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[AnonShy] Travel Log 1

Sep 27th, 2012
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  1. >A new pack and fresh supplies.
  2. >The cervidae were undoubtedly the most peaceful and generous beings you've come across yet.
  3. >You've been told that they haven't had a conflict in many generations, not including self-defense from predators.
  4. >There were few major cities; most prefering to roam the plains as nomads with their herds.
  5. >A simple life.
  6.  
  7. >The terrain change signifies your exit of the plains of the cervidae.
  8. >The ground was ever-so-slightly sloping up.
  9. >The tall prairie grasses giving way for shorter grasses and pine trees.
  10. >In the far distance, you can see an enormous mountain range.
  11. >The cervidae claim the Emberrace mountains extend far beyond the clouds themselves, as you can clearly see.
  12. >They also claim that not even pegasi will attempt to fly over them.
  13. >You were given directions to seek out the city of Himallamas in order to receive a guide safely through the mountains.
  14. >While you're there, you plan on grabbing a new coat.
  15. >You've had no need for your jacket through cervidae lands, but it's not going to help you through the high altitude winter.
  16. --
  17. >And so you climb.
  18. >Your packs way each of you down significantly.
  19. >You need to stop often to rest as the road inclined further.
  20. >With her saddlebags on, Fluttershy can't even fly very far.
  21. >After an afternoon's hike, you come across a large plateau.
  22. "Are we in the right place?"
  23. >"That doesn't look like a city to me," commented Fluttershy.
  24. >Layed out before you isn't what you were expecting of a city.
  25. >A high white stone wall surrounded the plateau.
  26. "It could be just protection as opposed to a fort," you point out.
  27. >"That makes sense," affirmed Fluttershy.
  28.  
  29. >You follow the road along the wall until you see the largest set of doors you've ever seen.
  30. >They were made of a dark wood and ornately decorated with gold.
  31. >"That's beautiful," commented Fluttershy.
  32. "You're telling me."
  33. >You both stare up at the enormous door in front of you.
  34. >Then you realize something.
  35. "How do we ge-"
  36. >Something clunks loudly and the doors slowly begin to swing open.
  37. "Ah. Nevermind, then."
  38. >A llama in a crimson robe steps towards weary travelers outside his city.
  39. >"Welcome, friends. Please follow me."
  40. >With that he turns around and returns inside; you and Fluttershy right behind him.
  41. >The doors close as you pass.
  42. --
  43. >The greeter turns back to you.
  44. >"Welcome to Himallamas," he says with a respectful bow.
  45. >Your jaws hits the ground in awe as you get your first looks at the city.
  46. >The buildings were made of white cut stone masonry with slate roofs.
  47. >The terrain was leveled off at regular intervals, creating smaller plateaus in which the homes and shops were built.
  48. >Small staircases connected each rise.
  49. >On the highest rise sat the most ornate and outstanding structure around.
  50. "Wow..."
  51. >Your greeter followed your gaze past him.
  52. >He turned back to you with a smile.
  53. >"The Grand Palace," he states.
  54. "Are we allowed to go up there?"
  55. >"Of course. If you would, please follow me."
  56.  
  57. >As you walk through the city, the two of you are greeted by the citizens with respectful bows.
  58. >The children laugh and wave.
  59. >They also wear varying colored robes.
  60. >The higher rises reveal more opulant architecture than the last.
  61. >The class system is obvious, but the upper class llamas are as equally welcoming of the lesser classes.
  62. >Rice paddies and other crop fields are scattered around the city.
  63. >You pass by a portal leading through a large wall.
  64. >You take a peek inside as you walk by, but stop in your tracks.
  65. >Fluttershy and your guide stop when they notice you missing.
  66. >"What is it?" asked Fluttershy as she walks back to you.
  67. >"Oh wow..." she marvels as she peeks inside.
  68. >The courtyard inside was filled filled with rock gardens, natural water pools, and statues.
  69. --
  70. >You spot a monkey sitting cross-legged with their head bowed next to one of the ponds.
  71. >A koi fish circles before them.
  72. >You step back from the door as a few alpacas exit and return to following your guide.
  73. >"It's meditation," explains your guide. "To become one with the body, mind, and spirit is to achieve the highest form of enlightenment. One must actively seek it in a place of great importance and tranquility to them."
  74. "Excuse me if I offend, but what do you hope to achieve through this process?"
  75. >"To become a better father, brother, neighbor, and friend. To improve your character is to improve the lives of those around you."
