Post by: adwarf on December 12, 2011, 06:38:11 pm
Circle of Magi I: The Rise of Magic
Those with the ability to use magic have always been rare since the beginning of the world, and the creation of the first beings by the High Gods. Those who could use it were either shunned, or taken as the Councilers to Lords, Ladies, Kings, and Queens. These first users of magic gave themselves the name of, Magi, and ever since then that name has become that which magical users were called. Of course the number of those who could use magic grew as the beings of the world developed.
Now the story begins with the birht of young child in the small town of Ironstead. That child is the first Magi ever to be born in Ironstead, and know the child's journey is about to begin, but first theres question that must be answered.
What is the child's name?
What is the child's gender?
What are the child's parents?
Spoiler: Note (click to show/hide)
Update Compilations
Prologue (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=97520.msg2839429#msg2839429)
Chapter 1, Part 1: It Begins ... (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=97520.msg2853347#msg2853347)
Chapter 1, Part 2: So, This Is Death (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=97520.msg2872197#msg2872197)
Post by: Frajic on December 12, 2011, 06:51:41 pm
> You are a BOY
> Your parents are RUTHLESS BUREAUCRATS
Post by: Skyrunner on December 12, 2011, 07:06:10 pm
You are a BOY
Your parents are RUTHLESS FISHERMEN!
Post by: adwarf on December 12, 2011, 08:47:57 pm
Post by: EveryZig on December 12, 2011, 09:16:52 pm
Name - FJORD JOHNSONI kind of like this one.
You are a BOY
Your parents are RUTHLESS FISHERMEN!
Mostly because I want to see what a RUTHLESS FISHERMAN is like.
Post by: Dermonster on December 12, 2011, 09:32:13 pm
You are a GIRL
Your parents were MAD SCIENTISTS.
Post by: Nirur Torir on December 12, 2011, 09:32:57 pm
Gender: Female
Parents: a RUTHLESS SCRIBE(mother) and a distillery worker(father).
Post by: micelus on December 12, 2011, 09:36:38 pm
Name - FJORD JOHNSON
You are a GIRL
Your parents are RUTHLESS FISHERMEN!
Post by: Dermonster on December 12, 2011, 09:38:21 pm
Post by: Kestrel_6 on December 12, 2011, 10:16:10 pm
You are a GIRL!
Your Parents are a RUTHLESS SPY!
Post by: adwarf on December 12, 2011, 10:53:34 pm
Katrinja Erikson spent the earlier years of her life with her dad at the tavern, and when she finally came of that age the rest was spent at school. Of course that all changed one fateful day in mid-summer, around the time the farmers began sowing the seeds of their better crops. On that day, Katrin, as her friends called her who was also twelve at the time, was in her father's inn, the Sleeping Dragon. As she was serving some ale to a group of farmers when she overheard them speaking of one of the Magi coming through town.
They said the Magi should be arriving in the forest nearby within the hour, but they didn't know which lord the Magi hailed from which would put any person on edge the moment they heard that fact. You quickly served them the ale, and gave them a quick smile before dashing off, so they didn't notice your eavesdropping. Of course you were a bit curious about what the Magi was like, but what should you do?
Post by: Frajic on December 13, 2011, 01:35:57 pm
Post by: cerapa on December 13, 2011, 01:38:57 pm
> Abandon duties and go to said forest in an hourThat is how you should conduct magic.
Irresponsibly and dangerously.
Post by: adwarf on December 13, 2011, 05:08:30 pm
You quickly spend the next ten minutes finding the tree house you, and your friends had found ages ago, and set up camp there overlooking the cold. As the minutes dragged on you felt the air grow heavier, and watched as a light appeared on the edge of the horizon. By the time the light was nearly in plain view the air is, so thick, and cold it felt like daggers slowly digging into your throat. "Something is wrong, something is very, very wrong." you thought as you watched the light carrying figure bob into view.
The man couldn't have been older than twenty years old, he was a tall lean figure with a jet black cloak that covered the majority of his body. In his left hand he held a iron, oil lantern aloft in his right hand, and in his left he had a thick oak staff that dug into the ground as he walked. He was a bewildering image with his unkempt hair, and odd stature that seemed to radiate power. Around his neck something glinted, but from the distance you couldn't quite tell what it was.
"What should I do?" you thought as you continued to watch the man approach, and the air grew heavier.
Post by: Frajic on December 13, 2011, 05:18:16 pm
Post by: Dermonster on December 13, 2011, 05:21:12 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 13, 2011, 09:33:38 pm
As you watched a twisted form detached itself from the shadows on the opposite side of the road. It was a hulking figure twice the size of the tallest man, but it was not human for its upper body was a massive blob of darkened flesh with two arms protruding out halfway down the creature's body. Its arms were vaguely humanoid with a shaft of char-black bone protruding from its elbows until reaching a point, and its hands were like that of an over-sized eagle. But none of that was the most disturbing for its eyes were slits of a deep black them seemed to want to suck in everything it saw with a light flickering, predatory sheen contained within.
It advanced towards the Magi who seemed to be frozen in fear. You tried to yell out, but your voice was swallowed up by the heavy air, and your limbs felt like pure lead as you tried to turn in run. Thoughts streamed through your head as you were filled with terror. What could you do to save the man, and escape with your life ?
Post by: ragnarok97071 on December 13, 2011, 11:15:29 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 14, 2011, 05:08:59 pm
Replacing the terrifying sight of your impending death is a tall figure cloaked in a cloth that seemed to be the very essence of shadows. To the left of the figure stood a pedestal upon which a book thicker than all those you had ever seen combined stood, its leather was scarred, and nicked all over, but the gold lettering of the title was ever present as you looked between the shadowy figure, and the pedestal. The figure stepped forward towards you, and its voice emanated from the darkness beneath its cowl as it said "Hello, Katrin. I figured you would arrive here soon enough my child. All of your kind appear here in time."
"What was he talking about ? My kind? What kind is that?" you thought as you stared at the figure before you. What could you possibly say to this being?
Post by: EveryZig on December 14, 2011, 05:16:52 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 14, 2011, 11:33:02 pm
Post by: ragnarok97071 on December 14, 2011, 11:36:41 pm
"Where is here?"
"Who are you"
"What happened to the BLOODY FLAMING PLATFORM?"
Post by: fergus on December 15, 2011, 01:04:45 am
Ask: "By my kind do you mean mortals, or what?"
Agree with other question. also:
"Where is here?"
"Who are you"
"What happened to the BLOODY FLAMING PLATFORM?"
Agree with both of these.
Post by: adwarf on December 15, 2011, 03:50:58 pm
He let out a sigh, and took a deep breath, you could tell he felt pain, but for what you did not know. "And what happened to where I was?" you ask after several minuts of silence. He shifts his head once again before answering "I have taken you from that place for a time. You will gain the power to save your own life, and that of your fellow Magi with the power you will soon unleash, but first I must tell you the basics of magic, so that you do not fall to the evils that it holds."
"What would you like to learn first my child?
a) The Laws of Magic
b) The Ways of Magic
c) The Truth of Magic
Post by: cerapa on December 15, 2011, 03:57:11 pm
The truth is all that matter.
Post by: Dermonster on December 15, 2011, 04:07:02 pm
Post by: EveryZig on December 15, 2011, 05:04:10 pm
If by truth you mean the true nature of magic, I think it would be better to find that using the laws under which magic operates, rather than visa versa.
Post by: fergus on December 15, 2011, 05:17:31 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 15, 2011, 06:42:45 pm
Post by: ragnarok97071 on December 16, 2011, 12:34:40 am
The Law is important, but without knowledge of it, we can explore its boundaries, and our own, with more fluidity.
the Truth is ephemeral, and kinda usleless in the here and now without the knowledge of how to use it.
Post by: fergus on December 16, 2011, 12:53:14 am
Post by: adwarf on December 17, 2011, 02:41:28 pm
"Very few Magi ever ask to know the Ways of Magic my child. The Way of Magic is to create, or change something, because of this the destruction of an object completely becomes a task that only those connected deeply to the magic of the world can do. The Way of Magic is to follow its wielder's orders, but magic is very unwieldy, it seemingly does strange things that even the caster can not comprehend." He says, and all the while figures appear in front of you, a tall man fighting an entire army alone, a group of magic fighting beasts so disturbing your mind tries to evade remembrance, and many others.
As the last image fades from view he continues "The Way of Magic is unique in the fact that Magic has no way, it does what it does, and I alone know the reason for this. Now my child it is time step up to the book, and place your hand on the book. Once this is done I want you to think of what you would do if you could wield the power of magic."
With that you step forward, and place your hand on the book, but a thought comes to your mind.
"What would I do with magic?"
Post by: Dermonster on December 17, 2011, 02:50:44 pm
I would learn until there is no more to learn. To see everything, to know everything, to understand, everything in this world and beyond. And then I would create.
Post by: ragnarok97071 on December 17, 2011, 06:21:59 pm
You will walk the border of Life and Death, through your magic becoming in a way a resident of both realms, capable of feats beyond the means of mere mortals. You will become Eternal, unmarred by time or blade, a Paragon of the Borders of the world.
Post by: adwarf on December 17, 2011, 06:41:34 pm
Post by: fergus on December 17, 2011, 06:52:48 pm
You see a tree, a massive wooden pillar that stretches from heaven to earth, and beneith it to the myriad underworlds below. You see the spirits which flow under the bark of the tree, the boundless energy within it, and the surety that through this path, should the walking be successful, the secrets of Life and Death will become yours to wield, whether it to be for your own power and control, or the safety and life of all around you.
You will walk the border of Life and Death, through your magic becoming in a way a resident of both realms, capable of feats beyond the means of mere mortals. You will become Eternal, unmarred by time or blade, a Paragon of the Borders of the world.
I'm putting my vote in with this one, if that helps.
Post by: Dermonster on December 17, 2011, 07:00:10 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 17, 2011, 07:00:58 pm
Post by: Dermonster on December 17, 2011, 07:02:25 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 17, 2011, 07:07:30 pm
Wha? Oh no, that's long gone. This is more for my Ego. Also magic in SPAAAAAAAACE!I just want to see if it'll come back :P Otherwise our character may end up summoning ever Eldritch Abomination, and Horror imaginable. Derm would end up making Cthulu look like a puppy dog you want to take home ...
Post by: Dermonster on December 17, 2011, 07:10:19 pm
There we go.
Post by: adwarf on December 17, 2011, 07:43:38 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 17, 2011, 11:40:50 pm
With that our hand falls from the book as if pushed by an invisible hand, and its cover flies open as pages rattle by. After several minutes the rustling stops, and the book comes to rest on a blank page. The page is slowly filled with color, figures, and writing. The page shows a crescent moon, a star, a crown, a staff, and a book. Below the images it reads 'The sun, and moon shall rise together before the one with the broken crown, and the crushed staff. As they meet in the sky the book shall be revealed, and knowledge will arrive.'
The figure sweeps over to the pedestal, and looks at the page, you have a feeling he is smiling as he says "This is quite interesting my child, very interesting indeed. Your future will be a mysterious one as their are many things that can change, but your time here grows closer to its end my child, and you will soon return to your world. If there is anything you wish to ask do, so now my child for we will not meet for many years to come." Is there anything else to ask him?
Post by: fergus on December 17, 2011, 11:44:38 pm
Post by: Dermonster on December 17, 2011, 11:48:24 pm
Post by: EveryZig on December 17, 2011, 11:53:16 pm
"How exactly do we use magic?"That, and ask how we can counteract the creature's fear power.
Post by: adwarf on December 18, 2011, 01:16:51 am
You feel a burning sensation in your chest, and behind the back of your eyes, as if some unknown power is flowing into you, and just as you feel you may pass out you throw up your hands, and scream into the air. A burst of air flies forth from your body, extinguishing the fire, and pushing the being from before up against a tree. Just as it regains its footing spears of earth erupt from the ground a pierce it, where the earth pokes into his skin it bursts into flames. The creature begins howling in pain, and a disgusting smell fills your nostrils causing you to lurch forward, and fall towards the ground.
Just before you impact the earth turns to sand, and you land in it with a soft, muffled thump. Looking up you see the last bits of the being burn away, and the Magi rushes over to you coming to rest hovering above you. The darkness begins to fill your vision, and you feel you have time to say something to him, but what?
Post by: Dermonster on December 18, 2011, 01:20:50 am
Post by: ragnarok97071 on December 18, 2011, 01:22:26 am
Post by: adwarf on December 18, 2011, 01:47:02 am
Prologue Ends
Spoiler: Update Compilation (click to show/hide)
Okay well there we go this is the end of the Prologue, and we are now advancing into the first chapter. I want to take this chance to ask what you guys think, so far of my writing, and if there is anything I can do to improve. I also want to take this time to introduce you to the book the god gave you, the Book of Truth, its basically your stats, and inventory screen, as well as your spell book. It'll look something like the following.
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: Dermonster on December 18, 2011, 01:50:00 am
Post by: adwarf on December 18, 2011, 01:55:39 am
's all good. Bit of trouble with grammer, but it's minor.That is good, and before you guys (Or Gals) go getting any ideas that bit of magic we just did is strictly a one time thing as it was our first casting. (At least for a while)
Post by: EveryZig on December 18, 2011, 02:54:04 am
Post by: fergus on December 19, 2011, 12:00:01 am
Post by: adwarf on December 19, 2011, 12:33:10 am
Post by: Dermonster on December 19, 2011, 12:35:26 am
Post by: adwarf on December 19, 2011, 01:02:53 am
Post by: adwarf on December 19, 2011, 03:15:32 am
Chapter 1: It Begins ...
After what seems like only a few minutes you wake up to find yourself back in your room. A small fire crackles in the corner, a owl hoots outside, and you can hear the sound of voices coming from the kitchens below. You sit up, brushing the covers off you, and the bed gives a low creek. 'I really hate that bed.' you think as you pull your clothes on, and give a quick look around the room for anything out of the ordinary. You don't notice anything at first, but just as you go to leave the room you notice the book the God had given you lying on your table with the words 'Book of Truth' written on the front.
