In reply to Kolarios Viramos (msg #16):

"...Or white!" Aalistair chimes in. Seeing that no one laughs immediately, he leans back.

"Sorry. I thought it was humorous. Beg pardon. I'll ask Aa to forgive me for my unwarranted levity later."

In reply to Kolarios Viramos (msg #16):

"I'm sure that a cohort of Thralls pales in comparison to the exploits of one Zandir, but I think that we need to think very hard about how we're going to retrieve that ship."  Wraith begins to pace for a few moments and adds, "I wonder if there's a way that we could steal the ship back.  If these beasts have some sort of sanctuary, maybe we could slip aboard while the ship is moored, and steal it back.

”Steal? Are we Rajans ourselves?” Kolarios’ eyebrows near shattered the ceiling in their outrage. ”I dare say, I am not!” He sucked in a deep breath and then noticeably calmed. "Regardless, let us simply note for the good Captain here that the Fate is not of concern to him. We require transportation only, I believe, and... I'm unclear on the rest of our finely conceived plan. How odd. Did I conceive it, I'm thinking not since I have no recollection of the next step, very unlike me. Always thinking ahead, I am." There was an awkward pause as he struggled to contain his confusion.

He looked around at the others and shrugged. "I believe that's settled, when do we leave?"

Peregrinus leans in close to Aalistair.  "I doubt that your penance will be severe for that infraction," and smiles at him.

"I think our friend Wraith makes some very good points.  But we might want to figure the details once we know more of the enemy."

Ceramose leans in closer to Kolarios, sniffs quite audibly, and muses softly, "Truly, not inebriated?  Fascinating."

"Let me sit down with your financiers, and perhaps we can arrange something.  In the meantime, I would recommend you make what preparations you deem necessary."

In reply to Wraith Zephyr (msg #18):

The Sindaran nods approvingly at Wraith.  "You may be a monoencephalon, but it is encouraging to see you making use of even your single brain.  I see you can put it to use beyond your usual, ah, exploits."

"You're rubbing off on me, Nas."  Wraith smiles warmly and says, "What do you think, my friend?  Does it sound like these Rajan curs are holed up somewhere, or are they simply floating around in the ether, searching for more ships to steal?"

"Well, it is hard to say with any certainty, isn't it?  After all, they have had the 'ship for a short period of time.  Your new Aamanian acquaintance seems certain he knows where to find them.  How much faith do you have in Aa?" he asks, raising one eyebrow.

In reply to Nas Nasri (msg #24):

"About as much as I do in half-mad Trivarian addicts," says Wraith, smiling.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:54, Sun 20 June 2010.

In reply to Wraith Zephyr (msg #25):

Aalistair laughs. Then he stops abruptly and leans over, "Wait... that means a lot, yes?" He tries to smile in a friendly manner.

In reply to Aalistair (msg #26):

"No disrespect to your faith," says Wraith, smiling. He removes one of his spangalor gauntlets and extends a hand.  "I don't know if we've been properly introduced.  My name is Wraith Zephyr.  What brings a parishioner of your faith to this inhospitable land?"

In reply to Wraith Zephyr (msg #27):

The scruffy Aamanian pilgrim leans his staff against his shoulder and reaches out to shake the Cymrilian's hand.

"My name is Aalistair. I am ... assigned here to Deadwood. It is my task to ensure the safety of those here in town and upon the roads and trails nearby."

He points off towards the Aamanian monastery at the opposite end of town.

"And I see to the souls and faith of those under my care as well, of course." He raises a pair of hands in surrender. "Unfortunately, many amongst my order find that my faith is often somewhat," he sighs. "Lacking."

"Well Aalistair, it is an honor to meet you." Wraith pats the weather-beaten fellow on the shoulder and stares as the monastery.  "The world is complicated, isn't it?  I don't see how any one faith can account for such complexity."

In reply to Wraith Zephyr (msg #29):

"It is an honor for me as well," says Aalistair, removing his hat for a moment. As he places it back on his head, he continues. "Ahh, but you see, faith in the omniscient Aa can encompass quite a bit. You see, there are hierarchies and..." He stops, takes a purposeful deep breath, closing and re-opening his eyes slowly. "We can talk about all of that later, should you wish it."

In reply to Aalistair (msg #30):

"Whenever the opportunity presents itself," says Wraith, tilting his head slightly.  He exhales deeply as he appraises the task at hand and says,"I don't think you've met my esteemed colleague." He beckons to Nas Nasri and says, "This fine specimen is none other than Nas Nasri, erstwhile Trivarian champion, purveyor of secrets, and, in my case especially, a much-needed voice of reason." 

Aalistair removes his hat again and nods to the tall Sindaran.

"An honor, Nas Nasri. How place you the odds on this venture of ours?"

"Most pleased to make your acquaintance, Aalistair," the Sindaran responds.  "I don't believe we have a final plan, but once we do, I place our odds at better than even.  Should we continue our preparations as we are, I believe we will have the advantage of surprise on them.  And Rajans do poorly with surprise."  He stares off into the sky, pondering, "I should wonder if one day their children will be born with a perpetual look of surprise on their faces, as the entire race trends to such a state..."

"I've never seen anything but their eyes," says Wraith, folding his hands behind his back and tapping his foot.  "This is a wicked predicament.  I for one do not wish to hazard a boarding attempt unless we bolster our ranks.  We also can't risk a bombardment of the ship, for I don't think the Wind of Fate's owner wants us to retrieve some torn canvass and some smoldering timber." 

"We'll need to either follow them and hope they have a sanctuary, or, we'll all need to garb ourselves in sackcloth and masquerade as Rajans and hope they welcome us aboard."Wraith laughs and shakes his head.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:07, Mon 21 June 2010.

"I believe we have our commitment from the captain that we can at least find some way to secure transportation as requested," Nas states, nodding towards Ceramose.  He addresses Wraith, "I believe Zosha's plan was to do some recruiting here in Deadwood to bolster our ranks, just as you suggest.  It is by good fortune that we have found the rest of the windship crew already here.  Perhaps we should continue swelling our ranks, or at least get back to the rest of our crew, and see who is signing on?"

"More brave souls! Surely, our cup runneth over." Kolarios looked around, a bit confused. "I could have sworn that there was more of us... a bit furrier perhaps? Did we leave them in the tavern?" Kolarios was well-used to this. His mind was like a black lightning bolt, striking swiftly, and often left others behind in his physical (and mental) wake. It was a handicap, he knew, to be in the presence of one of his intellect and he resolved to move more slowly for the benefit of the non-Zandir in the future. For the hundredth time.

"Mayhaps, we should go find those fur... friends that shared a table with us?"

In reply to Kolarios Viramos (msg #36):

Aalistair nods.

"Yes. We should be getting back. Find out who is willing to accompany us."

He will nod to each of Captain and the other crew nearby, then move off to head back into Deadwood.

In reply to Aalistair (msg #37):

"I fear I should stay here and assist to the extent that I can.  It sounds likely we shall be leaving again soon, but also that we will spend some time again together.  Farewell, for the time being my friend," Peregrinus claps Aalistair on the shoulder.


[OOC:  Any who are making their way back to the Grey Tower, feel free to post into that thread ("Deadwood") again.]

"Toodles!" Kolarios wiggled his finger at the Captain and followed his friends out the door.

[OOC:  Temporarily closing this thread until everyone's ready to board.  Should only be a couple days, but anyone who wants to spend some time in Deadwood, I thought I'd provide the opportunity.]

At the first light of dawn, Captain Ceramose and his crew have begun bringing The Horn to readiness for flight.  Many of them appear haggard and worrisome, looking poorly rested.