Help From the Hypnotist (Alric Wilmot)

[Fallacy]

Timestamp- Winter 2 511 AV Today has been an exceptionally busy day for Alric. No, it wasn’t a busy work day, but as he sat at his stall advertising Hypnotic Cures, he would be busy watching people pass either giving him a weird and suspicious look, or one of disgust. Some people gave him glances of wonder and awe, others whispered that he was loony and couldn’t make a horse drink water. Some still had no idea what kind of service that the mage provided to Alvadas, not everyone knew what “Hypnotic Cures” were, and most thought it nothing more than a scam. That the person on the other side of the stall was just good with words, possessing a silver tongue. There were also the more enlightened people who feared the mage, knowing that Hypnotism was a magic and that he shouldn’t be trusted, but whatever the opinion of the majority was people still came and gave him business. It was a slow day and if he were counting glances he got, perceived interest both positive and negative; it would have been well in the hundreds. Not a single costumer today. He was about to pack up, call it quits, and go back home unsuccessful and unfulfilled, but just as that thought crossed his mind there would be an old man placed in front of Alric. He possessed a long beard, white with age, eyes were green, but if one would look they’d see no light in them. The man was but skin and bones, his clothes nothing more than a common pauper, rags, and he stunk, yes, it was a noticeable stink and one that in itself told many stories. However that isn’t the one that would be told today. The man smiled, revealing rotten and missing teeth, his breath adding to the foul smell that surrounded him, ”You.” he started pointing a shaky hand at him, ”You!” his voice got louder, drawing more attention to Alric, ”You are the hypnotist?” he asked his other hand not burdened with pointing at the man would place a couple copper miza on the stall, ”Can you help me?” he asked, this time in more of a hushed and hurried tone.

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric was most perturbed. The day it seemed, would be a fruitless one. Despite his coaxing and verbose greetings, no one seemed interested in a nice hypnotic cure. He had nearly convinced one or two, but in the end they all gave him a funny look and departed with nary a word. It was quite frustrating. True, lately he had been planting an extra thought or two into his customers heads these days. How could he not? He wanted to rule the world didn't he? And to accomplish that, one needed help. Oh, it was nothing malicious mind you, just a question here a question there. The names of Alvadas officials. Making sure they were not a member of the Womiyu (which a few actually turned out to be) but despite his attempts at subtlety and warmth, business dried up as winter came upon them. He once thought he had gotten lucky when a Listener he had found out about from an unsuspecting customer came to his booth. However, it turned out that the Listener was looking for someone else. Alric was not yet being spied upon, which was good. But still, having a Listener at your beck and call would speed his ambitions up considerably. Often he prayed to Eyris for guidance, believing she was the one who would truly acknowledge his quest. After all, the seeking of knowledge and understanding of that knowledge was her domain. And truly, that was what Alric sought to accomplish. He praised Ionu as well, of course. But he thought that the God (or Goddess) was not truly interested in understanding. No, Ionu was far more fascinated by the puzzle than the solution. Alric was too, mind you, but at the end of the day he wanted that puzzle solved. After a very wealthy looking woman walked by his booth without so much as a glance toward Alric, he decided that the day was being wasted. He would have to make up the loss of profit for today, but he was not going to waste his time sitting in the bizarre yelling for customers. Besides, His father had been absent from Alvadas a whole season now, the main Manor needed to be cleaned and repaired. However, just before Alric packed up his gear, he was assaulted by a horrid stench. Alric immediately covered his nose with his sleeve and darted his eyes about, trying to locate its source. He was greeted by the sight of a bent over old man, dressed in rags and covered in filth. His beard was long and white, and his eyes a dull green. On the whole, he was unimpressive to look at, and hard to stomach. He was thin too, Alric noticed, unnaturally so. When the man caught Alric staring at him he bared his rancid rotting teeth, showcasing his revolting smile. Alric removed his sleeve from his nose and smiled back, though he still held his breath. The man began to speak, and Alric nearly fainted from the smell spewing from his mouth. He was pointing to Alric, as he repeated the word 'you' three times. Several people along the street stared at the odd goings on, though no one stopped for more than a second before deciding that they had something more important to do. "You are the Hypnotist?" the man said as he placed a measly five copper Miza on the booth. Alric looked despondently at the Miza, hoping that was not all the man had on him "Yes...sir. That I am." "Can you help me?"said the man, in a hushed and hurried tone. Alric replied coolly, taking deep breaths with his mouth as he did so. "Well, that depends entirely on what you need help with my... good man. I can help with any personal affliction of the mind. Retrieve lost memories, disspell a nightmare, cure insanity, stop addiction, and many other wonderful things." Alric said all this with great pride. It was all rather exaggerated mind you, there were certain addictions and insanities that were beyond the ability of any hypnotist. And many others that were out of reach of Alric alone. Still, it sounded nice, and he could cure the vast majority that he came across. So, in his eyes, he was telling the truth. After all, Alric didn't lie. He merely embellished. "I can do all those things and more, provided you have the coin." At this Alric looked down at the copper Mizas the man had set on the booth earlier. He shook his head. It had been a slow day, and he was prepared to walk away with nothing. Perhaps he could let this one slide? After all, it could be that this was all the poor bloke owned. Alric had no idea. As he thought about it, he decided 5 copper Mizas were better than nothing. Besides, it was either that or nothing. Still, the man would have to repay Alric in some other way eventually. Although, Alric mused, perhaps it did not have to be money. "I will service you," Alric said, as he continued to breath through his mouth, "So long as you owe me a favor. How's that? I normally charge 1 gold Miza, but I'll provide my services to you for those coins there, and a favor. Does that sound fair?"

