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[h2]Explorer's Guild Hall[/h2]
Malstom
Republic of Laith, Samare

Spring, Archor 22 - Igni
Early afternoon, clear weather
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The half-beast's comments quickly get a reaction from the tan-skinned girl, who begins to get the slightest hint of a blush on her face, before hiding said face with her book, giving everyone a better look at it. The book looks like it's old, and shows signs of damage including a few burnmarks, and appears to be made out of a leather-y material. The back seems to be rather bland, but has a few things scribbled on it, though from a distance it's hard to make out anything coherent. The front of the book, meanwhile, features a circle of faint green symbols, surrounding a... strange black patch, as though there is something underneath it that's being covered up.

[color=799557]"...I'm not cute..."[/color] The girl mutters quietly, peeking out above her book to look at the halfbeast and her companions, especially Victoria, seemingly suspicious about what she's saying to the halfbeast.

Grimar, on the other hand, simply lets out a laugh. [color=818694]"Well, you all certainly are an interesting batch. Don't worry, maybe if she grows to like you can pry out some of her many secrets."[/color] He adds, looking over at the girl who glares at him for a moment. [color=818694]"In any case, let us get down to business. I do, indeed, hold various maps."[/color] He adds, gesturing towards the padlocked bag. [color=818694]"Three, to be precise. I'm not sure how much Tinman told you guys, though, so I'll elaborate on them a bit. They are triangular pieces of brown metal with bits of blue, with a small circular piece of glass at the top. The glass gives off a glow when held in a specific direction, depending on which one it is.[/color] Grimar explains, taking a key out of his sleeve and picking up his bag, unlocking it.

[color=818694]"We have since discovered that they function as sort of... compasses, though they don't point towards the north like ordinary compasses. Previous expeditions have shown they lead to... things, so we're assuming these will do the same."[/color] The man adds, as he takes three small boxes out of his bag, with the girl looking at them with curiosity. He then takes opens a box, and takes out a piece of light brown metal shaped like an isosceles triangle, with a piece of white glass near the shortest end, and blue lines forming a shape that resembles a snowflake underneath it. [color=818694]"This is one of the three, and it shines when pointed north. That, combined with it's symbol, sound to me like it's gonna send you guys North, so I'd suggest making sure you've got warm clothing. There are two more, and one seems to point in roughly the southwest, and the other to the northwest."[/color] Grimar comments, before putting back the item and placing his hand on one of the crates.

[color=818694]"Other equipment, like tents and such, are in these crates in case you guys don't have any of your own. Food and spare clothes aren't included, however, since we didn't want the food to spoil and we had no way of knowing what your sizes would be beforehand, but my employer has permitted me to give you some money if you don't have any of your own to buy things with. Just know that if you take anything and don't do the job, milady will be sending people after you to get her money from you one way or another."[/color]

[color=818694]"I personally won't be accompanying you, but Erula over there will be."[/color] Grimar says, gesturing towards the woman still arguing with the merchant, before pointing his thumb at the girl besides him, who is still covering her face with her book, barely peeking out over it. [color=818694]"As will this little miscreant over here, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to gush over her appearance along the way. Anything need explaining so far?"[/color] He finally adds, causing the girl to sputter and fully hide her face once more.