The ones down here are not sapient, and are themselves merely enchantments, so they cannot do magic.

Have they tried to get help from the larger flayers?

...that question does not make a lot of sense. They are not sapient. They are computer programs.

She meant the surface population, they can totally do magic.

Those perhaps could, but the way they do magic is also different.

Alright, Temperance will do more research and try to compliment the mini-flayers efforts to inventory their resources, at least until she finds something more interesting to do.

More interesting like what?

Ideally, magical principles that they (or the Feds) wouldn't know about and that could be implemented right away.

The first part exists, the second, not so much.

Well, Temperance will keep searching and help as she can.

By the time she needs to return to the surface, she will have found a lovely array of new magic that no one ever managed before to her knowledge, all of it taking a long time to be understood and implemented.

Well, this is a long term mission, isn't it? Still, Temperance will talk with the other mages and figure out which things they should prioritize.

The Captain would like a report.

Which Temperance provides.

"It would seem that you were right," she admits only somewhat reluctantly.

"Yeah, nothing immediately useful, but we should take a look regardless... I was wondering if we could leverage some trades with the Feds using this, but it's probably not feasible."

"If they figure they can overwhelm us with force they'll do it. It's unlikely trading will be on their mind."

Shrug. "What do you want me to do now?"

"Possibly figure out how their incredible magic works over the next few months so we can use it."

Temperance actually bounces, then stops herself. "Thank you. I will give my best."

"I will need somewhat continual status reports, though, so figuring out a way to lift the perception bubble underwater or bring its content outside would be desirable."

Nod. "I will talk to the mini-flayers and see what is more manageable. I do think I've collected enough to come up with plans of attack no matter their answer."

"Glad to hear it. How about the others that went with you?"

"Uh... I think I was a bit too distracted with all the new shiny magic."

"I see. I will call them, then."