In the Shadows of the Old World [IC]

[PersonMan]

Orlash is one of the new cities, risen from a fortified outpost to a thriving center of trade. The roads leading to it pass through cleared land dotted with small forts and small walls, remnants of the efforts that created the city. The region is under the control of the Grorimid, a dynasty of noble ogres which has constantly worked to expand its influence. Smaller settlements and groups have been absorbed, but more unusual is their campaign to push into Meijak, an area still filled with twisted wildlife and dangerous roaming beasts - an effort that has led to the birthing of dozens of new villages and a handful of larger settlements. Orlash is one of them, and the area still shows signs of the network of falls, hill forts and trenches that served as tools to project the Grorimid's influence. The area has long been cleared, but only a few days' travel leads one to the ever-manned palisades that mark the edge of safety.

Orlash itself has grown far beyond the outpost it once was, now boasting large walls and a market that draws visitors from great distances to peruse the wares brought in along the great river or artifacts found in the ruins less than a week's travel away. A single spire can be seen from the palisade, reaching up towards the heavens from the pit into which the once-grand metropolis sunk. Despite the proximity and the frequent departure of individuals or small groups going into Meijak to find the ruins very few high-value artifacts find their way into the city. Each month new tales circle the city of groups swallowed by the ruins or individuals lost while searching 'safe' portions of the wilderness for the trinkets that dozens are able to sustain themselves by finding and selling. A magical firestarter, a clear cap that allows a flame to burn without making smoke - far from the stories of ancient weapons that can cleave through buildings or wands containing spells of incredible power but able to be found without venturing into the deepest of vaults.

The fall market is approaching - the best opportunity for an aspiring Delver to find a merchant willing to buy their more expensive finds, as the city will be filled with wealth and those looking to buy or sell their wares. The last few weeks before it are often called a 'colorful scramble' by the locals, a time in which many nobles or merchants seek individuals or groups to send into the ruins on their behalf in search of specific ancient items or simply in search of lost treasures with which to pay for the year's purchases. It's one of these patrons that put out the call which you are now answering. Written on a sheet of paper hastily nailed onto the crowded boards that serve to hold the many offers of work this time of year, it is an offer of employment as part of a Delver company under the patronage of Ida Fodor, leaving to the ruins in only a few days. The goal is to retrieve an assortment of 'Old World treasures, tomes and magical artifacts', located in 'an outer part of the ruins untouched by Delvers'.

Following the directions on the paper, you find yourself before a noble residence in the inner city, standing under the midday sun as the cooling breeze sweeps through the streets. The gates remain closed for the time being, but the single guard ensures you that they will open soon - the Lady Ida, he explains, had expected some delay on the part of the Delvers, so there was still a few minutes before she would arrive. As you wait, others arrive, until you are five in total (for a brief period there are six of you, but the final member realizes after a brief exchange that they have are at the wrong house and proceed down to the street to where he is starting work as a gardener). Finally, a man exits the residence and makes his way to the gate, apologizing for the delay as he opens it for you, making sure that you are 'the Delvers the Lady Ida is funding, yes?' before closing it again. He seems exceptionally talkative, speaking almost constantly as he leads you into the residence, then through a hall where he asks you all to hang up any cloaks or similar clothing you may have, and directs you to pass your shoes over an Old World metal plate, which cleans them in a brief flash of magic.

Entering the next room, well-lit by the large windows and a fist-sized orb glowing softly from where it hovers just above the large, dark wooden table, you are greeted by a woman reclining in a large cushioned chair, smiling at you all.

"Good day - please, come in and take a seat," the woman says, gesturing for you to enter, clearly somewhat excited. Her clothing is somewhat odd, bearing a few seemingly randomly-placed metal plates on what otherwise seems to be a practically-cut dress. "I am Lady Ida Fodor, and if everything goes well today you will be working for me," the half-elf continues. "But we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves. Let's see who we've all got here, hmm? Mind explaining your skills, any prior delving experience?" She asks, looking over all of you.

Spoiler: Noble Ogres

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Known for being far more intelligent than most ogres, often surpassing humans and similar beings in intellect, noble ogres are similar to their lesser kin only in their great physical power, and general appearance (though the noble ogres are far closer to what an elf or human may see as beautiful than normal ogres). In the lands controlled by the Grorimid, several lines of noble ogres live as nobility, ruling cities or regions in their name and ensuring that the peace is kept.

Spoiler: Meijak

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The Meijak is the region of the wilds around the ruins that is filled with dangerous beasts as well as twisted wildlife. The magic of the cataclysm didn't wipe out the forests, but it turned it into a hellish place haunted by the pained howls of the remnants of the animals that once roamed there (or their descendants, although many argue that the stories of Delvers seem to indicate that many animals seem to have been given unnaturally extended life through whatever power corrupted them), often filled with diseases that lay low any who would enter. A handful of relatively save paths exist, frequented by Delvers and occasionally maintained by the 'burn-mages' kept in each noble's retinue, but even these are not always crossed without incident. It's standard practice for Delvers to destroy small growths that encroach on the path.

Spoiler: Know (Local/History) 15

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The Grorimid dynasty has waged something of a war against the Meijak. The grandfather of the current king began it when he gathered a dozen mages and as many fiery artifacts as his coffers could buy, then burned away a huge area of twisted forest. In the decades that followed, the barren fields sprouted new life, the lands purged by flames seemingly ridden of the ancient magical corruption. Although the effort regularly cost lives, as beasts rushed from the flames and brought down those meant to keep them from escaping the flames, it continued, drawing hundreds to grand projects in the middle of winter to sow grand fires and built the walls that keep those settling the newly cleared lands safe. It's said that the new king is preparing to another campaign, quietly purchasing wands that can spew the arcane flames needed to ignite the corrupted woods.

