((ooc: This thread is for the on-going apprenticeship and training of Kora.))

Corym holds his spell book to give context to his words--"Kora, come along."  He begins walking to the edge of the camp, as is his habit when memorizing spells for the day.

Once sufficiently separate from the group to ensure a modicum of privacy, he sits and begins to prepare his personal area for the memorization of spells.  While he does this he begins talking.

"I have been considering initiating your training. How best to go about it, that is.  Among my people you would have received a different training than the one you seek.  Your body, mind, and soul are talented--you almost certainly would be discouraged from studying a single skill set. While your initial gains would be easy, over the span of your life you would become unsatisfied--bored with yourself, and ultimately prevented from attaining your own full potential."

He looks up from his preparations to meet her eyes.

"Unfortunately, mixed training has never proven to be possible with humans.   The reasons provided are varied, offensive, and range from the plausible to the preposterous."

He sighs, wearily.

"However, I understand that from time to time humans may switch to a new set of skills after having acquired a previous one.  The second set of skills always grow to exceed the former, but the former are never really abandoned.  It is this that I propose to engage your talents in."

"The life of a wizard is dangerous because it leaves our bodies frail, and because so many wizards are wholly reliant on magic as their sole form of defense.  This is similarly true of a noblewoman who fundamentally entrusts her protection to others while never developing the physicality and endurance to survive threats when they are arrayed against her.

"I propose that we train you first as a warrior.  Your arms may never be sufficient to take up a lance or two-handed sword--but your body will strengthen, and we can procure for you teachers that can train you in the use of weapons.  Indeed there are many here available to us.  We can even arrange a higher degree of training in Berdusk once we arrive so that in skill, if not in strength, you would be  a match for Yurkal."

"Thereafter--possibly as early as next year we could begin your magical training having made certain to have created a foundation that will bolster your weaknesses both now and in the future.  How does my suggestion sound to you?"

Kora is clearly taken somewhat aback. "A... a warrior? But I want to be a wizard! I can feel the magic in my blood, singing to me, calling to me. Anyone can swing a sword. We have plenty back home, including my oh-so-righteous brother. Being a wizard is special."

She hesitates, then adds, "I would really enjoy beating up Yurkal, though."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:28, Sat 09 July 2016.

"It is your choice.  You have asked to be my apprentice, and I cannot teach you to be a warrior. What I know is this--neither my family nor the academy would consign such a talented young woman to one great path when she could easily adopt two.  Remember, it was not my skill as a wizard alone that allowed Karilla and I to disable most of the denizens of the cave before the rest of the party arrived. At the start of your magical career, you will be able to cast only a single spell.  Just one!  How many of our battles have been so brief?  Would you not have something else to contribute, or will you cast your missile and then go sit on your horse until the rest of us finish?"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:33, Fri 10 June 2016.

"You can't be a special wizard if you can't stay alive long enough to make a name for yourself. From a distance, a mage is your worst nightmare but if you come across a particularly stubborn creature, like a dwarf, that shakes off your magic, how will you defend yourself? Spell casting takes time and focus in the face of gruesome death and you are still too green in combat, magic or melee, to rely solely on your casting.

I can help with the fighting aspect of your training. I know that bashing something with a sword can seem a little dull but it has come in handy more than once. Honestly, there is something deeply cathartic about bashing your enemy into a bloody pulp. Karilla gave the young women a moment to let her words sink in.

"So, what are your thoughts, Kora?"

"But I want to be a wizard now," Kora sighs. It's clear from her tone that she knows exactly how petulant that sounds. She sighs again. "But you're the ones I picked to teach me. I suppose I should listen to your advice."

She thinks for another long moment before finally nodded. "Alright. Let's do it. But I want to fight with something big and intimidating." She grins. "If I hit someone over the head, I want them to know it."
This message was last updated by the player at 16:28, Sat 09 July 2016.

"Like a spiked club?"

Kora sniffs. "Any idiot can bash someone with a club. If I'm going to be swinging things, they should be mighty." She grins at the two of you. "Like one of those giant swords the Uthgardt use. Something that could cleave Yurkal's horse in twain. That would be great!"

She seems to be warming to the idea.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:29, Sat 09 July 2016.

In reply to Kora Roustinghorn (msg # 8):

Corym ignored Kora's exuberance and began to engage her thinking. "At some point you're going to have a very public life to lead.  The head of a house.  You'll be required to be in public and in doing so expose yourself to danger.  What weapon will forty-year-old Kora Roustinghorn wear at her side or have borne by an attendant? If I knew a Shou master of the empty-hand I'd have you trained immediately. I've always thought that such techniques might have interesting applications in touch-based spells."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:28, Fri 15 July 2016.

