"It will, when you're ready, when you are powerful enough to cast it without sacrifice... it will open a portal to Arcturus. I give you this for one reason, and one reason only.
Your father isn't here.
Because he's alive.

Your dearest servant..."

You skip over the signature and the spell, going back up. You can't believe your eyes.

"I give you this for one reason, and one reason only.
Your father isn't here.
Because he's alive."

He's alive.

You're sitting in Raziel's old necromancy room, a small chamber off to the side of the cistern, hugging your knees, staring down at the book in front of you.

>>20759224
That's great news. We need to tell Mar! Let's find her and tell her the news.

>>20759224
Cry.
How is he still alive? Is he ok? Is he being tortured like Kyvann was? Will he still be alive by the time we can cast the spell?

>>20759224
Shock
Cry
Rage?
He's alive.

>>20759224
Could that mean the elemental we sent home actually helped them?

>>20759242
>>20759253
>>20759266
>>20759269
D) All of the above

Too many thoughts to be going through for something like this.

You tremble, too many feelings rushing through you. How? Is he alive? Is he being tortured? Did the elemental you sent home actually help them? Will he still be alive when you can cast the spell? How?

Completely overwhelmed, you cover your face, lean into the wall, and start crying. Almost before you realize, there's someone patting your shoulder, rather awkwardly. You open your eye, and Cassiel's crouched there.
"Are you okay?" He asked, calmly.

>>20759333
It's much better to cry into Cassiel, than into a wall. Hug Cassiel, don't let go until we feel a bit better.
"J-just a bit overwhelmed right now."

rolled 40 = 40

>>20759333
"Yeah, I just... need some time to think."
It's time to pull yourself together and try to phone home.

>>20759378
eenope too soon for that.

>>20759378
Didn't Eidolon tell us to stay clear of our home, at least for the time being? Considering he was bound to say the truth at that time, and finally reunited with the love of his life, I think we should heed his advice.

>>20759407
I don't think we're thinking that clearly. It's not going to work with a 40, just waste all our energy trying and pass out.

rolled 82 = 82

>>20759378
Put the dice down, don. Let
me handle things from here.

"J-just a bit overwhelemed right now." You say, giving him a hug and sniffling into his shoulder, taking refuge in his feathers. Slowly, but surely, you dry your tears and pull yourself back together, picking up the arcturian spellbook once again, closing it. "I just... need some time to think."
"Well, if you want to talk, I'll be in the courtyard, reading." He said, and patted your shoulder. He made his way out of the cistern again.

It's time to see your home, you realize. You close your eyes, and bring forth your magic. It tears through your body, seeking somewhere Else, and falls into the ether, drifting away from you.
You give yourself a dry grin. You've always been so good at scrying. At least now, you're strong enough for a failure like that to barely effect you.

>>20759469
try again using >>20759465

>>20759469
Dad's alive, that won't change depending on if we actually manage to see him, or not.
Let's head outside, the dark chamber isn't probably the best for our mood in this situation.

rolled 54 = 54

>>20759469
We opened a portal for that elemental, we can open a portal for Father.

But not really because I'm probably not going to roll a 100.

You bring your magic forth a second time, and focus, gritting your teeth and glaring at nothingness, the spell weaving in and around your eyes, with the strong sense of diviniation magic in the air.

Your vision blurs, and when it clears, you see... a forest, with a deer, trotting this way and that. It suddenly stares at something behind it-
And an imp tackles it, slashing at the animal's neck. It puts it's teeth to the deer's neck, and starts drinking. Through the connection, you sense something... familiar.
You sense blood magic.

Soon enough, the imp stands, covered in blood. It creeps away, wings twitching-
And an arrow tore through it's head.
Behind it, out of the brush, comes two soldiers.

One of them is a soldier you recognized.
Franklin, of the royal guard. An unrepentant womanizer, but he was always kind and loyal- one of the few people who continued trying to talk to you while you simply stared at him.
The two of them slung the dead deer on their backs, and quickly and quietly exited your view. Going... somewhere.

You took a deep breath, and pulled away from the spell, blinded in the darkness. You make your way up, and outside of the dungeons.
"Did you get the ankh?" Marigold asked from the courtard, sitting with Nahzit and Redglare at the table set up there.

rolled 57 = 57

>>20759597
"MartherearepeoplestillaliveinArcturus!"

>>20759597
"Yes, and it seems to have changed. Azariel recommended giving it to Cassiel, so he's holding on to it for now."
Then hug her.
"Mar, there are still people alive back home."

I have a feeling that she's going to want to sacrifice the ankh or something drastic like that in order to get them to new arcturus

"MartherearepeoplestillaliveinArcturus." You say, the words spilling out of you before you consider saying anything else.
"I... what?" She asked.
"Mar, there are still people alive back home."
For a full two seconds, her mouth gaped... and then she nodded.
"I thought everyone died. That's what you... implied." She said. "So... when are we going?"

>>20759694
"As soon as I can cast the portal spell."

>>20759694
"As soon as I can amass the largest army known to man."

>>20759694
We... can't. Not yet at least. Father's still alive so they can manage until we find a safe way to do it.

>>20759694
"As soon as I can mange to get people to and from Arcturus without sacrificing a person in the progress."

>>20759694
Show her the book and the spell in the back.

"When I can cast this without fail."

>>20759694
As soon as doing so won't kill me.

"As soon as I can cast the portal spell, without sacrificing people in the progress." You say, flipping open the book and pointing to the spell.
"This looks... really different than the kind of spells Cassiel tried showing me." Marigold said. "What school is magic portals in? Wasn't Gehenna's brother really good at them?"

>>20759756
"I think it's a combination of multiple schools, at least from what I can gather about it."

>>20759694
as quickly as we can cover new Arcturus in Galadriel's Light. we need tones of magic power

>>20759791
I wonder if we can build magic based stargate system.

