You are in Absalom, the mighty City at the Center of the World.
For some of you the training to become a Pathfinder has just ended ... some of you already had their first missions.
You have heard rumors that the Pathfinder Society is stretched thin at the moment and that junior Pathfinders are asked to complete more dangerous missions than usual.
You always knew that you would be continuously asked to explore one of the countless ruins that litter the plains outside the city’s walls on Golarion. Some of your colleagues have the opinion that this is the best way to start a life of excitement and adventure ... by exploring long-abandoned, dusty halls and perhaps claiming its ancient treasures but what about you?
* * * * *
You have been chosen to be part of the Pathfinder group that will leave to travel to Highdelve on a critical mission for the society.
You are led through the Great Hall of Skyreach past a large table with a shifting illusionary Inner Sea map on its massive surface. Standing around the Hall are dozens of pathfinders of various races exchanging stories of their exploits.
You are directed towards a smaller meeting room, past an ornate fountain with crystal clear water. You can feel the chill from the cascading droplets as some splash you on their decent to the pool.
The placard before the room reads, “The Pipeweed Nook”. Opening the door you see a long table, chairs.
You enter with the other Pathfinders but are still waiting for the Venture-Captain to arrive and give you the final briefing before you travel to Highdelve.
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A tall but physically weak looking Elf walks into the room.
He is wearing a haramaki and a spell component pouch that indicates he is using magic regularily.
His pale skin and clear blue eyes are in strong contrast to his jet-black hair.
One would not call him handsome... not least because of the unnerving and maybe even arrogant smile - implying he knows something that you don't...
He utters a few syllables and makes a few gestures before he sits down in one of the chairs.
While waiting for the Venture Captain he briefly introduces himself to the other agents with a nod.
"I am Kaervek, Master of the Arcane."
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A slim, darkhaired woman wearing black robe strides in and sits down. There is something inexplicably unnerving about her. After careful observation some might notice that her fingers are longer than usual and there seems to be tiny patches of scales on her neck.
"Daenerija, pleasure to meet you" she says in cold voice
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A half-orc in colorful, flowing robes and clothes befitting one from the desert strides through the halls, hawking wares and 'treasures' from long-lost Osirion. He sports a broad grin and greets you all with his arms wide open, "Welcome my friends! Have no fear for a servant of the ancient gods of Osirion is here to help! Anyone looking for a gift for a relative? Perhaps some perfume for that someone special? Kaseem will never steer you wrong!"
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A medium height, slender man clad in Tienese armor strides into the room. He removes his conical hat and releases his long, black hair. "Greetings! I am Masashige. You may call me Masa." He states as he looks over you all.
"It looks as if I am the elder of the group. I shall be sure to take good care of you all."
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Several minutes later, the door slowly creaks open. A young woman with straight auburn hair peeks in and nervously bites her lip. She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and strides in. Studded leather armor trimmed with fur covers her athletic build and a simple hunter's bow, it's ends tipped with elk antler, is slung over her back.
She nervously approaches those assembled as she smiles shyly.
"Well met. I am Brialla."
She says in a soft-spoken, yet very pleasant voice as she takes a seat at the table.
"Excuse my tardiness."
She looks down in embarrassment, then back up to those assembled.
"It will be nice getting to know you all. I just completed my Pathfinder training a few days ago."
The door opens and you see the renowned Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng enter the meeting room.
He looks as if he did not have much sleep as he has a sleepy-eyed look on his face.
He has a violin and a meerschaum pipe in his hand and sets it on the table. He withdraws a small pouch from the slipper and opening it, removes some shag tobacco. He begins to pack the pipe with the tobacco before removing a hot poker from a fireplace in the room, touching it to the pipe bowl, and drawing on the pipe until the contents kindle an ember.
He stands eyeing the assembled group and puffing on the pipe for a long few moments before speaking.
"Well, well, so you are the team they sent here for this mission?! You look tough but are you the right people for this mission? You already heard that we are sending you to Highdelve, right?" he says with a stern look.
"First missions are usually less dangerous but our informant's reasons to ask for a team as well as the nature of the assignment were a little vague ..."
He eyes you again.
"I called you in tonight to discuss a problem I need you to solve." he says as clouds of pipe smoke drift lazily around his head.
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A small humanoid plant creature slinks in quietly through the door. Brown ropey stalks comprise his body which is covered in healthy green vines with purple berries. A longbow is slung over his back. He quietly approaches Brialla and taps her on the side, giving the lady a little startle.
