Giants among the Clouds

'Thunderbirds are species of beasts that are characterized by their ability to alter the weather. Depending on their biology, they can affect the weather to varying degrees. Three most notable species of Thunderbirds populate the Havens of Melodoria , Lynheare and the Lost World.

Stormdrakes are arguably the largest and most powerful and are generally employed as war beasts to fight beside soldiers, most notably in the Aufruinen military. The firm hides and rigid scales make them a tough and persistent foe once they are airborne, and thanks to their impressive size, they are capable of freighting heavy cargo.

Thunderbeaks are the second largest and can be found roosting in rocky outcrops or high atop the peaks of most mountains, using their unique abilities to turn the surrounding areas into fertile oases. While they are incredibly dangerous when provoked, they are always welcomed when roosting near civilization and have a fondness of feasting on farmland cattle in exchange for general cooperation, they are incredibly intelligent and choose to aid mortals when they can.

Halcyons are the smallest and kept as pets as well as divining rods for leading settlers to freshwater sources or by sailors to help guide them through intense storms. While they can be handled with little practice and some tact, they can be ferocious when provoked. They are however known for their unshakeable loyalty, always returning to their owner.'-Quest Details

Erai and Torren traveled to Frostmorne, a town found in the northernmost Mountains of the Melodoria, to the East of the Ma'ein Sof University, to lend their aid as they have been ravaged by the rampaging beasts.

Taking a gondola from the base of the mountains into the airy peaks that lay shrouded by the thick veil of clouds and gray-scaled skies, the pair were shocked to find the town to be different from the lands around it. Something the gondola operator mentioned is always fascinating.

"Nobody ever expects a place like this so high up in the mountains, but the Ioeties, they really know how to turn a place into a home…take a look." The old operator motioned at a break in the clouds ahead, offering the first proper glimpse of the town.

Nearing the outskirts of the Rim formed by the peaks of the mountain range, they were able to see the Thunderbeak farm.

According to the operator, the beasts were bred and raised for the purpose of nurturing the lands within the Rim. Using their unique ability to create a singular season of yearly splendor within the bounds of the town, despite how harsh the environment was just outside the Rim.

Parking the gondola at the station within Frostmorne, Erai and Torren got off and asked the station manager for directions towards the Thunderbeak farm.

A guide from the station was then tasked with leading them to it, remarking that they weren't the first to ask for help reaching the farm as the town had gained many such visitors in a short amount of time.

As the trio made their way out of the station, their guide had noticed the look of captivation once they were able to see the town. Seeing that they would have to go through the town to reach the farm, she asked if they would like a tour, an idea they both jumped for in excitement

The Iotenas of Frostmorne had cultivated a spirit of harmony and peace with their home, as seen by the hills running the massive homestead structures bearing a great number of flower beds and orchards alike. The guide informed them of their town's prized harvest were their Snow-cherries, and Tundra Apples.

Pointing out that the rest of the land was maintained for their regular crops.

Traveling along the stone paths winding between the different streets, they quickly found the town's size to be far too large for it to be considered so with Torren wondering if the locale wasn't in fact a city, finding the stone carvings and artistic engravings found all around to reminiscent of Aria in style.

"Well it should come as no surprise, most of the great cities of the First World were constructed by our people" their guide spoke cheerfully.

Frostmorne's immense size did cause some trouble while they traversed through it with their guide losing sight of the tiny wandering pair every few turns they took.

By the time they had reached the thresholds of the town, the last of the pine-built homes and stone-carved buildings were sparse enough to reveal the sight of the Outskirts.

Across the auburn fields that rustled against the mid-afternoon breeze, their guide pointed to their destination, the town's Thunderbeak farm.

Heading towards it, their guide mentioned that several days before their arrival, there was an incident where someone had startled them and they broke loose.

In their panicked state, the beasts began attacking the town and roosting all over the area which wouldn't be an issue except that Thunderbirds naturally affect the environment so when a large collection of them is disturbed, it usually spells disaster.

The owner of the farm knew that the beast's effect on the weather is greatly reduced when they are calm and keeping to themselves, though since they've only ever known the local area as home, the panic of the locals has sent them into a wild frenzy across the land.

The farmer needed help capturing them but they were too dangerous to approach in a frenzy.

As such, the owner sent out a request asking for aid.

To help in capturing them safely, the quest takers were each handed an Achromanyx companion to help them in tracking down the loose Thunderbeaks. Everyone received a female companion as they were the most capable, Erai was left with a younger male cub whose social group happened to be lost during the chaos.

Since there weren't enough of the hunters to go around, he decided to take the cub along with him.

Although he seemed a bit at a loss compared to others, he didn't mind.

