In reply to Kar (msg #141):

"Are we looking at roughly 100 foes, or just 100 beastmen? How many are on the 'ship?"

"Not just one hundred," J'landria says quietly a growl escaping her lips.  "More than a hundred.  Hundreds.  It is hard to count... when the eyes are moving quickly... but it is many."

She sighs and shrugs.

"Shall I look one more time," she asks.

"So, do we want our Captain to drop us off on land here away from the horde? Move in as stealthily as we can on foot at first, then take to the air? Or do we wish to partake of Wraith's serum and fly directly over?" He looks up towards the horizon. "Time, it would seem, is of the essence."

In reply to Aalistair (msg #144):

"My original plan, if the good Captain Ceramose was willing, was to create some sort of distraction to draw the beastmen away from the ship, or at least keep their eyes directed toward the ground, and then drop down on 'The Fate' from above. I was hoping that Captain Ceramose could momentarily put The Horn a few hundred feet directly above our ship, and then with the aid of Wraith's draught and possibly the aid of levitation we could strike from above while the Horn sails to safety." Looking over the group he continues, "The attack would still be one of stealth, at least until the alarm was raised. Either way, we would need to get the Fate underway before the beastmen had a chance to board or attck at range. Kar, J'landria, could you please describe their positioning again to see if this plan is even feasible? Is the windship on the ground or floating? How far away are the beastmen from the ship? And how large is the Rajan crew and where are they positioned?"

Aalistair nods.
"If the need is great, I would be willing to be part of the distraction if you believe that it will ensure success against the Rajani."

J'landria sketches in the air, then her ears lay back in annoyance and she holds her hands up.

Two clawed fingers are up, with a thumb almost as if she's going to pinch something in the air.  She grunts "ship" while pointing to her thumb.  Then she makes a fist and holds it up a little way away from the 'fangs' and 'fate' and grunts "beastmen... North"

She looks at Jaxar and sighs. She lowers her fist and holds up a finger.

"Last I saw, we were about here," she says while moving her finger in a circle.  Then she puts her fist back in place.

"Aalistair, I believe the rest of us would appreciate having you by our side. I would rather the distraction be provided by Kar, who can fly and quickly join us, or by a few of the Marukans who could provide the distraction and then run to a prearranged rendezvous point. We may need you and your 'skills' to combat the rajans' dark magic."

The winds become little more than whispers across the deck as the windship slows to nearly a full stop, drifting slightly, its sails flapping idly in the breezes.

Ceramose steps beside your little group, looking gravely out to the horizon, where the crescent of Jhang has risen over the rim.  "It's not too late to abandon the whole thing, try some other time, or just go home," he says.  "Yet, I don't think I would dissuade you.  Still, now it is time to determine your plan of action; come with me, to my next stop, where I can let you off in some safety, or pursue your windship.  We cannot lay becalmed here all night."


OOC:  At a conservative estimate, if you could reach the Fate discretely, you would have 5 to 10 rounds to deal with getting it under way before having to worry about Beastmen getting near enough to be a problem.  That's assuming that the Beastmen would respond in some immediate way.  They may not even care...

Aalistair rises from where he was crouching on deck. He takes one last look at the horizon before turning to Ceramose, putting on his hat, and nodding.

"Dole out the serum, Wraith, like holy sacrament: to each according to his need and exactly what he deserves. We shall fall on the black necromancers like a holy light, swift and cleansing and true."

He bends to pick up his staff, his sword, and his pack.

Wraith nods and begins to dole a dram of elixir to each member of the party.  He pours the same amount for himself and loosens his blade from his scabbard.  "The readiness is all, as my former captain used to say before each departure." A grim smile flickers across his face as he tethers his hair behind his head with a black iron clasp.  He turns to Ceramose and says, "We appreciate your hospitality and your patience, Captain.  If we may impose upon you for a few moments longer while we gather ourselves, we will take our leave as soon as possible."

Mirna raises an eyebrow to hear her thoughts - if not her language - coming out of the priest's mouth.

She takes a moment to make sure her sword and halberd are secured to their baldrics, and readies her bow.

