"Yes," agrees Nathaniel. "I awoke, and between the two of us, we killed the creature that Narim saw... We have to have destroyed it, otherwise they will coddle me like a child in an attempt to protect me."

Then he says, "Actually, I don't know where to find you. I believe your family has a house in Constantine. Is that where you are staying? If so, where is it?"

[[I'm afraid that is it for me tonight. It has been a long day. Ciao.]]

[[ Checking: has Nathaniel never been to the city residence?]]

Brand smiles and nods, "Coddling is probably a good idea."

He then explains the location of the house, and his rooms within it, and suggests that perhaps Nathaniel should request Narim or Althea let Brand stay due to his specific talent.

Finally he says, "If you find yourself in need of someone to talk to, don't hesitate to... help me into the astral plane. Today has been very frustrating in that regard, and we can talk at length without fear of interruption."

Then he gathers up the Stink of Life, picks up Narim's staff, and heads cautiously to the door, half expecting an ambush. If he can open the door, he does so, and calls out "It is finally over, but Nathaniel is very weak."

If there is no-one obvious, he pokes his head cautiously out the door.

If he could not open the door, then he knock on it, saying, "Hello? Can someone let me out?"

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ Checking: has Nathaniel never been to the city residence?]]

[[I think it unlikely. Unless you remember otherwise.]]

Brand smiles and nods, "Coddling is probably a good idea."

He then explains the location of the house, and his rooms within it, and suggests that perhaps Nathaniel should request Narim or Althea let Brand stay due to his specific talent.

Finally he says, "If you find yourself in need of someone to talk to, don't hesitate to... help me into the astral plane. Today has been very frustrating in that regard, and we can talk at length without fear of interruption."

Then he gathers up the Stink of Life, picks up Narim's staff, and heads cautiously to the door, half expecting an ambush. If he can open the door, he does so, and calls out "It is finally over, but Nathaniel is very weak."

If there is no-one obvious, he pokes his head cautiously out the door.

If he could not open the door, then he knock on it, saying, "Hello? Can someone let me out?"

The library area outside Nathaniel's door is silent. Brand makes his way through the shelves to the stairway, where he begins to hear voices.

Descending the stairs, he finds Mistress Althea and a couple of the older students around Narim, who is seated on the stairs.

They all look up fearfully when they hear Brand approaching and he can see that Narim is still pale and shaking, his hair showing more signs of white than before.

Brand sighs, looking down at the group and essays a worried smile, and a genuine look of tiredness.

"It is over, I think. Nathaniel has returned, and I believe that the creature that caused all these ... problems ... is finally dead." [[ Do you like the irony, if that's the right term? ]]

He walks down the stairs and hands Narim his staff with a nod, then turns to Althea and says, "He is very weak, killing the creature has taken its toll on him, and he has requested your help."

"I will come with you, if you don't mind. He seemed anxious that I stay for a time and I said I would try to stay the night. Though I do have some matters I must attend to this evening."

[[Narim's staff is unusual. It has a leather cap over one end and the other end has a metal tip made of black metal. There are also arcane carvings along the length of the shaft.]]

Narim doesn't accept the staff, and instead frowns before saying, "But it looked like him. The ghost looked like Nathaniel."

He then grabs his staff out of Brand's grasp and gets slowly to his feet, looking old. "What is going on here, Brand?" he demands.

[[ Does that staff have much of an aura etc? Note: I have not walked around the School wirh See the Arcane running before so there may be useful info he gathers by looking around wherever he goes. ]]

[[ Edit: having now read about Ghosts, the Fear stuff is one of many possible Actions that can take. Was it constant with Nathaniel, even while he was trying to posses his body? ]]

[[ This inevitably leads to the question: what does Brand know about Ghosts? ]]

Brand frowns, and glances at the students, then back to Narim. "Nathaniel is the expert in these matters. The creature that attacked Nathaniel was killed. As to why the apparition in the room looked like him -- and didn't before -- confused me too; the first two spirits were dark and light and neither looked like Nathaniel, the last one was light and looked somewhat like Nathaniel -- though it sounded nothing like him. There may be several explanations -- perhaps the light one could change its form. They all tried numerous times to occupy his body, and they were fighting over the body when Daffid and I first arrived. Perhaps under such circumstances these creatures change? The behaviour of the undead is far beyond my knowledge."

"I suggest we retire to Nathaniel's room and see if he is better at explaining than I."

