End of the Golden Empire

You are in Vashra to be one of the explorers for the Antiquarians’ Guild. Perhaps you came for riches, or adventure, or because it was a means of coming to the hinterlands where there are fewer restrictions on your faith. After reaching the fortress city of Vaasra, the capital of Vashra and headquarters of the Antiquarians’ Guild, you were informed that the only real opening they had for you was to the north, in the duchy of Ashelaire. They apologized for not being able to transport you by mages guild transport, but for the last few years teleportation had been unreliable throughout the province.   So you went north by ship, through the dark waters of the Anaru Sea, around the Mottled Towers and their ruined elven lighthouse, to Langard, duchy seat of Ashelaire. At the Antiquarians’ Guild post there, you were directed to the town of Dulwich and the sage Saini Alanen, and a project of hers that you might be able to help with…