_________________________________________________________________
Logged and edited 15-Oct-2007 by Gronwin

Summary: Laylara's "press conference" regarding the Ark "anchor."

------------------------------------------------------------------------


Black Dragon Tavern - Common Room

        This place is a little bit of home, even here in the middle of
 this 
rock. The classic inn and tavern that you would probably recognize from
 your 
home, wherever it might be. The walls, floor, and ceiling are of
 polished 
stone, for this place has been carved directly out of the living rock
 of the 
Ark. This Common Room is about 30' x 30'. There is a cubbyhole by the
 door, 
however, where customers are to check their weapons before entering.
 None 
are allowed in who have not done that. There are tables and chairs set
 up 
around the room for customers to sit at. Over on one wall, there's a
 stocked 
bar, with the bartender (who doubles as innkeeper) behind it. Next to
 the 
bar is a set of stone stairs, heading down to the storehouse and
 cellar. On 
the wall opposite the bar is a wooden door, with red lettering upon it,
 
leading to the inn's rooms. At the rear of the Common Room, though, is
 a 
heavy curtain, partioning off a parlor from the rest of the room. Next
 to it 
stands a burly bouncer weilding a warhammer.

                    << This room includes 'places' code. >>

Contents:
Inconna
Thurirl litrix
Hayli
Tylan
Joe
Obvious exits:
Parlor <P>  Rooms <R>  Cellar <Down>  To the Well <Out>
You're back in the Common Room.

Cassius nods his head, "We have? Well I have been hoping to keep OUT of
 
trouble" he follows Laylara.

Inconna is sitting at a table, her head resting on folded arms. She
 hasn't 
been sleeping well since the odd trip to the dream world.

The common room is filled with Arkites this evening. Rumor has it that 
Laylaura is to speak abit on the recent strangeness and the turn out is
 
greater then one might have thought would come. Several council members
 are 
to be found her and there in the croud as well.

Thurirl litrix is sitting in one of the corners. While he knows he's
 welcome 
here, he also knows the direct effect on him is only what he 
chooses...unlike anyone else here.

Tylan is sitting near the bar, where he's assured a fairly continuous
 stream 
of wine, despite the busy status of the bar. He's had other people do
 most 
of the speaking for him, as is his tendency, just waiting to see what 
Laylara... this Laylara, will have to say.

Laylara steps out of the parlor area ahead of Cassius and takes in the
 croud 
with a raised brow. Still the number of people doesn't seem to put her
 off 
any and she steps forward to the center of the room and attention like
 the 
old hand she is. She smiles at a few folks here and there including
 Tylan, 
Thu, Hayli and Inc...the other heros that are source of speculation and
 
rumor.

Cassius nods to Lay as he'll step away from here, and going back to
 find a 
seat that he could set down. Hrming as he'll look up to listen and find
 out 
some more things about the ark.

Hayli is sitting next to Tylan, sippily from a glass of wine, too. She
 looks 
up when Laylara enters.

You say, "Good evening!" she says and slowly the volume of voices in
 the bar 
settle down into whispers. "I'm glad you've all decided to come and
 hear 
what I have to say this eve. And may I thank the council in allowing
 me, 
over deep reservations, to call this informational meeeting. For those
 of 
you don't know me I'm Laylaura, one of the group that brought back the 
anchor that you've heard about in rumor...another mystery to go along
 with 
all the recent strangeness. I hope to shed some light on some of those 
mysteries as well as add a few more to the pile."

There is some muttering that follows this from the croud as tounges wag
 over 
mysteries.

Tylan knows about as much as anyone at this point, so his wine glass 
continues to hold most of Tylan's attention, by and large ignoring the 
muttering going on around him, though he does glance, now and then,
 between 
Hayli, Inconna and Laylara. The latter because she may eventully add 
something he didn't know, the former because they tend to be more
 socially 
perceptive than he is, nd he wants to make sure he's not missing
 something 
while he drinks and relaxes.

Hayli shrinks against Tylan a little, as some of the muttering is about
 her 
-- and as glances get thrown her way, as well.

Cassius doens't know a damn thing about the Anchor, just what he's been
 
told, but he'll listen to the chatter and the rumors and looks back,
 "So 
what...there are elements of the Ark that can be taken off...without
 burning 
away? I mean you can remove the anchor, can you remove anything else
 that's 
vital...or mabey, a burdan to the Ark?" he asks.

Thurirl litrix looks around at the muttering. "Perhaps we can start by 
welcoming you and Hayli back to us. Just as the Leader of the Cat folk
 in 
greystone was welcomed back?"

Inconna looks up and nods to Laylara, trying to keep herself awake. She
 
looks drowsy. Elves don't sleep the same way as others do.. but they
 still 
need their reveries to be restful and hers have not been. But she
 listens.

