The Drama of Magic - Fantasy (Possibly open to newcomers)
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Dariusfallenstar on 01-03-2011, 18:48:24</h2>
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				Title: <strong>The Drama of Magic - Fantasy (Possibly open to newcomers)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dariusfallenstar</strong> on <strong>01-03-2011, 18:48:24</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~Setting Notes~</strong></div><br><strong>Fetishes/Themes to be explored:</strong><br>These include (but are not limited to):<br><ul class="bbc_list"><li>Magic and its effects on sex, addiction, etc.</li><li>Supernatural couplings (different races, such as elves, dwarves, orcs, etc but no beastality or anthros)</li><li>Bondage (no rape, but force/coercion are possible)</li><li>Seduction with magic, drugs, cruses, etc.</li><li>Power plays</li></ul><br><strong>Genre:</strong> Middle to High Fantasy; magic is fairly common, but takes extensive practice and training to master. Most typical fantasy races, including a few rarer ones are present. <br>World: Eleden; typical fantasy setting with the majority of the people in towns, thorps, hamlets, and small cities with a few (rare) capital cities. Monsters are common enough that people band together and often hire adventurers or send their children to learn combat in order to survive the various ordeals that the world has to offer. Magical items, dungeons, ancient cities, etc. exist in the world but are usually difficult to get to (thus making them fodder for high-powered adventurers who, as often as not, die in their attempts to plunder ancient knowledge/riches). <br><br><strong>Magic:</strong> Magic in the world comes in flavors similar to “elements.” Nature and weather are grouped together– with influence over plants, growing things, and the things one would expect under the weather auspice. Other elemental flavors include time, conjuration (summoning things), evocation (creating effects out of thin air), enhancement (enchanting something to be more powerful) etc. Most people who practice magic are fair at any given element of magic and good or exceptional at one. Learning a given element of magic generally takes 2-5 years for a student; however, most students study multiple elements simultaneously. The people who teach magic are called “Masters/Mistresses” of a given field. <br><br><strong>Alchemy: </strong>Lesser mages (or mages who choose to dabble in it) often turn to alchemy to produce magic-like effects. Alchemy can be used to produce a wide variety of tinctures, including potions of love, stamina, and strength. It can also be used to weaken, curse, and kill. <br><br><strong>Towers and an adventuring note:</strong> There are multiple individual Towers that teach a given element, or elements, of magic. Only one is large enough, with enough faculty to teach every known element. The “High Tower” rests between the human and Elven lands and borders the “Free Plains” – called such because they harbor an almost limitless number of races and monsters. The Free Plains are, more often than not, where lawlessness/adventures take place. <br><br><div align="center"><strong>~Openings~</strong></div>This particular roleplay has openings for long term, or short term inhabitants. Please email me if you’d like to step in at some point so we can hammer out details. Preferred post length is a minimum of 250-300 words. <br><br><div align="center"><strong>~High Tower and surrounding city~</strong></div><div align="center">(http://images.epilogue.net/users/mangalore/mageTower2.jpg)</div>
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Drama of Magic - Fantasy (Possibly open to newcomers)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dariusfallenstar</strong> on <strong>01-03-2011, 18:52:14</strong>
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				<div style="text-align: left;"><strong>~Darius Fallenstar Intro~</strong></div> <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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>
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Drama of Magic - Fantasy (Possibly open to newcomers)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>02-03-2011, 02:58:27</strong>
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				Paige had been sitting in her own sort of musical trance, when the note was delivered. Long, tapered fingers pressed tightly wound strings of steel to the sturdy neck of her lute, following long-memorized patterns, her soft voice following the song in a counter harmony, no describable words escaping lips. Music was perhaps the one thing that lent her peace, and it always had. Her fondest memory was of her, as just a babe sitting at a minstrel's knee, allowing his music to flow through her, like the energy that flowed through the earth. It hadn't been until years later that she'd learned that very few people could feel the life force of the earth, it flowing through the trees, and grass, and everything she could name. She could even sense some of it in people, though it was dimmer, just out of her reach like a bird in the sky, too high up to identify. It was the soft knock that startled the young woman from her