Omni5876

Jewel of the Skies

Arn awoke. The image of the man, or the flame being, whatever it was still fresh in his mind. The image lingering as if he had gazed into the sun and looked away. He had felt power and while his stomach had tightened at the appraisal, he had not felt fear. Danger yes, but no more than when faced with a powerful storm. He looked down at the sleeping form of his lovely protegee. There were many questions that needed answering.

A knock at the door reminded him that those answers would be required by others. Namely, the ex Knight of the Venray family. Arn knew the man meant no harm. He knew that both he and Eilis owed explanations after the altercations of the night before. Even still, he hated that his charge would be placed on the witness stand.

The battlemage knew enough about Eilis to know she would feel at fault somehow. He had brushed back her hair and gently said in a calm voice. “Eilis, I fear the dawn has come. I hate to wake you from your dreams, especially if they were good ones. However, I believe we have people waiting for us.” As if on cue, the elder maid slowly opened the door. A second, younger maid also entered carrying a change of clothes for the young lady.

Both gave Arn a curtsy as he walked past. The battle mage was reluctant to leave but he knew that she would be relatively safe. Do doubt, measures had been taken. He felt a bit drained, not only from physical lack of sleep, but somehow, his Thread Diving or contact with the flame shadow had drained him too.

Outside the door, he had found one of the footmen. He directed Arn to his room where a change of clothes was also waiting for him. The fine fabric that had been lent to him, charred and ripped. The battlemage could only guess as to how much the fine garment had been worth. He dressed quickly and was led to the library.

Being a man that appreciates reading, the scent of books and the look of the leather bound spines brought memories to him. He wondered if perhaps in these pages he could find an answer or a way to help Eilis escape her prison. Not long after Tyrhallan and Uilles appeared.

The Master Mage had bowed his greetings and given the Knight Captain a quick evaluation to make sure that there was not obvious damage from the attack the night before. The Elder Venray motioned for them to sit.

Questions were asked but there was not much to tell. Nothing that would betray Arn’s promise to his charge. He did not hide the strong connection that existed between them. He even offered and explanation of why he felt so protective of her. He made it quite clear that she was very important to him but expressed that why that was so was unclear even to him. When Uilles promised he would be gentle, there was no reason for Arn to doubt though he still felt irritated by having to put his protegee in that situation.

He felt it in his being when she was close. Validating this feeling, a knock was heard and the young girl entered. The battle mage gave the fair girl an encouraging smile. He reached to her via the Thread but decided to tone it back. After all, he was unsure how much in the surface the shadow being would be. He dove just enough to let her know he was with her.

The Master Mage shared her nervousness but years of military training allowed him to sit rigid and as expressionless as he was able to. He had been a part of very stressful meetings and even been captured by the enemy ones, yet nothing compared to the way the pit in his stomach felt in this situation. He heard her story and tried to stay stoic to prevent her from thinking she had said something wrong.

However, his eyes betrayed his true feelings. There was a sadness to dark pupils of his eyes. Slight changes in his brow from concern, helplessness to anger were the only things visible. Via the Aether however, he was much more active. The undulations of his emotions could be felt by anyone sensitive enough.

Especially when she started to retell her story. Somehow, perhaps due to his slight connection he was keeping with her, but it almost felt like another mind meld. Through her eyes, he saw the events unfolding. The air around him changed drastically at the part of her branding. He could not help but begin to flare up. However, he regained enough control that only the temperature change slightly around him.

How much had he actually known? Had Eilis told him anything of this?

Arn had not known much. Yet, as he discovered the truth he was angry. Angry at himself for not having been able to help her. Angry that a gentle soul such as Eilis had gone through this. Angry that as powerful as he was, he was still helpless like that little boy sitting outside his mother’s room as drunk an vile men ravaged her.

His desire to rid her of the bonds that marred her lovely person burned into his mind and heart like a brand. There was an unspeakable need to free her. It was a way to atone for his inadequacy in protecting his mother, in protecting Eilis and in protecting all those other poor girls who suffered the same fate.

By the time the telling was done he felt exhausted. He had spent his time listening and forcing himself to remain calm and keep himself from burning the place down. As it was, his fingers had been interlocked and so tight was his grip that indentions could actually be seen.

Hate it as he did, he could not help but agree with Uilles regarding how special Eilis was. Not only because he was biased towards her but because her pursuers had been willing to attack her deep inside their enemy’s territory.

When she smiled at him there was nothing but admiration in his eyes. She had gone through so much, her powers were immeasurable and her courage admirable. His body almost moved by instinct. He required to be next to her. As if pulled by gravity, he moved and stood behind her placing encouraging and protective hands on her shoulders. He looked at the two Venray gentlemen. He searched their faces.

The battle mage would not fault them if they required them to leave. After all, harboring such a priceless asset as Eilis is bound to attract the wrong kind of attention. Whether it be the enemy or their own leadership. And so, he awaited their decision. After all, it mattered little. He would still lay down his life to protect her and his ardent goal was to free her.

Jewel of the Skies

Hey, dont worry about cliché's but I get it. I am trying for Arn to not be such one either. As to waking up something I dont want....lol I guess I hope he dont learn the hard way.

We dont really have to play out the probe at night. After all, Arn will trial and error some things. He really want to do something to help her. He might become a bit obsessed over it...

