Kewl, I get to playtest another world.  Hmm, I'm drawing a blank.  In any case feel free to drop by, one and all, the Post Ludum thread on his 4th world, and tell me what you think of it.

I'll have to go look at my list of worlds to come up with something fantasy-ist.

PT

lol, no problem.  I can wait a bit.

;)

Okay, Malachai's World List is as follows:
1. Earth
2. Volcano Island
3. Tall Tales of Mythica aka a world where American Folk Heroes like Paul Bunyan are real.  Malachai learned at the cost of his life how to hold a windmill 2000 feet tall in a raging thunderstorm down to the ground by using superhuman strength...so he's got 3@2 Superhuman Strength Spell with a low skill level in it.
4. Rocky Mountain DMZ he just versed out of, and here he picked up some explosives and weaponry.

So, scratching head a bit....Ah-ha, Malachai, for this world, I am going to need your hair color...

==============================================================================
You wake to feel salt breeze whistling past your face.  You're a bit too cool to be totally comfortable, but the flat surface you're laying on is smooth and  metallic and restful.

Above you, a blazing firmament of stars that you are utterly unfamiliar with, and that astounds you with its color and intensity delights the eye.

The wind blows over your feet, and into your face.  You look forward, and you see twin horses, ghost-like things, translucent, pulling the sled you are upon across a dark, choppy sea.

PT

I sit up and part the dirty-blonde bangs from my eyes as I stare around in disbelief.  I put my hand into the water, wondering how this was possible.  "Hey!"  I yell out.  "Is anyone out there?"

One horse turns back to you and says...

"So, do I look like cabbage to you?"

BTW, the sled you're standing on looks like its made of silver.

PT

The sea is salty, warm, faintly purplish.

My eyes jump open as I hear the horse talk.  Okay, then... that's interesting...  "No, you don't look like cabbage... you look like a great big friggin hallucination.  Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to wake up now."  I pinch myself in the arm in a futile attempt to escape reality.

"Do you need me to bite your arm, cause I can, if you want?"  The horse offog and shadow says with obvious enthusiasm.

You're still there, and then in the near distance you see a city on a cloud move from behind another cloud.  The horses swoop right and climb in its direction.

You stagger.

"Oh yeah, hang on." The other horse says too late to be of use.

PT
OOC: And right after the horse says bite, my baby in the RW bites me.  Hmmh.

"Hmm, thanks.  This is interesting, but I suppose there are weirder things I could be seeing... no biting, thanks, I just ate... I think..."  I grabbed a handful of water that had collected on the sled and splashed it on my face, still a little mystified by the whole experience.  The city slowly grew larger, and my mind spun tryin to take it all in.

OoC: lol

You steadily rise into the air, and then swoop up to a dock hanging out over the edge of a cloud.

A small fiery creature, about six inches tall, buzzes in front of you flying, and then you realize it is language.

"My bzzz, lord, bzzz, welcome to the party.  May I tell, Lord and Magician Landry's bzzz, that his guest....? has come to honor him?  And may I say, thats a very clever joke, your hair color, my lord."

The dock seems to be made of iron, and beyond it you can see a pathway, and a wall of dressed stone from which direction comes the noise of laughter and jokes.  A party is indeed ongoing.

PT

I stare at the creature for a second and blink repeatedly before answering: "Ummmm... yeah, sure... tell them their guest has arrive... umm... yeah.  And how's my hair a joke?  It's been like this my whole life..."  I shake my head a couple times and prepare to take on the persona of 'the guest'.

The sprite buzzes back appreciatively.

"There shall come one,
Worldwalker, stranger, far traveller
In his hand you shall be won
Or you shall be done

You shall know him by his hair
White like bone, chill as stone."

Very provocative, we like your style, Human.

PT

"All right, then... cool.  So... what are the Landrys like?  Are they... what?"  I raked my hand through my hair, still wondering how it was so different.  "Any specific way I should act?"

"Lord and Magician Landrys is our master.  The one who named me, and these idiot horse spirits.  So of course he is fair, kind, and wise.  Also, he is known for his fabulous parties, and he has killed ten men in duels. Reputedly quite witty, but sprites such as I don't understand Human humor." The fiery sprite says. It sounds mostly sincere.

"He's not bad as Humans go.  Sometimes I wish I'd passed on getting a name, but this is the quickest way to the top of the herd, so here I am, a cabbage talking to a ..." The horse is about to finish his sentence when a bolt of fire lances from teh sprites finger to hit his side.

"You WILL be respectful." The sprite buzzes.

PT

I laugh shortly at the conversation between the sprite and the horse before returning my attention to the fiery sprite.  "Hey, what's your name anyways, little one?"  I look to the horse up ahead, "and how long till we get there?"

The sprite ushers you on to the iron dock which floats off the edge of the cloud, about a thousand feet above water.

"Follow me, my lord.  My name is Sfiro. You have but to speak my name on these premises, and I will attend to you."

He then takes you down a path of stepping stones to a metal gate.  The gate swings open, and you see several dozen people standing about in a courtyard talking and laughing with each other.  Its not very crowded.

The ground is stone with stone benches, and an occasional potted tree.  The clothing is extremely individualized with the only common element being extravagant color.

The sprite buzzes waiting for you to go in so it can go back to waiting at the dock for the next guest.

Still a little amazed, I attempt to keep a mask of coolness on my face as I walk into the courtyard.  "Thank you, Sfiro, your help has been greatly appreciated."  I walk into the courtyard, stepping near the tree and discreetly sniffing it before going over to a stone bench and sitting down, for lack of anything better to do.  After collecting my thoughts for a few seconds, I stand back up and begin looking for the food table.

The bench is warm, and comfortable, and you leave it with regret hunting down the food.

Another taller stone platform serves as a place to pick up food and drinks, and as you wait in the short line, you note that everyone seems armed with a sword.  Some of the stuff on the table looks more than a little exotic with a roast pig, apple in its mouth having pride of place, so among your choices, you pick up a small pie which looks safe...until you break its crust, and four small finches flutter free.

And the drinks are all variations of alcohol.

PT

Holy bejeezers!  I haven't seen anything this nice since... well... never. After loading my plate with almost totally meat dishes, I grab a couple drinks and begin walking around; just milling about the place.  As I walk, I try and find the hosts, asking a couple people if they knew where they were.  I don't like everyone having a sword and me not... I know I can handle one okay if I get one... but I DON'T have one...

OoC: Or do I still have my combat knife tucked away in my jeans?  If I do, then just ignore my last sentence, lol, but tell me, please :P

You have a combat knife, but its a good bit shorter than the two and a half foot long blades in common use.

The mint drink hits your stomach, and makes your eyes water.  The other, a honey mead seems far less potent, and easy on your system.

One girl, dark-haired and green-eyed, smiles at your question as she juggles small gold coins unobtrusively as she can.

"Very well, carnivore, let's track down Landry."

She takes you by the arm, and steers you through the crowd to a side garden. Then she points out a man surrounded by about four others, and he is talking.

"Loves to hear himself talk, does milord." She says softly, and then lets go of your arm.

PT

"Carnivore?  Not the first time someone's called me that."  I laugh a little under my breath as she leads me through the courtyard.  After she points Landry out to me and lets go of my arm, I turn to her and thank her.  "What's your name, by the way?"  She tells me her name, I tell her mine, and then I walk over to Landry.  "Good evening m'lord, how are you doing tonight?"

OoC: I didn't wanna wait for you to post her name before me going to talk to Landry, so I decided just to skip along a bit... I'd still like to know her name, though ;).

"My name? Elle of the Iron Mountain. Outer Rim aristocracy. We are dullards out there. Only have a party like this once a week, not every night, and few indeed of us have cloud castles."  She now seems a little shy.

You walk over to Landry.  He pauses in teh midst of his monologue, and nods to you.  The man nearest you mutters in his drink disapprovingly.  And then a black-headed man across from you in the small crowd stares at you.

"Do you need to borrow my dictionary? To look up the word, 'manners', perhaps?" He has his hand on the hilt of his sword.  "And this dreadful affectation of bone hair, I find it most tacky for you to dye your hair for shock value."

PT
OOC: You've stumbled into one of the chief entertainments at these parties.

