Hiya, AChronum here! Although I'm relatively new to rping, I have plenty of writing experience and love trying new genres and styles. I absolutely love high magic fantasy RPs and am pretty much willing to do anything so long as I can create a charaxter, not play an existing one, and develop lots and lots of backstory! I'm perfectly comfortable with all mature themes as well, although smut for smut's sake is out of the question.
Interested in an RP? Send me a PM and have a magically marvelous day!
“Then, no time like the present.” James put his fingers on Casper’s wrist again and let out a frustrated huff as the same thing happened. “Damn it! Concussions I can do but apparently a black eye is out of the question?” The man grumbled, staring at the offending swelling. Why was it being such as resistant little shit. Something pricked in the back of his head as he tried to figure out why this was such a problem and he blinked once, twice, and smiled sheepishly at the man.
“Oh shit, I never introduced myself. I’m James, the failure of a fixer upper extraordinaire. You all good outside of the black eye? That guy was a nasty piece of work.” He asked along with his belated introduction. He had a bad case of tunnel vision when he felt like there was something he could do and it wouldn’t be the first time he skipped straight to business without being a decent person. “How’d you get tied up in that mess? I know we went up to help out Jack and, uh... James blinked for a few moments as he realized he actually didn’t remember her name. Lighton? Lighten? Light something. “The pair of them―not that they needed it―but you didn’t go out with them, I think?”
Requiem
Location: The Luxury Skills: N/A
Requiem accepted the drink with a soft thank you as he kept his attention on the Black King. He sipped at it as Jinx spewed ceaseless naivety. Of course they wouldn’t be protected. In the event they were caught solving this little problem, Shaw’s contingency would likely trigger and the failed pawn would be taken without a trace of connection to the Black King. Requiem knew the game; perhaps it was time the boy understood as well. He’d consider it. The boy would benefit from such a lesson after all.
He adjusted his cane, leaning it against his chair as he considered the assignment. At first glance, it presented itself as straight forward. Find the perpetrator and deliver their head on a plate. What concerned him was the phrase asset, intentionally vague, and not demanding its return. An oddity considering the man was ordering a full investigation into the matter. He took another sip as he considered his options.
“The vermouth in this is superb. Even with as little as there is, its flavors compliment the juniper perfectly. I personally find most modern vermouth’s struggle against the gin. Is it from Turin?” Requiem inquired before turning back to business. “What is the asset and how long has it been missing?”
“That is absolutely correct! Using humans as a control since they’re the only ones we can consistently Awaken, animals likely don’t display any higher tiered affinities because of the development of traits at those tiers!” Carina explained excitedly. “Of course, that could be completely wrong too! No one has seen anything else than humans with Secondary and Tertiary affinities so it’s all a shot in the dark and if that doesn’t get your blood pumping, I don’t know what will!”
“Arcane magic isn’t an alternative. Connecting with and controlling your affinity is a crucial step to a stable, successful magical career.” Carina tapped her foot as she thought. “Yes, you can cast arcane magic without discovering your affinity but you will find yourself exhausted far more quickly since you are fighting two battles: the first to make your magic comply and then to strip it of all essence of yourself.”
“And, uh, what is Sound then?” Damien piped up from the seat he managed to snag closer to the front. “Cause I’m going to be honest, this is an absolute ton of sh- stuff I’ve never even thought about until today and I really just wanna focus on getting a grip on me before I learn everything else here.”
“Oh, affinity twins!” Carina giggled as she pulled out a thin metal rod. “Mine acts like a Secondary but Sound is classified as a Conditional because it can present as any of them! And you’ll learn plenty about your magic in Affinity Mastery.” She gave a concerned frown at Damien’s blank stare and her wand tapped against her throat before flourished it with a flick of the wrist and put it away, her lips moving silently. Damien beam and flashed her a pair of thumbs up. The professor beamed back at him before turning get attention back to the class.
“Now that we know a little about what magic is and how and why we group it, let’s discuss how it works! Magic is a tricky, fickle thing and the effort to understand it has been enormous. Now, I have to correct myself from earlier. I know I mentioned the Alfonsi model but we’re actually going to cover the Varissean model, aka the Limited Capacity model!” Carina waited for a few moments for people to correct their notes. “Now, the Limited Capacity Model states that all mages draw magic in from their surroundings, store it as magical potential in a limited reserve, and expend it in a fantastic fashion! Well, not that last part but I think it sounds more fun than ‘Casts magic.’ The model states that magic is drawn out of the reserves like water from a faucet and our control determines the rate of flow and a mage’s focus is the cup that makes magic safe and stable!”
“While Robert Varissean’s model from 1809 is certainly one of the easiest and most comprehensive of the four accepted magical models, it misses two major points of magic: Dissonance and Resonance. This is where foci become incredibly important. In fact, they’re literally life saving.” Carine chewed at her lip as she contemplated. “A focus is a tool that allows mages to shape and direct their magic safely. The traits that define two of the magic tiers also make handling those affinities dangerous for a mage, creating a sort of kickback that can have serious and lasting effects on its mage. For this reason, there are two qualities when considering a focus. First, it should be sturdy enough to handle this kickback. Soft metals and fabrics should never compose the core of your focus but I always recommend embellishing. Second, a focus should have an emotional connection to the mage, something that has history and familiarity so the magic is far more willing to accept it as an extension of the mage rather than an object. Failing to take these into consideration may lean into the severe form kickback known as Dissonance.” The screens behind her flickered and each held a different image: The first was a mage missing a hand, another a mage with welts and hives covering her face, the third was a boy with glowing veins, and the last was statue with empty eye sockets and mouth agape.
“Dissonance is a state in which the differences between magic and mage create so much friction, it is impossible to contain. This most often happens when a Secondary or Tertiary mage has no focus while casting a complex spell or when they attempt to cast something outside of their skill level. The resulting friction causes the magic to turn on the mage, ranging from explosive damage to complete transformation.” Carina pointed to the statue. “1913, Andres Demickel. Gravity mage attempting to reverse the gravitational pull on an entire mansion. Full transmutation into stone expect for the eyes. The eyes stayed flesh and witness accounts suggest they could still move until something finally ate them out.” Carina spun around, her grim face shifting back to her smile. “But as long as you know your limits and keep your focus in good condition, you’ll be just fine!”
“The opposite effect is known as Resonance and while it is significantly more beneficial than its opposite, Resonance carries its own complications. Resonance is when magic and mage work in perfect harmony, or Resonate, with one another which allows the mage to supersede their traditional limits and draw on magic directly from the environment. It’s a difficult state to control, often times the state triggering a chain response similar to a vacuum in which magic flows to fill in the gaps but continues flowing as the mage uses it until the mage passes out or is Consumed.” The images behind her changed, a video playing of a water mage pooling all of the rain from a storm above a forest with a bright smile and a laugh before she just vanished. All of the water came crashing down, flooding the forest and the video stopped. “Resonance offers near unlimited power to a mage and that feeling makes stopping a Resonance difficult. As one can expect, the natural connection between Primary and Primary-presenting affinities makes them susceptible to Resonance but all mages can reach it. People who Resonate struggle with the feeling, becoming addicted until finally they try too much, push themselves too far, and their magic Consumes them. Most times, it’s an organ or two. Other times, like what you saw, it is everything.” She shook her head, her smile brightening once again.
“A somber topic but a necessary one. Questions?”
“How astute. Yes, Sound and Empathy are both Conditionals and if presenting as Primary affinities, may be used without foci. As with all Primary affinities, they are closely tied to emotional state due to the innate bonding of Primary affinities and may react without prompting as a result.” Hayes explained, sipping from his drink again. “There are also rare cases that a Conditional changes after the Awakening, developing a sudden Dissonance or Resonating perfectly into Primary. I recommend Edith Caine’s “The Conditional Quandary” for further research if you are interested.” Professor Hayes looked around, no other pens popping up for questions, before continuing on.
“Understanding the mechanics of magic is a struggle predating the Treaty. Between the personal nature and the complexity of devices needed to quantify the phenomena, spell theorists struggle constantly to discern predictable patterns and behaviors in magic. The information we have governerning the nature of magic is always tentative. New discoveries are made every day. Keeping an open mind is crucial to your success as a mage.” Hayes spoke sternly on the subject, taking the time to meet everyone’s gaze.
“The primary model of magic is the Varissean model, or the Limited Capacity model, developed by Robert Varissean in 1809. This model states that magic is an intrinsic force in nature and those with magical aptitude act as reservoir for this force. Each mage has clearly defined limits to the amount of magical potential they can store and casting magic depletes that until a mage can rest long enough to replenish.” A brief moment of silence stalled the lecture as Hayes flipped the page, allowing people to catch up with their notes. “A mage’s control acts like a faucet, increasing and decreasing their magic’s rate of flow as they draw on the stored energy. The Focus acts like a container, allowing the mage to transport it more efficiently and safely from themselves to their intended goal.”
“As encompassing as this model is, it fails to include two issues: Resonance and Dissonance. Mages use foci to more easily shape their magic and protect them from some of its inherently dangerous backlash. As a result, foci must be incredibly sturdy, made of hard metals, crystal, or wood generally, and must have emotional history with their mages. This will not only reduce the likelihood of a Dissonance state but will keep your focus from exploding in your hand. Magic, regardless of tier, likes emotional pathways so the greater the emotional, preferably positive, connection, the more responsive your magic will grow.” Hayes paused again before continuing.
“The most important reason for a focus is to avoid Dissonance. Dissonance is the friction between mage and magic when the direction the magic wants to go and the direction the mage makes it go are not the same. Since Secondary and Tertiary affinities develop a separation from their mage, this occurs almost always but the effects are negligible and magical backlash is absorbed by the focus. However, a Dissonance state is when that friction drastically spikes and the mage loses control of their magic as a result to horrendous effect.” Professor Hayes sighed at the thought. “Dissonance can result in almost anything occurring, ranging from physical injury to permanent transformation to death. The number one cause of Dissonance is failing to understand one’s own limits and attempting something far outside a mage’s capacity to control. The Limited Capacity Model has nothing for Dissonance because this state ignores the limits of the mage and taps directly into the magic in the immediate area, drawing on far more than what the mage could have ever achieved. During the Blood War, more than one mage weaponized this state against the lycan threat in order to save their homes.”
