Completed Strength is Found in the Soul...

[Caesi Starguide]

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Spring 83rd 516av
Strength is Found in the Soul..

Caesi gripped her Strider with her knees, urging Pyxis into a fast trot as they made their way towards the Moresta River. Caesi wiggled in the Yvas nervously. She was excited to learn more about the magic she was gifted a few days prior from Liras Stormwind. However, he had warned her about harming others before gaining control of it. Also, that she could overgive which could have dire consequences, or even her death. It wasn't that she was afraid of the magic. Actually, the magic seemed to a sing a sweet and seductive song to her, making her feel as if she was thrumming with untapped power. It was quite enticing and intoxicating. No, what worried her was the immense responsibility. She was concerned that some how, some way, she would mess up and end up dead or killing someone by accident. Liras said the magic was to be respected and she felt as if she was doing that, but it still concerned her that she was not doing it properly. I guess I will just have to practice more.. Caesi thought to herself, as all the worries and stresses mingled in her head. She knew that she needed to train more, do her best to achieve a better understanding of Reimancy, so she could respect it and care for it more than what she already was.

Pyxis nickered happily beneath her, swinging her long mane from side to side. Caesi pulled herself away from her thoughts, patting the horse's strong neck as she peered over the mare's head. She had made it to the Moresta River, on the side of the Lomack Tower. It was close to Riverfall, which Liras mentioned his Pavilion liked to stay close to there. So meeting at the Moresta River made sense now. Caesi tapped the back of her heels on the sides of her mare, tightening her knees, and grasping the Yvas as she set off in a gallop towards the River's edge. Once the bonded pair were close enough, she called out 'woooah' to Pyxis who slowed to a happy trot. “Hold on girl you can play in the water, let me get this Yvas off first.” Caesi said softly to her Strider, patting the strong mare's neck as she dismounted. Caesi unlatched the Yvas sliding it off the horse. Grunting slightly from the sudden weight she had taken on, she duck walked to a nearby tree depositing the Yvas in the shade. That way the sun would not heat up the leather and burn her sweet Strider or herself when she went to put it back on. Caesi gave Pyxis rump a pat, and the horse knew she was now free to do as she pleased. The mare seemed to hop around on her hooves, as she slung her head from side to side, happy to be at the River. It did not take the horse long to make it into the water, splashing around and enjoying the coolness it provided. Caesi shook her head at the Strider smiling. Pyxis used to be so wild, even biting Caesi, as their bond first began to form. Caesi spent many hours, days, and seasons taming the Strider. However, she never took away the wild strike. Pyxis would always be wild at heart, just like Caesi.

“I see you came.” A familiar voice spoke from behind. Caesi tossed a glance over her shoulder, smiling at the approaching figure. “Of course I came. You haven't scared me yet.” The young Reimancer said with a wink and laugh. The nervous nature and stress from earlier washed away, as excitement took it's place. “Well then, are you ready to begin?” Liras asked, sitting down under a tree away from the river. Caesi frowned but shrugged her shoulders, she walked to where he was and sat down herself. “So now what?” Caesi asked peering over at Liras, observing him with her intense teal eyes. His shirt was cleaner than the day of her initiation, actually all his clothes appeared to be freshly washed compared to the garments he was wearing when she first met him. Instead of dirt and holes everywhere, it all looked fresh and crisp. Instead of his hair in a chaotic disarray, it was smoothed down and the oily texture was gone as if he just bathed. His eyes did not hold the craze at the moment either, instead they were serious, soft, and kind. The real Liras Stormwind was there with here now, not the man who suffered from overgiving many times. This made her relax further.

