Arcana 101 (Allyria, open)

[Jorkahn Wealddir]

Jorkahn arrived at Norvara Manor just as the sun was cresting above the horizon. Though he was well rested he had been travelling since his patrol with the Skaldi along the highways to Rosterford. In other words, his body and mind were rather fatigued from the constant travel. His horse, Libby, was the same. The pair well in need of a day or two to simply relax and unwind. However, the Half-breed would not allow himself to rest. If allowed to wander he knew his mind would slip into a series of dark thoughts. Working seemed to be the only thing that could keep his mind off of his family. The recent combat on the highway as well as at the temple had given him some ideas to improve his technique and to broaden his capacity while fighting. It didn't take the Champion long to reach the Manor grounds.

Whether he was stopped early or at the door he would announce himself. If a servant or someone working for Allyria stopped him the young man would explain that he was here to ask the Countess for a favour. She was the only one he could think of that could help him. And one of the only people he trusted to.

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Allyria Allenmorde

[Allyria Allenmorde]

Ah, mornings at the Allenmorde household. They were typically quiet and serene. The house sat on the street with little by way of guard. Just an iron wrought fence and gate opening into the yard which contained a cobblestone path up to the porch, Jorkahn would find himself here and likely in the threshold before anyone would notice him. And he'd likely have already announced himself. Allyria would come from the back of the house beyond the kitchen dressed in fresh clothes, her long white hair still wet from her morning bath. She would be surprised to see him of course, he hadn't announced by way of letter or other messenger that he'd be coming. Nonetheless she didn't mind.

"Good Morning, Jorkahn. How are you, and what brings you to my home?"

There was the running of loud little feet upstairs. The children were running around. Playing a game of tag. Vekkia was nowhere to be found. Likely because it was morning and she did not handle the light well, and thus had gone to bed. Allyria had a hard time sleeping anyway, day or night.

[Jorkahn Wealddir]

The manor wasn't quite as elaborate or protected as he had expected. He walked through the gates completely unchallenged up until he reached the entrance to her home. He stood right in the doorway and went no further. Not because he was stopped, but because the half-breed thought it may be rude to intrude on his friend's home without announcement. Lo and behold, after doing just so the Countess appeared fresh out of the bath. Jorkahn inclined his head towards Allyria, a semi-warm smile on his face.

"Pleasant morning, My Lady. I apologize for my unannounced intrusion. I hope I am not interrupting anything but, I have come to ask a favor of you. Your prowess in the arcane is well known to me and I wish to know the basics at the least. I can offer you training or knowledge in other more martial arts if you so wish. Or perhaps something else that interests you?"

He hoped Allyria would accept and he hoped that he wasn't coming off as desperate despite the fact that he was. It was desperation for selfish reasons, perhaps. But the Champion had been dedicated to improving himself of late, and if the Countess couldn't help him the warrior would have to find his own way of learning.

[Allyria Allenmorde]

Jorkahn had come to learn about magic it seemed. This was something that Allyria did not know truly interested the boy. Perhaps she had sensed his talent before, but the untrained were usually reckless with their powers. Wielding it as a hammer and crushing everything in their path with it. It was what got them dead out here in Cruinthe, and it is what got them banned from practice in Korasus. She ushered him inside and would bring him to the drawing room, where they could sit in peace and quiet on the several sofas, away from other distractions such as the children, or Vekkia's sleep.

"We will talk about what you can offer me in exchange in a moment. I want to know your motivation for learning the basics. You've never exhibited true interest in the arts until now as far as I know. So why now?"

It was a good question. She had her motivations for asking. She sat there on a couch, having indicated before for him to sit across from her. There weren't any refreshments, as if he did not answer correctly she would send him off. Perhaps she had seen some things in his future that troubled her. Perhaps she had seen the future itself and it disturbed her. No matter the motive, she would not proceed with any lessons until he had answered.