"Truth my ass you cryptic bastard." you mumble as you pick it up, and flip it open you find it shows what your wearing, how you feel, everything, including something about magic you don't quite understand. Just as you snap the book closed you hear raised voices coming from downstairs, and wonder if you should go down, and try to over hear them, or simply stay up here, and wait for them.
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: fergus on December 19, 2011, 03:25:36 am
Post by: adwarf on December 19, 2011, 11:03:29 am
"Your daughter has been chosen to be a Magi, I am sorry, but there is nothing we can do to change that fact. She will have to come with me to the Academy." The Magi says, but your Mother quickly replies, and its quite clear shes flustered, "I will not allow that, my daughter deserves to have a life of her own. And being a Magi is no life at all! Its dangerous, and most people are terrified of the Magi!" After that there is a moments silence as your Mother stands up, and gets more tea for the Magi, she might be angry, but shes still an excellent hostess. But what if you want to go to the Academy? Did you mother think of that?
Wait do you want to go, and what should you do?
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: Dermonster on December 19, 2011, 11:06:52 am
Wait just a bit longer.
Post by: adwarf on December 19, 2011, 11:09:31 am
Post by: Dermonster on December 19, 2011, 11:11:31 am
Post by: adwarf on December 19, 2011, 11:14:23 am
You're still a bit iffy on the whole 'comma's thing, by the way.>.> I really dislike commas ... Never quite got all the rules for them in my English class.
Post by: Dermonster on December 19, 2011, 11:17:21 am
Post by: adwarf on December 19, 2011, 11:20:15 am
Use one where you just put the ellipsis there. It signifies a minor to medium pause most of the time. Fairly certain a ; means medium to longer pause, but whenever it's used I get an inexplicable urge to strangle someone with the keyboard wire.Thank you for the advice, and o.O
Post by: fergus on December 19, 2011, 04:34:42 pm
Post by: Nirur Torir on December 19, 2011, 05:17:42 pm
Use one where you just put the ellipsis there. It signifies a minor to medium pause most of the time. Fairly certain a ; means medium to longer pause, but whenever it's used I get an inexplicable urge to strangle someone with the keyboard wire.Semicolons are used to join two sentences in place of a comma and conjunction:
We must learn more about magic at the academy. Our mother may try to stop us; we should pass the magi a note saying that, if we're forbidden from going, we'll meet him tonight where we first met. We should tell our mother we want to learn magic, but not fight too hard or she might think to lock us up.
Post by: EveryZig on December 19, 2011, 05:55:42 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 19, 2011, 08:15:49 pm
Your mother looks at you with tears welling in her eyes, and leaves the room going off somewhere to cry. With that done you take a seat opposite the Magi, and look at him for a moment. He returns your look, and says "Well, I guess that solves that. It's usually alot harder to convince them to come." With that he lets out a sigh, and pulls a pipe out of his sleeve. He lights it up, and continues "Its going to be a long hard path to become a Magi, and many people hate us you know. Now is the time to ask what you wish, and to change your mind. So if you have anything to say speak up."
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: EveryZig on December 19, 2011, 11:30:20 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 20, 2011, 01:37:00 am
He stands up, looks at the window, and then makes a series of complicated gestures in the air. Once he finished a pigeon flies through the window, and lands on the table, strange thing is no pigeons live within fifty leagues of your town. The man scrawls a message onto a piece of parchment, and attaches it to the pigeon before tossing it out the window. You watch the pigeon fade from view as it flaps into the distance, and then return your focus to the man. You wait another moment as he puts away the quill, and ink bottle, which seem to disappear into thin air, before he finally talks again.
"My name is Newman Hinesberg, most people call me New, and I work for the Academy as a recruiter. I can't sense Magi to be born I simply wander around until I find one, and try to convince them to come with me to the Academy. You bring my total number of those recruited to five, and total number of those found to fifty-eight." At that he pauses, and looks at the window, and you think 'Fifty-eight found magi, and none, but five joined? Something is off about that, but should I ask him about it? He doesn't seem to like the subject very much either from the look he has.'
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: fergus on December 20, 2011, 02:44:03 am
Post by: EveryZig on December 20, 2011, 03:24:14 am
Post by: adwarf on December 22, 2011, 04:30:34 pm
He stopped, and sighed as he idly stirred a cup of tea without even touching it. All is silence for many minutes as you are to absorbed in pondering that which he had said. He clears his throat, and you give a jump before looking over at him. He is holding in his hand a book not to different from yours, and he says "Now I must tell you a very important rule. You must never tell anyone the name of your book, its name is only ever meant to be known by you, and your Artificer. Do you understand this?"
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: fergus on December 22, 2011, 04:47:02 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 22, 2011, 04:50:16 pm
Post by: fergus on December 22, 2011, 04:57:56 pm
"What's so special about this book anyway?"
"How many Magi are there?"
"What makes the nine magi who can become gods so special?"
Post by: adwarf on December 22, 2011, 05:34:48 pm
With that said you tentatively place the book back on the table, and ask him a series of questions " "What is an Artificer? What's so special about this book anyway? How many Magi are there? What makes the nine magi who can become gods so special?" He looks at you for a minute, and flips his own book open, and then close a couple of times before replying. "Lets see your first question, an Artificer will be your companion for life, they are the only being you can ever truly trust as a Magi. Artificers take on many forms, and none are the same, but each is a reflection of your power. The stronger you are, the stronger the Artificer but keep in mind their power will flow with yours. You will gain your Artificer during the Exams in your first year at the Academy, but keep in mind the Academy is not impenetrable you will be safer there then elsewhere, but no matter where you go you will always be in danger."
He pauses to take a sip of tea before continuing "As to your second, and last questions you'll have to find out yourself, but I can answer your third. There are currently about five hundred fully trained Magi, and maybe three hundred students at the Academy. Now if that is all the questions you have its about time to leave. Is there anyone you want to talk to before leaving ?"
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: fergus on December 22, 2011, 05:40:42 pm
Post by: ragnarok97071 on December 22, 2011, 05:45:41 pm
Also, we should visit the local shrine (Since you know there is one) and pray for a safe journy, since that'd be something that someone would do at this point <.<
Post by: adwarf on December 22, 2011, 05:47:07 pm
Do we have any friends, relatives outside our immediate family we need to say goodbye to?All of your friends, and other relatives have left to go to bigger cities. The country is currently at war, and the town has been slowly losing people as they move to safer places.
Post by: adwarf on December 22, 2011, 06:45:25 pm
"They aren't going to give you an answer you know. The gods hate the Magi, but dare not to raise a hand against them as they fear it would start another war. You have been abandoned the moment you became a Magi." A voice says from behind you, and you jump turning around in a quick spin, but you see nothing. The voice speaks again, but you can't tell where it comes from "You are quite interesting I think I'll keep an eye on you for a while.", and with that you feel a heavy presence disappear. You walk out of the shrine mumbling "What the hell was that about?" Then you raise your head to the sky, and set off at a jog to the front entrance to the town.
After several minutes you arrive, and see Newman leaning on the wall of an abandoned house. "About time you got here. Lets get going." he says, and takes a step forward. As you come to stand beside him you hear him begin to talk in a language you don't understand, and you feel power begin to gather around you. Before you can say anything to him you find yourself in a completely different place. In front of you lies a massive eight story building that made the forts you've seen seem like tine hovels. It was made out of a white stone of some sort, and the grounds were covered with intricate statues, benches, stone walkways, small covered areas, and flower beds.
Newman speaks, and you snap out of your trance "Welcome to the Academy. This place shall be your home over the coming years, and your sanctuary in times of need. Now lets go I am sure the Headmaster would like to meet you." With that he sets off towards the front entrance, and you follow, but your attention remains on your surroundings. As you look around you realize the Academy is not surrounded by any walls, nor do soldiers patrol its perimeter. It is simply the grounds, and the towering building that is the Academy. It is not long before you enter the building, and are hit with the full scale of the Academy's size.
Inside small groups, of what you assume to be the students, are walking about, or sitting in alcoves talking to each other. The entrance hall towers taking up three floors, and going on for what you can only guess to be half the building's actual size, but before you can go walking down through the hallway Newman steers you up a staircase you didn't notice was there. He leads you up to the top floor, and stops in front of a set of towering oak double doors.
"Here I must take my leave Katrin. May the Exiled God bless us with another meeting." Newman said, and before you could say anything he was gone, and you were alone standing in front of those foreboding doors. 'Should I go in? Should I knock? Or should I wait?" you ask yourself as you start to pace back, and forth.
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: Dermonster on December 22, 2011, 06:47:27 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 22, 2011, 06:48:43 pm
Dropkick.o.O Dropkick a set of oak double doors?
Post by: Dermonster on December 22, 2011, 06:49:13 pm
Also hell yeah dropkick the entrance to the school on your first day!
Post by: adwarf on December 22, 2011, 06:50:02 pm
Well make sure they're slightly ajar first.So, push the doors open slightly then dropkick them? XD
Also hell yeah dropkick the entrance to the school!
Post by: Dermonster on December 22, 2011, 06:50:26 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 22, 2011, 06:55:41 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 22, 2011, 07:39:11 pm
You turn, and follow him, but are surprised to see his office is relatively small, because most of it is taken up by bookshelves, loose paper, and piles of books on the ground. You carefully walk through a small space that seems to have been cleared to make a alleyway to the Headmaster's desk. Once you arrive you take a seat in a high back chair next to five other students. The one to your right is also a girl, she is about your height, brown hair, almond eyes, and, for some reason, pointed ears. The two sitting to your left seem to be twin boys, both have straw colored hair, and green eyes, though they seem to be about two heads shorter than you.
The last one sitting farthest away from the group is wearing a hood over their face, and you can't quite tell if its a guy, or a girl let alone their appearance. With your observations you turn to face the Headmaster, and find him holding a book, the writing on it shimers, and shakes, so you can't read it. Before you can stop yourself you blurt out "Is that your book Headmaster?" He looks at you, and breaks into a grin as he says "So Newman has already told you some of the rules young one. I expect nothing less from one of our top recruiters. Now to answer you, this is indeed my book, and by the looks of it yours is in your hand as well. For those of you that don't know one of the most important rules a Magi must follow is that they must never tell anyone the name of their Book. If someone else knows your Book's name then they can use your magical power, and your life force to use their magic. The only exception to this rule is your Artificer, which you will learn of later."
He takes a break to sip at a cup of tea, and take a deep breath before continuing "Of course the full rules will be taught in your first class tomorrow, that was simply one that had to be said. Now on to important matters. As you all know this country, Illlania, is currently at war. thus, this country being one ruled by the Magi we are its head protectors, and in time, I regret to say this, but I must, you will be called into action to fight. We are not at war with an other country, but with the demons that hunt us as their food. They are flocking to our country in great numbers, and some have begun to organize into an army like structure. This is the price we pay for our power, we shall forever be hunted, but we shall pay it willingly. Now we have that covered, I would like to say welcome to the Academy, and if you need any help just ask the staff."
With that he stood up, and placed his Book onto the table, before speaking again "Now it is time you go to your dormitory. have a good day." And with that you find yourself in a massive room with the the girl from before, the twins, and the hooded figure. The room is simple enough with a couple of tables, and chairs scattered about, and hallways to what you assume are your bedrooms. 'What should i do first? you think as you take a seat to think, and the others begin to wander off elsewhere.
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: adwarf on December 23, 2011, 11:46:09 am
Post by: Nirur Torir on December 23, 2011, 12:02:41 pm
Post by: fergus on December 23, 2011, 03:54:39 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 24, 2011, 03:34:46 am
"Uh .. sorry just don't bother me today alright." With that he rushes off, and you chase after him, but he quickly disappears among the rows of shelves, and piles of books. Tired, and stressed out you just turn, and head back to find your room. It takes a little while as your dorm room is quite large, and appears to be a bit of a maze, but in the end you find a door that has a tag with your name nailed onto it. You push open the door, and find a rather empty room. In the corner sits a fire place with a pair of chairs, and a table sitting in front of it.
On the other side of the room is a dresser, a bed, and a door to closet of some sort. You don't pay much attention to the room as you walk over to your bed, and collapse with your traveling clothes still on. You were exhausted, and the darkness quickly swallows you.
Chapter 1; Part 1: Ends
Spoiler: Chapter 1, Part 1 Compilation (click to show/hide)
And Part 1 ends here :) I will have the beginning of Part 2 up soon enough, but I need to write up a bit of extra stuff for it, so you get the basic rules of the Academy, what stats do, etc.
Post by: adwarf on December 24, 2011, 11:26:21 pm
Spoiler: The Academy Guide, Partial (click to show/hide)
Post by: adwarf on December 25, 2011, 05:10:02 pm
Chapter 1, Part 2: The Academy
You are awoken by the sun shining in through the window, the chirping of birds, ... and someone pounding on your chest. It doesn't hurt, but it is rather annoying, so you sweep you arm across the bed, and hit whoever it is off of the side. When you open your eyes you find a small monkey looking creature glaring up at you. The creature is screaming at you, but it takes a while for you to understand it. The creature is screaming "Get up Master! Get up, or you'll be late for your first class!!!"
You jump out of the bed, and go to gather clothes to wear, but find the creature holding a unifrom for you. It is just basic clothing with an orb, and staff carefully etched into the clothing. You hastily put the clothes on, and rush to the classroom with the creature leading your way. Once you arrive you find about twenty students in the room. Several look to be Magi while the rest appear to be various Magical Beings. You set down at a seat with your name on it, which is at the back of the room.
You find that all your roomates sit near you as well as the creature that keeps calling you Master. It looks over at you, and says "Well it seems we have some time before he arrives, so you can conversate, or simply wait for the teacher."
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: fergus on December 25, 2011, 05:48:18 pm
Post by: EveryZig on December 26, 2011, 01:39:49 am
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: adwarf on December 26, 2011, 02:06:12 am
Also where did I say they don't mix?
Post by: Dermonster on December 26, 2011, 02:14:52 am
Post by: adwarf on December 26, 2011, 02:35:00 am
Post by: Dermonster on December 26, 2011, 02:42:31 am
This is vitally important.
