#1. mages are born - mana is in their blood and they are born that way. they do not get a choice

[lettherebepain]

I wasn't tagged but this looks fun, so I wanted to do it for my wip (Wicked Amends)

1. Villian merges fae and things

2. Meet-Cutes and Dragon Attacks

3. No good deed goes Unpunished

4. Oh shit, magic actively hurts mages!

5. Villian Lied, Mages Died

6. Relearning to fight plus frustration

7. Save Loki and fight fenrir

8. Fight thor and odin

9. Betrayal! Plus injury to everyone

10. Realization of being used/conditioned his whole life

11. Boyfriend is a jarl again, neat

12. Protags a viking and vikings raid churches

13. Dragon 2.0

14. We are in Hel

15. Revenge is a dish best served cold

I don't know who to tag so I won't :D

I need to interact with people more so I can make friends and learn who liked to do these things lol.

I wanna add more in, but I hit the 15, so I'll stop. Especially since this is a summary and not like, a full disclosure XD

Vaguely Summarised WIP Tag

Thanks for tagging me, @faeriecinna! :D

Rules: summarise your WIP in 15 2-5 word bullet points (as if you were trying to summarize it in 15 seconds). I'll do this for Like Snow on Hungry Graves:

Merfolk

Dragons

Various undead people

Black comedy

Starts out as psychological horror

Turns into a grim rom-com

Then the eldritch abomination appears

Somehow this is all Rusudan's fault

Everyone has chronic backstabbing disorder

Communication? They don't know her

Aww how cute-- OH NO

At least five people at any given time: Elamirja NO!

Considering the people involved this is the healthiest relationship possible

What do you call it when a dead person excavates the city they lived (and died) in? Self-archaeology?

ELAMIRJA. ELAMIRJA PUT THE KNIFE DOWN.

Tagging @autumnalwalker, @revenantlore, @illarian-rambling, and anyone else who wants to do this! :D

[whoelsereadslightnovels]

IN A DIFFERENT WORLD, BUT WITH FRIENDS.

CHAPTER 1: IN A CERTAIN FOREST

 Inside a certain forest, two figures with strange clothings that looked like (Basic) outfits worn by characters in RPG games could be seen hiding behind a bush.

 “Hey Yimso, are you sure this is a good idea?” The one wearing a mage robe whispered to the one wearing chainmail armour. “Huh? Oh, of course I’m sure.” Yimso gave a wide grin as he drew out his sword. “We just need to wait for ‘it’ to let its guard down for a single moment.”

 “Aight then…. .” The mage gave a sigh and said while still feeling nervous and turned his gaze away. The one besides him was a tank so he could take quite a lot of punishment but he was a mage; a class that was known to be weak in close combat. They much were better suited studying and researching magic behind closed doors or giving support from behind so his nervousness was justified. Of course, there were exceptions, but they could never compare to other classes when it came to endurance. Especially the one beside him; he was a tank.

 “….” After comforting the mage, Yimso turned away and looked over the bush where around 20 meters away, a 3 meter long and 1.6 meter tall black wolf was eating a brown rabbit.

 The rabbit being eaten by the wolf was not really any different that one you normally see on earth, except that this one was around 60 centimetres tall and had an over 20 centimeter long horn on its head. The horn must be the rabbit’s weapon, and a pretty good one at that at it seems to have put up a fight against the wolf, seeing that a small red puddle of blood had formed, trickling down from a wound on the wolf’s belly.

 There were also carcasses of other horned rabbits close by. They were probably hunted by the wolf too.

 After a while, the wolf had had its fill and seemed to have fallen asleep.

 Whoosh

 Right then, an arrow flew out from a tree top and hit the wolf. The arrow couldn’t penetrate the wolf’s hide though; falling to the ground after it hit its body. Fortunately the arrow was never meant to penetrate through the wolf’s hide but carry a vial which broke after hitting the wolf.

 The foul smelling liquid contained in the vial instantly drenched a part of the wolf’s face, startling it awake.

 “Tito, now!” Yimso roared as he rushed towards the wolf with a shield a sword in each hand from behind the bush. Right then, the man in the red robe pushed his opened hand forward and a ball of fire the size of a human head shot towards the wolf’s head.

 “ROAR”

 The wolf roared in anger towards the bush they were hiding in. Unfortunately for the wolf, the fireball had shot right into the open maws of the beast and set the wolf’s head on fire. Moreover, the flames, upon coming in contact with the foul smelling liquid had created a small explosion and caused the flames to burn even more brilliantly.

 “ROAR” The wolf bellowed in pain and anger.

Just then, Yimso, who had reached the wolf narrowly dodged a blind claw strike from the wolf and bashed its head with the shield and quickly moved backed after giving it a kick in the face.

 Slash

 Right after, a lean man wearing light leather armour and wielding two short swords rushed out from behind him and towards the wolf. He also had a short bow on his back, likely to be the one that shot the arrow earlier. He had made his way towards the wolf and slashed it with his swords, leaving 2 long gashes on the side of the wolf after which he quickly jumped into the bushes.

 The wolf cried out again and wanted to attack the creature that had wounded him. But taking advantage of the moment the wolf looked away, Yimso brought his broadsword down on the wolf’s neck.

 BAM

 The sword hit the wolf’s neck, making it kneel and tearing the skin but failed to cut through the firm neck muscles. The wolf quickly recovered and sent a paw towards Yimso.

 He hurriedly lifted his shield to block. The attack hit the shield, making his arms go numb and pushing him back by almost 3 meters before he could get back his footing. Suddenly, his body was washed over by a wave of green and light while the wolf’s was covered by a grey one, greatly relieving the numbness in Yimso’s arms, while the wolf felt it’s body grown heavier in an instant.

 These were the spells [Heal] and [Slow] casted by the mage Titus just now. He was hiding behind a bush with the lean looking guy who was preparing to shoot another arrow.

 Yimso, sheeting his sword, held the shield with both hands and charged straight at the wolf. The wolf who had its left eye blinded by the fire glared at him while squinting its remaining eye and pounced forward with its maw, filled with knife like teeth wide open.

 Yimso put the shield over his head and dived to the right, before colliding with the wolf. Just then, a fireball and an arrow with a vial of the liquid from before entered the maw of the wolf that could fit a child inside it causing an explosion even louder than before to occur.

 BOOM

 The wolf collapsed on the ground, twitching and continuously puking out black coloured blood. The blood from the wounds made by the short swords on its side also turned from red to black. Clearly, it had been poisoned and was quckly nearing its end.

 “Whew” Breathing out a sigh of relief, Yimso dropped his shield and collapsed on the forest floor and said “Hey, Tito, Puvi! How long are you going to be watching from over there, come over and let’s finish up here!” He then turned to look in the wolf’s direction and a floating blue box appeared in front of him.

  Species: Black Wolf

Type: Wolf, Beast

Level: 8

Rank: Elite

HP: 100/2550

MP: 200/200

Status: Poisoned, Fatigued, Heavily wounded

Description: A species of wolf. Its stats are focused towards agility, making it fast but sacrificing defensive capabilities. As a beast type, this creature is also vulnerable to fire.

 Rustle, Rustle

 After the rustle of leaves, the 1.65 meter tall mage and the 1.8 meter tall assassin walked out. “Hey, how is it going for you down there?”  ‘Puvi’ joked. “Any chance you’ll be going into the light soon? Hahaha!”

 “Yeah right, and who’s going to take aggro if I go?” Yimso sneered. “As if i could die sooner than you do.” He joked as he was pulled up by Puvi. “Now let’s hurry before more monsters appear.”

 Although they had not gone too far in, this was still the jungle, and there were predators that could catch the whiff of blood from miles away. So they had to either wipe out the scent of blood or leave the scene after they are done. They had already learned their lesson before when they had camped out in the forest and had slaughtered a deer next to the camp without burying the entrails, leaving it in the open which caused the camp to be surrounded by wild animals pretty quickly. 

Luckily, they hadn’t attracted a big animal and only smaller ones had appeared. They had quickly packed up and escaped before the bigger predators had appeared; like this wolf that they just killed.

 “Here you go.” Titus handed Yimso a vial made of transparent glass containing light green liquid and drank one himself. The only difference was that his was blue in colour. “And I told you not to call me that. Call me Titus, I said” He spat.

 “Thanks, ‘Tito’.” He looked at him with smiling eyes at him as he took the vial. Of course, Yimso wouldn’t reject the vial that was being given to him. He knew that it was an item, a [Health Potion] to be exact, that they had found was obtainable in this strange world they had found themselves in one day. 

The inhabitants of this world seems to have been born with a game like floating interface that they could use to check out their ‘status’ or sometimes others’ too. And the three of them had discovered that they had it too. Yes, similar to the ‘system’ described in novels back on earth.

 The ‘system’ had appraised them as below.

 Lowest grade Health Potion

-Heals most light wounds and restores 300 Hp instantly.

-Use: You drink it. What did you expect?

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lowest grade Mana Potion

-Restores 200 mana upon use.

-Use: You drink it. 😊

 “Yuck! I really wonder what in the world do they put in these things? They taste disgusting.” Yimso thought out loud while making an exaggerated ‘disgusted’ expression to which Titus just answered with a shrug.

 “System, show me my status.” Instantly upon saying those words, a blue box with numerous texts appeared in front of him.

NAME: YIMSO

LEVEL: 8

HP: 620 /700

MP: 160/250

#Note: Recovery rate increases when not in battle

RACE: HUMAN

BLOODLINES: [NONE]

MAIN CLASS: [WARRIOR]

JOB: TANK

SUB-CLASS: [NONE]

TITLES:

[BEGINNER TANK]

Effects:

HP= (V)*100

MP= (I)*50

[STATS]

STRENGHT: 9

AGILITY: 5

DEXTERITY: 5

VITALITY: 7

INTELLIGENCE: 5

 [SKILLS]

[PASSIVE]:

-NONE

 [ACTIVE]:

-1. (1) [SHIELD BASH] (1): Attacks the opponent with the shield, doing extra damage with chance to stun the opponent.

Effects:

Extra damage depending on strength stat

30% chance to stun opponent

MP COST: NONE

-2. (1) [VERTICAL SLASH] (2): Cuts down vertically with the sword.

Effects:

Extra damage depending on strength stat

MP COST: NONE

-3. (1) [BATTLE CRY] (1): Gives out a loud bellow and casts a buff on the user.

Effects:

+20% Strength

+10% Agility

+20% Damage reduction

MP COST: 100

 “Well, my wounds are healing at least.” Yimso mind shrugged as he looked at his previously wounded shoulder. He had been grazed by the wolf when he had dived to dodge the explosion.

 Over to the wolf’s side, Puvi had stabbed his sword into the wolf’s chest, ending its life, then collected its knife like teeth and claws and dug out a crystal orb the size of a fist from its chest, then put them in a pouch. “Hey Tits, catch!” He yelled as he threw the bag at Titus.

 “Sigh, I feel like I’m being bullied.” Catching the orb and putting it into a backpack, Titus couldn’t help but sigh and grumble as he thought about how his friends keep giving him nicknames.

 After resting for a few minutes, they discussed for a while before deciding to take back the entire wolf carcass back. And so, they departed, with Titus carrying a backpack half his size and Yimso carrying an almost 3 meter long wolf carcass on his back.

 “I’ll scout ahead!” With that, Puvi dashed ahead and started jumping from one tree to tree, soon disappearing.

2 hour later

 “Huaah~, thank goodness we are finally out of that damned forest” Yimso sighed as he could finally see their destination; a village surrounded by 5 meter high walls made of wood.

 “Gasp, pant” “Finally. W-we are finally…. o-out of… that forest.” Turning around, Yimso was greeted by the sight of Titus gasping for breath while carrying a backpack that had become almost as big as him after collecting items from beasts they encountered on the way and several plants and herbs in the forest. As for Puvi, he was carrying a small boar he had caught on the way; this was going to be their meal for tonight.

 Puvi looked towards the town surrounded by walls and sighed. “Come on guys we’re almost there.” After stopping for a moment to catch their breath, they started moving again.

 End of chapter 1: In a certain forest

*Note: The numbers inside the brackets on either sides of the name of the spell refer to the tier and level of the spell, respectively. Thank you for reading. Arigato!

[norbah]

Huitzilopochtli

-Saber (5*)

The proud Aztec god of war and the sun, Huitzilopochtli was born armed and ready for battle. The serpent of flame, Xiuhcoatl, was his weapon. His first action was the wholesale slaughter of his 400 brothers and dismemberment of his sister Coyolxauhqui in defense of his mother. Although he is technically a Pseudoservant, his face is not a familiar one, as he inhabits the body of a particularly worthy Mexica warrior. He does not tolerate weaklings as his Master, and one would be well advised to pull their weight and prove their worth as a warrior early on, lest the violent deity withdraw his favor and support.

Huitzilopochtli is particularly difficult to get along with at first. Mages remind him uncomfortably of Tezcatlipoca, the Aztec god of night, and thus his relationship with his Master will be automatically on the wrong foot from the start. He respects strength and valor, and rankles at cowards and cheats. He revels in violence and has little patience for activities unrelated to combat, meaning training is one of the few ways to bond with him.

Huitzilopochtli is brimming with raw power, and believes in honorable combat, although he finds the idea of giving his opponent a choice in the matter laughable. If Huitzilopochtli wishes to fight you, there’s not much you can do to avoid it. He is vulnerable to ambushes and assassinations, and it is no exaggeration to say his weakest point is his Master. The low respect he has for mages as a whole means he is unlikely to protect them at first. Indeed, if he finds them to be cowardly or spineless, he is perfectly willing to stand back and watch them be killed, as defeat is preferable to cowardice. Unlike his brother Quetzalcoatl, Huitzilopochtli loves only the strong among humanity, and will expect his Master to personally take the life of at least one other Master during the Grail War.

However, he is no mindless Berserker, and relishes the use of strategy against his enemies. If one can prove to him that their mind is sharp and well-versed in the art of tactics, he will quickly grow to respect his partner, and may even waive his demands for actual combat from them. It would be a good idea to avoid suggesting an assassination or underhanded tactics to him, however. The memories of what the deceitful Spaniards did to his people still make him bristle with blazing rage.

He burns through mana at an alarming rate, and unless one has enough in reserve, he is likely to go find a worthy sacrifice, or worse still, demand that his Master provide one for him. He will not select civilians, not out of concern for justice or discretion, or even mercy, but because he wishes only for warriors as sacrifices to himself. Anything less is unworthy.

In the context of the Grand Order, the chief god of Mesoamerica is easier to handle. Being surrounded with mighty warriors from across all ages and nations, he is quite enamored with the concept of testing himself against them. To his delight, there are many capable of holding their own against him, even if for a short while. He also has a secret soft spot for mothers, and will go out of his way to assist them if he can.

Inevitably, he will come to respect the last Master of Chaldea, as their struggles against insurmountable odds speak of true valor and strength of spirit. Indeed, he will go as far as to refer to them affectionately as “Tlatoani” after a while.

All in all, Huitzilopochtli is proud, stubborn, violent, and difficult. But should you earn his trust, there is no ally more steadfast and fierce you could find than the Fifth Sun.

ACTIVE SKILLS

Charisma B+

Although Huitzilopochtli and his people were the dominant culture of Mesoamerica, they did not reach this summit through diplomacy, but rather coercion and fear. Other tribes obeyed them only until somebody crueler than the Aztecs came along and offered to depose them.

----Increases all allies’ Atk.

Lake Texcoco

Huitzilopochtli could be an unreasonable deity, but he could also be a guiding hand. Through the augury of an eagle devouring a snake atop a prickly pear, he led his people from the mythical Aztlan to what would one day be Tenochtitlan: an island in a lake, infested with venomous snakes. The surrounding tribes gifted the island to the Mexica people, expecting them to die. But the Mexica ate the snakes, and claimed the island for their own.

----Increases allies’ Atk and Def. (3 turns)

----All allies gain Debuff Resist (3 times)

Blue Hummingbird EX

This skill is an embodiment of his nature as the bloodthirsty chief of the gods. As the sun, he gave life to all beings on earth. He demands blood in return, that he may be strong enough to hold back the eternal night. As his allies are spirits much like himself, he does not take their hearts as tribute, but rather drinks from them without taking their lives.

----An ally of your choosing loses 50% of their remaining health

----Increases own Buster strength depending on how much health was taken from ally (3 turns)

----Extra effect if NP is used (1 turn)

NOBLE PHANTASM

Name: Tonatiuh

Rank: A+

Class: Buster

Type: Anti-Army

“I am Light. I am War. I am he who holds the Moon and Stars at bay. Gaze now upon me as I am reborn from the Southeast. I am the Fifth Sun—- TONATIUH!”

