Wicked and Restless! (Wrenmae)

by **Gad** on May 15th, 2013, 3:33 am

Gad was beside himself. He'd been cautious about this whole ordeal. Careful not to show his hand, and all of a sudden it looked like the masquerade was up. This creature seemed to materialize out of nothingness, but as Gad scanned over Wrenmae he did notice the man's flask seemed to have vanished. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and he raised himself to standing position. He hadn't forgotten the threat of getting his throat sliced open, but the appearance of the man's familiar provided Gad with a sense of security. Whether that was well founded or not he supposed he'd find out soon enough. Gad's eyes were as wide as they'd never been, and they shifted incredulously between the drifter and the Sarawanki and back. The creature went on, and Gad caught a fair bit about the man who'd been terrorizing him. He'd been in Sunberth before, but something happened. Did the mob out him as a mage? How was he still alive?

"So, Wren's your name." Gad mused out loud. He wasn't sure, but he felt like he'd heard it before, somewhere he couldn't recall. He pushed the thought out of his head, and proceeded to correct the man's familiar on his observations. "It's not the dice that's magic." Gad said with a grin. "They're just dice. Mostly worthless, except for-" He supposed there was only one way describe, though it might be misleading "-their sentimental value." On the Sarawanki's pithy wrap up Gad rubbed his active hand across his throat. The idea of a rope pulled tight around it wasn't something he liked to dwell on, but it was a real problem. His eyes ran over Wren. Clearly he was no advocate of the familiar's outburst, so he was focused on the creature and not Gad, which was a good for the time being. "Heh, I suppose we are all indeed of the magical inclination. The Great Wizard Gad, humbly in your service. I'd say it's a pleasure to meet you Zan, but all things considered, we best reserve the pleasantries until your friend makes up his mind on how he wants this to go." Gad rubbed his limp right hand with his left, one, massaging it thoroughly. There was no sensation in it, but the ritualistic act always seemed to strengthen the control he had over his astral limbs. With the ghost hand, he grabbed a mound of snow and squeezed it into an approximation of a ball, and tossed it through the space between himself and Wren to demonstrate. "So, how did you know? And what's more, what do you plan to do with the information?" The guy seemed a bit on the loony side, but certainly he wouldn't out Gad, given the implications.

by **Wrenmae** on May 15th, 2013, 4:09 am

Zan soared down from on high, floating in front of Gad and dancing back and forth with the snowball.

"We know a thing or two about various magical arts. One of em is Auristics, but that's not the real trick of it. A mage has a sixth sense when it comes to magic. Just feel with your mind and you'll spy out enough of it if its used too much. Man. You're just a kid, right? Well Wren can't be all that much older than you and he's one helluva mage. You name it, he's probably heard of it. Isn't that right, Wren?"

"I wish you'd save your conversations for a more private location," the mage growled irritably, closing the distance between he and Gad, "It isn't safe to openly talk of these things."

"Wren likes to play it cautiously...all cloak and dagger. If he had it his way, you'd be dead...less loose ends. No worries though, I'm a pretty good deterrent."

Wren sheathed the blades and crossed his arms, "That magic you use...what is it called? I've seen it done before...sacrifices the use of a limb or your entire body to move things as if you were projecting your body."

"He's terribly curious. Better tell him or he'll lecture you...and we all know how boring that is."

"Excuse Zan," Wren sighed, "He does like to prattle."

"Only because I'm awesome," the familiar maintained, rippling in the air, "You should try it sometime."

"With the information? Use you." Wren grinned, but without malice, "Mages are widely distrusted....and for good reason. But I might have use of a man like you." He reached into his pocket and withdrew Gad's die, tossing it to him. "That's more than earned your property back, and if I'd known you were a mage I'd have treated you with a bit more decorum. We're superior to the other riffraff out here...in our souls is the key to greatness, to the majesty of the gods."

"Oh gods, stop him! Stop him!"

"Shut up Zan. I'm creating something of an organization, you see...an alliance of talented folk that might like to see a little power shift from the traditional city-state style of Mizaharian politics. What the Valterrian took from all of us, I intend to rebuild...information networks, knowledge bases, all of it."

"And the finale."

"And I want you to be part of that. Think about your answer...I'm not in Sunberth long, so I'll send a letter by your way when I expect an answer."

His fingers beat a rhythm on his arms, "Or you could refuse me now...ask yourself if Sunberth is the kind of place you want to die, the kind of accomplishments you want to be known for."

