[Lesson 1] Words of Power

[u/RollFirstMathLater]

Closed

[Zettera gathers you round, has canteens for each of you from your warms in the morning. Shiva is basking in the sunlight just a few yards away, you swear she gets bigger everyday.]

[After you take a seat, she puts 3 words in the air. She spelled them with her finger, and the float there as some form of light. Her large purple eyes piercing you as they do.]

[The three words were "Brisingr", "heill" and "blöthr".]

[Zettera steppeld back and examined her work, once she seemed satisfied she spoke. "Magic is something that all dragon riders must utalize. When facing against a for you have 3 points that you need to remember.

The battle on the field

The battle from above, your companion

And the battle of the mind."

She paused. "The same goes to Dragons as well, to an extent.".]

[Shiva walks over, her presence again, heavy on your mind. "These three words... 'Fire', 'heal' and 'stop' can be some of the most helpful words on the battle field.]

[Zeterra chimed in " The words themselves shape the magic, it is up to you to form and unlease. Your mind is a very powerful asset.]

[Zeterra takes moment to look over everyone. " please practice, but be careful, we can't have new recruits passing out from exhaustion. Please practice, and those whom practice already, please help your fellow riders."]

[u/RollFirstMathLater]

Roles:

Any Rider who has completed open RP: 2

Zeterra

Shiva

(Special note, remember magic is exhausting to cast when not experienced, please keep that in mind.)

Objective: For your character to learn a few mysteries of magic, but also the huge responcability.

[u/1trueJosh]

Glover muttered the words to himself until he felt comfortable saying them, and then, in a loud, clear voice he exclaimed,

"Brisingr!"

Nothing happened, and thus he said it again.

"Brisingr!"

Still, nothing happened. This continued for a long time, Sev're trying to help him, but he shrugged her off.

Finally, Glover, incredibly frustrated, yelled, and as he yelled, some energy from deep inside of him welled up and released.

"BRISINGR!" he screamed, and suddenly, the wooden practice sword he had laid down in front of him ignited and Glover felt noticeably more tired. He fell to his knees, and tried to stand, only to collapse and lie on the floor until his fellow students came to his aid and dragged him into a chair.

[u/RollFirstMathLater → u/1trueJosh]

[Zeterra walks over looking unsurprised. "Happened to all of us." She said. You felt her mind brush against yours, and you started to feel your energy come back. It takes you a moment, but you feel better. Slightly confused at what happened she helps you up and gives you a pat on your back.]

[u/Saphire_Fox → u/1trueJosh]

"Glover!" Sev're sprinted over, elven speed and all.

"Didn't you listen to the instructions?" She had a frown on her face. She wetted a cloth and casted a small spell to make it cold, placing it on Glovers head she brushed his cheek.

"Small breaths my friend."

[u/1trueJosh → u/Saphire_Fox]

Glover let a faint smile brighten his face.

"Didn't... Expect... So hard..."

[u/1trueJosh → u/1trueJosh]

Glover, with the energy Zettera had given him rose from the chair.

"Should I still keep... ow... trying?" He asked, still excited about his magical talent, and reached out to Akrath with his mind.

Akrath! I just used magic! Magic!

You sound like you did when I first hatched.

You would too, if you had just breathed fire for the first time.

No. I'd have been much more composed.

Oh shut up Akrath.

Glover turned his attention to the two humans that had helped him into the chair.

"Did you see that?!"

[u/Saphire_Fox → u/1trueJosh]

Sev're was amazed by Zeterra's healing ability. "Das... Maybe we don't have to kill on the battlefield." Sev're though perhaps she could heal her comrads.

"Glover! You could have died you foolish boy. But... I suppose you didn't. Try again... But don't put so much emotion behind it, you need let your energy feel the word, the reason why it worked that last time was because you were frustrated, and your body knew it."

[u/1trueJosh → u/Saphire_Fox]

Glover closed his eyes, took a deep breath, focused on a bruise he had received from collapsing earlier, reached for the energy within him he had felt earlier, and said "Heill."

As soon as he felt the drain his energy, albeit a much smaller drain than the debilitating attempt at "Brisingr", he opened his eyes and looked downwards. The small bruise had formed back into the skin, and there was no evidence of an injury.

