• Graded • The Pure

[Sephira]

Midnight black eyes settled on the man who approached her. There was no hint of fear in them, only certainty. The Special Assistant’s face remained impassive as he spoke, her jaw line tensing as this man talked and drew nearer. She didn’t care who he was, nor did she care what he thought he knew about what was best in the moment. He had an air of arrogance to him that she had seen before in other men. That he knew best...that he was the only one capable of helping her.

But Sephira Blackwood was no damsel...far fucking from it.

As soon as he reached for her chest the soldier reacted in an instant, her mutation marred eyes never leave his own as she had a throwing knife in her hand and leveled at his chest, the blade resting on his collarbone and pressing ever so slightly into the skin, enough to draw a thin line of blood. Maintaining her portals in combat was something she did as easily as breathing. It was something the mage had been doing for arcs, ever since she had first been gifted with her oldest Spark. Even the alien parasitic entity within her bristled as her anger flared in kind at the idea of this mage trying to force his energy on her. She and her Spark had always been bound closely. It fed on her emotions, and responded along with them. Motes of crimson light drifted through her eyes alighting her Rupturing witchmark like a burst of embers.

“I don’t care who you are.” She snarled, pressing the steel blade toward him and taking a step forward to force him back a step.

“I don’t care about your ‘pragmatism’.” The soldier hissed icily.

“You have no idea who I am, or what I am capable of.” A single brow arched pointedly at him, her subtle angular Rupturing graced features seeming to narrow at him as she leveled her chin with his face. Everything about the woman had become hostile. This was not a fellow mage he was facing but Special Assistant Blackwood of the Scalvoris Elements. A soldier stood before him, one who had seen more death, failures, and victories than many would in their lifetime. She was not some helpless child. She was a master mage who had tasted the pull and price of a Spark and knew its weight on a soul. But gladly embraced that power regardless.

“And if you fucking touch me, I will kill you where you stand.” Sephira hissed with utter certainty as she briefly refocused her mind on the portals within the chamber. Her Rupturing Spark relished in the sway of her anger causing the portals around the room to rumble with slight echoes of what sounded like thunder.

Slowly her onyx hued eyes turned back to the Necromancer, her head tilted ever so slightly yet her hand on the knife never wavered for an instant. There was no hint of mercy in those eyes, only certainty about what she would do if he took another step closer.

“The next time you think it’s wise to force yourself or your magic on someone, maybe stop for a trill ask if it’s really in your best interest.” Sephira said coolly with an impassive frown, her brow dipping slightly almost in mock worry for him as she kept her steady hold on the knife.

“I am not some helpless damsel, never have been, and I never will be." she growled. "Now step back and let me work.” The mage uttered firmly, giving the necromancer the barest split trill to step away if he chose to. If he didn’t, then the soldier had no qualms about putting him on the ground there and then with a swift knee to his more...vulnerable regions. She didn't want his help, and daring to touch her chest and force any kind of energy on her was way beyond a step too far.

Hopefully it would be a lesson learned for the impetuous and arrogant mage before her. Never assume, touch or force anything on anyone, especially not when it came to this particular soldier.

She would not give him a second warning.

Dialogue|Thoughts

[Aegis]

And so, Sephira focused on trying to keep the many portals opened. As she did so, Zarik spoke, and Cervantez attempted to penetrate her with his ephemera in an attempt to aid her efforts. He was rebuked in a truly Blackwood fashion. The portals were all surging and waning to various degrees, requiring intense focus, to keep them from closing all the way, as well as to keep them from ripping open too wide, or growing so thin that they tore and dissipated into nothingness.

A man stepped out of Trial of the Unyielding, and in a strange, higher pitched voice, almost as though he were mocking someone, the man spoke. "The Trial of the Resilient is completed." The man was completely naked, and began to walk circles around the room, though was showing amusement at the feeling of stone beneath his bare feet, enjoying each step.

The portal to the Trial of the Resilient was no longer surging.

Meanwhile, the two portals leading to the Trial of the Blind and the Trial of the Balanced were also calming down, not surging, though no one had yet exited from them. The portal to the Trial of the Scared was maintaining a moderate surge. But the Trial of the Together and the Trial of the Sated were surging violently and heavily. The portals shapes were were in constant flux, changing from ovular to blobular to circular. The portals were bending along the normally straight y-axis, and bolts of energy were flying out from them. The bolts from the Sated came with a draining effect on any of those it struck. Several bolts hit the Door of Life, draining away that power there, and forcing the door to disappear.

However, the power that surged out of the Trial of the Together came beams that triggered various emotions in those that they struck. The emotions that were triggered were those that were deep seeded in the person, buried way down deep, kept under wraps, kept in control. But these beams amplified those emotions beyond anything remotely similar to reason. And one beam each struck Sephira, Cervantez, and Zarik alike. The beams would keep firing from the Sated and the Together so long as they were so heavily in flux.

