[center][h1][color=00aeef]Sir Tavner[/color] & Scholar Printh[/h1][/center]
[center][@Zoey White][@Rekaigan][@Zelosse][@Eisenhorn][/center]
[hr]

A warm smile came upon the scholar's face upom hearing Eleanor's approval. As quick as that smile came it vanished, replaced with a look of surprise as he got up from the table. "We dont usually recieve this many Seekers in a day, mostly refugees", he said to his guests as he approached the door. A smile returned to Printh's face as he turned towards the threshold only for it to once again vanish with a look of confusion and slight fear. "Welcome...to...Venridge", Printh struggled to find appropriate words once he saw the size of the denmother. His mouth was slightly agape as he eyed her down before quickly attempting to compose himself, "Yes, um, welcome to Venridge friends. If you're here to be seekers you already are. Unfortunately there is no ceremony yet so for now you are Seekers in name alone"

Despite his attempts to appear amicable, Printh couldn't help but hold a look of terror as he glanced over frequently to the denmother. "Anyways, If you're looking for work, I believe I have something for you. A group of this size should do the job well enough", in a series of quick motions, Printh had scurried from one end of the room to another grabbing up maps and papers along the way. "We've found something interesting beneath the city, well, nearby underneath but thats unimportant. Not long after The Conclave arrived at Venridge did we find records of the mine, Ulric's Folly. I'm sure you are aware of the story but I'll repeat it anyways. Ulric was the last lord of Venridge before the city got its unfortuante title. As lord he sought to gain wealth for himself and so began mining the caves nearby for silver. He poured so many resources into the mine the network ran beneath the city. At some point the mines reached a pocket of poisonous gas traapped underground. At the same time, the mine vecame unstable beneath the city and a whole portion of Venridge collapsed into a massive pit. In an attempt to save the remaining inhabitants from the gas now rising from below, Guthrum, the city mage, used geomancy to seal up the collapsed portion of the city beneath the ground. Ulric later fell into dispair and tool his own life somewhere in the mines. Such is the story of Ulric's Folly. For so long we believed this to be true but after examining the caves we found something amazing", there was a grest deal of energy in Printh's speech as well as his actions as he hurried to assemble the papers he gathered on the table. 

"Near the entrance to the mines, we found these inscriptions on the walls. These aren't the scribblings of a bored youth because they were etched in perfectly carved stone. Tunnel walls meant to be used by who? We did not know at first but after sending copies to associates as far as Omujir we discovered that these writings are somehow scattered across the Old World. At some point there was some ancient race of beings, a singular empire that stretched across the known world and we were the first to fully realize that. It is quite interesting really, we've spent a great deal of time investigating the caves since getting here. What makes this so important is that after translating a portion of the inscriptions, there is mention of the world's decay", there was a pause as Printh took a moment to savor the revelation. Months of work had finally given them a trail to follow. "I've been studying these inscriptions, translating as much as I can to the best of my ability, I believe that these people found a way to stop the decay or at least reverse its effects temporarily. Either way it worked long enough that they never had to worrk about it for the remainder of their existence. If we could just-"

"Scholar Printh!", a harsh voice filled the room, silencing the scholar mid-speech. Printh jumped from his hunched over view of the table to face his superior. 

"Archivist Hervig! I was just speaking with our new Seekers about the caves and-" 

"I am well aware of what you were doing, what I wish to know is why you did not inform me of these new arrivals beforehand"

"I simply did not wish to waste your time, sir. I assumed it was fine to explain to them our findings and send them on their first assignment"

"Let me remind you, Scholar, that your responsibilities are to translate and study the findings these Seekers bring to you. Nothing more. Before we bring on more mercenaries looking for a meal ticket, It is my responsibility to assess their capability before this organization makes the mistake of hiring on incompetent fools. Am I clear, Scholar Printh?", Hervig's eyes glared at the scholar before scanning over the new arrivals. It was clear the man was unconvinced and the sight of the denmother only reinforced his belief that they were nothing more than a circus group.

"Yes sir, my apologies"

"If you envy these 'Seekers' so much, you should join them in the caves", there was a moment of silence from Hervig as he eyed the Seekers. "You've not told them yet? Very well, then I shall. Earlier today, an exploration group in the caves failed to return to the city. Prior to their disappearance they sent a messenger with a note saying they'd found something in the cave system. A large chamber with a black obelisk. The messenger who was with them said that from what they saw, whatever was in that room is probably the focal point of the underground cave network"

"Yes, the whole cave system appears to be some sort of dungeon, an underground fortification in a way. It is believed that the obelisk within is meant to be protected. What is it can only be guessed but if it gives us a hint as to how to stop the decay, it cannot be ignored", there was a look in Printh's eyes, one of determination and belief that whatever was in that cave was the answer they were looking for. The solution this world desperately needed.

"Scholar Printh, you will take this lot and another by the gates to the caves. Sir Tavner is awaiting you all there. I suggest you hurry and get this done with before nightfall. Bandits were spotted nearby, and we cannot risk sending reinforcements after you", without another word Hervig retreated to the upper levels of the home, a scowl on his face as he did so. As for Printh, the man seemed excited and terrified at the thought of actually venturing into the caves which claimed the exploration team. 

"Shall we be off then?", he asked before heading out the door in a slight stumble.