"Well, I'm sorry for trying to be polite, but what's up with you?  You don't need to go homicidal if someone makes a little mistake, dude.  And what do you mean, 'dye'?  This is natural colour, thank you very much, sir.  And I personally find it quite pleasant.  Now, I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but I do believe your reaction was slightly... well... overstimulated, shall we say?"  I look at the man warily, knowing there's little chance of getting out with minor wounds if a fight ensued; at least with the weapon I have right now.

OoC: One of the chief entertainments is gutting people?  Sounds fun...

OoC EDIT: Oh, um, I'm a little confused by what equipment I have.  Could you list what I have, besides my combat knife?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:06, Mon 15 Aug 2005.

He sneers at you, and says.

"Natural,hah, you must think us stupid, milord.  Take your paltry gag, and away with you."

At this point it occurs to you that so far everyone at the party you've seen has been black, or brown, or gray, with one redhead.  No blondes except for you.

You have all the equipment that would be on your list, which I believe would include your Tommy gun.  Is that good enough?

PT

I take a step forward.  "I assure you, my good sir, different as it may be, my hair is natural.  I don't mind if you don't believe it, but I'd rather prefer you not call me a liar right to my face."  I step back again, hoping the man would take it well.

OoC:  So, I've got... my combat knife, a small pocket knife, the Tommy gun and several clips, that small black disc, a revolver with some spare shells, and, uh... I think that's it.  Also, what psi did I pick up specifically from my last world?

You have Read Human Surface Thoughts 1@1 (i.e. initiate skill level).  You also have Superhuman Strength 1@2 which is a magic skill, but in order to activate it you have to be trying to do something dangerous and outrageous.

"You are not the herald, so you lie." There's an odd edge of fear to him. He draws his two-and a half foot long stabbing sword. It has dull edges, and is about 3/4th of an inch wide up most of the flat blade.

The others step back, and Landry asks diffidently if you need to borrow a blade.
Most of the rest are quickly heading over to the entertainment.

PT

"No, I have my own blade, but thank you for asking."  I pull the combat knife from its sheath in my jeans, the blade glinting in the moonlight.  He can't seriously hurts me unless he stabs me; which means I have to keep moving.  If I stop I'm dead...  "Who's this herald you speak of?  I'm sorry, but I don't really remember much of this place."  I take a few steps back, gauging my opponent and hoping to be quick enough to dodge his thrusts.  Confident I have a chance, I side-step and dash towards him in a half crouch, hoping to slash his side and roll past him before he has a chance to react.

"The Herald of the End of the World" He says with fear flickering in his eyes.

You sidestep him, and surprise him with your rush. But his long and slender blade flicks sideways to catch your ribs even as you slash his arm and somewhere on his side, just before you go into your roll.

You come back to your feet, and and the slice along your ribs make you gasp.

Landry's speaks out.

"First blood is drawn. If honor is satisfied on both sides, then you may withdraw."  He looks to you first.

PT

I look at Landry.  "I never wanted to fight in the first place.  It is entirely up to my opponent if we stop or not."  I relax my stance slightly and look at the man who had cut my ribs; my left hand on them trying to stop the bleeding, my right holding my now slightly bloody knife.

OoC: Just so you know, I'm going camping for a week Saturday.  I'll resume posting as normal when I get back, hopefully.

He gives a stiff nod, and then stalks away.  A small crowd of ten people forms around you, curious about your weapon, and fighting style, and assuring you that you won since he took two wounds to  your one.

The green-eyed Outlander girl summons a sprite of fog with a snap of her fingers, and whispers in your ear, and offers you healing.

The others are looking at you a bit speculatively.  It seems having a girl offer to heal you means something more than just offering a bandaid.  She is blushing, since it seems she meant to be more discreet than she was.

"Its just that you looked hurt,and weren't summoning your own help." She says a bit flustered.

PT

OoC: Well, I'm back early from camping... friggin strep throat.  >_<

Camping was boring anyways, lol.

IC:  "I'm not really used to getting help... but thanks.  I suppose that would be nice."  I look around at the people gathered near me as I flick the blood off of my blade and wipe it along the ground before sheathing it under my jeans again.  "I just don't really understand this place, that's all."

She guides the sprite to her finger, and then touches your lips, and commands you to breathe in.  Assuming you do, you feel a swirling sensation go down your throat, and for a second, you can't breathe, and then that's fine.

But the most awful itching comes from your wound, and checking it out by pulling up your shirt, you see that the sprite is pulling itself out of your wound, with some effort, and behind it, your wound is scabbing over visibly.

Within two minutes, you are almost completely healed except for some tenderness, and a weird feeling like you know the girl much better than you have any reason too.

PT

I sit there looking at my wound for a minute, amazed at what just happened.  "Th...thank you..." I say, directed at both Elle and the sprite.  I stand up, wondering what would be the appropriate thing to do in this situation.  I turn to Elle and ask, "So... who was that guy?"

"Lord and Magician Martin Delacruz. A decent swordsman, and a master of a Fire Elemental. Be grateful that you did not offend him enough that he challenged you to a duel of magics, for if you are surprised at the healing powers of an air sprite..."  She speaks softly, so that those nearby won't hear her cautions to you.  "A duel of magics is to the death, or to submission of one's mind."

She pauses, and speaks even more quietly, her dark eyes troubled.

"Who are you that when I tell you these things, you seem surprised.  Even a child knows this."

PT

"I am the person to whom these things are unusual.  I'm not really used to this place, sorry.  Maybe it's just the air, but my mind seems a little clouded at the moment.  And I suppose I am glad he didn't challenge me to a duel of magic... I doubt I would last very long."

OoC: Okay, I'm just wondering at this point what affects of amnesia are passing along from each world?  Is my character remembering stuff now, or is it just a whacked-up blurry dream thing?

"Unusual..."  Then her tanned face pales.

There shall come one,
Worldwalker, stranger, far traveller
In his hand you shall be won
Or you shall be done

You shall know him by his hair
White like bone, chill as stone.

Tell me true, are you the Herald of the End of the World?"

OOC: Amnesia?  No, you remember Earth, Tall Tales of Mythica, and Rocky Mountain DMZ quite well.  Sometimes, they seem bizarre and perhaps unreal because your current reality, standing on a stone patio supported by a cloud a thousand feet in the air is so different.

"The Herald of the End of whaa--?  I hope not, darnit.  Worldwalker I am... Herald of the End I hope not.  Although the description fits me quite well..."  Looking around, I find a bench and sit down, motioning for Elle to sit down as well.  "Could you fill me in on the nursery rhymes, please?  I'm not familiar with them."

OoC: Okay, lol, I was kinda confused by that :P thanks for clearing it up

"Nursery rhymes, right." She takes your arm to guide you to a seat, but it seems more like to help her stand.

"In the old days, a thousand years past or so, no one knows the exact time for there was much chaos at the time, there were greater magi, but out of jealousy the Council of the Elements, great ones that my little air sprite would not even be allowed into the viewing area, much less allowed to speak spoke a curse on Humanity.

That in a thousand years the planet Lakraine would be returned to them, that it would begin rotating again, and Humanity would see sunlight, and the Elements would be released from their chains of cold as the planet melted.

Unless Humanity learned the Seventh Circle of Magic.  Since that seems most unlikely, we party.

But there is promised by a rogue Elemental Lord a Herald who will bring safety or announce final destruction.  Most scholars thought that a fallacy, but its popular among the ordinary people."

"Magic, seventh circle, magi, Elemental Lord..." I close my eyes and bury my head in my hands, remembering the time when I dabbled into the occult back on Earth.  After a few seconds, I bring my head back up and look at Elle.  "So, you're thinking I'm this Herald or something?  No offense, but I don't think I'm much of a Herald or anything.  Why doesn't everyone just try and figure out the Seventh Circle?  It would make more sense.  Why invite a problem, even one hundreds of years in the future, and do nothing to try and stop it?  This world makes no sense."

"I don't know. I mean its dangerous to learn magic.  Even learning to name a sprite can kill you, not likely but it can.  And every month one recieves word of a few would be magicians who tried to control a Lord, and were burnt to ashes, flung into space by a wind blast, buried a thousand feet under the earth, or wept to death.

But you would think someone would have tried it, no matter how dangerous it is.