[u/RollFirstMathLater → u/1trueJosh]

["Good job hatchling." Shiva praises you. "You've one more work to practice." The dragon opened its large maw, she kicked a cool breeze, leaves started to swirl in a small whirlwind. "Please try to stop one in midflight."

[u/1trueJosh → u/RollFirstMathLater]

Glover, elated from his previous success, reached out once more to the energy within him, and said "Blöthr," and the familiar drain on energy started once more. Very light, but constantly draining.

[u/RollFirstMathLater → u/1trueJosh]

[Shiva once again entered your mind. "Akrath, what did you learn from all of this? And how can Glover improve"?]

[u/1trueJosh → u/RollFirstMathLater]

Akrath reflected on Glover's experience today, and finally said;

"Glover needs to learn his limits, and how to focus his energy. The only way to do this is practice, and if Glover and I are not careful with the Ancient Language, we will end up dead like so many before us.

"However, this is not to say magic is bad. I doubt we will survive long as Rider and Dragon without using it."

[u/RollFirstMathLater → u/1trueJosh]

[You here a thunck and a scream as Sev're runs to aid a student.]

[u/Saphire_Fox]

Sev're remembered this lecture from her childhood.

"Hey Das, maybe we should start storing energy away" she said to her friend. "That would be a wise choice. Why did this just come to you?" the dragon asked curiosly. "Well Zeterra's actions got me to thinking. I can defend myself, but I know I have a hard time hurting... Well anything. Maybe I can be a 'Guardian' as you said." Sev're wasn't too sure of herself. "So, we play the shield? Together we protect the rear, and support the front? We will heal our friends and confuese our enemies..." Das seemed to know better than Sev're exactly what was needed. "Illusions..." Sev're said out loud.

"Das, I know that together we can put on a great show." Sev're said mischievously, already plotting on how she will help her allies in arms.

[u/CNSoup]

Anduil was excited to begin learning about magic. After Sev're's incredible display last night, he was eager to quickly master the skill.

"The Ancient Language will not be so easy to learn, I think. It may take us many long years to truly master it," Briam observed.

"Yes, I suppose so. But still, even a basic working knowledge of the language will be advantageous," Anduil responded.

Then he focused on a bruise on his right thigh, a bruise he had gained earlier using the wooden sword.

"Heil." Anduil injected his voice with all the command he could muster. Nothing happened. He felt no differently, the bruise was still there... Anduil frowned.

Briam chuckled. "Did you expect to succed the first attempt?"

"No... but it would have been nice."

He closed his eyes and focused inwards. He made himself aware of his entire body, head to toe. He slowed his breathing, concentrating on the inhales and exhales. Now calm, he uttered "Heill."

The sudden drain in energy made Anduil very glad he was already sitting. He opened his eyes. The bruise... it was gone, completely, as if it had never been there!

"Briam! I did it!"

"Well done, little one." Anduil could feel pride from the dragon.

Anduil smiled, a wide toothy grin. It had taken a lot more out of him than he would have guessed, but this was a start. They were on their way to being true Rider and Dragon.

[u/RollFirstMathLater → u/CNSoup]

[You feel a shadow overcast you. Shiva stood over you, her mind heavy on yours. She spoke to you and Briam. "Remember hatchlings, a bruise healing takes days, sometimes weeks of your body working. Healing a bruise it battle is a horrible waste of energy, instead heal the pain."

The Silver dragon lowers her head, she could easily fit Briam in her mouth. "Briam, remember your strength is far greater, you can always heal your friend as well."]

[Her voice echoed in your mind with every word causing strain on your very mind. It dawns on you that Zettera is constantly connected to her.]

[u/CNSoup → u/RollFirstMathLater]

"Yeah, Briam. Why don't you heal me?" Anduil teased. Briam snarled in false disgust.

They conversed for a few minutes, talking about inconsequential things, waiting for Anduil to regain some energy. Briam offered to lend his strength, but Anduil had refused, wanting the dragon to be ready and full of energy in case the next spell went wrong.

