Katrina just listened to the conversation around her, not adding anything.

Ocean responds, "I am not sure what you mean by white robes?"  She asks not actually expecting a response.

Moonlight puts a hand to his face.  This was going to be a long long night he feared.  Maybe an even longer day.  Ocean would be a very useful addition to the party and allow him to fight and not have to worry about everybody's health.  He spoke but he was not really shore who his words where directed at but they may as well know ahead of time.
Ocean is it.  Well can't you see the matching set of white robes we are both wearing?

Then he turns to Sylvia.  Sylvia you are clearly an adventurer.  Adventurers come in many different flavors and some like my self have multiple layers.  So what are your skills then?

[Language unknown: Ro i mohi-inne m Li t evos entanyith nd popack romdi k ck ant.]  She says in elvish looking down at her garb and back up her face still confused.  "If you are willing to have me in your group I will gladly except.  I will warn my eyesight is not much past a certain distance but I can follow easily enough."

In reply to Ocean (msg # 45):

Sylvia paused to appraise Ocean again. "You're not one of them, then." She glanced at Moonlight with a raised eyebrow, before responding to Ocean. "Fine by me."

Then, she addressed Moonlight's question with a snort of derision. "I help folks find interesting things -- and solve problems," she said, before being sure to add, "for appropriate payment, that is."

[Language unknown:  Toeviv t ble thell ho to N ithsi laarch chivsa sonncehis usprtr.  Iv k ha antela ne ncllil.  Tider nausai o ur setil thad es witarerut, hene er thu ma di notrescom, Unrith n herereion dertr osicat.]

Sylvia my people speak of having a balance in life.  If you learn to do something then you must also learn to undo it.  So I have some healing abilities however I expect they are minor compared to Ocean skill.  From what your are saying my people would call you an Archaeologist or Ruins-slayer.

The night moves on as the android named Aron and Sylvia discuss what has happened to the best of her abilities. Aron just sits and will ask specific questions and use terms that Sylvia doesn't understand so it is apparent there are many many gaps in the historical record. Aron, to his credit, takes this all in stride, very muted expressions on his face with a few over exaggerated ones from time to time. Finally it is time to rest and Hildo directs you all to your rooms. Each person in turn, he asks questions of and is very chatty, even to Moonlight, though there is some nervousness in halfling's voice. While the halfling is nice enough, even those not from this town get the impression that he is much more noisy that would be considered normal. Those from the area are talked to like the last conversation he and you had hadn't ended. With the new folks, he pries into as much personal information as he can.

In the morning, a small group of roughly 10 villagers have assembled with a wagon and a set of draft horses to pull it with. Most of them look like trappers and hunters, with a single herbalist, the elven woman from last night. Everyone files into the bar room to get a quick breakfast before heading out. A small crowd has gathered to watch everyone go, some with hopeful expressions, most just curious, and a couple that look indifferent. A single baby cries in the crowd as it's mother shushes it, putting her finger in it's mouth to help soothe it through it's teething.

The party loads up and begins the trek out to where they will set camp.

OCC: Does anyone want to do anything before leaving? Is there any last minute prep y'all want to do?

As a side note. I love history, so the reason for the camp is that, back in the middle and dark ages, the reason no one moved very far once they were settled was because it was expensive and they didn't have today's preservation techniques, thus all food had to be either freshly killed or freshly grown/made. Even today's archeological digs will have large teams with supply trucks and are very expensive.

"Archaeologist," Sylvia said, letting the word roll around her mouth. She nodded slowly as she measured the concept against her self-understanding. "Yeah, a bit."

The next morning saw her just as quiet as when she had first walked into the tavern; now, however, her attention was a bit sharper, and her step a bit more lively, than the night before. She made sure to stay somewhat near Katrina as they traveled.

Katrina responded to the halfling's questions with an ease for her fellow townsman, though she wasn't as good at keeping the conversation going. She was an open book without a deceptive bone in her body. When the time came to load the wagon, she did the heaviest share of the work.

She noticed Sylvia staying close to her, but thought nothing of it and always had a friendly, welcoming smile for her.

Ocean still looks confused as if what Moonlight said just sailed over her head.  But still nods at it and figures it will have to be another thing yet she has to learn.  To the rest she nods in agreement.

Moonlight spends his time helping prepare for the travel.  The elf is strong and quick.
Then he settles down to sleep with his wings folded around him.

The party moves out with the wagon and the motley crew of humans, mutants, and animen move together. Some people are out, mostly children as their parents are out in the fields or opening their businesses, to wish the group luck. The group of roughs that had made fun of Moonlight are standing off to one side and give the mutant elf looks of contempt as their body language say they expect him to not return.