"I think it's a combination of multiple schools, at least from what I can gather about it." You say, and sit. "We're going to need a lot of magic power. Can we cover New Arcturus in Galadriel's Light?"
"I tried, remember?" Marigold said, pointing over to the patch of Galadriel's Light in her garden. "They don't grow anywhere if I don't work on it, and it's really tiring for me. I think it has to do with needing different nutrients in the soil."
Suddenly, your serpent buzzed, and almost identically to the way the rings did, you heard Kaliel's voice.
<Ish.. Ishelda? I, um, might need your help. I'm on Sparrow, on the tower.>

>>20759838
"Sorry Mar, my help is required elsewhere. I'm sure we'll find a way to get home soon. Although we have to be careful with all the demons still on Arcturus."
<Coming.>

rolled 9 = 9

>>20759838
Tellyporta-ing

rolled 34 = 34

>>20759863
>tellyporta-ing
>roll like that
let daddy discord show you how it's done

>>20759863
>>20759868
Do we even need to do that. I mean just fucking walk there. How lazy can one be.

>>20759838
"Right. Kal might be able to help with that. I'll figure something out, it's going to be a while before I can cast this anyway."
<Is it urgent?>
If it's not, we should find Zeke. He's our magic teacher.

Wait, aren't we still in Kalak form? Just fly up there.

>>20759891
Yeah, that sounds good. We need to work on our flying skills anyway.

"Sorry, Mar, my help is required elsewhere. I'm sure we'll find a way to get home soon. Although we have to be careful with all the demons still on Arcturus."
"O-okay." She responded. "If they were able to live for three years, I'm.. sure they could last a bit longer."

You make your way into the tower just outside of the keep, and take the stairs straight up to the airship tower. You would have sworn you were still in kalak form, but during the time you cried, before Gehenna arrived, you must have turned human again. Strange.

You finally get up to the top of the tower, and Kaliel is standing there, hands over Kaliel's belly. Ell was standing there, worriedly.
"I'm... going to need a bit of extra power." Kaliel said.

>>20759909
>hands over Kiyara's belly
>Whoops, names

>>20759909
>You finally get up to the top of the tower, and Kaliel is standing there, hands over Kaliel's belly

I guess one of these is to be Kiyara, instead of Kaliel?

>>20759909
>Kaliel is standing there, hands over Kaliel's belly. Ell was standing there, worriedly.
Oh no, Kaliel's been cheating on us!

...Give her some power.

>>20759909
"Of course."
This seems to be important, so make sure we try to transfer a bit of power by using wizardry, not sorcery.

rolled 37 = 37

>>20759924
power transfer spell go

rolled 41 = 41

Use the wizardry power transfer, this seems to be the sort of thing we don't want to mess up.

we dont need no rolls to manipulate magic

>In case you're thinking of the control magic signature spell, you still need to roll for those. The important thing about them is you can't fail at casting them.

"Of course." You say. You twist your hands into the form for a power transfer spell, and say the word. You're... a bit distracted, and the spell starts to get loose, but the strange lines on your arms start gleaming, using extra power to keep the spell intact. Your hands get warm, and you put them on Kaliel's shoulders, sparks of power dancing between you and her. Kaliel focuses, and Kiyara gasps, arching her spine back, and Kaliel pulls her hands back.
"Thank you." Kaliel tells you.
"Are you... certain it worked?" Ell asked, pulling Kiyara to her feet.
"I'm certain." Kaliel said. "Whatever the demonfire did to her, I was able to repair it."

>>20759979
"Ooooh, are you two planning to start a family?"

>>20759979
>"Thank you." Kaliel tells you.
"I live to serve, that's a queen's lot in life."

"Ooooh, are you two planning to start a family?"
"Uh, yeah." Kiyara said. "We've been... trying, for some time, but when we attacked the demons, the fire... did something to me. If you're certain I'm healed, Kaliel, then... Sparrow is yours."
Ell took Kiyara's hand, and murmured something in elven.

>>20760058
Blush. "Oh, that's why I have seen so little of you recently."

>>20760058
"We were wondering earlier if elves have marriage."

>>20760058
Note to self: Learn elven. You know, for diplomatic reasons, not for eavesdropping.

You blush, faintly. "Oh, that's why I have seen so little of you recently."
Ell, his own cheeks pink, nodded.
"We were wondering earlier if elves have marriage." You say, suddenly.
"We do, but it's hardly common." Kiyara said. "Fey marriage hardly ever happens nowadays, but... me and Ele'merelda'jaridan are going to do it next spring."
"Tradition, for my family, to get married instead of just becoming life partners." Ell said, seemingly unfazed with Kiyara saying his whole name.

"Kal, when you have the time, I've got something I need to tell you, Raz, and Zeke about. Could you do me a favor and get them while I go make the tea?
It's important, but not urgent."

>>20760129
"Yay! Can I be one of the bridesmaids? Do elves have bridesmaids! Can I help plan the wedding?"

>>20760129
"I'm so happy for you. Is there going to be a big ceremony?"

"Yay! Can I be one of the bridesmaids? Do elves have bridesmaids? Is there going to be a big ceremony?" You ask.
"We don't have big ceremonies with a lot of people. It's a private, sacred ceremony between two people." Kiyara said. "Their families, even more rarely, but I'm thinking it'll just be us two."
"Three, if things go well." Ell added, and Kiyara nodded.

You turn to Kal. "When you have the time, I've got something I need to tell you, Raz, and Zeke about. It's important, but not urgent."
"Well..." She said. "We can do it now," She said, looking over the horizon. Today's gone by rather slowly, but the sun is close to setting. "I planned to leave in the morning, but I can push the whole thing back another few days... or weeks."

>>20760226
<Kal, I really wish you would come clean with me. I'm sure you're holding something back about this journey of yours.>

>>20760226
"Do what you need to do, Kal. Whatever that may be.
That being said, this is something you'll definitely want to hear about."

>>20760245
<If you don't tell her, I will.> <You wouldn't.> <She deserves to know you might not come back.> <I will come back.> <Are you sure?> <..No.>

Should we include the other Kalak too? He's their adopted farther as much as Kaliels.

>>20760271
Huh? Where's that from?

>>20760280
Hmm, if they want maybe.

>>20760288
https://twitter.com/Futureexabyte/status/246688335693746176

>>20760298
Thanks. Haven't checked the twitter in weeks.

>>20760271
She told us she might not come back.

"Do what you need to do, Kal. Whatever that may be." You say. "That being said, this is something you'll definitely want to hear about."
"Really?" She asked. "Then I'll get them up here." She said, and glanced at her ring for a moment. She met your eyes. "Zeke is on his way, but Raziel didn't respond."

>>20760337
"I'm sure she's.. occupied with something else right now."
Don't think about it.

