"I-i-i-i-i-t-t-t-t-t-t u-u-u-u-s-s-s-e-e-e-d-d-d t-t-t-t-o-o-o-o-o h-h-h-a-a-a-a-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-e-e-e-e-n-n-n-n d-d-d-d-a-a-a-a-i-i-i-i-i-l-l-l-l-l-y-y-y-y. T-t-t-h-h-i-i-i-i-i-i-s-s-s-s-s-s f-f-f-f-f-i-i-i-i-i-r-r-r-r-r-r-s-s-s-s-s-t-t-t-t t-t-t-t-i-i-i-m-m-m-e-e-e i-i-i-i-i-n-n-n-n-n d-d-d-a-a-a-a-y-y-y-y-y-s-s-s-s."

__________________

Awesome sig made by Goten!

The Headmaster stepped forward.

"I believe I know what's happening to you, and I dare say we might be able to help. We have one Black Wizard on hand for occasions such as this. He will delve into your mind, and hopefully contain your 'voices'. It isn't without danger, however. You may become even more mad, or worse, you could die." That wasn't to say that Gigas might also go into a rage and kill the Black Wizard as well...

"Would you like to give it a try?"

__________________

Awesome Squall sprite courtesy of Goten! Check here if you'd like a runescape or game-themed sprite!

He nodded. He had tried everything else, might as well give this a shot. At the very least, if it killed him, he would be at peace from the voices.

__________________

Awesome sig made by Goten!

Johath flew through the air, and hit a wall. He awoke several minutes later, with people busying themselves around him. "Nice of people to help me," he grumbled. He tried to stand, and immense pain flared through his left leg and his chest. He shouted from the pain.

__________________
Want one of these sig characters for yourself? Go ask Goten http://www.runevillage.com/ThePub/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=436409

The Headmaster led the giant to a room on the ground floor. He knocked, and received a "Come in."

They entered a room much like the Headmaster's office, except this one was a bot more homely. It had a bed, an armoire, and other living furniture. On the far end of the room sitting in a chair, was the only sanctioned Black Wizard at the Institute. He didn't look evil at all. He was well dressed, had shoulder-length blonde hair, and green eyes. If ever there were an innocent looking Black Wizard, this would be him.

He regarded the giant with a smirk. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" He asked.

The Headmaster was unphased. "Slanor, this fellow is hearing voices in his head. They aren't the sort that you would conjure, either. They're biological. He went mad in the commons, harming people and destroying buildings. I was hoping that you could help."

"Was that what all that commotion was about?" Slanor said. The Headmaster eyed him. He was in no mood for Slanor's games. "All right, sir," he said with distaste, "come, my overgrown friend. Sit here."

__________________

Awesome Squall sprite courtesy of Goten! Check here if you'd like a runescape or game-themed sprite!

Finishing the warm bread he had purchased from the baker, Aldrin noticed the firearm-toting man from earlier struggling to stand. He approached him. "You brought this apon yourself, you know." He offered his hand. "It would've been best just to get out of the way. May I help you over to the Institute? There'll be a white mage handy to assist you, I'm sure."

__________________
Feel free to add me on Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/id/Topsummoner

Join us at the RV Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/DgtPWPM

The giant walked over and sat down where the wizard motioned.

"N-n-n-o-o-o-w-w-w w-w-w-h-h-h-h-a-a-a-a-t-t-t-t?"

__________________

Awesome sig made by Goten!

Tahu was glad to finally get some peace and quiet. Slanor was hopefully fixing that half-giant, and repairs on the Institute were already underway.
Hm... Dusk... I can already tell he's going to be a major problem. I'm pretty sure he's influencing almost everything behind-the-scenes... We're gonna need some major power, and fast. Better get preparations started for the speed-training for Caston...

__________________
Tahu 1000 - Former Member

OOC: Tahu, just so you know, Dusk had nothing to do with my recent rampage. Not sure if you knew that or not.

__________________

Awesome sig made by Goten!

OOC: This. Tanks' character is just bat-shit crazy.

BIC: "Now, I'm going to peer into your mind. It will probably feel a lot like those voices that you hear. It may feel strange, but stay calm." Slanor took a breath. His smart attitude and sarcasm gave way to concentration, and a little fear. He had never seen someone like this before, and he had heard of the destruction caused. Hopefully nothing of the sort would happen here in this room. He was familiar with the minds of men, but this was no ordinary man. He might react differently to the treatment.

"When you're ready, close your eyes and relax, then we'll begin."

__________________

Awesome Squall sprite courtesy of Goten! Check here if you'd like a runescape or game-themed sprite!