A local custom is to burn a single leaf each fall, both in memory of those who fell in the efforts to reclaim the twisted lands and to keep the curse from returning.

Spoiler: DC 20

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The name 'Meijak' is actually a corrupted shortening of the term 'mage-wracked' that was originally used to describe the lands.

Spoiler: Know (Nobility/Royalty) 15

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Lady Ida's clothing is actually fairly common among the lower nobility - at present, clothing made to be vaguely armor-like is considered exceptionally fashionable. Everything from useless studs of metal to belts and armored chestpieces that feature large cutouts to show off their wearer's assets is currently being worn by those with the money to commission their own 'armor wear'.

[Hazuki]

She waits quietly outside the noblewoman's domain, her arms folded firmly over her chest and her gaze cast downwards - better to not catch anybody's eyes, that way. And she always did, of course she did, being one of the very few pureblooded members of the Skybound Empire to leave its domain at any kind of length. Her skin, her eyes, and now the numerous trinkets she's acquired over the years all made sure to let everyone know where she is. And she'd frankly rather not talk with any of them, so she occupies herself by fiddling with her buckler and quietly reciting a few old passages from her youth.

After a while of enduring the bright sun overhead, they're led inside the overly-perfumed building and she gets her first good looks at the others who showed up for the job. Oneli had said she'd fit right in, but Oneli said a lot of things. There was...some kind of twiceling with needlessly vibrant hair. Definitely an elf, covered head to toe in armor - probably not a local noblewoman, with that kind of modesty. Some kind of giant man covered in hair, although none of it in the right place. And a Halfling! The less-colorful but no-less annoying cousins of Gnomes. This one seems to be compensating by making himself as glittery as possible.

Then she's directed to pass her shoes over a metal place - some kind of perverse ritual, no doubt. She does it as quickly as possible and continues walking to their destination, with her head hung low, until they arrive in the grand room - luminous orb and all. And there is their host, sitting on a comfortable chair and not greeting them properly. As she spoke, She just stares and watches as everyone moves to their seats. She's become used to being able to speak freely in these lands, thanks to the extreme rarity of somebody knowing the language of the true Dwarven people.

"Watashi wa anata ga itte iru no ka mattaku wakarimasen."

Spoiler: Dwarven

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"I have absolutely no idea what you're saying."

[Anyr]

Eiya made no attempt to converse with the other Delvers standing near the manor. She wasn't in a particularly sociable mood. Her unfocused green eyes swept across the town around her, without really seeing it. They were looking at another city, now long gone. She absently fiddled with a strand of long red hair. Like the eyes, it shone just a little too brightly. Eiya had almost given up trying to be inconspicuous. In this faded age, she stood out far too much.

Once allowed entrance, she filed into the building along with everyone else. Instead of placing her cloak and hat on the hooks, she stored them in a bag. They were too valuable to leave unattended. Beneath the (now absent) magical cloak, she was wearing light summer clothes. When you were warded against cold weather, heavier garments were unnecessary. The shoe cleaner managed to provoke a brief smile from Eiya. How nostalgic to use one of these again. She entered the next room in slightly (very slightly) higher spirits. Taking a seat, she waited patiently for her turn to speak.

"My name is Eiya Treval. I'm a scholar and historian, who specialises in knowledge of the Old World. I speak six languages, including Old Common; And have at least a passing knowledge of most academic fields. I'm also psionically gifted. My repertoire includes elemental attacks, defensive shields, rapid teleportation, and a variety of other useful powers. I've only been delving for a year and a half; But my study of the Old World goes back much further."

Her accent was hard to place. It sounded equally foreign to all modern ears.

[ImperialSunligh]

Before they were called into the room, the conspicuously shadowless halfling with strange, star-filled brown eyes appeared too distracted from the others to talk, seeming to find the empty chair to his left much more interesting. Interesting enough to have a short, trivial conversation with, even. A strange one, indeed, but otherwise, he seemed, if not overly sociable, mostly sane, despite occasional evidence to the contrary. He always seemed slightly distracted, eyes darting around as if he thought he might be attacked at any moment, as if he knew of some imminent danger quite invisible to others.

As they are called in, he walks in quickly, his eyes darting around at the old artifacts, as he comments absently, "You never get used to seeing these things out here. They remember them, too, from before. It's beautiful, but... sad at the same time."

With only a bit of difficulty, he climbs onto one of the chairs and sits, looking up at the Lady Fedor, "Well, miss, uh, Milady, I'm Wyot, Wyot Whitesmith. I grew up in the Redcloth Company, if you know of them. I mainly cooked for them, in the beginning, but I did some delving later on, and more, independently, after they disbanded. I use... magic, of various kinds. Its come naturally to me, since I was... since I was younger. And I talk with ghosts... spirits. My magic comes from them, I think. So, magic's my specialty, really... and of course I still cook. I've also studied various topics, with the spirits' help... and I speak the air tongue." He is then quiet and smiles, slightly red-faced after talking about himself so much, "I, uh, know I don't look like much, Milady, but I can handle myself. I've been doing it for a while."

[PersonMan]

Lady Ida nods after each of you speaks, making a brief gesture to a servant after She finishes, then turning back as Eiya begins her introduction.

