Moonlit Sonata

The Tides of Arcanum

<Snipped quote by Hedonismbot>

What is this, a picture for ants?

@Freeshooter92

You just need to zoom in. I zoomed in and used my Enhance technology, and uncovered something...frightening.

:OOOOOOO

The Tides of Arcanum

What is "magic"?

This question is one with an answer that, even now, is not known. The word "magic" has come to be entirely vacuous, as occult scholars fritter away with the recent events that have indicated the return of that arcane force. It is impossible to say what magic is, for it is something that you, as a "person", can never hope to truly comprehend.

Magic is something not-human. Magic is something Other. Magic is something transcendent. Magic is something "wrong".

You cannot understand something that is so alien. Your mind cannot weather itself against memories that go beyond what it means to be human.

As a result, magic is not a force. Magic is not a blessing. Magic is not a damnation. Magic is not an idea. Magic is not a concept.

Magic is magic. That is all it can ever be, for the second you take a step outside of that tautological hole, you pay the penalty that lies past the veil of magic. Your mind cannot afford for magic to be anything besides magic.

...however, what if someone's mind is every bit as not-human as this magic?

Humans have moods, vacillations, temperaments, ideals, despairs, hopes. They are a tapestry of mind and body, woven together in an unending dance. So then, something every bit as tautological as the forced human-definition of magic would be equally not-human.

She walked forwards, stopping in front of the predetermined inn. "The Black Foot". Others were being gathered there, termed by the benefactor as her "companions", and yet she already knew the truth. As she entered the inn, she withdrew a coin given to her by the aforementioned benefactor, and spoke to the innkeeper.

"-I'm here for Room Four. Are my sidekicks here yet?"

In this existence's mind, it was not a hero. No, it was something beyond concepts of heroism and morals. It was a hero who possessed "plot armor". It was a main character.

And so, the curtain opened on the adventure of a delusional woman with a silver tongue and a long-winded title. Amelia Alviss, the number one occult expert in the Kingdom of Mortis.

It is for this reason that a being with a mind that is not-human has assigned a definition to magic. Surpassing the limits of "human", she has accomplished this feat as easily as breathing.

Magic is "something fun".

Magic is "something entertaining".

Magic is "something I am an expert of".

And perhaps, most centric of all...

-Magic is "all about the money, money, money".

We don't need your money, money, money.

We just want to make the world dance.

Forget about the price tag.

The Tides of Arcanum

Amelia Alviss

Amelia

"Be honored that an expert of my caliber is bothering with this trash."

Name: Amelia Alviss

Title(s): Infinite Corridor of Finite Concept, Silversmith, "Crazy Magic Chick".

Gender: Female

Age: 34

Personal Information

Personality: An uncommon existence for the reason that, while man is an existence that has moods and vacillations, she is a form of being that is based around a single premise. While she herself may change over the course of life, that original premise will never be departed from. This original premise is that of the purest, most refined form of narcissism. Amelia wholeheartedly views herself as a perfect being in all aspects: ethics, intellect, ability, and so on.
This can be captured best perhaps in her view on riddles. She believes herself to be a peerless riddle solve; however, she is not. Rather, she knows the answer to one riddle. To her, this riddle is "The One True Riddle". All other riddles are viewed by her as "not the real one", and thus they are fake, pointless riddles that don't count. In this way, her ideology remains perfectly self-consistent. Failure cannot possibly be her fault; it can only ever be the fault of others, or of the World.
At the same time, Amelia's ego is every bit as fragile as it is massive. If confronted with unshakeable evidence of inferiority or equality that she cannot maneuver around, she will certainly break. Rather than a reed which may bend without breaking, Amelia's psyche is a tree that will stand hardily and deflect attempts to shatter it, but will undeniably break upon clashing with a greater force. In that sense, she is an exquisite glass figurine at the center of a maelstrom, destined to shatter when the eye of the storm changes. In such an instance, her ego will exist, but lack focus, lack presence. Her mentality in such an instance cannot be predicted, though she will undoubtedly hold on to the vestiges of her prior worldview until her last breath.
Similarly to her attitude on riddles, she considers herself an unquestioned master of the occult, one to whom the veil on the world is lifted and the truth is revealed. This is predictably false. Her occult knowledge is practically zero; however, she is an actual master at "making herself seem correct", and so her words and tales are easily believed. For that reason, she is regarded as an occult expert of the absolute rank, beyond that of the Kingdom, College, and Church alike. Even one who truly knows of the occult would not dare to think that her explanation was wrong. Rather, since they believe something contrary to her, and since she is Amelia Alviss, they must obviously be incorrect, and so as of late, truly knowledgeable occultists have willingly "revised" their records and knowledge in favor of the "true" viewpoint.
Speaks in a florid and overbearing prose-style of speech nine times out of ten, with the tenth being a blunt, crude, and harshly-cut manner of deriding others.

