Solo Another Day in his Journey

[Alric Wilmot]

Summer 44th of 513 AV Alric had taken his armored robes off for today. He wasn’t expecting trouble today, since he planned to be discreet. Though, he almost dreaded using hypnosis. The bandages about his head was spotted with blood at the ears due to a bout of overgiving. Last night he had drunk alcohol for the first time. He only had two mugs, but it was enough to give him a slight headache today. He imagined one had to drink for a while to be completely immune to that side effect. He tapped his gnosis mark, a blue triangle on his right wrist, to take the pain away. As a marked one of Ionu, he had the power to fool one sense for about ten hours. He could only choose one sense at time, and so chose the sensation of feeling. Instantly a calm sensation came over the dull throbbing. He smiled at his use of the mark. When it had first been given to him, he rarely used it, treating it as too holy to abuse. As time went on, however, he realized Ionu had given him the mark to be used, and as such made the best out of it. He walked down a street today which appeared to be coated in freshly cut grass. It was a rather mundane illusion for Alvadas to have, really. Though it made sense that not all of Alvadas’s illusions would be incredulous. After all, some of the most powerful illusions are the ones you didn’t question. As Alric walked along the freshly cut grass, he searched for a good victim. Absently, he used his handkerchief to wipe a trickle of blood from his eyes.Today, he had decided, he would change someone else's perspective. He had altered others two days ago, and his own yesterday, today was once more a day to alter someone else. He had thought of using his mark again, but honestly he didn’t want to dismiss its task of keeping his headache at bay. No, today he would find some random stranger, and play with their senses using only his hypnosis. He had yet to decide the extent of what he would do, however. As he turned a street, the illusion shifted. He was now on a much narrower street, with run down buildings on either side. He did not like the looks of it. He turned back, to see if the illusion might grant him a better street. It did not. In fact, it appeared to be worse. The street was dust, and two very impressive looking Eypharians were leaning against the walls. They had no shirts, and Alric could plainly see every muscle on their frames. This had happened before, and Alric wanted no part of it. He turned around, only to find his exit cut off by an Isur as tall as he was. Isur were incredibly strong and fit beings. Normally, they were shorter than he was, shorter than everyone really. But this one was on the tall side for her species, as Alric was a short specimen for his own. She had a shirt that had the sleeves ripped off, exposing her well-toned arms. Her skin color was a pale blue coloring, with what appeared to be veins of silver running all over her body. One of her arms was a dark green color. Her hair was a sandy blonde, and her eyes were brown. Normally, Alric most likely would not have noticed the color of her eyes, but she stared him down so fiercely it was difficult not to notice. When she spotted him, she gave a wicked grin and strode forward. Alric turned yet again, only to find himself face to face with the two Eypharians' nipples. It seemed walking away wasn't an option. "Why hello there. I do believe you are trying to pass by our road without giving us the proper toll. That just won't do. Tell you what, I'll let you pay double and we can all forget the breach in protocol. Sound good? Yes? That's what I thought." The Isur's voice was deeper than what he normally found women sounding like. Her meaning was not lost on Alric, though he found it absurd that anyone would try to claim territory in the shifting city. "You're a rather foolish woman, you know. I could understand this scheme in another city, but within Alvadas? Rather silly, really. The streets could deliver me from your grasp any second, and your quarry would be gone. It would have been far more prudent to grab me and pull me into a building. It would make sure that Alvadas didn't shift me away." The woman scowled, and Alric could here the two men behind him whispering in a language he'd never heard before. The woman curled up a fist and slammed it into the side of Alric's face. He fell sideways to the ground, stunned. He hadn't expected a physical response. He made to get up, but the two Eypharians stepped on both of his arms. He let out a scream, as both drove his elbows against the stone road. They let up on the pressure, and the Isur spoke again, this time a bit more condescendingly. "I'm really tired of the smart mouths in this damned city. I try to make a living and a bunch of you well dressed pansies are always trying to screw me over. You think because you can talk well that your tough shit. Well, I've got news for you buddy, that mouth of yours isn't getting you out of trouble, its just making things worse." Alric gave a guttural growl, that earned a kick to the sides. As Alric gave a grunt of pain, the two Eypharians lifted him up by his armpits. Alric cursed himself for not wearing his armor and sword today. He should have known that you needed them when you thought you didn't. It was rather obvious that they were deterrents. After all this had been rather common back before he had bought the sword. Still there was no use worrying about that now. And truthfully, he was hardly in any danger. He was Alric Wilmot, after all. He knew how to handle dangerous situations. He closed his eyes and concentrated on his mark, he did not have to tap it to use it, though he found