[OPEN TO PLEROMA] MAGIC TRAINING!

[wolof]

WHO: Pleroma interested in ~*~magic~*~
WHAT: Magic Training!
WHERE: Outside Greentruth
WHEN: Mid Visoseri
WARNINGS: none anticipated - if any are needed, please PM me and I'll add them!

Deep beneath Greentruth, on the forest floor, is the safest place, to keep the city free of errant fire spells or other such dangers, and a few of the paths down are lit with dancing lights -- when caught with the right angle -- point arrows down, to the forest floor, below the large trees and the city nestled up within the branches. Daylight cuts and filters in, but the entire area is lit with lanterns and fires throughout the space that was chosen. The large area is divided, different sections, signs, clearly laid out paths with torches, all to illuminate where the sunlight doesn't cut, and ensure that the foggy, deep forest is bright enough for those who want to study magic can do so. The space is...about as clear as it can be, given the location, although there is still plenty of wildlife and plant life that has been..."gently" encouraged to move out of the way, so the paths between each area is clear.

For some time, during the "symposium", at the top of every hour, a spell was let off that was all illusion, a flare that careened upward to announce the presence of the magical gathering in the forest floor below. Although there had been a communion, only days prior, to announce the gathering, there can be no mistaking where this gathering is meant to be.

[Target Practice]

Set a bit away from the center bonfire of the gathering was several wooden, human shaped frames, set up at varying distances from the cleared area. Some were tucked behind half cover, behind a tree in the far distance, or as if they were "crouched" behind a gathering of ferns. The entire area is lit with overhead lights, to keep the mists and fogs at the forest floor from encroaching too much. There's also plenty of replacements set to the side, painted neatly, in case anyone gets too...destructive. A few (although not many) seem to have a small, glowing rune carved to the base, and shine with what looks to be a veneer -- it's a weak shield working, to be sure, but they'll be less easily destroyed than the others. They're interspersed throughout the "shooting range", and there's a starting area constructed from a fallen log to set where the "shooting" space was.

Off to another side, set against a small table, are a collection of clay pigeons. There's a box to the side filled to the brim with the small... they're closer to clay plates painted colorfully, but it's rather easy to see what they're set up for. There's no mechanism to launch them into the air, due to budget -- but if you can find a way to launch them... or if you can convince a buddy to throw or magic them into the air, it's fair game to throw them off and deep into the forest, and see if you can hit them!

[Sparring Ring]

Closer to the central bonfire is a large rope barrier set into a circle. The stakes are each inscribed -- again curious workings from the hostess -- although this is designed more to keep things in, than out. Not people, of course, once in, one can leave just as easily as before, but there's a perceivable shiver when one passes through -- a shield to protect wayward spells from leaving the encircled area. A small sign posted -- with perfect painted calligraphy -- explains that this area is for practicing magic duels. Either from one on one fights -- or even two vs two or larger -- and while the space isn't huge, it's certainly set up with enough space for several people to move around in comfortably, for a friendly wizard's duel. A final rule at the bottom does dictate that participants should "avoid lethal damage".

There's even a small set of logs outside the ring for spectating, arranged neatly and purposefully as seats, one can rest up or cheer on their friends from the sides, if you're so inclined.

[Obstacle Course]

The entrance starts with a sign -- off to one side, a pathway marked clearly into the forest. It's listed as a "Practice Course", and includes a statement that warns for "sudden enemies" that are littered through the dark and dank woods beyond -- and also that it's not really set up for true beginners. (Or you can go anyway, you do you.) The path is lined with small motes of light, that guide one throughout the pathway and the course. You can run, you can walk, but eventually, you'll come upon the first obstacle, a felled tree across the path, followed by a pit dug into the earth right behind it -- nothing dangerous in the bottom (of course) but you'll come out covered in mud -- before the trail continues deeper into the forest. The lights are present to lead one from the entrance, and along toward the exit -- it's a good length, and designed for someone to make their way through the entire thing with caution. Several wooden targets are littered throughout the path -- some even move, either up and down, or side to side, to hide from cover, enchanted with another low-grade cantrip to move, so as not to be too easy. Several more "pitfalls", and even a large pit at some point, one must use their wits and magics, to get across.

Or, you know, walk around it, if you're so inclined, although that's hardly the intent.

There's plenty of creativity with the falls and obstacles, and at a good clip, takes about a half-hour to walk. And who knows, maybe there's something out in the woods that caught sight of the light, and moved closer to investigate...

