<div style="text-align: left;"><strong>~Darius Fallenstar Intro~</strong></div><br/>Flickering reflections from the domed ceiling danced across the polished pink-veined marble floor. In the center of the dome was an aperture, an opening to the dark infinity beyond. Precious gemstones lined the oculus, vying for attention with the twinkling stars above. The cold room was quiet and dark; not a soul dared disturb the almost divine sensation of being watched by the universe as one stood beneath that un-lidded eye.<br/><br/>In time, as stars and planets danced eased from place to place, music rose. The music was not something of human hands, nor would it have come without human creativity. An Aeolian harp writ large; the dome itself vibrated with the turning of each star above, as though their individual songs merged in that single focal point.<br/><br/>It was the song of the universe. More, it was the song of that specific location in the universe. And no song exactly like it would ever be sung again.<br/><br/>Standing on the edge of the floor, careful not to disturb the rhythm, Darius felt the cacophony build within his bones, harmonizing with his crippled soul. Crippled, because he, despite his focus, despite his intent, had been unable to truly master any form of magic despite spending hundreds of years dedicated to the task.<br/><br/>It would have been impossible to tell that the human man was ancient; despite his lack of mastery, he’d become good enough at most types of magic to qualify as a Master, one of those who could train new students in the High Tower. As a Master of magic, he had access to spells and tools that could all but transform a person in any way imaginable. Being a member of the faculty at the High Tower, Darius had access to implements and spells that only broadened that capability, deepening his immortality until he was, for all intents and purposes, frozen in his current age.<br/><br/>Still, time had not facilitated the achievement of his goals. Not only was he inept at the magic of Life – weather and nature magic, he was simply “Good” at all of the other forms. Proficient enough to teach, to defend himself, and to be useful in times of strife – but nowhere near the pinnacle so many of his students seemed to achieve. It drove him insane.<br/><br/>Only beneath the oculus in his laboratory could he find peace, could he remind himself that there were always new opportunities, new ways to handle his weakness. He could adventure, for example – perhaps find a magical item to enhance his abilities? The thought had occurred to him many times before, but he was reluctant to follow through. Darius wasn’t a coward, but he was pragmatic.<br/><br/>A knock on his door disturbed his thoughts and Darius moved to answer it only reluctantly. He had posted wards indicating that he wanted no visitors.<br/><br/>Opening the door, he saw a man on the other side – white bearded with blue eyes and a deep sage robe; the High Mage of the tower.<br/>Darius bowed slightly and murmured,<strong> “Magus, how can I assist you?”</strong><br/><br/>The elderly man smiled slightly at Darius’ formality. Darius had never stopped acting subservient, even when he’d become a Master of the tower in his own right. While the magus did nothing to discourage the actions, it was well known that Darius’ facility in almost every form of magic made him the ideal instructor for new students. Not that Darius liked that fact.<br/><strong>“Darius, I have a personal request from the Elves. Apparently, one of their towns bordering the Free Plains is suffering from a drought that seems magically inspired.”</strong><br/><br/>Frowning, Darius asked,<strong> “What does that do with me, magus? I have no facility with weather magic.”</strong><br/><br/><strong>“No,”</strong>the magus explained,<strong> “but one of your most promising students does. She has shown ability far beyond her years – and it seems logical that she should go.”</strong><br/><br/>Darius knew who the magus was speaking of. A young student, perhaps the best of her type he’d ever seen – she could call rain out of a desert sky.<strong>“She’s very young sir. This would be a dangerous trip.”</strong><br/><br/><strong>“Precisely why you’ll go with her. With her power and your facility, I have no doubt that the two of you can work together to defend yourselves and overcome the plague. Naturally, you have to go – you know the Tower won’t allow a student to take on a task like this unattended by her Master.”</strong>The magus presented his case logically but firmly.<br/><br/>Reluctantly, Darius nodded.<strong>“But what about my other students?”</strong><br/><br/>The High Mage smiled, sending Darius’ impending acquiescence,<strong>“I will teach your classes in your absence. You can use the teleportation circle to get there, but I expect you to take your time. The whole thing smells fishy – elves should have been able to take care of this on their own. You may end up having to go on a real adventure to stop whatever was behind this.”</strong><br/><br/>Darius frowned even more deeply. He didn’t like the idea of being away from the tower, not one bit, but he could not say no. Not to a request from the High Mage.<strong>“As you wish, High Magus.”</strong><br/><br/><strong>“Good,”</strong>the magus said,<strong> “I will send your apprentice a letter explaining the situation. She will expect you first thing in the morning.” </strong><br/><br/>With that, the High Magus turned on heel and walked away. Despite appearing old, the man moved with the ease of youth. Darius figured the man held the elder appearance because it lent him gravitas, and not because of his actual age.<br/><br/>Returning to his private chambers, Darius spent the rest of the night getting ready. The next morning, bright and early – before sunrise even, Darius arrived on the bottom level of the Tower, where the apprentice rooms were. His apprentice, being so spectacularly gifted, had been given her own room – one he’d never visited before. Standing outside the door, feeling a little awkward and, if he was being honest, a little jealous over his apprentice’s prowess, Darius knocked firmly.<br/><br/>Six and a half feet tall, Darius wore a simple flowing red tunic and brown trousers. The man, thanks to magic, was, of course, quite the Adonis. He’d deliberately made himself over-sized; he was deeply muscular, almost to the point of being too-much so and toweringly tall. Bronzed, with shoulder length black hair and angular, intense features, he came across less as a sexual predator and more as a man’s man – a lumberjack mixed with Fabio. Deep chested and broad shouldered, he had a small waist and powerful thighs – and managed, somehow, to appear not quite off balance. Intimidating might have been a good word to describe him. His eyes, sunset-hued to reflect the multitudinous facets of the night sky, were hypnotic; a reflection of the powers he had not yet mastered, but one day hoped to.<br/><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/forums/avs/avatar_19584_1290304062.jpg)<br/><br/><br/><br/>