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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 3021085" data-attributes="member: 35788">The rest of the day passed rather harmlessly from the perspective of Rhema, Semeion, and Charis.  They ran the rest of their errands in the morning and managed to get to the temple just in time to catch Ischarus as he was finishing up a section of training.  With a fair amount of pride, Rhema showed off the sword that she had purchased for Ischarus while they were shopping earlier in the day.  Ischarus could obviously tell that Rhema was proud of the purchase and he could tell simply by handling the sword that the item was of a significantly higher quality than the sword that he currently fought with.  With more than a hint of pleasure he took the sword and scabbard from Rhema.  As he attached the belt around his waist he informed her that he would continue to hold onto both swords until he was done with his training and then return his old sword to Rhema’s father once he was finished.  They all knew that it would take Ischarus a bit of time to grow comfortable with the new sword anyway, even if it was a far superior construction.Rhema also showed off her own crystal sword, pleased that she had finally been able to save up enough money to purchase the sword.  Of course, she also happily informed Ischarus of the incident at the Translucent Corymb in which she obtained her other newest addition.  Ischarus was more than slightly disappointed to find out that nobody heard the crystal speak except for Rhema.  Truth be told, it was a fact that worried him more than anything else.The rest of the conversation was short on account of Brandt returning early and looking forward to beginning Ischarus’ training once more.  Brandt hinted at the fact that he was pleased with Ischarus’ progression, although he also hinted at the fact that he and Ischarus had a significant amount of training left to accomplish.  All in all, Brandt explained that he had a total of seven magical abilities that he would like for Ischarus to master before sending him away to complete his training on his own.  Brandt indicated that these seven examples would certainly not give him a complete understanding of the arcane world.  However, these seven examples would provide a solid base upon which the rest of his learning could be built at a later time.Ischarus and Rhema certainly understood Brandt’s desire to continue the training, and their parting on this day was easier than the day before.  Rhema could see that Ischarus was both mentally and physically healing from their encounters with Grick.  She felt much more comfortable leaving Ischarus alone with Brandt now that she was sure that his healing was not in jeopardy.  They parted company once more.  Rhema returned to her father’s villa with Semeion and Charis while Ischarus returned to his studies with his master.  Brandt suggested that he would send for Rhema, Semeion, and Charis when Ischarus would be ready.Four days passed before Rhema’s father received a messenger from Brandt at the villa.  The messenger announced that he was from the temple in Fingerdale and that Brandt was sure Ischarus would have mastered his new techniques by sundown of the following day.  Of course, Ischarus was not the only one to have put this break between adventures to good use.  Over the course of the past few days, Rhema had learned that her new scarlet colored crystal companion was going to be a tremendous advantage in bolstering her will power and ability to make favorable decisions.  The crystalline presence seemed quite confident in its own abilities and seldom forgot to extend the compliments and confidence to include Rhema as well.  Before she had met the crystalline presence she had been working on stretching her powers in a few new directions.  The crystal helped her focus her efforts until she had mastered a few new techniques of her own.Semeion had taken a bit of time to continue to travel into Fingerdale and seek out a few simple magic shops.  He had hoped to find a link between the shop keeping merchants who were in charge of the shops and the mages that kept them supplied with goods to sell.  Unfortunately, Semeion was unable to convince any of the merchants to reveal their suppliers or to even attempt to arrange a meeting.  The best that Semeion could do was to find a few simple scrolls upon which unfamiliar arcane writing had been scrawled.  He spent many hours deciphering the magical inscriptions and as he did so he realized that he had unlocked a few magical secrets that he had not previously been taught.  He quickly added the magical notations to his own reference sources so that their power would not be lost from his ability to keep them.During this time, however, Charis was likely the busiest of all of the party.  She was not only learning social etiquette, but she was also given plenty of opportunities around the villa to demonstrate her valuable skills.  As the land drew closer and closer to the time for the harvest, the activity cycle of the villa increased significantly.  As the life cycle of the villa increased, it meant more and more injuries to the servants who worked hard to prepare the land for its harvest.  Charis found herself quickly developing a significant loyal following among the people who worked the villa’s land.  She found that both her skill in treating minor injuries as well as her ability to magically treat the more serious wounds drew great appreciation from those that she healed.  