RP:Earth and Death

This is a Mage's Guild RP.

Summary: A necromancer wants to join the Mage's Guild. No surprise there.

Mage's Training Center

Xalious Village was not a place that Bradyn Mahara often frequented, the vampiric male much preferred the darkness of Vailkrin over any location he has traveled to in his years. It was a thirst for knowledge that inspired him to travel outside of his usual haunts of Vailkrin or Cenril and into Xalious to pay a visit to one location in specific and with one purpose in mind. Through the main entrance of the Mages Tower Bradyn goes where he gives pause in the main lobby of the building, his grey eyes looking for clues as to the direction he ought to venture next. This quick scan of the room has Bradyn traveling up a set of stairs, traveling past the meditation room and straight into the training center. The Maharan makes no attempt to pass through the magical barrier, instead watching Oriyan and his interaction with some young and novice mage. There was nothing about Bradyn's person that would be alarming enough to cause Oriyan to abandon his lesson with the young mage. First glances would pin Bradyn as human, standing a decent height of an even six foot, with black hair and a face that was not clean shaven but it was also not unkept. His attire was a bit drab in the sense that he was dressed in black slacks, a white dress shirt worn beneath a black vest, and polished black shoes. What one might expect from someone who boasts the profession of mortician. Closer inspection would reveal that Bradyn was oddly pale and a bit thin. Hm. Bradyn would wait, politely and respectfully, until Oriyan was finished with he lesson or perhaps someone else would approach?

Odhranos, as was his habit, was walking while nose-first in a book, not looking where he was going as he slowly ascended the spiral steps towards the training hall, two small wire-framed glasses perched on his nose as his slate-grey eyes roved across the page intently. The book in his hands was an old journal, yellowed with age and it's pages were covered in the most minute and scrawling script, winding like a drunken serpent across the aged parchment. Carefully leafing from one crumbling page to another, the mage's brow furrowed in concentration, while his free hand adjusted the glasses. If anyone in particular was paying attention, as his fingers came into contact with the frame, the lenses in such began to distort slightly, making the image through them wobble concerningly before stabilizing, now increasing the magnification so that the mage could study the minuscule lettering better. After a moment or two of study, the grey-robed man thought to look up at his surroundings. Oh, this wasn't the library, his subconscious roamings had taken him to the training centre. Curious how it did that, must look into that later, the mage pondered as he examined his surroundings, before realizing that his glasses were still at full magnification and that Master Oriyan's student could seriously do with trimming that nose hair. Seriously dude, hygiene before studies, we have enough crusty old mages already. Removing the spectacles and polishing them with the hem of his robe before they were stashed away in his inside pocket. Noticing the presence of another, one who looked rather out of place with his fine yet somewhat dour attire, Odhranos placed a small silver ribbon in his page and upon closing the journal delicately, the terramancer approached the man quietly. "Pardon me, can I help you with anything?" The mage inquired politely, folding his arms behind his back.

It is not that Bradyn is not aware that someone is passing through, as the vampire could hear those footsteps approaching from a distance, but he did not turn to acknowledge Odhranos until he himself was actually spoken to. This is not meant to be a haughty or rude gesture but instead just how he was, mildly antisocial and therefore not seeing a reason to go out of his way to meet strangers. Odhranos is not greeted with a smile but instead Bradyn dips his dark-haired head in a nod of politeness. "Perhaps," Bradyn says in a flat sort of tone that many would perceive as unwelcoming, and it may be true, but it is also the man's way. Grey eyes make a quick survey of Odhranos, looking for clues as to his connection to this particular area. Did he have a reason to inquire? Was he just being nosy? There were plenty in this land who liked to make everyone's business their own. After a brief contemplation, Bradyn's gaze cuts back to Master Oriyan. "Truth be told I am looking for admittance into the Mage's guild. It is not entirely clear to me who it is I should be speaking with. I had considered Lorkain." Due to the lich's proximity to his own home. "And while I am sure he could have provided insights, a trip to Xalious seemed like a worthwhile venture." In the name of expanding knowledge? Definitely time well spent. "Oriyan undoubtably is a promising start to this newfound quest of mine, but he does seem to be preoccupied." Oriyan no longer holds the vampire's attention, the man now turning to face Odhranos as Bradyn presses on with his explanation. There is little to no change to the time of his voice during this entire explanation. He was a bland and down to business sounding man. "Unless you have other thoughts or suggestions? To go along with your name." A hand is extended, pale in color and lacking in warmth. "Bradyn Mahara."

