On the ground-level of Astera, the Research Commission's many departments of sciences and logistics operated in tandem just north of the market plaza. While the Commander's helm overlooked the sea, the rest of the Commission worked against and underneath the waterfall cliffsides. Facing the plaza were the main life-science departments in charge of research into wildlife behavior and the many kinds of fauna and fungi- where hunters and scouts would frequently stop by after quests to report their findings and deliver samples. Faculties that needed less interaction from the hunters and the public as a whole were relegated to scaffolding between the two cliffs that made the waterfall, as well as dug-in tunnels and rooms within the cliffs themselves. In one such series of halls carved into the earth was the office our adventurers would need to make a stop at- the Geological Research Department.

Despite being built from digging out laboratory-sized spaces underground, the series of tunnels and rooms were surprisingly well-lit by way of oil lanterns that hung from the walls and ceiling. The area wasn't very cramped either, as scientists and the few hunters who had business here passed each other comfortably. One by one, those who planned to take on this urgent quest found themselves in front of a door, either pointed there by other scientists, or just stumbling upon it as they searched around. Either way, the door had but a few simple words etched onto a wooden plate that hung from it:

[center][i]Dr. Paeris Daelen
Geological Research Department - 2nd Chair[/i][/center]