“On the other hand, Resonance is when magic and mage are in perfect harmony. Like Dissonance, this state allows mages to transcend their normal limits and draw directly on the magic in an area rather from only their own reserves. Primary and Primary-presenting affinities reach Resonance far more easily than any others and is the unfortunate reason why we know so much about it.” He snapped his book shut, tucking his hands behind his back. “Resonance brings two new challenges for mages: Addiction and Consumption. Limitless power is a dangerous thing in a mage, whose will directly affects reality as we interact with it, and mages find solace in that degree of power, escaping their feelings of helplessness in a spring of magical energy. However, exposure to that much magic forcefully expands a mage’s capacity for magic and this process is reflected in a mage’s body. Generally, the kidney disappears first, followed by the liver, and then bones as they dissipate into pure magical energy. Organs lost this way never regrow and magical attempts to stimulate growth fail while the body rejects transplants almost automatically. Resonance can be a powerful tool when used appropriately but often times, its risks fail to outweigh the benefits.” Professor Hayes glanced at his watch.
“Questions before we are dismissed?”
“Starting off with a million dollar question and a touch of the macabre.” Manuel laughed. “I’ll continue in just a moment on how magic works. Unfortunately, however, we are uncertain why vampires cannot use magic. Originally it was believed that because vampires technically died, no longer dependant on involuntary respiratory or circulatory functions, but the advent of the purebloods forced us to reconsider the idea. It was decided that organism works better because vampires are not considered living organisms like mortals since they have lost, or never had, much of the identifying biological requirements of an organism. Unfortunately, it is forbidden for vampiric nature to be studied so we are left with only untested hypotheses.”
“Absolutely. Earth contains ones such as Metal and Gravity, Water contains Poison and Torrent, Fire contains Lava and Combustion, and Air contains Cloud and Divination. As for difficulties,” Manuel sighed and rubbed at his chin thoughtfully. “There are too many difficulties with the Tertiary affinities to simply list solutions. I’d be here all night describing them but stay after class for a moment and we’ll discuss your situation in particular.”
“As for the question about mage death, I believe it will mostly answer itself but we’ll revisit at the end just in case. In 1809, Richard Varrisean developed the Limited Capacity model, also known as the Varrisean model, and is the primary model among the magical function theories. Varrisean stated that magic exists in the natural world and all living organisms have the potential to connect with it but only some do. Those that do connect, or Awaken as we now call it, draw magical potential from around them and store a finite amount inside themselves. Once a mage has filled their reserves, the mage may expend this potential in the form of magic and thus the process begins anew.” The screens behind him flickered again and a flow chart popped up on screen, depicting the outline of a body holding a wand with arrows depicting the flow of magic. “A mage manages the faucet to these reserves with their control, allowing the appropriate amount of magic to be applied through the vessel that is the focus for safe and efficient handling.”
“As comprehensive as this model is however, it fails to describe three areas of spell casting. The first is relatively small, just the difference between Primaries casting verses Secondaries and Tertiaries. Primaries do not need a focus because of the close nature of their bonds where as Secondaries and Tertiaries suffer without them.” The screens behind him flickered and each held a different image: The first was a mage missing a hand, another a mage with welts and hives covering her face, the third was a boy with glowing veins, and the last was statue with empty eye sockets and mouth agape. “The other two issues, Dissonance and Resonance, are far more severe. Dissonance occurs when the mage and magic are at odds and the resulting friction generates enough magical backlash that it overwhelms the mage’s control. The images above me are only a few examples of Dissonance, the left two mild versions and the right two extreme versions. In those, everything but the man’s eyes were turned to stone and the boy’s blood was turned entirely into firefly luciferin and luciferase.”
“The Dissonance effect is what developed the standard rules for most foci. With Secondary and Tertiary affinities, there is always a small amount of negative feedback but it is negligible, the focus neutralizes the blow. However, Dissonance is a far larger feedback loop and usually destroys the focus in question. Secondary and Tertiary, and likewise presenting Conditionals, are all at risk for developing Dissonance but it isn’t incredibly common. In order for Dissonance to occur, the mage in question must either be attempting something without the necessary focus or have started something far outside their skill range.” Manuel smiled reassuringly at some of the pale faces in the lecture. “Like I said, Dissonance isn’t common. Focus guidelines have been developed since the discovery and classification of the effect to help prevent it. First, a focus should be made of a hard metal, wood, or crystal. Stone doesn’t particularly care for moving magic normally and fabric and soft metals, like gold, will break down beneath even the simplest spell. Second, a mage should have an emotional attachment to the focus. The emotional history will help the magic travel through and reduce the friction between mage and magic since the magic will recognize the mage in the material.”
“I see a few Primary affinities looking a bit relieved. It’s true. Dissonance has never occured with a Primary or Primary-presenting affinity. The mage and magic are practically one in these affinities, which is why they can cast without foci. These affinities suffer no feedback and so are safe handling their magic directly. But they are not without their dangers.” The images behind him changed, a video playing of a water mage pooling all of the rain from a storm above a forest with a bright smile and a laugh before she just vanished. All of the water came crashing down, flooding the forest and the video stopped. “Resonance is the opposite side of the coin and traditionally affects Primary and Primary-presenting affinities. During Resonance, the magic and its mage work in perfect tandem and trigger a chain reaction in which the magical energy is replaced as quickly as it is used, effectively removing the Limited Capacity model’s focal point. Mages under the effects of Resonance command the most raw power with none of the finesse we instill. Arguably, a mage can never be more power than themselves in Resonance but that much magical energy begins to degrade the physical form. Those addicted to the state, mostly Primaries but a few cases of Secondary and Tertiary affinities have been reported, find themselves disappearing; a kidney, a liver, entire bones, until finally, they cease to exist. Foci can help prevent this, adding a degree of separation between mage and magic, and so can maintaining control over your magic.”
“These are terrifying but as long as you focus on your mastery classes and maintain your focus, you will be able to avoid these disastrous ends. Have your questions been answered?” Manuel addressed the room and looked back up at Salem.
Vampires
“Ah, youth.” Dame Patel chuckled at the pair’s interaction. She curtsied neatly to Amaris first, putting the actor’s question on the back burner for the time being. “To a degree, mortals will always resent their new masters if they grew up among other mortals. They often adjust poorly to sudden changes in their lifestyle and time should always be given for them to see we know best. Like a child who resents their parents when the parents take away the child’s favorite toy, mortals rail against our decisions for a while as they adjust. It falls to us to accept that with the grace and dignity our status grants us.”
“Particularly resilient mages may require hard limitations and a clear punishment and reward system for disregarding the aforementioned boundaries. This manner works best to cultivate dependance and instill manners in a mage who struggles to accept their new position. These limits, rewards, and punishments should be clear and well defined, sat down and discussed, and if possible written by the mage so they have easy reference. This reduces confusion or misunderstandings which will lead to additional frustration in our pets and they already have plenty of stressors, no need to add more during this confusing time in their lives. Poor things.” Dame Patel sighed at the thought. “While using a rewards and punishment system, there are a few ways to introduce your mage to them. I always recommend using positive reinforcement rather than negative. Give treats, days off, and other things your pet enjoys, special foods or candies, but make sure they do not have access to those on the regular. If a mage has access to your treats without you, they lose their effectiveness very quickly. Some vampires find removing most of a mage’s previously expected independence, stripping them of their private quarters for example, and then rewarding them with these over time is an effective method. It is not my favorite but it has worked historically, serving as a reminder that their lives are in our capable hands now.”
“If this is a method you choose to employ, discuss it in detail. Tell them firmly but accept their feedback. Punishment severity should match the rewards they may earn but should also be fair and easily connected to the violation. In all of this, communication is key. Discuss why these will help, explain where you see the mage being after they successfully complete their training. Mortals do not work well without clear, defined orders and expectations and they will more quickly learn to appreciate your efforts if they are aware of the results you are trying to achieve and feel like they have an active role in the proceedings.” Dame Patel smiled sweetly at her mage, petting him gently as she spoke. “Remember, focus first on developing pride for an accomplishment over frustration at a failure.”
“And what a perfect time to transition! Our little ones are such social creatures, thriving better when they have a flock to frolic with. They come home with smiles and stories, and what warms the heart more than a happy pet at home?” Dame Patel chuckled fondly. “Mages, with their talent for self destructive tendencies, must have their circles carefully curated and groomed before they are allowed to branch out on their own. It is important to surround your mage with individuals who will benefit your mage rather than benefit from them.”
“While considering how to best allow our little ones to interact, we must first consider their temperament. An extroverted mage will find themselves doing best in regular group situations, finding energy and meaning in their place in a social hierarchy. These mages are often the worst at establishing long term, meaningful relationships and I highly recommend letting them start their own groups and then culling their social circle, much like trimming unwanted branches and leaves off a growing tree.” Dame Patel clicked her tongue thoughtfully for a moment. “On the other hand, these mages may get wrapped up in the social situations and it will be important that you as their caretaker ensure they are resting appropriately, taking breaks before the poor darlings exhaust themselves or exhaust others.”
“Introverted mages are an entirely different breed, requiring precise time management. Introverted mages are often more work but in the end, generally shine more brilliantly when with those whose company they enjoy. It is imperative to remember that introverted mages are far more resistant to growing their social circles, easily succumbing to social exhaustion, but this is still a critical component to their mental well being. Do not let them seclude themselves away. No matter how they feel about it in the beginning, all mortals are social creatures and they will suffer if left without a flock.” She smiled at the room, starting to pace. “In either situation, communication and constant observation are critical to successful social placement. Discussing potential friends and mates and observing those individuals will make deciding who to allow your pet to interact with a far easier task. Make sure to pay special attention to those your mage doesn’t mention―they always try to hide someone―because those may be the most destructive influences on your mage.”
“Actually, the mortals have a quaint analogy for extroversion and introversion. They liken these states to an battery―Albert was a dear and explained what a battery was―in which extroverts recharge during their socialization and expend additional energy while alone whereas the introvert is the exact opposite. It is important to learn the signs your pet exhibits and adjust their social times accordingly.”
