AToI Keeva (Intiate Mysticism)

[Spock]

The Elf smiled, and wrote down her information, and sought after her military profile. He then pulled out the file and inserted the correct information needed. He then put it away and marked a few other things. The elf moved quickly with the paper work, and then was finally done "Your teacher will be around soon enough."

------------Time is Crazy I know------------------

Soon Keeva found herself waiting until the strangest thing occurred in her mind. It was a voice a mans voice to be precise, and in a patient tone asked "so why do you want to learn Mysticism? Is so you can essentially mess with peoples minds? Are you some sick woman who could not get a man, so you have retreated to Mysticism for last resort ?' He laughed a little knowing that looking around would only show the many people runniing about "ahhh yes which one am I you ask...by the time you figure that out I could impale with an arrow I guess. However, thats no fun. Come come answer my questions."

Keeva could feel her body warm up in and get tense in anxiety as soldiers went to an from making it hard to really pin point anything. However, it is quite unpleasant to have some one running about in ons mind as that thought perhaps crossed the voice said "Oh, man, naughty naughty Keeva did you ever tell any body about that? Or that soldier you thought was weird a moment ago?"

[Keeva Kaldres]

'Hey! Stop reading my mind! It's not very nice, you know?' Keeva cried out, the grey orbs of her eyes still darting deperately from one place to another, anxious to pinpoint the form of her tormentor. A rather sheepish expression masked her face as she realised she was shouting out loud, and taht the various soldiers making their way to some place or another might just think she was a little crazy.

'Where are you? Are you the one who's supposed to be teaching me??'

This time she spoke in a softer, much less conspicuous tone of voice. She would never be able to get anywhere in the military if all her fellow soldiers thought she was a loony.

[Daniel]

Master Cousteau walked up to Keeva and the elf. "Serale, I am Darien Cousteau of Jaedaxia, and I will be teaching you Initiate Mysticism." He spoked with a slight accent, common to those from Carmelyn province. "As you may or may not have heard, the incoming Justicar of Centripax is convinced that the Mystics of Jaedaxia are in league with the Rakyra. He engaged in a battle of Psionic Orbs with one of our leaders, and then attempted to arrest the entire Collegion en masse and send us all to Terramarique."

Cousteau shook his head ruefully. "So, I thought it best to leave Jaedaxia for a while and offer my services elsewhere. But that is who I was. Who I am is one of the best and most efficient teachers of Initiate Mysticism. If you haven't learned it all in a cycle, then it's because you yourself aren't diligent enough in your homework."

While he was talking, he walked all around Keeva, studying her carefully. "First thing I need you to do is get a good night's sleep, don't eat or drink anything for supper tonight, and return to my room tomorrow wearing comfortable clothes. I'll unbind you if you haven't already been unbound, we'll discuss meditation and clara and some basics of spell craft and arcana manipulation, and then we'll go through the spells, at the rate of one or two or day depending on your innate talent and proficiency. If you're not finished in exactly one cycle then my name isn't Darien Cousteau."

He gave Keeva directions to his tower office, room #906A, and bid her meet him there at first light the next morning.

[Keeva Kaldres]

Keeva was left standing more than a little confused and befuddled. She had to get a good night's rest before she could start learning her arcana? And she wasn't allowed to eat anything for supper? What kind of a teacher was this Master Cousteau, anyway?

With a shake of her head, Keeva turned and waslked briskly out of the building, towards the haven of her quarters. She supposed that that question would be answered next brightening, and she shouldn't really waste that much time thought on the matter until then. If what she needed to do was get a good night's sleep, then that was, indeed, what she would get.

The next brightening...

As she had told herself a milion times before, following directions was not exactly her greatest talent in life. Always getting lost, it did not seem that her mind would even be able to cope with distinguishing between north and south. Hopefully some lessons in the Sphere of Mysticism, however, would be able to set her straight.

Allowing an extra good few minutes for her to make her way to Cousteau's office, Keeva was eventually able to locate the designated room, room #906A.

Tapping gently on the door, the young woman then reached out tentatively for the handle, hoping that Cousteau was not involved in anything of any mportant significance at this given point in time.