Odhranos listens quietly, nodding and making the socially acceptable hums and whatnot at the usual places. The simply-robed mage's slate grey eyes lit up when the stranger mentioned he was looking to join the Guild. "Oh, wonderful! The Guild is always looking for new members to join it's ranks, to help in our ever-constant search for the intricate secrets of magic." Odhranos beamed happily, it was always good to have a new prospective member, it kept things lively in the fusty closeted community that was the Mage's College. "Oriyan wouldn't mind a little interruption I'm sure. Certainly if the matter is that of a Guild applicant. My name is Odhranos, by the way, I practice Terramancy. Might I inquire what school of magic you study?" The mage politely asked as he beckoned Bradyn to follow him across towards Oriyan and the instructor's student. "Master Oriyan! I have a Guild Applicant here to see you! His name is Bradyn, he has travelled here from... where did you say you travelled from again?" Odh inquired, ruffling his hair flusteredly. Turning to face the pair, Oriyan's face grew amused and a shrewd smile crossed the wrinkled wizard's cheeks. "Why am I not surprised, Odhranos, you spend so much time with your head in those journals, it's a wonder you haven't forgotten more of the intricacies of social engagement, it's just like you. You should show your face around the training hall more regularly." The aged master laughed warmly, gripping the terramancer's shoulder in a fond and familiar gesture. Turning to face Bradyn, the elderly master cast a critical eye over the darkly clothed man. "Hmm, you are a little pale, young man. Where have you travelled from, if you don't mind an old man's curiosity?" He asked, an inquisitive twinkle in his eyes.

Bradyn did not present himself in an excited or happy manner like Odhranos did, the two men were thus far seeming to be quite opposite in their personalities. There is nothing wrong with that though, it takes all sorts to make the world go round. "Terramancy," Bradyn repeats, his offered hand finding place at his side again. "Interesting." The rather flat tone of voice might suggest he did not mean that but, quite the contrary. His answer to his preferred area of study would not come right away, Odhranos goes straight into summoning Master Oriyan over. With Oriyan's attention on the two practitioners, and all social pleasantries between Ordhanros and Oriyan completed, Bradyn finally speaks up to answer all of the questions that have been lobbed his direction. "I have traveled from Vailkrin," which is the only explanation that either men would get for his paleness. Read into that statement what they will, bare minimum a lack of sun would contribute to his lack of a tan. "And as for what school of magic I study. Necromancy." There is only a small pause after he declares this, going right into explaining. "And yes, I do also currently hold rank amongst the Necromancer's guild. Sceleratus." It may or may not be known that this is only the rank just above entry level, thus Bradyn's goal was not to brag but to inform. For he was seeking admittance into the mage's guild. It would not be the first time a necromancer has decided to find a place within both guilds. Knowledge is power. Grey eyes transfer between Oriyan and Odhranos expectantly. Maybe he was expecting more questions? A task? Instruction? The variables were many, but he did not expect any amount of negative reaction because of the information he has revealed. The Mages Guild has had creepier in their ranks...

Both men nodded sagely at Bradyn's response. That did partway answer the master's question, but in the end of the day, it wasn't of paramount importance to know -what- exactly Bradyn was. So long as he had a thirst for knowledge and an interest in the Guild's continuation, that was all that was needed. And on the other hand, Xalious knows, the Guild had seen it's fair share of dubious customers, it had even been led by a revenant vampire and a lich lord. Nothing could be abnormal at this point. "Ahh necromancy. Most persecuted of the arcane arts, yet one with many virtues for it's unfortunate persecution. You needn't fear, necromancy is a welcome study in these halls, just as any other of the schools of magic. It just so happens that Odhranos is researching a matter regarding necromancy, isn't that correct?" The wizen master inquired, to which Odhranos replied with a nod. "Well then, your coming to the Guild is most fortuitous. Perhaps when the admission process is complete, you can assist him in his research? Provide a fresh pair of eyes and an insight into the necromantic arts?"

