Expedition Log 4

[lara_the_explorer]

[Now that everything is back to "normal" for days, Lara finally spoke up and let her presence felt by the residents. She's been keeping to herself most of the time, reading books in the comfort of her own room. But cabin fever seems to be hitting her. Before the castle, all she did was run and try to survive and not long enough after that, she did the same in Isla Sorna... The sudden break in Tokyo was nice, and now the peace in this castle. All this peace and quiet doesn't sit well with her after all of that...

Anyway, she opened up the journal to speak]

I've been reading about the past expeditions. The last one in this Terre Haute in particular caught my interest. How long would it take to travel there? I'd like to go there to see it for myself.

Comments

[peacockherald]

I believe it took us roughly a week to reach it, but we made it back in quick time thanks to the inhabitants. Also, we did not meet many dangers in the Dead Zone, but they exist and if you go, be prepared to face them if they come.

[lara_the_explorer]

A week. That sounds close enough...

Those creatures you encountered, what are they like?

[peacockherald]

The inhabitants of the village or the things they came from where the earth was impacted?

[lara_the_explorer]

I'm not very worried about those giraffes, but I am curious about them too.

[peacockherald]

Yes, well, the giraffes are nice, and they seemed to like visitors.

The other things, though, were... far worse. They were bug like, if I remember correctly.

[lara_the_explorer]

The other things, were they tough to kill?

[peacockherald]

To a degree. I think we have faced tougher, but they were not push overs either, especially for those not trained to fight.

[lara_the_explorer]

Alright. I think bringing some guns should do the trick.

[peacockherald]

Probably. I forget if those stop working in the Dead Zone or not. Swords and bow and arrows work, but magic and machinery do not.

[lara_the_explorer]

Okay. It just sucks that the castle took away my skill with the bow. All those years of training - gone in a flash.

[peacockherald]

Ah, if it makes you feel better, it took away my Bardic Talent. But if you care, there are people here who will teach you other weaponry if you but ask, I am sure.

[lara_the_explorer]

I'm sure there are people who could teach me, but I'm fine with what I know. [She's not comfortable in the idea of having another mentor that she might lose again]

[peacockherald]

As you say, but if you reconsider know such people are here. I for one know light sword skills, and I am a good rider if you wish to learn that skill.

[lara_the_explorer]

I can ride on horses if that's what you mean. But swordsmanship could be useful in a place like this.

[peacockherald]

It seems to come in handy more than it does not, which I wish was more comforting than it sounds like.

[lara_the_explorer]

Oh. I know people here are from very different worlds but when you say sword, what kind exactly?

[peacockherald]

A rapier, to be exact. I was never good with broad swords or cutlasses, much less something like a claymore.

[lara_the_explorer]

Oh, fascinating. Were you from the years 1500 to 1600 AD, in Earth? Or were you from somewhere else?

[peacockherald]

I am not from an Earth, no, though I think it was somewhat like one. I am from a country called Valdemar, and unlike many Earth worlds, I am gift with special magics called Gifts.

[lara_the_explorer]

Magic?

[Now she's intrigued]

That doesn't exist in my world. At least I thought it didn't.

[peacockherald]

Yes, in my world it is... not common, but it is not unheard of either. It comes in many different forms, as it were, some for the good and some for the bad.

[lara_the_explorer]

How does it work? [A pretty vague question, but it sums up all of her questions regarding magic and the supernatural. She basically wants to rationalize it]

[peacockherald]

It depends on your Gift, really. I have quite a few, but most only have one. Depending on the nature on the Gift, they do something else.

[lara_the_explorer]

I see. Since you say Gift, I assume it's passed down by blood. Is it?

[peacockherald]

Often yes, a Gift parent will pass it down to a child, but that is not always the case. Sometimes it just happens. Neither of my parents were Gifted, but my aunt is.

_{[ He did not mention the only reason his Gifts came to the fore was because of some rather traumatic and startling events. ]}

[lara_the_explorer]

I see. So it must be some kind of genetic trait, like a gene that gives people abilities normal people don't have... [She's still having a hard time accepting magic, so she's assuming it's some kind of mutant gene since it's closer to science...]

[peacockherald]

A gene? What is a gene? Or a genetic trait?

_{[ That's a bit to much beyond his current time, Lara, sorry. He understands bloodlines though, so it's a start. ]}

[lara_the_explorer]

[Lara paused for a second, thinking of how to simplify the concept]

It's like a signature in your blood, we call it DNA back in my world - or time. Your genes carry traits from your family and the later generation inherits them. Like physical features, talents, mannerisms...

[peacockherald]

Ah, you mean such as hair color or my eye color.

_{[ He supposed he had been lucky, if temperament was passed through the blood, that he had not received much of his father and turned more in his mother's favor. ]}

[lara_the_explorer]

Yes. Since you said this Gift is passed down from parents, it could be a genetic trait.

[peacockherald]

Well, I suppose that makes sense then. But that doesn't explain how it can appear in children who's families has never been Gifted either.

[lara_the_explorer]

It does that? It could be something everyone has, and it could be "unlocked" by an event in someone's life. Like something traumatic...

[While not magic, she feels as if her will to survive and her natural talent in fighting was unlocked while she tried to survive in Yamatai]

[peacockherald]

_{[ Oh, do not even get him started on that, Lara. Please don't. Seriously, he has the most traumatic past of anyone ever known to be a Herald, and it unlocked so much in him... ]}

Yes, that could do it too. Most think it is a deliberate choice of the gods who has a Gift and who does not.

[lara_the_explorer]

I see. Alright...

[Now that he mentioned gods, her attention has shifted to that. You lucked out, Van!]

These "gods", have you seen them in person?

[peacockherald]

Only one, but that is enough.

_{[ More than enough, especially when she offers you the sweet release of death and you refuse. ]}

[sworn]

I'd advise against returning there, especially alone.

[lara_the_explorer]

Are there any other dangers out there besides the insect-humanoids and these First Generations?

[sworn]

That you need other threats in order to be wary is concerning.

[lara_the_explorer]

Everyone who went on that expedition all survived with no problem, right? It doesn't sound so bad.

[Having survived two deadly islands made her hardened enough to sound unfazed by Terre Haute]

[sworn]

Of course it would not sound so bad to one who was not there. That is because we were in a large enough group to stand our ground. There were droves and droves of the creatures, each with the ability to incapacitate. Unless you intend to travel in an equally large group, you may want to reconsider your plans.

[lara_the_explorer]

I see. I'll think about it.

[Somehow she's even more curious of going there now that it sounded more dangerous]