[IHL] Returning to a Master (Clyde Sullins)

[Venser Rush]

55th of Fall, 514

The Institute for Higher Learning. Venser had once been a student in the hallowed halls of this place. However, in the time since he had been recovering from his initiation into the magic of Leeching and his encounter with the Diverse, his tutelage had expired. He desired to return to the place as a learner, though first he wished to speak to Thaddeus Lazarin. Karle was a worthy associate, but in truth, he had only associated with the Stryfer once in his life and had no desire to foster the association further. Miro and Thaddeus Lazarin, a 'Master' Apprentice and a Paladin respectively, the two were more than enough to supply a recommendation if it was required again. However, the merit of doing so without the latter's permission was something that Venser would not do. The wolfband was left at the Foundation of the Elemental Mind this time with the rest of his possessions, Venser's mind utterly clear and unfettered by the Legacy's strength. He did, however, have the Maledicted jawbone worn upon his neck. The two artifacts, made of such similar creatures, were stark in contrast to one another.

That in itself was proof of just how diverse and resplendent djed could be. It was identity. It was strength. It was the manifestation of everything and the manipulation of it was an artform of the highest magnitude. The craft of Malediction was by far the most relevant application of this, for it was raising the djed of the dead and bringing it, in effect, back to life. Ambient djed could never be quite as pure as the djed within the body. Even with the soul departed, the aura of the creature persisted, faded, but lingering. The theory of Zapatl was juxtaposed upon the presumption that djed lingered within the body, the identity of the soul imprinted into it. Painting a story from both experience and from the subject's aura was a practice that Venser had taken to, and the theory was proven true beyond even a fraction of a doubt.

In essence, as Venser had theorized when he had first read upon the principles of Zapatl, the discipline brought the dead back to life. A shade, a relic of its existence, the item then served as a commemoration of the living being's merits and strengths. It was enough for Venser to perform the discipline with a clear conscience, and its power was what drove the Rush twin to pursue it all the more. The wolfband was physical proof that a Legacy's power was to be feared.

However, this day, Venser was not at the IHL to pursue the practice of Malediction. Or even the practice of magic at all. However, he was going to meet with Thaddeus Lazarin, which implied that magic was to be the focus of this day. However, this was nothing new to Venser. Magic had become his existence. His ambition. All the more so because of the Familiar that his soul was bound to. Karn kept about Venser's wrist, a rather heavy shackle around his wrist made of stone and ore. To be more discrete, the Kirt had brought a layer of dark iron ore to his surface, the shackle sleek and black, though with many corruptions of green and blue impurities. It was a rather intriguing looking object, but otherwise unremarkable to the mundane eye.

As Venser passed through the hallowed halls of the Institution for Higher Learning, he quickly made his way towards the office of his former mentor, knocking twice on the door and waiting outside until answered. Several ticks passed in silence before Venser heard a shuffling on the other side, Thaddeus ambling forward and opening the door, eyebrows arched in rather genuine surprise before turning stern,

"Have you returned to grovel, Rush? Cur, you never finished your tutelage under me."

The Stryfer's words were by no means scathing, but they were reprimanding, Venser fully expecting something akin to this when he returned. However, Karn, as he spoke into Venser's mind, was rather astonished.

Do all instructors speak in such a way to their students? It's a miracle that this place receives students at all.

Not quite, but Thaddeus Lazarin is a very strict master. The only one I ever studied under. I believe that each instructor has their own way of teaching, some friendlier than others, some more unstable. Others are an enigma altogether. After all, the ranks of the Black Sun and Ebonstryfe teach here as well as learn.

Ah, then this place is an establishment that prizes those who bring glory to Rhysol.

You just described all of Ravok, Karn.

Fair enough. Stop wasting time speaking to me, you idiot. Your ticket back into this place sounds quite irritated.

Venser was about to retaliate, but he let it slide, knowing that Karn was correct. Unlike Venser, Thaddeus was quite impatient.

"No, Master Lazarin. I do apologize for that. Towards the beginning of Summer, I was attacked by some sort of creature in the territory of Lakeshore. And after, I fell very ill for quite some time. However, I wish to resume my tutelage under you, if you will have me."

A scrutinizing glance was cast upon Venser for a moment before Thaddeus Lazarin stepped forward and struck the Rush twin across the boy,

"Careless fool. If you would leave my tutelage again before I am done with you, I will not be as lenient. Do you understand? I will provide for you a recommendation. Come inside and wait, I have matters to attend to, first."

Venser had not reached to rub his face or soothe the wound. Thaddeus Lazarin was the sort to abash such weakness. He simple stared the man in the eyes and listened to him as he spoke, murmuring, "Understood." to the man before following the man into the office.

I like this man. He is very direct. He made you look like a tool.