However, perhaps the most important thing that Charis found helpful in living among the people of the villa was the fact that like the majority of them she was also a refugee from Quehalost.  As Charis would heal, those refugees who had been around the villa for more time than Charis were able to explain their own period of transition.  This allowed the servants of the villa to feel as though they were invested in Charis’ own development and transition from slavery to freedom.  Before too long, only Rhema and her father were more popular across the face of the villa than Charis.The time for the foursome to be reunited came after only a few days, and it wasn’t long at all before Rhema, Ischarus, Charis, and Semeion all found themselves nestled back into the seating area within Brandt’s office.  The sun was just about to set as the day wound down.  All day long Ischarus had thought that Brandt was not acting in his usual manner.  As the day drew on, Brandt seemed to grow more and more excited.  Each time Ischarus would hint as to whether or not Brandt was hiding anything, Brandt would merely allude to being excited about Ischarus’ graduation day from his training.  Yet now that they were all present, Brandt was acting all the more excited.“I am glad that you have all been gathered here once more in my office,” Brandt began with a broad smile.  Rhema, Charis, and Semeion were equally surprised by this unusual enthusiasm shown by Brandt.  Although they were not as well acquainted with Brandt as Ischarus, they could still tell that he was excited about something.  “I can assure you greatly that your comrade is ready to go forth and adventure with a much renewed and invigorated spirit.”Everyone smiled at Ischarus, who proudly returned their expressions with a stoic look of accomplishment.  The work had not been easy, and there were a few new bruises that Rhema had noticed upon Ischarus when she arrived.  However, this was neither the time nor the place to question them.  She and the rest of the party were merely glad to have Ischarus back among them.Brandt continued speaking as he questioned them with an unapologetic spirit.  He quickly transitioned from Ischarus to the party’s future.  “I assume that you will be heading back to Quehalost?” Ischarus flashed a quick glance to his friends, but Rhema smiled confidently.  This topic had only begun to appear among the friends before Ischarus had been separated from them.  Yet during Ischarus’ absence this particular topic had come upon quite often.  Each time it was discussed, the return to Quehalost was a simple conclusion to reach.Ischarus sat while Rhema offered up the answer.  “I believe you can count with an assured spirit that it will not be long before we return to Quehalost.  After all, we have made several trips to Quehalost already.  We are only now getting to the point of making journeys of more than an hour beyond the mountainous passages.  Surely there is a considerable amount of work yet to be accomplished within the land contained by mountains.”Brandt nodded.  “Indeed there is.  And while you have shown great courage in challenging the authority of a red wyrm and surviving thus far, there are challenges within the land with which you would simply not be prepared for.  To be honest, I am rather confident that there are challenges within the land of Quehalost that I am not prepared for no matter how much I acknowledge that they exist.”Semeion nodded, understanding that even the magical power of Brandt had its limitations.  Rhema continued, “I believe that we have enough challenge waiting there for us for the time being, sir.”Brandt smiled slightly, although he didn’t speak quite yet.  He patiently waited for the party to volunteer any information rather than having to probe it out of them.Charis picked up where Rhema had left off.  “I would like to know the fate of my village, personally.  There is much that I left behind in the manner in which I was taken from Quehalost.  Mind you, I am not angry with how I was taken and there was a reason that I had to be disconnected in the fashion that I was taken.  Yet I know that the presence of Grick means that the village continues on in some form or another.  The power of my dragon father has not been broken.  In fact, it is likely that he has already chosen another Provenience if any women of my tribe survived his rage.  If none survived, then it is likely that my dragon father went out to capture and enslave other women to start fresh.”Brandt nodded completely in agreement.  He had heard the direction in which the party was leaning.  “I understand your sentiment, Charis.  I cannot know your situation, because like Ischarus my dragon father was a loving and supporting of my development.  My dragon father did not use his obvious power over us as a utensil of fear.  But I do feel the need to remind you that returning home will not be easy.  While you still have great compassion for your people, those who remain will likely see you as a traitor and the reason for their most recent round of great suffering.  If you return to your home village, I must caution you in this.”Charis nodded, although to a great extent she was blind to the emotional river that would likely burst forth should they return as planned.  Either way, she was confident in her ability to handle it.Brandt leaned back in his chair and smiled broadly once more.  “And what of you, Semeion?  Do you desire to return back to Quehalost and match wits with the dragon that almost roasted you and your friends?”Semeion nodded in the affirmative and rested a hand upon Charis’ shoulder.  “I wish to quest for some purpose.  