Initiate Socery ~ GM Ladon (private)

[Ildron Cher'mayn]

Late Winter of Era XI
In the Age of the
Darkening

Riparia, an ever growing city filled with all kinds of people, warriors, merchants, miners, thieves and a few mages hidden around here and there. They were not very involved in the city except for the fact that they lived in it. Finding one would be more difficult then one would expect without a little help from someone who could give you a little hint. They could be hiding around where ever they wanted to since their powers were far beyond what any normal person could grasp, not only could they change their appearance but some could even teleport themselves where they wanted, that was a power many people wanted to posses, thieves and warriors alike. Ildron woke up early that brightening, the suns of talath had just started their long journey across the sky. Rubbing his eyes before sitting up in his bed, the soft pillow his head had been resting on had served the esh'lahier well in the many cycles it had been used, a little bump in the middle of it showed where the elfs head had been. Outside the window he could see the snow covered mountains to the north east, he wondered what the city looked like from up there, did it look as grand and beautiful as it did from sea level, or did it just look like a small and worthless square wasting even more room. Ildron did not spend much time thinking about that. It didn't take long before he was out of his bed and moving around in the small kitchen opening different shelves and closests looking for something edible, he managed to find himself a couple of eggs and some bread, it didn't take long before he was sitting down by his dinner table finishing up what he had made, it was enough for him to get some energy to help him through the day. One or two candlemarks later Ildron was ready to leave his small apartment, he had finished his daily training which was a couple of hundred punches on the bag and a couple of sit ups and push ups. Normally he would train for much longer but he would have to keep his energy this day, the tasks at hand were going to wear him out more then most physical training sessions ever would, he wanted to learn the demanding and difficult sphere of Sorcery.

After a quick wash the Esh'lahier left his apartment and started his journey towards a place where he could start looking for some sort of mage, hopefully a sorcerer which was his target. The mage would of course have to be strong enough to have a student, if he was not Ildron would get nothing except a wasted day out of it. Having spent a little time now and then beforehand trying to locate the most likely location where a mage might be, but since Ildron had so little experience with mages it was a great disadvantage when trying to find one so he had just decided to head into the richer parts of town to look there, a mage probably made a lot of money because of his abilities. Amongst the many mansions he might be lucky enough to find what he was looking for but before he could even start looking around there he would have to go through most of town, it was a good thing since he might find someone who could help him on his search for power and glory, he had spent some time thinking about what he would say if the mage asked him questions, of course very little of what he would say was going to be true since he had a whole lot of sinister thoughts floating around in his head, but that might not be a big problem in the end.

[Ladon]

OOC: Welcome to the little run around town , don't worry this shouldn't take more than about 10 - 15 posts each to find the Sorcerer and then you can start...... J/K a few posts should find this reclusive mage


IC: As Ildron walked down the main street heading towards the posh sector of the city, he became aware of the patter of feet behind him. It was a soft patter of feet, the sound of bare feet, not clothed in shoes or boots. The feet seemed to be following, not from afar, but quite close. This was a problem, could this be the sounds of someone who wanted to take something from Ildron, or was there some other reason as to why this person was following him. Perhaps it would pay to meet this problem head on? Perhaps not, but there was only one real way for Ildron to find out......

[Ildron Cher'mayn]

OOC: What I thought

IC: Ildron normally paid little attention to his surroundings, the sound of someone walking behind him was nothing special, but the special sound it made was enough for him to be a little more aware, being an elf Ildron had all the skills and racial features of his kin, the keen hearing and graceful movement came with it, the soft tap of bare skin walking over the ground was not easily heard by humans and the like, but by an elf it was possible. Turning around might be idiotic, but it might be worse not to do it. Since he could not be sure that the figure was actually following him he didn't care much, he moved further down the street paying close attention to the figure behind him, if the foot steps died down there was no problem, but if they didn't there might be one. Looking around in front of him Ildron was searching for a mirror or a large glass window he could use to see behind him, he wanted to know what he was up against before doing anything about it. But the chance of finding a large mirror in the middle of the street was like seeing a rat fly, might have happened once or twice in history but very doubtful that it would happen in Riparia in the middle of a street. Stopping slowly the elf turned around as if he had just heard someone call his name, his long well kept hair moved lightly in the soft breeze, his lithe body standing straight with his head held high, he had a little combat training but not enough to take on an experienced fighter, if the person had a weapon he would lose for sure.

