OOC:  Heading into this meeting, the following is true-

Mayhew, Derrick, and Artor were able to recover the aneen from within the sheltered area.  It was sleeping when they arrived and calm in Mayhew's care.  No signs of the hidden speaker were found.  All of the associated salvage was recovered.

Hoa, with help from Regent Aldrege, has been able to assemble a skillful crew of willing help that Radwa has been able to direct in an efficient manner.  Work continues on the cart even while Radwa is at the planning meeting.  They are also building a small trailer to fit the cart.

You have all been asked to provide a list of (mundane) equipment you feel you need but do not have.  This may or may not be provided.  Give the lists to the servant when you arrive.  You can PM me details or add them to your post.  Your call.

Agatho was able to follow up on the injured leg and now pretty much everyone in Canthus is reasonably healthy.  Agatho really over slept as a result.

During the night, fires were seen to the south, along the river.  They were in the general vicinity of some of the abandoned fields.  There is enough foliage remaining in the morning that it is too difficult to assess the damage from this distance.

The older man still looks somewhat weary after the lateness of his healing ministrations, but still has a heartfelt smile for the servant who greets him.

"'Peace to you.' I was asked to provide this list of needed equipment.  I am Agatho of Hayrest, an unworthy servant of the Sovereign One.  Please, what is your name?"

Radwa still looks tired from all the work they've put in over the past two days, but the cart is almost finished, and the breather is welcome.

They produce a list from a fresh-looking sheet of paper and give it to the servant with a courteous nod of acknowledgement before going over to the food to see what's available.

The servant greets Agatho with the same raised-hand gesture as the regent had earlier.  "I am Gavia.  Thank you for coming,"she says to both of you.  Gavia takes the form from Radwa and waits for Agatho to respond.

Hoa Sen arrives looking...composed. There's no better word for it; she is put together in both her garb and her demeanor. She's adopted Tannin's sash, the red fabric combining with the yellow of her scarf to accent the orange half-robe and trousers she wears. Nary a strap or buckle is out of place. Her expression is likewise arranged.

"Greetings, Gavia, and my regards to the Regent. Niobe fares somewhat better this morning." Sen has been here long enough for the raised-hand gesture to at least look natural. She offers Agatho and Radwa the same, accompanied by a somewhat wider smile. "I am at the Regent's disposal."

Derrick enters close behind Agatho; prepared lest his companion be suddenly overcome with weariness. He bows his head in acknowledgement of the servant and presents her with a list of equipment. Unsure of what to do with the offer for equipment, he has created a list that includes everything he could think of that might be useful. He has simply tried to organize it by importance.

Since recovering the aneen, Derrick has helped where he can: lending his strength, but never straying too far from Agatho's side. He smiles warmly at the others as they convene.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:47, Fri 19 July 2019.

Late in his arrival, Artor slipped quietly into the room. As before, his features remained hidden beneath hood and cloak and mask, looking perhaps a little more tatterdemalion than before. He slipped a rolled scroll to one of the hosts, one containing those items he considered might be required that he had not already found himself

Gavia smiles and greets you all.  The lists provided are quickly concealed up her sleeve.  The assembled group is led to a walled garden area, more stone than vegetation.  Flowering plants dot the borders and liven a few planters, thoughtfully arranged.  A few trees offer shade beneath their green canopies.  And purple canopies.  And red-with-black-spots canopies.  Most of the plants are unfamiliar to you, although Hoa and Radwa recognize a magillin tree, still fruiting.  An assortment of mis-matched chairs, benches, and small tables, all intricately carved in different styles, shelter in the shade.

"Welcome, all welcome."  Aldrege beams as he waves you in.  He seems more relaxed in his own home.  "Please, there are various comestibles for you to enjoy as we discuss the journey you must make."  He spreads his arms over two tables laden with food and wine.  Vegetables, breads, and seared meats are piled in bowls, smothering plates.  The carafes seem to be self-chilling and the fruity aromas of the wines are nearly intoxicating by themselves in the warm afternoon.  "I have always found that I think better on a full stomach.  Make your selections, find a seat, and we shall soon begin."

Declining the food, for with his mask it would be an awkward meal, Artor produces a battered and familiar plastic straw, helps himself to a glass of the fruity wine, and  finds himself a seat slightly towards the outskirts of the gathered chairs

Derrick takes a seat and helps himself to a plate of food. He reasons that every opportunity should be taken now to enjoy things before he is once more on the road. In the back of his mind, the luxury of Regent Aldrege's home bothers him slightly when compared to the dire straights of the rest of Canthus.

