Closed two out of a little.

[Eridanus]

The man phrased the current situation quite succinctly. Although it was the truth of the situation, it was not quite the entire truth. Therefore, it was a situation where positioning proved to be quite different from the intention. In any case, Eridanus shrugged, replying, "If it helps you to understand better, Mister Alexander, I am only willing to instruct in disciplines that I am proficient in, and when the other party already possesses some working knowledge of the discipline in question. I do not initiate."

Unless.

The mage had been talking about research, and it drew a glance of curiosity from the ethaefal. Most wizards who were out here on the field wielded magic for its utility, and the scientist-wizards generally remained back in the safety of the city and their laboratories.

"It is clear our current topic is souring. Let me ask you instead, Mister Alexander... what research do you hope to be conducting in magic? Would not the University of Zeltiva be a more conducive place for your studies than braving dangers in the field here?"

[Jason Alexander]

“Let me ask you instead, Mister Alexander... what research do you hope to be conducting in magic? Would not the University of Zeltiva be a more conducive place for your studies than braving dangers in the field here?" Was what the Eth asked him after deciding the topic of training had taken a more souring turn.

“You see Master Eridanus if I were to tell you my current research project you would think I was insane. The University would not take me seriously if I were to come to them asking for a lab, they would laugh me out of city. All other places of learn both big and small would laugh me out or have me hung as a wizard. So that brings me to why I am on this quest, firstly to earn the five thousand mizas to boost my research by allowing me to get a lab and more supplies than I could possibly need. Secondly because of where we are going, the city of Sahova is full of magical knowledge that could help my research.” Sliding down from the log he had been sitting on the whole time he and Eridanus had been talking to sit on the grass infront of it. Leaning back against the log and looking to the sky in deep thought. Finally looking back to the earth and then to the fallen creature eye's he started to speak. “To understand my research you must first understand my story. As a boy living in Sylrias with my mother and father I had a happy life. But at the age of thirteen my father died in an accident, you see he was an earth reimancer and a stone mason. The death of my father destroyed my mother but I was there to help her. For the next five years or so, it was me and my mother. I helped her through the death of my father, I was her rock to this world but she was also mine. But in the Fall of the year 509 the city was coming down with a rash of illness that wouldn’t get better. Coughs that healers could stop, shivers that blankets could control, the healers and doctors of the city said there was nothing they could do. Within a week of this happening, my mother was dead in her bed.” Pausing to collect himself from breaking apart while discussing the subject he wished to never speak about because of the pain it brought. Wiping his away the tears that had begun formed at the corner of his eyes he continued on. “She died to a cough. A simple cough. The doctors gave up on her and the majority of the others saying nothing in the world could cure them. I vowed then, that I would discover what happened to my mother.” Pulling his legs closer to him, crossing them into a more comfortable position on the ground he continued his story. “I found what had happen, something that makes the simplest diseases and sickness life threatening. I discovered it when others had thought it lost. Now I have set out to cure it, using means not of this world.” Finishing his story he his thoughts stayed on the younger man’s mother, the joys and happiness she brought him as a child and the pain that was caused by her passing and rebirth. “You asked what my research is. Well my research is the find the cure to an incurable disease by using ingredients from other worlds. You see Master Eridanus I am not only a reimancer but also a summoner. Now you know my skills and my plans for the future. Something I haven’t told many others and yet I told you, a near stranger. What do you think?” The human finished his story and looked in the eyes of the Eth waiting for his answer to his crazy story and the crazy research plan he developed.

[Eridanus]

Eridanus listened carefully, silently appreciating the fact that a total stranger had decided to tell him his story. A story that might make him insane to normal people. Yet, Eridanus was no ordinary person. He was a fellow mage, and more importantly, a fellow scientist, researcher, and visionary.

"It is not a crazy idea, Mister Alexander. There would be no progress if no one dared to dream. Would the Anvil of Souls not be created if not for the creator's whim of approaching Lhex for the blessing? Would, even if he be damned, Sagallius become a god if not for taking on a god while he was human? A goal like yours is worthy for it rebuilds civilization; too many people seek to destroy. A creator like you deserves much commendation. Just remember, Mister Alexander; it takes the competent to maintain the status quo, but it takes a dreamer for progress."

The scholar dropped into silence as he briefly considered the man further. Already the cogs in his mind was beginning to stutter into being, but he knew better than to throw something suddenly onto the mage. Instead, he gave him several moments to let that sink in, before he continued.

"I am assuming that by joining in this quest you are not hoping to go into some sort of teamwork with Sahova in exchange for knowledge - considering our circumstances. As it stands, it is likely that we will have to violently wrestle their knowledge from them. As a fellow researcher like you, mage of the flames, I am quite intrigued in such a venture as well. Perhaps we would do well to remember our mutual interests when we set foot on that island."

