>Present Day
You wake up thirsty. Water is scarce at this time of year. You heard stories about a time before you can remember well, when the people could go down the mountain and bring water back to the kingdom. But those days are long since passed.
Sitting up, you look out of the window. Looks like you're a little early. Slowly, you put on your robe and take hold of your staff. A fine magical item made from the great tree itself. You are Samir's apprentice. He has promised a solution to the king, and you can't help but feel you're part of that solution.
Ten years ago the path down the mountain had been lost, and despite his efforts, Samir could not conjure a storm strong enough to do much but keep the great tree alive each year. The people are hungry, thirsty, and without hope.
But he told you that today you'd be learning a new spell, something he'd been working on for some time! It's an exciting proposition, and you can only hope that it can help save your people -- even if the kingdom's numbers are below a hundred, citizens of the castle-tree included.

You are...
>Male
>Female
And...
>Human
>Elf
>Half-elven

>>43268852
>>Female
>>Half-elven

File: 1445655743289.png (44 KB, 205x223)

44 KB PNG

>>43268852
>>Male
>>Elf

>>43268852
>Male
>Human

>>43268852
>Male
>Human
Oh boy, wizardry.

>>43269011
>>43269093

Like most in the kingdom, you're a human, and a 16-year-old young man nearing maturity. Your parents were lost 10 years ago, but Samir took you in as his own. After the adoption, he began putting you to work around the alchemy lab, and has recently promised to begin teaching you spells.
You've listened well to him and appreciate his kindness. He told you to get used to bringing a staff around with you, and you have been. After spending so much time around magic, you can feel energy radiating from the staff.
Eyeing the sun, it looks about time for you to meet him for your daily chores and lessons. You haven't yet learned any spells, only alchemy from the old wizard -- but soon you'll learn your first spell!
You think ahead. What are you going to do first?

>Head directly to Samir. He'll tell me what to do.
>Go to the village library to rent a book for tonight.
>Go to the local gardener to pick up herbs you know Samir is running low on.

>>43269093
Hocus pocus and abracadabras.

>>43269154
>>Go to the local gardener to pick up herbs you know Samir is running low on.

>>43269154
>Go to the local gardener to pick up herbs you know Samir is running low on.

>>43269264
>>43269344

You decide to go to the local gardener, Steve, to pick up some herbs that Samir is running low on.
The garden is a miserable sight. Plants nearly withered, patches of dead grass, and a generally empty atmosphere. Steve stands at the edge of the garden, resting against a spade.
"Oi. Come for yer normal herbs, boy?" He calls out. His voice is dry.
"Yes, sir. I've got your usual payment right here." You pull a small coin pouch from your inner sleeve. Inside is ten gold coins.
"Sorry, kiddo. I've got to ask more this time. Crops aren't doing so great, y'know?"
"Well, how much more?"
"I'll need an additional five coins, so that I can keep the water on the fields."
You think about your monetary situation. You have ten gold coins left from your chores last week, but with only five coins, you won't be able to afford your daily meal. You would have to choose between eating and drinking later on in the day.

>"Can't you make an exception? You know I'll be back when we need more." (Persuade)
>"I'm very busy, and I don't think that the court wizard would appreciate this." (Intimidate)
>"Very well, then. Here's your coin."
>"Forget it, then. Hold on to it for me until I've got more money."
>Write-in

>>43269513
>"Forget it, then. Hold on to it for me until I've got more money."

>>43269513
>>Write-in: - Then it's very fortunate that, since i work for the court wizard, a good and wizeman which coin could be easily accepted in any place in the city and also the same man that constantly buy from the same source even that his herbs, most of the time, don't reach the amount the court wizard wants. One would be very sad to loose such a client over merealy 5 coins...don't you think...Steve? - Smiles -

Stupid gardner trying to grab extra money. Five coins is a lot of money, i think, i will pretend it is. Gonna be a cheap squeak robe.

>>43269578
>>43269692
>>43269951

"Then it's very fortunate that, since i work for the court wizard, a good and wizeman which coin could be easily accepted in any place in the city and also the same man that constantly buy from the same source even that his herbs, most of the time, don't reach the amount the court wizard wants. One would be very sad to loose such a client over merealy 5 coins...don't you think...Steve?"
You give a sly smile.
"Aye, and if he had any way off this gods-damned rock he'd be out getting herbs from someone else. But he doesn't," Steve replies.
"Forget it, then. Hold on to it for me until I've got more money."
"Aye, I can do that, kiddo. Now hurry off, I've got weeds to pull."

Well, that could've gone better. You guess he's right. There really is no one else to go to for herbs given your situation. And by the look of it, he won't be a viable source for much longer, either. You take a mental note of the status of his fields.

>Report to Samir, we're almost late!
>Go to the library.
>Try to steal some herbs. (Roll 1d20)

>>43270264
>>Report to Samir, we're almost late!

Can't get late.

