RP:Authorworldly

Part of the Pick Your Poison: A Compendium Toxicum Arc

This is a Mage's Guild RP.

This is a Necromancer's Guild RP.

Summary: Quintessa invites Bradyn to look over the book she is writing for the Necromancer's Guild. He is actually somewhat impressed by her initiative, so much he sees fit to promote her to the rank of Sceleratus. Part Two of Pick Your Poison: A Compendium Toxicum

Black Library

As you climb down into this room its immense size is the first thing that strikes you. The old wooden ladder creaks un-nervingly as your foot rests on it. This dimly lit room is huge and filled with dusty ancient bookshelves. On examination you can see the shelves are carved from solid black oak, strong sturdy and known for its arcane properties. Lining every shelf is thousands of books all colors shapes and sizes. All the books appear to be about necromancy and black magic and thus the whole subterranean chamber is filled with a most ominous evil aura that seems to sicken right to the soul of any who enter. The smell here is of stagnation for not much fresh air reaches this place; it seems to invade the nostrils like some strange miasma adding to the sickly sensations the room seems to invoke. On the walls hang various ornaments from candle stick holders that bring a tiny tinge of light to certain areas and preserved skulls of all kinds of creatures from Human to Dragon, Drow to Centaur and things even stranger than that. Faint but heavy footsteps can be heard against the cold stone floor distantly so it would be wise not to stay too long without sound reason.

Quintessa Dragana tried to avoid gaining the attention of the higher ranked members of the Necromancer's Guild if she could help it. The young spellcaster had quite the reputation for not following the rules and for trying to study things way beyond being approved to do so. She had the same problem with the higher ups of the Mage's Guild, and thus her dangerous curiosity persisted into the Necromancer's branch. Today, however, was different. Quintessa needed to speak with a Provectus Malus for advice on her book, and who better to talk about books in the Necromncer's Guild than Bradyn Mahara? So the young Novus Morior wrote a letter to House Mahara expressing her intentions. Hopefully, the promise of a new book would motivate Bradyn to come see her in the Black Library today. At least that's what she was hoping. Dressed in a black formal dress with a pencil skirt and heart-shaped keyhole, Quintessa Dragana awaits him, the culmination of her current research stacked neatly in a condensed stack in front of her. This was her chance to show the Guild that she was serious about becoming a Sceleratus.

Bradyn Mahara does not enter through the main doorway of the library. It stands to reason, that somewhere in the library there is probably a connection between House Mahara and the library. They were the patrons of the library, why would they not grant themselves special entrance? Where exactly Bradyn might have emerged from will remain an unknown to Quintessa, there were certain areas of the Black Library that were closed too to the general public depending on certain factors, like rank within the Necromancer's Guild or standing with House Mahara itself. Bradyn may not be the sort to formally take on apprentices, but despite the all around lack of enthusiasm in his attitude, he is usually agreeable when it comes to meeting with members of the Necromancer's Guild. Usually. The encounter today would be no different, he and Quintessa left things in an acceptable place the last time the two did have to speak. This does not mean that House Dragana is fully back in his good graces, but Quintessa would be given a fair enough chance to prove herself. The Maharan Lord approaches the young necromancer, not presuming to make himself comfortable in a seated position just. "Quintessa," he greets her, his tone of voice still lacking inflection. "You wished to speak with me."

Quintessa hears the approach of Bradyn, her mismatched eyes flashing in his direction as she hurries to her feet to join him. "Provectus!" She is a little startled that he didn't enter from the front door but she tries to remain polite all the same. "I didn't see you come in. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice." Quintessa's gaze flickers to the tomes and papers on the table before returning to Bradyn, a nervous smile on her face. "Would you join me? This will only take a moment." The hex blade returns to her seat and begins spreading out her research. "Like I said in my letter- I'm putting together a compendium. Khitti gave me some advice, that I should copy down and memorize all the potions and poisons I could." Quintessa holds up a simple, leather-back tome to show Bradyn, allowing him to take it if he wanted. This contained the sum of knowledge on poisons thus far. "So I did that, but there isn't a single book on the subject, just scattered papers and folk lore. I aim to fix that. This is my Compendium Toxicum. Well, a rough draft anyway. It isn't finished." Despite not being finished, Quintessa had written down much information about belladonna, hemlock, monkshood, and foxglove. She had also categorized snake and giant-spider venom, putting it on a list next to wyvern venom and dragon's blood. The girl had certainly been a busy changeling in the last few weeks.