"Of course," Bradyn says without the slightest hint of hesitation. It did not even cross his mind that he may not be admitted into the guild, this was not a concern, so he does not offer up the fact he would be willing to offer his assitance regardless of being apart of the Mage's guild or not. Those grey eyes find focus on Odhranos over Oriyan, "We will have to set up a time to discuss what it is you would like to have insights on in the near future." The offer was sincere, if one could determine that much with the monotone Maharan male. Back to business at hand though, joining the Mages' guild. "But before we get excited about plans for the future...perhaps we should focus on the task at present?" Leave it to the Necromancer to be all serious and down to business. "What is it that I am expected to do in order to gain rank amongst the guild?" Rank being the barest entry rank, with Bradyn more than willing to work up them as expected. Once again Bradyn is transferring his gaze between Odhranos and Oriyan, looking about as hopeful and excited as possible given his personality type. "With Larewen it was as simple as...You are in, but spend time working with Khitti. I doubt it will be as simple for the this guild? Surely there must be some task or test expected of me?"

"Yes, yes, quite right, straight to the crux of the matter. The common practice for admission into the Guild is through a spar, to get a sense for the applicant's ability, then a task, set by a Guild representative, and deemed a worthy challenge to merit admission. Normally this spar would be administered by a Provost, but the past few months have been difficult on the Guild, and many are involved in tasks taking them far from Xalious. I would myself, but I am not the sprightly young man I once was. Hmmm..." The old master stroked his long white beard as he pondered, when Odhranos spoke up from where he had been standing quietly. "Perhaps, given the circumstances, Master Oriyan, if you oversaw the spar, I could stand in as Bradyn's opponent? That way, there is still a ranking member of the Guild administering the spar as it were, but nowhere in the Guild's guidelines does it state the member need necessarily partake in the spar personally." Oriyan hummed a little more, a slight furrowing of his eyebrows the only response for a number of seconds. "I'm unsure... but perhaps given the circumstances, rules can be bent a little." A mischievous twinkle returned to the old man's eyes as he turned his attention to Bradyn. "How does that sit with you?"

Oriyan or Odrhanos, whomever was his partner in this spar was really of little importance toward Bradyn. However, Oriyan does manage to elicit a smirk from Bradyn, which was quite the rare showing for the vampiric male...not that either of the men present would truly know. "I am sure you would be quite the formidable opponent, but it seems equally fitting for a spar between myself and Odhranos." By the time his words are finished that smirk is gone and the vampiric male is motioning beyond the invisible barrier in a 'shall we' sort of fashion. Not a single step is take in that direction, letting Odhranos determine if he wants this to actually be the chosen field of battle or if they did not want to venture off to some other location. If Odhranos moves that direction, Bradyn would follow. "What sense in waiting is there? If this is too mundane a battlefield for your tastes then please feel free to propose another location."

Odhranos shook his head as Bradyn gestured towards the area of the training hall beyond the magic barrier. "In order to ensure that there is no interference, we would be better suited using one of the cloisters. They are more suitable for one-on-one dueling, as they are self contained and have fully enclosing magic barriers, so observing a duel is easier. If you'd follow me." Odhranos led the way back down the steps, while the Master strode a step or two behind after bidding his student farewell. During her descent, Oriyan addressed Bradyn with a question. "If you don't mind my curiosity, what is your reason for joining the Guild? Many people come to us seeking to join our ranks looking to gain power, while many more come seeking knowledge, while other's have their own agendas, I would like to know what it is you seek?" The master tucked his thumbs into the loops of his belt, while his long beard bounced against his chest and the medallion slung there; the symbol of his position as instructor of the arcane arts.

