Day 21, Spring of 513 AV
Mirahil Pass, Zeltiva
Before Dusk
Day 22, Spring of 513 AV
Registrar's Office, University of Zeltiva
Morning
East Street, Zeltiva
Afternoon
The Mark's Office, East Street
Staff Offices, East Wing, University of Zeltiva
Evening
Day 23, Spring of 513 AV
World's End Grotto, Zeltiva
Morning
The Cafeteria Hall, University of Zeltiva
Noon
East Wing, University of Zeltiva
Evening
World's End Grotto, Zeltiva
Night
Day 24, Spring of 513 AV
MCL4, Toadstool Cluster, University of Zeltiva
Morning
Days 25-27, Spring of 513 AV
Day 28, Spring of 513 AV
Days 29-32, Spring of 513 AV
Day 33, Spring of 513 AV
MCL4, Toadstool Cluster, University of Zeltiva
Late Afternoon
Day 34, Spring of 513 AV
Customs Office, Zeltiva
Morning
The Docks, Zeltiva
Afternoon
Mirahil Pass, Zeltiva
Before Dusk
Ah, the fair city of Zeltiva. All season when Morwen's wintry breath graced the lands Eridanus had been inquiring about the state of the economy, politics and culture in Zeltiva, discovering that though devastated by the second round of the plague it had been gradually picking up its feet. Through numerous feats of intelligentsia throughout the past season, considering that he had been in the city at least once, he had picked up on a trail that might be worth the business visit to one of his favorite cities, also the walls that housed his alma mater. The main driving point had been the letter that returned from one of the contacts that he had made within the Sailor's Guild - a relative of an acquaintance from the Waveguard - with only two crisp words stated on it.
[Capacity available.]
Passing by the guards who waved him passed, he hurried his faithful steed that had accompanied him throughout the seasons, also known as the mighty and speedy ChrysanthemumChewer. An orange gaze that mirrored the hue of the setting sun surveyed the familiar walls that formed the classical pre-Valterrian architecture that one could only find in the port city, then dropped by the local post branch, jotting a few words on several scraps of paper before passing it to the boy there just before the end of his shift.
KF: In Z, will drop by soon. -S
W: Reminder: appt tmr 20 @ office -E
S: Reminder: appt tmr 9 -S
With that done, he proceeded and then heading to the World's End Grotto to rest for the night after several days of exhausting traveling. He patted the small item within his rucksack to ensure that it remained in the compartment, then rode on.
A room and warm bed is all I ask, before the dreams overtake me.
[Capacity available.]
Passing by the guards who waved him passed, he hurried his faithful steed that had accompanied him throughout the seasons, also known as the mighty and speedy ChrysanthemumChewer. An orange gaze that mirrored the hue of the setting sun surveyed the familiar walls that formed the classical pre-Valterrian architecture that one could only find in the port city, then dropped by the local post branch, jotting a few words on several scraps of paper before passing it to the boy there just before the end of his shift.
KF: In Z, will drop by soon. -S
W: Reminder: appt tmr 20 @ office -E
S: Reminder: appt tmr 9 -S
With that done, he proceeded and then heading to the World's End Grotto to rest for the night after several days of exhausting traveling. He patted the small item within his rucksack to ensure that it remained in the compartment, then rode on.
A room and warm bed is all I ask, before the dreams overtake me.
Day 22, Spring of 513 AV
Registrar's Office, University of Zeltiva
Morning
"Good Morning, Mister Sanderson."
"Excellent timing, Mister Sol. Now as your prior letters have asked-"
"As we have discussed, Mister Sanderson. I do not wish to take up more time than required, plus I already see prospective students beginning to line up outside your office."
"It is a good point. Make it quick and I will officially open this office."
"I require Summoning expertise for a... project, if you will. I have received word from a certain Professor Evalin-"
"Surely you jest, Mister Sol. If my memory serves me correctly that was quite a while ago, before you nor me were even born. Maybe even before our parents were born-"
So he does not remember me approaching this very desk asking for Stonemiller eight years ago.
A hasty grin, meant to indicate a poorly made joke.
"Of course, of course."
A glance at the scroll beholding a master list upon the bureaucratically designed desk.
"Now, Mister Sol, you are looking for a Professor Cadena Anaya Fianza. Just between you and me, this lady sure has a fiery temper. I heard her familiar's pretty jacked too, if you get what I mean."
A polite cough.
"Uh. I'll arrange an appointment for you two at... noon tomorrow. Is there anything else you need?"
"What about anyone with Reimancy proficiency?"
A brief pause.
"They're a dime a dozen, actually. Reimancy is, and always has been, the most popular course of choice amongst students of magical studies. I wonder why."
Your sardonicism is well understood. Take boys barely out of puberty with a need to prove themselves with flashy bravado...
"In any case, Mister Sol, I believe that the expertise in charge has their hands fully backed for quite a long time, I'm afraid I can't help you there. You might want to ask one of the students instead, but... caveat emptor, is all I can say."
"Alright, then it is time for me to leave then."
"Good day to you, Mister Sol."
Customary grin. It was common courtesy to humor someone who had helped you, after all.
"Thank you for your help Mister Sanderson. Now don't let me keep you from your job. Have a good day."
"Excellent timing, Mister Sol. Now as your prior letters have asked-"
"As we have discussed, Mister Sanderson. I do not wish to take up more time than required, plus I already see prospective students beginning to line up outside your office."
"It is a good point. Make it quick and I will officially open this office."
"I require Summoning expertise for a... project, if you will. I have received word from a certain Professor Evalin-"
"Surely you jest, Mister Sol. If my memory serves me correctly that was quite a while ago, before you nor me were even born. Maybe even before our parents were born-"
So he does not remember me approaching this very desk asking for Stonemiller eight years ago.
A hasty grin, meant to indicate a poorly made joke.
"Of course, of course."
A glance at the scroll beholding a master list upon the bureaucratically designed desk.
"Now, Mister Sol, you are looking for a Professor Cadena Anaya Fianza. Just between you and me, this lady sure has a fiery temper. I heard her familiar's pretty jacked too, if you get what I mean."
A polite cough.
"Uh. I'll arrange an appointment for you two at... noon tomorrow. Is there anything else you need?"
"What about anyone with Reimancy proficiency?"
A brief pause.
"They're a dime a dozen, actually. Reimancy is, and always has been, the most popular course of choice amongst students of magical studies. I wonder why."
Your sardonicism is well understood. Take boys barely out of puberty with a need to prove themselves with flashy bravado...
"In any case, Mister Sol, I believe that the expertise in charge has their hands fully backed for quite a long time, I'm afraid I can't help you there. You might want to ask one of the students instead, but... caveat emptor, is all I can say."
"Alright, then it is time for me to leave then."
"Good day to you, Mister Sol."
Customary grin. It was common courtesy to humor someone who had helped you, after all.
"Thank you for your help Mister Sanderson. Now don't let me keep you from your job. Have a good day."
East Street, Zeltiva
Afternoon
The laborers that had streamed from Zeltiva on behest of Maria's office seemed to compromise almost entirely of the rough sort. Having worked with them for the majority of a season, it was inevitable that one would hear stories of their rough beginnings and adventures. Interestingly enough, most of the stories almost always took place in East Street, the closest to Sunberth one can get in an enlightened city like Zeltiva. Eridanus had always wondered why the city did not bother cleaning up the ghettos, but he realized that it was likely that there was some form of order behind the chaos, and that allowing a form of chaos to exist under a form of order was a method of control as well. That was most likely the thought process of the Lord of Council, if he understood Maria's logic from the little time that he had interacted with the graceful leader of the city.
Remembering the descriptions given to him, the place where he was heading was almost always mentioned with a shudder by the laborers, and many horror stories that were told that happened to 'a friend of a friend' all centered to this place. A single, mysterious man at the center of all this. Yet, he may very well be the key to what Eridanus had in mind. One piece of the multi-layered plan that he had been concocting all last season, a plan that he would put into play this season to establish a proper system and procedure for the future.
Some call him The Mark.
Treading to the far end of East Street, a nondescript entrance led to narrow, winding stairs that headed further down, smelling of stank and... blood? Shaking that ominous feeling away, the vantha headed further down, conviction in his steps. That was when he understood why the locals call him that.
Simple, rusted, letters simply spelled the letters M A R K. It was a name, yet also turned into a title of sorts by the god-fearing locals. One could not reap rewards without taking risks, and so the mage entered the lion's den.
Remembering the descriptions given to him, the place where he was heading was almost always mentioned with a shudder by the laborers, and many horror stories that were told that happened to 'a friend of a friend' all centered to this place. A single, mysterious man at the center of all this. Yet, he may very well be the key to what Eridanus had in mind. One piece of the multi-layered plan that he had been concocting all last season, a plan that he would put into play this season to establish a proper system and procedure for the future.
Some call him The Mark.