  76. "That's a great philosophy to live by."
  77. >"Indeed it is."
  78.  
  79. >The closer you get to the palace, the more you regret this decision.
  80. >The guide hits the first step and begins his ascension.
  81. >You and Fluttershy freeze gawk at the some three-thousand steps to the palace.
  82. >He stops after the first ten and smiles back at the two of you.
  83. >"It may be wise to leave your packs at the bottom."
  84. >"But wouldn't someone take them?" asked Fluttershy.
  85. >The guide shook his head.
  86. >"This mountain and our wall isolates us from the influences of the outside world. Crime is non-existant."
  87. >You decide to take his word for it and slip your arms through the straps.
  88. >Your pack falls to the ground with a crash.
  89. >You feel so light!
  90. >You feel that if you ran and jumped off a cliff, the wind would carry you away.
  91. >Fluttershy slipped her saddlebags off as well.
  92. >You twist and bend your back and stretch your shoulders.
  93. >Fluttershy stretches you like a cat.
  94. >An audible pop comes from her spine.
  95. >She quickly flinches and her face turns a tinge red of embarassment.
  96. >Dropping your packs brought you each some much-needed relief.
  97. --
  98. >The guide takes the lead and starts his ascent once more.
  99. >You and Fluttershy right behind him.
  100. >You barely make it up the first ten stories before your legs begin to tighten up.
  101. >It's even harder on Fluttershy.
  102. >Her legs are much shorter compared to yours or the llamas'.
  103. >Eventually, she decides it would be easier just to fly.
  104. >And given she hasn't used her wings in a while, they're fully rested.
  105. >She hovers beside you as you go.
  106. >She places a hoof on your back to try to encourage you.
  107. >It eventually gets to the point where you are pushing off your knee with both hands just to get that next step.
  108. >An alpaca walks past you; two large sacks tied to its back.
  109. >They climb this thing with absolutely no trouble.
  110. >Probably because they're adapted to it, but nonetheless.
  111. >You're getting your ass kicked here.
  112.  
  113. >After some much need pushing, pulling, and prodding from Fluttershy, you finally make it to the top.
  114. >You immediately drop to the ground and sprawl out on your back, breathing heavily and sweating, even in this chilled air.
  115. >A hoof with a ceramic cup filled with water is extended to you.
  116. >You grab the cup and chug it down.
  117. >You whimper a little as you hold the empty cup upside down in front of you.
  118. >A single drop falls to the ground.
  119. >"There's more water inside," says the llama with a smile. "Come."
  120. >You let out a loud groan as Fluttershy helps you to your feet.
  121. --
  122. >The large double doors of the palace lead to an expansive courtyard.
  123. >You slow down to watch a large group of apes practicing martial arts; each of them wearing saffron robes.
  124. >With each strike they shout.
  125. >"Hi ya!"
  126. >"Ha!"
  127. >"Eek!"
  128. >"One with the body," comments the guide, not even glancing over.
  129. >Next, he takes you around the courtyard and up a second flight of stairs to a smaller area.
  130. >Jade statues and a small tranquil rock garden are set up around.
  131. >More monks in red robes meditate and appear to be doing some form of yoga.
  132. >Your trying to wrap your head around how they can bend that.
  133. >You've seen the spa ponies helping others bend like that, right before one snapped your neck the other way.
  134. >It must come from years of training.
  135. >"One with the mind," stated the guide. "Calm and collected."
  136.  
  137. "I'm starting to get the feeling that this is not the kind of palace I was expecting. It's more of a monastery," you ask as you continue on.
  138. >"You would be correct in that assumption," the guide replied.
  139. >He takes you through the inner palace.
  140. >Ancient and priceless artifacts line the halls on pedestals.
  141. >You and Fluttershy are led into a small room in the back of the palace.
  142. >The only illumination comes from small candles.
  143. >A small pedestal sat in the center of the room.
  144. >The alicorn princesses circled each other on a tapestry on the wall behind it.
  145. >A small fountain bubbles from the pedestal.
  146. --
  147. >"One with the spirit?" asks Fluttershy.
  148. >"What makes you ask that?" asked the llama.
  149. >"It's the last one you haven't showed us yet."
  150. >"Close," said the llama, bending his neck down to sip from the fountain.
  151. >He sighed in content.
  152. >"Thirsty?" he offered.
  153. >You, Fluttershy, and Angel were dunking your faces into the water immediately.
