Servants rushed about making preparations for the final activation of the portal as well as gathering provisions and packing them into back packs for the trip. There was an electric sense of excitement in the air that over powered all other feelings. There was a wild look in each person's eyes and whenever someone passed by the inscribed circle they could not help but look over at its majesty.
The circle itself was a permanent inlay of silver set directly into the marble floor, but master Riven had preformed the ritual early this morning to activate its powerful latent magic. Now the silver inlays glowed an electric blue and projected a round curtain up into the air that created a cylinder reaching the ceiling. The light cascading up from the floor seemed not to glow so much as flow up and around the boundary like water that had forgotten which way to fall. Deep in the center of this magnificent display was a fractured and blurring vision of a far off green hill.
Korvus was looking over his pack and tightening the straps to keep the load from off-setting. A spectral form floated over to him and began to assist in the work when Korvus shewed him away. "I have it servant. I'm 13 now. I don't need help with my own pack", he said with an indignant tone. He knew the spectral servants were not smart enough to do anything besides find and do basic jobs but he was certain that it should be clear even to them that he was practically a man now. Korvus whisked the back of his hand through the misty substance of the servant's body and it dissipated and flowed a few feet away before reforming.
"Are you ready to go Korvus?" Riven asked as he strode triumphantly into the room basking in the portal's light.
"Aye master, I am ready, but my certainty is a bit diminished by the fact that you STILL haven't told me where we were going", Korvus fired in a playful and artificially annoyed tone.
"Young apprentice, I told you everything you needed to know to calculate our destination last night", Riven teased,"Have you not figured it out with that amazing mind of yours yet?"
Korvus hiked up his pack and did a wet dog shake to scurry the spectral servants as they helped push up the load. "All you said was that we were going to progress my studies in zoology and gave me that arcane formula. I looked in like a MILLION books in the study and I couldn't find it ANYWHERE. SO, I have no clue where we are headed."
"Well my good boy", Riven began as he squatted in front of the boy, "today we are going to where the all bright magic flows from. Where every creature of legend awaits us in nubers too great to be held by our reality. Tonight Korvus, we sleep in the Feywild." There was no hiding the boys expression. All the angst in the middle kingdom could not hide the shock and awe on his face.
A long silence and an unintelligible muttering of lips later Korvus was finally ready to ask," How do we begin Master?"
Riven stood and outstretched his hand in the portals direction. He took a deep breath and the air in the room shifted and whisked as though he had inhaled the entire room. With deliberate and distinct practiced effort Riven spoke the final word of the Portal Ritual. "That's the simple part my boy, simply follow me", and with that, Riven stepped into the light and was gone in a bright blue flash.
"Wow", Korvus muttered with open admiration,"I am SO going to learn this one day."
Monday, August 25, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
The next year.
Korvus was sweating from the effort of concentration. His eyes were closed and he was reaching out with his senses to locate the mana needed to cast his spell. He knew it was all around him, but he was exhausted from the days work load.
He had cleaned everything in the alchemy lab, which included reciting the name and function of each thing he cleaned of course, and fed all of the carnivorous plants in the arboretum. After cleaning the wounds on his arms from a slow weasel toss to a baby Shambling Mound he had exactly one hour to eat and practice making hand held objects invisible. After that it was back to work on his ritual studies until it was time to cook for the local villagers. Master Riven stressed an importance on helping the villagers down the road from the spire. "If a wizard is aloud to grow in power, but is neglected in the study of good conscience, he will fall to the dark powers that he is often forced to summon and deal with", was a mantra spoken so often that Korvus sometimes heard it in his sleep. Seemed like good advice, not that Korvus had ever seen a dark power, but the theory seemed sound.
Korvus was under pressure because he knew he would have to be up early to take his morning lesson. It was dark and he was not aloud to have a lamp in his room. "Every wizard must at times be his own light and guide in life young Korvus, therefore you shall have only the light you are capable of creating by your own will in this room." Korvus took a deep breath and used the relaxation exorcise Master Riven had taught him. His mind released like a tense muscle letting go and he felt his connection to the mana around him return. He gently filled his lungs with air and incanted the arcane word for light as he touched his bed post. The reward of a soft gentle glow filled the room and filled Korvus with satisfaction. He would study the animal messenger ritual for one hour and then be off to bed. He longed for the power to send a message to, and more importantly get a reply from, his mom and dad. He knew he would see them on the comeing solstice celebrations but four times a year did not seem enough for his ten year old heart.