Treading to the far end of East Street, a nondescript entrance led to narrow, winding stairs that headed further down, smelling of stank and... blood? Shaking that ominous feeling away, the vantha headed further down, conviction in his steps. That was when he understood why the locals call him that.
Simple, rusted, letters simply spelled the letters M A R K. It was a name, yet also turned into a title of sorts by the god-fearing locals. One could not reap rewards without taking risks, and so the mage entered the lion's den.
The Mark's Office, East Street
"Oh, and if you ever do meet him, for Laviku's sake be as polite and courteous as you can be. A friend of my cousin was impatient just for a second and the next thing he knew, he found himself in one of the alleys of East Street a full day later with no recollection of what happened in between, and he was missing half of his pinkie."
Ominous warnings for an ominous man. A single man sat, relaxed, in a luxuriously furnished office, a stark contrast to the grim surroundings and the stench of poverty outside. It was as if the transition underground had sparked a portal to an entirely different world, different from the rapid-fire pace of street living outside to cold and calm deliberation.
"Good afternoon, Mister Mark. I am-" Eridanus began as he approached the desk.
"Take a seat before you talk," The man uttered in a soft voice. Warning bells rang in the vantha's head, and he realized that this loanshark was the type of person that put full importance on courtesy and protocol. That meant that the whole edgy business-savvy venture entrepreneur routine was unlikely to work. That also meant that it was time to pull out the old school persona that he had presented when he had an interview with The Azure Triad and with Maria Satterthwite. That also meant that he had to tread carefully in further interactions, as his instincts told him that he was only inches close to being dismissed.
He could not afford such a situation to pass, this man was crucial to his plans.
"Good afternoon, Mister Mark. I am-" Eridanus began as he approached the desk.
"Take a seat before you talk," The man uttered in a soft voice. Warning bells rang in the vantha's head, and he realized that this loanshark was the type of person that put full importance on courtesy and protocol. That meant that the whole edgy business-savvy venture entrepreneur routine was unlikely to work. That also meant that it was time to pull out the old school persona that he had presented when he had an interview with The Azure Triad and with Maria Satterthwite. That also meant that he had to tread carefully in further interactions, as his instincts told him that he was only inches close to being dismissed.
He could not afford such a situation to pass, this man was crucial to his plans.
"I hear The Mark's pretty much creepy dude, man. Like, all formal-like, and rules-like. Just talk when you're talked to, keep quiet when he's thinking, and never, for the love of god, question him unless it's a good question."
"Yeah, my dad told me that he had a friend who-"
"You told that one yesterday, bro. Listen, just be like them nobles and ministers like in an Alahean court, yeah? Like in them plays and stuff."
"Yeah, my dad told me that he had a friend who-"
"You told that one yesterday, bro. Listen, just be like them nobles and ministers like in an Alahean court, yeah? Like in them plays and stuff."
Without insulting the man further with additional utterances, Eridanus promptly took a seat with formal flair, seating himself in a regal, upright posture before turning to look into the Mark's eyes with steely neutrality.
"Greetings and Salutations, Mister Mark," The mage initiated in a stiff, officious voice.
The razor-sharp attitude that seemed to surround the man softened a little, and he nodded imperceptibly to indicate his approval.
"Greetings. To whom do I have the honor of receiving?"
"My name is Syreus Ehm Sol, and I am honored to have the opportunity to conduct business with you."
"State your case then, Mister Sol," The nuit uttered again in that soft, creepy voice that threatened to extend its fingers into one's mind if one did not had the willpower to resist.
"Greetings and Salutations, Mister Mark," The mage initiated in a stiff, officious voice.
The razor-sharp attitude that seemed to surround the man softened a little, and he nodded imperceptibly to indicate his approval.
"Greetings. To whom do I have the honor of receiving?"
"My name is Syreus Ehm Sol, and I am honored to have the opportunity to conduct business with you."
"State your case then, Mister Sol," The nuit uttered again in that soft, creepy voice that threatened to extend its fingers into one's mind if one did not had the willpower to resist.
"He doesn't like wasting time, that's what they all say."
"Yeah, keep it short and get the Laviku out as fast as you can. I mean, who wants to stay in the same room as that fella for longer than a chime?"
"Well you said your cousin did."
"Yeah, keep it short and get the Laviku out as fast as you can. I mean, who wants to stay in the same room as that fella for longer than a chime?"
"Well you said your cousin did."
It was then at this distance that Eridanus had realized that the strange pallor that clouded the man's demeanor was not attributed to just his attitude. He was a corpse hopper, and if the stories were true, his bodies were that of previous clients who failed to repay their debts.
"I wish to obtain a capital for a magecraft operation, after which I will return the principal plus any interest charged," Eridanus stated concisely.
"On what terms?"
"I wish to obtain a capital for a magecraft operation, after which I will return the principal plus any interest charged," Eridanus stated concisely.
"On what terms?"
"A partnership? Ye mad... even the tough gangs in East don't want to association with em."
"My boss did say start with a normal deal though whether you need it or not. Make it simple, repay fast, and get in his good books before you want to talk details."
"Makes sense, dunnit?"
"My boss did say start with a normal deal though whether you need it or not. Make it simple, repay fast, and get in his good books before you want to talk details."
"Makes sense, dunnit?"
"Ninety days limit and ten thousand gold."
Short and sweet. The nuit made no appearance of being perturbed by the mention of huge a large number.
"On what capacity do you make such a demand?"
A cold, icy gaze settled on Eri's face, the chilling eyes boring a hole into his soul. There was an imagined prickle in the air by the mage that accompanied the silent tension, and a reflexive dip into the djed pool led to the strong scent of brownies - the soul damage caused by staring into an aura that he should not have attempted to. Further focus and mental discipline, aided by the urgency and immediacy of the situation, led to a revelation of a whirlpool of energies emitting from the nuit, seemingly coming out of his mouth and directed straight at him.
Short and sweet. The nuit made no appearance of being perturbed by the mention of huge a large number.
"On what capacity do you make such a demand?"
A cold, icy gaze settled on Eri's face, the chilling eyes boring a hole into his soul. There was an imagined prickle in the air by the mage that accompanied the silent tension, and a reflexive dip into the djed pool led to the strong scent of brownies - the soul damage caused by staring into an aura that he should not have attempted to. Further focus and mental discipline, aided by the urgency and immediacy of the situation, led to a revelation of a whirlpool of energies emitting from the nuit, seemingly coming out of his mouth and directed straight at him.
"My friend said that the creepy dude who lives one street down does some mojo, man. Can stare into your mind and make you dance if he wants to."
"Ain't nobody ever seen that-"
"-then obviously you haven't heard of the story of Dancing Daniel, you dolt."
"Ain't nobody ever seen that-"
"-then obviously you haven't heard of the story of Dancing Daniel, you dolt."
Eridanus shut down the connection, the overpowering scent of brownies lingering for a moment before disappearing entirely, and he was aware that he was somehow being magically manipulated. A part of him wanted to confront the man for doing so, but he knew that it was business suicide. Breaking the Mark's protocol was tantamount to declaring his plan over.
He could not do so, because this man was an essential key.
"I am a Magecrafter, with my competency certified by the University of Zeltiva. I graduated as an apprentice of Angvist Methodius Wejerx, Professor of Magecraft of the East Wing in the University of Zeltiva. I operate a shop along the Kabrin Road and I hold a combined illiquid capital of upwards of ten thousand. I require capital for the use of a magecraft operation that will be conducted within my visit here, and you will be repaid by the end of my visit."
The loanshark listened carefully as he intensified his scrutiny on the mage as he spoke, taking his time to deliberate as he pondered for several moments. Finally, he seemed to be satisfied, and he nodded to himself before addressing the vantha.
"Where do you currently live in your stay here?"
"World's End Grotto, Room 101."
The nuit nodded again, making mental notes before stating clearly with a note of finality, "Principal of ten-thousand gold-rimmed mizas. Loan duration of ninety days. Interest of fifteen percent or one-thousand-five-hundred gold-rimmed mizas. Your loan will be delivered to your room by tomorrow morning which will be day one of your credit duration."
"Understood."
He could not do so, because this man was an essential key.
"I am a Magecrafter, with my competency certified by the University of Zeltiva. I graduated as an apprentice of Angvist Methodius Wejerx, Professor of Magecraft of the East Wing in the University of Zeltiva. I operate a shop along the Kabrin Road and I hold a combined illiquid capital of upwards of ten thousand. I require capital for the use of a magecraft operation that will be conducted within my visit here, and you will be repaid by the end of my visit."
The loanshark listened carefully as he intensified his scrutiny on the mage as he spoke, taking his time to deliberate as he pondered for several moments. Finally, he seemed to be satisfied, and he nodded to himself before addressing the vantha.
"Where do you currently live in your stay here?"
"World's End Grotto, Room 101."
