"Hello, Simon. I'm Aoko Aozaki, an archmage from another world," Aoko introduced herself, shaking Simon's hand. "I'm in Faerûn seeking new magical knowledge."
"Wow, an archmage who can travel between worlds!" Simon exclaimed in awe. "You must be a high-level spellcaster!"
"Yeah, I saw her trade 8th-circle spells with a Neverwinter wizard myself," Edgin said, adding wood to the campfire. "Very professional!"
"Well, that's way above me," Simon raised his hands in a mock salute. "I'm just a hedge sorcerer, scraping by on a few inherited spells."
"Hey, don't sell yourself short, Simon!" Edgin reassured him. "You're an Aumar—you'll make it!"
"Wait, what did you say your name was?" Aoko raised an eyebrow. "Aumar? As in Elminster Aumar's descendant?"
"Uh, yeah," Simon admitted sheepishly. "But Elminster is my great-great-grandfather. I'm just an ordinary sorcerer."
"That's not the point," Aoko shook her head. "Elminster Aumar is a Chosen of Mystra. Being his descendant is why you can be a sorcerer—magic is in your blood. And you seem to have some other heritage too."
"That depends on how far I can develop it," Simon sighed. "Anyway, you finally got out. I tried to warn you about Forge being a bastard, but you got caught."
"How so?" Holga asked. "Did you find out something about Forge?"
"Yeah. Right after we left Korrin's Keep, Sofina tried to kill me," Simon said, annoyed. "Forge just watched—it was clear they were together."
"No surprise," Edgin said. "Sofina is Forge's chief magical advisor now. She captured us before—nearly got us beheaded. Miss Aoko saved us."
"You're right. And do you know how Forge became Lord of Neverwinter?" Simon said. "When the previous lord fell ill, Forge immediately took over! I'll bet Sofina made the old lord sick!"
"Reasonable deduction," Aoko agreed. "There are many ways for a mage to make someone ill."
"With just the four of us, we can't take on Sofina and Forge's men," Simon frowned. "Even with Miss Aoko, we're outmatched—Sofina's a 9th-circle caster. This plan is too risky."
"Hey, with you and Miss Aoko, plus us, we can do it!" Edgin insisted. "That gravity-flip spell you cast was amazing—I've never seen anyone else do that!"
"I think that was wild magic at work," Aoko explained. "Simon is a wild magic sorcerer, right?"
"What's wrong with wild magic?" Edgin protested. "Isn't wild magic exciting?"
"...Wild magic means," Simon exhaled, "the effects are random. I might never be able to do that spell again."
"Reverse Gravity," Aoko added. "A 7th-level spell. I don't even know it yet, or anyone who does."
"Listen, Edgin," Simon said sincerely. "I get that you want to rescue your daughter Kira, and I like the plan to topple Forge. But breaking into Neverwinter's vault is dangerous—not worth the risk."
"Ha! Then robbing the townsfolk at Triboar Town isn't dangerous?" Edgin teased. "You're broke, right?"
"You got that right; I'm dead broke," Simon laughed self-deprecatingly. "I was going to sleep in the town hall tonight, but then you showed up."
"By the way, do you know what kind of magic seals Neverwinter Castle's vault?" Simon asked. "Large magical seals need lots of research to break. You can't just do it on the spot."
"That's exactly what we need to find out!" Edgin said. "MissAoko's crow familiar is amazing. It'll work."
"I don't think so," Aoko said. "Sofina knows about me, and using teleportation via a familiar isn't a low-level trick. She just doesn't know exactly how powerful I am. We need a safer plan."
"Then how about a druid? Or a changeling?" Edgin suggested. "That way, we could infiltrate as a bird, insect, or mouse—get into the castle to scout."
"Or maybe as a deer," Holga added.
"Exactly! A little deer, blending in with the castle's herds," Edgin jumped at the idea, even if it didn't make sense.
"Are you mocking me?" Holga glared. "Don't think I can't tell!"
"Sigh, where could we find a druid?" Edgin wondered aloud. "They don't like living in cities..."
"I know a druid. Doric," Simon gazed into the distance, his eyes full of nostalgia. "She's one of a kind."
"Sounds like you have a story with her?" Edgin teased. "Do you know where she is?"
"Yeah, I tried courting her," Simon admitted. "But she thought I lacked confidence and charisma—so she flatly rejected me."
"Modesty isn't your strongest suit, I'm sure," Edgin encouraged.
"Ah, thanks," Simon said calmly. "I'm still looking for my other talents."
"Honestly, I'm more interested in Sofina than in Neverwinter's treasure," Aoko, seeing the mood drop, spoke up.
"Why?" Edgin was surprised. "I admit Sofina's not bad-looking, but she's bald."
"But she's a 9th-circle archmage," Aoko said while pouring some wine. "I'm after her spellbook—there should be at least a Time Stop in there. I want that spell."
"And I came all the way to another world just to learn new things," Aoko added. "One 9th-circle archmage isn't enough to scare me off."
"Awesome," Edgin was delighted. "Now we have a common goal in bringing down Forge, and our aims don't conflict! That's the basis for a great plan!"
"...I'll take you to find Doric tomorrow," Simon said. "She's in the Emerald Enclave in Neverwinter Forest—a Moon Druid. But I can't promise she'll help; Doric is fiercely independent."