Skulkers in the Shadows in the Dark -Intermediate Stealth (self-mod., Avanthar)

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

OOC: Self-Mod Intermediate Stealth begins now! Credits to Faust as its sourced from his training thread.

IC:
Panting heavily as Dra’Aran reached his limit, the Lord looked ill used, yet in truth he enjoyed it. Fatigue and pain were signs that he was still alive, helping the Archmage step his arrogance and reliance on the dark arts. No matter what one might say, the Dracolord would be a terrifying foe. As expected from a man that embraced the darkness, the Shadow Lord was a terrible foeman and an efficient killer. Tired eyes regarded the scene before him, blasted and singed statues lay in pieces, the walls themselves carrying the ugly scars of the Shadow Knight’s terrible blows.

Yet there was always room for improvement, Avanthar desired to be so much more. Shaking away the fatigue, his body completely drained of physical strength, it was unfortunate perhaps that the grounds were desolate of all life. Any shred of life could have been absorbed to revitalize him, yet here there was none. Saying nothing as he turned and began his trek outside, the robed Lord carried Nemesis, moving purposely to the wilds where an abundance of life would regenerate him. It did not take long before he moved out of the death filled caverns and into the fresh air of the Centripax wilds.

Tall trees covered the entrance of the cavern, the relative seclusion of the area was the reason why the old necromancer had resided here untouched for so long. With ease he turned his attention to the trees, the gress, and whatever else lay within his reach. Swirling death energies were put to use as life was drained from the land at a staggering rate, each passing second bringing the Shadow Lord with a surge of life energies. Needing only seconds Avanthar was fully revitalized, great oaks and wild grass fell, withering quickly as the area stunk of death.

‘You are strong… Lord Avanthar… yet there is still weakness in you…’

Surprise registered upon his face as he sensed the presence of the old necromancer behind him, having moved silently. Dra’Aran had not expected the old man to move with such subtely, that, and that he had neglected to attune his senses towards the movement of life forces. Wiping away his expression with one of concentration, a slight prod of the man’s finger was enough for Avanthar to realize what the weakness was. Images of his betrayal by Rincewin streamed in his mind, the thought forcing the Lord to relive memories…

Walking around so the old man was in complete view to the Lord, the Dracolord knew of his history, yet what skills or powers he had remained a mystery. The true reason of his self solitude was well hidden, but Avanthar had a feeling that the ex-necromancer saw something in the knight that reminded him of his former self. He had always been helpful, caring and maintaining the Spirit Well, even passing on the ability to speak with the spirits to him when he was younger. He motioned for Avanthar to sit as he did the same.

‘Deadly… swift… and able to refine and efficiently utilize your immense Vis… you are formidable with the blade Nemesis… and your ingenuity and skill with Necromancy is near-unrivalled. Yet there are still ways to defeat you… despite your might… there are blades that pass through mithril… poisons that are far too deadly to counter…’

‘I know that you can hide within the shadows by your arts… that others can sense it… and from my observations you possess the basics of stealth… gathered from your years of experience in the streets? I do not wish to see you taken down anytime soon, Lord Avanthar, and thus I have elected to pass on to you my skills before my days draw to an end…’

‘An Assassin’s weapon is stealth… and I believe that you may benefit it even in your armor. It can apply in many situations… to move through the woods unseen… to avoid petty inconveniences… let me refresh the basics…’

‘Breathing. Inhaling through the mouth and exhaling through the nose prevents any unnecessary sounds. When walking, keep on the balls of your feet to equalize your weight and spread it out. Clinging to the walls, while highly advantageous for spying, can sometimes lead to disaster if you don't creep along it with both feet propped against the wall in the event of ledges. When peering around a corner, rotate your head first to catch a glimpse of what lay beyond in your peripheral vision before risking your neck by sticking it around the wall.’

The old necromancer smirked beneath his hood… the training was about to begin. There was little indication that Avanthar refused to offer, for the necromancer’s wisdom and knowledge was respected by the Lord. In a world where anything could be possible, Avanthar was sure to benefit in his week long solitude with a new set of skills… perhaps he would become the true master of shadows even without his arcane arts?