"'Scuse, me, lady. Are you Brialla?”
Brialla responds with a quick nod.
The leshy gets a sad look on his face.
"I'm very sorry to inform you, but, there's been a terrible accident. You do have a mother in town, correct?"
Her eyes widen in shock.
"Yes! My mama? What happened to my mama?"
The leshy looks down sadly then back up.
"A carriage came 'round the corner too quickly. Your mother's been seriously injured. You must go to her now. They're treating her at the temple's infirmary."
"Oh, no! Mama!"
Brialla stands and quickly composes herself before addressing the group.
"I'm sorry. I cannot join you. I must hurry."
She then hurries out the door.
The little leshy hops up into the girl's now vacant seat and looks at the group with a devilish grin.
"Heh. That was easy. Oh, Her mother's fine.
I'm Hawthorn. Nice ta meetcha all."
A large black panther, not noticable before, lays down beside the chair and licks its paws.
Dreng eyes the panther and the plant but continues.
"Well, more than two centuries ago, the humans of House Garess flourished in the foothills of the Golushkin Mountains in western Brevoy, where they founded Highdelve as a settlement of human artisans to work the dwarven ore their allies supplied. However, as the years went on, House Garess’s numbers waned, and the noble family scaled its business back. By this time, thousands inhabited Highdelve."
He looks at you to see if you are still listening.
"Rather than languish under House Garess’s neglect, the Highdelvers began to focus on self-sufficiency. It built a robust economy and 50 years ago, the leaders of highdelve approached the patriarch of House Garess in Grayhaven roughly 20 miles south. It wasn’t full independence Highdelve wanted as much as a release from any major taxes and military duties the town might owe its feudal overlords. Not in the position to fight the Highdelvers, House Garess acquiesced. From that day, Highdelve has been independent in everything but the strictest formalities."
He pauses for a moment.
"Have you ever heard of Aurelliax?" he asks.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Being so far north, winters are long and harsh. The short spring and summer seasons require the populace to farm and fish just enough to keep food on the table.
* * * Separate check * * *
You have heard the stories of Highdelve's history in more detail ... what the Highdelvers didn’t know, however, is that benevolent eyes had been watching the situation that the Venture-Captain described unfold.
The settlement piqued the interest of Aurelliax, a gold dragon who had lived for more than a century in a mountaintop lair near Highdelve.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The dragon admired the town’s tenacity, and its people’s generosity toward their neighbors warmed her kind heart. Shortly after Highdelve broke from House Garess, Aurelliax offer the humans her patronage and protection for free.
Elated and humbled, the townspeople accepted—provided that Aurelliax never involved herself in the settlement’s internal affairs. After all, the Highdelvers did not wish to simply trade one overlord for another. Her motivations genuine and pure, Aurelliax assented.
For the Highdelvers’ part, awe for Aurelliax quickly turned into true affection, as the dragon time and again has demonstrated her dedication to this settlement of about 4,500.
Hearing Hawthorn say his name, the cat looks up at him with a puzzled expression.
¿Mrowr?
Dreng raises an eyebrow.
"Aurelliax is a gold dragon who had lived for more than a century in a mountaintop lair near Highdelve and the dragon time and again has demonstrated her dedication to this settlement of about 4,500."
He pauses again.
"I do not want to go into the details of why a gold dragon would do that but I can assure you that we had a hand in that story. This was just background information because your mission actually concerns two kids. Well, they are young adults by now. RICHELLE AND TOLWIN are their names. They are not related but they are the kids of two deceased Pathfinders. We placed them under the protection of the mayor of Highdelve 17 summers ago - Winette Qarl is her name."
The Venture-Captain sighs and looks at his feet.
"We received a message that they are misbehaving. I have to admit that this mission is personal for me and I want you to check on them. They know nothing about their parents' history but if you can find out what is going on I would appreciate that."
He looks back into your eyes again and smokes his pipe, sending smoke into the air.
"Of course we would never send you to Highdelve just because of two kids ... this is just a coincidence that I am using to my own benefit." he laughs.
"During one of our other missions we learned of a plot againt Aurelliax. We do not know the details but we know that an agent of a cult of Kostchtchie, Gilda Korgren, traveled to Highdelve more than a year ago to craft a ring with special significance to the cult of Kostchtchie ... additionally, we learned about a Port Ice–based shipping company that is trying to track cargo that went missing between the port and Silverhall in southern Brevoy. We do know that the cargo included several Thassilonian relics that could also be of value to the Kostchtchie worshipper."