>>43270358
You rush to the tree-castle and hurry past the guards. They all know who you are by now. Luckily, Samir's laboratory is on the first floor. You hurriedly rush in, so not to be late.
... But it doesn't exactly work.
"You're late," Samir says, not looking at you as you come in. He's hunched over a scroll.
"Yes, sir, I apologize. The gardener's raised his prices again. His crops are looking poor."
"Excuses." Samir sighs. "A wizard is never late, lad, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to. That's your first lesson."
"Yes, master Samir." You look over the laboratory. It seems like he's been down here working for hours, or perhaps he never stopped last night.

>"Is there anything that you want me to do?"
>"What are you reading?"
>"Did you sleep?"

>>43270473
>>"Did you sleep?"

>>43270520

"Did you sleep?" You ask. Samir does look slightly pale today.
"Sleep? Not last night, for I made a discovery."
"A discovery?" You ask. "Could it be something that could help our kingdom reach land?"
"Perhaps. But I'm not certain. We'll have to test it."
"Well, what does it do?"
"It's a teleportation spell, long since forgotten and hidden away. I discovered it while experimenting between several grimoires."
He holds an apple in the air and waves his hand over it. The apple disappears and appears at your feet, with a slight bruise.
"As you can see, it's not absolutely perfect -- but it may be enough to teleport someone to the bottom of the mountain to beg help building a new staircase to the top of the mountain."
"Who would you send down?"
"It would have to be someone who knows the spell. I was thinking that this could be your first spell. You could go to get help while I stay here and continue my work."

>"I'd be honored!"
>"That sounds dangerous. What if it doesn't work properly?"
>"What if I get into a dangerous situation down there?"
>Write-in

>>43270520
I know i didn't.

>>43270681
>"What if I get into a dangerous situation down there?"
Do we know much magic?

>>43270681
>>Write-in: - M..my first spell? Well master, i most certanly would be honoured, but wouldn't be dangerous going down the mountai with only this spell? I would like to learn more spells... at least two or three more, before going down the mountain. After all you don't want your only disciple to be eaten by a strange creature. - worry smile -

>>43270746
We only know how to make potions. We are basicaly a Lab wizard.

>>43270780
Okay then.
If we can make an invisibility potion, and maybe something that lets us run really fast, along with a couple healing potions, then sure. We'll practice short range porting before we go too, so we can cast it fast.

>>43270822
The lab is in a kind of herb shortage but if the QM allows we can make some pots to help. Also if we need something we can ask the gardner for more, although i kinda want to go out of town and collect some herbs ourselfs.

QM Somethign i would like to ask, can we only make potions? Do we know herbs and collect then? Sorry if i'm making a stupid question.

>>43270855
Oh god i can't type.

>>43270746
>>43270762

"M..my first spell? Well master, I most certanly would be honoured, but wouldn't be dangerous going down the mountai with only this spell? I would like to learn more spells... at least two or three more, before going down the mountain. After all you don't want your only disciple to be eaten by a strange creature." You give a worried smile.
"Of course it may be dangerous, but son, we haven't much time." Samir sits in a chair nearby his reading station. "You saw the state of Steve's garden. The dry season is here, and I'm afraid my magic won't be able to get us through this one."
"But master, surely you could teach me something to defend myself."
"Ah, that reminds me," Samir says, standing up abruptly and walking to a small bookshelf. He fishes out an old, dusty leatherbound but otherwise not noteworthy book and hands it to you. "This was my first spellbook. It's got some basic things written down, certainly enough for you to take care of yourself. I want you to have this, and to bring it with you, so that you can practice on your own during your travels."
"Thank you, master. How do I use it?"
"Here, pick a spell from the table of contents. These are a few of the easier ones."

>Cast a Light spell.
>Cast a Produce Flame spell.
>Cast a Magic Missile spell.


>>43270822
>>43270855

You know how to make some basic potions, such as healing or curing disease, but you would have to look through books for more advanced potions. You have a fairly good grasp on individual herbs, however, but as there is little for you to work with in your area, you would have to return to the same gardener. With that being said, if you found yourself in a forested area, you could collect herbs based on how well you know them already.
To put it short, you know a lot about herbalism and a bit about alchemy, and very little about actual magic.

>>43270912
>Cast a Magic Missile spell.
At the logs in the fireplace.

>>43270968
Wouldn't be wiser to cast a flame spell? Well let's go up the list then.

>>43270912
>Cast a Magic Missile spell.

So were, at the moment, more a novice alchemist then a full fledged wizard. I can work with that.

>>43270912
>produce flame

Most important of the three but magic missle is also necessary.

Which do we learn first?