“Now that you are done with examining me, I will tell you what we will be doing.” Liras said in a joking tone, chuckling as Caesi's face bloomed like a wild red rose. She casually shrugged her left shoulder, “Well you look clean compared to the mess you were last time.” Caesi explained, rather bluntly and boldly, the shrug of her shoulder giving off her 'don't care' attitude. Liras just shook his head, “Let us get to your training.” Liras said, dismissing the whole conversation completely. “First you need to learn how to meditate properly. This will help clear your mind and ease your body, that way you are relaxed and able to control your Res better.” Liras explained, “So first let us prepare our bodies for a deep meditation.” Liras began adjusting his body, changing the position of his legs and straightening his back. Relaxing his arms and resting the wrists on his knees.

[Caesi Starguide]

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“First you will need to remove your shoes, make sure your clothing is loose and comfortable.” Liras paused removing his own shoes as Caesi did the same. “You want to meditate in a quiet place where you will be alone, so there will be no distractions. Get in a comfortable sitting position, keep your spine straight, sitting cross-legged.” Liras waited as Caesi straightened her spine, making sure her back was straight yet still comfortable and not strained. She cross her legged over one another and looked over at him as he continued on, “Next you will close your eyes and focus on something. I focus on a flame flickering in the darkness, how it dances and sways. Focus on what ever will help you relax and stay focused. You can not let negative thoughts attack you, you must clear your mind of all worries, stress, thoughts. Just keep your focus on what ever image you decide on.”

Liras' explanation sounded relaxing in of itself. He spoke with calm tones and soft words, as he guided Caesi through the steps of meditation. “When you have that image and you are focused on it, you want to start a rhythmical breathing. You will inhale through your nose, exhale through the mouth pushing out all the air. You will continue to do this until it becomes a rhythm for you. We will meditate and relax our minds, soul, and body for thirty chimes before moving on to Reimancy. The magic takes extreme focus and relaxation, if you are tense your Res will react to it. So we must continue to stay calm and as relaxed as possible.”

Caesi gave a small smile, nodding her head that she understood what he meant. She never thought that meditation would aid her in magic, though now she saw the benefits of it. Just the explanation on meditation made her body begin to relax. Liras gestured with his hands 'begin' letting her know that now was the time to meditate and calm her mind.

Straightening her spine once more, she placed her palms on her knees, relaxing the arms making sure they were not tense. Closing her eyes she cleared out all thoughts, worries, stress, as she brought up an image to focus on. She chose a flower as her focus, a wild rose. She focused on the dark pink color of the petals, remembering how soft they were to the touch. The thick and strong stem that helped keep the rose straight, the thorns that protected the fragile beauty. The alluring and soft aroma it emitted, the scent that spoke of the fragile yet guarded beauty of the rose.

Caesi inhaled deeply though her nose, exhaling through her mouth pushing all of the air out. She repeated this process until it became second nature. The rose still lingered behind her closed eyes, she stayed focused on it, as she inhaled and exhaled. It took her a moment to realize just how relaxed she had became. Her muscles felt like they had melted like butter on a hot summer's day. No thoughts invaded her mind, the rose was a constant image lulling her into relaxation as her breathing came in the out in an almost musical sense. The more oxygen that she was getting, helped all her muscles become less tense, making her feel less anxious, and more slack.

After thirty chimes, Liras opened his eyes touching Caesi on the knee, “You can open your eyes now.” His voice some how became even more soft than before. She pried open her eyes, even though she wanted to go back and stay in that meditative state longer. She felt as if there were no cares to be had, her muscles felt loose and relaxed as if she had just slept for ten bells on one of those fancy and expensive she heard foreigners speak of. The one's stuffed with soft feathers that made one feel as if they were asleep on a cloud in the sky. Caesi herself felt as if she was a cloud, floating high in the blue sky. No worries, as she floated along looking around at the world below her.

“I feel a deep calm I have never experienced before..” Caesi said, a little shocked at how her voice sounded. It came out as soft as the fur of a rabbit, with a musical and lethargic lilt. She was indeed calm and relaxed, her mind and soul felt cleansed and strong. “Ah, yeah. There is nothing like the strengthening of the soul. The soul is were true power comes from Caesi, not the muscles, remember that.” Liras said, as he stretched his arms up above his head. Caesi blinked, taking his words to heart Strength is found in the soul, not the muscles. She repeated it to herself a few times and gave a smile, “I will remember those words Liras.” A soft laugh emitting from her lips as she did the same, stretching her arms and a small yawn escaped her mouth.

