Mystics Apprentice

Within room 79 stood a young man clad in a navy blue mage robe over a shirt and pants of black, who rather quickly fell to his knees in a cold sweat. After hauling the remains of his last meal onto the marble floor, he wiped his brow with the back of his hand and glanced around. The room was at first a blur, though slowly his bout of illness cleared and he was able to better focus on his surroundings. A bed neatly made lay behind him, along with a few other furnishings that one would ofttimes find within a room. His quarterstaff still remained clutched tightly in his hand, which he used to brace himself as he rose clumsily to his feet. He felt terrible about the mess on the ground, though there was nothing that he could really do about it unless he chose to use the bedding or his own clothing to pick it up. Instead he chose to wander to the door, hand resting on the brass handle. How had he gotten here? Last Kolm remembered he was leaving an inn after paying his respects to a fallen comrade, and now he found himself here. Was this somehow a dream, or an alternate reality? If so, it was quite realistic, if evident from his vomiting all over the floor. He tested the door, though thankfully he found that he was not locked in. The door swung open with ease, revealing a woman that Kolm was quite certain he had never seen in his life, and revealing a hall of a similar nature. The raven-haired man folded his arms across his chest and put on one of his most intense glares. "Who are you?" he demanded of Galla, perhaps more harshly than he should have. "Did you bring me here?"

Tibarn withdrew one of his throwing knives and twirled it about his index finger, eyeing the two ships from behind the boxes that Adamina concealed herself with. His gaze followed the working crew men, before eyeing the nicer ship. "I'd say let's go for that one," he said lowly, nodding his head in the direction of the finer ship. "If I were Greyhawk I would want to travel in a lap of luxury to commit my atrocities. That other thing looks like it's going to fall apart if someone breathes on it." He jerked his thumb in the direction of the onramp. "Those fellows are busy loading up, so if we're careful we should be able to sneak onto the other ship. We'll just have to be quick, and it wouldn't hurt if we created a diversion away from us. Anyone got some explosives handy?"

Sorry, I wasn't home yesterday and had a full day today. I will try to post tonight.

Okay, final trial has been posted. I apologize for the lack of transition from the previous scene, but I felt it was best to move onward without the lingering too long on the room with the gem. No worries; I'm sure that you have been busy. Thanks for keeping me posted. I'm glad that you have been able to keep up with reading. . I have just posted the final trial, so this would be a very opportune time to insert Aqua again. Regardless, I look forward to reading whatever you have in store!

The Final Trial: The Gate Upon leaving the dragon's lair you have entered a space of white, with seemingly no end in any direction, and you are alone. Before you is a large gate, with engravings in many a foreign tongue. In Ancient Elvish upon the gate's archway it reads: "To gain is to lose, and to know thyself is the absolute truth." Before you stands yourself: the perfect mirror image. Your double smiles at you, taking a step closer. “Well done,” it says to you. “You are almost there. Beyond this door lies that which you seek: the Source of All Life. Without it we would not be, yet with it we cannot truly live. If you truly desire what lies ahead you must be willing to pay the toll.” Your other self extends a hand. “You must surrender to me what is most dear to you, and you mustn’t lie: we both know what that is.” ​Note to the player: You may choose how you wish to translate this, and give up what you see fit. You may get creative with what you choose to sacrifice (for instance, desiring to see someone again may mean that you lose your sight). The only "law" to the sacrifice is that it cannot affect the existence of other characters, unless it is mutually agreed upon by both players. Do not feel discouraged by giving up something, because:

Thanks, Endless, for doing a superb job at constructing the Xeno'jiva battle. The third trial has now been completed, and we're moving on to the fourth and final trial before the Source of All Life. We're approaching the end, folks. The fourth trial will be a unique one, one which may be disliked by some, though I hope that it proves at least a bit interesting. I was going to post it tonight, but I'm going to give it until tomorrow so that everyone has time to leave the Xeno'jiva lair if they so wish. If not, I will post a conclusion then and provide the final trial.

