[center][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5498541][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/874364687599403028/1201548617132015686/Evelyn_Banner_1.png[/img][/url][/center]
[center][h3]--Varanheim - Abandoned Homestead--[/h3][/center]
Just as before, the scrying spell unraveled the secrets held by the bloodied sword's twin... only for there to be no secrets at all, at least not what Evelyn didn’t already know. [color=d62524][i]Just as I expected, this is simply the other pair of its twin, it holds the exact same enchantments, of course without the dried blood as it went unused.[/i][/color] Mentally shrugging in lack of surprise, the artificer returned to her original spot in front of the bloodied sword at the table. It was at this time that the wandering witch quipped at her, and even though Fia meant nothing by it, her words nonetheless rubbed Eve the wrong way.

[color=d62524][b]"Uh..."[/b][/color] Eve's lips pursed as her brows frowned, her mind barely reigning herself back from making a snide response, this time, her rationality triumphed over her emotions. [color=d62524][i]Calm yourself, Eve, she's simply one of the many strangers blind to your worth due to your age, in time, she'll see... they'll all see.[/i][/color] As a result, Eve simply smirked in response, [color=d62524][b]"Very soon, Lady Fia, you'll see that my age has no bearing with my contributions to this expedition."[/b][/color] There, she'd leave it at that, noblesse oblige preserved.

Soon after, the boisterous voice of Sir Engelbert the Allegedly Fearless echoed in the living room, following an equally-loud twin claps from his gauntlets. [color=d62524][i]Oh?[/i][/color] An invitation to introduce oneself to the whole group? Well, this should be interesting, and indeed, essential. Each and every member of the team would be relying on each other through thick and thin, knowing who your comrades were and what they could do were the bare minimum of camaraderie. For the moment, Eve was content to let others take the honors first.

Up first was Sir Engelbert himself, and though they had only met recently, the adventurer-knight had such a reputation about him that winds of his fame had reached her ears, after all, words travel fast in Venezia. [color=d62524][i]Indeed, the enchantments upon his armor are the feats of master artificers. It won't be feasible now since we're on an expedition, but I must ask him to let me examine his armor in detail once we have the opportunity.[/i][/color] Eve mused, nodding idly to herself with a hand clasped against her chin, [color=d62524][i]And perhaps, if my skills allow, improve upon it. It'll honor me greatly to work upon such a masterpiece.[/i][/color]

Then, before anyone else could take their turn, the elven archer - Roxas, was it? - returned from her foray to the second floor, bringing with her various items. [color=d62524][i]Ohooo... interesting...[/i][/color] Safe to say, the young artificer's interests were piqued, and even before Roxas or Carnatia mentioned it, she was already planning to scry those items. [color=d62524][i]But it'll be uncouth to do so now, I'll wait until the introductions are over.[/i][/color] Besides, she had yet to introduce herself.

The next person to ascend the proverbial podium was none other than the arcane-swordswoman with blazing red hair and equally fiery eyes, the one that caught her attention earlier. [color=d62524][i]Wielding magic and might both, a runeknight? Hmm... perhaps battlemage would be more appropriate since she admitted to be relying on magic more than martial. She spoke of dismantling magical enchantments, is she a fellow artificer? Perhaps not, I have the feeling that what she meant is more on the combat side of things rather than craftsmanship.[/i][/color] Regardless, Eve found herself staring at the comely warrioress once more... [color=d62524][b]"...-eh?!"[/b][/color] So when Carnatia mentioned her name directly, she was taken by surprise, all due to her own doing, [color=d62524][b]"A-... aaah... ahem...!"[/b][/color] Evelyn was quick to save face though as she cleared her throat, pausing to gather herself as she nodded at Carnatia and Roxas with a confident smile, [color=d62524][b]"Yes, Lady Carnatia, Lady Roxas, such feats are well within my expertise, I shall do so in but a moment."[/b][/color]

Unfortunately, that plan was not without its issues, one that Engelbert brought up, something about disrespecting other people's belongings. Well, he might have a point there, but surely just examining them wouldn't hurt, right? [color=d62524][i]I'll just scry them, doesn't mean I'll take them...[/i][/color] However, she wasn't willing to debate the knight of stellar repute on the matter, especially when she partially agreed with him, but then, the accusee - Roxas - also brought up points of her own, defending her actions, and honestly? She too had merits. [color=d62524][i]Aaah...[/i][/color] Before Evelyn knew it, what was once a jolly introduction session had turned into bickering. 

Fortunately for everyone in the room, Engelbert decided to back down, proving that he deserved his reputation as a chivalrous crusader. Instead of escalating the tension and antagonizing his fellow party member, he decided to consult privately with his good friend instead. [color=d62524][i]Sir Gray should be able to provide him with sage advices.[/i][/color] With that little altercation dealt with, the introductions could continue.

