Jan 14 07:25:06 107 PA - Madhaven

From Chronicles

You stand before the one hundred foot tall City Gatehouse with its reinforced steel gates. The city of Kingsdale is surrounded entirely by a wall and this is the sole authorized opening.. The gatehouse permits people to enter the city via the road that leads back to the rest of the world. The walls themselves are eighty-five feet tall and glisten white in the mid days sun. Parts of the walls around the gatehouse have been scorched black, perhaps from a fire or other mishaps. The gatehouse and immediate surrounding area seem majestic and regal, almost as if the chemically enhanced concrete had been molded by hand to produce the elegant curves. A patrol roams the walls around the entry way, ever vigilant in their goal to protect the city and the travelers who would enter. The road itself is exceptionally well maintained just outside the city. The flow of traffic is light as caravans and others slow down to pass through the checkpoint at the gate. A small bazaar and market has sprung up along the roads selling food and various items to tired travelers reaching the city gate and finding a line of people waiting to enter. Colorful booths and tents line the road making it a wonderful mix of colors. Off to the East is the Landing Strip, used for parking larger vehicles, robots and power armor. It also features stables for large creatures. The guards at the gate are friendly and efficient, explaining local laws and everything that one needs to know. For a modest fee, any weapon larger than a pistol must be stored at the city gates -- nothing else is allowed into the city proper. Armor is allowed, and vehicles will be too unless they are armed -- in which case they must be stored at the landing strip. To the West and North is a large amount of farmland.

Salvador, a small sentient Monkey, finally arrives. He is a big of a huff, as if he has been running late the entire day. It is of course fairly evident as he is at least a half hour later than he told everyone to assemble for this little trip. He has in tow, an individual who has a deep scowl across his face. He is dressed as in an odd cross between a well to do business man and a magician. This individual has a fairly ornate walking staff, and bristles with a feeling of unpleasant energy about him.

Salvador stops in front of the lot of you, and takes a few moments to catch his breath. "Good, good. I am so sorry I am so very very late. It took me forever to find the transportation, you know." He smiles and beams his eyes at Caliopa, "So, all ready though? I also needed to find this." He pulls out a small paper scroll case and hands it to Caliopa, "The map of course, I've put a few markings on it, ones which should show you where you need to be going. It should be no problem at all. Yes? Yes, good. Excellent." The small monkey is terribly excited as he beams his eyes across the small group of people

Caliopa reaches out to take the scroll case slowly, giving Salvador a brief, nervous smile. "I got it. No problem?" She repeats the words slowly, avoiding looking at the others. "'n' I bring this thing back, 'n' there ain't nothin' more I owe you." It isn't a question, rather a statement of fact. She is dressed in her armour, her tools and a few personal items packed into a heavy looking bag. "All ready." She confirms softly.

Vixen has been unusually quiet as she waits nearby. A spot found to lean against while she tampers with a small computer of hers, linked to it via her headjack, her helmet on the ground with one foot lightly rested upon it. she glances up a little when the monkey person comes, but she lingers in her quiet after, starting to ready herself from the relaxed state. Unhooking the cord behind her right ear, putting the device away and so forth as she listens in.

Celaeno is keeping to herself for the moment - perched atop a backpack that is in turn perched atop a hovercycle. If any attention is paid to the incoming monkey-man, it's not anything particularly obvious, seemingly paying more attention to the snow than her compatriots.

With Tirzah not around, Sage ends up staying near Caliopa. She takes the time to check over her weapons as she wears and makes sure their secured. She also reviews the paper that she'd been given about the place. When they're all together, she'll bring up the most important detail. She keeps quiet for the most part aside from small talk that may be offered. She considers the monkey and the other person that comes with it, but lets Cali handle things for the time being.

As is her fashion for high risk missions Tirzah arrives on the shoulders of a significantly larger being then herself. This time is is a fire elemental. A large intimidating embery being. One would expect it to be more aflame but apparently that can be control as it is now. Over its other should it carries Tirzah's large duffel. It shows no strain from either, nor anything else for that matter. "Hey guys." Tirzah greets from her perch in good spirits.

Alistair has packed up his gear, ready to go - swords, rifles, fireballs of doom and all that fun stuff, as well as his armor. He steps up near Caliopa, watching Salvador curiously for a few moments, curiosity about the only feeling he'll allow himself right now. He glances at the others briefly as well, greeting them, then he looks at Cali and Salvador.

"Yes, yes. We will be completely even after this." He pulls out an envelope and hands it to Caliopa , "This has a full description of the items I need you to retrieve from the city. They aren't too large, so shouldn't be too much of a problem." He scratches his head, as only a monkey can do. Then, picks at something, again only as a monkey can do. Then looks at what he has produced from his scratching and picking, and is about to eat it. Then stops, almost as if it is a dramatic act of willpower forcing himself not to complete the very simian act. "Where was I?" He continues, "Yes, it is basically a bundle of computer chips which have all of the old fashioned video games prior to the coming of the Rifts." He says with a small chuckle, "I have a collector who, well, yes. It will be well worth us being even." He looks around, "Perhaps a little kicker after a bit as well." He looks back to the person with him, "Oh yes, this is Ryan Rice. He will provide transportation. He will deposit you, fairly close to the site. But, well, perhaps not exactly on spot. But close, and transport you back. But nothing else," Salvador leans into Caliopa, "Not on his contract you see." Salvador leans back out, "This does sound like fun, which I was going now. But of course, I can't."

Caliopa takes the envelope, hesitating before she passes it to Sage. Her face is serious, and the outline of Ryan Rice's contract gains him a brief glance and a nod. "I ain't gonna take it wrongly if you go instead of us." Her tone, for once, holds a slight edge of sarcasm and the glance he gets isn't so friendly. "Reckon if we are goin' best get movin' before the snow freezes us."

Vixen is just picking up her helmet, dusting it off lightly when Trizah arrives with her friend. The young woman frowns faintly, but the expression is soon covered over as she settles on her helmet, going about the sealing of it with a methodical edge. Checking the seals before she is satisfied. "Yeah, lets do this," she says after, stepping up slowly towards where Cali stands. "Depending on the interface, I could even check them to make sure they're good."

When it becomes clear that the Monkey is the rest for this trip, Sage studies the being intently. She keeps her expression neutral, however. The description of the task reminds her of Tirzah and with the arrival of the other woman, she glances over to the other woman a smile that holds some warmth in it before it melts away. She returns her attention towards the conversation as she's handed the envelope and takes it. "This sounds like a practice run for something Tirzah mentioned to me." She comments, finding it a little ironic that she should be going on such a mission. She slips the envelope into a pocket for the moment to be able to read it out once they're on their way as she goes to put on her own helmet and seal it against the environment.

As Tirzah arrives, Celaeno's helmeted head lifts somewhat in her direction, a faint frown sitting unseen behind her faceplate. But, as the talk of transport is broached, she grunts lightly before stepping off her 'cycle. A duffel is lifted off her bike with some slight grumbling as she begins to reposition all her belongings on herself.

Tirzah nods, returning smiles and frowns alike with a content smile of her own as the being stops and they wait for the transportation to occur. She checks her ng11s one more time holstered at her hip and her vambraces retracted on her left arm. All seems to be in order so she looks expectanly to this Ryan Rice.

Alistair lifts a hand to wave at Ryan, and then he looks back at the monkey. A look towards Vixen, and then back to Cali, and to the means of transportation offered, if at all visible. He looks to Cali then, "You'll stay near Miss Cel?" he asks quietly, brows hiking up a touch, his expression taking on some worry.

Salvador smiles and looks up to Ryan for the moment, "OK then I shall leave you to it. Shouldn't take much more than a day or so. Well, it better not, Ryan will come back with or without you after 2 days." He the monkey chuckles then cackles in a very monkey laugh, which is a bit disturbing as it is a standard monkey cry. With a slightly embarrassed look he nods to all of you and then heads off. Ryan, now left alone, mutters something under his breath then attaches his face mask, concealing his face, "OK. Lets get on with this. I will require 2 hops, but will only need one to get back. If you are all ready, should we be going?" He waves his hands, and his staff, and after what is a bit of a long wait, a large rift opens. "OK, so, ready?" He walks into the shimmery black and grey horizontal pool and vanishes.

"Miss Cel?" Caliopa's repeat of Alistair's words holds a moment of confusion before it clears and she nods, giving him a tight smile, aiming to reassure him. Vixen's offer to check them gains her a warm glance, a half smile, and a nod. "Right. Best get movin'." Caliopa picks up her bag and takes a steadying breath before she turns and walks into the horizontal pool, vanishing. Poof.

Vixen is getting more use to portals and such. So she doesn't take long in pulling her big pistol out of his holster once the way is opened. She moves up after Cali, one last glance down and check of the weapon. Safety off. Her head lifts and she moves into the portal, watchful and wary, but not overly tense.