[Jorkahn Wealddir]

The lad followed behind Allyria as she escorted him through the halls of the mansion to the drawing room. The inside seemed fancier than the outside belied. There were several sofas almost as if meant for accommodating several guests or, perhaps a large family? Regardless the room was pleasant and quiet, it seemed the countess did not wish to disturb the rest of the household. Jorkahn was pleased with how seriously she seemed to be taking things and her next question did not take him off guard, he had expected it. The Champion of Jewels sat down, leaning back comfortably on the sofa across from Allyria.

"Oh, you know. To better myself and those around me, expand my mind and my horizons." The half-breed's face suddenly darkened and his tone of voice changed. "Revenge. Perhaps." A few dark thoughts passed but he shook them out of his head, refusing to let himself dwell on them. After a moment he sighed loudly and leant forward, a serious look on his face.

"I have some ideas on how I can use magic to augment my martial techniques. I admittedly cannot say I want to learn for entirely altruistic reasons. Perhaps this is not the best way of doing so, but my intention with those last few lines was to make it clear I have ulterior motives to an extent, not all good." Jorkahn placed his fingertips together and brought them up to his lips as if in thought, almost unsure if he should continue to speak. He did trust Allyria, however, so he decided to continue.

"I have seen how destructive your power can be. How, at the same time, it can also produce things and help people." The Champion took a deep breath before continuing. "Duke Mardok recently asked me to serve under him as his Ritgr, and I accepted. He has great plans in the works, very ambitious plans. And for some of these plans to come to fruition, he requires the use of skilled individuals who can wield the power of magic. I wish to learn it for his sake, as well as mine."

A long pause to think some more before his closing thoughts. "If, after all I have said, you decide not to teach me I will take my leave and attempt to learn on my own. Regardless of whether or not you decide to take me under your tutelage, I have something else of great import that I wish to ask of you."

[Allyria Allenmorde]

Allyria listened to everything he had to say. She thought about it for a few moments. He had the motivations she thought he would. This would be difficult. Allyria sighed and rubbed her head. There were problems with training someone with those motivations. Sometimes they didn't know how to stop. Sometimes they lost control and continued to kill. If that happened, those deaths would be on both of their hands. Hers for enabling him and not stopping him before he got going. His because he would be the one committing the murder.

"Jorkahn, revenge is a dark path. I don't pretend to know how you feel about it, or why you desire it so. And I'm not saying you should give it up. But it is a path that leads to terrible places and arts. Pursuing the power for those reasons normally disqualify potential practitioners at the academy. You cannot use this power for revenge, Jorkahn. It is not for that. I will teach you how to create, I will teach you how to defend yourself. But do not pervert the power. Its legacy is too important. It is more important than your revenge. Tarnishing its legacy with black murder makes it harder for all of us who use it. If you wonder why they persecute mages in your country so, it's because people misuse it and tarnish its legacy."

She took a moment. Not sure if she was reaching the part of him that wants revenge. Then she said:

"If you don't care about any of that, think about what they'll do to me. What they'll do to your friends. It is a cycle of hate that won't end."

Then the final point.

"Know that if I teach you, and you dare to tarnish the power's legacy with revenge and destruction, I will destroy you."

[Jorkahn Wealddir]

Because Allyria listened to everything he said the boy paid her the same courtesy when she spoke. He nodded, expecting what she had to say. He knew how dark a path it could be, he didn't have to get his revenge to know. He had already thought terrible things, felt terrible things. For what seemed like a very long time the thought of revenge was the only thing that fueled him, those days seem like a blur. He doesn't remember much about the month following his trip to Viktoria, only what was important. His days had been spent either in a fog, wandering aimlessly from place to place, or shrouded in darkness, only the bright fire of his rage to illuminate his path. But the Champion had found a new reason to live, new purpose.