“No sleeping, there is training we need to do.” Liras said chuckling at her relaxed features and lazy body language. Caesi almost pouted, but knew that he was right. She needed to harness better control of her Reimancy and learn how to practice on her own. Come Summer she would have no one but herself to help her, since Liras and his Pavilion always stayed near Riverfall. She gave a deep sigh and an even deeper nod, “What now?” She inquired of Liras, who began to stand and shake out his muscles, preparing to show her exactly what they would be doing next.

[Caesi Starguide]

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Caesi stood up, brushing the dirt and little pebbles from her britches, as she looked over at Liras for instruction. He tilted his head from side to side, loosening his neck muscles further, then looked over at her. “First let me explain about Res and the production of it. When you produce Res you can manipulate it into a substance. If it comes out as a gas like substance, you can make it into a solid. Once you have turned your Res into Earth, you can not just turn it back to Res. It is Earth now and will stay that way. When you transform your Res into a substance, your ability of controlling it all but diminishes. That is why you do not transform it all at once; instead you should transform the outer layers, leaving the center layers Res. You will be able to manipulate the spell easier that way and aim at your target, then at the last moment transforming it completely.” Liras paused in his long explanation of Res, and Caesi gaped at him. It was a lot of information to take in at once, but she supposed it was something she needed to know.

“So, I will emit my Res, transform the outer layers leaving the inner ones Res so I will have better control of it?” Caesi asked, trying to grasp and understand what he said a little better. Liras nodded his head, “Yes. If you need to attack something... Like for instance a Glassbeak... You would want to leave the inner Res so you can aim. When you are ready to throw the Earth Spike at the monster, you would then transform the inner right before tossing the spike at it.”

“Okay wait.. Earth Spike?” Caesi asked a little confused. She was not sure what that exactly was, she understand what it was used for, defense and attack but had no clue what it was.

“An Earth Spike is what Earth Reimancers use as their basic attack. You will put Res as a fluid in the ground, not too deep maybe an inch or two. Then you will drive it upwards, directing it towards the monster, then transform it.” Liras paused for a moment, gave a shrug, “Every Reimancer is different though.”

Caesi gave a thoughtful expression with a small grin and a sharp nod of her head, “Oh okay I get it now. What about using the nature around you though?” She inquired of Liras, looking at the stones, dirt, grass, and trees.

Liras inhaled deeply, “That is for another day. You are not ready to attract the elements to you yet. Let's focus on what you can do.” His tone was stern, full of warning, making Caesi dismiss that subject. For now anyways.. She thought to herself, with a wry grin.

“What you can do now is practice igniting the outer layer of Res and leaving the inner the same.” Liras said, gesturing with his hands 'go on and do it.' Caesi sighed and concentrated, keeping her focus like when she meditated. Instead of focusing on the flower, she focused on her Res as it pooled in her right palm. The gas that wrapped itself around her hand was teal in color, swirling like a fine mist, yet resembling a white puffy cloud in it's thickness. She imagined it in a more spherical form instead of a gas. The Res gathered itself in her palm, turning into a ball of gas now. Flicking her wrist slightly, she made the gas ball float about two-inches above her palm. Caesi smiled and looked over at Liras who gave an approving nod. The gas ball was not very large, about the size of her balled up fist, if not smaller.

Caesi returned her attention to the Res that was now floating above her palm. Concentrating and keeping focused, she began to ignite an outer layer. It proved to be a little more difficult than she had originally thought, taking careful concentration and focus since it was still new to her. The first later ignited, she inhaled deeply and willed more layers to ignite. Once she was close to the center of the gas she stopped and looked at her teal gas orb. The ignited layers appeared to be more solid than the center. It was as if the Res was captured inside the orb that was floating above her hand.