The nuit nodded again, making mental notes before stating clearly with a note of finality, "Principal of ten-thousand gold-rimmed mizas. Loan duration of ninety days. Interest of fifteen percent or one-thousand-five-hundred gold-rimmed mizas. Your loan will be delivered to your room by tomorrow morning which will be day one of your credit duration."
"Understood."
Staff Offices, East Wing, University of Zeltiva
Evening
"Why if it isn't my old boy. Look at him now, all grown up and... You did not age a single bit. What sorcery is this?!"
"You know that I am a son of Leth, Professor, and it is nice to see you."
The familiar theatrics of the eccentric, stout researcher was a welcome sight especially after the uncomfortable events in the afternoon.
"So I hear that my boy's all ready to tackle his own project now."
"Only with your guidance, dear Professor."
"You do know that I'm busy advancing Resonant Harmonics ever since the last of the pioneer decided to meet Lhex a couple of seasons ago, right? What would I do when Dira comes for me? Should I seek immortality, like you have? The wonders I would do..."
"You're getting off-tangent again, Professor."
"Oh right, right, I am. Age does catch up to you, my boy, something that... your kind will never understand. I do prefer you with your cyan eyes and aurora hair though, could you change back? This horns and... appearance is... unsettling."
Which is the reason why you always chose morning classes and lectures, and to always minimize your interactions with me at night.
"I did tell you that my appearance is out of my control-"
"You did, didn't you?"
It's not your fault.
The inventive mind still held, but it was heartbreaking to see the mild symptoms that signaled the onset of old age creeping up on such a dear figure.
So heartbreaking.
A blink or two and a fake cheery countenance.
"I figured that you might be willing to take time out of your busy schedule if I gave you this-"
A glass orb, infused with the energies of a variety of certain poisons and potions. The procurement of which took quite a number of gold as well as half of last season for Marcel to deliver.
"How did you know..."
You told me about it flippantly on the day that I graduated, but I could see the forlorn longing in that dismissive way that you gestured.
A small, sad smile, quickly covered up by a sprightly beam.
"It's a... lucky guess. I guess."
A forced sheepish grin.
"Well... I suppose I could drop by sometimes to help a little. Time to get the flutes out!"
"Two days later in our favorite room, yes? Will you do the booking or shall I?"
"I'll settle it with Sanderson under your name. Morning, as always?"
A hopeful look from the old mentor.
"Just like old times, Professor dear. Just like old times."
As the lone celestial figure walked away, a tide of nostalgia and sadness came upon him, and he wiped away a single tear.
"You know that I am a son of Leth, Professor, and it is nice to see you."
The familiar theatrics of the eccentric, stout researcher was a welcome sight especially after the uncomfortable events in the afternoon.
"So I hear that my boy's all ready to tackle his own project now."
"Only with your guidance, dear Professor."
"You do know that I'm busy advancing Resonant Harmonics ever since the last of the pioneer decided to meet Lhex a couple of seasons ago, right? What would I do when Dira comes for me? Should I seek immortality, like you have? The wonders I would do..."
"You're getting off-tangent again, Professor."
"Oh right, right, I am. Age does catch up to you, my boy, something that... your kind will never understand. I do prefer you with your cyan eyes and aurora hair though, could you change back? This horns and... appearance is... unsettling."
Which is the reason why you always chose morning classes and lectures, and to always minimize your interactions with me at night.
"I did tell you that my appearance is out of my control-"
"You did, didn't you?"
It's not your fault.
The inventive mind still held, but it was heartbreaking to see the mild symptoms that signaled the onset of old age creeping up on such a dear figure.
So heartbreaking.
A blink or two and a fake cheery countenance.
"I figured that you might be willing to take time out of your busy schedule if I gave you this-"
A glass orb, infused with the energies of a variety of certain poisons and potions. The procurement of which took quite a number of gold as well as half of last season for Marcel to deliver.
"How did you know..."
You told me about it flippantly on the day that I graduated, but I could see the forlorn longing in that dismissive way that you gestured.
A small, sad smile, quickly covered up by a sprightly beam.
"It's a... lucky guess. I guess."
A forced sheepish grin.
"Well... I suppose I could drop by sometimes to help a little. Time to get the flutes out!"
"Two days later in our favorite room, yes? Will you do the booking or shall I?"
"I'll settle it with Sanderson under your name. Morning, as always?"
A hopeful look from the old mentor.
"Just like old times, Professor dear. Just like old times."
As the lone celestial figure walked away, a tide of nostalgia and sadness came upon him, and he wiped away a single tear.
Day 23, Spring of 513 AV
World's End Grotto, Zeltiva
Morning
True to his word, the Mark had a bag of gold containing exactly ten thousand nilos' worth of gold-rimmed mizas waiting for him outside his door. It was held by a trembling, scruffy looking ruffian no older than eight, and though he looked like he had not eaten a meal in days and could really use a bath, he held the bag of gold in his clenched fists that could have been his ticket to a good life with immense fear. When Eridanus finally opened the door to adjourn for breakfast, the sight of the vantha brought so much relief to the boy that it made the vantha wonder just how much psychological control that the old nuit had in the hearts of the East Street denizens. How much fear, for them to dare to pickpocket an aristocrat's purse in a complex situation, than to picking a single coin out of a bag that contained so many.
"Innkeeper! Breakfast for two, please."
He placed the bag of gold in the small storage that every room had for personal belongings after placing a calculated amount of it into his own pouch, taking a quick moment to layer it with djed shields that blocked not only sigh - resulting in an unnatural blackness - but also against unwanted intrusion by adding a hair of his into the mix. All of it done weaved quickly as only a master could.
Locking the door, he clasped his hand on the shoulder of the messenger boy who continued to look expectantly at him, and he gestured towards the kitchen kindly, "Breakfast's on me."
"Innkeeper! Breakfast for two, please."
He placed the bag of gold in the small storage that every room had for personal belongings after placing a calculated amount of it into his own pouch, taking a quick moment to layer it with djed shields that blocked not only sigh - resulting in an unnatural blackness - but also against unwanted intrusion by adding a hair of his into the mix. All of it done weaved quickly as only a master could.
Locking the door, he clasped his hand on the shoulder of the messenger boy who continued to look expectantly at him, and he gestured towards the kitchen kindly, "Breakfast's on me."
The Cafeteria Hall, University of Zeltiva
Noon
"It is a fine day to be out, Mister Sol. What do you seek to ask for my services?" A seductive voice trailed dangerously softly from a luscious woman who was dressed not just to impress but also as a form of imposing her superiority over all else she meets. The air around her simply hinted that she did not suffer fools and time-wasters.
"I have a main question before we can begin, Professor Fianza. I have on good authority that certain materials from other worlds can serve as magecraft catalysts should conditions allow. What is your professional and academic opinion on this?"
"I have a main question before we can begin, Professor Fianza. I have on good authority that certain materials from other worlds can serve as magecraft catalysts should conditions allow. What is your professional and academic opinion on this?"
Dusty tomes filled the shelves of an area barely seen in the hall of knowledge. Many dared to tread upon its hallowed interiors, but few would investigate its depths in such a dogged manner. A young student of striking eyes and an even more prominent windswept hair that did not belong indoors brushed his fingers against the cover of a cobweb-caked tome, cringing in disgust as he read the title to himself softly.
...
[Junil Operations often require an additional complexity within; we found that instability often occurs in trios. While theoretical understanding has not yet been achieved among our contemporaries, this fact has been proven countless times in numerous - and expensive - empirical studies.]
[Some Alahean tomes have hinted at the ability of stable resources to provide a tether to the instability of Junil Operations, but only if the stability of which transcends certain boundaries. We have narrowed this down to include the following materials from a variety of common worlds known to us. However, it is with regret that we caution that some of these materials only work for some operations, and failing to work for others. It is our belief that further investigation can be done with regards to this, but our study stops here due to the insufficiency of funds.]
[With reference to the pioneering study done by Fijin, Mogus and Teranende, it is with pride that we declare the puzzle to the matching of cross-dimensional materials to the stabilization of Junil Operations as solved. By referencing Godek's groundbreaking Matrix, the ratios of which can be used as a coefficient to link the possible MC operations available to a certain facet of the aforementioned material's aura. The details of which to obtain this data - henceforth to be known as the Mentrim-Mogus(Junior) Factor - is included in Appendix A. Theoretical analysis of the Mentrim-Mogus Factor will be included in Appendix A-1, and an Aurist's guide to retrieve this data will be in Appendix A-2.]
[Mentrim and Mogus, Junior have succeeded on a scale that made less ripples in the academic community than it should. With regards to Resonant Harmonics, this bear good news in aiding to decrease the perceived rarity of catalysts...]
The last article, dated 499 by an eminent upstart that went by the initials of A.M.W. sealed the deal then.
...
[Junil Operations often require an additional complexity within; we found that instability often occurs in trios. While theoretical understanding has not yet been achieved among our contemporaries, this fact has been proven countless times in numerous - and expensive - empirical studies.]
