The swampland, swathed in its eternal cloak of mist, could have been a tomb for the lack of activity stirring dark waters and rustling high branches. Nary an insect buzzed nor a bird chirped a welcome melody to any visitors that entered this cave at present. At most there was the strong gust of wind through the trees, causing creaks and moans that might convince some of ancient, agonized entities lurking nearby. With this desolate soundscape, one wouldn't be judged too harshly for finding the dimly lit surroundings far from hospitable, a realm for the lost and easily forgotten.

But then they might hear the squelching steps and occasional snatches of muffled cursing within the lonely forest and realize there was life in actuality here. Or perhaps they recognized the voice of the colorfully scaled and finned reptile who'd been traversing tunnels for the past few cavern light cycles and be reminded of his slow, dramatic advertisement of a gathering to come in this very place, "where the trees grow thickest... and the ground... can barely be seen beneath a chokingly thick layer of white."

"You'll know you're there when you see the fire," he'd said. "I'll wait beside it. And together we might tend to its warmth and exchange... tales. Those of amusement and warnings for the young or unaware. A service, for the good of all, if any are interested."

Each time he started the announcement with a glint of humor in his eye and a smile contained in raspy syllables before descending into a delivery possessing far more gravitas. Then, tail swishing, he turned and left his audience in suspenseful silence to consider the offer. To decide whether they wished to listen and speak fanciful fiction or precautionary stories to their fellow Gembound.

As Fahl set down the collection of dry twigs and leaves he'd managed to scrounge from relatively damp surroundings, he knew not how many his words might have intrigued. In truth, he expected the turnout to be comparable to the minuscule party him and Dragon had brought together once when seeking out the other Children of Rot. The possibility of his halting speech falling upon deaf ears stirred a pang of premature disappointment inside his rib cage, yet he refused to falter in continuing this endeavor; trying was the best he could ever do, and not bothering at all would be foolish when he and others could benefit from learning of the many dangers around them.

Jaws opened to blast shimmering heat over tinder. A series of crackles and pops sounded, followed by thin threads of smokes, and tongues of orange flame emerged as they fed upon wood and air alike.

Sitting there scanning the fog for whatever dim shapes might be ambling within them, it would've been ideal for Fahl not to have been caught off guard by the older reptile hauling himself into view. Mind on edge though with frets of failed advertisement methods and how his slow rasp might've bored more than intrigued, the glint of firelight off dark scutes and a toothy maw was a sudden jolting reminder to the senses of his present situation. Thoughts hurriedly wove together in an attempt to produce a coherent response instead of startled gibberish. While his shame might have insisted otherwise, the end result managed to avoid more awkwardness than initially would have emerged.

"Siii—errtainly, I'd hope so. Especially after walking the tunnels enough to wear my own footpath into them." Only a fraction of confidence displayed in the emphatic nod and amused rumble given was genuine. The rest's status relied on whether additional visitors appeared to combat the concerns plaguing him.

"And thank you," he acknowledged with a tip of his head toward the rising flames. "Proof that practice really does make perfect."

"That's exactly it," he said to Dragon. "Stories, a way to pass time in this recent cold spell. I was thinking we could also use them as a chance for... community service? I guess you could say that. Share caution—erm, experiences of any dangers we've come across."

Determining whether to elaborate further upon motivations led to Fahl shifting in place. Claws fidgeted while imagination conjured potential responses to however he might phrase them. A slow inhale heralded his decision, and he continued onward to offer a piece of the thoughts that'd set current schemes into motion.

"I've noticed that there's many younger who... don't have a grasp on what not to mess with. And who to be careful around." Well-intentioned, overconfident Gembound who were easy to take advantage of. Blind to their low rank in the hierarchy of power he was uncomfortably aware of, it would not be long before some challenged the wrong being and found their stone ground to dust between fingers. He shuddered to think how many Nemean might deceive and mutilate for giggles too. "They've no one to tell them, unlike me who has Imp. And you, of course, sir."

"I figured we..." Fahl paused, more so out of distraction than the need to catch breath; squelches, growing closer, announced a nearing presence. He cleared his throat and hastened to finish in preparation to resume the role of fireside host for his get-together. "We could prevent unnecessary losses to plain ignorance. Better for us all if more know the risks of living here."

Once a curious winged figure entered the light and no longer appeared a silhouette in the fog, they were greeted by an acknowledging nod. "Yes," he declared. "All are welcome. Unless you intend to join," came a joking addition, "by tossing yourself in. Feathers aren't needed when I've perfectly good sticks for that."

It seemed it was truly time for the gathering to begin, evidenced by the fact that someone else arrived not soon after. To Kass, a similar friendly reception was given without the previous crack about becoming fuel for the fire. Scales settled into their default calm state of blackness as this routine began to be settled into. Such assurance didn't last long, though, when the next visitor defied expectations for who might be found wandering the swamp. After all, one didn't account much for sudden earthquakes caused by stomping chicken feet or a construct that actually was a living creature.

Under no immediate threat but also not privy to the intention behind the rapid flap of shutters and creaking wood, speechlessness could be forgiven in the face of such an unknown element. Lumut's entrance and demonstrated acquaintance did nothing to shatter the silence, only increasing the intensity of the baffled stare directed at the sight. Operating solely on instinct, Fahl reached for the protective embrace of his magic and failed to grab it, unable to distinguish its warmth from that of the nearby blaze. He spluttered then, any attempt at explanation doomed to never leave his tongue.