Closed [Gug Andjak]A True Staff part II: The "Staff" Step[Marin]

[Clyde Sullins]

Clyde noted as Anna returned with the hammers. He continued to "look" at the staff with his auristical sight, but looked with his mundane eyes upon Anna and took the larger of the two hammers. Looking directly at what one was observing auristically was only really neccessary when you first started the magic. Clyde was decent enough that being within direct eyesight was less of a issue. “You mentioned Auristics being a useful thing in the actual crafting process. I’m assuming that one could also attempt to gauge it based on the Djed flux of the object? As in, without the actual sight but more utilizing the feeling one gets from the object itself?” Clyde shrugged, and looked back at the item. "Auristics allows one to note more minute changes and alterations within the djed structure of the item, and to more clearly pinpoint the effects and any issues arising. Its like the difference between a rough sketch drawn by a five year old, and one drawn by a master, having to use it to hunt a person down. Clearly one is going to be more valuable than the other, one more full of detail and useful info than the other." "Though honestly I can't say for certain, I've always used Auristics while Magecrafting, so I can't say for sure how those without it make due. However I would say it is certainly wiser to learn it. There are a few apparatus that allows one to make due without to a degree, which might be of minimal use when dealing with some reactions, but I would not risk it with anything greater. Certainly such a apparatus would never replace a true Aurist." "Vague feelings are one thing, but without Auristics you can't see the actual lay of the djed pathways, can't see how the djed is infusing, which bits have properly integrated and which bits have not. You can't see the deep sights that mundane sight does not allow, not without a more refined observation. Perhaps if I made a scroll for you to see some time, you would better understand..." Clyde waved his own words off, and passed onward with his answers. Clearly he had considered making such a Auristics scroll, but know was not the time. Not when he was drained from his voiding, and still needed to continue to read the staff's aura for a bit more. “Also, what significance is held in possessing different types of charging hammers? Should one regularly switch off hammers?” "Once a hammer has released it's held djed, one usually switches to one that is already charged. I prefer to charge all my hammers at once, since it saves time over recharging them after each individual usage. As for the different types, they are for different usages, and meant for different items being enchanted. However there is another reason I gave you the tiny one." Looking at the staff, Clyde examined it and chose the sights he would direct Anna to strike next. "I chose the tiny one for you, for more of a mental reasoning. You did not trust yourself, your action, so did not fully commit to the action. The strength of the blow is not important, the intent and the belief behind it is. Now look at this tiny thing, I don't think with this one you will have any fear inherent of breaking or harming the staff. That is why I had you use it." Bending down to the staff, Clyde pointed out 3 spots on the staff for Anna to strike, also indicating the angle she should strike from, and through which she should follow through with her blow. "Now, strike here like this, here at this angle, and here from this side."

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna nodded slightly as Clyde spoke of the value of auristic sight in the process of Magecrafting, understanding now that it certainly seemed more vital. However at the moment the sorceress lacked access to that ability so she would need to probably make use of these other apparatus’ Clyde mentioned, if she ever actually tried to do this on her own time. Though learning Auristics might very well prove very useful in the future, and Anna had a basic idea of how to pick it up and learn it so it would probably pay to learn how to utilize it sooner rather than later. If not only for Magecraft but because it sounded like a good discipline for a research wizard to learn, being able to detect the flow of Djed.

He mentioned placing auristic qualities within a scroll and Anna actually had to think over that and how it would work. Thus far her scrolls and Glyphed items were based solely on offensive use with Reimancy and Voiding being prominently featured. Theoretically it was possible to infuse a scroll with any magic, though she wondered what kind of side effects that kind of thing might cause in the one experiencing the sight. Would it drain them as it would any other aurist and how long could such a thing be sustained long term?

Anna nodded as Clyde explained the actual purpose of the hammers and the need to replace them once their charges had been used up. It made sense, use them enough and they lose their change and then one needed to switch up to continue the process. She wondered how one charged the hammers but she saved that question for after she finished what she was supposed to do with the tiny hammer. Each different sized hammer had a different effect upon the item, that was a rather interesting thing to note and the sorceress filed that tidbit away for future use.

She stared at the tiny hammer, her smirk returning as the other mage’s words sunk in fully and she grasped why she was to use the hammer. A smart move on Clyde’s part, the mark of a good teacher if nothing else was to learn how comfortable their student was and ways to increase that comfort. Anna could respect that being a former professor, Sahova had worn on her teaching abilities no doubt but hopefully they would be useful when she had apprentices of her own. She had been right in her initial assessment in believing that Clyde was more than worthy of Wizard rank. Though, she wondered how well he would perform on Sahova’s political stage. Only time would tell there.