near-trance. <br><br>She near jumped at the unexpected tap, and she blinked, shaking her head as she unwound her legs from their position folded beneath her on her bed, and lay her lute aside. Climbing down from the plush furniture, she padded, barefoot to the door. She hated wearing shoes, it always felt odd, like she could not reach the earth she was so tethered to. Opening the door, she peeked out, a small smile breaking across full, pink lips. "Cecily, what do I owe the pleasure?" She asked. The young woman on the other side of the door was perhaps a year or two younger than Paige's twenty-two years, but she still looked more mature than the half-breed. <br><br>"Summons," the human girl replied, thrill flashing through her eyes, as she thrust a sealed note toward the petite Paige. "That's the High Magus' seal, isn't it?" She was nearly squirming with anticipation. The hours of meditation classes were almost wasted on the hyperactive Cecily. Despite that, Paige was friends with the girl. She'd found a certain amount of animosity at the Tower. Both from the students and Masters, the elves and humans. It had been just like the castle she'd grown in until the age of fourteen. They had all been humans, there. They'd hated her for the inherent grace she possessed, there. She'd been a beautiful, elfin child, with golden red hair, and fathomless hazel eyes. She couldn't count the number of times she'd had her hair shorn by the other older, larger children, or how many times she'd barely avoided a frustrated woman in the kitchen. Her growth had been retarded by the half-elf lineage she'd gotten from her Father. She'd been born nearly a year after a group of Elven diplomats had stayed at the castle, and one had undoubtedly lain with her mother. Of course, both parents had been unidentifiable, she'd been found in the stables, cold, wide eyed, and weak by one of the stable hands. A cat had been curled up tightly against her. <br><br>Paige broke the wax seal on the parchment, and slowly read through the text, twice. "I..." She started, brows furrowing in puzzlement. She'd been at the academy eight years, but had only really learned much in the past four. She'd had talent, and so much potential the alchemist who had found her had kidnapped her away from the castle, but had never truly gotten far with it until she'd reached puberty, and found boys. Well, Duncan. He'd never been cruel to her, or even standoffish. He and Cecily had adopted the small, rangy girl that has been dumped at the academy. And he'd taught her about being a woman. That was when her power had truly blossomed. It was if a dam had broken inside of her. The Masters had been dumbfounded, and as she excelled in Life magic, she'd watched her master get more and more resentful. She knew the signs of it, the way his eyes flashed when they fell on her, the curt and short manner in which he spoke to her. He was terrifying, huge compared to her tiny, lithe stature. She was terrified of the man.<br><br>"I'm to go to that Elven village... the one with the drought with... With Master Darius..." She whispered, looking up to Cecily, her face paler than usual. How could the Magi expect her to work with a man that terrified her? Not to mention she would have to leave the academy, and Duncan. Only the three of them knew about her sudden revelation, and Duncan had agreed to continue the liaison. It had been mutually beneficial, and had thankfully never interfered with their friendship. Duncan and Cecily were to be married in a month, or two. She'd been graceful enough to allow the trysts to continue. She'd even participated. "We're leaving tomorrow." She added.<br><br>Cecily spent the night with Paige, helping her pack the essentials, her lute, her books and anything else they could think of that was necessary, but light. The two finally fell asleep in the wee hours, after hours of talking, about how this could be a grand adventure, how to deal with the surly Master Darius. A ward woke the two early, and Paige dressed in tight-fitting doe-skin breeches, tying her coppery hair back, a few strands from the front hanging loose. A tight leather top held close to her skin, leaving her midriff bare, and a travelling cloak about her shoulders. She slung her lute across her back, and the satchel of her things across her other shoulder. A pair of good boots completed her travelling outfit, and she hugged Cecily. She and Duncan had given her the cloak and boots for a midwiner gift. They'd told her it was for the grand adventures she was destined for. Paige had laughed at the time. Now she was glad for it. <br><br>As the firm raps penetrated the door, Paige turned frightened eyes to Cecily, her arms wrapping around the younger woman's shoulders, as she clung tightly. "Wish me luck, Love." She whispered, before turning to open the door, taking a deep breath to steel herself for his cruel gaze. "Master Darius, Good morn." She greeted him respectfully, avoiding his eyes, or him at all. She was perfectly ready, as the missive had instructed her to be.<br>(http://combatadvantage.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/f_halfelf1.png) <br>(http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs24/i/2008/004/5/4/DnD__female_elf_ranger_by_yiasafrai.jpg)
