<div class="floatright">(https://www.animecharactersdatabase.com/uploads/chars/4758-1261081560.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong>Aramis Silverscale<br/>Human Wizard of the Arcane Order<br/><strong>HP:</strong>51/51 ;<strong>Status:</strong>Normal<br/><strong>Actions:</strong>Demonstrating the versatile perks of a Mage of the Arcane Order.<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Damalla, Thunderdome<br/><hr/><br/>Aramis collapsed by the end of the race when his own pedestal was heavy enough with rings and his finish was announced. He didn't even register the other racers whom managed to scramble their way up onto the finish as he was utterly spent from the frantic pace of the race. Magic or not, the race had taken it's toll on the mage. He wasn't initially aware of just exactly how well he did. He had thought that he would have placed in a good position, especially with the time it took to find a way to climb up the silken rope he had crafted and animated from his own beloved yellow scarf. Sitting up bare chested in his aquatic form, he now had a good front row seat to see just how well the other competitors were doing. To his left and his right were Rognar whom had needed no magic to run the course. Following close behind was Dask whom whilst he had struggled some in the pool, had made use of one or two spells quite effectively. Aramis sadly didn't think of that form. Might have saved him several spells moving forward and in the long run it would be quite the difficult trek in the tournament.<br/><br/>Soon enough, every combatant managed to make it to the finish. Some wanted to make less use of their magic than others and yet some were like him, drastically unprepared for the situation. Aramis couldn't help but snicker at the changeling's witty line. After the small relieve catching his breath he stood up. He let Maya have the moment since honestly in his mind she deserves a few cheers for finishing the obstacle course rather than just quitting. That alone was worthy of respect since this was a tough course for an unprepared mage. He felt that was in bad form to raise her hand however, but he felt like the good thing to do was applaud her efforts to get through the course. Really, the only difference between him and Maya was access to a Nexus. If she had access to the Spellpool, he'd have little doubt she would have excelled in this first task. Lastly, Aramis knew very well that if he didn't, he'd be in her position.<br/><br/>Then once all had made it and had a chance to catch their breath the goddess began to speak to them about how they fared and what awaited them next. He was legitimately surprised by the fact he managed to get in first place in the first part of the games. The Silverfish had a surprised but rather cheerful grin on him as he didn't expect it. Honestly he was lucky since like many of the mages, he had prepared his magic incorrectly, assuming it was going to be a typical torunament. He could have ended up dead last, were it not for the slightest advantage he had. He managed to be fortunate enough to have access to the Spellpool of the Arcane Order. It kept his flexibility and adaptability high, in the short management of time. He would have to remember that he would need to pay back the incurring spell debts that he had placed onto himself.<br/><br/>Small price to pay for the strong start. He paused for the moment upon the whole knowledge test. As a field mage and more self reliant mage in matters of artificing, he had to privately admit to himself it didn't leave much time for him to become immersed in actual library research. It might have been what initially failed him when trying to identify the scroll... that and his utter ineptitude for true speech. So when he heard they were to be isolated within the crystals so they would have the time needed to apply their knowledge properly, it answered the time constraints. In his mind he was in the same position he was at the start of the obstacle. He was a touch concerned that he could not readily excel in this. And without the aid of any sort of divination magics it seemed all but certain. He stepped into the crystal assigned to him and began looking at all the questions. Whilst he had a good deal of knowledge within him, it was much more diverse rather than focused. He had no true deep specialization within a certain field, save for the arcane and that was just something that came naturally to a good number of contestants.<br/><br/>Unfortunately Aramis could not excel in these tests of knowledge as he didn't have a rather robust wealth of knowledge strong enough to qualify for any of the titles nor a wealth of knowledge in one field that was unparalleled. His knowledge of the arcane was profound but not by traditional methods. Incarnum wasn't as readily explored nor often documented so as such it was a more unknown field. Ultimately useless in the tests. The only true edge that Aramis could claim in his own right is his talents as a Linguist. Because he was a worldly traveler as a field mage, he learned numerous amounts of languages in order to better communicate with others. So when it came time for him to take tests on numerous questions in written form and in dialogue with a few magic mouths that spoke and communicated with him in foreign tongues, he seemed able to go through one after the other. Most could learn four reasonably well and that was fine for most mages. Aramis knew eleven languages.