Tread the Path at Dusk

Tahu 1000 · **Posted:** December 24th, 2010, 12:26 pm

I still think that everyone being a mage is putting all of our eggs in one basket. I was hoping Delon could get some anti-mage equipment/training or something, which would make him powerful while still staying "normal." I'm surprised that, in a world where magic is so powerful, well-known, and widely-practiced, no one's come up with a way to fight that. It suggests to me that basically everyone would be capable of learning magic; else, there would definitely be a group of non-mages who would develop anti-mage techniques to even out the playing field.

Znath · **Posted:** December 24th, 2010, 5:35 pm

My thought on like the whole 'using your internal energy' is much like how in many games the non-magic users tend to learn special techniques and get abnormally fast and stronger. I was shying away from using words like 'chi' and 'chakra' but that's essentially the same thing as long as you don't use it in the fairy-tale magic way naruto does.

So in that sense, magic users manipulate mental energies to harness the power of nature around them. And fighters focus primarily on the bodily powers.

Riptide · **Posted:** December 24th, 2010, 9:58 pm

Enchanted items could work, as well. White mages can help other mages with their type, right? So why couldn't they do the opposite, make a defense system to reflect it?

Landerpurex · **Posted:** January 2nd, 2011, 1:50 pm

Znath wrote:

My thought on like the whole 'using your internal energy' is much like how in many games the non-magic users tend to learn special techniques and get abnormally fast and stronger.

Exactly.

We've been over this before. I'm game for almost anything, especially at this point. Play around with it. Go for the time magic thing, but it HAS to be subtle.

Discrimin8 · **Posted:** January 2nd, 2011, 3:48 pm

I wasn't going to pull out a "Delon saw Caston take a blade through the spine, so he rewinded time 5 minutes"

More of a "Delon turned around to see an enemy approaching Caston. He knew he wouldn't have enough time to react, so Delon would have to intervene. Delon ran towards the enemy at speeds a normal rogue would be impressed with, only further assisted by his slight control over time"

That kinda thing.

Landerpurex · **Posted:** January 2nd, 2011, 7:39 pm

Sounds plausible to me. Give it a shot.

BACK. IN. CHARACTER.

"Paige, how far is Dusk's hideout from Windrow?"

"And more importantly...how can we be sure that you aren't leading us straight into a trap?" Caston had already gauged the situation, and he knew Dusk the best out of everyone in the group. He doubted it was a setup, but the possibility was still there.

Kikori · **Posted:** January 2nd, 2011, 8:03 pm

"Because he has a purpose he wants you people to fulfill, and you can not do so if you are dead. Were he simply after your lives, keep in mind how many opportunities he has had to take them." Paige pushed away from her face, leaves shifting to reveal the lights and colors of Windrow in the distance. "We're here... And m'lord's keep in the mountains to the east are but one more day away." Paige released the branch and continued walking, wondering how well the buildings would have been repaired in such a short time.

Tahu 1000 · **Posted:** January 3rd, 2011, 7:16 pm

OOC: Well, then, let's move things along.
"What purpose does he have for us to fulfill? You mentioned that we're supposed to prevent a catastrophe from occurring, or, rather, reoccurring, but you're being remarkably sparse with specifics." Tahu was getting rather fed up with Paige's wall of secrets, and even Mabel was feeling irritated. "We know how strong Dusk is first-hand. If you're sincere about wanting to help us, why are you holding back vital information?"
"You've hinted at knowing the answers to the most important questions regarding Dusk," Mabel continued, "but you're not giving us those answers. Your withholding is starting to seem more like malice than a desire for secrecy."

Znath · **Posted:** January 3rd, 2011, 7:57 pm

"I can hardly tell if we are going to a fight or a business proposition. My main stake in all this is if he is involved with the caravan attacks or if they are simply being attributed to him." Adam says moving along with everyone. "Seems his ward here is either cluelessly obedient or devious and secretive. I doubt even if she knows anything she would reveal it.."

Discrimin8 · **Posted:** January 3rd, 2011, 8:39 pm

"All information has a price. That price isn't strictly monetary... Information for goods, information for a task, information for information. We just need to find out what she's interested in." Delon spoke softly. "So tell me Paige, as we haven't had any time to speak... You and I seem to be quite similar... We have our reasons for what we do. What makes you tick? What benefit do you get from your position?"

Kikori · **Posted:** January 4th, 2011, 7:47 pm

Stopping just short of the last tree dividing the path between the party and Windrow, Paige turned around to the group. "It's still his story to tell, but if it explains the urgency, I'll reveal this. Tory's mutilation was triggered by a small shift in mindset and a lot of self deprecation. M'lord was not so fortunate. He was twisted nearly to a breaking point, and has fought that breaking point since. He cannot fight that point much longer." It put a sting in Paige's chest to have to reveal something out of line, but hopefully the idea of Dusk's decaying rationality might help the group understand what they're gathered for. Delon's comment, however, merely earned a stern glare, and a sharp retort of "A reason to live. Now go."