As the dual deity of war and the sun, Huitzilopochtli displays unbridled power that few can rival. In Aztec myth, he is our current sun, and his power is what keeps the moon and stars from descending upon the Earth and devouring all living on it. This power grows as he is fed the blood and hearts of captured warriors, or even allies deemed worthy of this honor. This Noble Phantasm manifests this legend by transforming into the Solar Disc, Tonatiuh, and unleashing his might towards the surrounding area. Those blessed by him will feel the warmth of the sun on their skin and the strength of their allies at their side, giving them the spirit to fight more fiercely, while those who stand against him will feel the devastating power of the Sun in its most bloodthirsty and violent form.

----Deals significant damage to all enemies

----Increase Atk for all allies. (3 turns)

----Stuns Self for 3 turns (Demerit)

----If under the effect of Blue Hummingbird EX, Huitzilopochtli is not stunned. Instead, increase Atk by fraction of HP taken as tribute. (Effect increases with Overcharge. 100% is an increase by 50% of the tribute. 200% is an increase by 75%. So on.)

Additional quotes for other Servants: -Quetzalcoatl: “Quetzalcoatl, my brother! It has been too long! ... You... seem different than I remember you. ... Did you do something with your hair? And do you know what happened to my Piedra del Sol?” He still holds Quetzalcoatl in high regard, as one of the few siblings who aided him in defending their mother, Coatlicue against Coyolxauhqui. As such, Quetz is one of the very few people you will catch Huitz being affectionate with... and is, in fact, the only Servant capable of calling him Huitz without starting a fight. -Jaguar Man: “I see you in there, Tepeyollotl. You think you can hide behind this woman, but I know you’re in there. ... Eh? You evicted him? You evicted the Heart of the Mountain? ... I would not have liked to be in his place. You have my respect.” Huitzilopochtli respects but mistrusts Tezcatlipoca and all his avatars. To find that this woman was willful enough to turn the tables on the Smoking Mirror is a very welcome surprise, but he will keep an eye on her nonetheless. -Karna: “You there, spearman. Stop for a moment. Something links us. I can feel it. ... Ah. I understand now. ... You are a capable warrior, I see. Would you join me in the sparring ring? I would like to know you better. We are practically family, after all.” He sees Karna as a nephew of sorts, being the son and incarnation of another sun god, albeit a much less violent one. Challenging Karna to brutal fights is his equivalent of playing catch with the demigod. -Leonidas: “You are not Mexica, are you? No. Your weaponry and armor, it is too different. But I see it in your eyes; that same sliver of the sun that burned in my warriors. Please, grant me the honor of joining me in a spar.” He simply recognizes a man who may have been an Eagle Knight or even a Tlatoani, had he been born in a different time and place. He goes all out against Leonidas as a sign of respect, and is delighted to discover just how strong and durable the Spartan is. -Tiamom: “I... Mother? Mother, is that you? ... No. No, not quite. You feel like her, and I hear her in your voice, but you’re much gentler. Yet... somehow, it feels like you’re... I’m so confused.” This is where Huitz is the most vulnerable. He is dearly fond of his mother, and sees much of her in the Foreigner Tiamat. Both are mother goddesses, greatly associated with the earth and with serpents, and both were turned on by their own children. Huitz can't help but feel protective of Tiamat, and subtly tries to make her proud of him. It is a good thing she can look after herself. If his new surrogate mother were threatened, there's no telling how much carnage Huitz would cause in his desire to protect her. -Artemis: “A moon goddess? Pah. More trouble than they’re worth, the lot of them. Watch your back, Master, lest you find a dagger in it.” Self explanatory. Huitzilopochtli feels great distaste for moon goddesses, and would see no problem in getting rid of all of them to avoid a potential Coyolxauqui 2.0.

[tibalt-the-fineblooded]

Tibalt’s Fanwalkers: Listed

In preparation for upcoming and eventual Fanwalker Fridays (or general asks and buffoonery), I am making this list of my Fanwalkers in order of creation. Short Descriptions will be followed by a longer Bio under a cut. Short and Sweet: 1. Ceral Redd (RBU) He/Him, Storm Mage Human from Kaldheim, has a pet kaladeshi dragon whelp named Raz 2.Laan Dovar (GR) He/Him, Geomancer/Size Manipulator Half-Kor/Half-Elf from Zendikar 3. Except (WGU) She/Her/They/Them, Healer Elf Simic Mimic from Ravnica with no memories of being from Ravnica, Old Walker 4. Y’lona (WB) She/Her, Cursed/Blessed Leonin from Theros 5. Zoya (R) She/Her, Blacksmith Vulshok from Mirrodin New Phyrexia 6. Atlan (WRU) He/Him, Jeskai Monk Djinn from Khans Tarkir 7. Sturn Dregg (BU) He/Him, ‘Skeleton’ Pirate ‘Pseudo Lich’ Death Mage Human from Ixalan 8. Samuel Dusken (WBU) He/Him, Elf Vampire Spirit Summoner from Innistrad, feeds on spirits not blood, Old Walker 9. Kitai Skalto (W) She/Her, Benalish Knight/Glass Mage Human from Dominaria 10. Aseri Kalot (WGR) She/Her, Saytr Beast Summoner from Theros, uses blood-ink tattoos to summon monsters whose blood is in the tattoos 11. Cas Anova (WR) He/Him, Reinforcement Magic/Pyromancer Cowboy Human from Unnamed Plane (wherever Angrath is from)

Bio’s under the cut (sorry mobile users)

Here’s the collection of bio’s for my fanwalkers. This will contain an overall what’s up and some base physical traits. I’ll try to keep it reasonable in length so that I don't clog up your dashes for too long!

1. Ceral Redd, 5′10, glowing purple eyes

Currently a resident of Kaladesh, Ceral has shifted from his previously violent ways to a more focused lifestyle. He spends much of his time traveling from plane to plane chasing legends and rumors, and studying weather patterns in hopes of getting strong enough to tame the storm that ravages his home. He wields the magics of what he hopes to calm, lightning and fire to ice and wind. Having spent several years on Kaladesh, and having worked within the Izzet League, Ceral picked up on how to work with artifice and uses his skills to improve the two red mana batteries he keeps on his person. Ceral has spent much of his time in recent months raising his dragon whelp Raz.

2.  Laan Dovar, 6′2, light green eyes

Hoping to set an example, Laan helps those he comes across in his travels. He spends mush of his time traveling the more dangerous areas he finds, fond of high cliffs and deep valleys. While he's born of two cultures, he takes pride in both. His magic is just as mixed; with a skill in geomancy that allows him to control not only rock and earth, but also sand and even lava. His size manipulaton only allows him to change his own body in a range of passing for a giant to his own height, he can not shrink any smaller than that. While his Kor father has been dead for several years, Laan still returns to visit his Elf mother on Zendikar and catch her up on his travels.

3. Except, 5′4, brown eyes

A simple healer on the outskirts of a Leonin village, Except is anything but. Having spent over one hundred years on Theros as a six armed human with a Leonin tail, Satyr horns and the crest of a Merfolk, she is a respected member of their community. The villagers come to her for injures and illnesses that they cannot treat and the young enjoy playing with someone who can take any form they ask. She was once from Ravnica but lost any memories of that time when she first sparked, believing she is from Theros. Her shapeshifting abilites stem from her being a Simic Combine expirement to create a mimic from a non-mimic being. Except now uses her abilities to take on the hurts of her patients to learn how best to treat them. She only recently started planeswalking again when her adopted Leonin daughter Y'lona sparked.

4. Y’lona, 5′6, dark brown eyes

Only recently a planeswalker, Y'lona is still adjusting to all that there is to learn about it. She is also adjusting to the oddities that are her new planeswalking mentors; the long time patients of Except, her adoptive mother, Ceral Redd and Laan Dovar. The main task the three older walkers have agreed upon is that Y'lona needs to bring her newfound powers under some semblance of control. She had managed, in a state of terrror and confusion, to agree to the biddings of both an Innistradi Demon and Angel. One a curse to harm, the other a blessing to heal; Y'lona can't do one without doing the other. Neither contract was completed, which prevents her from choosing one and she will be stuck with both. 

5. Zoya, 6′4, gold eyes

Having accepted her home of Mirrodin as a lost cause, Zoya has found some peace in focusing in her craft. A blacksmith by nature, she joined the Boros Legion after landing on Ravnica and is very happy to take any style of order. Due to this, she is very aware that others like her come from all over to get custom pieces and parts of weapons and armor made. Zoya has long since been able to tell who can and can't travel off of the plane, aware that even other members of the Legion aren't what they seem. She doesn't mind and has no plans to out any one of a shared secret. When she isnt doing work for orders, Zoya falls into old practices as a way of mourning for friends and family lost on her old home.

6. Atlan, 8′2, pale blue eyes

A follower of the Way and trapped in a time he never could have dreamed of, Atlan has to hold this secret close to protect himself. When he stepped into a different timeline, Atlan lost everyone he had ever known and his sorrow and confusion threw him even further to land on Kamigawa. Making his way back to Tarkir, he found that he was supposed to be missing and has been leading a double life ever since. His goal is to master ghostfire, but he knows he must first master the types of fire he's already learned. Atlan is also working on improving more than his physical and magical abilites, having taken up various games of wordplay, strategy and puzzles.

7. Sturn Dregg, 5′8, deep blue eyes

Stowaway turned sailor turned captain, Sturn has spent most of his life sailing the seas of Ixalan. His ship, the Hangman’s Orchard, and crew currently reside at the bottom of those seas while Sturn works on repaying the survivors of the Hours on Amonkhet. After sparking, he landed on the desert plane grievously injured and was saved from death. Once this debt is repaid, he planes on returning to Ixalan to raise the Orchard once more. Sturn is unsure of whether he wishes to travel the multitude of worlds available to him or if he will remain with his skeleton crew, haunting the seas of his home. 

8. Samuel Dusken, 5′9, silver eyes

One of the last scions of the House Dusken on Innistrad, Samuel is also one of the planes last elves. After the ritual which turned the houses into vampires, Samuel took to researching a way to give his family an edge over all the others. Freedom from the need for blood while retaining the powers already gained. He took a self imposed exile until he successfully removed the thirst for blood, changed instead to a thirst for the essence of the lingering souls that haunted every corner of the multiverse. However, during his absence, Samuel's house had fallen from power in a war with House Maurer and scattered across the plane. He spends his time searching for a way to recreate his success with his now limited power and tracking down his scattered family.

9. Kitai Skalto, 5′10, green eyes

As both a Benalish Knight and a Glass Mage, Kitai has very little free time to pursue her interests across the multiverse. What time she does have is spent learning various fighting styles from friends she's made on previous trips from her home. Her magic allows her to create various things out of glas, from swords and shields to wings she can fly with. Kitai longs for adventure but is faithful to her duties, knowing that the only way to pursue her desires would be to embark upon a pilgrimage by herself. She wishes to prove herself before hand and thus returns to Benalia for her duties without fail. 

10. Aseri Kalot, 4′11, brown eyes

Never in one place for too long, Aseri can always find somewhere to keep her entertained. She is spending her time traveling the multiverse to share the beauty of  Nyx with any and all. Her unique style of summoning allows her to bring forth beasts that she has tattooed onto her own skin, with ink mixed with the beasts' blood. When summoned, these beasts take on the aspect of the Theros sky and resemble the Nyxborn of Aseri's home. Her favorite places to visit are Ixalan and Naya, and she has several tattoos from both. Despite her love of the starfield, Aseri doesn't visit her home very often.

11. Cas Anova, 6′, light brown eyes

A lone ranger kind of guy, Cas does what he can to try and make things better. He refuses to leave any place he's visited without solving a problem or two, even if it's only helping to repair a stable or going out to help deal with a few bandits. His pyromancy isnt the strongest but it allows him to fire small flames from his finger tips that explode on contact. Cas balances out his less than powerful offensive magic with reinforcement magics that can protect him from harm or make him slightly stronger. Having left behind his parents and younger siblings to help make the multiverse a slightly better place, Cas visits whenever he feels homesick.

Thank you for reading to the end! I’m hoping that my crew will entertain you in the future. My current goal is to get art for everyone and, hopefully, keep the list at 11. My asks are also open for more than Fanwalker Fridays and I’m always willing to answer questions!

[impossible-rat-babies]

owen.... i can't believe you thought i would not ask you every question yourself in return.... go! dimitri or darva for All The Questions! ❤❤❤❤❤

Ooooo boy here we go! Vi, you’re a peach and wonderful

This is probs gonna be long so mostly below the cut?

Dimitri Enallasani, an Anderfels Elven Mage

art by haloneshiral

1. If not for the Conclave, what would drive your character to join the Inquisition?

Dimitri would be recruitable depending on if the mages or templars were sided with. If the mages were sided with, he would be an apostate who came with them to Haven who would be causing “issues” with the templars already there and the PC would be asked to step in. 

If the Templars were chosen, he would be brought with them as a “prisoner” and since the Templars are in no real position to judge others–especially if they were conscripted–they would turn him over the the Herald to judge then.

Both opportunities would give the chance to recruit him as a companion. As for how much he would want to join, it would seem the logical choice in both circumstances. He’d been helping the mage rebellion and with that effectively under the control of the Inquisition, it would be logical to change his focus. With the Templars he would be free to choose his own course and he would want to repay the person who saved him + they are the only people fixing things. Plus he is a mage with no shortage of skills in magic outside the Chantry influence, so he would be ideal with strange magic like the Rifts. 

2. How would they meet the Inquisitor?

They would get to meet him in Haven with his recruitment cutscene and one could meet him “better” after the choice is made, provided he would be allowed to stay. That would go something like him being very grateful for letting him stay and helping him out of a tight spot he hadn’t intended on getting into. He would also casually talk about the choice made with the templars or mages, which would be the first chance to get approval/disapproval with him.

3. What would some of their cutscenes look like?

A lot of them would play out in his private space in Skyhold since he is an exceptionally private person. But after Adamant, he would have a cutscene in the rotunda with Solas over what happened, especially if he was brought along. He would also have a special scene on the Storm Coast where he would find a wounded Great Horned owl and if the PC would let him, he would heal the creature and send her on her way. But she would keep following them and after three of his comments, another cutscene would trigger where she comes to rest on his shoulder.

Dimitri: She certainly seems intent on sticking around.

PC: Why not keep her around? She seems to have taken to you quite well.

Dimitri: Hm, I could see to giving her a good home.

From then on, she would be included with Dimitri when you take him out as a companion and she could be used as a scouting feature, reaching further distances and a way to plot out paths up complicated hills.

Dimitri would also have longer cutscenes by virtue of how his speech can be much slower and he takes his time to talk; it also goes along with his tendency to ramble on and on. He would be the kind of companion where one could have long simple cutscene conversations with.

4. What would their romance route look like? Would they be romancable?

Dimitri would be romanacble by male only Inquisitors of any race. A female quizzy could flirt with him, but he would shut that down at the first flirt and express his lack of attraction to her and anyone of her “fairer sex”. 

He would be a much slower romance and require a high approval for him to consider a relationship in the first place. He is very hesitant about getting close to someone and embracing a new kind of relationship like that. It would be reassurances of attraction and comfort that would evolve into him giving that right back. Like at Halamshiral, he would express that he is proud of him and comfort him if it was trying for them. He would grow much, much softer in the relationship, growing to laugh and smile more as time would go on. His reservations with a relationship aren’t like Dorian’s where he doesn’t have that sort of angst with his status as a gay man, but it’s more the intimacy and the need for acceptance of who he is with all his messy faults and bad choices he’s made.

EDIT: His first romance scene would be him pulling the quizzy out onto the ramparts near the garden room and him exasperating about how he can’t be serious in having affections for him. He’ll comment about how it won't work between them for a whole host of reasons, but if the quizzy presses and reassures him, he is more willing to try.

Later on after one of the main quests and his approval is high enough, he’ll prompt a talk about the relationship and he’ll have grown more comfortable with the idea and the idea of soft affection like holding hands and the like. It would be nothing big, just something sweet and soft between them.

The first kiss wouldn’t happen until after his personal quest is resolved and he feels more comfortable and certainly more trusting of the quizzy to let down more barriers and grow more comfortable with him. (His romance is very much about letting down the barriers and walls around him). 

His romance culminates in scene that can be sexy or not, but it’s that sort of final breaking down of walls--both physical and mental--and him letting the quizzy in completely. It would be the first time he would say “I love you” as well.

5. If they romanced someone as Inquisitor, would they still fall for that person as a companion? How would that play out? How would they react to that person being romanced by the “new” Inquisitor?

Maybe? See, I don’t think Dimitri would have the moxie as a companion to flirt with Bull or grow closer to him. He wouldn’t have the exposure to get out of his shell more like he would as Inquisitor. He wouldn’t rock the “lone wolf elf apostate” look that Solas has with the detachment, but he would be more passive in developing friendships. But him and Bull might’ve had a fling or two. Tbh most of their relationship if it did happen would be subtext and very on the down low. Both of them could be asked about it and there would be a few banters, but nothing like the romance with Dorian.

