In Aaman and other countries of the west the nighthawk frequently does something similar, diving from on high. In the far East, I have heard that the shrikes do that as well." </Brown>
</quote>


They are not the only ones
As a predatory light flashes in his eyes

J'landria, how far ahead are our prey
Turning to the fore of the ship to see what he can, either of the target, or other avir activity.

"Hmmmmm," J'landria exhales and looks at Kar.  "Maybe two miles out.  It is not... always too easy to tell... distance when looking from another's eyes.  I am willing to estimate about two, not much more though."

She shrugs her shoulders and looks at what Wraith holds up.

In reply to Kar (msg #117):

The silver light of Talisandre's glowing orb sheds some light across the plains, but Kar does not see anything but plains in the distance.  He does catch sight of one or two nightjars swooping about, devouring insects.


OOC:  I referred to J'landria's avir as a "night hawk", which would be similar to our earthly night hawks; that is, nocturnal insect eating birds.  I'm switching to 'nightjar' here, essentially very similar birds/avir, but less likely to be confused with the obsidian winged nighthawk of Talislanta's northern forests. 

The captain steps alongside Peregrinus, and has a few words with him, then joins your group briefly.

"I am slowing the ship.  If we get close enough to see them, they will likely see us.  Beastmen have sharp eyes.  We are lucky, in a way to have a head wind -- the Beastmen, at least, will not scent us from a distance.  You must know -- if we are seen, I will bring my 'ship and crew to safety.  You will lose your element of surprise and stealth, and maybe even your chance to take the windship at all." 

In reply to Captain Ceramose (msg #120):

"Captain Ceramose," Jaxar asks quietly, "is what Aalistair suggested possible? Would you be able to fly 200-300 feet above The Fate without being noticed? And if you were detected would the difference in height give you ample opportunity for evasion and escape?"

Directing his feline visage to Wraith he inquires, "How many doses of this flying potion do you actually possess? Are you willing volunteer the entire amount to our cause?"

In reply to Jaxar (msg #121):

Into the wind, kar begins to croak and caw incoherently

In reply to Jaxar (msg #121):

"I believe that there is enough for ten - maybe twelve - people," says Wraith, placing the phial back in his belt.  "Nas provided this elixir for this express purpose.  Were it not the case, I would gladly proffer it to you and the rest of our confederation, kind sir."  Wraith slings an arm around the Jaka's shoulder and says,"I've decided to devote my energy to making a worthy pilot out of you, provided we survive this peculiar little escapade.  What say you?"

In reply to Jaxar (msg #121):

"In this moonlight, with the eyes and senses of the Beastmen, I would not count on it.  Yes, it is likely we could have plenty of opportunity to evade them, but I believe they would see us coming.  What do you think are the odds that of a hundred Beastmen, not one of them would look up?"

In reply to Kar (msg #122):

Several chirps and calls of avir can be heard in the night.

In reply to GM (msg #125):

More caws and calls from Kar

J'landria turns and watches Kar, one ear cocked his direction, the other paying attention to the rest of the group.  She tips her head to the side as if she's trying to understand what is being said by Kar and the Avir.  Her glowing eyes flit back to the potion then to Kar, then she scans the group.  One ear always on Kar, the other listening to everything else.

Jaxar visibly stiffens as the Cymrilian's arm falls across his shoulder, but after a moment Wraith feels taught muscles relax as the rigidity visibly flows out of the Jaka's body. "I would appreciate that very much, and would be indebted to you for the kindness. It has been my desire to learn ever since The Fate came into our possession and I have already started down that path of knowledge." Turning to face him, Jaxar grasps the windship pilot's hand in a firm handshake. "For now, let us work out a method for distracting the odd hundred beastmen in the area and taking a windship by stealth. I intend to drench the sands in Rajani blood by morning's light."

Jaxar gives the Captain a feral grin and replies, "What if we were to give them something else to look at?"

Jaxar gives the Captain a feral grin and replies, "What if we were to give them something else to look at?"
</quote>

Half turns to the group:
"Working on that now."

And turning back to the bow.

In reply to Kar (msg #126):

Several avir calls come, as in response to Kar's calls.