Post by: adwarf on December 26, 2011, 02:43:10 am
Post by: Dermonster on December 26, 2011, 02:46:31 am
After all, a gun is just a tube that explodes in one direction in essence. Masonary is shaping a stone and applying special mortar, and is probably more complicated than archery.
Let us be the magitech mage! If we can't use tech, we'll just make magic that does the exact same thing as the tech!
Post by: adwarf on December 26, 2011, 02:56:31 am
Also I am working on the guide for stats now :)
Post by: Dermonster on December 26, 2011, 03:00:44 am
Give me half a chance I will abuse the HELL out of a system.
Post by: adwarf on December 26, 2011, 03:05:29 am
Post by: adwarf on December 26, 2011, 03:36:01 am
Spoiler: Guide to Stats (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: The Academy, A Guide - Continued ... (click to show/hide)
Post by: fergus on December 26, 2011, 06:29:03 am
Post by: adwarf on December 26, 2011, 04:26:22 pm
I find it hard to see how power and connection could not be within two points of each other, unless the scale actually goes past 3 and just isn't being shown.The scale goes quite a bit past that actually.
Actual Scale
Power: ☑☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐
Post by: Dermonster on December 26, 2011, 04:33:19 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 26, 2011, 04:55:49 pm
Post by: Dermonster on December 26, 2011, 04:58:13 pm
Uh... --> ?
Post by: adwarf on December 26, 2011, 05:29:16 pm
Odd number (Figuratively and literally) but okay.What?
Uh... --> ?
Anywho I shall get started on the next update. I will go ahead, and say the creature is not your Artificer as a ritual is required to summon one, and you must be awake, and conscious to do one.
Post by: Dermonster on December 26, 2011, 05:30:15 pm
It's an arrow.
Post by: adwarf on December 26, 2011, 05:56:33 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 27, 2011, 02:36:18 am
You turn back to him, and ask "Why are you the only one here in class?" Benny gives a sort of small squirming motion before replying "I have just became a servant here this year, and you are my first Master thus, I have not finished my training, and studying as well. In fact I will most likely be in at least one of your classes each year Master." You give a small smile, and thank him for telling you this. With that a tall man walks into the room. He has black hair, brown eyes, and looks like a seemingly average person except for his strangely long hair, as it comes down to his shoulders, and half-moon shaped glasses.
He throws a book down onto his desk, and flicks his finger towards the board before saying "I am Asuya Taka, and I will be one of your teachers leading up to your Exams. I am to prepare you for the coming tests, teach you the basics of magic, and help you get on the path to becoming a Magi. Now, according to how you perform on the Artificer Ritual, and the Exams you will be placed into varying branches of teaching to better fit your skills. The four main branches the majority of you will fall under are Guardian, Twilight, Elementalist, and Sayer. Of course there are numerous other branches of training that you may end up in, and some of the training lengths for them will very. The least amount of time is two years of training which is for Elementalists, and the most is eight years for the more rare Demon-Master."
He took a pause as he pulled out some forms, and placed them on each persons table before returning to his desk, and saying "Fill those out with your training schedule for the next couple of months." With that he sat down, and flipped his book open.
Spoiler: Training Form (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Note (click to show/hide)
Post by: Nirur Torir on December 27, 2011, 08:23:20 am
Spoiler: Schedule (click to show/hide)
Post by: adwarf on December 28, 2011, 04:00:36 am
Post by: adwarf on December 28, 2011, 04:45:34 am
Over the course of three months you spent your time in the class room learning the basics of magic, and how to use. Then outside of class time you spent grueling days practicing magic, meditating, fighting in the arena, and many other things. You worked hard, and in all you collapsed over thirty time from sheer exhaustion, both mentally, and physically, but it was well worth it for over the months you became stronger, and faster physically. Your magical talents, and power also grew quickly as you set about your work with a determination that would have made Death cringe before you. If this was your destiny then you would walk down its path proudly, and become a one of the most powerful Magi, that was your though, and your motivation as you worked, and meditated.
You learned much as you spent hours in the Great Library delving through books on Magical Theory, and Spells. You put that together with the rest of your training in the Arena, and managed to win several times against slimes, goblins, and even a Troll, though the thing was half dead when you fought it, but it still counts.
After those agonizing months of training you were finally here at the Atrificer Ritual, where you would finally gain your Artificer. Over the two weeks before the ritual class was abuzz with the topic of what people would get for theirs. Most of your classmates wanted a Dragon, or Nature spirit as theirs, one of your classmate even wanted hers to be a succubus, after hearing that you, and everyone else spent fifteen minutes laughing before the Instructors came over and knocked you over the head.
You were walking with your roommates, the twins Ulin, and Freya, down the hallway to the area where the Ritual was to take place. It was located in the very middle of the school, and was open to the elements outside, yet the intricate markings, symbols, and runes carved into the stone ground showed no side of fading, nor any side of damage whatsoever. Around the area were sets of tables, benches, and chairs as many students used it as their hangout, and many came to watch the Ritual as well. As you are walking the twin, Freya, asks you 'What do you want your Artificer to Katrin?" When she asks you realize you haven't put much thought into what you wanted it to be.
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: fergus on December 28, 2011, 04:56:47 am
Post by: adwarf on December 28, 2011, 05:56:12 am
The weapon should be a staff and the spells should be summoning. Incidentally, it would help if we new what the mind and soul stats actually did and how to train them.Working on those now, but you can't train your Soul stats.
Post by: adwarf on December 28, 2011, 06:07:25 am
Spoiler: Guide to Stats, Nearly Finished (click to show/hide)
Post by: Nirur Torir on December 28, 2011, 09:04:08 am
Spells: Something balanced like this.
Aldrin's Lesser Healing
Borsha's Directed Shield
Cathy's Minor Anti-Magic Barrier
Derek's Reflex Assist
Summon Minor Elementaling
Artificer: "Pixie. They're physically unimpressive, so people will underestimate us. Some of them can learn to cast powerful spells, they can hide easily, are intelligent, and produce useful dust."
Post by: Dermonster on December 28, 2011, 12:34:43 pm
I have a reflex assist 0.o
Post by: fergus on December 28, 2011, 04:39:15 pm
"I want a phoenix. They symbolize the cycle of rebirth, and their tears can cure most wounds and poisons."
I have a reflex assist 0.o
I'll go with this as well.
Post by: EveryZig on December 28, 2011, 09:29:13 pm
If we had a staff or our weapon, are magic staffs common/inexpensive enough in the academy that we would have one?
Does mana arrow attack with kinetic force, damage to life energy, or something else? I ask because it can be important to know what happens if, for example, our magic arrow misses its target and hits the wall of a ship we are on.
Do multiple spellcasters drawing mana from the surroundings interfere with each other's efforts?
My votes for our extra spells:
- Lesser Healing
- Small Illusion (we already have Mana Wall for shielding)
- Disrupt Spell (Versatile and loads of fun. At least when you are the one using it.)
- Reflex Assist
- Summon Minor Elementaling
Post by: adwarf on December 28, 2011, 09:40:11 pm
Some questions:
If we had a staff or our weapon, are magic staffs common/inexpensive enough in the academy that we would have one?
Does mana arrow attack with kinetic force, damage to life energy, or something else? I ask because it can be important to know what happens if, for example, our magic arrow misses its target and hits the wall of a ship we are on.
Do multiple spellcasters drawing mana from the surroundings interfere with each other's efforts?
1.) Magic Staffs work both as weapons, and as channeling aids, but you would not receive one until your apprenticeship.
2.) Mana Arrow will follow the target you wish it to in most cases, it attacks using kinetic force, and raw mana to both injure, and burn. You can combines multiple instances of Mana Arrow, such as launching fifty Mana Arrows at your opponent at once, but that is very straining on your energy.
3.) They will drain the Mana from the surrounding area faster, and they could end up accidentally draining each other if they aren't careful.
Post by: adwarf on December 28, 2011, 09:42:15 pm
By the time you arrive at the Ritual Courtyard only a handful of people remain for theirs. As you walk in you find it is Visera's turn, the one that is always wearing the hood even now. You watch as Visera says the incantation, and are knocked back against the wall by sudden explosion of power emanating from the Ritual Circle. Where once only Visera stood there was now another creature. It was a towering beast standing twice the size of the average man, with black skin, black horns, flame red eyes, a mane of hair that seemed to be made of fire, and even a pair of claws on its feet. Little of the skin of its arm could be seen as they were bound by chains, and even though they were connected to nothing they remained perfectly still.
Many of the students gathered gasped, or backed away from the beast as it took a step towards Visera, but it wasn't really a step. As you watched it knelled before the miniscule figure that was Visera, and the courtyard was filled with a deep, and gruff voice as it spoke "It is a pleasure to meet you my Master. How may I serve you?" Visera simply reached up, and patted the creature's head before turning, and walking out of the room. The creature followed him through the doorway, and the cheery atmosphere returned to the courtyard. Suddenly you hear the Headmaster's voice call out "Katrinja Erikson !! You are next please step forward."
As you walk out into the circle, and stand in the middle of it you feel all eyes on you, and you begin to feel extremely nervous. Despite the nervousness you begin to speak the incantation right away, and the words ring through your head until the end. "The Eight Gates that Hold this world together Open. Send forth that which will be my companion. Send forth the one that will match my strength, and the one that mirrors my soul." As you watch as the dust clears only to find a normal looking human standing in front of you. He stood the same height as you with jet black, spiky hair, and eyes of deepest red, everything about him seemed to point to him being human, but as you look you see a tail flickering back, and forth behind him.
He looks at you, and then starts laughing, its a cold laugh that make you feel slightly chilled from hearing it. When he finally comes to a stop he looks over at the Headmaster, and says "You know the agreement, and you can not break it no matter what happens." With that he turned back to you, and you were filled with the same fear you felt that day when you first met Newman, as that beast of darkness saw you, and that was the exact same feeling. "The only way I shall become your Artificer is if you can match me in a battle. I shall let you prepare whatever you wish, but once it starts be warned, if you do not give it your all I will kill you." You feel a shiver go down your spine, and back away. What where you to do? This was different from those times in the arena, this guy was out of your league, but if you didn't fight you would die.
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: EveryZig on December 28, 2011, 09:53:57 pm
Am I right in thinking that Mana Wall is a mana-shield type force field that surrounds you and makes damage go to mana instead of health?
With Conjure Light, can we focus in in a specific direction? (Not enough to deal damage obviously, but enough to impair vision?)
I would also like general descriptions of:
Druid's Guard
Song of Pain
Call of the Lost King
Post by: adwarf on December 28, 2011, 10:01:06 pm
1.) Correct it uses the users mana, and physical energy to take the damage in place of their physical damage they should have sustained.
2.) Nope all it does is summon a simply Will-O-Wisp which can only really give off light.
Druid's Guard - You use nature as your wall, basically you summon roots, and vines to become a physical wall to protect yourself with.
Song of Pain - This allows you to surpass the physical limitations of a human making you able to outmatch lesser demons, but once you cancel the spell, according to how long you used it, you will feel intense pain, the duration equal to your use.
Call of the Lost King - Allows you to summon a powerful demon known as the 'Lost King'. At your current level it would be dangerous to perform such a spell.
Post by: EveryZig on December 28, 2011, 10:37:55 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 28, 2011, 10:51:57 pm
Can Druid's Guard be cast on someone to attempt to entangle them?It cannot as the spell is meant to bring roots, and vines into a solid wall it cannot be used to wrap around someone. Though you could make a coffin out of it if you surround the person with the roots, and seal the top.
Post by: Nirur Torir on December 28, 2011, 11:12:34 pm
> Ask HEADMASTER about FOE.
Post by: EveryZig on December 28, 2011, 11:23:11 pm
In any case, I think surrounding him with a vine wall sounds like a good opening move when the fight starts. He get out of it easily, of course, but it is still useful to know how he gets out of it, and that gives us a few moments to cast another spell while his vision is blocked.
Post by: ragnarok97071 on December 29, 2011, 12:20:55 am
most importantly, keep pressing him. Don't let him get up momentum, or an enemy like this will mop the floor with us. I want to try to combine the bases of two spells, such as fusing the Mana Wall (Physical Manifestation) with the Song of Pain (Power Through Sacrifice, attack focus) to create weapon constructs, and boost the power of them through the Song's energy boosting. Would this be possible?
Post by: EveryZig on December 29, 2011, 01:14:54 am
Post by: fergus on December 29, 2011, 01:27:31 am
Post by: adwarf on December 29, 2011, 01:40:06 am
I want to try to combine the bases of two spells, such as fusing the Mana Wall (Physical Manifestation) with the Song of Pain (Power Through Sacrifice, attack focus) to create weapon constructs, and boost the power of them through the Song's energy boosting. Would this be possible?Song of Pain will boost the strength of your Mana Wall, but that is it as all Song of Pain does is remove your body's physical limiters.
@ EveryZig - It simply locks onto their Mana, or Physical Energy, so specific targeting is impossible
Post by: EveryZig on December 29, 2011, 02:38:11 am
What about inderect trajectories? Can we determine how they arc so we can do things like curving the paths of several Mana Arrows to attack from multiple directions at the same time?
Like so:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Am I right in thinking that casting past your normal limits using Song of Pain will still injure you the same amount as normal over-casting, but the injury will be delayed until the Song ends?
Post by: adwarf on December 29, 2011, 02:39:59 am
Post by: adwarf on December 29, 2011, 02:48:09 am
Post by: fergus on December 29, 2011, 03:09:31 am
Post by: adwarf on December 29, 2011, 03:35:27 am
Post by: fergus on December 29, 2011, 03:55:37 am
Post by: adwarf on December 29, 2011, 03:59:46 am
Post by: fergus on December 29, 2011, 05:52:52 am
Post by: adwarf on December 29, 2011, 05:54:05 am
I suppose he won't stop attacking until we prove to be capable fighters. Will drawing him away from the nexus at the academy cause him to dissipate?Nope he could outlast it with his High Mana reserves even without a contract formed.
Post by: fergus on December 29, 2011, 06:01:31 am
Post by: adwarf on December 29, 2011, 06:11:05 am
Chapter 1, Part 2.5: Life, or Death ...
