Shiver Conditioning

The Circle's Bittersweet Decision to Retreat

Booking Circle leisure travel is most definitely not a Crooked Mile Chapter aim. There are far too many assignments piled up on the Lightkeeper’s desk to take a get away together. But disappointing investigation outcomes that happened back to back changed his mind. One hapless creature in the Circle meant to catch and release drowned. A month later a well respected Circle Scout shivered for hours and nearly froze to death. Her frost bite resulted in a rehabilitation prescription. She spent the next 7 months in bed.
After taking it up for Circle discussion and hearing about the fatigue and need for professional investigative instruction, the leadership sent members a telegram. Rest, regroup, and pack for an upcoming retreat. This is a not a mandatory opportunity, but it is recommended that you join us for this excursion. While the group’s primary aim was to learn better how to work together, and their secondary objective was to better condition their bodies to withstand extreme temperatures and terrain, the members wanted most to rest and work on their own projects. They were promised down time was included in the package. So was nourishing and tasty food.

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The Hawkshaw Investigative Travel agency booked their excursion and guide to Pingo Circle. Under new management, Hawkshaw’s hot-air balloon travel was reported to be safe, the guides were friendly and the training site in The Pingo was staffed with tactful condition trainers, who wouldn’t scold their visitors about being slightly overweight, a little too thin or entirely out of shape. Reputable professors and working sleuths taught the investigative process thoroughly. No time would be wasted by candidates. There was plenty of time allotted for personal pursuits. More than one Circle member was working on a pulp fiction book. They looked forward to be alone amid nature’s mysteries. Rumor was Pingo Circle’s cultural changes caused turmoil and obstacles they didn’t get the chance to challenge in Crooked Mile. The flare in Pingo Circle was bursting with leaks. Situations that led to friction among the factions who lived there for thousands of years i the most hostile of conditions was fodder for adventure. To work in the shiver with a temperature of -140C/-284F was only one of the quandaries natives faced. It was best to learn about the Diluvians’ first hand.
Hawkshaw confirmed that candidates who survived the training earned a certificate. The certificate ensured established secret societies Crooked Mile Circle were prepared to perform investigations in any climate, condition, or location. One of the lessons dealt specifically with cults and creatures. Another class covered how investigators could heal themselves with herbs and potions. Several courses included labs that included survival training.

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Since the Circle scout was recuperating and couldn’t make a precursory excursion to the Otherwhere World, Dr. Elizabeth Ogden, a history Professor, who long wanted to study the antediluvian collapse, volunteered to use an old ticket she bought at a discount. The old ticket was not guaranteed by the new management at Hawkshaw. The business did not yet approve of every challenge visitors needed to complete.
A few tenured Gap Institute instructors would not leave the area, and continued to work at the Resort & Spa. The last field worker known to have taken an active lab course was scalded to death during a rudimentary hot spring outing. The Crooked Mile Gazette reported about the accident after reading the journal of the deceased, smuggled home by a survivor who refused to give his name.
The hot pool accident was one one out of hundreds of shiver misfortunes. Long time Circle members suspected the shivers researchers encountered were not fostered with cold weather. Instead, intentional shivers shed by herded species were spreading shiver contagions. These contagions were combining with the bleed of corruption and sorrow. Eventually their targets grew weak, there was little chance for them to recover.

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Dr. Ogden, Elizabeth Ogden’s sister and co-owner of the bakery, hasn’t heard from her sister since she left. The decision of the Crooked Mile Circle leadership to take a few days off to relax and learn from each other is no longer a controversy with the society at large. It is now an assignment to save Dr. Ogden from the effects of shiver. They will learn while they roll dice to find their clues like they always have.

Undercurrent & Deceit

Oldfaire Hawkshaw Travel agency management skirted town and fled the Periphery because of financial concerns (money and corruption). Crooked Mile Circle is an ally, but business is business. No tour group since the former shysters left actually explored Pingo Circle. The “reformed” agency is admitting there are matters that need attention. What the Circle doesn’t know is that Crooked Mile’s Hawkshaw Ticket Office is counting on the Circle to investigate the situation at Pingo Circle and the lands of Shiver. If there are losses of life during the expedition, the ticket office plans to work with Gazette to bury the story.

[img:4942716] by ROD w/Midjourney

Scout Surveys the Shiver

Dr. Elizabeth Ogden Surveys by ROD w/Midjourney

Don't Stand Under a Shivering Tree

Lesson 3 Page 5 The Tree Will Snap

Don't Stand Under a Shivering Tree by ROD w/Midjourney