[Spock]

Cousteau was indeed an interesting man of a sort. However, he answered the door as he saw it open "greetings, Keeva nice to see students come on time." He then motioned for her to follow him "let us go to the fields outside abestat I feel like getting some fresh air this time around." He lead Keeva all the way outside, and then smiled "so tell me why do you choose to learn Arcana and specifically why Mysticism?" INdeed they were straight forward questions with Cousteau listening carefully....

[Keeva Kaldres]

Keeva felt only too inclined to follow Cousteau outside, into the embrace of the cool, refreshing air it promised. A small, insignificant thought poked at the recesses of her mind, a though that informed her that she should probably get out more often, if only for a scant amount of time each brightening. The fresh air would do her good, and would aid her welfare much more than sitting in her dust-ridden barracks room ever could.

'I've always wanted to learn arcana, sir. Something about it is just so...fascinating. Being able to create spells, and use them to one's advantage. That sort of power is one that intrigues me, and one which I would wholely like to master.'

'As for why I chose mysticism, it was the only sphere of arcana that really appealed to me, and, seeing as I'm a soldier, I figured that it could prove very handy where intelligence issues are concerned.'

And it might help to straighten out this disorganized mess of a mind I have

The last thought remained distinctly unspoken, the notion that Cousteau could quite easily read her mind not really making itself known. The girl was quite engrossed in enjoying the outdoors, and the prospects of learning the arcane skill of mysticism.

[Spock]

Cousteau nodded "I see that seems logical to me, and I am glad e you chose Mysticism. Be warned though its hard work and do not think you can just sit her e and listen to me and cast spells. I will work you t hrough the initiate level with the fastest time and best quality as possible in return give me good solid attempts and attention."

He then touched Keeva on the shoulder. She began to feel dizzy and shiver sin her spine. Then soon there after she sa unique colors floating about her with everything brightening around her. She felt her mind spin as she stood dazed. Indeed these sensations were often felt when being unbound.

Cousteau smiled your mind is being freed from the normal way of going about business. Your mind is being unbound and able to function in the arcane arts. The feelings will fade in a bit mean while relax..." He then observed Keeva making sure she was ok as she was unbound....

[Keeva Kaldres]

The touch and subsequent unbinding had been so sudden, so unexpected, that Keeva had hardly realised just what had taken place, not until her eyes were opened to a multitude of colours and a somewhat lighter view of the world around her. It was a beautiful sight, a scene that contended with images of a forest, dappled by the early morning rays of the sun rising gently over thehorizon. One taht she could never possibly have conceived within her own mind; artist or no.

Suddenly feeling queezy, the young woman almost collapsed and buckled entirely as she struggled to adjust to this new way of seeing things. Slowing to a stride, Keeva even had to stop, dazed and dizzy as she was. Trying to take in Cousteau's advice of relaxing, Keeva atrove to take in a series of slow, deep breaths, willing the innate feeling of discomfort within her to quickly pass. She would not be able to begin her studies in the state she was in now, after all.

[Spock]

Cousteau then explained slowly Vis is what the energies are inside you. The Ara is the arcanic energies outside you. You will use your Vis to connect to the Ara. This is done by focusing on your vis and making a mental connection with the ara. Once the connection is made you will will have to be careful how you use your Vis or you can such it clean and in turn kill you. "

He then let it sink in and continued "this connection or channel will lead to the connection to our plane which is the psionic plane. We draw upon its energies to then shape the energies which are spells. In battle I would not use it as you fight per say since initiates take about 4-5 minutes to cast a spell. As you go up the ladder your casting time will decrease, and the power increase. You can also increase spell casting by practicing. Perhaps being with the archers would be a better idea when using arcanic energies."


Cousteau then rubbed his head and then asked "understand?"

OOC: It is hard to explain this sometimes. You can read the arcana guides in the Arcana section of the home page. If you already know then grand =) I will get to the meat soon heh.

