At first, all is quiet as Aalistair begins his prayer, but even as he speaks, a cloaked, uncouth looking man -- maybe sub-man -- shuffles in through the door, letting the dusty wind in behind him, and a few scraps of brown, dried grasses blow across the floor.

Undeterred, Aalistair continues on with his prayer.


Jaxar flinches, bumping Athellin, still incessantly shuffling and fidgeting with his Zodar deck.  He fumbles, but his nimble fingers catch all but a few of his cards before they fall.


In spite of the commotion, Aalistair calmly finishes his prayer.

"Please, if you will, allow me."

Callianos smiles to the Danuvian.

"I didn't catch your name, milady."

His eyes dane over her, past her, to the praying Aamanian. They darken a bit, but he seems to shake it off and the momentary hint of a frown is fleetingly recgonizable as such.

Callianos presses a gold lumen into the barmaid's hand when she returns with the Danuvian's drink.

A faint growl escapes from Jaxar's throat and his ears begin to flatten as he places a hand upon his sword hilt.

Aalistair rises from where he kneels, inhaling deeply of the morning air - even though it is heavily redolent of erd dung. He turns from the room and lifts his eyes to the sky outside and mouths a quiet "thank you."

He strides over to the table with a renewed sense of purpose in his stride. A bit of the tell-tale confidence evident in many Aamanian priests. The self-assured grandeur etched on his face.

He leans his hands on the table, a broad grin on his dusty face.

"Ladies. Gentlemen. I believe I have a lead on your missing ship."

The Rahastran looks up at the Aamanian, a hint of a smile upon his lips, and cocks and eyebrow.  "Truly?  Has Aa spoken to you?"  He nods and continues, "If your Aa has told you this, I will hear you out.  I can do no less than what you did for me."

Aalistair nods.

"Indeed, Aa has shown unto me a sign. Lest some of you think me mad, let me point something. The crew of the ship was attacked by Beastmen - the villains that also attacked a party of honest pilgrims as well - but the ship itself was likely taken by Rajani. There is one place out on the Plains not too far from here that the crew of a windship could easily make for, a place visible from far away. A place that the Beastmen could also rendezvous."

He holds up a pair of fingers.

"The Fangs of Golarin," he says in a low whisper.

"If you'd rather trust in the skill of Athellin here, by all means, have him cast his cards as well. But I say to you, should we ride out with all due haste towards the Fangs, we shall find sign of your missing ship there."

In reply to Aalistair (msg #114):

Jaxar relaxes visibly as Aalistair's divination does NOT cause the next Great Disaster. His eyes follow the shuffling figure for a moment as it moves through the tavern. Muttering "Nagra" under his breath he turns his attention back to the Aamanian.

"Friend Aalistair, when I spoke before it was purely an expression of my frustration, nothing more. You did not have to do this, or make our problem your cause, but I thank you for this aid and if you choose to ride with us you would be most welcome."

In reply to Jaxar (msg #115):

Aalistair shakes his head. "We have always had common cause - the destruction of evil and the cessation of harm. Sometimes the ways of Aa are inscrutable to those of us with merely mortal vision. He has set our paths together again." He reaches over to clap a hand on Peregrinus' shoulder. "Noble men may share different views but still have similar aims."

He looks around the table.

"Make no mistake. If the Rajani and the Beastmen are in some way collaborating, it is a threat to every living thing in this area."

Mirna sets the fire ale aside untouched and reaches down to check that her longsword is loose in the scabbard, and that her halberd is within easy reach.

Callianos looks to the cloaked fellow, sees the wariness the Danuvian is exhibiting, and cocks his head. His hand slips down to his belt.

"Trouble?"

[18:32, Today: Secret Roll: Callianos rolled 18 using 1d20+8. Palming a throwing knife. ]

Kolarios’ head snapped up from the table. ”And I, you my sweet nectarine…” He blinked his eyes several times and looked suspiciously at his wine. ”Odd that. I say, you in the white,” he gestured to the Aamanian. ”That there’s a fine quote… ‘noble men may have different views but still share similar views’, do you mind if I steal it? Naturally, I’ll make it something more grandiose, more poetic as it were. Even so,” he clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes up to the ceiling in thought, ”your phrasing does have a rustic charm. Meh. To be thought over later with better wine.” He then looked around and smiled at the people around the table. His eyes flashed and his eyebrows rose in excitement.

”The more important thing to consider is that we have ourselves a Quest! Bard! We need a title! Something fancy is appropriate, fitting for the combined might and grandeur of the table before us,” He bowed at the waist and swept his arm around in a wide fashion. ”Why, we have the fruits of greatness about us, Danuvian warrior-women,” he quickly turned to Mirna and whispered to her. ”Pleasure to meet you by the way, my name is Kolarios Viramos, perhaps you’ve heard of me? We can talk later.” His voice resumed its theatrical boom. ”The grand and exotic Jaka are with us, the colorful Sarista… I say, have you come up with a good name yet? And, of course, my antithesis, the rival of a hundred generations… don’t worry, Sir Aamanian, I find you in the best of company and deem you worthy of my friendship. Not many are so lucky.”