"I know full well what revenge entails. I have been in a dark place until recently, I am sure you have seen. I cannot guarantee I will give up on seeking my revenge. What these people have done-" Jorkahn couldn't finish his thoughts, his throat choked up and he looked down at his fists realizing they were white from how hard he was clenching them. The half-breed took a deep breath and regained his composure, fists relaxing. "I have newfound purpose again. My actions are chiefly to benefit my friends and my family, whatever of it that remains. However, some part of me will never forgive those whom I want to kill for what they have done."

"I care very much about the well-being of you, your people, the people of Mardok, the Kalimbra and her bodyguard. People like me and those of your race, mages, Skaldi, anyone else beaten, killed, and ostracised for reasons beyond their control. In the past, I cared not for the doings of others, but having suffered myself I care much more than I fear is logical!" Jorkahn cleared his throat and paused for a while. He felt he was rambling a little too much at the moment.

"I won't beg for your help. However, I can swear to you on my very life that if I do go down this dark path, as you fear, and the moment where you come for me arrives, I will give myself to you to do as you see fit. From that point onwards my life is forfeit."

[Allyria Allenmorde]

"That is acceptable then. I'll hold you to your word."

Allyria took a moment and then made a gesture for Jorkahn to remain in his seat. She then left the room and made her way into the kitchen. There she put together a few light snacks of some cheeses and unleavened breads, sliced dragonfruit, and a bottle of Maltal White, a sweet bubbly wine from the Maltal region of Hek'Cruica. She placed all of this and two glasses upon a tray and carried it into the drawing room, placing it on the small serving table between them.

"I find the way a cruinthian home is laid out and furnished to be contrary to a person's natural living flow. The remains of my castle in my county is being refurbished to fit a more Korasuan and natural flow of life. Anyway, cheese, wine, these things whatever they are..."

She took a piece of cheese and put it on a cracker and ate it. Then she poured both of them a glass of wine.

"So what can you do with... magic?"

She didn't like the word magic. It took all the academics out of the subject. But most people called it that.

[Jorkahn Wealddir]

He sat there blinking for a second, almost surprised by her acceptance. After a short moment to process the lad exhaled a sigh of relief and noticeably relaxed. "Thank you very much, My Lady." Jorkahn waited patiently as Allyria prepared some snacks for the both of them. When she came back and placed the tray between them the man thanked her and listened to her speak, looking around the house as she did so. "I would like to see your castle,
one day. My only exposure to Korasuan architecture and design is Ne'Ranmba Rul."

The Champion abstained from eating or drinking at the moment, content to swirl the glass of wine in his hand for now. He didn't answer her last question immediately, taking some time to think. "Well, I can do a bit with fire and more with healing. Thaumaturgy is a bit difficult for me, the art of channelling magic seems to come more naturally." He paused and scratched his chin for a few seconds. "I haven't really dabbled in anything else." When he was finished talking Jorkahn would take a bite of cheese.

[Allyria Allenmorde]

Allyria thought about what Jorkahn could accomplish with the skills he told her he had. All of them would be limited to what was around. Channeling and healing did not mix well either, it meant sacrificing your own life for others. While noble, it was dangerous. Fire and channeling relied upon a nearby source of flame. A candle would do in a pinch, but anything less would be hard to bring back to life and use effectively as a means of defense.

"I see. With your skill in channeling... the most of what you have... you would do better with a more abundant element for defense. Thaumaturgy would enable you to heal without risking yourself or someone else's health. Can you read?"

[Jorkahn Wealddir]

Jorkahn nodded along with what the Countess was saying. He would speak himself whenever she was finished. "Yes, I can read High Cruic, no other real languages, though. I find myself wishing I had pursued a few more academic avenues on top of the many martial ones I partake in." The young man shrugged and ate a cracker with some cheese on top. He found himself staring at his glass of wine, wanting to drink but not wanting to be inhibited for this conversation. As he continued to swirl the drink in his glass he thought over what Allyria had said. The Champion suddenly stopped and looked up.