“Now turn that into Earth Reimancy, transform it.” Liras told her, giving her a nod.

Caesi bit her lower lip, closing her eyes she concentrated on the Res in her palm. Just like with meditation she pictured it, floating there above her hand. The teal gas orb that had the outer layers already transformed. She would now complete the task by igniting the inner layer, transforming the ball completely. She held her breath as she focused on the orb, transforming the inside she tossed it in the air.

Tiny pebbles of multiple different colors rained down upon their heads. Caesi covered hers with her arms as she laughed gleefully at the small pebbles raining down on them. She had made it rain. Not water but rocks. It was an exciting moment and she could not help the bubble of laughter that came out, especially when she saw the unamused look on Liras' face. She gave a shrug, “You said to transform it completely.” Caesi smirked as Liras shook his head. “I suppose I did.” He replied in a defeated voice. “Now this time try something besides rocks.” He said, brushing some smaller pebbles from his hair.

[Caesi Starguide]

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Caesi grinned and thought it was all rather humorous, even if he did not. However, she would comply and try her best at making something else. Inhaling and exhaling deeply, she focused her Res in her right palm once more, forming it into a ball of gas. Smiling at how it was easier now. The more she used her Reimancy the easier it seemed to be. But she was still scared of the Overgiving Liras told her about, so she would not abuse it. Clearing her mind of all thoughts, she focused on the ball of gas at her hand, manipulating it and making it float once more. She concentrated on the outerlayers, igniting them one at a time. It took her a chime to do it, before she was at the center which she left alone not transforming it. She held out her palm letting the orb float above her head and then transformed the center of the ball of Res. A large amount of dirt rained down upon them, making her cough and wheeze slightly as it was inhaled through her nose and mouth.

Both her and Liras spat out dirt, even blowing it out of their noses onto the ground for a chime. She looked down and quite a bit of dirt had rained down on them. It wasn't a large amount, but a noticeable amount. It was moist and dark, a good soil to use for gardening or planting vegetables. It reminded her of the dirt you found when pulling up the long grasses. It was rich and helped the grasses and other plants in the Sea of Grass grow strong and healthy. She gave Liras a broad smile, which he did not return.

“Earth Reimancy is messy.” He complained as he brushed off the dirt from what was once clean clothes. Now however they were smeared with dirt and appeared almost like they did that first day they had met. Caesi agreed though, it was a bit messy, as she was not really making anything to attack with. She was just turning it into things she knew and could imagine in her mind. “Why don't we try something new?” Liras suggested, still picking pebbled off his person.

“Like what?” Caesi asked, curious as to what he meant. Brushing dirt off herself as she listened to what he had to say.

“Why don't you try making a weapon out of Earth to use to defend yourself or something?” Liras suggested, taking a few steps away from her to give her some space. Caesi supposed it was from being pelted with pebbles and covered in dirt, or that she was not as in control as she originally thought she was, and that was why things just fell from the sky in no particular direction.

“Okay.. I will try.” Caesi said her face contorting with deep thought. She sat down on the pebble and dirt littered ground, thinking of what she could make that would actually be useful to her. She snapped her fingers as a thought came to her. She gave a smile, as she focused her Res onto her palm once again.

The teal gas became a orb as she manipulated it, then stretched it into a more oval like shape. Concentrating on the orb that was now in her hands she continued to stretch it until it was fashioned into resembling a whip. It wasn't very large, perhaps the length of her body, maybe a few inches shorter. Concentrating she ignited the outer layers of the Res, one by one, leaving the center the same. Aiming the Res at a low hanging branch she swung her hand back holding the Res in her palm as if she would a whip. Then she ignited the last layer and transformed it into a thick vine with smaller leaves than she had originally intended and tiny thorns instead of the big ones she had wanted. The thorn vine lashed out, severing a thinner limb off of the branch, making it fall to the ground.