“There are three major criteria you should consider while grooming your pet’s social circles. First, do they motivate and support your little one? These social circles are small support groups for your pet and it is imperative none of them are draining and belittling your mortal. Second, do they make your pet happy? If the individual makes your pet miserable, it will poison the entire group and effectively force you to remove your pet from it and start fresh. Finally, does your pet benefit their group? Mortals thrive when they are useful and needed and if your little one isn’t thriving, it may be they need to cultivate new skills to find their place in the flock once again.”
“Wrong.” Ms. Talney moved wickedly quick and the metal met Jory’s hand in the blink of an eye. “If you will recall, your blood was completely drained from your body and your breathing stopped entirely. Clinically, you were dead and now you are not, thus undead by the definition of the word. However, you are correct partially. Although the cells are still technically functioning, vampiric cell mitosis and mortal cell mitosis are incredibly dissimilar. The true cause of aging is unknown; however, mortal genetic codes degreade and mutate as they divide, leading to flaws and failures that gradually become more and more visibly apparent. Vampiric mitosis is perfect, in that every part of the original cell is duplicated without failure. Because of this, a turned vampire’s body will always retain the same issues it had in mortal life. A poor healed broken nose from a mortal life? A vampire will always have it. A limp from a mortal life? A vampire will always have it. Missing limb from a mortal life? A vampire can never regenerate it.” The vampire moved back to the front of the room, writing on the board as she spoke.
“It is also different because vampires do not naturally generate scar tissue. For example, in mortal connective tissue, a tear results in scarring dependant on the severity of damage. The replaced collagen, the primary structural protein of connective tissue, suffers different structural patterns. Where the collagen in normal, undamaged connective tissue is a random basketweave, the new scar tissue’s collagen is cross linked and in a singular direction. Vampiric regeneration perfectly mimics that which was before, and while it can not fix scar tissue existing before the Embrace, it will never develop new scar tissue.” Ms. Tinley finished writing, turning back around and staring at Jory. “The short of it is no, you no longer have that luxury.”
“Ms. Tinley? If vampire cells die immediately, how do we know all this?” Hilda spoke up timidly, nervously adjusting the moon pin in her hair before slipping her hands under the desk. Ms. Tinley turned her attention to the girl and stopped next to the desk, staring at her for a few moments before turning away. The girl let out a shaky breath as quietly as she could, slipping her hand in her pants pocket and fiddling with something.
“That is the correct question. How do you study cellular activity in something that turns to dust the second it is removed and when it is mostly illegal to experiment on vampires predating the Treaty?” Ms. Tinley returned to the front of the class. “You are no longer mortals. You will be beset on all sides by bored, tired, and frustrated immortal beings looking for any advantage they may gain over their enemies or for a brief moment of amusement in a long, unbroken chain of boredom. The inherent trust and naivety must be abandoned and you must learn to always question where the information came from, always question how in came to be, and always question who is providing it and why.”
“In this instance, we know about vampiric regeneration because in 1233 a Houseless Lord committed hundreds of turnings in the name of science. He tortured and studied these new vampires as much as he could and turned them out into the sun once he was done with them. He provided a vast majority of the documentation and observations that would later be compared to mortal biology and develop a comprehensive look at vampiric biology. Experimentation on vampires of any age was strictly forbidden even before the Treaty formally established the law.” Tinley began pacing the room again, eyes sweeping over the class. “Thankfully, the five Noble Houses obliterated the Lord and his entire bloodline after consfisctating his work.” She glanced at the grandfather clock on the back wall.
“That is absolutely correct! Using humans as a control since they’re the only ones we can consistently Awaken, animals likely don’t display any higher tiered affinities because of the development of traits at those tiers!” Carina explained excitedly. “Of course, that could be completely wrong too! No one has seen anything else than humans with Secondary and Tertiary affinities so it’s all a shot in the dark and if that doesn’t get your blood pumping, I don’t know what will!”
“Arcane magic isn’t an alternative. Connecting with and controlling your affinity is a crucial step to a stable, successful magical career.” Carina tapped her foot as she thought. “Yes, you can cast arcane magic without discovering your affinity but you will find yourself exhausted far more quickly since you are fighting two battles: the first to make your magic comply and then to strip it of all essence of yourself.”
“And, uh, what is Sound then?” Damien piped up from the seat he managed to snag closer to the front. “Cause I’m going to be honest, this is an absolute ton of sh- stuff I’ve never even thought about until today and I really just wanna focus on getting a grip on me before I learn everything else here.”
“Oh, affinity twins!” Carina giggled as she pulled out a thin metal rod. “Mine acts like a Secondary but Sound is classified as a Conditional because it can present as any of them! And you’ll learn plenty about your magic in Affinity Mastery.” She gave a concerned frown at Damien’s blank stare and her wand tapped against her throat before flourished it with a flick of the wrist and put it away, her lips moving silently. Damien beam and flashed her a pair of thumbs up. The professor beamed back at him before turning get attention back to the class.
“Now that we know a little about what magic is and how and why we group it, let’s discuss how it works! Magic is a tricky, fickle thing and the effort to understand it has been enormous. Now, I have to correct myself from earlier. I know I mentioned the Alfonsi model but we’re actually going to cover the Varissean model, aka the Limited Capacity model!” Carina waited for a few moments for people to correct their notes. “Now, the Limited Capacity Model states that all mages draw magic in from their surroundings, store it as magical potential in a limited reserve, and expend it in a fantastic fashion! Well, not that last part but I think it sounds more fun than ‘Casts magic.’ The model states that magic is drawn out of the reserves like water from a faucet and our control determines the rate of flow and a mage’s focus is the cup that makes magic safe and stable!”
“While Robert Varissean’s model from 1809 is certainly one of the easiest and most comprehensive of the four accepted magical models, it misses two major points of magic: Dissonance and Resonance. This is where foci become incredibly important. In fact, they’re literally life saving.” Carine chewed at her lip as she contemplated. “A focus is a tool that allows mages to shape and direct their magic safely. The traits that define two of the magic tiers also make handling those affinities dangerous for a mage, creating a sort of kickback that can have serious and lasting effects on its mage. For this reason, there are two qualities when considering a focus. First, it should be sturdy enough to handle this kickback. Soft metals and fabrics should never compose the core of your focus but I always recommend embellishing. Second, a focus should have an emotional connection to the mage, something that has history and familiarity so the magic is far more willing to accept it as an extension of the mage rather than an object. Failing to take these into consideration may lean into the severe form kickback known as Dissonance.” The screens behind her flickered and each held a different image: The first was a mage missing a hand, another a mage with welts and hives covering her face, the third was a boy with glowing veins, and the last was statue with empty eye sockets and mouth agape.
“Dissonance is a state in which the differences between magic and mage create so much friction, it is impossible to contain. This most often happens when a Secondary or Tertiary mage has no focus while casting a complex spell or when they attempt to cast something outside of their skill level. The resulting friction causes the magic to turn on the mage, ranging from explosive damage to complete transformation.” Carina pointed to the statue. “1913, Andres Demickel. Gravity mage attempting to reverse the gravitational pull on an entire mansion. Full transmutation into stone expect for the eyes. The eyes stayed flesh and witness accounts suggest they could still move until something finally ate them out.” Carina spun around, her grim face shifting back to her smile. “But as long as you know your limits and keep your focus in good condition, you’ll be just fine!”
“The opposite effect is known as Resonance and while it is significantly more beneficial than its opposite, Resonance carries its own complications. Resonance is when magic and mage work in perfect harmony, or Resonate, with one another which allows the mage to supersede their traditional limits and draw on magic directly from the environment. It’s a difficult state to control, often times the state triggering a chain response similar to a vacuum in which magic flows to fill in the gaps but continues flowing as the mage uses it until the mage passes out or is Consumed.” The images behind her changed, a video playing of a water mage pooling all of the rain from a storm above a forest with a bright smile and a laugh before she just vanished. All of the water came crashing down, flooding the forest and the video stopped. “Resonance offers near unlimited power to a mage and that feeling makes stopping a Resonance difficult. As one can expect, the natural connection between Primary and Primary-presenting affinities makes them susceptible to Resonance but all mages can reach it. People who Resonate struggle with the feeling, becoming addicted until finally they try too much, push themselves too far, and their magic Consumes them. Most times, it’s an organ or two. Other times, like what you saw, it is everything.” She shook her head, her smile brightening once again.
“A somber topic but a necessary one. Questions?”
“How astute. Yes, Sound and Empathy are both Conditionals and if presenting as Primary affinities, may be used without foci. As with all Primary affinities, they are closely tied to emotional state due to the innate bonding of Primary affinities and may react without prompting as a result.” Hayes explained, sipping from his drink again. “There are also rare cases that a Conditional changes after the Awakening, developing a sudden Dissonance or Resonating perfectly into Primary. I recommend Edith Caine’s “The Conditional Quandary” for further research if you are interested.” Professor Hayes looked around, no other pens popping up for questions, before continuing on.
“Understanding the mechanics of magic is a struggle predating the Treaty. Between the personal nature and the complexity of devices needed to quantify the phenomena, spell theorists struggle constantly to discern predictable patterns and behaviors in magic. The information we have governerning the nature of magic is always tentative. New discoveries are made every day. Keeping an open mind is crucial to your success as a mage.” Hayes spoke sternly on the subject, taking the time to meet everyone’s gaze.
“The primary model of magic is the Varissean model, or the Limited Capacity model, developed by Robert Varissean in 1809. This model states that magic is an intrinsic force in nature and those with magical aptitude act as reservoir for this force. Each mage has clearly defined limits to the amount of magical potential they can store and casting magic depletes that until a mage can rest long enough to replenish.” A brief moment of silence stalled the lecture as Hayes flipped the page, allowing people to catch up with their notes. “A mage’s control acts like a faucet, increasing and decreasing their magic’s rate of flow as they draw on the stored energy. The Focus acts like a container, allowing the mage to transport it more efficiently and safely from themselves to their intended goal.”