"In a moment one of my scholars will be here - she speaks Dwarven, so she can translate for our friend here. Unless one of you can?" She asks, turning to the others, especially those who have yet to speak.

[Anyr]

Eiya shook her head. She'd never had reason to learn that particular tongue; A shame, since she sympathised with the Dwarven woman's plight. It wasn't easy to live in a place where barely anyone understood you. Perhaps if the two of them travelled together, Eiya would be able to help with that problem.

At the moment, though, Eiya's focus was on another of her new teammates: The Halfling who called himself 'Wyot'. Was he really a genuine spirit channeller? Not one of those frauds who preyed upon the desperate? That was an...exciting prospect. Here stood a potential link to the vanished time which she cherished above all else. Eiya would most certainly be making an effort to befriend him.

[Toxic Mind]

Ana was early, as was her custom, particularly when taking on a new contract or meeting a new employer. Steven was safely lodged with a group of temple healers, old friends of his whom he had helped with healing magics once at a discounted price. Ana knew she could trust them to at least keep him safe.

Her mind wandered back to the situation at hand. She watches as people arrived, one hand loosely at her side, the other hooked in her belt, a black metal band.

What about him? Hes a strapping fellow. Looks like he could pick up a tree.
It takes more than strength to be a delver. You've seen as many strong people as I die to traps in the old world.

...
What?
That one. She seems off. There is something strange about her, as if she doesn't belong here, as if she belongs in a different place and time. Her eyes look through the now, to the distant past. I don't like it.
We will watch her, obviously. Did you honestly believe I would trust anyone unproven?
You never cease to surprise me, Anabelle.

I know that look.
Which look?
The dwarf. She looks at us like we are lesser. It is the one expression that I am intimately familiar with.
Your past?
Yes. The reason we are bound, Sorrow.
Perhaps she judges before she knows - much like you do.
I doubt her reasons are as good as mine.

Do you want to make the short joke?
No.
Come on.
No.
You're no fun.
As if that's a surprise.
He's got the look.
No, he doesn't.
Not that one - he's looking past reality, to things that we can't see.
Interesting. Perhaps we shall find out why. Perhaps not.
No curiosity?
I only need to know enough to keep everyone alive. Anything else is unnecessary.
Spoilsport.

Ana follows the butler in, making no remark or seeming notice of the metal plate. As the various people introduce themselves, she shushes Sorrow on multiple occasions. He could be so distracting, sometimes. They grew together, but as Sorrow grew in power, he grew more demanding and vocal as well. It was... a necessary inconvenience. I am not an inconvenience. That's not what I meant. Stop pouting. Finally, in a moment of silence, she speaks up.

"I am Anabelle. I worked with Steven Smithson, before the attempt on his life. Since his company disbanded, I find myself in need of another patron. Your offer of unexplored territory was the most enticing. I have been delving for going on a decade now. I specialize in swords and arcane combat, and am passably decent at spell identification. I do not, however, speak dwarven, a fact which may cause some difficulty if our group is to work together." All of Ana's attention was directed at the noblewoman, save for a brief nod in the dwarf's direction.

[Xunthrae]

Kodi keeps to himself at the gates and simply takes in the others. The first to draw his eye is the tall elven woman. She strikes quite a figure, clad in her silvery armor and unusual blade at her side. She holds a quiet grace that not many he meet achieve. He knew she deserved a healthy reapect.

His eyes drifted passed the human looking woman. She has no armor. Or apparant weapon. She must be some kind of spellcaster. Definitely not someone to underestimate.

The short woman is another story. Kodi is not sure what to make of her. She obviously has some experience delving, judging by the trinkets she wears, but he notices her speaking to herself in a language he has never heard. He decides to reserve his opinion for the time being.

He nearly misses noticing the halfling man. The shorter man was likely another spellcaster. He often finds that people who use magic are difficult to get accurate impressions of their capabilities without seeing them in action.


Soon after his mental accounting of his fellows the butler comes out and ushers them in. He follows without speaking, taking that que from the other delvers. He is the last one through the shoe cleaner, allowing everyone else to go first, before simply hovering his boots over the plate while they were still on his feet.

He listens to the others before speaking himself in a simple baritone with a hint of a rural accent. "Good day, Ma'am." He nods to their host. His mother did make sure he had at least some manners before he left home. "I go by Kodi, I used to work with the Red Sun Delving company, based a few cities over, for quite a while. I'm a good fighter, specializing in.. melee combat. He doesn't think it was quite time to let everyone know about his nature. Not everyone reacts like his former company when they find out he has a lycanthropic lineage. Though, anyone observant would easily notice he has no visible weapons typical of a man his size.

[PersonMan]

"This is sounding promising so far," Lady Ida says, nodding. A few moments later, the door opens to reveal a young woman wearing mostly red, her attire a stark contrast to that of Lady Ida and her servants. With a brief bow, she steps into the room, closing the door behind her and giving the room a brief sweep. As she turns to one of the other servants, he inclines his head towards She and the woman nods.

"This is Liisi Teder. She serves me as a scholar and translator. Unless we find another solution, she will accompany you in order to facilitate communication," Lady Ida says, and Liisi gives the group a brief bow. "Liisi, the dwarf doesn't seem to speak Common. Please explain the details of the meeting to her.

Now that we've all been introduced - more or less," the noblewoman continues, as Liisi steps closer to She and begins to speak to her in Dwarven, "The place you will be delving into is what I believe to be a former library. The entrances have been probed by other groups in the past, and none have been able to enter - however, I have found a key. Once we arrive at the outskirts of the crater, I'll hand it over to you to use," she explains.