What is it he sought? The answer came smoothly as Bradyn moved with the group without objection, step after step, to the cloisters of choice.The location was of no matter to him in the sense that anyone who was even going to consider engaging in battle needs to be able to adapt to different environments, or suffer the consequences of loss. This situation was hardly as drastic enough to even warrant thoughts of victors versus losers. "My reason for seeking admittance into the guild is likely no different than any other applicant." The vampiric male continues own, speaking in true Maharan fashion. "Knowledge is power in my personal opinion, so by gaining one I would hope to gain the other." Barring any limitations on his own abilities, it is entirely plausible he is nothing more than a mediocre caster. There were plenty of them. "And it seems a majority of the necromancers of note, at least those that I could name off hand, have made the choice to be apart of both guilds." As cliche as an answer as anyone could give, but the vampire would not be scheming up any more colorful or fanciful excuses. It made sense, the most straight forward reason he could give. By the time Bradyn has finished his answer, the men have completed their descent of the and found their way to a suitable cloister.

Oriyan hummed at the vampire's answer, but no reply was forthcoming, it would appear that whatever information the master had gleaned, it was for him to ponder alone. Stepping out onto the grass of the cloister, Odhranos beckoned Bradyn to join him. "This will be a standard entry level spar. Your objective is to simply land a hit on me, how you do that is up to yourself. It is preferable that this spar not be fatal, the Mage's Guild would prefer not to lose any more members, potential or current. But don't let that hold you back. Just relent where you see it is necessary." Odhranos took a position at the far side of the courtyard from Bradyn. "Your training starts now." The mage raised both hands and faced the palms towards his opponent.

Joining Odhranos within the cloister is exactly what Bradyn would do, finding a place within the center of their agreed upon field of battle. The Maharan male was in no way dressed for a fight, that is to say he was entirely lacking in armor and wore a set of clothing that was more appropriate for...well a funeral service. This is likely an unsurprisingly detail for during the occasions that Mages do battle, they are often not weighted down by armor, why wear it when physical combat was not their strength. In addition to the lack of armor, not a single weapon can be seen on his person. Nor are there any odd looking satchels or baubles that may contain useful items for necromanctic spells. The lack of supplies was an advantage for Odhranos as most necromancers could not summon something from nothing. It is with a half now that Bradyn would signal his intention to start. The second he pulls out of the bow and stands at full height, the shadows that are generated by the two men seem to take on a life of their own, growing in size and intensity. These shadows expand until they consume all of the light in the cloister, leaving the two mages standing in a space as dark as a night that had no moon. This was an environment that Bradyn was used to, his grey eyes respond to the lack of light instantly. This by no means was an attack, a distraction and a means to try and hinder Odhranos, yes. If he struggled to see Bradyn, how well would he fare in battle? Magic user Bradyn may be, in this moment the necromancer was going to depend on vampiric speed to close the gap between himself and Odhranos with hand outstretched. Bradyn's goal was to grab the man by the neck. Without this point of contact, Bradyn's spell would not be able to successfully take hold. If Bradyn does manage to wrap fingers around Odhranos' neck, even once the terramancer manages to free himself of the vampire's hold, it willl still feel as though something has a firm hold on his neck and his crushing the breath from his very throat. It is nothing more than a trick of the mind in this instance, easily evaded by a basic dodge.

Even as the shadows began to lengthen and shroud the courtyard in shadow, Odhranos' defence was already in action. Stone crept up from the ground, building around the mage's feet and climbing upwards until it covered Odhranos' face, making him look like a colossal stone pillar. When Bradyn's hand came in contact with the pillar, it caved in beneath his contact, until his hand was enveloped in stone up to the wrist, where it abrubtly solidified. On the far side of the courtyard, the grey robed figure rose slowly from between the flagstones, crouched low to the ground. Odhranos wasn't blinded by the shadows as he could sense where Bradyn was standing by the weight he exerted on the stone, almost like how a spider would use a spiderweb. Silently, grey-sleeved arms raised, facing the vampire, and with blistering speed, a spike of stone erupted from the ground at a low angle, aimed straight for Bradyn's chest.