[Scholarly Pursuits]

For those who are not inclined toward battle, there is always a need for more than just those who fight. Finding ways to do that is the tricky part, often. While one can go to battle, and weave great workings and spells, and fight an enemy, there's just as much merit in the pursuit of knowledge, of using your magics for more than simply war. In that vein, there is a section set up for precisely this purpose. Perhaps you want to sit and think for a bit about how to combine your own power with an ally's, or even to think through how to make it work. Sometimes just putting a pen to paper is enough to get the thoughts flowing.

It's difficult to lug furniture of any sort from Greentruth to the floor below, but molding and sculpting the area to work for this purpose is important, so there are fallen tree trunks that have been split to create large tables, and logs left everywhere to create into seating. There are large sheaths of paper, ink, and quills, all set up for theory and magic. There are no books -- although if they are brought and shared, all the better. Dancing lights coalesce above, almost galaxy-like in the way they gather together, to offer light for those that want to spend time studying.

Beyond the paper and ink are materials, small shards of metal, barks, plants, dirt, and other sorts of things that could be considered... "material components", as it were. Collected with are, and laid out along the large table in dishes, to be used if needed in ones own magical study.

[Fire Pit]

Of course, what gathering would be a true gathering without a fire? It's warm, with seats all about, reminiscent of the sort of thing one would dig when roasting a large beast. Seats all around, from cushions, to stumps, rocks, and even some blankets, all set up for relaxing after a long day of working hard -- or for those who want to spectate!

The fire has a beast on the spit -- something purchased within Greentruth clearly -- and large enough for an entire gathering of people. There is a display laid out on one of the largest stumps, with plenty of vegetables and fruits to roast on the fire or simply eat, and another stump has plenty of bottles of wines, liquors, and even some juices about to be sampled by those who need a little break, or at the end of the day. The fire doesn't seem to need fuel, and doesn't get extinguished, but burns cheerily, creating a centerpiece to the entire gathering for those who need it. The drinks aren't frosted, but there's plenty of practice to be had by simply chilling one yourself, or asking a friend to do it!

Comments

QUESTIONS

[wolof]

If there are any questions need answering, you can ask them and I'll do my best! I am not a mod and this is a player-run training log, so I can only answer questions about this specific log!

Scholarly Pursuits

[deushexmachina]

True to his promise, Jayce was able to find a handful of crystals — quartz primarily, clear and geometrically sound. Enough to begin working with, first flint to strike. A match, he thinks, to light an inferno.

"Akua," he waves with one open palm, "hi. Hope I'm not late."

[wolof]

Akua had been waiting at one of the tables, idly taking a few notes when Jayce approached, and she lifted a hand in response, her smile blossomed. "No, not late at all. What did you bring for us to work with?"

Jayce had promised some sort of material, and she was... eager to see what he'd have found for them to collaborate on. He pushed the paper away, and leaned forward, curious to see what he'd found.

[deushexmachina]

He pulls his hand out of his pocket, revealing five quartz crystals of varied clarity and size. Presenting it like a hunter returning with a dozen-point prize, he holds out his palm for her inspection.

"They took a little time to acquire," he says.

Scholarly pursuits

[youngprodigy]

Cid is far too new to this... being able to use magic think to feel comfortable leaping right into combat. The fact that the only spell he has is a shield means he isn't certain how far sparring would get him— he's comfortable enough with a blade as is, even if the ones available to the Resistance aren't exactly what he's used to.

He offers a little wave as soon as he sees Akua. He wastes no time in summoning forth the shield as a demonstration. It's more of a buckler, really, and and looks mundane in every way. That doesn't mean that Cid isn't absolutely thrilled to be showing it off, though. "I haven't had the opportunity to extensively test the spell yet."

[wolof]

Shields aren't necessarily unique in Akua's world, but she took the time to look it over, first from a distance. It's the kind of thing that most sorcerers from her world can do -- although the... excitement in his expression is infectious enough for her to offer a smile.

"Probably for the better," she reached out with a finger, experimental, although she hadn't quite touched it yet. "Have you tried touching it yet? Does it repel force, or simply... block it?"

[youngprodigy]

He looks at his shield carefully, twisting it around in his arms, weighing it. "I don't believe it repels force, it doesn't appear to be augmented in any way." It's possible he might be able to use the shield in such a way he could do that with a physical object, but he hasn't tested it enough to be certain.

"As far as I can tell, this is an ordinary shield. The appearance hasn't ever changed between conjurings." He demonstrates this by making it vanish and promptly summoning it again. Like he said, it's the exact same shield.

But despite its simplicity, he's clearly thrilled.

