Round 12OOH a thing! Eightfold liked finding things. She had to know more about the thing. She quickly went to examine the new thing, first the title of its book, then the thing itself.
(three points into examine)
The title of the book is
Famous Battres of the First Sentry ARR.
The thing in the book seems to be a...spirit entity, not entirely unlike yourself! Though formless, you get the impression of a small, rotund creature, like a toad, but made out of
words.
oO)-.
/__ _\
\ \( |
\__|\ {
' '--'
It passes through a page, which seems to consist of rather odd language.
though the magic of fire is contained with red and elbow, often considered an element of its onw is it. But blue is of water though in clear is fact, however the essence of flexiblity is maintaned across all...You watch it nibble on the words
blue is of water, and excrete the words
of batrewb is lue.
Examining the book closer, you notice that its pages range from normal writing, to somewhat incoherent, to complete gibberish.
It turns its attention to you.
"BEWARE THE MAN MADE OF HANDS" it croaks.
"HE DESIRES HER HEART WHILE SHE HAS NONE WITHIN HER"1/1 3/4 3/5
Bound to: A blank book, titled "Eightfold".
Unique Abilities:
Ghostwriter (5): When unobserved, text may appear in your book.
3: Examine total history of student turned pumpkin, including the circles and object on the bed..
quick action, IndigoFenix, got power to use to fix her, and ambitions to implant.
There are two circles around the bed, both of them clearly employing runic magic. You strain your mind, trying to remember your past...
You acquired a new ability:
Analyze Runes!The innermost circle seems to be very old, with many of its symbols worn away. However someone has recently redrawn some of the missing symbols, and added a few of their own. You recognize old signs related to
communion,
life,
separation,
torment,
consumption and
heart. The new ones seem mainly related to
dreams,
history, and
place, with a rather large rune combining the signs of
obscurity and
spirits.
The outer circle is entirely new. You recognize signs related to
transformation,
discomfort, and
protection. The
transformation rune is joined to a sign for a
shell, as well as a personalized ritual rune that you don't recognize.
You examine the pumpkin, but it is a perfectly ordinary pumpkin, as far as you can tell. This seems...odd. You dimly recall experiencing many forms of transformation spells, but although you cannot remember specifics, you recall that they were typically more...
visceral than this. Some aspect of the original body is detectable within the transformed object, which does not seem to be the case here. Either this is a transformation of a skill and perfection far beyond anything that should be possible, or the pumpkin is
not actually the girl. But if that's the case, then where
is she?
You try to examine the object on the bed, but its form...eludes you. You can sense mild warmth coming off of it, though, and a faint scent of...vegetables?
A small, glowing ball of white light floats into the room. It pauses, then begins floating around the bed, as if confused.
You look around the room again. There are sharp implements all over the walls. Perhaps you can
push one of them onto something, but what?
2/2 2/3 0/3
Unique Abilities:
Analyze Runes (3): You gain extra insight when examining runes.
Wow, that escalated quickly.
Oof, poor book. I want to try to get that book free and return it to Amy while avoiding damaging it (or Corey, for that matter). Preferably before I run into a teacher and end up in trouble. Also, Soul Bond Esme.
Also, free action to apologize to The Fool. Arbus may be rather worried about The Fool’s actions, but they don’t think fire is a good response.
“Sorry about that! I didn’t think she would try to attack you.”
"Keh heh he heh! It's hurts! Oh, how it hurts! But this suffering is nothing compared to this feeling of absolute bliss! I can feel the red power flowing though my body, all because you warned them! Because YOU made them believe I was something they should be afaird of! Keh heh heh heh! Oh, you poor, gullible thing! Did you never think of the possibility that I could have been bluffing? Keh heh heh heh! Have you not learned yet that our power comes from belief?"
"What, you feel sorry for giving me free publicity? Keh heh heh heh! If you're so regretful, then let the book be free! Do you really think they would be in better hands with that witch?"
Meanwhile, The Fool takes this opportunity to continue Examining (3) the book of Hexes, trying to memorize as much information as possible.
The Fool examine the book of hexes. It mainly consists of verbal spells, each of which has a very specific effect connected to a particular magic word.
Unfortunately, since you can't speak verbally in your current state, you won't be able to use any of them on your own. But it can't hurt to know a few, right?
Viscosius causes things to stick together.
Oculobscurum creates momentary partial blindness.
You manage to read the word
Tentaculigo before the book is ripped away by an unseen force!
"Ah, this is fine, I'm fine.
Thank you for your concern, child. I am perhaps still ... rusty. Yet this is where I meant to be for the moment, and getting out is a matter for later.
Oh, would you care for some assistance with your own current predicament or do you feel you have the matter in hand? Well, in jaw?"
While waiting for an answer, Shaa examines the (other) contents of Cruent's head, spending three blue mana to do so.
You peer into the murky depths of Amy Cruent's mind...
She was headed to the library to return some books before Corey snatched them.