Looking more closely at Narim, he frowns a look of genuine concern on his face, and says "And I think he owes you an explanation in particular."

[[ If this was not said before, then: ]]

He turns to Althea and says, "He is very weak, killing the creature has taken its toll on him, and he has requested your help."

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ Does that staff have much of an aura etc? Note: I have not walked around the School wirh See the Arcane running before so there may be useful info he gathers by looking around wherever he goes. ]]

[[Yes. The metal tip has an aura and there are concentrations of magic along the shaft.]]

[[ Edit: having now read about Ghosts, the Fear stuff is one of many possible Actions that can take. Was it constant with Nathaniel, even while he was trying to posses his body? ]]

[[Oops. My bad. I was playing that as an always-on thing that acts the first time the ghost is seen (so only once per Saving roll per character). This will definitely make it easier for Nathaniel to socialise in the future, but clearly he will have to master it. I'm not going to retcon anything though, except maybe Narim's premature ageing.]] 

[[ This inevitably leads to the question: what does Brand know about Ghosts? ]]

[[This is probably his only experience with them, though he would have heard of ghosts being among the less common of the restless dead.]]

Brand frowns, and glances at the students, then back to Narim. "Nathaniel is the expert in these matters. The creature that attacked Nathaniel was killed. As to why the apparition in the room looked like him -- and didn't before -- confused me too; the first two spirits were dark and light and neither looked like Nathaniel, the last one was light and looked somewhat like Nathaniel -- though it sounded nothing like him. There may be several explanations -- perhaps the light one could change its form. They all tried numerous times to occupy his body, and they were fighting over the body when Daffid and I first arrived. Perhaps under such circumstances these creatures change? The behaviour of the undead is far beyond my knowledge."

"I suggest we retire to Nathaniel's room and see if he is better at explaining than I."

Looking more closely at Narim, he frowns a look of genuine concern on his face, and says "And I think he owes you an explanation in particular."

[[ If this was not said before, then: ]]

He turns to Althea and says, "He is very weak, killing the creature has taken its toll on him, and he has requested your help."

Everyone adjourns upstairs where they find Nathaniel resting in his bed, bedcovers neatly pulled up over his body.

"Hello all," he says, opening his eyes, which appear as normal. "Ahh, Mistress Althea, I'm afraid I am in need of your medical skills again. I seem to have suffered a number of scratches and abrasions."

Mistress Althea approaches Nathaniel already delving into her medicine bag.

Narim approaches Nathaniel more cautiously. "Are you okay?" he asks. 

Nathaniel gives Narim a weak smile and then says, "Yes, Narim. I am fine. I believe young Master Brand here has despatched the evil spirit and that the danger is over. He is quite the warrior."

Narim looks around the room looking for evidence, but there is nothing to see. He then looks at Brand.

"How?" he asks. "I didn't think ghosts could be touched, let along hurt."

[[ This will definitely make it easier for Nathaniel to socialise in the future...]]

[[ Excellent!! ]]

[[ I'm not going to retcon anything though, except maybe Narim's premature ageing.]]

[[ Fine with me to just undo the ageing! I felt quite sorry for Narim. I assume a small retcon here is that Nathaniel didn't activate the ability, but Narim had a really bad reaction? I can't see Nathaniel actually putting on a sound and light show to scare Narim. ]]

[[ ...opening his eyes, which appear as normal ...

Lol. That's a relief! Stage 1 test passed. ]]

[[ Any chance of a roll oh Ghosts? Could be useful going forward... ]]

Brand looks a little sheepish, "I just hit things as hard as I can and as fast as I can, and pray to whichever god seems appropriate."

He frowns, "I always thought silver made a difference, but in this case it seemed not. As I said before...I must have done enough damage to down five normal normal men."

He shrugs, "But...it seemed slowly to wear it down. Nathaniel finished it, I think."

"And don't forget Daffid's efforts before: he seemed to harm it with just his fists. I don't think I could have brought myself to do that. And it focussed on other people: if it had successfully attacked me, I doubt I'd be alive now."

"I never want to meet such an adversary again, without a more effective weapon at least."

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ This will definitely make it easier for Nathaniel to socialise in the future...]]

[[ Excellent!! ]]

[[ I'm not going to retcon anything though, except maybe Narim's premature ageing.]]

