Not quite either one. I spent most of my time on islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Hot, dry summers and warm, rainy winters. I never saw snow on the ground until a couple years back, when I was called to Wallachia.

[He's not a fan of snow. Cold, horrible stuff, and the risk of frostbite still haunts him from a forced barefoot march through it.]

Biology, and alchemical rituals. My work involves transmuting biological matter into new forms. Creating life.

[The owl is charming, but he's been around enough skittish animals to know not to approach something so shy too quickly. He turns his attention back to the girl.]

We'll get by. There's the better part of a loaf left in the pantry. It's a little hard, but it won't matter if you dip it in the stew.

[Gourmet, it is not, but full of medieval practicality, yes.]