The Coalition Chronicles

The Frostcraig Expedition

I woke to the howling of the wind in the early morning. Rolling onto my side, I surveyed our shelter. My partner still slept among her books. My equipment still sat next to me, ready for any emergency. I rose and walked over to our pop-up furnace and stoked the embers, coaxing the flames back to life.

Cautiously, I opened the shelter entrance. The griplock fur strips separated with a soft crackle, while the Arctoram hides released the warmth stored within. Peeking out, I was met by a blast of frigid air and the rising sun. The cold jolted me more fully awake. It was time to prepare for the descent into the caverns, of course after the morning gales died down.

Reaching into one of our supply bags, I pulled out some rations along with a waterskin and warming herbs. "Luciana, time to get ready. Your long-anticipated journey awaits." The shuffling of pages and the inevitable collapse of a small pile of books announced her awakening. "I volunteered for this mission, but why must it be so cold..." she moaned as she slowly rose, wrapped in broadhorn furs. I poured the warming tea into a tin cup, putting it near her seat next to the furnace along with her rations. "Well, we are in the Frostcraig Mountains. I'm not sure what you would have expected."

"Please don't remind me."

This had been our daily ritual for the past few weeks, since we set out from Illuvia, home to the northern mountain country's city Research Coalition branch office. This time of year tends to be colder as we reach the cycle where the days grow shorter. But research is always calling, and we have a lead.

—

The winds fell silent, leaving the mountains quiet. Only the soft, rhythmic crunches of our boots through the snow broke the silence.

Luciana carried her small pack with her journal and research equipment, her slinger secured to her arm. I carried a sword and shield, paired with my tool belt for field work.

"Hey Kel, do you think this cavern system might actually be it? The actual find we have been searching for?" Luciana's voice carried a hint of hope. The possibility of discovery like this was every scholar's dream.

"I hope so. This would be of great benefit to the Coalition." Hope quietly settled in my mind.

We arrived at the cave's mouth, a large opening on the mountainside a short hike from our shelter. The beginning of our descent.

A closer inspection revealed uniform markings on the wall. Deep scratches, with shed scales scattered across the floor.

"Eyes up, Luci. Inside we may have to be ready to evacuate so stay near me at all times." Looking at her, I continued "Do you have repellent pods and smoke for your slinger?"

"Of course, although I have one of the top hunters in the region with me. I'm sure you will be able to guide us through without too much trouble."

With a small sigh, I lit my lantern and stepped into the void. top hunter eh... "just as long as you have your slinger ready. Let's go."

—

The light of the lantern bounced off the stone walls, reflecting a pale white from the built-up frost.

"Hey, what signs should we be looking for? I want to know what to watch for, in case we find something." I asked while marking a nearby wall with luminescent fluid.

Luciana unfolded a paper and studied it under her lantern for a moment.

"We should see glyphs paired with stone foundations. If I had to guess, the glyphs will stand out most, as it is said to be almost ornate." she replied. "It shows an example of a glyph being creature-based so they should be large enough to identify."