He wouldn’t mind the quizzy getting with Bull. He would be happy for the two of them with a few idle words; like I said, he might not have the moxie to approach that relationship, so there wouldn’t be anything to get upset about.

6. Write some of their party banter (in reaction to major events, scenery dialogue, or just shitting around. Askers can specify for which character/event, or leave it up to the writer).

(Exalted Plains, near the body pits) “Feels like the Veil is normal. Which to you is a bad thing.”

–

(Emprise Du Lion) “If you’re curious why I’m useless in the next fight, it’s because I’m using all my mana to make sure I don’t lose my fingers.”

–

“Tell me about Elrahal.”

(Only available with high approval +75)

“He was born a slave in Tevinter and never met his parents or any other members of his family. He was kept as a serving man which equaled to him standing around and looking pretty until his master needed blood for the rituals. He resented it or he wouldn’t have tried to escape a half dozen times. The final time he escaped, he ran to the Anderfels. He said that he ran to the Anderfels because if he was going to die, he would do it as a free man.”

*Chuckle* “Thankfully that didn’t happen. He found our clan first and we were used to taking in ex-slaves. If they ran to the Anderfels, they could make it in the clan. I was just shy of eighteen when he joined us.”

–

Banter:

Cassandra: I’m…sorry about what you had to witness in Kirkwall…

Dimitri: Why are you apologizing to me?

Cassandra: You experienced horrific things that could have been avoided–

Dimitri: The conflict in Kirkwall was far from inevitable, Cassandra. Any other Circle in any other city could’ve been a “Kirkwall”.

Cassandra: Undoubtedly it would have received the same treatment as Kirkwall.

Dimitri: Hopefully the chaos was enough–that the horror of it was enough for people to learn that the Circle as it stood was far from effective. The best we can do now is look to find a better way to move forward.

Cassandra: That is oddly optimistic of you, Dimitri.

Dimitri: I can be optimistic in affairs outside of myself.

Cassandra: *laughs*

–

Cole: It ripples around you, like a stone in a pond. It folds and folds and makes that sound–like when metal grinds upon metal.

Dimitri: I won’t rip it or change it.

Cole: I can see it around you. It wraps you up and the spirits see it and press back. They’re curious.

Dimitri: I’ll pull on them occasionally. Keeping the Veil thin makes moving to the waking world less…difficult. They won’t twist on themselves.

Cole: But then you let them go back. And then they come back to watch you. I don’t know if they know what to think of you.

Dimitri: Most people share the same sentiment.

–

Dorian: Dimitri?

Dimitri: Yes?

Dorian: It is you making that sound? The low bzzzz and the high pitched bit in the ear?

Dimitri: It’s the Veil making that sound. Well, me and the Veil. I make the low pitched sound and the Veil is the high pitched bit. Why do you ask?

Dorian: Curiosity is all. Why do you make such a sound?

Dimitri: The Veil in the South is kinda like a shirt too small for me. So I have to fill it out with mana to stretch it–thin it out. The high pitched sound is the Veil curling on itself and the low pitch is the mana interacting with the newly thin Veil and the Fade being closer.

Cassandra: It won’t rip a hole in the Veil?

Dimitri: I don’t have that much mana to expend to accomplish such a feat. I simply thin it down to draw magic through the Fade how I’m used to.

Dorian: *chuckles* Why not just adjust?

Dimitri: Force of habit. I could relearn how to do magic down here or I could simply rely on the methods I’ve always used. In the interest of time and my own stubbornness, I prefer the later.

–

Solas: You warp the Veil as to draw more mana through it?

Dimitri: I learned magic were the Veil is incredibly thin. Coming South was a drastic change and I had to find quick solutions. Thus, I expend the mana to thin the Veil to draw upon it in a way better suited to how I know.

Solas: What is it like without such measures?

Dimitri: Frustrating. Spells don’t burn as hot or have the desired effect with them. Glyphs come out…wrong. They don’t hit as hard or do as they’re supposed to. Spirits become twisted and wrong when the change is too drastic. I use more mana to create spells that don’t work. 

Solas: Doesn’t this mean that you push more mana out of your body and experience more highs and lows of mana imbalance when you thin the Veil?

Dimitri: I suppose. I know it has a negative effect on myself, but I’d rather not spend the time to relearn and just use what I have.

–

Cassandra: You have said you would do away with the Chantry, Dimitri?

Dimitri: Such as it stands, yes. It cannot survive in its current state; not as a headless beast with it’s ready made zealous army on the loose.

Cassandra: A rather unflattering picture you paint.

Dimitri: It’s the truth of the matter. Such beasts can only wither and die, or they can grow and change. Sometimes I hope it is the former, and other times the later.

7. What would be on their tombstone in the fade (what is their greatest fear)?

Dimitri’s greatest fear would be himself. Ultimately, Dimitri fears what his actions will cause and the pain he has already caused to others. He is terrified of what he could become if he fell to his demon or if he will look back on himself and see how he was so much better of a person. He is keenly aware of how close evil sits behind his eyes and it would take only one slip to fall into it. 

8. What kind of Inquisitor would drive them to leave the Inquisition/confront them about their actions (what gets their approval low? what does that scene look like)?

An Inquisitor who is cruel without provocation and has an open hatred of mages or a lack of wanting to understand the complexity of magic and the situations surrounding it. He has lived enough of his life with ignorant people who don’t care to understand, so he isn’t going to be bound to a willfully ignorant attitude. So things like conscripting the mages, agreeing with the Circle, cruel options. Those sorts of things would bring his approval down.

His scene would be of him packing his bags in his now empty room, only having a few terse words to say for their actions before storming past them. If one would grab to stop him, a sharp flash of lighting would immobilize the PC and he would walk away without a word. The PC would then be left to lay on the ground for the next two minutes–in real time–to think of their actions.

9. Where in Skyhold would they be found? (e.g. Cole is in the tavern rafters, Leliana in the top of the tower, Varric in the throne room, etc.)

Dimitri would be found in a room off the balcony overlooking the garden and it would be an organized disaster. It would be a sort of self contained set up. Like he has a pot over the fireplace and several bowls that would have potions or leftover food in them sitting near a bucket of water. He would have a place to prepare food, fruits and veggies sitting out along with herbs in glass jars, mugs and ceramic pots across the window sill. He would have a whole alchemical station set up, scattered with all sorts of herbs, gems, precious metals, strange magical objects and dozens of jars. Much of it would be bubbling along, magical flames to keep it going. Rugs would cover the walls and old paintings and tapestries would cover the old walls, many of them colored blues, greens and yellows. His bed would be shoved off in a corner, piles of blankets and pillows in various colors and furs too. Books by the stack would be scattered across the room too. 

But the most notable thing would be the floating charms and crystals all across the ceiling with wisps dancing between them in orbiting patterns. They would be colored soft white and cast shadows across the room. They would be mainly used as mana reserves as rather simple little spirits that don’t have much to them beyond being reserves. They come in handy for making magical potions and the like. He has a very liberal use of magic.

10. If Inquisition operated like DA:O, what would their gift items be? What would their approval and disapproval Feast Day items be?

His main gifts would be a book on the Flora and Fauna of the Anderfels, pastries imported from the Free Marches, an Ironbark necklace charm, and some fine Tevinter wine.

His major feast day approval gift would be a handwoven wool blanket from the Anderfels, made by the Orth people: it would be decorated with patterns of Harts and Varghests across the orange sands, the sun blazing down upon them.

His gift for massive negative approval would be a book full of Chantry teachings on the dangers and practices of Maleficarum.

11. How would they grow as a person? How would they compare at the end of the Inquisition as a companion to who they were as the Inquisitor?

He would be changed like he is as quizzy, albeit with less friends and connections than before. But he would have peace and a new direction which he hasn’t had in over twenty years. His path is free and he can do what he wants, but most importantly, he has people who care, respect and love him for who he is and that is what truly makes him feel like he has a new chapter of his life.

He would be content in a way he hasn’t felt in ages.

12. Do they believe the Herald of Andraste is really the Herald of Andraste?

He isn’t keen on the Chantry, so he is inclined to believe that they ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. He sees how the Inquisition is going to use that holy status to their advantage and he knows part of it is necessary, but also unsavory. He would support a quizzy who also rejects there Herald status–bonus points for a dalish quizzy–and be critical of a quizzy who thinks they are the Herald. It would be questioning them on how they know that they really are and if it’s not just a play into the power fantasy or getting caught up in the grandeur. He would be condescending about it to a quizzy he has low approval with.

13. If the Herald didn’t have them tag along to prep the trebuchets, what would they do during the battle for Haven? (bonus: would they join in on the impromptu Dawn Will Come choir practice in the camp?)

Dimitri would be fighting against the forces that would get loose from the others and protecting those he can, sheparding people to the Chantry. In the mountains he would be helping tending to wounds and wouldn’t pay any mind to the music, the task of healing and tending to the wounded much more important. He also doesn’t care for Chantry music.

14. What nickname does Varric give them?

Chatterbox, because it’s ironic.

15. Without the influence of their decisions for the Inquisition, which of the companions do they get along with? Which ones do they bicker with?

Dimitri would get along with Iron Bull, Dorian and Solas for the most part with him heavily bickering with Vivienne and Cassandra based on drastically different views of the Chantry and magic.

16. What would the Fear Demon say to them in the Fade to try and discourage them?

Nightmare: Look at you, Dimitri. Come so far and still so lost. How many people will die this time? How many will die and you won’t remember them? The screams last time were so delightful.

Nightmare: Do you remember how Elrahal screamed? *laughing*

17. Where do they hang out in the Winter Palace? What’s their thoughts on the nobles/The Game?

Dimitri hangs out on the Vestibule, up near the entrance to the library where he can watch everyone. He is intrigued by the Game and loves to watch it happen.

Dimitri: I do enjoy watching them spin circles around each other, trying to be polite to no real end. Killing each other in dark spaces is the same as killing them out in the open–they end up equally dead. Difference between assassinations and all out war, one would think.

18. What’s their reaction to a dragon showing up?

Dimitri: Oh….oh! *laughing* Chasing her, yes?

19. Once Corypheus is beaten, what do they do during the party? Do they stay with the Inquisition, or go somewhere else? What could the Inquisitor do to convince them to stay?

Dimitri would hang back in the hallway near the door, sitting on a bench with a drink in his hand. He wouldn’t much like the sound of the party/all the people around. Even after everything, he is still an introvert. Him staying or not staying would depend on approval level.

Dimitri: (low approval) I am leaving in the morning. I have no more reason to stay and I suspect you will not want me to stay. Congratulations, I hope the world doesn’t realize you made a tyrant trying to take one down. (He can’t be convinced to stay).

Dimitri: (high approval) I am going to stay for a while. I know I talked about joining the clan we met in the Exalted Plains, but….they are sorely lacking the company you keep. I…was looking for a place to belong and I think I found it right here. If you will continue to have me.

Dimitri: (romanced): I am staying, vhenan. I…can’t think of a better place to be than in this place made into a home and…anywhere else will lack my one, most precious love.

20. How do they react to learning abominations can retain their consciousness and identity, and even live peacefully with their spirits/demons, as seen in Stone-Bear Hold?

It’s not surprising, given how he’s lived much the same way for many years now. Its far from being the exact same with the Veil separating him from his demon, but they have an existence that could be called peace in a sense. Well his demon being rabidly possessive of him isn’t exactly peace. But it does give him a shred of hope that things could turn into a peaceful solution someday.

21. What do they think of the discoveries made in the Deep Roads? Do they make any comments on anything?

He thinks it’s groundbreaking and interested in the implications of such a find to a great deal. It shouldn’t be something to keep a secret and a fact of history to be remembered. But he would be extremely interested in what will happen to in regards to the Titans. If they can wake, then they are alive; maybe they can move or change or shape the world. The implications are staggering.

22. If you have another Inquisitor, how would those two get along, specifically?

Darva and Dimitri would get along well enough. Casual friends, but mostly at Darva’s insistence. But he would grow on Dimitri in that sort of protective caring manner.

23. In trespasser, what “gift” would they give the Inquisitor, if any?

He would give a friendship quizzy a beautiful indigo colored silk wrap that he had imported from the Anderfels. The gold would seem to shine in it’s way as if powered by magic or runes. It would also be incredibly tough and tear resistant on account of the magic weaved into the fabric. He would tell them he counts them as one of his greatest friends and that he wouldn’t trade their kindness and affection for the world.

For a romanced quizzy he would give the same gift and the idea of getting married would be shared between them. A slide in Trespasser would indicate they did get wholeheartedly married.

24. What are their plans for after the Exalted Council? Will the Inquisition staying in tact or being disbanded make a difference?

I have a whole thing written about that! He goes back to his given name of Dar’thenaras and during the two years he spent time in the Dales and the reconstruction work in the area.

(Unromanced, Inqusition peacekeeping force):

Dar’thenaras returned to his duties in the Dales, still trying to mediate the squabbles between the nobles of Orlais and the Dalish clans. Eventually, an accord is reached between the Dalish and the leaders of Orlais. Under offical decree, the land of Dales would be rightfully returned to the elves with reparations. The land would be protected by the new Inquisition under the Divine. The land would not be lost again. Many clans joined the new settlements and Dar’thenaras became the leader of the settlements, a voice for the Dalish in the courts and in the land.

(Inquisition disbanded): …The land would be protected by various agents, all with suspicious ties to the old Inquisition. However, few would question their origins.

(If romanced, peacekeeping Inquisition): The continuing work of the Inquisitor frequently lead him back to the new Dales, and back into his lover’s arms. The meetings they had were treasured moments of reprieve for both of them in their new duty. It wasn’t long before the Inquisitor and Dar’thenaras were spotted wearing matching rings, an enternal promise of love.

(If romanced, Inquisition disbanded): With the Inquisition disbanded, Dar’thenaras found himself with frequent company during the reconstruction efforts in the Dales. Even with the frequency of such company, they both treasured the moments they had with each other. It wasn’t long before they were spotted with matching rings, an eternal promise of love.

25. In the alternate reality, if they were corrupted with lyrium, how do they act? What’s their attitude about the end of the world/their inevitable death?

Dimitri–if the corruption would last long enough–would turn into an abomination and slowly lose his mind and turn into a beast. His speech would be a slurred mix of half spoken words and hissing sounds like two voices competing for one mouth. He would be twitchy as well, hunched over and a pale shadow of his former self. If it was late enough, he would attack on sight, unable to be reasoned with as a great beast, half metal and half man, wielding both magic and a sword and shield.

Beyond that, he would be excited for his death and the end of his life; he would have struggled so much and changed so much that death would be the only escape and saving to be had with him.

–

[valdim-heyworth]

Hunting Samuel Teague - Karazhan Conclusion

Part 1 | Part 2

In relation to: Goodnight Rian, Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Wake Up Rian

Blessedly, outside the town of Strahnbrad, Theron Valteric had managed to help Valdim Heyworth to his feet. He'd helped get him moving again, made easier as the much larger beast shifted into his human form. Together, they rested only long enough to share information, and give Valdim's potion time to take effect.

Rian had fainted. She was in a coma. What he'd feared was all coming to pass, now, and he was moving too slowly to prevent it. Together, as family, the two gathered their things and journeyed to Karazhan.

The tower was just as impressive, just as intimidating as his first visit here, what felt like a lifetime ago. The rusted iron portcullis lifted with surprising ease, signifying that the rust had already been broken once recently - very recently. The whole structure reeked of dark magics, still.

Cautiously, the two magic-users entered, Valdim cursing under his breath, quietly, "Ligh'... I forgot what a place this is..." He shakes his head, “It still gives me chills.” Theron lofted his gaze around, "Now, yeah.. but it'd been a sight before the cobwebs." Came his muffled tone from behind his mask.

Valdim nods, looking over the dust and cobwebs. "It was, Theron. It was..." His wolf-eyes looked over the expanse before him. "Some gall, using Karazhan..." Theron glanced back towards the Worgen “Fitting really, with the Teague's being friends of the Guardian.”

“...Wonderful. I may 'ave known'im. 'Ow did Rian look, Theron?”

Theron canted his head this way and that. "Pale... I'd assumed it was from the trouble she had with delivery. Maybe I was wrong." He hadn't seen the memories from Pyrewood, hadn't realized the same conclusions that Valdim had. “I doubt it. Samuel Teague is close. An' he 'as your mother.”

Theron quickly spoke up, as they wandered through the seemingly endless halls of Karazhan. “When she fell..”

Valdim blinked, only half hearing his words, “Yes, Theron?”

Theron shook his head, "Rian, She's the strong one. For her to not respond.." He huffed a sigh and picked up his pace. Together they moved faster, Theron's boots creating a steady cadence upon the stone floor, Valdim's claws scratching upon it. “We'll stop 'im… Ligh'...I forgot 'ow big this place was.

Theron smirked, likely playing smart to distract himself from the reality of what they faced, “Ah, you've been places bigger than this.” They turned a corner, almost running now. A pile of skeletons and corpses long picked over by scavengers littered the base of the rickety stairwell.