Of course he did. Unlike you, the only other person who deems it appropriate to insult me, he is someone who has actual power.

An inward smirk was cast to the Familiar, who fell silent for a moment, biding time for his response. Venser took the opportunity to sit down and wait for Thaddeus to attend to whatever it was he was doing.

Count: 1053

[Clyde Sullins]

55 Fall 514 It had been a good bit of time since Clyde had last graced these halls, those of the Institute of Higher Learning. When he had started here he had been a passable Magecrafter, but still a student with much to learn. Since that time though, Clyde had learned much, spent a great deal of time working on various things, and expanded his skills considerably. Now it was likely Clyde was a greater Magecrafter than his old instructor, Lazarin. On him he carried several instances of his craft. One he had made personally, Cha, and the other a gift, a pair of robes. The robes were a lesser thing, though with enhanced durability and a lightened weight. They had been given to replace the ones torn during his crucible by... Possibly Rhysol. The entire experience was somewhat confusing, and so he did not fully understand even now what had occurred. Regardless, he now wore the pair of enchanted robes proudly here in Ravok, with the finer side showing, emblazoned clearly in the chest by the symbol of the Ebonstryfe, that of a sword piercing a black sun. His other work of Magecrafting was a staff of fine make, of blue wood. If that was not odd enough physically, magically it was a considerably strengthened item. He had laid three steps in durability enhancement upon it, making it a strong item able to stand up to any mundane blade without a scratch. Even more so since the base staff was made of izentor crafted wood. As always since he had made it, Clyde proudly carried Cha in his hand, his constant ally and friend. Beyond that though, he also had another change since he had last seen Lazarin, that of his mark of Chaon. While the crimson scar on his ribs could not be seen visibly, the connection it gave him to other chaon could be felt by any other so marked, such as Lazarin himself. He also now wore an additional item, one of Sahova, that of a ring. It marked him as a mage on Sahova, something that meant nothing in Ravok, but which meant everything where he had gained it. Since he would be returning one day, he did not utterly cut his ties with the island of the nuits. But nor did he utterly focus on it, not when he had so many other things going on. Now that he was back though, he was interested in seeing Lazarin once more. If nothing else to show him what he had done since then, to let him see how he had improved both in skill and in rank. And so on this day, Clyde found himself heading to see the Ebonstryfe mage, Lazarin, in his office amongst the Institute. As he neared the door, he could in an off way feel the chaon within. Such was possible through the connection forged between them by Rhysol, through Rhysol. Passing within the office through the door, he saw two people, instead of the expected one. He could still sense out the Chaon, which as he now saw was Lazarin. But there was also another man, a human, sitting in a chair within. Clyde grinned for a moment, tapping Cha once on the ground, both as a odd habit, and as a means of drawing attention to himself. “Professor Lazarin, how fortuitous to see you. I've been out of Ravok for awhile now, on Ebonstryfe work, and I've only just recently returned. I decided to poke about my old haunt here, and who should I run into but you, my old instructor. Fortuitous indeed.” As Clyde grinned back at the man, the man did not return the expression. Instead he stared back at Clyde, in particular staring at Cha in his hand. Lazarin, being an Aurist and a practiced Magecrafter would likely now the staff for what it truly was, and so was likely inspecting the staff. Even the lowest of Aurist's inspecting it would see its magical provenance, due to the strength of the enchantment, even if not seeing the exact effect of Magecrafting laid upon it. Assuming that they decided to Auristically inspect it that is. Lazarin paused after a chime or so, and turned to Clyde, finally speaking. "Mr.Sullins... And what have you been up to since last I saw you, on this Ebonstryfe work? And where did you get... That" This last word was spoken was a gesture at Cha. Clyde continued to grin, as if speaking to an old friend glad to see him. “Oh, you know, about. First I was sent to Zeltiva for some work, took on a job as an instructor at the magic college there. After that I went to Sahova for a bit, which is where I made Cha here, as my judgement item. I'll be heading back there after a time, probably come spring, but I'll be in Ravok likely till then. She is a beaut isn't she. Well worth the mizas I spent on her, and the time it took me to get what I needed. Ah, but where are my manners, who is this here, one of your students?” Clyde paused, turning to the man sitting, keeping his grin, and tapping Cha once more as he turned to face the other man, and beginning to speak to him before Lazarin had a chance to say anything in response to his story. “My name is Clyde, Clyde Sullins. And you are? What are you up to here with Professor Lazarin?”