Glancing up at the sky, then at his clawed fist where res had emitted not too long ago, he sighed and commented, "Yet, what do you think our chances are, Mister Alexander, as a fellow mage? What are your solutions to this imbalance of power? They have hundreds, or thousands, or even more wizards who had centuries of refinement in their techniques. We have, a few mageknights and a bunch of us civilians. The mageknights are mostly centered in defensive and support magics, and I have not met another person with offensive magic that truly belongs to the Syliran detachment."

There was a master reimancer that belonged to the Zeltivan side, but Eridanus was not sure of his true loyalties. The ethaefal graduated from the University of Zeltiva, but he joined the quest on behalf of the Syliran Knights due to certain... visions brought forth. He intended to seek the truth behind these visions and what called him here to reclaim the artifact.

"With you, that makes... two out of... a little? Truly insurmountable odds," The moonchild sighed tragically, though in a matter evident that he was exaggerating in a light-hearted manner. "Truly insurmountable."

[Jason Alexander]

“Our odds? I would say they are higher than some think but lower than others. Most of us will not return to our homes but I feel we have the advantage in the fighting due to our size. We have the two thousand or so knights and squires from our city along with the number of volunteers. Then there are the group from our good old friends in Zeltiva…” Jason stated snorting at his own comment. “Rumor has it in the many cities I have been to that the Sahova Nuits number in the mere hundreds. The majority of their forces consist of golems created by their magics. Creations like that can be killed easily or so the books say.” Jason stated as he picked up a stick from the ground and poked the one of the lesser burned log into the center for the flames. Throwing the stick into the flames once he was finished with it. The human set up and then stood up stretching and looking around for a moment. Once finished he set back down on his log. Bending over to open his bag, once open Jason searched through the bag looking for something closer to the bottom. Pulling out a small leather pouch and holding in his hands he opened the pouch pulling out a few pieces of jerky. Placing a piece in his mouth and tossing a piece to Eridanus Jason finally spoke once more. “Just remember Eridanus, it is not the size of the army that counts but way they are used. If we mages are outnumbered, then we rely on those who do not us mage and do our best to help them.” Then after eating another piece of jerky. "What is the Anvil of Souls?"

[Eridanus]

The scholar stared into the air as he considered the man's words. Such words could only be uttered by one guided by rational thought and logic. That was the crux of effective strategy, when one focused on combat modifiers rather than absolute or perceived strength.

"As I thought," His voice trailed off slowly, before reminding himself that the mage was awaiting an answer to his question.

"The Anvil of Souls is the legendary artifact made by the Master Magecrafter Areesa Tallshade. It is supposedly granted the one and only gnosis mark by the elusive God of Fate, Lhex. Nothing else is known about it, but rumors abound that it could elevate one to transcendence and bring one out of the reincarnation cycle."

Waving his hand in a sort of dismissive manner, he added, "It is little but rumors, however, though it seemed to evolve into some sort of urban legend especially in the University of Zeltiva. More so in the Magecraft department, than any others."

Bringing his eyes to level with that of the mage, the scholar continued, "How do you plan to proceed with your... unorthodox experiments? If you don't mind sharing? Perhaps I may know a thing or two to help you."

[Jason Alexander]

Staring in the distance with his mouth open slighting as the man of the moon spoke of the object the Sylrian asked about. Jason had learned enough about the gods and how their marks work. And as a child people spoke of the reincarnation cycle that was suppose to take place after one's death. Shocked that a god would grant an item such a power to take someone out of such an important cycle, if it exists, shocked the young mage.

After a moment Jason realized his face was showing the shock that his mind was going through. Quickly recovering his to calm demeanor and emotionless face he had before the explanation of the Anvil of Souls. Listening to the Eth next question of his research into the cure he seeks to create. Thinking on the question for a moment or two before he finally spoke. “I plan to gain more knowledge in the arts of summoning. From there I plan to seek out world with rich amounts of plant life. From there I will begin to collect different samples of each types of plants and begin the long, very long process of taking each sample and dissecting it, grinding each sample to powder, and then begin to see which powders react in positive ways to the human population.” Pausing for a moment before speaking once more. “Well, that is a very rough plan of action I plan to take. To be honest, I have some steps to doing this. But I still require more training in more mundane tasks such as the study of plants and potion making. As well as the study of medicine and human body.” Before he stops speaking to let his answer soak into the mind of the Eth, Jason adds one more comment. “As I stated before, the five thousand miza reward for this quest I believe will be the biggest help to my research. It will allow me to buy a laboratory, materials to work with, and teacher to help instruct me. As well, who knows what information and knowledge is locked in the vaults of Sahova that I can use.”

[Eridanus]

Idealism. The idealism of youth.

