By the way, in-game, I'm kind of curious as to why everyone is so willing to go along with me to this mysterious far-off land in search of arcane knowledge, when this sorceror is right nearby? Is it because the only way we'll catch up is by increasing our skill, or are there some other motivations?
Just doesn't seem quite reasonable for everyone to say "Oh hey, this elven wizardess chick we've known for about a week wants to travel a thousand miles across an ocean, desert, mountains, in pursuit of knowledge that we can't benefit from unless she stays with us." Not that I'm encouraging dissent. 