Born a mortal man of Ulfen stock before being cursed, Kostchtchie is now the demon lord of giants and biting cold.
Kostchtchie's main worshipers are giants who have turned from the worship of their traditional deities, particularly Thremyr, and instead embraced the demonic as being a more aggressive philosophy.
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The elven wizard waits a little to see what the party members know before injecting himself into the conversation.
"Of course I know about the dragon Aurelliax! I know about the history of Brevoy and Highdelve. And Kostchtchie is the demon lord of giants and biting cold. Let me enlighten you, comrades..."
Kaervek starts a brief history and religion lesson.
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"Ah so our cover story is that we are there for two misbehaving young adults, which we are to look into, while our true mission is to investigate the plot against Aurelliax, Gilda Korgren, the agent of Kostchtchie, and a Port Ice-based shipping company that is trying to track missing cargo? What is the name of the shipping company? Do we know what type of Thassilonian relics were in the cargo? Do we know who or where the missing relics were heading to? How far are Port Ice and Silverhall from Highdelve?"
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"No, I don't know Aureliax as history isn't my strong subject. Neither is religion."
"So while tracking a demon cultist and looking for missing cargo we should, at the same time, act as babysitters for two grownups? If law enforcement can't deal with them, how could we then talk sense to them without being too rough?" Daenerija asks with sceptical tone
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Ezekial listens to the strange names, so different from the Kelish he grew up speaking, but Taldan was coming more easily to the young man. Listening to Kaervek outline the history of Brevoy, the town of Highdelve, and the demonic Kostchtchie, and then Kassem's assessment of the actual situation, he nods slowly. This sounds suitably interesting, I can't imagine that babysitting two young adults will be worse than clearing goblins of murder while trying to figure out which Pathfinder had strayed into the realm of their dark heart.... Do I need heavier clothes? he asks, picking at his linen robe and scarves, marking him as a desert-dweller.
I'm not great at figuring out missing manifests, but I'm sure we'll work something out. Improvisation guided by the hand of the Dawnflower shall see us successful! his optimism sounds mildly strained, but his cheerful grin remains.
"Well, I received these information from our contact and to be honest there are no further details on the shipment or the artifacts. And regarding the kids ... please do not forget that they are offsprings of a Pathfinder so do your best to guide them on the right path! Oh and here is a map!" Dreng says and gives you a map.
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"Well, I received these information from our contact and to be honest there are no further details on the shipment or the artifacts. And regarding the kids ... please do not forget that they are offsprings of a Pathfinder so do your best to guide them on the right path! Oh and here is a map!" Dreng says and gives you a map.
"Ah the good old, 'Don't know what it is, who bought it, or where it's going' situation. If I had gold coins for every time that's been the start of a mission, I'd be a wealthy man by now! Perhaps Kaseem the Merchant can ask questions without drawing too much suspicion; one can't trade with unreliable partners."
"You haven't mentioned yet how we are getting to Brevoy. Looks like I should spend some of my recently earned coin on some appropriate clothing."
Dreng smiles.
"Okay, I admit that we know very little. But one thing about Gilda Korgren: She is a human follower of a demonic god ... and we know that she has a son from a letter we were able to dispatch. But nothing else."
He looks at the whole group and tries to assess your level of comfort with this mission and continues.
"This is one of your first mission so be careful. Please make haste and travel to Highdelve."
With those words he turns his attention away from you, picks his violin up, opens the door and begins playing and walking out of the room simultaneously.
**
HIGHDELVE
It’s late when your caravan arrives in Highdelve.
Most of the travelers are only stopping for dinner before proceeding on to the next town, but you have a mission here, and so you remain when the wagons pull out again.
When you get to the inn you find it unusually crowded. The innkeeper only has one room available, what with the festival tomorrow.
If you’re willing to share, however, she has some cots she can set up and there should be room enough for the four of you. As you walk down into the common room for dinner, you find it, too, is more crowded than you would expect.
A four-top comes open right as you walk in, though, and almost as soon as you sit the waiter comes by with bowls of stew and mugs of ale for the four of you. You eat and have a chance to get to know your new comrades on this mission.