Thurirl litrix says, "If I didn't say it before, It's good to have you
 back, 
Laylara and Hayli."

There are some scattered applause for the two that returned from the
 dead.

Laylara smiles and nods to Thu. "Thank you. I appriate the thought."
 She 
motions to Hayli with the same smile to point her out for those that
 may not 
know her.

Hayli looks a little uncomfortable, then confused at the applause...
 then 
pensive. Almost as an afterthought, she lifts her hand in a sort of 
half-wave to awknowledge it all.

You say, "First things first. The strangess of memories conflicting the
 Ark 
on the ground. I'll soon get to the anchor as it's all of one piece to
 the 
rather confusing puzzle."

Tylan grins a bit at Hayli's reaction, muttering to her quietly, "Big 
celebrity, you'd think you'd wrestled a dragon or something." before he
 
glances about again, and then turns his attention barward to order a
 refill.

Hayli blinks at Tylan's words... and can't help it -- she starts to
 laugh, 
then tries to cover up the laughter by covering her mouth with her
 hands.

Cassius is probably the smallest, and, well, loudest out all the people
 here 
and hrms, " Well I dunno, you were asking about...what people know, the
 
conflicting memories were about...3 different ones, they changed from
 day to 
day, I kept track cause it seemed REALLY Weird"

Inconna joins Hayli in laughing at that. "We will *NEVER* hear the end
 of 
that from him, you realize." she tells Hayli. "Maybe we should tell the
 
Dragon Queen about it.. Maybe she has a local champion that will want a
 
rematch.."

Tylan grins and shakes his head. "If you'll recall, /I/ didn't say a
 word 
about it. You two were the ones who had to tell everyone the story, and
 then 
retell it."

Inconna moves over and pokes TYlan in the ribs. "You just mentioned it
 just 
now." she protests.

Hayli looks over at Inconna... "It's... stranger for me. I remember it
 two 
different ways", she says. "One green... and one red. Same size in both
 
cases, though."

Thurirl litrix says, "We can do a rehearsal later for the dragon
 wrestling. 
I'm a little curious about what the lovely Laylara has to say."

Tylan grins and puts his other arm around Inconna. "Yeah, first time
 I've 
brought it up. I swear the dragon gets bigger every time you tell it.
 I'd 
just as soon skip trying it again though, I prefer doing things via the
 
swords."

You say, "The easy way to explain it all is that magic was involved and
 call 
the memory issues done and over with. Some will take that answer and be
 
satisfied..others will want to hear the following." She sighs and takes
 a 
breath. "After working with the mage guild and others knowledgeable
 with 
such things we have come to the opinion that there was a convergence of
 
times. That is instead of one time..flowing like a river in a 
riverbed..there were multiple ones running in the same spot, namely the
 Ark. 
An influence caused by the distruction of the orginal Ark Anchor."

Inconna wraps an arm around Tylan's waist and leans against him, and
 rests 
her head on his shoulder to listen, then reaches a hand across towards 
Hayli, wanting her hand to hold.

Hayli speaks, up to add to what Laylara just said. "... and it's that 
convergence of times... of worlds... that brought Laylara and me back
 to 
you. We're... the same people you all remember -- and we're also not",
 she 
says.

<OOC> Thurirl litrix says, "An influence?"
<OOC> Thurirl litrix says, "Is that what you meant to say?"
<OOC> Laylara says, "An event.."

Hayli notices Inconna's hand only after speaking her piece... then
 takes it, 
though there was a moment's hesitation to it.

There is of course more muttering and confusion following Lay's words.
 Many 
people just won't understand it all.

Laylara holds up her hand asking for quiet and slowly the folks calm
 back 
down. "I know it's confusing but we /do have/ the Anchor now. The Ark
 is 
flying once more and the strangeness of conflicting memories should now
 be 
over and remain over."

Akeno emerges from the Parlor.
Akeno has arrived.

Cassius nods his head, "I see...so...time is that fluid in this place?
 The 
disruption of any type of...clockwork in it's magic will cause it to
 spin 
and unravel?"

Thurirl litrix says, "I believe it is more along the lines of the
 anchor 
could also be called the Keystone of the Ark"

Tylan shrugs. "Its only happened to us the once, and I got no plans of
 going 
back to that place, so I think we're done with time going all weird on
 us. 
Don't worry about it too much."

Thurirl litrix says, "LIke in a bridge."

Sviar enters the Common Room from the Well outside.
Sviar has arrived.

Laylara sighs and shakes her head at Cassius. "No no. It was the
 distruction 
of the first anchor..the pieces of gem that were brought aboard
 earlier." 
She shakes her head and laughs. "It is confusing soemtimes to me.
 Unless 
ther are any more questions shall we call the memories issue settled
 and 
move on for now?"

