"I agree as well," Eldren says simply, nodding his head. "The goblins' attack can always be left for another day to investigate if it comes to that. The caravan takes precedence."
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"That is actually a good question," Eldren nods, his eyes towards the direction the goblins fled. "Perhaps further investigation into the goblin attack?"
"I am Eldren," the blue-garbed pale man introduces himself. "Eldren Vacaris of Solamnia, a mage of the Orders of High Sorcery, yet untested."
"So it would seem," Eldren offers, though he is a little skeptical. "If so, they did not appear particularly organized. Or willing to fight it out too much when they were met with resistance."
As the fight begins in earnest Eldren speaks a few arcane syllables and moves his fingers in a rather simple pattern. A very brief orange-red glow and a mere moment later and four orbs of light come into being around the head of the goblin still on his mount within the area of Theo's grease spell. "Powers of the Fey, I call upon you to aid us," the pale mage calls out in a clear -and somewhat loud- voice. "Send the will of the wisp to burn our foe's eyes and strike him blind where he stands!"
Spurring his horse onward, Eldren moves to support the gnome wizard and the rest of his comrades-in-arms.
Eldren's action mirror the smaller wizard's as he too speaks the incantation and moves his fingers in an intricate series of gestures, using a piece of cured leather from his pouch of spell components as a focus for his magic. The moment he finishes weaving the spell a translucent field of violet energy appears to surround him for a second or two, its appearance vaguely resembling armor, albeit made of arcane force. And then, as suddenly as it appears, it vanishes into thin air. Feeling better with arcane energies now protecting him, the pale wizard spurs his horse on, looking to cover some distance, yes, but still trying to remain behind the protection of his more martial-focused comrades.
"Smart words, my friend," Eldren agrees with a smile, nodding in agreement to both Gaurm's statement and the option to ride south.
"Magic could be the answer as to how they appear out of nowhere," Eldren speaks up after thinking on Haskin's words for a moment, offering a possibility. "If they have a wizard among them, which would hardly be too much of a stretch, he could turn them invisible and keep them that way until they attack and break the enchantment."
"Do they? And where did you see that?" Admittedly, this could simply be a kender's flight of fancy, as the little folk do seem a little predisposed to an overactive imagination. Still, one never knows what one might learn even from the most unlikely of sources. "Theo talked about how a great uncle of his went once into a forest and never returned..." And then Eldren abruptly stops, as he seems to recall something about kender also having some sort of uncle, the same one. And he hopes that he has not just opened the proverbial flood gates of stories upon stories about him. "It would certainly save some time and may even help us make a plan on how to better deal with it," the mage agrees with Eddie with a nod.
"Had what coming? There was a kender," Eldren asks, something between curiosity and maybe just a little effort evident in his expression as he tries to decipher the gnome's words, or rather disentangle them from one another. "And in any rate, actual brigands are quite different from kender. They do not so much... borrow or find, they steal. At least." Despite the little smile on his face, his voice is serious enough.
"The weapons are enchanted, though not potently so," Eldren says after examing the shortbow, crossbow, short sword and longsword the apparent assassins were carrying. "As for the potions," he continues, "these two have faint auras of Conjuration magic. But that third one..." He picks up the last vial carefully and looks at it intently. "Both Necromancy and Evocation magic," he says with a look of mild puzzlement. "And strong. I am willing to wager this is the one that caused the man to... well, explode. But it is odd for a potion, such potency."
Eldren appears deep in thought rather than disgusted, curiosity overtaking any feelings of horror stirred by seeing a man literally explode. "Yes, he did, Theo," he finally says, "just like his comrade was about to do if our new friends had not stopped him." He sighs. "That was no mere alchemical concoction. It could not have been. Magic must be involved." Making his way to Zsar, he calls out, "Careful now. It may be just imbiding the potion that triggers the explosion, but one can never be certain. We should examine these vials as soon as possible." Moving his fingers in a brief gesture, he speaks a simple incantation, the utterance of which appears to cause his pale blue eyes to glow silver for but a moment.