“As encompassing as this model is, it fails to include two issues: Resonance and Dissonance. Mages use foci to more easily shape their magic and protect them from some of its inherently dangerous backlash. As a result, foci must be incredibly sturdy, made of hard metals, crystal, or wood generally, and must have emotional history with their mages. This will not only reduce the likelihood of a Dissonance state but will keep your focus from exploding in your hand. Magic, regardless of tier, likes emotional pathways so the greater the emotional, preferably positive, connection, the more responsive your magic will grow.” Hayes paused again before continuing.
“The most important reason for a focus is to avoid Dissonance. Dissonance is the friction between mage and magic when the direction the magic wants to go and the direction the mage makes it go are not the same. Since Secondary and Tertiary affinities develop a separation from their mage, this occurs almost always but the effects are negligible and magical backlash is absorbed by the focus. However, a Dissonance state is when that friction drastically spikes and the mage loses control of their magic as a result to horrendous effect.” Professor Hayes sighed at the thought. “Dissonance can result in almost anything occurring, ranging from physical injury to permanent transformation to death. The number one cause of Dissonance is failing to understand one’s own limits and attempting something far outside a mage’s capacity to control. The Limited Capacity Model has nothing for Dissonance because this state ignores the limits of the mage and taps directly into the magic in the immediate area, drawing on far more than what the mage could have ever achieved. During the Blood War, more than one mage weaponized this state against the lycan threat in order to save their homes.”
“On the other hand, Resonance is when magic and mage are in perfect harmony. Like Dissonance, this state allows mages to transcend their normal limits and draw directly on the magic in an area rather from only their own reserves. Primary and Primary-presenting affinities reach Resonance far more easily than any others and is the unfortunate reason why we know so much about it.” He snapped his book shut, tucking his hands behind his back. “Resonance brings two new challenges for mages: Addiction and Consumption. Limitless power is a dangerous thing in a mage, whose will directly affects reality as we interact with it, and mages find solace in that degree of power, escaping their feelings of helplessness in a spring of magical energy. However, exposure to that much magic forcefully expands a mage’s capacity for magic and this process is reflected in a mage’s body. Generally, the kidney disappears first, followed by the liver, and then bones as they dissipate into pure magical energy. Organs lost this way never regrow and magical attempts to stimulate growth fail while the body rejects transplants almost automatically. Resonance can be a powerful tool when used appropriately but often times, its risks fail to outweigh the benefits.” Professor Hayes glanced at his watch.
“Questions before we are dismissed?”
“Starting off with a million dollar question and a touch of the macabre.” Manuel laughed. “I’ll continue in just a moment on how magic works. Unfortunately, however, we are uncertain why vampires cannot use magic. Originally it was believed that because vampires technically died, no longer dependant on involuntary respiratory or circulatory functions, but the advent of the purebloods forced us to reconsider the idea. It was decided that organism works better because vampires are not considered living organisms like mortals since they have lost, or never had, much of the identifying biological requirements of an organism. Unfortunately, it is forbidden for vampiric nature to be studied so we are left with only untested hypotheses.”
“Absolutely. Earth contains ones such as Metal and Gravity, Water contains Poison and Torrent, Fire contains Lava and Combustion, and Air contains Cloud and Divination. As for difficulties,” Manuel sighed and rubbed at his chin thoughtfully. “There are too many difficulties with the Tertiary affinities to simply list solutions. I’d be here all day describing them but stay after class for a moment and we’ll discuss your situation in particular.”
“As the question about mage death, I believe it will mostly answer itself but we’ll revisit at the end just in case. In 1809, Richard Varrisean developed the Limited Capacity model, also known as the Varrisean model, and is the primary model among the magical function theories. Varrisean stated that magic exists in the natural world and all living organisms have the potential to connect with it but only some do. Those that do connect, or Awaken as we now call it, draw magical potential from around them and store a finite amount inside themselves. Once a mage has filled their reserves, the mage may expend this potential in the form of magic and thus the process begins anew.” The screens behind him flickered again and a flow chart popped up on screen, depicting the outline of a body holding a wand with arrows depicting the flow of magic. “A mage manages the faucet to these reserves with their control, allowing the appropriate amount of magic to be applied through the vessel that is the focus for safe and efficient handling.”
“As comprehensive as this model is however, it fails to describe three areas of spell casting. The first is relatively small, just the difference between Primaries casting verses Secondaries and Tertiaries. Primaries do not need a focus because of the close nature of their bonds where as Secondaries and Tertiaries suffer without them.” The screens behind him flickered and each held a different image: The first was a mage missing a hand, another a mage with welts and hives covering her face, the third was a boy with glowing veins, and the last was statue with empty eye sockets and mouth agape. “The other two issues, Dissonance and Resonance, are far more severe. Dissonance occurs when the mage and magic are at odds and the resulting friction generates enough magical backlash that it overwhelms the mage’s control. The images above me are only a few examples of Dissonance, the left two mild versions and the right two extreme versions. In those, everything but the man’s eyes were turned to stone and the boy’s blood was turned entirely into firefly luciferin and luciferase.”
“The Dissonance effect is what developed the standard rules for most foci. With Secondary and Tertiary affinities, there is always a small amount of negative feedback but it is negligible, the focus neutralizes the blow. However, Dissonance is a far larger feedback loop and usually destroys the focus in question. Secondary and Tertiary, and likewise presenting Conditionals, are all at risk for developing Dissonance but it isn’t incredibly common. In order for Dissonance to occur, the mage in question must either be attempting something without the necessary focus or have started something far outside their skill range.” Manuel smiled reassuringly at some of the pale faces in the lecture. “Like I said, Dissonance isn’t common. Focus guidelines have been developed since the discovery and classification of the effect to help prevent it. First, a focus should be made of a hard metal, wood, or crystal. Stone doesn’t particularly care for moving magic normally and fabric and soft metals, like gold, will break down beneath even the simplest spell. Second, a mage should have an emotional attachment to the focus. The emotional history will help the magic travel through and reduce the friction between mage and magic since the magic will recognize the mage in the material.”
“I see a few Primary affinities looking a bit relieved. It’s true. Dissonance has never occured with a Primary or Primary-presenting affinity. The mage and magic are practically one in these affinities, which is why they can cast without foci. These affinities suffer no feedback and so are safe handling their magic directly. But they are not without their dangers.” The images behind him changed, a video playing of a water mage pooling all of the rain from a storm above a forest with a bright smile and a laugh before she just vanished. All of the water came crashing down, flooding the forest and the video stopped. “Resonance is the opposite side of the coin and traditionally affects Primary and Primary-presenting affinities. During Resonance, the magic and its mage work in perfect tandem and trigger a chain reaction in which the magical energy is replaced as quickly as it is used, effectively removing the Limited Capacity model’s focal point. Mages under the effects of Resonance command the most raw power with none of the finesse we instill. Arguably, a mage can never be more power than themselves in Resonance but that much magical energy begins to degrade the physical form. Those addicted to the state, mostly Primaries but a few cases of Secondary and Tertiary affinities have been reported, find themselves disappearing; a kidney, a liver, entire bones, until finally, they cease to exist. Foci can help prevent this, adding a degree of separation between mage and magic, and so can maintaining control over your magic.”
“These are terrifying but as long as you focus on your mastery classes and maintain your focus, you will be able to avoid these disastrous ends. Have your questions been answered?” Manuel addressed the room and looked back up at Salem.
Vampires
“Ah, youth.” Dame Patel chuckled at the pair’s interaction. She curtsied neatly to Amaris first, putting the actor’s question on the back burner for the time being. “To a degree, mortals will always resent their new masters if they grew up among other mortals. They often adjust poorly to sudden changes in their lifestyle and time should always be given for them to see we know best. Like a child who resents their parents when the parents take away the child’s favorite toy, mortals rail against our decisions for a while as they adjust. It falls to us to accept that with the grace and dignity our status grants us.”
“Particularly resilient mages may require hard limitations and a clear punishment and reward system for disregarding the aforementioned boundaries . This manner works best to cultivate dependance and instill manners in a mage who struggles to accept their new position. These limits, rewards, and punishments should be clear and well defined, sat down and discussed, and possible written by the mage so they have easy reference. This reduces confusion or misunderstandings which will lead to additional frustration in our pets and they already have plenty of stressors, no need to add more during this confusing time in their lives. Poor things.” Dame Patel sighed at the thought. “While using a rewards and punishment system, there are a few ways to introduce your mage to them. I always recommend using positive reinforcement rather than negative. Give treats, days off, and other things your pet enjoys, special foods or candies, but make sure they do not have access to those on the regular. If a mage has access to your treats without you, they lose their effectiveness very quickly. Some vampires find removing most of a mage’s previously expected independence, stripping them of their private quarters for example, and then rewarding them with these over time is an effective method. It is not my favorite but it has worked historically, serving as a reminder that their lives are in our capable hands now.”
“If this is a method you choose to employ, discuss it in detail. Tell them firmly but accept their feedback. Punishment severity should match the rewards they may earn but should also be fair and easily connected to the violation. In all of this, communication is key. Discuss why these will help, explain where you see the mage being after they successful complete their training. Mortals do not work well without clear, defined orders and expectations and they will more quickly learn to appreciate your efforts if they are aware of the results you are trying to achieve and feel like they have an active role in the proceedings. Dame Patel smiled sweetly as her mage, petting him gently as she spoke. “Remember, focus first on developing pride for an accomplishment over frustration at a failure.”
“And what a perfect time to transition! Our little ones are such social creatures, thriving better when they have a flock to frolic with. They come home with smiles and stories, and what warms the heart more than a happy pet at home? Dame Patel chuckled fondly. “Mages, with their talent for self destructive tendencies, must have their circles carefully curated and groomed before they are allowed to branch out on their own. It is important to surround you mage with individuals who will benefit your mage rather than benefit from them.
“While considering how to best allow our little ones to interact, we must first consider their temperment. An extroverted mage will find themselves doing best in regular group situations, finding energy and meaning in their place in a social hierarchy. These mages are often the worst at establishing long term, meaningful relationships and I highly recommend letting them start their own groups then culling their social circle, much like trimming unwanted branches and leaves off a growing tree.” Dame Patel clicked her tongue thoughtfully for a moment. “On the other hand, these mages may get wrapped up in the social situations and it will be important that you as their caretaker ensure they are resting appropriately, taking breaks before the poor darlings exhaust themselves or exhaust others.”
