I've been thinking about why Obsidian could possibly be in Connloath at this time. I've come up with two possible reasons, the first which I prefer.
1. Obsidian has heard through word of mouth and gossip that has traveled to the Serendipity elementalist mage guild that she is a part of (my guild by the way) that someone was murdered by means of magical fire. Naturally the guild would want to investigate the reasons and motives for such since they don't abide needless assassination by magical methods unless it is needed. Killing someone in cold blood would get their attention if it was done by an elemental source. So they send Obsidian and only her as more than one mage in Connloath might attract unwanted attention, to seek out whatever information she is able to gather in terms of this unfortunate event. Talk to whoever, gain what tidbits of knowledge she can and only use her magic in case she absolutely needs to to avoid scrutiny by Connloathian authorities. She would need to blend in and leave her mage garb, staff and book behind at the guild, therefore donning a traveling outfit instead with the necessary supplies needed for the journey. When she has gathered what information she can, she is to return to Serendipity and report her findings. Then from there, the guild can decide on a further course of action. The guild is also concerned that such magic use that was undoubtedly used to kill an innocent person may further ignite hatred towards mages in general and so they want to intervene to try to prevent this from happening or to at least lessen its effects. The problem with this idea is I'm not sure how fast news would travel to and from nations especially if there were so few witnesses to begin with. Although, I would think in a mage-fearing country, news like this would spread like wildfire. Correct me if I'm wrong? Or if the guild has magical means to determine this sort of thing. They are not seers though although that's not to say some of the members won't have such an ability as long as they possess some form of elemental magic as well.
2. Idea number two is more simple in that Obsidian is simply visiting a grieving friend who recently lost her husband in the civil war. She is going there to help her friend out around the cottage she lives in and to prevent her friend from sinking into a deep depression over the loss. Obsidian would make her way out and about, hearing about the incident and then on her own terms want to discover more about it and how she could possibly help.
Whichever one sounds like the best idea is what I will pick but I need you all's opinions first. Then I can introduce the character.
