Twilight of Evenstar II Game Thread

[gryphonpoet]

Aboriam waited at the pier through the afternoon. To pass time, he performed in song and stories for the merchants and visitors at the wharf. He collected gold and silver in exchange for stories of heroism and specially requested folk tunes.

Close to sundown, Aboriam gathered his items together and found the correct pier and waited again.

[artemi]

(Opal's quarters)

Opal yawned, as she busied herself around her small, neat room, cleaning up and collecting everything that she would need for her journey. Taking big gulps from her thick, spiced tea, she wondered, not for the first time, why humans insisted that everything be done at daybreak. Farmers, yes... they need the light. But why does little ol' Opal have to be up at this hour?

Looking up from her musings, Opal noticed that she was done. Rummaging through her travel pack, she noticed that she still had some room left over. Maybe I should get a- *yawn* -a tent from the supply building? I don't want to repeat last time...

Grabbing her things, she slung her pack over her shoulder, pitcher of spiced tea in hand. I wonder if the others feel as lousy as I am?


(the Docks)
Singing merrily to herself, Opal walked down the docks, happy that she had woken up a little. The man that ran the supply building always had to be haggled with, and she had made sure to be more or less awake by that point. Upon reaching the correct pier, she noticed that a couple others had reached there before her. Bah! A human and an elf. I should have known they would get here before me. Still, I suppose they should be rewarded for their insistence...

Holding out her pitcher of spiced tea, she poured herself a serving into her travel cup. "Do either of you two want any? I fancy myself something of an apprentice brew-mistress; this should knock the sleep right out of you."

[Lylie]

lylie walked up to the peir kinda groggy. she was up late. making last minute adjustments to her gloves. she was wearing the wicked looking gloves as she walked up to the dock with her backpack.

"good morn people!" she smiled, raised her gloved hand, and waved. she was wearing breaches instead of a dress like the few days before. she also had a cloak.

[alexander]

Jenene says to Opal," yes I would like some tea thank you." <Yawns>

[artemi]

(the meeting docks)

Hearing Jenene's affirmation, Opal finished her mug in one big gulp, then stowed hers away. She gestured with free hand to Jenene, trying to get the sleepy woman to give her the other woman's cup. At least I am not the only sleepy one...

Turning towards Lylie in the meantime, she shoved the travel pitcher of spicy, thick tea her direction. "Do you want any? It's quite good..."

[celest]

Amie tosses and turns a bit in her cot lazily shoing off a small song bird tweetering madly at her. She bring the book she was reading when she fell asleep up over her face and mubbles. "Meeka, leave me alone. Why aren't you sleep..." she stops as she relizes she's late, again. She sits up suddenly and begins a mad dash of packing. Cursing wildly in Atani she rushes out of her tent with Meeka following.

[eunhathes]

(Alezhannon Docks)

The docks looked ancient. They had suffered through almost a century of neglect and disuse only to be salvaged by the Orphans. Now, a singular ship was docked at one of the two still standing piers. Defended by bluffs to its south and blessed with a natural harbor, it was a curiosity why the locale had been abandoned so long ago.

A trio of people approached the people gathered there. It was late morning, and Mahri headed up the approaching members with Oire and Icos in tow. "Top of the morning to you all." Oire spoke as he strode up beside Jenene and turned to face Mahri and Icos.

"This is where we part company," Icos commented to the party. "I'll be staying behind to manage any affairs your team might have come up. When you get back, you should report to me for an equipment check right away. Oire is a seasoned AEDRI Team veteran. If you have any questions, ask him." With that, Icos stepped back, allowing Mahri the center of attention.

"Well then," Mahri began to stall, and realized that she was. Closing her eyes, she focused and looked over the party again. "I haven't much I can offer you in the way of consolation except that each of you does have a speciality that is useful to an AEDRI Team, and especially this one. I wish you the best of luck." With that, she turned and left, walking back into Alezhannon.

"I bid you a fond farewell. I shall see you when you are finished. Now hurry, onto the ship. We're already behind schedule!" Icos shooed the party with his hands, motioning towards the docked ship.

(Once everyone is on board)

Sailors scurried about, readying the ship for sailing. One of the three ships the Orphans were fortunate to own. A sturdy gnome, wearing an old tattered blue-green coat with sky blue trim, approached the party. Decorated various medals and ribbons and ropes, it seemed the older gnome had seen some service with a navy somewhere. Though all that seemed to be worn with pride, none was positioned more lovingly, over his heart, than the Hellgon's Orphan patch sewn onto his coat. The gold and red seemed a distinct contrast to the blue-ish hue of the rest of his garments. "Captain Trupe Murrot, at yer servis, ladies and gents." His breath rolled of tobacco and decay. "Yer all welcome guests on board the Harriet Lonn. Miss Mahri has told me all about yer assignment, and we'll be takin' yer there and bringing yer back. Right now, I just ask yer te be staying out the way of me crew as we get usselves under way." He nodded to Aboriam and winked at Opal. Turning to the crew, he yelled out, "Trim that rigging and raise the mainsail. We're bound for the Capital City, boys! Hop to, double time!"

