Warning: Flying Cats Ahead. . .

I stared around at the larger ship. Once everyone gained their feet (except Caz), discussion commenced as to the how, why and wherefore of the ship's change. Suddenly, Lemmy exclained that the ship looked momentarily like a galleon. Violetta, Ibid and myself went to the observation deck to check the ship's appearance. It looked like a smalljammer. Violetta suddenly got a dreamy look on her face, faraway and remote. Faintly, I heard Xrng's voice drift up from the helm, "Do we dream still?" Staring at Violetta, I nearly jumped ship at Ibid's roar, "Wake up!" right into Violetta's ear. Violetta shook herself abruptly and looked for a moment to be having a hard time getting oriented. Violetta decided she needed to take a little lie down on the deck.

As Ibid and I crouched down by Violetta, she told us of a legend that smalljammers like Caz's are organically descended from "The" Spelljammer. After she regained her equilibrium, we returned to the helm. Xrng attempted to speak to the ship in Xixchil and received the distinct impression that the ship had just gone through puberty. Witticisms flew back and forth amongst us concerning that incredibly awkward, yet annoying period of life called adolescence. "No, I don't wanna go to Arabelle and you can't make me!!!" the ship would shriek through the helmsman. Followed by doors slamming through out the ship.

Three hours later, we made dock at Dragon Rock after much merriment. Leaving the ship, Caz began to negotiate with the appropriate officials regarding fees. While Caz got into heated discussion with the harbormaster, Lemmy turned about in a circle, scanning the area. His eyes drifted lazily across the scene then abruptly focused on the ship, "I told you it was a galleon!" he bellowed. Too late, I covered my delicate ears. "What?" the harbormaster demanded, frowning at us. Caz gesticulated wildly behind the official's back. "I told 'em that I'd take 'em drinking at the nearest tavern," Lemmy rumbled, jerking his thumb in our direction.

"I'll have to get my pipe. I'll be right back," Violetta suddenly said. As the disgruntled harbormaster watched, Violetta raced into the ship. She returned, brandishing her masterwork flute and we all set off to Lucille's. As we walked along, Violetta informed us that the ship looked like the Voidskimmer and not a galleon when on the ship itself. Was this an illusion, a protective cover or the ship trying out new looks as adolescents tend to do? After securing a private room, we ordered food and beverage to be delivered.

As soon as the server left the room, Lemmy rounded on Caz, "What didja do to the ship?" Caz replied that he was just as surprised as Lemmy, "I've known the ship since I was a child and it's never done anything remotely like this." Lemmy began to speculate, "Ya think the ship knows we're off to battle in the Tears of Selune? That maybe its messin' with our heads?"

Discussion was momentarily tabled while our food was set before us. I ate hungrily of the chicken and egg dish and sipped fastidiously at my ale. Speculation resumed after a last saucy wink from the pretty red-headed server. Violetta twisted a greasy bone between her fingers, "I wonder if "The" Spelljammer cloaks itself and that's why no one sees it." As dinner went on, Xrng told us of sentient ships of Xixchil manufacture made from space whales. The story was received amidst a chorus of groans with Violetta's solo cry of "Disgusting!"

As the shadows lengthened into evening, Xrng and I decided to go on a news gathering spree. Five silvers got me a broadsheet full of reports of increased Scrow activity in the area. A vague and breaking story of a major space engagement off of H'catha that had occurred about a month and a half ago was at the very top of the sheet. Was the Unhuman Horde abuilding for the final battle? Frowning, I tucked the broadsheet under my arm and went for more fresh scrolls. Yeah, I may be going into a prophetic battle and might possibly die, but the fresh, pristine scrolls were my personal affirmation that I would live to record our victory.

Our last days on Dragon Rock were filled with preparations. Xrng and I decided to visit the Seeker's Library where I dashed off a scroll to my Master, Tsing Cho, Seeker 5th Degree about the time shift. I bundled together Master Cho's scroll (acting as a cover letter) along with my own written scrolls and the broadsheet dated 5 Uktar and made arrangements for it to be sent on to him. After that urgent task was out of the way, I settled with Xrng in the main reading room and we began to go through all the information relevant to the forthcoming battle. Xrng focused on shape-shifting ships and the Tears of Selune, while I pursued information about "The" Spelljammer and Lemmy's prophecy. Xrng shared with me that shape-shifting ships were usually associated with wizards while the Tears of Selune had apparently just appeared one fine day many eons ago. While I found nothing concerning Lemmy's prophecy, "The" Spelljammer information proved more confusing than clarifying. While "The" Spelljammer ranged from being considered a bird of bad omen to a harbinger of great good fortune, its physical appearance, a massive Spelljammer large enough to carry a good-sized city on the back, remained a common thread of the accumulated legends and myths.

