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Post by wolflet59 on May 14, 2009 15:55:59 GMT -5
He picked up on the Star traffic at Carfax - being able to zero in on an area was like turning dozens of ears to tune into the electronic whispers concealed by crypto - alongside the physical wording the troopers spoke - the audible reports inside the building were overheard by trooper comms and standard recording devices.. all allowing the whispers to trickle back.. by the time Fredddy recovered from his three-day 'trip'into the metaplanes he had been bombarded by the reports leading to his understanding of what had been discovered
he couldnt do the same inside any hardened HQ which were designed to prevent snooping...
coming out of the shower he looked at the thin body staring back -not bad! more meat on his old bones now than had ever been..
the reports were seperate from the information that Meg had provided but all of it built a bigger picture. the team had cut off a head - what had been left down below though?
his excursion had provided a lot of information - but it all seemed to be just a background tale - yet another way of trying to fit spirits into life. he shrugged an finished dressing
he would need some more offensive magics and protective ones too which would cost in yen and power .. crap .. that meant he would need a job that involved danger in order to pit himself and reap the rewards in power...
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Post by wolflet59 on May 15, 2009 10:09:03 GMT -5
So you have to really consider what you want from the planes - you cannot just dive in and rip anything you want - if you try to then the planes have a way of getting back at you. There are stories of travellers attempting to pillage remaining in a coma for years. The spell you ripped will have repoucussions- think of it as you have used you pass and next time you may well get refused entry - they may even send the bouncers after you.
no such thing as a free lunch Freddy.
You will need to re-establish your link with the planes.. another investment to demonstrate you are committed rather than just out to rip - you may consider what benefit you would work towards too.
I know you have looked at the traditional benefits and many of them are very long term .. maybe you have to connect closer to Snake rather than considering a layer of protection or the reflection of the Shining Ones..
Illiya councelled Freddy - it felt like he was back in college and recieving the benefit of knowledge from one of his tutors - though that was what she had been - a vital source of information. It flicked across his mind how she had got into that position indeed what her position really was!
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Post by wolflet59 on May 15, 2009 13:39:34 GMT -5
things began to press - the need to practise and progress, the need to dig for this zibree thing, commit more power to become deeper involved in the metaplanes or Snake - both? were they the same? Snake was his calling so the metaplanes could whistle. he had been practising to camoflauge astral and physical - this way of linking into the deeper mysteries was to go through Snake and it felt right.. the side trips were more of an excoursion to find out stuff.
Freddy dropped the pop-tart .. he had already been following Snake when he had been digging for secret knowledge - secrets - hidden information.. who had he recently joined? Illiya - who did what? ran a fraggin newspaper that uncovered mysteries and told those willing to listen..
Snig grinned Yellowbird smiled Freddy whooped.. then spun around.. it all fell into place - it was as if she had been coaching him to make the connections.. twenty minutes later he slumped jubilantly into the armchair in front of her..
you are a Snake shaman and you must have been around for a long time guiding Snakes like me eh?
Sorry to rain in your parade Freddy - I do not follow Snake but I do regard her highly - you seem to have made a breakthrough - one which you are obviously motivated by..
But.. Hmm yeah maybe I jumped to a conclusion too quickly - I was thinking on how Snake dug into secrets then happily sent them on their way like the Fortean times does..
That is uppermost in your understnding of Snake then Freddy - you ought to think upon that - take a little time out in your own lodge - concetrate on it - the answers will be there and you may be suprised
Freddy got the same cab back - taking care to drop off three blocks away as usual then through two stores and shadow a group as they crossed the road over the pedway onto the dockfront back to the Snake-Oil Shop.
the girls were working the charms an talismans this week - the money was peanuts enough to pay the basics.. they sold a variety of other items too or rather pointed punters that way. He left the sales to the Waterboys gangers an in return he had a permanent guard on top of the security he had installed.
down in the lodge he strode and contemplated contemplated an strode.. uncovering secrets - searching for the right things in the right place - through luck or good judgement.. he reviewed how he operated - gather in the information by searching it out - he was a researcher - knew his filing procedures sifted information.. but you had to be able to get that initial lead so luck played a big part - right place right time allowed you to then collect the right stuff.. Freddy parked his arse and looked around the lodge - enough electronic surveillance gear to run a.. well snoop into virtually anywhere. So he had constructed the research tools around him. Illiya and the Times were another resource.. his own skillwire too..
