Scion: Children of Light - Bronze Age Fantasy Magic Academy

[Dead Cruiser]

@Obscene SymphonyIf you want to, sure.

[Achronum]

@Dead Cruiser Another question! What are the technical details of casting in this world? Does a Sorcerer just will it to be and thua ut happens or are their incantations, glyphs, sigils, etc? I'm really just curious for future descriptions!

[Dead Cruiser]

@Achronum A good question, but one that requires a complex answer. Spellcasting can take a variety of forms on Ea, but most of those are what Photepi Sorcerers would refer to dismissively as "witchcraft." Incantations, summoning circles, sacrifices, that sort of thing.

What differentiates Sorcery as our characters understand it is that it uses similar theoretical components, but they exist solely within the Sorcerer's mind. Sorcerers use their will and focus to direct and transmute aetheric energy, and so for them, "spells" resemble formulas or programs that they must perform mentally in order to manifest magical power. This requires considerable mental and physical discipline, somewhat akin to one who practices Yoga as part of their religion. However, these are the basic tenets of Sorcery. You need to be able to do this competently in order to even be considered for induction into the Cults of Heka.

The practices and research that more experienced and powerful Sorcerers engage in are more complex. They frequently study the effect that external influences have on spellcasting; the interplay of the cosmos, Ea, and the Aether. They train vigorously to be able to draw and control more energy from the Aether without overwhelming themselves. They condition their senses to gain more insight into the tides and tempests of the Aether, and what can be learned from their patterns. Larger and more complex spellcraft requires the tools of "witchcraft," but in much more sophisticated forms. Glyphs are designed as aetheric conduits or focusing tools, and can be large and ornate enough to have entire buildings as part of their geometric structure. Incantations are most often used as a means of coordinating the spellcasting efforts of multiple Sorcerers pooling their power for a group ritual. Sacrifices... are the domain of Demonologists, and so are not the concern of bright young Novitiates such as yourselves.

[Obscene Symphony]

@Dead Cruiser so if we're all to be inducted into different cults, how do we interact? Will there be a period at the start where none of us have been inducted yet for us to get to know each other? Do the cults have overlap with Novitiates? I know we're not required to be secretive or anything, but if we're all sequestered in different pyramids learning our craft, how do we communicate?

[Dead Cruiser]

@Obscene Symphony I don't plan for you to be spread across more than maybe two Cults, and there will be opportunities to interact in greater Photep.

[Achronum]

Okay @Dead Cruiser Here is an updated version of my CS so far! Still doing some cleaning up on it though.

Khaemtir Maryatum

Name: Khaemtir Maryatum

Age: 16

Appearance: Preferring to wear flowing, colorful silks over cotton, Khaemtir dresses to his social standing in a flashy style. His accessories are usually gold, and he wears a lot with his piercings that his mother has been trying to dissuade him from keeping, but rarely display any sort of gem unless the occasion demands it. He stands a little under 5’ 10”, a little shorter than his father and average for his classmates, but he is broad shouldered and muscular, the result of hard training and an athletic nature. HIs cheerful disposition is easily apparent, between the perpetual sparkle in brown eyes and the smile he keeps most everywhere he goes.

Hider

Background: Stretching back to the founding of Phetop, the Maryatum family considers themselves a pillar of the great city. They fanatically keep their lineage well documented back to the days before the Crimson King and a list of the achievements of each member. They drill their history into each generation, ensuring the traditions that made their family so great endure unchanged through the centuries. While this makes them come off as rigid and old fashioned, the Maryatums consider it preserving history in a world where progress threatens to consume it. They’ve maintained Lordship over the same trade district since the founding of the city and their influence is obvious; although modern building materials have been admitted, buildings and stalls are still required to replicate the original architecture of the city as closely as possible.

The early matriarchs of the family helped establish the Red Orders under the direction of the Crimson King and they’ve maintained a presence in them ever since, prompting the family to teach combat through private tutors in addition to their children’s regular education. The call of service is the highest honor, with Lord Pimay Maryatum commanding a position of some authority in the Order Sehkmet, but it isn’t the only path for the family to take. Those who aren’t called serve under the current matriarch, Lady Kiya Maryatum, and focus on maintaining the family’s business and social standings. They’re known for hosting large charity events in traditional Phetopian style that benefit educational and low income housing social services.