"Oh! I should clarify, just in case, that I can cast magic using the thaumaturgy method just fine.
Channelling just comes easier to me. As for more abundant elements, what did you have in mind? Wind? Earth? Maybe water?" He wondered how channelling the arcane would work not using some sort of medium. Though his ideas involved using his weapons as a medium he also wondered if that would even work. The Ritgr supposed he just had to patient at this point, hopefully, Allyria would answer all of his questions, including ones raised by her tutelage. He found himself growing excited.

[Allyria Allenmorde]

"High Cruic... not a language that magical texts are typically written in. Well, that is fine. Abundant elements like wind would be useful for defense if channeling was your main method of casting. You did say you wanted to learn more about the more neutral magic? It is called Arcane by some. There's a method to harnessing its raw power. But it's not easy to contain, transferring the energy into an element makes its behavior more predictable."

Allyria had thought about teaching Jorkahn through a series of letters, but that would not be helpful. High Cruic lacked the vocabulary to be able to properly express a variety of ideas that would be required to help Jorkahn attain his goals. Allyria thought about this impasse for the moment. She would have to teach him another language. Or learn one that he could use and then teach that to him. But what would she get out of it other than someone that was more aptly armed to handle the dangerous beasts and monsters of the land? Man or animal, Jorkahn could easily slay it with his weapon skills.

The countess picked up her glass and drank deeply from it, and then resolved herself to a short trip to Korasus. She required a few books before she could properly begin teaching Jorkahn. Or rather, she required time to do some research before she could properly teach Jorkahn.

"We can begin on Wind magic today, but I will need time to better prepare for any lessons on the Arcane, or anything else."

[Jorkahn Wealddir]

The young man listened closely to what his new found teacher was saying. He knew what Arcane Cruic was, he had seen it before. "That makes sense. It would be easier to pull wind out of, well, thin air than it would be to pull elements of lesser abundance out. I can learn Arcane Cruic if need be." The youngster had forgotten what the name of the language was until now. A look of concern grew on his face as Allyria talked further. "I knew Arcane magic was powerful, but I didn't realize it was so dangerous to the wielder as well."

After a moment of thought, the Countess downed her wine. Jorkahn peaked an eyebrow up. It was surprising that she wished to teach under the influence. Perhaps she was just able to handle her drink better than he could? "very well, I did arrive on such short notice, after all. Beggars can't be choosers, or however the saying goes." The Champion of Jewels placed his wine down, wanting full mental control for this moment, before standing up and smiling. "So, where do we begin?"

[Allyria Allenmorde]

She didn't comment on the first thoughts he expressed considering learning Arcane Cruic or the fact that he didn't know that Arcane magic was dangerous to the wielder as well. Dangerous was fitting though, in inexperienced, or untalented hands a mage could blow themselves or others to smithereens entirely on accident. It was not a good way to go. She stood up and wobbled a second, then started to walk towards the back of the house. The route would take them through the kitchen and into the yard.

"We will begin the wind study in the yard. Hopefully we won't summon any gale force winds in my yard and knock over my house."

Out back there was a high wall around the yard, with a garden around the interior side of that. It was well manicured. Perhaps Allyria did it herself. There was also a well and what appeared to be a hand pump.

"The theories regarding the control of wind should be the same whether or not you are channeling or using thaumaturgy."

[Jorkahn Wealddir]

Jorkahn watched as Allyria wobbled when she stood. A look of concern flashed across his face, but the half-breed quickly realized her lack of balance was likely from the glass of wine she had just downed. He didn't question it any further. The fledgling mage followed his teacher through her house to the backyard. It was a rather beautiful house like she had said before very Cruinthian in nature. He was curious to see how it would look when the house was touched up with a Korasuan flair in mind.

The Champion nodded and took his time to look around the yard as Allyria talked. It was a nice yard with a nice garden and a nice wall. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but perfect he assumed for practicing magic. After she was done talking Jorkahn looked at his hands, visualizing himself conjuring up some wind. He wouldn't attempt it, he just wanted to imagine what it would feel or look like.

"Do you have any tips or topics to start out with?"

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