Dead, the lands that meet my eyes.

[Velius]

This thread will at first be used for all activity in Forven. Should Forven become particularly active in the future, this thread will become the "Desert travel" thread.

Travel through the desert can be highly dangerous, even if it is the only real method. There are many creatures out there, as well as a large number of slavers and, in some cases, bandits or even the fearsome Thri-Kreen.

Worst of all, Barren commonly wanders the Desert, destroying and killing any who cross his path. The only warning of his approach is the sound of his flute on the wind. It is impossible to tell what direction he is coming from, so there is usually some casualties, and there is always a loss of cargo when this unfortunate event occurs. So far, none have met Barren and survived. That were reported, anyways.

Since this is the case, it is taboo to play a wind instrument in the desert. In fact, many disdain using such instruments period.

[Angel]

*Angel steps out of her planar rift and surveys the area. Dissapointing to her gaze, this is a very inhuman land and she finds it hard to imagine surviving here. Too bad she doesn't know where exactly she is on this plane, but perhaps a little exploration wouldn't go wrong.*

*She first checks to make sure her magic works decently here, there is a larger than normal pulse from the Astral here, but that might be attibuted to the fact it is so desolate a world. The magic would seem to work, effectively enough for her. She'd rather not resort to actual hand to hand combat here.*

*Setting off towards what she hopes is north, she trudges along, conserving energy just in case. Hopefully she will find someone or something that will not be initially hostile, and she can get her bearings from there. A city would be ideal to gather information on Dark Star and whatever other beings of interest there are here.*

[Velius]

Lucky for Angel, there was a city not that far off. The place had high walls and several towers jutting from within it. The towers were large, but not overly so.

Should she be able to sense, see, or detect magic, she would be able to notice that a great deal of energy radiated from the city and the towers.

[Angel]

*She smiles to herself and draws her hood even closer to her face, half closing her eyes to minimalise the red glow. She trudges up to the city gates (if not stopped before that) and requests to enter the city. She speaks in halting common, using a northern Krynn dialect and accent. Wouldn't do for anyone to think she is elven, she doesn't even know if elves exist or are welcome on this plane.*

[Velius]

The guards at the gate watch the woman as she approaches, their eyes ever cautious, as if they expected attacks at any moment.

"What was that? What business do you have here! State your business, ma'am."

They spoke a very different dialect of common, though it wouldn't be too terribly hard to adjust to.

It sounded very much like an old dialect, with traces of Elven and Draconic mixed in. Otherwise, it wasn't changed too much.

[Angel]

*Rasing her head just for an instant, she tries to pinpoint the magical aura emmanating from the city, the returns her gaze to the dusty road at her feet. Attempting to imitate their dialect, she replies meekly.*

I am just a traveller seeking lodging for the night, and perhaps a fresh warm meal.

*She hopes the guards don't get any silly notions, seeing as it is obviously a slight female standing in front of her, nor does she want them to probe too deep as to why she was wandering the desert in the first place. She crosses her fingers behind her back as she waits for a reply.*

.oO(Here is to hoping that travellers are decently frequent, and that the guards are well-paid.)

[Velius]

The heaviest magics seem to be eminating from the towers themselves, though the whole city had at least a faint touch of magic here and there.

The guards watch her suspiciously. One of them calls up in a strange language, probably a guard lingo, and the large gates open.

"Better get in fast. A sandstorm's coming."

[Angel]

*She crosses through the gate threshold with sufficient speed of one warned of a sandstorm, and then thanks the guards in a grateful tone. Setting off towards what she hopes is the town center, she keeps a careful watch for a nicer Inn. While she doesn't mind the rough and ready crowd, they probably won't appreciate her.*

[Velius]

The gates slam shut behind her as the guards pull heavy clothes out of bins near them and wrap them around them, putting thin veils over their faces to protect their eyes.

There is only inn in immediate sight. The sign has the picture of a rose on it, coming out of sand, with the small word "Inn" underneath it. It doesn't look particularly busy.

[Angel]

*She steps into the Inn warily, looking around immediately at it's occupants, and selecting a seat far away from the door, hopefully in an area that is not too crowded. Catching the barkeep's attention, she requests a room for the night, and a glass of red wine.*

[Velius]

The place seems fairly empty, actually. There are only a few patrons right now, most keeping to themselves.

A young girl walks over to Angel, a bright smile on her face and a large blue apron draped across a plain dress.

"Hello, weclome to the Desert Rose. Red wine? Sure. We have plenty of rooms open."

She walks of and returns with a glass of wine.

"Here you go, miss. Here are the keys to your room. That will be 1 gold and a silver, please."

[Angel]

*Angel smiles back, letting her hood fall back across her shoulders and shaking a little of the sand out of her hair. She sits and takes the glass and the keys, handing the girl two gold pieces.*

.oO(Ahh, the poorer planes, I should have brought some silver.)

*As soon as the girl turns her back, Angel uses slight of hand to pour the wine out of the glass into a flask she procured from one of her pouches, and refills the glass with blood. Sipping her drink, she examines the patrons in much more detail.*

[Velius]

The girl reaches into one of the pockets of her apron and hands Angel nine silver, still smiling. She blinks a few times when she removes her hood, though.

"Wow... we don't get too many Elves in this inn. It's an honor, miss."

She blushes and then quickly scurries off.

The patrons are a mix of guards, travelers, and one or two robed individuals that the others keep away from. There is plenty of quiet and idle chatter going on in the room, even with the small number of people.

[Angel]

*She takes the silver, placing it in one of her smaller pouches. The robed individuals interest her the most and she spends a little time studying the closest of the two. After a while, she finishes the drink and heads upstairs to her room. Here she will try her best to trance through the sandstorm.*

[OoC: Going to leave for a while.]

[Velius]

The robes were fairly non-descript, save for a symbol that was very easy to see, proudly displayed to the world: A clawed black hand, made from obsidian and stiched into the fabric.

The room was simple enough, with a closet, desk, comfy bed, and mirror, as well as a window facing the towers.