[coupris]

I. Obstacle Course

[Without a precinct gym for exercise, Kim has been getting up at the crack of dawn to go for runs in empty Godsblood streets. An obstacle course sounds a bit more fulfilling than dodging cracks in the cobblestones, so he sets off into the woods. Unaccustomed to the sheer amount of nature, his run often slows to a perfunctory jog as his eyes follow gnarled tree branches up into the canopy. Several times he stops altogether to observe particularly unusual plant life, but he remains alert enough to clear the first pit without any magical assistance.

He allows some of the automated cantrips from the targets to fire into him, allowing him to absorb the magic and better his aim on a return shot. It's still far less wieldy than a gun, but his accuracy improves with every new attempt.

Occasionally, there's rustling in the undergrowth just off the path. He's noticed bigger and smaller footfalls, but until whatever creature decides to make itself known, he focuses on the road ahead.]

II. Target Practice

[After braving the forest, Kim is more than happy to try out his skills in proper lighting. He may require some assistance activating his power in a more static environment, but he makes a survey of the grounds first.

He tries to mentally map the distance between targets, so hopefully he can measure out how far his projectiles might be able to travel. At least they're at a distance where farsightedness doesn't affect his aim as much.]

[wolof]

[ She'd promised to help out any that needed help, especially with their new abilities. So help she would. Akua made her way around the target area, and noticed Kim staring at the different targets, so she approached, a slight lean, when she neared. ]

Are you going to shoot them?

[ She asked, a touch amused. ] Or do you need a little... [ She made a shoving motion, to describe the motion. ]

[coupris]

[Kim only used his gun in dire straits or practice situations like this, but not for the first time since he's been in Horos, he misses it. There's no emotional attachment to the old service pistol, but there's an itch where his holster used to rest under his jacket. Even if it was a single shot before a reload, it required a lot less concentration than something intangible like magic.

Either way, he offers Akua a small, resigned smile. He's fully aware of how comical that memory he broadcasted looked.]

I'd recommend something thrown from a slight distance, if anything.

I. Obstacle Course

[deushexmachina]

[Watching from the sidelines near the end of the route, Jayce stands with folded arms and studious eyes on Kim's movement — his hands, specifically. The quick casting, the somatic motions. Every reaction sharper with new, learned precision. Jayce couldn't be sure if Kim came with natural talent or learned quickly, but he observed that Kim learned well, something arguably more important than the other options.]

It's a good technique, [he calls, when there's a break from the targets, the forest beginning to yield,] absorbing and returning.

[coupris]

[Most of Kim's movements throughout the course are adaptations of his police training. There aren't many vines to swing across pitfalls in Revachol, and that bit admittedly prompts a few school gym flashbacks, but learning to aim his power has felt like learning to sharpshoot all over again.

As sunlight starts to peek out between the line of trees again, a voice pulls him out of his concentration. He skids to a halt and turns on his heel, arm halfway up to defend himself, when the voice clicks with one that had emanated from his shard. Kim relaxes, and offers a nod in greeting.]

It's a bit new, as you may have seen. [He glances at the larger pit before the exit.] ...Flying might have been useful, though.

forgive me for late!!! let’s go for the obstacle course

[passio]

[ once again, dextera finds himself following kim. this time it’s not really on purpose—they’re just going through the obstacle course at the same time, dextera with grim resignation as he acknowledges, privately, he’s a little out of practice. this is exactly the kind of thing he should be good at, but the fact that he isn’t proceeding along at his usual pace is sign enough that he needs the work.

the second sign, which he didn’t really need, is that in his attempt to dodge a cantrip that kim also dodged not one minute ago, he stumbles upon a pitfall made likely for this exact reason. ]

Waugh?!

[ it’s the loudest sound he’s made recently, and the short scream followed by a thud is as much a cry for help as anything. ]

not late at all, bless u

[coupris]

[Kim has only kept himself vaguely aware of anyone else on the course. His shard made it simple to recognize other Pleroma and focus on the path ahead, at least until he hears the commotion behind him. He winces at the dull sound of someone hitting the forest floor like a bag of wet cement, and doubles back to check on them. The hole isn't too deep, but it's enough to keep him from simply pulling anyone out.]

Are you alright?

[When he registers the shape of Dextera through the jungle darkness, he reaches for the crystal embedded in his side.]

Use the shard if you need to.