"Soko ni suwatta josei wa, kanojo ga tantō shite iru, redīaidadesu. Watashi wa Liisi Teder gozen to anata no tame ni hon'yaku sa remasu. Zan'nen'nagara watashi wa anata kara shite iru doko ni motomeru tame no jikan o motteinai, seishikina ten de anata o mukaeru tame ni hōhō o shitte imasu.

Watashitachiha, haikyo no naka ni dare mo hairu koto ga dekinai koto o meikaku ni furui raiburari o iku koto ni narimasu. Redīaida wa, wareware wa pitto no ejji ni aru toki, kanojo wa watashitachi ni ataeru kī o motte imasu. Genzai no jōken o kōshō kaishi shiyou to shite imasu," Liisi says to She, voice low as her eyes dart from the dwarf to the noblewoman. With a brief pause to take a breath, she nods to Lady Ida as she finishes.

Spoiler: Dwarven

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"The woman sitting there is Lady Ida, she is in charge. I am Liisi Teder and will be translating for you; unfortunately I don't have time to ask of where you're from, to know how to greet you with formal respect.

We will be going into the ruins, specifically an old library that no one else can enter. Lady Ida has a key, which she will give to us when we are at the edge of the pit. We're going to begin negotiating the terms now."

"Before we continue, we should discuss the contract," Lady Ida says, snapping her fingers. Another servant steps forwards, laying down a parchment covered in neat handwriting, with several conspicuous spaces left blank within the text. "The expenses for my involvement have been estimated to be roughly two hundred gold. Each of you will receive eighty. Any further gains, which I hope we will have many of, past this original six hundred eighty will be split as follows: per ten gold of value, I receive four, leaving six to split between you evenly. The sole exception will be an item which may or may not be present within the structure - we will discuss the details of this item later, once you have the key. The camp at the edge of the crater will provide shelter, simple sleeping arrangements, opportunities to send or receive letters as well as the services of one healer with some magical capacity. At the end of each day, acquired treasure will be brought in and measured, then stored safely. At the end of the delve, all treasure will be split and brought back to Orlash," she finishes. "Are these terms satisfactory?"

"Redīaida wa, saisho no 200 wa, sonogo, fumikonde tōjisha no sorezore ni tsuite, 80 ga sonzai suru koto ni naru jushin shimasu. Sonogo, subete wa kanojo ga 40 o totte, watashitachi no sorezore ga 10 o shutoku shite, roku rei kara shi rei o bunkatsu sa remasu. Kanojo wa, anzen-sei, beddo, ikutsu ka no iyashi o teikyō suru kyanpu wa, ga arimasu. Maiban watashitachiha takara o kauntoappu shimasu. Owari ni, wareware wa sore o bunkatsu shi, gurūpu to shite kaeshimasu. Korera no yōgo wa kyoyō sa reru baai wa kanojo ga motomete imasu," Liisi explains to She, beginning a few moments after Lady Ida finishes.

Spoiler: Dwarven

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"Lady Ida will receive the first two hundred, then there will be eighty for each of the delving party. After that, everything will be split sixty-forty, with her taking forty and each of us getting ten. There will be a camp, where she will provide safety, beds and some healing. Each night we will count up the treasure. At the end we will split it and return as a group. She's asking if these terms are acceptable."

[Toxic Mind]

"What of items that are of particular interest to us? I assume there will be the possibility of buying out items against our share of the final profits?" Ana says at first, her mind on any items that might be able to cure Steven of his comatose state. With deliberate slowness, her hand touches the metallic black belt at her waist.

A library!
I know, and it remains sealed. If we can open it, the cure may be within.
At the very least, more information that might help the healers, or point us in another direction.
This is our best chance, at least for now.
What about the item that the Lady mentioned?
I will ask. I know that you do not like unknowns.

"I do not like unknowns, Lady Ida. This item that you spoke of particular interest in - I am not overly fond of delving without as many variables as I can taken into account." Ana says, her face lined with questions, and a small amount of suspicion.

[Hazuki]

She feels an instant dislike for the woman who walks in as her translator. Not just for the fact that she's a human, but for the fact that she feels far more aware of herself than she was a few moments before. The Dwarf nods along with her introduction, not bothering to introduce herself yet, as well as the explanation that follows - still standing, because she hasn't yet been instructed to sit as the others had. When it comes time to secure the deal, she frowns. Oneli is normally the one who organizes her jobs, but she wasn't here for this one.

"Koto wa, kanari arimasu ka?" She asks the translator, steadily and softly. She's already been made to look an idiot.

Spoiler: Dwarven

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"Is that a good deal?"

[PersonMan]

"Yes, that's entirely possible," Lady Ida replies, nodding again. "Your concern is legitimate - I will tell you this: it's a large piece of some kind of metallic substance, kept within a thick container of lead and steel. I've read about it and what I've been able to find so far indicates that it's potentially dangerous to plant life in its vicinity. I'd like to study it and see if it could be used to aid in the fight against the corrupted woodlands," she explains.

"Watashi wa sō omou. Ippantekini, Delvers wa, watashi ga mita mono kara, hanbun'ijō hanbun matawa wazuka ni sukunai o shutoku shimasu.

...Anata wa, anata ga seki o toru koto ga dekiru shitai baai. Anata wa Skybound nodesu ka? Yama kara." Liisi replies, the final bit coming after a brief pause.

Spoiler: Dwarven

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"I think so. Generally, Delvers get half or slightly less than half, from what I've seen.