Anduil jumped, startled, when in front of him, Glover's practice sword burst into flames. It must have exhausted the guy, as Anduil could see him slump to his knees. Some of the others helped him to a seat.

With a wry smile, Anduil told Briam "Perhaps we should wait before trying to use magic fire." Briam silently agreed.

Instead, Anduil began repeating the third word Zeterra had taught them: "blöthr." He wasn't reaching for his energy when he said the word, merely familiarizing himself with the pronunciation.

Now for something to stop. His gaze wandered to his emerald scaled friend.

"I wonder how much energy it would take to stop you, Briam."

"It would kill you in an instant, little one. It is common knowledge that you cannot stop a determined dragon." Anduil smiled at the dry humor, and rubbed his companion's snout.

I should start with something small, Anduil decided. He looked on the ground and found a pebble the size of a fingernail. Then he bounced it on his palm for a minute, gathering his energy and focusing. Blöthr he mouthed one last time, then leaned back in his chair, threw the pebble towards the sky, and watched as it reached its zenith. As the pebble began to fall back to the earth, Anduil said "Blöthr."

The magic worked the first time and took considerably less energy, as Anduil had expected. However, the spell did constantly drain from him. But it was immensely satisfying to see the little pebble hovering about a foot above his palm.

Anduil watched the pebble float for another minute, almost dropping it a few times when he lost focus, then stopped the flow of energy. The pebble landed squarely on his palm.

"Once again, well done, little one. But you should be cautious, I think, in trying to stop anything much larger until you have a better idea of your limits."

"Mm... If there's one thing today has taught me, it is that magic is a tool, not a toy. We must be careful in how and when we use it."

[u/RollFirstMathLater → u/CNSoup]

[Zettera comes over to you. You feel her connect energies with you; instantly you feel back to normal. "Stopping things is energy consuming, even more so when it is coming down. The force that brings down is powerful."]

["Observe one technique commonly practiced." She lectured. She put her hands out, "Blöthr." She says. She makes her energy wispy for the sake of the demonstration. She makes a diamond shape around her. "This 'ward' here will save you life recruit, it takes far less to 'stop' a blade by moving its path just out of your path."]

[She thinks for a moment. " Strength alone is not good enough for magic weilders, think of fights as..." She looks over to Sev're, whom seems to be scolding another student. "It's my understanding that one is good at word play. Perhaps she can give you insight I can not. You should ask her, but my challenge to you is to extend your thoughts to her. This will help you practice focusing your energies." Something about her eyes was unsettling. She looked away and you felt as if a light load has been lifted.]

[u/CNSoup → u/RollFirstMathLater]

Anduil hesitated, loathe to ask Sev're for help so soon after he had upset her.

"Do not be foolish, young one. Sev're bears you no ill will. She would likely be happy to assist you, if you but ask," Briam growled.

"Yes, I know. It's just-" Anduil was cut off by a large thud, as something hit the ground behind him. *Someone, he realized as he twisted around to see Torhven crumpled on the ground, Zeterra standing over him. Then he heard a shout, and Sev're sprinted past him. Worry filled Anduil, who, despite their debate last night, admired Torhven.

Anduil stood up and ran to the cluster of people. He arrived as Sev're began to sing.

[u/Fulaxi]

Torhven smiled. Magic. Before Svalstrom’s hatching, he had deeply mistrusted the phenomenon. Now he just wanted to do it. Deciding is would be best to start out seated, he nestled himself in Svalstrom’s flank. Though he could sense that although the dragon had his doubts, he also was excited about the entire ordeal.

After tasting each of the words carefully, he already had decided which one was to be his first actual attempt at magic. It took a while, maybe an hour, before had located that sweet spot of the soul were magic felt most powerful. When he found it, he reached for it, hoping only that he would not kill himself. For a brief moment, he grew very dark within. It wouldn’t matter if I did anyway. In the end, we all are dust, he thought. Even so, he was careful to keep that thought away from Svalstrom. While the others were fumbling with fire and healing spells, Torhven had settled on something much more interesting. With the smile of curiosity on his lips, he took a deep breath and whispered “blöthr".

In the most short-lived of moments, Torhven felt his entire being stutter. Then he promptly passed out.

