The others bring the confused elf up to speed, after which you each take turns guarding your camp while the others rest. The next morning Urbar guides you to Cassomir, where you're able to use some of your contacts from the Society to catch a free ride on a ship that sails to Absalom. The journey takes a full day and night, but Absalom's visible after you wake up one more morning later.
Once you've docked in Absalom you head straight to the Grand Lodge, where you notice heads are turning as you enter. Your fellow Pathfinders whisper among each other, and you're soon approached by some of your colleagues.
"Aren't you the bunch that got kidnapped by a dragon? How'd you escape?" a nosy fellow adventurer asks, but before you can reply the burly voice of venture-captain Adril Hestram can be heard shouting: "By the gods!"
Adril quickly walks up to and asks you the very same question, but before you can reply he decides to relocate to an office. You leave the growing crowd of curious Pathfinders and head to Adril's office, where venture-captain Ambrus Valsin also joins you.
You tell the venture-captains about what's transpired since the first moment you set foot in Belhaim, basically reporting as if all of it was a mission. It turns out the venture-captains already knew most of what had transpired before you headed to Tula's Crypt, from a letter your friend Bassy the gnome had sent to the Grand Lodge from Belhaim. Apparently the Pathfinder-to-be had found a way to get messages past Aeteperax's observed eyes. This letter, however, ended up in the hat of a random nosy Pathfinder, which is why everyone in the lodge knew you had been 'kidnapped' by a dragon. A story that was greatly exaggerated every time it was told, and soon saw several versions circulating the lodge.
When you're done talking a brief silence sets in, which is abruptly broken by the laughter of Adril.
"Hahaha! Well you've sure grown since I sent you into the Puddles to retrieve that codebook!"
"Wasn't that when they prevented an undead raid on Absalom?" Ambrus asks, frowning. "No small feat either, but preventing a raid is very different from fighting in one. The later's much tougher."
"I don't mean to belittle you," Ambrus continues as he turns to you, "but facing this dragon may be equally dangerous as an army of undead. You prevented such an army would rise and destroy Absalom, but this dragon... depending on its size, it could potentially pose the same threat and have the power to level a city the size of Absalom."
Adril scrapes his throat. "Yes, it's a serious matter... One we'll have to bring in front of the Decemvirate, and will have to be discussed."
The venture-captains thank you for sharing all the information, and let you know that you'll be informed once a decision's been reached on how to deal with Aeteperax. You're given the opportunity to asks questions, after which you are dismissed.
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Amid the silence, Ery slurps obnoxiously long from his cup, looking to the ceiling idlely.
"Power. We'll need more of that. Specifically; Muscles will need Muscles, Tereze will need more divine attention, Locke needs more alchemical research, Urbar will need more..." He pauses, looking to the ranger with a raised brow. "...Less, he will need Less dirt. And our lovely little witch will need more love from her respective patron." He gives a wink to Fiona before preparing another cup of tea.
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Ery looks to Locke after giving Tereze an agreeing nod...
"Oh yeah... Let the tea elf tell you in some simple words... Undead, Fog and a priestess dancing on a piano..." Ery shudders with memories.
He pauses, looking to a distance then reaches into his cloak to retrieve a small, leather bound book, offering it to Locke.
"Here buddy. This is our early accounts... I've been a little lack luster in writing in it... Haven't since we went into the crypt. I think it'll catch you up." He laughs.
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Once back in Absalom Gwen lets out a sigh of relief... it was good to be home. As they are approached she gives the nosy agent a strange look. "Kidnapped? We weren't---" Before she could say anymore, Venture-Captain Adril steps in and she follows behind to the office. Gwen listens intently and nods her agreement. "Those people are counting on us to handle this threat. I will be part of the group that returns to Belhaim to face the dragon." She made it very clear the last part was not a request. "I gave my word to those people. I will not let them down."
After the meeting she turns to smile at Locke's comment. "That was one of our first missions together." She smiles wistfully. "That was a good fight... Swinging from organ pipes and kicking undead in a thick fog. That was back when Urbar spent more time on his back than in a fight!" She grins and punches the ranger in the shoulder. "Ah, memories..."
The Decemvirate usually takes some time to gather and discuss matters, but given the urge of the matter everything proceeds swifter than it otherwise would have. Late that evening you're all summoned to the same office as before. This time you're not only in the company of venture-captains Adril Hestram and Ambrus Valsin, but also by the Society's Master of Swords; Marcos Farabellus.
"Good evening, Pathfinders," the Master of Swords starts of with a broad smile. "I have good news. Or bad news, depending on your stance on the matter. Anyway, you're hereby officially tasked with the mission to slay the dragon known as Aeteperax."
"You have little less than one year to make sure you're ready for the fight, and I'm here to let you know the Society isn't going to let you figure out how to prepare by yourselves. As you all know I am the Society's Master of Swords. I train the new recruits in handling swords, and other weapons. My colleague Aram Zey, the Master of Spells, trains recruits in the use of magic. Kreighton Shane, the Master of Scrolls, oversees the academic training of recruits."
