1. Elven Lore

While the group is camped at Namaco, Scolo and perhaps others are interested in the magical lore of the Elves.  Scolo, in particular, has gone in search of magically knowledgeable Elves at the Citadel.

Elves can be very defensive about their magical knowledge.  Their long lives give them perspective- they know how dangerous magic can be when it falls into the wrong hands.  But on the other hand… these are their new allies.  A little sharing might be the proper thing to do, if nothing else than out of proper gratitude.

At first, they share some thoughts about the overall structure of magic.  In the Ardennes, Scolo learns, the Elves have several unique schools of magic.  Not only that, but a lot of the “basic” magic is adapted for the Elven environment.

Some of it is simple.  The Ardennes Elven version of the “Alarm” spell, Scolo learns, creates an alarm that uses a “natural” sound to alert the Elves- the howl of a wolf or the honking of geese, for example.

They are very opposed in general to fire magic.  This makes sense, living in a forest that is a sacred  place to them.

Some of their spells can be set to “wait”, in enchanted trees, until activated.  They have a spell that functions much like “Black Tentacles”, but it is cast on a large tree, and uses the roots of the tree.

They have a lot of magic designed to enhance allied animals- and plants.

They are so against the use of fire as a weapon that they have a spell they commonly use specifically designed to create a “fire dampening field”.

Aelasuira though she has many demands on her time will hardly  miss the chance to meet the riverlights and talk with the elvish people here. She takes joy in learning their ways and perhaps with a little look making a few new friends. While the various races of elves share a lot in common there is still much they can learn from each other and she knows it!

"It is a honor to learn from and the ways of the Ardennes elves. I wish to take that learning back to the elves of Geneva. Not just your magic but your culture if I can. Theo has been taught by unicorns I would like to also share you ways of protecting the forest with him so that he and his people can do so better. We are living with the hybisil and the centuar folk as well so you would get a chance to meet them and perhaps learn from them as well if you decide to go so far as to visit our home."

"Perhaps if you come with us you will get a chance to learn from the Unicorns, I also will ask my father to open the libraries of Geneva to you if you are willing to come with us to teach on our journey. I will be happy to teach you in return. Scolo while very eccentric has done much good in recent times. I believe your teachings would be a good influence on him if your willing to teach him. In addition I would like to open up trade of goods between Theo's kingdom and perhaps the Geneva elves or expand it if it's already under way. That's another conversation though I think."

She thought the trade of culture/items, food, wine and other useful things would help all of their peoples. It was a excellent opportunity she thought to expand her horizons and strengthen the ties between her people and the elves of the Ardennes. Perhaps all of the mark if she was lucky.

OOC: Wow I am lucky today. Natural twenty on the dice roller. Total diplomacy roll= 25

When the queen says such nice things Scolo blushes - He tries to say something bashful and modest but it doesn't come out right. What he said was "I'm about as good as sheep parts in the 90s" it's an obscure reference to the booming business on intestines during a promiscuous decade for Gauls but condom jokes just don't resonate with elves, and it wasn't funny anyway.
Edgar pipes in to be helpful.
"Master Scolo means, if he is not always good at least he can be useful" again the reception is flat. But even if they don't start off right Scolo and Edgar eventually relax and enjoy a raucous conversation through the night.

Later, when discussing schools of magic.
Hmmmm parsnips and radishes. Scolo says with interests as he learns about new and fascinating schools of magic. His mind is racing and he shares his knowledge of elven lore and the interactions he's discovered through his side readings in the past.
oooh yes. I believe it was Jestanides who came to the understanding of Ley transsubstantiation after eliminating the Savoi threat in the Alps for his cousin Festinides. How now? And so the roots of your animation school are truly connected with the unsane realm in an epistemological tradition. See here I have this spell I've been working on, Wall of Fish. I haven't quite mastered it but surely if you look at the flux Patterns in the structure you can see your own animalistic underpinnings. It's what keeps the fish alive in any environment! Ha ha!

The wizard is truly enjoying his time with the elves in the recounting of magic and lore. And he shares freely with them his cosmology and insights into the Hun mindset.

Oh stop the kidneys! That reminds me. - come out come out we need to relieve the poor nag!
He shouts leading some of the wizards outside, it would be understandable if they are a little nervous from his choice of words.
But outside they will discover the poor warhorse carrying the iron warrior shell. Scolo magically causes the ties to untie and pushes the shell down then a wave of comforting cleanliness is sent over the horse.
So sorry lady
He says to her then to the others.

