In the small circular room there weren't any windows except for those on the entrances. The small cutouts were useful for peeking inside but not very useful for privacy. One could hear the words of those in the lobby if they paid any attention. But at that moment the noise of the public was not as rival to the sounds of birds chirping in the morning. But one thing was for sure, someone approached with a scuffling of their soles on the stone floor. A goblin walked into the room from the backdoor. His pale green skin was worn with the sun's rays, wrinkles and spots abundant on the flat oval face. This small creature had a long nose only rivaled in pointiness to the bright red summoner's horn on his head. His robes were white, heavenly even. On his back was the symbol of Navire's sanctuary.
"High Priest, you've come." Cid said, turning around to see someone he spoke to with a professional but friendly tone. "We've nearly waited an hour; however, compared to processing the applicants have arrived nearly in tandem."
"Ah yes, Cid Highwind II." For an ugly looking little man the goblin spoke with a beautiful voice, unnaturally smooth and speaking in an elegant manor. "If everyone is present for the meeting, forgive me if I have made myself ignorant of dilly dally doers, then I'd like to address the party."
"By all means, High Priest."
"Excellent. Let me first begin by introducing myself. I am Marus Nglin Childsnaken. Now you may have noticed something very peculurar about the Kingdom of Navire. First it is the fact that its High Priest is but a goblin. I can assure you that I do not carry the brutish and violent traditions of my forefathers who traveled from Obscura. The duty of the High Priest is to watch over the people's health and well being, unlike that of another kingdom in which the High Priest might as well be king. Ah I'm getting off topic." Cid was sitting back now, mesmerized by the old goblin's voice while perplexed by the paradoxical appearance especially with the almost beak looking nature of the goblin's head.
"Navire is home to an expanded spectrum of peoples whom sometimes see each other as enemies just by their appearance. I doubt I've yet to earn the trust of the people yet here I am the High Priest and leader of the Summoner's Circle and Paladin's Brotherhood. I may not look it but I've been on this path for nearly a century and that's given me more perspective over this world than one should need. In each of you I see the influences of your homes and your Patrons, just a couple of you have what I'd like to call a mystic's aura but that alone will not carry you through the deep forests. For the path ahead of you is lined up with dangers and omens. The reward is measurable in Gil, all those returning will receive... I'm sorry I've forgotten the amount. Cid perhaps... Cid you're staring at my nose. One would think that a century of service would grant one pardon of this type of attention. Apparently even the Head Wizard is not above glaring at the uncanny site of a man's nose and headress." A sigh flew from his mouth.
"Um em, I apologize. The sum is equal to 2000 Gil per gram of Magicite."
"Really that much?" He looked at the Head Wizard, in awe of the amount. "I suppose Magicite has applications which will make this investment worth the unorthodox pay. That being said it's a large sum because of the risk you all will be taking. Now if you would excuse me I am needed in the Sanctuary of Navire. One of my apprentices is about to preform his first Summoning."
The cries of children and the shrieking of women could be heard outside the room. The High Priest's eyes were about as wide as the north and south seas. "The burdens of a mentor are heavy I suppose. I'll take my leave." With that he turned around and left the room shuffling his feet with a speed those thin legs had not endured for years.
"Yes, I'd expected him to be specific in his explanation but it seems that the High Priest has a full plate. I'll go into detail if everyone is on the same page. But first I'd like to ask, which of you are familiar with Lux Mau, the mountain of Dawn and Dusk?" Cid looked at everyone, seeing their reactions was important. This doubled as an interview and a briefing due to the narrow window of opportunity that was open to Navire.
(I was itching to post so by GM power abuse I'm making our cavalier and badger late to the mission briefing. They are allowed to barge in at this moment. But first, I'd like to ask that only those who've traveled from the east can answer the question of Lux Mau. The Geomancer in particular should play a role in narrating a brief description of what he believes Lux Mau to look like, following a theme of "Holy" element. He shouldn't have entered the mountain's caves but he should have at least been near the mountain by now. So lets see your world building skills, dear geomancer.)
EDIT (Ok so more than the bird rider and badger man are late... who's actually in this room?)