"The weapon I've made so fearsome in my youth that none would want to stand against me," Kora replies. "Defeat them in their mind from the start, and their body will soon follow."

After a moment's thought she adds, "And a dagger. In case they get in close."

"I would go with the classic stiletto. That way, with the proper sheaths, your hair pieces can be ready and very unassuming weapons. Also, very few people would think to be wary of your hair clips. That can prove vital in a fight."

"Ooo! I like that! It would almost make up for having to get dressed up in something fancy and enduring maids attacking my hair."
This message was last updated by the player at 17:21, Sun 31 July 2016.

"You have the dexterity to be an excellent knife thrower. Also, if you are looking for lasting fear, nothing beats a sudden and mysterious end. Its very difficult to throw a great sword with any accuracy. Not to mention how slow it is. Prove yourself to be fearsome from a distance and up close. It will keep your enemies on their toes."

"Carry the great Sword for threat, a stillettoe for the defence and the magic for the effect."

"Besides, if you also carry the greatsword, and develop a reputation for carrying it, people will think it easy to determine whether you are armed or unarmed." Corym kicks a catch on the heel of his boot, and a blade springs forth from the toe.  He winks and puts a finger to his nose, "I like surprises."

Hearing Corym kick something and a small click, Krackor looks over as Corym mentions surprises.

Winking with a big beaming smile of approval.

"I like to know when those I fight with have 'special surprises', makes guarding them less of an urgency"

Karilla smirked at Krackor.

"Just wait until we get a group who wants to pick a fight with us. I have a lovely surprise for them. Just as long as none of ours wants to jump straight into the fray."

"Ooo! Tell me! Tell me! I love surprises!" Kora is nearly bouncing on the balls of her feet in her excitement.
This message was last updated by the player at 12:06, Thu 18 Aug 2016.

Karilla couldn't help but keep her on tender hooks.

"Good things come to an apprentice who can wait. It will help prove to me that you won't blow yourself up in the future."

"But explosions are so fun!" Kora giggles. "Especially when they blacken your cousin's pretty face. I should know."
This message was last updated by the player at 12:06, Thu 18 Aug 2016.

Karilla raised an eyebrow at her statement.

"You blew up your cousin?"

"She blew herself up," Kora said. "Elzbette had all of these expensive perfumes that she just loved, and she though that if they smelled good in isolation, they must have been even better together."

She grinned. "Apparently, not all perfumes are meant to be mixed. Another reason I never wear the stuff. Elzbette's face was covered in soot, and she reeked for a tenday. I fell off my chair laughing. It was the most fun I had all winter."
This message was last updated by the player at 12:06, Thu 18 Aug 2016.

"A good sidearm is an excellent choice,"  Teg said as he practiced folding and unfolding his buckle knife, "but take it from some one who wished they could have gotten by with only a bow and a knife like the old days just hunting and fishing; sometimes it's better to have something heftier to show you mean business and sometimes to actually go about that business. Ogres and trolls think of stiletto stings as tickles even as they're considering whether they want to cook you for dinner tonight or snack on your raw right now."

"Kora does have a point, sometimes a proper sized weapon does speak for itself. Doesn't have to be a vicious barbarian's sword or one of the big two-handers favored by the Tormites knights." Taeghen held up one of the sabers left by their former companion. "Bear with me on this, Kora, and don't mind who held these before. Since they'll otherwise go into the ground with their former owner, consider these sabers. Not too big, not too small, yet these feel like they cut well. Could be handy even on horseback. They don't look out of place in a city or while holding court. I've seen fencing masters who master these and similar weapons with relative ease. These can be used alone, with a buckler, or paired with another weapon, which if you're as deft as Karilla says, you should have no problem doing well with a bit of training. Those duelists I've seen can easily switched between weapons and styles of this sort as easily as shifting a stance.

In reply to Taeghen Mournsen (msg # 23):

Listening to Teg speak of the sabres reminded him of some of the humans who guarded the caravans.

"Kora, as much as it pains me to see you don't have a battle axe, I have seen those kinds of weapons, the sabres, being wielded more effectively that a great Sword or long Sword, they flash through the air quite well. Don't have the impact of an axe so you need more hits when taking out an ogre, but you have the stature for any of these weapons. Personal preference"

Kora shook her head. "No. And not because I didn't like their owner. They're a weapon for cavalry. That's my brother, not me. I'll stick with the sword that can take off the horse's head." She grinned. "And if I want to ride something later, I'll find a dragon."
This message was last updated by the player at 12:05, Thu 18 Aug 2016.

I like the way you think there. Look at the big possibilities. What type of dragon would you prefer as I hear each type is specific to a colour and temperament?

