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Post subject: The Red School of Magic
 Posted: Mar 06, 2012 - 08:22 PM
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Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2008
Posts: 2092
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Dear Fuoco,
A chat with Gwyddeon today reminded me of an old plan, hatched with Yorck a few years ago. Gwyddeon was telling me that he had completed his studies with you, and requested my help to learn how to survive on his own in Marali. He is a friend and, of course, there is no question about that ó I will be more than happy to give him a hand and to show him that he his stronger than he thinks. However, I think it would be interesting to take things furtherÖ
My idea is to open a school! I was thinking of calling it "red school of magic", which, I believe, is a colour dear to many people (and is not black, of course!). What would you say of offering a program for new wizards, starting in Lerilin, and progressing through each one of our towns?
We could have theoretical and practical modules, covering all aspects of the art. For example, if you would accept to join me in this adventure, you could teach a module called "resisting Andris", while I would teach "surviving Marali". Or something like that. I think that Gwyddeon himself would be great to guide younger wizards as well. Sadly, there isn't much for a wizard in Mirith, so I would probably leave the town for the courses on dungeon initiation.
Then, we could also have special units with guests. Such as "hunting with a ranger", or "hunting with a druid" for the other professions, and "hunting dragons", "hunting in tight places" for different types of activities.
Perhaps a beginner's workshop in enchanting should be included too. It is easier, though, to progress in the technique on your own, than to learn the secrets of magic.
What do you think? Would this be useful at all for anyone? Would you like to embark in it? Let me know of it, when you have a moment!
I hope this letter finds you well.
Yours,
C. |
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Post subject: RE: The Red School of Magic
Posted: Mar 07, 2012 - 01:55 AM
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Noble
Joined: Feb 19, 2008
Posts: 879
Location: London
Status: Offline
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Dear Cassandra,
I have just read your missive - forgive the slight delay in responding.
I am quite willing to embark on the project and yes, you would be much fitter to take care of Marali training - it was quite a different place during my service as an armswoman and regrettably I have not spent a lot of time there in recent years, at least not enough to develop more refined strategies to meet the new challenges.
As you say, there is not much that Mirith can offer except for a 'growing' wizard - some challenges can be met along the river banks north east of the city and, of course, at Gwyddeon's moment of growth in life, those pesky Hill Giants in the Rock Maze!
I can see the usefulness in teaching wizards how to interact with other classes and, of course, a few words on enchanting will never go amiss.
I look forward to hearing from you further.
Yours,
Fuoco
(Wonders where her new apprentice, Pavy, has disappeared to!) |
_________________
Two men look out of the same window - one sees the stars, the other sees the mud.
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 07, 2012 - 07:17 AM
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Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2008
Posts: 2092
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"Silly sausage", thought the wizard, not without surprise for having been contaminated by Pinheadean vocabulary, "of course you'd be great in Marali. I just thought you'd prefer Andris, since you live there". She made a mental note of telling that to her peer in person. "Oh yes, I had forgotten the hill giants".
It was now time to travel to the Red City. She could think with Fuoco of who would be good to invite to teach some of the modules. Also, the parchment sold in Andris was of a better quality than the rough pieces she could find in Marali. "We will need to advertise the school and to have a few scrolls at hand for registering the students and giving them their diplomas." They could also try to make a deal with the magic shop for discount prices on reagents for their pupils.
She toured around Marali one last time, looking for the Vanguard companion who had traveled with her a few nights before. Unable to find him anywhere, she left a note with the guards. "If you see Majara, tell him that I had to go to Andris but will be back as soon as I can". |
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 10, 2012 - 01:04 PM
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Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2008
Posts: 2092
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Once in Andris, Cassandra leaves a large parcel addressed to the wizard Fuoco Biancavalle. On the top of it, a letter is attached.
Dear Fuoco,
This is probably the most boring read I have ever left you. However, I thought it would be fair for teachers that might want to join us to have some guidelines on the programme of teaching, so that every student can be offered a coherent training when they join the school.
This is meant as a guideline only, maybe some of it can be the basis for a future manual, if we ever want to write one. Of course, I am not expecting anyone to read it from cover to cover, but to use it as a document of reference on what we found to be important areas of formation.
I will try to find you around town, so that we can discuss the project. Any feedback you have is, of course, very welcome. I am sure this is still filled with mistakes and the must be many aspects I have overlooked.
