst other things to help flavor and pack it full of what was needed after so much walking and activity. It's encouraged for some to cook what they may have caught as well, if they want something other than stew and toasted up sourdough bread.

Get some rest. Keep watch for an hour or so, the alpanthras -and perhaps someone else- will keep you company as the fire is kept going.

Outer Range

It was time to eat something good for breakfast, bacon and eggs almost a staple for those who got what 76 was passing out; fried up breakfast potatoes, too. Would also be time to start packing up once food had settled- and making sure the fire was completely put out and even buried to keep anything from catching again. Stretch and wake up, because it was time to set back out towards their goal. The mountains were easiest to spot, and the cliffs would be as well soon enough.

I. Not Alone Out Here

It was best to keep mindful this is where a few Noctaere could roam; best to be prepared for them if it came to a fight to chase them off. Snoyotes skulk about looking for easy pickings, as do some other creatures that were as large as full grown bears; skin like thick armor made to absorb hits. Sometimes you need to know when it's best to distract and run.

Teeth and claws could be of some use to both potion makers and black smiths in town- risk it for a little extra?

II. What's This?

Something is spotted, small and dark but with something brightly glowing- odd little iron appearing owls hopped about, every jump causing the top of them to part from lower and expose something glowing brightly growing within that almost looked like flowers. Odd little markings glowed in patterns, as if engraved in them while being carved.

A group of them seem interested in getting everyone to follow. Perhaps their pathing is a little strange in little hops, but they are quite friendly- but vanish if anyone does dare try to attack or harm one in any way.

Lunarbore Cave

The odd little iron owls eventually lead into a cave that was hidden in a mountain- mostly barren other than stalagmites and stalactites. They lit the way as they hopped in further and deeper, going down steep inclines without much trouble- until they simply vanished through the floor. So too did 76, and seconds after he yelled for others to come through; it was an illusion hiding the mossy entrance that led further underground.

I. What Sights

Once they were finally out of that long downward tunnel lit only by odd glowing mushrooms and crystals?

What a sight to see, difficult to tell one was underground, like stepping into a whole new world. The cavern's ceiling was so high it was unseen, but there was glittering like stars in the night sky and a constant phenomenon coloring it in colorful lights. Shifting colors distracting from how impossibly far away the ceiling seemed and instead a 'sky' was there.

Further within the forest seemed thick, glowing from various flowers and fungi formations attached to trees and even stone. there was even a large lake that glowed from within. Fish and other creatures swam it, a few larger beasts lounged calmly on the lake's shore, or drinking from it. It was clear that all of the animals within this space were placid, non-threatening unless provoked- and even then were more likely to simply disperse given the choice than attack.(animals e.g.; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.)

Floating along part of the lake's surface were lotus-like flowers, and a few of them glowed brightly, letting loose a drifting pollen that flowed over them. From glowing flower to glowing flower. It caused the multi-colored but 'normal' appearing ones to bloom, or so it seemed.

II. Deeper, Yet Deeper

The further one went, the colder it would grow- and snow would begin to fall, showing that within this cavern it was large enough to have a place that felt and appeared to look like it was eternally winter. The snow piled high, and various tracks of animals and something more could be seen- and a howl could be heard in the distance. This was where the flower wolves had come from- and more of them, running in packs through the snow and trees and towards the less snow filled areas of the cavern could be seen.(animals e.g.; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, spider, 7)

Here, too, did certain plants glow despite the freezing cold- a few in particular seemed to glow brightly against the snow; petals frozen and yet were not fragile, as if made of ice and plant both somehow. (Frozen Dawn flowers; 1, 2)

Perhaps they were important.

III. Gather Around

Near the bottom of the tunnel, still within the cave, a smaller camp was set up once again; the fire was well protected to made damned sure it wouldn't spread, and made just big enough the group could sit around it comfortably. A few tents set up and so on. An easy sort of base camp for everyone to gather around and group back together before and even after some exploring was done.

What better way to share what you and a buddy may have found?

There was also the smell of food, easy to lure exploring group members back- and perhaps attract a few peaceful critters to do a little exploring of their own.

A few distant figures could be seen, far enough away they just looked like strange shadows, and simply were observing those who had found themselves in this large cavernous space. Hard to make out, and would turn to leave if any tried to approach.

Best to leave them be.