Tahu 1000 · **Posted:** January 5th, 2011, 2:36 pm

That's...rather interesting.
But why us?
"But why us?" Mabel asked. "If Dusk is afraid of going insane, wouldn't he use all his prodigious magical talent to fix that? I know he's quite a skilled white mage. Barring that, if he really wants to die to prevent himself from turning into a mass murderer, then why doesn't he just kill himself?"

Riptide · **Posted:** January 6th, 2011, 9:26 pm

"Mabel, didn't you hear her earlier? Dusk wants to be killed by a worth opponent." Jarrett rolled his eyes. "Also, Delon, can I see one of your daggers? I want to test something."

OOC: Blah blah blah, more magic stuff to make my head hurt. ;_; Anyways, I was thinking, Green Mages bend the earth to their will. I'm going to assume Delon's daggers are two natural, raw minerals mixed, like most weapons are. It would be hard for a green mage who has stuck to purely manipulating the Earth, not man made metals or other stuff. So why not focus on the two separate metals binded together? If you guys approve of this, my only question is this: What would happen to the weapon? Would it spontaneously combust, or implode on itself?

Landerpurex · **Posted:** January 7th, 2011, 6:45 am

OOC: I can't remember who I talked to about this, but it makes perfect sense for Green Wizards to be able to manipulate metals, woods, and stones, even if they've been used as building material. Unfortunately for you, Riptidenub, you aren't the *most* proficient wizard but you can definitely play around with it.

BIC: Paige's response wasn't anything Caston didn't already know. Or rather, it wasn't anything he hadn't already inferred.

"We're finally back...I'm headed straight to the Institute. We will be leaving tomorrow morning, as long as there aren't any new developments. As great as a bit of a rest would be, we cannot lose sight of our goal." Caston turned to Paige.

"Have you ever been to the Institute? Will you accompany me?"

OOC: Assume the city to still be in disrepair, but the crater has been filled in and there stands a memorial in the square with the names of those who died that day. There are new buildings being constructed everywhere. The Institute is completely fixed.

Znath · **Posted:** January 7th, 2011, 1:42 pm

Adam made sure all his items were secure before entering the town. "Just like home hmm? Does every village in this area have a crater?" He mused briefly. "I assume the result of another encounter with this Dusk guy."

"I have nothing better to do.. so I will see this so called institute as well. Mmm I hear about it so much I might as well check it out."

Discrimin8 · **Posted:** January 7th, 2011, 2:03 pm

"No offense meant to you, but the only time I would trust you with my weapons, is when I shove them through your back at this journey's end." Delon replied coldly.

Kikori · **Posted:** January 7th, 2011, 4:17 pm

Slightly confused when she made a reference to asking for weapons, or asked for the thief's trust in specific, Paige simply dismissed him as spiteful and turned to Caston. "I have not, and..." Hesitation. She knew she would not be harmed, both due to capability and not being physically next to Dusk, but the approach from the people at the Institute that Paige thought she would receive felt more tiring than what she had endured in interrogation from Caston's party. However, she once again steeled herself and nodded a second after leaving the sentence hanging. "I shall." Paige started moving from her place by the tree, getting to the side of Caston in step.

Znath · **Posted:** January 7th, 2011, 6:30 pm

"Mmm ok Delon... why do you need a dagger then Jarrett.. Just playing around or will any old thing do?" Adam questioned. "I imagine if you need anything specific, you can easily find it in a town this size."

Riptide · **Posted:** January 8th, 2011, 4:28 am

OOC: Well, Lander, Green Mages really stick to manipulating the earth, so I thought fused materials wouldn't work, but meh, what the heck, I'll do my own thing.

BIC: Jarrett smiled at Delon's honesty. They hadn't gotten on good terms to begin with at the start of this crazy adventure, and after maybe a week, (OOC:I honestly have no idea how long it's been) Jarrett could expect not to be trusted by the thief. He turned his head towards Adam and said, "Well, you are right, Adam, I could find a dagger somewhere here. I want to practice manipulating metals, like you can. I'll just start out small." Jarrett sort of admired Adam. Being a green mage, he stuck purely to nature, and never tried man-made objects. He continued thinking of more crazy experiments he could do with magic.

OOC: It has been a week, if not over it, right?

Landerpurex · **Posted:** January 8th, 2011, 2:13 pm

OOC: A week is a pretty accurate assumption. And building materials COME FROM the earth, so it makes sense to be able to use them.

I'm quite busy today, but you can certainly expect a lengthy post incoming soon.

Tread the Path at Dusk

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