Session Report 28 - Boreal Peak
General Summary
"Sometimes I wish I were an artist so I could paint things like this."
-Gunther
Survival In The Graveyard
The Driftwood and its crew spend the next 23 days afloat in Yuel's Graveyard - a wintery stretch of sea about with ice floes. It proves a good place to hide as almost no ships pass by. The sometimes harsh temperatures and natural obstacles prove a challenge to overcome, but with a magical hearth set up upon the main deck and some skillful navigation, the ship and its crew manage to remain intact and mildly comfortable. There is a run-in with a dangerous sea creature but the crew manages to defeat it before it can pull Gunther to a watery grave.Training, Bonfires, & Chess
The time passes quickly as the crew, while not making efforts to survive in the graveyard, spend time on personal affairs and training. Gunther practices with his weaponry and improves his reloading. Laire trains under Gunther in the art of combat while wearing medium-sized armour, making some headway but not reaching his full potential. Locke gets plenty of opportunities to master his sailing, becoming far more proficient in his handling of the Driftwood and similar ships.Meanwhile, crew members gather around the newly made magical bonfire (courtesy of Locke) and trade stories. Timothy takes to telling ghost stories, complimented by magical effects provided by most of the spellcasters. These stories manage to genuinely frighten Grov. Pixchaxla spends most of his time pacing and worrying while Lou tries her best to be helpful.
Hostaging Harry challenges Laire to a rematch in chess, having lost their previous match. Much of the crew gathers to watch, including an amazed Grov. Laire proceeds to play a solid offensive against Harry, ultimately forking his queen and then cornering him into a mate. Harry is slightly salty following this, and Grov tries to get Laire to teach him chess, which the elf does, though half-heartedly.
Stranded Soul
On the 23rd day, Snitchflick spots a fire from the crow's nest and calls attention to it. The crew sails their ship towards it to find out about it. At its source is half of a crashed Rowboat and a single individual, who introduces herself as Camilia Valgencia. She explains that she is a former pirate and is stranded. She offers a few gold if the crew is willing to bring her to Boreal Peak, an island/mountain less than a day away. She claims that she wishes to climb it beth because the summit has a spectacular view and because there are probably magic items at the top.The crew happily sail to the island and observe the massive size of the mountain. Camilia invites anybody who wishes to climb it to join her, offering a small magic item as payment. She knows a solo climb is dangerous but says she'll go either way. Locke thinks this is ridiculous and is hesitant to have any of his crewmembers head on this dangerous expedition, especially with not much guarantee of its worthwhileness. Nonetheless, Gunther and Ramone both want to go, and Laire is hesitant to leave the two basically alone, so also chooses to go. Grov considers going but ultimately decides to keep Locke company on the ship.
The Climb
The climb is difficult and as the group gets further and further up the mountain the winds blow stronger and flurries of snow block vision. The group has to traverse several near vertical rock faces and, on one of these climbs, Ramone falls but Laire manages to catch him by the belt, saving his friend from a truly long fall.The expeditionary force eventually comes upon a canyon with a ridge behind it. After some maneuvering with rope and pitons, they manage to cross the canyon but see the silhouette of a yeti in the distance, which lets out a bellow and causes an avalanche. The group runs for the edges of the ridge, trying to climb up the mountain. Laire and Camilia lag behind the others. In a daring move, Laire places the woman on his back and casts a protective spell while Ramone and Gunther try to help them up from higher ground. The avalanche hits, and Laire hangs onto the rock face by the skin of his teeth, narrowly dodging death. The yeti disappears.
The group continues up the mountain, eventually making it to the clouds. They must contend with biting wind and frigid temperatures, and they do not know if a yeti will appear at any moment. After what feels like hours, though is probably less than that, the group poke their heads above the clouds and see a sight.
Aurora
The top of the mountain shows a beautiful sky, bathed in auroras. The mountain, having been created to reflect Yuel's most precious childhood memory in Nihakeshi, truly encapsulates its beauty. The group takes some time to simply take in the sights.Camilia sits down on some rocks and snow, clearly exhausted. She takes in the beauty and smiles. Laire asks her if she ever intends to go down - he expects she doesn't. She admits that she actually has less than a month to live and is happy to die here. She hands over her valuable belongings, saying she no longer needs them and gives her heartfelt thanks. The group takes some time to be silent, just looking up at the skies and taking in the moment.
Laire feels his wrist and merely looks to the east.
Back on The Driftwood
Meanwhile, Locke tries his best to teach Grov chess. The two look on with worry at the mountain, unsure of the safety of their friends.
Report Date
07 Jan 2023
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