The central district's Manor was a grand place indeed. Red carpets, lacquered oak seats with fluffy cushions around a large table decorated with gold candles, and the golden ribbons lining the walls were just a few of the luxurious decorations around the room. Atop a small, room wide, 3-step staircase, stood an [url=https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/intermediary/f/bfedbdb8-325f-4e74-adcc-0f92b0f49cb1/daxb81l-19e8ab8b-5394-4702-bba6-16ff75938e3b.jpg/v1/fill/w_681,h_1173,q_70,strp/a_romanticized_portrait_of_old_man_daud_by_atypicalgamergirl_daxb81l-pre.jpg]Elderly scarred Man[/url], the King and Prince's advisor, Roman. Roman looked down at the adventurers with a scowl on his face.

[i]"So, these are the cretins he chose to save our experts."[/i] Roman put a hand to his forehead. [i]"Fuck."[/i]

Roman took a deep breath, stood up straight, and began to speak to the crowd.

[i]"Alright, listen here. You few have been hand picked by the Prince for...one reason or another. Your task, as you likely already know, is to investigate the disappearances in the Saltaire District. Over the past few days people have been disappearing en masse. We've already sent in a few guards, and a few experts that we've hired from around the the country. Now, as of yesterday, it has been a week since we've seen or heard anything from either group. Your first task is to find any trace of either group. Whether that's notes, corpses, or obvious signs of life. Just recently we've sent in a volunteer named Brax Goldthumb. He's a dwarf in red. He'll be hard to miss. You will be rewarded in gold for anything significant you can find,"[/i]

Roman sneered at the handful of adventurers in front of him, Eyeing each one carefully.

A supposed Monster Hunter and his apprentice. The Monster Hunter he could understand, but the girl? Apprentice or not, she'd better be some sort of Prodigy. Perhaps she was a Sorcerer?

There was Irvine here. The man made his skin crawl, but he couldn't doubt the man's actions. He was a competent healer, and is said to rival those in the Healer's Guild. 

Carmichael was a welcome and Familiar face. He knew the city and its people well, he could definitely help out these few other souls.

Lastly was a Woman who appeared to be some sort of Pirate. Or at least some sort of Swashbuckler. Roman knew little of seafarers and ships, so perhaps she was just a rather...flashy Capitan of a ship. A ship could be useful, should this take them to other places.

[i]"Now then before you depart, do you--"[/i]

[i][color=6ecff6]"Not so fast, Roman."[/color][/i]

A man in a light blue robe steps out from a nearby room, wearing a black satchel slung over his shoulder, and holding what appears to be a spellbook. He strides over to the group of adventurers, glancing over them.

[i][color=6ecff6]"I'll be going with them."[/color][/i]
[i]"No. Absolutely not, Alex. We cannot have the court mage-"[/i]
[i][color=6ecff6]"You may be the King's advisor, Roman, but you do not have control over me. I am going with them. Besides,"[/color][/i] The man in blue gestured to the group [i][color=6ecff6]"These people seem to be Sorely lacking in the spellcasting department."[/color][/i]

Roman lets out a long, defeated, sigh. [i]"Fine. But when you accidentally burn down a home, it's your problem, not mine. Now then, as I was saying..."[/i] Roman glares at the wizard. [i]"Does anyone have any [b]important[/b] questions?"[/i]