As Arteschka approaches the man amidst the barrels, he makes a feeble, semi-conscious effort at struggling, but doesn't even slow her down. She quickly sees that although he does have chainmail - although of a shoddier quality than Jax's - underneath his tunic, the only tattoo she can find down his collar is one of a large-bosomed woman in a rather lewd pose. Meanwhile, Nelja has calmed down the tanner and his family, who are now tut-tutting at the unconscious Jax. Brownhoof walks calmly over to Arteschka and nudges her wiggling backpack softly with her nose. When Nelja, Arteschka and Brownhoof head off, the tanners quickly say goodbye before starting to argue about what to do with the two men lying on their alley. There is an air of distracted irritation about the tanners that suggests a long day of work. Greenwater Cove looks and sounds like it's already forgotten what happened at that alley, if it noticed it in the first place. The action at the harbour seems to have calmed down, and the streets seem to be waiting for the incoming refugees to spend their coin. What do you do?

Posted by MuadMouseShe quickly sees that although he does have chainmail - although of a shoddier quality than Jax's - underneath his tunic, the only tattoo she can find down his collar is one of a large-bosomed woman in a rather lewd pose.

Pointing at the armor, Arteschka asks the lad in Chatter: "Please tell me the name of this kind of armor in the Trade tongue. And do you know anything about the tattoo this other one has on his neck?"

Posted by MuadMouseBrownhoof walks calmly over to Arteschka and nudges her wiggling backpack softly with her nose.

The backpack doesn't seem to calm down in general. Instead a soft, muffled growl replaces the bulging. Arteschka turns around, pets Brownhoof's head and neck, and again makes the purring noise. The thought of picking up the saddlecloth is quickly dissolved as she looks on the totally soiled blanket and decides to leave it.

Before leaving, she speaks a prayer for the family: "May Maa bestow upon you the riches that are in her nature.", and for the assailants: "You've proven a warriors courage and you have been defeated honorably ... well, one of you ... and I pray for you to get strong again."

Posted by MuadMouseGreenwater Cove looks and sounds like it's already forgotten what happened at that alley, if it noticed it in the first place. The action at the harbour seems to have calmed down, and the streets seem to be waiting for the incoming refugees to spend their coin.

After the group leaves the general area of the tanner's alley, Arteschka inhales and exhales so deep and thorough, it reminds Nelja more of a breeze, grazing along a shoreline.

Suddenly she says in Nelja's direction: "Yes ... it seems ... we are on *sigh* a mission ... *mumble*."

Updated 13 October 2014 (17:01)

The previously troubled face suddenly lights up. Nelja gives a bright smile to Arteschka. "We sure are!! You are lucky I was good at memorizing the drills." says and gives Arteschka a wink. "We need to stock up! Food, clothing, weaponry and intelligence... Do you know how to go to the city of Dirai? And a man named Stargaze? we need to find him cause this won't last for long" Nelja says and shows to Arteschka the oitment that master Dwarf gave her.

"Chainmail," the tanner's boy answered the query. He was clearly puzzled by such a question but shifted his attention back to the injured at his mother's insistence. Arteschka has heard of the city of Dirai - a pilgrimage site of some sort south of the Western Plains, on the other side of the Cloudfang Mountains from her homeland. Most of her kin consider the people of Dirai unreliable and corrupt. Arteschka reckons the trip to Dirai would take about two weeks on horseback. The name Stargaze doesn't ring any bells, however. Getting supplies and equipment should not be problem - the markets are teeming with keen sellers. When it comes to information, there is more than enough variety available, so it all comes down to who to approach. Judging by the noise drifting from the shore, the first of the refugees are entering the city. What do you do?

Updated 23 October 2014 (00:30)

Arteschka's mind seems to trail off, because the only thing Nelja gets as an answer after a while is: "No." Some time later Arteschka says: "Uh, what? Was I asking what's in this tin, or did you ask me something?" Without waiting for an answer from Nelja, she continues: "I think I can remember the general direction to Dirai, but with Brownhoof ...", she caresses the neck of the sweaty Horse, "I don't think we can do it within four sightings of Salimaar. She really doesn't like this warm weather. If we can get a horse, strong enough to carry you and the supplies it'll probably take us half the time." Looking around, she adds: "If we are going to buy things, why do we ... oh, right ..." Wiping some of the sweat off of Brownhoof Arteschka looks around for a shady place, where she could leave the horse for the duration of the shopping trip. The backpack seems to have calmed down appearently due to the purring of Arteschka.

Updated 18 October 2014 (09:08)

Nelja and Arteschka manage to ask some knowledgeable-looking people about the route to Dirai, and the consensus seems to be that the quickest route is the road to Warnon’s Quay - a week on horseback in good weather - on the shores of the Sea of Dirai, and from there it’s only a few days by ship along the coast to Tearfall Bay and Dirai. It turns out to be a fairly well-travelled route, as many merchants have found it wise to appease Ilma and the other gods of that play with the winds that move their ships. One helpful young woman at a fabrics stall is even kind enough to provide Nelja with a rough map on a painted on a scrap of linen (and doesn’t even charge very much for the fabric):

All around the city you can see shops raising their prices in anticipation of the incoming refugees. Food, clothes, basic travelling gear, and even a hardy pony for Nelja are easy to find, and, although overpriced, this all consumes only half of the coin provided by Bregour.

