Byldeth turns at Kainen, just noticing he had the rudeness of not introduce himself. He coughs, cleaning his throath, "Sorry, where are my manners. My name is Byldeth Bouldergrip, proud paladin of the Order of Shining Scales. It's a pleasure to meet you all." He says, putting a hand on his chest as he bows towards them. "So . . . there's a possibility that someone was charmed? This gets intriguing by the second." The ginger dwarf comments, walking towards the window to look outside, admiring the night lights of the town.

Teryn inclined his head toward Byldeth with a polite smile, the flicker of intrigue clear in his silver eyes. “'Byldeth Bouldergrip, a paladin of the Order of Shining Scales',” he repeated, savoring the weight of the title. “A noble path and one I hold in great respect. To stand as a beacon of your faith and serve under the watchful gaze of dragons—it is no small responsibility.”

As the dwarf moved toward the window, Teryn’s calm composure shifted slightly, his excitement betraying a glimmer of his scholarly nature. “I’ve always admired the linguistic precision of Draconic—the way it captures power in each word, each syllable a command in itself. I am no master, but I’ve taken some time to study the language." His tone grew lighter, almost playful, though still touched with his usual elegance. “It’s rare to practice Draconic with someone who has such direct ties to its origins. I suspect a paladin of your order could teach me far more than any tome.”

"Thank you, Teryn!" He smiles, happy that someone appreciates his order. "Indeed, it is . . . hard sometimes. But a true paladin takes the hardships, and just like a carpenter, turns them into steps towards Victory." He hums, caressing his beard to inspect the braids. "I agree! It speaks of authority and power. In my order, one of the requisites to become a full fledged paladin is to be fluent in draconic, so during important meetings we tend to speak it as often as possible." 

"Oh!" Byldeth jumps in excitement, his smile turning into a cheeky grin, "I would love to help you, Mister Teryn! We can- AHEM." He quickly recomposed himself, remembering there were serious matters at hand. "After we finish our investigation and find the culprit that stole the tome, i would be glad to teach you Draconic. Maybe even help you have an audience with a true dragon!"

Ellanise steps into the workshop and tucks her hair behind one pointed ear as the four male guests turn to look at her. She slides to the side as she feels Vasha enter behind her, allowing the tiefling to slip by and move to stand beside the professor. Standing behind the others, she listens more than watches as the professor explains about the missing tome. It seems she is destined to face her past even more intensely than she could have imagined.

As the goliath, the male elf, the dwarf, and the halfling jump into action, Ellanise stands by the door and begins running through scenarios in her imagination. The information exchange of the others fuel the fire of her calculations, which are mingled with the memories of her own indiscretions. It isn't until Vasha excuses herself that Ellanise finally moves. She slips through the door behind the aid, quickly moving to fall into step beside her.

"I have some questions," she begins. As the females walk the halls, Ellanise allowing Vasha to guide her, the elf attempts to better understand the crime.

"Who knew about the tome, and why would anyone want to steal it? What is it's value — monetarily or otherwise? Or what would be the value of its disappearance?" she asks. "Do not consider anyone or anything above being mentioned. Your prejudice could leave out a critical piece of information."

"When was the tome stolen?" she continues. "Or, at least, when was it discovered missing? Did anything else unusual happen around the time of its disappearance?"

"Do you know of anything else that has been stolen at the academy?"

"Do you think it would be possible to track the tome magically?" Ellanise asks after a visible hesitation. This question is drawn out of one of Ellanise's most bittersweet memories: her capture and imprisonment. She had no idea that the painting — and that she — would be tracked.

On their way back, with an encouraging smile, Ellanise asks, "Is there anything you'd like to tell me that you wouldn't want to say in front of the professor?"

Rowan takes in the scene quietly at first, doing his best to blend in among those assembled. For a halfling, he stands on the taller side, with teal-blue eyes that lend him a thoughtful gaze. His light-colored hair is cut simply, and he wears travel-worn clothes—no armor—that show signs of mending but careful upkeep. An observant onlooker might guess he’s seen a few close scrapes out on the road; then again, his relaxed posture and measured demeanor suggest he knows how to pick his battles wisely.