Cassius ohs, and then he goes and stops talking, thinking he's
 confusing the 
issue in understand, the rather impossible magics and physics of the
 Ark. 
Though he does try, remaning quiet as the conversation moves on

Hayli glances over as someone new enters... and does a double-take. She
 
slips away from Tylan's arm and lets go of Inconna's hand. "Sviar...?",
 she 
says, taking a steps towards the dwarf.

Thurirl litrix says, "Yes you two, it really is them..."

Sviar stumps softly (for a dwarf) into the tavern, chewing on the end
 of his 
beard in, a rat on his shoulder. A familiar expression on a face
 perhaps 
unfamiliar to Hayli. His eyes go to Hayli and Laylara. "Moradin's iron 
liver...it IS you! Both...alive!"

Another confused look crosses Hayli's face... but she smiles just the
 same, 
after a moment, and moves over, quickly, to Sviar to hug on him --
 whether 
or not his 'fine dwarven sensibilities' should dictate otherwise.

Inconna smiles. "Sviar! Come, join the confusion!"

Sviar returns the hug awkwardly, then gives the elf a few solid thumps
 on 
the back in the dwarvern manner. Then he calls loudly for drinks for
 all, on 
him, and surreptitiously wipes a stray drop from the corner of his eye.

Thurirl litrix grins at the thought of how much all that ale will cost
 the 
sensible dwarf. Considering the large turnout here.

Hayli smiles, taking the back-thumping without any complaint. "Sviar...
 your 
face. It's both different... and familiar, at once...", she says,
 quietly. 
To those that know her well, her eyes, though still happy, are also
 sad.

Sviar spends 3 pp.

Laylara smile at the uproar that drinks for all makes. She waits
 patiently 
for everyone to get their drinks from the bar and settle back down
 again.

Tylan grins wider, taking his wineglass and raising it to the dwarf,
 then 
quieting again and waiting to see if there's more to this.

Sviar settles with his own tankard with Hayli and the others. He
 mutters, 
"Laylara's explaining all, eh? Good luck to her..."

Thurirl litrix grins encouragingly at Laylara.

Cassius waits, he doen'st drink, he shall just listen to the
 conversations

Hayli sits back down next to Tylan. "She's trying to", she says to
 Sviar.

SiAmun enters the Common Room from the Well outside.
SiAmun has arrived.

Inconna gets a glass of wine, and raises it in toast to Sviar then to 
Laylara. "Well, on with the show, mm?"

You say, "Now...The Anchor. It's a gem that can control the ARk's
 movement 
*there's a sudden uproar of voices as people demand to the ark be taken
 here 
or there ask questions* She raises her hand again to ask for silence
 that 
not forthcomming she suddenly looses he patience and her voice rings
 out 
with flashfire emotion and anger. "SILENCE!" The room slowly falls
 quiet."

Entering into the tavern, Si slowly pushes the door open, and seems too
 be 
looking about. Decides that he will find Lady Laylara, by one or tewo 
methods.. Goes to a table a and motions to one of the serving girls
<OOC> Hayli says, "uh... she's holding a 'press conference'.. she's
 easy to 
see. ;)"

Sviar nods and lifts his own tankard to the others. As SiAmun enters,
 the 
dwarf's eyes turn that way, and he smiles slightly to himself, then his
 
attention goes back to Laylara. The rat creeps down his shoulder and
 steals 
a sip of ale.

Tylan was already keeping pretty quiet, but when the demand goes out,
 he 
rolls up to his feet to move up ner Laylara, adding a bit more menace
 to the 
request for quiet. All of this may give him a headache, but better that
 she 
only have to explain it once.

Laylara waits and scans the room looking at some of those who demanded
 the 
Ark be moved or to be taken somewhere. "And that is part of our problem
 now! 
We can move now. Now we are a possible threat while before we were just
 
another town..an odd town but town none the less. Now we are a floating
 
fortress and we face the stigmata of such. Rumors have already reached
 my 
parlor of our good baron's unrest at the sight of the Ark floating
 about and 
jerking here and there in the air when for a year or more it sat all in
 one 
spot." She pauses to let that sink in.

Hayli frowns. "And it won't just be his attention that is drawn here",
 she 
says, loudly enough to be heard.

Laylara points to Hayli and nods. "Do not forget the dragons to our
 northern 
borders. We know they have spies watching us."

Thurirl litrix says, "Every major power on this continent will soon
 know, 
and covet..."

Hayli nods. "And the Horde army may be broken... but there could be
 more of 
them out there. They present a threat, as well", she adds.

Tylan nods with frown. "The fact that we aided them in battle before
 won't 
help much, and now we look much more dangerous. And if there was enough
 of a 
unifying cause, there's plenty of hobgoblins left from the horde who'd
 love 
some revenge. So we can't half-ass this kind of decision."