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Drama of Magic - Fantasy (Possibly open to newcomers)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dariusfallenstar</strong> on <strong>02-03-2011, 06:00:00</strong>
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				&nbsp;<br>Darius stood in the hallway, an imperious and authoritative figure reeking resentment for what was required of him. The handsome man’s stormcloud brows were not quite furrowed, but it would have been easy enough to imagine it so. Sunset hued eyes reflected the tightly-wound emotions of the man as he looked the half-elf over and beyond, to the other woman occupying her room. He snorted derisively, reading what he would into the situation. <br><br><strong>“It is time to go. We’re using the teleportation circle,” </strong>He said, announcing it as though she didn’t already know. Drawing a light satchel covered in magical runes over his shoulder – a bag of holding, capable of carrying more than it should, given apparent space – he turned his broad, muscular back to the girl and began the trip back up the tower, assuming that she would follow. <br><br>Following in his wake, she could catch his clean, magically neuter scent. Any hint as to what the man’s natural odor was had been artificially masked, as his flesh had been artificially woven to make him appear gloriously handsome. The man towered over the slight half-elf, even without being side-by-side, simply seeing him made it clear that he was chest and shoulders taller than her and, by the way he occasionally smiled or the dark twinkle in his eye, he was pleased with the fact that he could dominate others with his size. <br><br>What a weak, inexperienced shrew of a man! Rumor, in fact, said that he did not spend time with any of the female teachers, or female graduate students; more than a shrew. An isolationist. <br><br>The teleportation circle was at the top of the tower, covered in a glass dome the size of a small house. Used rarely due to the amount of power it required, the circle drew upon the Tower’s own protective wards and the magics of the teachers of the tower; risky business all around, and one best not announced. While a truly powerful Master of Correspondence magic could have teleported the two of them with relative ease, none such had existed for years; the Magi had to rely on artifacts of power to emulate those roles, now. <br><br>Standing at the top of the tower, two dozen of the Tower’s most prominent teachers stood – humans, elves, and other breeds, all yawning but clearly pleased to be there. To see Darius off. No love was lost for the temperamental magus – his flexibility was something some resented, but his aloof arrogance distanced all of his would-be friends. The High Magus was waiting for the two of them just outside of the deeply carved runic circles – each woven within nets of other circles, so elaborately that they’d be impossible to prize apart. <br><br><strong>“Stand in the center,”</strong> the ancient looking Magus commented, eyes twinkling with the wisdom of old age. <br><br>Darius moved there and waited for his pupil to follow. Already, the Master mages in a half-circle a distance away from the teleportation circle were whispering the incantations that would empower the travel. <br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Drama of Magic - Fantasy (Possibly open to newcomers)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>03-03-2011, 04:48:48</strong>
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				Paige's face flushed at the derisive snort, and she pressed her teeth together, as his voice commanded her. Of course he thought they were together, and of course he was judging them. He was, after all, Master Darius. Paige fought not to bite into her tongue, or glare at the man. He outranked her, and as good as she was at magic, given a physical fight he would win, always. Hell, he probably could with magic as well, he was so flexible. Paige was good at one type of magic, the rest she could pass at, though she was barely of any use. <br><br>With a glance back to Cecily, she started down the passage, almost running to keep up with his gargantuan pace. Though she tried not to be angry, she could not help it. The man was insufferable, and absolutely cruel. He'd delighted in the fact that she'd done horribly her first four years, and hated her for the last. He used every means available to bully her, and he always snapped orders at her. Paige wasn't certain whether to hate, or pity the man, so she settled for avoidance. At least, she had managed fairly well until now.<br><br>She mounted the stairs easily. Though she didn't rely on magics to make her attractive, as some did, she was fit, she had to be to live in the absurdly tall tower. As they reached the chamber, Paige gave a bow to the assembled magi, silently following the order to stand in the circle. She hadn't ever used a teleportation circle before, but she'd heard that it felt like you were being turned inside out. Taking a deep breath, Paige attempted to steel herself, closing her eyes, and clenching her fists. Preparing for the unknown.