And for the astute, the walls around this strange convergence of a room began to take on a transparency. And beyond them was an absolute of nothingness.

!

Message from: Aegis

If you have any questions, fire away. Portals Closed -Praetorum's Trial of the Strong - Hone -Zarik's Trial of the Large - Transmutation -Cervantez's Trial of the Great - Necromancy -Bear's Trial of the Primal - Becoming - Lidia's Trial of the Wanderlust - Rupturing - Number None's Trial of the Unyielding - Graft Portals Opened -Trial of the Sated - Luther and Praetorum -Trial of the Scared - Vega and Kisaik -Trial of the All-Seeing - Hart -Hector's Trial of the Balanced - Rabu and Enrick -Trial of the Together - None Doors Opened -Door of Death -Door of Spirits -Undiscovered Door Doors Closed -Door of Souls -Door of Life

[Cervantez]

☠ The Pure ☠

☠ Stopping dead in his tracks his brow rose in utter confusion to the woman's reaction. Her words had cut deep, but he was more so confused than upset about what she was saying. Did she not see the importance of her role in this matter?

The tone of her voice, her word choice, and the abysmal glare of her black eyes denoted she wanted no help from him. She thought he saw her as a damsel in distress, but that was the furthest thing from the truth. Truth be told they were all in distress by time running out.

Shaking his head as she finished threatening him, he raised his hands as if to surrender and stepped back.

"Fine, i was merely trying to help make sure WE ALL make it out of this shit alive. Bare the wieght of all of our lives on you own."

"Yan nï ioi {Fucking stupid woman}"

he hissed moving away from her.

It was at that moment a figure jetted from one of the portals, happening to catch his eye. Cervantez watched as he began to walk around, a gleeful look about him. he was just walking in circles, a smile on his face and it caused the necromancer to raise a brow at. Who was he, was he one of the mages called here for the trial?

The pattern of his stride was very familiar, then it hit him. Could this.....could this be number none? He was...he was real now? Whatever happened in that trial must have gained him the fortune of a body. Rushing over to the man, Cervantez took off his jacket and dressed the Mortal None....if that was him. He couldnt be certain but he had a hunch from the way the male moved around the chamber that this was the former metal man.

As he smiled at the man he saw two of the portals rage with even more violent energy. They were both shooting beams of energy at those in the vicinity, and Cervantez was hit by one, which caused an effect he wasn't expecting. He was angry........furious......enraged.

He body was hot, he could feel it, as the emotion flew to the surface of his collected demeanor. He found himself growling, snarling as his rage boiled fervently because of the beam of energy. He knew he was angry but he could nothing about it. He looked to the portal that the energy came from, then to the woman who held their means of escape from this place.

Cervantez was too furious to stay here, lest he ends up withering a hole through that woman's chest for her words, and opted to enter that portal. The sight of the place becoming translucent only managed to cement his decision, and infuriate him more.

"Bäbbän!{Shit!}"

he roared, stepping into the portal that enraged him. ☠

☠ ASHAN 30TH????

☠ Mood: Furious

☠ Theme: Dernière Danse

☠ Bäbbän!{Shit!}

☠ Company: Blonde male, Nude Male, & Angry Brunette woman

☠ Attire: Masterwork Armor

"Common Speech"

"Xantheon Speech"

Entering the Trial of the Together

[Llyr Llywelyn]

Zarik

could only sigh:

At the whispered plea to an immortal - of all things - escape from the necromancer’s lips.

At the portals that seemed to struggle – gaze lingering especially where Number None had departed.

At the two other mages who hissed at each other in tense conflict.

At their escalation, which made him not only sigh but also roll his eyes.

Zarik ran a hand over his face, rubbed at his forehead, and watched as a naked man stepped out of the portal that Number None had gone in. He recognized the mage from the group when he’d first arrived... though he didn’t recall him being naked then.

Perhaps he would ask questions of him, of where None had gone, of what had happened, of-

Bolts of energy interrupted his path. They flew past him like forks of lightning. Under their blasts, one of the outer doors vanished. His eyes widened, irises of blue turned crimson, and he said, “That cannot be good.”

He looked to make sure the other mages hadn’t come to blows while he’d been turned away.

Beams shot through a different portal, and whether they hit the other mages, Zarik barely noticed. A chill ran through his side where the portal's energy impaled him. The biqaj didn’t fall. He didn’t even trip a little. But the energy burrowed into him.

His eyes lit up with a flurry of iridescence, while the Trial of the Together’s forceful essence sunk deep and brought forth a particular emotion from within the sliver of his soul that still remained.

Dizzy, the entire room spun in his vision. He placed his hands on his knees. Zarik dry-heaved, though there was nothing in his stomach to be rid of. If there’d been something, then it would’ve departed him and landed on the floor.

