Journal entry #3 (And! the adventures of a sword #1)
Mini note: status update will be at the end of the chapter!
{4th Era year 5}
Fucking COLD! That was my first thoughts when visiting Skyrim. Due to our ride to High Rock being conducted during the summer months we were fortunate to not be caught up in the freezing temps before.
Unlike this time however.
Thus we made landfall once more in Winterhold. Since it was far before the collapse that was set to happen in about 115 years from now, we we enjoyed the sprawling docks for miles of coast. Ships moved too and and away from the vibrant city.
While there was some unsavory individuals here and there, I thought of them as natural in this day and age. But they didn't slow us down. With my new reputation and the publishing of my theory, I actually had Septims to spend.
That's also including the very high sales from before in the Imperial capital. So with a good bit of money most of the less "adventurous" criminals decided best to leave us alone. Then there was the banner flown on our ship.
The wind-striders were both famous and infamous in these parts of Skyrim. The green banner of Winds flowing behind a pair of running boots was a sign of a reckoning for many in Skyrim after all.
The ruthless way the Clan would take care of their enemies was acknowledged by most.
So what it meant for us was the customs people waving us through like we would have them killed in the case we were held up.
Inside the city proper we found a sprawling market of variety. The ports were drawing in business from around the continent. Thus you could find pelts from Eleswer, plants from the summerset Isles, and products from Morrowind. Though the last was taking a large hit due to the recent disaster.
In fact the actual regions surrounding East March or better known as Windhelm had an increase in Dunmer populations as of recent times.
That being the case we saw quite a few Dunmer just trying to make a living in the poorer regions.
Our walk through the city though eventually brought us to our destination of this stop. The college of Winterhold.
Due to the illustrious status of my master as well as my recent exploits we were soon recognized as we neared the entrance to the bridge.
Thus a very excitable young Nord man was happy to lead us. The young man was set on catching any snippet of knowledge we could offer. He was only an novice level mage it turned out.
He did have a good head on his shoulders though. The young man was very intelligent and had a preference to alterations same as my Master. Though his preference was more towards body reinforcement.
Turns out it was actually a specialty of his clan and what they were known for. Talking with him as Granny went about registering me I finally realized I never asked him his name.
"Oh? I'm terrible sorry! I get quite excited when I am learning new things. My name Is Tolfdir Ebon-Heart of the Ebon-Heart clan. It really is an honor to meet one of my peers who has already progressed so far."
I swore my brain almost halted when I heard his name. Made me realize just how old Tolfdir was in the game timeline, or at least how old he could have been.
The boy in front of me was literally my age! But he would go on to become a master Level mage in alterations.
After that hiccup though we got to speaking about Magic and differences in application that we had. With my barebones knowledge of Magecraft reinforcement we were able to even come up with runes that could help.
For the talk, as was customary, I gave him a storage ring that I had made in my own experiments with enchanting as a gift. He thought it was a novel Idea due to how most mages used pockets of oblivion to store their things.
I simply pointed out if someone just so happened to use some runes to "Reinforce" the dragon veil in a certain area it would block access to that pocket.
For his gift to me he gave me some notes he had on alteration spells. or at least his on the "Skin Spells"
The madman actually used manipulations for his! Which to put in perspective, would be like trying to drive a car while punching someone in the face. The focus to keep the Magicka skin active while also completing complex actions normally would require immense focus.
Even when I tried it like in his notes It was still difficult. And he would do it like he was breathing. Though it must be said, He did have a predisposition for it. The Clan he came from had special practices to promote this type of growth in the early stages of development.
It just so happened that I had a similar notion with spatial elemental castings. Our bodies were just built different, as Magicka does. The influence of our spells bleeding into our physiques.
After that encounter Granny found me to introduce me to the current Arcmage of the College. The spry old man by the name of Hodor Fork-Killer. Seeing the obvious look on my face at his introduction he sighed and explained the story of his name.
The man happened to be at a bar in Solitude when the oblivion crisis kicked off. The drunk Nord of a man forgot he was a Master Illusionist for a moment as he grabbed a fork from his table and proceeded to fight off the hoard of invading Dedra with said fork.
