He backed away from the bodies of two parents laying upon the dirt floor, wiping the dagger wet with blood upon a rag in the kitchen.
He did so hate killing the weak and useless..
Tossing the bloodied rag at the nearest corpse, the young mother with her gaze forever transfixed at the second room with a look of complete fear, he stepped over her without a second glance to enter the small bedroom.
A makeshift bed lay in a corner, its threadbare sheets folded with care and a pair of lumpy pillows laying side by side, and hand-me-down crib sat beside it.
Stepping across the room, his eyes caught what he was looking for, a child of a few weeks, a daughter he could now see, whose body was lined by the telltale signs of magic power-- it was a faint lining, but surely there was something that could be done with her.
He had seen the couple carrying their baby through the market square of Westbridge but had distanced himself to keep from being noticed in his stalking.. But after following them to their home and awaiting nightfall, they would be prime for the picking.
The screams of the little girl were muted by the sphere of silence, but the emotions were still strong, as he picked her up from her crib.
Stalking back through the house, he opened the front door and stepped into the darkness of night. Outside, cloaked in shadows of black and purple and hidden to the naked eye, his two guards entered the house to clean up after his .. "mess."
Turning to face the ramshackle door that protected this feeble family from its hidden gem, he scrawled the mark of his lord in magic upon the door for the other cult followers to see..
Casting a spell of relocation, he moved to the next location a child was sighted..
Legacy IV
The feather swiftly ran over the paper as Ror wrote his report. Dipping it into ink every now and then, he kept a steady pace with little to no staining. A blue-white crystal was lying on a pile of paper in front of him. He was using it as a paperweight... And drawing its shape onto the paper as part of the report. After half a hour of writing, he laid down the feather and let the last of the ink dry. His hand moved over to the crystal and touched it. 'How fares the test?' asked Ror by thought, and the voice of one of his assistants told him in his head that it went well. He nodded to himself and let go of the crystal. And turned the page, blowing a bit against the paper to dry the last of the ink. He then picked up the feather again and resumed his writing, outlining the test-phase. By the time he had reached the bottom of the paper, another half hour had passed. He placed the feather back in the ink well and waited a bit before filing the report. He tucked it under his arm and pocketed the crystal before walking out of his office. Down the hallway, he opened the door to Zeltor's office and placed the report on his desk, before walking back to the hangar.
In the hangar his assistants were testing the properties and spellstrength of the other crystal. As Ror approached, he took the crystal from his pocket and then placed it in the slot across the other. 'Still everything faring well?' A curt nod answered his question and Ror smiled. He opened his uniform and removed a folded paper sheet from a pocket, handing it over to the nearest assistant. 'Infuse this spell in the both of them,' he said, 'I will be at the archive. If anything is amiss, let me know.' He then turned and walked away. The assistant that had received the paper unfolded it and read the spell, his eyes enlarging, 'Damn!' This caught the attention of the other, who looked up from his work and turned his head to see, 'A protective spell? Oh, nasty!' The first sighed, 'Safety for everything I guess. Alright, let's get to work.'
With a click the magical lock of the door to the archive unlocked and a second later Ror swooped into the room otherwise occupied by dust and cabinets, closing the door behind him. He snapped his fingers and placed an instantly created ball of light on a cabinet top, before turning his attention to the cabinets themselves. He opened a cabinet drawer and scanned the labels. Closing the drawer again, he opened another drawer and scanned labels once again. He frowned, then picked a file from the cabinet. It said, "RESTRICTION LEVEL 1" on the cover. Ror opened it and leaned against one of the cabinets as his eyes scanned the contents.
'My, my, Throm, I guess rumours were right after all,' said Ror to himself and he smirked broadly,
'You DID experiment with black makou...'
In the hangar his assistants were testing the properties and spellstrength of the other crystal. As Ror approached, he took the crystal from his pocket and then placed it in the slot across the other. 'Still everything faring well?' A curt nod answered his question and Ror smiled. He opened his uniform and removed a folded paper sheet from a pocket, handing it over to the nearest assistant. 'Infuse this spell in the both of them,' he said, 'I will be at the archive. If anything is amiss, let me know.' He then turned and walked away. The assistant that had received the paper unfolded it and read the spell, his eyes enlarging, 'Damn!' This caught the attention of the other, who looked up from his work and turned his head to see, 'A protective spell? Oh, nasty!' The first sighed, 'Safety for everything I guess. Alright, let's get to work.'
