Initiate Elementalism (Tavandar Renaris)

[Seraphim]

Rohan was poring over his notes on his recent research on Elemental planes when he heard a tap at his door. Carefully closing his book, he opened the door and peeped outside, to be greeted with the sight of his new student.

"Serale, you must be Tavandar, my new pupil. I am Rohan, your tutor in the sphere of elementalism, as you are aware of, I'm sure."

He opened the door fully, and gestured inwards.

"Do come in, and take a seat. Now, tell me, why do you want to do Elementalism, or Arcana? I am interested in knowing people's reasons."

[Tavandar Renaris]

Time Stamp: Brightening Two of the third cycle of Melora,
Winter of Era I of the Celeste Mandate
Era X Post Fractum in the Age of Darkening




After having bid Serale to the assistant at the desk, Tavandar found himself facing his new mentor, Rohan. The question that his teacher posed was simple in itself, but the reality was that Tavandar really had no reason. Unfortunately, that probably would not be acceptable, so quick thinking was involved.

It was becoming second nature... and annoying.

"Well, I am twenty-eight, so it seems that it is and has been time for me to acquire a skill of sorts. The reality is though, Master Rohan, that I do not really have an answer for you. I would assume that most people my age have a cause, or a history from their family or their experiences with arcana, but I do not."

The truth should have been relieving, but it just made Tavandar feel empty, but he had started on the course and would not be discouraged.

[Seraphim]

Rohan nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, as he thought back to the day when he himself first met his tutor. He certainly did not have a real reason to want to learn arcana, apart from fuelling his ambition to be a master of the elements.

"Don't feel too bad Tavandar. Many people have been in the same position that you are now. Perhaps you shall find something to look for as you continue in your course now."

He returned to his desk and seated himself. Pouring himself a cup of tea that was neatly arranged on his desk, he proceeded with more questions.

"Before we begin, I would like to stress the importance of never straining yourself past your limitations, as this may have dire consequences. Magic is not something to be trifled with. Please keep this in mind every time you use magic. Now, have you any previous knowledge of arcana? Perhaps we can work on that, if you do."

[Tavandar Renaris]

"Of course Master Rohan, I will do my best to be cautious." The advice was sound enough, though Tavandar could only imagine at what his mentor was speaking of.

What he knew of arcana? Well, there was... well, maybe not, or perhaps... no, not that either. It was times like this that vexed Tavandar. Having his memory in the artifically poor condition it was in made it so difficult to function in everyday life.

"Well, I know there are different types of arcana, and that people call them spheres. I would imagine that each sphere draws from a different source of strength, but outside of that, I have no knowledge of arcana."

[Seraphim]

Rohan nodded, as he continued to listen to his new pupil spouting his basic knowledge of the arcana. After Tavandar paused for a break, Rohan continued.

"Also, people are born into this world bound from being aware of the magic surrounding us. We have to remove this impediment to become aware of arcana. Now, just relax, and perhaps, if you want, you can close your eyes..."

Rohan slipped quickly and quietly into clara with practised ease, and began to cast unbind upon his pupil...

[Tavandar Renaris]

The bombastic subtlety of the gesture and its impact on his mental being initiated as quickly as Tavandar closed his eyes. Being unaware of the differences between what one feels when one is bound compared to what one feels when one is unbound did not help. There was a sense of closed openess married with... well, actually there really was no reason to pontificate like this when one really had no idea what had happened. What mattered was that now he was able to percieve, if such a word was applicable, arcana, and that started him on the path.

"I hope I was not supposed to cloak myself in light or send minarets of flame forth in order to show that whatever you just did worked, Master. Perhaps we could continue, as I am quite lost."

[Seraphim]

Rohan smiled and shook his head.

"No, unbinding is merely allowing you to sense the arcanic forces surrounding us. Now, manipulate arcana and create spells, one must first enter a meditative state, called clara. Then, using the magical energy within, known as the Vis, and reacting it with the energy in the surroundings, called the Ara, one can produce a magical reaction and thus leading to spells being cast."

Rohan paused and looked at his student questioningly, a bit anxious that he might not be able to keep up with his explanation.

"Do you understand anything that I just said?"

[Tavandar Renaris]

"I see."

It was a bad first answer, but Tavandar wanted to roll the explanation around in his head a bit before he gave any sort of affirmation. After a moment, he wet his lips and held out a hand, counting the points of his reply off in tics.

