Let's call ourselves Yuka. Or Yuma. Whatever works.

iMagining

>>9427713

Yuka will work.

as if we didn't already have enough fucking quest threads.

ruby quest was fun, and dorf quest was cute, but this is getting horribly stale

fuck a pokemon board, just make a goddamn quest board

Aleres Isaniel.

>a goddamn quest board
That would be nice.

I vote for Aleres. Partially to be contrary, partially because I dislike Yuka.

>>9427770

this sounds good, better than yuka.

Let's go for Aleres. Besides it's a bit more unisex - Yuka's pretty female. We aren't sure what gender we are presently.

"Come on, Yuka, you're musing again," Gillean shoves you playfully before heading out the door, liberal clouds of dust swept up in small torrents by the billowing, scratchy robes that serve as the only clothing available to students; a remnant of the original monastic tradition of mages in the pre-Imperial years.
Swinging yourself out onto the cold stone floor, you exhale sharply, then sluggishly put on your robes and your nicest pair of slippers. Bending down you pick up the book you were studying the night before. But what sort of book is it?
--Evocation: The least subtle or versatile form of magic. Think fireballs and lightning bolts.

--Biomancy: Working with and creating living matter. Summoning, healing, nature magic.

--Necromancy: The opposite of biomancy. Spells generally snuff out life forces or instill negative emotions; undead creation and control are the most difficult forms of necromancy. Necromancers are held on some of the shortest of Imperial leashes.

--Alchemy: Drawn-out and archaic, alchemy uses very precise and time-consuming rituals to concoct dangerous potions or instill objects with useful enchantments.

--Forcemage: Makes use of kinetic barriers to protect themselves and others. Can create powerful wards against magical attack and are proficient with counterspells. Higher levels of Force magic can be used as aggressive, stabbing applications of kinetic sorcery.

There are also Enchanters, mind-mages that whispers sweet nothings and compliments heavy with arcane intent, but you would have been forbidden from practicing that art in the Imperial schools, as a charmer is ill suited for a role as a military subordinate.

quick note: I like Aleres better. Your name is Aleres now >_>

seeing this picture on Op post was alarming to me.

Its the picture I use for my WoW RPG character.

It seemed a natural choice considering I could cosplay him and I'm a warlock.

>>9428022
sorry to have alarmed you? It was the first badass looking wizard i found in my art folder.

While we're waiting, presumably for anyone to take interest, it would behoove us to take stock of our genitals: What gender is Aleres?

>>9428073
Fuck B>S, never apologize to him.

>>9428073
You didn't alarm me.

But how about Aleres being male?

>>9427874
>>9427921
"Yuma" was pretty unisex and is both Western and Eastern.

>>9428099

Male's all right, I suppose?

Also I'm voting for biomancy. Our minds connect with the force that gives life to all. Well, or at least it did the previous night.

>>9428099
Male it is. But that still leaves the question:
What school of magic have you been slaving away at for your adolescence?
>>9427902

>>9427902
It's a book for Enchanters obviously. A bit of a secret side project. I mean, do we really want to do any work to rise up the ranks?

>>9428176

We might study that as a side project. But biomancy or forcemagic, both sound pretty good to me.

Let's see if there's other votes?

>>9428216
Waiting for some other opinions to weigh in. Right now I'm hearing Biomancy, with some super-secret dabbling in Enchantment

>>9428236

Wait, let's say we want to shape flesh into amorphous terrors that can wreak havoc on the battlefield. Is that biomancy or necromancy?

I'm for whichever it is.

>>9428262
It would be biomancy, since you're altering living cells without seeking specifically to kill them.

>>9428292

Biomancy it is, then. Let's go for that.

>>9428292
Could an Enchanter inspire courage and bravery even in cowards?

>Biomancy, dabbling in Enchantment
Shaping up to be a rather unscrupulous character. But such is the way for so many bright mages faced with the crushing gears of the Imperial war machine.

You stow the Enchantment book away in the compartment under your bed, thankful that Gillean didn't realize what you'd passed out studying. You suspect he probably wouldn't hold it against you though.
You are:
Aleres Isaniel, Apprentice Mage (soon to be Journeyman?)
You are somewhat skilled in Biomancy. You have access to:
Minor Mending (healing living tissue)
Root Guide (commune with plant life to discern general location/direction)
Sylkis' Summons (crafts a fey creature from the pure dweomer in the air, a barely-visible sprite that does your bidding to the best of its ability)
Guardian Seal (summon a figment of an imprinted guardian creature. You can currently summon a Wolf Figment)
You are a dabbler in the art of Enchantment. You have access to:
Minor Suggestion (You can very subtly influence the opinion of another through verbal council. At this point, you're not sure whether this is because of the magic or because you happen to be mildly convincing)

>>9428413
That depends on the methods used to achieve this. Convincing a terrified man that he is not afraid takes some skill. Deluding him into believing the objects of his fear are gone or harmless could be easier, while rewriting his mind into a more courageous one is nigh unthinkable.

