((This is the second time I've written this, so blame any oddities on that. I was distracted and hit the wrong keys.))
I decided that I would distract the wizard by feigning interest in his ramblings and asking about joining his guild as I approached him. After getting close enough, I would repeatedly strike his head with my staff."No, I control my own destiny."
"An interesting, but incorrect, statement. Nearly every being has a fate-thread dictating their life. Making small choices is a simple enough task, but the fate-thread will return to its intended course. Regardless of how much people may try to fight it - and believe me, many have - their lives remain out of their hands. Should they die in an attempt to divert their fate-thread, it will just pick another.
Once every few generations, somebody not directed by a fate-thread is born. Nobody knows exactly why, personally I believe the gods do it. These are the only mortals able to change the fate-threads of others.
You have one, but yours, my dear, has been frayed and split. It has become a fate-cloud, and you already tangle the fate-threads of those you meet."
Fortune tellers. They're all the same, always speaking meaningless drivel. I was nearly in position."...But that's enough of that."
Blinding blue light filled my vision, and I was instantly rendered immobile. Resisting the urge to panic, I began to search for the mana threads that bound me."You really ought to learn to mask your thoughts better."
I nearly had one."Yours is ... an interesting future."
It was as trying to focus on a single grain of wheat in a field. Purple globes imposed themselves on my sight."To be the conduit for change."
There! I began untying it."In a way, I envy you."
It was slow, as the thread constantly fought my progress. The globes of purple began to spin about rapidly."That's enough now, you'll hurt yourself."
I blacked out.------
The power that flowed through the Universe. It was mine to command. I was omniscient, from the tiniest insect, to the elder gods. I saw - A wooden ceiling. My back hurt. I stood from the rough stone floor, and - The flows of mana. I could effortlessly redirect them, wiping out entire civilizations instantly. It was - I was in a small cell. Three stone walls, a wall of metal bars, and a tiny window inset high on the wall. I felt a buzz on my finger. - Glorious. The Universe trembled at my touch. The gods themselves cowered for mercy. - A ring of the Lotus. Quite distracting. These highly illegal rings were commonly used to sedate dangerous prisoners and torment them. The taste of their dreams, yet completely unfulfilling. Periods between episodes induced heavy longing for the return of the visions. - Everything was possible. Everything was easy. All I had to do, was - Focus. The rings are very difficult to remove unaided, as they form addiction nearly instantly, and thoughts of removal induce extreme depression. I can ... no. What's the use? I could be stuck here for eternity. If all I have is this ring, then .... That wizard. If I stay here, he lives.
By focusing on that, I managed to remove the ring. I leaned against the wall, exhausted, while I assessed the situation: I was indeed in a cell. I heard nothing but a bird chirping. My cell faced a cobblestone wall.Health: Excellent
Mental: Tired
Stamina: Well-rested
Satiated hunger
Satiated thirst
Lodgings: Jail? - Free
Inventory:
Undyed Simple canvas shirt, pants, and leather boots. (Worn)
Ring of the Lotus (carried)
Skills:
Enchantment 2.50
Sorcery 1.2
Elementalism 2
Herb lore 1
Farming 2
Name: Evan
Health: Excellent
Mental: Thrilled to be working for one such as myself
Location: Unknown
Inventory:
Commoner's clothing
Dagger
11 feet of rope
Skills:
Killing
((Nirur's Note: Mental condition is a general measure of morale and willingness to obey. When green, a character will generally do whatever they're told, so long as it doesn't conflict with their nature [good paladins will not go on GTA-style killing sprees of civilians]. When yellow, a character will greatly prefer suggestions that appear to better further their goals [either immediate or long-term]. Posts that appear to be contrary to their goals are unlikely to influence the decision without a convincing argument. Red remains a mystery for now.
There are other effects, but they remain a secret for now.))