Tomorrow was a whole new day of studies and chores.
He had cleaned everything in the alchemy lab, which included reciting the name and function of each thing he cleaned of course, and fed all of the carnivorous plants in the arboretum. After cleaning the wounds on his arms from a slow weasel toss to a baby Shambling Mound he had exactly one hour to eat and practice making hand held objects invisible. After that it was back to work on his ritual studies until it was time to cook for the local villagers. Master Riven stressed an importance on helping the villagers down the road from the spire. "If a wizard is aloud to grow in power, but is neglected in the study of good conscience, he will fall to the dark powers that he is often forced to summon and deal with", was a mantra spoken so often that Korvus sometimes heard it in his sleep. Seemed like good advice, not that Korvus had ever seen a dark power, but the theory seemed sound.
Korvus was under pressure because he knew he would have to be up early to take his morning lesson. It was dark and he was not aloud to have a lamp in his room. "Every wizard must at times be his own light and guide in life young Korvus, therefore you shall have only the light you are capable of creating by your own will in this room." Korvus took a deep breath and used the relaxation exorcise Master Riven had taught him. His mind released like a tense muscle letting go and he felt his connection to the mana around him return. He gently filled his lungs with air and incanted the arcane word for light as he touched his bed post. The reward of a soft gentle glow filled the room and filled Korvus with satisfaction. He would study the animal messenger ritual for one hour and then be off to bed. He longed for the power to send a message to, and more importantly get a reply from, his mom and dad. He knew he would see them on the comeing solstice celebrations but four times a year did not seem enough for his ten year old heart.
Tomorrow was a whole new day of studies and chores.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
A bold new world
Korvus gathered his favorite shirts and pantaloons and decided that a cloak with a hood would not violate his 3 outfit mandate. He looked at his life spilled there in the snow. He glanced over his shoulder to see if anyone was watching him and then snatched up a wooden horse his father had carved him and tucked it under the clothing in his arms. He began to look over the piles for more of his treasures but then he heard the great doors closing. The last thing he wanted was to be left out on the glacier all night. He dashed for the quickly disappearing light between the doors. Sliding in between, his cloak got caught in the closure and spun him awkwardly back towards the doors. He tugged at it with one hand and it came free. Korvus gave a thankful sigh and turned to find the stairs. "Wicked!", was all the boy could muster.
The tower was unlike anything he had ever imagined. The doorway in the tiny spire opened into a massive great room that defied all means of logical understanding. Outside, the tower had looked about the size of a small cottage in width, but inside, it was easily the size of a grazing field. Several rags and brooms scurried along marble floors and over polished furniture cleaning all the oddities held in the front room. Translucent figures paced about carrying items up and down the gigantic double stair case on the far side of the room and animated plants watered and cleaned themselves. Riven stood in the middle of the entryway and watched as Korvus took it all in. In part he was letting the boy bask in the awe of the room but in part he was watching to see if the boy would break down under the illogical overload of seeing magic on such a grand scale for the first time. For a brief moment Korvus's features went limp as though a stroke had stolen his facial muscles, but then the wonder set in and his eyes began to glow. Korvus's little shoulders spread back widening his chest and he dropped his cloths on the floor as he began to pace forward. His tiny finger followed his eyes and his lips, in full wide grin, muttered half questions about each wonder he saw. "You had a question young apprentice?", Riven asked, still observing his pupil.
"Did...did you make all this?", Korvus asked in excited and hopeful tones only a 9 year old could create.
"Oh yes, what you see here is a lifetime of enchantment rituals. I have had my share of apprentices and associates here to help me over the years of course. But all of this, every secret, can be yours...if you listen closely and do exactly as I say. Your first job as an apprentice, on top of practicing your cantrips, will be to learn what magic can do and learn all the various material components for rituals. You will find a number of books in your room with such basic knowledge. Come, I will show you where you sleep."
