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[Twinwolf]

"Ah, we did need help with Arwen's...condition...and, his uncle is in a unique position to provide that. I would probably go over some obscure arcane matters if we got the time. Otherwise we're just sort of paying a visit, yes? We're in between jobs, like everyone else in this city. But, what brought you here?" She inquired. Surely it had nothing to do with the Kulian Theory, which was firmly-firmly-debunked.

"A personal matter that the wizard has just spent the last two hours telling me is impossible. He was only on reason... 6, I believe? Of 15." she sent a glare the man's way.

[Dwarmin]

"Well, impossibility is primarily determined by where you're standing, isn't it...I'm a bit of specialist in the scholarly arcane, myself. Why don't you put your problem past me and see if I can figure something out? I won't charge you anything for an initial consultation." Johanna said, thinking she might be getting into an arcane debate with Dwaine in a few moments if they found any points of contention.

No doubt Cora was about to hear alot more wizardy words.

Action: Johanna listens to Cora's problem if offered, and reckons it in her own magical knowledge (Arcana check +8)

[My Name is Immaterial]

When introduced to the rest of the trio, Lyon gives them each a nod in turn, including Rex. "Charmed, I'm sure. Ulcaster graduate, no, Madam Stonesthrow?"

Johanna gave his a sideways glance.

"Yes, class of 79. Graduated 2nd." She said with a sniff, only nursing an old resentment at the long ago defeat by Melody Curar. They had been bitter rivals, and the girl had graduated over Johanna by a single point, taking the top spot in their class-and earning her a lifelong Dwarven grudge, no matter how unfair. The woman was in her 30's now, a Wizard of her own fierce reputation, but Johanna hadn't heard much about her at all in the last few years.

Lyon gives her an inscrutable look, as if he was a professor grading a paper. Johanna can't tell if she got high marks or not, but he says "Congratulations. You must be very proud."

Arwen chuckles, always amused at how his uncle could actually smell the magical energies on other people. It was unfortunate that his Uncle had declined the invitation, but he had tried and really, without physical force, that was the most he could do right now. He nodded and began to answer the question, having a decent idea where it started. "While fighting the cult, long story, I came across a Dragonborn by the name of Cyanwrath. He was manipulating what appeared to be life energy via some strange purple orb. I fought him, for he'd once before made an attempt on my life after I lost a duel to him, and during the fight I managed to lop off one of his hands. He chanted something I didn't know,
 and the orb funneled a strange mist to him, granting him a wicked looking claw as a replacement. He attempted to bring me into physical contact with the orb, with, I expect, intent to drain my life away into it. Or possibly my soul, I don't claim to understand how these things work. I managed to force him into contact with it first, and he went limp. That's likely what the exposure that awakened these magical talents was." He nods, looking to Johanna curiously. "Did I leave anything out, or does that sound about right?"

"Hmm. There are many dark magics in this realm, and I cannot determine what you were exposed to in that cave by description alone. You didn't happen to capture it? If not, that's acceptable," Dwaine ponders, as he turns to a workbench, picking up a few obscure, and dangerous looking tools. "We can take a few samples." That statement is made all the more sinister by the fact he's waving around a medical caliper and bloodletting knife.

"Ah, we did need help with Arwen's...condition...and, his uncle is in a unique position to provide that. I would probably go over some obscure arcane matters if we got the time. Otherwise we're just sort of paying a visit, yes? We're in between jobs, like everyone else in this city. But, what brought you here?" She inquired. Surely it had nothing to do with the Kulian Theory, which was firmly-firmly-debunked.

"A personal matter that the wizard has just spent the last two hours telling me is impossible. He was only on reason... 6, I believe? Of 15." she sent a glare the man's way.

Lyon glances back over his shoulder, retorting "I didn't say 'impossible', just that no mortal could possibly accomplish that feat." He pauses for a moment, and looks quizzically at Cora. "Are you immortal? In that case, there are only 12 reasons it can't be done."

[FelixSparks]

Arwen raises an eyebrow at the violent looking tools, shaking his head. "Is that entirely necessary? If it is there's nothing I can do...
 Oh, I was also hoping you could inform me of how to perform a Familiar Bonding Ritual. I wish to make my Drake Rex my familiar." Arwen didn't fully understand how his uncle did his magic, but knew that Wizards typically cast magic through their vast knowledge, and if being examined, albeit painfully, could help his uncle understand and explain what was happening to Arwen, he'd have to go through with it.

[My Name is Immaterial]

Damien puts down his tools, and steeples his fingers, staring silently at the drake. After a few moments, he launches into a stream of words, "It's doable, but if I do, the beast won't be the same drake you know. You see, of course you don't, but she might," he says, pointing at Johanna, and explains for at least her benefit, "The Find Familiar Ritual is the weakest of the Conjuration spells, but it is also the end result of hundreds of years of innovation, so it has been perfected. An otherworldly spirit bound permanently to your soul is a work of intense magic. To implant that spirit inside of another creature? That is an extremely difficult proposition, without even more powerful magics. Needless to say, those are not available to us here. That means, we have to, between four mages, replace a soul. And I imagine none of you are adept at relieving reptiles of their soul, hmm? As it is such an intriguing proposition, I will not charge my normal fees for this service."

[Twinwolf]

"Well, impossibility is primarily determined by where you're standing, isn't it...I'm a bit of specialist in the scholarly arcane, myself. Why don't you put your problem past me and see if I can figure something out? I won't charge you anything for an initial consultation." Johanna said, thinking she might be getting into an arcane debate with Dwaine in a few moments if they found any points of contention.

No doubt Cora was about to hear alot more wizardy words.

Action: Johanna listens to Cora's problem if offered, and reckons it in her own magical knowledge (Arcana check +8)

Cora shakes her head. "I'd rather not, thank you. At least not now." she says - she does not elaborate.