Your affairs now in order, you step out of your room, locking it with the heavy iron key stashed in one of your robe's pockets.
You are due fairly soon before your instructor, but you might be a little more clear headed if you got something to eat.
>What do?

>>9428362
2nd

>>9428471
Let's grab some noms. A balanced breakfast will help us in our studies.

>>9428471

Is there anywhere we could grab a bite in a hurry? Though to be honest it might be better to go to class hungry. Just to get the eagerness levels up.

>>9428471
Grab energy foods. Bananas and yogurt or something similar.

>>9428471
Ask impressionable lower classman to bring you something to eat while you wait. (use magic as needed)

>>9428497
>>9428496
>noms in a hurry
You go a bit out of your way to get to the kitchens. The servants are clearing away the materials from breakfast. Shame: it looks like they finally made use of the smoked sausage you'd been eyeing in the larder for the past few days.
A large pot of sausage stew remains; the servants are probably planning on using it to make their own morning meal. One of the servants offers you a somewhat deferential bow of the head as you enter. Will you hurry on to class or try and wrangle some of that stew for yourself?

>>9428562

Let's try our minor persuasion.

'That is some excellent sausage stew there, good man. It would be very nice if I could have some. Will you not let me have some, friend?'

>>9428471

Also, do we know which instructor it is we're going to face presently? Like, do we have specialisations, is that our personal tutor or something?

>>9428578
>what a perfect opportunity
Palming the focus stone you've been (hopefully) pouring your ego into for the past few weeks, you try your best to instill your words with commanding power. The servant nods, stirring the pot slowly, then shrugs.
"Well, young master, we usually end up throwing out a few bowls' worth for the pigs' slop anyway. Couldn't hurt to give you a bite."
He ladles some stew into a carved wooden bowl and hands it to you. It's delicious, as expected, but while you eat you are nagged by curiosity. Surely THAT was a succesful Charm? You could swear you felt the focus stone grow hot in your hand.
Sighing, you finish the stew and return the bowl, with thanks. Such is the way of the subtler magics.
>You've gained some experience with Enchantment (or have you?)
>What do?

>>9428624
You are due to meet with Arcanus Thurge, a Biomancer of the highest order. He tutors you and about two dozen other Biomancers; you think there might be five that are due to become Journeymen today.

>>9428668

How exactly do we become journeyman? I mean, run us through the process. Is it an examination or something?

Observe the people around the hall as we make our way to our instructor.

>>9428685

Ooh. Do we have strong opposition in our class today then? I mean, surely we have a feel of whereabouts we stand in the class?

In any case enter the class and look for one of the more threatening classmates and talk to him/her.

>>9428696
Becoming a Journeyman involves a few final tests of magical aptitude, along with the swearing of oaths of loyalty to the Magocratic Order and, above that, to the Imperium of Coin and Steel. You and the other Journeymen will then be sent to the Imperial capital for military assignment somewhere within the Imperium or its war-torn frontiers.

Moving through the old stone hallways, it's easy to recall the ancient days when the academy was more monastery than training ground. You pass some younger mages talking or practicing simple evocations (many youngsters start learning evocation before moving to another specialty) and, after several winding stairs, find yourself before the door to Thurge's study, slightly ajar. You can hear his weathered voice droning from within; it seems you're only a few moments late.

>>9428773

Enter and apologise. Look around for empty seat, if we are supposed to sit. Is he lecturing, or telling us about the test?

>>9428856
Don't apologize. Teachers hate being interrupted.

>>9428856
>>9428879
Let's compromise: walk in as quietly as possible. If he seems to notice us, bow and sit down anyway. Try not to draw attention to ourselves unless he does.

>>9428967
Fine with me

>>9428856
You enter to find the other four hopefuls standing in a loose crowd around Thurge, a broad-shouldered, gray-bearded man. He's lecturing as he usually does, expounding on the values of Biomancy as a tool to help the sick and to protect the mage. He nods slightly as you enter, his eye following you as you stand with the others.
"...and think not less of the necromancer," he growls, stroking at his beard, "for he is a mage just as you are, and an imperial servant. Death is just as much a part of the world as life. You are both two parts of the whole, and not the one set against the other, you see?" He speaks with his hands, gesturing to make his points. The others students nod, and you nod without really listening. Where is the test?!
"Now," Thurge murmurs, almost whispers, "Imperial mages are here to oversee your tests privately. Lilian, Albrecht, Porrum, you'll be meeting your administers in the vacant rooms just up the stairs. Aleres, Ylliora, you will have your tests administered here and in the next room."
Ylliora, a short dark-haired girl with a knack for summons, shoots you a smile that may or may not be antagonistic. Journeyman testing isn't a competition per se, but Ylliora has always had a competitive streak as long as you've known her.
>What do/say?

