[Flashback] Animation of Chains

[Tsalmaveth]

Tsalmaveth billowed out warm clouds in the cold weather, his eyes transfixed by the materials set before him. Determination quivered throughout every nerve in his fragile form, he was driven to near madness with the sheer effort of keeping his composure. He wanted to burst out in mad laughter, so close to success. Animation had grasped his attention at a younger age, through time his obsession with the art had only strengthened and the capture of the two runaways had only given further determination to become stronger. Fire seethed throughout every vein, cold fury given by his nature gave him the strength draw the lines around the serpent he had risen from birth. It flicked its tongue out, lovingly tasting the cool skin of Tsalmaveth. The creature would die, by his own hand and give power to his master. Upon the other side of the circles lay his weapon of choice, spiked chains lay loosely awaiting the power he was attempting to call forth.

Both source and object lay within the designated areas, each circle chipped into cold, hard stone. The intricate lines were done with a patient, yet steady hand and no breaks appeared in them. Days had been spent in preparing for this very moment, his breath caught in his chest in the anticipation. All his other tests had merely been toying around, tonight in this cold weather he would take the power of life from one being and let it seep into an object which by no natural standards should be allowed such a gift. Raising his delicate finger to his palm, he dug in allowing the pain to sear through him, he could feel his own power seeping through the cut unto the lines. Animation was a magic of thought and process. One couldn't be distracted, even though pain was present from the letting of life fluid.

Taking but a moment to recollect himself, he found a silence within himself. A place deep within the solace of his mind in which he could hide from constant thought. Purity brought perfection to his process, he filled his mind with thoughts of his Source, pouring its very existence into the lines. He felt its entire life, emotions and all, flow through the blood which ran through the lines. A sort of intense melancholy was set upon him as the spirit left the body of his Source, silvery lines reaching towards the middle of the circles. Condensing and crystallizing into a orb, flashing deep within were brief images of the life the Source had once held.

[Tsalmaveth]

Holding aloft his Soulcore, Tsalmaveth showed no hesitation has he delved deeper within. He felt his memories blossom within him, stirring in response to the magic. With caution, he brought forth the closest thing he could get to loyalty. Desire to please, he poured the pure, raging desire to please his father into the Soulcore. He gave it the desire to please him, unwavering and constant. He could feel his breath grow quicker, perspiration dripping from his brow. Steeling his will, Tsalmaveth would not know fear nor hesitation. He would leave that to the weak, to the parasites. He wanted a weapon that would protect him, that would respond where he could not. Violence needed to be known in order to recognize and react to any situation of itself. His knowledge of violence, the images of eyes filled with death to the cautious, slinking gait of those attempting assassination. Yet, he did not want a being which saw violence in all matters, so he delved deeper within himself and brought forth an image of beings caught in conversation, Nonviolence to temper the rage that now simmered deep within the Soulcore.

He couldn't leave it at that, this thing was as a child unformed and uninformed. It wouldn't know friend from foe, so within his Soulcore he settled the concept that any being greeted with the phrase, "friend" was to be untouched for that day. A double edged sword, since many could and would betray him in his lifetime, yet it was needed. Further more would be needed to temper the probability of such an occurrence, so the concept of two phrases to control these instances was added, the word "Kill" in Symenos would send the animation into an offensive, striking out at his offender, while likewise the word "Yield" in Symenos would deactivate the chains temporarily.

Taking a deep breath, he collected himself once more to push the power of his Animation. He felt the thrill of power as the Astral body rose like smoke from the Soulcore, twisting like a snake it began to slowly resemble the appearance of his Object, his spiked chain. Slowly, yet surely he allowed the animation to learn its new form. He took the Astral body into his mind, going through all his combat training. (Weaponry: Chain fighting 20) It would strike where he sent it, coiling around his waist and arms, returning to him and striking once again. He gave it the knowledge and rhythm of battle in every single movement it made. He taught it to be accustomed to the flips, turns and bends that he might attempt in combat (Acrobatics 10).

Once he felt himself grow weak with the effort, his very skin shaking upon his body, he forced the Astral body within the Object with the rest of his strength. (Animation 25) The Object shook with the magic that was thrust upon it; thrashing, moving and at last settling upon the cool stone. Tsalmaveth rose warily, stepping forth towards his creation. He twined it around his body, hoping nothing had gone wrong. Praying for his success.

[Macabre]

Moderator Intervention

A few preliminary notes:
Please try to make solos at least 1000 words long. You're just under 950. Also, watch your pacing in your storytelling as it is a bit choppy here. You also do not have to state your skill levels in the post itself, that's what character sheets are for. Keep the out-of-character notes, out of character.

Animating a weapon is not a conventional use of animation, wherein inanimate objects are given intelligence (the complexities of said intelligence depend solely on the mage’s skill) and the ability to be “alive”, in a very loose concept of the word. At your skill level, you are still learning to animate small objects with very simple directives. To make something so complex, teaching it operant words in two languages would take several sittings, days, weeks, or months. It would not happen over the course of a few minutes as the pacing in your writing suggests.

The complexities you are trying to instill in your weapon your skill level and are like to come back on you when they inevitably fail to work together properly; a novice Animator creating something that can kill, will kill them. It’s just a matter of time. Most of all, being that you are trying to animate a complex weapon that will “respond where you cannot” (therefore giving you reason to god-mode in fights) I cannot allow you to have it.

If you want to discuss alternative routes for a chain whip that acts like a snake, please send me a PM and I may be able to do something. As it is, you cannot have this intelligent weapon as it goes well beyond your character’s means and would be incredibly dangerous (see: it will kill you) if you were allowed to go ahead with it.