Valdim frowned, “Not many,” he eyed the bones tightening his grip on his staff. He snarled, his voice like gravel. "I jus… ' I hope we're not too late ---”

“You've heard about the Ball? The massacre of the nobles? Think since the Teagues were here and lost, their blood in the halls would offer more to him?”

Valdim's eyes widened at the thought. It seemed like more than leylines were at play here. Samuel Teague had chosen this spot carefully. “Per'aps..." The Library grew ever nearer, even old memories of this tower had led him to believe as much. The pair of adventurers hurried, spurred by their desires to resolve this, finally.

Theron's eyes looked over the faded and cracked paintings along the wall. “Shouldn't be too much farther.” The Worgen paused, freezing for a moment upon entering the once-forgotten library.  His fierce eyes look around, noting ancient tomes along musty bookshelves, wary, feeling a strange magic in this place.

Theron took in the library and its many tiers, various levels of elevation, seemingly endless in scope. "I... it's all a puzzle.." He muttered with frustration. Feeling the energy of the space, Theron motioned his hands over his collected mana-gems and loosed his own staff in preparation for anything to come.

A distant echo of a voice cried out, Valdim recognized from the memories, muddled by distance and the faint crying of a woman, “Where was your Light then…!? What good have you done, but fail and betray your family and vows? You will be released from your sin and born anew.”

Valdim snarled, feeling a rage fill him, the curse of Worgen. He holds his staff upward, blinking closer to the sound, trying to stay hidden behind rows of books. Simultaneously, Theron whispered a power word, fading to nothing more than a pale glimmer, gripping his own staff as he moved swiftly at Valdim's side through the bookcases, until they reached the stairs. It was as they reached the edge of the large cluttered study, they found their hunt had finally paid off.

Two large lumbering ghouls worked steadily, appearing nearly whole. One remained near a fireplace, as the other tinkering with supplies at the table. Between the two stood Samuel. Finally. His flesh only slightly rotted, appearing nearly fully restored. A foul profane chant beckoned from his lips, echoing now throughout the study. Laid before him was a woman, paled and grey, showing signs similar to the corpses found in Strahnbrad. Her wrists and ankles terribly bound as her head lazily lulled in protest to the Forsaken Lord's work.

Valdim cursed under his breath, furious at the man before him. His eyes narrowed, knowing who the woman was upon the table, immediately. Although they were so far separated, the sound of her pain filled him with rage. The Arcanist whispered towards Theron, "Get close. Stop th' ritual. I'll be a distraction." He suddenly swung from behind the shelf, an arcane blast launching towards Samuel Teague, hoping to make an impact.

"Samuel. This 'as gone on long enough."

Theron pressed forward not needing to be told twice. Reflex taking over, the younger mage suddenly pulled from where he stood to hide behind a closer bookshelf, as Valdim moved for his distraction.

Lord Samuel Teague glimpsed up from his chanting. A wry smirk pulling at his lips as the arcane blast collided and hissed against the barrier unseen. The forsaken offering a snide dip of his head continuing with the ritual.

The Worgen growled at that. He spinning his staff in the air again, summoning up his arcane reserves. "Perhaps y'didn' 'ear me, Sammy. I said this ends 'ere!" Another eruption of force, cracking loud against the Forsaken's barrier, carrying more force, and power than Lord Teague had accounted for. It all came down like shattering of glass. An angered sneer curled at the edge of his nose as he gave an upward nod.

Lady Elizabeth Valeric 's lips pulled into a tired smile. Her hidden messages had worked, her help had arrived. "You know.." Were the words that came from quivered lips. Who she was speaking to was uncertain.

Samuel Teague was close to finishing his spell work and refused to let it fail. The ghoul by the fire turned towards Valdim, pulling two hot pokers from the fireplace. Valdim blinked to the side, a shimmer of light here he once was. He frowned, muttering words of Arcane might, trying to counterspell the terrible Forsaken. Theron, seizing the moment, launched his own bolts of power, but neither seemed to affect the monster before them.

The woman on the table, Elizabeth, gasped and arched with a small cry, the shift in intensity of the spell work causing great pain.  Her beautiful auburn locks began slipping to grey.

There wasn't enough time! 

The Worgen considered another plan, embracing the beast inside him, instead. He growled, suddenly launching himself at Samuel, wicked claws outstretched. Valdim took the most direct path, charging the Necromancer, the Ghoul plunging two hot fire pokers into his side, as he surged past.

Samuel held fast against the assault, catching the beasts wrists. His chanting halted but the power of the spell held, waiting for the final words. "Mutt..." The man sneered and laughed, "Should have stayed away like a good dog!"

Theron rushed to the table where his mother lay as Valdim went for Samuel. The younger mage reaching for a stone to summon forth a barrier of his own. His gaze turned to Val with a nod as he prayed his own barrier would hold better than the forsaken Lord's had.

Valdim now felt the pain of the hot poker in his side, having burned terribly, piercing the thick flesh. That wound and the one from Strahnbrad taxed him. There was --- another method to silence him, end the ritual, and times were desperate. Baring his great teeth, the Worgen went for Samuel's neck, hoping to rip out the undead flesh. But teeth snapped just out of reach.

Samuel sneered at the Worgen, powerfully, beginning to laugh darkly as he was held, a rolling chuckle filled with darkness. Yet, the arrogance soon fell from his face as he felt his spell work falter -- interrupted somehow.

"What did you do?!"

(This happens simultaneously with the conclusion of this. https://rian-kestavin.tumblr.com/post/173202075261/good-night-rian-part-3 )

Light showered the study brilliantly and breaking away the shadow's hold upon this place. The weight of the dark magic shifting to the light. Theron flinched in the flash, raising an arm to cover his gaze as he held to the barrier around him and his mother's form.

Valdim had felt a weakness, a fatigue coming over him. He wounds were too much - but suddenly that light pouring through the room began to heal him, returning lost strength. Like a creature gone mad, Valdim started grinning, murmuring arcane words. His once-tired body began to glow with shimmering purples and blues, and arcane eruption exploding from his form.

Samuel now staggered in the Worgen's arms, the arcane burns beginning to tear at freshly restored flesh. The combination of blows brought the Forsaken lord to his knees. A grin pulled at his lips, torn away, "You're too late, you know.." He gasped out. "I die and you gain nothing, Dog." The ghouls stumbled back, hot pokers ringing against the stone as the undead creatures collapsed from the blast.

Valdim snarled, pulling back his lips, revealing his terrifying maw. He spoke quietly, the words somehow carrying weight in the room. "I gain satisfaction." Wicked claws moved to grasp upon Samuel's neck, tearing into the flesh, feeling the soft meat split between his fingers.

Theron watched, the Lord's laughter soon fall silent, his body jolting to get free of the tearing claws.  He called out to Valdim, "The fire, Val! Finish this for good!" The younger mage gripped his staff working to hold back his own anger and hatred for the creature.

Valdim heard the words calling out from behind him, Theron, a voice of reason through the cloud of rage that he once so carefully controlled. The beast turned, throwing Samuel Teague's unliving corpse into the flames of the fireplace. The Arcanist, Valdim shrunk, his human form looking towards the heat with an insistence.

"Burn, Samuel Teague. You're long overdue." Valdim glances back at Theron, "Elizabeth?!"

The younger mage held his gaze to the burning and writhing Forsaken Lord. A blast of his final darkness billowed out in the heavy plumes. Souls he'd taken wailing to their freedom. Valdim turned back looking at the frail looking woman. Her life essence had been stolen - running on fumes now. There was a peacefulness that washed over her as she felt the spell-work cease. Stepping to her side, Theron's gaze looked her over with a pained expression.

"You can fix it, Val? Right?"

Valdim looks over the poor woman, noticing the peace on her features, a small frown on his lips. "I-I don' know. Maybe a priest. Per'aps..." He swiftly left her side, in a panic, moving back towards the book Samuel had been chanting from, frantically turning pages looking for some way to reverse the process.

Elizabeth Valteric moved her hand to hold Theron's as she met his gaze. "He kept his promise.." A slow smile found her lips. "Valdim?" She tried to sit up but found she hadn't the strength. "Theron give... give us a minute?" Came her tired voice.

Valdim flipped through pages with a continued panic, the fear swelling, unable to find anything, his heart racing in his chest, trying to find some way to undo what had been done. As she called out, his shoulders trembled, "No! Elizabeth. We can fix this---"

Theron blinked his glossy gaze, he freed his mask before leaning down and placing a kiss to the woman's brow.

"Val.. She wants to speak with you." he gave a gentle squeeze to her hand, "Hold on, Mum, yeah?"

He let his hands freeze, realizing the terrible weight of reality. The wizard turned slowly, walking over towards Elizabeth, shaking, now. Theron stepped back letting the two have their space. Valdim begins to speak, his words catching, meeting her eyes with tears. "I'm sorry..."

Elizabeth Valteric shook her head and reached a hand for his own. "Don't you dare." Her own eyes watered, "You saved them when I couldn't. I'm the one who should be sorry." Her green hues fell from his own as her regret pulled at her seeing this impossible man who hadn't a bit since the last she'd seen him so long ago.

Valdim places a hand against her cheek... So much to say. So much time missed. Except...

He reaches into a bag, retrieving a small glowing orb, placing it in her trembling hands, wrapping his own around her gaunt fingers. "I missed you." Vladim's eyes met her own, even at this moment, choosing the selfless option.

"These orbs store memories. You have..." He paused feeling emotion building,  "You have a granddaughter named Serenity. Share a memory with her. She deserves to know who you are." He swallows, teardrops falling from his eyes.

Elizabeth Valteric blinked away her own tears, she was well familiar with how the orb worked. She gave a small nod. "You're not getting.. getting out of this." She spoke stubbornly, causing the hint of a smile to cross Valdim's face before she offered the last memory.

Playing out in the orb, now, the image of Valdim Heyworth playing with two young twins near the fireplace in their home in Willow Grove. A younger Elizabeth had been in her office and came looking for a distraction - It wasn't long before she was on the floor playing too.

Laughter and happiness.

She'd known many wonderful times but these days with simple enjoyment were her favorite.

Valdim leans over and presses a kiss against her lips, briefly, knowing that these were truly their last moments. After all this time. "Goodnight, Elizabeth. You can rest now. Theron and Rian are safe. I loved you Elizabeth, I always did." He stepped away, slowly, knowing Theron deserved his moment.

Elizabeth Valteric 's hand trembled slowly as she dared return the kiss. "I love you, too." Offering her last smile to him before he stepped free and allowed Theron to take his place. Looking to Theron, "You watch over him." She tried to offer as her son took her hand. "Watch over our family. I.." She swallowed once, "I love you... all..." Her hand fell still and the life left her gaze. Elizabeth was truly free of her torment.

Theron gripped his mothers hand tight. He was about to respond as she drifted away. His eyes dripping quiet crystalline drops as Theron moved to his knees. He hadn't any words as he quietly sobbed, Valdim pulling him into a deep, silent, hug.

((That’s a wrap! Thanks so much to @rian-kestavin! Tagging @theron-valteric for completeness, and @householt because of Rian’s involvement. Thanks for reading so much! ))

[dark66angels]

Ugh. These pages just keep getting later and later and I highly disapprove of myself :( But, as it stands, we finally get to see what humans do in this world! Turns out... Its about the same as anywhere else! Humans are everywhere and they do everything.

The founder of the Academy, Ms Hawthorne, was human to the day she died, and she was respectfully cremated and buried on the grounds near her old domicile, now the Scrying Security Tower.

Here at Nevermore Academy, unless you are taking a very specific course, you will find at least 1 full blooded human anywhere you look. They are as varied and numerous here as they are in the rest of the world, and that power in numbers is part of what makes humans so dependable - even if that dependability is more on getting in everyone's business.

The ways humans approach magic is different than how the rest of us use it. Though every human is able to manipulate mana is some way, very few are born with natural ability to See or Feel it in the same way as we do; thus while many human students here are active in their practical classes, there is a significant population that simply works with the physical aspects of magic - alchemy, botany, animal husbandry and the like.

The natural human ability to manipulate magic is a wondrous thing to watch, especially when you are privy to a practiced Mage. Though... I am glad that few humans are able to See it. I shudder to imagine what could happen if all of them could.

[gemayberry]

Noble Mages Teaser Post 6: Spirit Magic

January is coming to a close, there are only two teaser posts remaining after today. We've covered all but one of the elemental magics in the Noble Mages verse. Today we'll learn about Spirit Magic. Spirit Magic is the exception that proves the rule in many scenarios. It is the only elemental magic that contains passive abilities, meaning they don't require an incantation or mana. In such a passive state, however, the abilities are weakened. The use of mana and an incantation can strengthen these abilities. Those born with spirit magic tend to be more empathetic.

It's important to note, before we get into what spirit magic is, the difference between a soul and a spirit. A soul is the purest essence of humanity, containing a small piece of divinity. A spirit is the consciousness of a living or dead creature. Only a human may possess a soul, but humans and animals alike possess a spirit.

Spirit Magic is divided into three subbranches of magic: Mind, Soul, and Wild.

Mind Magic is the most passive of any type of magic. When there are no magical barriers in the way, a Mind Mage can read a persons thoughts, but only those on the surface. There are many uses for mind magic that do require mana and incantations, and even the most passive of magics can be enhanced through the use of mana and incantation. Mind Magic, much like Blood Magic, is heavily restricted. It is illegal to manipulate a persons mind or emotions without their express permission. Mind Magic is most commonly used in combat to relay orders and ensure the entire squad/platoon/army is working in concert. It's also used in the medical field to help those with traumatic experiences.

Soul Magic is often considered the weakest form of magic because the direction manipulation of a living soul is, in most cases, nearly impossible. To manipulate a soul requires the protection around the soul to be rendered null, either by obtaining the persons permission of their own free will or by carefully stripping the protections until the soul is bare. Soul Magic does have a use, however, in summoning the spirits of the deceased and tracking the reincarnated lineage of a soul.

Wild Magic is the most common form of magic for a Spirit mage in combat. Wild Magic allows the caster to summon the spirit of an animal to accomplish a task. In combat, this magic is used to enhance the abilities and physical attributes of a soldier based on the animal summoned. It's also commonly used in combination with golems, as animal spirits are more easily controlled than human souls or even human spirits.

Keep an eye out for more teaser posts and the release of The Life Mage Trilogy, Book 1: Twin Mages on February 8th 2020.

Website: https://noblemages.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gemayberry

Tumblr: https://gemayberry.tumblr.com/

Pillowfort: https://www.pillowfort.social/GEMayberry

[gattius-starfrost]

The Tower of Hope’s End

Part II

((Co-written with @kidcatgemini / PART 1 / -- / PART 3 / FINALE))

------

Gattius watched, keeping out of sight, as two more felguards emerged from the tower. They stalked towards the struggling Sinafay, axes ready. The Blood Knight waited for them to step a few paces out from her, before he made his move. Quickly, he rounded the corner, moving quietly as he could to reach the entrance. He peered inside, to ensure it was all clear, before turning back to the demons who walked away from him.

“Hey! Legion filth!” he shouted, drawing their attention.

He pulled Sinafay’s axes from his waist, brandishing each in a hand. With a battle cry, he ran for the felguards, eyes glowing with holy Light. He’d never thrown axes before. He’d seen axes thrown many times, though - usually at him, by trolls. But as far as weapon proficiency went, he was much better at swords and spears. Hammers - he’d thrown hammers before. Usually hammers born of the Light itself, guided by divine power. He hoped the experience would translate well enough, as Light surged from his hands into Sinafay’s axes. He stopped short, skidding and sliding over the loose, fel-tainted dirt, before releasing! They soared, spinning vertically, each seeking a felguard. The weight of the axes took their toll, though, and they slowed significantly. The felguards had plenty of time to react, each side-stepping to avoid the projectiles. They laughed, deep and throatily as the axes hit the ground behind them… mere inches from Sinafay.

He grinned, now pulling out his familiar tools of war; his blazing sword and blessed shield. The Light radiated from him, burning like righteous fire from his eyes and hands.

“Face me!”

It was a good thing Gattius was ready to jump in on cue, because as the Felguards moved in, Syrielle was hit by a very inconvenient wave of nausea. She barely managed to hold it in, remaining seated, out of sight, and breathing steadily in and out as it passed. Thankfully, she didn’t throw up, but it certainly made her late in her attack.

She gathered what arcane energy she could as she sat there, before peeking out to get a good shot in. She saw the two felguards advance towards Gattius. Behind them, Sinafay had gotten up and taken hold of the Light charged axes. The Draenei spun, throwing her weight into a horizontal swing while her tail wrapped around the initial felguard’s ankles. Blood sprayed from it’s chest wound as it fell back, surprised by the sudden change in threat level of his target. As the demon hit the ground, Sinafay continued in her swing’s momentum, completing the spin to bring both axes down into its neck and head, a sizzling sound as the Light burned the creature’s skull.