A silvery-blue blush rose on his cheeks. His eyes lost their color in a wash of pitch darkness. His shoulders sulked forward; his tall height compromised by a hunched posture. He placed his hands over his face. Shivers coursed through his body.

Zarik tried to manage it. He knew this emotion. He’d often kept it tamped down, when of conscious mind, or so he liked to believe. Now, however, it broke free of those bounds and tore through him to the surface. He stumbled to the transparent wall. His breath hitched in his throat. He pressed a hand against his lips, to hold back any noises that might be made.

He couldn’t look at the other mages. He didn’t want to be seen, by anyone. The youthful biqaj turned away. His body started to change, started to morph, started to feed on his ephemera. His skin turned impossibly pale. His eyes bruised with dark circles. A sob broke past his fingers. Raw tears of heavy droplets escaped. He felt like he couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak, made useless. He felt beyond repair. Beyond hope.

And he couldn’t do a thing about it.

The Diri of Transformation, with his young ambitious sparks, felt his stomach tighten but he looked forward. He stared at the absolute nothingness beyond the transparent wall and felt an intense longing. His hand took on the same quality, his two sparks curiously winding around his limb as it faded from sight. Could he disappear? He’d done it before, when he’d initiated into Transmutation. Could he leave to Emea?

The blond looked to his other hand. He closed his eyes and thought of the mountaintop. The dreamscape that was his own. The place where he’d become a mage, where he’d accepted the first spark, and where he could be completely alone. No one to see him, no one to hear him, no one to know him. His dark brows furrowed in determination, and he sought to flee to his little sanctum in Emea.

Speak ❈ Think

[Hart]

"Speaking in Rakahi"
"Speaking in Common"
"Speaking in Common sign"

Continued from here.

Hart and Caitlyn stepped through the doorway, and Hart stumbled and almost fell.

He would have fallen, except he had been holding onto Caitlyn and she onto him. She held onto him tightly, and together they stumbled over to the nearest wall.

There Hart leaned, hurting. He had forgotten about the pain and exhaustion he'd felt. They hadn't gone through with him into the doorway. Sensation had been different there.

But here he felt it all.

"You're hurt," Caitlyn said. She had a hand on his shoulder. Her fingers were twisted in the fabric of his shirt.

"It's not too bad," Hart said.

"That's a lie." Her fingers tightened.

"There's nothing we can do about it," Hart said.

He needed rest. But there was more to do.

The stone hall was different than when Hart had last seen it. It seemed to be-- going away. The room was losing its substance, the doorways were in chaos, and standing in the middle of the hall was--

"Sephira?" Hart said.

Sephira was focused on the doorways, her hands held out to the portals as if she was trying to hold them in place. Hart didn't understand magic, but the doors were wavering and he thought she must be trying to stop it.

This place was coming to an end.

The stone hall was mostly empty, other than Sephira, but there must have been people in the doorways for her to want to keep them open. There was a half naked man walking in circles around the hall who seemed familiar, but whom Hart couldn't place. "You," he said to the man, "Please. This place is dangerous. You need to leave." And there was a boy-- the ipi noch who had thought to give them a talking to, whom Hart had quite grumpily dismissed.

Hart looked at him grimly.

The boy had crumpled into himself. He appeared to be in distress.

And he was disappearing with the room.

The boy's eyes were closed, and Hart approached him. He hesitated to touch him, because he didn't want to upset him further. But this place was ending, and he put a hand gently, very gently, on his shoulder.

Hart understood without having to ask that this boy had to do with spirits, like Caitlyn.

"Hey," Hart said softly. He spoke as if to someone confused, or half asleep. "You need to wake up. You're going away and you need to wake up now." He didn't understand what was happening to the boy and so he glanced over at Caitlyn, thinking she might have a better understanding, but her face had gone pale. Caitlyn looked at the boy as if having seen a ghost.

"What's wrong with him?" Hart murmured, but she only shook her head. She was upset, frightened.

And the doorways continued to waver.

And Hart was tired, and very much in pain.

And he still had more to do.

"Kid," he said. "Please wake up."

OOC: Couple of notes.

1. I don't think Caitlyn recognizes Zarik, though if you want that to be so, Zarik, let me know; mostly I think she just recognizes what he's feeling. To an extent Hart understands it as well.

2. Hart recognized Sephira but Sephira might not necessarily recognize Hart. He's been aged a couple decades.

[Llyr Llywelyn]

Zarik

felt something approach… and then he felt the hand on his shoulder. Though it was a gentle touch, he jolted from it as if Hart had set an iron-hot poker on him. He pivoted on heel, turned to face Hart directly, and then opened his eyes. The irises held no color, not even a sheen of reflected light, absorption of any illumination instead. He had faded somewhat, body turning transparent, hands disappearing, and the youth stared at the old man as if confused while Hart spoke to him.