Afterwards, Xrng and I met up with Lemmy and Violetta at Gordy's Grubs and headed over to a psionic, Xixchil tattoo and body modification shop run by a Xixchil by the name of Shintach Kithrick'k. Lemmy got two psionic tattoos on his forearms charged with body purification and a third charged with vigor on his back. Violetta had a pair of angel wings inked on her back. As the tattooing commenced, Xrng fell into conversation with the owner. After listening to the quiet chatter of Xixchil and watching Violetta and Lemmy wince and squirm, I became inspired by their body adornment to do something similar. After a short search, I found a barber who was willing to cut protective symbols into the hair of my coat. 30 GP later, I retired to Lucille's for the night.

The next day, we all went to our ship to discuss the battle. The possibility of stealing a fully armed Elven Admiral Ship or otherwise gaining the Admiral ship (and thus getting the entire Elven Fleet by extension) involved in the battle was discussed and finally abandoned in favor of taking the Voidskimmer.

We boarded and I was chosen to helm the ship. As we cruised through the Tears, things remained eerily quiet. As I breathed deeply and evenly, my concentration focused on guiding the ship, the quiet was abruptly ended with an explosion to the side of the ship. I grimly held to the helm and kept focused on maintaining speed and dodging asteroids as Ibid cried a warning of an incoming Scrow mantis ship. He quickly cast Sanctuary over the ship. Part of my mind held it's breath. Would Sanctuary work? It was meant to be cast on living beings. I felt a deepening sense of security and well-being settle over the Voidskimmer and concluded that Ibid's Sanctuary had been successfully cast.

"Buckle up everyone," I yelled as I leaned forward willing every bit of speed from the ship that I could. It wasn't enough as Ibid reported that the Mantis ship was gaining. I began to weave in and out among the asteroid field, much to my companions' increasingly frightened fury. "Crazy cat," I heard Caz scream as I whipped between two large asteroids. As I came out, I nearly ran into two Goblin ships and frantically I tried to slip under the ships. Feeling the Voidskimmer begin to veer out of control, I dragged the ship out of it's slide, coming a hair's breadth from an asteroid and disaster.

I forced myself to ignore the screams of panic and smile hugely, sensing the pursuing Mantis ship come to a fiery end on the asteroid I had narrowly avoided. "I meant to do that!" I howled. I think I meant to reassure the others. As I rapidly closed in on our destination, the Goblin ships began to give chase. I knew I was on the edge of the Tears. I had to stay within the Tears because of the battle, but perhaps I could send the Goblin ships out. No sooner had I the thought, I was applying the breaks, hard. Panicked screaming was replaced by the sound of tumbling bodies and roars of pain. The noise scarcely registered as I watched with great satisfaction as the two Goblin ships stream past me into open space.

I followed the Goblin ships with my eyes, delighted my ploy had worked so well. My line of vision came to rest on the largest Elven Warbird I've ever seen or heard of. Holding my breath, I watched as flitters separated from the Warbird and destroyed the Goblin ships. "TaanMROW!" I screamed as the Goblins exploded into debris. I settled back into my seat, moistening a fingertip and running it over my eyebrows and smoothing my whiskers as if this was perfectly normal and my intended flight plan all along. By the time everyone had sorted themselves out, I was coolly presenting the Warbird to my companions, "Elven Fleet anyone?" I asked cheerily.

As I tried to establish communication with the Warbird, I slowly pulled the Voidskimmer out to meet the flitters, presenting the side of the Voidskimmer to them making clear my peaceful intentions as they surrounded our ship in what I hoped was an honor guard. Ibid had the presence of mind to grab a bottle of wine and two glasses and proceeded to the deck. After righting a table and two chairs, he popped the cork, poured two glasses of our finest wine (Caz winced) and settled back into his chair. A moment later, he received a mental transmission asking about our identities and purpose. Ibid replied that our group was supposed to be here as planned. After a tense moment, we were invited to land on the Warbird, Storm Breaker, to assist with their "inquiries".

As we exited the ship onto the deck of the Storm Breaker, we were met with Elven troops. Unlike the usual Elven warriors dressed in silver plate mail, these men were dressed in black leather uniforms and armed with star wheels. The troops parted, permitting an older Elven man wearing his hair neatly gathered at the back of his neck to step forth and inspect us. "I am Captain Solon of the Storm Breaker." Ibid prepared to present Caz.