You turn back to Alexander, and begin making a series of complex symbols in thin air, where your fingers travel a trail of black sparks stay behind, and soon a wall of black runes, and symbols lay before you. You draw your sword, and quickly punch the central symbol in front of you, it shatters, and the rest of them suddenly latch on, and blend into your skin. You feel a burst of energy, and your senses get sharper as you, as you look to see if Alexander had made a move you find him still staring at you as if waiting for something. Seeing this you begin using both hands to form the symbols for separate spells, and within moments you have both finished. You slap your palm against the ground, and roots suddenly burst forth from the earth, and form a dome around Alexander.
The next you sling your arm through the other set, and you feel a slight pressure cover you, the familiar pressure of your Mana becoming a shield. With that done you begin to craft the symbols for a massive barrage of Mana Arrows in the air, but you suddenly feel a pressure on your chest. Next thing you know you hear three sharp cracks, and you are thrown across the courtyard straight into the stone wall. As you hit it you hear several cracks come from your left arm, but the pain never comes, you simply stand back up, and begin drawing symbols once again. This time you run around the courtyard, and those seated near you jump back against the wall, or flee from the scene. Within moments the center area is surrounded with over a hundred mana arrow glyphs. You snap your fingers, and feel the familiar tug at your strength as it is pulled away from you, and the arrows are formed. In the air lie near a hundred glowing blue orbs, and in the center, where they all point, Alexander is standing still watching you with emotionless eyes.
In the next moment the arrows fly at Alexander, and you hear the impact as the area is filled with dust. In the next moment you feel a pressure on your right arm, and once again the sickening sounds of your bones cracking echoes through the courtyard. Then suddenly you feel a sharp pressure in your side, and you are sent flying into a nearby pillar. It cracks under your weight, and the sound of more of your ribs breaking mixes with it. The air is filled with dust, and flecks of stone as you stand back up once again, but this time you feel something warm flooding out of your mouth, and when you touch it with your hand you find blood.
You quickly draw symbols in the air, and slam you hand against the ground. Around you rows of roots rise up to form a solid dome around you, and as it seals tight you slump against the half broken pillar. While you felt no pain your vision was still fading slowly, and you found it hard to breath, move, or stand. 'What can I do? What choices do I have left?' You ask your self as you hear the sound of battering coming from outside the dome.
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: fergus on December 29, 2011, 06:41:04 am
Post by: EveryZig on December 29, 2011, 09:55:37 am
I guess we should heal some, reinforce the wall a bit in the direction of the battering, than use the Call.
Post by: ragnarok97071 on December 29, 2011, 01:06:48 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 29, 2011, 04:01:39 pm
Post by: ragnarok97071 on December 29, 2011, 06:17:34 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 29, 2011, 07:27:18 pm
Post by: fergus on December 29, 2011, 07:35:05 pm
That's all we need, really. Make them take our shape and use them as decoys to tie up his focus, While we charge up for an attack: bind him with the nature binding thing, and then launch our fire spell before he can break the wall, with all of our remaining mana. Have the elementals all be fire-types and add their power into the spell as well, if possible.
All right then, so lets cast Call of the Lost King and then do that.
Post by: ragnarok97071 on December 29, 2011, 10:33:54 pm
Post by: Nirur Torir on December 29, 2011, 10:53:08 pm
If we can still cast heal without killing ourselves afterwords, we should then cast a heal on just our right arm and try to backstab him if he breaks through our barrier as we finish casting.
Post by: fergus on December 29, 2011, 11:41:03 pm
Just letting you guys know you could still manage to use Call of the Lost King if you do it right at the start, but any longer after that, and you risk serious injury, and death.On the plus side, we might get a really powerful artificer.
Post by: adwarf on December 30, 2011, 05:24:22 am
Chapter 1, Part 2.5: Small Hopes
'Its all, or nothing ..' you think as you bite down on your thumb, and tear some skin of, so it begins to bleed. With that done you begin writing on the ground with your blood a triple layer seal with complex runic instructions, and a double layer of secondary seals around that. By the time you finish the ritual circle you can hear Alexander really close to you, and you can tell he is taking it slow on purpose as he says "Oh come out, your perfectly fine. If you can't take this how do you plan on surviving?" His mocking tone pisses you off, and you quickly scribble the last symbol in the center, and place your hands into a complex symbol similar to triangle with a circle surrounding it.
Your chant begins quickly, and the words echo through the air as you speak, the words are incomprehensible to many "The one who is lost, the King who is broken, and the sword that is shattered. Throw of Death, and be a wall before me." As the incantation echoes several times you notice something odd, the battering had stopped, and all was silent. As you took the time to look at your circle the inner layers turned into a pool of darkness, and a towering beast rose up from the ground. Its presence was heavy, and you could tell its aura was a powerful one for the owner showed no signs of trying to hide it. You read in a book somewhere that demons let there presence out when challenging an opponent they feel to be their equal.
He wore black armor that had been battered in numerous battles, and horrible weather, it no longer held the shine that was evident it once did, so long ago. Its helmet was plain, and cylinder shaped, but it was hewn open in several places, and from the sides great horns stuck out. Its armor was in even worse shape for it was covered in gaps, tears, dents, and scorch marks, just more to show that this being was, so far out of you reach. In its hands it held a massive sword nearly twice your side, it was once a solid shaped with a crescent moon shaped top that jutted out to either side farther than the blade, but now it was barely held together as the top had a giant tear down through it, and part of the hilt had broke off. From its back protruded massive wings, but they to were in the same shape as the armor, whatever this beast was beyond your comprehension.
As you watched it stood perfectly still, and stared at the root wall before it as if it could see its enemy through it. Suddenly you feel a blast of air that pushes you back, and a ear-shattering crack as the root wall is blown to pieces. When you get your bearings your looks, and see Alexander's fist one the Lost King's blade, where he punched there was a noticeable dent, but the Lost King himself showed no signs of being hurt. There was a flash of movement, and the entire dome is cut to pieces as the King attacks Alexander. The King's blade flies through the air, and its speed is unnatural, appearing as nothing more than a blur of motion, as he attacks. As the pieces fall, and the air clears you see Alexander has several cuts on his chest, and is pulling himself from a hole in the far wall, but you are suddenly disturbed as he starts laughing.
Within moments you feel him standing behind you, and his silky voice whispers into your "This is going to be fun. Let's play for a little bit, why don't we kitten?" You spin around, and slash at him, but your blade finds nothing but air as he appears on the far side of the courtyard. You hear him speak from across the courtyard, but only manage to get a bit of it "Forbidden Art: Demon ..." The rest is cut off as the air stirs, and begins to spin at a great speed. You feel something coming, and dive behind a pillar before peeking around the corner. What you see is a blur where Alexander once stood, and then a loud crunch followed by tearing sounds comes from the direction the King is in. You look over, and find see the Lost King fall to his knee, and blood flies into the air, covering the ground, and wall behind him.
Alexander stands behind him staring at the wall, but his figure quickly becomes a blur, and you hear his voice come from somewhere to your side. When you look he is standing on the last remaining overhang, and his voice is mocking again "Quite a display of power, but the Lost King is out with that one ..." He is cut off as a chunk of a pillar comes flying at him, you know who threw it before you look, but it still surprises you when you turn, and see the Lost King standing once again. The demon speaks directly into your mind, and his calm, deep voice stills your fears as it speaks "I will distract him for as long as I can. Prepare whatever spell you can. This is your last chance to win, for I stand no chance against the Third."
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Note (click to show/hide)
I hope you are liking it, so far, if you have any comments on how I can improve please tell me. Also we are nearing the end of Chapter 1. Now you better come up with a plan to finish thisPost by: fergus on December 30, 2011, 06:37:33 am
Post by: ragnarok97071 on December 30, 2011, 07:54:42 am
Post by: Elvisdogs on December 30, 2011, 06:44:22 pm
On Topic: Fire elementals would be good to distract him but with his power he could easily destroy them as fast as we can conjure them. We should really heal up.
Post by: EveryZig on December 30, 2011, 07:17:48 pm
We should do the elemental thing, but instead of fire use ice, to summon a massive ice shard, launch it at him, then propel it faster by releasing several magic missiles into the back of it as it flies (we might not be able to specifically target it, but if we launch the magic missiles straight from the same location we launched the ice shard it should be in their path.)
Post by: adwarf on December 31, 2011, 04:10:09 am
Chapter 1, Part 2.5: So, This Is Death ...
"Let's finish this." you reply to the King, and he gives you a small nod before taking a battle ready stance. You quickly dash into the area behind him, and watch as he brings his sword to bear. In one swift motion he slams the blade into the ground, and over a dozen rock pillars burst forth from the ground smashing together where Alexander once stood, but instead of finding him crushed you see him crouching down on top of the pillar. Within seconds there is a flurry of motion in front of you, and the King appears beside Alexander, with another quick movement the King smashes the flat side of his blade against him, and Alexander is sent flying through the wall into the third floor. You take your eyes off of the fight as you realize you don't have much time before Alexander wins.
With the sounds of fierce battle raging in the back ground you bite down on your other finger, and once again draw blood before bending down to draw the summoning seals. In moments you have three ritual circles constructed, and are using your other hand to prepare the Fire Toss seal. The air where your finger moved is replaced with red, orange, and yellow sparks, you mana taking physical form. Within another three minutes you have the seal right in front of you, it is about the size of your body, and consists of numerous circles, and hundreds of runes to draw the power from your Fire Elementals.
In the next instant pieces of rock fly by you, and a flash of movement, black armor, and a massive blade zooms by you. A thunderous series of cracking sounds, and crunching comes from your right side. You turn to see what happened, and find the Lost King barely standing, blood pours from numerous new gashes on his armor, and two holes are seen in his right wing. Once again his voice calls out to you, but this time it comes from his mouth not your mind, "I am sorry young one, I have done all I can, but I can last no longer. Forgive me." With that he turns into a black shadow, his presence disappears, and the shadow suddenly breaks into a million pieces before dissolving into the ground. Alexander walks out of the gap in the rubble, and comes to stand face to face with you.
Some blood drips from small gashes on his arm, and a small trickle flows from the corner of his mouth, yet he still manages to laugh into the air around him. In the windows you can see the faces of other students, and you begin to fear this is the end for you. You reach out your hand, and place your palm in the middle of the spell circle before you. Your voice rings through the air, and Alexander gives you a cold grin as he hears it, "Come Spirits of Fire, Burn My Enemy, and Take What You Will. Power of Death, Power of Light become one, and unleash the Holy Blaze of the World. Lend me your hand, and guide my path Flames of Death." As your words ring out, and three Fire Elementals burst into being you see Alexander's eyes widen in shock, but he has no time to react.
A ball of fire the size of three houses forms in your hand, and the Elementals are dragged into it. As the last bit of their essence combines with the fire it turns a bright white color, and shots forth at Alexander. You are thrown back into the wall by the explosion, and you hear two more snaps, then suddenly pain, immense pain, flows into you. You start to scream into the air, and tears flow down your cheeks, but your vision does not fade. The power of the Song of Pain takes its grip, and you begin to suffer for the actions you had taken. You look to see if you had won, but find Alexander standing perfectly unscathed by the fires, though you do manage to see a flicker of a claw, and scaled arm before it changes back to normal.
You watch as he approaches you, and your screams of pain still fill the air. You feel fear, you know he is going to kill you now that you have failed, but something surprising happens. He kneels before you, and you hear his voice through your cries of utter pain as he says "Why do you move me so much? A mere mortal can wield such power, and goes to such lengths for more. I guess I am an idiot aren't I the Lost King, Dragoth Durnslayer?" He places his hand on your chest as a massive amount of mana fills the air you can hear his voice once again "Power of Nature, that which protects, and heals return this being to its former glory, and heal the damage that has been done." A massive green light feels you vision, but you agony continues on, and you only manage to scream louder as more of the pain enters your mind.
"Damn it!" You hear him curse, and feel him flip you over on your back. You feel something moving across your back, and a sudden growth of power once more. As it reaches its peak amount you feels the darkness take you in, and you find yourself falling away further into the shadows. You have one last thought before your consciousness fades, 'So this is what death feels like is it? Its peaceful now, no more pain, no more burdens.'
You find yourself walking through endless darkness, seemingly never-ending, you have no idea why you do this, but you just feel you must do it. After what seems like months of walking through endless darkness you come upon an large area of stone. You step onto it, and begin to check it over only to fine a complex series of seals, runes, symbols, and more seals. You see feel a presence gather in the middle of the circle, and an orb appears in the middle. It seems to shift between a black darker than the shadows, and a red deeper then blood. You watch it find the orb entrancing as it draws you closer, and closer, you feel power from it, and it seems to be physically calling you "Katrin ... Katrin ..." The words continuously flow through your mind, and you since it is the orb doing this.
You walk up to it, and touch the floating orb, it feels warm to the touch one moment, and then cold the next. As you feel the waning heat it in, and feel the darkness contained within the orb shatters. The darkness contained inside rushes into you, and you fall to the ground writhing in pain. Before your eyes a pale nearly invisible being appears before you, it is a simple figure as it appears only as a cloak before you, but the voice that comes from beneath the raised cowl makes something stir in you. "What is it you desire?" it asks, and you feel you have heard the voice before. Once again the voice asks "What is it you desire?"
Post by: fergus on December 31, 2011, 05:48:10 pm
"Where is this?"
Post by: Dermonster on December 31, 2011, 05:54:41 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 31, 2011, 06:03:48 pm
Post by: fergus on December 31, 2011, 07:21:52 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 31, 2011, 07:24:43 pm
Post by: Dermonster on December 31, 2011, 07:29:40 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 31, 2011, 07:32:27 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 31, 2011, 07:55:32 pm
Its voice reaches your ears once again "I see you also seek power to over come the trials the Gods have given you. You wish to become on who can walk the border between life, and death being unable to be consider fully alive, or fully dead. You wish to be, and that is what I can give, but you must overcome the dark desires that lie within you. I will not give my power to those who are clouded by the darkness. Look, and you shall see." At the end he points to your arm, and when you look down you try, and jump away from the horrifying image, but find that horrifying image is a part of you. Your left arm is moving up, and down, beneath the skin it looks as if something is trying to escape. The entire arm is a dark black, but it seems to be semi-transparent, but you can still not see what is writhing beneath.