There are a truly impressive set of spells in here, a collection that even a grown mage would be proud of. But what she gains in knowledge and skill, she loses in experience. Many of the spells are either verbal or ritual in nature, and none are her own original design. While this does allow her to benefit from the belief that each spell has accumulated since its creation, it leaves her with a certain lack of flexibility in terms of how each one is used - which she tries to make up for by collecting a whole lot of them, enough to suit any situation she has imagined.
Her arrogance, however, leaves her some notable open spots. For instance, she has many spells designed for defending against demons - but no real preparation for one that got through them.
As for motivation...it seems that, not unlike many Magentas, she has a strong urge to acquire power and control over her environment, which seems to be covering up a deeply buried lack of self-esteem. Perhaps that's why she relies so heavily on other people's spells rather than crafting her own?
Demitra is a spectral spirit that manifested very recently, and so has no associations yet
Demitra pushes the fire on The Fool's arm with a small gust of air so that some of it flickers out. Then Demitra suggests that Amy should stop attacking The Fool. "Just because something is here doesn't mean you should attack them. What did this puppet even do besides merely show up here?"
Stop manifest
Scout ahead of the runners and pay attention to the Danger sense, suggest (3) Corey to stop if I sense something, and warn anyone I can in free action.
Amy takes a deep breath. This puppet is just a distraction!
"Lubricus rapiovello!" she shouts, pointing her wand at Corey!
Alerted to possible danger, the boy spins around and blocks the incoming spell with the hex book, which suddenly grows slippery and dislodges itself from Corey and Arbus' grip! It flies through the air toward Amy, who catches it.
The boy still has the book on wandmaking.
6/7 2/4 1/7Bound to: A puppet in the possession of Corey, a first-year (Aspiring Magenta). (HP 4/5)
Unique Abilities:
Unseen Movement (5): You may move your puppet body under your own power, but only when not being watched.
Spells Learned:
Viscosius: causes things to stick together.
Oculobscurum: creates momentary partial blindness.
Tentaculigo:
(Cannot use verbal spells until you find a way to speak!)
5/16 18/27 10/10
Bound to: Esme, a first-year (Aspiring Green).
Soul Bond (5): You spiritually empower a believer, enhancing their senses and physical abilities.
Manifest (5): You may briefly manifest a physical form. (Fox) [Active]
Speech (5): You may speak verbally to a human.
3/5 10/13 7/11
Bound to: A pen in the possession of Kevin, a first-year (Aspiring Green).
Danger Sense: You passively gain a bit of knowledge about the future as it pertains to danger.
Manifest (5): You may briefly manifest a physical form. (Eye made of ink)
Scout (3): You may fly around freely and observe things while intangible.
Analyze Wand (3): You gain extra insight when examining wands, staves, or similar items.
8/15 3/3 4/16
Bound to: A book, Unbound Mortality, currently restrained in the Forbidden section of the Library.
Unique Abilities:
Mindsurf (2): Allows you to jump directly from one inhabited creature into another, provided you, or the creature you are inhabiting, can see them. The further away you get from the book, the weaker your influence becomes. Current host: Amy, Magenta Mage. [Disabled by mental shield!]
Unseal Page (1): You make it easier to open the book to a particular page.
Devour Spell (5) (10): You can absorb a spell cast in your vicinity. It seems you can only use this (2) times, however.
Nix once again suggests to Zume, sensing the potential for improvement from him. The suggestion in question, being to make peace with Komori.
Radish, Cole, Hex and Pyro step forward. Professor Sun's appearance threw them off for a moment, but they are ready to step in again if things go south.
Zume and Komori stare at each other for a few seconds. Suddenly Zume throws a punch with superhuman speed, stopping it an inch away from Komori's nose, the shockwave blowing his hair back. Radish starts to move, but Komori doesn't flinch.
I Examine Komori to find out a bit more about their problem
Komori's breathing seems perfectly steady.
Too steady. Not many people would be this at-ease when confronting a Yellow mage a full head taller than themselves.
His soul Chroma is mainly blue. Perhaps he is calm because he
knows that Zume isn't going to attack him?
"I don't want any trouble," Komori says.
"Damn right you don't.""Why are you doing this? I didn't do anything to you.""You..." Zume starts to say something, then reconsiders. He sighs, letting his fist fall to his side.
"I...have to get to class." He turns around and walks off.
Komori stares after him.
"What's his problem, anyway?" Hex says, breaking the silence. Pyro shrugs.
"So what's next with you, Cole?" Radish says.
"Going to class, I bet?""Yeah," Cole says, still looking at Komori.
"I've got Intro Transformations with Aubergine."Radish laughs nervously.
"Oh, you'd better get a move on, then. You don't want to be late for her classes."Cole nods. He still has a few minutes to spare, though.
3/3 3/5 4/4
Soul Bond (5): You spiritually empower a believer, enhancing their senses and physical abilities.
2/2 2/2 3/4
Bound to: Komori, a first-year (Aspiring Blue).
