Tomas' story

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Jun 7, 2018 2:50 pm
Shortly after, Tomas stops his occasional muttering towards the gem. He sits stock-still; the only part of his body moving is his head shuddering slightly at rapid frequency, eyes blinking and twitching. After he gets up, clutching his skull as though he has a headache, he looks around as though seeing the world for the first time. He works his jaw a bit and says, "Alright, should we go somewhere warm and safe?"

When you continue to converse with him, his demeanor is still friendly and cheerful (if a bit queer and contemplative) but his speaking is much more clear and understandable, no longer carrying the stereotypical tone of a village idiot. His confusion grows even deeper as you two approach town. He asks where exactly we are (e.g. what town, province, nation, continent) and if you could remind him of what your job/position is as well as your goals.

"You wanted... to get some sort of proof that you're strong? Was that right? Should we have taken the spider's head or something?"
Jun 7, 2018 3:33 pm
I was on a mission to get the skin of a great beast, so that I’d be able to train under a quite accomplished ranger that is in town.

Sovelin doesn’t fully trust Tomas(He isn’t the trusting type) so this is all he tells him before leaving for town.

Just follow me and Ill take you to town and get us some shelter.
Last edited June 7, 2018 3:34 pm
Jun 7, 2018 3:38 pm
With a short bit of thanks, Tomas follows Sovelin along to town and an uncertain future.
Jun 14, 2018 3:14 pm
Later that day...

Tomas closes the door behind him. It's late in the evening, though the murmur of a raised conversation below can be heard from time to time. He pulls out the glowing shard from his pack and strips off his clothing. Naked, he crawls into the bed, still sore from the day's events. Holding the shard in both hands, he focuses.

"He- hello? Are you there? It's me again, Tomas. What should I call you?"

This is to be the first of many nightly conversations.
OOC:
So, what does this shard look like? I've been imagining a sort of ovoid/ellipsoid shape. Maybe with pointed tips on the long axis?

As a player, I'm fine with the idea of an arcane shard influencing a wild magic sorcerer's magical development (i.e. spell selection). So, please tell me, is there any particular school that you think Tomas would tend towards as the result of attunement to the shard? Whether intentional or unintentional on the shard's part, by conversations with it, from the knowledge its given him, just from its nature, etc.

Also, we could RP out these questions, but here's generally what Tomas will be asking:
Who made it/when?
How did it end up in the cave?
It's history in general - In return, Tomas would share that he was a former unauthorized magic hunter, but he's unsure about it now that he's on the run and his mind has literally been changed
What it wants/wants to do? (since he got that sense of drive from his insight roll before)
What else can it do/what could it do in the future?
EDIT: Specifically, even though the other questions alluded to it, what is its purpose?
(The following you don't really have to answer, since they're more about flavor/RP rather than concrete stuff, unless there's something specific you want to get across)
What's wrong with Tomas? Why is he magical?
Why should Tomas seek to continue seeking out his magical potential? What's the benefit/purpose of magic when it's unauthorized?
In relation to the above question, more generally, what does it think of magic? Good, bad?
Later on, how does magic work (e.g. schools of magic)? Why does it work? Ways to be a better sorcerer/take hold of his potential, when he eventually comes around to the idea (probably by next level or the one after that).
Last edited June 15, 2018 4:48 am
Jun 14, 2018 10:44 pm
OOC:
I think that we should definitely roleplay out the questions uderneath your underlined statements. The rest I can take care of.
Jun 15, 2018 2:55 am
My creator never gave me a name, so you may call me whatever you wish. How would you like me to address you: Tomas or master?

The shard itself looks similar to volcanic glass. It is incredibly smooth and sharp. It sticks out and hass jagged edges. It's about the size and shape of a dagger blade. It is a deep emerald green.
OOC:
As for schools. The shard has a strong inclination towards necromancy and transmutation.
Jun 15, 2018 5:08 am
OOC:
Fantastic, thanks. Also, those schools are exactly what I was expecting and it's good to know for sure. The other questions above the underlined statements Tomas probably would have asked first, so I'll do another time skip in this post to where he asks the first of the questions below the underlined statements.

Also, Tomas's real name is Nathaniel Docks. That's what he's getting at with the second line. He's wondering if the shard already knows about what he knows and/or what he's thinking subconsciously (e.g. "but my real name is Nathaniel!"). However, Tomas/Nathaniel wouldn't necessarily describe what he's doing in that way or have consciously thought through the fact that he's doing that.
"Oh, you can just call me Tomas. Unless you think... another name is more appropriate. Hmmm... You said you give life, right? And you've given me a fresh start after clearing my head. And you're green. I think I'd like to call you "Spring." Is that okay with you? "Spring"?

