The wooden table is large enough to comfortably accommodate a group of four, with sturdy legs that look like they could withstand a few sword strikes. Its surface is worn with age and use. The chairs surrounding the table are equally sturdy, made of solid wood with high backs and padded seats that seem to invite you to sit down and relax. Intricate carvings adorn the arms of the chairs depicting various battle scenes and heroic deeds. The table is bathed in the warm glow of lantern light, which casts long shadows across its surface.
The Siren is seated at the table. As you approach, you can feel a slight sea breeze emanating from her, reminding you of the vast and mysterious depths of the ocean.
You search the table, not entirely sure of what you’re expecting to find. You discover a few faint rings from the previous patrons’ drinks, along with what might be some very old blood stains. On the floor you notice various bits of food and a few wet spots of spilled brew still drying from earlier. Finally, on the underside of the table you notice… what’s this? Something carved into the wood:
“FIBRALUMOS” Hmm, the barkeep must have caught them before they could add the “was here” part.
Seated before you is a mesmerizing woman whose blue-tinted skin is partially covered in shimmering scales. Her hair is long and flowing, something about it reminding you more of sea-fronds than hair. It almost floats around her, as if she’s brought some of the ocean waves inland with her. You’re momentarily distracted by the glint of a crystal pendant around her neck that sparkles like sunlight on the water. She moves gracefully as she jots something down in a small notebook, her every gesture imbued with mysterious fluidity, as if she were part of the sea itself.
The tools of an alchemist seem almost woven into her graceful gown, potion bottles full of swirling liquids with varying hues line the bandolier around her waist. Who knows what powerful elixirs she has at her fingertips, or what she could concoct with the right ingredients.
Her gaze flicks up to yours, and you choke for a moment on your planned greeting. There’s something so otherworldly about her that you forget what you meant to say, and words just seem to tumble from you.
“Oh, um, hello. Yes, I’m Tua’la, alchemist and apothecary.”
Her voice is soft, like the gentle hush of waves on the shore at night. You think that you could sit and listen to her talk all day.
“Poor, sweet Auberon. I can’t imagine who would do something like this to him, or why. Sure, he had some skeletons in his closet, but who among us doesn’t?
What?! Me? I… Well, yes, he did ask me to leave our adventuring group all those years ago. But I wasn’t upset! Well, not for that long, anyway. See, he was right after all, I wasn’t a great fit! I wasn’t the best adventurer, it turns out. You look like you’d be able to hold your own in a skirmish, right? Well, that just wasn’t me. Anyway, after I separated from the party, I took on an apprenticeship with an herbalist, and, well, here we are. Everyone else though, they all have reasons for bad blood between themselves and Auberon far beyond what he and I had. I just can’t think who would want to take things this far…”