  154. >"The tapestry behind you is to remind us of balance," continued the llama. "We must learn to accept the bad as well as the good. Everything we do, good or bad, with eventually be repaid in full."
  155. >The three of you pick your faces up out out the water.
  156. >Fluttershy's mane and fur stuck together and hung straight down.
  157. >"You don't simply become one with the spirit," says the llama.
  158. >You and Fluttershy look at the llama.
  159. >"To be one with the spirit is to live life with no regret. To be a happy and proud when you are finally laid to rest. Family, friends. Without these, you will never be truly happy."
  160. >You wipe the dripping cold water from your face on your sleeve.
  161. "I agree."
  162.  
  163. >"Now that our little tour is over, we leave tomorrow at sun rise," said the llama.
  164. "Wait, what? Where are we going?"
  165. >"You need a guide through the Emberrace Mountains, yes?"
  166. >"How did you know that?" asked Fluttershy.
  167. >"Well, unless you plan to stay here, you don't come to Himallamas with packs like those for many other reasons," he said with a smile.
  168. >"Oh... Okay."
  169. >"Speak to the innkeeper near the city gates. She'll give you a room at a nice price. You are free to go about your business. Remember, tomorrow at sunrise."
  170. >The two of you make your way back through the palace to the giant unforgiving staircase.
  171. >You sigh.
  172. "You know what would make this climb down a little more entertaining? A slinky."
  173. >Fluttershy giggled and the two of you began your descent.
  174. >You found your packs, as promised, right where you left them.
  175. >Going through them just to be safe, you actually found some bread and cheese that wasn't there before.
  176. >Your water had also been refilled.
  177. >You sling your packs and go off to find inn.
  178. --
  179. >The next morning came too soon.
  180. >Your legs were killing you.
  181. >Your back as well.
  182. >You lied down on the floor and had Fluttershy walk on your back.
  183. >A few audible pops were almost sickening.
  184. >The two of you pack up and go to meet your guide at the gates.
  185. >The morning mountain air was freezing compared to that of the plains the other day.
  186. >An alpaca trader sold you an extremely comfortable fleece coat.
  187. >He had to modify another to fit you of course, but at no extra cost.
  188. >Rarity's scarves proved very useful as well.
  189. >You were late for your meeting with the guide, but he was patient and didn't mind the wait.
  190. >Your guide had a single sack tied to his body.
  191. >"The trip will be a day's hike, provided the weather doesn't take a turn for the worst."
  192. "Sounds good. Lets do this."
  193.  
  194. >The mountain trail immediately turned treacherous upon leaving Himallamas.
  195. >The trail was covered in ice and became real narrow at times.
  196. >Natural land bridges spanned deep chasms.
  197. >Said bridges were also so unstable, you were almost unable to cross with your pack.
  198. >Thankfully the llama was able to take it across.
  199. >The trail got much steeper before it got better.
  200. >It finally leveled out with a grandstand view into the next country.
  201. >You drop your packs to rest and stare out into the expanse before you.
  202. >Sand.
  203. >Sand as far as the eye can see.
  204. "Are we prepared for a trek through the desert?"
  205. >Fluttershy sifts through her saddlebags.
  206. >"I don't think so," she said. "We're almost out of water as it is."
  207. >"There's a spring near the end of the trail," said the guide. "You can refill there."
  208. "Oh. Excellent. But would these be enough to make it across?"
  209. >You hold up every water container you have.
  210. >"I couldn't say, but it looks to be more than enough. If not, there's a fresh water oasis halfway to the nearest village if you follow the path."
  211. "We'll take your word for it."
  212. >He hasn't given you any reason to doubt him yet.
  213.  
  214. >The mountain trail became a steady winding slope to the bottom.
  215. >A small stream flowed over the rocks and down the mountain.
  216. >You followed the stream up river.
  217. >Your guide, true to his word, located the spring in for you.
  218. >"I reccomend camping here for the night before you move on," said the guide. "Or to sleep a few hours and navigate the desert at night."
  219. "But we don't know the lay of the land and only have a poorly drawn map to guide us. I think it'd be smarter to start in the morning."
  220. >"Your decision is your own. I, however, am sleeping here for the night."
  221. >The llama dropped his sack and layed out woven quilt to lie down on.
  222. >You and Fluttershy dropped your packs as well and got ready for bed.
  223. >The sun was about to set so you had to hurry.
  224. >Come morning, the llama was packed up and gone.
  225. >He didn't even ask for payment.
  226. >Your group of two plus Angel set out as the sun began to rise.
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