J'landria walks forward with some purpose, still looking about.  She notices that Jaxar, Mirna, and at least one other person are talking, while Kar is landing and speaking with someone else, and another person is approaching that group.  She cringes for a moment and takes a deep breath, looking around.  The more observant person would notice that her body movement speaks of distress and aggravation even though her face is calm.

She stops, seeing that the few she does know are busy, and her head turns to spot Aalistair standing in the doorway of the white building.  He doesn't seem to be looking her way and she lets out a slow and low growl of frustration at herself.

"I am a Jaka, a Pride Mistress, I should not be afraid," she mutters under her breath as she scans the sparse crowds again.

Wraith takes the jaka's full measure, and, after overcoming his apprehension, smiles warmly and says, "Well, this is rather fortuitous.  I was just hired by a Kasmiran to apprehend the location of a windship of the same name."  He extends his hand and says, "My name is Wraith Zephyr.  You are?"

<quote GM>
As Kar lands and addresses the guards, they visibly relax.  The guardsman at the gate even smiles as he greets him, "Hail, a Gryph from the forests of Tamaranth!  Well met!  Sorry for the unfriendly greeting, but we are sometimes harassed by Stryx flying over from Urag.  How may we assist you?"

"The scum now taint OUR impressions. Perfectly understandable, sir.
As for how you can help, do you know how many ships have docked here in the past sevenday?"

"Greetings, friend from Tamarath!" Callianos addresses the Gryph as he steps in beside him.

He offers the Gryph a bow and a broad smile.

"It has been long since I have seen one of your kind, it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Callianos, minstrel and traveler."
</quote>

*Kar glances at the incoming character, and gives him a finger as he tries to address the tower guard unit.*

"Aye, we've got one in dock now, and a Windrigger docked with us earlier in the week."

Aalistair decides that watching from the gates of the Hand of Aa will do little good and so sets off down the main street of Deadwood. He walks with a quiet confidence, his head held high, his cloak billowing behind him as strides with purpose. His head swivels from side to side as he goes, scanning the storefronts and patrons of the town, looking always for trouble or the outward signs of vice gone too far.

"Aye, we've got one in dock now, and a Windrigger docked with us earlier in the week."
</quote>

"Do ou know if the ...rigger crew mentioned any others on the area roughly north of here?"

Hearing Aalistair approaching behind her, J'landria stops and turns to face him.

"Aalistair, could you direct me to Ordavu el-Shemu, the Orgovian trader?  I would like to ask him a few questions," her ears swivel as she asks him even though her eyes are focused completely on his face.

In reply to J'landria (msg #41):

The Aamanian stops and nods. "I believe that I can. Ordavu is... well, have you seen him lately? Poor fellow superstitiously believes that he's cursed. Why, I heard tale that he even came to the monastery asking to be purged by Aa so that he could be whole again. Of course, he had just been shat on by an erd. Er, or so the story goes." He looks a little embarrassed to be sharing common gossip in the middle of the street.

Aalistair looks around. "Hm. Usually he is out trying to barter goods. He takes from one set of folks and trades to the next. He should be about somewhere if we can find him. Not a lot of Orgovians stay in Deadwood for some reason."

J'landria nods and gestures to Aalistair to lead the way.

"I am sorry if I discomforted you earlier when dealing with the cub.  Thank you for assisting me," she bows slightly and begins to follow him.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:32, Mon 31 May 2010.

In reply to J'landria (msg #43):

"Cub? Oh, the child, you mean. It is no matter. There are a number of childrens and urchins around. They need some watching after so that they do not fall to sin and vice."

In reply to Kar (msg #37):

Callianos looks to Kar inquisitively, and before his conversation with the guard is quite done, speaks to him.

"Very well, friend, I can see you are busy. The Grey Tower is an excellent place to stay and I am also there. I will be performing tonight, as a matter of fact. I hope to see you there, then. Good day to you."

He looks again to the Danuvian whom he just passed, a small smile upon his face as his eyes travel her form from head to toe.

"And you, milady, look in desperate need of a drink. I'll buy."

He shifts his lutara upon his back, eyes twinkling at her.

J'landria cocks her head in confusion at his words but she shrugs.

"Ah, cu.. childrens," her voice raises in a questioning tone, but she plugs on anyway.  "Always need care and guidance.  A pack must come together to raise them or they will fail.  It is good that you take the time then."

She looks at him as she follows him.

"When you mentioned a curse, is there anything else but that he has had some misfortune with an erd?"

In reply to J'landria (msg #46):

The Aamanian shrugs. "To be fair, I am not sure there is a curse. When one looks throughout their day for misfortune, they are sure to find it. As to precisely what has befallen Ordavu, I am not certain."

J'landria nods at Aalistair's comments.

"Very true, but one should not discount ancient curses.  Misfortune is one thing, but looking at the bad luck of the day is also not the way to judge the situation," she shrugs lithely and continues walking at his side.  "Thank you again for assisting me."

"Couldn't say... not that I recall.  Was a windship that passed by, maybe a week ago, from the north, didn't stop, though.  But if you want to hear from an airman, you might ask that fellow," the guardsman points, and indicates the Cymrilian who has exited the tower, and is engaged in conversation with Jaxar.