As she pulled the weapons from the corpse, Syrielle launched her attack, causing shards of ice to shoot out from the ground beneath the two felguards, the pillars trapping them and limiting their mobility.

Gattius was worried, at first. The trap was sprung, but there was still no sign of Syrielle. The Felguards came at him quickly, compelled by his divine command. He looked past them, catching a glimpse of Sinafay’s deft maneuvers to accost the first felguard. She seemed to have it well in hand. He readied his shield, prepared to counterattack whatever the two felguards threw at him. Then, their advance halted; they stopped cold. Literally. Spiked pillars of ice congealed from their feet, impaling and holding them in place.

“Fashionably late, aye?” he smirked, before shifting to an offensive stance.

He jumped for the left one - the closer of the two - gaining considerable height as he brought his shield up in front of him; his fiery gladius set forward atop it. He clashed into the felguard, driving him through his chest with his sword as he slammed him backwards with his shield. Syrielle’s ice held his lower half firmly in place, yet his upper half was propelled backwards by Gattius’ forceful lunge. Something had to give - a sickening crack echoed off the cliff walls as the felguard snapped in half, slumping over loosely. Two down…

The other, stuck, but still arms free, swung his axe laterally. Gattius barely had time to react, bringing his shield up to block the felling swing. He was hit hard, knocked off the mangled corpse of the demon he’d slain. He landed well enough, bouncing just once, but staying on his feet as he skidded back beside Sinafay. Quickly, he recovered his stance and readied himself for another run.

“Sinafay! Take him left!” he called out - without thinking, in Orcish.

Hopefully, she understood, but Gattius didn’t wait to find out. He charged in again, arcing out then back in to come at the demon from the right.

Sinafay took the time to strap one of her axes to her hip after ripping the weapons free of the corpse. Thankfully, she understood Orcish well enough. As Gattius arced right, she took the left. Taking a running jump, she gripped the axe handle with both hands and swung down as the immobilized demon concentrated on defending against the Blood Knight.

The axe connected, sinking in between the felguard’s neck and shoulder. Channeling the elements, the Shaman let an electric discharge move through the weapon, frying the demon from the inside out. It took her a bit more time to pull the weapon free this time. Having to bring her hooves up against the creature to be able to pull it free.

Syrielle watched the two dispatch the remaining felguards at a rapid pace. Since they had the situation under control, the Mage remained where she was and kept a watchful eye out to be certain nothing else was approaching, only coming down from the ledge once the demons were down.

“Let’s move in while we can,” she said, gripping her staff and cautiously making her way into the tower.

By then Sinafay had managed to pull her axe out of the demon corpse, landing on her feet in a huff. She kept the gore covered weapon in hand as she followed inside, pausing as her hooves hit the metallic surface and her surroundings disappeared from her mind’s eye.

“My shamanism will not aid me to navigate from this point forth. The two of you will need to tell me which direction to take and where the enemies are.”

��Well, you can count on us,” Syrielle nodded, “Right now, you want to head to your left.”

The Cryomancer grinned as she watched the Draenei turn left and walk right into a wall. She bit down on her lip in order not to laugh, but gave Gatto a look that said something along the lines of: ‘That was fucking hilarious!’

“Oh shit!” she quickly ‘corrected’ herself, “Sorry, Sina! I meant right.”

She wasn’t sorry. Not in the slightest.

Gattius frowned deeply at Syrielle… at first. He couldn’t help but smirk and snicker a bit. After Sinafay’s blatant besmirching of his honor earlier, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat vindicated watching as she slammed blindly into the wall. But still, it was that same honor that brought his composure to heel, as he approached Sinafay to make sure she was alright. After all, he couldn’t help but sympathize with Argonas; he’d be furious if someone mistreated Syrielle like that.

“--Best you follow me, aye?” he offered, looking the Draenei over for signs any injuries. “It may not be the most dignified means of getting around, but hold my cloak. Keep it taut, so if I stop you don’t run into me. Alright?”

He reached back, took the end of his cloak, and placed it in Sinafay’s free hand.

“For combat, we’ll figure out something else. I’m guessing there’ll be enough commotion to give you a sense of where things are, but I’ll call them out just in case.”

“I can locate enemies easily enough through sound when a battle is taking place, yes,” the Shaman answered, “The difficulties will be for me to know where those attacking from range will be.”

She took hold of Gattius’ cloak, none too happily, hating how helpless the whole situation made her feel. She didn't argue, though, not wanting to waste any time in finding Argonas. Memories of the last time they had been held by the Legion returned as though it had happened yesterday. The pain and torture they had both endured at the hands of the Sargerei… Argonas losing his affinity to the Light… Sinafay couldn't let something like that happen to him again.

Syrielle pulled a lever, closing the door they had come through. Best to keep everything looking normal from outside eyes. It would also stop any reinforcements from coming in.

“Stairs,” she announced for Sinafay to hear as she made her way up the large staircase that would take them to the first platform.

“So what's the plan now that we’re here?” She whispered to Gattius, “We search one platform at a time to find Argonas? If he isn't on the first platform, do we take out the demons we find or do we attempt to move past them, unseen?”

“I don’t think we have that kind of time.” Gattius whispered back, doing his best to sneak up the staircase. “Think it’d be best to try and get past them.”

He stopped, holding his shield arm back to stop Sinafay from bumping into him as he peered around the corner. A small number of demons prowled the platform, each seeming preoccupied with their own tasks. None seemed to see Gattius, though - for now. The stairway continued up past the opening to the platform; the trio would have to cross the line of sight to get further. He frowned, backing up and turning to the two women.

“There are a few demons here,” he whispered. “I counted five, mostly eredar and felhounds. They didn’t see me, but… if we want to keep going up the stairs, we have to cross through their vision.”

He peeked again, trying to get a more accurate headcount, and see if maybe they could be distracted somehow.

“What do you think? Clear them out and progress, or risk it?”

Sinafay went to reach for her axe in answer, but Syrielle brought a hand to the Draenei’s wrist, “Wait… I’d rather avoid fighting Felhounds if we can. Mana drain is no fun.”

“You believe we can sneak past them?”

“What's the distance we need to make? I could blink us if it's not too far. It's worth a try.”

The cryomancer made her way over to stand by Gattius, peeking out at the demons in the room and the other staircase, doing the math quickly in her head. She placed a hand on Gattius’ shoulder and reached back to talk hold of Sinafay’s hand.

“Get ready…” she whispered, waiting to make certain none of the demons were facing their way, “...now.”

With that, they blinked across to the next stairwell.

Gattius smiled, looking back at Syrielle after she blinked them forward.

“Good work, Bookworm.” he nodded.

The second set of stairs was no different than the first. Gattius walked as quietly as he could - no easy feat as his plate clanked together. He started to wonder if Sinafay even needed to hold his cloak, for all the noise he made as he stepped further up the stairwell. The second platform was laid out a lot like the first, but had no demons on it. At least, not that Gattius could see. At the end of the hallway, a large felsteel door was left partially open. Not enough to see inside, but enough to hear demonic voices coming from behind it. Gattius’ ear twitched as he listened to the demons’ harsh language. He couldn’t understand it, but the tone sounded casual… at least, as far as he could tell. He shook his head, turning back to the ladies.

“There’s a door at the other side of this platform,” he relayed to them, “and voices on the other side. I hear two voices, maybe three? I think we could take them… but we could easily slip past them, too. I don’t know if Argonas is in there… no indication he is, but it could be worth checking.”

He shrugged, looking to Sinafay.

“Your call, this is your operation, Sinafay.”

“Three of them and three of us,” the Draenei replied, “And we have the element of surprise.”

“Do we really want to get into a fight we can easily avoid?” Syrielle spoke up.

Sinafay nodded, “We do this quickly and quietly. If they are talking in there, it means they will eventually leave that room. They are not meant to stay in one place like guards we saw below. We do not want them coming up behind us later. Besides, there might be a map of this structure in there that you can both look at to determine where we need to go, yes?”

“Might be worth the look…” Gattius agreed. “We gotta be fast, though.”

[hogosha16]

ENVER NOVA

Enver is a Royal Body Guard. Born and Raised. Born into a family of servants in Yaserla he was inducted into the guard by birth right. All first born sons, one from each family, are to be brought forward for inspection upon their seventh year. Should the Wardens of Yaserla find the child to be of capable stock he will be introduced into a lifetime of training, hardships and study with the family being compensated until the child would have turned twenty two.

His father, know to Enver but only for a brief few years before he was surrendered, was a simply blacksmith while his mother was the local baker. Together they created a small but humble family with their son being much of their focus, the mother being more than distraught of his selection. His father, knowing of the prestige of becoming a Warden, was sad to see his only son leave but more so was proud that his family was more than just a blacksmiths family. His son would see and do things that he could never imagine.

And so his life continued, training until fatigue and exhaustion took him, learning martial arts of various nations. Studying and practicing until his eyes would water from focus on the magic's at hand. He felt as if he was always on the verge of breaking all the time, his mind some how becoming used to the stress, becoming more than just acquainted with pain but becoming at home with it. His nights were filled with dreams of his days training while every so often he would have a dream of his family, his mother becoming a faceless angel while his father slowly became the most ideal of knights. Time was washing his memories away but not the feelings.

Upon his 22nd birthday the final stage of his training was to begin. Being given sedative he is laid on a table, blades and saws whirring about him, hacking away at his chest, removing all of the muscle on his ribcage up to his neck while saws removed his arms. Even with the sedative additional personnel were placed nearby incase he should awake, the pain likely to kill him if not instantly drive him into a panicked fury and hurting those nearby. Mages nearby staunched the bleeding with powdered Mana while Geomancers took hand carved stone arms and bound them to his body. Using an arcane ritual that would remain secret to the world they meld his body with the stone so that all of his missing body would be replaced with this living granite. From the stone veins of stone would snake their way into his body, effectively sowing itself to him. So the year long healing process would begin.

For this year though he would spend his morning with mages, testing his flexibility and healing while his afternoons were spent studying the more intricate's of magic and its arts. The end of the year would make the finish of his healing and the official end of his training. He was now ready, rather than sold as were all of his companions during his training, he was given as a gift of Diplomacy to Blueria. They would be his flesh and blood, not one soul in the kingdom mattering more than the protection of his Charge.　

Blueria, the world leading producer of quality Mythril, would take the gift to heart as a single Warden was worth a fortune comparable to that of a Barron's. It was good timing as it were, Enver's arrival coinciding with the attack from a greedy Barron who wishes the throne to themselves. It was here that Enver first met the king, King Gerould, the current Kings grand father.

Inducted into the Royal Guard as the kings personal aid he is granted instant rank amongst the military, his word carrying the weight of the crowns safety. It is here that he quietly serves the crown, keeping his head down, being little known to any save for the kings themselves. Few outside the crown know of him but those that do know him to be over 110 years of age, serving through three reigns of lords.

　THE OLD GUARD

 One would not be able to tell at a glance but Enver is old. Older than one would be able to pull up on any record. The being the case he knows when not to speak, his sharp tongue dying decades ago. Now he speaks only when spoken to unless he finds himself comfortable which is unlikely as he no longer gets close to anyone. He has watched the Royal family age and die, their guards and his friends pass with small conflicts or of natural causes. Now he tends to remain mildly detached however that is not because he is heartless. He simply knows that he will live to see their children's children pass and that makes him more distant than one would expect. Should he ever open up however he is a humble, calm soul. Not coming to anger as he did in his youth. Those that make him an ally would find him to be both a friend and protector.

　

Challenges

　

Followed through [2 Leadership] Yet to transpire

 Acting in instinct Enver closes the tunnels but not before one is able to escape, both marking Enver and vanishing to the surface world. It will come find him, reopen the tunnels eventually and due what it can to drag him back into its depths. For what purpose? Perhaps it wishes to learn what secrets fuel his powers, perhaps it holds a grudge for sealing the tunnels. Time will tell. [Through his time in Blueria he has Tombs of warfare and structural engineering that would make even the most studious of monks curious of his knowledge. Gains Combat Veteran and Engineering Degree]

Unpopular Opinion [1 personal] Yet to Transpire

Now with the breach open and beasts at their toes The king decides that it is time to seal the mines, protecting his people. The court, nearly all of them, are against the decision but they are over ruled. The political back lash is harsh with many souls coming to the king to petition his decision but to no avail. Eventually however the court gather enough power to over throw the king and reopen the gates, Enver choosing to be at the forefront of the mines to both prove his innocence and to protect as many lives as possible. [Super Human Intellect - With age the mind only grow stronger. Or at least one would hope.]

 traits

* Super Human Strength [3] [+1 Legendary Weapon] 

Enver is blessed with strength beyond that of normal ten men. A combination of a lifetime of training alongside constant exposure leaves him capable of feats that awe even the most seasoned of Veterans with skill. Marathon like stamina and strength comparable to that of a small army make him the most ideal of soldiers.  His body as a whole is capable of uprooting trees and hurling boulders like a catapult.  His arms, blessed with even more strength are capable of crushing stone in his palm with ease.  Being chained and bound means nothing to him as he can break nearly any man made object with ease.

*Super Human Agility [2]

With his training he has learned to let his body act, moving before even instincts would normally tell him. Reflexes are now five times as fast as a regular humans while his accuracy with ranged weapons makes him lethal at nearly any range. Across a room he is able to pin a fly to the wall with a dart, if given a few darts to warm up with.

*Enduring Life Force [3]

As a result to his training with Mana and his melding with his Golem arms Enver has gained near immortality. His life span is nearly immeasurable however a millennium would not be out of reach should he chose to live carefully. Also, no known toxins or disease have ever been found that would be able to ail a Warden, though not to say that one can't be found or made one day. He is man made as you must know.

*Super Human Durability [2]

As a known side effect of the Wardens stone arms Enver's bones are hardened, the toughness reaching that of stone themselves. His skin becomes simmilar to that of leather in difficulty to cut and bruise. His fortitude all over seems to be increased to supernatural levels. Crippling injuries seem to only phase him while his healing time for nearly any injury can be measured at a fraction of the time.

　

*Arts of Arcana [1]

Through the use of his Mana infused arms Enver is able to cast low level generic spells, many of which are designed to aid others and take care of his charge. However due to the stone nature of his body he is also able to manipulate stone and earth as if it were an extension of his own body. The limits of this stone manipulation is equal to the limits of his own physical limitation. If he finds he cannot lift a boulder physically he would not be able to do so through magic.

*Legendary Armor[1]

Visually remarkable. One would say that is one way to describe Enver's Golem Arms. Dark grey with flakes of black mixed in make his arms as tough as stone reinforced with the strength of the magic that forged them. Appearance wise the body of his torso look completely normal, no chisel marks or manufacture lines to speak of. When moving they seem to have the flexibility of normal flesh however the soft sound of grinding stone is audible when he has stone touch stone. The stone arms themselves are even stronger then many mundane metals, barely chipping when struck hard enough to break normal steel shields. However when ever real damage is sustained more granite can be ground up and placed into the damaged area, being absorbed into the would at the speed of his own healing. Finally through the exertion of Mana through his body Enver is able to inspire fear in those that gaze upon his bare torso, almost like a mind compulsion. Simply put he is intimidating when he chooses to be.

*Legendary Weapon[1]

As with his armor his weapon is both unique and Fantastic. While not 'unconventional' in use it is unconventional in existence. His Golem Arms, both dangerous and utilitarian, are impressive to say the least. His arms alone are capable of feats of strength equal to that of an army of fully trained men. Bare handed strikes shattering castle walls and hurling men with what seems like little effort. Also as his arms are fueled by the Mana infused with the stone he does not tire just from their use. This traits grants Enver a fourth token in Super Human Strength while using his arms alone.

 *Foreign Informants [2]

Enver has a intricate web of connections through Blueria, Yaserla, the Holy Realm and Brakava. This web is so complex that should one be compromised they are not likely able to turn over another spy as they likely do not know who they work with. Many of these connections are close to important people in these nations while some are capable of smuggling. Few of these high grade connections are capable of murder but not casually. Also a single sleeper cell in The Holy Kingdom happens to be positioned so that should they need to they are capable of creating a serious diversion when called upon.

*Operational Leeway [2]

Due to the trust placed in him by the crown he is granted certain leeway that normally would not be allowed. He does not abuse this power, making it all the more serious when he does call on it. Should he kill the king would vouch for his decisions, theft's being justifiable for some reason and what ever other odd situations that Enver might find himself in being settled as needs of the crown.

*Uncanny Senses [2]

Difficult is not an accurate word for how hard it is to get the drop on Enver. His senses are flawless to the point of him being able to spot a crossbow in the crowd or hear assassins in the next room getting closer for a surprise attack. Not only that he will get chills if followed or watched without his own consent and if he his alert he is able to see through illusions of others. As long as there is some light the ambient Mana infused into his body grants him sight in darkness as long as it is not considered 'pitch black' and while he is asleep any type of danger will wake him. Cat like indeed.