[Some Alahean tomes have hinted at the ability of stable resources to provide a tether to the instability of Junil Operations, but only if the stability of which transcends certain boundaries. We have narrowed this down to include the following materials from a variety of common worlds known to us. However, it is with regret that we caution that some of these materials only work for some operations, and failing to work for others. It is our belief that further investigation can be done with regards to this, but our study stops here due to the insufficiency of funds.]
[With reference to the pioneering study done by Fijin, Mogus and Teranende, it is with pride that we declare the puzzle to the matching of cross-dimensional materials to the stabilization of Junil Operations as solved. By referencing Godek's groundbreaking Matrix, the ratios of which can be used as a coefficient to link the possible MC operations available to a certain facet of the aforementioned material's aura. The details of which to obtain this data - henceforth to be known as the Mentrim-Mogus(Junior) Factor - is included in Appendix A. Theoretical analysis of the Mentrim-Mogus Factor will be included in Appendix A-1, and an Aurist's guide to retrieve this data will be in Appendix A-2.]
[Mentrim and Mogus, Junior have succeeded on a scale that made less ripples in the academic community than it should. With regards to Resonant Harmonics, this bear good news in aiding to decrease the perceived rarity of catalysts...]
The last article, dated 499 by an eminent upstart that went by the initials of A.M.W. sealed the deal then.
And it would seal the deal now.
"My informed opinion, Mister Sol?" The Summoner questioned with a tinkling chuckle. "I also have it on good authority that I can retrieve the exact catalyst you need as long as you tell me what operation it is."
There is no doubt whose authority it is. There can only be one man in this University who has the perseverance and brilliance to pursue such a single-minded goal through the years.
"If you can guarantee-"
"Of course I can, Mister Sol. But such expertise do not come cheap. There is great cost to me - and my familiar - in such cases that I would expect to be quite properly compensated-"
"Would three hundred be enough to compensate you?"
Fianza directed a calculating gaze at the vantha, then laughed airily as she dismissed his proposal almost instantly.
"Now let's not play games here, Mister Sol. My lunch is almost done, and my coffee's warmth escapes even as we speak. Fifteen percent of your cost of assembly."
"Twenty percent of the portion that requires the catalyst, Professor."
That sentence caused her eyes to dull as she considered the mathematical implications of a higher percentage but lower portion, and her expression froze briefly as she stood there pondering, no doubt conversing telepathically with her familiar who was skulking somewhere.
"We have to apply cost where cost is due, to be fair," Eridanus added in a helpful tone. "Thirty percent, no higher."
She hesitated for a moment when he further raised the price. Of course, unknown to her, it had all been calculated prior to the conversation. It was all part of negotiation, the psychology of comparisons that someone people call the "buyer's trap".
"Of course, this only applies to catalysts, but if we talk reagents-"
"If we talk reagents in the future you have my assurance that it will be based on the full cost. It is only reasonable given the effects."
"Your rationale is sound, Mister Sol. So then what are the terms of our transaction then?"
"You will receive the details in a sealed parchment log delivered to your office tomorrow morning, Professor Fianza. I will require that the material stated in the log be delivered to MCL4 no later than the fifth day from tomorrow."
"Five days is a long time, Mister Sol," Fianza smirked, downing the rest of her coffee as she stood up, signaling the end of their appointment.
"My informed opinion, Mister Sol?" The Summoner questioned with a tinkling chuckle. "I also have it on good authority that I can retrieve the exact catalyst you need as long as you tell me what operation it is."
There is no doubt whose authority it is. There can only be one man in this University who has the perseverance and brilliance to pursue such a single-minded goal through the years.
"If you can guarantee-"
"Of course I can, Mister Sol. But such expertise do not come cheap. There is great cost to me - and my familiar - in such cases that I would expect to be quite properly compensated-"
"Would three hundred be enough to compensate you?"
Fianza directed a calculating gaze at the vantha, then laughed airily as she dismissed his proposal almost instantly.
"Now let's not play games here, Mister Sol. My lunch is almost done, and my coffee's warmth escapes even as we speak. Fifteen percent of your cost of assembly."
"Twenty percent of the portion that requires the catalyst, Professor."
That sentence caused her eyes to dull as she considered the mathematical implications of a higher percentage but lower portion, and her expression froze briefly as she stood there pondering, no doubt conversing telepathically with her familiar who was skulking somewhere.
"We have to apply cost where cost is due, to be fair," Eridanus added in a helpful tone. "Thirty percent, no higher."
She hesitated for a moment when he further raised the price. Of course, unknown to her, it had all been calculated prior to the conversation. It was all part of negotiation, the psychology of comparisons that someone people call the "buyer's trap".
"Of course, this only applies to catalysts, but if we talk reagents-"
"If we talk reagents in the future you have my assurance that it will be based on the full cost. It is only reasonable given the effects."
"Your rationale is sound, Mister Sol. So then what are the terms of our transaction then?"
"You will receive the details in a sealed parchment log delivered to your office tomorrow morning, Professor Fianza. I will require that the material stated in the log be delivered to MCL4 no later than the fifth day from tomorrow."
"Five days is a long time, Mister Sol," Fianza smirked, downing the rest of her coffee as she stood up, signaling the end of their appointment.
East Wing, University of Zeltiva
Evening
They were in an empty classroom, just two people. Eridanus had used his previous contacts within the University while he was a student to discreetly make queries regarding the current batch of students within the East Wing, and based on what he could infer about their personalities from his intelligence source he had narrowed down to a few. He required someone that was not only discreet, but also with a very specific set of proficiencies, and who has the intellectual imagination and mental capacity to use them to his specifications. He had already sadly dismissed three, and only two remain.
"I'm sorry but while you have grasped the sufficient concepts that I require, your elemental arsenal does not fit my requirements," The ethaefal sighed, dismissing the last student. In his guise as Syreus Ehm Sol the human vantha, he had worn robes and a cloak, obscuring most of his body and face from sight. More cloth from within shielded his face from within the hood, effectively removing possible suspicions of him being an ethaefal. Of course, the reputation of wizards being paranoid individuals helped to ensure no one question his garb, seeing it as normal for someone of his occupation.
"...Mister Sol?" A soft voice uttered from outside.
The first female in the huddle of testosterone-clustered pyromancers.
Maybe there was hope in this candidate. The past three human males that he had interviewed had admitted fire to being their first element, automatically disqualifying them since he did not expect them to be at a level to grasp three elements. That was right; he required two exact elements, and neither of them was fire. That also meant that he had to disqualify himself due to his first element being - ironically - fire as well.
"Miss-"
"Noire, sir. Reyaina Noire."
"Miss Noire, I have heard from a close friend of mine that you are currently enrolled in the East Wing. In fact, been enrolled for the past few seasons already."
"That is right, Mister Sol."
"Tell me, what elements do you possess?"
"I started off with water, sir, out of my faith for the Father of the Sea who saved me from drowning when I was a child. Then when my studies expanded I decided that the freedom of the skies were my calling."
Bingo.[i]
Eridanus could not help but grin when he heard those words, and this time he did not even have to maintain a neutral visage and control his expression because of the obscuring effect of his hood and of shadows. Still, he suppressed the growing excitement and anxiety in his voice.
"Why did you learn Reimancy?"
[i]If I ever hear one more word of 'to protect' again... which is basically a nice way of saying 'combat'...
A hypocritical stance, for he had learned it for the exact same thing. First impressed by its destructive potential, then later realizing its ability to customize to do even greater things. Anyone can destroy, but not anyone can create.
"For centuries us humans have been at the whims and mercy of nature, sir. By learning Reimancy, I hoped to take back some of the control of the elements in nature... bring it back to the humans and help to make it a better place."
A mind of creation...
Eridanus cheered silently, and asked a final answer, "What do you say then, to a project of creation and protection? The only things I require are your dedication and focus to this project, and your complete silence and secrecy is of the utmost importance. Of course, I will compensate you sufficiently for your assistance."
As she answered, both interviewer and candidate grinned openly together.
"I'm sorry but while you have grasped the sufficient concepts that I require, your elemental arsenal does not fit my requirements," The ethaefal sighed, dismissing the last student. In his guise as Syreus Ehm Sol the human vantha, he had worn robes and a cloak, obscuring most of his body and face from sight. More cloth from within shielded his face from within the hood, effectively removing possible suspicions of him being an ethaefal. Of course, the reputation of wizards being paranoid individuals helped to ensure no one question his garb, seeing it as normal for someone of his occupation.
"...Mister Sol?" A soft voice uttered from outside.
The first female in the huddle of testosterone-clustered pyromancers.
Maybe there was hope in this candidate. The past three human males that he had interviewed had admitted fire to being their first element, automatically disqualifying them since he did not expect them to be at a level to grasp three elements. That was right; he required two exact elements, and neither of them was fire. That also meant that he had to disqualify himself due to his first element being - ironically - fire as well.