Look at this - it's an armor shell that they use for their warriors like a powerful suit of armor, iron - it is an energy sink for the arcane and inside would be the inhabited quickiron. Mmmhmmmm yes yes. Here I have some in my bags.

Anyway I wonder ... Just wonder ... Do you think maybe there is some way to animate it? Maybe not directly, I was thinking an unseen servant, could we put one inside? Would it be able to move the armor? Would it be able to control quickiron? It would not have to fight like the demonic spirits they use, just walk around and we could use it maybe, like a joke or a prank - to confuse the Huns hmmm?

It would be an applefrank hurricane!

Triumphantly he listens to their ideas. If they don't figure out a way to use the shell he will leave it with them, or destroy it. He will spend as much time as they have in discussion. He'll share lore, ideas, he'll sit for hours looking through his portal and wonder over a long pipe and a glass of wine.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:53, Tue 15 Jan 2013.

Aelasuria applies herself to the recruiting of Elven mages who might want to share a secret or two while traveling on the Swan Boats.  Her diplomacy succeeds, and as a result, it is Ylassi Riverlight, Marquessa of the Fourth Mark, who invites herself along to travel with them.  She admits to being “something” of a wizard- many of the prominent noble Elves are.  A wizard, but most of her magic involves animals and their life energies- Elven magic often seems to combine classical Arcane theory with spell types that are more commonly thought to be the devotion of Druids.


Marquessa Ylassi is around for Scolo's odd dissertation as well.  At first, she does her best to understand.

"Spells for... for vegetables?  I suppose, yes, there is Elven magic that supports our gardens.  It is a slow kind of magic."

But he rambles on.  She tries to keep up.

"For fish to breath air?  I don't understand.  A spell which is for aquatic creatures?  Like Nixies?  But Nixies can emerge from their water.  What does the spell do, then?"

It is Melissa who intervenes, grabbing Scolo's arm.  "He sees things in unusual ways," she explains.  "He believes that it opens him up to new discovery."

Ylassi is not entirely convinced, but let's it go at that.

She is not familiar with possession and things like that.  Elves tend to avoid "creepy" magic.

But she knows many spells, and brings along an old book, so she can hopefully find something helpful to teach.

And then, realizes... there is something, maybe, related to possession.


She volunteers to show them a spell that can tap into the spirit of a living creature, storing a little of it, so that it can be later used to empower a “shadow” version of that creature.  This creates something like Shadow Conjuration, but more powerful- but also taking more advance planning.

"I have drawn spirit energy from one of their warbeasts," she says.  "Now I can make my own.  Of course, you will have to learn much to use such a large creature, but one must begin to begin, yes?"

"Scolo definitely uses magic in very unconventional ways. I think he likes your tree version of Evards black tentacles. Which is likely what lead to his wall of fish spell which I suppose is a substitute for wall of ice or stone."

Listening to him talking about animating the armor she pauses thinking. "Scolo isn't there a magic that animates armor to fight for you. I believe it's a guardian or sentinel spell of some sort. They don't leave a set location though what your talking about sounds more like a version of a Golem.  I would have to ask father about it though."

"Regarding gardens Ylassi you should meet Apple blossom. She's a centaur who loves to garden. I guarantee you she would be interested in any knowledge regarding that. I am interested in your fire suppression magic. Also I love the idea of tapping into the spirit of a living creature to create a shadow version to fight for us. I will be happy to learn that if it's what you wish to teach. Thank you very much for teaching us."

Hmmm
Scolo looks at Melissa kindly, glad she is not still mad, but he does not remember what it had been about.
To the Marquessa he says
Oh no no no .... Mmmmm ... It's a wall spell, like wall of fire, wall of wind. Only it's fish, but live fish and biting. Look look you will see.
 
He shares the spell from his spellbook in case she can understand it.

As to learning spells, Scolo shows less interest in the shadow spell, or the tentacles.

Here you like tentacles? once you go pink throw the rest in the sink! Let's see what's in the book eh? Maybe there is something sparkly

He shares pink tentacles if she can read it.

Aelasuria is of course cautious when it comes to reading let alone learning magic from Scolo's book. Still she's always warm and friendly wanting Scolo to always feel welcome. Briefly she whispers to Ylassi as she needs to know.