[[ Fine with me to just undo the ageing! I felt quite sorry for Narim. I assume a small retcon here is that Nathaniel didn't activate the ability, but Narim had a really bad reaction? I can't see Nathaniel actually putting on a sound and light show to scare Narim. ]]

[[The effect occurred, as Nathaniel wasn't aware of the effect he has on the living, but as well as running in fear, Narim should have aged 10 years. This is what I am going to retcon as Narim doesn't have that many years left. The ageing for Daffid still stands though because that was mainly done by the bad ghost and I think the grey sideburns make him look more dignified.]]

[[ ...opening his eyes, which appear as normal ...

Lol. That's a relief! Stage 1 test passed. ]]

[[ Any chance of a roll oh Ghosts? Could be useful going forward... ]]

[[Unless Brand reads up on them, this will purely depend on what he learns through his association with Master Nathaniel. We will take it on a case-by-case basis in the future if relevant situations arise.]]

---

Brand looks a little sheepish, "I just hit things as hard as I can and as fast as I can, and pray to whichever god seems appropriate."

He frowns, "I always thought silver made a difference, but in this case it seemed not. As I said before...I must have done enough damage to down five normal normal men."

He shrugs, "But...it seemed slowly to wear it down. Nathaniel finished it, I think."

"And don't forget Daffid's efforts before: he seemed to harm it with just his fists. I don't think I could have brought myself to do that. And it focussed on other people: if it had successfully attacked me, I doubt I'd be alive now."

[[For the record, Daffid did more damage with the magic from his Mithran sun symbol than his fists]]

"I never want to meet such an adversary again, without a more effective weapon at least."

"Interesting to know," says Narim. "So your blades aren't magical, yet you managed to fight off a ghost. I will have to take note of that."

He then adds, "You also didn't seem to be affected by its horrifying visage (grin) like I was. For one so young, you must have nerves of steel... Have you fought many such monsters? I am writing a book and would be interested in hearing any details you have about strange creatures and how to fight them."

"A few of the undead, some shape shifters [[ is there a local term for lycanthrope ]], far too many goblins...a few others...but never a ghost before. And I hope never again. This time I was lucky, and ... I think I will never forget the tortured look in Nathaniel's eyes. Truth be told, I am no hero, I would likely have run had it not been some one I ..  knew."

Brand shudders, "Never again."

[[ Seriously, never again please! Edit: of course it just adds to the list of stuff Brand wants...

The ageing is potentially mass instadeath (at least for middle aged people). IMO it should wear off or something, or be ageing over time with an AOE. The 24 hour limit on restoration in a low level campaign  is also pretty ruinous. And 250xp, in retrospect, seems a tad low!!! (Now that I've read about them)

Edit: or was this a toned-down ghost? ]]

"I'd be happy to talk, but...I'm not sure how much I really know. However, today has taught me that I should perhaps invest in some kind of magical blade."

"Speaking of magic...does the effect of the tea I drank mean that I may be a latent sorcerer?" he asks, glancing between Althea and Narim.

[[ Who is in the room? ]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

"A few of the undead, some shape shifters [[ is there a local term for lycanthrope ]], far too many goblins...a few others...but never a ghost before. And I hope never again. This time I was lucky, and ... I think I will never forget the tortured look in Nathaniel's eyes. Truth be told, I am no hero, I would likely have run had it not been some one I knew."

Brand shudders, "Never again."

[[ Seriously, never again please! Edit: of course it just adds to the list of stuff Brand wants...

The ageing is potentially mass instadeath (at least for middle aged people). IMO it should wear off or something, or be ageing over time with an AOE. The 24 hour limit on restoration in a low level campaign  is also pretty ruinous. And 250xp, in retrospect, seems a tad low!!! (Now that I've read about them) [[There were 3 of you fighting it.]]

Edit: or was this a toned-down ghost? ]]

[[It was also toned down in terms of hit points, and the saving throws are pretty easy as well, especially with access to hero points. Nathaniel and the ghost had both been fighting for a while before Brand and Daffid arrived, so it had a lot less hit points than the rules suggest. But they had to be ghosts, or similar such spirit creatures.]]

"I'd be happy to talk, but...I'm not sure how much I really know. However, today has taught me that I should perhaps invest in some kind of magical blade."

"Speaking of magic...does the effect of the tea I drank mean that I may be a latent sorcerer?" he asks, glancing between Althea and Narim.

[[ Who is in the room? ]]

[[At the moment, Narim, Mistress Althea, the assistant librarian, a male student who you haven't met before and Master Nathaniel.]]

