Astraeus (as-TREE-us): Reptilian Monsters
Once an adventuring wizard of some repute, Astraeus is now retired. In his late forties, with short, brown hair turning gray, bright blue eyes, and a handsome face with many laughter lines. Astraeus admits that he never quite grew out of the little boy phase of stuffing reptiles in his pockets and bringing them home to show mom. He is fascinated by all sorts of reptiles, especially the really big and fantastical ones, and has a collection of giant snake skins in his home. Astraeus behaves with boyish enthusiasm, optimism, and endless curiosity. At the urging of his wife Ciara and to spend more time with his children, Astraeus has traded adventuring for more scholarly pursuits. But he still enjoys the company and the stories of active adventurers, and those seeking his advice will find themselves being begged to spend the night and tell their tales. (His wife endures all this, not to mention the snake skins, with fond patience.)

Duncan Stanislaus: Chemistry
Duncan is a large, strong barrel-chested man with bright eyes, dark hair and beard, and a booming voice. He is energetic and easily excited. Many visitors to his cluttered laboratory are intimidated by his sudden movements, energetic hand-shakes and, on occasion, his overly enthusiastic pats on the back. Duncan, however, means no harm. He behaves rather like an excitable child and seems to forget his size and strength. Duncan´s enthusiasm is matched only by his intellect: the man is a veritable genius, creating varieties of substances, primarily solvents and glues but also some other more esoteric substances (though he refuses to deal in poisons, and will angrily evict any customer who suggests such a thing). Unlike some sages, Duncan never experiments with an end result in mind -- he simply begins mixing chemicals and records the results. (His ring of fire protection has saved him from some of these.) Duncan is also very sociable; he enjoys talking and drinking with friends and even with virtual strangers. (He can drink a great deal.) He smokes cigars, and never goes anywhere without his pet dog, an equally excitable golden lab named Topaz who also doesn´t know his own strength.

Eneas De Brysay: The Fiends
A retired mage, Eneas is an elderly man who walks with a cane, has thinning white hair and a long beard. He is also quite near-sighted, and uses a monocle. Despite his infirmities, he dislikes being pitied or fussed over, and delights in speaking to those who do not treat him like an invalid (which he is not). Eneas, who resides at the College A´Magigo, is an expert in all types of dragons, their anatomy, behavior, abilities, etc. He has written several books, and is always looking for new information; his assistants often seek out those who claim to have encountered dragons for private interviews with the aged professor. Eneas is a shrewd and observant man who quickly sees through false claims of dragon contact. He also possesses a great fondness for the beasts, and will not aid those who seek to capture young dragons, or hunt them for pleasure. (He has, however, offered his advice to those seeking to put down marauding fiends.)

Fionnghuala (fin-NOO-lah): Monsters: Monstrous Plants
Fionnghuala is a plump woman with a pale complexion, short blonde hair and a vague, though sunny disposition. She is a mage, though her colleagues all agree that her knowledge of plants, both monstrous and mundane, far out-shines her limited mastery of magic. She owns a large green-house where she raises all sorts of bizarre and often dangerous specimens. Her scribe Tomas comes regularly to record her observations and results of her experiments; for a sage Fionnghuala spends appallingly little time reading and owns few books (she claims she would much rather be digging in the dirt and tending her friends). She talks constantly to her plants, even when others are present, and often finds it difficult to pay attention to a conversation. She is far from stupid, but her wandering attention span often makes her appear so.

Ilya De Graylen: The Ethereal Plane
Ilya is a a famous wizard and a noted expert on the ethereal plane. She is a middle-aged woman, tall graceful and fair, with long, blonde hair that she wears in a braid. She has one green eye and one blue. Ilya lives in a small keep of her own design. She is happy to answer questions from those who contact her before-hand and offer suitable compensation, but she does not like unannounced visitors. Her neighbors find her friendly enough, but a bit mysterious.