You are distracted Magus? I said we are reaching the rendevouz point. In my bones I feel that we have been betrayed as I cannot imagine the beasts can hold to their bargain. Why the Templars cannot be allowed to cut out their hearts I do not know - but we are bound which greatly vexes me..
He looked about - shocked by the change shocked by the surroundings shocked by the people around them.. his own frame was grey horseblanket - belt and a few packs if he judged by the straps and weights.. next to him strode.. pace to his own paceand a half - strode a warrior - steel plates with a wire mesh below heavy helmet tall thin shield and a ..boarspear with a crossed bar below the long wide bladehead.. the painted designs were crosses - no, sword emblems.. and she spoke gruffly..
in front a ring of six and a quick glance counted four-maybe five behind - less armour but spear shield and sword dominated along with the dark grey horseblanket robe/tabard dress
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Post by wolflet59 on May 15, 2009 16:11:36 GMT -5
By the great twisty turny things..! where..
when the council ordered this meeting we were utterly opposed - you know of our deep hatred of the beast - I still cannot understand why your guild offered to send a full Inquisitor rather than a spirit-slayer this smacks of an assault troop - but you would not need to be present nor I for Inquisition duties. This disturbs me and when I am unsure I tend towards striking first
milord the position is in sight
a few orders were barked then we made our way stealthily forwards to the towers..
Freddy blended into the terrain peering around a blackened stump at the impossibility ahead - the Templar was impressed at the ease with which the mage removed himself from easy view then regarded the Spines.
eight talltower sized spikes rose into the sky - they are like firtrees - i have hunted to here before which is why I offered my services - beyond here is virgin territory Mage Freddy saw the steel rib remains of the towerblocks - the crete had been eroded leaving a skeleton which was now billowing with tarpaulins keep a grip - go with the flow - find out what we need to do - where we are..
so why did you take this assignment erm... Templar?
from the order of the council - as you have done - I heard your own guild reservations and I know that you will not allow yourself to fall onto their hands which is why I demanded the escort of warrior who as you know will atttempt to execute you rather than allow capture.
weak cheesy smile
Freddy searched the bags pulling a simple telescope -
this is the place
yes the courtyard below the eight towers - I shall see..
the Templar muttered then peered. Freddy could see that she had cast a Body spell - presumably to augment her eyes - so warriors cast spells.. She waved the bodyguard forward then the two of them followed down the slope to the bleak flattened ground at the base of the hill
less than five minutes passed and the whole troop had been hit by a storm of thorns - the loincloth-clad shooters emerged from behind low walls.. the ambush was abrupt and complete
they were carried through then up and up.. deposited left to their own devices after being stripped and leant against the side wall while the toxins slowly wore off
you two have immunity to harm - though I do not regard these paralyzing toxins as harming - rather a precaution against you deciding to hurt me and mine..
I could not wait and have already started as your companions are not within the agreed terms so I am in your debt. I must thank you...
the tall slender white-skinned - male? driftedwith lazy perfect steps across Freddy's vision towards the ruddy blubbering mound - across the window was tethered a square sail with elongated corners
the realisation dawned and he began to tremble with rage - the male scuttled across and peered into his eyes expressing a delight - your emotion is high magus - it thrills me.. and the rage your Templar emits is astounding - Oh I am amazed and delighted. Under the terms of our agreement with your council neither of our parties may inflict harm upon the other. You may tear the arms from my own favourites if it would please you...
he floated gently across the floor seemingly elated in.. ? Freddy watched and strained against the toxind which clenched his muscles.. it was the horror the pain fear and hatred the humans had exhibited - Freddy watched and more and more the creature reminded him of...