<br><br>And then it happened. For the span of one heartbeat, she felt torn apart, inside out, upside down, numb and vivid. As her feet touched the ground again, her knees buckled, pitching the slight woman forward, her stomach clenching as her body attempted to reject the breakfast she had never eaten. She panted, eyes tearing as she knelt, shaking, for a while. They were in a grassy knoll outside the village. The grass had long since turned brown, and it felt as if small spikes here burying themselves into her palms. The air was completely dry, and every bit of energy was weak, screaming in pain and desperation in the sort of cacophony only a Life magic adept could hear. Paige sat back on her heels, sharp pain beginning between her eyebrows, and clapped her hands over her ears in vain, trying to block out the inaudible screams.<br><br>"Ah-!" She gasped. "I- Master..." She stuttered, face alternating between pale and red. "How do I make it stop?" Already her eyes began to well, tears spilling from closed lids unbidden. The pain tore at her heart, the piercing screams at her sanity.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Drama of Magic - Fantasy (Possibly open to newcomers)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dariusfallenstar</strong> on <strong>03-03-2011, 07:52:32</strong>
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				The vortex of magic that re-wrote the skein of the world and teleported them hundreds of miles away ate through Darius like a cancer, though not from the sensation – no, he’d been teleported by others and other effects often enough to be familiar with the after effects – in a way he was comfortable with them – rather, his problem was from the fact that he was incapable of manifesting such useful spells. The best he could do with correspondence was move fifty or sixty pounds a few dozen feet, if that – and usually not at speed.<br><br>When they arrived at the new location, all Darius did was frown. Frown at his own short comings, frown at the world that hadn’t seen fit to gift him with enough power to do whatever needed to be down and, most of all, frown at Paige as she bent over, overcome by some emotion, some sensation, that he didn’t feel. <br><br>At first, the handsome man simply watched the girl, thinking she had teleportation-sickness. When he realized that she was having some sort of sympathetic-empathetic feedback with the world around them, all brown and dying from thirst, his frown froze in place. He knew what had to be done and that it had to be done quickly. Empathy for the dying wasn’t a good thing.<br><br>He cursed.<strong> “Girl, if you’d practiced emotional siphoning enough to be half as good as you are with nature, this wouldn’t be a problem.”</strong> He stepped over to her, his clean scent overlaying something more, a hint of the real man beneath – a pleasant sharpness that was tinged not with overbearing ambition, but with genuine worry. His fingertips traced across her brow, smoothing her hair back in a touch that mirrored that scent, subtly caring, gently pensive. <br><br><strong>“I’m going to siphon off a small amount of the nature magic you’ve got in you – one bit at a time, until the pains ease. You’re powerful as hell, otherwise this wouldn’t be such a threat…but we’ve got to back the power in you off until you can survive. Do you see?” </strong>Without waiting for her reply, Darius closed his eyes and murmured several complex Words. <br><br>Cursing again, he murmured, somewhat apologetically,<strong> “I’m versed in this for myself, and barely powerful enough to do it for others. If I am less than delicate….I …well, just deal with it. There may be some lingering emotional transference. Don’t take anything too seriously.”</strong> And suddenly a wash of embarrassment, concern and…below, a tinge of attraction, washed through a bond he’d created between the two of them. A bond that gently, gradually, reduced Paige’s pool of power, eased it back to give her room to breathe. One iota at a time. He wasn’t deliberately trying to fuel himself with her – it didn’t work that way (normally). He was trying to save her life. <br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Drama of Magic - Fantasy (Possibly open to newcomers)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>03-03-2011, 13:54:44</strong>
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				The soft touch of his fingers across her brow juxtaposed with the death-shrieks of the grass below made her sick, and Paige couldn't help the soft sob that escaped her chest, barely listening to him. She could smell <em>everything</em>, in the way only the nauseated could, and her eyes opened, tears spilling down cheeks as she pleaded with him silently to get on with it, ignoring the warnings. Her stomach roiled, pain echoing through every nerve ending. She didn't care what he did, as long as he did it. The wash of embarrassment caught her off guard, the pain turning it into horrible humiliation, as he began to work. It was slow, as he began to drain a bit of her stores, ebbing away at her power. She grit her teeth. Paige had been hoping that she could get away with avoiding sex on the excursion. It was too bad that she'd forgotten about the sympathetic empathy. It didn't usually bother her in the tower. At most she would know when a potted plant needed water, and she avoided the herb gardens out back of the kitchen.