The cheerful Dwarf couldn't help but like this human child, it was a refreshing change to hear of grandiose dreams like ones he had had not long ago. They were drilled out of the priests but also explained as Gorms encouragements.

"Oh, I haven't decided," Kora says with an airy wave. "It seemed a bit presumptuous of me. After all, the dragon would have an opinion too. I'll wait for the opportunity to arise, and then turn on the charm."

In reply to Kora Roustinghorn (msg # 27):

Krackor bursts out laughing then restrains himself.

"A horde of something shiny would probably help in your dragon hunt. The trick is to find one who won't eat you for it."

Your morning day in Berdusk, Kora wanders off on her own, saying she has things she needs to take care of. She reappears just before noon, carrying a pair of massive two handed swords. She has one resting on each shoulder, the points bobbing in time with her steps like a pair of metallic antennae. "Hi! Look what I found at the weaponsmith! One for practice, one we can sharpen and use to decapitate horses. So, who's up first?" She giggles.
This message was last updated by the player at 11:41, Sat 07 Jan 2017.

In reply to Kora Roustinghorn (msg # 30):

Krackor liked this human, Kora,  she was a breath of fresh air and seemed to have an attitude like his, cheery and open to possibilities, although his own was honed so he knew what could happen at any moment. A life of dedication and commitment has seen to that.

"Kora, if you wish to learn how to use them properly, start with a smaller heavy weapon to build strength so you can handle them, then when you've learnt, Unless others are teaching you, I'll teach you how to use them with a blindfold on, for times when no light is available. I've learnt how to teach any cleaving or crushing weapon as part of my training, it has meant not being able to learn blades as yet, but there is time."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:31, Sat 07 Jan 2017.

Corym looks outside the window from his negotiation with the Oghmyte.  "Ah.  My apprentice."   He gestures for Bransuldyn to look. "Fine potential. I've decided to train her body first and then, as so many humans do, change course to the practice of magic.  She insists on learning a barbarian's sword and seems to have purchased her first practice set."

Corym sniffs dismissively.

"She knows not the work of a fighter-mage, and I cannot teach her the Bladesong.  Her hands must be empty to cast spells.  This is why I brought her to your temple.  To learn the power of her body and make her realize that she is a weapon.  There are a number of powerful magicks that require touching the target to deliver.  Most mages are too frail to attempt them. But if one could wrestle like a follower of the Binder!"

A mischievous grin spreads over his face.

"Could I let her begin her lessons with the sword, and your priests could take it away from her and show her how useless it is in her hands?  She would have to put the sword down and learn to wrestle to defend herself against a skilled wrestler."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 15:40, Mon 16 Jan 2017.

Bransuldyn grins. "I can think of several priests who would enjoy such a challenge. A mighty weapon is only mighty if you know how to use it. That goes for words as well. Do you think she knows how to debate?"

And for the rest of the day, a succession of Oghmanite priests and lay brothers proceed to prove him right. Kora is at first reluctant to come at people with her massive sword, since they haven't done anything to annoy her. But a few teasing remarks from Bransuldyn gets her moving forward.

And very quickly moving downward, or flying in a direction she had no intention of going. She loses her greatsword in every unarmed disarm you've ever seen, and a few that you haven't. Kora starts out surprised, which shifts quickly to annoyed and even quicker to angry. For about a bell in the middle of the day she's coming after Bransuldyn's people with true, violent intent, and is losing her sword even faster for it.

Fortunately, Kora is a very bright young woman, and she soon figures out what the priests are trying to tell her. Of course, it helps that each time they pin her, they don't let her up until she explains what exactly she did wrong that time. To her credit, she never says a variation on, "Because I came at a priest of Oghma with a sword."

By the end of the day she's happily flinging herself at the priests. She's not coming close to holding her own, but she has at least gotten a basic grasp of several holds.

"That was fun! So now you're going to be training me with the sword, right?"

Corym replies aloofly, "Those that question their training only train themselves at asking questions."  He lets that statement hand in the air a bit before continuing.

"The goal of the warrior training is to strengthen your body and grant you defenses.  This training accomplishes both simultaneously. It's efficient.  Moreover it is rare, which makes it valuable. And unlike the sword it can only be learned here."

Corym taps the top of his goblet of wine pensively.

  Every warrior must learn more than one weapon. Be diligent in this study, and I promise to find you the most brutally skilled master of the great sword you can imagine. And thereafter, the Art."

"Ah, but those who speak only in too-clever riddles do nothing more than sow disciple discontent," Kora says with a grin. "Besides, I have often been told that the only stupid question is the one you don't ask, and that if you do not ask for something, you will never get it. So I can match you for bland cliches."