After much shuffling of gear - the occasional soft thud of ceramic hitting ceramic as her assorted weaponry is ground against itself - Celaeno seems ultimately ready to disembark. Leaving her 'cycle where it lay, she closes the short gap to join the conversational circle, dropping her duffel just long enough for the rift to be opened, and people to begin the exodus. Oh well, up it goes again, and she follows the others through. Monkey see, monkey do.

With things falling into motion, Sage is particular careful not to lose the note as they seem to be about to travel through less than normal means. She doesn't get the feeling that a return trip would happen should the note slip away before departing. "I suspect Cel may be rather popular this trip whether she likes it or not." She muses softly before she follows the others into the portal.

With the slightest mental nudge the elemental walks forward to carry Tirzah and her gear through the portal. Neither show any trepidation which is then masked as Tirzah dons her helmet before emerging on the other side. "Cel's always popular, whether she likes it or not." She remarks causally in reply to her partner, humor carrying on her tone.

Alistair smiles at Cali, nodding his head to her, and following up; he keeps his rifle in hand, of course, and he looks to Cel for a moment as well, then he starts towards the rift also to cross onto the next location. He glances at Sage, brows lifting a touch in humour. Moving on, he puts the helmet on now.

The portal shimmers as each person flows through the wall of non-wet liquid. Of course it is an odd sensation. You all know that you paused somewhere, but can't really tell where, how or for how long. Then you all appear, one by one in a place which well...

This is the wasted landscape of a once great city. Mostly destroyed buildings litter the horizon, with broken windows and destroyed walls. Debris and rubble litter the terrain as far as the eye can see. At all times there is a feeling of dread and uneasiness in the air. Sounds hang in the air as if to strangle a person's will to live. This is a truly dreadful place.

Upon arriving you all get this sense as if someone has not only walked upon your grave, but has taken a back-hoe to it and is about to dig it up to build a tacky strip mall. The mage is sitting there, arms folded and mutter something about casting magic shouldn't be this difficult and something is crewing over his casting. He shakes his head, "OK, here is the deal. I will be here, right here for 2 days, exactly 48 hours. One moment longer, and you are all stuck here. Got it." He looks at all of you, then steps sideways and vanishes. A voice says again, in his wake, "48 hours."

Caliopa stops, giving a shudder as she turns towards the mage. She checks her watch, giving him an abrupt nod. "Sage, you got the maps?" She asks the other woman, her face serious. "Best get movin' real fast then. Ain't plannin' on bein' stuck here."

Vixen takes a few moments once she's stepped through to scan the ruined landscape carefully. Not much time taken before she vets the prickle of unease the place gives off. Her hackles rising, so to speak, her head turning this way and that cautiously. But she is listening to the mage and looks his way. "Personally, I'm not looking to spend more than a day out here." She waits, looking between Sage and Cali.

"Yeah, yeah," Celaeno says, once they're through, head moving listlessly around the area. "What a wonderful spot for a vacation," she mutters as she takes in the off-putting landscape, their conveyance popping into nonexistence. Around comes her own rifle - a beat up NG-IP7 - as she begins watching the rest of the group.

Sage gives a quick little shudder at the sensation before she focuses her will to push that feeling off to the side. She focuses on the task at hand instead, she reaches for the envelope to open it to see what maps they've been given. "Now that we're all together, I want to make one thing perfectly clear. No one drink from , swim in or do anything with the lake if at all possible. Its polluted and possibly heavily radioactive... anyone forgets, you might have my armored foot up your ass. Now that that's out of the way... let's see where we're dealing with as she moves up beside Cali to share the map. "we're doing with" as she moves up beside Cali to share the map.

Her elemental walking almost weieghtlessly through the rubble packs terrain Tirzan moves to where she presumes the front to be and turns back to look to Alistair and the rest of the group. "So, I'll be taking point to if at all possible engage anything unfriendly so the rest of you can avoid the hassle? Don't waste your globes, they're not candy. If you see anything dangerous let me be the one to poke it for you." She asks and suggests in a guiding tone of voice. Its apparent what her occupation was for over a year.

Alistair looks around quickly as he steps out, noting places or interest such as places where people might be hiding to welcome them, and other such fun things. His Rifle is the same as Cel's incidentally. He quickly looks back towards Sage and goes to peek at the map as well. As for the mall, he'd be spinning in that grave, if he had one. He looks at Tirzah then as well, and nods. "Alright, that works, I think" he smiles.

The map is a detailed, pre-rifts map. It shows a path from where you may be standing, perhaps, hard to tell, through the city, to a large building labeled 'East Broadway Mall' there is a star on it. And a small note in the side which says, 'This map is a bit out of date, but should work still. Look out for the Wolves, mutants and ghosts. Oh, and remember to protect yourself from the mental attacks.' Oh and as you look at it, you notice that, well, it looks nothing like what you are seeing now.

Caliopa studies the man, frowning at it for a long moment before lifting eyes filled with confusion to look at the landscape. "I..." She hesitates, picking her words carefully. "I ain't entirely certain this map is of use to us." There is a slight tremor in her voice, a strong emotion held in, but her lips tighten and her hand clenches.

There is a distant howl in the wind. It could have been created by a creature or just the wind blistering through the fallen and falling down buildings... Oh and it begins to snow very hard, and the wind whips it all about.

"Don't look at me, chick, I ain't real good with maps," Vixen notes to Cali, moving a bit to the side. Her voice is tense. Though her expression can't be seen, the words of their guide are, of course, troubling. She tightens up her grip on her thoughts as best she can, keeping a close watch on the surroundings for now. She dips into a crouch, firming against the wind. At least with her armor she doesn't have to worry about the cold.

Celaeno leaves the map-looking to the others, moving several paces toward the city and away from the group. The howl, the snow, and the unfelt bitter-cold, it's all certainly something. Squatting on her haunches, she keeps her rifle at the ready, head tilted as she her gaze slowly twists this way and that.

Sage gives a little sigh as she looks over the map before shooting what is presumably an irritated look at the Mage that brought them here since the Monkey isn't around. "At least it warns us of some of the dangers." She mutters as she looks back to the group. "The shape of the map seems about right, though." She says, taking a small positive from the significant negative.

Tirzah shurgs over the onfusion about the map, not looking too concerned. "What direction does the map say to go from here?" She asks, looking at her internal helmet interface's compass.

Alistair frowns, squinting at the map slightly, seeing if he can pick out street names. Perhaps some of them have been kept, long shot as that is. "Preposterous ..." he murmurs, "Does anyone have a-" he stops, and looks to the sky, then to the city, shaking his head. "Does anyone see any signs or anything of the sort?" he inquires.

Again with the howl of wind, this time it seems to come from the south, as opposed to from the north. But it doesn't last long, and it does die down as the wind pauses a moment.

The group of you look at the map, and it becomes evident that while it is entirely out of date, it does have a few large land marks. And it seems to be south by south-west approximately 4 miles from where you are all standing. Though, the path beyond that is fairly difficult to determine at this point.

The wind's howl doesn't reassure and Caliopa studies the map silently before giving a slow shake of her head. "Alright. That there..." She points at one land mark across the way, "That looks like it might be that..." She is thinking aloud, cautiously, her forehead wrinkling.

Vixen remains silent and watchful as the others poke at the map itself. While they're distracted, someone has to make sure nothing sneaks up, though the snow doesn't help. A few more toys wouldn't hurt for this, though only casually does she consider what new tech goodness she can obtain eventually. Instead, her head turns, scanning one side of the group slowly as she remains knelt with handgun in a casual ready.

Celaeno was not paid to fiddle with maps - and it's a good thing, too. But that's all right, because she's more than happy to sit and enjoy the weather, occasionally scraping the snow off that's piling up. Returning to a full standing position, giving a full stretch before meandering back a few paces, waiting.

It takes a moment for the realization to set in on Sage as she had been focused on other things. "I feel... somehow diminished here." She comments, almost as if to herself. "If the location is the same just not the landmarks, I can probably lead the way... I've had to navigate unfamiliar land before... I may have to close myself off to concentrate a little better, though. I can probably manage without doing that, though" She huffs a breath. "This place is like a ... constant danger sense."

The howling starts up again, as soon as the wind whips up again. Though, this time, it doesn't die down as quickly as the wind does this time.

Tirzah nods, taking a moment to key the distinguishable landmarks into her helmet's hud before treturning to her elemental to be lifted back up to its shoulder. "4 miles south south west is as good a start as any. Shouldnt throw us off too far and we can reassess there." She advises as her elemental starts carrying her in that direction at a lax pace. As she moves she opens herself to the elements to consider the eerie wind.

"Yes, it looks like ... " Alistair frowns, "Like we could ... " he mumbles, and looks to Tirzah then. "Are you sure? I think it's a different ... " he shrugs then, "Do you have a compass?" he inquires, and nods his head a little as Tirzah moves out. "let's all stick together, then" he hops up to watch to the front as they begin.

The wind howls again, but this time the air is still and it is coming from the north side of the city and is answered from the south side of the city. The snow isn't whipping around everyone at least, but it is still coming down in buckets.

