Continued directly from: archive.foolz.us/tg/thread/19555014The journey so far - http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Collective+Game%2C+Nomad+QuestCharacter Sheet - https://docs.google.com/document/d/19WFzVGIfXWIffszrRdltfYZyIJn_l_zJTCJW9Swl3tw/edit?pli=1Alchemy Info - http://nomadsland.wikispaces.com/Alchemy+Recipes"Is it... possible for a man to live that long, Sir Thol?" Tessa stares at you with a certain intensity you haven't seen before.
>>19579629"I do not know the answer for this question Tessa"
>>19579647"Of course not..." She shakes her head and stands up from the bed. Making her way to the curtains, she pulls them aside, opening a view looking over another elaborately designed garden. The setting sun glares directly through her window, filling the room with a dull, reddish light."You know... I am now next in line to the throne of this country. Isn't that odd? A twelve year old girl being the crown princess. I imagine it is even stranger for my brother. Not yet seventeen and he is soon to be king... and then... no doubt those people will try to attack him, too."
>>19579629"I can't say i know the answer Princess"
>>19579724"That's why you don't need to worry princess.I'll take care of those people."
>>19579724"You don't need to worry about it princess.I'll protect you and your brother"
>>19579724"I will do my best to protect you and your brother.">>19579727[Siobhan's Lessons]>"That's why you don't need to worry princess.>I'll take care of those people.""That is why you do not nee to worry, your highness.I will take care of those people."
>>19579727"I am still very grateful that you protected me last night, Sir Thol. You were brave and very strong. But so was Shepherd Berram and Cardinal Vellor, yet they both fell to those attackers."The girl's small form shivers with a long sigh."I don't want to be princess... I never did. Everyone expects perfection from me and my brother. Either that or they want to get rid of us.">>19579773"Please, Sir Thol... if you wouldn't mind... could you call me Tessa? Now that father is gone, Regulus is the only one who will call me by name."
>>19579785>Everyone expects perfection from me and my brother. Either that or they want to get rid of us"Can they? I don't think they can do that even if they wanted to.">"Please, Sir Thol... if you wouldn't mind... could you call me Tessa? Now that father is gone, Regulus is the only one who will call me by name.""Of course, Tessa. I find it more comfortable to be called just by name too. Hearing 'Sir Balanceseeker Thol" is... unusual to say the least."
>>19579785"Sure Tessa, My etiquette lessons would probably start failing by now"
>>19579820"Even in my father's time, there has been a lot of dissent against the monarchy... there are many such groups in the capital, actually. Some believe in another king, some believe that the power should belong to a certain group of people. And now, when only two of the High Council remain and a much younger boy is about to be crowned king..." She shakes her head. "I don't know what will happen now, Thol. And I can't do anything but sit here and wait."She turns. A slight smile spreads across the girl's lips, yet the rest of her expression seems set in stone."I will be alright, though. I very much appreciate your visit and I would be glad to see you another time. But you need not spend more time accounting for my well-being. Emiel told me you would be instrumental in helping us, so I am sure there are more important things you can be doing at the moment."
>>19579901I guess that is a hint that she wants us to go? "Call me when you need me, Tessa."Then go see Emiel.
>>19579921Yeah do this
>>19579921You bid Tessa farewell for now before leaving the room. Outside, both the guard who had accompanied you so far and the princess's handmaiden are waiting. The latter shoots you a nervous smile before quickly ducking her head and making her way back into the room. You decide to head back to see Emiel once again. However, you find you do not need to travel too far, as you find him in southern courtyard, standing beneath the fountain in the center. He seems to be deep in thought, his head raised to look at nothing in particular, his expression clear and focused. Yet it's not long before he stirs, turning his head to one side slowly."Her Highness, Princess Siobhan has decided to visit with Prince Regulus. As for you..." He turned, offering a gentle smile as his hands rested together before his waist. "How did you find the Princess? I'm afraid I haven't been able to see her, yet."
>>19579973"She is holding up well for her ageBut she thinks she isn't fit for the crown and fears that they might attack her and her brother"
>>19579973"She is coping well. I'm afraid that the events of the past night forced her to grow up faster than she should. I can only hope that it will not have lasting effects on her mental health."