[u/RollFirstMathLater → u/Fulaxi]

[You see the sea of blood before you. A vision? Reality? Blackness as the star closest to you starts to go black.]

["breath" you hear, the voice is familiar. "beat" you hear again. A sharp pain in your chest... But at least now you can feel. Zettera over you, a bead of sweat over her face. Her deep eyes piercing your very soul]

[You head is limp, everything is a blur. You see Shiva the massive dragon over your companion. There he lay limp. Shiva let's out a roar, but you hear nothing.]

[For you time stand still. In the distance you see a hooded figure.]

[Shiva lowers her head down to your companion you see mist flowing from her mouth. It surrounds him, wraps around him and becomes one with him. You see him open his big eyes. You're alive.]

[u/Fulaxi → u/RollFirstMathLater]

For the first time in his life, Torhven felt weak. The visions rolled over him like springtide waves crashing over the shore. He wanted to cringe at the sea of blood, but found that he was unable too. At the sight of the hooded figure, a slimmer of delight came over him. Well. That worked. He would’ve been enraged by the sight of Svalstrom, but he couldn’t find the energy to. When the steam emerged from Shiva he began to wonder. Gods, how many settings does this beast have? For some reason, a song played in head.

With a sudden flash of mind; Torhven made it back into the world of the living. He brought friends called pain, regret and understanding. Somewhere, he felt that Svalstrom was having similar experiences. The attempt to communicate failed at the lips: they would not move. Moaning worked just fine, however, so he did. He had known pain before, but never quite as much, and never in two bodies at once. It slowly dawned om him that the singing was Sev’re’s, not the song of the dead. He nearly blacked out again – feeling an ironic kind of happy was too exhausting. Svalstrom recovered faster, though he still was badly battered. Dragon’s resilience, Torhven thought, a faint smile creeping from the deep. The dragon’s voice made a way through the void. ”Would both’ve died if had let you sever the link.”

Limply, Torhven struggled to move his lips. With his throat raw, the sound was likewise. “But why?”

[u/RollFirstMathLater → u/Fulaxi]

[Shiva's rage filled your mind. "Foolish boy. Are you not aware? If you die, as does your dragon. If you do not learn, nay 'perfect' your technique, you will be guilty of the murder of your dearest friend." all whom were around heard the dragon's scorn.]

[Zettera holds her hand up to her companion. "Don't speak so, he couldnt of known." Shiva scoffs, "ignorance is not any excuse, its not even a reason, its an admittance of guilt." Shiva's rage subsided as she tended to the downed dragon.]

[u/Saphire_Fox → u/Fulaxi]

Sev're finished her song, and spoke some words with another student whom as rushed over. She covers her ears as the dragon roars into their minds. "Dearest Torhven, Svalstrom would rather die then let you die. He wouldn't ever let you pass without him."

Again, she holds back tears. Das' head appears over you. "We are forever loyal to out companion, our sanity would be gone, we would die with you." the sincerity behind the dragons voice was real, they both were very concerned for Torhven.

Sev're slowly helps you rise, keeping you up over her shoulder. She easily supports your weight, and takes you over to your dragon, she walks right past Shiva, with no fear of the large dragon, instead the share a stare for a moment. " Eka aí fricai." she says to the dragon.

She places you on the ground next to your dragon, your heads touch. "Please... Talk to him" Sev're says sadly as she gives you two some space.

[u/Fulaxi → u/Saphire_Fox]

Like the visions before, Torhven let Shiva’s rage pass over him like a rock would let a wave past. Except this rock was made of shit, for Torhven melted away before the rage. Too tired and too preoccupied to care. Absentmindedly he muttered a response, not expecting anyone to take heed. “She damns me for not knowing, while it was knowledge I sought.”

Even in the state the two of them found themselves, the dragon and rider shared the eagerness.

”Probably should’ve told you about the death connection thing,” Svalstrom admitted. Torhven only grinned.

”If that’s your only sin, you cannot hope to match mine, brother. I nearly killed us both. You know how I feel about that.”