Khaemtir is the youngest of three, two sisters older than him by ten and eight years respectively. His eldest sister is a double of their mother, focused and determined and set in the past. She serves at their mother’s side faithfully and loves the city beyond most Lions. His other sister serves one of the Red Orders but Khaemtir has learned to stop asking about her work. The last time he did, she’d taken one piece from every game set he owned and it drove him insane. The expectations for Khaemtir were blessedly low; all of the required roles are filled which left him far more flexibility than his siblings. He grew up slipping away from tutors and lessons with little repercussion but with low expectations also comes little attention despite fulfilling the youngest sibling role perfectly. His grades were satisfactory, his mother far too fearsome for anything less, but they rarely held his interest, disappearing to his friends instead. He was permitted the freedom so long as his grades stayed up and his actions didn’t bring shame to the family name.

That changed when his affinity for magic made itself known. Only three other Maryatums ever became Sorcerers and none of them were living. The expectations suddenly exploded as his parents threw him head first into the Pesedjet. The change was jarring and he struggled with the adjustment to the stifling requirements but the fact that it was magic made it a little easier. Going from the extra child to something unique present quite a challenge as his carefree personality clashed with his studies.

But it was also the motivation he needed. Going from nothing to somebody in the family changed the entire dynamic and he took to magic like a fish to water. He learned and consumed everything he could and, while he could never be considered a great scholar by far, his passion for the subject couldn’t be denied.

Personality: Carefree, attention seeking, and mischievous, Khaemtir is a younger sibling through and through. He’s flirty and social, flitting from one conversation to another in an unbroken chain through the day. He’s energetic and upbeat which lends him to preferring physical activities over his studies. Most of the time when he isn’t pouring over his magical studies or when he’s avoiding the boring ones, he’s practicing his family’s sword techniques, playing some game in the sun with his friends, or working out. His devotion to magic is an anomaly as any of his family tutors would tell you but it’s clear he is dedicated to his craft as it’s a topic of discussion that he could go on for hours if someone lets him.

Unfortunately, his cushioned lifestyle makes him come off as insensitive sometimes. His upbringing was dedicated to the matters of the old aristocracy and he surrounded himself with them. He often fails to understand issues outside of that scope which leads to poor conversation with those outside of his social class. More than once he’s stepped on someone’s toes and struggled to give out an apology for something he didn’t understand.

Aptitude: Surprising everyone, including himself, Khaemtir’s potential for magical practice has shown itself stunningly. Khaemtir’s aptitude and passion has seen him excel in nearly every Pesedjir curriculum except one glaring, failing exception: Biomancy, something that makes him retch at the thought of it. Pyromancy has had his heart from day one and the eve of his commencement has done nothing but stoke the passion.

Tutelary: Udjebten’s summoning was unexpected. Khaemtir was ready for the spell to take some work but instead Udjebten appeared as if she had always been there and was just waiting to be seen. She took the form of a baby hippo with three eyes, one made of ruby, one of sapphire, and one of emerald, and is a delicate balance of maternal instinct and aggression. She dotes on him, insisting he take care of himself and demanding he keep better habits, but her advice on most problems are usually straightforward and violent. Someone insulted you? It’s hard to talk without a jaw. Someone forgot to do their part for a project? A little fire never hurt anyone. Udjebten has taken a liking to his mother and her advice sounds more and more like her everyday, much to Khaemtir’s chagrin.

[Crusader Lord]

@Dead Cruiser I have a couple of animal ideas for a Tutelary for my Sorcerer, somewhat based on old Egyptian artifacts in appearance for a fun spin, may i run them by you here and see what you think? :O

[Dead Cruiser]

@Crusader Lord If you would like, or you could PM me with them.