Noswerantus, you are Creatures of the night, no an incorrect translation, you are creatures of darkness..
how can you speak to this filth while others have been flayed and still live in torment.. gods I shall take you to my Hell mage..
Quiet Templar -see, the creature feeds from pain - still your emotion which stokes it's lust
you see me - or do you mage? - the council sold you both to me for months of respite - does that disturb you both? I do hope so. Something of worth for something of worth - a bargain is binding although in your disabled state you may not appreciate it. See.. this presentation to me pleases - can you not be happy for me too?
the creature slid an overlong finger into the quivvering bloody mass by the window and Freddy blacked out
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Post by wolflet59 on May 15, 2009 16:54:04 GMT -5
He twitched and buckled a few times while the spirits observed. They had been happy to aid the mage in his manipulationof the astral both in and outside of the planes however this was different. Both were linked to him - bridges built and connections weaved - there was something different here
he was alone or more precisely on his own - part of a personal calling which both understood as part of his personal quest. It did not seem that he had been prepared for this so they watched an waited making sure he was safe.
Freddy woke to the sound of screaming and realised it was his own terror
thank you for your attention to my wants you are most gratifying mage... you must realise that your emotion is most important to me - it is most unusual to find this in your kind - we find it difficult to experience through these constructions we wear - your attention is most gratifying
you shall burn in the fire of my wrath daemon
yes Templar I shall gyrate in your wrath - you are both strong and shall experience for me many emotions while your shells are removed in exquisite torments and joy
in that exchange Freddy realised that the creature in front of him was an outsider - not from this plane - an invader of sorts who had crossed some divide to this plane from .. other
zibree
the creature turned to him - pressing it's face into his
you name angels and daemons - dirt - your end shall be longest and you shall never speak of it..
the creature stroked Freddy's throat lifting the short hollow tube of his trachaea
I shall dismiss you to the beyond creature - I have the power to bind and release your form then dispense with it so you shall be forgot
the words were there as the beginning of the dispelling of the spirit - but no sound was made -
zibree.. the sound added power not just a way of pitting one force against another this was real power - Freddy thought he imagined that something was ripped from the slender creature in fromt of him and removed to .. elsewhere
silence apart from the quiet breathing
mage you have sent the creature to Hell..
If it wanted to stay and feed on excess then wherever it returned to would be a hell indeed..
the body collapsed to the floor
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Post by wolflet59 on May 19, 2009 7:19:33 GMT -5
kitten-weak the Templar and Freddy crawled to the heap that had once been their guide - who was mercifully quickly dispatched by a cut from her.
the body of the zibree coiled twitched and shrank into a sodden pulp leaving behind a ruddy stone - a heart. Freddy picked it up
scratching along with the patter of bare feet grew - the two readied themselves as dozens of monsterous animal shapes alongside human slaves bearing emblems began to fill the audience chamber - they bit and vied for position largest and meanest tended to take the front ranks along with a couple of the slave-chieftains.
you have shown me that the demon lords can be defeated - I shall go to my God happy
they expected to be ripped apart - at least be held and tortured - instead the assembled throng bent their knees while the foremost fish scaled oozing bull monstrosity stammered out words from it's orifice
you have defeated the lord showing your power - we accept your leadership and await the coming of the other barons who will be most interested in how you have dispatched one of their own
there was a sly insinuation that they would not be caught off guard by a totally unexpected sucker-punch - the creature was held back by a fear - the two of them had defeated the lord of this place - so by rights could defeat any of the minions.. they all clung onto their lives with a desperation - a real want to exist. No fanatical loyalty here - this was an obedience borne out of fear.
tell me how you came to be here
the lord invited us and we siezed the most beneficial form - the humans have been thralls for generations living dying reproducing more but so frail.. playthings and muscle for the lord and his trusted
so where do you come from
where? I - I - I beg your pardon lord I do not wish to return to the cold I - I am a worm and shall undertake your bidding. Order me and I shall fulfil your task
tell me about that place.
the creature's eyes gleamed and glinted as if it had detected some flaw with it's new masters - something which could be ripped open so It could take the place.
