A distant and isolated people, the Gryphs of Tamaranth nevertheless conduct some trade with other peoples of faraway lands.

The great span oaks of Tamaranth hold the aeries of this winged folk, the largest being at Dhar.  Because this place is across the Plains of Golarin, populated by the hostile tribes of the Beastmen, visitors from other lands are few, and many of those are the windships able to fly high above the wild lands.

While not possessing windship arcanology of their own, the Gryphs easily make their aeries accessible , the great branches of the span oaks acting as windship docks on their own.

Coming out on deck as the ship docks, Aalistair has obviously spent the last day of the journey cleaning his wide-brimmed hat and his cloak of all the accumulated road-dust and mended the various tears and cuts. Gleaming white (if a bit pale and thread-bare), he strides across the deck to the edge of the craft to see what he can from this new vantage point.

J'landria walks up beside Aalistair and tips her head slightly, then moves to look down toward the earthen floor.  With a twitch of her long tail, she lifts her head and looks into the sky and at the rest of Kar's people, the Gryphs.  Her rough pink tongue darts out, licking her lips and the set of her ears denotes some nervousness on her part.  That is gone quickly however when she straightens and pulls her shoulders back.  Her green eyes follow the flight of those around her.

In reply to J'landria (msg #3):

Kar looks about the great Eyries of Dhar, unsure how he has returned so soon. He sees Aalistair and J'landria disembark, and decides to follow. as he steps onto the great span oak branch, he spreads his wings to flew the cold muscles in his back and shoulders.

"Welcome to Dhar. I may not be a native, but I might be able to point you in the right direction, if I knew what you were searching for...?"

In reply to Kar (msg #4):

"Where are those who need aid, the wretched in need of a guiding light?" He looks back at the ship. "Perhaps after that, someplace with soft beds and hot water."

In reply to Aalistair (msg #5):

"Look about you, Priest. Here are few wretched ones. Even though they may deserve their fates, many of our unfortunates are cared for by family and clan. They would not accept your aid, were it offered, because they have already let down their own. I should say that the closest need exists either in the ship behind you or down on the ground below, not in the trees before.
Those who feel they are not worthy, or cannot contribute, are welcome to leave."

"I need to ask about... a youngling who may have passed.  Either in the company of someone else... or on his own," she says turning her gaze away from the trees and their inhabitants.  Her usual growl is a bit more pronounced than normal and she has an almost agitated air about her.  "Who would that be, do you know?"

She looks out again and takes a deep breath, one hand strays to the hilt of her sword at her hip and she grips the leather tight for a brief moment before taking another deep breath and letting her body relax some.

In reply to J'landria (msg #7):

"That opportunity has already presented itself. Our recent guest, Rawk, would have been the first to ask. aside from his Outflyers, I suppose we could check with some of the local hunters. They would have a better grasp of happennings closer to the ground."

"Careful, Kar. You leave yourself open for questions about your own absence from these woods." The Aamanian shakes his head slowly. "I would hazard to guess that there are those who might feel differently. But, if there are, as you say, no needy here, then I at least am in need of a soft bed and hot bath."

J'landria looks at Aalistair and then Kar and she nods.

"I was in... the nest.  I didn't want to leave... without permission.  I," she seems almost embarrassed.  The rumble rolls through her speech then stops suddenly and she looks Kar square in the eye.  "Could you show me a hunter?"

While you speak, several Gryphs come out to meet you, apparently in friendly fashion.  One among their number appears older, and speaks first.

"Greetings!  I am Elder K'Rhee, of Dhar.  I bid you welcome to our aerie."

"Greetings, Elder," says Aalistair, clasping his hands before him as if in prayer and bowing over them. "I am Aalistair, companion to these and others aboard the windship behind us. I believe that some word of our arrival may have preceded us."

In reply to GM (msg #11):

*With the approach, and subsequent arrival of the Elder, Kar falls noticably quiet...*

In reply to Aalistair (msg #12):

The elder returns Aalistair's bow.  "Yes, word has preceded your arrival.  It is not common to have visitors from other lands, especially for this time of year.  Our hunters have been out, and we are preparing a feast, if you would like to join us." 

"Ah, a feast." Aalistair quails for a moment but rebounds. "Yes, I am sure that we cannot possibly decline such a noble offer of a fresh meal. I shall inform those aboard the ship of your generosity. Might there be somewhere near at hand where we can clean ourselves and our belongings of the dust and grime of our travels and travails?" A hopeful smile comes to the Aamanians face before something passes behind his eyes like a storm cloud. "Ah, and lest I forget, we may need to speak with you regarding one who travels with us, but is not one of us."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:25, Thu 16 Dec 2010.

"In this tree, it is possible to move about by walking or climbing, as we greet many here who do not fly, such as yourselves.  On the ground below are some few buildings, which have accommodations if that would make you more comfortable, or you may find chambers arranged for you here in the Tree of Welcome, if you desire.  As to the one who travels with you, speak now, if you would, or later, as you wish."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:11, Sun 19 Dec 2010.

J'landria looks at Kar then the elder.  Then she leans in and whispers to Kar, her left ear twitching as if something is bothering it.

"Prrr... Do I ask him," she says with a whisper.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:48, Mon 20 Dec 2010.

In reply to J'landria (msg #17):

"Right...Elder, I thought we might seek the aid of the Ariane in the matter of our...passenger. Do you know of any who may be local and willing to assist us in identifying his true motives and identity?"

The Aamanian nods. "Yes. You see we have with us one whose identity is in question. He may possibly be a Rajan, or tainted by their magics. Hopefully, he is just what he seems - an unfortunate man caught up in some horrific events. If that is so, and he is who he says he is, then I will accept the penance due for his unwarranted imprisonment."

Wraith disembarks from the ship and finds himself within the massive branches of the trees.  He casually strolls about, taking in the grandeur of his surroundings, and hopes to locate some of the other passengers.