It was a cool, tranquil dawn in the small town of Wood Glen, situated on the outer fringes of the Old Wood, north-east of the capital of Draegouloth. It was as far as you could go in the Kingdom without leaving it. The Old Wood was disputed territory, claimed by none. In short; a no mans land. The town’s sole purpose was to watch the crossroads at the border, which ran north into Feralias, east into the Old Wood, and south along the border to Wood Haven and then west to the capital. The Soldiers posted there were charged to protect the road from any threat, foreign or domestic. It was one of many such towns which had risen around an ancient fort or watchtower and was populated mostly by soldiers and their families. Most of them were charged with the safety of the highway within a fifty mile radius and there were regular mounted patrols to protect those who traversed the king’s highway, thus ensuring the steady flow of commerce throughout the realm. Warfare was a way of life in Draegouloth. The nobility held their power by virtue of their status as professional soldiers. Many commoners were also professional soldiers, usually led by nobles. All who wished to maintain their safety and security had to be ready for a fight. It was, without too much exaggeration, a population in arms.

 For generations Draegouloth had been involved in wars of conquest against The Malacanan Highlands, Walles and, of course, Feralias. In the early wars the traditional obligation to the crown was 4 years. This worked fine for home defense, but proved impractical in a protracted war of conquest. A campaign would barely begin before the troops' obligation had expired. So a practice called Bail was invented. A person owing military service paid a lavish fee to the King and was rid of his or her obligations for that year. Since some people did not find military service particularly onerous, the king would then contract them for regular long-term service on the royal payroll, using the proceeds garnered from Bail to pay them. Thus Draegouloth developed something of a regular army, consisting of hundreds of private contractors willing to provide service anywhere and anytime at the King’s pleasure and expense. It was these men who formed the backbone of the Draegouloth armies through the past hundred years. The majority of the population found ready employment in the king’s army and not only that; being a member of the army had many other benefits as well. One of these was free housing. Such houses populated many small towns like Wood Glen, thus providing soldiers with a home and a post. In this way the king had a ready supply of well trained troops protecting his borders while still being able to field an army for conquests. The Bail paid by most of the Nobility, merchants, artisans, scholars, clergy and many others was more than enough to pay the serfs to be soldiers, who often joined up as early as possible. Many then retired to be farmers and the hard work of retired soldiers and their families fed the land. Thus the stability provided by the army allowed the Draegoulothians to flourish.

 Wood Glen was the pinnacle of Draegoulothian achievement. It was a self sufficient town, which was impressive for its small size, having a little less than a thousand stable inhabitants. Many caravans and other travelers passed through the town as well. Its strong military presence kept the peace and the wary foreigners respected the Highway Patrol based there, for those men had kept them safe, sometimes literally, rescuing them from certain death time and time again in those troubled days. It was no wonder that many of the people in this town were in the direct employ of the king, running the gamut of professions any one town needed. It was because of towns like this that most foreigners thought all Draegoulothians were soldiers, but in truth less than half the population actively practiced soldiering. The interior of the country was safe and the vast majority of the land had been turned over to agriculture, with indentured slaves working the fields.

Marcel was a typical Draegoulothian young man with straight black hair, dark brown eyes and an even, light complexion. He was shorter than most, standing just under six feet with a light, well muscled frame. It was evening now, the sun was just approaching the horizon, and he watched it with interest as it heralded the end of his shift. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. The chain mail armor he worn felt heavier than usual and his thighs were sore from a full day in the saddle but it was his hunger that had his attention, for his last meal had been breakfast, back at the crack of dawn. He was starving. He had been late for muster this morning, which meant that he had had to miss lunch, as that was the only time he could be punished for his transgression. He turned away from the sunset and looked at his partner. She had a proud, beautiful visage, Symoan did, and she returned his stare, unblinking. Grown men had quailed under that stare, despite the fact that she was only two years his senior. Symoan had a certain way about her that had men heading in the other direction when they saw her coming. Marcel gave her a feeble smile but kept his comment about the sunset to himself, that would be wasted on this one and he did not want her to think that he was flirting on duty. She had rather peculiar notions about that sort of thing, as some amorous fools had discovered over the years. They had started service in the same year, when he was fifth teen years old, but since Symoan had a few years over him she always acted as though she outranked him, constantly bossing him around whenever it suited her. Most men envied him spending so much time with a ravishing beauty; he hated every moment of it.

She was beautiful, he mused, as he stared at her in the evening light. Her posture was perfect as she rode in her saddle, straight back and squared shoulders, her head held high with stray wisps of her dark hair streaming out of her helm to billow in the wind. Her hazel eyes shone in the fading sunlight, her full heart shaped lips pursed in thought as her brow crinkled in a frown. Marcel wondered at the dark thoughts no doubt was running through her mind, wreaking havoc in its wake, a havoc that would no doubt be unleashed at him for no other reason than he was near. He smiled at that thought; when she was angry she never looked more beautiful. It was only because they were on patrol that he stopped himself from making some quip to rouse her temper, settling instead for studying the countryside. They were patrolling the kings’ highway along the eastern border of the realm. The patrol route ran from Wood Glen to the nearby town of Woods Hallow and back again, the entire trip taking up a days travel.

Twenty six of the Kings finest rode the best horses the land could provide on this patrol, and they were a sight to behold. Draegouloth was rich in natural resources and its fertile lands had been put to good use. The militaristic outlook on life gave its people a strong sense of duty and discipline. “Whatever you do; do it well!” was the country’s motto and its people took it to heart. It was no surprise then that many of its neighbors had their eye on the fat, lush bosom that was Draegouloth, jealous of its riches and eager to take it for their own. A successful raid on a Draegouloth (patrol?) would provide bandits with superior weapons, luxurious food stuffs and merchandise that would be of personal use or else fetch a high price in foreign lands. It was no surprise then that many had tried to attack the caravans that used this road. Large bands had dared to attack Wood Hollow in the recent past but only an army would even try to take Wood Glen, it being walled and well fortified.