No - I do not wish to revisit in memory or dream - and I believe that you may not be as strong as you first seemed.
you try my patience - kneel to me now! Freddy held out the heart gem in his fist as a demonstration of his power but the creature was not swayed by thelack of authority in the mage's voice and bounded forward claws ready to tear
the spears took it in the side and the sickle cut it's hamstrings
four humans stepped forward to the thrashing beast - we are loyal and in concert lord - we shall cut down any chained one who dares to rise above it's station the beasts looked around nervously - the humans had siezed the moment and taken power - a sea-change had happened in those few heartbeats
what shall I do Templar?
again a shift of power - Freddy accidentally passed control from himself to the Templar - and they both realised it..
your aid has been of great service mage - this is now Templar work She straightened and put her foot upon the beast's neck then began to chant the oath of allegiance
Freddy turned to look outside to see what was coming - he expected a stormcloud - Snig's face filled his vision.. you look like crap - good to see youare back - speak up Freddy.. oh
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Post by wolflet59 on May 19, 2009 7:51:41 GMT -5
connecting to learn secrets - something foremost in his mind - the metaplanes had shown him things before usually a lot clearer. he explained and thought on what he had been given. It was all in metaphore - the metaplanes were explaining in the best way possible - he hoped that it was a metaphor a dream and not a reality.
there is no absolute truth in this Freddy but there is a lot of meaning - there is also the possibility that you may begin reading too much or too little into this telling. Could be that the way you entered the metaplanes was because you already had a familiar path and they tried to make sense of the request that you made. Make sure you have a single focus when you attempt to travel - you had left this too open as a result the planes have attempted to construct something around the impression you gave out rather than around a concrete single idea. They have given you what they can - and they have taken - accepted something too
What Illiya was saying all rang true - Freddy nodded and stroked the bandages around his throat. He had been careless unguarded in pondering too many questions at once.
He had wanted to get closer to Snake to learn about the zibree to become more deeply embroiled in the arts - that want had propelled him created a link that he would have jumped at if given the choice..
I suppose I wanted all of it to happen he thought.. well most of it anyway..
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Post by wolflet59 on May 22, 2009 7:05:51 GMT -5
Total48+12+9+5+4=78 spent 9 +7 spellcast +5 pool +1 +9 initiate=31 available=32+6+9=47
Karma: 7+1 spent on F12 and F6 spells - the F12 detect magic is intended for finding vampires and seems over the top. I dont like killer skills spells or ware but without having something big then the things you are after may not get detected. Indicating that there will be some big nasty stuff out there which could throw off a F6.
out of sight are detected on TN6 then they get a Will roll vs the Force to shake off the detect My reasoning is I wanted something which had reasonable range - it is a detect which we have been discussing and I am paying out for it by taking another initiate level as well.
Total 78 spent 31 +7+1 +10 for initiate #2 (questing) +1 for acting =50 available 47 - 19 = 28
initiate L1 magic +1 and masking - Snake Camoflauge initiate L2 magic +1 and
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Post by wolflet59 on May 22, 2009 13:37:45 GMT -5
the metamagic Freddy shall become aware of will be See-Truth or Uncover-Secrets - a perception which allows him to be aware of magical anomalies and maybe other hidden things. This would include mana warps, ley-lines, pockets of magical resonance, Regio (ars Magica) and the like. it would not overcome standard tests like spotting another initiate - but would add to the test.
these could often be detected using Aura reading or regarded in the Astral by astral viewing but I would like him to go a step forward as he has made many excursions into the metaplanes and is becoming well versed in what magics are.