Many hours pass before he finally dozes off, still clutching the shard.

...

It has been a couple days and quite a few conversations with the shard. It has already shared some information about itself and Tomas's curiosity turns from it to himself. He picks it up again.

"So... what am I? Why am I like this, that I feel a sort of odd relationship with the world? An imbalanced one, like I'm a cow in an urn shop except... everything can be an urn? When I was in the Arcane Authority, we called ones like me wild wizards. Didn't need any learning to do magic and they were a problem and I helped take care of problems. But. That's as much as I ever knew. Why... why me? Why now? Well, not now now but a couple months ago. Was it because of the accident I told you about, when I fell into that wizard's vat? What do you think?"
Jun 18, 2018 2:53 am
I have been through your memories. I know your real name Nathaniel Docks, but I think it would be better for both of us if we continue to use your real name. However, I will call you whatever you like. Don't worry about your past. It's not your fault. Your indoctrination was quite thorough. However, I assure you, your education is incomplete. Magic is not evil nor are it's practitioners. I have memories of my former master conducting experiments on wild magic users and he came to some odd conclusions. He believed that there are two paths to magic. The first is active. Wizards, demons, angels and other entities learn magic by actively studying it, and piece the knowledge together. Slowly but surely their power increases and magic becomes easier and easier to use.
The second way is passive. Magic is attracted to certain individuals. They have absolutely no choice in the matter. Magic acts like an obsessed lover and there is no escaping it. You are art of this second group. There is no way that magic will ever leave you. You need to make peace with it and learn to work with it.


Thank you for the name. I really like it. I really enjoy giving new life to things. Here let me show you. Pick me up and cut your hand.
OOC:
Just so you know, I'm going to keep this thread out of sync with the other timeline. If you would like to ask the shard something that is pertinent to the game you can ask in the other thread.
Jun 18, 2018 3:26 am
OOC:
Makes perfect sense to me, that's what I figured it would be anyhow. Also, for the questions above the underlined statement, is what you typed two posts ago all Spring had to offer as answers?
Nathaniel picks up the shard but hesitates as the jagged point pushes against his skin, not yet piercing.

"Can you tell me what you're going to do first, Spring? I'm still not exactly comfortable with magic."
Jun 19, 2018 11:06 am
OOC:
There are a lot of questions there. I think we'll get
To them all in time but I wonder if Spring trusts you enough to answer all of your questions at this time. I think it's better to roleplay it out a little. I just reread a few of your questions. Spring clearly thinks that magic is not only good and useful but it is absolutely necessary to protect and defend the realm from something that seeks its destruction. He tells you this is his reason for existing. This is why he was created.
I am going to teach you a new spell. Unfortunatley one of the components is the life force of a living creature. I'm just going to take a little of your life force and transfer it into unliving objects. This is a very useful spell! I guarantee that you'll like it.
Jun 19, 2018 12:54 pm
OOC:
Alright, so what you're saying is basically just RP out w/e questions, then? I'm perfectly fine with that, I just didn't want to take up too much of your brain space by making you write it as dialogue if you'd have preferred to just info-dump some of the more concrete stuff. But if Spring needs to have a better working relationship to divulge that concrete stuff, that's reasonable too.
Nathaniel takes deep, controlled breaths - forcing air in and out through his nose. Closing his eyes, he pushes the tip of the shard into the back of his hand and draws it back in a rough line towards his wrist. His fingers are splayed out, tense, as he suppresses a wince. Less due to pain and more the unnatural act of wounding oneself voluntarily.
Last edited July 1, 2018 7:51 pm
Jun 24, 2018 12:37 pm
OOC:
I do appreciate that. Thanks for trying to make my job easier. As I said above the shard has told you that that it is seeking a weilder to help prevent some ancient evil from destroying the world.
As you cut your hand you feel some of your life essence flow out of your wound and into the shard. The shard begins to glow a sickly pale green colour and then a ray of energy shoots into the ground at your feet. After a few moments you hear something moving beneath the soil. A few moments later, a skeletal hand emerges from the soil. Another quickly follows it as a human skeleton emerges from the earth. The sockets of its skull contain the same green energy as the shard. It stands still unmoving, clearly animated and waiting for a command.
Jun 24, 2018 6:44 pm
OOC:
How much HP would that have been in terms of mechanics?
Nathaniel's eyes bug out as the undead human forms in front of him. He looks around but there doesn't seem to be anyone in the vicinity.