Julieta Kalhryn: Biology, Human Development, Children, Pregnancy
Julieta is a practical woman in her mid fifties, of average height, robust and rosy-cheeked with graying blonde curls, brown eyes, and hands that have seen much hard work. Julieta is a widow with three grown children (all priests of Soltana, as was her husband), and many grand-children. Supported by her loving offspring and by the church of Soltana, Julieta has devoted her life to studying the mysteries behind conceiving and raising a healthy child. She often counsels those seeking to have children and those who need advice raising them. Visitors find her attentive, kind and knowledgeable; she seldom becomes angry except with those who place their personal goals before the welfare of their children.

Kypros T´biansan: Biology, Human and Demi-Human Sight, Hearing, etc.
Kypros is a rare mixture of human and gnomish heritage, giving him a rather odd appearance. Only four and a half feet tall, he is thin, has a large nose and angular features, and is terribly near-sighted (he wears spectacles.) Kypros always wears a white frock with strange devices about his neck and stuffed into his pockets. Part doctor, part scientist, he is searching for ways to improve eyesight, hearing, and taste by mundane means. Kypros has a tendency to stand very close to his customers and peer at them intently, while listening carefully to their every word. He talks to himself quite a bit, is messy, and, despite his intelligence in his field, is easily confused.

Lasairian: Monsters, Mammalian
In his mid thirties (apparently), Lasairian is one of the younger and better liked professors at the College A´Magigo. He is good-looking, with long dark hair, dark eyes, and a physique more common to dancers than mages. Considered rebellious and irresponsible by some of his colleagues, Lasairian, a maverick at heart, enjoys offending them even further by dressing in black leather instead of the customary wizard´s robes. (He is even rumored to associate with bards and other unsavory types, and often parties with his students.) Lasairian is well liked by his students: his teaching style is engaging and thought-provoking, and he displays a sincere interest in his students´ welfare. One of the few things that annoys him is wizards depending too heavily on magic items, instead of relying upon and developing their own talents. When not teaching, partying or dancing (a favorite hobby), Lasairian continues his research into mammalian monsters that has interested him for many years. Lasairian owns a pegasus named Zephyr of which he is said to be quite fond.

Leandro Thaxter: Mathematics
Born a child genius, Leandro was the illegitimate son of a minor noblewoman who never divulged the name of Leandro´s father before she died, shortly after her son´s birth. Leandro´s good-natured grandfather raised the boy, showering him with love and affection, but Leandro remained cold and distant. Since knowledge was the only thing Leandro seemed interested in, his grandfather hired a series of tutors to teach the boy. Leandro learned a great deal, but his passion was mathematics. Now in his early thirties, Leandro is tall and thin, with shoulder-length brown hair, dark eyes, and a perpetual frown. He is always serious and unpleasant, and is not well liked among the unfortunate pupils sent to him for tutoring.

Mikaela Windwhisper: Anatomy
Mikaela is a tiny woman, barely four feet tall and weighing only eighty pounds, with dark hair worn in a braid and dark eyes. Her skin is a chocolate brown, her pixie-like face adorned with a snub nose and high cheek-bones. In short, she is awfully cute. Raised the daughter of a wealthy merchant, Mikaela´s father lost his wealth and his estates when convicted of piracy. Mikaela, whose passion for knowledge had been thus far encouraged, was left penniless. Luckily, she met a high-ranking priest of Soltana who was willing to fund Mikaela´s studies, providing she chose something the Soltanites would find useful rather than the hodge-podge of subjects she had here-to-fore pursued. Mikaela agreed, and has spent the past fifteen years. (she is in her mid thirties) studying human anatomy. The knowldge she has acquired has proven quite useful to the Soltanites´ efforts in improving the science of healing. Mikaela lives in a small cottage near the temple. Mikaela is intelligent and dedicated. Most visitors find her thoughtful and polite, but she becomes quite feisty among those who treat her without respect just because she is small and cute. Mikaela lives alone except for her five dogs (a bull mastiff, two black labs, a shepherd, and a greyhound.)

Oliva & Jarod Coronis: Ancient Languages & Literature
Olivia is a quiet, lovely and soft-spoken woman with long, dark hair and gray eyes. Olivia is extremely intelligent and likable. She is reportedly the reason her famous husband gave up adventuring. Jarod was a famous bard/adventurer who retired to become a noted historian and linguist. He shares Olivia´s passion for languages. Handsome with a wry sense of humor and an easy-going nature. The couple charges reasonable fees for simple questions and will translate documents for larger donations. They like to make their services available to adventurers, whom Olivia likes to entertain at home with her justifiably famous cooking.