There was always the threat of battle on any given patrol and more than once patrols had come across roving war bands of Orcs, goblins and trolls thrice its size seeking to rape and pillage. Thus the soldiers in Marcel’s squad were armed to the teeth. Each had a great sword strapped across his back, a long sword at his hip and a shield hung on their saddle. A short bow and quiver of arrows were affixed to the other side. Each weapon was forged with superior steel and was masterfully crafted, being well balanced and razor sharp. But there would be no fighting this day, the walls of Wood Glen could be seen in the distance. The commanding officer issued the order 'gallop' with a simple field signal as though he was to weary to speak and the columns thundered forward as one, racing home. Marcel was riding through the gates by the time the sun had sunk below the horizon and dusk had settled over the scene, it slammed shut as the last man rode through and it was barred for the night with a huge star-steel bar.

A mounted soldier stood before a group of children mounted on small ponies as Marcel rode by. They ran the gamut from seven to twelve with an almost equal mix of boys and girls. They wore cute leather Armour and had wooden weapons strapped on their person. They truly resembled a group of children imitating the adults in a game of war and would have been a comical sight, if not for the steel clad warrior whose heartless expression kept them rigid and quiet, with an intensity no school marm could muster. He remembered well when he was one of those unfortunate souls who would be forced to stay up all night drilling. Yet he could not deny the effectiveness of being trained in war craft from such an early age. He stopped to watch them for a while with the intention of singling out the ones that showed true potential. One day these very children might be under his command and he would need to know who could be depended on and for what. But a single glance from Symoan had him moving again. He was technically off duty since night had all but fallen, but Symoan being who she was would not allow him to slack off until they had first seen to their horses, weapons and armor, in that order.

“You know it wouldn’t kill Swift to have me in the saddle a few minutes more. I have been keeping my eye on the younglings for good reason, you know I will be promoted to a Knight-Captain on my twenty first birthday next month. How I am to select a unit if I don’t know who is capable and who isn’t?”

His voice was calm and sure, just loud enough for her to hear but not loud enough to be overheard. She said nothing but the sneer that now marred her beauty was answer enough. She would be twenty one in a few days but her family was not of noble blood and thus she would have to work her way up in the ranks. Marcel knew she had hated him for that reason alone and it had amused him to give her many more. Somehow it made him feel better that it was not the sole reason for their enmity. They rode on in silence, their horses trotting in unison. Both soldiers sat perfectly in the saddle, arms clasped comfortably on the saddle horn looking much like a pair of warrior twins. They might hate each other but they had trained together, fought together and bled together for four years. Each had deep respect for the other’s battle prowess and trusted each other with their lives. They had been dispatched to Wood Glen to review the trainees and make selections to replace their losses.

Goblin-kin of Feralias had become aggressive in their incursions and skirmishes along the border was becoming common place. One such incursion had pushed miles into the Old Wood and a the Seventh legion had been dispatched to deal with the threat. They had been victorious but had sustained heavy losses and were now in the midst of refilling the ranks. Marcel and Symoan had been chosen to gather two full platoons from the nearby garrisons and Wood Glen was their first stop. They would be leaving in two days to travel to Stag Haven to the east and finally, Duskshire a weeks travel from here before heading north west to Northwatch Keep where the Seventh Legion were stationed. They wouldn't be choosing any of the younglings this time but you never knew what the future holds and Marcel might end up with a bunch of teenagers under his command. Thanks the stars trainees didnt start service until they were at least thirteen.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:26, Mon 04 Feb 2019.

Noel Gayle: lol
Noel Gayle: shut up
Noel Gayle: listen
Noel Gayle: I got quite a bit
michael webster: k
michael webster: so bossy
Noel Gayle: the relationship with his sister, the towns people and his peeps
Noel Gayle: and with the trainer
Noel Gayle: I picture a open field
Noel Gayle: an
Noel Gayle: kinda like the ones in a stadium
Noel Gayle: with marked tracks around it
michael webster: yeah i should put that they are tracks formed from so many years of people running circles around it good one thanjks
Noel Gayle: and in between the tracks
Noel Gayle: there are people training
Noel Gayle: maybe doing different things
Noel Gayle: areas separated by rope/fences
Noel Gayle: for martial training
Noel Gayle: hand to hand
Noel Gayle: horseback
Noel Gayle: archery
Noel Gayle: or the archery range could be off to one side, its gonna need a LOTTA space
Noel Gayle: with nothing behind the target but a wall
Noel Gayle: targets*
michael webster: Wi KNOw
michael webster: I know lol
Noel Gayle: lol
Noel Gayle: yeah, just talking like I'm thinking
Noel Gayle: typing, rather
michael webster: yeah more on that I will flesh out that yard
Noel Gayle: cool beans
Noel Gayle: you established that he and the trainer had a good relationship quite easily
Noel Gayle: but the bit with him and his sister needs to be...polished, but that will come
Noel Gayle: I like the bit with him hopping while he put on his boots and all that, got the feel of him hurrying down pat with that whole sequence
Noel Gayle: the whole transition from night to day was a bit abrupt, though
Noel Gayle: and the backstory with him, his sister and the town maybe could be expanded a bit to include a little more about what will come, like mention the fact that he was thinking about her and training, or whatnot
Noel Gayle: you get what I'm saying
Noel Gayle: I hate typing, I'm a SO much better talker
Noel Gayle: but anywya
Noel Gayle: anyway
Noel Gayle: you could also spend a little bit more time describing his parents and the interior of his house, don't want them to be throwaway characters, need that emotional connection before we kill the bastards
Noel Gayle: just me being a nitpicker
michael webster: NO THIS IS GOOD STUFF

What is happening now in the world?
- The human nations are beginning to expand their borders.

What is going on with the different powers in the world, the races, the relations between the different factions/powers in the world?
- The humans have consolidated their power and frormed an alliance. They plan to expand their borders to facilate booming populations as well to one day hsare borders with each country in alliance. They are currently separated by other nations. Nuff said.