See you very soon,
C
Programme of Studies
The division in modules is indicative of the areas covered. More than one class can and will be taken simultaneously, according to what the teacher(s) think(s) is suitable to each apprentice. There is no strict timeframe for each level: each apprentice will progress at their own pace, and the teacher will do their best to make the learning environment pleasant, challenging, and fun.
Each teacher is free to delegate specific modules to whoever they think is adequate to provide the best training. The apprentice is encouraged to make contact with other wizards and try different schools and approaches, not covered by the Red School's programme.
Beginners
Recommended for wizards between their first and sixth levels of learning.
Necessary equipment:
A robe of protection, a robe of resistance, bag of reagents. Mana, healing and detoxifying, invisibility potions. Wizard hat, belt, boots. A raft.
Optional: orb of seeing, charm of swiftness.
Basic reagents
The uses of lotus flower, coal, mandrake, electric eel, poison glands, and volcanic ash.
Magic names of each reagent.
Understanding spells I
Offensive magery vs protective magery.
General introduction to direct damage spells: magic arrow, poison, magic trap, explosion, lighting bolt.
General introduction to other spells used in combat: simple mind, clumsy, weaken, paralyse, drain mana, disorientation.
The uses of fire field.
The importance of spelling properly: the grammar of incantations.
Supervised practice of magic arrow, poison, paralyse, explosion, and lighting bolt.
Resource Gathering I
Foraging Lerilin.
School trip to the spider cave in Mirith.
The importance of keeping skulls.
Trading for ash and poison glands.
Fishing eels and mining coal.
Resisting Magic I
How to take advantage of a Pixie's ire.
Hunting solo I
The apprentice wizard will be taught the necessary surviving techniques to hunt on their own in the woods of Lerilin.
Introduction to invisibility, mana, and healing potions, and how to save them.
The art of running.
Finding time to meditate.
Healing with bandages.
Hiding effectively.
Facing larger groups of adversaries.
Seeking the temple priests.
Hunting with groups I
Orbital movements.
Keeping the healer safe.
Finding the right spell. Short hunts will be promoted with different combinations of professions. The teachers will explain the importance of changing strategy according to the hunting companion, in order to make the best out of the team's possibilities.
Geography I
The woods of Lerilin and the road to Mirith.
Lerilin and Mirith cemeteries. A short course on lock-picking will be taught during the first trip to a cemetery.
The Lizard Fort.
Tight places I
The ant cave.
The spider cave.
An optional visit to the sewers can be organised at the time of the first school trip to Mirith.
Enchanting I
A quiet time to meditate.
Introduction to lumberjacking or mining, according to the apprentice's preference.
Extracting etherite and infusing regular crystals.
Exploring the lab: enchanted cloth, diamond dust, explosive dust.
How to make your own orb of seeing.
Chams of swiftness, undead cleansing, and loyalty.
Ring of discretion, ring of strength
Ethics I
Every spell is sacred. On over-casting, casting without a fighting purpose, and other heresies.
Respecting your group.
Dividing treasure.
History of wizardry I
Using the libraries of Oberin.
General chronology of important eras of Oberin.
Historical Mythology.
The Sorcerer's Council, its members and adversaries.
The Neth.
Optional: Pets and taming
Befriending a rat.
Interacting with snails, bats, and sheep.
Types of ants.
Hunting with dogs.
Intermediate
Recommended for wizards between their seventh and eighth levels of learning.
Necessary equipment:
The same as in the previous level, plus a stave or a club.
Optional: charm of undead cleansing, ring of remove curse, bow and arrows.
Understanding spells II
Introduction to the uses of dragon teeth: paralyse field and poison field.
Correct order for casting spells according to the desired effect.
Practice of drain mana, fire field, simple mind, in the addition to constant revision of the spells already learnt in the previous level.
Resource Gathering II
Taking advantage of bracken, bone mages, and gapers.
Where to find spiders outside the cave in Mirith.
Skulls for teeth.
Resisting Magic II
The Bracken gardens of Andris.
Meeting a gaper.
Introduction to bone mages.
Hunting solo I
Getting acquainted with Andrisian fauna and flora.
Forest trolls and snakes. The uses of poison vs fire.
Gooeys, and blink hounds: how to deal with bodies resistant to magic.
Healing through meditation.
The uses of magic traps.
Retreating to the shore.
Dealing with curses.