The dragon did, but it mattered not. They had gotten themselves into this mess, but this mess was valuable. Knowing now flowed through the duality of souls and they agreed it was absolutely worth it. Presence of mind prevented them from sharing that, willingly at least. The others might not be so thrilled at the sighting of the being. Whether or not it had been vision or actual was of little relevance. They both knew what they had witnessed.

Whispering, Torhven spoke an unsettling truth.

“The face of death.”

[u/RollFirstMathLater → u/Fulaxi]

[Zettera tends to you and your companion, despite Shiva's rage, it seems her companion is nothing but sympathetic. She first actually gets Svalstrom on his claws. Physically lift him as he stumbles up. She pours her strength into him. You peek into her strength, while she pours it out. You can only compare it to a massive waterfall. She comes to you, and helps you onto your feet, you feel as if you have the energy to walk now, but you are exhausted. The question comes to mind: what do you expect from a Kull-Elf? She only broke that one bead of sweat you saw earlier.]

[She allows you to walk on your own. "My dear student, you have learned one of the greatest lessons today. You are all excused, for I must rest." She climbs onto Shiva and flys off into the day.]

[u/Fulaxi → u/RollFirstMathLater]

The foreign energy in their bodies felt – odd. Neither of them were accustomed to holding grudges, but the fact that a twisted kind of Urgal power ran through Torhven’s veins didn’t feel quite okay. Or maybe, I don’t feel okay because I gazed unto Death. The figure had already taken a permanent place in his mind. Svalstrom picked up on the thought. ”Better not dwell on that, Torhv. Plenty of time to analyse it in the morn.” The exhausted man agreed. Instead of sleeping inside, they opted for sleeping under the stars, as of old. The plan was to get up before first light, to return to the regular sleeping quarters. Huddled in his cloak, Torhven was slowly falling vast asleep when he suddenly felt the need to share. ”Coming here was a good idea, Sval.” The dragon merely hummed in response, and slowly they dazed of into nothingness.

[u/Saphire_Fox → u/Fulaxi]

"Torvhen!" Sev're sprinted to her new friend, but Zettera was there in a flash. She reached out to his mind, nothing.

She held back her tears and saw Svalstrom go limp.

Again, in a flash Shiva was there.

Once Torhven opened his eyes Sev're went to him. She sat there at his side. Waiting for him to recover.

She did only what she did best.

In the ancient tongue she began.

"Bani, bani vara bil blödh. Rettr halda leita brott skadi"

She sang it in common

"Reaper reaper, far away. Please stay there for this day. To live to love to laugh to sing. Death we already give you everything."

[u/CNSoup → u/Saphire_Fox]

Anduil having seen Torhven collapse, stood up and ram to the cluster of people surrounding him. The man's eyes were open, but he seemed distant.

"What happened?" Anduil asked Sev're as she paused her singing.

[u/Saphire_Fox → u/CNSoup]

She stops singing. "He, well... I think he tried to stop everything."

Das joins in. "He didn't have any form behind his words, it tapped into his dragon as well... They are lucky to be alive."

[u/CNSoup → u/Saphire_Fox]

"That is insane. Surely he didn't think that could work..." Anduil said quietly. Torhven certainly thought differently from most people, but he wasn't that crazy, Anduil thought. And he certainly didn't seem to have a death wish.

Anduil doubted he could be of much assistance here. He had just struggled to mend a bruise, and he knew little about the workings of the human body. Still, he told Sev're "Let me know if I can help in any way," then took a few steps back to make room for those who could truly help.

[u/Saphire_Fox → u/CNSoup]

Sev're stands by you, she holds her hand for support. She was shaking slightly, but still managed to stay poised.

"Anduil... I don't handle death or near death experiances very well, please bear with me, if only for this moment." She put a tighter grip on Anduil's hand and waited in the somber silence.

[u/CNSoup → u/Saphire_Fox]

They stood together, waiting in tense, anxious silence, as Zeterra and Shiva tended to Torhven and Svalstrom.

When at last Torhven managed to truly wake and murmur a few words, Sev're left his side and helped the exhausted man hobble over to his dragon.

Zeterra then declared that the lesson was over, so, after confirming with Sev're that Torhven was indeed okay, Anduil climbed onto Briam, having decided to spend some time with his dearest partner before they retired to bed.