It sits down beside you, and says "You must overcome that darkness. I will summon it forth, so you may slay it, but be warned if you fail you will become an Abomination. You will still be alive, still be conscious, and you will be forced to watch as you slaughter everyone. If that comes about I shall kill you. Now remember this, this is being is an incarnation of the darkness hiding within you, to slay it means you are slaying apart of you. Do this head held high what you will see is, but a mirror reflecting what could have been." With that the being disappears, and the edge of the stone circle bursts into the air before expanding into a massive room. A burst of pain fills your arm, and you hear a tearing sound, as you looks something claws its way out of your arm, and scurries over to the far side where it turns into a black egg. Blood runs down you arm, and as you stand runs steadily onto the stone below.
Despite the blood pooling on the floor under your feet you feel no pain, and as you begin to wonder what is going on your arm knits itself back together. The voice once again rings through the room asking you "What are you willing to give in exchange for power? Give your life, your arms, your vision? How far are you willing to go?"
Post by: Dermonster on December 31, 2011, 08:07:55 pm
Post by: EveryZig on December 31, 2011, 09:43:57 pm
Post by: Dermonster on December 31, 2011, 09:48:01 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 31, 2011, 09:49:59 pm
Post by: Dermonster on December 31, 2011, 09:51:20 pm
Post by: adwarf on December 31, 2011, 09:54:16 pm
Post by: adwarf on January 01, 2012, 07:04:19 am
"You are mistaken, you think of yourself as something you are not. A human, you are no such thing, maybe you once were human, but you haven't been such a being for a long time. In time you will learn, but first you must survive against this darkness. I have taken from you your magic, I have taken your power now what is it you shall do? Will you die? Will your mind be crushed?" His laughter fills the air once again, but this time you feel it is a much colder laugh condemning you to your course.
Across the room the egg begins to shake violently, and cracks begin to appear across the egg's surface, though it does not break despite the seemingly fragile remains of the shell. Before you a pole of black stone rises from the ground, and floats up into the air until it lies horizontal in front of your eyes. "Take it, and will it into to the shape you wish." You reach out your hand, and grasp the stone rod with your hand, you focus your mind on it, and it begins to melt, and reform before your eyes, but into what?
Spoiler: Note (click to show/hide)
Post by: EveryZig on January 01, 2012, 11:40:59 am
Post by: ragnarok97071 on January 01, 2012, 11:49:42 am
No weapon for us but a scythe.
preferably one with a chainsaw blade, but that's just me.
Post by: Nirur Torir on January 01, 2012, 01:35:57 pm
Through superior knowledge, we protect ourselves. Our world (or at least what the world should be). We must learn until nothing can defeat us. Only then will we be powerful enough to achieve our goals. Yet power is double-edged: There will always be those who envy or fear us for who we are, and seek to cut us down.
Post by: ragnarok97071 on January 01, 2012, 02:43:03 pm
Better idea.
Form? What is form? something we apply though our perception of a thing.
Form is an illusion.
Its form shall be a Shifter Blade, able to become any weapon we desire, and many other things besides.
Post by: adwarf on January 01, 2012, 09:51:21 pm
Your vision slowly return, and as you stand up, and look towards the egg you find a mirror image of yourself made out of pure shadow, though from its back sprouts four wings. You can feel its aura as it pushes you to your knees, and you struggle against the overwhelming presence of darkness. Your breathing becomes hard, and it begins to feel as if the aura itself is trying to strangle you. Just as your vision begins to darken you feel an intense burning on your back, and you topple forward onto the ground, but the aura's presence disappears, as you look up the beast still stands there, but for some reason its aura has no effect on you.
You push your self up from the ground, and the weapons still clutched in your hand fall to the ground, and turn into a silver liquid before becoming a massive blade. The blade is made of a pure white metal, and it seems to be made of one solid chunk of material, throughout it are holes, and deep rivets, but they seem to have naturally formed. As you reach your hand out for the pain you feel it stop on something, and you are thrown up, and back. Slamming into the wall you hear the stone shatter, and your vision turns red as you begin to plummet back to the ground. Your vision turns blood red as you slam against the ground, and you can hear numerous cracking, and tearing sounds come from your body.
You try to stand up, but the pain is to great, and you feel your clothes begin to grow heavy. As you look at them you find them slowly being soaked in your blood. You feel a kick to your side, and you go flying across the room smashing into the wall, and sending chunks of stone flying around you. You watch as your shadow self grows closer, and as it draws near the burning sensation returns, this time you see shackles, and chains appear on you. As they take form a white light begins to radiate from them, and the stone around you begins to crack while a pool of pure white forms in the middle of the circle. From the circle a figure rises up, the figure looks to be human, but as you watch you notice a tail, and two wings on his back, the wings are wrapped in chains, and seem to disappear into thin air.
Within moments the being is beside you, and your vision begins to fade. You hear words coming from somewhere, but you can't make them out, and you hear the cloaked being talk to you once more "So be it for now you shall carry this darkness, but be wary. If this being every takes control of you, then you will kill everyone close to you." With that your vision fades, and the last thing you see is that white sword, and then you feel someone picking you up. With that you consciousness fades completely, and you are swallowed by a dreamless dark.
Chapter 1: The Start of a Truth ...: Ends
Spoiler: Chapter 1, Part 2 Compilation (click to show/hide)
Well here we are at the end of Chapter 1, and I am quite surprised by the amount of stuff I have typed up for this Chapter as it was meant to be the shortest one. After this we only have about five updates before we begin the Exams which will be filled with combat, and trials for our character to overtake. I have several questions I wan to ask before we start the next Chapter.
1.) What was your favorite part of this chapter?
2.) Do you think I have improved since starting this?
3.) Are you finding this to be fun?
Post by: Dermonster on January 01, 2012, 10:18:35 pm
1.) Not sure.
2.) Your spelling and punctuation use is still kinda terrible.
3.) Maybe? It seems like we just dove head first into grimdark.
Post by: adwarf on January 01, 2012, 10:21:43 pm
Post by: Dermonster on January 01, 2012, 10:31:26 pm
There also seems to be a bit of railroading going on here.
Post by: adwarf on January 01, 2012, 10:33:56 pm
A story that is grim and or dark.
There also seems to be a bit of railroading going on here.
That ends soon this is just giving parts of the story (I had to do some railroading to get the story introduced)
Post by: Dermonster on January 01, 2012, 10:36:01 pm
Post by: adwarf on January 01, 2012, 10:45:35 pm
Post by: EveryZig on January 01, 2012, 10:50:58 pm
Post by: adwarf on January 01, 2012, 10:59:12 pm
Post by: EveryZig on January 01, 2012, 11:19:54 pm
Post by: adwarf on January 01, 2012, 11:37:14 pm
Post by: fergus on January 02, 2012, 02:00:08 am
Post by: adwarf on January 02, 2012, 02:26:41 am
Quote from: fergus
Basically, what actually happened just then?You got your ass-handed to you by your shadow-self. It is some form of corruption you got though your life, but you don't no when, and you weren't aware of it until now.
Quote from: fergus
Where did our shadow self come from?Your shadow self is inside of you, its a curse/corruption that is a part of you. It is basically the physical manifestation of all the vileness inside of you, and it thrives on 'bad feelings' (Anger, Fear, Sadness, Pain, etc.) those feelings can cause it to grow. If it grows strong enough it will take over your body, and force you to kill everyone you care about, and anyone near you. If it takes over the main character becomes nothing more than a mere monster, though that path will give them power to rival the Gods if the main character turns into that monster then there is no return.
The rest of your questions are plot tied sorry.
Post by: fergus on January 02, 2012, 03:08:23 am
Post by: adwarf on January 02, 2012, 03:10:27 am
But we did fall unconscious at the end of the fight, right?Yeah after the demon with chained wings picked you up.
Post by: adwarf on January 02, 2012, 03:51:12 am
Chapter 2: The Exams
The darkness you had seen for, so long begins to fade as a light fills your vision. You roll over to go back to sleep, but fall off of whatever you were sleeping on. The floor creaks, and the room is filled with a dull thud as you land on wooden floorboards, you cringe in wait of the pain you knew was coming, but after several minutes you feel no pain. You open your eyes expecting scars, bruises, and broken bones, but find yourself in perfect condition, except for a large streak of dried blood on your right arm. "So that really did happen." you mumble to yourself, and try to pick yourself off of the ground, but halfway up your arms collapse under your weight, and you fall back onto the floor.
In the distance you can hear footsteps coming in your direction, and you hear someone breathing nearby, but you can't see anything except the wall in front of your face. You lay there for a couple of minutes before the door opens, and you hear someone exclaim, "Oh my! Your awake?" The sound of running comes your way, then you feel somebody pick you up, and place you back into the bed. The person is a woman, she seems to be in her late twenties, and is a bit stunning with her golden hair, and hazel colored eyes. She starts to speak "Hi how ...", but is cut off as a window above your head slams open, and a flash of movement passes over you. You follow it, and find Alexander sitting in the chair at the foot of your bed. You hear him mumble, "She woke up ..." before the woman continues "As I was saying, How are you feeling?"
You try to reply, but your throat feels like sandpaper when you open your mouth. Seeing this the woman garbs a cup of liquid beside your bed, and places it in your hand. Without any nudging you quickly drink the entire glass, and as the last drops fall down your throat you feel an intense burning begin to grow on your back. You try to hold it in, but you let out a small whimper, as you do Alexander abruptly stands up, and knocks over the chair in his haste. He walks over to you, and places his hand on your back which instantly relieves the burning, which he seems to realize, because he returns to his previous spot to fix the chair.
You look in the mirror on the other side of your bed, and find you look different then you used to. Before your hair was brown, and your eyes were green, but now both your hair, and eyes were a bright red color. Alexander looks over, and see you staring at the mirror before saying, "It was an after-effect of the ritual I performed to save your life. I trust it isn't to much of a price to pay for your life." His voice is filled with sarcasm, and you resist the urge to throw the mirror at him. You decide now would be the best time to ask him any questions you want to as he seems to be expecting you to.
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: fergus on January 02, 2012, 04:43:16 am
Post by: Nirur Torir on January 02, 2012, 09:34:43 am
1.) What was your favorite part of this chapter?
It's hard to say from a fairly short chapter.
2.) Do you think I have improved since starting this?
I'm not skilled enough to notice significant change after two or three weeks.
3.) Are you finding this to be fun?
Yes, of course.
Since you seem to be asking for criticism:
I'm slightly concerned about how the power increase is paced (I'm not worried about you making us too powerful in relation to whatever's trying to kill us).
Our stats are around level 5 after a few months of training. Katrin is currently able to set up a barrage of over 100 spells and release them simultaneously. Regardless of them being low powered, we could easily wreck havoc on a small town and run off before being noticed.
Around level 20, we should be able to throw enough low level, low powered spells around to utterly annihilate that same small town, or throw large amounts of more powerful spells, either for much less mana cost than we could now.
Assume two such level 20 wizards feel the need to have a duel to the death in a town. Even if both consider themselves to be Good Protectors of Humanity, there will be heavy collateral damage.
I've little doubt that we'll eventually fight eldritch abominations, of whatever sort, who have no regard for human life. As one would be a threat to a level 20 magi, (s)he would be foolish to hold back. The town cease to be a town.
A full battle involving even a single level 50 magi would leave me fearing for the inhabitability of a large area.
Continuing this line, the Circle of Magi, at the peak of their power, should each be able to casually destroy huge sections of the planet. If they get together and have an all-out battle against the gods on this planet, it will be rendered uninhabitable at the least. I'd worry over the stability of whatever dimension the battle took place in.
Humans are right to fear magi. You've implied that many are evil. How do regular humans stand against them, let alone hunt them down?
Post by: adwarf on January 02, 2012, 12:30:36 pm
The mana arrow barrage from last time only worked, because of Song of Pain without that we would have had maybe the mana for 12 arrows instead. Even at around 20 our base mana will be able to generate maybe 30 arrows before being wiped out, and mana arrow is about the only spell a magi can truly use in a barrage that doesn't take several minutes of preparation.
As for battles with the Gods those would have taken place in a different realm (There are special gates scattered around the world leading to various other realms. Some peaceful, and some deadly to any Magi, or Human who enters) So all damage would be contained to the God's Realm which could be easily repaired by the Gods themselves.
Post by: EveryZig on January 03, 2012, 02:39:18 am
- Did the ritual have any other side effects?
- The Lost King mentioned you were the Third. What are you the Third of?
- Was that you who helped me in the vision I just had involving a shadow version of myself?
- What did you use to track me through the vine wall? I need to do something about vulnerabilities like that.
(About the thing with the limits of mages, the thing with extreme destructive power still applies to mad/possessed varieties of evil mages, as they would use Song of Pain or the like to wreck massive destruction, though the self-harm involved would limit how long they could rampage for. I think the number of cursed wastelands or radioactive craters lying around would depend largely on the response time of the superpowered community to rampaging mages, and the frequency of axe-crazy rogue mages as opposed to more low key schemer or local ruler types.)
Post by: adwarf on January 03, 2012, 06:15:28 am
Post by: adwarf on January 03, 2012, 05:51:27 pm
Chapter 2: Answers
"Who the heck are you?" You ask him, and you can tell from the smirk on his face he finds that entertaining in someway, you wish you could knock the guy out, but doubt you could in your condition. He takes a moment to reply as he lets out a deep sigh, "As you know my name already I will just jump straight to the point, or what you really want to know. I am the Third Knight of the Inferno, one of the generals of the Demon King himself. I have come as a favor to the Council, and the Headmaster to combat the group of rogue demons, and monsters that are waging war against the Magi." With that done he reaches into his pocket, and pulls out a small golden key.
