Petra

"...Sooooo classified. You don't even know."

Petra
Researcher, possibly

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Indecipherable Notation Trinkets A mysterious piece of torn parchment. The only characters you can see are [WXQ], but there must be other pieces with more. (2 of 7) 500 Glowing Pocket Bauble Organics These baubles emit a soft glow. This light may be replenished by leaving the baubles out in the sun. 20

[R E D A C T E D] On an unredacted note, Petra enjoys painting landscapes in her spare time, and since her arrival in the clan, has been enjoying a blossoming friendship with Mokairum.

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[260 unexalted, 530 total]

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"You will take utmost precautions," the dragoness said. "You will discuss it with no one, on pain of death. You will not leave the clan's territory unescorted for any reason."

"Of course," said Petra. "I'm very familiar with the appropriate classification measures in these scenarios."

"And, I hope, the safety procedures?"

"Of course! I would never forgive myself if something happened on my watch."

"See to it that nothing does," said the dragoness, and turned away.

The safety measures were complicated by the need to prevent word from spreading, but through a combination of subliminal charms and appropriate personnel choices, Petra kept most of the local denizens away. The core of the cult, the buzzing, red knot of magic, seething with power and enchained greed, stayed tucked away in its damp nest.

The samples she took sent her instruments wild. Immense potential. Second to none, in her entire career. But limited, bundled up all alone. The energy it could contain, the destruction it could wreak, if she allowed it but a touch more...

"I forbid it. The risk to life and limb of the subject is far too high."

"Is it? The benefits, as I've outlined, are incredible. And there are precautions we can take. The containment spells your defense sorcerers create are more than rated to handle the magical energy the core can put off right now." Petra folded her hands in front of her, and added, "Besides, I'm sure we can find a volunteer. In fact, I can think of some right now who'd be easy to convince."

Besides, they didn't need to know about the later stages of the plan just yet. Petra had it all under control. And if it went wrong, she could always turn back, disconnect the subjects from the core, and it would all go back to normal, easy as that.

Easy as that.

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