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Learning from a man that seemed very much adept in moving unnoticed in the shadows, the old necromancer smirked beneath his cowl as he continued, his voice still strong and carrying easily in the night. Standing up slowly, an odd strength emanated off the man that carried a tinge of danger. Avanthar deduced that he was as deadly as before, though his loss in the arts had made him less influential, there were other ways to kill.

‘Silent walking is a fairly simple feat… I know you to have hidden in shadows and killed from behind… I can see it…’

‘However, running in silence is not such an easy task. In the basic course you were taught how to disperse your weight on your toes and the pads of your feet. This is especially effective on flat and unhindered terrain. Yet, in forest-like premises, rocky areas, and gravel-paved roads, you'll discover that gaiting let alone running is even more difficult… we call it… Shadow Dash…’

Deftly dropping into a low crouch, pushing off his heels and dashing forwards, the necromancer moved with unusual speed. His feet pounded along the earthen ground, silently and stealthily as he glided through the air. Few words could describe the rapidity by which the man moved, for such was the gravity of his pace. As he finally reached the pinnacle of his route he jogged back as quietly as he departed, the old necromancer unfazed by his exertions.

Avanthar maintained composure and calm, though he was shocked the thin old man could still move with such grace and speed soundlessly. It was difficult for the Dracolord, his human form did not carry the inherent advantages of the agile elven races, more so a warrior. His mind held in a constant state of clara, the Dracolord took in each and every little detail, finding it odd that the necromancer could accomplish the feat so soundlessly. Once again he was the student, yet rather than ask questions he remained silent, seeking to solve the problem himself through observations until he gave up… which was hard, to say the least. The question was answered by the necromancer as he noticed the Lord’s intense face.

‘You are wondering why there is no sound… yet you did not observe me out maneuvering and evading debris…correct?’

‘Simply you begin the shadow dash like you would any stealthy walk, the key being weight dispersion. It is absolutely critical when dashing through any type of environment.’

‘The reason why the twigs did not break under my feet is that they were not subject to much pressure for very long at all. Thus the second crucial aspect of running, speed. You'll want to keep your feet constantly moving and don't draw your legs up too high when you run or else you face the possibility of applying more force than necessary upon unseen pieces on the ground.’

"I want you to try it, Lord Avanthar. Keep in mind what I've told you and only stop till you reach the end. It is essential… I will correct any specific points of weakness in your technique.’

Patient, his tone even as he stood, Avanthar stood up without being asked as he moved to the starting position where the ancient necromancer had been in. Closing his eyes as he sought to replicate the posture, regulating his breathing as he let himself focus on what his goal was. Eyes ran a line down his path, noticing the rocks and branches, and other impediments, yet at the end his blue eyes focused upon the tree at its end. No longer carrying the weight of fatigue upon his shoulders, Avanthar sprinted forward, his mind focusing on thet ask at hand as he ran, drawing up his legs at an adequate high as his eyes moved constantly in a flurry… keeping his feet flying and letting instincts take control as to the weighting of his movements.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

For a fit man possessing highly refined upper body muscles, Dra’Aran dashed forward in his magi robes, sensing the wind rush past him as he sought to try his best. Even amidst the sound of rushing wind he could hear the movement of stone, the snapping of twigs, and the odd mix of sounds that spoke of his failure. Reaching his target as he stopped and turned, Avanthar’s brow furrowed at his failure. His attempt was not half bad, yet being the perfectionist that he was he was disappointed to say the least. Even more so considering he had left his armor within the depths of Dar Havark whilst Nemesis stood imbedded a short distance away… his goal was to be able to move soundlessly in both his mithril armor whilst wielding his monstrous blade… would that day ever come true?

Wise and experienced, the necromancer said nothing for a moment, regarding his Lord with a passive expression before formulating his answer in the hope of aiding the necromancer.

‘Your movements must be as graceful as a cat. Imagine that you're pouncing on a mouse when you're running. Move and anticipate, as if every step is bringing you to hover over the ground as to not disturb it.’

‘Recollect it as it'll allow you to delve into their mindset’.

‘Your technique, while not perfect, was effective to an extent. Check along the grass. You'll notice that your footprints are embedded in the ground in a straight trail. There are several twigs that you stepped on in the process, a few of these actually resounded into the air… but not as many as you first thought.’

