Tiaumil and Grid have a conversation together at one of their periodic meetups, before the time that they end up meeing the Heroes of Leilon.
Tiaumil
Tiaumil set out his chair, and then sat down on it with a satisfied sigh. Grid was across from him, doing whatever it was he was doing while they took a rest between their various experiments.
This chair was one of his own luxuries that he brought with him on such expeditions outside of Candlekeep. A good chair was worth the cost, especially as he'd had it designed specifically for his purposes with a book holder, small writing platform, and candleholders for when the nights drew in past the point where it was comfortable to write. But it was comfortable, and that was the main thing too; a place to sit, no matter where he was, and not feel the deprivation of being away from the luxuries of civilization.
He took the time to read one of the books that Grid had left around, some light reading on the theories of basic artificing that he had no intrinsic interest in learning himself, but it did pay to have a general understanding for the work they were doing together. He'd already exhausted his magical reserves on testing out Grid's current device, but it would replenish quickly.
Eventually though he was rested, and found himself looking over to the human who was still absently tinkering with a small mechanical device on his lap. For all that they were generally friendly acquaintances due to the usefulness they found for each other at such times as these when knowledge was to be gained, it might do to learn more of the human, for he was certainly someone powerful and knowledgeable enough, even if his social skills were subpar at best.
"I received another letter from the caster's guild in Neverwinter," he said, breaking the silence, absently drawing the soft blanket around his shoulders since it didn't appear as if Grid would be going back to the experiment quite yet. The evenings were colder than he was used to these days, and he was certainly not one for forgoing comfort when he could. "They wanted me to travel and do some work for them, but word is that there was a plague there just recently. They might be in need of my work, but they are fools if they think I would travel to the city when remnants of the pestilence is likely to still be lingering."
Grid
Grid, occupied with trying to decipher the understandings of an ancient scripture, would be engrossed in his own mind, fiddling with the device in front of him, trying to understand and put that knowledge into action. Alas unsuccessful but determined to persevere even if it meant trying out things at random.
With his newly made acquaintance sitting on a nearby table, reading something from whatever mess he had left around.
Eventually, he managed to re-frame the structure of his device, etched with knowledge from a civilisation unknown.
Tiaumil breaking the silence he weighs the pros and cons of his mentioned work offer before deciding it's not worth his energy to think much about it.
"So? " He asks, not sure if that means he'll definitely not go or is just complaining about the plague but deciding to go anyway. Filling up his cup with tea he sits down, pondering about his next steps.
Tiaumil
He didn't bother suppressing the small smile at the blunt and lacklustre response. Truly, he had seen it coming, for unless something of particular interest linked in with Grid's projects, he seemed to have little time for them. He could understand that at least, although he was far more practiced at turning situations to his own advantage than the artificer was.
"So they are desperate. I had already turned them down once. It makes me wonder just how many skilled mages are left in the city, or if there is some other reason that they are looking to have quick access to spell scrolls. There might be a war on the horizon at Neverwinter and along the coast, if they are so weakened. War could bring more interest for testing devices such as you enjoy making."
Grid
He contemplates the idea of war for a while before categorising it as 'Very bothersome'. While he does love making new items especially Gear suited for defense, the thought of having to participate in a war sounds too stressing.
"Sounds Bothersome" he replies, sipping tea from his cup and quickly forgetting the idea as he starts thinking about other projects.
"Although it might not be completely of uninterest for you. On the other hand If there really is a plague going on, driving them to become desperate unable to find a cure, they might have started recruiting other talents like yourself. All with different fields of specialisation in different fields of magic."
He adds, not much interested in this topic longer, before his gaze falls on to a letter he received a couple days ago.
Tiaumil
He would hum in acknowledgement, taking in the response and fitting it into what he was learning about the man for future use. Manipulative, certainly, but what interaction was not manipulative in some extent, even benign?
"That is indeed true," he said, watching him continue to tinker on the device that Tiaumil only had the general understanding of the purpose of, "however to access those people, and what they know, it would come with it the threat of screaming yourself to death if you caught what ailed the city. Hardly worth it when other avenues are still available to be tapped."
He marks the look the human gave to the letter across the desk, if for no other reason than little would draw the man's attention if it wasn't deemed sufficiently interesting to deviate from his hyperfocus. Another option, perhaps, one that was related? Curiosity burned, but pushing too soon for information when he likely wasn't even to have noticed that glance, would be detrimental. He would find out though, even if Grid didn't offer it immediately himself. Although, perhaps a little conversational prodding wouldn't go amiss.
"I have my position at Candlekeep, of course, which will maintain indefinitely, but I do have other contacts that keep life a little more interesting. What of yourself? You generally finish with projects fairly soon after we meet. Do you have anything pulling your interest after this?"
Grid
He just shrugs. Everyone is free to do as they please of course so he doesn't bother further exploring the topic of Neverwinter.
Prying out the letter from underneath a couple of books, Grid who has been wandering from place to place, thinks about the next actions he could take.
His mind drifts off to an encounter with a Gnome a while back. She had a lot of interesting ideas. Not always practical but interesting indeed. Re-reading the letter, more out of curiosity for the content itself rather than to remind himself what stands written in it, he nods.