Bradyn Mahara may be moving toward Odhranos with speed that many a vampire are graced with but he is not charging forward in a reckless fury. In the time it take for the shadows to mask the area in darkness and for Bradyn to cover the ground from point A to point B, he has witnessed the change taking place in Odhranos. Even if he had missed the visual cues, there are other signs that Bradyn might want to reconsider his course of action, like the fact that the thudthudthud of Odhranos' beating heart is no longer resonating in front of him but behind him. Why waste his efforts attacking someone that is no longer there? This choice of Bradyn's will send a slight ripple through Odhranos' plans for instead of following through with his intention of grasping Odhranos by the throat, the man stops short and comes to a dead halt in front of the pilar. Odhranos may be able to sense his location based on his weight and movement, he may even be well aware that Bradyn's hand is not actually trapped within the pillar as it was intended to be. This was not knowledge that Bradyn had -- the only knowledge Bradyn had was that Odhranos was no longer in front of him but behind him. Bradyn turns from his position to search for his foe within the darkness just in time for that stone spike to erupt forth from the ground to impale Bradyn in the chest. Chest is not what this spike impales, with Bradyn managing to slide to the left just in time to narrowly avoid being hit square on. The tip of the spike does bite into the side of his torso, tearing through cloth and skin with little regard but not to the point that it is lethal. Especially not for a vampire, but Bradyn is still the first to take a hit. Momentum is not lost and the spike collides hard with the pillar just behind Bradyn, with enough force that the pillar crumbles and the spike disintegrates into a puff of earthy dust that should be settling to the ground. Instead floats unnaturally through the air, if such can be seen in the darkness. What once was an element of the earth has been twisted by Bradyn's dark magic, degrading into a toxic substance. As a vampire, Bradyn will be unaffected if he breathes in a lungful of this bile but does Odhranos have the same luxury? If inhaled, the corrupted dust will burn the eyes, the lungs, the throat, and if exposed to a large enough dose, vomiting could occur.

Straightening upright, Odhranos revealed to Bradyn the face that was previously obscured beneath the cowl. Rendered crudely in stone, a Cheshire grin spread across the stone mask, while stone plated limbs raised to face palms towards the vampire. Odhranos was well used to having to hold his breath when plated in earth or buried in stone for extended periods of time. He would be able to filter most of the gunge out of the air by sifting it through the stone, but only for so long. Rapidly, the stone figure curled it's fingers into claws, which resulted in sand billowing out from the sleeves and rushing towards the vampire, dispersing the cloud of malignant spores as the blinding wall of sand rushed forwards. Hidden by the sand, a ripple in the stone flagstones rushed forwards at the vampire's ankles, attempting to catch him unawares and trip him up.

Bradyn is easily able to evade this maneuver, much to his thanks, for neither male are -looking- to walk out of here with significant amount of injury. Up on over the ripple Bradyn leaps, landing safely on the ground once is passes. He will not be tripped up at the ankles and end up falling face forward today. No time is spent recounting his victory, the necromancer taking the offensive quite quickly once more. The darkness that Bradyn has created within the area recedes quite suddenly, faster than the human eye can blink, which will probably be uncomfortable for both men. Eyes always need time to adjust to these changes in the environment, and Bradyn's own are do not take as easily to the light as they do the darkness. Speaking of darkness, it has not been banished from the room entirely but has changed forms. Three black spherical objects now rest between Bradyn and Ohdranos. The vampiric male sets blurred sights upon Odhranos and takes aim. All three of the objects are not sent directly at Bradyn's opponent. Only one is, the other is aimed just to the left, the third just to the right in a bid to cut off an evasive attempts. If one of these three orbs of darkness collide with Odhranos? Well the orbs themselves will pass through Ohdranos, but as it does he will find himself violently thrown back. As if Odhranos were facing one pissed off ghost. Sort of.

Odhranos is thankfully not disoriented, by his eyes not being open in the first place, as the mage's face is ensconced in earth. The stone mage opts for a rather rash tactic; he charges straight forward toward the vampire, even as the central shadow-orb flies towards his chest. At the moment of collision, the orb passes right through his chest and... nothing happens. The stone figure's grinning maw opens wide, revealing no Odhranos inside, it had been a decoy all along. Continuing it's charge, the stone proxy makes use of Bradyn's moment or two of confusion and disorientation to barrel straight into the vampire's chest. Unless Bradyn managed to evade in his blinded state, the stone would crash into him, before encasing his chest in a solid lump of stone.