"The other Masters and I will oversee the extra training you'll be put through in order to prepare yourselves. They are currently not with us, but have agreed to this. Of course it'd be useless for all of you to train with all of us, considering not all of you use physical weapons and not all you use magic, but we've taken that in account. You will each receive training that suits your own style."
"In addition to this training, the six of you will receive missions that will further prepare you for the dangers ahead. These missions will be more difficult than the missions you've received thus far, and will also give you the opportunity to make some good money that you can then invest in proper gear."
Marcos claps his hands together, still smiling broadly. "What say you, about this good news? Or at least I think it's good news, isn't it? After all, the people of Belhaim are counting on you."
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When the team is back outside, Locke holds still.
"Wait a minute....it is about -that time- of the day."
Turning head, a cheerful tone is in the voices.
"I'm going to the markets, and -you-, Gwen, are coming with me.
I made you a promise after all, and you agreed."
"I don't know about the rest of you, but i'm sure you won't be disappointed either."
The next day arrives, and you're summoned to the office of Venture-Captain Drandle Drenge first thing in the morning.
Venture-Captain Drandle Drenge, a stout and hardy Taldan with thin, graying hair and a thick, bushy mustache, unfurls a map on his butcher-block table and places a meaty finger on the parchment. "The abandoned district of Beldrin’s Bluff was once the gem of Absalom’s Precipice District — now it is but a weathered crag of broken rock at the edge of the roiling sea. When the great quake hit ten years ago, entire blocks of the Bluff sheared from the mainland. Cliffside tearooms and exclusive estates fell into the waves and carried hundreds of nobles to a watery grave. An elite academy, called the Tri-Towers Yard, remained on the mainland, but sank wholesale into the earth. Children unfortunate enough to survive the quake lay pinned under debris as sewer water slowly rose from the ground and drowned them. Nearly every student perished.
"Today, crumbled stone walls and weed-filled lots sprawl where gentlemen’s clubs once filled with pipe smoke and hobnobbing lords. The Drownyard — er, that’s what the ill-mannered call the school these days — lies behind a fence of black iron pikes, constructed by the families of the dead to discourage morbid trespassers.
"Even respected archaeological groups have been denied official access. Our own Society has itched to explore the site ever since the quake — that is, ever since we discovered that the school fell through the roof of a lost necropolis. Unfortunately, the emotional trauma attached to the school has remained fresh. But finally, after ten years of mourning, the politically-connected families of dead students have sanctioned our delve request."
With a toothy smile and a clap, Drenge says, "I’m pleased to announce that I’ve selected your team for the delve, expecting your experience with the undead to be to your advantage in such an undertaking. I want you to find a way into the necropolis, document your findings with professional detail, and recover artifacts of historical significance. As you know, the Society pays Pathfinders well for retrieving artifacts. Keeping that in mind, the Society is interested in one artifact in particular — a two-finger ring topped with a ruby salamander."
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Ery, once returned to the summoned of the VC Drandle, adjusts himself and sits to listen to the briefing.
Once he receives the information he looks to the group with a sigh.
"Expect Undead, grave robbers and likely fog." He says coldly.
"So, Venture Captain Drandle... Has the society kept on eye on the site? Do we know who's been in and out?" He asks.
"No one's been in, Lord of Tea," Drandle Drenge responds as he pulls an iron key from his waistcoat and hands it over to Eryzule.
"Here, the key to the Drownyard gate. Remember, the Drownyard is a deeply personal site for many powerful Inner Sea families. You will tread upon the graves of their children. Be sure to give the site the respect it deserves."
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What is it about zis city zat the dead do not stay at rest!. Tereze suffers at the thought.
Then she turns to the Venture-Captain and asks:
Besides ze ring is zere anything else that we should be looking for? Would it help ze society politically if we gave some of ze passed some form of final rites? Or would you rath us just leave ze bodies alone if we can?
"It would help politically if you'd bring the corpses of any kids you find back, so their families can give them proper burials. If you find corpses inside the necropolis the school sank into, it's up to you to decide what to do with those. The necropolis was there way before the school, and no one's looking for those."
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Gwen listens to the briefing with a slightly dispirited look. "An entire school of children lost. There is terrible..." She thinks about obtaining some gear that might aid her in dealing with undead, specifically the ones she would have a difficult time striking with her fists. "No questions here. I'll need to pick up a few items to bring with. Those are good ideas, Urbar. Maybe we should pick up some shovels and picks while were are at it. There may be debris piles we need to move to retrieve the fallen."
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"Awesome, this way."
Going through a sideway a few times, the group evades the majority of a crowded route towards the market's consumables vendors.
"Over there, she's just beyond this stall."
Carefully pushing through the crowd, Locke stops at a colorful stand.
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A young woman with long brown hair and a cheerful face stands behind the counter.
Baskets of fruit, both big and small, stand on shelves and on display in front of her.
"Welcome to my stall, i am Mary, and i have the best fruits in all of Absalom."
When locke makes a friendly wave, she almost scolds, but in a friendly way.
"You sneak, where have you been for so long? Your roof running friends have been asking -me- if i knew when your obligations would take a break."
When whoever comes along arrive behind Locke, Locke introduces everyone.
