<div class="floatleft">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/1/1d/Kyla_Thumb.JPG)</div><br/>Kyla<br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide</div><div class="spoiler_body">AC 14 (adventurer's garb)<br/>hp 6<br/></div></div><br/>Following the group out to the gate, Kyan kept her own counsel for most of the line, preferring not to advertise her primary skills too easily.  Most guardsmen took a dim enough view of having a Scientist in their midst, that advertising it with spellcasting of that nature was unwise in the extreme.  To answer Tess's earlier question, she offered "I have to admit, that while I have spent some time learning the local customs, and even know the rough direction of the forest the merchant mentioned, I don't know what's in it.  That information will elude us until we go there in person, I fear."<br/><br/>The crowd at the gate was as unskilled as she had expected, with very few being permitted to pass through the gates.  Still, almost none was not none.  In time, she got the opportunity to watch the rogue at her best, and nodded in appreciation.  The woman would prove most useful if the rest of her skills were of a similar caliber.  She watched with curiosity as Majet approached the cleric, and chatted for a moment, offering a small, wry grin at her companion's response to the suggestion of tithing.  Still, Kyan wasn't averse to parting with some of her monies if it would bring healing magic with them.  Perhaps she could talk Majet into a similar understanding if it became needed.<br/><br/>As always, watching Majet spar with another had Kyla watching intently, and grinning from ear to ear.  Her friend was on form for most of the match, and should easily enough prove her worth to travel.  Alas, Majet's skill with her blade would not allow Kyla to pass uncontested.  When the break was finally called, the diminutive halfling stepped forward.  She knew full well that she'd not stand a chance matching blades with even the meanest of the guards, let alone the elven fellow they had muscling people about.  Hopefully the guard would be knowledgeable enough in magecraft to understand that a studious one like herself would have few, if any, tactile skills.  Her power lay elsewhere.<br/><br/>"I am Kyla Merryweather, Magi of the First Order."  With a small flourish, she pulled forth her mother's skull, and set it upon the table.  They would be upset enough with that, but there were magics to perform, and her mother was where Kyla stored them.  Quietly, she muttered her few words, urging the skull to its feat of power.  "Ignis Faetfu"  Within moments, the macabre instrument of her focus began to glow with a hellish pale blue light, flames licking heatlessly from the sockets and jaw, rising up to hover, floating gently behind Kyla's shoulder as she stood there and concentrated.  After that initial moment of focus, she breathed deeply, and crossed her arms.  "I trust that will be sufficient demonstration of my power, and capabilities to travel."