"Wait." Caliopa's voice is raised, a small flicker of a frown on her face. "Reckon if Sage can navigate, best go with that. Ain't nobody to be rushin' into anythin', or movin' away from the group." She reaches for her bag, slinging it onto her back as she pulls her weapon from her holsters. "Better safe 'n' fast." The howling unsettles her and she glances around, her face worried. "Air ain't movin'.." She observes, her voice revealing the fear she feels.

"This is south, southwest," Vixen states simply as Tirzah starts to move in said direction and she herself rises up to follow. She gives the side of her helmet a little tap as she adds. "Gyro-comapss is solid." She tries, for now, to ignore the odd weather. Or it seems odd anyway. MOre interested in troubles that make sense.. like things with guns or claws, which are at the top of her list for things to watch for as she will gravitate towards the middle of the group.

With a general consensus reached amongst the highly literate of the group, Celaeno begins plodding along - doing her best to keep within easy eyeshot without being especially close.

Sage's lips purse behind her face mask as her initial assessment doesn't match up with the others. Yet, they sound confident enough. "I imagine going in that direction will be as good a start as any." Sage offers, as she tries to get her barings a little. Besides, her own instruments seem to match what they're saying. She reaches out to touch Cali on the shoulder but only a symbolic showing for the moment. "If it gets too much, Cali... let me know, I can help..." She comments, "And as long as your breathing... that's all that matters." She offers encouragement before trying to nudge the other woman forward. She moves her own hand to draw her laser pistol for the time being. She has her foreclaws on as well.

As she takes the lead just how far the decay has gone here starts to impress on Tirzah, turning her expression dim and her tone somber. An opinion shared be the elemental as it seems to momentarily stiffen against the environment in notable resistance. The howls continue to perplex her as the wind comes to a stand still. 'See any thing warmth out their friend?' She mentally queries the elemental, hoping its thermal vision is not too hampered by the storm. She also urges it not to get too far ahead, for the ease of the others concern.

Alistair glances to Cali for a moment, and then to Tirzah, and Vixen, blinking his eyes. He frowns faintly, shaking his head a little. "Weird" the streets such as they are are scrutinized, there's no such thing as too much caution now.

As you all move forward, those of you that move too far from the Celaeno you are mentally attacked by the region. But as you gravitate back towards her the feeling of nearly overwhelming dread mutes down. Of course, this doesn't help with the growing feeling you are all being watched as he howling still comes, but this time from the north-west. The travel is not easy, there is over a yard of snow on the ground in many spaces. Sometimes it is over 6 feet deep. There is a bit of ice as well, making the travel fairly nasty.

Caliopa returns Alistair's glance, before she moves in behind Celaeno, keeping herself well within range. Sage's light touch gains the other woman a smile without confidence behind it, but she mostly keeps her eyes outward, watching cautiously for others, the howling unsettling. "So far, so good." She mutters, beneath her breath.

Vixen is given to sticking close regardless, so is ignorant of the effect that mutes the region's influence. She glances to the side at Cali's words and says lowly, "Dunno about good.. I can feel eyes, girl. Just depends what's watching and what it wants." Her tone tense, betraying her wariness. "Lets just find what we're looking for fast. I don't like it here." And she goes back to watching a side.

The shifting of the group gives Celaeno slight pause as she glances behind her - somehow being shifted toward the middle of the group. "Don't suppose anybody brought a shovel?" she asks as she struggles through the snow, oblivious to the reality of snowshoes. "Or a flamethrower?" she mutters, giving a sidelong glance to the elemental. "If it knows what's good for it, it'll keep its distance. Otherwise - " she gives an exaggerated shrug, her duffel rising and falling with the effort.

Deciding it best not to drain herself too early on, Sage is content to remain close to Cel. The uneasy feeling easily attributed to their surroundings and what they'd been told about it. Its clear enough she's concerned for Tirzah and Cali as she glances to them periodically, but she keeps most of her attention on their surroundings and sticking close to Cel. "I don't think any of us will want to remain here for any longer than we have to." She comments, "And, I think Tirzah has the fire angle covered."

As keeping closer to the group mutes the emotional effects of the place the elemental naturally starts to linger ner that border in its pace as Tirzah contionue to lead. "I have a flamethrower, lend me one of your eclips and I'll was it making a brief swath through this mess." She offers to Cel with a chuckle.

Alistair keeps moving forward slowly, looking around and making certain he's staying with everyone as well. "This is really going to slow us down ... can your flamethrower cut a four mine long swath?" he asks, reaching for one of his e-clips to take over to Tirzah.

The snow just continues to fall. The howls have gone quiet for the moment, just the soft falling snow, the deep snow all around deadens all of the noise coming from the group as they move through the while terrain. Occasionally, there is a crash off in the distance as something collapses, snow perhaps? Or was it something jumping and falling? Or perhaps, something else...

Caliopa is jumpy, the crashes in the distance bringing more tension to the woman, but she keeps moving, keeping near Celaeno. "The flame thrower would be a good thing, if it gets the snow clear for us to move." She comments as she stumbles for the fifth time in the snow.

Vixen is wary, but for the moment not too jumpy. She lifts her weapon towards the sounds, but smoothly. Lingering briefly before it dips again should nothing present. Instead, she continues to trudge along, dealing with the way the snow makes it more effort to just walk. "Yeah, give things even more reason to know we're here," she murmurs, her only opinion on this flamethrower idea.

"Tch," Celaeno responds to the banter. "I'm short enough on those, as is," she begins, shaking her head as Alistair hands one over." The exertion is certainly nontrivial as she slides, sinks, and ultimately slogs through the mess laid out in front of her, though once the flamethrower itself is given serious consideration, she grows increasingly silent, the crash in the distance perhaps making her somewhat anxious, as well.

Unsure of the source of the crashes, Sage simply remains alert for the time being. Had she known more details about their arrangements here, she may have prepared a little differently. "There doesn't seem to be a winning situation either way... could just as well tire ourselves out slogging through this and run into something later."

"I was kidding guys, geeze, here my friend can do a better job and his resources replenish over time." Tirzah says with a bit of a sigh before nudging the elemental to sent a fireblast (pg 76 BoM) through the drifts ahead of them. The path may be clear for fifty feet. How long that may last is debatable.

Celaeno pages: Most of the random 1d6s you'll be seeing from me will be my Nullification amounts. If I forget one, or you need one, just prod.

Alistair hms softly, and hides the clip again, glancing at Celaeno as well, his expression becoming sheepish for a moment before he looks to the source of that sound also. "Oh careful, the - there might be someone in the snow!" he calls out.

Slowly but surely your group makes forward progress. The howls don't return, but there are sudden and unexpected thumping sounds coming from all around. You see nothing, nothing shows up as heat, or register, just a soft thumping sounds... Almost running sounds...

The fireblast gives Caliopa a better path to move on, and she turns, circling as the thumping sounds circle them. She transfers the bag to give her hands free, holding the weapon so it can be fired. "Somethin' out there." She murmurs.

The path is cleared by about 50 ft by the fireblast, it even shows several sheets of ice below the snow, which is inches thick.

"The point was to keep the noise and flash to a minimum," Vixen notes towards Tirzah after a snap of attention towards the sudden spell casting and flame. "Who knows what kinda hell that's going to bring down? I sure don't want to find out, this far out. So quit it." She glances at Cali and her head nods once before she looks outward again. "Probably more than just one." She's careful of her footing when it comes to the ice. Yet another hazard to watch out for.

Celaeno gives another shrug at the cleared path, taking advantage of it despite any aversion to the fireblast. "Keep it moving forward, unless we're worried about them jumping down on us at the end of our little canyon," she says, almost in a semi-confrontational singsong. "Not a whole lot to do otherwise, unless any of you see something to shoot at, hmm?" And she moves to follow her own advice, at least until something better comes up.

Since there doesn't seem to be a winning scenario, Sage will just wait to see what the consequences of the fire will be. The thumping noise becomes clear enough and others appear to notice it too. "At least they shouldn't be ghosts." She murmurs, as if that might be a small comfort. Her free hand moves towards where one of the fireglobes rest. She does her best to keep her balance, however.

Tirzah sighs in reply to Vixen's snap, shaking her head slowly. Everyone but you thought it was a good idea a moment ago. Or at least worth the risk. In my opinion anyone who could sense that in this mess is already well aware of us. Was well aware of the portal that brought us here. But its not my show. Alistair and Caliopa are calling the shots. so snap at them." She corrects as she leads the way through the path. She'll wait for the result of the debate before having another blast made. She converses with the elemental a bit in a series of crackles and hisses (explaining the buffer situation)

Alistair goes into the swath, carefully - nothing like ice to have some fun on, and then he looks around quickly at the sounds, frowning when he can't see anything. "No wonder people come out of here mad, this is maddening!" yes, it is the obvious. He waves a hand, and looks towards Cali. "Maybe they're not even really there."

The snow is still falling, but it has slowed a little bit for the moment. It has cleared enough so that the people can actually get a good sight of what is around all of you. The group has made it about a mile at this point, and it has only been 3 hours of travel. It is incredibly hard going. The thumping sounds are still there, off and on. Then, in the middle of the group, a pack of, well, uh, ghost wolves goes flying through the group of all of you. Silent, no sound at all. No tracks. Were they really even there? Perhaps 5 of them, just flow through the group of you all, running at full speed. Then, after a few moments there are howls all around, coming from all directions.

