Quite a few magi and their companions arrive in Alexandria from different directions the day before or on the day of the equinox. (Figure if you're arriving by ship, then you're arriving on the same ship as anyone else coming from that direction. So specify which direction you're coming from if by ship.) Those who arrive from the west over land are given loaves of bread from the sultan; those handing out the loaves will not let you refuse them and make sure you know who your benefactor is.

Even if you've been here before, Alexandria is quite busy, much busier than it had been only a year ago. There are a number of ships in port and many traders coming over land, in addition to its sizable permanent population. A lot of the buildings are in very good condition, looking like they've been built in the recent past. It shouldn't be too hard to find each other in this busy a city, right?

Leander arrives by foot from the East. He traveled in wolf form at night remaining out of sight when possible. When Leander goes to enter Alexandria, Battal remains outside the city in hiding.

Before entering Alexandria, he calls on Blood of my Ancestors and shrinks down to just over six feet tall. He still stands out in the crowd. His size, armor, clothing, and the Gift make him hard to miss.

Making his way to the agreed-on meeting site, Leander keeps his eyes open for any sign of other magi.

The contingent travelling to Alexandria by ship was luckily (or perhaps unluckily) able to arrange passage together across the Mediterranean, which allowed all of them to arrive at roughly the same time.   The party travelling with Vespera was subjected to her mecurial mood,  the façade of calm and controlled scheming often interrupted by an impish flirtation and girlish delight.  Though Vepsera herself is of French descent, the majority of her party is obviously from the Transylvanian Tribunal, including a very surly hunter and a very demure, mousey young handmaiden.

Vespera was on deck for most of the final day, spending her time thinking of the next weeks, composing herself for the sudden cultural shock of stepping into a new world with new customs, strange beliefs, and exotic men.  She would have to be VERY careful. But the sight of the city, Alexandria coming into view, rising from the ocean waves like dreams forming from morning mist - she sometimes lied to herself about having a poetic soul, but she did know cynically that all her good artistic moments were stolen whole-cloth from other sources.

The ship approaching the docks was the sign for Vespera's handmaiden to pull her away from the railings, and the two disappear into the maga's room, where Vespera changes into something more suitable for arrival than travel - Though she won't pretend to dress up as the locals, when she does emerge from belowdecks, the Tremere maga has covered herself more thoroughly against stares and sun, including some dark veils across her hair and her face, although even covered up, Vepsera's handmaiden chose attire that is well-tailored enough to show off the short maga's curvy form.

Vespera of Tremere was planning to be one of the first of the ship to be off of the gangplanks and onto solid ground.  She did a wonderful job of hiding any discomfort, but she really didn't like the rocking of the boat. Plus, such eagerness only showed well for her plans and her desire to venture into this land unknown to her.

Javan and Sirena arrive via the same ship as Vespera ex Tremere. The towering scholar can't help but stand out even in this crowd. They follow Vespera off of the ship after a minute. Javan casually carries their limited luggage.

"Where do we join up with the others?" Sirena asks.

Benedict has spent the morning flitting around the city, looking for newcomers that he's seen before, based on the picture in his mind of the group at Harco a year ago.

As he meets them, he greets them with a wide grin, his blond hair and beard shining in the sun, fiercely unkempt.  He leads the various groups to a great stone building in the center of the trade district, dwarfing its neighbors, but dilapidated and marked with the wear and tear of centuries, haphazard repairs and additions, and a patina of ancient dust.

"Welcome to The Foreigner's Palace!" He says with a grin.  He leads the group through the front door, and a dilapidated foyer, through a common room only a little better, filled with chattering merchants.  Beyond that, through a hallway of carved stone with many doors; the final destination is a private room which is the height of luxury and decadence, paneled in cedar and filled with comfortable furniture, where a large table is covered with a luxurious repast.

Once each party is seated and comfortable, he leaves them, rushing off to find the next.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:14, Fri 02 Apr 2021.

Gazing out over the bustle and chaos of the city's docks, Vespera stands beside Javan and Sirena, while her attendant bustles around getting her luggage set up. "Our final goal is the hotel, where our covenant is being formed," she replies to Sirena's query, though she speaks more directly to Javan.  She should probably just speak to Sirena directly, she thinks, to ease the strain on her neck. Turning back towards her attendant, she quells a fussy, worried look from Judit towards the pair. "I admit I am not sure of the exact location, but - ah! There is Benedict!  He seems to have noticed us."

Vespera's features are somewhat hidden behind her veil, but the maga's tone of voice is sweet as Benedict draws near.  "Benedict, charming as ever," she says as he greets them. "Does our establishment have porters to transport our luggage, or shall I have someone arrange their movement?" Turning to look out over the busy day of the docks. "I could hoist my own luggage, but I don't think the locals would appreciate flying clothing trunks any more than Judit would allow me to carry anything myself."

The Foreigner's Palace itself is quite a sight, the inside and outside clashing in opulence between despair and delight. "I do love this room," she says.  A quick spell slides a cushioned lounging chair of her preference over next to one large enough for Javan so they might talk. "Judit, get yourself and Obrad some of the good food here before others arrive. I might be able to have you on hand, but he is about as charming as a wolf caught in a trap, so we should bustle him away before we make a bad showing to any arriving guests." The hunter, Obrad, doesn't respond to the spoken Latin, and just looms near the doorway.