Basic Bio: A little girl raised on a farm. When her parents died, she took over the farm, sold all the animals, and began using the farm as an inn for anyone who passed by on their way to somewhere more important. Later, thanks to her inn-guests believing her and rumors rapidly accelerating, got a reputation as a "magic expert" and has since been "helping" larger organizations in their preparation for the end of the world. Is considered a first-rate magic expert despite knowing nothing. At least the pay's good.

History: -

Skills:

Academia (Basic): Reading, Writing, Arithmetic. Homeschooled by her parents, but it still counts, okay?

Farming (Basic): Agriculture and raising animals. While she can do this on account of being raised by her parents, she considers this boring. Is pretty useless.

Economics (False): Propensity for business. Does not refer to actual knowledge of economic trends. Rather refers to her talent to overcharge people for her services, and things of that ilk. Largely related to Deception.

Survival Skills (Basic): Swimming, climbing, starting a fire, setting up a camp. Basic knowledge for one raised in a rural area; though she lacks much practice, the ability is there.

Combat (Inhuman): Is capable of singlehandedly dueling a one-legged six year old child, and edging out a victory via the combat art of "extension of the leg towards the enemy with rapid acceleration", known in some martial arts circles as "kicking". When facing incomprehensible monsters such as non-crippled children, she has a true talent for running; her speed and endurance are both commendable.

Knowledge of the Occult (Peerless): Does not actually have knowledge of the occult.

Deception (Unfair): Refers both to telling lies and to weaving stories. Her capacity for both is immense; it is no exaggeration to say that this is the only reason she would ever be considered an occult expert. In this way, deception can also be viewed as persuasion, as their premise is one and the same. Oftentimes, such as with occult knowledge, even she is taken to believe her own lies. Even in the face of blatantly contradicting evidence, her lies are easily bought.

Human Observation (Unfair): The ability to understand the nature of a person, to see past deception and masks and pierce through to their true nature. Amelia is at the point of functionally being able to "know" the nature of a person via interacting with or observing them. Also extends to Interrogation, wherein the nature of a person is exploited to produce a desired result, as well as her trademark Deception.

Equipment: A dagger she has nicknamed "Evanescent Durandal". Rope. A bedroll. Two flasks of water so as to not dehydrate. Simple rations so as to not starve (in the form of a few pounds of dried/salted meats). Bandages so as to not bleed out. A flint so as to not freeze. A cloak so as to not worry about rain. A blanket so as to also not freeze. A pot, a bowl and plate stored inside the pot, a pan, and some cutlery, just in case because you never know. 25 silver coins. Everything besides Evanescent Durandal is stored in a pack with a cute little strap.

Magic Sucks [Now with 500% more Witch-Punching]

Waaay ahead of errybody, it seems!

@Freeshooter92

Your character wasn't even homeschooled addition on a farm.

Magic Sucks [Now with 500% more Witch-Punching]

♪

Magic Sucks [Now with 500% more Witch-Punching]

<Snipped quote by SgtEasy>

Sounds like that should be an official rule for this game.

@Alchemical Chimera

~

Look at me, my fists have chainsaws AND GUNS on them! I'll be fine...