"Well you see, the society's errands have gotten me, us, to various places. But since we're in Absalom, i can't leave before coming back here, now can i?"
"Yes, the usual, hmm?"
She picks a number of red looking strawberries from the basket, and hands it to the group.
"On the house. Locke's a regular, so i won't really miss out."
The strawberries she gave are full of flavor, and juicy.
"That is downright awful. Kids don't deserve such a fate."
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Gwen smiles and winks over at Ery. "You're always helpful, Ery! You do things, like...ummm... Well, you know, things!"
She's silent for a moment before speaking in a slightly breathless voice. "Locke, are these magical strawberries? It's been a long time since I've been home, but by the Gods I don't remember them being this... I don't even know the word to explain delicious these are!"
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Locke had just eaten half, via the small hatch in the mask.
"Well, their taste is magical to be sure."
Though Locke seems to slightly look at Mary, when Gwen asks if they are magical.
At that moment, a thrush flies from behind a basket, landing on Mary's shoulder, and it starts chirping merrily.
Mary: "My garden is unique. It is a small oasis of nature, right in the city."
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Are we ready to go zen? Tereze asks the group?
Tereze looks at the basket of Strawberries:
Oh! Zey are so much bigger zen ze wild strawberries we used to get with ze wagons.
Seeing Gwen's reaction she grabs one from the top of the basket. She takes a bite then says with a smile:
Just as sweet as I remember!
As she focuses on the enjoyment of the strawberry in her hand a second one unnoticed starts to float away from the basket.
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Mary is occupied, and doesn't notice it, until the songbird starts to be a little excited as it sees a strawberry floating towards Tereze's pocket.
Mary whistles a tune, and it calms down, and she looks at Tereze with a knowing smile.
Mary catches the coin, and nods.
"What did you have in mind?"
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She breaks the hug pulling away while shouting in Varisian: What the... Stop That!
As she wipes her face off she glares at a nothing but in the direction of the basket of strawberries. Begone! she commands in Varisian. Then frustrated she bends down and picks the bruised strawberry from the cobblestones. She wipes it off before popping it in her mouth to eat it.
As she sees the others looking at her shrugs and says in common:
What? Zey are too good to go to waste! And Yes, I would be happy to come with you Gwen.
Mary chuckles.
"Thank you for the compliment.
Locke sure met a nice bunch. That one is happiest in a lively group."
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"You too, Fiona?"
"I'm not sure if you're thinking of -our group-, or -my group-, Mary was talking about. I was talking about my own, i mean, if i had to name about anyone interesting in -our- group, it's, well..."
For the amount of wit and laid back behavior Locke had shown thus far, this time Locke is sort of stumbling in what to say.
"....is that truly important right now?
You want me to talk about our group, here and now?
I..."
(Rubs own neck)
"...and masked, because..., well it's got personal reasons.
I'm...pretty sure i shared a bit about that, right?
That could be something for another time, if you please."
<--- Is very much trying to avoid the topic of identity hiding and talking about -our group-, and is getting more nervous with the prying.
(Turns head at sudden appearance)
"Don't sneak up on us like that..
Would you like me to develop a defoilant concotion, and pour it on your weeds when you sleep?
For the love of the fiery lady...ugh.."
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She ushers the group along towards their destination... Eventually she stops in front of an older looking inn that is boarded up and need of some fresh paint. A cracked wooden sign dangles from a rusted chain designating the building as the "Feral Dog". Most of the paint on the sign has faded, but one can still see the faint outlines of an aggressive looking canine with snarling fangs. She stands before the building with her hands on her hips and a large smile upon her face as she gazes, lovingly at the building. "What do you think?!" She asks excitedly!
"I truly have no idea of what you can expect down there," Drandle Drenge tells Fiona. "I hope for you that the place isn't flooded. Perhaps you should just go in and see whether it is or isn't flooded, before you start purchasing items in case it is? It's one of the perks of a mission right here in Absalom; you can just go to a shop whenever you need something."
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Tereze goes out to canvas the town looking for information about the Drowngate... A couple hours later she returns with what she found.
She peers up at the sign.
Ze sign needs so much paint that you could easily rename it... Maybe you want to call it ze Snapping Turtle? After all ze owner may someday be famous for how she fights.
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She frowns at the sign when Tereze points it out. "Yes, it will definitely need a new name. This place once allowed dog fights and slave trade." She narrows her eyes. "That will no longer happen at my place. I plan on making it a refuge for people seeking solace and protection. Although, I would like to keep the pit in the basement for hosting fights or allowing patrons to handle their issues in a safe manner..."
When Tereze mentions a name, Gwen smiles and lets out a small laugh. "I doubt that I will ever be famous, my friend. I have not decided on a name yet, but I was thinking something like The Final Farewell? Although now that I say it aloud... it sounds a little sad? I will have to think on it some more." She puts her arm around Tereze's shoulder. "Thank you for your kind words."
"I think learning more would be a good idea, indeed. I want to pick up some ghost salt, another vial of holy water. I think I will eventually spend the money to buy an amulet that would allow me to punch incorporeal enemies."