Island raiser

[Anastasia]

And thus a short trip later, the two return to Moore's fortress and...

Go ahead.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Thank you for your patience and tolerance, Moore. I had to be sure, and Lord Io assures me we are safe. Though the mechanism by which is Lord Zaphkiel's. I'll need to find a way to mimic it for my own use."

[Nephrite]

Moore waves a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. I know the severity of what we're dealing with."

A smile after that. "You're welcome to use Hope's Landing, if you'd like." Moore says. "I don't know the history behind your group, but if you need a place to stay for your own mission, you're more than welcome to use mine, it's easy enough to expand. Ah...sorry, I shouldn't just assume that it's an option that you can use."

[Iron Dragoon]

"At this moment... No. I'm the Guildmaster of our Arcane Order and I just pushed them to declare ourselves a nation. While it might be wiser to detach myself from them, I would rather not, at this moment. There are many I care about there, and leaving both the Order and the nation bereft of leadership when it's new practically dooms it to failure. I'm making plans to do so, but things take time.

In any case, before we get to the practical reason of my visit, would you mind giving me your opinion of what lies ahead and what your approach to it is? Lord Io gave me the memories of your meeting with him."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "The option is always there, if you'd like to take it. I'm also happy to extend official diplomatic relations to you, though there are channels I have to go through first to make sure I don't blunder." He says.

He clears his throat. "Right now, Celestia is involved in a war with the efreet of Fire over slavery. It's going to be a rather...  long war, I think, but it's a war of ideals that Seira -- I think you know her? Is also involved in. Anyway, my role will be to support that endeavor, but also to continue to fight against Shar and her... whatever you want to call it." Moore says.

A breath after that. "My goal during all of that is to continue finding pieces of research that are going to lead us to... something. I don't know what, but Sylvie, a friend of mine and the bearer of 21, has a child, named Calley. He has some notes that we've all been tracing, and I'm trying to get to the bottom of what all the notes could mean and where they lead. So that's one of my other major focuses." He says.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Interesting... It's no coincidence, then, those that have come seeking me out. Emily, daughter of Seira. Calley paid me a visit as well. I haven't met this Sylvie yet, and holding onto 21, whatever that exactly is, sounds a monumental task, but I must say I disapprove of her handling of Calley. He's in quite the awkward position. Can't relate to those of similar physical age, and likely not understood by those of his mental... advancement. That's neither here nor there, however.

War is coming to a slow boil on my prime as well, with the establishment of the Order's nation. There's another mage-led nation that's... None too pleasant. I can't dedicate any significant resources to anything outside of my plane until I have that under control and can ensure some decent level of defense against Shar's incursions... But I can help with non-combat operations.

This research, the Words of Creation, yes?"

[Nephrite]

"I intend to have a talk with her about what she did with Calley when I find her." Moore says with a small smile.

A nod afterwards. "The research Calley seems to be doing is something related to portals. I think it would open a portal to whatever place Sylvie currently is in. Here, let me show you." Moore says, taking out some papers and offering them over.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa accepts it and reads it over.

[Anastasia]

K:A and Spellcraft.

[Iron Dragoon]

K:A/Cunning Knowledge take 10 for 76.

Spellcraft/Cunning Knowledge take 10 for 88.

[Anastasia]

It's an incredibly complex magical diagram. Based on what's here, it's a portal of some kind, but it's cunningly and vastly complex.

[Iron Dragoon]

Okay... Can I be of any help with it?

[Anastasia]

You think you could work on it, but you would need to research it and take time. It's incredibly complex stuff.

Odds are you're going to need to gather more info about it, though.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Hmm... I get a rough idea of it, but with the complexity and size, I'd need a few more reference notes and some time to work on it... Could you make a copy of this for me? I'll do what I can."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "Oh, sure, that's no trouble. I've only got... ehh, I'd call it less than a third of the total number of notes for it so far." Moore says. "So it's hard to try and puzzle out with just that."