The prices of weapons and armour, however, have soared - the squabbling in the harbour was taken as a sign of interesting times ahead. The people of the Cove have never been a militant bunch, though, and hence the stock of the local armourers is fairly slim, albeit varied: much of their custom is from various adventurer-types, who buy and sell the most eclectic pieces of equipment. Any weapons more elaborate than knives or hatchets, or any armour worthy of the name would make a substantial dent in your finances, probably requiring the selling of more than Nelja’s pony to get passage to Dirai from Warnon’s Quay.

As you shop around, you see more and more refugees from Taikasaari. Clothed in soiled finery, they are all trying to deal with the shock of the center of their world just having been wiped of the face of Maailma in a matter of minutes. Some are hysterical, others aggressive, but most simply wander around in a daze of disbelief. No matter their state of mind, you can spot them glancing in the direction where the World Beacon no longer shines.

What do you do?

Updated 20 November 2014 (01:22)

Uncertain if she really should leave Brownhoof alone in some canopied backalley, Arteschka decides against it and drags the weary horse behind her. While strolling around she uses every occasion to let Brownhoof drink from a trough. Also she looks around as casual as possible in order to spot Jax or someone else with the same tattoo or habits considering Nelja, as early as possible. When speaking to elderly salespersons Arteschka inquires about Jax' tattoo, usually doing it in the following order. Drawing with her finger an eight-pointed star above a V on a nearby surface she asks: "By the way, have you seen this sign (repeads the pattern) and if so, what can you tell me about it (repeads the pattern again)?" Arteschka does her best in advising Nelja during the shoppings and ends up with the following suggestions: "If you want your clothes to be light as well as nice to wear when you're sweating, take sandals and a robe or a dress which covers you from shoulder to ankle and a hooded cape & leather shoes against rain. If you don't care wearing damp clothing you could go for sturdiness and choose some pants and a shirt made from linen and sandals, shoes or boots. Just be sure that the soles are thick, flexible and easy to clean because it can be painful in several ways stepping into either pointy gravel ... or manure." When bying the travelling gear Arteschka restricts herself in pointing out what would be unneccesary or difficult to transport, like a stool or a teapot. When asked for armaments she says: "I don't think you should wear armor exept maybe a leather or studded leather vest. More could hinder your movements. Weapons for you ... well, I can build you a sling. But other than that ... hmm ... I can give you one of my javelins. It should be the right size for you to keep someone hostile at a nice distance." One thing Arteschka checks very thoroughly is the health and strength of the pony for Nelja. She rejects every pony that seems either too wild for Nelja or too weak to carry the lass and ten or fifteen kilos of equipment. The amount of provisions Arteschka buys is rather small. It would last them one week at best although it seems healthy. A bag of dried fruit, nuts and seeds of different varieties and tastes, from honey-sweet to lime-sour and ten 2-litre pouches of water. Also settling in the two small sacks where the food is kept are a couple of fresh onions, papayas, a coconut and a large amount of dates. The only meat however are some dried and gutted but otherwise complete fish.

Updated 23 October 2014 (17:02)

Nelja is taken away by the shopping spree, pransing behind her new friend. She takes in all the advise and ends up buying a white long dress that covers all her body, a green hooded cape and good sturdy sandals. She shows no interest in buying an armor but when the advising goes to weapons she mutters... "But... but Arteshka I am more efficient in close combat... I could use a knife... ". As the shopping continues Nelja also purchases a small amount of leather string. She carefully ties the neck of the bottle that Master dwarf gave her, makes a loop and hangs it on her neck. She keeps the remaining string "You don't know when we might need it.." Once Nelja saw the pony she was amazed.. " Is this for me? I love it!! Can I name it?? Is it a he or a she??" she goes right in front of the pony and asks "Are you a boy or a girl?"

Updated 24 October 2014 (20:59)

Posted by Ioanna"But... but Arteshka I am more efficient in close combat... I could use a knife... ".

"Hrm, if you're standing with a short blade next to someone bigger with a bigger blade, you'll be the one with the bigger gaps in your skin. But you are right about the using of a knife. At least you'll have one if someone takes the javelin from you."

Arteschka chooses for Nelja a dagger that resembles a stiletto the most. "Here. This one is as light and slim as daggers can be. It should be easy for you to use it in a hurtful way towards an opponent. Just remember to thrust, not to slash if someone wears armor."

The first person Arteschka asks about Jax's tattoo, an aging but spry man selling leather goods, looks at her with some amusement. "Why, that's the sigil of Velhohovi!" he cries out. He looks Arteschka over and adds diplomatically, "But I guess you wouldn't run into the Arcane Colleges very often in your homeland." To Nelja "Velhohovi" is all but synonymous with 'home'. It was their guildhall underneath which she has been kept during her "development". You are fully stocked for your journey. What do you do?