>>20760337
"Sorry, I forgot. Raziel is... busy."

>>20760337
"Yeah, I was afraid of that. Apparently Kristoph and her are back together."

I figured most of this out a while ago but it was just speculation. With the foreshadowing and hints Exabyte gave in the last thread I'm like 90% sure this is right.

We are already in Old Actures. We are the one that saved our farther and is currently leading the survivors against the demons to retake our world.

-Years from now master portal spell and time travel spell.
-Return to Actures, travel back in time and arrive moments after our younger self left.
-Save our farther and murder the fuck out of the demons.
-Encounter radiation elemental sent by our younger self, be seen by younger self for a moment and destroy the elemental before we fuck up the time line.
-Instruct Ediolon to warn our younger self to stay away and avoid universe destroying paradox.

>>20760370
That was Void Queen you dumbass

>>20760370
Nice theory, but no. The new world specifically has entirely different constellations from old Arcturus.
The 'older self' Ishelda saw through the elemental was Void Queen, who is technically an older Ishelda from another failed timeline if the non-canon bad-ends are to be believed.

>>20760383
We saw an older version of ourself leading solders and they called her Majesty.

Nothing to confirm Voidqueen.

"I'm sure she's... occupied with something else right now." You say.
"Someone, your eyes say." She said.

"Anyway, we'd best get our stuff off of your ship." Kiyara said. "Again, thank you, Kaliel. And Ishelda."
"It wasn't a problem." Kaliel responded. Ell and Kiyara took up large bags out of Sparrow's tiny hold, and took them to the tower.
"We'll be moving onto the roof of the keep." Ell said. "Just... temporarily."

Together, the two of them loaded up their stuff on Ell's suit, and the two of them tromped off.

Zeke made his way up to the airship tower, and waved.
"Kaliel said there was someting 'important, but not urgent'." Zeke said.

>>20760370
We discuss this sort of thing in the irc all the time when we're not dicking around, you should come join us.
#exabyte @ rizon

>>20760392
What do the constellations have to do with anything?

>>20760410
Never been in on those, I'll drop in if I can.

>>20760410
But everyone knows quest IRCs are for faggots.

>>20760406
"Yes. You see, I had the chance to speak with Azariel." Then explain what happened.

>>20760406
>Kaliel said there was someting 'important, but not urgent
I guess we can catch Raz up later.
*Tell him what happened with his farther*

>>20760406
"Yeah, I was hoping to get Raz in on this too so I'd have to tell the long story one less time, but apparently she's indisposed."

Sit them down for some tea, and then plop down our new Wizarding book.

"Well, I had a long talk with Azariel today. After talking to him about the ritual with Cassiel, he told me what I did to make it work wouldn't have just killed me, it would've spent my very soul. He felt he wanted to repay me for that, so...he offered to go find my parents in the afterlife, rules be damned.
I insisted he shouldn't do anything to get himself in trouble, but he did anyway. He's mostly alright, but something seems to have taken his wings.

What he brought back was this book. Or rather, a spectral version of it. This is the copy of it. From the court Wizard of Arcturus.

He himself took the spectral version into himself, and appears to have his evocation back as a result. He considers it to be worth it apparently."

>>20760447
If that's what you want to think, that's fine.

>>20760406
"Azariel found the wizard that sent me here from Arcturus, and he sent back a spell book, which Azariel transcribed into this one. At the back... At the back is a letter, from the wizard, saying that my father must still be alive, because he isn't dead."

>>20760447
Who the hell do you think you're fooling.

This it 4chan. We're all faggots here.

If you think you're not then you're a denialfag.

>>20760482
I may be a faggot, but at least I'm not a double faggot.

>>20760417
Well, if the stars in the sky are completely different, then it can't be the same world, can it? Stars last millions if not billions of years. The only way you could change those and have it be the same world is by moving where the world is in the cosmos entirely.
Hence this world isn't Arcturus.

>>20760447
Yeah, but we're faggots who have fun if you stick around long enough. Don't you want to be a funfag?

>>20760468
"It's in Arcturian, so only Mar and I could read it, but...in the back is a letter to me specifically, saying that my father is still alive, fighting the demons, and a spell to open a portal there without sacrifice, should one be strong enough to cast it."

>>20760516
Of course two different worlds would have different stars. Since I was talking about two separate worlds.... Why is that an issue?

>>20760581
That you're seemingly incapable of translating your thoughts into any kind of coherent post.

"Yeah, I was hoping to get Raz in on this too so I'd have to tell the long story one less time, but apparently she's indisposed." You say, and take a seat on Jormungandr, setting down the heavy, leathery book.
"Well, I had a long talk with Azariel today. After talking to him about the ritual with Cassiel, he told me what I did to make it work wouldn't have just killed me, it would've spent my very soul."
"And you're soul's still..." Kaliel said, worried.
"I'm fine." You tell her. "He felt he wanted to repay me for that, so... he offered to go find my parents in the afterlife, rules be damned. I insisted he shouldn't do anything to get himself in trouble, but he did it anyway. He's mostly alright, but something seems to have taken his wings."
"Taken his wings?" Zeke asked. "That's... not good. Spectres and spirits aren't supposed to take damage like that. Ever."
"What he brought back was this spellbook." You say, setting the thick, leathery tome on the table. "Or rather, a spectral version of it."
"... I can't speak that language." Kaliel said, peering at it. "It uses human runes, though..."
"It's in Arcturian. From the court wizard of Arcturus, so only Mar and I could read it, but..." You say. "At the back... At the back is a letter, from the wizard, saying that my father must still be alive, b-because he isn't dead."
There was a moment of silence.
"Then people at your home is still alive." Zeke said.
"Good. I'm glad." Kaliel responded.
>Field too long!

>>20760581
>We are already in Old Actures

>>20760581
I apologize, I misunderstood your original post. When you said 'We are already in Old Arcturus', I took that to mean you were implying that the two worlds are the same place at different points in time.

>>20760609

"There's also a spell to open a portal there without sacrifice, should one be strong enough to cast it." You say.
Zeke's head shot up.
"Those... those spells are rare. Very rare. Portals to other worlds are all but impossible." He said. "Translocation is one thing, but travel to other realms... Without sacrifice?"