Going away?

That was exactly what he wanted to do, though.

He closed his eyes again, without a word otherwise. If he remained quiet, motionless… he focused on the idea of ridding himself of all the tribulations of mundane existence. How nice that might be, he eased somewhat in the emotion that coursed through him beyond reason.

Yet, no matter how nice the vision of Emea seemed or how much he wanted to flee and hide within it, Zarik felt a twist in his stomach.

The biqaj started to return. His body flickered in and out, then turned physical in appearance once more. He grew dense, weight linking to the gravity of the corridor. His hands returned. His skin shimmered with the silver of his blood rather than light moving through him.

Hart, and his little plea for “the Kid” to wake up, had reminded the etherist of a greater truth: Zarik didn’t deserve sanctum. He didn’t deserve Emea. He didn’t deserve peace.

He opened his eyes again, with a small pout on his lower lip. This time, he shuffled his feet. He raised his shoulders, fixed his posture. He rubbed the tears away with the round of his palm. Then he said to the old man who he recognized from before, who’d used Number None as a mirror,

“I’m up. I’m awake.”

Zarik glanced at Caitlyn, vaguely recognizing her just as he recognized the naked man, and he said, “You’ve done it, yes? Completed your trial?”

He surveyed the portals and asked – whether to her, whether to Hart, whether to the man who acted as None, whether to the Rupturer, whether to anyone who wished to answer: “What else is there? What can I do? What do you need from me?”

Speak ❈ Think

[Hart]

"Speaking in Rakahi"
"Speaking in Common"
"Speaking in Common sign"

extra line here
The boy pulled back from his touch as if he'd been slapped, and Hart grimaced. When Hart spoke the boy seemed confused, as if his mind was somewhere else. His eyes were strange and dark and the way he was acting made Hart think of himself a long, long time ago.

It worried him.

There was a long moment where Hart thought the boy would just-- disappear. Then his body flickered back into substance. Hart looked over at Caitlyn, and she looked back at him. Her face seemed to have regained some color. She grasped his hand briefly.

When she was asked about completing her trial, she said, "Yes, we did."

The boy had asked what it was they needed from him, and Hart said, "That man over there." He indicated the man walking in circles.

"Can you make sure he gets out of this?" Hart asked. "This place is-- disappearing. Sephira," Hart indicated her next, "Is trying to hold open the doorways." Or at least, so he thought. "But I don't know how long her magic might last. If this place goes, you, all of you--" the boy, the circles man, Caitlyn, Sephira, "--you all need to leave."

"But there are people still in there." Hart meant the doors. "So if you can, try to figure out a way to slow or stop this place from disappearing. Otherwise they might be lost."

He looked at the boy. "Please."

"I have to go," Hart murmured. Caitlyn stepped up beside him but Hart shook his head. "Caitlyn, you can't. You can't go in there. We're here for you. And for you." He looked at the boy. This was what the spirits had wanted. For Hart and the others to come here, to make sure the doors were completed, to make sure the spiritfolk got out. "We were brought here so that you might make it," he said. "And you might not if you go in there."

"I'm sorry," he said. He looked at Caitlyn and tried to get her to understand. Make sure the boy gets out okay. But she looked so upset he couldn't tell if she'd heard. "Please get yourselves out if you can," he said.

With that Hart turned to gaze at the doorways. Still tired, still hurting, he limped through one of them and into the unknown.

OOC: Hart went into the Trial of the Sated.

RIP Hart.

[Ricky]

Hector likely came out first before them but if Rabu was with them, then Enrick didn't know for sure but paid mind to look once they had arrived back. With a flash of the portal behind him Enrick had returned back from Hector's Trial, his vestments clipped and torn from the raging storm put behind them. While his vest and pants looked the worse for wear his figure didn't fare much better either, with cuts and bruises all along his arm and upper torso as well. The sailor walked drearily into the room with the lilac hues still in his eyes, with a hint of silver found within them as he looked around to see what was going on. There only looked to be a couple people here right now, the rest likely taking on the trials that remained opened. Only....

Enrick recognized something about the woman in the center. He'd never met her before but he knew her garments well enough, after all every Elemental in Scalvoris wasn't afraid to show their rank when out on patrol. What was she doing here though? Was she keeping the portals opened? He moved to take a step forward but in that moment, the exhaustion that had sunken in took its toll and led him to fall to one knee. He hadn't felt this tired since barely surviving the sea for a couple Trials, where the cold would have certainly taken his life if fortune didn't save him then. Though smugglers were the last thing he'd hoped to be saved by, they were the reason he made it here to-trial if he thought about it. Enrick didn't wish to of course, because here wasn't exactly where one wanted to be.