Rise of the Shield Hero - From Another World

The ding of battle brought a quick rush of adrenalin to the young hero. Battling monsters, at least the ones who could not formulate tactics or exploits weaknesses, did not put him on edge as fighting humans. Perhaps it was because Fer knew how ruthless and how cunning humans could be. Animals, or monsters in this world, acted out of instinct. They killed out of necessity and attacked only when threatened or to eat.

As the sword hit against his metal shield and the clang of the impact sent reverberations down his arm, the young lad knew that the man behind the sword wanted to kill him. Not for food, or to protect family but because the heroes were enemies. True, there was a sense of survival but the same sword had ended numerous lives that had not been a threat to the wielder.

Karma had caught up to the bandit as Cole dispatched his friend and moved over to strike at the man. You live by the sword you die by the sword. The old adage seemed very appropriate as Cole’s legendary sword parried the bandit’s

However, there was little time to muse as other bandit’s soon were upon the Shield bearing hero. Fer blocked, swinging the edge of his shield at their faces making them at least hesitate to approach recklessly. The shield may not be a very effective weapon, but defenseless and easy prey were not something that the young hero was projecting.

"Honest folk don't burn down innocent peoples' farms you bastards"!

Fer backed up to Cole, keeping both their backs covered. He spoke in calculated tone as he tried to regulate his breath. “don’t waste your air on them Cole. If there was a way to put them in the front lines facing the Waves to repay for all the pain and evil they have caused I would. As it is, at this point it is either us or them. They will not be as merciful as you are.”

Hoseforn’s Academy for Gifted Adventurers

(Collab between @LuckyBlackCat and OMNI. Sorry No banner but you can let your imaginations run wild)

Arn followed the milling masses out of the Hall of Nourishment. His ears filled with sound as conversations of old and new friends floated in the wind. As the students dispersed to their respective dormitories, the cacophony of sound diminished. The cool night air, combined with the waft of fragrant flowers which adorned the common areas, left the young cleric feeling at ease and hopeful.
Many things and many first had been experienced during the feast and the young dwarf needed time to sort them out. Thankful, unless a roommate had arrived late, which did not bode well, his dormitory would be a sort of solitude.

While he would not begrudge a roommate, after all he had share many an open room with plenty of cadets, he would prefer to not have to interact more than necessary with his fellow students. As it was, his recent experience with all the new people he met left him exhausted mentally and emotionally.

As if materializing out of his mind, the woodland sprite or fey or whatever she was, who had made him a bit uncomfortable due to her initial appearance in wet clothes that hugged her body much too efficiently, appeared to his right. Being polite and respectful, Arn looked in her direction and nodding an acknowledgement continued on his way hoping she would not try to initiate any sort of conversation.

Karya had spent the rest of the meal trying to lift the mood, the decline of which she felt partly responsible. More wine had been involved, and her head buzzed pleasantly as she made her way through the grounds, but the talk of the disappearances still lingered in her mind. All the more reason to put 100% into the training tomorrow, she thought, clenching her fists as she separated from the crowd.

To her left, she noticed someone looking her way. Through the darkness, she recognized him as Arn, the dwarf who hadn't said much throughout the meal, but had stood up for Selena. Karya responded with a grin. "Looking forward to classes tomorrow?" she asked. In her slightly tipsy state, she didn't pick up that Arn may not have the energy to chat. "Since we're supposed to bring equipment, the first one's got to be some kind of combat class, but I wonder what else there's gonna be?"

Her eyes shone with enthusiasm, partly from curiosity, partly from fierce determination to succeed.

The young cadet noticeably winced as more words than a simple good night passed the tan lips of the lady. He almost cursed himself for acknowledging her but he felt it would have been proper rude to ignore or pretend she was not there. He took a deep breath and forced himself to look in her direction as she talked. Her voice was pleasant, to him it sounded like the breeze that moves between the trees in spring mixed in with the tweets of birds.

Karya. To her left, she noticed someone looking her way.

"Looking forward to classes tomorrow?"

He nodded his response. Something in her gait told the dwarf that she was not entirely in full control of her person. The dwarf himself had drank only five or six mugs of ale but as dwarfs had much stronger stuff, it had not even dazed him. Still, the majority of his table mates did seem to have enjoyed a glass or two of wine or other drink. He hated to admit it but he would have to offer to accompany the girl to her dormitory.

"Since we're supposed to bring equipment, the first one's got to be some kind of combat class, but I wonder what else there's gonna be?"

His baritone voice was calm and polite. “I am sure that each training and academic regimen is particularly tailored to each student. I am sure we will know more in the morning.” He continued to keep his pace which should have enabled her to pass him as easily as the other average size students were doing. She was almost a whole foot taller than he which meant that her strong toned legs would propel her at a much faster rate than his short muscular ones.

The fact that she was staying with him meant that she wanted to talk which made the dwarf groan inwardly. Still, his requirement to be polite, coupled with his own sense of honor, did not allow him to try and evade his way out of the conversation and company.
“Please forgive me if I am inappropriate, but do you require an escort to your room?” He did not know how else to ask if she needed help getting to her room as she looked buzzed. The young dwarf hoped she would say no and then this would give him the window to politely excuse himself.

"Sure, always good to chat along the way!" Karya replied. Even in her woozy state, she could probably find the room, and a ranger needed to know their way around anyway. Still, she wasn't going to turn down company. Right now especially, she didn't want to be alone with her thoughts.