--Alderon, Elia, Everyth, and Athena -- Heading into the Final Trial-- Pale-faced, Elia gratefully accepted the aid of both angels and emerged back on solid ground. She smiled at each in turn, smoothing down her dress awkwardly. "Thank you, both," she said. "I wouldn't have survived if it weren't for you. I guess it's true what they say about angels!" Meanwhile, the dragon had fallen victim to the party, leaving taunting words in its wake. Alderon grunted, a look of satisfaction twisting his features. He withdrew his claymore and braced it over his left shoulder, frowning ahead at the uncertain path. "Clear as mud, it would seem," he murmured under his breath, before noticing something aglow within the dragon's remains. "I think you would be correct, young Aura," he voiced, moving forward and hacking the beast open. It was a grotesque image, causing Everyth to roll her eyes and distance herself as far as she could from the dissection, though Alderon emerged with the glowing jewel in his hand, its appearance reminiscent to a heart. "Is this useful?" Alderon asked, moving toward Soren and his fellows. (I will post the final trial sometime tomorrow, but wanted to give a little bit of time to allow everyone to clear out of the room if they so wished)

Name: Kolm Haranwy Appearance: Kolm features short dark hair with bangs that often fall from his side part and into his aqua-blue eyes. His skin is fiercely pale, almost sickly so, though he does not appear gaunt or sickly in any manner. Of average height and build, Kolm often clads himself in black trenchcoats, with an array of garments underneath. His left arm is frequently bandaged, though no one quite knows why. Personality: Unfriendliness is probably Kolm's most noteworthy trait. He is distrusting and oftentimes prefers to work alone. Kolm is honest and just, however, and strives to work with the law than against it. He would never do anyone an injustice if they were not deserving of it. There are few, however, that can crack the cold exterior and meet the softer version of him, though if anyone still alive can do this remains to be seen. Biography: None : P In his early twenties, Kolm has lived in at least three different countries, learned two languages fluently, and watched several clans die. He had been sold by his family at a young age, thinking that he were possessed due to his magical talents, to a shady operation that thieved, pilfered, and killed, and utilized his magic to do so. Kolm escaped when he was seventeen, and has been trying to make his own way into the world. While partially successful, the bandits still claim him as their slave, and thus he must remain on the run in hopes that they never reclaim him. Attribute: Invisibility and flight Abilities: ice elemental magic, healing, magic aura, dexterity/maneuverability up, and regeneration Weapon: mace and quarterstaff (will edit with images in a bit) Signature Move: Deep freeze – the ability to conjure ice in great intensity, temporarily freezing your opponents in place while, simultaneously, doing damage to them. While frozen, Kolm has the ability to heal himself in full (or nearly; I will defer to your judgment here).

That works better for me, actually. I'm glad that you took charge and pushed the story forward. : ). I've actually been uncertain of how to proceed most of the time, because I want to leave you in charge and am not sure how much of a creative license to take at times (or even certain on what to do, because it is incredibly open). This should work great, though. I'm glad that all the players are reunited.

I think everyone needs to play Birth by Sleep at least once in their lifetime to learn this valuable lesson, ideally before they've learned the bitter truth the hard way.

Any specific kind of security that you'd like at the door leading to the hangar, or any kind of resistance? I'll go through with this in my next post, I think.

So I was going to have Tibarn scout the area and see what kind of security is at the end of the hall, though I am not sure if you would like to describe this scenario, Heart, or should I?

After Tibarn left his crewmates and continued down the hall, it occurred to him that he had no way of communicating with them. Not if things went well, nor if they went south. His comm link was tucked away somewhere back on their ship, and he wouldn't be able to hold his connection with Daniel over a very long distance. Danny, dunno if you can hear me or not, Tibarn thought, a mere few feet away from their room. But I'll come back for you all once I figure out what kind of security Greybeard has around the hangar. He casually strode down the hall after that, nodding toward a few passersby as he went. No one seemed to pay him much mind, so that was a reassuring matter. Toward the end of the hall he felt that one woman would not take her eyes off him, which sent chills down his spine. He wasn't sure if it was because of his stunning good looks, or he was arousing suspicion, though he assumed it was the latter. "ATM, ATM," Tibarn muttered aloud, in hopes that some of the patrons–or security–would hear him and be assured that he meant no harm. "Ma's gonna kill me otherwise, and I haven't the funds to tip our waiter like I'd like."