He kept it by his side to this day and has since had it enchanted as well. He named it Forky and it was enchanted with a warming type spell to keep food warm as he used it.
Sheogorath would like him.
Then came the dreaded boring part of why we came here. My tests.
With my years of advancement I had come a long way. Thus we decided I would get an actual certification of my ranks.
The practical tests were a cake walk. I had learned fire spells in particular for Destruction magic. Thus an Adept bordering Expert level of Fire manipulation via Magicka was shown to the proctor of my test. The Altimer in question was astounded by my master at my age.
For Illusion it wasn't nearly as great as it could have been. Though it was spells after all. I wasn't using pathway abilities in these tests. Thus I was ranked at Novice.
Conjuration though was a surprise for them as I had 2 bound Dedra to myself and a Shadow Familiar. The sight of Naze and Renza addressing me as Lord did make a few heads turn. The shadow familiar though about made the poor examiner soil himself.
It was his own fault in my defense. The man had scoffed at the small unassuming cat thinking he wasn't an eldritch horror of shadows and sadism. Which he had to learn about when he insulted Azazel.
Azazel himself hadn't changed much outwardly though. The cute kitten was just as adorable as before. Instead he grew in intelligence. He mostly kept to himself relaxing in my shadow which I'm sure is halfway to becoming a Demi-plane with all of the things he takes and hides there.
He also began to be able to speak one or two words here and there. Which mostly consisted of him saying "food" or "pets". I will not confess to spoiling him, though, He would deserve it if I did so.
When he strung up the proctor in front of the crowd of master mages though with shadows I did get some eyebrows raised.
Also a new proctor was assigned. Ended up with an Expert level of Conjuration though.
Alteration was my bread and butter. With my feats of showing off projection Magecraft as well as Reinforcement I was given my Expert level designation for that school.
For the Mystic school I was allowed to do a divination of the proctor. Which instantly made me retch as I just so happened to see what the man got up to in his spare time in the undercroft of the College.
Needless to say Azazel strung up another individual with prejudice as he started with Sentry Cats as his first experimental subjects. (Famous cats used as guards for mages and are considered some of the best and most beloved among mages)
After explaining the exact route to the confused Master mages to the site of his experiments I was named a Master in Mysticism. Though most really only scoffed at first before the runners came back.
Their faces were paler and it looked as though they had thrown up a lot when they came back. The forever nameless fool was to be sentenced to death but Azazel had other ideas.
He now resided in my shadow as Azazel kidnapped him as the Mages were about to restrain him. When I told him that said familiar was going on talking about taking revenge for cat kind they almost dropped it. Granny put their worries to rest though with only one sentence.
"He will be dealt with, That will be all."
And so my official designation was an Expert Alteration and Mystic mage. However much their opinions mattered. Sadly Shadow wasn't considered a school of magic by most of the different schools of thought. Even if It was a powerful source of magic many were unable to utilize it and went mad using it.
Even then being recognized as a 15 year old Expert mage was a very good achievement still.
After the test it was determined that I had to give a lecture for the students. Due to my age as well as my lacking credentials it was determined for me to give one to Novice students.
As such, it was only right that I would decide my subject of interest of my lecture was my Theory.
When a week later I was in a classroom similar to the colleges of my previous world only the tables being made of stone were the real difference I began.
"Welcome students. As it was announced I will be your lecturer for today. My name is Azarius Emiya."
I then proceeded to just sit on the front desk in front of everyone and relaxed. Which got some scoffs from some of the older mages watching in the background for "unprofessionalism". Up yours!
"In this lecture we won't be going over anything specific. Instead I want to pose a question. You can be as vague or detailed as you want. But! You all must have YOUR answer by the end. Really think about how you answer this as it is your own perception that is important."
Being sure I now had most of the attention of novice level mages in the room I said, "What is Magic?"