...If you would like to, you may take a seat. You are of the Skybound? From the mountains."

[Hazuki]

She walks over to the nearest seat and sits down on it. "Watashi." She says, briefly glancing at the translator.

Spoiler: Dwarven

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"I am."

[Anyr]

And so economics muscled its way onto the scene. As usual, all of Eiya's potential gains were expressed in terms of coin. Working for people who thought that way often lead to problems down the line. She needed to make sure that that wouldn't happen this time.

"Sometimes relics can't be neatly turned into a pile of gold. What if some of us want to claim specific items (other than the one you seek) as part of our share? Do we have the right to choose which portion of the treasure becomes ours, provided the numbers add up?"

Once that issue was settled, she'd move on to the next one: That of the unexpected addition to their group. Lady Ida (like most nobles that Eiya had met) was trying to take advantage of those beneath her.

"As for the translator's salary, I'm afraid that's completely unacceptable. With respect, this language issue is not our burden to shoulder. If you wish to employ a Delver who needs special arrangements in order to function, then making those arrangements is your responsibility. You can't expect to pay her wages with money from our pockets."

[PersonMan]

"As long as you can agree amongst yourselves, it's not a problem," Lady Ida says with a nod. As Eiya continues, she raises an eyebrow, but before she can speak, Liisi does.

"I won't need an extra salary - let them divide mine," the woman says with a shrug. "What you give me is enough. Our agreement stands," she continues, the final words carrying an air of finality to them. Briefly, something flashes in Lady Ida's eyes, a moment of emotion barely hidden by her composed nod.

"I see. That should clear that up, then. Per hundred, twelve for each of you," Lady Ida says after a moment, calm once more.

Spoiler: OOC

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If there are no other concerns, we can move forward - depending on what you all would prefer, we can skip to the beginning of the trek to the ruins, and play out some of the first interactions, or go further and begin shortly before arrival at the ruins.

[Anyr]

"In that case, I accept the terms."

When Lady Ida's gaze turned elsewhere, Eiya gave the translator a grateful smile. That negotiation wouldn't have gone nearly so smoothly if Liisi had been as greedy as her employer. Such ethics were to be commended.

[Toxic Mind]

Anabelle nods her acceptance but otherwise says nothing. The look that passed between them - and the nature of this 'agreement'. Questions that needed answering, but for Ana, they could wait. For now.

Spoiler: OOC

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I'm fine with playing it out either way.

[PersonMan]

Lady Ida presents the contract to the group, and any inspection reveals it to be precisely that which has been negotiated. Liisi sums up the terms for She, adding her own signature just before Lady Ida does the same. With a few brief orders, the noblewoman sends several servants into motion. After a brief discussion of when and where to meet in preparation to leave she returns to the work of organizing the supplies necessary for the trip. You are left with two full days before the time comes. The days pass uneventfully unless you endeavor to change that and the time of departure comes. Gathering again, this time behind the residence you had first met inside, you meet Lady Ida and Liisi again shortly before the agreed-upon time has come. The noblewoman speaks briefly with the translator, then tells the group that the rest of the expedition would be joining them at the city's edge.

It's a simple beginning - a single carriage in which Lady Ida and a number of provisions sit, driven by a servant, with the group on foot beside it. As you approach the walls, that changes. Another group joins you, this one made up of a cook, a young woman that has no less than eight tomes chained to her as well as eight guards each wearing a sword, spear and shield. As you pass the gates, four more carriages join you. One is visibly armored heavily, another lacks any sort of opening apart from a single set of doors and the other two seem to be similar to those you see most often, room for perhaps nine or ten people in each. With the walls still in sight, the carriages stop and Lady Ida emerges to offer everyone the chance to step into one or the two new carriages - an offer the guards, cook and tome-covered woman all take.

Spoiler: Perception DC 15

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Lady Ida offers Liisi a place in her carriage, but she politely declines, stating a preference for walking.

The journey continues after the brief break, continuing into the night. A camp is made in a spot to the side of the road that has been cleared to offer suitable grounds for travelers to rest on, with the guards taking watch during the night. The morning begins with a simple but filling meal made by the cook, and another day of travel begins. In total seven of these mornings pass, the group moving first through hills and past villages, then through the palisade that blocks off the wilds of the Meijak. The tome-wearing woman, who eventually introduces herself as Farina Vossen, regularly ends the day with a few incantations that spit magical flame at any encroaching growth along the edge of the path or campground. A few strange cries are heard in the night, but the journey passes without incident. Finally, you reach your destination. The wilds give way to desolation, earth bare for a hundred feet before the edge of a sudden drop.

The ground falls away, creating a cliff that extends to either side before turning away again - supposedly it is arranged in a perfect circle. At least three hundred feet below you see the remnants of what was once a grand city. Hundreds of grand structures jut up from the lowered earth, any that would rise above half the depth of the pit either collapsed or severely damaged. Supposedly, the buildings were once shining with gold or silver, covered in glittering gems or made from pure white stone. Now they are pitch black, just as the sides of the pit are. The many holes along the sides of the visible towers, said to once be filled with the now exceptionally valuable glass, allow for glimpses into their blasted innards, giving many the appearance of husks rather than great structures. Even those closer to the ground seem to have suffered greatly, and most of what you can see seems to have collapsed in on itself at some point, covering the blackened streets around it with rubble. Vaguely visible are the borders between what was once a place left to nature, now only scorched earth ringed by streets of ruined stone.