He offers a friendly nod to Byldeth, catching the dwarf’s enthusiasm as he speaks to Teryn. Rowan returns that energy with a small smile, though he remains more subdued. Turning to the others, he clears his throat and introduces himself simply, “You can call me Rowan. Just a, uh…traveler, passing through.” He lifts a shoulder, letting that stand as his only explanation. No need to dive into old heists or cosmic revelations here.

As Käinen and Teryn exchange insights about magic and possible enchantments, Rowan listens thoughtfully. The tall goliath and refined elf strike quite a contrast, yet both speak with a level of confidence that puts Rowan at ease. He doesn’t interrupt, but when a lull appears, he inclines his head in their direction. “All interesting points—I suppose we’ve got quite the puzzle on our hands.”

After the exchange settles, Rowan steps a little closer to Professor Marsh, curiosity flickering in his teal eyes. “Oh—speaking of colleagues, sir,” he begins, voice polite but direct, “would you happen to know Professor Ermun Greystride? I’ve been in touch with him recently, and…well, it’d be good to know if you’re acquainted.” He stands easily, hands resting at his sides, waiting to see if Marsh recognizes the name. 

The clink of jars and the ruffle of pages fills the study as Professor Marsh straightens an overstuffed stack of notes. Beyond the open door, you can occasionally hear the echo of footsteps receding into the corridor—Vasha guiding Ellanise on her way to retrieve the warding logs. The tension in the air is palpable, each question like a torch cast into a dimly lit crypt, illuminating new corners of this mystery.

At Byldeth’s curious mention of “weird black smoke,” Professor Marsh pauses, pushing his spectacles back up the bridge of his nose. “Black smoke? No—I haven’t seen or smelled anything of the sort. No scorch marks, either, if that’s what you’re hinting at. There was no sign of fire or magical residue of that nature.” He shakes his head, the tuft of his hair flopping in earnest. “I suppose if there was a spell leaving soot or haze behind, I’d have noticed. I… do keep my eyes peeled for such anomalies, absentminded as I might look.”

Rowan’s points about the tome’s uniqueness and who might value it draw a thoughtful hum from Marsh. “There aren’t many scholars who’d grasp the tome’s deeper significance. Some might be aware that I’d uncovered rare star alignments, but to actually use that knowledge? That requires a mix of astronomy, arcana, and… let’s call it ‘obscure lore.’” He hesitates, rifling through a clutter of parchment before fishing out a small ledger. “I can think of a few big names across the realm—experts in astral magic. Possibly a few reclusive mages interested in harnessing celestial energies for, well, questionable ends.” He frowns at Rowan’s metaphor about plucking only the best produce. “Indeed, nothing else was taken. Some of these volumes are valuable, but the thieves wanted the Concordance specifically. That suggests they knew its value quite intimately.”

When Rowan inquires about another professor: Professor Marsh's eyes lighting up in recognition, "Ermun Greystride—ah, yes! Our paths crossed at a conference on astral phenomena a few years back. A bright mind, that one. He even entertained some of my theories on chronostellar wave patterns—didn’t laugh me out of the room like some did.” He scratches his chin. “We’re not close colleagues, but I respect his work. So if you’ve been in touch with him, that’s a good sign. He’s always been open-minded. I just hope he’s not entangled in this fiasco somehow.”

At Käinen’s direct query about the tome’s appearance, Marsh shifts uncomfortably, glancing at the empty spot on the shelf, “Well, to anyone else, it might look like just another dusty volume of star charts, but it has some… unique markings. A carved constellation on the cover, for one—a stylized depiction of a rare alignment I’ve been studying.” He raises a finger to his temple. “I never paraded the book around campus, but I wasn’t hiding it either. A handful of my students glimpsed it, and my fellow astronomers surely knew I possessed a rare compilation. Vasha was well aware of it, of course. So it’s not as if it was a complete secret.” He sighs. “But to truly recognize it—enough to break in for it—means they understood it was more than a curious relic.”