With a click the magical lock of the door to the archive unlocked and a second later Ror swooped into the room otherwise occupied by dust and cabinets, closing the door behind him. He snapped his fingers and placed an instantly created ball of light on a cabinet top, before turning his attention to the cabinets themselves. He opened a cabinet drawer and scanned the labels. Closing the drawer again, he opened another drawer and scanned labels once again. He frowned, then picked a file from the cabinet. It said, "RESTRICTION LEVEL 1" on the cover. Ror opened it and leaned against one of the cabinets as his eyes scanned the contents.
'My, my, Throm, I guess rumours were right after all,' said Ror to himself and he smirked broadly,
'You DID experiment with black makou...'
Legacy III
Taking a bite from the sandwich in his hand, Ror tapped the scroll in front of him on the table. The assistant sitting on the left of him was munching on a sandwich as well and nodded at Ror. A large table had been placed next to the magic circle. Ror and his assistants were having lunch and discussing the next step at the same time. The original spells from the journal had been copied over so the assistants each had their own version to study during lunch. The discussion regularly switched to cover other topics, all relating to the work that waited for them. In that regard, the scrolls were a great help. All Ror had to do, was ensure the discussion didn't derail. After a hour or two, the food was gone and most of the discussion had dried up. Ror clapped his hands and stood up, 'Alright people, let's get back to work. You know what to do.' He collected the copies from his assistants and counted them to make sure he had them all. In the meantime the liches had returned and carried the table and chairs away from the circle, while the assistants took up their position and talked through the final details.
This was it then, thought Ror as he returned to his platform. He adjusted his goggles, shoving them back down before his eyes with one hand, the other holding the scrolls. A curt nod to the signalling lich downstairs set the second leg in motion.
They weaved the spells in unisome. As Ror watched, an empowering spell and a spell to complete the motion of telepathy took shape within the circle around the two blue-white crystals created earlier. They were on display in individual holders, side by side. As the Weave was pulled around the crystals, power was instilled in them and a soft blue glow sunk down into them. On the foreheads of the mages drops of sweat started to form as a new spell was weaved: detection of thoughts. Their hand gestures were like a dance that build up magic and pulled the Weave with it. Combining it with another empower spell, the crystals glowed softly once again. As the fine tuning started, his assistants were visibly starting to tire. Fortunately the liches paid attention and replenished their mana. With renewed strength they carried on. They tweaked the weave around the crystals: plucking here and pushing there, they severed and retied certain threads. Until eventually the desired result was reached and they were done.
Shoving the goggles back up with the back of his hand, Ror watched the softly glowing crystals at the center of the magical circle from above. He smirked, 'Alright, well done people! Time for a rest, and then a test...'
This was it then, thought Ror as he returned to his platform. He adjusted his goggles, shoving them back down before his eyes with one hand, the other holding the scrolls. A curt nod to the signalling lich downstairs set the second leg in motion.
They weaved the spells in unisome. As Ror watched, an empowering spell and a spell to complete the motion of telepathy took shape within the circle around the two blue-white crystals created earlier. They were on display in individual holders, side by side. As the Weave was pulled around the crystals, power was instilled in them and a soft blue glow sunk down into them. On the foreheads of the mages drops of sweat started to form as a new spell was weaved: detection of thoughts. Their hand gestures were like a dance that build up magic and pulled the Weave with it. Combining it with another empower spell, the crystals glowed softly once again. As the fine tuning started, his assistants were visibly starting to tire. Fortunately the liches paid attention and replenished their mana. With renewed strength they carried on. They tweaked the weave around the crystals: plucking here and pushing there, they severed and retied certain threads. Until eventually the desired result was reached and they were done.
Shoving the goggles back up with the back of his hand, Ror watched the softly glowing crystals at the center of the magical circle from above. He smirked, 'Alright, well done people! Time for a rest, and then a test...'