File: 1347912365066.png-(149 KB, 622x410, draco 50000 year prediction.png)

>>20760516
>Stars last millions if not billions of years. The only way you could change those and have it be the same world is by moving where the world is in the cosmos entirely.
Actually stars appear to move relative to each other so constellations could be unrecognisable in mere hundreds of thousands of years.

>>20760624
"Mar and I could try to translate the spells for you, if you're interested, Zeke."

>>20760628
I wasn't aware of that actually, thank you. Not sarcasm.

>>20760605
Err.. No. I'm going with reading comprehension fail on your part.

>Years from now master portal spell and time travel spell.
>Return to Actures, travel back in time and arrive moments after our younger self left.

>master portal spell
>Return to Actures

>>20760652
When 3 anons in the thread don't get what you're talking about, then yes - the mistake is clearly theirs.

>>20760652
Arcturus.

>>20760624
"Given that he's your father, and what a momentous thing it is for me, I wanted you guys to know about it.
He also said he'd be unavailable for awhile. He's really stirred things up on his side of the veil, and so until the next moon or so he'll be ensuring malicious spirits don't cross over to our side."

>>20760609
"I'm not really sure what happened to Azariel, to be honest. He said he was able to get his evocation back, by doing whatever he did, though."

>>20760624
"I'll translate it for you so you can have a look at it. I want to cast this as soon as possible so can we step up the wizard training?"

>>20760617
Ah, right. No, we are already there because our future self travelled back in time and is currently murdering the fuck out of the demons.

>>20760700
He already tought us a lesson recently, now we need to get some actual training done.

>>20760716
I know we had one recently, but they've been very sporadic. I mean set up a proper schedule and have them often.

>>20760673
Responded to 1 anon then 2 others pointed out the misunderstanding.

>>20760760
>One anon says he doesn't get what you're saying
>Another says he misunderstood your post
>It took me a while to get what you were saying
It was unclear, ok?

"I'm not really sure what happened to Azariel, to be honest. He said he was able to get his evocation back, by doing whatever he did, though." You say.
"Really?" Zeke asked, suddenly grinning. "I'll have him teach me more about evocation, then."
"He also said he'd be unavailable for awhile."
"Well, then I'll have to wait." He responded, and shrugged.
"I'll translate the book for you so you can have a look at it. I want to cast this as soon as possible, so can we step up the wizard training?"
"For the most part, I just need to see the runes." He said. "Those are the important parts."

He flipped open the book and examined it for some time.
"This one's light, right?" He asks, and you nod.
"Strange. They may be a complete different language, but the way your people use magic is the same. Azariel was surprised at the same thing, when he arrived here. But we can use this to train you." He said. "I can read the spells themselves fine, and every wizard needs a book of their own, in case you need a spell that you forgot."

He flipped to the very last page, glancing through-
And then his eyes widened.
"Erm... I, uh, don't think you can cast this." He said. "I don't think.. I could cast this. Or Raziel. Or even Azariel. It takes the most difficult parts of enchantment, forces you to alchemize something that doesn't exist, and then you need to use a lot of translocation without being able to calculate anything."

>>20760840
"It doesn't matter. I WILL cast it."

>>20760840
"I'm sure we'll manage to find a way, eventually."

>>20760840
"I have to. Not right now, but eventually. I *have* to get that good."

>>20760840
"Then we know what I need study most on then.

And Zeke, I trust Merlin. If he says this spell will work then it will."

rolled 19 = 19

>>20760840
pick a random spell and caaaaast

>>20760840
So... my average wednesday then?

>>20760933
What? No. Why would we even do that?

"I'm sure we'll manage to find a way, eventually." You say. "I have to. Not right now, but eventually. I *have* to get that good."
"Aeriel." Kaliel said. "Aeriel was that good... and then he became Ragnarok. Could we... have him cast it?"

>>20760933
Let's not do that. Zeke has warned us many times what may happen if a more complicated spelll goes wrong.
Even with our magic hands, we can't really know what will happen, and it might be an incredibly destructive spell.

>>20760946
It's meant for me. I'll do it. Some day.

>>20760946
"We tried to summon his spirit, but he's gone. Most likely bound by a necromancer. Or at least I hope so."

>>20760946
"No. He's dead and we can't even find his ghost.
I know I can do it. I already did it with sorcery."

>>20760946
>>20760976
Add on to that.

"I want to be able to do this. To go home through my own power. No matter how long it takes."

>>20760840
I should be able to supplement wizardry with sorcery when it comes to the translocation, but I don't know if I can create something if I don't know what it is.

We should also see if there are any spells in our new book that Gehenna might want to copy.

"We tried to summon his spirit, but he's gone." You say. "And... I want to be able to do this. It's meant for me. I'll do it, some day. To go home through my own power."
Kaliel nodded, but through her ring, you sense a small amount of disquiet.
"Well then." Zeke said. "Start reading the book aloud. We have... a lot of practice to do. You'll be casting them, but you aren't supposed to memorize them, just *do* them. I'll be speeding things up. I'm not teaching you spells. I'm teaching you *wizardry*. Are you okay with this, Ishelda?"

>>20761093
"You're the experienced wizard, I trust you."

>>20761093
"You've been a fantastic teacher so far, Zeke."

>>20761093
Give Kali a hug through the serpent ring. <I hope you'll be able to come, too.>

"You've been a fantastic teacher, and you're the experienced wizard." You say. "I trust you."
"Well then." He said. "Go sit down in the Galadriel's Light. You're going to need a lot of power."
"I'm.. going to go play with Sparrow a bit." Kaliel said, and made her way over to the silver, elven ship.
While he watched, you recited the first few pages of the spellbook, which mostly explained the basics behind each school, and the basics of focusing your power. You move on to light spells, and the first few spells you already know. You name another spell, and he looks up.
"Well. Now we know how far you are in the book." He said, and rubbed his talons together. "Let's get started."

>Wizardry training!
>Roll 1d100, and taking the first... three. All three will be used.

rolled 75 = 75

>>20761193
For King and Country

rolled 57 = 57

>>20761193
Here we go.

rolled 10 = 10

>>20761193

rolled 82 = 82

>>20761193
dice

>>20761208
C-C-COMBO BREAKER!