Yet, it was strange that he found himself contradicting the optimistic words of encouragement that he gave earlier. He sighed to himself, chalking his cynicism to his centuries of living on this mundane plane. He had seen many youths seek for the stars, and fail repeatedly, giving up finally to the harsh realities of the world. He had not seen one who chose to not give up and to keep persevering.

"Why do you think such a cure may exist out of this world, when you're not sure that a cure may exist around us?" Eridanus wondered. "Wouldn't it be more convenient - and efficient - to direct your efforts to the world around you and to fully discover and understand its mysteries before directing your efforts outward?"

Gesturing vaguely in the air as if he were pointing to a place, "Mura, for example, may satisfy your needs more. They have an enormous catalog of various flora and a detailed list of their medicinal and magical attributes. It might be prudent to start your search there before throwing yourself into seeking otherworldly plants."

[Jason Alexander]

Nodding in agreement to the words the Ethaefal spoke about the answer to the cure being around us. Mura the home of the beautiful and magical Konti, Jason had heard about this all female race of healers before. And to be honest it had not passed through his mind to try and locate a source for the cure there. But not wanting to look like a fool to the moon mage Jason thought of a good reasoning for his farfetched methods. “You speak the truth, it would be better to begin my search here on our world. But I have read hundreds of books. And I have yet to even discover a whisper to any plant, animal, or magic that can counter the effect of a magic of the gods. Besides Master Eridanus, if the cure were to be in front of some of the best healers in our lands. Don’t you think that they would have discovered it long ago?”

Reaching down and picking a piece of wild onion. Holding it up to example it by firelight finding it to be what he thought Jason place it to his nose and inhaled its zesty aroma. Smiling and placing the plant in his mouth and slowly crewing on it to release its flavor before speaking once more. “You see, I have come to believe that our gods are the most powerful beings on our world. Nothing can affect their powers except for another god’s influence. But what if their power does not extend to other worlds outside of our own? What if the cure to the diseases created by the gods is out there? What if there is a material that could allow someone to rival the god’s power is just outside our reach? That is my reasoning for seeking the materials for the source outside of our world.” The young dark haired wizard stated as he took out the piece of onion and tossed it into the fire before him.

[Eridanus]

Eridanus noted the mage's first argument, and though he had misgivings about his train of logic he let it slide for now, opting to let the man finish. Raising a finger, the scholar began lazily tracing the wood on the log as he formulated his thoughts.

"It may be so, Mister Alexander. However, the best solution is always found in the ingenious combination of known properties to create the perfect one you were looking for. And that requires not just talent and experience, but also creativity, perspective and insight - something even the best in the field can miss. Are not the best inventions often never-thought-before combinations of known substances? That is one thing to consider," The ethaefal advised.

"However, I concede that your second point has merit. Though, academics still argue as to the limits of our gods' power. Is it only on this continent? Perhaps they do not hold sway over other nations far out in the sea, beyond Laviku's grasp? Perhaps they only apply to this world, or maybe this realm, or perhaps many realms and worlds in this universe. We cannot know for sure."

Looking at the onion as the mage threw it into the fire, the scholar added, "In any case your rationale holds some logic, and your goal is worthy."

Stopping for a moment as he considered whether he should move on, the moonchild decided to throw caution to the wind and turned his head to face that of Jason's.

"Mister Alexander, have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with your kind? To collaborate and cooperate with others of similar goals to yours - research into the unknown and for the betterment of everyone?"

[Jason Alexander]

Listening to the other mage’s response listening to each word that came out of his pale mouth. His words made sense to the human. They were logical and in most ways were correct. It seemed that Jason had been in such a rush to find a cure in the name of his mother that maybe he had not thought through all other option that he could take all the way. But none the less he was too far into what will become his life’s work to turn back now.

“I understand your thinking friend. Your thoughts speak the truth and I may even branch my research into looking across our lands as well. But it still leaves me reaching for the unreachable in changing something a god has created. And with that goal I will need to not spread myself so thin.” He stated calmly.

As the son of the moon spoke once more Jason listened closely as he spoke of working with others of his kind. In the beginning he was confused, he had worked with humans before but never in this matter. Then it dawned on him as he answered, “I have never thought of seeking another magic user for help. Within the city I was born in these wonderful knights around us control magic as they control everything else within the city. When I was young and only an earth reimancer I was allowed to practice because I would be of some service later in life. But if you studied any other magics you were taken care of. So since then I have be secretive of my work and not speaking of it to many people. But I believe other wizards all focused on the same or similar goal would be better than just me by myself.” Pausing only to think on how to continue with answer to the dark hair mage, only once he had a decent response he continued. “To answer your question, I would be interested in working with others that push the bounds of known magical arts. Do you know of such a group master Eridanus.” He answered with a laugh.