The day is overcast with a slight breeze coming in from the west. They begin by following the High Road that cuts through the town and heads south in both the east and west directions like the town grew up in a bend in the road. Which is accurate given the prime trees that are lumbered to the north. Most are loaded up and dragged to a river to the south. Draft horses and donkeys are kept also in the south to produce the large quantity of horses and mules needed for this trade and for food for the town.

The party doesn't stay on the road for long and begin the rough ride over the wild lands that lead towards the cloud tower and the lightly logged area.

OCC: First two players to see this roll a d10 and post it here for a random encounter. If they are the same number, there will be one. 3:)

14:50, Today: Katrina rolled 1 using 1d10.  Player 2 rolls for an encounter.

OOC: 20:06, Today: Sylvia rolled 3 using 1d10 ((3)).

Ocean actually enjoys the travel even though she does not really do sight seeing due to the limitation that is her existence.  While travelling along she hums a tune.

OCC: so close. lol

The party arrives at their campsite roughly a 20 minute walk from the tower. The trip was uneventful and everyone pitches in to get a fire pit set up as well as tents and a privy pit. Once all the work has been completed, its roughly mid afternoon with the sun having already crossed its zenith and on it's lazy way towards the horizon.

OCC: How do you all wish to proceed? You have about 4 hours til night time.

Even as folks were setting up the camp site, Sylvia found herself studying the tower in the distance. Once there was a pause, she moved over to Aron.

"What can you tell us about what's inside? Can you give us a map of the layout?" she asked, and handed him a stick with which to draw in the dirt. "You mentioned something earlier -- that the hairling turned against you. What are they? What do they do, and how do we either stop them from attacking us, or defeat them if they do? I mean, they were originally yours; is it ok if we have to destroy them to protect ourselves?"

Aron nods and finds a spot to draw. It quickly and emotionlessly scratches lines and boxes with a circle in the middle. "This is what my home looks like according to my [Language unknown: hatersman aineos]. During my sleep, it fell into disrepair to the point the the ground is littered in ceiling tiles, bits of wall, and all manner of trash making it difficult to maneuver. My [Language unknown: ateticate] are stationed about the building, but, with the Hairling gaining control of them, they could be anywhere. The good news is I seriously doubt the creature has my sense of [Language unknown: allbutwheort] and tactics, so the [Language unknown: adseca] might be acting erratic."

"The first type of [Language unknown: theentlar], that at best maybe four of them, is a four legged multi attack [Language unknown: menouncomnce] that can fire projectiles, and has a nasty jaw that can render a personal attack as well as deliver a chemical [Language unknown: comresugh] that causes [Language unknown: iciculmame] reactions in the subject. The more normal [Language unknown: ilfidi] is a two legged detainment unit that can also fire projectiles, but has grasping arms that mainly used to subdue a foe rather than kill it. What the Hairling might have changed in their [Language unknown: redortwaseaunot], I cannot tell, but it would be a fair assessment that they have been."

It draws a large circle off to one side. "This is my lab, and the place where the Hairling will be more than likely staying as it is the center of [Language unknown: ounencureartany] and the main [Language unknown: anilicou] that controls everything. If you all can get me in there and keep the Hairling at bay, I can take over the system and shutdown any still operational [Language unknown: eenlintra]."

"One thing to be aware of it that [Language unknown: mancomcomineint] their systems with electricity will be more damaging to them then any other attack. Do not worry about harming them as I can repair them once I gain control."

Sylvia nodded as Aron described the place.

"That sounds like a plan, then. We get you to your lab, and you take back control of the place while we handle the Hairling. And use lightning." A look of satisfaction flashed across her face for a split second. "Of course."

Ocean is happy they made it to the campsite and goes about the preparation of her sleeping area while others talk.  Mainly as being in the situation she is with her sight being as bad as it is it takes extra time and preparation.

Still listening in on Sylvie and Aron talk makes her head hurt a bit mainly as she does not know some of the things discussed.  Still it is interesting nevertheless to listen.

Moonlight looks at Aron.
Controlled lighting that makes things live? He asks.

Ocean still lost in the conversation going on continues to get everything ready for the evening.  Still it is interesting learning as best she can.

In reply to Moonlight Dalesong (msg # 62):

"It is the downside of being completely made of metal," Aron answer Moonlight.

In reply to Moonlight Dalesong (msg # 62):

"And die," Sylvia added. "If necessary, of course."

"I've heard of ancient devices and magic that can control lightning, but I've never seen either," said Katrina. "Never was very interested in technology."