She sighs, and shrugs. "Very well. I'll let the priests keep throwing me around."

And so she does, dutifully showing up at the temple every day, and training with you when the priests are not available. At least until Lexanna heads to Asbravn. Then she insists on coming along. "Friends are more important than training," she says, her jaw thrust out slightly.

Corym sniffs dismissively, "Incorrect, but as it happens, I was planning on accompanying our companions. I'll be happy to help you continue your training on the way.  I've inquired with your instructors, and they have given me the forms that I am to see you practice each morning and evening.  I'm certain that Obar and Krackor will oblige. Additionally, you are only to ride half of the time.  They say you're winded too easily and steady cross country striding will build your stamina."

Anticipating the almost certain balking, Corym continues on.

"The City of a Thousand Spires may possess a swordmaster suitable for you.  The question is whether you will be ready for them.  The key to mastery of the great sword is wrists and shoulders.  Wrists to hold the blade firm.  Shoulders to maneuver it.  In time your wrestling would prepare you, but you're eager to be on to your study of magic and so I am prepared to accelerate." Corym pauses as if remembering something forgotten,  "If that is still your desire?"

Assuming that the answer is yes, Corym continues on.

"Students at the academy study the Bladesong from birth to learn to cast spells one-handed with a sword wielded in the other.  Not only do we not have years, neither of your masters have ever studied the Bladesong.  And so we craft the old anew! Someone had to have invented it in the first place after all!"

"When in the midst of your magic, you will be all but defenseless--your hands must be empty.  But already we begin working around the problem. Because of your Oghmyte training, your hands are weapons.  More importantly, so are your legs.  You will be able defend yourself even when you are in your magic.  Consider holding an enemy hostage between interlocked thighs while you summon up the Shocking Grasp to deliver the final stroke! But unlike most wizards, both the spell and the hand shall harm!"  The elf is clearly getting excited--it's clear why Corym focuses on engineering and architecture.  He loves design. "But you insist on a sword.  And the sword cannot be separate from the whole it must be integrated.  It must be sheathed when casting, but quick to draw and quick to return to the scabbard.  Draw, strike, sheathe--one movement."

The elf laughs nervously, realizing he got a bit too excited and banishes the thoughts with a wave of the hand.  "That all still belongs to tomorrow.  Today, we strengthen wrists and shoulders."  He leads Kora to where he has placed two fist sized stones. "We're going to have to get you some gloves. You'll be carrying the stones while you ride--you can guide your horse with your knees. When your hands and wrists are too tired, you can take a break from them and run."

     Karilla listened to Coyrm's instructions to the apprentice intently and agreed with his training strategy. She shook her head slightly wondering why Kora wanted to wield such a cumbersome weapon.

     She conceeded to the fact that it would but helpful if they needed to take down mounted riders, but Karilla would rather dismount the rider by bow and steal the horse rather than cleaving the poor beast in twain. She wondered if Kora had considered this when reflecting on how Kora reacted to their horses eaten by ghouls outside the drow cavern.

     The human girl was stubborn, as many of her kind are, and it would be best to let her come to her own conclusions about the weapon best suited for her.

On hearing that Kora is also going along and Corym asking him to help in her training, specifically strength training, Krackor chuckle.

Remember my axe when we first met, how heavy it felt, feel it now, it is no different to any other axe, I think a plane shaft should do the trick, I shall acquire one before we leave

Getting an axe shaft<can be used as a club), he gets Kora's name engraved on it "Kora, 'Mistress lightbearer'" and a hole through one end with what appears to be an eye mask set so it can spin with two plates that look like they could be lowered to seal the hole completely (eyes 'holes are actually metal).  It wasn't a heavy stick, but it will appear to be.

ooc: At some point after presenting the stick to Kora, Krackor will take it back one night and cast "Weight Chest" (first level spell lasts day/level).  Makes the item appear to be 1+d4 times the handlers own weight.  He will also cast Continual Light on the metal eye holes of the mask then close the shutters to block out the light.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:09, Mon 06 Feb 2017.

In reply to Krackor Steelfist (msg # 38):

Anything?

Kora is an early riser, and likes to begin the day with physical activity. In Berdusk that usually meant a run through the mostly-empty streets, but she is wise enough not to leave the camp when traveling. You don't see when she first tries to lift the enchanted axe handle, but you certainly see the results.

She walks over to Krackor as he is having morningfeast, a camp axe in one hand and a number of sticks in the other. She tosses the sticks at Krackor's feet. "You shouldn't overload horses like that. They'll get hurt." She then walks away without a word.

Looking at the sticks, you realize that she's chopped the axe handle into ever-smaller halves. Since only one item can contain the weighty chest enchantment, she's turned the haft into many items. The smallest is half the length of your finger.