>>20761203
>>20761206
>>20761208
I'd guess Ishelda needs to work on her ability to concentrate for extended amounts of time.

rolled 51 = 51

>>20761236
rolling to synthesise ritalin

"Now this one." Zeke said, as you pant, draining more energy from the ship.
You take a look at the rune, twist your fingers, and cast. A strange field of light appears around you, like a cage.
"Cast it again, but target me." He said. You do so, and the spell appears around him, making long bars.
"Well, that's how you combine an evocation and abjuration spell for a force cage." He said. "What's next?"
You wipe your brow, and look down to the book. "It says... sixth circle spells, and has an essay on the three components."
"What does it say?" He asked, quill in hand as he copies it over in common, as he's been doing for the past three hours.
You squint down at the paper and cast yet another light spell, so you can read it in the dark, and you start explaining. "There are three components to a wizard's spell. The component of the form- how one moves their body. The component of the voice- what one speaks. And finally, the component of the mind- what one thinks, and how they control their power. The latter is a constant- it must always be there. But the two other components are optional. Each sound has a somatic component you can use instead, and each movement has a word you can speak..." You read, eventually explaining to Zeke how to cast without components.
>Continued!

"Well." He said. "You heard yourself. Cast Light.. with only your voice."
You flip back to the earlier pages, find the light spell, and then quickly translate the somatic runes into parts of a word. Holding your focus, you speak...
And nothing happens.

"Try it again."
You re-translate the motions into words, and try again, focusing more than normal, and speaking with different intonations, but sparks drift from your mouth.
"Then try just the somatic components." He said.

You try those, as well, translating the words into motions, but sparks simply dance from your fingertips, not coalescing into a sphere as it should.
"Are you swishing and flicking?" Zeke asked, and you nod.
His lips quirked, and he sighed.
"Here's where we hit our first wall." He said. "But it's dark, so you should get some sleep. When we get up, you'll need to practice not using components more."

>>20761356
>goddamnit he's a kalak he has no lips. Whoops!

>>20761356
Zeke's human atm?

>>20761356
>Swish and flick
Wait, that's not light...

Go find Grayson and sleep on him.

>>20761356
"Of course, thank you for the lesson. Would you like to have breakfast with me, tomorrow?"

<Kal, are you still planning to leave tomorrow morning?>

"Of course, thank you for the lesson." You say. "Would you like to have breakfast with me, tomorrow?"
"Might as well." He said. "Though, if we're planning to go into demon lands.. I should touch up on making astral fire. Goodnight, Ishelda."

He grinned, his plumage shifting.
"By the way... you'll be a wonderful wizard." He said, and made his way off of Jormungandr.
<Kal, are you still planning to leave tomorrow morning?> You ask, through the ring.
<I haven't decided yet.> She said, from Sparrow- it wasn't far from you, docked at the same tower Jormungandr was.

>>20761501
Go make it a night to remember.

>>20761501
<I've been thinking, if your journey will take a bit longer than a few days, would you be willing to come back to me every few weeks, or so? I know I'll miss you terribly, rings or not.>

>>20761501
Are you sure you really want to do this on your own?

>>20761538
I think it's a bit too soon for that. Of course, only if you're implying what I think you're implying.

>>20761559
A night of cuddling and makeouts?

>>20761559
I'm implying what you think I am, but I understand if you guys disagree.

>>20761553
let her
>>20761539
dont try and influence her

So, are we spending time with Kal in human, kalak or other form?

<Are you sure you really want to do this on your own?> You ask, getting to your feet. They're unsteady- even if you kept recovering your magic from Jormungandr, that much focus and work still takes something out of you.
<I'm... not sure of anything.> She said. You make your way over to Sparrow, going belowdeck, ducking your head at the small room in there. Sparrow had almost no space, save for enough for two people to live. Kaliel was sitting on the bed, hugging her knees.

>>20761657
We're tired, she's worried/unsure.
Sit down on the bed, and wrap our arms around her.
"Do you want to talk about it?"

>>20761657
Ask her gently if she wants to talk about it.

>>20761657
Hug her, wait for her to say something. Try not to fall asleep.

>>20761657
"Whatever you do Kali, I believe you can do it. You've done marvelously so far, don't let being unsure stop you from achieving what you want to do."

>>20761657
"Is something troubling you Kal?"

>>20761657
"I guess no one ever really is. The more I go about actually leading, the more I realize how much of it is made up on the spot and backed up with confidence.
I'm never sure my decisions are going to be the best ones, I just have to hope they are and act like I'm sure of it. If I didn't, everyone else would falter."

Sit down next to her, and wrap our arms around her, "I'll miss and worry about you so much, Kal. But...I think you should go, because I believe you can do it."

You sit down on the bed, and wrap your arms around her.
"Do you want to talk about it?" You ask, leaning your head on her shoulder.
"I shouldn't be like this." She said, finally. "Just because I'm going to be alone for the first time... I'm an accomplished wizard, I've saved lives, I'm even making my own school of magic... It's so silly."

>>20761784
"You don't have to do this alone if you don't want to."

>>20761784
First, >>20761745 then, "You won't entirely be alone." take hold of her hand with the ring on it, "I'll always be with you, thanks to this." kiss her on the cheek.

>>20761784
"It's not silly, not at all. But that's why I gave you the ring.
There's a piece of me in it, Kal. All you have to do is call for me, and my attention is brought there immediately. I can probably cast magic through it too, if you wanted me to."

>>20761784
"No, no it isn't. You've spent you're entire life with your family. There was always somebody there for you, even if you didn't want them to be. It'll be the first time you're on your own out in the world. I always had the royal court and countless servants around me, back on Arcturus. You can't imagine how scared I was when I first came here."

"That's not silly, not at all." You say. "You've spent your entire life with your family. There was always somebody there for you, even if you didn't want them to be. It'll be the first time you're on your own in the world. And... you don't have to do this alone if you don't want to." You say.

"Except I want to. I want to be able to be alone." She said. "I don't want to be crippled because I'm terrified of going anywhere alone."

>>20761942
"It's just so much nicer when you're not alone. I understand why you want to do this, but I think I'm just as conflicted about this as you are."

>>20761942
"Alright," Kiss her on the cheek, "But if you ever need me, remember I'm just a heartbeat away."

"It's just so much nicer when you're not alone." You say, and kiss her on the cheek. "I understand why you want to do this, but I think I'm just as conflicted about this as you are."
"I'd offer to bring you with me, but you need to stay here." She said. "And I'm not going to ask you to leave your kingdom for me." She said, returning your hug. "It would be an insult."