He draws a simply looking lock out of mana in the air, and quickly uses the key on it. A burst of air pulses through the room, and you see a small red bird flapping around where the keyhole was. It flaps over to you, and sits on your shoulder before beginning to mess with its feathers. You then spend about half an hour telling the story of that shadow version of you, and Alexander sits silently listening through the whole thing, he even listens while you rail of your questions to him.
With your story over, and questions ask Alexander replies, "First off, the ritual I performed have quite a few effects on you, but you needn't concern yourself over them as they most likely won't effect you. Secondly, that was most definitely not me in your dream realm. I have no clue who it was, but I will try, and find out, so until I do be careful not to lose control of that corruption inside of you. I am afraid my seal, and ritual, though it may have saved your life, has caused the corruption to grow much faster then it should have. Also I could sense you, because you were the one who summoned me to this world. Anyway I will be taking my leave from here for a while. I have much to investigate, so I won't be back for some time, but in my stead I will leave you with Pochi. Now, I need to go."
As the words slowly register in your mind Alexander flashes back out of the window, and takes a seat on the edge of the overhang out there as he takes a moment to collect himself. He calls back to you, "Be wary of the seal I gave you if it starts to burn again Pochi can deal with it, but if he isn't around something very bad will happen, so keep him near." With that you hear another bit of movement, and you feel his presence growing farther away, when he left you could have swore he said something under his breath, but you can't figure out what. As he leaves the woman looks at you with a sad smile, and says "You have the day off, so you can do what you want. I am sorry, but I also need to get going." With that she left, and you were left alone thinking 'What am I going to do?'
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: fergus on January 03, 2012, 06:58:36 pm
Post by: EveryZig on January 04, 2012, 01:02:23 am
Post by: Elvisdogs on January 04, 2012, 01:26:21 am
Post by: adwarf on January 04, 2012, 11:56:57 pm
Chapter 2: Dakgon's Summoning Manual
You crawl out of bed, and you feel the connection between you, and Alexander become little more then a thread connecting you as Artificer, and Master. As you start to feel sad Pochi chirps, and nibbles on your ear, you laugh as you tap him to stop the nibbling, and crawl out of the bed. You spend several minutes getting dressed, and walk out of the room heading towards the Great Library in search of knowledge about summoning rituals. As you walk in one of the librarians gives you a slight nod, and one of the many worker trolls stomps by you carrying a towering pile of books.
You bob, and weave through the towering masses of piled books, and sturdy wooden shelves crammed to the brim with different books of all kind. as you come to the section on summoning you instantly find the book where you found the ritual for the Lost King hanging on barely to the shelf. It falls off, and you barely manage to catch it before it slams against the floor. With it in hand you walk over into a small alcove off to the side that is mostly concealed behind a wall of books, you quickly sit down, and begin delving into the book.
Spoiler: Dakgon's Summoning Manual (click to show/hide)
What books was it you wanted again ?
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: fergus on January 05, 2012, 12:19:08 am
Post by: EveryZig on January 07, 2012, 12:45:07 am
Post by: fergus on January 07, 2012, 01:01:30 am
Maybe something about auras and the tracking/concealment thereof? I am still concerned about how someone can target and attack us though a wall.We should find the range limits on this as well. I don't want someone killing us from the other side of the planet.
Post by: adwarf on January 07, 2012, 12:41:31 pm
That is impossible ... not even a God could attack your from the other side of the planetMaybe something about auras and the tracking/concealment thereof? I am still concerned about how someone can target and attack us though a wall.We should find the range limits on this as well. I don't want someone killing us from the other side of the planet.
Post by: EveryZig on January 07, 2012, 02:54:07 pm
Post by: Nirur Torir on January 07, 2012, 02:59:13 pm
Post by: adwarf on January 07, 2012, 03:04:23 pm
Post by: EveryZig on January 07, 2012, 07:28:31 pm
Okay I'll go ahead, and tell you that all of the attacks Alexander used where physical, and he was attacking you directly every time.So, did he teleport or did he just break the vine wall too quietly for us to notice? I never expected the vine wall to hold him for more than a few moments, but I did expect to hear him ripping it open.
I guess super speed being common is slightly less bad than super telekinesis being common, but it provides its own problems for our ambitions of not being splattered.
Is there a spell that changes your perception of time (not necessarily your attack/casting speed) that we can use to be able to tell what is snapping our ribs apart the next time?
[[For writing input, when someone is attacking too fast for us to see, maybe it would be more clear if you mention a flicker of motion or the attacker appearing/disappearing as they move in/out of super speed? When a person's behavior or position is not mentioned, readers tend to assume they are still doing what they were doing the last time they were mentioned (being perfectly visible and standing there looking at us in this case).]]
Post by: adwarf on January 07, 2012, 07:35:52 pm
1.) He did break the wall if you go back, and check it says "Suddenly you feel a blast of air that pushes you back, and a ear-shattering crack as the root wall is blown to pieces."Okay I'll go ahead, and tell you that all of the attacks Alexander used where physical, and he was attacking you directly every time.So, did he teleport or did he just break the vine wall too quietly for us to notice? I never expected the vine wall to hold him for more than a few moments, but I did expect to hear him ripping it open.
I guess super speed being common is slightly less bad than super telekinesis being common, but it provides its own problems for our ambitions of not being splattered.
Is there a spell that changes your perception of time (not necessarily your attack/casting speed) that we can use to be able to tell what is snapping our ribs apart the next time?
[[For writing input, when someone is attacking too fast for us to see, maybe it would be more clear if you mention a flicker of motion or the attacker appearing/disappearing as they move in/out of super speed? When a person's behavior or position is not mentioned, readers tend to assume they are still doing what they were doing the last time they were mentioned (being perfectly visible and standing there looking at us in this case).]]
2.) Super Speed is very rare only a few people can do such a thing. The shadow can do it, because it is a being that should not exist to begin with, and Alexander ... well thats a secret :)
3.) He was moving to fast for your eyes to follow, so you couldn't even detect a flicker, and towards the end your vision was blurred, meaning detecting a flicker would be hard.
Post by: EveryZig on January 07, 2012, 08:28:17 pm
1.) He did break the wall if you go back, and check it says "Suddenly you feel a blast of air that pushes you back, and a ear-shattering crack as the root wall is blown to pieces."The time I was looking to for reference was at the very start of the fight, which is where I got the impression he was using force magic:
You slap your palm against the ground, and roots suddenly burst forth from the earth, and form a dome around Alexander.
The next you sling your arm through the other set, and you feel a slight pressure cover you, the familiar pressure of your Mana becoming a shield. With that done you begin to craft the symbols for a massive barrage of Mana Arrows in the air, but you suddenly feel a pressure on your chest. Next thing you know you hear three sharp cracks, and you are thrown across the courtyard straight into the stone wall.
3.) He was moving to fast for your eyes to follow, so you couldn't even detect a flicker, and towards the end your vision was blurred, meaning detecting a flicker would be hard.Wouldn't we still see him be suddenly gone from where he was for a moment before he reaches us?
Post by: adwarf on January 07, 2012, 08:36:06 pm
Post by: EveryZig on January 07, 2012, 09:01:00 pm
Aura detecting is still useful to get though. Being able to tell a caster from a random person (before they start shooting things at your back) can be quite useful, and even if someone is hiding their aura, the fact that they are doing so means they have some kind of power.
Post by: fergus on January 23, 2012, 11:30:04 pm
Post by: adwarf on January 24, 2012, 03:17:41 pm
Post by: adwarf on January 26, 2012, 07:01:35 pm
Chapter 2: The Gods, a Tale of One who Stood for Mankind, and the Children of the Exiled One
"Oh right I wanted to look up information on the Gods, and the Exiled God ..", you remember as you shut the book, place it in a bag, and set it off to the side. You begin to stand up, and book falls from a rafter above the alcove, slamming onto the table, and sending up a cloud of dust amid the sounds of a creaking table. The shock of it happening passes quickly, and you pick it up from the table to read the title, but it shrouded in a layer of dust an inch thick. You dust it off, and wipe your hand upon the thick carpet beneath the table before turning your attention back to the book. The title reads The One who Stood for Mankind, and the Exiled God, as you go to look for an author you find the book to be a simple leather wrapped cover, and pages that seem to be those used for notes by students. As you open the cover to the first page you drop it in shock from what was on that first page.
Upon it was the image of a man with blood red wings, claws, and in shackles, beside him stood the Exiled God with his face covered yet facing in the other direction looking away from the man, and you. On the side you see small droplets, and they seem to be tears of the god. Though none of that is as shocking as the identity of the one who was shackled, but when you try to remember who it was your mind goes blank. Upon retrieving the book you find the picture replaced with a white page, and no matter how hard you search you can not find it again. Pushing the thought aside you return to the seat, and begin reading the book hoping to take your mind off of the picture you can't remember ...
The Exiled God is the one who gave Mankind the ability to stand up to the Gods, and challenge them for he thought the Gods to powerful, and to willing to mess with the lives of mortals as they saw fit. He saw that without humans the Gods would die, without Humans the Gods would cease to exist as the Humans belief in them provided the very power they had. Because of this he turned on the other Gods, and gifted the first nine Magi with the ability known as Magic. Each of them gained great power that day, but even that was not enough as the earth was ripped apart, the seas boiled, and the mountains cracked in half beneath the might of the two forces. The Exiled God saw that the Humans would lose without help, and went in search of the one who would save them from their destruction for each day hundreds of humans died, and the nine who gained power grew weaker, and weaker from the constant use of their power.
He went to the Realm of the Spirits, to the Realm of the Unknown, to the Realm of the Forgotten, and to the Realm of the Cursed, but in his years of searching he found none who could save mankind. Thus, he went forth into the Realm of Gods once more. They struck him down as he came again, and again, but he did not falter until he stood in front of the King Of Gods himself. There he bowed, there he feel to his knees, and cried a sea of tears as he begged for mankind's salvation, but the gods would not listen, and instead locked him away in a Realm that Never-Was. As the news of this reached the nine magi's ears they to fell crying, all except the first magi who the Exiled One had gifted with such power that he could rival the King Of Gods himself in battle.
His name was Alex Finn, the Exiled One had bestowed upon him the greatest power of the Magi for reasons unknown, but Alex had used that power to create one last safety for mankind. He had not used it for the price it would cost was greater then what they had suffered until now, the loss of the Exiled One meant the death of Mankind for sure. Thus, Alex prepared the forbidden spell, 'Zweihander', Journey of Lost Souls, and cast it upon himself. He took upon himself the power of all the Realms, and forcing those that were destroyed to merge with the Human Realm. Those that remained were only the God, and Human realms, but with such a power came a price, Alex also took upon himself all the darkness of Mankind until that moment, he became a beast that was no longer human, and could never become one ever again. He became the sins of mankind, but he fought those until he gained control, even after that he still bore the mark of that darkness as he had a human shape, but wielded claws, wings, tail, and other signs of things that had though never to exist. They were the color of crimson blood, and marked him as a creature that would never be a human no matter what he managed.
With this new power he broke the very gate that closed the God Realm from the Human, and marched forth, he slayed many a God reducing their numbers to only a handful until only the High Gods remained. As he stepped before the throne of the King Of Gods he ripped the veil of power, and shadows that held the Exiled God in his prison, and set him free. As the Exiled God stepped free of his prison, and into the Realm of Gods he saw the price that had been paid by both the Humans, and Alex, so he turned to the Gods, and pleaded again asking them to let them be free, that they could kill him instead. as the Gods agreed, and stepped forth to finish it Alex leaped in front of the God, and took the attacks they threw at the Exiled One. As the dust cleared Alex lay on his knees before the Gods, covered in blood, and deathly wounds yet still in shackles that appeared as if from nowhere.
Even as he began to die he pleaded with the Gods to instead seal him away in one realm, and the Exiled One in another, seeing his tears, and those of the Humans as the witnessed the procession the Gods did as Alex asked. They healed him, and gave him, and all his children immortality, and a curse. They were forever to be the very essence of the sins mankind made, they became the first demons, and where sealed away in Zweihander, the Realm of Demons named after that forbidden spell cast, so long ago. They laid upon Alex, and all of his closest blood children another curse, they would never be free of their prison except to serve the will of a human.
The Exiled One they sealed in the Realm of Shadows, where he would forever stay in complete darkness only visited by those who were of his blood, which was none, but as he was sealed he proclaimed that all Magi he would ever be created from that day would be his Child, and upon the world was laid a complex net of Magic that would gift others the power of the Magi.
Upon that day the world rejoiced in a flood of tears at blood shed, the Exiled God, and the One who Stood for Mankind. their sadness filled the ears of the Gods, but they turned a death ear. Upon that day mankind began their never-ending war upon those Gods who did not stand with the Exiled One, but as a race we are powerless beings. Magi the Children of the Exiled One, and the One who Stood for Mankind this is the past, present, and future of this war, we can never win yet we can always lose in madness, silence, tears, and death the Exiled One will weep. The One who Stood for Mankind shall return one day, and the Nine shall come together for that which must be done, yet another price may be payed that is irreversible, but only the Nine, and the Exiled one shall see that day for what it truly is, and end to a beginning, or a beginning to an end. All is shadow, and all is shadow shrouded in misery.
He went to the Realm of the Spirits, to the Realm of the Unknown, to the Realm of the Forgotten, and to the Realm of the Cursed, but in his years of searching he found none who could save mankind. Thus, he went forth into the Realm of Gods once more. They struck him down as he came again, and again, but he did not falter until he stood in front of the King Of Gods himself. There he bowed, there he feel to his knees, and cried a sea of tears as he begged for mankind's salvation, but the gods would not listen, and instead locked him away in a Realm that Never-Was. As the news of this reached the nine magi's ears they to fell crying, all except the first magi who the Exiled One had gifted with such power that he could rival the King Of Gods himself in battle.