I guess, I just always assumed people had tried it, found it wouldn' twork, and resigned themselves to a good party before teh End."

At that point, Landry's has walked into the main garden, and tosses something into a fire.  A column of fire twenty feet high, and three feet wide springs up.

Landry's says something, and despite the size difference he seems somehow more impressive than the fire.

With a voice like a roaring wildfire, the Elemental Lord announces that it has brought musicians from all over the Archipelago for their amusement.  And then musicians with instruments start stepping out of the fire, as it were a gate.

PT

I gape at the fire for almost a full minute before I realize my mouth is open and I close it.  "Okay, then... what the heck was that?  And I know that trying to control magic would be dangerous... but if there are people like this, how dangerous can it truly be if you figure it out over a lifetime?"

She blinks at you.  And thinks for a bit trying to come up with understanding, and then a way to explain.

"Granted, Magicians learn new skills with their partners the Elemental Lords such as that one of Fire, but each step, from controlling Sprites to Pixies to Lords of Elements is a challenge, and a danger.

I can only control Sprites and Pixies, and I am working on learning how to command an Elemental of Air, but on the day I do, I may well die.  If I succeed then I will be safer, at least until I try to learn how to control an Earth elemental lord."

OOC: Its something of a level system of magic which is not precisely how people usually do things in Multiverser, but some worlds have oddities, and for Lakraine this is one of theirs.

PT

OoC: okee teh dokee.  Also, if you can't tell, I'm starting to struggle a bit here... I really don't know why, but I am.  V_V

IC: "Hmm... I suppose that makes sense.  Still, though, why has absolutely no-one tried?  If I never tried making harder bombs back at home, would I of ever gotten anywhere?  I doubt it.  Even if it's mind-numbingly hard, if a million people all try to do the same thing, statistically speaking, someone will have to make it.  So why hasn't anyone even tried?  That's what I don't understand about this kooky place... why hasn't anyone even tried?  If I knew that I only had one shot about saving an entire world, even if it was a million in one chance, well... screw it all and go for it!  You only live once... err... I think..."

"I suppose someone has tried, but you embarrass me. " She turns her head to the side, and ducks it. "Why haven't I tried?  I guess because I thought we were doomed.  And if I tried and failed I would probably die, and spend the last few years of my life in a day of fear, rather than at parties.  Besides, if I fail, the others will laugh."

She looks at you.

"We must seem so shallow and trivial to you."

OOC: I'll try to help. Lets say from your observations that the locals seem witty, and clever, but overly obsessed with looking good, and being cool.  They don't look like the type of people you would find defending Stalingrad against the Nazi's, okay?  They are personally brave to a degree, but only in small spans of time, and not for the group. Patriotism is not a great virtue among them.  They are selfish. They are fatalistic...aka, we are going to die, so lets party!

Also, some people have tried, but you're right.  Not nearly as many as ought to have.  Your hostess is not familiar with any who have, but then she's not that educated in history.

PT

OoC: Oh, okay, allrighty, then.  :P

IC:  "Shallow and trivial?  No.  I would find you shallow in trivial if no-one in this world had tried it.  But people have and failed, so I understand your fear.  You know what?  I really don't givacrap.  If I'm the Herald of the End or whatever the flying **** you said I was, then screw it, I'm gonna try learning the Seventh Circle of magic.  And you know what?  You're going to help me.  I have some knowledge of this from a past life, I suppose... but everything is different and whacked up here.  The way I see it, if you're right, I'm going to either save or destroy the world.  Well... I want to save it.  So are you going to help me?"  I look deep into her eyes, waiting for her to respond.

She looks dazed, and then smiles with something like awe and joy lighting her face.

"Attend me."  And suddenly a fire sprite flies up, an air sprite takes form, and a tiny creature of dirt crawls out of the ground, and take position around her.

"By my magic, I swear, to life or death, fame or everlasting infamy, I will follow you to World's End and Beyond."

You can see her hands are trembling, and she looks exalted and terrified at the same time.

"So noted." The earth sprite says, and then turns to dig into the ground.

"Where are you going?" Elle asks surprised.

"To tell the Masters of All that the one long awaited may have come."

PT

I look at the sprites hovering around and then look at Elle again.  "Waaaaiiiiit... what just happened?  Did I just get married or something?  And who are the Masters of All?"

She blushes.

"No, although few women who marry swear an oath as extreme as this one.  But I thought this a worthy quest to dedicate myself too, adn that you were a person of greatness that I should swear to help.

The Masters of All, um, I'm not sure."

"The Masters of All control not just fire or water, but everything in the space-time continuum." The air sprite says cryptically, and then refuses to answer further.

Elle is confused. "Space, time, whatsit?  Space is space, time is time, what are you talking about, Kireo?"

But the sprite refuses to answer which surprises Elle greatly.

PT

"The space-time continuim.  As far as I know, and my knowledge in theoretical science like this is limited, the space-time continuim is what binds the ever-ticking clocks to the ever-moving planets.  If a link is broken, the rules we have all come to know and trust in, such as gravity, become moot.  At least... that's what I know.  Now, fair sprite," I turn and look at the sprite closely.  "Tell me if I am right, and if I am not, to how am I wrong?  And tell me more of the Masters of All; riddles or not, I want to hear it."

OoC: hehe, I have a lackey.

:D

"Once you know of the space-time continuum, you will know of the Sixth Circle.  And you will have a chance to become a Master of All, the first of your species.  We, the other Masters, wish you well, but it is a journey you must take without our help."  The voice of the sprite seemed different for a second, adn then it changes back to its normal breathiness.

"I can't tell you. Its forbidden."

PT

I opened my mouth to comment on the voice changing, but I quickly closed it, guessing a higher being had been invoked in the sprite.  "Hmm, very well.  Can either of you tell me the first step I should take, then?  I'm rather new at saving universes..." I directed this question at both Elle and the sprite.

The sprite doesn't say anything, and Elle thinks a bit.

"Ok, you're supposed to show us the Seventh Circle. Well what Circles do you know?"

When you reply "none", she blinks a bit,and then says.

"Well, then I can help you.  The First circle of Magic is the ability to properly name a sprite such as Kireo here.  You need to know the meaning of names, and be able to decipher enough of the personality of an unnamed sprite to give it a proper name.  I've done this with three of the four types of sprites, earth, air, and fire, and I'm studying water.  Where do you want to start?"

PT

It took less than half a second of thought for my answer to form: "Fire, of course.  I've always had a natural affinity with flames."  Thinking back to my last memory of Earth, I shudder slightly.

"Well then, we will borrow the Lord Landry's transport to go back to my island so you can use my books, if you would.  Or we could ask for help from another, or search out a library. Some scholars let anyone use their library, and indeed encourage it." Her voice makes you think this is considered 'odd'.

"But if we go to my home, it will be at least seven hours non-stop travel by flying sled."

PT

I thought about the options for a minute before deciding.  "Why not use a library?  I've always enjoyed books."  Despite the tone in her voice, I decide that the time it would take to get back to her island is just too great to be worth it if it can be done at somewhere closer.

"Well, don't you find it, you know strange that someone would share their power, without charging?  What silliness is that?  I don't believe it, but some people think that general libraries are some sort of complicated scheme to bespell other people for the library owner's benefit, of course.  I think they are just soft-headed and strange.  Often religious nuts."

PT

"Can't anything be normal in this world?"  I shake my head at Elle's distrust of libraries.  "Look, do you know anyone who runs a public library we could check out or something?  And it isn't silly... it's called considerate."

She gives you a rebellious look with eyes flaming,but then subsides and mutters under her breath.

"Erm, yes, Lord Talanday, he was once a great magi of note, but he threw his standing away to become a Librarian.  He lives on a metal mountain about an hour from here."

Provided that is acceptable, she takes you to a sled, summons her own pair of air pixies, merhorses, which draw her brass sled down out of the air to skim across the waves.

PT

"This will do.  The trip is shorter than if we had went to your home.  What do you mean, metal mountain?"  I look down at the water as we move across it, still slightly amazed at this world.

She laughs, and says wait and see.

About ten minutes later, a near perfect cone rises out of the waves ahead of you.  Getting closer, you see that it looks to be green, and closer still, you see it must be made of brass.

