A 'Necessary' Foundation

[Balthazar Black]

49 Ymiden 720

Balthazar listened to Doran's answers and made mental notes of the parts he thought was most important- particularly the formula for black powder and the note that alchemical reagents could be used in the speed up or slow down the reactions. The idea of adding more oxygen with Defiance slid across Balthazar's mind again and he grinned slightly when he heard Doran say adding fuel would help. But again, he didn't say anything. He didn't quite worry as much as Doran did about being blown up because he was certain his many different mutation would protect him or help him recover. He'd become a little confident since he discovered he could heal part of his body completely by using fire or wind.

When Doran reminded Balthazar of his remark the trial before the mage's eyes widened slightly. "Oh! Yes, of course." Balthazar nodded his head. "I think you've told me more that enough. I have a lot to think about and some new ideas to practice when I have a more stable environment. I could donate the blood now if you'd like?" Balthazar offered as he began pushing his right sleeve up to where it had been the last time he donated blood for Doran. "Do you want omnivision again or would you like a different ability? I am more than an Attuner after all." Balthazar pointed out. His blood could be used to recharge the blindfold but it could also be used for any range of skills across three magics.

[Doran]

When Balthazar remarked that he had told him more than enough, the Mortalborn raised an eyebrow and looked at him for a moment before he inclined his head slightly. There were a few more things they could have talked about in his opinion, but they had covered the most important aspects of explosives, and if the other man wanted to move on, then he would be fine with it.

“We could do it now”, he agreed and smiled slightly. It still surprised him how willing Balthazar was to donate blood and that he simply rolled up his sleeve without being told to. “As for which ability I want this time”, he continued and furrowed his brow a bit as he thought about it, again (he had already given the matter some consideration when Balthazar had visited him the trial before).

The thought of trying to replicate a Defiance or Rupturing ability with alchemy had occurred to him, to be honest, but in the end, he had decided against doing so. It would be better if he familiarized himself with one domain, as best as he could, before he moved on to the next one rather than working with a new kind of magic every other seven-trial.

There were some things that he had not tried out yet when it came to Attunement.

“I would appreciate it if you could use Omnivision again”, he told him. “Besides recharging the blindfold I want to try and find out if a ring could be imbued with that ability, for example – and if there is a difference between a ring and a blindfold as far as effectiveness is concerned”, he admitted before he cleaned his hands and retrieved the supplies that he would need in order to draw Balthazar’s blood.

“Let me know when you are ready, please, Mister Black”, he remarked a moment later, when he had prepared everything. Once Balthazar was casting Omnivision, he would ask him to make a fist before he looked for a good vein, disinfected the site and inserted the needle, carefully. Since they had already done this once before, only a couple of trials earlier, he did not explain the process to him, but focused on drawing blood quickly (and properly) instead.

Once he had put the vial with Balthazar’s blood away, he produced a gauze pad and pressed it onto the spot where he had inserted the needle. “Put pressure on this for a few bits in order to keep a bruise from forming”, he instructed him before he remarked, smiling slightly, “Thank you, Mister Black. Your donation is most appreciated. If there is anything else that you would like to know, about either chemistry or alchemy, let me know.”

“I hope that your little spirit friend found this lesson educational as well”, he added.

[Pig Boy]

Doran

Experience: 15 no magic xp

Knowledge:

Chemistry x7
Discipline x3
Medicine x1

Renown: none

Skill Usage: Appropriate to level

Loot/Losses: 1 vial of Balthazar's Blood

Injuries/Conditions: none

Consequences: none

Balthazar

Experience: 15 no magic xp

Knowledge:

Chemistry - Magnesium has the highest burn temperature
Chemistry - Magnesium creates a bright white light when it burns
Chemistry - Black powder is made of charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter
Chemistry - Different amounts of each chemical in a mixture can produce different reactions
Chemistry - Explosions are caused by an oxidizing reaction
Chemistry - Saltpeter is an effective catalyst
Chemistry - Fuel for a reaction includes more of everything in measured amounts
Alchemy - You can improve the power of an explosion by adding more fuel
Alchemy - Gas explosives are the least stable
Alchemy - Powder explosives are the most stable
Persuasion - Persuading a professor to talk about explosives

Renown: none

Skill Usage: Appropriate to level.

Loot/Losses: none

Injuries/Conditions: none

Consequences: none

Comments: Mages exploding themselves are highly underrated, I'll have you know! Nothing like going out in a blaze of defiant glory.

Having gotten that off my chest, on with the review.

Fuego really steals the show here at the beginning, he's such a cute little diri, and the way he hid when they realized he was visible was very adorable. I found the edit worked very well and didn't cause many serious narrative issues down the line.

Balthazar with explosives sounds like a fairly frightening prospect. I only hope he uses them for good, against people, monsters, or things that deserve to get destroyed! He was a good student here, listening attentively and asking all the appropriate questions about various substances.

Doran was as good a teacher as ever. His house sounds impressively decorated, and populated with various assistants. It really sells the idea that he is a very rich man. His grasp of chemistry is impressive, as related through the lessons to Balthazar. His comments about making a mark on history compared to not accomplishing what you set out to do was interesting.

I wonder how Balthazar will end up using explosives, I don't seem to recall him using them on the Creep (Although he used his magic to great effect and tactical advantage).

Great writing you two, enjoy the rewards.

If you have any concerns about this review, please PM me about them.