"No," Eldren agrees as he looks towards the two men. "No, it does not." Reaching into his pouch, the Solamnic mage takes out a bit of fleece. Rubbing it between thumb and forefinger, he speaks a few simple arcane words and then snaps the fingers of his other hand. The piece of fleece glows for but a moment and at the same time a large gout of flame seems to suddenly burst out of the window the two men in question seem to be moving towards. "Let us see if between you and I we can... help them lose their footing," he says to the gnome next to him with a smile as he puts the fleece back into his spell component pouch.
"Are they now? And are you now?" Eldren's pale blue eyes widen ever so slightly and for a mere moment before he composes himself. Truth be told, he did not expect the kender to keep her wanderlust at bay and offer to join them. But then again he had made the group sound so very... interesting, a grave mistake indeed when dealing with one such as she. "I...," he stammers and then sighs. "I am sure they will be delighted to meet you." And somewhere in his mind a mental image of himself rolls its eyes. A lot.
"The gnome wizard? The human Black Robe and his acquaintance?" Eldren does roll his eyes just a little bit, but his understanding of how the kender mind works does prevent him from reaching actual exasperation. "I was a little worried about you, I must admit. The ship crew would not have taken kindly to a stowaway, especially a kender. But all is well I take it? You have simply gone your own way?" He smiles, even chuckles softly. "You should have stuck with me really. You would have certainly found the company I keep at the moment quite interesting." And then he thinks, just to himself, 'I do not know if the feeling would be mutual though...'
"I do apologise for my lack of manners, Revered Son," Eldren admits with a slight bow of his head to the kender. "And indeed thank you. for both finding my dropped item and pointing me in the right direction." The pale mage smiles with another slight bow. "I must take my leave now. But this was... interesting. I do wish you well and may the path you travel always be a new one." And with those words he starts making his way towards the crowd and the direction Rin's topknot seems to be moving towards.
"Quite possibly a wizard with a fancy cloak," Eldren says almost absentmindedly, at the same time taking the proferred "dropped" ingredient and putting it back into his spell component pouch. Talking with kender can be... disorienting. "May I ask where it was that you saw her? If she is alright? Our paths crossed briefly and I think she was on the same ship that brought me here, but then she just vanished." And he adds quickly, "Figuratively speaking."
"Well, that was... interesting," Eldren simply states, though there is a certain lack of conviction behind the words. And then he spots the kender. And, quite possibloy contrary to any semblance of common sense, he approaches them. "Excuse me? Hello, yes. Would you by any chance have seen a multicolored-haired -blond, red and... err... green, I believe- kender girl around?" He manages a mental sigh. 'Woman? Girl? Difficult to tell sometimes...,' he ponders briefly. And then another sigh. A barely audible one this time.
Eldren watches patiently and with interest. He is as composed as ever, though noticing the gnome's enthusiasm and happy expression does bring a smile to his face. 'He would make for a... unique Black Robe if he does actually go down that road, that much at least is certain,' he ponders briefly.
"It has indeed been quite interesting so far," Eldren agrees with a smile. "And it is probably going to be even more so down the road. And something tells me that suits you just fine, Theo, yes?"
Eldren barely manages to stifle a sigh as he starts to descend the stair leading to the common room and sees the Black Robe. The other man has already started talking Theo it seems. "Good morning," he greets the ones already gathered, Soze included. Not like he has a choice after all. Always mistrustful of those of his Order, he had nevertheless found him amicable enough so far. Still the news of a war is enough it seems to remind him of those feelings of distrust. "Quest might be too... important-sounding a term, I think," the pale mage says softly, trying to downplay what they had all found themselves involved in.
"That is... disturbing," Eldren, in a rather remarkable display of understatement, comments as soon as the minotaur speaks of Takhisis and her armies. "And here we were talking about bandits and pirates only moments ago. Now a war is coming? And the Dragon Queen herself is responsible?" The pale mage sighs and shakes his head. "This is too big. People -especially people in power- should be informed. The Orders of High Sorcery among them perhaps?" He appears in thought for a moment. "What of the other Gods?" And then his eyes widen as he thinks of the Black Robe accompanying them. "And what of Nuitari and his Order?"
"It is as my friend here says," Eldren echoes Theo's words. "We have only recently arrived, so anything you could tell us would be not only welcome but useful as well. But even being a newcomer, I must say that having more than one group acting threateningly does not exactly feel like a coincidence to me."