“Introverted mages are an entirely different breed, requiring precise time management. Introverted mages are often more work but in the end, generally shine more brilliantly when with those whose company they enjoy. It is imperative to remember that introverted mages are far more resistant to growing their social circles, easily succumbing to social exhaustion, but this is still a critical component to their mental well being. Do not let them seclude themselves away. No matter how they feel about it in the beginning, all mortals are social creatures and they will suffer if left without a flock.” She smiled at the room, starting to pace. “In either situation, communication and constant observation are critical to the successful social placement. Discussing potential friends and mates and observing those individuals will make deciding who to allow your pet to interact with a far easier task. Make sure to pay special attention to those your mage doesn’t mention―they always try to hide someone―because those may be the most destructive influences on your mage.”
“Actually, the mortals have a quaint analogy for extroversion and introversion. They liken these states to an battery―Albert was a dear and explained what a battery was―in which extroverts recharge during their socialization and expend additional energy while alone whereas the introvert is the exact opposite. It is important to learn the signs your pet exhibits and adjust their social times accordingly.”
“There are three major criteria you should consider while grooming your pet’s social circles. First, do they motivate and support your little one? These social circles are small support groups for your pet and it is imperative none of them are draining and belittling your mortal. Second, do they make your pet happy? If the individual makes your pet miserable, it will poison the entire group and effectively force you to remove your pet from it and start fresh. Finally, does your pet benefit their group? Mortals thrive when they are useful and needed and if your little one isn’t thriving, it may be they need to cultivate new skills to find their place in the flock once again.”
“Wrong.” Ms. Talney moved wickedly quick and the metal met Jory’s hand in the blink of an eye. “If you will recall, your blood was completely drained from your body and your breathing stopped entirely. Clinically, you were dead and now you are not, thus undead by the definition of the word. However, you are correct partially. Although the cells are still technically functioning, vampiric cell mitosis and mortal cell mitosis are incredibly dissimilar. The true cause of aging is unknown; however, mortal genetic codes degreade and mutate as they divide, leading to flaws and failures that gradually become more and more visibly apparent. Vampiric mitosis is perfect, in that every part of the original cell is duplicated without failure. Because of this, a turned vampire’s body will always retain the same issues it had in mortal life. A poor healed broken nose from a mortal life? A vampire will always have it. A limp from a mortal life? A vampire will always have it. Missing limb from a mortal life? A vampire can never regenerate it.” The vampire moved back to the front of the room, writing on the board as she spoke.
“It is also different because vampires do not naturally generate scar tissue. For example, in mortal connective tissue, a tear results in scarring dependant on the severity of damage. The replaced collagen, the primary structural protein of connective tissue, suffers different structural patterns. Where the collagen in normal, undamaged connective tissue is a random basketweave, the new scar tissue’s collagen is cross linked and in a singular direction. Vampiric regeneration perfectly mimics that which was before, and while it can not fix scar tissue existing before the Embrace, it will never develop new scar tissue.” Ms. Tinley finished writing, turning back around and staring at Jory. “The short of it is no, you no longer have that luxury.”
“Ms. Tinley? If vampire cells die immediately, how do we know all this?” Hilda spoke up timidly, nervously adjusting the moon pin in her hair before slipping her hands under the desk. Ms. Tinley turned her attention to the girl and stopped next to the desk, staring at her for a few moments before turning away. The girl let out a shaky breath as quietly as she could, slipping her hand in her pants pocket and fiddling with something.
“That is the correct question. How do you study cellular activity in something that turns to dust the second it is removed and when it is mostly illegal to experiment on vampires predating the Treaty?” Ms. Tinley returned to the front of the class. “You are no longer mortals. You will be beset on all sides by bored, tired, and frustrated immortal beings looking for any advantage they may gain over their enemies or for a brief moment of amusement in a long, unbroken chain of boredom. The inherent trust and naivety must be abandoned and you must learn to always question where the information came from, always question how in came to be, and always question who is providing it and why.”
“In this instance, we know about vampiric regeneration because in 1233 a Houseless Lord committed hundreds of turnings in the name of science. He tortured and studied these new vampires as much as he could and turned them out into the sun once he was done with them. He provided a vast majority of the documentation and observations that would later be compared to mortal biology and develop a comprehensive look at vampiric biology. Experimentation on vampires of any age was strictly forbidden even before the Treaty formally established the law.” Tinley began pacing the room again, eyes sweeping over the class. “Thankfully, the five Noble Houses obliterated the Lord and his entire bloodline after consfisctating his work.” She glanced at the grandfather clock on the back wall.
Location: Red Guard Mobile Unit - Sydney, Australia Skills: N/A
James didn’t bother responding. This was why he refused to commit full time to this team―a regular inability to plan, follow through, and adjust on the fly. It made his head hurt and he often forgot why he bothered coming at all if no one cared about protocol. Why be prepared and make the job easy? He let out a soft sigh and refocused. He still had a job to complete.
He followed the group outside, making sure the wire was recording and adjusting the taser. On his way out, he stopped by his briefcase and pulled out the bypass tools he used when he picked up a junk car for parts but there wasn’t a key. Windows could be recycled too; no point in breaking them if he didn’t have too.
When they reached the back door, James pulled out the four piece kit and promptly dropped them in front of the door, muttering a long string of curses under his breath as he worked at the door lock. It took longer than he would have liked but he did eventually figure it out, the door clicking as he put away his tools. He stepped away, allowing someone else to take point. Stealth in an enclosed, quiet place was not his forte. He was a crowds type of guy.
Username: Whispering Willow Real Name: Naomi Katsuri Smith Title: Gender: Female Age: 23
Despite the obvious origins of her name, Naomi was born into the typical nuclear american family- suburban house, white picket fence, one dog, one cat, an older brother, and two parents borderline obsessed with anime. Although not to the extent her family enjoyed it, Naomi naturally gravitated towards watching anime and rather learned to enjoy it. She quickly developed a love for animation and poured most of her efforts into her artistic skills. Her parents thoroughly encouraged her passion.
In her day to day life, Naomi lived quietly. She enjoyed drawing and painting, reading when the mood struck, playing competitive video games with her older brother and friends. She loathed academics and skated by in school, fluctuating between a low B and high C average. She didn’t put herself out there in her social life but when others approached her, she didn’t hesitate to make friends.
And they saw the rage. The rage of a 5’ 1” girl in a family of average height people. Pure spite fueled her as she climbed on a counter after her brother stuck the cereal on top of the refrigerator and ate all of it dry while looking at him dead in the eye. Spite kept her going when she had to ask a store attendant to grab something off the top of the shelves in grocery and department stores. When she was younger, it was a problem. She blew up at every inconvenience and planned petty revenges.
Her brother eventually introduced her to video games as an outlet for her frustrations. Initially drawn to muscular frontline fighters and tanks, she found she didn’t particularly care for the play style and tried a wide variety of support and eventually settled on the power rush healers provided. Still playing as strong, powerful looking females, many parties expected her to be supportive and caring. Wrong! Naomi rips on people for poor playing, bullies DPS into avoiding AoEs, and overall yells until the party stops being stupid.
Naomi picked up Talrae with a group of friends she enjoyed playing video games with and spent forever on her character creation. She now runs dungeons with her friends fueled by spite for being forced to live in a fantasy world as her short self instead of the wonderful avatar she spent hours perfecting.
Chakra Magic (1) - User restores a small amount of MP in target. 0MP. Action Cost: 1 - Cool Down: 1minute Cleanse Magic (2) - Remove one negative status caused by magic from target ally or self. 100MP. Action Cost: 2 - Cool Down: 30 seconds Mana Payback (3) - Every time user casts any spell, there is a 10% chance of recovering 50% of spent mana. Passive. Weaken Magic (4) - User makes target spell deal 10% less damage. 150MP. Action Cost: 2 - Cool Down: 1 minute Combine Disciplines (5) - If the user has access to 2 or more Fundamental Disciplines, user may cast this spell to create a new one. Pick 2 or more Fundamental spells and fabricate a spell that is appropriate and send it to the GM for approval. User may keep only 1 spell created through "Combine Discipline" at any point. The Action Cost and Cool Down is determined after the spell is created. 200MP. Arcane Resistance (6) - User and any friendlies within a short distance gain 5% spell resistance. Passive. Blue Potion Affinity (7) - Next time User drinks Blue Potion, the effect is doubled. 100MP. Action Cost: 4 - Cool down: 2 minutes Mana Drain (8) - User makes target immediately lose 10% MP. 300MP. Action Cost: 4 - Cool Down: 5 minutes Copy Magic (9) - User may copy and cast target spell if the spell level is lower than User. 400MP. Action Cost: 5 - Cool Down: 2 minutes Spell Essence Collector (10) - User gains 150MP whenever any nearby friendlies cast a Spell. Passive. Greater Chakra Magic (11) - User restores a moderate amount of MP in target. 0MP. Action Cost: 5 - Cool Down: 2 minute Double Casting (12) - User may cast 2 spells at the same time, provided they are level 11 or lower Pure Magic Discipline spells. This only counts as casting the one with a higher AC. Passive. Cancel Magic (13) - User counters one spell lower than Level 13. 300MP. Action Cost: 3 - Cool Down: 2 minutes Boost Intel (14) - User gains +15 INT. Passive.