How does magic work? Just like in the books, or are we gonna change it? And is so, in what ways? How dangerous is it? What are the consequences for messing it up? Do the dragons even allow anyone to use it anymore? Do they hunt down those who do? How does this affect divine magic?
- Yes by book rule but we are allowed to take dramitic license with the effects lol. Magic is of course the most dangerous tool on Aimat. Umm what dod you  mean,if you use it it does nothing to you (unless of course you want it to). If others find out you will be immediately killed. The Great War was about the eradication of magic by the Dragons. And even today people fear the use of magic will bring the wrath of dragons upon them. It is an ingrained fear, instinctive, so they fear and hate magic and have actively tried to destroy ever trace of it. Most people dont realize why they hate it they just do and propaganda spread by Polymorphed dragon-Kings fuel it. They would conduct witch hunts yes. Divine Magic is virtually nonexistent, except for a few adepts at healing spells. Clerics dont exist for the risk of being taken for a wizard is too great.


What ARE the dragons up to, and what are their relations like with the other races, if any?
- The dragons rule the world. Most of the nations leaders are dragon polymophed, posing as human. Still more dragons live among the races, disguise by magic, pulling the strings to suit their needs. There is a draconic kingdom far tothe east. The dragons retreated there after the great war. There are rebel dragons as well, those clans that disagreed with the Great war and whose ancestors includes the dragons that gave the gift of magic to the lesser races inthe first place. They watch and wait now, their agents dispersed around the world, teaching magic one or two disciples, keeping the tradition alive.

What is are the relations between the different continents, such as in trade, diplomatic, etc.?
- the continents are two far apart fpr the current technology of shipwrights. But Dragons keep tabs on the happenings on all continents while keeping the lesser racees ignorant.

Are there any goods from other countries available out where the character lives, and are they expensive, special, etc.? yes but its rare.

How are the people spread out, and where are the major towns/metropolis's, etc.? We will flesh that out as we go.

Apart from the races, what else lives in this world, monsters, ancient creatures, etc.? If its in DnD its here.

How does magic affect these people, and what are their religions, and how do THOSE work? religion is much like it is in the our world, but adepts can wieeld healing spells and frequently do so as they make up the vast majority of the clergy.

Who do the villagers from the village that we start out in pay homage to? Do they have a local lord to report to, or are they REALLY out on the frontier, by themselves, and self ruling?
- They are ruled by a king but they live so far out they rareely feel his reing. They are military base first and foremost so its a LN town run like a an army base but less rigid since they are raised to be disciplined there is little need to enforce punishments. The High Warden rules as mayor and Adjutant. The closer you get to teh capital the more things change.



Just some questions to start, I'll have more later.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:41, Wed 05 Dec 2007.

The sorcerer.

Pale and thin, but with a quiet, determined air about him. Dirty brown hair that grows into a thick mop of auburn as he ages/story progresses. Yellow, almost golden eyes with flecks of red in them, that seems to smoulder with a red tint when he's angry/upset. Lanky, but not ungainly, he's all thin and tight muscle, a result of the relentless regimen of exercise that the hermit puts him through for two hours in the mornings, and again at nights whenever he goes back home (suggestion).

He is considered aloof and distant, but the truth is that he is not comfortable around the people of the village, being a logical individual, as well never really feeling welcome there. He is not given to shows of emotion, nor is he quick to anger, excepting where Mika, and then gradually, where her brother is concerned. He really has a seething temper, but the hermit has been teaching him breathing, focus and calming exercises since as far back as he can remember, all for a purpose, of course.

He doesn't talk much, and if Mika (meaning suggestion) begins to communicate with him telepathically, he will only speak when necessary. He always feels alone, and is never really comfortable around people (more on that as he develops).

Thoughts...? Very incomplete, I know...

About the taint....I wasn't thinking of a taint, so much as a reaction to humans dealing with magic. Like I was saying, they age quicker, or get weaker physically the more they use/stronger magic they use, and become more and more dependent upon magical sources for sustenance, eventually leading to lichdom as a potential consequence of going down that road, or wasting away to become (pick a ghost type here), or so on and so forth, things like that. I dunno if its natural, or its because of the dragons (I guess the latter would work, or else the dragons WOULD have had a point in doing what they did originally...)...in that its almost like a sickness that one catches if you use too much magic over a period of time...or maybe its a taint that is specifically targeted at sorcerers, since they would be a subset of humanity that the dragons would want to stamp out.

Also, I don't want there to be one kind of magic either. The books do this, but you know me, the books never please me...different kinds of magic, with distinctive rituals and effects, not just the same spells in different forms. I'm not talking about the different schools of magic, either. That would only apply for wizards, whom are only one of the forms of magic/magic user that I'm talking about. In my mind, there are no different schools for a sorcerer, just the magic, and his intent. He shapes it as it happens, THROUGH SHEER FORCE OF WILL, and either he controls it, or it controls him. Geomancy would be another type of magic, but not like the book does it, more than just same spells, different package. A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FORM OF MAGIC, ACCESSIBLE/USABLE only by a geomancer.

And anytime magic users of two differing types fight, there are always explosive consequences. Different types of magic don't mix.

Lemme know what you think.

So we need to talk about the direction this is going to take, before we even finish this. I get the impression you want to do a dnd style novel, somehow set in the world or affiliated with them.

My question is, why?

Why not just do our own world, setting, whatever? If its good enough, we could probably (insert word I'm forgetting at the moment here) it into a setting, and release it from an independent press. To hell with what has gone before, we do our own thing around here.

Let me know what you think. Besides, I consider dnd the windows of rpging, and you know how much I love microsoft, so.....why, then, do you think I'd want to be associated with WOTC?

But if you want to, I will, no problems. It was your project first, so I'll accede to your wishes.

Let me know what you think.

....and we really need to compress those copy and pasted convos into some (another word I'm forgetting at the mo) notes.