The tower was unlike anything he had ever imagined. The doorway in the tiny spire opened into a massive great room that defied all means of logical understanding. Outside, the tower had looked about the size of a small cottage in width, but inside, it was easily the size of a grazing field. Several rags and brooms scurried along marble floors and over polished furniture cleaning all the oddities held in the front room. Translucent figures paced about carrying items up and down the gigantic double stair case on the far side of the room and animated plants watered and cleaned themselves. Riven stood in the middle of the entryway and watched as Korvus took it all in. In part he was letting the boy bask in the awe of the room but in part he was watching to see if the boy would break down under the illogical overload of seeing magic on such a grand scale for the first time. For a brief moment Korvus's features went limp as though a stroke had stolen his facial muscles, but then the wonder set in and his eyes began to glow. Korvus's little shoulders spread back widening his chest and he dropped his cloths on the floor as he began to pace forward. His tiny finger followed his eyes and his lips, in full wide grin, muttered half questions about each wonder he saw. "You had a question young apprentice?", Riven asked, still observing his pupil.
"Did...did you make all this?", Korvus asked in excited and hopeful tones only a 9 year old could create.
"Oh yes, what you see here is a lifetime of enchantment rituals. I have had my share of apprentices and associates here to help me over the years of course. But all of this, every secret, can be yours...if you listen closely and do exactly as I say. Your first job as an apprentice, on top of practicing your cantrips, will be to learn what magic can do and learn all the various material components for rituals. You will find a number of books in your room with such basic knowledge. Come, I will show you where you sleep."
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The arrival
The carriage ride took several days. Korvus was tired and frustrated. The stewards had decided to try and make the trip as short as possible so they pushed the horses for every mile they could get. Sleeping, when it happened at all, was inside the carriage or in a hard bed roll on the ground beside the fire. Bugs ate at his flesh and he had already cried several times when the gnats had bombarded his eyes and had to be dug out by less caring hands than what he was accustomed to with his mom around.
The last leg of the trip was up the side of a mountain and brought frigid air and a vicious headache. They past through a small village of people who lived on the side of the mountain. Each person lugging bundles of sticks for fire or herding mountain goats. Soot from constant need for warming fires had left every person and building marred in black with clothes in shoddy repair from being stretched layer over layer in order to stay warm.
Finally, they reached the tower. Tall and absurdly thin, it was as white as polished ivory and draped in constant clouds of fog that poured down the mountainside. Black rocks jutted from the snow around its base that looked sharp like glass and glissened from wetness. The carriage stopped and the stewards went to work unpacking the bags and tending to the horses. Massive double doors atop the stairs leading to the tower opened in unison and a single man in purple robes stepped out to survey the work. "You must be master Korvus", he said in a formal but friendly tone that affected an air of stern exactness.
"Yes sire", Korvus said with a shaking voice that came more from fear than the cold. One of the stewards nudged him forward and Korvus took a few steps and made a formal bow that his father had taught him, which made him feel akward and a bit silly.
"My name is Lord Master Riven. I am a master magus and have studied in every great academy accross this land and a few that lay beyond the world itself. Do you know what that means boy?", he asked with a calm and honest tone.
"I...I'm not sure sire", Korvus stammered as he pondered exactly what answer his new master was looking for.
Riven smirked and placed a hand on the boys head,"For the time being I supose it means very little at all." Riven gestured at the boxes on the ground that held all the boys things, "What have we here master Korvus?"
"This is everything I own sire. My mother packed for three days to make it all fit", he replied as a slight smile slipped his lips at the thought of her.
"Well, that is a pitty then", Riven commented as he flicked his wrist at the baggage. All of the cases and boxes opened themselves and emptied their contents into the snow. "Pick out three sets of clothing. You will not reqire anything else." Riven kneeled beside the child and looked him evenly in the eye. "From this moment forth you will eat, drink and sleep magic boy. There will be no time for foolishness or idle endevors. Do you understand son?" There was no malice in Riven's voice but the steely look in his eye let Korvus know that he would brook no half answers.
"I understand Master Riven."
