The Second Expedition
Sunday, 3:35 p.m. — University of Arcana, Philly
The last public transport buggy left the party at the university gate. The quads were filled with students relaxing. Ancient stone buildings stood at the heart of the campus, surrounded by newer dark timber and daub, then wood and ceramic tile. Four wizards' towers marked its corners; a taller communications needle rose toward the sea.
Ashin found directions before anyone else quite got around to asking. The company reached Whitestone Manor near four.
The Chancellor’s study
Bendy Tilk, a tiny gnome in servant's black, led the company through a house that felt almost more museum than residence. A heavyset older human in pirate's garb blocked the study doorway.
“You’re late.”
Captain Travin then took his place against the wall. The room's three chairs were already occupied. The company found standing room around an enormous, time-worn desk, crowded maps, bookshelves, and tea.
The people at the meeting
- Argent Whitehouse, Chancellor of the University of Arcana, wanted the artifact in the university's hands and insisted on confidentiality.
- Hagar Font, Chair of History, presented the evidence for its location.
- Emmeus Stone, responsible for paying for things, worried about the cost and the Collective's audit.
- Ashin Toa, a Cobalt Blue of the Reflectorium and the only known survivor of the first expedition, would lead the company.
- Captain Travin Saltmere would carry them aboard Brandy’s Folly.
- Bendy Tilk served the tea, visibly nervous beside the bookshelves.
The evidence and assignment
Hagar combined a fragmentary drawing of the sewer beneath Locos, locations recorded in Vaelis of the Unbroken Strand's journal, and Ashin's landmarks and sightings. Together these suggested an entrance, a possible route, and an approximate distance to a surviving mana engine. He did not know what remained inside or whether the route was intact.
Vaelis had left this fragment beside his coordinates:
When you're lost or confused, when you know you're down, the only way you can go is up.
The university asked the party to reach Locos, enter the sewer, locate and secure the engine without destroying it, and bring it home if removal proved possible. It hoped to study the machine for four years; the Kinlands government might claim it sooner.
Payment on completion was stated as seven handfuls of gold per expedition member. Sasa argued that the company needed more money now for supplies, potions, and a chance of surviving. She persuaded the university's representatives to double the upfront payment.
Ashin’s account
The first expedition's supposedly reliable marine-repellent grenades had failed in Crusher Crab territory. Ashin reported being the only known survivor and suspected the grenades had been switched. She could not prove how, when, or by whom. She had personally supervised inspection of the replacements.
The first expedition's roster included Sivra Venn, Tebb Sallow, Mara Ellow, and Harlow Fury. These are names from her account; no later fate has been established here.
Departure and return arrangements
The company received a reconstructed route diagram, relevant journal extracts, marine-repellent grenades, signal flares, provisions, and equipment for securing and transporting the engine.
Brandy’s Folly would sail the following morning. After landfall it would wait offshore for six days. The company could request retrieval by returning to the beach and firing a signal flare.
Extra supplies beyond the Gift were available at The Second Helping.
What the players were told afterward
The players learned that Bendy took notes during the meeting and delivered them somewhere afterward. The recipient, means of delivery, and purpose have not been revealed. This is player knowledge; the characters did not discover him taking notes at the meeting.
Continue with The Wharf.