Solo Learning Shielding

[V'alen Dv'orn]

41st of Fall [500]

The library was an elegant building. It was also the only building to be completely dry. V'alen had spent many a happy afternoon there, gorging herself on the knowledge of the healers past. Today she decided that it was necessary to branch out in magic- she wanted to learn to shield.

The Dv'orn women were not a special family. They weren't amazing healers or magnificent seers, but they could shield, even if only at a mediocre level. V'alen's own mother was a decent shielder and could produce very protective shields. This led V'alen to want to learn the art herself.

Upon reaching the huge, white gates, V'alen took a moment to consider where the books on shielding would be. She walked up the small path and entered the tower that was the library itself. The chief librarian and researcher were in deep conversation but they acknowledged her with a nod each. She smiled faintly and sat down at a table, near the section on magic, putting down her bag.

Stacking Shields
Shielding and Glyphs
A Comprehensive History of Shielding
Beginner's Guide to Shielding

V'alen pulled out the last book and opened it at the first page.

"In order to learn to shield, you must first learn..."

[V'alen Dv'orn]

There was a quill in V'alen's bag. It was a standard bird feather quill, nothing fancy, but it did the job. V'alen used it to draw the glyph pictured in the book, onto her smooth palm. As she did, she felt a strange sensation similar to crying, but without the sadness. V'alen waited with bated breath and after the feeling had subsided, there was a small pool of Djed. She had read about this strange substance, and knew the basics of what it was.

Now, she knew, she had to form the Djed into a useful form. V'alen was unsure how to go about this, but the book shed some light over the subject, basically outlining the technique required to form a tiny spherical shield. She used her left hand to hold the energy and used her right hand to shape it. Using circular motions, she tried to swirl the liquid up, but with little success. There was a response, however.

By the time it was getting dark and the library was closing, V'alen had mastered a few foundation skills. Firstly, she was able to produce small amounts of Djed at will, without the glyph. She was proud of this, because she knew it was essential to all magics. Secondly, she was able to form a small, hollow orb of the stuff. She could put small rocks into her spheres but not much else and they were easily destroyed by a poke from her finger. Satisfied but eager, V'alen left the library and started to walk home.

[V'alen Dv'orn]

There was a quill in V'alen's bag. It was a standard bird feather quill, nothing fancy, but it did the job. V'alen used it to draw the glyph pictured in the book, onto her smooth palm. As she did, she felt a strange sensation similar to crying, but without the sadness. V'alen waited with bated breath and after the feeling had subsided, there was a small pool of Djed. She had read about this strange substance, and knew the basics of what it was.

Now, she knew, she had to form the Djed into a useful form. V'alen was unsure how to go about this, but the book shed some light over the subject, basically outlining the technique required to form a tiny spherical shield. She used her left hand to hold the energy and used her right hand to shape it. Using circular motions, she tried to swirl the liquid up, but with little success. There was a response, however.

By the time it was getting dark and the library was closing, V'alen had mastered a few foundation skills. Firstly, she was able to produce small amounts of Djed at will, without the glyph. She was proud of this, because she knew it was essential to all magics. Secondly, she was able to form a small, hollow orb of the stuff. She could put small rocks into her spheres but not much else and they were easily destroyed by a poke from her finger. Satisfied but eager, V'alen left the library and started to walk home.