For imperial saga some time down the line

[rollingtothecapital]

1

[You were just involved in some giant, magical event that defies the comprehension of mortal minds, but Nepos seems to be intent on defying it right back.]

I hope you don't mind me taking some time to ask you about what happened.

2

[After a major crisis in which the badguys won. Nepos is down in the dumps.]

Here I spent the whole of my adult life in service to Phos, and in study of magical power, and yet we have been cast down by some nameless renegade clinging to the tails of demons. Could it be that darkness truly greater than light? Has my life's work been in vain?

[Better stop him before he hurls himself off a cliff or something.]

3

[You find yourself in need of some minor magical favor, and you happen to know Nepos for the skilled magician he is. He seemed like the right person to go to.]

Blessings to you, my friend. What brings you to my door this morning?

Comments

[timeforcourage]

[Having witnessed what happened, Young Link gives Nepos a melancholy look. He has a frown but is looking up to the old man ]

...Nepos. Don't give up.

[rollingtothecapital]

I suppose despair is a trap laid by Skotos for the weak of heart...

[But he doesn't really sound convinced.]

[timeforcourage]

[ Link's face changes; they reflect determination...or is it anger? From the feeling of not forgiving wickedness. Just look what despair makes Nepos feel and say ]

[ The little kid grabs Nepos's hand ]

We had a setback Nepos. So now, those who have fallen, will count on us to carry on.

[rollingtothecapital]

You have an old head on your shoulders for one so young.

[Nepos sighed.]

You're right, of course.

[timeforcourage]

Thank ya. I get that a lot!

If we give up and do nothing, it's worse than anything else.

3

[sword_dancer_e]

[The young man had heard a great deal, but hoped this wouldn't come back on him. Magic-wielders were tricky business. As such he looked somewhat forlorn and severe as he returned the greeting.]

Good morning. [a beat] ...A favor. How much are you willing to do?

[rollingtothecapital]

The good god asks only that any with talent seek to use it for the benefit of others. As long as I don't need to harm another I'm sure I can find a way to help.

[sword_dancer_e]

Perhaps...distraction then. I need a distraction so I can sneak into the capital and rescue... someone important to me.

[rollingtothecapital]

[He seems troubled by this.]

...Perhaps you should take a minute to tell me all about it. An unburdened heart will only aid you.

Not to mention that I'm a bit concerned about what kind of business I'm about to stick my nose into.

[sword_dancer_e]

[Well, perhaps anxious isn't the right word, but he does seem out of sorts until he takes a moment to compose himself, though it doesn't last.]

As you should, of course.

...A woman I know, she was captured because she is suspected of black magic of the worst kind. She can not have been involved... She...

[rollingtothecapital]

If you have evidence or testimony that may pardon an innocent from charges of witchcraft, this is a very serious matter indeed. Even so, mounting a daring rescue is not the right way to go about this. We should do this legally.

[sword_dancer_e]

I know... I just...

[Well, at least the man's presence was calming. He took a few breaths to calm himself.]

I have her spellbook, but they did not wish to review it, and such matters are not things I am familiar with.

[rollingtothecapital]

You have her grimoire? Well that makes things much simpler. May I see it?

[sword_dancer_e]

[Holding it up, he clutches it a moment longer, before he offers it to Nepos. Something about the man seemed familiar to him, but he couldn't place what for the life of him.

The contents were natural magic; remedies, white magic healing spells, the only potentially incriminating thing were dark magic spells that used dark energy, but this seemed to reflect the yin-yang nature of the rest of the contents.]