[Dwarmin]

"Ah. Very well, then. I assume it must be an issue of doctor-patient confidentiality...?" Johanna said, mystified. Cora had come here for help for a magical ailment of some sort (that was clear), but was keeping the source a secret from her. That was fair enough, she guessed-Johanna was keeping secrets of her own. Still, it left their conversation at a dead end. Perhaps Cora had contracted a rare sort of ultra-dimensional arcane parasite or something, that she didn't walk to talk about...

Johanna took a half of a hesitant step away.

 "Um. Anyway, do you like the weather here? Are you a resident or just a visitor? I can't imagine living here-you can really feel the cold in your bones! I think I'm coming down with an ailment, myself. Certainly not the ultra-dimensional...ah...kind...just a normal cough...it's fine."

[Twinwolf]

"It's a private matter, yes." Cora said, a bit tersely. She seemed to consider something for a moment. "Your friend mentioned something about an 'adventuring party'?"

[Dwarmin]

"Ah, yes, he did..." Johanna said with air of annoyance. Still, she couldn't hide their involvement due to Arwens big mouth and his giant lizard dog (so much for hiding it), and if she couldn't trust his extended family, there wasn't much she could do about that anyway. She weighed how much to tell this unfriendly Halfling who wouldn't share anything of herself, and decided to go with what could be readily noticed by anyone with a smudge of perception.

"...Indeed. I formed up a small group of ah, mercenaries to assist me recently-which currently involves things you're really better off not knowing about, if you're not the sort with the stomach for it. As you may guess from the presence of the Lizard-dog, it has something to do with Dragon attack on Greenest that you no doubt have heard something about recently.

I've lost two thirds of the ones I started out with-to desertion, not death, if that matters-and we recently picked up Mr. Adrik of his own volition. We're a bit short, but we're doing good works...and, we've got a bit a ways to go before we're done. Nothing of the finer details you need concern yourself with. They would only put you in danger, civilian." She said imperiously, putting on her role as a member of the Lords Alliance like a comfortable cloak.

[Twinwolf]

Cora looks offended for a bit - her, a civilian!? - but then an idea enters her eyes. "...If you've lost a bunch of people, does that mean you're hiring?"

[Dwarmin]

"I suppose you can use the word 'hiring'-but, direct payment is not going to be a priority if one should join us. This is mostly a mission of mercy...not money. Technically, I am looking for free agents who wish to work alongside my organization on a non-contractual basis. I'm given some discretion in this matter of who to hire and how to recompense them, and at what time. Up till now we've managed to collect enough in war spoils to defray any real discussion on the matter, in truth. This is the sort of job you could end up spending more than you'll ever make, if it takes that to see it through.

That answers one question, but here is mine-what would make you worthy of joining us?" She asked. Johanna had begun to take pride in her small group, no matter how depleted, and she didn't want any scruffy, rude little Halflings with pan-dimensional parasites mucking things up.

[Twinwolf]

Cora nods - it was only fair that they ask for qualifications. Which she had in spades. "That'll be fine - monetary gain is not the only reason. Firstly -
 I don't see anyone of a more... rogueish persuasion among your party, unless someone is back wherever you're staying. The type that can scout out and disarm traps and the like, I mean. I have that sort of skillset, which to my knowledge is essential for adventuring. Secondly - if you're not pursuing profit, you're pursuing some ideal and you certainly don't seem evil to me. That appeals to me for personal reasons. Thirdly - Your friend mentioned dragons. I will have you know that I have a wealth of knowledge on the subject - more than most professional scholars, I'd wager. Even if you have someone with similar knowledge, two individuals able to fact-check each other would be better, or if one were to also desert or perish. In addition to Common and Halfling, I am fluent in Draconic and Infernal. I believe these are sufficient qualifications?" Cora said, with a bit of a smirk - she knew she was more than qualified for adventuring. She just liked having someone to tell it too.

[Dwarmin]

"Hmm, we had one of your type before...she..." She seemed to attempt to mask a recent hurt from showing. "Well, she was one of those who left us, that's all there is to it. Good riddance to her. Where do your skills come from, and how much have you gotten to use them in the real world? Are you self trained, or did you attend an accredited college? Maybe just born with a knack?" Johanna had a lot of respect for proper schooling, but knew now that you could learn a lot of things in the streets you would never learn in a class hall.

[Twinwolf]

"I don't think there are any colleges for rogues - mostly just self-taught. You hear about how nobody looks up, but the thing is they look down even less - nothing threatening is tiny. You know, when you're this small, you can't really rely on strength to get by, right? So gotta be tricky or smart. The best are all three, but two out of three could be much worse."

[Dwarmin]

Johanna mulled. You couldn't really trust anyone these days, but she thought this one would be a good addition-as long she slept with one open. It was possible the woman was some sort of spy, but Johanna accepted that, much like she had argued that they should face the Troglodytes in the cave-any danger was best faced by them. Johanna would blast the Halfling into quantum-spell particles if she turned on them.

"I suppose so. And if Arwens uncle would trust you enough to allow you in here, I suppose you're vouched for in that regard...how about I introduce you to the others in the group? We'll see how you get on.

Then we can talk about terms, and non-contractual obligations, I'll need a sample of your handwriting and hand-prints to test it against known criminal personas, also we'll need you to tell your life story in front of a crowd of highly trained litigators to look for lies...followed shortly by a 24 hour round-table confession of your sins in front of least a dozen very demanding high Priests. Then we can talk about if you're willing to wear a backless dress in a state dinner function..." Johanna said, seriously.

She couldn't hide the smile, that showed it was a joke, but she also wanted to test the womans sense of humor. It really helped to have one.