Sounds like a plan!

--Alderon, Athena, Everyth, and Elia -- Xeno'jiva battle-- How Alderon's attack landed upon Xeno'jiva's hindleg rather than his chest, he did not know. Apparently he had underestimated its immense speed. Even still, his claymore came back bloodied, so some damage must've been dealt. He craned his neck to get a good look at it; it had risen high, with others in close pursuit. It slammed down about as quickly as it had risen, fissures splitting from the ground and threatening to consume them all. The king had managed to sustain a good distance, though Elia had managed to fall into one. A scream filled the air. "Someone, help!" Her nails clawed at the smooth ground, though nothing was appropriate for gripping. All of her abilities had been rendered useless by being caught by Dragon Blight, otherwise she wouldn't have hesitated to fly away from harm. Everyth, unaware of the trouble within Elia's fissure, took this opportunity to charge the dragon. With a flick of the rest she discovered that her magic had returned, causing her to crack a wide grin. "You're in trouble now, Beastie!" She charged forward, leaping into the air and rising much higher than what should've been humanly possible. Her body glowed with a violet aura as she ran a palm over the length of her sword. "Get up from this!" She attempted to plunge her sword deep into the back of Xeno'jiva's back before backflipping away, falling alongside Xion with her arms at her sides.

Sorry for the delay! Here's hoping that we may accrue a few more players before starting. Name: Yevgeni Malachite Race: Vampire Age: (appears in his mid-twenties, though has been around for at least a century). Gender: Male Appearance: (only without wings, and darker clothing) Sexuality: Unknown Personality: Cold, calculating, and condescending, Yevgeni has long since forgotten the traits that made him once human. He does, however, have a streak for justice (or at least his image of it) and will strive to great measures to see that justice is served. He is not particularly social, though he will speak his mind if the situation is right. Backstory: No one really knows how Yev left his life as a human and embraced that of a vampire. Some believe it was by choice, while others thought it was a last ditch effort to keep him alive. The truth, however, is that he chose the life of a vampire for two reasons: to shed himself of human emotions and to embrace immortality. He doesn't very much draw enjoyment from feasting on the blood of humans, however, nor does he revel in taking lives just to maintain his own. He desires to become a step up from humanity, to reach a state of supremacy which he believes he can only obtain through making the change. Yevgeni also believes that his time as a vampire is temporarily, that one day he would be able to shed the state of being for something greater. His desire for shedding human emotions, however, is somewhat shrouded in mystery. He does not wish to feel, to love, or to care. Perhaps something more had happened in his past that led him to walking the path he now treads. Class: Sorcerer of the Forbidden Arts Abilities: Light Magic (beams, missiles, blinding, anti-dark, et cetera), healing, and an array of lightning spells. Can absorb light from terrain and re-channel it, though this takes quite a magic drain and thus cannot be used often or for long durations. (Is this descriptive enough?) Weapon: Rapier Extras: Has empathy for siblings and children, and also hates his hair getting messed up.

Tibarn locked eyes with Daniel. I'll head out in just a few, then, with the layout that Solomond described in mind. I'm not too keen on torching walls down myself. If I get caught I'll simply explain that I'm looking for an ATM. Should be believable enough, especially if they think I'm a little tipsy. The brunet then realized that Adamina was not aware of the conversation, the Loft seeming a bit lost. He casually took the pen and paper in hand, writing while speaking. "Y'know, I really think that lady at the front desk should have a lesson in manners. I mean, here we are, requiring little and offering to pay a large sum, and she's suggesting that I'm slow! I wanted to throw a knife at her and explain it away by saying that I'm 'slow,' but that probably wouldn't have gone too well, would it?" He tore off his note and handed it to Adamina. His writing was chicken scratch and difficult to make out, but he briefly summarized the conversation that she had missed, including his intention to leave the room. With that the brunet rose. "Well," he said stretching, "off to go track down that ATM. Ma's probably getting real antsy about her child support. You know, child support from the 'child'. I'll catch you all in a few." He casually raised a hand in a wave, greeting the guard at the door. "Ooh, thanks." Tibarn snatched up his whiskey, drank the entire shot in one go, and started to head out of the room.