‘Now, try the shadow dash again, though this time I want you to focus your weight on the balls of your feet and be certain to avoid stepping on anything 'dangerous' whenever possible. Don’t stray from your line of travel.’

"This is especially important for a number of reasons. I was a necromancer… yes… but I was also an assassin… balance is a critical skill.... Buildings and rooftops for example provide countless types of terrain: rough and angular ledges especially. There will be no room for you to weave out of the pathway of let's say a statue or a rock unless you want to fall off a roof and splatter on the ground.’

Meditating upon the matter as Avanthar let each and every teaching sink in, it was fortunate that the old necromancer was direct and to the point. Turning to another tree as he pondered upon the matter, he let the concepts run in his mind, repeating them to himself as if willing his mind and body to follow through. Fit and healthy, the Archmage regulated his breathing, syncing it with each beat of his heart as he let the press of cool winds relax and soothe him. Summoning his strength, his eyes widened as he sprinted forward, gaining momentum while he moved in a straight line, placing great focus on his lower body, most specifically his feet and their weighting. Powerful and rapid strides were made as the unusually focused necromancer applied his skills to the task…

If Avanthar possessed anything… it was the iron will and determination to succeed… no matter what trials lay ahead of him…

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Avanthar did not possess the nimble and life form of a Vysticchi, his thin robe did little to hide his rippling muscles that flexed and moved beneath. Still the Lord was far less bulky than his previous incarnations, his fighting style did not specialize in simply strength, yet also speed. That, and the fact he was adept in the art of Shaashkah, his leg muscles were unusually strong. Darting forward when he was ready, he moved like a swift gust of wind, racing forward across the wild lands of Centripax as the desire to succeed pulsed. Silently racing across the field, it was at the final moment that he heard one crack, yet enough to alert the shadow lord that he had failed…

Everything else was as it was suppose to be, though the last branch had put a bitter taste of failure in his mouth. Without a word he strode silently back to his original position, the desire to try a third time burning in his mind. He had nearly perfected it… nearly… and no doubt his lessons here could apply to his other fighting skills. Re-entering his stance, the warrior took a deep breath once more, racing to a new goal as his feet moved with added speed, altering angles slightly as to avoid potential sounds… its result was a path showing little signs of disturbance… silence echoing in the surrounds save for the faint rustle of dying leaves.

‘By altering your form, the results are surprisingly different… I know you… though you are successful you believe that it is insufficient… correct Dra’Aran? You certainly do not lack talent in the field… you wish to master all aspects… to become the greatest you can be… I believe you can do it… yet know that this is simply the basics… there are more to come…’

Turning around, he moved towards Nemesis and retrieved it, finding its familiar weight and touch reassuring before he settled into the position a fourth time. The added weight of his blade would undoubtedly affect his balance, and as such Avanthar would need to compensate for it. His armor, however, was a different matter, as it settled evenly on the shadow knight. He’d deal with the extra weight later. Sprinting once more, finding the exercise both challenging and refreshing, his body was slightly to the other side, his sword in the other, and as such it meant a silent dash with weapon at hand. Reaching at the end he unleashed a powerful diagonal slash that carved an ugly scar upon the dead tree…

It was a skill that Dra’Aran decidedly wished to master, for it compensated for his other skills in fighting. Balance was key in all forms of combat, so was timing, rhythm, and breathing excercises. Finding it coming natural to the Archmage, Avanthar promised himself he would practice as long as he could, the old necromancer remaining silent throughout. What Avanthar had was strange, for he focused and worked diligently by himself without true need of directions. He saw the uses of seeking to master such skills… he yearned for it. Knowing Avanthar, he would eventually incorporate it to his fighting style…

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Night passed slowly. Using his shadow dash, Avanthar repeatedly ran short distances with sword in hand, at each end delivering a devastating attack of his own creation. At his level it was essential that he evolve what he had, though he knew he lacked the time or ability to reach the next pinnacle of the blade… considering that Avanthar was already a growing Archmage. Each attempt brought him closer as he truly began to master the basics even with the ever present Nemesis within his grasp. Feeling fatigue set in, Dra’Aran reached out to the distant life sources and drew it within him… regenerating the Necromancer so he could continue without pause. Terrifying… Avanthar seemed bereft of all senses… possessed he was…

The old necromancer however, did not mind, rather he continued without pause…

‘Weight dispersion and moving on the pads of your feet equates to vital balance. Other skills such as crawling, jumping and climbing all require balance, the body is needed to compensate for each movement. I know you understand that… far better than most…’

'Losing one's balance atop a high wall can't possible be a good thing... though I understand you have means to survive in case of such an event. And crawling over a bed of noisy gravel, while not too difficult a task, is utterly useless if you can't keep your weight supported on all fours evenly... you'd stumble onto the ground... and fail what you sought to achieve.