The edge of the massive pit is marked by lonesome patches of lighter earth - pathways down along the steep stone, leading down into the devastation of the former city. Another hour's travel passes, following the ledge, until the group arrives at a pathway marked by a number of worn-looked daggers pounded into the earth. Generally, that would be a sign to go elsewhere, a mark left by a successful or unsuccessful Delver to tell those following them that they either taken everything or found nothing of value near the pathway. Lady Ida approaches the edge, and studies a map for a few moments before pointing down. A squat structure sits near the edge of the pit, the remnants of green visible on its roof. Despite the distance, you can see that it is easily the size of a small keep. Around it is what looks to be the scorched remainder of some kind of garden, and a barrier of standing stones sits at its edges.

"There's no way in, apart from the front entrance," Lady Ida says after a few moments. "And the entrance is sealed perfectly - the windows were covered by stone from the inside, so you'll be breathing air that has sat, unmoving, in the darkness ever since the cataclysm claimed this city. The only way in is this key," she continues, opening a metal box to reveal a key wrapped in cloth. It's not very impressive, seeming to have been made from bronze or a similar metal, adorned only with simple designs carved into its body. "This is where we part ways, at least for the time being. Return here if you need to rest, or when the night comes; there may still be ancient magics defending the building, so resting there could be dangerous."

Liisi, quiet for the journey unless spoken to, or repeating something for She, turns to the dwarf and speaks to her. "Shōmen genkan wa, yuiitsu no hōhō ga arimasu. Saigai ga kite, naibu ga kanzen ni mippei sa rete iru toki ni dōyara mado ga mippū shimashita. Watashitachiha, nyūgaku no tame no kī o motte imasu. Watashitachiha tsukarete iru toki, matawa kanojo ga appu modotte kuru to ii, yoru ni wa, riyū iseki de yasunde no kiken-sei o kuru toki."

Spoiler: Dwarven

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"The front entrance is the only way in. Apparently the windows were sealed when the disaster came and the inside is perfectly sealed. We have the key for the entrance. She says to come back up when we're weary or when night comes, because of the dangers of resting in the ruins."

Before you, the path cut into the side of the pit extends down into the dark, the shadows of the former city already long on the scorched stone and bare earth.

[Hazuki]

She has spent the whole journey being quiet and generally talking as little as possible. As soon as she's finished listening to Liisi's translation, she walks up to Lady Ida and takes the box from her. She starts walking towards the squat structure that is their destination.

[Toxic Mind]

Ana spends most of the journey walking alongside the carriages. She does not initiate conversation, but neither does she spurn those who initiate it, speaking in cordial, if somewhat distant, tones. There is a look of interest when the translator declines Lady Ida's offer. This exchange prompts the one exception to the rule, as Ana deliberately seeks out the translator Liisi and walks beside her.

"You and the Lady. You have a history, yes?"

Spoiler: Perception

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(1d20+8)[22]

[Anyr]

The arrival of Lady Ida's attendents was a comfort to Eiya. As annoying as it was to be beholden to some greedy noble, the benefits spoke for themselves. Without all these guards and suchlike, she'd be delving in far humbler ruins. Finn (rest his soul) had absolutely refused to seek a patron. He'd been an independent spirit right to the end: An end which only came because he didn't have proper backup. Eiya wasn't going to make the same mistake.

If possible, she'd spend most of the journey alongside Wyot. Eiya was very interested in learning more about his abilities. Besides, none of the other delvers seemed particularly social. Wyot had an approachability that his comrades (including Eiya) lacked. Perhaps he'd be willing to overlook her strange aura, and have an actual conversation.

When at last the journey ended, Eiya felt a familiar knot in her stomach. Such was always the way. She paused at the edge of the pit, and stared down at the ruins within. As usual, she tried to maintain a neutral expression: And as usual, she completely failed. Her face was a picture of sadness and regret. She looked like a mourner standing at the grave of a loved one.

[Xunthrae]

Kodi makes sure to at least introduce himself personally to each of his new companions. It is a good idea to be on, at least, familiar terms with the people he is going into battle with. He also continued his morning routine of training with him shifting abilities. After breakfast, and while camp is being put away, he would spend that time going through his combat exercises. He avoids shifting whenever in a city. Now that he's out he's glad to be free to let that side of him show. It might unsettle some of the others, but they will have to deal with it. He's a shifter, its part of him.

On the final day, anyone keeping tabs on the groups actions would likely notice Kodi's shifted training was absent that morning. He instead went through the motions without his bear-like claws. When they arrived at the edge of the pit, he is struck by the ruined wonder of these ancient cities all over again.

Spoiler: roll

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(1d20+10)[19]

[PersonMan]

Spoiler: Ana

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Liisi raises her eyebrows at the question. "Everyone has a history," she says with a slight smile. "We have been in each other's company for some time, so you could say we have history. What is it you are curious about?"

Spoiler: Eiya Knowledge

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While you can't recognize anything at first, you eventually spot what you are certain is the remnant of the Spire of Adarnis, which would mean this is the ruin of Ternil. Unfortunately, you don't remember much about it - despite it being a grand city, it was relatively unimportant compared to others and you only read about the Spire.

The Spire of Adarnis was made roughly two centuries before the cataclysm, in order to celebrate the complete eradication of disease and hunger from the city. After four years of work, which are said to have nearly bankrupted the rulers of the city, spells crafted to find disease and signs of hunger found nothing within the walls. The Spire was built over the course of another year and a half, reaching taller than any other building in the city, crafted from steel and crystal woven together with magic into shapes resembling those of vines, stretching up into the sky. It housed the Guild of the Selfless, an organization that organized the efforts of half a dozen churches and a number of philanthropists towards improving the lives of the least fortunate in Ternil.