it easier for whichever reason. As he focused on it he imagined the two Eypharians ablaze, their skin sizzling and charring within a fire. As he did, the two of them let him go, and began screeching and yelling. They patted themselves and began rolling in the dirt, to make the invisible inferno stop. But it wouldn't. Not without Alric's express permission. He could play with one sense at a time, and he had chosen touch. The two continued their howls and screams as they ran off to search for water. The Isur was a bit slower to react, not understanding what had just happened. Alric shot her a smile as her two henchman ran off. She shot him a scowl. "I don't know what you just did, but don't think your out of this just yet! I'm getting my money, with or without those two morons." as she said this, she slid into a fighting stance. Alric had no doubt that she was stronger than he was, but when it came to Alric Wilmot, physical power was no power at all. "Your money, that's cute. Tell me, why do you think I harmed those two, but not yourself? Do you think it was because I couldn't? Or do you think it might have been something else?" Alric took a step closer, he could see the beginning of fear in her eyes, though to her credit she stayed where she was. He had been searching for a victim to re-program, and this person seemed perfect. She was obviously unhappy. Why else would she be mugging people, after all? And by mugging people she made other people unhappy. So not only would this be an act of worship, it would be an act toward his goal of universal happiness. He wiped away another bloody tear. She had yet to respond to Alric, or attack him. Alric gave off his most charming smile, laced with djed. The Isur narrowed her eyes as the djed entered into her, creating a connection. It was time to re-write her personality. "Sit down, my dear. This is going to take a while." She gave a confused expression, at first. But to her own astonishment, sat down. Before she could question anything, however, Alric continued with his conditioning. She attempted to rise, but every time was hit with another suggestion to sit. "You are done with this lifestyle of violence and thievery. After this moment, you will no longer partake in any criminal activity." "tch, And who's going to stop me? y-" Alric cut her off. He didn't bother using his mark. Instead, using his hypnotic connection, he sent a brief horrific hallucination of her, bloody and naked, in a cage as the Speakers paraded her about the streets as the people cheered and threw their nightsoil at her. She seemed visibly shaken, but Alric cut her off before she could ask any questions. "You will abandon any prejudice toward non-Isur, and defend all from being preyed upon." Again, she interrupted, and once again was hit with a vivid hallucination. This time she was bound in a cage, high above the street as crows picked at her flesh. She went silent, and seemed, to the first time, comprehend what Alric was doing. "You will find an honest line of work, most likely as a laborer. You will not harm the innocent, and will always be polite and cordial." She almost spoke up, but stopped herself when Alric gave her a look. Instead she just nodded her head. Alric flashed her a smile, and with it, sent an emotional surge of joy, happiness, fulfillment, and satisfaction. She gave a gasp, not expecting the feeling. Alric went back to his conditioning. "And, above all, you will revere Ionu the Goddess of Illusion, and Lord of Alvadas." "What? Why should I do that?" Alric sent another hallucination her way, of being tied into a coffin, as a Speaker poured honey all over her, followed by buckets of ants. The sensation of being eaten alive made her freeze up rather than scream. He cut the hallucination from her mind, and repeated himself. "And, above all, you will revere Ionu the Goddess of Illusion, and Lord of Alvadas." This time she nodded, and Alric sent her another emotional surge. Feelings of peace, accomplishment, and satisfaction flooded into her. Alric smiled as he saw her finally accept his commands. He began repeating his other demands and orders, asking her if she agreed. Every time she said yes, she was filled with positive emotions. Though she rarely said no, Alric still heard it from time to time. Horrific and terrifying visions were poured into her head every time she did. Eventually she stopped altogether. "Now, rise and go. Be a productive member of this city." She stood, a bit stunned at finally being let go. He had kept her there for a good hour drilling commands into her head. She looked at him tentatively and ran away, obviously glad to be free of him. Alric watched her go with a very satisfied smirk. This day had gone wonderfully, despite the violent start. He unbuttoned his shirt and jacket to see how bad the bruising was, and was a bit disappointed to see that nearly his entire midsection was one big bruise. It didn't hurt until he touched it, however, so he didn't think that they broke anything. Regardless, he would have to find an apothecary and purchase a healing potion. He wasn't going to spend the next month being covered in welts. As he left the alley, he gave a prayer of praise to Ionu who had sent him such a perfect target. The irony was not lost on him, that she had sought him out as her own victim. But, he worshiped the lord of illusion, and such irony was expected. However, that did not mean that he found it any less amusing.

[Fallacy]

XP Award! Name:Alric Wilmot XP Award: Intimidation 3 Hypnotism 3 Lore: First Hangover Mugged in an Alley Horrific Hallucinations Hypnotic Reprogramming Notes: Any questions or concerns about the rewards gained please send a PM