Riven turned to walk into the spire as Korvus scrambled for three sets of clothes. "Oh, and Korvus", he said softly as he looked over his shoulder and waited to meet the boys eyes," Welcome to your new home."
The last leg of the trip was up the side of a mountain and brought frigid air and a vicious headache. They past through a small village of people who lived on the side of the mountain. Each person lugging bundles of sticks for fire or herding mountain goats. Soot from constant need for warming fires had left every person and building marred in black with clothes in shoddy repair from being stretched layer over layer in order to stay warm.
Finally, they reached the tower. Tall and absurdly thin, it was as white as polished ivory and draped in constant clouds of fog that poured down the mountainside. Black rocks jutted from the snow around its base that looked sharp like glass and glissened from wetness. The carriage stopped and the stewards went to work unpacking the bags and tending to the horses. Massive double doors atop the stairs leading to the tower opened in unison and a single man in purple robes stepped out to survey the work. "You must be master Korvus", he said in a formal but friendly tone that affected an air of stern exactness.
"Yes sire", Korvus said with a shaking voice that came more from fear than the cold. One of the stewards nudged him forward and Korvus took a few steps and made a formal bow that his father had taught him, which made him feel akward and a bit silly.
"My name is Lord Master Riven. I am a master magus and have studied in every great academy accross this land and a few that lay beyond the world itself. Do you know what that means boy?", he asked with a calm and honest tone.
"I...I'm not sure sire", Korvus stammered as he pondered exactly what answer his new master was looking for.
Riven smirked and placed a hand on the boys head,"For the time being I supose it means very little at all." Riven gestured at the boxes on the ground that held all the boys things, "What have we here master Korvus?"
"This is everything I own sire. My mother packed for three days to make it all fit", he replied as a slight smile slipped his lips at the thought of her.
"Well, that is a pitty then", Riven commented as he flicked his wrist at the baggage. All of the cases and boxes opened themselves and emptied their contents into the snow. "Pick out three sets of clothing. You will not reqire anything else." Riven kneeled beside the child and looked him evenly in the eye. "From this moment forth you will eat, drink and sleep magic boy. There will be no time for foolishness or idle endevors. Do you understand son?" There was no malice in Riven's voice but the steely look in his eye let Korvus know that he would brook no half answers.
"I understand Master Riven."
Riven turned to walk into the spire as Korvus scrambled for three sets of clothes. "Oh, and Korvus", he said softly as he looked over his shoulder and waited to meet the boys eyes," Welcome to your new home."
Leaving home
He was born brilliant. Simple as that. His mother had some minor talent with magic but hardly pursued it beyond a few simple cantrips. His father was once a scholar in the great library of Waterdeep. Good blood for magedom all around. Unlike many stories of raw magical talent at an early age, there were no moments of uncontrolled outbursts and mysterious spirits that haunted his room at night. Korvus had more than talent, more than the bloodline, he also had a natural aptitude for control.
By the time he was 5 years of age he could flavor his food to taste like anything he wished. By 7 he had mastered all the cantrips his mother could teach him. On his 9th birthday he watched his mother weep as she packed his bags. His father, who stood about statuesque, would not shed a tear. Korvus knew his father was too proud of this moment to ruin it with sentiment. All his belongings were placed into the carriage as servants ushered him up to his seat. He looked back over his shoulder at his mother and father as he started off. He was scared to be away from them, but the pride that held back his fathers tears gave Korvus strength. He waved with his four fingers over the back of his seat. At that moment his only hope was that where ever he was going... they would love him.
By the time he was 5 years of age he could flavor his food to taste like anything he wished. By 7 he had mastered all the cantrips his mother could teach him. On his 9th birthday he watched his mother weep as she packed his bags. His father, who stood about statuesque, would not shed a tear. Korvus knew his father was too proud of this moment to ruin it with sentiment. All his belongings were placed into the carriage as servants ushered him up to his seat. He looked back over his shoulder at his mother and father as he started off. He was scared to be away from them, but the pride that held back his fathers tears gave Korvus strength. He waved with his four fingers over the back of his seat. At that moment his only hope was that where ever he was going... they would love him.
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