A fair question and a good assumption, I can't bother go into why I would write a DnD novel. However I am going to cuss you. Because if you READ THE POSTS ABOVE THIS ONE, YOU WOULD SEE PLANS FOR AN INDEPENDENT SETTING.

I was tempted to through a “go fuck yourself” in there but I am trying not curse.

I was also thinking about fucking off with the "Horde". Let the enemies be Elves and Dwarves for once.

LOL.

Yes sir.

I don't have a problem with the 'Horde', so to speak. The very nature of orc and the goblinkin and giantkin bring them into conflict with man, elves and dwarves. They're not civilization builders, but rather more nomadic hunter-gatherer's, with the possessions of the other races being what they gather, and the other races (among other things) being what they hunt. So....as far as I am concerned, conflict with the other races is inevitable, and I would think more with the dwarves than the humans, though, as they seem to more favour the kinds of environments where you would find the orcs, more than the other races, such as caves and mountains....the orcs would really have to go looking for the elves.

...but thinking along the lines of the monster races in Eberron, then that's fine. As far as that is concerned, there would be a clear hierarchy, with a mix of strength and intelligence being the determinants of who, or rather, what, would be the leaders/warlords, and all that. Flesh that out as we go.

Anyway...I'm off to read the posts above, make my own notes, and post them here. Yes myky, I'm trying to do my homework.

...and good job with the trying not to cuss *rereads myky's post* so to speak...

:D
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:08, Thu 21 Aug 2008.

Ok, more questions.

No clerics, but what about paladins? Holy warriors should still exist in some form, as there probably would still be religion to some extent....even if its only the worship of the dragon kings. How do they explain their abilities..if any?

Ok, you said that if its in the books, its in here...wow. You know, as far as I am concerned, the monster manuals were always more in the way of...guidelines, so to speak (Jack Sparrow voice, complete with swaying and grand flourishes), realistically there was NO way ANY world could support that amount of monsters running around, they would've overrun and eaten all the other races already, INCLUDING the elves and the dwarves, I don't care what anybody says.

So.

We need to determine which creatures we are going to feature, which ones we are going to encounter in passing, and which ones are only gonna be mentioned. Not a sit down and talk about it, but just something to keep in mind as we go along.

Now, about this frontier town...the three of them are going to have to make it to civilization by themselves...after just having been ravaged. We need to work out the geography, terrain, all that. How this affects the races that live there, and all that. Thinking about minor details, and how it all fits together.

More as it develops.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:52, Thu 21 Aug 2008.

Ok. Whether or not the post up top will be used in the final work, its tone, flow and structure is good. I like it. I like it a lot, in fact, I'd read the book that that post was the opening pages of, as its a good setup for a number of different scenarios (not barring the immediate love story setup in the latter part...).

So, to recap.

A world recovering from a war that took place more than a hundred years ago. Dragons came down and did their thing in an attempt to rid the lesser races of their use of magic. In the time that has passed, these lesser races have pulled themselves up out of the rubble of that cataclym, and they have reorganised into the beginnings of an empire. At the same time, the orc, goblin- and giantkin are themselves being organized by a strong, new warlord, who is managing to unite them behind him into an unprecedented force.

Dragon kings rule the land, keeping the people deceived about magic, its uses and sources, and their agents also go among the people, keeping up a relentless vigilance in their pursuit and destruction of the practitioners of magic from among the lesser races. On the flip side, there are clans among the dragon population which themselves disagree with the actions of their more forthright relations. Although they do not oppose them openly, the do support a (burgeoning?, fledgling?, well established?) rebel movement, training those that they find to be strong, either in natural talent (sorcerers and the like) or mental affinity (wizards and their ilk) in the ways of magic. Do they require those trained to see things their way, and to use their abilities and training in ways that they approve, or are they neutral, and only support the spreading of the knowledge, trusting to fate and each individual to find their own path and useage/application of these gifts, for good or ill?

How has this restriction of magic affected religion? Beyond their only being adepts to dispense healing, and this, I would assume, at the larger and more important of the temples, how are the other aspects of religion affected? You said that there are no clerics, which has its own ramifications for the setting, but...how does that affect the religous structure of the country? How many temples are still open, is open religious worship still encouraged, and to what extent? Are there armed guards and royal agents posted at these temples?

Is education controlled by the dragon-kings as well? How has the nobility structured itself in the last two hundred or so years? What are the power structures like, among the upper classes of the society? How is commerce affected? Was this continent the only place where the dragons came down and tried to eradicate magic? If not, how are relations with the other countries, either in the open or through secret channels?

What is the military structure like? How much do the dragon-kings regulate their 'kingdoms'? Are they aloof and distant rulers, or are they very much in the thick of things, as far as the day to day running of the kingdom is concerned? How is the life of the most ordinary citizen of the country affected by the set of circumstances now governing their country?

Where are the elves? Dwarves? Fae? Do they have any special agreements with the dragons, being inherently magical creatures themselves? How are the magical monsters treated, regarded by the dragons? How are the monster races treated/regarded? You said like they are in Eberron, not as much bestial, as much as another race/bunch of races trying to establish their own civilization through their own means. If so, how are relations between them and the other races? Is the racism overt or covert? Are their secret alliances between the humans and the monster races, an attempt to overthrow the dragons?

What about psions and psionics? Is this regarded as another form of magic and stamped out, encouraged to work in the service of the dragon-kings, and killed in secret if they refuse, what? How are psionics regarded by the rest of the population? Feared? Revered? Do religious movements spring up around them, or are they just another aspect of life to deal with? How rare/common is it?

How many other planes/realms are they, and what are the relations with them like, if any?

Just some questions to help you properly frame this whole thing in your mind, and give us both more info to work with.

