Named after Jadeline Exo, exotic energy represents a versatile form of energy. It was almost easy to mould it into whatever was required, so long as artificers and mages knew what they were doing. They could be used for any purpose, such as in its storage and information management in the Triparte Guilds Records System.
James Marlind was a scholarly man, yet he was of a rather muscular build. Having the best of both brain and brawn was an expectation given his role as the Department Administrator of the Triparte Guilds Exotic Oversight Department, handling all things related to exotic energy.
He had blond hair and heterochromatic black and yellow eyes, mutations developed as a result of the continual proximity to sources of high concentrations of exotic energy ever since he was a young boy. Travis wouldn't have believed the story when he first heard it, had a similar principle not applied to himself. He was fascinated by scholarly studies, James was fascinated by exotic studies.
James also had a set of blue-rimmed glasses, as well as a cloak over the usual guild administrator uniform that boasted the emblem of the Triparte Guilds over its back.
The spectacled man walked into the room, a small smile on his face, and greeted Travis before seating himself.
"Mr Marlind," he nodded. "I understand you wish to see me regarding an expedition to an exotic hotspot?"
"Please allow me to express my thanks for agreeing to meet with me on such a sudden basis. And yes. We know they're very attractive to exos, and we'll need all the protection and security we can get while we're out there doing our research. We'd commission the escort ourselves, but our budget doesn't allow that, not with how expensive our artificers and exotic researchers cost in their salaries already. And there are many other hotspots we plan to study, as well."
Travis took out some documents from a drawer and examined them. "I note that you included field research expenses and escort expenses in your projected expenses for the coming cycle. It would seem with the lower commissions acceptance bracket, adventurers are aiming to get higher-paying commissions rather than lower-paying guild-issued commissions."
"Yes," James grimaced, "with the maximum limit on how much Triparte Guilds organisations are allowed to offer on commissions, we can't pay high enough to compete with outside organisations. Not that we can, either way. It's hard to compete with the regular organisations that commission our adventurers."
"I understand. Please remember that the imposed restrictions are so that we as an organisation do not have an edge over that of outside organisations, who represent 57% of all commissions to the guild. Adventurers are already more likely to accept Triparte Guilds commissions, given our reputation and trustworthiness. However, I am quite confident we can reach an agreeable decision."
James nodded. "I as well, Master Vorn. That is why I asked to immediately see you. This hotspot was spontaneous, I suspect it was caused by recent activity elsewhere in the kingdom and connected through the ley-lines that interconnect exotic hotspots, and this investigation has decidedly been a priority for us. But my speciality is in exotic research, not administration and management. So I went to you, in respect to your expertise, to see if there was something that could be worked out."
"I shall do my best to assist you however I can. Let us first examine how far your research team will travel, how long you will stay, the quantity of personnel and specialised equipment that will accompany you, the danger rating of the exos in the area and the area itself, any transportation that may be necessary, as well as the number of adventurers you wish to commission for your escort."