Meanwhile, out in the corridors, the low glow of torchlight illuminates tall, arched windows as Vasha and Ellanise walk side by side toward one of the academy’s record-keeping rooms. The Tiefling’s footfalls are steady, echoing softly against the stone walls.

Vasha, quietly, as they walk, “Professor Marsh has presented on celestial anomalies at a few symposia. People in academic circles know he was on the cusp of something significant. Its monetary value? Quite high—collectors of arcane lore would pay handsomely. And… if certain unscrupulous mages believe they could replicate cosmic alignments or manipulate planar energies, well, that’s far more dangerous than mere gold.”

She continues along, answering more questions in a hush, “He discovered it missing early last week—just after midnight, I believe. As for other happenings, no formal reports of theft from the rest of the academy that night, but the wards failing here is unusual in itself. That alone is a red flag"

She guides Ellanise around a corner, down the next hallway, continuing. “Not that I’m aware of. There’ve been rumors of petty theft—books misplaced, lab equipment gone missing—but no official pattern. This is the first major incident I’ve heard of." She pauses, "Tracking the tome magically?" Vasha stops, turning her eyes fully on Ellanise. “In theory, yes. If Marsh had placed a ‘mark’ or ‘scrying anchor’ on the book, we could track it. But he insisted on minimal tampering—it’s a fragile compilation. He worried repeated spells could degrade the older pages. So, no easy scrying anchor. Unless someone else tries to glean the same knowledge from it, we may not sense an immediate magical flare.”

Vasha regards you for a moment, expression carefully neutral. “The Professor’s heart is in the right place, but he sometimes underestimates how far academics will go for prestige. Or power.” She presses her lips together. “I suspect we may learn more in these warding logs. I have no illusions: someone either tampered from within or found a way to bribe, threaten, or outwit our maintenance staff.” She shifts her hold on the heavy ledger she’s just pulled from a locked cabinet, offering a faint smile in return, the closest thing to any emotion she has shown the entire night. “That’s all I can say—at least, all I have evidence for. But if you suspect anything deeper… trust your instincts. I do.”

With that, Vasha leads Ellanise back through the halls, ledger now in hand.

 From Teryn’s broad studies of arcane and astral lore, he recalls several key points:

The Celestial Concordance is tied to a sequence of rare cosmic events known to amplify certain spells—particularly those dealing with planar travel, illusions, or even attempts at large-scale weather manipulation or curses.

It was rumored to have once been possessed by an ancient astronomer who disappeared under suspicious circumstances; some believe the astronomer used the book’s knowledge to forcibly realign minor celestial bodies, though there’s no historical consensus on whether that’s true or even possible.

The text includes encrypted segments referencing celestial cycles which unscrupulous casters might interpret as a blueprint for channeling large amounts of arcane energy during solar or lunar eclipses.

While it’s mainly just academically revered, its potential for misuse has been whispered about in small scholarly circles.

 Back in the study, Professor Marsh glances at each of you, one hand fiddling with a half-rolled scroll as if he can’t quite still his nervous energy. He forces a smile, though tension still marks his brow. “I trust you’ll piece this together more swiftly than I could alone. If there’s more you need from me, don’t hesitate. Once Vasha returns with the warding logs, we’ll see if there’s any official record of these wards being lowered or tampered with.” His gaze flickers to the door where Ellanise and Vasha departed, then back to the group.

Not long after the discussion quiets, the sound of measured footsteps in the corridor signals Vasha’s return. She reenters the study holding a thick ledger, her expression as collected as ever. She lifts the book slightly by way of explanation. “I’ve gone through the warding logs thoroughly. There’s nothing suspicious—no indications of staff adjusting or disabling the window’s protective spell. Everything is in perfect order as far as official entries go, which means…” She glances from Teryn to Rowan to Byldeth, then finally meets Käinen’s eye. “…the breach must’ve been done illegally, from outside channels. No legitimate record of someone lowering the wards.”