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Stepping out of the Crystal that was meant to be the small interlude of peaceful research and complicated tests upon the vast arrays of knowledge left Aramis, well... lacking in that resolve. Out of the many points of knowledge he only managed to answer four correctly. His fifth knowledge of royalty he had been tripped up on when he had to elaborate on the multitude of gods and goddesses that made Asgard their home. He knew he should have paid better attention in the matters of etiquette. He managed to switch a few gods up by mistake. So his answers might be a touch more humorous when he switched up one name or what they do for another. Fortunately his time in Karamandur helped him in answering the questions involving them at least. He had a sheepish grin when the results came in.<br/><br/>Still the pillars were what was going to bother him the most as a good number of those tests and ordeals paled in comparison to the more fresh memories in his mind. Approaching with some hesitation to the first pillar, the one marked as fears, Aramis could feel the tension in the air as to what his inner nature might unearth within this arena. Part of him had a small semblance to perhaps simply bow out but his conviction inevitably won as he reasoned that he had come too far, that he cannot quit now. His hand seized the pillar with a decisive touch and a determined look.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Sasha had a perfect view of the young mage upon touching the pillar and of his uncertainties and doubts. His spirit and his experiences were like an open book. The trusting heart of a young man whom naively wants to leave the world better than how he entered it. His ambition and thirst for knowledge was tempered by a deep respect of true power was. He had held such in his hands and knew the weight of what it meant. A deep crushing and merciless darkness that could break many a man... Guilt. Within the darkness, a glowing azure cloak that runs along down the back of his neck burns brighter amidst the void. Power that was as of yet untapped and a desire to make use of it, master it. This was a mage that could benefit from guidance, a steady hand to help keep him focused and a firm hand when it was needed.<br/><br/>Within the young mage's mind, she could see the harrowing adventures that he had taken before. He had once long ago walked within a decaying Emerald Woods that had started to become the home of foul goblins. Nasty little blights that simply pillage and ravage the woods of their bounty in the absence of its protector. He remembered the deep hesitation in his heart when he began approaching the wizened crone that wailed in front of a wounded tree. The sudden rush of power and that feeling of helplessness as vines took root at the limbs of the inexperienced mage. However the young man had plenty of courage to spare and kept his wits about him under duress.<br/><br/>The thoughts and trials of lust came in serval different forms but none were more filled with dangers as when he walked amongst the blood courts of a fancy party. However she could also see what the mage saw as well. Amidst the dances and lovely music, he was weaving along the floor in an elegant dance, with a breathtaking woman around his arms. She was in a flowing gown of red with black gloves and leggings that peek past the thigh gaps in her long skirt, and full bodied lips to match her curvaceous and immaculate form. However Sasha can see the predatory look in her eyes. She looked hungry as she whispered sweet nothings to him. They left the dance floors and began mingling amidst enraptured lovers tucked away in shadows or in the open. As they walked by, Sasha saw the truth of the hidden dangers. Mortal men and women alike surrendering to passions and the euphoria of their life blood trickling down their necks... The warmth of his body called to him and the slightly cooled blood of her figure pressing bare into him helped to fuel his loins for the enjoyment of what was to be a savored meal. She thought however he would be surrendering to her words and yielding every favor she whispered. She wanted to have a little fun with him before she stole his life.<br/><br/>However she did not anticipate the assertiveness of the mage. Pressed into a corner, he began to show a stronger mindset and made her shiver in rapturous enjoyment, stalling for time by making the vampire feel like a mortal woman again. Warmth flooded her being as her eyes shut tight once the mage hooked her legs and devoured her without any quarter given. By the time he had pierced her deeply, she seemed to shudder in agony and a rapture long forgotten. Her body clung to the sheets of the king sized bed, with her cheeks burning as she gradually forgot the whole reason of why she was there... Not until the party was crashed by the inquisition of the Necropolis that took exception to the vampires feasting on the living. At which point the mage took the vampire by surprise in the throes of her sexually charged bliss.