She peruses the spells looking them over with a nod. "Thank you Scolo. It's very generous of you to share these."

OOC: The pink tentacles one is cute. It made me laugh at the orcs reaction to it. ^_^ Although if it's from your unsane school I probably can't cast it. lol

During the boat voyage, Ylassi has a couple of days to talk magic with Aelasuria and Scolo.. although some of Scolo's views on magic are unsettling to the Elven Marquessa.  Melissa is usually around to tap Scolo on the arm when he's going too far over the edge of reason.

She considers defense against fire very important, and is glad that Aelasuria wants to learn this.  Fire is a great danger to people that live in the forest.  Elves tend not to use fiery magic themselves, and to combat it, they've learned several unique spells.

Ylassi teaches this one to both Scolo and Aelasuria.  She explains how each style of "Evocation" spells- spells that call some force into existence- has an opposing Abjuration- the magic that banishes that force.  So there is something like an inverse fireball.  Not a "frostball"... a spell that negates the power of elemental fire.  It is shorter ranged than the fireball, but it lasts longer- this was intentional.  The spell designer wanted something that could be used defensively.

Sphere of Flame Abjuration.

Abjuration [Fire]
Level: Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Area: 20-ft.-radius spread
Duration: 10 rounds plus one round per level.
Saving Throw: Reflex half  (Fire Elemental types only, see below)
Spell Resistance: Yes  (Fire Elemental types only, see below.)

This creates a spherical zone in which the Element of Fire is Abjured.  It appears as a sphere of gray mist, and it has a damp chill, but causes no cold damage.

The damage of all fires, magic or otherwise, in the area of effect is reduced by 1d6 per level of caster greater than 1.  If this produces a number higher than the damage of the fire, the flame is snuffed out entirely.  If the flame is magic and permanent, it will relight 1d10 rounds after leaving the sphere.

This effect works on breath weapons as well- If a young red dragon breathes its 6d10 breath weapon into a sphere of abjuration cast by a 7th level wizard, the damage becomes 6d10 less 6d6- BEFORE saving throw adjustments.

Magic weapons are a special case- the abjuration can suppress the flame of magic flaming weapons, but in this case, the reduction is 1d6 per THREE levels of caster.  So, a level 5 caster will Abjur the flame bonus of 2d6.

The abjuration of flame hits creatures made of flame (Fire Elementals, and similar creatures) as if they were normal creatures being hit with a fireball- 1d6 per level, save and resistance apply.  But, this is only for the first round they are in contact with the Abjuration.

The spell is powerful, but it has a weakness- it is immobile.  Thus, the Elves generally employ it defensively.  A caster positioned to the rear is often able to cast it upon allies up front who are about to be hit by a magical attack.  It can also be used to breach flame defenses like Wall of Fire and similar spells.
* * * * * * *

Scolo has a little more research time available.  He is going to get one additional spell.

* * * * * * *

Scolo and his Quick Iron:

The Elves are cautious about this stuff.  After all, Scolo retrieved it from what were more or less Anti-Elf constructs.  On the other hand, they are always curious about magic.

Perhaps if Scolo could provide them with a small sample?  For research?  If it is something they can use safely, they would trade for it.

"Hmmmm... Yes O my that's just a bit chilly isn't it - so it jallups the fires, well maybe I will use it yes, yes, I will."

Scolo practices by making fire retardant areas around the camp and then lighting a piece of fruit on fire and moving it in and out of the no fire zone while he makes wishing noises.

He smiles brightly when Aelessuria says nice things about his spells - and intimates to Ylassi

"It's especially effective with Orcs because of the smily faces, and flowers - and they are indeed ticklish " he chuckles with a hint of mania.

He practically glows having Melissa around so much, this good guy thing really is more fun Scolo decides. So he is in a remarkably cheerful mood when showing off the properties of quick iron.

He shows the way quickiron can move with mental intent and how easy it is to sculpt. He shows them his own bracers of armor that crawl up and down under his sleeves so as to not make him sweat and get stinky and his man bag that can become an iron club or flail at will.

"You want to study some? HMMMM and trade? well, here how about oh 400 lbs of it whoo hoo! and what do I want? good food, really yummy stuffs and, and a newt that looks around and is well trained and ... a flyi-"

Though very happy, something about the grand wizard seems off and Edgar intervenes.

Yes, yes - but Master, you do recall your plan?