Ooc: It was mentioned and shown to Kora when handed to her that the item was also a torch.
Breaking the stick would have broken the spell as it was on the whole item. It wouldn't have overloaded the horse as it wasn't handling it.

Krackor has always gotten up with the sky lightening. It will have been then that he cast the spell and gave it to her, so he would have seen and precented her 'damaging it' as he helped her train.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:14, Sat 11 Feb 2017.

((ooc: I went back and checked before I posted, and there's no mention of the item being a torch, or having any enchantment on it. It has "Mistress Lightbearer" on it, and a bit of an odd head, but it's basically just a stick. A stick that is now in several pieces.))

Put in Bold for you.

Krackor would have stopped Kora breaking it
This message was last edited by the player at 23:17, Sat 11 Feb 2017.

((ooc: Okay, my fault. I missed that completely.

But Kora still cuts it into pieces. You have to sleep sometime, and you annoyed her. :) She simply waits until you turn in.))

In reply to DM (msg # 44):

Ooc: thats fair enough. The lessons will be explained to Kora as follows:

"1) Never judge a weapon by how it looks, nor a person. A knife can be as deadly as a Greatsword in the right hands."

"2) Just because something or someone doesn't look strong, doesn't mean they are not, for they may have magic to help them. There are girdles that would help you lift this shaft no matter how strong this spell is at the time."

"3) Learn that it is never wrong to ask for aid, especially when you come across adverse conditions."

"4) Rely on your comrades. You can not lift this at the moment but I can. The magic lasts for days but the lessons take only one if you listen"

"5) Anything can be made into a weapon and anything can be made into a tool"

"6) You are my favourite but don't tell anyone" at which he winks.

"7) This gift is also from my God, which shows he watches all"would have meant to say this but intellect would have said say this afterwards.

If she still wishes to chop it up, he hopes she doesn't damage the 'Torch' part.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:31, Mon 13 Feb 2017.

Kora listens as you explain your reasoning, then glances down at the pile of shaft pieces. "When you say it like that, it sort of makes sense. Before, it just seemed like you were being a jerk. Giving a gift and taking it back in the most annoying way possible."

She hooks a thumb over in the direction of her horse, and where you had placed the staff after enchanting it. "I left the light piece where it lay. You're going to have to be the Lightbearer until the spell wears off."

((ooc: Since you didn't explain before the fact, this conversation happens the morning after Kora went axe-happy. But at least she's no longer angry with you. :) ))

In reply to DM (msg # 46):

Looking down at the pieces, Krackors smile wanes a fraction until Kora speaks.

"I am not angry nor annoyed at this, it shows the lessons learned and a lesson learned is a lesson learned even if drestruction brought it about.

It was wooden for a reason, I shall commission the next in metal and ensure the end is still attached.  Should you decide to follow in the ways of Gorm, I'm sure he won't be disappointed, he would show you these spells."

Walking over to the horse, the priest sees the head part, damaged but still hiding the light.

"Mistress Lightbearer, this is and from now on, will be forever yours. I shall carry it until the magic wears off." He then walks back to Kora with a smile and offers her a rose petal to kiss explaining about the spell used to know when they are in danger as used previously.

ooc:all is good
This message was last edited by the player at 11:54, Wed 22 Feb 2017.

In reply to Krackor Steelfist (msg # 47):

Karilla spotted the splintered club. Karilla unceremoniously took Kora by the arm to talk with her privately. Before Kora had a chance to argue, Karilla laid into her like an angry mother.

"It is disappointing that you let your pride get in the way of your training. Krockor had a clever and useful  way to train your muscles to handle a great sword. If you had been able to carry that club for any significant length of time, it would have made a great sword seem to be a tooth pick in comparison. You were the one who decided on the gargantuan great sword as your preferred weapon and so you must deal with the consequences of that choice.

Before I teach you any spells, I want you to be able to show the patience and diligence of a squire. It will lessen my chances of being blown up since an impatience apprentice will result in loss of limbs or you being transfigured into a talking chicken.

If you want me to be apart of any of your training, you will fix this situation by learning the lesson and asking, kindly, for a second chance. Krackor placed a useful enchantment on the club to truly turn you into 'Mistress Lightbringer.' You should do your best to earn that title instead of being just another foolish human who couldn't swallow her pride to learn a useful lesson." Karilla gave Kora a knowing glare to let her know that the conversation was over until Kora had a chance to think upon what Karilla had said.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:28, Wed 22 Feb 2017.