"Benedict, thank you for your hospitality - do you need any assistance from myself in getting set up for other guests? This will be our responsibility soon enough."  Now in private, she has shed her veils, and she gives the man her best smile as she lounges in the rich decadence the Redcap has set up for them.

Javan gives Benedict ex Mercere a bow in way of greeting. He is happy to help move what he can, but his strength does not quite match his size.

Once they are in the prepared quarters and their luggage is put down, he gestures and Sirena speaks. "I know the covenant is going to be in a regio, but I admit my understanding of such things is limited. I look forward to exploring it and learning more about them."

Recognizing that they will be waiting for a while, he gestures to his lyre and asks, "Do you mind if I play some music while we wait? I find it helps me settle into a new place."

Unless there is an objection, he picks up his large lyre. It is obviously old but well maintained. He begins to play a number of relaxing tunes. Those who are sensitive to it will notice a slight divine force mixing with the music.

OOC I doubt it matters, but I rolled for his quality. His enchanting music effect is simply a calming aura.
  19:41, Today: Javan rolled 19 using 1d10+11.  Enchanting Music.
  19:40, Today: Javan rolled 18 using 1d10+11.  Music.

Leander runs across Benedict ex Mercere during his exploration of the city. He follows to The Foreigner's Palace.

"Thank you for your assistance, Benedict," he says as he puts down his travel gear. As he relaxes, he returns to his normal height. His clothing has improved from the meeting at Harco. His armor is now partial leather scale and his rough wolf hide cloak has been replaced with a finely made wolf hide cloak that is lined with dark red linen. His new warhammer is expertly crafted and decorated with bands of brass and two oval-shaped pieces of amber.

He turns to those already present. "Vespera of Tremere, it is a pleasure to see you again. Have any of the others arrived yet?" While his rough voice seems slightly smoother and more confident, he will still not win any fame for his speaking.

By this time, Obrad has been relocated to a corner of the room where his dour attitude won't bother the more sociable sorts.

Vespera certainly had no complaints about the music - especially when Javan turned out to be so greatly skilled. By the time Benedict has delivered Leander to their little antechamber, the Tremere has relaxed into a comfortable seat with wine and fruit, her handmaid Judit sitting behind, and watching people a bit too suspiciously.  The cream-and-orange feline Lecteur has claimed her lap and curled up, one eye opening to look at the newcomer.

"Of course it's a pleasure to see me again, I'm wonderful company." He tone of voice is an impish, delighted tone, before a more formal attitude returns. "Hello and welcome, Magus Leander," she says, and lets her smile show pleasure.  "You are the second Magus to arrive - outside of Benedict, who beat us all here and has been making very good use of his time here."  Vespera's eyes flick over towards Benedict, and she manages not to wink at him about her last statement. She is getting better at this!   "Have you met Javan?" she then asks, turning her body just a bit to gesture towards the incredibly large man. "He is a renowned scholar and will be aiding the covenant of Lux Arcanum, here in Alexandria. The bright young lady with him is his interpreter, Sirena. And this is Lecteur."  As she speaks, she gestures towards each individual, doing her best to portray her pleasure in their company with her voice, though her movements are mostly calm so she doesn't disturb the cat in her lap.

Lecteur watches Leander with a very pointed gaze, eyes narrowed towards him as Vespera pets the cat.

He looks at Javan and nods in greeting. "I remember seeing you at Harco, but we never had a chance to talk. Nice to meet you as well Sirena."

He looks down at Lecteur. "Hello, Lecteur. My friend Battal preferred to stay outside of the city. Wolves are not accepted by most mortals. But perhaps you can meet him at some point."

He takes a look at the food and drinks provided. He collects some meat and fruit and takes a seat. "As you know Andre and I are going to be wandering the Maghreb. You mentioned it may be possible for us to build labs in your covenant. What would be needed for this service?"

As Leander had made his way slowly overland towards Alexandria from the east,
So too had Kelemen* and Andre made their way overland from the west.

Between the two, they had gathered a small caravan and company of travellers;  including two wagons, and a bear.
But they did not enter the city.
Kelemen for his own reasons; Andre because he would not leave his new pet, nor take Esurio into the human populous.

Instead, he encouraged their companions to head into the city, and make use of it for the next few days.   Andre would make camp outside the city, with Kelemen and the wagons.
Andre encouraged them to ‘enjoy this time, relax, and seek out what you need’.

But he specifically asked Adras to find the place called ‘The Foreigner's Palace’, where he had agreed to meet Leander ... and deliver the message Andre gave him informing the other giant-kin of Andre’s location.


                          * I hope you don’t mind my having taken this liberty

And so it was that Adras, an Egyptian (but not from Alexandria) himself, wandered into The Foreigner's Palace.
At the bar, he ordered himself a small lunch meal, and drink; and also asked if the bar attendant knew of a man named ‘Leander’?

When word comes to him about the visitor, he meets with Adras. "You asked for me?"

The little man (then again, who wasn't little compared to Leander?) looked up at the man before him; awe, and some trepidation, in his eyes.  But Andre had described Leander, and this man fit that bill.

"Sir, I bring news from my companion, Andre.   Apparently your companion also.
He awaits you outside the city limits.  He has ... companions ... that he will not bring into the city.
I am to, at your convenience, take you to him", Adras explained in Egyptian

Then, he added, "There is no rush, though, on my account or his.   Should you need a few days, even, I do not think that will bother either of us".
Then, remembering his manners, he said with a bow, "Sorry, I apologise.  I am Adras, a doctor by trade ...should you need my services".