>>19579986>>19579991"Indeed... the fact that she is doing so well is what concerns me. As for her fears... well, I cannot lie and say that they are ungrounded. There is always a chance that the Rakshasa may attack again. Which is why I should wish to begin training you immediately. With the future King's blessing, I have decided to set up a small, but elite force of Soulchemy users. I believe that particular school of magic may be the key to besting Maleficium, and defeating the Rakshasa. Granted, my own talents with magic are limited, but, should you allow it, I will teach you what I know and perhaps, when you have exceeded my own abilities, find another teacher for you."
>>19580032"It would be an honour to learn about it"
>>19580032I'm eager to learn all that you can teach me, however shouldn't we wait until after I meet king, or is it still prince? Regulus.
>>19580080"I am glad to hear that. However, Soulchemy is not like any other school of magic... it is not as simple as learning and repeating. There are fewer incantations and there is no need to write or gesture. Rather, it relies on clear thought and meditation. Not only this... but to use Soulchemy, one needs a soul that does not waver and a mind resolute. Even those who believe they have a strong will are often surprised to find that they do not have the composure or focus to use Soulchemy. So please, do not expect to get it the first time. Come."He moves towards an open clearing in the garden. Unhooking his sword and scabbard from around his waist, he lowers himself to sit on the ground, his legs crossed and his palms resting on his knees. He looks up to you, no doubt expecting you to do the same.>>19580165"Worry not. You will certainly see him tonight. Besides, for now Princess Siobhan is visiting him. This will give us enough time to practice one small exercise."
>>19580180Well do what he is doing
rolled 14 = 14>>19580180Remove the sword and set it down next to us. Sit down, cross legs, deep steady breathes, center our mind. Follow this dudes lead. Et cetera et cetera.
>>19580199>>19580206With the wave of a single hand, Emiel dismisses both your accompanying guard and his own. As he sees you begin to relax, he gives a small nod."I am glad to see you take this seriously, Balanceseeker. Many who try to learn Soulchemy do not understand the level of concentration, of mental perseverence, that is required to give life to even a small light. And that is what we shall be doing today. It may seem like a useless spell, but I want you to learn how to use the 'Manifest Will'. As such..."Without even a single gesture or chant, Emiel opens one of his palms and turns it upwards. Floating inches above the surface of his hand, an orb of blue light bobs lightly, looking as if it is trapped in a thin veil of white mist."Alone, the spell does not have many uses. It serves as a light, perhaps as a threat to your enemies, and it has the mana cost of any lower level spell. However, Manifest Will is also the base of every Soulchemy spell. From it, I can freely use any novice level spell. For example..." He extends his arm to the side and grips the light. Suddenly, it bursts from one side of his hand, extending until it has grown into a long, sharp shape. You can hear it cut through the air as he swings it lightly. "The Spirit Saber. However, you will learn that later. For now... I wish for you to try Manifest Will."He teaches you a small, three word chant and tells you to repeat it aloud. Then, to repeat it in your own mind as you focus your ether towards your palm. He expects you to get good enough to be able to perform the spell but with a single inner chant, even in the midst of battle.For now, however, you need to roll a 1d10. 4 or over should be enough. After all, having learned Summoning spells a level above this, you can't imagine it would be too hard.
>>19580305TIGER SOULCHEMIST
rolled 4 = 4>>19580309this is embarassing
>>19580309GOOD JOB. The highest of the first three rolls will be your roll.
rolled 7 = 7>>19580305TIGER WILL!
rolled 6 = 6>>19580305Rolland for it.
>>19580332You do as Emiel says, repeating the chant of short, meaningless words again and again until you internalize it. The words resound in your head as you keep your focus. As you do so, you can feel the ether within your own body. It seems to rest in the pit of your stomach, a swirling container of energy that exists not inside, but beside your physical body. You feel as if an invisible hand, your own, reaches in to grab at it, pulling energy up from your stomach. Then, this same hand pulls on your arm as if pulling on a sleeve. When you open your hand, you release the ether that has somehow found its way into your hand. Rather than a steady, floating ball, however, sparks of bright orange and blue flourish from your palm. Small pops and whizzing noises fill the quiet air as the energy violently burns into the air before disappearing entirely.
>>19580370"Did I not do I very well or is that what my will looks like?"
>>19580405Emiel watches with a stern expression, his brow furrowed and his chin nursed in his hand for a moment."You performed the spell just fine. However... you have an unsteady soul, Balanceseeker. You do not have the strength of will or the peace of mind necessary to maintain or perform Soulchemy. Judging the results, I would say that there are conflicts within your soul, perhaps lingering sentiments, that make it difficult to wield. A soul will not yield to a mind that does not share its purpose, after all."