[Crusader Lord]

@Dead Cruiser PM sent! :D

[Hero]

Interested, I'll see about throwing something in after the weekend hopefully

[Gisk]

@Dead Cruiser I've some questions about the nature of tutelaries.

So they're summoned from the Aether, and I know rookie sorcerers can lose control of them so obviously they have a will of their own. How exactly are they controlled? Is it like a contract where they do as we tell them, but might end up monkey's pawing us? Or are they like bound to our will and they do what we want regardless of how we phrase it?

Do they hate us?

Can they die? Is it possible/common for a sorcerer to have more than one tutelary in their career. Not at the same time, but by necessity.

Conversely, is it possible that my tutelary has served sorcerer's before me? Can they lend magical knowledge from past indentures?

[Vec]

although i haven't fully read the op, i am interested. hope there still are some spots left

edit: read the op, def interested.

[Crusader Lord]

@Dead Cruiser Added a question I had the other night to the PM i sent! :D

[Theyra]

I am also interested and hope there are still spots open.

[Dead Cruiser]

Had a long day at work, but I am Logged TF On™ for the night, and ready to take care of your concerns.

A quick heads up is that I think we'll be good to have the OOC up shortly, perhaps tonight, maybe tomorrow. It won't really have any new information besides what is already in the OP of this thread, but it'll essentially be the staging ground for people to submit and finalize their characters sheets. If you want a place in the game, I'm not putting a hard cap on players just yet, but I recommend getting a sheet written.

Now then. To business.

@Gisk A "successful" summoning of a Tutelary involves the creation of a telepathic and empathic bond between the summoner and the Tutelary. The Tutelary receives access to the summoner's knowledge and memory, but can also have the summoner's willpower and spells directly channeled through them. Most Tutelaries are deferential to their masters enough to do their bidding merely by command, but if needed they can have their will subsumed by the sorcerer's to ensure that their commands are followed. A Tutelary that does not form this link, or is too willful or indifferent toward their summoner, or one that is too powerful for the summoner to fully command, would be considered a "failed" summoning, and such a being would be promptly banished.

The relationships that Tutelaries develop with their masters over time can become quite complex, but those summoned by Novitiates are normally quite fond of their masters. Depending on the nature of the Tutelary, they can take on a demeanor not unlike a parent or older sibling toward their young master. The act of summoning them into our dimension is considered a tremendous gift, as beings as weak as them are typically at the bottom of the "food chain" within the Aether. It is a chaotic dimension and far from all beings within it are benevolent.

Sufficient damage to their physical form will banish a Tutelary back to the Aether. Sorcerers that have had their Tutelary banished by some means have been known to summon another, but the bond between a Sorcerer and their original Tutelary is nearly impossible to replace. For that reason, some Sorcerers that lose their Tutelary go without one from that point on. Attempting to summon the same Tutelary again after they've been banished is the ultimate game of needle in a needle stack. It's like trying to retrieve exactly the same cup of water that one just dumped into the ocean.

Most Tutelaries summoned by Novitiates have never been in our dimension before, or any dimension other than the Aether. The Tutelary of, say, a dead Sorcerer that has returned to the Aether would be a different type of consciousness than one freshly-summoned. More powerful by dint of their time spent in our dimension studying magic, a more powerful form of consciousness. That makes it unlikely that a Novitiate would "successfully" (see above) summon such a Tutelary. However, if such a Tutelary wished to return to our dimension, for whatever strange reason they may have, and sought out the summoning of a Novitiate for that purpose, that would be the most likely scenario for such an occurrence.

[Crusader Lord]

@Dead Cruiser Responded in the PM again!

[Dead Cruiser]

ATTENTION NOVITIATES, THE OOC IS UP, REPORT TO THE DIJAT OF HEKA FOR COMMENCEMENT

@Obscene Symphony@Achronum@Crusader Lord@Scribe of Thoth@SilverPaw@Hero@Gisk@Vec@Theyra

[Crusader Lord]

@Dead Cruiser Splendid! I'm saying this from mobile due to the lateness of the night for me at this moment, but sent one last response in the PM for the night as well.