Then again what was here? The sailor could only wonder as he slid to rest against the wall, as he watched those who were still here for the moment. There was the half-naked man who seemed to... enjoy the fact he was just there parading around the room. Something about his demeanor felt familiar with Enrick, but the sailor couldn't place a finger on it necessarily. The crimson haired woman looked far too caught up in what she was doing, which appeared to be feeding the portals her own Ether somehow. Was she connected to this place or just substituting for None? The sailor clenched his jaw hard as his regulated breathing deepened, enough to where he fought the somber urges to sleep as he wearily pushed himself back onto his feet. Wait a fucking minute... were the walls in this place slowly fading? That wasn't all part of his imagination was it?

As he stood on his feet Enrick looked around in a complete daze, his eyes then on the other active portals as he reluctantly approached the others.

"What's goin' on? What te fuck 're we supposed t' do now?!" As if it weren't obvious enough already, then again Enrick felt he'd already demonstrated enough heroics for the Trial. But if they needed something specific out of him, then he wouldn't just lie around any longer and be useless either.

"It's dangerous here," A wp,am said in a quiet, warning voice. "You must do what's best for you. You asked what is happening. This place is going away." Her mouth twisted downward. "You asked what to do." Enrick furrowed his eyebrows as the woman, unsure as to whether or not she made any sense with what's going on. "You can leave, through one of the completed Trials." She pointed them out; all but three of the Trials seemed to be complete.

"Or," she said, "Because you're not spiritborn, like us. You can go into another Trial, and try to complete it. That Trial, and those two--" she said, and pointed to the three Trials she meant, "--they still need to be completed. That one seems more stable," she said, and pointed to the Trial of the Scared. "The other two are less stable-- more dangerous. Someone has gone into one of them," she said, and pointed to the Trial of the Sated. "But I don't know about the other." She pointed to the Trial of the Together.

Enrick watched as she gave him very, very serious eyes. "But if you feel you're not strong enough to complete another Trial, then go. Leave this place before it is gone." In a sense there seemed to be pleading for him to remain, yet at the same time urging that he leave if necessary. What would happen if they all were still here, while this very room they stood in faded away into nothing? From then on it couldn't be outright avoided, the sense of needing to do something while he still stood there now. Enrick never wanted to go out his way to help others so quickly, in fact now sounded like the perfect time to get the hell out.

"Fekkin' hell wit' all ya..." He muttered under his exhausted breath, his bronze-eyed gaze locked on the three trials left unfinished. Others had gone into them right? So if he went inside the one she wasn't sure of, then maybe that'd give all three portals a chance at closure. Wait! What the fuck was he talking about?! He wasn't any damn hero! There was no way Enrick would be required to step into any of those three, however before reason seemed to stop him his feet somehow moved first hand. Sure enough his regret would be his acting in such a way, as the sailor ran into the Trial of the Together hoping that it'd be easier than the Balanced.

"Enrick", "Ẹrọim", "Follower", "NPC"

[Pegasus]

The Call: Thread Review

Overview

Well, that was a doozy! What an amazingly fun thread to read and review - it was all go, wasn't it!? I really enjoyed this thread, I have to say. I'm so impressed with all the players involved, how you just kept track of where you were, what you were doing, etc. It was great. Thanks so much, all, for the patience. As always, if you've got any questions, drop me a PM.

Llyr / Zanik

Points

XP = 20
Renown = None

knowledge

1 Combat: Dual Wield (Dagger x Dagger): Slash, slash, and then stab! (Dual Wield)
2 Combat: Dual Wield (Dagger x Dagger): Slicing for fatal lacerations.
3 Combat: Dual Wield (Dagger x Dagger): Force an opponent onto the defensive with consecutive bladed attacks.
4 Combat: Dual Wield (Dagger x Dagger): One parries while the other strikes.
5 Combat: Dual Wield (Dagger x Dagger): Opposite arm coordination (Forward and Backward).
6 Combat: Dual Wield (Dagger x Dagger): Opposite arm coordination (Left and Right).
1 Interrogation: Silent Treatment (stare and wait).
2 Interrogation: Cross-questioning for contradictions.
Resistance: Dealing with contagious individuals.
Resistance: Frequent continual exposure to wilderness.
Resistance: Shivers
1 Linguistics: Ancient Language: Originated in Viden.
2 Linguistics: Ancient Language: Language of the Immortals.
3 Linguistics: Ancient Language: An Extremely Difficult Language to Learn.
1 Swimming: Technique: High Elbow.
2 Swimming: Breathe out underwater.
3 Swimming: Technique: Relaxed Two-Beat Kick.
1 Mount (Equine): Quickly mounting onto a saddle.
2 Mount (Equine): Long-distance ride.
1 Linguistics: Common Sign: Defined finger placement for clear enunciation.