He shrugged, "You've earned my apology for your treatment. The rest is a gift...refuse without threat of penalty. I only seek the ambitious, after all."

by **Gad** on May 22nd, 2013, 4:20 am

The sapient water blob played with Gad's snow ball. It was remarkable, truly. He'd been cautious of questioning it too much when things looked more dodgy, but now, he had a curiosity that needed to be sated. "Mindspeak? You two, you're linked somehow." It was more a declaration than a question. "And you're Sarawanki. That's a race from Fyrden." Gad didn't quite have the pieces to puzzle out just what Zan was to Wren, but it was clear the little elemental was the subservient one. Or, he was supposed to be. At the moment Zan seemed to be asserting his agency. Gad answered Wren's own questions, figuring that the man was so close in his guess it couldn't hurt to let him know, and he didn't mind being sparred a lecture. "Yes, you're spot on. It's called Projection. There's a trade off of course, and I'd guess it would rank high on the list of 'Magics to Get Your Neck Pulled.' But it has an advantage in not being too visually-...exciting. Unless you're just out and out with it, a little hand of influence here and there, well, it's easy to miss." Gad shrugged.

There was a whole other dimension to this man that seemed much more calculated, and much more dangerous, than the one Gad had first bumped into. Such changeable attitude reminded him of his father. Though Gad would've had to admit his own mind was 'amenable to suggestion' from time to time. Gad caught the flying die with his ephemeral hand, and the Projection tucked in his pocket. He then began the slow and steady reattachment process, massage his hand as he went. "Use me, huh?" As Gad massaged his hand he couldn't help a suspicious stare that shot Wren. That smile. It was the same one that Gad himself would have whenever he was truly up to know good. So here came the sell, heralded by Zan. Gad pondered it for a moment. Or less than half a moment. He'd never been a huge fan of the way things were in Sunberth, he'd always just made due, and this man offered an idea. Hmph, well Gad, you always knew you were better. Thank Ovek, things are looking up. Wait! Wait. Hold on. Don't get ahead of yourself Gad. This guy could be full of it. You know how those wizard types are...heh. Gad's reattachment went on as he spoke. "Deal sounds good. And if it's everything you say it is, then I have nothing to loose. Like I said, I wouldn't want to die in Sunberth, but I can certainly think of a few improvements that'd make me want to live here. You can save your parchment. My answer is yes." He looked up at the Sarawanki and back to Wren. 'Yes' now was the way to go, he figured. He could see what they were about, and then move on if thins smelled wrong. Either way, he'd learn more by going along with it for now at least.

by **Wrenmae** on June 4th, 2013, 6:22 am

Crossing his arms, the mage smiled and the menace seemed to wash away from him. However, the threats of before could not be undone. He was dangerous, but perhaps not so much as Gad had suspected. There was power in this man, but no longer did he direct it at the man who, just before, he'd almost seemed prepared to kill.

"I have business to complete in Sunberth," he said at last and Zan retreated back to his open palm, becoming a small flask that the mage put on his belt, "But I think you'll do just fine."

Turning from the fellow, he checked the alleys again for anyone watching, seeing none, he stepped toward Gad, cupping his hands together.

"I would have you travel to Zeltiva," he said quietly, letting his eyes close as he focused Djed into his palm. Again...the thought, the slow realization that reality did not need to be reality, that there were realms and paths and places beyond here...that there was darkness...no, nothingness, and that he needed to grab hold of it, concentrate, bring it out.

"There is a man named Ignotus Everto, a nuit who holds some sway in the city. There is a University as well, but seek instruction only if you wish to learn."

A point of nothing originated between his cupped hands, growing outward slowly till it was the size of an apple...a perfect pitch black hole in reality. Carefully, Wrenmae lifted it to the wall beside them, pushing the black hole against it.

The Void took a bite from the wall, leaving a small crater where the swirling energies had loosened the bonds of stone and swallowed the piece into nothingness...it devoured, and vanished.

"Ignotus and I have...history together, and he is a mage who has a small repertoire of talents. Present yourself to him, tell him I sent you and that if you are found worthy, you are to be trained." Taking a deep breath, he let his hands fall at his sides. "He will likely have tasks for you to complete...even I do not know the depths of that nuit's determination. But, if you are smart and quick, you will learn enough to further your disciplines on your own. Zeltiva is a bit more accepting of magic than Sunberth...and we are not ready to reform this decaying ruin yet. Have Ignotus train you, when you are ready, and then when I return...if you've shown promise, I will take you as a personal pupil."

Holding out the same palm, a green mist ebbed from his fingers, caught flame, twisted, became like a small tornado and died.

"Magic is an extension of our souls...only fools and the insane follow its path. Most die...but if you survive, you will topple kingdoms." He smiled, "Or seek your own destiny, but we can help you get there."

Turning from Gad, he gave a short wave, "Go and seek out your destiny, I will await a letter from my compatriot confirming your arrival. Stay in the city and you'll be dead before you scratch your potential. I expect good things from you, so don't disappoint me or..." He paused, half turning before he stepped out of the alleyway, "Yourself."

by **Twister** on December 17th, 2013, 6:18 pm

.

Experience Award

Wrenmae

Grade :

Gad

Notes :

If you've any questions or concerns about your grade, drop me a PM!
.