"Old acquaintance of mine seeks help. Not too far away from my current goal either"
Grid has come to this place purely to seek translations for his ancient text, although only few know of the existence of the scripture nor its true purpose and even fewer seem to be able to read what is written on it. Grid himself included.
Tiaumil
Of course reading obscure writing was something of Tiaumil's specialty, as Grid had found out and made use of [I assume]. He could read it, but it took collaboration for true understanding of the text to be properly conveyed, for Tiaumil didn't know the ins-and-outs of complex artificer spellcraft. But any hint of new magical knowledge was of interest to him, and so he came, in part to read the text, and in part to help with the testing of the other device Grid had.
"Oh? Anything of interest for me?" he asked, uncertain whether the 'current goal' included more magic, or if it was closer to the mechanical side of things that would have little need for his particular talents. He didn't need to be back in Candlekeep for any set date, after all. He was prized enough for his work that he could come and go as he chose, much as many wizards would in order to find new things of interest and then return with them for more research.
Grid
Grid thought of his question. Merdelain? Certainly of interest. This letter? No. Since they were on the topic of the letter, he'd simply respond: "No"
In his mind he once again goes through the contents of the letter, intrigued by the ideas proposed in it. A Dragon killing weapon.
"Maybe the sword coast is what you're looking for. Apparently a dragon roaming around. I'll be making my way there soon"
Tiaumil
A dragon. Now that was certainly something of interest, depending on the circumstances. Dragons, after all, were creatures so infused or even created by magic, and they always had such a great knowledge of it. He'd once met a brass dragon and that had been a fantastic time for magical investigation. He had spent months talking to the creature. And yet not all dragons were the same, and he knew only too well that while all dragons would have a great deal of arcane knowledge he would like to gather, he also wanted to live long enough to actually finish his task.
"What sort of dragon?"
The fact that Grid was heading that way was good news, at least for him. They knew each other passably well that he had some hope that the man would contact him should there be anything noteworthy for his attention. On the other hand, the rumbles of conflict in that region were a bit more concerning.
Grid
Grid just shrugs as he himself does not have any more information beyond that. Instead he asks:
"Do you have any more concrete plans?"
Tiaumil
He would frown a little at that answer. The man was, by and large, more intelligent than most in the world, certainly on par with many wizards he knew, and yet that ambivalence was a little more concerning.
"You should find out," he offered as unsolicited advice, "many metallic dragons you can speak to, gain knowledge from, but the chromatic ones are a different matter. You must surely know this. Be sensible."
He'd met many wizards with that sort of attitude, far too focused on their own core interests that they forgot about the fact that they would need to actually survive to learn. Tiaumil fully intended on surviving to learn what he wanted.
"As for me, not as such. You found me at a time of relative laxity, which is why I was able to take the time to come to meet with you. I could be doing more work at Candlekeep, and likely will when we are done here, but that is merely an ongoing thing. A colleague I know did mention a repository of knowledge on the sword coast that I am considering visiting. He has a simulacrum there looking into the tower's history."
Grid
Grid nods, appreciating the concern he shows for him.
"I appreciate the thought but no need to worry. Really. While I might not look the part, I'm a more than decent Fighter." Pointing towards the heavy armor donned on the armor stand, next to the several weapons lying around. "Besides" he continues "I'm not going there to fight it. I'll be doing research on a different matter... well somewhat different. Developing something to stop the Dragon." He says casually as if it's just another task like every other. "Apparently some foolish no-name heroes are challenging it. I was called to aid in the construction of something that could help them along with some of their greatest minds there."
It is clear that he doesn't concern himself much with what is going on and is more focused on simply researching this topic and inventing something. Taking the letter once more and holding it up he starts to rummage through some of the items he has.
"Remember that acquaintance I talked about? Apparently she met those heroes and is traveling with them now. Don't want to see her potential unrealised so I'm deciding to help." He pauses for a moment, inspecting some of the items and making plans in his head already before continuing. "And apparently they have a 'brave' noble amongst them. Sounds more naive if you ask me but I'm willing to bet he pays well" He adds with a grin before continuing making first plans and gathering ideas.
Tiaumil
The frown eases from his brow and the slight tension in him relaxes again when hearing that his acquaintance isn't quite as foolish as he'd thought. Going anywhere near a chromatic dragon was courting extreme danger, and he had to think that it probably was one of those, rather than a metallic, if 'heroes' were going after it.
"You might consider dropping into Candlekeep again when you find out what type it is. A weapon against one of them will vary depending on the subspecies." Again, he was likely telling the man what he already knew, but he was also keenly aware that sometimes pointing out the obvious could be useful so something didn't get overlooked. "There's tales of both green and black dragons down the sword coast, although I think the ancient ones were meant to have been slain already."
At the comment about the noble, he would give a huff of amusement at the description. Grid seemed the sort to have little time for airs and graces even on his more personable days. Frankly he seemed to have little time for anything not directly linking to his current field of interest, but they both understood the necessity of the wealthy to fund their lifestyles. Peasants couldn't afford their expertise, after all. "If he hasn't brought an army or excessively skilled bodyguards, you may be travelling only to find his grave. But I suppose time will tell on that count. If I end up investigating that repository, I'll let you know and you can come and share some lunch with me and tell me of the various woes that the group has had befall them. Hero types always come with tragedy of some sort."