Strengthen (1) - Target gains 5% Strength for a 30 seconds 50MP. Action Cost: 1 - Cool Down: 1 minute Healing Beam (2) - User emits a healing beam of light to a target, healing low amount. 100MP. Action Cost: 2 - Cool Down: 15 seconds Attuned to One’s Body (3) - User gains 100HP whenever they cast a spell from the Body Discipline. Passive. Enfeeble (4) - User saps strength from target. Target loses 5% Strength for 30 seconds. 100MP. Action Cost: 3 - Cool Down: 1 minute Restore Vitality (5) - User heals all nearby allies for a low amount. 250MP. Action Cost: 3 - Cool Down: 30 seconds Essence Gain (6) - User gains +100MP every time they heal by using spells from the Body Discipline. Does not activate with “Attuned to One’s Body”. Passive. Quicken (7) - Target gains 10% Agility for 30 seconds 200MP. Action Cost: 4 - Cool Down: 2 minutes Sap Energy (8) - Target loses 10% Agility for a few seconds. 200MP. Action Cost: 4 - Cool Down: 2 Minutes Greater Healing Beam (9) - User emits a healing beam of light to a target, healing moderately. 300MP. Action Cost: 5 - Cool Down: 30 seconds Pulse of Life: A pulse of healing energy radiates from the mage, restoring a moderate amount of health to all allies. 500 MP Action Cost: 7 - Cool Down: 2 Minutes Greater Strengthen (11) - Target gains 15% Strength for 30 seconds. 200MP. Action Cost: 6 - Cool Down: 3 minutes Improved Healing (12) - User's healing spells are increased by 10%. Passive. Instill Tenacity (13) - Target's Natural Resistance is increased by 5% for two minutes. 150MP. Action Cost: 4 - Cool Down: 4 minutes Ability Drain (14) - User makes target lose 10% Strength and 10% Agility. 600MP. Action Cost: 6 - Cool Down: 5 minutes Coalescence Beam (15) - User fires a beam of light, dealing moderate damage to enemies but moderately healing friendlies. 300MP. Action Cost: 7 - Cool Down: 2 minutes
Intimidate (1) - User intimidates nearby opponents, reducing Natural Resistance by 5%. 100MP. Action Cost: 1 - Cool Down: 1 Minute Telekinetic Move (2) - User moves target in target direction. If the target is a friendly, they move twice the distance. 100MP. Action Cost: 2 - Cool Down: 30 seconds Mind Shock (3) - Any opponents affected by Mind Discipline spells have a 5% chance to be stunned for 15s in addition to other affects. Passive. Disrupt Missile (4) - User attempts to disrupt target ranged attack, its accuracy is reduced by 5%. 100MP. Action Cost: 2 - Cool Down: 1 inute Empower Mind (5) - User regenerates 300 MP in target. If the target is at maximum MP, target's maximum MP increases by 300 briefly. 200MP. Action Cost: 4 Cool Down: 2 minutes Mind’s Eye(6) - User gains +10 Intelligence for a minute after casting a Mind Discipline spell. Passive.
Nether Pull (1) - Target is pulled towards the User by shadow energy. 100MP. Nether Push (2) - Target is pushed away from the User by shadow energy. 100MP. Hidden in the Shadows (3) - Whenever user casts a spell from the Darkness Discipline, user becomes covered in shadows, making them harder to see and hit. Passive. Darken Vision (4) - User disrupts target’s vision with darkness. Affected Unit’s targets gain 3% evasion chance.. 100MP. Shadow Raze (5) - User razes an area in front of them with shadow energy, dealing moderate damage. 200MP. Attuned to the Night (6) - User slowly regenerates mana during nighttime. 50 mana per hour. Passive. Shadow Bind (7) - User holds down target's shadow, freezing target in position for a while. 200MP. Silent Night (8) - User silences target so that they may not cast any spells for a while. Can only be cast during nighttime. 300MP. Night Vision (9) - User gains near-perfect night vision. Passive.
Sprint (1/Universal) - User's running speed increases by a bit for a few minutes. 50MP. Bounty (1/Universal) - User gains D10 extra Renn whenever they receive Renn from GM. Passive. Clear Mind (5/Universal) - User gains +10 Intelligence for a while. Can only be used once a day. 200MP. Evade Missile (5/Universal) - User evades incoming ranged attack. +20% evasion chance. 100MP. Greater Bounty (5/Universal) - User gains D10 extra Renn whenever they receive Renn from GM. Stacks with Bounty. Passive. Greater Dash (10/Universal) - User dashes to a close location incredibly quickly. +20% Evasion Chance.. 150MP. Grand Bounty (10/Universal) - User gains D10 extra Renn whenever they receive Renn from GM. Stacks with Bounty and Greater Bounty. Passive.
Cloth Armor Glove of Magi: +5 Int, +200 Mana Common clothes Cloak of Magi: +150 Mana Sorcerer's Shoes: +100 Mana Teleport Ring: 1/day wear may teleport a short distance. Ring of Protection: Wear gains a small damage reduction. Wand of Affinty: -25 Mana Cost Staff of insight: -100 Mana for Pure Magic spells. Ancient Mage's Taliman: 2/day restores 100% mana and 20% health. Blue Potion (2): Restores 15% of Maximum MP. Paint and Brush Canvas Messenger Bag First Aid Kit 1 Wolf Pelt (Rare) 4 Crystal (Rare) Cloth Armor (Mythic)
The battlefield fell silent as a new light radiated across the field, pulsing from a door dominating the skyline. Ornate designs swirled along its wooden surface, golden foliage and silver insects shifted and flowed over crumbling ruins. A winged lancer gazed down upon the world depicted and spears of gold spun around her. Armano swept through the players, an irritable healer following him as his health ticked upwards, and knocked gently, the rap of knuckles against wood booming like a gong.
The winged lancer drove her lance down the middle of the door and a line of brilliant light followed her, spreading outwards until the door shattered and an open portal to the next level remained. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed through the opening. The brief flashes of light revealed a muddy road, lined with a few plant covered buildings and dark figures rushing between the buildings. Little more could be made out in the dark of the thunder storm.
As the portal opened fully, a series of pop ups appeared in front of every player in the room.
Foglands Unlocked. Reliquia Map Unlocked.
Severe Weather Alert. Find Shelter Immediately. Inns Available: River Run Inn, The Verdant, The Tipsy Troodon
As soon as the messages cleared, a bright flash took over the field and suddenly it was dark. The door vanished and the ruined goblin city were replaced by the dark and raining city of Reliquia. A small glass disk floated above a large stone platform where the door once stood.
Location: Alleyway near Coldstones -> Morlock Tunnels Skills: N/A
James nodded and put his hand on the man’s wrist, frowning slightly in concentration. His eyes unfocused, his heartbeat matching with the man’s and roaring in his ears, his breathing grew short, and then- Nothing. James blinked briefly as he shook his head, his breathing still fast, and he sighed at the still remaining injury. He didn’t have as good a handle on this as he thought apparently.
“Uh, well that didn’t go exactly like I hoped. I’m sorry.” James apologized as he scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, moving into the portal. “Maybe I can help you get some ice after the supply run and I patch up their electrical system? Or try again? Never tried a second time.” James could feel the back of his ears burning, the embarrassment scalding. That was pathetic; it’s just a black eye. He really needed to spend some time working on that apparently but electrical systems first. Electrical systems first. Those he could do just fine.
Requiem
Location: The Luxury Skills: N/A
Click.
Click.
Click.
Requiem grimaced as a flare of pain flashed lanced through his leg but faded rather quickly. The slight rocking of the boat didn’t particularly agree with his bad leg but he’d suffered through worse. A little pain wouldn’t stop him from honoring an engagement with the white king. His cane tapped along as he limped with a dignity he’d managed to regain just recently. The smell of lobster drifted his way and his stomach did grumble but first an aperitif, a martini should prime the pallet perfectly for lobster, and business.
“A moment please.” Requiem smiled at a server, catching his attention with a slight wave. “A dry martini with a twist please, naked if you can. I would greatly appreciate it.” Requiem turned his attention back to Dr. Shaw, a contemplative furrow in his brow. “Something tells me these vacancies may be less than optional and if that is the case Dr. Shaw, you have my full attention.”
The freshman class rose as the bell rang, the other students mostly ignoring it and continuing on with their meals. The campus grounds were quiet and still until students poured out of the dining hall and made their way to their respective classes.
Mages
Both of them got a brief text message that informed them their Human Psychology class had been moved to the Nightingale Hall for the day.
“Welcome in, welcome in!” A cheerful woman at the front of the room called from the front of he room as students started entering. Carina Tinley, as her name plate said on her desk, stood beaming at everyone, hands tucked neatly in front of her as she watched. Her fingers fiddled gently with the fabric of her dress but soon enough she was off, the dress fluttering at her ankles as she picked up a small stack of papers and started walking around, passing them out. A sapphire necklace, unusually tight around her neck, glinted in the lecture hall’s light.
“Oh I’m so excited! Three years teaching and I still am so happy to have landed an early morning lecture!” Carina chuckled as she went around. Her voice carried evenly across the room despite where she was speaking without growing in volume. “You’ll understand next semester when you have more control over your schedules. Say goodbye to those pesky 9pm classes. Well, if the upperclassmen let you.” She finished her task and returned to the front with a little twirl as she beamed at everyone again.
“Oh, so many new faces! I love meeting new people! But no more chit chatting, time for class!” Unlike the other classes, this room had four monitors behind her and she took a moment to make sure they were all on before continuing. “Welcome to Spell Theory 101, your first in a long line of classes that’ll teach you all about the fundamental principles and applications of magic and then begin teaching arcane magic! Isn’t that exciting? If fact, I’ll have the honor of teaching you your very first one, the Tenebris Lux spell, informally known as Dark Eyes!”
“If everyone would take a quick second to look over your syllabus, you’ll notice a long list of expectations, dates, and other fun information like what format to submit the few papers we have. It is posted on Blackboard, our wonderful online facilitation program, in case you lose it but let's take a look at some of the fun stuff on there.” The images on the four screens moved in tandem, the syllabus popping up and scrolling down to a date that said “Mid-Year Practical Exam” in big, bold, and hot pink font. “Now this here is a real doozy! During your time here at the Academy, you’ll be tested on your level of magical mastery through these fun little Practicals! Every Practical changes based on the spells being tested and will always include your vampire in one way or the other. This one here will require you to guide a slightly impaired partner out of the woods in the middle of the night so Dark Eyes will be an incredibly important spell.” The screens scrolled again, stopping on a small block labelled Office Hours and Practical Practices. “In the event you have questions, comments, or want to do some extra practice, my office is in the upper floor of Onyx. Can’t miss it; it is the only one covered in all sorts of decorations.” She laughed at it before the screens switched images, the question “What is Magic” displayed prominently.