"There ain't no point in fightin', 'n' we got to get through the snow." Caliopa's voice is clear, if almost absently spoken, her attention on the thumping noise. "We move faster, I reckon. Anythin' out there knows about us." She returns Alistair's look, giving him an abrupt nod. The arrival of the ghost wolves brings a yelp to her throat, and she spins, turning to look after them, her gun raised. "Well fuck..." A curse from Caliopa and she shakes her head, staring.

"Sometimes it ain't ok to go along with the crowd," Vixen murmurs simply. What's done is done and she focuses on watching carefully. When the strange ghost wolves seem to come out of nowhere, Vixen tucks and rolls to the side, not wanting to touch any of them. Though as she turns to target one.. theyre gone? "Shit.." The howls all around draw her to aim at the nearest 'edge' of the group, uttering another low, "Shit." The barrel of the weapon shifts slightly, tracking to find a target.

Celaeno stiffens as the pack makes its way through and around them, gun following them as they go. "Just keep it moving..." she says, rather hesitantly, "Not a whole lot to do about it unless they set themselves up to make it an issue. And uhh... anybody know what'd hurt the things, in case they do?"

Sage gives a start at the sudden appearance of the ghost wolves. She acts reflexively before muttering too herself. She moves her hand away from the fire globe to take out the silver cross. She wraps the necklace part around to secure it from dropping far if she should let go of it. As she isn't sure what else might work against them, she keeps the laser pistol for the time being. "Would holy water work... assuming its not holy ice at the moment."

After the first swath worked well enough Tirzah hops off to take her duffel so the elemental can flare up and clear the path for the group. It may be a bit of a beacon but apparently its too late to let that be a concern as the wolves run through. "Relax everyone, they're trying to scatter us. Together we represent too great a threat to engage." She advises.

Alistair follows the path, looking left and right - the wolves come as a surprise, causing a sharp intake of breath, and his weapon to be pointed at the creatures - after a few moments of staring, he blinks. "What?" and exhales, "Maddening indeed" he comments, and looks towards Cali, then the others. He nods to Tirzah, and sets out to continue on along the path.

The howls go silent again. The snow causing your foot steps to just thump, thump against the soft fresh snow on the slick icy path. The elemental is now making a very nice, clear path, though it is not only a clear path to your target but also a clear path to the group of all of you. Your progress is moving forward though. For perhaps another 10 or 15 minute theres is nothing save the sound of your own movement. Then, a directly line of ghostly wolves sprints through the group, rather than a straight line, they are all spread out running between all of you. Again, a few minutes later there is a round of howling surrounds the group, but they are a bit further away from all of you.

Caliopa nods at Alistair, before she responds, "Stay closer to Celaeno." The new line of wolves brings a muttered curse to her lips and she can't help but step backwards, tensing as they run past her. "That could get ..." She trails off as the howling happens once more and she turns slowly, shaking her head. "Move on. Fast as is safe, I reckon."

Vixen isn't stupid, she stays near to everyone else. If everyone else is primed to move, she will too. But she'll be keeping an eye out and her gun lifted. "Dunno about critters and such," she murmurs. "Figure I'll find out fast if this can hurt 'em." Though she does decide, when the wolves come along for another pass, to hold off firing. Too quick. "This is pissing me off," she states after the second round of howls start, still keeping a wary eye as they travel.

Celaeno continues her slow and steady slog through the snow - the cleared path helping as it might. "If you really want," she says about the crowding, her teeth gritting slightly. The harassment isn't enjoyable, but she keeps moving forward as the wolves come and go.

Realizing the ghost wolves aren't likely give up after just one attempt, Sage keeps her cross at the ready. Her nerves tempered by her will, she isn't startled this time by their appearance. She keeps with the group instead of worrying whether her cross will have much effect. "Imagine these would make for a good haunted house." She mutters.

"Arcane and mental attacks are the most widely effective. some entities have more particular weaknesses. I'll pass those on as I see them." Tirzah relates as she follows the elemental. She pays the wolves little head for the moment. Instead keeping her senses clear for something bigger.

Alistair nods to Cali, then stops at the new line of wolves, and watches them as the run past, brows hiked up. "Uh ... " he mutters softly, looking around once more, and likewise moving a little closer to Celaeno as well, though not too much so. "Alright, I guess these ones are just trying to play with us" he comments, taking a breath.

The howls stop, the thumping sounds stop, it is all quiet again for another hour if not longer. The progress is still very slow. Perhaps another 1/3rd of a mile passes as you all walk forward. Then, the terrain changes slightly. You happen to stomp through, what seems like tilled ground. Or at least cleared ground. And a small fence even, as if, well, as if someone had a small garden here. It has now been the better part of 4 hours since the group has arrived in this crazy place.

"Not sure I prefer the silence. Ain't comfortable." Caliopa's words are muttered, more to herself than the others. She looks down at the ground, shaking her head as they pass the garden. "How far do you reckon we are?" She asks the question generally, looking around.

Vixen relaxes some once the noises stop, but she never lets her guard down. Weapon still in hand, she looks towards Cali and murmurs, "Better question is how far we have to go.. that map good for seeing how much more walking we gotta do?" Not that she seems overtired. Still, hours of on foot action mingled with the tension of the place aren't light on the body. "I figured we'd be closer to.. wherever we're going."

Celaeno lets the talk of distance and direction float over her head, "Should've brought a couple 'cycles," she mutters, keeping her head down to the snow and the ... well, everything.

Not that she's getting used to things around her, Sage is able to focus a little more on their whereabouts. She lets the cross dangle from the strap that's been secured to her wrist. "We've travelled.. 1.5 miles now... and we're headed essentially south." She comments, trying to determine what else might be gleaned from the map. "So, seems like we're on track for the time being."

Tirzah takes a moment to consider having the elemental skirt about the tilled ground for politeness sake but doesnt follow through as no one else comments on it. Nothing is growing in this place at this time. "We must be nearing some from of habitation." She does note aloud. "Perhaps the mall is now a community of sorts."

"We're still going south ... but I don't know how - oh" Alistair looks to Sage, nodding his head a little. He looks about again, going back to scanning the area. "If it hasn't fallen down" he adds, frowning, "Okay, hopefuly it's in one piece and it'll all be easy now."

The garden, shows signs of recent work, but it is hard to tell with all of the snow on the ground. There are rows and rows of some sort of garden. There are even a few tools on the ground. Rake, shovel and even a small pick. Most of this equipment is very small, perhaps for someone who is only 3 or 4 feet tall.

Caliopa hesitates, giving the tools a thoughtful look. "Looks like someone lives here..." The observation doesn't slow her pace much, and she nods at Sage. "Good. Let's keep movin'. Ain't sure how long this will take..."

"Probably best we don't go looking for whoever is around here," Vixen opines. "No telling what they are.. or telling them what we are if they're quick on the trigger. I would be if I lived around here." She keeps up with the midst of the group, not lagging behind and not paying too much attention to the junk on the ground.

"Could know a shortcut," Celaeno says with a shrug, eyeing the fence and the plot. "Or they could lead us to a back alley and jump us." The statement's rather matter of fact, "Or just be useless," she posits, keeping up the pace as the reinforcement is given to the not-caring-just-keep-walking mindset.

"On the small side too." Sage observes, with a shrug. She isn't overly interested in introducing herself to the local people. "As long as we're paying attention, we should be okay." She purses her lips, "I think we'll have to end up over there." She comments, as she looks as the maps and points in the direction their goal seems to be.

"Little people?" Alistair asks, perhaps no one as he eyes the tools for a moment, and moves on. He steps up next to Cali, watching her for a moment. "Okay so far?" he asks quietly, quickly glancing around once more, and making certian he doesn't trip the fence or step on anything important-looking.

The group moves forward for another hundred yards or so and the snow clears out completely. The area has been cleared of snow, for the most part, perhaps 30 yards in diameter. There is a small grouping of structures which lead down into the ground. Smoke comes up from small vents, and there are fairly stout doors on the structures. All of the doors are about 5 feet tall, at most, many are no more than 4 feet tall.

Tirzah nods, the elemental adjusting a bit as per Sage's pointing. "They'll be however they'll be. No point in setting opinions before hand. For all we know they worship the games we're after as religious icons of truth and knowledge." She remarks with a slight smirk.

Caliopa gives Alistair a nod, and a smile, uncertainty on her face. "Seems that way." Her reply could be to either of his comments. "Reckon it is best to avoid the natives if we can." She keeps moving, cautiously.

"If this ain't where we're wanting to be, lets keep moving," Vixen opines, eyeing the small structures cautiously. "Probably watching us right now. So leaving is a load of good will, I'd say."

Celaeno eyes the doors, her rifle more at the ready than previous, making sure to keep her distance. "This isn't the place, is it?" she asks, peering toward the people with the map. "Or should we start kicking down doors?"