"So what you are saying is that now that I am unbound, I am able to harness the magic energy within myself, the Vis, using a meditative technique called the Clara. I can then use my Vis with the Ara, or the natural energy to cast spells. I think I understand, though obviously I have yet to put this to practice. One question, if I could Master, and forgive me beforehand if this is too advanced for me or jumping too far ahead, but how is this magical reaction produced? What is the nature of this reaction? Perhaps you could demonstrate this to me; I feel a visual demonstration would help me understand best."

[Seraphim]

Rohan was silent for a moment, putting together his thoughts into a coherent sequence in which he thought Tavandar would better understand.

"Just to clarify things a bit. You have to enter clara, then you can see the arcane energies of ara around you... When you attract them to yourself using vis, you have to interweave the two seperate energies...That's called an arcane weave...And the arcane weave, the weaving of ara and vis, leads to an arcalysis, a magical reaction. It can then be shaped into the form of the spell you want to cast. That alright?"

He paused and waited for a reply.

(OoC: Copyright Min Used with permission.)

[Tavandar Renaris]

(OOC: Well that is my job , so yeah, take your time, I am in no hurry.)

[Tavandar Renaris]

It was an elaboration more then a demonstration, but it was the answer he was looking for all the same, though the specific processes involved still felt like a mystery to Tavandar.

It would give him something to ponder as he practiced.

"Yes, I am clear on that Master, I hope that I did not appear overeager. I am ready to proceed."

[Seraphim]

Rohan raised an eyebrow at him, noticing the slight doubtful tone in Tavandar's response. He should be able to pick it up as we go along..., thought he.

"Don't worry, you will understand it better once you've experienced it firsthand. Let's start with clara, shall we? Now, what I want you to do is to meditate, go into a trance. Clear your mind of everything, and focus... Concentrate of the magical energies around, and within, you. Try it first. Then debrief me of your experiences."

[Tavandar Renaris]

Focus with an empty mind? Given his condition, this would prove to be easy. Of course, Tavandar imagined that though he should be focusing on nothing, he would eventually have to become aware of something.

The nature of that apparent paradox lingered in his mind, prompting Tavandar to force himself to work past his initial disbelief and towards his goal of achieving the state of clara. Though he had been unbound by Master Rohan, Tavandar found it still somewhat difficult to access his own personal energy signature. Finally, after several moments, he decided that he had seen the energies around him and began to focus on exploring for the energies of the environment around him.

Tavandar thought this would be the easy part. In truth, it was even more difficult to get a feel for the energies around him, as he was unsure what kind of energies to be looking for.

"Master Rohan," Tavandar said with subdued calm, his eyes still closed. "When I attempted to become more aware of the energies within me, I saw in the eye of my mind what appeared to be an aura of energy about me. I am unsure if this is what I was supposed to see, but that is what came to me.

As for trying to see the energy around me... I am confused, Master. What am I attempting to find? Is there a sort of... signature, a sort of essence perhaps; an imagine of some nature? I am aware that I must clear my thoughts, but surely Elementalism is not just an empty thought? It must havea form, correct?"

It was a reach, but Tavandar figured it would help him. Unless he was going about the process all wrong, which could happen too, though he hoped at least he was somewhere near the right answer.

[Seraphim]

Rohan nodded slowly, then replied.

"The aura of energy you saw around you is indeed the vis, the magical energy that emanates from you. I'm very glad that you saw it. What you should understand is that the magical energies are seen, or sensed, differently by each person, so I cannot tell you exactly what you should be looking for. Anything that may be out of the ordinary may very well be an indication of the magical energies.

And you are right, Elementalism is more than mere empty thought. However, you must master this state of empty thought. This will serve to aid you to focus and concentrate on drawing on the arcane energies and manipulating the elements to your will. This state of clara is simply the first step towards mastering the elements. Now, do you wish to rest, or continue with the attempt?"

[Tavandar Renaris]

"I will attempt again Master, there is no reason to rest now."

And with that, Tavandar returned to his meditative state. It came to him easier this time, though seeing the aura around himself was still a task. Then there was the effort of seeing nothing... of drawing nothing... the feel of things around him. Nothing was his elusive companion, it became whatever it was he could not find, a faceless shade running away from him throughout his mind. He chased it for several moments, frustruation and angst welling up in his head as the answer danced out of his reach. Then, it hit him, the very simple answer within the most complex puzzle.

He let it go.

When it left his head there was revelation! There were answers! There was... nothing... and nothing was good!

"I have achieved it Master," said Tavandar. "Nothingness of mind is mine. What is the next step?"