His name was Alex Finn, the Exiled One had bestowed upon him the greatest power of the Magi for reasons unknown, but Alex had used that power to create one last safety for mankind. He had not used it for the price it would cost was greater then what they had suffered until now, the loss of the Exiled One meant the death of Mankind for sure. Thus, Alex prepared the forbidden spell, 'Zweihander', Journey of Lost Souls, and cast it upon himself. He took upon himself the power of all the Realms, and forcing those that were destroyed to merge with the Human Realm. Those that remained were only the God, and Human realms, but with such a power came a price, Alex also took upon himself all the darkness of Mankind until that moment, he became a beast that was no longer human, and could never become one ever again. He became the sins of mankind, but he fought those until he gained control, even after that he still bore the mark of that darkness as he had a human shape, but wielded claws, wings, tail, and other signs of things that had though never to exist. They were the color of crimson blood, and marked him as a creature that would never be a human no matter what he managed.
With this new power he broke the very gate that closed the God Realm from the Human, and marched forth, he slayed many a God reducing their numbers to only a handful until only the High Gods remained. As he stepped before the throne of the King Of Gods he ripped the veil of power, and shadows that held the Exiled God in his prison, and set him free. As the Exiled God stepped free of his prison, and into the Realm of Gods he saw the price that had been paid by both the Humans, and Alex, so he turned to the Gods, and pleaded again asking them to let them be free, that they could kill him instead. as the Gods agreed, and stepped forth to finish it Alex leaped in front of the God, and took the attacks they threw at the Exiled One. As the dust cleared Alex lay on his knees before the Gods, covered in blood, and deathly wounds yet still in shackles that appeared as if from nowhere.
Even as he began to die he pleaded with the Gods to instead seal him away in one realm, and the Exiled One in another, seeing his tears, and those of the Humans as the witnessed the procession the Gods did as Alex asked. They healed him, and gave him, and all his children immortality, and a curse. They were forever to be the very essence of the sins mankind made, they became the first demons, and where sealed away in Zweihander, the Realm of Demons named after that forbidden spell cast, so long ago. They laid upon Alex, and all of his closest blood children another curse, they would never be free of their prison except to serve the will of a human.
The Exiled One they sealed in the Realm of Shadows, where he would forever stay in complete darkness only visited by those who were of his blood, which was none, but as he was sealed he proclaimed that all Magi he would ever be created from that day would be his Child, and upon the world was laid a complex net of Magic that would gift others the power of the Magi.
Upon that day the world rejoiced in a flood of tears at blood shed, the Exiled God, and the One who Stood for Mankind. their sadness filled the ears of the Gods, but they turned a death ear. Upon that day mankind began their never-ending war upon those Gods who did not stand with the Exiled One, but as a race we are powerless beings. Magi the Children of the Exiled One, and the One who Stood for Mankind this is the past, present, and future of this war, we can never win yet we can always lose in madness, silence, tears, and death the Exiled One will weep. The One who Stood for Mankind shall return one day, and the Nine shall come together for that which must be done, yet another price may be payed that is irreversible, but only the Nine, and the Exiled one shall see that day for what it truly is, and end to a beginning, or a beginning to an end. All is shadow, and all is shadow shrouded in misery.
With that the last of the words end, and you turn to the last page where once again you see that same picture, but instead of the Exiled God you are crying beside him, but before you can realize who the man is it fades from your mind. Even with the image gone you fall to the ground, and begin to cry for a reason you can't remember. As you sob you hear rushed foot-steps, and you see darkness closing in on you once more. A familiar voice fills your ears as it says, "I never should have left you to begin with." yet as it ends, and before you can realize who it is the darkness swallows you again, and you find yourself once again in that stone circle from your previous visit to this dark hell.
On the far side where you expected to find the creature of darkness you instead see the Exiled God smiling at you. His voice drifts over to you silky as ever as he speaks, "So you have come here once again my Child. Come sit, and ask me any question you desire answered, and I shall try."
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: fergus on January 26, 2012, 07:16:06 pm
Post by: adwarf on January 26, 2012, 07:23:12 pm
Post by: fergus on January 26, 2012, 07:26:37 pm
Post by: adwarf on January 26, 2012, 08:17:29 pm
Post by: fergus on January 26, 2012, 08:33:19 pm
Post by: adwarf on January 26, 2012, 08:52:28 pm
Post by: fergus on January 26, 2012, 10:31:36 pm
"What is my destiny?"
Post by: adwarf on January 27, 2012, 04:04:28 pm
Chapter 2: A Truth ... One Of Blood
"This person, he will be of the blood of of the One who Stood for Mankind, but he will be an exile. His power is immense yet it comes at a cost, each time he uses them his body slowly destroys itself. He has yet to appear, but has always been beside, and he shall die in a sea of blood, under the Throne of the God King, and the Stone Kiltar, but he shall be free in his death. His passing will shatter something, what is unknown, but what will occur is certain if he dies in this ocean of blood before the shattering of the Throne of the God King, and the breaking of the Stone of Kiltar then the world shall break."
The Exiled one took a pause, and suddenly a face covered in blood appeared before, it seemed familiar, but strange at the same time, yet it filled you with sorrow, and fear. As the face disappeared he continued, "Your destiny is shrouded from me, only his can I see, but even if I knew I could not tell you that which you seek. To tell you your future would break that which has been lain before you. Always remember that without him you are nothing, but he has yet to be seen, nor to make himself known to you. Without him you are one part of a whole, and even that whole can't stand against a destiny yet to be forged." As the last words were spoken all went silent, and in the corner of your eye you could see that pure white sword from before, but every time you turned to look at it, then the sword disappeared.
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: adwarf on January 28, 2012, 12:47:14 pm
Post by: fergus on January 28, 2012, 03:06:11 pm
Post by: adwarf on January 28, 2012, 04:00:49 pm
"This is what we were created from, it is the essence you Magi call Mana, and you humans are the ones who have it, of course all those other races posses Mana, but theirs is corrupt, and only the pure Mana of humans can keep a God alive. Of course me being the Father of the Magi, God of Magic, Son of Shadow, and Possessor of the True Power I must be connected to the real world to receive that which I require to live, but where none, but my Children come I grow weaker as even you Magi come here as mere shadows. You are one of the few who can appear in their true forms, but when you do that I can not touch you, and you can not feel, or hear me reach out to you. This is the place of your corruption, the place of your birth, and the place of your death, but I can say no more my Child time grows less, and i have time only for only one more answer, so be quick about it."
Post by: adwarf on January 29, 2012, 03:26:15 pm
Post by: fergus on January 29, 2012, 04:34:32 pm
Post by: fergus on January 30, 2012, 04:54:25 pm
"What is mana?"
Post by: yourfears on February 02, 2012, 06:03:46 am
Post by: adwarf on February 04, 2012, 09:16:49 am
Chapter 2: A Truth ... One Of Blood
"Both are excellent questions my Child, but I can only answer the first for I do not know what the sword is myself. Mana is the life energy of the Overgoddess who has long since passed, she gave her power to the entire world, and she left, so much power that five hundred years of casting magic from all the Magi would not even scratch the surface of it." the Exiled God said before reaching his hand out towards you.
Where his hand should have been there was simply a piece of cloak, as if the Exiled one sought to hide what he truly was, but you cared not for that, but what was in the Exiled One's hand. In his hand floated a crystal the size of your hand, and light of all colors seemed to flow from it in every direction. You are, so entranced with the beauty of it that you jump when the Exiled One says "Take it, and go my Child for you have no time left to remain here. Take this for it is part of you, but part of another. It is part of a destiny that is, but has yet to be constructed. Now go my Child, and do what you wish with your powers." You reach out, and grasp then gasp as a cold shock flows through your entire body, and then the darkness envelops you once again.
You awaken slowly as light fills your eyes, and shadows dance across your eyelids, with the light breaking your nice sleep you sit up, and open your eyes. You take moment to adjust as a massive amount of light blinds you momentarily. As your eyes adjust to the light you see your in a massive domed area at least a hundred paces wide all around.
After a moment you hear voices all around you, and only then do you notice the fifty people standing in the room surrounded by bright halos of light, they must be the source of the light you are seeing. As you look at them several relax, and the light disappears as they come rushing over to you. When the first person arrives you realize your lying on the ground with your book across your chest, and the crystal floating beside your head.
You look up to the first person to arrive, and find that its the Headmaster, he gives you a small smile, and says "Its been a while since I've seen you, but every time I do you get into some kind of trouble nowadays, you are quite the troublesome student. Anyway its great to see you awake, we've been worried you might not make it back for awhile now. Although I think some were more worried then others." He gives glance towards someone with a slight frown of worry, and you follow it to find Alexander sitting cross legged, and with such a flood of light coming from him that you have to avert your gaze, and cover your eyes.
The Headmaster continues, "Its been a month since you passed out, Alexander said you had went to see the Exiled One, but no one believed him until it was almost to late. You nearly died several times, what saved you is a mystery to all of us, but its nice to have you back, and safe as well. You should be fine now, so I'll have everyone clear out, I believe Alexander wants to talk to you." With that the Headmaster rushes off, and everyone except Alexander follows him out.
Once everyone had left Alexander opened one of his eyes, and the light faded away as he spoke, "What were you thinking? You almost died from just going to that place, it is not somewhere you can force your way into. The amount of power required just to get the gate to appear kills the ordinary Magi, and you break the damned gate! I barely managed to cover it up where the Gods thought it a simply arrival of another Magi, and then you come here bringing a fragment of Cu'tir. What is that idiot thinking."
Alexander takes a pause as he stands up, and brushes dirt, and dust from his baggy red pants. Once that is done he walks forward, and two chairs, and a table seemingly appear in front of you. Then you feel a rush of air that picks you up, and places you in the seat opposite Alexander's. You find him with sweat covering his face, and both eyes closed, as if asleep, but give a slight jump as he speaks "Now tell me what happened."
"Should you tell him the truth, or something else entirely? Or should you instead question him?" you think as you sit, and watch him.
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: fergus on February 04, 2012, 05:47:16 pm
Post by: Elvisdogs on February 04, 2012, 06:56:30 pm
Post by: adwarf on February 07, 2012, 07:48:33 pm
Chapter 2: The Time Of War Has Come, and Death Descends
You slowly begin to talk, and tell him the truth, how you have no idea how you force your way in, how you have no clue what anything the Exiled One said means, etc. By the end of it you can see the lights outside dimming, and only then did you realize Alexander had listened the entire time, without a word to your story, and you must have talked for over an hour. As you stop speaking a thick silence fills the room, as if daring you to speak, and see the consequences of it. You wait, and wait for what seems like a lifetime in that silence waiting for Alexander to reply.
When he does its sudden, and what you hear makes no sense, "Get up, something is off, somethings not right .." And as he finishes he is running out of the room with you trailing behind him, above you the ceiling of the Academy shakes, and you begin to hear the sounds of swords clashing, and explosions echoing in from the outside. Just as you begin to put the pieces together a being like you saw when you first cast Magic comes flying through a nearby window, and slams into the far wall. as you look at it the shadow that makes it up slowly dissipates, and it disappears from existence.
You hear Alexander say something, but can't quite catch all of it, "The fate of a demon, there is no ..." After that nothing really seems to happen, and what is going on finally sinks into you, just in time apparently as you step out into the Entrance Hall you come face to face with a small group of Warrior Magi facing off against a horde of demons that continue to poor through the door. Before you can say, or do anything you feel a slight movement in front of you, and Alexander disappears from your view, heading into the crowd of rogue demons pouring in.
As you watch one of the Warrior Magi falls, demons encircle him, and his screams fill your ears, as the sickening truth hits you, these demons are consumed with one goal, to eat all of your kind for the mana they possess within. As that realization dawns upon you a faint voice comes into your mind, "Go my daughter, my heir, reach out for your destiny ... It is time, though you may be broken, that which was shattered may be fixed." As the voice fades, her voice something in the back of your mind says, you realize for the first time that familiar flow you were, so used to was gone.
Something had happened to your body, and it could no longer hold mana, as the truth hit you a pain spread across your arm, and as you looked down you found a that familiar darkness spread over it in lines, and runes, but as you watch it is replaced by a gold light, and the pain on your spreads throughout your entire body. As you fall over in pain, and begin to cry out it fades instantly, just as quickly as it came, but as it disappeared you felt something. It was a power of sorts, and as you came to realize that the light on your arm spread to your other, and shackles appeared around your wrist.
Even with that, as if you were possesed, you stand up, and your palms glow as unfamiliar runes appear on each. Their basic meaning is clear to you, they speak of your binding, of your chains, but what they truly mean is unclear to you . After you recover from that shock you look down into the Hill, and begin to wonder what you could do to fight those demons.
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: yourfears on February 08, 2012, 04:49:12 am
either use song of pain and hope summoning the lost king dont kill us
OR
attempt to use the strange power?
Post by: fergus on February 08, 2012, 05:43:04 am
i see 2 optionsNumber 2. Whatever it is, it seems to be benevolent.
either use song of pain and hope summoning the lost king doesn't kill us
OR
attempt to use the strange power?
Post by: yourfears on February 17, 2012, 06:34:10 pm
Post by: adwarf on February 17, 2012, 06:39:09 pm
Post by: yourfears on February 17, 2012, 08:52:53 pm
Yeah, I've just been having some problems with switching to my new laptop, but its all fixed now, and I'll try to update tonight.
yay
Post by: adwarf on February 17, 2012, 10:40:25 pm
Chapter 2: They Who Wage War
Seeing no other solution you reach for the power flowing through you, and as you touch it your mind automatically recoils, the power feels corrupted, and made of evils that you have never known until know. This power you feel is a curse, that is all you can tell, but as you reach out again, and pull the power into you the crystal shard shatters. The shards fly about three inches before beginning to latch onto thin air, where the crystals come to rest a white blade slowly begins to appear until the sword from your battle with the Darkness is within your palm. It is about four feet long coming to a razor sharp point, and crafted of a metal, so light the blade feels as if it is your own arm, the sword resembles the skull of a mighty dragon. With a very long thin blade like that of a dragon's jaw, and thick, blunt organic lines forming the blade's back as it comes to rest at a thin white handle with a thick piece of the white metal forming a guard in front of your hand.