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Ezekial purchases a cold weather outfit and some alchemist's fire for the trip. He nods at Dreng when he mentions a follower of a demonic master, We will see the heretical out with the garbage, have no worries. But he did worry, his training was about finding those who sought to destroy humanity, civilizations, and remake the world in their own image, how to protect against that. Would the young paladin be up to the task?
Travelling, Ezekial is a pretty easy-going companion. He's interested to learn more about where the other Pathfinders are from, and where they've visited. He's more than happy to share stories of his childhood growing up and his recent saving of a goblin from execution by proving the goblin family had nothing to do with the murder.
Ezekial is more than willing to share the room with the others, and enjoys the meal brought to them in the Inn. So where do you think we should start? he asks the others in a low tone at the table. The Kelish man looks slightly uncomfortable in the heavy winter clothing, but trying to fit in with the more northerly-dwelling people they were among.
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On the trail to Highdelve Kaseem never misses an opportunity to engage in the selling and buying of wares, collectibles, trinkets, and anything else he thinks he can make a copper on.
"I say we start out by contacting Winette Qarl, the Mayor, and checking up on our two wayward charges and perhaps see if Winette may have 'other' information we seek. A good merchant never passes up the chance to learn something!"
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Hawthorn watches in wonder at the fleshy-folk as they stuff cooked animal and chopped up vegetable matter into their food holes.
"Ick."
And how they grind it all up with their pearly mouth stones. And they even swallow it so it goes into their insides! He just can't understand why they can't soak their feet in moist ground and soak up rays from the sun like he does. He did enjoy the journey and the rest stop they found on the trail midday on the way to Highdelve. The muddy bank along the burbling brook by the wayside was a perfect respite and he got plenty of energy from the bright sun.
"So, Hawthorne... where are you from?"
Hawthorn looks over at Kaervak with a cocked eyebrow-like vine.
"From a seed. From a hole in the ground. In a forest. Duhhh!"He rolls his knotty eyes.
He snickers as he tries to keep from laughing.
"Seriously, though. I had a bad upbringing as a sprout. Evil druids that created me wanted me and the other leshies to do bad things. But, we leshies liked the forest and all the creatures there. We didn't want to hurt anything, so, we fled when we got the chance. Five of us."
He holds up the only four viney digits at the end of his arm stalk.
"I have no idea where the other leshies went. I ended up in Absalom after a few days journey. I found other leshies living in Absalom. They told me about the Pathfinder Society and how they accepted anyone, no matter what you are. As long as you wanted to make all the lands, seas, and skies of the world --and even worlds beyond-- a better place, they had a place for you."
Hawthorn blinks his eye knots, and smiles.
"I do not mind how you pronounce my name. With the 'e' on the end the way you do. But, it's Haw-thorn. Like, a little prick."
What ist he Brightbloom Jubilee?
During the first evening and your first hour on the jubilee you learn that the Brightbloom Jubilee is a 2-day party with a distinct structure of events.
Before the jubilee, the town elects two young locals to serve as Bloomgivers — an enormous honor for those chosen. Early on the celebration’s first day, the Bloomgivers venture with an empty wagon up nearby Dendra’s Slope, where the largest field of brightblooms grows.
The jubilee then runs throughout the day, and it includes a full slate of amusements, games, and festive street food, all set up in the town’s main Protectress Square.
In the afternoon, the Bloomgivers return to town with the first harvest of brightblooms, and the townspeople fete the youths’ journey by escorting them from the gates back to Protectress Square.
There, the Bloomgivers hand out brightblooms to eager townspeople. The rest of the evening is spent as a public dance party known as the Brightbloom Ball. The jubilee’s second day is spent alternately removing winterizing measures from the town’s buildings and breaking into spontaneous rounds of song and dance.
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The mood is festive in the inn as the evening progresses. Eventually, weary from your travel, you head to bed.
The sun rises, and after a quiet breakfast, you emerge out into the town square. Beams of sunlight stream past the snow-capped mountains as a joyous scene spreads before you.
Overnight, the town's staid and utilitarian main square sprouted colorful tents, a pop-up theater, a spinning contraption made of barrel bottoms, some manner of race course, and more unexpected delights.
Laughter and boisterous shouts echo from all the square's corners as its quaint cobblestone streets teem with villagers sporting festive clothes and wide smiles.
Throughout it all, the smell of fried foods weaves through air laced with the warmth of a summer that's just begun.
Activities in view:
A1. Youths stand on and around tall wooden storage boxes, playing some sort of game.
A2. Lanes have been drawn and sack races are being run.