>>9429022

Smile back at her. Is there any handy little spell we could cast, just like a challenge? Like, making a small plant sprout on our table. Just to show we're up to a good challenge.

But to the teacher himself be deferential, and go off as quickly as we can to the tester. Challenges sound fun.

>>9429022
Nothing to say right now. Ask to talk after the tests.

>>9429104

2nd this, but maybe smile back. she wants competition, she gets it.

>>9429104
>>9429120
>>9429099
You give Ylliora a nod. "Let's talk when we're Journeymen," you offer, "at least, when I'm a Journeyman."
"Took the words right out of my mouth," she responds, leaving the room. On her way out she bumps into what can only be your administer, a tall, bald, sweaty-looking man who fidgets as he approaches you.
"Yes, hrm...Aleres is it? Thurge tell me you're...a promising mage," he glances at Thurge, who remains impassive and full-bearded. Your administer breaks eye contact quickly, tonguing at his teeth and looking back at you with a nervous smile. "Very well then, Alter...Alist...Aleres, yes, that's it. No need to be nervous," he chuckles awkwardly, "the Journeyman exams are as much a test of Imperial loyalty as they are of skill. Let's begin by seeing a summon of yours, shall we? examine the consistency of your dweomercraft."
>Will you summon a sprite, or your guardian Wolf Figment?

(brb, running out to get some brain food)

>>9429246

Let's start small... with a sprite. Or I'm guessing the sprite is the smaller one?

(What kinda brain food?)

I say we go with the Wolf Figment, something more ferocious than the sprite. I mean, we are going to enter a warzone, maybe he'll appreciate something that is more likened to hunting, stalking, fighting in packs/teams.

>>9429295
Agreed, but for different reasons.
A wolf sounds a bit more difficult than a barely visible sprite, and would more adequately showcase our talents.

>>9429295

This makes sense, yes. But of course it depends how well we know it. It is something we're actually confident in doing right?

>>9429353
Most likely. If we made it this far, we should be fairly competent in our chosen craft.

>>9429246

Are we capable of sensing magical ability? How high does the administrator register?

As for summons, let's do the wolf.

>>9429509
I assume since he mentioned dweomer and dweomercraft, we are playing under Gygax's rules for the most part. If that's the cause Knowledge: Arcana could only tell us whether he is actually magical or not, not really HOW magical he is.

>>9429533

Fair enough, that. Well let's just do as he requests and summon a wolf.

OP, come back quickly please?

Yeah I miss the OP

:<

>size up the administer
He seems no more obviously magical than you are. You can't tell a mage from a civilian unless they're in the act of casting or under the effect of a ward or enhancement of some kind.
>Wolf Figment
You opt for your more impressive biomantic creation. Pulling at the threads of magic laced through the very air itself, you recall the session in which you imprinted the beast as your guardian, recreating that very instance of its soul as best you can.
What you produce is a fair reproduction of a fairly large wolf, wisps of magic fuming off it it. It growls at the administer, a hollow, echoey noise.
"Hmm...seems to be holding up fairly well," the administer murmurs to himself, brushing a hand along the figment's back, which causes it to raise its heckles. "And you seem to have recreated its instinctive mind quite expertly, well done!" He wrings his hands, walking over towards a table covered with wilting plants. "Now, then, on to your abilities to...to heal, yes," he gestures meekly at the table, "Please, if you would, restore one of these plants to life..."
There are plants of three vague size categories. You are confident enough that you think you could probably heal multiple small plants, or at least one of the largest ones. Your guardian figment looks on, whining slightly.
>What do?

(Brain food = burgers. Deep fried creativity!)
Sorry that took so long y'all.
And sorry I just said y'all.

Go for the medium size plants. More impressive, and we could probably do more than one.

Heal the biggest plant, size matters

heal a bunch of small ones!

>>9430021
>>9430032
>>9430076
D:
I think we need SOME kind of consensus

dispell the wolf it's a power drain

>>9430088
But first we ask the wolf for a tiebreaker.

>>9430086
>consensus

Heal all of them and amaze him with your power and indecision!