"Sorcerer?" says Master Nathaniel. "You are a latent sorcerer as well... You are truly gifted Master Alaric."

Then, after a moment, he turns to Narim and Althea and says, "We should talk with the archmagus. I believe our friend here would be a major asset to the School." 

"What do you mean?" asks Mistress Althea.

[[I will stop here in case you want to add something. It is also after midnight, so ciao for tonight.]]

Brand looks confused, and a little embarrassed, "I only asked if that's what it meant... the auras are... interesting."

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

Brand looks confused, and a little embarrassed, "I only asked if that's what it meant... the auras are... interesting."

[[Going to have to retcon Brand's seeing mana a little so that it isn't a continuous effect because the See the Arcane cantrip is a Concentration spell that he has to learn. He would have seen the auras around Narim and Althea until he blinked and then the effect would have gone. The event is still proof that he is a latent sorcerer and that somehow the tea stimulated this ability, but it shouldn't be a continuous effect and is something he will have to learn how to control.]]

Nathaniel is showing more life now than he has for a long time.

"Don't you see," he says. "He is the perfect experimental subject for a number of phenomena that the School has been interested in but lacking suitable subjects at the right time of their development. And I know from experience that Master Brand here is intelligent, literate, and has an enquiring mind."

Then he turns to Brand and asks, "You would be interested in this, wouldn't you Alaric?"

[[ Lol. Nice to see the Mad Scientist in Nathaniel. I think. ]]

Brand stifles a laugh, then smiles at his friend while shaking his head, "I think the role might need to be more carefully defined. Becoming an 'Experimental Subject' is not something to which I would ordinarily aspire."

He collects his thoughts for a moment, then continues. "But I am, as you say, most curious, ... and encouraged by what this development might mean. I would be delighted to help you and the School if possible, most especially if they can help me understand this ability."

[[ Edit: I just did a thing I thought I would never do: create a file called Brand_Spells.txt... ]]

[[ Link Index ]]

[[ This will be my Magical Questions post; main move above... ]]

Magical Matters

6. Does a high dose to start the day, followed by a low maintenance dose work?

7. How long does one tea last?

8. Does a weak tea have a lesser effect? JW#1 is +3 INT, -2 CON. After throwing up it was+2/-1. Can the latter be achieved with less nausea etc?

9. How much does he need to drink to sustain the 2/3 effect?

10. Does contact with wood, bark, or leaves suffice? After drinking?

11. If contact works.. how much needed, and how long to loss of powers after contact lost?

Velma Smit

VS1. Who was person she talked to? (The guard)

Answered:

1. Am incorrect in assuming training will/may happen, then at level 4 he becomes a wizard and gains the whole she-bang, or do some things happen as he levels (eg. cantrips, or rituals...)?

[[Preferably, I would like to do the thing piecemeal so we can explore what is involved, and that could start now before he reaches 4th level. Gaining all the feats and spells in one fell swoop is a little hard to believe within the narrative and we would be hard pressed to justify it within the scope of the days of play.

However, please note that Brand has just received a positive indication that sorcery is possible for him, but how he achieves it long-term is still to be determined (i.e., Does he really want to have to consume Jartinal Weed tea every time he want to be a sorcerer for a brief period?]] (link)

2. How flexible are Familiars...I'm inclined to go with Raven, but I have a soft spot for dogs....

[[The common theme for Wizard familiars is a CR of 0 (poisonous snake is the exception with a CR of 1/8), so I would be happy for Brand to have a dog familiar that was constrained by that level of Challenge Rating.]] (link)

3. How long does Jartinal last?

[[Brand is still feeling some of the effects of the tea now, his stomach feeling a little uneasy for one thing.]] (link)

4. Does it need to be imbibed, or could he have a twig/root/branch in contact with skin? (link)

5. Could there be other triggers? ie. start training now, while looking...

[[The above will all need to be discovered through experimentation.]] (link)

Re: latency via JW...I think the desirability depends a lot on how long it lasts, and whether he needs the weed only to prepare the spells vs. any time he wants to do anything. And this obviously comes to the heart of what latency actually is. ]]

[[Sorcery is the ability to see and manipulate the particles of magick that pervade the environment of Magudonya in a manner that creates repeatable effects (i.e., cast spells). Brand has discovered that he can see the particles, manipulating them is something he will need to learn to do; the two normally go together. A trained arcane caster (i.e., a bard/sorcerer/warlock/wizard) has learned how to collect mana and store the particles in an aura that surrounds their head (i.e., a character's spell or pact slots) and most can maintain this aura even while they are asleep. Brand will find out that a latent sorcerer needs to be in continual contact with their trigger factor to be able to maintain their aura, otherwise the mana will just leak away into the environment.]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ Link Index ]]

---

[[ This will be my Magical Questions post; main move above... ]]

Magical Matters

1. Am incorrect in assuming training will/may happen, then at level 4 he becomes a wizard and gains the whole she-bang, or do some things happen as he levels (eg. cantrips, or rituals...)?