>>20762070
"And you need to do this, I understand." Ruffle her hair. "I leave my kingdom all the time, though. So if you want me to accompany you for a part of your journey, now or in the future, just say so. Marigold, Gehenna, and all the others will manage to do fine for some time without me. So being a bit selfish from time to time is alright, I guess."

>>20762070
"It wouldn't, not from you."

>>20762070
"No it wouldn't, you just know I'd have to say 'No.' At least for now. It would be a hard choice, though."

>>20762070
"All right, I understand. Good luck and come back quickly."

"It wouldn't, not from you." You say. "You just know I'd have to say 'no', at least for now. It would be a hard choice, though."
"Hah, no it wouldn't." She said, and kissed you. "... Do you want to sleep here, tonight? You're all... wobbly. I could escort you to your room, if not."

>>20762070
Hold up the ring.
"With this I'm only a call away."

>>20762269
"As long as it's with you, I don't care right now."

>>20762269
"It would be if I say so." Lean against her, kiss her softly, gently pushing her over, <Here's nice.>

>>20762269
"I'll stay for tonight..."

>>20762269
"I'd prefer to stay here. The training with Zeke left me really exhausted."
Snuggle into the covers, make sure we're still hugging Kal, and promptly fall asleep.

>>20762269
"Well, I promised you would see New Arcturus from my bedroom window, but I guess that will have to wait until you're back."
See if falling asleep on Kaliel is as nice as it's on Grayson. She did mumble about having to catch up on that, a few days ago.

"I umm...I w-wouldn't mind if...if we did something other t-than sleeping. If you wanted t-to."

"As long as it's with you, I don't care right now." You say, and lean against her, kissing her deeply, softly, and before you know it, the two of you are lying down, clinging to one another. You kiss her one more time, and exhausted, you close your eyes, and almost immediately fall asleep.
Kaliel sighs, disappointed, and tucks you in, before cuddling under the covers with you.

You wake up, and the sun's already started to rise. Kaliel is snuggled up against you, unconscious... and wearing the nightwear you'd purchased for her, in Sosaria.

>>20762416
Enjoy her company a bit more, if we have some time until breakfast with Zeke. Then see if kissing her will wake her up.

Put wet things into places in order to wake her up.

>>20762416
Well, we're allowed to do absolutely anything to get her up...

Like shaking her shoulders and saying "wake up".

>>20762416
The proper method to waking a sleeping maiden is to kiss her, so let's do that.

>>20762460
I think we never actually tried that. Seconded.

You hug her a bit more tightly for a moment, to find that your entire body is stiff. You shake her shoulder a bit and ask her to wake up, but she mumbles something, and simply snuggles a bit closer to you, hiding her face in the crook of your neck. You think for a moment, and decide that the proper way to awaken a maiden is to kiss her.
So you do, and she kisses you back, insistently, wrapping her arms around your shoulders.
A moment later, she opened an eye, and it was a deep red, unnaturally clear, as kalak eyes were.

"Good morning." She said.

>>20762519
shes under the influence of her talent or was up all night looking after ishy

>>20762519
"Morning, Kal. I promised Zeke I'd have breakfast with him. Would you like to join us, or rather sleep a bit more?"

>>20762519
"'Morning. Sleep well?"

>>20762519
"Good morning, sleepyhead."

And >>20762534

"Morning, sleepyhead." You say. "Sleep well?"
"Not really, but waking up was much, much better." She said, closing her eyes for a moment again, before kissing your forehead and sitting up.
"I promised Zeke I'd have breakfast with him. Would you like to join us, or rather sleep a bit more?"
"Sleep is the enemy right now." She said, and grinned at you. She got out of bed, opened up the doorway to the cargo hold, and pulled out her suit of living armor. She started removing her clothing- all of it, you note, furiously blushing. "I'll be glad to join you." She said.

>>20762601
"W-would you like some help putting it on?"

>>20762601
Try to avert eyes. Fail.

>>20762601
Turn around and let her change, you're already had enough of that last night.

>>20762627
>>20762631
These.

>>20762645
We can't turn away, we're transfixed.

"W-would you like some help putting it on?" You ask, trying and failing to resist the urge to peek.
"I'll be fine." She said, giving you a sly grin. "But thank you for offering."
She clambered into the suit, which clasped behind her, the carapace in the spine locking together. The tail whipped this way and that, wildly.
"I'm going to have to enhance this eventually." She said, looking down to the rest of the suit. "Maybe wings..."

>>20762719
"Have you thought of incorporating a ranged attack, you wouldn't have to get locked into melee that way."

>>20762719
"I'm not sure, wouldn't they mostly get in the way of the tail?"

rolled 58 = 58

>>20762719
"What sort of wings?"
Let's make illusory wings of various styles for to check out.

>>20762719
"Maybe, best see how it performs in non-combat situations first. You ready? I'd hate to keep Zeke waiting."

"I'm not sure, wouldn't they mostly get in the way of the tail?" You ask.
"I have a clever idea- I'll make them conjured, using one of the elves' spellcrystals. Design the spell, then conjure the wings only when I need them."
"What sort of wings?" You ask.
"Just skin and muscle." She said. "It'd look like bat wings, I suppose, but they need to be large, light, and powerful."
"Maybe, best see how it performs in non-combat situations first. You ready? I'd hate to keep Zeke waiting."
"Ready." She said, taking the long, sharp claws off of her hands and putting them on one of her hips- where they seemed to cling to.
The two of you made your way down the stairs, and all the way into the dining hall, where Zeke is sitting.
"Good morning." He said- he had an open spellbook in his lap, and a scrap of paper where he was drawing scrawling, lazy runes.

>>20762848
"Morning, Zeke. What kind of spell are you working on?

>>20762848
"Morning Zeke. What are you working on? Anything of interest?

What do you want for breakfast? I'm in the mood for pancakes. Always a good way to start the day."

"Morning, Zeke. What kind of spell are you working on?"
"A lot of them." He said, looking up. "This one here is a force storm. A sphere of destruction. Force magic rampaging pseudo-wildly within the area. Over here is a charm for turning any fire spell into astral fire."
Charms, right- You remember reading about those- charms were small fractions of a spell, used to tack onto other spells to change the effect. Some were merely somatic, some were vocal, and the most rare charms were purely mental, if you had the force of will to control it."
"Astral fire?" Kaliel asked. "Why?"
"Demons." Zeke said. "I recalled that demons are weak to the stuff, so I figured if we're going to go to Arcturus eventually..."