<br><br>As the pain faded, his emotional transferrance became more obvious, and a flush rose in her cheeks. She knew the emotions were from him, and as her eyes dried, they flicked away, avoiding every kind of eye contact. His concern was a balm on her shattered nerves, but the attraction... Paige had known her body was attractive enough, but only Duncan had ever shown signs of wanting her. She was a half-breed. They always said that prejudice was dead, but not for halflings. They were short lived, clumsy, and ugly, to the elves, and to the humans, they were too pretty by half, unnaturally graceful and they envied the longevity - they would live long enough to be satisfied with life, but not long enough to find hell in life. She pushed the emotions aside, as she sighed in relief.<br><br>So he thought she was attractive, he was a human. And he resented her, but one could appreciate the beauty in a thunder storm, and still hate it for endangering them, right? "Thank you." She said, closing her eyes to focus on the link, and attempt to stem its flow. She ignored his scolding of learning to siphon emotions. She had absolutely no talent with the mind-magics. Telepathy and empathy and the like. The only sort of mental feedback she could get was from plants. She could no more siphon than she could grow wings and fly. <br><br>She pulled back from his fingers, wanting away from his touch.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Drama of Magic - Fantasy (Possibly open to newcomers)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dariusfallenstar</strong> on <strong>03-03-2011, 15:18:16</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Had Darius been a more adept Mage her pulling away from his touch would not have been a problem; then again, had that been the case, he would likely have not needed contact to perform the ceremony with a willing recipient. As it was, he barely managed to mouth the word 'no' before she'd pulled away, shattering the complex magical spell he was maintaining. Maintaining, thanks to his weakness, with his very life force. Of course, he was reinforcing the process with the energy he'd been siphoning off of her, still there was a distinct transference, a giving. His life in order for her to survive the process of being so tormented. <br><br>Cursing, Darius stumbled back as the girl broke his touch, his mind swimming with pain and...oddly loss. He hadn't had time to delve into Paige during their contact, he'd been too focused on maintaining the spell, but now...he felt profound isolation, incredible loneliness. He remembered how it felt to be an Outcast among the Mages - skilled enough to be worthy of note, disciplined enough to earn his Mastery, but powerless enough to be considered the least of the least. He stood alone. Somewhere in between the world at large, of wandering adepts and alchemists, and real prestige. Thanks to his magic, Darius was effectively immortal - not quite, but close enough. Still, he was neither as long lived as the truly immortal elves (or the dragons). Indeed, he was in-between.<br><br>Outcast. Unclean. Half-Mage.<br><br>The swirl of thoughts were embarrassing to him. He did not want Paige to see him this way; she was his student, she was - until she graduated - his responsibility and, in a way, belonged to him. As much as he wanted to protect her, the very masculine part of him wanted more. He could not be seen as weak, as lonely, as suddenly comprehending what it must be like for her...<br><br>Realization dawned in Darius' grass emerald eyes as he set his gaze on Paige. The understanding, the emotions, the sympathy flowing through him. It could have been a result of the spell. Frowning, he turned his attention away, steeled his emotions and spoke a few Words of power. Ones that would help push them aside for a short time. He needed to concentrate, not worry about the after-effects of a spell ended too soon.<br><br>Turning his broad back to Paige, he looked to the East. A once borderland-Elven city, half on the ground for the Plains-dwellers and half in the forest for the Elves - seemed to be in ruins. Trees were desiccated, whole buildings crumbled to the ground, much of the visible life - including the birds, withering. Darius frowned more deeply - he saw a few people milling around the town, but they seemed lost. Confused almost. He looked, albeit with some reluctance, at Paige. <br><br>His surge of desire at the sight of her fragile - but not frail - form captivated his eyes. The curve of her small, but firm-looking breasts drew him as they never had before. It was a struggle, despite his spell, to meet her eyes. <br><strong><br>"It may not be safe for us to go closer. There must be a reason these people haven't left. A curse, maybe - perhaps something in the well, or in the air?</strong>" He didn't know. Nature - healing - diseases - he couldn't do anything with them.<br><br>Curses, maybe...but even then, she was the heavy artillery here. Not him.