Back in Centertown, Alarus heads back to the Old Codex, where he contacts Alina and Otto and updates them on current events.

“That poor woman,” replies Otto. “I wish that I could accompany you on this most intriguing journey, but I have met with some very learned scholars here, and feel that I am close to furthering my understanding of the mysteries awaiting us. I will be praying to the Pancreator for your safe return. Godspeed!”

“Larrane, you say?” replies Alina. “Hmmmm, actually I wouldn't mind going with you. I heard that Perleria is very pretty.” She lowers her voice and whispers into the squawker. “And my friend has turned into the most frightful bore! Celebrities, diets, fashion and more celebrities – yawn! Definitely not as fun as I remember. Let me take my shopping back to the Mendicant, grab my gear, and I’ll come meet you. Where are you now?”

Alarus spends a pleasant hour chatting to Anydi before Alina arrives, once again wearing her Decados leathers, and with a brand-new pack slung on her back. She greets Anydi and smiles at Alarus. “Ready to go?”

Soon, they at the Gilded Vorox and meet up with Valestra. She is very pleased to see Alarus again and bows deferentially to Alina. “It is an honour, my lady. My bags are already packed, and as luck would have it, there is an airship leaving for Larrane later this evening. I have a return ticket and will be happy to arrange for passage for you both as well.”

After a few minutes, Valestra has paid for her lodging and instructed the receptionist to hail an aircar to the airport. Alina gets in the flitter with a slightly amused expression.

The group lands at the airport and heads over to the launching area for the airships. There is a small terminal, where Valestra purchases return tickets for Alina and Alarus. “The ship leaves in two hours, in case you need to purchase anything here. The flight should only take a day or so.”

As the airship slowly descends to hover over the landing platform, the passengers gather in a line to await boarding. An Orthodox priest walks along the line, sprinkling holy water and chanting prayers for a safe trip, which causes Alina to discreetly roll her eyes at Alarus.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Skywarden, announces a young woman dressed in a Charioteer uniform. “I will be your captain. Please make your way to the boarding ramp and find a seat. We should arrive in Larrane tomorrow evening, Pancreator willing.”

There is plenty of space for passengers on the Skywarden. A couple of nobles have even brought their mounts, which are tended by some of the crew. After half an hour, the airship powers up its engines and quickly ascends to a cruising altitude, offering spectacular views of the city and the countryside.


This message was last edited by the GM at 11:26, Sun 10 June 2018.

Alarus spends some time writing in his journal as the Skywarden begins its long cruise over Shamal's countryside. He pauses now and then to gaze at the setting sun through the orange and violet-tinted clouds ahead, and listens to the gentle playing of the ship's minstrels. The wind picks up slightly as the vessel gradually draws nearer to the distant Tabaristan Sea, whipping through the Thana's long, colorless hair and loose robes. He draws his bisht cloak and dastmaal scarf closer about himself, and stows his pen and journal back in his knapsack. The day's light is beginning to fade, and the ship's stewards are starting to prepare dinner for the passengers. Alarus looks over at Valestra thoughtfully, wondering what a Perlerian baroness's chamberlain is doing this far east, a whole continent away from her home.
This message was last edited by a game editor at 02:43, Fri 15 June 2018.

The continent of Perleria possesses a varied geography, with coastlines of irregular cliffs while the inland is dominated by forests and the Wyeming Mountains rising majestically to the north. The cultivated areas are primarily agricultural lands, where wheat and the resilient blood-rye grow together with crawling turnips and palm-oat. Apart from the capital of Larrane and cities to the south, Perleria is a backwater place, technologically speaking, when compared to Criticorum as a whole. The continent is ruled by Baroness Prajna Sophia al-Malik from the Eagle Palace in Larrane, a city that also boasts the Cathedral of St. Maya.

The Orthodox Sect of the Universal Church is prominent on Perleria, and almost every little town has its own church or temple. The majority of Perleria’s denizens are strictly devoted to Orthodox beliefs, which is clearly mirrored in their daily life, activities and their way of speech. The Minor Houses of Juandaastas and Torensen have several holdings on Perleria and the two houses are often at odds, with Marquessa Sabine al-Malik Juandaastas (the Juandaastas family matriarch) and Sir Zachery Torenson (the local Torenson leader) being openly hostile to one another.

Alina tries to engage Valestra in light conversation, but the chamberlain seems tense and only replies with short but polite sentences. Her most frequent response is “Please do not ask me questions that it is not my place to answer.”

However, over the pleasant dinner she relaxes a bit more, and explains that Barony of Calhoun lies northwest of Larrane, in the shadow of the Wyeming Mountains. It normally takes three days’ travel on equils (a native Criticorum horse-analogue) through thick conifer woods and crossing various minor hamlets to get there, but it is also possible for wealthier visitors to rent a small airship at Larrane, reducing the journey to half a day.

She adds that Baroness Jeri’ven’s husband, Baron Lucien Juandaastas died about four months ago. Since then, Baroness Jeri’ven has ruled the fief in his stead. There are also two children; Coraline (age five) and Balthazar (age two). Sadly, the Baroness has been suffering from a mysterious illness for a while now. Every local healer, including a wandering Amalthean, had been consulted but none could take care of the problems.

An Engineer called Galen Nestor was hired a few months ago in order to treat Jeri’ven. Galen made some progress researching a remedy, although Valestra did not learn the nature of the disease. She remembers that Galen compared it to a kind of non-contagious flu. About two weeks ago Crafter Galen simply disappeared following a visit to Errysdale, a small village a few hours east of the Barony. Although Galen spent much of his time doing research at Baroness Jeri’ven’s estates, he also enjoyed hunting and exploring the countryside, especially in the northern parts of the barony where the forests are thick and the game plenty.

The skies grow darker, and the deck of the Skywarden is illuminated by the soft glow of paper lanterns as most of the passengers head down to their bunks. Some remain behind, and soon a lively tune is struck up on fiddles and flutes. Alina dances with a handsome nobleman and seem to be enjoying herself immensely. Valestra stands motionless near the prow of the airship, her shawl fluttering in the wind as she gazes westward.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:16, Sun 10 June 2018.

Alarus quietly comes to stand beside Valestra on the ship's bow, gazing out across the vast Nordwood Forest as the wind sweeps through his hair and cloak. The sun's light grows dimmer as it sets behind the distant mountains, yet still glimmers brightly in the jewel-like flecks of the Thana's strange violet eyes. He is silent for a while, watching the landscape gradually darken until the moon's pale glow is all that remains to illuminate the shadowed world below. "It is a long journey to Acheon from Perleria," he says softly. "If I may ask, madam, what brought you to seek help for your lady so far from her barony?"