Its several hundred feet tall, and absolutely symetrical.  The only flaw is a small hole high in its side which the sled begins to make for.

"I guess you don't have cloud castles, or metal islands where you come from.  Do you have underwater domes, or ships that sail on lava?  These are the ways of the magician to flaunt his power and greatness."

You slip inside the tunnel as she speaks, and come to a halt.

"Magi are foolish children." And old man says from a doorway off the entrance tunnel.  He is flanked by a continual waterfall and by a golem of earth that continually crumbles and remakes itself.

PT

"Yes, we have underwater domes, but no ships that sail on lava."  I look at the old man standing in the doorway.  "Maybe, but without fools, how could the wise learn how to be wise?  Are you the one who runs this library?"  I look at the waterfall and golem, slightly amazed.  I try and keep this from my face, but I'm not sure how well I do.

"It is not only the blatant experience of others that teaches one, but a keener appreciation for the subtler aspects of what is happening, and an inward ear to hear one's own spirit and the whispers of the Awe.

Tell me, is that hair your own?

And yes, I do 'run' this place.  A most curious accent you have, young man."

Elle stares politely at a wall, but you can tell she thinks the old guy is rambling.

PT

I nudge Elle, hoping she could possibly show a bit more respect, regardless of her lack of interest.  "Yes, this hair is mine.  It was like this when I was born.  As for my accent, well, I don't exactly come from this place... anyways, I was wondering if you would allow me to partake in the knowledge stored in your library, if it wouldn't trouble you..."

Elle tries to give a bright smile, but its obviously uncomfortable.

The librarian bows.

"As you say, Herald."

"Just let me wait out on the sled, m'kay, Mal?"  Elle says softly.

PT

"Sure thing, I suppose," I respond to Elle before turning to the librarian and nodding at him to lead the way.

Once you go into the hall with the librarian, with locked wooden doors lining the corridor on both sides, the librarian speaks.

"Those of the Outer Islands are considered rustic, backward, poor by those of the rest of Lakraine.  The fact that they have someone to look down on, someone who has by their code 'sacrificed honor by foregoing the search for glory' makes their lives more bearable.

But Herald, how may I be of service to you? For if the prophecy is right, you hold the safety of teh world in your hands. So, logically, I would want to assist you in whatever way possible."

PT

"Well, apparently I'm supposed to be learning how to name sprites here.  Starting with the fire sprite, if possible."  I glance at the doors to my left and right, wondering what wonders lie beyond them.  I link my hands behind my back as I walk.  "So, you're of a lower class than most people here?  That seems odd, considering what you're capable of.  Oh, well, the pursuit of knowledge has never been known to be easy."

OoC: Sorry for taking a while to respond, real life crap.  :P

I've had so many ELA assignments since school started, it isn't even funny.

>_<

He shrugs.

"I was as they were.  I sought glory and power.  But then I realized that truth and helping people was more important.  And so I gave up glory and my own power.  Now anyone who is willing to abide by our code of extending kindness to another can freely recieve of our help.

Of course, this does not bind you, Herald.  We have long awaited your arrival.

Follow me."  He leads you deeper into the mountain asking you questions as to what you know of the nature of fire.

Finally, he opens a door, and leads you into a booklined room, well-lit by a dozen torches.

"Greetings old friends."

He says, and the torches wobble their flames in what look like bows.

He starts lookign for a book.

OOC: What is XD anyhoo?

PT

I look at the flames dancing across the room in wonder as the bow to him.  Now that was cool... I wonder if he just did it for show because I'm here...  "So, while you're looking for that book, can you tell me what I should expect when trying to learn the name of a sprite?"

OoC: XD = laughing.  It art the smiley.

You think, yes, he did it for show.  He may claim to be past the desire for personal glory, but ...

"Lots of memorization of facts to fit into a systematic understanding of fire, and practise on improving your intuition.  For you see, not all fire is the same.  Some are hotter, some are colder.  Each has its own personality.  Some spread quickly, and others linger long.  Once you can categorize a fire, then you learn to guess what characteristics should be described in the chosen name."

He takes out the book, and begins to teach you.  After a bit he mutters to himself.  And then he gets out a more advanced book.

It seems your knowledge of explosives and your generalized more advanced scientific knowledge puts you well ahead of a beginning student.

"Now Malachai, as we know fire is light.  Thus the absence of light will destroy fire.  See, in this experiment..."  He then proceeds to put a small candle in an empty jug, and put the stopper in the top of the jug.

PT

"From what I know, you're only partially right... basic science, really.  You need fuel, heat, and air for fire.  Darkness usually comes with the loss of air, but not always.  If you put a glass over a candle, it would go out from lack of good air.  Of course, you're the teacher, so we can go with darkness destroys fire if you like."  I hope I haven't offended him somehow and motion for him to move on with the lesson.

"Offended me? No, I am not such as the Magicians of the outer world. I seek knowledge.  But let us put your theory to the test."

He has an air sprite bring him a glass, and puts it over the candle.  It naturally goes out.

"Remarkable. Utterly remarkable." He then surveys teh soot-stained glass.

"An expensive glass damaged, but it can be cleaned, I think. And even if not, its a soot-able price to pay for a new discovery."

PT

I laugh quitely at his pun, glad I didn't offend him somehow like some pursuers of knowledge may have been.  "I'm surprised something like that hadn't been previously known of here.  Ah, well, I suppose this is much different than I'm used to.  Let's continue, please."

Over the next several days, he explains the nature of fire, and you correct him several times.  He takes it as one more proof that you are indeed the Herald.

Your "lackey" loosens up under the librarian's charm, and from the influence of her own natural good will, and your example (she hangs out with you whenever you're not studying), but she tries to make you promise not to tell anyone she was so nice to a "Librarian".  It would not be good for her weak social status to be seen befriending one of 'them'.

"Even if he is a nice old guy.  And pretty smart.  I don't know why he threw it all away to become a Librarian."

Then the librarian has you start describing fires.  Its a mentally gruelling process.  It refines your memories, makes sure that the knowledge about fire you've gained is both systematic and precise, and increases your intuition.  Late one night, as you wobble on a stool, sweating from the proximity of a dozen flames, and from the mental effort, he speaks kindly.

"I know this seems very hard to you, but believe me.  I've never had a student pick this up as quickly as you have.  Most would have taken at least three months to get this far as you have in a week and a half."  He coughs.  "Actually, it took me three weeks to get this far, and everyone agreed I was a gifted student."

PT
OOC: We're going to raise Knowledge of Fire @2 bonus; and raise your Atribute score for Intuition @1. And names of fire is 1@4. The Intuition bonus means you are generally just a touch more perceptive now in everything that uses Intuition.

The Librarian's words boost my spirits, encouraging me to continue on with my studies.  "Hey, what can I say?  I've always had a natural affinity to fire.  Once we move on to the other sprites, I'm guessing I'm going to have a lot more trouble than I'm having now.  Ah, well, I suppose that'll come when it comes."  I wipe my brow and continue with the lesson.

OoC: I feel so smart!  I wish I could learn like this in school.  :P

"It is true that many people seem to have a natural bond with one of the four elements of nature out of which everything is made.  I myself love earth the best, although they all are fascinating."

You continue on another week, and then one day the Librarian surprises you.

"Although there is more to learn, I think you know enough to chance it.  Are you ready?"

By now, you know the primary dangers of a faulty naming.  Creating a poltergeist, or creating enmity against you among those of that element (which can be overcome, but not easily), and most likely just having the sprite flee nameless.  Its not likely to be actively lethal, but it has happened that a namer has been killed.

PT

I close my eyes and steady my breathing for a minute or so before opening them and turning to the Librarian.  "Yes, I'm ready.  Let's get on with this..."

He takes you to another room.  Its a small circular, and well-built structure.  In the exact center is a small hearth, a circular pit, and smoke seems to linger in the air.  The room is wood, metal, and stone with the metal and wood sculpted to resemble flames mixed in with other flame motifs like volcanoes and candles.

He hands you a candle, and bids you to light the wood piled up in the center hearth while concentrating on the fire sprite you wish to summon.

You do, and suddenly you feel heat in your face, and there is a dancing sprite there.  A creature of fire and wings.  Its nature shifting, and spiralling back on itself.  Its the essence of change, opportunity, and danger.

But you can see that it has no face.

