Towertop

[Iron Dragoon]

Yeah, just a bit of fun with it.

[Anastasia]

Thus the spell is cast - and Alihana cries out as you pull her into a hug, space distorted perfectly.

"A spatial distortion," Dolmaya says, "That's not easy magic if you're using the spell I think you are," she slowly considers, "Yet it looked like a different spell altogether."

In the meantime Alihana hisses to you, "Warn me next time!"

"Alyssa's full of tricks," Emily says rather brightly, "She's quite resourceful and tricky."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Yes, I have a trick or two. You might know the spell, it's not an original. I can demonstrate an original spell if you like. It not quite as much raw power, but I'm rather fond of it."

[Anastasia]

"I know the spell," Dolmaya waves it off, "...hm. I've not seen combat in eons, beyond intimidating a few foolish enough to cross me. I've let the wars of the planes rage on, lost in studies and content, save for the occasional gambit."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods. "Your decision to make. You're welcome here regardless. I miss having other researchers around."

[Anastasia]

A stare into Dolmaya's wineglass, the sorceress studying it without comment. She watches the dark liquid swirl, "I hade the misfortune of meeting the General of Gehenna once," she speaks up, "We parted under a chorus of agony and spellfire, and he certainly did not lose, yet he wishes to finish what he began. I once slighted Cyric, I am his enemy and I know nothing will change that. Is that something you're willing to be involved in? They'll try once word of my presence spreads - maybe not soon, but being quiet has the benefit of avoiding them finishing old business."

[Iron Dragoon]

"I'll be honest, I'm a researcher not a war mage. I lead here, but I'm no tyrant. I'd like to speak to my people. But know this, I think we can be friends and we can at least collaborate on projects."

[Anastasia]

"Talk to them, then," Dolmaya says, making no more to get up. She slowly sips her wine, lost in thought.

After several moments, "Good idea," Jarem rises, "Let's go talk. Please, enjoy the food."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Well, this party is for you. Enjoy it."

Alyssa gets up and goes with the others.

[Anastasia]

Once all of you are a ways away, the party turns to each other.

"I like her," Ianvasah speaks up, "But she seems someone as ancient as the pines, as perhaps as alien as the mind of a treant is to us."

"There's someone playful there," Emily adds her own thoughts, "But past that and she seems distracted, or perhaps scared."

"Maybe she let it slip with the bit about the General of Gehenna," Jarem ventures, "He's rarely seen I believe, and his presence tends to be apocalyptic. I think." A half frown, "Yugoloth lore's less lore and more deciding which lie you think is the closest to the truth."

"I know!" Emily blurts out, turning to Jarem. "Like if you've read any of the Lost Lore of the Abyss tomes, you can see how the information is recorded in a lawful, highly structured manner. But how do you structure and hold lore that by its nature wishes to be forgotten, let alone that lies abound in it? Or that the truth for the daemons is malleable and meaningless?" Here she blows out a breath, "At least devil studies are easier, though you have to deal with the propaganda."

"I'm fine with devil lore," Jarem casually remarks, "I can deal with demons, but I hate studying yugoloths. Reality by consensus and lie becomes an ordeal few wish to endure."

Bastian grunts, "I liked her. She has herself together, and what's old age after awhile? As long as she can perform in the class room or on the battlefield, that's not a concern. And if someone wants to try coming at us here, they can get lost forever trying."

[Iron Dragoon]

"The question is, without knowing the full depth of her abilities... Does she fit into our group? We're rather eclectic, but I mean raw abilities. We have four spell slingers right now. What tactical hole might we leave?"

[Anastasia]

"Well then, that aside," Jarem says, "What do you know about her capabilities?"

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa shrugs.

"Legends, really. I think she's more powerful than I am. She seemed to puzzle out the spell I used easily enough, even with my trick, which means she's at least seen the spell but most likely knows it. She mentioned the empire she turned over was over one hundred thousand years ago. She's likely got a width and depth of arcane knowledge that's vastly superior to anything we have. Though... That's a consideration. She doesn't seem eager to fight directly, but in a support role, here, doing research and using contacts... What do you think?"

[Anastasia]

Emily's quiet, "Queen Morwel directed us to her, I'm in favor of it," she finally says.

"She's not bad, but no. Too much of a possible liability," Jarem says after a bit of thought, "It's tempting, but we don't need that baggage with all we have already."

"In favor," Ianvasah says, "We could learn much from her - of perfection, knowledge and other things."

Bastian rolls his neck slowly, a loud POP CRACK from it. "We take her. If we're too afraid of the chance, we'll likely not be on a road with this level of chance again anytime soon."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Jarem, what about this... Her first project would be to hide us. She's obviously practiced at it considering the enemies she has and how long she's been alive in spite of them. If she works with our hosts, she could make this place unassailable. There's also the fact that she got here without any warning at all."