Thurirl litrix says, "From well meaning priests, to fanatical cults, to
 just 
about anybody with power or responsibility. They will all take notice."

There is an undercurrent of fear in the room now. A slow slithering
 snake 
that winds it's way through the coomon room and blooms in the 'normal
 folk' 
of the ark.

Cassius rubs his nose a little bit, "So what...I mean, it's a floating 
castle, they couldn't really...DO anything could they?" he asks, though
 the 
mention of Wyrmwood will make him shrink back into his seat a b it

You say, "I do not want to alarm you all! Fear is not my goal! But
 ignorance 
will not assist us to make wise choices and we need to make choices
 soon."

Hayli stands and walks over to Cassius. "They can kill /everyone/...
 and 
take the Ark for themselves. The hobgoblins... or the ogres... or the 
dragons... or whomever else is out there that may want it. We're in
 more 
danger now than before."

Tylan snorts. "The dragon? Sure it could. The shamans and manticores
 and 
wizards and anyone who can afford a potion of flying... sure. We're far
 from 
helpless, or we wouldn't have broken the horde before... but we need to
 take 
this seriously... and think in terms of our defense."

Thurirl litrix says, "And the slaughter on the Ark will just feed the
 Old 
Man..."

One or two council members grimice at the undercurrent in the room and
 shake 
their heads.

Hayli puts her hand on her chest. "I /lived/ it", she says. Then seh 
gestures at Laylara. "So has she. I can't explain it to you without 
confusing you more, but you have to believe us when we tell you --
 there's 
more danger to this than you know."

Thurirl litrix says, "However! You are far from defenseless! Now that
 you 
know, you can prepare."

SiAmun sighs and makes his way over towards Sviar, as Laylara makes her
 
announcement, rising from his previous spot.. doesn't seem concern with
 the 
shouting and all that, but does get close enough to try and whisper to
 Sviar

Sviar crosses his arms and sits back, chewing again on his beard,
 swallowing 
theories and arguments. He's had enough experience to leave the crowd 
control to others. At SiAmun's approach, he quirks an eyebrow and
 listens.

Inconna hmpsh softly. "Others have come. Let them."

Thurirl litrix says, "Are you so eager to jump planes, Inconna?"

Tylan nods. "We may want to consider moving... Brindol or the elves are
 more 
trustworthy allies as well... but we need to be careful, and not too
 rushed 
about it. Worst thing we can do is panic, best thing we can do is be 
prepared."

Thurirl litrix says, "Greystone as a stopgap. Has anyone talked to them
 yet? 
If you need to send people there, they should be forewarned."

Cassius shrinks a little bit more as Hayli comes up to hm and tells
 him, 
well, he should fear for his life, so he simply stops talking again,
 trying 
to turn invisible to the group as they begin to discuss this

Sviar mutters to SiAmun, "... the... underground to find... They...
 When... 
back,... Laylara who... able to... and comprehend its..."

Sviar glances up. "Greystone has its own problems. Formians kidnapping 
people...that'll have to be resolved before we send everyone across,
 eh?"

SiAmun is nodding to Sviar as they talk in whispers

Tylan nods. "Sending a bunch of people to Greystone isn't the answer.
 We'll 
deal with things, most important thing is just taking this seriously,
 but 
keeping relaxed about it. Not like there's an army at our door yet or 
anything... while they may want it more now, they also have to deal
 with a 
new unknown, which is going to scare most potential enemies."

Laylara nods to all the talk and relaxes slightly as the croud in the
 common 
room relaxes abit as well.

Hayli remains quiet, now.

Inconna leans over and murmurs to Tylan "You threaten us, we drop a
 huge 
rock on your house."

You say, "I said that we needed to make a choice soon. I did not
 exagerate. 
There is another thing I must disclose to you all but to understand the
 
implications I must explain the anchor to you."

Tylan nods to Inconna. "Exactly. As for moving, I think I've put out my
 
suggestions. We'll leave it at that for now and see what the council
 comes 
up with."

Sviar mutters to SiAmun, "Laylara... a distinct... picking... able...
 it.... 
move... not,... drill... look..."

You say, "The anchor and ark are like...well they are like a kite. The 
Anchor is the string and the kite is the Ark above. The person flying
 the 
kite reals in the string or lets it out to move the kite up or down
 yes? The 
person controling the anchor can do much the same thing. Once the
 'string 
length' is set it remain constant and the ark moves as the anchor 
moves....does everyone understand this so far?"

Sviar mutters to SiAmun, "... and... is also... traps... scouting... 
Hayli...well,... say... she... was... ranger.... Litrix... a...
 Bahamut.... 
aided... Tiamat..."

Hayli continues to remain silent, crossing her arms in front of herself
 she 
she just listens, now.

There is a chorus of yes and nos from the croud. Some general speaking
 goes 
on as those that understand try to assist those that don't.