Her footsteps slow, and a little less graceful than usual, she kept pace with Arn as they neared the dorms. "And yep, since we're all specialising in something different, I figured that'd be the case. Oooh, I hope there's some kind of crafting class! As for combat lessons, it'll be interesting to see people's fighting styles. Y'know, who'd be best as a team. Covering each other's weaknesses, playing to each other's strengths, and all that..."

She was talking entirely too much, but she figured some lively conversation would help the tired-looking dwarf's energy levels, and ease any shyness he may be dealing with. Besides, the relentless chatter helped keep her troubling thoughts at bay. "So, what kind of training are you going for?"

Arn inwardly did a face palm. He had feared the response but knew that it was a possibility. However, the dwarf had hoped that the young girl would find his quiet and possibly grumpy looking demeanor as a detractor to accepting the company. He tightened his jaw as he steeled his resolve in seeing his offer through.

The pair passed building after building. Each passing one the dwarf’s suspicions of possibly occupying the same building as the lively ranger increased. He continued along, his step tempo increasing just a bit hoping that once he delivered her to her room he could seek the quiet sanctuary of his own.

Even if a roommate had materialized during the feast, Arn knew males tended to keep to themselves seeing other males as competition and those to be wary of. A sudden image of a blonde black robed mage came to his mind. Ok maybe not all males kept to themselves.

The young cleric nodded as the young lady talked. He was not fully invested in the conversation but he was not rude enough to ignore her all together. The dwarf surprised himself when he actually offered his own opinion. “I must admit that it would be intriguing to see your skill in comparison to Finn Rineheart….” He stopped himself and quickly cleared his throat.

What was wrong with him? Had he just truthfully shared what he thought? Maybe he had more Ale than he thought and it was messing with his self control. It would be best if he delivered the lady to her abode and got some rest. He found himself looking at the building number for his own dormitory. He looked up slightly at the lady and seeing as only a few more dormitories were possible for her to reside him he said reluctantly.

“My dormitory is here but I will accompany you to yours if you desire.”

Finn Reinheart. Karya recalled the human boy, his movements quick and agile as he'd leapt up and run across the table. "That's a thought, I could challenge him to a sparring match. Practice for the duel." She paused, thinking over the teacher's words, hoping the fight would turn out in Finn's favor. The teachers wouldn't let anyone get badly hurt, right?

As she neared her dormitory building, she was just about to wish Arn a good night and head inside, when he pointed out it was his hall of residence. "I'm here too!" Karya beamed. "Neat, so we're dorm mates!" Already knowing one the other residents made her feel more settled in.

She kept up her chatting as he accompanied her along the hallways. "We should throw a dorm party, get to know each other. I mean you never know who you'll be sent out on a quest with, so it's best to get along." On the subject, she wondered who her roommate would be. Hopefully someone who enjoyed company - and who wouldn't get too upset over the state of the bathroom. The bathroom. She cringed inwardly. She'd almost forgotten about the soaked towels and steamed-up surfaces. That wasn't going to be a great first impression. On the plus side, maybe her roommate could help her get used to the school's technology.

It wasn't long until they reached door 725. "Well, this is my room," she said, gesturing to it. "Thanks, and later! Nice talking with you."

If her roommate was already here, now to meet them.

Arn only offered a grunt of agreement at her notion of fighting his so called cousin. It would definitely be a learning experience watching two rangers at work. The dwarf was also looking forward to the duel. He longed to duel himself and almost envied the young human. The brute was more suited to fighting him than a nimble ranger.

The young cadet’s mouth almost hinged open at the declaration of inhabiting the same dormitory as his temporary companion. He felt as if he had gotten hit in the stomach and that it had dropped to his feet. The term “dorm mates” made a shiver run down his back and it was all he could do to keep himself from shaking. All he could muster was an “Ah.”

He sighed and continued to follow her up the flight of stairs. The young cleric’s steps were heavy as if walking in full armor through mud. His head hung and he resigned himself to silent torture hearing her chat away. Each floor was a new hope that she would be leaving his company. Each floor was also a disillusion as his hopes were dashed when she continued their climb. Two floors, then three, now as they rounded the landing to head up to the seventh floor a sudden terrifying realization began to manifest in his mind.

Could it be possible that they were in the same floor? The idea running into her more often than desired left a sour taste in his mouth. It would be best to drop her off at her room first then make sure he was not seen and go to his room. This way at least, she could not come knocking wanting to chat.

When Karya finally announced arrival at her room Arn was so relieved that he barely caught the room number. He half smiled, more out of relief than politeness, and slightly bowed his head. “Then since you are safe at your door, I bid you good night.” Before she could say another word he bowed and shuffled off. It was not until he looked a few doors down that the numbers were increasing that he figured something was wrong.

He retraced his steps and his horror grew. His eyes widened and his mind ran confused circles trying to decipher how his room could also be the woodland archer’s. He placed his hand on the door and heard the audible click. He was about to walk in when he decided to knock.

Entering the room, Karya found herself alone once more. Well, alone except for Athena's company, but no roommate had arrived. Disappointing, yet something of a relief. Karya sank onto her bed, letting the facade fall. The calming buzz of the wine was giving way to alcohol-induced fretfulness. So much for trying to drink away her fears.