[Fallacy]

The old man grinned at Alrics word and continued to stare at him, almost blankly, before laughing when the mage finished, "Heh, I am but on old beggar." he coughed "but" he raised a finger, "Your terms sound acceptable." there was another broken smile before he continued by throwing his arms in the air, "Oh, Mr.Hypnotist" he sounded both desperate and happy at the same time, "Yes, if anyone can help me its you. Ive been having these horrible night terrors" he exclaimed "Though it doesnt stop at night. No,"{/b] he shook his head his rate of speech got faster and faster as he went on, [b]"They talk to me during the day. I see them out of the corner of my eye. They are taunting me, but, its all in my head. For" he pointed a finger at the Hypnotist, "I doubt you can see the monsters which surround yourself." with that smile turned to grin and grin turned to a little laugh here and there, before that too evolved into a full blown laugh, "They are taunting us in our sleep. Everywhere they are." he started pointing all around the market, "there. There. There. There. There. and even there" he pointed to Alrics head, "Dispel these things of the mind." he begged, "And I will be forever grateful."

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric listened intently to the man's tale of night terrors. He had cured this sort of thing before, and it usually ended up related to the person's past more than their mental instability. Usually. Of course, the man might just be insane. That really might be the easiest thing to treat. Alric wasn't skilled enough to truly cure insanity, but he could most certainly treat the symptoms. Hallucinations were very common. So much so, in fact, that Alric was quite surprised he didn't experience them. However, he did notice a peculiar pattern. Those visiting Alvadas usually suffered addictions, and bad attitudes. Those living in Alvadas, however, often had hallucinations, heard voices, and suffered delusions. As the man pointed this way and that pointing out the various creatures that weren't there, Alric motioned for him to sit on the opposite chair and relax. "Don't fret, sir. I'll dispel your 'things of the mind'. Just do me a favor, and relax. This shouldn't take too long." The man complied, eager to begin. "Now, listen to me and obey. The sooner we get you relaxed, the sooner I can remove those terrors." Now, Alric kneeled down near the man's ear,and began speaking again, this time infusing his words with manipulative Djed. He spoke to the beggar, barely using a whisper. The Djed pushed onto the man's mind, soothing it, and calming it. It was sweet and attractive, and non-forceful. It worked best, when the victims took it in themselves. All the while, he used a slow, rhythmic way of speaking. "Good, you are now absolutely, completely relaxed. My every word is heavy, so heavy, you feel as though you are going to topple over at any moment. You won't, of course, you're too strong for that. Instead, you seem to be in a place between sleep and consciousness. Forced there, by those heavy words that I spew. It takes all your energy to sit there, and you can only look straight ahead. You can only stare ahead, and listen to the sweet sound of my voice." The words were meant to influence, and flatter the man. Yet, at the same time subdue him and keep him from reacting violently while under Alric's influence. Alric used this technique often these days, speeding up the relaxing portion of the hypnotic process. The man seemed to react just as Alric had hoped. His eyelids were half-closed, his eyes unfocused, his body slack and acting as though it was pressed down upon. It was next to ideal. The only thing that would allow his influence greater authority in the man's mind would be if he was unaware of the process. Alric continued, staying to the side of the beggar to keep the rancid smell of his breath away. The man stunk, and it seemed to grow stronger as Alric stayed close to the man. Eventually, Alric had to hold his nose closed as he spoke. This left his normally pleasant voice nasally, and most likely weakened his hypnotic trance. However, the beggar stayed complacent, and Alric went on. "Now, see within your mind's eye all the terrors that frighten you. Every demented creature that plagues you. They all wish for your death, your extinguishment. You are a candle, burning in despite of the gloom around you. They, they are the darkness. They wish to snuff out that beautiful light you're emitting. They wish to turn the world ugly, and you don't want to let them." The beggar twisted and turned, fighting against