Clears his throat.
"Umm pardon my interruption, Madame. But some of us aren't as familiar with the problem as others. Could we get more detail, so that as other report ideas or suggestions we can understand their impact?"
"Oh my..." Sylvia says as she sees the garden. Even covered in frost she found it beautiful. "This school is an amazing place."
"It really is," Kitty said with a brilliant smile. "The koi pond is just this way...I probably like it best because it has animals," she admitted. "I just really love animals and my nature magic seems to center around that."
"Oh, and you can see the soccer field from here. I bet that's the game that Anthony-kun was so eager to join."
"In a book about blood and divination magic that's not much of a riddle. Wonder which spell it's referring to? Is there a blood version of locate object in that book?""The only spell the two mix in was one to see if you were related to someone through the past ten generations. I got that it has something to due with blood, but... that's as much as I can figure out."
"That hardly seems useful. Really you need something more....practical." She sighed. "Well, I wouldn't expect it to be easy."
Well, the boys and I are coming up on completion, and my device should be able to cut the connection. The operation's going to take some time, though.
"Very good. I am glad to hear that progress is being made."
Vai tries to regain her calm. Despite all their training sessions together, Vai had never seen Fei so... unclothed. His Champion aura was bright and courageous, his chiseled features were...
Vai shakes her head. You can't even stand being kissed, stupid girl. Besides, Fei had never shown the slightest inclination to her. And what about Sadie?
She tries (only somewhat successfully) to focus on what is being said. Jim was making something... something to cut the connection. Creation. What could Light do then?
Well, now would be as good a time as any to ask. She steps back further, away from the meeting and closed her eyes, banishing all thoughts of Fei and Sadie from her mind. She focuses on the gemstone and tries to call to Lumos telepathically.
With the teams finally chosen, Ehos was eager to get started. Team selection had taken quite a while, and he really should've brought a heavier jacket to the school. Some magic might do to warm him up, if he could cast any. Hopefully this game would warm him.
"Oh, and you can see the soccer field from here. I bet that's the game that Anthony-kun was so eager to join."
"I hope he's having fun. How big are the gardens? They look quite... expansive."
Having spent a large part of the early morning in the forge, Wyrd feels that he needs some time in the garden.
He walks briskly through the halls, his footsteps ringing like hammer blows on the stone.
He steps out into the garden, growing to his full size between the first and second steps in the grass with a rush of heat as his core melts and cools. Wyrd suddenly goes completely still; here are others here in the garden. Two adults and one of the other students. The impact tremor of his last step fading through the earth.
"Oh, and you can see the soccer field from here. I bet that's the game that Anthony-kun was so eager to join.""I hope he's having fun. How big are the gardens? They look quite... expansive."
"I still haven't managed to explore all of them. And, yes, they really are very large....what?" Kitty stopped talking as she felt the ground shake. She turned around and saw Wyrd. She waved.
"I don't know if I'll ever get used to that. Umm....the big giant guy is one of the students here. He's only been here for a couple of days I think."
"I don't know if I'll ever get used to that. Umm....the big giant guy is one of the students here. He's only been here for a couple of days I think."
"He is rather large. He probably grows smaller so he can fit inside, right?" Jerak asks as he gives Wyrd a wave.
"Jerak..."
"What? I'm curious! Changing size is helpful in a lot of ways."
"Let's explore the garden a bit more, Kitty, before my husband's curiosity leads to an hour long discussion that segues several times."
"That hardly seems useful. Really you need something more....practical." She sighed. "Well, I wouldn't expect it to be easy."
"True. Wish we could ask the last owner. If he was looking for the next book, he would have figured out the puzzle."
"I don't know if I'll ever get used to that. Umm....the big giant guy is one of the students here. He's only been here for a couple of days I think.""He is rather large. He probably grows smaller so he can fit inside, right?" Jerak asks as he gives Wyrd a wave.
"Jerak..."
"What? I'm curious! Changing size is helpful in a lot of ways."
"Let's explore the garden a bit more, Kitty, before my husband's curiosity leads to an hour long discussion that segues several times."
Kitty giggled. "Well, at least I can see where Michael gets it."
"If it weren't cold, this section of the garden would be full of flowers. It smells amazing. Oh, careful. That plant over there is carnivorous. It's sleeping, but it might wake up if you get too near."
"Over here is the koi pond, right through these trees."
"That hardly seems useful. Really you need something more....practical." She sighed. "Well, I wouldn't expect it to be easy.""True. Wish we could ask the last owner. If he was looking for the next book, he would have figured out the puzzle."
"Do you think it had something to do with the locket? It beat like a heart...."
"We'll have to come back when the frost melts then. All this must be breath-taking in full bloom."
"I think that plant just blinked. It's like they're all watching us."
"Do you think it had something to do with the locket? It beat like a heart...."