"Miss-"
"Noire, sir. Reyaina Noire."
"Miss Noire, I have heard from a close friend of mine that you are currently enrolled in the East Wing. In fact, been enrolled for the past few seasons already."
"That is right, Mister Sol."
"Tell me, what elements do you possess?"
"I started off with water, sir, out of my faith for the Father of the Sea who saved me from drowning when I was a child. Then when my studies expanded I decided that the freedom of the skies were my calling."
Bingo.[i]
Eridanus could not help but grin when he heard those words, and this time he did not even have to maintain a neutral visage and control his expression because of the obscuring effect of his hood and of shadows. Still, he suppressed the growing excitement and anxiety in his voice.
"Why did you learn Reimancy?"
[i]If I ever hear one more word of 'to protect' again... which is basically a nice way of saying 'combat'...
A hypocritical stance, for he had learned it for the exact same thing. First impressed by its destructive potential, then later realizing its ability to customize to do even greater things. Anyone can destroy, but not anyone can create.
"For centuries us humans have been at the whims and mercy of nature, sir. By learning Reimancy, I hoped to take back some of the control of the elements in nature... bring it back to the humans and help to make it a better place."
A mind of creation...
Eridanus cheered silently, and asked a final answer, "What do you say then, to a project of creation and protection? The only things I require are your dedication and focus to this project, and your complete silence and secrecy is of the utmost importance. Of course, I will compensate you sufficiently for your assistance."
As she answered, both interviewer and candidate grinned openly together.
World's End Grotto, Zeltiva
Night
Eridanus frowned as he sat on his bed, a series of parchment sprawled over his desk as he turned over the plans in his mind for a final moment.
Do not hesitate, you have been deliberating this for a season already. And now your time has finally come.
This was the time for action, for the time for deliberation and concerted planning was over.
Taking his quill with renewed conviction, he began to write a series of instructions detailing the exact process of what he had in mind, taking his time to print the words clearly and legibly so that there would be no misunderstandings as to the meaning and contents of the instructions. Sealing the letters, he directed the waiting courier outside his room to enter and gave him two sealed letters, both with similar yet different and separate instructions, both addressed to different offices in the University.
Do not hesitate, you have been deliberating this for a season already. And now your time has finally come.
This was the time for action, for the time for deliberation and concerted planning was over.
Taking his quill with renewed conviction, he began to write a series of instructions detailing the exact process of what he had in mind, taking his time to print the words clearly and legibly so that there would be no misunderstandings as to the meaning and contents of the instructions. Sealing the letters, he directed the waiting courier outside his room to enter and gave him two sealed letters, both with similar yet different and separate instructions, both addressed to different offices in the University.
Day 24, Spring of 513 AV
MCL4, Toadstool Cluster, University of Zeltiva
Morning
MCL4: MageCraft Laboratory Number Four.
Just the name of that room brought warm, nostalgic memories back to the vantha, and entering the room to see the all-too-familiar clutter made him smile uncontrollably. The welcome sight of Wejerx already inside, sipping on a flask of tea - no doubt made for him by his current apprentice, just as what Eridanus would have done if it were eight years ago - as he frowned at a scroll of parchment, its broken seal dangling off at the end as it hung over a haphazardly placed wooden stool.
The mage could not count the number of times that they had used this particular room, testament to the sheer number of lab sessions they had here. It was no doubt influenced by the fact that Wejerx had his own personal cabinet stowed away in the corner of this lab, and of course the fact that the majority of Resonant Harmonics instruments were placed here helped as well. The other labs held other instruments meant for other paradigms, such as the tongs and hammers for Impact Smithing in another room. In a way, after spending so much time here in the past during those four grueling years of research and study, this room for Resonant Harmonics felt like it was his room, his and Wejerx's.
"This is a little... ambitious, is it not?" Wejerx ventured as the professor studied the precise words in the very familiar handwriting upon the scroll.
"I have full confidence that it will work, Professor. I have deliberated upon the theoretical mechanics and I believe that-"
"No doubt you have, my boy. If you haven't I would have never approved you getting that certificate. What is research?"
Eridanus grinned at the familiar question, and as he answered in that same intonation that he always used, memories of the past few instances where he answered this exact same question in that exact same voice and tonal inflections came back to his mind.
"Research is the bedrock to all progress in science and magic!"
"Atta boy!" The old wizard's eyes softened as he considered the vantha fondly in a split second of poignancy, then a form of blankness overtook his eyes as he shook his head, then continued in a disjointed voice. "I will work on the composition of the parts you requested, boy. You just focus on your thing."
Eridanus nodded as he glanced upon the wizard with a moment of sadness. That quick instance of weakness was not lost on the ex-student, and he knew that to a man so brilliant who highly valued creativity, imagination and mental agility, the biggest irony was not the man himself lamenting the degeneration, but the pain was on people who mattered. And one of the few who cared was a single lone vantha who appeared before the University, looking lost but eager to learn.
Staring at the item that he had brought with him from his small establishment, it now stood upon the pedestal covered in runes that he had seen so many times that he could memorize it all. The slant of the path sigil at a forty-five degrees near edge of the box, and the way the focus sigils at the bottom tended to be flattened in an oval shape rather than going a full circle. He remembered it all.
Understanding that it was time to act, the magecrafter rummaged through the shelves before he found the enchanted tuning fork that he was looking for.
"Magic time," He announced, feeling the rush of adrenaline that always accompanied whenever the chime of the ringing instrument sounded that signaled the start of a magecraft operation.
And he struck the fork.
Just the name of that room brought warm, nostalgic memories back to the vantha, and entering the room to see the all-too-familiar clutter made him smile uncontrollably. The welcome sight of Wejerx already inside, sipping on a flask of tea - no doubt made for him by his current apprentice, just as what Eridanus would have done if it were eight years ago - as he frowned at a scroll of parchment, its broken seal dangling off at the end as it hung over a haphazardly placed wooden stool.
The mage could not count the number of times that they had used this particular room, testament to the sheer number of lab sessions they had here. It was no doubt influenced by the fact that Wejerx had his own personal cabinet stowed away in the corner of this lab, and of course the fact that the majority of Resonant Harmonics instruments were placed here helped as well. The other labs held other instruments meant for other paradigms, such as the tongs and hammers for Impact Smithing in another room. In a way, after spending so much time here in the past during those four grueling years of research and study, this room for Resonant Harmonics felt like it was his room, his and Wejerx's.
"This is a little... ambitious, is it not?" Wejerx ventured as the professor studied the precise words in the very familiar handwriting upon the scroll.
"I have full confidence that it will work, Professor. I have deliberated upon the theoretical mechanics and I believe that-"
"No doubt you have, my boy. If you haven't I would have never approved you getting that certificate. What is research?"
Eridanus grinned at the familiar question, and as he answered in that same intonation that he always used, memories of the past few instances where he answered this exact same question in that exact same voice and tonal inflections came back to his mind.
"Research is the bedrock to all progress in science and magic!"
"Atta boy!" The old wizard's eyes softened as he considered the vantha fondly in a split second of poignancy, then a form of blankness overtook his eyes as he shook his head, then continued in a disjointed voice. "I will work on the composition of the parts you requested, boy. You just focus on your thing."
Eridanus nodded as he glanced upon the wizard with a moment of sadness. That quick instance of weakness was not lost on the ex-student, and he knew that to a man so brilliant who highly valued creativity, imagination and mental agility, the biggest irony was not the man himself lamenting the degeneration, but the pain was on people who mattered. And one of the few who cared was a single lone vantha who appeared before the University, looking lost but eager to learn.
Staring at the item that he had brought with him from his small establishment, it now stood upon the pedestal covered in runes that he had seen so many times that he could memorize it all. The slant of the path sigil at a forty-five degrees near edge of the box, and the way the focus sigils at the bottom tended to be flattened in an oval shape rather than going a full circle. He remembered it all.
Understanding that it was time to act, the magecrafter rummaged through the shelves before he found the enchanted tuning fork that he was looking for.
"Magic time," He announced, feeling the rush of adrenaline that always accompanied whenever the chime of the ringing instrument sounded that signaled the start of a magecraft operation.
And he struck the fork.
Days 25-27, Spring of 513 AV
Through the next few days, Eridanus spent full days in the lab with the old wizard, the mentor-apprentice duo brought together by fate and mortal determination once more to fulfill an act of divine creation. The student Noire had been sworn into secrecy, and understandably she had been first disturbed by the need for such covert actions to an extent, but when she saw that the eminent magecraft professor was involved in it too she had thrown away her misgivings and strengthened her resolutions.
The discipline that felled the god who gifted it, the finest science and art of magic that bestowed the power of the gods upon the mortals. A form of understanding so complex that adding the suffix 'engineering' would fit, yet having such a rich complexity that the prefix 'art' could suffice too. Thus, resulting in a simple but astounding term. A name that hid histories of genius and inventions, and of suffering and bloodshed.