　

6L+1

*Sandra Tenneman [2]

Similar to Enver in that she was raised to serve, Sandra is apart of the kings personal guard, working directly under Enver. Her youth being spent training to protect the king has placed her in close proximity to the King during many of his dealings which has exposed her to his Honest ways making her grow to love the kingdom as her own. Through training she is a capable fighter, placing the safety of the crown before ever truly stepping into combat but dangerous none the less. Young, twenty years of age, she is sharp, picking up on the job quickly making herself as good a Guard as Enver could ask for. Should Enver ever be asked to leave and handle matters himself he is comfortable that Sandra would stand in his place putting the kings life before her own.

Eric Keirstrat [2]

Eric serves the crown first and foremost, his own intricate spy network integrated through out this country and a few neighboring. While not having been approached by Enver to combine their networks, should the time come Eric would be more than happy to agree, the increase in coverage and Intel meaning only more security for their nation and the people within. While he does order some less than tasteful acts on a regular basis it is all for the crown so to him there is nothing too dark or morally questionable for him. He know a good deal of many topics and even more so of the people he has met.

Chest of Gold [1]

Enver, given this money by his home land in an effort to aid his cause, is in possession of a single massive chest of gold valued enough to purchase his own grand estate. Slowly adding to its value over time he keeps it locked in a spare room in the castle granted to him by the king himself. With this money Enver buys gear, bribes locals and occasionally donates to the poor outside of the castle, knowing the pangs of hunger or the blights of a poor nights rest.

Secret Hideout [1]

This secret hideout is well hidden, square in the middle of the castle itself. The door, matching in color with the stone wall around it is warded with magical runes that make it neigh impossible to find unless you know exactly where to look. Inside the room there is enough space for a party of ten to lay down and sleep with some room to spare but not much else. Stacked on shelves, regularly restocked by Enver are boxes and bags of supplies such as salted foods, wines and water and medical supplies. On each of the four walls is another door, warded like the first, leading to another section of the castle giving Enver what seems like a hidden passage way that no one knows of save for him and now the mage that enchanted it.

Magical Degree [1]

In his youth and much of his current adult life Enver has studied the uses, existence and practicality of Mana in the natural world. He has learned of its odd reactions in many strange and dangerous way through the application of Illusion, Psychic and alchemical spells. He has even learned of the important role that Mythril, his country of Blueria's main mining export, plays in Mana's storage and resistance to the corrosive powder.

[mkdragongamer]

Dragon Age Inquisition: CHOICES MATTER This is a story Ive written to practice my storytelling with options a reader will pick and changes the coarse of the story :) Just like in the games!!! ENJOY!!! Characters belong to me ;)

Backstory:

Katerina and her twin daughters Emily and Ella are apostates. Before the Mage and Templar War they lived with their father as traveling performers, moving around Thedas to avoid being captured by Templars. Emily and Ella were born as apostates, unlike their mother who escaped from the Circle of Magi with the help of her husband who delivered stock to the circle at that time. Katarina taught her daughters everything she knew about magic as her husband taught them the skills of a merchant and of a musician. They survived in this fashion for 18 years, then the Kirkwall Chantry was destroyed and the war began. Running for their lives the women were separated from their father escaping a Templar raid.

The torn family hid in the mountains near Orzammar, surviving by their magic. Soon they caught wind of the news about Divine Justinia V; she was summoning leaders of mages and templars to come to the Conclave to restore peace and order once more to the land of Thedas.

Despite the risks a hopeful Katarina decides to travel there with her daughters to witness the results of the conclave.

Location: The sun sets on a cliff, with the conclave viewable in the near distance. The focus enhances on three girls traveling toward the direction of civilization.

Characters: Ella (Main Player), NPC’s named Emily and Katerina

Action: Scene opens with a display of the location and the setting sun indicates the time. Dialogue will begin the actions of the player, they will navigate through dialogue which will help set the tone. Choices will arise in the dialogue

Dialogue - Nearing the Conclave

Emily: ( Worried ) Mother, do you think it's wise going to the conclave?

(The player responds with one of three options)

(Option 1)

Ella: Yes, Mother, what if it's a trap?

(Option 2)

Ella: What do you mean?

(Option 3)

Ella:(Stay silent.)

Response -

Option 1

Ella: Agreed, what if it is a trap ?

Katerina: (Reassuringly) It cannot be, Divine Justinia would not be part of

something like that. Besides, I believe everyone is tired of this war, it will not last

much longer.

Emily: (Annoyed) I hope this war will end soon. Just because some people don't

get along doesn't mean they should plunder, pillage, kill and destroy other

people's lives!

Mom: (Calmly after a sigh) Emily, you must understand, many people believe are

acting as they feel is right.

Emily: (Angry) Like holding mages against their will, killing us like animals?!

Option 2

Ella: What do you mean?

Emily: (Suspicious) For instance, What if it’s a trap? It seem suspiciously

sudden, calling the leaders to meet in one spot.

Katerina: (Reassuringly) It cannot be, Divine Justinia would not be part of

something like that. Besides, I believe everyone is tired of this war, it will not last

much longer.

Emily: (Annoyed) I hope this war will end soon. Just because some people don't

get along doesn't mean they should plunder, pillage, kill and destroy other

people's lives!

Mom: (Calmly after a sigh) Emily, you must understand, many people believe are

acting as they feel is right.

Emily: (Angry) Like holding mages against their will, killing us like animals?!

Option 3

Katerina: (Curious)Why do you say that Emily ?

Emily: (Suspicious) For instance, What if it’s a trap? It seem suspiciously

sudden, calling the leaders to meet in one spot.

Katerina: (Reassuringly) It cannot be, Divine Justinia would not be part of

something like that. Besides, I believe everyone is tired of this war, it will not last

much longer.

Emily: (Not convinced)I still think it's a trap. Even Ella thinks so.

Katerina: (Optimistic) I hope not, I'm tired of sleeping in the cold. I'm not as

young as I used to be.

Emily: (Annoyed) I hope this war will end soon. Just because some people don't

get along doesn't mean they should plunder, pillage, kill and destroy other

people's lives!

Mom: (Calmly after a sigh) Emily, you must understand, many people believe are

acting as they feel is right.

(Player continues with three more dialogue options dialogue options.)

(Option 1)

Ella: It's not fair!

(Option2)

Ella: It's just hard not to hate the templars.

(Option 3)

Ella: (Stay Silent.)

Response -

Option 1

Katerina: Girls, calm down! Not everyone wishes us to be caged or killed,

consider your father.

Option 2

Katerina: I know girls, but not everyone wishes us to be caged or killed,

consider your father.

Option 3

Katerina: I know it's hard to not hate them after what happened to your father.

(Conversation continues)

Ella: I Miss dad.

Katerina: (Hugs girls)I miss him to. But The Maker knows he is alive. I believe that we will find each other.

(They stay in the intimate situation for a moment.)

Katerina: (Clears throat) How time flies. Alright we should make camp it’s too dark and dangerous to continue...

(They are suddenly interrupted by a green glow lighting the forest; they hear a loud explosion. A sound wave hits them knocking them off their feet.)

Emily: (Surprised)What the Maker??

Katerina: (Concerned) Are you girls unhurt!!

(The player is given three options)

(Option 1)

Ella: What happened?

(Option 2)

Ella: Were fine.

(Option 3)

Ella: (Nods.)

(Despite the options conversation will continue as such)

Katerina: (Surprised) Holy Andraste! What is happening?

(They look at the torn sky. Pieces from the rift start flying out and directly at them.)

Emily: (Nervous) Mother??

Katerina: (Protective) Girls, get behind me.. NOW !!!

(She starts casting a spell as the flying pieces of the fade approached them. She repels it with her barrier. The force of the magical shrapnel knocks the woman off her feet. Ella and Emily help her up as demons pour from the fade.)

Emily: (Nervous) That's demons! What is going on?

Katerina: (Dizzy)Girls battle positions.

Emily: Ella I'll take moms left you take right!

(Players are given three options)

(Option 1)

Ella: Alright!

(Option 2)

Ella: You always take the left!

(Option 3)

Ella: (Nods.)

Response -

Option 1

(The battle begins.)

Option 2

Katerina: (Franticly annoyed) Girls, this is not the time!

Option 3

(The battle begins.)

(Scene continues)

(Two Shades and a Fear demon surrounds them, fighting they manage to kill one shade but the Fear demon grabs Katerina and throws her. She hits a tree and and falls lying unconscious.)

Emily and Ella: (Terrified) Mother!!

Emily: (Horrified) Ella, I'm going for mom!

(Emily runs to her mother when the Fear demon suddenly shows up behind her snatching her and throwing her to the ground, as well. The Shade utilizes the distraction to harm her. Ella reals back with a deep scratch,  blood dripping from her should.)

(Three more options are given to the player.)

(Option 1)

Ella: (Help Katerina)

(Option 2)

Ella: (Help Emily)

(Option 3)

Ella: (Use blood magic.)

Response - Ending -

Option 1

(Ella with her last mana ignites the shade then runs to her Katerina.)

Ella: (Terrified but concerned) Mother wake up!

(Katerina doesn’t respond. Ella shakes her and she remains limp, the woman has died.)

Ella: (Shocked) No!!

(Ella is grabbed by the Fear demon, throwing her to Emily who struggles to her feet. Emily and Ella sees the shade approach their mother. Ella grabs Emily's hand.)

Ella: (Crying) She’s dead! We have to go!

Emily: (Determined) I'm not leaving her!

(The shade possess their mother's body. They watch in terror as their mother

rises in the air laughing. The fear demon appears in front of them. Emily in anger uses Immolate, unleashing an explosion. Emily drops to her knees and Ella grabs a hold of her. Ella looks around seeing the cliff. The girls hear a shriek behind them. Ella pulls Emily up as the demons start approaching them.)

Ella: (Scared) What are we going to do ?

Emily: (Desperate but determined) We need to jump!

Ella: (Shocked) How can we possibly survive such a fall!

Emily: I don’t know, but at least we will not be killed by these demons!

(The dialogue is continued into three options)

(Option 1)

Ella: Me neither.

(Option 2)

Ella: (Steeped in desperation) I love you!

(Option 3)

Ella: (Nods.)

Response -

Option 1

Emily: (Concern and confidence in her face)I love you, my sister.

Ella: (Laughing through tears) I love you, too!

(And they jump down into the darkness.)

Option 2

Emily: (Smiles) I love you too!

(And they jump down into the darkness.)

Option 3

Emily: (Amused) Always the one with few words. I love you.

(She kisses Ella’s cheek.)

Ella: (Says through tears) I love you too.

(And they jump down into the darkness.)

(The End)

Option 2 - Ending -

(Ella with magic ignites the shade using the distraction to run to Emily.)

Ella: (Concerned) Emily!

(Emily tries to stand up.)

Ella: (Relieved) Thank the Maker! Get up!

Emily: (Dizzy) We..need to help..mother.

(They look where their mom was thrown.)

Ella: (Panicked) She's not there!!

(Emily looks at Ella and pushes her out of the way. When the Fear demon

scratches Emily's face. Elal tries to run to Emily but that's when somebody grabs her from behind.)

Ella: (Scared) Let me go you…

(She sees the hands that are holding her and looks behind her. Her mom grabs her throat and starts strangling Ella while laughing with a deep voice. Ella tries to get out of her grasp but she picks her up by her throat with demonic strength. She starts losing consciousness when a bloody blast hits them. Ella dizzy, opens her eyes realizing she's by the cliff. She gets grabbed again but this time its Emily.)

Emily: (Sad) Are you alright ?

(Ella looks at Emily's bloody face and realizes she lost an eye. A injured Fear demon comes from the forest where there mother’s body lied. Emily stands wobbly in front of Ella.)

Emily: (Angry) You are not going to hurt anyone ever again!

Ella: (Confused) Emily what are you doing?

Emily: (Sad) I'm sorry.

(Ella in shock sees how Emily uses her blood, creating a barrier. And as the Fear demon charged at them, in the last minute Emily releases her spell and kills the last demon. Few seconds later she falls to the ground. Ella moves slowly to her sister.)

Emily: (Ashamed) I'm so sorry..

(The player can choose one of two options)

(Option 1)

Ella: You know blood magic? How could you use blood magic?

(Option 2)

Ella: It's alright.

Repsonse -

Option 1

Emily: (Desperately apologetic) I didn't have enough mana and you were in danger. I didn't want to lose you.

Option 2

Emily: (Embarrassed) I'm not proud of myself, but at least you're safe.

(The scene resumes as Ella grabs Emily's hand.)

(Suddenly their mom shows up standing behind them, grabbing them and with a toss she throws them of the cliff into darkness.)

(The End)

Response - Ending -

Option 3

(Ella uses blood magic.)

(Ella in pain touches her wound. She starts quickly moving avoiding the shade, looking where her mother lay and beyond to where Emily is. As the Fear demon was approaches her, Ella realizes she has no more mana. She once more looks at her bloody shoulder.)

Ella: (Scared) I'm sorry..

(She starts to cast a spell using her blood. With the new gained power she kills the Shade and with another blast she hits the Fear demon. The demon disappears. Ella looks around and at the rift in the sky, she runs to Emily who stares at her in disbelief. Ella holds out her a hand to help her sister. Emily looks at Ella with concern, but she lets her help her up.)

Emily: (Surprised and Concerned) Ella..you used Blood Magic !!

Ella: (Ashamed and Sobbing) I'm so sorry..I panicked..I didn't have enough mana and you and mother..I could not let you die !

(Emily hugs Ella.)

Emily: (Sympathetic) I understand, but I still think it's dangerous what you did. Where is mother? She will know what to do.

(Ella nods and they quickly run to their mother.)

Ella: (Concerned) Mother?

(Emily and Ella surround her. They slowly turn her around. Her eyes are closed and her face is pale.)

Emily: (Horrified)No! No, you can’t be ... Mother!

(Emily checks her pulls and Ella puts her head on her chest.)

Ella: (In shock) Emily, mother's dead.

(The rift explodes again lighting there faces. Emily looks at the rift in anger. She kisses her mother's forehead and stands.)

Ella: (Questioning, concerned) Emily?

Emily: (Determined) There is nothing we can do.

(She points at the rift.)

Emily: (Angry) Because of that, our mother is dead.

(The player is given three options)

(Option 1)

Ella: What are we going to do ?

(Option 2)

Ella: We should go see what caused the explosion.

(Option 3)

Ella: (Stay quiet.)

Response -

Option 1

Emily: (Energetic and Determined) We going to go figure out who caused the explosion that thing (looks to the rift). And when I'll find the person than he'll pay for what happened. Let's go.

Ella: (Concerned) But what about mother?

Emily: (Sad but still with conviction) The ground is too frozen to dig. She is now with Andraste and maybe with Dad.

Option 2

Emily: (Certain) My thoughts exactly. But we need to do something about mother, we can't just leave her for the scavengers.

Option 3

Emily: (Determined) We're going to continue to the conclave and find out who is responsible for the explosion and when I find that person, he'll pay.

(The conversation continues)

(Ella kisses mom and takes her bag and staff. Emily bends down once more and kisses her mother’s forehead.)

Emily: (Confident) Mother’s staff is enchanted with a fire rune. I still have a little mana left.

(Emily and Ella surround their mother with rocks and sticks, then Emily concentrates and lights their pyre. Emily grabs Ella’s shaking hand, after a while Emily pulls Ella away from the burning body and they continue on their journey.)

(The end)

[izanagi-zenso-blog]

LIGHT Novel!!!! by the wannabe author

SO of course THIS IS MY FIRST WEB NOVEL. THERE WILL BE SOME CLIFFHANGING STUFF CAUSE IM QUITE BUSY. SO YEAH ENJOY READING THIS, CORRECT ANY ERRORS.

World Blessed With Sorcery and Arcana’s

Volume 1: Life within the Boundaries?!?

Contents:

Long ass Prologue.

Chapter 1:  The 11th Count!? = Soon

Chapter 1.5: Final Count and Fresh start!! = With Chapter 1

Info: no exact info yet but i will think of it..

Prologue:

The Unknown Tragedy.

Kid walking in a distance, The name is Shin Akiyama. A Brave but stubborn boy. born with the power of a unknown deity,

[Shin: Hmm…. I Wonder what will happen today… oh yeah. Akane has something to show me..]

As he walks in the streets, where villagers lived, He encountered a Girl, an Innocent girl that he trusted for 3 years, Her name is Momo. A Girl so Pure and Kind-hearted.

[Shin: Hey Momo, What’s up]

[Momo: Just Hanging around, can i tag along or something?]

[Shin: Sure.]

[Momo: So.. where are we going?]

[Shin: There!]

Shin pointed a nearby hill, that is covered with trees, Villager’s know that the hill shin’s pointing at. is the hill where the Great White Mage died just to save the world..

[Momo: You’re kidding right?]

[Shin: Nope.]