"She's alright, she's got to be alright..." she muttered. Taking several deep breaths, Karya attempted to pull herself together in time for her roommate to turn up. She turned her gaze from the floor to the crystal shard. "Uh, all's ok," she reassured Athena. "Just rambling. Too much wine."

"If you require water and sleepwear," the ever-formal voice replied, "both have been provided for you."

Karya's eyes widened as she spotted the glass of water by the bedside, and the pajamas folded on the pillow. Surely they hadn't been there before. Had school staff brought them in, or was this another part of Athena's magic? "Yeah, water and rest sound like an idea," she said. "Not gonna sleep just yet though. Got to meet my roommate first."

It wasn't a long wait; right on cue, she heard a click and a knock at the door. She stood and hurried over, putting up her usual cheery smile as she turned the handle. The figure in the doorway was one she hadn't expected to see again so soon. "Hey again! Who'd have thought it?" She hadn't thought she'd room with a guy, and Arn wasn't the most talkative person, but he was polite and respectful at least. She'd help him settle in no problem.

"Looks like we've already got everything we need." She gestured around the room. Glancing at the bathroom door, she grimaced. Best to address this sooner rather than later. "Well, that's the good news. The bad news is, uh, the bathroom. I can explain..."

Arn waited. He hoped against hope that he was wrong and that the room he had dropped of the pretty woodland sprite was not his own. However, his hopes were dashed when the door actually opened and there she stood. All smiles and charm. The dwarf gulped as his mouth suddenly felt very dry. He dreaded the prospect of sharing a room with a female dwarf, let alone a female that many lads would find extremely attractive.

He managed to lubricate his throat enough to manage a weak, “Um, yes Hi.” He was cut short by her melodic banter. Arn stood at the door unwilling to enter the same space that a lady was occupying. The young cleric waited until she had finished before he awkwardly expressed his view.

“Ms. Karya, please do not take this the wrong way but I believe there must be some sort of mistake.” He kept his eyes down. He felt ashamed that he needed to address this with a lady and he definitely did not want her to feel unwanted but such a mistake could not be overlooked. He produced his acceptance letter/map and held it up straight in front of him so that the lady did not have to get closer than what as necessary. “See, it lists room 725. Could you have perhaps read yours wrong?”
The inquiry was a long shot in the dark. After all, apparently the locks were attuned to the biometrics of the inhabitants. The only thing that would make sense is if the lock had sensed him nearby and opened allowing her access. The young dwarf was banking hard on this supposition but in the back of his mind, a whisper told him that she was here to stay. He fought back that thought and banished it to the dark recesses of his mind.

However, before the young lady was able to speak, the serene voice of Athena chirped up. “There is no mistake. This room has been reserved for Arn Thurson and Karya of Brackenglade. Each room inhabitant is selected based on various criteria that ensures both members are complimentary to each other. Re assignment request are reviewed on a case by case basis. Both inhabitants have to be in agreement.”

The dwarf’s mouth almost hung open as the magical assistant addressed the current situation. His eyes started to tear up. The logical aspect of it was undeniable which made his current plight that much more overwhelming. Knowing that he would not be able to win against a disembodied and probably vastly superior intellect of the magical gem, the young cadet instead appealed to his would be roommate.

His voice was shaky as he addressed the woodland archer. “Um miss Karya, I hope you do not consider me unkind but I feel that we perhaps need to be re assigned.” Thinking of how to soften the bow he added. “You seem like a quite the endearing and nurturing person. Because of that, I feel your time would be best valued by somebody more deserving.” His face was contorted into an awkward apologetic smile.

Karya's eyebrows furrowed as Arn teared up. Had she done or said something wrong? She'd tried to put him at ease, but it clearly hadn't worked. Maybe classes had been the wrong subject to discuss. Maybe it had made him nervous.

When he suggested reassignment, and explained his reasoning - that she deserved better - she returned his smile with a reassuring one of her own. "Aw, I'm flattered, but you don't have to move out," she replied. "I mean, you've been really polite to me. And Athena says we're likely to get along."

She glanced at the magical crystal. How much did Athena know about everyone here? Unnerving as it was, Karya couldn't deny this was some fascinating magic at work, and Athena's judgement was likely correct. Admittedly she and Arn were rather different, his shy and reserved demeanour contrasting with her outgoing one, but she could help him out of his shell, couldn't she? And they could turn out to have some interests in common, or skills that would complement each other well on missions.

"Obviously I can't stop you," she went on, "but how about we try for a week or so before we make any decisions?"

Arn felt the weight of the words she was saying fall on him like a ton of bricks or a cart full of drunk dwarves. It was not that the idea of spending time with the lovely woodland maiden seemed repulsive to him. In fact, it was the very opposite of that which made him cry out in the most undignified tone for a dwarf.

“But Miss Karya please!” The last part reached a pitch that would elicit praise from a certain Tiefling and Siren who would be impressed at the range of his falsetto. The young cleric coughed and swallowed regaining his composure by slowly stroking his beard. He took a deep breath and in his most political voice tried to reason with his would be room mate.

“Miss Karya. There is no personal dislike of you in my part. Indeed, as I have stated, you appear to be a very ideal roommate and I have seen enough of this school to believe that what Athena spoke was truth. However, I fear that occupying the same apartments would give rise to rumors that would besmirch your honor. After which, I would be honor bound to challenge.” He looked up at her, the truth in his words very apparent. “I would suffer nobody to tarnish your honor, not even me. Therefore, if you are indeed firm on the fact that you wish to remain int his dormitory, then I shall camp under the stars as I have done many times before.”