Posted by MuadMouseThe first person Arteschka asks about Jax's tattoo, an aging but spry man selling leather goods, looks at her with some amusement. "Why, that's the sigil of Velhohovi!" he cries out. He looks Arteschka over and adds diplomatically, "But I guess you wouldn't run into the Arcane Colleges very often in your homeland."

With a mixture between frowning and smiling in her face Arteschka says: "No, because we don't need those to do this kind of work. Say, why would someone with that sigil on his neck try to beat up someone else in order to capture a third person?

After the man answers she thanks him for his knowledge and his wares.

Posted by IoannaOnce Nelja saw the pony she was amazed.. " Is this for me? I love it!! Can I name it?? Is it a he or a she??" she goes right in front of the pony and asks "Are you a boy or a girl?"

Standing sideways to the pony and casually looking under it, Arteschka adds: "Yes, for you ... unless you want to walk ... and carry the provisions. As for the gender ... it's not that difficult to find out."

Two additional things Arteschka buys before starting on the way out of Greenwater Cove are saddlecloths for both of the horses and a number of saddlebags, to spread out the weight of the gear more equally on the backs of the animals.

Updated 30 October 2014 (10:18)

" I will call him Levante!!" Nelja sounded so happy. "He is so handsome, on our way to Dirai will you teach me how to take care of him?" says as she she weaves the remaining leather string into an artificial belt to hang her new stiletto. Suddenly Nelja gets serious " You know, Velhohovi is where master kept me. It's like master send them to hurt me. Master Dwarf was right." as Nelja continues to talk her hands go over the rune on her head and her eyes stay focussed somewhere in the distance. That's when Levante grabs the end of her dress and tries to chew it "Oh no!! We have food don't eat my dress!!" and everything is back to normal again.

As Nelja and Arteschka crest the high ridge surrounding Greenwater Cove on their way southwest, they see before them the rough but verdant Leafy Mounds. Its harsh, grey rock is hidden under a layer of trees and bushes, giving them a pleasant, rounded shape. Windward Way, as the road that winds along the hills is called, is mostly solidly packed earth, with the occasional cobblestone betraying its more distinguished past. Ancient milestones depicting Matka, the god of journeys, on their weathered faces run along either side of the road, each pair in sight of another. Here and there you see homesteads and cottages, but these thin out as the cries of seagulls grow fainter behind you. The weather is sunny and pleasant, you have the strong, steady wind behind you, and the going is steady. The road is quiet - the occasional farmer's cart lumbers past, their drivers' carefree faces accentuating the tension building in the city you've just left behind.

Sitting by one of the milestones a little way along the path, Goldir notices the pony trot its way up past him. He recognises Nelja as she moves past and cries out, 'HEY! I know you!'. He jumps up from the ground.

Arteschka has put her backpack onto the back of Brownhoof, taking the reins in one hand and decided to jog between the horses matching her speed to that of hers. It took Brownhoof great efford crossing the ridge surrounding Greenwater Cove, making the animal pant heavily. After arriving in the more smooth area of Windward Way the horses breath eases. But even Nelja can see easily that they have to stop early for the night. The shout behind her seems to damage Arteschka's calm mood, for she grabs Levante's reins and pulls both horses to a stop. Growling she says silently: "If this is another one of them, I might start thinking about getting angry ..." With one hand resting on her belt and the other one in control of the reins Arteschka turns around to look at the shouter.

'No not you, the Air-kin!' Goldir says, pointing at Nelja. 'I've seen you somewhere before, I have!' He says again.

"Did he just call me Air-kin?" Nelja squints her eyes as if to see clearer this figure. She steps behind Arteshka and whispers... "He either worked in the facility or is one of the subjects.... but I don't see no runes" "I don't remember you thought, Who might you be?" she says and sticks her head behind Arteschka trying to take a good look of him. The days of captivity are blurry to her mind, it's ony natural with all the meds and rituals... there is only one figure she remembers clearly from those days and it's not him...

Goldir sighs as Nelja squints at him. "I HATE prophetic dreams! That damn prophet told me to come here and said you would know who I was!" Seeing the confusion of the others he says "I had a dream that I would meet you two here. The 'Prophet' of my land told me to travel with you and that I would find answers on the way. He said to talk to someone called Jorn Stargaze, and that you two would meet him soon. His definition of soon is all over the place, but he was nice pretty much always right. Until he said that you would recognise me. They call me Goldir windcaller." He bows to Nelja and Arteshka "And I am at your service until we part ways".

Arteschka looks down in Nelja's face with a somewhat relaxed expression and simply says: "You decide."

Nelja seems suspicious of Goldir, as he speaks she looks troubled.... "Yeah that damn prophetic dreams!!" says with her head sticking out. "What's a prophet?" and waits for Goldir to answer. She acts like she knows a few things but obviously she doesn't.