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Drama of Magic - Fantasy (Possibly open to newcomers)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>03-03-2011, 15:49:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As he stumbled back, Paige gasped, remembering all-too-late the snatch of lecture she'd been to exhausted to pay attention to all those years ago. She'd broken the link, and that was bad. She couldn't even remember what happened when a link was broken too early, except it hurt the caster. Master Darius ad lectured about it. He'd told them explicitly never to break a link they hadn't forged, themselves. And that's exactly what she'd done. Apologies welled in her throat, and she stared, open mouthed, pain echoing through her for a moment. As he turned away, her eyes dropped from his broad back, her arms wrapping around herself.<br><br>A pang shot through her lower stomach as he turned back, his eyes seeking hers, and she bit her tongue. He'd always been attractive. She and Cecily had giggled over him more than once, always coming back to the same conclusion - If he weren't so sour, they would have given much to be with him. Hell, part of the reason he intimidated her so much was the attraction that he'd always cultivated within her. She nodded, pressing her lips together, as he suggested they keep their distance. Unless they knew what was going on, it would be useless to walk into it. With a sigh, her eyes skittered away from his, and she flopped onto her bottom, and began to tug her boots off, shedding the cloak as well. It would have been better to be naked, but it would be enough to get down to the essential clothing. She was going to do exactly that - find out what was going on. The faster they fixed it, the faster they could get away from each other.<br><br>Laying her boots, cloak and lute aside, she knelt, again, pressing her palms against the dry ground, and lay on her stomach, cosing her eyes and pressing her cheek to the parched dirt. She sent herself out, envisioning roots sprouting from her navel, to penetrate deep into the earth, measuring the dryness. There was water, deep in the ground, but further than anything but the eldest tree roots could reach. She could almost taste it, and sympathy for the plants blossomed in her mind. Tasting water, but unable to reach it. It must have been hell for them. She began to explore further, looking for the cause. There was nothing evil in the ground, just dryness. At least, until she reached for the deep water, to coax it up.<br><br>With a sharp gasp, her eyes opened, and she found herself on her side, curled in the fetal position, hands clamped over her navel. The shot of fiery pain that had raced up her mental roots had been more than she could bare, and she lay, panting, muscles cramping. It had almost been as if she were struck by lightning. "Something is blocking the water." She gasped, trying desperately to draw in air. The electric shock had also done something much worse than simply hurt her. The shock had been a warning, and she knew it. But it had also dragged all but the most essential life energy from her. She was as powerless as a null, for now. It must have been how such a large enchantment was maintained. Anyone who attempted to touch it was robbed of their energies, leaving them helpless until they could reabsorb more.<br><br>Paige forced herself to breathe slowly, trying to unknot her muscles and straighten, the pain of the cramps keeping her curled in on herself. "It robbed me." She added, her eyes opening to seek his. "This isn't a drought, this is an attack."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Drama of Magic - Fantasy (Possibly open to newcomers)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dariusfallenstar</strong> on <strong>03-03-2011, 17:31:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Darius watched Paige work with eyes limned with wariness and appreciation. He understood the ceremony behind her art, even if he was incapable of emulating it. As she partially doffed her clothes he watched her, felt her body with his eyes – the lithe graceful not-quite-human nature actually more enticing now that he thought about her as of-a-kind with him. It took real, concentrated effort to remind himself that she was his student and, worse, more powerful than he was in many ways that mattered. Lust and a mild rebuking resentment warred – eventually discipline won and he looked back toward the town as she worked.<br><br>When she lay down, his gaze traveled back to her, swept across her concealed backside with all the hunger of a starving man. What intimacy had he had…in years, if not decades? None with students – that would be immoral, and none with other Masters – he was too weak to merit such attention and too shy to approach them for it, due to that very same power difference. Sure, he could have summoned a succubus or some other creature, or paid for it – but…let’s be honest, that was beneath him. And dangerous besides. So, he languished and suppressed the desires of his all-too masculine body. And paid the price for it now, when his spell with Paige lowered some of his guard. <br><br>When she finally finished her invocation and shuddered, pronouncing their dire circumstances, Darius frowned. On the one hand he wanted to comfort her…on the other…<br><br>Fuck it.