Ildron would not speak before his follower, he would rather spend his time looking at his possible enemy, he could see if the person was a threat or not, weapons were easily spotted and even if it was hidden under clothing it was possible to see since it would change the way a shirt or cloak would cover a persons body. With a face as emotionless as a rock would be it was hard for a person to tell if Ildron was surprised or not, his eyes showed a little curiosity but that was it, almost as if the esh'lahier had lost all feeling in his face.

[Ladon]

As Ildron turned around he saw......

Well to be frank he saw not a lot because he was looking too high. There on the path at around kneecap height was a young Halfling.

Hello mister, you look lost! you looking for something? Me name's Seedy, Seedy Grumb. purveyor of information to those that are lost and need to find som'at to do see. So what ya looking for then?

[Ildron Cher'mayn]

Ildron would have bent his knees a little in order to look the halfling in the face but that would probably be disrespectful towards the little one, even though he was small he was probably used to the fact that everyone else was taller then him, not that Ildron was very tall at that. His face did not change a lot but his eyes moved up and down covering the entire halfing from top to toe even if it wasn't a lot to look at, he had heard that they were very proud of their feet and covering them up was not something they did without a very good reason.

"I am Ra'a cres parthaa mr. Grumb. I am interested in finding a mage, a sorcer at that. It would help me if you knew any who are or might be one. I want training from him, or her" He said before taking out a couple of crowns from inside his pocket, fifteen crowns in total to show that he was going to pay for the information, it was not very much but it would be more if the hafling actually had some information which could help him.

[Ladon]

The halfling's eyes grew at the site of the money that was on offer but held up a hand that was open, but with respect did not present the palm upwards.

With respect Master Ra'a, I would ask you to put your money away. I have found that I do the job that I have chosen, and then get paid for the service. If I provide you with no, or wrong information, then my service is not worth the crowns you offer and I expect nothing in return. This is the way I have always worked, I will not change my way for you.

So you seek a mage, and a sorcerer at that. Ummmmm...... Well there are two that I know of. The one gave me a right belt across the butt the last time I brought a person to see him, so I better not take you there, But the other.... Well.... we will have to see wont we. If you follow me Master Ra'a, I will take you to this person, but I can't promise that they'll take you on as an initiate, 'cause the mages in this city tend to be a bit on the crazy side when it comes to their privacy, you see, so we will have to go on a trek to get to this Sorcerer's House.

The Halfling headed back the way that Ildron, has just come, which, for a start, put a puzzeled look on his face, and as he walked, the hafling talked of his life as this purveyor of information that he was, and wanted to be.

..... You see, Master Ra'a, I basically keep these ears to the ground for any tidbits of information and then I have to store in all up here in me noggings, and then when I'm out, and about on the streets, I look for people like yourself and ask what's they looking for, and that's the truth of it. Trouble is I'm going to have to stop creeping up on people cause I have a couple of scares on me from when people have turned and whacked me one, will staffs and sticks, and things. But I thinks meself lucky this brightening, because you didn't have a stick. Ahhhh..... Here we are. The house of the mage that I told you about. Now don't get your hopes up too high Master Ra'a, cause she may turn you away with a flee in your ear, but this is the place alright, and she is, well was alright the last time I saw her.

The halfling opened the gate and entered the path to a small but respectable house in the north west of the city. The house may have been small but the garden, although small as well, was incredibly well maintained, and the house itself was well looked after. It had two windows in the front, either side of the front door, that had a little alcove surrounding it, giving persons visiting the house a little shelter from the elements, if it was a bad brightening. The door had a huge knocker on it, it the shape of a Eagle that had the ring passing through it's beak.

The Halfling could just about reach the knocker and with a little strain on his part, knocked on the door.

There was a pained silence for a few oments before the door, swung open, noiseless, and there before them sttod the female Mage. She looked Old, of elven origins, with snow white hair the cascaded down her back to the floor, a pure white dress hung on old, but firm shoulders, and she held herself with some dignity, such that when the door opened the little halfling dropped to his knee as he spoke.

Forgive the interuption Madame, I trust the brightening finds you well? I, Seedy Grumb, have been requested by this young Elf, to find a sorcerer of some renown. Now I wish to state that I have come here as before with all good intentions at heart Maam, and would also state that this one does seem to be of the correct temperment M'lady, so I would Introduce, Master Ra'a to you.

The female elf looked at Ildron at the words of the halfling and waited for him to state his business.