SiAmun nods again to Sviar.."So what is you would have me do to aid the
 
guild?"

Sviar mutters to SiAmun, "... handle... but... get... not
 necessarily... 
most... way, eh?... ton... work orders... finish,... I'm... the... 
waking..."

Laylara again waits a moment for that to sink in and the croud to die
 down 
abit. "One able to control the anchor can change the 'length of string'
 so 
to speak. To do this however causes the control harm. The Ark and
 Anchor 
resist any change strongly." She moves abit and watches the croud. 
"Now...the anchor, when brought aboard the Ark reacts abit differently.
 It 
can still be moved by one changing th 'length of string' but moved it
 will 
remain immoble..impossible to move unless broken or controled to move 
again."

<OOC> Laylara says, "but once moved it will remain..bleh.."

SiAmun nods and whispers

You say, "Here is the reason I say a choice must be made soon and the
 anchor 
kept secret and guarded. I moved the anchor aboard the Ark..it was
 immoble 
and under my care and under my eye. The very first night back aboard
 the 
Ark..something or one woke me..and the anchor had be moved slightly."

Akeno has disconnected.

Sviar holds up a finger. He mutters to SiAmun, "... give... the... 
itself..."

<OOC> Thurirl litrix says, "is that supposed to be "had been moved"?"

SiAmun nods to Sviar

<OOC> Laylara says, "Err..sorry yeah..darned fingers.."

Tylan frowns at that, glancing at Laylara with narrowed eyes. "How
 slightly, 
and why wasn't it in the mage's tower under constant watch?"

Hayli nods. "Yes", she says, speaking up again. "I think it should be
 in the 
tower, under constant supervision, too."

You say, "It moved less then an inch. And as for the mages
 tower...that's 
were everyone would expect it to be kept...not in the room of a madam.
 As 
far as I know I'm the only one that can move it about. Then again no
 one 
else has tried and had it work successfully."
You paged The Doctor with 'not besides his enterance and maybe one
 more.'

Tylan nods. "Fair enough, but I'd still prefer it be under some type of
 
constant surveillance. You need to sleep, and tons of people come and
 go 
through here."

Thurirl litrix says, "We are forgetting something, or rather, someone.
 The 
Old Man would know more of the anchor than we would, and has a vested 
interest in it. Sadly, we won't be able to put this genie back in it's 
bottle."

Sviar frowns. "Also, possibly dangerous in the tower. That place is
 much 
denser in magics, and active spells, and spellbooks, and magical 
workshops...we're not sure what interactions might arise...We can keep
 a 
close watch here."

The croud starts to murmuring again.

Hayli purses her lips. "You do have a point, but is still have to agree
 with 
Tylan's suggestion", she says to Laylara. Looking to Thu, she replies
 to him 
with, "Maybe it was the Old Man who moved it that little bit that she 
noticed", gesturing to Laylara as she says that.

Sviar adds, "Perhaps I may add a construct to assist. One that requires
 no 
sleep."

You say, "Also this place is under the earth so to speak. The tower is
 a 
target to flying creatures. This is like a vault of sorts..a pleasant
 vault 
but a vault none the less."

Tylan nods. "I agree with Sviar, at the least. Having a construct to 
watch... I also wouldn't be shocked if the Old Man did try and mess
 with 
it."

Laylara wrinkles her nose abit. "As long as it..doesn't look ugly?"
 This 
brings a laugh from some in the room.

Cassius blinks and looks around at the laughter, and back to Laylara

Thurirl litrix says, "Then we need some better locks. One concern, is
 Hyan 
here?"

Sviar chuckles into his ale. "I'll see what I can do, eh?"

Tylan nods with a snort. "Cause Sviar is well noted for his fashion
 sense 
and interior decorating via golem."

Thurirl litrix looks around.

You say, "I was more worried about planar magics myself.
 Teleportation."

Sviar nods. "They'd need to see it to go there. Careful who you let
 into 
your rooms, eh? And the guild can supply you with a lead box. That'll
 foil a 
lot of divinations."

Cassius takes a large breath and rubs his nose, "So...I dunno any of
 the 
local politics...do you think ther can be peace with hte people on the 
ground?" hea sks

There's another burst of laughter as Sviar tells Lay to be careful whom
 she 
lets in her room.

Tylan nods. "Well, someone tried to steal it before us, so yet another 
concern. Work with Hyan and Sviar to protect it as much as possible. I
 was 
going to go to Greystone, but I think I'm going to stay on and work
 some 
guardshifts til things settle in more."

You say, "Speaking of shifts.."

You say, "I need to find resedence at Greystone."

Thurirl litrix says, "Hyan should be consulted. To see if there are
 areas of 
the Ark where she is more strongly affected by the Curse. She's had the
 most 
recent experience with it's new effects, no reason to give the Old Man
 more 
power than he already has."

