Wyndbane

Mistral Jamboree 2015
Journey to the Jamboree Roleplay

Scene 1
I growl to the ground at the news of the new location. Why do things have to be difficult? I dig my claws into the springy grass. This wasn't my idea to come back to my birth flight for the Jamboree, but both my clan matriarch and my darling mate encouraged me-no- forced me into attending. I growl again at the wind, and begin to ask the dragons that were here for directions. I know I have to cross the Zephyr Steppes until the Reedcleft Ascent, but I have no idea which direction to even start. The dragons are no longer there. This will not be any fun, I huff.

I glance around the hastily abandoned site. If only everyone hadn't left so quickly. I poke my nose into a few of the abandoned stalls, seeing if someone left anything useful. Perhaps there is a map. As I move toward another stall my attention is caught by a hooded dragon, beckoning for my attention. I hesitate. If this guy isn't a shady character I don't know who would be.

“You seem lost, my friend,” the dragon says, giving you a smile that shows all his teeth. “As it happens, I’m a seller of trinkets and curiosities, and I have in my possession several fine maps of Sornieth.” I narrow my eyes at the dragon. I hadn't even spoken a word of my intentions.

The mysterious dragon takes a handful of maps from his cloak and spreads them in front of you. They are all handwritten, and they’re all different from each other. “They’re all very good maps,” the dragon insists. “And I’ll sell you one, at a very special discount price, so you’ll be able to find your way to the Cloudsong. What do you say?”

I suspiciously glare at the hooded dragon, not trusting him to not sell me junk or inaccurate maps for a quick handful of treasure. I shuffle through the four that catch my eye. One looks childish, one looks too antique, one is merely a leaf with writing on it, and the last is a bit of cloth with a beautiful stitching. I decide to buy C. The map embroidered on a piece of canvas with brilliantly coloured thread. I plunk the coins the dragon asked in return into his palm. The mysterious salesman quickly gathers up his other maps and dashes away. I sigh. With my luck it's probably a fake.

Scene 2
This incessant wind is driving me nuts. Even while I was lost in the bamboo grove it blew in my face, and especially so as I found myself lost on the cliff. Of all the bad luck. I don't even want to go to the silly Jamboree. I decide to ditch the worthless map and place it in my bag. Perhaps Jadis would like it. It's well crafted, even if it's not accurate. I leapt into the air from the cliff and determinedly followed the edge until I was away from the bamboo. I land in the soft rippling grass, taking in my surroundings. For some blasted reason the wind is less here, just a soft breeze.

I wander toward a pile of rocks in the distance. I step on something. I look down around my feet and see small trinkets everywhere, scattered on the ground. How many sad little hatchlings are missing their toys, and how many merchants have lost their goods here? I continue. No point in wasting time on silly lost trinkets.

The pile of rocks is not a pile of rocks. As I approach I realize it is instead a pile of trinkets. What is up with this place and these trinkets? I decide to rummage through it. This pile was obviously from someone who collected these trinkets from this field. Perhaps there is something valuable. Not any luck again. I growl at the worthless junk, I could have scavenged this from anywhere. C. A book of fables catches my eye. It has an old worn leather cover, and the clasps appear to be made of copper. I put it in my bag. Jadis likes stories, perhaps she might like it.

Scene 3
I wander this open windy grassland toward the Reedcleft Ascent in the distance. It would be nice to lie down here for a while and forget about the Jamboree, but that won't do. My mate wants proof that I actually went to it.

I finally reach the base of the Reedcleft Ascent, and eat a small lunch as I decide what to do. My map is useless, and a quick skim of the Book of Fables provides no answers either. I study the paths. Some seem more worn than others, but the looseness of the soil unnerves me. I would try to fly, but here I believe the wind is stronger, and I don't want to be trapped into a gust that would blow me way off course. I watch as a cliff tumbles into the ocean and think I would rather not go for an unexpected swim either.

I study the paths closer, and notice that I am not alone. I see four beastclan members. Perhaps, as much as I don't like the idea, one of them could help me. I raise my lip in a growl of disgust as I see the Masked Harpy circling above. I've had about enough of them from my home in Lightning. I observe a nervous Dappled Dunhoof hastily gathering branches. My gaze makes it more nervous, it seems likely to bolt at any second. A Longneck Skirmisher lounges against a stand of reeds, munching on his own lunch. The look he's giving me tells me he'd attack if I so much as looked at him funny again. Lastly I notice an Opheodrys Serthis slithering in the grass toward me. It's manner isn't blatantly hostile, and I'm glad it is this variety of Serthis, as it has no venom.

"Are you lossst?" The Serthis hisses politely in a mocking manner.

I narrow my eyes at the beast. "Do you know the way?"

"Sssure. I've been thisss way many timesss. But if you want me to help you, a dragon, I don't play for free," the serpent taunted, swaying back and fourth as it spoke.

I think of the things I have along. Dragon treasure or gems are near worthless for the Beastclans. I only really have the embroidered map and the book. I reach into my pack, grab the item, and smile. "Here is a lovely emboridered cloth, hand crafted by the best seamstresses in all of Sornieth. I pains me to let it go, but my journey is more important."

I hand it over to the Serthis, who examines it closely in its hands. "If thisss isss sssupposssed to be a map, it isss terribly innacurate, but I will take it. Follow me."

B. The Opheodrys Serthis slithering leisurely across the tall grass.

Scene 4
I thank the Serthis as she slithers away, glad that she was such a help. I'm so close now and I wonder what activities there are at the Jamboree that I could enjoy. I walk across the Twisted Crescendo toward a sign in the distance. It's a crossroads! I examine the four signs, becoming frustrated that they are only labeled with the cardinal directions. This is next to useless. I already know the directions by the sun in the sky.

Each path is worn from use and provides no recent hints. Is this a game for the Wind Flight? Let's see how lost we can make our visitors? I growl. So it comes down to an educated guess. East is tempting, perhaps it is some dragons moving their gigantic kites. But something about the shapes make me pause. I don't want an encounter with a herd of beasts. I turn A. North, where a cool breeze is blowing clouds across the sky. Where there's a nice breeze there's a nice place to fly kites? I head North.

Scene 5
I trudged through the storm, quickly realizing my northward path was probably the worst option. The wind tears at my face and armor, and I keep my wings firmly pinned to my sides for fear of the wind catching them. I can now clearly see that blasted tornado, and pick my way though the rocky terrain, skirting its edges. After who knows how long my feet ache, but I feel the wind lessen. I turn back to see the Crescendo at a safer distance than what it was at before. I flop down onto some less jagged rocks to rest my aching feet.

My nap was short, the noise from the howling vortex isn't the best music to sleep to. I stand up warily on my sore feet, and continue to the Twisted Crescendo. I can see the Cloudsong now, the magnificent ships high in the sky. Brightly colored decorations adorn every surface I can see. How do I get there? I don't dare fly, I'm too exhausted after fighting the wind all day.

An insane idea pops into my head when I see some leftover kites. A number of them are large and sturdy enough for even myself. Perhaps I could fly one there? Quetzal was always having me try out his flying constructs at home. I examine the kites closer. Only four are undamaged. I choose B. The light green kite painted with pictures of bamboo on a whim. Based on my previous luck I doubt even if I thought this through I'd make the right decision.