@Freeshooter92

~~~~~

Magic Sucks [Now with 500% more Witch-Punching]

<Snipped quote by Moonlit Sonata>

Y-you am the nerd! Nerd!

@Freeshooter92

...d-don't bully me like that. ;-;

Magic Sucks [Now with 500% more Witch-Punching]

Combat is for nerds.

Magic Sucks [Now with 500% more Witch-Punching]

Run, cry, pray, slit your throat, smash yourself into dust, have a party with your friends.

It won't do you any good.

Your god has already descended.

Hider

Amelia

"Be honored that an expert of my caliber is bothering with this trash."

Name: Amelia Alviss

Title(s): Infinite Corridor of Finite Concept, Silversmith, "Crazy Magic Chick".

Gender: Female

Age: 34

Personal Information

Personality: An uncommon existence for the reason that, while man is an existence that has moods and vacillations, she is a form of being that is based around a single premise. While she herself may change over the course of life, that original premise will never be departed from. This original premise is that of the purest, most refined form of narcissism. Amelia wholeheartedly views herself as a perfect being in all aspects: ethics, intellect, ability, and so on.
This can be captured best perhaps in her view on riddles. She believes herself to be a peerless riddle solve; however, she is not. Rather, she knows the answer to one riddle. To her, this riddle is "The One True Riddle". All other riddles are viewed by her as "not the real one", and thus they are fake, pointless riddles that don't count. In this way, her ideology remains perfectly self-consistent. Failure cannot possibly be her fault; it can only ever be the fault of others, or of the World.
At the same time, Amelia's ego is every bit as fragile as it is massive. If confronted with unshakeable evidence of inferiority or equality that she cannot maneuver around, she will certainly break. Rather than a reed which may bend without breaking, Amelia's psyche is a tree that will stand hardily and deflect attempts to shatter it, but will undeniably break upon clashing with a greater force. In that sense, she is an exquisite glass figurine at the center of a maelstrom, destined to shatter when the eye of the storm changes. In such an instance, her ego will exist, but lack focus, lack presence. Her mentality in such an instance cannot be predicted, though she will undoubtedly hold on to the vestiges of her prior worldview until her last breath.
Similarly to her attitude on riddles, she considers herself an unquestioned master of the occult, one to whom the veil on the world is lifted and the truth is revealed. This is predictably false. Her occult knowledge is practically zero; however, she is an actual master at "making herself seem correct", and so her words and tales are easily believed. For that reason, she is regarded as an occult expert of the absolute rank, beyond that of the Kingdom, College, and Church alike. Even one who truly knows of the occult would not dare to think that her explanation was wrong. Rather, since they believe something contrary to her, and since she is Amelia Alviss, they must obviously be incorrect, and so as of late, truly knowledgeable occultists have willingly "revised" their records and knowledge in favor of the "true" viewpoint.
Speaks in a florid and overbearing prose-style of speech nine times out of ten, with the tenth being a blunt, crude, and harshly-cut manner of deriding others.

Basic Bio: A little girl raised on a farm. When her parents died, she took over the farm, sold all the animals, and began using the farm as an inn for anyone who passed by on their way to somewhere more important. Later, thanks to her inn-guests believing her and rumors rapidly accelerating, got a reputation as a "magic expert" and has since been "helping" larger organizations in their preparation for the end of the world. Is considered a first-rate magic expert despite knowing nothing. At least the pay's good.

History: -

Skills:

Academia (Basic): Reading, Writing, Arithmetic. Homeschooled by her parents, but it still counts, okay?

Farming (Basic): Agriculture and raising animals. While she can do this on account of being raised by her parents, she considers this boring. Is pretty useless.

Economics (False): Propensity for business. Does not refer to actual knowledge of economic trends. Rather refers to her talent to overcharge people for her services, and things of that ilk. Largely related to Deception.

Survival Skills (Basic): Swimming, climbing, starting a fire, setting up a camp. Basic knowledge for one raised in a rural area; though she lacks much practice, the ability is there.

Combat (Inhuman): Is capable of singlehandedly dueling a one-legged six year old child, and edging out a victory via the combat art of "extension of the leg towards the enemy with rapid acceleration", known in some martial arts circles as "kicking". When facing incomprehensible monsters such as non-crippled children, she has a true talent for running; her speed and endurance are both commendable.

Knowledge of the Occult (Peerless): Does not actually have knowledge of the occult.

Deception (Unfair): Refers both to telling lies and to weaving stories. Her capacity for both is immense; it is no exaggeration to say that this is the only reason she would ever be considered an occult expert. In this way, deception can also be viewed as persuasion, as their premise is one and the same. Oftentimes, such as with occult knowledge, even she is taken to believe her own lies. Even in the face of blatantly contradicting evidence, her lies are easily bought.

Human Observation (Unfair): The ability to understand the nature of a person, to see past deception and masks and pierce through to their true nature. Amelia is at the point of functionally being able to "know" the nature of a person via interacting with or observing them. Also extends to Interrogation, wherein the nature of a person is exploited to produce a desired result, as well as her trademark Deception.

Equipment: A dagger she has nicknamed "Evanescent Durandal". Rope. A bedroll. Two flasks of water so as to not dehydrate. Simple rations so as to not starve (in the form of a few pounds of dried/salted meats). Bandages so as to not bleed out. A flint so as to not freeze. A cloak so as to not worry about rain. A blanket so as to also not freeze. A pot, a bowl and plate stored inside the pot, a pan, and some cutlery, just in case because you never know. 25 silver coins. Everything besides Evanescent Durandal is stored in a pack with a cute little strap.

Magic Sucks [Now with 500% more Witch-Punching]

Cease the bullshit funny jokes, please.

This is supposed to be about a RP or something.

@Tatsua Aiisen

Whatever you want, senpai~