Rewards

Shadow-Stone
A small, perfectly smooth pebble which looks entirely unremarkable, although it has a vague glittering sparkle to it. However, when activated, it allows you - once a day - to meld with shadows. You must be in shadow and you can not move / travel when using it - however, you may remain in the shadows for up to half a break and become, in that time, effectively a shadow yourself.

Cervantez

Points

XP = 20
Renown = None

knowledge

Discipline: Resisting the urge to thrash a brute
Discipline: Staying focused on figuring out the situation
Discipline: Remaining calm in unknown surroundings
Discipline: Not showing that you are uncomfortable
Discipline: Waiting with patience
Discipline: Being polite, but firm
Discipline: Holding back the urge to snap
Discipline: Not reacting immediately when threatened
Investigation: Ascertaining the situation from a third party
Investigation: Small details can be incredibly important.
Investigation: It's important not to get hung up on minor details
Investigation: Putting together clues
Investigation: Asking the Right Questions
Socialization: Eye Contact
Socialization: Answering questions
Socialization: The art of small talk with strangers
Socialization: Being in a crowded Hallway
Socialization: Acknowledging others with a head nod
Endurance: Withstanding an empathy blast
Endurance: Uncomfortable situations are taxing

Rewards

Domain Pocket.
A smart jacket which fits Cervantez - and has a pocket which is, effectively, a Domain Bag. Only items which will fit into the opening of a jacket pocket will fit in there, but other than that it functions just like a normal domain bag.

Prae

Points

XP = 20
Renown = None

knowledge

Meditation: Attuning mentally to one of your sparks
Meditation: Finding peace in the flow of combat
Meditation: The tranquility of helplessness
Meditation: Accept that which you cannot change
Meditation: Recognizing peace in another's eyes
Meditation: Preparing yourself to take a leap of faith
Meditation: Meditating beforehand to make an initiation easier
Meditation: Synergises with magic well
Meditation: The benefits of being able to multi-focus
Meditation: Has many combat applications
Polearm (Scythe): Using the butt to disable an opponent
Polearm (Scythe): The importance of drilling with different armors
Ranged (Crossbow): Learning to reload smoothly
Ranged (Crossbow): Spanning a crossbow by hand
Ranged (Crossbow): Using a spanning belt
Ranged (Crossbow): The advantages of a lever in spanning
Ranged (Crossbow): Reloading under fire
Ranged (Crossbow): Spanning with a winch is slow, but strong
Ranged (Crossbow): Holding the crossbow steady in flight
Ranged (Crossbow): Adjusting for the wind

Rewards

You Same Bolt?
Four crossbow bolts which deal extra damage by exploding on impact. This adds roughly the same damage again to them. Once they have exploded (they make a loud bang) then you find that the used bolt is safely back in your crossbow. Lock and load!

Rabu

Points

XP = 20
Renown = None

knowledge

Cooking: Use salt and pepper to add flavour (KG)
Cooking: Adding flavour with herbs
Cooking Herb: Sage
Cooking: Thrifty use of food
Cooking: How to make a simple sweet fruit jam
Cooking: Seasoning
Cooking: Chopping onions makes people cry
Cooking: insect Stew
Cooking: Flatbread
Cooking: How to follow a simple recipe
Textile Production: An integral part of the design process
Textile Production: The best way to ensure a bespoke outfit is with bespoke fabric
Textile Production: Bespoke abilities need to be considered at a production level.
Textile Production: Crochet starts with a slip knot
Textile Production: Single Crochet
Textile Production: Double Crochet
Textile Production: Sewing patterns basics
Textile Production: Sewing a shirt
Textile Production: Sewing pants
Textile Production: Crocheting on the round.

Rewards

I am bunny, hear me roar....
A small (Rabu-sized small) necklace with a tiny rabbit-charm. When wearing this, once a day, Rabu can should as loudly as a giant, roaring in a truly terrifying manner. When he uses this, it gives him a two level boost to his Intimidation, Leadership, or Persuasion. Rawr.

Ricky

Points

XP = 20
Renown = None

knowledge

Seafaring: Basic Knots
Seafaring: Head to Wind is Useful for Stopping
Seafaring: Mainsail Position - Beam Reach
Seafaring: Mainsail Position - Board Reach
Seafaring: Mainsail Position - Close Haul
Seafaring: Mainsail Position - Close Reach
Seafaring: Mainsail Position - Dead Run
Seafaring: Sail Placement, Ropes, and Accessibility of Space
Seafaring: Sailor Knots
Seafaring: Weight Distribution is Important
Strength: Carrying A Broad To Bed
Strength: Carrying an injured person
Strength: Carrying Extra Weight
Strength: Creating Force With Power
Strength: Holding another human being in a lift
Strength: Moving Debris
Strength: Pulling your body weight up
Strength: Pushing Yourself Past Limits
Strength: Wading Through Depths
Strength: Wielding A Bastard Sword

Rewards

Wood? Wood Knot
Three small pieces of what seem to be driftwood. They are small enough that they can be comfortably held in one hand - about the size of a modern-day pen. Each piece of wood has one use, then it is used up. When used, the wood will "heal" all wood around it. So, should the keel of your ship be damaged, this piece of wood will restore it, a snapped mast - any wood at all, will be fully restored to it's former size and shape.