Bradyn was never blinded to begin with, not fully. His vision was blurred, which is how he was able to make out Odhranos' form. And again, as a necromancer he has a sound understanding of what is living and what is not, combine the detail that he is a vampire....Come here little pig, let me eat you. This is the second time in battle that Odhranos has used this decoy trick? So Bradyn does not need to wait for his spell to hit to realize that Odhranos' is trying to be a sneaky little worm -again-. Odhranos will go barreling into nothing but air for one of those three shadow orbs is going to spin right around and collide with Bradyn. Collide is not the right word, consume is a better word. One minute Bradyn is there and the next minute Ohdranos is without an opponent, for Bradyn is not standing outside of the cloister.

A few moments of silence passed before Oriyan stepped onto the cloister and awaited Odhranos and Bradyn's return. "Right, that will suffice. Although, Odhranos, I really do question your methods. If his task was to hit you, was lying underground and staying there really a fair move?" The old master smiled amusedly as the flagstones before him split and Odhranos surfaced, the -real- one this time, shaking dirt from his robes as he fixed the paving stones back to their previous position. "It was an good test, I felt. To face off in a battle of pure power shows little of a mage's prowess, merely that of his skill with a chosen art. To battle with the wits and mind as well as power shows the true merit of a mage." When Bradyn reappeared, the terramancer grinned and extended a hand. "That was a well fought duel, your grasp of the Black Tides is most impressive. I relish our next spar, I promise I shan't be as sly the next time. Although if I am, you have an edge in predicting it." Odh laughed good-naturedly. Oriyan stepped forward and addressed Bradyn. "Your first stage in joining the Guild is complete, Mister Mahara. Next, you must complete a task, one that proves your worth and loyalty to the Guild." The old master's eyes twinkled mischeviously. "There is an ancient tome of arcane knowledge that was misappropriated a number of decades back by a Frostmawian citizen, it was stolen from our library and we seek it's return. You must retrieve it for us."

The hand that is offered by Odhranos is given a firm shake before it is released, Bradyn offering up a polite nod before her admits, "My knowledge of the Black Tides is basic at best. Were I more proficient...." Well Bradyn does not drone on, but what he was doing was parlor tricks in comparison to what could be done. "My particular interest to not always lend to battle." A shrug, but it was neither here nor there for he had managed just fine and was still making the efforts to learn the Black Tides with Khitti. "Khitti is far more proficient in this area." But in time, his knowledge would grow. "The task you have given me will hopefully be completed, though I will be perfectly open in stating that I will have to exercise extreme judgement in this. The relationship between Frostmaw and Vailkrin is not a good one, at least so I have been told." By a redheaded necromancer who has given him an earful on this matter during an expedition they undertook to Frostmaw. Behave Bradyn. Sign this contract, Bradyn. You have to, Bradyn, because the Queen frakkin' commands it. Naw, for the most part Khitti is alright in his book, even if they do not always see eye to eye on every single matter. "But that is of no significant matter, I do not believe, I have someone I can speak with." That same redheaded necromancer that had him going out to Frostmaw to begin with. "Of course before I go, I must inquire if there is additional information for me to base this search off? Does this tome have a particular title? A particular look? Do we have insights as to who in Frostmaw it may belong to at present?"

Odhranos cocked an eyebrow at Bradyn's mention of Khitti being his tutor. "Ahh, Ms Von Schreier, it has been a long time since we last talked, it was certainly under less comfortable conditions. I should contact her." He commented offhandedly, before turning back to Oriyan, who waited for Odhranos to finish talking with a polite nod. "You have an inquisitive nature, Bradyn, it will serve you well. We do not know the name of the citizen currently in possession of the book, it has changed hands a number of times. However, we have received information from a contact of ours living in Frostmaw that the book was recently auctioned off to an anonymous bidder, who requested it be stored in Frostmaw Bank's main vault in Locker 3493. Your task is to enter Frostmaw's Bank under the pretext of collecting belongings of a close acquantance from Locker 3593, which is located directly below. How you access the other locker is up to you, but here is your key to 3593." The old mage reached into a deep pocket in his robes and handed across a small iron skeleton key on the end of a fine silver chain. "The one condition is that you cannot be caught in the act of breaking in. It would not look good for a member of The Mage's Guild to get caught breaking into Frostmaw's bank. So.... dont get caught!" The old master grinned happily.