Hoa Sen does not take particularly large portions of anything, but attention to her plate reveals that she's taken almost exclusively the rarest and most perishable delicacies, the kinds of thing they may not see for months or ever. She does take a cup of wine, but fills it only halfway. The kasunda takes a centrally located seat, one that gives her a clear view of the others. "Our thanks for your hospitality, Regent."

Radwa chooses a nice variety of food - in fact, they sample a little bit of almost everything that's put out for consumption. An astute viewer will notice the complete absence of anything mushroom-like or fungal, however.

They find a spot to sit to one side and settle in, a cup of water beside them filled close to the brim. "Yes, you've been very generous for us, regent."

Regent Aldrege stands before the group as the last of you are filling your plates and choosing your seats.  "First, I would like to thank you all, again, for undertaking this endeavor.  It is naw easy task, and there is certainly naw guarantee of success.  But, should you succeed, each of you will always have a hawme in Cathus, wherever you may rawm."  He raises his glass and toasts you all.

"I do bear some sad tidings, thawh.  After speaking with his father last night, Mayhew has decided that he will remain in Canthus, not journey forth with you as he planned.  His father's health continues to be frail.  Mayhew plans to care for and protect his father until a safer hawme is found and occupied.  While I feel this reduces the skill set available to you all, I cannot fault his decision."

Wilmark pauses to let the news settle in and takes another sip of wine.

Derrick nods in understanding at the news of Mayhew. Though the strange person had been quite helpful on their short search the day before, he understood that some obligations were more important. For the time being he says nothing, instead focusing on eating at a slow and deliberate pace.

"That is unfortunate. He is a brave fellow, and I fear we will need all the daring we can muster," Hoa Sen says. "But we are driven by necessity, and will do what we must." She takes a small sip of wine. "I heard there were fires in the south fields. Will Canthus herself hold?"

Aldrege nods.  "We will hawld.  For now.  And while Mayhew is remaining, we have seen to it that you are not without resources."  The regent smiles, pride in planning that has come to fruition.

"As you knaw, the populous of Canthus needs to relawcate.  Where is the issue.  Your directive is to explore beyond the Shimmering Veil to identify a site that will allow for nearly 2,500 humans and lattimors to move in quickly and safely.  The site must provide enough clean water, arable land, and material resources for our people to survive.  And the path to the site must be safe and clearly marked."  He chuckles briefly.  "At least as safe as possible."

"The council, the citizens of Canthus have been preparing for this mission.  Their foresight and generosity will aid you.""

He pulls from his pocket a small list that he refers to as he speaks.  "You will have three Reality Spikes and a mile length of azure steel cable.  These are to be used to mark the path through the Veil.  To help ensure your survival, we have provided an Instant Shelter and two Filtration Straws.  There is a Major Glaw Glawbe, so you will not lack for light.  In order to aid negawtiations with any intelligent and peaceful group you may encounter, we've prawvided one Comprehension Graft for Truth.  There is alsaw a Carry-All for you, that we have been assured can safely hawld four Cyphers, in addition to it's other cargaw.  We have prawvided six days of rations and water for you all.  If you need food beyond that, it's unlikely you've found a suitable site.  And lastly, Bloor has made an illustrated tawme of the flora that is important to our community, crops we grow and plants our livestock forage on.  She has alsaw collected seed for fifteen of the mawst important crops, saw that you may see if they will thrive in the soil to the north.  I'm tawld they've been treated to start rapid grawth.  All this is why we alsaw built the trailer for Master Radwa's Cart."

Hoa Sen had been in Canthus long enough to understand just how much the aldea had invested in relocation. It was an enormous amount to trust relative strangers with, especially when the venture was predicated entirely on hope and necessity. She took a modest sip of wine. "It is a clear set of objectives, Regent, and supplies that inspire gratitude and hope for our success. We will work hard to be worthy of it."

The gravity of the aldea's generosity for their supplies was not lost on Radwa, and they were visibly surprised by just how much they'd been supplied. "We will do our best to find a good place for you all and to safely set up, and hopefully we'll even have some resources left over. Thank you," they say, stifling a ywan towards the end.

Derrick also seems somewhat concerned at the prospect of the town holding out against the challenges set against it during what he expects will be a long trip for the scouting expedition. Out loud though he holds his tongue, still somewhat uncomfortable in the opulence.

