It is a crisp spring morning with a stiff sea breeze blowing in from the East. Unfavourable winds, but nothing the Albatross, the Constellation, the Sea Wolf or the Espérance can't manage. The journey ahead promises to be much more of an ordeal for the ships and crew alike.
A murmuring crowd has already started to form along the surrounding quays of the Groznid Bay docks where the four ships are lined up, in anticipation of seeing the fleet set off in a couple of hours. The last of the loading preparations are underway, with the crews hard at work hoisting food, water, and other supplies for the expedition onto the vessels.
You stand on the quayside watching the proceedings, knowing it will likely be months before you feel solid ground beneath your feet again. A young junior guild member comes running up to you, skidding to a halt when he sees you. He stops to catch his breath for a moment before speaking.
"Talrelia and Iloron want to see you," he says, pointing further down the quay towards the Sea Wolf's moorings. He then takes off down the docks presumably looking for someone else as well.
You make your way along the bustling docks, dodging dockworkers carrying crates of supplies and other expedition members and passengers getting ready to board their ships and spot the two guild leaders stood by a stack of barrels next to the gangplank leading up on to the deck of the Sea Wolf. The two are deep in conversation going over what looks like a cargo manifest.
As you wait a few other expedition members you recognise join you.
"I think that's all of you," Talrelia says, suddenly looking up from the manifest. "We have a small problem we need to be handled before we depart," the young second in command of the expedition elaborates. "Iloron here assures me you- Wait that's for the Albatross not the Sea Wolf!" She begins before cutting herself off and storming off in the direction of a pair of orcish dock workers who were in the process of loading a crate, continuing to yell at them the entire time.
Iloron sighs and turns to you. "I'll cut to the chase as we're running out of time. We don't know where Tofyr is. I need you to find him and make sure he's on board the Albatross before we leave," he explains. "We can't leave without our leader," he adds although you detect a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"Ask around, someone must know where he is. He can't have gone far. I think I saw him last night with some of our Order escort so maybe try them?" He suggests. "I should go deal with that," he says pointing over to Talrelia who appears to becoming increasingly loud in her dressing down of the two dockworkers.
"Good luck," he adds before hurrying off to defuse the situation, leaving your group alone on the docks.
