Chrysalis

Chapter 1401: Conversations With Mages

The Tower, located in the Golden City in the fourth stratum, is a house of learning and knowledge second to none in all of Pangera. Here it is that the most respected and prodigious minds debate and study all aspects of life on Pangera. Classes, monsters, mana, the Dungeon, diplomacy, governance, gardening, pot making and the appropriate decorations for end tables. There is no question the scholars of the Tower will not pursue to the ends of the world.

With a reputation for truly ferocious 'discussions', the Tower is not a place for the faint-hearted. If one is not prepared to defend their position with logic, reams of evidence, masterful rhetoric and a robust, red-faced screaming session, then they will have a short career indeed.

- Excerpt from "Living in the Tower" by Rathwyn Werilos

Rathwyn is essentially what someone would think about when picturing a mage. He has a long, grey-ish beard, aggressive eyebrows and piercing eyes. The image is slightly thrown off by the shorts and short-sleeved shirt he's wearing, however.

Did this guy really come to the fifth for a holiday

? Is there anything more insane than that?!

A mind bridge stretches out to me, and again, I can't help but notice the quality of its construction. The weave is tight as a drum, near flawless. It snaps into place so smoothly it's an almost totally different experience. This guy is damn good with his mind magic.

to see you well! Things were a little grim the

but his tone is sincere. I can't figure this guy out, just

[Tension is

haven't forgotten, the Church of the Path is on my list, and

holds his luggage with the other. [With peaceful relations prospering between the

your… fellows… look like you're here on vacation. What in the name of heck are you doing in the fifth wearing

legs are as hairy as his face, for the record. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad, but all of the mages are dressed the same way. I swear

eyes twinkle and he smiles broadly

because we are on holiday. Technically speaking. What you see before you,] he makes a broad, sweeping gesture to include the smiling, bearded and shorts-wearing group behind him, [is the Interspecies Relations Department of the Tower. We have, each and every one of us, decided to take a vacation to come and visit the Colony and witness for ourselves what you are going to

themselves, but to me, they all look

is about to break! Don't you think this is a bit dangerous?!] I ask

states reasonably, [but this an unprecedented academic opportunity! If the Colony succeeds even a little bit, there will be libraries filled with studies and texts

nothing to do with spying on the capabilities of