Hunting with groups II
How to help fighting sea serpents.
Dismantling gangs of giants.
Protecting the party from poisoning creatures.
Casting coordination with other wizards.
Geography II
Islands: Crescent, Poison, and the islets around Mirith.
What lies under the river: from Andris to Mirith, from Gast to Welif, from Gohoran to Fohean.
Tight places II
The first chambers of the Volcano. In this trip, the apprentice will get the chance to use the newly learnt field spells, in collaboration with a senior wizard and/or a druid.
Visiting the Tower, but not going too high.
A tea with the pixies, at their cave.
The crypt in Mirith.
There is more to the Ice Dungeon than the Dragon's lair.
Enchanting II
Infusing pure crystals.
Making a charm of purity.
Befriending a fighter by crafting a ring of brute strength.
Ethics II
White vs Black magic.
Facing an adversary with honour.
History of wizardry II
The mystery of Kinsul.
Dethras, his allies and his foes.
The story of Aborek.
Optional: Fighting other people
At the end of the course, the apprentice can be taken to the Black Island for an introduction on how to fight other people on the same stage of learning. The purpose of this module is to provide a better understanding of the apprentice's own weaknesses and strengths when facing a human adversary, such as a Brigand Mage or a Blood Warrior.
Advanced
Recommended for wizards between their ninth and tenth levels of learning.
Necessary equipment:
The same as in the previous level, plus a bow and arrows, and ring of remove curse. Rings of protection will be compulsory for some of the activities. A starting set might be borrowed from the teachers.
Optional: rings of healing, mana, lightning bolt. A robe of resistance. A set of plate.
Understanding spells III
Disorientation field and fireball.
Extensive discussion of the right timing for each spell.
Effective uses of clumsy, weaken, and disorientation.
Resource Gathering III
Dental care for dragons and their children.
Resisting Magic III
The Backyard of Marali.
Lynching the Lich.
Surviving another wizard. Ideally, the apprentice will get the chance to fight a Bone Lord or a Brigand Mage together with a group. If that is not the case, the teacher will provide a trip to the Black Island.
Hunting solo I
Exiled in Marali.
First floors and surroundings of Aborek.
Dealing with Hill Giants.
Hunting with groups III
Meeting the golems.
Keeping dragons still.
Facing Phase Serpents.
Geography III
Finding one's way at the Tree Maze.
Maralian woods.
Duldrus and its caves.
Tight places III
The screams of Aborek.
Surviving the heat in the Lava Dungeon.
The top of the Tower.
Second level of the Volcano
Collecting skulls in Skull Island.
The ballrooms of the Ice Dungeon.
Inside the MariRangers' ruins.
Optional: dying in Crausaar's Descent.
Enchanting III
Rings of shadow and lesser mana.
Essential knowledge on essences.
Infusing a crystal skull.
Optional: crafting a ring of lightning bolt.
Ethics III
Knowledge is free. Teaching younger wizards.
Curiosity and researching have no limits. Using the product of an experiment does.
Necromancy.
History of wizardry III
Avesne and Seth, two legends of wizardry.
Topics of Modern history: minor events, powerful wizards.
Mages at the service of each town. From Beleth to Sule Tesdor.
Sects: The Eye, the Blood Cult, the Venom priests.
A wizard perspective on the Black Hand. The Diabolicals.
Marthonis and his quest for knowledge.
Optional: Pushing boundaries
Going down in Aborek in a duo. The aim of this module is to develop the apprentice's surviving techniques in places where they will by now be used to go with a larger party. They will explore the possibilities, weaknesses and strengths of depending on a single companion, and the diverse strategies it requires. It is also a lesson in perseverance, sometimes requiring several attempts where progress is slow. Not for the faint-hearted.
By the end of the course, the now formed wizard will be invited to integrate the staff of the Red School of Magic. If that is their wish, they will be given the choice of which modules will they be willing to teach.
Outstanding apprentices of intermediate and advanced levels will also be given the chance to develop their teaching skills by taking over some tutorials for beginners.
It will be up for the senior staff members to ensure that all levels of learning will be covered by the most competent teachers, providing future wizards with the best education they can. |
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 12, 2012 - 01:25 AM
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Peasant
Joined: Mar 12, 2012
Posts: 34
Status: Offline
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To the Lady Cassandra,
Your Ladyship, please forgive this intrusion by this humble and barely literate rogue. Clearly, I am not eligible for entry into your laudible establishment but I read this proclamation with interest and wish to add my musings.
