Emancipation

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d100 Seira in case it hit sso I can mentally plot while icing
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 Seira in case it hit sso I can mentally plot while icing --> [ 1d100=16 ]{16}

Alas, my shoulder icing times were uneventful with ways to random encounter Seira.

The trip up to the top is without incident. The only inhabitant is atop it, a peak jutting out from the magma flows. Here a large magma elemental awaits, impassive until you close in. "Okay," The elemental calls, "Yes, I am more talkative than a normal elemental, so skip it. Secondly, who are you and what do you want?" He calls, cupping two large hands to his lips, as if to amplify his voice.

[Corwin]

It's strange that she isn't recognized, so Seira merely exerts her divine aura as her answer. "As for what I want, I'm looking for Ron Farlan on Oghma's recommendation. It seems like we might be able to do good work together on a dimensional transportation project."

[Anastasia]

That immediately gets the elemental's gaze to snap up to you, "Oh." He says almost flatly, "Ah...I'm sorry then, I didn't realize!" He gestures back, a whirling dot of energies spreading out into a portal. "G-go in. The master will see you himself."

[Corwin]

"Thank you!" Seira tells him happily. Just as she is disappears into the portal (after making sure it's not one of the special portals) she tells the elemental, "I would've given out my name normally if you'd introduced yourself first."

It's the customary way, isn't it? And then she's through!

Spellcraft 10 for 108 on account of portals.

[Anastasia]

It's a normal portal. "My name is Beccaryn," he calls as you go.

A darkness. A place of nothing, save for light. Dozens of portals surround you, each one growing dim save for one ahead of you. "This way, this way," A quiet voice whispers, that one portal growing brighter as the others dim.

[Corwin]

"Nice," Seira comments, following the instructions (and confirming the portal is safe as is her portal doctrine). Something like her original portal network hub?

[Anastasia]

Safe as well.

It is something like it, as you pass through. A comfortable home burrow, a sort of cave with stairs going up, sunlight spilling down them. It's cozy here - a hearth fire and food, tables and chairs. The seats are padded and soft as the scent of stew fills the air.

Sitting at the table is a short gnome made of reddish magma and black stone, garbed loosely in steel threaded robes. He's not setting everything on fire, instead sipping what looks to be a cup of tea.

[Corwin]

"Hello!" Seira greets him. "Thank you for making the time to see me and my friend Kascha."

[Anastasia]

"I'm Ron," The gnome says to the point, as a floating set of bowls and silverwhere settle down at the table. "Help yourselves."

As he eats Kascha says, "That's Seira if you don't know."

"I know what you are, only a fool ignores you," The gnome says, no ill humor in his voice. Instead after a few more spoonfuls he adds, "I prefer to keep to myself, so you must be here because you want something from me."

[Corwin]

"Like I told Beccaryn at the entrance, I'm working on a project with a great deal of dimensional math," Seira tells him, claiming a chair for herself. "In fact, there are several interesting projects I'm working on, but there is indeed one that caused me to seek out like-minded mages. I'm hoping to both advance my studies and check our compatibility in any future cooperation."

[Anastasia]

"So you want to hire me for a consultation on this?" Ron pushes away his half eaten food, hands resting on his stomach. "I've done some stray bits of paid work, I'll do it if the price is right."

Kascha tastes the offered stew once she sits,  smacking her lips before having more. After that, "You're confident."

"You aren't going to force me," The gnome says, point blank, "You have morals, goodness. Terrifying you may be to any who are your enemy, but you are not the kind to be cruel to those who are not." He then lets out a heavy breath, "Am I right?"

[Corwin]

"I was thinking that the research is mutually-beneficial, given we both share an interest in the field," Seira respond, uninterested in getting into a needless argument. "I'm able to pay for your insights instead, although I would like to come up with a contract that ensures any insights gained from the process would belong to me as your employer. Proprietary, let us say. If you would prefer this option, would you like to name your price?"

[Anastasia]

You get studied, a heavy, long breath blown out. "Mutually beneficial, is it?" he says, "Alright."

[Corwin]

"Excellent!" Seira smiles at Ron, and then produces a binder with her copy of the Calley notes. "This is an incomplete portal theorem which is not fully rooted in the Weave. Actually cracking the true design would be priceless, but even a bit of studying the processes described within would advance one's dimensional knowledge and magics. How about you take a look through my interpretations, and then we could confer with your reference materials?"

[Anastasia]

Binder?

"Very well, elf-dragon," The gnome agrees, "I will read them and see."