Ulos looked the three over.
Sadulk was interesting enough, but anyone bright enough to become a fully-fledged mage probably had some inkling of how to protect their own knowledge. Likewise, Iceshatter was interesting, but seemed uninterested in him. How the man was maintaining that ice effect, he had no idea. He was also busy flipping through a newspaper, which Ulos was sure hadn't been there before.
Lastly, was Pia. He thought about taking up Sadulk's contest, but it seemed like an obvious trap. The man had no obligation to ask them questions they both might know, and could easily focus on specifics only Pia would know. Not that he knew if Sadulk would do that, but why take a risk when he didn't have to?
He shrugged.
"Um, Pia?"
She looked at him.
"Yes?"
He looked down at her little finger on her right hand. Something they'd been taught... there were three scars there.
(Diplomacy Roll - 66 +7 (Lore: Six-Fox Pact) = 73 vs DC 50. Solid success!)
"This is an odd question, but what brought you here from Uin-Malat?"
Pia's head jerked up, and her eyes fixed on his face for a second.
She breathed in, her easy composure gone. A few more breaths, and a fascimile of it reappeared.
"How did you know I was from Uin-Malat?"
Ulos shrugged. The two little scars were common in Uin-Malat, one made when a child was born to mingle their blood with that of their village, and one when they came of age to mingle it with that of their nation. He could tell her, but this was to some degree a contest, he knew that. Madavian had taught him a little bit about the schools of magic in Vorstallen, and showing some superiority was a way to show you were worthy of conversation, of exchanging knowledge. Not too much, you weren't trying to humiliate, but...
He wasn't sure if he grasped the theory entirely.
"The way you bear yourself."
She stared at him.
"I see. Well, given you know so much, I'm idly curious. What do you think the Fifth Magisterium is likely to be?"
(Magical Theory: 22 + 25 (Lore: Magical Theory) + 20 (Intelligence) = 67 vs DC 60, 90, 120. Pass first check! Edward's conversation on this topic offers a reroll for all Magical Theory checks related to Valency, or the Fifth Magisterium during this Adventure.)
He shrugged, and quickly thought of something. If he hadn't had that discussion with Edward before he'd come down... but this was something that did not simply require memorization and regurgitation of knowledge, but where having a quick mind came into play. Before he spoke, though, he noticed. Iceshatter's newspaper was gone. How odd.
"Who knows, right? But if I had to hazard a guess, it'd be transformation."
"You mean the Agnattian Hypothesis?"
Ulos had no idea what that was, and nodded confidently accordingly.
"Runes are permanent, sigils are less so. That is their prime difference in function. Alchemy transfers abstract attributes, the Fifth Magisterium may very well transform things in a wholly nonabstract fashion."
Pia sighed. He felt for a moment he'd disappointed her.
"Well, that's something. I mean, everyone who reads for ten minutes thinks it's the Agnattian Hypothesis."
She smiled at him for a moment, and Iceshatter had his newspaper again. He browsed it for a few more moments, and put it down.
"Still. It's worth considering. To be honest, I didn't expect you to know about the Fifth Magisterium at all, this early in your studies. Sadulk says Vorstallen prioritizes the formulaic part of theory over the abstract in the first year."
Ulos shrugged.
"That's true, I guess. But if you make time, you can study ahead."
Pia nodded.
"Well, I think it's time for us to return to the main hall. Presumably you as well. If you're ever at the Librarium, I live in the Cube. Top floor, just ask for Pia and they'll send you my way. If I'm ever at Vorstallen...?"
Ulos realised she was asking about him.
"Parrot's Perch, in the Dormitories. Ask for Madavian, he's my roommate. Everyone knows him."
She nodded again, and ran her hands through her messy hair.
Sadulk had just finished off Iceshatter's bread and coffee, and rose up and clapped his hands.
"Right, Pia. Iceshatter. Time to go! We'll see you later, young man!"
He traipsed off, leaving Ulos behind. He looked down at the table. Odd, hadn't there been a newspaper there before? He hadn't seen anyone take it.
(You have gained a Contact: Pia Ford. This unlocks a few Weekend Action: Visit Pia!)
He returned to the Hall, where mages mingled about, and students darted around them to where the last of the food was being served. Thankfully, Inukar wasn't exactly difficult to see being as brawny as he was, and Ulos walked over to him.
He looked at him, and frowned.
"You're late, Ulos. Reason?"
"I met a man, Sadulk... something. Oh, he wanted to tell you something, that the moon was still-"
"Waning?"
Inukar's voice went hard as steel, and with one massive hand he pulled Ulos's face to him, with the other, he wrought some tremendously complex sigil between the two of them, hidden from general view. It flared, and Inukar stood there, staring into Ulos's eyes. Ulos felt a little dizzy for a moment, and his legs started to drop out from under him, Inukar's other hand catching him before he could fall.
"Nothing still in the mind, if it was ever there. Sadulk was always very good at disguising his traces, too."
"Mage Inukar?"
Inukar grunted, and took Ulos by the hand, walking them outside and to the courtyard. By now it was mostly empty, and as they rounded a corner, Inukar shook his head.
"My own fault. You didn't know."
"Um, know what?"
Inukar sighed.
"Nothing you need to know. Let's just say I'm surprised he had the courage to show his face here. Though..."
Inukar's voice trailed off.
"There is something you could do for me. It might be a little risky, but he wouldn't bother hurting you seriously."
"Can you explain anything, Senior Mage?"
Ulos's voice cracked as he spoke, and he found himself trembling.
Inukar shook his head.
"Sadulk is dangerous. He's no danger to you, if you found your way back here and remembered him. Obviously needed to draw you away from the gaggle of mages proper if he was going to use mind magic of any sort. No, he won't harm you, but how much of this morning you remember accurately I couldn't rightly say. He wanted to flaunt it in my face. He's always hated me, ever since-."
Inukar's voice cut off.
"No. Let me say this, Ulos. I can't follow him around, or figure out what he's doing. Too suspicious. You can't follow him around, he's no novice. But his student... well, I think you could learn something there."
Inukar ran his hand over his bald scalp, muttering something to himself.
"You don't have to, though. I don't know why he's here or what he's doing, but any information could be useful. Still, you're a first-year student. Risking your mind to chase around a mind mage's apprentice may not be your idea of fun. It's up to you."
[ ] Spy on Pia - Ok. Wait. What? What!? You don't know what's going on, how accurate your memory is, or what has happened. Inukar won't tell you, and now he's saying you should go spy on someone? It's your best shot at finding out what's going on, though. You may as well. You will lose the ability to see research presented and meet other mages. Time to get embroiled in... something. Inukar will teach you Shatter Illusions, a simple spell allowing you to destroy all mind magic being used on you, though it won't reverse the effects of mind magic that has already effected you. Might be risky.
[ ] Let Inukar Handle It - Seriously. Someone screwed with your memories at breakfast? The most important meal of the day? Sure, this is tough and weird and unpleasant, but chasing around a potentially hostile mage with no backup and no real practical skills to speak of strikes you as a poor idea. Adventure continues normally. Meet other mages, review research. Keep a firm eye out for Sadulk. Considerably less risky.
"