Quickly, several cooks set out some food for you- Among other bits of fruit and bread, you see slices of vinefruit there. Apparently the cooks are quick in adding new things to their repertoire.

>>20762916
"You would come with me?" Hug Zeke. "Thank you so much." Try the vinefruit.

>>20762916
"Clever of you. I'm going to have to learn that one myself.

I wonder if it'd be possible to cast a spell through wizardry and then enhance it or modify it with sorcery."

"You would come with me?" You ask.
"Heh, earlier this morning Redglare was talking about rousing the entire hobgoblin nation to come with you." Zeke said. "We'd all come with you. Hell, I'm sure even Gehenna would, and he's not a fighter."
"I wonder if it'd be possible to cast a spell through wizardry and then enhance or modify it with sorcery."
"Maybe if you made some kind of blank charm." Zeke said. "But spell creation is complicated, complicated stuff. If you screw up even a single step, it could blow up in your face. And has, for me, literally. You have no idea how painful a cracked beak is."
Kaliel tried to hide a smile at the memory.
"Aw, Kal, don't laugh at me. It really hurt."
"I saw the rune. It... was not well made." Kaliel whispered to you. "You can't just string together fireball spells like that."

>>20763031
"Oh, now I must hear your story now. What exactly were you trying to do?"

>>20763031
"I don't know exactly when I'm going to set a portal home. I have quite a lot of work to do first, a lot to learn, and this is assuming that no more problems arise from the "Children of the Great Wyrm" or Tyr.

As for it blowing up in my face, I'll be sure to keep Mar around when I'm experimenting with the very fabric and nature of magic."

>>20763031
"But if I get sorcery wrong, the spell just doesn't cast. And if I get wizardry wrong, these line things force it back on track. So what's the worst that can happen?"

>>20763031
"Was that the reason why Raziel wore that ridiculous beak armour?"

>>20763074
This

File: 1347923483543.jpg-(70 KB, 930x834, what could go wrong.jpg)

>>20763074

"But if I get sorcery wrong, the spell just doesn't cast. And if I get wizardry wrong, these line things force it back on track. So what's the worst that can happen?"
"It drains all of your magic energy trying to get things 'back on track' and *then* explodes in your face because it's impossible to." Zeke said.
"Oh, now I must hear your story now. What exactly were you trying to do?"
"Make a firestorm. Several years ago. I figured it would be like casting a bunch of fireballs oriented in the sky. Tried to throw together the wrong charms."
"Was that the reason why Raziel wore that ridiculous beak armor?"
"No, the reason she wore that armor was-" Zeke said.
"Hey, don't tell her!" Raziel said, her face bright red as she sat at the table.
"Because she thought it looked 'necromancery'. That was her exact wo-."
"Shhh." She responded, taking a hold of Zeke's beak, pinning it shut.
Zeke chuckled.

>>20763143
Giggle. "I promise I won't tell her."

>>20763143
"Aww, it's okay Raziel. You looked very imposing.

Though the effect was lessened when you were drunk on swamp brew. It's hard to look regal and imposing when you're drunk, unless you're me."

>>20763167
Derp, misread Raziel for Kaliel for some reason.

>>20763143
"Well, you managed to get rid of it rather quickly."

>>20763143
Burst into laughter.

"Aww, it's okay, Raziel. You looked very imposing."
"Good." She said.
"Though the effect was lessened when you were drunk on swamp brew." You say, starting to laugh. "It's hard to look regal and imposing when you're drunk, unless you're me."
"... The first time you got drunk on swamp brew you ended up wandering around, eyes glazed, staring out at everything. And then you rambled on about one of your old tutors to Grayson for an hour straight. You didn't seem very imposing." Zeke said. Your cheeks start to go red. "And then you threw great bursts of soulfire and scared the droppings out of me."
"Wait, really?" Kaliel asked. "I wish I could've seen that."
"You can." Raziel said. "I have the mirror so I can show you the past. We just have to go up to Jormungandr and you can see drunk Ishelda in all of her dazed glory."

>>20763262
"Raaaz... don't make me regret getting you that mirror."

>>20763262
"The soulfire was imposing."

"The soulfire was imposing."
"It was, but it wasn't regal." He said, chuckling.
"Raaaz... don't make me regret getting you that mirror." You say.

"Aw, fine, I won't. Instead I can just show you an illusion of her, Kal." Raziel grins, teasing you. "I can make it from memory."
"Was I all dazed when we tried swamp brew, Ishelda?" Kaliel asked.

>>20763262
"I'm a Queen, I'm always imposing and regal by definition of my station. And I wasn't rambling to Grayson, I was conversing. He talked back, you just didn't hear that side of the conversation."

>>20763347
"Not particularly, I think."

>>20763347
You, uh, asked me some interesting questions. And left something unsaid I rather wanted to hear.

>>20763347
>"I can make it from memory."
"I think my swamp brew escapades can't really compare to yours, but you have my word, I won't tell anybody about those."

> Kaliel asked.
" A bit, but you managed to skip the part where you embarass yourself in front of everybody, and went straight to sleepy exhaustion."

>>20763347
"No, not very much. At least compared to the effect the stuff has on most people."

>>20763347
You went on about tongues, beaks and mani-dibbles for a while and then you fell asleep. It was rather adorable.

"You went on about tongues, beaks, and mani-dibbles for awhile... You, uh, asked me some interesting questions." You say. "And you left something unsaid I rather wanted to hear... and then you fell asleep. It was rather adorable."
"Mani-dibbles?" Raziel asked, and giggled.
"That... sounds exactly like I thought she'd be." Zeke said.
"What did you want to hear?" Kaliel asked, raising an eyebrow.

>>20763542
"Oh, I've heard it often enough since then. Don't worry about it."
Smile, then make some more polite conversation with Zeke about magic.

>>20763542
"Mani-dibbles, yes." Giggle and ignore Kaliel's question.

>>20763542
"You've said it enough times since then to make up for it."

<Kal, you said you were planning on leaving this morning, you should probably get going soon. You can't keep putting this off.>

"Oh, You've said it enough times since then to make up for it." You say. "Don't worry about it."
"I see." She said, and grinned at you.