The young dwarf turned to leave but another ping sound and the serene voice of Athena made him freeze in his tracks. “Please be advised that students are not allowed out of their dormitories at night nor to erect any non sanctioned campsites.”
The blow of this announcement struck him like a well placed arrow to the back and he nearly arched it in real pain. He turned, looked at the crystal gem, looked at Karya, back at the mini Athena and gave a defeated sigh. He reluctantly entered his dormitory.

He passed by his bed and grabbing his own set of pajamas, which he had spied while standing on the doorway, he mumbled just audibly. “I will be sleeping in the restroom for now. Please knock if you want to utilize it.” His head was hung and his arms to his side in the most spectacularly whooped visage one could hope. The last thing that the young woman heard before he closed the door behind him was . “Good night, may Stolara bless your dreams….”

"Hm?" Karya tilted her head. "Tarnish my honor? What, just because we're a guy and a girl?" It didn't make sense to her. Even if people did get the wrong idea, why would they think badly of her for it? Was this another part of cultural modesty?

It seemed that way, judging by Arn's utterly despairing expression, and decision to sleep in the restroom. Karya winced. "Ehh, I hope it isn't too much of a mess, with the towels and all," she called as he trudged into the room at the back. "You see, I had a little trouble with the artificial lake in there." Her presence had troubled him enough, and the state of the bathroom wouldn't help.

She stared at the door for a few moments, wondering what would put him at ease. Something comforting to come back to in the morning... Her eyes scanned the room, settling on the plant pots. The shade and smell of a vibrant green canopy was comforting, apparently even to non forest dwelling races. She headed over to the plants and crouched, placing her hands on a pot and muttering an incantation.

A green glow flared in the middle of the container as the branches shifted and grew. They spread across the walls, climbed up shelves, at a much faster rate than Karya had intended. She cringed as the pot toppled into its side, spilling soil everywhere.

Maybe doing that while tipsy hadn't been the best idea, she thought as she righted the container and surveyed the overgrowth. She made sure to drink some water before changing into her pyjamas and climbing into bed. The first day of classes would be an important event, one she'd have to be well-rested for.

Hoseforn’s Academy for Gifted Adventurers

Arn's spells WIP

CANTRIPS

Guidance

Divination cantrip

Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You touch one willing creature. Once before the spell ends, the target has divine guidance and able to succeed in a challenging task. once performed the spell then ends

Chant: With this prayer, I thee bless. May Stolara's wisdom bring success.

Light

Evocation cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, M (a firefly or phosphorescent moss)
Duration: 1 hour
You touch one object that is no larger than 10 feet in any dimension. Until the spell ends, the object sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet. The light can be colored as you like. Completely covering the object with something opaque blocks the light. The spell ends if you cast it again or dismiss it as an action.
If you target an object held or worn by a hostile creature, that creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw to avoid the spell.

Chant: Stollara, I beseech thee. Let my faith burn bright. Let it push back the darkness and bathe me in your light.

Mending

Transmutation cantrip
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (two lodestones)
Duration: Instantaneous
This spell repairs a single break or tear in an object you touch, such as a broken chain link, two halves of a broken key, a torn cloak, or a leaking wineskin. As long as the break or tear is no larger than 1 foot in any dimension, you mend it, leaving no trace of the former damage.
This spell can physically repair a magic item or construct, but the spell can't restore magic to such an object.

Chant: By the grace of Stolara, I now thine item repair. Be that which was broken once more be fair.

Resistance

Abjuration cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a miniature cloak)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
You touch one willing creature. Once before the spell ends, the target can will be protected from certain maladies such as fear.

Chant: By Stolara's mercy I place on thee this charm. It shall keep you from evil and you shall know no harm.

Sacred Flame

Evocation cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
Flame-like radiance descends on a creature that you can see within range. The target must successfully evade or be damaged. Damage is depended on caser level

Chant: Stolara, let your righteous anger through your servant flow. Send down flames of judgment upon my foe.

Spare the Dying

Necromancy cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
You touch a living creature that has 0 hit points. The creature becomes stable. This spell has no effect on undead or constructs.

Chant: oh Stolara we ask for your grace. To Spare this soul and leave them in this place.

Thaumaturgy

Transmutation cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V
Duration: Up to 1 minute
You manifest a minor wonder, a sign of supernatural power, within range. You create one of the following magical effects within range:
• Your voice booms up to three times as loud as normal for 1 minute.
• You cause flames to flicker, brighten, dim, or change color for 1 minute.
• You cause harmless tremors in the ground for 1 minute.
• You create an instantaneous sound that originates from a point of your choice within range, such as a rumble of thunder, the cry of a raven, or ominous whispers.
• You instantaneously cause an unlocked door or window to fly open or slam shut.
• You alter the appearance of your eyes for 1 minute.
If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its 1-minute effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action.

Chant: Aid me Oh Stolara, your miracles to achieve. Aid me oh Stolara to make unbelievers believe.

FIRST LEVEL

Bless

1st-level enchantment
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a sprinkling of holy water)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
You bless up to three creatures of your choice within range. Whenever a target makes an attack or uses a skill, they are more proficient. Length of spell and targets blessed increase as caster increases in level

Chant: Receive the blessing of the Lord of Light. He shall guide your sword arm in this righteous fight.