At that, Professor Marsh lets out a resigned sigh, tapping his quill on the desk. “Well, that settles it, then. We’re looking at some very resourceful trespassers—likely with specialized knowledge of our defenses.” He gestures to the clutter of documents and half-drawn star charts strewn about, a fresh wave of tension in his features. “I’m afraid it’ll be a long day ahead for all of us. There’s much to investigate—suspects to consider, leads to track, witnesses to question, the lot. If you’d like, I can arrange for you to stay here on the academy grounds tonight. We have a few spare rooms for visiting scholars.” His gaze settles on each of you in turn, an earnest mix of gratitude and concern. “The hour grows late, and you’ve all been pressed into service at a moment’s notice. Please—take a room if you wish, free of charge. Rest. In the morning, we’ll regroup and decide our next steps. In regards to payment for all of this, well, you won't have to worry about that. I'll see to it that you are rewarded fairly for the amount of work you put forth.”

Vasha gives a small nod, as if in agreement with the offer. “I’ll speak with the staff who handle guest accommodations. I’m sure they won’t object—especially under the circumstances.”

With that, the professor tries for a reassuring smile. Though it’s frayed at the edges, there’s no mistaking his relief that this investigation is no longer his burden alone. The crisp night air clings to the windows, and the study grows still.

Teryn's smile softened, and his tone grew more serious, though no less kind. “You're correct, of course, Byldeth. For now, let us focus on piecing together this puzzle. Once we’ve achieved victory here, we can turn our thoughts to dragons and languages of power.”

Teryn inclined his head slightly as Vasha reentered with the ledger and delivered her findings. His silver eyes gleamed with quiet curiosity as she confirmed the breach was done outside official channels. He spun his coin lightly in thought, considering the implications of her words and the professor’s explanation.

As the professor mentioned accommodations, Teryn nodded graciously. “Thank you, Professor. The offer of rooms is most generous, and it would be wise to rest and prepare for the challenges ahead." He turned then to the rest of the group, his demeanor warm yet thoughtful. “This is not a task any of us could hope to resolve alone, but I’m encouraged by the caliber of those gathered here. I look forward to seeing what we can uncover together.”

Finally, Teryn’s gaze returned to the professor, a subtle edge of concern breaking through his composed demeanor. His voice lowers a bit as he speaks again. “Before the night grows too late, Professor, might I ask one thing more? You mentioned the Celestial Concordance has ties to rare cosmic alignments. As I recall, these alignments are capable of amplifying certain spells...Are there any upcoming events of celestial significance that would render this tome uniquely valuable right now?”

Professor Marsh’s eyes light up as Teryn references the tome’s ties to rare cosmic alignments—clearly, he appreciates having someone similarly versed in astral lore. Gently setting aside the pages he’s been fiddling with, he takes a measured breath, his anxious energy momentarily replaced by scholarly enthusiasm. In a lower tone, yet clearly audible, he says, “Ah… yes, there is such an event on the horizon. ‘Horizon’ in the cosmic sense, anyway. In about five weeks, if my calculations hold, we’re due for a partial alignment of three celestial bodies: our moon, a wandering comet I’ve been tracking, and a lesser-known planetoid named Aracine that passes close enough to be observed in the night sky once a century or so.” He waves a hand to an overfilled chart table by the room’s corner, where several star maps lie jumbled. “When these bodies form a specific alignment, some arcane theories suggest that spells involving illusions, planar rifts, or even large-scale enchantments get a temporary boost—like a cosmic magnifying lens. I’ve been studying it to see how it might affect our local ley lines. That research is one reason the Concordance is so critical.”

 The professor glances around at the group—Teryn, Byldeth, Rowan, Käinen, and Ellanise now that she’s returned—and lets out a slow exhale. "It’s not exactly a total eclipse or something that draws the attention of the average star-gazer, but in the hands of someone very determined, it could be harnessed for… let’s just say, extremely potent magic.” He picks up a quill, tapping the feathered tip against his cheek as if contemplating the weight of this revelation. “That’s why, if these thieves know what they’re doing—and the stars forbid, if they already know how to interpret the Concordance—they’ll have ample time to plan for the alignment. And that means we might only have a few short weeks before they try something.” Though his words are calm, the renewed worry furrowing his brow makes it clear he fears how quickly the stolen knowledge could be used. "So yes, in short… there is a time-sensitive element here. If they’re savvy, they’ll want the Concordance in hand well before that alignment.”

