Word on the streets of Wergveldun began that Queen Evrani had opened a request for able bodied warriors, navigators, traveling scholars, and overall explorers. She would be holding an open audience to interview and vet possible candidates. There wasn't further explanation on the details of the work. This wasn't just a simple one-off job, but apparently it was a long term prospect with potentially handsome rewards.

So, the day arrived and brave volunteers stepped forward through the throne room.

Verona steps towards the throne room. Her ears bear witness to elven blood but she lacks much of their reputed poise and beauty. Plain of face and light of build, she does have the balance and speed of a warrior trained. Well used rapier, backpack and leathers are the extent of Verona's ensemble.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:04, Fri 26 May 2023.

Olive set foot into the throne room as directed; yet those feet were clad in worn boots in dire need of replacement. The rest of her clothing and gear was also worn and well-traveled, but had been good quality back when it was new. She carried plenty of gear -- including a wooden chest tied atop her backpack -- but not much for weapons. A club and two daggers tucked in her belt, aligned for a left-handed draw. Her outfit was rounded out with funerary veil obscuring her face. Her eyes seemed to glow a soft yellow-green beneath.

Her head was on a swivel as she entered. She tilted and craned her neck to look at everything. She ultimately looked to one of the throne-room guards. "What happens now?" She whispered her question. "Do I wait or... Just go up and say hi..?"

Jax makes his way into the Throne Room. Clad in shining armor he looks the part of a knight. Maybe a child knight as he isn't much bigger. Beyond this comparison, there are two bird like wings that sprout from his back. A rapier sits on his hip with a small shield opposite the rapier, a quiver of arrows hides behind the shield. A long bow rests on his back. He doesn't seem to carry a backpack as many do. Instead there he has a bag attached to his belt, though it appears to have nothing in it.

Aja, both human and Elvish in features - soft face with slightly pointed ears and chin, angular cheeks and slightly tanned skin, entered the Throne Room with a cautious step and his possessions strapped tightly to his tall and slender figure. His backpack clanged with tools and the things he was carrying, shiny rapier hung by his side along with a dagger tucked on his other. A short bow was strapped to the side of the backpack and it was clear that he was prepared for whatever journey they were going to be offered by Queen Evrani. Aja nodded at the occasional traveler or adventurer with a half-smile, trying to pick out the capable from those that were not. "Evening, evening," he muttered here and there.

An odd looking fellow stepped into the hall. He was neatly dressed, at least superficially, as something about him and the way he was wearing the clothes and hair. His beard was somehow uneven and parts of his hair twirled in odd ways. So he looked completely at odds with his outwear. Upon entering, he bowed clumsily at the queen and then spoke, at first a bit shyly and uncomfortable with speaking at public and then faster and more loudly as he grew comfortable.

"Hello travelers, I'm Listgroph Lucca, third duke of Wergveldun and Earl of Yrgmarin. Despite my station I'm more of a scholar. I've been studying lots of older maps and documents and I think I've made a breakthrough about the lost City of Ishiiraita. And with the aid of my... the Queen I'm recruiting able bodied people for an expedition."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:48, Sat 10 June 2023.

Jax listens to the odd man and watches the reactions of the other would be sell swords. "I take it from those of us gathered, that your looking for guards for this expedition." Jax says in a melodious voice that adds to the oddity he presents. He states this more than asks a question. "That being said, do you have an idea of what challenges we would be facing? I'm sure most of us here are capable, but preparation on our part will go a long way in ensuring a successful expedition.

With a bobbing curtsie Verona says, "I'm able and I have a body, Count Lucca, so presumably I qualify. What exactly it it that you require? A mapping expedition? Or something a little more feral?"

Olive regarded the man strangely; she tilted and turned her head while stepped from side to side to view him from different angles. Beneath her black veil, her eyes shifted hue and shined brighter. "Old maps, a lost city? You had us at 'hello'. Please, continue."

The promise of treasure and the fame that came with discovering a lost city was enough to keep Aja intrigued. He looked around at the willing adventurers and wondered how this Count Lucca would filter out the participants for this voyage. "There are so many of us here. How do you intend on selecting who participates in this expedition? And I'm also curious about what we'll be facing, as well."

Upon Aja's question, the Queen spoke. "Precisely, this is a dangerous mission. And most important, you are going as escorts to my son. We will make space for people with important abilities like navigation, cartography, and healing, but everybody must be capable of at least self-defense. This is an expedition beyond the imperial borders and you can expect encounters with barbarians and monsters of darkness." She made a pause. "We only got imperial sanction by promising to be entirely self-reliant, no imperial troops will be assigned to the expedition. To be chosen, you need to show experience and ability."

"Where is your son going? How far is it? And why? Who wwould wish to interfere with him? And also, why?" asks Verona. "And just to be clear, what's in this for us? And when?"

Olive took two steps forward, tilting her head like an owl as her eyes tried to look elsewhere. "Defense? Of course. The Watcher would never grant me such gifts, press me with it's curiosity and wanderlust, yet leave this vessel defenseless. I can hurt and kill. But I live to seek and discover."

"So, we have no protection from the Crown and are expected to protect ourselves in an unknown land? Interesting. Well, I don't know about the others, your Majesty, but I'm a capable scout and archer. My skills will come in handy during this expedition, but I hope we're allowed to keep anything we find?" Aja was never shy about asking questions and making sure what he was getting into. But he was itching to get out of the kingdom in pursuit of wealth and this was his best opportunity to do it. He kept his eyes on the others that spoke up - they seemed just as curious and capable as him.

Lord Lucca spoke. "Of course, we don't have enemies that could seek to interrupt our expedition, but as you know, outside the imperial frontiers there are lots of potential dangers, monsters, wandering bandits, orc and goblin hordes, and even demonic forces."

The Queen interrupted from there. "To make sure you all are able to join the expedition, all of you will take part on a test travel. You'll go on a caravan across the mountains to Vaicia, using a path outside the road network. Being accepted on the final expedition will depend on how well you fare on this travel. You'll be compensated for this leg of the journey, along with a bonus upon being selected. And of course, you'll be able to keep all artifacts that you find, excepting whatever proves to be of historical significance."

The younger duke continued. "The travel to Vaicia is far from a simple test. They keep an artifact that is said to have been left by the Empress of light herself that could prove vital for navigation and that we will negotiate for."

"Does '...negotiate for...' mean that we have to take it regardless?" asks Verona. "And where exactly does 'histrorical significance' end? Most things have some level of that for someone or other!"

The young duke nearly choked at the suggestion, but the Queen was amused by it. "The plan is to get it through legitimate means. We wouldn't want to cause a diplomatic incident. Of course if negotiations fail, make sure not to cause a diplomatic incident. As for what counts as historically significant, of course the line is somewhere between the imperial staff of the old empire and a relic of the Empress of Light."

"We will need more details, obviously, Your Majesties," answers Verona. "I can get the job done and I'll go if selected after you give me three things: the Blur spell, including the wherewithall to copy it, plus fifty gold pieces and a potion of heaing."

She shuts up having had her say and waits.