[[Preferably, I would like to do the thing piecemeal so we can explore what is involved, and that could start now before he reaches 4th level. Gaining all the feats and spells in one fell swoop is a little hard to believe within the narrative and we would be hard pressed to justify it within the scope of the days of play.

However, please note that Brand has just received a positive indication that sorcery is possible for him, but how he achieves it long-term is still to be determined (i.e., Does he really want to have to consume Jartinal Weed tea every time he want to be a sorcerer for a brief period?]]

2. How flexible are Familiars...I'm inclined to go with Raven, but I have a soft spot for dogs....

[[The common theme for Wizard familiars is a CR of 0 (poisonous snake is the exception with a CR of 1/8), so I would be happy for Brand to have a dog familiar that was constrained by that level of Challenge Rating.]]

Master Narim muses on Brand's comment for a moment and then says, "I think I agree with you Nathaniel."

He then looks at Brand before continuing, "And, if you're agreeable, I could certainly use some help in teaching the students self defence."

[[ Questions updated, new ones added (shown below). I agree about the idea of evolving training, and that a revolving door to instantly knowing stuff seems odd. Unless weird rites were involved, as in a religion etc ]]

3. How long does Jartinal last?

4. Does it need to be imbibed, or could he have a twig/root/branch in contact with skin?

5. Could there be other triggers? ie. start training now, while looking...

Re: latency via JW...I think the desirability depends a lot on how long it lasts, and whether he needs the weed only to prepare the spells vs. any time he wants to do anything. And this obviously comes to the heart of what latency actually is. ]]

[[ Main Move ]]

Brand nods, "I could certainly help there...but I do have other commitments to which I must attend. I would be very interested to hear what these experiments might involve, however?"

"Then... There's the tea. I'm not sure I want to drink that every few hours for the rest of my life."

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ Questions updated, new ones added (shown below). I agree about the idea of evolving training, and that a revolving door to instantly knowing stuff seems odd. Unless weird rites were involved, as in a religion etc ]]

3. How long does Jartinal last?

[[Brand is still feeling some of the effects of the tea now, his stomach feeling a little uneasy for one thing.]]

4. Does it need to be imbibed, or could he have a twig/root/branch in contact with skin?

5. Could there be other triggers? ie. start training now, while looking...

[[The above will all need to be discovered through experimentation.]]

Re: latency via JW...I think the desirability depends a lot on how long it lasts, and whether he needs the weed only to prepare the spells vs. any time he wants to do anything. And this obviously comes to the heart of what latency actually is. ]]

[[Sorcery is the ability to see and manipulate the particles of magick that pervade the environment of Magudonya in a manner that creates repeatable effects (i.e., cast spells). Brand has discovered that he can see the particles, manipulating them is something he will need to learn to do; the two normally go together. A trained arcane caster (i.e., a bard/sorcerer/warlock/wizard) has learned how to collect mana and store the particles in an aura that surrounds their head (i.e., a character's spell or pact slots) and most can maintain this aura even while they are asleep. Brand will find out that a latent sorcerer needs to be in continual contact with their trigger factor to be able to maintain their aura, otherwise the mana will just leak away into the environment.]]

---

[[ Main Move ]]

Brand nods, "I could certainly help there...but I do have other commitments to which I must attend. I would be very interested to hear what these experiments might involve, however?"

"Then... There's the tea. I'm not sure I want to drink that every few hours for the rest of my life."

The three School masters look at each other and then Narim shrugs and says, "I think we need to talk to Mistress Vidon or the archmagus. They might be able to help... But, if you have indeed been able to see our auras, that is a strong indication that you can manipulate magick."

Brand glances at each master, and settles his gaze on Nathaniel. "So...I suppose that there are a few question that need to be answered first."

He catches sight the cup on the table and grimaces, "Is there a way to avoid the tea? Am I really capable of sorcery? And what are these experiments?"

"Once we know those, we will know how to proceed."