>>43270968
>>43271033

"What about this Magic Missile?" You ask.
"A fine spell, and one that you may use well into your late life. Now, read the page."
You look over the page. It's written in an ancient language which Samir taught you how to read. It details a gathering and projection of energy.
"I understand, but how do I do it?" You ask.
"Well, have you felt the magic from your staff?" Samir asks.
"Yes. What about it?"
"Create a vision in your mind of that being directed in the form of an attack through the staff. The more you focus, the more intense the effect."
You focus on your staff and point it towards the logs sitting in the fireplace. After a few moments of hard focusing, a small blast comes from your staff and strikes the logs. They don't look horribly broken apart, but it certainly did have an impact. Excitement runs through you after casting the spell.
"I did it!"
"Of course you did, son. Now, there's little time to lose. You'll be able to figure out how to do those basic spells on your own, and with practice, you'll understand how to do this teleport spell."
He takes a few pages and shoves them into the spellbook he handed you. "Study these well."

>"Are you sending me off now?"
>"There are still things I need to do here."
>Write-in is always an option

>>43271033

Alchemy is the first step. It trains the novice wizard to understand manipulations of physical properties, so that they can later more easily manipulate metaphysical properties.

>>43271082
Magic missile always hits.

>>43271099
>Write-in: Yes master! I will work hard on the spell and i will report imediatly to you once i'm about to leave. Does master have any advices about the teleportation spell? I have many question but as master said we have little time i will just arrange my bags.
-----------------------------------------------------

I understand it would be impossible for us to turn water into vapor if we don't know the boiling point. Not complaning just cometanting.

>>43271164
"Yes master! I will work hard on the spell and i will report imediatly to you once i'm about to leave. Does master have any advices about the teleportation spell? I have many question but as master said we have little time i will just arrange my bags."
"When you teleport, it has to be somewhere that you can clearly see in your mind's eye. You'll have to practice over short distances at first, and practice using objects other than yourself. I'll admit, I've never sent another person over such a long distance before, but I'm certain it will work."
"Is there anything else?"
"Yes, son. Make sure that you're certain where you want to go, or you might appear somewhere else. In a pocket dimension, for example. Or an alternate reality. You have to have a clear image and goal in mind."
"Thank you, master Samir. I'll work hard."
"Now, hurry off and come back as soon as possible. I must report to the king."

>Go to the garden.
>Go to your house.
>Go to the library.
>Explore town a bit before heading off.

>>43271277
>>Go to the library.


Maybe we can find a map or some other usefull thing about the mountain of the place we want to go. Since we need a "point to go to", i wonder if draws are a valid method. And what kind of mage we are if we don't go to the library first?

>>43271364

You head over to the library. It's a large, dome-shaped stone building nearby the castle. These days, it's almost always empty. There's not even a librarian around; it's based on the honor system.
You walk through the rows of books. After some time, you discover a map! It labels the mountain in the center, with several kingdoms nearby and a village near the base of the mountain. You roll up the map for later use.
You also discover some books on local wildlife. Mostly, it looks like there are wolves in the area surrounding the mountain, though some large catlike creatures appear to live in the area.

It looks like the day is almost done by the time you exit the library. You spent way too much time there.

>Go home.
>Go to the garden.
>Go to Samir.
>Explore town.

>>43271454

>Go home.

Time for some hard work night study with MAGIC!! Also we need to put our bag together as soon as possible.

>>43271454
>>Go home
No dawdling pack your shit study your spell

>>43271482
>>43271502

You head home and spend hours studying your teleport spell and the other spells in the spellbook. Before going to sleep, you pack a few spare robes and some dry food you've been saving, along with a couple of potions and some spare herbs.
That's pretty much all of your worldly possessions.
In the night, you receive a terrible vision of fire and death.
The morning has come, and Samir must be ready now to send you off. But maybe you don't need to go to him. You know the teleport spell, you even teleported stones across your house. Maybe you could try it.

>Teleport to the castle.
>Teleport down the mountain.
>Go to Samir.

>>43271533
>>Go to Samir.

We could at least say we are on our way.

>>43271533
>Go to Samir.

>>43271578

You go to Samir with everything you're taking with you. He's waiting for you in his laboratory.
"Master, I'm ready to go. I've been practicing the teleportation spell."
"Very good, son. Now, this first teleportation down the mountain will be risky, as you've never been down there before. I'll be sending you down, but you'll have to come up on your own. Are you ready?"
"I think I'm ready," you say. "I'll do my best, master."
"I know that you will. You always do. Now, hold your breath."

A light surrounds you and you find yourself drifting in a pillar of light. There is darkness all around you, and you see strange ripples in the air. What do you do?

>Stay perfectly still.
>Touch one of the ripples.
>Leap out of the pillar of light.

>>43271686
>Stay perfectly still.
The apple didn't move. You probably don't want to either. If anything, avoid the ripples.

>>43271701

You stand perfectly still, not moving at all. With time, the movement slows and the ripples fade. You suddenly find yourself in the middle of a forest.
Looking over your map, you recognize it as a forest near the base of the mountain, though you can't see the mountain past the large trees.
This is your first time being out in nature. Until this point, you've only experienced your small mountain kingdom. The amount of green astounds you.

It is 4AM. I will archive this for use at a later point, likely at a better time.
QM Twitter is @CitizenCFKane.