The banter puts a more genuine smile on Xan's face and he whuffs a quick laugh.  "Let's get our things, then."  He leads you down into the labyrinth under the complex where he and his father have hoarded stores enough to supply up to 50 people until the end of time.

The two of you gather whatever supplies you need and meet in the house where Camran waits over what smells like a stout whiskey.

GM:  You have access to whatever mundane supplies you care to write on your character sheet.  Write them now, let me know, and I'll look them over for approval (in case something doesn't fit the story).

Cecil grabs what seems like it will be useful while trying not to weight himself down to much. He then walks back with Xan. He stays quiet. He will let Xan and Camran speak. They probably need to say a few things to each other.

After everything was all packed up and Cecil believed he was ready to go he turned to Xan. "Any idea where this guy lives?"

Xan and Camran don't say too much.  Mostly just things like 'be careful' and other simple things.  They hug and Camran shakes your hand.  "Glad to have met you.  You take care of my boy and yourself, you hear?"

After any response and farewell you give to Camran, Xan leads you outside.  "I know where he lives.  I've not been there, but he gives good directions and I don't get lost.  He's on the coast so it shouldn't be too hard to find anyway."

"alright, lead on then. I'm guessing we've got quite the trek ahead of us."

"The trek through the interior of Xamador will be treacherous at best.  Qorlander Bay is on the southeastern coast so our trip will stay near the outer edges of the island-continent.  We could take an extra week and travel due south from Qorlander and stay on the coast from there.  Shavon did not give us a time table.  We might even be able to hire a healer to go with us in town, though they'll likely rip us off given that we are humans.  What do you think?"

"It's worth a shot. what's the worst that can happen? What do we have in the way of funds?"

"Do not concern yourself with funds.  I can supply any reasonable need by way of coin."  He pats a small pouch at his belt.  It appears to be fine metal mesh tied to his belt by some kind of metal wire.  No thief will be cutting that purse.  "Come, I think I know just the girl."

The two of you head into Qorlander Bay.  The trip is more uneventful than when you first came this way.  Soon the bustle of town and the requisite stares surround you.  Xan leads you unerringly to a local Kradok forge-shrine.  "Taphal is one of my favorites next to Halai as far as deities go.  My father has considered actively worshiping him in addition to the god of humans.  He hasn't quite committed yet.  That might work in our favor here."

He leads you inside.  Kradok work bellows, hammer out metals on anvils, and tinker with an array of contraptions well beyond your skill and knowledge to understand.  The wizard ignores these and leads you to the back, to a quiet room.  Inside, a young Kradok woman scribbles on a scroll.  For a Kradok she is very slender, almost as slender as a human male.  The robes do not hide well the curves of her body.  Were it not for the tell-tale points to the ears, she could almost pass for human.  A very beautiful human.

"Hey Talisi."
This message was last updated by the GM at 05:41, Sun 24 Feb 2013.

"Xanthrias?  Come to convert to the complex glory of Taphal?"  The woman puts down her scroll and steps around the desk to greet Xan.  Her demeanor is cool toward him, but not quite as standoffish as so many others in town.  "Did you bring Camran with you?"

Xan looks uncomfortable for a moment then motions toward you.  "No, my father is not with us this time.  This is my friend, Cecil.  He is new to Xamador and has been staying with us while he gets his feet planted here.  I don't know that he understands Kradok, though."

He turns to you.  "What languages can you speak and understand?"

"Human, Unbular, Invar and Echonea."

"Ah, I see.  It looks like we'll be speaking the Invari language for now."  Xanthrias repeats all that had been said in the Kradok language and reintroduces you in Invaris.

"Happy meet you."  Talisi does her best, but Invaris is most definitely not her native language.  Her shy smile as she struggles to communicate only makes her look the cuter.

"Same here. So how long have you known Xan and what do you do around here?"

Xan blushes when Talisi answers.  "I hold Xan when he in swaddle.  He chubby baby.  Make even Kradok proud!"  She laughs a bit at his discomfort.  Then her countenance sours.  "As for I do, not anything.  Bits whatever none else want.  Copy books.  Mend little things even Acolyte Artificers no time for.  When you young and scrawny like me, you start at very bottom."

"What you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:14, Sun 24 Feb 2013.

"Not to much. I landed here not to long ago so I'm starting at the bottom myself. So far I've mostly been helping Xan and Camran."

Talisi smiles, then she and Xan strike up a conversation in Invaris.  It quickly shifts into Kradok because of Talisi's lack of training in the other language.  You understand the word Camran, which makes Talisi smile, and a few other words.  The word Shavon brings a frown, though and a shake of the head.  At one point, Talisi shakes her head slowly and blows out a big breath.  She smiles at you again and leaves.

Xan chuckles and motions you to follow.  "She is going to meet us at the local in.  You and I are going to have a meal to start us of right on this journey."  True to his word, the wizard leads you to a local establishment and orders up two roasted legs of some kind of red meat animal and all the sides, trimmings, and fixin's of a seven course meal.  Most standard drinks are available, alcoholic and non.

Cecil eats heartily; enjoying the meal. He decides to stay away from alcoholic drinks for no real reason other than he prefers the taste of tea or water. "So what's the plan for the trip? We taking the long way or the short one?"

Xan swallows a mouthful of food, eating as heartily as you.  "I thought with Talisi along we would have more success crossing straight through and save time.  However, its still very dangerous and there would only be three of us.  Shavon did not give us a time table, though the Evangiel say we only have two and a half years.  What would you rather do?"

"No idea. You guys know this place a lot better than I do. I trust your judgement."

Talisi arrives and plops down at the table and grabs some food.  She eats voraciously and packs away more than the two humans combined.  After Xan explains the question she nods in understanding.  "I opinion, we walk coast.  Not faster through if must fight more."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:01, Mon 25 Feb 2013.

"Where exactly is his home? Maybe renting passage on a ship might be quicker?"

"No ship will sail that way.  That is the spawning ground of the Saelithist.  Its one of the reasons Xamador was so difficult to colonize initially.  If we take the coast, it is likely the only thing we will encounter are thistlings, her larval children.  Easy to kill, but in great numbers they overwhelm ships.  Not all that scary once they get into the sand, though."

"You stupid."  It is doubtful that is the description she meant for Xan, but with her limited vocabulary, that's how it translates.  She does roll her eyes and turns to you.  "He only know stories heard.  He not see close.  If go coast, hope you good fighter.  Maybe take two more?"  He speech is slow and the frustration shows.

"It's not that I don't know, Talisi.  Its just that I know what we face on the coast and know that the three of us can handle them.  We have no idea what we'll face going through the jungle, especially as we approach near the Cradle."