<br><br>He swept down, moved close to her and guided her to his arms, encircling her with his muscular strength, allowing warmth to suffuse her. For an instant, his tenderness, his concern, and his care rose through him like a wave. But he had to balance it, to keep distance…<br><br><strong>“You should be more careful,”</strong> he snapped. <strong>“You could over extend yourself and then what would I do for these people? Imagine how badly it would look upon me if you died, or worse, burned out your talent here in this po-dunk village of commoners?</strong>” His tone was sour, but his heart didn’t feel any of the heat. In his heart, all he could feel was her feather&nbsp; light, quavering frame – strong and supple&nbsp; and so deliciously vulnerable against him. <br><br>Fuck.&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Drama of Magic - Fantasy (Possibly open to newcomers)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>03-03-2011, 17:44:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As his arms carefully encircled her, Paige felt her strength give, buffeted by the real concern she sensed from him. She didn't know how she knew, but she didn't believe he was half as angry as his tone. Furthermore, she couldn't care. She hurt, and a headache was slicing through her skull. She remembered this, it was what happened when a student was overextended. When they'd done too much magic. She had been well-versed in them the first four years. "I'm already overextended." She replied softly, one hand rising to press against her temple. "Lords and ladies, my head..." She sighed, trying not to focus on the way he smelled.<br><br>"But I'm not gonna burn out." She added. She knew what she needed to do, and like it or not, if she didn't people were gonna start dying. "I need your word that you will not tell anyone this." She said, looking up to him with bleary eyes, her face pale, cheeks and ears colouring. She knew that if it got out how she regained magic, she would be doomed. They would keep her, and use her. They would break her. That she couldn't allow. As soon as she graduated, if she needed, she would run, but she had to have the opportunity. But she needed him, or at least someone in the village. But there was still the very real concern that they had been trapped.<br><br>Paige felt exhausted, embarrassed, frustrated, but also, she allowed herself to feel him, his arms around her, how warm he was, how he was beginning to smell like a man, again, instead of the sterile smell he kept at the Tower. She doubted even he would notice the way he began to smell a bit like spice. He smelled clean, and strong, and like a man should. And lords and ladies help her, Paige was letting it flare deep in her loins, and letting the way his voice ground out send shivers up her spine.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Drama of Magic - Fantasy (Possibly open to newcomers)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dariusfallenstar</strong> on <strong>07-03-2011, 02:32:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Darius felt a conflagration of emotion that he didn’t entirely understand rolling through his heart; on the one hand, he wanted to maintain his distance, to find out precisely what the repercussions of breaking the spell of siphoning he’d cast on Paige would be – they were random, could last any amount of time, and were hard or impossible to predict. On the other hand, he was drawn to her vulnerability, her shape, her size, the foreign nature that she exuded – so similar to his own. <br><br>When she asked for his word, he tilted his head to the side, sending a river of raven black-blue hair across one broad shoulder as he studied her upturned face. So vulnerable – easy to get lost in her eyes. He frowned and tried to disentangle his arms, the feel of her was driving him insane with distracting thoughts. Helping her sit up on her own, he quickly backed away and turned from her, putting the wall of his back between the two of them. <br><br>Overhead, the clouds swirled through the sky, thick with the promise of rain that would not come. In the distance, he saw the elven forest – the untouched edge that would lead off into the greater Elven Nation and to the south the great rolling Plain – so much effected by whatever attack was going on in the village; huge areas of grassland were brown or even grey, as though something had suckled the life out of the land. Whatever had done this…evidently had the power of a Master, or several; or had artifacts that gave it the equivalent advantage. It would be too much for Darius to even think of confronting on his own. He couldn’t afford the luxury of giving Paige’s innocence the time it needed to adapt. They needed to leave this place.<br><br>But there was no easy way home and time was a delicate thing. The scent of decay rose from the village and waved toward their little distant hill, making him nearly gag. It smelled…rancid. <br><br>He spoke, voice low but carrying despite his distance from her. “<strong>Tell me what you need me to know. If you know some secret that will help us overcome this enemy, we must do it. It will be…unsafe…for us to stay and remain weak. I doubt any enemy capable of this will stand still while we investigate.”