Tala shakes her head, "I cannot believe what just happened!  In fact, I don't even really trust my own memory!  Can someone confirm what we just went through in the last few hours?"

But Baby....It's Cold Outside...

You step through the tapestry and emerge in a small cavern.  Thirty feet away, the entrance opens up to quite a scene as a small town's screams echo throughout a snowcovered valley.  The cause of the panic is apparent, as a massive white form hovers over several buildings, a cone of deadly frost bursting from its open maw.  Its gigantic wings beat in the falling snow, stirring up small opaque tornadoes.  The beast screeches loudly, then soars to the north, disappearing in the wintery sky. 

City at the Center of the World

   Its port bustles with races, colors, and odors of all kinds.  Heschen briefly speaks to the group, Soba quietly sits on his left.  “Now, aside from Wong, I know you are all newcomers here.  There are a lot of distractions.  Our goal right now is to get to the Grand Lodge.”  He points to a huge tower not far off.  “Dreng is expecting us.” 

As each of you have a restful and productive journey on the Wisp, you arrive at the City at the Center of the World…Absalom.

The rest of the Pathfinders, including those you met, are gathering their belongings and putting them on wagons.  Sam eventually comes off the boat and looks at the group, Robyn included.  “We are all headed to the Lodge, you are welcome to join us, there are about 100 of us, I am sure that 6 or 7 more won’t hurt.”

The walk is brief as an older man is standing outside a large domed portion of the Lodge.  The other pathfinders check in at the door by showing their wayfinders.  Robyn waits with your group, staying near Kulman.  The  man shakes hands with Heschen, then he speaks with a shaky voice.  “Welcome friends.  I take it your trip was relaxing?  I have heard you had been quite busy up north.”  He looks at all of you, then pauses at Robyn.  She giddily speaks, “Master Dreng…I’m so excited to meet you….I’m Robyn…you’re a legend…I mean…it’s an honor…”  Dreng raises his hand.  “Thanks you my dear, and while it is good to hear praise, now is not the time.  Although you are not members of the society, I have made arrangements for you to have quarters in the student rooms, here in the south wing.”  He walks in front of your group, through the doors.  He nods to the pathfinders checking wayfinders, and you all enter without a problem.

The room you enter is huge common room, with a dome that rides 75-100 feet in the air.  Along the walls and the dome are indentations, carvings of the names of pathfinders.  Dreng notices Tala looking at them.  “Once a pathfinder completes their confirmation, or visit Absalom for the first time, it is tradition that they carve their name into the dome.”  He looks at the top of the dome.  “As you can see, some of our members are quite good at climbing.”  The room is full of tables and stools.  There are people of all sorts sitting, drinking, and eating.  There is a line for food, and one for ale.  Doors lead off to the north, east, and west.  “Feel free to grab food.”  Robyn runs to a close wall and begins carving her name into the wall.  Dreng continues as he looks at the druid.  “The meeting will begin in a few hours.”  Heschen nods in acknowledgement.  Dreng calls over a young man.  “These are our guests we were expecting, please show them to the rooms we have set up for them.”

Heschen looks at all of you.  “Dreng and I have a meeting to attend to regarding the issues at hand.  Feel free to enjoy the town, but be back, I would look to meet with you later this evening.”  Then he, and Soba walk behind Dreng through doors to the north.  

I'm on a Boat!

The Welcome Wisp rocks slightly as it pulls out of the harbor of Oppara.  Cheers emanate from the crowd of pathfinders on, and below deck, as a party atmosphere permeates the sea air.  “You’re welcome to our food and our drink, our music and our stories.  For the next seven days you are our guests.”  Those comments, made by Sam, the tall, blonde pathfinder in charge of the vessel, come to mind as several wayfinder wearing pathfinders walk around the boat offering exotic food and drink from all over the realm.  A song flows from one end of the boat, as multiple voices seem to be telling tales of adventure in every corner of the vessel.  “We’re lucky” said Robyn, “Sam’s a good guy, we were confirmed together. When he learned what you did for me, he was more than happy to let you travel with us.  While boat travel is pretty safe here, few pirates would dare attack a ship full of society members.  If any of you are trained sailors, it might help with some typical sea travel issues.  If not, custom is to vomit over the side of the boat, makes less of a mess.”  Mages, bards, and warriors practice their craft over the next seven days…giving you opportunities…if you like…