“So the most important question of all: What is Magic? Well, it’s not easy to describe but magic has been defined as a natural phenomenon in which organisms manipulate their environment in a manner inconsistent with their biological capacities. This definition originally said “humans” but was amended to living organisms after several documented cases of plants, animals, and even some bacteria displayed magical aptitude.” The image screens shifted and each one showed a different picture of varying quality: a macaw breathing fire, a stag with an arrow through its eye and whose antlers glowed green, a fishing swimming through a city in a bubble of water, and rain pouring from beneath the leaves of an oak tree. “Because of their rarity, little is known about how magical aptitude manifests in non-humanoid organisms but magic does, for some reason, appear in other species. What causes their abilities to surface? How do they control them instinctively whereas we rigorously train?” Carina shrugged.
“However, what we do know is elements fall into four tiers,” The screens behind her changed each on labelled with a few examples of elements. “Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and finally, the Conditionals. Our current model organizes Affinities in relation to the four Primaries: Water, Earth, Air, and Fire. The Primaries are the most frequently manifested affinities among mages and are the easiest of all the tiers to control. Mages who manifest these affinities share the closest and strongest bond with their magics, often able to conjure their elements shortly after their Awakenings. It’s this effortless connection that is the tripping point in a primary affinity’s arcane studying; arcane magic strips away the elemental aspect into raw magical energy and the primary affinities are incredibly resistant to that process. Advanced arcane major classes often have a course dedicated to primary affinities. If you’re one of them, good luck!” She beamed at everyone in the class, her grin nearly a smirk.
“Following those, are the Secondary Affinities! We called them the Combinations because they’re categorized as a relationship between two Primary Affinities. Electricity for example is considered a Secondary Affinity because it has magical traits of both Air and Fire. Plant and Ice, earth and water and water and air respectively, are also Secondary affinities. These affinities begin to lose the natural degree of control the primary affinities have and begin displaying the tertiary personality traits that make them difficult to manage.” Carina walked under the third screen, titled Tertiary Affinities. A long list, including metal, gravity, and posion, surrounded the title.
“Tertiary affinities are arguably the most difficult to master. Our model organizes these by subsection of the Primaries rather than a direct connect to them. For example, Metal displays many of the same magical signatures as Earth but focuses far more on its rigidity rather than its potential. Due to this, these affinities take on their own traits and this more often than not creates some degree of friction between the mage and their magic. In order to reduce this friction, tertiary mages have to spend time either figuring out their affinity or finding a divinist.” Carina continued. “It is important to note―test question!―that affinities have as many differing personality traits as mages can have so often times those struggling with their magic in the beginning are Tertiary affinities. Not always but mostly.”
“And finally, we have the Conditionals. These affinities don’t have magical signatures or behaviors that stay within the bounds of our accepted model. The most notables are Light, Shadow, and Life. They are known as Conditionals because all of the expressions of magic we’ve discussed fluctuate outside of the norm for the other three categories. Their behaviors depend far more on external stimuli while maturing than the others so these affinities can be tricky to master or they can be just as compliant as the Primary affinities.” Carina looked around the class. “Floor is open to questions before we go into the Alfonsi model!”
Watching students wander in, Professor Hayes stood at attention with a frown etched deeply in his face. An embroidered dark green robe, gold flowers and vines chasing the fall lines, hung over his vest and dress shirt. He held a small book, the screens behind him still dark. He stayed perfectly still until every student took their seat and even the normal murmuring quieted.
“My name is Professor Hayes and I will be your Spell Theory 101 instructor. Your syllabus is on Blackboard; I have no intention of wasting paper and ink. You will find your first assignment on Blackboard is reading and agreeing to it. Other than that, I will not use it. I will not use screens or projections or any other fancy teaching crutch. I recommend you pay close attention or you run the risk of missing something.” Hayes took a second to look over the group.
“The purpose of this class is to explore the machinations behind magic and although I will present you with the most recent information, Spell Theory is always changing. Magic is a difficult phenomenon to categorize because we have little hard data. Data comes in the form of feelings and expressions; little comes in the way of measurements. Yet it is still our duty as mages to understand it to the best of our abilities.” Hayes started pacing as he spoke, periodically looking up at the group.
“The first question spell theory seeks to answer is what is magic? Its definition says a natural phenomenon in which organisms manipulate their environment in a manner inconsistent with their biological capacities. Creatures of any species have the capability to manifest magical aptitude but the conditions for that remain largely unknown. There are a few hypotheses but with so little data, it is difficult to prove anything.” Hayes flipped a page in his book, scanning it briefly before returning to the lecture.
“What we do know is magic manifests itself into a multitude of affinities, defined as a specific expression of magic. Scholars of spell theory have organized these affinities in a four tier system, creatively named the Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and the Conditionals. Each section shares similarities in control and bonding with traits developing the further away from the Primary Affinities a mage is.” Hayes rubbed absently at his wrist, the hint of a grimace replacing his frown. “Fire, Water, Air, and Earth comprise the Primary affinities. These magics bond quickly, if not instantly, with their mage and respond to even the slightest change in will so much so almost all Primary mages can cast without a focus through the entirety of their lives. Of course, this bond impedes many Primary arcane classes since they struggle to separate the elemental component of their magic from the raw force.”
“Secondary affinities are also known as Combination Affinities. The defining features of a Secondary affinity are two fold. First, the affinity must display the majority characteristics of two Primary affinities. Secondly, the affinity must also display the beginnings of a Tertiary trait. Ice, plant, and electricity are all secondary affinities. Although they share the Primaries’ characteristics, often times their functional fluidity and willing responsiveness, the tertiary trait development demands they use a focus almost from the start. Whereas the Primaries develop resonance, Secondaries and above create dissonance and that negative feedback must be cushioned by a focus to avoid damaging the mage.” He took a sip of water from a glass on his desk. “We’ll discuss more on magical resonance and dissonance during our next discussion point so save your questions for then.”
“Moving on to Tertiary affinities and this is where the vast majority of our struggling mages fall. Tertiary affinities are organized by connection to a Primary, becoming a subsection of a specific part. Metal is a common Earth Tertiary while Poison is a common Water Tertiary. Tertiary affinities develop what we call a personality, a key trait that forces the mage to adhere to if they want their magic to work. More often than not, the mage and the magic are at odds and must find a resolution to their issues before they can move forward with their education. The Academy strongly suggests mages spend time reflecting on themselves and their experiences but a Diviner can be used to help things along at early stages. However, it is this disconnect that forces Tertiary mages to struggle and sometimes the intrusion of a third party will only widen the divide between magic and mage.”
“Finally, there are the Conditional affinities. These are the outliers because they often change depending on the situations. Light, Shadow, and Life all fall into this category. Their connection to their mage often changes depending on the circumstances of their life. They tend to act like Secondary affinities but they have the capacity to morph into Primary or Tertiary affinities. Studies are still ongoing to determine if the conditions between all the Conditional stages can be quantified.” He paused, looking around the room expectantly. “We are keeping up, correct?”
A mage sat at the front of the lecture hall, sitting upright in their wheelchair with a soft smile as the students filled in. The mage was bald, a series of intricate geometric tattoos decorating their scalp and falling down over their right eye. The right eye glinted oddly in the light and continued the geometric pattern rather than having a pupil while the left eye roved over the student body. The mage’s hands were folded neatly in his plain purple robes as he waved to the few students who greeted him. A vampire reclined at the instructor’s desk, eyes shut and perfectly still.
“Thank you all for coming. I am Dr. Arjun and that is my partner, Gregor. You can ignore him most of the time. He’ll likely do the same.” Dr. Arjun smiled as he spoke, his voice soft but managing to carry effortlessly. “However, you may call me Manuel. I find a first name basis makes it easier to ask for help when you need it. We’ll review the syllabus quickly so please turn your attention to the monitors above my head. And let me know if something is off on the screens. Turning around in this is too much effort to do it every time we change subjects.” The screens behind him popped up an image of the syllabus.
“You will find your copy on blackboard if you wish to review it yourself. It has the dates for the few written assignments you will have as well as your two practical dates for the Arcane spells we will be covering in a week or two.” The screen scrolled to a few dates, highlighting them before moving on. “My office hours, email, and phone number are also listed there in case you have any questions about an assignment or want to discuss something we reviewed in class. If you want to use my phone number, please text first. My primary responsibility at the academy is alchemic research and I often forget to silence my phone in the labs so I’m prone to spilling when startled.” He chuckled ruefully. “Otherwise, you may contact me however much you like.”
“Lets move onwards however. So much to cover and so little time to do it. The goal of this class is to prepare you to understand three fundamental concepts: What is magic, How does magic work, and How do we categorize magic. We will be discussing all three over the course of the semester but we’ll summarize a few points many mages often need help understanding in the beginning.” Manuel smiled encouragingly at everyone. “This is a lot to take in, magic and mages and affinities. But we’ll make sure everyone is on the same page by the end of it.”
“So our first question we hope to answer is What is Magic? How do you define a force that relies on feelings and concepts rather than empirical evidence? Well, what we have currently is magic is a natural phenomenon in which organisms manipulate their environment in a manner inconsistent with their biological capacities.” He chuckled at it. “It’s a mouthful and quite vague but there is room for growth in it and that’s all our knowledge of magic has done in the past five centuries. Notice that instead of humans, we’ve used the word “Organisms”. This is because animals and plants also exhibit magical aptitude on occasion.” The image screens shifted and each one showed a different picture of varying quality: a macaw breathing fire, a stag with an arrow through its eye and whose antlers glowed green, a fishing swimming through a city in a bubble of water, and rain pouring from beneath the leaves of an oak tree. “There are no confirmed sightings of non-humanoids displaying more than the Primary affinities but it so doesn’t rule out the possibilities. Research is still on going into the conditions necessary to Awaken these creatures.”
“Now magic is organized into four tiers: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Conditional. The affinities in each tier share similar characteristics that make it a little easier to understand the magics in each group. Earth, Air, Water, and Fire compose the Primary Affinities. This grouping is the easiest to control; it manifests an innate bond with its mage and responds to their will eagerly. They aren’t unlike dogs; they’re eager to love and have fun when they’re puppies but they become the loyalest companion you’ll ever have. Unfortunately, it’s that similarity that makes it difficult to separate the elemental affinity from the raw power for Primaries. Arcane magic is always a struggle but even more so for the Primaries. Primaries, you’ll have to take separate classes later in your schooling for your Arcane major to help with this.” Manuel sent them an apologetic smile.