"Quickly now. Choose a name to describe it."

PT

"Okay, umm..." I close my eyes and think hard.  The sprite appears in my mind on one side, a vast column of possible names on the other.  I mentally cross off name after name until only one is left.  "I name thee..."

OoC: Yeah... okay... umm... yeah... I suppose you'd roll for that now...

You try out the name, you've chosen. Glastos, and suddenly the sprite is enraged.  Its colors change, it wobbles in the air.  It roars out furious words at you as it buzzes about you.

And then you find yourself yelling out another name.  One not actually on the list, but a distillation of several names.

"Amorphiciss!"

The sprite halts.  And you see a face emerge on it.

"There, why did you not say that the first time, master?  I am yours to command for a year and a day in exchange for the gift of a name. Please don't tell anyone else my full name though."

It then buzzes over, and lands on your shoulder.

1@1 Sprite Naming skill.

PT

I sigh in relief, amazed that I managed to succesfully name the sprite.  For a moment there, I was worried that I may have lost control of the situation.  I look at the sprite.  "Umm... I don't think I have anything for you to do at this moment, but I'll be sure to call upon you if I need anything."  I then turn and look at the Librarian.  "Well... what now?"

"Herald, it is customary to have a celebration feast the day an apprentice names their first sprite.  While we have but three humans here, I would be honored to provide a party for you."

When Elle hears of your success, she is stunned at your quickness, and then dances up and down.  Its distracting to say the least.

"Will I get to dance with the Herald at the party?"  She asks raising one eyebrow.

PT

I laugh at Elle's comments.  "Ha, sure, parties are great, even with three people.  Why not?"  The Librarian moves off to get the party organized.

Later that night...

The Librarian has arranged the party in one of the largers halls.  The fires along the side are lit and burning brightly.  From one corner of the room, even though there is no device, there is music billowing forth.  The Librarian is near there, mock conducting as the music plays.  Off to the side is a table with various pastries and other small goodies on them.

I walk over to Elle, "Shall we dance?"  I take her hand and lead her to the centre of the room, where we begin to dance.  "Sorry if I'm not that great, I've never really danced much."

It takes Elle about five minutes to plumb the depths of your ignorance, and then she takes you in hand, and begins to teach you.

First you learn to do a one-two step, and then to follow her in simple patterns.  By the end of the first hour, you are sweating freely, but you've managed to learn something vaguely reminiscent of a waltz, a spiralling box pattern for two and a Follow-Me dance which is rather like playing Simon Says in that one leads doing a variety of moves, and then sits back and sees if the other can repeat it.

The the Librarian comes up, and speaks.

"I used to dance well.  Let us do the Waves War on Rock Dance."

This is more of a group dance, and it feels more military.  You and the Librarian circle Elle who rattles out a tap dance.  Meanwhile you and the Librarian have your hands on your hips, and are kicking up your feet.  Then its each of you grab one of Elle's hands, and while she taps, and you both kick, everyone spins faster and faster until they collapse from dizziness.

Now you really are sweating, and Elle and the Librarian are laughing as they try to stand.

"Back in the day, I could do that and do flips, but old bones don't like somersaults in teh air."  The Librarian says.

PT

I wipe the sweat from my eyes and look at the Librian.  "Flips, eh?  Heh, if I could I'd try one right now, but I'd probably end up breaking my neck."  After a couple of minutes, I feel recovered enough to stand without holding onto the wall.  Taking a few steps out, I begin to lose my balance but quickly recover it.  "You know," I say to the Librarian, "I've been wondering for a while: what's your real name?"

"Lord Ricardo Talanday was the name given me at birth. I earned the title Master Magician.  Now I am Talanday the Librarian.  And yours sir?  Unless you wish to keep it hidden?  Herald is good enough."

He holds out a hand to shake yours.

Afterwards he snaps a finger,and air sprites and pixies come in bearing a small table, and food and the instruments of fine dining.  He rubs his fingers together, and the lights dim.

"Now a toast to a promising young apprentice, and to saving beautiful Lakraine! Three outsiders, a lovely and vivacious Outer Islander, an old and if I may be so immodest pretty talented magician turned heretic, and a young man with destiny and strange skills resting in his heart and mind, we will save this planet, I may hope."

He holds out a goblet, and water falls from the darkness near the ceiling to fill his crystal cup.

PT

"Haha!"  I hold out my glass and it fills up as well, and I see Elle doing the same.  We clink our glasses and drink from them before beginning to eat.  "People call me Malachai, Malachai Vanek if you want to be precise."

OoC: Just water?  Pfft, boring.  You at least could've done a nice red wine.  XD

You drink the water, and for a timeless second, you see dozens of futures lying in front of you.

A swordsman running you through shouting "Heretic!"...
Standing on a rock mountain with Elle as you feel Lakraine start to turn, and seeing the blazing sun rise as the heat grows unbearable, and the nightside starts to melt...You holding Elle from a fall over the edge of a cloud castle, and she calmly looking you in the eyes. "I love you, but if you want to save my people, you have to let go. There is no time."....You standing in front of a group of magicians and beginning to explain "Its very simple, surpassingly simple, the Seventh Circle of Magic is ..."...You tapping out on a wall next to dozens of other names a few words "Malachai Vanek, Master Magician."

And then the vision is gone.

And everyone is staring into the cups with deep thought.  Elle looks up at you with something in her eyes.

PT

I almost yell out in surprise as the visions fly in on me.  My heart speeds up as my mind reels in surprise from the images.  Trying to make sense of things, I cover my eyes with one hand and push both my temples in.  The pain brings my mind back to the now and what's happening.  That... was... not... fun...  "Okay..." I begin, looking at both of them.  "What was that?"

"Water of Vision." The Librarian says shortly.  "Its traditional.  We all see things, many unpleasant."  He looks a bit haunted and drained.

Elle sits and asks if you would like some fish.

PT

At the prospect of fish, my eyes light up.  "Oh, yes, please!  What type is it?"  Fish has always been one of my favourite meats, especially a good salmon.  If it had been smoked well, that was only a bonus.

There's baked, smoked, and breaded...these people eat well.

Light conversation follows, witty jokes, and small stories about various events of the last year, mixed in with oohs and aahs over each new course.

Eventually, the Librarian excuses himself, and goes to bed.

PT

After the Librarian has left, I lead Elle out to a deck outside.

"Elle... I... well..." I close my eyes and think of what to say for a few seconds before continuing.  "I suppose I want to thank you for believing in me through this time.  I know it isn't over yet or anything, but... gah, I'm horrible at this kind of thing."  I grin sheepishly at her as I wait for her reply.

She looks straight at you.

"You have the prophecy behind you.  Plus, your'e different.  At first your attitudes don't make sense, but then I think about them, and a lot of the time, I'm left wondering why we do things the way we do them.

Even now, your'e different.  A man of Lakraine would never stumble his words in front of a woman.  He would be prepared.  Have a poem memorized, have had years of training in how to flatter and charm. And the end result is that he would be very good at lying, and the girl would not know if she could trust him or not.

I believe in you, Malachai. I believe you are the one chosen by the Awe to save this planet."  She says the last with a kind of crackling intensity that leaves no doubt in your mind.

And then she laughs, throwing her head back.

"I was always serious. All of the Outer Islanders are known as dour people.  Now, I'm turning into a religious fanatic."

PT

I laugh with her.  "Religion?  Man, I sure hope I'm not starting a new religion.  Well, I guess I'm fulfilling an old one... heh, that's pretty neat, I guess.  I've never been an overtly religious person myself, figure they cause more problems than they fix.  That's just my world, though, it may be different here."

I gaze out into the stars, wondering what the visions from the special water earlier meant, and wondering what fate would hold that would cause the predictions to come true.  If they do come true... I wonder how I'm going to be able to pick between Elle and the world... it's not really my world, is it?  I... gah... I don't have to think about that now, so I won't.

"If you don't mind me asking, what did the water show you?"

OoC: I'm starting to feel a lot like Jesus.

XD

She blushes and turns away.

"I saw victory for our cause, and I saw defeat.  I saw us standing in the Earthheart Temple.  I saw you jumping into the Lord of Fire volcano.  I saw strange creatures of sparking light who obeyed my wish as if they were Elementals.  I saw you speaking of strange things, electrons."