10/10 10/12 10/10
Bound to: Cole, a first-year (undecided).
Unique Abilities:
Soul Bond (5): You spiritually empower a believer, enhancing their senses and physical abilities.
Scout (3): You may fly around freely and observe things while intangible.
Hm. Anger was not a cornerstone of Honor. Ardera, however, was finer suited.
Launch two Suggestions, one at Torm to give The Broken Blade to a student who will soon arrive, named Ardera, and the other at Ardera herself to visit the Forges, see what new wonders the Reds have crafted.
Torm turns to look at the small grayrobe girl who wandered into the forge.
"Eh?" he says.
"What are you doing here? You look a bit...undersized to be working the forges. Heh." He chuckles, bringing his hammer down onto the longsword he's busy making. Red sparks scatter across the ground.
"You aren't lost, are you?""Actually," the girl says,
"I'm doing a report on Relics, but I'm still having a hard time getting my head around the concept. Professor Charn told me to ask one of the smiths."Torm grins and strikes the red-hot metal again.
"Relics, eh? Yeah, I'd bet I could help you a bit with 'em. What have you learned already?""Well, I know that they are items that are magically empowered," she says,
"and I know they tend to grow stronger as they are used, and that they are all a bit different. I guess my big question is, well, why they aren't more common. I mean, some Relics are made by accident, so it can't take much time to make them..." She pauses for a moment.
"Also, I don't get why so many of them are made by Red mages. I mean, technology is usually Blue domain stuff, right?"Torm shakes his head and chuckles.
"No wonder you're confused," he says.
"What did Professor Charn teach you about Red Magic? On his first class.""He said it's powered by determination.""He does like saying that, doesn't he? But think a bit more general.""Uh...something about coming from the heart?""Bingo." Torn grins and strikes the sword again. Sparks fly across the room, spinning in circles.
"The truth is that Relics aren't exactly an either-or thing. Every object crafted by human hands has what you'd call a 'Relic Quality', which stems from the...intent that went into making it." He removes the red-hot sword from the anvil, plunging it into a bucket of water.
"A sweatshop can pump out hundreds of products a day, but the trouble is that the more you make, the less...important each new product is to the maker. Unless the builder finds a way to keep being inspired, the Relic quality tends to drop off, so mass-producing strong Relics is pretty much impossible. And don't even get me started on golemforges.""What's wrong with golemforges?"Torm looks over his shoulder at the girl.
"Oh, hey, I recognize you. You're the DeLimon kid, right?" He laughs.
"No wonder you're interested in Relics. Your father was one of the pioneers in the automobile industry. Had some interesting ideas for improving the Relic value of cars by using defective production equipment. My family owned a Lemon once - she could go up to sixty on a good day. Eventually someone insulted her, and well...""Yeah. He told me there wouldn't be much of a market for magic cars unless we could figure out a way to make them safe.""Can't be done. Magic is intrinsically unpredictable, and strong Relics tend to adopt a unique...personality over time. Best you can do is make them friendly and hope they stay that way." He pulls the sword out and holds it up to the light, a mildly disappointed look on his face. He sets the sword aside.
"It's that way with pretty much everything these days. People are getting used to the reliability of new production technology but they still want their magic. I can bind enchantments to surface level designs but they'll never be a hundredth as powerful as an artifact that was created from the bottom-up with a new technique and strong intent, like this one."Torm pulls the Broken Blade from its place on the wall, handing it to Ardera.
"You can feel it, right? Try swinging it around a bit."Ardera throws a few mock thrusts with the sword.
"I guess so? Feels...more balanced than it should. I can't really describe it.""It looks natural for you. Have you ever used a sword before?""I took fencing lessons."Torm shrugs.
"Hm. You know what, keep it. It seems to have taken a liking to you. Besides, the Queen won't take a 'defective' weapon and I can't sell it, so you might as well have it."Spirit Evolution:You may sacrifice
Destined in exchange for
one of the four following abilities:
Power Surge (3): Your body glows briefly, greatly increasing your attack power. May be combined with a Suggestion to attack.
Soul Bond (5): You spiritually empower a believer, enhancing their senses and physical abilities.
Scout (3): You may send out an astral form and fly around freely, observing things beyond your physical form.
Possess Arm (3)(3): When activated, you can control the arm and hand of your wielder directly, attacking or blocking with extreme levels of skill, or pulling them in the direction you want them to move. Lasts several turns.
3/3 0/5 3/3
Bound to: The Broken Blade, a recently created Relic currently in the possession of Ardera, first-year (Undecided).
Unique Abilities:
Destined: When it comes to finding a champion, there is no range limit to your Examine or Suggest ability - you may pick any character revealed in the story so far, or you may seek out a new person with particular qualities. You lose this ability once a champion has been chosen.
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Topic: Chromatic Spirits RPG: Ghosts to Gods: Round 16: Battle against a Pumpkin (Read 21241 times)