"Mercenary, yes, but the cause is worthwhile," Eldren adds his own take on the task ahead of them. "Barbarians and pirates and brigands, oh my...," he quips with a thin smile.
When the gnome speaks of creation in relation to magic Eldren smiles, nodding in agreement. He has more questions for Theo -chief among them how he managed to actually study and put together a spellbook, seeing as how a gnome wizard is more or less a first- but it seems they would have to wait as the discussion of brigands of all sorts starts to include them as well. "I do not mind helping out," he lends his own voice to the smaller mage's. "Theory is fine, but practice is also needed. And with it being for a good cause makes it even easier to agree to." Of course there is also the fact that the group of two half-ogres, a minotaur and a bakali is more than a little intriguin by itself.
"So, Theo," Eldren begins, eager to take advantage of the Black Robe's absence and get to know the gnome a little better, "do you mind if I ask how you chose to study magic? And without a Master no less."[/b] Although the man's attention is indeed focused on his diminutive companion, his eyes do glance at times at the ogres and minotaur and bakali, his curiosity getting the better of him for a moment or two now and then.
"My name is Eldren Vacaris, Captain," the pale mage introduces himself, a small bow of his head accompanying his words. "Mostly visiting after meeting up with Theo here," he says. "As for where we are staying, well," he continues, pausing for buta moment to glance at the Black robe, "it appears we are staying here actually." He smiles then, a friendly smile. "And I can assure you I have never been on a pirate ship. Well, not yet anyway."
Taking note of the man's coldness, Eldren at first thinks nothing of it. Still, his curiosity prevails. "I think a glass of wine, something not too strong, would be nice," he answers in a casual enough manner. "As for my friend," he continues, stressing the word referring to Theodore and intentionally avoiding referring to his race, "I really am not sure. But I am certain he can speak for himself." He pauses for a moment, centering himself, and then speaks up again. "Forgive me if I presume too much, but is something the matter, my good man? I somehow feel we have gotten off on the wrong foot here, as I detect a certain... aloofness?"
"You keep... colorful company indeed, Falseed," the pale Solamnic says, curiosity making him forget his manners for a moment. "I am Eldren, Eldren Vacaris. It is... interesting to meet you."
Eldren nods at the Black Robe and exits through the now broken window, moving just close enough to the fighting to be able to not only be heard by but also cast a spell at the remaining assailant. "Stand down! You are outnumbered," he calls out, the words followed by a simple incantation and a gesture before a small greenish sphere of acid materialises and speeds towards the thug.
Peering outside the window as he stands up, Eldren notices the commotion. No, not just that. There is fighting going on! "The elves are under attack over there," the pale wizard calls out in an urgent tone as he moves to exit the building and hurry to their aid. At the same he considers the spells in his mind, trying to determine which one would be the most useful given the circumstances.
"Concern about his ability, no," Eldren says simply with a shrug. "Curiosity on the other hand about how gnomish speech interacts with the precision needed when the verbal components of spells are uttered, yes." He sighs. "A gnome wizard is... something new. But new or not, he will be required to take the Test and risk life and limb and soul to prove himself. Either that or risk being branded a Renegade." He looks at Theo and then back at the Black Robe. "If there was concern, it was more about his wellbeing rather than his ability alone." He allows then a crooked smile to form on his lips. "As for Black Robes and their abiding by limitations, well..." He lets the sentence unfinished. "I think we are done here, I agree. And as for our gnome friend, I do apologize if I offended. But regardless, the... task, such as it were, is completed, considering the cantrip you cast rather flawlessly did have a verbal component." "Shall we then?"
Once more the Black Robe appears awfully accommodating, certainly more than what Eldren would expect. Indeed, he is beginning to think that if the other mage survives the Test, perhaps the robes he dons afterwards will be red rather than black. Still, that does not mean he trusts his counterpart completely, just that he is giving him the benefit of the doubt. "May I also suggest a casting of simple magics by Theo? Cantrips probably, as there is no reason, I think, for him to spend more powerful spells," the pale man suggests. "It could give us some insight on how he handles verbal components." He then turns to the gnome. "I apologize for speaking as if you are not present, Theo," he says with a smile, "but this is a little... new to me. Regardless, what do you say? To both searching for Eddie and casting some magic for us?"
