Rochis himself

Everywhere she goes eyes follow, with her commanding and regal presence, a few years past her prime but her glorious beauty of form shows no signs of waning. Maybe all the attention is due to the fact that she is wearing the colors of the Eternal Light, could it mean that she is shifting her allegiance from the Coven of Thorns to the Coven of Eternal Light?

Ellaine is counting on this possible conjecture to serve as a diversion so she can accomplish her actual purpose in this gathering; to establish contact and alliance with the representative of the Alchemists, Kudor all for the benefit of the guild.

This ball in honor of Rochis, god of knowledge and prophecies is an event that lets various factions of magic practitioners to mingle and share knowledge. During this congregation, new alliances and detachments are inevitable. It may seem bizarre for a Wizard of Ellaine's caliber to engage in mediation with

Kudor for it is common knowledge that Wizards are not very fond of Artificers. Mages consider artificers' way of doing magic as crude, unrefined and utterly ungraceful, which is why she is leaning towards the fact that she, a wizard initiating the union should make the negotiation more favorable.

She sees Kudor walking towards her from across the room being led by Vanis carrying a tray full of scones. Vanis' foot must have slipped on the hems of her long dress, as she stumbled and would have fallen if not for Kudor who was ready to catch her. The tray of scones went flying in the air but strangely the buttery pastries nor the tray did not hit the ground.

It took Ellaine a couple of seconds to notice that something is amiss, the chattering ceased, the music is no longer playing and everyone stopped moving as if frozen in time.

"What are you up to this time little thorn?" said the voice from behind. It came from a boy that looked no older than fourteen, with very unsettling golden eyes radiating power, radiating divinity. It was Rochis himself, god of knowledge and the only deity that physically exists in this plane.

"Bottling up spells, turning a ghost into a pet, playing house with a devil, I wonder what kind of intriguing things will you devise with the help of the alchemists." Rochis said, holding two glasses of wine.

There are numerous accounts from people throughout the ages about encounters with this god. Most of them state that meeting Rochis could either end with him blessing you with knowledge or taking it away, and often happens during the Rochis ball. This gathering's true purpose is to appease the god and to have a chance to gain audience with him.

"Go on, just a sip will do, I want to see what happens" Rochis said inching closer to Ellaine, urging her to choose between the two glasses with a manic smile on his face.

Her mouth started to feel dry, and Rochis' presence is making her light headed. One glass could grant her a great boon but the other could cost her substantially. 

Ellaine steeled herself and spoken: "You will not take anything from me, and I refuse to be handed knowledge for free. I would rather pass up on this chance"

This must be the stupidest decision she's ever made in her entire life, risking the wrath of a whimsical god. With a deep breath she braced herself for the worst.

Rochis'smile faded and his head tilted slightly.
"Too cautious that you would not risk losing knowledge yet audacious enough to refuse a possible gain" the god muttered, and then he started laughing hysterically.

"MORTALS! I will never cease to be amazed by you mortals" Rochis exclaimed as he spilled both glasses of wine on the floor.

"I will keep my eye on you little thorn" he said finally, then he erupted in a bright column of light.

CLAAAAANG! The sound of the steel tray falling on the floor snapped Ellaine out of her trance. The passage of time resumed and Ellaine rushed to Vanis and Kudor's side.

"Follow me you two, we must not speak here. Let us move to somewhere more...secluded"

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Glossary:

Coven of Eternal Light : A faction of wizards that specializes in divination

Coven of Thorns : Wizards with extensive control over politics, most of them serve as court mages and war-time strategists

Kudor: Head of the League of Alchemists

Rochis: God of Knowledge and Prophecies; a mischievous deity that influence the world's progress in magic, science and technology

Vanis: An honorary member of the Coven of Thorns; a prodigy with an unclear sense of purpose