As they progress further, Sage notes that the trend of short inhabitants continues. She keeps an eye out, but doesn't try to reach out with her abilities. She isn't sure what she would notice if she did. She focuses on moving effeciently for the time being. "No, its still a ways off... not quite twice the distance we've already walked... at least we don't have to trudge through snow."

Little holes of light appear on three of the doors, showing back lite, then it vanishes then flickers a few times again. Then nothing.

Tirzah nods to the consensus and the elemental turns to skirt around the border of the village, keeping to the border of what's cleared for faster travel to make for the smallest inconvenience. "Let me know when we reach a good point to reassess our direction Sage." She asks her partner quietly, keeping an eye to the residences as they pass.

Alistair smiles back at Caliopa, and glances about real quick, as usual, eyeing the doors and what might have been people looking through them to see who's there. "I don't think so" he answers to Celaeno, "You wouldn't be happy if someone broke down your door, right, Miss Cel?" he asks, innocently.

One of the doors opens a crack, and a very odd voice comes out from behind it, "What do you want! Are you with the muties? Go away!" It is almost a child's voice, then it slams shut again. This time all four doors have brief lights in them, then it goes dark again.

Caliopa turns towards the lights, tensing as she does so, her forehead creasing into a frown. "We aren't with anyone. We're jus' travelin'." She calls back, aiming to make her voice clear and loud enough to be heard. "Hope they ain't hostile."

"If they were, they'd be firing off already." Vixen motions. "Lets move, obvious they have some troubles with something around here. Better we clear out and not get caught in the middle." She is only waiting for the group to get moving again before she does the same herself.

"Depends if they bring a bottle or not," Celaeno says, "If it's not the right place, then it's not the right place, and we don't have to, though. It was just a thought" and then the voice breaks through, angry. She moves to the side, her rifle scanning the far horizon idly. "Sure we don't want to try'n rescue them from their squalid lives?" she asks, grinning as she continues to skirt.

Taking in the sound of the voice that comes from the door, Sage becomes thoughtful. If they are like children that frequent the arcade, they might be able to help. "We've actually come along way on a business trip." She calls out, "We just need to arrange a deal and then we'll leave." She decides, that sounds sufficiently unthreatening without giving too much detail away.

Tirzah and her elemental keep moving, mostly ignoring the discussion behind her. After all the locals have given them their position on visitors. No need to test that so she wont. Rather they keep the pace at the edge of Celaeno's offered protection.

"We're just going to the mall! Is it close?" Alistair asks, looking to Cali, and then to Celaeno as well - he quiets down then and keeps moving, keeping an eye out for things ... well yes, things. He takes a deep breath and frowns, reaching up to check some parts of the webbing.

The door slides open again slowly, and the child like voice yells out again, "What is a mall?" Then it slams shut. Again, the repeat of the little holes of light in all of the doors. This time the voice came from another door.

Caliopa shakes her head, turning to move once more. "Reckon they don't know. Let's move on. Clock is tickin'." She steps out, turning back in the direction they were heading. "Leave them be."

Vixen shakes her head and keeps moving after giving Alistair a passing, but unseen glare from within her helmet. Spared he is this time. "Lets not tell everyone we run across just where we're going and what we're doing," she says lowly.

Oh well. Keep shuffling, keep shuffling, ignore the little yelling people. Keep moving, keep moving - and such is what Celaeno does.

When Alistair offers up their general destination, Sage glances to the man. "A place to buy many things... we'll be on our way now." She responds, figuring the inhabitants could get overly curious if there is no response. She shifts her next comment to the group alone, "I wasn't planning on giving much information myself."

An idea coming to her Trizah falls back from the elemental's side to Alistair and Caliopa. "This is taking longer than any of us expected I think. What do you think to me summoning a phantom to spell us for flight? We should be able to cover much more ground. But to do so, we'll have to leave the field around Cel. I'll have the phantom carry her if she's ok with that." she offers, looking to Cel with a nod at the end.

"We're going to get some games, not to own the enemy base or something" Alistair replies quietly, frowning a touch at the backlash. He looks to Tirzah then, tilting his head a little. "And I suppose we could avoid everything that is on the ground this way, too - it isn't a bad idea I think ... we should all be able to hold out for a few minutes?" he muses, and looks towards Cali.

Another door opens quickly and another voice yells, "We don't have much to sell right now. Do you need veggies? Much money right now, or good trade?" There is another voice behind that that says something soft as the door closes, "Make them go away, they are very cross."

"We got money, but ain't after veggies. Information..." Caliopa pauses her steps, turning towards the light, hesitation in her face. "You know where this place is, 'n' we'll give you credits..." She doesn't relax though, keeping her weapon ready.

"You don't know who they are, man," Vixen replies to Alistair. "They could be scouts for whatever might over there. Or they could decide to ambush us later cause they think what we're after is valuable. And that's just the obvious potential badness. You got a lot to learn about when to keep your mouth shut. When you're in hostile territory, you play your cards close. You don't go flashing them to everyone who wants a look." She then glances at Cali. "One of 'em already said they don't know what this place we're talking about is. Lets keep moving." She does at any rate.

Celaeno looks at Tirzah for a few moments, scowling behind her helmet. "I'm not happy about it, but if it gets us there quickly, and out of the damn snow," she mutters. "Let's just get out of here."

The howls start up again, this time they are at your back. The small structures to your front.

With the last shred of their business effectively been made open to the other's, Sage gives a sigh before chuckling faintly. "Well, its done now." She comments to the people around her. She may be upset with Alistair if it causes them trouble, but these people have seemed to friendly in a standoff-ish way. "And the faster we get there, the faster we can leave you good folks in peace." She offers, since they don't seem to want them around anymore than they want to stay here. She looks over towards Tirzah. "Might be risky... but I suppose its better than being left behind."

The snow stops falling as the wolves stop howling.

Tirzah nods and walks off to the side out oc Cel's field. She only intends to be gone for the few seconds it takes he to summon the phantom and return.

Alistair takes a breath and sighs, looking about at those here. His gaze falls on Tirzah then, and he looks about to make certain nothing else fun or un-fun is coming towards them. The phantom thing has his curiosity peaked, too.

Another door opens, and the voice yells out into the darkness, "Go away Darkkies! Nothing for you here!" Then another voice from another door this one softer, "What do you have for trade? What information do you want?"

Caliopa shrugs, turning away, moving back towards the direction they headed before. "Right then." She comments, almost to herself. The second voice draws her attention back and she hesitates, before speaking, "I got a good knife. I got weapons...for trade."

Vixen turns as the howls come up behind. "Whatever gets us there and then the hell out faster," she murmurs, looking towards Tirzah, then back towards Cali. But only briefly before she turns her attention back behind, towards the last place the howls came from.

The door opens a little more, "Do you have any seeds? Or food packets? Or, uh," Then another vice yells out, "Shovels? Or rope?" The howling of the wolves dies down, but not suddenly like before.

Celaeno begins eyeing all the doors warily as they do their best to haggle and shoo the newcomers off. "Well, we seem somewhat stuck," she mumbles, giving a slight chuckle at the request for a shovel. "Not looking to starve to death through the winter, are you?"

The options that get asked for instead of weapons surprise Sage for a moment before she realizes that these people must already have a way to protect themselves. She takes a breath, "I have some rope, you can have whatever rations are in my pack, I can help with advise on your gardens, I can heal any injured you may have... and if I happen to have any seeds, you can have those too."

The other doors open, well just slightly. It allows out a light from each, "Rope? You are having rope? Maybe Seeds?" Then another voice, "Rations? Food packets?" There is a great deal of chatter now from the doors, but none of them have opened very wide enough to see in yet.

Returning to the group Tirzah nods to show the phantom is summoned even though it isn't apparent to anyone who can't see the invisible. "Alright. When we're ready to move on at a higher pace each of us except Cel is to move up past the fire elemental to get spelled for flight. Once everyone is spelled the phantom and elemental will fall back to escort Cel while we stick together at least twenty feet ahead of her. Try not to go too high up, the winds can mess with the spell a fair bit and if you should fall back behind Cel's field you'll drop like a rock." She explains before moving forward again to see to the spelling.

Alistair looks to Cali quickly, and then he turns around to look at the sources of the voices as well. "I do have the the ... um, rope ... " says Alistair, brows hiking up a touch, turning his head to look at the others for a moment, and then back towards the little structures. "So - anything that any of you want to know?" he asks, tilting his head a little as he addresses the team.

One of the doors opens up, slowly and a three and a half foot, figure comes outside. It is bundled up and has, well, an onion for a head. A huge onion for a head, he is holding no weapons, well, unless you think the spade he is holding is a weapon, "You have rope? We want rope. And food packets? Then we give you information, OK?" He takes a few steps forward, the door is mostly open but only light comes out of the door. The other doors also open a little bit more, but those other doors have something very visible, large bore weapons, one each. They have a slight down angle, but they are there covering the Onion headed individual.