[Ildron Cher'mayn]

Ildron had never met a person who didn't take money as soon as it was offered to him, it just went against the nature of all living things as far as he knew, money made the empire go around that much was for sure, but the halfling seemed to have a great deal of honour for not taking money before finishing his work, he could respect that as a very fine trait. Putting the cash back into one of his pockets along with a little extra so that he could give the halfling the cash for his services without having to dig around in his pouch. He nodded towards the halfling and started to follow him, he remained silent for most of the trip only making out a couple of sounds every now and then to acknowledge that he was in fact listening to what the man said. Fixing his hair a little so that it didn't fall in front of his eyes he started to wonder if he should search around town for mages who by what the hobbit said did not like to be found, he would just have to hope that the mage was reasonable and at least willing to hear what Ildron wanted.

When they came to the building Ildron looked around, it was a humble abode at least, very well kept but it blended into the surroundings so natural that it would be hard to find it without looking for it. Closing the gate after himself when they entered the secluded garden Ildron hoped that at least that would show that he wasn't disrespectful towards the owner of the building. The esh'lahier paid attention to his surroundings, who ever lived in the building had a lot of time on his or her hands, most humans were busy running around trying to make the best of their lives, only elves were such perfectionists that they spent eras fixing their surroundings, cursing to himself as he realised this he fixed his hair a little more, his ears were easily hidden under his long thick hair. He just hoped that the elf would not hold a grudge against his kin, if it had been a normal warrior he could just run if he could not win, but now he had gone to a mage, if he tried to run he would just get blown up or something even worse then that. Holding his mask Ildron hoped that lady luck would smile at him.

As the halfling knocked on the door Ildron stopped a little behind him, not so close that the hobbit was locked in, with his hands in front of him the right inside his left the esh'lahier seemed to be a respectable middle class citizen, just what he was aiming for and he hoped that the mage didn't charge some outrageous price for accepting him as a student, if he was accepted that was. Giving a light nod towards the mage as she opened the door Ildron tried to see what kind of elf she was, perhaps she was another like him but he would not know that before actually seeing her up close.

"Serale. My name is Ra'a cres parthaa and I wish to learn the sphere of sorcery, I was informed by mister Grumb that you were one I could possible learn from." Ildron said to the mage trying to seem as respectful as possible towards the elf. He did not want to make the wrong impression towards the one who had the power to decide if he was to learn under her or not.

[Ladon]

The Lady Elf looked at the halfling and scowled, a venomous, and if he was looking, quite dangerous scowl. She obviously didn’t like the idea of being interrupted from whatever activity that she had been doing, and it would seem as Master Grumb, was going to be the focus of the ill intent that The Sorcerer had in mind.

Master Grumb your greetings, although pleasant, and of good intent, have disturbed me from my very important things I was doing, and will have to restart as soon as I can. If you do this again, I shall summon forth a fireball that shall not only leave you singed around the edges, but will burn a hole through to your heart, thus ending your life. Now do I make myself clear on this?

The voice of the elf had an evil, silky type of hue to it that would make even the strongest of men, think twice, before attempting to come against this one. She then brought her attentions to Ildron, who stood behind the dwarf, in a state of perplexed anguish. For to his eyes this did not seem to be looking on the good side for him, but the Lady elf stopped, as she looked Master Ra’a, over. There was a moment, where the Sorcerer looked at Ildron, with eyes that seemed to burn through to the soul of the individual that she was looking at. It was as if she were trying to read his thoughts, his deepest desires, and anything else about him that she could see, but whether it was the case that she could actually do this reading of another, was just speculation. Even so, Master Ra’a, would certainly feel a little uneasy in the time that the sorcerer, would spend looking at him.

Eventually, after what appeared to be an hour wait, but in reality was a few seconds, the Elf spoke.

So, Master Ra’a; You wish to learn the Arcanic Art of Sorcery. I will listen to your reasoning behind the request you have made before I give you my answer, but I will also ask a question of you to aid your deliberations, and your response. Why do you wish to learn this sphere of the Arcanic arts, for I can assure you Master Ra’a, that If, and I stress the word IF, I do take you on as a student of this art form, then It is going to take time, and a lot of hard work to learn all that is required of you. So prey tell, Esh'lahier, what possesses you to come here this brightening to learn this?

[Ildron Cher'mayn]

Ildron raised an eyebrow when he heard the elf's response towards the little one, he had just come to the one and only elf he had ever seen in his life who did not like people, most elfs were happy to talk with people, this one looked like she would rather pierce her tongue with a rusted nail. Lowering his eyebrow again as the elf looked over at him he wondered what would come out of her mouth next, flames would not suit a sorcerer at all that much was for sure. While the elf was looking at him Ildron remained as calm as possible on the outside, inside there was a little power struggle going on, should his body suddenly take over the brain or was his brain going to continue it's reign over all parts. Starting to wonder if he would pass the elf's little stare contest he also wondered what she was trying to do, freak him out so much that he would reconsider, or check if he was worth the breath it would take to open her mouth and actually say something. Holding his arms where they were without changing his stance much Ildron hoped that he did appear calm and without doubt in his own actions, as he had heard all his life regretting a choice he made himself was a very bad trait to have at most, at least when he wasn't forced into it, free will was a pain to say the least.