Magecraft.
Full days were spent in the lab, with meals delivered outside and brought in by either Eridanus or Wejerx, but never allowing anyone to peek into the lab. At night before he locked up the lab with the usual protocols he added an additional layer of shields and glyphs throughout the room, fortifying the shields with arcane rigor should unwanted intrusion be detected, and with instructions upon the djed constructs to block against sight, sound and of unauthorized biological intrusion through the use of a small scratch sample from both magecrafters. In the day Noire would be together with them, helping to feed her res into the item's djed field in a process of familiarizing their 'djed synchronization ratio', a crucial aspect in configuring magic into an item.
At night after they locked up the lab, the scholar would bring the reimancer to the shores of the city for night experiments. He had done several calculations based on theories derived from books and innocuous questions to experts, but he had to convince himself of the validity and accuracy of the calculations before actually implementing it. The costs involved were too high not to. And thus, every night would be the usual routine. He would first use Auristics to estimate the current and total potential of her djed capacity - all the while fending off the aroma of brownies as a result of his soul damage - and after a moment of deliberation he would place a series of complex glyphs upon her arm meant to do several things. Firstly, it would be to limit her per-djed usage for each spell as a means of calibrating equal variability in each experimental session with respect to the planned configuration of the item enchantment. Secondly, it would also restrict her from using any more magic if the next spell would result in her not having enough djed for the next day's operation. This was done via a highly advanced path sigil routine where when the trigger is activated, her djed outflow would be redirected back inwards in a cycle, thus resulting in no net outflow. All of these had already been carefully calculated from an estimate of her aura so that there would be no mishaps. Her djed had to be in sufficient form every day as long as the magecrafting operation as active in order for this to succeed.
Slowly, he worked on changing the internal djed pathways of the item, sometimes playing the flute according to a score that he had written the night before, or playing the viola based on a score written by Wejerx. They created the base foundations for the entire operation, but more importantly began by adding the first step - the creation of a rudimentary intelligence that would respond to stimuli to activate an unknown behavioral ability - which would was left blank intentionally to be filled in later.
Both instruments produced unearthly sounds, and based on their inner construction should never have made a sound at all. But for now, they made music charged with the sizzling power to twist and warp mundane objects into something not found in nature. They beheld the sound to change, and with change, the power to create. It was a form of dominance felt by magecrafters that others not in the field would never understand.
Hubris on the highest level intermingled with an incomparable elation.
The discipline that felled the god who gifted it, the finest science and art of magic that bestowed the power of the gods upon the mortals. A form of understanding so complex that adding the suffix 'engineering' would fit, yet having such a rich complexity that the prefix 'art' could suffice too. Thus, resulting in a simple but astounding term. A name that hid histories of genius and inventions, and of suffering and bloodshed.
Magecraft.
Full days were spent in the lab, with meals delivered outside and brought in by either Eridanus or Wejerx, but never allowing anyone to peek into the lab. At night before he locked up the lab with the usual protocols he added an additional layer of shields and glyphs throughout the room, fortifying the shields with arcane rigor should unwanted intrusion be detected, and with instructions upon the djed constructs to block against sight, sound and of unauthorized biological intrusion through the use of a small scratch sample from both magecrafters. In the day Noire would be together with them, helping to feed her res into the item's djed field in a process of familiarizing their 'djed synchronization ratio', a crucial aspect in configuring magic into an item.
At night after they locked up the lab, the scholar would bring the reimancer to the shores of the city for night experiments. He had done several calculations based on theories derived from books and innocuous questions to experts, but he had to convince himself of the validity and accuracy of the calculations before actually implementing it. The costs involved were too high not to. And thus, every night would be the usual routine. He would first use Auristics to estimate the current and total potential of her djed capacity - all the while fending off the aroma of brownies as a result of his soul damage - and after a moment of deliberation he would place a series of complex glyphs upon her arm meant to do several things. Firstly, it would be to limit her per-djed usage for each spell as a means of calibrating equal variability in each experimental session with respect to the planned configuration of the item enchantment. Secondly, it would also restrict her from using any more magic if the next spell would result in her not having enough djed for the next day's operation. This was done via a highly advanced path sigil routine where when the trigger is activated, her djed outflow would be redirected back inwards in a cycle, thus resulting in no net outflow. All of these had already been carefully calculated from an estimate of her aura so that there would be no mishaps. Her djed had to be in sufficient form every day as long as the magecrafting operation as active in order for this to succeed.
Slowly, he worked on changing the internal djed pathways of the item, sometimes playing the flute according to a score that he had written the night before, or playing the viola based on a score written by Wejerx. They created the base foundations for the entire operation, but more importantly began by adding the first step - the creation of a rudimentary intelligence that would respond to stimuli to activate an unknown behavioral ability - which would was left blank intentionally to be filled in later.
Both instruments produced unearthly sounds, and based on their inner construction should never have made a sound at all. But for now, they made music charged with the sizzling power to twist and warp mundane objects into something not found in nature. They beheld the sound to change, and with change, the power to create. It was a form of dominance felt by magecrafters that others not in the field would never understand.
Hubris on the highest level intermingled with an incomparable elation.
Day 28, Spring of 513 AV
On the fifth day and the last day of the deadline given to Fianza by the vantha, a parcel arrived outside the laboratory door with a note written messily tacked to it, in a departure from the usual, careful and meticulously neat cursive style of the Summoner.
[Sol:
Ran into larger problems than expected. Familiar on recovery and emergency resources consumed. Either I ran into a former nemesis or someone, something, out there really has a vendetta against you. I pray to whichever god you worship that whatever you're making, it's not something that could warrant cross-dimensional interference.
[Sol:
Ran into larger problems than expected. Familiar on recovery and emergency resources consumed. Either I ran into a former nemesis or someone, something, out there really has a vendetta against you. I pray to whichever god you worship that whatever you're making, it's not something that could warrant cross-dimensional interference.
-Fianza]
Eridanus smirked grimly upon reading it, bringing the parcel into the lab and firmly locking the door behind him, double-checking the wards that he had weaved upon the door before returning to the pedestal. As he walked, he stretched the arm holding the note out to a nearby candle, letting it burn into nothingness.
"Our catalyst is here!" The vantha announced, and Wejerx looked up from the musical score that he was studying with delight.
"Excellent, and just in time too. We can finally continue."
Eridanus turned to the student who had been watching the item carefully for any signs of res rejection - for he had already instructed her prior. Previously all she had been doing was familiarization with the item and, with the aid of the magecrafters, fortifying the item's capacity for djed storage. Now it was time to implement utility, and the first step was to ensure no res rejection.
"Remember what I told you about controlling your res after you feed it into the object? If there is no res rejection, you will proceed as instructed while we go on to the next stage of development."
Wejerx smiled, dusting off a heavily glyphed harp as his fingers stood ready. Eridanus had a smaller harp already hoisted up, and he motioned for everyone to get ready like a conductor in an orchestra.
"5... 6... 7... 8!"
"Our catalyst is here!" The vantha announced, and Wejerx looked up from the musical score that he was studying with delight.
"Excellent, and just in time too. We can finally continue."
Eridanus turned to the student who had been watching the item carefully for any signs of res rejection - for he had already instructed her prior. Previously all she had been doing was familiarization with the item and, with the aid of the magecrafters, fortifying the item's capacity for djed storage. Now it was time to implement utility, and the first step was to ensure no res rejection.
"Remember what I told you about controlling your res after you feed it into the object? If there is no res rejection, you will proceed as instructed while we go on to the next stage of development."
Wejerx smiled, dusting off a heavily glyphed harp as his fingers stood ready. Eridanus had a smaller harp already hoisted up, and he motioned for everyone to get ready like a conductor in an orchestra.
"5... 6... 7... 8!"
Days 29-32, Spring of 513 AV
In the span of the next few days, the general same schedule was adhered to. Noire had gotten a letter of absence approved by Professor Wejerx from her courses for these few days due to the need for everyone involved to spend the entire day in the laboratory. The only difference was that the night experiments had ceased due to Eridanus having gained the necessary data he required. The processes involved during the work done in the day had changed as well, with Noire contributing to a larger portion now.
Previously, Eridanus and Wejerx had taken turns performing the primary role of magecrafter, setting up the infrastructure and foundations, but leaving the necessary variables blank and ready to be implemented. With the data that the ethaefal had gathered, combined with the success of res input and absence of res rejection of the enchantment, and with the arrival of the highly crucial catalyst, they could go on to the next stage of the project.
The pedestal was actually hollow underneath, and a drawer compartment could be revealed by pulling a knob under the top surface where the enchanted item was placed. This was meant to be the place where catalysts and optional reagents were to be placed, and Eridanus carefully inserted Fianza's item - an oddly shaped piece of pulsating ore that glowed with otherworldly pallor - into the drawer, shutting it back into the pedestal.