Okay, I finally posted. My apologies for the delay! You're doing a great job putting together this fight, Endless. Thank you.

--Alderon, Athena, Everyth, and Elia -- Xeno'jiva battle-- The dragon's attention fell upon the dark sorceress. She had to get away. Locks falling over her face, she took a side leap off the dragon's face and plummeted for the ground, landing sprawled on all fours, though thankfully managed to sustain herself from any injuries. Her left shoulder stung painfully, however, arresting her attention to it. The exposed flesh seemed burnt; apparently she hadn't succeeded at escaping the blast from the dragon. Gritting her teeth, she whirled around to face the dragon, bearing her palms together to form a ball of energy. Everyth was taken aback, however, when nothing happened. "Why can't I . . . ?" She then overheard Arthur mutter something about encountering the same as her, his abilities being rendered useless after taking damage from the dragon. It must've had special abilities granted to it by Isopolis, she assumed. Regardless, she still had her strength and her sword. She raised her weapon, charging toward its rear and striking at its tail. It probably wouldn't be enough to take it off, but hopefully it would be enough to at least attract its attention. "I can help, too!" Elia cried, extending her palms over the prince. Her arms began to glow with an amber light, an aura which coated over Jynn. She had casted a haste spell on Jynn, so that his movement would be hastened and would make for an easier time skirting damage. "Please be careful. I hope that your plan works." Meanwhile, Athena stood shielded by Arthur from the falling crystals, shooting him a glare that would've frozen lakes in July. "I want to help! You all are my friends!" she protested. "The very least I can do is do my part, and–" "The boy is right," spoke up the king, nursing his wounded arm from the dragon's blast. "Athena, daughter, this is no place for you to be fighting. Even the Mystran lord has his work cut out for him, much less a human princess from our human world. We need you to protect yourself. Can you do that much for us, please?" Athena opened her mouth to retort, but closed it again, taking note of the dragon letting out another array of blasts, though none were directed toward them. After his parting words were made, King Alderon charged toward the dragon, his massive claymore overhead. He leapt up and attempted to burrow his sword into the dragon's underbelly/chest.

I think it would make sense if the guard was outside the room since he had left to get their drinks, but that would leave some question as to how Jake and Daniel managed to see him in the room and make him more susceptible. You could ask some to edit their posts so that we remain consistent, or if you want it one way or the other we can just go with that option, whichever that may be. I'm not the GM so it is not my place to make that call, but I just wanted to throw that suggestion out there. If I were to pick, I would say that the guard had left the room, since that is the action that you took in the RP.

We did, which is why this exchange really confused me. Maybe others don't realize that there is only one guard? Anyhow, it's really your call on what you'd like to do with the guard, and I will post for Tibarn accordingly.

Before I post I wanted to clarify something: where is the guard? I thought he had left the room, but it seems that Daniel and Jake both saw him while they were in the room, and then Eclaire saw him outside of the room, which leaves me wondering where he actually is.

Can she utilize the air, perhaps, or the energy from those around her? I know there are several lightning users in the party.

The guard left post haste, and Tibarn couldn't help but let out a chuckle. It struck him as humorous that a guard was serving as a waiter. He turned his hazel eyes onto the captain, offering his a nod. "I was gonna ask if you've had it better than the rest of us, but from the looks of things out there it doesn't seem to be the case. What's up with you and your . . . sister?" He mildly wondered if Eclaire was making any progress on their operation. Most likely; cats were slick.

Okay, I will make changes tomorrow, most likely, as I am off for the night now. EDIT: Never mind; I went ahead and just wrote up a quick new post instead, in hopes that it helps progression.