[snakeandfangs]

Sparring Ring

[ there's something about stepping into an actual ring that piques toge's curiosity, even more so when he shudders when pressing through that barrier that'll protect people from wayward spells. despite magic being the main goal, it's having a chance to see exactly how much he can do while still using what makes him incredibly dangerous, as well. especially when it comes to those who aren't familiar with his speech.

but perhaps the barrier will protect the ones who watch from outside, too? he's not sure. all he knows is that he's more than willing to gesture at those who pass by to enter, so that he can at least... give people an idea of what they might deal with in the future.

a cheery teen with his mouth covered up. he can't possibly be that dangerous looking. right? ]

Campfire

[ after a long day of various activities... most of which were actually pretty fun, toge's happy to settle down at yet another campfire with a plate of many offerings. most of his plate is made up of vegetables, but don't think he won't get a little bit of meat and fruit on the side. something about being very careful and prudent regarding his diet.

his eyes stick to the fire unless he's approached or even sat next to, with a smile on his face that makes those little markings around his lips crinkle a little. and when he speaks, he does so with an empty mouth--- the little sigil on his tongue a very obvious thing when there's nothing covering it up. ]

Konbu.

[ howdy. ]

s parr ing?

[wolof]

[ Well, maybe still dangerous, if their conversation had been anything to go off of. Or... Akua's mostly one-sided assumptions about him were.

She stepped into the ring with a small wave. ]

Hey. I didn't expect to see you in the ring. [ She said it with a smile, clearly teasing a little bit. ] Want to show off for the spectators?

[snakeandfangs]

[ oh! it's akua. he's glad to see her because she already seemed relatively knowledgeable in the first place. with a wave back, he follows it up with a nod. there's certainly some people already chilling out around on those seats, so it doesn't hurt to have others watch. ]

Salmon.

[ and he'll start. with a bit of focus, he creates a pale green colored spark of light and sends it her way. it's not particularly fast but not turtle speed. ]

sparring ring!

[aquaveiled]

[ When Akua posed it, there was no way Himeka knew she wasn't going to attend. Flexing her magical skills all in good fun is really the preferred method from trying to end their opponents. (People she's said that she believes can be turned around, in this case. Not the best example to set...)

But not just that, she's equally curious to see what her comrades can do. And it's best to figure that out before they're needed, isn't it? Besides, good fun once again. She could use some good fun after everything that's happened these last few weeks.

Himeka rolls her shoulders and smiles at the young man that enters the ring. ]

Ahh, we meet again!

[ Her tail swishes happily behind her as she waves. ]

But I figure we're setting seafood aside this time, aren't we?

[snakeandfangs]

[ the nice lady who makes tasty food... it's not the only reason why he likes her. maybe it's those neat looking scales and the tail, too? or her cheerful nature as she enters the protected ring, the wave that makes him smile and wave back before bowing. ]

Salmon.

[ yes. he's here for the same thing. learn their boundaries, even if it's through some pretty clean fun. toge pulls down his collar, exposes the crests on his lips. when he speaks next, he makes sure to leave his mouth open a moment or two longer than needed: his tongue, with another mark. ]

Konbu, konbu.

[ and with that he draws a hand back, like he's about to throw a baseball. only instead of a white ball with red laces, it's a luminescent blue fish--- entirely made of water. he hurls it at her with a healthy amount of force. ]

[recursive]

I: helping hand (ota)

( throughout the day, yuuta can be found either at the range set up for target practice or at the sparring ring. considering akua had set this up for practice with magical abilities, he has left both his sword and wooden practice blade behind, so he presents only himself and a broad smile. )

Need some help? I’m happy to partner up with you!

( at target practice, he will continue with a dry chuckle, ) I promise my throwing arm is better than it looks.

( in the sparring ring he will instead tap him a few times on the chest with an open palm. ) Go on – I’ll give you the first move. ( and the keen eye of someone well-attuned with magic (or just any Aion that’s paying careful enough attention) might notice a faint glow that suddenly envelops his whole body, clinging tight to his outline like a miniature aura.

in either case, it’s possible to convince him into being the one that’s practicing instead of the one helping someone else, but… it might take some cajoling! )

II: show and tell (closed to akua)

( yuuta arrives to the space that had been prepared in the cavernous, misty woodland beneath greentruth fairly early, both to see if there was anything he could help with and also because he remembered the agreement that he had made with akua in their conversation over Communion a short time prior. if he’s going to do a demonstration… he would prefer to it earlier in the day, both because he’ll have all of his cursed energy at his disposal but also because he’d prefer limit how many people were around. it’s not that he’s secretive about his abilities – he’s sure most of the Pleroma will become aware of them at some point – but with how explosive they could be with the slightest lapse in his attention… well, he’d just prefer limit how many people were around to potentially be exposed to something like that.