All that remains of it is the base, stretching out over a great area and filled with blackened debris. It's a single piece of metal, still sticking up from the earth, that let you recognize it. The vine-like shape has stayed over all these years, tapering off with pieces of crystal and other vines still clinging to it, likely spared because of its small size.

As the group begins down the path along the edge of the pit, the ruins seem to grow, more details coming into visibility as you move downwards. By the side of the pathway you see a handful of broken trinkets, small bags spilling their contents out onto the earth - the normal signs of a route well-worn by Delvers, cutting away the least valuable of their haul in order to keep moving quickly. The way down is without event and you eventually find yourselves at the bottom, standing on the blackened stone of the former city. Around you lie the leavings of former Delvers; bloodied bandages, broken weapons, scraps of cloth and even a handful of ruined bedrolls, dirtied and left to rot among scraps of food. Between two stones another pair of daggers have been jammed into the earth, though these are linked by what seems to be a necklace. Closer examination reveals that it is indeed jewelry, a length of fine silver chain connected to a charred locket. One of the daggers also bears a small cloth that is the dark brown of blood-soaked fabric. Etched into the stone around the daggers are a set of runes, and a single bent gold coin rests atop one.

Not far from where you stand, the building you have come to enter stands, surrounded by a bent and blackened metal fence. Approaching it, you find scattered bones along its edge, and a few loops of fabric thrown over the top - a less used but recognizable sign left by those who came here before you. The meaning is simple: no way to get in, don't waste your time. Your path continues, briefly slowed when you must climb over a pile of rubble from a collapsed building, until you reach the opening you found while coming down into the ruins. What was once a gate lies on the bare earth, seemingly snapped off of the rest of the fence. From here, you can see that the structure ahead is without the many openings of most ruined buildings; the remnants of its windows are backed by charred stone, and the front entrance appears to have survived entirely intact (if significantly darkened by whatever destroyed the city). Crossing the grounds, you reach the doors without a hint of trouble. Scattered bones litter the area just in front of it, the remains of at least seven dead, many charred on the side facing up.

In the center of the blackened, apparently wooden doors sits a single lock, a hexagonal section of metal with a keyhole in the center.

Spoiler: Runes: Knowledge (Local or Arcana) 10

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The runes are known as Delvers' Scratch, a collection of symbols generally believed to have originated from ancient ruins. Whether they carry any magical power is a matter of debate, with most scholars arguing that they are merely a sign of the superstition that abounds among those who plunge into the remnants of a greatly magical time, though a few believe that the runes are enough to tap into the magical energy left behind in the ruins and produce some sort of effect. Either way, it's common among Delvers to learn them 'just in case', and a great number of more experienced Delvers seem utterly convinced that they have great power.

These runes are known as Bei Erdi Gung, and are said to protect the spirit of the fallen if they are inscribed around their place of death or an important belonging. Supposedly, if carved within a day of death and inside ancient ruins they prevent raising as undead.

[Hazuki]

She finds herself utterly unperturbed by the grisly memoirs of other Delvers, as she marches through them with the translator at her side. Were she here for anything else, she might be interested in searching through them, in the hopes of finding something that could further her understanding of entropy's end. But, with a job to do, she's content to walk through the bones of a culture that helped form the basis of the Skybound Empire.

When they come to the door, She gives it a thorough once-over.

Spoiler: Perception

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(1d20+14)[17]

If she finds nothing, she'll open the box and use the key.

[ImperialSunligh]

Spoiler: Past Events

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It was easy to forget Wyot was at the negotiations, as he had been mostly quiet for the remainder or them, unless spoken to, nodding his agreement with the various terms and eventually scrambling up the much-to-large table to get his hands on the contract. None of the terms were important enough to him to argue about. As long as he wasn't being robbed blind, the money had never been a big deal for him. He had other concerns.

Early on in their journey, Wyot tried speaking with the cook who was in the caravan with them, asking if they might work together. He would cook for himself and whoever else wanted food, regardless, as it kept his mind off things, but he didn't want to step on any toes if this person was so specialized. Besides, as he said, "working together can make any job go much more smoothly."

As the group traveled with Wyot, it becomes clear, at least, that he was not lying about being involved with spirits, or at least ghosts of some kind, as wherever he went, he was often followed by the disturbing movements of objects unmoved, clanging of pots, papers set out of place, things which simply could not have happened without the influence of some mischievous or perhaps malicious being, beyond sight, not to mention his occasional continued, usually fevered, conversations with people who weren't there. It seemed for this reason that he spent much of his time alone, wherever possible, or, at least, as alone as he ever can be. Whenever the spirits cause problems when he's working with others, he, usually flustered and embarrassed, always offers to help fix whatever it is, always worried about being a burden. In the fairly close quarters of the caravan, this has likely happened with most in the group at one point or another.

Despite his preference to keep to himself, he is receptive to any intention the others, such as Eiya, have to speak with him. He responds with a naively friendly attitude tainted only by his usual frayed nerves, willing to explain much about his own abilities when asked, though it seemed he knew very little about their true nature, himself, other than that its beginning after an accident in the ruins in his childhood, where he was supposed to have died. It was clear that, despite his openness, he does prefer not to talk about the subject at length, seeming considerably more shaky and unhinged than usual when he acknowledges those aspects of himself, his starry eyes darting around as if looking for a place to escape a thing that was not there. He seemed only to be fully calm when he busied himself with some other matter.