"De- Destroy yourself! Now!!" he urgently commands the skeleton.

With a wild, panicked look to his eyes, he hisses at the shard.

"Spring! This- This is the magic of unlife! The worst, most forbidden magic! Only the most terrible of wizards use it. Was your master evil? Are you evil?"

He holds the shard at arm's length, other hand reaching towards his war pick, as he looks back at the skeleton to see if it's followed his orders.
Last edited July 1, 2018 7:52 pm
Jun 24, 2018 10:39 pm
OOC:
In terms of mechanics the components for the spell are 1d4+1 hps and you will raise 1d4+1 skeletons with 1 hp each. They have no weapons or equipment, so if you want to use them in combat you'll have to buy weapons for them. Other than that they can do anything an unseen servant could do.
Jun 25, 2018 6:42 am
The skeleton crumbles into dust.

Evil? No absolutely not! My master created me to solve an unsolvable riddle. How do you defeat an enemy that cannot be killed? He managed to banish this ancient enemy and preserve his knowledge inside of me, so that several millenia later I could find a wielder who can do the same. There is nothing evil about this magic. That is not to say that this magic cannot be evil or that it cannot be used for evil purposes. It is unfortunate that your only experience with users of this kind of life magic have been wicked. At least, as far as you know. The fact that it is forbidden is a problem. You see, the enemy we face will not have the same scruples as you. It will use everything in its considerable power to kill all life on this plane and we must stop it.

Let's talk about why it is forbidden. What exactly, do you think I just did?
Jun 25, 2018 3:31 pm
OOC:
If it is a spell in the traditional sense (costs slots, has VSM, etc.), could you send me the textblock in PM or something?
"You just messed with the natural way of things, Spring. Whoever that poor fellow was... his passing was disrespected. And the Arcane Authority said only the most greedy, arrogant, and power-crazy do unlife magic!"

Still, his hand relaxes and draws away from his war pick, as the skeleton had heeded his orders and crumbled away.
Last edited June 25, 2018 3:32 pm
Jun 26, 2018 6:27 am
You're not wrong. But all magic messes with the natural order of things by its very nature. The poor fellow that you mention has long since departed his soul consecrated to the deity of his choice. My magic has nothing to do with that process. I just transfered some of your life energy into the creature's remains. It is only temporary. Once the energy runs out the bones will collapse. Unless it is given more energy of course. I could have transfered the energy into wood or metal if that makes you feel better but there is a reason why I didn't. The skeleton contains some morphic resonance, it remembers how to connect together, if that makes sense, a bunch if sticks and wood wouldn't possess this resonance, therefore, it would require a lot more energy and it would collapse much faster.
OOC:
It is not a spell in that sense. It is clearly necromancy but it is a once per day ability that does not use one of your spell slots as all of the power is provided by Spring.
Jun 27, 2018 2:19 am
"Ah, I'm very confused. All these words which I haven't ever heard, or remembered hearing at least, yet I somehow know what they mean. This does cross a line for me, though. I'll think about your words, but this does cross a line. Besides the excuses and technical details for this magic, what about what the Arcane Authority told me? Only the worst, most terrible wizards fall in with that sort of magic. Isn't that indication enough of its foulness? I mean no offense, but you were made for it, you can't help it. So please don't take it personally when I say that it's black magic, Spring. Because it is."

Tomas crosses his arms decisively, before realizing he's tucked the shard into one elbow. He turns his hand over, giving an overall impression as though he's cradling the shard between his arms.
Jun 27, 2018 3:10 am
I understand your reluctance. Would it make you feel better if I were to animate animal or non-living matter? Perhaps some wood or stone? Fossils would work wonderfully if we could find some? However, I am certain that after a while you will realise that there is no objective difference between animating a skeleton and constructing a golem from metal or stone. Surely, that's not evil?
Jun 27, 2018 4:00 am
"... I suppose not and it would make me feel better. Say, if I put some non-living matter into the form of a human - construct a basic golem, I guess - would that contain some 'morphic resonance' that it wouldn't have if I had left it alone? Also, wait a minute, you're not going to deny what I'm saying then? That it's the evil wizards that mostly partake in unlife magic, you and your master aside?"
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