by the time he arrived, it appeared that pretty much everything had been set up. he checks in with akua to check if she’s available before striking off on his own to clear another area for the demonstration. a short time later he stands in the middle of a small clearing that he’s carved out of the forest, the plants looking almost as if they were flattened by some alien force.

he felt a little bad about that, but… he’s sure they’ll grow back soon enough, right? )

Um… Miss Akua? ( he raises a hand to wave amiably at her as she approaches. ) I’m ready if you are!

ii

[wolof]

[ Yuuta really arrived at just the perfect time. Akua had been up early, to oversee the final preparation of the event. She'd been looking forward to working with her fellow Aions, and getting the time to do so was... exciting, at the very least.

All these different magics, different worlds? She felt bad, that it was her, and not say Hierophant, who was here, but there was nothing to it. She would have to investigate in his stead.

She waved at Yuuta, when she approached the clearing he'd decided on, curious. It was big, but he had implied that his power was vast. How vast was the question. Akua ran with those who'd made it their life's work to achieve godhood, so she was used to grand designs. That she suspected Yuuta could give them a run for their money was of great interest. ]

Go ahead, Yuuta. I want to see what you have in you.

[ She waved a hand, as if conjuring something the high-arcana difficult to perceive, but Yuuta can probably guess. A shield -- of course -- but she wove a few spells to monitor the power.

It's almost scientific. ]

[recursive]

( it's true that yuuta's personal reservoir of cursed energy was immense — both his classmates and his opponents had run into this, and when getting a sense of it, they tend to get a mental picture of the vastness of the ocean or the weight and volume of a massive water tank. but all of that energy has to be released into the world through the relatively small conduit of his human body — either that or rika, though he will get into that a little later. the space that he had cleared probably gives a larger impression than he can even fill (or maybe that's just his perception of it), but he had wanted to err on the side of caution. )

Okay! ( said with a thumbs up.

he pauses for just a moment. he had mentally made note of a list of things he had wanted to demonstrate for her, but... he wants to start simple, just to make sure she can see everything (most people can't see cursed energy or spirits, but it seems Aions can... but he just doesn't want to assume anything??). )

First off... You can see this, right?

( and he erupts into light.

usually when he reinforces himself, he keeps it as low-profile as he can, both to avoid infusing himself with too much energy at once (which could made personal stability hard to maintain) and also not to waste too much of it. but right now he's essentially going super saiyan, though the corona of strange, pale light slowly ebbs and shrinks down closer to his form, dimming to a faint aura. it has a particularly strange feeling to it, as though instead of releasing energy into the world, he had begun to displace the world around him, sinking a miniature gravity well in the forest. it lessens as the energy itself lessens, though the unsettling feeling remains; the creeping sensation that roves up once's spine when they feel as though they're being watched. )

I - Target Practice

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya was just inspecting the clay pigeons, hefting them to determine... what they're even used for. Are these the targets, or the weight he's supposed to toss?]

Yeah? [He looks over at Yuuta.] With magic or just... throwing things?

closed to Akua

[aquaveiled]

[ The sparring ring seems like the apt place for a demonstration. Good foresight on Akua's part since Himeka is the sort of person to let loose regardless. The trees would surely forgive her with a bit of soothing and apologies, right?

Not necessary anymore! She is instinctively curious about the barrier formed around the area and has to poke at it a bit just to see if she can identify what the aether is attuned to. She cannot, unfortunately, but it still doesn't feel too unlike the sort of binding spells she's encountered in the past. Y'shtola would definitely be able to figure it out, she's certain. If only she could introduce the two women...they would get along splendidly!

Once she steps into the ring, she greets the other woman with a smile. ]

How many calculations did it take to construct this?

[wolof]

[ Akua was waiting, almost anticipatory. She'd only really met Himeka the one time, but she was quite curious about her, especially after the conversations they'd had, and the differences in their types of magic.

She offered a matched greeting, a slight smile that was political at its core, but she was happy to see her. Half because she got to talk magic shop, and half because...well, it was difficult teaching all day, and it was nice to let loose a little, and stop holding back quite so much. ]

Oh, this? Not many. [ If it were Masego, he would have gotten into it, but luckily, Akua is not the one who likes to share every little detail of her work. ]

Just a few to keep it up, absorb, enough to make it stop anything too dangerous. It won't stop a full on attempt to put it down, but it will take care of anything that slips by. I figured I wouldn't have to worry about anything too destructive today.