Hayli looks at Laylara. "If you're the only one of us who can control
 the 
anchor... we need you here", she says to the woman.

Tylan shrugs. "Talk to the other midget. And make sure someone
 trustworthy 
is guarding the anchor when you go. I don't trust it being taken out of
 
here."

Laylara nods to Hayli.."I understand. But I already suffer under the
 curse 
and I do not wish to suffer it twice over."

Thurirl litrix says, "I don't think we want to see the affects of
 taking it 
through any sort of portal. You could move in with the hobgoblin down 
below..."

Hayli purses her lips. "I understand... maybe... how bad would it be to
 try 
to move the Ark to the world Greystone is in?", she wonders, aloud.

SiAmun says, "I would like to see this item if I could?"

Cassius nods and rubs his hands a little bit, scritching at the tattoos
 on 
the webbing of them, "Well I'll offer to help...dunno what I could do,
 but I 
will offer whatever might be...needed'

Thurirl litrix says, "I don't think that would be a good idea, how
 about 
you, Sviar?"
...Hyan has probably been spending much of her time on the Greystone
 side of 
things, helping out there...

Thurirl litrix says, "When you start tying connections between things
 with 
passages to different planes, worse things can happen."

Laylara smiles at Cassius's offer and nods to him. "We'll all need all
 the 
help we can get, I think. There will be enough for everyone to help in
 some 
meaningful way."

Laylara nods to Thuril. "Immagine if the Ark tried to follow the gem
 through 
the portal..physically."

Sviar shakes his head at Thurirl. "I don't think so, either. We could
 create 
a paradoxical linkage and spill us all into the astral plane or worse."

Cassius blinks, "Could it...DO that?"

Thurirl litrix says, "It's a flying rock, do you want to bet your life
 it 
couldn't?"

SiAmun moves closer to Laylara to whisper to her

Inconna blinks slightly. "If the Ark tried to follow the gem through
 the 
portal.. and the portal is contained in the Ark.. Um. THat sounds like
 when 
my dad warned me to never put a portable hole in a bag of holding..."

Cassius blinks, "Bad things will happen, ya..."

Hayli shakes her head. "I didn't say take the anchor to Greystone... I 
suggested shifting the Ark to a new plane, like before."

You sense SiAmun smiles, whispering gently in your ear

Tylan shrugs. "Bad things may happen regardless. I'll let the magey
 folk 
figure out what to do with the anchor and all. I'll worry about the 
defensive and military considerations, provided the Ark council want
 any 
feedback. I don't think a new plane would do us much good though...
 could 
end up worse with some interference or something. We have allies here,
 and 
at least know the threats."

Inconna mms slightly. "Would that disconnect the portal to Greystone?"
 she 
wonders to Hayli.

Hayli shrugs in reply to Inconna's question. "I don't know... and
 Tylan's 
right about knowing the lay of the land, here. It's easier to deal with
 what 
we know than to try to open a new box of troubles", she says, with a
 glance 
to Tylan.

Laylara nods slowly to the whispering SiAmun. "I find no fault in that 
sugjestion but later?"

SiAmun nods to Laylara

Tylan nods. "I like having an idea where I'm at. Until we cn start
 sending 
people home, I think here is as good or bad as anywhere. But I'd feel
 better 
floating a lot closer to Brindol or Elfhome than here."

Inconna nods to Tylan and Hayli. "Yes.. except we know that both the
 Baron 
and the Dragon are going to want what we have.. They did before, but
 the 
curse and our immobility would be detractors."

You say, "Now they only need deal with the curse."

Tylan nods. "And each other."

You say, "And they know that as long as they rotate people every few
 days 
that can be overcome."

Hayli nods... then turns to Laylara to ask, "Can you make the Ark fly 
through the air? to Elfhome, like Tylan's suggested? Or to Soaringhome 
Garth? While I've not visited that place in this world, I /do/ know the
 
place, and I bear the marks that will show me to be one of their own."

Thurirl litrix says, "If we move, we will take our troubles to whomever
 we 
are close to."
Laylara ponders with a grimice but nods. "I would have to fly to make
 the 
ark move in such a manor. But yes I think I could."

Thurirl litrix says, "However it may help us, can we do that?"

Hayli says, "We've shown no ability, yet, to move the Ark other than up
 and 
down. If we suddenly just move... and get the Ark close to the ground,
 we 
might have a chance to disguise its whereabouts?"

Inconna nods quietly. "Being near Brindol might be better. We're VERY 
popular there, and its big enough to stand off the Baron if needs be."

Thurirl litrix says, "Friends we have, how long will they be friends
 when we 
bring this trouble?"

Tylan shrugs. "Given that we fought a war for them, saved who knows how
 many 
lives, and are willing to do so again... I figure having their
 resources and 
people to watch our backs is better than trusting in the Baron's
 charity or 
going into the unknown."