Avanthar had changed greatly if he sought to master the art of moving subtely, a great difference from his self when he was a demon. Subtlely of any sort was rare in his past self... yet ever since his return, the Necromancer had changed... one would even say for the better.

In truth Avanthar was progressing at a rapid rate, the ex-dracon was obviously talented. He had to be to be an Archmage. Silent as he dashed, he performed a myriad of attacks at the end, adding to the rate of fatigue. Sometimes he delivered the tempest known as Serpent Spin, yet more often as not it was Serpent Strike, an attack built on speed and focus that could both take the victim unaware and delivering a near unblockable attack… it continued… the basics were always the most important.

There was progress... for Avanthar found it far more easier to utilise... finding more time to use his mind towards other things. What he needed to do was to reach the stage where each movement was one of stealth... where he would be one with the shadows regardless of what powers he had over the darkness. Finding the easiest ways showed a lack of determination... and Avanthar would certainly not resort to his necromancy when he sought to perfect himself further....

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Day had come rather quickly, an entire night’s practice of the single dash had ended in Dra’Aran being able to successfully perform it as if it was second nature. That, along with the added weight of Nemesis, resulted in his ability to dash towards foes with no warning and dispatching them swiftly with ease. Though in the past he had done so, he was rarely successful in completely catching other’s off guard by his abilities in stealth alone. In a way he had achieved a minor success, the effort was well worth the rewards. With the arrival of the day, the pair returned into the inner sanctum of the Spirit Well… the Lord taking the time to rest and meditate while fresh food and clothes was brought by a pair of soldiers from Dar Havark.

Resting in the day, beams of light filtering in to light the great pond that situated beneath it, a myriad of glows and reflection resulted, illuminating the hovering spirits above as they ran their perpetual course. Avanthar slept in his meditative pose, and was only woken by the smell of roasting fish. The old necromancer huddled near the tunnel entrance, roasting his usual meal as he watched the embers of the flames, as if reliving past memories… days long past… who he truly was would forever remain a mystery, and in truth Avanthar showed little signs in plunging into his secrets.

Letting muscles rest and recover after a hard night’s training, the pair began feasting on the many cooked fish, the necromancer having sprinkled a myriad of spices on the fish to add to the flavors, and, in all it was an oddly peaceful meal for a man able to wipe out cities at whim. Peace. It was something he had not experienced for some time, his hectic schedule having stripped him of such privileges. In silence they waited, Dra’Aran tapping into the planes and weaving his magic, each passing second closer to nightfall… where they would continue Avanthar's training in stealth once more...

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Honing the shadow dash, Avanthar now understood the concepts involved with the shadow dash, that balance took priority, that a true master could move unaffected no matter what speed, that the environment itself was an important factor. Stepping out from the cave mouth and into the hidden forest groves, Avanthar stood bathed under the moonlight, emanating an almost sorrowful glow. The lord almost missed the old necromancer if not for the fact he stood out amidst the empty grove, his movement and ability uncanny… what else did the ancient caretaker possess?

The day’s rest had been worthwhile. Though Avanthar had the will and ability to last for days, sleep was necessary for any mortal. As the second lesson was about to begin, Dra’Aran stood alert and ready, eager to further his skills as a shadow walker. Speaking in his strong voice, he spoke once more… Avanthar proving attentive as he let each concept sink in once more.

‘The shadows are an assassin’s best friend… you possess the knack… and I know you, above all people, realize how powerful the shadows are… stealth is a skill perfect for you… there are other ways to hide from enemies than arcane… and after my teachings you’ll truly begin to master it… and eventually you’ll seemingly disappear in the eyes of your enemies.’

‘Lingering in the shadows, using the environment to your advantage… it’s a matter of judgement.’