I feel sure that many, more worthy and qualified than I, will have pertinent encouragement to add but if I may be so bold (and I am), I simply wish in my rambling and discursive way to add my commendation to your admirable proposal.
I had the pleasure of hunting with this fine Lady just the other side of the last moon. As a rather young and inexperienced rogue, my timing and judgment are frequently amiss and as I struggle in my apprenticeship I have had the honour of many fine companions, in these, the early days of my indenture.
My hunting companions have ranged from the very inexperienced, like myself, to those whose feats and accomplishments are the stuff of legend. I find, regardless of experience, there are those who understand the ways in which they must interact with other classes to achieve the maximum results and also those who, irregardless of their own high skills can make allowance for the (ahem), deficiencies of others. The Lady Cassandra is one such. Her demeanor and comportment alone, make testament to her knowledge in these areas.
I am bonded to the master rogue who goes by many aliases but is known in these hinterlands as, Leiland. I do struggle but the master is a remarkable tutor and if I can get his instructions to penetrate my thick cranium, I can aspire to be his right bootlace... and that will make me a fine rogue indeed! The master did particularly warn me about wizards and the problems that can be encountered when taking up arms alongside them.
I can only say, if this fine Lady is prepared to make her knowledge available to those aspiring wizards who wish to improve their skills, they could do far worse than to enrol themselves in her esteemed institution. Hunting with the Lady Cassandra is a pleasure and has reduced my reticence when in the company of high level wizards.
Please accept these crude scratchings in the spirit in which they are intended and if I am acting above my station in making these recommendations, it is due to my lack of formal education which sometimes moves me to speak where I do not belong.
(Backs away, blushes, tugs forelock, goes to readjust his dagger and drops a pair of knitting needles... runs)
~Here stands one whose name be writ on water~ |
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 12, 2012 - 03:23 AM
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Honorable
Joined: Feb 05, 2009
Posts: 405
Status: Offline
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To the Mistress Cassandra,
After a long and arduous pickpocketing lesson with a student of mine, a few artifacts were lifted from his pockets, including several scratchings made on a crude bark. After questioning him closely, I ascertained the following facts, although some of the details are unclear as his ramblings are, at times, incoherent.
It seems that while in Andris, my doltish apprentice was practicing his art when he acquired a document, perhaps left for another. While the art of pickpocketing and general misdirection are encouraged in my school. the young rogue must make due recourse to discretion and use good judgment. Something that, perhaps in this case, was compromised. I fear your letter may not have reached its intended recipient, though the Young Phinn assures me he did not keep the note, the parcel, or its contents.
Of all his mistakes, the one that stands out to me the most is the sheer lunacy of committing the illegal act of tampering with Royal Mail and then alerting the victims through the writing of a reference. I believe this reflects poorly on the training that I have provided in my school; the first principle of which is DO NOT GET CAUGHT. This seems to me to be the equivalent of mugging a victim and then leaving a contact address for further correspondence.
I am fond of the lad but make haste to reassure you that he will be brought before the disciplinary committee and suitably admonished. Rest assured, my affection for the boy will not compromise his punishment.
Finally, I feel there may be more to this story than I have yet discerned from his gibberings. There may be some beguilement that has caused the young Phinn to form an attachment that I am quite certain Your Ladyship has done nothing to inappropriately encourage. I have reminded Phinn of his social position but he still waxes on your beauty, your wit and your skill. Rest easy for I know him well. He is harmless but infatuated. I have my eye on him.
Signed,
Leiland, Master Rogue. |
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 12, 2012 - 11:52 AM
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Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2008
Posts: 2092
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To the Distinguished Leiland,
I have confirmed that the parcel I had addressed to a fellow wizard is still with my messenger. The wrapping was obviously undone, but your student did his best to make it look untouched, I am sure. If the project of the Red School were a secret, I would have not risked the traditional ways mailing, and would have transmitted it to Fuoco, from the mouth of a wizard to the ear of another.
As for his potential infatuationÖ You will understand that charming words and a mysterious bearing are fundamental parts of my profession. We all make careful use of the arts of persuasion before even needing to cast a spell. And what is a spell, after all, if not a string of magic words designed to guide its victim to salvation or destruction?
