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.