[Venser Rush]

The Rush twin was quite unaware of what Thaddeus Lazarin was doing. The man had seemed to be shuffling through some kind of paperwork, though shortly afterwards he had simply directed his attention elsewhere. It was as if the Lazarin was consciously making Venser wait for no reason other than proving his own bloated sense of self-satisfaction. The man was acting like a jilted lover, though in truth it was likely more malevolent than Venser realized. He had no idea what to expect when Thaddeus Lazarin continued his tutelage with him, but he provided Venser with his recommendation as requested. As he was about to hand it to the Rush twin, a new face arrived and distracted the Magecrafter. The two began to engage in their own small discussion, and Venser decided to take the opportunity to look over the new arrival.

This man was, by the robes that he wore, a member of the Ebonstryfe just as Thaddeus was. However, there were a number of distinct differences. Where Thaddeus' eye was white, the mark of Rhysol's second-marked followers, the new arrival, titled only as Mr. Sullins, had both eyes in colour. The standing mage was also holding what looked to be some sort of staff. Even without Auristics active, the mage seemed to radiate a great deal of power. Venser could not tell exactly what it was about him that gave him that presumption, though it was perhaps the treatment he received from Thaddeus. The Lazarin treated Mr. Sullins as an equal, even an old friend. The Sullins character described his journeys through Mizahar. First he spoke of the city of Zeltiva, a place Venser was completely unfamiliar with.

The other place was, of course, Sahova. Verin had not told the Rush twin anything regarding the citadel or his purpose for going, but it was referenced in the past readings he had encountered while studying at this very institution. The citadel was referenced by name and creatures known as the Nuit were attributed with the status of powerful mages. It was an intriguing notion that Verin was going to visit this so-called citadel, and Venser had wished his brother luck before he had left.

Oh, thinking about Verin's departure, boy? How touchingly pathetic. Your brother is gone. It's such a sweet reality, that your Familiar is now the only 'friend' you possess in the world.

Enough.

Venser demanded for his Familiar to fall silent, though immediately Karn would do the opposite, drolling off about the likelihood of Verin's death in the citadel, going on to elaborate upon how Verin was superior. Venser kept to the conversation at hand. And once the Rush twin was pulled into the conversation by Mr. Sullins - Clyde as he formally introduced himself as, he commanded Karn to fall silent.

I said, enough!

Venser had no way of feeling exactly how Karn felt about Venser's immediate command, but he fell silent, allowing Venser the momentary silence in his thoughts to formulate words. Venser's lips parted, his eyes and face showing no clear signs of his internal struggle with the Familiar as he spoke out,

"I will take that recommendation from you, Instructor Lazarin."

Venser rose to take the paper from the Paladin, the man nodding and allowing the Rush twin the freedom to both take the paperwork and supply Clyde Sullins with a suitable answer. Venser Rush was not the most sociable of people, believing fully that the measure of one's commitment to learning the craft of magic was their societal worth, though in that spirit a mage was much more pleasant to converse with. And worth Venser's time and oxygen as well.

"Correct, Mr. Sullins,"

Venser Rush extended his hand towards the other wizard, a smile forming upon his features as he continued,

"My name is Venser Rush. I was once a student of Instructor Lazarin's. In the Spring. However, due to a rather unfortunate incident, I was confined to bed rest and convalescence for quite a long time. Fortunately, that ailment is passed and I feel that I have allowed a sufficient stretch of interruption in the progress of my education. I was initiated into the magic of Auristics with Master Lazarin's guidance and was in the progress of learning the discipline of Magecraft before the illness set in. Unfortunately, I was only able to retain some of what I had learned."

A rather solid cover story. I might actually be impressed. However what will you do if pressed?

That is none of your concern. No one need know of Miro's involvement in my hospitalization. The Chained One has made up for his transgressions against me.

Are you implying that I am an offense against you? If so, I'm quite touched.

Sarcasm clearly etched through Venser's mind, dictated by a tone inaudible to the rest of the room, but clearly felt by Venser.

I was suggesting that being Leeched to the point of initiation was the transgression. I willingly took on the burden known as your bond with my soul.You will prove yourself to be useful to me.

It will be a hot, shining day on the dark face of Fyrden before I submit to you, boy.

And then, Venser ignored the Familiar, an internal smirk cast for but a moment before he asked,

"I could not help but listen to your and Master Lazarin's conversation. I take it that you are a Magecrafter as well? I can see that you hold a staff that is quite possibly of great power. It's rather remarkable, to tell the truth."

Count: 926.