The giant closed his eyes, and tried to relax. He couldn't help be worry that he might freak out and start hurting people again. He tried his best to clear his mind, and waited for the Wizard to begin.

__________________

Awesome sig made by Goten!

The giant closed his eyes, and Slanor began.

Delving into another person's mind is much like imagining yourself walking into a house. Except you don't know what's in that place, nor do you know what you're looking for. However, a good Black Wizard can manipulate the things in that space and put whatever they desire into it.

Thus, one of the many dangers of Black Wizardry. A black wizard with the wrong intentions can torture a soul to suicide, slowly drive them inside, or put images in their mind so shocking, they die suddenly and unexpectedly. Slanor was no such man, however. He was devoted to the Institute, and given the blessing to practice the Dark Arts within reason. He was likely the only black wizard without a warrant for his arrest issued.

Slanor closed his eyes as well, it was easier that way. He projected his essence into the giant's mind. What he saw baffled him.

Most men are complicated, their 'house' having dozens, sometimes hundreds of rooms. It often took him more than one try to find what was wrong. With the giant, things seemed simpler. Howver, Slanor was surrounded by such raw emotion, he initially wanted to sever the link and condemn the man to insanity. But he trudged on.

The first room he found himself in was a sort of parlor, or walled-in porch. The room was small, stifling in a way. It was green, and had a somber feeling to it. He experienced some of the giant's fonder memories there. A successful hunt, a warm summer day, a stiff drink. He came across something curious, a memory of pure happiness. The giant meeting and becoming friends with Caston and Delon. A practical joke. The grateful feeling of not being judged, of being valued.

Slanor moved on, into the living room, a large hall-like space. The color here was red, brown, burnt orange; every unpleasant shade you could imagine. Here was the problem, and the problem was indeed severe. Here, there were ghosts of the giant's troubled past. Taunting, sneering, and laughing at him. Calling him nasty names for no other reason than he was a little different.

The problem was indeed biological, when there was darkness afoot here Slanor would do battle with the other party, the one tormenting the individual. Here, the ghosts ignored him, and went on about their business. Slanor knew how to engage them.

He approached a scene where the giant he was trying to cure now was being taunted by another giant, the second quite a bit larger than his vessel, as well as older. Slanor knew they must be speaking in their native language, but the mind was his domain. He could understand them.

"....You filthy, worthless, halfblooded oaf. Why are you still here, Grageon?"

"This is my home! I have nowhere else to go."

"This isn't your home. It never was your home. Anyone born of a proud giant and a filthy human is an abomination. Get out of here, and never return."

"Grandfather! How can you say that to me? I've done my best at everything. I'm a great hunter, builder, and tracker! Why aren't you proud?" Grageon asked innocently. That must be his real name. He was still young. Slanor could barely watch. His own grandfather, treating him like this.

"How can I be? You're no giant. You're pathetic. You're weak, womanless, parentless, and soulless. Why I let you live, I'll never know." By now, the memory had escalated. The townsfolk had gathered, and everyone was jeering at Grageon. "Leave my village, scum." He shoved the boy. He wasn't getting the picture. He shoved him again. Slanor knew where this was going, he had seen pieces of it happening around the room. They would start throwing rocks, chanting names. They would banish the grandson of the village chief from his own home.

Slanor stepped in and began whispering to the young giant as if he were there with him. He backed his words with dark magic. Alluring, enticing, empowering magic.

"You're not a freak."

Grageon repeated after him. "I'm NOT a freak!" He said defiantly. His grandfather's eyes grew wide. Slanor was altering the memory, locking it away so that it wouldn't torment the giant any longer.

"I'm not a freak, I am what I choose to be. A giant." Slanor was mimicked again. The memory was fading, the room was brightening. "And you will not banish me, I will leave of my own accord. I will live in solitude, where I can have peace. Perhaps some day I will find friends. Friends that won't judge me because I'm different, ones that will value my skill." The memory was gone, the young Grageon was left alone in his now white-walled room. A fresh start. The boy-giant looked content.

Slanor severed the link. "How do you feel, Grageon?"

__________________

Awesome Squall sprite courtesy of Goten! Check here if you'd like a runescape or game-themed sprite!

"This will take all my skill..."

With as much subtlety in the black arts as he could muster, Dusk used the connection to slip quietly into Gigas' mind behind the new Slanor. He watched the procession of memories, learning about his massive foe with every step until Slanor showed his light in the darkness by trying to help save Gigas'... no, Grageon? By saving the half-giant from his own memories. Detecting a finished task, Dusk pulled out swiftly before Slanor, and dared not re-enter for fear of causing madness in Grageon and the death of a potential challenge.