Bradyn :: There were few things in this world that Bradyn actually likes and Quintessa was managing to touch on a subject that Bradyn enjoys. He displays his interest by actually taking hold of the tome she is attempting to show and converse with him about, flipping through the pages at a slow rate. He was not reading in depth, but he was giving the contents she has gathered thus far a sincere glance. "I think that she is correct, but to an extent. I think that memorizing everything now will essentially help you hone the skill....As memorization is a skill, one that people can improve upon with practice. As you grow your knowledge in Necromancy though, you are going to have to learn to prioritize. Which are with memorizing and which are worth referencing when needed. Some brews might require more of a controlled setting to properly create." Once he is content with his examination of the tome, the Maharan takes a moment to study the research that Quintessa has not yet put into her first draft. "This is very good work, Quintessa. I am impressed with your efforts thus far." A rare compliment from Bradyn, probably only given because...well she is making a book.

Quintessa listens to what he has to say, nodding her head slowly. Memorizing is a skill. This was a lesson she had been taught at the Mage's Guild but she didn't mind hearing its importance repeated. The young spellcaster is about to part her lips to discus her thoughts on specialization when Bradyn graces her with a compliment. Quintessa can feel a blush burning at her cheeks so she unrolls a piece of parchment to hide it. "T-thank you, Lord Mahara." She was not ready for him to actually give her praise. Once the hex blade thought it was safe to show her face, she spreads her scroll on the table and shows what looks to be a recipe for herbal remedies. "I intend on making a copy specifically for you... Erm, perhaps the Necromancer's Guild might be interested in publishing my work? I know it isn't ready, but once I take it to the Mage's Guild and compare what I've learned against their library, it will only be a matter of putting it into a proper tome next." She pauses for a moment before she dares to ask about his own personal collection of books. "You would happen to have any information in your own books, would you? I only ask for the sake of my research."

Bradyn was a scholar and bookworm, he was not entirely sure how to respond to a blushing and stammering young spell caster. So he didn't. He focuses on their discussion, how to bring Quintessa's book into fruition. "For me in specific? There is no need to do that, but once you have managed to complete your book it would be nice to have a copy here at the Black Library." Some guilds are more competitive than others, but Bradyn does not react in the slightest to Quintessa also using resources from the Mage's Guild to work on this tome. There was a lot of crossover between the two guilds, as far as he was concerned. As Quintessa already noted earlier, many lessons for one could easily be applied to the other...like memorization. "The Necromancer's Guild is not a publishing company, unfortunately. So we would not be able to publish your work directly...But we would be willing to help with expenses incurred." Quintessa would not be able to tell, for the vampire was always so monotone, but the vampire found discussing finances to be awkward. If only because he was not trying to imply that House Dragana would not be able to afford to fund her own book. "Be it publishing costs directly, or costs associated with research. In addition to keeping a copy or two here within the library." Bradyn makes a vague motion to the space around them. "I tend to keep most of my research private, unless it is specifically requested. So even if I had made notes, I would find no harm in you covering the information in your book as well. Of course, if you would like to see my work for yourself, you are more than welcome to borrow my research." Bradyn would just have to fetch it. He did not come prepared for this request.

Quintessa was overjoyed at Bradyn's agreement to let her use his research for her compendium. "Fantastic!" she blurted out, unable to maintain her composure like the head of House Mahara could. "You'll be given proper credit, of course, for your contribution. I'll figure out where to get my book published myself and keep the Guild updated on my progress." Quintessa begins to reorganize her paperwork and notes, getting them in neat stacks to return home with her. With her presentation finished she gives the man a smile, flashing him her pointed teeth. "I look forward to seeing my book added to the shelves of this library. It's... It's a dream come true." The young girl was perhaps becoming a bit too emotional, but such was the way things were with fledglings sometimes. "Thank you for this opportunity."