[Clyde Sullins]

It seemed if nothing else, the other man present was eager to be gone of Lazarin. Considering his own tutelage under the Stryfe, he could not blame him. Honestly Lazarin was being more civil than normal about him, perhaps in part due to his uncertain status after completing such important work for the Stryfe. Or perhaps he had simply caught him off guard, and so thus had not allowed him to act as he normally would. Clyde was not certain if either of those was the case, or if some other third reason would better explain it. Perhaps it was simply his distraction at seeing Cha, a powerful staff considering all that had gone into it, in particular the reagent used on it to allow its third step in a structural change. "I will take that recommendation from you, Instructor Lazarin." Apparently then a past student, or one attempting to become a student once more, if asking for a reccomendation to the institute... Or possibly he was attempting to join the Stryfe, and wished his recommendation on that aspect... It was hard to say, and Clyde could not know for sure without further questioning or answers from the young mage. Such was the limits of logic without enough information. Luckily, he quickly did just as Clyde wished, and answered his questions. "Correct, Mr. Sullins," Clyde smiled back at the other man, though perhaps not in the same way, and took his offered hand, shifting Cha to his other grip before doing so, so as to not need to put it down. Then he listened as the man told a tale, true or not a tale in itself. Being a Chaon, Clyde knew well enough about lies and secrecy, and knew better than to take everything he said as true. He also had enough experience in interrogating people, and in ferreting out knowledge, to not totally trust the apparent mage, even if he did seem obsequious. "My name is Venser Rush. I was once a student of Instructor Lazarin's. In the Spring. However, due to a rather unfortunate incident, I was confined to bed rest and convalescence for quite a long time. Fortunately, that ailment is passed and I feel that I have allowed a sufficient stretch of interruption in the progress of my education. I was initiated into the magic of Auristics with Master Lazarin's guidance and was in the progress of learning the discipline of Magecraft before the illness set in. Unfortunately, I was only able to retain some of what I had learned." Clyde listened, nodding a few times, as he told his tale. However a few things popped up which Clyde was less certain of, and which could possibly either be fabrications, or partial truths. The incident for instance, that had confined him to bedrest for a time... That certainly had more to it, if it wasn't an outright lie or excuse. As for the rest, due to its relatively easy means of verification, it seemed unlikely the other bits would be lies. Unless the man was a total liar, he felt reasonably confident in the truth of the rest. But the bit about the sickness or injury, that needed more investigation. As he thought on this though, the other man asked a question of his own, a question on Cha. As the other mage spoke, however, Clyde's smile quickly faded from his face, replaced by a frown. Not outright rage or anger, but still a clear indicator of annoyance or disquiet. "I could not help but listen to your and Master Lazarin's conversation. I take it that you are a Magecrafter as well? I can see that you hold a staff that is quite possibly of great power. It's rather remarkable, to tell the truth." Eying the other mage back, Clyde spoke in a clear even tone, but one that would probably sound a bit strained to a trained or attentive ear, as if Clyde was attempting to not let anger show in his voice. “Her name is Cha. Don't be rude. How would you feel if I called you an it? She has a name, and since I've told you it already, you'd be wise to use it when referring to her.” Speaking to no one in particular, Clyde spoke again, somewhat under his breath. “And here I was thinking I'd be rude by not including him, and he turns about and insults her... Manners indeed...” Letting out a breath of air in a huff, Clyde turned back to Lazarin, fixing the smile back on his face. “Well, perhaps we shall talk again another time, when you are not busy with... Others... Till then I suppose.” And with that Clyde turned and walked out of the office, and down the hallway. If left alone he'd continue on till he ended up in one of the labs often used for magic, and which was set up for Magecrafting, with a stone pedestal in the middle of the room. If interrupted before then, he'd likely continue to walk, but at a slightly slower pace.

[Venser Rush]

Her?

Mr. Sullins referred to the artifact by the name 'Cha' and assigned it a gender, the Rush twin confused for but a moment before his mind deferred to the lesson with both Thaddeus Lazarin and Elias Caldera. Though he remembered very little of the encounter, which had quickly turned quite heated due to a difference in opinion regarding the merits of the craft of the Legacy, there was an echo. Venser Rush furrowed his brow for just a moment before he recalled Caldera's impassioned speech regarding the discipline of Magecraft, involving the use of steps and structuring the artifact. But in truth, Venser had learned very little of what it actually did. However, this afforded Venser a chance to utilize Clyde's own words, instead.

Her.

Cha. Name.

Does the artifact have a semblance of a mind encased within it? Quasi- or perhaps even legitimate sentience?

If it did, then the craft of Magecraft immediately became much more interesting to him. However, it did not imply, in his mind, that it was better than the Legacy. For Legacies, even at the beginner's level, possessed a sort of personality. Quasi-sentience was a given with the Legacies, and the fact that their effects were dictated by those personalities made it seem, all the more, that a Legacy would forever be more 'alive' than a construct. However wrong or right the Rush twin was, it mattered very little. He took the Magecrafter's words to hear, nodding twice before he said,

"Of course, Mr. Sullins. Cha. I do apologize."