I am not worried about young Phinn. Eventually, his infatuation will wane the more he deals with sorcerers. I do admit, though, that no matter how long I have known a wizard for, they tend to always cause extreme passions, be it love, fear, or utter disdain. Nothing that routine cannot attenuate, of course.
I did wonder last night why were you asking me to include pedagogical advice on rogues and fighters in my teaching programme. Concerns that I have taken note of, of course. Given your interest in teaching, maybe we could start a collaboration for the outdoor classes on fighting side by side with rogues. I was planning to have guest teachers from each specific profession, and it would be an honour to include you among those. Perhaps it would even be beneficial for your student to come along. He seems to have a prejudice about hunting with wizards that, I am sure, did not originate from your teachings.
Cassandra
****
Dear Phinn,
Thank you for your note. Your kind words make up for your indiscretion reading my correspondence. Or maybe it was Fuoco herself who commented on it aloud, at the bank? It does not matter - we will need to advertise the school, not to make it private!
I remember fighting by your side not that long ago. While those foolish Hill Giants insisted in facing us, rather than retreating to their caves, I was impressed by your silent ways and delicate manners. Traits which, I am sure, many a fighter would mock. However, they are the uttermost qualities of a good rogue.
You will certainly find it amusing to know that my first teacher was a rogue, back in the day. He would get extremely irritated if my weak spells would not be well coordinated with his destructive backstabs. Since I did not like to see him upset, I have done my best to learn what to do in his presence. I hope I will be able to transmit that knowledge to the wizards studying in the school.
I have told your tutor Leiland that you both would be more than welcome to join our learning excursions and exercises, when they are meant to give the younger wizards more experience in hunting with other professions. I do hope we can be honoured with your presence.
All the best,
Cassandra |
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 13, 2012 - 04:12 AM
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Honorable
Joined: Feb 05, 2009
Posts: 405
Status: Offline
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Mistress Cassandra,
As your letter reaches me, Phinn is completing his 86th lap around Mirith. I believe due to a duty of care act passed in the courts in the year 256 Phinn is now entitled for a bite to eat.
The School of Leiland has been around for many years but has not been advertised. When I say school it is more suitable to say it is an elite few, hand-chosen by me for their exceptional ability, cunning and natural aptitude for the rogue arts. Phinn however holds none of these traits.
When I found the boy he was taking his own money and slipping it into the pockets of some fortunate soul. I felt, more out of need then of want, that this boy must be helped. It was at this time, the school of Leiland became a more public enterprise.
Guest lectures, tutorials and cooperative modules would be beneficial to both our institutions and I would be honoured to participate as a guest lecturer to your fine academy.
I have sent Phinn to get his lunch, which is locked in a chest, surrounded by dracos. I will get him to deliver this missive upon his return.
Leiland, Master Rogue. |
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 13, 2012 - 04:40 AM
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Peasant
Joined: Mar 12, 2012
Posts: 34
Status: Offline
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Mistress Cassandra,
Please excuse the blood on this parchment. My wise Master gave me the opportunity to enjoy my noontime repast but unfortunately I seem to have scratched myself on... er, my knife.
He let it be known that your kind intercessions on my behalf have saved me from many hours of scrubbing several guild hall floors. I am indebted.
I must be off. I have only five more hours to complete a further 414 laps of Mirith and, as you are probably aware, all the torches seem to have gone out at once. I am not afraid of the dark but I do tend to stumble a little when the wraps on my leggings come undone.
I would be only too pleased to attend any relevant modules with my Master. I know I am in need of all the training I can get. I would not be a nuisance and get in the way. My master says I can be obsequious and further, that I am infatuated but I say, who would not want to inhale some of the air you expire? If you have no need of it and it is discarded and I can only benefit from its infusion, I do not believe you would begrudge it of me.
I told my Master you were a fine Lady and I could only benefit from your influence and he did agree. I did also make oath that I would bathe before bringing this epistle to you. Please do not give me up in this. I really would have but with Mirith being so dark these past days, I could not assemble the necessary flint and wood to heat the water.
Always in your service, your humble servant
Phinn the Rogue |
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 14, 2012 - 12:29 AM
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Noble
Joined: Feb 19, 2008
Posts: 879
Location: London
Status: Offline
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Dear fellow wizard,
This is to acknowledge receipt of the parcel and to inform you I have taken view of the programme thus far laid out - it seems fairly comprehensive and I guess time and circumastances will dictate any needs for minor adjustments.