Command

1st-level enchantment
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V
Duration: 1 round
You speak a one-word command to a creature you can see within range. The target must be of higher intellect or of stronger will than the caster. The spell has no effect if the target is undead, if it doesn't understand your language, or if your command is directly harmful to it.

Some typical commands and their effects follow. You might issue a command other than one described here. If you do so, the GM determines how the target behaves. If the target can't follow your command, the spell ends.

Approach. The target moves toward you by the shortest and most direct route, ending its turn if it moves within 5 feet of you.

Drop. The target drops whatever it is holding and then ends its turn.

Flee. The target spends its turn moving away from you by the fastest available means.

Grovel. The target falls prone

Halt. The target doesn't move and takes no actions. A flying creature stays aloft, provided that it is able to do so. If it must move to stay aloft, it flies the minimum distance needed to remain in the air.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can affect one additional creature for each slot level above 1st. The creatures must be within 30 feet of each other when you target them.

Chant: I speak with authority given to my by Stolara, upon his power I stand. Obey and heed my command.

Create or Destroy Water

1st-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a drop of water if creating water or a few grains of sand if destroying it)
Duration: Instantaneous
You either create or destroy water.
Create Water. You create up to 10 gallons of clean water within range in an open container. Alternatively, the water falls as rain in a 30-foot cube within range, extinguishing exposed flames in the area.

Destroy Water. You destroy up to 10 gallons of water in an open container within range. Alternatively, you destroy fog in a 30-foot cube within range.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you create or destroy 10 additional gallons of water, or the size of the cube increases by 5 feet, for each slot level above 1st.

Chant: (Create) Refresh our parched lips, let our throats no longer be dry. Be merciful and quench our thirst with water from the sky.

(destroy) You are commanded to vanish, return to the air and disappear. make the path before me clear

Cure Wounds

1st-level evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
A creature you touch regains a number of health equal to the caster level. This spell has no effect on undead or constructs.

Chant: Heal their wounds, oh Stolara, your servant doth pray. Heal them Stolara, so they may return to the Fray.

Detect Evil and Good

1st-level divination
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
For the duration, you know if there is an aberration, celestial, elemental, fey, fiend, or undead within 30 feet of you, as well as where the creature is located. Similarly, you know if there is a place or object within 30 feet of you that has been magically consecrated or desecrated.
The spell can penetrate most barriers, but it is blocked by 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt.

Chant: Reveal that which is hidden by your guidance it shall be shown, let what is kept in darkness come to light, that which is secret good or evil let it be known

Detect Magic

1st-level divination (ritual)
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
For the duration, you sense the presence of magic within 30 feet of you. If you sense magic in this way, you can use your action to see a faint aura around any visible creature or object in the area that bears magic, and you learn its school of magic, if any.
The spell can penetrate most barriers, but it is blocked by 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt.

Chant: Lord of truth to me reveal, let that which has been touched by the arcane by your light appear

Detect Poison and Disease

1st-level divination (ritual)
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S, M (a yew leaf)
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
For the duration, you can sense the presence and location of poisons, poisonous creatures, and diseases within 30 feet of you. You also identify the kind of poison, poisonous creature, or disease in each case.
The spell can penetrate most barriers, but it is blocked by 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt.

Chant: Let no sickness hide no disease be near, reveal that which is foul let it to your servant be clear

Guiding Bolt

1st-level evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 round
A flash of light streaks toward a creature of your choice within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes radiant damage, and the next attack roll made against this target before the end of your next turn has advantage, thanks to the mystical dim light glittering on the target until then. The damage amount is depended on caster level.

Chant: Let the heavens hear my voice and heed my call, may thine cleansing fire upon the unworthy fall.

Healing Word

1st-level evocation
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V
Duration: Instantaneous
A creature of your choice that you can see within range regains heatl equal to your caster level. This spell has no effect on undead or constructs.

Chant: Be healed from affliction and free of your pain, your broken bones are mended your vitality regained.

Protection from Evil

1st-level abjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (holy water or powdered silver and iron, which the spell consumes)
Duration: Concentration up to 10 minutes
Until the spell ends, one willing creature you touch is protected against certain types of creatures: aberrations, celestials, elementals, fey, fiends, and undead.
The protection grants several benefits. Creatures of those types have disadvantage on attack rolls against the target. The target also can't be charmed, frightened, or possessed by them. If the target is already charmed, frightened, or possessed by such a creature, the target has advantage on any new saving throw against the relevant effect.

Chant: I beg your mercy Stolara and ask for your grace, A hedge of protection from evil upon those faithful to you place.

Purify Food and Drink

1st-level transmutation (ritual)
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 10 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
All nonmagical food and drink within a 5-foot-radius sphere centered on a point of your choice within range is purified and rendered free of poison and disease.

Chant: Protect us from sickness our safety secure Let that which is foul become clean and pure

Shield of Faith

1st-level abjuration
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S, M (a small parchment with a bit of holy text written on it)
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
A shimmering field appears and surrounds a creature of your choice within range, granting it a bonus to armor for the duration.

Chant: Protect your servants, let no harm upon your chosen fall, let our faith and your mercy around us build a wall."