"I checked. Between the trees and the chasms from the earthquake, none of the skeletons can be found anymore. If it was the locket, it's most likely crushed."
As he listens to the conversation and tries to piece together what exactly is going on involving Nasima and Khoda, Fei's newly-endowed senses register each of the other Champions not actively suppressing their auras...which gives him pause when he realizes that Vai is one too. Light - it seems quite appropriate, given the young half-elf's ordeals and her perseverance through them.
Putting aside his thoughts on the current 'roll call' of Champions, Fei returns his focus to the conversation at-hand.
"We'll have to come back when the frost melts then. All this must be breath-taking in full bloom."
"I think that plant just blinked. It's like they're all watching us."
"They are. That's why it's important to be respectful of the plants in this garden."
"Ummm...was there anything else you wanted to see? I've never given anyone a tour of the school before so I'm not really sure how it's supposed to go."
Wyrd nods solemnly to the trio and turns to walk deeper into the garden. He passes between two trees, and their branches seem to move out of his way. As soon as he is past, the plants return to their position leaving no trace that Wyrd was ever there, though his footsteps can be felt fading as he moves away.
"I've finished it. It's mostly about blood magic and divination magic. The only clue to the next book's location was 'Dripping crimson truth lights the one true path.'. I've never been very good at word puzzles."
"Dripping crimson truth. Must be blood given the title of the book. My first thought is of the spell Blood Transcription, but that doesn't seem quite right. Maybe a map under a Hiddden Page spell activated by blood? That's seems more fitting. Of course it could also be a river at sunset. Red sky at morning sailors take warning, red sky at night sailors delight."
The game begins as Anthony slides across the ice and manages to swipe at the ball with his broom, sending it skidding across the field.
Ehos leaps after the ball, though the crowded rink makes it difficult to get any real speed. Seeing that the boy who started the match is vying for the ball as well, Ehos angles to cut him off right after he gets there.
Clears his throat.
"Umm pardon my interruption, Madame. But some of us aren't as familiar with the problem as others. Could we get more detail, so that as other report ideas or suggestions we can understand their impact?"
"Very well. The being we are dealing with is called Khoda, a minor god of storms, especially lightning, who has been exiled to the plane of air. He is also in possession of a seed of Destruction. Since the aspect of Destruction cannot be a whole anything without an act of creation, which is anathema to him, he exists as these pieces, called seeds because each contain the full potential of Destruction. This Khoda is using Nasima as a gateway in order to access the material realms. And he is eating her soul in order to open that gateway further. We cannot allow this."
"The Champion of Creation has been working on a device to separate Nasima and Khoda, and the plan thus far is that a team will travel to the plane of air to keep Khoda occupied while Jim activates this device, while another team will guard Nasima and Jim to make sure that Khoda cannot stop the process by sending allies. It is essential that no one speak a word of this to Nasima as Khoda can access her thoughts."
"Any questions?"
"None. Thank you."
"You left out one thing. Khoda has already stolen some of the princess's life force. She'll be needing that replenished. So one of the jobs of the strike team that goes to the plane of air will be stealing some energy from Khoda to replace what he stole."
"What? Just because I don't want to be here doesn't mean I don't knwo what I'm talking about."
Enre listens to Ryleh before speaking "So half of us get to go fight a god while the other half watch over Nasima, making sure I am understanding the plan correctly."
Enre listens to Ryleh before speaking "So half of us get to go fight a god while the other half watch over Nasima, making sure I am understanding the plan correctly."
"I rather expect the team fighting a god will be larger than the team staying," she said, dryly. "Most of the champions will need to be a part of the team fighting Khoda directly."
So, when can we expect the operation to take place? I should be able to have the device fully functional in the next 36 hours, If my calculations are correct. I suppose I could have it done faster, if I have to rush.
So, when can we expect the operation to take place? I should be able to have the device fully functional in the next 36 hours, If my calculations are correct. I suppose I could have it done faster, if I have to rush.
"Excellent. I would like to get this done as soon as possible. The longer this goes on, the higher the risk to the girl."
Enre thinks for a moment before saying "I could ask my brother to help. From what I was told either he or some of his men could be useful, in either group."
Excellent. Before we get the operation underway, however, I would like to construct a blueprint or two, from some scrolls or spellbooks. Preparatory measure, you see. Wouldn't want to be shut down because of a little static shock. Jim grins, although it's hard to tell.
Ryleh nodded. "Anything that will improve the odds of success. Just let's get all of these things done as quickly as possible."
"I can assist with the technical aspects, Jim."
Vai opens her eyes. It was a strange experience, talking to her patron. The voice that had answered back sounded suspiciously like her own. She glances over at Keme, with a bit of a grimace. She didn't want to speak with this many people present, but her friend's life was at stake. She steps back foreward into the meeting. "E-excuse me." she says, a little meekly, hair in the old position in front of her face. She almost takes a step back as all the eyes in the room turn to her. "My patron says that Keme and I will have the best chance of recovering Nasima's lost lifeforce."