Tirzah gets an irritated glance from Caliopa, a flicker of a frown on her face. "Flight? What are you talkin' over?" She shakes her head, "Ain't flyin' no where. Ain't like to see anythin' up there." She turns back to the little structures, clearly deciding that the key is there. "That is OK." She replies slowly, a flicker of bemusement showing on her expressive face at the onion head.

Vixen is annoyed at he delays, but she seems to bear it, even though her posture speaks to an air of agitation. When the.. onion person emerges, she manages to not stare and simply looks away again, keeping a careful eye on the surroundings.

Celaeno remains quiet as there looks to be the increasing prospects of getting mobbed for food and aid. She stands back, giving the occasional glance to Tirzah. "What're we doing? Keeping it moving, or giving up all our rations to this lot and getting bogged?" The question hangs in the air, pointedly as she squats back down, pulling up a seat in the snow and closing her eyes. "No worries. Take your time." She says. "No rush," her eyes closing as she concentrates on something.

"We aren't exactly planning on staying here long." Sage says quietly, "And, if they don't know what a mall is... it may or may not still be where we expected it to be. Or know what to expect when we do get there." She unslings her backpack to start getting out the rope and dried food she brought. "Besides, don't think they're asking for everyone's." She holds the two items up that she has for visual inspection. The dried food being in a colourless zip lock bag.

Tirzah takes a confused stance of posture in defence to Caliopa's spat. Looking to Alistair expectantly she shrugs and continues to rejoin the elemental. "Well I would have preferred knowing that before I wasted the energy in summoning the phantom. But anyway it'll be about for an hour so take your time in making up your mind." She offers before becoming a bit silent.

Alistair looks towards Cali, and then the others, frowning faintly still. He takes his backpack off, and then he blinks as ... an onionhead come out. He stares for a few moments, looks at the others again, and then he looks back to the creature, trying to keep a straight face. Kneeling, he opens his backpack to withdraw a length of rope. "We would like to know what sort of dangers lurk in this direction."

The Onion head figure comes out further, "I do not know what a mall is but I know the area. Can you describe where you are going? I might be able to show you? Describe it." He looks around a bit, and twitches a little bit, holding onto the spade firmly, "Give us 5 packets of food and rope. Then I help you? OK?"

Caliopa shoots Tirzah a quick look of apology, with a shake of her head. "Sorry, reckon this place is gettin' to me." She mutters, sheathing her weapon to indicate to the onion headed figure that she has no weapons in her hands. "Huge place, used to have shops." She turns to Sage, pointing at her. "Sage, will you show him the map?"

Vixen doesn't pay too much attention to the dealing, so she doesn't put in over it. Letting only a few voices have reign on the matter. She keeps her own weapon, of course, but she's focused outward, obviously on the defensive.

Celaeno frowns slightly, rising again to her feet, glancing over her shoulder at her bag. "All right," she says in general, brightening up as she begins moving to the periphery, away from the onion-heads.

The Onion head folds his arms and looks around a bit, "Rope and food packets first, then me tell." It is now you might notice that the hands of the creature are really vines same as the creatures legs. Very odd creature.

With the terms set, Sage takes a moment to separate out five packets worth of dried food and collects the rope. She makes sure that all her weapons are tucked away including the cross for the time being. She'll bring those and the map towards the onion head. She holds the offerings up away from her weapons. "We come to collect some items from the place. Anything you know about the area would be helpful." She says, offering the trade items. Once she's either been told to set them down or have them taken from her, she carefully takes out the map to prevent provoking a negative response. "This is what the area used to look like." She mentions. "And, your people have done a very good job with this land. Its impressive." She adds when she picks up on detail.

The Onion head takes the the items and hands them behind him. Then he looks at the map. "This is old map. Not new." He turns back then says something in a very broken odd English. Then they had him a role of leather. He unfolds it and points at it for Sage, "This is where you want." It is a leather bound map, "5 more packets, and you can have this map." He looks to all of you. <repose>

Back with the elemental Tirzah stews a bit. She does give Cali a nod of understanding but otherwise keeps to herself as the arrangement with the strange creature is made.

Alistair pulls some of his own rations out of the bag. He had packed extra, likely for reasons that might be obvious to some, and obvious but incorrect for some others. "Here you are, another five!" he says, bringing them over. "What's your name?" he asks, kneeling to deliver the rations to the onion-head.

The creature takes the packets and then hands them off. Then hands you the map after making a mark on it. "It is not mall, but hole, kind of. Well, big, tub." He chuckles, "Yes tub. Filled with snow right now. What you want there?"

The amount of rations gains Alistair a faint smile from Caliopa and a tiny shake of her head. "Yeah, there." She hesitates, uncertainty showing in her features for a moment before she goes with the honest approach. "Lookin' to pick up some tech that is there. Debt of honour. Ain't meanin' no harm."

The creature shrugs, "Anything of worth," He thinks, "Yoyodyne would have it. Great yoyodyne would have it. He is there, you have to ask nice though." He looks back, "He likes things, do you have things?"

Vixen glances back towards the talk as m ore tidbits of their intent slips out, the young woman shaking her head a bit before she looks back towards direction of the howls.

Sage nods to the assessment of the map as she had gleaned that detail herself. "Thank you." Sage replies as she considers the map as she considers what it depicts. She glances towards Alistair, nodding her thanks to the man. She lifts her hands in a neutral position to receive the map. "This will be most helpful." She murmurs as she considers the map more closely as she takes it into her hands. She rolls up the map for the moment to hold, "We have things, but perhaps you could suggest something Great yoyodyne would like?" She asks softly.

"We'll be very polite," Celaeno says, brightly. "That everything we needed?" comes the inevitable question from the rear, as she moves back to the middle. "Is there anything else we could help you with before we go?"

As the exchange seems to finish Tirzah looks back to the group to find out what the next move is. She avoids looking expectant of any mass agreement, just waiting with an unassuming pose, ready for the all.

The Onion head looks back then points to Cali, "That type of things. The shiney metal things."

"Thank you" Alistair smiles, "What kinds of things does he-" he looks over as the onion head points, blinking. "Oooh ... well, um ... " he considers, "I think we have a few shiny metal things, yes" and turning back to the creature, "Thank you, we will be going now" he smiles and stands up, picking up his backpack, and putting it on - he returns to Cali's side, and shows her the map before holding it out for Sage."

Caliopa looks down at herself, a flicker of confusion. "Armor? Weapons? He can have either..." She nods slowly, offering the Onion Head a quick smile. She glances towards Sage and Alistair, giving them a nod. "Thank you." She gives the creature a nod, turning away. "Can we see from flyin' to use that map, 'n' is bein' away from Celaeno gonna be too bad?"

"Lets worry about trinkets when we get there," Vixen notes, glancing back as the dealing moves to conclusion. She turns, her weapon lowered as she starts to pay a little more attention to the doings near her.

The Onion head shrugs, "If you follow the line on the map, it will only take you an hour or so to get to Yoyodyne. But, don't provoke the darkies or mutes. Just ignore them, you will be OK. OK?" He shrugs again, "I do not think you can see from air. All looks broken and white. To white."

Celaeno gives a nod, beginning to peer at the map before waiting for an official motion toward the exits. The dutiful mercenary.

"You are most kind." Sage replies to the onion head, "We shall dazzle his eye then." She'll move back towards the others to confer over the map with Alistair and Cali. "Well, it might be..." She trails off before looking back towards the Onion head. "Thank you again!" She calls, as she begins to like the helpfulness of this odd creature. "Well, an hour isn't bad." She says, feeling almost cheerful for the first time since coming here.

The Onion Head goes quickly back into the structure and all of the doors close.

Tirzah nods in agreement to Sage. "An hour is fine with me, thought we were looking at longer, could fly back though. The fire elemental doesnt fly so, it'd be our beacon not to stray too far from the path." She offers lightly before making ready to move forward again.

"Okay..." Alistair nods to the Onion head, and then he looks at the others, and finally Tirzah, and then he hoists his rifle proper in preparation of departure towards the further unknown. He rolls his shoulders a little, looking in the direction they're supposed to head towards.

And the group moves forward, the map takes you directly towards a fairly large structure. Believe it or not, someone, or something has actually cleared a small path for the lot of you. It isn't much help on the moving, but it does point an arrow directly to where you are all going. As you approach, what you believe is the Mall, you notice another area. This one isn't cleared really, but it is covered, littered with bits of metal, broken electronics, and scattered remains of cars.

Caliopa gives the other area a thoughtful look, halting her steps to look at it better. "Reckon that is where we find that guy..." She speaks slowly, weariness showing in her steps. "Flyin' back begins to sound real good." She shakes her head, turning her steps towards the other area.

Vixen moves along when the group does so finally, trotting along in silence up until they reach the next destination. SHe considers the refuse scattered in that one area and murmurs, "If he's here, lets find him and get our goods. This place gives me the creeps big time, not counting people that look like onions."

Slogging through to the destination, Celaeno remains rather tightlipped, with the moving and the fatigue of a day's hiking beginning to set in. But this... this looks promising, in one respect or another, and so her guard is raised again, her rifle stock finding its way home as she looks around, moving away to prod some of the metal with a boot, disinterested in what it might once have been.