<br/><br/>The final test of despair he endured was the one that put the mage to the breaking point. He was racked with pain, many a mage was within the sacred halls of the Spellpool that had been corrupted. Above him was a woman that had took advantage of the mage's honesty, and sabotaged the seat of a mage's power. She laughed as she had brought down the defenses of their wards and stolen the sacred item. However, there was seemingly no one coming to help amend his grave mistake in trusting the purple skinned woman. The city of Atlenta was plummeting from the heavens to crash into the ground below... His eyes began to shut as tears of pain and agony began to form. Then the world went black and he was now standing in front of a mirror. His own reflection stepped through with a look of abject loathing, disgust in the mage. One after another his reflection came through. They shout damning statements about how he was foolish to trust her. Foolish that you didn't do the research on her tale. More foolish that you didn't destroy the item when you had the chance. And utterly foolish to have brought her to the place of power.<br/><br/>Aramis was responsible for anyone that suffers because of his trust of that woman. That he and he alone was the architect of the destruction of magic as it is now known. He felt this crushing guilt push him down into the ground he stood on. As the mage continued to sink into the black oblivion he struggled as best as he could against the accusations. He almost felt himself give in to that crushing despair that threatened to suffocate him. However he managed to pull himself slowly from that black void as there were certain flaws in the argument. Such as his trust was his to give, but she was the one whom broke that trust. Thus why he was here in this trial facing down the demons of his own guilt. He wouldn't ignore that he had done wrong, but he won't let himself be ruled by it. Because he intends to make it right...<br/><br/>But that nagging worry blossomed fully as there was one simple fact that had been made clear by the encounter and by the Grand Madam. The one truth was that despite all his desires and hopes, the truth was he cannot best this threat he had been part of. He started thinking about the consequences of someone as dangerous as her with her own Nexus and the ability to create more of them. She'd make a reign of everlasting terror to those unfortunate under her reign, and of those that cross her. He couldn't hope to beat her now and he didn't have the time to become strong enough to do so. She took down a party of adventurers before and what made him think that his party would go any better.<br/><br/>Worse still was the time when he himself held that scroll in his hands and felt that horrible temptation of power in himself. His eyes cast down upon it imagining what he could have done with the scroll if he had given into such a temptation. Any sort of real power like that will inevitably test a man's character. Even he wasn't sure if he could resist that... or if someone else made use of it. There were so many ways he could fail in this endeavor and each one played out in horrifying detail to him, bringing his newest fears to light. His knees buckled and he collapsed underneath his own weight. The weight of his guilt and the fear that he would fail in his task, inevitably win out and his vision blurred as his pounding heart continued to beat as the world began to go black.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>A cold sweat runs down his brow as his hands were white knuckled. The mage found himself curled up and kneeling down with his head pressed against the ground. The hat he wore was hiding his mounting shame as his knuckles were white with how hard he clenched his fists.<strong><em>"Aramis. You wouldn't be here if Odyessya had no faith in you."</em></strong>He could hear the sound of someone faint snapping him out of this horrible fear and despair that had taken root within him. It took him a small bit to compose himself as he rose up to his feet, trying to keep himself steady and hold his head up despite how hard it felt. Honestly he was just glad to be done with the trials and able to continue without any other hinderances. The moment to prepare was probably well and truly needed for a good number of mages but he doubted he would be able to refresh his magic completely after working so hard on the first task.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Results of Aramis Trials</div><div class="spoiler_body">Knowledge Score: +4 Points, (Linguistics) +7 Excellency<br/><br/>Aramis has a natural Will score of 20 with his take ten. However, Nymphs Kiss gives a +1 to saves vs spell and spell like effects. Raising it ever so slightly to 21.<br/><br/>Spirit Score: 13 (Fell to Fear)</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Spells Memorized (Base Spell DC: 14) (CL 10th)</div><div class="spoiler_body">   5th  (2/day) - <del>Fabricate</del>, Teleport (PHB/SRD)<br/>   4th  (4/day) - Silent Dispel Magic, Silent Dispel Magic, Silent Lightning Bolt, Stoneskin (PHB/SRD) <del>[Empty Spell Slot]</del><br/>   3rd  (4/day) - Dispel Magic, Fireball, Protection from Energy, Silent Magic Mouth (PHB/SRD)<br/>   2nd (5/day) - <del>Alter Self</del>, Arcane Lock, Silent Blue Missile, <del>False Life</del>, Soul Boon (PHB/SRD)<br/>   1st  (5/day) - Blue Missile, Blue Missile, <del>Feather Fall</del>, <del>Silent Mage Hand</del>, Soul Armor (PHB/SRD) [Empty Spell Slot]<br/>   0 lv (4/day) - Acid Splash, Detect Magic, <del>Mage Hand</del>, Read Magic (PHB/SRD)</div></div>