the 'weights' of Alric's words. He was obviously trying to run. Alric went on, unhurried. He was confident that he was helping, more than he was hurting. "You are strong, and powerful, though. The creatures that wish for your destruction cannot act on their wishes. Your light is too bright, too beautiful. It hurts them to look at it, it hurts them to look at you. So look at them, and see them for what they are, weak. You are strong, and powerful. You wish for their destruction. Unlike them, however, you have the means to do it. You can hurt them with but a glance. So look at them! Look at them, and let them cower under your gaze! You wish them dead, so kill them! Shine your light, and allow your fire to consume the terrors of the night, until they give way to the day. You are the sun, and no darkness can overtake you." Alric paused then, to observe the effects his words would make. Currently, the man's fate could go either way. It all relied on the man's mind. If it was strong, he would accept Alric's words. If it was weak, well... Alric might have to change tactics. And fast.

[Fallacy]

As the session went on, the words of the hypnotist began to sink in causing an adverse effect in the man. What was this? The power of hypnotism. Though as soon as the man began going on about the candle and how his light shone though the darkness, the man, was it a trick of the eyes, the man began to glow visibly. Others who were in the marketplace didn’t seem to notice and would walk on like nothing was wrong, not a worry in the world. Little did Alric know that this wasn’t a test for the beggers mind, but for his own mind. ”No, no” the beggar began again squirming a little in his seat, his muscles tightening up as hands gripped the edges of the wooden fixture he was sitting on. Squeezing it for comfort the man began to rock slightly back and forth, ”They are coming,” he whispered, ”they are coming and there is nothing to be done that can stop them.” his words were frantic, but just like the imagery Alric was describing it seemed to be coming to life. The scenario playing out in the mans mind was coming to reality. Darkness slowly started to descend around them. Again, no one was paying any mind. Had they not noticed the troubled state of the man or the darkening skys? Thunder boomed ahead of them and a lightning bolt struck near them, going right through a person, but yet… if Alric observed the person was un-phased and kept on walking. An obvious hole in the ground where the bolt landed. ”they are coming.” he warned again, eyes closed, rocking even faster.

[Alric Wilmot]

It was quite a good thing that Alric had paused. For something quite awful and strange was happening. Not only was the beggar getting worse, but it seemed as if it wasn't a malady of the mind at all! Alric's surroundings grew dark, and the beggar glowed. Alric had never experienced anything like it. What in Ionu's name was happening? The sky grew blacker still, and thunder loomed in the distance. Alric shot up out of his seat at the sudden change. He eyed the beggar in something like awe. Was this the man's doing? Was this all some nefarious plot, or some horrible joke? Alric nearly broke the connection out of fear, but something kept him committed to his session. Alric jumped when he saw a bolt of lightning strike a nearby pedestrian. But... the man kept walking. He hadn't even been phased. Yet, there was a gaping hole in the ground. "They are coming" Alric shivered. Could these monsters be real? As real as the lightning bolt? Yet, even as Alric thought it, he realized something. No one was noticing the odd happenings. Petch, they didn't even realize lightning was crashing down upon their head. Could it be, that all of this was in his head too? Or, wait. They were in Alvadas the city of illusion. Could the city be playing a prank? Alric was curious now. He had yet to be hurt. So, why not follow this trail to its conclusion? "Listen to me and believe me. Believe me with all of your heart and mind. It does not matter if they are coming. They are darkness, the absence of light. By definition, they cannot dwell in light. And what are you? You are light! Darkness cannot overcome you. "Do not fear. Fear dampens your light. It covers it, conceals it, and allows the darkness to creep closer. So long as you do not fear, they cannot come close. So abandon fear, it weakens you. And you do not want to be weak. You do not want to be fearful. You are strong, so abandon your weakness. Abandon fear!" Alric kept close. He did not know what Alvadas was playing at, but he was certain he could win.