When the elf actually spoke Ildron thought for an answer for a moment, he had spent a long time thinking of what he would say when the moment came, but none of them would work on the woman in front of him so in the end he decided to just say the first thing which came into his mind. "I wish to learn sorcery because of just that, it involves hard work and a lot of dedication, you can't get far in this world without a working mind and the ability to deal with what ever life hands you, be it a good thing or a bad thing, you have to able to survive to see another day. I want to be able to protect myself and others without risking the loss of an innocent" Ildron said, it was more or less correct since he was planning to use his powers to protect himself mostly, he had no ideas of becoming a ruthless killer or murdered, he did not want to kill people if he could prevent it, with sorcery he could achieve this goal in a quick and very efficient way.

[Ladon]

The lady elf looked the young Esh'lahier elf in front of her. She was tired of the attention that some would give her as soon as they knew what she was. There were advantages to being a Master of her art, but there were also draw backs and the constant harassment of people for asking for favours, had taken its toll on her temperament.

There was a problem though that she needed to cover and that was the fact that she hadn’t had an apprentice for a while and there would need to be a successor to her gift, or the things she had learned and practised would be lost to the realm. So the dilemma presented itself, and she had to make a choice. Did she want her art to diminish with her passing, or was there a chance that the teaching of another, could ensure that the tradition was kept alive?

After another moments pondering on this subject she made up her mind of what she had decided.

Well, Master Ra’a, it would seem that you have been fortuitous on the brightening that you have called, as I have been thinking on these things for sometime now, and you are the one that I shall be taking as a student of my Art.

Master Grumb, you may get up off your knees now, and leave us, as I have made my decision, but heed my words well halfling, as I do not want to bring forth my wrath upon you.

Master Ra’a. You may enter my abode, and we shall see what comes of this meeting.

The elf moved out of her door way and waited for the Elf to enter.

The lady elf moved in to her main room, and waited for Ildron to join her. The room was small but functional. It had a perfect fireplace in the main wall, with a book case that had a number of bound books that looked to be very expensive. There was also a desk with an oil lamp on it, which had an unfinished letter on it, with the quill, and ink pot, still in a state, that it was obvious that this was the important business that she was in the process of completing. There were two small couches in the room, and also a tiger skin rug that was located in front of the fire.

Master Ra’a I have to finish this letter, for this is important to my life and so, I would request that you take a seat whilst I finish this. Once this is finished, I will get to your first few lessons in this art form, and so if you would allow this small infringement on you I will get this finished. Would you care for a cup of something whilst you wait? I have a herbal tea that you could take, as this would aid to your composure and also to the unbinding of your person, but I will have to explain this process, when I have finished this letter.

The lady elf then sat down, after attending to Master Ra'a if he wanted the tea, and set about finishng her letter. There was a possiblity that questions could be fielded, but this may not be a good time.

[Ildron Cher'mayn]

Ildron gave a low bow to the elf as he heard her response, from what he had heard since he first saw her it did not seem like an easy task to be accepted under her wing, the thing he was thinking the most about was what had made her think about taking an apprentice, most mages were strong enough to handle themselves without problems, unless the mage worked at a school of some sorts they rarely accepted trainees without a good reason. At least that would be how Ildron would be if he ever reached a level where he could actually have students. As the halfling was about to go Ildron pulled out the crowns he had prepeared for him, 30 crowns in total seemed to be more then enough for what the little one had put him through, risking a limb and possibly a head was not worth more then a couple of crowns. Following the mage into her house he looked around slowly trying to see how everything was, she seemed to be a standard perfectionist like most elves were, that also meant that she wouldn't accept good spells, she probably wanted them to be excellent.

"I'll take a cup of tea thank you." Ildron said before taking a seat in one of the couches, he tried to stay close to the fireplace as it was rather cold outside. Taking the tea from the elf he would spend a little time thinking about how some simple tea might help him, but he had no experience compared to her so he just drank some of it to see how it was, he would probably finish before the mage was done with her letter so everything would go fine like that. Trying to enjoy the last moments of being 'bound' or what ever she had called it, the soothing fireplace made him feel almost at home, only at this home he would probably get killed for touching something he shouldn't even be near.

[Ladon]

The Lady Elf finished her letter and sealed it and then moved it to one side.