‘A shadow possesses varied hues… light hits an object/barrier at a certain angle that results in varied depth in different positions. The closer you are to an object that blocks light, the darkness is primarily congregated behind an object after it is grazed by light. However, the further you move away, the ‘lighter’ the shadow becomes.’

’You might wonder how this will help you, but from personal experience I've discovered that outrunning an opponent is not always necessary when you can easily make them 'believe' that you pursued a certain trail. Thus they'll not only continue in that particular direction, but leave their backs to you as well.’

‘When hiding in the darkness you'll want to cling to whatever object permits the most intense shadow. This is effective as it will camouflage you from lazy eyes.’

As a demonstration the necromancer propped his weight against the base of the oak, keeping his hands flat against its surface and his back to it as well, Dra’Aran keeping his eyes firmly pinned on his teacher.

‘This stance allows you to shift and shuffle from side to side if necessary. That, and when your opponent does inadvertently pass you up you'll be able to strike from behind with a missile weapon of sorts if you have one. And of course, if you don't want to attack them you can continue to rotate about the tree and return in the direction from whence you came. Once again, it's the basics like this that make the most capable of assassins.’

‘The position is easily mastered, yet I shall try and help you familiarize yourself with ducking in and out of certain shadows…’

Re-enacting the necromancer’s position, feeling the dead oak behind his back as he pressed himself in the position as he narrowed in concentration, letting his mind absorb what he saw, how the shadows hid him in their cold embrace… yet once glance away was all that took. Avanthar found the necromancer gone, sinking into the shadows of the night soundlessly… rather than locate him through magic means, the Archmage had little clue as to his whereabouts. It was obvious that the necromancer had evaded possible conflicts in his years of solitude, most likely hiding at any sign of unwanted visitors. His old voice was carried coolly by the winds, the sounds doing little to aid Avanthar in locating him.

‘The spectrum of blacks changes based upon where you are moving. Certain areas will cover you better than others. It is up to you to determine which will shroud you the best. Keep in mind, however, that you will seldom have much time to do so. You must instinctively know your body type and the forms of darkness that will cover you best.’

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Cooling winds howled… the scent of death washing away by a fresh breeze, the deathly silent forest carrying even the slightest of sounds across vast distances…

‘Do you see the expanse of trees here? I want you to practice moving from tree to tree and finding the darkest shadows as efficiently as possible. You must be able to do this as quickly as possible. Your enemy won't allow you the liberty of time to languidly choose how you want to hide. Your decisions must be reflexive and natural. Allow me to demonstrate.’

Appearing suddenly behind him, the necromancer bore his cold eyes at the Necromancer, a smirk on his face at surprising his Lord, he suddenly dashed off to an oak a few meters away, dropping into a low crouch as the tree was fairly small and the shadow not very extensive. Avanthar would notice that his hunched up figure was not very noticeable in the shade. Following this transition he broke into a shadow sprint across an open portion of the glade and came to huddle against another portion of a tree on the opposite side from which the moonlight hit it.

‘Do you see how I switched from cover to cover? And my position depended upon the circumstance of the tree… notice that I ensured the cover was capable in completely hiding me… do so without twisting the shadows to your needs… a true Lord of Shadows can use the shadows without intervening…’

The old necromancer moved with a certain grace acquired by few even of elven descent. One might have presumed that the assassin was a shadow himself. Avanthar could sense his desire to pass on all his knowledge to the next batch of emerging powers. Making the slight of nods as he took in position, as the necromancer’s narrowed eyes darted at the existent shadows, the trees, rocks and bushes that could envelop him in its blanket. Focusing his mind and willing his body to the task, there was little dawdling on his behalf as he moved without hesitation, shadow dashing to the first shadow soundlessly, waiting twenty seconds and settling in before the next, moving from one shadow to another in an unusual pattern…

Changing his shape to mould with what shadows were there, Dra’Aran did not only pick the large shadows, yet also smaller ones, forcing to crouch and reshaping himself to fit his needs. The wilds would be different from the cities, where dark alleys and odd angles would offer a number of shadows, the wilds did not offer as many opportunities.

The patch of trees provided a dense extension of blackness that would lend more than enough area for his clandestine purposes. Immediately bounded towards the vicinity, he allowed the dusk to encompass him and he efficiently pinpointed the darkest portion of the area. The last was a batch of large rocks, the knight crouching behind… and waited… before the familiar voice pierced the silence acknowledging Avanthar’s attempt.

