Explorations (2)

"I asked Caspian if he could create some wagons that were used in my village. I assumed they could come in handy and look they did!" Lachlan said excitedly, "Well done Lachlan. But what are you going to use to transport the wagons? Surely not the horses" Eldric answered with concern.

"Roar!!"

Just as Solen wanted to explain a sound could be heard. Eldric turned his gaze towards the sound, in the distance three huge black bears in what looked like armor and leather straps could be seen guided forward by some knights. Seeing them Solen smiled," I asked Caspian to design some leather and steel armor based of the fur and general size of our hunted bears. So that he could create some armor for the bears" 

Eldric saw them up front and he could not help but praise, "Caspian, you did a great job" he said as he looked at the forged armor and the sigil on the House at, the front of the armor. "How strong are the bears, and would you be able to handle them?" 

"Patriarch does not have to worry about that, I chose 3 mid stage bears. I realized that they are sensitive to aura. If I and the two peak knights spread our aura slightly, they would be docile. We will also travel with our swaybacked horses. They are already equipped for the journey" Solen gestured to a group of horses not too far from the House. 

"Then go. Be strong and return safely." Eldric said as he gave Solen a big bear hug. "Courage in Frost, Valor in Battle!" 

"Courage in Frost, Valor in Battle" was repeated by the Knights before setting off. Eldric stood on the steps of the House looking at the group's backs. They were clad in [Winter's Grace] and walked forward calmly and confidently. Their footsteps light and fast on the winter snow. 

< The traveling caravan > 

Solen rode on his swayback horse in the lead with the two peak Tier 1 Knights just behind him. The rest of the Knights are spread around the carriages, forming something like an oval of sorts. They started their journey toward the nearest town called Frostfall about 10 km away. With their speed and uncertainty about the terrain, it would maybe be a 6-hour journey. 

Nonetheless the group ventured into the unknown. It took them about 15 min before they were able to stand on top of crown mountain outside of the basin. Beyond the expanse of the basin, a chain of imposing mountains stretches out into the distant horizon. The mighty peaks, like a series of ancient sentinels, stand tall and unbroken, their rugged grandeur a testament to the power of nature. Each crest, draped in a pristine blanket of snow, gleams under the sun like a white-capped monument, a stark contrast to the azure sky above. 

The mountains, although seemingly monolithic, are a vibrant tapestry of diverse forests. At the lower slopes, deciduous trees burst with a riot of colors: emerald greens, burnished golds, and fiery oranges. Amidst this lush foliage, life blooms in abundance. 

As the altitude rises, the deciduous trees give way to a swath of evergreen conifers. The emerald pines and spruces, their needle-like leaves dusted with frost, create a mesmerizing mosaic against the snow. This dense, coniferous forest is a sanctuary for creatures adapted to the harsh mountain conditions, a world of quiet resilience and stark beauty. 

Higher still, near the timberline, the resilient birch and aspen groves stand. Their skeletal branches, stripped bare by the biting cold, are stark silhouettes against the snow-covered landscape. Here, the air is thin and sharp, carrying whispers of the wilderness that thrives in isolation. 

At the very pinnacle, the vegetation yields to the raw majesty of the rocky summits. The snow-covered peaks, bathed in the ethereal glow of the sun, stand as silent sentinels, guardians of the diverse life that flourishes beneath them. The mountains, with their snow, stone, and forest, create a breathtaking panorama of ever-changing contrasts. And below all the wonder and diversity a path of stone and dirt could be seen weaving between the mountains. 

Solen and the group stood awestruck as they gazed upon the magnificent wonder that unfolded before them. The vibrant colors gleaming in the winter white was a sight to behold. After a few minutes of purely admiring the surroundings, the group slowly started to move along. 

They found themselves what looked like to be a makeshift path, it was extremely rocky and uneven. The knights had to dismount from the horses and walk down the slope. The green, red and orange against the white of winter was beautiful and even though the winter was cold the sun's rays shone upon them warming them. 

The group found a small river flowing down the mountain and a cacophony of sounds were heard while they walked, birds and insects sang in the winter wind. Finally, after about a half an hour of walking the group finally made it down the mountain, they soon met up with the makeshift path. Solen then took out a map from his saddlebag and after a few times looking into the surroundings and from the map he soon said," This way." and they started their journey forth once more. 

They followed the path before them, with the occasional break to see if they were heading in the right direction. Finally, after almost 7 hours of trekking and traveling they came to the small town of Frostfall. 

A quaint signpost stands, lodged between two weathered stone pillars. Crafted from resilient oak, it bears the scars of mountain winters, adding to its rustic charm. Bold white letters against the wood's dark grain read, "Welcome to Frostfell".