[Fallacy]

Listen and believe. The darkness around them got thicker as the man was being lost by fear. Wisps of black smoke darkened the skies around them and came in around the city swallowing it in the dark despair the man was feeling. The mans darkness was the cities darkness, and together, he and the hypnotist were being swallowed. Though it seemed not all was lost. The man was still shining slightly, and the call of crows could be heard overhead, dancing in the darkness that was now the reality before them. If Alric would look into the depths of the darkness, he would find they were no longer in any part of Alvadas that he knew. Shadows seemed to move on their own, and strange noises came, voices could be heard, ”Why give up fear?” it could be asked, ”when fear is so much fun to play with? People’s reactions are so real, and in the end its only natural. Fear is in all living things. It’s a driving force of survival. Abandoning me,” the voice continued as the shadows of things moved in closer and closer, ”Will be akin to abandoning common sense. Fear drives us to survive. A world without fear is not a world at all. Even in Illusion fear is present.” the voice echoed throughout the domain as the man Alric was attending to was rocking faster and faster stating the same thing over and over again: “They are coming” Shadows moved and something brushed up against the back of Alric, it felt hard, like a claw, and breath would be felt at the back of his neck. Should he turn to investigate, nothing would be found, ”Fear is natural, fear is everywhere. Everyone fears something… What do you fear, hypnotist? Lack of control?” there would be a laugh as if someone was mocking him with the last question as the mist swirled around and around them, growing faster forming the tunnel of a cyclone. ”Give into and accept fear along with your other emotions. Acceptance is the key to understanding as understanding is the key to mastering…”