"No one would like to see these Rajan thrown down more than I.  I will listen to your plan, but I have my own ship, crew, and yet others depending upon me for their very lives, and my duties to them come first." 

J'landria watches everything, not saying a word.  Her tail swishes a few times and she moves a little away from the group, looking back out toward where the other ship and the conflict awaits.

In reply to GM (msg #131):


More cricks


*Turning to the rest of the group*
"Well, how about plan B?
While unable to draw enough other attention, I can still provide some ditraction myself. I could circle around, and give them enough of a target from the other direction, hopefully they won't see all of you coming for a bit. If we can get the ship airborne, we no longer face the full score of beastmen."

In reply to Kar (msg #134):

"Exactly how stationary is the other ship? Can anyone tell how far off the ground it may be? Beastmen, while seeming to prefer swords and axes and spears, do occasionally use bows. That may mean getting the other ship at least several hundred feet up." The Aamanian looks a little queasy as he says this last bit while keeping his eyes firmly on one individual or another.

"If we use the flying potion... Well, I confess I have never flown before. How difficult is it for those of us not born to it?" He looks from Wraith to Kar. "How fast will we be able to go? How high? For how long? Would it be best to attempt to drop like a shrike? Or stay low to avoid detection then swoop up to the deck of the ship?" He makes some vague hand motions to try and illustrate his questions.

"Too, if we get ten to twelve of us over there... we will need, effectively, two teams. One shall have to hold off the Rajani and perhaps some of the Beastmen while the second will need to get the ship airborne and moving, yes?" He looks back to Wraith and around and the crew.

"How much protection will the air crew need while getting the ship untied and upwards?"

J'landria turns to the group and cocks her ear back for a moment as she thinks.

"I would be willing to help provide a distraction.  In the dark, it would be hard to tell I am a Jaka if we make my cloak stand out like open wings," she says quietly from where she stands.  "I do not think I would be much use on the windship for I do not understand its moving or working."

"You ask very pertinent questions, Aalistiar," says Wraith, dragging his fingers across his chin.  "The speed of the ship obviously is contingent upon the wind, the condition of its levitational, and the amount of cargo that's stowed in its hull."  He peers out in the direction of their target and says, "I know a spell that could enable me to enhance the speed of the ship.  It will require a tremendous amount of concentration and focus on my part, which will be hindered by the fact that I will also be tasked with piloting."  He looks around at the group.  "We're definitely going to need to get in and get and out as quickly as possible.  If this devolves into melee, we're done for."  He exhales loudly folds his arms across his chest.  "Unless . . . if we could possibly force the Rajans off the ship by creating a diversion, perhaps I could move the ship away from it's mooring with magic.  I don't know if this will work, but it might be worth a try." 

"I may be able to help in that respect. Aa willing, that is. Or else, dropped before we reach the Beastmen, I could possibly create a diversion in their ranks. Aa occasionally blesses me with the ability to sway the minds and moods of the weak-willed to accomplish His goals. I might be able to sway a few Beastmen or a pair of the Rajani to turn against their evil brethren."

He shakes his head.

"Against the numbers we may be facing, however, that would only be a short-lived diversion at best." He smiles as if at a little joke. "While I believe that Aa brings each soul to its ultimate end, I would hope that none of ours lies before us this night."

"I don't know what stock you put in your Rahastran's Zodar, but it is good enough for me.  In the next minutes, when Jhang's crescent clears the horizon, I will becalm our ship.  At that time, you will need to decide to depart, or come with us to our next destination." 

J'landria looks thoughtful for a moment, her eyes close. When she opens them she shakes her head a little.

"The distance from the Fangs and the ship, and the Beastmen is... Maybe... a few hundred... yards.  Close enough to see, but not right on top of one another.  The Beastmen are to the north of the the Fangs and ship," she says.  "I apologize for any... lack of clarity before."

In reply to J'landria (msg #140):

"So they are not necessarily in concert. Maybe we can use the one against the other. If we drive the beastmen to attack the ship, they could surely slow the rajani. that may be enough to drive them into the air, removing that as a necessity. once in the air, if we can all fly, and they cannot, removal becomes much easier."