<br></strong><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Drama of Magic - Fantasy (Possibly open to newcomers)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>07-03-2011, 05:14:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I'll take that as your word that you will never tell a soul." She replied softly, holding herself up with shaky arms, her head tilted, drooping, to stare at his back. "Master Darius I... You remember four years ago, when my powers bloomed over night?" She asked, waiting a beat before continuing. "They did it because that was the night I lost my virginity. I don't entirely understand it, but sex is what helps me regain power, and as fast as the deed can be done, not to mention powerful. It's why I'm strong, and it's why I'll be able to help this town..." Her voice trailed off, eyes turning away. "But... I can't do it alone. I need to go into the village and find someone healthy to... To oblige my needs." It was humiliating to say, and she felt sick. She'd just told her Master that she had sex on a regular basis and that was why she was so good. She expected any number of names, whore, half-breed, anything he could say to hurt her. <br><br>Uncertainty ran through her, and genuine fear. She'd been the victim of verbal abuse all of her life, and the last person she needed it from was him. She didn't look back at him, simply staring at the parched ground before her, biting her bottom lip. He held all the power, he could easily urn them around, drag her home and tell the other Magi. He could give her up and make her life hell. But she needed to take the chance, or more people would die, and she couldn't stand the thought.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Drama of Magic - Fantasy (Possibly open to newcomers)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dariusfallenstar</strong> on <strong>08-03-2011, 09:27:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hearing the girl say the words drew Darius’ lips taut. He turned, then, and studied Paige’s petite form, considering her words. Not once did he suspect a lie; many stories tied virginity to power, why couldn’t the very reverse be true, especially about the magic that dealt with life and growing things and nature? For an instant Darius considered volunteering himself, but he felt certain that it would be an unwise association. Besides, what could such an act do to him, do to his magic? He was weak in the areas she was strong – would she drain him dry in the process?<br><br>He glanced over to the village and shook his head. The few people he could see in the distance were still moping around, appearing drained and lifeless – like zombies, of those without souls. While it was likely that half-elves lived in the village (along with elves and humans) – and a proper mating could be located, it was clear that the effects of whatever attack was going on were still rampant. <br><br>Frustrated, furious with the situation, Darius snapped, “<strong>Down there, where the trap has been sprung? I don’t think it would be safe. You’d almost certainly contract whatever it is those people have. Safer to fuck an animal for power, than someone in that cursed place.”</strong><br><br>Seeing Paige’s vulnerability, her expectation of a strike, of a rebuff, of some sort of cruelty made him pause his tirade though. What had she done to deserve his ire and hostility? He couldn’t think of anything. If it was her nature…it was her nature. Finally, sighing, he recognized the futility of the situation and decided that, at least, asking a few probing questions would not hurt.<strong> “Who have you been intimate with?</strong>” He asked softly. <strong>“Was the person a magic user?” <br></strong><br><br>Information that could be important at some time or another.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Drama of Magic - Fantasy (Possibly open to newcomers)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>08-03-2011, 18:00:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Paige winced, as his voice finally lashed out, his tone angry, though the reply better than expected. Her stomach turned, though. He was right, the town was no place to go, and that left three options: him, an animal, or going back. She began to tremble, as his tone changed, gentling, probing. "Two students." She replied simply, not wanting to sell her friends out, if he decided to bring her home. He would probably guess, though. At least he would Duncan. Maybe Cecily, maybe not. Her arm hugged her stomach, as sh still refused to look up, fear ruling her actions. She'd not felt this powerless in so long, magic or otherwise. It felt like her insides were dirty, perverted. It had been black magic, and the feeling of it nauseated her. "Please, sir. Don't tell anybody." she pleaded, still not looking at him. <br><br>She didn't offer a reason not to tell, just expressed the desire for secrecy. Her greatest fear was to be caged, used and abused for her power. It was a genuine concern, she saw the way the Academy treated odd animals, those children who saw the other side, but never engaged this one. They were no better than a kennel of dogs, used when needed, discarded when their usefulness had run its course. They bread all of them. "Please..."
			</dd>
		</dl>
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