She pauses and wrinkles her brow.

"All that was in a context I knew. But I also saw plains covered with orange grass, and I saw great towers, towers taller than the sky. I don't understand. Is this your world?"

OOC: Well, it is kinda apt. By your nature and example, you condemn them for their frivolity and selfishness, and you warn of future destruction.

"Orange grass..." I pause to think of what that might be.  "That may be canola or hay... surely you have crops like that here.  As for the towers taller than the sky... that I don't remember.  We got some really tall buildings, but nothing higher than that.  Maybe that was my world, maybe it wasn't."

I sigh as I contemplate what else she had said.  "The future is a mystery.  I prefer to concentrate on the here and now."

OoC: <_<  >_>  So... when do I get crucified?  XD

"No, this was much more orange than hay. Besides, it was low to the ground, barely covered my shoes." She smiles at the last comment. "Now you sound like one of us.

For this is the Last Night
In the next day we find blight
Some may call this cause for fright
But I intend to make the night bright

Thats Magi Rochester, a great poet of several centuries ago who helped settle my island. Some say he is a distant ancestor."

She smiles, and bows.

"Good night, my lord."

PT

OOC: crucified? Well you did see yourself get run through.

pt

"Good night Elle," I respond as she walks back into the library.  The still night has managed to calm my nerves from the shock of the water, and after a few minutes I return to my room.  I suppose I'll be starting on another sprite tomorrow... I wonder what that'll be like.  My mind slowly shuts down as sleep comes over me, refreshing my body for the continuing lessons.

OoC: lol, I knew that, I was just joking.

XD

The next "day" (as its always night here), over breakfast, the Librarian asks you if you favor learning from your strengths, and would go with earth, or balancing out your weaknesses, and would go with water?

Elle is reading a book on summoning as well.  It looks like she's decided to become a student of the Librarian as well.

PT

I mull over what the Librarian said as I masticated my food.  As I look over at Elle, I'm glad that she's decided to broaden her horizons and not stay set against the librarians.  Going back to what the Librarian had said, I realized I had two choices: on one hand, I could learn something easier, that would then make the next step a slight bit easier, or I could learn something harder, that would open up more steps and have me being more well-rounded faster.  "I think I'd prefer to go with water," I answer the Librarian.

OoC: I learnt a new word today: masticate... heehee... masticate... heheh... okay, I'm done now.

He nods, and its back to the books for the rest of the 'day'.  In this room you're surrounded by huge raindrops that roll up the walls, and floating clouds the size of an orange, and pools of water.  Its damp and humid, but the books stay dry.  You don't.

You can tell the material is substantially harder for you, but at the same time, you feel sharper than when you started, so in the end, except for the humidity, its much the same effort.

Which is to say, you're swaying at day's end.

PT

I hold my head as I walk down the halls next to the Librarian, who looks perfectly fine.  I notice a slight smirk on his face as we walk.  "Oh, sure, you laugh it up now."  I grinned to show it was all in good fun, but in my mind I was wondering how hard it would be to continue like this... how long would it take to reach the point where the seventh circle of magic was open to me?  Even though I have been versing for a decent amount of time, it seems as though I haven't aged a day.  I wonder... nah, I'm still young, I wouldn't notice anything.

I move into my room, still supporting myself on the walls.  As I reach my bed, I plop myself down on my stomach and fall asleep in a matter of seconds.

The next morning, when I wake up, I'm surprisingly refreshed.  I jump out of bed and make my way out, ready to continue my studies.

OoC: Oh, and it would've been nice to know it was always dark out earlier.  :P

Today you start blind taste-tests.  With a leather blindfold, and glass goblets, he challenges you to identify the substances in the water (such as iron, sulphur, general minerals, and the hardness of the water.)

"Water you learn more intimately than fire.  Fire is a thing of observation, of the mind's appreciation, but water you feel for of water you are made."

This is the first half of the day, and the most difficult for you are falling behind here.  You simply don't have the educated palate that a Lakrainian does.  They are accustomed to arguing fine points of taste; a bunch of wine snobs they are.

But in the second half, which is more scientific knowledge, you don't excel as much as you had with fire, but still you are doing very well, aided by your advanced scientific knowledge.

PT

Stupid water tasting exercises.  This had better be worth it.  After the lessons were over, I walked over to where the Librarian was standing.  "Hey, uh, I was wondering something... umm, after we've finished with the sprites and whatnot, what happens then?  I know it's a long way off, but I'm curious."

"The classical path for you would be fire sprite, water, earth, air, and then fire pixie, water..., and then fire elemental lord, and ...."


A sprite seems to be a hand-sized creature noted for small helps, and helpign with magic; a pixie is a horse-sized creature with greater strength to help such as pull sleds, and a fire elemental is a twenty foot tall pillar of fire.

There's some arguement as to whether this is the sum total of magic, the first six circles, or if that is merely the first three circles.  But thats all they know.

PT

"Okay, cool, thanks."  My training continues...

About three weeks later, you have your first water sprite summoned.  You try to name it, but some element of its nature is not covered, and you fear there is a trace element in it that you can't figure out.

As it starts raining and hailing on you, you realize you could take a desperate chance on guessing its nature.  You could suck in some so that you may taste it.  But even as you are thinking of this, the Librarian who seems to read your mind, is shaking his head no.

PT

I hold my arm up above my eyes, stopping the hail from hitting them.  Man... not good... what's happening?  Maybe I should've picked something besides water...  Gritting my teeth, my mind raced through different possibilities for naming the sprite.  It's angry... hail... cold... ice-ish, maybe?  Gah!  That's not it.  Grr... I better try again anyways.  I quickly decide on a name and shout it out, hoping I would be right...

The ball of water sizzles,and smashes into your outstretched and protective arms.  You can feel the scalding burns on your forearms.  It circles back, eyeing you, readying itself for another charge.

"If I interfere your chance with this creature is over."  The Librarian reminds you.  Keep on, or let the Librarian dispel it?

PT

I shake my head.  "No, I can handle this.  If I can't even handle this little thing, honestly, what chance do I have to save the world?"  I grit my teeth and rub my arms with my hands, hoping somehow to disperse the pain.  In my convuluted mind, this somehow seemed to work.  "Okay... let's try this again..."  If I don't get it this time I'm screwed... maybe I'll have to give up on water if I don't get it.  Wait... maybe...  I lick my arms, trying to get any sort of residual taste of the sprite that may be left on them before shouting out another name.

A faint taste of volcanic ash, as if its water that trickled down a stream cut in a still smoking ash field....

And suddenly you see a vision of a world where Earth and Air and Fire and Water make war on each other continually, with no letup, and with no humans to slow things down, to mitigate the joyous fierce dance of mayhem.  And in that vision, you see a small water creature climb out of a small creek in a field of ash, and hear a call, and follow it to another world.

And you realize it wants to stay here, but its getting frustrated with the Human who is not getting it, and threatens to toss it back into the other world.

PT

I blink my eyes several times as the vision fades.  Slightly used to the aftereffects from the previous vision I had, I quickly regain my focus.  Okay, that gives me a better idea of what this thing is about.  Now, howzabout we try again...  I calm myself as best as I can in a couple of seconds, and proceed to shout out another name, hopefully more accurate than the last several.

"Metaquifer!" You sing out, your voice chiming in the air like a thousand bells, and the zoom of its imminent attack slows to a halt directly in front of you, and out of the blob of water a face emerges, and then a whole body except for the feet which are mired in a handspan wide cloud which it stands on.

"Master."  It bows in mid-air.  "For my name, I will serve you faithfully for a year and a day."

PT

I breath out a sigh of relief and fall backwards into a chair.  Thank God I figured that out.  I thank the sprite for its promise of service and dismiss it, having no current need of the sprite.  I look over at the Librarian and begin laughing quitely.  "See?  I told you I could do it."  I begin to laugh louder as I rest my head back against the chair.

The Librarian laughs with you, and whispers words to his sprite, and your wounds fade even as you find yourself drifting off to sleep.  The next "day"? you wake in your bed, and wander out to see the two practising water magic with their sprites.

They are trying to get their sprites to shoot a small dollop of water across the room, and land it in a cup.  Every time they miss the cup, the water bounces off some invisible screen and splatters the luckless magician.