There is no reason to simply study the arcane arts without using it to help people in one form of another.  I can think of no greater need than Quehalost.  Besides, I will support Charis in her desire to return.”Brandt smiled as he heard the telltale sign of emotion infused into logic.  “Be careful that you do not find yourself standing between love and a fire, then.  For while Quehalost is indeed a place of great need, there is no greater place in which you can be killed where nobody will think anything of it.  Quehalost is a place where heroes can be made, but fools can be lost to the world.”Semeion’s eyebrows furrowed a bit as he thought deeply about Brandt’s cautionary speech.  He wasn’t quite sure as to whether Brandt was trying to cautiously encourage him or lay a slight insult upon his feet.  Semeion concluded that the answer probably lay in whether he lives through their next mission or dies in the midst of it.Brandt continued the questioning of the party.  “And of you, Rhema?  Did you have enough time to put words to your thoughts as Charis and Semeion spoke?  Why would you return to Quehalost?”Rhema’s face grew stern as she thought of her last adventure.  Her thoughts revolved around Druff and if he were even still alive.  It was Druff that had informed them that the trip would have to be related to the previous one.  Now it seemed as though their next journey under the mountains would lead them to the same place for a third time in a row.  “I have a bit of unfinished business left in Quehalost.  I’d like to see it settled one way or another.”Brandt smiled a crooked smile, almost as if he could read her mind.  “I hope that you finish them satisfactorily before they finish you, Rhema.”  Turning to Ischarus, Brandt asked his final question.  “And what of you?  Why will you step foot into Quehalost once more, Ischarus?”Ischarus breathed deeply and smiled.  “I agree with my friend Semeion.  There are people in that land who simply are not free.  They are oppressed.  Many are enslaved.  Those who have some freedom live in fear most of their lives.  That life is not any life that I should want myself.  How can I honorably live here in our relative freedom and peace when they do not even have that choice?  Of course, I desire to see my kin again even if they are from a different dragon father.  As Charis spoke of earlier and Rhema also implied, there is work that we left unfinished in the land.  Three months have passed.  It is time to go once more.”Brandt nodded along with Ischarus, but offered no concluding advice for him as he had done with the others.  Ischarus had been listening to advice from Brandt for five days now.  If that advice hadn’t stuck by now there would be no parting words that would stick!  As Ischarus finished speaking, Brandt leaned back and looked as though he had something to say.  The party sat in silence, waiting for Brandt to speak.[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]The rest of the day passed rather harmlessly from the perspective of Rhema, Semeion, and Charis. They ran the rest of their errands in the morning and managed to get to the temple just in time to catch Ischarus as he was finishing up a section of training. With a fair amount of pride, Rhema showed off the sword that she had purchased for Ischarus while they were shopping earlier in the day. Ischarus could obviously tell that Rhema was proud of the purchase and he could tell simply by handling the sword that the item was of a significantly higher quality than the sword that he currently fought with. With more than a hint of pleasure he took the sword and scabbard from Rhema. As he attached the belt around his waist he informed her that he would continue to hold onto both swords until he was done with his training and then return his old sword to Rhema’s father once he was finished. They all knew that it would take Ischarus a bit of time to grow comfortable with the new sword anyway, even if it was a far superior construction.Rhema also showed off her own crystal sword, pleased that she had finally been able to save up enough money to purchase the sword. Of course, she also happily informed Ischarus of the incident at the Translucent Corymb in which she obtained her other newest addition. Ischarus was more than slightly disappointed to find out that nobody heard the crystal speak except for Rhema. Truth be told, it was a fact that worried him more than anything else.The rest of the conversation was short on account of Brandt returning early and looking forward to beginning Ischarus’ training once more. Brandt hinted at the fact that he was pleased with Ischarus’ progression, although he also hinted at the fact that he and Ischarus had a significant amount of training left to accomplish. All in all, Brandt explained that he had a total of seven magical abilities that he would like for Ischarus to master before sending him away to complete his training on his own. Brandt indicated that these seven examples would certainly not give him a complete understanding of the arcane world. However, these seven examples would provide a solid base upon which the rest of his learning could be built at a later time.Ischarus and Rhema certainly understood Brandt’s desire to continue the training, and their parting on this day was easier than the day before. Rhema could see that Ischarus was both mentally and physically healing from their encounters with Grick. She felt much more comfortable leaving Ischarus alone with Brandt now that she was sure that his healing was not in jeopardy. They parted company once more. Rhema returned to her father’s villa with Semeion and