The spotlight shone on the tallest and widest adventurer amongst them, the Ferromancer-Knight, Forbann Spiser, who confirmed Eve's hypothesis that he belonged to the djinn kin, oni to be more specific. [color=d62524][i]Fascinating... truly fascinating.[/i][/color] A wielder of the malignant Cursed Iron, a material so hazardous that even Evelyn dared not to tinker with them, at least until she gained more experience in handling corrupted materials. However, standing before her was an expert of the craft. [color=d62524][i]Heh, even if Sir Vesemir cancels the expedition now, I'd have gotten myself quite a number of interesting individuals to correspond with.[/i][/color] And Forbann was [i]definitely[/i] listed among them.

Then, once more, before the next person could step up, Gray returned with Engelbert to share a few words of wisdom to Roxas, and by extension, the rest of the group. [color=d62524][b]"Fair enough, Sir Gray."[/b][/color] Eve acquiesced with a small nod, [color=d62524][b]"But at least let me examine them first, if anything, it'll allow us to be properly informed [i]if[/i] any of these items bear any harmful curses, I believe such a precaution is justified."[/b][/color]

Back to the introductions, the witch and collector of arcane trinkets took the stage. By all purposes, she was the first dedicated magus amongst those who had introduced themselves, and perhaps [i]the[/i] only one too, pending any further revelations. Her display of magical prowess as she flexed her mastery over element after element was equally beautiful and terrifying. Here lied a sorceress who could lay waste to a small army all by herself... and to top it all off, she revealed her skill with a blade too. [color=d62524][i]...[/i][/color] Once again, Eve was relieved that they were on the same side. 

Following up after Fia would be a tall order, but Eve wasn't one to back down from a challenge. [color=d62524][b]"Ahem!"[/b][/color] Clearing her throat, the shorter of the two redheads aimed to gather the group's attention, [color=d62524][b]"For the benefit of those who has yet to know me, I am Evelyn Theophania Konstantin or, for your convenience, simply ‘Eve' will do considering our circumstances."[/b][/color] She made a short pause, [color=d62524][b]"I hail from the Serene Republic of Helvetia, under my own behest to discover what mystical wonders held within the Land of Twilight."[/b][/color] Knowing what she'd say next, the redhead curled the confident smirk that was arguably iconic of her by now, [color=d62524][b]"My passion lies in Artificing; the art of identifying, designing, and crafting artifacts through magical means, in addition, to guarantee my own safety, I also dabble in swordsmanship and marksmanship."[/b][/color] Speaking of which, she brandished and drew her rapier and gun respectively, showing them off to the group, [color=d62524][b]"I crafted these myself, along with the enchanted apparel I'm currently wearing, rest assured, they'll serve us well in the coming journey."[/b][/color] She nodded firmly as she stowed her weapons back. [color=d62524][b]"And that'd be all, comrades, it'll be a great honor to march alongside you. Once this is all over, all of you will be welcomed at Helvetia, regarded as dauntless explorers who ventured where few even dare to."[/b][/color]

[hr]

With her part of the introduction done, Eve huffed as she went over to the trinkets that Roxas brought down. [color=d62524][i]Hmm...[/i][/color] Methodically, she performed a scrying spell on each of the items. [color=d62524][i]I see...[/i][/color] Nodding to herself, she made quick mental notes of her findings before turning toward the group. She'd wait until whoever was currently on the spotlight to finish their introduction before speaking, [color=d62524][b]"Everyone, please excuse my impudence, but may I take a moment of your time?"[/b][/color] She paused to let her words sink in before continuing, [color=d62524][b]"I've gathered what I could from these items, let me relay them to you."[/b][/color]

First, Evelyn picked up the elven blade, [color=d62524][b]"This sword is part of a twin pair alongside that one above the fireplace. It's enchanted with runes to reinforce its durability, explaining its pristine state even after decades of abandonment. The traces of dried blood revealed that the wielder was an elven man who was three decades old by the time the blood was spilled."[/b][/color] She finished as she put the sword down.

Second, she procured the gold brooch with an emerald gem slotted in it, [color=d62524][b]"This is an Arcane Focus, a trinket capable of improving various aspects of spellcasting. This one in particular is attuned to healing spells, enabling the caster to consume around half of the usual mana required for a specific spell. A great boon for any healers out there for certain."[/b][/color] She set the brooch back down before moving to the next item.

Third, she held up the crystal-infused lamp, [color=d62524][b]"This, for a lack of better words, is simply a lamp, although powered by mana instead of heat. When infused with mana..."[/b][/color] Evelyn did exactly that to demonstrate, conducting a minor flow of mana from the environment into the lamp, causing it to illuminate, [color=d62524][b]"It'll shine, providing illumination. A simple yet useful item for countless situations."[/b][/color] The redhead shrugged lightly as she deactivated the lamp before returning it on the table.

Finally, she gestured lightly to the rest of the items; the dagger, quiver, hairpin, and pendant, [color=d62524][b]"The rest are mundane objects, nothing outwardly notable about them, aside from any sentimental values, that is."[/b][/color] And thus concluded her reports.

[@Mas Bagus] [@A5G] [@Valkon] [@Conscripts] [@Remuri v2] [@Randomguy] [@Visyn] [@Deide] [@Randomness]