2
Ignorance's W̸͕̾̓i̷͔̅t̶̖̘͈̏͗̆c̸̟͖͗̀̐̑h̵̥͓͎͔̄̚
Annoying. Maybe...
Follow along with the team, recommending SEES.
While I do, think about how my Uniform really should have a nice tactical headset to keep out the noise. And help me hear things, of course.
If that doesn't take up all my mental effort, make an Essence of Nek.
(Heart: 3)
You focus. Your Uniform is an expression of yourself, but the 'self' must be flexible. You breathe and focus. Logically, as you change, so should your Uniform. You have gained an earnest desire to meditate and sit in silence, to sharpen your focus to an extreme.
So you have a pair of blue fluffy earmuffs, hanging around your neck, ready for use.
Hm. You see how it is, then. It'll take more than just a wish to achieve your desire. Your power is still free to use, however, so you attempt to shape an Essence.
(Power: 1)
(Control: 6+1=7)
You dedicate the utmost of your focus to shaping each little fold and wave of the structure of the Word, and tap not a drop of power to fill your created structure.
Your frustration spikes, and you reach out and claim the structure
regardless of its lack of power, and shove it into your Crest.
Maybe it'll be of some use anyways.
[Gain Limited -2P/+2C Essence of Nek. When used, caps the maximum Power of its spell to 3.]Mmmph. I suppose it was too much to expect the cat to make me that strong in one go.
..I'll give the cat one more chance and then try to figure somethign else out myself.
"I'm in favor of just going straight through the middle of things. Hit there, and then check the fancy points at the edge
..This is a really good map. Thanks, Witch!"
"I'll also try to get that essence of Persistance together. I almost had it, but I didn't get the power up to fill it."
Repeat! Essence of Zelthenegen
Keep walking with the team, whichever way we go.
You know you can be strong. You know you should be strong. But it seems like there's only so much the cat-thing can do for you in that regard. Or maybe it's something that builds up, starting weak and growing mighty.
You have an inkling, though, that maybe you can make
yourself strong, without the help, if you just find the right Words, or the will to do so.
(Power: 4)
(Control: 5)
And that means claiming persistence for yourself. A building block for your future plans.
You forge your Essence and fill it with power. A little weaker than you wish it was, but it'll do quite well.
[Gain +1P/+1C Essence of Zelthenegen.]Luna's Vestige picks herself up off the ground awkwardly, wiping the ashen blood from her face. But despite the gray liquid leaking out of her eyes, her irises shine a vivid blue.
"I have wonderful news! We can teleport!"
She wipes the rest of the blood from her face, though a streak remains around one of her eyes, like badly-applied makeup. She doesn't seem to notice.
"Well, kind of. And it was really hard to go even that far. But we can! It's just a matter of wanting it enough. That's really cool! It might save one of us in a rough spot!"
It takes the girl a few seconds to realize the others aren't as interested in her discovery, and are rather paying attention to Witch's map. She doesn't seem to mind, though; she starts to inspect it with the same level of excitement.
"This is a really good map, well done. It's really weird, it's like I can hear it? I wonder what else we can communicate. Ah, we should split up, to investigate faster! And test how well we can communicate at a distance. Would any of you be up for partnering with me?"
Move along with the party, SEES. It's the most efficient path no matter where we go. At some point while walking, cast an experimental spell: "Ulvulme tarle diaboldatact vzzrl."
Well, regardless of the suffering you've put yourself through, you've learned something interesting! And that's what really matters.
In the same spirit as your previous action, you have an experimental spell to try. Hopefully the results will be enlightening!
(Power: 6)
(Control: 6+1=7)
You draw a torrent of power and shape it with a fervent will. The concepts you have bound
will comply.
A large flask made of sleek, shiny petrified wood materializes in your hand. It seems to be corked with a stopper made of the same material, fitting into whirling groves such that you can twist it to take it out or put it in. Within the flask is an oil-like liquid that flows like water, a dark purple in coloration. A braided cord of purple energy is tied around the neck of the flask, leading to a loop you can secure to your wrist, or hold around your neck, or tie to a scarf. It's quite convenient to carry.
Interestingly, the purple energy shows no sign of fading whatsoever.
What exactly have you made here...?
You'll have to find out.
My attention lingers on the teammate that attempted to teleport, as well as on their injuries, and the results of their efforts, before returning to the question of where we should go and if we should split up.
I really wish I had a way to try to help heal them.
"I guess we could split up a bit to test communications, but I think we're a lot safer as a team and a single big group, so I'd like to regroup before going very far."
