70th of Spring, 514 AV
The morning was given a grey overcast upon the sky above, the slightest of rumblings sounding in the distance to signal the coming of the storm. Most vessels were not upon the open bay waters at this time, though there was a single exception to this. A smaller vessel, more of a barge really was drifting through the waters of Matthew’s Bay towards the structure known to many as the Labyrinth of Time. A ruin of the time before the Valterrian, few dared to approach it and indeed this expedition was to be the final for a long while due to the dangers associated with the place.
There were individuals from all walks of life upon the barge, volunteers one and all. Mercenaries and city servants, warriors and mages and everything in between. All were gathered upon the barge, one individual in particular was the University’s own representative sent to assess magical affairs. An older man with steely grey eyes and a perpetually stern expression, the de facto organizer of this entire affair. University students would know him as Professor Ignatius Stonemiller, Head of the Magic Department in the College of Djed.
As they approached the towering ruin situated in the middle of the Bay the older gentleman would step forward, gazing all about him. The grizzled old scholar sighed ever so slightly before raising a hand to call for attention to be brought to him. Clearly he was far more comfortable in a classroom than he was leading an expedition into Pre-Valterrian ruins, though he was doubtlessly excited on the inside. It was not every day one got to stare into the past, then again Professor Stonemiller had long had his experiences with the past and they had been none to pleasant.
“Greetings all of you. I certainly hope you are prepared for what is to come, once this vessel departs the entrance it will not return until tomorrow most likely. Today we are to delve into the past of our fair city; a past I expect will hold its share of dangers. Those of you that cannot accept taking your life in your own hands I suggest you return to the city, and if you have concerns I suggest you voice them now for there may be no other such chance once we descend those steps into the ruin.” The old Professor said, his tone rough and his words blunt.
The barge came to a stop at the makeshift docks before the stairs that led down into the darkness below, waiting to swallow up those who would enter. The old man looked around at those gathered, his sight almost seeming to look through the people arrayed. This was indeed the final chance, who would be joining the Professor in his decent into the ruins and who would remain behind this day?