[Keeva Kaldres]

Keeva nodded, if a little tentatively. So, vis was the energy within her, and ara was the energy around her? The two are combined to form a connection, and this conection could be used in order to create and manifacture a spell. Was it really as simple as that? The young woman certainly didn't think so, but, if that was all the information that Cousteau was going to reveal to her, than all that he had informed her must have been all the explanation needed for a 'wannabe' initiate.

'I think I follow, Master Cousteau, although maybe some sort of practical exercise would work better in helping me understand.'

The notion that she could kill herself after connecting her ara with the surrounding vis was not a particularly comforting one, but aracan was somethings he had wanted to learn since she was a child, and it was definitely not something taht she would easily give up one.

'Master...How would I go about connecting ara and vis?'

[Spock]

The teacher smirked noting her many hints to get to the spell casting. However, he thought it rude so kept leading her on until finally he began showing her "The Mystic can focus her psionic energies to sharpen her senses and broaden the horizons of her perception of the immediate vicinity in order to sense any illusions near her, break the guise of any invisibility, and detect any metaphysical or magical occurrence."

Cousteau then explained

Use your Vis and focus the conenction to Ara. then you will establish a channel so to speak to begin working your spell which is sometimes called a state of Clara. So focus your energies on your senses to detect what I mentioned now give it a try"

Cousteau then walked about as she began to work her spell...

[Keeva Kaldres]

Not exactly sure just what she was supposed to be doing, Keeva merely looked upon her teacher with an expression of severe befuddlement. She had never done anything like this before, but Cousteau certainly seemed like he wanted her to at least try something. Closing her eyes and taking a deep, calming inhalation of breath, the girl attempted to empty her mind; to block our her senses, one by one, until she could succesfully focus solely on the energy of vis within her.

Trying not to let her fickle mind wander too far away from the task at hand, Keeva instead attempted to reach out with it, utilising it in streams of finger-like tendrils.

What was it Cousteau had said? Connect her vis to the ara surrounding her? But how on Telath was she supposed to accomplish that?

Reaching out towards the surrounding energies with her own life force. her vis, the girl attempted to accomplish at least something in a reaction between the two energies. Not really knowing what she was meant to be doing proved to be quite a drawback, however, and the gir's fists clanched tightly together as she allowed her frustration to get the better of her.

After emmitting a child-like whine of defeat, Keeva looked to her teacher, silently asking for help through inexperienced eyes.

[Spock]

The initiate’s new master begins to speak, yet no
words can be understood by the human. A few seconds
after her ‘failed’ spell attempt, Keeva’s eyes glaze
over, and she collapses to the ground, light foam
bubbles out each side of the lips. Soon after, the
mageling begins to shake, like a woman possessed.
Meanwhile, Cousteau watches on with an amused light in
his eye. After about ten minutes, which seemed like
an eternity to the tortured woman, he waves his hand
and the shaking, pain, and paralysis ends.

The human’s face turns from one of amusement to a
sneer, “Incompetent wench. Do I have to hold your hand
and walk you through the entire process?” Spitting on
the ground next to her, his movements become more
animated, hands flying in the air. “If I didn’t dispel
the spell you accidentally cast, it would have been
your death! How could one be foolish enough to combine
energies and abandon them?” Shaking his head, he
points to the door. “You dolt! You could have killed
us both. I think it’s time you leave or get your act together.”

[Keeva Kaldres]

Falling about and writhing on the solid surface of the ground below was not quite how Keeva had pictured her first arcane attempt to be, nor was it in any way her ideal vision of a first lesson. Disgraceful and lacking in dignity, the discomforting events did nothing for the woman's morale, or indeed her confidence. Wincing as the pain subsided slowly, reluctantly, and without mercy, Keeva could only look on helplessly as her teacher began to berate her, assaulting her with a barrage of insults and notes on her foolishness.

Before she had joined the army, Keeva would not have hesitated, or even been able to prevent herself from breaking down and crying shamelessly on the floor. Being struck with physical pain was bad enough, but now Cousteau was assaulting her on the mental side of things? It was almost more than the young woman could take. Almost

'I'm sorry, master. I'll try harder next time, I swear! I don't want to give up now...'