He sets the quill down, meeting Teryn’s gaze and then looking to the rest of you. “Forgive me for sounding dramatic, but that’s why your help may be absolutely vital. If we don’t track down this tome and whoever took it before the alignment, there’s no telling what they might accomplish.” The weight of those words hangs in the air.

“So most of the times any charm will be noticed.” He answered Teryn with optimism. The elves abilities were even more convenient than he could have asked for. “A pleasure to meet you and it’s one of the worst-case scenarios so it would be wise for us to keep it in mind at the moment.” The goliath told the dwarf, refraining from any comment regarding faith. Almost ironically he was not one to honor the gods. “I was also a traveler when I first arrived on this city, Rowan. Well met.”

Käinen’s voice was welcoming and a kind smile took his lips for a moment. Nothing on his behavior showed doubt but doubt he had. The way halfling was no mere wanderer, the way he spoke more than suggested as much, but the goliath had secrets of his own. He preferred to respect the privacy of his teammate.

“No need to apologize, professor. Amongst those students and astronomers, how many knew its importance? If none, then how many knew the cape and color?” Worst case scenario, they would need to check each and everyone one of them. “As a matter of fact, how did you find about this book and came to acquire it?”

If the culprit was from outside the academy then they had to be tied to that moment. Though Käinen wished they weren’t. Otherwise, solving the theft would take even more time and could reflect poorly on the value of their work.

Rowan takes a step closer to the professor, resting a hand casually on his belt as he lets out a low hum of consideration. “If only a handful of people really knew the value of that book, then we’ve got a pretty tight field to plow,” he says, flashing a faint grin at the others. “No sense in wandering the whole valley if the culprit’s right over the fence, if you take my meaning.” His teal-blue eyes shift from Käinen to Teryn and Byldeth, and finally back to the professor, indicating he’s open to collaborating with anyone who wants to narrow down that list.

At the mention of lodging, Rowan squares his shoulders and inclines his head politely. “I’d appreciate a quiet spot to rest. Been a long day, and tomorrow looks to be an even longer one if we’re going to chase down whoever took that tome.” A thoughtful flicker passes over his face—part relief at not having to find a random inn after midnight, part determination to do the job right.

He glances at Käinen with an amiable nod. “You mentioned traveling—maybe after all this, we can trade a few tales. For now, guess we’ll trade in our wandering boots for a bunk on campus.” A small, resigned smile curves his lips—he’s not overly fond of cooped-up corridors and looming shelves, but practical needs outweigh preference at the moment.

"I . . . i see . . . i really hoped you would know of something about it. . ." Byldeth sighs in defeat, closing his eyes and shaking his head. He kept silent as the others inquired their own questions for the professor. Once Vasha returns with the information that someone was illegaly meddling with wards, he hums, "So we have a spellcaster in our hands . . . or someone that can use some kind of magical item capable of messing with wards."

The paladin nods slowly, the promise of a warm bed made him realize just how tired he felt. After what happened, and after running all the way here . . . he really, really needed to rest. His body was heavy. "I . . . Ahem, i would appreciate it, if you allow us to sleep. Maybe each one of us can devise a plan in the morning, when our mind is sharper-" He comments, looking at each one of the other figures in the room, "I sense we each have an aptitude to share in this investigation."

At the mention of how such magic might be amplified, a faint frown creased Teryn's otherwise composed features, a flicker of worry betraying his calm exterior. He understood all too well how devastating enchantment magic could be in the wrong hands. To amplify it on such a scale…The possibilities were chilling. For a moment, the dissonant hum of his patron’s presence resonated in the back of his mind, a strange yet soothing melody that steadied him. Teryn took a measured breath, smoothing his expression as the notes faded into quiet resolve.