The Librarian is mostly dry, but Elle's hair is soaking wet.

PT

I grin as I see Elle and the Librarian practising, Elle apparently not doing that great.  I go and stand next to Elle and then ask if they mind if I join them.

OoC: Blah, short post.  I feel embarrassed when I do these.

V_V

They don't mind at all, and Elle warns you that the Librarian likes to cough at odd times to throw off your concentration.  He just grins in response to the accusation.

The trick Elle explains.

"Call your sprite.  And then visualize the motion of water, and speak the words of power with the proper gestures."

It looks complicated, and the words are in a language you're unfamiliar with, but you try, and suddenly you feel a surge of power, and a stream of water erupts from your fingertips, and slams into the cup knocking it to the ground.

The Librarian is looking at you with astonishment on his face.

"What was that?"

PT
OOC: Congrats. Thats your first botch, and instead of hurting yourself, you got very lucky, and potentially learned something new.  A GE roll of 5 for your botch. A "6" or higher would be bad news.

And I do bear in mind you're running another game.

I open my eyes wide and slowly move them between the cup and my fingertips.  After what seems like almost a minute of not blinking, I slap myself lightly on my cheek and knock myself back into reality.  Holy crap!  Holy crappity crap wings!  Holy budangledongs!  "Whhoooaaa..." I say, still partially stunned by what I just did.  "That's something you don't expect to see."  I look at the Librarian before continuing.  "I... I really don't know what I just did.  I was hoping you'd be able to tell me..."  I rub my fingertips lightly, still amazed at what just happened.

OoC: w00t for botches!

^_^

"Herald of the End.  I don't know. I've never heard of such a thing.  But I take this as a gladsome thing, children."  The Librarian is a bit calmer now than when he started, so he resumes a paternal smile.  "Because by all I knew of magic, we were doomed. Evidently there is something, I and my kindred don't know of magic, and thus there is hope, more hope than just a prophecy.  But a door cracks open, and perhaps a way to escape is there."

Elle shrugs, and then gives you an urchin grin.

"It was very neat, whatever it was.  Can you do it again? Repeat every move, word, and thought as before..."

PT

"Yeah, sure, I guess I'll try again..."  I attempt to get back into the frame of mind I was in when I cast the previous spell.  Okay, then, if I could get this a bit more precise, this could be very fun.  I remember what Elle told me before I attempted the spell as last time, and then tried to remember what I did differently when I, if you could call it that, messed up.  Okay, here we go...  I focus myself again and attempt to recreate the previous effect...

You curl your left pinkie, and form your right hand into a claw, and then release it to point it in your targetted direction, while saying the words, and trying to feel the same thoughts (which is probably the hardest part)...and a thin stream of water arcs out from your fingertips, but does not reach the target zone.

It worked, but just barely.

1@1 Magic spell of Water Projection with the aid of your sprite.  Requires thirty seconds, both hands, mental visualization, and a phrase in a foreign language.

pt

"Gah!  It didn't work so well this time."  I shake my head to clear it and then get right back to practicing.  All right, I'm going to keep trying this until I can get it a bit more reliable... that or if the Librarian wants to continue with the lessons.  I form my hands once again and visualize what will happen in my head.  Instead of merely saying the words this time, I decide to try shouting them, to see what would happen.

You shout it out, and it doesn't work.

The Librarian stands, frowns, and searches for the right words.

"Its a problem with bright students.  They want to experiment, and indeed, they have to experiment, but at the same time, they don't have a good feel for when its a good time to experiment, and when not.  But for right now, I'd prefer you got some more under your shirt, before you try to customize these spells."

You try again, and nothing.  Another time, and a good strong strike doesn't surprise you, yet it does.  You keep on for most of an hour, and then the Librarian says.

"Enough. More practise later. Now, go begin on this book."  He hands you a copy on air sprites.

PT

"Okee-dokee, then.  I'll start on this."  Hmm, air.  I suppose I'm fairly familiar with this stuff, I breathe it every day.  I laugh to myself quitely at a joke that's somehow funny to myself in my current mental state and then proceed to take the book out onto one of the balconies.  It's nice out here... suitable for the subject, too, I suppose.  I begin to study the book, energized that I'll be able to summon another sprite within a matter of weeks.

About two hours later, deep into your study, you smell smoke. You look up, and a ring of fire, about three feet high appears around your chair.  A man, with his face dark with suppressed fury, floats up in front of the balcony.  He is standing on a small cloud, about five feet away.

"You are NOT the Herald of the End.  And I'm going to prove it."  Suddenly his hand is wreathed in flames, and he turns back to you after studying his hand with a malicious glance.

"Ready to burn, Herald?"

PT

I looked at the man who was floating in front of me.  First prophecy of the water?  No, the one in there had a sword... this isn't the end yet.  I look around at the fire that he surrounded me with.  Fire... I've always loved this stuff.  It never really hurt to stick my finger in candles.  This is a bit different, I suppose...  "All right," I say to the man.  "If you really don't believe I'm the Herald, you're entitled to that belief.  You have fun with it.  Me, I'm just gonna go back this way now..."  Continuing to look at him, I attempt to call forth the sprites I have links with.  First, the one of fire, and then water.  Perhaps one of the sprite will be able to part the fire... or at least subdue it slightly, making it hurt less.  If all else fails, I plan on simply pulling out my knife and charging him head on as he comes at me.

I wonder what my odds of beating this guy really are...

OoC: You know a game like this is good when you get an adrenaline rush.

o_O

You call forth the two sprites who buzz angrily at the man.  He is startled. And then nods.

"You learn quickly, but then Talanday the Librarian was a great mage, even if he is now a fool.  But I am stronger."

He throws a formless blob of fire at you.  Your water sprite dives in its path, and absorbs it.  But its sore weakened,and it floats slowly back to land on your shoulder.

OOC: I'm not sure in the abundance of your plans, what you're actually wanting to do.

PT

I grit my teeth and look appreciatively at the water sprite.  "Look," I begin, still trying to reason with the man.  "You can believe whatever you want, I can't change that, but why on earth are you so adamant on killing me?  If I'm really not the herald, I'll fail somewhere along my training and end up killing myself.  Heck, I almost did that trying to summon this water sprite for the first time."  I look at the fire sprite who's still burning strongly.  I don't know the limit of its power, but I'm hoping it's enough.  "Okay," I whisper to it, "get the Librarian!  If he doesn't get here soon, I'm done for."  I look back at the man in front of me.  If he comes again, I'm going to attempt to use the water spray that I had learnt earlier to at least douse his attack.  If he comes at me in a different way, I plan on using the same water spell to douse some of the flames around me to allow me to jump out of the circle with a minimum of pain.

I don't know how much it will work, but if he attacks again, I'm done for.  I don't know if I can take a hit like that, and this sprite certaintly can't take another one.

OoC: Hope it's a bit more clear now.

;)

As soon as you say "If I am not.."  He shouts out "You are not the Herald." And you see genuine fear in his face.  Fear that he is wrong, and the way he's chosen to deal with that is to kill you, and thus prove you're not the Herald.

He listens to your speech, and seems moved, but his plan does not change.

"I'm sorry, I really am. You're causing chaos in the world.  People go to parties, and talk about you, and the End."  He seems saddened to kill you, but its a frankly pretty brutal culture, and people get killed all the time.

He slowly forms a blob of flame again, and tosses it at you.

You try to counter with a water jet.  It fails, as your concentration got disturbed by the sight of a flame blob drifting toward you.

It lights your shirt on fire, and hungry flames reach toward your face.

OOC: Well, here is a General Effects question.  I know the Librarian should be somewhere in his home.  Its unlikely he's just around the corner, and its possible he's not even at home, although also unlikely.  This seems an ideal subject for a GE roll.  A "3" and he was just about to talk to Mal, and is even now running to his aid.  A "30" and he left the house.

"18" which is in the middle, but slightly on the bad side.  Middle means most likely event.  Okay, he's in his library stacks, working halfway across the rather large building.  Mal's on his own for a while.  But if he can hold out for 3-4 minutes, he can see what a Master Magician can do to a minor adept.

And add in bad dice rolls for Persuasion and for the spell, and Mal's in trouble indeed.

PT
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:58, Sat 05 Nov 2005.

