The Aamanian pauses for a moment as if thinking.

"A ship, you say? In truth, I do not truly know. Deadwood has a docking platform. And before I set out to find this...," he pauses and sighs. "There was a windship that passed town, heading south. I cannot claim to know much about such vessels, but it seemed a bit unsteady in the air although it moved quite rapidly." He gives a slight shrug. "It may be that the Cymrilian tower in Deadwood would be able to tell you more, or arrange for passage back to the Kingdoms. Couldn't say for certain. But you know, there are folks out here, on these plains and hills, that need a helping hand, a kind word, an extra eye. Just... keep that in mind."

"Perhaps more hands would make lighter work."  The Marukan steps forward, nods to the Aamanian.  "Greetings, I'm called Rioniv," he nods to his fellow Marukan, "and this is Rammid.  How are you called?"

<quote Rioniv>
  The Marukan steps forward, nods to the Aamanian.

he nods to his fellow Marukan,



Kar Continues to keep a eye on things from above, but moves up another 10 ft. and widens his circle a bit. Having one more pair of hands down there won't help as much as an early warning.

In reply to Rioniv (msg #35):

"And I am known as Aalistair. It is a pleasure, of that I am certain."

In reply to Aalistair (msg #37):

"I am Mirna," Mirna says setting down her bow, within easy reach, and starting to help bury the dead. "When we are done burying these, we should burn the beastmen. No sense attracting more scavengers."

In reply to Mirna (msg #38):

"Aye. Burning. The smoke might attract other things. We would want to be sure that the flames do not spread across the Plains as well. But, aye. Burning. They are out of Aa's sight and grace."

In reply to Aalistair (msg #39):

"Rrrrrrrr - let the scavengers fill their bellies on this filth, they need to eat, too. Besides, this would allow Beastmen serve at least one good purpose. Two, if enough of them remain to fertilize the soil when the scavengers have finished."

In reply to Jaxar (msg #40):

Aalistair shrugs and returns to the task of burying the dead.

"So... quiet conversation always makes unpleasant tasks go quicker. What story do the lot of you carry with you?"

Piling stones nearby, Rammid starts, "We had set out from Maruk, Rioniv"  -- he points towards the other Marukan, "Athellin,"  he indicates the Rahastran, "and I.  And one other," his eyes drop, and his voice to a small degree.  He clears his throat, and continues, "We traveled down the road, and came to Akmir -- that's where we first met the others, and things got strange."  He looks around at his companions.

In reply to Rammid (msg #42):

Akmir and strange do oft rest at the same oasis. At least, so I have heard it said. Go on.

Rammid glances about at the others; Mirna, Jaxar, Rioniv, then Athellin.  He hesitates, and then continues, "We took passage on a windship then; or rather, I should say, worked passage on a windship.  We traveled far and wide, and most recently we've returned to travel on foot.  From investigating a ruined city to the north of here.  We find ourselves somewhat short of supplies, so we are seeking the nearest town to regroup." 

Rammid falls silent, returning to building the graves at hand, still looking at the others of his party from time to time.

In reply to GM (msg #45):

*Winging down to within vocal range of the group* "We have company. solo furry. I'll get more info, but be alert"

*Then he widens his arc to get a better view of said company*

Aalistair stares at Jaxar for a moment and pauses as if about to speak, but the cry from the winged Gryph, he snatched up his staff and started scanning the horizon.


"Are the group of you capable of defending yourselves? Do any of you need Aa's protective hand upon your brow?"

In reply to Aalistair (msg #47):

Mirna chuckles "I can defend myself" she grabs her bow and nocks an arrow, watching Kar for some indication of where the "company" is coming from.

Seeing figures in the distance J'landria hunkers down a bit to observe.  Cursing the winds for pushing her scent toward them instead of theirs to her she moves forward cautiously.  The tall grasses and slight hills occassionally put the figures on the ground out of sight, but the large avir-like one keeps edging a little closer.  J'landria watches it with worry, but she plucks her courage up and keeps moving.  Maybe, just maybe this is a trading group, or someone she can ask directions of.

Watching the group and the avir in the sky, she wishes she had a small bird herself, but she keeps padding toward the group, her hand on her longsword and her senses at their highest.