>>9430032
on the battlefield numbers are what matters

Heal a bunch of smaller ones. In war, numbers matter, not size.

>>9430118
But he seems like the type to be swayed by phallic imagery.

>>9430133
>>9430118
Samefag? Or just numbersmind?

I say we go with healing a bunch of small ones

heal as many of we can of the medium ones, then small ones

1-2 small ones
3-4 medium
5-6 big

>>9430216
don't capitalize

rolled 5 = 5

>>9430239
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF thanks

1-2 small ones
3-4 medium
5-6 big

so, did op have a stroke from eating too many burgers?

>hnnnnnnngh

>a bunch of small ones
you let your hands glide over the sickened, dying plants, feeling the pulse of life within each one. Decided, you open yourself as a conduit to the flow of life, dweomer flowing through your soul and into the plants. Eight of the smaller plants rapidly turn green, their limp stalks standing erect (lol). You push yourself a little further, healing a further two plants, but then you feel the administer's hand on your robed shoulder.
"A bit against the letter of the task, but very much within the spirit. Don't over exert yourself. Too much healing can kill you, no matter how many it saves."
Withdrawing a clay signet from inside his robes, he breaks it in two, a whisper of a breeze emanating from the cracked fragments.
"Defeat this summons using any means at your disposal, and your test will be complete. A Biomancer usually acts as a support role in combat, but every soldier of the Imperium must be capable of self-defense....oh dear..." he steps back as a cloud of light begins taking shape around the cracked signet. Gradually the light fades into more substantial flesh.

You are facing an Orc figment, with only your own magic to assist you. The stocky, mottled gray creature is unarmed, but its black, claw-like nails flex threateningly; whoever crafted this figment was a very skilled summoner. Your wolf figment (who needs a good name, you realize) growls, moving closer to you.
>What do?

(apologies to anybody whose suggestions go ignored; i start typing after i see a general consensus and it takes me a few minutes to grind out dat text)

rolled 1 = 1

Use wolf pack tactics! Wolf goes towards one side, then the mage go the other way, trying to flank.

summon other spirit!

>>9430283
Right, well we've got a wolf summon and an iron key at our disposal. Could we also summon the sprite as a distraction?

>>9430339
>rolled 1 = 1

Knew we should have studied alchemy...

>>9430350
unless we have completely forgotten it we also have some basic evocation. nothing directly useful probably, but a distraction is a distraction.

>>9430350
>>9430349
>summon sprite
You easily craft a vaguely humanoid air sprite about as tall as your forearm is long. It is barely intelligent enough to follow orders, but looks to you eagerly. Meanwhile, your wolf circles around, baring its fangs at the orc. You move as well, forcing the creature to turn its back to one of you. Its beady eyes dart between the wolf and the spirit in your hand, its piglike nose twitching wetly. Deciding the beast is the greater threat, it wheels on your wolf, snarling as it dashes forward hoping to break your figment's neck.
The administer jumps backwards, while Thurge stands immobile near the plant table, arms crossed and staring sternly.
>What do?

>>9430448
Order sprite to GO FOR THE EYES TINKERBELL GO FOR THE EYES RAAAAARGH

And the kick the orc in the nuts.

>>9430448
tell the sprite to take one of the smaller plants an stick it in the orc's ear, then make it grow.
see skull crack due to pressure from the expansion

>>9430499
This, except have the wolf go for the nuts while we bludgeon it with our iron key.

>>9430540
You're right, the wolf is closer to the target...

>>9430566
>>9430540
>>9430499
>fucking hit it with everything
You instruct the sprite to attack the orc's face. It charges forward, swiping with its wispy arms. The wolf darts forward, under the orc's grasp, and sinks its teeth into the figment's crotch, shaking its head ferociously. The orc staggers backwards, swatting at the sprite with one hand and slapping awkwardly at the wolf with the other. It connects with the sprite, which shatters into a small shower of wet, dewy magical residue. It looks down at the wolf just as your heavy iron room key cracks down on its skull. It stumbles forward, and you hit it again, feeling the crunch of bone splintering. The key is awkward as a bludgeoning weapon, but you keep up the assault, pounding away at the back of the orc's head even as it falls face first onto the floor, and even as pieces of it begin dissolving as the structure of the figment breaks down in response to the trauma.
Eventually the administer steps forward, timidly raising a hand. "I believe...I believe that will do, young apprentice." The destroyed head and upper torso of the orc remain, dissolving inward from every edge. Your guardian figment stands nearby, panting happily.
>What do?

>>9430665
Pat figment (What name, my fellow anons? I'm bad at names). Then, look at the administer. Thumbs up and nod.

