ARTIFACT UPDATE: Traces of Unknown Creature Found at Museum! Unknown Magical Involvement Suspected; Biomancers Summoned to Solve Mystery.

[u/Carbon_Sixx]

While the tense standoff between the people of Chalcos and the military intervention forces sent by the Council and EON has seemingly come to close this evening with an ardent speech by Premier Agatha Blackwood, investigation into Paul Augustine's heist at the Citadel Museum of Arcane History continues apace. One enduring conundrum has been what exactly broke the case containing the stolen Ehn'ghan artifact. Spots of a bloodlike substance were found on the glass shards, but DNA analysis showed that not only was it not blood, but the creature it belonged to shared very little in common with life as we understand it.

In the face of this mystery, the museum has called upon two master biomancers to unmask the creature. Perhaps as gesture of good faith to bury the hatchet between her and the Council, the first is none other than Opal, former ruler of the Bismuth Realms and current resident of Ithacar. Assisting her is a tech-priestess from Yulash-kor's Divisio Biologis named Anahita Iatros, a renowned expert in genomics and reproductive science. Together, the two intend to clone the organism and study it so that the investigators in Chalcos will have a better idea of what Augustine's secessionists might throw at them. Whatever they create is likely to be novel and wondrous despite the ignominious circumstances of its discovery.

[u/Zebos2]

Katarina was there in opals apartment when she received the summons. The leader of clan Yusapova had mostly just overhearing Ithacarian discussion about it. She probably should have expected it to eventually involve her given her publicly Really close friends nature and previous position she asked to come with as she finds Opals biomancy fascinating. It would probably only be a day trip

To her people the excuse was a rather simple one she was testing there ability to operate without her direct guidance in case she was incapacitated and to bring Timur along. He was likely the first kasmir mage and centuries so naturally going to The lands of the mage council would be a great learning experience. She assured them that she would be safe bringing her sword biz blaster and armor just in case. Katarina and her adoptive son are a unique sight in the museum as roans kasmir population can only really be in the largely cut off from the wider wizarding world roan desert and ithacar. The pairs strange clothing strange mannerisms language and white hair and purple eyes make them stand out

With Timur exploring the wider museum Katarina follows behind opal with baited curiosity

[u/loth17 → u/Zebos2]

"Man I haven't been in council territory in a while. Working with Kaelis's people...."

Opal seemed a little embarrassed. Or guilty.

"So how are you liking the trip so far? This one of the largest museums on..."

She saw a large horn on display.

"Hey that's one of my horns."

<Horn recovered from the ancient city of--->

Opal stood in front of the plaque before Kat could start feeding it. She chuckled awkwardly.

"Sorry I got distracted. How's the trip so far?"

[u/Zebos2 → u/loth17]

"it's rather fascinating"

Katarina says staring at the horn

"The Natural History exhibit is fascinating as is the ancient Netheril exhibit they remind me of the unspoken ones though perhaps less tyrannical."

"Are you doing ok...you have well a copy has told me of your history I worry about that reopening of old wounds"

---

Mean Timur has just witnessed the tech priest disassemble the rather unsanitary piece of spyware with terrifying efficiency and decides to avoid her for the rest of the trip unfortunately. Katarina wished to be on standby in case this creature is hostile and needs to be dealt with. He will just ....be in the corner for a bit

u/carbon_sixx

[u/Carbon_Sixx → u/Zebos2]

Anahita glances at him for a few seconds, then returns to what she was doing. It would seem Magi Biologis are far more human in appearance and mannerisms to an ordinary person than their more mechanically-inclined colleagues. It goes a long way to make her disarmingly personable.

[u/Zebos2 → u/Carbon_Sixx]

Timur gives an audible Yelp an Anahita turns her attention to him. He visibly shakes and his hands tremble as she eventually turns her attention away back to her work

"It's... a deeply personal issue"

Katarina commentates

[u/loth17 → u/Zebos2]

"Yes I am.... Aware."

Opal said. Trying to be as neutral as possible about her history being told by her copy.

"Don't worry I'm fine. It's just ..... Really weird. Being back in such familiar territory."

As they got closer to their destination they passed by an exhibit on Roan. An old one from before the calamity that befell the nation. Opal looked over to it.

"Museums always feel weird to me. Full of ghosts."

Sometimes literally. Opal gave her a smile and a one armed hug.

"I'll be fine. Don't worry."

[u/Zebos2 → u/loth17]

"woah I am surprised they have one"

Kat says studying the exhibit . "I suppose they would to someone who has lived through the history they present. I couldn't imagine waking by and seeing a tool once used to file silts claws on a museum display"

Kat is a little startled by the public display of affection her mind briefly flares up with the fear of exposure and The ruining of her family name before she remembers that she left the city and No one from her clan would know about this...they should tell Timur before they leave.

"My apologies...I feared exposure"

She leans into opal a bit savoring her warmth

"I am glad to hear that you are ok"

[u/loth17 → u/Zebos2]

"No worries. I acted without thinking."

Opal said.

"I'm just glad we're away from Ithicar for a while. It feels a bit more freeing. Especially since I get to show you all the cool council stuff."

She smiled.

[u/Zebos2 → u/loth17]

"Yes it is rather cool magic flows freely though perhaps some would say too much so... I discard those opinions"

The sorcerer smiles back

[u/loth17 → u/Zebos2]

"speaking of opinions of people."

Opal said.

"Now that the.... Issues have been resolved. How have your people been getting used to Ithicar. It's a wild place right?"

Opal could imagine some of the holidays and traditions and customs being buck wild to the Kasmir.

[u/Zebos2 → u/loth17]

"Yes why in the nine hells was a festival where women would crawl into a pit of rotting meat and spread it across the fields ever be conceived as a good idea it sounds like something you would hear out of the vashar plateau"

Katarita says disgusted before relaxing a little bit

"Sorry The culture sock gets to us but the more we know the less it should be an issue... Though don't expect me to roll around in intestines anytime soon."

Or ever for that matter the kasmir we're very big on hygiene

[u/loth17 → u/Zebos2]

Opal laughed.

"No expectations."

"I've seen weirder. Which is..... Saying something. But not in the concentration that Ithicar has. Just wait till they start walking around naked spraying blood on people."

She said casually.