The two of them managed to herd the beasts through most of the town quite well, with a different take to their approach. While other groups were led by their Achromanae to the roosting beasts with the herders drawing them out and sedating them while their companions rounded them back to the farm, Shynerai and his little friend had their own strategy.

The cub would lead him to Thunderbeaks, then draw them out while he would ambush and subdue them until they calmed down. The cub would then do its best to herd them. Although more challenging, as it left both of them bruised.

Over the past two days, the hunter managed to rally all the beasts but the town suffered enough damage and so did the herders themselves, dealing with injuries and bruises.

With them taking the time to rest, awaiting their well-earned, Erai and Torren worked with the authorities to piece together what started the mess, alongside him his companions joined them, surprising Torren by how quickly he'd become attached to him.

They discovered sigils carved into the Thunderbirds, the nature of which hinting at the possibility of mind control being the cause. But they couldn't figure out why...

One of the town guards informed the two that the Thunderbeaks have a value that comes from the benefit of the creation of the best possible farmlands with their weather control, making barren areas subject to environmental change.

Commenting on how places like Whitewater Port where established despite being outside any Havens. They may seem unassuming, but they are essential to food production.

Eventually, their investigation is put on pause, with the guard informing the two young heroes that their work will continue but they can return, acknowledging their good work as he shook their hands asking them to return on better terms one day. With two waving them off, Torren reminded Erai to stop by the farm, to return the cub.

The thought of which made him hesitant as the eager cub chased about them on their way to the farm.

The owner of the Thunderbeak farm thanked them both remarking that he half expected Erai to keep the cub seeing how well they got along, something he tried his best to hide the effect of the idea on his mind. Since the two of them had a similar nature, kneeling down to pet its onyx coat. 

Having the cub run against him, and moving to garner the same attention from Torren.

Lifting the cub and cuddling it before leaping from him onto Erai's shoulder, seating so comfortably that it bellowed with its roar while the farmer tried to remove him until eventually Erai picked the cub up.

With him in his arms, the bellows calmed, the sight of which left the owner not quite pressed to deal with the discord that would surely follow after Shynerai and Torren would leave, especially with all the work that needed to be done to repair the farm.

Taking a look at the pair, he asks the Daumier if he would mind taking the cub, noting that he didn't think it would as he pointed at it brushing against him in his arms. While Shynerai considered the idea, Torren was entertaining the eager cub...

"I guess that settles it." The farmer responds much to Erai surprise, while Torren tried to hide his laughter before asking what he's going to name him

Lifting the cub, and analyzing his shimmer coat and bright blue eyes that seemed to have a hint of violet when staring at them just right, the name came to him.

"Bell. I'll call him Bell."

"As in a church bell, that kind of bell?"

"...Hmm, not at all, its eyes remind me of a Bellflower..."

"Are they important to something?"

"Yeah, they sure are."

Taking the earliest train back to Aria, the pair were seen off by the farm owner, riding the gondola down to the station below.

Exhausted, they settled into their seats while the light of dusk below the cloud-heavy veil of Frostmorne peered through into the cabin. While feeling himself slip closer towards sleepiness, the thought he had nearly forgotten stuck out to him.

"Torren…are you still awake?"

Hoping to catch his attention just before his friend had given up his fight with his exhaustion. Torren wondered if it couldn't wait till they got back home, but Erai kept the thought in mind while the train rode out of the snowy North. Envious of the sleeping Bell, he moved the feline to the wayside and indulged Erai's curiosity.

"…Guess I'm awake now, what do you need?"

Bringing it back to when their journey began, he harkened him about his desire to come on a Quest, not to mention how adamant he was that he accompany him.

A weighted breath slipped out Torren's mouth when hearing his words, though he felt that Erai at least deserved the truth.

"I…needed the uld. Since leaving my part-time job when arriving at Trinity Cross–I haven't been able to send much back home. Sorry about that, I knew if I got you to take up a Quest with me then it would be a lot easier to find one with a decent enough reward."

"I…I see. I guess I expected you to say something, to Ketsuiko at the very least."

"No, I couldn't do that, I didn't want to drag everyone into my problems." He spoke with a tone that had turned solemn.

"Torren, I know. I would do the same for my family…maybe even more. But if you're going to need my help, then know that you can always ask, we can't...just use each other"

"That was never the plan. Even when we first met, you went out of your way to look out for me and that hasn't changed even now. That's probably why I turned to you when I needed help."

"Just know that you can count on not just me but all of us. I know you have my back, so I've got yours." Knocking some life into him with a slug to the arm, shocking away his hung expression.

Bringing a spark of light to his eyes as he met his gesture in kind. The pair sat back and took to enjoying the last leg of the trip back home.