A3. A large, gilt statue of a dragon.
A4. A Barrel-Go-Round ride has been erected.
A5. A small puppet theater has gathered a crowd.
A6. A stand sells delicious-smelling fried food on sticks.
+++++++++++++++++++
Several well-dressed professionals stand in a circle bandying about the lingo of seasoned traders. “What a time to be visiting!” one shouts.
“It’s the best time to catch important people in one place. If you’ve any business to conduct in Highdelve, now’s the time for it, to be sure!”
A teenage boy pushes through the crowd with a star-struck look on his face.
“Have you seen her? Have you seen Aurelliax? You know, the gold dragon! The one who keeps the whole town safe! She’s here, but she never stays in one place for long. Everyone wants to talk to her, and she’s so nice—she wants to spend time with us all!”
* * *
For the past decade or so, the people of Highdelve have expressed some concern about sending their youthful Bloomgivers up Dendra’s Slope to collect brightblooms for several hours alone.
The brightbloom field is about an hour’s hike from the town proper, and the foothills are full of threats.
To quell their qualms, and to reinforce that Aurelliax would never suffer an outside threat to the town, the gold dragon has begun lending the Bloomgivers a special amulet called the Golden Pendant each year for their journey up the slope.
Not even the gold dragon has elaborated on exactly what the amulet can do, and she’s instructed the townspeople not to bother examining it much magically, but everyone knows that it’s a treasure that would make Abadar himself proud.
Two elderly women watch a group of adolescents giggle and shoot furtive glances toward the square’s western entrance.
“It warms this old granny’s heart to see those sweet kids,” one of the women says. “So young! So much energy! They just can’t wait for the Bloomgivers to come back from Dendra’s Slope so they can celebrate. But I wonder what’s keeping those Bloomgivers? They’ve usually returned by now!”
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As a man who grew up on street festivals, Masa will look over children enjoying themselves and will buy the local delicacies from the stalls . "The wonderment of children cannot be compared." he offers as he eats food from skewers and grins as children fall over each other on the boxes.
He offers some of the words that he has heard from the locals as he eats and integrates.
“It’s the best time to catch important people in one place. If you’ve any business to conduct in Highdelve, now’s the time for it, to be sure!”
15+ :
A teenage boy pushes through the crowd with a star-struck look on his face.
“Have you seen her? Have you seen Aurelliax? You know, the gold dragon! The one who keeps the whole town safe! She’s here, but she never stays in one place for long. Everyone wants to talk to her, and she’s so nice—she wants to spend time with us all!”
* * *
For the past decade or so, the people of Highdelve have expressed some concern about sending their youthful Bloomgivers up Dendra’s Slope to collect brightblooms for several hours alone.
The brightbloom field is about an hour’s hike from the town proper, and the foothills are full of threats.
To quell their qualms, and to reinforce that Aurelliax would never suffer an outside threat to the town, the gold dragon has begun lending the Bloomgivers a special amulet called the Golden Pendant each year for their journey up the slope.
Not even the gold dragon has elaborated on exactly what the amulet can do, and she’s instructed the townspeople not to bother examining it much magically, but everyone knows that it’s a treasure that would make Abadar himself proud.
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Daenerija is happy to talk of her first mission to Trollheim and her youth in Ustalav. She chats regularly and agrees to share her room with others.
She buys one flask of acid (10 gp), scroll of obscuring mist (25 gp) and scroll of ray of sickening (25 gp).
"It's seems we had a perfect timing for this trip as all the important people can be met now." she smiles
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+2
"Ah yes a festival like this is a great time to visit - and do business - in the town."
As a man who grew up on street festivals, Masa will look over children enjoying themselves and will buy the local delicacies from the stalls . "The wonderment of children cannot be compared." he offers as he eats food from skewers and grins as children fall over each other on the boxes.
[dice=Diplomacy] 1d20+1
He offers some of the words that he has heard from the locals as he eats and integrates.
** spoiler omitted **
A6
Toshi looks at Kusunoki and is quite happy about your decision!
"Well, I am the proprietor and head chef at the Golden Wings tavern! As you see I have my hands full working the large crowd of customers and can’t pause for long to talk with you. Next please!" he shouts.
Kusunoki tastes the fried dough and Toshi was not exaggerating about the fried dough’s heartiness!
A PC who eats it gains a +2 morale bonus to all Strength- and
Charisma-based skill checks for the next hour.