>>19580425"Well that's dissapointing"
>>19580425Considering all of my friends and family were brutally murdered, My three best friends and I are forced to separate and refuse to speak to me, and I'm worried sick over the Romulus and Tessa... Is that any surprise?
>>19580512"Well... at least you have a grasp on some of the causes.">>19580499"Indeed. But not reversible. There are several different teachings for restoring the relationship between a soul and its vessel. But you must allow me some time before trying again. The worst case scenario is that you must take a pilgrimage to the Soul Marshlands." He stands again, attaching his sword once more to his belt. "But there are other ways, of course. For now, I would suggest mending whatever physical bridges you can, so that the mental ones are that much easier to cross."He offers you his hand."I am sure Her Highness and the Prince are done talking by now. Your concern might be of some comfort to him. After all, he too, has expressed an interest in learning Soulchemy... albiet, his resuls were even worse than yours."
>>19580552"I don't blame him after yesterday events"take his hand"let's go meet him"
>>19580552take his hand"Well, from what his sister told me, he must be suffering even harder than she is"
>>19580552but not irreversible*, dammit>>19580588After being helped onto your feet, Emiel leads you back into the front court, folding his hands in amongst his sleeves. He turns his head, keeping his eyes forward but addressing you."Indeed. I fear the boy may be too far gone to learn it. At least, any time soon."Siobhan stands inside the court alongside Eames and Cu. Alongside them stands the old man you had seen only once before. Bentham Cutio, dressed in straight blue robes, his face lined with deep wrinkles and his grey brow lowered over shadowed eyes.Emiel greets them all with a smile and a bow. Siobhan looks somewhat more grim than usual. You cannot imagine her meeting with Regulus was all that pleasant."Your Highness. I trust you will be visiting Princess Tessa, too? She seemed to enjoy your company last night, I imagine it would do much to soothe her."The redhead glances to you for a moment, as if looking to stall. However, she soon nods, forcibly placing an obliging smile on her lips."Of course, Sir Ystregard. I must take my leave after, however. Before I do so, would you allow me a moment with Sir Thol?"The bald male looks between the two of you, before returning a smile and a bow of his own."As is your command. We will leave the southern courtyard unattended, so please, feel free to go there once you have finished with Her Majesty."(continued)
>>19580762Emiel bows and Siobhan returns with a curtsey before she makes her way out, accompanied by yet another tabard wearing guard."I'll take boy from here," speaks Cutio, raising his brow to look over you closely with small, dark eyes. Emiel gestures you to follow him."Worry not, Balanceseeker, Bentham is a long trusted friend of the royal family. He served as Advisor for two generations before me. You are in safe hands."The elderly male leads the way to the other door. Rather than leading into a courtyard, however, this one leads only to a long, straight hallway. It is devoid of decoration, unlike the other, lit only by the rows of tall, thin windows along the side."So... you are the supposed Balanceseeker, are you? Are you planning to pay Cardinal Vellor a visit or just the young king?"
>>19580765"Right now only the family.Just wanting to see how they're taking the news"
>>19580765I am planning to say goodbye to my friends and speak with Regulus. After that, I must begin learning soulchemy. Cardinal Velor will be addressed afterwards, unless that is, he is in critical condition.
>>19580792"Mm... grave news it is. I remember when Edgreiss was just a boy, before he left to travel the world. I daresay there won't be another king with such strength of spirit for decades to come.">>19580808"He has recovered over the day... our Restorers managed to heal his wounds but given that he is quite old, he will need a lot of rest. Given the damage the Rakshasa had done, I imagine they did not expect him to survive."Halfway down the hall, he stops before a large set of double doors. He opens them into a great archive. Book cases line the entire room, with wheeled stepladders along the walls for the sole purpose of reaching the higher books. Rows of bookshelves travel throughout, too. There are many desks between them, but the solitary light in the room comes from a desk in the middle."Regulus?" Bentham calls out. "You have another visitor. It is Thol of the Lolua.""Send him in." Calls the prince's voice from the light. You can see him, his blonde head of short curls bent over a book, his white, military-style jacket over the back of his table and the shirt beneath dishevelled.
>>19580891"Hey"
>>19580891(That's gonna be it for today, folks. Gotta make dinner then head to work. Haven't made up for the poor week just yet but I hope you all come back, Monday 8:00-9:00 chantime to continue playing. I'll see you all there.)
>>19581097Alright, see you next time!I missed the most of today's session unfortunately and I doubt I can attend the one on Monday.
