event: portal four | the mountain

[mayfield_mods]

The fourth portal, as might be expected, can be found atop the hill known as Makeout Point. The other side of the portal isn't altogether that much different from the side you're entering from, save for the thicker trees and somewhat darker lighting.

The other side of the portal is significantly colder than the Mayfield side; frost covers the ground, and although it's not quite freezing, you'll want to bundle up. A glance at the sky reveals what you might have been dreading: glitch holes, in varying size, litter the skyline. The sun is hidden behind a set of thick clouds, creating a melancholy atmosphere.

The landscape around you is relatively flat, and you can't see too far beyond the forest ahead of you. It isn't until you turn around, facing the portal that you entered from, that you see the rising slope of the ground. The mountain rises high, higher than you can see from its base. There's a rough, primitive path heading up its slope, and for now simply hiking will be sufficient. As you get further, however, simply walking won't be enough: you're going to have to climb...

Somewhere, closer than you might prefer, a single wolf howls, and is shortly joined by more.

Better get moving.

Comments

[hawkeward]

So I've heard, but killing them is often easier, in my experience. Then again, my experience is a little... different from all this.

[donttellmetheodds]

If they come around anytime soon, leave it to me. But don't let your guard down either way. I've never tried certain things against wild animals so who knows if it'll work.

[hawkeward]

I get the feeling this isn't simple survival skills you're talking about.

[donttellmetheodds]

It's a Jedi thing. We can leave it at that.

[hawkeward]

Jedi? [She frowns.] Actually, no, don't bother explaining - it'll just go over my head, I'm sure. I'll just assume you're another kind of mage and be mildly jealous of your various talents.

[donttellmetheodds]

It's not really...magic. And don't be jealous.

But do you mind if I stick around? For some reason, wandering around alone doesn't exactly seem like a good idea.

[hawkeward]

All right, I'll only be jealous if you start turning into a dragon. [a pause] But it's close enough to magic, isn't it? It's all the same to me, anyway.

[She shakes her head.] I get the feeling there's more than just wolves waiting for us out there, so the more the merrier, I say.

[donttellmetheodds]

Never seen a dragon before so we're safe.

Thanks for that then. I'll owe you one later.

[hawkeward]

Never? Lucky you. They have awful breath.

Oh, don't worry about it; it's for my benefit, too. [She waves a dismissive hand at him.] I'm Hawke, by the way.

[donttellmetheodds]

Corran Horn. Nice to meet you, by the way.

[hawkeward]

Same to you.

[The dog at her feet barks happily before running ahead, and Hawke turns to follow.] Shall we? It's a long way to the top; best get started.

[donttellmetheodds]

Alright.

[Following behind, no problems here.]

What I wouldn't give for telekinetic abilities at this point.

[hawkeward]

Indeed.

[Annnnnd we're hiking! She squints up at the mountaintop as she goes.]

Or perhaps the ability to fly. That dragon thing I mentioned would come in handy right about now.

[donttellmetheodds]

That too. Anything to hurry up and get out of the cold.

[hawkeward]

That would be nice, wouldn't it. [She crosses her arms over her chest at the mention of the cold, though it doesn't do much to keep her warm.] But I'll be happy so long as we find something worth all this trouble.

[donttellmetheodds]

Like another one of these portals, maybe. One that leads back to home so you can grab your friends and drag them through.

[hawkeward]

Now, I like to be optimistic, but even I think that's a bit much to hope for. [Mournful sigh.] That would be nice, though.

[donttellmetheodds]

No harm in imagining things as long as you don't let it disappoint you in the end.

[hawkeward]

I'd rather keep my expectations low. I might be pleasantly surprised that way.

[donttellmetheodds]

If it works for you, then I've got no reason to complain.

[mayfield_mods]

This is suddenly happening!