An Epistle to the Seekers

To: Tsing Cho, Seeker 5th Degree

From: Hissarmau of the Taanmrow, Seeker 1st Degree

Salutations and Greetings Master and Mentor,

I, Hissarmau of the Taanmrow, most humble Seeker 1st Degree respectfully greets Master Cho, Seeker 5th Degree and wish him long life, many scrolls and the good fortune to fill them.

My dear Master, your humble and obedient student wishes to share a surely insignificant piece of information with you. As a Seeker 1st Degree, this unimportant scholar is well aware that such important things such as Great Questions are beyond this foolish kit's concern and that one should not mix above one's station. But an event has recently happened to this unimportant person that might be of interest to my superiors who are properly concerned with Great Questions. I graciously wish to share this with you Master as you may well forgive any presumptions made by this student and perhaps protect me from my own foolishness should it prove necessary.

I submit that I am aware that one of the Great Questions under consideration at this time is concerned with matters of the nature of time, more specifically whether there are differences in the flow of time between separate planes of existence. I have recently had an experience I wish to submit to you for consideration. Recently my travels have taken me to the planet of Spiral in Braalspace. While on Spiral, my companions and I entered Dreamspace (located at the ruined city of Araculus) in order to utilize a portal key enabling us to return to Cormir. When the key was used, we indeed returned to Cormir. Three and a half weeks later than anticipated or expected. We left Dreamspace about 30 Elient and entered Cormir Uktar 5. I have enclosed the broadsheet that confirmed Cormir's date. Unfortunately I have no other proof except the testimony of my companions.

Also enclosed with this note are all written scrolls recording my adventures and notes to be added to the Seeker's Library. I am off to a prophetic battle to take place in the Tears of Selune. I shall take all appropriate notes as per usual with an attached note that in the event of my death, the scrolls are to be sent to the Seeker's Library with appropriate compensation made to the messenger.

This humble student hopes she has not been inappropriately imprudent in mixing in matters better left to her superiors and begs forgiveness for any presumption on this foolish person's part.

Most respectfully,

Hissarmau of the Taanmrow, Seeker 1st Degree

Dreams and Time Lost. . .

I yawned and sat up, enjoying a luxurious stretch as the last wisps of dream floated away. It was my "odd" dream as I call it. It's odd because it occurs on a semi-regular basis, and in it, I am a venerably old cat. Now the odd part isn't being old, we all get old eventually--people, places, societal mores--but comes from the circumstances of my old age. I am surrounded by fellow cat folk of all ages (though none as old or even close to being as old as me) and all wear the black skull of the mighty Taanmrow tribe woven into their multi-hued locks. And all these various feline folk treat me with the highest respect as though I were a tribal elder. They ask for my guidance or judgement, bring their kits to me for blessing and abide by my suggestions. Confusing, no?



The Taanmrow only exists in me now. But the dream always leaves me feeling very positive and refreshed with my chi flowing as freely as the air around me. I do not understand it. Have other members of my tribe managed to survive? Or am I to travel the Horde Lands again someday, gathering together the "strays" of other tribes and resurrecting the mighty Taanmrow from the very dust of my ancestral lands? Whatever the case may be, I shall continue to endeavor learning all I can as I travel the realms, but I think I shall start to save as well for a wealthy tribe is (or can be) a powerful tribe as well.



I rubbed at my eyes, rose from my blankets and began my morning meditational stretches. Groans, farts and Cazimir sitting suddenly upright gasping "Mother!" attended my friends' waking. After dining and gathering our things together, we went to the lowest part of the crater's rim, which was about 20 feet above us.



It was decided that we would activate Ibid's invisibility sphere and use a length of spider silk rope to keep us together and under the spell's power. We began our ascent, but half-way up, Ibid stumbled and tripped. As I felt Ibid going down, I tried to reach out and steady him, forgetting that he's shorter than me, he's more mass-y than me as well as being weighed with packs and a heavy double ax. So I went down too (so much for the mighty Taanmrow's famed grace and agility). Lemmy, doing his best to avoid stepping on our invisible selves, turned his ankle and went down as well. After carefully sorting ourselves out, we finally made it to the top of the crater's rim.



