Arrival of Chirando

[Marko]

The roc continued it atempts at giving as many inguries as posible to the half-elf. The dwarven Elders' hand glowed even harder as the roc made more inteligent strikes and moves, as if it was the fire by which the Roc burned to live.

[Marko]

The fire orbs flew from Chirandos hand as he tossed himself on the floor avoiding the rocs beak. Fire from the impact spread to cover the body of the magic entity. It engulfed it and burned with a red glow. It was the first time that Trumbald’rs attention to his tome was broken. He closed his fist tight and the glow around his hand expanded to the size of a humans head. With this the fire that consumed the roc was no more. The magic bird unharmed. If it had lips it would grin. The old dwarf quickly glanced at the half-elf and looked as if saying:"What are you waiting for?" then returned to his reading.

[Hint: The dwarf said: You must defeat the roc with any means necesary. Think outside the box, but don't obliterate the box.]

[Marko]

The Roc stopped, observing the half-elf within a different view. It could've end its atacks and dissapear in a puff of residual mana but the Roc didin't fall to any attempts of Chirandos. Furthermore, the hand on the sword resolved the entire situation. The Roc knew that the half-elfs advances were not sincere. It quickly charged Chirando, who tossed his sword upon the magic beast, repulsing the charge.

[One more option in your arsenal is to sever the connection between the source and the roc. This is where the "don't obliterate the box" comes in. Or a Ghandi aproach. Or another tactic.]

[Marko]

The roc flapped it's wings to reach a certain height so it could use its claws against the elf.

[Just remember that not all magic types has effect on a dwarf. And not all will like to see a direct and violent show of magic power against the Elder. The more creative the distraction the better.]

[Marko]

Although the Roc was a summon. A magical beign. It still had a desire to consume its favorite grassy foods. In nature Rocs are omnivores and spend some parts of their days foraging in plains and forests of their native lands. Even this magical construct had the desire to forage. Maybe the Elder made a to well summon.

He observed his magical creation, rising just slightly from the pages of the tome. He smiled shortly and waved his hand.

The roc munched on the grass and he imediatly stopped, looked up, turned to the half-elf, swallowed. Then his toungue emerged licking his beack. No one knew if that was for the grass or directed at the future half-elven meal.

[Chirando read the spell of land transformation from a tome in reginalds home. It's a simple spell. And because of enchanted hall they were in the spell was a succes. Now for the roc, your magic has to be directed at the dwarf to brake the link. Maybe a summon of a pesky insect perhaps. Anyway the bird is now slower in its actions, because of the grass. Elder made the Roc to life like.]

[Oh, and I'll be missing for a week. Abroad trip to Norway.]

[Marko]

A troupe of 12 ants marched from the grassy coverage and headed for the desk. The dwarf was busy reading to observe such small invaders. And the other Elders focused on the fight. So no one observed Chirandos invisible Army. That's until the dwarf Elder sprang from his chair. What followed was interpreted by the others as somekind of tribal dance. But now? As they where examining a potential student. Why would the dwarf do such a thing.

As the dwarf tried to get the ants out of his garments. The Roc dissapeared. And is it did the ant pest was gone. The dwarf stopped looked at the Elders and then at Chirando.

"It was your ants?" - and not waiting for a reply, somehow knowing the answer - "This test was to test your endurance. No one until now, was able to find a way to dispell the Roc. Wonderfull thinking laddy." - then he sat down in front of his book and turned another page to his tome. Continuing to read. He then stopped looked serious at the half-human and said

"But don't do that again. Or I'll snap ya neck like a twig!" - then smiled - "Have a nice day laddy" - his head plunging to the pages.

[Blitz]

As the dwarf lost himself in the tomb once again, the rest of the elders gathered themselves preparing for sentencing. Balthazar spoke first, "Each member of this council has a vote on whether you meet our standards. Each will say their piece and carry their vote. Grum, would you care to begin?"

THe wiry old man shifted his thin fingers through his white hair, wetting his lips before he spoke in his dusty whisper. "Chirando, you clearly have magical talent. A skill not to be ignored. But I woory about your focus and propensity for destructive magic. I'll tell you the truth, I have seen many such wizards that excel such as a wizards be drawn by darker magics, some even twisting towards heresy and the seductive call of Chaos and Bethrezen's side. Though I see you have ample talent, I would rather see a mage with a more even mind towards their approach of magic. I'm afraid my vote is no."

"Grum, but surely you saw his efforts when summoning the golem, and even his defeating the roc through more inventive means," Miranda stated with more emotion than was proper.

"Hrm-mm, yes indeed I saw his attempts at summoning the golem. But his approach was very wrong. And I saw him attack the roc in every method he had at his disposal before he drew at the final straws of his ability. And evn then it was an attack, no matter how small, not a compromise that broke Trumbald'r's concentration. No, I'm afraid that Chirando has need of growth of heart before he will meet my approval."

"Very well," Balthazar said smugly. "The vote is cast, Miranda... I'm sure we can guess your thoughts on the matter."