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric's eyes widened as the darkness around them seem to thicken, and the man lost his composure. Alric tried to force the man to feel calm, but it was useless. It took to much djed, and the man was completely beside himself. What had Alric gotten himself into? This was insane! Darkness soon became corporeal, and swallowed both himself and his patient. Yet, it seemed like some of what he said got through, or at least, something like that. The man still shone, somewhat, giving off the only light Alric could see. In the distance crows cawed, undoubtedly waiting for their next meal of carrion. Alric shook his head, this was but a game! Alvadas was just playing a game! A rather terrifying one, granted. But in the end, it wouldn't really end with his life... would it? "Why give up fear?” Alric flinched, despite himself. He hadn't expected voices to appear. The voice did not seem to notice though, instead it went on, continuing it's point. "when fear is so much fun to play with? People’s reactions are so real, and in the end its only natural. Fear is in all living things. It’s a driving force of survival. Abandoning me,” the voice continued as the shadows of things moved in closer and closer, "Will be akin to abandoning common sense. Fear drives us to survive. A world without fear is not a world at all. Even in Illusion fear is present.” The voice echoed, as Alric's patient shivered and convulsed, repeating his phrase over and over. "They are coming" Shadows moved and something brushed up against Alric's back, it felt hard, like a claw, and he could feel moist breath beating down upon his neck. Alric jumped and turned quickly, to see what he was sure was some large monstrous figure. But nothing was there, only the same inky darkness that was everywhere. "Fear is natural, fear is everywhere. Everyone fears something… What do you fear, hypnotist? Lack of control?” Alric's eyes widened, what was this creature? How did it know so much... No, no it was Alvadas. That was it! Alvadas would know these things. Alric had lived within it his whole life. Yet, yet Alric had never experienced any illusion like this before. This, was unique in it's...reality. The creature laughed at Alric's silence as the mist swirled around and around them, growing faster forming the tunnel of a cyclone. "Give into and accept fear along with your other emotions. Acceptance is the key to understanding as understanding is the key to mastering…” Alric finally woke up. No, he didn't care what this was. Maybe it wasn't Alvadas, in fact, it probably wasn't. But that, that was not true. He knew it. He smiled then, as he realized that this creature was just messing with him. Acceptance was the key to understanding? Understanding was the key to Mastery? That was completely backwards! Mastery, was the key to understanding. Alric straightened his back and began to speak to the cyclone, his patient temporarily forgotten. "You enjoy talking, beast! But so do I, and I have quite a bit to say to you!" Alric calmed himself, and took control of his fear, pushing it down, and out of the way. "Fear may indeed be in all living things, but so is treachery, betrayal, and disloyalty. It is the duty of we greater creatures to overcome our base emotions. Fear is not a necessary tool, Fear is a parasite, feeding on doubts and inhibiting progress. What you speak of, creature, is caution and weariness. Fear, is what paralyzes a man on the field of battle, killing him as surely as the sword that cuts him down. "Tell me creature, where is the usefulness of that? It is useful only to the attacker, to you, in this case. And even then we do not abandon it, we cannot. That is beyond our abilities as mortals. Instead we reign it in, control it, and become master over it. We are to be masters of our emotions, not the other way around. "And perhaps I do fear a lack of control! But I must not let it get in the way. If I did, I would surely be cowering as I was. Instead I've taken my fear, and put it to the back of my mind. I must admit I am weary, but even so, remaining silent and still would have undoubtedly been worse." Alric took another breath, steadying himself. "And, as for your last statement, you betray your ignorance fully! No one should accept their weakness! They have to master it! Mastery is the key to understanding! Not the reverse! Acceptance is but a weak-willed man's way of giving up understanding, saying, 'it is' and going no further! But he who takes control of it learns its triggers, temper, and timeliness. And in the end, understands what provokes it." Alric turned then to his patient, and with all his power increased the flow of Djed, he blasted the man with emotions of control and satisfaction. He coaxed the man's ego, trying to increase it. He rose his hand, using gestures to increase his ability. He repeated his own mantra against the man's. "Mastery over fear" He repeated the phrase over and over into the man's head, along with feelings of confidence. Alric bent to his knees. He had never pumped anyone as full of suggestions and emotions as this man, and yet it seemed to do nothing. Alric then doubled over and vomited. He was beginning to overgive. Alric cut his connections one by one, to save himself. But he continued to pump the beggar with his initial message every time he cut another connection. Eventually, however, as Alric began to spit up blood, he had to cut everything. He was exhausted, and felt like he had run for days without stopping. He laid down on his back, staring up at the cyclone.

[Fallacy]

Everything was silent except for his patients screams as the darkness crept closer, ”They are coming, they are coming, they are coming” a grin and laugh would echo out of his voice, as he was teetering on the edge of sanity, even as Alric replied to the illusion that Alvadas was showing him. Everything was going wrong, spiraling out of control…. Then, came the hypnotism, the toxic Djed effecting the psyche of the man. Mastery over fear. It was working and as the man visibly calmed down, the light around him grew brighter and brighter, shunning the darkness, pushing it back, until it was no more. Back again, they were in the great marketplace of Alvadas, where the hypnotists booth was set. The man was sitting there, still, perfectly still from the amount of emotion… he was trying to make sense of it all or did Alric out his patient into shock? It would leave the hypnotist wondering for a chime or two as he sat there, a blank look on his face. When he would come to, his head would jerk forcibly to the right and a smelly grin would cross his face. ”Thank you.” he said, quickly reaching out and shaking the hypnotists hand before jumping up from the seat and running down the streets yelling at the top of his lungs, ”I am free, free at last.” it was an emotion of pure joy, drawing looks from everyone around him as he disappeared into the crowd. It was a job well done. The slight cawing could still be heard however, was Alvadas still not done with its tricks. Out of the corner of his eye Alric would be able to see the smoky mist that had once surrounded the both of them. Faintly, as if on the wind he could hear the words, ”We will see…” it was of the same voice from before, of the allusive creature that plagued the mans nightmares. We will see…

XP Award! Name:Alric XP Award: Hypnotism- 3 Philosophy- 2 Persuasion- 3 Rhetoric- 2 Lore: Curing Crazy? An unusual patient Mastery is understanding not the other way around Notes: The 1 SM turned into/was replaced by 20 GM Alric was granted the first mark of Illusionism Any questions or concerns about the rewards gained please send a PM