Violetta cast her Detect Magic and explained to the rest of us that the mist was the result of a conjuration spell, the sort usually found in conjunction with planar portals. While Violetta explained, I gazed into the mist which seemed to be swirling faster. Suddenly, Violetta's and Lemmy's faces formed before my eyes and I cried out and pointed. By the time the others looked, the faces has faded. Lemmy glanced at me and then leaned over the edge. And fell. Four pairs of hands and Violetta's spiked whip tried to save Lemmy, but he went down like a lead pig's bladder. My chest began to tighten as I stared down in horror, until I saw Lemmy's head and shoulders pop up above the layer of fog. I sagged at the release of tension.

As we were dragging Lemmy back up, he was "followed" by an ever-growing, green-tinted ship. Just as it filled the crater and looked to burst among us, it disappeared. Lemmy agreed to go back down and explore the area before we ascended. He reported that 30 feet below the mist layer was another realm--Dreamspace.

Dreamspace is the only realm that all sentient beings share in common excepting the Elves who do not sleep. Ibid cast an oracle that came back negative. Violetta shouted down but we only heard the echo of Violetta's lovely voice. We decided to focus on Thalus as a group mind. The mist slowly coalesced into the image of an older man sporting a fu manchu with a neutral expression on his face and carrying a crystal encrusted staff. Was it the real Thalus or just an emanation of our collective wills and desires?

It's decided that we will enter the crater. Violetta starts to sing Inspire Courage (". . . and kicks to my face but I've come through. . . "). Then she tripped, but her Gods obviously love her for she didn't miss a note as she tumbled through the mist. Naturally, I tried to grab for her and fell myself again. Taking Lemmy with me, again. Ibid tried to cut the line but was unable to in time, thus tumbling in after us. I slowly dragged myself to my feet and tried to get my bearings. And I couldn't! A flat, grey landscape with tendrils of mist surrounded me with a visibility of about 200 feet. Above me, the fog layer lazily rotated on an invisible axis. As brightly as possible I said, "Well, at least we didn't have to deal with the anxiety of actually crossing the fog layer!" Violetta nodded in agreement.

Once we regrouped, we tried to decide what to do. Do we explore? Should we group focus on Thalus again? Would it be the real Thalus or only a figment of our collective imagination? This was Dreamspace after all. As we argued, Cazimir began to pace about looking at us with an ever-growing irritation.

"To hell with it!" Cazimir exclaimed and used the portal key before any of us could stop him. My yowl of protest slowly faded into nothing as I saw we were on Cormir outside the city of Arabelle. After walking to the ship and stashing our stuff, Cazimir offered to buy us dinner. We settled ourselves in a comfortable private dining room and ordered a round of drinks. As I sipped my kumis, Caz came back with a broadsheet tucked under his arm. "I have good news and weird news. But let's start with the good shall we?" With a roguish grin, Cazimir said, "The good news is that dinner is on its way." Even more roguishly, "The weird news is that we have lost about 3 1/2 weeks," and he flourished the broadsheet. I grabbed for the broadsheet and looked at it greedily. Uktar 5! Though only a lowly Seeker 1st Degree, I've heard that one of the Great Questions concerned matters of chromomancy--"Does time run the same or differently on differing planes?"

I immediately began to mentally composed a letter to Tsing Cho, Seeker 5th Degree and nearly miss the fact that we are only two days from Lemmy's prophetic Battle in the Tears of Selune. Aaaiiiii! I'll have to send a post to Master Cho about the time shift I experienced before I leave. I do not want to die in battle with this knowledge unspoken to others of greater understanding on my soul.

More mundane things temporarily take my attention. My share of jewels turn out to be worth 1000 GP and I tithed 100 GP to Ibid. We went back to the Voidskimmer and Xrng took the chair. En route, Xrng calls back "Something's weird," and vibrations shuddered down the length of the ship. "Helloooo?" Xrng yells louder. The ship suddenly jolted. I went down in tangle with Cazimir. I felt a familiar playful tug. "Nice tail," purrs Caz. I shot back to my feet, snatching my tail free with a short hiss. Not a very serious one as I know how Caz is an equal opportunist when it comes to women and if he sees a chance at a nice tail, he'll likely grab it. A third jolt and I fell again along with Cazimir, who hit his head on his oh so precious cheese board, knocking him unconscious.

Disgustedly, I laid there a moment, fighting the urge to scramble up, find a quiet corner and groom myself into a state of dignity. Me, of the mighty graceful Taanmrow, fell four times today. I am sure my ancestors are shaking their heads in collective disgust. My sense of humiliation dissolves into puzzlement as I tried to figure out why the ceiling suddenly looked so far away. I rolled over and got to my feet, rubbing my eyes and staring about me. The ship has doubled in size though I was the same height (I checked, sliding up next to Lemmy. I still came to his elbow.).

What happened???