0: Nirion in Takeshi's shop

Should I be worried that. ...your hair issue will happen to me as well? Al'lainne Threnn tried to make himself fly and became a barrel. Fell from a cliff and shattered. .. decidedly worse than hair but...

Takeshi arose from behind his desk before the door swung open. He bowed slightly to the two patrons, scrutinizing their appearances with a brief glance at both. He said politely, "The light of the jade sun warm you. Would you like West Lake Dragon Well or a scroll rebound?"

Nirion blinks a few times at the greeting. Neither of these things mean anything, but at least this a pleasant distraction from thoughts of bizarre deaths. I am new to the city. I've been told you may have answers

Takeshi slightly raised a brow. A glance told him these two had eccentric or foreign (to Waterdeep) aspects. He maintained his polite demeanor and pointed to a moderate study with cushioned divans and chairs. "I do like a good koan, but let’s pair this with some chai."

He mentally instructed an invisible assistant to retrieve the tea platter with its rolls, cups, and kettle. Takeshi then led the duo to the lounge where he settled into a highback with dragons carved into the limbs and markings in a non-Faerunian tongue on its crest. He steepled his fingers while the saucers seemingly sorted themselves among the guests and his own cup arrived. Unlike Waterdeep’s handled glasses, these bore delicate smooth sides with brushed jade scenes of some exotic locale and strange beasts. He asked once everyone had received a steaming cup, "What malady afflicts you both that requires sage attention?"

The elf sipped his tea while he stroked the flowing white beard contained by a thick golden ring. He trained his almond eyes on the gnome while he undergoes his transformations and testimony. He let the banded beard fall back upon his cobalt-and-gold robes as he replied, "An imbalance of this nature is quite profound. Do you come from a line of elementalists or shamans? Prior to your predicament, did you exhibit any skill with manipulating or harnessing mana?"

"What about you, young elf?" remarked the greybeard to Nirion. "Do you suffer a similar affliction?"

My magic is not always reliable. Things....happen strangely. I've a book on others like me

The elf listened with intense focus on the younger. He replied, "I can see why whoever sent you both paired you. The mana that permeates your essences fluctuates in imbalance. May I see this book you bear?"

As long as you return it. It belongs to the Scholarium hesitantly passes it over

Takeshi's eyes narrow at the implication of thievery. "Of course," he replied curtly.

The scholar summoned a spectral hand with one gesture while he drew a quill from thin air. The hand takes the book before darting off to collect a scroll. The tome appears to hover midair while the hand unfurls the empty parchment, enabling Takeshi to observe the book's contents and make notes on the fresh sheet. Despite having no inkwell, the quill produced a lustrous golden ink.

Nirion nervously edges away from the gnome.

The scholar sent the book back through the air, though he maintained the scroll with his notes. He glanced at the gnome who sat in bluing silence, then remarked to Nirion. "Your elven community has intriguing deductions about how you came to your condition--conclusions I am not sure match your situation, gentle gnome."

He took up his tea, sipped, and then added at length, "Your spirits have infused more mana than you can channel. This overflow may very well destroy you and everything immediately around you. Yet, principles for harnessing the elemental essences exist, which may mitigate the need to eliminate potential threats to the arcane balance. The path forward will require much of your mind, for the edge of the blade rests on a core of soft iron."

Stares in abject horror

Takeshi swiftly mentally commanded his unseen servant to kindle a brazier. He said crisply to the gnome, "Gentle gnome, please stand next to the fire. You're condensing on my chair."

Despite the courtesy, the scholar spoke with obvious irritation and concern that the gnome might demonstrate the ill effects of imbalanced arcana.

"As I said, young Nirion, your mana may be lethal," concluded the elf. He removed an ornate, thickly wrapped scroll from the case on his side. After a moment of reciting, the gnome lifted from the chair. He mentally instructed his servant to collect a broom to relocate the corpse toward an empty table. As a rattan broom hovered to prod the frozen gnome, a gray-haired cat flitted in on feathery wings to bat at the icicled corpse. Takeshi frowned at the creature who dutifully ignored the shop owner's disgust.



"Fortunately, you brought along an prime example of what could happen. It is for us to ensure you do not join him in the crypts--if you still wish to pursue re-centering your arcana."

Despite the detached manner in which he addressed the events unfolding, Takeshi watches both the corpse and Nirion warily. Further, the spectral hand that retrieved a rag scrubs with intense vigor that belies its master's stress.