Rise of the Shield Hero - From Another World

Fer heard the call. It seamed that even in other worlds, using knowledge of the local nature was exploited by rangers and scouts. Though the young hero was not versed on the local fauna, he was sure that a nocturnal animal would not be so easy to give away his position to prey and predator. Even animals such as Owls would only use their calls when completely necessary. As it was, the nature around them knew that something was amiss. The usual sounds of natures had been missing.

This meant that the sharp whistle of the arrows as they sped towards their target was audible enough for even novices such as them to hear it. Their closeness to the action allowed them to even hear audible thumps as the arrows silently ended the lives of the guards. Used as he was to seeing death, the young shield hero still shook his head at seeing lives ended this manner.

However, he was sure that the people whose lives just ended, would not have any remorse in ending his or Cole’s life. Who knew how many lives, innocent or not, their hands had already ended. Life was cruel wither in this world or back on his own.

Marcino sure knew his stuff. The bodies slumped away from the entrance. This would prevent any onlooker from noticing the dead bodies before it was time. Fer felt his sword bearing companion move. He hoped that his lovely winged warrior would have no need of his protection as she covered their rear. As it was, he was sure that newbies such as he and Cole would probably need more protecting.

Fer followed Cole quickly covering the gap between he woods and the cave’s entrance. He gave the dead guards a closer inspection ensuring they were truly dead but the old mercenary knew his job. The guards probably never even knew they had died. The young hero wondered if there was any sort of belief in the afterlife in this world. His eyes shifted from the dead bodies to the cave.

The light of the cooking fire enough for him to see the inside. He heard sounds behind him and glancing back took note that Marcino and Auriel would be covering the rear. Looking back he noticed multiple bandits eating dinner.

"Surrender or die. You face The Heroes of the Sword, and shield. We will show you mercy in the name of the Kingdom if you throw down your weapons."

The young shield hero sighed inwardly. Cole, ever the good person was giving them an honorable chance to back down. They had lost the benefit of a surprise attack. However, one has to role with he punches. To help drive the point that it would be a bad idea to fight them, Fer quietly puts up his left forearm and quietly say “Morph shield: Tower shield”

The green gleam is evident to all as his brazer suddenly materializes a shield. Being veteran enough to not be intimidated by the flashy display, the bandits jump to action. Marcino, true to his experience, puts an arrow down the troat of a would be alarm giver preventing more people from coming.

That is, until Cole unleashes a power attack at the assaulting bandits. Two go down easily. A slight tinge of jealousy is felt by Fer who has yet to acquire any sort of usable skills for his shield. He wished he would have had more time for research from what Auriel found out. Still, he is not empty handed and moves to Cole’s left to cover his flank.

He used his shield with a bashing maneuver on one of the two. His motion would also require them to separate to get Cole. This would hopefully give Cole the opportunity of doing a one on one confrontation. Fer was using the same technique he had used with the orange balloon monsters. His aim was to cover Cole's flank as he slashed. He hoped that their previous collaboration would be fruitful. The cave’s layout enabled them to block the entrance and limit anybody going around them.

The Shield hero felt the whack of the sword the bandit swung at him, deviating the strike and hopefully getting him off balance. He would now move to Cole’s right allowing his partner to strike at the open bandit while Fer covered any strike coming from the other side. The dance of death had started.

Jewel of the Skies

Also I am soooo glad to be back finally. I felt so uneasy not writing and so guilty 'in making you wait' eventhough I had little choice in the matter.

@deia876lat

You dont have to worry about making me wait. I mean, it kinda slows the creative juices and I have to make sure I remember where we are in the story but that is about it. In truth, it only makes me nervous because I need to get back into character and remember where I want to go lol.

Yeah, I have to delve more into Arn's back story. I will do that sooner or later with the other story line. I hope that it meets your expectations and it is interesting and thought out.

I look forward to your post.

Jewel of the Skies

So I know I did not advance the story much and I know I am fixated in the whole Thread and connection bit but I feel like this would actually be a way for Arn to even attempt to have hope in helping Eilis. I am not sure what you have in store for her and I am not going to say that Arn will succeed but I feel that it should at least give him some sort of focus other than just body guarding you know.

Also, I figured I needed you to set the next scene lol. I am not trying to be lazy but I was not sure what I could thrown in there. I feel like Arn would not bombard her with questions as she already will probably experience that in the morning.

Like always, I appreciate direction and advice. I dont want you to feel like you are responsible for guiding the story unless you want to be. I am good with being the puppet too lol.

Jewel of the Skies

"I will always be yours."

Arn smiled at the words. To him, who had little of value except his two swords and the melted locked of his mother, the words held a much deeper meaning. It somehow felt like they anchored him. Despite his stoic and always controlled behavior, when he was not in battle or performing some official duty, he felt aimless. He could only imagine what the broken pieces of Ith may feel if the Sorcerer King had been more successful when he caused the moons to fall.

The words rang in his soul like a vibrant pure bell. The sound made him feel even more warmth emanate from him. Yet as the wave propagated and it reached deeper into his connection with Eilis it changed and distorted become dissonant. The sour note then travelled back to him.

"I will always be yours."

This time, an uneasy feeling began to nag at him. The voice, though belonging to Eilis was distorted. The image of her bathed in magical power and sheeting of pure raw passion came to mind. The words of the dark-haired witch also echoed in his mind. She belonged to another. Even if unwilling, a part or the whole of his lovely protégé was bound and feed another.

The Master Mage tightened his grip on the small frame of the lovely girl. He held on protective, jealously. He would not share her. Eilis was his. She belonged with him and to him.

