Making Up for Lost Time

Alastair. Alastair Hayes. Right, your name is Alastair Hayes. Before you left your home in Albruck, you used to work for Calaman Jaffey, the only alchemist in your puddle of a town and the owner of the stables. You're still not sure why he owned two businesses, but between talking to the horses and mixing together potions in the cellar, he was definitely the most interesting man in town. He taught you everything you know about horses and the natural philosophies. Instinctively, you reach for your backpack, which contains all of your alchemical equipment. It's not on your back and you scramble wildly before you find it under your chair. A quick inspection reveals all your things are in order.

Glancing at your hand, you're perplexed again by this marking. You're sure Jaffey would have had a field day with it. He'd probably say something like, "By Glittergold's buttocks, that's a right wonderful piece of work on those there twiddlers! Looks like a spinner caught your fiddler in its web, it did!"

Haha, oh man...Jaffey was crazy.

But he wasn't here now. In fact, you're not even sure where you are. The music below has died down to a single plucked-out tune on a lyre or a harp. As you look around the room, you see you're not the only one in here. Around the table are 3 others, all slouched in their chairs, just like you were.

Who are these people?