Miranda glared at Balthazar, then spoke smoothly, "I do see your propensity for destructive magic, but I don't see this as a character flaw. You need to focus on all magics if yuo wish to be a truely powerful mage, one of even temper as well as magical ability. But I see the spark of the Highfather in your eyes. Nothing prophetic short of great things coming from you lips one day. So I will grant you my blessing. I vote yea."

"How surprising," Balthazar scoffed. "However for my part, I clearly vote nay. You lack control, lack vision, and your elven background makes you clearly a threat to the Holy Empire. To teach you our magics is a foolhardy thing to do. And I for one will not allow you to gain access to our spells and risk bringing them to the hands of the Alliance."

Miranda continued to glower at the green wizard, but Balthazar failed to notice as he glared down at Chirando with a distain forged in the battlelines of Temperance, and entrenched after seeing the innocents slaughtered by elven hands. There was no give, no ebb in his eyes. Chirando recognized that the green wizard would never see him as anything more than a threat.

After a tense moment Trumbald'r slowly shut his tome for the first time. He scratched his beard and stared intently into Chirando's eyes before muttering, "I'm not sure where you see the Highfather in his eyes, Miranda, but there clearly is a spark. I donna want to belay the obvious. Chirando, you must grow. True, you defeated my roc with guile and ingenuity, but I know elven magic when I see it. And my lad, that was an elven spell. And tha' leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

"As a Clansman, I see tha' even destructive spellcasters have their place. And in this day and age, the Empire and her allies need good wizards. But I can see a dangerous road ahead of you. If you do have skills and an innate talent for casting elven spells, that means that the Empire and the Clans will always look on you with a hint of distrust. Likewise, if the Alliance knew of your abilities, they might also send a force to stop you from growing in the Empire's schools. But that is not fer me to say. I am here to judge you purely on yer merit, and I donna see it lacking. You are a skilled mage and could someday be truly a force to be reckoned with. And I fer one would rather see you trained properly by the Empire, than let free to learn from any other hands. As Grumvad'n the Wise once said, 'Tis better to hold the dragon by the tail, then face its teeth.' So I choose to vote towards holding onto your tail. A leash, so to speak, so we can watch you grow and hopefully create a powerful ally rather than a dangerous enemy."

REginald nodded, the final to pass judgement. But rather than stating his opinion he turned to Chirando and spoke, "Young mage. Many thoughts and accusations have been placed before you. Unsettling reasons why you should not be allowed to apprentice under this council's tutalege. I would like to hear your thoughts on this matter before I cast my vote onto the heap."


[MT]

Chirando must speak a case as to why he should be allowed to enter. Do your best and when Marko comes back he will be making Reginald's vote. On a seperate note, I am wary of players writing instances of miraculous new knowledge at opportune times. As a person who has participated in several text-based RPGs, this is dangerous to powerplaying. What is powerplaying? It is when players take skills or abilities they don't have to defeat an opponent. Since tis RP is so small, it isn't a big concern, but one day, I would love this to be more significant. It is better in my mind to try to defeat an opponent and fail, and be forced to run away, than always find a way to win. If you can find legitimate ways to win every time. Wonderful. And the occasional come from behind victory is just good writing. But try to stay in the confines of your character. You gain XP and stuff to help your character grow, so they can be stronger and defeat stronger enemies. But let it develop and develop your characters as you go.

Chirando gains the "Create Trees" Spell from the Alliance Spellbook, and 100 XP.

[/MT]

[Marko]

Reginald nodded and he rose up for such a solemn moment, when the fate of the half-human was decided. He looked at his collegues, more so at Miranda. Then turning to the partly shaken half-elf he said in an offical manner.

"You have shown us your powers and souls desires. See in every thread of magic the vision of the weavers personal wants, lusts and ideals, always know that Chirando. Today, young one, you have done that, opened the book that holds the recepies, mana equations and the construct patterns of your beign. Given our experience, we Elders, know the paths of many people of the Sacred Lands. And yours is an easy one to predict." - Reginald paused, his tone take a parental pattern - "Chirando, I must confess that I'm affraid. Out of the curent elements that make you, put as one can lead to a dark future of hurt and agony, for you and more then unsually to others perhaps, due to your powers. I was affraid when I saw you first near the walls of Demosthene. And I am affraid now. To furter train you in the magical arts, is out of the question" - Reginald turned to his collegues, seeing a mirriad of different expressions coming from them. Grum was neutral, his old eyes and mind are seeing higher patterns, thus he was devoid of any wordly emotion. Miranda was shocked for the same reason Balthazar had a smirk on his face, one produced form the Agony of Temperance, both awaited a "nay" from the Fire Wizard. Trumbald'r just nodded to Reginalds words.