Charis while Ischarus returned to his studies with his master. Brandt suggested that he would send for Rhema, Semeion, and Charis when Ischarus would be ready.Four days passed before Rhema’s father received a messenger from Brandt at the villa. The messenger announced that he was from the temple in Fingerdale and that Brandt was sure Ischarus would have mastered his new techniques by sundown of the following day. Of course, Ischarus was not the only one to have put this break between adventures to good use. Over the course of the past few days, Rhema had learned that her new scarlet colored crystal companion was going to be a tremendous advantage in bolstering her will power and ability to make favorable decisions. The crystalline presence seemed quite confident in its own abilities and seldom forgot to extend the compliments and confidence to include Rhema as well. Before she had met the crystalline presence she had been working on stretching her powers in a few new directions. The crystal helped her focus her efforts until she had mastered a few new techniques of her own.Semeion had taken a bit of time to continue to travel into Fingerdale and seek out a few simple magic shops. He had hoped to find a link between the shop keeping merchants who were in charge of the shops and the mages that kept them supplied with goods to sell. Unfortunately, Semeion was unable to convince any of the merchants to reveal their suppliers or to even attempt to arrange a meeting. The best that Semeion could do was to find a few simple scrolls upon which unfamiliar arcane writing had been scrawled. He spent many hours deciphering the magical inscriptions and as he did so he realized that he had unlocked a few magical secrets that he had not previously been taught. He quickly added the magical notations to his own reference sources so that their power would not be lost from his ability to keep them.During this time, however, Charis was likely the busiest of all of the party. She was not only learning social etiquette, but she was also given plenty of opportunities around the villa to demonstrate her valuable skills. As the land drew closer and closer to the time for the harvest, the activity cycle of the villa increased significantly. As the life cycle of the villa increased, it meant more and more injuries to the servants who worked hard to prepare the land for its harvest. Charis found herself quickly developing a significant loyal following among the people who worked the villa’s land. She found that both her skill in treating minor injuries as well as her ability to magically treat the more serious wounds drew great appreciation from those that she healed. However, perhaps the most important thing that Charis found helpful in living among the people of the villa was the fact that like the majority of them she was also a refugee from Quehalost. As Charis would heal, those refugees who had been around the villa for more time than Charis were able to explain their own period of transition. This allowed the servants of the villa to feel as though they were invested in Charis’ own development and transition from slavery to freedom. Before too long, only Rhema and her father were more popular across the face of the villa than Charis.The time for the foursome to be reunited came after only a few days, and it wasn’t long at all before Rhema, Ischarus, Charis, and Semeion all found themselves nestled back into the seating area within Brandt’s office. The sun was just about to set as the day wound down. All day long Ischarus had thought that Brandt was not acting in his usual manner. As the day drew on, Brandt seemed to grow more and more excited. Each time Ischarus would hint as to whether or not Brandt was hiding anything, Brandt would merely allude to being excited about Ischarus’ graduation day from his training. Yet now that they were all present, Brandt was acting all the more excited.“I am glad that you have all been gathered here once more in my office,” Brandt began with a broad smile. Rhema, Charis, and Semeion were equally surprised by this unusual enthusiasm shown by Brandt. Although they were not as well acquainted with Brandt as Ischarus, they could still tell that he was excited about something. “I can assure you greatly that your comrade is ready to go forth and adventure with a much renewed and invigorated spirit.”Everyone smiled at Ischarus, who proudly returned their expressions with a stoic look of accomplishment. The work had not been easy, and there were a few new bruises that Rhema had noticed upon Ischarus when she arrived. However, this was neither the time nor the place to question them. She and the rest of the party were merely glad to have Ischarus back among them.Brandt continued speaking as he questioned them with an unapologetic spirit. He quickly transitioned from Ischarus to the party’s future. “I assume that you will be heading back to Quehalost?” Ischarus flashed a quick glance to his friends, but Rhema smiled confidently. This topic had only begun to appear among the friends before Ischarus had been separated from them. Yet during Ischarus’ absence this particular topic had come upon quite often. Each time it was discussed, the return to Quehalost was a simple conclusion to reach.Ischarus sat while Rhema offered up the answer. “I believe you can count with an assured spirit that it will not be long before we return to Quehalost. After all, we have made several trips to Quehalost already. We are only now getting to the point of making journeys of more than an hour beyond the mountainous passages. Surely there is a considerable