The Legate allowed the moment to pass in relative silence as Clyde Sullins exited the room. Thaddeus Lazarin simply looked amusing, his dark, beady eyes intently watching Venser before he motioned towards the door,

"You're best suited following that man while you can, Rush. I can teach you nothing today, however Clyde could show new worlds to you. Or, he could incinerate you. In either scenario, it's of no importance to me. Do have a good day, Venser."

The man chuckled before returning to his materials, leaving the room rather silent as the Paladin ignored Venser entirely. The Legate decided to simply leave him there, for it was unlikely that he would learn anything today from the instructor. The man was very strict and only worked when he was paid for it, and thus, Venser made his way along the hall. He noted the flapping black robes that the Ebonstryfe soldier wore, the Rush twin intent on following. However, he had fallen slightly too far behind in his time wasted with Mr. Lazarin. And thus, Venser did the only thing he thought logical to do.

This place is rather desolate this day. I will use the Flux and catch up with him by moving much faster then he.

Djed welled within the core of Venser's soul, the Rush twin tapping deeply into the fabric of his djed. He pulled upon it, the soul pouring djed into his body. Strength followed the flowing djed like a magnet, the djed from both of Venser Rush's arms siphoned from the limbs, both falling limp at his sides. Venser divided the djed from his arms, distributing the largest portion, totaling about two thirds of what he had taken from his limbs, and placing approximately half in each one of his thighs, distributing the djed and allowing it to permeate within the muscle groups at the front of his thighs. Then he collected the remainder of the djed and siphoned it into his calves, reaching higher and into his hamstrings. In essence, the entirety of both limbs were covered, but Venser had ensured that the largest muscle groups received the largest qauntity of djed.

Venser sprung forward, his arms pumping very weakly, drained of their strenfgth, though Venser propelled forward. His back righted and Venser felt the wind buffet against him as he rapidly charged forward. Breathing became difficult at the accelerated speed. He felt a touch of sweat permeate at the crease of his brow, but just as quickly the wind dried it. Venser Rush rapidly plunged forward, his target just fifty meters ahead at the point that he began slowing down. Venser, little by little, began transferring his djed back to it original placement through his body, Venser stopping approximately fifteen feet from his target, who most likely had already begun to slow down.

Venser felt his heart pace rapidly in his chest, the pounding clearly thundering in his mind, breath escaping him in quick, though after several moments, controlled bursts. Venser caught his breath after less than a chime, the man not slowing his pace, careful to keep up with Clyde's as he asked,

"So you did... create Cha? She is quite lovely."

The Rush twin did not request to see the artifact, knowing just how unlikely it was for a man to lend over such a thing. He did, however, ask another question.

"Are you headed for the Magecraft Labs? I've been down to the same facility before. For a different reason."

The Rush twin did not divulge immediately, however he would do so upon request. While most did not deserve to know the secrets of the Rush family, Thaddeus Lazarin's assessment of the man called Clyde Sullins was quite fascinating, and of course meriting further investigation.

"Would you mind if I followed you? There's no need to speak to me if you wish not to. However, if you aim to create something, I'd very much like to see how it's done. If that is acceptable."

Count: 921

[Clyde Sullins]