Caesi felt a lethargic feeling set in. Controlling and manipulating Res was more taxing on her than she realized. Her energy was seeping from her as she kept transforming the Res. Liras clapped his hands, “Now that was something useful and quite intuitive. Good job.” He gave her a pat on the back and she smiled rather weakly at him, he frowned as comprehension sank in, “You are tired?” He asked of her and she just rubbed her eyes and yawned. She was becoming more tired as the ticks went by. Liras smiled, patting her shoulder, “Using Res is very tiring, it depletes your energy. Especially when you are just learning, you have to take breaks in between or overgiving becomes more possible. I will see you in a couple of days, go get some rest and do not practice, rest.” Liras demanded this of her, his tone was commanding and she smiled and nodded in agreement.

“I will rest and see you in two days.” She said, promised with a gesture. They said their farewells and she watched as he headed towards his pavilion. Her tent sounded like a paradise right about now, if she could manage to stay on her horse all the way there with out falling asleep. Caesi gave a yawn and went to the tree she placed the Yvas under.

Grabbing it up she almost fell to the ground. It seemed heavier than before, but she knew it was just because her body was so tired. She lifted it once more, clicking her tongue at Pyxis making her trot up towards her. Caesi slipped the Yvas over her, securing it to the shoulders. Taking her right hand she grabbed the Yvas, hoisting herself up into it. Patting the horses neck, she gave another small yawn as her knees tightened around the sides of the horse. Clicking her tongue she sent Pyxis off in a walk, once away from the trees and low hanging branches, Caesi tapped her heels at the mare's sides, putting her into a fast gallop. “Faster, we need to get home before I pass out.” Caesi told the mare, who seemed to nicker in response and galloped that much faster. She made it home in a shorter amount of time than it had taken to get to Moresta River. She fumbled off her Strider, asking Luraine to put her up as she stumbled to her own tent, passing out half on the bed roll, half off, entering a deep and much needed slumber.

GraderMaking an Edit to ask if it is possible to get a Location Lore for Moresta River? I have used it several times and have yet to receive a lore. If it is not possible, I would like to know how to be able to get a Location Lore from here on out. Thank you very much!

WC3906

[Khida]

Caesi Starguide

Skill	Points
Horsemanship	+1
Meditation	+2
Observation	+1
Reimancy	+3
Riding	+1

• Cyphrus location: Moresta River
• Cyphrus location: Lomack Tower
• Horsemanship: protecting tack from sun-heat
• Magic: overgiving is dire and deadly
• Meditation: best done without distractions
• Meditation: relaxes body and mind
• Meditation technique: visualizing a focus
• Observation: evaluating a person's mood from their appearance
• Reimancy: forming a ball of res
• Reimancy: the nature of res
• Reimancy: only manipulates res
• Reimancy technique: Earth Spike
• Reimancy technique: forming pebbles and raining rocks
• Reimancy technique: igniting from outside in

Notes

You may absolutely have location lores! It's true, they're often overlooked. This was a nice solid learning thread, but I have one major critique and a couple small reminders for you.

First, the major comment: Res can only be converted into elemental materials. Plants do not qualify. So the entire "thorn vine" part is inappropriate, and I didn't award any points or lore for that. You don't have to change it here, just don't do it again.

The minor comments both boil down to "mind Caesi's IC skill level".

1) If this is her first time meditating, she should have had a lot more trouble with stray thoughts. Things like remembering where she last saw a rose, whether Pyxis likes roses, wondering if it's been anywhere near thirty chimes yet, the breeze is cold, that rock under her foot is annoying... Meditation is simple, but it's far from easy!

2) In the Riding skill progression, 'galloping' is listed under Competent level, which Caesi has not yet attained. So she shouldn't be doing it. Again, I didn't give any awards for those parts, and just brush up on your progression tables going forward.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade. Also, please edit your request to show this thread has been graded.