As Wyot sees the building they would be delving into, and as their patron speaks of it, his stomach becomes only slightly uneasy, as it always had whenever he set out to actually commit to a delve, feelings that were part anticipation, part fear, and much more so, the cold, inexorable pull of that which lay below. He visibly shivers, but cannot stop himself moving forward if he wanted to. Part of him did want to. Part of him wanted to run away from this and never return. The rest knew that could never be an option.

As they reach a door, he looks about while waiting for the others' opinions on what to do with it, and, for a moment, looks upon the daggers and the runes around them, thinking on what the symbols might be, calling on his own previous knowledge, and on knowledge that was not his own, knowledge borrowed.

Spoiler: Rolls

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Perception - (d20+10)[30]
[roll=Any Knowledge]d20+4[/rolls]

Coming to a realization, he opens his eyes again, and says, "My old company believed these runes call on the latent magic in these ancient places. These ones, 'Bei Erdi Gung', were used to ward off necromancy, and... to protect the dead," He winces slightly, "I don't think we should disturb them."

[Anyr]

Eiya paused to examine the discarded trinkets. They were indeed worth little, by conventional measures. Nonetheless, she picked up and pocketed some of them, seemingly at random: A child's toy; A measuring tool; An intricate puzzle. Just a few little things. She made sure to do this in plain sight, so as not to be accused of secretly hoarding something valuable.

The remnants of past Delvers provoked the opposite reaction from her. She gave those a wide birth, and hurried to catch up with the others. Rather than climbing over the various obstacles, Eiya just teleported past them. With each blink of the eye, she'd suddenly be in a new spot: Until she finally appeared right next to Wyot, in front of the library entrance. That extradimensional 'step' was one of her favourite tricks.

[Toxic Mind]

Spoiler: Liisi

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I know those looks. If you ask me not to pry, I shall not, but there is more than working history between you, that much is clear. If you wish someone to speak to, I am more knowledgeable than you might first assume.

At the halfling's revelation, Ana nods her agreement. She had not planned on disturbing the runes either way, but it was good to know that another felt similarly about disrespecting the fallen. Ana had always possessed a healthy respect for those that had gone before.

"I shall follow your lead, master spirit-wielder." she says with a small smile to Wyot. She almost felt sorry for the poor halfling. The ghosts of such a place as this must be hard upon his mind.

As She moves the key towards the door, Ana watchs with an eyebrow raised, her hand on her metallic belt.
She's gonna explode.
Hush.

[Xunthrae]

Kodi does not think twice about the runes on the ground. He has seen them many time before, and even watched them be made. He doesn't put much stock in them, but if they helped the ones grieving who was he to voice his disbelief?

The doorway to the groups' first delve definitely is imposing. While he is taking in the sight of the building he only just notices the dwarf as she puts in the key. His heart leaps as she hardly waits to use it. He is instantly on edge for any trouble that might be created with the use of the key.

Spoiler: roll

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Perception:(1d20+10)[21]

[PersonMan]

Spoiler: Ana

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"Thank you for the offer, but I doubt it will be necessary," Liisi replies with a shrug, seeming content with the exchange.

As She looks over the door nothing of interest becomes visible - no signs of anything that may cause trouble. The key fits into the lock easily, and as she turns it a muffled clunk follows the motion. For a moment, nothing happens, then a sliver of space appears in the metal, expanding as the entire door seems to shift backwards. As it moves, the air around it shimmers, the effect growing stronger before disappearing altogether as the blackened entrance opens up, swinging outwards with a wave of dust. Even those not standing just before the door feel the air turn stale, accompanied by the sound of bones falling to the ground. Three more skeletons have been revealed, evidently they had been resting on the door, now they lie on the blackened stone, clad in fine clothes, all of which were only marred by bloodstains around the neck.

The inside of the door bears scratch marks and signs of other attempts to open it from the inside. The room is all but bare, the corpses lying amidst a handful of broken weapons and a few piles of books. Another door sits, ajar, at the other side of the room, its wooden surface marred by deep cuts and a massive scorch mark around the lock. The rest of the room is untouched, perfectly smooth stone marked only by a handful of fixtures - sculpted metal in the shape of a clawed hand that extends from the stone, holding up a softly-glowing sphere. Not long after the door settles, the sound of grinding stone comes from just behind the inner door, followed by a far quiet sound, another object falling against the floor.

Spoiler: Spellcraft or Knowledge (Arcana) DC 15

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The shimmering of the air is a typical reaction when multiple Abjuration effects are made to briefly overlap. The intensity makes it obvious that the door was layered in at least sixty-eight layers of exceptionally powerful defensive spells, an unheard-of amount of protection based on what you've heard and found out during your time delving. Even more unusual is that the spells have remained even after centuries - generally, a few sparks of magical power are all that's left of even rather powerful defensive enchantments.

[Hazuki]

As soon as the room beyond is revealed, She retrieves the key, places it back in the box, and replaces the box in her pack. She retrieves a pair of smoked goggles when she does so and puts them on her head, but not yet over her eyes. She pushes past the feeling of stale air rushing into her lungs and focuses on the room beyond, tethering herself to the first stone. Finding the path is the first step, and that is exactly what she must do. She bows her head at the room, even as the dust is disturbed by nothing's touch.

Spoiler: Basic Geokinesis

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Using it to search the room.

Basic Geokinesis: (1d20+9)[27]