‘The concept isn't difficult, once again, but well-worth learning as it coincides with the shadow dash. Be careful, though, that you don't sacrifice sound for concealment. There's no use in blending in with one's environment if a lurking opponent knows exactly where you are. Though, there are several ways out of such a predicament should you land in one of that nature.’

‘Sometimes, no matter how hard you try or the extent of your abilities, your location is given away. A dog might be able to smell you out, a twig might inadvertently be stepped upon, or some other unexpected event occurs…’

‘I now want to show you how to create these 'false' sounds and when to do it, a way in which to lead your opponents way if ever chased… though I doubt there are few that you would run away from… and for that to occur such an enemy would not be fooled by such simple tricks. As the name implies, it involves conjuring noise that might momentarily distract your enemy and mislead him.’

‘In caves… use rocks and pebbles and throw them in tunnels, letting the echoes lead your foes away… out in the wild use what you deem necessary. Be alert and attentive to what is around you, and how it is best to utilize what you have… daggers… caltrops… anything…

To promote his point, the assassin reached towards his belt and procured a diminutive dagger. Flipping it upright he tossed it towards a small bush that was grounded nearby. The impact of the dagger and bush spewed forth what sounded like breaking branches.

‘And believe me, that will undoubtedly draw your opponent's attention long enough to escape or make your move. You don't really need to practice how to create 'false sounds'. Common sense will tell you that you can use any type of element to make them. It's just a matter of being creative and sly.’

‘In the woods, you'll have a variety of sources to use. Trees, branches, leaves, twigs, grass, the list goes on. In the plains there's throwing a rock at a bird's nest or a gathering of other woodland creatures to create a stampede of sorts. Near the river you can drop rocks into the water to make a splash. There's no extent to what you can do with false sounds."

Furrowing his brow, Avanthar mused as he regarded the necromancer, finding it odd in how he had thrown the dagger to make such a sound to resemble breaking branches. The Lord understood the concepts, yet he wondered if he would utilize such a skill considering who and what he was. It was obvious that it required some skill, knowledge of the weight of the projectile and also its intended target. Bending down and retrieving a well sized rock, the trick was to throw it so it created the intended sound… and as such he hurled it at a series of bushes, creating a rustling sound followed by movement or rocks and a small thud.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Watching as the necromancer curled over at the torso to touch his toes, his mentor’s actions were unusual, bordering on to amazing considering his age and shape. No doubt in his youth he was a deadly killer, his flexibility was obvious as he had little difficultly touching his knees with his head, a difficult feat, even more so with his current physical state. Avanthar deduced that he was the type that avoided hits, using speed and flexibility to avoid damaging blows, in contrast to the shadow knight whom could take several hits before falling.

‘Now, crawling, though not highly congratulated in many circles of prominent stealth practitioners, is vital. Like hiding, there are some instances in which running will reap very little good from a situation. For example, what if you are spying on someone and the grass is very low? How would you hide and conceal yourself from being seen? In short, you can't.’

‘That is precisely why crawling is a very essential thing to do. Not many are aware of how to perform a stealthy crawl… to start off, this maneuver is sometimes known as the 'serpent's crawl'. Its name derives from the sinuous movements resembling that of a snake. You begin by descending onto all fours. Two hands and two feet planted on the ground. Now, unlike the term suggests, the serpent's crawl is not done on one's belly.’

‘Your stomach should never touch the ground, not once! This is the reason why some assassins can traverse a bed of needles or rocks so quickly, and ultimately responsible for silence as well. With only one's hands and feet touching the ground, the chances of making scraping sounds is effectively reduced. The best thing about the serpent's crawl is that it can be done on any type of terrain, be it grasslands, plains, tundra, forest floors, buildings, etc. It is the perfect crawl and one of the best methods for spying or sneaking away.’

‘Now, mirror my stance.’

The wise necromancer while in his crouched position, first canted his head towards his hands. His fingers dug into the ground and his fingers and thumb were spread apart over a wide surface area. However, his palm didn't touch the ground but was instead elevated by his propped up digits.