Guidance and Attrition
+The writings of Enmach are done with a superior slanted scrawl, evidence of many years of training and study. The ink is of a deep maroon color on loose papyrus paper, sandwiched between two leather bound panels. The entire bundle is held together with a silken cord of gold and is scented with lavender oil.+
Alas, I have gone forward with a misdeed that I only hope will not be discovered or if discovered, simply seen as advice. I sought out Sanria's location through payment to the Phaerimm, Ro'kta'k, in Myth Drannor. I can only be grateful that payment can be made to the mages in the form of magical artifacts. If Ro'kta'k were privy to the magic we hold in this castle, I am most certain we might find ourselves involved in a very large takeover attempt. This, however, is only a part of my transgression.
I alerted Orn to her whereabouts, though I did not tell him outright. I merely helped him to use his own knowledge of his discoveries to lead him to the correct conclusion. I may have then pushed him to know he was dealing with a very dangerous individual. I do fear harm has likely already befallen Sanria, and I fear that if she is once again pulled away in haste, there will be nothing more I can do to aid her.
Colin came to my room and spoke with me as well. I specifically warned Orn against telling him what was transpiring, but I did not divine that the message would come from Gilean. I tried to get him to realize that traveling in his mental state, with a distinct lack of magic was useless, but he did not seem to have interest in listening to my words. I fear for his safety as well, but I cannot involve myself beyond what I have already done.
Delsmach did approach the Celstial tribunal with the news of their wayward member, but the response was what I had anticipated. There was nothing to be done to him if he had not turned evil. Delsmach reported they seemed to take great distaste in receiving a visit from a Rilmani, and even greater distaste in that we were once again policing their race.
I can only hope our... *my* involvement does not lead to any larger catastrophes, as this situation Sanria has gotten herself into is dire. If this being has the chance to infiltrate her mind, there will be no turning back for her. She will fight to be with her captor and to remain eternally at his side. If he does manage to remove her from this plane - she is truly lost. May both our paths end with as little harm as possible.
Alas, I have gone forward with a misdeed that I only hope will not be discovered or if discovered, simply seen as advice. I sought out Sanria's location through payment to the Phaerimm, Ro'kta'k, in Myth Drannor. I can only be grateful that payment can be made to the mages in the form of magical artifacts. If Ro'kta'k were privy to the magic we hold in this castle, I am most certain we might find ourselves involved in a very large takeover attempt. This, however, is only a part of my transgression.
I alerted Orn to her whereabouts, though I did not tell him outright. I merely helped him to use his own knowledge of his discoveries to lead him to the correct conclusion. I may have then pushed him to know he was dealing with a very dangerous individual. I do fear harm has likely already befallen Sanria, and I fear that if she is once again pulled away in haste, there will be nothing more I can do to aid her.
Colin came to my room and spoke with me as well. I specifically warned Orn against telling him what was transpiring, but I did not divine that the message would come from Gilean. I tried to get him to realize that traveling in his mental state, with a distinct lack of magic was useless, but he did not seem to have interest in listening to my words. I fear for his safety as well, but I cannot involve myself beyond what I have already done.
Delsmach did approach the Celstial tribunal with the news of their wayward member, but the response was what I had anticipated. There was nothing to be done to him if he had not turned evil. Delsmach reported they seemed to take great distaste in receiving a visit from a Rilmani, and even greater distaste in that we were once again policing their race.
I can only hope our... *my* involvement does not lead to any larger catastrophes, as this situation Sanria has gotten herself into is dire. If this being has the chance to infiltrate her mind, there will be no turning back for her. She will fight to be with her captor and to remain eternally at his side. If he does manage to remove her from this plane - she is truly lost. May both our paths end with as little harm as possible.
Legacy II
Ror crossed his arms, a pair of goggles with darkened glasses on his face. From the first floor platform above the hangar he watched his assistants. A few hours earlier he had woken them up at the first rays of dawn and given them the instructions for a magical circle. By now they had drawn it on the floor of the hangar and Ror had just returned from breakfast with his fiancee. He watched them round off the last of the preparations. Wizards spent their entire lives, or even undead afterlives, to hog knowledge. It allowed them to accomplishing great feats of magic. But Ror was no wizard, he was a sage. And as he watched his assistants, he smirked.
At the edge of the circle large metal plates were raised, shielding off the liches standing behind them. If this was going to drain his wizardry helpers, then the Tripower's undead would feed them the energy they needed to stay alive. At the center of the magic circle was a container with four crystals in it. Two large growing green crystals, makou, the other two similar sized sapphires. All had been placed into a separate holder, makou across sapphire and placed inside the container. Ror signalled to start and the assistants took position in front of the plates, inside the circle. One by one they started spellcasting. Ror watched them move their arms and let the magic flow from one to the other by the help of the magic circle.
