Terre Haute expedition: Camping Day 1

[lord_wizard]

[It's been a more or less uneventful day of travel for the expedition team. Not unexpected for the first leg of such a trip, and with any luck, it will stay that way.

As the sun starts to get low in the sky, Felix signals the group with a sharp whistle to stop, shortly after he feels the change. They've entered the Dead Zone. That sudden loss of power for anyone used to that sort of thing. Not an easy thing to adjust to, at first.]

"We've crossed into the border of the Dead Zone now. We should stop here for the night. Those of you with experience, help set up camp as needed. And I recommend a few of you working out a watch schedule. You never can tell what might be out here."

SET UP | CAMPFIRE | IN THE NIGHT

Comments

[inafadingcrown]

I was with the expedition to Lente's point some time ago. It was a much shorter journey than this with far less time spent in the Dead Zone, however.

[ensorceler]

[ She edges closer. ]

Would you tell of this journey?

[inafadingcrown]

The journey itself does not make a thrilling tale and I fear it brought more questions than answers.

We traveled to the Dead Zone with little event and made our way to Lente's stronghold easily enough. Convincing her to allow us to enter was a more difficult matter and required some amount of persuasion. In the end, she allowed only the ladies to stay within the walls of the fort, though she fed us all in the morn. [After a hunt of...odd creatures, but that's neither here nor there.] She answered what questions she would and we departed.

Much is written in the journals, I believe. I may mark the pages for you as well, if you wish.

[ensorceler]

What manner of woman was this Lente? She sounds the proper sort.

[inafadingcrown]

She was hardened, for lack of a better word. It seemed to me that she had faced much in her time here and it left her harsh and unyielding. She wished to help us, I think, but she also did not wish to compromise her position.

[ensorceler]

Does she still reside there?

[inafadingcrown]

[She frowns.] It is difficult to say. We know that she intended to depart upon a journey of her own soon after our departure. None have successfully made contact with her since.

[ensorceler]

We ought to visit her again when we return. Perhaps she will answer more questions.

[inafadingcrown]

Perhaps. [She pauses, her face thoughtful.] What have you been told of the groups who dwell within the Dead Zone?

[ensorceler]

I have been told nothing, my lady, except that they have shown us little love.

[inafadingcrown]

[A frustrated sigh] Of course you have not. So few here have a proper mind for politics; they may not have thought it important.

The first you must know is that they are not one united group. The largest, and the greatest cause for concern, are those we commonly refer to as "the First Generation." The claim to have formerly been residents of the castle themselves, though they now hold hostility toward us, for reasons unknown.

Lente was formerly a leader of this group, I believe, but left them due to some dispute. They have, at best, an uneasy truce. This is why she was reluctant as she was to speak with us; to be seen aiding us is to jeopardize this truce and, I fear, to place herself in danger.

[ensorceler]

Alliances can be as dangerous as they are powerful... But I do not understand. What caused these of the first generation to leave, knowing by doing so they would never be returned to their true homes?

[inafadingcrown]

Have you not been told? [Well. She's sorry to be the one to spring this on Anne.]

None know the precise reason the castle has brought us here. Yet we have our suspicions and they are less than pleasant. Many believe we are simply a source of energy to the castle: that it feeds on our emotions- our spirits, if you wish.

Surely you can see why some would wish to be free of it, particularly if they have given up hope of ever returning to their own homes.

[ensorceler]

[ She stares for some time, fingers drumming against her arm. ]

If that is the case, how is it that everyone did not depart long ago? Perhaps it would then starve, and die, and we would return to our rightful realms.

[inafadingcrown]

Or mayhaps the magic in this land would perish with it, ensuring the permanence of our prison. Nothing is certain.

There is also the matter of resources- it would take quite some time to build a community capable of supporting and defending itself without the castle's influence. The effort has been begun, in part- there are outposts on either side of the Deadzone. But as of yet, I do not believe all could survive.

[She hesitates for a moment. This makes even her uneasy.] The castle also has some hold on us- you will no doubt soon experience it for yourself. One might say it calls us back. It would not be enough to keep me still, I think, but others, perhaps....

[ensorceler]

You are listing obstacles. But obstacles can be conquered. Has everyone given up merely because it is difficult? I cannot believe all are so weak. I cannot believe a being like you cannot resist it...

I think it is possible, and I think we ought to all attempt such an endeavor. It would be a challenge, and it might birth an astonishing revolution.

[inafadingcrown]

[She waves a dismissive hand when Anne mentions her.] I give you the most common reasons, not my own.

I do not entirely disagree with your assessment, in truth. I have long been frustrated with the complacency of many here, though perhaps I have fallen prey to it myself, to some degree. Mayhaps you will be the one to awaken us all.

[ensorceler]

[ Her lips purse, wondering if she's being mocked. This woman is so much harder to read than most. ]

Well, the people need some sort of catalyst. This expedition could be the beginning.