Glad to be on a clear path, Sage wanders with the group once it begins again. She does keep an eye out, but she isn't quite as edgy as she was before. When they arrive at what seems like might be the place. She purses her lips behind her face plate. Figuring the person they seek may be close, she decides on a course of action. "We have come a long way to request a humble audience with the Great yoyodyne and wish to offer a great trade." She says, trying to sound somewhat formal and suitably humble.

Tirzah glances at the electronic bits off to the side but doesnt slow. Apparently not seeing any value in a closer look at this time. Instead she moves closer to Sage. "This trip should have been panned for summer.." She remarks openly, trying to make small talk.

Alistair keeps an eye out as they walk the path, and phews softly as the arrive at the destination, or what might pass for it. "Okay, shall I know knock on the -" he looks to Sage, and the back to the others, his gaze finally resting on Cali. He brushes her hand with hers, though both are armored, and slings his rifle over his shoulder as he looks towards the bits of metal and whatnot.

The wind has been non-existent for the past hour, but since you all have been here there has been a small wind moving up and down this region. Almost as if it is whisking around the various piles of debris. There is actually a bit of valuable stuff in some of the piles, some of you might spot what looks like a working Wilks Laser Pistol or an NG Rifle, even a few suits of CS Deadboy armor. A robotic voice comes from the hulk of the mall, "Who asks for the Great Yoyodyne?"

Caliopa glances at Sage, a brief flash of uncertainty crossing her face. She gestures to her to continue, Sage's tone clearly hitting the right notes. She steps back, to one side, returning the light touch to Alistair as she passes him.

Vixen picks out some of the good tech in there, though none of it is 'special." She glances to the side, then slips her big handgun into its holster, remaining quiet for the moment as she watches for this so called Yoyodyne to make an appearance. She too seems content to let Sage handle things since she was first out of the gate.

The voice startles Celaeno slightly, as does the situation at large. "Uhh..." she begins, shifting back slightly. "Hm," she stops, peering around as she hefts her gun, peering toward the voice.

"We are a group of adventurers, my name is Sage. We have heard of the Great Yoyodyne and wish to add to his magnificent... in exchange for but a few items that we seek. We ask most humbly for our offer to be heard." Sage says, as she reaches out to grasp Tirzah's hand, and squeezing it as if to draw a little strength from the other woman.

Tirzah jumps a bit as the voice surprises her and looks quite unsettled from that point on. Turning from Sage without letting go of her hand she slips into conversation with the elementals over what is bothering them. Clearly agitated her guard is up, trusting nothing for the time being.

Alistair smiles at Cali, and then starts a little at the voice, moving up quickly to be near her at the sound of the voice. He looks to Celaeno, then Sage as she begins to speak. "Eloquent" he murmurs, smiling sheepishing, and then looking back towards Tirzah. "Is something wrong?" he asks, blinkign at her sudden reaction.

The voice says again, "What do bring as a gift to speak to Yoyodyne?" This is followed by the form of a very beaten full con borg body walking out some of the mall. This body is a crazy mix of parts. Some of it doesn't even look like it should be working. And, this thing is huge, perhaps 12 feet tall. Is it a borg? "What do you ask for Yoyodyne?"

Caliopa turns, looking at Celaeno and Tirzah, her forehead wrinkling. She gives them a questioning look, settling back to leave Sage in the lead with the Great Yoyodyne. She edges backwards, trusting Sage to handle the offers. "Sage, he can have any of my kit." She murmurs softly.

Vixen glances over towards Sage as she flourishes the interaction some. Behind her helmet, an amused smirk comes into being. The emergence of the borg prompts a thoughtful moment before she pulls from her belt a new loooking flashlight. She passes it over to Sage and murmurs, "Wilks laser flashlight. Good tech." And somewhat inexpensive, if it impresses the.. whatever it is.

Celaeno watches its approach with a certain agitation, her weapon at the ready, if not pointed at the creature. Everybody's still polite, after all... but she doesn't seem very happy with the situation, checking behind the group only briefly, her gaze coming back to the creature as she inches away.

The appearance of the creature explains the sensations that Sage had begun to pick up on. She gives one last squeeze to Tirzah's hand before letting it go in case it could be interpreted as weakness. "It is clear that the Great Yoyodyne is mighty already... so, we offer fine tools and gadgets to add to your splendor." She makes a vague gesture towards the bearers, hoping that they'll have them on display. "We ask only for some electronics... we have a list for your consideration."

Tirzah is most certainly not ok and her elementals look even more agitated. That alone should be a big neon sign to anyone familiar with her and their impassiveness to almost every situation. After a moment of looking at the oddly animated borg her posture stiffens in preparation as she figure out the why. "Its a tectonic entity. A big tectonic entity." She says in a voice not really meant to carry past the group.

Alistair's brows shoot up at the sight, and he seems like he's about say something, but he decides against it, looking to Sage once more as she speaks. He turns to look back at the borg thing. "A tectonic..." he murmurs, making a bit of an 'uh-oh' face. Better be nice, then! "Hi!" he greets, and immediately looks a bit sheepish.

The large borg like creature takes a few steps forward, it moves about 10 or 15 feet closer. Still it is well over 100 feet away from the lot of you, but it is obvious it has several pieces of weaponry which are in bedded into the creature's form. It comes out, "Give me the list, and I will tell you my payment."

Caliopa gives Tirzah a sharp look, her forehead wrinkling as she moistens her lips, nervously. She swings her bag down from her shoulder, dropping it near Sage, giving the other woman a speaking look.

Vixen eases back slightly, flipping the flashlight back into a more discreet carriage after Sage doesn't take it. She glances back towards Tirzah, frowning faintly at what she has to say, but she doesn't say a thing, looking back towards the big thing. Waiting for the list to he handed over.

Celaeno stops backing off too far from the group, eyeing the approach with a bit of trepidation. Otherwise, she simply focuses on it, watching its every move.

Sage takes a deep breath and lets it out. She's tempted to suppress her own fear but is worried the use of a special ability could be misinterpreted. It will just have to be force of will then. She takes out the list from the envelope. "My humble thanks." She says, a trifle more calm than she probably feels inside. She moves to offer the list to the being as she has placed herself in the role of the speaker.

A whisk of wind grabs at the envelope from Sage's hand and it is pulled towards the Borg. It opens it and reads.

Steeling herself Tirzah steps up to stand firmly beside Sage. As the exchange takes place. Luckily she has her helment to mask her look of distrust, just waiting for the entity to drop the ruse and make to kill them all to add thier possessions to its collection. And if anything people say about tectonic entities is true it may be quite capable of doing just that.

Alistair blows a breath out, watching the exchange, and resisting the urge to do something about that big hulking thing over there. He watches the envelope be taken away - it all seems to be working out just fine for the time being at any rate. He bites his lower lip, and glances about to see if there's anything else about as well, though it doesn't seem likely anything else would be needed.

Yoyodyne looks at the list, and it says loudly, "Someone has taste for old video games." It says loudly, "My old video games." It waves a hand and out of a pile of electronics pulls up a few silver cases. They flip up and over towards Sage, who apparently is doing the speaking, "Now, for those cases, I would like, a shiny new suit of armor. Something I don't have already. Something nice." It says and looks over the lot of you.

Caliopa steps forward, lifting her helmet off as she does so. "Mine do?" She offers, her face pale but set. She begins to remove her armor, casting a glance at Alistair over her shoulder. "It is real nice." She comments dryly.

Vixen frowns faintly at what the thing wants, glancing towards Cali as she starts taking hers off. "Should have brought my coat," she murmurs lowly. Would have been good right about now to have it. But she doesn't seem inclined to offer up her own suit instead. She turns her head, looking around at the chill landscape, thoughtful.

Celaeno watches the events transpiring, not moving to remove her own armour, and somewhat incredulous at Cali. But, such is the cost, and she doesn't say anything to the contrary - her eyes fixing on the beast as it makes its demands.

There is some tension while waiting for the being to consider the list, before relief comes to Sage as the request seems to meet with the being's acceptance. She'll collect them if it seems like she'll be allowed, but she'll be in no hurry to store them again either way. She gives a pause at the requested payment, before she begins to glance to the others. Then, she remembers the Onion head's suggest and looks to Cali. Whatever her expression is behind the face plate, she seems determined not to make any comments.

Tirzah looks to Caliopa in surprise as she offer up her armor, clearly having no understanding of how great this debt of honor Caliopa feels really is. But if she's ok with it Tirzah will keep her trap shut until she has real reason otherwise.

Alistair runs up to Cali then, blinking his eyes. "Uhm ... you sure?" he murmurs, and starts taking his armor off. One way or another, he'll have to. "Do you have a crustader?" he asks the thing, aiming to give his own armor - either to the thing, or to Cali. He turns his head to smile at her, "Can't have you catching a cold" he murmurs.

The figure moves another 10 feet closer, as it looks up and down on the suit of armor that Caliopa is wearing. It says in that grating mechanical voice, "Yes. I do not have that type of suit, it is very well and will work for what I want. Deliver it, and then take your cases and leave my home."