In due course we shall discuss the finer points regarding advertising and recruiting.
On a separate but not altogether disconneced matter, I wish to discuss with you, at some future stage, the possibility of forming a White Council until such times as Sir Avesne makes his will known about a similar project.
Yours,
Fuoco |
_________________
Two men look out of the same window - one sees the stars, the other sees the mud.
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 14, 2012 - 12:16 PM
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Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2008
Posts: 2092
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Dear Fuoco,
I am glad to hear that you received my letter! Apparently, one of Leiland's "students" (that he seems to punish vehemently for his mistakes) got hold of it before you did, but thankfully decided to return the parcel to its proper place. A strange young rogue, that student of his. He's called Phinn, and, from what I got in Leiland's letter, you might see him covered in bruises and scratches. I took the liberty to invite them to join us in some of our group-hunting sessions. As long as no means of torture are used to punish eventual mistakes, of course. It seemed the diplomatic thing to do, and I truly believe they are both rather competent in their chosen path.
Phinn seems to be a bit too impressed by me, which might have been the reason for reading our correspondence. I am sure that it will pass as soon as he has the chance to meet other wizards. Otherwise, I might just cut my hair and wear yellow! You know how over-excited boys can get with wizards old enough to be their mothersÖ I do not wish him any harm, though, and I believe, as they say, that is is "just a phase".
Yes, we will need to talk about the council, in whichever shape we decide to make it. Unfortunately, I missed Avesne in Mirith some time ago. He had sent me a note saying that he would be at the Inn, but I was never able to find him. I had asked him to come in order to discuss this very matter, and a few other points about Mirith's Royal Sceptre. Maybe some urgent matter made him leave, I do not know. I fear that he might be annoyed with me for that, but I will do my best to reestablish connection. Perhaps it is time to write him a letter in apology.
I thought that the school would be a good way to start uniting wizards in the same project. Sure, this one has a pedagogical purpose, and the council would have a political (lato sensu) and scientific one. One day it might even be that we can say that the council offers training for new mages, instead of having two separate institutions. We can see how it goes.
I am very interested in knowing what you have in mind, namely in what concerns our wizards that practice Black Magic. I agree with you that the approach has to be through the White aspects of our art (a scholarly definition of those is in order as well. The magic we practice is also offensive and harmful. Maybe the line lies between the ability of controlling one's spells or being taken over by them and consumed). I have no doubt that Black Magic is far too dangerous to be encouraged and, hopefully, if we join efforts we will be able to find new ways of confronting a Black practitioner without getting our hands spotted. At least, it is far from my intentions to ever learn how to use the formulae registered in Neth's tomes, or any other of that kind.
However, many great sorcerers among us did take that step, and have used their damned skills beneficially in the past. Avesne himself, Beleth, Evers, Seth, just to name a few. I fear for them and for the price they will pay for doing so. But I would rather have them working with us than against us, for the length of time that they manage to be in control of what they are doing, before being consumed. It is a delicate problem, and I really don't know what would be the best solution. I am sure that talking in person will be very fruitful.
I have trapped this letter, as you could certainly sense before you opened it. It should be enough to dissuade any rogue versed in mechanics from trying to read it.
Yours,
C.
PS - Send my regards to the Rebels. I feel like it has been one hundred years since the last time I've seen them all at once at the Bracken Festival. Hopefully, the Blue Moon will soon be upon us and Andris will be filled with friends. |
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 14, 2012 - 02:11 PM
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(demo)
Joined: Feb 29, 2012
Posts: 10
Status: Offline
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To the Powerful and Magnanimous Lady, Wizardess Cassandra: A Solicitation from a Hopeful Student, the peasant Ceridwyn
Greetings in the name of the Goddess, oh great Wizardess. Please forgive this one's boldness in addressing your august self directly, as no suitable intermediary is known at this time.
In the completion of an errand for my mistress, one Tamyr of Lerilin, I was recently sent to the royal city of Mirith. Upon crossing the eastern bridge into town, a curious man was berating a boy for having revealed to you that he had intercepted a private missive concerning a school for young wizards. Having a great deal of interest in the magical arts, I could not resist the temptation to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Through this questionable means, I gather that you wish to found such an institution of learning. Is this indeed true? My heart skips a beat at the thought of such an education being available!