"Giving more to this troubled child is madness and sadistic." - Reginald continued his discourse faceing his collegues, hand and arm extended, pointing towards Chirnado - "There are many opportunities in Nevadaar to send him on a whirlpool of pain, again to himself and to others. Therefore I will cast my vote, based on the hope that we as teachers know to explain the responsibilities and shape individuals into wizards and not careless beasts. I vote "yea", with the demand to not teach Chirnado more magic until the troubles in his soul have been exorcised and we teach him the right conduit of a proper mage." - Reginald nodded to his collegues, sat down. Then turned to Chirando and smiled to highten the mood of the half-elf.

[Marko]

"Fine, fine, fine." - dismissed Balthazar rather arogant. Reginal signaled Chirando that such a discussion, although important, be left for a later date. "I see that the majority is in favour of this elf." - proclaimed, a little disgusted, the green wizard after skimming his notes and added all the votes.

"Yes indeed." - retorted a smiling Miranda, to the annoyement of the green wizard.

"I shall ..." - Miranda being the target of Balthazars future scorn all started in an icy voice, the wizard trying not to let his feelings dictate the vibrations and rhythms of his voice.

"In private, Elders!" - Grums' old voice erupted, consuming all the air out of his lungs, although it seemed that way to the causual on-looker - "There are other things that require our keen attention." - he continued - "If we are to give a honorable ending to these proceedings. We must focus." - Grum left a pause in his exposition, so the other Elders can reconcentrate on the important issues.

"Now..." - he addresed the half-human - "... we must choose, this younglings Guardian. As I understand, we will not teach new magic to him. I agree with this view, for now. But in giving him an education in ethics and conduit a Guardian is apropiate, not a Master." - he stopped again, this time for breath - "I know it is more an issue of title then of actuall responsibility"- Grum looked at Balthazar rather oddly. The green wizard nodded - "But, it must be brought in the light. To start, first I'll ask, as it is tradition, for the candidate to name for himself a Guardian. If the Council finds this request attainable we will grant the honor of Educator to that particular Guardian. On the other hand, or if the candidate is undecided, we will, with the wisdow and knowledge grated to us by the Holy Highfather, assign one from our ranks. What say you Chirando Weeyico."

[Marko]

"Hmmm...perhaps..." - Grums slow and oozing old voice followed after Chirando made his wishes known. Grum turned towards the green wizard - "Balthazar, any comments? Or if my other collegues want to express some points, ideas..."


[This is Blitzs que to make his will known...]

[Blitz]

Balthazar glowered at the assemblage, biting the corner of his lip in frustration. Slowly the spark in his eye shifted, and spoke at Chirando in contempt, "Very well, halfling. Reginald shall be your instructor. However, in order to direct your growth of character, I would first see you be placed ini the care of those that lack the temptation to influence you with magic first. As such, your first apprenticeship will be in the city of Warwick, on the southern edge of the Empire. There you will be squired to Lord Wilhelm Steerforth. He is a paladin in the Imperial Order of the Bear and will first see you through the requirments to ensure you have a right mind in the belief in the Highfather and the edicts of a knight--"

"A paladin!" Miranda stood up, her own calm demenour vanished in a ghast glare. "Why not place him in the hands of a grand inquisitor! Nothing like religious zealotry to cleanse him of his heritage, at least nothing that a torture chamber couldn't cure, eh?"

"If you please!" Balthazar snapped. "The council has ruled on his need for moral guidance, and I can think of no one more capable than a paladin to educate him in his character."

"I believe we voted towards teaching him the proper conduct of a mage," Reginald reminded, "not the dogmatic approach of a paladin."

"Nevertheless, a paladin has the moral character to guide this young.. man in the method of right and wrong. My decree is final. Once he has completed his chivalric training under the guidance of Lord Steerforth, then he can return to Demosthene and continue that training under Master Reginald." To express his point, Balthazar slammed his staff on the ground to finalize his proclomation. And to kill any argument on the matter, he clapped his hands once and a hillock of earth rose up to devour him and speed him away from the room under the ground.


[MT]

Chirando gains a map to the city of Warwick and 300 XP. I would recommend (since this thread is getting very long) to start a new thread about the initiation of his training under Lord steerforth. Feel free to wrap up this chapter saying good-byes and readying himself for the trek. Then start a thread whenever you are ready to start the next section of Chirando's story.

[MT]

[Marko]

[One sec...]

Miranda nodded to Chirando and smiled as a mother would. She and the other Elders got up to attend to other matters. Grum dissapeared in a thundering lightning globe. Thumbald'r closed his tome and gently placed it in a leather bag that hung from his side. As the dwarf walked passing Chirando he patted him on the back.

"Best of luck, young Chirando. As I understand y'ur gonna need it." - and he walked off, laughing rather copiously.

Miranda left trough a side door reading a document packed with offical seals and insignia. Reginald walked towards Chirando, the wodden floor acheing and craking, grabbing him by both shoulders and saying.

"The fear now is drowned in hope, young friend. I shall do my best from here to locate your mother. Now go and make final preparations. A journey awaits you."

[In the Verdan Plains subsection, there's the topic about Warwick, read it to get an understanding of where you are going. You get that information in Demosthene. ]