He looked around with a grand air. ”Yes, I can definitely sense the winds of destiny swirl about this very room. It is only natural that our puissant selves join together and fight evil! Rajans, no less! I myself have fought—wait a titch,” he paused with some concern. ”Did someone say Beastmen? Like… Beastmen, Beastmen? About so high, covered in icky fur, smell horrible and have sharp, stabby things?” He shivered at the thought. ”Let’s not have anything to do with Beastmen, can’t stand the foul things. Rajans are so much easier. All black and skully. Definite evil there.”
This message was last edited by the player at 23:54, Wed 09 June 2010.

The small Kasmiran, still perched atop her cushion, claps briefly and softly.  "Well said, Mr Viramos.  I am here to facilitate and coordinate.  I do not have a sure plan to win back our windship.  That is what I am hoping the rest of you will bring to the table.

"In spite of my urging, Captain Ceramose, of The Horn, cannot be persuaded to again take his windship into direct conflict with the Fate.  I welcome any input that any of you can bring in finding and retaking this windship.  Can we few who are gathered here accomplish this?  Even should we few who are here take the 'ship, would it be sufficient to crew it?  I leave the details to you.  As far as where the 'ship is, I leave it also as to what faith you all have in our newfound Aamanian friend." 

"So if we are to get to this place, these fangs, how far?  Only a few of us have mounts, could we walk overland in time?  I am prepared to go.  When will we start?"

Rammid looks very excited, if a bit wary.

The cloaked figure, who just entered, and is being watched by several of you, moves quietly to the bar and drops a few coins, ordering a drink.

In reply to Rammid (msg #121):

"How far? As the avir flies, perhaps 120, 130 miles. So, maybe a week or two on foot, Aa willing. Half that on an equs. Barring accidents, treachery, or disaster."

"But what are the odds that the beastmen, Rajans, or the 'Fate' will still be there in a week or two?"

The gangly Sindaran speaks, thoughtfully, almost as if speaking to himself, "That distance may be a week on foot or equus, but it would be a day in a windship.  If the Captain of The Horn won't engage in windship combat again, perhaps he might transport us to someplace nearby?"

Aalistair looks from the Sindaran to Jaxar and nods.

"Aa provides for His faithful."

The Kasmiran casts a sidelong glance at Aalistair, saying, "Be that as it may, Aa, or somebody, will still need to convince Captain Ceramose to assist us.  Assuming that is accomplished, who among this gathering will accompany us, and how long do you need to prepare yourselves?"

In reply to Zosha Davij Inan (msg #127):

"I could be ready to leave within the hour should the circumstances warrant. Like Aa, we must strive to be ever-vigilant and always ready."

In reply to Zosha Davij Inan (msg #127):

"I am ready to go now. Perhaps we should speak to this Captain Ceramose. I can not fault him for not wanting to risk his ship in combat, but I would hope he would be too ashamed to refuse us assistance against Rajans and beastmen." After pausing to think Jaxar adds, "That is unless he has an equally urgent and important duty he must perform."

”Umm… pardon me, “ Kolarios tapped his finger on the table. ”These ‘fangs’… I am unfamiliar with your strange land. Not much of a surprise due its lengthy distance from my homeland which happens to be the center of civilization on our fair reality. So, it would please me to no end if someone were to inform me of the particulars of these ‘fangs of golarin’. Specifically, will it be hot? I tend to sweat in great heat.” He wrinkled his nose a bit. ”It’s not that such information would deter me from acting in your service, my lady.” He bowed to the Kasmiran quickly. ”Obviously, if the Aamanian would go, I have no recourse but to accompany you. It is just that I would rather dress appropriately… a different hat, perhaps?”

His eyebrow cocked up and he suddenly looked wary. ”I notice you did not answer my query about Beastmen. Need I query again?”

"There was a question amongst all that hot air? I merely thought you a practitioner of Aeromancy, sir," Aalistair seems to smile slightly, but the grin fades quickly. "And, yes, Beastmen. A large band of them passed north of the town recently, numbering in the scores, perhaps more than a hundred."

He looks the Zandir up and down. "As long as you can use that sword proficiently, a hat will be perhaps the least of your worries. But, if it is a necessity." He reaches up and takes the wide-brimmed, dusty, white hat from off his head and extends it in one hand.

"In truth, I doubt it will flatter your current attire, but it will keep the glare of the suns from your eyes."

"I will ask Captain Ceramose on your behalf if you might have his assistance in this regard.  I do know that he is currently offloading cargo and I believe had intended to spend the night and leave in the morning," the Cymrilian offers.

In reply to Peregrinus (msg #132):

Aalistair nods. "We, that is, I would appreciate that, Peregrinus. Should I accompany you to ask your question of this Captain? And then bring word back here?"