"Oh, crap!"  I rip my shirt off as fast as possible and throw it to the ground.  Not good, not good, not good... gah!  I gotta keep this guy talking, or I'm screwed.  "Hey, hey!  Calm down now!  What's there to get all worked up about?  Howzabout we have a nice cup of tea and solve our differences over a nice game of Scrabble?  Come on, Scrabble!  Everyone loves Scrabble!  You don't?  How about Monopoly, then?"  I grin, knowing full well there's virtually now way I could convince him not to kill me.  Well, this is just great... ****ing A...  In a last bid of hope, I send off the water sprite to try and find Elle.  I doubt she'll come any faster than the Librarian, but who knows... if she does she may be able to hold this guy off long enough for the Librarian to arrive.

Wait!  I feel along the sides of my jeans for my knife; thank God it's there.  I put my hand on its hilt, feeling its comfortable grip.  If he throws another of those fireballs, I don't know how well it would work, but I plan on hitting it with my knife.  Who knows, maybe it will work...

You wait with your hand on the blade, but not drawing it yet to hide your plan until the last second.  The irreligious fanatic summons another blob of flame and tosses it at you as Elle sprints in behind you.

"Oh." She says. "I had a bad feeling, and then your injured sprite..."

"Yeah." You say, and then whip out your blade, and fling it through the blob.  It dissipates, and your blade plunges past your attacker, and hurtles end over end toward the distant ocean, past the pyramid of metal beneath your balcony.

Your attacker grunts, and then says.

"Fine."

Elle then steps out onto the air across from him.  On her own micro-cloud.  She summons a blob of flame.

"You can't have him. He belongs to me."

Your attacker is startled, and the flame spreads out of control down his arm.  He grimaces and scuds away on the cloud while Elle throws a futile blob after him, but the attack is only short ranged, and your enemy is too soon out of range.

PT

OOC: A good plan for both, and we'll dice up the probabilities, and then see if we mix into the stir fry onions, or nuts, or sweet tomatoes.  GE 5 for Elle...woohooo! And the dice say a hit for Mal, and a botch for his attacker.

Crap!  My blade!  I love that knife... I'll have to see about getting that back later.  I look over at Elle appreciatively.  I haven't really done all that much for her, but she's still willing to protect me.  Pitiful as it is, I grab my switchblade in my pocket and flick it out.  If I seriously have to use this in combat, I'm screwed.  "What now, Elle?  There isn't really much I can do like this... hey, if you could get rid of these flames around me somehow, that'd be nice."

She calls up a rain from a small cloud that drenches you and the ring of fire even as your would-be assassin fades in the distance.  Her eyes look wet too you notice.

And then you hear a roar behind you, and suddenly a streak of flame passes you, and turns in mid-air like a sword turned to a rubber sword, and then metamorphoses into a gigantic bird of fire with the Librarian sitting astride it.

He looks fierce with both hands cloaked in blue/invisible flame, and around him and the bird a protective ring of cloud spins while a earth elemental pulls itself from the wall next to you, and a water elemental rises from the sea.  Its a stunning display of power, but too late.

PT

For some reason, I laugh weakly at the Librarian.  The white knight's a tiny bit late.  I look at Elle, surprised.  Her eyes... was she crying?  Nah, it must've been the wind or something...  "Hey," I yell out to the Librarian, "you're about 5 seconds late, but it's nice to see you could've dealt with him if he was still here.  Hey, any chance you could grab my knife?  It fell somewhere in the water over there."  Trivial as it is, I love my knife and would like it back.

I look back over at Elle.  "Thanks... thanks a lot.  I owe you one."

The Librarian nods, and flicks a drop of water onto your hand.  It falls off, and lands on the water elemental, curving like a missile to reach the elemental's hand.

"Return to him his knife, my friend."  The Librarian says.

The elemental nods, and sinks into the water without a trace of its passing.

Elle flies over to you, and jumps off her cloud and hugs you fiercely.

"You're not allowed to get yourself killed, you hear me."  She whispers into your hair.  The Librarian nods in acknowledgement of your comment, and his face then crinkles into a smile as he sees Elle hold her hug.

PT

I stumble slightly in surprise at Elle's hug before hugging her back a second later.  "Ah, don't worry, I'm not gonna die on you anytime soon," I whisper back.  After a few seconds, I break off the hug and face the Librarian.  "Thanks for my knife.  Oh, do either of you know who the heck that guy was?"

"Yes, Herald, I do. Halfast the Younger is a minor adept taught by Master Magi Winson.  I am not sure if he is acting as an agent of the Magi, or on his own.  I don't know much more about him."  The Librarian says as he lands on the balcony, and dismisses his servants with thanks.

"I think I will need to assign an elemental lord as a bodyguard."  The Librarian says.

"And you don't go out on the balconies by yourself." Elle says frantically waving her finger at you.

PT

I lean back away from Elle's accusing finger.  "Hey, hey, all right, all right!  Sorry, it's not really my fault if an insane person tries to kill me, is it?  And, besides... I like the stars."  I shift my gaze to the Librarian.  "Okay, I suppose a bodyguard would be nice if something like this happens again.  Definetely would be a lot better than having to wait for you guys again."

I shake my head, saddened by my own weakness.  Man... I suppose I'm not nearly done with my training here... oh, boy, this should get just funner and funner as time goes on.

Since you are studying air, the Librarian assigns the job of protecting you to an Air Elemental.  It continually changes shapes, ranging from a micro-tornado to a vaguely human-form to a miniature thunderstorm.  At first, as you try to study, it is driving you bananas, and you find yourself on the verge of snapping at it several times.

Meanwhile the studies are not going well.  You are attacking them with all due serious effort, but something is eluding you in the words and the lines between the words.

PT

"Gah!"  I yell out in frustration and smash my head into the book.  "This..." I smash my head again, "... isn't..." and again "...working!" And again.  I wipe my hand from my forehead back, pushing my hair back.  It's getting longer... I should probably get it cut soon, it's already starting to get in my eyes a bit.  Wait... why am I thinking about this now?  "Gah!"

My mind whirls over the different possibilities why I'm not getting it.  After thinking for a minute, I sigh and lean back in my chair.  "I dunno... I looked at fire, tasted water... am I suppose to smell air?  Bah, worth a shot."  I sniff at the air elemental, ready to try anything at this point.

The Elemental Lord smiles at you from a suddenly humanoid form, and then drifts up to the edge of the balcony wall, and gestures with a crooked finger and a smile for you to climb up on the wall beside it.

Needless to say, its a long way down over the edge.

PT

Well... it's the Librarian's... maybe it knows something I don't.  I follow it up to the balcony wall carefully, taking a lot longer than it did to climb up.  It may be able to fly, but I sure can't...  I look down at the drop and gulp slightly; I'd never really gotten over my fear of heights.  "Okay," I ask the elemental.  "What do you have in mind?"

It floats out over the empty space, and opens its arms wide, and then beckons for you to jump to it.  It does its best to look trustworthy.

PT

Okay...okay... I can do this...  "Come on, Malachai," I tell myself, trying to psych myself up.  "You can do this.  Come on, just jump out.  The Librarian wouldn't hurt you.  If he wanted to he could've done that a loooooong time ago.  This air elemental is his... the Librarian wouldn't let it hurt me.  Come on... come on..."

I whipe the sweat from my brow and hold onto the wall for another couple seconds before letting go.  I push off the wall with my legs, jumping towards it.

You leap out, your heart in your throat, and as your last toe recedes from the balcony, the only thought in your mind is...

"What did I just do?!?"

You reach frantic limbs out to the Elemental Lord, and it seems about to catch you, and then a burst of whimsy strikes it, and it retreats just out of reach laughing merrily.

You plunge in a screaming arc down toward the water and the base of the pyramid.  If only you can land in the water, you might be safe..

But no, you're going to hit the metal side of the pyramid about ten feet up from the water...

In a sudden blast of insight, you realize why you were having a problem with the air sprite.  Creature of air are fundamentally chaotic and whimsical.  You were approaching your studies with dutiful seriousness.

Your last thought is "What of the prophecy..."

Playtester
OOC: Well, I'll give you an @2 bonus to your willpower for your studies, and for this last test.  And we will continue this in the next world...