”I say, Sir Zephyr,” Kolarios leaped off the landing ramp and gracefully rushed forward with the momentum. The gaily dressed Zandir was all passion and poise as he pushed his way through the crowd, shouting after the Cymrillian. ”Sir Zephyr! It is I, Kolarios, and I am bid to accompany you!” The young Zandir sidestepped a rather broad woman with red skin, his grace almost failing him in avoiding her swaying hips. ”Like bleeding oars…”, the Zandir huffed as he caught up to the Cymrillian. His momentum carried almost past the green-skinned man and he slid to catch himself, swinging himself upright, straight as an arrow. ”Indeed, Wraith Zephyr… odd name that, I, as I was trumpeting most effectively from back there, I am bid to come assist you in…”

The Zandir blinked and looked at the Jaka conversing with Zephyr. He cocked his head and then dipped his head briefly. ”A pardon, fine Jaka, I would have words with the Cymrillian.” He turned to the Cymrillian and smiled sweetly. ”The Sindaran, now that I consider the turn of events I have not had occasion to greet him properly or know his name although I am sure you know of whom I speak, the one with the unsightly knobs on his head, damned useful I hear for cogitating and the like but unsightly, has asked me to accompany you.” He smiled widely.

”So here I am.”

”Obviously.” His bow was nothing short of magnificent, perfect even were it not for the near miss with the ogront pile near his foot.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Tue 01 June 2010.

In reply to Kolarios Viramos (msg #50):

Wraith calmly appraises the saucy Zandir, and, without a hint awkwardness, insinuates him into the conversation, "Greetings to you, Master Viramos.  Any friend of Nas Nasri is a friend of mine."  He regards the massive Jaka as says, "I would introduce you two, but I have yet to ascertain this ferocious-looking fellow's name."

"I have been commissioned to locate a wayward vessel that goes by the name of The Wind of Fate.  It appears as though it was overtaken by Rajan pirates.  I'm hoping to encounter others in this - how shall I put this delicately - backwater town who might have some information about this missing galley."  He laces his fingers together and says, "More importantly, though, where can one find a stiff drink in this quaint hamlet?" 

"Not an entirely unreasonable proposition." Mirna grins, "However, I do have some business here that needs seeing to." (she nods towards Jaxar) "Perhaps I'll catch up later."

Mirna turns back to the conversation with the Jaxar and the dock master.

As J'landria and Aalistair pass the group in the street, J'landria catches Jaxar's eye and nods to him with a small smile.  She points to a small crowd outside a building that seems to be congregating.

"Might he be there," J'landria asks quietly, her pace slowing as she moves past one group and toward another.

In reply to Mirna (msg #52):

"I hope you're quick on your feet, then," Callianos says playfully, "Sometimes the chase is just as amusing as the catch, warrior." He offers Mirna a wink as he steps away to forge a path through the town, seeking anything else that might catch his interest.

"Couldn't say... not that I recall.  Was a windship that passed by, maybe a week ago, from the north, didn't stop, though.  But if you want to hear from an airman, you might ask that fellow,"

"Thank you...it looks like we already have."

*as he looks around* "now, where did that funny little man go...?"

Jaxar glares at the green-skinned cymrilian suspiciously when he first mentions searching for the "Fate" but seems to relax as the pilot elaborates on his quest to a third man who suddenly insinuated himself into the conversation. Switching his glare to the newest arrival momentarily, his gaze softens again as he addresses the cymrilian. "I cannot answer your inquiry as to stiff drink as I have just arrived in Deadwood myself. As for my name, I am Jaxar and I am part owner in the ship I believe you are searching for." He gives a toothy but humorless 'grin' as he continues, "Your theory of the galley being set upon by Rajan pirates is plausible, as my companions and I found the "Wind of Fate" adrift with all hands lost. It was my understanding that the ship became ours by the rites of salvage when we boarded and regained control of the abandoned craft."

He pauses momentarily, ears cocked forward, to gauge the man's reaction before continuing. "As it is, it may not matter who claims ownership of the vessel. Some of us disembarked the Fate several days ago with arrangements to rejoin our companions aboard ship at a pre-determined time and location. Our friends and the ship never arrived. We have been traveling for the last couple of days looking for any evidence of the ship . . . or signs of wreckage. We came here hoping the ship had docked recently, and I was about to ask if you had encountered any ships in the area. The fact that you stopped here yourself looking for the same vessel suggests you have not seen the ship either. Perhaps we can put any questions of ownership aside for the moment and work together to locate the wayward craft?"

"Certainly," says Wraith.  "I Can tell you that a Kasmiran claimed ownership of the Wind of Fate, and that I was entrusted to ascertain its whereabouts.  Its neither here nor there who actually owns the vessel."  He quickly scans the dust-strewn town and says, "Perhaps you could introduce me to your companions . . "

The Marukan leading the graymanes pipes up, "Perhaps we should all get together and get aquainted?  We need to unburden these beasts, for one thing."  He looks around at the departing Sarista, "Where did that fellow say he was going?  The Grey Tower?  Perhaps we can stable these there, and find a table where might all chat?"