Colette Marence

Oh no, I'm not talking about that. I'm not being blamed for saying something out of place. Again.

If you want to know, ask Nelacar. He's staying at the Frozen Hearth. Knows the whole sad story.

The Augur? Tragic story, really. At least, the way I heard it. But that was a long time ago.

It was some experiment gone horribly wrong. Ghastly results, I was told. And his ghost still roams the halls, they say.

Of course, on further reflection, that may have simply been an attempt to scare me. Hmm.

Perhaps I'll ask Tolfdir what really happened. I understand he was here at the time.

Well... No. Not really. Not directly, I mean.

But I know things are said behind my back. Conversations cease when I enter rooms.

I'm quite aware of what's going on here, and I will not stand for it!

It's quite simple really. There are some who shall not be dignified by being named, who have implied that it is not.

That is to say, it's been suggested that resources used for my study of Restoration could be put to better use. Any other use, in fact.

It's not just healing cuts and bruises, you know. The undead are a very real, very dangerous threat and Restoration magics can keep them at bay.

Not to mention the benefit of wards! How can they continually overlook wards! It's baffling!

I... I see.

Well, I'm glad we've established this early, rather than me hearing about it years or decades later when the whispers behind my back are loud enough.

Good, good.

Not that I require validation, of course. There are just some - and I shan't name names - who would disagree.

It can make life difficult when one's colleagues fail to recognize the research one engages in.

Oh, no, I'm not falling for that one again. Next thing I know, I'm getting yelled at for saying something inappropriate.

If you're so curious, talk to Nelacar, in the Frozen Hearth. He can tell you the whole sad story.

Why would anyone bother to study stars? Well, unless you're talking about that artifact that got all those... dimwits thrown out.

I'll gladly share my knowledge with you.