In reply to Aalistair (msg #47):

Absently touching his talisman he eyes the grizzled veteran suspiciously with a low growl in his throat, "Rrrrr, we can handle ourselves. I can't speak for the others but I've no need of your god's . . . touch." Readying his bow, Jaxar takes a few steps away from the gathered adventurers and sniffs the wind.


Glancing over his shoulder he speaks to Aalistair again. "We have met before, witch-hunter. It was several years ago, we happened to be hunting the same Dhuna, although I suspect for somewhat different reasons." Finishing abruptly, he turns back to the front and again samples the scents carried on the available breeze and scanning the terrain for movement or the glint of sunlight reflecting off of metal.

Muttering a prayer to Aa half-under his breath, Aalistair took a moment and then shouted

"You there! Be ye friend or foe, show yourself! Prove your intentions be they noble or crude!"

He gripped his staff tighter, turning slowly to determine where the danger might lie.

Hearing the shout, J'landria stops in her progression for a moment and stares toward the voice.  Lifting her own young voice she calls out in return.

"I'm only foe if you're planning on doing something to hurt me... Uhh.. I'm seeking either a Jaka, or an orgovian named Ordavu el-Shemu."

Then, slowly she began moving back in the general direction of the group, her nose lifted, sniffing the wind and hoping for small gust in her direction.

Aalistair looks about the group, raising an eyebrow as he looks at Jaxar. In a quieter voice he says, "Aa moves us all in mysterious ways. Perhaps this one seeks you? In any case, el-Shemu is a trader who frequents Deadwood. I think he may have been there before I set out. Should we call this one closer, do you think?"

He relaxed his grip on his staff a touch and rose from the crouch he was in. Standing tall and erect, he waited.

In reply to J'landria (msg #52):

Mirna relaxes some, but keeps her bow ready.

"The name el-Shemu is not unknown to me. Last I saw, he was in the town of Deadwood... about a day's ride south of here. If you wish to travel together to avoid the dangers of the Plains, we likely would not be amiss to such a pairing," Aalistair shouts.

"Besides, better to know who this is than to have some skulker hounding our trip back," he says more quietly to those nearby.

In reply to J'landria (msg #52):

After pausing a moment to hear if Aalistair's questions will receive a response Jaxar will add, "You have named the orgovian you seek, Ordavu el-Shemu, but what of the Jaka? What is the name of this one that you seek?"

Approaching the group closer now, her very young age is evident.  She smiles nervously an bows slightly as she gets closer.  Staring at Jaxar she traces her finger down her face where his scar sits.

"You are Jaxar, are you not," she asks, awe in her voice.  "My father spoke of you.  Not often, but enough to remind me of who you were if I were to run into you out here."  She pauses, looking at the group around her and smiles anxiously again.
"Sorry for my bad manners.  I am J'landria.  I seek a lost cub.  His parents and some of the others think he ran away to find adventure, but my father and I agree that he might have been kidnapped.  He is only about 8 or 9, so the rebellion is setting in.  I..." she begins but stops.  She stares around at the group again and takes a few steps back from them and drops her eyes.  Her ears are moving but not much as she stands still.

"Again, sorry.  You do not need to hear my problems or that of my people.  I will accept your offer to finish traveling with you to the town of Deadwood if the offer is still open."  Her voice is quiet now, and her eyes are still averted.  She glances up for a moment and takes in the whole scene.  She then remembers to relax, letting her hand slip off the hilt of her sword.
"Can I help in any way," she asks finally, her voice even quieter than before.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:47, Thu 06 May 2010.

<quote J'landria>
Approaching the group closer now, her very young age is evident.  She smiles nervously an bows slightly as she gets closer.  Staring at Jaxar she traces her finger down her face where his scar sits.

*Closing to a tighter cirlce, still some 20 ft up*

 she begins but stops.  She stares around at the group again and takes a few steps back from them and drops her eyes.  Her ears are moving but not much as she stands still.

*Trains his xbow on her chest*

  She glances up for a moment and takes in the whole scene.  She then remembers to relax, letting her hand slip off the hilt of her sword.

*Still following her, xbow ready, but not trained as before*