‘Imagine that your hands are claw-like extensions, and that you're pulling yourself forward. Now, the legwork is a little bit difficult. Keep your legs a few feet way from each other and maintain your balance on the tips of your toes. Using all of these body parts, 'walk' instead of crawl. It demands great will power, concentration and strength…

The assassin nodded for Avanthar to proceed as he stood and leant against a withering tree, knowing quite well that it was one of the more difficult ones to understand. Nonetheless, the only way to succeed was to practice. Avanthar was far more heavier than the old necromancer, the fact that if he was in full armor and sword the added weight would simply make it worse. Smirking coldly, it was an odd sight for the Lord of Dar Havark to be on all fours, yet it was a must, more for his personal gain and satisfaction. Whatever rank or title Avanthar would gain, at heart he was still the dracon that yearned for strength and knowledge.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Dra’Aran was forever a dracon at heart, one that had literally fought his way through whatever that stood in his path to greatness. He had been common, yet now he was something much more. It was not surprising that the crawl had serpent in it, oddly enough it matched his way of the sword. Saying nothing as he moved into position, calloused hands spread out as fingers dug into the earth, keeping his palms off the ground, while his toes were used for support and balance. His knees were parallel and nearly touching the ground. It was difficult, to say the least, yet Avanthar made no comment, feeling the pressure on his chest and legs… the lord was certainly up for the challenge.

’The purpose of the serpent's crawl is not to move quickly at all. By keeping your hands up and balanced you are capable of supporting a great deal of your weight. And seeing as the hands are probably the most coordinated parts of most people's bodies, it allows you to place them however you will. This is extremely handy as is obvious. Now, the point of not dragging your feet along like you would in any mundane crawl is similar to the purposes of the hand positions. Not to mention, pulling your feet along the ground tends to make noise, clearly unwanted when hoping to keep a low profile.’

‘This will take some time getting adjusted to as your body won't exactly be familiar with it. There's a different kind of strength involved in the serpent's crawl.’

Extending his hands forward a few inches, he propelled himself forward with the movement of his feet, gritting his teeth as pain traveled through his fingers and arms. The key was to maintain balance, like all other things, and disperse the weight evenly so no support was forced to take on extra weight. What Dra’Aran needed to worry about was to keep his stomach and thighs off the ground and ensure no excess trail was left. The occasional pause was also useful… and as such the Lord did this for several long minutes, grasping the concept and techniques with relative ease. Perhaps it was due to the fact he had a hardened body use to such strenuous exercises…

‘You seem to have grasped a fairly accurate comprehension of how to enact the serpent's crawl. Moving on, while we can't literally practice this aspect of your stealth enhancement I thought it a wise idea to enlighten you. There are times when you can literally use others to your advantage. Believe it or not, this is often accomplished by making yourself known, just to certain people.’

‘Animals have a unique way of drawing people's attention. Birds, for example, are prime candidates to use to distract. Throwing a rock at a flock of crows will cause distress and likely result in them running wildly about or flying away. Using this as your curtain of cover, most forms of escape or an all out sprint will be silenced by their activity. Remember to keep these sort of things in your mind as you progress through different scenarios. Its innovative thinking like this that might just save your life one brightening.’

"We've covered a lot on the intermediate practices of stealth here in the open. It's about time we take things into the city and begin working on cat walking and ledge maneuvering. These are vital for many purposes, particularly eavesdropping or merely hiding once again from opponents. Seeing how the moon's at its apex and still illuminating most towns and villages, we'll have to wait till it settles behind the clouds to continue. I'd rather us not alert the others. I have the perfect place…’

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

The evening hours surpassed rather swiftly considering the dull and uneventful night. Little stirred stirred amidst the waning candlemarks and this provided for a preferable training ground. Moving through the forest, they finally stopped upon a patch of buildings, compounds as such, yet dilapidated and in ruins. Vines, vegetations and all sorts of creatures now thrived upon it, yet the building itself was still sound and possessed the necessary challenges. Indicating for Avanthar to act, without a sound the pair were raised upwards by the spirits of the dead, their feet planting lightly upon the first floor.

Saying little, the necromancer ran his old fingers against the wall, as if reliving past memories long dormant. His cold voice was barely a whisper, yet enough for the knight to hear what was being said.

