<span style="font-weight: bold">Part One: New Camelot</span><br/><br/>Unlike Minneapolis and just like Indianapolis, New Camelot was well-lit at night, with multicolored orbs of light enveloping the city in a sight straight out of a fairy tale. Although the ruins of the old world, from collapsed offices to blasted skyscrapers, were all around the place, the rainbow hues of the wisps made it clear that there was life in the old city, as indeed, there was.<br/><br/>Athough Raymond Fitzgerald could not see the city lights, he had made it his mission to preserve them, because someone had to; someone had to prevent this nation from becoming another Minneapolis. Not merely that, but the kingdom, despite the absolute nature of its founder's rule, was much more fair than the Ontarians, not that he would admit that in public.<br/><br/>So, he waited in his warehouse in the former Brooklyn, now cleaned of radiation, but not the memories of dark times. The man's only companion was his bodyguard, Calvin Rex, a fellow Ontarian spy, but one as committed to defending New Camelot as he was. The third member of the team, Susan Derkins, had opted out of this operation, citing the need to maintain their group's financial interests.<br/><br/>But, who was Raymond waiting for? Well, let's just say that with the help of King Constantine, as well as the favors he had gotten through good use of his Matter Synthesizer, he had found out about the presence of several prominent adventurers in the city, as well as a skilled healer who might support them. And so, with the help of more favors, he had sent messages to said adventurers and healer, telling them to come to this place.<br/><br/>To Silas, there was a box containing a dozen silver bars, enough to tide over the man's company for a month. There was also a letter summarizing his skills in battle magic, and asking him to put them in service to New Camelot. If the man was interested, then he should head - as covertly as he could - to Raymond's warehouse at a specific time. Others would be there, too.<br/><br/>Aura, meanwhile, would find a letter with the royal seal deposited on her pillow; this letter would contain a map leading directly to the warehouse, and a specific time: 12:00 AM. Raymond had gotten King Constantine's permission to use his seal,<span style="font-style: italic">once</span>, in exchange for him and Susan creating a second magical amulet for his adoptive daugther Amelia (the first one was wearing down).<br/><br/>Joshua and Amaya would be hired together, with Raymond himself going to Yggdrasil to seek their services; in exchange, he would give a box of modern weapons, as well as ammo, to the guildmaster. Not merely that, but the man would lead them directly to his warehouse himself, where they would be given an early briefing on the mission; basically, there was a conspiracy against the King, and he needed their help to stop it.<br/><br/>Then, he would teleport to a dark alley just behind the Morning Glory Bar, head for the pub, and, after a couple of drinks, go to the silver-haired girl sitting on the back, and say: "Death creeps forward in the mist. Beware its cold touch." He would then provide a map back to the warehouse, as well as a downpayment of a few firegems; crystals that glowed with inner fire.<br/><br/>In the meantime, one of King Constantine's royal messengers, Michelle, would be sent towards Jonathan, telling him that one of the Crown's allies, Raymond Fitzgerald, was hiring a party of adventurers in pursuit of a conspiracy of malcontents against the crown, and would ask the Paladin to join the group, so as to watch over them and to guard against the possibility that some of them might be malcontents themselves.<br/><br/>Rusk, meanwhile, would find himself encountering another Royal messenger, Alisa, who was searching for a 'master illusionist', the description of which fit Rusk's bill. After a brief conversation, in which Alisa would reveal that she was working for the crown, and was helping one of the King's allies amass a party of adventurers, the girl would then guide Rusk to the warehouse, and then vanish, using her own Mentalism magic.<br/><br/>When everyone had been gathered, Raymond would then say:<br/><br/>"Everyone, it's good for you to come here. Anyway, as for the reason why you were called to this place, it is simple."<br/><br/>"Ever since the death of King Arthur Winters four years ago, his son, King Constantine, has been plagued by self-doubt in most matters, aside from crushing illegal slave rings. This has led into infighting among the Knights, the Mage Circles, and the Forgemasters. During that time, I, Raymond Fitzgerald, have gained the favor of the King for two reasons: 1.) because I have blueprints for Old World goods, and 2.)...because I have skills in intelligence work."<br/><br/>"I come before you today because I have received news of a conspiracy against the King, one aided and abetted by foriegn powers. There is a secret laboratory operating near the ruins of the Statue of Liberty on Staten Island, one unauthorized by the Forgemasters. I have been given full liberty by the King to hire adventurers and agents for the task of investigating what exactly is in this laboratory, and, from what I've heard, you are the best."<br/><br/>He then waited for the reaction from the gathered assembly.