The look Caliopa shoots Alistair holds a whole world of irritation for a moment. "Ali, leave it." She comments shortly, tiredness mixing with other things to make her grouchy with him. She removes the armor, stepping away from it and making a gesture, questioning. "Need me to bring it to you?"

Since the deal itself seems set, Vixen turns to the others and murmurs, "So we have an obvious problem.. getting back with how cold it is ain't going to work for her without armor or heavy clothes at least.. we got some kinda option for this? Didn't pack any extra myself. My long coat might have done the deed, but I didn't bring that either."

Celaeno sits on the sidelines, watching. Waiting, not having any backup armour to contribute.

Once permission is given, Sage will move to quickly tuck the silver cases securely as she'll tackle one problem at a time. She purses her lips as she rummages through her things as she puts the cases away. She tosses out a hooded cloak. "Figured it'd be nice to take the helmet off if we had to stay the night." She comments.

"I can keep her plenty warm for the trip back." Tirzah says confidently as the others debate the matter. Sounding a bit exasperated that that's all they can find to worry about. Really.

The figure just waits for its suit of armor, it actually begins to tap its foot.

Alistair's brows hike up a little, but once Cali is out of the armor, he moves in to ... hug her? "Come with him for a moment" he tries to get her a few feet further away from Celaeno for something or other.

Caliopa hesitates, shaking her head at Alistair for a moment. "Got to take that..." She turns back, picking up the armor and carrying over to the figure, her face pale.

"Good then," Vixen says to Tirzah. "Just have to protect her until we get back then," she says. The longer term concern over the shorter of simple survival of the moment. She turns, looking back the way they came. A hand lifts to rest on her pistol as she considers the lengthy trip back.

The figure grabs the armor from Caliopa's arms with the same invisible ability and then it starts to form its self along the body which already has a great deal of armor. "Now, get out of here right now." It moves backwards, as its legs swivil but its body faces forward.

Celaeno turns to the group at the command to depart, "So, let's do that, hmm?" she asks, watching the concern while contributing any of her own, as she begins backing away.

After securing her backpack, Sage grabs up the cloak to drape it over Cali's shoulders for the woman's warmth. "Movement will help keep you warm." She says softly in encouragement before she begins to heed the advise of the creature. "Now then... we had a flight to catch, didn't we?"

Two or three of the piles stir a little bit, perhaps there is more tha none Great and powerful Yoyodyne here.

Tirzah nods to Sage before moving towards Caliopa. She takes up the cloak Sage offered as even at the least amount of exertion her fiery aura will need some buffering between them. "You ok with me carrying and warming you for the flight back Caliopa?" She asks calmly.

"Okay" Alistair nods to Cali, staying there to wait for her as she glances to the others. His brows hike up at Tirzah's offering, but he doesn't say anything - it's for the best after all.

The group begins to pull out of the region, and there are now four distinct shapes which are all now consulting over something between the large piles of equipment. The group begins to move out and then the phantom which Tirizah has summoned seems to be waiting for a cue to assist the group in the movement through the heavy terrain.

Caliopa steps back, into the cloak, already shivering. She casts a thankful look at Sage, wrapping it around herself and giving Sage a nod. "Let's fly." Caliopa's voice is interrupted by chattering teeth but she nods at Tirzah, her skin paling from the cold.

"I'm good to go," Vixen states, already moving away slowly from the site. Though she doesn't move too far away from the others. "On foot or flying, don't matter." She slips her flashlight away, preparing to deal with the rigors of trusting her life to magic.

Celaeno backs away, stopping her distance away from the group, waiting for what ever voodoo need be done without her mucking up the works. Really, she eyes one of the stray piles, though she does have the good mind not to try to get anything.

Having put her trust in her partner's magic before, Sage sees no reason to be overly concerned this time. "If all goes well, anyone up for some drinks and a good meal? Might even cook it myself." She comments, preparing to leave this place. It'll be nice to get back to feeling normal... and be back at home.

The word given Tirzah taps into her link to let an aura of heat envelope her. Its intensity very similar to that of a stove burner on low. Then taking up Caliopa in the cloaks protecting the phantom moves forward to imbue her with flight. She pushes of the ground to float into the air in example to the others who are all spelled in the same fashion except Celaeno who is carried. by the phantom itself. Once all are airborne a gentle breeze washes over the group, carrying them back the way the came as the fire elemental runs underneath.

Alistair follows up ... with the flying, which actually is an exciting thing all on its own! Alistair tries to not show his giddyness at it, rather just trying to stay close to Cali now as it seems that this will all soon be over.

The group flies quickly over the land scape, following the path your group had slashed through the snow covered landscape. To the same mound where you all arrived originally, a short 6 hours after your departure. When you land there is nothing there, save for the trail which was blazed on the ground. After your group lands, a figure slides out from wherever he was hanging, "So, done already? Really?" He chuckles, "That was quicker than I expected, and..." He looks at Cali, "I'm not going to even ask. Can we go?"

Caliopa squirms, getting put down from the phantom, keeping the cloak around herself. "Yeah, gettin' home as soon as we can. This place is a real piece of..." She shakes her head, shivering already.

Vixen deals with the magical flight back to their arrival point, having just a little tension linger on for the hours long trip back. As she comes down to land at the origin point and the mage comes out, she finishes Cali's sentence her way. "..shit. I ain't coming back here no more.. not knowing just where it is makes that even easier."

Celaeno grudgingly lets the phantom lift her, obviously not happy with the situation at large, but letting it happen for the good. After setting down, she quickly moves away from it with a grunt, resettling herself as she moves to get in line to exit.

Ryan the mage, begins to cast then stops again and swears a bit, "I really hate this place." He starts again and this time after a bit, the portal opens up fully. "OK, lets get the fuck out of her, OK? I'm last this time, so get going all of you."

"Yeah, we can go... but we're back home before we finish off this deal." She comments before she will make sure people get through the portal. She wont be the first but definitely not the last.

Landing Tirzah lets go of Caliopa, understanding her eagerness to be on solid ground again. Probably wasnt the most comfortable trip, but more comfortable and short than the trip there. She waits behind Sage to step through the portal, not leaving that to chance at all.

Alistair makes his way over to Cali, wrapping an arm about her in the hopes of providing comfort if not warmth, and gets ready to Go through the portal with her, watching everyone else go before them. "It looks like it turned out okay. Ready?" he smiles, looking to her.

The pool of gray shimmers, waiting for those to walk through.

"Thank you, Tirzah." The words are soft, tired, and then Caliopa turns, leaning into Alistair, the whole trip finally taking its toll on the petite woman. "Ready." She replies, giving him a small smile, turning to go.

Vixen moves through the portal quickly, quite ready to be gone from this place. The young woman pausing on the other side to turn and advise Cali, "Ought to get that guy to replace your armor. Since that was payment for his gear, so is part of what he should have paid for it."

Celaeno slides through the portal without any fanfare, grunting in general at the mage.

The lot of you step outside of the portal, arriving back in Kingsdale. But there are 3 people missing, Ryan, Cali and Alistair.

Vixen frowns a moment as she finds that Cali isn't there to advise. "What the hell?" She takes a step towards the portal itself, trying to peer through. "Hey, Cali?! Ali?" She glances towards the others after a moment.

Celaeno stands around waiting with the others, moving to toss a few things in her hovercycle - which is waiting right where she left it. As she returns she looks around, "So, they're not coming through, hmm?" and waits. Briefly.

Any relief and joy at being back in Kingsdale grinds to an abrupt end as Sage realizes they aren't all here. "What's the big idea?!" She exclaims, showing a little of the temper that can lurk within her. She looks around for someone to explain it. She grunts after a moment, "Maybe they're being held until we turn over the games."

The portal had vanished the moment the last of you walked through, winking out of existance.

Tirzah turns about in confusion as they emerge on the other side three people short. Turning she finds no portal behind them. This all makes very little sense as she was pretty sure Ali and Cali went through first..

Vixen turns to the others and frowns darkly. "I think that fucker that hired us has some explanation to do.. like who that idiot he hired is. Must have screwed up. WHo knows where they are now?"

"Yeah, I think this is a little out of my skillset, and it's been a long day," Celaeno says. "I'll see you guys around, and I'm sure you'll have it figured it out." She gives a final shrug. "Take it easy," she finishes, before striking out on her own.

"Well, I guess we may know where to find the Monkey..." Sage comments, "Shame we can't bring everything we're carrying now for a little incentive to get to the bottom of this quicker."

Tirzah grins slightly at Sage, a truely devilish smile. "I carry plenty of incentive." She reminds, looking to her partner to lead the way to getting answers.

Vixen pats her heavy pistol. "I think we got enough to make him talk if he wants to try and hide shit," she murmurs, distinctly displeased. "Besides, if we kill him, he can't talk, can he?" She's ready to follow along.

Sage nods to Tirzah, giving her that point. She'll follow along, even if she has to make a quick stop to drop off her restricted weapons off somewhere.