Wald

Points

XP = 20
Renown = None

knowledge

Animal Husbandry: Wolves can protect a Donkey
Animal Husbandry: Wolves can protect a Horse
Animal Training: Having Ylfa take care of Wald's animals
Tactics: Do not continue working without a reason
Tactics: Do not just go into exploding doors
Endurance: Fighting large a group
Endurance: Falling from a ceiling
Endurance: Traveling through mountains
Endurance: Traveling after an ordeal
Resistance: Stomach acid's smell
Strength: Taking down a Ithecal
Acrobatics: Jumping through a door
Acrobatics: Jumping down a ceiling
Discipline: Talking with a golden boy
Discipline: Stopping a fight reaction
Discipline: Returning to neutral after an aggressive event
Discipline: Do not follow unknown orders
Unarmed (Wolven Wrestling): Tackle an Ithecal
Unarmed (Wolven Wrestling): Protecting a friend
Unarmed (Wolven Wrestling): Jumping into an attack

Rewards

Double-Jointed.
Wald finds himself more ... bendy, than once he was. He is now able to perform feats of contortion and do things like lick his elbow etc. He still can't rub his belly and pat his head, but he can bend his limbs in ways which he should not be able to.

Hart

Points

XP = 20
Renown = None

knowledge

Blades: Rapier: Very long and thin, and usually only sharp at the point
Blades: Rapier: A lightweight sword used for stabbing, not slashing
Blades: Rapier: Has a guard to protect the hand whilst in use
Blades: Rapier (Flamberge): A sword with waves in the blade
Blades: Rapier (Flamberge): Used to catch an opponent's blade
Blades: Rapier: A simple sword to learn to use
Blades: Rapier: Best against unarmored opponents
Blades: Rapier: Used often in close quarters, such as in city streets
Blades: Rapier: Used often in duels
Blades: Rapier: An extremely deadly weapon
extra line here
Deception: Making up a lie quickly
Deception: The best lies are close to the truth
Deception: Use what you know
Deception: Consider the target of the lie
Deception: Anticipate how the lie will be received
Deception: Determining when a lie is not successful
Deception: Understand when to stop the facade
Deception: Disguising your true intentions
Deception: A calm / emotionless expression
Deception: Smiling when you don't want to smile

Rewards

Young At Heart......
A small necklace, with a heart-shaped pendant. When he wears it, Hart appears older - but he feels a lot younger, more energised and enthused. When wearing it you may assume +2 levels of any one physical non-combat skill (Strength, Endurance, Acrobatics, Resistance, etc). You may change which skill you improve ONCE a season - the bonuses do not stack / are not culmulative so you always have only one skill at +2 levels. If facing off with someone (eg: a strength contest) - of the same level as you are when you are wearing the necklace, then it will be down to knowledge.

Luther

Points

XP = 20
Renown = None

knowledge

Intelligence: Hart
Intelligence (Hart): A diplomatic man
Intelligence: Vega
Intelligence (Vega): An aggressive woman
Materialization: Absence of ectoplasm equals an unstable form
Materialization: Can’t solidify when exhausted
Materialization: Can’t flux when exhausted
Materialization: Can’t utilize tendrils when exhausted
Materialization: Anger destabilizes the soul-form as much as hunger
Materialization: Smoke and cinder intensify when in a rage
Discipline: Hunger gnaws away at clarity
Discipline: Panic makes focus fail
Discipline: Anger is the enemy of calm
Discipline: Hard to ignore one’s vices when a prick is monologue-ing
Discipline: Resisting the urge to feast
Discipline: Being strong in order to overcome past failures
Discipline: Using devotion to forge oneself into a better person
Discipline: Realizing when one is losing an internal battle
Discipline: Forcing a final moment of clarity
Discipline: Asking for others to stop the worst part of oneself

Rewards

Daia's Domain
Having been part of Daia's Domain (which this thread touched on briefly) you gain the next 2 powers in your Immortal Mark. Please add them to your CS:
The Beat of Your Own Drum
The Favored will find themselves able to improve in all aspects of their life simply by dancing. No matter what it is the Favored is doing, if they do it while dancing, they will find themselves better at it. This reflects itself in the Skills they use.
If the Favored's dancing skill is of higher tier than the target skill they are improving, that target skill may be utilized at one tier higher than it currently is. If the dancing skill is of equal or lower tier than the target skill, the Favored will find smaller improvements to the skill that makes what they are doing easier and more efficient.