I saw a few confused faces among the newly minted mages so I elaborated what I wanted. "What is Magic? That is my question to you. You who have barely set foot in this world. You who have little to no bias or centuries of study. What is it? Write out your answer to the best of your ability. You have the entire time of the class to answer it."
One of the older mages in the back apparently had enough though of my little question and decided to intervene. Main thing I noticed on him was his shiny head that even shined in the dark classroom lit by magelight.
"This is preposterous! Why have a bunch of kids who barely have even casted a spell even deign to answer such a question. They wouldn't even know the difference of an enchanted sword to a regular one much less the profound nature of Magic Itself!"
Turning my attention to the baldheaded man of which is now my nickname for is Baldy. I answered him.
"Oh? and why is that so Baldy. Is it because mayhap they may actually try and figure out something on their own? Or maybe they aren't intelligent enough to think on their own for your standards?"
This man, had the audacity! To say in front of multiple master level mages, "Of course they aren't. They barely have even touched a spell tome much less had the chance to actually learn the ins and outs of Magicka! You might as well had asked a farmer!"
Turning back my attention to the wide awake class of Novices I said, "And this is what I meant about Bias! We have here a mage who probably hasn't had much success himself and wants to project that onto others. I will go into my own view of magic in the end of course but I wanted to hear from you all because fools like him limit your thought process."
Hopping off the desk I faced the fuming mage while noticing half of the higher level mages had frowns or thoughtful faces. Before he went on a tirade I continued, "There is nowhere in any book that is actually useful for the study of magic that says it must be some way or another. We mages have since the First Era have segregated Magic into schools for ease of study. To allow new mages to learn our ways in a systematic format. But nowhere does it say what magic can and can't accomplish."
"But these children can't even comprehend that!" He said screaming at me. To which I only smiled. Because I saw a hand raised from the front row.
"Tolfdir, What's your thoughts?" I said ignoring the red faced mage.
"Magicka comes from Atherius first and foremost. Magic itself is the art of using runes to manipulate the Magicka in our bodies and the world to enact spells."
The words made the mage sputter as he pointed. Another hand was raised. A Redguard woman in the back of the classroom.
pointing at him he rose from his seat and said, "Atmah, Magic is the process of using Magicka to enact our will onto the world." she quickly sat back down from the attention she was getting though.
Finally looking back to Baldy I said, "Ideas can come from anywhere mage. The world around you has answers, It is why Journeyman mages are told to see the world. If you can't acknowledge that a few novices can potentially see more than you, then you need to reevaluate yourself."
"AggghhhhhhhHHHH!!!!!!"
Screaming he charged at me. As gasps rang through the classroom, tapped the heel of my boot against the ground in the use of a cantrip.
The Stone beneath his feet wrapped them slightly tripping him. It also broke his concentration of the flame spell in his hand that was manifesting.
Then raising an arm I used a simple illusion spell of calm on him, only it was supercharged to the Adept level. Thus he became very relaxed and a moment later he was asleep.
As most of the people there were staring with some admiration I said to the classroom, "I'm still expecting your answers class."
While the novices began to work earnestly after my display another mage came and got the sleepy Baldy. Discreetly giving me a thumbs up. Huh, guess he wasn't well liked.
I then started hearing the differing examples ranging from copying me in my theory to just a simple magic is magic.
So to end it off I spoke, "Magic. There is no one definition to be the end all be all as of right now. Even my own theory is just that, A theory. This is because in the case of Magicka itself is adaptable. Your very own perceptions change it's nature. It is one of the reasons why I use change as the base of my theory."
Pacing in the front of the attentive novices I say, "But what is definable is the process of using magic. There will always be three components of spells. Intent, Actualization, then result. The start to end of casting a spell. Keep this in mind when you next try your spell.
This will enable you to understand your process. It allow you to learn everything about what you are doing. Thus when you learn to cast successfully you know what went right. and when you inevitably fail, as even I have, you can learn from them. To tweak your next cast so that it is successful next time. That's all I have, Thank you."
A standing ovation from the novices and begrudging claps from the other lecturers.