Riddlemaster Zurvayn: Cryptography
Zurvayn is a pompous, but jolly man who travels the country side with his wife Leone and a small entourage. He gives lectures at various places of learning, for a sizable fee of course. Zurvayn always advertises his presence in town, in search of the fees that keep him in his comfortable life-style. He will hire himself out to adventurers and the like, but his advice is not for the light of purse.

Shiriel Iruland: Alchemy
Shiriel is a brilliant young woman who has excelled far in her field in a very short time. While knowledgeable in a variety of subjects, her primary goal is to develop a safe way to restore youth and vitality in her aging father, who has already imbibed far too many potions of longevity for his own good. Shiriel always charges a fee for her services: she requires money to support her research. Shiriel is a petite woman with curly brown hair and intense blue eyes. She is rather curt and abrasive. She employs a very large body-guard named Quaan.

Talea Alcemides: Toxicology and Herbalism
Talea is a stern and aging woman who operates a modest shop where she sells herbs and potions. She is an expert in both mundane and magical uses of herbs, and in treating poisons. She employs numerous body-guards, keeps to herself, and does not appreciate inquiries about her personal life.

Tsen T´ainte (zen tain´-teh): Monsters, Insectile
Tsen is an elderly mage, with reddish skin, long gray hair and dark eyes. His skin is weathered by time and the elements. His steps may be slower than they used to be, and his hands shake a bit, but Tsen´s mind is still sharp and his deep voice never wavers. Tsen began his study of monstrous insects when their ignorance of the creatures led to the loss of most of his adventuring party many years ago in a very grisly fashion involving eggs being laid beneath his companions´ skin, leaving the young to feast and grow within the slowly rotting flesh. Tsen contributes his faith in the gods to his willingness to go on, and he considers his efforts in acquiring and sharing knowledge as his own way of worship. Tsen is wise, well-spoken and self-assured.

Ular Scribesman: Cartography & Treasure Maps
Ular is a dark skinned man of middling height. His tightly curled black hair is well on its way to becoming silver. He was once was an adventurer until his uncle offered him a position at Gateway. He jumped at the position, hoping to study the vast files in order to glean clues of buried treasures. All too soon, his uncle died and he was left the full responsibility of running Gateway. Today, Ular lives out the dreams of his youth helping other adventurers find maps to the treasures they seek, making a pretty platinum in the process. In addition to his extraordinary cartography skills, he is also a talented artist and calligrapher.

Val Beltane: The Astral Plane
Val is a long-time professor at the college A´Magigo. Transmuting is his vocation, but the astral plane is his hobby. He owns an extensive library regarding the plane and its creatures, and maintains a vast network of friends, primarily mages and priests, who have explored this dangerous place at his side. Val is a hefty man with balding hair and a short, gray beard. He is very excitable, and his lectures can often be heard several doors away. Val has several children who are also mages, a few of them affiliated with the college.

Taliesen D´Mar: Sociology
Taliesen is a wandering bard with a passion for exploring different cultures. He is rumored to have lived with the Red Bear Clan for over a year. Taliesen is handsome, distinguished and well-spoken. Tall and strong-looking for a bard, he has black, neatly trimmed hair, dark eyes and tan skin. He dresses well, but not garishly, preferring neutral colors and sturdy fabric. Perhaps in his late twenties or early thirties, Taliesen´s lust for knowledge has led him to explore a variety of different cultures in a very short time. He returns home at regular intervals, where scribes of Oghma record his observations free of charge in return for the knowledge he freely gives them. Taliesen is pleasant and inquisitive.

Relos Stargazer: Astronomy
A mage, part-time professor at the College A´Magigo and devout worshiper of Torodin, Relos maintains a large observatory to which those with scholarly and/or religious connections are allowed access. Relos employs many scribes and apprentices; the general public seeking advice would likely be met by one of these.

Mystral Stargazer: Astrology
Wife to Relos. A flamboyant and fun-loving woman who keeps her much older husband from become too "dull and dusty", Mystral is happy to provide information and readings for a small fee.