Daianya Skills
The character is granted an extra three skill points which may be spent only on the following skills: Dancing, Needlecraft, Leadership, Caregiving, and Endurance. Any skill points granted by this Mark can break the 250 (or 100 if fast track) point cap on skills. Within these skills, the points may be spent how the pc chooses.

Vega

Points

XP = 20
Renown = None

knowledge

Musical Instrument: Gittern: Playing for others to dance
Musical Instrument: Gittern: Impossible notes in a dream realm
Musical Instrument: Gittern: Your emotions impact your play
Musical Instrument: Gittern: Finger placement always matters
Musical Instrument: Gittern: Consider the surroundings
Musical Instrument: Gittern: Play for the Immortals
Musical Instrument: Gittern: Put your heart into it
Musical Instrument: Gittern: Anger can improve - or hinder - a performance
Musical Instrument: Gittern: Wrist placement for easier note-change
Musical Instrument: Gittern: How are you strike can make a real difference
Musical Instrument: Harp: Playing for others to dance
Musical Instrument: Harp: Impossible notes in a dream realm
Musical Instrument: Harp: Your emotions impact your play
Musical Instrument: Harp: Finger placement impacts the next notes
Musical Instrument: Harp: Consider the acoustics
Musical Instrument: Harp: Play for the Immortals
Musical Instrument: Harp: Don't sway side to side with a harp.
Musical Instrument: Harp: It's hard to play angry harp music
Musical Instrument: Harp: Wrist placement for easier note-change
Musical Instrument: Harp: Remember that sounds merge one into the other

Rewards

!

Message from: Squirrel

Daia's Domain Having been part of Daia's Domain (which this thread touched on briefly) you gain the next 2 powers in your Immortal Mark. Please add them to your CS: The Beat of Your Own Drum The Favored will find themselves able to improve in all aspects of their life simply by dancing. No matter what it is the Favored is doing, if they do it while dancing, they will find themselves better at it. This reflects itself in the Skills they use. If the Favored's dancing skill is of higher tier than the target skill they are improving, that target skill may be utilized at one tier higher than it currently is. If the dancing skill is of equal or lower tier than the target skill, the Favored will find smaller improvements to the skill that makes what they are doing easier and more efficient. Daianya Skills The character is granted an extra three skill points which may be spent only on the following skills: Dancing, Needlecraft, Leadership, Caregiving, and Endurance. Any skill points granted by this Mark can break the 250 (or 100 if fast track) point cap on skills. Within these skills, the points may be spent how the pc chooses.

Sephira

Points

XP = 20
Renown = None

knowledge

None requested. Please pm me with your request as per this link thank you

Rewards

Will be released with knowledge.

Kisaik

Points

XP = 20
Renown = None

knowledge

Exotic Combat (Toṣeọruni Az'vi): Draw and strike
Exotic Combat (Toṣeọruni Az'vi): Slice whilst moving foward
Exotic Combat (Toṣeọruni Az'vi): Maintain balance
Exotic Combat (Toṣeọruni Az'vi): Changing movement mid-strike
Exotic Combat (Toṣeọruni Az'vi): Relaxed stance
Exotic Combat (Toṣeọruni Az'vi): Lunging
Exotic Combat (Toṣeọruni Az'vi): Shifting weight as movement changes
Exotic Combat (Toṣeọruni Az'vi): Overhead arc
Exotic Combat (Toṣeọruni Az'vi): Recovering from an unexpectedly ineffective attack
Exotic Combat (Toṣeọruni Az'vi): Upward thrust
Rupturing: Initiation: Taking a trip.
Rupturing: A portal is a two-way journey.
Rupturing: Phasing: Allows one to scry through solid, opaque objects.
Rupturing: Snapshot: Cutting open a portal to send a projectile or weapon trhough.
Rupturing: Snapshot: Can use the ability to shoot projectiles around awkward corners.
Rupturing: There are several levels of overstepping, each bearing greater consequences, congruent to their expenditure.
Rupturing: Witchmark: Rupturer's gleam fills a rupturer's eyes with light as they gaze over a certain distance.
Rupturing: Mutations: Mutations result from advancement in magic, and more rarely through overstepping.
Rupturing: Rupturing can improve mobility by moving through portals when they are large enough.
Rupturing: Rupturing sparks are often attracted to those who possess wande

Rewards

A Lucky Rabu's Foot.
A small (Kisaik appropriate) charm in the shape of a foot. Kisaik finds that he has two of them, making a pair of feet. When someone else is holding the other foot, or wearing it in their hair, or generally has it about their person then, they are always aware of each other's state - be that physical or emotional. Usually, this is just "background noise" but once a trial, with concentration, they can be used to communicate telepathically and hold a brief (2 minute) conversation between the two wearers.

Thysbae

Points

XP = 20
Renown = None

knowledge

None requested. Please pm me with your request as per this link thank you

Rewards

Will be released with knowledge.