He loosened up his grip a bit. Where had this sentiment come from? Was it from a place of innocence and need of connection that had been missing in his life since the passing of his mother? Or was it from the recent crack in his armor that lusted after the power he had witnessed?

Logically speaking, Eilis was an invaluable magical mystery that needed to be studied. The near miraculous extent of that power boggled the mind and inspired. In the hands of either the Empire of the Kingdom she would be a formidable weapon. It was his duty as a member of the Belesian military to gain control of this power and use to end the current invasion.

Emotionally speaking, the girl was a piece of his life that he had always know it was missing. The void that his mother had left, the need to feel connected, had been slowly devouring him. To the point that he had even considered acknowledging the advances of the women who had shown interest in him. A few might have actually loved him. However, there had been no connection. Not in the way that he now had with Eilis. It pulled at him like a magnet. As if their meetingn was inevitable and had always meant to be.

He looked down at her. She snuggled against him. Her form nestled against him and his body. His arms, while not big in musculature, still seemed to be enough to cover her. To any onlooker, it would seem that the pair were indeed affianced. The fact that this was only a ruse that may soon be discovered when the dawn came, made Arn feel a little sad.

His feelings confused him. The webbed and eddied like the flow of a river. It was the white rapids that he could handle for some reason. The violent tossing of his feelings allowed him to concentrate on their control and made him feel in control. It was the calm and lazy areas, the deeply deep pools that can engulf you and drown you that scared him.

When he looked into the mirror surface of his feelings, he could see his face reflected. But then, a shimmer later, it was as if a completely different person was looking back. A person he did not know, a person who he felt he should know and who knew him very well.

The battlemage used on of his hands to brush the hair of his lady. He needed her anchoring. He sighed, his chest expanding and contracting against the pressure of her head. Arn could smell her scent as his hand continued to slowly and carefully ding his fingers in her hair. The motion and his easy breathing became rhythmic.

Slowly, he returned to his meditative state. He let his body step into the pool of his emotions that connected him to the Aether. The Thread felt different. It was as if for the first time, he was actually connecting with it in a deeper level. The power around him pulsed alive. He stood in the brilliant Thread as if in a river. The flow of it was strong and he soon found that it was flowing towards Eilis.

Arn followed the flow. He needed to find a way to exploit their connection, enhance it. Perhaps in this way he could either sever the connection with the other person or completely cleanse his lady from the necrotic touch of the black tendrils.

He arrived at the edge of her Thread. Nothing he had experienced so far could prepare him for what was ahead. So he forged on unto dawn.

Jewel of the Skies

"I am not sure what I can tell you, it is not like I exactly know what they precisely did or why I feel like I at times get pushed aside. As if I am not in control of my own body anymore. Watching from a backseat, not capable of reacting or changing anything."

Arn listened to her explanation and his eyes projected a silent apology. How helpless she must feel being unable to control her own actions. His own inadequacies and powerlessness during youth paled in comparison to this. He could not change the past, even the past which had just occurred less than a few hours ago. His mind returned to his need to liberate her. Slavery, wither by physical chains or by magical means, was something he would never tolerate. Especially not on someone like Eilis.

"When my body reacted in that moment to assault you I was terrified, I screamed internally unable to stop the very destruction of those who had shown me kindness and whom I cared for”

He purposely held her tighter. As if he intend his body to be a sort of security blanket or an achor she could hold on to, or a shield that would protect her from her own fears. He shushed her softly. “You do not need to explain. I was there. I known and the Knight Captain knows you meant no evil.” He brushed her hair, his hand projecting warmth in every stroke. “I am sorry that you were scared and I could not help you.”

"I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I had hurt you..."

He gently cleared any would be tears from the corner of her eyes. He gave her a conforting look. “Eilis, it will take much more than that to hurt me.” He puffed his chest out in jest. “Do you not know I have survived fires, being fired upon, and once or twice almost killed myself from Mana drain?” He smiled at her. “No my lady, the only way to hurt me is to keep me from your side.”


"No, not really, I wasn't hurt too terribly and you took great care in doing as little damage as possible." She sought out his warmth again, crawling as much against him as she could, downplaying her pain.

Arn obliged her and she was very nearly cradled against him half sitting on his lap with her head against his chest. She was so small and light that he could almost hold her like a child. His chest almost hummed with warmth as if her need for him automatically caused a release of his mana to her. Their connection kept getting stronger and he could feel more than know what she needed.

"I will do anything you ask of me. Because at this point I am not sure if I even trust myself anymore." She leaned her head against him. "But I know I can trust you. You are my Sun. My reliable consistant Sun. I would follow you into the Deep Sky itself."

Hearing her words caused a wave of warmth to spread over him and pass on to her. He had no idea he was as important to her as she was to him. The wartth spread to his face and he swallowed to calm himself down. “Eilis, you think too much of me. Sun I am not but I will be whatever you need me to be. I am yours. The only thing I ask of you is be remain by my side. I will figure out a way to bring you freedom.”

He started to get choked up. The Master mage did not know how he was going to fulfill this promise but he knew that he must. Eilis deserved a life free of the binds that marred her beautiful body and soul. Arn sighed and he looked placed his chin over the top of her head.

“you must rest and recover. Do not worry. I will not leave your sight even if Ith were assailed by a thousand moons.”