The pseudopod flys close looking more like a bird, perhaps even a raven than ever before. He speaks with confidence and comfort.

Scolo looks "My plan?"

Yes sir, you intended to spread it around with bubbles, as a way to get more business after the war...

Oh My, yes - that's a good plan

Excellent plan, Master - but it may take time ...
One benefit, besides advertizing would be to inform the emperor the iron warriors were destroyed with your help ... of course that might also be a drawback but we can work with it. But what if, master - you did just leave all the quickiron here?

How would we build our next mining business?

Edgar then focuses on the Elves ...

You see, friends - Quick iron is very special - as you have seen. But rare and it takes a great deal of effort to mine. What you have before you is 1 tenth of the entire world supply. And my master was hoping to re-engage the development of quickiron technologies to support his tower.

It's nuggat Edgar..

Then, Master - you mean to give this as a gift?

Yes yes, little cat - were on the same side eh.

Edgar nods,
It is good, the Elves of the Ardennes are known for their gifts I hope all are happy in the end. Besides food, you will need a way to support yourself master, perhaps with your Alchemy? A nice tent maybe - where you can cook and work, that folds up for travel. Some supplies would help as well, supplies for war, The Elves are known for special ammunition.

Oh califragilisty that's an idea! Do you have such things? Alchemy labs that can easily be moved about? and would a Newt be comfortable you think? And maybe it would have burners for cooking he heee!
This message was last edited by the player at 20:47, Mon 21 Jan 2013.

Scolo has some more time to talk with the Elves about magic than Aelasuria does.  They talk about magic metals, and forges for working it.

The Elves have nothing like a portable forge, in fact, they have very few forges as it is.

Scolo acquires the Ray of Enfeeblement from them.

The Elves are also of very mixed emotions as to this “gift” of quick iron.  Sure, it’s magical, but isn’t it kind of evil?  Wasn’t it being used in magical constructs trying to kill them?

They are extremely cautious over this.

Evil? Not a chance!
Quickiron is beautiful! It is stuff of the first world, the chaos that will eventually form our world.

Yes you can use it for constructs, if you are simple minded. But Evil is as evil does. Give an evil spirit the power of quickiron and it is more powerful. Give that same power to an elf spirit or a dancer? You will be amazed!

But - nevermind - if you don't want it I will give it to others, a man must make his living...

Edgar speaks to the elves as Scolo begins to pack -

It has been lovely ladies and gentlemen. Dear Scolo does enjoy your company so few can understand. But I dare say I'm surprised you wouldn't wish to keep this precious stuff. of course one can understand since it was used to make a weapon against you, one might imagine understanding its properties to be of high value.

It would be nice to at least get my master something to focus his time, if only an alchemy lab and some components... Perhaps with a few scrolls, an unseen crafter is nice....

Say are there any cities on the way east? Or wizards who would like to trade?

Master, are there any tricks you wish to tell them, before we go? Since they will not have the quickiron to study, how should they destroy future Iron warriors?

Hmmm? Oh brute force works ... Or ... You can banish the spirit in the quickiron, it will be from another plane - or attack its mental power with um what was it ?  Touch of Idiocy yes, that worked and doom and stiffen quick iron!

I know we have already been helpful, and you are great and powerful wizards...but would you like a scroll before we go? It is getting late ...

Scolo plays with the huge pile of quickiron, sculpting a model of his twisted leaning tower with his mind. He giggles at it and a little Scolo in the window giggles back.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Thu 24 Jan 2013.

The Elves had expressed some cautious curiosity about the Quick Iron, but at the moment, nothing more than that.  THey are not quite sure they want it.

They are also not sure about Scolo's claim to it.  As far as they know, it was collected from the battlefield- something like that, they feel, is the sort of thing Theoderic and Aelasuria would want to discuss.  The Elves don't approve of the "whatever you grab is yours" system.  A trophy, here and there, certainly, but something like this... they are suspicious of.

After offering a gift and getting such a strange reaction, scolo spends the rest of his time making tiny magical bubbles, birds, kites and butterflies each with a tiny piece of quick iron and has them fly away randomly. Each will have a flight time of roughly 8 hours.

The Elves- and by Elves it means the Riverlights, who have taken a direct interest in the wizardry Scolo brings to their mark, simply cannot come to terms with keeping any more than a small sample of the Quick Iron here.

But before Scolo leaves, they share something of use:  They know who would want the stuff.