When Aldredge lists off the equipment that the town intends to give the group, even the stoic warrior is unable to keep a straight face. His eyes go wide and his mouth opens just slightly. Some of the items are things that he has never even heard of, though they sound like numenara, but those he does know he also knows to be very valuable. After a while, he simply nods his understanding.

The older man sits quietly in his corner chair.  After bowing his head and silently giving thanks for his food, he eats in moderation, and does not partake of the wine.

He is perhaps quieter than usual.  Some of this is due to his late night of healing.  It is more than mere lost sleep.  He feels the pain of every patient, and the individual and collective worries of the townspeople are a weighty burden to bear in his weariness.

As the Regent briefs the group, the weight of responsibility presses in upon him anew.

He prays silently, and a memory of the Sacred Writings comes to mind...

^{_{"The Sovereign One is He who is going before thee, He himself is with thee; He doth not fail thee nor forsake thee; fear not, nor be affrighted."}}

He feels a peace settle over his soul, and nods quietly to himself.

"I have two questions..."

"One, how long would you have us search before returning?  You are threatened here.  If we take too long, we may return to find that you have perished.  If we can find a way through, but cannot find a suitable site immediately, at what point is it better to return and help you all to escape the current threats by making the crossing?"

"Two, you have dwelt here for some time.  What lore, if any, is known about the Shimmering Vale?  Any tidbit of knowledge, insignificant though it may seem, could be useful in ways we cannot currently foresee."

Speaking softly, Artor echoed the sentiments of the others, “Hold, for this final throw of the dice it seems”

He had no questions, none for the week it seemed they had from the provisions. Beneath the robes and swaddling he shivered though; was this a final throw of the die for him too?

"Three weeks.  You have three weeks from today.  The aldea is, as we speak, already preparing to embark.  If you have not returned before that or if you find inhospitable land, we will head east for the Clock of Kala.  Water will be our biggest concern, and I pray we are able carry enough.

As for what lies beyond the Veil?"  The regent grows quiet, smiles oddly, and chuckles.  Eventually his gaze returns to you.  "Legends.  Myths, even.  Tales tawld by many with naw man or woman to claim them.  Lush forests, strange creatures, untawld treasures.  And yet naw proof.  Nothing that has come from there.  Naw unfamiliar beast that was seen wandering out of the Veil."

He walks across the garden a bit to one of the decorative plantings.  The rim of the central pot has a ring of eye-catching stones and detritus in a rainbow of vivid colors, all resting on the flat surface.  Wilmark carefully picks out a handful and brings them over to the table that most of your plates are resting on.

"These came from the edge of the Veil.  It ... moves.  Sometimes, the rocks that were beneath it are ... different.  Perhaps a quirk of geolawgy, but I dawn't think so.  Whether they are left behind by something or uncawvered by a creature, an automaton, some unknawn prawcess ... whether they are changed by the Shimmering Veil itself, I can't say.  Just that they are unlike what was there."

The stones, likely picked from among the most beautiful, have a wide variety of shapes, colors, and compositions.  One is opalescent green and red streaks.  Another seems to be crystalline gold embedded with black spheres.  Another is a cloudy yellow that seems to twinkle or even spark at the core with a violet light.  Nearly ten examples are provided, none alike, all bizarre and perplexing.

The older man examines the stones with interest, and stretches forth his empathic senses as well.  He even goes so far as to touch them, attempting to make mental contact with any mind that might dwell therein.  For they live in a world of strangeness.  Who could tell what these strange stones could be?

Afterward, he regards their host.

"If the Shimmering Vale may transform whatever contacts it in unknown ways, it might be prudent if I were to go first.  I could make a mental link with one of you that should be maintainable for an hour at least, regardless of distance.  If contact is lost with me, that might suggest that the danger is too great, and that the rest of you should set off for the Clock of Kala.  If not, I can return for the rest of the exploration party.  Would this be useful?"

"'Regardless of distance' is a slippery concept. What if it is more than mere distance that characterizes passage through the Veil? It is a noble gesture, Agatho, but I am not sure if it is as practical as you believe." Hoa Sen answers. She can make little of the stones, save that such transformations cannot help but remind her of the Iron Wind...a terrifying prospect indeed.

“If you can make such a link”, offered Artor, “Then perhaps it is I who should go first?”

Unwrapping the bandages and removing the glove from one hand, he displayed one hand, wreathed in coruscating nielle and moss energies, “I have some familiarity with such transformational contact”

His skin began to burn quickly beneath the live of the gathering and he covered up quickly
This message was last edited by the player at 16:59, Thu 01 Aug 2019.