Hayli nods. "If we even want to consider taking the Ark to Brindol, we
 need 
to send an envoy to ask their permission", she says. "We can't just
 show up 
and surprise them."

Tylan nods. "And we can't surprise the rather depleted elves either.
 But I 
don't think staying here between the Baron and the Dragon longer than
 needed 
is wise."

You say, "We also need to take into consideration that not all that are
 with 
us may want to take such actions. We are a community and we should take
 
census like one."

Cassius looks very unsure of himself now, as if he wants to go and
 stand 
next to Lay...but for now he remains in his seat, and quiet

Hayli looks to Sviar, asking, "Can you teleport yourself and an envoy
 to 
Brindol? It seems our best option, to ask for their help in this... and
 even 
if we decide to not go there, having the option open is better than
 not."

Inconna nods quietly. "Also.. There may be some in the nearby towns who
 
would quietly like to go along with us, to get out from under the
 Baron's 
thumb."

SiAmun appears too be listening, glancing from person to person, arms
 folded 
standing next to Laylara

Hayli looks at Inconna, nodding. "I'd rather not subject others to the 
Curse, but we could send the refugees to Greystone, I suppose", she
 says.

Laylara winces at Inconna's words. "That invites open insurection and 
warfare with the Baron."

Sviar nods to Hayli. "I can. Just don't ask me to do the talking, eh? I
 
don't think his noble whatsit in Brindol likes me very much..."

Tylan nods. "I don't think we can play moving service yet. I think
 let's 
start by getting ourselves somewhere more secure... send envoys to
 Brindol 
and the elves, and fill them in, honestly, on the situation, and see if
 we 
can find haven."

Inconna nods to Laylara. "And?" she says, "Would it be better to leave
 them 
here?" She wonders though. "With the Lyre of Building.. Could we
 excavate an 
ark-shaped pit to settle the Ark into? Being AT ground level.. or
 closer TO 
it.. it would be useful."

Inconna says, "And we could raise ourselves back up anytime we might 
tactically need to."
Hayli nods to Sviar, then looks to the members of the Council. "What
 says 
the Council? Do we send an envoy, now, to Brindol... to ask them for 
permission that the envoy would make clear we may not decide to use?",
 she 
asks of them.

The croud has broken up into smaller groups and are talking amungst 
themselves even as they listen to the main body of speakers. Fear and
 hope 
and uncertianty can be seen on many faces.

Thurirl litrix says, "One more thing, rumors. We need to not talk to
 anyone 
who is not bound to the arks fate about this."

Thurirl litrix says, "I won't spread anything, and will understand if
 you 
would like me to leave."

Thurirl litrix says, "But I urge you, as much as you might like, don't
 talk 
to anyone not cursed or approved by the council about what is going
 on."

Hayli looks at Thurirl. "If you leave, I leave. You've proven yourself
 to 
me", she says to him.

Tylan shakes his head. "After all we've been through, forget it. I
 agree 
though, anyone off the Ark who doesn't need to know shouldn't know.
 Though I 
think the people on the other end of our envoy missions are among those
 who 
need to know the situation and the risks."
Thurirl litrix says, "Like you said, the baron and the dragons have
 their 
spies, so will others, if they don't already. Envoys are one thing, but
 
people have a harder time intercepting you if they don't know which way
 you 
are thinking of jumping."

The council members that are here gather together and start a quiet 
discussion.

Hayli nods. "And Sviar's magic, to instantly take the envoys from place
 to 
place, will make it hard for them to catch on to what we're thinking of
 
doing", she says.

Inconna nods. "It is a good idea.. Laylara, you've the most silver
 tongue of 
any resident of this fool's paradise."

Thurirl litrix moves over to Hayli and company. "Thanks for your
 support, 
but you're bound here without choice. If needed, I can go and be an
 envoy 
without worry of how long it takes. Where I go, you might not. It's
 part of 
the reason I'm here. That, and Sviar's charming company." Thu grins.

Tylan nods. "But I think having one or two of the heroes of Brindol
 along 
for the talks would be most helpful. And it sounds like she has a lot
 going 
already with the Anchor, Greystone, and the rest."

Hayli nods. "Sviar, Thurirl, Tylan, I, and Inconna should go, then. Our
 
status as heroes to them will help smooth over lack of silver to our 
tongues, I should think", she says.

The council members Tarn, Fiorian and Oskar finish their argument
 quickly. 
Tarn truns his dark gaze to the group. "Make plans for envoys but do
 not 
leave until we speak with the rest of the council and ensure this is
 what we 
wish to do. There is much to consider. We'll have answers tomorrow
 morning." 
And with that he departs the Dragon's common room for the well with
 Fiorian 
in tow.

