aionlogs | [OPEN TO PLEROMA] MAGIC TRAINING!

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

When she touches it, she'll find it feels like an ordinary metal shield. There's nothing about it that indicates it's made out of some sort of magical substance, or he's expending energy to keep it summoned.

"I imagine if enough force is applied to it, it would break."

Would it just vanish into aether at that point? Hmm... he looks thoughtfully at his shield, but ultimately he doesn't look certain. "As it's something I've conjured, I believe after a certain point it would disappear, but I don't think it would prevent me from summoning it again."

"Interesting," she said, and tapped it again, curiously. It does feel simply like a shield, not even anything like the shields she can summon. It's...curious, how it manifested in a unique and different way than hers did. Would every world's magic manifest in such unique and different ways?

"I'm curious about that -- what happens when it takes enough damage, and how fast it can be regenerated... The sort of data that would be useful against one of our enemies, don't you think"

Akua wanted to test it. New magic, a new ability? The former Diabolist could do nothing but.

By the look in his eyes, it's pretty clear Cid is just as keen on testing the strength of his shield as she is. "I do agree. Knowing what sort of damage it can take will be important in any coming battle."

Of course, given it's just a normal shield, he isn't expecting it to take much of a beating against truly powerful magic, but mayhap there's something to be done with it...? Either way, he shifts a bit. "I might not be able to fight, but my goal would be the buy those who can time."

"Never underestimate the power of a well placed shield," she said, half a joke, but there's an undercurrent of seriousness to her tone. "You never know when you'll need to have one at the ready, and up, lest one of our allies ends up with an arrow to the throat."

So specific! Anyway.

"Would you mind, if I tried? To break it, I mean? We can see how long it takes to regenerate -- and I can guarantee your safety."

She says this with the confidence of someone that absolutely knew she wouldn't hurt him on accident.

"I'll admit, I've never used one before." Though he's cheerful enough as he says it, he's completely serious. It probably says more about his upbringing and the sort of training he's had than anything about him personally, given he's perfectly willing to use his shield now, but it's out there all the same.

Still, he nods at her question. "Of course."

He motions to the shield. "In a real scenario, ideally I would have a blade with me, but I thought it best not to borrow one from the Resistance when I knew I wasn't going to be seeing real combat."

In turn, it's said with the confidence of a person who isn't actually the least bit worried about being injured.

Akua isn't used to having people be quite so trustworthy, but she offered him a smile all the same. It's only a touch sharp, really. Just enough to give the hint of teeth, a little excited, about the prospect.

"I'm certain a sword would be quite useful, but thankfully —"

She took a few steps to the side, making sure the angle was right. "Why don't you stay right there, and I'll just..."

Trismegistan Sorcery doesn't require much, for the basics. A fire spell as taught at the Imperial Legion's academy would do well enough, she thought. It's not quite so dangerous, either — particularly when it is angled in the right direction, like now -- when the shield breaks, it will simply keep going into air. She lets one fly, and hits the shield, with a punch of fiery force, behind it, before it dissipated -- just enough energy to hit, but not enough to keep going.

Despite his claims of being a noncombatant, Cid does clearly have some amount of combat training. Though he doesn't normally use a shield, he moves like how one would expect, automatically and without thinking about it.

Though the shield is a completely ordinary shield in every way, it doesn't seem like it's fragile enough that a single spell is enough to affect it.

Maaybe a slight scuff on it if you squint, but so far so good! "You weren't kidding about your skill," he says. He's seen Himeka in battle; he knows just how powerful magic is, but actually seeing it is still something he doesn't think he'll ever get completely used to.

One blast being not enough to do more than the slightest of scuffs is promising. Akua smiled, when she straightened, and stared at the defenses. That's good, at least. Even taking the force of a fiery punch with nothing more than the slightest of scuffs is... better than what most could do.

"You weren't kidding about your shield, either," she admitted, but she doesn't wait for another acknowledgement. Akua doesn't need to worry about collateral damage -- perhaps a bit prideful of her, but...

Well. She made a flying city and a superweapon. She's probably got good reason.

This time, it's a quick few weaves, another punch of fire that immediately hits and disperses -- leaving only a blast of heat that washed over the surface of the shield, and then it's followed by a chill, with ice spears clattering against the surface.

She's very clearly picking things that she knows can be completely controlled.

The shield manages to hold up fairly well to the repeated punches of fire, and Cid is quick enough to react that it's obvious he does have at least some manner of real experience with using a shield, because he doesn't appear to be in any danger of injuring himself.

The shield withstands the continued barrage of fire without any issue, but it's when Akua switches to ice that Cid reacts at all, letting out a quiet hiss at the sudden change in temperature against his arm, but the shield itself, so far, seems to be taking the damage fairly well.

It's a little worse for wear, but still visibly usable.

"Excellent," she was actually impressed, even in tone. He could hold up to a barrage, and Akua's magic certainly wasn't without a punch. She didn't have the power of Night with her, of course. She wasn't linked to the Sisters anymore, and had not been for some time, but she had always had a great deal of power, even without it.

"That just means I get to be a little more creative doesn't it?"

It was more of a challenge, now. Akua's fingers danced, as she seemed to rip the earth and rock from beneath her feet, already sharpened and hard, when it began in earnest, the force harder -- hard enough to move him, if he hadn't expected it. It's enough to whip the force of the shield, before the earth spread, covered the shield itself, and the earth hardened, before it started to sizzle, like the earth was trying to eat away at the shield.

[OPEN TO PLEROMA] MAGIC TRAINING!

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sorry for the delay in getting back to this!

no worries!!