Bradyn was admittedly surprised by Quintessa being so overjoyed, at the very least she is sufficiently demonstrating to Bradyn that she has a very different personality type than Larewen ever had. Though Bradyn is curious how much of this is her being on her best behavior, for they were just getting to know one another and she had the intention of trying to mend a bridge that Larewen scorched. "Why thank me? You in fact only have yourself to thank." They might be a guild prone to evil tendencies, but Bradyn hopes that Quintessa would have gotten the same response were she able to seek out another high ranking member. "Now wait here." Bradyn does not wait for Quintessa to confirm, he presumes that she will wait based on their discussion. How else would she obtain his research? The Maharan exits the library, taking the same route that he used when he first arrived. That is to say, he is not using the main entrance, he is using some other side passage that will take him straight to his manor. Quintessa would not be waiting for long. Bradyn was a fairly organized person, so it did not take him long to find tomes from years ago. When Bradyn reappears, it is with three leather-bound black journals in the grasp of his pallid hands. They are of moderate thickness, hand written, and may include images! That is not to say that all three are strictly on what Quintessa is writing about. No. Bradyn might look to be in his mid-thirties, but he was really in his late sixties. He has been a vampire for about thirty years, and thus Quintessa is going to have to muddle through a number of years of research. Those topics could include poisons, potions, curses, incantations, sigils, and other subjects that one might expect from a studying necromancer in his early years. The only subject written in these notes that would not pertain to early-year studies include very basic research on liches. "I would like to say that you won't have to paw through these pages, that I managed to keep them perfectly organized by subject....but, alas. It's more chronological, based on when I researched them instead of being organized by what I was researching. I have always meant to go back and rewrite my notes so that they were in a better subject order..." And then Bradyn compiled so many notes that he gave up on that idea pretty quickly.

Quintessa wouldn't waste the time waiting for Bradyn to return idly, instead using it to finish packing up her belongings. As she ties the thick leather strap around her satchel, she gazes about the library thoughtfully. She imagined future generations of Necromancers coming here to read her book. 'This is Quintessa Dragana's Compenduim,' they would say, 'She's the premier researcher on all things toxic.' The changeling sighs in contentment. That's what she wanted to do, to contribute to the accumulated knowledge contained within these walls. Only then would she be able to begin her quest to become world famous author, a goal she had since she was a young child. When Bradyn returned Quintessa snapped out of her daydream, her mismatched eyes falling upon him and his books with much curiosity. These must have been his -personal- research notes. The Provectus Malus might have well presented her with a holy book from the way the changeling looks upon them with reverence. In many ways, the pursuit of knowledge -was- her religion. "This is perfect, thank you." She takes them delicately, giving each a glace to discern the age of these books before adding them to her pool of research material. "This will progress the information in my tome a couple of decades at least!" Quintessa does her best to hide it, but the only thing she can think about doing to taking these journals home to extract the knowledge she seeks. "Perhaps once this book is finished, we might be able to discuss me becoming a Sceleratus?" The other thing Quintessa wanted to speak with Bradyn about. Perhaps the Provectus could vouch for her... "Oh, speaking of Sceleratus, Khitti has agreed to teach me the Black Tides. This will be the last of the basic arts I have to learn before I request to learn the advanced necromancy."

Bradyn nods in approval when Quintessa mentions that Khitti was going to work with Quintessa on the Black Tides. She was really the only one that had knowledge of that area in the guild, at least advanced knowledge. It was not an area that Bradyn found as captivating as others. "When this book is finished, we will discuss you becoming the rank of Thanadule. You are already of the rank of Sceleratus." Which is Bradyn's very informal way of telling Quintessa that she had just received the promotion that she was asking for. "Continue doing what you are doing and by the time your book is finished," which Bradyn can only presume is still going to take time, between researching and editing, "and I think that you will be ready for the next promotion. Be prepared to be tested in your skill if you want to reach the rank of Thanadule. I will test you in both Potions and Poisons, the Black Tides, plus I would like to measure your skill with reanimation." It's sort of a staple to necromancy, Bradyn could not have a Thanadule who could not summon a skeleton, or turn a corpse into a zombie. Noting that Quintessa is packing up her research, Bradyn gives the young woman the perfect window to depart. "If there is nothing else you wish to discuss? Then I wish you the best, return my research at your leisure. I assure you I will not be missing those notes in particular."

Quintessa almost drops her books when she learns of her promotion but manages to hug them tightly against her body as they slip form her grasp. "I'm already-?" she didn't need to finish her sentence, she understood what Bradyn was saying. "Y-yes, of course. I'll master the Black Tides while finishing my book. I'll be ready by the time I test for the Thanadule position, I assure you." Quintessa spoke with the conviction of someone who knew what kind of effort and focus would be required of her to achieve this, and was more than willing to provide. Straightening up her books once more she shakes her head at the vampire lord. "There is nothing more. I'm going to get started immediately continuing my book. It needs to be ready for my trip to Xalious in the coming days." The baroness gives Bradyn a polite bow before, "Goodbye, Provectus Mahara, I look forward to showing you the finished book." With her farewells said, Quintessa leaves the Black Library with her new books and a renewed sense of determination. This meeting had gone much better than she could have ever hoped for.