“Secondary affinities are also known as Combination affinities, in that they exhibit incredible similarities to at least two Primary affinities and display the early stages of trait development as exhibited by Tertiary affinities. Ice and Electricity are two common combination disciplines. While still easily manipulated, the development of traits introduces the mages to the concept of dissonance, a disconnect between the magic and the mage which leads to both physical and mental consequences. This is the primary reason for foci and why the Primaries escape their need.” Manuel clarified, gesturing to a tall staff that leaned behind the vampire. “We’ll discuss Resonance, Dissonance, and Foci more in our discussion on how magic works.”
“For now, we’ll continue on to Tertiary affinities. These affinities are grouped into loose association with the Primaries, displaying some similarities but also fully developing a personality that often clashes with its mage. Although the mage can Awaken, the mage and their magic must find common ground before anything can change. I compare the Tertiaries to cats,” Manuel laughed. “Wanting everything on their terms rather than working with you but when they want affection, it’s always at the least opportune moment. Hopefully, any Tertiaries we have are cat people. They’ll know how to handle it.”
“That is a joke of course. Tertiaries must find some equilibrium with their magic, the disconnect between themselves and their magic is something personal. A diviner can help find the edge of the problem but unless you want a mind mage rooting around in your memories―which you do not, if I may add―Tertiaries must spend time considering their own issues. They don’t have to solve everything but finding the starting point of the issue should be enough to get started.” Manuel looked around somberly. “If you are struggling with your affinity, feel free to contact me. I was in your shoes only a decade ago.”
“And last but not least, Conditionals! These affinities, such as Light, Shadow, and Life, can display as any of the tiers. They most often manifest as Secondaries but they can, on occasion, present as Primaries or Tertiaries. This is the group we understand the least about. Why do they change? What conditions develop a Primary versus a Tertiary? Why a Secondary most frequently?” Manuel shrugged and shook his head. “Spell Theory scholars are still spending extensive time researching this and hopefully we can one day crack the code. What questions do we have so far?”
Vampires
“Good morning my little chickities! Such a wonderful morning it is!” The vampiress at the front of the class exclaimed in a high pitched voice. She wore a long, flowing silk dress that fell off her right shoulder. Heavy scarring covered her upper arm but it was adorned with a fine silver mesh that glimmered as she clapped her hands together excitedly. Her mage sat at the table, typing dutifully on some assignment, eyes flicking over the students before resuming his duties. A thin collar, made entirely of gold and set with a single emerald, sat delicately on his neck but he paid it no mind as he rolled stiffness out of his shoulders. “My name is Anika Patel, Wolfsbane of the Celestial Court, but Dame Patel will do just fine!”
“And do we know why this morning is wonderful? I get to see all of your smiling faces!” She beamed, clapping again, and then curtsied to the row of nobles. “And of course, we are honored the noble houses grace us with their presence. I am pleased to take you through Human Psychology 101, although I doubt I may teach a noble much on the subject.”
“Now, we should get on with our lesson hm? The early bat gets the snack after all. Mortal psychology is a delicate thing. Unlike vampires, they lack the vision and perseverance in our mental states. The littlest things―the wrong word, an absent frown, even a greeting to the wrong person at the wrong time―riddles the poor things with anxiety and jealousy. Mortals require the perfect combination of environmental, social, and internal stimuli to avoid depression, anxiety, anger, and an entire mess of disorders. Misplacing a single one of them can send them careening into an endless abyss from which escape is futile.” She sighed forlornly, gliding over to her mage to caress his cheek. His expression didn’t change as she did, continuing to type away, just tilting his head so she had better access. “Luckily for them, they have such benevolent and attentive masters to guide them dutifully away from such despair. Isn’t that right, Albert?” Albert gave a quiet, “Yes, Dame Patel” and she glided away from him, satisfied.
“As the keepers of our darlings, we must address one of the most common problems that newly Awoken mages face. For the vast majority of their lives, our mages have walked and bathed in the light of the sun. With their new found responsibilities however, this is no longer the case. Such an abrupt change in environmental stimuli, sunlight specifically, often leads to an upset in a mage’s circadian rhythm and disrupt a mage’s melatonin production. The resulting concoction of apprehension and sleep loss will lead directly into one of those abysses we spoke about. This is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD for short, and leads to a variety of complications including substance abuse and depression. Our little darlings don’t deserve such horrific emotions.”
“It’s our duty as their betters to protect them from even their own minds. There are a few ways you can combat this, even with the limited resources the Academy offers for such a nightmarish issue. Firstly, make sure your pet gets plenty of sunlight. I put Albert outside for about an hour at the very least but when he was just a fledgling I put him out for about three hours. I recommend using the dormitory patios for mandatory sunlight time! And if you’re worried your mage may sneak back inside while you fall asleep, I can recommend you a good timer lock. Albert was such a troublesome fledging.” She laughed as she shook her head. Albert slid down in his seat a little at the mention.
“Another thing you should do is brighten up your pet’s room! Keeping a positive and relaxing living space for your mage will help avoid SAD from afflicting your little one. Too many of them enjoy these dark and brooding spaces. Don’t let your pets sabotage themselves. There is a little store in town that sells quaint furnishing by the season. I recommend going through your pet’s plans for furnishings and fixing them with whatever you can find there or ordering something on the online webbing.” Dame Patel waved her hand dismissively. “And take advantage of the mental health services they offer here. Even if your little one has neither a history of issues nor obvious outwards problems, even having a listening ear can help maintain your little mage’s motivation and attitude through a tumultuous time in their lives. Questions about this so far? We’ll be moving onto curating social circles for our mages next so ask away before it escapes!”
Unlike the other classes, the room that held Vampire Biology was small with individual desks rather than raised ones. Only seven students were enrolled in this class, the seven turned that entered the Academy in the freshman class. Each desk touted a nameplate that designated a student’s spot: Minerva, Mary, Hilda, Daniel, Timothy, Algernon, and Joryldin. A frail, weary looking woman, hair tied back in a tight bun and wearing gold spectacles that hung around her neck, ignored her students as she finished writing her letter. Her own nameplate read “Agitha Talney.” Once everyone took their place, she looked up, took in each of her students, and rose with a nod.
“Welcome to Vampire Biology. I expect each of you, in your attempts to become model citizens for your new role, to work diligently to catch up with your pureblood peers. Each of you in this room have special circumstances ranging from the safety of connections,” she glanced at Joryldin and then to Hilda. “To the reparations of a vampiric disgrace but one thing remains true, you have been granted an opportunity to ascend to the ranks of the successful and powerful. You have been lifted from the squalor of mortality into the heights of those which you could once only dream. Rejoice.” She took her glasses off, letting them hang as she folded her pale, veiny hands behind her back.
“However, this grace comes at a cost. Sunlight will burn and dissolve you. It is one of the most painful experiences a vampire can endure. Although you can ingest and imbibe, you’ll regurgitate the food the same way it travelled down your throat before sunrise. Your physical abilities will grow exponentially soon, likely causing problems along the way. A mage gripped too hard, running into unexpecting bystanders―these actions will have consequences but pay attention to my class and you may be able to avoid a certain disciplinary issue.” She stepped down the row of desks as she spoke, cold eyes roving over the students. A sharp crack broke the silence and Algernon yelped as the woman smacked a thin metal rod across the vampire’s knuckles. “A still pen will do you no good here. I will test you on everything that is discussed here in class, including questions and comments your peers make. I highly recommend you pay attention.”
“At this point, vampires created through the Embrace have stopped aging. Mortals believe this false superstition that vampire cells stop dividing, as if mitosis ceases upon the Embrace. This is incorrect. With each division, mortal cells degrade a touch more and their genetic code fails. Vampiric cells only suspend the process of mitosis until an external factor causes cells to break or rupture. In this case, vampiric cells act as if the vampire was killed through beheadment. They wither and decay at a rate dependant on the vampire’s age and then mitosis begins anew.” Ms. Talney returned to the front of the room, the metal rod sticking out from behind her back. “This is how vampire regenerate their own cells when they’ve suffered severe damage, such as a loss of a limb. Blood is converted into lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids and is then used to energize the divisions. Blood must be replaced at a rate equal to consumption so it is important to maintain a sizable mage coterie or ample bottles during these times.” She looked around the room again, eyes still cold but expectant.
“There is an obvious question I’ve left unanswered. I recommend you ask it.”
Location: Red Guard Mobile Unit - Sydney, Australia Skills: N/A
James noted the warning. They should have sent fewer people in, not everyone at once, and now they had them on their guard. Things were already out of hand and James planned to start the contingencies. He left the group without speaking to them, returning to the jet and only sending a single critical look over the drinking going on. James slipped off his jacket, grabbing a shoulder holster and strapping it on before sticking a taser gun in it. His jacket hid it well and he started running a wire on the inside, threading it up under his shirt and letting it sit just inside his jacket collar. The transmitting portion when into the inside pocket.
“The human girl has begun using her magic. The main group is still attempting to move inside the house but I’m going to explore the outside, look for another way in so I’m in position to neutralize any issues that may come up and limit their conventional options of escape.” He reported, leaning over the chair and pulling up the external cameras so he could see what happens next. Hopefully, they’d either cause a scene or successfully infiltrate. Either way, he’d make his move soon. “The boy is suspicious of the group but we have confirmed Dr. Banner is not present.”
Hiya, AChronum here! Although I'm relatively new to rping, I have plenty of writing experience and love trying new genres and styles. I absolutely love high magic fantasy RPs and am pretty much willing to do anything so long as I can create a charaxter, not play an existing one, and develop lots and lots of backstory! I'm perfectly comfortable with all mature themes as well, although smut for smut's sake is out of the question.
Interested in an RP? Send me a PM and have a magically marvelous day!
<div style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Hiya, AChronum here! Although I'm relatively new to rping, I have plenty of writing experience and love trying new genres and styles. I absolutely love high magic fantasy RPs and am pretty much willing to do anything so long as I can create a charaxter, not play an existing one, and develop lots and lots of backstory! I'm perfectly comfortable with all mature themes as well, although smut for smut's sake is out of the question.<br><br>Interested in an RP? Send me a PM and have a magically marvelous day! </div>
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