While perhaps assigning a gender to a higher level work of Magecrafting was not normal in the traditional sense, naming higher level examples was common practice. After all, at the higher end works became unique and rare entities unto themselves, and so often took on a name to differentiate itself from other works. Some of the older pieces had names that were still recalled to this day, such as the works of Tallshade. Cha, a name given to this magic staff in particular, was given due to its blue appearance. Being made of vian wood, it naturally had this color. Since Cha in the ancient tongue meant blue in common, Clyde had decided to name it after its color. The gender had come on later, while talking to Elaine, and so Clyde had decided to stick to it in referring to Cha as a her. The magic staff itself had no innate intelligence enhancement, had no steps placed upon it to do so, but Clyde felt so innately connected to it through use of it, that he could not imagine referring to her as anything but a individual. Not after the years he had spent gathering materials, miza's, and skills needed to enchant her, all culminating in her existence. As a MC 4 item, Cha would easily sell for a good fifteen thousand gold mizas, even without factoring in its uniqueness. He doubted he would ever sell her, even if he managed to make a finer staff, but still it was good to know her rough worth, or "scrap value." His attempt at an apology did little, as Clyde rushed off. "Of course, Mr. Sullins. Cha. I do apologize." It was likely a good thing Clyde had a moment to cool off, to walk away before continuing, or else he likely would have been in an even fouler mood when conversation recommenced. By the time he had reached one of the labs commonly used for Magecrafting, he had calmed a bit, even loosening his grip on Cha. As he looked about the familiar room, pedestal, basins, hammers, and other manner of items used in Magecrafting, Clyde let out a sigh. He had not even turned into the lab however, having only just stopped there, and still standing in the hallway outside of it, when the rude man from before arrived, having caught up after him. "So you did... create Cha? She is quite lovely." Turning, Clyde stamped Cha once, glaring at the man. As he did however, he felt a wafting of something, a buzz of something on the air, of magic. While he had not mastered every instance of Aura reading, he had spent a good bit of time about it, and could feel in the air when something so unsubtle as a recent spell being cast was about. Since the only person present was same said person, he could only assume he had just used some form of magic, either on himself, on Clyde, or on the environment. Since he felt no different, and did not see any physical manifestations of magic, he could only logically assume the magic was either not visible, or cast upon the mage himself. Clyde leaned toward the latter, since he had only sensed it when he had neared. Deciding to give the man a good aura reading, Clyde began to build up his djed, focusing it into Cha, and willing it to radiate outward from her. Being a True Magic Staff, Cha could act as a conduit for his spells, and acted as a good focus mechanism for his magic. He began to extend out his aura sense as he spoke to the mage, and as the mage spoke to him. "Are you headed for the Magecraft Labs? I've been down to the same facility before. For a different reason." Putting out his spare arm, Clyde would gesture at the open lab door they stood before, and at the Magecrafting lab inside. As he began to get a feel for the edges of the mages aura, said mage asked another question, splitting his concentration as he tried to both focus in on his aura, and listen to his words. "Would you mind if I followed you? There's no need to speak to me if you wish not to. However, if you aim to create something, I'd very much like to see how it's done. If that is acceptable." Letting out another sigh, Clyde pondered the mans words, mainly focused on his aura sense over the words being spoken. Already he could get a rough visage of the mage, a overlay in his aura vision of the mans body, clothes and all. For the moment it was mute, grey, but flowed out around him. But that was not what he was in search of, no he was in search of the traces of magic. Clyde had long since learned how to detect the left over djed remnants in a personal mage, which indicated that they were a magic user. Considering he believed he had only just done a spell, it should be all the easier to figure it out. However Clyde ended up being more confused than enlightened, as he noticed two things at once. One, he noticed a strong glow coming from the mans legs, a possible sign of the source of the aforementioned recent spell. But he also noticed another thing, that of a second aura within and on the first, a different aura, though similar in size. Oddly enough it seemed centered upon a piece of jewelry the mage was wearing, which most likely meant it was either a tremendously powerful enchanted item of some sort, or only something else disguised as a piece of jewelry. A stone shackle or bracelet type thing, sitting upon his wrist. Without looking deeper, he could not tell more, and so decided to continue the conversation, if nothing else to stall for time as he searched out the man's aura. “I was not planning to make anything, though I suppose I could. Why, what did you have in mind? And you said you were a Magecrafter, though an untrained one... What have you learned then, that would be of value to me if you assisted me? What of enchantments made through Magecrafting? Of the types possible? Of the types of enchantments to be made, do you know? Also what is that thing on your wrist?” Clyde glared at the mage, meeting his eyes, making it clear he was not one to be put off or intimidated. All the while he was pressing deeper into his aura, kneading it, and examining it more in depth, willing his aura sight stronger from Cha, and over the mage before him.

[Venser Rush]

Even someone so unattuned to the reading of auras as Venser Rush could feel the change in the flow of djed about him. The Aurist felt the bitter taste upon his tongue as djed was worked in his presence, the Rush twin immediately relating it to the movement of Clyde's staff and what was quite possibly the man employing the use of Auristics, as well. For nothing else happened and the Rush twin was versed in what it looked like to read an aura. The familiar signs were upon Clyde. However, Venser felt the swash as if muffled, yet... he could not place it. Unversed to the discipline, he could not employ it without taking a long period of time to do so, and Clyde seemed to be evoking it much more quickly. He decided to simply forsake the reading of the aura and preserving his djed in the case the need to utilize it later arose.

Venser decided, that in the face of Clyde's overwhelming ability to reach the truth, that the Rush twin would confirm it with his own lips. He was not a Chaon. He was not averse to honesty should the situation should merit it, and more importantly, Clyde was proving time and again that he was by no means Venser's inferior but instead a man far, far above his own level. The Rush twin wondered to himself just how deeply the wellspring of Clyde's magical abilities ran, for in his experience a powerful mage was one who specialized in multiple disciplines. Miro was the first and foremost example of this. Thaddeus Lazarin to a much lesser degree. And even less so, Venser Rush himself. The man asked in his mind,

Just on what end of that scale do you reside, Mr. Sullins?

However, Karn interrupted his thoughts, the Familiar listening far more intently to Clyde's questioning than he had been,

Rush, you fool, pay attention! Don't you hear him asking about US? About YOUR abilities? About ME? He must be able to see me... sense me.