Anna noted the three points on the staff he pointed to and also noted the angle he wanted her hammer to fall upon the staff and nodded, already feeling a bit more confident holding the little hammer. She took another series of cycled breaths before leaning over and placing her small hammer over the first point and angling it correctly. This time there was not timid hesitation and her strike fell lightly but firmly upon the spot, her mind focused upon the task of making the staff stronger but allowing her hand to move as she would have it move and not allowing the possibility of what could go wrong rule it.

From here the tall woman moved to the second spot Clyde had indicated and tapped at this spot, again her strike falling much easier now that she allowed herself to trust the movement of her hand. She could feel the radiation of Djed causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end once more, though this time it was not as oppressive as it had been the first time. Clyde’s direction was useful in getting her comfortable in actually applying herself to this new craft.

Her final tap fell again as Clyde had directed and followed the pattern he had laid out for her to follow, the small hammer sending out light pulses through the object’s Djed. Anna was already feeling more at ease with this whole situation, apparently the psychology of handling a small hammer was enough to soothe the worry she had harbored regarding actually using the hammer. She was no longer concerned with harming the staff and was instead allowed to trust the actions she took with her tool.

Her task finished she straightened out and glanced to Clyde, quirking another eyebrow and waiting to see what he would do. As she did the sorceress decided to voice her earlier thought regarding the hammers and charging them, as she figured she’d need to know something about that. Best to get the most out of this lesson as she could as it was unlikely Clyde would be giving her a repeat performance anytime soon.

“So, how does one charge a hammer? Also, once you are actually finished crafting this staff how will you finish it? Does it require something special as I recall you stating that removing it from the pedestal could cause explosive results?” Anna inquired, folding her arms under her breasts and shifting her weight from one heel to the other.

[Clyde Sullins]

As he watched her make the moves he had indicated, she moved with more confidence than before. But they where still the moves of one who was unskilled. Thy where close to what he indicated, but not quite. But then, since she could not truly see what he was pointing at, it made sense that she would have trouble. This time at least the sound of her strikes were less harsh, less like a bell tolling... They where still not as pleasant as his own strikes reverberations, but better. But then he had also told her exactly where to strike. Watching the aura, Clyde took a few moments to see how the wave fronts of sound were expanding, how they would interact, how they needed to be pushed and prodded to form into the best possible harmonious crescendo. He made one strike near the base of the staff, at an angle so that its effect would wave down the entire length of the wood. Then he made another near the top of the staff, but perhaps a foot lower, coming from the side. Then he made one more strike, almost at the center of the staff, but at the side. As the peals of his strikes rung out they meshed, washing over the weaker blows Anna had made and pushing them into alignment. Better than last time, better, though admittedly not as good still as himself when alone... But then she was new, and he would be doing the majority of the Magecrafting. And he had done well enough to counterbalance and even out her strikes. "Better, a bit better. Not a lot, but a bit." Letting out a deep breath, Clyde cut off his Auristical vision, the flow of djed to his eyes, and willed it to quieten. After a few moments the river of colored djed waters slowly faded, and then the shine of the Aura around the staff also faded, leaving him with his mundane sight. He let out another sigh, and let his shoulders droop. He was tired. Late nights Magecrafting, and then all of the magic he had done today... He felt wiped, and even felt a slight trill of a headache grinding in his skull. Not a good sign. Perhaps a sign of very mild overgiving. Or possibly just due to him being so tired. It was hard to tell in a case like this which had caused it. “So, how does one charge a hammer? Also, once you are actually finished crafting this staff how will you finish it? Does it require something special as I recall you stating that removing it from the pedestal could cause explosive results?” Looking over at Anna, Clyde began to make his way back to the lab table to drop off the hammer, rubbing at his temples with his free hand. "Well, perhaps that would be a lesson better for another time... I'm rather tired. It's been a long day, a bunch of long days, and I've had no time to go searching for food of late. Ah, I never did tell you about the 5 different changes that an be done by Magecrafting. You've learned of one of them, structural, but I never got into the other 4. Maybe next time." As Clyde set down his hammer, he made a longing glance at his bedroll for a few moment, and then letting out another sigh turned back to Anna. "As for when you are done what you do. Well its the same as you do with any other reaction that heats something up, like one smithing a sword. You must cool it down." Of course Clyde was rather vague as to how one cooled it down, or if he even meant it literally. But at this point he just wanted to be done, to go to sleep, and was not exactly at his peak performance. "Perhaps if you ask next time, I'll be better able to answer." "So... Was there anything else, I think this is a good stopping point. I can't tell you all my secrets right now, after all then you'd have no point in seeking me out another time. But perhaps next time..."