[Azarius Noct Emiya]
Strength: C+
Endurance: C-
Agility: B-
Mana: C+
Luck: B+
Pathways:
Fool: Sequence 6 Faceless
Door: Sequence 5 Traveler
Marauder: N/A
Magicka: Expert
Destruction: Adept
Alteration: Expert
Conjuration: Expert
Illusion: Novice
Shadow: Adept
Mystic: Expert
Artifacts:
Amentia: Pistol of Sheogorath.
-When fired offensive and defensive spells are released at random.
Shroud of Nocturnal: Arm sleeve made of cloth from the throne room of Nocturnal.
- Creates clothing made of shadows as a coat or mantel. Able to shapeshift.
- enhances stealth in shadows. Blocks "sight" of other beings.
- Shadow weapon creation (IE: shadow claw)
Fukanzen: Incomplete weapon created to act as a Magical Foci.
- Enhances use of spatial spells
- Able to channel spells through the blade.
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(The Adventures of a Sword! Part 1)
[Pov Shirou]
With my departure from Azarius I'll admit to a slight feeling of sadness to seeing us go our separate ways. Even if it was a temporary thing and we would reunite eventually the Brat had grown on me. Not to mention I had never truly had a sibling. While Fuji-nee tried to act as a big sister to me i had ended up being more her caretaker than anything else.
A little brother like Azarius was a handful and a half. But with time and some "therapeutic" trips around the Shivering isles I had grown to love the little bundle of trouble. Even if he did get on my nerves with his teasing. Still wouldn't let go of the "flirting" incident. Brat.
Still being able to have flesh and blood once more was a wonderful feeling. The body created for me was spectacular. They had used the various forms of research to accurately recreate even the way my body had been modified through the overuse of Avalon.
The best part had to have been the connection having been cut off from me and finally existing on my own for the first time in centuries.
As such my first order of business was to learn about this world on my own. At first that consisted of wandering the various cities of Cyrodil. That went about as well as it could but I did make quite a bit of Septims from the many bandits.
Then when I finally made it to the border of Hammerfel I put on a mask. The mask itself was just plain white. I had decided to follow some old traditions on this next journey. My time here would be for the sword. To comprehend the art of Sword Singing.
A few months into my journey across the savannahs and prairies led to me honing my new body. limiting myself to what the old swordsman would have as they made their way across the lands of Hammerfel. I met many different people on my journey as well.
From the humble hunters to the aspiring swordsman. They all tried to find their place in this world just as I was. Many of them challenged me to exchanges and some even sought me to teach them.
I only taught them simple forms. Things that they could change to fit themselves as they grew older.
Such was my life for these few months as well as the next few years until I made it to the Alik'r desert. Along the way I saw many new sights. I had even witnessed the grave of some of the previous Ansei, or sword singers. With that I had even copied their some of their swords.
With time I began to meditate with them. Seeing their history as they were wielded by their masters was helpful in my endeavor, at least i had thought at first. But as the years went by I figured out just why that process wouldn't work. They were not me.
Thus with such revelations I moved onto taking what I needed from those Masters. Building up what worked for them and what could work for me.
In the end I could tell this process would take a long time for me. but in the end I had a long time to learn as well. So began my start into the Desert. Where I resolved myself to stay for until I was truly needed.
So became the legend of the Ghost of the Ansei. A man who wore a plain white mask and a red cloak. Who used the styles of the Ansei of old. Helping those in need throughout the Alik'r Desert.
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Stones for the Sword Saints of Old!
An:// Hope you like this little tidbit in the college. As well as some good old face slapping. a bit cliché but meh, it was funny to write. For the Adventures of a sword since it was only the beginning it was on the shorter side. Later on they will be their own stand alone chapters similar to an Omake but they are cannon events.
Omake might come later on for the giggles as I will probably let loose more in them since they will be non cannon to the story. (Thoughts when I'm driving for work.)
If you enjoyed the chapter throw a few stones my way so we can get on the leader boards. Would be ecstatic if we could end up in the top 200 out of shear spite. Don't let the smutty books win! though we probably have read them....