Most of my time is spent in the work that I must do to earn my room and board with Mistress Tamyr. Carding, spinning, and dyeing the threads red often occupy my entire day from waking to sleeping. Very rarely am I afforded a few, brief, sweet hours to pursue my training in magery. That time has been well spent, however. To this point I have picked 36 pieces of ferrite out of the Lerilin mountains, and have slain 3 mighty ants. My greatest personal accomplishment to date is that I did travel all the way from Lerilin to Mirith without once succumbing to the creatures that lie in wait along that path!
In short, I humbly beseech you to find a place in your school for this one, if indeed there is to be such a school. My mistress has agreed that she will pay any tuition with protective robes, coloured red (in exchange for floral gifts, of course).
Dearly hoping to be deemed worthy of a reply,
Your modest servant,
-Ceridwyn of Lerilin |
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 14, 2012 - 04:52 PM
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Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2008
Posts: 2092
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Dear Ceridwyn,
First of all, do call me Cassandra. All corpses look the same when we fall in battle, so I will leave the titles to those who give them any importance.
I see that those two rogues have managed to advertise the project of the Red School even faster than rumours usually spread in Mirith. It is true, indeed, that I am planning to open an institution for teaching the arts of magic. I have the great pleasure to count with Fuoco Biancavalle, a fellow wizard residing in Andris, to join her forces to mine in this enterprise.
We do not have an opening date yet, nor have we established the conditions for admission. I believe, though, that knowledge has no material price, so any eventual tuition fee will be to cover reagents and robes, or to pay other staff members that might not be able to offer their time without a guarantee of sustenance. That is all still to be decided, though, so do not worry about it at this time. Worst case scenario, we will open a system of bursaries to make sure that our less rich apprentices will still be given the chance to study in the School. Best case scenario, we will be able to get some support from our towns to pay for the studying conditions.
In all honesty, dealing with finances is not my strongest suit, but I am sure that we will find someone trustworthy for that task, if Fuoco is equally averse to counting coins.
I am most honoured by your application. A school has no mean without students, and I can say that you will be very welcome to join our classes. However, as I have told you, we cannot tell you yet when the courses will start. Very soon, I hope, but you will certainly see the posters that our wizard of pictorial arts will prepare.
Until then, I would be more than happy to exchange some views with you, and perhaps to take a walk in the woods of Lerilin. That way, you will have a better idea of the type of preparation we will be offering. If that matches what you are seeking, you can enrol our programme as soon as it opens.
Hoping this letter finds you the glorious slayer of four mighty ants,
Cassandra |
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 15, 2012 - 02:07 AM
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Peasant
Joined: Mar 12, 2012
Posts: 34
Status: Offline
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Oh no! Madam! Please be assured that your corpse, should it ever fall in battle, would never look like anyone else's. For a start, my own discarded husk would lay protectively over you, for I would fall ere do you. Secondly, though the mere thought of your corpse, lifeless and robbed of its animus, is unthinkable to me, yet... should the unthinkable happen, nothing could rob you of your unique persona. Should you ever fall in battle and there be no way to revive you, I would fall upon my own poison dagger, that I might be able to commune with your spirit and your dulcet oooOOOooo be rendered into intelligible speech, if only for my ears.
May I run your response back to the peasant Ceridwyn, your Ladyship? While I admit, your missive may not be safe FROM me, it will be safe WITH me. I wish only to be gainfully employed and perhaps, in this way, I can earn my place in your world?
Addenda: Please do not inform my master of my recidivism in tampering with the mail. Above all, that I confess it, yet again. He said if I were to bother you again, he would leave my lunch in the Ant Queen's chest. When I said I was afraid of the Ant Queen, he said "...pfft, no-one ever DIES in the Ant Cave." |
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 15, 2012 - 07:45 AM
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Royalty
Joined: Dec 19, 2009
Posts: 1466
Status: Offline
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To the red wizard Cassandra,
How fares it? I have doing well by my own in Mirith, but a certain rumour has reached my ears, so I thought I should write to you to address this. It is concerning the possibility of a school opening up, for young wizards. If in this is not the case, then it is not of worry. If it is, I would simply like to let you know that I am usually available, and if short of druids in any of your classes, please send me a bird. I would be more than happy to help if you need assistance.
Regards,
Dracilus |
_________________
Dracilus:Insane until proven crazy.
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