Olanda, South of Sundrop

The desert air was surprisingly cold that morning, and Olanda pulled her robe tighter against the unsettling chill . It was as though a rolling fog of discontent had tumbled across the entirety of Osterns Breath to settle on the outskirts of Sundrop, the glittering city of dreams she had read about in mage school.

Opening a battered leather book, its pages worn by the tiny, story-eating fey that haunt old libraries, Olanda held up a small crystal shard. Such cost had been paid for it, a cost of mind and spirit to learn its proper use. With a precise flick of the fingers that most would not even see, the crystal flared to silvery light, revealing the hidden map within the wizard's tome. (A successful skill check, either Intelligence [Arcana] or a tool proficiency check with calligrapher's supplies.)

Three days Olanda had been waiting at The Last Bone, and the time for uncertainty was over. It was time for courage. (A successful Wisdom Saving Throw, marking a shift in the character's emotional state.) Strengthening her vision, Olanda beheld the scene ahead. A day's journey away, the southern hovels of the city were a place of chaos. Jerky, shadowy shapes moved amidst smoke and fire.

Glass-Eyed Jackals prowled an oasis, while massive Ash-Winged Vultures circled the bridge leading into the city. This should have been a safe place. (A successful Wisdom [Perception] check, the high roll of 16 providing a wealth of detail).

Olanda's eyes traveled up to the city walls, and for the first time, she truly saw the corruption. The gargantuan crystals, the stones of light and magic bound in bronze and runes, were wrong. They flickered with uneven color and brightness. Overwhelmed, her mind racing for a spell or rune to explain it, Olanda felt a surge of frustration at the old paladin, Gid Evyn, who was supposed to have met her. (A failed Intelligence check. She is confronted with the limits of her knowledge.)

No matter. She pushed back the doubt and fear. Olanda stepped forward, leaving a trail of footsteps in the sand, and wondered what lay ahead...