"Not her highness's life force. But enough of his to replace what he took. Plus that let's her keep the cool powers. It'll all work out. Probably."
Thank you for your assistance, Aananda. Between the six of us, our end should go fairly smoothly, with whoever is left behind to guard. Where did my packmate(s) get off to? It (they) may be of some use during this, whether on our side, or with one of the other groups.
During a pause in the conversation, Fei speaks up.
"If we are to fight a storm god on the elemental plane of air, would it not be wise for those going to learn how to maneuver and fight in those planar conditions first? Controlling one's own subjective gravity does take some...practice."
"Combat in three dimensions is also not something to be taken for granted - both Khoda and any minions he has will be well versed in doing so..."
"Ummm...was there anything else you wanted to see? I've never given anyone a tour of the school before so I'm not really sure how it's supposed to go."
"Anywhere would be fine, or we could go check on Michael again. If you can think of anyplace that might be interesting, we'd love to see it."
"Dripping crimson truth. Must be blood given the title of the book. My first thought is of the spell Blood Transcription, but that doesn't seem quite right. Maybe a map under a Hiddden Page spell activated by blood? That's seems more fitting. Of course it could also be a river at sunset. Red sky at morning sailors take warning, red sky at night sailors delight."
"I hope every book isn't like this." Oniero grumbles as he snpas the book shut. "So unless it's the Blood Transcription spell, we've only got one way we can test write now. Who wants a paper cut?"
"An excellent point, Fei. I believe the meditation classroom is already set up for this sort of practice."
"Those staying here will of course be Jim, Aananda, since she can assist with any technical difficulties, Ephebe since staying is less dangerous, Genosuke, I will ask you to stay as well.....I am not sure where James and Fieri will be of most use. They are both extremely good at aerial combat, but are also the weakest fighters."
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Ehos leaps after the ball, though the crowded rink makes it difficult to get any real speed. Seeing that the boy who started the match is vying for the ball as well, Ehos angles to cut him off right after he gets there.
Someone was after him already? Well, he'd have to be faster than that! Anthony pours on the speed, shooting toward the ball and about to swipe at it again... when he slips and goes sliding past it.
"Ummm...was there anything else you wanted to see? I've never given anyone a tour of the school before so I'm not really sure how it's supposed to go.""Anywhere would be fine, or we could go check on Michael again. If you can think of anyplace that might be interesting, we'd love to see it."
"Well, there's the auditorium...it pretty much looks like an auditorium. And the cafeteria. Same deal. Umm...I promised Michael I wouldn't show you his room without him there, but I can take us through the student lounge on the way back to the infirmary and you can see my room if you want to know what the student accomodations are like...ummm.....there's lots of classrooms and item creation labs and such, but after a while they all look alike."
"Dripping crimson truth. Must be blood given the title of the book. My first thought is of the spell Blood Transcription, but that doesn't seem quite right. Maybe a map under a Hiddden Page spell activated by blood? That's seems more fitting. Of course it could also be a river at sunset. Red sky at morning sailors take warning, red sky at night sailors delight.""I hope every book isn't like this." Oniero grumbles as he snpas the book shut. "So unless it's the Blood Transcription spell, we've only got one way we can test write now. Who wants a paper cut?"
"I'll volunteer, I suppose."
Someone was after him already? Well, he'd have to be faster than that! Anthony pours on the speed, shooting toward the ball and about to swipe at it again... when he slips and goes sliding past it.
Ehos exults at his good luck and pushes off, changing direction to intercept the ball, smashing it down the rink towards the other end, bouncing of legs and brooms all the way down. He could've sworn he recognized the boy who had just skidded out of control. no time for that now though.
"Well, there's the auditorium...it pretty much looks like an auditorium. And the cafeteria. Same deal. Umm...I promised Michael I wouldn't show you his room without him there, but I can take us through the student lounge on the way back to the infirmary and you can see my room if you want to know what the student accomodations are like...ummm.....there's lots of classrooms and item creation labs and such, but after a while they all look alike."
"Any of that would be fine, Kitty." Sylvia assures the young tiefling. "This is our first time here after all, so we don't mind seeing all the boring things." ;)
"I'll volunteer, I suppose."
"I think we can use just a little cut and smear it on the edges so we don't have to try more than once." Oniero says as he holds up a piece of paper with a magically sharpened edge.
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Ehos exults at his good luck and pushes off, changing direction to intercept the ball, smashing it down the rink towards the other end, bouncing of legs and brooms all the way down. He could've sworn he recognized the boy who had just skidded out of control. no time for that now though.
"Dang ice!" Anthony laughs as he gets back up and races after the ball. It would be a lot easier to do if he could keep from colliding with people. Why couldn't he be as agile on the ground as he was in trees?