I begin moving South->East->East->South with everyone else
So it seems like a lot of ourselves and even magic in general is kinda based on what we think and feel about it, rather than some hard-and-fast rules. So I'd guess that means even our spells will be shaped by them. That might explain why it seems like if I want a spell result to "fire" out at something I have to "fire" it. It's because I know the different meanings of "fire". So if I pre-image what spell effect I'm planning on making, maybe...
I then attempt to carefully image in my mind the desired result of the spell that I'm about to cast
First, I choose to focus on the general structure, I'm attempting to make a bronze spear that fires fire. Then the important details, the flame shot out from the tip of the spear should be reactive to the wielder's needs and desires, not simply constantly shooting off. And finally, I add in the non-critical imagery, the smooth but sharp leaf shape of the tip, the spiraling design of light and flame that goes down the shaft allowing the weapon a measure of beauty without sacrificing function, the length of it relative to my size so that it fits me well, the fine balance of the weapon allowing me to manuver it comfortably, and the intricate internal structure reinforcing the weapon throughout while also reducing overall weight. As a closing step, I go back in reverse and make sure that I have down the important details and the general structure well, bookending the imaging process with the most critical aspects of what I'm planning to make so that I will retain these details in my head as well as possible.
And once I've finished the process and am confident that I'm ready, I go ahead and cast while using the essence I just made and while maintaining the above image of what I'm trying to make:
"Magi TokTok Taqquin <Taqquin>"
What if... magic is made of more than just the Words and the Power you bring to bear, and the Control you exert?
The ideas behind the magic seem to hold some influence, still. A signature weapon would be quite nice, wouldn't it?
You draw out a detailed visualization of the spell you wish to cast, and you layer that over the structures of the Words you tie together.
You bring your Heart to bear.
(Heart: 3)
(Power: 1)
(Control: 3+1+1=5)
For a brilliant moment, the perfect weapon hangs in front of you. A bronze spear, tip ignited with flame, perfectly shaped for your hands, a shining weapon ready to destroy whatever you wish to strike.
Then the image is gone, because the mold you crafted was never filled.
But it was easier to make the mold than it should have been - even given the Essence you expended.
Yes, maybe you're onto something.
Heavenly Clerk looks mildly disappointed that they couldn't summon a frying pan "Awwwww come on! Right well... lets uh stick together for now! Ill uh... try again during the trip... also what you all talking about anyway? Not that I was zoning out or anything! Just uh... focusing on other things!"
Move with the rest of the group and try to summon a frying pan again... wait I gotta say the words shoot uh... Requiem right? I swear feels like its been weeks!
Okay! Take two! You're headed into danger no doubt, and you need a proper weapon for smacking Outsiders with!
(Power: 3)
(Control: 5)
A frying pan (a small one, a skillet really) made of brown energy lands in your waiting hand. It sure could be bigger... but it's good enough for a few whacks, and it's not like it'll fade soon.
Your expert eye estimates it'll last around [6 Turns] before breaking apart. Better keep track of that. You're a proper therapist, not some amateur who loses their gear willy-nilly.
You all walk down a cracked asphalt road. While you can only see so far ahead of you, given the walls of ghastly grove-houses, the map projected on your minds won't lead you astray.
Things seem somehow gloomier. Darker. You can still see, but this isn't a place where people live. Or at least, nothing resembling your ideas of what people are.
There aren't any auras of hatred and malice and destruction - no Outsiders, at least not yet.
But you know you're unwelcome. You had best be ready for what's coming - whatever that may be.
H_HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
H___HH_H______HH##H
H_H@_____H_H##HHH#H
H_H_H_HHHH_H##__HHH
H_H_H____H_H_HH__HH
H_H___HH___H___H_HH
H___H_HH_##HH_HH_HH
HHHHH_HHH##___HH###
HHH___H#HH_HH__##*#
H___H_HHHH__H_HH###
H_H_H_______H_HHH_H
H_HHHH_HHH_HH___H_H
H___H____H_HHHH_H_H
H###H_HH_H_HH__###H
H#*#__HH______H#*#H
H###HHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Houses have been marked in H. They may be traversed by breaking through them. Assessment: moderate-high risk.
Roads have been marked in _. By default, your party may traverse 4 road areas per [Turn], at a steady pace. Assessment: low risk.
Obfuscated, unknown areas have been marked in #. Assessment: unknown risk.
Key areas, that may contain your objective, have been marked in *. Assessment: unknown risk.
Author
Topic: The Gate of Dreams - Glass Cream (5 / 5) - 16 (Read 32885 times)