"The Art is foremost in my mind and my life," Eldren replies. "It is power and knowledge combined, true, and that is reason enough for it to be respected and not be used needlessly and for trivial things." His voice is calm as he smiles mirthlessly. "For what is a mage without his spells when a matter that requires magic faces him and he is spent? Or a danger he has little to no hope besting with his staff alone?" He sighs and then returns to the matter at hand, namely the gnome. "It is an interesting test, yes. And it can probably be passed with magic and without," he says. "Even if it is a little odd to test another when we ourselves are not yet Tested..."
"There was no need for the use of magic on that man," Eldren says simply with a sigh, almost -but not quite- admonishing the other man. What would be the point of lecturing him after all? It is the way of his Order, even if it does not make it right. "No, my Master is not a Transmuter," the pale man finally says, changing the subject. "He does use such magic, but he focuses on Abjuration, on spells that shield and protect, not only himself but others as well." He shrugs and smiles. "If you knew him, Theo, you would find his choice fitting."
"I...," Eldren begins to order when his eyes catch a group as strange as any moving through town. A pair of quite possibly half-ogres alongside a minotaur -already an odd combination to be sure- and another robed figure that is far from human or elf or dwarf themselves. Add to that the wagon and the one driving it and the mage's interest and curiosity are certainly piqued. Still, he finds himself without the time to process it, because as soon as he turns back to the waitress, once again his order is cut short. 'The Black Robe is casting something,' he ponders as he narrows his eyes to get a better look at the arcane gestures in an attempt to determine what spell it is. 'Some enchantment perhaps, looking to bend the poor man to his will?' Even before he can ascertain what it is, the look of distaste on his face is plain to see. "Wine for me," he finally says, "and maybe something to accompany it? I must admit I could do with some food myself."
"Or somewhere that is at least a little quiet," Eldren adds. "Where we can talk without having to shout. Well, too much," he continues with a smile, his eyes taking in the place and its staff and patrons.
"It does seem that we have our solution," Elder remarks, though his tone is somewhat lacking in enthusiasm. It is true that Black Robe has been decidedly... not unpleasant, but if his former experiences with one of his Order are any indication, there is usually a catch of some sort. Still, there is not much to do at the moment but watch and stay vigilant, even though he is not entirely sure what to look out for. "And now that is more or less taken care of, then perhaps us mages could have a proper talk," he adds, affording the gnome a look and a smile.
"I am curious, what place do you have in mind?" The question, an understandable one Eldren feels, is directed at the Black Robe. "I am sure, all things considered, that our new... acquaintances would probably need a little more information before accepting your invitation," he adds, thinking to himself, 'As would I for that matter.'
"Greetings, Revered Father," Eldren says to the other man with a little bow of his head in acknowledgment of his status. "As Eddie has said, the Silvanesti appear to be facing a problem with lodging. Now, my... colleague," he continues, indicating the Black Robe, "seems to have some solution in mind. Still, the elves thought it prudent to first see if you can provide some assistance before they hear him out and consider his proposal." The mage says little else, preferring to leave it to the Silvanesti Revered Daughter or someone else more immediately concerned rather than speak on their behalf.
"Juuust a little slower, Theo," Eldren says with a smile. "Actually, speaking of which, I am very interested in having a discussion with you about spellcasting. I am curious as to whether your... err... way of speaking interferes with the verbal components of spells that have them. We are supposed to be clear and specific when uttering them after all."
The blue-garbed wizard nods as he cannot help but agree with Keyzer's words; that is what kender do after all, they wander. And the other man is also correct that they should somehow help Theo make up his mind about which Master to study under. However, he has to admit to himself, he cannot imagine the impressionable gnome studying under a Black Robe and a necromancer no less. His thoughts are interrupted then as he is asked to introduce himself. "I am Eldren Vacaris, an apprentice mage under the tutelage of Truvailant Gwynnth of the White Robes," the nearly monochromatic man -well, excluding his choice of attire of course- says with a smile.
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