Kora rolls her eyes. "He played a mean prank by pretending to give a gift that was actually a trap. And I gave it just as much respect as it deserved. I am willing to work. I am willing to listen. This whole idea of training as a warrior before teaching me magic was your idea in the first place, remember? I listened, decided you had a good point, and agreed, even though it meant putting off learning the magic that I really wanted to learn and much more physical work than I expected when I joined you.

"But there are limits. Being an apprentice does not give anyone, even those training you, license to unleash any kind of petty cruelty they find momentarily amusing. And if this group does not understand that, then you are not the people I thought, and I will find others to teach me."
This message was last updated by the player at 15:32, Wed 22 Feb 2017.

ooc: By 'Great Sword', does Kora refer to a Bastard Sword/Claymore (The latter being the former, a greatsword of the Scottish Highlander) or do you mean a Two-handed Sword?

((ooc: I mean a standard two handed sword from the PHB. While I realize that there are number of different "massive two handed swords" down the years in a variety of cultures, they pretty much all fall under the header of "PHB two handed sword" for simplicity's sake.))

Krackor was disappointed in Kora yet amused by her at the same time. He also learnt a lesson, there is more than one way to solve a problem.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:48, Wed 22 Feb 2017.

"Different people understand apprenticeships differently.  Apprenticeships don't even really happen in Evereska anymore with the rise of the Academy.  Well--you might have a noble sponsor who might supplement your lessons, but aside from that--" he ends abruptly.  "My interest is in seeing you develop.  You have raw ability and considerable potential.  But stones don't turn themselves into towers.  Design, intent, and shaping is important.  I feel that Karilla and I are concerned about your choice of sword because it seems an aesthetic decision with little consideration for the practicalities of such a selection."

Harun continued cleaning his wounds as best he could.  His body was covered with scars, large and small.  Most seemed older, faint markings against the more weathered texture of his skin.  He had apparently seen a few battles in his time.

"Well, impressive it is," he said, gesturing to the large sword Kora carried. "It's much like the weapon I first picked out to train with. My choice had a curved blade, though. It did fearsome damage against the larger, more cumbersome opponents I faced but I found it was far less effective when fighting a small, nimble foe.  Thus my teachers taught me to use the right tool for the right job."

Harun finished bandaging himself and began to stiffly pull his armor back on. He winced a few times. "Magic?  That's really impressive.  Have you begun that training yet?"

"No," Kora sighs. Though she seems to make light of basically everything, she's cleaning and caring for her blade with every bit of devotion you're showing. "They keep putting me off. I think they're just doing it to annoy me now."

She slides the clean blade back into its sheath. "There was a Calishite traveling with the group when I first met them. An arrogant, stuck up, jerk, and an idiot to boot. Not a nice person, like you." She hefted the sword onto her shoulder. "I got this so I could chop off his horse's head if he annoyed me."
This message was last updated by the player at 12:15, Fri 06 July 2018.

Corym interjects with a confidence Harun has seldom heard from Corym, “You asked elves to train you, so the training is long and unfamiliar to a human. Being trained in magic solely leaves a being unbalanced—an over developed mind and an under developed body. The hearts of such ones invariably become twisted and their decision making flawed. Like a carpenter whose only tool is a hammer. How will he cut a board?  We’ve had to adapt our training to your situation, true. At this point your body is not strongly enough developed to undertake the mystical arts.”

Smiling, he regards Harun directly. “Perhaps you could help us accelerate Kora’s training. While it is true that we relented on the point of the Barbarian Sword, the training we prescribed was wrestling. As a discipline it strengthens all muscle groups of the body at once, enriches the heart and lungs, develops flexibility and strength of grip—particularly the fingers which are important in the weaving of magic. Most importantly, it ensures that she will never be without a weapon. She received considerable training from the good brothers of the Binder in Berdusk, but requires regular practice to develop the appropriate physicality.”

((From my iPhone. Posting from the doctor’s office))
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:31, Fri 06 July 2018.

Harun grinned at Corym. "I think I understand.  If you want to learn something fast, don't ask an elf to teach you.  But there's a difference between fast and thorough."  He nodded and gave Kora an appraising look. "I'm happy to instruct if she's willing. I have to warn you though.  My methods are faster but significantly harsher.  The arena masters were interested in profit and time was gold.  I will try to alter the training some but I can only teach what I know."

In reply to Harun As-Saif (msg # 57):

Krackor enjoyed hearing of Kora's training, he'd been helping and watching, right now he listened and nodded at the conversations.

As before, with Gorm's grace, I can fill the gaps in training. It's as much about the mind as it is finesse and strength.

Do not worry Harun, Kora is a determined student, isn't that right Mistress Lightbearer?
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 16:21, Fri 06 July 2018.

