A tight squeeze for a man was an easy slip for a honeybadger. It was more awkward for an eagle dragging a bag, but Deimos managed it. As a man his musculature might have been a tight squeeze, but as a bird it was merely an awkward trip through the narrow gullet of stone. An otter had an even easier time of than a badger did, leaving Ingrid and Zuriel to squeeze their ways through while Jigano waited to come tailmost, making sure no one got stuck or left behind.
They still had to maneuver through the shiny-hued crystals, but this time – perhaps prepared by the first trip – they all made it through without mishap – yes, even Ingrid, slipping with unexpected grace between the stalactites and protrusions that caught the lantern light and glowed softly all around them.
From there it was an easy trip back to the mouth of the cave, though a long one. The first cave-in had caused some rubble to weaken the wall and narrow the passage, but it was still wider than the shortcut they had just crawled through, and even Zuriel could pass it without squeezing. They emerged into the fading light of a late Flowerbirth afternoon, the wind howling mournfully through the crags to pierce Ingrid’s torn jacket and scour any inch of exposed skin the adventurer’s had forgotten while in the relatively peace of the caverns. Jigano tucked his map and notes away, giving the group a deep and heartfelt bow. ”Thank you, everyone,” he said, voice only slightly muffled by the thick folds of his scarf. ”Today was a good start on making maps of the region. I’d like to come back and push on again later, after the Festival. I would welcome any and all of your company for the next time. For now, though, let’s head back and get warmed up and compare notes over a hot meal!”
The Provost turned and led the weary band back towards the portal, to the settlement and an evening of warming tea, spring-fresh food, and additional notes jotted down as each member of the expedition offered their insights and observations.
Thank you all for participating! If you’d like to post a wrap-up feel free! If not, the thread will be archived in one week.
They still had to maneuver through the shiny-hued crystals, but this time – perhaps prepared by the first trip – they all made it through without mishap – yes, even Ingrid, slipping with unexpected grace between the stalactites and protrusions that caught the lantern light and glowed softly all around them.
From there it was an easy trip back to the mouth of the cave, though a long one. The first cave-in had caused some rubble to weaken the wall and narrow the passage, but it was still wider than the shortcut they had just crawled through, and even Zuriel could pass it without squeezing. They emerged into the fading light of a late Flowerbirth afternoon, the wind howling mournfully through the crags to pierce Ingrid’s torn jacket and scour any inch of exposed skin the adventurer’s had forgotten while in the relatively peace of the caverns. Jigano tucked his map and notes away, giving the group a deep and heartfelt bow. ”Thank you, everyone,” he said, voice only slightly muffled by the thick folds of his scarf. ”Today was a good start on making maps of the region. I’d like to come back and push on again later, after the Festival. I would welcome any and all of your company for the next time. For now, though, let’s head back and get warmed up and compare notes over a hot meal!”
The Provost turned and led the weary band back towards the portal, to the settlement and an evening of warming tea, spring-fresh food, and additional notes jotted down as each member of the expedition offered their insights and observations.
Thank you all for participating! If you’d like to post a wrap-up feel free! If not, the thread will be archived in one week.