"So, we 'fall on the black necromancers,' kill them quickly, and fly like the wind? I can do that." she says, eyes alight and a feral grin dancing across her face.

J'landria stays quiet and says nothing, but steps forward for her dose of the potion.  She looks at Jaxar for a moment, but when he looks back she looks away, eyes dropping to the ship.

In reply to J'landria (msg #153):

Wraith swallows his dram of acrid elixir and, grimacing, waits for everyone else to follow suit.

Aalistair makes certain his sword is secure in its scabbard, his pack is secure against his back, his gear stowed, his leather armor is tight. He clamps his hat down tight on his head and grips his staff with pale knuckles.

"I am ready," he says. "Let us be off, and may Aa bless us all."

In reply to J'landria (msg #153):

Jaxar approaches J'landria and asks quietly, "Are you alright little sister?" With a concerned look he looks directly into her bright green eyes, "If you have any doubts or concerns speak them now without fear."

In reply to Aalistair (msg #155):

After speaking to J'landria Jaxar crosses the deck to join Athellin, Rammid, and Rioniv. "This is not your fight and there are no expectations, but if any of you choose to join us you would be most welcome." Grasping his amber talisman lightly he turns to Athellin, "Let us hope your cards tell of good fortune for us."

J'landria looks as if she's about to speak, but as he turns and walks away she shrugs.  She growls a bit and follows him.

"Just... Uneasy," she says quietly.  "Discussion for... later.  Maybe."

In reply to J'landria (msg #158):

OOC: Sorry J'landria (and others) I should have been more specific. Jaxar wouldn't have left to speak to the others until he had completed his conversation with J'landria. I was trying to carry on 2 conversations at once.

"This sounds like my kind of fight"

As he also checks his own crossbow, and readies his
duar for easy acces.

"Now, we don't have much time for flight training, much less airborne combat. One key thing to remember, this fight is in three dimensions. Up and down are now just as important options as left and right."

"Point two, Height equals speed; speed equals pain for your enemy and you. Those of you with melee weapons: if you think you need to drop your weapon, do so. Better to lose that sword or stick than come to an abrupt stop at your own hands."

"And that brings us to group tactics."

*Here, he looks to Mirna, and Jaxar*

"I still say we should, in a sense, surround them and harry them with bow and bolt before striking from multiple directions. Takes them off their guard and potentially removes a few of them before we even start. What say you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:10, Sun 15 Aug 2010.

"I definitely concur with you, Kar.  The element of surprise is crucial.   I shall do my utmost harness the elemental forces of air and bring them to bear upon our enemies."  Wraith fully unsheathes his sword, and an eerie strand of lightening scuttles up the length of its cloud-soaked blade.  "As much as I'd love to test this weapon's mettle on a Rajan cur, I think it would prudent of us to avoid mixing it up in close quarters as much as possible."

In reply to Jaxar (msg #157):

"Should you have room for us, Jaxar, we are still with you.  It is hard to believe it was just weeks ago that we came together to first crew this 'ship.  Ere we leave, I shall again consult the cards regarding our fortune."

J'landria adjusts her bow and makes sure her blade is tight on her hip, her expression is still grim, almost sad.  She walks to where Athellin and watches him deal with his cards.

In reply to Athellin (msg #162):

"As I said, you are most welcome to join us. We will take you and as many of the additional Marukans as are willing to come, or until the doses of this flying elixer are accounted for. We will arrange to meet up with the others after we liberate the ship and are away from this general area."

"This is an important point to consider. Do we attack from a distance using bows and  . . . .dweomercraft, or do we land on the boat and attack in stealth?" Looking to J'landria and Kar Jaxar asks, "Do we know how many are awake on the ship and where their sentries are located? Regardless of how we attack knowing their locations first will aid us greatly."

J'landria nods to Jaxar and stepping to the rail, she holds out her hands again.  Another smaller bird settles in her out stretched hands and she whispers to it.  As it takes flight, her eyes again reflect red like the bird's eyes and she watches out, staring into the darkness surrounding them.

"Make it far enough," she whispers with a rumble.  "Jalar, protect this little... one moving into danger for us."