On Top of the Mountain

### Notable NPCs

Lord Vilio d'TharashkLady Teá d'VadalisLord Ben d'GhallandaLady Navani d'Thuranni
## Introduction

A courier rushes up, panting, and hands you a note. “I’ve been looking for you Wayfinders. Got something to deliver - your hands only.” You open up the note and are surprised to find it’s a clipping of today’s Korranberg Chronicle…

`TROLANPORT, 13 Therendor 999YK -- Could an island appear in the Straits of Shargon overnight? According to anonymous sources sending exclusively to the Chronicle, a mysterious island of lush jungles, thick grasslands and an imposing mountain in the center was discovered by sailors passing through the straits heading from Sharn to Trolanport on Mol.`

`Both the illustrious Acquisition Directorate and the infamous Wayfinders Foundation have pledged teams to scale the mountaintop and discover what riches lay hidden among these undiscovered lands.`

`“Based on immediate reports we believe this to be a newly manifested zone of Lamannia,” said Twelve’s Lord Drago Scrohl d'Medani, vice-chair of the Department of Planar Studies. “Known primarily for its fearsome beasts and elementals, a hallmark sign of Lamannia is its rich ore and dense jungles.”`

`“This is the reason the Foundation exists,” said Lady Hendra ir’Kavay, liaison to the Wayfinder Foundation in Sharn, “Explore new lands and seek out mysteries. Upholding the legacy set down by our founder and president, Lord Boroman ir'Dayne, is paramount. Count on our foundation to be the first ones up that mountain top.”`

Along with the clipping is a note…

Meet me at Cliffside on the docks tomorrow morning. **BY DAWN. DO NOT BE LATE.** Prepare your standard explorers’ kit, and prepare to wave to the media. **DO NOT SPEAK TO THEM WITHOUT RECEIVING MEDIA TRAINING FROM GIFF RAPELJE. SO FAR ONLY CINNABAR, RHEK AND STEF HAVE ATTENDED THE TRAINING.**

Sincerely,

Lady Hendra ir’Kavay

## Summary

Meeting at dawn, the Wayfinders attend a short media scrum at the Cliffside docks. They're introduced to the Acquisitions Directorate team. Aaron recognizes Lord Vilio and Lady Teá, having explored with them previously under the AD. ~~Romantic~~ Tension boils as Lady Hendra ir'Kavay and Lord Drago Scrohl d'Medani (accompanied by his niece, Ziva) square off.

Eventually, the AD leaves in their big black boat, and the Wayfinders walk the gangplank up to the Argo. There they meet Captain Reyes Adam *Hector* Pastafora, esquire, who rushes them off toward the open sea -- they have oarsmen to meet.

Those oarsmen are two gargantuan seahorses! After a thrilling battle both seahorses, Glaucus and Palaemon, were successfully wrangled. Lashed to the Argo, they were quickly hypnotized or charmed by Captain Pastafora and calmly began to pull the boat at a significant speed toward the island.

Spying a cliff that they believed they could scale, the Wayfinders were able to pull ahead from the Acquisition on the beach. Although they heard a scuffling sound and the cry of a hawk they ignored it, pressing on into the forest. After traversing it they met Queen Vivica of the While Egg Court -- a dryder queen of the forest. She bid them entertain her, and the Wayfinders certainly did.

## Epilogue

`TROLANPORT, 17 Therendor 999YK -- The mysterious island that appeared in the Straits of Shargon has disappeared overnight. According to anonymous sources sending exclusively to the Chronicle, a recent Tharashk mining venture was surprised to find the location of the island as nothing more than barren sea.`

`Recent press statements and detailed maps from the Wayfinder Foundation showed a significant quantity of gemstones along with several native populations. It was predicted that the mining industry on the island would have accounted for almost ten percent of the total diamond market in Zilargo. How this will impact the gemstone industry is still unclear. We'll continue to cover this story as it develops. For a detailed breakdown to the gemstone industry, turn to page B1.`

Queen Antigone stretches, enjoying the sun-warmed rock. High above the God-on-the-Mountain cries out. Soon, she will lay her Eggs and the cycle will begin again. But for now there is much lazing about and napping to do. The sphinx flaps her wings a little, feeling the rumbling steps of the mythical turtle that is the island beneath her paws. She shuts her eyes, tilting her face into the bright blue skies of Syrania, and is asleep in moments.