[Momo: Since you’re not kidding, I guess we’ll go up there]

They started to walk to the direction where the hill was.. They talk about some stuff and showed each other’s new magic spells.. and they arrived at the foot of the hill..

[Momo: Woah.. This Hill is so big, and it’s covered with trees like i don’t know]

[Shin: Momo, Chill. It’s only the beginning of the adventure you know?]

[Momo: Sorry man..]

They started to climb the hill. First of all, they go inside the forest filled with hybrid non hostile creatures.. and they started to talk again..

[Momo: Shin.. What are we supposed to do in the top?]

[Shin: Akane’s waiting for me]

[Momo: Oh.. okay, wait how did she get there]

[Shin: I don’t know]

Then they finally climbed the hill.. The Top doesn’t look like some destroyed land but What they saw is filled of Honey Plumed Orchids. an Hybrid Flower due to the old incident. then they saw Akane. sitting and smelling the orchids. sounds like she’s having fun just by smelling the orchids.. 

[Shin: Akane!!]

then he waves

Despite the fact that Akane pretended to hear Shin just to continue smelling the Orchids.. She actually waved too.. Shin Started to run to encounter akane close by.

[Shin: *pant* Akane.. Where’s the suprise?]

[Akane: I never imagined how you will come here. so yeah. as promised here is the reward, better be suprised sweety,]

Then Shin smiled at Akane and waited to see the suprise.. Akane chanted a spell that Shin will regret..

I Beseech thee Creation and Death, Convert thy strength to thy power. Thy Fool would never stand thy strength, AME-NO-MIHASHIRA, IZANAMI-NO-MIKOTO.

Akane showed something horrible that could kill anything..

[Shin: What?]

[Momo: Shin, run now!]

[Shin: Where?]

[Momo: Somewhere safe]

Then Akane Chanted another spell.

I Beseech thee, The Spear of Heaven’s, Slay thy Corrupted Sorrows, Unleash thy form! Ame-no-nuboko!

Then a Spear Appeared

[Momo: Shin! RUN!!]

[Shin: No.. I will handle this]

[Momo: Don’t play dumb Shin]

[Shin: Please, just this once]

[Momo: Okay.. Please be safe!]

[Shin: I will]

Momo ran to a place where she will be safe during the fight.

Shin raised his arm and said,

Revalyas!

Then a card appeared in his hand 

[Shin: Akane, I don’t want to do this but. you’ve messed with the wrong person]

[Akane: Is it because you have an Tarot Card to defeat me?] 

 [Shin: No, I will subordinate this card to be fair to you. I promise that i will never used an arcana to fight you]

Shin Chanted a 12 line spell.

“Life and Death, Good and Evil, Beginning and The End, Gods and Goddesses watching over the heavens”

Akane Throwed a Spear directly at Shin

Chrono Spasia!

Shin Deflected the Spear with a clock like shield..

[Akane: Tch!]

“Seeker’s beseech thy power of thy deities, nor life will end, nor death will come, Devastate thy evil presence of thy side”

[Akane: Rain upon them, Rulai!]

Akane summoned a barrage of poison arrows, Good thing Shin didn’t deactivated his shield.

“Protect me o Gods, I beseech thee power of the fallen, Over thy world i summoned, Nothing will hold thy back”

Conquer thy battlefield, Izanagi-no-mikoto!

Then his normal form turned into a deity which is the former husband of the deity Akane used, 

[Akane: That’s ridiculous, 12 line deity spell, That’s would be weak] 

 [Shin: Let’s just see] 

 Shin Chanted a spell,

“I beseech thee, Totsuka-no-Tsurugi” 

Blade appeared out of ashes.. 

[Akane: so.. you want to play it like that huh?] 

[Shin: yea.. I’m gonna finish this now.] 

They clashed until the hill was devastated, Shin was left tired. Akane, still in good shape. 

[Akane: Just give up, Shin!] 

he pointed his hand at Akane, Shin chanted quietly to ambush Akane, 

“I beseech thee, God’s Anger, upon the world driven by darkness, Divine Fire!”

 Then a fireball came out of his hand, and the fire scattered, It hit Akane and she fell down burning, but she recovered quickly

 [Akane: You’ll pay for this] 

 Then Akane immediately chanted a spell, 

 “I beseech, Sagittarius, Pierce thy evil within a blink of an eye, Sagittarius’ Destiny!” 

Then Portals appeared, and shoots countless arrows directly on Shin 

[Momo: SHIN!!]

Then Shin whispered Momo,

[Shin: What a time to live..]

[Momo: Don't give up on me Shin!]

Momo chanted a 2 line support spell, strong enough to deflect the arrows,

"I call upon the Shield of Perseus, Use thy force to protect upon the wickedness snares, AEGIS!"

Then Perseus appeared out of nowhere to protect Shin,

Then Momo chanted another spell to heal Shin,

"I beseech thy power of Asclepius, Heal those who are sick, ASCLEPIUS' MERCY!"

Then a God (Asclepius) Appeared to heal Shin,

[Shin: Thank you Momo,]

[Momo: *pants* You’re welcome, finish this once and for all]

[Shin: Okay!]

Shin Chanted another spell to stop this madness,

"I call upon the weapons of Gods and Goddesses, Rain upon the unmerciful, I beseech thee!"

"Deities Rain!"

Then a Magic Circle appeared within the area, 

Shin and Momo are shielded due to Allies’ Blessing, Then the Magic Circle starts to drop weapons of Gods and Goddesses, It hit Akane a couple times but still left unwounded, 

[Akane: Still no effect, what a waste of mana, seems like your mana will run out, I think i should leave..] 

“Teleport!” 

Then Akane blink to some place,

[Momo: Shin are you okay?]

[Shin: *pants* I’m okay, *coughs blood]

[Momo: Shin! return to your normal form right now, you’re coughing blood]

[Shin: Don’t worry, I’m still in good shape *coughs blood again*]

[Momo: Shin! Please!]

[Shin: Okay-okay,]

Dispel,

Shin regains his normal form, but his body is filled with wounds,

[Momo: Oh God! Shin, you’re bleeding like crazy!]

[Shin: Heh, That’s what they call Scar’s of the Triumphant, Heh ]

Shin pass out.leaving him bleeding eternally.

[Momo: Shin! Don’t you dare give up on me, Shin!, Shin! God i need help,]

God please bring me the help i need!

After Momo saying that, Momo cried, afterwards a Portal appeared out of nowhere next to them,

[??: God, Son wake up!]

the mysterious man checks his pulse,

[??: He’s still in good shape]

[Momo: Huh?!]

[??: Momo-chan bring him to his mother right now!]

[Momo: Who are yo-]

[??: There’s no time, use a teleport spell right now!]

[Momo: Okay..]

Aria, Bring me a way to seek freedom, Teleport!

In a blink of an eye, they arrived at Shin’s house, 

Momo ran towards the door and knocked, Shin is now conscious and tries to speak,  but Momo can’t hear him, one more try he does, he called Momo.

[Shin: Momo! *coughs blood*]

Momo ran to Shin and Grabs his hands

[Momo: Shin! Everything’s going to be fine,]

Momo cried,

[Shin: Momo, I-i want you to do m-e a fa-favor.]

[Momo: Say anything you like. but promise me everythings going to be fine and we’ll hangout when you’re fine]

[Shin: O-o-okay, I w-want you-u to wa-ait 12 ye-ears,]

[Momo: 12 years?]

[Shin: In 12 year-s, We-e *coughs blood* will go to the-e sa-same university, we would study there wi-wi-without harm from anybody,]

[Momo: Yes....]

[Shin: I-i-i’ll be a shut in for 12 ye-ye-years, before the 12 year count is a-a-about to be finish, tell the others, w-w-what Akane done to me]

[Momo: Yes!]

[Shin: Fulfill contract?]

Shin lifted his arm and stick his pinky out,

[Momo: Fulfill Contract,]

Then Momo grabs his pinky with her pinky.

Door opening,

[Shin’s Mom: Oh God, Shin! What happened to him!]

[Momo: We got attacked by someone]

[Shin’s Mom: Help me bring him in, His Dad is preparing something important]

[Momo: Okay..]

Momo and Shin’s Mom lifted Shin and putted him in a bed, His Mother healed him and putted some bandages and rested for a bit, on the other hand, Momo discussed what happened,

[Shin’s Mom: I see, so that Akane girl did this to my son]

[Momo: Yeah, It was a terrible incident]

[Shin’s Mom: How could’ve have ever thank you, Momo, Without you my son would be probably dead by now. I will never forgive that girl,]

[Momo: well, I have one more thing to tell you ma’am]

[Shin’s Mom: Yes??]

[Momo: Shin gave me a favor, that in 12 year’s, Me, Shin and the Others would go to the same university,]

[Shin’s Mom: Really? I would probably make that favor a wish, cause i’m a director at the nearby University. tell me more about his favor]

[Momo: Well, in the 11th year, I’ll tell the others about what happened to him, he wanted it i guess, clearly I can’t see any suspicion about that but yeah, I approved]

[Shin’s Mom: If that’s what he wanted then, Oh dear, I guess i should prepare dinner now. Want to stay till dinner?]

[Momo: If my mom wouldn’t mind to stay]

[Shin’s Mom: Shin’s Dad called you’re mom, She approved]

[Momo: Okay. I hope that you don’t mind having me around ma’am]

[Shin’s Mom: Oh Momo, Of course i wouldn’t mind, you’re the perfect girl for my son you know and cute too]

Momo flustered

[Momo: You’re embarrasing me]

[Shin’s Mom: Even that makes you even more cuter]

Momo flustered, Then Shin wakes up,

[Shin: *gasp!*]

[Momo: Shin! are you okay?]

[Shin: I’m fine, still in good shape]

[Momo: Thank god]

[Shin: so the favor.]

[Momo: Yeah. I promised to fulfill the wish you’ve wanted]

[Shin: hm.. okay.]

[Shin’s Mom: Dinner’s Ready,] 

Then She saw Shin awake,

[Oh god Shin! You’ve wouldn’t survived if it’s wasn’t for my future daughter in law]

[Momo: What!?]

Momo is now a rose that’s about to bloom

[Shin’s Mom: Oh, Momo, You know i was just teasing you]

[Momo: Oh, okay.]

[Shin’s Mom: Tonight we’ll be having Grilled Perfect Lamb Chops]

[Shin: Let’s go Momo]

[Momo: Let’s go]

Momo smiled then they went to the table to eat Dinner, afterwards they said their last goodbye for 12 years, Momo went back home guarded by Shin’s Mom, and Shin went to his room and locked the door

//END OF THE PROLOGUE//

So, i just noticed that there is a lot of problems within the prologue, so i thought.. wtf the girls don’t act girly enough so i fixed it and i probably gonna separate the 11th count and the final count cuz i want to, \(#w#)/ so basically i want to thank you for reading this hell of a novel, despite the fact my back hurts, but i would survive through this volume then i’ll put another volume in 2 weeks after. Thank you so much for reading this, I Appreciate it :)

Pm me if there’s any wrong grammar and stuff, 

[daughter-of-the-prophet]

Mage

Mages are people who were born with the ability to use, control and interact with magic. In order to qualify to be a mage, one must be an elf, a human, or a Qunari. Dwarves cannot be mages, as they are unable to connect with the Fade. This is due to their prolonged exposure to lyrium, becoming immune to its effects.

Characteristics

In Thedas, magic is a natural physical phenomenon such as gravity or magnetism. Some people are born with the ability to interact with, control, and shape it. The Tevinter Imperium even had mage genealogies of all families that would produce children with magical talent. Eventually, several social classes of mages were established in Tevinter, from the “Altus” (magisters), mages who had a long lineage of magic in their bloodlines, to the “Laetan” - mages with no family history of magic use.

Conventional magic originates from the Fade, the realm where spirits dwell and where humans, qunari, and elves visit when they dream. For non-mages, entering the Fade while dreaming is a fleeting experience; but for mages, they are fully conscious during the entire incident. Mana is a measurement of one’s ability to channel energy from the Fade, and this energy is expended in the practice of magic. Just as the Fade can be reshaped by those who have grasped its nature, so can the world of Thedas be manipulated by magic via willing things into being. The ability of a living being to expend mana is what defines a mage.

The act of drawing power from the Fade can draw the attention of the spiritual beings on the other side of the Veil, leading to an increased risk of demonic possession if the mages are not vigilant enough. A possessed mage becomes a distortion of his or her former self, a twisted monster known as an abomination that has enough power to wipe entire villages off the map. It is for this reason that a mage must have enough willpower to master their magic so they can resist demons while they are “awake” in the Fade.

With the proper training, mages are capable of manipulating the basic elements, such as conjuring gouts of flame and small, localized ice and electrical storms. There are also spells that allow for the temporary reanimation of corpses and the draining of an opponent’s life-force. More altruistic mages can use their powers to help and heal or summon benevolent spirits in times of need. Though they are often ostracized to the point of persecution, mages are key for everyday life in Thedas. They serve as its healers, scholars, scientists, and weapons of war.

There are limitations to the application of magic, however. Teleportation, resurrection (under normal circumstances) and physically entering the Fade (in the absence of a great deal of lyrium and potentially the aid of blood magic) are not possible. Magic also cannot prevent a potentially fatal incident such as falling from a building. Furthermore, the powers of a mage require a direct line of sight to a target and have a limited range.

There are two schools of magic that bear no connection to the Fade: blood magic, which draws power directly from blood, and blight magic, which is driven by the taint.

The Working of Magic

A mage uses magic by tapping into the power of the Fade to essentially question reality, rendering it mutable and able to be reshaped. To this end, templars are the ideal foils for mages, having been trained specifically to counter and “deny” magic. This is done by a unique method of reinforcing the reality and immutability of the world. Like a door being slammed in the mage’s face, magical effects dissipate and the mage is unable to reshape a suddenly stubborn world. From a mage’s perspective, it appears to be less spell interruption and more a templar reinforcing a reality in which that spell cannot be cast in the first place. Cole offers a different explanation for the powers of the Templars: after ingesting lyrium their bodies become incomplete and try to connect to something older and bigger than they are. They reach for that “other thing” and magic has no room to come in.

Schools of Magic

Blight

Blood

Creation

Entropy

Primal

Spirit

Force

Elemental

Arcane (Arcane Warriors/Knight-Enchanters)

Nature (Dalish Keepers)

Necromancy

Fade

Healing

Shapeshifting

The Chantry

In 1:20 Divine, the Chantry and the Inquisitionsigned the Nevarran Accord, and created the Circle of Magi, the Templar Order and the Seekers of Truth.

As magic had been the source of the Imperium’s power, it was all but banned when the Chantry became the new dominant force in Thedas. Blood magic was completely forbidden, and those who practiced any kind of magic were confined. At first, the Chantry detained mages and had them continually light the eternal flame in every chantry in Thedas, with all other forms of magic forbidden. For such powerful beings to only use their powers in such mundane ways, it surprised almost no one when the mages of the Grand Cathedral protested. DivineAmbrosia was surprised and almost ordered an Exalted March on her own Cathedral until her own templars advised her otherwise. The Circle of Magi was established to regulate the use of magic throughout Thedas, and the Templars were created to catch mages who refused to join the Circle.

Modern Thedas

Andrastian Nations

In the Dragon Age, most mages in Thedas belong to the Circle of Magi. As such, they are taken from their families while still children and highborn children who are able to use magic will lose all claims to their family’s estates and titles when they are taken to the Circle. This helps to create a bond stronger than social class or race since everybody in the Circle is raised and taught the same way.

Children who are born to mages within the Circle are taken to be raised in a Chantry orphanage, either until they are old enough to make a living on their own (likely within the Chantry itself as a cleric or templar) or their magical abilities have manifested and they are returned to the Circle.

Upon joining a Circle, mages undergo a process as apprentices of having a few drops of their blood taken by the First Enchanter and placed in a phylactery. This ensures the mages’ compliance as well as the ability to track down any mage who decides to run away since a templar can track anyone through their blood. As a further measure, mages who are feared to be incapable of controlling themselves, or who fear their power, are made Tranquil: their connection to the Fade is magically severed along with their emotions and desires.

Though templars insist that the process is painless, the experience appears to be debatable and as unique as the individual who has been rendered Tranquil. The Tranquil are easily identified by their eerie monotone voices, the Chantry sunburst brand on their foreheads, and their emotional apathy, even during life-threatening circumstances. It is worth noting, however, that under normal circumstances there is a reason a mage either is made Tranquil or requests it. Furthermore, imposing the Rite of Tranquility normally requires the agreement of both the Circle Knight-Commander and First Enchanter.

Most humans are taught by the Chantry to fear magic and those who practice it. Mages are looked upon as people to be pitied at best and hated at worst. The average citizen sincerely believes that the Circle exists only to protect mages and help them learn to control their abilities.