By adding more glyphs to transfer the transcendental stability of the cross-dimensional object into the magecrafted item, it allowed for the team to progress to expanding its root repertoire. Noire continued to feed res into it, her mind manipulating transmutation instructions while her res interacted with the djed fields of the object. Simultaneously, Eridanus and Wejerx began to play an interweaving combination of harmony and melody from compositions systematically assembled prior, instructing the object in the proper behavioral use of its magic.
Previously, Eridanus and Wejerx had taken turns performing the primary role of magecrafter, setting up the infrastructure and foundations, but leaving the necessary variables blank and ready to be implemented. With the data that the ethaefal had gathered, combined with the success of res input and absence of res rejection of the enchantment, and with the arrival of the highly crucial catalyst, they could go on to the next stage of the project.
The pedestal was actually hollow underneath, and a drawer compartment could be revealed by pulling a knob under the top surface where the enchanted item was placed. This was meant to be the place where catalysts and optional reagents were to be placed, and Eridanus carefully inserted Fianza's item - an oddly shaped piece of pulsating ore that glowed with otherworldly pallor - into the drawer, shutting it back into the pedestal.
By adding more glyphs to transfer the transcendental stability of the cross-dimensional object into the magecrafted item, it allowed for the team to progress to expanding its root repertoire. Noire continued to feed res into it, her mind manipulating transmutation instructions while her res interacted with the djed fields of the object. Simultaneously, Eridanus and Wejerx began to play an interweaving combination of harmony and melody from compositions systematically assembled prior, instructing the object in the proper behavioral use of its magic.
Day 33, Spring of 513 AV
MCL4, Toadstool Cluster, University of Zeltiva
Late Afternoon
The entire project was at hand. This was the moment that Eridanus had been waiting for, and he awaited with sizzling anticipation as he prepared to play the last flute solo that they would need to complete the behavioral specifications. Based on his prior calculations, adjusted to account for pragmatic and experimental differences based on the data he gathered with his nightly sessions with Noire, he composed the flute notes accordingly. As Noire furrowed her stare at the item in a last burst of focus after days of sustained fatigue, he began to play the flute, with Wejerx plucking on the harp as accompaniment.
This scene might seem random, but there was a perfectly logical rationale for every act. Noire commanded the magical enhancement category of the operation, and as the behavioral step requires the utilization of a djed pool, her actions harmonized with the flute. The flute commanded the behavioral steps, which was written and specified by Eridanus. However, because the intellectual enhancement was concerned with the activation of the behavioral steps, the harp was required as a support accompaniment by Wejerx, playing the harmonic baseline. Everything was linked, and everything was related.
And, with a final triumphant flair, Eridanus completed the last note in his composition, with Wejerx splaying five fingers against the last harp string to signal an end. Noire's eyes closed for several seconds as she stumbled onto a chair, shoulders slumped in relieved rest.
"We are done," Eridanus declared, gesturing to his dedicated team. An expression of elation framed his features despite the evident fatigue in his drooping posture, but it was finally done. Ten grueling days of an ambitious project. The only step was to place the item into a basin of specially djed-charged water that the ethaefal had prepared beforehand with advanced glyphs - a similar process to creating djed-wire.
After doing so, he congratulated both members of his team, instructing Noire to meet him two evenings later for her compensation, and with a final warning for secrecy to her, he patted Wejerx warmly on the shoulder, then closed up the lab with the usual precautions.
This scene might seem random, but there was a perfectly logical rationale for every act. Noire commanded the magical enhancement category of the operation, and as the behavioral step requires the utilization of a djed pool, her actions harmonized with the flute. The flute commanded the behavioral steps, which was written and specified by Eridanus. However, because the intellectual enhancement was concerned with the activation of the behavioral steps, the harp was required as a support accompaniment by Wejerx, playing the harmonic baseline. Everything was linked, and everything was related.
And, with a final triumphant flair, Eridanus completed the last note in his composition, with Wejerx splaying five fingers against the last harp string to signal an end. Noire's eyes closed for several seconds as she stumbled onto a chair, shoulders slumped in relieved rest.
"We are done," Eridanus declared, gesturing to his dedicated team. An expression of elation framed his features despite the evident fatigue in his drooping posture, but it was finally done. Ten grueling days of an ambitious project. The only step was to place the item into a basin of specially djed-charged water that the ethaefal had prepared beforehand with advanced glyphs - a similar process to creating djed-wire.
After doing so, he congratulated both members of his team, instructing Noire to meet him two evenings later for her compensation, and with a final warning for secrecy to her, he patted Wejerx warmly on the shoulder, then closed up the lab with the usual precautions.
Day 34, Spring of 513 AV
Customs Office, Zeltiva
Morning
"Salesmen don't find us; we'll find them when we need something," The man replied in an off-handed manner. Despite his flippant tone, his eyes remained sharp, piercing and calculative as he surveyed the visiting vantha critically. George Grimtook was an intimidating man, both in the presence that he projected and the authority that he held on behalf of the Sailor's Guild.
"Not even something that could guarantee the safety of your ships against pirates? Even for especially important cargo or ships holding highly crucial personnel on certain highly crucial tasks?"
Grimtook narrowed his eyes upon this arrogant claim, silently signifying for the vantha to continue.
"I have, in my possession, a certain object that can do exactly as I said. The details are in here-", Eridanus slid a carefully notated sheet of parchment across the desk in the guildsman's office.
He could feel his heart pounding nervously as silence reigned while Grimtook read the note in a slow and deliberate manner. It was similar to the wait of the hunt and the calm of the storm, that tense period when nothing happened and there was nothing one could do except wait, knowing that the next explosive moment would matter.
"Interesting... interesting..." Grimtook murmured. That was until he reached the most important part - the proposed cost. The Sailor's Guild was a powerful and wealthy organization, yet the proposed transaction price proved to be material enough to be a pause in consideration. He thought about this for a moment, then replied, "The stakes involved are beyond my station. Instead, we will require the presence of several guild elders. They happen to be free this afternoon, be prepared to demonstrate your product and to persuade them. That is all I can do for you."
"Thank you," Eridanus murmured, as he gestured for Grimtook to keep the parchment that received.
It was time to head back to the University to collect his very important package.
"Not even something that could guarantee the safety of your ships against pirates? Even for especially important cargo or ships holding highly crucial personnel on certain highly crucial tasks?"
Grimtook narrowed his eyes upon this arrogant claim, silently signifying for the vantha to continue.
"I have, in my possession, a certain object that can do exactly as I said. The details are in here-", Eridanus slid a carefully notated sheet of parchment across the desk in the guildsman's office.
He could feel his heart pounding nervously as silence reigned while Grimtook read the note in a slow and deliberate manner. It was similar to the wait of the hunt and the calm of the storm, that tense period when nothing happened and there was nothing one could do except wait, knowing that the next explosive moment would matter.
"Interesting... interesting..." Grimtook murmured. That was until he reached the most important part - the proposed cost. The Sailor's Guild was a powerful and wealthy organization, yet the proposed transaction price proved to be material enough to be a pause in consideration. He thought about this for a moment, then replied, "The stakes involved are beyond my station. Instead, we will require the presence of several guild elders. They happen to be free this afternoon, be prepared to demonstrate your product and to persuade them. That is all I can do for you."
"Thank you," Eridanus murmured, as he gestured for Grimtook to keep the parchment that received.
It was time to head back to the University to collect his very important package.
The Docks, Zeltiva
Afternoon
The air was tense indeed, with the presence of several important members of the guild gathered together. Ordinarily, Eridanus would have expected a season's worth of waiting at least, but apparently Grimtook had used his persuasive powers to instantly call for a congregation. It was no doubt thanks to the insider knowledge he received about their demand for such an object, possibly due to a certain important cargo or quest. He had not inquired for the specifics, only the requirements.
Several people stood before the pier that separated the land from the sea. The mage recognized one of them to be Grimtook, and the two people beside him to be Veraline Kendrick, Dockmaster of the Sailor's Guild and Ethan Wayfarer, Steward of the Shipyard. Several older men stood in line as well, their age apparent on their frowning faces as they awaited the demonstration.
Eridanus stood with his "item", a strange object that he had gone great lengths to commission while he was back in his establishment. It was fortunate that he was well-versed in Syliras having lived in and passed by that city so many times in his past, that he knew of the existence of various master craftsmen.
...
[Mister Vizerian of The Ironworks,
I am Syreus Ehm Sol, the owner of a humble establishment a little outside of Syliras known as Wonderland. As part of my upcoming project, I require your specialized expertise. If you are amenable to this request, I will attach my specifications and requirements in the following letter. Do also include your quotation for the use of your honored time.
-Syreus Ehm Sol]
[Mister Sol,
As I am incredibly busy with custom orders from important customers, your project must fulfill a minimum level of complexity that would require my skills, if not please refer to any one of my apprentices or assistants. If you still believe that your project fits this criteria, proceed with your blueprints and I will offer a quotation should its difficulty requires myself to accomplish its creation.