Are you so surprised? A second sentient aura on my wrist is not the most subtle thing in the world. Even I was able to take notice of it when I looked upon Miro's aura. The bond of a Familiar is one that invades the very soul. You and I are permanently, undeniably connected. Calm down, Karn. Being discovered by this man is not the worst scenario one could find themelves in.

The Rush twin's lips did not allow the smile to fade as he looked to the Magecrafter as they walked on,

"Anything, Mr. Sullins. And I apologize if it seemed that I had called myself a Magecrafter. I am not. I learned, somewhat, the basics of Magecrafting. However, my memory is clouded. I was encouraged by Thaddeus Lazarin to examine the aura of a Magecrafted artifact. I was explained by him and a pupil how Magecrafting takes place in steps and effectively creates an artifact out of additional materials known as reagents and catalysts. However, my knowledge ends there."

The Rush twin pursed his lips for a moment before he allowed himself to make the admission that only Verin was privy to, and even then... Verin had not yet met Karn. The Familiar refused to come out of its sealed form to speak to the elder Rush twin,

"The reason my memory is so... askew is perhaps from an encounter I had in the early days of the previous season. I was stolen away to the forests of Lakeshore and brought face to face with an otherworldly creature known as a Diverse. A masked man commanded me to fight the beast and in return promised me a bond that would in the future grant me tremendous strength as a mage. And so, I defeated the Diverse and was granted a Familiar. That is the bracelet."

Still, Karn did not show himself. He would not do so unless specifically requested to.

"However, things did not end there. Perhaps, if you examined my aura, you would notice that it is frayed. Tainted. There is a corruption in my very soul known as the magic of Leeching. This, in addition to the Familiar, was the masked man's 'gift' to me. He initiated me into the craft, which resulted in, as a result of the heavy injuries I endured at the Diverse's hands, in my extended seclusion from the world. I am not a Magecrafter, but a personal mage who specializes in the discipline known as the Flux. However, as you have heard, I also have been initiated into a selection of other magicks, as well."

Honesty. It was a difficult admission to bring all of Venser's trials to light. Fighting the wolves in Lakeshore... Meeting Miro, who had become his saviour and promised him a path to power in exchange for his loyalty. It was this loyalty that prevented Venser from sharing the man's name with Clyde. Honesty that admitted everything but a single detail. A detail that Venser refused to allow Clyde access to. The next trial flashed into his thoughts. Miro had taken Venser as a student temporarily, granting him an understanding of the discipline of Reimancy that extended beyond simple initiation.

The following. Miro had abandoned his intention of seeing Venser as a student. Rather, he sought to challenge Venser with trials of combat. The memory flashed in his mind as he recalled the fight with Miro, realizing the true strength of the wizard and his familiary. He had sensed Miro's unleashing of the Flux without even needing to activate Auristics, so powerful the djed flow had been...

The Trial of Gladiator, the last of his trials and the culmination of his efforts, arose next. Challenging the Diverse, slaying it. Suffering from injuries but being forced to converse with the Familiars. Refusing the Irylid. Meeting Karn and accepting him. The bond. Then, Miro betrayed him. Subjected him to the Leeching initiation.

Then, he had a time of wellness before everything went black. Memories scattered and Venser's body was forced to convalesce. The hardest trial of all was the one where absolutely nothing was done.

"Have you any other questions?"

Count: 1032

[Clyde Sullins]