Sviar laughs. "In any case, I can take up to four others besides
 myself."

Tylan nods. "We can arrange a diplomatic corps... I'm not sure all of
 us 
need to go. We're also some of the most capable of keeping watch here.
 But 
since we can teleport, it doesn't have to be an overlong trip."

Hayli grins at Sviar, then looks to Tylan, nodding. "It's the speed of
 the 
trip there and back that makes me not worry too much about all of us
 going", 
she says to him.

Inconna turns to Sviar. "How many can you take at once?"

Thurirl litrix says, "You may wish to reconsider that group. Some
 should 
stay here. Our known presence may also deter people. That, and we may
 end up 
needing to stay longer. Diplomacy isn't allways a quick process, even
 when 
you're welcome."

Hayli grins. "He jsut said... himself and four others", she says.

Inconna shakes her head. "I heard him.. and I still asked. Don't mind
 me, 
Hayli is distracting me." she teases.

Hayli nods to Thurirl. "Then... I'll go with Sviar. You and Tylan and 
Inconna stay here to see to defense. That'll leave us three 'openings'
 for 
diplomats that the Council might want to send with us."

Inconna mms. "It cannot be all of us and Laylara.. that would be six.."

Cassius nods his head, the youth isn't very in when it comes to
 diplomacy 
for now, so he doens't not offer to go, thinking he'll only get in the
 way

Tylan shrugs. "If she can manage the time, Laylara would be a good 
negotiator and talker, and knows more of the situation than any of us.
 A 
couple of the heroes of the war out there... a person or two to stand
 guard. 
We can figure it out once the council sets out their decree."

Hayli shakes her head. "Laylara's not going with us, Inconna. She's got
 
enough on her plate, without playing diplomat, too."

Inconna scratches at her head. "By the way, Laylara.. How fast CAN the
 Ark 
go?"

Hayli purses her lips, then, at Tylan's words. "Yeah.. she's the most 
silver-tongued of us, true", she says.

SiAmun chuckles and glances over at Sviar

You say, "It can move as fast as I can fly with the Anchor I suppose.
 Making 
the Ark move requires moving the anchor."

Tylan shrugs. "Let's see if the council gets back to us and decides
 they 
like this better than going to some new plane, or attacking the ogres 
preemptively or something, and see who is available for a quick trip
 then."

You say, "I'll need a relief on the morrow. To avoid the curse a second
 time 
that is." This she says quietly to those gathered nearby. Then more
 loudly. 
"I call for another round and a toast to end our meeting. Quickly..let
 us 
all take a glass."

Hayli nods. "We'll hear tomorrow morning, as they said", she reminds 
everyone, moving to get her glass. "We can figure out the who of the
 enjoy 
group, then."

<OOC> Laylara risks a roll..

Tylan returns to the bar, raising his glass to the abrupt toast, glad 
someone is shutting off the discussion for now. "I'll take a watch
 shift 
tonight, meanwhile. Having a couple extra guards might help soothe
 worries."

Thurirl litrix takes a glass at that. Afterwards, he will offer laylara
 his 
arm. After all, he's not sleeping up here either.

Game: <OPEN ROLL> Laylara makes a skill roll (diplomacy) at a modifier
 of +6 
+5 skill ranks + 4 synergy bonus + 0 race/class/other mod + 5 abil mod
  + 0 
other feats - 0 Armor penalty + 3 other adjustments and gets a: 30 (7)

Inconna nods to Laylara. "The reason I ask? The purpose we could truly 
serve.. Is freight."

SiAmun takes a glass also, and holds up for a toast to Laylara

Sviar pours himself a refill from a pitcher and lifts his tankard.

Inconna says, "Right now.. TO get a large amount of goods from one city
 to 
another, it involves a caravan of wagons."

Hayli grins. "There's Inconna, thinking with her coinpurse, again", she
 
says.

Inconna says, "But we could load tons of commodities onto the Ark, and
 fly 
it to where we want to go..."

Thurirl litrix says grimly. "Or to supply an army."

Laylara raises the glass the serving girl hands her and takes Thu's
 arm. She 
Turns her head and looks at all gathered in the room in turn. Her eyes 
steady and a warm smile on her face. "Take heart, my fellow Arkites!
 Take 
heart and let heart flow to limb with purpose! Take pride in your home
 and 
in each other. To the Ark!"

Thurirl litrix says, "To the Ark!" He drinks."

Tylan grins. "To the insanity not ending just because we're back to
 this 
drowdamned rock."

Sviar grins. "To freedom, danger, and continued survival!"

Laylara laughs softly as the others add on. She sips at each one.

Tylan has disconnected.

Hayli just grins and lifts her glass, then drinks.

Inconna smiles and lifts her glass in toast.

*** TinyMUX Disconnected ***
MAIL: Mailbox purged.