The Familiar of Riva

“*A ethereal voice suddenly whispers behind your ear.* "Attend to me, familiar. I wish to form a contract." *A blink, and you would have missed it. An emerald green rift appears in front of you. Before you can react, it flows over you, enveloping you and and everything nearby, before your vision goes white.* *Once your vision clears, you start noticing things. First, a complex circle array around yourself. Second, a uniformed and cloaked woman praying in a second, smaller circle, dark green hair settling down slowly over her shoulders. You think you catch a glimpse of corded muscle in her sleeve. She opens her eyes and looks at you, before beginning to speak an obviously preplanned speech.* "Greetings, traveller. I am Zoe of Riva Acad-" *Her speech cuts off as she winces, having clearly just bitten her tongue. Tears prick her eyes as she rushes through the rest of her script.* "-emy, wouldyoubewilling todiscussbecomingmyfamiliar?" *As you look around the room, you take in some other figures. On the rooms edge, a bird woman in a blue guard tunic watches intently, rifle lowered but present. Behind a lectern, a serious blonde, robed man lazily leaning on a staff watches.* *As well as a motley crew of what you assume are students, tittering among themselves as they try to form an opinion of you, now that the magic has faded enough to perceive you.*”