Northern Expedition: The Cathedral

Taking advantage of a lull in the everstorm, the adventurers embarked on a westward journey at Maez's request. Their goal was to locate the closest civilization, determine whether the inhabitants were friends or foes, and lay the groundwork for safe travel for future expeditions. This required clearing the path of threats and securing the area.

Exploration and Challenges
Traveling westwards, the group focused on ensuring the safety of their route. They needed to clear various threats to create a safe transit path and explore the entire hex to ensure it was free of enemies. Their journey led them to a remarkable discovery an ice cathedral.   The Ice Cathedral
The cathedral, made entirely of ice, was surprisingly well-preserved and designed to withstand the cold for an extensive period. The locals had used this site to monitor the everstorm's behavior, employing local devices to predict its fluctuations. The cathedral's significance was evident from the numerous defenses installed over the years. However, these defenses were primarily intended for non-sentient creatures, allowing the adventurers to explore without much trouble.   Technological Discovery
Inside the cathedral, the adventurers discovered that its operation relied not on magic but on technology. The everstorm's natural dampening effect on magical abilities had led the native species to develop alternative energy storage and usage methods. The machinery was powered by water, which stored energy in a natural form, different from the Jade tech that relied on the conversion of magic Energies.   Significant Findings
Among their discoveries was a pair of multi-purpose gloves. These gloves could enhance the performance of various creations and provide a surge of energy to jumpstart technology within certain size limitations. Small devices could be overloaded, and large ones might not receive enough energy, but within the optimal range, the gloves were invaluable.   Outcome
The discoveries made the ice cathedral a valuable find for the adventurers. The technological insights and the gloves would aid in future explorations and interactions with the local civilization. Securing the path and understanding the region's unique technology laid a solid foundation for their mission.   Future Plans
With the path cleared and the hex secured, the adventurers planned to use the cathedral as a base for further exploration and study. The gloves and technological insights would be crucial in their efforts to connect with the western civilization and ensure safe travel for their comrades.