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Being similar in height of a human child, Hawthorn is interested in the game they are playing on the boxes (A1).
"That looks fun! What are they playing?"
The large gold dragon statue also catches his eye. (A3).
"Oooo. Look at how the sunlight beams off that big dragon statue."
He points excitedly at the big statue.
A3. Statue
When you arrive at the statue, you can take in it's majesty up close.
Fully 10 feet high and twice as long, the centerpiece of the square is a gilt statue of a gold dragon with outstretched wings. A plaque at the base reads: "Highdelve dedicates this statue and all of Protectress Square to Aurelliax, Our Gilded Lady. Long may her golden wings envelop us, and may we never fail her when she calls."
~
A1. Youths on crates
Hawthorn arrives at the storage boxes.
Tall wooden storage boxes are haphazardly arranged everywhere here except for a grouping of four, which form a diamond.
Rowdy youths pump their fists and cheer on four kids who each stand atop one of these boxes. The standing youths kick a bean-filled sack back and forth.
Each time a youth kicks the sack, they all shout a word of the following phrase: "The! Devil! Man! Knocks! Don' t! Let! Him! In!"
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A6Toshi looks at Kusunoki and is quite happy about your decision!
"Well, I am the proprietor and head chef at the Golden Wings tavern! As you see I have my hands full working the large crowd of customers and can’t pause for long to talk with you. Next please!" he shouts.
Kusunoki tastes the fried dough and Toshi was not exaggerating about the fried dough’s heartiness!
"I wouldn't want to be rude and not try the local fare! Kusunoki you have excellent taste, this fried dough is wonderful!"
"Hey. I think I can do that. Just keep kicking a bean bag in the air so it doesn't hit the ground? Easy-peasy."
Hawthorn runs over and climbs up onto a crate.
"Hey, kid! Kick it over to me!"
Another kid approaches Hawthorn.
"Hey you, you look funny! What are you?"
One of the kids hops down from their box and offers you a spot in the game.
Two youths are laughing, though there’s a bit of fear evident in their eyes.
“We all saw him; he had skin as pale as a sheet and these freaky little horns!” a girl says.
“He was skulking around until the watch came and scared him away. Now people pretend like he was never here—don’t want to scare away visitors, I guess. Oops!”
"Yeah, not as funny lookin' as your mama."
He sneers."Okay. Here we go."
Hawthorn climbs up onto a crate.
He tosses the little bean bag ball in front of him and kicks it.
"The..."
[dice=Acrobatics]1d20+3
"Mulligan! Can I try again? I'm a bit nervous."[dice=Perception]1d20+7
"What? You really saw this creature? Interesting. Tell us more."
The two kids that Hawthorn observed move over to him.
One of the kids is a little shy when he sees Hawthorn's impressive form but he takes out a piece of paper from his pocket and hands it over to him.
"Look here! These two were even with the horn guy! It is really sad. And ... and the mayor is ignoring it! Yes, she is ... eeehmmmm ... I think at Protectress Square where the statue is and really does not want to scare anyone."
Upon picking the leaflet Hawthorn sees that it bears sketches of a scowling human boy and girl, each about 17, along with the following message.
“Be advised: Richelle and Tolwin, apprentices to Carth Garenth and Yarla Bowhammer, are not permitted at the jubilee. If seen, please turn them away from your events.”
"I'm sorry, Haw-thorn. Must have misheard your name the first time..."
Kaervek decides to have some delicious smelling fried dough before wandering over to the dragon statue which he exams thoroughly.
[/ooc]
A3. Statue
When you arrive at the statue, you can take in it's majesty up close.
Fully 10 feet high and twice as long, the centerpiece of the square is a gilt statue of a gold dragon with outstretched wings. A plaque at the base reads: "Highdelve dedicates this statue and all of Protectress Square to Aurelliax, Our Gilded Lady. Long may her golden wings envelop us, and may we never fail her when she calls."
~
Standing next to the statue watching a group of children play is a cheerful-looking woman with white hair and ruddy cheeks.
You see that a female dwarf approaches the woman and after greeting each other they start chatting and you are perceptive and overhear parts of the conversation.
”Well ... but Richelle and Tolwin cheated!" the white haired woman says silently. You cannot hear the dwarf's response but you see the the woman reacts harshly and says a little louder than she she should: "You know that they rigged the bloomgivers election and therefore are not allowed to attend the festival. This discussion is over!"
The female dwarf looks disappointed and retreats in the direction of the sack race.