It would fit in with Snakes obsession in uncovering secrets - origionally intended to be magical but most of the magical anomalies can be astrally read - I would like it to encompasss the physical as well - a plus to spot hidden stuff
This would tie into Freddy becoming closer to Snake - taking on board more Snake qualities - I can see a time when scales and a flexible body along with venomous touch and regeneration would be enough to turn him 'Native' and hit the desert as a 20ft rattler forgetting his earlier life..
or is this too wacky
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Post by wolflet59 on Jun 5, 2009 8:28:21 GMT -5
Wolf - There is already a metamagic for sensing manawarps and such. *flip flip flip flip* I hope you apperate this. *flip flip flip flip*
a ha! Target: Awakened Lands pg 110
As for digging out secrets and what not there is also already a metamagic for that, it's called pychomety or some such and is in SOTA 2063 pg 39. The idea is you can hold up a objecet and tell about it's past. So for example you could look at a rug and maybe see that door Mr X used when he made a dash for the wall or that secret button hidden in the little bust your reading.
Sensing metamagic "The initiate can detect any astral terrain ot mana fluctuations like background count astral rifts mana lines storms surges warps alchera (Regio) shallows etc"
it does not detect spells wards foci spirits - only stuff to do with the mana fiels and astral terrain.
Freddy has always had an eye out for magic - he now realises that he can track the stuff - trace it down and enter it if needs be... opening that inner eye to the magic all around.
there is in Ars Magica the idea of Regio - where the magic bubbles to the surface or the realms are very close - usually where there is a lot of farie activity. The mundane may appear as an old ruin - but when investigated and travelled into the ruin becomes more real with maybe a denizen or two - deeper still the building take s hape and further the place may become the dwelling of... There are also the dragon lines or leylines along with mana pools warps .. all disturbances in the ether which most mages are not aware of - 'ley lines - bah! farie glamor - tricks and deceit - a real mage would not wast his valuable time investigating these ephemeral charades.'
In a city there would be precious few of these as the crete has caked over most of the surface. has that stopped mother nature down below? has Gaea been walled in? not a chance.. there are lines below the city surface...
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Post by wolflet59 on Jun 5, 2009 15:36:44 GMT -5
Total 78 spent 31 +7+1 +10 for initiate #2 (questing) +1 for acting =50 available 47 - 19 = 28
Seattle area KN - built up by living in the basement of the Snake oil shop surrounded by comms equipment now up to 4
Total 78 spent 31 +7+1 +10 for initiate #2 (questing) +1 for acting =50 +9 area kn available 47 - 19 = 28 -9 = 19
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Post by wolflet59 on Jun 11, 2009 12:32:28 GMT -5
a couple of things for him to consider - a heavy offensive bolt initiate level to 3 along with shielding practice in some useful skills physical protection go vampire hunting
a perk - 'well informed' - maybe even become aspected to city spirits only..
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Post by wolflet59 on Jun 17, 2009 11:08:58 GMT -5
He considered the spirits he had encountered in his last major trip into the otherworld - the setting was archaic and simple so the story would be more easily understood ? that seemed to be the lesson that the planes were providing. The concern he had over the zeebree will have influenced the tale so his encounter with Alexander the mage and then with the warrior were all interlinked. He had concentrated on trying to understand the final encounter with the zibree leader and not got very far.. so it was time to consider the whole story starting from the beginning..
He and snig had first met with spirits - malicious and also neutural ones who stayed clear of them. Once defeated one of them had taken the form of a hound. Later Alexander had indicated that animals and people had been posessed and then gone amok - weak people who couldnt resist maybe?
the zibree lord had been surrounded by human serfs but also big strong monsterous creatures referred to as 'the chained' while the lord seemed to be above that.. his (its) words about what it desired from the world that it was currently in:
Remembering back to the dreaming was fuzzy Freddy woke to the sound of screaming and realised it was his own terror
thank you for your attention to my wants you are most gratifying mage... you must realise that your emotion is most important to me - it is most unusual to find this in your kind - we find it difficult to experience through these constructions we wear - your attention is most gratifying
you shall burn in the fire of my wrath daemon
yes Templar I shall gyrate in your wrath - you are both strong and shall experience for me many emotions while your shells are removed in exquisite torments and joy
in that exchange Freddy realised that the creature in front of him was an outsider - not from this plane - an invader of sorts who had crossed some divide to this plane from .. other
zibree
the creature turned to him - pressing it's face into his
you name angels and daemons - dirt - your end shall be longest and you shall never speak of it..