His name is Tomas, and he is a quiet lad. Aloof, distant, always watching, always on the outskirts, even among other youth of his agegroup. He's a street fighter, knowing rudimentary principles of hand-to-hand combat from scrapping with the other boys in the village, and a few of the adults as well. The old man that he stays with on the edge of the village is an abusive guardian, hitting him and kicking him at every oppurtunity. He works him like a dog, hiring him out to the farmers, tanners, blacksmiths, etc. in the village. As such, he is stronger and fitter than he looks. He does not train with the militia in the village, not being allowed to by his guardian. Rather, he is taught math, reading and writing, as well as certain aspects of 'higher science' by the scholars of the village, in memory of his parents. When not working or being taught, usually at the back of the school, in secret, he wanders the fields and forests surrounding the village, or hangs out with mika, helping her with her sums, and listening to her talk about her dreams. She is the only person in the village that knows about his 'gifts'....sort of. He learns elemental composition, mathematical relationships and principles of heat, as well as alchemy, from his teachers.

He is all thin, corded muscle. When the reader firsts meets him, he is dressed in a drab outfit, a threadbare shirt and pants with frayed cuffs. He has a cord tied around his neck, at the end of which dangles a walnut shell with a hole at one end, through which the cord runs. Around his head is a an old headband, weatherbeaten and faded, a deep red faded to a dull brown, adorned with one central design. His sandals are old, but strong, requiring only a good clean and polishing to shine in with its former glory. He can hold his own in a fight, but he wins those that he does get into, and avoids the rest by using his intellect.

He advances his sorcerer skills mainly in his dreams, at the outset. Magic is a science of the mind more than anything, and for sorcerers this is even moreso. Sorcerers are (historically) creatures of emotion, their power rising and falling with their moods, their ability to manipulate and control the energies around them depending upon innate skill and instinct. They achieve greater power quicker than wizards, but are more at risk at burning out from a wayward attempt at spellcasting, as well as often lacking the control over the spells they can cast, never having been taught how. Wizards have precise control over smaller amounts of power, but are knowledgeable in wider applications of the power, having studied for decades to gain their mastery of it.

He is taught in his dreams by a playful dragon spirit, with whom he plays games, creating and manipulating different coloured streams of light and different levels and intensity of sounds, changing the environment about them as they go. His guardian told him that it was his spirit dragon, meaning that he was one cursed by the dragons to be a source of ill luck and discord to those around him until he dies, and that he should avoid the creature as much as he can when he does dream. This only causes him to play with it all the more. In doing so, he hones his mental ability to relate to, and manipulate the different streams of energy that make up magic in reality. He does not realise this for a long while. He tells mika about the dragon, who encourages him to play with him, telling him that dragons (good dragons) are symbols of knowledge. She does not tell him that they are also symbols of power, and good or bad, dragons are symbols of destruction and upheaval. When he awakes, he does not remember the specifics of his dreams, but the training that was imparted stays with him, allowing him to incrase his mastery.

There was smoke above the trees to the east of the road, streaming into the air like an undulating black snake. At this distance it was clear that something big was burning. Rynd lifted a gauntlet clad hand and waved it forward signaling the columns to a gallop, straight for it. The horses thundered forward as one, as if they understood signal as well and needed no urging from their riders. They were good steeds trained almost from birth to bear their riders into battle and would instantly respond to the slightest pressure from their riders knees or spurred heels. In the space of a few minutes the riders entered the trees and the stench of burning wood and leather assaulted their nostrils. Rynd readied his shield and couched his lance; the other Shields following suit and the Archers readied their bows and knocked arrows. It could be nothing but it paid to ready, the unprepared did not last long on the Border.

This relatively small copse was not more than a few mile thick and the trees were not packed together like those in a dense forests so they made good time to its center.





OUR NATIONAL PLEDGE

Before God and All mankind.
I pledge the love and loyalty of my heart
The wisdom and courage of my mind,
The strength and vigour of my body
in the service of my fellow citizens.
I promise to stand up for justice,
Brotherhood and Peace, to work diligently and creatively,
To think generously and honestly, so that,
Jamaica may, under God, increase in beauty, fellowship
and prosperity, and play her part in advancing the welfare
of the whole human race.
OUR NATIONAL SONG
I pledge my heart forever
To serve with humble pride
This shining homeland, ever
So long as earth abide
I pedge my heart, this island
As God and faith shall live
My work, my strength, my love, and
My loyalty to give.
O green isle of the Indies,
Jamaica, strong and free,
Our vows and loyal promises,
O heartland, 'tis to thee
OUR NATIONAL PRAYER
Let us give thanks for all God's goodness and the wonderful heritage into which we have entered:
Response to each petition: We give thee thanks, O God

For Jamaica, our island home, the land of our birth -
RESPONSE
For the majesty of our hills, the beauty of our valleys, and the flaming loveliness of our gardens –
RESPONSE
For the warmth and brightness of our days and the calm and peace of our countryside –
RESPONSE
For the rich heritage of our people coming for many races, and yet one in purpose, in achievement, and in destiny, and for the dignity of labour and the service given by every citizen of our land –
RESPONSE
For freedom, just laws and our democratic way of life –
RESPONSE
For the high privilege and responsibility of Independence and for bringing us to nationhood –
RESPONSE
For our parents, teachers, religious and other leaders and all those who in every walk of life are helping to prepare us for responsible citizenship, and for all those who are giving voluntary service in the public interest –
RESPONSE
For the poets, artists and thinkers and all who create in us the vision of a new and better society –
RESPONSE
For our godly heritage, the example of Jesus Christ and the sacrifices of our fathers in the faith –
RESPONSE

...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
yo
Myky says:
ye
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
time for the war
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:

...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
apart from that
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
sup?
Myky says:
ddeh ya
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
at work?
Myky says:
home
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
zeen
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
so
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
what's been up with you this past week?
Myky says:
brb
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
.....right
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
http://www.johndiesattheend.com/
Myky says:
yeah
Myky says:
nothing mucj happened this week just work
Myky says:
I wont be ableto go online at work anymore, i can but they will bee watchingt for it
Myky says:
I moving up to max soon and I will have little or no net access at first
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
.....define moving....?
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok, what happened at work to cause that?
Myky says:
what
Myky says:
moving in
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
......
Myky says:
what you define? To live with or reside in a place
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
.....ok
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
sorry I asked
Myky says:
those dots really annoy me for some reason
Myky says:

Myky says:
They say we not doing any work
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
how so?
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok, I'll stop using them
Myky says:
so they cracking down on msn and net surfing on a whol eits nothing personal its my whole department which is l10 people so it will be easy for them to keep a tab on it
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
kk
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
np
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
so anyway
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
how's the project coming on your end
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
?
Myky says:
ok so far
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
posted some notes on the sorcerer earlier...waiting to hear what you have to say about it...
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
and on how magic works
Myky says:
I had some half formed thoughts about it but i doing my reasearch on the matter
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
Myky says:
I was trying to decide how prevalent magic will be
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
Myky says:
I was wondering if we should limit it to Dragons and Sorcerers who would have to have droconic blood in their lineage
Myky says:
I also reworked what I wrote before
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
mmm
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
so we make magic a direct effect of dragons?
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
hmmm
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
that would tie the series to dragons
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
and make anywhere magic appeared a definite target for dragons....
Myky says:
precisely
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
mmm
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
but then
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
no, not but
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
what power level are the dragons, since it seems that they'll be making frequent appearances in the books?
Myky says:
No not frequent
Myky says:
I guess the best thing to do now would be to type up a history off the world to illustrate teh role of Dragons
Myky says:
Remember this:

How does magic work? Just like in the books, or are we gonna change it? And is so, in what ways? How dangerous is it? What are the consequences for messing it up? Do the dragons even allow anyone to use it anymore? Do they hunt down those who do? How does this affect divine magic?

Myky says:
- Yes by book rule but we are allowed to take dramitic license with the effects lol. Magic is of course the most dangerous tool on Aimat. Umm what dod you  mean,if you use it it does nothing to you (unless of course you want it to). If others find out you will be immediately killed. The Great War was about the eradication of magic by the Dragons.
Myky says:
And even today people fear the use of magic will bring the wrath of dragons upon them. It is an ingrained fear, instinctive, so they fear and hate magic and have actively tried to destroy ever trace of it. Most people dont realize why they hate it they just do and propaganda spread by Polymorphed dragon-Kings fuel it. They would conduct witch hunts yes.
Myky says:
Divine Magic is virtually nonexistent, except for a few adepts at healing spells. Clerics dont exist for the risk of being taken for a wizard is too great.

Myky says:
That was from a previous discussion we had
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
yeah yeah
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
I remember that
Myky says:
thinking about changing king to emperor and he is the center of worship
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok, god-emperor
Myky says:
Because he has lived for centuries the people believe he is divine
Myky says:
yes
Myky says:
but in reality he id a Dragon
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
question about divine magic...whether or not there are clerics, does diving magic exist at all, and is it stronger, equivalent or weaker than arcane magic? For instance, if there is a secret sect of worshippers to some god that the dragons have outlawed worshippres for, and they have a priest, does he recieve powers, and how strong would those powers be, and what would determine it?
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
that's what I was really asking...if the answers are the same, then cool.
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
worship*
Myky says:
I was thinking yes but not in the starting Empire
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
did you see the link I sent you earlier?
Myky says:
The God-Emperor has it on lock and would have hunted and killed all but a few who we wont feature yet. I plan to wipe out that starting nation in teh first book and Name it The death of a Nation
Myky says:
what do you think?
Myky says:
yeah I saw it
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
sounds good
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
kk
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
will the series have an over all
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
name?
Myky says:
Warr torn
Myky says:
War Torn
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
any thoughts about artwork/art style?
Myky says:
Its back to another great war, the last one was a millenia ago
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
Myky says:
nope
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
kk

  You cannot send this file because it appears to be in use.  Close the program that is using this file and try again.

  Sending of "War Torn.doc; Death of a nation.doc" to ...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. has failed.

Myky sends:


Myky says:
Still need work

  Transfer of "War Torn.doc; Death of a nation.doc" is complete.

...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
kk
Myky says:
Psionics is big in the world though, its inherently human and the Dragons dont rate it so they leave it alone
Myky says:
Most people would be lesser psionics nothing major until now
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
Myky says:
Gonna make malacan a fighter/Psychic warrior
Myky says:
and his Sister a full Seer
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
sorcerer boy will be full on sorcerer for now
Myky says:
Ok
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
but he might have some psychic powers...are you saying that ALL people are latent psionics?
Myky says:
Also
Myky says:
we had discussed a rogue dragons who taught humans magic mellinea ago
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
yeah
Myky says:
they are back now teaching a seelect few humans in secret
Myky says:
we could say that the humans they teach are there direct decendants
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
Myky says:
But they are afraid to show their hands
Myky says:
Also nobody believes in Dragons
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
yeah
Myky says:
they are myth, pure fanatsy
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
lol, mhm
Myky says:
bbrb
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
yeah
Myky says:
back
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
yeah
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
any thoughts on what The Wastes are like?
Myky says:
yeah
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
good good
Myky says:
Its not a wastelandd
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
Myky says:
The call it that because the land is Wasted and Orckin
Myky says:
*on Orckin
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
?
Myky says:
Its actually good land bordered by moutains and shit
Myky says:
vast
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
the old wood?
Myky says:
ripe for teh picking if there wasnt a horde to contend with
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
kk
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
hmmm
Myky says:
its an old wood where the wild elves live but only we know about the elves
Myky says:
they kill anything that enters it
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
Myky says:
so no one goes in it becuase its huanted
Myky says:
ha ha
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
have some thoughts on how the elves should be
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
gotcha
Myky says:
I was thinking somee rasta elves
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
lol
Myky says:
Kinda a cross between Xendrik Drow and the Elves in Magic
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
Myky says:
I forgot what they are called but they are not to be fucked with
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
I'll look them up
Myky says:
Golgari or something like that
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
Myky says:
The Elves practice Divine magic, both clerical and Druidic
Myky says:
mostly druidic
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ah
Myky says:
What a hell if they were all druids
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
lol
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
yeah yo
Myky says:
Imagine being mauled by a wildshaped dire lion, nobody would know elves existed... hmmm
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
........hmm
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
a forest populated by crazed animals.....a myth perpetrated by the elves to keep people out, and explain the reasons for all the animal attacks....because all (or most) of their border guards are druids...>?
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
and or know the full range of summon nature's ally spells...?
Myky says:
yes
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
ok
Myky says:
this works
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
yeah, sounds good
Myky says:
I see it being another 12 book epic
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
lol
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
just about
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
if we don't watch ourselves
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:

...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
or
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
we do a set of trilogies...each told from a different perspective...human, elf, dragon...that's nine books right there...
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
anyway
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
orc...that makes twelve
Myky says:
Yes
Myky says:
I like
Myky says:
Do we collaborate on all or do we take series
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
collaborate on all, to a lesser or greater extent
Myky says:
kk
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
no matter what is being written, it has to have the approval of both
Myky says:
word
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
mhm
Myky says:
anyway I'm going to cook some food yow
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
kk
Myky says:
I will take this up a next in a bit
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
cool, I've got somethings to ponder
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
peace
Myky says:
ok
Myky says:
back
Myky says:
yeah me to
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
lol
Myky says:
I have a lot to ponder
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
mhm
Myky says:
I've been pondering
...with this pen, I scribe my destiny. says:
yes, myky

Vash I want to model the Empire off China except it won’t have an oriental flavor but more of a medieval zest. I want to use things like different nations and land forming one empire, dynastic rule and even the great wall (to keep out the hordes from the waste). Different languages similar to how Mandarin (spoken by over 70% of the population), Wu (Shanghainese), Yue (Cantonese), Min, Xiang, Gan, and Hakka. Other languages spoken widely by ethnic minorities include Zhuang (Thai), Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur (Turkic), Hmong and Korean.

In addition to that I want to bring across just how vast the lands are, much bigger than what we would be use to on earth. Remember this land was once ruled by Dragons and they brought the lesser races here millennia ago.


More on this later.

Ok, sounds good. You know me, I'm gonna want info on the topography, climate, so on and so forth, and maybe even down to whether or not the gravity is different, and how that affects the inhabitants, this not being earth and all.

I'll have an update on my ideas for fae and the sorcerer, among other things for you as well.

More as it develops.

EDIT: I take it that these warriors use martial arts...so. Are they going to use pre-existing arts, or are we going to make up a couple for them? If so, then I want to suggest one that focuses on wearers of heavy armour. I don't know how it would work yet, but I have this image of a line of full plate wearing warriors charging an orc line, and seconds before they collide the entire line takes off as one man and impact the orc line feet first in their chests. They would be unarmed, their defense and weaponry being composed of the armour only. These warriors take no minuses from sleeping in their armour, in fact that's how they're most comfortable, and thats a part of their training. If your body isn't of a certain size/build, then you will not qualify for this training. Its a specialist unit, a kind of mobile Heavy Infantry, so to speak...if that makes any sense to you at all. Armoured monks...I know, I know, it goes against everything suggested by hand to hand training...well. Maybe we could use it for the Orckin, instead...they'd have more of the type of individuals that would be able to withstand this training...in fact, this unit could be a part of the reason why the new warlord is being so effective, its one of the units that he's personally created and championed.

let me know if you like or not.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:39, Tue 09 Sept 2008.

Page 35 of the Exalted.

....ok....cool.




So, anything else?

It was time to mount and out sword.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:33, Thu 16 Oct 2008.

....yeah mykes...I have a much better appreciation/understanding of the world that you're trying to portray...all of which only makes me appreciate the power that the Horde will have to be coming with to conquer those border bastards.

What's your work schedule look like for this weekend, myky?

8-6 my friend, 8am to 6pm.

The theme of the campaign is that extraordinary human heroes battle evil forces that most people don't believe exist. Magic is real, but dangerous. Many players may want permission to use material from the Arcana Campaign books -- including the Mage classeS and the drow race -- in this campaign. But I resist because such concepts don't match my idea of human heroes shunning magic as too dangerous to trust. I am, however, willing to allow classes such as the Bard, the Ranger, and the Monk, since they match the feel of the campaign.

http://www.wizards.com/default...cts/dndacc/953857400
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:35, Thu 06 Nov 2008.

The Land of Aimat

… a harsh and rugged realm of faded glory
where even heroes fear the encroaching Horde,
and the nameless horrors it brings…

In days long past, the land of Aimat enjoyed great power and prosperity. Beneficent Dragon-monarchs ruled from towering crystalline castles. Wizards and warriors kept the peace. Magic was plentiful, and the people were happy.
But then began the long and final War of Supremacy. Once-friendly benefactors became distant and hostile. A united kingdom fragmented as jealous dukes and princes fortified the borders of their holdings and declared independence from their dragon masters. War tore apart the fabric of the land and the glories of the old world tumbled into ruin. None ruled far beyond the length of his sword, and the mighty secrets of the ancient dragons disappeared from memory. Soon other races gazed at the human lands with longing in their hearts and began to systemically conquer and enslave its inhabitants.

No one remembers the first appearance of the Emperor, who is known only as the Great One. But what began as tiny footholds in the shadowy corners of the land slowly spread, taking all that fell beneath his gaze, until the many peoples of Aimat stood united at the very brink of their land’s destruction. Meanwhile other agents were at work. Just as the Emperor united the humans, so too did other agents unite the various races on Aimat into a single Horde. Can they stand together against the horde, or will the darkness take them all?


What Is Aimat?
AIMAT is a harsh and rugged realm of faded glory where even heroes fear the encroaching Horde and the nameless horrors it brings.

