Zeth: "That's...interesting. You've definitely led a more exciting life than me, not that I envy you. I'd rather have a glass of wine, a seat in front of a warm fire, and a good book than an adventure. At worst I was expecting seasickness when I came out here, not to risk my life."
Jack's eyes sparkle with the promise of a playful retort.
"Ah, Zeth, I couldn't agree more wholeheartedly! Some of the best adventures can be found within the pages of a book. The thrill of a plot twist, the suspense of an unresolved chapter, uncharted territories in a sea of paper and ink." He then chuckles, adding,
"As for seasickness, that's no joke. Dreadful thing, the Briney Belly Ballet."
"Someday I've got to tell you a story about my cousin, a fairy privateer, captain of the Skyward Buccaneer, one of the most notorious vessels in the fey high seas..." Jack's voice trails off with a playful smirk, as Zeth levels his gaze at the fairy, narrowing his eyes at the mention of yet another story.
"The good news is, Zeth, on a frozen mountainside the only waves we'll encounter are the snowdrifts. This ocean," Jack indicates with a sweep of the arm across the chilly landscape,
"is frozen!"
Alma: "The runes themselves contain traces of several schools. Divination, which is used for observation and detection. Abjuration, which is protective. And Transmutation, which is used to alter matter. The energy is weaker, possibly older, but there are residual waves that extend out to about.... here. It may affect the area or otherwise trigger something if someone enters that space. I can't be sure. But it's best to be cautious."
Jack leans in, his expression one of genuine admiration.
"Alma, you weave through magical complexities with ease," he says offering a tilt of his head.
"And yet," Jack peers at the line she has marked in the snow and ice around the entrance way,
"you manage to keep us grounded with your pragmatic insights. You turn perplexing mysteries into clear, navigable paths." He smiles warmly to Alma, his eyes twinkling.
"Let's see what these runes say after all, shall we? Stand clear of the line, everyone!"
Jack readies himself to cast Faerie Fire, stretching out his arms with fingers wide, as though drawing energy from the Feywild itself. He traces patterns in the air, each movement weaving the spell's foundation. With a swift motion, he reaches for his magical phial and sprinkles fairy dust, which soon becomes commingled with the eddies of magic shaped by his gestures. His wings give a quick flutter, sending the iridescent trails of dust toward the archway, a dazzling cloud of shimmering colors. Then, in a swift, decisive motion, Jack claps his hands together, charging the floating trails of dust toward the runes. As it settles into the faded carvings of the rock face, the dust ignites into a burst of radiant, multicolored light, highlighting the Giantese runes in a luminous glow.