Teryn allowed his gaze to drift to other elf, the only figure in the room who had yet to speak to them directly. He inclined his head slightly, his voice polite and inviting. “Forgive me, my lady, but I don’t believe we've had the pleasure of learning your name. If we’re to solve this mystery together, I would be remiss not to know the names of all my companions.”

Though his words were spoken with grace, there was genuine curiosity in his tone.

Ellanise turns to look directly into Teryn's eyes, one hand casually pulling on the cuff of the other sleeve. After two heartbeats of silence, she gives an almost imperceptible nod. "Ellanise," she says. Her tone of voice is calm and steady — almost emotionless, but not in a rude sort of way. "And I agree." She looks at Vasha. "I believe we would all appreciate lodging for the night. But first, is there a place where the five of us could get to know each other a little better? A quiet lounge or study?" She looks back at Teryn, but then allows her gaze to float from face to face. "I, too, would like to know who I'll be working with." Her mouth curves into the smallest of smiles as she attempts to communicate a feeling of cooperation.

Professor Marsh lifts his quill from the scribbled notes on his desk and rubs the bridge of his nose in weary contemplation. At Käinen’s question about who precisely knew the tome’s import—and how the professor came to possess it—he sets the quill aside, hands spreading in a gesture of cautious openness. “A small circle of students and colleagues were aware I had the Concordance. But truly understanding its hidden worth—beyond ‘Oh, this is an old star-charts manuscript’—well, that list narrows considerably. Only the most devout astronomers or arcane scholars would connect the dots that it’s more than a dusty record of planetary cycles.” He absently taps a rolled parchment. “As for the color or distinguishing marks… you might be surprised how gossip travels. Someone spots a rare cover design, tells a friend that ‘Professor Marsh’s old book might hold big secrets,’ and suddenly you have half-baked rumors swirling about. Enough, perhaps, to whet a thief’s appetite if they overheard the right whisper.”

Turning to Rowan specifically, the professor offers a faint, rueful smile. "You’re right: if the real suspect is among those few who knew its true value, that’s a smaller haystack. I could compile a list of names—my advanced students, a couple of my peers, maybe a research fellow or two from the neighboring faculty. It’s a start.”

Professor Marsh turns to Käinen to reply in regards about how he acquired such a tome, “I acquired the Concordance several years ago while investigating an old library collection in Arkenseer—an isolated monastery known for archiving rare texts. Their abbess had no idea what she possessed. I exchanged a handful of relics she found more relevant to her order for this tome. At the time, I suspected it contained references to astral anomalies but had no clue it would become this central to my research.” He spreads his hands in a gesture of helpless reflection. "I never meant to draw dangerous attention; I’m a scholar, not a treasure hunter. But… well, the deeper I delved, the more I realized the Concordance held keys to harnessing certain cosmic events.”

Seeing Rowan’s polite inclination and Byldeth’s weary expression, Marsh’s features soften. “Of course. You’ve done so much already, just by agreeing to investigate. We can’t have you wandering Luminaar’s streets at this hour, not after all this. The academy’s guest quarters will suffice for tonight.” He glances at Byldeth’s tired eyes. "A fresh mind, yes… that’ll serve us all well. We’ll gather our wits in the morning.”

 Vasha returns her focus to the elf, a thoughtful crease forming at her brow. “There’s a small common lounge just down the hall—quiet at this hour. It’s normally reserved for visiting lecturers, but you’re all effectively that now. The room has a few chairs, a table, and a fireplace if you need warmth.” She tilts her head, letting her gaze drift to Teryn, Käinen, Rowan, and Byldeth in turn. "You’re welcome to talk things through there before you retire. I’ll arrange for bedding in the guest wing in the meantime. When you're finished, come find me back here and I will show you the way."

Teryn inclined his head slightly toward Ellanise, his silver eyes meeting hers for a brief moment. “Ellanise,” he repeated, his voice carrying a measured warmth, “it’s a pleasure to meet you. I share your sentiment—understanding each other’s strengths and perspectives will undoubtedly serve us well.”