As Clyde delved ever deeper, focusing on the two Auras, they grew ever more into clarity. However as he looked closer at the second aura, mentally thrusting himself deeper with both hands onto that of the wrist jewelry, he noted a... Strangeness, about it. For a moment or two he tried to recall back, recall to when he had seen a similar strangeness of the djed, and after some thought recalled the piece of the summoned creature he had used in Magecrafting once. That hoof had a similar foreignness of the djed, a similar strangeness, which seemed to be the same foreignness of djed in the wrist jewelry. Considering that item had been a work of summoning, and a item from another world, and thus of foreign djed, it seemed to make sense that this thing might also be a summoned creature, or something of another world. Before he could ponder further on this though, the mage began to answer a bit of his questions, at least about Magecrafting. "Anything, Mr. Sullins. And I apologize if it seemed that I had called myself a Magecrafter. I am not. I learned, somewhat, the basics of Magecrafting. However, my memory is clouded. I was encouraged by Thaddeus Lazarin to examine the aura of a Magecrafted artifact. I was explained by him and a pupil how Magecrafting takes place in steps and effectively creates an artifact out of additional materials known as reagents and catalysts. However, my knowledge ends there." Clyde absentmindedly shook his head. The man knew nothing of Magecrafting, he so admitted, and yet he proposed to aid in a work of Magecrafting... If Clyde was to given an instructive presentation, he would have to start almost from the basics, and would more or less be working without assistance... However the next bit of information revealed was more interesting, and explained the source of the foreign djed item in question with a full sized aura. "The reason my memory is so... askew is perhaps from an encounter I had in the early days of the previous season. I was stolen away to the forests of Lakeshore and brought face to face with an otherworldly creature known as a Diverse. A masked man commanded me to fight the beast and in return promised me a bond that would in the future grant me tremendous strength as a mage. And so, I defeated the Diverse and was granted a Familiar. That is the bracelet." A diverse, as Clyde knew from his small knowledge of summoning, was a summoned creature on a common world, of a barbaric race. This man had apparently fought one such creature, and won... And had been rewarded by being bonded to such a summoned creature as now resided on his wrist... A familiar. Familiary was a magic Clyde knew little of, had not even heard of before. But apparently its basic premise involved bonding to summoned creatures. A vague article and mention in the same summoning book reminded Clyde of another summoning world, which hosted various creatures, which had vaguely mentioned such a bonding. "However, things did not end there. Perhaps, if you examined my aura, you would notice that it is frayed. Tainted. There is a corruption in my very soul known as the magic of Leeching. This, in addition to the Familiar, was the masked man's 'gift' to me. He initiated me into the craft, which resulted in, as a result of the heavy injuries I endured at the Diverse's hands, in my extended seclusion from the world. I am not a Magecrafter, but a personal mage who specializes in the discipline known as the Flux. However, as you have heard, I also have been initiated into a selection of other magicks, as well." Though Clyde had not yet seen detected such a fraying of his aura, he had seen such a thing before, in an Ethaefal. Said creature had then tried to sap his djed, a thoroughly unpleasant experience. Perhaps it was because the fraying was minute, or perhaps because he had not looked close enough at his aura for such specifics. However he was intrigued to learn it was a magic unto itself, called leeching. Formerly he had thought it had been an innate ability of certain Ethaefals, forsaken ones. Apparently not. Apparently though said mage was also a fluxer, another type of personal magic Clyde did not practice nor know much of. It was interesting to hear the man was also initiated into various magics, as was Clyde. Though apparently they did not have many in common. Clyde himself was initiated into a wide range of personal and world magics. Still, though the man gave much information, Clyde was still uncertain if he told the entire truth. He did not appear to be lying, but... Neither did he seem to be telling everything. But then they had only just met, so perhaps such things would come in time. "Have you any other questions?" Clyde smiled back at the man, shaking his head. He had told him much of interest, but little specifics. Generalities, but not ideas. And he still had not explained what he had hoped to offer Clyde. “That is all... Interesting... Though still, it seems to further prove that you would be of little use to me in Magecrafting. I would more or less need to teach you everything, down to the very basics. Not a small task.” Clyde paused for a moment, wondering what this mage could offer, while still inspecting his aura, his own djed sight running over the mage, channeled outward and through Cha, and coursing over him like a waterfall. Now that he looked, he could see the slight fraying, though it was less apparent than the last time he'd seen it on another. He grasped at both Auras, that of the mage, and of his familiar, mentally picturing them as a pair of rivers, flows of water, and himself striding deeper into each. The mental mechanism seemed to assist in his physical manipulation and magical work. “I must ask, for me to give you such a lesson, to explain the truths of Magecrafting, and show you a working, what would I gain by it, I wonder? What do you have to offer that I could not freely gain myself?” “As for leeching, I've experienced it before, though I did not know it was named that then, or what it truly was. I cannot say that the experience was pleasant, or one I wish to repeat.” “And with familiary... Well you've given a name, and said that it is about bonding to a creature, though you've not really explained much about it, how it works, or what its purpose or uses are. A name without meaning is of little more use than a thing without a name.”

[Nemesis]

Clyde Sullins

Skills	*	*
Auristics	*	+2
Investigation	*	+1
Observation	*	+3
Rhetoric	*	+1
Socialisation	*	+2
Storytelling	*	+1

Lores

* Venser Rush: Aurist

*Venser Ru: Fluxer

*Venser Rush: Has a Familiar

*Venser Rush: Leecher

*

*

*

*
*
Consequences, Injuries, Expenses, and More!

• None

Venser Rush

Skills	*	*
Skill 1	*	+??
Skill 2	*	+??
Skill 3	*	+??

Lores

* Lore 1

* Lore 2

* Lore 3

*
*
Consequences, Injuries, Expenses, and More!

• ??
• ???

__________

• I think a relationship with Clyde might have saved Verin... it's a shame...
• A pleasure to read, though I wish we could have seen more. Welcome home, Clyde!
• Clyde, if you could chuck me a PM to discuss the Lore you wanted... I personally couldn't see relevance, but maybe I missed something!