Navi

The team uncovers the numbered codes within the sentences. Hm, clever. That might as well have been one of the hardest puzzles Maria had ever found, and she was good with puzzles. She felt a certain degree of pride at having solved that one.

The coordinates were clear... It led them straight into Southern Icefield territory, too close for comfort to the Fortress of Ends, where gaolers had at some point kept horrors trapped in their jails. This was an area even the boldest avoided for good reason. Elena felt chills, not only for the cold, but for the fact this whole region was reknown for being ripe with trouble.

"Brr... This place gives me the creeps. Very well. Last one was buried in a cave under snow... Perhaps this one will as we-!"

An arrow speeds by her face, missing her by an inch before Elena spread her wings wide, covering the troupe from a rain of arrows before she could give the order. She was struck by two arrows where her protective gear failed to keep her skin covered.

A fae descends upon the group, his magic works a small shield that allows them to gather their bearings and think about what to do. There isn't time to thank him for it, Elena helps the group take shelter in the trees.

"Longnecks... They aren't usually aggressive... What is going on?!"

"Petty territorial dispute."

"C-can we do something about it?" - Maria asked, pained that trouble had found them so early in their journey. Why did they always end up in a fight? Good Tidelord!

"Drive the yellow longnecks out. The black ones are my allies. Don't kill them." - He then quirks an eyebrow at the party. "You're from Water Flight. Here for the shiny blue piece. Water dragons coming here always are." - He growls, which is surprising from a fae. "Too much trouble. Not worth it anymore. Yours to keep if you help me drive these invaders out." - He quirks a nod to the longnecks before he uses his magic to control his broadsword and knock back a longneck warrior nearing them.

Maria took cover. She was not a fighter, and knew she'd be a hindrance if she tried to fight. Nigel steadied his own weapon, just waiting for Elena's call. She checked with the rest of the group. She would protect the weaker ones, and let Nigel and the other braver ones incapacitate the longnecks. If the fae wanted to slaughter them, it was on him, but she would not have their researchers have blood on their hands.

"Alright, scallywags! I want everyone who can to try and either subdue or talk some sense into those longneck archers! The golden ones!" - She drew her own cutlass, but turned it so that the blunt side faced her enemies. "No bloodshed! I repeat! No bloodshed, just incapacitate them!"

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The battle seems to be happening quick. The golden hoard of longnecks has arrived by the river in ships and boats and is attacking the black longneck village the fae has been protecting. The black herd is trying to evacuate their young and their elders, but the attack has taken them by surprise.

They sound their horns and their own warriors are still gearing up for battle, the village seems to be relying on the fae to hold their defenses for now.

Perhaps we can assist... Give the longnecks enough time to fight their own battle... Or perhaps, we can drive the invaders out that no battle needs to take place!

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