Her demeanor, though quiet and composed, suggested a depth of thought and experience that he found fascinating. For now, he chose not to press further but silently resolved to learn more about her, as well as his other newfound companions, as their investigation unfolded.

Turning his attention back to Professor Marsh, Teryn’s expression softened, a trace of curiosity lighting his features as the professor mentioned Arkenseer. “A monastery…” he mused aloud, his voice tinged with admiration. “Though religion is not my expertise, I would greatly enjoy the chance to explore their library one day. Any institution with the foresight to preserve a text like the Concordance surely has many other treasures hidden within its walls.”

With that, Teryn turned to the group and gestured toward the hallway, his posture relaxed but purposeful. “Shall we?”

“I would like that.” The goliath answered the halfling almost smiling. He had more than a few mishaps with animals. Experiences that infuriated him but that, looking back now, were mostly funny. “So the acquisition was not planned and had no complications, correct?” He continued, turning to the professor. That all but assured the theft was an inside work.  “And please, do compile the list of names.”

There was still the matter of payment, but they would have more leverage to treat about that with the book in hands. Besides the crew was right about resting.

“Thank you.” He told Vasha, before turning his eyes towards the group of mercenaries. “On regards to abilities I’m a reliable scout – good observation, better stealth.” His abilities with sleight of hand and reading people he preferred to leave unmentioned. The first could be frowned upon while the second was stronger unnoticed. “During a fight I can strike with a short bow but excel in melee with light weapons and unarmed combat. I’m also good at grappling.” Käinen pondered about his speed and teleportation but in the end decided it was much too early to trust those strangers with details about things that could allow him to scape them. “Feel free to ask me any questions you might have.”

Rowan offers a slight shrug and an easy grin. “As for me,” he says, sounding a bit modest, “I know a fair amount about animals and the wild—growing up on a farm will do that to you. I can patch up small wounds and help keep people on their feet, too. And when all else fails, I’m not half bad at punching holes in problems, if it comes to that.”

Teryn listened intently as Käinen and Rowan shared their abilities. Käinen’s skill set impressed him, particularly the goliath’s proficiency in stealth and combat. Rowan’s knowledge of the wilds and practical approach struck a balance that the elf found reassuring.

He paused for a moment, allowing his gaze to shift between the others before continuing. “As for myself, my areas of particular expertise lie in magic and history—specifically in uncovering secrets and understanding the arcane. Diplomacy is also a strength of mine. I’ve spent much of my life navigating…delicate situations, and I find that a calm word and a level head can often open doors that might otherwise remain closed.”

Teryn’s serene smile widened slightly. He gave no indication of the less savory skills he possessed, skills his patron had been so eager to nurture. Deception, disguise, and enchantment were tools best kept hidden for now, their utility revealed only when the time was right.

After giving Vasha a nod of thanks, Ellanise turns with mild surprise to Käinen, Rowan and Teryn as they launch into their respective resumés. It seems they won't need the lounge after all. It is late. Perhaps this is best.

The female elf folds her arms together behind her back. "I ... have a history here in Luminaar, which may help our investigation. As for skills, I'm quite good at stealth. And I know how to wield a knife or two. Oh, and I've been able to perform a few tricks since I was little." She sweeps one hand through the air, and sparks fly from her fingertips. As the sparks wink out, the others get a whiff of cinnamon. "It's not much, but it can come in handy."

Byldeth hums, before striking a militar pose, putting his fist in his chest, "As a paladin, my duty is to be sword, shield and light. I can Excel in combat by smithing our enemies with holy flames of dragons, as well as serve as shield and protection, i will try to redirect our foe's attention to myself so you can focus more on dealing damage. I can also help Rowan with healing! The divine flame can mend your wounds to keep our allies at ease, while keeping our foes at bay." The dwarf finishes, nodding as he inspected and heard out all the others. 

"Well, i see we have a pretty balanced team, indeed! I feel bad for our foes. Hahah!" He gives a loud laugh