[Annalisa Marin]

Clyde finished his strikes and Anna was pleased that this had apparently gone better than the first time she had struck the staff. It was a fairly dull discipline from what Anna could see but apparently very worthwhile f it could produce things like this as a result of its crafting. It wasn’t nearly as enjoyable as Glyphing, but she could certainly see the appeal of Magecraft. If nothing else she had emerged from this little lesson with knowledge of how her opponent worked, the first step in opposing him politically was to know the strengths and weakness’ of his craft. The weakness she could see was the long crafting times and heavy need for Glyphs for a safe environment. Meanwhile her Glyphing was mostly planning followed by crafting, most of which could be finished in a day.

She also had a new substance to look into that was a product of Glyphing, d-wire. Since it seemed to possess such utility knowing how to make it immediately would elevate her among the Glyphers of Sahova. So it had not only been Magecraft she had learned today but also a new facet of Glyphing that had remained unknown to her until this very point in time. She had an advantage over Silverheart, being not only nearly unmatched in terms of Reimancy but also Glyphing. With her knowledge in Voiding fast growing as well, the Sub-Human filth would rue the day he had permitted her to live in the Forge.

Clyde appeared to be tired from his exertions and Anna felt she knew why, considering his lack of skill in Voiding it had no doubt been a struggle to hold whatever sight he held over the object. Anna meanwhile still felt perfectly fine, her Djed unimpeded from that little bit of casting she had done earlier. Had she herself used Voiding she might have been tired a little, but nothing massive in terms of actual drain since she possessed more experience there than he.

She was a little irritated that she couldn’t get any more information about the craft from Clyde, though he subtly enticed her with talk of ‘another time’. Anna pondered the implications of that for a moment, that he would consider working with her again was promising though she would also have her own research to consider. She had wanted to inquire after her origin before they parted, however it appeared he was not in the state to be answering any further questions. No doubt there would be time for that after he passed his Judgment, which Anna had no doubt he would.

She did manage to get something in parting, that there were five different kinds of changes one could make in Magecraft and that the one they had done was structural. Anna made a mental note to inquire after the other 4 at a later date, until then she had some business of her own to deal with. A bit more research on the capabilities of the Ice Para-Element, as Anna could feel there were still more applications for her to learn.

“Of course, Mr. Sullins. I must be off as well, Sahova never sleeps after all. I look forward to observing your no doubt resounding success at the Judgment. Rest well while you can.” Anna said, barely whispering that last bit in an almost bitter tone as she left the hammer where she had found it.

Rest, there was no such thing after long experiences in Sahova. There were only long and brutal nightmares that had one waking up screaming and thrashing, crying out in anguish or fear. Anna knew this from experience so Clyde would indeed be wise to sleep while he could, as after a few seasons here she had no doubt he’d rue the day he had set foot on Sahovan soil. The tall woman gave one last backwards glance to Clyde before striding out of the lab space, her arrogant smirk already back in place as her mask returned.

[Clyde Sullins]

“Of course, Mr. Sullins. I must be off as well, Sahova never sleeps after all. I look forward to observing your no doubt resounding success at the Judgment. Rest well while you can.” Clyde nodded, his energy winding down. He usually tried to not do to much in one day, particularly with magics he was less skilled at. Voiding was not his worst, but he certainly could afford to work on it more. And until he got better at it, it would continue to be so draining even for such simple applications. "It was enjoyable working with you, Wizard Marin. Until next time. I suppose I will see you next at the judgement." With that Clyde let out a sigh, and watched as Anna left. He turned to his bedroll and blanket, and let out a sigh. He wanted to get a bit more work done after Anna left, but it would have to wait until later. Besides, he was doing well enough in regards to time that it would not unduly mess up his schedule. Particularly with the bit of time Anna had saved him by assisting. Now, it was time to rest. He would surely be up early the next day to work more.

[Mirage]

Annalisa

 

Skills Improved

• Interrogation - +2
• Magecrafting - +1

 

Lores Gained

• Clyde: More than a little Arrogant
• Magecraft: Don't remove the item from the podium until its done
• Magecraft: Like adding text to a book
• Magecraft: Uses Charged Tools to change the djed
• Magecraft: The Basic materials needed
• Magecraft: The Basic Process
• Magecraft: Structural Changes
• D-Wire: Special magical conducting wire

 

Character Notes

So lots of lores for you! Not much skills to be had, but I did consider giving Anna a point for endurance for putting up with Clyde's personality lol. All in all it was a good learning experience for Anna, and the lore sure prove it! Good job both of you

Clyde

 

Skills Improved

• Teaching - +5
• Voiding - +2
• Magecrafting - +2

 

Lores Gained

• Teaching: Explaining the concepts of Magecrafting

 

Items

pending PM

 

Character Notes

Great thread! Lol Clyde definitely thinks a lot of himself, and I am a bit surprised Anna didn't slap him upside the head at one point! There wasn't really much in the way of lore or XP to give you here, well besides teaching, but that is not what you were really after haha. I will fill in the item section of this grade after I hear back from you in PM so I can be as accurate as possible