[center][table][row][cell]
[right][colour=red][b][colour=gold]ꁲ ꂵ ꁲ ꋊ ꂠ ꂑ ꋊ ꈼ[/colour][/b]
[sub][sup]ꋖ ꂑ ꂵ ꈼ[/sup][/sub]
[sup][colour=white]Day 1 [Night]
[/colour][/sup]
[sub][sup]꒒ ꂦ ꀯ ꁲ ꋖ ꂑ ꂦ ꋊ[/sup][/sub]
[sup][colour=white]Lock and Key [Somerset][/colour][/sup]
[sub][sup]ꉣ ꁲ ꌅ ꋖ ꂑ ꀯ ꂑ ꉣ ꁲ ꋊ ꋖ ꌚ[/sup][/sub]
[sup][colour=white][NPC] Sir Dorian
[@WhiteAngel25] Faline
[@Mechromancer] Dorothea
[@Jamesyco] Torsten
[@Red Wizard] Simbelmynë[/colour][/sup]
[sub][sup]ꌚ ꂦ ꐇ ꋊ ꂠ ꋖ ꌅ ꁲ ꀯ ꀗ[/sup][/sub]
[sup][url=https://youtu.be/EmYjMUfIHqI]♫[/url][/sup][/colour][/right]
[/cell][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/GoszZJq.png[/img][/cell][/row][/table][/center]

Amandine’s eyes narrowed as she was almost bowled over in disbelief. Within seconds, the conversation shifted from discussing how to handle a Duskrot epidemic to planning a raid on the nearest Dragonian temple ruin, with the intention of plundering it for riches and valuables.

She felt her heart racing and her blood pumping, a pounding sensation behind her eyes and along her temples. The proposed sacrilege these people were considering was quickly pushing her to her limits, and she found herself getting lost in the heat of the moment.

In response, Amandine entered a meditative state, focusing on her teachings and initiating a pattern of breathing exercises. She inhaled deeply, paused, exhaled slowly, paused, and then repeated the process. She rode the waves of her emotions, attempting to regain her focus on the task at hand, resolving that the rest could be dealt with later. After all, she was present for a reason; she was a [i]Dragonian Scholar[/i] in both senses of those words.

She opened her eyes and surveyed the room before speaking, [colour=red]“In Dragonian society, Dragons were not mere creatures or animals; they were the manifestation of the Gods made flesh. Imagine a religion where you could directly interact with your patron God.”[/colour] Her gaze flickered toward the resident Paladin. [colour=red]“Selene was the God of the Moon, and it is said that in times past, they were responsible for bringing water and winter to the region. Vradia was a barren landscape, as their ice carved rivers and waterways into the region.”[/colour]

[colour=red]“You might be wondering how this potentially relates to Duskrot. After all, isn’t Winter often associated with death?”[/colour] She posed the question from a human perspective. [colour=red]“In Dragonian belief, Winter is seen as a time of rejuvenation, when the land heals itself to prepare for the birth of new life. Therefore, the God of the Moon is strongly associated with healing.”[/colour]

She turned her gaze toward the Book of Artefacts; her expression almost derisive, for she knew that some of these items were greater than the trinkets that were simply being considered as. More than the mere possessions for greedy hands, they are valued as. [colour=red]“So, if the Amulet of Selene truly exists, it could be regarded as an artefact with significant healing potential. I assume the Emperor foolishly believes it might serve as a cure for Duskrot.”[/colour] Her eyes locked onto Dorian, and her tone was firm. [colour=red]“I say 'foolish' because the Dragonian cure for Duskrot did not involve healing.”[/colour]

She shifted her attention to Faline, her expression thoughtful. [colour=red]“There’s a reason the Dragonians are extinct, and their temples lie in ruins. The first Emperor rounded up the unarmed followers of Selene and massacred them with swords. As for their ‘War Chief’…”[/colour] Amandine couldn’t suppress a snort of mirth, [colour=red]“… if they survived, time would have caught up with them by now.”[/colour]

She noticed the atmosphere in the room, especially after her speech. She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. [colour=red]“Legends claim that the Hiemaquas Dragonian tribe secretly endures, having evaded this great Empire over the ages. At this point, perhaps if we approach them politely and convey the nobility of our purpose, they might hand over the amulet. And who knows, maybe as a sign of gratitude, they’ll give us dragon mounts and let us frolic in the hatchery with the adorable little dragon whelps.”[/colour] Her tone was jovial but dripping with sarcasm, an attempt to lighten the mood of the endeavour.

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