A nudging thought pulled at Keeva's mind, begging to be heard. How was she supposed to be able to cast a spell if she didn't even have any knowledge of the spells she could cast? Was she just being an empty-headed, mindless little dolt again, or was that a mistake on Cousteau's part? She was loathe to challenge her master vocally, but, if he was in the wrong, the only way she could possibly obtain any justice for it was by speaking up.

'Sir, pardon me for asking, but how am I supposed to be able to cast any spells? You haven't yet told me of any spells within the Sphere of Mysticism that I cam accomplish.'

Biting her lip as she did when she was worried or deep in thought, the young soldier mentally prepared the invisible shields of her mind, readying them just in case Cousteau chose to deign her with a second bout of insults and accusations.

[Daniel]

Grand Master Arpeg came by and smacked Master Cousteau upside the head. "What the devil sort of training is this? Cousteau, you are relieved of command. Report to the ATOI at once and expect to face severe disciplinary action."

He shook his head sadly as Cousteau trudged off. Then he turned to Keeva. "I just do not like how the Mystico Collegio of Jaedaxia trains its people in Mysticism. I wouldn't train a monkey like that." He shook his head sadly. Ever since the Liberator of Abestat had attempted to stop all breeding grounds for the Rakyra, the Collegio had become nothing more than a bunch of rejects and outcasts. Humph.

"I will personally take over your training, Sergeant Lasant. Someone who has put has much time and value into serving Abestat deserves proper guidance."

Arpek took a deep breath. "The first spell we shall begin with is Psionic Orb. Did Cousteau even bother explaining the spell list to you? What of arcalysis? Basic spell-shaping techniques, such as knowing when to abjure and knowing when to channel?"

When it was clear from the blank look on Keeva's face that she had no idea what he was talking about, the Grand Master looked furious indeed. He summoned an Animation of Cousteau and strangled him, then let the illusion fade away.

"I will review, in case Cousteau left any gaps in your initial training. Now, first of all, we live and exist on what is called the material plane but the material plane is not all that exists – there is also the arcanic plane, the different essence planes which flow with arcanic energy and this is part of everything that exists on this material, physical plane.”

“Now to cast a spell, we first of all enter a meditative state which allow us to become aware of this wonderful arcanic energy from the essence planes. This is why you were unbound. Without being unbound you could never, ever, be able to sense arcana – before it was muffled, veiled – always there but never perceived. But I digress… To cast a spell .. one focuses on the arcana from the essence plane and in particular the ara of the essence plane in which he is interested, and for us that is the psionic essence …”

“Now after focusing on this Ara, this arcanic energy of the essence plane … the caster projects her Vis into this essence plane and creates an Arcane weave .. ah, but I am getting ahead of myself!.. I didn’t say that this energy, as well as surrounding and flowing around all living things, also resides within ourselves .. yes, yes, Vis, that is it, wonderful – Vis is your personal Ara! But anyway the caster creates an arcane weave by channelling her Vis, by creating a link between the Ara and her Vis, which is then shaped into the spell required.”

Not wishing to lose the sergeant with lots of talk of mumbo-jumbo without any practical application, the Grand Master paused at this point. "But first let us work on getting you into a proper state of clara. Clear your mind and first go into a state of meditation. You will not achieve Clara itself the first time you aim for it, for it takes some time to attune your new unbound senses to locate ara, but we'll start with some basic grounding and centering exercises and see how far we get today."

The Grand Master then led Keeva through some basic breathing and focusing and visualization techniques. "Deep breathes, long enough to count 4 heartbeats. Free your mind. Relax your muscles. Later, you may need these spells in moments of stress and combat, but for now we'll attempt to keep things as still and peaceful as possible. Deep breaths. Clear your mind, hearing only the sound of my voice. Then lose that as well. I can not describe
Ara for you-- it looks different to all people though most commonly Psionic ara is seen as red-gold swirls the color of autumn leaves. Do not worry about that right now. I guarantee that with my training you will be flinging Psionic Orbs soon enough.. but for now, we meditate."