"Right. Well as I just said, tensions between Vailkrin and Frostmaw are high enough. I will not be the catalyst for a war between the two regions, nor do I see a reason to cause tensions between the two guilds. Breaking into a bank is not a course of action I will take and good luck tasking this suicide mission to anyone. They will be caught. I doubt this tome is that important; or else you would not be tasking me with this." The key that is held out to him is never accepted. "I am not a thief, if I was I would not seek admission into the Mage's guild. Thank you both for your time and consideration but I decline this task." There will be a nod to the both of them and then Bradyn will turn to be on his way.

Odhranos' eyes widened at Bradyn's words, then as the vampire turned to walk away, a loud peal of laughter echoed around the cloister. "Master?" Odhranos asked confusedly, as Oriyan nearly doubled over with laughter. "Oh I do like this one, Odhranos, he's got a cold steel to him." Oriyan chuckled before calling Bradyn back. "You have guts, Mister Mahara, to be so blunt with your words. But the Mage's Guild could do with people as vocal as yourself." The wizen master tucked the key back into his robes. "Had you accepted, and completed what would no doubt be a trying mission; although given your talents, perhaps less so, you would have in fact retrieved a rather racy novel by E.L. Landon from Locker 3493, which is owned by a member of the Mage's Guild, namely... myself. I have a standing with the management of Frostmaw's Bank, that locker is used by many mages for their initiation tasks. I think you'd have found it's integrity to be surprisingly lacking compared to some of the others around it. Still, that point is somewhat moot now!" The old master grinned and patted both mages on the shoulder. "I may be old, but I have some trick up my sleeve. Odhranos, show Mister Mahara to Administrator Brenwyn, tell him we have a new member of the Mage's Guild."

Admittedly the Maharan male was fully anticipating rejection from this point out, which he was prepared to accept for his choice of words and his behavior. He was about to walk away and accept the ramifications for his actions without further fuss but the two men are speaking again, with words that given Bradyn reason to pause. The vampire turns and faces Oriyan and Ohdranos once more, clasping both hands firmly behind his back. "I would admittedly have been more than displeased to locate such a book." A confession that is not that surprising, the man is lacking in a sense of humor. Bradyn is not familiar enough with the inner workings of the Mage's Guild and Frostmaw to have known that there was any sort of connection. The evaluation was made seriously, what is this nonsense known as mischief? To Master Oriyan, "Again, I thank you for your time." Odhranos would now have the brunt of Bradyn's stair, letting the other mage lead him to Administrator Brenwyn. For the short walk between places, "You have an interest in necromancy as well?" Or so Oriyan had revealed, at the very least.

Odhranos had a somewhat stupefied look on his face as he walked away; he himself had been subject to a task similar during his initiation, but at least he only had to steal it from a fellow initiate, not break into a highly fortified bank, in what is definitively the most warlike city in all of Lithrydel. He was also amazed at Bradyn's blunt refusal and Oriyan's subsequent admittance of the vampire. But who can fathom the machinations of a mage's mind? They're like clockwork that gets exponentially more complicated with age, and Oriyan was no spring chicken. Still, the mage managed to shake the bamboozlement free when he realized Bradyn had asked him a question. "Oh! Yes, indeed. Not in the practice, I have enough on my plate with my continued studies of terramancy, but I am researching a rather intriguing project at the moment. Perhaps after we talk to Administrator Brenwyn, I can show you what I've been working on. Tell me, what do you know of the Higher Necromantic art of "Soul Trapping"..." The mage's voice trailed off into the distance as he and Bradyn strode away. A smile crossed Oriyan's face, the guild needed new blood, and it seemed like Bradyn was the sort of mage that they needed. Perhaps he was too easy on him, perhaps he should have pressed harder. Still, what may have been. The old master reached into another voluminous pocket of his trailing robes and drew out a well-thumbed notebook, with a stub of a pencil attached by a short string. "Remind..... Odhranos..... to fix.....courtyard cobbles..." The master murmured as he jotted down a note, before striding off back to the training center, whistling merrily.