-Ros Vizerian]
[Mister Vizerian,
I have full faith that your esteemed skills are indeed crucial to the successful completion of my custom order. The plans are as attached:
"Basically a solid cube, about ten by ten by ten inches in dimensions, with the following requirements:
1) An empty, spherical space of exactly two inch radius at the exact core of the box
2) A circular hole at the center of a square-face of the box, approximately one inch radius
3) Square faces in (2) amount to four in such a way that the two untouched faces are opposite from each other
4) Said holes must tunnel in a straight manner towards - and connecting with - empty sphere within
5) A method to which the cube can be opened in a similar way to a locket; separation point to be along the four square faces mentioned in (3) at the middle point. This means that the sphere space and the four tunnels will be evenly bisected
6) This is meant to be long-term equipment; I am unfamiliar with any other materials than Bronze, Iron, Steel and Cold Steel. I will subject the choice of materials to your professional opinion."
Do revert to me as soon as possible.
-Syreus Ehm Sol]
[Mister Sol,
I accept your project. Based on my estimations, I will suggest the use of an advanced alloy known as Maraging Steel. It will offer the strength you need since it is not meant as a weapon but as a "long term equipment".
I will accept this project for a commissioning fee of four hundred gold-rimmed mizas. This includes the cost of materials involved as well as the expertise and labor of myself and my assistants. Forward half that amount to me and I will begin work as soon as I receive the gold. The other half will be due upon my delivery of your box to you, pending your satisfaction that the work has been performed to your requirements.
-Ros Vizerian]
[Miss Holbrad of Inner Fire Glass,
I have heard from your customers that you are rather amenable to custom work. I wish to obtain a quotation for the following items. Do revert to me as to your acceptance.
"1) One two inch radius perfect glass sphere
2) Four solid, circular tubes of one inch radius and four inch length
3) The four tubes are to be connected in a flawless manner to the sphere such that they are arranged in an equal cross shape upon a single flat plane with said flat plane to be a bisection of the sphere
4) I require the glass to be of a material suitable for magic, in terms of harnessing and transferring of energies. As I am unfamiliar with the intricacies of glassworking, I will rely on your professional judgement on this"
-Syreus Ehm Sol]
...
...
...tbc
...
...
"What is one of the most feared dangers of the sea to ships?" Eridanus dangled mysteriously with a grin. There were subtle whispers among the elder crowd as they speculated on what he said. "A ship of the biggest importance, on a quest of the most crucial. While a pact may be made with the Svefrans, no such thing can be made of the greedy privateers of Sunberth and others elsewhere. Now, you cannot let your quest fail, can you?"
This was part of the methodology to a successful negotiation. Like all entertainment, drama and intrigue was an important factor. While some call it a business demonstration, in actuality it was more like a play. This was his stage, he had his props, his audience was transfixed, and he was the director of it all, manipulating the progression of the story. Introduction, main plot, climax, epilogue. That was the way it was, just like how storytelling goes in Alvadas. He had not lived in the city of illusions, tricks and performance for so long for nothing.
"Your crew tire, your supplies spent. Ships upon ships of privateer seek to steal your precious cargo, to delay your progress, but you cannot stop. You cannot afford to. Then in the distance, a shadow came upon the world. A dangerous armada of the greatest pirates the world had seen, and they had seen fit to mobilize their entire army to obtain your cargo. What would you do?"
Eridanus paused for a moment to let the implication of this sink in.
"Watch, and be dazzled," He intoned, holding out the cube with his arms into the sea. Attached djed-wires, insulated against the water with arcane shields that he had weaved himself splayed out further into the sea like inanimate tentacles as he himself stood waist-deep into the water.
Whispering the name of the enchanted item that served as a trigger, he declared the final word out loud for dramatic effect, "... Activate!"
There was a low hum of dramatic tension as the cube began to power up.
TBC
Several people stood before the pier that separated the land from the sea. The mage recognized one of them to be Grimtook, and the two people beside him to be Veraline Kendrick, Dockmaster of the Sailor's Guild and Ethan Wayfarer, Steward of the Shipyard. Several older men stood in line as well, their age apparent on their frowning faces as they awaited the demonstration.
Eridanus stood with his "item", a strange object that he had gone great lengths to commission while he was back in his establishment. It was fortunate that he was well-versed in Syliras having lived in and passed by that city so many times in his past, that he knew of the existence of various master craftsmen.
...
[Mister Vizerian of The Ironworks,
I am Syreus Ehm Sol, the owner of a humble establishment a little outside of Syliras known as Wonderland. As part of my upcoming project, I require your specialized expertise. If you are amenable to this request, I will attach my specifications and requirements in the following letter. Do also include your quotation for the use of your honored time.
-Syreus Ehm Sol]
[Mister Sol,
As I am incredibly busy with custom orders from important customers, your project must fulfill a minimum level of complexity that would require my skills, if not please refer to any one of my apprentices or assistants. If you still believe that your project fits this criteria, proceed with your blueprints and I will offer a quotation should its difficulty requires myself to accomplish its creation.
-Ros Vizerian]
[Mister Vizerian,
I have full faith that your esteemed skills are indeed crucial to the successful completion of my custom order. The plans are as attached:
"Basically a solid cube, about ten by ten by ten inches in dimensions, with the following requirements:
1) An empty, spherical space of exactly two inch radius at the exact core of the box
2) A circular hole at the center of a square-face of the box, approximately one inch radius
3) Square faces in (2) amount to four in such a way that the two untouched faces are opposite from each other
4) Said holes must tunnel in a straight manner towards - and connecting with - empty sphere within
5) A method to which the cube can be opened in a similar way to a locket; separation point to be along the four square faces mentioned in (3) at the middle point. This means that the sphere space and the four tunnels will be evenly bisected
6) This is meant to be long-term equipment; I am unfamiliar with any other materials than Bronze, Iron, Steel and Cold Steel. I will subject the choice of materials to your professional opinion."
Do revert to me as soon as possible.
-Syreus Ehm Sol]
[Mister Sol,
I accept your project. Based on my estimations, I will suggest the use of an advanced alloy known as Maraging Steel. It will offer the strength you need since it is not meant as a weapon but as a "long term equipment".
I will accept this project for a commissioning fee of four hundred gold-rimmed mizas. This includes the cost of materials involved as well as the expertise and labor of myself and my assistants. Forward half that amount to me and I will begin work as soon as I receive the gold. The other half will be due upon my delivery of your box to you, pending your satisfaction that the work has been performed to your requirements.
-Ros Vizerian]
[Miss Holbrad of Inner Fire Glass,
I have heard from your customers that you are rather amenable to custom work. I wish to obtain a quotation for the following items. Do revert to me as to your acceptance.
"1) One two inch radius perfect glass sphere
2) Four solid, circular tubes of one inch radius and four inch length
3) The four tubes are to be connected in a flawless manner to the sphere such that they are arranged in an equal cross shape upon a single flat plane with said flat plane to be a bisection of the sphere
4) I require the glass to be of a material suitable for magic, in terms of harnessing and transferring of energies. As I am unfamiliar with the intricacies of glassworking, I will rely on your professional judgement on this"
-Syreus Ehm Sol]
...
...
...tbc
...
...
"What is one of the most feared dangers of the sea to ships?" Eridanus dangled mysteriously with a grin. There were subtle whispers among the elder crowd as they speculated on what he said. "A ship of the biggest importance, on a quest of the most crucial. While a pact may be made with the Svefrans, no such thing can be made of the greedy privateers of Sunberth and others elsewhere. Now, you cannot let your quest fail, can you?"
This was part of the methodology to a successful negotiation. Like all entertainment, drama and intrigue was an important factor. While some call it a business demonstration, in actuality it was more like a play. This was his stage, he had his props, his audience was transfixed, and he was the director of it all, manipulating the progression of the story. Introduction, main plot, climax, epilogue. That was the way it was, just like how storytelling goes in Alvadas. He had not lived in the city of illusions, tricks and performance for so long for nothing.
"Your crew tire, your supplies spent. Ships upon ships of privateer seek to steal your precious cargo, to delay your progress, but you cannot stop. You cannot afford to. Then in the distance, a shadow came upon the world. A dangerous armada of the greatest pirates the world had seen, and they had seen fit to mobilize their entire army to obtain your cargo. What would you do?"
Eridanus paused for a moment to let the implication of this sink in.
"Watch, and be dazzled," He intoned, holding out the cube with his arms into the sea. Attached djed-wires, insulated against the water with arcane shields that he had weaved himself splayed out further into the sea like inanimate tentacles as he himself stood waist-deep into the water.
Whispering the name of the enchanted item that served as a trigger, he declared the final word out loud for dramatic effect, "... Activate!"
There was a low hum of dramatic tension as the cube began to power up.
TBC
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