‘The building has several features about it that make it special, particularly the catwalk on the roof that leads downwards onto the platform of another complex. Secondly, there are enough ledges so that we can practice moving on miniscule areas with ease. Of course, should you fall as well then chances are that you won't suffer much, too much at least. You'll probably end up with a broken ankle, tailbone, or ribcage but that's not death.’

Avanthar noted what was being said by the necromancer, the building acutely befit his description of it. It seemed abandoned with no lights within… yet appearances were always deceiving. At first there seemed to be no signs of any current occupants, yet then again who knew what wild creatures lurked within now. The compound was divided into three tiers, the first, second, and third floor. Betwixt the second and third was a narrow ledge likely utilized by construction men when erecting the windows that were even displaced in the walls. This had been the main ledge that the assassin had been referring to.

‘Sneaking around guarded locations is not easy at all. Most facilities have security devices that prevent trespassers from easily navigating them. This is the reason why the use of ledges and coming in from the roof are critical. Let's say you wanted to get to the sister complex over there..." The necromancer said, pointing to the adjacent building that was linked only by an overhead catwalk, nearly hidden by the mass of trees and bushes.

‘There are several ways you could do it. But given our circumstances, let's pretend that the only way to access it was to go to the ledge and jump from their onto its roof. What I'm about to teach you is known as 'ledge walking', or whatever people call it. As the title of the technique implies, it's merely the process of traveling narrow straits and getting to another side without being seen… and heard…’

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

To exhibit the proper form, the necromancer placed his stomach against the wall with his hands spread out almost perpendicularly to his body,

‘Your arms should be distant from your body and 'glued' to the wall to enhance your balance. Your toes, though close to the wall, should not be touching it. I assure you that this will undoubtedly mess up your form and cause you to likely trip before you succeed in reaching the other end. The reason why we face the wall with our fronts is for balance once again. It is far easier to lean forward against a structure to support yourself than lean back against it. Now, your head should be turned in the direction that you're moving. If to the left, then face the left, if to the right then face the right.’

‘It's common sense. When you walk, however, do not try to perform the shadow step, which involves continuous movement on the balls of your feet. While a good thing when planted on a solid foundation, an attempt like that might cause you to fall. Instead, when you walk, plant your toes onto the surface first and gradually finish by allowing your heels to come down. This method of step, if done correctly, will keep you as silent as possible.’

" Take extreme caution while practicing this. The ledge is only two stories up, but there is still no room for mistakes. You should be fine as long as you make short and composed strides. Take your time too. No rush, yet."

"If it makes you feel better, should you manage to fall then it'd be best to try spinning around in the process so that you don't land on your back. The last thing you want to is to paralyze yourself."

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Avanthar wasn’t necessarily concerned by it as he held a degree of confidence in his balance and swiftness in acquiring new abilities, the thought of falling to his doom never crossed his mind, for an instant Dra’Aran could rise up again, lifted by his necromantic arts. Without further ado Avanthar breathed out as he began his descent, glancing down for a moment to gauge its depth. Shifting his body so that he faced the, he adjusted his hands properly so that they were held out to the sides of the wall for support, his fingers curled against it in an attempt to acquire his equilibrium. His feet, as suggested, did not touch the wall but were instead an inch or two away. He readied to head towards the other end of the small walkaway, but decided against this course at the moment. "

The necromancer dropped into a crouch and observed the Lord from his vantage point…

"All you have to do now is to cross. I'll stress again the importance of taking your time. Work on keeping your feet silent and your belly from touching the wall. This is important because it'll decrease the chances of you making any sound. Many thieves who employ this method of ledge crossing often make the mistake of hovering to closely to it. While important to keep your balance, if a belt buckle is constantly scraping against brick, you'll easily be discovered… that and other protrusions…

‘And trust me, there's nothing worse than trying to remain hidden and have something protruding from your body...’

Avanthar brought his leftward leg up as he was progressing towards the leftward side of the ledge and he brought it down soundly as instructed. His toes were the first to touch the platform, soon accompanied by his heel as he proceeded to lift his right and drag it along the wall but never directly against it. Finding his method of footwork nullified any sounds that might ordinarily have been produced, his weight was inclined towards the wall to keep himself balance, but he was able to prevent himself from dragging along it by his hands, which were stabilized against it. As the Lord gradually acquired more distance along the ledge.