I thank you for waiting Master Ra'a. I had to finish this note or problems would wend my way, but that is by the by. I trust that the Tea was satisfactory. It will have a calming effect as we progress to the first stage of your training in the art of Sorcery.

So MAster Ra'a I need to know what you know of the art of the Arcane, and in particular Sorcery, For If you know things then It saves me time, but I will also understand, if you do not know much of this information. You need to understand a couple of things about the acrane, so be truthful My student for there are things That I expect, Thats honesty and also truth, as these lead to things going considerably more towards the side of right.

[Ildron Cher'mayn]

Ildron nodded to the elf when she asked about the tea, it tasted better then what he first thought. He felt a little more relaxed then before, it might have something to do with the fact that his new teacher seemed nicer now, not the angry hag she seemed to be only minutes earlier. He placed the empty cup where he could when he saw that the letter was done , he thought that there would be a couple of more questions before they began, and sure enough there were some more questions before he would begin his training. He understood that his teacher didn't want to waste her time telling him things he all ready knew but there was a very slim chance of that since Ildron had only read and seen a little of the arcanic arts, he knew that it was very difficult to learn and use properly and in the wrong hands it was perhaps one of the most fearsome weapons of all.

"I know almost nothing about arcana other then what most commoners know, it's much respected and perhaps even more feared around the empire." He said thinking it would be best to tell the mage the truth, if he was going to be any good with magic he had to know everything about it, he will have to go to a book store or a library when he was done, he wanted to read about all kinds of magic, it seemed very interesting and it would without doubt help him to know about different spheres as well in case he ever had to fight one. Looking towards his mentor Ildron was very interested in what she would say next, if there was one thing which made him listen like his life depended on him it was power and knowledge about how to maintain it.

[Ladon]

That is a fine answer master Ra'a, for I can now teach you as if you're a clean slate. If you had any knowledge already then this is sometimes dangerous as a little knowledge of a thing is sometimes a lot more dangerous than none at all. So we will start from the beginning and work through so that by the end of this first lesson you should understand what this form of the arcanic arts is about and also know what arcana is in the first place.

Arcana used to be controlled by a special gem called the aethergem. This gem used to limit the flow of the energies that used to be required to be able to perform magic. Now the gem Became fractured a while ago now, and with this fracture of the gem, mortal citizens began to be able to use the powers of the Arcanic arts.

Now each individual has an internal amount of power that can be used, and through practise, and concentration this well of power can be improved. But more importantly, the power that is within, is added to by the fact that every thing has the same power that surrounds them.as well, so a practitioner of the arcanic arts takes a little from the outside power, and uses a little of the inside power to gain a well of arcanic energy that can be used to make a spell.

Now then the energy that the Sorcerer uses is actually the energy of force itself. If you wanted to learn the form of Arcana known as Song magic, then that would use the musical energy, Druidism uses the forces of nature, and nature itself, elementalists use the forces of the elements, and so on, So as a student of this Sorcery, I will tell you of this type of Arcana.

Sorcerers are users of one of the earliest forms of arcana, even before the Aethergem was broken there were those that were able to perform these spells. There is also the ability to be able to bens and manipulate time and space, So if you come proficient in this art form you will be able to use a spell to teleport you to a different part of the realm.

I have given you a lot of information here and you may have questions you wish to ask of me Master Ra'a, if so then feel free to ask them, for other than that I will be looking to explaining the process of unbinding your being so that you will be able to utilise the powers around you.

[Ildron Cher'mayn]

Ildron did not care much for the past, he did not dwell in the past since it only contained bad memories and experiences, it was only after he left his first home that his life began. For a moment he forgot where he was but something interested him far to much to be able to think of anything else. The ability to control time and space, his eyes widened a bit and he thought of the possibilities, there were to many for him to be able to figure them all out but it looked like his new master new more about it then he could ever begin to comprehend. He listened to every word closely, he had just found out that sorcery was so much more then he thought it was.

"So a sorcerer can move through time? Or just hold it back a little slowing it down or speeding it up? It is very interesting." The esh'lahier said, he would probably find out about it later in his training but he liked to know sooner then later. He didn't think much about the other spheres at the moment but elementalism was a power to be reckoned with, the ability to control fire, wind, water and earth could surely create some really dangerous spells, being engulfed under ground could not be a very nice thing and feeling limbs being crushed under the thick hard ground was for sure a very painful feeling at least. But controlling time would give you unlimited power since the ability to go back before your enemies had got their powers and transport them to another part of the realm would make them just another orphan in the world, that was power. Killing was not always necassery so teleportation was useful in both moving quickly and having a hasty retreat from any enemies in his way.