Kora grins at Harun. "You better believe it. When I want something, I don't give up until I get it." She glances at his wounds and then at the leather armor she's wearing. "And right now I want better armor."

Harun laughed, "I never turn down a chance a better armor.  Given a choice between better armor and better weapons, I take better armor.  Hard to strike a powerful blow if you're dead."

"And yet for a fighting wizard, no armor is possible. Well, the Akh'Velar make a special mail so light it can be worn under the clothes, and given the proper training spell-casting in such armor is possible. I have never, however, heard a human in possession of such armor though, much less mastering the necessary technique. There are, of course, spells one can shield oneself in. I will be preparing one in the morning.  I can prepare another for you if you wish."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:21, Fri 06 July 2018.

"If it would get me out of this sweaty leather that would be amazing." Kora picks at the leather armor with distaste. "At least until Waterdeep. Then I'll find a new way to bake. Thank you."

The spell affords the same degree of protection as a coat of scale mail.  You will not be able to see it or feel it.  It will not encumber you in any way.  It will continue to protect you whether sleeping or waking until you have taken several blows.

"Take him up on that," Harun said as he jerked a thumb in Corym's direction. "Protects like scale but doesn't have to be cleaned and doesn't slow you down.  That's a good deal."

After a morning of working with Talathel, Corym knocks on Kora's door and gathers her to his room with a simple promise: "It's time to start learning magic."

The urbane elf takes off cloak and coat and soft leather boots as he begins to speak. "Magic is a universal language," Corym begins. "Whether the spells are written in Halruaa, Netheril, Evermeet, or Thay, all magic is known and knowable by any that can read its formulations.  That is not, to say, however, that magical knowledge is omnipresent, or that the matter of recording it is universal.  Learning magic begins with how to Read Magic."

With the grace of a dancer, like a leaf on the wind, Corym sits on his feet, his two knees before him, together.  On the rug by his bed lay two books open for study.  One borrowed from Karilla, the other, his own.  Corym's shows winding symbols, folk art, shapes and patterns, while Karilla's shows flowing elven script, crisp diagrams, annotations, and formulae. He strokes the pages gently with long, thin fingers. "These pages are revealing the same spell."

"Magic is about knowing the world--deeply, intimately, and truthfully. It is only once we fully know a thing that we will be able manipulate, alter, represent, obscure, or enhance the thing.  Great wizards whose knowledge is deep even come to know the words of power.  You or I could speak the words of power, but they would accomplish nothing, because we do not know the words of power.  The greatest word of power is wish.  The pinnacle of mortal wizardry is to with a word to bring into existence your will.  That is the final lesson."

Corym pauses a moment to let this idea sink in.  Then gestures to the books as if they are of equal importance, "This, is the first one."

"Karilla was trained, as all scions of noble houses are," he winces, "at the Academy in Evereska.  There they learn the blade, our history, our crafts, and magic simultaneously as instructed by ancient masters.  Each of these things is about truth.  The truth of who we are.  The dimensions of a blade.  The angles it may be held at. The Weaves that enhance the blade to defend the People.  This book reflects that learning." He traces the lines in the book with his finger.  "These runes were formed over millennia, formulated to account for each variable in reality.  Flexible enough to adjust to unforeseen discoveries, and rigid enough to be handed whole to any student initiated in their rudiments."

Corym shifts his attention to his own book.  Much more finely bound, by far, but much more rustic and hodge podge in it's contents.  "I was denied entry to the academy on account of my mother's blood.  Though considered elven in Aglarond and the Yuirwood, I was thought to impure to allowed to learn the Academy's secrets.  This is the magic I learned from my mother, who learned from her mother, who learned from hers.  I could recite them for 100 generations.  Because my younger brothers and sisters are academy trained, they will never learn this, and unless I succeed in teaching you, this knowledge will likely pass beyond knowing.  The Yuirwood has no schools.  The Yuirwood has life, and it is from life that we learn."

He withdraws his hand.  "Both books are open to the same spell.  Both describe the truth of reading magic. How can this be?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:46, Thu 11 Apr 2019.

It seems a response isn't forth coming--no worries.  I'll go more descriptive than interactive.

Corym is going to get into a routine of exhausting Kora prior to training.  We'll start with wrestling, but move to climbing (something Corym can win at), balancing, gymnastics (tumbling?).

Whenever she starts really panting, we'll switch off to a magic lesson.  Whenever she starts fidgeting, we'll switch back on to exhaustion training.