>>9427665
Name the Wolf, Russ. (lol)

and the fairy creature is Aleia.

I agree, go for the eyes with the fairy, have the wolf distract it. We can heal the wolf as it takes hits. Tank and Spank

>>9430665
Stand up and dust ourselves off. Politely inquire about the next part of the exam.

>>9430736
To late =X. Anyway, pet the wolf and dismiss it. Turn to the administrators and wait for further instruction. I like the thumbs up idea too, just to make us not seem so crazy/brutal.

Stand up, dust self, and speak calmly and business-like (british accent optional), as if nothing uncommon had just happened.

>>9430721
The administer smiles, awkward as always. Thurge steps forward, watching the last of the orc figment drip away into the air. "Rough, far more hands-on than your average biomancer," he grates, running both hands through his beard, "but effective, nevertheless. I'd say the boy passes, administer, wouldn't you?" The administer is quick to nod, sweat beading on his naked forehead.
"Absolutely, yes, of course..." He steps forward, fumbling in his robes and producing a dull bronze amulet emblazoned with the signet of the Imperium; a strand of ivy woven around a sword plunged into a chalice full of coins. "This amulet represents your commitment to the Imperium. At the graduation feast this evening you will be officially...sworn into the Empire's military. Truly, truly a glorious occasion," he taps his fingers together nervously. "Well then, I think that just about...sums up my part in all this..." He hazards a glance into Thurge's stoic face, but quickly looks away and mumbles something incoherent on his way out the door.
>Success!
>What do?

>>9430903
Smile at Thurge, ask him if we may go. If he says yes, do so, and then wait for Ylliora. If she didn't pass, taunt her. If she did, congratulate her snidely.

>>9430903
Just how does the average biomancer handle that?

>>9430951
pretty much the same way you did, aside from the hands-on bludgeoning with an improvised weapon. =P

Go check if that chick also passed her grad test.

If she did, gloat that we find ours easy. If she didn't, gloat anyways!

Is this archived on sup/tg/? I'll check now and do so if it's not.

>>9430789
I think we should be nicer to her, that's just me though. Odds are she passed too if she's competitive, so we should approach her assuming that she did.

>>9430943
>>9431002
Thurge dismisses you with a single pat on the back, which is more than you would usually have hoped for.
Walking to the room next door, you find Ylliora running her hand over a large bleeding gash in her arm, light flowing from her hand and sealing the wound. Half a dozen wispy-looking drakes flit around her worriedly. She looks up at your entrance. "Orc?" she asks.
You nod. "I figured my little squadron here would be enough to handle them, but he got a good hit in on me. Damned fool of an administer didn't even move, he would have let the thing kill me if I couldn't handle it!"
"It's a good thing you could handle it then, I suppose," you say, smiling snidely.
She smirks back. "As if there was ever any doubt."
Porrum, one of the other students, pokes his head through the door.
"Oh, good, you both passed! they've sent dress robes up to our rooms, we're to be changed into them by the dinner tonight. Walk by the kitchen; it smells to be quite the feast!"
You and Ylliora exchange glances before she shrugs and walks to the entrance.
"I guess I'll see you there, o mage of mages," she chuckles, waving in parting.
You have several hours before you have to be in the dining hall.
>Sylkis' Summons has grown in strength!
>What do?

>>9431153
Party.

Go get changed! Also, gloat to your no-longer-fellow apprentices!

>>9431234
>>9431279
You make your way through the halls, flashing your amulet ostentatiously to any younger mages you come across and grinning broadly. You meet several other successful apprentices and you all congratulate one another before moving along.
You find your room unlocked, and Gillean within, staring blankly at a packed bag. He doesn't look up as you enter.
"I guess you passed then?" you hazard; he's acting rather odd. He looks up, seeming distracted.
"Oh...yeah, I passed. I'm the best evoker in the class, you know that," he half smiles. "But..."
He sits down on the bed, motioning you in. You shut the heavy door behind you.
"...but I'm not going to the Imperial capital. I'm not swearing fealty to a militaristic tyrant, and I'm not laying my life down for an Imperium that treats me like a mindless killing tool!"
You stand in shocked silence; Gillean has never shown such rebellious proclivities in the three years you've roomed with him.

>What do?
>Oh shit, cliffhanger ending!
I hope this thread gets the shit archived out of it, so i can reference it later. Finals week is next week, so I don't know exactly when part 2 is coming, but rest assured that it is!

I have no finals Monday so I'll try to continue at some time tomorrow. I just checks and this has been archived; if it's still here tomorrow I'll just use this one.

>>9431532
>mindless killing tool!"

But that's the best kind of tool!

Looking forward for the next thread, bro.