Entertained and educated enough, Dusk began sweeping over the rest of those around him who had formed any ties with those associated to Caston. Their immediate powers were scanned and deemed unrefined.. for now. If Caston were to undertake the "special" training, that would leave Dusk some time himself to prepare to deal with the challenges ahead. Pinpoint accuracy? Lethal toxins? Power enough to crush his body no matter how well his skill would save him? Replacing the orb on its golden stand and moving from the bed, Dusk knew he would need time to prepare for anything and everything.

__________________

Goten is dead!

Grageon sat there for a moment without speaking. Staring straight ahead, but looking at nothing in particular. Finally he spoke, with less difficulty for the first time.

"I...I f-fe-e-el a-at p-p-e-eace f-f-or t-the f-first t-i-i-me in m-m-my l-l-ife. T-thank y-you."

__________________

Awesome sig made by Goten!

"Thanks." said Johath. "I ran here because I heard loud yelling, and it sounded like some sort of animal. I froze in fear as that man was coming towards me, and I only had enough time to pull out my pistol. But thanks for the offer to help me in. I'll take the offer."

__________________
Want one of these sig characters for yourself? Go ask Goten http://www.runevillage.com/ThePub/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=436409

While in the tavern, Delon asked some general gossip questions to the drunken inhabitants to get a lead on Dusk, and who ever started the fire. From a rather elderly, but not yet senile man, he learned that a villager that had spent his life, as far as the man knew, in the city, and was seen riding out of it with great haste. Upon further questioning, and a little "persuasion" he learned that his name was Tory, apparently now an ex-mage of the institute. "Hm, this must be the man who started the fire. But why?" he mused to himself, sipping a mild-strength pint. "Perhaps this is somehow related to Dusk..." Delon decided that after his beer, he would head back to the academy and ask around about this Tory fellow...

...

After a few minutes of leisure, and downing the last drop in his glass, he tipped the bartender with one of his "borrowed" gold coins, and headed back to the academy to look for some of the higher-up mages that might have records or information on his suspect.

__________________




Is irritated that calling a moron a moron is grounds for post deletion.

http://www.wowarmory.com/character-shee ... =Delonyera

٩(̾●̮̮̃̾•̃̾)۶

Helping the man to his feet, Aldrin hoisted him over his shoulders and slowly helped him over towards the institute.

Apon arriving, he called to the mages. "This man needs a white mage!"

__________________
Feel free to add me on Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/id/Topsummoner

Join us at the RV Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/DgtPWPM

Slanor sat down, he was mentally exhausted. He was glad that he could help the fellow, though. He could tell by looking at him that he was baffled to be free of his tormented past, or at least in control of it. The Headmaster clasped his hands together.

"Well, then, that's finished. No more episodes, hopefully. I trust you'll lend us your skill once again?" He paused. "I suppose I'd best get back downstairs and find that boy, Caston. Slanor, rest well tonight because tomorrow I may call on you to assist me. We're putting a young wizard in the Carnage Curriculum."

Slanor looked appalled. "Sir! This isn't a time of emergency, and if the boy is but a budding wizard, he could be killed!"

"Slanor, this is an emergency of sorts. If we fail, our entire world may be thrown into chaos. Trust me." He didn't look convinced, but bowed to the Headmaster's will nonetheless. "Now, if you'll excuse me." The Headmaster said with a final look at Grageon and Slanor.

***

Caston had remained in the commons while the Headmaster lead Gigas upstairs. He could feel the energy of the operation from his spot outside. There was no doubt powerful magic at work in there, he hoped for their success and his friend's health. Caston busied himself reading by lamplight, he was sure that when the Headmaster was ready he would send for him.

After a time, Aldrin came back to the Institute with a man on his back. "This man needs a white mage!" Caston fetched one quickly. It happened to be the same one who had helped Gigas. They approached Aldrin and the other man.

"What's the matter?" Caston asked, as the senior White Wizard set about examining the man.

__________________

Awesome Squall sprite courtesy of Goten! Check here if you'd like a runescape or game-themed sprite!

OOC: I'm well aware, but it was a bit suspicious. While my character is more than a bit genre-savvy, that doesn't make him always right (good luck getting him to admit that, though).

__________________
Tahu 1000 - Former Member

"In the giant's rampage he was thrown against a wall and seems to be unable to stand on his own. Broken bones are likely, but that'll be up to the mage to determine."

__________________
Feel free to add me on Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/id/Topsummoner

Join us at the RV Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/DgtPWPM