Corym will explain that spells are prepared with a clear mind after a night's rest, but that spells are almost always cast on the run, bleeding, and in mortal danger.  Moreover, because you must connect yourself to the Weave it is important to become intimately familiar with the way your body feels inside and out.  We're never more aware of our bodies than when they are on the brink of failure.  It is precisely at that moment of peak awareness and surrender that you're best able to connect to the Weave.  Human apprentices are frequently exhausted through drudgery like scrubbing floors, or scrubbing kitchen pots, or transferring spell reagents and weighty tomes between rooms.

Elven apprentices are typically also warriors--simple chores should not be enough to exhaust them.

Now that you have mastered the Read Magic spell, you'll be able to select any number of spells to prepare and cast.  I have many spells which you are capable of casting now, but you'll only be able to cast one per day to begin with.  I'll teach you Detect Magic and Armor no matter what.  I'll explain the uses of any spell I have, and let you select one spell.

Most human wizards initiate their apprentices with Magic Missile.  Indeed most wizards think of this as quintessentially the most powerful first-circle spell.  It strikes its target inerrantly.  There are no creatures with an inherent resistance to its form of energy.  The damage it causes is significant, and grows with your power.  Indeed, Magic Missile may be used as a reasonably accurate gauge of a wizard's power.

Victory, however, is seldom a function of power alone, nor is power the most considerable factor in the calculation most of the time.  While there are no creatures with inherent immunity to magic missile, immunity is granted by another first-circle spell, Shield, and yields a number of other benefits as well. Finally, while the damage caused is certain, it is relatively small for your level of power, comparable in many ways to a single flight arrow fired from a short bow.  Unlike the bow, however, after you fire a single shot, there are no more shots to follow.  In all likelihood, a wizard that considers Magic Missile to be the pinnacle of the first-circle of magic would have been better suited to taking up a bow and quiver.

I therefore would advise against Magic Missile.  Indeed, I would advise against spells that replicate capabilities of others in our party.  Select a spell that make you either uniquely capable, enhances an ability you uniquely possess, or minimizes a deficiency which you are incapable of mitigating otherwise.

Armor is a good example of that last.  As a wizard you can't wear armor, but that won't stop people from swinging swords at you.  Indeed, since you're planning on swinging a sword at them, it's likely that you'll see more of your share of it than normal.  Armor is a spell you can cast days in advance, and it will protect you from physical blows whether waking or sleeping until broken down by an enemy. Detect and Read Magic is an ability that you uniquely possess--none but wizards can do these things. 

Armor
Detect Magic
Audible Glamer
Alarm
Enlarge
Tenser’s Floating Disc
Burning Hands
Identify
Unseen Servant
Change Self
Magic Missile
Shield
Charm Person
Read Magic
Color Spray
Sleep

In reply to Corym Ildroun (msg # 67):

Watching as much as he is allowed, Krackor chimes in.  I've seen Mistress Lightbearer working; a spell I heard of being used a lot may come in handy, that Unseen Servant one, it'd be able to carry her sword for her in a battle in case she needs it quick.  How about Enlarge, that sounds fun it is makes someone's armour too big for them to move in or too heavy for them to move about in, maybe leave that one until you have more experience casting.  Besides, you wouldn't be making your huge sword any bigger but you could make someone's boots too big to run in, now that would be fun.

Krackor was acutely aware of how far Kora's humour stretched and how much determination she had at any given time.

Corym calls Kora for a private conversation in the shattered library of the tower.

"I think it's time to redefine our relationship, Kora. There are new opportunities that have presented themselves that I'd think you'd be foolish not to take advantage of.  But doing so, should formally end your apprenticeship to me."

Corym waits for Kora's response, then continues.

"When Myth Drannor fell, Talindra was poised to take on a teaching position at the Six Tyryl Towers, one of the famous academies of wizardry here in Myth Drannor.  She never got to teach, and teaching you is something she's very keen to do.  She is a being of spirit, and it is important for our spirits to be fulfilled.  While we wear flesh, the distractions of the flesh can frequently keep us occupied in the face of unfulfillment. A being of pure spirit has no place to hide from their own failures. This is why undead beings so frequently go mad and strike out at life.  They strike in envy of the opportunities of the living.  This presents a unique opportunity for you to learn, and a unique opportunity for you to help a beautiful soul in need."

"My proposal is for you to remain here with Talindra when we go to the Irithillium.  The survival of our group is on the line, and I fear greatly for your survival most of all. You haven't yet achieved your power.  Under Talindra's tutelage your power will wax quickly.

"Moreover, you'll have the opportunity to plumb the depths of her knowledge of the city.  It is difficult to learn all that I need without becoming an inquisitor. That knowledge can be essential to our continued survival and success."

"When we depart the city for a season, you'll return with us, and we'll take new measure of your strength."

"What do you think?"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:50, Wed 20 May 2020.

"How were things while we were away?  Tell me about your studies with Talindra?"