"I erroneously assumed that you would be capable of deducing my targeting intentions based on my efforts to avoid harm to your party! Alas, it appears that I overestimated your intelligence." She sighs. "But in the interest of preserving my ability to carry out future experiments, I surrender."

"...Does it normally go well for you to dress up like a cultist?"

"It does not. In fact, it has resulted in attempts on the integrity of my person in twenty-three out of twenty-seven cases! However, these attempts have typically been less effective at impairing my spellcasting."

"I am planning to channel," he tells the wizard, "which should repair your hands. Do not cast anything, at all, unless we become engaged in combat, in which case do so exclusively in our aid and without - vague telegraphing of your intention that would resemble a threat to our party. Do you understand?"

"I understand. ...In the meantime, are you interested in participating in the experiment I mentioned? It will consist only of asking questions, and will not require that I cast any spells."

Channel. They've all got some accumulated dings from prior battles of the day and were really about due for one anyway. "While we are walking and not under attack you may make conversation including asking questions but I do not promise you replies."

"Very well. Question one: What are Iomedae's sacred colors?"

"That's easy, they're—"

"To avoid contaminating my data, please do not answer for other experimental subjects."

"She will be able to hear my answer, if you're planning to repeat this later," Blai points out as he picks up again on the route to the count's.

"Under ideal conditions, I would prefer to interview you separately! However, it would appear that separate interviews will not be possible, and you seem more interesting than she is."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"

"Do you actually want her to answer that?"

"Red and white," sighs Blai.

"Correct! Perhaps my conclusions were too hasty. Question two: did Aroden participate in any of the Mendevian crusades?"

"...if there were crusades about something other than the Worldwound I wouldn't know about them but He cannot possibly have been involved in any Worldwound-related ones."

"Correct! So far, you are significantly outperforming the typical Mendevian crusader. Question three: name at least two titles commonly used to describe Areelu Vorlesh."

On the intersection up ahead is a man in long black robes and a white mask. "The absence of an answer is an answer too," he says, before turning to walk away.

"That is incorrect," she calls after him, before giving Blai an expectant look.

Blai glances at Seelah.

"Doesn't detect. Kind of creepy, though."

"I am willing to subdue him nonlethally if you desire, Select." She licks her lips.

"He didn't attack us and he isn't detectably Evil, I don't think we have any grounds to assail him for being 'kind of creepy'." On. "I've heard 'architect of the Worldwound'. I've also heard 'Deskari's herald' but I think that is less common."

"Both of those are correct! A perfect score! Her other titles include 'Traitor of Humanity' and variations thereof, 'Witch-Queen of Threshold,' and 'Arch-traitoress.'"

"I thought your questions were going to be about theology! Not that I'm much good at that, either."