amount of work yet to be accomplished within the land contained by mountains.”Brandt nodded. “Indeed there is. And while you have shown great courage in challenging the authority of a red wyrm and surviving thus far, there are challenges within the land with which you would simply not be prepared for. To be honest, I am rather confident that there are challenges within the land of Quehalost that I am not prepared for no matter how much I acknowledge that they exist.”Semeion nodded, understanding that even the magical power of Brandt had its limitations. Rhema continued, “I believe that we have enough challenge waiting there for us for the time being, sir.”Brandt smiled slightly, although he didn’t speak quite yet. He patiently waited for the party to volunteer any information rather than having to probe it out of them.Charis picked up where Rhema had left off. “I would like to know the fate of my village, personally. There is much that I left behind in the manner in which I was taken from Quehalost. Mind you, I am not angry with how I was taken and there was a reason that I had to be disconnected in the fashion that I was taken. Yet I know that the presence of Grick means that the village continues on in some form or another. The power of my dragon father has not been broken. In fact, it is likely that he has already chosen another Provenience if any women of my tribe survived his rage. If none survived, then it is likely that my dragon father went out to capture and enslave other women to start fresh.”Brandt nodded completely in agreement. He had heard the direction in which the party was leaning. “I understand your sentiment, Charis. I cannot know your situation, because like Ischarus my dragon father was a loving and supporting of my development. My dragon father did not use his obvious power over us as a utensil of fear. But I do feel the need to remind you that returning home will not be easy. While you still have great compassion for your people, those who remain will likely see you as a traitor and the reason for their most recent round of great suffering. If you return to your home village, I must caution you in this.”Charis nodded, although to a great extent she was blind to the emotional river that would likely burst forth should they return as planned. Either way, she was confident in her ability to handle it.Brandt leaned back in his chair and smiled broadly once more. “And what of you, Semeion? Do you desire to return back to Quehalost and match wits with the dragon that almost roasted you and your friends?”Semeion nodded in the affirmative and rested a hand upon Charis’ shoulder. “I wish to quest for some purpose. There is no reason to simply study the arcane arts without using it to help people in one form of another. I can think of no greater need than Quehalost. Besides, I will support Charis in her desire to return.”Brandt smiled as he heard the telltale sign of emotion infused into logic. “Be careful that you do not find yourself standing between love and a fire, then. For while Quehalost is indeed a place of great need, there is no greater place in which you can be killed where nobody will think anything of it. Quehalost is a place where heroes can be made, but fools can be lost to the world.”Semeion’s eyebrows furrowed a bit as he thought deeply about Brandt’s cautionary speech. He wasn’t quite sure as to whether Brandt was trying to cautiously encourage him or lay a slight insult upon his feet. Semeion concluded that the answer probably lay in whether he lives through their next mission or dies in the midst of it.Brandt continued the questioning of the party. “And of you, Rhema? Did you have enough time to put words to your thoughts as Charis and Semeion spoke? Why would you return to Quehalost?”Rhema’s face grew stern as she thought of her last adventure. Her thoughts revolved around Druff and if he were even still alive. It was Druff that had informed them that the trip would have to be related to the previous one. Now it seemed as though their next journey under the mountains would lead them to the same place for a third time in a row. “I have a bit of unfinished business left in Quehalost. I’d like to see it settled one way or another.”Brandt smiled a crooked smile, almost as if he could read her mind. “I hope that you finish them satisfactorily before they finish you, Rhema.” Turning to Ischarus, Brandt asked his final question. “And what of you? Why will you step foot into Quehalost once more, Ischarus?”Ischarus breathed deeply and smiled. “I agree with my friend Semeion. There are people in that land who simply are not free. They are oppressed. Many are enslaved. Those who have some freedom live in fear most of their lives. That life is not any life that I should want myself. How can I honorably live here in our relative freedom and peace when they do not even have that choice? Of course, I desire to see my kin again even if they are from a different dragon father. As Charis spoke of earlier and Rhema also implied, there is work that we left unfinished in the land. Three months have passed. It is time to go once more.”Brandt nodded along with Ischarus, but offered no concluding advice for him as he had done with the others. Ischarus had been listening to advice from Brandt for five days now. If that advice hadn’t stuck by now there would be no parting words that would stick! As Ischarus finished speaking, Brandt leaned back and looked as though he had something to say. The party sat in silence, waiting for Brandt to speak.[/Sblock]</blockquote>

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