Tevinter 

The native culture in the Tevinter Imperium is that magic is considered a mark of honor, especially for those who are powerful enough and adept to use it to their advantage. Tevinter has its own Imperial Chantry and many of its mages are the scions of its ancient noble bloodlines, who have long nurtured the magic in their genealogy. Even Tevinter commoners view magic as a gift and a part of their culture, so mages are respected across all social classes more than in other countries. In fact, the hope that their offspring or descendants will be born a mage and thus raise the family’s social status keeps the commoners placated.

Due to the Imperium’s rooted history with magic, the descendants of Tevinter’s elite, even after converting to Andrastian teachings, still retained their power and influence but their appreciation of magic conflicted with the Chantry’s fear of magic. This inevitable conflict in beliefs led to a schism in ideology between the Tevinter Chantry and the Orlais Chantry. The Tevinter Chantry argued that the Chant of Light’s commandment, “magic exists to serve man, and never to rule over him,” meant that magic must serve the greater good. They believed that this could be accomplished by freeing Magi to take part in government. After the Imperial Chantry broke away from the Orlesian Chantry’s influence, mages were allowed to assume their place as the true rulers of the nation once again.

Though mages rule Tevinter, not all mages are equal. Where one falls in the social hierarchy is dependent on where one falls in Tevinter’s caste system. If a mage isn’t born in the right family, chances are they don’t rule anything. Tevinter Circles of Magi are prestigious academies, not mage prisons. Yet admittance to a Tevinter Circle is a privilege, not a right. The mages in Tevinter aspire to be magisters: the true rulers of the Imperium. Obtaining status and influence in the Tevinter Imperium is highly competitive however and thus often breeds practices of greed, corruption, and blood magic. Those without magic are trampled underfoot and forced to serve. Behind closed doors, slaves are sometimes sacrificed to fuel a magister’s forbidden magic. Even some mages are not spared, for in mages as in all humans, there exists a spectrum - on one end, the very powerful, on the other, those that can barely light a candle. The Empire cares only for the strongest, and those who do not compare favorably are thrown to the wolves.

Slaves and Liberati, particularly elves, who demonstrate magical ability are furthermore able to join the Circle of Magi and the lowest rungs of mage society. This applies as well to the children of elven slaves and facilitates a dubious sense among them of a “meritocracy” within Tevinter even amongst the lowest classes. However, even for those gifted elven slaves who are able to join the magocracy, there is still an element of racism that creates obstacles beyond being seen as a fellow mage. Furthermore, mundane slaves cannot, of course, take part in this meritocratic system any more than any other non-talented citizen can.

According to Fenris, though magisters claim that blood magic is forbidden, it’s no secret that any Tevinter mage of rank secretly practices it or at least are proficient in its use. This is also confirmed by Lambert and Dorian. However, what is considered blood magic in Tevinter is different than what other Andrastian nations consider blood magic. Still, even what Tevinter considers forbidden magic is practiced by the upper echelon behind closed doors in order to maintain their edge against their adversaries.

Hedge Mages

Hedge mages are untrained magic-users who wield powers developed outside of conventional teaching of the Circle of Magi and because of this, they are all apostates. Some of these hedge mages are not even aware of their nature. Undeveloped, their abilities can express themselves in a variety of ways, which the hedge mage might attribute to faith, or will, or to another being entirely (depending on the mage’s nature).

More specifically hedge magic, known by its more technical name “arcanist derangement" among mages and scholars, is a form of magical expression different than that of typical mages. The term was coined by Magister Allineas at the height of the Towers Age. The magister posited that magical talent is like a flowing river. When expressed through a mage, it finds a proper outlet through spellcraft. Left to its own devices it flows unexpectedly, and thus hedge mages are created. Prior to the creation of the Circles, such magical talent expressed itself often through ancient traditions and rituals. Those mages possessed powers that no Circle spell could replicate and their unpredictable ability was deemed a threat.

Hedge mages live chaotic lives, able to commune with spirits, lured into darkness and temptation and sometimes even insanity. Their lives are often short as a result of this wild talent. The term "arcanist derangement” reflects this propensity toward madness in such mages.

The term “hedge mage” was created as a derogatory term by the Chantry.

Rivain

The Rivaini, unlike the majority of peoples in Thedas, are not andrastians and don’t believe in the Maker. Rather, they are pantheists who believe in the Natural Order. As such, many hold to the belief that their god and the universe are the same. Many, especially in Kont-aar, have also converted to the Qun, as their religion and the Qun are not very contradictory. According to Ferdinand Genitivi, a well-known Chantry scholar, “The Chant of Light never truly reached the ears of these people. Resistance to the Chant goes deeper than the Qunari Wars. The Rivaini refuse to be parted from their seers, wise women who are in fact hedge mages, communicating with spirits and actually allowing themselves to be possessed. The Chantry prohibition against such magical practices violates millennia of local tradition.”

Though a Circle existed in Rivain, it was merely a means to appease the Chantry. The mages of the Circle were allowed to see their families and the women were specifically trained to be seers, a position in Rivaini society that is revered as a matter of tradition. These local hedge witches converse with spirits and even allow themselves to be possessed, though it is supposedly done so for the benefit of their villages.

Dalish Elves

Among non-humans, attitudes towards magic vary. The Dalish elves are, for all intents and purposes, the most accepting of their mages. Dalish believe that magic is a gift of the Creators and study of magic is key to rediscovering their lost history. They do, however, acknowledge the inherent danger of magic, and take strides to reduce the risk. Some clans will try to keep the number of mages in their group to a minimum by exchanging mage children with other Dalish clans. These children will be personally instructed by the new tribe’s Keeper, and if they demonstrate sufficient aptitude will be elevated to be the Keeper’s First (or Second), an apprentice expected to one day become the clan’s new Keeper. Those that are extraneous beyond this, however, may be cast out of the clan to survive or die, on their own.

Every Dalish clan is sworn to protect its Keeper to the death, and should the Keeper fall to demonic possession, the clan is bound to hunt and slay the Keeper. This happens rarely, however, as most Keepers are wise and careful enough to never make deals with demons or use blood magic.

Dalish magic tends to be more practical and subtle than human/Circle magic, shaped by the existence of the Dalish. It is often turned to healing and tends to be more focused on natural forces.

The ancient magic of “Veilfire” is also an elven art, though not specifically a Dalish one. Often used like a torch, veilfire is able to reveal hidden messages and gain impressions of past events, as well as illuminate dim passages... often with the accompanying unearthly whispers of the Fade. According to Solas, “it is a form of sympathetic magic, a memory of flame that burns where the Veil is thin.”

Qunari

On the opposite end of Thedas, the Qunari, bound to order, have virtually no tolerance for mages, which they call “saarebas” (literally “dangerous thing”). Those among them who are found to possess magical ability are kept on leashes by special soldiers called arvaarad, and fitted with blinders. Their horns are sheared off and in extreme cases, their lips may be stitched together. If a saarebas is found practicing forbidden magic, their tongues are cut out to prevent them from corrupting others. Despite these measures, the Qunari pity and honor the saarebas as they believe that their striving while under constant threat from within is truly selfless and that is the highest virtue of the Qun.

Surprisingly, the mages themselves accept their condition without question, as they manage to find some measure of solace within the Qun since they believe there is a purpose to their existence, even if it means the loss of their freedom. If separated from their arvaarad, they are willing to accept death as they may be corrupted and not even be aware, presenting a danger to themselves and others, as was the case for Ketojan. They pity other mages who are not Qunari because they will surely doom themselves and everyone who they come in contact with.

[voidcrow]

Skills That Make Me Very Dangerous - Part 2

Eversong Woods. An hour and a half later.

From the ornately-hewn crib she lay in, the infant looked up at Magister Fol’mar with curious blue eyes. Her skin was green, and the thin beginnings of violet hair could be seen on her head, but she was too small for a three-month-old to be a pureblood orc.

“Maylias may not understand yet,” said the elven mage who stood above her, “but once I have shown her what sort of mother you’ve had the misfortune to be born to, my wife will come around.” Catching himself scowling at the baby, he let his expression soften. “Sleep well, little one. Soon, your nightmare will be over at last.”

With that, Ravilien departed the room, shutting the door gently behind him, and starting walking for the front door of the Fol’mar estate, for he was expecting one more guest this afternoon. Once he’d gotten some way down the hall, he flicked his hand, and a mana wraith materialized into being beside him.

“Retrieve her,” he said to the familiar, “and then join me at the foyer.”

<> <> <>

“I’m not feeling courteous enough to knock. Bust it down.”

Shaaghun—seven feet and multiple hundreds of pounds of demonic muscle—nodded in response to Laciel’s order with a smile. This was his favored method of getting past a door. He hefted his vrykul-made axe up and swung it down vertically, right down the crack that split the sin’dorei manor’s double doors at their center. The piercing crash of breaking metal accompanied the splintering of wood, and this sound was confirmation of a breaking lock. Shaaghun planted the sole of his right armored boot on one of the doors, and with a firm shove he pushed it off its hinges, sending it to the floor.

The felguard stepped in ahead of Laciel, but he soon stepped aside to allow her entry as well. The warlock’s eyes adjusted to reveal a foyer typical of sin’dorei nobility, boasting a large and nicely-patterned rug that felt cushion-like beneath her feet. With eyes that glowed a brighter fel green than the norm, the warlock looked up to notice two figures standing on the balcony one floor above—one glowing and indistinct in shape, the other a finely-robed man with a light-brown chonmage.

“Ah, 'Senator' Voidcrow,” greeted the mage, bowing with sarcastic grandeur.

Laciel presented herself serenely and casually. “Hi, Mr. Fol'mar. I’m gonna kill you.”

“So I have heard.” Ravilien put both his hands behind his back. “The brutish woman calling herself your mate yelled something to that effect after chasing me all the way here.”

“For somebody who's just realized he didn't cover his tracks well enough, you sure are calm. Did I mention your wife has already brought this kidnapping you've committed to light? Your career and your marriage are both coming apart at the seams.”

Ravilien said nothing. His face remained quite stoic.

Laciel chuckled. “I'm impressed. How do you stay so nonchalant?”

Still not saying a word, Ravilien looked to the mana wraith and nodded toward where Laciel stood. The wraith then threw something large over the railing—a person, a body, wrapped from neck to toe in bulky splint mail. When it hit the ground without so much as a grunt, Laciel saw a long violet ponytail and a yellow-green face that had lost its color.

[Background Music, “Second Bomb”, begins at 0:08. ]

The warlock’s smile instantly left her.

She knew this was a bad time to lose her composure, however difficult it was to hold onto it right now. She shut her eyes, breathed in sharply through her nose while burying her immediate dismay, and addressed Ravilien once more…

[“Second Bomb” reaches 0:24 and continues.]

“I've changed my mind. I'm gonna open a hole to the Twisting Nether, toss you in, and watch the felstalkers eat you alive. But first: Where are you keeping Kagra?”

“I have done you a favor, Voidcrow,” said Ravilien, “You had married far beneath yourself, and miscegenation does not do the dwindling sin'dorei race any—”

[“Second Bomb” reaches 0:42 and continues.]

"I asked you a question!" erupted Laciel, who had now decided that the calm façade was rather pointless.

Magister Fol’mar sighed. “You've no need to worry for Kagra. She has come to no harm, and is taking a nap in my quarters at the moment. I will take the responsibility of raising her upon myself. Better this than for the poor girl to be jointly raised by a lesser being and a monstrous sociopath.”

Laciel started to tremble. “If you're lying...!”

“Why would I? A half-breed she may be, but Kagra carries sin'dorei blood nonetheless, and to spill it is a shameful wa—”

[“Second Bomb” reaches 1:10 and continues.]

All out of patience, Laciel threw a fel fireball at the base of the balcony, making it collapse from underneath Ravilien. He landed on his feet rather hard, clearly wincing from the pain, and Shaaghun seized the chance to charge at him.

But right as the felguard’s horizontal axe swing was about to connect, Ravilien was suddenly behind the demon and an arcane missile flying from his palm to Shaaghun, all in the blink of an eye. The projectile combusted on Shaaghun’s back, making him stumble forward.

Fol’mar turned to Laciel, but she was prepared with a ball of felfire to throw at him. This, he sidestepped mundanely, before shooting an arcane missile at the warlock. She responded in kind, dodging the spell before letting another of hers fly toward him. It seemed about to connect…

…and then he was gone, the fireball hitting nothing but the wall. Laciel felt the tingling pound of an arcane missile impact on her upper back, recoiled and spun around to find Ravilien had gotten behind her. Was he teleporting? No flash of light seemed to accompany it.

“Shaaghun, get back-to-back with me!” said Laciel, and the felguard headed back to the center of the room to stand by her as instructed. With her minion’s eyes now covering the ground that her own could not, Laciel hoped her enemy could not take either of them by surprise anymore. Feeling a little more secure, she prepared another fireball to throw.

Yet before she could get the spell off at all, Ravilien was gone, and Laciel once again felt an arcane missile burst on her back. Simultaneously, she heard Shaaghun yell something to the effect of “Son of a bitch!” in a mix of pain and frustration. Spinning around, she saw that Ravilien had blinked between Laciel and Shaaghun. The irate demon took another swing at the mage, and this Ravilien simply jumped back to avoid, the axe nonetheless grazing his chest, tearing the robes and leaving a shallow cut. The Magister, Laciel surmised, could not blink as often as he pleased. But she was still startled that he could be so precise with it on the fly, not to mention cast an offensive spell so swiftly afterward.

While Laciel stepped back to put a healthy distance between herself and Ravilien, she watched as Shaaghun lunged at him for another strike with his axe. The Magister remained perfectly calm as the blade headed for his neck, but the heartbeat of time before it was to touch him, bam. He was behind Shaaghun, and an arcane missile fired off the same instant.

But Laciel noticed something else this time. In the same instant that Ravilien changed location, a trail of foot-shaped impressions had appeared on the soft rug the three of them were fighting on, leading from where he’d been to where he was now.

He wasn’t teleporting. He was stopping time. It seemed he could only do so for a precious few seconds, but he was always using that window to move into his enemy’s blind spot and charge a spell. Laciel would have admired such cunning in most opponents, but she was just too angry at this one.

While Shaaghun was falling flat on his belly from the mage’s attack, Laciel built up fel energy in both hands, but then she held on to the spell, looking at Ravilien intently.

[“Second Bomb” reaches 1:40 and continues.]

Now it was time to wait. Ravilien was at a point where he needed to wait a handful of seconds to be able to stop time again, or so Laciel presumed, but he too proceeded to stand there for what felt like a long while, his expression as stoic as ever.

Then in an instant, he was gone. Laciel immediately ducked down and turned, her eyes racing along the trail of fresh footprints in the rug, and then threw a fireball as soon as she saw Ravilien in the corner of her eye, even as the arcane missile sailed over her head.

[“Second Bomb” reaches 1:52 and continues.]

The flame combusted on Ravilien’s upper torso, causing him to stumble back, singing his robes and putting some fresh burns on his face. After grunting in pain, he opened his eyes wide, finally looking taken aback. “What?!”

Gritting his teeth as he got back on his feet, Shaaghun did not wait for the Magister to get over his shock or to put himself back on the offensive with time stoppage. He charged again, this time successfully putting a grievous gash across his torso and spilling a good amount of his blood on the rug.

The magister stumbled back some more, until he hit the wall, and fell on his bottom. “Fine!” he growled. “I yield. You've won. Take your daughter and go bury your wife with dignity. But when Kagra inevitably dies by your negligence, do not blame—”

Laciel threw another fireball at him. Her tolerance for sanctimonious claptrap was already quite spent.

“N-no!” shouted the mage after recoiling and coughing from Laciel’s spell. “Stay your hand. Do you not know a surrender when you hear it?”

Undeterred, she threw another.

Ravilien shouten in pain. “Voidcrow! Listen to reason, damn you! I'm beaten; show a shred of compassion for once in your life!”

Compassion was not Laciel’s strong suit. Throwing fireballs was, however, and she was in more of a mood for that, so one more fireball it was.

[“Second Bomb” reaches 2:19 and continues to its end.]

Ravilien, now too badly lacerated and burned to so much as crawl, broke down into hysteria. ”S-spare me! You stand to gain much from staying your hand. Every coin in my vault at the Royal Exchange bank will be yours, but for Light's sake, let me live!”

A contemptuous scowl came to Laciel’s face. “I usually get a kick out of listening to someone beg me for mercy, but... a bribe? You disgust me.” She pointed at the body of Lagara, which lay nearby. “She was the only mortal person ever to earn my full trust. She was patient, and understanding, and intelligent, and confounding, and wonderful.” She began building up a new spell in her hand. “That’s what you owe me. Don't think for one second that you can pay it back with gold!”

Laciel thrust her palm toward the Magister, and a portal opened on the floor directly underneath him. A screaming Ravilien promptly fell in, and disappeared into the darkness below.

Laciel walked up near the rim of the gateway, took out her charcoal pencil and a small piece of parchment, and wrote her signature on the latter.

"Here's your receipt," said Laciel, before dropping the sheet in.