"Mani-dibbles, yes." You say.
"I remember that, vaguely." Kaliel said. "We were talking about the most common types of mouth, I think. Bugs won by a large margin, I decided."

<Kal, you said you were planning on leaving this morning.> You say. <You should probably get going soon. You can't keep putting this off.>
<I... you're right.> She responded. <I'll just talk with Cassiel a bit... and then can you see me off?>

>>20763668
<Of course, I'm already missing you, Kal. The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll return.>

>>20763581
This

>>20763668
<Of course I'll see you off. Remember Kal the thing about journeys like this is that the longer you put it off the more excuses you can find not to go. So you're leaving on your important, soul searching, magic discovering journey if I have to tie you to the Sparrow myself.

I'll miss you, but you need to do this.>

>>20763683
this

>>20763668
Just going to put in my formal vote for sexing kal before she leaves.

>>20763729
Nah. Let's not do that.

>>20763729
We already did...?

>>20763729
We have to do this.

>>20763729
Erm... no.

>>20763748
Not that I noticed. I might have missed something, of course.

>>20763748
>Other than cuddles and lots of kissing, you haven't sexed kal yet. You hadn't even seen her naked until this morning.

<Of course I'll see you off. I'm already missing you, Kal. The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll return. I'll miss you, but you need to do this.>
<You're right.> She said. <Meet you on the tower in a few. I have... cookies to steal.>

She got up from the table, and made her way to the kitchens.

"That's quite a look you gave her." Raziel said. "I'm happy for you two."

>>20763748
Not yet we haven't. Though I fully intend to rectify that via her rectum as soon as she returns.

>>20763729
>. You hadn't even seen her naked until this morning.
Didn't we already see her naked when we helped her make the armour?

"Thank you, but she'll be leaving this morning."

>>20763764
"Thank you Raz, she's going on a trip for a while so I'm going to miss her.

So, you and Kristoph. Raziel, if you hurt my knight and make him cry I'm going to be very upset with you."

>>20763764
"So, you and Kris are back together." Try not to look to displeased about that.

>>20763764
"You were busy for quite a long time yesterday. I take it that's working out too?"

"Thank you, Raz, she's going on a trip for a while. I'm going to miss her." You say. "So, you and Kris are back together." You say, mildly displeased.
"You are?" Zeke asked.
"We are?" Raziel asked, utterly confused. "I don't know where you got that from, Ishelda."

>>20763764
"You do know I care a lot for you as well, right?"

>>20763806
"Wwhat was that down in the vaults yesterday, then?"

>>20763806
"Didn't... didn't you jump his bones in the vault this morning?"

Ask over the ring,
<That was you making out with him the vault, wasn't it?>

>>20763806
"I.. think I must have missed something. Wasn't that you who came with me down into the vaults, yesterday?"

"W-what was that down in the vaults yesterday, then?" You ask. "Didn't..."
"... In the vaults? We went down, put the ring away, and then you came back with the ankh, gave us a look, and left." Raziel said. "We didn't... do anything in the vaults, if that's what you're implying."

>>20763839
"But... I saw you kiss him, and you said you had been thinking about it for a long time..."

>>20763839
"So I DIDN'T see you too making with the deep kissing?"

>>20763839
"Oh, I kinda thought the two of you were back together after.. you know... that kiss."

>>20763839
"Y-you were kissing! Hard! And then I couldn't contact you for the rest of the day!"

>>20763839
Quickly! Contact Kristoph on the ring!

>>20763853
>you too
Goddamnit, should be "you two"

>>20763851
this but over the rings, maybe she just doesn't want zeke to know

>>20763875
I agree. Let's shift the more delicate parts of the conversation to the rings.

<But... I saw you kiss him, and you said you had been thinking about it for a long time...>
<Kiss?> She asked. She sighed. <I haven't kissed anyone in months, and I haven't been thinking about it. I need to sort my own problems out, if you remember.>
You quickly contact Kristoph on the ring.
<Yes, lady?> He asked, responding.

>>20763895
"Then someone was doing a very good job of impersonating you down in the vault."

<We need to go down to the vaults, immediately.>

>>20763895
<Just- Just to check, what happened down in the vaults yesterday? Did you and Raziel start making out?>

>>20763895
<Kristoph, what were you doing when I left the vault? Something doesn't add up.>

>>20763895
<What happened yesterday in the vaults? Where did Raz go after I left? Tell me, Kristoph, this is important!>

>>20763895
>RE: The vaults
If Ishelda suspects the Void Queen might be some weird copy of herself, shouldn't we upgrade the security on the vaults, so that at least a few other persons are informed whenever the vaults are opened, even if it's done by ishelda herself. Or the Void Queen, if her magic registers like ours.

>>20763895
I need to know exactly what happened in the vaults yesterday, every detail as you remember them.

Especially details about raz.

You stand. "Then someone was doing a very good job of impersonating you down in the vault."
"Impersonating me? Impossible." Raziel said. "The skeletons are set only to obey me and you. Even if they took my form and acted like me, it'd be impossible for them to copy the enchantment on me properly." She said.
<Just- Just to check, what happened down in the vaults yesterday? Did you and Raziel start making out?>
<Erm. . .no, my lady. We simply put the ring away, while I kept my anti-magic on it, and we left the wards. You gave us a strange look, and murmured something about giving us a day off.>
<Where did Raz go after I left? Tell me, Kristoph, this is important!>
<She went to her room, and mentioned working on her mirror.> Kristoph responded.

>>20763895
Scry ring.

Question!

Can the mirror show from Ishy memory what she had saw in the vaults?

"THEN WHAT THE FUCK DID I SEE"

>>20763962
So either we're crazy, or both of them are crazy.
Let's grab Rikar and see how it looks, it usually is a good indicator of mental/magical status.

>>20763962
Maybe call Kaliel back until we get this memory issue sorted.

>>20763962
"We're going down to the vaults with your mirror, now. I need to know why I saw that if you both say it didn't happen."

>>20763962
<Thank you, Kristoph. Please be so kinda and don't mention this to anybody, I think I'll have to investigate this.>

"An illusion, perhaps?"

>>20764001
It can wait until Kaliel has departed. I don't want to keep her waiting.

rolled 41 = 41

>>20763962
<Kris, have you had any... desires to get back with Raz?>

Also, go-go gadget mind shield