Submission (#2011) Approved

Quest: Resonance - Act 1
Act Type: Exploration
Word Count: 1096
Adult Elnin Present: Neve [ELN011]
Regional Affinity: Silveil
Claiming Regional Affinity for: Eweca [ELN971]
Adventurer Rank Unlock Mini-Requirement: Adventuring Outfit and Act of Exploration Adventurer Rank Requirement

Silveil was bustling with activity as usual, lights illuminating the buildings in the area and Eweca had come here with their guardian, Neve for the first time. They would be here for a while Eweca could infer just from how thoroughly Neve had packed. Eweca wasn’t so sure of this new region though. Back in their hometown of Strynhalde she and Neve rarely left the house because the chilly climate could be particularly hostile for a kitten to stay out in too long. This new region felt too loud, even now Eweca’s fur stood on end as she peered out the window at the crowded streets filled with lights and an impressive night market. It was always night in Silveil, so day or night stands felt like they never quite closed. Time here seemed like it was just a concept. The city felt noisy but Eweca’s gaze drifted off to the distant forest surrounding the city, pondering if she might find something more interesting there.

Maybe this was how she would start her journey, she pondered before giving a decisive nod to assure herself. With that she scampered off to an open door in the inn suite they would be dwelling in for their stay. Neve would stay here at the very least Eweca was sure. “Mother?” Eweca peered her head into the room quietly checking what book Neve had buried her head into now. Neve looked up upon having her name called, raising an eyebrow at her small kittom. “Can I go explore here? It’s not as cold.” Eweca’s request was enough to make Neve’s eyes widen beneath her thick bangs but it was difficult to see as much.

Eweca could tell her guardian had paused to ponder. Neve knew the small exploratory trip wouldn’t be too problematic. She just had to be sure that Eweca was safe in the process. “Be sure to pack a solid bag of supplies and don’t stray beyond the haven at the edge of town. Wards should still be working around that area.” Neve warned, cautious about Eweca going too deep into the forest on her own. With an excited gleam in her eye Eweca skittered off to get her supplies for the first venture out into the unknown. Sure she had gone some places with Neve before, but nothing quite like this. Her eagerness showed just a bit as she rummaged through a chest of items, hauling out a bag containing the supplies for pitching a small tent. Then in a smaller bag she carefully packed some rope, and snacks and a bit of flint to start a fire.

“Remember what I said about starting fires.” Neve chided in a soft voice. “Yes, yes, always remember to make sure the surrounding grass is damp and never too close to the tent or trees. Fix a small circle of stones around the area you want to start your fire and make sure that your wood is dry but not too thin that it drifts as it burns.” Eweca recited the instructions like they were straight out of a book, though her tone was muffled as she dug through the chest of supplies. Neve had mentioned it on their way here how different this place was from Strynhalde. In a land of snow starting a fire was significantly more difficult.

“If you stick close to the luminous flora you should be able to avoid having to start a fire altogether.” Neve commented. Eweca finished packing her bag and grabbed the last thing she needed, her adventuring outfit. It was a soft blue cape of fabric with a thick white faux fur trim along its edges. Neve had to get up to help her fasten it but with that along with some small black boots, and her bags over her shoulders Eweca felt ready to go.

Normally Eweca just carried the small bag but the tent was a necessity for this trip. Carefully the encumbered kittom opened the door and headed out into the bustling city. She was cautious not to stray through the lower lit alleyways of Silveil City and when she reached the edge of town it felt like the path ahead of her cleared. She could see Starlake as its waves crashed against the store, illuminating as the small jellyfish life was disturbed by the action.

Trotting forward she tried hard to focus on the path ahead of her, but it was hard not to glance up at the stars overhead from time to time. This region was truly wondrous to Eweca, the skies glimmering in a way that reminded her of the auroras back home in Strynhalde but with more twinkling rather than smooth colors. She could see the haven lightly aglow in the distance, clearly occupied and with a satisfying nod she decided she was far enough out to pitch her tent near the treeline. There was enough light from the moon and stars here that she felt this would be a good spot. Dragging out the tent she set it up carefully. It was a rather sturdy makeshift abode, sturdy enough she almost wondered if it would be too hot for this climate. WIth a shrug though she examined her work. The tent looked solid and all that was left was to fill the inside of the tent.

A bedroll was the last thing to put inside. She had yet to close the tent flap though as she crawled into the cozy sleeping spot she had crafted. It would be a fun night experience out here. Perhaps not fully comparable to being further out into the depths of the forest but enough for a kittom like Eweca who had yet to venture out into the world much at all. As she settled in, trying to fall asleep, her ears flicked listening to the bugs and watching the lightning bugs flicker. Beyond her tent flap were some glowing mushrooms that she’d felt would be a good light source. In the end she hadn’t needed to start a fire anyway so the mushrooms would suffice.

She couldn’t hide her smile or excitement. Neve hadn’t mentioned it either but the cloak she had given Eweca would be easy to spot if she needed to go out to fetch the small kittom as it was a lot more visible here than it had ever been in Strynhalde. There was some comfort in that as the evening came to a close only unlike normal no sun would rise in this region. That would definitely take Eweca some getting used to.