You give the blade several glances, but your mind is drawn back to what is happening as a Warrior Magi falls dead before you, and a towering demon stands towering over you with a wicked blade of cursed black steel that radiates an aura of pure malice. Taking a step closer the monster steps upon the fallen Magi, and a sickening crunch, and sploshing sound fills your ears as the beast before you fills your vision. Without thinking you rush the beast, and your sword sings through the air to collide with the wicked blade of your foe. As they clash together several sparks fly from the blades, and the monster flicks its wrist nearly forcing the sword from your grip. Barely keeping your hand around the hilt you began to form signs with your other hand, and strike at the monster once more, this time aiming for a small gap in its black armor that exposed the corrupted flesh of its neck.
Once again your blade clashes with his, but as the beast goes to knock your sword aside your palm smashes against the beasts visor, and a the inside of his armor explodes as you launch a fireball point-blank into its cursed armor. As it looses a blood-curdling a cry the monster's armor crumbles into black sand, and mixes with the smearing of blood soaked ashes underneath. As the last of the armor crumbles to dust you step over the blood soaked ashes, you begin to climb down the stairs, and the few demons who do attack you die as your blade slices through flesh, and bone alike felling the weaker demons who seek to feed upon the Magi. Somewhere amidst the fighting a voice yells, "For the Exiled One, and What Was Lost Succumb to Darkness Once Again!"
Looking down at the battle you notice a knot of demons go flying, and the figure from your fight with the Darkness appears. Its wings are bound by chains that disappear into the air as well, and its hands are claws that slice through the demon flesh, and cursed armor as it carves a path through the now failing demon army. After several moments you recognize the figure to be Alexander, and you see a flicker as his body nearly changes, what you see is a beast similar to a dragon, in that brief moment you witness Alexander's true form. A crimson red dragon with wings weighed down by chains, and cut to pieces to keep him flying away, around his claws are shackles that from their look are made of the power you touched, and its face gives a tortured beaten look as hundreds of cuts, and slashes mar its surface.
With a sudden blur of movement he appears behind a group of demons, and sends them flying across the room to crunch against the far wall, and fall to the ground harmlessly. As he continues to maintain that form you feel a presence pushing you down, and the chains on your arms begin to slowly form, materializing from nowhere. It begins to feel that you'll be forced to your knees, but just as you can't hold out any longer a shrill note sounds from outside the building, and the demons suddenly flee the room making for a set of buildings that lay on the far side of the school grounds. Plopping down onto the ground you wipe your arm across your face, and lay the sword across your lap as Alexander makes his way over, his human form returned. Taking a seat next to you he began to recite something, " 'Black, and White shall be the marks of the one chosen to walk the border between Life, and Death. A Daughter of a Goddess, and the Daughter of an Exile she stands strong with a blade of holy judgement, and a spear of dark wrath. The one born to walk the shadow of the light, and take the burden of a race cursed for eternity. She will come with the king who shall not be, and the monster that will devour the world.' "
Giving her a sad look he stands up, and walks out the door heading towards the place where the demons fled to. Staring after him you think "What did he mean by that, and what am I to do?"
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Post by: fergus on February 17, 2012, 10:43:51 pm
Post by: yourfears on February 18, 2012, 08:19:47 am
or just Alexander because headmaster might be busy what with the attack and all
Post by: Tiruin on February 20, 2012, 08:38:41 am
Post by: adwarf on February 26, 2012, 12:58:18 pm
Chapter 2: They Who Wage War
You stand up with the sword still clutched in your arms, and run after him as he steps out of the front doorway of the hall. You manage to catch up with him when he stops at the edge of the stone walkway just outside the door, and say, "Where is that from, and what does it mean?" For some reason Alexander started laughing, and looked up towards the sky.
"That I can not tell you for I fear if I utter the words my life will end right here.", looking back up into the sky he continues, "So is it now you take your vengeance King of Gods, is it now that you fear the ones you have cursed? Do you now tremble upon your throne at the mere thought of what has come?" As if in answer a creature begins to rise up from the earth, made of stone, and dirt it looks human, yet it seems to radiate a power beyond what any normal person could wield.
The being spoke even before its body fully came from the ground it began, "You dare mock the Gods when it is Mankind that has caused this disaster. I will not listen to it, when the time comes I will kill you, Son of Sin." Then it crumbled to dust, and fell back to the earth, harmless once more. Alexander turned as it fell to dust, and began to walk towards the buildings on the far side of the grounds, you follow, and the closer you get the more powerful the dark feeling gets. Something in there holds power, this you know, but what it is you know not.
As you approach the building you notice a frown spread cross Alexander's face, and when you arrive he stops with a look of pure anger on his face. He turns to you, and speaks quickly, "Return to the School, and no matter what happens to me do not come to this place. Tell the other Magi not to come here until the Demons leave, whatever they take is worth less then their lives." With that he turned, and threw the doors wide, nearly running into the building you get little more then a glimpse of what is inside before the door closes. You stare at the door for a few seconds thinking, "What is in there that would make him act like this?" You would follow, but you are not sure if you should follow his words, or do otherwise.
Spoiler: Book of Truth (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Author Notes (click to show/hide)
Post by: fergus on February 27, 2012, 03:03:01 am
Post by: yourfears on February 27, 2012, 05:21:47 pm
and i say we use green. cuz every1 used blue for the hero.
Post by: adwarf on February 28, 2012, 06:47:58 pm
Chapter 2: They Who Wage War
You agree to his terms, and begin to walk away from him back towards the Academy, as you leave you hear his voice echoing in your head, "Goodbye, its better this way, a God should not stand beside a demon." You feel a sadness overwhelm you, the farther you got from the building the more it tugged at your heart, and by the time you were standing in the entrance hall facing the group of Magi about to head towards the buildings tears had filled your eyes. They look at you, and some start to head for the door, but stop as you speak "Do not go to that place, any of you who venture near it will die, Death will make no exceptions." As you finish you feel an intense pain rip through you, and you fall to the ground sobbing with tears flooding down your cheeks.
You lie on the ground crying for over an hour before someone comes over, and picks you up, you think it might be one of your room mates, but your eyes are to clouded, and misty to see anything clearly. As you are carried you continue to cry, and when whoever it is places you in a bed you slowly drift into sleep heaving, and racked with sobs as the pain presses on your heart. Your last thought before you fall asleep is, 'Something is missing, give it back, please give it back.' Then your vision begins to face, and you hear a mocking voice reply 'The Son of Sin has died, the one of the Prophecy will no longer be born. Don't you want to die, and join your Artificer wherever he may be?' With those words filling your mind you lapse into sleep.
In your sleep you dream, Alexander lies on the floor, his demonic hands bound by silver chains, and with a hole where his heart should be yet he still breathed, and looked about searching for something. As you look upon him he spots you, and smiles 'Become strong Daughter of the Exile, I have left you with powers that have marked you. You will be hunted by those who wish to destroy that curse have given you, but you must not die. All I ask before I die is for you to live on, do not avenge me, do not shed tears for me. Live, and find your way in life, do not seek any path you do not wish to follow, and do not seek to destroy those who have killed me for the sacrifice I have made has saved you. Goodbye, Goddess of the Night." As the words fell from his lips, and his body fell limp the tears came once again, and you lapsed into cries of pain once more as the darkness over took you as it so often did.
You embraced it for the cold feeling of the shadows in your mind took away your pain, in the shadows that hole in your heart disappeared, however briefly it was everything just went away ...
Chapter 2: Goddess of the Night, Ends
Well that is the end of Chapter 2, it would have been longer, but your actions, and choices made me find a new path in the story that I liked more. Now for some updates on things, when Chapter 3 begins you'll have to decide whether to head out into the world, or search for a master to train under, I have removed stats to keep this more story involved then statistic based, and have removed the few rolls I actually do make to make everything more fluid, and entirely story/action based. I'll compile the updates since the end of Chapter 1, and have that posted tomorrow, or later today. In the mean time decide what path of action you want to take from here.
Post by: yourfears on February 28, 2012, 09:27:18 pm
do we wander so no1 who hunts us knows where we are or stay surrounded by other mages for protection.
i say we leave and if any1 tries to stop us tell them its for the safety of the school.
Post by: adwarf on February 29, 2012, 08:27:53 pm
Post by: Tiruin on March 01, 2012, 12:07:57 am
Firstly, train up by exploring the lands, for there are many things that await to be discovered.
Post by: yourfears on March 01, 2012, 09:39:26 am
It took me like five times to fully understand what you typed :\
sorry, spent a ridiculous amount of time on starcraft 1 since it released so the way people talked there became my standard type.
Post by: adwarf on March 07, 2012, 04:12:18 pm
Chapter 3: Once A Saint ...
You sit at a old rotten table in a tavern that might have once looked beautiful, but the faded paint, and crumbling stones that are ever present mar the possible beauty of the structure. A dented flagon of ale sits before you half-empty, and your belongings lay in the pack by your feet. 'How long had it been since you last slept in a good bed, and dined at the Academy? How long had it been since you left, and an all out war erupted between the few existing nations of this world?' you thought as you took another swig from the flagon, and repositioned the hood over your face. The memories all came back to you as you took a sip from your ale, all of the day you left the Academy, and the day Alexander died...
A Month Ago ...
You stood in-front of the Headmaster, the ground around you covered in dried blood, scorch marks, holes, and more vile things. Gathered around you were twenty other students that had decided to head out into the real world to do what they could to protect it. All around you a massive crowd of magical beings; centaurs, ogres, half-men, elementals, magi, and many more had come to send you on your way, with blessings, gifts, and advice to help you survive in the world outside. Out of those who are leaving you only know two people, Freya, and the mysterious boy from a long time ago.
The gathered crowd is a buzz with talk, but they all fall silent as the Headmaster clears his throat, and spoke, "Friends, allies, family, and lovers. These are the things that will stay with us through life, and yesterday the rogue demon hordes attacked us, and slayed many of these. Some of you may wish revenge, some of you may be leaving us today to do just that, but would that truly honor their memory? For you to charge head-long into a battle you can not win, and die? That is not what they would have wished, they would have wished for you to continue to live, for you to continue to fight against the darkness that is flowing across the world, and for you to stop it. Today you will live this place, you will leave the Academy not Apprentices, but true Magi, Sorcerers, and the like. When you leave this Academy you will walk out into a world filled with war, and strife, these events will bring about a war that this world has never seen before."
He took a pause to wipe some seat from his brow, and you notice his hair more filled with grey then when you had first met, the months had not been kind to such an old man. He quickly continued, "I am afraid to say that this will show our true weakness to the world, we Magi are few in numbers, and those of us with great power are either old, or to young to truly use it. Nations will challenge us, and nations will fight other nations. Brothers will kill brother as each faction struggles to gain our power, and exploit the weaknesses that will appear. Those of you that leave this day will be tasked with trying to stop these wars before they kill thousands. You will be thrust into danger, and for that I am sorry, but if you do not do it many more thousands will die in this needless war. On this day I declare all of you true Magi of the Academy, may you serve your people, and your nation well." With that he stepped down from the platform, and the crowd closed in to congratulate, and help you as best they could. By the end of the day you had everything you owned on your back, and at your side.
Just beside your head the crystal had floated once more, it had been that way when you had awoken after seeing Alexander die before your eyes. That pain still filled you, but it had dulled like a rusty blade stabbing you in the side. With that you set out into world to do what you had been tasked with for what else would you do, you had no real reason to live, but that one goal the Headmaster had given you, so you followed.
-- Back to Present day --
Over the following month you traveled over overgrown back roads, deep wheel rutted trade roads, and paved highways as you sought even the slightest information Within the first week you got wind of a small group of Magi that had been hired by the Alonar Empire to the north, what they planned you knew naught, but you had followed the rumors to this sleepy little town, White Spires, on the border of the two nations. All you knew was that the group numbered about five, and that they were located somewhere in this town, but you had no plan. 'What can I do now, I don't really have any leads.'
Spoiler: Belongings (click to show/hide)
Post by: adwarf on March 08, 2012, 09:19:40 pm
Post by: yourfears on March 11, 2012, 11:47:48 pm
Post by: adwarf on March 18, 2012, 11:51:32 am
Post by: adwarf on April 05, 2012, 03:59:14 pm
Chapter 3: Once A Saint ...
You swirl the remains of your ale around in the mug as you contemplate your next move, several thoughts float through your mind, but the safest option you can think of is to try and overhear some tidbit about them from the locals. Taking the mug back to the bar for a refill you scan about the musty dampness of the tavern's main room, and scan over the moldy, or cracking empty booths looking for the more secretive of the towns people within the tavern, several groups match what your looking for, but you settle for a group of what you assume to be mercenaries across the room conversing with a cloaked figure sitting in the shadows that the several fires had not managed to brighten up. It takes you a minute to notice the bartender glaring at you, and you hastily grab the mug before scurrying off to find a booth near the mercenaries. You find one easy enough as the majority of the towns folk seem to be distancing themselves from the group of swords for hire, as you draw closer you find the shadows to remain as dark as before, and the cloaked man's identity remains hidden, but soon enough you find your way to a booth, and begin listening to the groups conversation. Out of the twenty, or so men you find that only two of them are talking, the cloaked figure, and a man you assume to be the mercenary Captain, the man wears a solid black bandana on his head, with several axes clipped into differing holsters he matches the usual description of what most people call a pirate.
"Jackson you know we need to prepare more before we can take them on, we only have half of our men in the town, and out of the fifteen Magi we have only three are here. We must wait a little longer before we begin the assault, the Magi gathering here will never know what is coming, but we must wait one more day for the others to arrive." You hear as the smooth voice of the cloaked figure makes its way to you. In response you hear the Captain, Jackson, say, "Sir, they are getting loser, and closer to finding out we are here, we can not waste another day before the attack. If we do all of our people will be wiped out, and all of our work will end here, can you risk losing this war? We must strike now, and then hole up in the old Klasari Castle to the south of here, I have men preparing it for a siege, so once we start the attack we draw them back to that castle, and make a stand until the others arrive." You barely hear a slight rustle of cloth, maybe the cloaked figure shaking his head, before the man replies, "I see your point, go tell the men, and begin preparations for this battle, recent reports from our scouts say there may be far more of them here then we first thought so hurry my friend." With that half the soldiers stand up, and hurry out of the tavern as you think, "Now is decision time, follow those that are leaving, or face that cloaked man to get answers from him ..."