The brave and desperate heroes of Aimat rage against the dying of the light, seeking to reclaim the fading power and splendor of the ancient times. They are bright and glorious Illuminati; grim, battle-hardened Border Guard; melancholy yet ruthless elves; crafty, thoughtful Bureaucrats; wandering outcast half-elves; violent, savage Horde; impossibly fearless halflings; devious, Gloom-tainted tieflings; and the versatile, infinitely mutable caste of citizens.

Aimat’s daring heroes delve into long-forgotten ruins of their ancestors, seeking gold, gems, and above all else magical treasures to aid in the struggle against the Horde. They may also engage in political struggles, as the remaining fiefs and petty dukedoms vie for the meager resources provided by the weakening land, or defend the weak against cruel and evil predators.

The primary danger to the land of Aimat is the Horde—the merciless, unyielding horde that slowly spreads anarchy across field and forest, over river and mountain. The Horde brings with it horrible slithering beasts, corpses that walk like men, and foul Goblinoids from the pits of Doom. The Horde also taints those creatures it catches, creating horrible mutated aberrations, undead and the like.
Most sources of magic—whether the divine mysteries of slumbering gods or the arcane lore hidden in crumbling towers—rely on the secrets of the ancients. Such secrets are difficult to come by, resulting in a world relatively low in magic. But with the arrival of the Horde comes a new, pernicious form of magic that taps into a power that is very new…or very, very old.

The land of Aimat is a world of “post-apocalyptic Cthulhian medieval fantasy.” It takes the central theme of the classic D&D game—brave heroes battling terrible monsters in search of great treasures—and places it into a world where not only are the “good guys” not winning, they’re clearly losing the fight to horrible otherworldly forces. The low-magic aspect of Aimat forces characters to work harder than ever for their rewards, but ensures that they will prize their victories all the more.

We may indeed die together battling the Horde, but without a fight we will certainly die alone.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:28, Thu 06 Nov 2008.

The sorcerer.

Pale and thin, but with a quiet, determined air about him. Dirty brown hair that grows into a thick mop of auburn as he ages/story progresses. Yellow, almost golden eyes with flecks of red in them, that seems to smoulder with a red tint when he's angry/upset. Lanky, but not ungainly, he's all thin and tight muscle, a result of the relentless regimen of exercise that the hermit puts him through for two hours in the mornings, and again at nights whenever he goes back home (suggestion).

He is considered aloof and distant, but the truth is that he is not comfortable around the people of the village, being a logical individual, as well never really feeling welcome there. He is not given to shows of emotion, nor is he quick to anger, excepting where Mika, and then gradually, where her brother is concerned. He really has a seething temper, but the hermit has been teaching him breathing, focus and calming exercises since as far back as he can remember, all for a purpose, of course.

He doesn't talk much, and if Mika (meaning suggestion) begins to communicate with him telepathically, he will only speak when necessary. He always feels alone, and is never really comfortable around people (more on that as he develops).



His name is tomas, and he is a quiet lad. Aloof, distant, always watching, always on the outskirts, even among other youth of his agegroup. He's a street fighter, knowing rudimentary principles of hand-to-hand combat from scrapping with the other boys in the village, and a few of the adults as well. The old man that he stays with on the edge of the village is an abusive guardian, hitting him and kicking him at every oppurtunity. He works him like a dog, hiring him out to the farmers, tanners, blacksmiths, etc. in the village. As such, he is stronger and fitter than he looks. He does not train with the militia in the village, not being allowed to by his guardian. Rather, he is taught math, reading and writing, as well as certain aspects of 'higher science' by the scholars of the village, in memory of his parents. When not working or being taught, usually at the back of the school, in secret, he wanders the fields and forests surrounding the village, or hangs out with mika, helping her with her sums, and listening to her talk about her dreams. She is the only person in the village that knows about his 'gifts'....sort of. He learns elemental composition, mathematical relationships and principles of heat, as well as alchemy, from his teachers.

He is all thin, corded muscle. When the reader firsts meets him, he is dressed in a drab outfit, a threadbare shirt and pants with frayed cuffs. He has a cord tied around his neck, at the end of which dangles a walnut shell with a hole at one end, through which the cord runs. Around his head is a an old headband, weatherbeaten and faded, a deep red faded to a dull brown, adorned with one central design. His sandals are old, but strong, requiring only a good clean and polishing to shine in with its former glory. He can hold his own in a fight, but he wins those that he does get into, and avoids the rest by using his intellect.

He advances his skills mainly in his dreams. Magic is a science of the mind more than anything, and for sorcerers this is even moreso. Sorcerers are (historically) creatures of emotion, their power rising and falling with their moods, their ability to manipulate and control the energies around them depending upon innate skill and instinct. They achieve greater power quicker than wizards, but are more at risk at burning out from a wayward attempt at spellcasting, as well as often lacking the control over the spells they can cast, never having been taught how. Wizards have precise control over smaller amounts of power, but are knowledgeable in wider applications of the power, having studied for decades to gain their mastery of it.

He is taught in his dreams by a playful dragon spirit, with whom he plays games, creating and manipulating different coloured streams of light and different levels and intensity of sounds, changing the environment about them as they go. His guardian told him that it was his spirit dragon, meaning that he was one cursed by the dragons to be a source of ill luck and discord to those around him until he dies, and that he should avoid the creature as much as he can when he does dream. This only causes him to play with it all the more. In doing so, he hones his mental ability to relate to, and manipulate the different streams of energy that make up magic in reality. He does not realise this for a long while. He tells mika about the dragon, who encourages him to play with him, telling him that dragons (good dragons) are symbols of knowledge. She does not tell him that they are also symbols of power, and good or bad, dragons are symbols of destruction and upheaval.

His guardian is actually a dragon in disguise, the dragon spirit to be exact. He was set to watch and lead him, grooming him for his role as one of the new kind of sorcerer that was being trained in secret by the rebellious dragons.

...these are preliminary notes I had done for the sorcerer character for the book. Lemme know what you think.