Serena Cargan, one of the Cargan representatives to the Council and known for being one of the more reasonable faces of the family, has put out a call for adventurers willing to do a service for the city of Acryn. Pay is 50 riel, with the possibility of bonuses. Absolute discretion about the nature of the mission is mandatory.

For those suitably in the know in either council matters or matters pertaining to House Cargan will be aware that the interests of both parties have been peaked by the recent discovery of a man claiming to be Edward Fitzsalic living rough on Acryn's docks and that this has caused concern for a variety of different groups.

Ricardo Reed - James G
Geoffry Weathers - Dave H

Ricardo and Geoffry meet Serena Cargan in the council offices and she claims to represent both the City Council and her own family. After being made to sign documents agreeing to their discretion in the matter on pain of high treason, the party are briefed. Serena explains that a man claiming to be Edward Fitzsalic, a descendent of an illegitimate line of House Salic, has been discovered living rough on Acryn's docks. As far as house Cargan is concerned his descriptions of his heritage appear to match the Cargan's geneaogical records, as so they believe he is telling the truth. What has raised the Council's conern is that he claims to have hailed from Valydd and if his timings can be trusted appears to arrived in Acryn after the Upheaval but long before the arrival of the Dragon Gate, suggesting there is some other means of travelling between the continents. The city is willing to offer 50 riel if the party can discover what this method is and either shut it down or gain control of it. Furthermore Edward has talked about a lover and infant child he had back on Valydd. With the exile lifted, House Cargan are keen to see those of Salic blood brought back to the city, and Serena offers an extra 30 riel for bringing the child back safely. She also grants them letters of introduction to the branch of House Cargan in Valydd, who will help them move safely about the city.

On the way out of the council offices the party encounter a shady figure, claiming to represent the Department of public works. He offers the party 40 riel to instead eliminate the child. The party unanimously agree that the extra 10 riel is not worth the ire of House Cargan. They go to visit Edward, who is being cared for by House Cargan and a priest of the Tender. He is frail from his time living rough but it is his mental state that is the greatest cause for concern. His babbles incoherently but the party are able to learn that he was on a boat trying to get back to Thys just after the Upheaval. The boat sank in the middle of the ocean and his as dragged aboard a pirate ship, who dumped him on Acryn's docks. He begs the party to bring his child back to him. Deducing that the answers they need must lie in Valydd, the party arrange to be taken through the Dragon Gate with the next trade delegation.

The party arrive in the embassy at Strossborg. The Acryn ambassador explains that Strossborg is at war with Valydd and so travel their is likely to be dangerous. House Cargan does however have a large presence in Valydd and appears to have remained in good terms with them. The Strossborg representative mentions that a god of Valydd called the Censor of Divinity has been trying to create a god of Trailblazers (their term for Wayfinders) and has taken a special interest in a woman going by the title of the Queen of Flowers. Strossborg is concerned about what this will mean for the war effort and would like the woman eliminated.

On the way to Valydd the party encounter various threats. The avoid a confrontation with some Valyddian soldiers by swearing on ther gods to uphold Valyddian customs and laws. They then fight some angered cultist of Lomek, who recognise them as citizens of Acryn and so seek vengence for the killing of their god. They fight the dreaded boar lizards, which are big fat lizards with plated heads and three horns, and some flux wizards.

Eventually they reach Valydd. Having chosen not to wear the local clothing provided by the Strossborg embassy they are given dirty looks by those who recognise them as Acryn citizens until they wave the papers proving them to be in the employ of House Cargan.

Ricardo:

• 100 Riel
• The good graces of House Cargan
• Access to a route to Valydd for purposes of smuggling nefarious goods
• A treasure map leading to the Pirate King's booty
• Favouritism of the Queen of the Floating World, should he wish it

Geoffry:

• 100 Riel
• The continued good graces of House Cargan
• Favouritism of the Queen of the Floating World, should he wish it