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[h2][color=darkorchid][i][b]Victoria Belmont[/b][/i][/color][/h2][i][b][color=9932cc]Half-Elf, Bard, Level 5[/color][/b][/i]
[color=9932cc][i][b]HP:[/b][/i][/color] 33 / 33	[color=9932cc][i][b]Armor Class:[/b][/i][/color] 16	[color=9932cc][i][b]Conditions:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=9932cc][i][b]Location:[/b][/i][/color] Coach House
[color=9932cc][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] Skill Checks [i](Investigation, Arcana)[/i], Spellcasting [i](Prestidigitation)[/i] 
[color=9932cc][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=9932cc][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
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[right][img]https://i.ibb.co/84xS62pB/Victoria-Alt-7-ss.png[/img][/right]
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	There were a lot of questions in the air, some of which involved subjects about which Victoria had received formal training. While it might be said among certain circles that alleged "book learning" was far inferior to personal experience, when it came to passing on purely informative knowledge, rote memorization from reliable, written sources was often singularly adequate. This night held elements of both academic and practical experience, both from which Victoria could draw. Maybe it was because she still felt a slight high from successfully channeling Necromantic magic to a positive effect and got to show off a little around young Lizbeth, but the Bard felt a touch of clarity that allowed her to answer a few of the queries floating about the taproom. 

	She started with Lizbeth, who finally looked like her morale was improving some. [color=9932cc]"No. Toombes's remains are safe for right now - from everything but the very strongest of spells."[/color] Like many things, it could be countered under the right circumstances, but she had no desire to worry the child and, in fairness, direct animation could no longer reach his bones. Victoria took a sip from her tea and made a mildly surprised expression. It had, in the intervening time, grown quite cold. She immediately re-warmed with a simple spell, stirring it with her ring finger until it began to steam lightly. Victoria sipped again, now quite satisfied, and continued, [color=9932cc]"Mmm, lovely. Just a spot of honey and it's perfect... Now Lizbeth, you don't need to answer out loud, but, do you think that I am a monster?"[/color] The stunning Half-Elf beamed a smile as warming as the cup of tea in her hand, saying, [color=9932cc]"I've been learning about Necromancy for a long time now. The study of any kind of magic will change you, dear. Admittedly, this [i]is[/i] one of the reasons why one of my College's philosophies, and by extension one to which I subscribe, is that of Ethical Neutrality."[/color] Another sip, another light smile, and she continued to explain herself to Lizbeth, [color=9932cc]"My occupation (or my most profitable one), prior to and between Adventuring, is Funerary Violinist. I could speak volumes on the practice and might, if you'll allow, but that is not my point this night. No, the practice of Ethical Neutrality is one whereupon detachment is a necessary state of mind when dealing with differing cultures and grey practices of belief and magic - [i]which I do when practicing my craft.[/i] Maintaining balance in thought and deed, when dealing with matters involving Death and the Dead, prevents you from straying too far into a mythos which will overly influence you. Essentially, holding to an Philosohpy of Neutrality, according to many deep thinkers of eras past and present, helps prevent one from becoming the 'monster', especially when dealing with magic that can indeed be monstrous."[/color] 

	A tiny laugh issued from Victoria as she rose and walked to the cask of [i]definitely not cursed[/i] brandy. She topped off her teacup with the fragrant stuff and applied another warming spell to her drink, then sipped the steaming liquid cautiously. [color=9932cc]"Ethical Necromancy exists. But a line must be walked. It is thin, and requires careful steps, Mademoiselle L'Rose. But you need not be a monster to embrace the dark."[/color] A more solid sip now and the purple-clad Bard settled back in her seat. She hoped that Lizbeth was taking her words to heart, otherwise she was just leaning into her own sense of vanity and showmanship. [color=9932cc]"The Gods of the Dead, for the most part, the Psychopomps who lead souls to their place after their time has passed, the rulers of underworlds and halls of the fallen; they are not evil powers. Strict, most of them. Like our friend Marita, they are interested in maintaining Order within their realms. They are not evil, nor are they particularly compassionate. There ARE powers that are as deranged and problematic as the stories say, though. Truly evil entities who care nothing for balance, nor law, who desire power at any expense and harbor hatred for anything they cannot use to gain their desires. These entities also embrace the dark, the rot, Necromancy in general without restraint and without regard. They are the true monsters of this story. Do not be like them. We can talk more about it later, but just for now, do you understand what I am trying to say?"[/color] Victoria had witnessed too much from this kid, and things which had coincidentally happened around her, to put away her suspicions for too much longer. [color=9932cc]"We can talk about why you are really afraid. I might have some perspective for you that others will not. Sisters of the Weave."[/color] By choice or by circumstance, this young lady was obviously different.

	Having spent an overmuch of discussion time on something which was not the main topic of the hour, Victoria remained quiet for a bit and sipped her brandy spiked tea. She gave a tiny hum of contentment as the warm, alcoholic beverage did its work upon her along with the hearth fire, bringing life back into her cold limbs, and listened to the others talk about the ramifications of recent events. Interesting ideas were proposed which she could not refute nor support, as they were as good explanations as any, but she did stop the conversation for a moment to voice an observation to the rest of the group. [color=9932cc]"Medician Floquet was kind enough to unlock the Study, and she did not require a key to do so. Further, and correct me if I am in the wrong here, but I did not lock it back when we left and I do not believe that anyone else did, either. The Study should still be accessible."[/color]

	Another point brought up was the odd use of language. Phonetic Abyssal written in Draconic, and who might have the knowledge to use it. A sense of illumination came to Victoria, as the "book learning" of her background became useful in this discussion. Arcana was one of her stronger, non-musical knowledge skills. [color=9932cc]"Draconic... used to be the Language of Magic. The preferred one, anyway. It was also used a lot by educated Nobility for its connection to the great, magical creatures that once ruled over ...well, everything. Because of how long Dragons live, it changes even less than Elvish and is practically a dead language in that sense. A lot of spell scrolls and older texts on arcane topics are written in Draconic. It wasn't until the reappearance of the Dragonborn peoples that it came back into more common usage. Abyssal is another language that was used heavily in Magic, and I believe we all can fathom why. Baronfjord is absolutely correct that there shouldn't be a whole lot of people in this part of the world who can effectively communicate in Phonetic Abyssal with Draconic characters. Nobody has had to for a very, very long time. It was like a, ...a cypher, or a code somehow. Sent from someone or something hundreds of years old, else trained by some entity like that. This is not a linguistic pairing for any living spellcaster, except for a few specially trained Elves, maybe. It should some as no surprise that these languages were commonly used among the magic users of the old Alhazred dynasties, and used heavily in their funerary rituals."[/color] Victoria paused for a moment, [color=9932cc]"I do not know how this might help, but I hope it does."[/color]