Oire looked around and decided to proceed to the forecastle of the ship where he could better watch the ship sailing along.

[gryphonpoet]

The slight-framed elf stayed to one particularly unused part of the ship as the crew minded their business. Ever alert, Aboriam's eyes reflected the mental notes he was considering. Eyes open, mouth shut he thought.

[alexander]

Jenene says out of the way of all the crew saying nothing. She stays billow deck for most of the trip. She is constantly thinking to herself about what the capital city will be like.

[Lylie]

lylie walks up to the front of the ship. she looks over the rails to the sea. how long has it been since i last saw my home land? i miss the monks. she sighed and waited for the ship and the glass capital city. she had seen it once. when she had come to the orphans. the glass. it was a sad sight. melodie remembers what happened in that. she lost family in that fight. but she never went to the city. she never went back to crux. she had said it was too painful. then as if waking up out of her thoughts she looks around to survey who she would be working with.

[artemi]

(Upper decks of the Harriet Lonn)

Opal traveled unsteadily, trying to stay out of the way of the crew. She had never been on a ship of this size, but even at this size the thing moved unexpectedly underneath her. She staggered about, until she realized that if she held onto the railing, she would be moving with the ship.

Smiling at her new found skill, she explored, noting with slight awe the sailors jumping around in the rigging. She could tell, now, why her people seemed to prefer being underground; a lot less movement and sky then on the sea...

[celest]

Amie stood in a corner of the ship were she would be out of the way. She smiled as the sea breeze pushed the hair from her face. She was no stranger to sailing, but she hadn't been on a boat in a long time. Not snice she had joined the Orphans. She dug a couple of fugs from her bag and ate one slowly, frequently holding the fruit up to the little blue bird on her shoulder so that it could eat some of the seeds.

"It's a fine day to be on the water Meeka. I think we have been from it too long."

[eunhathes]

The ship makes it way slowly southward. A day goes by without incident. Finally, by noon the day after departure, the Harriet Lonn draws near a series of jaged looking atols.

Oire finds Aboriam during his wanderings around the ship. "Oi, Aboriam. I hear we've reached our spot. Maybe we should let the others know and get 'em all together?"

[celest]

Amie watches as the jagged rocks come into sight. Her ears twitch slightly and she whistles for Meeka. She strokes the bird gently once it finds perch on her shoulder. She then walks over to Aboriam. She bows to him slightly in respect. "Sir, I wish to introduce myself to you again." She holds out her hand in friendship. "My name is Amie Stargazer. Madame Greentree spoke of each of us having a skill useful to the team. I believe mine is my familarity with the Atani."

[gryphonpoet]

Aboriam bowed, then took her extended hand and smiled with deep charm.

"The honor is mine, Amie." the Elf responded. "Your skill is of obvious importance. The more we know about the Atani, the better prepared we will be. However, I am confused about why I was selelcted as leader. I don't have a lot of experience with people."

The Shenachie's face changed from a wrinkled picture of confusion to a bright-eyed smile of wonder.

"Captain Oire says we have arrived. Will you help me gather the rest of the party for landing? You can inform me about the Atani as we go."

[alexander]

Jenene has been at the ship's stern day dreaming, when she heres the news that the ship had arrived at the capital she goes to the place where everyone is standing, still saying nothing.

[celest]

"Perhasp you were chosen for others reasons, or maybe so that you may gain the experience." She smiles at him and walks with him gathering the others. "What about the Atani would you like to know. I was raised by them so I know alot. Though I admit I have never heard of this... Soltham. Though my teacher may have had good reason for that, if even he knew."

[eunhathes]

(Speaking to Aboriam)

"Oi, mate. I'm not a Captain. I'm just an Orphan like the rest of me family." He shifts his weight with the roll of the waves. "Though, I don't mind being the second in charge." He winked covertly at the elf. "Want me to make sure everyone's together?"

[gryphonpoet]

He looks at Oire and smiles widely. "Please forgive the slip. The shenachie in charge of an action will rely on their assistants as skilled organizers and refer to them as captains and lieutenants.

"But yes, sir. Please help gather the party and make sure we assemble for departure. Much gratitude."

His attention turned to Jenene with another flash of a smile and a quick nodding wink.

Aboriam looked into Amie's eyes, turning his hand as an invitation to begin the walk to gather us all together.

"I know practically nothing of the Atani, as this is the furthest I've traveled so far. What kinds of people are they? What likes and dislikes do they have as a people? Does the situation we're investigating run commonly through their history?"

The shenachie's face screwed into a puzzled expression as they passed through the hatch to go below deck.

"If there was no forewarning to this, then why now?"

The question echoed silently in Aboriam's mind. why now?

[alexander]

Jenene smiles back at Oire turns the derection Aboriam is faseing and says " is something wrong Aboriam?"