the creature stroked Freddy's throat lifting the short hollow tube of his trachaea
I shall dismiss you to the beyond creature - I have the power to bind and release your form then dispense with it so you shall be forgot
the words were there as the beginning of the dispelling of the spirit - but no sound was made -
zibree.. the sound added power not just a way of pitting one force against another this was real power - Freddy thought he imagined that something was ripped from the slender creature in fromt of him and removed to .. elsewhere
silence apart from the quiet breathing
mage you have sent the creature to Hell..
If it wanted to stay and feed on excess then wherever it returned to would be a hell indeed..
..... this would indicate that there were spirits who wanted to be part of the physical world but were only able to experience the world through 'these constructions we wear'... emotion being the main pleasure.. it struck a cord that the spirits were somehow moving from their own plane - their own hell - and getting to ours coated in a material form.
It was a step beyond the posession that Alexander had spoken about - posession of weakened people and many animals - in which the spirits became frenzied destroying things around them and eventually themselves.
Were they able to create themselves a shell to inhabit? rather than possessing one - could they be constructing one then inhabiting it. That would make some kind of sense looking at the monsterous forms that he had seen - part bull/boar/fish things with teeth claws and other ..things. The intention it would seem was to instill fear
the lord was so perfect though - a higher form or a more powerful spirit that could instill a greater range of emotion and feed off of it - at the least revel in its intensity
something akin to tales of the vampiric embrace where victims would willingly provide their own blood and in return gain an extacy.. or the wendigo that was roumoured to scare people to death - a more base beast less subtle
could vampire and wendigo be these zibree spirits residing inside of a body?
What happened to a human - or a metahuman when contracting the virus which changed them into these creatures? were they still the same person?
there were stories too of other creatures who occupied a host body then retained the original memories - able to go about a semblance of normal life...
no - surely not - that would indicate that there were things crawling and clawing their way into humanity - some helpful but most intent on sucking us dry.. Meg had a friend in Knight Errant could be useful to check some disconcerting things out.. the mage Shade too..
and of course Illiya - why would she choose something seemingly so offbeat to war against unless she knew more than she was letting on..
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Post by wolflet59 on Jul 6, 2009 7:48:56 GMT -5
Total48+12+9+5+4=78 +5 spent 9 +7 spellcast +5 pool +1 +9 initiate=31 +10+7+1+1 = 50 +1Karma +6 = 57 available=32+6+9=47-19 = 28 +5 -1 -6 =26
Karma 8+1
I would like to use the 5 and another 1 to pay out for a levitate 6 drain +2(M)
Freddy seems to have a lot of karma however bear in mind that 20 has gone on initiate costs and 12 on a big vampire hunting detection.
I see initiate as very expensive for little gain at low level - when up at L5 and 6 it does become useful mainly for shielding and for obscuring acive spells
some initiate benefits like centering are phenomonaly expensive - like the most useful one of centering - you have to have a decent centring skill and an active skill too - to learn two skills up to L5 costs around 30 Karma each.. so stick to the 'instant' benefits - tuning yourself into the flow - demonstrating you have the deeper understanding of magic.
even with the raised magic you can cast high power spells without taking physical damage - but because the drain will be so high they will still knock you out though!
it is strange how the SR mechanics work - trying to roll 10s to resist drain for a F10 spell is really difficult whether you have 10 drain dice to roll or 20 ! a 1 in 6 followed by a 4 in 6 = 1 in 9 chance ! so you may drop this F10 drain by a level if you are lucky. still means a well experienced mage casting a real big spell will be useless for much else afterwards.
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