When they were synchronized, he signaled for them to start weaving the spell. Spidery words of magic came from their mouths in unisome and filled the air around the container. A harsh light flashed from the four objects inside the container, blinding to the naked eye, but Ror and his assistants wore goggles and the liches stood safely behind protective metal plates. Not a drop of sweat was made as the mages forcefully wove the four crystals together, then split them into two. The brilliant forms merged into two round balls, then quite suddenly spiked outward. Two identical, sharply pointed crystals took shape and when the light faded, Ror removed his goggles and asked, 'And?'
One of the liches stepped from behind the plates and walked over to the container. Opening it, the blue-white crystals inside could be seen. He took them out and fetched a magnifying device from his pocket, studying the both of them. Then, as he put the device away again, he stuck up his thumb to signal success. Ror smiled broadly. The first leg was complete, his assistants were alright, now for the next...
At the edge of the circle large metal plates were raised, shielding off the liches standing behind them. If this was going to drain his wizardry helpers, then the Tripower's undead would feed them the energy they needed to stay alive. At the center of the magic circle was a container with four crystals in it. Two large growing green crystals, makou, the other two similar sized sapphires. All had been placed into a separate holder, makou across sapphire and placed inside the container. Ror signalled to start and the assistants took position in front of the plates, inside the circle. One by one they started spellcasting. Ror watched them move their arms and let the magic flow from one to the other by the help of the magic circle.
When they were synchronized, he signaled for them to start weaving the spell. Spidery words of magic came from their mouths in unisome and filled the air around the container. A harsh light flashed from the four objects inside the container, blinding to the naked eye, but Ror and his assistants wore goggles and the liches stood safely behind protective metal plates. Not a drop of sweat was made as the mages forcefully wove the four crystals together, then split them into two. The brilliant forms merged into two round balls, then quite suddenly spiked outward. Two identical, sharply pointed crystals took shape and when the light faded, Ror removed his goggles and asked, 'And?'
One of the liches stepped from behind the plates and walked over to the container. Opening it, the blue-white crystals inside could be seen. He took them out and fetched a magnifying device from his pocket, studying the both of them. Then, as he put the device away again, he stuck up his thumb to signal success. Ror smiled broadly. The first leg was complete, his assistants were alright, now for the next...
Legacy I
It was past midnight, and a couple of hours away from dawn. In the laboratory of the Tripower, Ror was working. His assistants had gone to bed hours ago, but he was still busy. On the table were a various assortment of crystals. They were selected on colour and quality. Some were left in their natural state, others had been fractured and polished by a dwarf master craftsman from Torregiano. Wearing soft gloves and an eyepatch with a magnifying glass in it, Ror handled the crystals with great delicacy. On the table were two books. One spellbook, the other a copy of an old scientific journal. Its yellowing pages were a bit damaged, but otherwise in a good state. And more importantly, it was readable. Ror had retrieved the journal from the research archive, previously placed under Throm's authority. Now that Ror was a leader of the Tripower, the secrets of the research archive previously kept at bay, were now his to read and build upon. Throm was gone, but Ror felt like a fish in the water. He turned a page carefully and read the notes. In the back of his mind, he felt the presence of Aneh, dreaming something about bunnies and weddings. He smiled, turning his concentration back to the work at hand.
"I called the first half of the telepathy spell. Using a small, round sapphire, I placed it on a holder," read Ror. Next to it was scribbled in the sideline: Caution: use large gloves and goggles against harsh waves. He mulled and continued reading, "Next I used a glowing green crystal, which emanates harsh waves that are dangerous to the eyes. The following words I incantated as I forcefully wove the two crystals together."
Ror turned another page and before long he went to work...
"I called the first half of the telepathy spell. Using a small, round sapphire, I placed it on a holder," read Ror. Next to it was scribbled in the sideline: Caution: use large gloves and goggles against harsh waves. He mulled and continued reading, "Next I used a glowing green crystal, which emanates harsh waves that are dangerous to the eyes. The following words I incantated as I forcefully wove the two crystals together."
Ror turned another page and before long he went to work...
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