"If you are going east, you will be passing Lucimburic, or near it," Koniel Riverlight says.  "In Lucimburic, the wizards are Were-Owls.  You will find them at a place they call the Tower of High Arts.  They have a passion for... unusual things.  And they are known to be traders of magic goods, from time to time.  They might offer a bounty for this strange substance.  There are a few... Seek out Horthello, if you can.  I remember him, and he has an insatiable curiosity.  Tell him I said so."

He says this quietly, and with a little hesitance.  Melissa later informs Scolo that the Elves have always been a little suspicious of the werefolk, seeing them as wild and inherently uncivilized.

ohhh... Owls yes, ... Scolo is distracted by pulling at the quick iron and forming it into a giant ball that he can push more easily with a constant mage hand, it works best when the ball has subtle ridges making an axis that keeps it from changing direction. It comes out as a somewhat symmetrical pair of cones with a nice flat middle, it is in fact very efficient as the mage hand can apply pressure, accelerating or braking to the conical tips for turning.

Edgar uses his best manners.

Master Wizard, Konial - we do hope you will use this to better understand your foe, we leave also this intact suit of iron warrior armored shell and Scolo's recommendations for how to destroy future attackers, they will be improved no doubt but the same core strenghths and weaknesses should be there.

At the familiar's instance The Riverlights are given 50 lbs of quickiron because 'you might need a little more'.

Edgar then begins to harass his master with pleas and admonitions until the wizard finally writes down in his To Do list. It's hard to make him focus because he's got the conical quickiron zipping around the Elven meadow like a remote controlled dune buggy, a 500lb R/C buggy by the time both horse and mule are unloaded.

Scolo had managed to let loose 87 (44 lbs) little quickiron calling cards on balloons of a master prestidigitator. They fly up high into the sky on prevailing winds and will come down in 8 hours. But he got bored with the idea and forgot it altogether while making the ball. As the morning goes on his sanity fades, spell work, the battle, and the confusion with the elves have gotten the best of Scolo.

Remarkably he gets the quickiron on board the ship by molding a tall tower that falls over to the boat, then the quickiron is shifted into a puddle and then molded into a box on the bow, and Edgar is sure that the words

Go to Lucemburic, meat with Ware-Owl, Horthello, tell him Korniel Riverlight sent me to trade quickiron

are inscribed in the To Do list to activate when 30 to 50 miles from Lucimburic before Edgar allows Scolo to hang upside down from the stern and make the fish fly down.

He is found that way, sleeping it off by the early crew.

ohhh... Owls yes, ... Scolo is distracted by pulling at the quick iron and forming it into a giant ball that he can push more easily with a constant mage hand, it works best when the ball has subtle ridges making an axis that keeps it from changing direction. It comes out as a somewhat symmetrical pair of cones with a nice flat middle, it is in fact very efficient as the mage hand can apply pressure, accelerating or braking to the conical tips for turning.

Edgar uses his best manners.

Master Wizard, Konial - we do hope you will use this to better understand your foe, we leave also this intact suit of iron warrior armored shell and Scolo's recommendations for how to destroy future attackers, they will be improved no doubt but the same core strenghths and weaknesses should be there.

At the familiar's instance The Riverlights are given 50 lbs of quickiron because 'you might need a little more'.

Edgar then begins to harass his master with pleas and admonitions until the wizard finally writes down in his To Do list. It's hard to make him focus because he's got the conical quickiron zipping around the Elven meadow like a remote controlled dune buggy, a 500lb R/C buggy by the time both horse and mule are unloaded.

Scolo had managed to let loose 87 (44 lbs) little quickiron calling cards on balloons of a master prestidigitator. They fly up high into the sky on prevailing winds and will come down in 8 hours. But he got bored with the idea and forgot it altogether while making the ball. As the morning goes on his sanity fades, spell work, the battle, and the confusion with the elves have gotten the best of Scolo.

Remarkably he gets the quickiron on board the ship by molding a tall tower that falls over to the boat, then the quickiron is shifted into a puddle and then molded into a box on the bow, and Edgar is sure that the words

Go to Lucemburic, meat with Ware-Owl, Horthello, tell him Korniel Riverlight sent me to trade quickiron

are inscribed in the To Do list to activate when 30 to 50 miles from Lucimburic before Edgar allows Scolo to hang upside down from the stern and make the fish fly down.

He is found that way, sleeping it off by the early crew.